Scottsboro Case

In 1939, nine African American teenagers were accused of gang-raping two white women while riding on a Southern Railroad freight train. The case, which was tried in Alabama and spanned nearly two decades, produced more trials, convictions, appeals, reversals, and retrials than any other case in American history. The teens, largely unacquainted with one another, came to be collectively known as the “Scottsboro Boys.” Through the course of the legal proceedings, it became evident that the women alleging the rape were lying, but despite evidence supporting this notion, many of the teens were convicted. It has been suggested that the women made the accusations in an attempt to deflect attention away from their promiscuous lifestyles; they engaged in adultery and often resorted to prostitution for extra money.

The case had become a financial burden on the State of Alabama, and as a result, charges were dropped against four of the defendants. By this time, they had already served 6 years awaiting trial. The other five defendants were found guilty but over the course of time made their way out of Alabama, either through paroles or escapes. The case had many social and political ramifications and exemplified the extent of racism during the Depression Era. All nine men have since died, the last one in 1989.