Ep 7. The Hit That Wasn't

The beloved true crime series "Death Row Stories" returns with season 5 and the seventh episode, titled "The Hit That Wasn't", explores the story of Larry Fitzgerald and Dennis Escobar.

The episode opens with a chilling black and white reenactment of a murder-for-hire plot. The viewers are then brought into the real-life world of two young men who are accused of committing the crime. Larry Fitzgerald and Dennis Escobar are two best friends from New York, who run in the same circles as notorious gangsters.

The prosecution's case is built on the testimony of one star witness, who claims that Fitzgerald paid him to carry out the hit. However, as the episode unfolds, it becomes clear that the testimony is fraught with inconsistencies and lies. The witness, who is believed to be the actual hitman, claims to have been coerced into testifying by the prosecution, who promised him immunity from prosecution if he testified against Fitzgerald and Escobar.

The episode takes a deep dive into the case, exploring the motives, the evidence, and the key players involved. It showcases the sharp tactics used by the prosecution to manipulate the witnesses and the jury. The audience is shown interviews with various experts, including lawyers, detectives, and journalists, who all agree that the prosecution's case was weak, and the defendants were most likely innocent.

The episode also explores the challenges faced by Fitzgerald and Escobar's families. It shows their struggle to find justice for their loved ones in a system where the odds were stacked against them. The families felt helpless, knowing that their loved ones were innocent but unable to prove it in a court of law.

The episode then takes a shocking turn, revealing a breakthrough in the case that could turn the tide in Fitzgerald and Escobar's favor. The new evidence points to the possibility of a massive cover-up orchestrated by the prosecution, involving the use of coercion and manipulation to secure a conviction.

In conclusion, "The Hit That Wasn't" is a gripping tale of two friends caught up in a dangerous world of crime and corruption. It gives an in-depth look at the flaws and limitations of the American justice system and how it can be manipulated to serve certain interests over others. The episode keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats, wondering if Fitzgerald and Escobar will ever get the chance to prove their innocence and escape a life on death row.