Murder on a Sunday Morning

Background

In Jacksonville, Florida, on the morning of Sunday, May 7, 2000, a tourist Mary Stephens was murdered outside of a Ramada Inn by an unknown African-American young man. On that same morning, fifteen-year-old Brenton Butler was stopped and questioned by police as he was walking past the crime scene, which was not far from his house. Although Butler was shorter and younger than the description of the shooter that was initially provided by the husband of the victim, who had been standing next to his wife when she was shot. The husband identified Butler as the killer to police. Butler was arrested, and interrogated for twelve hours without the presence of his parents or a lawyer, and signed a confession. No other suspects were pursued and Butler was charged and tried for murder without any physical evidence against him. At trial, the prosecution's case was based solely on the positive eyewitness identification and Butler's signed confession, which Butler later testified he had signed due to physical coercion by police.

Summary

The film follows Butler's defense team as they build their case and present it in court. Beginning with the primary witness, Stephens husband and moving towards the confession; the film showcases how the public defender's office rebukes the prosecution's narrative. Defense attorneys submit photographs of Butler's bruised face, confirming their claim that Butler was hit in the face and stomach. In the end, the jury only deliberates for 45 minutes before finding Butler not guilty of any criminal misconduct. Following Butler's acquittal the public defender's office brought forth another suspect, Juan Curtis.

Aftermath

After Butler was acquitted, the police and the prosecutors were heavily criticized by a grand jury that investigated the case and the behavior of the police.

Eventually, the Duval County sheriff was put in charge of the murder case and ordered it reopened. In 2002, Juan Curtis was convicted of the murder.

Release

After its Academy Award, HBO broadcast Murder on a Sunday Morning in 2002. Docurama released the film on DVD in 2003.

References

References

1. (April 2002). "Meet the Academy Awards Nominees 2002 | International Documentary Association".
2. (2008). "Murder on a Sunday Morning". [[The New York Times]].
3. "Patrick McGuinness, Jacksonville defense lawyer known from Oscar-winning film, dies at 70". The Florida Times-Union.
4. "TELEVISION REVIEW; when Black Alone is Evidence Enough".
5. "HOME VIDEO; Zooming in on Real Life".