Tim Cole documentarian launches Kickstarter campaign

Many in Fort Worth know the tragic story of Tim Cole, a promising young Texas Tech student who was wrongfully accused and convicted of rape in 1985.

Filmmaker Jared L. Christopher wants to make sure the rest of the world knows about Cole, whose courage in the face of a flawed and racist justice system is the foundation for a documentary Christopher is working on and hopes to fund through a Kickstarter campaign.

Cole was exonerated in 2001, six years after Jerry Wayne Johnson confessed to the rape. But justice came too late for Cole, who died behind bars in 1999, despite desperate attempts by his family for years to free him. Cole always maintained his innocence, and said he still believed in the justice system, “even if it didn’t believe in me.”

Cole has since been pardoned by Texas Gov. Rick Perry and awarded a posthumous degree from Texas Tech. A statue of him stands on the Lubbock campus, but Christopher says there is still much more to tell about the life and death of Tim Cole.

He has secured interviews with the victim who wrongly identified Cole, the rapist who tried to confess for six years, and Lubbock lawmakers, all of whom helped build the web of injustice that led to Cole’s wrongful conviction. Christopher, a part-time videographer for the Star-Telegram, also has gripping footage and interviews with Cole’s family who crusaded to clear his name long after he died in prison.

To help complete the documentary, Christopher has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise $25,000. As of Thursday, more than $2,100 has been pledged and he has 22 days left on Kickstarter to meet his goal.

Christopher, a young father of three, says Cole’s story isn’t just a movie project for him. It’s personal.

“I look at my son, and wonder what kind of world his generation will inherit. ...,” he says. “I think we can do better, and it’s stories like Tim’s that can help bring about meaningful change. I want to make sure Tim’s death wasn’t in vain.”

This story was originally published July 16, 2015 at 6:03 PM with the headline "Tim Cole documentarian launches Kickstarter campaign."