Murder One

1995-09-20 · In Season 1, a single case is chronicled from its opening trial arguments to the final judgment over the course of the entire season.

S01 E01 · 1995-09-20 · 45 min

Chapter One

A powerful L.A. entrepreneur (Stanley Tucci) is accused of killing his mistress's 15-year-old sister, Jessica Costello, after she is found "naked, tied up, strangled, [with] drugs all over the place" in an apartment he owns. The murder of Jessica Costello becomes front-page news and the hottest new case for the law firm of Hoffman & Associates.

S01 E02 · 1995-09-26 · 45 min

Chapter Two

Hoffman grows suspicious when Cross appears overly confident at his arraignment on the charge of murder; a surprise witness (Tia Carrere) comes forward with new information. Ted Hoffman goes from defending Richard Cross for the murder of Jessica Costello to defending Neil Avedon (Jason Gedrick) , a hot young Hollywood actor, for the same murder.

S01 E03 · 1995-10-03 · 45 min

Chapter Three

A personal item belonging to Jessica Costello surfaces that could incriminate members of the Hollywood community; Avedon's substance abuse creates problems for Hoffman, who selects a new attorney for second chair. Lisa defends an investments specialist on trial for mishandling his clients' life savings.

S01 E04 · 1995-10-12 · 45 min

Chapter Four

Avedon takes a lie-detector test and is released on bail, but Grasso tries to get the bail revoked because of the incriminating sex tape brought in by Melissa. Meanwhile, Hoffman defends a police detective (Joe Spano) accused of using unnecessary force after responding to a domestic dispute call.

S01 E05 · 1995-10-19 · 45 min

Chapter Five

Avedon goes to court for his preliminary hearing; Blalock (Kevin Tighe) believes he's found a witness who can discredit Cross's alibi for the night of the murder. Meanwhile, Appleton defends a Jewish youth (Maury Ginsberg) accused of an anti-Semitic hate crime. After a lead in her sister's murder proves deadly, Julie Costello shows up at the law firm to talk to Hoffman, fearing that her own life is now in danger.

S01 E06 · 1995-11-03 · 45 min

Chapter Six

Hoffman hires Velacek to investigate David Blalock's murder, and he retains an expert jury consultant (Lorraine Toussaint). Meanwhile, Avedon appears in court to see if his bail will be revoked, and Spivak defends a man (Billy Maddox) accused of a murder committed 17 years before. When Julie overdoses on drugs prescribed by Dr. Lester, Hoffman suspects the doctor has ulterior motives for keeping his female patients so heavily sedated.

S01 E07 · 1995-11-10 · 45 min

Chapter Seven

Hoffman receives information that Avedon may have confessed to killing Jessica Costello; someone is suspected of leaking facts to the press. Meanwhile, Gillespie defends a 12-year-old gang member (DeJuan Guy) accused of murdering a rival at a funeral.

S01 E08 · 1995-11-17 · 45 min

Chapter Eight

Avedon plans a live television interview; a surprising source brings forth a videotape that further incriminates Avedon; Julie is arrested for DUI. Meanwhile, Appleton convinces a former patient (Charlotte Ross) of Dr. Lester to share her disturbing experiences with Julie.

S01 E09 · 1996-01-01 · 45 min

Chapter Nine

Convinced that Richard Cross is trying to manipulate the outcome of Neil Avedon's murder trail, Hoffman advises Justine to turn down a business opportunity from him.

S01 E10 · 1996-01-09 · 45 min

Chapter Ten

Jury selection begins in Avedon's murder trial, and among the potential jurors are an ex-cop, an ex-marine and a feminist. Meanwhile, a stalker (Debra Christofferson) reappears on Avedon's trail and Francesca (Donna Murphy) considers divorcing Richard. Hoffman faces a rumor that he had an affair with Francesca Cross, a rumor he believes was started by Richard Cross.

S01 E11 · 1996-01-16 · 45 min

Chapter Eleven

Hoffman tries to get Avedon's charges dropped due to Holly Gerges's confession. Meanwhile, jury selection continues, with a law professor (Steven Gilborn) among those questioned. Hoffman becomes suspicious after Cross asks him to help Roberto Portalegre, an influential associate from Brazil whose son was accused of date rape.

S01 E12 · 1996-01-23 · 45 min

Chapter Twelve

The "Goldilocks Murder" trial begins with opening statements and the prosecution's first witness (Ted Marcoux), who testifies he heard Avedon threaten Jessica. When a member of his family is abducted, Hoffman suspects someone is trying to send him a message about the Avedon murder case and that Cross is somehow involved.Meanwhile, Appleton's business relationship with Cross is questioned.

