American Justice

US television program
the film
American Justice is an American criminal justice television program airing on the A&E Network. From 1992–2005, the show was hosted by television reporter Bill Kurtis. The show features interesting or notable cases, such as the murder of Selena, Scarsdale Diet doctor murder, the Hillside Stranglers, Matthew Shepard, and the Wells Fargo heist, with the stories told by key players, such as police, lawyers, victims, and the perpetrators themselves. More than 250 episodes were produced in the original series, making it the longest running documentary justice show on cable. The original series' final new episode aired on December 10, 2005. A new version debuted on August 20, 2021, with actor Dennis Haysbert replacing Kurtis as narrator.

# Title Episode Summary 1 Dahmer: Mystery of the Serial Killer The case of Jeffrey Dahmer, who was convicted of murdering and dismembering 15 young boys. 2 Vigilante Justice Bernard Goetz New York City Subway shootings, and a case of a man who killed his son's alleged molester. 3 Mob Rats Looks at Joseph Valachi, the first Mafioso to break the code of silence, and Sammy Gravano, who helped convict the Gambino family boss 4 Lorena Bobbitt: Women and Violence Examines the highly charged issue of battered women. Do they have the right to respond with violence, and under what circumstances? Will the acquittal of Lorena Bobbitt lead to an "open season" on men? And why are women increasingly involved in drug and gang activity? 5 Cops on Trial Examines how police are treated as defendants and the types of sentences they face; and reveals research results that show that police and the general public are held to different standards of justice. 6 Attack at Waco The story of the tragic assault on the Branch Davidian compound in Texas and the subsequent efforts to determine the facts and assign blame 7 Gang Busters Looks at: the "Secret 6", a group of civic minded Chicago businessmen who aided in bringing down Al Capone; drug trade in a Boston housing development; and gang violence in the Midwest

# Title Episode Summary 8 Prostitution: Sex and the Law From the street corner hooker to the high class Hollywood call girl, this episode examines how the sellers of sex are brought to justice. 9 Riot: The Chicago Conspiracy Trial Examination of the turbulent events behind the 1968 anti war riots in Chicago which led to the "Conspiracy to Commit Riot" trials of the famed Chicago Seven. 10 Divorce Wars Examines how divorce has changed from the days when women were considered the legal "property" of their husbands to today's high stakes divorce contests, typified by the battle between Donald and Ivana Trump. 11 Godfathers vs. The Law Profiles of top gangsters and the lawmen who have risked their lives to defeat the underworld. (2 hour version) 12 Kidnapped A look at the cases of biathlete Kari Swenson in Montana and Exxon executive Sidney Reso in New Jersey, and examines just how effective law enforcement authorities are in investigating and negotiating tense kidnap situations. 13 Defending the Mob A look at the career of Frank Ragano, attorney to Florida mob boss Santo Trafficante, Jr. and corrupt Teamster leader Jimmy Hoffa. 14 Witness Protection Interviews with several gangsters, who reveal what their lives are like after getting plastic surgery, new identities, legitimate jobs, and moving into new neighborhoods. 15 Bad Medicine Includes a nurse suspected of killing babies in her hospital's pediatric intensive care unit; a doctor charged with nine counts of second degree murder; and the owner of the "Personal Best" plastic surgery centers who was accused of allowing his chauffeur to perform medical duties and was hit with 212 malpractice suits.

