By Tim Saunders on
Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn has just narrated a new TV documentary about injustice.
Witch Hunt chronicles the injustices surrounding dozens of parents who were jailed on false child-abuse charges in Bakersfield, California, in the 1980s.
“Lives were shattered for the personal and political gain of the District Attorney’s office and the Sheriff’s Department in Kern County,” the star told TV Guide. “Many of those corrupt officials continue to hold those positions today.There’s a very current issue here.There are all too many examples of the way in which public opinion is swayed by tainted evidence and emotional and irrational decision making.The public hysteria that surrounded this case is every bit as essential to discuss as the public corruption. These lightning-rod crimes tend to challenge our lawful assumption of innocence until proof of guilt.”
The program will air in the US on April 12.
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