“I am guilty of the crime, but not as I was charged. I will tell you what honestly happened.”

In 1981, Phillip Tompkins robbed and kidnapped a woman who he claimed was accidentally killed during the abduction. He was a black perpetrator who pleaded innocent when convicted by an all-white jury. 

True Crime documentary makers, Zoe Hines and Ned Parker discuss issues of culpability during accidental homicide and themes of prejudice in the American legal system as detailed in these Letters From A Killer.

“Any time I felt as though there was a niggling of fear developing, I would assault them.” 

In 2003, Jason Campbell broke into a house and murdered the homeowners. Unknown to him, another murder was committed on the same street on the same night. This coincidence allows him to evade immediate conviction. When caught, he blames a tragic upbringing for leading him down a path of violent crime. True Crime documentary makers, Zoe Hines and Ned Parker, investigate his Letters From A Killer.

“I’ll give you all you do know about me, plus all my other crimes I’m not convicted on.” 

In 1989, Tracey Duke and colleagues robbed a restaurant. The manager was taken hostage and murdered during their escape. But was Duke’s accomplice ultimately responsible for leading him down a dark path of crime, and why was Duke confessing to a former murder that he hadn't been convicted of? True Crime documentary makers, Zoe Hines and Ned Parker, investigate his Letters From A Killer.

In 2005, a desperate young couple flees from Hurricane Rita to take an apartment with an older Hurricane Katrina refugee. They are offered help by an elderly church member and community leader. But a plan is made to rob the home of the charitable lady, which results in her murder. What part did victimisation have to play in the murder of this good samaritan? True Crime documentary makers, Zoe Hines and Ned Parker, investigate Stephanie Jacobo’s Letters From A Killer.

“I actually prayed to God, I hope there ain’t many people in there because I don’t want to kill a lot of innocent people.” 

In 2002, Jose Sandoval and his colleagues took part in “the deadliest bank robbery attempt in the history of the state of Nebraska.” The robbery resulted in the death of five innocent people. No money was taken and it all happened in less than sixty seconds. Sandoval details the events of that day with film script accuracy as True Crime documentary makers, Zoe Hines and Ned Parker, investigate his Letters From A Killer.

Letters From A Killer premieres April 8th.