Warning! Contains spoilers for Apple TV+’s Presumed Innocent.
Summary
Presumed Innocent’s episode 3 makes some intriguing new reveals about the central murder case while also explaining what could potentially happen if Rusty pleads guilty. Created by David E. Kelley,Apple TV+‘sPresumed Innocentwalks through prosecutor Rusty Sabich’s personal and professional struggles after he becomes the prime suspect in the murder of a former colleague. By maintaining an air of ambiguity surrounding who the killer is, the Apple TV+ miniseries prompts viewers to become armchair detectives and encourages them to solve the central murder mystery.
AfterPresumed Innocent’s episodes 1 and 2set the groundwork for the overarching murder mystery, episode 3 presents crucial pieces of evidence still pointing toward Rusty, hinting he might have committed the crime. However, other plot developments suggest that, even though Rusty has made some dire mistakes in the past, he is not capable of committing the horrendous crime. As the episode progresses, a few new suspects also emerge, revealing that the murder mystery may be far more complex and multi-layered than it seems.
Presumed Innocent Cast & Character Guide
Apple TV+’s Presumed Innocent walks through a gripping courtroom drama that features several familiar actors but also ones who are relatively obscure.
8Rusty Reveals He Visited Carolyn On The Night Of Her Murder
Rusty’s Visit Makes Him Even More Suspicious
After receiving a message from a stranger that says, “YOU WERE THERE. I SAW YOU,” Rusty grows increasingly anxious. When his wife, Barbara, asks him what is happening, he comes clean about where he was on the night of Carolyn’s murder. He tells herhe had gone to Carolyn’s place to visit her the night she died, further raising suspicion surrounding his involvement in the crime. The person who texts Rusty also sends him another message on his phone, asking him to meet them at Damien Silos at 3 pm.
7Detective Rodriguez Realizes Guardia & Molto Are Biased Towards Hating Rusty
Rodriguez’s Unbiased Solo Investigation Might Help Rusty In The Long Run
InPresumed Innocentepisode 3, Detective Rodriguez visits the prosecutors, Guadia and Molto, hoping to share some insights and learn new details about the case. However, she soon realizes that Guardia and Molto are not handling the case with the purpose of serving justice to the perpetrator. They are more inclined towards playing a political game by getting Rusty arrested for the crime, regardless of whether he is responsible for it. She even tries confronting the two for taking such a biased approach and not even considering that Liam Reynolds could be responsible for the murder.
Given how Rodriguez is focusing more on finding the truth behind the murder instead of forming her opinions about it, it seems likely she will help Rusty find some crucial leads later in the series.
Guardia reaches the end of his wits when she accuses him of not thinking straight and letting his political inclinations get in the way of his judgment. As a result, she gets escorted out of his office. Given how Rodriguez is focusing more on finding the truth behind the murder instead of forming her opinions about it, it seems likely she will help Rusty find some crucial leads later in the series.
6Carolyn’s Son Michael Took Pictures During Rusty’s Visit
Michael’s Pictures Prove Rusty Was With Carolyn On The Night Of Her Murder
Despite being curious about who is sending him the messages, Rusty initially feels apprehensive about visiting Damien Silos and finding the person’s identity. Even Raymond discourages him from visiting the person. However, Rusty’s curiosity eventually gets the best of him, and he drives to the location at 3 pm. To his surprise, he finds Carolyn’s son Michael there, who confronts him by saying he saw him at his mother’s home on the night of her murder.
When Rusty questions him, Michael reveals he even took pictures and videos of him with Carolyn. Realizing that the photographic evidence could somehow help him find new leads surrounding the case or help him prove his innocence,Rusty tells Michael to either hand him the footage from the night or give it to relevant law enforcement. Michael reveals he has already given it away and confronts Rusty by saying he was the only one there that night. Rusty fires back at him by telling him that he, too, was technically at the location on the night of the murder.
Kyle’s Question Makes Rusty Wonder What His Kids Think About Him
During a family dinner, Rusty’s daughter Jaden asks him to share details about the case because she and her brother would, anyway, learn about it through other sources. Rusty agrees and starts telling her about all the circumstantial evidence that points against him — from Carolyn’s pregnancy to his visit to her home on the night of the murder. This is when, to everyone’s surprise, Kyle interrupts and asks him if he has thought about his plea. When Rusty asks him what he is talking about, Kyle encourages him to plead guilty.
