MANILA, Philippines — The case of Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina on death row in Indonesia for drug trafficking, has spanned over a decade and remains one of the most high-profile legal battles involving an overseas Filipino worker. Veloso was arrested on April 25, 2010, at Adisucipto International Airport in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, after she was found in possession of more than 2.6 kilograms of heroin. She was sentenced to death in October – just six months after her arrest. Indonesia’s Supreme Court upheld the penalty in May 2011.
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➤ Clemency
2019. USA. Director: Chinonye Chukwu. Writer: Chinonye Chukwu. Cast: Alfre Woodard, Richard Schiff, Aldis Hodge. Running time: 1h52
Synopsis:
The movie revolves around the life of Bernadine Williams (played by Alfre Woodard), a prison warden who oversees death row at a maximum-security penitentiary.
As she prepares for another execution, the emotional toll of her job begins to take a heavy toll on her. She grapples with the moral and psychological challenges of her role, while trying to maintain a sense of professionalism. However, her growing internal turmoil and the impending execution of a death row inmate, Anthony Woods (played by Aldis Hodge), forces her to confront her own humanity and the devastating impact of the criminal justice system.
Reception:
"Clemency" received critical acclaim for its powerful performances, especially Alfre Woodard's portrayal of the conflicted prison warden.
The film has been praised for its thought-provoking exploration of the death penalty, its impact on individuals involved in the process, and the overall criminal justice system. It won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, highlighting its compelling storytelling and poignant social commentary.
The film's reception underscores its significance in addressing complex moral and emotional issues within the context of the American justice system.
➤ The Current War
2017. USA. Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon. Writer: Michael Mitnick. Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Oliver Powell, Katherine Waterston. Running time: 1h42
Synopsis:
"The Current War" is a historical drama that primarily focuses on the rivalry between Thomas Edison (played by Benedict Cumberbatch) and George Westinghouse (played by Michael Shannon) during the late 19th century.
The film explores their fierce competition in the "War of Currents" as they vied to establish their electrical systems as the dominant one for lighting up America.
Edison advocated for direct current (DC), while Westinghouse promoted alternating current (AC).
The invention of the electric chair plays a significant role in the film's plot.
In an effort to discredit Westinghouse and the dangers of alternating current, Edison becomes involved in the development of the electric chair as a means of execution. He collaborates with Harold P. Brown (played by Tom Holland) to design the first electric chair and demonstrate the perceived risks of AC power by using it for capital punishment.
This historical backdrop and the development of the electric chair become central to the film's narrative, shedding light on the ethical and moral dilemmas associated with the use of electricity for execution.
Reception:
"The Current War" received mixed reviews from critics upon its initial release, with some praising the performances of the cast, particularly Benedict Cumberbatch and Michael Shannon. The film's portrayal of the technological and personal conflicts between Edison and Westinghouse was appreciated for its historical significance.
However, the film's reception was somewhat subdued due to its pacing and storytelling choices. It underwent some re-editing after its initial festival screening, and the version released to theaters received a more positive reception.
While it may not have been a critical darling, "The Current War" remains an intriguing exploration of a pivotal period in electrical history, including the controversial introduction of the electric chair as a method of execution.
➤ Just Mercy
2019. USA. Director: Destin Daniel Cretton. Writer: Destin Daniel Cretton, Andrew Lanham. Cast: Jamie Foxx, Charlie Pye Jr., Michael Harding. Running time: 2h17
Summary:
"Just Mercy" is a powerful and moving drama based on the real-life story of Bryan Stevenson (played by Michael B. Jordan), a young and idealistic lawyer who founded the Equal Justice Initiative. The film centers around Stevenson's early career and his mission to provide legal representation to death row inmates, particularly those who were wrongly convicted.
One of his most high-profile cases is that of Walter McMillian (played by Jamie Foxx), an African American man wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to death in Alabama.
Stevenson and his dedicated team, including Eva Ansley (played by Brie Larson), work tirelessly to uncover evidence of McMillian's innocence and to challenge the deeply ingrained racial bias and systemic injustice in the criminal justice system.
The film explores themes of racial discrimination, inequality, and the struggle for justice, shedding light on the challenges faced by Stevenson and his clients as they fight for truth and the right to a fair trial.
