Exonerated for Mass Murder: James Richardson Photo Archive

Prison Wrongful Conviction

Photograph

[African American], [Prison], [Wrongful Conviction] Exonerated for Mass Murder: James Richardson Archive of 5 Original Press Photographs. 1960's-1970's. Each black and white photograph measures 10" x 8". Three photographs feature James Richardson, whilst the other two are of his wife, Annie Mae Richardson. James Richardson's case was high profile in many aspects, as he was wrongfully convicted for the mass murder of his seven children. Autopsies showed the deaths were caused by parathion, a powerful insecticide that was in the children’s lunch. Witnesses pointed blame at Richardson, citing his calm demeanor as indication of guilt. He was tried, and after only two hours of deliberation, was wrongfully sentenced to death by electric chair in the state of Florida by an all White jury. Richardson was released from prison and on May 5, 1989, Reno announced the dismissal of the case. In one photograph, Richardson is seen smoking a cigarette as he walks through a yard. In another image, he is captured peering at the camera as he stands beside the jail cell door. Another photograph captures Richardson alongside Annie Mae Richardson, his wife at the time as they speak with his attorney, John Robinson. Two images capture Annie Mae posing inside and outside of a jail cel, wearing a decorated dress and white flats. Several photographs bear red crayon annotation on their verso, and two contain press "Date Used" stamps, notinng "March 26 1968" abd "Nov 2 1967". Powerful, and in very good condition.

Item #19842

Price: $385.00