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32 Episodes 1996 - 1996
Episode 1
Wed, Jan 17, 199660 mins
American Justice host Bill Kurtis narrates an hour long look at some of the more infamous cases of criminals who are "cop killers". Included are the case of Ronald Ray Howard. Howard claimed that he was influenced by the rap music of Tupac Shakur when he shot and killed a Texas State Trooper in 1992. And the 1991 shooting death of another Texas officer of the law, Constable Darrel Lunsford. Lunsford's murder was recorded by the dashboard camera of his own patrol cruiser. American Justice also interviews other officers of the law as well as prosecutors, and takes a look at the punishment for cop killers.
Episode 2
Wed, Feb 7, 199660 mins
"The Chicago Mob" profiles Windy City crime bosses, including Al Capone, who became Chicago's gangland kingpin in his 20s; 1960s gangster Sam Giancana; and Anthony Accardo, reportedly the trigger man at the 1929 St. Valentine's Day Massacre.
Episode 3
Thu, Feb 15, 199660 mins
A detailed examination of the case of Dr. Sam Sheppard, the Cleveland surgeon convicted of murdering his wife in 1954. Included: crime scene photos; the investigation and trial; legal appeals resulting in Sheppard's release; his son's effort to exonerate him.
Episode 4
Wed, Mar 6, 199660 mins
Investigating homicides committed against parents by their children. Included: the case of David and Brian Freeman, who killed their Allentown, Pa., parents in 1995; Jeffrey Howorth, who shot his parents in 1995.
Episode 5
Wed, Apr 10, 1996100 mins
How organized-crime figures built a "Niagara Falls of money" in Las Vegas in the 1930s and '40s, which they enjoyed until "paradise came crashing down." Included: an interview with casino manager Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal, who inspired the Robert De Niro character in "Casino."
Episode 6
Wed, Apr 24, 199660 mins
An examination of the 1993 "Long Island Rail Road Massacre," in which six commuters were killed and 19 wounded by gunman Colin Ferguson, who was convicted of six counts of murder. Included: talks with eyewitnesses, jurors and police officers.
Episode 7
Sat, May 11, 199660 mins
A look at the work of bounty hunters, or "fugitive recovery agents," who track down individuals who jump bail. Included: interviews with bounty hunters and footage from actual arrests. Also: training and licensing
Episode 8
Sat, May 25, 199660 mins
American Justice chronicles the case of Winnacunnet High School media coordinator Pamela Smart. Smart, who was 22 years old, had an affair with a 15 year old student at the same school and seduced him into murdering her husband. The case against Smart, her lover, and his three friends from the same Hew Hampshire school who had helped him commit the murder grabbed the attention of millions of Americans as the story unfolded.
Episode 9
Wed, Jun 5, 199660 mins
John Wayne Gacy's lawyers discuss the man, the crimes and the case now that his execution has lifted the constraints of their attorney-client privilege.
Episode 10
Wed, Jun 19, 199660 mins
Examining cases in which police actions resulted in the death of a citizen. Included: trial footage; police photos; interviews with police officers. Also: weapons designed to stun, not kill.
Episode 11
Wed, Jul 17, 199660 mins
An examination of high-speed chases conducted by law-enforcement agencies via land, air and sea, with an analysis of five pursuits. Also: the policies governing chases and the techniques utilized to ensure safety.
Episode 12
Sun, Jul 28, 199660 mins
In the 1950s, England reels over the case of serial killer John Christie.
Episode 13
Sun, Aug 18, 199660 mins
A British serial killer lures young men to his apartment and dismembers them.
