正义的慈悲(Just Mercy)(EN)Subtitles

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1 00:01:25 All right,let's chop and load.
2 00:02:11 Good evening, Officer.
3 00:02:13 Y'all need my licenseor anything, huh?
4 00:02:15 No, that's not necessary.
5 00:02:19 That's a sharp-looking truckyou got.
6 00:02:21 Yes, sir. Thank you.
7 00:02:23 Those rims look likethey cost you a pretty penny.
8 00:02:27 Who you been working for?
9 00:02:29 Oh, no, sir.I don't work for nobody.
10 00:02:31 Got my own pulping business.
11 00:02:33 You know, I clear outall these trees around here.
12 00:02:35 So, you ain't got no bossto check in with, huh?
13 00:02:39 That must be pretty nice.
14 00:02:41 Free to runup and down the road,
15 00:02:42 wherever you want to,whenever you want to,
16 00:02:44 in this fancy truck.
17 00:02:47 Hey, well, not if my wifegot something to say about it.
18 00:02:52 Yeah.
19 00:02:54 I heard that ain't stopped youbefore, though.
20 00:02:58 Ain't that right, Johnny D.?
21 00:03:10 You want to makea break for it? Hmm?
22 00:03:14 No, sir, I don't wannado nothing...
23 00:03:15 'Cause after what you done,
24 00:03:17 I'm looking for any excuseto get this over with
25 00:03:20 right here, right now.
26 00:03:22 Sir, I ain't did nothing,
27 00:03:23 and I think y'all gotthe wrong person here.
28 00:03:25 Y'all got me confused
29 00:03:27 with somebody. And I think...
30 00:03:28 I ain't got you confusedwith nobody.
31 00:03:29 I don't have a thingto do with this.
32 00:03:33 Sir, you got meconfused with somebody.
33 00:03:35 I ain't did nothing wrong.
34 00:03:38 We all know Monroeville
35 00:03:39 as the peaceful town
36 00:03:41 where Harper Lee wroteTo Kill a Mockingbird.
37 00:03:43 Last year, that peace wasshattered by a brutal crime.
38 00:03:47 On the 1st of November,18-year-old Ronda Morrison
39 00:03:50 was found deadat Jackson Cleaners.
40 00:03:52 Morrison had been strangledand shot by Walter McMillian,
41 00:03:56 known locally as Johnny D.
42 00:03:58 McMillian was convictedby a jury
43 00:04:00 who recommendeda life sentence.
44 00:04:03 But today,
45 00:04:04 Judge Robert E. Lee Keyoverrode their decision
46 00:04:07 and sentenced McMillianto death.
47 00:04:10 We promised the community
48 00:04:11 that we would find him,and we did.
49 00:04:13 You commit a crimelike this in my town,
50 00:04:16 one way or another,you're gonna pay for it.
51 00:04:19 As McMillianawaits execution
52 00:04:21 at HolmanCorrectional Facility,
53 00:04:23 a grieving communitycan take some solace
54 00:04:26 in knowing that, today,
55 00:04:27 justice has finallybeen served.
56 00:04:48 Thank you.
57 00:05:20 You got one hour.
58 00:05:28 Uh...
59 00:05:29 Hi, Mr. Davis. I'm Bryan.
60 00:05:33 Henry.
61 00:05:35 Um...
62 00:05:37 The Southern PrisonersDefense Committee,
63 00:05:38 they sent me hereto tell you that,
64 00:05:41 that they don't havea lawyer for you yet,
65 00:05:43 but they hope to soon.
66 00:05:45 You're not a lawyer?
67 00:05:46 No. I'm still in school.
68 00:05:49 Just interning herefor the summer.
69 00:05:52 So, you can't tell me nothingabout my case?
70 00:05:56 I mean,I was supposed to tell you
71 00:06:00 that you're notat risk of execution
72 00:06:01 any timewithin the next year.
73 00:06:08 Can you say that again?
74 00:06:11 That you're not at riskof execution any time
75 00:06:14 within the next year?
76 00:06:20 That's the best newsI've heard in a long time.
77 00:06:35 I didn't wantmy wife or kids
78 00:06:38 showing up if I hadan execution date coming.
79 00:06:43 Now they can come visit.
80 00:06:47 Thank you.
81 00:06:49 Thank you.
82 00:06:55 Serious.
83 00:06:56 My mom made mejoin our church choir
84 00:06:58 when I was, like, four.
85 00:06:59 I sang lead baritoneall through high school.
86 00:07:02 I played pianoat my church growing up.
87 00:07:04 AME?
88 00:07:05 God is good...
89 00:07:06 ...all the time.
90 00:07:07 All the time.
91 00:07:09 A couple AME Choir boyshanging on death row.
92 00:07:13 My mom would go trip.
93 00:07:14 Man, that's crazy.
94 00:07:16 What school are you going to?
95 00:07:17 I'm at Harvard.
96 00:07:20 Seriously?You're going to Harvard?
97 00:07:22 That's white-boy status, bro.
98 00:07:24 What the hell are you doingslumming it up in here for?
99 00:07:28 I'm in law school becauseI just wanted to help people.
100 00:07:30 Just haven't figured outthe best way to do that yet.
101 00:07:32 Honestly, this internship
102 00:07:34 has been the bestexperience so far.
103 00:07:37 Working on death rowhas been your best experience?
104 00:07:39 You needto get out more, bro.
105 00:07:44 Should've been donetwo hours ago.
106 00:07:46 - I'm sorry, I didn't realize.- Supposed to watch the clock.
107 00:07:49 Whoa, whoa, whoa.Hey, hey, hey. Sir!
108 00:07:51 Calm down,he didn't do anything!
109 00:07:53 You need to shut your mouth.
110 00:07:54 It's okay, Bryan.
111 00:07:56 Don't worry about me.You just come back.
112 00:08:02 ♪ I'm pressing on ♪
113 00:08:05 ♪ The upward way ♪
114 00:08:09 ♪ New heightsI'm gaining every day ♪
115 00:08:15 ♪ Still praying as ♪
116 00:08:18 ♪ I'm onward bound ♪
117 00:08:22 ♪ "Lord, plant my feet ♪
118 00:08:25 ♪ On higher ground" ♪
119 00:08:42 Mom still mad at you?
120 00:08:44 For what?
121 00:08:46 I don't know.
122 00:08:47 Maybe for rejectingall those job offers
123 00:08:48 so you can be poorin Alabama.
124 00:08:50 And Howie telling her
125 00:08:52 about that lynching in Mobiledidn't help.
126 00:08:53 What?
127 00:08:54 I said it happenedseven years ago.
128 00:08:55 Yeah, that made it better.
129 00:08:56 You two were supposedto be on my side.
130 00:08:59 Pop, how are welooking up there?
131 00:09:00 Just addedthree quarts of oil.
132 00:09:02 But you should check it againwhen you get there.
133 00:09:03 All right, thanks.
134 00:09:05 Talk to your mom yet?
135 00:09:13 What did those leavesdo to you?
136 00:09:19 You're not gonna say byeto your son?
137 00:09:22 I know you gotyour law degree now,
138 00:09:24 and you think you're grown,
139 00:09:25 but you're still my child.
140 00:09:27 And I'm the onewho has to deal
141 00:09:28 with your funeral arrangements
142 00:09:30 if you get killed down there.
143 00:09:31 Come on, Ma.
144 00:09:32 Oh, you think this is funny?
145 00:09:35 'Cause if you can't see
146 00:09:36 the dangerin what you're doing,
147 00:09:37 you need to ask Harvardfor your money back.
148 00:09:39 You used to be smarterthan that.
149 00:09:58 The first timeI visited death row,
150 00:10:00 I wasn't expecting to meetsomebody the same age as me.
151 00:10:04 Grew up on the same music.
152 00:10:06 From a neighborhoodjust like ours.
153 00:10:12 Could've been me, Mama.
154 00:10:16 I don't wanna move far awayfrom you. I love you.
155 00:10:21 But you always taught meto fight for the people
156 00:10:22 who need the help the most.
157 00:10:28 I am very proud of you, son.
158 00:10:33 I know your heart'sin the right place.
159 00:10:36 But it's not that simple.
160 00:10:39 What you're doing is gonnamake a lot of people upset.
161 00:10:44 You better be careful.
162 00:10:48 I will.
163 00:10:52 I promise.
164 00:10:58 There she goes.
165 00:11:50 You gotta be kidding me.
166 00:11:51 We had an agreement to rentthis space for two years.
167 00:11:54 You said it was a done deal.
168 00:11:56 That's before I knewwhat you were doing here.
169 00:11:57 We are givingpoor people
170 00:11:59 their constitutional rightto counsel, Bill.
171 00:12:01 Do you mind explainingto my son
172 00:12:02 what you thinkis so wrong with that?
173 00:12:04 Eva, what's up?
174 00:12:05 Oh, Bryan. Thank God.
175 00:12:06 This is the executive directorof our organization.
176 00:12:10 He just got hereand was expecting
177 00:12:11 to move into the officethat you promised us.
178 00:12:14 You saidyou were the director.
179 00:12:16 Director of Operations.
180 00:12:18 And you're making melook very bad
181 00:12:19 in front of my bossright now.
182 00:12:20 She said you were a lawyer,
183 00:12:22 but nobody told me it wasfor murderers on death row.
184 00:12:24 We're providing legal servicesto people who need help.
185 00:12:27 And they'll have to do itsomeplace else.
186 00:12:29 'Cause I can't havepeople like that around here.
187 00:12:32 Not everyone is in therefor a good reason, sir.
188 00:12:36 Y'all have a good day now.
189 00:12:40 What a piece of shit.
190 00:12:42 I'm so sorry.
191 00:12:43 This is not how I wantedto welcome you here.
192 00:12:45 I will find us an office,I promise you I will.
193 00:12:48 I just gottachange my tactics.
194 00:12:49 It'll be fine.We can work from anywhere.
195 00:12:51 Yeah,we'll just have Kris
196 00:12:52 clean up his toysin the living room.
197 00:12:54 - Right, Kris?- Oh, yeah?
198 00:12:55 I'll think about it.
199 00:12:57 I'm sorry for cussing, baby.
200 00:12:59 It's okay.
201 00:13:00 He was a piece of shit,though.
202 00:13:03 I was a psychology major
203 00:13:05 writing a paperon capital punishment
204 00:13:07 when I met my first death rowinmate, Wayne Ritter.
205 00:13:10 He and his friend robbeda pawn shop in Mobile.
206 00:13:13 His friend shot the ownerand they both got death.
207 00:13:17 Is he the reasonwhy you got into this?
208 00:13:20 His attorney was openlyin favor of the death penalty.
209 00:13:24 He thoughtmad dogs ought to die.
210 00:13:27 A lot of the folkson death row
211 00:13:28 either hadshitty representation,
212 00:13:30 or none at all.
213 00:13:31 So, I just startedcalling every law firm
214 00:13:33 in the Yellow Pages,
215 00:13:34 just trying to find anybodythat could help.
216 00:13:36 I was averaging20 rejections a day.
217 00:13:40 She was pretty stressed out.
218 00:13:42 I was just about to give up
219 00:13:43 when I got a call froma Harvard lawyer saying that
220 00:13:47 he had just passedthe Alabama Bar
221 00:13:49 and had federal fundingto start a legal center
222 00:13:52 for inmates on death row.
223 00:13:54 I was in beforeyou even offered me the job.
224 00:13:57 And before you knewI couldn't pay you anything.
225 00:14:00 What's that?
226 00:14:01 Oh, yeah, Doug doesn't knowabout that part yet.
227 00:14:04 - Sorry, honey.- All right.
228 00:14:05 How's it going, son?You seem tired.
229 00:14:08 Okay.Let's go brush your teeth.
230 00:14:10 Excuse us.
231 00:14:13 I'll make up the couchfor you, Bryan.
232 00:14:16 I'm excited aboutwhat you're doing.
233 00:14:20 Me, too.
234 00:15:37 I should be in the log.
235 00:15:38 I'm scheduledto see six clients today.
236 00:15:43 Well, I ain't seen you before.
237 00:15:46 That's becauseI just moved here.
238 00:15:50 You really a lawyer?
239 00:15:54 Yes. I am.
240 00:15:57 Well, I'm gonna haveto search you.
241 00:15:59 Just go on in that room thereand take everything off.
242 00:16:02 Attorneys aren't stripsearched for legal visits.
243 00:16:05 Well, you ain't gonnavisit shit
244 00:16:07 unless you get in that roomand strip.
245 00:16:11 Let's go.
