The movie entitled, They Won’t Forget, covers the story of the investigation/trial after a young girl named Mary Clay is killed. One of the biggest things depicted in the movie is the relationship between the media and the American Justice system. And how the media can spread false statements, rumors, and speculation.
Clay went missing on Confederate Memorial Day after there was an early school dismissal. She forgot something so she has to go back alone. She wasn’t seen again after that alive. They eventually find her body and immediately assume it was the janitor. The janitor is of color (African-American Male) and because of the time period, blaming him could’ve been a racial issue rather than logic since there was no proof. But nobody would have questioned it
Andrew Griffin, the district attorney, used Mary Clay’s murder to gain public favor and to make himself look good and concerned. He wanted to be the one to solve the murder in order to be the people’s hero. He then arrested Mr. Hale who was Mary’s Teacher, even though there was no proof. But this was just the district attorney’s attempt to make a quick and easy conviction to win the town over. The case became well known throughout the U.S. and became top news everywhere.
The teacher ended up going to court with a lot of media following the case. It got very much “out of control” as the media began to spread stories and theorize. The jury eventually had to make their verdict known. However, they were threatened with their lives by an anonymous note to determine the teacher was guilty, which they did. On the way to jail or prison, Mr.Hale was kidnapped and killed by men who it is assumed were hurt or wanted revenge for Mary Clay’s death. In the end, the DA questions the teacher's guilt but it's far too late at that point. And the real killer walks free
Many people do not trust the media but sometimes the media can have a very large influence on how things go in society or how people think. Mr. Hale’s death was a perfect example of how spreading rumors and theories can be very dangerous.
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