Just, Melvin: Just Evil

Just, Melvin: Just Evil focuses on the disturbing story of Melvin Just, a man who perpetrated extreme sexual abuse within his own family for decades. Directed by James Ronald Whitney, Melvin’s grandson, it presents a harrowing account of generational trauma and its lasting effects.

The documentary chronicles the experiences of Whitney’s family members, including his mother, aunts, and other relatives, who were victims of Melvin Just’s abuse. Through intimate interviews, it reveals the extent of the abuse, which affected nearly every member of the family across three generations. Some victims were as young as two years old when the abuse began.

Whitney confronts his grandfather on camera about the accusations, which Just denies despite having been convicted of 12 counts of child molestation in 1979. The film also addresses allegations that Just was involved in the murder of a social worker who had discovered him in bed with his stepdaughter.

The documentary highlights the long-term consequences of the abuse, including substance addiction, homelessness, and ongoing psychological trauma among the victims. It also touches on the cycle of abuse, as some family members struggle with conflicting emotions towards their abuser.