Danville (Va.) Civil Rights Case Files, 1963-1973

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888
Restrictions:

Danville (Va.) Civil Rights Case Files, 1963-1973 physical materials and audio recordings have been digitized and are available through Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery page on the Library of Virginia website. Please use digital collection. Links to each section are included in the section description under the Content List.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Danville (Va.) Civil Rights Case Files, 1963-1973. Accession 38099, Local Government Records Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Summary

Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Danville (Va.) Civil Rights Case Files, 1963-1973. Accession 38099, Local Government Records Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

Danville (Va.) Civil Rights Case Files, 1963-1973, consists of court papers and legal files relating to the 1963 Civil Rights demonstrations in Danville. These files include bills of particulars, bond records, correspondence, court dockets, court orders, Dictabelts, evidence, judgments, petitions, photographs, receipts, subpoenas, and transcripts of testimony that document the legal aspects of the demonstrations from the Danville Corporation Court to the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.

Consists of the individual files of persons arrested during the civil rights demonstrations of 1963. Files include bills of particulars, bond records, judgments, receipts and subpoenas. The files of juveniles arrested include biographical information, including age, education, prior arrests, and family history.

Digital files available Here: Series I: Individual Case Files, A-Z through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Includes transcript of testimony and a notice of appeal and assignment of errors relating to the trial of Julius E. Adams, Lawrence G. Campbell, Lendall W. Chase, Alexander I. Dunlap, and Arthur Pinchback, Jr., arrested for trespassing on January 1, 1963 at the Howard Johnson restaurant on Route 29 south of Danville.

Digital files available Here: Series II: Howard Johnson Trespassing Case, 1963 through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Primarily consists of correspondence between the clerk of the Danville Corporation Court and defense attorney, Ruth L. Harvey, regarding notices of appeal and assignments of errors, and designation of parts of the record. The latter of which she requests the clerk to forward to the clerk of the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. Also, includes correspondence from the clerk of the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals indicating receipt of specified materials, and a telegram from the Seattle, Washington, branch of the NAACP requesting information on the arrest of Lawrence G. Campbell and Richard D. Goodwin.

Digital files available Here: Series III: Correspondence, 1963-1967 through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Includes the Corporation Court's dockets for the demonstration cases from June 1963-April 1967. Lists name of defendant, alleged offense, date of offense, date of trial and disposition of case.

Digital files available Here: Series IV: Corporation Court Dockets through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Consists of continuances, court orders, judgments, and sentences, issued by the Danville Corporation Court from June 1963-February 1973. Judge Aiken, from June 1963-May 1967, ordered the arrest of demonstrators for violating his injunction and inciting the colored populace, the appearance of demonstrators before the court to answer these violations, the investigation of the juvenile defendants, the serving of jail time and payment of fines, the acquittals of defendants, the consolidation of cases, and the changes of venue. The court orders issued January-February 1973 involved the disqualifying and recusing of the Danville Corporation Judge Stuart L. Craig, the selection of Judge Phillips to replace Craig, the subpoenaing of defense witnesses, and the suspension of jail sentences for the remaining defendants. Also, includes judgements issued by Judge Ted Dalton of the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in May 1967.

Digital files available Here: Series V: Court Orders through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Includes the June 7, 1963 issue of the Danville Bee and a note from the paper's general manager indicating the writer and photographer of the June 10, 1963 article entitled. "Thirty Demonstrators Jailed." Also includes excerpts from the July 10, 1963 meeting of the Danville City Council during which it passed an ordinance governing parades, a photocopy of the temporary injunction and restraining order issued by Judge Aiken, and photographs. The photographs show the demonstrators on the steps of city hall, and the arrest of Rev. Lawrence G. Campbell and Thurman Echols.

Digital files available Here: Series VI: Evidence through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Includes pieces of paper and lists indicating court cases, dates and places of offenses, trial dates, disposition of cases, and sentences.

Digital files available Here: Series VII: Notes through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Consists of the Petition for Removal filed with the clerk of the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia on June 17, 1963, by defense lawyers Len W. Holt and William M. Kunstler. The petition tried to remove the demonstration cases to federal court.

Digital files available Here: Series VIII: Petitionsthrough the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Includes receipts for bond refunds and payment of fines.

Digital files available Here: Series IX: Receipts through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Includes indictments and subpoenas from the Special Grand Jury responsible for indicting the demonstration leaders under "John Brown's Law." Contains names of the members of the grand jury.

Digital files available Here: Series X: Special Grand Jury through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Contains transcripts of testimony from:

Commonwealth of Virginia v. Lawrence G. Campbell, Alexander I. Dunlap, Arthur Pinchback, Jr., and Julius Adams, September 19, 1963

Commonwealth of Virginia v. Lawrence G. Campbell and Alexander I. Dunlap, Violation of Sections 18.1-14 and 18.1-254, October 22, 1963

Commonwealth of Virginia v. Avon Williams Rollins, August 6, 1963

City of Danville v. Lawrence G.Campbell, et als, October 1963

Digital files available Here: Series XI: Transcripts through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Consists of decisions handed down from October 1965-December 1972. Primarily includes writs of error and supersedeas.

Digital files vailable Here: Series XII: Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

This series consists of full case recordings from many of the Civil Rights demonstrations cases heard in the Danville Corporation Court from December 1966 through April 1967. The recordings include witnesses' testimony, defense attorney's motions and arguments, Commonwealth and Danville City attorney's arguments, rulings and sentences of Judge Archibald M. Aiken, Jr., witness and recorder oaths, and the calling of the court docket.

This series is organized into 27 subseries (subseries A-AA), with each subseries representing one case. A majority of the cases documented in these audio recordings consist of dozens of individual cases consolidated and heard together on the charges of Violation of Temporary Injunction and Restraining Order. See the "defendants named" section in each subseries for the full list of individuals included in these consolidated cases. Names are listed in the order they occur in the audio, generally through the courts roll call. If abesent, the reason for the defendant's absence in placed in ( ) following the name. Additionally each subseries contains the belt list with information on the runtime and contents for each belt.

Also contained herein is the recording of the 1973 February 9 Corporation Court hearing concerning the defense motion to suspend the sentences for those defendants whose sentences had been upheld on appeal by the Supreme Court of Appeals.

The original Dictabelts included wrapper containing written summaries of their audio contents, noting the approximate time the content appears in the recording. In some cases, copies of the original court docket also accompany the original Dictabelt. These wrappers and docket records are now digitized and available with the audio files available through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Audio files available here: Series XIII: Irvin Christopher Bethel, et. als. through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Charge: Violation of Temporary Injunction and Restraining Order

