The Tragic Case of George Stinney Jr.: The Youngest Person Sentenced to Death
George Stinney Jr., a 14-year-old boy, became the youngest person ever sentenced to death in the United States when he was accused of murdering two white girls, aged 11 and 7, in 1944.
His case remains one of the most controversial in American history.
At the time, the bodies of the two girls were found near their home in Alcolu, South Carolina. Stinney was arrested, despite there being no physical evidence linking him to the crime.
His trial was held quickly, and his parents were not allowed in the courtroom. In fact, his mother was forced out of town, and his father was barred from entering the trial.
Stinney was interrogated without legal counsel or his parents present.
The prosecution argued that Stinney had confessed to the crime, but his confession was later determined to have been coerced.
The trial lasted only a few hours, and the jury deliberated for just 10 minutes before convicting him of murder.
The sentencing was swift, and Stinney was condemned to death. At just 14 years old, he was executed in the electric chair, receiving a shocking 2,400 volts, far less than the 5,380 volts generally used for adults.
Years later, in 2014, after the case had been reviewed, Stinney was posthumously exonerated.
The judge ruled that Stinney had not received a fair trial and that there was insufficient evidence to convict him.
This decision came a full 70 years after the tragic events, finally bringing some justice to the memory of George Stinney Jr.
Stinney’s story remains a powerful reminder of the flaws in the criminal justice system, particularly in cases involving vulnerable individuals and racial bias.
Join Kenyan Gen z and millennials official WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time the ongoing situation https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
