FBI Probes Alabama Jail Fatality

Title

Source Type

Newspapers

Publisher

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Publication Place

Lubbock, TX

Publication Date

11/23/1966

Transcript

WETUMPKA, Ala. (UPI) -, The FB1 entered the case Tues-, day of a 23-year-old Negro, who died in jail after allegedly, being beaten by police., The victim, James Earl, Motley, reportedly was "covered with blood" when his body, was taken from the Elmore, County Jail Sunday., Sheriff Lester Holley, who, was out of town at the time of, Motley's arrest, said he did not, know whether Motley died of a, beating, but added: "He wasn't, beaten in jail.", "When I have a report, every-, one will know it," Holley said., William Varner, Motley's, stepfather who raised him from, the age of four. said flatly:, "My son was beaten to death.", Varner charged an autopsy, already had been performed, on Motley when he arrived at, the Rose-Geeter Funeral Home, Sunday. "They had his body, wide open when I got there,", Varner said., , He said he filed a complaint, with the FBI in Mobile, and, with Justice Department officials. Motley died following his arrest on charges of drunkenness,, resisting arrest and interfering, with an officer making an arrest., He said Motley's companions, told this story:, Motley and five others were, in a car enroute from Montgomery when they were stopped, on U.S. 231 by Deputy Sheriff, Harvey Conner about three, miles south of here., The driver of the car was, identified as Wilbur Jackson., Others in the car included, Motley, Rubin Clark, an airman stationed at a Georgia air, force base; Jackson's wife, Joyce: Gloria Jean Johnson,, 16, and Edna Mac Bowman, 14., Says Shot Fired, Conner, according to Varner's, account, asked the driver to, step out of the car and Motley, objected. saying the Elmore, County officer had no authority, in Montgomery County.

Sources for

See all items with this value James Earl Motley