In the early 1920’s, housing shortages in Detroit caused intensified hostilities toward black families purchasing or renting homes in the city. During this violent year Ossian Sweet, a physician, purchased a home on the near east side but delayed moving his family in due to the escalating threats to their safety by the neighborhood association. Despite his awareness of the danger, Mr. Sweet moved his family in but prepared for a confrontation. He moved in one night with his wife, two brothers and a group of friends, all armed and ready for confrontation. He had notified the police of his move and had asked for protection. They survived the first night of mob harassment including rock throwing. The second night, the mob grew and rock throwing intensified. Around 8:25 pm one of Sweets younger brothers responded to bricks crashing through their windows with shots, fired into the crowd. Two men were hit, one of them died. The police had been present at the scene for two days and stormed the house arresting all the occupants. In the first trial, the jury was unable to agree on a verdict, and the judge declared a mistrial. During a second trial the famed defense attorney Clarence Darrow, moved to have each person tried separately, starting with Henry Sweet, who admitted to firing the shots. After a long and passionate summation by the defense and four hours of jury deliberation, Henry and Ossian Sweet were found, not guilty.
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