Academy Award winner “Murder on a Sunday Morning” shows Sept. 29

Academy Award winner "Murder on a Sunday Morning" shows Sept. 29
September 2008

The Civic Media Center will show "Murder on a Sunday Morning," the Academy Award winning documentary of the case of Brenton Butler, at the Hippodrome State Theatre on Monday, Sept. 29. The two public defenders from Jacksonville who argued Butler's case will be available after the first showing for a question-and-answer session.

"Murder on a Sunday Morning" follows the case of Brenton Butler, a black teenage boy from Jacksonville accused of murdering a white tourist, and his struggle for justice in the face of racism and police brutality within the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. Though he is identified by the victim's husband and signs a confession, Jacksonville public defenders Pat McGuinness and Ann Finnell smell foul play and set out to save the future of a 15-year-old boy they believe is innocent.

French filmmaker Jean-Xavier de Lestrade made the documentary in 2000, and it won the Academy Award for Documentary Feature in 2001. "Murder on a Sunday Morning" was released in 2003, and it has been shocking its viewers ever since.

Heart-rending and suspenseful, the documentary plays out like a book in a fictional crime series and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the verdict is released at the end. "Murder on a Sunday Morning" provides a candid and disturbing view of the US justice system, complete with racial bias and blatant abuse of power.

Doors to the Hippodrome, located at 25 SE 2nd Place in Gainesville, Fla., will open at 6:30, and snacks and drinks will be served until 7:15, when the first showing of the film will occur. After the first showing, there will be a Q&A session from 9:15 to 10:15, followed by a second showing at 10:30 until 12:30.

Tickets can be purchased the night of the showing in the Hippodrome's lobby. A $10 donation is requested. Proceeds benefit the Civic Media Center.

For more information, please call Jessica Newman at 904-446-5588 or the Civic Media Center at 353-373-0010.