I spent last evening watching this MSNBC documentary, which aired on tv here a few weeks ago and was recorded for me by #1 Son’s boyfriend. (I had tried to DVR it, and the damn’ thing was blank when I went to watch it … fairly typical of my experience with DVR, but I hope on, hope ever, and have so far resisted throwing the fracken machine out the window.)
In 2001, a Canadian-American GP, by the name of Shirley Turner, shot and killed her ex-boyfriend, Dr Andrew Bagby, in Pennsylvania and fled to Canada to escape justice. There she announced that she was four months pregnant by Andrew and, for the next few years, thumbed her nose at the US justice system, aided and abetted by various members of the Newfoundland judiciary who treated her with kid gloves, because she was a single mother. Shades of that hoary old joke about the criminal who murders his parents and throws himself on the mercy of the court as an orphan!
There are many good guys in this appalling and tragic story, including David Bagby’s friends and colleagues, and the Newfoundland lawyer who worked long and hard to try to bring Shirley Turner to justice. But the real heroes are Andrew’s parents, David and Kate Bagby. They gave up their lives in the States and moved to Newfoundland, where they attempted to gain custody of their grandchild. Frustrated at every turn by the courts—the film, made by their son’s friend, Kurt Kuenn, is a heart-scalding indictment of the Canadian justice system—they made numerous friends in Canada and bowed to the whims of their grandchild’s psycho mother, in order to maintain contact with Zachary. David Bagby has published a best-selling book about their experiences, entitled Dance with the Devil, and has become a passionate advocate for sweeping changes within the family law system in Canada
I won’t say how the film ends and, if you want to track down the DVD, which is due to be released on February 24th, I would advise that you not Google any of the protagonists because it’s a huge spoiler. Also, make sure you have a box of tissues close at hand as you watch. More info on the film can be found here.
I’ve followed this case with interest all through it, Tessa. So I do know how it turns out.
I read about the doc being made so am very interested in seeing it.
thanks for refreshing my files!
XO
WWW
Wow. I want to see this documentary now, after that teaser. Maybe I’ll read the book written too. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
I’d like to watch it, but I have to know before hand that nothing bad happens to the kid.
i wonder if it is available online? I have a client who call always find things like this online (both legal and not so much so) i think i’ll mention it to her and see if she can find it for me…
I know nothing about this case. But I am pretty sure I would do everything on earth to be a part of my grandchild’s life, and that would include dancing with any devils who came between me and him or her.
I’m glad to hear Dear Zachary made an impression. Certainly it falls in that category of documentary that, although engaging and well executed, can’t really be considered an enjoyable watch. But definitely worth seeing. Glad to hear it finally has a release date.
What an unbelievably horrendous situation – Zackary’s mother sounds insane. What amazing grandparents.
Everyone needs to watch this film. It shows the extremes of the human condition and, despite the sadness, it is life affirming.