In recognition of The National Pro Bono Celebration, a week-long celebration of legal pro bono service sponsored by the American Bar Association, and Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the UT Law Pro Bono Program has organized a special screening of the award-winning documentary film, Crime After Crime.
The event will take place on October 27, 2011 at The Violet Crown Theater in downtown Austin. Attendees will gather in the Violet Crown lounge at 6:30 pm for a brief reception (popcorn provided, cash bar), followed by the movie screening at 7 pm and closing remarks after the movie.
According to the film's website, Crime After Crime documents "the dramatic legal battle to free Debbie Peagler, a woman imprisoned for over a quarter century due to her connection to the murder of the man who abused her." Two young pro bono attorneys who have no background in criminal law take Debbie's case and "bring to light long-lost witnesses, new testimonies from the men who committed the murder, and proof of perjured evidence. Their investigation ultimately attracts global attention to victims of wrongful incarceration and abuse, and takes on profound urgency when the case becomes a matter of life and death."
Gretta Gardner, a member of the Austin/Travis County Family Violence Task Force and Safe Havens Grant Director at Travis County Counseling & Education Services will make opening remarks at the screening. Jake Gilbreath, '09, an attorney with Piper & Turner who handles several domestic violence cases on a pro bono basis, will close the evening with remarks about pro bono service in the area of domestic violence. Tickets are $9.00 and advance ticket purchase is required. Students will sell tickets in the Law School Atrium on Tuesday, October 25 and Wednesday, October 26 from 11 am - 1 pm. Tickets can also be purchased in the William Wayne Justice Center, CCJ 1.324.