Final answer:
The Sleepy Lagoon Case was a controversial 1942 legal case where 17 Mexican-American youths were unfairly tried for the death of José Gallardo Díaz amidst racial tensions in Los Angeles, later becoming a landmark in the Chicano Civil Rights Movement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Sleepy Lagoon Case refers to a significant legal case from the 1940s that entailed a series of events leading to a controversial trial and conviction related to the death of a young man named José Gallardo Díaz in Los Angeles. On August 2, 1942, Díaz was found unconscious and later died, leading to accusations and the arrests of 17 Mexican-American youths. The ensuing trial sparked widespread criticism due to perceived racial biases, unfair legal proceedings, and the context of heightened racial tensions during the Zoot Suit Riots. As a result, the case has become a landmark incident in the Chicano Civil Rights Movement, highlighting issues of racial discrimination and injustice in the United States legal system.