Killing of John Lester Vann in Alabama in 1952

Incident

Case summary

John Lester Vann (1923 – 1952), a water works laborer and WWII veteran, was killed by police officer H. O. Black in Birmingham, Alabama. The officer had arrested Vann on a charge of joint occupancy of a room with a woman other than his wife. Black claimed Vann came at him with a knife, whereupon he shot and killed Vann. A coroner returned a finding of justifiable homicide.

Victim(s):

John Lester Vann


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

Date of incident: 1952-03-23
Location: Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama
Location type: victim's home
Allegation against victim: not dressing fast enough; attacking a police officer with a knife

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
death certificates
news articles - closed
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