Blogcritics Comments on DVD Review: Murder in America - The Sarah Cherry Story

Comment by chris on DVD Review: Murder in America - The Sarah Cherry Story

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 22:22:57 EDT

I have lived in Maine my whole life, new some of the family, and have been in the office of the detective who arrested the man.( He has a picture of him self with the defendent in handcuffs on the wall like a trophy.) I do not understand how they can find dna under her fingernails and just ignore this evidence. I do not know what happened, and maybe know one ever really will know, but I live with an addict and depending on what the substances she is on I have seen her lose time she will be talking in present time as if events that happened a day before were accually taking place then ,she has had black outs, I have even seen her talk to people who were not even there, so i can understand how at the time of his arrest he could be confused on the details of what he had been up to. He very well could have witnessed it and just can't put it together in his head. The fact I can not understand is how people can ignore the fact that a person other than the defendents dna was under Sarah Cherry's nails from defending her own life and no one cares to even try to explain this. If it was my daughter I would never get another nights sleep, ever.

Comment by Randy on DVD Review: Murder in America - The Sarah Cherry Story

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:54:58 EDT

I've been following this case for 20 years. I have read,listened to all the info this case has to offer.. It's a sad thing... But, someone is lieing.. is it the cops, or dennis?????? The DNA tells NO LIES my friends!!!!!!!!

Comment by Daniel Rastatter on DVD Review: Murder in America - The Sarah Cherry Story

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:19:44 EDT

Tim, I did online research through Google and found plenty of sources including crime investigation sources which say rigor mortis ends 36 hours after death. However, such an estimate is not absolute as the ending of rigor mortis is caused by decay, and if Cherry's body was refrigerated, rigor mortis could have lasted longer. Was that the case? According to page 238 of the online copy of Human Sacrifice, "Sarah was a child. If her age had any effect, her rigor mortis could have begun and ended more rapidly than in an adult. Her body was partially concealed beneath a pile of sticks but the ambient temperature during those days neared ninety degrees. If the temperature didn't hasten her rigor mortis, it certainly didn't retard it. Lastly, it's safe to assume that the torture inflicted on Sarah added to her stress and muscular activity. Any one of these variables would accelerate rigor mortis. ... Attempts to manipulate that scientific conclusion with talk about variables simply backfires."

Comment by Tim on DVD Review: Murder in America - The Sarah Cherry Story

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:52:24 EDT

Daniel Rastatter, Do you wonder why James Moore never names a pathologist or directly quotes a textbook? Please do your own research.

Comment by Daniel Rastatter on DVD Review: Murder in America - The Sarah Cherry Story

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:25:19 EDT

Tim, Rigor mortis probably can last longer in cold temperatures. Probably forever if a dead body is frozen. I was talking about the conditions under which Cherry's body was found. Cherry's murder occurred in July. According to James Moore, author of Human Sacrifice, "Every pathologist interviewed, and every forensic pathology textbook agrees that, in [Cherry's] situation and circumstances, rigor mortis would last a maximum of 36 hours. This places the earliest time of death at 2:00a.m. on Thursday– more than five hours after Dechaine's actions are accounted for by State's witnesses and police officers. Every other suggestion advanced by Roy [the medical examiner who testified a Dechaine's trial] (i.e. "two days prior," "could have been longer," and "within hours of eating her last meal," are totally contradicted by every other pathologist interviewed and every forensic pathology textbook. Jurors heard none of these facts . Asked about these inconsistencies in a recorded interview, Dr. Roy blurted, "This case is why I left the State of Maine." Dr. Roy also said that he would not return to Maine under any circumstances."

Comment by Tim on DVD Review: Murder in America - The Sarah Cherry Story

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 18:58:00 EDT

Daniel Rastatter, Do some research on rigor mortis please. The 36 hours is a minimum. Rigor mortis can last 72 hours. Especially when the body is buried under a foot of debris. There goes the alibi. When you call someone ignorant and not accepting of established science please be looking in the mirror. "A few hours after a person or animal dies, the joints of the body stiffen and become locked in place. This stiffening is called rigor mortis. Depending on temperature and other conditions, rigor mortis lasts approximately 72 hours. The phenomenon is caused by the skeletal muscles partially contracting. The muscles are unable to relax, so the joints become fixed in place."

