Killing of Edward Swiney in Mississippi in 1940

Incident

Case summary

Edward Swiney, a/k/a Edward Cook (1918-1940), a laborer, was killed by Jessie Lay, Clarence Flanagan, and Rubin Well in Tutwiler, Tallahatchie County, Mississippi. Swiney and another Black man were accused of stealing from a local store owned by Jessie Lay. Swiney’s mother Nina Langston told newspapers that her son had been shot three times in the head and once in the arm. Trial jury acquitted.

Victim(s):

Edward Swiney


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

Clarence Flanagan

Jesse Lay

Rubin Well

Perpetrator group type: [ ]

Date of incident: 1940-03-20
Location: Tutwiler, Tallahatchie County, Mississippi
Location type: public space - urban
Allegation against victim: committing burglary of a drug store; stealing clothes and other valuables

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

Criminal process
Arrest: yes
Charge/indictment/information: [ ]
Grand jury: [ ]
Trial: yes
Conviction: no
Sentence: [ ]


Document(s):
advocacy group resources
death certificates
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