Criminal Justice Matters:  Arthur Keels, 1946, Winn Parish, LA
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From:  May 3 & 10, 1946, Winn Parish Enterprise-News American


Coroner's Inquest Scheduled Today Is For Negro's Death

Arth;ur Keels Shot Twice For Assaulting Officer, Police Report

A coroner's inquest at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) will be held in connection
with the fatal shooting of a negro by City Policeman Lambert Stroud in the
L. & A. quarters late Saturday night, the sheriff's office announced
today.

The negro, Arthur Keels, Jr., a 21 year-old recently discharged sailor was
shot twice and instantly killed by Policeman Stroud during an altercation
with C. O. Barnes, another city officer, during which Keels cursed,
knocked down and assaulted the policeman, it was stated.  Called to the
quarters by a negro woman reporting the whereabouts of a mand dog, the
officers found the negro man "drunk and creating a disturbance," it was
reported.

The assault allegedly resulted after the officers told the negro that he
would be arrested and lodged in the city jail if he did not quiet down.
Officer Barnes was knocked unconscious by the negro and was taken to a
local clinic, where he recovered a short time later.


Article No. 2:

Jury Recommends Stroud's Exoneration In Negro Shooting

A coroner's jury in an inquest Friday afternoon recommended exoneration of
City Policeman Lambert Stroud in connection with his fatal shooting of
Arthur Keels, Jr., negro, in the L. & A. quarters Saturday night, April
27.

The jurors found that Keels was killed while Officer Stroud "was acting in
the line of duty and while the said Keels was resisting arrest," and that
the negro "had struck another officer immediately before the shooting, and
that under the circumstances....the killing was justifiable."

Jurors included A. L. Sikes, C. L. Hammonds, J. W. Gwin, Denton Shell, and
A. B. Thompson.  Dr. J. F. Faith is the coroner.