Murder One : Season 1

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 h

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 Te

Neil is arraigned, and bail is set at ten million dollars, conditioned on Neil's completing a thirty day inpatient rehab program. After Richard posts bail and he's released, Neil insists upon being treated at Lester's facility, over Ted's objections. Miriam floats a plea of involuntary manslaughter, which Ted turns down. Julie finds Jessica's diary in the trunk of her car, and she and Richard bring it to Ted. The diary contains a list of several prominent men in Hollywood men with whom Jessica

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 tap

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 goe

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 peopl

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 be

Julie is in an accident when she apparently mixes alcohol and prescription drugs. She is put in jail temporarily until Cross and Hoffman show up. Lester ends up taking her home. A supposed ""tape"" of Neil strangling another woman shows up on Deadline America. It turns out to be an altered clip from an X-rated movie. Hoffman find out that it was Sydney, (the intern/leak) and fires him. Sydney said that he wanted to get revenge on the host of Deadline America. Neil and Hoffman come before the j

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. Lat

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 th

Lizzie Hoffman identifies the woman who abducted her. She was a school teacher who cleam that she had seen Lizzie, apparently abandoned and took pity on her. All she said she was doing was a ""good deed."" Polson tells Teddy that Lizzie would have to testify in the court against this woman. Teddy agrees but Annie does not. The first witnesses are called and tell of how the victim, Jessica, died. Rumor also circulates that Cross is HIV positive and may have been black-mailing Jessica, eventuall

The tapes become an issue in the courts. (The one of Avedon strangling a woman in a passionate moment and of Beverly, her husband and Cross together.) Beverly is ordered to appear in court. Julie is set to testify for the defense. Also, Polson testifies. Julie walks out on Cross and stays with Arnold. Hoffman disapproves of this, but founds out after. Cross confronts Arnold about Julie. Amy Scott is a surprise witness for the DA. She was in a drup support group with Neil and he had apparently

The court order's Graham Lester's records of Neil Avedon to be unsealed...much to the dismay of the defense. Lester refuses to testify and ends up in jail because of his protest. Eventually, he says he could not take it anymore, and agrees to testify against Avedon. He visits Hoffman who sees through his act of trying to get the jury to see him as a ""good person."" Lester testifies before the court that he saw Neil the night of Jessica's murder and he had confessed to him. Neil yells out in the

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.

Hoffman and Lisa Gillespie meet with Roberto Portelegre who had been arrested for rape once again. Det. Polson tells Hoffman that Roberto knew Julie Costello and they are investigating him for the murder. Hoffman's law firm is forced to drop the case due to a conflict of interest. Julie meets with Arnold to talk about her testimony of Dr. Graham Lester. Julie is worried and reluctant but eventually agrees. The firm's private investigator obtains photos of Richard Cross helping a man, Johnath

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 th

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 bon

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

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

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 ma