(gentle piano music) (gentle piano music) (gentle piano music) (gentle piano music) (choir clapping rhythmically) ♪ Some bright mornin' when this life is over ♪ ♪ I'll fly away ♪ ♪ To that home on God's celestial shore ♪ ♪ I'll fly away ♪ - My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you, bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, sew them up in the hem of your trousers, bake them in your Sunday pies, plant them in your gardens and kiss them into the cheeks of your children at bedtime.

This, my brothers and my sisters, is the word of the Lord.

I said this, brothers and sisters, is the word of the Lord!

Right there, he says it, plain as day, "This is the word of the Lord!"

Then, and only then, you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

I need to take a second here.

Our God, our good gracious God has given us the key, unwrapped the secret to winning His favor.

Hallelujah, thank you, Father!

Let love and faithfulness never leave you, and you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

What does it mean to be a man in the eyes of God?

What does it mean to follow His word, to let love and faithfulness never leave you?

My friends, we turn our eyes to the words God has given us later in the chapter.

Proverbs 3 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Praise the Lord.

This is a big and beautiful world, friends, with more glory than our own poor eyes could ever perceive.

We grow tired, world weary as our- - Uh, excuse me, do y'all know where we can find maypops?

It's that real pretty flower that's got pedals like a princess skirt.

It's white in the middle and sometimes it has purple on the ends.

We been lookin' for 'em all day and can't find 'em nowhere.

- I ain't seen none.

- Betty June, lookit!

- Ew!

Put that toad down right now!

You know better than to play with frogs, Mary Emma.

Plus, they give you warts, ugh!

- Well, don't hurt it!

- Don't mind her.

She's eight years old and only interested in messin' up her dress and rompin' round with the local boys, instead of fixin' to be a proper young lady.

Me, on the other hand, well, I'm a comin' up on twelve years, and that's just about old enough to be enrolled in Mrs. Murphy's cotillion class for young ladies in society.

Mamma says I'll have a brand new dress and pretty pink shoes to go with it.

♪ I'm gonna be the prettiest girl in town ♪ Rayburn Wall will take me to the dance.

He's nice, but couldn't chew with his mouth closed if his life depended on it.

It's well enough though, his father is the butcher, and Rayburn is already working with him.

- Betty June!

I found maypops!

C'mon!

There's a whole field of them!

- What?

Wait, don't you wander over there, Mary Emma!

You know we ain't supposed to go past those tracks.

Mary Emma, it ain't safe!

Mary Emma, you come back right now!

Ugh!

Bye!

(choir clapping rhythmically) (choir clapping rhythmically) I told you not to run off like that!

We ain't even supposed to be over here.

- But Betty June, I found maypops.

Come on, we can take a big bunch for Molly Mae and Anna Marie.

- Well, I suppose since we're already here, it wouldn't hurt to pick a few.

Plus, I won't tell your mamma if you don't tell mine.

- You pick the flowers here.

I'm gonna go over near that pole and gather a bunch.

- Okay, oh, and pick me some of that baby's breath while you're over there.

And Mary Emma, no more toads, you hear?

(choir clapping rhythmically) (choir clapping rhythmically) (gentle music) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) - [Townsman] Ps, ps, ps, ps.

(gentle music continues) - [Townsman] Ps, ps, ps, ps.

(gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (townsmen whistling) - [Townsman] Hey there little miss, does yer mamma know that yer all the way out here?

(townsmen whistling) (gentle music continues) - I suppose we did go a little far.

We's lookin' for maypops, have you seen any?

- [Townsman] 'Fraid I can't say that I have.

Say, how old are you now?

- Eleven.

- [All Townsmen] Eleven?

- [Townsman] You're practically all grown up.

You're not a little girl anymore.

- [Townsmen] Oh!

Oh.

- [Betty June] Mm-hmm.

- [Townsman] You have got the prettiest eyes, girl.

- [Townsman] You look just like your Mamma, you know that?

- [Townsman] Just like her.

- [Townsman] Speak up, girl, I asked you a question.

Do you know you look just like your mamma?

- Yes.

- [Townsman] When you're asked a question, you respond with yes, sir.

- Yes, sir.

- [Townsmen] Yes, sir.

- [Townsman] Yes, yes, I'm just teasin' you, little lady.

Ha-ha!

- [Townsman] Ha-ha.

- [Townsman] Hee-hee.

- [Townsman] Ha-ha-ha.

- [Betty June] Ha-ha-ha.

Please forgive my manners.

- [Townsman] Not at all, little miss, maybe.

- Come here and let me see that pretty dress on you.

Is this dress your sister's?

- [Betty June] Yes, sir!

- Yes, sir, yeah!

- [Townsman] You're not a little girl anymore.

- It didn't fit you last year.

- [Townsman] Look how nice it hangs on you.

- [Townsman] Turn around.

