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.
Episode 1
Cop Killers
Jan 17, 1996
Notorious recent cases provide the focus for an examination of cop killings and what can be done to protect those in uniform.
Episode 2
The Chicago Mob
Feb 7, 1996
Chicago crime bosses; Al Capone; Anthony "Joe Batters" Accardo; Sam Giancana; Gus Alex.
Episode 3
The Sam Sheppard Story
Feb 15, 1996
Dr. Sam Sheppard is convicted of murder in 1954 and retried in the '60s.
Episode 4
Murder in the Family
Mar 6, 1996
The cases of the Freeman brothers and Jeffrey Howarth highlight an examination of murder in the family.
Episode 5
Vegas and the Mob
Apr 10, 1996
How Bugsy Siegel and others built a glittering gambling mecca from barren desert; includes an interview with former casino manager Frank Rosenthal.
Episode 6
Long Island Railroad Massacre
Apr 24, 1996
In 1993 Colin Ferguson methodically shoots passengers aboard a Long Island Railroad commuter
Episode 7
Bounty Hunters
May 11, 1996
Bail bondsmen hire bounty hunters to capture fugitives.
Episode 8
The Pamela Smart Story
May 25, 1996
Schoolteacher Pamela Smart enlists a student to kill her husband.
Episode 9
John Wayne Gacy: Buried Secrets
Jun 5, 1996
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.
Episode 10
When Cops Kill
Jun 19, 1996
Technology creates police weapons designed to stun rather than kill.
Episode 11
Hot Pursuit
Jul 17, 1996
Strict departmental policies govern high-speed police chases.
Episode 12
Great Crimes & Trials: John Christie of Rillington Place
Jul 28, 1996
In the 1950s, England reels over the case of serial killer John Christie.
Episode 13
Denis Nilsen: The Kindly Killer
Aug 18, 1996
A British serial killer lures young men to his apartment and dismembers them.
Episode 14
Mob Hit Men
Aug 21, 1996
Interviews with Nicholas "The Crow" Caramandi, former hit men and other experts highlight an examination of the mob hit man. Host: Bill Kurtis.
Episode 15
Bamber Family Murders
Aug 25, 1996
Recalling the Bamber family murder case, considered by some to be almost the perfect crime.
Episode 16
Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker
Sep 1, 1996
Richard Ramirez rapes, mutilates and tortures more than 25 California victims.
Episode 17
The Menendez Murders
Sep 4, 1996
Three juries consider the murder cases against Erik and Lyle Menendez.
Episode 18
Hammersmith Murders: Jack the Stripper
Sep 22, 1996
The murders of six prostitutes end with a man's suicide.
Episode 19
I Confess
Sep 25, 1996
Confessions play a part in three unique criminal cases; coercion; admissibility.
Episode 20
James Hanratty: A6 Murder
Sep 29, 1996
After James Hanratty is hanged for a murder, a man confesses to the crime.
Episode 21
To Catch a Killer: Homicide Detectives
Oct 2, 1996
Profiling the lives of men and women who choose to work as homicide detectives.
Episode 22
Disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa
Oct 6, 1996
The twisted career and mysterious disappearance of the union boss.
Episode 23
Caryl Chessman
Oct 13, 1996
Clever criminal who spent the last 12 years of his crusading against execution.
Episode 24
The McKay Kidnapping
Oct 20, 1996
The cruel story of mistaken identity in the Muriel McKay kidnapping case.
Episode 25
Black Panther
Oct 20, 1996
A woman is kidnapped and murdered after inheriting a fortune.
Episode 26
Free to Kill: The Polly Klaas Murder
Oct 23, 1996
The case of Polly Klaas highlights an examination of repeat offenders who are set loose upon society.
Episode 27
Kennedy Assassination
Nov 17, 1996
Theories abound concerning President Kennedy's death.
Episode 28
Massacre of the Tsar
Nov 17, 1996
The controversial story of the 1918 murder of Tsar Nicholas II and his family
Episode 29
Death Row Women
Nov 20, 1996
How society ultimately copes with the prospect of executing a woman.
Episode 30
Neville Heath: The Lady Killer
Nov 24, 1996
Englishman Neville Heath was hanged for murder.
Episode 31
The Defenders
Dec 4, 1996
The United States is the only country to provide free legal counsel for poor defendants.
Episode 32
Rise of the Mafia
Dec 8, 1996
An examination of the Gambino crime family and its bloody 30-year war with the other gangland families of New York.
Episode 101
The Great Midwest Gangs
Feb 10, 1996
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.
Episode 102
The Kidnappers
Mar 9, 1996
For bigger payoffs, criminals turn from bank robbery to kidnapping.