Watch In the Executioners Shadow

In the Executioner's Shadow is a documentary film that explores the personal and moral implications of capital punishment in the United States. Directed by Maggie Burnette Stogner, the film follows the stories of four individuals – two of whom have been directly impacted by the death penalty, and two who have been involved in carrying out executions – as they grapple with the complex issues surrounding state-sanctioned killing.

The film begins by introducing Bill Babbitt, a man from California whose younger brother Manny was sentenced to death in 1982 for the murder of an elderly woman. Bill had been living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following his service in the Vietnam War when he became convinced that his brother's crime was a result of war-induced mental illness. He spent years trying to get Manny's sentence commuted to life in prison, but was unsuccessful in his efforts. Manny was executed in 1999.

Through Bill's story, the film examines the impact of the death penalty on families and loved ones of those who are sentenced to die. The pain that Bill experienced as a result of his brother's execution is clear, and his story raises important questions about the role of punishment in our justice system.

In contrast, the film also introduces Vicki and Syl Schieber, whose daughter Shannon was raped and murdered in 1998 by a man named Paul Jones. At the time, Maryland did not have the death penalty, and the Schiebers initially opposed efforts to reinstate it. However, when Jones was caught and convicted of the crime, they ultimately came to support his death sentence.

Through the Schiebers' story, the film explores the issue of justice and closure for victims' families. Vicki speaks movingly about the sense of relief she felt when Jones was sentenced to death, and the film raises important questions about what we owe to those who have suffered great harm at the hands of others.

The film also introduces Fred Allen, a former Captain in the Missouri Department of Corrections who oversaw several executions during his career. Allen speaks candidly about the physical and emotional toll that carrying out executions took on him, including nightmares and PTSD. The film raises important questions about the impact that executions have on those who are tasked with carrying them out, as well as broader ethical questions about the use of state-sanctioned killing as a means of punishment.

Finally, the film introduces Karen Brassard, a survivor of the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013. Brassard's experience of trauma and loss raises important questions about the role of punishment in addressing acts of mass violence, and her story serves as a reminder of the ongoing impact that such events can have on survivors and their families.

Overall, In the Executioner's Shadow is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant film that provides a nuanced exploration of one of the most pressing social justice issues of our time. Through the stories of its four protagonists, the film raises important questions about the impact of the death penalty on individuals and communities, and challenges viewers to consider their own views on the role of punishment in our society.