In Pursuit of Justice

In Pursuit of Justice tells the story of the first man to be proven innocent by the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission -- a unique state agency that reviews innocence claims. Wrongful convictions can happen to anyone, and this film gives future jurors an awareness of how our legal system works, the weaknesses that need strengthening, and how their decisions can impact others' lives.

On an early morning in September of 1991, Greg Taylor and his friend Johnny Beck walk past the brutally beaten body of Jacquetta Thomas in a muddy field. Fewer than 18 hours later, they are both arrested for her murder. The charges against Beck are dropped, but the state finds a jailhouse snitch who testifies against Taylor in his trial, and for the next 17 years, Greg and his family fight the system to undo his conviction, sacrificing hours of time, spending over $130,000 and being denied at every judicial level. Without hope, Greg steels himself to spend the rest of his life in prison.

But through his family's efforts, his case is taken up by the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission — a state supported, independent agency that has the power to completely investigate claims of innocence.

Taylor's story is one of wrong turns, bad luck, and a loving, supportive family who never gave up on him. It is also the story of the incredible people who have worked tirelessly to reform North Carolina's criminal justice system. Taylor's exoneration allowed for the reexamining of several other false convictions — including the case against Michael Peterson of The Staircase as they shared the same blood analyst.

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FILMMAKER'S STATEMENT: "Greg's story teaches us wrongful convictions can happen to anyone, and there are effective, reasonable reforms that can dramatically improve our criminal justice system. Each one of us is also a potential juror with an obligation to understand how our legal system works, the weaknesses that need strengthening in that system, and how our decisions can impact others' lives.

If criminal justice reform is possible in North Carolina, it's possible everywhere."

-Gregg Jamback