The 1978 mass suicide of followers of Rev. Jim Jones, a cult leader who founded Jonestown in Guyana for the work of his People's Temple. Also: the murder of Rep. Leo J. Ryan, who was investigating allegations made by temple members.

The Kennedys and the Mob

The police investigation of "The Boston Strangler," who murdered 13 women from 1962 to 1964. Included: techniques such as psychic consultation and hypnosis.

Boston Strangler

Profiling Jack Murphy, a.k.a. "Murph the Surf," who was convicted of stealing the Star of India sapphire and other precious gems from New York's American Museum of Natural History in 1964.

Murph the Surf

Profiling the case of two American serial killers who terrorized Los Angeles between October 1977 and February 1978, with their nicknames originating from the fact that many of the victims' bodies were discovered on the sides of the Hollywood Hills.

The Hillside Stranglers

Profiling the case of Ted Bundy, who was executed in 1989 for several murders and who was suspected of killing 25 women in six states.

Ted Bundy

Profiling the case of John Wayne Gacy Jr., who was convicted in 1980 of murdering 33 young men and boys and who was executed by the state of Illinois in 1994.

John Wayne Gacy

Examining the case in which a man's wife and children were brutally murdered, he claimed, by drug-crazed hippies.

Dr. Jeffrey MacDonald: The Green Beret Killer

Adolf Eichmann, the Nazi official captured by Israeli agents in 1960 and taken to Israel to be tried for war crimes.

The Trial of Adolf Eichmann

Organized crime during the Prohibition era, including profiles of Al Capone, Bugs Moran and Lucky Luciano. Brooklyn DA Charles J. Hynes joins host Bill Kurtis.

City Killer Gangs

The case of Jean Harris, the former headmistress convicted of murdering her lover, Dr. Herman Tarnower, in 1980.

Jean Harris

Recalling a hoax in the 1970s involving an alleged authorized biography of Howard Hughes by Clifford Irving.

Howard Hughes Biography Hoax

Charles Starkweather, executed in 1959 for committing 11 murders.

Charles Starkweather

The case of Richard Speck, who was convicted of the 1966 murders of eight nurses and student nurses in Chicago.

Richard Speck

Wayne Williams, convicted of two of the Atlanta child murders that terrorized the city between 1979 and 1981.

Wayne Williams

Examining the battles waged against gangland families by the Gambino organized-crime family, led by "Boss of Bosses" Paul Castellano, until his 1985 assassination that was masterminded by John Gotti.

Mafia Wars

Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, whose string of robberies and killings made them two of the most notorious criminals of the 1930s.

Bonnie and Clyde

Profiling crime during Prohibition. Examining Assistant Attorney General Mabel Walker Willebrandt's efforts to curtail bootlegging; battles between ethnic gangs.

Target: Mafia (The Prohibition Years)

Examining  the birth of the American mafia from its origins in Sicily to mob activity during Prohibition. Included: the roles of Al Capone and Charles "Lucky" Luciano; rivalry among Italian, Irish and Jewish gangs.

Target: Mafia (Birth of the American Mafia)

Examining efforts by President Kennedy and his brother Robert to curtail mob activity; the possible link between JFK's assassination and organized crime.

Target: Mafia (The Kennedys and the Mob)

Profiling "gangbusters" such as Harry Anslinger, first commissioner of the Bureau of Narcotics; and Thomas E. Dewey, who successfully prosecuted Charles "Lucky" Luciano on charges of running a prostitution ring.

Target: Mafia (Gangbusters)

Examining mob activity during World War II; the murder of Benjamin Siegel; nightclubs, casinos and racetracks linked to organized crime.

Target: Mafia (Empire of Crime)

A three-part history of mob activity in Philadelphia. [Part 1 of 3] shows how Nicodemo Scarfo gained power by supplying concrete to the growing casino industry in Atlantic City.

Mobfathers, Part 1

Part 2 of a three-part history of mob activity in Philadelphia. [Part 2 of 3] concerns local and Federal government investigations of Nicodemo Scarfo, which led to his imprisonment. Included: Scarfo's operations —from Philadelphia to Florida.

Mobfathers, Part 2

Part 3 of a three-part history of mob activity in Philadelphia. [Part 3 of 3] examines connections between the Sicilian Mafia and the U.S., and the influence of the incarcerated Nicodemo Scarfo on crime in Philadelphia.

Mobfathers, Part 3

Examining highly publicized rape cases, including the 1992 conviction of Mike Tyson for the rape of a beauty-pageant contestant; and the 1983 gang-rape case in New Bedford, Mass., that inspired the 1988 movie "The Accused."

