Commission Finds Innocent Often Lynched

Today I am featuring an article found in the Warren Times Mirror (Warren, Pennsylvania) dated November 9, 1931:

COMMISSION FINDS INNOCENT OFTEN LYNCHED

Two of 21 Persons Lynched in 1930 "Certainly Innocent," Says Report and 11 Others Possibly So; Mob Leaders Always Easily Identified

BUT NEVER INDICTED

Atlanta, Ga., Nov. 9.—(AP)—Conclusions that two of the 21 persons lynched in 1930 "certainly" were innocent and 11 others "possibly so" were advanced today by the southern commission on the study of lynching along with a criticism of hasty trials and "legal lynchings."

The commission listed as findings of a year's survey that:

1.—There is real doubt of guilt of at least half the victims of mob violence.

2.—Fewer than one-fourth of the persons lynched since 1890 have been accused of assaults upon white women.

3.—Claims that lynchings are necessary because courts do not convict negroes for their crimes are fallacious.

4.—Mob leaders can be identified without difficulty although grand jury indictments seldom are brought.

5.—Lynching is most frequent per tens of thousands of negro population in sparsely settled areas.

6.—There is direct relationship between lack of education, low economic status and lynching danger.

Georgia led in contributing to the 3,693 lynchings since 1889 with 465. Mississippi had 464, Texas 364 and Louisiana 349.

Thank you for joining me and as always, I hope I leave you with something to ponder.