Killing of Samuel Lee Williams in Alabama in 1949

Incident

Case summary

Samuel Lee Williams (1913 – 1949), a cook and waiter, was shot by M. A. Weeks, a streetcar conductor, in Birmingham, Alabama. Williams took a seat in the front section of a streetcar reserved for white passengers and when told by the conductor to move to the back section, he did so. Accusing Williams of cursing as he moved back, Weeks fired his gun, seriously wounding Williams. Williams died about a week later from the wounds. Weeks was charged with assault with intent to murder.

Victim(s):

Samuel Lee Williams


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

M. A. Weeks

Perpetrator group type: [ ]

Date of incident: 1949-11-20
Location: Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama
Location type: public conveyance
Allegation against victim: refusing to sit in the Jim Crow section

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

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


Document(s):
death certificates
news articles - closed
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