On May 30, 2020, in Omaha, Nebraska, amidst nationwide protests following George Floyd's death, Jake Gardner, a thirty-eight-year-old white bar owner and Marine veteran, fatally shot James Scurlock, a twenty-two-year-old Black protester and father. This incident led to two investigations: one by white district attorney Don Kleine, who deemed Gardner's actions self-defense, and another by African American special prosecutor Fred Franklin, who indicted Gardner for manslaughter. Shortly after the indictment, Gardner took his own life. The deaths of Scurlock and Gardner fueled misinformation and political agendas, transforming both men into distorted caricatures. Amidst heated debates, these tragedies highlighted a deeply divided nation. Joe Sexton meticulously unpacks this complex narrative, revealing the truth behind various claims and exposing distortions. The account addresses pressing issues such as the urgent need for gun control and mental health reform, the perilous spread of fake news on social media, and the collective pursuit of truth, fairness, and healing in a fractured society.
