"Well-known Irish singer, Brendan Shine discovers the shocking truth about the murder of his great-uncle, Fr. James Coyle, in Alabama in 1921.
From the outset, Brendan knows from family lore that his great-uncle was killed by a member of the Ku Klux Klan. During the course of making this programme, he uncovers a story which caused a major scandal in the US at that time. One expert described the trial as 'the OJ of hte early 20th century.' The trial of Methodist Minister Rev. Edwin Stephenson, who confessed to the police immediately after the killing, became of show of force by the Ku Klux Klan. How did a court acquit Stephenson, who turned himself into the police, and allow him to walk out of the courtroom a free man, and a local hero? Brendan also discovers that a future Supreme Court Judge played a pivotal role in the trial.
Brendan will discover that Fr. Coyle is considered a martyr for his faith among Catholics in Birmingham, and that there are calls to have him beatified, and eventually to have him canonised a saint.
This programme combines interviews, archive footage, photographic material, and re-enactments of the key moments. Brendan's journey to discover the story will be the vehicle through which the audience will become fully engaged. Filming took place in Ireland and in the US.
A Cross in Alabama is produced and directed by Pat Shine. Pat is Brendan's cousin and hails originally from Waterford. He now resides in Bray, Co. Wicklow."
See the following links for further press about the documentary:
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/singer-throws-light-on-ku-klux-klan-murder-2105737.html
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-stories/2010/01/father_coyle_relatives_visit_b.html
http://www.cinews.ie/article.php?artid=6999
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