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The beginning of the case
On this date, nine African American teenagerswho were on a freight train heading to Memphis, were accused of raping two white women. Eugene Williams and Roy Wright were the youngest at 13. Olen Montgomery, the 18 year old who was almost blind. Andy Wright brother of Roy and Charlie Weems were both 19, the oldest. These two white women were Ruby Bates, 17 and Victoria Price, 21. -
Negroes Riot in Alabama Jail
falsely accusedThe eight of nine boys sentenced to death were sitting in an Alabama jail cell causing ruckus. These negroes were banging on the cell bars, tearing up bedding, and demanding special food. All the uproar caused the Sheriff to move his whole family out of the jail facility. All charged the negroes were " railroaded" -
The Doomed
RiotVolleys release the Negroes
The meeting for the blacks was turned into a threat for violence. The last nights meeting about the negroes was in protest of a death sentence for any of the boys. More than 200 shots were fired when Sheriffs and Deputys went for the church, which held the meeting in process. The most antisipation battle between possemen, about 150 and members of the organization occurred near the church. -
Denied
Continue the case...The NAACP draws out of the Scottsboro case. A letter that surfaces from Ruby Bates to a boyfriend proves that she didn't get raped. -
Proof that shows
The caseAccording to Ruby Bates, she said she was with Victoria Price for the entire train ride. Although Dr.Bridges, says there was things found that could lead to the boys being guilty but the Dr. won't say how old the objects were. -
Bribe, Victoria Price
Letters and accountsThe Supreme Court of Alabama does not let the defense motion continue. It is unfair for this case to have an all white jury and that it was told that all blacks were kept off the jury for good reasons. Nashville police arrest two lawyers who are said to have been bribing Victoria Price to change her testimony. -
Norris V Alabama
JuryThe court says that having blacks on the jury deprived blacks of their rights to equal protection. Which is under the law as guaranteed in the fourteen amendment. This case is overturned and is to remain in lower court. They do say that they should revise the situation from the information you have now. -
Patterson Found Guilty
PattersonPatterson one of the nine boys is found guilty and is sentenced to 75 years of prison. This 75 year sentence is a compromise between the foreman, who thought the Patterson was innocenet and the rest of the jury. -
Conviction
Conviction Andy Wright ends with a sentence of 99 years.
Charley Weems ends with a sentence of 75 years.
Ozie Powell pleads guilty to assaulting and is sentenced to 20 years, rape charges dropped.
Olen Montgomery, Willie Roberson, Eugene Williams, and Roy Wright, rape charges are dropped against them. -
Parole
ParoleThe Alabama Court agrees with the sentences given to Andy Wright and Weems.
Governor reduces Norris's death sentence to life in jail.
The parole board recommends a denial of parole for Patterson, Powell, Norris, Weems, Andy Wright.
Governor Graves denies all applications for parole for all five scottsboro defendants.
Weems is released on parole. -
Violation of Parole
violation
Clarence Norris and Andy Wright are released on parole.
Norris and Wright leave Alabama which is a violation of their parole.
Both had to return to Jail, Norris is October of 1944 and Wright in October of 1946. -
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Charged
convicted
Patterson is convicted of manslaughter and is sentenced to 6 to 15 years in prison. -
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