Appendix A
Conclusions of the Justice Department about Violations of Federal Law by Lynch Mobs (contained in letter from Malcolm R. Wilkey to William Rogers, May 25, 1959)
On the basis of the facts disclosed by the investigation, it would appear
that there is some evidence of violence and a conspiracy to violate
Section 1201 of Title 18, United States Code, relating to the transportation in interstate commerce of any person who has been unlawfully
abducted and held for ransom or reward or otherwise. This evidence
indicates that pursuant to a prearranged plan, Parker was taken from
the jail by force and against his will, placed in Reyer's Oldsmobile,
which was observed to leave the scene of the abduction and later was
seen proceeding on Highway 26, across the Pearl River Bridge [Bogalusa Bridge], presumably into the State of Louisiana.Examination of the facts developed to date reveals that any federal
criminal prosecution would encounter serious difficulties. In this regard your attention is invited to the following:Conclusions of the Justice Department about Violations of Federal Law by Lynch Mobs (contained in letter from Malcolm R. Wilkey to William Rogers, May 25, 1959)
| 1. There is no direct evidence that Parker was actually in Reyer's car at the exact time that it allegedly crossed into Louisiana. | |
| 2. Though the evidence indicates that Reyer's car reached the Louisiana side of the Pearl River Bridge, it has not been conclusively shown that the car actually crossed the boundary line between Louisiana and Mississippi. | |
| 3. There is no evidence concerning the time and place of the murder; it is impossible to determine, therefore, whether or not Parker was alive at the time of the alleged interstate transportation. If Parker was fatally shot prior to such transportation, then it |
-206-
Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.com
Publication information:
Book title: Blood Justice:The Lynching of Mack Charles Parker.
Contributors: Howard Smead - Author.
Publisher: Oxford University Press.
Place of publication: New York.
Publication year: 1988.
Page number: 206.
This material is protected by copyright and, with the exception of fair use, may not be further copied, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means.
One moment ...
- Georgia
- Arial
- Times New Roman
- Verdana
- Courier/monospaced
Reset