A Negro Trial The history of what is known as
the Scottsboro case in the United States forms a not irrelevant commentary on some of the strictures at present rightly current regarding Soviet justice. Two years ago two white girls were said to have been raped by some or all of a gang of nine negro youths when all eleven were riding (illicitly it is to be presumed) in a freight train near Scottsboro. The girls were admittedly prostitutes and both had previously committed perjury. But this happened in Alabama, which is a Southern State where colour feeling runs high. The negroes were condemned to death, but the Supreme Court quashed the sentence and ordered a new trial, which is now (the accused having been in prison ever since) taking place at Decatur, since there could be no fair hearing at Scottsboro. One of the two girls has contradicted her previous evidence and now declares there was no rape at all. The other holds to her story, and. the first _negro to be retried has been once more condemned, after an all-white jury had deliberated for 21 hours. The judge appears to have shown impartiality and courage, but the trial is being conducted in an atmosphere thick with intimidation, and the prisoners are _under heavy armed guard as protection against a raid and a lynchin g which is being perpetually threatened. All the indications are that no negro involved in a serious charge can count on justice in a, Southern State.
Previous page
