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Cold Case Reveals Brutal Killing of Black Woman in 1945
Newly released documents reveal the details of Hattie DeBardelaben's 1945 death at the hands of law enforcement in Alabama, highlighting the violence against Black Americans during the Jim Crow era.
English
United States
JusticeHuman Rights ViolationsUs PoliticsHistoryFamilyRacismCivil Rights
National Archives And Records AdministrationFbiDepartment Of JusticeNaacpCivil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act Review Board
Hattie DebardelabenMary DebardelabenEdward DebardelabenBennie DebardelabenClyde White
- What broader historical context does Hattie DeBardelaben's case represent?
- The incident highlights the violence faced by Black Americans in the Jim Crow South, where perpetrators of such crimes often escaped accountability. The release of these documents offers a glimpse into this dark chapter in American history.
- How did Hattie DeBardelaben die, and what were the circumstances surrounding her death?
- Hattie DeBardelaben died in 1945 after being beaten by law enforcement officers in Autauga County, Alabama. Newly released federal documents detail the brutal assault and subsequent cover-up.
- What prompted the release of the federal documents detailing Hattie DeBardelaben's death?
- The documents, released under the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act, reveal that Hattie was accused of selling illegal whiskey and beaten to death after a confrontation with officers.
- What was Mary DeBardelaben's reaction to receiving the documents, and what are her hopes for the future?
- Mary DeBardelaben, Hattie's granddaughter, received the documents and experienced intense emotional distress upon learning the details of her grandmother's death. She expressed a desire for posthumous justice and an apology from the government.
- What form of justice or acknowledgement is Mary DeBardelaben seeking in relation to her grandmother's death?
- While the family has gained closure, Mary DeBardelaben hopes for a symbolic arrest or an apology to acknowledge the injustice suffered by her grandmother and her family. She also aims to educate future generations about this historical event without promoting hatred.