Movie Review - Death by Fire

The Documentary “Death by Fire” was a story of a Father, Todd Willingham who lost his 3 daughters in a house fire. The documentary detailed Willingham’s behavior at the arrival of neighbors and first responders, the days following the fire and his behavior during the criminal proceedings. Willingham was convicted and put to death for the murder of his 3 daughters. The question remains, did the State of Texas execute an innocent man?

Todd Willingham, father of three and husband, lived a rather uncommon life. Willingham did not have a job to support his family and had an extensive criminal background including domestic violence on his wife, Stacey. Even with the extensive criminal background, Willingham was described as a great father who would do absolutely anything for his children. One night, Willingham awoke to a smoke filled house and screams from his oldest daughter. Neighbors rushed to the house only to find Willingham on the front porch, crying “my babies are burning in there”. Neighbors later told authorities that Willingham showed no effort to re-enter the house to save his children. Firefighters arrived and soon after removed the 3 charred bodies of Willingham’s Children. His wife Stacey, was out Christmas shopping at the time of the fire.

Stacey professed her husband’s innocence in the coming days, but Willingham’s behavior was unlike that portrayed of a man who just lost his three children to a terrible tragedy. Willingham was out partying at bars, making inappropriate comments such as “We won’t have to worry about money now” referring to all the donations people were making. Authorities began to investigate the fire as arson, and in the following days arrested Willingham and charged him with capital murder.

Through intense interrogations, and even a plea bargain that would have allowed Willingham to escape the death penalty if he confessed to setting the fire, Willingham maintained his innocence. Prosecutors argued that the disbursement of alleged accelerate was sprayed in a pattern of a pentagram and argued that Willingham had worshiped satanic values as they also used posters of sadistic skeletons found in Willingham’s bedroom. These posters were of popular rock bands such as Iron Maiden . The prosecutors brought in a Forensic Psychologist Dr. James Grigson who claimed Willingham was a sociopath. Prosecutors also used a jailhouse informant, Johnny Webb, who testified that while jailed together, Willingham had confessed to setting the fire. Willingham’s wife however testified that she believed her husband did not set the fire. Willingham was found guilty and sentenced to death.

While Willingham was sent to prison