Crime & Punishment

The first episode chronicles the trial of John Dailey, who is accused of murdering his wife. Many witnesses attest to the fact that Dailey had often spoken about graphically killing her, but there was no body for evidence. The prosecutor was able to sway the jury through intelligent remarks and stong witnesses. John Dailey was given a sentence of 25 years to life in jail.

Deputy District Attorney Garry Haehnle prosecutes Marshall Jones, a father accused of suffocating his 4-month-old son and burying the body in a shallow grave in the woods. Attempting to pass the murder off as an unfortunate accident, the defense paints the picture of a loving father who made one bad decision, which Haehnle must disprove in the eyes of the jury. After Jones is convicted, during the sentencing hearing, he domonstrates his callousness and ultimately his guilt. The judge strongly rebukes him and gives him the maximum sentence.

A man is tried for murder in the first degree. He had supposedly stabbed his girlfriend out of jealousy. However, the intent that the prosecutor describes does not match up with the lustful insanity that the defense describes. After credible witnesses help the case, Vasquez is sentenced. During the sentencing, Vasquez and his brother attack the prosecutor (Lindberg) and they both are given extended jail sentences.

A man is tried for the rape of a woman. What would seem like an easy case, difficulties appear because the victim had been inebriated and may have not been fully aware of her actions. Luckily, the defendant gives the least plausible testimony that he could give, which would give him a jail sentence.

A girlfriend of a gang member is found dead from a bullet behind a dumpster. With a minimal amount of evidence and a difficult judge, it becomes difficult for the District Attorney to convince the jury that the murderer was the victim's boyfriend.

In the first case of Villa, the defendant is brought up on charges of beating his wife and committing a third strike of domestic abuse. In another case, the Deputy District Attorney tries to get Schierbaum convicted of crimes including kidnapping and sexual assault, and attempted murder. The parallels between the cases can be seen in the domestic abuse of Villa and the violence made by Schierbaum towards his children and wife.