Killing of Edward Clifford Williams in Louisiana in 1943

Incident

Case summary

Edward Clifford Williams (1911-1943), a laborer, was killed by three sailors in Algiers, Louisiana. Williams was walking home from church with his wife and small children when the sailors started harassing the family. When Williams protested, they beat him and lacerated him to death with beer bottles. Walter C. Sherwood, a nineteen-year-old white Coast Guard member from Texas, stood trial in Orleans Parish. Trial jury acquitted.

Victim(s):

Edward Clifford Williams


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

A. B. Bright

Paul O'Malley

Walter C. Sherwood

Perpetrator group type: [ ]

Date of incident: 1943-04-27
Location: Algiers, Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Location type: public space - urban
Allegation against victim: protesting when beer was poured on his wife and infant son

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

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


Document(s):
advocacy group resources
correspondence
death certificates - closed
maps
maps - closed
military documents - closed
news articles - closed
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