The Last Defense

While this is a great example of a trial, it does nothing to refute the evidence in my mind and just shows how weak the defense was. The way it's presented is similar to trial - evidence against her followed by rebuttal. It shows my clearly why they lost the trial.

Evidence is pointed out of glass over the footprints. A lack of grief. Coincidences of money. The response is "maybe this, maybe that" and it's hours and hours of evidence, not just one or two things. The defense wasn't strong. No actual contradicting evidence. Nothing disproved. It's a sad situation, it's especially sad if she's innocent, but wow! Everything from her mental state to how she lived to evidence at the scene to the vast difference in knife wounds. I'm looking for signs of innocence, but how they sat down with the nurses isn't evidence of innocence, just how the prosecution prepped. A great deal of evidence of guilt, though. Claims of "no motive" and "her character was the centerpiece"....I don't find them to be very honest. Money is a motive. Lots of evidence had me leaning toward guilt long before her character was brouht up. It's all for show, I get it, but to those of us who think it's awful deception.

So yes, this is what a trial is like. And so far I haven't found anything that indicates innocence.

I am a true crime fanatic, fascinated by the entirety of the process from the offense to the investigation to (especially) the trial. An avid watcher of most true crime shows and investigative reporting (including Dateline, 48 Hours, etc.) I've found that really good productions are rare. So many are vapid, trite, repetitive, unimaginative, and cliched. THE LAST DEFENSE regards crimes I have seen and read about many, many times in different media forms. However, the perspective, narrative, and new + old information is so masterfully conveyed that these over-told stories seem fresh and refreshing; it is just like hearing of these crimes for the first time as told by the most consummate of story tellers. ABC has provided true quality programming here.

Me and my GF have been watching this. Me Dutch, she Thai. We were in a constant roller-coaster of doubt: She did it, she didn't, she did it, she didn't.

Up till now (4 episodes in), with all the evidence presented we are still not sure.

What is clear, the American system has too many disadvantages, too many people end up behind bars because 'their peers' may or may not have made a mistake. Media influences outcomes too much in some instances.

Absolutely an interesting show, on all counts.

Loved the first episode. Went in not knowing the premise at all - thought it would be like one of the many basic cable murder shows where it's all wrapped up in an hour. Didn't take long to notice the superior production values, and halfway through I realized they weren't going to resolve it in one episode - it skewed obviously more toward the defense side and you're wondering how they convicted her for only inconsistent statements and no footprints in the mulch? The prosecution must have more evidence, Can't wait for the next one.

Don't watch too many series dramas on Netflix, etc. Last thing I saw like this was Manhunt: Unabomber which was great, but a docudrama. This relies on archival footage and sit-down interviews but holds your attention because it seems they have access to everything and most of the key people agreed to talk. I expect there may be trial footage in the next one?

The Darlie Routier segment is heavily skewed in her favour, including making many false and misleading claims throughout.