ABC SUNDAY NIGHT MOVIE: THE PREPPIE MURDER (TV)
Summary
This made-for-television production, based on a true case, tells the story of Robert Chambers, who was convicted of killing Jennifer Levin in New York's Central Park in 1986. The narrative begins at Dorrian's Red Hand bar, with Robert meeting Jennifer for the first time. The next day, Jennifer and her friends celebrate their high school graduation and exchange friendship bracelets. Meanwhile, Robert makes plans for a robbery with David Fillyaw. That night, Robert steals money from a lover, Candace, while she showers after their sexual encounter. Later, Robert's mother -- a private nurse -- finds some drugs in his closet, upsetting her. That night at Dorian's, Robert gets punched by a "bridge and tunnel" bar patron. Afterward, he runs into Jennifer, who invites him to walk with her. Eventually, the two find themselves getting intimate on a rooftop. Later, Jennifer discusses her feelings about Robert with pal Alex LaGatta, noting that she doesn't feel completely comfortable around him. The next time they meet at Dorian's, Jennifer tells Robert he's the best sex she's ever had. This angers Robert, but eventually he is convinced to talk further with Jennifer. Returning to the bar, sometime-girlfriend Kim publicly breaks up with Robert, before a saddened Robert allows a lovestruck Jennifer to walk him home. Eventually, the two find themselves in Central Park. The next day, Jennifer is found dead in the park as a scratched-up Robert watches from afar. Detectives Mike Sheehan and Joe Quinn are quickly on the case. Sheehan comments on the expensive "rich kid" clothes which Jennifer was wearing when she was killed. Visiting the Levin household, Sheehan and Quinn look through Jennifer's bedroom for any evidence. Afterward, they head to the morgue with Arnold Domenitz, Jennifer's grandfather, to examine the body. Meanwhile, a media circus has erupted. Soon, other people, such as Ellen Levin, Jennifer's birth mother, have heard about the murder. Eventually, Robert is taken to the Central Park Precinct for questioning. There, Sheehan and Quinn speak with Robert, who an accompanying officer insists is "a good kid." Robert claims that his scratches were caused by his cat before discussing his relationship with Jennifer. Soon, Sheehan and Quinn are interrogating Robert further, finding inconsistencies with his account of the events. Eventually, Robert says that Jennifer "hurt" him -- raping him -- before revealing his account of how he came to accidentally kill her. Sheehan and Quinn find Robert's claims dubious. Afterward, Robert's father speaks with his son. Soon, district attorney Linda Fairstein is examining the evidence, preparing to face off against Robert's attorney Jack Litman. Litman, meanwhile, tries to cull the best possible character witnesses, including the archbishop of Newark. As the trial begins, Litman succeeds in getting bail for Robert and putting him into the hands of Father Leonard and the church. Litman pushes for a charge of involuntary manslaughter, but Fairstein refuses, thinking it to be murder one. Later, Sheehan stops Candace, informing her that she is already "a part" of the investigation. Meanwhile, Litman "contaminates" the public's view of Jennifer by telling the newspapers that she had a "sex diary." Later, the judge forces Jennifer's father, Steven, to hand over the diary. One night, Robert dines with Kim, talking about how he wishes the trial was over and he was free. As the trial heats up, "Justice for Jennifer" demonstrators gather at the courthouse. At the trial, both Fairstein and Litman present their sides of the case, with Litman getting Alex to reveal Jennifer's onetime claim that she didn't like Robert as a person. Next, Fairstein and Litman question their own specifically chosen doctors -- Spitz and Kornblum -- each of whom corroborates their particular side of the argument. Kornblum refutes the prosecution's entire case, leaving Robert's fate in the hands of the jury. After nine days of deliberation, a verdict has yet to be reached by the jury. Ultimately, Fairstein allows Robert to plead guilty to manslaughter in the first degree and one case of burglary. The next day, Robert is taken to jail. Finally, a shocking and bizarre video of Robert at a party -- taped after the murder and while he was out on bail -- surfaces and airs on "A Current Affair." Also, includes an ABC News Brief presented by Tom Jarriel. Includes commercials.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: September 24, 1989 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:55:36
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:15322
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV, 1989
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - "An Innocent Man" motion picture
- TV - Commercials - "In Country" motion picture
- TV - Commercials - Actifed cold medicine
- TV - Commercials - Benadryl allergy medicine
- TV - Commercials - Cadillac automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Carnival cruise lines
- TV - Commercials - Century 21 real estate
- TV - Commercials - Chef Boyardee canned pasta
- TV - Commercials - Cutex nail polish
- TV - Commercials - Dentyne gum
- TV - Commercials - Dexatrim diet pills
- TV - Commercials - Hyundai automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Isuzu automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Leggs panty hose
- TV - Commercials - Little Caesars pizza
- TV - Commercials - Massengill douche
- TV - Commercials - Michelob Dry beer
- TV - Commercials - Northwest Airlines
- TV - Commercials - Partnership for a Drug-Free America
- TV - Commercials - Philips light bulbs
- TV - Commercials - Ponds cold cream
- TV - Commercials - Promise margarine spread
- TV - Commercials - Rave shampoo
- TV - Commercials - Royal Caribbean cruise lines
- TV - Commercials - Salon Selectives hair care
- TV - Commercials - Slim Fast diet shakes
- TV - Commercials - Subaru automobiles
- TV - Commercials - The Unsung Americans organization
- TV - Commercials - Wisk stain remover
- TV - Promos - "Anything but Love"
- TV - Promos - "Chicken Soup"
- TV - Promos - "China Beach"
- TV - Promos - "Doogie Howser, M.D."
