Killing of William Johnson in Georgia in 1949

Incident

Case summary

William Johnson, 55, a county employee and Baptist church deacon, was killed in 1949 by police officers Leonard Clayton Sapp and Woodrow Wilson Woodham in Glynn County, Georgia. Sapp and Woodham claimed that they stopped Johnson on the street because he was “acting in a suspicious manner.” Sapp then wrestled with Johnson, alleging that the victim had a pistol. Woodham fired at Johnson. Grand jury declined to indict. An essay on this case, researched and authored by a CRRJ student, is available on request.

Victim(s):

Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:
Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1949-05-03
Location: Brunswick, Glynn County, Georgia
Location type: public space - urban
Allegation against victim: standing on a corner and looking suspiciously at a house; attacking a police officer with a pistol

Coroner process
Coroner/inquest: yes
Finding of no legal responsibility: yes

Criminal process
Arrest: [ ]
Charge/indictment/information: [ ]
Grand jury: yes
Trial: [ ]
Conviction: [ ]
Sentence: [ ]

FBI case ID:

Savannah 44-147

DOJ case ID:

144-20-45


Document(s):
advocacy group resources
court records
death certificates
federal agency records
news articles - closed
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