Open Murder — AI Summary

Summary

After teenager Cody Patton confesses to the brutal murder of Micaela Costanzo, his defense attorney and the victim’s family grow suspicious of the narrative. Despite a seemingly open-and-shut case, investigators discover inconsistencies that suggest the full story—and the potential involvement of others—remains buried.

Key Topics

• Open Murder: Open murder is used by prosecutors to ensure that once a case reaches trial, a jury has the flexibility to convict based on the evidence presented rather than being locked into one specific charge. It effectively lowers the risk of a defendant being acquitted entirely due to technicalities. For this case, it ensures Patton will face a jury that can determine if his actions constituted first-degree murder, second-degree murder, or manslaughter.
• Defense Investigator: In high-stakes cases like this, defense attorneys use private investigators to find contradictions in police reports and witness testimonies. By examining the 'sniff test' of a confession, these investigators can build a case for mitigation—in this instance, saving Patton from a potential death penalty by exploring alternative explanations for the crime.

Key Takeaways

• Monitor the upcoming developments in the Patton trial regarding potential new evidence.