The BEST episodes of Murder One
Every episode of Murder One ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Murder One!
In the first season of Murder one, Theodore Hoffman is a prominent defense attorney in a prestigious Los Angeles law firm. After successfully defending the wealthy but suspicious Richard Cross in a lurid murder trial, he is now involved in the defense of Neil Avedon. Neil is a famous young actor who has had severe drug and alcohol problems and was subsequently charged with the murder, after Cross was exonerated. This single case will run an entire television season (interspersed with bits from other cases that the firm is involved in). The show continued on for a second season, though withought the main character Theodore Hoffman.
#1 - Chapter Five
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/19/1995
The preliminary hearing begins for Avedon. The new judge evokes bail and puts Avedon back in custody. The coroner and Det. Polson testify. The case is handed over to the supreme court. Crosses alibi comes under question when a video tape shows up. This tape connects him to Beverly and her husband. Dave, the private investigator, says he can get the tape through a favour that someone owes him. Hoffman recieves a phone call from Dave. He tells about his difficulties getting the tape. Hoffman goes to his hotel room and discovers him dead. A man named Gary was involved in the transaction and Hoffman is suspicious of him. Later, Hoffman meets up with Gary in a restaurant and sees Cross with him. Julie comes to see Hoffman and says she is under treatment with Dr. Graham Lester.
#2 - Chapter Six
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/2/1995
In this episode, the firm hires a private investigater, Ray, to replace Dave. Julie calls Hoffman in his office and sounds like she has over-dosed on drugs. Hoffman immediately calls 911. Julie ends up in the hospital under Graham Lester's care. Cross even shows up to visit her right in front of Hoffman. Under the influence of Lester, who she has been having strange dreams about, leaves the hospital with him and gets a new lawyer other than Hoffman. A jury consultant is selected but most people in the city have already decided that Avedon is guilty. By a new judge, bail is reinstated and Avedon is set free. Ray digs up some information on a man named Rusty who Hoffman believes was involved in Dave's murder. He finds out that he used to live in Mexico and was addicted to drugs. It was believed that Rusty called Cross who later got Dave killed. Ray also finds out that Graham Lester was almost charged with given lethal prescriptions but was let off for some unknown reason.
#3 - Chapter Nine
Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/31/1995
This episode begins with Avedon meeting Hoffman in the law office. He had just received a letter from an obsessive fan, whom he had previously had to obtain a restraining order against. It said, that she had been the one who killed Jessica and Avedon's girlfriend had better stay away or she'd be next. The fan's name was Holly. Hoffman's wife visits the office, having heard a rumor that Franchesca Cross and he were having an affair. Hoffman, of course, denies this and later confronts Cross about it. He thinks Cross started the rumor so he wouldn't have to pay as much money in the divorce settlement. Hoffman and the law firm's private investigator visit the home of Holly, the deranged fan. She believes that she has a personal relationship with Neil Avedon. Later, Holly shows up in at the law office and claims that she really has to talk to Neil. Eventually, she pulls a gun on Hoffman (who remained in amazing professional composure throughout the whole incident). However, Neil plays along
#4 - Chapter Ten
Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 1/8/1996
Jury selection continues with Hoffman and Grasso grilling each potential juror. Meanwhile, Hoffman presents a motion to the court to dismiss the charges against Avedon using Holly Gerges's letter as evidence that she was, in fact, the actual murderer. However, after a few days, the DA, Grasso, gets Det. Polson to testify before the judge, having found the credit card records placing Holly far away from the crime scene. The motion to dismiss, is, of course, denied and Neil is visable upset. Later that night, Hoffman gets a call from Neil's girlfriend saying that his phone has been of the hook for hours. Hoffman and Chris rushed to Neil's apartment only to find him passed out on the floor. He said he couldn't take it. Richard Cross refers a man named Roberto to Hoffman. His son had been charged with date rape. Hoffman is paid $50,000 to represent him but suddenly his accuser is paid off and drops the charges. Late in the show, jury selection is completed.
