Jeffrey Epsteins unredacted flight log finally uncovered, Here's why Dayana Espinoza is an actor to watch. After the films release, Kuenne sent four hundred copies of Dear Zachary to every member of the Canadian Parliament to campaign for a bill to give more protection to children in custody disputes. When confronted with this evidence, Turner claimed that she met with Bagby at Keystone State Park but that he put the gun in his trunk. The RNC arrested Turner on 12 December, the same day extradition proceedings commenced against her. "[2]:454, Turner was returned to jail in November 2002 pending a decision by the federal justice minister regarding whether she should be extradited to the United States. He always had a good taste in music and its no wonder this song was his favorite. WebDear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father is a 2008 American documentary film written, produced, directed, edited, and scored by Kurt Kuenne. [19], Two scholarships have been established in tribute to Andrew David Bagby and his son. [2]:84, Upon becoming pregnant, Turner married a long-time boyfriend during Memorial University's 1981 winter recess. Bagbys childhood friend Kenneth Kuenne made the film as a way to document the memories of Andrews life. Kuenne finished his documentary and dedicated it to the memories of both Bagby and Zachary. This preference was made especially clear during Zachary's first birthday party at a St. John's McDonald's, after which Turner said to Kathleen, "He obviously loves you more than me, so why don't you take him? Your favorite summer hobby and how you got into it. [16], As part of a campaign to change federal bail laws, Kuenne sent a copy of Dear Zachary to each of the over 400 members of Canada's Parliament. On several occasions, he had summoned state troopers to order her to leave. Feb. 7, 2017. Horrifying as it was, she pushed it back in herself. Dear Zachary is the only film that has made me cry. It would be insulting to Kuenne to go into this film with any preconceived notions, one simply has to experience it on their own. by Johnny Brayson. Police discovered his body in a parking lot at Keystone State Park. People We Want to See on a Comedy Central Roast. Lets create a culture that celebrates expression rather than forces unrealistic expectations. Andrew tried to leave Shirley entirely in November 2001. The lot number on a box of condoms found in Turner's Council Bluffs apartment matched a box purchased by Bagby in Latrobe on the night of the break-up. Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father, Benefiting off of the fact her student loans. This page was last edited on 29 April 2023, at 14:10. What could have beena dry analysis ofa broken justice system is instead a deeply touching commentary on love and friendship. WebDear Zachary is the sort of documentary that, in delivering its debilitating news, ensures that every person in the theater leaves their seat with the strongest reminder to continue to cherish those they love, and to reminisce without mercy for those they've loved and lost. Meanwhile, Turner exhibited possessive behavior towards Bagby and harassed him over the phone. The ultimate tragedy of this story came when Turner, in 2003, jumped into the Atlantic Ocean. So here it is: If theres one documentary you need to watch before you die, its Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son about his Father. The bill, which helps protect children in relation to bail hearings and custody disputes, was signed into law the following year. Kuenne initially intended for Dear Zachary to be a private project for Andrew Bagbys friends and family. After consulting with his parents, Doucet moved to Westtown Township, Pennsylvania, United States in 1998. The pair dated and were sexually intimate on two occasions afterward. They're leaving and you're the last one of the group left at school. A little over a month later, on November 3, Turner confessedto the fake pregnancy and Bagby endedtheir relationship. Even if it doesn't send you bawling like me, you will feel a whole range of emotions: sadness, anger, disgust, impatience, injustice, despair. ", On 7 April 1999, Doucet found Turner lying semi-conscious outside of his apartment, having ingested a combined 65 milligrams of over-the-counter drugs in a suicide attempt. When a constable contacted Turner's lawyer about the harassment, she denied the allegations. People We Want to See on a Comedy Central Roast. If youre fascinated by the world of true crime, sign up for our newsletter. Some of those thoughts included him, without Kate's knowledge, taking out Turner and allowing himself to be imprisoned. to every member of the Canadian Parliament to campaign for a bill to give more protection to children in custody disputes. Bringingattention to this film, after all,supports the cause of Kate and David Bagby, who, since becoming activists for bail reform, have helpedshepherdseveral positive changes to the Canadian legal system. Sometimes, however, there is no satisfying ending. Turner completed her undergraduate education while raising her children with help from her second husband. You didn't study enough and you're pretty sure that last final dropped your grade at least 10 percent. Like The Thin Blue Line, Dear Zachary borrows some narrative dramatic tricks, and they pay off remarkably well. Dear Zachary is not a cinematic marvel, and its frantic editing and heavy-handed imagery can be off-putting. You've been studying all day and still don't understand the majority of the terms. She's been all around Europe and loves Scotland, London, and Russia. Also in Turner's apartment were MapQuest printouts for road directions to Latrobe. The man then broke off the relationship after learning from a friend about Turner's connection to Bagby's murder. With many college semesters coming to a close, students find themselves procrastinating. Join our team and let's create something amazing together! Before police could apprehend