Watch the New Trailer for Upcoming Docuseries Uprooted From Discovery+ and NowThis

Watch the New Trailer for Upcoming Docuseries Uprooted From Discovery+ and NowThis

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https://www.theroot.com/exclusive-watch-the-new-trailer-for-upcoming-docuserie-1848453319

 

The unsolved case of Keith Warren, a 19-year-old young Black man who was found hanging from a tree in 1986, will be at the center of a new docuseries and podcast, The Root has exclusively learned.

Per a press release sent, the series—titled Uprooted—comes from Discovery+ and NowThis and is set to chronicle Warren’s horrifying death in Silver Spring, Maryland, and his family member’s quest for justice.

“Never thoroughly investigated, Keith Warren’s sister Sherri has spent 35 years seeking the truth about what happened to her brother. Fighting systemic corruption at every turn, her end goal is to change Keith’s death certificate to reflect the truth. Featuring interviews with Keith Warren’s friends and family as well as both active and retired law enforcement, forensic experts, eyewitnesses and private investigators, Uprooted includes never-before-reported support for the probability Keith Warren did not die by suicide.”

In addition to the series, Uprooted will be also be accompanied by a podcast of the same name hosted by Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza. Featuring a variety of academics, activists, artists, and culture critics, the six-part podcast will “dive deeper into inequitable systems that influenced the outcome of Keith’s case and the impact that remains today” and “peel back the layers and shed light on the criminal investigations, police corruption, media accountability, the ‘perfect victim,’ and generational trauma. Guests set to be features include actor, activist and BLD PWR founder Kendrick Sampson, activist Linda Sarsour, Color of Change President Rashad Robinson, sociologist Nancy Wang-Yuen, Uprooted director Avril Z. Speaks and more.
“This is a story that needs to be heard by everyone,” said Group SVP of Content and Commercial Strategy for Discovery Lisa Holme. “Our partners at NowThis did an incredible job uncovering new information and gaining access to those most intimately involved in the case. It is a story about the fight against injustice and corruption that resonates as much today as when it first occurred.”

Added Executive Producer of NowThis Originals Matt McDonough,“This docuseries is the culmination of a years-long effort at NowThis to shed light on the true circumstances behind Keith Warren’s tragic death, and amplify the voice of his sister Sherri who has fought tirelessly for justice. We’re proud to partner with Discovery to tell this important story that has gone unseen and unheard, and to continue to illuminate vital issues like corruption and racial injustice – issues with which our audience is deeply engaged.”

Uprooted premieres Feb. 18 on Discovery+.

7 Comments

  1. Sherry 2 years ago

    Apologies are hard to come by, but are necessary. I saw the special on Discovery+ and I lived in the DMV when the case happened and I still do now. I will keep you and your family in my prays. Justice will prevail.

    • Author
      sherri 2 years ago

      Thank you for your kind note. Please continue to pray for my family.

  2. Tywanda Mines 2 years ago

    I came across this case via the docuseries on Discovery+ & was so disturbed by the continued lack of admission of at LEAST of a faulty investigation by law enforcement. As a lifelong resident of the DMV & present 20+ year resident of the DC-Baltimore corridor area, I am grieved & disturbed by the immediate treatment & faulty investigation of this case by the police department, the decades of subsequent unwillingness to admit their failure, & the present-day continued unwillingness by the medical examiner’s office to pursue the necessary process to change the cause of death to undetermined. If there is anything we as the public can do, please let us know. I will keep watch on this website for updates & in hopes that this docuseries causes progress in your fight.

    • Author
      sherri 2 years ago

      Thank you for your kind note. Please continue the conversation and if you have a chance please write to the Chief of Police, State Attorney, and the Attorney General requesting for Keiths case to be reclassified with MCPD and the death certificate to reflect the evidence which is that this is not a suicide.

      Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich
      Executive Office Building
      101 Monroe Street, 2nd Floor
      Rockville, MD 20850
      (240) 777-0311
      FAX: (240) 777-2517

      Montgomery County, Maryland
      State’s Attorney’s Office
      ATTN: John McCarthy
      50 Maryland Avenue, 5th Floor, North Tower
      Rockville, MD 20850
      Office: (240) 777-7300 Fax: (240) 777-7413
      Email: states.attorney@montgomerycountymd.gov

      The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
      410.333. 3225.

