Killing of Jonas Martin in Alabama in 1938

Incident

Case summary

Jonas Martin, 38, was killed in 1938 by Frank Porter, a Black prisoner serving life and working as a “dog boy” at Kilby Prison, in Wilcox County, Alabama. Martin had been charged with killing Deputy Sheriff Goode Tait, who came to question him about a recent robbery, a few days earlier. Martin was hunted down by the police and a posse. He was a fugitive for a few days before he was found and shot to death by Porter in a cane field.

Victim(s):

Jonas Martin


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

T. J. Carlisle

William Debardeleben

Frank Porter

Perpetrator group type: police, posse, mob

Date of incident: 1938-09-11
Location: Perry County, Alabama
Location type: private space - agricultural or industrial
Allegation against victim: escaping from prison; attacking a prison trusty; murdering 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: [ ]


Document(s):
advocacy group resources
news articles - closed
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