How is Judge James Horton a coward?

Judge James Horton is often labeled a coward for his actions during the Scottsboro Boys trial in 1931, where he initially ruled against the interests of the defendants, who were nine African American teens accused of raping two white women. His perceived cowardice stems from his reluctance to fully confront the racial injustices of the time and the societal pressure he faced, ultimately leading him to reverse his own ruling against the defendants. Critics argue that his failure to stand firmly for justice in a racially charged environment demonstrates a lack of moral courage.