A Case of Deadly Force 38 years old

Fact-based story about a 1975 cover-up of a shooting by two white members of the Boston Tactical Unit. While on stakeout on a suspected getaway car used in a armed robbery, the two gunned down a black man who entered the car. The two claimed the man had a gun and they shot in self-defense. Police investigation decided it was a rightful shooting. The man's widow knew her husband would not be carrying a weapon and became determined to prove her husband's innocence. She hired a former cop who had become a lawyer to prove her case. Working with his four sons, the lawyer team takes on the police force in what eventually proved to be a landmark legal decision. Written by John Sacksteder

Credits

A Case of Deadly Force Cast

Name Character
Richard Crenna He was 59, 76 years old when he died as Lawrence O'Donnell Sr.
Anna Maria Horsford She was 38, now 76 years old as Virginia Cates
Dylan Baker He was 26, now 64 years old as Kevin O'Donnell
Tate Donovan He was 22, now 60 years old as Lawrence O'Donnell Jr.
John Shea He was 36, now 75 years old as Michael O'Donnell
Lorraine Toussaint She was 26, now 64 years old as Pat Bowden
Michael O’Hare He was 33, 60 years old when he died as Joe Miller
Anthony Heald He was 41, now 79 years old as Dave O'Brian
Francis X. McCarthy He was 44, now 82 years old as Hanna

A Case of Deadly Force Crew

Name Department
Dennis Nemec as Teleplay. Writing
Michael Miller as Director. He was 54 (51) years old when He died Directing
A Case of Deadly Force (38 years)

  • Release day: Wednesday, April 09, 1986
  • Runtime: 95 minutes