FBI Enters Investigation

Title

Source Type

Newspapers

Publisher

Las Vegas Daily Optic

Publication Place

East Las Vegas, NM

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., Files Federal Complaint, 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. But, Jackson and Motley eventually, got out and talked with Conner. When the pair got back, into the car, Varner said, the, deputy fired a shot and used his car radio to summon two, state troopers., "When the troopers arrived,, they held Motley while Conner, beat him on the head "with a, black object that was large at, one end," Varner said., "Then they put Earl in - the, deputy's car and told the others, to go home," Varner recounted., Varner said Jackson came to, his home a little after 2 a.m., Sunday. "He told me that Earl, was in jail and he was beaten, up pretty badly.", The stepfather said he was, on his way to the jail to arrange bond when the funeral, home notified him of the death., Col. C. W. Russell, head of, Alabama state troopers, would, not comment but said "the, charge is under investigation."

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See all items with this value James Earl Motley