her, Turner moved back to St. Johns, Newfoundland, and her arrest was impeded by a complicated extradition process. WebDear Zachary is a documentary, and there is a fallacy about documentaries that this one proves wrong- that they are all logic and lack heart. [3] When Turner learned she was a suspect in the murder investigation, she fled home to St. John's, Newfoundland. In October 2001, Turner obtained a permit to buy a firearm and purchased a Phoenix Arms HP22 handgun and .22 ammunition, which she used during firearms lessons. At approximately 1:00p.m. local time, Turner embarked on a 16-hour, 1,523-kilometre (946mi) drive to Latrobe with her gun and ammunition inside a gun box in her Toyota RAV4. Bagby agreed to talk with her about the pregnancy during a wedding that Bagby was scheduled to attend. [19] The website Film School Rejects placed the film third in their "30 Best Films of the Decade" list. Poor attempt at coping with finals, but hey, you can't think about that biology exam anymore, you're just numbing your pain. Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father is easily one of the most traumatic films I've ever seen. Shortly after she was arrested, she announced that she was pregnant with his child, whom she named Zachary. Standards have been set for centuries regarding expectations surrounding dress, especially for women. After themurder, Turner, now accused of killing Andrew, announces she is four months pregnant with Andrews child. But she does not hear the same song as me. Upon returning, Bagby discoveredsomeone hadrobbed him. Cataloging the most poignantDear Zachary moments may seem like a fool's errand, but to do so is to engage directly with the documentary's most troubling content. He had been shot five times. WebShocking and moving, this documentary shows both the good and bad side of humanity. [23], Murders of Andrew Bagby and Zachary Turner, Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador, Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father, Learn how and when to remove this template message, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, provincial Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, National Board of Review of Motion Pictures, "Murder-suicide funeral: An assignment to dread", "No need for Zachary Turner to die: death review", "Canadian judge let Turner free despite U.S. advice", Why Was an Accused Killer Free to Kill Again? "Dear Zachary" (2008) is Kurt Kuenne's directoral debut, a homage to his murdered friend, addressed to said friend's child. As Turner was leaving Bagby's apartment to travel home, she decided to turn around. It is about Kuenne's close friend Andrew Bagby, who was murdered after Bagby ended a relationship with a woman named Shirley Jane Turner. Written and directed by Kurt Kuenne, MSNBC Films and Oscilloscope Laboratories released Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father on 31 October 2008. I am sorry I cannot say more about this film without ruining its unique premise. She went so far as to discharge her family law lawyer because of his positive attitude towards the Bagbys. I would like to preface this article by saying that I dont think Ive ever been known for my style, so take that as you will. Its not technically the most impressive documentary film, but the subject matter is powerful-enough that you cannot help but be deeply impacted by the story. [18] It was introduced to the Senate of Canada on March 23, 2010,[19] and signed into law on December 16over seven years after Zachary's death, and over two years after the film was released. The 2008 documentary is directed by Kurt Kuenne, who began filming when his childhood friend Dear Zachary, which unfolds chronologically, has not one but two major twists. Such was introduced on March 23rd, 2010, and Zacharys Bill was signed into law two years after the release of Kuennes documentary. She was raised with three siblings in Wichita, Kansas, but moved to Newfoundland with her mother after her parents separated; the parents later divorced. Throughout my time in college, especially studying abroad, I found that I loved jeans, baggy sweaters, my Air Force 1s that I have worn down to the point its crazy, small rings, and dresses. He was ordered to pay a fine of $10,000covering one-third of the $30,000 incurred by the college for the inquiryand was ordered to undergo psychiatric counseling. I hear the last words of the song and I lift my head cautiously. He explains that as parents who lost a son, they "could do nothing but cry, all day,every day." You will curse the Canadian justice system for showing no concern for human life. Kuennes film transforms into a visual letter to the child that Andrew never got to meet. So, here is an account for how your finals week may have went or will be going as your final days left in school come to an end. He found Turner draped in a black dress and holding a dozen roses, coupled with two letters -one of them a suicide note. Although it's hard to watch, it's a According to The New Yorker, the "heart of the [film's] narrative" centers around "Andrew Bagbys life and how horrible his death was for those who loved him.". Some say they don't have the authority to tell her, others say their office is closed, and others say there's "nothing to do. In an attempt to quell Turner, the ex-boyfriend allowed her into hishome, where she camped out for over a month, refusing to leave him. Acting in collaboration with the Pennsylvania State Police, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary's (RNC) Intelligence Unit conducted surveillance on her movements. [17] On October 23, 2009, MP Scott Andrews of Avalon, moved after attending a screening of the film,[10] introduced Bill C-464 (also known as "Zachary's Bill") to the House of Commons of Canada. Dear Zachary is beloved among the true-crime documentary community for being honest, heart-felt, infuriating, and devastating. A filmmaker decides to memorialize a murdered friend when his friend's