POV · SEASON 21
The Ballad of Esequiel Hernández
Episode 3 · 2008-07-08
- Documentary
Episode overview
In 1997, U.S. Marines patrolling the Texas-Mexico border as part of the War on Drugs shot and killed Esequiel Hernández Jr. Mistaken for a drug runner, the 18-year-old was, in fact, a U.S. citizen tending his family's goats with a .22 rifle. He became the first American killed by U.S. military forces on native soil since the 1970 Kent State shootings. The Ballad of Esequiel Hernández, narrated by Tommy Lee Jones, explores Hernandez's tragic death and its torturous aftermath. His parents and friends, the Marines on patrol, and investigators discuss the dangers of militarizing the border and the death of one young man.
60 minutes
Season 21 episodes
1. Traces of the Trade: A Story From the Deep North2008-06-24
2. Election Day2008-07-01
3. The Ballad of Esequiel Hernández2008-07-08
4. The Last Conquistador2008-07-15
5. 9 Star Hotel2008-07-22
6. Campaign2008-07-29
7. Johnny Cash: The Man, His World, His Music2008-08-05
8. Belarusian Waltz2008-08-12
9. The Judge and the General2008-08-19
10. Calavera Highway2008-09-16
11. Critical Condition2008-09-30
12. In the Family2008-10-01
13. Up the Yangtze2008-10-08
14. Soldiers of Conscience2008-10-16
15. Inheritance2008-12-10
