Watch Trial 4

Trial 4 is a Netflix docuseries released in 2020 that explores the controversial murder case of Boston police officer John Mulligan, who was fatally shot in broad daylight on 26th September 1993. The series aims to shed light on the wrongful conviction of a 19-year-old African American man, Sean Ellis, who was arrested and sentenced to life in prison for the crime he claims he did not commit.

The docuseries is directed by Remy Burkel and executive produced by Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, who is known for his work on the Netflix series The Staircase. The show consists of eight episodes, each with a runtime of about 45 minutes.

The first episode of the series takes us back to 1993, when Officer Mulligan was shot while sitting in his car outside a Walgreens store in Roslindale, Boston. The police quickly identified Ellis as their prime suspect and arrested him within hours of the murder. Ellis was accused of robbing Mulligan of his gun and shooting him four times.

However, as the series progresses, we see how the police department went to great lengths to ensure that Ellis was found guilty. The show highlights the numerous flaws in the investigation and prosecution of the case, including witness tampering, false confessions, and evidence suppression.

The series also sheds light on the systemic racism within the Boston police department and how it influenced the trial. Ellis's defense attorney, Rosemary Scapicchio, speaks about the difficulties she faced while working on the case, including threats to her life.

Throughout the series, we see how the police department and the prosecution were determined to convict Ellis at any cost. Despite mounting evidence that he did not commit the crime, including witnesses who recanted their statements and DNA evidence that was not tested at the time of the trial, the state refused to grant Ellis a new trial. It was only after nearly 22 years in prison that he was finally released in 2015.

The series features interviews with Ellis, his family, and his defense team, including Scapicchio, who fought tirelessly to prove his innocence. It also features interviews with former detectives and prosecutors involved in the case, providing a balanced view of the events that transpired.

Edward McNelley, one of the detectives involved in the case, is also interviewed, giving his perspective on the investigation. However, his testimony raises more questions than it answers, and his role in the case is scrutinized.

Overall, Trial 4 is a compelling and thought-provoking series that raises important questions about the justice system and the lengths that some are willing to go to ensure a conviction. The series is well-produced and expertly edited, keeping viewers engaged throughout. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in true crime and the pursuit of justice.

Trial 4 is a series that ran for 1 seasons (8 episodes) between November 11, 2020 and on Netflix