DID A YOUNG WHITE WOMAN CAUSE A WRONGFUL CONVICTION BY BLAMING A MURDER ON A "BLACK GUY"?

"48 Hours" Investigates in "Crosley Green's Hard Time"

Saturday, April 18

Crosley Green was convicted of killing a 22-year-old Florida man in 1990, largely on the testimony of the man's ex-girlfriend who said "a black guy stepped out with a gun." There was no physical evidence tying Green to the case. Two years ago, a federal judge overturned Green's conviction. Yet Green is still in prison as the state appeals that decision.

"I actually think it's a tragedy that he remains in prison," says Green's attorney, Keith Harrison.

Erin Moriarty and 48 HOURS take a deep look into the case in "Crosley Green's Hard Time" to be broadcast Saturday, April 18 (10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. It's a case that Moriarty has been covering for two decades and involves serious questions about whether Green was convicted on what his attorneys have referred to in court documents as a racial hoax.

"This is a classic case of ... a racial hoax, which is 'A black guy did it,'" says Harrison.

"I did not kill that young man," Green tells Moriarty.

On April 4, 1989, Kim Hallock called 911 to report a black man had hijacked the truck of her ex-boyfriend, Chip Flynn, had driven them to a citrus grove and shot Flynn. Hallock told investigators she managed to escape by jumping in the truck and driving away. At the time, she was not seen as a possible suspect, though her account had several inconsistencies. For example, she said she didn't get a good look at the alleged shooter, but later picked Green out of a lineup.

Green's attorneys maintain he was sent to prison because he was black. They note that at trial, his race was referred to 140 times. They also say prosecutors failed to disclose that the two first responders on the scene suspected Hallock was the shooter.

Christopher White, who prosecuted the case, admitted to 48 HOURS in 2015 that investigators "could have done more examination," though he didn't see "how there's anything here concrete to tell anybody that Kim Hallock lied."

In July 2018, a federal court ruled Green didn't get a fair trial and overturned the conviction. The state of Florida then appealed. In March, there were oral arguments. Green's lawyers say they are prepared for a new trial.

"Given a fair chance at proving you're innocent is what counts," Green says. "Let me tell my story to the court system."

Was Green a victim of a racial hoax? Green's attorneys are hoping for a decision that frees Green in the next three months.

48 HOURS: "Crosley Green's Hard Time" is produced by Asena Basak. Grayce Arlotta-Berner, Joan Adelman and Jack Pyle are the editors. Gail Zimmerman is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the executive story editor. Judy Tygard is the executive producer.

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