Killing of Robert Williams in Florida in 1931

Incident

Case summary

Robert Williams, a laborer, 31, was killed in 1931 when he was burned in a sweat box, a small wooden enclosure, in a county prison in Jefferson County, Florida. Prison deputies claimed that Williams attempted to escape the sweat box by burning his way out. A coroner’s jury returned a verdict that Williams came to his death in his own hands.

Victim(s):

Robert Williams


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

Date of incident: 1931-08-24
Location: Monticello, Jefferson County, Florida
Location type: carceral location
Allegation against victim: [ ]

Coroner process
Coroner/inquest: yes
Finding of no legal responsibility: yes

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


Document(s):
death certificates
news articles - closed
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