The Sandman

Lauren Knapp’s documentary short focuses on Dr. Carlo Musso, a physician who is the most prominent member of the medical execution team assigned to administer the fatal injections to Georgia’s death row inmates. Although Musso claims that he is personally opposed to the concept of capital punishment, he also insists that he has no professional qualms in administering what he dubs "end of life care"—even though medical organizations are overwhelmingly opposed to using pharmaceutical products to terminate human life. Musso’s involvement in the execution of death row inmates brought him unwanted publicity, ranging from e-mail harassment to efforts by capital punishment opponents to have his medical license pulled. As a result, Georgia passed laws concealing the identities of all medical personnel involved in inmate executions. While the subject is certainly intriguing, Musso is not the ideal personality, his manner ranging from indifferent to dyspeptic (and he frequently seems annoyed by the presence of Knapp’s camera). Also on hand is Musso’s wife Teresa, who once sat on a jury that approved a death sentence; she seems more interested in being on camera, detailing her brief work as a person responsible for overseeing witnesses to inmate executions. Winner of several student documentary awards, this film could lead to a larger discussion on capital punishment. A strong optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)