Teacher Convicted of Discussing Evolution in Tennessee Classroom, July 21, 1925

Scopes Found Guilty. . . Verdict in Case Returned After Jury Had Deliberated Only Nine Minutes After Judge’s Charge. . . No Arguments Were Made by Attorneys. . . Agreed that Case Should Go to Jury as Soon as Possible So It Can be Sent on to Higher Court. . . $100 Fine Levied by Judge Raulston. . . Notice of Appeal Was Formally Given by the Defense and Next Move Will be Made by Appellate Court

By the Associated Press

Dayton, Tenn., July 21—A verdict of “guilty” was returned in the Scopes case at 11:20 a.m. John T. Scopes was summoned before the bar. Judge Raulston told him of his conviction by the jury and read a statute to him.

The judge then fixed the fine at $100.

“Have you anything to say, Mr. Scopes?” asked the judge.

‘Your honor, I have been convicted of violating an unjust statute,” replied Scopes. “Any action other than I have pursued would be in violation of my ideal of academic freedom.”

From the front page of the Concord Daily Tribune, July 21, 1925. The teacher was convicted of teaching about evolution despite a Tennessee law that forbade such teaching. To read more about the trial, which received nationwide and international attention, go to:

newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073201/1925-07-21/ed-1/seq-1/