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The Three Death Sentences of Clarence Henderson: A Battle for Racial Justice at the Dawn of the Civil Rights Era
Investigative reporter Chris Joyner reveals the true story of Clarence Henderson, a Black sharecropper convicted and sentenced to death three times for a murder he didn’t commit.
Named a BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR . . . SO FAR by The New Yorker
The Three Death Sentences of Clarence Henderson is the true story of the wrongfully accused Black sharecropper and the Georgia prosecution desperate to pin the crime on him despite scant evidence. His first trial lasted only a day and featured a lackluster public defense. The book also tells the story of Homer Chase, a former World War II paratrooper and New England radical who was sent to the South by the Communist Party to recruit African Americans to the cause while offering them a chance at increased freedom. And it’s the story of Thurgood Marshall’s NAACP and their battle against not only entrenched racism but a Communist Party—despite facing nearly as much prejudice as those they were trying to help—intent on winning the hearts and minds of Black voters. The bitter battle between the two groups played out as the sides sparred over who would take the lead on Henderson’s defense, a period in which he spent years in prison away from a daughter he had never seen.
Through it all, The Three Death Sentences of Clarence Henderson is a portrait of a community and a country at a crossroads, trying to choose between the path it knows is right and the path of least resistance. The case pitted powerful forces—often those steering legal and journalistic institutions—attempting to use racism and Red-Scare tactics against a populace that by and large believed the case against Henderson was suspect at best. But ultimately, it’s a hopeful story about how even when things look dark, some small measure of justice can be achieved against all the odds, and actual progress is possible. It’s the rare book that is a timely read, yet still manages to shed an informative light on America’s past and future, as well as its present.
Named a BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR . . . SO FAR by The New Yorker
The Three Death Sentences of Clarence Henderson is the true story of the wrongfully accused Black sharecropper and the Georgia prosecution desperate to pin the crime on him despite scant evidence. His first trial lasted only a day and featured a lackluster public defense. The book also tells the story of Homer Chase, a former World War II paratrooper and New England radical who was sent to the South by the Communist Party to recruit African Americans to the cause while offering them a chance at increased freedom. And it’s the story of Thurgood Marshall’s NAACP and their battle against not only entrenched racism but a Communist Party—despite facing nearly as much prejudice as those they were trying to help—intent on winning the hearts and minds of Black voters. The bitter battle between the two groups played out as the sides sparred over who would take the lead on Henderson’s defense, a period in which he spent years in prison away from a daughter he had never seen.
Through it all, The Three Death Sentences of Clarence Henderson is a portrait of a community and a country at a crossroads, trying to choose between the path it knows is right and the path of least resistance. The case pitted powerful forces—often those steering legal and journalistic institutions—attempting to use racism and Red-Scare tactics against a populace that by and large believed the case against Henderson was suspect at best. But ultimately, it’s a hopeful story about how even when things look dark, some small measure of justice can be achieved against all the odds, and actual progress is possible. It’s the rare book that is a timely read, yet still manages to shed an informative light on America’s past and future, as well as its present.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published January 11, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 20, 2022
Chris Joyner, in my opinion, has created one of the most informative yet readable history books in recent memory. He masterfully weaves together the backgrounds of individuals so far across the spectrum of their time to provide his audience with a historically accurate yet wildly entertaining narrative.
August 25, 2021
Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews.
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Thank you to Abrams Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
// Content warning: racism, sexual assault, murder, death, violence //
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// Quick Review //
5/5 Stars
I am horrified that I have never heard of this case previous to reading this book. Chris Joyner presents the death sentences of Clarence Henderson in a factual and straightforward manner that is not only educational but trustworthy.
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// Other Information //
Publisher: Abrams Press
Page Count: 352 pages
Release Date: January 11, 2022
Series: None
Genre: Non-fiction, True crime
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// Book Description (via Goodreads) //
The story of Clarence Henderson, a Black sharecropper convicted and sentenced to death three times for a murder he didn’t commit
The Three Death Sentences of Clarence Henderson is the story of Clarence Henderson, a wrongfully accused Black sharecropper who was sentenced to die three different times for a murder he didn’t commit, and the prosecution desperate to pin the crime on him despite scant evidence. His first trial lasted only a day and featured a lackluster public defense. The book also tells the story of Homer Chase, a former World War II paratrooper and New England radical who was sent to the South by the Communist Party to recruit African Americans to the cause while offering them a chance at increased freedom. And it’s the story of Thurgood Marshall’s NAACP and their battle against not only entrenched racism but a Communist Party—despite facing nearly as much prejudice as those they were trying to help—intent on winning the hearts and minds of Black voters. The bitter battle between the two groups played out as the sides sparred over who would take the lead on Henderson’s defense, a period in which he spent years in prison away from a daughter he had never seen.
