Ep 7. Getting Away with Murder

American Justice is a true crime documentary series that takes a closer look at some of the most shocking criminal cases in the history of the American justice system. Season 2000 episode 7 titled "Getting Away with Murder" examines the disturbing trend of murderers evading justice, and the challenges that law enforcement officials face in bringing these criminals to justice.

The episode focuses on several notorious cases where convicted murderers managed to escape punishment for their heinous crimes, leaving their victims' families and communities devastated. Through interviews with law enforcement officials, legal experts, and family members of the victims, the episode sheds light on the complex nature of homicide investigation and the many obstacles that prosecutors encounter during trial.

The first case discussed in the episode is that of O.J. Simpson, who was famously acquitted of the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman in 1995. The case is presented as an example of how mistakes made by law enforcement and the prosecution can lead to a miscarriage of justice, and how wealthy and powerful defendants can use their resources to manipulate the legal system to their advantage.

The episode then moves on to discuss other cases of murderers who successfully avoided conviction, including the case of Robert Durst, who was suspected of killing his wife Kathie Durst in 1982 and his friend Susan Berman in 2000. Despite evidence linking him to both murders, Durst managed to avoid conviction in both cases, until he was finally arrested in 2015 for the murder of his neighbor in 2001.

Another case featured in the episode is that of Michael Skakel, a member of the Kennedy family who was convicted in 2002 for the murder of his neighbor Martha Moxley in 1975. Skakel was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison, but his conviction was overturned in 2013 due to errors made by his defense attorney during the trial.

Throughout the episode, viewers are presented with a wealth of information about the complexities and challenges of homicide investigation, including the difficulties in obtaining and processing forensics evidence, the challenges of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and the impact of media coverage and public opinion on the outcome of a trial.

The episode also examines the role of race and wealth in the American justice system, presenting statistics that show how minorities and low-income defendants are more likely to be convicted and receive harsher punishments than wealthier defendants. This point is illustrated through the case of O.J. Simpson, who was able to afford a high-powered legal team that was able to cast doubt on the prosecution's case.

Overall, "Getting Away with Murder" is a sobering and informative episode that highlights some of the flaws and limitations of the American justice system. By presenting a variety of cases and perspectives, the episode offers a nuanced and thought-provoking exploration of the challenges and complexities of homicide investigation and prosecution in the United States.