A documentary examining a 10-hour interrogation that resulted in a confession and the conviction of an upstate man in a high-profile baby-killing case has recently been honored by the American Bar Association. Scenes of a Crime, which delves into psychological coercion as an interrogation tactic, received an honorable mention citation from the ABA at its annual presentation of Silver Gavel Awards. The awards recognize books, films and other media products that foster an understanding of the law and the legal system.
According to the ABA, Scenes of a Crime was among 11 honorees out of 200 entries. The documentary centers on the Rensselaer County prosecution of Adrian Thomas, who is serving a 25-year-to-life term for the murder of his 4-month-old son. The conviction hinged entirely on admissions Thomas made during a 10-hour, videotaped interrogation by Troy police (NYLJ, Nov. 15, 2011).