246 00:16:32 Pants and underwear.
247 00:17:00 Bend over and spread.
248 00:17:10 You're clear.
249 00:17:44 I fought in Nam.
250 00:17:47 First Cavalry Division.
251 00:17:51 Saw a lot of friends die.
252 00:17:57 Doctor said I got PTSD.
253 00:18:04 I did what they said I did.
254 00:18:10 I put the bombon her porch.
255 00:18:16 I know it don't make sense,
256 00:18:20 but I didn't meanto kill nobody.
257 00:18:27 I think they're gonnaset my execution soon.
258 00:18:34 Last lawyer said
259 00:18:36 there ain't nothingleft to do.
260 00:18:40 There's always somethingthat we can do.
261 00:18:43 Whatever you did,your life is still meaningful.
262 00:18:48 And I'm gonna doeverything possible
263 00:18:49 to keep them from taking it.
264 00:19:00 Now, tell me everythingthat happened.
265 00:19:05 I was givena court-appointed lawyer,
266 00:19:07 and he was pretty pitiful.
267 00:19:10 Never really talked to meabout setting up a defense.
268 00:19:13 I probably metthe dude three times.
269 00:19:17 Literally.
270 00:19:19 He told me that itwould be in my best interest
271 00:19:21 to plead no contestto all of those charges.
272 00:19:23 I'm gonna plead not guilty.
273 00:19:25 I said I didn't do it.
274 00:19:26 I didn't have nothingto do with that.
275 00:19:28 "You're 20 right now,if you take this plea
276 00:19:30 and you do the whole time,
277 00:19:31 you'll only be 45when you get out."
278 00:19:34 In the middleof my trial, which only lasted
279 00:19:37 45 minutes to a hour,which is unheard of.
280 00:19:40 He wouldn't let metake the stand.
281 00:19:42 So, they ended upfinding me guilty.
282 00:19:45 The judge laughed at meand said
283 00:19:47 rehabilitation wasa 70-year-old joke.
284 00:19:50 My lawyer,
285 00:19:51 he was there,but he wasn't there.
286 00:19:54 It was like I was by myself.
287 00:20:13 Last lawyer I had,sitting where you sit, said,
288 00:20:17 "Johnny D.,don't worry about nothing,
289 00:20:19 everything gonna beall right."
290 00:20:23 Then they putthat death sentence on me.
291 00:20:28 Family run out of money.
292 00:20:30 Money run out, he run out.
293 00:20:35 What you gonna do different?
294 00:20:40 Well, the first thingwe could do
295 00:20:41 is apply for a retrial.
296 00:20:43 I already did that.They denied it.
297 00:20:45 It's right therein your files.
298 00:20:51 Okay, then we can askfor a reconsideration on that.
299 00:20:55 Then a direct appeal tothe Court of Criminal Appeals
300 00:20:57 and work our way up tothe State Supreme Court.
301 00:20:59 If we get denied there,we could file a Rule 32.
302 00:21:02 Then a federalhabeas petition.
303 00:21:04 And if all that fails,Mr. McMillian,
304 00:21:05 we could take your case
305 00:21:06 all the wayto the Supreme Court.
306 00:21:08 You don't know what you intodown here, do you?
307 00:21:10 You think all of themfancy words
308 00:21:12 gonna get you somewherearound here in Alabama?
309 00:21:15 All they gonna do is eatyou alive and spit you out,
310 00:21:18 just like every otherblack man they do,
311 00:21:19 when they step out of line.
312 00:21:21 You coming around herewith them fancy suits,
313 00:21:24 talking all white,
314 00:21:25 these people don't givea damn about that.
315 00:21:27 The only suitthey wanna see a nigga in
316 00:21:28 is the suit I got on.
317 00:21:32 Mr. McMillian, I can seehow that could be hard...
318 00:21:34 No, you don't!
319 00:21:37 No, you don't.No, you don't. No, you don't.
320 00:21:43 You a rich boy from Harvard,
321 00:21:45 you don't knowwhat it is down here.
322 00:21:47 When you're guiltyfrom the moment you born.
323 00:21:52 And you can buddy upwith these white folks
324 00:21:54 and make them laugh,
325 00:21:56 and try to make them like you,whatever that is,
326 00:21:57 and you say,"Yes, sir. No, ma'am."
327 00:21:58 But when it's your turn,
328 00:22:00 they ain't got to haveno fingerprints.
329 00:22:02 No evidence.
330 00:22:05 And the only witness they gotmade the whole thing up.
331 00:22:12 Ain't none of that matter,when all y'all think is,
332 00:22:15 is I look like a man
333 00:22:18 who could kill somebody.
334 00:22:22 But that's not what I think.
335 00:22:30 You know how many peoplehave been freed
336 00:22:32 from Alabama death row?
337 00:22:38 None.
338 00:22:44 What make you thinkyou gonna change that?
339 00:22:52 I ain't doing this shit again.
340 00:22:54 - Guard.- Mr. McMillian...
341 00:22:56 We done here.
342 00:22:57 Mr. McMillian, please.
343 00:23:01 I'm here to help.
344 00:23:07 What's up, Johnny D.?
345 00:23:09 Say hello!
346 00:23:10 How's it going,my brother?
347 00:23:12 How'd it go?
348 00:23:15 How you treatingthem needs, motherfucker?
349 00:23:39 Johnny D.?
350 00:23:42 Johnny D., you there?
351 00:23:44 'Sup, Herb?
352 00:23:46 Ray there?
353 00:23:50 Ray.
354 00:23:53 Unavailable at the moment.
355 00:23:56 Where you at?
356 00:23:58 Buckingham Palace.I'm having tea with the Queen.
357 00:24:02 Oh.
358 00:24:03 She's a very nice lady.
359 00:24:04 I'll let you knowwhen we done.
360 00:24:08 Hey, Johnny D.,what you think of the lawyer?
361 00:24:12 I think he a kid.
362 00:24:14 Don't knowwhat he's talking about.
363 00:24:16 Making all these promises
364 00:24:18 he ain't gonnabe able to keep.
365 00:24:21 I thought he was nice.
366 00:24:24 Nice?
367 00:24:25 The hell you wanta nice lawyer for?
368 00:24:28 Nice ain't gonna get you shit.
369 00:24:30 Look at Johnny D.
370 00:24:32 Nice as a puppy,yet he in here with us.
371 00:24:35 Well, I didn't know
372 00:24:36 you thought about melike that, Ray.
373 00:24:37 I mean,just you nice and everything,
374 00:24:39 you not as niceas La Toya Jackson,
375 00:24:42 but for an old manon the row, you a'ight.
376 00:24:45 Hey, I thought you saidI was the old man.
377 00:24:47 Well, Johnny D. is old, Herb,you more ancient.
378 00:24:51 Sorry to tell you.
379 00:24:59 Herb, turn that music up.
380 00:25:02 You got it.
381 00:25:44 All right. Here...
382 00:26:24 Bryan,
383 00:26:27 did you get any sleep?
384 00:26:30 I, uh...
385 00:26:32 I don't thinkMcMillian did it.
386 00:26:35 The State basedits entire case
387 00:26:37 on the testimony of one man.Ralph Myers.
388 00:26:40 Myers spent most of his lifein and out of prison.
389 00:26:42 When he testified,
390 00:26:44 he was on trialfor a different murder,
391 00:26:45 which he ended upgetting 30 years for.
392 00:26:47 Seems like a pretty good deal.
393 00:26:49 In his statement,he said that
394 00:26:50 Johnny D. approached himat a car wash
395 00:26:52 and forced him at gunpoint
396 00:26:53 to drive to Jackson Cleanersbecause his arm hurt.
397 00:26:56 That sounds logical.
398 00:26:58 When they get there,Johnny D. tells him
399 00:26:59 to wait in the truckwhile he goes inside.
400 00:27:01 And while he's waitingfor his kidnapper,
401 00:27:03 he doesn't run,he doesn't go to the police.
402 00:27:05 Instead, he drives to theliquor store for cigarettes,
403 00:27:09 and then comes backto the crime scene.
404 00:27:11 Excuse me?
405 00:27:12 Myers hears gunshots,goes inside
406 00:27:15 and sees the bodyof Ronda Morrison
407 00:27:16 lying on the ground, face up,
408 00:27:18 and Johnny D.standing over her with a gun
409 00:27:20 with some older white guywho he claimed was in charge.
410 00:27:23 Anyone tryingto look for him?
411 00:27:25 Exactly.
412 00:27:27 Oh, wait. They have one otherwitness to back his testimony.
413 00:27:30 A young black mannamed Bill Hooks.
414 00:27:32 Says he saw Johnny D.'slow-rider truck
415 00:27:34 leaving the cleanersaround the time of the murder.
416 00:27:37 And that's it.
417 00:27:38 That's all they have.
418 00:27:41 Hmm.
419 00:27:43 So, an 18-year-old white girlis murdered in broad daylight
420 00:27:46 and the sheriff can't solvethe crime for how long?
421 00:27:49 Almost a year.
422 00:27:50 And then some other guy
423 00:27:51 who's chargedwith a different murder
424 00:27:53 says that he can tell themwho did it
425 00:27:55 if he gets a lower sentence.
426 00:27:57 And the guy thathe says did it,
427 00:27:58 happens to be a black manfrom a poor community
428 00:28:00 that no one would thinktwice about.
429 00:28:06 There's gotta bemore evidence than this.
430 00:28:10 I want to set a meetingwith the DA.
431 00:28:12 Tommy Chapman just took overfor Pearson a few months ago.
432 00:28:16 He used to bea public defender.
433 00:28:18 Maybe he's not in linewith the rest of 'em.
434 00:28:36 You visitthe Mockingbird Museum yet?
435 00:28:39 Oh. No, ma'am.
436 00:28:40 It's the old courthouse
437 00:28:42 Harper Lee's daddyused to work in.
438 00:28:44 You can stand right whereAtticus Finch once stood.
439 00:28:51 Mr. Stevenson?
440 00:28:52 - I'm Tommy Chapman.- Hey.
441 00:28:54 - You find us okay?- I did.
442 00:28:55 - Good. Follow me.- Yeah.
443 00:28:56 Thank you, Tracy.
444 00:28:58 A lot of people are very keento meet you, Mr. Stevenson.
445 00:29:01 Oh, really?
446 00:29:02 Well, you're a Harvard lawyer,
447 00:29:03 who's moved to Alabama.
448 00:29:04 You know, you start taking onall these capital cases,
449 00:29:07 people just wanna know
450 00:29:08 what your intentions are,I guess.
451 00:29:11 We're just tryingto give legal assistance
452 00:29:12 to peoplewho can't afford it.
453 00:29:14 Well, legal assistanceis one thing,
454 00:29:15 but trying to put convictedmurderers back on the street
455 00:29:18 is something else entirely.
456 00:29:21 Anyway,you didn't come
457 00:29:22 all the way down hereto talk about that.
458 00:29:24 What can I dofor you today, Bryan?
459 00:29:25 I wanted to speak to youabout Johnny D. McMillian.
460 00:29:28 You know I wasn't partof his prosecution, right?
461 00:29:30 That was way before my time.
462 00:29:32 And that's exactlywhy I wanted to meet you.
463 00:29:34 You see, I've read through therecord quite a few times now
464 00:29:36 and I have some serious doubts
465 00:29:37 about the reliabilityof his conviction.
466 00:29:41 If you could take a look
467 00:29:43 at the sectionsI've highlighted here,
468 00:29:44 you'll see some problemswith Ralph Myers' testimony.
469 00:29:48 Man, this is one ofthe most outrageous crimes
470 00:29:52 in Monroe County history.
471 00:29:55 Your client madea lot of people very angry.
472 00:29:58 I understand that,
473 00:30:00 but there are some seriousproblems with this case.
474 00:30:01 And I was hopingthat I can get your support
475 00:30:03 to figure outwhat really happened.
476 00:30:06 I already know what happened.
477 00:30:11 Johnny D. McMillianwas convicted by a jury
478 00:30:14 of brutally murderinga teenage girl
479 00:30:16 in my community.
480 00:30:17 And it is my job
481 00:30:18 to defend the integrityof that conviction.
482 00:30:21 Even if that convictionis based on false testimony?
483 00:30:25 You're the only one I knowwho thinks that.
484 00:30:27 Then I must be the only onewho read that record
485 00:30:30 because it's pretty obvious.
486 00:30:36 That man causeda lot of pain.
487 00:30:39 A lot of painfor folks around here.
488 00:30:43 And if you go diggingin those wounds,
489 00:30:46 you're gonna be makinga lot of people very unhappy.
