Probe Opened In Jail Death
Item
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Title
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Probe Opened In Jail Death
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Source Type
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Newspapers
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Publisher
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The Bridgeport Post
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Publication Place
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Bridgeport, CT
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Publication Date
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11/23/1966
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Transcript
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PROBE OPENED IN JAIL DEATH WETUMPKA, Ala. (AP) - State and federal agents have entered the investigation of the death of James Earl Motley, whose body WRS carried from the Elmore County jail Sunday, Sheriff Lester Holley says he is awaiting the outcome of an autopsy be ordered to determine how the Wetumpka Negro died. Companions of the dead man claim be was beaten by an officer when he refused to be arrested. Sheriff Holley said Tuesday night he was hoping they'll hurry with the autopsy "because there a lot of people interested in this thing. I'm very anxious to know what caused this boy's death because from that we'll know more about what to do and which way to go." He said without the state toxicologist's report on the autopsy, it isn't known whether Motley, 27, "died of natural causes or whether foul play was involved." Repeats Promise The sheriff repeated his promise to make the report public "the minute we get it. Nothing will be withheld." The FBI said Tuesday that It was investigating a complaint to the Justice Department stemming from Motley's death. Col. William Russell, Alabama public safety director, said his department also was inquiring into the death. The Rev. K.L. Buford of Tuskegee, Ala., field director for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said his group would conduct its own investigation. Sheriff Holley said Motley was arrested Sunday on charges of highway drunkenness and resisting arrest. An employe of a Wetumpka funeral home, Clancey Murkison, said he picked up Motley's body at the jail Sunday. He said the body was covered with blood which appeared to be several hours old.
