‘Dateline’ Sights In On Random Shooting
The incident took place before the O.J. Simpson double-murder case changed the way most people look at justice and race. And it went largely unnoticed.
But “Dateline NBC” (NBC at 10) examines a murder investigation that raises some of the same questions.
The report goes back to 1994, when New York City was energized by a great season by the NBA New York Knicks. In Brooklyn, a post-playoff celebration ended in tragedy.
And it eventually destroyed the life of Dexter Castello, who may only have been guilty of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
A group of eight or nine young men allegedly were passing around two handguns, shooting them into the air to toast the Knicks’ win. A woman watching from an upper-story window was shot and killed by a stray bullet.
“Dateline” looks at the police investigation and the district attorney’s decision to charge Castello, a model student without a criminal record, with second-degree murder on what some observers say was slim evidence.
“The report raises a larger issue of why people in the inner city don’t get involved,” said a “Dateline” spokesman. “This was a crowded street, so there were presumably scores of witnesses.
“Yet there were no reliable witnesses available. Was it fear or retribution? Was it distrust of the system? Was it a fear of racism inherent in the system?”
Reporter Len Cannon goes searching for the truth in a case that seems filled with unanswered questions.
Highlights
“Due South,” CBS at 8: In a fanciful repeat, Fraser and Ray (Paul Gross, David Marciano) survive a wilderness plane crash while transporting an escaped murderer. As darkness settles, things look bleak.
Our heroes get help from apparitions of their late fathers (Gordon Pinsent, David Calderisi) - but each ghost dad advises his son that the only way to get out alive is to abandon his partner.
“The X-Files,” FOX at 9: Mulder and Scully (David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson) track a serial killer whose targets are fortune tellers. Mulder consults a psychic (Peter Boyle), who predicts the case will end in the agent’s death. Repeat.
“Basketball,” NBC at 6: Game 5 of the NBA finals.
“Diagnosis Murder,” CBS at 9: A beautiful young woman on the beach (Kristen Dalton) catches everyone’s eye, including a murderer’s. When her body is found near Sloan’s (Dick Van Dyke) house, he’s determined to find the killer.
The best clues may come from Sloan’s blind friend, Leo (Leo Penn). Repeat.
“CPW,” CBS at 10: Peter (John Barrowman) loses it when he finds out that Alex (Melissa Errico) lied about her pregnancy and miscarriage. Carrie (Madchen Amick) finds out she has a secret admirer.
Cable Calls
“Heavyweights” (1995), DISN at 7: “Revenge of the Nerds” (1984) struck home with good humor for a lot of people, so why not “Revenge of the Fat Boys”? Resourceful Ben Stiller stars as a sinister fitness guru who tries to take advantage of the boys at a summer “fat camp.” You may chuckle at the predictable results despite yourself as the pudgy campers get the last laugh.
Mostly, it’s just kids’ stuff.
“Rob Roy” (1995), SHO at 8: Tim Roth’s Oscar-nominated performance and beautiful location scenery in Scotland highlight this action-filled tale. Liam Neeson stars as Robert Roy MacGregor, Scotland’s real-life Robin Hood, who stood up to a ruthless marquis (John Hurt) and his enforcer (Roth).
Jessica Lange, Eric Stoltz and Brian Cox co-star.
“The Betty Ford Story” (1987), LIF at 9: Gena Rowlands won an Emmy for her powerful portrayal of the former first lady, whose name is now synonymous with the struggle to overcome drug and alcohol addiction.