ex-girlfriend announces she is expecting his son.A filmmaker decides to memorialize a murdered friend when his friend's ex-girlfriend announces she is expecting his son.A filmmaker decides to memorialize a murdered friend when his friend's ex-girlfriend announces she is expecting his son. On 4 November 2001, Turner made a total of three phone calls to Bagby's residence in Latrobe. [20], On April 4, 2013, Kuenne released a short documentary titled The Legacy of Dear Zachary: A Journey to Change the Law on YouTube. Bagby acted in many of Kuenne's amateur movies and, as these films became more professional in quality, he invested in them with some of the money he was saving up for medical school. Benefiting off of the fact her student loanswere calculated on the assumption the childrenremained in her custody, Turner often used her family as an excuse for absences during residency. At first, I felt pressured to wear the same, their matching sets, bike shorts, crop tops, and more. In my lifetime, I have watched a great number of movies like these ones which are really emotional, but the only one that has ever caused me to cry for real was the documentary titled Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father, which was released in 2008. [2]:80 In 1980, Turner enrolled at Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John's, seeking to embark on a medical career. Want to spend your summer being creative and making some money on the side? On November 6, Andrew's body was discovered in a park near his residence in Latrobe, PA. Parents Kate and David Bagby's story of identifying Andrew's body is devastating. Which 'Tiger King' Character Would You Want To Be In Quarantine With? [7] By Turner's account, she visited Bagby's residence in Syracuse seven times while he visited her once in Sac City. A senseless crime Here are some of the topics wed love to hear about: Whether you're an experienced writer or just starting out, we welcome anyone with a passion for writing and a desire to share their perspective. Bagby and Turner's relationship began to crumble, and Turner became increasingly possessive. Turner's husband raised the child as a stay-at-home dad while Turner continued her studies. You will curse the Canadian justice system for showing no concern for human life. Director Kurt Kuenne Writer Kurt Kuenne Stars Kurt Kuenne Andrew Bagby David Bagby See production, box office & company info Watch on Prime Video included with Prime More watch options Add to Watchlist Your favorite beach reads and binge-worthy Netflix shows. A portion of the film also shows Kuenne meeting Zachary in Newfoundland in July 2003 to celebrate his first birthday, one month before his death; Shirley Turner is present during the visit, but Kuenne avoids her. [5] Perpetrator Newfoundland social service workers interviewed the children, who stated that their "disciplinarian" mother punished them with spankings and beatings by belt. The original cut of the documentary had a run time of over two hours and contains numerous other short scenes, most notably a segment in which Kuenne travels to England to interview Andrew's maternal relatives during a wedding. When Turner visited him in Latrobe in late October 2001immediately after the last of her firearms lessons in Omahathe two frequently argued over his relationship with a new girlfriend. The ex-boyfriend tookflight once again, this time to Pennsylvania. Within days of the ruling, however, Turner sent her daughter back to live with her father in Portland Creek while her other two children were sent to Parson's Pond to live with their paternal grandmother. Three years later, Turner and her second husband divorced, and she was granted custody of their daughter. The bill received unanimous support in the Canadian House of Commons, and received support from Liberal Senator Tommy Banks. Released in 2008, the filmmakes the cut as one ofthe greatest documentaries of all time. WebTheres no shortage of harrowing documentaries, but Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father is one of the most intense. The speed at which Kuenne rushes through the details of the case would not do at all for any professional true-crime documentary set to lure in an audience with gruesome facts. Meanwhile, after graduating from Memorial University in May 2000, Bagby landed a surgical residency at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University at Syracuse, New York. 7 Different Types of Legal Defenses In Criminal Law. When Kate reached down to wipe one away, she accidentally knocked out the plug used to mask his facial wound. This led documentary filmmaker Kurt Kuenne, a close friend of Andrew, to interview Andrews relatives, friends and associates and capture their loving memories of him into a film designed to introduce the child to the father he never knew. The case led to a critical overview of Newfoundland's legal and child welfare systems as well as Canada's bail laws. Kelsey mentioned chocolate chip pancakes. On August 18, 2003, 42-year-old Shirley Turner ended her life as well as the life of her infant son, 13-month-old Zachary. She was released on bail in January 2003 by Judge Gale Welsh, who felt Turner did not pose a threat to society in general. In the fall of 2001, Bagby moved to Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and began his residency at a family practice under the supervision of T. Clark Simpson. Turner, however, ended up making off with a large stash of Bagby's personal belongings. The conception of Zachary came shortly after this phone call. And hey, if you finish the movie and feel any of the emotions I am feeling, I would be more than happy to discuss it with you. To sign up, email [email protected]. Turner's second husband claimed that she only used the belt as a threat in his interview. The deaths of Andrew Bagby and Zachary Turner became the basis for the 2008 documentary film Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father, directed by Kurt Kuenne.