A Case of Deadly Force (1986)
Fact-based story about a 1975 cover-up of a shooting by two white members of the Boston Tactical Unit. While on stakeout on a suspected getaway car used in a armed robbery, the two gunned down a black man who entered the car. The two claimed the man had a gun and they shot in self-defense. Police investigation decided it was a rightful shooting. The man's widow knew her husband would not be carrying a weapon and became determined to prove her husband's innocence. She hired a former cop who had become a lawyer to prove her case. Working with his four sons, the lawyer team takes on the police force in what eventually proved to be a landmark legal decision. Written by John Sacksteder
Director: Michael Miller
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Richard Crenna as Lawrence O'Donnell Sr. |
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John Shea as Michael O'Donnell |
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Lorraine Toussaint as Pat Bowden |
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Francis X. McCarthy as Hanna |
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Tate Donovan as Lawrence O'Donnell Jr. |
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Anna Maria Horsford as Virginia Cates |
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Anthony Heald as Dave O'Brian |
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Dylan Baker as Kevin O'Donnell |
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Michael O'Hare as Joe Miller |
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Fred J. Scollay as Judge Skinner |
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Paul O'Brien as Ken Mooney |
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Tom Kemp as Jack Finnegan |
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John Prosky as Phil Cochran |
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Paul D'Amato as Mike Fagan |
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Peter Gerety as Bobby Doyle |
| Editing | Paul Fried | Editor |
| Sound | Paul Chihara | Original Music Composer |
| Production | Bruce S. Pustin | Producer |
| Camera | Kees Van Oostrum | Director of Photography |
| Art | Suzanne Cavedon | Production Design |
| Art | Jane Cavedon | Set Decoration |
| Costume & Make-Up | Carol Ramsey | Costume Design |
| Directing | Michael Miller | Director |
| Writing | Dennis Nemec | Teleplay |
