Question

Why did the supreme court not address the question of whether or not powell and his friends were guilty?

Answer 1

Under the Alabama statute, the punishment for rape is to be fixed by the jury, and, in its discretion, may be from ten years' imprisonment to death. The juries found defendants guilty and imposed the death penalty upon all. I hope my answer has come to your help. God bless and have a nice day ahead!

Answer 2

The Supreme Court did not settle the Powell v. Alabama case because it considered that the defendants had not received a fair trial, in accordance with the rule of due process, since the defendants had not had a defense attorney until moments before presenting the evidence. In this way, their right of defense was violated and thus, although the factual evidence incriminated them, the trial was not carried out respecting the rights of the accused.