Trial by Error

Jessica thrives in her role as Head Juror, as her and her fellow jurors assess the case of Mark Lee Reynolds, on trial for killing the husband of a woman he'd picked up in a bar, having only just killed his wife in a motoring accident.

I hadn't appreciated the originality of this episode. Jessica is given a murder to solve, but in completely different circumstances. Having to use her powers of deduction to convince her fellow jury members to see things differently, and look at events from a different perspective. The story is brilliant, so clever and imaginative, the court room scenes enhance the plot, so often court room sagas can be hugely dull, not so here.

A great set of characters in the jury, and an excellent character in Mark Lee Reynolds, a great turn from Tony Bill. Excellent production values as expected, the courtroom in particular feels real, not feeling like a cheap set.

One of the best, and most original episodes of Murder she Wrote, 10/10

I was still uncertain about Murder She Wrote as a series, but in the second season it seems to have found its footing and I have been enjoying many of the episodes enough to keep me going. Then this gem came up. One of the things I love about this series is that unlike most mystery series, there is nothing formulaic about Murder, She Wrote. This episode is a brilliantly plotted courtroom drama squarely in the tradition of Twelve Angry Men and Witness For the Prosecution. The acting was a little over the top from some of the guest stars, and there is one small plot point involving hospital security which is glossed over in a slightly unsatisfying manner. Except for these two minor elements, I would rate it 10 stars. But the originality and great plot ensure that I will continue the series for many seasons to come.

I used to watch this with my grandmother and recently discovered it's on a streaming service.

It's easy to write Mrs. Fletcher off as an inquisitive busybody with a penchant for turning up at murder scenes or somehow being involved with the crime of the day. But the woman is a master detective!

I've been bingeing MSE and Lord this episode is one of the best yet! It's only season 2 so I hope there are more courtroom episodes like this one.

As an SVU super fan I find most of the episodes to be a little predictable, but it's all easy watching with a mystery element. That said, the plot twist at the end is not one you will see coming. A true standout!

One of the most brilliant pieces of writing where they are relegated to a few locations. Yes, it is inpired by "12 Angry Men" but whomever pieced it together did it in a way to fit Jessica Fletcher's modus operandi. And it doesn't just stop at the first verdict, it continues into the forensic dissection of what really happend.

I LOVE seeing the new and the old stars in this. I can see why Tom Ewell would want to be in this. Also has future Oscar winner Tony Bill (for producing) as the accused. Wonderful seeing Vicki Lawrence and Richard Sanders playing against type (they are both not comedians here).

Wonderful wonderful staging and writing and direction.

One of the finest episodes of "Murder, She Wrote" boasts a stellar cast of film and television veterans in a most witty exchange of dialogue....

"At the scene of a vehicular accident": Tony Bill as Mark Lee Reynolds, Diane Lander as Stephanie Reynolds, Javier Grajeda as Paramedic, and Warren J. Kemmerling as Doctor Maurice Webster.

"At the Last Resort": Doran Clark as Becky Anderson, James Hampton as Jerry Blevins, John Davis Chandler as John Detweiler, Gregory Walcott as Willie Patchecki, and Michael Swan as Cliff Anderson.

"Inside Cabot Cove County Courthouse": Walter Mathews as Judge Philo Walker, David Ackroyd as Prosecutor Tom Casselli, Jon Cypher as Defense Attorney Max Flynn, R.J. Adams as Ballistics expert Victor Assmussen, Alan Hale Jr. as Motel owner Fenton Harris, Robert Casper as Becky Anderson's neighbor Arthur Jasper, and Macdonald Carey as Defense Attorney Oscar Ramsey.

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury" (Clockwise from lower left): Tom Ewell as Josh Corbin, Virginia Capers as Margo Webster, Arlene Golonka as Sally Conover, Richard Sanders as Gerald Richards, Lenore Kasdorf as Ally Collins, Allan Miller as Frank Lord, Gary Frank as Lee Callahan, Gene Evans as Otto Fry, Norman Burton as Drew Narramore, Vicki Lawrence as Jackie MacKay, Brock Peters as Thornton Bentley, and Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher.

Synopsis... On the night of a one-vehicle accident, paramedics arrive to rescue a severely-injured Stephanie Reynolds from the compact automobile driven by husband, Mark, who refuses treatment for his arm and shoulder injury.

At the hospital, where Mark, again, refuses treatment, Dr. Webster informs him that although there is a good chance that Stephanie may recover, she may never walk again.

Mark immediately exits the hospital in despair, to arrive at The Last Resort tavern, at which he is greeted by Becky Anderson, who asks Jerry the Bartender for a cloth to tend to Mark's facial lacerations. By midnight, Becky tells Mark that she must leave, offering to fix him a cup of coffee to offset his drinking.

A concealed Johnny Detweiler witnesses the exchange and notifies Becky's estranged husband, Cliff Anderson, who stays with Willie Patchecki. An incensed Cliff reacts, "Trial separation, she says! I'm going to kill that woman!"

About seven weeks later, Judge Philo Walker pounds his gavel inside a Cabot Cove County courtroom: "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you've heard the evidence. Now, you must decide whether the defendant...."

Some of the finest dialogue delivery of this series ensues around the chamber, as nine impatient jurors see this as a case which should never have come to trial, but as a bid by a politically ambitious District Attorney.

Two jurors, however, vote "Guilty as charged" as flashbacks of the proceedings are presented and witness testimony is re-examined by the "Undecided" Jury Chairperson, Mrs. Jessica Fletcher.

Three possible scenarios of "Fireplace Poker Flinging" are presented for Jessica and the unwilling jurors to re-examine.

Asks the edgy Radio Host Frank Lord of Jessica, "Oh, so you're the 'undecided' one?"

Answers an impatient Josh Corbin, "If she wasn't, do you think that we'd be sitting here all day, re-examining the evidence?"