American Justice Season 2000 Episode 19 Free to Murder Again

In the 19th episode of American Justice's 2000 season, "Free to Murder Again," the show explores the disturbing case of John Eric Armstrong, a man with a long history of violent crimes who was released from prison only to commit murder shortly after.

The episode begins by introducing viewers to Armstrong's troubled past. As a young man, he had already been convicted of multiple crimes, including burglary and assault. After being released from prison, he continued to rack up numerous charges, ranging from public intoxication to murder.

Despite Armstrong's violent tendencies, he was released from prison again in 1997 due to overcrowding. Just a few months after his release, he committed another murder, this time of his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend.

The episode delves into the investigation that followed Armstrong's arrest for the double homicide. Viewers are presented with a timeline of events in the case, including the discovery of the victims' bodies and interviews with witnesses.

Through interviews with law enforcement officials and prosecutor's, the episode also explores the larger issue of overcrowding in prisons and the impact it has on public safety. Armstrong's case is used as an example of the dangers of releasing violent offenders early simply due to a lack of space in the prison system.

The episode also examines the use of plea bargaining in criminal justice cases. Armstrong was offered a plea deal that would have resulted in a life sentence with no chance of parole, but he opted to go to trial instead. The prosecutor's explain their reasoning behind offering a plea deal and the difficulties they faced in securing a conviction against Armstrong without the help of key witnesses who were reluctant to testify.

Overall, "Free to Murder Again" is a chilling look at a case of violent recidivism and the systemic issues that contributed to it. The episode raises important questions about the criminal justice system and the need for meaningful reform to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.