Killing of Charlie Wright in Alabama in 1948

Incident

Case summary

Charlie Wright, age 35, a miner, was killed in 1948 by police officers C.W. Milwee and J.L. Lambert in Birmingham, Alabama. Police claimed that Wright was seen leaving the rear of a store, that they commanded him to stop, that Wright pulled a razor on them, and that they shot him when he refused to drop the razor.

Victim(s):

Charlie Wright


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

Jesse E. Lambert

C. W. Milwee

Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1948-09-05
Location: Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama
Location type: public space - urban
Allegation against victim: exhibiting drunkenness; resisting arrest; approaching a police officer with an open razor

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):
census records - closed
federal agency records
military documents - closed
news articles - closed
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