American Justice

Season 5

1996 · 34 episodes · 24h 22m in all

A look at groundbreaking criminal cases, presenting viewers with an inside look at the case through the eyes of those directly involved, ranging from law enforcement officers to the victims.

Episodes

1. 1

   1. Cop Killers

   17 Jan 1996 · 43 min

   Notorious recent cases provide the focus for an examination of cop killings and what can be done to protect those in uniform.

2. 2

   2. The Chicago Mob

   7 Feb 1996 · 43 min

   Chicago crime bosses; Al Capone; Anthony "Joe Batters" Accardo; Sam Giancana; Gus Alex.

3. 3

   3. The Sam Sheppard Story

   15 Feb 1996 · 43 min

   Dr. Sam Sheppard is convicted of murder in 1954 and retried in the '60s.

4. 4

   4. Murder in the Family

   6 Mar 1996 · 43 min

   The cases of the Freeman brothers and Jeffrey Howarth highlight an examination of murder in the family.

5. 5

   5. Vegas and the Mob

   10 Apr 1996 · 43 min

   How Bugsy Siegel and others built a glittering gambling mecca from barren desert; includes an interview with former casino manager Frank Rosenthal.

6. 6

   6. Long Island Railroad Massacre

   24 Apr 1996 · 43 min

   In 1993 Colin Ferguson methodically shoots passengers aboard a Long Island Railroad commuter

7. 7

   7. Bounty Hunters

   11 May 1996 · 43 min

   Bail bondsmen hire bounty hunters to capture fugitives.

8. 8

   8. The Pamela Smart Story

   25 May 1996 · 43 min

   Schoolteacher Pamela Smart enlists a student to kill her husband.

9. 9

   9. John Wayne Gacy: Buried Secrets

   5 Jun 1996 · 43 min

   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.

10. 10

    10. When Cops Kill

    19 Jun 1996 · 43 min

    Technology creates police weapons designed to stun rather than kill.

11. 11

    11. Hot Pursuit

    17 Jul 1996 · 43 min

    Strict departmental policies govern high-speed police chases.

12. 12

    12. Great Crimes & Trials: John Christie of Rillington Place

    28 Jul 1996 · 43 min

    In the 1950s, England reels over the case of serial killer John Christie.

13. 13

    13. Denis Nilsen: The Kindly Killer

    18 Aug 1996 · 43 min

    A British serial killer lures young men to his apartment and dismembers them.

14. 14

    14. Mob Hit Men

    21 Aug 1996 · 43 min

    Interviews with Nicholas "The Crow" Caramandi, former hit men and other experts highlight an examination of the mob hit man. Host: Bill Kurtis.

15. 15

    15. Bamber Family Murders

    25 Aug 1996 · 43 min

    Recalling the Bamber family murder case, considered by some to be almost the perfect crime.

16. 16

    16. Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker

    1 Sept 1996 · 43 min

    Richard Ramirez rapes, mutilates and tortures more than 25 California victims.

17. 17

    17. The Menendez Murders

    4 Sept 1996 · 43 min

    Three juries consider the murder cases against Erik and Lyle Menendez.

18. 18

    18. Hammersmith Murders: Jack the Stripper

    22 Sept 1996 · 43 min

    The murders of six prostitutes end with a man's suicide.

19. 19

    19. I Confess

    25 Sept 1996 · 43 min

    Confessions play a part in three unique criminal cases; coercion; admissibility.

20. 20

    20. James Hanratty: A6 Murder

    29 Sept 1996 · 43 min

    After James Hanratty is hanged for a murder, a man confesses to the crime.

21. 21

    21. To Catch a Killer: Homicide Detectives

    2 Oct 1996 · 43 min

    Profiling the lives of men and women who choose to work as homicide detectives.

22. 22

    22. Disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa

    6 Oct 1996 · 43 min

    The twisted career and mysterious disappearance of the union boss.

23. 23

    23. Caryl Chessman

    13 Oct 1996 · 43 min

    Clever criminal who spent the last 12 years of his crusading against execution.

24. 24

    24. The McKay Kidnapping

    20 Oct 1996 · 43 min

    The cruel story of mistaken identity in the Muriel McKay kidnapping case.

25. 25

    25. Black Panther

    20 Oct 1996 · 43 min

    A woman is kidnapped and murdered after inheriting a fortune.

26. 26

    26. Free to Kill: The Polly Klaas Murder

    23 Oct 1996 · 43 min

    The case of Polly Klaas highlights an examination of repeat offenders who are set loose upon society.

27. 27

    27. Kennedy Assassination

    17 Nov 1996 · 43 min

    Theories abound concerning President Kennedy's death.

28. 28

    28. Massacre of the Tsar

    17 Nov 1996 · 43 min

    The controversial story of the 1918 murder of Tsar Nicholas II and his family

29. 29

    29. Death Row Women

    20 Nov 1996 · 43 min

    How society ultimately copes with the prospect of executing a woman.

30. 30

    30. Neville Heath: The Lady Killer

    24 Nov 1996 · 43 min

    Englishman Neville Heath was hanged for murder.

31. 31

    31. The Defenders

    4 Dec 1996 · 43 min

    The United States is the only country to provide free legal counsel for poor defendants.

32. 32

    32. Rise of the Mafia

    8 Dec 1996 · 43 min

    An examination of the Gambino crime family and its bloody 30-year war with the other gangland families of New York.

33. 101

    101. The Great Midwest Gangs

    10 Feb 1996 · 43 min

    In the Depression-torn dust bowl of the 1930s, a new kind of desperado is born. Pretty Boy Floyd, John Dillinger, and Bonnie & Clyde become as well-known and admired as movie stars.

34. 102

    102. The Kidnappers

    9 Mar 1996 · 43 min

    For bigger payoffs, criminals turn from bank robbery to kidnapping.