FOUR YEARS SYNOPSIS
When WILLIAM is wrongfully accused of child molestation, he chooses to represent himself in court — convinced that his innocence will lead him to victory.
But when the court convicts him of a crime he didn’t commit, he is sent to prison. As his friends fight for his justice and freedom, William fights to stay alive in a vicious prison
where he has been labelled a child molester. As four years in prison begin to take their toll, William’s faith in God – and in himself – is put to the test when he is
faced with an impossible challenge; to forgive the person responsible for his imprisonment.
This family-friendly, fast-paced drama is set in a small, picturesque town in northern Arizona. Here we find WILLIAM AUSTIN–the local building inspector, a good, compassionate man of faith, giving up his free time to take neglected young boys camping.
On one memorable camping trip, William decides to expel troubled thirteen-year-old LUKE WILCOX for drug-taking. This decision changes his life forever. Luke, pissed off, reports that William molested him, leading to charges being filed against William.
Even with a weak, circumstantial case, the prosecutor proceeds with the trial against William, who opts to represent himself, relying on his faith in God and the system. William and JANE AUSTIN, his devoted and loving wife, are confident the truth will prevail. Their confidence is shattered when the head jurors reads the verdict “Guilty.”
In prison, gang members quickly label William a “chester” (child molester) and brutally attack him. William, unable to defend himself, is left for dead. Regaining consciousness, he finds himself cuffed to a hospital bed. It’s a long recovery for William, but with the help of Jane who stays by his side, he makes a full recovery.
Back in prison, William loses his last bit of faith when Jane collapses lifeless on the floor while visiting. William is dragged away screaming, convinced he’s lost his love for good. William snaps. Angry at God and overcome with rage; Williams turns to revenge, waging his own war on the prison gang members who attacked him. William giving up on hopes for a retrial slips deeper into prison life.
Luke, now seventeen, is T-boned by a drunk driver; he’s in bad shape. On his deathbed, he confesses that William didn’t actually molest him, and begs for William’s release. William is freed at last, but he’s not the same William–FOUR YEARS in prison has taken its toll. No matter how much he is begged, William won’t and can’t forgive Luke. Luke’s not getting his dying wish.
William leaves the hospital to try to find his old self, hating that he has become heartless. He goes through a great internal struggle, but finally William prays and is given renewed love. He runs back to the hospital, making it just in time to forgive Luke as he dies in William’s arms.
William is granted a full pardon by the Arizona Governor. Jane and William are happy, having moved past the ordeal, and are back to taking the boys camping.