the all white jury convicted stinney in ten minutes. his court-appointed lawyer never filed an appeal. on june 16, 1944, stinney, the prisoner on the right, walked into an execution chamber. at 95 pounds and only 5'1", he was too small for the electric chair and had to sit on books to be electrocuted. his tiny fingerprints still on file in state records. >> we're asking for an apology from the state of south carolina for actually putting a child to death. a barbaric practice. >> reporter: through friarson's research he believes stinney's confession was coerced. and he's agreed to help clear his name. >> had he been tried today, this case would never have even seen a jury. a judge would have thrown this case out. >> reporter: the decision on reopening an investigation rests with county solicitor, ernest chip finney, who worries there's not enough evidence to prove stinney's guilt or innocence. >> i would need to have something in order to move the case back to court. something more than just the emotion in the community about it. >> repo

the all white jury convicted stinney in ten minutes. his court appointed lawyer never put on a defense. he was too small for the electric chair and had to sit on books to be elect electrocuted. his tiny fenger prints still on state record. >> we're asking for an apology from the state of south carolina for putting a child to death. >> reporter: it's believed stinney's confession was coerced. >> had he been tried today, this case would never have even seen a jury. a judge would have thrown this case out. >> reporter: the decision on reopening an investigation rests with county solicitor ernest chip finney, who worries there's not enough evidence to prove stinney's guilt or innocence. >> i would need to have something in order to move the case back to court. something more than just the emotion in the community about it. >> reporter: many in that community are convinced stinney's trial itself was a travesty of justice, a horrible stain on american history. mark potter, nbc news, manning, south carolina. >>> when we continue here on a tues

the all-white jury convicted stinney in ten minutes.ppeal. on june 16, 1944, stinney, the prisoner on the right, walked into an execution chamber. at 95 points and only 5'1", he was too small for the electric chair and had to sit on books to be electrocuted. his tiny fingerprints still on file in state records. >> we are asking for an apology from the state of south carolina for actually putting a child to death, a barbaric practice. >> his research drew the attention of attorney steven ma kenzy. he believes the confession was coerced and has agreed to help clear his name. >> had he been tried today, this case would never have seen a jury. a judge would have thrown this case out. >> reporter: the decision on reopening an investigation rests with county solicitor, earnest "chip" finney who worries there's not enough evidence now to prove stinney's guilt or innocence. >> i would need to have something in order to move the case back to court, something more than just the emotion in the community about it. >> reporter: many in that communit