Killing for Love (2016)

Here is a real life murder mystery of the Haysom's in Virginia back in the 80's. Elizabeth was a troubled college student with a drug problem.She met a German student named Jens Soring and her parents ended up hacked to death. They escaped to England but were brought back to the U.S. for trial. She pled guilty and through Jens under the bus. The courtroom footage is riveting, as the two tell very different stories of what happened that night. We all see things through our own personal viewpoints. As a true crime reader for over 30 years(The Stranger Beside Me), I was absorbed by this documentary. The only drawback is the missing Elizabeth, as she refused to be interviewed, but Jens loves to talk, and he makes for a great subject.

KILLING FOR LOVE tells the story of Jens, a young man who's unfortunate love for murderous Elisabeth has landed him in prison for the majority of his life for a crime he did not commit. This film is one part fascinating murder mystery, which will engage any true crime lover and one part advocacy film, demanding Jens' release with the mounting evidence that the investigation and trial of this crime were clearly mishandled. I found this film illuminating in so many ways and hope that it helps Jens and the many others like him who are facing jail time, even life sentences for crimes they did not commit.

This is a great documentary about a horrible crime, spanning decades as the filmmakers slowly peel back public appearance to reveal new information and the emotional lives of the people involved. It reminded me yet again how complicated true life is, and that we must always stay open, must always resist the rush to judgement. I grew up in the Virginia area and remember well when these murders were committed. This doc painstakingly presents alternate versions of the event itself, and allows us to exist in the contradictory space created between two people, a swirl of deception and self-deception, loyalty and guilt - the human ecology. An intense, engrossing, deeply emotional film - I so enjoyed being invited into Mr. Soering's mind over the years. The filmmakers cannot deliver us a pat ending - it doesn't exist and probably never will - but I appreciate their intention to be fair, and to investigate. A great crime doc that turns the tables on a prevailing narrative. There are always other sides of the story.

This has just been shown on BBC4 in the UK as "Killing for Love." The BBC gave no indication that this is a German production. But it explains why Jens, who speaks excellent English in court, speaks German here. The original title also may have been too partisan for the BBC. The corporation is perhaps not as convinced as the film makers of Jens's innocence. Whatever the case, the film will fascinate those unfamiliar with the 1990 trial, allegedly the first in the US to be televised, which resulted in long jail terms for Jens and his accomplice Elizabeth. Both were found guilty of the murder of Elizabeth's parents. But Jens claimed that Elizabeth was the killer and he took the blame. It is an unusual murder mystery in that both are intelligent and articulate. He's a diplomat's son, she's the child of wealthy Canadian parents, who affects an English accent. From the beginning the film makers feature participants who are on Jens's side. One says that he could tell Elizabeth was an accomplished liar. But their investigation brings in private detectives who uncover a third suspect (who denies culpability) and unknown DNA at the crime scene. This is surely sufficient to re-open the case. But the authorities in Virginia, where the crimes were committed, will not consider this. Nor will they allow Jens to complete his sentence in Germany or for him to be interviewed again. Much of the footage is of the trial, which was shot on videotape that is now showing its age. But the story is extraordinary, horrible, romantic and shocking and will enthrall all lovers of true crime mysteries.The BBC's iPlayer VOD service features another hour of material.