Comment by Daniel Rastatter on DVD Review: Murder in America - The Sarah Cherry Story

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 22:44:03 EDT

Cherry's body still had rigor mortis when found, which lasts a maximum of 36 hours after death. At the time Dechaine had a solid alibi for the previous 41 hours. There is no getting around this alibi unless someone can scientifically show that rigor mortis can last 41 hours under the conditions in which Cherry's body laid. Dechaine appears to be the victim of ignorant people who do not accept established science and cannot be bothered to try and disprove it.

Comment by Gigi80 on DVD Review: Murder in America - The Sarah Cherry Story

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:11:24 EDT

Dennis Dechaine is guilty!! The Trial and Error moonbats need to find a new cause. And yes, I do have personal knowledge of the case and I am convinced beyond all doubt of Dechaine's guilt. Why would the officers, the DA, and the prosecutor -- all of whom lived locally and had children -- want to frame an inoocent man and let the "real killer" go free to harm other children? It is a symptom of Dechaine's narcissistic and deluded personality that he claims that he was "set up".

Comment by Barbara on DVD Review: Murder in America - The Sarah Cherry Story

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:50:32 EST

This was a well-made film. How can anyone think this man is innocent, or rally around him? Perhaps his defenders hate women and condone violence agasint women as much as he did. No one wants to believe how bad the situation is -- esp men, because they are so afraid of each other, they have to live in denial.

Comment by michael on DVD Review: Murder in America - The Sarah Cherry Story

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 08:49:36 EST

Movies/documentaries when written well can convince our mind's eye. The truth of the matter here is that both side WERE never presented and that makes for a very bias story and possibly a coverup from our cohorts in the Maine office. Hmmmmm........

Comment by Andrea on DVD Review: Murder in America - The Sarah Cherry Story

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 22:38:36 EST

I was a 20 year old college student in the summer of 1988 when Sarah Cherry was murdered. Hers was a name I will never forget. As heart wrenching as it was to know that this little girl had been murdered, it is as heart wrenching to know that Dennis Duchaine is still wrongfully imprisoned for her murder. I knew when he was being tried that he was innocent. I would think that the family of Sarah Cherry would want another trial for Dennis Duchaine because there is plenty of evidence to vindicate him. Don't they want to know the truth? What would it be like to spend 20 years in prison for a crime you had not committed?

Comment by Todd on DVD Review: Murder in America - The Sarah Cherry Story

Sat, 19 May 2007 10:41:43 EDT

I was at the premiere of this documentary in New York. I was and still am somewhat hesitant about airing my views of what I personally experience viewing this film.As a producer of independent films myself, I am drawn to these festivals. Murder in America, in my view is the best documentary I have seen in years. I perdict that once this film is aired (and it will be picked up) it will set a standard for all investigating reporting. The producer and director of this film have shown a great insight to fairness and balance. As I viewed, I had the feeling that each person that participated in this film was speaking directly to me or that I was sitting in a jury box and it was up to me the question of innocent or gulit. I have read the comments regarding this film; it's a shame that they haven't seen the film and are so judgmential, but they should be happy that the producer and the director do not have the same mantality as they do. Bravo, job well done!

Comment by Howard S. Klerk Jr. on DVD Review: Murder in America - The Sarah Cherry Story

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 14:32:49 EDT

I have not only seen this documentary, I have a copy of it. It is not only well done, but it shows both sides in a very fair manner. It is a very sad commentary that the myopic members of "trial and error" cannot see beyond the noses on their faces. Having attended a court hearing lasting several days covering "new found evidence",Presided over by judge Bradford I was disgusted by the antics of this murderer's fan club. They gave him a standing ovation when he entered the courtroom and mouthed "we love you Dennis". These people need to get a life, and should really study the facts instead of acting like a bunch of sheep. Howars S Klerk Jr. Coleader Maine chapter Parents Of Murdered Children.

