An Emotional ‘Evidence’ Has Conviction

It doesn’t happen often, but occasionally an unheralded TV movie comes along packing an emotional punch that catches us by surprise. A case in point is tonight’s “Dangerous Evidence: The Lori Jackson Story,” an affecting Lifetime drama about a miscarriage of justice and the valiant woman who struggled to reverse it.

Lynn Whitfield is combative and unyielding in the title role as a civil rights activist digging in to overturn the unjust conviction of Lindsey Scott (Richard Yearwood), a black Marine court-martialed on charges of rape and attempted murder in 1983. “They’re looking to railroad this guy for something he didn’t do,” says Jackson, who obtained pro bono support from a prominent Washington law firm, and, just as important, attracted widespread media attention as the case slowly made its way to the U.S. Court of Military Appeals. At home, meanwhile, there is domestic conflict as Jackson’s husband (Richard Lineback) becomes increasingly impatient with her tireless commitment.

With pressure and frustration steadily mounting for the defense, the biggest blow is delivered by a doctor, who reveals an unexpected development about Jackson’s health. To the credit of writer Sterling Anderson (who based his restrained script on a book by Ellis A. Cohen) and director Sturla Gunnarsson, that aspect of the film is not used to manipulate us.

Whitfield, who brings conviction and intelligence to her role, gets sterling support from Lineback (so good last year as Laura Dern’s trailer-park husband in “The Baby Dance”). Erica Luttrell also deserves to be singled out for her fine work as Jackson’s judgmental older daughter. The scene in which she learns of her mother’s illness is so beautifully realized, it may stay with you long after the credits roll.

* “Dangerous Evidence: The Lori Jackson Story” will air tonight at 9 on Lifetime. The network has rated it TV-14 (may be unsuitable for children under the age of 14).