The Leatherg case involved three trials, concluding with a mix of verdicts but ultimately resulting in guilty decisions. The trials illustrated the impact of jury composition and the distinction between criminal and civil proceedings in the justice system.
The Leatherg case underwent three trials with varying verdicts. After the first conviction, appeals, and mistrials involving all-white Southern juries recommending the death sentence, the third trial concluded with an unprecedented mixed-race jury due to the inclusion of a black juror. Despite the diverse composition of the final jury, the white-majority was still able to impose a guilty verdict and a death sentence because at the time, an indictment in Alabama required only a two-thirds majority.
Although various counts during these trials were addressed with different verdicts, the overall outcome of the three trials for the Leatherg case still led to guilty verdicts. It is important to understand that even if a person is found not guilty in a criminal trial, they may still be tried for the same crime or related civil issues without violating the Double Jeopardy Clause, as was notably seen in the O.J. Simpson case. This demonstrates the complex interplay between criminal and civil law and the impact of jury composition on trial outcomes.