Ep 1. Southern Justice

Jon Cryer and renowned criminal defense attorney Melissa Lewkowicz team up to investigate a murder case in the premiere episode of Reasonable Doubt. The episode, titled "Southern Justice," takes place in Georgia and follows the investigation into the death of a young woman named Melissa Huggins-Jones.

The episode opens with Cryer and Lewkowicz traveling to Georgia to meet with the victim's family. Huggins-Jones was found dead in her home in the early hours of the morning, and her death was initially ruled a suicide. However, her husband, Matthew Jones, was later charged with her murder.

Cryer and Lewkowicz meet with Huggins-Jones' mother, who believes that her daughter's husband is not guilty of the crime. She tells the duo that Jones was devastated by his wife's death and had no motive to kill her. Cryer and Lewkowicz also speak with Jones' defense attorney, who claims that the prosecution's case is weak and circumstantial.

The two then meet with the prosecution, including the lead investigator in the case. They review the evidence against Jones, which includes blood spatter analysis, DNA testing, and testimony from witnesses. Cryer and Lewkowicz note that some of the evidence appears to point towards Jones' guilt, while other pieces seem to be less definitive.

Throughout the episode, Cryer and Lewkowicz speak with various individuals who knew Huggins-Jones and Jones personally. They learn that the couple had a relatively happy marriage, but that Jones had a history of violence towards his wife. The couple had also been going through a rough patch leading up to Huggins-Jones' death.

As they gather more information, Cryer and Lewkowicz begin to see both sides of the case more clearly. They understand why the prosecution believes Jones is guilty, but they also sympathize with the view that he may be innocent. They begin to question some of the evidence against Jones and wonder if there might be more to the story than what the police and prosecution have presented.

By the end of the episode, Cryer and Lewkowicz have not reached a firm conclusion on Jones' guilt or innocence. Instead, they acknowledge that there is a reasonable doubt about whether he committed the crime. They wonder if the case would be strong enough to convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt, or if Jones might be wrongly convicted.

Overall, the premiere episode of Reasonable Doubt is an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of a murder case with no easy answers. Cryer and Lewkowicz prove to be a dynamic and effective team, using their different backgrounds and perspectives to parse through the complicated evidence and conflicting testimonies. Fans of true crime and legal dramas will find plenty to enjoy in this compelling first episode.