April 8, 1933, Decatur, Alabama – In a shocking turn of events, Solicitor Wade Wright descended into the depths of desperation, accusing defense witnesses in the high-profile Scottsboro case of being bought with ‘Jew money.’
Wright, determined to reconvict Heywood Patterson, one of nine African American men charged with attacking two white women on a freight train two years ago, made the incendiary claim during a heated argument in court.
The accusation was sparked by the unexpected reappearance of Miss Ruby Bates, who had initially testified that she and Miss Victoria Price were attacked by nine African American men while riding the train. Bates, who had gone missing for several weeks, stunned the courtroom by repudiating her earlier statement and appearing in a stylish new spring outfit.
‘Are you going to stand for justice being bought?’ Wright demanded, his voice dripping with venom.
Bamuel S. Liebowitz, chief of defense counsel from New York, shot back, ‘I submit your honor, a conviction in this case will not be worth a pinch of snuff.’ The remark was a chilling reminder of the high stakes involved in the case.
The tension in the courtroom was palpable as Wright continued to disparage the testimony of the defense witnesses, implying that they had been bribed with ‘Jew money.’
Liebowitz’s swift objection to a mistrial was overruled, allowing the proceedings to continue.
The Scottsboro case had been a highly publicized and contentious affair, with accusations of racial bias and police misconduct flying back and forth. The introduction of anti-Semitic rhetoric into the trial only served to further inflame the situation.
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- State: Alabama
- Category: Violent Crime
- Era: Historical
- Source: Library of Congress — Chronicling America ↗
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