8.2/1099 votes#1 - Chapter One
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 9/20/1995
A powerful L.A. entrepreneur (Stanley Tucci) is accused of killing his mistress's 15-year-old sister, Jessica Costello, after she is found "naked, tied up, strangled, [with] drugs all over the place" in an apartment he owns. The murder of Jessica Costello becomes front-page news and the hottest new case for the law firm of Hoffman & Associates.
Director: Charles Haid
Writer: David Milch, Steven Bochco, Charles H. Eglee
8.1/1084 votes#2 - Chapter Two
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 9/26/1995
Hoffman grows suspicious when Cross appears overly confident at his arraignment on the charge of murder; a surprise witness (Tia Carrere) comes forward with new information. Ted Hoffman goes from defending Richard Cross for the murder of Jessica Costello to defending Neil Avedon (Jason Gedrick) , a hot young Hollywood actor, for the same murder.
Director: Michael Fresco
Writer: Charles H. Eglee
8.1/1081 votes#3 - Chapter Three
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 10/3/1995
A personal item belonging to Jessica Costello surfaces that could incriminate members of the Hollywood community; Avedon's substance abuse creates problems for Hoffman, who selects a new attorney for second chair. Lisa defends an investments specialist on trial for mishandling his clients' life savings.
Director: N/A
Writer: Ann Donahue
8.0/1071 votes#4 - Chapter Four
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 10/12/1995
Avedon takes a lie-detector test and is released on bail, but Grasso tries to get the bail revoked because of the incriminating sex tape brought in by Melissa. Meanwhile, Hoffman defends a police detective (Joe Spano) accused of using unnecessary force after responding to a domestic dispute call.
Director: Michael Fresco
Writer: Geoffrey Neigher
8.0/1073 votes#5 - Chapter Five
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 10/19/1995
Avedon goes to court for his preliminary hearing; Blalock (Kevin Tighe) believes he's found a witness who can discredit Cross's alibi for the night of the murder. Meanwhile, Appleton defends a Jewish youth (Maury Ginsberg) accused of an anti-Semitic hate crime. After a lead in her sister's murder proves deadly, Julie Costello shows up at the law firm to talk to Hoffman, fearing that her own life is now in danger.
Director: Nancy Savoca
Writer: Charles Holland
8.0/1071 votes#6 - Chapter Six
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 11/3/1995
Hoffman hires Velacek to investigate David Blalock's murder, and he retains an expert jury consultant (Lorraine Toussaint). Meanwhile, Avedon appears in court to see if his bail will be revoked, and Spivak defends a man (Billy Maddox) accused of a murder committed 17 years before. When Julie overdoses on drugs prescribed by Dr. Lester, Hoffman suspects the doctor has ulterior motives for keeping his female patients so heavily sedated.
Director: Jim Charleston
Writer: N/A
7.9/1068 votes#7 - Chapter Seven
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 11/10/1995
Hoffman receives information that Avedon may have confessed to killing Jessica Costello; someone is suspected of leaking facts to the press. Meanwhile, Gillespie defends a 12-year-old gang member (DeJuan Guy) accused of murdering a rival at a funeral.
Director: Donna Deitch
Writer: N/A
8.1/1068 votes#8 - Chapter Eight
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 11/17/1995
Avedon plans a live television interview; a surprising source brings forth a videotape that further incriminates Avedon; Julie is arrested for DUI. Meanwhile, Appleton convinces a former patient (Charlotte Ross) of Dr. Lester to share her disturbing experiences with Julie.
Director: Michael Fresco
Writer: Ann Donahue, Charles Holland, Geoffrey Neigher
8.0/1072 votes#9 - Chapter Nine
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 1/1/1996
Convinced that Richard Cross is trying to manipulate the outcome of Neil Avedon's murder trail, Hoffman advises Justine to turn down a business opportunity from him.
Director: Elodie Keene
Writer: N/A
8.0/1066 votes#10 - Chapter Ten
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 1/9/1996
Jury selection begins in Avedon's murder trial, and among the potential jurors are an ex-cop, an ex-marine and a feminist. Meanwhile, a stalker (Debra Christofferson) reappears on Avedon's trail and Francesca (Donna Murphy) considers divorcing Richard. Hoffman faces a rumor that he had an affair with Francesca Cross, a rumor he believes was started by Richard Cross.
Director: N/A
Writer: William M. Finkelstein, Geoffrey Neigher
7.7/1065 votes#11 - Chapter Eleven
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 1/16/1996
Hoffman tries to get Avedon's charges dropped due to Holly Gerges's confession. Meanwhile, jury selection continues, with a law professor (Steven Gilborn) among those questioned. Hoffman becomes suspicious after Cross asks him to help Roberto Portalegre, an influential associate from Brazil whose son was accused of date rape.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.0/1064 votes#12 - Chapter Twelve
Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 1/23/1996
The "Goldilocks Murder" trial begins with opening statements and the prosecution's first witness (Ted Marcoux), who testifies he heard Avedon threaten Jessica. When a member of his family is abducted, Hoffman suspects someone is trying to send him a message about the Avedon murder case and that Cross is somehow involved.Meanwhile, Appleton's business relationship with Cross is questioned.