S01 E13 · 1996-02-06 · 45 min

Chapter Thirteen

Evidence is delivered against Avedon by witnesses who include Dr. Lester's nurse though Hoffman believes she may be lying. Meanwhile, an informant turns up with vital information about Richard Cross; rumors begin circulating about the state of Cross's health. Elizabeth identifies her abductor.

S01 E14 · 1996-02-13 · 45 min

Chapter Fourteen

A copy of the videotape that may have gotten David Blalock killed surfaces; the woman (Anna Gunn) who appeared to be strangled by Avedon in a sex video testifies. As more evidence comes to light proving Richard Cross lied about his activities the night of Jessica's murder, Hoffman begins experiencing marital problems.

S01 E15 · 1996-02-20 · 45 min

Chapter Fifteen

The murder trial is halted when two male jurors argue over a woman juror as a love triangle is exposed. Judge Bornstein orders that Dr. Lester's records on Avedon be unsealed, forcing the physician to testify; Dr. Lester testifies that Neil Avedon made a startling confession the night Jessica was murdered. Passion develops between Arnold and Julie Costello.

S01 E16 · 1996-03-05 · 45 min

Chapter Sixteen

After Jessica's diary is entered as evidence, Hoffman calls to the stand some of the men Jessica mentioned in her diary, including Gary Blondo and Rusty Arnold. Meanwhile, Julie agrees to testify about her relationship with Richard Cross, but Hoffman is later stunned after she takes the stand and claims she no longer has to answer his questions.

S01 E17 · 1996-03-12 · 45 min

Chapter Seventeen

Eduardo Portalegre (Nick Corri) is again charged with rape and becomes a suspect in Jessica's murder. Patients of Graham Lester testify that he drugged and raped them while they were in his care. Julie and DA Garfield testify; Annie asks Ted for a divorce. Hoffman uncovers a costly connection between Richard Cross and Dr. Lester's nurse.

S01 E18 · 1996-03-19 · 45 min

Chapter Eighteen

The defense calls witnesses for Avedon, including his mother (Concetta Tomei); Hoffman considers the prosecution's offer to plea bargain; Appleton is reprimanded for her involvement with Richard Cross; Grasso suffers a personal tragedy.

S01 E19 · 1996-04-01 · 45 min

Chapter Nineteen

Richard Cross is called as a witness for the defense. Cross acts strangely on the witness stand, Neil decides to testify in court on his own behalf, and Justine has an unnerving encounter with Cross in his office. Meanwhile, Appleton secretly goes through Cross's private files to obtain information that would aid the defense.

S01 E20 · 1996-04-08 · 45 min

Chapter Twenty

Avedon awaits his fate as closing arguments are heard and jury instructions are given. Meanwhile, the prosecution tries to have Judge Bornstein dismissed, due to allegations that she and Hoffman were once romantically linked. As Hoffman and Grasso deliver their closing arguments Justine realizes just how mentally unstable Cross is and finally discovers the cause of his erratic behavior.

S01 E21 · 1996-04-22 · 45 min

Chapter Twenty-One

Even as the jury reaches a verdict, Hoffman breaks into Jessica's apartment, convinced a hidden camera is located there and that a tape of the murder most likely exists. The jury delivers its verdict in the trial of Neil Avedon. Following the decision, Hoffman and Grasso appear on "Larry King Live" to discuss the case. King appears as himself. 

S01 E22 · 1996-04-22 · 45 min

Chapter Twenty-Two

Hoffman races to track down Richard Cross and find the missing video tape even as a terrified Neil Avedon is attacked by a fellow inmate in prison; a possible mob connection surfaces in the case.

S01 E23 · 1996-04-23 · 45 min

Chapter Twenty-Three

With nothing left to lose, a dying Richard Cross tells Hoffman where to find the tape recorded in Jessica's apartment the night of her murder. In the aftermath of the jury's verdict in the Goldilocks murder case of Neil Avedon, Jessica's killer is unmasked and all loose ends tied up.

1996-10-10 · In Season 2, Jimmy Wyler has taken over from Ted Hoffman. Unlike the first season, which followed one case in detail throughout the entire season, this time round there are a string of new cases for the legal team - including a police officer who has been accused of brutality, and the murder of the governor of California.