The sole witness to the murder is Billy, a mentally challenged kid who claims he saw a guy in a van with a dog push the victim from it onto the street. The defense lawyer makes him look unreliable at the preliminary hearing, resulting in a walk for the perp and humiliation for Billy.
Eventually, they find the victim's dog and renew pursuit of the defendant, who has stolen Billy's dog to extort silence from him. When they re-arrest the creep, Billy's dog isn't there.
Convention calls for either (or both) of two steps to resolution: 1 - the vic's dog barks and lunges at the lout that killed his owner, confirming the ID. 2 - they find Billy's dog unharmed for a joyful reunion. Neither is used.
Kudos to the writers for finding an alternative to those tropes. Extra effort deserves recognition.
Eventually, they find the victim's dog and renew pursuit of the defendant, who has stolen Billy's dog to extort silence from him. When they re-arrest the creep, Billy's dog isn't there.
Convention calls for either (or both) of two steps to resolution: 1 - the vic's dog barks and lunges at the lout that killed his owner, confirming the ID. 2 - they find Billy's dog unharmed for a joyful reunion. Neither is used.
Kudos to the writers for finding an alternative to those tropes. Extra effort deserves recognition.
