Many may not be familiar with this story. Its a classic case of black male, dead white female(s). However with this case, the convicted was 14 years old. George Stinney was charged with the murder of two white girls, Betty June Binnicker, age 11, and Mary Emma Thames, age 8, in Alcolu South Carolina and sentenced to death after the shortest trial ever (2 hours). But like many cases today, there was nothing linking the 90 lbs, 5'1" Stinney to the murders. Not to mention that it was almost physically impossible for a kid his size and weight to carry out the brutal murders. But according to reports over the years, young George Stinney was coerced into saying he committed the murders in exchange for candy and ice cream, and his lawyer wasn't a lawyer. His Lawyer was 30-year-old Charles Plowden, who had political aspirations. Plowden did not cross-examine witnesses; his defense was reported to consist of the claim that Stinney was too young to be held responsible for the crimes. However the law in South Carolina at the time regarded anyone over the age of 14 as an adult The poor kid had no idea his life was on the line. At the time of his execution the tiny teenager had to step up on text books to sit in the electric chair where he was put to death. Today there are calls for the case to be reopen to clear the teenager's name and bring the real killer or killers to justice, assuming the culprit or culprits are still alive. America has come a long way. But still has ways to go.
Some case information via Wikipedia
