Killing of Willie Kees in Arkansas in 1936

Incident

Case summary

Willie Kees (1911-1936), a farmer, was killed by a lynch mob in Lepanto, Poinsett County, Arkansas. Kees was accused of attempting to attack a white woman. He was taken from the custody of city marshal Jay May by a group of ten men, bound, and shot to death. Justice of the Peace W.T. Thurman ruled that Kees died of gunshot wounds by unknown parties.

Victim(s):

Willie Kees


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals: [ ]
Perpetrator group type: mob

Date of incident: 1936-04-29
Location: Lepanto, Poinsett County, Arkansas
Location type: public space - urban
Allegation against victim: attacking a white 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 - closed
federal agency records
news articles - closed
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