- [Townsman] Turn around.

(townsman whistling) (gentle music continues) - I'm supposed to be lookin' after- - [Townsman] Now, don't be rude.

- [Townsman] A lady's not supposed to interrupt a gentleman.

(townsmen sighing) - [Townsman] Oh, sure.

- [Townsman] You're out here all alone?

- [Townsman] Say you're sorry.

- Sorry.

- [Townsman] Do you mean it?

- [Betty June] Yes, sir.

- [Townsmen] Yes, sir.

- It's okay, come here an' give me a hug.

I'm just tryin' to teach you how to act like a woman.

- [Townsman] How old are you now?

- [Townsmen] 11, 11.

- [Townsman] Your skin's so soft.

Come, sit on my lap.

I wanna show you something, ha-ha!

- [Townsman] Ha-ha!

- [Townsman] Shh, baby, it's all right.

This is what adults do.

- [Townsman] Don't be rude.

- [Townsman] Respond with yes, sir.

(Townsmen groaning) - [Townsman] Yes, sir.

Firm.

Sweet girl.

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

- [Townsmen] Yes, sir!

(assailant groans) (assailant gasps) - Ouch, please, this hurts.

I'm sorry!

This hurts.

I'm so sorry!

- [Townsman] Quiet, girl!

You want to be an adult?

Jesus, quit moving!

- Sorry!

- [Townsman] Yes, sir.

- [Townsman] So soft, so fresh, so... Christ!

Shut up girl!

- [Townsman] Yes, sir, oh, yes.

Respond with yes, sir.

(townsmen groaning) - Betty June, look what I found!

Hey Mr. Betty, why are you crying?

- Where did you- - [Betty June] Mary Emma, run!

No!

Don't hurt her!

(townsman laughing) (Mary Emma screams) No, no, help, help!

(assailant laughing) (assailant groans) (gentle music) (gentle music continues) - [Townswoman] They're over here!

(dramatic music) (dramatic music continues) ♪ My God ♪ ♪ My God ♪ ♪ Is that my child, is that my child ♪ ♪ My God, my God ♪ (vocalist singing indistinctly) (vocalist singing indistinctly) ♪ Close your eyes ♪ ♪ Sweet Jesus (indistinct) ♪ ♪ Get those bodies out of here ♪ ♪ Get those women out of here ♪ ♪ No, no, no ♪ ♪ My God ♪ (dramatic music) (dramatic music) (gentle music) ♪ Don't you touch her ♪ ♪ Please, let me have my child ♪ ♪ Hush a-bye, my baby ♪ ♪ Mamma's here ♪ ♪ Mamma's got you now ♪ (melancholy music) ♪ No, I can lift her myself ♪ (gentle music) ♪ Help me, please, please ♪ ♪ She's so cold ♪ (melancholy music) (melancholy music continues) (melancholy music ends) (suspenseful music) (suspenseful music continues) (suspenseful music continues) ♪ Don't worry, Jean ♪ ♪ We are gonna find the monster ♪ ♪ That took Betty June ♪ ♪ This ain't no white man's killin' ♪ ♪ That's for certain ♪ ♪ Okay, let's not assume anything yet ♪ ♪ What you talkin' about, Ed ♪ ♪ They was found beyond the railroad tracks ♪ ♪ That's negro territory ♪ ♪ We's gonna do our jobs and find out the truth ♪ ♪ You know better than to assume ♪ ♪ It was a colored man ♪ ♪ You're a fool, Ed ♪ ♪ Remember your place, Dean ♪ ♪ Now, let's figure out ♪ ♪ Who might have done this ♪ - Nigger Lover.

♪ What did you say?

♪ (suspenseful music) ♪ Never mind ♪ (suspenseful music) - Everyone gather round, come on.

Now, we got two little girls dead at our feet and no one in custody.

I need to know who saw Mary Emma and Betty June yesterday mornin'?

- We ain't never seen those white girls.

- Oh, c'mon, anyone?

Someone has to have seen something.

- They were found right close to the railroad tracks.

Sure wouldn't surprise me if one of 'em nigger boys came up here lookin' for trouble and just happened upon these angels a'pickin' their flowers.

- We never messed with one of your girls!

- That's enough, c'mon gents, stop being cowards.

What, what was those girls doin' in this part of town?

- Lookin' for maypops.

(gentle music) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) ♪ Boy, what did you say ♪ - They walked by me yesterday.

I's a told 'em I ain't seen none and they went along back towards the tracks.

I ain't seen no one with 'em.

♪ What was you doin' talkin to our girls ♪ - They came up to me and asked me a question.

♪ They know better than to talk to a colored boy ♪ ♪ He's just tryin' to be helpful ♪ ♪ Seems like he was the last one to see them alive ♪ ♪ We haven't ruled out the possibility ♪ ♪ What is it you're sayin' ♪ - I'm sayin' we got two dead girls on our hands, and that piece of nigger filth was the last to see 'em alive.

