Killing of Leonard McCowin in Texas in 1947

Incident

Case summary

Leonard McCowin (1926 - 1947), a café worker and a veteran, was killed by city marshal Brian McCallum in Shelby County, Texas. McCowin was standing on a public street holding a hunting rifle. He was accompanied by an acquaintance, Laura Smith. When asked by McCallum to hand the rifle over, McCowin complied. McCallum nevertheless struck and beat McGowin with a gun. Grand jury returned a no bill against McCallum. An essay on this case, researched and authored by a CRRJ student, is available on request.

Victim(s):

Leonard McCowin


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

Brian McCallum

Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1947-11-04
Location: Center, Shelby County, Texas
Location type: public space - urban
Allegation against victim: carrying an unloaded gun

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

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

DOJ case ID:

144-75-25


Document(s):
advocacy group resources
census records - closed
court records
death certificates - closed
federal agency records
military documents - closed
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