Mayor Tim Loucks plans to push the state for an apology and exoneration for four black men accused of raping a white girl in 1949 in the infamous Groveland Four case.
Loucks plans to read a proclamation at the City Council meeting set for 7 p.m. Tuesday seeking the exoneration of Charles Greenlee, Walter Irvin, Samuel Shepherd and Ernest Thomas, who many say were falsely accused and imprisoned.
“It was very wrong in my opinion and it’s time to face things and let the healing process begin…,” Loucks said. “For years we’ve had our heads stuck in the sand wanting to ignore this, but this is the right thing to do. When I see something like this it’s part of my responsibility as mayor to step up and say it’s not right.”
It’s been nearly 67 years since the racially charged case caused chaos throughout the region that led the National Guard to be called to calm things after a white mob destroyed a black community near the city. Groveland along with the rest of Lake County has never formally apologized but rather tried to move past it.
Loucks said the city has been ignoring the case for too long and they need to face the facts and make things right.
Thomas was killed by a posse of armed men while trying to avoid arrest for the alleged July 16, 1949 crime. Shepherd was killed later by Lake County Sheriff Willis McCall, who shot him after he allegedly tried to attack McCall and escape — although he was handcuffed. Irvin was injured in the shooting and told officials the allegations were false and McCall purposely emptied his gun at them.
Irvin died in 1970 after serving 21 years behind bars. Greenlee was the last of the four to die in 2012 after serving 12 years behind bars and another 10 on parole. His daughter Carol Greenlee was happy to hear about Loucks’ plan.
“It seems things are moving toward our ultimate goal for the state to exonerate my father and the others,” the 65-year-old said. “It’s very encouraging and I’m very, very, very happy to hear this.”
She said she can’t be there but her uncle is planning to attend the meeting. Carol Greenlee said it’s still hard for her to even think about going back to Groveland after everything that’s happened.
“Just thinking about it takes a lot out of me,” she said. “One day I hope that I can go back there and be strong with it and my knees not collapse because right now my knees feel like spaghetti.”
Loucks’ push mirrors a bill filed for the second time by state Sen. Geraldine Thompson, D-Orlando, and a petition started by a University of Florida student. Thompson’s bill didn’t make it through the legislative process last year but Loucks hopes his effort will move things along this legislative session.
County Commissioner Sean Parks plans to bring a similar proclamation to show support at the county level, which he said could help spark more attention to Thompson’s bill.
Loucks said Thompson, Parks and officials with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office will be there to support the push.
Gilbert King, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book “Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America,” also might attend. His book attempted to prove the crimes never happened and the allegations all stemmed from racial tensions in the South. He included documents showing there was no evidence of a sexual assault.
chayes@orlandosentinel.com or 352-742-5936