Powell v. Alabama

The Ensuing Madness

Mar 25, 1931

After the arrest of the boys, aged 13 to 20, Victoria Price and Ruby Bates (the two women who were allegedly raped) were examined by doctors. Later that night, Governor Miller called out the National Guard to prevent a massacre of the boys. Infromation received from http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/a_f/boyle/chronology.htm on September 5, 2012.

The Start of it All

Mar 25, 1931

On March 25, 1931, several people were hoboing on a train from Chattanooga to Memphis, TN. Several white boys got off the train and told the police that they had been beat up by a gang of black boys. A search for the boys by the police, revealed the group of black boys as well as two women who accused the black boys of raping them. Information acquired from http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/a_f/boyle/chronology.htm on September 5, 2012.

Powell v. Alabama

Period: Mar 25, 1931 to Jan 1, 1935

The Indictment

Mar 31, 1931

All of the nine boys are indicted for rape, a day after the all white grand jury is called into session in Scottsboro. Infromation received from http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/a_f/boyle/chronology.htm on September 5, 2012.

Guilty Verdict

Apr 8, 1931

Ozie Powell, Olen Montgomery, Eugene Williams, Andrew Wright, and Willie Roberson were found guilty on April 8. Clarence Norris and Charles Weems were convicted on April 6 and Haywood Patterson was convicted on April 7. A mistrial was declared for Roy Wright because of his extreme youth.

International Outrcy Pt. 1

Jun 9, 1931

A protest of the Scottsboro case occurs before the United States Legation at Riga, Latvia. Information obtained from http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/a_f/boyle/chronology.htm on September 5, 2012.

International Outrcry Pt. 2

Jul 3, 1931

150,000 German workers fill the Lustgarten in Berlin to hear Mrs. Ada Wright plead for the lives of her sons and the other Scottsboro defendants. Information obtained from http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/a_f/boyle/chronology.htm on September 5, 2012.

Appeal

Oct 10, 1931

The appeal to the Supreme Court is argued by Walter H. Pollak. Also that day, a large group of demonstrators protest outside of the American embassy in Paris. Infromation obtained from http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/a_f/boyle/chronology.htm on September 6.

International Outcry Pt. 3

Nov 3, 1931

A joint petition demanding the release of the Scottsboro Nine is presented by thirty-six French organizations to the American embassy. Infromation obtained from http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/a_f/boyle/chronology.htm on September 6.

Supreme Court Decision

Nov 7, 1931

In a 7-2 decision, the majority sided with the Scottsboro Nine. They argued that the trials had denied due process to the boys by not giving reasonable time and opportunity to secure counsel in their defense. Infomation obtained from http://www.oyez.org/cases/1901-1939/1932/1932_98 on September 5, 2012.

Incriminating Evidence

Jan 5, 1933

While in Huntsville, Georgia, Ruby Bates writes a letter to her boy friend giving him assurances that the nine did not attack her. Local police take the note and secure it as evidence. Infromation obtained from http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/a_f/boyle/chronology.htm on September 6.

Liebowitz Enters the Scene

Mar 24, 1933

William Patterson, I.L.D., retains Samuel S. Liebowitz, a New York criminal lawyer. As executive secretary, he takes charge of the defense. The Southern people spectating and/or following the trial did not like him because he was Jewish and they say him as a Yankee intrusion in their case. Infromation obtained from http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/a_f/boyle/chronology.htm on September 6.

Ruby Bates Testimonial

Apr 7, 1933

Ruby Bates, originally a complaining witness, comes into court to defend the boys. She denies that the boys raped her and Victoria Price. Despite this testimony, Victoria Price challenges Bates and sticks to her original story. Infromation obtained from http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/a_f/boyle/chronology.htm on September 6.

Hunger Strike

Apr 28, 1933

As a protest to the ill treatment in Jefferson County Jail, Birmingham, the Scottsboro defendants begin a hunger strike. Infromation obtained from http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/a_f/boyle/chronology.htm on September 6.

Scottsboro March

May 5, 1933

Mass Scottsboro march, Negro and white, to Washington, with petition signed by 200,000 demanding freedom for the boys. Information obtained from http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/a_f/boyle/chronology.htm on September 6, 2012.

Supreme Court of Georgia

Apr 28, 1934

The convictions of Norris and Patterson are upheld. The Supreme Court of Georgia ruled in a 6-1 decision that the subsequent decisions stood. Infromation obtained from http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/scottsboro/SB_powus.html on September 5, 2012.

Supreme Court Strikes Back

Apr 1, 1935

The U.S. Supreme Court overturns the convictions of Norris and Patterson because African Americans were excluded from sitting on the juries in their trials. Patterson v. State of Alabama, 294 U.S. 600; Norris v. State of Alabama, 294 U.S. 587 Information obtained from http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/scottsboro/sb_chron.html on September 7. Information obtained from