Through it all, The Three Death Sentences of Clarence Henderson is a portrait of a community, and a country, at a crossroads, trying to choose between the path it knows is right and the path of least resistance. The case pitted powerful forces—often those steering legal and journalistic institutions—attempting to use racism and Red-Scare tactics against a populace that by and large believed the case against Henderson was suspect at best. But ultimately, it’s a hopeful story about how even when things look dark, some small measure of justice can be achieved against all the odds, and actual progress is possible. It’s the rare book that is a timely read, yet still manages to shed an informative light on America’s past and future, as well as its present.
---
// Review //
As I mentioned, before reading Chris Joyner’s book I had never heard of Clarence Henderson, let alone the death sentences that he acquired in a time of injustice.
The life of Clarence Henderson is not only a cruel one, but one marred by the racism and injustices prevalent at the time of Buddy Steven Jr.’s murder.
Chris Joyner has done a fantastic job of collecting even the tiniest details and presenting them in his book. When I searched up Clarence Henderson’s case, I found virtually no details whatsoever. The fact that Joyner has managed to gather and record a book of the utmost detail that is also factual is something I admire him for.
The Three Death Sentences of Clarence Henderson examines the murder of Buddy Stevens Jr. and how in a period where a black man stood no chance against a white one in court, Clarence Henderson was able to escape death.
I enjoy learning more about history and true crime cases; this book was a perfect mixture of both. I’m beyond glad that I had the opportunity to learn about this case, as it is so important to examine the past.
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FOLLOW ME: Twitter || TikTok || Tumblr || BookBub || BookSiren || Anchor || YouTube || Spotify || Google Podcasts || Apple Podcasts
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Thank you to Abrams Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
// Content warning: racism, sexual assault, murder, death, violence //
---
// Quick Review //
5/5 Stars
I am horrified that I have never heard of this case previous to reading this book. Chris Joyner presents the death sentences of Clarence Henderson in a factual and straightforward manner that is not only educational but trustworthy.
---
// Other Information //
Publisher: Abrams Press
Page Count: 352 pages
Release Date: January 11, 2022
Series: None
Genre: Non-fiction, True crime
---
// Book Description (via Goodreads) //
The story of Clarence Henderson, a Black sharecropper convicted and sentenced to death three times for a murder he didn’t commit
The Three Death Sentences of Clarence Henderson is the story of Clarence Henderson, a wrongfully accused Black sharecropper who was sentenced to die three different times for a murder he didn’t commit, and the prosecution desperate to pin the crime on him despite scant evidence. His first trial lasted only a day and featured a lackluster public defense. The book also tells the story of Homer Chase, a former World War II paratrooper and New England radical who was sent to the South by the Communist Party to recruit African Americans to the cause while offering them a chance at increased freedom. And it’s the story of Thurgood Marshall’s NAACP and their battle against not only entrenched racism but a Communist Party—despite facing nearly as much prejudice as those they were trying to help—intent on winning the hearts and minds of Black voters. The bitter battle between the two groups played out as the sides sparred over who would take the lead on Henderson’s defense, a period in which he spent years in prison away from a daughter he had never seen.
Through it all, The Three Death Sentences of Clarence Henderson is a portrait of a community, and a country, at a crossroads, trying to choose between the path it knows is right and the path of least resistance. The case pitted powerful forces—often those steering legal and journalistic institutions—attempting to use racism and Red-Scare tactics against a populace that by and large believed the case against Henderson was suspect at best. But ultimately, it’s a hopeful story about how even when things look dark, some small measure of justice can be achieved against all the odds, and actual progress is possible. It’s the rare book that is a timely read, yet still manages to shed an informative light on America’s past and future, as well as its present.
---
// Review //
As I mentioned, before reading Chris Joyner’s book I had never heard of Clarence Henderson, let alone the death sentences that he acquired in a time of injustice.
The life of Clarence Henderson is not only a cruel one, but one marred by the racism and injustices prevalent at the time of Buddy Steven Jr.’s murder.
Chris Joyner has done a fantastic job of collecting even the tiniest details and presenting them in his book. When I searched up Clarence Henderson’s case, I found virtually no details whatsoever. The fact that Joyner has managed to gather and record a book of the utmost detail that is also factual is something I admire him for.
