Chronicling the case of the Yorkshire Ripper, a serial killer who preyed upon young women (some of them prostitutes) in the 1970s. A manhunt led to the arrest of Peter Sutcliffe, who was convicted of 13 murders in 1981.
Recounts the 1992 case of the Long Island teenager who allegedly had an affair with a married man and then was convicted of trying to kill his wife, Mary Jo Buttafuoco (who is interviewed).
The Jeanine Nicarico murder case of 1983 which led to the false imprisonment and conviction of Rolando Cruz for the murder until Brian Dugan confesses to the crime.
Recalling such Jewish crime figures as Bugsy Siegel, Meyer Lansky and Arthur Flegenheimer (a k a Dutch Schultz). Interviewees include lawyers who defended and prosecuted Lansky, and authors Albert Fried, Sidney Zion and Robert Rockaway.
Chronicles the Genovese crime family from its inception in the Prohibition Era, led by Lucky Luciano through the 1930's, Costello in the 40's and 50's, Genovese in the 60's and 70's, then the Gambinos and finally the Gotti era of the 90's.
Examines the 1980 trial of Jean Harris for the shooting death of her lover, Dr. Herman Tarnower. Included: interviews with Harris, her defense attorney and other trial participants.
Examines the conspiracy by Wanda Holloway, the mother of a high-school cheerleader, to have another cheerleader's mother murdered. Interviewed: the intended victim; trial attorneys; and a forensic psychologist.
Chronicles the sensational crime dubbed the Preppie Murder Case by the media due to the upper-class backgrounds of victim Jennifer Levin and the accused, Robert Chambers.
Examines the 1959 slaughter of the Clutters, a Kansas farming family memorialized in Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood." Included: comments from family friends; graphic crime-scene photos.
