Watch In the Executioner's Shadow

In the Executioner's Shadow is a heart-wrenching documentary that explores the complex and emotionally-charged issue of capital punishment in the United States. Directed by Maggie Burnette Stogner, the film takes a close look at the lives of people who have been directly impacted by the death penalty, including former executioners, victims' families, and people who were sentenced to death and later exonerated.

The film starts off by introducing two men who were once executioners - Jerry Givens, who supervised 62 executions in Virginia, and Vicente Benavides, who was a death row inmate in California before being exonerated for a crime he didn't commit. Givens and Benavides share their personal experiences with capital punishment and explain why they believe the death penalty is a flawed and inhumane system.

Through their stories, viewers get a glimpse into the psychological toll of taking someone's life and the lasting impact it can have on those who are involved in the process. Givens, who was originally a staunch supporter of the death penalty, became disillusioned with the system after realizing that some of the people he executed were actually innocent. He has since become an advocate for abolishing the death penalty and is working to change public attitudes towards capital punishment.

Benavides, on the other hand, spent nearly three decades on death row after being wrongfully convicted of raping and killing a toddler. He recounts the hellish conditions he endured during his time in prison and how he was eventually exonerated thanks to DNA evidence. His story highlights the flaws in the criminal justice system that can lead to innocent people being sentenced to death.

The film also features interviews with family members of murder victims and their perspectives on the death penalty. One mother, whose daughter was brutally murdered, explains how the idea of executing the killer actually made her feel worse because it wouldn't bring her daughter back. Another mother, whose son was murdered by his best friend, describes how she was initially in favor of the death penalty but changed her mind after meeting with the murderer's family and realizing that they were also victims of the crime.

The documentary also touches on the racial disparities in the death penalty system, with African Americans being far more likely to receive the death penalty than white defendants. It features attorneys and advocates who are fighting to end this injustice and ensure that every person is given a fair trial regardless of their race or socioeconomic status.

Throughout the film, the director weaves together these personal stories with footage from protests, political rallies, and other events surrounding the issue of capital punishment. The film leaves viewers with a deep understanding of the complexities of the death penalty debate and the emotional toll it takes on individuals and communities.

In the Executioner's Shadow is a powerful and deeply moving documentary that sheds light on one of the most controversial and divisive issues in U.S. society. It asks important questions about the morality of taking a life in the name of justice and shows how the death penalty impacts everyone involved in the system. This is a must-watch for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of this complex issue and the human stories behind it.

In the Executioner's Shadow is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 53 minutes.