Taking the Stand Season 3, Episode 13: Richard Merritt

1

William Zelenski

Exotic animal dealer William "Wild Bill" Zelenski is accused of murdering his girlfriend's 18-year-old son, Ryelee Manente-Powell after he stole $27,000 worth of venomous and exotic reptiles. He claims it was an accident and will take the stand to explain what really happened.

42 min

2

George Wagner

The Wagners stand accused of murdering eight members of the Rhoden family over a bitter child custody dispute. While several members of the Wagner family have plead guilty, George Wagner IV will take the stand and try to convince the jury he played no role in the massacre.

42 min

3

Travis Rudolph

An argument between former NFL player Travis Rudolph and his ex-girlfriend escalates into a gunfight with her brother and his friends. Rudolph will take the stand to claim he had no choice but to open fire 39 times to defend himself. Will a jury believe he was justified or decide he went too far?

42 min

4

Zachary Wester

Zachary Wester, a Sheriff Deputy from Jackson County Florida, stands accused of planting drugs on unsuspecting motorists during routine traffic stops. He's been charged with over 65 counts and faces up to 85 years in prison if found guilty. Will he be able to convince a jury his stops were by the book or will he be guilty of betraying the badge and the community he served?

42 min

5

Theodore Edgecomb

During a road rage incident, Theodore Edgecomb shoots and kills predominant immigration lawyer Jason Cleereman. Charging him with 1st degree intentional homicide, the state contends it was a cold-blooded murder. Edgecomb has decided to take the stand to convince the jury he shot Cleereman in self-defense. Will the jury believe him and spare him from life in prison?

42 min

6

Ryan Duke

Georgia high school teacher Tara Grinstead's sudden disappearance in 2005 goes unexplained for 11 years until a surprising statement to law enforcement from Bo Dukes, a former student, names his friend and former classmate, Ryan Duke, as her killer. Fighting for his freedom, Ryan Duke takes the stand at his trial to assert who he says is the true killer. Will his testimony be enough to convince the jury he didn't murder Tara Grinstead?

42 min

7

Delinord Dumerc

In 2019 Delinord Dumercy takes the stand for the second time, claiming that his decision to shoot and ultimately kill James Peoples was in self-defense and not murder. Although this horrific event is witnessed by multiple people and captured on camera, Dumercy's first trial ended in a hung jury. Will prosecutors be able to convince a jury that Dumercy is guilty of murder? Or will they find him innocent after he claims that he was being hunted like an animal by James Peoples all along?

42 min

8

Anthony Todt

After the brutal murder of a mom, her children, and the family dog rocks a picture-perfect Orlando suburb--all signs point to the dad, Tony Todt. But Tony's own tear-soaked and unpredictable testimony points to the person you'd least expect, and there is no evidence to prove him wrong. Will Tony Todt be able to convince the jury he did not murder his family?

42 min

9

Dean Cummings

Skiing icon Dean Cummings is on trial for the shooting death of Guillermo Arriola, a local New Mexican rancher who was only armed with a can of mace. Cummings claims the shooting was done in self-defense. With no other witnesses, the jury will have to weigh the forensics against Cummings testimony. Will they acquit him or find him guilty of first degree murder?

42 min

10

Cindy Schulz

In 2006, Ken Juedes was found dead by his wife, Cindy Shulz-Juedes. For 13 years the case went cold until investigators linked her to the murder. Cindy Shulz-Juedes has decided to take the stand with the hope of convincing the jury she is innocent, and her husband's real killer is still at large.

42 min

11

Andrew Mitchell

During a routine undercover prostitution sting, Columbus Vice Detective Andrew Mitchell shoots and kills 23-year-old Donna Dalton Castleberry. Mitchell takes the stand, claiming he feared for his life but the Prosecution argues that Donna, locked in the backseat of a car, was no longer a threat. An audio recording of the entire incident will prove to be a key piece of evidence. Will the jury decide this was a justified killing?

42 min

12

Andre McDonald

An American Dream becomes a tragedy when San Antonio businesswoman Andreen McDonald goes missing. Four years later, her husband, Air Force Major, Andre McDonald, is on trial for her murder. Facing life in prison, McDonald takes the stand. Will the jury believe he's the victim of a domestic dispute gone wrong or a cold-blooded monster?

42 min

13

Richard Merritt