Killing of Ernest Collins and Bennie Mitchell Jr. in Texas in 1935

Incident

Case summary

Bennie Mitchell, Jr. (1919-1935), a farmer, was killed by a mob in Colorado County, Texas. Mitchell and Ernest Collins (1919-1935) were arrested for allegedly murdering Geraldine Kollman, 19. They never received a trial, as a mob of hundreds took them from the police and hanged them. Ernest Collins (1919-1935), a farmer, was killed by a mob in Colorado County, Texas. Collins and Bennie Mitchell, Jr. (1919-1935) were arrested for allegedly murdering Geraldine Kollman, 19. They never received a trial, as a mob of hundreds took them from the police and hanged them.

Victim(s):

Ernest Collins

Bennie Mitchell Jr.


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

Date of incident: 1935-11-12
Location: Columbus, Colorado County, Texas
Location type: public space - rural
Allegation against victim: murdering by drowning a white girl who had accused them of stealing pecans from her father's orchard

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

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


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