Killing of James Royal in Alabama in 1933

Incident

Case summary

James Royal, 18, was killed in 1933 by a gang in Decatur, Morgan County, Alabama. He was killed while standing within the vicinity where Thomas Brown, a Black man who was accused of attacking a white woman in Decatur, had been arrested. A mob attempted to storm the county jail in Decatur where Brown was held but discovered Brown had been moved. They then drove by the street where Royal was standing with some companions and fired several shots, killing Royal. There were no arrests.

Victim(s):

James Royal


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals: [ ]
Perpetrator group type: mob

Date of incident: 1933-08-21
Location: Decatur, Morgan County, Alabama
Location type: public space - urban
Allegation against victim: accused in case of mistaken identity

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

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


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