CULPEPER, Va. (AP) — Three Black men who were lynched by mobs in Virginia during the 1800s and early 1900s have been declared innocent by a judge.
The Washington Post reported Friday that the men were Charles Allie Thompson, William Thompson and William Grayson. Each was killed in rural Culpeper County, which is about 75 miles (121 kilometers) from Washington.
Circuit Court Judge Dale B. Durrer on Monday found that the men “were and remain to this day innocent of their charges” because they were denied due process. Durrer did so at the request of prosecutor Russell L. Rabb III.
The ruling requires that documents about their treatment remain unsealed in court records for future generations to see.
“The best history helps us recognize the mistakes that we’ve made and the evil corners in which humanity can dwell,” Durrer said. “This discomfort causes us to learn and grow and harness the great collective power we have as a community.”
Zann Nelson, 76, is credited with making the ruling possible. She spent nearly 20 years researching the cases and pestering local officials.
“There are those who might say, ‘Well, it was so long ago, why is it so important?’" Nelson said. "Well, because it brings closure. Not just to families, but to the community.”
Charles Allie Thompson was lynched in 1918 after a white woman accused him of rape. He was held in jail for five days before a mob kidnapped and hung him.
In 1877, William Thompson was accused of raping an 11-year-old white girl. Three days after his arrest, 50 men dragged him out of jail and hung him from a poplar tree. It's unknown if he was related to Charles Allie Thompson.
William Grayson, a free Black man, was charged with killing a white man in 1849. Virginia's Supreme Court overturned two of his convictions following two trials because he was known to have been elsewhere. He was in jail facing a third trial when a “lawless mob” overpowered the sheriff and lynched Grayson.
From left, Virginia State Bar President Michael York, researcher Zann Nelson, Commonwealth's Attorney Russell L. Rabb III and Circuit Judge Dale B. Durrer pose for a photo after a hearing in the county courthouse in Culpeper, Va., on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (Gregory S. Schneider/The Washington Post via AP)
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks have no choice but to move forward.
After a disappointing loss to Green Bay allowed the Los Angeles Rams — who have the same record but own the tiebreaker advantage — to leapfrog them in the NFC West standings, the Seahawks are preparing to host another tough NFC North foe in the Minnesota Vikings.
While they no longer have the inside track to win their division, this game is crucial to the Seahawks' playoff chances. Seattle (8-6) has a 36% chance of making the postseason, according to the NFL, and that probability would increase to 52% with a victory.
Minnesota (12-2) features a resurgent Sam Darnold throwing to dynamic receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, as well as one of the best run defenses in the NFL.
“They have really good players, a really good scheme, and they’re well-coached,” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. “They have some flexibility within their players too, where they can change up looks on you with the same people on the fields. That’s something you have to account for, and different personnel groups.”
The Vikings have a chance to clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC if they win out, but players say they are only focused on the next game.
“It’s going to be a grind because these are really good football teams we’re going to play, whether it’s two on the road or hosting Green Bay here,” coach Kevin O’Connell said. “So a lot out in front of us, but we have to go back to work. That’s what this is all about and continuing to chase improvement.”
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith is on track to play Sunday after he suffered a knee injury in the loss to Green Bay. Smith left in the third quarter, but he has been a full participant in this week's practices.
Seattle had some concerns at running back, with both Kenneth Walker III (calf) and Zach Charbonnet (oblique) sitting out earlier in the week. Walker missed the past two games, and Charbonnet performed well in his place, rushing for 134 yards and two touchdowns against Arizona, and scoring on a 24-yard run against Green Bay.
Walker was a full participant in Thursday's practice, while Charbonnet and center Olu Oluwatimi (knee, quad) were limited participants. None of the three have injury designations headed into the game, signaling they are available to play.
Sunday’s loss dropped the Seahawks to 3-5 at Lumen Field. It’s just the second time since 2009 that Seattle has had a losing record at home, and the loss to the Packers was interrupted several times by loud chants of “Go Pack Go” from Green Bay fans.
“I know the first quarter, second or third play of the game, it got crazy loud in there. I looked around, and it was a lot of Green Bay fans,” receiver DK Metcalf said. “So they did a great job traveling, but just wishing the 12s didn’t sell as many tickets as they did to make sure we kept the home advantage. But yeah, it would mean a lot just to take this last one home and finish off the season strong.”
In their victory last weekend, the Vikings allowed the Bears only one conversion on 12 third downs and one on three fourth downs. Though they’ve allowed the fourth-most passing yards in the league, the Vikings are delivering on defense when it counts. They rank fourth in the NFL in third-down conversion percentage and first on fourth down. They are 13th in red-zone touchdowns allowed and third in goal-to-go TDs allowed.
They’re tied for second with 28 takeaways and lead the league with 20 interceptions, and have allowed the fourth-fewest points per game (18).
“The team we have, the guys we have, the accountability we have in our room, we all hold each other to high standards and it’s showing up right now in the nitty-gritty of the season,” safety Josh Metellus said. “We’ve got guys doing their job exceptionally well. Everybody’s not trying to make hero plays. We know the plays are going to come. It’s all about just doing your job every single play.”
As opponents continue to stack up the secondary to try to keep Jefferson quiet, the Vikings have consistently found ways to take advantage, whether by handing the ball to Aaron Jones or exploiting single coverage against Addison and T.J. Hockenson.
Addison has 30 catches for 473 yards and five touchdowns in the last five games.
“Just the way that he’s been coming into work, he’s just been a pro,” Darnold said. “This whole entire year he’s been a pro, but to see it coming to fruition and see him just do well, it’s really fun to watch.”
AP Sports Writer Dave Campbell in Minneapolis contributed to this report.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson catches a pass for a first down during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Seattle Seahawks' Geno Smith throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
