The Scottsboro Boys When Harper Lee was a child, the Scottsboro Trials took place in Alabama. When Harper Lee was a child, the Scottsboro Trials took place in Alabama. These trials are commonly thought to be the inspiration for To Kill a Mockingbird, though Lee denies this. These trials are commonly thought to be the inspiration for To Kill a Mockingbird, though Lee denies this. Nine black youths (ages 12-19) were accused of raping two white women on a train. Nine black youths (ages 12-19) were accused of raping two white women on a train.

The Scottsboro Boys On March 25, 1931, the nine black young men, as well as several white young men, rode a train illegally. On March 25, 1931, the nine black young men, as well as several white young men, rode a train illegally. The boys got into a fight, and the white boys were kicked off the train. The boys got into a fight, and the white boys were kicked off the train. They told station masters at the closest stop they had been beaten by the black boys. Police arranged to arrest them at the next station. They told station masters at the closest stop they had been beaten by the black boys. Police arranged to arrest them at the next station.

The Scottsboro Boys At the next stop, to avoid being punished themselves, Ruby Bates and Victoria Price – both prostitutes -- claimed the black boys raped them. At the next stop, to avoid being punished themselves, Ruby Bates and Victoria Price – both prostitutes -- claimed the black boys raped them. Bates later recanted her story. Bates later recanted her story. On March 30, 1931, all of the Scottsboro Boys were indicted by an all-white jury. On March 30, 1931, all of the Scottsboro Boys were indicted by an all-white jury. Trials began a few days later, with several boys on trial at once. Trials began a few days later, with several boys on trial at once.

Ruby Bates and Victoria Price in 1931

The Scottsboro Boys Because their parents could not afford good lawyers, all were convicted and sentenced to death – even 13-year-old Roy Wright. Because their parents could not afford good lawyers, all were convicted and sentenced to death – even 13-year-old Roy Wright. Wright ’ s trial was declared a mistrial. Wright ’ s trial was declared a mistrial. The cases quickly became famous, causing rallies and riots. The cases quickly became famous, causing rallies and riots.

The Scottsboro Boys The Alabama Supreme Court upheld the convictions of all the boys except Eugene Williams, who was tried as an adult at 13. The Alabama Supreme Court upheld the convictions of all the boys except Eugene Williams, who was tried as an adult at 13.

The Scottsboro Boys In November, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned all the convictions on the ground that due process was not followed. In November, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned all the convictions on the ground that due process was not followed. The State of Alabama had not provided legal counsel to any of the defendants. The State of Alabama had not provided legal counsel to any of the defendants. The new trials began in March 1933, with each defendant tried separately. The new trials began in March 1933, with each defendant tried separately. There was a total of four rounds of trials. There was a total of four rounds of trials.

The Scottsboro Boys Haywood Patterson sentenced to 75 years, escaped, wrote a book, later arrested. Haywood Patterson sentenced to 75 years, escaped, wrote a book, later arrested.

The Scottsboro Boys Clarence Norris sentenced to death, sentence commuted, later wrote book about his ordeal. Clarence Norris sentenced to death, sentence commuted, later wrote book about his ordeal.

The Scottsboro Boys Andy Wright sentenced to 99 years, paroled, arrested again. Andy Wright sentenced to 99 years, paroled, arrested again.

The Scottsboro Boys Charlie Weems sentenced to 75 years, served 20. Charlie Weems sentenced to 75 years, served 20.

The Scottsboro Boys Ozzie Powell pled guilty to assaulting a sheriff, rape charges were dropped, sentenced to 20 years after being shot in head during escape attempt. Ozzie Powell pled guilty to assaulting a sheriff, rape charges were dropped, sentenced to 20 years after being shot in head during escape attempt.

The Scottsboro Boys Olen Montgomery had all charges dropped because he was nearly blind and had been found alone at the end of the car at the time of the alleged crime. Olen Montgomery had all charges dropped because he was nearly blind and had been found alone at the end of the car at the time of the alleged crime.

The Scottsboro Boys Willie Roberson had all charges dropped because he was suffering so badly from syphilis at the time of the alleged crime that he could hardly walk. Willie Roberson had all charges dropped because he was suffering so badly from syphilis at the time of the alleged crime that he could hardly walk.

Summary: Nine African American young men were accused of raping two white women. In spite of evidence of the men’s innocence, 8 of the 9 were sentenced to death. After many appeals, new trials, and Supreme Court involvement, 4 were freed and the rest served long prison terms.

There are several parallels between the Scottsboro trials and the case that takes place in To Kill a Mockingbird. Think about them.

ScottsboroMockingbird Took place in the 1930s Took place in the 1930s Took place in northern Alabama Took place in northern Alabama Began with a charge of rape made by white women against African American men Began with a charge of rape made by white women against African American men The poor white status of the accusers a was a critical issue. The poor white status of the accusers a was a critical issue. A central figure was a heroic judge, a member of the Alabama Bar who overturned a guilty jury verdict against African American men. A central figure was a heroic judge, a member of the Alabama Bar who overturned a guilty jury verdict against African American men. This judge went against public sentiment in trying to protect the rights of the African American defendants. This judge went against public sentiment in trying to protect the rights of the African American defendants. The first juries failed to include any African Americans, a situation which caused the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the guilty verdict. The first juries failed to include any African Americans, a situation which caused the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the guilty verdict. The jury ignored evidence, for example, that the women suffered no injuries. The jury ignored evidence, for example, that the women suffered no injuries. Attitudes about Southern women and poor whites complicated the trial Attitudes about Southern women and poor whites complicated the trial Occurs in the 1930s Takes place in southern Alabama Begins with a charge of rape made by a white woman against an African American man. The poor white status of Mayella is a critical issue. A central figure is Atticus, lawyer, legislator and member of the Alabama bar, who defends an African American man. Atticus arouses anger in the community in trying to defend Tom Robinson. The verdict is rendered by a jury of poor white residents of Old Sarum. The jury ignores evidence, for example, that Tom has a useless left arm. Attitudes about Southern women and poor whites complicate the trial of Tom Robinson