Timeline: Scottsboro Boys

Mar 25, 1931

Nine Black Teens Looking for Work

Nine black teenagers were traveling on a train headed for Memphis desperatly trying to find work. North of Scottsboro, Alabama a white boy stepped on on of the Black boy's hand. A fight broke out. During this time, Ruby Bates, who was 17 and Victoria Price, wgo was 21, both white, emerged from the train and said that the blacks had raped them.

Mar 30, 1931

Grand Jury

The grand jury indicts all nine Scottsboro Boys.

Period: Apr 1, 1931 to Dec 31, 1931

Call for Rejectring the "Alabama Frame-up"

Between the speedy trials, the extreme youth of the defendants, and the severity of the sentences, national organizations take up the Scottsboro case and call the country to reject the "Alabama frame-up." The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the International Labor Defense (I.L.D.) court the defendants, their parents, and public opinion for the right to represent the young men, and raise money for their defense.

Apr 6, 1931

Clarence Norris and Charlie Weems

April 6-7 Clarence Norris and Charlie Weems are tried, then convicted, and then sentenced to death.

Apr 7, 1931

Haywood Patterson

April 7-8 Haywood Patterson is tried, and convicted then sentenced to death.

Apr 8, 1931

Olen Montgomery, Ozie Powell, Willie Roberson, Eugene Williams, and Andy Wright

April 8-9 Olen Montgomery, Ozie Powell, Willie Roberson, Eugene Williams, and Andy Wright are tried and convicted then sentenced to death.

Apr 9, 1931

Roy Wright

In April 9 The case against Roy Wright who was 13 years old, ends in a hung jury when 11 jurors seek a death sentence, and one votes for life imprisonment.

Jun 22, 1931

Pending executions

In June 22, 1931 the executions of the defendants are pending in order to appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court.

Jan 5, 1932

Letter from Ruby Bates

In January 5, 1932 Ruby Bates wrote a letter saying she denies having been raped.

Mar 24, 1932

Alabama Surpreme Court

In March 24, 1932 the Alabama Supreme Court voted 6-1, upholds the convictions of seven of the defendants, granting Eugene Williams a new trial because he was a juvenile at the time of his conviction.

Mar 27, 1933

haywood Patterson's second trial

Haywood Patterson's second trial begins in Decatur, Alabama before judge James Horton.

May 7, 1933

march in washington

In May 7, 1933 one of many protests around the nation, as thousands march in Washington protesting the Alabama trials.

Oct 22, 1934

Two Lawyers are charged

In October 1934, Two lawyers are charged with attempting to bribe Victoria Price in order to change her testimony.

Jan 23, 1936

Haywood Patterson is convicted for a fourth time

January 23, 1936, Haywood Patterson is convicted for a fourth time of rape and is sentenced to 75 years in prison. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html

Jul 13, 1937

sentese in years in prison

In July 1937, Clarence Norris is convicted of rape and sentenced to death. As well as Andy Wright is convicted and sentenced to 99 years for rape. Charlie Weems is convicted and sentenced to 75 years. Ozzie Powell pleads guilty to assaulting the sheriff and is sentenced to 20 years http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html

Jul 24, 1937

Dropped charges

July 24, 1937, Roy Wright, Eugene Williams, Olen Montgomery and Willie Roberson were released after all charges were dropped against them. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html