Summary
Highlights
Martha Crump, mother of Raymond Crump, calls attorney Dovey Roundtree, pleading with her to take her son's case. Raymond is accused of murdering Mary Meyer and is being pressured to take a plea deal despite his claims of innocence. Dovey agrees to meet with Raymond in jail.
Dovey meets Raymond, who is scared and disoriented. He confesses he was at the crime scene for a consensual tryst with Vivian Lroy, his wife's friend. He explains he lied to the police about fishing because he was married and so was Vivian. He describes falling asleep, then falling into the river when he woke up, losing his jacket and hat, and cutting his hand. He denies hearing shots or seeing Mary Meyer.
Dovey decides to represent Raymond for one dollar. She plans to file for a sanity evaluation to move him to a mental hospital for better care. She realizes Raymond has a childlike innocence and is convinced of his innocence. The immediate goal is to find Vivian Lroy, Raymond's alibi.
Dovey confronts Vivian Lroy, who confirms Raymond's account of their encounter. However, Vivian is terrified to testify, fearing her violent husband would kill her if he found out. Dovey offers her protection but Vivian is hesitant, saying she wants to see what it's like to be with a gentle man.
Dovey's colleague, Ralph, and Jim Truit, a journalist, present a theory: Mary Meyer's murder was an assassination, possibly by the CIA. Truit reveals that Mary was John F. Kennedy's lover and confidante, and that after JFK's assassination, CIA agent James Angleton and Mary's brother-in-law, Ben Bradlee, retrieved her diary, which may have contained damaging information about the CIA.
The prosecution presents key witnesses. Henry Wiggins, a park worker, testifies he saw Raymond standing over Mary's body. Officer Rodrik Silus claims to have seen Raymond in the woods during his escape. Detective John Warner, who first encountered Raymond, describes Raymond's suspicious behavior, including being soaking wet and having his zipper down, suggesting a rape attempt. Officer Fred Buyers testifies about finding Raymond's jacket and hat, and forensic evidence linking a hair in the cap to Raymond.
Dovey meticulously cross-examines the prosecution's witnesses. Wiggins' initial description of the assailant does not match Raymond. Silus' timeline is inconsistent with Raymond's arrest. Warner admits his claims of Raymond's 'zipper down' do not necessarily imply a rape attempt, and acknowledges not searching him for a weapon. Concerns are raised about the lack of scientific testing of Raymond's clothes for Mary's blood and the swiftness of police actions. Furthermore, no murder weapon was found despite extensive searches.
William Mitchell, a retired army lieutenant, testifies he saw Raymond 'stalking' Mary. Dovey exposes inconsistencies in his testimony and questions his motivations, implying a possible connection to government agencies. Meanwhile, Vivian Lroy, Raymond's alibi, has disappeared. Dovey considers putting Raymond on the stand, but his mental state and conflicting stories make it a high risk. Ralph discovers a secret tunnel under the canal, not far from the crime scene, which could have been an escape route.
Dovey delivers a powerful closing statement, emphasizing Raymond's mental challenges, his lack of motive, and the absence of forensic evidence. She argues the prosecution's case is based on systematic cultural racism. The prosecutor counters by highlighting Raymond's lies and the eyewitness accounts, but then apologizes for historical racial injustices. The jury deadlocks 11 to 1 to acquit. The judge, presented with new evidence about Mitchell's potential CIA ties, declares a mistrial and Raymond is set free, much to the joy of his supporters.