Scottsboro Defendants: Years of Imprisonment Despite Recanted Accusations

Despite Ruby Bates recanting her accusation in 1933 and testimony that the alleged rape was fabricated, Alabama courts continued to convict Scottsboro defendants. Haywood Patterson was convicted four times. Clarence Norris was sentenced to death three times. Ozie Powell was shot in the head by a sheriff during transport. Four defendants were released in 1937 after plea negotiations; Norris received a new death sentence in 1938. Patterson was not released until 1950. Charlie Weems served until 1943. The last defendant, Andy Wright, was paroled in 1950 — 19 years after a false accusation. Patterson escaped Alabama in 1948 and was never returned.