TITLE:                                THOU SHALT NOT KILL

                                                The Reverend John David
                  Terry Story

AUTHOR:           Terry D. Hilmer

GENRE:            True Crime - Drama

PAGES:            118 pgs, incl. Title 
                  Page,
                  30,619 words  
                 
LOG LINE:  Taunted by emotional turmoil,
feelings of failure and earths wanton desires, the Reverend John David Terry devises a scheme to commit mortal man’s ultimate sin.

SYNOPSIS:                        Like many people, John David Terry’s childhood dream was to win the world by making lots of money and living the proverbial “good life”. His dreams of grandeur, like the plague, taunt him throughout his life. Constantly beyond his grasp, his dreams become the catalyst for fostering bouts with depression stemming from his feelings of failure and inadequacy. Extreme financial pressures lead to hopelessness, which arms him with his own justification to begin embezzling money from his church. Initially, he convinces himself that the money is only a loan and he intends to re-pay it one day. However, after too many months of indiscretions, he realizes he has gotten in, over his head. Following a series of disappointments and emotional tribulations, he concludes there are only two ways out of his current predicament, either he get the Bishop’s job on the Bishop’s rumored retirement, or to stage a catastrophic event designed to conceal his misappropriation allowing him to a new lease on life. Methodically, the reverend prepares for both contingencies until finally; the Bishop announces he will not retire. The preacher then sets the wheels in motion for his fall from grace and orchestrates his own transformation from the beloved pastor, to premeditated murderer. This is the true- life story of the Reverend John David Terry’s demise.

AUTHOR BIO:                   Terry D. Hilmer is a paralegal turned professional author. His uncanny ability to find the story behind the story brings new life and personality to the characters and the stories he writes about. Mr. Hilmer has recently penned a book-to-film feature entitled; “GET BORN AGAIN, the Layne Staley Story” based on the book “Layne Staley: Get Born Again” by author/journalist Adriana Rubio. That work has been accepted and scheduled to begin production in mid 2008. Other screenplays written by Mr. Hilmer include the present offering and the following titles. “Double Edge Justice”, “Madeline”, “Right to Remain Silent”, “Karma Revenge”, and two Television series concepts; “WE THE PEOPLE, In Prime Time” (a reality based television court program),  and “HEAVEN TONIGHT, starring St. Peter with Gabriel and his Angelic Orchestra” (a talk and variety show from the “other side”) and "MY FANTASY RACER", currently in the production stage in the Reality TV genre. In his writing, Mr. Hilmer stirs emotion and generates new understanding to the mind’s eye.

Visit: Terry D. Hilmer at: www.terrydhilmergroup.com

www.MyFantasyRacer.com
 www.wethepeopleinprimetime.com

Current Script Length:  30,619 words, includes Title Page (in format program)

Created using CELTX Screenplay Software.

Number of Pages:       118 pages, 
includes Title Page.

Market/Demographics:    Although anyone interested in true life crime drama would be drawn to this movie, its major audience will consist of viewers 19 to 42 years of age, in the mid-lower to lower-upper income bracket, mostly white and African American blue collar workers coupled with low to middle management executives.

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT:

MAIN CHARACTERS:

The Reverend John David Terry: John David Terry is the beloved and charismatic preacher of the Emmanuel Church of Christ Oneness Pentecostal in Nashville, Tennessee. Since graduating seminary school, he has moved up through the ranks quickly becoming pastor of his own church at age 32. Within a year, he received an honorary promotion of Bishop’s Assistant as Overseer of Organizations, Tennessee churches. John David Terry stands approximately 5’10” and sports a few extra pounds gained from bouts of depression. He has black hair styled to look like a Ted Koppel toupee. He has a bushy black mustache with thick black eye brows that hide behind his thick black Roy Orbison style glasses. As a master of deception, he portrays many personalities. On the forefront, he is the beloved minister, while deep within he is plagued with feelings of grandeur all the while embezzling church funds and methodically plotting murder to hide his sins. He recruits and be-friends James Matheney to become his unwilling victim.

James Matheney: James Matheney is a down on his luck unemployed construction worker. Unable to provide for his wife, he turned to the bottle to relieve feelings of being insignificant. At the request of James’ wife, David Terry takes interest in James during a visit to their home. Hired by the preacher to serve as an assistant maintenance man at the church, James gets the job because of his similarity in shape and size to John David Terry more than for any knowledge or skill he may poses. His desperation and vulnerability make him the perfect “patsy” for the reverends evils. Be-friended by the Pastor, he is deceived into a trusting relationship while unwittingly becoming the target of the minister’s schemes.

SECONDARY/SUPPORTING CHARACTERS: (In Order of Appearance)

Robert Bernardo: Robert is a John David Terry’s high school friend. The two have not seen each other since high school. Robert (32) is a successful businessperson. His success is apparent by the way he carries himself and the clothes he wears. He works out frequently and is not convinced of John’s conversion from high school deviate to minister.

