14-years old: Youngest person to be executed by electrocution in America -innocent young boy: George Junnius Stinney, Jr.

Photos from short film “83 Days” depicting the story and execution of George Stinney, Jr.

February 6, 2021 Updated:June 9,2021

Betty June Bannister, 11, and Mary Emma Thames, 7, were two white girls who rode their bike on March 11, 1944 looking for flowers in Alcolu, South Carolina. While on their journey, it is reported that the two girls stopped at two different locations to find more flowers. One location was rumored to be a prominent white family home and the other allegedly confirmed being the home where George Junnius Stinney, Jr., 14, and his family lived. He was born in Pinewood, SC.

George and his sister were outside when the two girls stopped to ask them where they could find maypops. This is the last time the girls were seen, reportedly.

Betty June Bannister and Emma Thames. Source: unknown

After the two girls never came home that night, hundreds of Alcolu residents went to look for them. George Stinney, Sr. was among the residents who searched for the two girls. A day later, they found the two girl's dead bodies in a murky ditch. According to the medical examiner, Dr. Asbury Cecil Bogard, there was no clear sign of struggle. However, both girls died from violent trauma to their heads.

Thames had a hole that went straight through her forehead and into her skull. She also had a two-inch-long cut above her right eyebrow.

Bannister had at least seven blows to the back if her head which resulted in her skull being crushed. It was noted on the record of death that the back of her skull was “nothing but a mass of crushed bones.”

The death conclusion by Bogard is that the two girls likely died from wounds caused by a “round instrument about the size of the head hammer.”

Once the law enforcement of Clarendon County learned that the two girls spoke with Stinnett, Jr. that day, as told by a witness, they quickly went to place him in handcuffs for interrogation.

Tinney, Jr., 14, was interrogated for hours without his parents, a witness, or a lawyer. Law enforcement claimed that during the interrogation that Tinney, Jr. confessed to killing the two girls because he wanted to have sex with one of them and his attempt failed.

George Stinney, Jr. /Columbia Record

The arresting officer, H.S. Newman wrote in a handwritten statement, “I arrested a boy by the name of George Stinney. He then made a confession and told me where to find a piece of iron about 15 inches long. He said he put it in a ditch about six feet from the bicycle.” Newman wouldn't tell where he detained Stinney, Jr. due to lynching threats. His own parents didn't get to speak to him nor have any idea where their child was located.

George Stinney, Jr. (Second from right) /Jimmy Price-Columbia Records

George Stinney , Jr. was in custody for a little over two months before his 2-hour-trial took place. Another boy was arrested with him and was his cell mate. He recalled Stinney, Jr. proclaiming his innocence, but was forced to confess.

Stinney, Jr. was represented by a court-appointed attorney, Charles Plowden, at the Clarendon County Courthouse. Two white men who searched for the two girls testified.. The cell mate also testified. Stinney, Jr.. was sentenced in less than a day by an all white jury. Plowden did little to call witnesses or present evidence to clear Stinney, Jr. of the alleged murder. His parents also did not go to the trial because they were afraid of being attacked by white mobs. After the jury deliberated, which was for 10 minutes, they found Stinney, Jr. guilty of murder with no mercy. He was sentenced to execution by electrocution on April 24, 1944.

South Carolina organizers both white and black ministerial unions protested the execution. They petitioned the Governor at the time, Olin Johnston, to grant Stinney, Jr. clemency based on his young age. Hundreds of letters and telegrams were also sent to the governor's office begging to show mercy. But their cries fell on deaf ears.

George Stinney, Jr. held his Bible under his arm on June 16, 1944 as he was escorted to the execution chamber at the South Carolina State Penitentiary in Columbia. The 95 pound, 14 year old was placed on the adult electric chair. The state electrician had a hard time trying to strap him into the chair, adjust the electrode on his leg,, and place the oversized mask over his face. 2,400 volts of electricity surged through his body when the switch was turned on. The mask fell off while his eyes where big and teary. Saliva dripped from his mouth as they placed the mask back on and sent two more jolts of 2,400 volts through his body. Once the shook was applied, he did not die instantly as the execution was supposed to take place, but after 8 long torturing minutes of being electrified. The volt of electricity was so powerful that it had burned the bag they placed over his face. The lowered bag revealed his burned face. It is rumored that at that point one of the officers who was in attendance pulled out hus gun and shot Stinney, Jr. in the head to spare him of any more suffering.

George Stinney, Jr's head after execution.

He was then pronounced dead shortly after. It only took 83 days for the 14-year-old to be charged, tried, convicted, sentenced , and executed by the state.

WTX 19- South Carolina

70-years layer in 2014, George Stinney, Jr.’s murder conviction was thrown out. His siblings testified that his confession was coerced and he had an alibi at the time of the murder. His sister Aime said he and her were watching the family's cows during that time. Judge Carmen T. Mullen vacated Stinney Jr.’s murder conviction after months of consideration. She called the death sentence a “great and fundamental injustice.”