Killing of Joseph Harris in Mississippi in 1939

Incident

Case summary

Joseph Harris was killed in 1939 by a posse that gathered in Holmes County, Mississippi. The posse of 25 men and special deputies, led by Sheriff Walter Ellis Harris, was looking for the killer of Billy Abels, a night watchman, when they shot Harris, alleging he defied arrest and ran. The police claimed that Harris had attempted to draw a gun.

Victim(s):

Joseph Harris


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

Walter Ellis

Perpetrator group type: police, posse, mob

Date of incident: 1939-05-12
Location: Holmes County, Mississippi
Location type: public space - rural
Allegation against victim: killing a police officer; resisting arrest

Coroner process
Coroner/inquest: [ ]
Finding of no legal responsibility: [ ]

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


Document(s):
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news articles - closed
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