Defendants Named: Irvin Christopher Bethel; Lendbury Bradshaw; Donald Jerome Brandon (indicate as in Vietnam); Harrison Brown Jr.; Everett Bruce Jr. (college); Victor Hugo Burton; Barbara Cardwell (in Washington); James Cobb Jr.; John Roland Coleman; Lawrence Coleman; Clifton Henry Davis (armed forces); David Lea Davis (college); Wayne Rochelle Davis; Ellis Newton Dodson; Charlie Henry Echols (in New York); Daniel Aaron Foss (University of Iowa); Melvin Fuller (Navy); Gladys Virginia Giles (Atlantic City, NJ, Teaching); Samule Wash Giles (Atlantic City NJ); Robert Leonard Graves; William Haywood Ingram; John James (Army); James Johnson; Robert James Lewis; Margie Mabin; Thomas Mabin (New York); Charlie Henry Mason; Wilson Lee Maden (Army); James Thomas Moore (Army);Marilyn Morton (Washington); Hildreth Glennell McGhee; Archie Lee Petty, Harvey Louis Poteat; Herman Prichett (in jail); Luvinia Prichett; Avon Wiliams Rollins (Washington); William Howard Scott; Percy Walters; Ralph Frank Walters; Melvin Warner; George Albert Watkins; James Edward Whipple; Jimmy Ray Hurston (penitentiary, life sentence); Michael Smith; Bertie Smith; Sylvester Burrell (jail); Harvey Davis Jr.; Mabel Graves (sick); Ennis Hairston; Ola Mae Cunningham Harris; Leonard Winston Holt; Joe Wesley Lewis; Stuart Mingo; Robert Morton; Marcelluos Reeves; Willie Ulysses Thomas; John Robert Zellner (New York); Eugene Bennett; Ernest Howard Smith; Sylvester Graves; Jesse Hairston; Otha Frank Lumpkin Annie Mae Johnson; Harvey Smith; Robert Hemphill Jr. (Army); Daniel McCain; Paul Price; Alberta Via Tathatter [?]; Shirely Terry; Averett Wade Thompson; Ivanhoe Gaylord Thompson (Atlanta, college)

Contents
  • Defendants roll call
  • arguments in Judge's chambers in re: consolidating cases

Contents
  • Attorneys' arguments in Judge's chambers in re: consolidating cases (continued)
  • Reading of Judge's injunction issued 6 June 1963
  • Defendants' pleas

Contents
  • Eugene G. McCain (chief of police) testimony

Contents
  • Charles Wade Graff (police officer and photographer) testimony
  • T. Neil Morris (police officer) testimony

Contents
  • L. P. Rigney (police officer) testimony
  • Curtis H. Royster (police officer) testimony
  • W. L. Buettner (police officer) testimony
  • Curtis H. Royster recall testimony
  • Adjournment
  • Reconvene
  • T. C. Tatterhorn (police officer) testimony
  • R. W. Brumfield (police officer) testimony

Contents
  • W. L. Sheffield (police officer) testimony
  • C. L. Fuller (police officer) testimony
  • R. A. Walker (police officer) testimony
  • D. E. Nostrand (police officer) testimony
  • B. C. Enyard (police officer) testimony
  • John M. Bailey (police officer) testimony

Contents
  • John M. Bailey testimony (continued)
  • Unidentified (police officer) testimony
  • T. W. Evans (police officer) testimony
  • Sutaliff (police officer) testimony
  • Unidentified (police officer) testimony
  • L. P. Rigney (police officer) testimony

Contents
  • Ernest Howard Smith (demonstrator) testimony
  • Defense attorneys' motion to strike evidence and witness testimony
  • Adjournment and weather report

Contents
  • Convene and roll call
  • Approach bench - discussion
  • Charles Wade Graff (police officer and photographer) testimony
  • Juby E. Towler (chief of police detectives) testimony

Contents
  • Juby E. Towler testimony (continued)
  • City attorney argument against defense motion to strike evidence and witness testimony
  • Defense attorney re-argues motion to strike evidence

Contents
  • Defense attorney re-argues motion to strike evidence (continued)
  • Judge's ruling on motion (denied)
  • Adjournment
  • Reconvene
  • Defense motion to remove some defendant's names from case docket

Contents
  • Defense attorney motion to strike evidence and witness testimony (continued)
  • Judge's ruling on motion (denied)
  • James Edward Whipple (demonstrator) testimony

Contents
  • James Edward Whipple testimony (continued)
  • W. L. Buettner recall testimony
  • Unidentified (police officer) recall testimony
  • Prosecution rests
  • Defense closing

Contents
  • Defense closing (continued)
  • Prosecution closing
  • Judge's ruling and sentences

Contents
  • Attorneys' arguments in Judge's chambers in re: bond hearing for absentee defendants
  • Adjournment

Audio files available here: Series XIII: Sylvester Burrell, et. als. through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Charge: Violation of Temporary Injunction and Restraining Order

Defendants Named: Sylvester Burrell; Harvey Davis Jr.; Mabel Graves; Ennis Hairston; Ola Mae Cunningham Harris; Leonard Winston Holt (removed, heard at later date); Joe Wesley Lewis (Army); Stuart Mingo; Robert Morton; Marcellos Reeves; Willie Ulysses Thomas; Sylvester Graves; Jesse Hairston; Harvey Smith; Robert Hemphill Jr. (Army); Annie Mae Johnson; Otha Frank Lumpkin; Daniel McCain; Paul Price; Alberta Viatanian [?]; Shirley Terry; Averett Wade Thompson; Ivanhoe Gaylord Donaldson (college)

Contents
  • Convene
  • Recorder sworn
  • Defendants roll call
  • Cases consolidated
  • Eugene G. McCain (chief of police) testimony

Contents
  • Eugene G. McCain testimony (continued)

Contents
  • Eugene G. McCain testimony (continued)
  • Recess
  • Reconvene
  • Eugene G. McCain testimony (continued)

Contents
  • Eugene G. McCain testimony (continued)

Contents
  • T. Neil Morris (police officer) testimony
  • Lunch recess
  • Reconvene
  • T. Neil Morris testimony (continued)
  • harles Wade Graff (police officer and photographer) testimony

Contents
  • Charles Wade Graff testimony (continued)
  • Attorneys' arguments in Judge's chambers in re: photographs and time of their development
  • Charles Wade Graff testimony (continued)
  • Juby E. Towler (chief of police detectives) testimony

Contents
  • Juby E. Towler testimony (continued)
  • Re-direct
  • Re-cross
  • Re-re-direct
  • Re-re-cross
  • Ralph Wilkerson (police officer) testimony
  • Re-direct
  • Re-cross
  • Charles Wade Graff recall testimony
  • Recess
  • Reconvene
  • B. C. Elliott Jr. (police officer) testimony
  • Attorneys' arguments in Judge's chambers in re: photographs and time of their development
  • Charles Wade Graff testimony (continued)
  • Juby E. Towler (chief of police detectives) testimony

Contents
  • B. C. Elliott Jr. testimony (continued) testimony
  • Prosecution and Defense rests
  • Defense motion to strike evidence and witness testimony
  • Judge's ruling on motion (denied)
  • Defense motion to strike because arrest did not occur at time of violation
  • Judge's ruling on motion (denied)
  • Recess
  • Reconvene
  • Wade Thompson (demonstrator) testimony

Contents
  • Wade Thompson testimony (continued)
  • Harvey Smith (demonstrator) testimony
  • Paul Price (demonstrator) testimony
  • Stuart Walter Mayo (demonstrator) testimony

Contents
  • Otha Frank Lumpkin (demonstrator) testimony
  • Adjournment

Contents
  • Reconvene
  • Defense renews motion to strike evidence and witness testimony
  • Judge's ruling on motion (overruled)
  • Defense motion to dismiss against 5 defendants because prosecution has not proven a case
  • Commonwealth argument against motion
  • Judge's ruling on motion (overruled)
  • Prosecution opening argument
  • Defense closing argument
  • Judge questions Defense attorneys
  • Prosecution closing argument
  • Judge's ruling and sentences

Contents
  • Judge's ruling and sentences (continued) [unclear, distorted sound]
  • Defense motion to suspend sentences pending appeal

Audio files available here: Series XIII: James Edward Whipple through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Charge: Perjury

