George Junius Stinney Jr. was born on October 21, 1929 in Pinewood, South Carolina, U.S. He was the youngest person to ever be sentenced to death in the United States. On March 24, 1944, Stinney was convicted of the murder of two white girls, 11-year-old Betty June Binnicker and 8-year-old Mary Emma Thames. The two girls had gone missing while picking flowers in the town of Alcolu, South Carolina. Stinney was arrested and charged with their murder.
The trial was held in Clarendon County Courthouse and lasted only one day. Stinney was represented by an attorney who was appointed by the court. He was not allowed to call any witnesses or present any evidence in his defense. The jury deliberated for only 10 minutes before returning a guilty verdict. Stinney was sentenced to death by electrocution.
Stinney’s execution was scheduled for June 16, 1944. He was only 14 years old at the time. Stinney was held in the South Carolina Penitentiary in Columbia, South Carolina. He was kept in solitary confinement and was not allowed to see his family. He was the youngest prisoner on death row in the United States.
The execution was carried out at 7:30 pm on June 16, 1944. Stinney was strapped into the electric chair and electrocuted. He was pronounced dead at 7:45 pm. His body was buried in an unmarked grave in the Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery in Paxville, South Carolina.
The case of George Junius Stinney Jr. has been the subject of much debate and controversy. Many believe that Stinney was wrongly convicted and that he did not receive a fair trial. There have been calls for a posthumous pardon for Stinney, but so far none have been granted.
The case of George Junius Stinney Jr. is a tragic reminder of the injustices that can occur in the criminal justice system. It is a reminder that even in death, justice can be denied. It is a reminder that the rights of the accused must be respected and that all people should be given a fair trial. It is a reminder that no one should be sentenced to death, regardless of their age.
George Junius Stinney Jr. was the youngest person to ever be sentenced to death in the United States. His case serves as a reminder of the injustices that can occur in the criminal justice system and the need for fairness and justice for all. His death is a tragedy that should never be forgotten.