American Justice
Season 13
Bill Kurtis hosts this documentary series that profiles criminal cases involving high profile murders, serial killers, and organized crime. Each episode culminating with the justice dispensed by the American legal system in each case.
Where to Watch Season 13
30 Episodes
- Case of Robert BlakeE2
Case of Robert BlakeAn examination of the case against Robert Blake, the actor accused of murdering his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, in May 2001. Included: profiles of the victim and the accused. Among those commenting: L.A. Times reporter Jean Guccione; author Dennis McDougal ("Blood Cold"); and the victim's sister, Margerry Bakley. - The Happy Face KillerE4
The Happy Face KillerBetween 1990 and 1995 a long haul truck driver named Keith Jesperson was known to have killed eight women in five states, strangling prostitutes that he would pick up while on the road. He became known as "The Happy Face Killer" because he would draw a smiley face on his letters to the media and police. - Playing with FireE5
Playing with FireIn 1986 Kenneth Richey is accused of arson and murder when 2 year old Cynthia Collins dies in an apartment fire. It was believed that the ex-girlfriend in the apartment directly below the victims was the intended target. Even though Richey fiercely proclaimed his innocence, he was convicted and sentenced to death. American Justice looks at this case that garnered a lot of public support for Richey. - Thrill KillersE12
Thrill KillersA young couple is murdered while vacationing in Ocean City, Maryland. Investigators soon learn that another young married couple by the name of Benjamin and Erika Sifrit are involved. American Justice chronicles the events of this case in which the Sifrit's were convicted of murder in what was being called a "thrill killing". - Stacey's Story
E13Stacey's StoryOn July 3rd, 1990, 18 year old Stacey Lannert shoots and kills her father as he is laying on the couch. She claims that she did it because of years of sexual abuse by her father. Prosecutors disagree, believing it was for financial gain because she stood to inherit almost $500,000 from her father. - Murder and Mrs. B.E15
Murder and Mrs. B.On April 3rd, 1994 Rueben Borchardt is shot twice in the chest at his home in Jefferson, Wisconsin and dies a short time later. American Justice takes a look at what led investigators to charge his estranged wife Diane, who was a teachers aide, with hiring students to kill her husband. - Murder in ParadiseE16
Murder in ParadiseOn Christmas Eve 1991 while riding her bike on the Big Island of Hawaii, Dana Ireland is run down, kidnapped, brutally beaten, raped, and then left for dead. The evidence, investigation, and convictions of Frank Pauline Jr., Ian and Shawn Schweitzer are examined. - The Susan Smith Story: A Mother's Confession
E24The Susan Smith Story: A Mother's ConfessionThe case of Susan Smith who murdered her two young boys is examined. In 1994 the 23 year old mother from South Carolina claimed that she had been the victim of a carjacking and the perpetrator had taken off with her two young boys still in the car. It is later discovered that there was no carjacking and that she had in fact rolled her car into a lake while her children were still strapped in the car. - Serial WifeE27
Serial WifeIn 1995, Jill Coit is convicted of murdering Gerald Boggs in Steamboat Springs, Co. Coit and Boggs had been married for only seven days when Boggs found out she was still married to someone else and had the marriage annulled. American Justice interviews Jill Coit from prison about the murder. - The Wrath of Mrs. JonesE28
The Wrath of Mrs. JonesLinda Jones is convicted of orchestrating the murder of Jack Jones, her husband of 30 years after she discovers that he is having an affair with an 18 year old girl. American Justice interviews Linda Jones from prison about the crime and examines the entire case. - Accused in AppalachiaE29
Accused in AppalachiaIn the tiny town of Exeter, Va. in 1993, Merry Pease claims that her husband Dennis had shot her before he turned the gun on himself and committed suicide. However, investigators don't agree with Merry's story and she is charged with murder. American Justice looks at this case and why it spent 10 years in the Virginia legal system before Pease was finally convicted.
