Wilmer Smith

Case summary

Incident

On Feb. 27, 1930, a New Orleans criminal court indicted Wilmer Smith, also known as Wilbur Moore, for the murder of 39-year-old white city patrolman Lester Johnson. Newspapers reported that on the evening of Jan. 17 an unidentified Black man shot Johnson before fleeing the scene, leaving behind a car. Johnson died in the hospital on Jan. 23.

Five days after the shooting, according to a Times-Picayune article, police Sgt. Joseph Cassard identified Smith as the individual responsible for Johnson’s death. Cassard reportedly located several witnesses “while accompanying a line of prisoners to the penitentiary at Baton Rouge,” who helped identify Smith by photograph and car description. Among these witnesses, the Times-Picayune stated, were Smith’s mother and a former common-law wife.

Smith’s whereabouts were unknown at the time of his indictment. Ten years later, on Dec. 10, 1940, police arrested Smith in Detroit, Michigan. The New Orleans Item reported that authorities identified Smith by his fingerprints. Upon arrest, Smith denied responsibility for the 1930 shooting of Johnson.

Smith’s Dodge plant colleagues and the Detroit branch of the NAACP assisted in paying legal fees to fight his extradition to Louisiana. Michigan Gov. Luren Dickenson signed an extradition warrant for Smith, whose lawyers then sought habeas relief from the Detroit Recorder’s Court. These efforts failed when Smith’s lawyers were unable to produce witnesses to prove that their client had been living in Detroit at the time Johnson was killed in New Orleans. Smith was transferred to the custody of two New Orleans detectives who had been waiting for him in Detroit since Dec. 26.

Detectives William Grosch and Andrew Arnold, both white New Orleans natives, were responsible for transporting Smith from Michigan to Louisiana. Grosch, 48, and Arnold, 54, had previously appeared in court for charges related to what New Orleans-area newspapers called “third degree” methods.

By the time of Smith’s extradition in 1941, Grosch had been accused of killing five individuals – Ross Palumbo in 1932, George Roesch in 1933, Boone Duane Coulter in 1935, Hayes Howard in 1935, and Charles Anderson in 1937 – in his capacity as a detective.

Grosch and Arnold told the New Orleans Office of the Superintendent of Police that they arrived in the city with Smith at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 15, 1941. According to their joint statement, the detectives brought Smith to the 3rd precinct station for questioning. While there, Smith allegedly confessed to killing Johnson in 1930. Grosch and Arnold then departed the station with Smith for Vacherie, about 50 miles away, to retrieve the gun he reportedly left at his sister’s home the night of the killing. The detectives stated that Smith asked to relieve himself so Arnold, who was driving, pulled the car over along Airline Highway in Jefferson Parish.

According to the detectives’ statement, a handcuffed Smith hit Grosch in the head with his handcuffs while they were standing outside the car. Grosch then fell to the ground, grabbed Smith, and yelled for Arnold. As Arnold exited the car, Grosch allegedly fired one warning shot. In an ensuing “scuffle” with both Grosch and Arnold, Smith “managed to get his two hands” over Grosch’s head “with the handcuffs on” and tried to choke him. Grosch fired a second shot, hitting Smith in the neck.

Grosch and Arnold called for an ambulance and notified the sheriff’s office. When the ambulance from Charity Hospital arrived, Smith was pronounced dead.

Aftermath

The New Orleans Press Club met on the evening of Jan. 16 to discuss Smith’s killing. The group’s secretary, Leon Lewis, wrote to Louisiana Attorney General Eugene Stanley on Jan. 18 requesting an investigation. The New Orleans NAACP implored the district attorney’s office and the superintendent of police to investigate and asked for Grosch and Arnold’s suspensions.

Smith was buried at Carrollton Cemetery in New Orleans on Jan. 21.

The Atlanta Daily World reported at the end of January that the New Orleans Press Club received a reply from Stanley stating that he had requested Orleans Parish District Attorney J. Bernard Cocke to “make a full investigation.” Jefferson Parish District Attorney John E. Fleury, who also received a copy of the letter to Stanley, promised to bring the matter before a grand jury.

Detroit resident Della Adams raised the incident to the federal government in a Jan. 30 letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. She attached a newspaper clipping about Smith’s death and wrote, “I am writing to see what you think of the way they did this negro man.” Whether anyone from the president’s office or the Department of Justice replied is unknown.

In February, 35-year-old Black New Orleans resident Daisy Powell identified herself to reporters as Smith’s common-law wife. According to the Chicago Defender, Grosch and Arnold sought Powell for questioning “about the presence of the man who is alleged to have been present with Smith when the murder was committed.” On Feb. 9, the paper reported, the detectives found her in a cafe, forced her into their car, beat her, told her to leave the city, and then jailed her at the 1st precinct. Powell informed the Times-Picayune that she was hospitalized for more than a week.

Following demands from the Press Club and NAACP, Cocke ordered an exhumation of Smith’s body and  requested a “full and detailed report” from the coroner on the cause of Smith’s death. When Smith’s body was exhumed on March 13, those present discovered that Smith had been buried in the dirt, unclothed, in a shallow and unmarked grave. The coroner concluded that Smith died as the result of the gunshot wound in his neck. Reporters for the Chicago Defender wrote that the undertaker responsible for Smith’s body told the district attorney that it was his opinion Smith had been shot post-mortem.

