Crime After Crime

After watching this documentary twice on Amazon Prime, I just was overwhelmed by the injustice done to Ms. Peagler. As a lawyer with over 40 years of experience as a federal prosecutor and defense attorney, I cannot adequately express in words the admiration I have for these two pro bono attorneys, Ms. Costa and Mr. Safran, and their courage to fight for her to right the wrong, their passion in diving into an area of the law that neither of them had experience in, their intelligence in figuring out the various avenues for challenging the unconstitutionality of her conviction, their compassion in hearing and understanding Ms. Peagler, and their fearlessness and tenacity in fighting the corrupt L. A. DA's Office, which suppressed material evidence favorable to Ms. Peagler's defense bearing on her innocence of the crime charged. The documentary filmmaker, Mr. Potash, did an incredible job too in putting the documentary together in such a polished manner, synopsizing years of legal wrangling into an hour and a half documentary, it was just riveting to watch. It's clearly one of the finest documentaries I have ever seen. These lawyers are true heroes and exemplify the highest standards of professionalism as lawyers, and the filmmaker deserves high praise for an uncompromising examination of injustice done to a victim of severe domestic violence whose abuser's death she really took no part in yet received a life sentence due to the corruption of the criminal justice system in California. I cannot recommend this film too highly, it's that good!

Excellent movie. It shows how badly out justice system is broken. This is just not one women’s story, it is a story for everyone. As much as you may think something like this could never happen to you, you would be wrong. This could happen to anyone any time. The politics are killing our justice system. Politics should be completely removed from the courts and then people may get fair trials instead of this BS. Pray if you do get in to trouble it is not in an election year. She was brave and inspirational. My mother suffered through horrible abuse, we all did and the police always sided with my father. It was the good ole boys club. I still suffer from everything he did to us and it has been 50 years. Abuse never leaves you. It effects every area of your life. If you are in an abusive situation and are staying for the kids, DO NOT DO IT. You are harming them far more then breaking up the family. Please get help.

Crime after Crime.This is a commanding and thoughtful documentary about a woman wrongly convicted to life in prison, who served 27 years waiting for justice to right itself. Two very unconventional estate lawyers with no background in criminal law won her freedom by skill of clever persistence and faith in their cause, not to mention 7 years of relentless work. Their investigation also shined a light on the corrupt state prosecutor involved in her trial, who was finally voted out of office. The woman visibly glows with kindness and purpose and she maintained strong family ties throughout her sentence, even with the daughter she was carrying when she was arrested. Her range of accomplishments and lives she touched while in prison was astounding. The director spent 7 years filming her story and it is flawlessly edited. The director's deft touch was not sullied by editorial and he let the extraordinary story tell itself. It is no wonder this film is so highly lauded. Prisons are filled with innocent people, and this film lets you see just why this is.

It was an excellent display of real life and what happens is not always in your control. Also explained step by step the procedures used and facts laid out and how sometimes that isnt enough to get justice. I was impressed by these attorneys loyalty, support, belief in their client and their aggressive perseverance. We need more dedicated people working to help others like these lawyers and private detective. Although frustrated, they continued with the case while sometimes neglecting their familes and their daily careers; and they did it without getting paid. I 've learned so much from this film and had an opportunity to share with my groups. Thank you to everyone who had anything to do with the success of the young lady's release. Too many names to write here. All thisevwho worked behind the scenes.

Wow! This documentary is so powerful and so inspiring, I teared up over and over throughout the whole thing. Deborah Peagler was a battered woman who was a victim of abuse for years. She eventually fought back and killed her attacker. She should've gotten six years max for manslaughter, but instead, was held prisoner for about 25 years. She was wrongfully imprisoned for years as a result of systemic corruption and injustices by those in power.Two attorneys with big hearts took her case pro bono, expecting the fight to last a few months. But instead, it lasted for years, with constant denials by the parole board and wrongdoing by those with the ability to help have her released. She was a model inmate with a joyful inner light; she helped many people, she paid her dues, and the victim's family supported her release.This story really highlights the terrible problems in the justice system, particularly for women who have been abused and forgotten. The majority of women who are locked up have been abused, and that is not something that should be ignored.Crime After Crime is an incredible, heartfelt documentary that I think everyone should watch and be made aware of. There are thousands of women just like Deborah who are wrongly imprisoned for life. The justice system is very slow to reform when there are people at the top who are determined to see it fail. Please watch this. It's so emotional and compelling, so beautifully made. And it serves the greater good by getting the message out there.♡