Reckless Indifference Documentary Trailer

Reckless Indifference began as a classic American suburban nightmare of teens, drugs, parents and prison. It has become a compelling story of obfuscation, betrayal, and preferential justice. The film tells the true story of how a backyard brawl at the home of a teenaged drug dealer resulted in the death of the drug dealer's best friend, who by coincidence was the son of a Los Angeles Police Department officer. The ensuing trial sent four teenage boys to prison for life without parole, notwithstanding that only one of the four teenage boys wielded a pocket knife to protect his younger brother, and willingly confessed to his crime.

Reckless Indifference also reveals the naivete, guilt and denial of middle class families caught up in the criminal justice system, and chronicles how an overzealous prosecutorial team propelled by the vengeful and grief-stricken LAPD officer's family eagerly abuse an obscure law to their advantage. The Felony Murder Rule states that anyone present during the commission of a felony where death occurs is automatically liable for First Degree Murder. Four teenage boys, only one of whom wielded a weapon (ostensibly in self-defense), now sit in Level IV Maximum Security State Prisons for the rest of their lives. They will never see freedom again.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• youth
• justice
• crime
• felony
• murder
• fule

[ctexasgal]

I saw the documentary and also read independent news articles on this story and while it is sad that these young men are spending the rest of their lives in prison, I feel the sentencing was just. They were gang members, and each had a history of criminal behavior.

[wgazecki]

Neither of your suppositions are true or accurate. Brandon Hein had NO previous record (official or not) of any criminal behavior. The gang assertion is also weak, if not superfluous. But the main point in terms of the gang assertion is that the judge ordered it to NOT be included in the trial, and the prosecutors ignored that and continued to press the issue, when it was unfounded to begin with, AND dis-allowed by the judge at the same time. THAT is known as "Prosecutorial Mis-conduct".

[rubydawn1]

Very interesting documentary.It is a must see I believe that the sentence was way to harsh.

[wgazecki]

Yes, as Alan Dershowitz points out, it's really a matter of "proportionality". This WAS a manslaughter case. Perhaps mitigated by self-defense, in which case it would have been "involuntary manslaughter", the sentence for which all these defendants have long since already served.

[torilovesyouuu]

I just watched this movie, I personally agree the outcome was flawed. Death was unfortunate, its important to take into account that this is a outcome due to the poor parenting, i am disgusted that in this case Jimmy's parents are more concerned with locking them up and only worried about their own justice instead of doing something more about the problem such as to raising awareness about how to prevent this from happening to other children going down bad paths, the problem doesn't go away jus

[rubydawn1]

Thanks wgazeki I am glad to see that others are understanding the injustice.I refused to just say oh wow thats not right.I have stepped forward to see how I can help every little bit counts.

[Chronmonster185]

this story legit makes me sick to my stomach

[xoallieox07]

such a shame... it makes me cry that these boys lives were taken from them, most for NO good reason what so ever. it's really a tragedy.....

[MAKER6450]

we humans are scary beings...we can just snap and one bad act can land you in jail for life or one wrong turn can get you killed.

its scary.

dont think it wont happen to you.

be carefull and THINK B4 you act...it only takes one bad moment and its all over.

[natatat86]

sad sad world