# Title Episode Summary 16 Mob Ladies Features Virginia Hill, who helped Bugsy Siegel build Las Vegas, Arlyne Weiss Brickman, who trafficked in heroin even while working as an FBI informer, and "Mafia Princess" Antoinette Giancana, who professes great love for her father, mob boss Sam Giancana. 17 Presumed Guilty Features the Jeanine Nicarico murder case and how Rolando Cruz was falsely convicted and imprisoned for the murder until a man named Brian Dugan later confessed to the murder. 18 Hired Guns Includes the case of a corrupt businessman who had his partner murdered and a millionaire who arranged to have his wife killed to avoid splitting his fortune with her in divorce proceedings. 19 Cruel and Unusual Includes: Henry Young, who was kept in the "Dark Hole" of Alcatraz; Tommy Ortiz, who was beaten by prison guards wearing lead filled gloves; and John Evans, whose body was charred in the electric chair. 20 Deadly Force Features the police bombing of the MOVE headquarters in Philadelphia, which killed 11, and the shootings of Randy Weaver's wife and son at Ruby Ridge. 21 The Quiz Show Scandal and Other Frauds Program examines the game show scam involving distinguished professor Charles Van Doren. 22 Cop Killers Includes the murder of Texas State Trooper Bill Davidson by Ronald Ray Howard, who claimed gangster rap music by Tupac Shakur encouraged him to shoot the officer, and the execution of rookie cop Eddie Bryne by members of a drug gang, while he sat in his patrol car guarding the home of a drug witness in Queens, New York. 23 The Chicago Mob Includes segments on Al "Scarface" Capone, Anthony "Joe Batters" Accardo, and Sam "Mooney" Giancana. 24 Vegas & The Mob Features an interview with Frank Rosenthal, a former casino manager who was the basis of Robert De Niro's character in the movie Casino. (2 hours) 25 The Long Island Railroad Massacre A look at the mass murder committed by Colin Ferguson on board a New York commuter train in December 1993. Includes Ferguson's bizarre attempts to defend himself at his trial. 26 John Wayne Gacy: Buried Secrets The bizarre case of the successful businessman and volunteer parade clown who raped and murdered 33 young men and boys after luring them to his home in suburban Chicago. 27 Crime of Passion: The Pamela Smart Story Explores the dark side of passion by examining the case of Pamela Smart who seduced her lover, a 15 year old, into killing her husband.

# Title Episode Summary 28 The Menendez Murders Examines the spectacular trials of Erik and Lyle Menéndez, the brothers accused of murdering their wealthy parents. 29 Mob Hit Men A look at hitmen and the terror they wrought on the streets of Philadelphia. 30 To Catch a Killer: Homicide Detectives A look at the men and women who gaze into the depths of evil to solve the mystery of humanity's most heinous crime—murder. 31 Death Row Women Inside America's prisons for a rare look at mothers and grandmothers awaiting execution on death row 32 Free to Kill: The Polly Klaas Murder The focus of this episode are the repeat offenders who, like Richard Allen Davis, American justice has failed to rehabilitate. We also examine attempts to protect future victims with new laws and aggressive policing 33 The Amy Fisher Story The case of Amy Fisher, the 17 year old who was willing to kill to get the man she wanted. 34 Night Stalker A look back at the yearlong killing spree of Richard Ramirez in Los Angeles, his capture, and trial. 35 Presumed Guilty A look at the shocking case of Rolando Cruz and Alex Hernandez, who were sentenced to death for the rape and murder of a young girl, Jeanine Nicarico—a crime they did not commit. 36 Myth of a Serial Killer: The Henry Lee Lucas Story A probe into the strange case of the one eyed Henry Lee Lucas, sentenced to death in Texas. Were his confessions hoaxes designed to fool police? 37 The Rise and Fall of the Jewish Mobster The stories of the most notorious Jewish gangsters in America, including "Dopey Benny" Fein, Abe "Kid Twist" Reles, Dutch Schultz, Meyer Lansky, and Bugsy Siegel 38 Crime Family Profile of infamous mob boss Vito Genovese and how he built the most ruthless and powerful crime family in the nation.

