With anguished pleas from prisoners proclaiming their innocence, families across the country are tormented with an excruciating question: is their convicted loved one truly guilty? Or are they innocent and serving unjust time behind bars? On a mission to uncover the truth behind potential judicial missteps, Reasonable Doubt’s retired homicide detective Chris Anderson and criminal defense attorney Fatima Silva team up once again with open minds and objective lenses to piece together the puzzling facts.
The two pore through evidence, interview key witnesses and consult previously overlooked experts to reveal the unbiased truth and ensure the right person is behind bars for the crime committed. Each episode culminates in an emotional reckoning with reality as Chris and Fatima either provide the families hope for an appeal, or the crushing reality that their loved one is rightfully convicted of murder.
A gut-wrenching new season of Reasonable Doubt returns to ID with 10 all-new cases beginning Tuesday, August 9 at 10/9c. The entire fifth season will be available to stream on discovery+ beginning October 12, along with previous seasons.
Reasonable Doubt Season 5 Overview
In the season five premiere of Reasonable Doubt, respected California probation officer Rodney Patrick McNeal gets a life sentence for murdering his pregnant wife in a fit of rage. With limited physical evidence, the conviction has never sat well with his family who are convinced McNeal was wrongfully convicted.
In a desperate, last-ditch appeal, McNeal’s daughter and sister have asked Chris and Fatima to take a second look at the case to see whether McNeal is an innocent man doing time for someone else or whether he is right where he belongs. The premiere episode, “Guiltless or Heartless,” premieres on August 9 at 10/9c on ID.
More Reasonable Doubt Season 5 Cases
There are more cases to follow, but here are some others we know so far:
“Prison Moms” – premieres August 16
The case of Laverne Fields, a woman convicted by a jury for murdering her husband as he lay in bed, despite her children insisting that he had died by suicide.
“Bringing Guns to a Fist Fight” – premieres August 30
Joel Atkin, a 2009 fateful wrong turn that led to a petty argument and spur of self-defense that leaves one man dead and Atkin behind bars.
“Murder Without Motive” – premieres September 6
Russell Holbrook, convicted of murdering Melissa Howard after a 10-year investigation and fighting to reclaim his innocence.
“Aunts and Artifacts” – premieres September 13
Garrett Arrowood, convicted of killing his aunt during a robbery gone wrong despite the family insisting that two con men were involved.
For More Info
Fans can join the conversation using #ReasonableDoubt and following ID’s socials on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
Find Chris (@Detective_Christopher_Anderson) and Fatima (FatimaSilvaESQ) on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and case updates.
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Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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I don’t have ID, but you can buy past episodes on YT. I think I’ll check out the show!
Oh that’s good to know! I didn’t know you could do that! Cool!