Murder One

A powerful L.A. entrepreneur is accused of killing his mistress's 15-year-old sister after she is found "naked, tied up, strangled, [with] drugs all over the place" in an apartment he owns.

Hoffman becomes suspicious of Cross's attitude, a surprise witness emerges, and Lila's boyfriend becomes the target of an assault charge.

A personal item belonging to Jessica Costello surfaces that could incriminate members of the Hollywood community; Avedon's substance abuse creates problems for Hoffman, who selects a new attorney for second chair.

Avedon takes a lie-detector test and is released on bail, but Grasso tries to get the bail revoked because of the incriminating sex tape brought in by Melissa. Meanwhile, Hoffman defends a police officer accused of beating a chronic wife abuser.

Avedon goes to court for his preliminary hearing; Blalock believes he's found a witness who can discredit Cross's alibi for the night of the murder. Meanwhile, Appleton defends a Jewish youth accused of an anti-Semitic hate crime.

Hoffman hires Velacek to investigate David Blalock's murder, and he retains an expert jury consultant. Meanwhile, Avedon appears in court to see if his bail will be revoked, and Spivak defends a man accused of a murder committed 17 years before.

Hoffman receives information that Avedon may have confessed to killing Jessica Costello; someone is suspected of leaking facts to the press. Meanwhile, Gillespie defends a 12-year-old gang member accused of murdering a rival at a funeral.

Avedon plans a live television interview; a surprising source brings forth a videotape that further incriminates Avedon; Julie is arrested for DUI. Meanwhile, Appleton convinces a former patient of Dr. Lester to share her disturbing experiences with Julie.

Justine Appleton gets two interesting job offers, both linked to Richard Cross. Ted Hoffman takes on the case of Stan Fletcher, an acquaintance of Louis. The college professor is charged with lewd conduct in the library. Ray finds a witness who could point to a new suspect in the Jessica Costello murder.

In a letter to Neil Avedon a deranged fan hints at her involvement in the Jessica Costello case. A strange rumor about Francesca and Ted might be spread by Richard Cross to speed up his divorce. Jury selection begins in the Avedon trial.

Jury selection continues, with both sides quickly running out of peremptories. Richard Cross asks Hoffman to help the son of a Brazilian associate. Eduardo Portalegre faces charges of date rape. Neil Avedon finds it hard to live with the stress of the accusations.

The opening statements in the Avedon case are interrupted by an incident involving Hoffman's family. When Lisa sees Justine having coffee with Richard Cross, she begins to wonder about her colleague's loyalties.

The first witnesses testify in the Neil Avedon case. A strange rumor about Richard's health surfaces and Hoffman decides to look into it. Lizzie can identify her abductor, but the case is not what it seems. When it comes to allowing Lizzie to testify in court, Ted and Annie disagree.

The tapes become an issue in the courts. Julie Costello starts to see her lover in a new light and leaves him. Annie Hoffman has a shocking surprise for her husband.

Romance is in the air when two jurors find each other, causing some problems. Meanwhile, Arnold Spivak and Julie Costello also feel attracted to each other. Dr Graham Lester is forced to testify.

After Jessica's diary is entered as evidence, several men are called to testify, including Gary Blondo and Rusty Arnold. Meanwhile, Julie agrees to testify about her relationship with Richard Cross.

Eduardo Portalegre is again charged with rape and becomes a suspect in Jessica's murder; patients of Graham Lester testify that he drugged and raped them while they were in his care; Julie and DA Garfield testify; Annie asks Ted for a divorce.

When it turns out that the general public doesn't believe Neil is innocent, his lawyers start working on his image. Testimony by his estranged mother should do the trick. Hoffman finds out that Justine has been lying to him.

Both Richard Cross and Neil Avedon testify in the court case. Cross acts strangely, something Justine discovers as well outside the courtroom.

It's time for closing arguments, but revelations about the judge cause a stir. Meanwhile, Richard Cross continues to behave strangely.

The jury returns with a verdict that disappoints Hoffman & Associates. While the media dissect the entire trial, Neil Avedon's lawyers prepare their next step. The startling news about Richard Cross leads to new theories.

A search continues for the missing Richard Cross. Meanwhile, Avedon is attacked in jail and a possible mob connection surfaces in the case.

As the tape reveals the identity of Jessica's killer, Ted Hoffman needs to get it accepted by the court. Political ambitions of the D.A. make this more difficult than expected.

The firm defends a woman accused of assassinating the governor of California and his mistress. Meanwhile, a new attorney takes over Hoffman and Associates after Ted leaves to work on his failing marriage.

A media frenzy ensues when the trial begins, the prosecution reveal shocking news about the defendant, and the defence uncover an illicit liaison.

Wyler races to save the firm from bankruptcy; a jail mate links the defendant to the murder weapon.

A famous basketball player seeks legal counsel after his team owner is murdered, while a defence witness unexpectedly changes her story on the stand.

Wyler grills Beiden on the stand, Latrell talks to the police, Wyler and his mother have a brush with the law, and Wyler gives Dietrich an ultimatum.

The prosecution asks the court to remove Wyler from the case; Dietrich and Sharon testify; the defense rests; Latrell faces murder charges.

The defense and the prosecution deliver closing arguments; the jury hands down a verdict in the Rooney case.

The governor's assassin is revealed; Wyler and Biggio call a truce, collaborating to nail Dietrich; racial considerations split Docknovich and Mosely.

Wyler calls the shots when Docknovich and Mosely clash over jury selection; new information points to another possible suspect.

The defense team learns incriminating evidence against Latrell's agent; prosecution witnesses taint Latrell's wholesome image.

Weikopf accuses Wyler of sexual harassment; the defense brings forth witnesses attesting to Fortas' disregard for others and then has Rickey testify about how Fortas was blackmailing Rickey's wife.

Both legal teams make closing arguments; Rickey goes into hiding after a witness testifies that Rickey said he was going to kill Fortas because he was tired of being threatened over gambling debts; the jury reaches a verdict.

Wyler defends a serial killer who targeted ex-cons convicted of vicious crimes, and the firm receives bids from Hollywood producers vying for the movie rights.

Jury selection for the Banks trial proves difficult as many of the jurors interviewed feel Banks is a hero for killing murderers who received light sentences for their horrific crimes.

Wyler's attempts to protect his client fail after Banks gets permission from the judge to testify on his own behalf and then angrily tells Wyler, "You are now at the top of my list".

While Grasso calls forth witnesses who believed Banks' final victim was innocent, Wyler begins to worry whether his client will kill again if he is found innocent and released.

Banks is released, and as the firm tries to help him, one of their own is shot; Wyler defends a young man accused of killing his 83-year-old girlfriend.

Wyler learns murder is often a family affair after a man claims to know who really murdered Tommy Banks and then Mary Beth's killer confesses.