ST. LOUIS – A provocative documentary about the 2014 police shooting death of Michael Brown makes its St. Louis debut Monday at Harris Stowe University. Brown’s mother Lezley McSpadden hopes the film — “Stranger Fruit” — causes her son’s case to be reopened. Just don’t ask her to watch it.
“It’s just very disturbing and shocking and traumatizing to see him laying there,” said McSpadden. “Will a documentary that lays out all the facts and details that they didn’t discuss, didn’t show to the public, they didn’t give to the media, will it change their minds, will it change their hearts, will it reopen the case? It’s a big question.”
Both McSpadden and “Stranger Fruit” filmmaker Jason Pollock believe the film presents enough new evidence to spark a new investigation by St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Bob McColloch.
“I think there is enough new evidence presented in the film that we should have a real discussion about reopening the case,” said Pollock from Los Angeles. “Like the fact that there’s a bullet in the ground by Michael’s head and that Darren (Wilson) claims he didn’t shoot at a downward angle. Well that’s physically impossible if there’s a bullet lodged in the ground near Michael’s head and that’s in Bob McColloch’s own report.
Critics said Pollock has an agenda. He agrees.
“This film has an agenda just like the local media had an agenda to slander and defame Michael. Just like the local media and national media had an agenda in 2014 to cover up the evidence,” said Pollock.
The death of Brown caused his mother to become an activist, author, and perhaps a politician. In April during an appearance at Harvard University, McSpadden said she was considering a run for the Ferguson City Council. For the time being she’s undecided.
“I’m still making the decision and I’m still having the proper conversations,” said McSpadden. “You have to be strategic with what you do and how you move. I want to fully prepared and have all my ducks in a row so that when it’s time, I can just soar right on in there.”
