To Live and Die in Alabama

To Live and Die in Alabama
To Live and Die in Alabama
Directed by	Matt Kay
Starring	Nathaniel Woods (archival footage); Chris McAlpine; Christina Bishop; Michael Blalock; Rita Briles; Tyran "Bubba" Cooper; Curtis Crane; Andrea Elders; Annetta Nunn; Kimberly Chisholm Simmons; Kerry Spencer; Cynthia Umstead; Deandrez Walters; Nathaniel Woods Sr.; Heavenly Woods; Pamela Woods;
Production; company	The New York Times
Distributed by	Hulu; FX;
Release date	December 3, 2021;
Running time	69 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

To Live and Die in Alabama is a 2021 documentary film, directed by Matt Kay. It focuses on the circumstances leading to the 2004 arrest and controversial 2020 execution of Nathaniel Woods and the killings for which he was convicted. The film was aired on FX on December 3, 2021, and was made available on Hulu shortly after. A month later, it was released on the New York Times' website. The film is a part of the New York Times Presents documentary series.^[1]

Synopsis

Nathaniel Woods was convicted of capital murder in the killings of three police officers in Birmingham, Alabama. Despite never pulling a trigger, Woods was accused by the state of being an accomplice to the shooter, Kerry Spencer.

The film features interviews from Woods, Spencer, family members of Woods and the deceased officers, and others involved in the case. Woods's family believes in his innocence, while opinions from family members of the deceased officers are mixed; Kimberly Chisholm Simmons, the sister of deceased officer Harley Chisholm III, defends Woods in the documentary and believes in his innocence, while Andrea Elders, the daughter of deceased officer Carlos Owen, believes Woods was "the whole entire reason" that the murders occurred.^[2]^[3]^[4]

Cast

All star as themselves.

△ = Believes Woods is guilty
〇 = Believes Woods is innocent

Nathaniel Woods (archival footage)
Chris McAlpine, juror △
Christina Bishop, alternate juror 〇
Michael Blalock, defense counsel for Kerry Spencer 〇
Rita Briles, defense counsel for Nathaniel Woods 〇
Tyran "Bubba" Cooper, Woods's cousin 〇
Curtis Crane, juror △
Andrea Elders, daughter of deceased officer Carlos Owen △
Annetta Nunn, Birmingham police chief (2003-2007) △
Kimberly Chisholm Simmons, sister of deceased officer Harley Chisholm III 〇
Kerry Spencer, shooter 〇
Cynthia Umstead, defense counsel for Nathaniel Woods 〇
Deandrez Walters, son of Nathaniel Woods 〇
Nathaniel Woods Sr., father of Nathaniel Woods 〇
Heavenly Woods, sister of Nathaniel Woods 〇
Pamela Woods, sister of Nathaniel Woods 〇

References

^ "Video: The New York Times Presents: 'To Live and Die in Alabama'". The New York Times. 2022-01-28. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
^ "'To Live and Die in Alabama' profiles 2004 Birmingham police officer murders, Nathaniel Woods execution". al. 2021-11-29. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
^ "'To Live and Die in Alabama' Re-examines the Controversial Execution of Nathaniel Woods • EBONY". EBONY. 2021-12-06. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
^ Grobar, Matt (2021-11-29). "'To Live And Die In Alabama': Latest Doc In 'New York Times Presents' Series Gets FX/Hulu Premiere Date". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-03-29.

[1] "Video: The New York Times Presents: 'To Live and Die in Alabama'". The New York Times. 2022-01-28. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-03-29.

[2] "'To Live and Die in Alabama' profiles 2004 Birmingham police officer murders, Nathaniel Woods execution". al. 2021-11-29. Retrieved 2022-03-29.

[3] "'To Live and Die in Alabama' Re-examines the Controversial Execution of Nathaniel Woods • EBONY". EBONY. 2021-12-06. Retrieved 2022-03-29.

[4] Grobar, Matt (2021-11-29). "'To Live And Die In Alabama': Latest Doc In 'New York Times Presents' Series Gets FX/Hulu Premiere Date". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-03-29.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]