A Death in St. Augustine

In 2010, shortly after attending a rock concert with her brother and boyfriend, Michelle O'Connell was found dead at her home from a gunshot wound to the mouth. O'Connell's boyfriend, Jeremy Banks, claimed it was suicide, but numerous red flags suggested foul play: Banks was not only a deputy in the St. Johns County police department, near St. Augustine, Florida, but O'Connell was also shot by Banks's revolver. Filmmaker Glenn Silber's PBS-aired Frontline documentary looks at efforts made by O'Connell's family, friends, and New York Times reporter Walt Bogdanich to uncover the truth. According to O'Connell's mother (who also worked the desk at the police department), her daughter had been abused by Banks, but had decided not to pursue charges. She had recently gained a job promotion at her work, was happy and optimistic about the future, was a loving and involved single mother, and had come to the difficult decision to leave Banks. Strangely, although Banks seemed near hysteria when he called 911 about the shooting, minutes later he seemed relaxed and joking while being interviewed in the comfort of a police department squad car (Banks's DNA was also missing from his own gun). Police officials seemed to consider this a suicide from the start, and Banks a friend rather than a suspect. The main issue here is the possibility of special treatment when the police investigate one of their own. The O'Connell case is still open, and Banks (at the time this film was made) is back on the job. A provocative exposé that raises some disturbing questions, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (S. Rees)