Killing of John Lester Mitchell in Louisiana in 1951

Incident

Case summary

John Lester Mitchell (1918-1951), a carpenter and WWII veteran, was shot and killed by Deputy Sheriff David Lanclos in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, because, according to newspaper accounts, he was rowdy and disorderly. Mitchell had previously filed suit in federal court to register as a voter, according to DOJ records. Lanclos was cleared by a coroner’s jury, according to newspaper accounts.

Victim(s):

John Lester Mitchell


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

David Lanclos

Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1951-11-18
Location: Opelousas, Saint Landry Parish, Louisiana
Location type: public space - urban
Allegation against victim: exhibiting public drunkenness; disturbing the peace; engaging in voter registration

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

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

FBI case ID:

Bureau 44-3207

New Orleans 44-388

DOJ case ID:

144-33-81


Document(s):
advocacy group resources
death certificates - closed
federal agency records
news articles - closed
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