Killing of James Irwin in Georgia in 1930

Incident

Case summary

James Irwin, 25, a farm hand, was lynched and killed in 1930 by a mob in Irwin County, Georgia. Irwin, who was accused of the murder of a white girl, was seized from the Sheriff’s car by a mob of white citizens and stabbed to death. They then took him out of the city and burned him. A coroner’s jury was convened but did not place responsibility for the crime.

Victim(s):

James Irwin


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

E. H. Ellis

Preston Holden

R. L. Holden

J. E. Hollingsworth

W. E. Tyler

Perpetrator group type: police, posse, mob

Date of incident: 1930-02-01
Location: Ocilla, Irwin County, Georgia
Location type: public space - rural
Allegation against victim: raping and murdering a white girl

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

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


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