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Sunday, January 26, 2014

New Trial Sought For George Stinney, Executed At 14

Almost 70 years ago, South Carolina electrocuted 14-year-old George Stinney, the youngest person to be executed by an American state since the 1800s. Family members today say he's innocent, and while they can't bring him back, they want his name cleared.

A black teen in the Jim Crow South, Stinney was accused of murdering two white girls, ages 7 and 11, as they hunted for wildflowers in Alcolu, about 50 miles southeast of Columbia.

Stinney, according to police, confessed to the crime. No witness or evidence that might vindicate him was presented during a trial that was over in fewer than three hours. An all-white jury convicted him in a flash, 10 minutes, and he was sentenced to "be electrocuted, until your body be dead in accordance with law. And may God have mercy on your soul," court documents say.
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21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Shameful past of these United States of America.

Anonymous said...

So, there are not enough crimes going on currently, that these folks have got to go back in time for something to do!!! What a waste of time and money, these people should all be fired!

Anonymous said...

Similarities between this story and the Stephen King book and movie The Green Mile.King adjusted it somewhat for legal purposes & added his own flair as always,but the stories are close enough the he could have been inspired by the 1944 event.

Anonymous said...

a confession is a confession, CASE CLOSED.

Anonymous said...

Is the family willing to pay all court costs, not just filing fees, but all salaries of everyone involved? I am sorry for what happened if he is innocent, but we cannot change the past. This will not bring him or the girls back.

Anonymous said...

What proof is there that he is innocent, has someone else confessed, are there now witnesses? More info needed.

Andy Berges said...

2:46 - Just out of curiosity...If 1 of your immediate family members was wrongly accused and unrightfully executed, would you want their name cleared?

Anonymous said...

To 1:56, Google "false confessions" and see that many people give false confessions. Plenty of innocent people, for whatever reason, confess to crimes they never committed.

Anonymous said...

not if coerced or forced

Anonymous said...

thank you Andy..a voice of reason!!

Anonymous said...

257 hey doofus, a fundamental foundation of american justice is the right to a fair trail where the STATE is required to prove your guilt. Not the other way around. Please refrain from making anymore ignorant comments until you've read up on the issues quite a bit more.

Anonymous said...

It's all about MONEY.. Think how much $ the relatives can get by suing the state and everybody involved (wrongful death, etc.) if they can get the decision reversed. Not to mention the attorney's fees. No doubt the attorneys will take it on a PERCENTAGE fee (90%).

Anonymous said...

Leftists trying to drum up racial tensions. and reminding people of the Democrats racist past.

Jesus, let the past go black America... said...

If Obama had a Son it would look like him...

Anonymous said...

its not about his name, it is about the money. If he is innocent, God has already cleared him

Lawyers are the Devils Advocate.

Anonymous said...

oh gosh, I remember reading about him in college.

Wrong or Right, the only thing that can come of his conviction being overturned is money.

By the way, I know one family with the surname of Stinney..hmmm

Anonymous said...

HE WAS 14 AND HE WAS ELECTROCUTED!!!! WTF is wrong with you people?????

Anonymous said...

A disgrace if this is true. However, I'm bothered equally by a press and a legal system that will reach back 70 years for a potential injustice, but blatantly ignores current-day violence if not politically-correct. Don't bother with the juvenile insults if you disagree - just prove me wrong.

Anonymous said...

Why because he is black.....BS.

Anonymous said...

The past is behind us, let it go.

Anonymous said...

So, what if he really did kill them? Nobody here commenting is considering that possibility.

I'll consider it now. If he did, nothing changes. If he didn't, nothing changes.


There.