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The Execution of Wanda Jean
HBO : America Undercover ^ | first showing Sun 3/17 10:00 PM EST | Liz Garbus

Posted on 03/18/2002 7:23:02 AM PST by cashion

Twelve years after committing her second murder, Wanda Jean Allen--an African American lesbian whose low I.Q. indicated borderline retardation--faced the ultimate penalty: death. This compelling documentary follows Wanda Jean in the last three months before her execution in a case that attracted national media attention and the support of anti-death-penalty activists, including the Rev. Jesse Jackson. Through interviews with Wanda Jean, her clemency team, and members of her family and of her victim's family, this film presents a stirring look at an appealing, attractive young woman with a complex history, as well as examining the moral and political dilemma of the death penalty. Co-produced and directed by Liz Garbus, who received an Oscar(R) nomination for her acclaimed 1999 documentary The Farm: Angola, USA.


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; US: Oklahoma
KEYWORDS: deathpenalty
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Just wondering if anyone else caught this documentary and your thoughts?
1 posted on 03/18/2002 7:23:02 AM PST by cashion
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To: cashion
appealing, attractive young woman with a complex history

This animal is a two time murderer and should be executed.

2 posted on 03/18/2002 7:27:56 AM PST by jimkress
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To: jimkress
Pissed me off that Oz wasn't on.........
3 posted on 03/18/2002 7:30:46 AM PST by Tickle Me Pank
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To: cashion
Yeah, we watched it.
Overall, for HBO, we thought it was pretty fair. HBO certainly could've edited out the coaching that her defense team gave her. I thought it demonstrated a willingness to say whatever it takes to win over the parole board.
Neither one of us bought the 69 I.Q., though. Wanda struck us as being somewhat of a manipulator, though somewhat likable.
We were saddened that her environment probably contributed to her circumstances, but we supported the parole board's decision.

The Laramie Project was a different story, though.

4 posted on 03/18/2002 7:32:01 AM PST by Nephi
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To: cashion
This compelling documentary follows Wanda Jean in the last three months before her execution in a case that attracted national media attention and the support of anti-death-penalty activists, including the Bootleg Preacher and Extortionist Jesse "Shakedown" Jackson.

Corrected text.

5 posted on 03/18/2002 7:32:47 AM PST by PetroniDE
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To: cashion
I fell asleep during the program...right when her "pastor" brother began preaching.
6 posted on 03/18/2002 7:34:26 AM PST by meandog
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To: cashion
My silly wife watched it. I saw about two minutes as I was in and out of the room. I just could not believe any rational person could get wound up over this egregious waste of oxygen-sub-human-monster. They should have dedicated their time and energy to her victim's survivors.

The fact that I have to share the planet with the scum suckers in this documentary serriously pisses me off.

7 posted on 03/18/2002 7:36:54 AM PST by mercy
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To: cashion
Only HBO would describe in ONE PARAGRAPH a woman on death row as both "an African American lesbian whose low I.Q. indicated borderline retardation" AND "an appealing, attractive young woman with a complex history."

I bet whoever wrote this has been on...er...some 'interesting' dates.
8 posted on 03/18/2002 7:37:52 AM PST by bourbon
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To: Nephi
a lesbian with a 69 IQ. That's too rich!
9 posted on 03/18/2002 7:38:41 AM PST by bourbon
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Comment #10 Removed by Moderator

To: cashion
We flipped between this and a two-hour expose on Jackie Gleason.

Gleason was better.

11 posted on 03/18/2002 7:52:05 AM PST by sinkspur
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To: Nephi
Overall, for HBO, we thought it was pretty fair. HBO certainly could've edited out the coaching that her defense team gave her. I thought it demonstrated a willingness to say whatever it takes to win over the parole board. Neither one of us bought the 69 I.Q., though. Wanda struck us as being somewhat of a manipulator, though somewhat likable.

