Given my background in covering criminal trials and in public/media relations, I found this trial and surrounding events interesting. While the trial didn't settle any debates, it did achieve the goal of getting publicity for Dayton, Tennessee.
- The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) wanted to test the constitutionality of the Butler Act and advertised for a teacher willing to be arrested. The ACLU wanted a guilty verdict, hoping a higher court would rule that it was illegal to ban the teaching of evolution. In fact, defense attorney Darrow even asked the jury to return a guilty verdict, which it did -- after just nine minutes of deliberation.
- The town leaders in Dayton realized the publicity such an "evolution vs. creation" debate could bring. Local businessmen asked John Scopes to teach evolution so he could be arrested. Scopes said he didn't recall teaching evolution, but admitted using a state-approved textbook that discussed evolution.
- The media circus included 200 newspaper reporters, telegraph operators and film photographers. It was also the first US trial covered nationally by radio. Adding to the circus atmosphere were banners, lemonade stands and even (reports say) a trained monkey or two. The courthouse crowd numbered in the hundreds. In fact, the trial was moved outdoors, fearing the weight of the crowd inside would cause the building to collapse.
- In rejecting the ACLU's appeal of the guilty verdict, the Tennessee Supreme Court called this case bizarre.
- The Butler Act was repealed in 1967. One year later, the US Supreme Court did what the ACLU had hoped, and ruled it unconstitutional to ban the teaching of evolution.
The Scope's Trial back story brings one thing to mind:
Was Judge Ito involved?
1 comment:
Very VERY interesting stuff. Thanks for posting this. I know of the trial, of course, but the details behind it ever happening at all are very interesting.
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