Scottsboro Boys Timeline

Fight and Arrest

Mar 25, 1931

Picture WebsiteA fight brakes out between several caucasian boys and 9 African American boys traveling on a train. When the train stops, the 9 African American boys are arrested for assault.

Accused of Rape

Mar 31, 1931

Picture SiteThe Scottsboro boys are reported to have raped two white women and are charged with rape.

Beginning of Trial

Apr 6, 1931

Picture WebsiteTrials begins in Scottboro before Judge A. E. Hawkins.

Denial of Rape

Jan 5, 1932

Picture Website A letter from Ruby Bates to a boyfriend surfaces. In it, she denies having been raped.

New Trial

Nov 7, 1932

United States Supreme court orders new trial. March 27th,1933
second trial begins

Confession

Apr 6, 1933

Picture Website Ruby Bates appears as a surprise witness for the defense denying that any rape occurred and testifying that she was with Victoria Price during the entire train ride.

Patterson Found Guilty

Apr 9, 1933

Picture WebsitePatterson is found guilty and sentenced to death.

Judge Overturns Guilty Verdict

Jun 22, 1933

Judge Horton sets aside Haywood Patterson's conviction and grants a new trial.

Norris Found Guilty

Nov 8, 1933

Picture WebsiteClarence Norris is tried, found guilty, and sentenced to death

Patterson and Norris Overturned

Apr 1, 1935

Picture WebsiteThe Supreme Court states that the exclusion of black citizens from jury rolls deprives black defendants of their rights to equal protection under the law. The Court overturns the conviction of Patterson and Norris and the case is put to a lower court.

75-Year Sentence for Patterson

May 1, 1935

Picture WebsiteMore trial begins and Patterson is given a 75-year sentence

Andy Wright Jailed

Jul 20, 1937

Picture WebsiteThe trial of Andy Wright ends in conviction and a sentence of 99 years.

Charley Weems Jiled

Jul 22, 1937

Picture WebsiteThe trial of Charley Weems ends in conviction and a sentence of 75 years

Ozie Powell Jailed

Jul 24, 1937

Picture WebsiteOzie Powell is sentenced to 20 years. Rape charges are dropped.

Rape Charges Dropped

Jul 24, 1937

Picutre Website Rape charges against the last four defendants Olen Montgomery, Willie Roberson, Eugene Williams, and Roy Wright, are dropped.

All escape or are let go

Period: Jan 1, 1940 to Dec 31, 1949

All ethier escape or are paroled

Haywood Escapes Prison

Jul 17, 1948

Picture WebsiteHaywood Patterson escapes from prison.

Last Scottsboro Boy Released

Jun 9, 1950

Picture WebsiteClarence Norris, (the last of the Scottsboro boys) is releaed from jail

Patterson Dies

Aug 24, 1952

Picture WebsitePatterson dies of cancer only one year after returning to jail.

Pardon

Oct 25, 1976

Clarence Norris is pardoned by Alabama Governor George Wallace

Clarence Norris Dies

Jan 23, 1989

Picture WebsiteClarence Norris dies in Bronx Community Hospital at the age of seventy-six. He was the last surviving defendant in Scottsboro trials.

Marker Dedicated to "Scottsboro Boys"

Jan 27, 2004

Scottsboro acknowledges the injustice that was done to the boys by dedicating a historical marker to them outside the Jackson County Courthouse

The Scottsboro Boys Musical

Mar 10, 2010

Picture WebsiteOpens off-Broadway in New York at Vineyard Theatre. Later (October, 2010), opens on Broadway and nominated for 12 Tony Awards.