“I can’t believe I’m out. I thought I was going to die in prison.”
So says the pensive title subject in “The Trials of Marvin Mutch,” a full-length digital documentary from KQED News about a man who served 41 years behind bars for a crime he swears he didn’t commit.
In 1974, Mutch, then 18, was arrested in Sunol for the murder of 13-year-old Cassie Riley, whose body was found along Alameda Creek in Union City. Mutch always insisted he was innocent, and supporters have claimed the arrest was solely based on circumstantial evidence. Last February, he was released from the California Medical Facility in Vacaville, thanks largely to a massive change in the state’s prison and parole systems.
KQED reporters Adam Grossberg and Alex Emslie spent a year investigating Mutch’s case. Their film, which can be viewed at www.trialsofmarvinmutch.org, sheds light on California’s deeply flawed parole system and the recent efforts to fix it. It also follows Mutch through his first six months of freedom — from the excitement of renting his first-ever apartment to his wedding day — as he re-enters a society vastly different from the one he knew.
“We wanted to tell the amazing story of Marvin’s life, with all of its twists and turns, not only because it exposes some real flaws in the criminal justice system, but because it puts a human face on a very complicated set of issues,” Grossberg said in a statement. “And in spite of everything he has endured, Marvin has emerged as a symbol of reform and rehabilitation.”
In addition to its presence online, “The Trials of Marvin Mutch” will get a free public screening at 6 p.m. June 1 at the Oakland Museum of California. The screening will be preceded by a reception beginning at 5 p.m. and followed by a conversation with the filmmakers (Registration for the event is being conducted at https://trialsofmm.eventbrite.com).
Mutch’s story is also the subject of a six-part “Q’ed Up” podcast series with new episodes available each Wednesday through June 21.
STAR CHEF: Speaking of KQED, San Francisco’s public television station makes its first national contribution to the “American Masters” documentary series on Friday with the airing of “Jacques Pépin: The Art of Craft” (9 p.m. Friday, PBS).
Produced and directed by Peter L. Stein, the film recalls Pépin’s upbringing in France, his bold move to America and his rise to celebrity status as a television chef who elevated kitchen techniques to an art form. KQED was Pépin’s TV home for many years — producing 11 of his popular cooking shows.
PBS is pairing the film with an encore presentation of an “American Masters” profile of another Bay Area culinary icon. “Alice Waters and Her Delicious Revolution” will air immediately afterward at 10 p.m.
BUSTING SOME MOVES: The Posse Dance Company, a team of seven girls from San Jose’s Nor Cal Dance Arts, will compete on the premiere episode of Jennifer Lopez’s new TV talent show, “World of Dance” (10 p.m. May 30, NBC).
Coached and choreographed by Tawnya Kuzia, the company is comprised of dancers from San Jose, Cupertino and Fremont between 10 and 15 years old. The members are: Sydney Centeno, Jadyn Hernandez, Priscilla Tom, Kina Siu, Jana Tsai, Emily Joe and Janette Solorzano.
Kuzia, a graduate of San Jose State University, founded Nor Cal Dance Arts 10 years ago.
Lopez is an executive producer of “World of Dance” and also serves as a judge on the show.
Contact Chuck Barney at cbarney@bayareanewsgroup.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/chuckbarney and Facebook.com/bayareanewsgroup.chuckbarney.