490 00:30:50 Well, it isn't my jobto make people happy.
491 00:30:52 It's to achieve justicefor my client.
492 00:30:59 Well...
493 00:31:02 Ralph Myers' two confessions
494 00:31:04 and a statementfrom Bill Hooks.
495 00:31:09 I asked for copies
496 00:31:10 of all the policeand witness statements.
497 00:31:11 That's what you're holding.
498 00:31:13 This is a joke.Where's the rest of it?
499 00:31:14 That's what's relevantto the McMillian case.
500 00:31:17 If you want more,you'll have to file
501 00:31:18 a discovery motionwith the court,
502 00:31:20 just like anybody else.
503 00:31:22 Thanks for coming by today,Mr. Stevenson.
504 00:31:27 Expect that motion soon.
505 00:31:28 I'll look forward to it,Counselor.
506 00:31:31 You oughta check outthe Mockingbird Museum
507 00:31:33 on your way out of town.
508 00:31:35 It's one of the greatcivil rights landmarks
509 00:31:37 of the South.
510 00:31:40 Hmm.
511 00:31:53 Keep in line.
512 00:32:01 Helping a black man
513 00:32:02 convicted of killinga white girl
514 00:32:03 is political suicidein that county.
515 00:32:05 I'm sure he's beingreminded of that
516 00:32:06 by whoever got him his job.
517 00:32:08 The way he was talking,
518 00:32:09 I don't even thinkhe read the record.
519 00:32:11 That doesn't surprise me.
520 00:32:12 Hey, Kris, Bobby,come on in and get your snack.
521 00:32:16 Okay.
522 00:32:17 I'm gonna stopby Jackson Cleaners
523 00:32:18 on my way to meet his family.
524 00:32:20 Okay. If I don't hearfrom you by morning,
525 00:32:22 I'll send a rescue party.
526 00:32:23 - I hope that's a joke.- Me, too.
527 00:32:27 But just be careful, okay?
528 00:33:48 That's him.
529 00:33:51 - You the lawyer?- Yes, ma'am.
530 00:33:53 My name is Bryan Stevenson.
531 00:33:54 I'm Johnny D.'s wife, Minnie.
532 00:33:57 Pleasure to meet you.
533 00:34:01 Hmm.
534 00:34:03 Thank you so much for drivingall the way out here.
535 00:34:05 Most lawyersbarely make time to call.
536 00:34:09 This is our younger son, John.Our baby girl, Jackie.
537 00:34:14 I hope you don't mind,a few of our neighbors
538 00:34:17 stopped by to hearwhat you got to say.
539 00:34:19 Oh. Just a few?
540 00:34:22 Come on. You'll be all right.
541 00:34:23 Okay.
542 00:34:30 Hey, now,we ain't gonna get nowhere
543 00:34:34 with everybody quackingat the same time.
544 00:34:37 Now, let Mr. Stevenson talk.
545 00:34:41 Um...
546 00:34:42 It's a pleasureto meet all of you.
547 00:34:47 Thank you.
548 00:34:50 Now, I know you allhave a lot of questions,
549 00:34:52 but I really would loveto hear from you guys first,
550 00:34:54 just to geta better understanding
551 00:34:56 of your perspective on things.
552 00:34:58 Our perspective isain't no way
553 00:35:00 Johnny D. did this crime.
554 00:35:03 The morningthat girl was killed,
555 00:35:05 we was all havinga fish fry here
556 00:35:07 to raise moneyfor the church.
557 00:35:10 Johnny D. was here.
558 00:35:11 Morning till night.
559 00:35:13 Working on his truckwith John.
560 00:35:16 You were with your dadthat day?
561 00:35:18 Yeah, we was upat 6:00 in the morning
562 00:35:20 to put the truck on the rack.
563 00:35:21 Jimmy was there, too.
564 00:35:23 Yep. We had that trannycleaned out by 9:30.
565 00:35:28 Now,how he supposed to kidnap
566 00:35:30 some crazy white manall the way in Evergreen,
567 00:35:34 then drive backto Jackson Cleaners
568 00:35:36 to kill that girl at 10:15
569 00:35:38 if his truck ain't gotno transmission?
570 00:35:40 Hello.
571 00:35:44 How many of you all werewith Walter that morning?
572 00:35:55 My husband could have neverdone this, no kind of way.
573 00:35:58 Whether we waswith him or not,
574 00:36:00 he is just not like that.
575 00:36:01 Well, everybody knowthey went after him
576 00:36:03 'cause of that woman.
577 00:36:08 Sorry, Minnie.
578 00:36:10 It's okay.
579 00:36:13 It ain't no secret.
580 00:36:17 A few monthsbefore the murder,
581 00:36:18 Johnny D. got caught
582 00:36:19 messing around witha white woman in town.
583 00:36:21 When her husbandfind out about it,
584 00:36:23 he made sure everybody knew.
585 00:36:25 People started talking,and the stories kept growing.
586 00:36:29 He went from being a cheat,
587 00:36:31 to a drug dealer,
588 00:36:32 to head of the Dixie Mafia.
589 00:36:34 So, by the time somebodycall him a murderer,
590 00:36:36 ain't nobody thought twiceabout it.
591 00:36:38 They can call itwhat they want,
592 00:36:40 this is just another wayto lynch a black man.
593 00:36:42 Amen.
594 00:36:44 Amen.
595 00:36:46 There ain't no excuse for what myhusband did to me and this family.
596 00:36:49 Damn fool hurt me bad.
597 00:36:54 But he stillthe daddy of my kids.
598 00:36:57 And I really don't knowwhat I'm supposed to tell them
599 00:36:59 about staying out of trouble
600 00:37:01 when you can bein your own house,
601 00:37:03 minding your own business,
602 00:37:04 surrounded byyour entire family,
603 00:37:06 and they still going to putsome murder on you.
604 00:37:08 That's right.
605 00:37:11 It's not just Dad.
606 00:37:14 We feel like they put us allon death row, too.
607 00:37:17 Baby...
608 00:37:20 I can only imagine the painthat you're going through.
609 00:37:23 But I'm gonnado everything I can.
610 00:37:25 The last lawyer was talkingjust as big as you.
611 00:37:27 John...
612 00:37:28 Then they tookall our money and split.
613 00:37:31 Why you different?
614 00:37:34 Well, our organizationwill cover all legal fees,
615 00:37:38 so none of you will everhave to pay a penny.
616 00:37:44 Now, it's clear to methat this trial
617 00:37:46 was constructed with lies,
618 00:37:48 and based off everythingthat I've seen,
619 00:37:51 I think we could build a case
620 00:37:52 strong enoughto bring Johnny D. home.
621 00:37:55 And I'm not gonna stopuntil I've done that.
622 00:38:02 Well, you seem likegood people to me.
623 00:38:06 But Johnny D.'s the oneyou gonna have to convince.
624 00:38:13 I don't knowabout the rest of y'all,
625 00:38:15 but I was sold on,"Y'all won't pay a penny."
626 00:38:19 Amen.
627 00:38:27 Mr. Stevenson?
628 00:38:29 Call me Bryan.
629 00:38:31 Okay.
630 00:38:34 This is my friend, Darnell.
631 00:38:36 He has something he wantsto talk to you about.
632 00:38:41 Go on.
633 00:38:45 I think I can provehe's innocent.
634 00:38:49 You heard of Bill Hooks,right?
635 00:38:52 Yeah.
636 00:38:53 He testified that he sawJohnny D.'s truck
637 00:38:54 at the cleaners that morning.
638 00:38:56 Bill didn't see shit.
639 00:38:59 He made the whole thing up.
640 00:39:02 How do you know that?
641 00:39:03 'Cause I was with him.
642 00:39:05 We was workingat the shop together.
643 00:39:08 - The morning of the murder?- Yes, sir.
644 00:39:10 We was fixing the head gasketon the Camaro
645 00:39:12 from 8:00 in the morning
646 00:39:14 till right afterwe closed for lunch.
647 00:39:16 He was right next to me whenthem sirens was going off.
648 00:39:21 Why would he lie?
649 00:39:22 'Cause the snitchcut a deal with the cops.
650 00:39:25 They had him locked upfor burglary.
651 00:39:27 And the day he give hisstatement, he walk out free.
652 00:39:29 All charges dropped.
653 00:39:31 We toldone of the other lawyers,
654 00:39:32 and they ain't do nothingabout it.
655 00:39:34 Hmm.
656 00:39:36 Would you be willing to sign astatement we could use in court?
657 00:39:43 Police will see my name?
658 00:39:48 It'd be on the record.
659 00:39:52 Darnell, exposing yourselflike this is not easy.
660 00:39:57 But with your testimony,
661 00:39:59 we can file a motionto reopen Johnny D.'s case.
662 00:40:04 Darnell,
663 00:40:06 we need you.
664 00:40:12 Okay, yeah.
665 00:40:16 Yeah, that'll do it.
666 00:40:18 All right.
667 00:40:37 Good morning.
668 00:40:38 Good morning.
669 00:40:40 - Thanks for seeing me again.- Mmm-hmm.
670 00:40:45 I know the last time we met,
671 00:40:47 things didn't goquite the way I was...
672 00:40:48 I can't believeyou met my family.
673 00:40:53 Drove down that dirt road,
674 00:40:54 crammed upin that little house,
675 00:40:56 talked to all my people,
676 00:40:57 say you gonna tryto fight for me.
677 00:41:04 That mean a lot.
678 00:41:08 It meant a lot to me, too.
679 00:41:12 Oh, uh...
680 00:41:14 Minnie wanted meto give this to you.
681 00:41:20 And if you don't mind,
682 00:41:22 I have somethingI wanna show you.
683 00:41:26 It's a statementfrom Darnell Houston,
684 00:41:29 saying thathe was with Bill Hooks
685 00:41:31 three miles awayat the time of the murder.
686 00:41:33 So, there's no way he couldhave seen your truck there.
687 00:41:36 That's good, right?
688 00:41:37 That's very good.
689 00:41:39 I'm gonna submit this witha motion for a new trial.
690 00:41:50 I know you talked to,uh, Minnie.
691 00:41:52 She told youwhat I did to her.
692 00:41:55 I ain't got no excusefor cheating on a woman
693 00:41:57 good as that one,good as she been to me.
694 00:42:01 I don't know whyshe's standing by me.
695 00:42:04 She's standing by you
696 00:42:05 because she knowsyou shouldn't be in here.
697 00:42:08 And so do I.
698 00:42:11 I know you didn't killRonda Morrison.
699 00:42:14 And I can help you prove thatin court if you'll let me.
700 00:42:24 You know, you done metmy whole family.
701 00:42:26 You know everything about 'em.
702 00:42:29 I don't know nothingabout you, though.
703 00:42:32 - What would you like to know?- I wanna know it all.
704 00:42:34 Like why you...Why you doing this?
705 00:42:38 - Why am I a lawyer?- No, no, no.
706 00:42:39 Why is you a lawyerdown here in Alabama,
707 00:42:41 taking these cases that ain'tnobody gonna pay you for?
708 00:42:52 I grew up down a roadjust like yours.
709 00:42:56 I played soccerin a dirt field
710 00:42:59 with the pigs and chickens.
711 00:43:02 Used to pump sewagefrom my yard.
712 00:43:09 When I was a teenager,my grandfather was murdered
713 00:43:12 over a black-and-white TV.
714 00:43:16 We kept waiting for someoneto show up to help.
715 00:43:21 They never did.
716 00:43:24 And that's whenI realized that,
717 00:43:27 outside my community,nobody cared.
718 00:43:31 'Cause to them,he's just another black man
719 00:43:33 killed in the projects.
720 00:43:39 I know what it's liketo be in the shadows.
721 00:43:44 That's why I'm doing this.
722 00:43:49 That's a pretty good reason.
723 00:44:01 Okay.
724 00:44:04 Okay...
725 00:44:08 Let's get to work.
726 00:44:13 Okay.
727 00:44:31 - Hey, yo, Johnny D.?- Mmm-hmm?
728 00:44:34 You signing upwith that lawyer?
729 00:44:36 I'm gonna give him a try.
730 00:44:38 Seem like everybody on therow working with him now.
731 00:44:41 I'm startingto feel left out.
732 00:44:44 Is he really that good?
733 00:44:48 I hope so.
734 00:44:50 What you think, Herbert?
735 00:44:51 Should I just dump my guyand make the switch over?
736 00:44:57 Herb, you hear me?
737 00:45:00 You there?
738 00:45:03 I'm here.
739 00:45:06 Herb, you okay?
