Editor's blog

"A professional, emotional and thought-provoking documentary that deserves recognition" - Independent Film Quarterly

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"Murder in America: The Sarah Cherry Story is the real Law and Order

-Rotten Tomatoes

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"A well produced and compelling documentary" - Pineapple Media

New Jersey based film producer Angelo Lazaro in association with Moonlake Films has good news this holiday season. Lazaro's crime documentary Murder in America: The Sarah Cherry Story has been acquired by Documentary Channel and is slated to premiere on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 7pm. Murder has already achieved success internationally through Pineapple Media, who inked a deal to show it on the crime channel in Australia and New Zealand earlier this year. Documentary Channel is primarily available through satellite television services DISH Network (Channel 197) and DIRECTV (Channel 267). 

Murder, which earned a Best Director Award for Dora Militaru tells the story of the kidnapping, sexual assault and violent murder of a 12-year-old girl named Sarah Cherry in Maine more than two decades ago. A 31-year-old farmer Dennis Dechaine was charged, convicted and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. In spite of giving statements to the police admitting that he committed the crime, Dechaine has maintained his innocence from the day of his conviction.

The catalyst and controversy for Murder stems from the efforts of Dechaine's friends who formed a support group, Trial & Error dedicated to clearing his name and seeking his release from prison. In particular the time of Cherry's death has been a point of contention as well as claims that Dechaine was set up, a lack of DNA testing and too much circumstantial evidence. Murder in America uses no voices, no actors, and no reenactments, just the people who were and are still involved. Viewers can decide. Is an innocent man sitting in prison or has justice been served?

"I am enormously pleased and honored that Documentary Channel have added Murder to their slate of docs for 2012," said Angelo Lazara, CEO at Moonlake Films. "It has been a wonderful experience working with these professional people who recognize talent and quality films when other networks shy away from independent productions." Lazaro continued, "I have taken an interest in the Sarah Cherry case since day one and her story should never be forgotten. I feel blessed that a wider audience will get to see it."

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About Moonlake Films: Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Piscataway, NJ the mission at Moonlake films is to create, develop and produce original high-quality material that educates people of all ages about relevant issues and events in America. The dynamic staff at Moonlake bring decades-long  experience in producing, directing and executive producing documentaries, dramas, comedies, commercials and corporate productions.

About Documentary Channel®:  Documentary Channel (DOC) is the USA's first 24-hour television network exclusively devoted to documentary films and the independent documentary filmmaker, providing viewers with round-the-clock opportunities to see fascinating, eclectic and award-winning documentary films of all lengths and genres.  For more information on DOC, visit the network website at www.documentarychannel.com, in addition to www.facebook.com/DocumentaryChannel  or www.twitter.com/doc_channel .

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