Alabama's parole board has approved of granting posthumous pardons in the "Scottsboro Boys" rape case. The board made the decision Thursday for three black men whose convictions were never overturned in the 1930's case. Nine black males were wrongly accused of raping two white women in northeast Alabama in 1931. The men were convicted and all but the youngest were sentenced to death. Five of the cases were overturned in 1937, and one received a pardon before his death in 1976.
New Position
The Montgomery Public School Board approved the creation of a Chief Academic Officer. Interim Superintendent Margaret Allen says the person who fills the position will have several responsibilities. Requirements include having a Master's degree or higher with an endorsement in Educational Administration and a minimum of three years experience in an administrative role.
Not Guilty
Jurors say an Alabama State Trooper is innocent of criminally negligent homicide in a crash that killed two people in April 2011. Limestone County jurors acquitted 33-year-old James Heath Moss. The charges stemmed from the deaths of Jamie Lee Gossett and his wife Sarah. Investigators say Moss crashed his patrol vehicle into the Gossett's car at about 120 mph. Moss says he was responding to a wreck involving an injured child and was attempting to pass the Gossett's car when it started to turn left in from of him. The trooper says he hit the brakes and turned to try to avoid a crash. Moss apologized to the Gossett family during the trial.
CSX Site
CSX Corporation has awarded a piece of property in Montgomery its Select Site designation. The selection means the location is a prime option for manufacturing firms. Industrial Development Manger for CSX John Sanford says the Wasden Road/I-65 Industrial Site near Hope Hull is deserving for several reasons. This is the second Select Site designation given to an Alabama property since the program began in 2011.
Airbus Site
Airbus Americas Chairman spoke to an economic developers meeting in Montgomery Thursday. Allan McArtor sang the praises of Alabama and outlined what attracted the aircraft manufacturing company to the state. McArtor said the economic impact on Alabama from the new Airbus site in Mobile could total in the billions. He mentioned Montgomery as a region that could support Mobile.