Jerrel Phillips

n Herrera v Collins the United States Supreme
Court held that it is constitutional to execute a prisoner even though the prisoner may be
innocent of the crime! In reality, actual guilt or innocence matters less nowadays than whether
or not the prisoner’s trial was “procedurally fair.” Sadly, it is a sick game that is played to assuage the public’s conscience when the last breath is taken from the condemned.
Systemics explores this reality that plays out
all too often in Florida’s court system. Set in a small town, it centers around Mark Abramson,
a once convicted high school dropout, who
unwittingly finds himself charged with the
murder of his former boss. The charge brings
him face to face with what passes for justice in
today’s criminal justice system. On display is
today’s justice system, as well as both the good
and bad facets of small southern towns and the
attorneys who practice in them.