Civil Rights woman slain . Selma , Alabama , USA ; Mrs Viola Gregg Liuzzo, aged 39 ( shown left in 1951 file photo ) of Detroit , Michigan , was murdered here late yesterday while returning from Montgomery , Alabama , where she was taking part in the Civil Rights demonstrations . Mrs Liuzzo , mother of five children was driving on the road to Montgomery from Selma when she was shot with a high powered rifle . A negro youth , Leroy Moten was travelling in the car with the murdered woman . Her husband , Anthony Liuzzo ( 51 ) ex - lorry driver , now an official of the Teamsters Union ( Lorry Drivers ) is shown right at his Detroit home shortly after hearing of his wife ' s death . He wept openly on hearing the news of her death . 26 March 1965