Walter Irvin
Encyclopedia
Walter Irvin was born in Lake County, Florida
. He served in the United States Army
during World War II
. In 1949, he and three other black men were accused of raping a white woman in Groveland, Florida
. They were given the name Groveland Four
by the newspapers. Three men, including Irvin, were arrested, and one man was hunted down by a posse and killed while purportedly attempting to escape. Orlando attorney, Franklin Williams
, was told by the surviving suspects that deputies had beaten them while making them stand on broken glass, hands tied to a pipe above their heads. Sheriff Willis V. McCall
's deputies have been accused of manufacturing evidence in this case and others to win convictions. Irvin and another accused, Sam Shepherd
, were found guilty of rape and sentenced to death.
However, in 1951 a legal team headed by Thurgood Marshall
was successful in getting this case overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, and a retrial was ordered. While transporting Shepherd and Irvin from state prison to county jail for retrial, Sheriff McCall shot them both while they were shackled to each other. The Sheriff claimed "that they jumped him in an escape attempt". Sam Shepherd was declared dead on the scene. Walter Irvin survived and accused the Sheriff of attempted murder in cold blood. The Sheriff was never indicted or suspended from office as a result of this incident.
After recovering from his wounds, Irvin was retried. Thurgood Marshall led the defence team, but Irvin was again found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. He was released in 1968 and died about a year later from a heart attack.
Lake County, Florida
Lake County is a county located in the state of Florida, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 210,528. The Census Bureau estimated the population in 2008 to be 307,243. Its county seat is Tavares...
. He served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In 1949, he and three other black men were accused of raping a white woman in Groveland, Florida
Groveland, Florida
Groveland is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,360 at the 2000 census. The Census Bureau estimated the population in 2008 to be 7,647...
. They were given the name Groveland Four
Groveland Four
The term Groveland Four was coined by newspapers for the American cause celebre in which four African-American men were accused of raping a Caucasian woman named Norma Padgett in Groveland, Florida, in 1949. The four men were Ernest Thomas, Charles Greenlee, Sam Shepherd and Walter Irvin.Ernest...
by the newspapers. Three men, including Irvin, were arrested, and one man was hunted down by a posse and killed while purportedly attempting to escape. Orlando attorney, Franklin Williams
Franklin Williams (diplomat)
Franklin H. Williams was a lawyer and civil rights leader in the United States. As an assistant to Thurgood Marshall he represented the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People before courts in criminal cases throughout the South...
, was told by the surviving suspects that deputies had beaten them while making them stand on broken glass, hands tied to a pipe above their heads. Sheriff Willis V. McCall
Willis V. McCall
Willis Virgil McCall was sheriff of Lake County, Florida, serving seven consecutive terms from 1944 until he lost his bid for an eight term in 1972. Known for his no nonsense attitude for enforcing the law, several incidents during his career made national headlines...
's deputies have been accused of manufacturing evidence in this case and others to win convictions. Irvin and another accused, Sam Shepherd
Sam Shepherd
Sam Shepherd may refer to:*Samuel Shepherd, British barrister*Sam Shepherd , killed by Sheriff Willis V. McCallSee also:*Sam Shephard *Sam Shepard, American actor and writer...
, were found guilty of rape and sentenced to death.
However, in 1951 a legal team headed by Thurgood Marshall
Thurgood Marshall
Thurgood Marshall was an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, serving from October 1967 until October 1991...
was successful in getting this case overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, and a retrial was ordered. While transporting Shepherd and Irvin from state prison to county jail for retrial, Sheriff McCall shot them both while they were shackled to each other. The Sheriff claimed "that they jumped him in an escape attempt". Sam Shepherd was declared dead on the scene. Walter Irvin survived and accused the Sheriff of attempted murder in cold blood. The Sheriff was never indicted or suspended from office as a result of this incident.
After recovering from his wounds, Irvin was retried. Thurgood Marshall led the defence team, but Irvin was again found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. He was released in 1968 and died about a year later from a heart attack.
External links
- The Allen Platt case
- Selections from the P.K. Yonge Library of Florida History
- "A Southern sheriff's law and disorder" — St. Petersburg article
- "Hitler is Here": Lynching in Florida During the Era of World War II [PDF]
- Freedom Never Dies — PBSPublic Broadcasting ServiceThe Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
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