Scottsboro Trials Project

Train Ride

Mar 25, 1931

Nine African American boys rode on a train headed to Memphis in search of jobs.

Arrested

Mar 25, 1931

Scottsboro boys are arrested on charges of assualt. Charges are added on all nine of the African American boys, after the accusations of Victoria Price and Ruby Bates.

Grand Jury

Mar 30, 1931

Grand Jury formally indicts the nine Scottsboro boys of Rape

First Trial

Apr 6, 1931

First trial begins in Scottsboro before Judge A. E. Hawkins

Restless boys

Apr 7, 1931

The date of execution was set. After hearing gruesome reports about the last victim of execution the boys report having nightmares and sleepless nights.

Being Condemned

Apr 11, 1931

Eight of the Nine boys who were sentenced to death for alleged rape of two young white girls rioted in the Alabama Jail but quickly were shackled.

Ruby Bates confesses

Jan 5, 1932

The alleged victim, Ruby Bates denies she was raped.

Haywood Patterson

Apr 9, 1933

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

Cases switched over

Oct 20, 1933

Scottsboro cases removed from Judge Horton's Jurisdiction and transferred to Judge William Callahan's court.

Lawyers Charged

Oct 1, 1934

Two lawyers are charged with attempted bribe to Victoria Price to change her testimony.

Scottsboro Defense Committee

Dec 1, 1935

The Scottsboro Defense Committee is formed and organized.

Charges dropped

Jul 24, 1937

Roy Wright, Euguene Williams, Olen Montgomery and Willie Roberson were released after all charges were dropped against them.

Pardon Board

Oct 1, 1938

Pardon Board declines pardon applications of Norris, Weems, and Roy Wright

Haywood Patterson

Dec 1, 1950

Patterson gets involved with a bathroom fight that results in a death. He is charged with Murder.

Patterson's last conviction

Sep 1, 1951

Haywood Patterson is convicted for manslaughter and is sentenced 6-15 years of prison. He dies a year later due to cancer.