179: Blanket of Silence: Ruby McCollum

In August of 1952, 43-year-old Ruby McCollum, a black woman, was two months pregnant. The father was a 48-year-old white politician named Dr. Clifford Leroy Adams, Jr. For seven years, Dr. Adams had manipulated, bullied, and raped Ruby. He forced her to bear one of his children already, and this unborn child would be the second. On Sunday, August 3rd, Ruby entered Dr. Adams’ medical practice for help with an ailing shoulder. But when Dr. Adams tried to force himself on Ruby once more, she snapped. And the State of Florida believed she should face the electric chair for it. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/ruby-mccollum Hosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched and written by Andrea MarshbankAdditional writing by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley HornerOriginal Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma RadioEdited & Mixed by Brandon Schexnayder of Southern Gothic & Erica KelleyCase requested by Rachel, Tracy, and DanitaThis episode is brought to you by BetterHelp online therapy. Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp.com/southern and get on your way to being your best self.Customize the US’s best home security system for your home by going to SimpliSafe.com/southernfried. There’s no safe like SimpliSafe.It’s the 5 year anniversary of the podcast Morbid! Check out their special anniversary series wherever you get podcasts, or early and ad free on Amazon Music or the Wondery app.