Mike Montego, a newly appointed homicide detective assigned to Hollywood Division responds to a crime scene where the wife, Brenda Mackay, has fatally shot her husband, Coyle. She claims she was afraid her husband would beat their oldest son, Kirk, to death. The mother of four, one an infant girl, Brenda claims Coyle was drunk and she had to protect her children. Montego's senior partner tells him it's "open and shut" and to quickly write it up and then file the case with the District Attorney. Montego, however, has a different take on the facts and continues to investigate, including interviewing the oldest child. Montego also calls in his lifelong mentor, Eagon Quinn, and ex-homicide detective and now a successful defense attorney, to review the case and hopefully to defend Brenda pro bono. Quinn brings in Doctor Reichstadt, a psychiatrist to evaluate Brenda and her oldest son. Meanwhile, the District Attorney files Murder One charges against Brenda. Montego's ex-partner in patrol, Larry Titus, now a deputy district attorney, is assigned the case, his first Murder case. Although Titus has certain misgivings about trying Brenda where the death penalty is on the table, he has no choice. He puts on the best prosecution possible. Quinn pushes for and gets a speedy trial. Montego testifies, as does the psychiatrist, and Brenda's oldest boy. She also testifies. The matter goes to the jury. What subsequently occurs in the jury room is unexpected and the consequences deeply emotional.