George Stinney, Jr. Defense & Scholarship Fund

In March 1944, two young girls searched for flowers near their homes in S.C., when black and white were separated by Jim Crow laws and the railroad tracks that ran though town. They never returned and their bodies were discovered the next morning. The girls had been brutally murdered. For reasons unclear, George Stinney, Jr. was arrested.

A black child, he was indicted for the murders. His trial, 30 days later, lasted just a few hours. The jury deliberated 10 minutes before returning a guilty verdict. George was sentenced to death. No appeal was filed, as his family had no money. On June 16, 1944, the young boy was electrocuted. 5 feet tall and weighing 95 pounds, he was the youngest person executed in the United States of America in the Twentieth Century. He was 14.

In October 2013, after years of research, our firm filed a Motion, having gathered enough evidence to revisit the case. In January, Attorneys for the Defense offered alibi witness testimony and forensic evidence, both tending to support the young boy's innocence.

70 years later, relief is sought in the form of a vacated judgment, and we're currently waiting for the decision of the South Carolina Court. Our goal is to clear the name of George Stinney, Jr., before this miscarriage of justice becomes forever a glaring blemish upon the fabric of our Nation's history.

Significant media coverage came to surround our effort and many of you reached out, wishing to contribute to a defense fund, as costs were paid for out-of-pocket. In response, this site was created.

Contributions will be applied to the costs of litigation, in the legal effort to exonerate George. The Stinney Family's wish is for a scholarship to be established in George's name. Organizational documents for the GEORGE STINNEY, JR. SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION have been submitted to the Secretary of State. Thus, the remaining proceeds will be used for precisely that purpose- to fund a scholarship for the well-being and continued education of deserving, underprivileged children in Sumter and Clarendon Counties.

We anticipate approval from the I.R.S. within roughly 3 months for the eligibility of contributions made to the scholarship fund as tax deductible donations.

Your support, well wishes, and contributions are all greatly appreciated. Upon receipt, we'll add your name to an e-mail list, and keep you updated on our effort. Thank you.

COFFEY, CHANDLER & McKENZIE, P.A.

P.O. Box 1292

Manning, S.C. 29102