Comment by Bill on DVD Review: Murder in America - The Sarah Cherry Story

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 15:46:37 EDT

I live in Maine and I can tell all, that up here you only hear one side of the story, thats how Dennis is innocent. After reading the review, it would be refreshing to hear both sides of the story with out any distortions.

Comment by mark on DVD Review: Murder in America - The Sarah Cherry Story

Sat, 21 Apr 2007 10:16:25 EDT

lorenzo is a joke and so is his film, it'll never get any place because of that.

Comment by Joan on DVD Review: Murder in America - The Sarah Cherry Story

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 19:32:40 EDT

This movie is a lie, all lie's. Dennis Dechaine is a wonderful person who could never have killed that girl.

Comment by Dennis on DVD Review: Murder in America - The Sarah Cherry Story

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 05:13:12 EDT

I am intimately aware of this film and I found the review insightful and right on the mark. It is a shame the the critics of this film have never seen it. Also when people spew lies such as someone eles's DNA was present when no such thing is in evidence it's sad. I guess when you are a true beleiver you don't have to be forced to drink the kool aid.

Comment by Betty on DVD Review: Murder in America - The Sarah Cherry Story

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 21:03:24 EDT

i seen the movie and found it to be fsinating !!.the story of how this little girl died ...........who killed her came across real clear......the shame is that it isn,t put to rest and the Cherry family isn,t allowed to go on with life!! the killer is where he belongs,,thanks for a good job!!

Comment by Frank T. on DVD Review: Murder in America - The Sarah Cherry Story

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 20:18:16 EDT

What is in this film, that the convicts supporters don't want us to see?

Comment by Tim on DVD Review: Murder in America - The Sarah Cherry Story

Sun, 15 Apr 2007 12:47:06 EDT

lambie, Have you seen the movie? The DNA issue has been addressed by the State of Maine. Maine has even passed the Dennis Dechaine Bill(L.D. 1907). This is a bill designed specifically for Dechaine so he can get a new trial. Even with this new law in place there is not enough evidence to get him a new trial.

Comment by lambie on DVD Review: Murder in America - The Sarah Cherry Story

Sat, 14 Apr 2007 21:46:31 EDT

DNA is scientific evidence that has been exonerating many wrongfully convicted people as we speak through out the United States today—but in Dennis Dechaine's case the fact that it wasn't his DNA but someone elses is not even accounted for in the State of Maine. The sad part of this story is that the Cherry family is missing knowing who the the real murderer of their daughter was and knowing that he is off the streets and away from other daughers.

Comment by Shannon on DVD Review: Murder in America - The Sarah Cherry Story

Sat, 14 Apr 2007 13:55:52 EDT

This documentary is unique, compelling and deserves a wide audience. The director Dora Militaru won an award for this film and richly deserved it.

Comment by Joe on DVD Review: Murder in America - The Sarah Cherry Story

Sat, 14 Apr 2007 13:44:17 EDT

What is eerie about this documentary is that these are ordinary people like you and me telling their story. The format is different from what is on TV today. No actors, no recreations, no commentary or anyone asking questions. Just the actual people involved telling their story. I thought it was very well done with a different approach. Let's you draw your own conclusions to the guilt or innocence.

Comment by Mike on DVD Review: Murder in America - The Sarah Cherry Story

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 13:48:48 EDT

I live in New York and I've heard about this film.My question is, when will it be on TV?...........I hear thats its very good.

Comment by nancy on DVD Review: Murder in America - The Sarah Cherry Story

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 15:26:56 EDT

If this film is onesided what the heck is Trial and Error?? all i know is that a little girl was murdered ,innocent beautiful little girl who could have been a doctor or teacher with her own kids think about the Cherry family... no i don't know the family at all