Watch Vindicated
- 2012
- 2 Seasons
Vindicated is a true crime documentary television series that premiered on BET in 2012. The show is produced by Steve Turner and Matt Kohler, who are also the creators of the series. Vindicated features stories of people who have been wrongly convicted of crimes and have later been exonerated. The show delves into the details of these cases, including forensic evidence, witness testimony, and police investigations. It highlights the flaws in the legal system and exposes the various ways in which justice can be obstructed.
Each episode of Vindicated focuses on a different case, providing a comprehensive overview of what happened and how the person was eventually exonerated. The show includes interviews with the wrongfully convicted, their families, lawyers, and experts who worked on the case. Viewers also get a sense of the emotional toll that these cases take on those who are innocent, as they endure years, if not decades, of wrongful imprisonment.
One notable episode of Vindicated tells the story of Johnathan Fleming, who was wrongfully convicted of murder in 1989 and spent 24 years in prison before being exonerated. The episode follows Fleming's journey to clear his name, which includes multiple appeals, discarded evidence, and a lack of DNA testing. Through it all, Fleming maintains his innocence, and the episode ends with his emotional release from prison after his exoneration.
Another episode focuses on the case of Michael Morton, who was wrongfully convicted of his wife's murder in 1987 and spent nearly 25 years in prison before being exonerated through DNA evidence. The episode highlights the mishandling of evidence by the prosecution and the role that Morton's defense attorney played in his wrongful conviction. After his release, Morton became a leading advocate for reforms in the criminal justice system.
Vindicated also features cases where the wrongfully convicted are victims of misconduct by law enforcement. One episode tells the story of the "Tulsa Race Riot," a tragic incident of racial violence that occurred in 1921 when a white mob attacked black citizens and businesses in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The episode follows the story of a man named Dick Rowland, who was accused of assaulting a white woman and was subsequently lynched by the mob. The show exposes the false accusations and cover-up by law enforcement that led to Rowland's death.
Overall, Vindicated is an eye-opening and emotional series that sheds light on the injustices that can occur within the criminal justice system. The show's producers, Steve Turner and Matt Kohler, have done an excellent job of presenting these cases in a way that is both informative and engaging, highlighting the flaws in the system without being didactic.
Vindicated is a must-watch for anyone who is interested in true crime, social justice, and the workings of the legal system. The show is well-written, well-directed, and well-produced, and it is sure to leave viewers with a deeper understanding of the complexities of the criminal justice system and the impact that wrongful convictions can have on innocent people.
Vindicated is a series that ran for 2 seasons (11 episodes) between December 4, 2012 and on BET