Defendants Named: James Edward Whipple

Contents
  • Prosecution motion for a bench warrant to be issued for the arrest of James Edward Whipple on a charge of perjury
  • Judge's ruling on motion (granted)

Audio files available here: Series XIII: Joseph Bowe, et. als. through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Charge: Violation of Temporary Injunction and Restraining Order

Defendants Named: Joseph Bowe; Cynthia Ann Carter; L.W. Chase, Gineva Rogers Davis, Lizzie Spivey Davis, Jimmie Hamlett; Thomas Cleveland Holt; General Redd; William Edward Richardson; Isiah Hall; James Dixon jr.; Eddie Mae Womack; Estelle Womack; Doyle J. Thomas; Alice Lee Strader; Celester Lindsey; Percy Randolph Williams; Walter Link

Contents
  • Recorder sworn
  • Cases consolidated
  • Defendants roll call
  • Defendants' pleas

Contents
  • Walter Link (demonstrator) guilty plea
  • Judge's sentence
  • Adjournment
  • Reconvene
  • Stipulate injunction become part of the record
  • Defendants' pleas
  • T. Neil Morris (police officer) testimony

Contents
  • T. Neil Morris testimony (continued)
  • Charles Wade Graff (police officer and photographer) testimony
  • B. C. Elliott Jr. (police officer) testimony
  • William G. Doss (police officer) testimony

Contents
  • William G. Doss testimony (continued)
  • Eugene G. McCain (chief of police) testimony

Contents
  • Eugene G. McCain testimony (continued)
  • Recess and adjournment until Monday, 19 December

Contents
  • Reconvene
  • W. L. Sheffield (police officer) testimony

Contents
  • P. L. Rowland (police officer) testimony
  • T. C. Talley (police officer) testimony
  • Recess
  • Reconvene
  • Eugene G. McCain recall testimony

Contents
  • Eugene G. McCain recall testimony (continued)
  • Prosecution rests
  • City motion to dismiss cases against Joseph Bowe, Reverend Doyle J. Thomas, and Paul Wade Jr.
  • Judge grants and dismisses cases
  • Defense motion to strike evidence and witness testimony
  • Judge's ruling on motion (denied)
  • B. C. Elliott recall testimony
  • Recess
  • Reconvene
  • Percy Randolph Williams (demonstrator) testimony

Contents
  • Percy Randolph Williams testimony (continued)
  • Thomas F. Tucker (Danville Clerk of Court) testimony
  • Defense rests
  • Defense motion to show cause
  • Defense motion to quash capias

Contents
  • Defense motion to quash capias (continued)
  • City argument and rebuttal against motion
  • Judge's ruling on motion (overruled)
  • Defense renews motion to strike evidence and witness testimony
  • Judge's ruling on motion (overruled)
  • Defense motions (various)
  • Judge's ruling on motions (overruled)
  • Judge's ruling and sentences
  • Defense motion to suspend sentences pending appeal

Audio files available here: Series XIII: Ruth L. Harvey through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Charge: Contempt of court

Defendants Named: Ruth L. Harvey

Contents
  • Ruth L. Harvey held in contempt of court for misleading court on location of Leonard Winston Holt (demonstrator/defendant)
  • Judge fines Harvey $25

Audio files available here: Series XIII: Everett Bruce Jr., et. Als through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Charge: Violation of Temporary Injunction and Restraining Order

Defendants Named: L. W. Chase; Everett Bruce Jr; Barbara Cardwell (June 10th; college); Charlie Henry Echols; Daniel Aaron Foss (june 10th offense); Gladys Virginia Giles; Samuel Wash Giles; Thomas Madin; Charlie Henry Mason (hospital in DC); Marilyn Morton; Avon Williams Rollins; Mabel Graves; Leonard Winston Holt; Robert Morton Jr. ; John Robert Zellner; Bruce Baines; Hazel Phyllis Carter; James Edward Coleman; Daniel Aaron Foss (additional charge on June 15th); Abraham Glass; Joseph Benjamin Hairston; Leatrice Ann Hairston; Lavern Higgins; Violet Howard (doctoral school); Lillie Echols Hubbard; Annie Mae Johnson (jail); Dorothy Elizabeth Moore; Harry Wilson Jr.; Margie Ann Wilson; Milton A. Reid; Ivanhoe Gaylord Donaldson

Contents
  • Convene
  • Recorder sworn
  • Docket set
  • Reverend L. W. Chase statement (found guilty in absence on 19 December 1966)
  • Judge's ruling and sentence for Chase
  • Defense motion to suspend pending appeal
  • Recess
  • Reconvene

Contents
  • Defendants roll call
  • Bonds forfeited for those defendants who are absent
  • Leonard Winston Holt (demonstrator) case in absentia

Contents
  • Hector Womack (bondsman for Leonard Winston Holt) testimony as to location of Holt Adjournment

Contents
  • Leonard Winston Holt bond forfeited
  • Judge's ruling and sentence of Holt
  • Defense motion to suspend sentence pending appeal
  • Recess
  • Thomas Mabin (demonstrator) testimony
  • Betty H. Dallas (juvenile probation officer) testimony
  • Thomas Mabin case dismissed
  • Judge's ruling and sentences remaining defendants

Contents
  • Judge's ruling and sentences (continued)

Audio files available here: Series XIII: Foss, Zelner and Donaldson through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Charge:Contempt of Court (being absent)

Defendants Named: Daniel Aaron Foss; Robert Zellner; Ivanhoe Gaylord Donaldson

Contents
  • Recorder sworn
  • Defendants roll call
  • Witnesses sworn
  • John Robert Zelner (demonstrator) testimony
  • Defense argument

Contents
  • Prosecution argument
  • Judge's ruling and sentence
  • Motion to suspend sentence pending appeal
  • Daniel Aaron Foss (demonstrator) testimony
  • Defense argument
  • Judge's ruling and sentence

Contents
  • Ivanhoe Gaylord Donaldson (demonstrator) testimony
  • Defense argument
  • Prosecution argument
  • Judge's ruling and sentence
  • Motion to suspend sentence pending appeal

Audio files available here: Series XIII: Setting the court docket through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Contents
  • Recorder sworn
  • Defense and Prosecution argument and discussion in re: injunction
  • 1967 February 9 Docket set and announced

Contents
  • 1967 February 10 docket set (24 demonstrators arrested behind Police Department on 1963 July 11)
  • 1967 February 10 docket set (continued: 12 demonstrators arrested at Belk-Leggett Department Store on 1963 July 11)
  • 1967 February 10 docket set (continued: 3 demonstrators arrested at Municipal Building on 1963 July 11)
  • 1967 February 13 docket set (15 demonstrators arrested at Municipal Building on 1963 July 11)
  • 1967 February 13 docket set (continued: demonstrators arrested at Patton and Union Streets on 1963 July 12)
  • 1967 February 14 docket set (demonstrators arrested at Belk-Leggett Department Store on 1963 July 12)
  • 1967 February 14 docket set (continued: demonstrators arrested at Patton and Union Streets on 1963 July 12)

Contents
  • 1967 February 14 docket set (continued: demonstrators arrested at Belk-Leggett Department Store and Raylass Department Store on 1963 July 13)
  • 1967 February 14 docket set (continued: demonstrators arrested at Country Club Drive on 1963 July 14)
  • 1967 February 15 docket set (demonstrators arrested at Main and Crawford Streets on 1963 July 15)
  • 1967 February 16 docket set (81 demonstrators arrested at Main and Union Streets on 1963 July 28)
  • 1967 February 16 docket set (continued: 4 demonstrators arrested at Main Street Bridge on 1963 August 6)
  • 1967 February 20 docket set (9 demonstrators arrested at Union Street on 1963 August 8)
  • 1967 February 20 docket set (continued: demonstrators arrested at Main and Union Streets on 1963 August 27)

