Death By Fire

Watch Death By Fire

This documentary, in my eyes, dumps a huge steamer on people who still believe that the death penalty is a good idea. Since 1976, when the Supreme Court lifted a ban on execution, Todd Willingham is the most prominent case of a person who was convicted and executed for a crime he may not have committed.

Basically, while his wife was gone, his house burned down and his three children were inside. He did not rush in to save their lives. Later that night he was seen at a bar playing darts, getting drunk, and having a good time. How fucked up is that? At first, you'd believe that he's the murderer. Further in, real experts with valid opinions will make their voices heard, and you'll realize that you were thinking like a southern idiot. Who cares if he gets drunk at a bar after? Who cares if he appears to be having a good time? All that matters is the real evidence. According to arson experts, there was nothing in the evidence presented at his 1992 trial that suggests it was an arson fire that killed his three children. Basically, Willingham is innocent.

Oops. Too bad. Already sentenced him to death, and he is on death row. But wait, the Governor can stop his death by haulting the execution, and he has 7 years to do it. Again, too bad the Governor is an idiot and relies on his instincts (wrong) rather than facts and rationality (right).

So Todd dies.

Check it out.

7.4/10