When Derrick Johnson was a toddler, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. He never developed the ability to speak. Instead, he would communicate with his eyes and his hands, and his family would do their best to interpret his gestures.

That was until they met a Rutgers professor named Anna Stubblefield.

Anna thought that with the right technique and coaching Derrick could learn to say exactly what was on his mind.

But what began as an attempt to expand Derek's horizons quickly turned into a nightmare. One that ended with Derrick’s family accusing Anna of sexual assault.

In his documentary Tell Them You Love Me, director Nick August Perna explores Anna and Derrick’s relationship – and the complicated questions it forces us to confront.

For ad-free listening to Crime Story, subscribe to CBC's True Crime Premium channel on Apple Podcasts.

Feedback for us? You can email us directly at [email protected].