The Last Word's primary photo
  • The Last Word (IV) (2008)
  • Not Rated
    90 min | Documentary
The Last Word (IV) (2008)
Not Rated
90 min | Documentary

This documentary takes the "Innocent Man on Texas Death Row" tale to a dark corner feared by all - - proving that an innocent man has been executed by the State. A clash between good and evil strikes up on the High Plains of Texas when ...See moreThis documentary takes the "Innocent Man on Texas Death Row" tale to a dark corner feared by all - - proving that an innocent man has been executed by the State. A clash between good and evil strikes up on the High Plains of Texas when Johnny Frank Garrett, a 17 year old retarded boy is arrested, convicted and ultimately executed for the Halloween night rape, mutilation and murder of Sister Tadea Benz. The 76 year old nun was attacked while she slept in her room at the St. Francis Convent in Amarillo, Texas. Garrett claimed his innocence from the time of his arrest until his dying breath. Sixteen years after Garrett's execution new evidence rose up from the cold case grave of the Amarillo Police Department proving they executed the wrong man! During interviews with key players the case of Johnny Frank Garrett unfolds like a recipe for executing the innocent. A death penalty obsessed District Attorney and his lap-dog medical examiner, ladder climbing cops, bloodthirsty media, enraged and fearful jurors, incompetent defense lawyers, politicized judges, witch hunting religious zealots and an iron fisted Governor with national ambitions meld together as perfect ingredients for a plate of government sponsored murder. In Garrett's final statement he professed his innocence one last time but did so in a voice driven by hate and vengeance. In his chilling conclusion Garrett promised those responsible for his murder that someday he would have the last word and they would pay for what they had done. For most of Garrett's enemies "someday" happened long ago. Regardless of faith, for or against the death penalty, liberal or conservative The Last Word compels viewers to feel not only the collective pain our societal conscience suffers for executing the innocent but also the individual fear or not knowing what margins of error our judges, jurors and executioners will find acceptable tomorrow. Written by Jesse Quackenbush See less
Read more: Plot summary
Writer
Jesse Quackenbush (written by)
Composers
Sam Aronson | Peter Davison | Paul Salvo (musician: trumpet)
Editor
Trending & News

Become a member to see MOVIEmeter and news information about The Last Word.

Status
Edit Released
Updated Mar 1, 2008

Release date
Mar 1, 2008 (United States)
Awards

Contacts

Become a member to see contact information for The Last Word.

Cast

+ Add Cast
29 cast members
Name Known for
Gabriel Cardiel
Self (as Father Gabriel Cardiel) Self (as Father Gabriel Cardiel)   See fewer
Ralph Erdmann
Actor (as Ralph Erdemann M.D.) Actor (as Ralph Erdemann M.D.)   See fewer
Johnny Frank Garrett
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Selden Hale
Self (as Seldon Hale) Self (as Seldon Hale)   See fewer
Danny Hill
Self (archive footage) Self (archive footage)   See fewer
Tom Kane
Narrator Narrator   See fewer
Charles Leonard
Actor (as Charles 'Sugarfree' Leonard) Actor (as Charles 'Sugarfree' Leonard)   See fewer
Brandy Martinez
Actress Actress   See fewer
Leroy Mathieson
Self (as Bishop Leroy Mathieson) Self (as Bishop Leroy Mathieson)   See fewer
Bernice Muggler
Self (as Sister Bernice Muggler) Self (as Sister Bernice Muggler)   See fewer
LaDeane Rayburn
Actress Actress   See fewer
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.

MOVIEmeter

Members only

Become a member to access additional data

Ratings Breakdown