Ep 6. Chapter 6: The Prosecution's Revenge

In Chapter 6 of The Staircase Season 1, titled "The Prosecution's Revenge," the focus shifts to the prosecution's case against Michael Peterson. The episode starts with the testimony of Dr. John Butts, the Chief Medical Examiner, who had performed Kathleen Peterson's autopsy. The prosecution argues that the injuries on her body were caused by a weapon, while the defense argues that they were the result of a fall. Dr. Butts' testimony is critical for both sides and sets the tone for the rest of the episode.

Furthermore, it also becomes apparent that the Durham police department had made some mistakes during the investigation. One such mistake was not searching the Peterson home on the night of Kathleen's death. Instead, they relied on Michael's account of what happened. The prosecution uses this to argue that Michael had time to clean up evidence before calling 911.

During the trial, the defense introduces their own medical expert, Dr. Henry Lee, who argues that many of the injuries on Kathleen's body were consistent with a fall. However, the prosecution points out that Dr. Lee runs his own forensic lab and had been paid handsomely for his services. This raises questions about the credibility of his testimony.

The episode then takes a turn as the prosecution brings up Michael's bisexuality and infidelity. They argue that he had a motive to kill Kathleen as he was afraid she would leave him if she found out about his infidelity. This section of the trial is particularly tough for Michael's family, as they have to endure graphic descriptions of his sexual encounters with men.

The defense fights back by arguing that Michael had been honest about his sexuality and had never given Kathleen any reason to suspect he was cheating. They also point out that Michael had adopted two young girls from Russia and was a devoted father to them. This character witness testimony helps humanize Michael and show another side of him that the prosecution had not mentioned.

The episode ends with the prosecution playing a video of Michael's reenactment of how he found Kathleen at the bottom of the stairs. The video is difficult to watch as Michael sobs uncontrollably while trying to piece together the events of that night. The prosecution argues that his emotional outburst was not genuine and that he was simply acting. This sets the stage for the final episodes of the season where the jury must decide whether Michael is guilty or not.

Overall, Chapter 6 of The Staircase is a critical episode that shows how the prosecution builds their case against Michael Peterson. It raises questions about the Durham police department's investigation and highlights the impact Michael's sexuality had on the trial. It also shows the emotional toll the trial is taking on Michael's family and provides insight into his character. The episode sets up the final episodes nicely, leaving viewers wondering how the trial will end.