Elmore Grand Jury Reports; No Mention Of Motley Death
Item
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Title
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Elmore Grand Jury Reports; No Mention Of Motley Death
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Source Type
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Newspapers
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Publisher
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The Montgomery Advertiser
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Publication Place
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Montgomery, AL
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Publication Date
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01/17/1976
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Transcript
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Elmore Grand Jury Reports; No Mention Of Motley Death WETUMPKA—The Elmore County grand jury returned its report Monday afternoon without mention of the death of James Earl Motley 27-year old Montgomery Negro found dead in the Elmore County Jail Nov. 20. An autopsy showed that Motley died of "brain injuries" after three forceful blows on the head. He suffered multiple skull fractures and brain hemorrhage the autopsy report said. An Elmore deputy sheriff arrested Motley early on the morning of Nov. 20 on charges of highway drunkenness and resisting arrest. He reportedly summoned two state troopers to assist him in making the arrest. Motley was found dead in his cell several hours later. Alleged eyewitnesses to the arrest claimed before the grand jury convened last week that the deputy beat Motley while the troopers held the Negro. County Coroner Joseph R. Benson reported late last week that he had ruled the death accidental in the official death certificate. Benson said the injuries suffered by Motley were consistent with those inflicted by a fall. He said the Negro fell twice before his death, once behind the jail and again from a bunk to the steel floor of his cell. Circuit Clerk B. J. Moody said Monday night that it is doubtful the case will be brought before a grand jury again.