Contents
  • 1967 February 20 docket set (continued: demonstrators arrested at Main and Union Streets on 29 August 1963)
  • 1967 February 14 docket omissions added
  • Adjournment until Thursday

Contents
  • Discussion in Judge's chambers [unclear, difficult to hear]

Audio files available here: Series XIII: Clarence Lewis Bowe, et. als. through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Charge: Violation of Temporary Injunction and Restraining Order

Defendants Named: Clarence Lewis Bowe; William Burrell Canada, Jr.; Claudia Anne Chaney; Connie Lavonne Chaney; Elnora Elizabeth Chase; Patricia Glendora Chase; Lelia Virginia Clark; Edith Mary Coleman; Elizabeth Davis; Cynthia Anne Dawson; Thelma Farmer Echols; Claudia Jean Edwards; Ernest David Ferguson; Joylette Glass; Lorraine Glass; Kenneth Lisberg Lewis; Howard Lee Logan; Sally Logan; Myrtle Mason; Julia Ferguson Moore; Rosetta Powell; Lonnie McKinley Saunders; Blondine Odessa Scales; Don Marie Scales; Dorothy James Scales; Earnestine Scott; Geraldine Lee Scott; Rebecca Grasty Wilson (hospital in DC); Pasadena Woods

Contents
  • Recorder sworn
  • Defendants roll call (3 defendants tried in absentia)
  • Witnesses sworn
  • Defense motion to quash capias
  • Defense motion for bill of particulars
  • Judge's ruling on motions (overruled)
  • Commonwealth's attorney's notes exception to bill of particulars
  • Norman H. Boswell (captain of police) testimony

Contents
  • Norman H. Boswell testimony (continued)
  • Judge questions witness
  • Re-direct
  • Re-cross
  • Leon Townsend (Danville Register-Bee photographer) testimony
  • Re-direct

Contents
  • Leon Townsend testimony (continued)
  • Eugene G. McCain (chief of police) testimony
  • B. C. Elliott Jr. (police officer) testimony

Contents
  • B. C. Elliott Jr. testimony (continued)
  • Recess
  • Reconven
  • B. C. Elliott Jr. testimony (continued)
  • William G. Doss (police officer) testimony
  • Re-direct
  • Re-cross

Contents
  • C. L. Fuller (police officer) testimony
  • P. L. Rowland (police officer) testimony
  • Ralph Wilkinson (police officer) testimony

Contents
  • Ralph Wilkinson testimony (continued)
  • Prosecution rests
  • Defense motion
  • Judge's ruling on motion (overruled)
  • Defense motion to strike evidence and witness testimony
  • Prosecution argument against motion
  • Judge's ruling on motion (overruled)
  • Defense rests
  • Closing arguments
  • Judge's ruling and sentences
  • Defense motion to suspend sentences pending appeal

Contents
  • [No intelligible content]

Audio files available here: Series XIII: James Vondell Bruce, et. als. through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Charge: Violation of Temporary Injunction and Restraining Order

Defendants Named: James Vondell Bruce; Herman Canada; Sylvester Canada; Connie Lavonne Chaney; James Edward Coleman (potentially in jail); Lawrence Coleman; John Thomas Cunningham; Clifton Henry Davis (in the service); Nelly Denson; Bobby Lee Ferguson; Samuel Wash Giles; Archie Glass (was in an accident; in DC); Hubert Graves; Roberta Hughes; William Haywood Ingram; Harry Michael Lewis; Robert James Lewis; Dollie J. Lumkpin; Conrad Price; James Malcom Scales; Sir Walter Scott; Ralph Frank Walters; Larry White (in the service); Basse Wilson Jr.

Contents
  • Recorder sworn
  • Docket called
  • Witnesses sworn
  • Defense motion to quash capias
  • Judge's ruling on motion (overruled)
  • Eugene G. McCain (chief of police) testimony

Contents
  • Eugene G. McCain testimony (continued)
  • Judge questions witness
  • Re-direct
  • Re-cross
  • T. G. Faulkner (police officer) testimony
  • E. L. Holley (police officer) testimony

Contents
  • E. L. Holley testimony (continued)
  • Recess
  • Reconvene
  • E. L. Holley testimony (continued)
  • Norman H. Boswell (captain of police) testimony
  • L. P. Rigney (police officer) testimony
  • Re-direct
  • Re-cross
  • C. B. Scearce (police officer) testimony

Contents
  • C. B. Scearce testimony (continued)
  • J. B. Martin Jr. (police officer) testimony
  • W. L. Buettner (police officer) testimony
  • Re-direct/ John M. Bailey (police officer) testimony
  • Norman H. Boswell recall testimony

Contents
  • Norman H. Boswell recall testimony (continued)
  • H. R. Chaney (police officer) testimony
  • J. C. Lewis (police officer) testimony
  • Prosecution rests
  • Defense motion to strike evidence and witness testimony
  • Judge's ruling on motion (overruled)
  • Defense motions renewed
  • Judge's ruling on renewed motions (overruled)
  • Charles Wade Graff (police officer and photographer) testimony
  • Juby E. Towler (captain of police) testimony
  • Defense rests
  • Prosecution waives opening remarks
  • Defense closing argument

Contents
  • Defense closing argument (continued)
  • Prosecution closing remarks
  • Judge's ruling and sentences
  • Defense motion to suspend sentences pending appeal

Contents
  • Recorder sworn
  • Witnesses sworn
  • T. G. Faulkner (police officer) testimony
  • Defense motion in re: double jeopardy
  • Judge's ruling on motion (denied)
  • Re-direct
  • Re-cross
  • Re-re-direct
  • James L. Miller (police officer) testimony

Contents
  • James L. Miller testimony (continued)
  • Walter Riddle testimony
  • Prosecution rests
  • Defense renews motion in re: double jeopardy
  • Defense rests
  • Judge's ruling and sentences
  • Defense motion to suspend sentences pending appeal

Audio files available here: Series XIII:William Burrell Canada, et. als. through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Charge: Violation of Temporary Injunction and Restraining Order

Defendants Named: William Burrell Canada; Cynthia Ann Carter; John Lewis Davis; Cynthia Anne Dawson; Joylette Camila Glass; Lorraine Glass (sick); Sallie Mae Harper; Ronda Holloway; Mary Laverne Price; Mary Etta White (recently had a child)

Contents
  • Recorder sworn
  • Witnesses sworn
  • Defense motions renewed
  • Judge's ruling on motions (overruled)
  • Lonnie Riddle (police officer) testimony
  • Re-direct
  • Re-cross
  • J. W. Martin (police officer) testimony

Contents
  • J. W. Martin testimony (continued)
  • L. P. Rigney (police officer) testimony
  • W. L. Buettner (police officer) testimony
  • C. B. Scearce (police officer) testimony
  • Prosecution rests
  • Defense motions renewed
  • Prosecution arguments against defense motions

Contents
  • Prosecution argument against defense motions (continued)
  • Judge's ruling on motions (overruled)
  • Defense rests
  • Judge's ruling and sentences

Audio files available here: Series XIII: Herman Joseph Chappelle, et. als. through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Charge: Violation of Temporary Injunction and Restraining Order

Defendants Named: Herman Joseph Chappelle; Lararia Marintez Hutchins; James J. Marsden; Virginia Banks; Charles Samuel Beard; Anita Glass (sick); Hazel Joanne Lindsey (sick); Howard Lee Logan; Cecil McIntire; Robert Lou Osborne[?]

