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Letter to the Editor: The Martinsville Seven, a True Story

After reading some of the many stories and editorials about the unfortunate event at Duke University ("N. Carolina Central Rallies Behind Alleged Victim of Duke Team Rape", March 30), I was compelled to write and share with your readers the story of the Martinsville Seven.

In 1949, in Martinsville, Va., seven black men were accused of raping a 32-year-old married white woman. Within 30 hours of the alleged rape, all had signed written confessions. Within 11 days, all seven were tried, convicted and sentenced to death by all-white juries. Two were tried during the same trial. The youngest was only 17 years old and the rest, except for one, were in their early twenties. The oldest was a 37-year-old man with a wife and five beautiful children.

Although no white man in Virginia had ever been executed for rape, the Supreme Court refused to hear the case, and President Truman refused to grant clemency. Thurgood Marshall, then a young NAACP lawyer, helped represent the Seven. By 1951, all seven had been executed in Richmond, Va. Around the world, they became known as the Martinsville Seven.

This case was instrumental in helping change the rape laws of this great country.

So, no matter what the outcome, if some of these white, Duke athletes did indeed rape this mother and exotic dancer, they will NEVER face the death penalty, thanks to the Martinsville Seven. By the way, three of the Seven were Hairstons, relatives of mine. I was born and raised in Martinsville, Va. And for the record, the true story of the Seven has never been told.

Thanks for listening and my God bless and protect our children and soldiers everywhere.

Pamela A. Hairston
Washington, D.C.
April 10, 2006