◆ SpookStack

ma the three Negroes had been involved tn an argument with a white man at the filling station in question. The white man reported the matter to the sheriff and three peace officers were dispatched to the scene. The fight ensued and one of the three Negroes was killed. ; 4 local grand jury Jatied to indict the three of fi- cers who took part in the affray. On-June 27, 1946, the De~ partment advised that the matter would be presented to a Federal Grand Jury and that.ne further investigation was de- stred. On January 13, 1947,. the facts were presented in Federal Grand Jury in. Galveston and ano true bill was re- turned. Prentice iectann Case One Prentice McCann, a Negro, died from gunshot wounds inflicted by officer Melvin Porter of the Mobile, #iabama, Police Department on July 7, 1945, at Maysville, Alabama. Porter .and another officer had stopped thetr patrol car alongstde a Negro dice game. The officers stated that McCann was shet while advancing in a threatening manner, disregarding orders to halt and after Officer Porter had struck MeCann with his fist in an effort to stop him. In connection with this inctdent, Marshall forwarded to the Department of Justice a number of ef fidavits signed by. Negro witnesses alleging that the shots were ftred the instant the patrol car stopped and without prevocaticn. Investigation by .the Bureau developed conflicting testimony on this point and the Department advised that, in the absence of suf ficient evidence to overcome the police officers’ defense of self- defense, no prosecutive action was merited. - 14 -—