When a young Arizona businessman is found slaughtered in his bathroom, friends point police towards his on-again off-again ex-girlfriend. Facing the death penalty, Jodi Arias takes the stand for an unprecedented 18-days in an attempt to explain how the brutal killing of her ex-boyfriend was self-defense.
When an off-duty Dallas police officer shoots a man in his own apartment, the jury decides if it was murder or a tragic mistake; Amber Guyger takes the stand in her own defense to convince the jury not to lock her away for up to 99 years.
When a parolee is bounced from his job, he seeks retribution on a peaceful community when he kidnaps, tortures and kills a mother and caregiver; Scott Nelson takes the stand to give a convoluted explanation on why he blames his parole officer.
Shayna Hubers takes the stand to defend herself after she brutally murdered her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Ryan Poston. She willingly takes the stand to prove her actions were in self-defense, by showing Ryan's abusive side.
A shootout with police in West Virginia leads to the arrest of a 23-year-old Texas man, who is charged with savagely killing an elderly couple, robbing them and burning down their home. Facing the death penalty, the defendant decides to take the stand and points the finger at the surprising suspect he claims committed the horrific crimes.
Former Houston doctor Leon Jacob is currently serving a life sentence. He was found guilty of plotting, along with his girlfriend, Valerie McDaniel, the murder of his ex-girlfriend and Valerie's ex-husband. Valerie took her own life after serving some time in prison. Leon Jacob takes the stand to defend his rocky past.
When railroad mechanic Robert Limon is shot and killed by Jonathan Hearn, an investigation leads to Robert's widow--and spurs questions about her involvement in the crime. Sabrina Limon takes the stand to contest the account of her former lover, Jonathan Hearn, insisting she had no knowledge of his intent to commit the crime.
Stay-at-home mom Danielle Redlick was arrested and charged with 2nd Degree Murder and Tampering with Physical Evidence in the death of her husband, pro sports executive Michael Redlick. After holding on to her account of the night of January 11, 2019 for nearly three years, Danielle finally takes the witness stand, and her story takes a turn. What will the jury think of Danielle waiting nearly 11 hours to call 911 and her claims of abuse?
When an entire family is found in a decaying pile of bodies by the side of a Florida road, the hunt is on to find what police fear might be two more victims, 28-year-old Adam Matos and his 4-year-old autistic son Tristan. Adam and his son are found alive, launching a bizarre investigation where Adam claims he acted in self-defense after being attacked by his ex-girlfriend's new love. That defense devolved into accidently killing his ex-girlfriend, her parents, and the new boyfriend--and then living with the bodies for several days. Will baby-faced Adam be able to convince the jury that the grizzly scene police found at the home is really a result of self-defense? And how will he explain selling the family's dogs and ordering pizza post massacre? His calm demeanor and explanation for every bizarre detail may just win him his freedom.
A romance author writes about how to murder a husband, and then kills her spouse. It might sound like the plot of a novel, but it happened in Oregon in 2018. Nancy Crampton Brophy, 72, shot and killed her husband, Daniel Brophy, on June 2, 2018 at the now-closed Oregon Culinary Institute, where he was a well-respected instructor. She was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in September 2018, and was found guilty in May 2022 after a seven-week trial. She was sentenced to life in prison.
Curtis Reeves stands accused of murdering Chad Oulson over popcorn at a matinee movie. The defense claims he acted in self defense--that Oulson was the aggressor and Reeves reasonably felt his life was in danger. The state's prosecutors argue that Reeves was short-tempered and unjustified in the shooting. At stake for the 79 year old is life in prison. Will he be able to convince the jury he feared for his life? Or will the jury believe he killed Chad Oulson in anger?
When renowned snake-breeder Ben Renick is found dead in his snake facility, law enforcement assume he is a victim of one of his deadly snakes... until the coroner finds bullet casings hidden behind shelves. Three years of investigation eventually lead police to Ben's wife, Lynlee Renick. Lynlee takes the stand to confess that she was present the day her husband got murdered but claims her innocence and points the finger at her ex-boyfriend, Michael Humphrey, and reveals that Ben was anything but the loving husband everyone assumed.
