What’s on Netflix?
The Innocence Files
“The Innocence Files,” a Netflix original documentary series, delves into these questions, focusing on the cases of eight wrongfully convicted people across the U.S. In nine episodes, the series pulls back the curtain on the work of the Innocence Project, the Pennsylvania Innocence Project, Northern California Innocence Project and The WMU-Cooley Innocence Project at the Thomas M. Cooley School of Law, and the uphill battle their clients face in pursuit of the truth and justice. Available to watch here.
How to Fix a Drug Scandal
This newly released documentary series focuses on the misconduct of two chemists in Massachusetts who worked at two different drug labs testing and verifying substances for court cases. The riveting four-episode series takes a look at how the two chemists falsified results, throwing hundreds of convictions into question. Available to watch here.
Who Killed Malcolm X?
This six-part documentary series follows historian Abdur-Rahman Muhammad as he seeks answers to the many questions that surround the assassination of Malcolm X, decades after his death, including whether or not the actual perpetrators of his murder were caught. Three men were arrested and convicted for Malcolm X’s murder, but two, including our client Muhammad A. Aziz, have always maintained their innocence. Available to watch here.
Exhibit A
This true-crime series explores how forensic science can be misapplied or altogether misused, leading to wrongful convictions. The series looks at cases where junk science, like bite marks and cadaver dogs, were used to convict innocent people, including George Powell, a client of the Innocence Project of Texas. Available to watch here.
Unbelievable
This powerful mini-series tells the true story of how two detectives uncovered the perpetrator behind a series of rapes in Washington and Colorado between 2008 and 2011. The show, based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning article published by ProPublica and The Marshall Project, centers on a survivor of sexual assault who is coerced into falsely recanting her report and highlights the importance of using best practices in criminal investigations. Available to watch here.
When They See Us
Ava DuVernay’s acclaimed series tells the true story of the Central Park 5 — Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise — who were wrongfully arrested in 1989 for the assault and rape of a jogger in New York City’s Central Park. Then teenagers, the five boys were wrongfully convicted and spent years in prison before being exonerated. The series stars John Leguizamo, and Innocence Project Ambassadors Niecy Nash, Michael K. Williams, Freddy Miyares and Aurora Perrineau. Available to watch here.
Oprah Winfrey Presents: When They See Us Now
If you watched “When They See Us” and want to learn more about the Exonerated 5, then this show is a must-see. In the hour-long special, Oprah sits down with all five men, director Ava DuVernay and the cast and crew of the powerful series. Available to watch here.
If Beale Street Could Talk
Based on James Baldwin’s novel of the same title, the movie tells the story of young couple, Tish and Fonny, in Harlem in the 1970s suddenly torn apart by Fonny’s wrongful conviction. The film poignantly shows the impact of wrongful conviction on the family members and loved ones of the incarcerated person, and highlights their struggle to free Fonny and prove his innocence, despite lacking many resources. Available to watch here.
Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland
Sandra Bland was arrested for a traffic violation in Texas in 2015. Bland, a 28-year-old Black woman from Chicago, was found dead in her jail cell three days later. Her death was ruled a suicide, but left many with unanswered questions, namely: “What really happened to Sandra?”
Since her death, many have marched to remember Bland and demand justice. “Say Her Name” looks at the legal battle Bland’s family has fought and features video blogs made by Bland, who was politically active during her lifetime. The documentary tells the story of Bland’s life, not just her death. Available to watch here.
That’s a great list.
I have watched nearly all of them.
Making a Murderer was released nearly 4 & a half years ago.
It’s omission from your list must be because it’s taken for granted that everyone has watched it ?
Making a Murderer is the one that first got me looking at the US legal system.
The Staircase is 2nd on my list.
Duane Deaver is every bit corrupt as Michael West.
Jim Hardin , who is now a judge, is comparable to The Sweaty Prize Ken Kratz.
#We All Live On Avery Road