An Ugly Case In Elmore County

Title

Source Type

Newspapers

Publisher

The Montgomery Advertiser

Publication Place

Montgomery, AL

Publication Date

11/27/1966

Transcript

An Ugly Case In Elmore County FROM ALL THAT is publicly known, the death in Elmore County of James Earl Motley, a Negro construction worker, appears to be an ugly case. Witnesses say he was "beaten to death" by arresting officers. In any event, he's dead. Elmore County Sheriff Lester Holley said he was not beaten in jail, where he died. The investigation is adequately attended by FBI agents, which should help insure a full presentation of the facts, eventually. Until these are available, along with the autopsy report from the state toxicologist, judgment must be withheld. But from all that has been learned, the burden is now on the arresting officers to show that the fatal beating was not as described by witnesses. If they are indicted, the burden will be reversed, of course. Because the cry of "police brutality" has been raised so often, and so ridiculously on occasion, there are many who refuse to believe that it ever occurs. It does. The facts will determine whether or not this was an example, possibly a hideous one, or something quite different from the so far unrebutted statements of witnesses. Although most Alabamians would have preferred some kind of official statement, if the case is headed for trial in either state or federal court, as seems likely, perhaps silence is proper.

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