Cherry Connally, age 25, was killed in 1939 by Sheriff Joe Roy in the Ellis County jail in Ellis County, Texas. Connally allegedly attempted to escape from the jail and was recaptured. On his return, as one newspaper reported it, Sheriff Roy “administer[ed] what his revolver one of the most severe and inhumane beatings known to this section.” According to the story, Sheriff Roy then decided to kill Connally to put him out of his misery and to cover up his actions. After the killing, a newspaper reported that “hundreds” of people, both black and white, came to view Connally’s body at the undertaker “in the negro section.” Grand jury returned a no-bill against Sheriff Roy.

Cherry Connally

Joe E. Roy