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Hawaiʻi's Journey to Statehood | Waves of Change | 3

American History Tellers

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Thalia Massey and the Five Suspects That Allegedly Attacked Her

Five men accused of raping Thalia Massey were released on bail to await trial. The case went to trial in November but due to shoddy police work and conflicting testimony the jury was unable to reach verdict In early December the judge declared a mistrial and the suspects were released. But before it could start vigilantes took matters into their own hands by abducting one of the accused Joseph Kahawa, stripping him naked and then shooting him dead. They hired Clarence Darrow who came out of retirement to defend what he described as an honor killing. He later admitted that he needed the money and Fortescue was willing to pay him $40,000 Almost $700,000 today.

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