Scottsboro Boys Trial

The 'Scottsboro Boys' were found guilty on charges of rape. Victoria Price and Ruby Bates accused nine African American, ranging in age from 13 to 19, of rape. Twelve days after being arrested the first of four trails began. After all the trials were over, the boys had received the death penalty, by all-white juries. The sentence was supposed to be carried out swiftly, but appeals were filed and the case was taken to the Supreme Court. The sentences were hereby over thrown. Retrials ended in convictions even though one women eventually denied being raped. Most of the boys were either acquitted, paroled, or pardoned, except for the one who had escaped. Many of them had already served years in prison.