Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Men who were lynched more than a century ago are innocent, judge finds

Three Black men who were lynched by mobs in Virginia during the 1800s and early 1900s have been declared innocent by a judge

Via AP news wire
Friday 20 December 2024 17:51 EST
Lynched Men Innocent-Virginia
Lynched Men Innocent-Virginia (The Washington Post)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Three Black men who were lynched by mobs in Virginia during the 1800s and early 1900s have been declared innocent by a judge.

The Washington Post reported Friday that the men were Charles Allie Thompson, William Thompson and William Grayson. Each was killed in rural Culpeper County, which is about 75 miles (121 kilometers) from Washington.

Circuit Court Judge Dale B. Durrer on Monday found that the men “were and remain to this day innocent of their charges” because they were denied due process. Durrer did so at the request of prosecutor Russell L. Rabb III.

The ruling requires that documents about their treatment remain unsealed in court records for future generations to see.

“The best history helps us recognize the mistakes that we’ve made and the evil corners in which humanity can dwell,” Durrer said. “This discomfort causes us to learn and grow and harness the great collective power we have as a community.”

Zann Nelson, 76, is credited with making the ruling possible. She spent nearly 20 years researching the cases and pestering local officials.

“There are those who might say, ‘Well, it was so long ago, why is it so important?’" Nelson said. "Well, because it brings closure. Not just to families, but to the community.”

Charles Allie Thompson was lynched in 1918 after a white woman accused him of rape. He was held in jail for five days before a mob kidnapped and hung him.

In 1877, William Thompson was accused of raping an 11-year-old white girl. Three days after his arrest, 50 men dragged him out of jail and hung him from a poplar tree. It's unknown if he was related to Charles Allie Thompson.

William Grayson, a free Black man, was charged with killing a white man in 1849. Virginia's Supreme Court overturned two of his convictions following two trials because he was known to have been elsewhere. He was in jail facing a third trial when a “lawless mob” overpowered the sheriff and lynched Grayson.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in