Joe's old friend John Bright Star is accused of killing Clara McDermott, a woman who had befriended him. Joe and Cotton are picked for jury duty and Judge Lamprey is presiding, his family was killed by Apaches. After a quick trial Joe is the lone not guilty vote but is soon joined by Cotton and muleskinner Abbie Heffernan who has ideas about marrying Cotton. While the jury deliberates Parmalee sends Chad to look for evidence that will corroborate Bright Star's alibi. Parmalee, Eric and the Judge fend off a lynch mob and Parmalee concocts a re-enactment of the crime he hopes will catch the real killer.