SCOTTSBORO TRIAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 201, 26 July 1937, Page 7

SCOTTSBORO TRIAL.

CHARGES WITHDRAWN. . DECATUR (Alabama), July 24. Tlie six yeans’ battle lor life of the Scottsboro negroes was ended dramatically and astoundingly by the State attorneys announcing the withdrawal of the assault charges against the live accused, Ozie Powell, Olean Montgomery, Willie Robertson, Eugene Williams and Roy Wright. The prosecution was “convinced they are not guilty.” However, Powell was not freed and pleaded guilty to-day to the attempted killing of a deputy-sheriff in 1936. He was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment. The withdrawal of the charges was announced after the conviction of Charlie Weems, who was sentenced to 75 years’ imprisonment. THE FIGHT TO GO ON. Received Julv 26, 11.30 a.m. NEW YORK, July 25. A message from Decatur (Alabama) states that it is unlikely that Clarence Norris, who was convicted of assault on July 16, will be executed. Defending counsel. (Mr Liebowitz) to-day-issued a statement that he would continue the fight until all were saved. The Scottsboro case began in March, 1931, with the arrest of nine negro boys on charges of attacking (wo women of low character on a train. Death sentences were repeatedly passed on several of the ■negroes, but for various reasons the convictions were quashed. A week ago one of the accused was sentenced to death for the third time, and on Wednesday another was found guilty and sentenced to 90 years’ imprisonment.