#5 - Chapter Seventeen
Season 1 - Episode 17 - Aired 3/11/1996
Jury polls are taken from the public and show that fifty-nine per cent think that Neil Avedon is guilty of the murder of Jessica Costello. This is discussed by the firm. Neil's mother is brought in as a character witness to testify for the defense. Neil and his mother do not appear to get along very well because his father was abusive towards him as a child. She breaks down on the stand crying for forgiveness. Neil's old neighbour and Karen Lockwood (a friend of Jessica's) both testifiy that Neil is a good person with good intentions. Grasso husband dies of a heart attack in the night so she does not show up to court the next day. However, the procedings carry on. Grasso eventually gets back to her work and offers the defense a deal after Neil's mother's testimony, four years for involuntary man-slaughter. Neil thinks about the offer but ends up rejecting it. Julie tells Hoffman that Justine had arranged her meeting with Cross when they had gotten married. Hoffman confronts Justi
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#6 - Chapter Twenty-Two
Season 1 - Episode 22 - Aired 4/22/1996
At the sentencing hearing, Neil still maintains his innocence, and is sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Later, Neil is attacked in prison by a man with a knife, and is terrified for his life. Justine and Arnold try to convince Julie to reveal Richard's whereabouts. Eventually, she gives in and arranges a meeting where Richard tells Ted that the tape is in Richard's office safe. Ted takes the tape to his office, and everyone gathers around to watch it. They see Neil with Jessica and watch him leave while Jessica is still alive. Later, another person enters the room and Justine whispers, "Oh, my god!"
#7 - Chapter Twenty-Three
Season 1 - Episode 23 - Aired 4/23/1996
Ted meets with Julie to ask for her help in getting Richard to testify that the tape of the murder is authentic. When she refuses, Chris begins playing the tape. After viewing it for a few minutes, she tearfully agrees to help them. To be lucid enough to testify in court, Richard will need to take a drug which will also further weaken his immune system. In response to his initial resistance, Julie tells him that he owes it to her and Jessica, and he finally relents. Chris is approached by a man who represents a judge on the Court of Appeals who is willing to convince two other judges to overturn Neil's verdict and to get him released on bail immediately in return for $100,000. Chris refuses, telling him that the firm is not in the practice of bribery, to which Ted agrees when Chris fills him in about this encounter. Judge Bornstein grants Ted a hearing where he presents expert testimony that the tape has not been doctored. Richard takes the stand and testifies that he installed a video
#8 - Chapter Four
Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/12/1995
Melissa confronts Hoffman about the tape, and Hoffman refuses her offer. Melissa sells it for $100,000 to a tabloid-news show, where Hoffman is interviewed and says that the tape could have been easily doctored by Melissa to make money. After the tape airs, Garfield files a motion for Avedon's bail to be revoked, but the motion is denied, on the condition that Avedon enters a different rehabilitation center. Avedon passes a lie detector test and reveals that he was drunk both the night the tape was made and the night of the murder, and can't remember anything. Hoffman meets up with Francesca'a divorce attorney, who offers Hoffman information about Cross which could get Neil cleared of the charges in an attempt to blackmail Cross into a quick and tidy divorce. When Francesca finds out, she drops him and hires another recommended by Hoffman.
#9 - Chapter Fifteen
Season 1 - Episode 15 - Aired 2/19/1996
Gary Blando says he wants to testify for Neil, claiming he was such a wonderful kind-hearted person. However, when the time comes for him to testify in court his lawyer says he's unable. Apparently he had had chest pains and ended up in the hospital. The defense obtains photos of Blando, not ill at all, and he is forced to testify. Jessica's diary is entered as a business transaction journal since it details her involvement with various rich men. The names in the diary are called to the court. All of these were referred by Richard Cross. Cross wanted to patch things up with Julie so Justine allowed him into her apartment to talk with her. The next day, Julie is missing but shows up in court to testify. Julie refuses to answer questions about Cross, saying they have just been married. Meanwhile, Hoffman and Annie visit a marriage consellor.
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#10 - Chapter Eleven
Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/15/1996
Grasso moves to ban courtroom camera and Hoffman agrees with this motion. However, a representative from Law TV shows up and convinces the judge to move in favour of the media. Teddy's P.I. informs him that Roberto is a part of a drug cartel. Justine meets with Cross to discuss their "deal" further. Justine leaves after Cross keeps asking her about Hoffman (she says she is not allowed to discuss such matters). Lisa secretly saw the two. Later, Lisa confronts Justine about what she saw and they end up arguing. Opening statements begin. In the middle of Hoffman's statement, the judge is given a message and she calls all the lawyers into her chambers. She informs Hoffman that his daughter had been kidnapped. Hoffman leaves the court and almost as soon as he arrives home he gets a phone call from his daughter, Lizzie, who was left in the park. Hoffman, his wife, and the police rush to meet her. A detective interviews Lizzie about the woman who took her.
