How an Execution in Texas Sparked a National Debate | Death by Fire (full documentary) | FRONTLINE

Did Texas execute an innocent man? This 2010 documentary investigates the controversial death penalty case of Cameron Todd Willingham — and the scientific validity of the arson evidence used to convict him of the deaths of his three children.

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The execution of Cameron Todd Willingham in Texas in 2004 became the center of a national debate about the death penalty and the science behind arson investigations.

Drawing on unique access to those closest to the Willingham case, “Death by Fire” meticulously examines the evidence used to convict Willingham, and explores the implications of the execution of a possibly innocent man.

Through interviews with Willingham’s friends and family, the documentary tells the story of a troubled young man with a history of domestic violence who quickly became the prime suspect in his children’s deaths. The discovery by fire investigators of more than 20 indicators of arson at the scene of the fire pointed directly to Willingham’s guilt.

But the re-examination of the case turned on a critical finding that came only weeks before Willingham’s scheduled execution: The investigators who determined that he had set the fire that killed his three daughters had relied on an outdated understanding of arson evidence.

Experts told FRONTLINE there could be hundreds of innocent people in prison for arson cases where the evidence was misinterpreted by investigators.

“Death by Fire” is a FRONTLINE production with Kirk Documentary Group in association with StartBox Films. The producer and director is Jessie Deeter. The writers are Mike Wiser and Michael Kirk. The co-producer is Mike Wiser and the senior producer is Michael Kirk.

Explore additional reporting on “Death by Fire” on our website:

#Documentary #Texas #DeathPenalty

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