740 00:45:12 They set my date.
741 00:45:23 Look here, Herb,don't you worry about nothing now.
742 00:45:25 Everything gonna be a'ight.Okay?
743 00:45:28 Ain't nothing over yet.
744 00:45:29 You got Bryanworking for you now.
745 00:45:33 I ain't...I ain't like you guys.
746 00:45:36 I deserve what's coming.
747 00:45:38 All right, now, see, Herb...
748 00:45:41 there you gotalking out your ass.
749 00:45:44 Now, you foughtfor this country.
750 00:45:47 And they threw you in the baglike the trash.
751 00:45:51 That war made you sickin your head, man.
752 00:45:54 You supposed to bein the hospital.
753 00:45:57 Not here.
754 00:46:02 When I told the cops thatstopped me I was innocent,
755 00:46:06 do you know what they said?
756 00:46:10 "One of you niggers did it
757 00:46:12 and if it wasn't you,
758 00:46:15 then you taking onefor your homie."
759 00:46:19 Johnny D. prosecutor sayhe know he killed the girl,
760 00:46:23 because of the wayhe looked in his mug shot.
761 00:46:27 You don't deserve this shitmore than any of us, Herb.
762 00:46:33 A girl is deadbecause of me.
763 00:46:40 That don't give nobodythe right to kill you back.
764 00:46:47 Herbert was 18when he went to Vietnam.
765 00:46:50 He was the only survivor
766 00:46:51 in an ambush that killedhis whole platoon.
767 00:46:54 After that, he hada mental breakdown,
768 00:46:56 attempted suicide,
769 00:46:57 and was sent homeon an honorable discharge.
770 00:46:59 Back at home, he continuedto suffer from nightmares,
771 00:47:02 crying fits,
772 00:47:04 running out of his house,
773 00:47:05 screaming "incoming"to his neighbors.
774 00:47:08 His lawyer didn't even mentionmilitary service,
775 00:47:10 or mental trauma to the jury.
776 00:47:11 A few monthsafter the trial,
777 00:47:13 he was disbarredfor misconduct.
778 00:47:15 'Course he was.
779 00:47:19 Okay, what can we do?
780 00:47:21 Well, since he's already beenthrough the appeals process,
781 00:47:24 the statute of limitations
782 00:47:25 is gonna make it hardfor a judge to listen.
783 00:47:30 We're gonna have to tryand make him.
784 00:47:33 I'll get startedon the motion tonight.
785 00:47:35 - Hello?- Okay.
786 00:47:38 It's for you, Mom.
787 00:47:39 Oh, thank you, sweetie.Hello?
788 00:47:42 You the bitch
789 00:47:44 working for thatnigger lawyer?
790 00:47:46 Who the hell is this?
791 00:47:47 The guy who put the bombunder your house,
792 00:47:49 gonna blow your familyall to hell,
793 00:47:51 if you don't stop workingfor that nigger Johnny D.
794 00:47:55 Everybody, out of the house.
795 00:47:56 - What's going on?- I'll tell you outside.
796 00:48:16 They didn't find anything.
797 00:48:19 And they're sure?
798 00:48:21 They said they're sure.
799 00:48:22 They checked thebasement, too, like you said?
800 00:48:24 Said they checkedthe basement.
801 00:48:26 Okay.
802 00:48:28 All right,we're gonna move on now.
803 00:48:33 Okay, baby,let's get you to bed.
804 00:48:37 Yo, come on.
805 00:48:46 When you asked meto do this thing with you...
806 00:48:51 I knew thatI'd lose some friends.
807 00:48:56 Have people talk shitbehind my back,
808 00:48:59 or to my face.
809 00:49:03 I don't need peopleto like me,
810 00:49:05 as long as I'm doingwhat I'm supposed to do.
811 00:49:11 But threatening my family...
812 00:49:17 Eva, you know I'd...I'd never blame you
813 00:49:21 if you needed to stop.
814 00:49:26 I don't want my songrowing up
815 00:49:27 knowing that his momstopped doing what was right
816 00:49:30 just because she was scaredof some crazy bigot.
817 00:49:39 Okay?
818 00:49:41 What are we gonna doabout McMillian?
819 00:49:48 We start the investigationfrom scratch.
820 00:49:51 Find anyone in townwho's willing to talk.
821 00:49:56 Maybe people will stoptrying to kill us
822 00:49:58 once they realizehow charming we are.
823 00:50:10 I just wanted toask you a couple questions
824 00:50:12 about the Ronda Morrisonmurder.
825 00:50:15 It's just, uh...
826 00:50:16 You wereon the witness list
827 00:50:18 for the Ronda Morrison triala few years back.
828 00:50:19 Sorry.Can't help you with that.
829 00:50:23 Is there anything,anything at all that you feel
830 00:50:25 - comfortable talking about...- You know, look...
831 00:50:27 if you are not workingfor that poor girl's family,
832 00:50:29 then I ain't got nothingto say to you.
833 00:50:31 Sorry, sweetie.
834 00:50:34 Officer Ikner?
835 00:50:37 I ain't no officer no more.
836 00:50:39 I'm a lawyer representingJohnny D. McMillian.
837 00:50:42 I understand you were thefirst officer on the scene.
838 00:50:51 I was right.
839 00:50:52 The fish fry was on Saturday,November 1st.
840 00:50:54 The same day as the murder.
841 00:50:56 They put these upall over town.
842 00:50:59 I could kiss you, Deb.
843 00:51:07 We're planningto grow this into something
844 00:51:09 the whole countrywill be talking about.
845 00:51:11 And you can say that it allstarted in your building.
846 00:51:15 What exactly kind of workdo you do?
847 00:51:19 We're just helping people.
848 00:51:27 - It looks good.- It's perfect.
849 00:51:28 My client, Herbert Richardson,
850 00:51:30 was recommendedfor a Medal of Valor
851 00:51:31 for disarming a bombin Vietnam.
852 00:51:33 We got a tip thata few of your employees
853 00:51:35 could back his alibi.
854 00:51:36 Vivian Clark wasone of the teenagers
855 00:51:37 who were sexually abusedat your facility.
856 00:51:39 No, I'm not an attorney.
857 00:51:41 But I promise you, your sonis in very good hands.
858 00:51:46 We'll let you know.
859 00:51:48 Good talking to you.
860 00:51:52 Equal Justice Initiative.This is Brenda.
861 00:51:55 Yeah. Okay. Yes. Uh-huh.Just one moment.
862 00:51:59 Darnell Houston.
863 00:52:03 Hello, Darnell?
864 00:52:06 Whoa. Whoa, whoa. Slow down,slow down, slow down.
865 00:52:10 Where are you?
866 00:52:14 - Are you okay?- No, sir, I'm not.
867 00:52:18 Okay, Darnell, let's go talkin the car. Okay?
868 00:52:25 How in the hell they lockingme up for perjury,
869 00:52:28 if alls I did wassay the truth, hmm?
870 00:52:31 I knew I shouldn't havesigned that paper, man.
871 00:52:34 Shouldn't havelistened to you.
872 00:52:35 No. What they did to youwas completely illegal.
873 00:52:37 Okay? Now, I'm gonnatalk to the DA
874 00:52:39 and get all these chargesdismissed.
875 00:52:40 This will never happen again.
876 00:52:41 Well, how the helldo you know, hmm?
877 00:52:44 You can't control these guys.
878 00:52:46 They arrested mein the middle of my shift,
879 00:52:49 in front of my boss.
880 00:52:51 I don't even knowif I got a job tomorrow.
881 00:52:59 I feel bad, what they doingto Johnny D...
882 00:53:04 but I'm just tryingto survive.
883 00:53:08 I can't fight these guys, man.
884 00:53:12 Go on and find somebody else.
885 00:53:14 Listen, Darnell.Think about Johnny D., okay?
886 00:53:18 Think about his family.They need you.
887 00:53:20 Give me some timeto work on this.
888 00:53:30 That's my ride.
889 00:53:33 Tell Johnny D. I'm sorry.
890 00:54:09 I need to speak with you.
891 00:54:12 Oh, hey, Bryan.
892 00:54:16 Have you met Sheriff Tate?
893 00:54:20 Who ordered the arrestof my witness?
894 00:54:23 When people makefalse statements
895 00:54:25 concerning this case,
896 00:54:26 they're gonnabe held accountable.
897 00:54:27 You can't arrest someonefor perjury
898 00:54:29 without evidence that a falsestatement has been made.
899 00:54:31 Hang on. Are you representingMr. Houston now, too?
900 00:54:34 Yes, I am.
901 00:54:36 His statement contradictsBill Hooks' entire testimony.
902 00:54:38 Hooks ain't the State's main witness.Ralph Myers is.
903 00:54:40 Alabama Code 12-21-222
904 00:54:43 requires corroborationof accomplice testimony.
905 00:54:45 So, without Hooks,
906 00:54:47 the convictionwouldn't be valid.
907 00:54:51 You know, I went down to see
908 00:54:52 Ronda Morrison's mommayesterday.
909 00:54:55 And she's in tears.
910 00:54:57 She kept asking me whysome lawyer from up north
911 00:55:00 would come down here
912 00:55:01 and make them reliveall this hell again.
913 00:55:05 Well, you can tell herit's because
914 00:55:06 Johnny D. didn't killher daughter.
915 00:55:08 And whoever did
916 00:55:09 - is still out there somewhere.- Mmm-hmm.
917 00:55:12 I know how desperateyou must be
918 00:55:16 to fulfill your fantasyof who we are down here.
919 00:55:20 Just a bunch of corruptSouthern racists
920 00:55:23 framing niggers for murder.
921 00:55:25 And you here to save the day.
922 00:55:28 Well, hell, you can believethat if you want to,
923 00:55:31 but I know thatJohnny D. killed that girl,
924 00:55:33 and he's gonna answer for it.
925 00:55:35 And how do you know that?You have no hard evidence.
926 00:55:38 You based your entire case
927 00:55:40 on the wordof an indicted felon,
928 00:55:41 who had every incentive
929 00:55:42 to tell youwhat you wanted to hear.
930 00:55:43 Ralph Myers testifiedon his own accord.
931 00:55:45 And it made no sense.
932 00:55:47 He couldn't finish a sentencewithout contradicting himself.
933 00:55:51 Now, the charges againstDarnell Houston are baseless.
934 00:55:53 They'll never stand upin court.
935 00:55:56 They should bedropped immediately.
936 00:56:02 Okay.
937 00:56:05 Is that okay with you, Tommy?
938 00:56:08 Sure.
939 00:56:09 Well, it doesn'treally matter,
940 00:56:11 now the court denied yourmotion to reopen the case.
941 00:56:15 Wait, what was that?
942 00:56:17 Oh, you didn't get the order?
943 00:56:20 Well, the judge is downin Mobile now,
944 00:56:21 so, you know, sometimesthey have mail issues.
945 00:56:25 Listen, you can tellMr. Houston
946 00:56:26 the charges against himare being dropped.
947 00:56:28 I can do that much for y'all,
948 00:56:29 but anything else will haveto be raised on appeal.
949 00:56:39 Thanksfor stopping by, Counselor.
950 00:57:23 Something wrong, Officer?
951 00:57:24 Step out of the vehicle.
952 00:57:26 I don't understand.I wasn't speeding.
953 00:57:29 I saidstep out of the vehicle.
954 00:57:32 I'll get out of the car,
955 00:57:34 but first can you tell mewhy you stopped me?
956 00:57:37 - Get out of the goddamn car!- Whoa!
957 00:57:38 Whoa, whoa.Okay, okay. Hold on.
958 00:57:40 - Come on!- Okay.
959 00:57:42 Okay. I'm taking offmy seat belt.
960 00:57:43 Get it! Come on!
961 00:57:44 Okay. I'm opening up the door.
962 00:57:46 - I'm stepping out.- Faster! Come on!
963 00:57:47 Okay. I have nothingin my hands.
964 00:57:48 Turn around!
965 00:57:49 - Yes. Okay. Okay.- Hands on the car!
966 00:57:58 You don't have to havethe gun pointed at me.
967 00:58:00 I'm not a threat.
968 00:58:01 Shut your damn mouth, boy.
969 00:58:04 Hey, brother...
970 00:58:07 you ought to be carefulwith your words
971 00:58:08 when you got a gunat your head.
972 00:58:14 Let's go, John.
973 00:58:24 Why did you stop me?
974 00:58:26 We're letting you go.
975 00:58:29 You should be happy.
976 00:58:58 Even if they dropthem charges,
977 00:59:00 Darnell ain't gonna testify
978 00:59:02 after what they donedone to him.
