Ep 1. Mourning in Greenwich

Murder and Justice: The Case of Martha Moxley is a true-crime documentary series that follows the decades-long investigation into the 1975 murder of 15-year-old Martha Moxley in Greenwich, Connecticut. The first episode, titled "Mourning in Greenwich," sets the stage for the case and introduces viewers to the victim and her community.

The episode begins with footage of the affluent town of Greenwich, known for its picturesque mansions and manicured lawns. We're introduced to Martha Moxley, a strikingly beautiful young woman with long blonde hair and a contagious smile. Through interviews with Martha's childhood friends and family members, we learn that she was a kind and caring girl who was loved by everyone who knew her.

Next, the episode sets the scene for the night of Martha's murder. On October 30, 1975, Martha's parents went out for the evening, leaving Martha and her 17-year-old brother, John, alone in their home. John went to a friend's house, and Martha stayed home and watched television. When she didn't show up for school the next day, her friends grew concerned and eventually found her beaten and bludgeoned to death on her own property. The crime shocked the close-knit community of Greenwich, and everyone was desperate for answers.

The episode then shifts focus to the investigation into Martha's murder. We meet the detectives who were tasked with solving the case, and we learn about the initial suspects: a group of teenage boys who lived in Martha's neighborhood. The boys were known troublemakers, and rumors swirled that they were involved in the murder. However, after a cursory investigation, the police cleared them of any wrongdoing.

As the years went on, the case remained unsolved. However, new evidence began to emerge in the 1990s, and suspicion turned to a new suspect: Michael Skakel, a cousin of the Kennedy family who was also a neighbor of the Moxleys. Skakel had been a prime suspect from the beginning, but he had an alibi that he was at his cousin's house the night of the murder. However, in the 1990s, two witnesses came forward to say that Skakel had confessed to the murder years earlier. The case was reopened, and Skakel was eventually arrested and tried for the crime.

The episode ends with footage of Skakel's trial, which took place in 2002. We see interviews with prosecutors, defense attorneys, and family members as they discuss the trial and the evidence presented. The trial was highly publicized, and it brought the case of Martha Moxley's murder back into the national spotlight.

Overall, "Mourning in Greenwich" sets the stage for the rest of the series by introducing viewers to the victim and her community, and by laying out the initial investigation and subsequent years of private investigation that led to the arrest of a suspect. It's a heart-wrenching and haunting episode that will leave viewers hungry for more.