Killing of Nep Roland in Alabama in 1940

Incident

Case summary

Nep Roland (1919 - 1940), a gardener and handyman, died in police custody in a city jail in Montgomery, Alabama. Several witnesses said they saw Roland being struck repeatedly in the head by two policemen W. A. Cauthen and M. S. Fant, who had arrested him on a disorderly charge. An autopsy identified a skull fracture and brain hemorrhage. Grand jury declined to indict. An essay on this case, researched and authored by a CRRJ student, is available on request.

Victim(s):

Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:
Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1940-04-16
Location: Montgomery, Montgomery County, Alabama
Location type: public space - urban
Allegation against victim: exhibiting drunkenness

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

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


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