Ep 6. Murder in Broad Daylight

Death Row Stories season 4 episode 6, titled "Murder in Broad Daylight," delves into the controversial case of Curtis Flowers. Flowers, a Mississippi man, has been tried six times for the same crime – the murder of four people inside a furniture store. Despite inconsistencies in the evidence against him and allegations of racial bias in the trials, Flowers has been sentenced to death four times.

The episode starts with a recap of Flowers' case, highlighting the discrepancies in the evidence and testimonies presented in court. Viewers are introduced to his family and legal team, who have been fighting for his freedom for over two decades.

The episode then takes a deep dive into the events leading up to the murders and the subsequent investigation. Interviews with witnesses and investigators paint a picture of a small town with a dark underbelly. Flowers had been working at the furniture store where the murders occurred on and off for several years, and was familiar with the victims.

As the investigation progressed, Flowers' name kept coming up. A key witness claimed to have seen him at the store around the time of the murders, and a jailhouse informant claimed that Flowers had confessed to him. However, both witnesses had reasons to lie – one had a history of criminal activity and the other had been promised a reduced sentence in exchange for his testimony.

The timeline of events leading up to Flowers' arrest is also called into question. The initial investigation was fraught with mishandled evidence and questionable witness statements. As a result, the prosecutor in charge of the case was replaced twice. Despite this, Flowers continued to be tried and convicted.

The episode then examines the racial bias allegations surrounding Flowers' case. Flowers, who is black, was tried by an all-white jury several times, and the prosecutor was accused of using peremptory strikes to remove potential black jurors from the jury pool. The Supreme Court has twice overturned his convictions citing these allegations.

The episode ends with the latest developments in Flowers' case, including his release on bail in 2019 and the dismissal of his charges earlier this year. Viewers are left to ponder the possibility of justice being served for Curtis Flowers and the many others like him who have been wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death.

Overall, "Murder in Broad Daylight" is a riveting and thought-provoking episode of Death Row Stories that highlights the flaws and biases in the American justice system. Through Curtis Flowers' story, viewers are given a glimpse into the injustices faced by many on death row, and the fight for justice that continues to this day.