The Three Death Sentences of Clarence Henderson examines the murder of Buddy Stevens Jr. and how in a period where a black man stood no chance against a white one in court, Clarence Henderson was able to escape death.
I enjoy learning more about history and true crime cases; this book was a perfect mixture of both. I’m beyond glad that I had the opportunity to learn about this case, as it is so important to examine the past.
---
FOLLOW ME: Twitter || TikTok || Tumblr || BookBub || BookSiren || Anchor || YouTube || Spotify || Google Podcasts || Apple Podcasts
March 17, 2023
This book is an absolute feat. I'm so impressed by Chris' ability to translate decades of work and piles of documents into this highly readable tale. He does such a good job of explaining the context of Carrollton, Georgia and the country when it comes to race relations, communism and other issues of the time, like criminology. The murder and trials might have been interesting enough to some on their own, but placing them so solidly in the world at the time elevates the book's impact for readers. At the same time, he has such a great eye for detail and is cognizant of the storytelling. I personally loved when the notes had a little more context as well, and would have liked more of that. And I sometimes found it hard to keep track of the many players, especially from chapter to chapter. But these are minor quibbles - as a whole, what an engaging story, well-executed. 4.5
March 4, 2025
This one hits close to home. Clarence Henderson, a black sharecropper, was convicted and sentenced to death three times for a murder he did not commit. This took place post WWII in Carroll County, Georgia. His story goes on to show just how little the legal system has changed since that time. Systemic racism is still alive. We need to change that now.
Black history is American history. Please do yourself a favor and read this book.
Black history is American history. Please do yourself a favor and read this book.
June 16, 2022
I was very excited to read this book, but I unfortunately gave up partway through. The story of Clarence Henderson is tragic, important, and deserves to be told. However, I felt that the author frequently took breaks from Henderson’s story to talk about other people who were involved in the case. This context would have been appreciated, but it went on and on and distracted from the case at hand. This book is very well researched, but all of the details become tedious. I didn’t need to know that a location had once been a golf course when this didn’t impact the case at all, for example. I applaud Joyner’s detail and commitment, but I think the case could have been reported in a more effective way.
January 5, 2024
I chose this book as a counterweight to To Kill a Mockingbird which offers one versio of Southern justice (Alabama). This true story of a 73 year miscarriage of justice in Carrolton GA defies description. A hardscrabble sharecropper wronly accused of murder and rape escapes the lectric chair three times despite collusion between Judge Boykin and prosecutor Lipsford who play a cat and mouse legal game with the NAACP appointed attorneys Moore, Robinson, and Duke. The unsolved murder of Buddy Stevens and assault of his girlfrien Nan Hansard will keep the reader uessing as the plot twists and turns. Likely suspects such as Pendergrass, the cop turned cabdriver, and Presbyterian Pastor Flinn who takes an interest in wayward girls fade in and out of the narrative. In addition to Duke, The GA Supreme Court shows heroic determination in upholding the rule of law in the face of spurious, inconsistent and illogical testimony proferred by unreliable witnesses. The reader waits for the truth to emerge as a farfetched ballistic theory involved a nail fled 9mm bullet fired sideways from a .38 is finally debunked. And this does not even account for the entertaining side story involving Homer Chase and the Communist Party USA who initially ride to Clarence Henderson's defense in inth interest of free publicity for their cause. Thurgood Marshall also makes an important guest appearance.
November 30, 2022
In 1950, in the west Georgia town of Carrollton, a Black sharecropper was accused of attempted rape of a young white girl and the murder of her date, Buddy Stephens. Clarence Henderson was no angel but he was innocent of these crimes. A trumped up ballistics test on the bullet found in the victim was shown to be fired from a gun Henderson owned at the time. Three trials and three juries found him guilty.
In this chronicle of the trials of Clarence Henderson, the author takes the reader on a historical journey through Carroll County Georgia, gives you a taste of segregation, so prevalent at the time, and shows the Talmadge machine at work with the Ku Klux Klan, the intrusion of Communism into civil rights matters, the work of the NAACP to find funds for Henderson’s legal expenses and provide for his family, who suffered poverty during Henderson’s four years in jail.
Mostly, the true story demonstrates and celebrates the work of Dan Duke, Henderson’s tireless and dedicated lawyer, who fights against extremists all over the spectrum and who defends the poor and the innocent. At the dawn of the Civil Rights era, Duke’s work shifts Southern thinking and moves the dial toward a more just society. Chris Joyner’s excellent book reads like a novel.
