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Murder On A Sunday Morning Email This Page
Filmmaker: Jean-Xavier De Lestrade As Seen On: HBO       
VHS - $ 95.00
Price listed includes Public Performance License.
On May 7, 2000, Mary Ann and James Stephens, white tourists, were confronted at gunpoint by a black man who demanded Mrs. Stephens' purse. He then shot her point-blank in the face, killing her instantly. Less than two hours later, Police picked up 15-year old Brenton Butler, on his way to apply for a job at a local Blockbuster store. Later that day, he signed a confession which he soon recanted.

Murder On A Sunday Morning begins after Brenton Butler has been imprisoned for over six months, and commences with his headline-making trial. The dogged persistence of Defense Attorneys Patrick McGuiness and Ann Finnel begins to pay off when evidence mounts of police improprieties, including a coerced confession and unreliable eyewitness testimony.

Running time: 111 min., Year released: 2002
Close captioned?: N, Color?: Y
Avail. formats: VHS
ISBN: 1-55974-659-9
Language: English, Subtitled?: N
For classroom?: Y, Study Guide?: N
Grade level: 9th and up

Reviews:

"...packs a one-two punch worthy of the most compelling detective story."
- THE NEW YORK TIMES

"...able to capture naked injustice in all its harrowing ugliness."
- THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

"...recommended for both high-school and public library collections."
- BOOKLIST

Other Credits:

Produced by Denis Poncet
Directed by Jean-Xavier De Lestrade
Academy Award 2002, Best Documentary Feature
This title can also be found in: Academy Award Winners, Civil Rights, Crimes & Criminals, Government, Laws and Legal Issues, Racial Issues, U.S. Government
 

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