Killing of Wilmer Smith in Louisiana in 1941

Incident

Case summary

Wilmer Smith, age 39, a laborer, was killed in 1941 by Detectives William Grosch and Andrew Arnold in New Orleans, Louisiana. Smith was extradited from Detroit, Michigan, to Louisiana by the detectives for allegedly murdering Patrolman Lester Johnson in 1930. They drove him from Detroit back to New Orleans. Smith was shot by the officers on Airline Highway on the same day he got back to New Orleans. A grand jury declined to indict. An essay on this case, researched and authored by a CRRJ student, is available on request.

Victim(s):

Wilmer Smith


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

Andrew Arnold

William Grosch

Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1941-01-15
Location: Metairie, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana
Location type: public space - urban
Allegation against victim: shooting a police officer

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

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


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