The Tragic Story of 14-Year-Old G. Stinney

Women who were victims of discrimination in history, black people, those who had to hide their sexual orientation and many more, 20th-21st century They thought that these meaningless discriminations and oppressions would disappear in the future. But we still see them around today. Just 78 years ago The George Stinney case, which went down as a black mark in the history of the USA, revealed how clumsy humanity was in leaving the issues we talked about.

in 1944 only 14 years old George Stinney became one of the youngest victims of racism in the United States. Just in 10 minutes The fact that Stinney was found guilty was innocent came to light 70 years later. Well Stinney’s Green Way How did the story that inspired important productions such as the movie developed? Let’s look at his tragic story together.

It all started in March 1944 in Alcou, South Carolina, when two little girls searched for flowers:

11 year old Betty June binnicker and 7 year old Mary Emma ThamesThey were looking for flowers while riding their bikes. When the two girls saw Stinney and her sister Aime, they went up to them and asked where they could find the flowers.

This was the last place to hear from the girls. And then?

In the search operations, in which Stinney’s father also participated, the girls were found in a pit. dead bodies found. It’s like they’re both in their head over and over again. as if struck with a hammer There were blows. Since they were last seen talking to Stinney, the authorities headed towards Stinney’s house.

His family was not at home at the time:

Stinney, who was handcuffed with his brother, was released by the authorities after his brother was released. single focus it happened. He was interrogated in a small room, without a lawyer and without his family. So 14 years old unaware of anything A boy was under duress in a small room with officials who scolded him. But the job did not end there.

Despite the lack of a concrete source, police said Stinney confessed to his guilt. All the authorities prosecuted Stinney based on a confession without proof:

His case started 1 month after the girls’ death. From a present-day perspective, Stinney’s court-elected attorney Charles Plowden they were separate, hopeless cases. made by the lawyer nothing did not have. He had hardly taken any action, such as calling witnesses or presenting evidence.

On the other hand, opponents eyes closed trust It was a confession without proof.

Stinney’s trial took 2 hours. The jury debate to decide whether he is guilty is only 10 minutes.

• George Stinney (second from right)

Stinney, who could not see his family for weeks because he was arrested, With the decision he took from the 10-minute discussion found guilty. The story, which has managed to darken one’s heart even up to this point, has now become even worse.

Stinney was given the death penalty for first degree murder:

On June 16, 1944, Stinney entered the execution chamber of the South Carolina State Penitentiary. in the electric chair was taken to be executed. But it wasn’t even tall enough for a chair. For this reason, books were placed under it. Stinney, with her clothes that are loose for her as they are designed for adults and her mask that covers her whole face because she is small, is the one in the room. in front of witnesses tied to the chair.

He was asked if he had any last words. The answer is “no sir” happened. After that…

Exactly 2,400 volts electricity was fed into Stinney’s body. Meanwhile, his mask, which was too big for his face, fell, and the witnesses were horrified by the sight they saw. to Stinney’s body 2 times in 8 minutes He was given electricity and thus he died.

In 2004, a historian named George Frierson set out to investigate the case.

• Frierson at the point where Stinney was talking to the girls

After obtaining some evidence, he was convinced that Stinney was innocent. First of all, there was a small amount of blood in the pit where the girls were located, indicating that they had been killed elsewhere. 14 year old two bodies of a child 400 meters It was not likely to carry as much.

• Translation: He was wrongfully tried, illegally executed by South Carolina. The verdict was annulled by the court decision of 16 December 2014

Apart from that, his sister also stated that Stinney was at home. By 2014, Stinney’s litigation process unfair and unjust seen. In this context name cleared. Although their sisters are happy to see these days before they die, there is one fact that will never be erased from their minds:

A group of grown men without any evidence It took 10 minutes to give a 14-year-old boy the death penalty. But it took 70 years before the boy was found to be innocent.

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