In late April, Stanley requested that Fleury complete Cocke’s initial investigation. According to the Chicago Defender, Cocke’s report included statements from 19 individuals, a report, and four photographs from the exhumation.

On May 31, 1941, a Jefferson Parish grand jury declined to indict Grosch or Arnold for Smith’s killing.

Both Grosch and Arnold appeared before a criminal court in New Orleans four months later for a separate incident. Three Black teenagers stated that the two detectives beat them, forced them to confess to a murder, and then gave them ice cream and cake for complying. The judge determined the confessions were inadmissible in court and the district attorney did not pursue the case further.

John J. Grosch, William’s brother, was elected sheriff in 1946 and appointed his brother as his chief deputy.

Arnold died in 1954 at age 67. William Grosch died in 1978 at the age of 85.

Media Gallery

Case summaries are compiled using government records and archival primary source material. These include, but are not limited to, investigative records, arrest reports, newspaper articles, court filings, census records, birth and death certificates, transcripts, and press releases. In many cases, the records contain contradictory assertions.

In addition to the incident files associated with this case, this summary relied on the following:

Sources

Archival Records

• Association of Southern Women for the Prevention of Lynching: General Files, Wilmer Smith; Northeastern University Library Digital Repository, Boston, Massachusetts
• Louisiana Collection: The Louisiana Weekly, Microfilm 2860; Edith Garland Dupre Library, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana
• NAACP Papers: General Office Files, Lynching; Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
• NAACP Papers: Legal File, Extraditions, General, 1941; Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
• New Orleans Police Department Arrest Records, 1881-1931; City Archives & Special Collections, New Orleans Public Library; New Orleans, Louisiana

Genealogical Records

• Certificate of Death, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Louisiana, United States, 1941
• Louisiana Statewide Death Index, Louisiana, United States, 1941
• Population Schedule for East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, United States Federal Census, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1950
• Population Schedule for East Carroll Parish, Louisiana, United States Federal Census, 1910, 1920
• Population Schedule for East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, United States Federal Census, 1940
• Population Schedule for Orleans Parish, Louisiana, United States Federal Census, 1930, 1940, 1950