I have those same doubts on the 69 I.Q. How is it that someone so retarded can read and comprehend so well? She was also smart enough to know the process of courts (denied at the 10th Circuit, next appeal to US Supreme Court). I'm not saying she was a genius, just a little stupid. If she were a genius, she would have known to play like Edward Norton in Primal Fear. On the other hand, being a little dumb is no excuse for shooting two people in cold blood at essentially point blank range.

12 posted on 03/18/2002 7:54:45 AM PST by cashion
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To: cashion
a stirring look at an appealing, attractive young woman

Funny, I had my glasses on...

I have to wonder what her victims looked like.

13 posted on 03/18/2002 7:56:42 AM PST by grellis
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To: cashion; Orual; aculeus
If every low-IQ person went around murdering people, we'd be in big big trouble.

I don't buy the Stupidity Defense.

14 posted on 03/18/2002 8:03:24 AM PST by dighton
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To: grellis
I have to wonder what her victims looked like.

There is extended information concerning Allen's first victim, Detra Pettus, and pics of Gloria Leathers, the second victim, all available at the HBO website. I'd pull the pics out but they are stuck within a Macromedia Flash document. Anyone else know how to handle that?

15 posted on 03/18/2002 8:04:41 AM PST by cashion
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To: dighton
If every low-IQ person went around murdering people, we'd be in big big trouble.

Agreed! I've got an older brother who's retarded, but is able to function independently in society...without murdering!

16 posted on 03/18/2002 8:10:18 AM PST by Sangamon Kid
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To: cashion
Caught the tail end of it. Interesting that one of the producers was Rory Kennedy, who also produced the unintentionally hilarious documentary on Appalachian white trash.

If Rory is trying to produce agit-prop for left wing causes and viewpoints, she's a crashing failure. 0 for 2.

In the Appalachia documentary, she left viewers with the strong impression that these losers are getting exactly what they've earned: poverty. And frankly, none of them seem to mind so much, what with the welfare checks and free prozac and all. If anything, that Kennedy produced laugher left me with a strong desire to further curtail welfare, seeing as how my tax dollars are being used to support sheer indolence and drink and drug abuse by a bunch of inbred hicks. I'll never forget one scene in the film where one of the "youts" responds to his mother's suggestion that he get a job with a fury you would suppose would be reserved only for those who suggest you anally penetrate yourself with a red hot poker. I fall down laughing every time. I taped the program and show it to all my friends who respond the same way. Unintentional recruiting material for the VRWC.

Same with last nights effort to propagandize the masses.

After all this murderess had done, at the very end, she blasphemes by invoking the words of Jesus Christ on the cross, to wit: "forgive the Lord, they know not what they do." And sticks her tongue out. And "dances" on the gurney. Lots of remorse there. And the defense team loves it! "She danced her way out." "She went out like a champ."

The coup de grace? When the defense lawyer, a fat ignoramous who "loves" his client, says that the execution was the "sickest" thing he'd ever seen. Did he see pix of his client's crime scenes?

Once again a Kennedy produced documentary only solidified my conservative positions. And probably caused many moderates to move right a little more. Thanks, Rory!

17 posted on 03/18/2002 8:10:59 AM PST by borkrules
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To: cashion
I forgot to mention, there is a "documentary poll" on HBO's website that asks "Would you have voted to proceed with Wanda Jean Allen's execution?" Amazingly, currently only 25% have voted yes. That poll needs some help.

HBO : America Undercover

18 posted on 03/18/2002 8:12:51 AM PST by cashion
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To: cashion
That poll needs some help.

Vote early, Vote often! Oooops! Only Chicago dems do that.

19 posted on 03/18/2002 8:18:58 AM PST by Sangamon Kid
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To: dighton; aculeus
I don't buy the Stupidity Defense.

If you clink the link to HBO's commercial for this program, there is a letter from Jesse Jackson to the Govenor in which he states that her lawyer wasn't aware of her history and her mental deficiencies, and that her defense was inadequate. If her IQ was 69, equal to that of a nine-year-old, you'da thunk her lawyer might have picked that up during casual conversation.

20 posted on 03/18/2002 8:21:18 AM PST by Orual
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