American Justice examines four modern hoaxes including the 1950s quiz-show scandals, the fraudulent biography of Howard Hughes, the so-called "Morman Murders", and the Tawana Brawley rape allegations.
American Justice examines famous kidnapping cases. First, the 1984 abduction of world-class bi-athlete and Olympic hopeful Kari Swenson. Swenson was abducted near Bozeman, Montana by father and son mountain men Don and Dan Nichols. Don Nichols was intent on making Swenson a bride for his 18 year old son Dan. Then the 1992 kidnapping of Exxon International executive Sidney Reso by Arthur and Irene Seale. The Seale's were demanding an 18.5 million dollar ransom for Reso, but it would end tragically for Reso. The Lindberg baby kidnapping and other cases are also reviewed.
"Do celebrities get equal justice?" asks Bill Kurtis in a report that looks at criminal cases involving well-known personalities. Included: the 1983 trial of director John Landis for the deaths of three actors (including Vic Morrow) on the set of "Twilight Zone: The Movie."
Reviewing the cases of spies. Included: CIA turncoat Aldrich Ames; Jonathan Pollard, who spied for Israel; and John Walker, who sold secrets to the Soviets for 17 years before his arrest in 1985.
American Justice profiles mob lawyers Frank Ragano and Bruce Cutler. Ragano became deeply involved in defending mob figures Santo Trafficante Jr. and Jimmy Hoffa, while at the same time going up against Bobby and John F. Kennedy who were cracking down on the mob. Cutler became John Gotti's go to lawyer and was able to get Gotti off numerous times, earning Gotti the nickname "The Teflon Don".
Profiles of participants in the Federal Witness Protection Program include a one-time "gangster in training" in New York's Gambino mob family who testified against his uncle. Also: the case of mobster Salvatore ("Sammy the Bull") Gravano, who "flipped" on John Gotti and whose testimony was instrumental in Gotti's conviction.
Notorious cases of bad medicine, including a physician and a nurse who were convicted of murdering patients, and a cosmetic surgeon who was, host Bill Kurtis says, "one of the most sued doctors in U.S. history." Also examined: malpractice-suit cap laws; the Georgia Medical Board's "tough approach to bad medicine."
American Justice profiles the life of serial killer Henry Lee Lucas from Virginia. Lucas, who killed his mother in 1960 was released from prison in 1970 and went on a killing spree as a drifter. During this time he met up with Ottis Toole and together they killed at lest 6 people, but possibly many more. Though Lucas himself was only convicted of 11 murders he would later confess to over 150 killings from across the country. In some cases it made it difficult for investigators to find the real killer because Lucas could seemingly provide intimate details of the killings. Investigators would also name Ottis Toole as the killer of 6 year old Adam Walsh. Adam Walsh was the son of John Walsh, the creator and host of America's Most Wanted.
A review of cameras in courtrooms, from the 1925 Scopes "monkey" trial through the O.J. Simpson case. Also included: 1935's Lindbergh kidnapping trial; the William Kennedy Smith date-rape trial; and Theodore Bundy's 1979 Florida murder trial. Interviewed: Court TV founder Steven Brill; Constitutional expert Floyd Abrams.
Examining cases in which pathologists have unraveled murder mysteries. A pathologist "is the dead's advocate," says King County (Wash.) medical examiner Donald Reay, who was instrumental in winning a conviction in a serial-killer case.
Case studies of people who were murdered by contract killers include a New York journalist whose death was ordered by Colombian drug barons in 1992. Also: a history of organized crime's "Murder, Inc." in the 1930
An examination of allegations of cruel and unusual punishment in the U.S., including a case in which an Alcatraz inmate charged that, in 1941, his harsh treatment at the prison drove him mad; and another involving an Illinois prisoner who claimed that guards broke his back during a 1988 beating.
Military cases are examined. Included: the trials of Eddie Slovik, the only U.S. soldier executed for desertion during WWII; Vietnam POW Robert Garwood, convicted of collaborating with the enemy; and Clayton Lonetree, a Marine guard found guilty of espionage in 1987.
Prominent stalking cases are explored, including John Lennon's murder by Mark David Chapman; actress Theresa Saldana's near-fatal encounter with a stalker; and Illinois housewife Dawn Wilson's assault by her ex-husband.
Probing the world of covert investigation in "Undercover: The Infiltrators." Included: a case of suspected fraud; a DEA sting operation; and allegations of court corruption.
Four women convicted of abducting infants are profiled, along with a couple involved in a baby-selling scheme. Those interviewed include one of the women, police officials and prosecutors.
The contributions and excesses of jailhouse inmates who become legal experts are examined. Interviewed: Jerry Rosenberg, the "dean of jailhouse lawyers"; and Colorado prisoner Richard Demarest, who took a case to the Supreme Court from his cell---and won.
A study of assassins probes the cases of Sirhan Sirhan, who killed Sen. Robert Kennedy in 1968; Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, who attempted to shoot President Ford in 1975; and James Earl Ray, who claims he's innocent of the 1968 murder of Martin Luther King Jr. Included: comments from prosecutors, defense attorneys and political scientists.
The legacy of the Los Angeles Police Department is examined in a review of some of its biggest cases since the 1950s---including the O.J. Simpson case. Interviewed: police chief Willie Williams and former chief Daryl Gates.
An examination of notorious U.S. bombing incidents, including the case of Michael Stevens, who sent six bombs to members of the same family in 1993. Also: George Metesky, New York City's "Mad Bomber" of the 1940s and 50s and Robert Chambliss, convicted of an Alabama church bombing in 1963.
An examination of incidents in which suspects or citizens have allegedly been killed by police, FBI or other government enforcers in the line of duty. Included: cases in Philadelphia, New York and Idaho.
This 2 hour special examines the successful defense strategy in the 1994 O. J. Simpson murder trial: a police conspiracy based on racism. It includes footage from televised events, interviews with lawyers and investigators, and the trial. Mistakes in handling evidence have produced changes in CSI procedures everywhere.
