The real-life account of an illiterate black youth, a deaf mute from birth, who was accused of murdering a prostitute and the relationship that developed between him and his court-appointed attorney who is also deaf, and the events leading up to his precedent-setting trial where he was determined in

The real-life account of an illiterate black youth, a deaf mute from birth, who was accused of murdering a prostitute and the relationship that developed between him and his court-appointed attorney who is also deaf, and the events leading up to his precedent-setting trial where he was determined incompetent by the law because his severe handicap prevented him from defending himself or testifying to his innocence. "Dummy" was nominated for an Emmy Award in the category of Outstanding Drama or Comedy Special.