In this chronicle of the trials of Clarence Henderson, the author takes the reader on a historical journey through Carroll County Georgia, gives you a taste of segregation, so prevalent at the time, and shows the Talmadge machine at work with the Ku Klux Klan, the intrusion of Communism into civil rights matters, the work of the NAACP to find funds for Henderson’s legal expenses and provide for his family, who suffered poverty during Henderson’s four years in jail.
Mostly, the true story demonstrates and celebrates the work of Dan Duke, Henderson’s tireless and dedicated lawyer, who fights against extremists all over the spectrum and who defends the poor and the innocent. At the dawn of the Civil Rights era, Duke’s work shifts Southern thinking and moves the dial toward a more just society. Chris Joyner’s excellent book reads like a novel.
January 27, 2022
True crime, Southern history, and racial justice come together in AJC reporter Chris Joyner’s chronicle of the Halloween 1948 murder of golden boy Buddy Stevens near Sunset Hills in Carrollton and the three unjust trials and three subsequent death sentences of local Black sharecropper Clarence Henderson. The case would bring national attention, the NAACP, and the Communist Party of America to Carrollton, and the twists and turns will have you gasping out loud at points. Not only does this book shine a light on a neglected part of local history, it provides a fascinating account of post-WWII America, Southern politics, earlier efforts to save innocent Black lives from white "justice," and a history of West Georgia from Creek sovereignty up to the shocking crime itself. A must read for anyone in Carrollton!
May 8, 2023
A good book with some well-researched history of Carrollton GA. I found myself dozing off though by the third sentencing. Why was he sentenced three times? I get that the second one was because of a rushed mistrial on the first, but the third? It's also interesting that the crime - Buddy Stevens' murder - was never solved. It seems someone involved with the case wanted to pin the crime on Clarence Henderson to create a scapegoat to make it go away, and it seems to me, from listening to the book, that that person was the murderer got away with it (and we know who that is).
January 12, 2022
In The Three Death Sentences of Clarence Henderson, author Chris Joyner tells a fascinating and little-known story of a Black sharecropper Clarence Henderson, who was sentenced to die three times for a murder he didn't commit. Can justice finally be found?
Read this incredibly compelling story and find out.
Highly readable. And highly recommended.
My former colleague has knocked it out of the park.
Read this incredibly compelling story and find out.
Highly readable. And highly recommended.
My former colleague has knocked it out of the park.
January 29, 2022
Audiobook Review
Historical account of the trials and journalism surrounding Clarence Henderson out of Georgia, a Black sharecropper accused of rape and murder. A two stories in one type book because it also covers Homer Chase who was sent south by the Communist Party to recruit Blacks. Told in a story telling style, well narrated and a great work listen if you are a history buff. Parallels the differences in journalistic accounting of seen today. Worth the credit.
Historical account of the trials and journalism surrounding Clarence Henderson out of Georgia, a Black sharecropper accused of rape and murder. A two stories in one type book because it also covers Homer Chase who was sent south by the Communist Party to recruit Blacks. Told in a story telling style, well narrated and a great work listen if you are a history buff. Parallels the differences in journalistic accounting of seen today. Worth the credit.
February 20, 2022
This was a very hard story to read as it brought to light all the inequities that blacks had to endure. It was sickening and this man faced trial not once, but three times. It revealed many happenings that I had no idea existed. The book was beautifully written and even included footnotes which provided much detail. This book took me a long time to read as it contained a lot of information. This should be a must read for everyone.
March 5, 2022
This is a well-researched and riveting account by Atlanta Journal Constitution investigative reporter Chris Joyner of a case where a black sharecropper was convicted three times on extremely circumstantial evidence in the Jim Crow court system of Georgia in the 1950s. Race, class and politics (even the Communist Party of the time got involved) converge in this case which attracted national interest from newspapers and the NAACP yet has largely been forgotten to time. Highly recommend!
April 2, 2022
In its general arc, incredible story--specific spotlight on the extraordinary injustice of the Jim Crow legal system (with a hat tip to Georgia Supreme Court for overturning the wrongful conviction three times). Without stating directly also reveals how so many inequities in the system continue today. Gave it 3 starts instead of 4 -- recreation of all the court room scenes and the minutiae of the testimony got a bit tedious. Glad to have read it though!
