Ep 31. What Happened to Anton Black?

On Dateline season 30 episode 31, titled "What Happened to Anton Black?", viewers are taken on a journey into the tragic and mysterious death of a 19-year-old boy named Anton Black. Set in Greensboro, Maryland, the episode witnesses the unraveling of a story that left the community shaken and grappling for answers.

The episode starts with Anton's family, friends, and those who knew him talking about his life, his ambitions, and how he was seen as a role model for many young men in the community. We learn that Anton was a gifted athlete who excelled in track and football. He was also funny, kind, and loving, with a smile that lit up the room. His mother, who is featured prominently in the episode, describes him as her baby boy and how he was always looking out for his family.

However, the mood changes drastically as the episode shifts to September 2018, when the police were called to a house in Greensboro to intervene in a domestic violence dispute involving Anton. The episode features bodycam footage from the responding officers, which shows them chasing Anton as he runs away from the scene. They catch up with him and eventually restrain him in a prone position, with one officer pinning him down by pressing his knee onto Anton's back.

The next few minutes are chaotic, as Anton struggles to breathe, and his family members come outside to plead with the police to let him go. One officer can be heard saying, "We're not gonna let him up till he calms down." Soon after, Anton stops struggling and goes limp. The officers then perform CPR on him, but it is too late. Anton is pronounced dead at the scene.

The episode portrays how this incident creates a fissure in the community, with Anton's family and friends calling for justice, and the police department denying any wrongdoing. The episode features interviews with Anton's mother, who talks about the immediate aftermath of the incident, how the police treated her, and how she was trying to make sense of what happened. The episode also interviews local activists and community members who rallied behind the family, continuing to demand answers from those in power.

The narrative of the episode is intercut with news footage, police interviews, and court proceedings that show how the case played out in the months and years after Anton's death. We see the State's Attorney's office charging the police officers involved in the incident with involuntary manslaughter and second-degree assault. We also see the defendants pleading not guilty and the trial that follows. The episode paints a picture of a justice system that is slow, opaque, and often unsatisfactory for the victim's family.

The episode also shines a light on the racial dynamics at play in Anton's death. Anton was a young black man, and the responding officers were white. The episode features interviews with local black leaders who talk about how events such as these perpetuate the distrust between the black community and law enforcement. The lack of transparency in the police department, as well as the absence of any independent oversight, adds to the frustration of the community.

The episode also features footage of Anton's funeral and the grieving process of his family. A sense of profound loss and sadness permeates the episode, as everyone involved tries to come to terms with Anton's death, the ways in which it could have been prevented, and how justice can be served. While the episode does not provide any easy answers, it does highlight the importance of telling Anton's story and how we can honor his memory by striving for a more just and equitable society.

Overall, Dateline season 30 episode 31, "What Happened to Anton Black?", is a heartbreaking and thought-provoking episode that delves deep into the complexities surrounding Anton's death. From his mother's unyielding love to the community's unwavering support, the episode shows how Anton's legacy still lives on, inspiring others to fight for justice and accountability.