Groveland Four families closer to millions in compensation

Florida legislature approves payments for wrongful convictions in infamous 1949 case.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The families of the Groveland Four, a group of Black men who were wrongfully accused and convicted of a 1949 rape in Groveland, Florida, are one step closer to receiving millions in compensation from the state. The Florida legislature has approved a bill to pay the families a total of $8 million, acknowledging the grave injustice done to the men.

Why it matters

The Groveland Four case is considered one of the worst examples of racial injustice and law enforcement abuse in 20th century America. The men were brutally tortured, convicted in sham trials, and two were killed by police. This compensation is a long-overdue acknowledgment of the state's role in this egregious miscarriage of justice.

The details

In 1949, four young Black men - Ernest Thomas, Charles Greenlee, Samuel Shepherd, and Walter Irvin - were accused of raping a white woman in the town of Groveland, Florida. Despite a lack of evidence, they were beaten by police, convicted by all-white juries, and sentenced to death or life in prison. Two of the men, Thomas and Shepherd, were killed by police and mobs. Decades later, in 2019, the state of Florida formally exonerated the Groveland Four, acknowledging their innocence.

  • The Groveland Four case dates back to 1949.
  • In 2019, the state of Florida formally exonerated the Groveland Four.
  • The Florida legislature has now approved an $8 million compensation package for the families.

The players

Groveland Four

A group of four young Black men - Ernest Thomas, Charles Greenlee, Samuel Shepherd, and Walter Irvin - who were wrongfully accused and convicted of rape in 1949 in Groveland, Florida.

Florida Legislature

The state legislature of Florida, which has approved an $8 million compensation package for the families of the Groveland Four.

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What’s next

The compensation package still needs to be signed into law by the governor of Florida.

The takeaway

The Groveland Four case stands as a tragic example of the systemic racism and abuse of power that plagued the American justice system in the mid-20th century. This compensation, while long overdue, represents an important step towards acknowledging and redressing this grave injustice.