Killing of Melwood Johnson in South Carolina in 1939

Incident

Case summary

James Johnson, age 45, a railway employee, died in 1939 in police custody in Florence County, South Carolina. Police officers J.E. Bailey and Tommy Hewitt arrested Johnson for allegedly stealing lumber from Atlantic Coast Line railway yards. Hewitt and possibly also Bailey brutally beat Johnson. Coroner’s inquest cleared the officers; it concluded that Johnson hanged himself.

Victim(s):

Melwood Johnson


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

J. E. Bailey

Tommy Hewitt

Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1939-12-06
Location: Florence, Florence County, South Carolina
Location type: public space - urban
Allegation against victim: resisting arrest

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
death certificates - closed
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