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Must see film on wrongful convictions: "Witch Hunt", narrated by Sean Penn, airs on MSNBC April 12
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Witch Hunt, directed by Dana Nachman and Don Hardy, is an unprecedented documentary which features the stories of individuals who were wrongfully arrested, charged, and convicted of child molestation in Bakersfield in the 1980's. The documentary was produced and narrated by Sean Penn, who was moved by the compelling stories of these families whose lives were devastated by small town hysteria and government misconduct. Witch Hunt showcased the 2009 San Jose Cinequest Film Festival and the screening at the historic California Theater in downtown San Jose drew throngs of avid Bay Area film aficionados as well as those who sought to learn more about wrongful convictions.The everlasting impact of this horrific injustice is incontrovertible; on the children who were coerced into making false claims of molestation as well as their parents who spent years in prison away from their loved ones.
John Stoll, who was exonerated and released after twenty years in prison exonerated and released after twenty years in prison due to the work of the Northern California Innocence Project, spoke eloquently to the audience during the question and answer period that followed the screening. The viewers were aghast at discovering that Lisa Green and Ed Jagels, who aggressively prosecuted Stoll and other innocent individuals were still employed as prosecutors in Bakersfield. The audience demanded accountability and sanctions for prosecutors: the individuals who wield the most power in the criminal justice system. Green's comments of "you win some, you lose some", after the hearing where Stoll's conviction was overturned, hardly inspires confidence that she has learned from her mistakes or should be running for the District Attorney position that will soon be vacated by Jagels. Stoll, as well as the other individuals, were robbed of decades of their lives, and officials in Bakersfield are back to administering injustice as usual.
From overzealous law enforcement to shoddy investigation, this documentary is heart wrenching. The unwavering spirit of Stoll, who maintained his innocence from the outset, illustrates the importance of maintaining hope in the face of adversity. Moreover, the attorneys at the Northern California Innocence Project who worked tirelessly to exonerate Stoll serve as inspirations to champion for change in courthouses and classrooms across the country.
For those who were not able to attend the screening at the Festival, this riveting story premieres this Sunday, April 12 at 7 p.m. (10 p.m. EST).
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