September 12, 2022
The story of the three trials of Clarence Henderson is told in great detail, and paints a picture of Carroll County, GA, the surrounding area, and the changing times in America in the late 40's and early 50's of the 20th century. Chris writes in specific detail, and in entertaining fashion as well. One feels as if they get to know a bit about the central characters in the story, as well as the story itself, which is one of likely many similar stories that need to be told.
December 30, 2022
This book is fantastic. Chris Joyner's writing is wonderful. He does a great job of bringing a case of wrongful conviction the light it deserves. Through his writing he is able to show you the people involved and how our justice system continue to let Clarence Henderson down. It is unfortunate that there are still so many wrongful convictions on the books and that they continue to happen.
I highly recommend this book.
I highly recommend this book.
March 1, 2023
Very well written non-fiction book about an injustice occurring in the 40s - 50s based out of Carroll County, GA. While it's heartbreaking, it is also very informative and eye-opening, a true must-read! I'm so glad Chris put this together and has assisted in giving this family the justice that's been deserved for so long!! Kudos to the CC DAs office for showing that it's never too late to right a wrong!!
January 24, 2022
It's a history book, that reads like a screenplay. Set in the late 1940's. Early 50's. It's a non flinching true story told now, from the hindsight of Civil Rights.
The lessons gleaned from journalistic integrity is as relevant now, than it was then.
And as always...
The inevitable screenplay will never be as good as the book.
The lessons gleaned from journalistic integrity is as relevant now, than it was then.
And as always...
The inevitable screenplay will never be as good as the book.
March 12, 2022
The true story of Clarence Henderson, a black sharecropper, who was charged with the 1948 murder of a white man. This is a straightforward account of everything that happened during his three trials and about everyone involved in them. Three times he was tried and sentenced to the electric chair. It's an intense story written by an investigative reporter who put his all into this research.
January 13, 2023
While this is an important and interesting case, I would have liked to have gotten more of a sense of who Clarence Henderson was as a person. Major focus in this is given to trial scenes and surrounding history and surprisingly less time is given to the person I'd expect to be the focus of this book.
May 9, 2023
Wonderful the way Mr Joyner weaves the major political events of the times into this horribly frustrating story of Jim Crow justice. The depth of detail and nuance are transporting. With the photos inside the cover—many of them taken by the author—bring the era to life and tie this singular story to the causes of its time and ours.
May 20, 2023
Fascinating true crime story based in the 1950's. Not only do we here the story of a terrible murder, Then we here about a Southern investigation and followed by arrest. Then we are taken into some interesting and uncomfortable history in southern America. Finally there are 3 detailed trials before the unsatisfactory result. really enjoyed this book.
March 19, 2024
Well-researched and presented account of a mid-twentieth century Georgia criminal case I had never heard of before. Good illustration of the importance of the appellate process. I was impressed by attorney Dan Duke; a good man to have in your corner.
Includes extensive citations/notes and an index.
Includes extensive citations/notes and an index.
April 27, 2024
A really good book about southern injustice. Being tried three times for a crime he didn't commit, and all three times being found guilty. I would have given the book 4-5 stars, but with the background of the other people, the book lost it's rhythm and became rather boring til the story picked up again.
Read
June 13, 2025I would have liked to go deeper on Clarence Henderson himself - I walked away with very little sense of his life, and with way too much detail on the figures peripheral to his criminal trial. Too much retelling of court transcripts (especially on ballistics?) and not enough critical evaluation of the historical record's limitations.
February 20, 2022
So compelling - a thoroughly researched, gripping account of this case and the three murder trials. Also a stark peek into the harrowing inequities and miscarriages of justice of the Jim Crow era in the West Georgia of the 1940s and 50s.
June 10, 2023
This was a fantastic well researched book about a sharecropper in West Georgia being accused and wrongly convicted three times in the murder of a local man. This was a fascinating look into the history of Georgia during Jim Crow.
January 14, 2026
I can definitely call myself a Carrollton, GA historian after reading this book. The author went into great detail about everything surrounding this case EXCEPT for the defendant Clarence Henderson. I would have loved to read more about his backstory. I didn’t really learn much about him.
February 4, 2026
The author went into great detail about everything surrounding this case except for the defendant Clarence Henderson. I don't think this book did a good enough job of telling us more about Mr. Henderson. His story is also one of tragedy but we didn't get to know anything about him.
March 12, 2022
A unique and intriguing true story! One of a kind and well worth reading. It's heart breaking to hear how Southern Justice worked (or didn't) in the 1950's. Excellent research and writing!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews