False Arrest (film)

False Arrest
GenreDrama
Based onFalse Arrest: The Joyce Lukezic Story
Written byJoyce Lukezic
Ted Schwarz
Andrew Laskos
Directed byBill L. Norton
Starring
Music bySylvester Levay
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersJoel Fields
Ronald H. Gilbert
Leonard Hill
CinematographyRobert Draper
EditorMark W. Rosenbaum
Running time192 minutes
Production companiesJoel Fields Productions
Leonard Hill Films
Ron Gilbert Associates
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseNovember 3 (1991-11-03) –
November 6, 1991 (1991-11-06)

False Arrest is a 1991 American television film based on the real-life murders of William Redmond and Helen Phelps and the true story of Joyce Lukezic, who was wrongfully convicted of being one of the masterminds behind the murders.[1] Directed by Bill L. Norton and starring Donna Mills and Steven Bauer, the film was broadcast in two parts on November 3 and 6, 1991.[2][3][4]

Synopsis

On New Year's Eve 1980, in Phoenix, Arizona, William "Pat" Redmond, his wife, Marilyn, and her mother; Helen Phelps, are hustled into a bedroom in their house by three men with guns and are each shot in the back of the head. Both Pat and Phelps die while Marilyn survives. Joyce Lukezic, the wife of Pat Redmond's business partner, Ron Lukezic, is charged with masterminding the murders.

After going to jail, Joyce suffers a heart attack, is abandoned by her lawyer and husband, and is attacked in prison. She also attempts suicide. When Joyce gets a new lawyer, she tells him she suspects her husband is the true mastermind behind the murders. She eventually gets a retrial and is found innocent.

Cast

References

  1. ^ Fitzpatrick, Tom (November 6, 1991). "As seen on TV, a famous Phoenix murder". Phoenix New Times. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  2. ^ "Arizona wants to execute last surviving defendant of Valley murder plot". KPNX. July 19, 2022. Archived from the original on January 1, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  3. ^ Shales, Tom (November 2, 1991). "'Arrest': Shut And Open Case". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  4. ^ Willman, Chris (November 6, 1991). "TV Reviews : ABC's 'False Arrest' Manages to Remain Arresting". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2024.