Florida, Estados Unidos, 7 de mayo del 2000. En Jacksonville, una turista blanca es asesinada de un balazo en la cabeza. Dos horas más tarde, es detenido un joven negro de 15 años de edad, Brenton Butler. Categóricamente identificado por el marido de la víctima, firma confesiones. Jean-Xavier de Lestrade construyó su documental como un thriller que nos hunde en el meollo del sistema judicial norteamericano, ritmado por frecuentes idas y venidas entre la sala de audiencias del proceso y la investigación de los abogados.




Brenton Butler was just a regular 15-year-old African American high-school student living in Jacksonville, Florida. But when a woman was murdered on a quiet Sunday morning, Brenton suddenly found himself accused of the killing in one of the most frightening cases of mistaken identity ever. This shocking documentary provides a candid look at the U.S. justice system at work and exposes the racial bias and abuse of power that resulted in Brenton's arrest. The film features exclusive courtroom footage as well as interviews with the youth's public defenders, including attorney Patrick McGuinness, who uncovered startling evidence that raised serious doubts about the police investigation and subsequent interrogation tactics.


DOCUMENTARY (Feature) - Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, Denis Poncet

Maha Productions/Pathé Doc/France 2/HBO Production. [France]
Oscar Awards: 2001 (74th)