Scottsboro Boys Timeline

The Beginning

Mar 25, 1931

In Alabama, the Scottsboro boys are arrested on charges of assault. Rape charges are added against all nine boys after charges are made by Victoria Price and Ruby Bates. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/scottsboro/timeline/

The Lynching

Mar 26, 1931

Scottsboro boys are nearly lynched http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/scottsboro/sb_chron.html

Indictment

Mar 30, 1931

Grand jury indicts the nine Scottsboro boys for rape. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/scottsboro/timeline/

NAACP and International Labor Defense

Apr 1, 1931

NAACP and International Labor Defense (ILD) battle for the right to represent the Scottsboro boys. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/scottsboro/sb_chron.html

Trial Begins

Apr 6, 1931

Trials begin in Scottboro before Judge A. E. Hawkins. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/scottsboro/sb_chron.html

NAACP Out

Jan 1, 1932

NAACP withdraws from case. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/scottsboro/timeline/

Denial

Jan 5, 1932

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

U.S. Supreme Court

May 1, 1932

The U. S. Supreme Court announces that it will review the Scottsboro cases http://www.scottsboromusicallondon.com/history/

Bribery

Oct 1, 1934

Two lawyers are charged with attempting to bribe Victoria Price in order to change her testimony. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/scottsboro/sb_chron.html

SDC Formed

Dec 1, 1935

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

Dropped Charges

Jul 24, 1937

Roy Wright, Eugene Williams, Olen Montgomery and Willie Roberson were released after all charges were dropped against them. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/scottsboro/sb_chron.html

Governor Graves vs. Scottsboro Boys

Oct 1, 1938

Governor Graves interviews Scottsboro boys. Pardon Board denies the pardon applications of Norris, Weems, and Roy Wright. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/SB_HRrep.html

Judge Horton and the Scottosboro Boys

Jul 1, 1977

Victoria Price's suit against NBC for its movie "Judge Horton and the Scottsboro Boys," which she claimed defamed her and invaded her privacy, is dismissed. Price dies five years later. http://trial-of-the-scottsboro-boys.wikispaces.com/Timelines

Last Scottsboro Boy

Jan 23, 1989

Clarence Norris, the last surviving Scottsboro boy, dies at age 76. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/scottsboro/timeline/

Case Closed

Apr 19, 2013

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley signs legislation officially pardoning and exonerating all nine Scottsboro Boys. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/scottsboro/sb_chron.html