My guess is that he was how pretty they was, decided he had to have 'em, so he tricked 'em, laid his hands on 'em, then beat them 'til they's dead.

(suspenseful music) - I didn't touch those girls.

- Hush up, boy, you in trouble as it is.

♪ Get that child under control ♪ ♪ He needs to learn his place in this world ♪ ♪ George, get behind me ♪ ♪ No, give 'em here ♪ ♪ You hold on ♪ ♪ I'll teach him to mouth off like that ♪ ♪ Don't you hurt the boy ♪ ♪ He killed those little girls ♪ ♪ That ain't true ♪ ♪ You're all liars ♪ ♪ That ain't true!

♪ ♪ You're all liars ♪ (dramatic music) (townsmen groaning) - Get him, come on, get him!

(townsmen groaning) (dramatic music) (townsmen groaning) (dramatic music) (townsmen groaning) (dramatic music) - Dean, Frank, break it up and send everyone home!

Come here, boy!

You is comin' with me!

- [Townsman] Call George.

Come on, come on.

(suspenseful music) (suspenseful music) (suspenseful music) (gentle music) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (choir clapping rhythmically) - Why are those men so angry?

- They think that little colored boy was the one that hurt us.

- But he can't be bigger than I am.

He looks like he ain't ate in a month.

- Hush now, I know that.

- Betty June, is we safe now?

- I think so, I reckon about as safe as we'll ever be.

(choir clapping rhythmically) (choir clapping rhythmically) (suspenseful music) ♪ Hey there, Stinney ♪ ♪ Come out here ♪ ♪ We gotta talk to you ♪ ♪ Coming, what do you want, Jimmy?

♪ ♪ Gotta talk 'bout that baby rapin' child of yours ♪ ♪ George didn' do nothin' ♪ (Jimmy laughing) - Georgie-boy done confessed.

♪ Said he saw 'em that day ♪ ♪ See, in my mind ♪ ♪ That's enough to string him up right there ♪ - Yeah, I said string him up!

♪ Teach him to talk to our girls ♪ (dramatic music) - But he didn't just talk.

(suspenseful music) ♪ He put his filthy nigger hands ♪ ♪ All over their bodies ♪ (dramatic music) ♪ Kissed their sweet lips ♪ ♪ Held 'em close, held 'em close ♪ ♪ Held 'em close, held them ♪ (dramatic music) ♪ And, and, and ♪ - Sweet Jesus.

And then he killed them so they wouldn't talk.

Beat them like they was animals.

Slaughtered our babies.

And now, Stinney, we's gon' do the same to you.

- No, please, stop!

♪ Hold that whore back ♪ ♪ You let your woman talk ♪ ♪ To men that way, Stinney ♪ ♪ Well ♪ ♪ A woman like that'll spoil a child ♪ ♪ Still, what a pretty face ♪ ♪ For a negro ♪ (Jimmy laughs) ♪ Come here, auntie ♪ ♪ It's high time you discovered ♪ ♪ What a real man tasted like ♪ (Alma gasping) ♪ Give me a kiss ♪ (Jimmy laughing) (suspenseful music) (Alma groaning) - Oh!

That bitch cut me!

Come here, you!

(dramatic music) (townsmen groaning) (Alma screaming) (dramatic music) (Jimmy laughing) (townsmen groaning) (dramatic music) You're dead, Stinney!

You, your whore wife, your children, you're all dead!

(dramatic music) (dramatic music continues) (suspenseful music) (suspenseful music continues) (suspenseful music continues) - Alma!

♪ Alma, Alma ♪ ♪ You all right, baby ♪ ♪ Your face ♪ ♪ You're bleedin' ♪ ♪ Hold this against your head ♪ ♪ Here, put pressure ♪ ♪ Gotta stop this bleeding ♪ ♪ Please, get my wife some water ♪ ♪ George, I'm okay ♪ ♪ It's just a little blood ♪ ♪ See, no harm done ♪ ♪ Baby, I'm sorry ♪ ♪ I can't get him ♪ ♪ Hush yourself, we don't need to say it ♪ (melancholy music) ♪ Alma, honey ♪ ♪ You got to stand up right now ♪ ♪ We got to go ♪ ♪ But baby ♪ ♪ We got to go right now ♪ - Wait!