Rape on Trial

A graphic account of the crimes of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer who became, his attorney Gerald Boyle says, "the embodiment of evil." Included: footage from Dahmer's trial; comments from experts on serial murder.

Dahmer: Mystery of a Serial Killer

Back to the 1950's and an era of the "Red Scare" to examine the evidence against Julius and Ethel Rosenberg that led to their conviction of espionage and ultimately both of their executions in 1953.

The Rosenbergs

Examining two arson cases: the 1990 blaze at the Happy Land club in the Bronx, which claimed 87 lives; and the 1944 Hartford Circus fire, in which 168 people were killed. Included: retired firefighter Rick Davey, who investigated the Hartford fire.

Fire Starters

A history of Alcatraz recalls some of the prison's most spectacular breakout attempts, including one that inspired the film "Escape from Alcatraz." Included: the maximum-security prison at Marion, Ill.

Alcatraz: Escaping America's Toughest Prison

Racially motivated crimes in the U.S., such as the murders of three civil-rights workers in Mississippi, and the 1988 beating death of an Ethiopian student in Oregon. Included: comments from attorney Morris Dees.

KKK: Hate Crimes in America

Cases of vigilantism in the U.S., including the 1984 Bernhard Goetz subway shooting in New York City; the 1984 murder of an alleged child molester; and the 1987 torching of a Detroit crack house.

Vigilante Justice

From the mid to late 70's and throughout the 80's America's war on crime takes a toll on the Mafia. American Justice takes a look at some mob figures and leaders during those years and some of the events that led to their downfall, death, or incarceration.

The Showdown

Crime summit at Apalachin; Castellano seizes Gambino's power.

Target: Mafia: Secrets Unveiled

Charles Whitman kills his mother and wife, then fires from a University of Texas tower.

Mass Murder: An American Tragedy

Prominent cases show how police deal with hostage situations.

The Hostage Takers

Profiles of people who have been falsely accused and imprisoned.

The Wrong Man

Great Heists

How the American legal system deals with fugitives, focusing on John List, a killer who eluded the FBI for more than a decade.

Fugitives

Capital punishment; Caryl Chessman; Gary Gilmore; Sister Helen Prejean ministers to death-row inmates.

Death Penalty

Youthful offenders; teens shoot British tourist.

Juvenile Justice

Joseph Valachi and Peter Maas are featured in this look at mobsters who turn against fellow criminals and help law enforcement agencies convict them.

Mob Rats

Nuremberg, My Lai and other war-crime trials.

War Crimes

Satan, Rituals and Abuse

Increasing violence in society; battered women.

Lorena Bobbitt: Women and Violence

Violence and behavior codes in America's prisons.

Prison Justice

John Hinckley Jr.; Daniel Sickles kills Francis Scott Key's son; the McNaughton rule; Kimberly Martin.

Pleading Insane

Frank Serpico and Robert Leuci uncover corruption in the New York Police Department.

Cops on Trial

The Supreme Court broadly defines free speech; Nazis march in Skokie, Ill.

Fighting Words: The First Amendment

Jim Bakker: Crime in the Name of God

In one of the most daring robberies in history, the 1950 Brink's robbery netted thieves more than $2.7 million.

The Great Brink's Heist

Media pressure, fear and prejudice may affect jury decisions.

Reginald Denny: Jury Under Siege

How the authorities may have misjudged David Koresh and the situation at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas.

Attack at Waco

The Anita Hill/Clarence Thomas case brings sexual-harassment issues under scrutiny.

Sex, Lies and Harassment

New York gang moves into Boston; Iowa street gang is implicated in a murder.

Gangbusters

Prison uprisings; 1971 Attica riot; New Mexico State Penitentiary.

The Attica Riot: Chaos Behind Bars

Private investigators are the cowboys of law enforcement.

Private Eyes

Profiling the lives of street-corner hookers and high-class Hollywood call girls and examining how they are brought to justice.

Prostitution: Sex and the Law

Sting operations; Marion Barry; John DeLorean.

The Sting

Events leading up to Chicago's 1968 anti-war riots; the "conspiracy to commit riot" trials.

Riot: The Chicago Conspiracy Trial

An examination of the evolution of divorce in the United States.

Divorce Wars

Quiz-show scandals of the '50s; Clifford Irving's "biography" of Howard Hughes; Tawana Brawley.

The Quiz-Show Scandals and Other Frauds

The abductions of biathlete Kari Swenson and Exxon executive Sidney Reso are used to explore how law enforcement agencies respond to kidnappings.

