Even though a conviction for the death penalty for an obvious guilty murderer and rapist seems justified, it is overturned because the defendant was held without being read his rights and other standard procedures that can make or break a case. Police lieutenant George Peppard is aghast by this, knowing that his release will mean more rapes, more murders. The murders that occur deeply touch Peppard whose wife and lover are shot to death in cold blood the very night Robert F. Lyons is freed. Not only does Peppard have to deal with the murder of his wife and revelation that she was unfaithful but suspicions that he was the killer and demands for his resignation.
Among the supporting cast are Richard Kiley as Lyon's defense attorney, Marj Dusay as Kiley's secretary, Isabel Sanford as Peppard's cleaning lady, Madeline Sherwood as Lyon's hard drinking loose living mother and Logan Ramsey as another officer. The scene where Lyons caresses Dusay's hair is disturbing, and the character is visibly uncomfortable but doesn't say anything. Kiley wants to send him to a psychiatrist but it's obvious that he has no interest in being cured, making him one of the most disgusting villains in film history. Sherwood is particularly effective as the truly sad mother who through her eyes reveals to the audience that she knows she gave birth to a monster. Poor Jean Seberg is wasted as Peppard 's wife (even though she gets second billing), and no real reason for her infidelity is given.
Early in the film, Peppard is attacked by anti-death penalty activists which is ironic considering the crimes committed by Lyon's character. Realizing that his case requires strong legal defense, Peppard decides to hire Kiley which could end up killing two birds with one stone. The Washington D.C. setting means both great location footage and political ramifications in regards to both cases, and that sends the pendulum moving quickly and dangerously where the innocent is obviously fighting tirelessly to get out of the pit. The benefit of the doubt does take over with certain details perplexing enough to make you wonder who is the guilty party and if Lyons is innocent, how will the guilt of his other crimes be dealt with? This is a film with a moral that will make you think, that is if you are not perplexed to the unanswered questions that the film leaves.
Among the supporting cast are Richard Kiley as Lyon's defense attorney, Marj Dusay as Kiley's secretary, Isabel Sanford as Peppard's cleaning lady, Madeline Sherwood as Lyon's hard drinking loose living mother and Logan Ramsey as another officer. The scene where Lyons caresses Dusay's hair is disturbing, and the character is visibly uncomfortable but doesn't say anything. Kiley wants to send him to a psychiatrist but it's obvious that he has no interest in being cured, making him one of the most disgusting villains in film history. Sherwood is particularly effective as the truly sad mother who through her eyes reveals to the audience that she knows she gave birth to a monster. Poor Jean Seberg is wasted as Peppard 's wife (even though she gets second billing), and no real reason for her infidelity is given.
Early in the film, Peppard is attacked by anti-death penalty activists which is ironic considering the crimes committed by Lyon's character. Realizing that his case requires strong legal defense, Peppard decides to hire Kiley which could end up killing two birds with one stone. The Washington D.C. setting means both great location footage and political ramifications in regards to both cases, and that sends the pendulum moving quickly and dangerously where the innocent is obviously fighting tirelessly to get out of the pit. The benefit of the doubt does take over with certain details perplexing enough to make you wonder who is the guilty party and if Lyons is innocent, how will the guilt of his other crimes be dealt with? This is a film with a moral that will make you think, that is if you are not perplexed to the unanswered questions that the film leaves.