♪ We'll have to pack the wagon, come on ♪ ♪ Baby, hold your tongue ♪ ♪ Go get yer things ♪ ♪ I'll wake ♪ ♪ We can't ♪ ♪ What about George ♪ (melancholy music) (melancholy music continues) ♪ Alma, we've ♪ ♪ We've got to leave ♪ (melancholy music) ♪ Baby, they're gonna kill us ♪ ♪ We've got to leave this house ♪ ♪ They're gonna be back ♪ ♪ Those men, there'll be more of them ♪ (melancholy music) ♪ Alma, baby we ain't got time ♪ ♪ To talk 'bout this ♪ ♪ Honey, we's, we's got some things to think about ♪ ♪ They'll have guns ♪ ♪ Ain't no police gonna stop them ♪ ♪ They'll take our children ♪ ♪ They'll burn our house ♪ ♪ They'll ♪ - They hate us, Alma, 'cause they scared of us.

This fear, this hatred, it's bigger than us, Alma.

They see us as a people capable of killin' little girls, and now they ready to kill us 'cause they so scared.

(suspenseful music) ♪ But, what about our baby ♪ ♪ What about our child ♪ ♪ Those people, they the one's who got him ♪ ♪ They's gonna kill him ♪ ♪ They's gonna kill my boy ♪ ♪ What about my child ♪ (no audio) ♪ We'll figure it out ♪ ♪ Alma, I ♪ ♪ I can't watch them ♪ ♪ Hurt you ♪ ♪ Again ♪ (melancholy music) (melancholy music continues) (melancholy music continues) ♪ I'll go wake the kids ♪ (melancholy music) (gentle music) (feet shuffling) (gentle music) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) ♪ Baby boy ♪ ♪ Baby boy ♪ ♪ Where you gone ♪ ♪ Where you gone ♪ (gentle music) (gentle music continues) ♪ Baby boy ♪ ♪ Baby boy ♪ ♪ What you done ♪ ♪ What you done ♪ ♪ Baby boy ♪ ♪ Baby boy ♪ ♪ Baby boy ♪ ♪ Baby boy ♪ ♪ You're sitting in the arms ♪ ♪ Of Jesus, child ♪ ♪ Where you gone ♪ ♪ Where you gone ♪ ♪ Where sinners' hate ♪ ♪ Turns meek and mild ♪ ♪ What you done ♪ ♪ What you done ♪ (gentle music) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) ♪ Baby boy ♪ ♪ Baby boy ♪ ♪ Where you gone ♪ ♪ Where you gone ♪ ♪ Baby boy ♪ ♪ Baby boy ♪ ♪ Where he gone ♪ ♪ Where he gone ♪ ♪ My baby boy ♪ ♪ Prayin' for an angel to call you home ♪ ♪ Baby, baby, baby boy ♪ ♪ Where no man can judge you save God alone ♪ ♪ My boy, don't you go ♪ ♪ My baby, baby boy ♪ ♪ My baby, baby boy ♪ ♪ Where's my baby boy ♪ ♪ My baby boy ♪ ♪ My baby ♪ ♪ My baby ♪ ♪ My baby boy ♪ ♪ My baby boy ♪ ♪ My baby boy ♪ ♪ Baby boy ♪ ♪ Baby boy ♪ ♪ Where you gone ♪ ♪ Where you gone ♪ ♪ Sometimes I feel ♪ ♪ Like I'm almost ♪ ♪ Gone ♪ (no audio) (gentle music) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (frantic music) (dramatic music) ♪ Stinney, sit up boy ♪ ♪ We gotta talk to you ♪ (frantic music) (gentle music) (gentle music continues) ♪ Now, we got some questions ♪ ♪ About what happened the other day ♪ ♪ Down by the railroad tracks ♪ ♪ Just some questions ♪ ♪ No need to be scared ♪ ♪ Did you see the girls ♪ ♪ Mary Emma and Betty June, that is ♪ ♪ Can you tell us anything ♪ ♪ That might help us ♪ ♪ Find the man that hurt them ♪ ♪ What they were wearing ♪ ♪ If they said anything ♪ - I told you, they was lookin' for maypops.

I said I ain't seen none and they went on their way.

(gentle music) ♪ What happened next?

♪ - I went home.

♪ Now, don't you lie ♪ ♪ Lyin's a sin, you know ♪ ♪ We'll find out soon ♪ - I ain't lyin'!

I didn't see 'em after that!

(dramatic music) ♪ Now, do not you be rude ♪ ♪ You ain't supposed to interrupt ♪ (dramatic music) ♪ Didn't your mamma teach you anything ♪ ♪ Well ♪ (dramatic music) - Yes.

- When you're asked a question, you respond with yes, sir.

(dramatic music) Did you hear me, boy?

Don't make me whip you.

Say it, yes, sir.

- Yes, sir.

(suspenseful music) ♪ Son, what happened next ♪ - Nothin', I told you, I went home.

Didn't see those two white girls after that.

(suspenseful music) ♪ George, ehm, did you find Betty June attractive ♪ - What?

- [Betty June] What?

♪ Well, no one would blame you, boy ♪ - I- ♪ She was a very pretty girl ♪ - I mean, I guess.

♪ It's okay, George ♪ ♪ Men will be men ♪ ♪ Ain't no denying that ♪ ♪ You can say she's pretty.

