Closing Arguments of Defense Attorney and Prosecutor for Trials of the Scottsboro Boys
Closing Arguments
Defense Attorney:
"The less said about sectionalism and prejudice the better . . . ." "Now, I'm not going to assault your ears with any such ranting and raising the roof as you have been forced to hear from the gentleman seated over there. I shall appeal to your reason as logical, intelligent human beings, determined to give even this poor scrap of colored humanity a fair, square deal." "What is the argument of the learned solicitor? Change the charge and you would hear the same stereotyped phrases: 'the fair State of Alabama, foreigners,' and all the rest of that claptrap." "What is it but an appeal to prejudice, to sectionalism, to bigotry. What he is saying is, 'come on boys! We can lick this Jew from New York! Stick it into him! We're among our home folk.' " "It was a speech of a man taking an unfair advantage-- a hangman's speech. . . ." "Now, as for the Jew money from New York, let me say this: That when the hour of our country's need came there was no question of Jew or gentile, of black or white-- all, all together braved the smoke and flame of Flanders Fields." "Now, I'm not getting any fee in this case and I'm not getting a penny of expenses for myself and my wife, who was here with me. "Mobs mean nothing to me. Let them hang me: I don't care. Life is only an incident in the Creator's scheme of things, but if I can contribute my little bit to see that justice is served, then my mission is fulfilled.
Prosecutor:
"I do not want a verdict based on racial prejudice or a religious creed. I want a verdict based on the merits of this case. On that evidence, gentlemen, there can be but one verdict, and that verdict is death-- death in the electric chair for raping Victoria Price. . . . " "If you acquit this Negro, put a garland of roses around his neck, give him a supper and send him to New York City. There let Dr. Harry Fosdick dress him up in a high hat and morning coat, gray
Defense Attorney:
"The less said about sectionalism and prejudice the better . . . ." "Now, I'm not going to assault your ears with any such ranting and raising the roof as you have been forced to hear from the gentleman seated over there. I shall appeal to your reason as logical, intelligent human beings, determined to give even this poor scrap of colored humanity a fair, square deal." "What is the argument of the learned solicitor? Change the charge and you would hear the same stereotyped phrases: 'the fair State of Alabama, foreigners,' and all the rest of that claptrap." "What is it but an appeal to prejudice, to sectionalism, to bigotry. What he is saying is, 'come on boys! We can lick this Jew from New York! Stick it into him! We're among our home folk.' " "It was a speech of a man taking an unfair advantage-- a hangman's speech. . . ." "Now, as for the Jew money from New York, let me say this: That when the hour of our country's need came there was no question of Jew or gentile, of black or white-- all, all together braved the smoke and flame of Flanders Fields." "Now, I'm not getting any fee in this case and I'm not getting a penny of expenses for myself and my wife, who was here with me. "Mobs mean nothing to me. Let them hang me: I don't care. Life is only an incident in the Creator's scheme of things, but if I can contribute my little bit to see that justice is served, then my mission is fulfilled.
Prosecutor:
"I do not want a verdict based on racial prejudice or a religious creed. I want a verdict based on the merits of this case. On that evidence, gentlemen, there can be but one verdict, and that verdict is death-- death in the electric chair for raping Victoria Price. . . . " "If you acquit this Negro, put a garland of roses around his neck, give him a supper and send him to New York City. There let Dr. Harry Fosdick dress him up in a high hat and morning coat, gray