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Scottsboro Trials

VS.

Tom Robinson Trial

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Scottsboro Trials Took place during 1930’s in northern

Alabama Began with a charge of rape made by white

women against 9 African American men. Poor white status of accusers was a critical

issue. A central figure was a heroic judge, a

member of the Alabama Bar who over- turned a guilty jury verdict against African American men.

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Scottsboro Trials An older woman was

taking a younger woman across state lines to become a prostitute. During this time, taking a woman under age 18 was considered illegal. In reality, on the train ride, the women tore their dresses and roughened themselves up.

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The Scottsboro boys with their lawyer.

Ruby Bates taking the stand during the trial.

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Scottsboro Trials By claiming rape, they did not have to face the

laws for bringing the underage woman across state lines.

The judge went against public sentiment in trying to protect the rights of the African American men.

Though none of the men were executed, they waited on death row for many years.

Finally, in 1976, the case was thrown out of court by a judge.

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Scottsboro Trial

• 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 the evidence, for example, that the women suffered to injuries.

• Attitudes about Southern women and poor whites complicated the trial.

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Tom Robinson TrialF Took place during 1930’s in Maycomb,

Alabama F Began with a charge of rape made by a white

woman against an African American man.F The poor white status of Mayella is a critical

issue.F A central figure is Atticus, lawyer, legislator

and member of the Alabama Bar, who defends an African American man.

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Tom Robinson Trial Tom Robinson would

help Mayella Ewell with the household chores. When Tom would not return Mayella’s affections, she cried rape.

Mayella was beaten severely by her father, creating her appearance to be roughened up.

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Tom Robinson

• 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 the evidence, for example, that Tom has a useless left arm.

• Attitudes about Southern women and poor whites complicate the trial of Tom Robinson.

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Other Similarities Grew up in 1930’s -- in

rural southern Alabama town

Harper Lee’s father-- Amassa Lee-- an attorney who served in state legislature in Alabama

Older brother and young neighbor (Truman Capote) were playmates

Grew up in 1930’s -- in rural southern Alabama town

Scout Finch’s father-- Atticus Finch -- an attorney who served in state legislature in Alabama

Older brother and young neighbor (Dill) were playmates

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Other Similarities

Harper Lee - an avid reader

Six years old when Scottsboro trials covered in state and local newspapers

Scout Finch reads before she enters school, also an avid reader

Six years old when Tom Robinson trial takes place