Posts Tagged ‘George Junius Stinney’
George Stinney was 14 when he was executed following a trial lasting less than a day.
COPYRIGHT 2014 REUTERS
Supporters of George Stinney on Jan. 21 planned to ask a judge to open a new trial, arguing the evidence used to convict and execute the 14-year-old boy in 1944 was lacking.
While a new trial is considered a long shot, it could spur hundreds of other appeals. It wasn’t clear when the judge would rule.
Alcolu, South Carolina
George Stinney, a black teen, was found guilty in 1944 of killing two white girls aged 7 and 11 in Alcolu, South Carolina.
Stinney’s supporters say there was never enough evidence to convict him of the crimes at the time, and that a proper investigation was never conducted by authorities due to racism.
COPYRIGHT 2014 REUTERSGeorge Stinney was the youngest person executed in the U.S. in the past 100 years when he was put to death by the electric chair at 14 in 1944.
Newspaper reports from the time said the chair’s straps didn’t fit the 95-pound teen.
Most evidence against Stinney, including his supposed confession, have vanished in the 70 years since the case.
Lawyers working on his behalf said the teen was taken from his parents and questioned without an attorney. They plan to present several sworn statements to make their case for a new trial.
If their appeal for a new trial fails, supporters plan to petition the state to pardon Stinney.
(Reblogged from amehaya) youurlove:
Junius Stinney was the youngest person in America to be executed on death row in 1944 at age 14.
He was quickly accused by the (white police) of ‘killing’ two little (white girls) with lack of evidence.
His conviction and sentencing opened and closed in one day.
There were no witnesses called and there was no transcript of the trial details and black people were not allowed inside the courtroom during that time.
[I always repost this because i don’t want anyone to forget about him!]
Following Stinney’s arrest, Stinney’s father was fired from his job.
Stinney’s parents and siblings were given the choice of leaving town or being lynched.
The family was forced to flee, leaving George Stinney with no support during his 81-day confinement and trial, which lasted barely two hours.
Adonis Diaries 