Killing of Edward Earl Ray in North Carolina in 1948

Incident

Case summary

Edward Earl Ray (1930-1948), a student, was killed by police officer Hugh C. Strider in Pinehurst, Moore County, North Carolina. Strider claimed that Ray had robbed clothing from a department store, and that he fired shots when Ray fled and did not stop when ordered to do so. Coroner cleared Strider. At the request of NAACP lawyer Thurgood Marshall, attorney Curtiss Todd investigated. Todd advised that he was unable to find sufficient evidence to support a prosecution of Strider. Marshall counseled that the state should undertake an investigation.

Victim(s):

Edward Earl Ray


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

Hugh C. Strider

Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1948-03-20
Location: Carthage, Moore County, North Carolina
Location type: public space - urban
Allegation against victim: robbing a clothing store

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
census records - closed
death certificates - closed
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