♪ - I mean, she's all right, but I didn't- ♪ You lyin' nigger ♪ ♪ You followed them ♪ - What?

♪ Down by the railroad tracks ♪ - I didn't.

- [Betty June] He's gonna hurt George!

♪ Where you touched them ♪ - [Betty June And Mary Emma] No!

♪ And beat them ♪ - [George Jr.] I- ♪ Yes you did ♪ - Help me, please!

♪ Piece of shit ♪ ♪ Have to teach you a lesson ♪ - [Ed] That's enough!

(dramatic music) Listen, cool it.

Can't lose our head over this one.

Come on now, keep it together.

We'll be done soon.

(melancholy music) (melancholy music continues) ♪ Sleep tight, boy ♪ - We ain't done with you yet.

(dramatic music) (feet shuffling) (melancholy music) (melancholy music continues) (melancholy music continues) (melancholy music continues) (melancholy music continues) (melancholy music continues) (melancholy music continues) (melancholy music continues) (melancholy music continues) (melancholy music continues) (melancholy music continues) (melancholy music continues) (melancholy music continues) (melancholy music continues) (melancholy music continues) (melancholy music continues) (melancholy music continues) (melancholy music continues) (melancholy music continues) (suspenseful music) (suspenseful music continues) - Yes, sir, I don't know.

No sir, I didn't tell them.

They won't, I can't, I can't.

Mamma, Mamma!

(melancholy music) (melancholy music continues) ♪ Baby boy ♪ ♪ Baby boy ♪ ♪ Where you gone ♪ ♪ Where you gone ♪ (suspenseful music) ♪ Baby boy ♪ ♪ Baby boy ♪ ♪ What you done ♪ ♪ What you done ♪ ♪ Oh, oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh ♪ ♪ Oh my little girl ♪ ♪ My son ♪ ♪ My child ♪ ♪ How could I have let you go ♪ ♪ How can you be gone ♪ ♪ My baby girl full of joy ♪ ♪ My little boy, almost a man ♪ ♪ How can a mother go on ♪ ♪ How can I go on ♪ ♪ Baby boy ♪ ♪ How can I go on ♪ ♪ Baby boy ♪ ♪ My child ♪ ♪ How can I go on ♪ ♪ Baby boy ♪ ♪ Baby boy ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ Baby boy ♪ ♪ Where you go ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ Baby boy ♪ ♪ Baby boy ♪ ♪ Where you gone ♪ ♪ Where you gone ♪ (melancholy music) (melancholy music continues) ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ (melancholy music) (melancholy music continues) (melancholy music continues) (melancholy music continues) (melancholy music ends) (no audio) (feet shuffling) (paper rustling) (congregants whispering) (congregants whispering) - How your cousin doin'?

- He's okay, (speaks faintly).

Thank you much (speaks faintly) (congregants whispering) - Good to see you, man.

- Yeah, this is good.

(congregant speaking faintly) - [Congregant] Yeah, really good.

- [Congregant] Why don't you sit down?

(feet shuffling) - They've got one of our own.

They've got an innocent child of God in that prison cell.

Now, the white man has proven to crave the blood of others.

In fact, they across that big sea right now fightin' folks that look just like them.

- [Congregant] That's right.

- Now, by brothers and my sisters, if they're willin' to kill other white folk, what do you think they gonna do to a negro?

What you think they gonna do to our George?

- Lord have mercy.

- My, my, my.

Ain't no other man has stepped forward and claimed his crime.

Ain't no man claimed killin' those two little white girls.

And they won't!

They's locked George up claimin' they's got the right to do so.

They said it's their right because of the law.

Huh, well, let them have the law.

Let them twist the truth any way they please 'cause, 'cause they may have the law, but we, we've got the Lord on our side, hallelujah.

I say they may have the law, but we, we've got the Lord on our side.

- [Congregant] Yes.

- [Congregant] Yes.

- Please turn to Psalm 124:1.

(gentle music) ♪ If the Lord ♪ ♪ Hadn't been on our side ♪ ♪ If the Lord ♪ ♪ Hadn't been on our side ♪ ♪ My, my ♪ ♪ When sinners attacked us ♪ ♪ We wouldn't've survived ♪ ♪ If the Lord ♪ ♪ Hadn't been ♪ - [Congregant] Yeah, all right.

- [Congregant] Tell it good.

