The
Notorious
Trial of
Joe Thomas

In a time of panic and fear, a few carefully chosen words transformed a black man who'd migrated from the South into a mythically evil character. Exactly who was he? And was he truly guilty? Joseph Thomas' story is a stark reminder of the power of language to warp public opinion and endanger people and communities.

BY

Steve
Mellon
and
Tony
Norman

PITTSBURGH
POST-GAZETTE