Killing of Ernest McDay in Texas in 1940

Incident

Case summary

Ernest McDay (1923-1940), a student, died in the custody of law enforcement in Coryell County, Texas. McDay, along with Theodia Muldrow and Albert Wesley, Jr., both 19, were charged with raping Denise Grogan in Dallas and stealing from her home. Within hours of arriving at the state juvenile facility, McDay was found dead. Muldrow and Wesley were convicted and executed.

Victim(s):

Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:
Perpetrator group type: mob, police

Date of incident: 1940-05-15
Location: Gatesville, Coryell County, Texas
Location type: carceral location
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
census records - closed
death certificates - closed
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