Ep 8. Witness

Lou Grant season 3 episode 8, titled "Witness," follows the fictional events surrounding a notorious slumlord who is on trial for murder. The episode begins with Rossi, one of the journalists at the Los Angeles Tribune, receiving a tip that a key witness in the case against the slumlord has fled the city.

Rossi is immediately concerned that without this witness, the slumlord could walk free. He starts to look for the missing witness, but his efforts are hampered by the fact that she has disappeared without a trace. In the meantime, Lou Grant, the editor of the Tribune, assigns another journalist, Billie Newman, to cover the trial.

As Billie starts to cover the trial, she realizes that the only evidence against the slumlord is the testimony of the missing witness. Without her, the prosecution's case is weak, and the slumlord is likely to go free. Billie becomes determined to find the missing witness, but her search is complicated by the fact that the witness is a young prostitute who is afraid for her life.

Despite the witness's fear, Billie finally manages to track her down with the help of a sympathetic bartender. However, the moment the witness sees Billie, she panics and runs away. Billie chases after her, but the witness is hit by a car and killed. Devastated by the turn of events, Billie is left to wonder if there was anything she could have done differently to save the young woman's life.

As the trial continues, the slumlord's defense attorney tries to discredit the prosecution's case by arguing that the missing witness was unreliable. However, Rossi discovers evidence that would have cleared the witness's name, had she lived to testify. Rossi tries to present this evidence in court, but the judge rules that it is inadmissible because it was obtained after the witness's death.

Despite this setback, Billie continues to investigate the case. She discovers that the slumlord has been using his political connections to maintain his slums and silence anyone who speaks out against him. She manages to get evidence of his corruption to the district attorney, who uses the evidence to prosecute him for his crimes. Although the slumlord is not convicted of murder, he is sentenced to prison for his other crimes.

Throughout the episode, there are several subplots that contribute to the overall theme of the episode. One of the more prominent subplots involves an elderly couple who are being evicted from their apartment. Although this plotline is not directly related to the trial, it serves as a reminder of the human cost of living in squalor.

Overall, "Witness" is a gripping episode that highlights the difficulty of holding power accountable for its actions. The episode is notable for its complex characters and themes, as well as its nuanced portrayal of the struggles of the poor and marginalized. Although the episode ends on a bleak note, it leaves viewers with a sense of the importance of fighting for justice and holding those in power accountable for their actions.