Bookert Millner News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

The Martinsville 7 were a group of men who were accused and convicted of raping a white woman in 1949. The men sat in front of all-white, all-male juries who

For decades, family members of the men, known as the Martinsville Seven, contended that they were denied due process. Gov. Ralph S. Northam agreed.

John Clabon Taylor — were interrogated by police without the appointment of legal counsel and, under threats that they would be released to a lynch mob, confessed to involvement in the rape. After a succession of perfunctory trials before all-white, all-male juries, each was convicted and sentenced to death. Their sentences were carried out in the largest mass execution for rape in the history of the United States. Seventy years later, family members of the men and legal advocates are spearheading an effort to posthumously pardon the men and redress a miscarriage of justice. In the Januar...

In late 1950 and early 1951, seven Black men awaited death in Virginia’s electric chair in the rape of a white woman, drawing attention to Richmond from across the country

By Frank Green Richmond Times-Dispatch In late 1950 and early 1951, seven Black men awaited death in Virginia’s electric chair in the rape of a white woman, drawing attention to Richmond from across the country and around the world. Letters pleading for mercy flooded the governor’s office along with telegrams from as far away as Moscow. There was picketing at the White House, marches on the state Capitol in Richmond and a prayer vigil there attended by hundreds of people both Black and white — all for naught. The “Martinsville Seven” were executed in two g...