| The inevitable story of failure
every American has anticipated but hoped would
never have to be told. This documentary takes
the 'Innocent Man on Texas Death Row' tale
to a dark corner feared by all - - proving
that an innocent man has been executed by the
State.
A clash between good and evil strikes
up on the High Plains of Texas when Johnny
Frank Garrett, a 17 year old retarded boy
is arrested, convicted and ultimately executed
for the Halloween night rape, mutilation
and murder of Sister Tadea Benz. The 76 year
old nun was attacked while she slept in her
room at the St. Francis Convent in Amarillo,
Texas. Garrett claimed his innocence from
the time of his arrest until his dying breath.
Sixteen years after Garrett's execution new
evidence rose up from the cold case grave
of the Amarillo Police Department proving
they executed the wrong man!
In Garrett's
final statement he professed his innocence
one last time but did so in a voice driven
by hate and vengeance. In his chilling conclusion
Garrett promised those responsible for his
murder that someday he would have the last
word and they would pay for what they had
done.
For or against the death penalty, The
Last Word compels viewers to feel not only
the collective pain our societal conscience
suffers for executing the innocent but also
the individual fear of not knowing what margins
of error our judges, jurors and executioners
will find acceptable tomorrow. |
