Thursday 13^th June

9pm ITV – 2 parts

Edited by Matt Lowe and Jen Hampson

This new two-part documentary series in ITV’s Crime & Punishment strand sees Susanna Reid travel to Huntsville in Texas, home of the most active death chamber in the United States, to come face-to-face with death row inmate Patrick Murphy, who is confronting the imminent prospect of being put to death as his execution date draws ever closer. Murphy was one of the members of the notorious ‘Texas 7’ gang who violently murdered a police officer while on the run, after he and six other criminals launched one of the most infamous prison breakouts in American history. Delving into the details of the crime, Susanna discovers that Murphy may not be as culpable as she first thought of the murder itself. He didn’t pull the trigger that killed the police officer, and he wasn’t at the scene of the murder in the year 2000. Susanna meets lawyers fighting for and against his execution, the family of the victim, as well as Murphy’s son, who grew up not knowing his father until he broke out of prison and became one of the most wanted men in the United States. As Murphy lives out his last few days and hours, she gains a vivid insight into the impact his execution will have on them all.

Episode 1  on air Thursday 13^th June (Pick of the week in Radio Times)

Editor – Jen Hampson

Episode 2  on air Thursday 20^th June

Editor – Matt Lowe