On The Case With Paula Zahn

On the Case With Paula Zahn is a crime and justice show hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist Paula Zahn. The show documents some of the most shocking and heinous crimes and mysteries that have taken place over the last several decades. Zahn uses her over thirty years of investigative and reporting experience to dissect each case and shed light on all of the facts, regardless of where they lead. Some of the recent cases explored include, "Last Rites," which investigates stabbing and strangling of a nun and "A Tell Tale Call," which sheds light on the murder of a young woman who works at a dating service.

Each case is explored in-depth from a variety of angles. On the Case conducts interviews with law enforcement officials who work the cases, prosecutors, the victim's family members, forensic doctors - and, sometimes, the accused. When interviewed, the accused never admit guilt but staunchly protest their innocence to Zahn regardless how damning the evidence.

Zahn, who serves as the show's narrator, outlines the crime from beginning to end. The story begins with the crime, followed by the background of the victims. Family members relay in heart-wrenching detail the victim's life, family, their goals, dreams, and how it was all taken away in the blink of an eye. Police and forensic personnel discuss their investigative tactic, and how they are able to tie the perpetrator to the crime. In some cases actual crime scene footage and pictures are shown. Prosecutors and defense attorneys are interviewed to give their spin on the case and why the feel the accuser is either guilty or innocent.

The last segment of the show usually features excerpts from the perpetrator's trial. When the guilty verdict is returned, friends and family members collapse with measured relief. Although the loved ones can never escape the heartbreak of having their loved ones taken away, they can take some solace in the fact that the perpetrators will never see the light of day again.