979 00:59:06 I know we took a big hit.We did. But we just need
980 00:59:08 to gather more evidencefor another motion.
981 00:59:10 No, no. They gonna block it.They gonna block it.
982 00:59:12 If they can put me on the rowfor a year without no trial,
983 00:59:15 they can dowhatever they wanna do.
984 00:59:18 They put you on death rowbefore your trial?
985 00:59:20 Yeah.
986 00:59:22 Sheriff drove me himself.
987 00:59:23 Said, "I'm gonna give you alittle taste of what it's like
988 00:59:26 unless you confess."
989 00:59:29 Why are youjust now telling me this?
990 00:59:30 This is how it is down here.
991 00:59:33 Been like thislong as I can remember.
992 00:59:44 They messing with you,ain't they?
993 00:59:50 Yeah, they are. They're notmaking it easy on me.
994 00:59:56 I got a plan for you, though.
995 00:59:59 I'm all ears.
996 01:00:01 Here's what I thinkwe should do.
997 01:00:03 I think you shouldtrain up another lawyer,
998 01:00:06 'cause I'm gonna need somebody
999 01:00:07 just in casethey take you out.
1000 01:00:10 Oh, it's like that?
1001 01:00:13 Like that. It's like that.
1002 01:00:16 Thought I had a friend.
1003 01:00:17 Ain't no friends in here.
1004 01:00:19 Cold world.
1005 01:00:20 Yeah.
1006 01:00:24 So, we ain't got Darnell.
1007 01:00:28 What's the next move?
1008 01:00:33 I think we should talkto Ralph Myers.
1009 01:00:40 - Walter...- No.
1010 01:00:41 Just listen to mefor a second.
1011 01:00:44 I know it's risky,
1012 01:00:46 but the only way to find outwhat he really knows
1013 01:00:48 is for me to get him talking.
1014 01:00:51 I know what he know.
1015 01:00:55 You knowwhat that man did to me?
1016 01:00:59 Took my life away from me...
1017 01:01:02 to save his own ass.
1018 01:01:05 All he gonnagive you is lies.
1019 01:01:09 I promiseI'm gonna be careful.
1020 01:01:19 Get in line.
1021 01:01:39 Mr. Myers.
1022 01:01:42 You Bobby?
1023 01:01:44 I'm Bryan.
1024 01:01:47 Maybe later.
1025 01:01:49 Okay. Do you wanna sit down?
1026 01:01:53 You gonna buy mea Coke first?
1027 01:01:55 Or you gonna make me stare
1028 01:01:56 at them vending machinesall day?
1029 01:02:00 Sure. What do you want?
1030 01:02:02 Sunkist orange.
1031 01:02:04 Okay.
1032 01:02:05 And some Jujyfruits,if they got 'em.
1033 01:02:11 I just want to say thanksfor meeting me, Mr. Myers.
1034 01:02:24 Can we start by talking about
1035 01:02:26 your testimonyagainst Johnny D.?
1036 01:02:28 No.
1037 01:02:31 I ain't talking about him.
1038 01:02:34 That's the only reasonwhy I'm here.
1039 01:02:35 You don't like it, leave.
1040 01:02:40 Oh, don't look so sad.
1041 01:02:41 We can talkabout other things.
1042 01:02:42 I love to talk.
1043 01:02:44 My wife says if I got paidfor every word I said,
1044 01:02:46 we'd be a coupleof billionaires by now.
1045 01:02:52 Oh, yeah?
1046 01:02:54 How long you been married?
1047 01:02:55 Long enough to pop outa couple of kids,
1048 01:02:57 and watch herturn 'em all against me.
1049 01:02:59 You got kids?
1050 01:03:01 Me? No.
1051 01:03:03 But Johnny D. does.
1052 01:03:07 Yeah.
1053 01:03:08 The thing about kids is
1054 01:03:09 they ain't nothinglike having a dog.
1055 01:03:11 It's a totallydifferent deal.
1056 01:03:12 I wish somebody had told methat in the first place.
1057 01:03:16 And my kids, they thinkthey got it so bad.
1058 01:03:19 They ain't seen nothinglike I seen.
1059 01:03:22 Try making it as a foster kidyour whole life.
1060 01:03:24 As soon as you figure outone shitty parent,
1061 01:03:26 they moving you to a new one.
1062 01:03:32 Uh...
1063 01:03:33 I'm sorry.
1064 01:03:35 I'm sure that wasn't easy.
1065 01:03:42 How many kids he got?
1066 01:03:46 Johnny D. has three.
1067 01:03:51 Mr. Myers, I know you madea deal with the State.
1068 01:03:54 But I don't thinkthey told you
1069 01:03:55 Johnny D. was gonna diebecause of it.
1070 01:03:58 That must not bean easy thing to carry.
1071 01:04:02 And I'm hopingthere's a part of you
1072 01:04:03 that wants tomake things right.
1073 01:04:09 Can we please talkabout your testimony?
1074 01:04:17 Hey. Hey!
1075 01:04:28 From the day they movedmy ass into Escambia,
1076 01:04:31 for something I'm telling you
1077 01:04:32 I ain't hadnothing to do with,
1078 01:04:35 all them police wanted to talkabout was Ronda Morrison.
1079 01:04:38 It was Morrison this,Morrison that.
1080 01:04:40 Sometimes four or five of 'emin the room at the same time.
1081 01:04:44 They were questioning youabout her
1082 01:04:46 the day you were arrested?
1083 01:04:50 Alls I'm saying is,
1084 01:04:52 ain't nobody caredabout a damn thing
1085 01:04:54 besides who killed that girl.
1086 01:04:56 And when people careabout a thing that much,
1087 01:04:58 they'll do anythingto get what they want.
1088 01:05:02 You know they'll kill you
1089 01:05:03 if you get to the bottomof this, right?
1090 01:05:06 Wait. Where are you going?
1091 01:05:08 We done here, Bobby.
1092 01:05:10 Thanks for the Jujys.
1093 01:05:13 Ready, boss.
1094 01:05:17 Myers saidhe was questioned
1095 01:05:19 about Ronda Morrison
1096 01:05:20 the day he was arrested,on June 3rd.
1097 01:05:22 But the only statementthey presented in court
1098 01:05:23 was recordedalmost two months later.
1099 01:05:26 Do you think they're hidinghis first statement somewhere?
1100 01:05:29 If they are, it might beat the Escambia courthouse
1101 01:05:31 with the filesfrom his other case.
1102 01:05:33 You know anyone over there?
1103 01:05:36 I do.
1104 01:05:41 That's everythingwe got on Myers.
1105 01:05:43 You can make copiesover there.
1106 01:05:45 - Thank you, ma'am.- Sure, baby.
1107 01:05:49 He's cute. Married?
1108 01:05:51 - Married to his work.- Ugh.
1109 01:05:53 How's Uncle Mickey doing?
1110 01:06:03 Miss Miller.
1111 01:06:05 Can I take a copy of these?
1112 01:06:07 They ain't paying me enoughto stop you.
1113 01:06:23 Did you find the transcriptfrom Myers' first statement?
1114 01:06:27 - Yeah.- Ah, thank you.
1115 01:06:36 What?
1116 01:06:45 I understand that, Sheriff.
1117 01:06:47 That's Myers.
1118 01:06:48 And that's whatI'm trying to tell you.
1119 01:06:50 Because, I'm gonnabe honest with ya,
1120 01:06:52 I don't know a damn thing.
1121 01:06:55 Is that right?
1122 01:06:56 And that's Tate.
1123 01:06:57 Yes, sir.
1124 01:06:59 It's righter than anythingI've ever said.
1125 01:07:01 And you wouldtake a polygraph test
1126 01:07:03 to the fact thatyou do not know
1127 01:07:05 who killed Ronda Morrison?
1128 01:07:06 That's right, sir.I will.
1129 01:07:08 Would you face the personwho came in here and testified that you...
1130 01:07:11 I will face any damnbody in this world on that,
1131 01:07:14 because it's a stone lie.
1132 01:07:16 And if you asking me to framean innocent man for murder,
1133 01:07:20 well, that just ain't somethingI'm willing to do.
1134 01:07:26 Holy shit.
1135 01:07:57 Herb, you all rightover there?
1136 01:08:02 No.
1137 01:08:05 Now, listen here,
1138 01:08:06 you gonna have to getyour mind off tomorrow.
1139 01:08:08 Bryan is working on thatas we speak.
1140 01:08:12 Now, you knowhow these courts here is.
1141 01:08:14 They waittill the last minute,
1142 01:08:16 but you gonna get that stay.
1143 01:08:18 Why did I make that bomb?
1144 01:08:21 Herb,don't go there now.
1145 01:08:23 Why'd I do that?
1146 01:08:25 I wasn't tryingto hurt nobody.
1147 01:08:28 Herb, I know.
1148 01:08:30 Why am I so stupid?
1149 01:08:34 No, no, you ain't stupid.
1150 01:08:36 That war got you sick,
1151 01:08:38 and you still sick.
1152 01:08:39 Girl wasn't supposedto come by and pick it up.
1153 01:08:41 Listen, Herb. I want you to...
1154 01:08:45 She wasn't supposed to come byand pick it up.
1155 01:08:47 This what we gonna do, Herb.We gonna slow your mind down.
1156 01:08:50 Remember whatwe practiced now.
1157 01:08:52 What we do?
1158 01:08:54 - Deep breaths.- Yeah.
1159 01:08:57 Come on, do that with me now.
1160 01:08:59 Deep breaths.
1161 01:09:04 In and out.
1162 01:09:10 Now in.
1163 01:09:13 Now close your eyes.
1164 01:09:16 Get away from all this.
1165 01:09:20 No more walls.
1166 01:09:22 No more guards.
1167 01:09:25 No more wars to fight.
1168 01:09:29 Just you, out in the open.
1169 01:09:33 Fresh air on your face.
1170 01:09:41 Look at them pine trees.
1171 01:09:45 They've been growingsince 'fore we was born.
1172 01:09:51 And they gonna keep growingeven after we gone.
1173 01:09:57 And they done been throughthe same shit
1174 01:09:59 we done been through.
1175 01:10:03 But they still dancingin the breeze.
1176 01:10:16 Can you see 'em?
1177 01:10:20 Yeah.
1178 01:10:22 Good.
1179 01:10:24 Now I want you to thinkabout nothing else.
1180 01:10:27 Just keep your mind on that.
1181 01:10:30 And everythinggonna be a'ight.
1182 01:10:49 I needStrickland v. Washington,
1183 01:10:51 and the affidavitfrom Herbert's sergeant.
1184 01:11:09 Let's send it.
1185 01:11:18 Now what?
1186 01:11:22 We wait.
1187 01:11:44 EJI.This is Bryan Stevenson.
1188 01:11:46 Mr. Stevenson,
1189 01:11:47 the court hasjust entered an order
1190 01:11:49 in case number 895395.
1191 01:11:52 The motionfor a stay of execution
1192 01:11:54 and petitionfor writ of certiorari
1193 01:11:55 have been denied.
1194 01:11:57 We'll fax copies of the orderover to your office shortly.
1195 01:12:02 - Thank you.- Thank you.
1196 01:12:20 He asked me to be there.
1197 01:12:25 Okay.
1198 01:12:27 I'll drive you, then.
1199 01:12:41 Come on, Herbert.We gotta go.
1200 01:13:06 Can... Can I say byeto my friends?
1201 01:13:25 When it get too much for you,
1202 01:13:29 you take them deep breaths.
1203 01:13:32 Let your mind go.
1204 01:13:37 Wish I didn't haveto do this alone.
1205 01:13:43 You ain't by yourself,Herbert.
1206 01:13:47 We all with you.
1207 01:13:51 Ain't that right, Ray?
1208 01:13:54 That's right, Herb.You ain't rid of us yet.
1209 01:14:03 You've been a good friend.
1210 01:14:49 First timein the chamber, huh?
1211 01:14:53 Yeah.
1212 01:14:54 Don't think too much.You'll lose your shit.
1213 01:15:09 Need anything,Mr. Richardson?
1214 01:15:13 You still gonna play my song?
1215 01:15:16 Got it cued up and ready.
1216 01:15:19 Thank you.
1217 01:15:34 It's been a strange day.
1218 01:15:39 More people askedhow they can help me today
1219 01:15:42 than ever askedin my whole life.
1220 01:15:52 Do I look funny?
1221 01:15:56 I ain't know they were gonnashave off everything.
1222 01:16:03 You look fine.
