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The Double Life Of A 'Killer Poet'

For decades, Norman Porter was a household name in Massachusetts. The Woburn man was convicted of two murders that took place in 1960 and 1961. Despite politically charged parole hearings, he remained in prison for 25 years — until he escaped.

Porter then spent 20 years on the run, until 2005, when police found him in Chicago. He had assumed the name J.J. Jameson and was living as a church leader and a poet.

Porter's double life is the subject of a new documentary, "Killer Poet," by Allston-based Northern Light Productions. It screens Thursday at the Woods Hole Film Festival.

WBUR's Deborah Becker spoke with the director, Susan Gray, about what drew her to the story of Norman Porter.

This program aired on July 30, 2008. The audio for this program is not available.

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