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We have all heard the
story of Hurricane Carter, a civil rights leader and boxer,
who spent nineteen years in prison for murders that he did
not commit. The other equally interesting and equally important
half of Hurricane's story is the story of John Artis, his
alleged accomplice.
Artis spent fifteen years in prison for murders that he did
not commit. During this time, his freedom was dangled before
him like a precious carrot... if only he'd implicate Carter,
he would be a free man. Artis didn't bite. He chose to tell
the truth, even though the price of doing so was his freedom.
This is why Carter calls Artis one of the few angels he has
encountered in his life.
While in prison, Artis was instrumental in founding the famous
"Scared Straight" program to help steer juvenile
offenders away from a life of crime. He also developed a very
painful circulatory disease that caused him to lose several
fingertips.
Both Artis and Carter were eventually exonerated by the Supreme
Court.
This story has everything: heroism at great cost; great injustice
and finally freedom.
The script is in process and is scheduled for completion in
August, 2000.
Duration is 120 minutes.
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