Killing of Melvin Santiel in Mississippi in 1937

Incident

Case summary

Melvin Santiel, about 20, was killed in 1937 by George Staples, a Black prison trustee, in Leflore County, Mississippi. Santiel was charged with stealing a train ride and was sentenced to the county farm because he was unable to pay a fine and the costs of the court. Staples allegedly accidentally shot Santiel when Santiel attempted to escape. A different account stated that Santiel was accidentally shot when a prisoner, Tom Perry, attempted to escape. Santiel’s family claimed that they were informed by several men on the prison farm that Santiel was badly beaten and killed but was not attempting to escape. Staples was charged with murder and was then discharged by a justice of the peace at a preliminary hearing.

Victim(s):

Melvin Santiel


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

George Staples

Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1937-09-08
Location: Leflore County, Mississippi
Location type: carceral location
Allegation against victim: attempting to escape

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

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


Document(s):
advocacy group resources
death certificates
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