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This FBI file concerns Melvin Davis Rees Jr., convicted in Virginia for the 1959 murder of Carroll Vernon Jackson Jr. and serving federal life sentences for kidnapping Jackson's wife and daughter. The Bureau's role shown here was to monitor court developments in the kidnapping and murder case, particularly proceedings over Rees's competency and pending execution. Records include a 1965 petition for rehearing challenging the search of a locked accordion case and alleging prejudicial pretrial publicity, along with 1966 FBI airtels, court material, and newspaper clippings. The 1966 material reports psychiatric testimony that Rees suffered from chronic undifferentiated schizophrenia and was not competent to dismiss counsel or withdraw Supreme Court litigation.

FBI file number: 79-27510 | Documents span: 1965-1966 | Released in 2 parts
Names in this file: Melvin Davis Rees Jr., Carroll Vernon Jackson Jr., Mildred Jackson, Susan Jackson, Janet Jackson, Oren R. Lewis, Charles A. Dukes Jr., A. McL. Hildreth, Howard C. Wilinsky, Milton Herbert Buscimian, Oscar Le Gault
Subjects: kidnapping, murder, death penalty, mental competency, appeals, Fourth Amendment