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The Fight that starts it all
Nine black teenagers get into a fight with a group of whites and the blacks get the better of them. They where charged with assault, then charged with rape. -
Trail begins
Trials begin in Scottsboro before judge A.E. Hawkins -
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What happened in Trial
Clarence Norris, Charlie Weems, Haywood Patterson, Olen Montgomery, Ozie Powell, Willie Roberson, Eugene Williams, and Andy Wright are tried and convicted, and sentenced to death. The trial of Roy Wright ends in a mistrial when some jurors hold out for a death sentence even though the prosecution asked for life imprisonment. -
Exexutions pending
Executions are stayed pending appeal to Alabama Supreme Court -
First Execution
On the date first set for their executions, the Scottsboro boys listen to the execution of Willie Stokes, the first of ten blacks to be executed at the prison over the next ten years. After hearing gruesome reports of the execution, many of the boys report nightmares or sleepless nights. -
The truth
Ruby Bates, in a letter to Earl Streetman, denies that she was raped. -
Reviews the cases
The U. S. Supreme Court announces that it will review the Scottsboro cases. -
Lawyer defends Scottsboro boys
Samuel S. Leibowitz, a New York lawyer, is retained by the ILD to defend the Scottsboro boys. -
Second trail
Haywood Patterson's second trial begins in Decatur before judge James Horton. -
Found guilty
Haywood Patterson found guilty by jury and sentenced to death in the electric chair. -
Protests
In one of many protests around the nation, thousands march in Washington protesting the Alabama trials. -
Scottsboro boys cases removed from judge Horton's jurisdiction
The Scottsboro cases are removed from Judge Horton's jurisdiction and transferred to Judge William Callahan's court. -
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convicted and sentenced to death
Haywood Patterson and Clarence Norris are tried for rape, convicted, and sentenced to death. -
Reduced to life in prison
Clarence Norris's death sentence is reduced to life in prison by Governor Graves. -
The Governor
Governor Graves interviews Scottsboro boys. -
Governor dednies al pardons
Governor Graves denies all pardon applications. -
Last surviving Scottsboro boy
Clarence Norris, the last surviving Scottsboro boy, dies at age 76.