Contents
  • Recorder sworn
  • Cases consolidated
  • Witnesses sworn
  • Eugene G. McCain (chief of police) testimony
  • Nolle pros'd (all 10 defendants' cases dismissed)

Audio files available here: Series XIII: Elnora Elizabeth Chase, et. als. through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Charge: Violation of Temporary Injunction and Restraining Order

Defendants Named: Elnora Elizabeth Chase; Lindell Warren Chase; Patricia Glendora Chase; Claudia Jean Edwards; Sylvia Ruth Lewis; Sally Ann Logan; Lonnie McKinley Saunders; Larry James Wilson; Virgil Alexander Wood (sick- debated in court); Frank Harrison Gant; Thomas Cleveland Holt; Matthew A. Jones; William Thompson; Sylvester Walton Jr.

Contents
  • Nolle pros'd (continued: from previous trial of Herman Joseph Chappelle, et. als.)
  • Recorder sworn
  • Docket called
  • Cases consolidated
  • Eugene G. McCain (chief of police) testimony
  • Recess

Contents
  • Reconvene
  • Eugene G. McCain testimony (continued)
  • Re-direct
  • Re-cross
  • C. E. Earles (police officer) testimony
  • T. C. Talley (police officer) testimony

Contents
  • T. C. Talley testimony (continued)
  • R. W. Brumfield (police officer) testimony
  • Re-direct
  • Re-cross
  • Roy Larsen (police officer) testimony
  • Curtis H. Royster (police officer) testimony
  • Re-direct/ P. L. Barber (police officer) testimony
  • E. L. Carter (police officer) testimony
  • Re-direct

Contents
  • D. L. Haley (police officer) testimony
  • Re-direct
  • Prosecution rests
  • Defense motion to strike evidence and witness testimony
  • Judge's ruling on motion (overruled)
  • Recess
  • Reconvene
  • Defense rests
  • Judge's ruling and sentences

Contents
  • Judge's ruling and sentences (continued)
  • Defense motion to suspend sentences pending appeal

Audio files available here: Series XIII: David Adams, et. als through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Charge: Violation of Temporary Injunction and Restraining Order

Defendants Named: David Adams; Ennis Hariston (in the service); Ralph McDonald Hairston; James Bernard Hughes; Hortense Jones; Willie Thomas Cornodel [?] (in the Army); James Thomas Moore (in the Army); Charles Henry Payne; Edgar Lee Via; Andrew Lewis Wilson

Contents
  • Recorder sworn
  • Cases consolidated
  • Defense motions
  • P. L. Rowland (police officer) testimony
  • C. L. Fuller (police officer) testimony

Contents
  • C. L. Fuller testimony (continued)
  • Jackson H. Brown (police officer) testimony
  • Re-direct
  • Curtis H. Royster (police officer) testimony
  • Thomas W. Evans (police officer) testimony
  • Prosecution rests
  • Defense motion to strike evidence and witness testimony

Contents
  • Defense motion to strike evidence and witness testimony (continued)
  • Edgar Lee Via (demonstrator) testimony
  • Ralph McDonald Hairston (demonstrator) testimony

Contents
  • Ralph McDonald Hairston testimony (continued)

Contents
  • Ralph McDonald Hairston testimony (continued)
  • Defense rests
  • James A. H. Ferguson (Danville City Attorney) testimony
  • Re-direct
  • Prosecution motion for a bench warrant to be issued for the arrest of Edgar Lee
  • Via on a charge of perjury
  • Prosecution and Defense rests
  • Defense motion to dismiss
  • Judge's ruling and sentences

Contents
  • Judge's ruling and sentences (continued)

Audio files available here: Series XIII: Mabel Elizabeth Bethel, et. als. through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Charge: Violation of Temporary Injunction and Restraining Order

Defendants Named: Mabel Elizabeth Bethel; Hazel Phyllis Carter (sick); Violet Howard (incarcerated); Kenneth Lisberg Lewis

Contents
  • Recorder sworn
  • Cases consolidated
  • Defense motions
  • Lonnie Riddle (police officer) testimony
  • Defense motion in re: double jeopardy
  • Lonnie Riddle testimony (continued)
  • Re-direct
  • Re-cross
  • Re-re-direct, etc. (5x)

Contents
  • Prosecution rests
  • Defense closing argument
  • Prosecution closing argument
  • Judge's ruling and sentences
  • Defense motion to suspend sentences pending appeal

Audio files available here: Series XIII: Mary MacAglean Davis, et. als. through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Charge: Violation of Temporary Injunction and Restraining Order

Defendants Named: Julius Adams (separate case); Mary MacAglean Davis; Laverne Hankins; Cheryl Elaine Hodnett; Evelyn Gray McGhee

Contents
  • Recorder sworn
  • Prosecution requests postponement
  • Judge grants postponement
  • Remaining cases consolidated
  • Defense motions stipulated
  • Lonnie Riddle (police officer) testimony
  • Re-direct
  • Defense motions to strike evidence and witness testimony and in re: double jeopardy
  • Defense rests
  • Judge's ruling and sentences
  • Defense motion to suspend sentences pending appeal
  • Recess

Audio files available here: Series XIII: Gloria Jane Barton, et. als. through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Charge:Violation of Temporary Injunction and Restraining Order [Offense Date: July 13, 1963 Belk- Legett]

Defendants Named: Gloria Jane Barton; Irvin Chris Bethel; Ronald Eugene Horton; Frederick Douglas Wilson (in the service); George Thomas Gales; John James (in service); John Thomas Lumpkin; Margaret Read Terry (sick)

Contents
  • Recorder sworn
  • Cases consolidated
  • Defense motions stipulated
  • Eugene G. McCain (chief of police) testimony
  • G. W. Platt (general merchandise manager at Belk-Leggett Company) testimony
  • L. P. Rigney (police officer) testimony
  • Re-direct
  • W. L. Buettner (police officer) testimony
  • Re-direct
  • Re-cross

Contents
  • L. A. Howerton (police officer) testimony
  • H. R. Chaney (police officer) testimony
  • Prosecution rests
  • Defense motions renewed
  • Defense rests
  • Judge's ruling and sentences
  • Defense motion to suspend sentences pending appeal

Audio files available here: Series XIII: Evelyn Holt Beavers, et. als. through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Charge: Violation of Temporary Injunction and Restraining Order

Defendants Named: Evelyn Holt Beavers; Mildred Luck Ferguson; Penny Jean Hairston; Buford Glendale Holt (in the service, AWOL); Cordelia Ferguson Saunders; Ann Gvonne Wilson

Contents
  • Recorder sworn
  • Cases consolidated
  • Lonnie Riddle (police officer) testimony
  • Re-direct
  • Re-cross
  • Prosecution rests
  • Defense motions renewed
  • Defense motion to dismiss

Contents
  • Defense motion to dismiss (continued)
  • Prosecution argument against motions
  • Judge's ruling and sentences
  • Defense motion to suspend sentences pending appeal

Audio files available here: Series XIII: Maggie Lou Jennings, et. als. through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Charge: Violation of Temporary Injunction and Restraining Order [offense date: 7/15/1963]

Defendants Named: Maggie Lou Jennings (High School , NJ); Penny Kennedy; Sarah Mildred Kennedy; Delores Ellen Robertson; Barbara Ann Terry