Reception:
"Just Mercy" received critical acclaim for its powerful storytelling and performances. Michael B. Jordan's portrayal of Bryan Stevenson was highly praised for its emotional depth and authenticity. Jamie Foxx's performance as Walter McMillian also garnered recognition for its compelling portrayal of a wrongfully convicted man.
The film's examination of systemic racism and the flaws in the criminal justice system struck a chord with audiences and critics alike. "Just Mercy" was praised for its emotional impact and its role in raising awareness about issues related to race, inequality, and the death penalty. It was considered an important and timely film that prompted discussions about the need for criminal justice reform.
Overall, "Just Mercy" was lauded for its social relevance and its commitment to telling a story that highlights the injustices faced by many marginalized individuals within the American legal system.
➤ Monster's Ball
2001. USA. Directed by Marc Forster. Cast: Billy Bob Thornton as Hank Grotowski, Halle Berry as Leticia Musgrove, Heath Ledger as Sonny Grotowski, Peter Boyle as Buck Grotowski. Running time: 112 minutes.
Synopsis:
"Monster's Ball" is a drama film directed by Marc Forster. The story revolves around Hank Grotowski, a prison guard at a death row facility, and Leticia Musgrove, a widow who struggles to make ends meet for her son. Hank's son, Sonny, is involved in a tragic accident, and both Hank and Leticia find themselves at a crossroads in their lives. The film explores themes of grief, racism, and redemption as their paths intersect, leading to a complex and unconventional relationship.
The death penalty serves as a backdrop and a thematic element that highlights the dark and complex aspects of the characters' lives. The film is set in a Southern U.S. state, where the death penalty is still in practice.
The main character's job is to oversee executions, which puts him in close proximity to the grim reality of the death penalty, and a large segment of the film deals with the emotional toll that the death penalty takes on those involved in its execution. Hank struggles with guilt and a sense of moral conflict as he becomes disillusioned with his role in the execution process.
In "Monster's Ball," the relationship between Hank Grotowski, played by Billy Bob Thornton, and his son Sonny, portrayed by Heath Ledger, is characterized by violence, tension, and a sense of familial dysfunction. Hank, as a prison guard, represents the stern, authoritarian figure in their household, while Sonny is impulsive and struggles to live up to his father's expectations.
The violent nature of their relationship is epitomized in a pivotal scene where a tragic accident occurs, leading to a turning point in the story. This incident not only deepens the emotional chasm between father and son but also sets the stage for profound changes in their lives. The tension and conflict within this father-son dynamic serve as a significant element in the film, contributing to the complex web of emotions and experiences explored throughout the narrative.
Reception:
"Monster's Ball" received critical acclaim upon its release. Halle Berry won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the film, making her the first African-American woman to win the Oscar in that category.
The movie was praised for its powerful performances and its exploration of challenging themes. It was also well-received by audiences and remains a significant work in American cinema.
➤ The Chamber
1996. USA. Directed by James Foley. Based on John Grisham's 1994 eponymous novel. Cast: Chris O'Donnell, Gene Hackman, Faye Dunaway. Running time: 112 minutes
Synopsis:
"The Chamber" is a legal thriller directed by James Foley and based on the novel of the same name by John Grisham. "The Chamber," both the book and the film, draws inspiration from real historical events and cases, although it is a work of fiction.
The story follows the life of Adam Hall (played by Chris O'Donnell), a young attorney who is determined to save his racist and convicted grandfather, Sam Cayhall (played by Gene Hackman), from the gas chamber.
Cayhall, a member of the Ku Klux Klan, is on death row for his involvement in a 1967 bombing that resulted in the deaths of two young children. As Adam delves into his family's dark past and attempts to delay the execution, he faces challenges from both his own family and the legal system. The film explores themes of racism, forgiveness, and the complexities of the death penalty.
While the characters and specific details in "The Chamber" are fictional, they are rooted in the broader historical context of racial tensions and crimes in the American South.
The use of such a backdrop allows the story to explore themes of racism and family legacy within the context of a legal thriller.
Reception:
"The Chamber" received mixed to negative reviews from critics.
While Gene Hackman's performance was generally praised, the film as a whole was criticized for its handling of the sensitive racial themes and the adaptation of Grisham's novel. Some felt that it didn't capture the novel's depth and intensity.
As a result, the film didn't achieve the same level of critical acclaim as other adaptations of Grisham's work.
