Documentary film released in
1988. Directed by
Errol Morris, this
film examines the
conviction of
drifter Randall Dale Adams for the
murder of a
police officer in
Dallas.
In reviewing the
flimsy evidence presented at the
trial, Morris points out the likely
conclusion that Adams was probably
railroaded for a murder he didn't
commit, because the person most likely to be the
murderer, a
16-year-old boy, was not
eligible for the
death penalty.
As a result of this
movie, Adams was
cleared of all charges and released from
prison.
The film is
important to watch because it provides a view into the
minds of the
police officers,
district attorneys, and
judges who value their record of
convictions more than they value
justice.