Killing of Boisey Potts in Florida in 1940

Incident

Case summary

Boisey Potts (1895 - 1940), a widely known Florida merchant, World War I veteran and deacon of a local church, was killed by deputy sheriff Robert Lee in Leon County, Florida. Potts allegedly had accidentally smashed a sign on a local white lumber company’s property. When Potts returned home to get the money to pay for the damage, the police were called to Pott’s house. There, Lee shot Potts. Lee claimed self-defense.

Victim(s):

Boisey Potts


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

Robert Lee

Clarence Pichard

Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1940-05-24
Location: Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida
Location type: victim's home
Allegation against victim: damaging a sign belonging to a local lumber concern; 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):
advocacy group resources
death certificates
military documents - closed
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