Killing of Eugene Whitfield in Alabama in 1941

Incident

Case summary

Eugene Whitfield, 20, a laborer, was killed by off-duty police officer W. A. Dobson in 1941 in Birmingham, Alabama. Dobson reported that Whitfield pulled a knife on him. Dobson struck Whitfield with a cane and when he resisted, the officer began firing shots. Witnesses stated that the officer deliberately fired shots at Whitfield when the man refused to submit to a beating.

Victim(s):

Eugene Whitfield


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

William A. Dobson

Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1941-05-23
Location: Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama
Location type: private space - commercial
Allegation against victim: exhibiting drunkenness; fighting with a police officer; resisting arrest

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

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


Document(s):
news articles - closed
police reports
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