1223 01:16:16 Well, most people don't getto sit and think all day
1224 01:16:21 about it beingtheir last day alive.
1225 01:16:27 It's different than Nam.
1226 01:16:30 Least I had a chance there.
1227 01:16:39 I'm sorry.
1228 01:16:46 You the only onecared enough to fight for me.
1229 01:16:55 Since I don't have family,
1230 01:16:57 I told the armyto send my flag to you,
1231 01:17:00 if that's okay.
1232 01:17:07 I'd be honored.
1233 01:17:18 Can you pray with me?
1234 01:17:24 Of course.
1235 01:17:35 They're ready.
1236 01:17:44 ♪ On a hill far away ♪
1237 01:17:49 ♪ Stood an old rugged cross ♪
1238 01:17:55 ♪ The emblem of sufferingAnd shame ♪
1239 01:18:01 ♪ And I love that old cross ♪
1240 01:18:05 ♪ Where the dearest and best ♪
1241 01:18:09 ♪ For a world of lost sinnersWas slain ♪
1242 01:18:17 ♪ And I'll cherish ♪
1243 01:18:21 ♪ The old rugged cross ♪
1244 01:18:26 ♪ Till my trophiesAt last I lay down... ♪
1245 01:18:29 You, Herbert Lee Richardson,
1246 01:18:31 shall be put to deathby electrocution
1247 01:18:33 in the state of Alabama
1248 01:18:35 as ordered and decreedby Judge Jerry M. White,
1249 01:18:38 for the murderof Rena Mae Collins
1250 01:18:39 on August the 16th, 1977.
1251 01:18:43 So ordered.
1252 01:18:46 Mr. Richardson,
1253 01:18:47 do you have any final wordsyou'd like to say?
1254 01:18:55 ♪ Oh, that old rugged cross ♪
1255 01:18:59 ♪ So despised by the world ♪
1256 01:19:01 I have no ill feeling.
1257 01:19:07 And I hold nothingagainst anyone.
1258 01:19:10 ♪ So I'll cherishThe old rugged cross ♪
1259 01:19:16 ♪ The old rugged cross ♪
1260 01:19:19 ♪ Till my trophiesAt last I lay down ♪
1261 01:19:24 ♪ I lay down ♪
1262 01:19:27 ♪ I will clingTo the old rugged cross ♪
1263 01:19:35 ♪ And exchange it somedayFor a crown ♪
1264 01:19:45 ♪ To the old rugged cross ♪
1265 01:19:49 ♪ I will ever be true ♪
1266 01:19:53 ♪ Its shame and reproachGladly bear ♪
1267 01:20:00 ♪ Then he'll call me someday ♪
1268 01:20:05 ♪ To my home far away ♪
1269 01:20:10 ♪ Where his glory ♪
1270 01:20:13 ♪ Forever I'll share ♪
1271 01:20:22 ♪ So I'll cherish... ♪
1272 01:20:23 We with you, Herbert!We all with you!
1273 01:20:26 We love you, Herb!
1274 01:20:28 We all with you, Herb.
1275 01:20:29 I'm walking with you,Big Herb!
1276 01:20:31 Believe in your heart, Herb.
1277 01:20:32 We're with you, buddy!
1278 01:20:34 Be strong, Herb!
1279 01:20:39 ♪ I will clingTo the old rugged cross ♪
1280 01:20:47 ♪ And exchange it someday ♪
1281 01:20:52 ♪ For a crown ♪
1282 01:20:54 We love you, Herb!
1283 01:21:50 Hey.
1284 01:23:11 Well, I hopethis important news of yours
1285 01:23:13 comes with some food.
1286 01:23:14 'Cause I'm starving.
1287 01:23:17 Sit down, Mr. Myers.
1288 01:23:21 You was a lot nicerthe last time.
1289 01:23:28 I heard the recordingof the first statement
1290 01:23:30 you gave on June 3rd.
1291 01:23:33 The one they didn'tpresent in court.
1292 01:23:37 You told the sheriffyou didn't know anything
1293 01:23:40 about Johnny D. or the murder.
1294 01:23:42 You told him you didn't wantto frame an innocent man.
1295 01:23:45 Do you remember saying that?
1296 01:23:49 Now, what I'm wondering is,
1297 01:23:50 how do you gofrom knowing nothing
1298 01:23:51 about a murder on June 3rd,
1299 01:23:53 to becomingthe State's key witness
1300 01:23:55 three months later?
1301 01:23:57 What changed your mind?
1302 01:24:11 What's that?
1303 01:24:13 Intake logfrom Holman prison.
1304 01:24:18 On August 1st, 1987,
1305 01:24:19 Sheriff Tatetransferred two inmates
1306 01:24:22 from county jailto death row.
1307 01:24:27 Johnny D...
1308 01:24:32 and you.
1309 01:24:40 Did they move youto death row
1310 01:24:42 because you wouldn't testifyagainst him?
1311 01:24:49 They executed Wayne Ritter
1312 01:24:51 a few weeksafter you got there,
1313 01:24:52 isn't that right?
1314 01:24:56 I was in the witness roomwhen they killed
1315 01:24:58 Herbert RichardsonThursday night.
1316 01:25:02 And it was the mosthorrific thing
1317 01:25:05 I've ever experienced.
1318 01:25:10 I'm sure Ritter's executionwasn't easy for you either.
1319 01:25:32 They put me in the cellclosest to the kill room.
1320 01:25:38 Middle of the night,everybody started screaming,
1321 01:25:41 banging on the bars.
1322 01:25:44 And then...
1323 01:25:50 then came the smellof his skin burning.
1324 01:26:00 I know that smell.
1325 01:26:05 May I ask you what happened?
1326 01:26:12 Seven years old.
1327 01:26:15 I was sleepingin my foster mom's basement
1328 01:26:18 when her heater blowed up.
1329 01:26:20 Catched my PJ's on fire.
1330 01:26:24 I was screamingfor two minutes straight
1331 01:26:26 before they found me.
1332 01:26:31 Everybody knowed that I gota fear of being burned.
1333 01:26:36 They knowedwhat it would do to my head
1334 01:26:39 to be in a place like that.
1335 01:26:44 I couldn't stop shakingall night.
1336 01:26:48 Curled up on the floorlike a baby.
1337 01:26:52 Trying to breathe,but every breath you take just...
1338 01:26:56 You get another tasteof the man they killed.
1339 01:27:03 You can't go throughsomething like that
1340 01:27:06 and come out the same.
1341 01:27:13 I know.
1342 01:27:19 I called that sheriffthe next morning.
1343 01:27:21 I told him...
1344 01:27:23 I would say whatever he wantedto get me out.
1345 01:27:28 And he took my statement,
1346 01:27:30 moved me to countythe next day.
1347 01:27:37 Mr. Myers, we're goingto court very soon
1348 01:27:40 to try to get Johnny D.the retrial he deserves.
1349 01:27:43 And I'd like youto take the stand.
1350 01:27:48 No.
1351 01:27:50 No, sir. No, sir.
1352 01:27:52 They are using you.
1353 01:27:55 They're using youto condemn a man
1354 01:27:56 that you have much morein common with than you think.
1355 01:28:00 And if there's any part of you
1356 01:28:01 that wantsto make things right,
1357 01:28:03 this is the last chanceyou're gonna get.
1358 01:28:14 The tension is highthis morning
1359 01:28:16 here at the BaldwinCounty Courthouse
1360 01:28:18 where a hearingis being held
1361 01:28:20 to see if the man convicted
1362 01:28:21 of killing Ronda Morrisondeserves a new trial.
1363 01:28:25 Miss Morrisonwas only 18 years old
1364 01:28:27 when she was murderedat Jackson Cleaners
1365 01:28:30 in Monroeville, Alabama.
1366 01:28:31 Many have takenthe two-hour drive here
1367 01:28:34 from Monroevilleto show their support.
1368 01:28:37 Extra security precautionswere implemented
1369 01:28:39 due to the highly emotionalnature of this case.
1370 01:28:46 Ronda Morrison's parents saidthey have no doubt
1371 01:28:48 Mr. McMillianis the man responsible
1372 01:28:51 for the murderof their daughter.
1373 01:28:52 But membersof McMillian's family
1374 01:28:54 claim they have the wrong man.
1375 01:28:56 Much of today's hearing
1376 01:28:58 is hinging on the testimonyof Ralph Myers,
1377 01:29:00 a convicted felon,who was the key witness
1378 01:29:03 against McMillianin the original trial.
1379 01:29:34 What we'll be talkingabout today is obviously
1380 01:29:37 an emotional issue.
1381 01:29:39 And if any of y'alldon't think you can maintain
1382 01:29:42 a reasonable degreeof decorum,
1383 01:29:45 then I would ask youto leave now.
1384 01:29:51 All right, if we're ready,then, we will proceed.
1385 01:29:57 Mr. Stevenson.
1386 01:29:59 Thank you, Your Honor.
1387 01:30:12 The State's caseagainst Walter McMillian
1388 01:30:14 turned entirely on thetestimony of Ralph Myers.
1389 01:30:17 There was no other evidence
1390 01:30:18 to establishMr. McMillian's guilt.
1391 01:30:20 No physical evidencelinking him to the crime.
1392 01:30:22 No motive. No witnesses.
1393 01:30:24 Only the word of one man.
1394 01:30:28 We call Ralph Myersto the stand.
1395 01:30:56 Sir, please stand
1396 01:30:57 and place your right handon the Bible.
1397 01:31:02 You swear to tell truth,the whole truth,
1398 01:31:03 and nothing but the truth,so help you God?
1399 01:31:07 Mr. Myers?
1400 01:31:09 Oh, yes. Sorry.
1401 01:31:12 The guards got me upabout 2:00 in the morning
1402 01:31:14 to get me out here.
1403 01:31:28 Mr. Myers, did you testifyagainst Walter McMillian
1404 01:31:30 in August of 1988?
1405 01:31:33 Is that when it was?
1406 01:31:36 According to the record, yes.
1407 01:31:39 Okay, then, sure.If you say so.
1408 01:31:45 And what did you say tothe jury when you testified?
1409 01:31:52 I don't thinkI can fully remember, sir,
1410 01:31:56 to be honest with you. Sorry.
1411 01:32:00 No, that's quite all right.
1412 01:32:02 I have a transcriptof your testimony right here.
1413 01:32:17 At the trial,do you remember testifying
1414 01:32:19 that you wereunwillingly made part of
1415 01:32:21 a capital murder and robberyon November 1st, 1986,
1416 01:32:24 when Walter McMilliansaw you at a car wash
1417 01:32:26 and asked you to drive histruck because his arm hurt?
1418 01:32:30 Yes, sir, I guess so.
1419 01:32:32 Do you remember sayingthat you drove Mr. McMillian
1420 01:32:35 to Jackson Cleaners,
1421 01:32:37 subsequently wentinto the building,
1422 01:32:39 and saw Mr. McMillianwith a gun,
1423 01:32:41 standing over the bodyof Ronda Morrison?
1424 01:32:45 Yes, sir.
1425 01:32:48 Mr. Myers, was the testimonythat you gave
1426 01:32:51 at Walter McMillian'strial true?
1427 01:33:03 I don't know.
1428 01:33:08 You don't know?
1429 01:33:13 I don't think I remember.
1430 01:33:37 Mr. Myers, do you knowwho Walter McMillian is?
1431 01:33:43 Yes, sir.
1432 01:33:46 Is he in this room?
1433 01:33:49 Yes, sir.
1434 01:33:54 Could you point him outfor us?
1435 01:34:20 I'd like to ask youthat question one more time.
1436 01:34:24 Was the testimonythat you gave
1437 01:34:25 at Walter McMillian'strial true?
1438 01:34:37 No, sir. Not at all.
1439 01:34:39 Order, please.
1440 01:34:43 Did you seeMr. McMillian on the day
1441 01:34:44 Ronda Morrison was murdered?
1442 01:34:46 No, sir.
1443 01:34:48 Did you drive his truckto Monroeville that day?
1444 01:34:50 No. Never did.
1445 01:34:52 Did you gointo Jackson Cleaners
1446 01:34:54 and see Mr. McMillian
1447 01:34:55 standing over the bodyof Ronda Morrison?
1448 01:34:58 Absolutely not.
1449 01:35:04 Thank you.
1450 01:35:07 No further questions,Your Honor.
1451 01:35:14 Mr. Myers...
1452 01:35:16 how do we know you ain't upsetwith the deal you got,
1453 01:35:20 and you feel like somehow by
1454 01:35:23 changing your story,might help to get you out?