Newspaper Articles

• “5 Policemen Give Blood to Brother Officer,” New Orleans States (New Orleans, LA), January 18, 1930
• “Alleged Beating of Negro Woman Put Before Jury,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), March 13, 1941
• “Burglar is Slain Resisting Police,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), November 3, 1935
• “Captain, Aid Describe Close Call from Lead Slugs from Dying Bandit’s Gun,” New Orleans Item (New Orleans, LA), June 23, 1937
• “Charges Quashed in Police Probe Down at Orleans,” The News-Star (Monroe, LA), May 21, 1932
• “C.I.O. Organizer Asks for $25,000 in Imprisonment,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), June 27, 1939
• “C.I.O. Organizer Loses Action for Beating Damages,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), October 25, 1939
• “Continue Probe of N. O. Extradition Murder Case,” The Chicago Defender, May 3, 1941
• “Cop, Ex-Cop Put Up Bond; Seek Thug,” New Orleans Item (New Orleans, LA), May 1, 1953
• “Cops Beat Wife of Extradition Murder Victim,” The Chicago Defender, February 22, 1941
• “‘Cricket’ Defense Objects,” New Orleans Item (New Orleans, LA), August 13, 1953
• “DA Drops Safe Robbery Case,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), May 22, 1953
• “Defendants Win Federal Verdict in Palumbo Case,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), May 26, 1934
• “Demand Probe of La. Extradition Murder,” The Chicago Defender, February 1, 1941
• “Detectives Deny Causing Palumbo Death by Beating,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), May 23, 1934
• “Detectives Going for Negro Killer,” New Orleans Item (New Orleans, LA), December 12, 1940
• “Detective Shoots Negro in Saloon,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), December 26, 1937
• “Detroit Judge Snubs Georgia Extradition Order,” The Chicago Defender, February 15, 1941
• “Dickinson Rapped for Smith Slaying,” The Detroit Tribune (Detroit, MI), January 25, 1941
• “Echezabal Bans Confessions in Slaying; 3 Free,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), October 31, 1941
• “Echezabal Rules ‘Confessions’ of Trio Admissable,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), October 22, 1931
• “Ex-Patrolman Indicted by Jury in Death of Girl,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), February 28, 1930
• “Exhume Body, Check Autopsy,” New Orleans Item (New Orleans, LA), March 7, 1941
• “Exhume Body in 10-Year-Old Murder Mystery,” The Chicago Defender, March 15, 1941
• “Faces Extradition as La. Cop Slayer,” The Chicago Defender, January 18, 1941
• “Fear Louisianian Murdered by Police,” Atlanta Daily World, January 22, 1941
• “George J. Miller Named by Grosch,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), May 3, 1946
• “Give Blood to Save Policeman,” The New Orleans Item (New Orleans, LA), January 18, 1930
• “Goes Willingly to Louisiana to Face Trial; Is Killed ‘Trying to Escape,’” The Chicago Defender, January 25, 1941
• “Grand Jury Frees Cops in La. Extradition Murder,” The Chicago Defender, May 31, 1941
• “Grosch to Face Contempt Count,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), March 11, 1952
• “Habeas Corpus Writ Halts Ga. Extradition,” The Chicago Defender, February 1, 1941
• “Inquiry Started in Roesch Death Following Chase,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), May 16, 1933
• “Jefferson Jury to Probe Killing,” New Orleans States (New Orleans, LA), April 24, 1941
• “Jury Disregards Beating Charges, Convicts Bandits,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), May 24, 1932
• “Killing of Negro Detective Put Under New Probe,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), March 5, 1941
• “Marullo Exonerated in Holland Death,” The Town Talk (Alexandria, LA), August 17, 1933
• “Military Rites Given Policeman Slain by Negro,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), January 25, 1930
• “Negro Formerly of Baton Rouge is Being Sought,” State Times Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA), January 28, 1930
• “Negro Group Demands Reyer Probe Killing,” New Orleans Item (New Orleans, LA), January 30, 1941
• “Negro Killed in Attempted Escape,” Hot Springs New Era (Hot Springs, AR), November 26, 1937
• Obituary for Andrew Arnold, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), July 16, 1954
• Obituary for William Frank Grosch, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), August 2, 1978
• “Patrolman Dies of Bullet Fired by Negro Driver,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), January 24, 1930
• “Police Brutality Scored in Prisoner’s Death,” New Journal and Guide (Norfolk, VA), July 30, 1938
• “Police End Inquiry in Cell Death,” New Orleans Item (New Orleans, LA), June 21, 1938
• “Police Hero Dies of Shot,” The New Orleans Item (New Orleans, LA), January 23, 1930
• “Police Kill 18-Year-Old Boy in Dark Alley,” The Pittsburgh Courier, December 4, 1937
• “Policemen Give Blood to Save Fellow Victim,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), January 19, 1930
• “Police Sergeant Identifies Negro Killer of Officer,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), January 28, 1930
• “Policeman Shot Arresting Negro Reckless Driver,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), January 18, 1930
• “Police Slaying of Prisoner Arouses New Orleans,” The Black Dispatch (Oklahoma City, OK), February 1, 1941
• “Probe of Prisoner’s Slaying Asked of Orleans by Attorney General,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), April 24, 1941
• “Probe ‘Streamline Lynching,’” Atlanta Daily World, January 30, 1941
• “Prowler Slain Attempting to Steal Candy,” New Orleans Item (New Orleans, LA), November 3, 1935
• “Say Extradition Victim Beaten to Death,” The Chicago Defender, February 8, 1941
• “Sheriff Employe Fund is Revealed,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), February 5, 1953
• “Slain Robber is Identified by Wife as Once Wealthy Contractor of Tennessee,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), September 2, 1935
• “Smith Autopsy Set for Friday,” New Orleans States (New Orleans, LA), March 6, 1941
• “Suit for $25,000 Against Police is Started Here,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), October 24, 1939
• “Suspect Dies When Shot By Cop,” New Orleans States (New Orleans, LA), January 16, 1941
• “Suspend 2 Officers in Prisoner’s Death,” New Orleans States (New Orleans, LA), May 11, 1932
• “Three Held as ‘Murder Witnesses’ in Prisoner’s Death,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), May 11, 1932
• “To Sue for False Arrest, Brutal Treatment,” The Pittsburgh Courier, July 23, 1938
• “Tribute at Grave for Slain Officer,” New Orleans States (New Orleans, LA), January 24, 1930
• “Two Dead in Wake of Gay Yule Fetes,” New Orleans Item (New Orleans, LA), December 25, 1937
• “Two Shot and Mass Arrests Made; C.I.O. Members Accused,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), July 9, 1938
• “Vicious Young Fiend is Killed,” New Orleans States (New Orleans, LA), November 26, 1937
• “William Grosch Loses Pension,” New Orleans States (New Orleans, LA), July 28, 1948
• “Wounded Officer’s Condition Grave,” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), January 22, 1930
• “Young Boys Face Trial for Murder,” New Pittsburgh Courier, September 6, 1941
• John W. Dickens, “Action in Cell Death Case Asked,” June 24, 1938, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), June 24, 1938
• Samuel Hoskins, “New Probe Ordered in New Orleans Police Slaying,” Atlanta Daily World, March 13, 1941
• James B. LaFourche, “Longshoreman’s Body to Be Exhumed, Death Cause Found,” Alabama Tribune (Montgomery, AL), August 5, 1949
• Leon Lewis, “Civic Agencies Probing Mystery Death of ‘Resisting’ Prisoner,” The Pittsburgh Courier, July 2, 1938
• Leon Lewis, “New Orleans’ Police Brutality Attracts Nation-wide Attention,” Atlanta Daily World, July 30, 1938
• Leon Lewis, “Question Officers’ Version of Prisoner’s Death in Louisiana,” Atlanta Daily World, June 26, 1938