Killing of Johnnie Parker in Arkansas in 1931

Incident

Case summary

Johnnie Parker, 26, a cook, was killed in 1931 by O. C. Lumsden, a white farmer, and John Brooks, a Black man employed by Lumsden, in DeWitt County, Arkansas. Parker had been charged with killing a Black youth named Bernice Flourney and wounding three others. While sheriff Henry Cummins was transporting Parker to a court hearing, Lumsden and Brooks seized Parker from the sheriff, and Brooks shot him. Brooks was charged with murder and Lumsden as an accessory.

Victim(s):

Johnnie Parker


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

[given name unknown] Brooks

[given name unknown] Lumsden

Perpetrator group type: [ ]

Date of incident: 1931-08-07
Location: De Witt, Arkansas County, Arkansas
Location type: public space - rural
Allegation against victim: killing a Black man and wounding three others

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

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


Document(s):
census records - closed
death certificates - closed
news articles - closed
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