Killing of Otis Wright in Georgia in 1939

Incident

Case summary

Otis Wright (1909-1939), a laborer, was killed by police officer E.T. Payne in Atlanta, Georgia. Payne told newspapers that he and police officer V.D. West followed Wright in their cruiser, and came upon a group of Black men engaged in gambling games outside a house. As they arrested the men, they heard Wright exit the back of the house. Payne chased Wright to a vacant lot, where the two scuffled. Payne fatally shot Wright as Wright tried to flee.

Victim(s):

Otis Wright


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

E. T. Payne

V. D. West

Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1939-04-03
Location: Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia
Location type: public space - urban
Allegation against victim: attempting to escape arrest for gambling

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

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


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