BACKGROUND: December 18, 2010: From Press Release: (Larry Garrison-Silvercreek Entertainment) "Hollywood Comes To The Rescue Of A Wrongly Convicted Man." Los Angeles: Larry Garrison, President of SilverCreek Entertainment, Investigative Journalist and New York Times Best Selling Author of “Aruba” with Dave Holloway has just procured the literary and film rights to the incredible Kenneth Middleton story………….. "Larry Garrison, President of SilverCreek Entertainment, who is also known as an Investigative Journalist and New York Times Best Selling Author of “Aruba” with Dave Holloway has just procured the literary and film rights to Kenneth Middleton’s incredible story. Kenneth’s son, Cliff has taken extreme measures in his pursuit for justice to free his father. Middleton was given life without parole for the murder of his wife. Garrison with the aid of Cliff Middleton has uncovered major facts, that calls for the immediate release of Middleton, and an FBI investigation. Middleton’s wife, Kathy was shot in February of 1990. Kenneth and his wife were the only individuals in the house. Yet, there was no blood splatter or Gun Shot Residue on Kenneth hands or long sleeve shirt. Kathy was shot from the left at close range. Both of her hands were to be tested for Gun Shot Residue, but mysteriously only the right hand sample made it to the lab. The section that showed the Gun Shot Residue for Kathy had been altered with white-out. The evidence would have proven that she accidentally shot herself. Kenneth Middleton had no motive, no marital problems, and no life insurance on his wife. Police photos of the crime scene came out black, and new photos were retaken a day later by re-staging the crime scene. This was done without items that were first present in the original crime scene. Middleton’s original attorney Bob Duncan, had three other clients that had been convicted of murder from 1989 to 1992. All of their sentences were overturned due to Bob Duncan’s ineffectiveness, one of the most difficult things to prove in appeal. After the extensive evidence hearing in July, 2004, Middleton was offered the “Alford Plea,” where he was asked to plead guilty to second degree murder in turn for his freedom on time served and an immediate release. Kenneth refused to admit to something he did not do. The Missouri Governor Teasdale testified under oath in June 2004, that if he was still in office he would grant a full pardon to Ken Middleton. The original trial Judge Edith Messina issued a new ruling in May 2005. She vacated Mr. Middleton’s 1991 conviction and granted him a new trial. In summary, Judge Messina overturned the conviction due to Bob Duncan’s Gross Ineffective Assistance of counsel. Bob Duncan failed to investigate and call experts who 100% ruled out Kenneth as a shooter. The same Prosecutor, Mike Sanders who offered the Alford Plea shockingly appealed the decision and won on a procedural technicality. Jim Kanatzer, the current Prosecutor is still denying a new trial."
https://www.prlog.org/11160308-hollywood-comes-to-the-rescue-of-wrongly-convicted-man.html
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PASSAGE OF THE DAY: "Producers note that Georgetown University’s Making an Exoneree Program has taken on Ken’s case and will participate in the documentary as legal proceedings continue. “This crime story is like no other reported and raises urgent questions about wrongful convictions and the criminal justice system, as new legal actions move forward,” the spokesperson concluded. Cliff told KCTV5 in August he wants one outcome: his father’s complete exoneration."
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STORY: "Documentary to chronicle son’s 34-year fight to free father from prison," by Digital Producer Sarah Motter, published by KCTV 5, on December 31, 2025.
SUB-HEADING: "For 34 years, Cliff Middleton has fought to free his father from prison, now a documentary is set to follow his journey."
GIST: "For 34 years, Cliff Middleton has fought to free his father from prison, now a documentary is set to follow his journey. SilverCreek Entertainment says it has partnered with American Troubadours to produce a film about Cliff’s mission to prove his father, Ken Middleton, was wrongfully convicted of murder.
The Case:
Ken Middleton, 81, has been in prison since the 1990 shooting death of his wife, Kathy, at their Blue Springs home.
For more than three decades, Ken has maintained his innocence. He says Kathy accidentally dropped a gun when it fired and killed her.
A Son’s Mission:
Cliff Middleton and investigative journalist Larry Garrison have worked together for more than 16 years to raise awareness about the case, according to SilverCreek. Their efforts have drawn national attention.
According to Cliff, police destroyed gunpowder residue evidence that could have proven his father’s innocence. A judge agreed.
In 2005, a court overturned Ken’s conviction because of the destroyed evidence; however, he remains behind bars.
The Documentary:
SilverCreek says the film will examine the alleged legal and systematic failures surrounding the conviction and the extraordinary toll it has taken on the Middleton family.
“The facts of this case are astounding,” a SilverCreek spokesperson said.
Producers note that Georgetown University’s Making an Exoneree Program has taken on Ken’s case and will participate in the documentary as legal proceedings continue.
“This crime story is like no other reported and raises urgent questions about wrongful convictions and the criminal justice system, as new legal actions move forward,” the spokesperson concluded.
Cliff told KCTV5 in August he wants one outcome: his father’s complete exoneration.
What’s Next:
The documentary is currently in active development. SilverCreek has not announced a release date.
Separately, Cliff Middleton and Garrison are writing a book, “Crusader,” which will chronicle Cliff’s lifelong fight for his father’s;
The entire story can be read at:
https://www.kctv5.com/2025/12/31/documentary-chronicle-sons-34-year-fight-free-father-prison/
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I am monitoring this case/issue/resource. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments. The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at: http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith. Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at: http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2011/05/charles-smith-blog-award-nominations.html Please send any comments or information on other cases and issues of interest to the readers of this blog to: hlevy15@gmail.com. Harold Levy: Publisher: The Charles Smith Blog.
SEE BREAKDOWN OF SOME OF THE ON-GOING INTERNATIONAL CASES (OUTSIDE OF THE CONTINENTAL USA) THAT I AM FOLLOWING ON THIS BLOG, AT THE LINK BELOW: HL:
https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/120008354894645705/4704913685758792985
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FINAL WORD: (Applicable to all of our wrongful conviction cases): "Whenever there is a wrongful conviction, it exposes errors in our criminal legal system, and we hope that this case — and lessons from it — can prevent future injustices."
Lawyer Radha Natarajan:
Executive Director: New England Innocence Project;
FINAL, FINAL WORD: "Since its inception, the Innocence Project has pushed the criminal legal system to confront and correct the laws and policies that cause and contribute to wrongful convictions. They never shied away from the hard cases — the ones involving eyewitness identifications, confessions, and bite marks. Instead, in the course of presenting scientific evidence of innocence, they've exposed the unreliability of evidence that was, for centuries, deemed untouchable." So true!
Christina Swarns: Executive Director: The Innocence Project;
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