Thomas and Meeks Griffin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Griffin
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| Born | January 1, 1889 |
| Died | September 29, 1915 (aged 26) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Known for | Wrongful execution |
Thomas Griffin (born January 1, 1889 – died September 29, 1915) and Meeks Griffin were brothers who were successful farmers. They lived in Chester County, South Carolina. The brothers were executed in 1915. This happened after they were found guilty of the murder of 75-year-old John Q. Lewis in 1913.
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The Story of Thomas and Meeks Griffin
The Griffin brothers were convicted based on what another man, John "Monk" Stevenson, said. Stevenson was known for small thefts. He was found with the victim's pistol. Stevenson was given a life sentence in exchange for testifying against the brothers. Two other men, Nelson Brice and John Crosby, were also executed for the same crime.
Unjust Conviction
Many people in the community believed the Griffin brothers were innocent. Thomas and Meeks Griffin were thought to be successful farmers in their area. They sold their large farm, which was about 138 acres, to pay for their legal defense.
Efforts to Save Them
More than 100 people asked Governor Richard Manning to change the brothers' sentence. These people included the mayor of Blackstock, a sheriff, two jurors from the trial, and the foreman of the grand jury. Despite these efforts, the brothers were still sent to the electric chair.
A Pardon, Years Later
In October 2009, Thomas Griffin and Meeks Griffin were officially pardoned. This means their names were cleared. This happened after Tom Joyner, a famous radio host, worked to get pardons for his great-uncles. He asked the state appeals court in Columbia, South Carolina for this.
Joyner learned about his family connection to the Griffins through research. This research was done for a PBS documentary called African American Lives 2. A Harvard scholar named Henry Louis Gates Jr. led this research.
Their Story Lives On
The story of the Griffin brothers was made into a movie in 2021. It was a supernatural horror film called Blackstock Boneyard. In the movie, the brothers return to get revenge.
See also
- List of wrongful convictions in the United States
- Wrongful executions in the United States
