Bryan Stevenson (04:49)

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Stevenson argues death row cases before the Supreme Court. He recalls his elation at swimming in a pool for the first time and the reaction of white hotel guests. Memory is powerful in the evolution of society. (Credits)

Equal Justice Initiative (04:13)

Stevenson recalls talking with Rosa Parks and Johnnie Carr about changing societal conditions and starting the non-profit organization. Alabama's rate of death sentencing is the highest in the nation; one can be rightfully convicted but wrongly sentenced.

Deep South Justice (04:28)

Race, poverty, and politics drive the death penalty. Anthony Ray Hinton recalls his arrest and conviction.

McCleskey v. Kemp (04:40)

The media reports death sentence disparities. Warren McCleskey's case reveals limitations to the commitment to the rule of law; Susan Boleyn argues death penalty impartiality.

Post-Genocide Society (05:52)

The history of racial inequality haunts the United States. Stevenson discusses the narrative of racial difference, the Supreme Court's justification of slavery, and the integrity of the court. He reflects on Brown v. Board of Education and McCleskey v. Kemp.

Stevenson's Background (04:56)

Stevenson visits his old neighborhood. He discusses living with segregation, his fears while attending law school, and the influence of church. His family reflects on his work with Equal Justice Initiative.

Death Row and Lynchings (06:22)

Equal Justice Initiative offers legal assistance and ministry to those most in need. Hinton recalls his wrongful conviction and entering prison the night of an execution. Stevenson discusses the history of lynching.

Wrongful Conviction (05:48)

Stevenson provides services to death row inmates including Walter McMillian. He discusses the authority's response to mob lynching; the arrest of Jeremiah Reeves mobilizes Parks and Dr. King.

Post-Prison Life (03:39)

McMillian drives through the land he once farmed. Stevenson discusses McMillian's struggles after his release from death row; 156 death row inmates have been proven innocent. The legacy of lynching has deep connections with the modern death penalty and slavery.

Stevenson's Personal Life (04:21)

Music is a form of therapy for Stevenson; colleagues and family discuss his dedication to work. Stevenson visits family in Georgetown, DE and reflects on his life path.

Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals (03:48)

Hinton recalls working with Stevenson and the need for a white ballistics expert to tell the truth. They take new evidence to the attorney general, but he refuses to reexamine the bullets.

Law vs. Justice (07:42)

Maintaining hope while working on death row cases is sometimes challenging. Stevenson discusses the case of Jimmy Lee Dill and its impact on his outlook; he reflects on Dr. King.

Civil Rights (04:27)

Order is a defining characteristic in the history of race; the criminal justice system becomes a tool to reshape progress. Stevenson discusses convict leasing, enslavement, and mass incarceration.

Communities of Poverty (05:03)

Stevenson's grandfather becomes a murder victim in the projects of Philadelphia. Stevenson reflects on mass migration and living in violent neighborhoods. Sia Sanneh recalls her first case with a teenager.

Roper v. Simmons (03:26)

The U.S. Supreme Court rules against the death penalty for juveniles. The Equal Justice Initiative challenges the propriety of life without parole sentences for children.

Prison Release (05:25)

Hinton leaves prison after 30 years of incarceration for a crime he did not commit. He worries about the people that control "the system"; he has never received an official apology.

Sound of Suffering (03:56)

Stevenson's understanding of proximity and reflection comes from his grandmother. He discusses the realization that slavery shaped Montgomery, AL and the history of cruelty.

Changing the Narrative (07:41)

Stevenson asks people to bear witness at lynching sites and collect soil; the display of jars makes history tangible. Stevenson discusses the need for truth and reconciliation, and the health of the nation.

Honoring History (07:54)

The Legacy Museum tells the history of racial inequality. Stevenson believes in truth and reconciliation, but it must be sequential. See the National Memorial for Peace and Justice.

Credits: True Justice: Bryan Stevenson's Fight for Equality (01:54)

Credits: True Justice: Bryan Stevenson's Fight for Equality