The fourth trial: synopsis, trailer, curiosities and criticism

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Let's talk about The fourth trial, documentary series focused on the famous case of Sean K. Ellis.

The fourth trial (Test 4) is a documentary series directed by Rémy Burkel, an original production by Netflix which hit the platform on November 11, 2020. It is based on the well-known story of Sean K. Ellis, one of the most notorious legal proceedings of the 1990s. It is a story that seems timeless because at the same time it touches one of the scourges that have hurt the United States the most throughout its history: racism.

Burkel and Jean-Xavier de Lestrade worked together on the script for this series, which consists of 8 episodes. The story has received positive comments because it puts its finger on the sore without fear of causing discomfort. It is an attractive and interesting bet if you are attracted to those legal battles that linger in your memory for several years.

Synopsis

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In 1995, Sean Ellis Fue condenado a cadena perpetua tras ser declarado culpable del asesinato de un detective de la policía de Boston. Antes de recibir su sentencia cuando solo tenía 19 años, el joven fue juzgado 3 veces en un año. Sin embargo, sus abogados siempre se mantuvieron firmes en la idea de que su client había sido víctima de una conspiración policial. No fue hasta 2015 cuando salió la evidencia exculpatoria que pudo salir de prisión bajo fianza. A pesar de su liberación, aún tenía que enfrentar un cuarto juicio, un proceso clave que amenazaba con volverlo a poner tras las rejas.

Trailer of The fourth trial

Watch the official trailer of this production that invites you to debate, reflect and question the efficiency of our institutions and their procedures.

Curiosities

Can you imagine being in prison for decades for a crime that you did not commit? In 2015, Ellis was released on bail after a judge acted sensibly. The magistrate noted that the corrupt nature of the officers involved in the Mulligan case raised deep doubts about the allegations. Therefore, a fourth test was established to select Sean's fate.

In the end, the prosecutor decided to drop all the charges and evidence that were delivered in 1995 because their reliability was not guaranteed.

“The evidence from the trial and the testimony given in 1995 proved the guilt of the Mr ellis beyond reasonable doubt. The jurors at the time found the evidence against him overwhelming (…) But the passage of more than two and a half decades has seriously compromised our ability to prove it again. For this reason, my office will present today the documentation that ends the indictment of Mr. Ellis for murder in the first degree and armed robbery, ”he commented.

Criticisms of The fourth trial

After its premiere in Netflix, the specialized press has resorted to positive reviews for the documentary. The series transmits a strong message by nature, since it stands as a forceful criticism against a corrupt and racist system. It also invites us to reflect on those gaps and flaws in the structure that can save the guilty and lock up the innocent. While some will see a message of optimism, another important sector will find a vision of an imperfect system contaminated by the virus of corruption.

Joel Keller mentions the following about The fourth trial in his criticism for Decider:

“The fourth test takes time to start the engines and the first chapter, ironically, shows very little of Sean Ellis. It remains a compelling story of corruption and shows a man's determination to clear his name (…) it is an interesting journey to follow Ellis as he tries to overturn his conviction, ”he says.

Daniel hart At the same time praise esta serie documental, pero lo hace señalando la lamentable naturaleza corrupta de nuestras estructuras sociales:

“The fourth trial exposes another terrible and alarming post-conviction case that is going to generate many reflections (…) we have to ask ourselves how there can be preventive measures to avoid the imprisonment of the unjustly convicted (…) it shows that we are not as clinical, as we could think about the court system, and while some may argue that this happened in the past, it's helpful to note that Sean Ellis wasn't released until 2015, ”he argued in favor of Ready Steady Cut.

John Anderson reviewed the series and reached similar conclusions in his text for Wall street journal:

"It has the same narrative, political and existential brilliance as a Don DeLillo novel (…) The parallel journey that the Stuart case takes is illuminating when it comes to race and the Boston Police," he said.

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