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ABC NEWS CLOSE-UP: THE SHOOTING OF BIG MAN: ANATOMY OF A CRIMINAL CASE (TV)

Summary

One in this series of irregularly scheduled documentaries. This program follows the trial of Jack Jones, accused of shooting and seriously wounding Raymond "Big Man" Collins on March 9, 1978 in Seattle, Wash. Jones is charged with assault to commit murder; on March 21, 1978, defense attorneys Sarah Lytle and David Allen meet with Jones. Dr. Roy Bakay discusses Big Man's condition with the prosecutor, Dennis Nollette, who then questions Big Man. At the Terrace View Hotel, the scene of the crime, residents comment on Big Man's criminal behavior. On March 30, 1978, Nollette, Allen, and Lytle view videotape of Jones at the time of arrest; lawyer asks Jones about how Big Man robbed him as Nollette investigates the scene of the crime. On April 24, 1978, defense lawyers discuss plea of self-defense with Jones and both sets of lawyers their strategies for winning. Lytle questions Big Man and Allen meets with a prosecution witness, De Carlo Myers, who describes being attacked by Collins, and defense attorneys go over Jones's statement to the police and Jones's fear of Collins with their client. The trial begins as the prosecution calls its first witness, Connie Gardner, a resident of the Terrace View Hotel, as well as De Carlo Myers, who testifies that Jones shot Big Man in self-defense, having been assaulted by Big Man first. Detective George Marberg testifies about Jones's arrest, and Officer Thomas Pritchard testifies that Jones told police that he shot Big Man out of fear. The jury views Collins's videotaped testimony and visits the scene of the crime. On May 3, 1978, Jones goes over testimony with attorneys and takes the stand; Dennis Nollette cross-examines Jones, and the judge defines the law for the jury. Nollette sums up the prosecution's case for the jury and David Allen sums up the defense's. The jury finds the defendant not guilty and Collins dies. The program concludes as Charles Nesson, Harvard Law School professor, analyzes the verdict. Includes commercials.

Preservation of the Post–World War II American Television Documentary Collection is supported in part by a Federal Save America’s Treasures grant administered by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Details

  • NETWORK: ABC
  • DATE: June 8, 1979 9:00 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 1:57:30
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: T80:0222
  • GENRE: Public affairs/Documentaries
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Public affairs/Documentaries; Crime and criminals; Trials
  • SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1973-1988
  • COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

  • Pamela Hill … Executive Producer
  • Richard Richter … Senior Producer
  • Tom Bywaters … Producer, Writer
  • Eric F. Saltzman … Producer, Writer
  • Ann G. Black … Associate Producer
  • Christopher Isham … Associate Producer, Writer
  • Tim O'Brien … Writer, Reporter
  • David Allen
  • Roy Bakay
  • Raymond "Big Man" Collins
  • Connie Gardner
  • Jack Jones
  • Sarah Lytle
  • George Marberg
  • De Carlo Myers
  • Charles Nesson
  • Dennis Nollette
  • Thomas Pritchard