Wrongful Convictions Depicted in Mass Media: A review of ‘Just Mercy

By Emma L, BOHII Intern 2025

The 2019 film ‘Just Mercy’ follows the true story of Bryan Stevenson, a lawyer working to exonerate Walter McMillian, an African American man on death row. Walter was wrongfully convicted of murdering an 18-year-old white woman, Ronda Morrison in Alabama. ‘Just Mercy’ explores the lengthy and complex processes required to pursue overturning a conviction, which is often inaccessible for incarcerated individuals. Furthermore, the film spotlights how racial, socio-economic and mental trauma factor into disadvantaging accused and convicted persons in the criminal justice system. Whilst Bryan Stevenson uncovered evidence that the prosecution had supressed evidence during the trial and coerced witnesses to make false statements, it took years before the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals would order an investigation into the case. After the evidence was confirmed to be true, the prosecution dropped the charges, overturning Walter McMillian’s conviction in March 1993. Although a story of success, the painful effects of this injustice on Walter, his family and community are not forgotten.

 Through his legal centre Equal Justice Initiative, Bryan Stevenson has continued to defend inmates on death row, seeking to overturn wrongful convictions and educate on racial biases, as unfortunately there is an overrepresentation of African Americans in the justice system. At the time of the film’s release in 2019, Equal Justice Initiative had assisted with the reversal of conviction or release of over 140 prisoners who were sentenced to death.  

Whilst ‘Just Mercy’ depicts a wrongful conviction within the United States justice system, the messages in the film echo’s the Australian context. Although injustices are not easily rectified, much like the Equal Justice Initiative, the Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative seeks to raise awareness about errors in the justice system and provide incarcerated individuals with an avenue to overturn their conviction that they otherwise may not have had.

Find out more about the ongoing work of the Equal Justice Initiative to address wrongful convictions here.

Read Just Mercy written by Bryan Stevenson here.

Watch Just Mercy now on your preferred streaming service. .