Scottsboro Boys

Grand jury indicts the nine Scottsboro boys for rape.

Mar 30, 1931

This was when the boys get accused of rape.
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html

Trials begin in Scottboro before Judge A. E. Hawkins

Apr 6, 1931

This is when the trials first begin
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html

Ruby Bates denies that she was raped.

Jan 5, 1932

When Ruby Bates really did rape, he tries to deny it
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html

NAACP withdraws from case.

Sep 30, 1932

NAACP stops supporting the boys
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html

Patterson's second trial begins in Decatur

Mar 27, 1933

James Patterson begins his second before judge James Horton
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html

Haywood Patterson found guilty and sentenced to death.

Apr 9, 1933

Patterson has to be executed for what he has done
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html

Haywood Pattersons conviction gets set aside and gets a new trial

Jun 22, 1933

Judge Horton sets aside Haywood Patterson's conviction and grants a new trial.
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html

The SDC is organized.

Dec 1, 1935

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

Ozzie Powell is shot in the head by attacking a Sheriff.

Jan 24, 1936

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

Charlie Weems is paroled.

Sep 1, 1943

He is a freed man after being in jail for years.
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html

Norris is returned to prison.

Oct 1, 1944

Claurence Norris has been returned to prison
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html

Patterson escapes from prison.

Jul 1, 1949

Haywood Patterson escapes from prison
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html

Haywood is charged with murder by getting in a fight

Dec 1, 1950

Haywood Patterson gets involved in a bathroom fight killing a man.
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html

Clarence Norris, the last surviving Scottsboro boy, dies at age 76.

Jan 23, 1989

After going through all of this, he finally dies.
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html

Robert Bentley signs legislation pardoning all Scottsboro Boys.

Apr 13, 2013

The Govenor of Alabama Robert Bently signs a legislation to free all the nine Scottsboro Boys.
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_chron.html