Director: Rick Wallace
Writer: Charles H. Eglee, William M. Finkelstein
7.5/1062 votes#13 - Chapter Thirteen
Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 2/6/1996
Evidence is delivered against Avedon by witnesses who include Dr. Lester's nurse though Hoffman believes she may be lying. Meanwhile, an informant turns up with vital information about Richard Cross; rumors begin circulating about the state of Cross's health. Elizabeth identifies her abductor.
Director: N/A
Writer: Geoffrey Neigher
7.8/1088 votes#14 - Chapter Fourteen
Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 2/13/1996
A copy of the videotape that may have gotten David Blalock killed surfaces; the woman (Anna Gunn) who appeared to be strangled by Avedon in a sex video testifies. As more evidence comes to light proving Richard Cross lied about his activities the night of Jessica's murder, Hoffman begins experiencing marital problems.
Director: Randall Zisk
Writer: N/A
7.8/1064 votes#15 - Chapter Fifteen
Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 2/20/1996
The murder trial is halted when two male jurors argue over a woman juror as a love triangle is exposed. Judge Bornstein orders that Dr. Lester's records on Avedon be unsealed, forcing the physician to testify; Dr. Lester testifies that Neil Avedon made a startling confession the night Jessica was murdered. Passion develops between Arnold and Julie Costello.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.9/1061 votes#16 - Chapter Sixteen
Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 3/5/1996
After Jessica's diary is entered as evidence, Hoffman calls to the stand some of the men Jessica mentioned in her diary, including Gary Blondo and Rusty Arnold. Meanwhile, Julie agrees to testify about her relationship with Richard Cross, but Hoffman is later stunned after she takes the stand and claims she no longer has to answer his questions.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.1/1062 votes#17 - Chapter Seventeen
Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 3/12/1996
Eduardo Portalegre (Nick Corri) is again charged with rape and becomes a suspect in Jessica's murder. Patients of Graham Lester testify that he drugged and raped them while they were in his care. Julie and DA Garfield testify; Annie asks Ted for a divorce. Hoffman uncovers a costly connection between Richard Cross and Dr. Lester's nurse.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.1/1059 votes#18 - Chapter Eighteen
Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 3/19/1996
The defense calls witnesses for Avedon, including his mother (Concetta Tomei); Hoffman considers the prosecution's offer to plea bargain; Appleton is reprimanded for her involvement with Richard Cross; Grasso suffers a personal tragedy.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.0/1057 votes#19 - Chapter Nineteen
Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 4/1/1996
Richard Cross is called as a witness for the defense. Cross acts strangely on the witness stand, Neil decides to testify in court on his own behalf, and Justine has an unnerving encounter with Cross in his office. Meanwhile, Appleton secretly goes through Cross's private files to obtain information that would aid the defense.
Director: William M. Finkelstein, Marc Buckland
Writer: Charles H. Eglee, William M. Finkelstein
8.0/1061 votes#20 - Chapter Twenty
Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 4/8/1996
Avedon awaits his fate as closing arguments are heard and jury instructions are given. Meanwhile, the prosecution tries to have Judge Bornstein dismissed, due to allegations that she and Hoffman were once romantically linked. As Hoffman and Grasso deliver their closing arguments Justine realizes just how mentally unstable Cross is and finally discovers the cause of his erratic behavior.
Director: Donna Deitch
Writer: Geoffrey Neigher
8.2/1060 votes#21 - Chapter Twenty-One
Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 4/22/1996
Even as the jury reaches a verdict, Hoffman breaks into Jessica's apartment, convinced a hidden camera is located there and that a tape of the murder most likely exists. The jury delivers its verdict in the trial of Neil Avedon. Following the decision, Hoffman and Grasso appear on "Larry King Live" to discuss the case. King appears as himself.
Director: Marc Buckland
Writer: Steven Bochco, Ann Donahue, Charles H. Eglee, William M. Finkelstein
8.3/1061 votes#22 - Chapter Twenty-Two
Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 4/22/1996
Hoffman races to track down Richard Cross and find the missing video tape even as a terrified Neil Avedon is attacked by a fellow inmate in prison; a possible mob connection surfaces in the case.
Director: N/A
Writer: Steven Bochco, William M. Finkelstein
8.6/1066 votes#23 - Chapter Twenty-Three
Season 1 Episode 23 - Aired 4/23/1996
With nothing left to lose, a dying Richard Cross tells Hoffman where to find the tape recorded in Jessica's apartment the night of her murder. In the aftermath of the jury's verdict in the Goldilocks murder case of Neil Avedon, Jessica's killer is unmasked and all loose ends tied up.
Director: Michael Fresco
Writer: Steven Bochco, Charles H. Eglee, William M. Finkelstein, Geoffrey Neigher
The Best Episodes of Murder One Season 1
Every episode of Murder One Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Murder One Season 1!
Theodore 'Teddy' Hoffman is a highly-regarded defense attorney in a prestigious Los Angeles law firm. Having successfully defended the wealthy but suspicious Richard Cross in...
Genre:Drama
Network:ABC
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"Chapter One" is the best rated episode of "Murder One" season 1. It scored 8.2/10 based on 99 votes. Directed by Charles Haid and written by David Milch, Steven Bochco, Charles H. Eglee, it aired on 9/20/1995. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Chapter Two".