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In 1980's Detroit, 17 year-old Richard Wershe, Jr. allegedly ran a sophisticated inner-city drug dealing operation. Now, journalists, police, federal agents and hit men are speaking for the ... Read allIn 1980's Detroit, 17 year-old Richard Wershe, Jr. allegedly ran a sophisticated inner-city drug dealing operation. Now, journalists, police, federal agents and hit men are speaking for the first time about the legend of "White Boy Rick."In 1980's Detroit, 17 year-old Richard Wershe, Jr. allegedly ran a sophisticated inner-city drug dealing operation. Now, journalists, police, federal agents and hit men are speaking for the first time about the legend of "White Boy Rick."
- Director
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Richard Wershe Jr.
- Self - 'White Boy Rick'
- (archive footage)
Scott M. Burnstein
- Self - Reporter
- (as Scott Burnstein)
Dana Hathaway
- Self - Judge - Wayne County Circuit Court
- (as Hon. Dana Hathaway)
Nathaniel Craft
- Self - Convicted Murderer
- (as Nathaniel Kraft)
Tim Allen
- Self - Actor
- (archive footage)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
I'm not going to say anything about White Boy other than if you want to fill in the gaps and get more information after seeing "White Boy Rick" then "White Boy" is a must.
An raw look at the the corrupt Detroit political machine and all the hypocritical politicians that drove that city into the ground. White Boy gives insight into a criminal organization that stretched into the highest reaches of the Detroit power structure. Unfortunately, White Boy's story is an important lesson on the political corruption most major American cities contend with to this day.
A short and informative documentary on Detroit's white boy rick and his excessive conviction for drug possession. The interviews were relevant and the storyline had a good flow.
I'm something of a law and order kinda of guy. Or more importantly, a by the books person who feels things should be done a certain way.
The War on Drugs is an absolute cluster bomb, and we lost that battle long ago. The biggest issue is the fact the government supplied drugs to cartels, dealers and even its own people. It had idiots that had no idea about drugs making arbitrary rules that ruined lives and destroyed families. And worst of all, law enforcement is the biggest beneficiary of seized goods and contraband, which means they will never want to abolish their cash cow with updated laws and sentencing. The drug problem was never addressed properly and the underlying reasons for the "problem" exploding are never understood. In the end, there are probably hundreds of tales like White Boy Rick, though I doubt they have the insidious details that make this story so interesting.
Richard Wershe, Jr. Was a pawn for the drug enforcement community, a teenage carrot to draw out far worse individuals than himself. While his legend has gotten out of control and hyperbolized over the years, in the end he was a small time dealer/government informant who was left to dry. I won't excuse the fact White Boy Rick was a criminal, but the aftermath is where this story is its most interesting.
Thirty years for a small time drug crime is utterly ridiculous. The length for most drug offenses in general are an affront to humanity, and Rick payed the ultimate price. This leads to the reason why so many refuse to help the police or other law enforcement, and even for a fastidious person like myself the punishment does not fit the crime.
Anyway, this is a very well put together and taut documentary that doesn't dawdle with the facts or the pace. It perfectly illustrates the corruption of higher leveled perpetrators and the aftermath of who really has to do the time for the crime.
The War on Drugs is an absolute cluster bomb, and we lost that battle long ago. The biggest issue is the fact the government supplied drugs to cartels, dealers and even its own people. It had idiots that had no idea about drugs making arbitrary rules that ruined lives and destroyed families. And worst of all, law enforcement is the biggest beneficiary of seized goods and contraband, which means they will never want to abolish their cash cow with updated laws and sentencing. The drug problem was never addressed properly and the underlying reasons for the "problem" exploding are never understood. In the end, there are probably hundreds of tales like White Boy Rick, though I doubt they have the insidious details that make this story so interesting.
Richard Wershe, Jr. Was a pawn for the drug enforcement community, a teenage carrot to draw out far worse individuals than himself. While his legend has gotten out of control and hyperbolized over the years, in the end he was a small time dealer/government informant who was left to dry. I won't excuse the fact White Boy Rick was a criminal, but the aftermath is where this story is its most interesting.
Thirty years for a small time drug crime is utterly ridiculous. The length for most drug offenses in general are an affront to humanity, and Rick payed the ultimate price. This leads to the reason why so many refuse to help the police or other law enforcement, and even for a fastidious person like myself the punishment does not fit the crime.
Anyway, this is a very well put together and taut documentary that doesn't dawdle with the facts or the pace. It perfectly illustrates the corruption of higher leveled perpetrators and the aftermath of who really has to do the time for the crime.
This is a well done documentary and should be seen by anyone that is not already aware of how our government really works. It might be shocking to some people, but it par for the course to anyone that already know how our government works.
Did you know
- TriviaPrologue: Richard Wershe Jr is the longest serving non-violent juvenile offender in the state of Michigan. He was convicted on February 4, 1988 for possession with the attempt to deliver a controlled substance over 650 grams.
- ConnectionsFeatures Arnold et Willy (1978)
- How long is White Boy?Powered by Alexa
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- 650 Lifer: The Legend of White Boy Rick
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 22 minutes
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