Delaware County judge vacates murder charge for teen executed in 1931

“It is fairly apparent that this was racial profiling at its worst,” mentioned protection lawyer Robert Keller.

Sixteen-year-old Alexander McClay Williams was accused of brutally stabbing his trainer, Vida Robare, on the Glen Mills College again in 1930.

Attorneys say the sufferer, the choose and the jury had been all white. The teenager was executed six months after he was convicted.

“He was forehead crushed into giving a confession and he was summarily tried and executed with out even an enchantment being filed,” mentioned Delaware County District Legal professional Jack Stollsteimer.

Stollsteimer joined the household’s lawyer in submitting a movement for a brand new trial, which was granted. The presiding choose vacated the homicide cost Monday and exonerated Williams.

Alexander Williams’s solely dwelling sibling, his sister Susie Carter, testified surrounded by the help of her household eager for an exoneration.

“I’m comfortable. I’m comfortable,” Carter mentioned. “There is not any method they’ll carry him again, however let his title be cleared of all that. He didn’t do it. There is not any method you may stab someone 37 occasions and never have any blood on you.”

Alexander Williams’ lawyer on the time was William Ridley, the primary African American member of the Delaware County Bar.

Ridley’s great-grandson, Dr. Sam Lemon, says he had the deck stacked towards him, so he made it his mission to complete what his great-grandfather began many years in the past.

“This was a case of deadly home violence dressed as much as appear to be a race homicide,” mentioned Lemon. “That is extraordinary what’s taking place as we speak and I hope it opens up a brand new chapter of judicial historical past in Delaware County.”

Whereas a brand new trial was granted by the choose, Motion Information is informed there will not be one as a result of Alexander McClay Williams is not alive to defend himself and there’s no extra present proof.

However the household celebrated the choose presiding over the case vacating the homicide cost, exonerating Alexander Williams.