Joe W. Burleson deposition

Collection

Identifier: MSS-0232

No requestable containers

Scope and Contents

The collection contains the Tuscaloosa, Alabama Circuit Court deposition, dated 3 February 1977, of the plaintiff in civil action no. 7984, Joe W. Burleson vs. National Broadcasting Co., et al. The deposition concerns his role in the trial of the Scottsboro Boys and the portrayal of the incident in a television documentary.

Dates

Creation: 1977 February 3

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Due to the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to certain materials may require additional advance notice.

Biographical / Historical

Burleson was the commander of the National Guard troops assigned to provide security to the defendants and their lawyers at each of the Scottsboro trials (there were four: the first trial was held in Scottsboro, the next three in Decatur). Burleson filed a $1.2 million lawsuit against NBC-TV on 15 October 1977, for airing the “Judge Horton” documentary , claiming that the network inaccurately portrayed the troops he commanded during the trials.

Extent

0.1 Linear Feet (1 item, 135 pieces; photocopy)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Tuscaloosa, Alabama Circuit Court deposition, dated 3 February 1977, of the plaintiff in civil action no. 7984, Joe W. Burleson vs. National Broadcasting Co., et al.

Provenance

Gift of E. Culpepper Clark, 1977.

General

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