In 2003, twenty years after the murder of Mary Fisher, Internal Affairs Officer Sgt. Ian Lynch is assigned to investigate Eric's claim of official misconduct against Russell, now a Lieutenant. Lynch confronts Russell with the allegation, but pressure from the department threatens to derail any chance of a re-investigation. Meanwhile, with the help of a troubled cellmate, Eric discovers a startling piece of overlooked evidence in his legal files.

Two decades after the murder, a series of newspaper articles about the Fisher case sways public sentiment in Eric's favor. Eric prepares for an evidentiary hearing that could lead to a retrial with a new, elite lawyer, Bernard Poulos. LAPD cold case detectives begin building a new case against Eric, until a break comes in the form of Melanie Pruitt - a childhood friend of Eric's with a story that may shed new light on the Fisher murder.

Thirteen years after the murder, Eric faces his first parole hearing and a real shot at an early release. Det. Russell is determined to keep Eric where he thinks he belongs: behind bars. In a last-ditch attempt to prove his innocence, Eric hires private investigator Charlie Shannon.

Private investigator Charlie Shannon travels to Mexico to track down Amy Harlow, an old friend of Eric's, who may be his last chance at getting out of prison. Behind bars, Eric learns that another inmate plans on killing him.

Twenty years after Mary Fisher's death, Internal Affairs Sgt. Lynch and Det. Chen fly to Texas to interview Trey Carano, a former friend of Eric's, who shares his account of Eric's whereabouts in the days and hours leading up to the murder.