The true story movie “Just Mercy” has recently been released to the world and is sure to be one of the biggest hits of 2020. It tells the inspiring story of Bryan Stevenson, a civil rights attorney and his fight for justice for those wrongfully convicted. Based on his memoir “Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption”, this powerful movie takes viewers on an emotional journey as it sheds light on issues such as mass incarceration and racial bias in the United States criminal justice system.
What is the true story of Walter McMillian ‘JustMercy’?
Walter McMillian was a black man from Monroeville, Alabama who was wrongfully convicted of murder in 1988. He had an alibi and witnesses to prove his innocence, but he was still sentenced to death row for the crime. His case gained national attention when Bryan Stevenson, an attorney from the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), took up his case and fought for his freedom. After many years of legal battles and appeals, McMillian’s conviction was eventually overturned in 1993 based on evidence of prosecutorial misconduct. McMillian went from being falsely imprisoned on death row to becoming a free man again in a matter of months. The EJI also filed a civil rights lawsuit against the prosecutors involved in his case and they were later found guilty of violating McMillian’s constitutional rights by fabricating evidence and withholding exculpatory information during the trial. The story inspired the movie Just Mercy which tells McMillian’s story and highlights how systemic racism affects incarceration rates in America.
The People Involved in the Story
The protagonist of the story is Bryan Stevenson, a young lawyer and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative. He advocates for those unjustly convicted or unfairly sentenced, especially in cases involving racial injustices. He takes on the case of Walter McMillian, an African American man wrongfully accused of murder and sentenced to death row despite overwhelming evidence that he was innocent. With Stevenson’s help, McMillian is eventually freed after six long years on death row.
McMillian’s family also play a large role in this story. His wife Minnie fights tooth and nail to get him out of prison; she visits frequently even when it means taking multiple buses from her home in rural Alabama into Montgomery. She organizes rallies for his freedom and never loses hope that he will be released one day. The other members of his family are just as vocal about their support for McMillian and become part of Stevenson’s team in fighting against the injustice that has been done to him.
In addition to McMillian’s family, several other figures play important roles throughout this story: Judge Robert E Lee Key Jr., who initially denies McMillian bail; Judge Clayton Johnson, who sees through the flaws in the prosecution’s case but still fails to overturn his conviction; prosecutor Tommy Chapman, who refuses to admit there’s any evidence of innocence despite having several pieces presented by Stevenson; Georgia attorney General Ed Carnes; and U.
Who actually killed the girl in Just Mercy
Earl Tyson was convicted of the 1985 murder of a pregnant 18-year-old girl, Ronda Morrison, in Monroeville, Alabama. Despite being offered an alibi by family members, police coerced a confession from him and he was sentenced to death.
Tyson always maintained his innocence and in 2012 evidence emerged linking another man to the crime. This new evidence included DNA tests that showed the presence of someone other than Tyson on items found at the crime scene and statements from witnesses who contradicted key elements of Tyson’s supposed confession. In 2013, after almost three decades on death row, Tyson had his conviction overturned and he was released from prison.
The real killer remains unknown but with this new evidence it is clear that Earl Tyson did not commit this heinous crime as first thought by law enforcement officers in 1985. It is possible that further investigation may eventually lead to the identification of the true perpetrator but for now Justice has been served for Earl Tyson and Ronda Morrison’s family may finally be able to find closure knowing her real killer is still at large.
The Legal Process Behind Just Mercy
The legal process behind Just Mercy involves a lot of work and dedication to the case. Bryan Stevenson, the founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, is a brilliant attorney dedicated to providing justice for those wrongfully convicted or unjustly sentenced. His work in this field often entails representing individuals who have been wrongly convicted or sentenced due to structural racism and economic disparities in criminal justice systems across the United States. In Just Mercy, Stevenson takes on Walter McMillian’s case after he was wrongfully imprisoned for murder due to police misconduct and racial prejudice. The legal process for his case includes a long series of appeals, gathering evidence from witnesses, filing motions with courts, and ultimately making it all the way up to Alabama Supreme Court before finally winning exoneration from charges against McMillian
In addition to his fight in courtrooms, Stevenson also uses media coverage as an important tool in advocating for McMillian’s release. Through interviews with various television networks such as CNN and ABC News, he is able to spread awareness about this particular injustice while also inspiring people around the world with his unwavering commitment towards fighting systemic injustices within criminal justice systems across America. Ultimately both his legal efforts and public advocacy helped bring about an immense victory for McMillian by overturning his wrongful conviction after six years of appeals—a testament that proves advocacy can be effective when its used correctly.
The Impact of Just Mercy
The impact of Just Mercy has been far-reaching. The book sparked meaningful conversations around race and injustice, with many readers calling it “life changing.” It has also provided an opportunity to educate others on these issues while inspiring people to take action against discrimination and inequality. Furthermore, its release inspired other books that have gone on to discuss similar themes or provide further insight into the subject matter.
On a larger scale, Just Mercy has influenced government policy as well as public opinion. Following its release, state governments began taking steps to address racial disparities in criminal sentencing such as eliminating mandatory minimum sentences, providing more access to legal resources for those accused of crimes, and improving access to education for those formerly incarcerated. Additionally, there was an increase in support for reforms meant to reduce mass incarceration such as reducing sentences for non-violent drug offenses or providing alternatives such as community service instead of imprisonment when possible.
Just Mercy true story ending
In the end, Bryan Stevenson’s fight for justice and mercy for those on death row was successful. With the help of his legal team from the Equal Justice Initiative, he was able to prove that Walter McMillian had been wrongly convicted and sentenced to death. The Supreme Court of Alabama overturned McMillian’s conviction in 1993 after it became clear that there had been a miscarriage of justice. After spending years behind bars as an innocent man, McMillian walked out of prison a free man.
McMillian’s freedom is just one example of how Stevenson has used his influence and resources to bring about real change in the criminal justice system. His work has brought attention to cases where people have been wrongfully convicted or given excessive sentences due to systemic racism or bias. He continues his work today by advocating for reform, speaking out against injustice, and fighting for mercy on behalf of those who cannot fight for themselves.