Contents
  • Recorder sworn
  • Cases consolidated
  • Norman H. Boswell (police officer) testimony
  • Juby E. Towler (captain of police) testimony

Contents
  • Prosecution rests
  • Defense motions renewed
  • Judge's ruling and sentences
  • Defense motion to suspend sentences pending appeal

Audio files available here: Series XIII: Randy Adams, et. als. through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Charge: Violation of Temporary Injunction and Restraining Order [offense date: July 28th 1963]

Defendants Named: Randy Adams; Annie Pearl Avery; Clyde Langston Banks; Emmett Lee Banks; Carolyn Sue Barton; Valerie Bonner (industiral school for girls); Percy Bradford Boone; John Allen Bowels Jr (in the service); Luther Alfred Brown; Rosa Marie Cain; Owen Calvin Caldwell Jr.; Samuel Caldwell; Irvin Wendell Chase; Elnora Elizabeth Chase; Lelia Virginia Clark; Margaret Lee Coleman; Marion Johnson Coleman; Silas Coleman; Gilda Patricia Crews; Mary Helen Crews; Othia Davis; John Roosevelt Dodson (possibly deceased); Lena Emmerson Ferrel; Ardelia Freeman; Dorothy Gales; Thomas Lee Glass Jr.; Richard Drummond Goodwin (sick; discussion of criminal record; continued); Mabel Graves; Annie Mae Lewis Hairston; Alfred William Harper Jr.; Glayds Marie Harper; Gertie Williams Harris; Joe Harvest; Joseph Kenneth Hatechett; Ronald Leon Hoffman; Ruby Spraggins Wyllie Holloway; Grover Cleveland Holt; Iradell Graves Jefferies; Leslie Wisner Lancaster; Willie Terry Lanier; Willie Terry Lanier, Jr. (in the service); Joyce Ann Lewis Deshazo; Edna Rose Irby Lynn; Melvin Mason; Adell Morrison; Melba Graves Murrell; Maxine Luck Muse; Robert Lee Morton; Lawrence Hance McKissick; Robert Earl Overbick (in the service); Delores Jeanette Page; Brian Lee Peterson; Arthur Pinchback Jr.; Barbara Ann Townes (sick); Luvinia Prichett; Robert Lewis Waterman (in the service); Steve Jerome Reid; Odaris Robinson; Lorraine Coatland Bowe Schroeter; Lazaria Benton Slade; Dorothy Lee Smith; Claude Stevenson (in the service); Elizabeth Phillips Still; Maggie Julian Summers; William Thomas Sutherlin; Marie Thomas; Robert Lee Trapp; Virginia Carol Via; Maggie Maxine Williams; Undra Ann Williams (in hospital); Jacqueline Miller Wilson; Melvin Wilson; Garland Witherspoon; Hester William Womack; William Dexter Womack; L. Wilson York; John Robert Zellner

Contents
  • Recorder sworn
  • Announcement of Charles Luther Morgan (attorney from Lynchburg for the Defense)
  • Cases consolidated
  • Defense motions
  • Eugene G. McCain (chief of police) testimony

Contents
  • Eugene G. McCain testimony (continued)

Contents
  • Eugene G. McCain testimony (continued)

Contents
  • Eugene G. McCain testimony (continued)
  • Recess for lunch
  • Reconvene
  • Eugene G. McCain testimony (continued)
  • Re-direct

Contents
  • Eugene G. McCain testimony (continued)
  • Re-cross
  • Re-re-direct, etc. (4x)
  • Lonnie Riddle (police officer) testimony

Contents
  • Lonnie Riddle testimony (continued)
  • Thomas W. Evans (police officer) testimony
  • [Recorder took belt off to check machine]

Contents
  • Thomas W. Evans testimony (continued)
  • Re-direct
  • Re-cross
  • Recess
  • Reconvene
  • Willard Osborne (police officer) testimony
  • Re-direct
  • Jackson Brown (police officer) testimony

Contents
  • Jackson Brown testimony (continued)
  • John W. Martin Jr. (police officer) testimony
  • Re-direct
  • T. Neal Morris (police officer) testimony

Contents
  • T. Neal Morris testimony (continued)
  • Re-direct
  • Re-cross
  • Re-re-direct
  • B. G. Buchanan (police officer) testimony
  • Coley Boone (records officer, police officer and photographer) testimony
  • Adjournment

Contents
  • Reconvene
  • Walter Brown (police officer and photographer) testimony
  • Juby E. Towler (police captain) testimony

Contents
  • Juby E. Towler testimony (continued)
  • Re-direct
  • John M. Bailey (police officer) testimony
  • C. W. Howerton (police officer) testimony
  • Defense motions renewed
  • Defense motions to strike evidence and witness testimony
  • Prosecution argument against Defense motions
  • Defense argument
  • Judge's ruling on motions (overruled)
  • Emmett Lee Banks (demonstrator from Chatham) testimony

Contents
  • Emmett Lee Banks testimony (continued)
  • Defense motion
  • Clyde L. Banks (demonstrator) testimony

Contents
  • Clyde L. Banks testimony (continued)
  • Emmett Banks Case dismissed
  • Recess
  • Eugene G. McCain (chief of police) testimony
  • Re-direct
  • Lonnie Riddle (police officer) recall testimony
  • L. Wilson York (demonstrator) testimony

Contents
  • L. Wilson York testimony (continued)
  • Re-direct
  • Re-cross
  • Othea Davis (demonstrator) testimony

Contents
  • Othea Davis testimony (continued)
  • Joseph Hatchett (demonstrator) testimony
  • Re-direct
  • Re-cross
  • Reverend Lawrence Wendell Chase (pastor at High Street Baptist Church) testimony

Contents
  • Reverend Lawrence Wendell Chase testimony (continued)
  • Elaine Elizabeth Chase (demonstrator) Case dismissed
  • Robert L. Trent (demonstrator) testimony
  • Robert L. Trent Case dismissed
  • Defense rests
  • Defense motions
  • Judge's ruling on motions (overruled)
  • Prosecution waives opening argument
  • Defense argument

Contents
  • Defense argument (continued)
  • Prosecution argument
  • Judge's ruling and sentences
  • Adjournment until Monday

Contents
  • Reconvened
  • Docket called Judge's ruling and sentences (continued)

Contents
  • Judge's ruling and sentences (continued)

Audio files available here: Series XIII: Bruce Baines, et. als. through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Charge: Not specified

Defendants Named: [names not given just case numbers]

Contents
  • Prosecution motion to Nolle Pros'd cases numbered 327-335
  • Judge grants motion
  • Adjournment

Audio files available here: Series XIII: James Coleman, et. als. through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Charge: Violation of Temporary Injunction and Restraining Order [offense date: August 27, 1963]

Defendants Named: James Coleman (on parole); Carol Delores Graves; Orlando Logan; Louie Martin Nasper (Berkley, CA); Samuel Wash Giles (injured leg); Harold Middlebrook (sick, in hospital, Tennessee); Lawrence Campbell; Betty Woods Dixon; Hubert Graves; Samuel Lawrence General; Geraldine Hairston

Contents
  • Recorder sworn
  • Cases consolidated
  • Defense motions
  • Eugene G. McCain (chief of police) testimony
  • C. W. Howerton (police officer) testimony

Contents
  • C. W. Howerton testimony (continued)
  • Re-direct
  • Charles Wade Graff (police officer and photographer) testimony
  • Coley Boone (records officer, police officer and photographer) testimony
  • Defense motions
  • Prosecution argument against motion
  • Judge's ruling on motion (overruled)
  • Defense rests
  • Defense argument

