Killing of Joe Blackwell in Texas in 1952

Incident

Case summary

Joe Blackwell (1897-1952), a farmer, was killed by Curtis Hill (or Harris) in Paris, Lamar County, Texas. Hill claimed that Blackwell owed him a debt of $4.02 on an ice bill. Hill went to Blackwell’s house to collect, and Blackwell paid him half the amount. Hill returned the next day to collect the remainder, and when he saw Blackwell sitting on his porch holding a shotgun, Hill pulled his own gun and fatally shot Blackwell. Grand jury indicted. Trial jury acquitted.

Victim(s):

Joe Blackwell


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

Curtis Harris

Perpetrator group type: [ ]

Date of incident: 1952-09-14
Location: Paris, Lamar County, Texas
Location type: victim's home
Allegation against victim: failing to pay an unpaid balance in an ice bill; argument with a white man

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

Criminal process
Arrest: yes
Charge/indictment/information: yes
Grand jury: [ ]
Trial: yes
Conviction: no
Sentence: [ ]


Document(s):
advocacy group resources
census records - closed
death certificates
death certificates - closed
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