Odell Waller facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Odell Waller
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| Born | 1917 |
| Died | July 2, 1942 (aged 24–25) Virginia State Penitentiary, Richmond, Virginia
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| Cause of death | Execution by electrocution |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Sharecropper |
Odell Waller (1917 – July 2, 1942) was an African-American sharecropper from Gretna, Virginia. He was accused of a crime and later executed in 1942. His case became very important because it showed how unfair the justice system could be. A special tax called the "poll tax" stopped many people, especially Black people and poor white people, from serving on juries. This meant juries were often not fair to everyone.
The Unfair Trial
Odell Waller was accused of a crime on July 15, 1940. He said he acted in self-defense. However, he was found guilty by a jury of white citizens. These jurors had paid a special fee called a poll tax. At that time, this tax made it very hard for Black people and poor white people to be on a jury. This meant the jury in Odell's trial did not truly represent everyone.
A Fight for Justice
After Odell Waller was found guilty, a group called the Workers' Defense League started a big effort to save him. This group worked for fair treatment and labor rights. Many famous people supported them. These included writer Pearl S. Buck, thinker John Dewey, and even First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt also asked Virginia's Governor, Colgate Darden, to help Odell. Because of these efforts, Odell's execution was delayed several times. However, he was finally executed on July 2, 1942.
Odell Waller's Legacy
Even though Odell Waller was executed, his case had a lasting impact. It did not immediately end the poll tax, but it brought attention to the unfairness of the system. His case led to important changes in Virginia's prison rules. It also inspired Pauli Murray to become a lawyer and fight for civil rights. Murray later became a very important figure in the civil rights movement.
Odell Waller was executed on the morning of July 2, 1942. He had been on death row for 630 days. This was the longest time anyone had spent on death row in Virginia at that point. His funeral was held a few days later and was attended by about 2,500 people.
Odell Waller is buried in Fairview Cemetery in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. His grave has a blue granite headstone with his name and dates.
Images for kids
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Odell Waller's prison photo
