Original title
Taking the Stand
Released
1/13/2022
Origin country
US
Genre
Crime, Documentary
Production companies
Law & Crime Productions
Status
Returning series
Number of seasons
4
Number of episodes
45
The story of crimes from the unique lens of the accused as they take the witness stand.
When a young Arizona businessman is found slaughtered in his bathroom, friends point police towards his on-again off-again ex-girlfriend. Facing the death penalty, Jodi Arias takes the stand for an unprecedented 18-days in an attempt to explain how the brutal killing of her ex-boyfriend was self-defense.
When an off-duty Dallas police officer shoots a man in his own apartment, the jury will have to decide if it was murder or a tragic mistake. Amber Guyger takes the stand in her own defense to convince the jury not to lock her away for up to 99 years.
When a parolee is bounced from his job, he seeks retribution on a peaceful, unwitting community when he kidnaps, tortures and kills a mother and caregiver. Scott Nelson takes the stand to give a convoluted explanation on why he blames his parole officer for his seemingly random decision to kidnap, torture and kill a local Florida woman.
Shayna Hubers takes the stand to defend herself after she brutally murdered her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Ryan Poston. She willingly takes the stand to prove her actions were in self-defense, by showing Ryan's abusive side.
A shootout with police in West Virginia leads to the arrest of a 23-year-old Texas man, who is charged with savagely killing an elderly couple, robbing them and burning down their home. Facing the death penalty, the defendant decides to take the stand and points the finger at the surprising suspect he claims committed the horrific crimes.
Former Houston doctor Leon Jacob is currently serving a life sentence. He was found guilty of plotting, along with his girlfriend, Valerie McDaniel, the murder of his ex-girlfriend and Valerie's ex-husband. Valerie took her own life after serving some time in prison. Leon Jacob takes the stand to defend his rocky past.
Sean Foley stands accused in the shooting death of his girlfriend's step-father, Jimmy Shelton. After a booze-filled evening, Sean fatally shoots Jimmy on Jimmy's own back porch. Sean claims that Jimmy was the aggressor that night. Foley has decided to take the stand to convince the jury that he's innocent, that the shooting was in self-defense and not cold-blooded murder.
When railroad mechanic Robert Limon is shot and killed by Jonathan Hearn, an investigation leads to Robert's widow--and spurs questions about her involvement in the crime. Sabrina Limon takes the stand to contest the account of her former lover, Jonathan Hearn, insisting she had no knowledge of his intent to commit the crime.
When a university student and athlete is stabbed to death following a minor traffic incident, a 24-year-old fast food worker is indicted on a second-degree murder charge. Luke VanHemert takes the stand to address inconsistencies in his story to police, and to claim his actions were in self-defense.
George Burch stands accused of the brutal murder of Nicole VanderHeyden, a 31 year old mother of three. He willingly takes the stand to prove he is not guilty and provide the jury with an alternative suspect.
When a son finds his father slumped over dead near a pile of cocaine, he dismembers the body to conceal the crime; James Scandirito Jr. takes the stand to explain why he thought he had to dismember and bury what he claimed...
A beloved college professor is executed in Tallahassee, Florida and the suspects include a mother with two children, a violent gang member and a family of wealthy dentists.
When a woman shoots her pilot husband and flees to Brazil, she sets off a long battle for her extradition and trial in the States.
What started out looking like a freak traffic accident soon becomes a suspected murder cover-up. Todd Kendhammer has to take the stand to convince a jury that he would never hurt the love of his life, his wife ...
When 3-year-old Hannah Wesche dies of head trauma, the babysitter who cared for her is indicted for her murder.
A routine response to a noise complaint takes a devastating turn when Roy Oliver, a Dallas police officer, shoots and kills unarmed 15-year-old Jordan Edwards.
A couple from a small Ohio town are charged with eleven felonies, including the deaths of their infant son, whose injury riddled body was found in a well.
An Iowa pig farmer stands accused of impaling his wife with a corn rake. The jury has to decide if it was cold-blooded murder or a tragic accident; Todd Mullis takes the stand in his own defense.
When a young mother and her three children are brutally murdered in their suburban Florida home, an ex-boyfriend is charged with the killings. The jury has to decide if this was a crime of passion or a professional hit.
20 year old Heather Elvis went missing on December 18, 2013 and has never been found. Tammy Moorer, Heather's boyfriend's wife, is on trial for her kidnapping.
Stay-at-home mom Danielle Redlick was arrested and charged with 2nd Degree Murder and Tampering with Physical Evidence in the death of her husband, pro sports executive Michael Redlick. After holding on to her account of the night of January 11, 2019 for nearly three years, Danielle finally takes the witness stand, and her story takes a turn. What will the jury think of Danielle waiting nearly 11 hours to call 911 and her claims of abuse?
When an entire family is found in a decaying pile of bodies by the side of a Florida road, the hunt is on to find what police fear might be two more victims; a man and his son are found alive, launching a bizarre investigation.
Romance novelist, Nancy Brophy, faces life in prison for the murder of her husband, Chef Dan Brophy. After finding surveillance video showing Nancy's minivan driving around the time and area of his murder and a blog post Nancy wrote entitled "How to Murder Your Husband," she is arrested and charged one Count of Murder and one Count of Unlawful Use of Firearm. Now, Nancy Brophy is set to testify in her own defense.
Curtis Reeves stands accused of murdering Chad Oulson over popcorn at a matinee movie; the defense claims he acted in self defense while the state's prosecutors argue that Reeves was short-tempered and unjustified in the shooting.
