TAKING THE STAND tells the story of a crime from the unique lens of the accused as they take the witness stand. Hosted by Dan Abrams each episode will cover everything from first-hand defendant testimony, juxtaposed with the contentious cross examination.
When an off-duty Dallas police officer shoots a man in his own apartment, the jury will have to decide if it was murder or a tragic mistake. Amber Guyger takes the stand in her own defense to convince the jury not to lock her away for up to 99 years.
When a parolee is bounced from his job, he seeks retribution on a peaceful, unwitting community when he kidnaps, tortures and kills a mother and caregiver.
Shayna Hubers takes the stand to defend herself after she brutally murdered her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Ryan Poston. She willingly takes the stand to prove her actions were in self-defense, by showing Ryan's abusive side.
A shootout with police in West Virginia leads to the arrest of a 23-year-old Texas man, who is charged with savagely killing an elderly couple, robbing them and burning down their home.
Former Houston doctor Leon Jacob is currently serving a life sentence after being found guilty after he and his girlfriend, Valerie McDaniel, plotted the murder of his ex-girlfriend and Valerie's ex-husband.
Sean Foley stands accused in the shooting death of his girlfriend's step-father, Jimmy Shelton. After a booze-filled evening, Sean fatally shoots Jimmy on Jimmy's own back porch. Sean claims that Jimmy was the aggressor that night.
When railroad mechanic Robert Limon is shot and killed by Jonathan Hearn, an investigation leads to Robert's widow--and spurs questions about her involvement in the crime. Sabrina Limon takes the stand.
When a university student and athlete is stabbed to death following a minor traffic incident, a 24-year-old fast food worker is indicted on a second-degree murder charge. Luke VanHemert takes the stand to address inconsistencies in his story.
George Burch stands accused of the brutal murder of Nicole VanderHeyden, a 31 year old mother of three. He willingly takes the stand to prove he is not guilty and provide the jury with an alternative suspect.