What did I just see?
While watching a screening of ESPN’s new 30 for 30 Benji (Tuesday, 8 p.m. ET), I nearly fell out of my seat about 2/3s into the film.
The documentary recalls the tragic story of Ben Wilson, the No. 1 ranked high school player in the country who was shot down outside his Chicago high school prior to the start of the 1984 season. A 6-8 guard, Wilson drew comparisons to Magic Johnson.
It was a senseless act of violence that rocked Chicago and became a huge national story (opening from the film, below). More than 10,000 people attended Wilson’s funeral.
I covered the story for the Chicago Tribune. While the film was powerful and extremely moving, much of the content was familiar territory for me.
And then appeared the last person I expected to see.
Suddenly, there was Billy Moore, the high school boy who killed Ben Wilson. The kid who broke so many hearts and caused so much pain.
I had to do a double-take. Was it really him? Why was Moore dressed in civilian clothes? Was Moore speaking from prison?
It turns out Moore served 20 years in prison and now works as a youth counselor. He even was cited in a White House ceremony in 2009 as an example of rehabilitation.
In the film, Moore tells his version of what happened on that tragic day. He claims it was an altercation that got out of hand and that Wilson was more of the protagonist.
Whatever, Moore had a gun and used it to kill an innocent person.
Moore said he regrets what happened and how he wasn’t that kind of person. Clearly, he has turned his life around.
Yet I couldn’t help feel the anger about the life Ben Wilson never got to live. I’m sure many people will feel the same way watching the film tonight.
I had a chance to talk with Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah, co-directors of the film. Simmons grew up on those rough Chicago streets and was 13 when Wilson died.
I wanted to know about the film, but first I had to ask him about the interview with Moore.
Here’s my Q/A:
How did you land that interview with Moore?
Simmons: One of Ben’s friends, Mike Walton, knew somebody who knew Billy. Billy called and said OK.
Really, one of Wilson’s best friends helped set you up with the interview?
Simmons: Yes, they understand what happened. They forgave him.
(Note: I am told Wilson’s friends hugged him after a screening in Chicago.)
How did the interview go?
Simmons: We just related. We’re both from the streets of Chicago. There’s a certain way you move around. He felt comfortable because of the things I went through.
Did you feel any anger in talking to Moore? What he did devastated the lives of a lot of people.
Simmons: I didn’t feel any anger towards him. He never wanted to shoot anybody. He destroyed his life. He said, ‘That wasn’t me.’
I know people who have been shot. I know people who actually have shot people.
When I was that age, we had guns. You felt like you needed one. You felt safe with it. I thought it was natural. This is what it was like in the inner-city. You’ve got to protect yourself.
I understand that could have been me.
It’s been 28 years since Wilson died. Why does his story still resonate today?
Simmons: It hit me a like a family member. I used to sneak in to watch him play. He was this great basketball player who was going to make it.
This was like Superman getting shot. ‘Wait a minute, This isn’t supposed to happen.’
When it happened, everyone came together. He actually changed lives in 1984. For this film, we thought we could bring that same kind of peace by telling his story.
How good was he? Has his legend been exaggerated in death?
Simmons: Everyone said he was Magic Johnson with a jump shot.
Ozah: The one thing that seemed constant from talking to everyone was how good he was. The kid was something special.
Wilson’s girlfriend and mother of his son and his son weren’t in the film. Why?
Ozah: We had some ups and downs with them. The final decision was they didn’t want to do it.
What do you hope people take from this film?
Ozah: I hope these young kids who are carrying guns look at the consequences of what could happen. Hopefully, they’ll step back and see that it isn’t cool.
Simmons: Usually you hear about the person who got killed. You don’t usually hear from the person (who committed the murder). What did he go through? What did he put his family through?
That’s why it was so important to have him in the story. Billy is the one who is going to reach those kids. He’s going to be the one who has the impact.
Ed, did talking with the directors change how you felt about Billy Moore? Anger seems like it would be everyone’s initial instinct, but the people closest to the situation seemed to have more sadness about it. Their anger seems to be directed at the environment they were living in, than the individual who committed the shooting.
Can’t wait to watch the doc.
Yes, it did. It was helpful to talk to Coodie and learn about the environment they lived.
Thanks for checking in.
Billy Moore should be in prison for the rest of his life. Abomination of our justice system that he is free. Even worse the Obama Administration honored him. What’s next??? Honoring Mark David Chapman??
I saw the movie. Being from Chicago I related but I am too young to have known Ben Wilson’s impact, I was six when he was killed.
I want to know more about Billy Moore, I have searched the internet and I find nothing. I want to know about the group he works with ( I assume it is CeaseFire, but that’s just a guess). I also, want to know more about this White House ceremony.
Any information you can provide will be much appreciated.
Wish I had more info, but I don’t. Thanks for writing in.
After reading this, I was a little surprised when I watched the film by the level of defiance I perceived from Billy Moore, especially since he has been portrayed as a good example of a rehabilitated felon. He seemed hung up on the fact that the cops distorted the true story (saying it was a robbery instead of a quarrel that escalated), but didn’t seem to be very remorseful about killing Wilson. The cops shouldn’t have done that, but even if the Moore’s version of events was what the jury heard, he still would have gotten a severe prison sentence. What I got out of his interview was that he wished the shooting hadn’t happened but thought he was justified in pulling his gun because Benji got in his face.
Yeah I felt the same way. I had hoped Mr Moore would have said that a gun is never the answer. Brings me back to that scene in Friday when Pops tell Craig to put the gun down and use his fists for protection. “You win some and lose some.”
The thing that I am hung up on is what caused the story. The only ones that know are Benji, Jetaun, Omar and Billy. Jetaun testified it was a robbery, back in ’84. And Mr. Moore said it wasn’t a robbery. What really happened does make a difference. Did Benji foolishly not back down from a gun OR did Mr. Moore act like a punk by robbing and shooting Benji. What’s the real story? There just unrest with these conflicting accounts.
I didnt know who Ben Wilson was, then I read about the documentary and told myself I needed to watch it. When I watched it, it also angered me to see the killer of this great individual sitting there free after a child with great potential and life was killed. When he spoke I didn’t see remorse or regret in him. I thought maybe it was just the fact that he uncomfortable with the camera. After watching the complete documentary I called my father and told him to watch. He watched it and when it was over we discussed it and he too said he felt the same way about Billy. My father who has also been to prison said billy didn’t seem remorseful but more like he was saying what he was saying as to gain sympathy from the people and to be forgiving for what he did. How can a man who took such a great life, took a role model from future generations look into a camera without a tear or even a since of sadness. He’s getting awards and continuing his life. A man lost his life, a mother a son, a son a father and he is smiling free. He should be working just has hard to help keep Bens name alive since he is the man who took that life
I would like to comnend Mr. Moore for his sincere apology and positive steps in correcting his wrongs. I too have been in similar circumstances and we like his help in starting a program like his with helping ex convicts better themselves in the D.C area.