When renowned snake-breeder Ben Renick is found dead in his snake facility, law enforcement assume he is a victim of one of his deadly snakes... until the coroner finds bullet casings hidden behind shelves. Three years of investigation eventually lead police to Ben's wife, Lynlee Renick. Lynlee takes the stand to confess that she was present the day her husband got murdered but claims her innocence and points the finger at her ex-boyfriend, Michael Humphrey, and reveals that Ben was anything but the loving husband everyone assumed.
When a young college student disappears on her evening run, investigators scour her small town searching for her. And when her accused attacker, Cristhian Bahena Rivera takes the stand, the story becomes more complicated than they could've imagine. Who will the jury believe.
Joshua Aide is on trial for the murder of his ex-girlfriend's father, as well as her attempted murder and that of a family friend. He claims he was ambushed by the three who were plotting to kill him and cash in on his life insurance policy.
Exotic animal dealer William "Wild Bill" Zelenski is accused of murdering his girlfriend's 18-year-old son, Ryelee Manente-Powell after he stole $27,000 worth of venomous and exotic reptiles. He claims it was an accident and will take the stand to explain what really happened.
The Wagners stand accused of murdering eight members of the Rhoden family over a bitter child custody dispute. While several members of the Wagner family have plead guilty, George Wagner IV will take the stand and try to convince the jury he played no role in the massacre.
An argument between former NFL player Travis Rudolph and his ex-girlfriend escalates into a gunfight with her brother and his friends. Rudolph will take the stand to claim he had no choice but to open fire 39 times to defend himself. Will a jury believe he was justified or decide he went too far?
Zachary Wester, a Sheriff Deputy from Jackson County Florida, stands accused of planting drugs on unsuspecting motorists during routine traffic stops. He's been charged with over 65 counts and faces up to 85 years in prison if found guilty. Will he be able to convince a jury his stops were by the book or will he be guilty of betraying the badge and the community he served?
During a road rage incident, Theodore Edgecomb shoots and kills predominant immigration lawyer Jason Cleereman. Charging him with 1st degree intentional homicide, the state contends it was a cold-blooded murder. Edgecomb has decided to take the stand to convince the jury he shot Cleereman in self-defense. Will the jury believe him and spare him from life in prison?
Georgia high school teacher Tara Grinstead's sudden disappearance in 2005 goes unexplained for 11 years until a surprising statement to law enforcement from Bo Dukes, a former student, names his friend and former classmate, Ryan Duke, as her killer. Fighting for his freedom, Ryan Duke takes the stand at his trial to assert who he says is the true killer. Will his testimony be enough to convince the jury he didn't murder Tara Grinstead?
In 2019 Delinord Dumercy takes the stand for the second time, claiming that his decision to shoot and ultimately kill James Peoples was in self-defense and not murder. Although this horrific event is witnessed by multiple people and captured on camera, Dumercy's first trial ended in a hung jury. Will prosecutors be able to convince a jury that Dumercy is guilty of murder? Or will they find him innocent after he claims that he was being hunted like an animal by James Peoples all along?
After the brutal murder of a mom, her children, and the family dog rocks a picture-perfect Orlando suburb--all signs point to the dad, Tony Todt. But Tony's own tear-soaked and unpredictable testimony points to the person you'd least expect, and there is no evidence to prove him wrong. Will Tony Todt be able to convince the jury he did not murder his family?
Skiing icon Dean Cummings is on trial for the shooting death of Guillermo Arriola, a local New Mexican rancher who was only armed with a can of mace. Cummings claims the shooting was done in self-defense. With no other witnesses, the jury will have to weigh the forensics against Cummings testimony. Will they acquit him or find him guilty of first degree murder?
In 2006, Ken Juedes was found dead by his wife, Cindy Shulz-Juedes. For 13 years the case went cold until investigators linked her to the murder. Cindy Shulz-Juedes has decided to take the stand with the hope of convincing the jury she is innocent, and her husband's real killer is still at large.
During a routine undercover prostitution sting, Columbus Vice Detective Andrew Mitchell shoots and kills 23-year-old Donna Dalton Castleberry. Mitchell takes the stand, claiming he feared for his life but the Prosecution argues that Donna, locked in the backseat of a car, was no longer a threat. An audio recording of the entire incident will prove to be a key piece of evidence. Will the jury decide this was a justified killing?
An American Dream becomes a tragedy when San Antonio businesswoman Andreen McDonald goes missing. Four years later, her husband, Air Force Major, Andre McDonald, is on trial for her murder. Facing life in prison, McDonald takes the stand. Will the jury believe he's the victim of a domestic dispute gone wrong or a cold-blooded monster?
Richard Acosta, Jr. is being tried for murder, accused of being the getaway driver for his son.
Hannah Payne is on trial for the murder of Kenneth Herring, a motorist who fled an accident.
Investigators discover there's much more to a shooting than a simple love triangle gone wrong.
A year after discovering her husband's frozen body in the driveway, Lori Phillips faces charges for his death; facing up to 25 years in prison, Lori has decided to testify, hoping to persuade the jury that she was fleeing from an abusive man.
Charlie Adelson stands accused of hiring two hitmen to murder his ex-brother-in-law, Dan Markel, in order to free his sister from a nasty child custody dispute; according to Adelson, he's also a victim, claiming the hitmen extorted him.
Sasha Skare, 23, is on trial for the murder of her music producer and lover Martell DeRouen. She has turned down a plea deal and decided to take the stand to tell her side of the story--that she was abused, and the shooting was unintentional.
After being sucker punched during a campus gathering, Northern Arizona University freshman Steven Jones shoots four fellow students, injuring three and killing one.
After 8 months on the run, disgraced personal-injury attorney Richard Merritt faces trial for the brutal murder of his 77-year-old mother, Shirley.
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