# Title Episode Summary 39 The Scarsdale Diet Doctor Murder Covers the case of school headmistress Jean Harris, who was accused of murdering her lover, "Scarsdale Diet" author Dr. Herman Tarnower 40 The Susan Smith Story: A Mother's Confession A look back at the shocking story of how Susan Smith drowned her two sons and then tried to fool the nation into believing that an African American man had committed the crime 41 The Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot Probes the bizarre case of Wanda Holloway, who would stop at nothing—including murder—to get her daughter on the cheerleading squad. 42 Von Bülow: A Wealth of Evidence An examination of snooty, aristocratic Claus von Bülow and if he attempted to murder his wife. 43 Murder "In Cold Blood" Chronicles the 1959 murder of the Clutter family in Kansas, and the investigation that led to the capture, trial, and execution of their two killers, Richard Hickock and Perry Smith. 44 The Donnie Brasco Story The true story of Joe Pistone, the FBI agent who risked his life to infiltrate a ruthless New York Mafia family and gather evidence against crime bosses 45 The Preppie Murder A probe of the death of young Jennifer Levin, who was killed in New York City's Central Park by Robert Chambers, a handsome prep school graduate 46 The Hillside Stranglers An examination of the infamous case of serial killers Angelo Buono and Kenneth Bianchi, who murdered 10 young women and girls in Los Angeles in 1977 and 1978 47 The Pizza Connection The story of how the FBI, the DEA and Italy's Polizia di Stato, among other agencies, busted one of the largest drug rings ever involving both the Sicilian and American Mafias importing $1.65 billion USD worth of heroin into the United States between 1975 and 1984. The exploding case led investigators from sidewalk pizzerias in New York, Philadelphia and the Midwest to Zurich's financial districts and Gaetano Badalamenti, a former member of the Sicilian Mafia Commission. Resulted in the longest trial in American judicial history as 22 defendants were tried for approximately 17 months from 1985 to 1987. 48 The John Lennon Assassination A look at the twisted mind of Mark David Chapman, the deranged Beatles fan who grew up worshipping John Lennon, then stalked and murdered him in December 1980. 49 Spree Killers A look at the crimes and capture of Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate, teenage lovers who murdered 10 people in the 1950s. 50 Framed The shocking story of Clarence Brandley, an innocent man who was convicted of murder and spent seven years on death row before being cleared. 51 False Witness The strange case of Gary Dotson, who wasn't released from prison even when the woman who accused him of rape admitted that she'd been lying. 52 Marriage & Murder An examination of three cases where husbands and wives have murdered their spouses. Features Charlene Brundidge, who killed her husband, then later won clemency because she was an abused wife. 53 Hunting Bambi: The Laurie Bembenek Story The case of beautiful ex cop Lawrencia "Bambi" Bembenek, who escaped after spending nine years in prison for the murder of her husband's ex wife. 54 Dead Woman Walking: The Karla Faye Tucker Story Recalls the controversial life and death of the first woman executed in Texas since 1984.

# Title Episode Summary 55 The Green Beret Murder Mystery Former Green Beret, Jeffrey R. MacDonald, appeals his conviction for the murders of his wife and children. 56 The Sam Sheppard Story Dr. Sam Sheppard is convicted of murdering his wife, Marilyn Reese Sheppard, in 1954 and was acquitted for the murder ten years later. 57 Selena: Murder of A Star Investigate the murder of Tejano singing sensation Selena and the case against her convicted assassin, Yolanda Saldívar. 58 Fall From Grace The stories of high profile people who have been involved in scandals, including sportscaster Marv Albert, former Rep. Mel Reynolds and former Miss America Bess Myerson. 58 The Heidi Fleiss Story An exclusive interview with incarcerated madam Heidi Fleiss reveals her thoughts on her past employment and eventual conviction. 59 Death Row Prostitute: Aileen Wuornos Aileen Wuornos, self described "highway hooker," may be the first woman to fit the profile of a serial killer. 60 The Sinatra Kidnapping In 1963, kidnappers get a $240,000 ransom for Frank Sinatra Jr. 61 The Larry Flynt Story: Hustling The First Amendment Hustler publisher, Larry Flynt, wins a Supreme Court ruling on the First Amendment. 62 A Teenage Murder Mystery Examines the murder of 16 year old Laurie Show, whose last words led to the arrest of Lisa Michelle Lambert. 63 A Woman Scorned: The Betty Broderick Story Elisabeth Anne Broderick murders her ex husband and his new wife in 1989; after her husband leaves her for a younger woman. 64 A Murder in Greenwich: The Martha Moxley Case The murder of 15 year old Martha Moxley gains worldwide attention in 1975 as the murder suspect, Michael Skakel, is the nephew of Ethel Skakel Kennedy, the widow of Senator Robert F. Kennedy. 65 Justice Denied: The Hurricane Carter Story Boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter was wrongfully convicted of triple murder and served 19 years in prison before his conviction was overturned in 1985. 66 Til Death Do Us Part Barbara Stager is convicted in 1989 of murdering her second husband, Russell Stager, after being acquitted of killing her first husband. 67 Body of Evidence: The Tom Capano Trial The story of the former Delaware prosecutor, Thomas Capano, who was sentenced to death for the murder of his ex lover, Anne Marie Fahey. 68 The Perfect Murder: The Shannon Mohr Story The marriage of David Davis and Shannon Mohr comes to an abrupt end when Shannon is killed in what was believed to have been a horseback riding accident. 69 Drowning In Lies: The Trial Of Edward Post After a mistrial and a successful appeal, Edward Post pleads guilty to murdering his wife during his third trial.