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#11 - Chapter Seven
Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/9/1995
Deadline America reports a rumor that the DA is about to introduce a "mystery" witness. Hoffman questions Miriam, the deputy DA, about this and it turns out that the witness is Susan Dominique, a night nurse at Graham Lester's clinic. When Detective Polson told her that Neil had called the clinic from Jessica's the night of the murder she confirmed it, however she never came forward with this information herself. A leak in the firm is suspected. It turns out to be the firm's intern who had been seduced by the host of Deadline America. Hoffman doesn't fire Sydney (the intern). Instead he gives him another chance. Hoffman visits Graham Lester and accuses him of going against what is best for Neil Avedon. Lester claims that Neil confessed to killing Jessica but Neil can neither confirm or deny this because he doesn't remember anything about that night. Hoffman discovers that Neil and Richard Cross have been keeping in touch throughout the whole "battle."
#12 - Chapter Two
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/26/1995
Richard is arraigned and denied bail. Beverly Nichols visits Ted, bringing an alibi for Richard. She tells Ted that she was out clubbing with Richard the night of Jessica's murder and was with him when he discovered Jessica's body. When Ted wonders why Richard didn't come forward with this information when he was arrested, Beverly claims that he was protecting her from her jealous husband, who had beaten her once before when he found out that she was with Richard. Although it's apparent that Ted doesn't believe her story, he accompanies her to Parker Center when she gives her statement to Polson. Polson doesn't believe her either, but he can't shake her story. Based on Beverly's statement, and over Polson's strenuous objections, Garfield drops the charges against Richard and orders him released from custody. Polson then arrests Neil after matching a DNA sample Neil gave in an earlier paternity suit to the DNA found at the crime scene. Neil begs Ted to represent him, but Ted declines, r
#13 - Chapter Nineteen
Season 1 - Episode 19 - Aired 4/1/1996
Richard flies into an irrational rage when Justine reports on her research into a pending acquisition. Later, on several occasions when Justine is alone in Richard's office, she looks through his personal files, unaware that a security camera is watching her every move. Richard confronts her in a rage and begins to choke her. He calms down suddenly, leaving Justine terrified. When she hands in her resignation shortly afterwards, Richard tears it up and offers her a substantial promotion and bonus. Justine shows Lisa the marks on her neck and tells her that she is now sure that Richard killed Jessica. Richard takes the stand and begins behaving strangely and making inappropriate remarks. When it becomes evident that he is unaware of his surroundings, Judge Bornstein calls a recess. Against the advice of the defense team, Neil insists upon testifying, so Chris and Ted prepare him for several hours. When his testimony is over, Neil thinks he may have reached a few of the jurors; privately
#14 - Chapter Ten, Year Two
Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 1/16/1997
The defense team learns incriminating evidence against Latrell's agent; prosecution witnesses taint Latrell's wholesome image
#15 - Chapter Nine, Year Two
Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 1/9/1997
The firm is in the middle of having a meeting with Ricky Latrelle and his agent, discussing the juror selection when the episode begins. A man walks in, claiming that he need to check the smoke-detector. He starts asking Latrelle to sign an autograph for his son and pulls out a basketball for Ricky to sign. Wyler notices that something is bothering Aaron and he questions him about it. Aaron states that Chris has had too much control over choosing the juror and it will only hurt their case. An old friend of Ricky's invites him to play in a celebrity golf tournament. Ricky says he'll think about it. Chris asks to speak with Aaron later. Chris says that he can't trust him and the two begin arguing loudly. Wyler walks in and says that they had better begin defending their client or they can leave. The smoke detector man shows up at the firm again. The secretary confronts him and tells him not to bug Ricky again. Ricky's friend, Mr. Hicks, says that Chris is doing a good job with the jur
#16 - Chapter Eight, Year Two
Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 12/12/1996
The tabliod reporter catches up with Wyler and offers to pay him two million dollars for the location of Carmine. The detective on the Rooney case also meets up with Wyler. He expresses his disappointment that Wyler is now involved with scum like Carmine. Ricky Latrelle's manager talks with Wyler. He says that he would prefer it if Wyler ran the show rather than Chris. Aaron tells Chris that he would like to do most of the talking because the juror will identify with a black man. Wyler and the detective meet with Carmine, who has been placed in a hotel room. Carmine says that the contract was out on VanAllen's mistress. He shot both the victims. Carmine also claims that he didn't know that he had shot the governor, he thought VanAllen was just another guy. Carmine also talks about how he killed Terry Philburg. The tabliod reporter stops by Wyler's office saying that there's a gentleman who's willing to meet with Wyler. This ""gentleman"" is looking for Carmine. Latrelle is forced to p
