Killing of Willie David Speight in North Carolina in 1940

Incident

Case summary

Willie David Speight (1915 - 1941), a farmer, was killed in Lenoir County, North Carolina. A collector came to Speight’s home to collect a $25 furniture bill Speight owed. Speight said he did not have the money and asked the man to come back the next day. The collector left and returned with three or four other men, one of whom was allegedly an officer. The group shot Speight several times, then drove Speight to a hospital, where he died a few days later.

Victim(s):

Willie David Speight


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals: [ ]
Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1940-12-20
Location: Snow Hill, Greene County, North Carolina
Location type: victim's home
Allegation against victim: dispute with a creditor

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

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


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