The Scottsboro Trials

* Tessa Barton ** Lauren Beck ** Evan Bolland * * TJ Deckenbach ** Maddy DiGiovanni ** Elliot Vorel ** Aaron Wright *

Scottsboro Trials: An Overview

What were the Scottsboro trials? In 1931, Victoria Price and Ruby Bates of Madison County, AL, were allegedly raped by twelve negroes. The story of the legal case has become a crucial part of Alabama’s history.

History of the Case

March 24th, 1931: Victoria Price and Ruby Bates boarded freight train to TN; met seven white boys

12 negroes boarded; led by Charlie Weems, who carried a pistol

After forcing white boys off train, six negroes allegedly raped Ms. Price, and six, Ms. Bates

White gang telegraphed nearest station; nine negro boys were arrested, three had left earlier

No charges made until after Scottsboro boys taken into custody; questionable charges