Timeline: Scottsboro Boys

Mar 25, 1931

The Arrest

The nine Scottsboro boys are arrested on charges of assault. Victoria Prince and Ruby Bates claimed to be raped by all nine boys. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html

Mar 26, 1931

Nearly Lynched

The boys are nearly lynched by a crowd of over 100. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html

Apr 6, 1931

The Trial Begins

Trials begin in Scottsboro before Judge A. E. Hawkins. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html

Apr 7, 1931

Death Sentence

Clarence Norris, Charlie Weems, Haywood Patterson, Olen Montgomery, Ozie Powell, Willie Roberson, Eugene Williams, and Andy Wright are tried and convicted, and sentenced to death. The ninth boy, Andy Wright, ended in a mistrial. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html

Jan 1, 1932

NAACP

NAACP withdraws from the case. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html

Jan 5, 1932

The Truth is Revealed

Ruby Bates, in a letter to Earl Streetman, denies that she was raped. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html

Mar 10, 1932

Convicted

Alabama Supreme Court, by a vote of 6-1, affirms tha conviction of seven of the boys. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html

Apr 9, 1933

The Electric Chair

Haywood Patterson is sentenced to death in the Electric Chair. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html

Jun 22, 1933

A New Trial

Haywood Patterson is granted a new trial. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html

Apr 1, 1935

Patterson & Norris vs. State of Alabama

The U.S. Supreme Court overturnes the convictions of Norris and Patterson because African Americans were excluded from sitting of the juries in their trials. (Patterson v. State of Alabama, 294 U.S. 600 1935) ( Norris v. State of Alabama 1935.) http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html

Dec 1, 1935

Scottsboro Defense

The Scottsboro Defense Committee is organized. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html

Jan 23, 1936

Convicted Again

Haywood Patterson is convicted for the 4th time of rape and is sentenced to 75 years in prison. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html

Jan 24, 1936

Sheriff Kills Ozzie Powell

Ozzie Powell is shot in the back of the head by Sheriff Jay Sandlin while attacking Deputy Sheriff Edgar Blalock. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html

Sep 30, 1951

Back to Jail

Haywood Patterson is charged with manslaughter and sentenced to prison for 6-15 years. He dies from cancer less than a year later. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html