Killing of Charles Harris in Alabama

Incident

Case summary

Charles Harris, age 16, a schoolboy, was killed in 1947 by Police Chief Milton Patterson in Jefferson County, Alabama. Harris was accused of burglarizing a minister’s home. Police claimed that Patterson, the arresting officer, shot Harris after Harris pulled a knife on him.

Victim(s):

Charles Harris


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

Milton Patterson

Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: [ ]
Location: Lipscomb, Jefferson County, Alabama
Location type: unknown - urban
Allegation against victim: burglary; threatening a police officer with a knife

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
census records - closed
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