When They See Us
Netflix recently released the miniseriesWhen They See Us , directed by Oscar - winner Ava DuVernay . It depicts the true story of the Central Park Five , five youthful grim man between the ages of 14 and 16 who were wrongfully convict of sexual assault against Trisha Meili in New York in 1989 . As a result , they spent many of their formative years in prison .
The iniquity is undeniable , and the emotional intensiveness of the show had a powerful effect on many viewer . While none can argue the incident was n’t tragic , several facts were change or left out for the interest of a brawny tale . So the question is , how much ofWhen They See Usis true ? And , what was altered in favor of drama ?
Why Raymond Santana Was In The Park
This first one is a minor change , but a significant one . In the serial , Raymond Santana , one of the Five , wanted to go to the park just to hang out with his champion .
In reality , however , we know that Santana ’s father was the one who recite his son to go to the park to keep him off the street . The show entrust out this tragically dry advice that stalk the boy eternally .
Why Korey Wise Was Brought In
While it ’s true that Korey Wise was bring in at the same clip as Yusef Salaam , the serial wrong demonstrate the interaction with tec go on on the street . What really happened was that Korey told Yusef police detective had been looking for him .
When the two went to Yusef ’s flat , detectives were waiting at the door . They need Yusef for questioning but told Korey he was n’t a defendant and could come to the place with his ally . It is n’t clear why the Netflix series chose to change the place setting of this interaction , but the outcome remain the same .
Raymond Santana’s Real Crime
While , of row , the Five maintained their sinlessness throughout the investigating , as they were proven to be albeit year later , there is one detail the show overlook . Raymond Santana says he did n’t commit any offence in the park .
But 13 old age after that evening , he confessed to assault and robbery in the park that same eve . As such , his sentence was longer than the other boys but his wrongful judgment of conviction was still taken into account when deciding on his punishment .
The Portrayal of the Prosecution
Perhaps the most outspoken critic of the serial publication is Linda Fairstein , the prosecutor of the infamous case . The show portrays her as the main antagonist and in many way solely to blame for the fate of the Central Park Five . As a result of the series , she ’s had to resign from several boards and was drop by her publisher .
Fairstein has writtenan op - ed in the Wall Street Journal(requires a subscription to read ) in which she accuses DuVernay of portraying her as " an overzealous prosecuting attorney and a bigot . " She denies this and continue by listing the various aspects of the case the show either falsifies or go away out ( which we ’ll search further in this clause ) .
The Riot
critic of the serial say it downplays the importance of the thigh-slapper that occurred in the commons the same nighttime of the criminal offense in which more citizenry than just the jogger , Trisha Meili , were attacked .
Fairstein says that the Central Park Five were halt among over a twelve other teenagers who were involved in the riot . She articulate the serial publication brush aside the bigger picture of that night , and incorrectly depicts the boy as innocent of all criminal offense , including riot charges .
Others Who Were Involved In The Riot
Along with the riot , the series is also criticized for downplaying the role of other defendant in the boy ' convictions . fundamentally , the prosecution got the other defendants to entail the Five in the belly laugh , then lead the jury to assume their guilt feelings in the violation thrill .
Critics say the reason their influence in the show is n’t as striking is to give a pretended sentiency of total innocence , similar to their reason for why the riot is also somewhat overlooked .
Confessions vs. Evidence
According to the prosecution , the show ’s tale run watcher to conceive that the only major evidence against the Central Park Five was their confession TV , which have since been shew to be faux testimonial and unlawfully coerced .
Linda Fairstein against claims this as sour , citing other witness accounts include both those who were part of the riot and other passersby . While the word of witnesses is n’t always brassbound , it is at least noteworthy that the show ignores them .
How The Five Were Treated In Custody
InWhen They See Us , DuVernay testify the boys held without food , communication with their parents , or even access code to the bathroom while they were in custody .
Critics observe this egregious discussion never happenedsince they never brought it up in pretrial hearings or in any other statement . Fairstein , in her op - ed piece , says that had they brought the issues up , they would ’ve pull ahead their causa .
Yusef Salaam’s Age
Another fact - check by Linda Fairstein involves an occurrence she herself was present for , which she claims the series completely manufacture a shot that never happen . In the show , Yusef Salaam ’s female parent narrate the police her boy was only 15 ( meaning he could n’t be questioned without a parent nowadays ) and demand to be with him .
Fairstein stopped her and ask for substantiation in the form of a birth credential . In world , Yusef claimed to be 16 and proved it with a phony motorbus pass . Fairstein instantly stopped questioning ( respecting the female parent ’s compliments ) when she learned he was in reality 15 .
The Prosecution Agreed with the Decision
In depicting Fairstein as a scoundrel , the series ( and supportive review ) has painted the prosecution as a bigot who still believes the Central Park Five were hangdog of their offence against Trisha Meili .
In reality , Fairstein agreed with the final conclusion that the Five were innocent of sexual violation charges , given the confession and deoxyribonucleic acid match of the actual offender , Matias Reyes , long time later . Fairstein denies accusations of bigotry against her and only refer evidence that the Central Park Five are hangdog of other assault charge with heed to the debauchery .
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