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Delbert Ward | ... |
Himself
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Roscoe Ward | ... |
Himself
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Lyman Ward | ... |
Himself
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Walt Geisler | ... |
Himself - Ward Supporter
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Ken Elmer | ... |
Himself - Neighbor
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John Teeple | ... |
Himself - Neighbor
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Dave Goff | ... |
Himself - Cousin
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Joseph F. Loszynski | ... |
Himself - Bureau of Criminal Investigation, New York State Police
(as Captain Joseph F. Loszynski)
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Harry Thurston | ... |
Himself - Friend
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Ralph A. Cognetti | ... |
Himself - Defense Attorney
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Maynard A. Cosnett | ... |
Himself - Bureau of Criminal Investigation, New York State Police
(as Investigator Maynard A. Cosnett)
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John W. Graham | ... |
Himself - Bureau of Criminal Investigation, New York State Police
(as Investigator John W. Graham)
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Robert J. Killough | ... |
Himself - Bureau of Criminal Investigation, New York State Police
(as Investigator Robert J. Killough)
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Donald F. Cerio | ... |
Himself - Madison County District Attorney
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This documentary by Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky details the murder trial of Delbert Ward. Delbert's of a family of 4 brothers (the other 3 being Roscoe, Lyman and William - Bill, for short), working as semi-literate farmers, and living together in isolation in a ramshackle shack, until William's death. The subsequent police investigation and medical examiner's autopsy suggested Bill may not have died from natural causes, and Delbert was arrested on charges of second-degree murder. Under questioning by police, Delbert appears to have waived his rights and signed a confession, but, it seems he might not have been competent, and was coerced into doing so. The film explores possible motives for the crime, from mercy-killing (Bill was ill at the time), to progressively more outré hypotheses. It also shows how residents of the rural community of Munnsville, NY rallied to the support of one of their own (residents previously considered the Wards as social outcasts), against what they ... Written by Tad Dibbern <DIBBERN_D@a1.mscf.upenn.edu>
I didn't think I was going to like this and I was very afraid that the Ward brothers and their rural lifestyle would be made fun of or otherwise trashed, but this was so thoughtful and careful in its examination. The political motivations of some of the real-life people: the cops, the medical examiner, the prosecutor, were a great foil for the (some would think surprisingly) open- minded townspeople and the hardworking defense attorney. Loved the story and really felt for the brothers and the townspeople. Though I work in Boston now, I've lived and worked in rural areas just like this, and maybe that's part of the deal for me.