With anguished pleas from prisoners proclaiming their innocence, families across the country are tormented with an excruciating question: is their convicted loved one truly guilty or are they innocent serving unjust time behind bars? On a mission to uncover the truth behind these potential judicial missteps, retired homicide detective Chris Anderson and criminal defense attorney Fatima Silva team up once again with open minds and objective lenses to piece together the puzzling facts. The two-pore through evidence, interview key witnesses and consult previously overlooked experts to reveal the unbiased truth and ensure the right person is behind bars for the crime committed. Each episode culminates in an emotional reckoning with reality as Chris and Fatima either provide the families hope for an appeal, or the crushing reality that their loved one is rightfully convicted of murder. A gut-wrenching new season of REASONABLE DOUBT returns to Investigation Discovery with 10 all-new cases beginning Tuesday, August 9 @ 10/9c on ID. The fifth season will be available to stream in its entirety on discovery+ beginning October 12 along with previous seasons.
In the season five premiere of REASONABLE DOUBT, respected California probation officer Rodney Patrick McNeal gets a life sentence for murdering his pregnant wife in a fit of rage. With limited physical evidence, the conviction has never sat well with his family who are convinced McNeal was wrongfully convicted. In a desperate, last-ditch appeal, McNeal’s daughter and sister have asked Chris and Fatima to take a second look at the case to see whether McNeal is an innocent man doing time for someone else or whether he is right where he belongs. The premiere episode, “Guiltless or Heartless,” premieres on August 9 @ 10/9c on ID.
Additional investigations this season include: the case of Laverne Fields, a woman convicted by a jury for murdering her husband as he lay in bed, despite her children insisting that he had died by suicide (“Prison Moms” premieres August 16); Joel Atkin, a 2009 fateful wrong turn that led to a petty argument and spur of self-defense that leaves one man dead and Atkin behind bars (“Bringing Guns to a Fist Fight” premieres August 30); Russell Holbrook, convicted of murdering Melissa Howard after a 10-year investigation and fighting to reclaim his innocence (“Murder Without Motive” premieres September 6); Garrett Arrowood, convicted of killing his aunt during a robbery gone wrong despite the family insisting that two con men were involved (“Aunts and Artifacts” premieres September 13); and more.
Fans can join the conversation using #ReasonableDoubt and following ID’s socials on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Find Chris (@Detective_Christopher_Anderson) and Fatima (FatimaSilvaESQ) on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and case updates.
REASONABLE DOUBT is produced for Investigation Discovery by Painless Productions and RPR Media.
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Reasonable Doubt |
Network: Investigation DiscoveryGenre: CrimeSeasons: 5Episodes: 50 | |
OverviewTwo investigators re-examine controversial murder cases to help the desperate families of those convicted decide if it's time to appeal... or accept the guilty verdict once and for all. |