Mrs. David Terry (Wife): As the minister’s wife and mother of their three young boys, John David Terry Jr. (Jack), Matthew and Mark, she runs the household on a scarce budget unaware of her husband’s hidden personalities. On the surface, the home appears to be a loving and happy family environment. She and the boys unwittingly becomes a constant reminder to David Terry of what he perceives to be his failures as a husband, father and provider. She is a strict, yet loving disciplinarian who supports her husband in his Ministering responsibilities. Despite what appears at that time to be controlling, she is a good woman and a good mother albeit perhaps a bit naive. Even after his demise, she stands strongly at her husband’s side.

John David Terry Jr. (Jack): Jack is the eldest son of John David Terry with all the pressures typically thrust upon the eldest of three. He does well in school and earnestly puts forth the effort to please his parents. For all intensive purposes, he is a good boy.

Mark Terry: As the middle child of three, Mark is the unruly one with a mouth that keeps his mom on her toes. His devilish side is harmless and typical of adolescence, but none-the-less he is the one that his parents worry about the most.

Matthew Terry: He is a happy go lucky child with no worries in the world. He puts forth every effort make his parents happy and is very much his “mother’s son”.

Martha Matheney: Martha is a devout Christian whose husband (James) is a drunkard. She loves him but wants something better. She attends church every Sunday like clockwork and her faith is unshakable. She is a southern girl true at heart and willingly puts her trust in Revered Terry believing he is a good man.

Fire Chief Norman: A lifelong Nashville resident, Chief Norman is Fire Chief of Nashville’s Sixth Precinct. He has been on the job for 16 years and having previously worked in Fire Investigation views most situations suspiciously. As Spokesman for his precinct, he loves the camera, and often tips his hand saying more than his superior’s would otherwise endorse.

Bishop Johnson: Turning 65 on his next birthday, the Bishop loves his job and is very protective of the position as the high-ranking official supervising the Tennessee organization. The Bishop is directly under the Cardinal in the National Organization. He prides himself on his job and is suspicious of those overly eager to fill his shoes.

Detective Tracy: Detective Tracy is a typical homicide detective with too many years on the job. Not much surprises him anymore; he has seen and heard it all. He is content in his job and not eager to move up through the ranks trying to avoid additional responsibilities.

Detective Martino: As the only Hispanic American on the Homicide Squad, Martino strives to impress his superiors and desperately wants to move up through the ranks making his mark. He is very hyperactive and drinks too much coffee. He is a fast talker and moves swiftly through the squad room. Martino is impatient and wants to settle every case as it hits his desk.

Police Sergeant McLaughlin: The Sergeant has gotten his stripes by keeping his nose clean and by seniority. He is a family man who does not get overly excited about much. At the end of the day, he usually would opt to go home at five o’clock than stay an extra few minutes to close a case. He believes in putting off until tomorrow whenever you can. However, as a proud man, he takes a complete about face when someone gets his goat or embarrasses him. Such is the case of John David Terry when he learns Mr. Terry has hoodwinked him and he has to face his men and the media to admit it. He will work around the clock, relentlessly until they capture him, not motivated by the best interest of justice, but more from his need for revenge from a bruised ego.

Attorney Terry Cross: Terry Cross began his legal career in the County Prosecutor’s office and worked his way into the Attorney General’s office before switching sides and going into private practice as a criminal defense attorney. He is well connected and considered one of the best in the business. He is married to his job and demands high dollars from his clients. He is also a perceptive businessperson and knows that a high profile case like John David Terry will mean headlines and money in the pocket down the road from the new clients it will generate. He accepts the Reverend’s case pro bono.

Judge McNabb: The judge remembers his days as a clerk in the court and has been a judge in the Superior Court for thirteen years now. His biggest fear in life is falling asleep during too many long and boring trials. He is a no nonsense judge, keeps his rulings straight and accepts no deviation from the rules of law. He is a fair and honest jurist, expecting the guilty to show remorse, and does not give into excuses. Play fair with this judge and he will play it fair with you, within the parameters of the law. He thinks only within the box.

Additional Secondary / Supporting Characters are required in minor roles both on and off camera.

LOCATIONs:
Altanta, Georgia Airport (recreated)
Nashville, Tennessee (back drop shots only all others can be recreated)
Kentucky Lake: (file footage - recreated)
River Bend Maximum Security Prison:
I-40 in Tennessee: (back drop) 

Depending upon the Actor's involved, this film could easily be addapted to meet low budget requirements of $3M to $5M.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS PROJECT, CONTACT THE AUTHOR: TERRY D. HILMER OR HIS AGENT: MARY BLUESTONE. This project is subject to a Representation Contractual Agreement.

More Coming Here, Very Soon.

But, for now I would like to thank my good friend and occasional sparring partner
 
     William C. Fischer

for allowing me to bounce my ideas off you and the great feed back you give and your help in editing my rambling is much appreciated. Thanks Buddy!!!

  Now, CHEER UP and don't be      
                
                    BLUE
   You got your name in lights!