a second set of trials was then held in decatur, alabama. in spite of lack of evidence, the jury convicted patterson to death in the electric chair. judge james edwin horton overturned the verdict, and a third trial was held in 1933. the third trial also resulted in a death penalty verdict. no african americans were present in any of the juries, nor were any ever considered for jury duty in alabama. this decision was appealed to the supreme court, on the basis that the absence of african americans from the jury pool denied the defendants due process.