During World War II, racism and injustice took center court in a trial of black soldiers accused in the rioting death of an Italian POW. Now, the Army makes amends. Samuel Snow, 83, harbors no resentment about his court-martial 63 years ago for the rioting death of an Italian POW at Fort Lawton, Wash. Now, he also can find peace, thanks to an Army ruling that has overturned the conviction of four of the 28 black soldiers who were court-martialed - including Snow. In 1944,43 black soldiers were charged with rioting in the largest and longest Army court-martial of World War II. Two defense attorneys had only 13 days to prepare for a trial for all 43; three of them also were accused of first-degree murder. Thirteen of the 43 were acquitted in 1944, while charges against two others were dropped.
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