photo #2228216

Sometimes our history is dark. It’s important to remember the good AND the bad so we do not fall into the errors of the past again.June of 1944 - George Stinney Jr. was the youngest person to be sentenced to death in the 20th century in the United States.He was only 14 years old when he was executed in an electric chair.During his trial, even on the day of his execution, he always carried a bible in his hands, claiming to be innocent.He was accused of killing two white girls, 11-Year-old Betty, and Mary of 7, the bodies were found near the house where the teenager resided with his parents.At that time, all members of the jury were white. The trial lasted only 2 hours, and the sentence was dictated 10 minutes later.The Boy's parents were threatened, and prevented from being present in the courtroom, and subsequently expelled from that city.Before the execution, George spent 81 days in prison without being able to see his parents.He was held in solitary confinement, 80 miles from his city. He was alone without the presence of his parents or a lawyer.He was electrocuted with 5,380 volts in his head.70 years later, his INNOCENCE was finally proven by a judge in South Carolina. George was innocent, later to find out Police Officers had set him up looking to blame someone for the murders. May his innocent soul rest in peace.