-
Title
-
NEGRO'S JAIL DEATH RULED 'ACCIDENTAL'
-
Source Type
-
Newspapers
-
Publisher
-
Los Angeles Times
-
Publication Place
-
Los Angeles, CA
-
Publication Date
-
01/14/1967
-
Transcript
-
ATLANTA-The death, of James Earl Motley, a, Negro who died in Wetumpka (Ala.) jail after allegedly being beaten by a, white deputy sheriff, was, due to "accidental causes,", the county coroner said, Friday., Dr. Joseph R. Benson,, who held a closed-door inquiry into the Nov. 20, death, said in Wetumpka, he has filed a death certificate to that effect with the, state health department., Witnesses reported to, newsmen that Motley, 27,, was clubbed by the deputy, after balking at being arrested on a drunkenness, charge. Shortly after the, clubbing. which two wit-, nesses asserted occurred, while the victim's arms, were being held by two, state troopers, Motley was, pronounced dead in his Elmore County jail cell., Dr. Benson said the officers did not deny that, Motley was beaten, but, that they also said he fell, when entering the jail and, fell again from his jail cell, bunk. Dr. Benson said that, in his opinion the two, falls, rather than the clubbing. were the cause of, death., "No human being can, unequivocally make a, statement to that effect,, but this is my opinion on, the basis of what I have, been told." he said., Meanwhile. the Elmore, County Grand Jury continued its investigation into, the case. Dr. Benson. Dept., Sheriff Harvey Connor,, who arrested Motley, two, state troopers and several, Negro witnesses have testified before the jury., The case also is being, investigated by the FBI to, determine whether Mot-, ley's civil rights were violated.
