A fairly decent script with a suspenseful, surprise ending is spoiled by weak acting from a cast pruned from TVLand, directed by a TV alumnus, Charles Correll, son of legendary Charles J. Correll, aka Andy Brown (of radio's "Amos and Andy"). The producer also had problems finding a suitable title. The one now used, "Violation of Trust," while still weak, is much better than the original moniker of "She Says She's Innocent." Talk about nondescript!
The plot centers on a divorced, pregnant mother, Susan Essex (Katey Sagal), who trusts her daughter, Justine (Charlotte Ross), explicitly when she swears she knows nothing about the murder of her new friend, Vicky Gilmore (Kimberly Hooper), amid accusations that Vicky and Justine had a violent confrontation at Justine's house the night of the homicide. Deeply involved also is one of Justine's old buds, Ashley (Amy Moore Davis), a straight-A student whom Justine's mom thinks is a positive influence on her daughter but who in reality hated Vicky and attempted to stir up trouble between Justine and Vicky over a common thread boyfriend, Ryan (David Lascher). To complicate the issue, Vicky was two-months pregnant when killed. Was it Ryan's baby?
To prove her daughter's innocence, Susan conducts her own investigation but muddies the waters when she begins dating the law officer in charge of the case. Slowly the evidence uncovered begins to make sense when suddenly Vicky finds herself in a deadly encounter with the killer.
If the viewer can ignore the amateurish acting, the pedestrian direction, and the intrusive subplot concerning Susan and her ex-husband, then he/she should enjoy the above-average script and story.