1455 01:35:29 Because that justdon't make no sense, sir.
1456 01:35:32 Who do you think is decidingwhat happens to me?
1457 01:35:36 If I live or die?
1458 01:35:38 It ain't me.It ain't Johnny D.
1459 01:35:41 It's all y'allthat's deciding that, so,
1460 01:35:43 how's my sayingwhat I'm saying
1461 01:35:45 gonna help to get me out?
1462 01:35:47 If anything, it's gonnahelp get me to death row.
1463 01:35:51 But I don't care. Y'all can dowhat you want with me.
1464 01:35:56 'Cause me...
1465 01:35:58 I can look in your face
1466 01:36:00 or anybody else's face,dead eye to eyeball,
1467 01:36:04 and say that anythingI told about Mr. McMillian...
1468 01:36:09 was a lie.
1469 01:36:12 He's here 'cause of me.
1470 01:36:17 And I sure would appreciateyou sending him home
1471 01:36:20 to his kids where he belongs.
1472 01:36:27 We submit a copyof the official log
1473 01:36:29 from the police officerthat stopped by the fish fry,
1474 01:36:31 confirming Walter McMillianwas there with his family.
1475 01:36:34 Mr. Myers said thatthe body was faceup
1476 01:36:37 near the front counter.
1477 01:36:38 But I found her facedownin the back, by the bathroom.
1478 01:36:43 Submitting exculpatory recordsfrom Ralph Myers' stay
1479 01:36:46 at the Taylor Hardinpsychiatric hospital.
1480 01:36:48 Which the Statedid not disclose
1481 01:36:50 to defense counsel.
1482 01:36:52 Mr. Myers wasmy patient at the time
1483 01:36:54 and he claimedon numerous occasions
1484 01:36:57 that he was being threatenedwith the electric chair,
1485 01:36:59 if he didn't say
1486 01:37:01 what the authoritieswanted to hear.
1487 01:37:02 The prosecutorasked me to testify
1488 01:37:05 that she had been druggedfrom the front to the back.
1489 01:37:08 And I told him,"I ain't gonna lie in court."
1490 01:37:12 And then, well,a few weeks later,
1491 01:37:14 I got firedfrom the department.
1492 01:37:18 All of the evidencepresented today
1493 01:37:20 would have been criticalto the outcome of this case.
1494 01:37:23 And its exclusionis a clear violation
1495 01:37:25 of Brady v. Maryland
1496 01:37:27 and Mr. McMillian'sconstitutional rights.
1497 01:37:30 The truth has not been toldin this case.
1498 01:37:32 And I understanda lot of time has gone by,
1499 01:37:36 but I personally believe
1500 01:37:37 that it's never too latefor justice.
1501 01:37:40 We ask the courtto grant our motion
1502 01:37:42 and order a new trialfor Mr. McMillian.
1503 01:37:46 Thank you, Your Honor.
1504 01:37:50 Thank you, Counselors.
1505 01:37:52 We'll reconveneat a later date,
1506 01:37:53 once I've had timeto look through everything.
1507 01:37:57 All rise.
1508 01:38:04 Tell you the truth,I didn't think
1509 01:38:05 he was gonnago through with it.
1510 01:38:07 Honestly, for a second there,I didn't think so either.
1511 01:38:15 I can't even tell youhow I feel right now.
1512 01:38:20 Thank you.
1513 01:38:32 We got a few minutesif y'all wanna say hi.
1514 01:38:43 We leave in five minutes.
1515 01:38:45 What's up, old man?
1516 01:38:47 - You did great.- Thank you.
1517 01:38:49 Mmm-hmm. Chapman ought tocall you tonight
1518 01:38:51 and tell you that he'sdropping all them charges.
1519 01:38:53 Yeah, I wouldn'thold my breath.
1520 01:39:05 Upon the readingof my decision,
1521 01:39:07 I expect the rulesof decorum in this courtroom
1522 01:39:10 to be upheld.
1523 01:39:15 Ralph Myers took the standbefore this court,
1524 01:39:18 swore to tell the truth,
1525 01:39:20 and proceeded to recant most,if not all,
1526 01:39:23 of the relevant portionsof his testimony at trial.
1527 01:39:27 Clearly, he has eitherperjured himself at trial,
1528 01:39:30 or in front of this court.
1529 01:39:33 After careful review,
1530 01:39:35 it is this court's opinion
1531 01:39:36 that conclusive evidencehas not been provided
1532 01:39:40 that Ralph Myers perjuredhimself at the original trial,
1533 01:39:43 and that pressure put on himsince his trial testimony
1534 01:39:47 could tend to discredithis recantation.
1535 01:39:51 Therefore, it is ordered,adjudged and decreed
1536 01:39:55 that the trial testimonyof Ralph Myers
1537 01:39:57 is not found to have beenperjured testimony
1538 01:40:01 and no new trialshall be granted...
1539 01:40:02 - It's not over.- ...at this time.
1540 01:40:05 Walter McMillianshall be returned
1541 01:40:06 to HolmanCorrectional Facility
1542 01:40:08 where he is to face deathby electrocution.
1543 01:40:26 You can't do thisto us again, Judge.
1544 01:40:29 Sit down, young man.
1545 01:40:30 - John...- This is my dad, sir.
1546 01:40:31 John. I want youto sit down now.
1547 01:40:33 He ain't do nothing wrong.
1548 01:40:34 Listen to your father.Not here.
1549 01:40:36 He ain't do nothing wrong.
1550 01:40:37 Sit down right now
1551 01:40:39 or you'll be arrestedfor contempt of court.
1552 01:40:41 Judge, just give meone second. Please, Judge.
1553 01:40:42 - Hold on one second.- Sit down, John.
1554 01:40:44 I won'tsay it again. Sit down!
1555 01:40:46 Not if you gonna kill my dadfor no reason.
1556 01:40:49 Not if you gonna kill my dadfor no reason!
1557 01:40:52 He ain't do nothing wrong!
1558 01:40:53 Not in here.Not like this.
1559 01:40:54 You killing my family, sir.
1560 01:40:57 You killing my family, sir.You!
1561 01:41:05 John!
1562 01:41:07 Judge! Judge!He's not resisting.
1563 01:41:09 - John!- He ain't do nothing.
1564 01:41:10 Stop resisting.
1565 01:41:31 You hear me?Don't you let them get you.
1566 01:41:38 It's gonna be all right.
1567 01:41:40 Come on.Let's get you home.
1568 01:42:01 Come on, man,don't make this hard.
1569 01:42:10 Come on.
1570 01:42:12 No. Don't do this, McMillian.Come on. Go in.
1571 01:42:16 Johnny D., no! No!
1572 01:42:21 Johnny D., no!
1573 01:42:24 Johnny...
1574 01:42:29 Relax. Relax. Relax.
1575 01:42:33 Give me your arm.Give me...
1576 01:42:34 Get him cuffed!Get him cuffed.
1577 01:42:37 Relax.
1578 01:42:47 Good job.
1579 01:44:53 Nobody wants to remember
1580 01:44:55 that this is wherethousands of enslaved people
1581 01:44:58 were shipped in and paradedup the street to be sold.
1582 01:45:05 Just ten miles from here,
1583 01:45:06 black people were pulledfrom their homes and lynched.
1584 01:45:10 Nobody talks about it.
1585 01:45:15 And now this black boyfrom Delaware
1586 01:45:17 walks into their courtrooms
1587 01:45:19 and expects them to admit
1588 01:45:20 they convictedan innocent black man.
1589 01:45:27 I promisedthat whole community
1590 01:45:28 I was gonna bring him home.
1591 01:45:34 Then I justmade things worse.
1592 01:45:45 I've hearda lot of lawyers say
1593 01:45:47 it's not a good ideato get close to your clients.
1594 01:45:51 Distance is healthy.
1595 01:45:57 But working with you showed methat that's bullshit.
1596 01:46:02 You choose to get closeto every one of them.
1597 01:46:06 And you love themlike they are your family.
1598 01:46:10 And when your familyis hurting, you're hurting.
1599 01:46:19 There is no waythat I could fully understand
1600 01:46:22 what it isthat you're going through.
1601 01:46:28 But I am pretty sure that
1602 01:46:29 you mean a lot more to thiscommunity than you think.
1603 01:47:38 Walter, I'm so sorry.
1604 01:47:47 Day I got arrested,I thought I was gonna be okay.
1605 01:47:52 'Cause I got the truth.
1606 01:47:58 Soon as they talk toeverybody that was with me,
1607 01:48:00 they gonna haveto let me go.
1608 01:48:07 Then the policekeep calling you a killer.
1609 01:48:13 Some white dude sayhe saw you do it.
1610 01:48:20 News people sayingyou did it.
1611 01:48:25 Judge and jurysaying you did it.
1612 01:48:31 Now you on the row...
1613 01:48:37 two, three, four years.
1614 01:48:40 Your friends and your kids
1615 01:48:41 ain't calling youlike they used to.
1616 01:48:46 After a while,you start wondering
1617 01:48:48 what they think about you.
1618 01:48:52 You start wonderingwhat you think about you.
1619 01:49:00 The truthain't so clear no more.
1620 01:49:08 But these last few days,
1621 01:49:11 I can't stop thinkingabout Myers up there.
1622 01:49:14 Telling everybodyhow it went down.
1623 01:49:21 That's the first timeI feel like myself
1624 01:49:23 since I've been locked up.
1625 01:49:27 The first timeI remember who I is.
1626 01:49:39 These fools gonna dowhat they gonna do.
1627 01:49:45 But if they take meto that chair tonight...
1628 01:49:51 I'm going out smiling.
1629 01:49:56 'Cause I got my truth back.
1630 01:50:03 You gave that to me.
1631 01:50:07 To me and my family.
1632 01:50:12 And ain't nobodygonna take that from us.
1633 01:50:25 You ain't quitting, is you?
1634 01:50:31 No, sir.
1635 01:50:39 Then there ain't no reasonfor you to say you're sorry.
1636 01:50:49 I knowhow disappointing
1637 01:50:51 the last hearing was,
1638 01:50:53 but that's not wherethis is gonna end.
1639 01:50:57 We're preparing a motionto submit our evidence
1640 01:50:58 to the State Supreme Courtin Montgomery.
1641 01:51:01 They have the powerto reverse the last decision
1642 01:51:03 and force the circuit courtto give us a new trial.
1643 01:51:07 You think they'll do that?
1644 01:51:09 Nothing's guaranteed.
1645 01:51:11 But I can't seehow an outside court
1646 01:51:13 can ignore the evidencethat we have.
1647 01:51:17 And then what?
1648 01:51:19 Even if he do get out,
1649 01:51:21 everybody but usstill gonna think he guilty.
1650 01:51:24 If they can't kill himin there,
1651 01:51:25 they can still do it out here.
1652 01:51:28 We've been worriedabout that, too.
1653 01:51:30 And we're working on somethingto help get the truth out.
1654 01:51:39 We're rolling.
1655 01:51:41 Whenever you're ready,Mr. Bradley.
1656 01:51:42 Okay, Bryan,you ready?
1657 01:51:45 I am.
1658 01:51:51 His name is Walter McMillian,
1659 01:51:53 known to his friendsas Johnny D.,
1660 01:51:55 and he's been on death rowin Alabama's Holman prison
1661 01:51:57 for almost six years.
1662 01:52:00 A jury was convincedthey got the right man.
1663 01:52:02 But you may not beafter you watch this story.
1664 01:52:06 The clerk who was murdered...
1665 01:52:07 Hey, hey, turn that up!I can't hear it.
1666 01:52:10 Johnny D. says theywant to execute the wrong man.
1667 01:52:14 You didn't killRonda Morrison?
1668 01:52:16 No, sir. I never seen RondaMorrison a day in my life.
1669 01:52:17 God knows I ain't.
1670 01:52:20 Did you ever go intoMonroeville on the day of the murder?
1671 01:52:22 No, sir.
1672 01:52:23 You never went in...
1673 01:52:25 Never wentto Monroeville, period.
1674 01:52:26 I told themI had seen a young girl
1675 01:52:28 laying on the floorwith her mouth open.
1676 01:52:31 Johnny D. standing over her.
1677 01:52:33 Was it true?
1678 01:52:34 No, sir. Not at all.Nowhere near true.
1679 01:52:38 If an execution dateis set for McMillian,
1680 01:52:41 and that day comes,
1681 01:52:42 and it's time for him to goto the electric chair,
1682 01:52:46 will you be comfortable?
1683 01:52:47 Yes.
1684 01:52:49 I'd be comfortable with it.