Kidnapped

The FBI adapts methods to catch racketeers; "most-wanted" list; wiretapping.

Godfathers vs. the Law

Celebrity and equal justice; director John Landis; James Brown; Zsa Zsa Gabor; Christian Brando..

Celebrities on Trial

Espionage and national security; Walker family spy ring; Jonathan Pollard and Israel; double agents.

Spies: Betraying a Nation

Frank Ragano defends Santo Trafficante, Jimmy Hoffa; Bruce Cutler defends John Gotti.

Defending the Mob

Witnesses gain new identities in return for testimony.

Witness Protection

Convicted murderer Genene Jones is one of a breed of medical professional who harm rather than heal their patients.

Bad Medicine

Women and organized crime; Virginia Hill and Bugsy Siegel; Arlyne Weiss Brickman; Marianne DelGiorno; Antoinette Giancana.

Mob Ladies

Publicity and high-profile cases; Scopes trial; Lindbergh case

Lights, Camera ... Courtroom

Medical examiners and forensics experts solve difficult

Autopsy

A businessman has his partner killed; a millionaire has his wife murdered.

Hired Guns

Although specifically prohibited by the United States Constitution, instances of cruel and unusual punishment still occur.

Cruel and Unusual

Courts-martial of Eddie Slovik, Bobby Garwood and Clayton Lonetree.

Military Justice

The cases of John Lennon, Theresa Saldana and others illustrate the seriousness of stalking, which was not recognized as a crime until

Stalkers: Deadly Obsession

Stings: escort service; money laundering; judicial corruption; art forgery.

Undercover: The Infiltrators

Infant abduction: kidnapper profiles; baby-selling.

Baby Snatchers

Jailhouse Lawyers

Profiles of three assassins: Sirhan Sirhan; James Earl Ray; Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme.

Assassins

Profile of the Los Angeles Police Department from the 1950s to the present.

LAPD

Bombs: Unabomber; George Matesky, New York's Mad Bomber; World Trade Center.

Bombers

A review of controversial cases raises questions about citizens or suspects dying at the hands of law enforcement officials.

Deadly Force

A play-by-play chronicle and legal dissection of the O.J. Simpson case and its impact on the judicial system.

Why O.J. Simpson Won

Notorious recent cases provide the focus for an examination of cop killings and what can be done to protect those in uniform.

Cop Killers

Chicago crime bosses; Al Capone; Anthony "Joe Batters" Accardo; Sam Giancana; Gus Alex.

The Chicago Mob

Dr. Sam Sheppard is convicted of murder in 1954 and retried in the '60s.

The Sam Sheppard Story

The cases of the Freeman brothers and Jeffrey Howarth highlight an examination of murder in the family.

Murder in the Family

How Bugsy Siegel and others built a glittering gambling mecca from barren desert; includes an interview with former casino manager Frank Rosenthal.

Vegas and the Mob

In 1993 Colin Ferguson methodically shoots passengers aboard a Long Island Railroad commuter

Long Island Railroad Massacre

Bail bondsmen hire bounty hunters to capture fugitives.

Bounty Hunters

Schoolteacher Pamela Smart enlists a student to kill her husband.

The Pamela Smart Story

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.

John Wayne Gacy: Buried Secrets

Technology creates police weapons designed to stun rather than kill.

When Cops Kill

Strict departmental policies govern high-speed police chases.

Hot Pursuit

In the 1950s, England reels over the case of serial killer John Christie.

Great Crimes & Trials: John Christie of Rillington Place

A British serial killer lures young men to his apartment and dismembers them.

Denis Nilsen: The Kindly Killer

Interviews with Nicholas "The Crow" Caramandi, former hit men and other experts highlight an examination of the mob hit man. Host: Bill Kurtis.

Mob Hit Men

Recalling the Bamber family murder case, considered by some to be almost the perfect crime.

Bamber Family Murders

Richard Ramirez rapes, mutilates and tortures more than 25 California victims.

Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker

Three juries consider the murder cases against Erik and Lyle Menendez.

The Menendez Murders

Hosted by Bill Kurtis, American Justice looks 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.

All Episodes of American Justice

All Episodes of American Justice

Season 1

The Kennedys and the Mob

Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 10/7/1992

Boston Strangler

Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 11/4/1992

Murph the Surf

Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 11/11/1992

The Hillside Stranglers

Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 11/18/1992

Ted Bundy

Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 12/2/1992

John Wayne Gacy

Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 12/16/1992