Ep 16. Gunfire

Lucas McCain is a renowned rifleman who has made a name for himself as a skilled marksman and protector of justice in North Fork. In season 4, episode 16 of The Rifleman, titled "Gunfire," Lucas finds himself in a precarious situation when he is accused of murder.

The episode begins with Lucas out hunting for game when he hears gunshots in the distance. He rushes to investigate and finds a man lying dead on the ground, with a gun in his hand. Before he can even react, he is ambushed by a group of men who accuse him of the murder and take him back to town to face trial.

Lucas is adamant that he did not commit the crime, but the townspeople are convinced of his guilt. With no alibi and no way to prove his innocence, he is only left with the option of defending himself in court. His trial is a tense affair, with witnesses being called on both sides to testify as to what happened that fateful day.

As the trial progresses, it becomes clear that Lucas is in serious trouble. Despite his best efforts to clear his name, the prosecution continues to pile on evidence of his guilt. With the odds stacked against him, Lucas begins to lose hope that justice will prevail.

Just when it seems like all is lost, a new witness comes forward with crucial information that could turn the tide in his favor. This witness, an unexpected ally, provides testimony that sheds new light on what really happened that day. As a result of the new evidence, Lucas is acquitted of the crime and is finally able to clear his name.

In the aftermath of the trial, Lucas is left to reflect on the events that brought him so close to ruin. He realizes that justice is not always easy to come by, and that even the most honest and upstanding people can be falsely accused of wrongdoing. As he heads back out into the wilderness, rifle in hand, he knows that he must always be vigilant in the face of injustice, ready to defend himself and those he loves at any cost.