Scottsboro Boys, Timeline

Fight

Mar 25, 1931

Afight broke out on an Alabama train, between young black and white males. The train was stopped and the 9 blacks were arrested for assault.

Arrest

Mar 25, 1931

After being removed from the train, two girls (Victoria Prica & Ruby Bates) who were also on the train accused the 9 boys of gang raping them. Rape charges were later added to the assualt.

Examination

Mar 25, 1931

While Victoria and Ruby were being examined by Dr. R.R. Bridges and Marvin Lynch. The boys were being transfered to Scottsboro, Alabama. Home to the Jackson County seat

Lynch Mob

Mar 26, 1931

After the news of the crime had spread throughout Scottsboro, a lynch mob arrived at the jail where the boys were being held. The crowd of 100+ forced the Governor of Alabama to call in the National Guard to protect the prison.

Indicted

Mar 30, 1931

After 4 days in prison, the Grand Jury gathered and indicted all 9 of the boys for rape

Sentencing

Period: Apr 6, 1931 to Apr 9, 1931

All the boys were put on tried and sentenced.
Clarence Norris, 19 -Sentenced to death by Electric Chair
Charles Weems, 20 -Sentenced to death by Electric Chair
Hayword Patterson, 18 -Sentenced to death by Electric Chair
Olen Montgomery, 17 -Sentenced to death by Electric Chair
Ozie Powel, 15 -Sentenced to death by Electric Chair
Eugene Williams, 13 -Sentenced to death by Electric Chair
Andrew Wright, 19 -Sentenced to death by Electric Chair
Roy Wright, 13 -Hung Jury

Alabama Frame-Up

Jun 22, 1931

A combination of the extremely fast trial, the ages of the accused and the severity of their sentences caught the attention of national progressive groups. The International Labour Defence raise money for the defence. The case is appealed and the exwcutions stayed.

Samuel Leibowitz

Jan 9, 1933

Having not lost a case in 15 years, Samuel Leibowitz is hired by the ILD, knowing that he wouldn't recieve pay for the trial.

Ruby

Apr 6, 1933

The Defence brings forward Ruby Bates as a witness. Ruby claims that they were never raped on the train, and that she was with Victoria Price the entire train ride. Bates later joined the ILD and campaigned for the boys release.

Hayword Patterson

Jan 23, 1936

Pattersons trial reached a verdict, and his final sentencing is a compromise made by the juros to enprison him for 75 years.

Ozie Powell

Jan 24, 1936

While being transported back to prison, Ozie slashes a state deputy's throat and is shot in the head by the sherrif. Both men survived the attack.

Verdict

Period: Jul 20, 1937 to Jul 24, 1937

Clarence Norris receives the death sentece after a third trial.
Andy Wright is found guilty and sentenced to 99 years.
Charles Weems sentenced to 75 years.
Ozie sentenced 20 years for the assault, and rape charges dropped.
The rape charges are dropped for the remaining 4 (Montgomery, R. Wright, Roberson & Williams.

Prison Life

Period: Nov 4, 1938 to Aug 4, 1951

Over the following 13 years, the boys are all paroeld at some point in time except for Patterson who escapes. Hayward is later arrested for manslaughter after a barroom brawl.

The Last of The Boys

Jan 23, 1989

The last living of the Scottsboro boys dies at the age of 77 from Alzheimers disease.