- TV - Promos - "Good Morning America"
- TV - Promos - "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom"
- TV - Promos - "Living Dolls"
- TV - Promos - "MacGyver"
- TV - Promos - "Monday Night Football"
- TV - Promos - "Roseanne"
- TV - Promos - "The Barbara Walters Special"
- TV - Promos - "Who's the Boss?"
- TV - Promos - "World News Tonight with Peter Jennings"
CREDITS
- Jack Grossbart … Executive Producer
- Paul Pompian … Producer
- Sydell Albert … Producer
- John Herzfeld … Director, Writer
- Irv Roud … Writer
- Chris Isaak … Music by
- Simon Rogers … Music by
- Danny Aiello … Cast, Det. Mike Sheehan
- William Baldwin … Cast, Robert Chambers
- Joanna Kerns … Cast, Linda Fairstein
- Lara Flynn Boyle … Cast, Jennifer Levin
- Dorothy Fielding … Cast, Phyllis Chambers
- James Handy … Cast, Detective Joe Quinn
- William Devane … Cast, Jack Litman
- Alan Arbus … Cast, Arnold Domenitz
- Christine Healy … Cast, Ellen Levin
- Herb Mitchell … Cast, Robert Chambers, Sr.
- J.C. Quinn … Cast, Jack Dorrian
- Thalmus Rasulala … Cast, Judge Bell
- Alan Rosenberg … Cast, Dan Levin
- David Spielberg … Cast, Steven Levin
- Mike Sheehan … Cast, Lt. Doyle
- Rafael Abramovitz … Cast, Himself
- Dietrich Bader … Cast, Peter
- Sandra Bullock … Cast, Stacy
- Steve Dunleavy … Cast, Himself
- Lisanne Falk … Cast, Alex LaGatta
- Amanda Foreman … Cast, Larissa
- Tuesday Knight … Cast, Shawn
- Emily Kuroda … Cast, Reporter
- Andrew Lauer … Cast, Josh
- Maya Lebenzon … Cast, Missy
- Noelle Parker … Cast, Betsy
- Tory Polone … Cast, Casey
- Perry Reeves … Cast, Lauren
- Suzanne Snyder … Cast, Kim
- Leonard Termo … Cast, Griggs
- Dierk Torsek … Cast, Dr. Spitz
- Kim Walker … Cast, Candace
- Ricky Aiello … Cast, Policeman
- Alvin Alexis … Cast, David Fillyaw
- Kurt Andon … Cast, Polumbo
- John Apicella … Cast, Dr. Kornblum
- Michael Becker … Cast, Reporter
- Josh Devane … Cast, Young Reporter
- Rodney Eastman … Cast, Jersey
- David Goldstein … Cast, Howe
- Francis Guinan … Cast, Kendris
- Yolanda Jilot … Cast, Foreign Journalist
- DeWitt Kirk … Cast, Court Clerk
- Ava Lazar … Cast, Reporter
- Mary Mara … Cast, Susan Bird
- Paula McClure … Cast, TV Reporter
- Michael Melon … Cast, Reporter
- Michael Miller … Cast, Reporter
- John Mullally … Cast, Nightwatch Detective
- Bryan Shane … Cast, Reporter
- Lisa Specht … Cast, Reporter
- Kim Terry-Costin … Cast, Arlene Levin
- Joe Wizan … Cast, Mr. Maitland
- Lauren Scionti … Cast, Chambermaid #1
- Nicole Hansen … Cast, Chambermaid #2
- Lisa Patruno … Cast, Chambermaid #3
- Alan Blumenfeld … Cast
- For "ABC News Brief"
- Tom Jarriel … Anchor