Killing of Roosevelt Thompson in Alabama in 1942

Incident

Case summary

Roosevelt Thompson (1907 - 1942), farmer and sawmill worker, was killed by a mob in Lowndes County, Alabama. Thompson was believed to have been having a consensual affair with the white wife of his former employer, Charley Hartsell. Accounts vary. Some suggest Thompson was found in the woman’s bedroom, while others are to the effect that Thompson went to the Hartsell home to collect overdue wages. There were no prosecutions.

Victim(s):

Roosevelt Thompson


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

Curtis Bowden

Ralph Gruel

Perry Hartsell

Robert Hartsell

Vantie Hartsell

Cecil Hawkins

Dave Owens

Vaughn Riles.

Perpetrator group type: mob

Date of incident: 1942-02-08
Location: Lowndes County, Alabama
Location type: private space - domestic
Allegation against victim: having an altercation with an employer; attempting to rape a white woman

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
death certificates
military documents - closed
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