9 Movies That Helped Solve Real Life Crimes
5. The Staircase (2004)
The Staircase is a French TV miniseries made by Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, which documents the trial of Michael Peterson, who was convicted of killing his wife, Kathleen. Filming for the series began shortly after Peterson's indictment, and Lestrade was given a wide birth to interview numerous people while also placing cameras in the courtroom.
Peterson's case stemmed from his wife's death, which he described as an accident following her tumble down the stairs. Investigators instead believed that he bludgeoned her to death with a blow poke, which was missing from the home. Peterson was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 98.5 months in prison.
The film was incredibly detailed, and it included interviews with jurors following the conviction and their belief that the blood-spatter evidence was the incriminating factor in their decision. The details uncovered by Lestrade were compelling, and the film helped to raise awareness, leading to an appeal.
The judge ruled that a critical prosecution witness gave misleading testimony regarding the "strength of bloodstain evidence." Peterson submitted an Alford plea (a guilty plea while still asserting innocence) to a reduced charge of Manslaughter. At the conclusion of his appeal, he was sentenced to time already served and was set free.