Blackman Case

Bloodthirst hankered for three weeks in Vernon and Rapides Parishes, La., after the killing of Deputy Sheriff J. Frank Phillips by William Blackman, black man. Police slew Blackman in turn, promptly. Then they protected Blackman's brothers, Lee and Dave Blackman, by locking them in the Leesville jail.

Lee and Dave had done nothing but be born their brother's brothers. But the Parish people wanted more blood. Sheriff Turner guessed the Blackman brothers had better be moved to the Shreveport jail. Three deputies fetched them in a car, one day last week.

The customary thing took place. A score of armed men stepped out of ambush. The deputies were ordered to move on, which they did. Then the fusillade, the guilty silence, the "discovery" of two stiff black shapes several hours later.