#17 - Chapter Seven, Year Two
Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 12/5/1996
Ricky Latrell's manager, Lee Michaelson, tells Jimmy that their long standing friendship should not get in the way of Jimmy's making him an alternate suspect, if it will help Rickey's case. Jimmy assures him that's not going to happen. When Chris and Aaron propose the same thing later that day, Jimmy has a heated exchange with them about not ruining Michaelson's reputation. Laura stops by Jimmy's office to tell him that she's accepting a job offer in San Francisco because she realizes that their relationship is over. Miriam and Jimmy give their closing statements and the jury retires to deliberate Sharon's fate. The jury asks to review Beiden's testimony about seeing Sharon fleeing the scene. This news gets Sharon quite agitated because she believes that the jury is leaning towards a conviction. After three long days of deliberation, the jury returns a verdict of not guilty. As Sharon leaves the courthouse, a woman hurls epithets at her and spits in her face. She wonders if she will ev
#18 - Chapter Six, Year Two
Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/21/1996
Judge Bell grants Miriam's motion that all of Larry White's testimony be stricken because there was no opportunity to cross-examine him, but denies her motion to quash Garfield's subpoena. On the stand, Garfield admits that he knew Terry Philbrick, but denies that he ever said that the only way to beat Tom Van Allan is to have him killed. He also denies knowing Larry White. Laura thanks Jimmy for clearing her name and getting her job back, even though she's going to resign immediately. She tells him that he was right about Dietrich, and to be careful of him. Holding up his end of the deal, Jimmy gives Dietrich the video tape of his attempted bribe outside the courtroom. When Dietrich takes the stand and denies trying to bribe him, Jimmy asks what's on the video tape in his pocket. Dietrich's silence speaks volumes. Frank catches Donny McKee trying to skip town and drags him into the office. Jimmy warns McKee that if he doesn't testify, Jimmy won't go to bat for him with the D.A., which
#19 - Chapter Five, Year Two
Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/14/1996
Larry White's expenses become larger. Arnold comes in late to the firm's meeting because he is out buying vitamins and other such thing for White. Ricky Latrell appears on a television program, answering questions about being accused of the murder of Sandy Portas. The Private Investigator announces that Larry White is missing. Wyler asks him to search for Larry. Michael, the security officer, is brought onto the stand again. He is questioned about being obsessed with Caroline VanAllen. Wyler brings up the fact that Caroline had to get a restraining order against him. Miriam Grasso objects to the questioning but it is allowed. Wyler also brings up the fact that Michael had tried to attack him but he defended himself. Michael says that is not true and he was just going to confront Wyler about his affair with Caroline when he was attacked. Wyler suggests that Michael is the perfect candidate to be the murderer, due to his temper. Michael also says that he never attacked Caroline by pullin
#20 - Chapter Four, Year Two
Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 11/7/1996
Jimmy Wyler visits Kyle Rooney in the hospital he works at. Wyler confronted him about the fact that the firm's private investigator had found out Kyle was having an affair witha nurse. Jimmy implies that Sharon is only confessing to the murders because she fells so guilty about cheating on her husband. Ricky Latrell, a basketball player, visits the firm. The team owner was found murdered and he wants to make sure he's not accused because he, his wife and his manager found the body. Jimmy says he'll take the case. The plea bargain resurfaces offering Sharon only four and a half years in jail. Once again, they turn it down. A ballistics expert testifies in the Rooney case. He says that all eight bullets were fired from the same gun which was owned by Rooney's roommate. In cross examination, Jimmy says the evidence doesn't establish anything. Later, while Jimmy is visiting Sharon, he sees that she's very upset. Apparently, Kyle had told her about his affair with the nurse. Caroline Va
#21 - Chapter Three, Year Two
Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/24/1996