♪ On our side ♪ ♪ Ooh, ooh, hmm ♪ ♪ If the Lord ♪ ♪ Hadn't been on our side ♪ ♪ If the Lord ♪ ♪ Hadn't been on our side ♪ ♪ The armies of the devil ♪ ♪ Would have scattered us far and wide ♪ ♪ If the Lord ♪ ♪ Hadn't been on our side ♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ If the Lord ♪ ♪ Hadn't been on our side, side ♪ ♪ If the Lord ♪ ♪ Hadn't been on our side ♪ ♪ On our side ♪ ♪ When their anger flared against us ♪ ♪ Floods would have engulfed us by high tide ♪ ♪ If the Lord ♪ ♪ Hadn't been on our side ♪ My, my, my, my ♪ If the Lord ♪ ♪ Hadn't been on our side ♪ ♪ If the Lord hadn't been on our side ♪ ♪ If the Lord ♪ ♪ Hadn't been on our side ♪ ♪ Hadn't been on our side ♪ ♪ Sing glory, glory, hallelujah, glory ♪ ♪ For with our souls, He will abide ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ For the Lord is on our side ♪ ♪ Sing glory hallelujah ♪ ♪ For with our souls, He will abide ♪ ♪ For the Lord is ♪ ♪ On our ♪ ♪ Side ♪ ♪ On our side ♪ (Betty June and Mary Emma clapping) (suspenseful music) (suspenseful music continues) (suspenseful music continues) ♪ My God ♪ ♪ My God ♪ ♪ Did you hear 'bout that Stinney boy ♪ ♪ Did you hear 'bout that Stinney boy ♪ ♪ My God, my God ♪ ♪ That boy's a monster ♪ ♪ That boy's a demon ♪ ♪ My God, my God ♪ (melancholy music) (melancholy music continues) ♪ Dean Clarkson told me ♪ ♪ That he confessed ♪ ♪ When they offered him ice cream ♪ ♪ Said the boy claims ♪ ♪ He'd been stalking them all day ♪ ♪ Lured them to that field ♪ ♪ All by themselves and ♪ ♪ And ♪ (dramatic music) (dramatic music continues) ♪ My God, ♪ ♪ My God ♪ ♪ Our children ain't safe ♪ ♪ Alma Stinney watches my children after school ♪ ♪ Ain't no tellin' ♪ ♪ What a woman like that will do ♪ ♪ To two little boys ♪ ♪ Best that her family had the good sense ♪ ♪ To leave this town ♪ ♪ Still, we ain't safe ♪ ♪ With those people around ♪ ♪ What are we gonna do ♪ ♪ What are we gonna do ♪ (dramatic music) (dramatic music continues) - Look, Betty June, we're strollin' on a Sunday, just like these fancy ladies.

I've got my beans from Brother John's garden.

Oh, wasn't that just a beautiful sermon?

I never thought... Look, that dress has maypops on it.

Do you think she used to pick maypops by church like we do?

Excuse me, ma'am!

♪ My God ♪ ♪ My God ♪ ♪ We ain't safe 'round here no more ♪ ♪ We ain't safe 'round here no more ♪ ♪ My God, my God ♪ (dramatic music) - It's time for trial, Stinney.

Let's see if you're so brave in front of a judge.

Well, buck up boy, this ain't no time to cry for your mamma.

Listen to me, niggers ain't allowed to talk in court, so you keep your lyin' mouth shut, you hear?

I don't wanna hear one word from you unless you want me to tan your hide.

- [Bailiff] All rise for the honorable Judge Matthews.

- Look at those grackles peckin' at the ants, Betty June!

(melancholy music) - Please be seated.

(melancholy music) (dramatic music) I'm tired of standing around, Betty June!

I wanna go play.

Let's look at those kids over there, let's go play tag with them.

- Not right now, Mary Emma.

You stay right here where I can see you.

(suspenseful music) ♪ My God ♪ ♪ My God ♪ ♪ Did you hear 'bout the Stinney boy ♪ ♪ Did you hear 'bout the Stinney boy ♪ ♪ My God, my God ♪ ♪ What a nightmare ♪ ♪ What a nightmare ♪ ♪ My God, my God ♪ (melancholy music) (melancholy music continues) ♪ I was let go from my work ♪ ♪ Charles has been let go from the mill ♪ ♪ I can't afford to lose my job ♪ ♪ This is the third time ♪ ♪ Someone's broken a window ♪ ♪ In our church ♪ ♪ What are we gonna do ♪ ♪ What are we gonna do ♪ (suspenseful music) - Come on, he's gon' be all right for a little while.

Look, they still standing outside.

I wanna go play!

- we're not doin' that, Mary Emma.

Now hush so I can hear!

(suspenseful music) ♪ My God ♪ ♪ My God ♪ ♪ We ain't safe 'round here no more ♪ ♪ We ain't safe 'round here no more ♪ ♪ My God, my God ♪ (frantic music) - Mary Emma, just stop!

Just stop for one second so I can hear this.

