Donna Reason

On May 19, 1970, Donna Reason, a nine-year old Black girl, was killed after someone threw a Molotov cocktail into the home she shared with XXXX, stepmother, and XXXX. As explained more fully below, a federal prosecution of anyone responsible for Miss Reason’s death is not possible. The government has not uncovered evidence that the crime was motivated by Miss Reason’s race (or the race of her family). Even if such evidence could be developed, the statute of limitations has run on all potential federal hate crimes. Because the state has an open homicide investigation into this matter, referral to state authorities is unnecessary. For these reasons, the case is being closed without prosecution or formal referral to the state.