      Montgomery County Council
      Stella B. Werner Council Office Building
      100 Maryland Avenue
      Rockville, MD 20850
      (240) 777-7900
      MD Relay 711 or (800) 201 – 7165
      FAX: (240) 777-7888

      Maryland Attorney General
      Brian Frosh
      email: oag@oag.state.md.us
      200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202

  3. Leah 2 years ago

    I watched the Uprooted documentary and am horrified that you are still unable to, at the very least, get Keith’s death certificate updated to “undetermined” (also horrified by many other blatantly obvious injustices and the mishandling regarding your brother’s case that your family continue to deal with and face). It is absolutely outrageous that “new evidence” would be needed to reclassify something that was listed incorrectly from the beginning. I feel like the officials are afraid of any potential lawsuit regarding wrongdoing were they to change anything on record. If any one of them were to admit “wrongdoing” officially, it sets them all up to fall in the wake of a lawsuit.
    Can you or have you seen the police documents regarding Keith’s case? If not, and according to the chief this is a closed case with no new evidence, you should be able to petition to see your brothers police file. I know there were documents shown on the documentary, but I was not sure if that was the whole police record.
    When and where was it ever procedure for the police to choose a funeral home and to immediately embalm without proper family identification of the deceased and/or explicit family directives on how to proceed with body preparation (religious preference, cremation)? I know it was 1986, but it was not 1886 either. And no autopsy, regardless of “probable suicide” per the police?! Show me where that’s protocol.
    If you are able, I would sue them all. At the very least, the death certificate needs changed after 36 years! But there are multiple errors made by multiple people/departments that should definitely be questioned and answered for. It is not about money, as in a settlement, at this point. It’s about accountability. They should all be made to be held accountable for their actions and inactions. These are “seemingly” public offices that these people hold and they did not and are not doing their job, unless it’s “passing the buck” onto the next person (call the ME, call the PD, call the…etc.).
    I know that did not have DNA in 1986, but I immediately thought that rope could have been used to test for DNA had it been preserved (who would know you needed to, after it was immediately returned due to zero investigation). Also, I do not think the tree was ever taken as evidence, therefore it never burned in a facility fire. I feel like the tree was cut down immediately so that no more questions could be raised (“they” hoped). Testing or reconstruction could have taken place on that, as well (the limbs, which way the rope pulled, the weight bearing ability, etc.). Of course, that’s just speculation at this point, but why would you take a tree into evidence for a case you deemed a suicide and did not conduct any other type of investigation for. There are so many missed opportunities due to police negligence. And no one has an explanation for the only autopsy, conducted years later, showing no signs of neck trauma and/or petechial hemorrhage?! Regardless if you try to explain away the solvents as a mysteriously added embalming agent, how can you explain no signs of hanging?!
    I am so sorry for your family losses and all that you’ve had to and continue to endure. Your family seems like a wonderfully supportive one! And what a great daughter and sister you are to continue to fight no matter the cost (personally and monetarily).
    I see that you have listed some offices to contact above on another comment. I will absolutely contact those you mentioned. This has gone on way too long! I pray for some resolution and movement on the case, some measure of justice for Keith, your mom and your family! Stay hopeful! Keep fighting! I see you and I hear you Sherri!

    • Author
      sherri 2 years ago

      Thank you for taking time to write me. I was told in 1986 it was policy/procedure for police to be able to send the body to the funeral home choice of the police. When I asked for a copy of this policy/procedure of course there isnt one electronic or hard copy in the state…. At this point I have to try this in the court of public opinion. Pray fully maybe an Oprah Winfrey or someone with a big name will bring more attention to my simply request and put the spotlight on Montgomery County and State of MD.

      • Leah 2 years ago

        No surprise on the “no copy of procedure” response. I absolutely pray that this case gets the attention and appropriate response it deserves! That would be wonderful if Oprah, or someone with similar capabilities, could spotlight this story and maybe help progress it further. Hopefully the Discovery documentary will also be seen by others who can progress this further as well. In the meantime, even the public writing to those offices you listed can possibly help facilitate something. I sincerely hope you find the justice that Keith, your mom and family deserve!

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