Fifth Judicial Circuit. "PBS: Freedom Never Dies" Norma Padgett Testimony. http://www.pbs.org/harrymoore/terror/padgett.html, 1949.
Norma Padgett was a 17-year old girl, who accused four black men of rape in Lake County, FL. She told precisely in graphic language (unusual for that time) what she alleges happened that night. By reading her testimony, students can determine whether she was a "good" witness or not.
Gaines, Ernest J. A Lesson Before Dying. New York: Vintage Books, 1993.
A story of a young black man in Cajun Louisiana who is accused and convicted of robbing and murdering a white store owner. Since justice seems unlikely for this black young man in the Jim Crow South. His family only hopes he can learn to die like a man. This fiction piece touch on some of the realistic experiences of the Groveland Four
Goodman, James. Stories of Scottsboro. New York: Vintage Books, 1995.
This text is a narrative that documents the 1931 case of the Scottsboro Boys. I recommend that this text is used as a supplement, if students are not knowledgeable about the Scottsboro case, in the form of excerpts.
Hose, Aaron. The Groveland Four. http://vimeo.com/7050259, 2010 (Film).
This film is helpful for students who have difficulty following the events of the text while reading.
Irvin, Walter. "PBS: Freedom Never Dies. Irvin's Statement to Williams. http://www.pbs.org/harrymoore/terror/irvin.html, 1949.
Williams gathered information that showed the evidence was highly questionable. When Williams met with the three suspects, he found their bodies covered with cuts and bruises, the result of beatings administered by deputies to obtain confessions. The three told Williams that they had been hung from pipes with their feet touching broken glass and clubbed. This statement provides students an opportunity to meet one of the Groveland Boys.
King, Gilbert. Devil in the Grove. New York: Harper Collins, 2012.
This book is about Thurgood Marshall's defense of four young black men in Lake County, Florida, who were falsely accused of raping a white woman in 1949. The beginning of the text details the life of Thurgood Marshall. Knowing my students, I would begin where the details of the Groveland case are laid out.
Klarman, Michael J. From Jim Crow to Civil Rights. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006.
This text spells out in compelling detail the political and social context within which the Supreme Court Justices operate and the consequences of their decisions for American race relations; which is great for building background knowledge.
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. New York: Grand Central, 1960.
Loosely based on the author's experiences and observations of family, friends and neighbors, this text addresses the reality of black men during Jim Crow and the whites, who tried to fight against social injustice on their behalf through a rape trial.
Moore, Harry T. "Harry T. Moore Homesite." Citizens must be shocked over Groveland case. http://www.nbbd.com/godo/moore/research/HTM-Governor-Groveland-48.html, 1948.
History comes to life through the words of activist Harry T. Moore in a letter written to Florida's Governor expressing outrage over the Groveland trial.
Wftv.com. "WFTV Channel 9." New evidence could clear 'Groveland Four'in 1949 rape case. http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/new-evidence-could-clear-groveland-four-1949-rape-/nR5tB/, 7 Sept. 2012 (Film).
Press conference of the family members of the Groveland Four's reaction to recently unsealed evidence that could clear the names of the four young men. The effects of this case are apparent and still haunt the family decades later.
