Killing of John Johnson in Alabama in 1948

Incident

Case summary

John Johnson (1906 – 1948), a farm laborer, was killed by police officers Jimmy A. Hale and C. A. Vildibill in Birmingham, Alabama. Hale and Vildibill approached Johnson, who was from Pratt City, in an alley. They alleged that he pulled out a “fountain pen pistol” from his pocket. The officers shot Johnson, killing him. A coroner returned a finding of justifiable homicide.

Victim(s):

John Johnson


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

James Albert Hale Jr.

R. A. McMurdo

C. A. Vildibill

Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1948-03-29
Location: Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama
Location type: public space - urban
Allegation against victim: drawing a "fountain pen pistol" on a police officer

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

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

DOJ case ID:

144-1-121


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