On a train from Chattanooga to Memphis, Tennessee nine African- American teens were arrested for the rapes of two Caucasian females, Victoria Price and Ruby Bates. The news of the nine boys quickly traveled to Scottsboro, Alabama were their trail would soon take place. Eight of the boys; Haywood Patterson, Charles Weems, Clarence Norris, Andy Wright, Ozzie Powell, Alen Montgomery, Roy Wright, and Willie Roberson were all convicted of rape and sentenced to death due to poor legal representation . The Alabama Supreme Court affirmed seven of the eight convictions, and granted thirteen year old Eugene Williams a new trial because he was a juvenile.
The case laterly started a national controversy when Ruby Bates admitted that she and her friend, Victoria Price had fasley accused the boys of rape.
Victoria Price and Ruby Bates
These epic story has been turned into a powerful Broadway musical, in which the nine boys tell the side of the story that was never told- THEIRS.
For more information on the Scottsboro Boys check out these sites
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