One Black kid. One murder. Zero evidence. And a police department that wants a quick conviction more than the truth.
In 2000, 65-year-old Mary Ann Stephens was shot and killed in broad daylight outside a Jacksonville motel.
Ninety minutes later, 15-year-old Brenton Butler was arrested, questioned alone without a parent or lawyer, and coerced into signing a confession.
This is the best courtroom documentary I’ve seen on the wrongful conviction of a young Black man.
Trailer for “Murder on a Sunday Morning”
You Can’t Make This Sh!t Up
- Brenton Butler was arrested 90 minutes after the crime… just because he “looked like” the suspect.
- Police interrogated him alone, without a parent or lawyer, and got a written confession after hours of pressure. He later recanted everything.
- The only real evidence was a single eyewitness ID from the victim’s husband, who picked Brenton from a police car window.
- The jury took less than an hour to acquit Brenton Butler.
Watch “Murder on a Sunday Morning”
You can watch “Murder on a Sunday Morning” on Prime Video or for free on YouTube.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 90/100
- IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 90/100 (Users), n/a (Critics)
Director’s Note: Directed by Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, this film won Best Documentary Feature at the Oscars in 2002. He later directed the classic doc series “The Staircase.” This was his breakout piece—and you can already see his style: patient, quiet, and devastating.
Release Date: November 20, 2001 (France); Premiered in the U.S. via HBO in 2002
My Review of “Murder on a Sunday Morning”
The Setup
This is a front-row seat to how quickly the system can steamroll an innocent Black teenager.
A 15-year-old is arrested within 90 minutes of a killing, with no physical evidence and a coerced confession. The film captures every step of the trial that followed, exposing a police department more focused on closing a case than finding the truth. It’s a masterclass in how lazy investigation, racial bias, and public pressure can nearly destroy a kid’s life.
More Highlights from the Doc
- Defense attorney Patrick McGuinness absolutely dismantles the state’s case. He’s relentless, precise, and furious—and it’s one of the most satisfying courtroom performances I’ve ever seen.
- The real killer was never caught, even though other leads and suspects were ignored by police. A purse was found nearby, but investigators failed to dust it for prints.
- The documentary gives full access to the trial—from opening arguments to cross-examination—and lets you see how the entire case unravels in real time.
- Director Jean-Xavier de Lestrade (who later made “The Staircase”) shot this doc in the middle of the trial and won an Oscar for it in 2002.
Lesser-Known Details from the Doc
- Brenton had no prior record. He was just walking to the Blockbuster to apply for a summer job when he got picked up.
- One detective testified that Brenton “didn’t seem to care” during interrogation—a statement clearly meant to paint him as cold-blooded, even though he was terrified and alone.
- The local media ran with the story before the trial even began, calling it a senseless teen crime and feeding public pressure to convict someone—anyone.
- After Brenton’s acquittal, his parents filed a civil lawsuit against the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. The county later issued a formal apology and settled out of court.
Wrap Up
If you’re into true crime, courtroom docs, or anything that reveals how fast injustice can happen—this is a must-watch. The case may be 20+ years old, but it still feels terrifyingly current.
Thanks for reading!
Heather Fenty, Guest Writer, Daily Doc