COVER ARTICLE By Magistrate Brandon C. McClain Dayton Municipal Court
II
t has been said the measure of a superhero is his nemesis.1 If so, Thurgood Marshall, a civil rights leader who dedicated his life to pursuing equality for all, was immeasurable. Before he was the first African-American Supreme Court Justice, Mr. Marshall was a soldier in the war of equality for all. I am unapologetically grateful for Thurgood Marshall and his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. Many of the civil rights enjoyed today are largely the result of the personal risks taken by Thurgood Marshall in pursuit of equality for all. For Mr. Marshall, who would become known as the “Great Dissenter,� many of his objectors brought the possibility of death directly to his doorstep-literally. Arguably, Marshall was never more at risk than when he entered into Groveland, Florida in 1948. This story of gross injustice is about the race-based victimization of four African-American men: Earnest Thomas, Charles Greenlee, Samuel Shepherd and Walter Irvin. They became known as the Groveland Four. The Groveland Four were accused of raping 17-year-old Norma Padgett- an accusation that would lead to a mob destroying homes in a nearby African-American community and inconceivable carnage.2 While in custody, Greenlee, Irvin and Shepherd were tortured to coerce a confession.3 Thomas escaped custody, but was subsequently hunted down by a posse of men, led by Lake County Sheriff Willis V. McCall, and fatally shot.4 His death was ruled a justifiable homicide.5 Amidst significant concern, the national office of the NAACP sent Attorney Frank Williams to represent the three remaining men.6 Following a trial, Shepherd, Irvin and Greenlee were convicted by continued on page 15
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Dayton Bar Briefs February 2018
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