Who Killed Garrett Phillips?

Who Killed Garrett Phillips? is a gripping and thought-provoking docudrama from HBO that first aired in 2019. Directed by the acclaimed Liz Garbus, the two-part documentary explores the tragic death of 12-year-old Garrett Phillips in a small town in upstate New York and the subsequent quest to find his murderer. The series is intensely engaging, laying bare the intricate details of the case while posing critical questions about the criminal justice system of the United States.

The series is set in Potsdam, a small and seemingly serene town in upstate New York. The town's tranquility was shattered on October 24th, 2011, when young Garrett Phillips was found unconscious in his home. Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, Garrett passed away a few hours later, leaving the town in shock and the authorities with a chilling murder case on their hands. The series unstintingly lays out the harrowing details of Garrett's case, endowing the narrative with a haunting realism that ensures viewers remain on the edge of their seats.

The series revolves around the immediate aftermath of Garrett’s death, painting a broader picture of the social dynamics of Potsdam. It captures the feeling of unease that permeates the town, reflecting in its profiles the community's desperation for closure and justice. The filmmakers meticulously examine the ensuing investigation and trial, highlighting the procedural failings and potential biases that came to define it.

As the authorities zero in on the primary suspect, Oral "Nick" Hillary, a black man in a predominantly white community and a former boyfriend of Garrett's mother, questions about racial bias in the justice system begin to surface. This suspect becomes central to the series' plotline, his life, and the intricate legal process he finds himself embroiled in, are laid bare for viewers to dissect.

The filmmakers boldly assess the law enforcement's handling of the case, examining the evidence that propelled Hillary into the center of the investigation. Through a combination of intimate interviews, court recording, law enforcement videos, and eyewitness testimonies, the series offers an extensive and comprehensive account of the investigation, leaving no stone unturned.

Garbus masterfully weaves together a complex narrative, maintaining an impartial standpoint while ensuring that the audience is privy to all sides of the story. Clips from surveillance videos, audiotapes, and police recordings are used alongside interviews with Hillary, his lawyers, and many other key figures from the case, creating a rich tapestry of perspectives. As the director of acclaimed documentaries like "The Fourth Estate" and "What Happened, Miss Simone?", she demonstrates her mastery of the genre once again in this series.

But more than just a true-crime documentary, 'Who Killed Garrett Phillips?' is a socio-political commentary on the racial dynamics in small-town America. It explores the ways in which systemic bias is woven through every facet of society -- from the initial police investigation to the courtroom trial -- reinforcing the narrative that race continues to play a significant role in the dispensation of justice.

While the series uncovers the distressing events surrounding the murder of a young boy, it remains sensitive and respectful towards the victim. The focus is not merely on the individual crime, but the broader environment surrounding it. It provokes a conversation about the state of America's criminal justice system, asking tough questions and challenging viewers to consider prejudices that may be deeply entrenched in society.

Who Killed Garrett Phillips? does not offer easy answers; it forces its audience to grapple with difficult truths. Through highs and lows, updates and dead-ends, the series faithfully mirrors the actual process of the criminal justice system, rendering the story all the more poignant in the process.

In essence, 'Who Killed Garrett Phillips?' is a compelling exploration of a real-life tragedy. As much a comment on social disparity as it is on justice, this HBO series challenges contemporary assumptions about race, politics, and law in small-town USA. Billed as a must-watch for fans of true crime and socio-political documentaries, the series is a raw and riveting journey into a case that gripped a nation.