Killing of Horace Williams in Louisiana in 1940

Incident

Case summary

Horace Williams (1919-1940), a service station worker, was killed by Lawrence Kennison, his employer, in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana. Williams had been threatened and run out of town by Kennison because Kennison, who operated a restaurant, suspected that Williams had told Kennison’s wife that Kennison was having an affair with another employee. Williams’s mutilated body was found on a highway. No legal action was pursued against Kennison.

Victim(s):

Horace Williams


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

Lawrence Kennison

Perpetrator group type: [ ]

Date of incident: 1940-05-22
Location: Morganza, Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana
Location type: private space - agricultural or industrial
Allegation against victim: being involved in a conflict over a young Black woman

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
news articles - closed
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