Taken aback by his son’s strange request, Rusty asks him why he should plead guilty to a crime he did not commit. Kyle defends himself by responding thathe would avoid a life sentence with a guilty plea and only be put behind bars for eight years for manslaughter. This makes Rusty wonder whether Kyle believes he actually killed Carolyn. However, to his relief, Kyle later comes up to him and apologizes, saying that he only fears Rusty will lose the case.
Is Presumed Innocent Based On A True Story?
Apple TV+’s Presumed Innocent has been praised for its character development and plot, making many wonder whether it might be based on a true story.
4Guardia Encourages Molto To Gather Hard Evidence For The Murder
Guardia Notices Molto’s Intentions Are Not In The Right Place
When Guardia and Molto meet up much later in the episode, Guadia tells Molto he is trying to get back at Rusty instead of focusing on solving the case. Molto dismisses Guadia’s accusations, but it seems obvious that Guadia is right about him. Instead of doubling down on confronting Molto, Guadia encourages Molto to find hard evidence confirming that Rusty committed the crime because their current evidence is only circumstantial. Guardia realizes they will need more solid proof before confirming Rusty commited the crime, butMolto seems too consumed by his hate for Rusty.
3Raymond Refuses To Believe Liam Reynolds Has Anything To Do With Carolyn’s Murder
Rusty Explains How Evidence From The Bunny Davis Case Can Help Them Win The Case
When Rusty and Raymond look around Carolyn’s house for more evidence, Ray corners Rusty and tells him that he must stop trying to run down the contaminated semen specimen from the Bunny Davis case. He explains thatif they suggest the possibility of a new suspect in the case, they will be obligated to deliver one. And if they fail to deliver, Rusty would, by default, become the prime suspect. Rusty, however, informs Ray that the prosecution will ensure the jury is against him by showing the most brutal pictures of Carolyn’s murder.
The previously overlooked evidence from the Bunny Davis case seems to be his only solid lead for Rusty, which is why he must pursue it despite the risks involved.
The pictures from the crime scene and the photographic evidence of him at her place on the night of the murder would be enough to trigger an emotional response from the jury. Therefore, to win the case, Rusty must prove that someone else, other than him, was present at the location that night. The previously overlooked evidence from the Bunny Davis case seems to be his only solid lead for Rusty, which is why he must pursue it despite the risks involved.
2Rusty Recalls The First Time He Felt Emotionally Attached To Carolyn
He Proves Why He Cannot Be Her Killer
Mya Winslow shows up at Rusty’s office to ask him more about his relationship with Carolyn. When she asks him whether their relationship was driven by love or lust, Rusty says it was both. Shen then asks him when was the first time he felt emotionally attached to Carolyn. Rusty responds by recounting how, even though the people in his profession avoid getting emotionally invested in criminal cases, he once saw Carolyn comforting a young girl before her court hearing.
The fact that Carolyn was still able to empathize with the young girl despite being in a field where emotions are often looked down upon made Rusty fall for her. Rusty’s confession seems to convince Mya Winslow that he may not have killed Carolyn. In future episodes,this will likely encourage her to double down on her efforts to find the truth about the crime.
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1Rusty Finds Shocking Photographic Evidence From The Night Of The Murder
Rusty Spots His Son Kyle In One Of Michael’s Pictures
Rusty skims through Michael’s pictures from the night of the murder, hoping to find new leads or evidence surrounding the crime. To his surprise, he finds a blurry picture in which his son Kyle can be seen outside Carolyn’s house. Since his son might know something about who else was around Carolyn’s house, he will likely question him inPresumed Innocent’s next episode andask what he was doing near the house that night and who else he saw there.
NewPresumed Innocentepisodes are released every Wednesday on Apple TV+.
Presumed Innocent
An eight-episode limited series based on the New York Times bestselling novel of the same name by Scott Turow. Starring Gyllenhaal in the lead role of chief deputy prosecutor Rusty Sabich, the series takes viewers on a gripping journey through the horrific murder that upends the Chicago Prosecuting Attorney’s office when one of its own is suspected of the crime. The series explores obsession, sex, politics, and the power and limits of love, as the accused fights to hold his family and marriage together.
