◆ SpookStack

% % the three Yegroes had been tnvolved in an argument with a white wan ot the filling station tn question. The white nan veported the matter to the sheriff and three peace officers were dtapatched to the ecene. The fight ensued and one of the three Negroes woe ki lied. A looal grand jury fatled to tndtot the three of fi- cers who took part tn the affray. On June 27, 1946, the De~ partment aduteed that the actter would be presented to a Federal Crand Jury and that no further tnueettr7ation was de~ atred. On January 13, 1947, the facts were presented tn Federal rand Jury tn Galveeton and a no true dtll woe re- turned. (44-13691) franttce WoQann Coase One Prenttoe VeConn, o Negro, died from guashot wounde tinflteted by cfftcer Melvin Porter of the Mobtle, Alaborna, Police Department on July 7, 2945, at Mayavtile, Alabana, Porter and another officer aad etopped thetr petrol oar alongetde a Negro dice game. The offtcers stated thet WeCann wae shot whtle advanctng tn o threatentng manner, dteregarding orders to halt and after Officer Perter had etruck | MeConn with Ata ftst in an effort tc stop hin. . In connection with thia tnetdent, Marshall forwarded to the Department of Justice a number of affidauitea signed by Negrc witnesses allegtng that the shots were fired the tratant the patrol oar stopped and without preyooation, Inveatt gation by the Bureau developed confltoting teatinony on this potnt and the Departauent adutaed that, tn the absence of aufftoctent evidence to overceone the police officers’ defense of aels- defense, no prosecutive action was merited. (44-1267