Scottsboro Boys

The Arrest

Mar 25, 1931

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

Nearly Lynched

Mar 26, 1931

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

The Trial Begins

Apr 6, 1931

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

Death Sentence

Apr 7, 1931

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

NAACP

Jan 1, 1932

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

The Truth is Revealed

Jan 5, 1932

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

Convicted

Mar 10, 1932

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

The Electric Chair

Apr 9, 1933

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

A New Trial

Jun 22, 1933

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

Patterson & Norris vs. State of Alabama

Apr 1, 1935

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

Scottsboro Defense

Dec 1, 1935

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

Convicted Again

Jan 23, 1936

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

Sheriff Kills Ozzie Powell

Jan 24, 1936

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

Back to Jail

Sep 30, 1951

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

Finally Over

Sep 23, 1989

The final Scottsboro Boy, Clarence Norris, dies at age 76. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html