Killing of Willie Pless in Georgia in 1942

Incident

Case summary

Willie Pless (1921 - 1942), laborer, was killed by Police Chief Thomas Bragg in Pulaski County, Georgia. Bragg admitted to the FBI that he killed Pless. The officer claimed that Pless was robbing a store and that he shot Pless in self-defense when Pless attacked him with an ice pick.

Victim(s):

Willie Pless


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

James Thomas Bragg

Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1942-01-24
Location: Hawkinsville, Pulaski County, Georgia
Location type: private space - commercial
Allegation against victim: committing burglary

Coroner process
Coroner/inquest: [ ]
Finding of no legal responsibility: [ ]

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

DOJ case ID:

144-19M-101


Document(s):
death certificates - closed
federal agency records
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