"They Won't Forget," Week 10 Optional Post

 They Won't Forget was a 1937 film surrounding a young woman's death and the subsequent consequences of a falsely accused man. 

Another character becomes an instigator in the case; Bill Brock. He spins the story in a way to the public that makes it more intriguing, and perhaps more untrue, just for public involvement. He collected small pieces of data and put them together to frame the perfect news story.

Andrew Griffin, the state district attorney was scheming to find his way into Senate, and used this horrific murder of a young girl to do so. Griffin thought accusing the perfect person of the crime could boost his political figure to the public and secure his election to a seat in the Senate. The two main suspects become a black janitor and a white teacher.

Of course, being involved with the press, Brock was key in making the "trial by media," one of the deciding factors in the court. When story Brock spun reached the public and became widespread, it sent everyone into a frenzy. His fabrication of what really happened ultimately led to the unfair trial and lynching of an innocent man.

                                                                Original Poster for They Won't Forget

Evident in this film and in real life, the press can very well cause a "media circus," or crazy environment that circulates ideas, rumors, and more surrounding an event or trial. "Trial by media," actually is when this phenomena reaches the court room and influences the trial, by the public's opinion influencing those in power or in the court room. Sometimes out of fear what of image by the media.

An outright abuse of power; how could the media and the press influence the right to a fair trial? In Sheppard V. Maxwell, a verdict was set. Sheppard was convicted of bludgeoning his wife to death, but challenged his indictment as product of an unfair trial. How? The judge allowed the media to freely reign in the courthouse during the trial. Press, photographs, and radio. The Supreme Court eventually ruled it was unfair due to this.

CineMavin claims the media, the mob rule, and the politics and law work with each other to destroy a mans life.

Although these circumstances seem to emerge a lot during trials, especially nowadays due to our technological advances and how large the role of the media and press is, the rights of the people remain.

This film was based on a true story.