Killing of Booker T. Spicely in North Carolina in 1944

Incident

Case summary

Pvt. Booker T. Spicely (1909 - 1944) was killed by Herman Lee Council in Durham County, North Carolina. Herman Lee Council, a bus driver, had ordered Spicely to sit in the back of the bus. Spicely protested but eventually moved to the back. When Spicely got off the bus, Council shot Spicely, alleging that Spicely started an argument and advanced on him. A trial jury acquitted Council. An essay on this case, researched and authored by a CRRJ student, is available on request.

Victim(s):

Booker T. Spicely


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

Herman Councill

Perpetrator group type: [ ]

Date of incident: 1944-07-08
Location: Durham, Durham County, North Carolina
Location type: public conveyance
Allegation against victim: refusing to move to the back of the bus

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

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

DOJ case ID:

144-54M-2


Document(s):
advocacy group resources
court records
death certificates - closed
federal agency records
news articles - closed
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