Killing of Frank Thomas Bates in Louisiana in 1949

Incident

Case summary

Frank Thomas Bates (1907-1949), a stevedore, was found dead in Parish Prison in New Orleans, Louisiana. He had been charged in connection with the death of Rev. John F. Neifert. An autopsy showed Bates suffered two broken ribs, discoloration of both eyes, brush burns, cut wrists, ankles and shoulders and bruises on his back. The Orleans Parish Coroner’s office attributed Bates’ death to a heart attack. A grand jury declined to indict anyone in connection with Bates’ death.

Victim(s):

Date of incident: 1949-07-18
Location: New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Location type: carceral location
Allegation against victim: murdering a white Catholic priest

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

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

FBI case ID:

Buffalo 44-16

New Orleans 44-255

DOJ case ID:

144-32-83


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