1685 01:52:51 Do you thinkit's fair, just? He had his...
1686 01:52:54 He had his day in court.
1687 01:52:56 He, uh, was tried by a jury.
1688 01:52:58 They heard his testimonyand they believed it.
1689 01:53:01 Chapman says he's going
1690 01:53:02 to indict Myers for perjury.
1691 01:53:04 Not for what he saidat the trial,
1692 01:53:06 but for what he's saying now.
1693 01:53:09 Next, we'll bepresenting our evidence
1694 01:53:10 to the Alabama Supreme Court,
1695 01:53:12 hoping they'll seewhat we think is very clear...
1696 01:53:15 that Walter McMillianis innocent.
1697 01:53:17 McMillian's fateis now in the hands
1698 01:53:20 of the Alabama Supreme Court,
1699 01:53:21 which is expectedto decide soon
1700 01:53:24 if he's entitledto a new trial.
1701 01:53:31 EJI, this is Brenda.
1702 01:53:37 Okay. I'll let him know.Thank you.
1703 01:53:42 The supreme court rulingin the McMillian case
1704 01:53:44 is ready to be picked up.
1705 01:53:51 I'll be back.
1706 01:54:14 A wave of shock
1707 01:54:15 rolled throughMonroe County today,
1708 01:54:17 when the AlabamaSupreme Court overturned
1709 01:54:18 the circuit court'sprevious decision,
1710 01:54:20 and granted a new trialto convicted killer
1711 01:54:22 Walter "Johnny D." McMillian.
1712 01:54:24 This was the first timea court outside the county
1713 01:54:27 was shownthe overwhelming evidence
1714 01:54:28 proving Mr. McMillian'sinnocence.
1715 01:54:30 Though the courtgranted him a new trial,
1716 01:54:32 we believe he deservesto be released immediately.
1717 01:54:34 And that's exactly what we'llbe arguing at the next hearing.
1718 01:54:37 Mr. Chapman, how do you feelabout today's decision?
1719 01:54:38 I have no commentat this time. Thank you.
1720 01:54:48 I'm lookingfor Attorney Bryan Stevenson.
1721 01:54:52 - Mr. Stevenson?- How can I help you?
1722 01:54:54 Yes, sir, I've been orderedto serve you this pleading.
1723 01:54:58 Thank you.
1724 01:55:15 Tommy Chapman is asking thecourt to stay the proceedings,
1725 01:55:17 so he can open upa new investigation.
1726 01:55:20 He's trying to buy timeto rebuild his case.
1727 01:55:23 That son of a bitch.
1728 01:55:33 - Bryan?- You're asking the court
1729 01:55:34 to keep a man on death rowyou know is innocent.
1730 01:55:39 Excuse me, Counselor?
1731 01:55:40 I don't knowwhat you mean.
1732 01:55:42 The supreme court supportsall the evidence we presented.
1733 01:55:44 Every one ofyour witnesses recanted.
1734 01:55:46 You got nothing left.
1735 01:55:47 Well, hang on,my investigation's still in process.
1736 01:55:49 And we both know you're notgonna find anything.
1737 01:55:54 You have any idea the bullshit
1738 01:55:57 that I've had to put up with
1739 01:55:58 since your 60 Minutesstory aired?
1740 01:56:01 I got the governor on my ass,
1741 01:56:02 got the NAACPcalling me a racist.
1742 01:56:05 I got Ronda's familychecking in every five minutes.
1743 01:56:07 You can't keepan innocent man in prison
1744 01:56:09 while you try to salvageyour reputation.
1745 01:56:11 This ain't got nothing to dowith my reputation.
1746 01:56:14 This is about the peopleof this county
1747 01:56:16 who have hired meto keep 'em safe.
1748 01:56:19 And what people are youtalking about right now?
1749 01:56:22 The onesfrom this neighborhood?
1750 01:56:24 Or the onesfrom the black community
1751 01:56:26 you took Johnny D. from?
1752 01:56:27 You think they feel safe?
1753 01:56:32 Your job isn't to defenda conviction, Tommy.
1754 01:56:35 It's to achieve justice.
1755 01:56:37 And as longas you keep fighting this,
1756 01:56:39 someone from your county
1757 01:56:40 has literally gotten awaywith murder.
1758 01:56:44 You wanna come all the wayto my house at dinner time
1759 01:56:46 just to tell mehow to do my job?
1760 01:56:48 No.
1761 01:56:49 No, I'm herebecause I think you know
1762 01:56:50 the differencebetween right and wrong.
1763 01:56:53 And you know Johnny D.didn't kill that girl.
1764 01:56:57 I'm filing a motionto dismiss all charges.
1765 01:57:00 And I think thatyou should join it.
1766 01:57:14 Next time you wannastop by my house,
1767 01:57:18 appreciate youcalling me first.
1768 01:57:20 Now, you get the helloff my property, Bryan.
1769 01:57:43 There's Bryan.
1770 01:57:45 - What's going on?- They won't let us in.
1771 01:57:47 That boy is making us waitout here for over an hour.
1772 01:57:51 Excuse me.
1773 01:57:52 What are you doing?
1774 01:57:53 Just following orders.
1775 01:57:55 This is a public hearing.
1776 01:57:56 These people needto be let in now.
1777 01:58:01 Um...
1778 01:58:05 Y'all can go in now.
1779 01:58:07 Now thatthere's no seats left.
1780 01:58:09 It's okay.
1781 01:58:11 We'll find room.
1782 01:58:12 - Go on in.- Y'all come on.
1783 01:58:13 - Excuse us.- Yeah.
1784 01:58:15 Come on, y'all.
1785 01:58:17 Right this way. Come on.
1786 01:58:19 Okay.
1787 01:58:24 Good to see you, sugar.
1788 01:58:25 Okay. Thank you.Yes, ma'am.
1789 01:58:29 All rise.
1790 01:58:33 The 28th JudicialCircuit Court of Alabama
1791 01:58:35 is now is session.
1792 01:58:37 The Honorable JudgePamela Baschab presiding.
1793 01:58:40 Please be seated.
1794 01:58:44 We've got a full house,
1795 01:58:46 so let's try to move throughthis in a timely manner.
1796 01:58:49 We're herebecause Mr. Stevenson
1797 01:58:51 has filed a motionto dismiss all charges
1798 01:58:54 against Mr. McMillianin this case.
1799 01:58:57 Now, Mr. Stevenson,since it's your motion,
1800 01:58:59 I'd like for youto speak to it first
1801 01:59:00 and then we'll hearfrom the State.
1802 01:59:15 It's easy to see this case
1803 01:59:16 as one man trying to provehis innocence.
1804 01:59:20 But when you take a black manand you put him on death row
1805 01:59:23 a year before his trial...
1806 01:59:25 and exclude black peoplefrom serving on his jury...
1807 01:59:29 When you baseyour conviction
1808 01:59:31 on a coerced testimonyof a white felon,
1809 01:59:34 and ignore the testimonyof two dozen
1810 01:59:36 law-abidingblack witnesses...
1811 01:59:39 When any evidence provinghis innocence is suppressed
1812 01:59:42 and anyone who tries to tellthe truth is threatened,
1813 01:59:46 this case becomesmore than the trial
1814 01:59:48 of just a single defendant.
1815 01:59:50 It becomes a test
1816 01:59:52 of whether we're going to begoverned by fear and by anger,
1817 01:59:56 or by the rule of law.
1818 02:00:04 If the people standingat the back of this courtroom
1819 02:00:06 are all presumed guiltywhen accused...
1820 02:00:11 If they have to leave hereand live in fear
1821 02:00:13 of when this very thingwill happen to them...
1822 02:00:18 If we're just gonna acceptthe system
1823 02:00:19 that treats you betterif you're rich and guilty
1824 02:00:22 than if you're poorand innocent,
1825 02:00:24 then we can't claimto be just.
1826 02:00:28 If we say we're committedto equal justice under law
1827 02:00:31 to protecting the rightsof every citizen,
1828 02:00:33 regardless of wealth,race, or status,
1829 02:00:37 then we have toend this nightmare
1830 02:00:39 for Walter McMillianand his family.
1831 02:00:41 The charges against himhave been proven
1832 02:00:43 to be a false construction
1833 02:00:45 of desperate peoplefueled by bigotry and bias,
1834 02:00:49 who ignored the truth inexchange for easy solutions,
1835 02:00:51 and that's not the law.
1836 02:00:55 That's not justice.
1837 02:01:00 That's not right.
1838 02:01:04 I ask that this case
1839 02:01:06 be dismissed immediately,Your Honor.
1840 02:01:11 Thank you.
1841 02:01:25 Mr. Chapman,what is the State's position
1842 02:01:27 on this motion?
1843 02:01:35 Your Honor,may I approach the bench?
1844 02:01:39 Yes.
1845 02:01:44 Your Honor, um...
1846 02:01:46 I'm troubled.
1847 02:01:49 - You're troubled?- Troubled.
1848 02:01:56 'Cause I know that thepeople in this community
1849 02:01:58 want to goto sleep at night
1850 02:02:00 knowing that if someone hascommitted a terrible crime,
1851 02:02:02 then that someoneis gonna be punished.
1852 02:02:10 But, um,
1853 02:02:12 in this case...
1854 02:02:15 Your Honor, I have, um,
1855 02:02:17 taken another lookat the evidence...
1856 02:02:20 and, uh...
1857 02:02:26 Mr. Chapman, please?
1858 02:02:27 And the State does not objectto the motion, Your Honor.
1859 02:02:32 What?
1860 02:02:36 To be clear,Mr. Chapman,
1861 02:02:38 are you joining the motionto dismiss all charges today?
1862 02:02:44 Yes, Your Honor, I am.
1863 02:02:47 Order.
1864 02:02:48 Please. Order.
1865 02:02:54 Well...
1866 02:02:55 y'all have mademy job easy today.
1867 02:02:58 In the case ofThe People v. McMillian,
1868 02:03:02 the court hereby grantsthe defendant's motion.
1869 02:03:06 All charges against youare dismissed, Mr. McMillian.
1870 02:03:09 What does that mean?
1871 02:03:12 That means you're free.
1872 02:03:13 - I'm free?- That means you're free and you get to go home.
1873 02:03:30 Hey.
1874 02:03:35 Your family's coming.
1875 02:03:59 I have my family back.
1876 02:04:50 We're all with you, brother.
1877 02:05:13 Yo, Johnny D.!
1878 02:05:44 I came outof law school
1879 02:05:45 with grand ideas in my mind
1880 02:05:47 about how to change the world.
1881 02:05:52 But Mr. McMillianmade me realize
1882 02:05:54 we can't change the world
1883 02:05:55 with only ideasin our minds.
1884 02:05:58 We need convictionin our hearts.
1885 02:06:02 This man taught mehow to stay hopeful.
1886 02:06:05 Because I now knowthat hopelessness
1887 02:06:07 is the enemy of justice.
1888 02:06:11 Hope allows usto push forward,
1889 02:06:13 even when the truthis distorted
1890 02:06:15 by the people in power.
1891 02:06:19 It allows us to stand up
1892 02:06:21 when they tell usto sit down.
1893 02:06:23 And to speakwhen they say, "Be quiet."
1894 02:06:31 Through this work,I've learned that each of us
1895 02:06:33 is more than the worstthing that we've ever done.
1896 02:06:37 That the opposite of povertyisn't wealth.
1897 02:06:41 The opposite of povertyis justice.
1898 02:06:46 That the characterof our nation isn't reflected
1899 02:06:48 in how we treat the richand the privileged,
1900 02:06:52 but how we treat the poor,the disfavored and condemned.
1901 02:07:01 Our system has taken moreaway from this innocent man
1902 02:07:05 than it has the powerto give back.
1903 02:07:10 But I believe if each of uscan follow his lead,
1904 02:07:13 we can change this worldfor the better.
1905 02:07:20 If we can lookat ourselves closely,
1906 02:07:23 and honestly,
1907 02:07:25 I believe we will seethat we all need justice.
1908 02:07:30 We all need mercy.
1909 02:07:32 And perhaps,
1910 02:07:34 we all need some measureof unmerited grace.
1911 02:07:41 Thank you.
1912 02:07:45 I taught you all that?
1913 02:07:50 Yeah, you taught mesome of that.
1914 02:07:53 I'm pretty good, ain't I?
1915 02:07:57 Great job.
1916 02:09:50 Hi!
1917 02:09:51 Oh, Lord, thank you, Jesus.
1918 02:09:55 Thank you, Lord.
1919 02:09:58 Oh, thank you, Jesus.