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Deep Dive: White Boy (2017)

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White Boy
White Boy is a true crime documentary that follows Richard Wershe Jr., known as 'White Boy Rick', who became an FBI informant at the age of 14 during the crack epidemic in Detroit. The film details how Wershe Jr. was groomed by the FBI and later became a drug dealer, leading to significant arrests, including that of the brother of Detroit's mayor. After being abandoned by the FBI when they discovered he was underage, Wershe Jr. continued to sell cocaine until his arrest at 17, resulting in a life sentence under the 1978 '650 Lifer Law'. The documentary features interviews with journalists, police, federal agents, and hit men to examine the complex relationships between Wershe Jr., Detroit Mayor Coleman Young, and City Council member Gil Hill. It questions the reasons behind Wershe Jr.'s denial of a parole hearing after the law was modified in 1998, despite changes that could have benefited him. The film provides a detailed look at Wershe Jr.'s life and the circumstances surrounding his lengthy imprisonment.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Richard Wershe Jr., a key figure in Detroit's drug scene.
  • •Find out how Wershe Jr. influenced major arrests in the 1980s.
  • •See the impact of the 650 Lifer Law on juvenile offenders.

Did You Know

•Richard Wershe Jr. was 14 when he started working as an FBI informant.
•He was sentenced to life in prison for possessing eight kilos of cocaine in 1988.
•The 1978 '650 Lifer Law' mandated life sentences for over 650 grams of cocaine.
•Wershe Jr. became one of the longest-serving non-violent juvenile drug offenders.
•The documentary won the Audience Choice Award at the 2017 FREEP Film Festival.

Perfect For

True crime enthusiastsDetroit history buffsDrug policy analysts