August 23, 1955
Describes that an unnamed Black woman was on trial for murder and that prosecution was arguing for the death penalty. Also, includes other cases set to go on trial.
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In Lawrence County: Negro Mother Of Five Gets 5-Year Sentence
August 24, 1955
Describes that Willa Dean Cunningham, a Black woman from Courtland, was charged with manslaughter and sentenced to five years in prison
‘Wolf-Whistle’ Trial Opens Monday
September 18, 1955
Describes the murder of Emmitt Till and notes that a trial with an all-white jury was beginning. Also, notes that police officers had not found evidence necessary for conviction.
Despite Murder Acquittal: Mississippi Farm From Through With Till Case
September 25, 1955
Describes that the murders of Emmitt Till were acquitted and also provides details about the court hearings
Negro’s Murder Trial Set Monday: Court Moves Into Final Week
March 25, 1955
Describes that there were criminal cases set to be tried and that one of those cases pertained to Delano Jones, a Black man who had been charged with killing a white man
Slaying of White Man Charged: Negro’s Murder Case Due To Go To Jury Today; Death Asked. Defense To Plead ‘Insanity’: State Finishes Case Monday
March 29, 1955
Describes that Delano Jones, a 21-year-old Black man, was charged with the first-degree murder of a white man and that the death penalty was requested.
Murder Trial Ends As: Negro Sentenced To Life In Prison For Slaying Of Merchant.Delano Jones Spared From Chair By Insanity Pleas In Shooting Of L.W. Kilgore
March 30, 1955
Describes that Delano Jones, a 21-year-old Black man, made an insanity plea and received life in prison for the murder of L.W. Kilgore, a white man
Lauderdale Negro Woman Pardoned
April 15, 1955
Briefly notes that Viola Hornsby, a Black woman from Lauderdale County, had been granted a pardon after being sentenced to thirty years for murder
Whites Held In Slaughter Of Three Negro Children
January 11, 1950
Briefly describes the arrest of two of the three men held responsible for the murder of three Black children.
Young Negro Fatally Hurt In Jail; Investigation On
February 21, 1950
Describes that two police officers likely murdered a young Black man after he was placed in jail.
Three Whites Charged With Brutal Deaths: Survivors Of Slaying Of Negro Family Talk To Jury
March 16, 1950
Describes that a Black farmer named Thomas Harris was shot and that his family was murdered and presents that the suspect on trial was Windol Whitt, who was represented by the mayor of the town.
Sheriff, Deputy Convicted In Ku Klux Flogging Case
March 19, 1950
Describes that, in Dade County, Sheriff John W. Lynch and Deputy William Hartline were to serve one year in prison and pay a fine after handing seven Black men to a Ku Klux Klan mob to be abused and killed.
Negro Apartment Superintendent Kills Stepdaughter
February 7, 1951
Describes that a Black man named James Goode admitted to attempting to assault his stepdaughter, killing her, and burning her body
Life Sentence Is Upheld By Court
February 12, 1951
Explains that the Supreme Court held up a life sentence against a white man named Windol Whitt who murdered three Black children and includes the names of the other white men who participated in the act
Negro Tenant Dies With Prayer On His Lips
February 15, 1951
Describes that a Black man named K.C. Newell was killed by the electric chair after being convicted of murder. Cites that Newell believed it was self-defense.
Accused Negro is Transferred to the Kilby Prison
October 26, 1950
Explains that Cooper Drake, a Black man accused of rape, was transferred to Kilby Prison via ambulance due to the injuries inflicted by an angered posse. Also, gives additional information about the victim, Kathleen Holley
Negro Slayer Is Ordered Admitted Hospital For Insane
January 10, 1951
Describes that Alfred J. Mitchell, a Black man in Florence, killed his father at close range and was to be observed at the State Hospital for Insane in Tuscaloosa
Lauderdale, Lawrence Convicts Get Paroles
November 12, 1950
Briefly explains that thirty-three convicts were given paroles and includes thenames of two Black men, Joe Smith and Joe Jones
Negro Identified As Rapist, Killer
November 12, 1950
Explains that a woman named Kathleen Holley identified a Black man namedCooper Drake as responsible for raping her and killing her son
Public Rally Held By Klan In S. Carolina: Handbills Urge: ‘Hear What The Klan Stands For
November 12, 1950
Describes that the Ku Klux Klan was to hold a rally in order to explain their version of a violent night where they attacked a man named Rufus Lee at his home, attacked Black Americans at Myrtle Beach, and conducted a shooting that resulted in multiple injuries and deaths
Negro Is Shot to Death by His Own Son”Alfred J. Mitchell Killed Instantly Wednesday Night
November 23, 1950
Describes that a Black man named Alfred J. Mitchell was killed by his son and thatthe son was being held in Lauderdale County Jail after his confessing to the murder
Former Policeman Pleads Guilty in Civil Rights Case
October 13, 1950
Describes that a police officer named Doyle Mitchum admitted to the murder of a young Black boy named Willie B. Carlisle and conveys that the harshest punishment he could face was one year in prison and a $1,000 fine
Posse Seeking Negro Man In Death Of Boy: Rapes His Mother And Then Shoots Child Through Head
October 19, 1950
Describes that a large posse organized to hunt down the rapist of Kathleen Holley, and the man was later identified by police as Cooper Drake
Posse Shoots Down Accused, Sex Offender: Negro And Farm Wife He Raped In Same Hospital; Boy, 4, Dead
October 20, 1950
Describes that a group of angered men attacked Cooper Drake, the Black man accused of raping a woman named Kathleen Holley and killing her son