Contents
  • Defense argument (continued)
  • Judge's ruling and sentences

Audio files available here: Series XIII: Sallie Mae Harper, et. als. through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Charge: Violation of Temporary Injunction and Restraining Order [Offense date: August , 1963]

Defendants Named: Sallie Mae Harper; Sally N. Heitt; Margaret Ann Pinchback; Larry Wilson

Contents
  • Recorder sworn
  • Docket called
  • Defense motions stipulated
  • T. Neal Morris (police officer) testimony
  • Norman H. Boswell (police officer) testimony
  • Charles Wade Graff (police officer and photographer) testimony

Contents
  • Charles Wade Graff testimony (continued)
  • Prosecution rests
  • Defense motions
  • Recess
  • Reconvene
  • Defense argument
  • Defense rests
  • Defense argument
  • Judge's ruling and sentences
  • Defense motion to suspend sentences pending appeal

Audio files available here: Series XIII: Julius Emanuel Adams, et. als. through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Charge: Date of Offense: July 12, 1963

Defendants Named: Julius Emanuel Adams

Contents
  • Recorder sworn
  • Defense motions
  • Lonnie Riddle (police officer) testimony
  • Re-direct
  • L. P. Rigney (police officer) testimony
  • Reverend Frances F. McFarland testimony
  • Re-direct
  • Evelyn Gray McGhee (demonstrator) testimony

Contents
  • Mary Davis testimony (continued)
  • Prosecution rests
  • Defense motions
  • Judge's ruling and sentences

Audio files available here: Series XIII: Barbara Caldwell, et. als. through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Charge: [Civil Cases docket]

Defendants Named: Barbara Caldwell; Daniel Aaron Foss; L. W. Holt; John Robert Zellner; James E. Coleman; Abraham Glass; Joseph B. Hairston; Harry Wilson; Margie Ann Wilson; Ivanhoe Gaylord Donaldson; Harold Middlebrook

Contents
  • Recorder sworn
  • Defense argument
  • Prosecution argument
  • Defense argument

Contents
  • Defense argument (continued)
  • Prosecution argument
  • Judge's ruling and sentences

Contents
  • Judge's ruling and sentences (continued)

Audio files available here: Series XIII: Connie Lavonne Chaney, et. als. through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Charge: Unspecified

Defendants Named: Connie Lavonne Chaney; David Lea Davis; Ruth Anita Ferrll; Annette Ada Glass; Charles Junior Hairston; Wilmar Ann Holland; Willie Lewis Madison; Ernestine Scott; Geraldine Lee Scott (Hood); Vernice Smith; Elouise Stamps; Dewey Wayne Via; Jon Norman Westling; Peggy Wiles;

Contents
  • Judge's ruling and sentences (continued: from previous case)
  • Prosecution motion to Nolle Pros'd cases numbered 354-363
  • Judge grants motion

Audio files available here: Series XIII: Lawrence George Campbell, A. I. Dunlap, Julius E. Adams, and Arthur Pinchback through the Library of Virginia's Digital Collections Discovery

Charge: suspension of sentence hearing

Defendants Named: Lawrence George Campbell; Alexander Isaiah Dunlap; Julius Emanuel Adams; and Arthur Pinchback, Jr.

Contents
  • Recorder sworn
  • Defense motion
  • Judge's ruling on motion (denied)
  • T. Neal Morris (police officer) testimony
  • Re-direct
  • Re-cross
  • Howard Lee (minister) testimony
  • Everette L. Motley (Danville Public Schools) testimony
  • Charles H. Harris (bank cashier) testimony

Contents
  • Reverend Samuel Griffith testimony
  • M. C. Martin (banker) testimony
  • Wesley H. Motley Jr. testimony
  • Roger Edwards testimony
  • Julian R. Stinson testimony
  • Doyle J. Thomas testimony
  • Defense rests

Contents
  • Defense argument
  • Judge's ruling and sentences

Biographical / historical:

Context for Records: The summer of 1963 witnessed a wave of civil rights demonstrations throughout the nation. In Danville, Virginia, the leaders of the Danville Christian Progressive Association (DCPA), an affiliate of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), organized a series of protests. Rev. Lawrence G. Campbell, Rev. Alexander I. Dunlap, Julius E. Adams, and Arthur Pinchback, Jr., believing that the Danville NAACP under the leadership of Doyle Thomas was too conservative, had founded the DCPA in 1960. These men, along with Rev. Lendall W. Chase, president of the Danville SCLC, took the lead in promoting civil rights in Danville, a city deep in Virginia's Black Belt with decades of systemic racism shaped by Jim Crow era polcies and therefore strong in segregationist sentiment.

Throughout 1962, the leaders repeatedly appeared before the Danville City Council to demand Black representation on the boards of city agencies and the end of segregation. In August 1962, with the help of Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) lawyer Len W. Holt, Campbell, Dunlap, Adams, and Chase filed the Danville Omnibus Integration Suit in federal court. The suit called for the integration of Danville's hospitals, schools, cemeteries, public buildings, public housing projects, teaching assignments, and city employment opportunities. On January 1, 1963, Dunlap, Chase, Campbell, Adams, and Pinchback were arrested at a segregated Howard Johnson's restaurant for trespassing after refusing to leave when the manager asked them to do so. In March, Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke at a meeting of the Danville SCLC.

On May 31, the Danville civil rights demonstrations began peacefully and ended without incident. Police did not make any arrests and the local press ignored the demonstration. The majority of the demonstrators were teenagers led by Thurman Echols and Ezell Barksdale. On June 5, the demonstrators changed tactics as the participants marched into City Hall and occupied the city manger's office, and the next day jointly impeded traffic by sitting down in the middle of a busy city street. Judge Archibald M. Aiken, Jr., judge of the Danville Corporation Court, was summoned by police to the scene and commanded the demonstrators to disperse. The demonstrators, however, refused, prompting Aiken to issue a temporary injunction that ordered the demonstrators to desist from, among other things, assembling in an unlawful manner, interfering with traffic and business, obstructing entrances to businesses and public buildings, participating and inciting "mob violence," and using loud language that disrupts the peace. The injunction, made permanent a few weeks later, formed the basis for many of the arrests made that summer.

In addition to the injunction, Danville officials used other methods to quell the demonstrations. A special grand jury, convened by Aiken, indicted the demonstration leaders on June 7 under the 1859 statute called the "John Brown's Law," that made inciting "the colored population to acts of violence or war against the white population" illegal. This set the bond for the leaders at $5,000 each. In mid-June and early July, the Danville city council, under the leadership of councilman John W. Carter, an attorney and staunch segregationist, adopted two ordinances designed to limit the demonstrations. One limited the size, place, and time of demonstrations and the other required a permit to parade.

Despite Aiken's and the city council's attempts, the demonstrations continued. Civil rights activists from the SNCC and the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), including field secretaries Bob Zellner, Ivanhoe Donaldson, Avon Rollins, and Daniel Foss (SNCC), and Bruce Baines and Claudia Edwards (CORE) arrived in Danville to participate in the demonstrations. Civil rights lawyers affiliated with the National Lawyer's Guild and the NAACP, including William M. Kunstler, Dean Robb, Nathan Conyers, and Samuel W. Tuckers, also arrived in Danville to help represent the demonstrators. On June 10, after a full day of protests, the police and deputized city workers, with nightsticks and fire hoses, attacked a group of Black community members holding a vigil for individuals detained in the city jail. Forty-seven of the fifty or so people in attendance required medical attention. The next day, July 11, Martin Luther King, Jr., visited Danville in a show of support for the demonstrators, although he decided to not hold a march during the appearance.

