Home / Arts and Entertainment / Investigative Editor's Email Obsession Unearths Killer Story
Investigative Editor's Email Obsession Unearths Killer Story
10 Sep
Summary
- An editor was bombarded with thousands of emails over years.
- The emails concerned an innocent stranger in a 2002 double murder.
- A documentary explores the editor's seven-year deep dive into the case.
Pulitzer Prize-winner Joe Sexton's dedication to a cold case was sparked by persistent emails from a Kansas woman seeking to prove Dana Chandler's innocence. Chandler was accused of a 2002 double murder, facing three trials despite a lack of physical evidence. Over seven years, Sexton's meticulous investigation, detailed in numerous columns, formed the basis for Matthew Galkin's documentary, 'A Killer Story.'
Produced with Joshua Levine, the HBO docuseries features Sexton's distinctive narrative style, described as visceral and reminiscent of film noir. The filmmakers secured an interview with an alternate suspect, Jeff Sutton, who eventually felt comfortable with Sexton's unbiased approach. HBO's support allowed for a comprehensive exploration of all three trials.
Despite extensive work, the filmmakers remain uncertain about Dana Chandler's guilt. They emphasize the absence of concrete evidence and the prosecution's reliance on circumstantial and emotional arguments. The documentary questions whether the state met its burden of proof, leaving room for doubt about Chandler's culpability.