When a young college student disappears on her evening run, investigators scour her small town searching for her. And when her accused attacker, Cristhian Bahena Rivera takes the stand, the story becomes more complicated than they could've ever imagined. Who will the jury believe?
Joshua Aide, a former Marine, is on trial for the murder of his ex-girlfriend's father, as well as her attempted murder and that of a family friend. He claims he was ambushed by the three who were plotting to kill him and cash in on his life insurance policy. Will he be able to convince the jury he acted in self defense and avoid life in prison?
Exotic animal dealer William "Wild Bill" Zelenski is accused of murdering his girlfriend's 18-year-old son, Ryelee Manente-Powell after he stole $27,000 worth of venomous and exotic reptiles. He claims it was an accident and will take the stand to explain what really happened.
The Wagners stand accused of murdering eight members of the Rhoden family over a bitter child custody dispute. While several members of the Wagner family have plead guilty, George Wagner IV will take the stand and try to convince the jury he played no role in the massacre.
An argument between former NFL player Travis Rudolph and his ex-girlfriend escalates into a gunfight with her brother and his friends. Rudolph will take the stand to claim he had no choice but to open fire 39 times to defend himself. Will a jury believe he was justified or decide he went too far?
Zachary Wester, a Sheriff Deputy from Jackson County Florida, stands accused of planting drugs on unsuspecting motorists during routine traffic stops. He's been charged with over 65 counts and faces up to 85 years in prison if found guilty. Will he be able to convince a jury his stops were by the book or will he be guilty of betraying the badge and the community he served?
During a road rage incident, Theodore Edgecomb shoots and kills predominant immigration lawyer Jason Cleereman. Charging him with 1st degree intentional homicide, the state contends it was a cold-blooded murder. Edgecomb has decided to take the stand to convince the jury he shot Cleereman in self-defense. Will the jury believe him and spare him from life in prison?
Georgia high school teacher Tara Grinstead's sudden disappearance in 2005 goes unexplained for 11 years until a surprising statement to law enforcement from Bo Dukes, a former student, names his friend and former classmate, Ryan Duke, as her killer. Fighting for his freedom, Ryan Duke takes the stand at his trial to assert who he says is the true killer. Will his testimony be enough to convince the jury he didn't murder Tara Grinstead?
In 2019 Delinord Dumercy takes the stand for the second time, claiming that his decision to shoot and ultimately kill James Peoples was in self-defense and not murder. Although this horrific event is witnessed by multiple people and captured on camera, Dumercy's first trial ended in a hung jury. Will prosecutors be able to convince a jury that Dumercy is guilty of murder? Or will they find him innocent after he claims that he was being hunted like an animal by James Peoples all along?
After the brutal murder of a mom, her children, and the family dog rocks a picture-perfect Orlando suburb--all signs point to the dad, Tony Todt. But Tony's own tear-soaked and unpredictable testimony points to the person you'd least expect, and there is no evidence to prove him wrong. Will Tony Todt be able to convince the jury he did not murder his family?
Skiing icon Dean Cummings is on trial for the shooting death of Guillermo Arriola, a local New Mexican rancher who was only armed with a can of mace. Cummings claims the shooting was done in self-defense. With no other witnesses, the jury will have to weigh the forensics against Cummings testimony. Will they acquit him or find him guilty of first degree murder?
In 2006, Ken Juedes was found dead by his wife, Cindy Shulz-Juedes. For 13 years the case went cold until investigators linked her to the murder. Cindy Shulz-Juedes has decided to take the stand with the hope of convincing the jury she is innocent, and her husband's real killer is still at large.
During a routine undercover prostitution sting, Columbus Vice Detective Andrew Mitchell shoots and kills 23-year-old Donna Dalton Castleberry. Mitchell takes the stand, claiming he feared for his life but the Prosecution argues that Donna, locked in the backseat of a car, was no longer a threat. An audio recording of the entire incident will prove to be a key piece of evidence. Will the jury decide this was a justified killing?
An American Dream becomes a tragedy when San Antonio businesswoman Andreen McDonald goes missing. Four years later, her husband, Air Force Major, Andre McDonald, is on trial for her murder. Facing life in prison, McDonald takes the stand. Will the jury believe he's the victim of a domestic dispute gone wrong or a cold-blooded monster?
