The true and tragic story of Lt. Charles Becker, the first cop ever to be tried and executed for a murder that he didn't commit.
Character DrivenCourtroomCrimeEnsemble CastEpicHigh ConceptLaw EnforcementNon FictionPeriodThrillerTrue Story
Time Period: 20th CenturyStory Location: USASpecial Effects: Minimal SFXTarget Audience: AdultRoosevelt was the NY police commissioner when Charley first joined the force and got mixed up in the graft and saw first hand how most cops in New York were on the take. After things went sour with a known gambler named Herman Rosenthal and he threatened to turn state's witness, corruption turned on Rosenthal and murdered him. Lt. Charles Becker took the fall for the department and ended up on death row.
Becker's case made it all the way to the Supreme Court just hours before his execution and a Judge told his wife, in documented dialogue that if the case is reopened a third time, it will unravel the United States Democracy and destroy it.
Lt. Charles Becker died a martyr for the system and 20,000 people showed up at his funeral.