The firm becomes aware of their financial troubles. They seem a little angry at Wyler in this opening scene. Adrian, a cell mate of Sharon, says she heard her confess to the murders. Rooney apparently told her where the weapon was hidden. Later, the weapon is found in this location. Wyler requests money from the court and receives very little of it. Caroline VanAllen later offers money because she doesn't believe Rooney was the killer. Wyler denies the offer. Wyler meets with a man named Larry (?) White. Apparently, he was a spy on the VanAllen campaign. White believes he helped set up the murder. Wyler gives him protection to testify as a ""secret witness."" As Sharon's husband is testifying, Sharon jumps up and yells, ""I'm the one who's guilty! I should be punished!"" Wyler moves for a mistrial but is denied. The jury is allowed to regard the statements in her outburst. The criminalist testifies that a trail of carpet fibres incriminates Rooney. While Justine is cross-examining him,
#22 - Chapter Two, Year Two
Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/17/1996
During Miriam's opening statement, she contends that Sharon was a spurned lover who killed Van Allan in a fit of rage because he forced her to have an abortion when she became pregnant with his child. Upon hearing this revelation, Jimmy requests an immediate recess because he is ""indisposed"". During the recess, Jimmy asks Sharon if Miriam was correct about the pregnancy and abortion, and severely chastises her for not telling him about it. She tells him that she couldn't tell anyone, because killing her baby was the worst thing she had ever done. Later, Jimmy tells Justine that this statement convinces him that Sharon isn't guilty. After court adjourns for the day, the defense team meets back at the office and discusses the effect of the revelation of Sharon's abortion on Juror #6, a devout Catholic. They begin looking for information to get him disqualified. Jimmy and Frank meet with Terry Philbrick, a dirty tricks operative inside the Garfield campaign. For a $25,000 payment, he offe
#23 - Chapter One, Year Two
Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/10/1996
In an effort to save his marriage and reestablish his relationship with his family, Ted Hoffman has left the firm and is traveling in Europe with Annie and Lizzie. As a result, Lisa and Lila have also left the firm. Chris represents Greg Ladich, a police officer accused of brutality during a routine car-stop. During cross-examination, the prosecutor, Jimmy Wyler, manages to bait Ladich so successfully that Ladich sucker-punches him in the nose. Wyler rests his case; after forty minutes of deliberation, the jury hands him a guilty verdict. On his way out of the courtroom, Jimmy receives the disturbing news that Roger Garfield has given Jimmy's promotion to another attorney. Jimmy confronts Garfield, who admits that he gave the promotion away in retaliation for Jimmy's cutting him out of a press conference after Jimmy had won a big case. Certain that Garfield's bid for governor will be unsuccessful, and unwilling to work for him any longer, Jimmy resigns. When Jimmy finds out that the go
#24 - Chapter Twenty
Season 1 - Episode 20 - Aired 4/8/1996
Eduardo Portalegre surprises Justine in Richard's office while she is working. After a few moments of small talk, he makes a pass at her. As she resists, he turns violent. Richard enters the office and burns Eduardo with his own cigar to stop the attack. After Eduardo leaves, Richard seems somewhat distant and cannot seem to remember that Eduardo was there just a few minutes earlier. The closing statements begin. Miriam shows the jury graphic pictures of a bruised Jessica as well as the tape of Neil strangling Melissa, over Ted's objection. Ted argues that Miriam's case is built on a fabric of lies woven by Richard, Graham Lester, and Susan Dominick. During a settlement conference in their divorce action, Annie angrily tells Ted that a reporter called her asking for a comment about Ted's affair with Judge Bornstein. Ted tells her that the affair was over long before he and Annie were ever involved. Garfield finds out about the affair and requests that Judge Bornstein recuse herself. Wh
#25 - Chapter One
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/19/1995
Ted Hoffman appears in court representing Neil Avedon, an actor with a drug problem and a propensity for violence. After Ted argues successfully for his client, he takes him aside and fires him, telling him that he will never represent him again. Meanwhile, Los Angeles is buzzing with the news of the murder of fifteen-year-old Jessica Costello. Arthur Polson, the detective who is assigned to the case, wants to speak to Richard Cross, the wealthy and powerful man who owns the building in which her body was found. Richard asks Ted to accompany him to headquarters, and reveals that he has been having an affair with Jessica's older sister, Julie Costello, for about two years. When Polson questions him, Richard claims that he has not been in the building for several days and that he spoke to Jessica only briefly on a few occasions. Jessica's sister Julie returns from her modeling assignment in Costa Rica, identifies her sister's body and is interviewed by Polson with Ted at her side. Richar
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