Scottsboro Boys

Arrested at a Train Station

Mar 25, 1931

Nine African American boys are arrested after getting off a train in Paint Rock, Alabama for defending themselves against a group of seven White males and two white females. They were charged with raping the two women.

Scottsboro Boys Almost Lynched

Mar 26, 1931

The Nine boys weer nearly lynched by a crowd of over 100 people who gathered outside the jail the boys were being held in.

There will be a Trial

Mar 30, 1931

The grand jury indicts (approves the trial) of the Scottboro boys for rape

Scottsboro Boys go to Court

Apr 8, 1931

Clarence Norris, Charlie Weems, Haywood Patterson, Olen Montgomery, Ozie Powell, Willie Roberson, Eugene Williams, and Andy Wright are tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. When Roy Wright was tried the result was a mistrial because the jury ruled death sentence while the prosecutors asked for life imprisonment.

Executions Put Off

Jun 22, 1931

The executions of the boys are stayed pending appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court.

Ruby Bates Denies the Charges

Jan 5, 1932

Ruby Bates, one of the girls on the train, sends a letter to Earl Streetman. In the letter, she denies that she was raped.

Haywood Found Guilty

Apr 9, 1933

Haywood Patterson is found guilty and is sentenced to death in the electric chair.

Protestors Outside Washington

May 7, 1933

In one of many protests around the nation, thousands of protestors gather in Washington, marching against the Alabama trials.

Trial under a new judge

Oct 20, 1933

The cases of the nine boys were removed from Judge Horton's jurisdiction and transferred to Judge William Callahan.

Haywood Convicted for the 4th Time

Jan 23, 1936

Haywood Patterson is convicted of rape for the fourth time (not the 4th offense just the 4th court to convict him) and a sentenced to 75 years in prison.

Ozzie Powell Shot

Jan 24, 1936

Ozzie powell is shot in the head by sheriff Jay Sandlin while he was attacking Deputy Edgar Blalock. Miraculously, he survived.

Haywood Patterson's Coviction Upheld

Jun 14, 1937

Haywood Patterson's conviction is upheld by the Alabama Supreme Court.

Charges Dropped

Jul 24, 1937

The charges were dropped against Roy Wright, Eugene Williams, Olen Montgomery, and Willie Roberson and they were released

Supreme Court Denies to Review Convictions

Oct 26, 1937

The U.S. Supreme Court denies to review the convictions of Patterson and Norris.

Clarence Norris' Sentence Reduced

Jul 5, 1938

The death sentence of Clarence Norris is reduced to life in prison.