What was the sleepy lagoon defense?

Answer 1

The Sleepy Lagoon Defense was a legal strategy used in the 1942 trial of 22 Mexican-American youths accused of murder in Los Angeles. The defense argued that the defendants were unfairly targeted due to racial prejudice and that the violence stemmed from a larger context of discrimination and social tension, particularly involving gang rivalries. Named after the Sleepy Lagoon Reservoir where the crime occurred, the defense aimed to highlight systemic injustices rather than solely focus on the individuals involved. Ultimately, the case became emblematic of the racial issues faced by Mexican-Americans in the U.S. at the time.