Decatur in Morgan County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
"Scottsboro Boys" Case Landmark Decisions
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Judge James E. Horton Jr. Hailed for Legal Courage
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 2, 2020
1. "Scottosboro Boys" Case Landmark Decisions side of the marker
"Scottsboro Boys" Case Landmark Decisions
A series of racially charged trials where nine African American males ages 13 to 20 were falsely accused of raping two white women on a freight train in Alabama produced a pair of landmark civil rights decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1930s.
After all-white juries in Jackson County convicted the "Scottsboro Boys, attorneys for the International Labor Defense (ILD) guided the defendants' appeals. They argued that the trial judge had failed to appoint adequate counsel for the accused men. The Supreme Court agreed in Powell v. Alabama (1932) to a constitutional right to a competent defense.
A change of venue moved trials to Decatur, where New York attorney Samuel Leibowitz assumed the role of lead counsel for the defense. Retrials by all-white juries also ended in convictions. On appeal, the ILD successfully argued for reversal, showing that blacks had been excluded from jury duty in Morgan County. The high court ruled in Norris v. Alabama (1935) that a defendant must receive a trial by a jury of one's peers.
Judge James E. Horton Jr. Hailed for Legal Courage
Circuit
this page online
Erected 2018 by Alabama Historical Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1932.
Location. 34° 36.429′ N, 86° 59.034′ W. Marker is in Decatur, Alabama, in Morgan
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, August 23, 2026
2. Judge James E. Horton Jr. Hailed for Legal Courage side of the marker
Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Morgan County World War II Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Morgan County Confederate Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); World War One (within shouting distance of this marker); Korean War (within shouting distance of this marker); Decatur Vietnam War Monument
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 2, 2020
3. "Scottosboro Boys" Case Landmark Decisions side of the marker
Also see . . .
1. History Channel article on the Scottsboro Boys. (Submitted on August 4, 2020.)
2. Scottsboro Boys - Wikipedia article. (Submitted on September 4, 2020, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia.)
3. Norris v. Alabama - Wikipedia article. One of the cases decided by the United States Supreme Court that arose out of the trial of the Scottsboro Boys. (Submitted on September 4, 2020, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia.)
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, August 23, 2026
4. "Scottsboro Boys" Case Landmark Decisions / Judge James E. Horton Jr. Hailed for Legal Courage Marke
Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,156 times since then and 72 times this year. Last updated on August 25, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. Photos: 1. submitted on August 4, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2. submitted on August 25, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. 3. submitted on August 4, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 4. submitted on August 26, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
