US: Posthumous pardons for ‘Martinsville Seven’ executed 70 years ago

Governor Ralph Northam said the pardons, which do not address the guilt of the so-called Martinsville Seven, are “about righting wrongs”.

The pardons recognise that the men were “tried without adequate due process and received a racially-biased death sentence not similarly applied to white defendants”, his office said.

The men, 18-year old Frank Hairston Jr., 19-year-old Booker T. Millner, 37-year-old Francis DeSales Grayson, 18-year-old Howard Lee Hairston, 20-year-old James Luther Hairston, 19-year-old Joe Henry Hampton and 21-year-old John Clabon Taylor, were executed in 1951.

They were all convicted and sentenced to death within eight days by all-white juries. Some of the defendants were impaired at the time of arrest or unable to read the confessions they signed, and none had attorneys present during their interrogation.

Mr Northam said: “We all deserve a criminal justice system that is fair, equal, and gets it right – no matter who you are or what you look like.

“I’m grateful to the advocates and families of the Martinsville Seven for their dedication and perseverance. While we can’t change the past, I hope today’s action brings them some small measure of peace.”

Kelly Thomasson, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia, added: “Pardons should not have to be a part of the process to ensure a fair and equitable justice system, but unfortunately that’s been case for far too long and I’m happy we have a Governor that believes in using his clemency powers to right the wrongs and provide second chances.

“Governor Northam is committed to criminal justice reform, and has made it a priority to thoroughly review and act on pardon petitions. We’re seeing the results today.”