Under Trump, there were 13 executions in his last six months as president. Biden must clear death row now to stop that and what Albert Camus described as the most cold-blooded premeditated murder. On Jan. 14, 2021, I stood in a small chamber in the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana, while the federal government carried out an execution. Relegated to a spot 6 feet away from the gurney, I prayed with Corey Johnson, the “Gentle Giant” as he was known on death row. He was one of the last of 13 people executed under then-President Donald Trump, who carried out an unprecedented killing spree during the final six months of his presidency.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma panel on Friday rejected a plea for clemency for a man convicted of torturing and killing a 10-year-old girl as part of a cannibalistic fantasy, paving the way for him to become the 25th and final person executed in the U.S. this year. Three members of Oklahoma’s Pardon and Parole Board voted unanimously against clemency for Kevin Ray Underwood, who is scheduled to receive a lethal injection on Thursday, his 45th birthday. An Indiana man, Joseph Corcoran, is set to die Wednesday for killing four men in 1997 in what would be the Hoosier State’s first execution in 15 years.
YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Filipino death row inmate Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso knelt to pray when officers came to take her to an execution site in May 2015, just a few feet away from her isolation cell on an Indonesian prison island, where a 13-member firing squad was waiting. While she prayed, the Philippines government was wrapping up a lengthy legal battle over her fate. Veloso’s life was ultimately spared — temporarily — by Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office, which issued a stay of execution shortly before Veloso was to be executed with eight other death row inmates.
SYDNEY, Australia -- The five remaining members of the Australian "Bali Nine" drug ring flew home Sunday after 19 years in jail in Indonesia, ending a saga that had frayed relations between the two countries. Indonesian police arrested the nine Australians in 2005, convicting them of attempting to smuggle more than eight kilograms (18 pounds) of heroin off the holiday island of Bali. The case drew global attention to Indonesia's unforgiving drug laws, with two of the gang executed by firing squad, while the others served hefty prison sentences.
Ali Khaleqi Farghani, a 22-year-old prisoner convicted of premeditated murder, was executed on his birthday in Mashhad Central Prison on Thursday, December 5, 2024. According to a report received by the Hengaw Organization, he had been arrested two years ago on charges of premeditated murder and was subsequently sentenced to two counts of the death penalty.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is commuting the sentences of roughly 1,500 people who were released from prison and placed on home confinement during the coronavirus pandemic and is pardoning 39 Americans convicted of nonviolent crimes. It’s the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history. The commutations announced Thursday are for people who have served out home confinement sentences for at least one year after they were released. Prisons were uniquely bad for spreading the virus and some inmates were released in part to stop the spread. At one point, 1 in 5 prisoners had COVID-19, according to a tally kept by The Associated Press.
Jakarta, Dec 14 (IANS) Indonesian Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas has said that President Prabowo Subianto would grant amnesty to several categories of prisoners, including drug users and prisoners with long-term illnesses. According to Supratman, the move aims to reduce overcapacity in correctional facilities while addressing humanitarian concerns, Xinhua news agency reported. Prisoners suffering from chronic illnesses like HIV/AIDS and individuals with mental disorders are among those eligible.
A Filipina drug convict on death row in Indonesia told AFP from prison Friday that her planned transfer was a "miracle", in her first interview since Manila and Jakarta signed an agreement last week to repatriate her. Mother of two Mary Jane Veloso, 39, was arrested and sentenced to death in 2010 after the suitcase she was carrying was found to be lined with 2.6 kilograms (5.7 pounds) of heroin, in a case that sparked uproar in the Philippines. Both she and her supporters claim she was duped by an international drug syndicate, and in 2015, she narrowly escaped execution after her suspected recruiter was arrested.
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - A local pastor has been arranging protests against the state’s decision to continue with the upcoming execution of Joseph Corcoran for the past couple weekends. Anna Lisa Gross is a co-pastor at Beacon Heights here in Fort Wayne and has been working with multiple churches to protest the execution of Corcoran. “Our community has failed him more than one time, and now to kill him would do nothing,” says Gross.
HOUSTON (AP) — Prosecutors in Texas announced Friday that they will seek the death penalty against two Venezuelan men who are accused of killing a 12-year-old Houston girl after they had entered the U.S. illegally. The death of Jocelyn Nungaray was among several cases this year that became flashpoints in the debate over the nation’s immigration policies. Nungaray’s mother campaigned for President-elect Donald Trump, calling for better control of the border in the wake of her daughter’s death.
