Killing of Willie James Watson in Georgia in 1951

Incident

Case summary

Willie James Watson, age 30, a pulpwood industry worker, was killed in 1951 by police officers Raymond Flowers and Hugh Flowers in Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia. Watson was passed out on a bench in Valdosta, either sleeping or drunk or both, when the officers tried to move him into their patrol car. Witnesses said Watson was too incapacitated to cooperate and the police beat and shot him. The officers said that they shot Watson after he attacked them with a knife and tried to flee. Grand jury indicted; state court dismissed charges. Raymond Flowers was tried and acquitted in federal court. An essay on this case, researched and authored by a CRRJ student, is available on request.

Victim(s):

Willie James Watson

Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

Hugh Flowers

Raymond Flowers

Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1951-05-04

Location: Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia

Location type: public space - urban

Allegation against victim: resisting arrest; sleeping in public; exhibiting public drunkenness

Coroner process

Coroner/inquest: [ ]