WATCH NOW: Making a case for the 'Martinsville Seven' martinsvillebulletin.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from martinsvillebulletin.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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
WATCH NOW: Posthumous pardon and apology sought for 'Martinsville Seven' who were executed nearly 70 years ago martinsvillebulletin.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from martinsvillebulletin.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
By Frank Green
Richmond Times-Dispatch
In late 1950 and early 1951, seven Black men awaited death in Virginiaâs 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 governorâs 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 â all for naught.
The âMartinsville Sevenâ were executed in two groups, four men on Feb. 2, 1951, and three on Feb. 5, at the former Virginia State Penitentiary a mile and a half from the state Capitol â the most executions for crimes against a single victim in state history and one of the largest in U.S. history.