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Title
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Did Beating Cause Negro's Death In Alabama Jail?
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Source Type
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Newspapers
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Publisher
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Chicago Daily Defender
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Publication Place
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Chicago, IL
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Publication Date
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11/28/1966
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Transcript
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WETUMPKA, Ala. - James, Earl Motley, 27-year-old Negro., was buried here Sunday. His, death in the county jail continued to be shrouded in mystery, and suspicion., Five Negroes who were with, Motley say an Elmore County, deputy sheriff beat Motley while, he was being held by two state, troopers., The County Coroner, sheriff,, FBI and state patrol have been, investigating the death, but, have repeatedly refused to release any information on the, case, including an autopsy report. Motley, known as "Bronco,", was arrested on charges of being drunk, resisting arrest and, interfering with police officers., Motley's companions claim, they were stopped by the deputy, while driving from Montgomery, to Wetumpka. They said they, told the Elmore County deputy, they were still in Montgomery, County and he had no authority, there. They said the deputy then, radioed state troopers for help, and when two troopers arrived,, they held Motley while the deputy beat him., The five witnesses said Motley was then put in the deputy's car and taken to jail. Motley's companions were not arrested., Wetumpka is the same town, that refused to find a place in, its cemetery for its first Viet Nam casualty Negro Army Pfc., Jimmy L. Williams., Motley's stepfather, William, Varner, witnessed the beat-, ing and filed a complaint with, the FBI in Mobile and the U.S., Justice Department that accused, Wetumpka deputy sheriff Har-, vey Conner., Conner ordered Motley and, the driver of the car, Wilbur, Jackson, out of the car, Varner, said. However, Motley objected, that the Elmore county officer, had no authority in Montgomery county. After talking with, the officer the group returned, to the car. Conner was said to, have fired a shot and called two state troopers by radio., The stepfather charged that, when the troopers arrived, they, held Motley while Conner beat, him on the head "with a black, object that was large at one, end. Then they put Earl in the, deputy's car and told the others, to go home.", Varner said the driver of the, car, Jackson, came to his home, around 2 a.m. Sunday and told, him "Earl was in jail and he, was beaten up pretty badly.", He said he was on his way to, the jail to arrange bond when, a funeral home notified him, Motley was dead., Sheriff Lester Holley denied, the charges and said Motley, was not beaten in jail. He ex-, plained that an investigation, was being made and "when I, have a report, everyone will, know it.", Holley said he was out of, town when Motley was arrested., Col. C. W. Russell, head of, the Alabama highway patrol,, refused to comment on the case., He said only. "The charge is, under investigation."
