Trailer to be Screened at OJPC’s Art Initiative on Friday
CINCINNATI – The Ohio Justice and Policy Center announced today that Barry Scheck will now executive produce the upcoming documentary, “One Step From Hell, The Bobbie Hall Killing and Its Stain on Justice Today.” The film tells the story of the brutal murder of Black WWII veteran Bobbie Hall by white sheriff Claude Screws and his two deputies. His death led to one of the most consequential U.S. Supreme Court decisions in American history.
Hall’s six grandchildren and civil rights experts will explain in the documentary how the U.S. Supreme Court decision in that murder case (United States v Screws) has blocked many police prosecutions ever since.
“OJPC is proud to support this important project, which brings to light a grave injustice in our nation’s history and examines the lasting effect it has had on accountability in law enforcement. The story of Bobbie Hall reminds us that true justice requires us to understand where we’ve fallen short—and to keep working toward a legal system where abuses of power are held accountable. Public trust depends on it,” said Gabe Davis, Chief Executive Officer of the Ohio Justice and Policy Center.
“Behind every criminal justice reform there is a story,” said Barry Scheck. “The horrific murder of Bobbie Hall and the legacy of prosecution roadblocks due to the Supreme Court decision in the Screws case reversing the conviction of Bobbie Hall’s murderer is a story that must be told. I am excited and proud to join this effort.”
“This is an issue that could not be more pressing. George Floyd, Renee Good, Alex Pretti – law enforcement violence continues. Barry’s longtime devotion to change elevates all he touches, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have him as part of this film,” said Candace Smith Chekwa, the ABC News/Hulu veteran who is directing the film.
Smith Chekwa will offer special remarks when the documentary’s new trailer is screened at the OJPC’s Annual Event celebrating arts-activism and OJPC’s Just Art Initiative from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, September 18 at the 20th Century Theater, 3021 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45209.
View the trailer here.
About Barry Scheck: Barry Scheck has been fighting to make law enforcement accountable and criminal statutes and procedures more accurate and fairer for many decades. He is Co-Founder and Special Counsel to the Innocence Project, which has helped more than 375 wrongfully convicted people reverse their convictions. He is an Emeritus Professor of Law at Cardozo Law School, a Past President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and a leading voice for forensic science improvement. Scheck has worked for years to pursue reforms, including through the Justice in Policing Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives in 2021.
About the Ohio Justice and Policy Center
The Ohio Justice and Policy Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit law firm with offices in Cincinnati. Cleveland, and Columbus, Ohio. We fight for equal justice and fair treatment in all stages of incarceration, because every person deserves dignity after their conviction and freedom after their sentence.
To learn more about our work and our ongoing initiatives, visit https://ohiojpc.org/.