Killing of Wesley Thomas in Louisiana in 1947

Incident

Case summary

Wesley Thomas (1916-1947), a wood cutter, was killed by 21-year-old farm hand W.D. Thompson in Calhoun, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana. Thompson sought out Thomas after Thomas had allegedly threatened the life of his employer, Z.W. Fuller. Sheriff Milton Coverdale called the shooting “justified.” A coroner’s jury ruled that Thompson killed Thomas in self-defense.

Victim(s):

Wesley Thomas


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

W. D. Thompson

Perpetrator group type: [ ]

Date of incident: 1947-07-30
Location: Calhoun, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana
Location type: private space - domestic
Allegation against victim: dispute over wages

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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