If we don't help that George... ♪ George Stinney ♪ ♪ You have been judged ♪ ♪ By a jury of your peers ♪ ♪ And found guilty ♪ ♪ Of first degree rape and murder ♪ (dramatic music) ♪ Because of the deplorable nature ♪ ♪ Of your crimes ♪ ♪ I have no choice ♪ ♪ But to sentence you to die ♪ ♪ George Stinney ♪ ♪ In accordance with state law ♪ ♪ You will die ♪ ♪ By electric chair ♪ ♪ Court adjourned ♪ (gavel thumps) - The court thanks the jury for their time and service.

We will reconvene tomorrow morning.

- Come on, Betty.

- Mary Emma, you take one more step and I will whop you.

- You ain't my ma, you know?

You can't boss me.

- Oh yeah, well stop actin' like a baby.

- Betty June, I ain't your charge.

I'm gon' go play and you can stand here and pretend you're an adult even though you know you ain't one.

- They ain't gonna play with you, Mary Emma.

You gonna go over there and they gonna pretend that you don't even exist 'cause you ain't one of them.

You hear that?

You ain't one of them!

- You ain't got one clue what your talkin' 'bout, Betty June.

♪ My God ♪ ♪ My God ♪ ♪ The Stinney boy's gonna die ♪ ♪ The Stinney boy's gonna die ♪ ♪ The Stinney boy's gonna die ♪ ♪ The Stinney boy's gonna die ♪ ♪ My God ♪ (suspenseful music) (choir clapping rhythmically) (suspenseful music) (choir clapping rhythmically) - They wouldn't play with me.

- What does it mean to be a man in the eyes of God?

- They were all playing tag.

I asked to join, but they ignored me.

- What does it mean to follow His word?

- I asked again, polite this time, and they wouldn't talk to me.

- To let love and faithfulness never leave you?

- When I got up and tried to join in, they moved the game away.

They did that three times.

- My friends, we turn our eyes to the words God has given us later in the chapter.

- [Betty June] Mary Emma, you ain't like them.

- [Mary Emma] Why do you keep saying that?

You know that's the same game we play every Sunday after church.

'Fact is, I'm the best player we got besides Bobby, and he cheats.

- Trust in the Lord with all your hearts.

- [Betty June] I know you are, but it ain't that simple.

You know it ain't.

- And lean not on your own understanding.

- [Mary Emma] I don't know it ain't.

- Trust in the Lord with all your hearts.

- [Mary Emma] I mean, I don't know what that means, "Ain't that simple."

- And lean not on your own understanding.

- [Betty June] That's what my mama always says.

- In all your ways, submit to Him.

- [Mary Emma] What ain't simple 'bout it?

- And He will make your path straight.

- [Mary Emma] I like that game, I'm a good player.

- And He will make your path straight.

- [Mary Emma] Actually, that seems very simple.

- And He will make your path straight.

And He will keep your path straight.

- [Betty June] Mary, she's just trying to keep you safe!

- [Mary Emma] I don't think she knew who we needed to be kept safe from.

- And He will make your path straight.

And He will make your path straight.

And He will make your path straight.

And He will make your path straight.

And He will make your path straight.

And He will make your path straight.

And He will make your path straight.

And He will make your path straight.

And He will make your path straight.

(gentle music) ♪ If the Lord ♪ ♪ Hadn't been on our side ♪ ♪ If the Lord ♪ ♪ Hadn't been ♪ ♪ On our side ♪ (melancholy music) ♪ How long ♪ ♪ How long ♪ ♪ Must we abide ♪ (Reverend Williams gasping) (melancholy music) (melancholy music continues) (no audio) (suspenseful music) (suspenseful music continues) (suspenseful music continues) ♪ Name ♪ ♪ George Junius Stinney ♪ ♪ Age fourteen, from Alcolu ♪ ♪ Right, that boy who brutalized ♪ ♪ Those little girls ♪ ♪ What a mess ♪ ♪ Height ♪ ♪ Five feet, one inch ♪ ♪ How is this kid gonna reach the electrode ♪ ♪ We'll make it work ♪ ♪ Weight ♪ ♪ Ninety pounds ♪ (suspenseful music) - Christ.

♪ They told me this kid's no bigger than a mouse ♪ ♪ I assumed they were jokin' ♪ ♪ Guess not ♪ (suspenseful music) - I'm afraid ol' spark'll tear him to pieces.

(suspenseful music) ♪ Have you ever done a kid in ♪ ♪ I mean, negro or not ♪ ♪ He's still pretty young ♪ (suspenseful music) - I, I don't feel quite right about this.

I don't know if we's got the right equipment to handle a case this small.

Don't you think we should wait- ♪ Don't matter what I think ♪ ♪ The law says that he did it ♪ ♪ And we's paid to follow the law ♪ ♪ Can't question it all ♪ - But to answer your question, no, I never put someone down that couldn't reach the headpiece.

We'll have to sit him on something.