Episode 14
Wed, Aug 21, 199660 mins
In 1980's the most promising career path to the upper echelon in the Philadelphia crime families is the murder of rival gangsters. In this time period Nicodemo Scarpo made a play to take over the Philadelphia crime syndicate. After killing his boss he turned toward his competitor the Riccobene crime family. Following several bungled assassination attempts the killing of Harry Riccobene's son prompts him to turn over his operation to Scarfo. But Scorfo's paranoia lead him to order the murder of popular gangster Salvatore Testa causing Scarfo's underlings to turn against him. Scarfo is soon convicted and jailed setting the stage for a second mob war between between John Stanfa and Skinny Joey Merlino. But the assassination game crumbles when hit man John Veasey feels himself at risk and becomes and FBI informant.
Episode 15
Sun, Aug 25, 199660 mins
An investigation into the 1985 Bamber family murders in England, in which Jeremy Bamber killed his adoptive parents, his sister and her twin sons in hopes of inheriting his family's fortune.
Episode 16
Sun, Sep 1, 199660 mins
An examination of the "Night Stalker" murders that haunted Southern California during the summer of 1985, in which Richard Ramirez killed 13 persons. He was subsequently sentenced to death for the crimes.
Episode 17
Wed, Sep 4, 199660 mins
A report on the 1989 killings of Kitty and Jose Menendez, and the murder trial against their sons, Lyle and Erik. Included: the "abuse excuse" used by the defense; and comments from jurors, who discuss reasons why the brothers' first trial ended in a hung jury.
Episode 18
Sun, Sep 22, 199660 mins
Recalling the case of the unidentified serial killer British police called "Jack the Stripper," who's believed to be responsible for the murders of six prostitutes in London in 1964.
Episode 19
Wed, Sep 25, 199660 mins
A look at the use---and abuse---of confessions in murder cases. The hour examines unique cases in which confessions played a key role, such as the "Central Park jogger" case. Included: examples of videotaped confessions.
Episode 20
Sun, Sep 29, 199660 mins
Recounting the case of James Hanratty, who was hanged, many believe wrongly, for the shooting deaths of two lovers in London.
Episode 21
Wed, Oct 2, 199660 mins
Graphic footage accompanies this look at homicide detectives on the job. Among the cases investigated is a 1994 quadruple murder in Virginia Beach, Va.
Episode 22
Sun, Oct 6, 199660 mins
The unexplained disappearance of labor leader Jimmy Hoffa (1913-75?). Included: his controversy-filled life and evidence regarding his fate.
Episode 23
Sun, Oct 13, 199660 mins
Clever criminal who spent the last 12 years of his crusading against execution.
Episode 24
Sun, Oct 20, 199660 mins
Recalling the 1969 kidnapping of Muriel McKay, the wife of a newspaperman. McKay's body was never found, and immigrants Arthur Hosein and his brother, Nizamodeen, were convicted of the crime.
Episode 25
Sun, Oct 20, 199660 mins
A woman is kidnapped and murdered after inheriting a fortune.
Episode 26
Wed, Oct 23, 199660 mins
Using the slaying of Polly Klaas, the Petaluma, Cal., 12-year-old, to examine law-enforcement methods designed to deal with repeat offenders. Included: aggressive policing techniques and laws around the country.
Episode 27
Sun, Nov 17, 199660 mins
Theories abound concerning President Kennedy's death.
Episode 28
Sun, Nov 17, 199660 mins
The execution of Nicholas II and his family by the Bolsheviks in 1918.
Episode 29
Wed, Nov 20, 199660 mins
A look at the daily routines of women sentenced to death includes interviews with condemned inmates, and families and friends of victims. Also: a visit to death row in an Alabama prison.
Episode 30
Sun, Nov 24, 199660 mins
The case of Neville Heath, a British Air Force officer executed in 1946 for the murders of two young women.
Episode 31
Wed, Dec 4, 199660 mins
Judging the effectiveness of publicly funded defense lawyers for poor and indigent defendants.
Episode 32
Sun, Dec 8, 199660 mins
Chronicling the power struggles between New York's Gambino family and rival clans. Included: the conflicts among top Gambino bosses that culminated in the 1985 murder of Paul Castellano on the order of John Gotti.