The demonstrations continued, however, and by mid-July over 250 people had been arrested on charges of contempt, trespassing, disorderly conduct, assault, parading without a permit, and resisting arrest. When parents went to the jail to post bail for their children, some of them were arrested and charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor by not providing adequate supervision.

The defense lawyers, including Len W. Holt, Ruth L. Harvey, Jerry Williams, and Harry I. Wood, in addition to those from the National Lawyer's Guild and the NAACP, attempted to remove the cases from the corporation court to federal court, but to no avail. Each defendant demanded an individual trial causing the corporation court's dockets to be filled to such an extent that no cases other than the demonstrator's could not be heard. The prosecutor requested a change of venue to alleviate the crowded docket and Aiken transferred about 124 cases to other courts throughout Virginia. This posed signigicant financial stress on many of the defendants who were then required to travel to a different court. In some cases, more than a hundred miles distant.

The defense lawyers again sought an order from the federal courts to stay all arrests, trials, and other proceedings for violation of the injunction and city ordinance. On August 8, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals halted these trials pending the outcome of the appeal. Judge Aiken, however, continued hearing the cases for disorderly conduct, parading without a permit, resisting arrest, and trespassing. He generally sentenced the guilty parties to two to five days in jail and a fine, suspending execution of the sentences pending an appeal. In September, defense counsel agreed to consolidate the cases and Aiken rescinded his orders for change of venue.

By mid-August, the demonstrations had largely waned due to Danville's unwillingness to yield to the protests. A year later, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal dissolved the injunction, but, by a 3-2 margin and with a strong dissent, declared Aiken's injunction constitutional. Moreover, the cases were remanded to the corporation court where the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals could hear the necessary appeals. The United States Supreme Court upheld the decision by a five-four margin.

In December 1966, Judge Aiken resumed the trials of those who violated his injunction. The trials proceeded quickly. Aiken did not find all the defendants guilty and dismissed some cases for lack of evidence. The usual sentence was eight days in jail and a fine of twenty dollars. The demonstration leaders received the stiffest penalties with Rev. Lawrence G. Campbell receiving the worst, being sentenced 250 days in jail and a $2,500 fine.

In early 1967, the Virginia Supreme Court began deciding the first of the appeals from the Danville Corporation Court. In Thomas v. City of Danville, the Court ruled Judge Aiken's injunction constitutional. In York v. City of Danville, they ruled that a parade can be subject to "reasonable and nondiscriminatory regulation," but that the city's time requirement for applying for a permit was too harsh. In 1970, the Court ruled in Rollins v. Commonwealth that the state must prove that a defendant not named in the injunction had knowledge of the injunction before violating its orders. In January 1973, the Supreme Court of Appeals heard the last of the cases associated with the demonstrations and requested that the Commonwealth's Attorney for Danville review the cases under appeal in light of the court's previous rulings. As a result, the Court overturned the convictions of almost 270 people. However, the Court upheld the convictions of those named in the injunction and for trespassing, obstructing traffic, and illegal picketing.

On February 9, 1973, the court proceedings involving the Danville demonstrations of 1963 came to end. Judge Glynn R. Phillips, Jr., of Clintwood was assigned to hear the defense motion to suspend the jail sentences and fines of those whose convictions had been upheld. Judge Aiken died in 1971, and the new Danville Corporation Court judge had recused himself. Against the prosecutor's objections, Judge Phillips suspended the jail sentences on condition of good behavior for two years, but ordered payment of fines that totaled more than $5,000.

Locality History: Danville (Va.), in Pittsylvania County, was named for the Dan River on which the city is located. Danville was established in 1793, was incorporated as a town in 1830, and became a city in 1890. The town of North Danville, incorporated in 1877 and renamed Neopolis in 1894, was added in 1896.

Acquisition information:

Records lent for microfilming and digital duplication by Danville, Virginia Circuit Court, 17 August 1999 under accession 38099.

Digital images made by Backstage in 2021 from the 1999 microfilm. CDs of the original Dictabelt audio recordings of the trials were also converted in 2021.

Processing information:

The Danville (Va.) Circuit Court Clerk lent the Library of Virginia the original case files and Dictabelts for microfilming and digitial conversion in 1999. The microfiliming was performed by Henry Micrographics in 1999 and produced Miscellaneous Microfilm reels 2325-2329 and preservation microfilm reels 1-5; however, it was determined Miscellaneous Microfilm reels 2327-2329 (or Reels 3-5) did not meet microfilm quality standards, and the records were refilmed in 2000-2001, creating new Reels 3-5 which were stored at the State Records Center. Service copies of the new reels were never created. The Library of Virginia used the security microfilm, Reels 1-5, to scan and create digitial images of the documents and at this time it was detemined that the service copy film (Miscellaneous Microfilm reels 2325-2329) were different from the preservation microfilm (Reels 1-5), as more material was include on Reels 1-5.

A project was completed around 2000 by Dictaphone Corporation to record and transfer the audio contents and the inserts of these Dictabelts onto compact disks.

As of 2024, upon conversion of the microfilmed material to digital images and the conversion of the CD audio to audio files 2021-2022, the Local Records manager deteremined the service copies of the microfilm and audio CDs to be redudent records in LVA holdings. These copies were removed from the collections.

In 2023 M. Mason and V. Brooks went through the approximately 4,300 digital images to arrange them so they would pair with the finding aid. At this time duplicate, blank, and microflim imaging targets were removed from the digital files. Corrections were made to alphabetical and chronological orders and misidentified or newly discovered material was identified.

Encoded by Jay Gaidmore, 1999; updated by Alex Lorch, 2003; updated by M. Mason; May 2024

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into the following series:

  • Series I: Individual Case Files, A-Z individual files of persons arrested during the civil rights demonstrations of 1963.
  • Series II: Howard Johnson Trespassing Case, 1963, concerning the trial for those arrested for trespassing on January 1, 1963 at the Howard Johnson restaurant on Route 29 south of Danville.
  • Series III:Correspondence, 1963-1967 of clerk of the Danville Corporation Court and clerk of the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.
  • Series IV: Corporation Court Dockets,1963-1967 related to the demonstration cases.
  • Series V: Court Orders, 1963-1973 issued by the Danville Corporation Court and U.S. District Court, Western District of Virginia.
  • Series VI: Evidence, 1963 used in various cases.
  • Series VII: Notes, undated concerning cases and sentencing.
  • Series VIII: Petitions, 1963 Petition for Removal filed with the court.
  • Series IX: Receipts bonds and court costs related to various charges.
  • Series X: Special Grand Jury, 1963 indictments and subpoenas concerning "John Brown's Law."
  • Series XI: Transcripts, 1963 transcripts of testimony in various cases.
  • Series XII: Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, 1965-1972. decisions handed down by the court of appeals.
  • Series XIII: Dictabelt Records, 1966-1973 audio records of various cases heard in the Danville Corporation Court.

Contents arranged alphabetically by last name

Contents arranged chronologically

Contents arranged chronologically

Contents arranged chronologically

Contents arranged chronologically

Contents arranged alphabetically by material type

Contents arranged loosely by the charge

Contents arranged chronologically

Contents arranged by case

Contents arranged chronologically

Physical location:
Library of Virginia
Physical description:
Digital images and audio files