Ep 1. When The Gun Went Off

When The Gun Went Off is the first episode of Reasonable Doubt season 3. This true-crime series follows two skilled lawyers, retired homicide detective Chris Anderson and criminal defense attorney Melissa Lewkowicz, as they reinvestigate cases where the defendant has been convicted of murder and is currently serving a lengthy sentence. Their mission is to determine if there is enough evidence to prove the defendant’s innocence or at least create reasonable doubt in the eyes of the law.

In this episode, Anderson and Lewkowicz take a closer look at the case of a man named Randy who was convicted of murdering a young woman named Cynthia in her apartment. The case against Randy was built on eyewitness testimony and physical evidence, including a gun that was found in his possession. However, there are elements of the case that do not add up and Anderson and Lewkowicz are determined to uncover the truth.

The episode starts with the background of the case. Cynthia was a young woman who had been living in a low-income apartment complex in the city. One evening, she was shot and killed in her apartment. A number of witnesses claimed they saw Randy entering and exiting the building around the time of the murder, and the police found the gun used in the murder in his possession when he was arrested. He was quickly convicted and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Anderson and Lewkowicz start their investigation by visiting the scene of the crime, speaking to witnesses, and reviewing the evidence presented at Randy’s trial. They discover that some of the eyewitnesses had questionable motives and testimonies, and that the physical evidence might not be as straightforward as it originally seemed. Anderson and Lewkowicz bring in forensic specialists to review the gun and ballistics evidence, and they also investigate whether Cynthia had any connections to criminal activity or unsavory individuals who might have had a motive to harm her.

As they delve deeper into the case, Anderson and Lewkowicz also encounter some challenges and setbacks. Some of the witnesses they interview are reluctant to talk, and some of the evidence they hoped to examine is no longer available. Additionally, they feel frustrated by the lack of information and resources available to them as private investigators, compared to the full powers of the police force and other government agencies which had been involved in Randy's original trial.

Despite the obstacles, Anderson and Lewkowicz work tirelessly to gather as much relevant information as possible in order to present their findings to the courts. They come across new leads as they talk to people who were not interviewed or who were not taken seriously during the original investigation, and follow these clues down unexplored paths. Along the way, they try to keep an open mind and remain neutral in order to ensure that their investigation is unbiased and fair.

Ultimately, When The Gun Went Off is a compelling episode that showcases Anderson and Lewkowicz’s skills as investigators and advocates, as well as their compassion for the people involved in these complex cases. This episode offers a unique insight into the legal system and how justice can sometimes be derailed by flawed investigations and inadequate evidence. Viewers will be captivated as they follow the twists and turns of this investigation and get a glimpse into the reality of the American justice system through the lens of Reasonable Doubt.