(melancholy music) ♪ It don't feel quite right ♪ ♪ This kid's no older than my Tommy ♪ ♪ Folks will be talkin' 'bout this for years ♪ ♪ Tommy didn't rape and kill two little girls ♪ ♪ This colored boy's a monster ♪ ♪ The sooner we do this job ♪ ♪ The sooner we can rest ♪ (suspenseful music) (suspenseful music continues) - I suppose you're right, boss.

(suspenseful music) ♪ Here, help me prop us this seat ♪ ♪ You still got those dictionaries in your office ♪ - [Ed] Yeah, I do.

(footsteps thudding) (gentle music) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) ♪ You're sittin' in the arms ♪ ♪ Of Jesus, child ♪ (melancholy music) ♪ Where sinners' hate ♪ ♪ Turns meek and mild ♪ (melancholy music) ♪ Jesus ♪ ♪ Take care of my boy ♪ ♪ My son ♪ ♪ My child ♪ ♪ George, you're okay ♪ ♪ Trust in the Lord ♪ (melancholy music) ♪ You'll be home soon ♪ (melancholy music) (melancholy music ends) (heartbeat pounding) (suspenseful music) (suspenseful music continues) (suspenseful music continues) (suspenseful music continues) (suspenseful music continues) (suspenseful music continues) (suspenseful music continues) (suspenseful music continues) (suspenseful music continues) (suspenseful music continues) (suspenseful music continues) (suspenseful music continues) (suspenseful music continues) (suspenseful music continues) (suspenseful music continues) (suspenseful music continues) (suspenseful music continues) ♪ George Stinney, you have been judged ♪ ♪ By a jury of your peers ♪ ♪ And sentenced to die in the electric chair ♪ ♪ Electricity will be passed through your body ♪ ♪ Until you are dead ♪ ♪ Do you have a final statement you would like to present ♪ - I didn't know those girls.

I'm so sorry that they died.

Please, tell my mamma that I'm okay.

Tell her not to worry about me.

Can you do that, Rev, please?

Tell her I's with Jesus.

Tell her I's not gonna get into no more trouble.

I hope people stop bein' scared when I'm gone.

Yes, sir, I's ready.

(suspenseful music) (suspenseful music continues) (suspenseful music continues) - Roll on two.

(suspenseful music) (suspenseful music continues) (suspenseful music continues) (electricity buzzing) (suspenseful music continues) (suspenseful music continues) We've got a job to do.

- Ain't supposed to interrupt.

(suspenseful music) (onlookers chattering indistinctly) (suspenseful music) (onlookers chattering indistinctly) (suspenseful music) (onlookers chattering indistinctly) (suspenseful music) (onlookers chattering indistinctly) ♪ My boy ♪ (onlookers chattering indistinctly) (suspenseful music) ♪ Where's my boy ♪ ♪ Where is he, my boy ♪ ♪ He's my boy ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ (dramatic music) (choir singing indistinctly) (dramatic music) (no audio) (gentle music) (paper rustling) (gentle music) (paper rustling) (gentle music) (gentle music continues) ♪ Excuse me, sir ♪ ♪ Can I take that paper off your hand ♪ ♪ If you's done with it ♪ - Here you go.

♪ Thank you, sir ♪ ♪ I really appreciate it ♪ (suspenseful music) (paper rustling) (suspenseful music) - "Columbia, South Carolina.

George Junius Stinney Jr. was executed last Friday, June 16th, for the brutal rape and murder of Mary Emma Thames, age 8, and Betty June Binicker, age 11."

(melancholy music) (paper rustling) (melancholy music) - "He was killed by the electric chair.

Members of the Alcolu community have pondered over what would make such a young boy commit this terrible crime.

(melancholy music) (melancholy music continues) Stinney, only fourteen years old, was said to have fancied Betty June Binnicker, and lured the girls across the railroad tracks and into an open field, where he assaulted and bludgeoned them to death with a railroad spike.

(melancholy music) (melancholy music continues) (melancholy music continues) When Stinney's emaciated form was hit with the 2,400 volts of electricity, his body jolted forward and the face mask slipped off, revealing a wide-eyed and tearful face full of regret."

(melancholy music) - "Several who witnessed the execution complained that the electric chair was too gentle a punishment for the convicted murderer.

He should be made to suffer like those girls suffered.

No pain is too terrible for that baby-rapin' negro."

(melancholy music) (paper rustling) (melancholy music) ♪ George, any word ♪ (melancholy music) ♪ Not yet ♪ ♪ They must be workin' things out in court ♪ ♪ Should be any day now ♪ ♪ All right ♪ - Wash up, supper's gonna be ready soon.

♪ George ♪ ♪ Comin' ♪ (melancholy music) (melancholy music continues) ♪ Oh my little boy ♪ ♪ My son, my ♪ - It ain't no man can judge you except God, George.

You safe now, you safe.

- [Alma] George?

(choir clapping rhythmically) (choir clapping rhythmically) - [Mary Emma] Come on!

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