The Scottsboro Boys

Scottsboro Boys Arrested

Mar 25, 1931

The nine Scottsboro boys are arrested on assault charges. Victoria Price and Ruby Bates acccuse the Scottsboro boys of rape, and rape charges are added. This event is important because it is the day that everything started leading into the trials. Photo credits to UMKC: http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_imag.html

The Trials Begin

Apr 6, 1931

The first trial is held in front of Judge A.E. Hawkins in Scottsboro. This is important because it is the first out of many trials for the Scottsboro boys. Photo credits to UMKC: http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_imag.html

Scottsboro Boys Convicted

Apr 7, 1931

Over three days (April 7-9), eight of the nine Scottsboro boys are convicted of rape and sentenced to death. There is a mistrial declared in the case of Roy Wright, because the jury couldnt decide whether to sentence him to death or imprison him for life. This is important because it is the first verdict reached in the first trial of the Scottsboro Boys. Photo credits to UMKC: http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_imag.html

Ruby Bates Denies Accusations

Jan 5, 1932

Ruby Bates denies in a letter that she was ever raped by any of the Scottsboro boys. This is important because it not only shows that she lied, but also it proves that the Scottsboro boys were innocent and falsely charged with a crime they did not commit even though they were still being charged. Photo credits to UMKC: http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_imag.html

Judge Horton Loses Re-election

Jun 12, 1934

Although Judge Horton had no opposition in his previous race, he was beat for re-election. This is important because the reason he lost was because he set aside Patterson's conviction and granted him a new trial. Photo credits to UMKC: http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_imag.html

Price Bribed

Oct 25, 1934

In October, two lawyers are charged with bribing Victoria Price to convince her to change her testimony. This is important because it shows how unfair the trials were. Photo credits to UMKC: http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_imag.html

The Scottsboro Defense Committe

Dec 25, 1935

The Scottsboro Defense Comittee is formed in December, 1935. This is important because it was a defense committee set up specifically for the Scottsboro boys to ensure that they were defended fairly. Photo credits to UMKC: http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_imag.html

Patterson Convicted of Rape

Jan 23, 1936

Haywood Patterson is tried and convicted of rape for the fourth time. This is important because every time he is retried, he is reconvicted of rape and sent to prison, even though the retrials are meat to be more fair. Photo credits to UMKC: http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_imag.html

Ozzie Powell Shot

Jan 24, 1936

Ozzie Powell is shot by Shariff Jay Shandlin in the head. This is important because Powell survives and is later put on parole in 1946. Photo credits to UMKC:

Charges Dropped

Jul 25, 1937

Eugine Williams, Willie Roberson, Roy Wright, and Olen Montgomery were all released from prison after all of the charges against them were dropped. This is important because none of the other Scottsboro Boys were ever released from prison and they were the only four to have all of the charges against them dropped. Photo credits to UMKC: http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_imag.html

Clarence Norris Sentence Reduced

Jul 5, 1938

Clarence Norris's death sentence is reduced to life in prison. This is important because Norris had be convicted of rape multiple times and every time had been sentenced to death, until Governor Graves reduces his sentence. Photo credit to UMKC: http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_imag.html

Charlie Weems Is Paroled

Sep 25, 1943

In September 1943, Charlie Weems is put on parole. This is important because it is the first time one of the Scottsboro Boys is released from jail and put on parole. Photo credits to UMKC: http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_imag.html

Patterson Convicted

Sep 25, 1951

After escaping prison and being arrested by the FBI, Haywood Patterson is convicted of manslaughter after getting in a barroom fight. He was sencented to 6-15 years in prison. He passed away from cancer less than a year later. This is important because he is the first of the Scottsboro Boys to pass away. Photo credits to UMKC: http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_imag.html

Clarence Norris Pardoned

Oct 25, 1976

Clarence Norris is pardoned by Governor George Wallace in October, 1976. This is important because Norris was the only one of the Scottsboro Boys to recieve a federal pardon. Photo credits to UMKC:

Clarence Norris Passes Away

Jan 23, 1989

Clarence Norris passes away at the age of 76. This event is important because he was the last surviving of the Scottsboro Boys and it shows how long he had to deal the trials. Photo credits to UMKC: http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_imag.html