POLICE WOMAN: TRIAL BY PREJUDICE (TV)
Summary
One in this series of police dramas concerning the cases of Sgt. Pepper Anderson and her team of investigators.
A break-in is in progress at a warehouse, and Pepper learns about it through one of her contacts at a massage parlor. The criminals make photographic records of documents in a file cabinet. Pepper and Sergeant Crowley arrive and arrest the criminals’ driver, a young woman, and pat her down. The police surround the building as the criminals make their way up to the roof and escape, evading all detection. Pepper interrogates the young woman, Nina Daniels, in the back of her police car, who is angry and resistant at first. She kisses Pepper and then screams, claiming that Pepper molested her. Pepper is highly upset at this turn of events, more so when she learns that Nina was released due to lack of evidence of her involvement with the robbery. The higher-ups at the police office believe Nina’s claims, and may take action against Pepper. Meanwhile Nina returns to her fellow criminals and examines the photos, taken of credit and ordering information for a company, which could be sold for at least several hundred thousand dollars.
Pepper discovers that Sergeants Tripp and Dalton have been assigned to investigate the case of her supposed improper conduct; Captain Harris indicates that such actions are required of him by his superiors. Tripp and Dalton ask Pepper questions about the incident with Nina and do not believe her story. They inquire about a “Marlena Simpson,” although Pepper refuses to speak about her. When she continues to refuse, Captain Harris orders her to turn in her badge pending the trial. Sergeant Crowley goes to visit Nina and ask her about the events leading up to her arrest; she claims she went out drinking with a friend before leaving and pulling over to “cool off.” Sergeant Crowley is suspicious of her behavior and doesn’t believe her story, particularly since she is clad only in a towel and discards it during their conversation. Sergeant Crowley issues her a warning before leaving.
Later, Sergeant Crowley asks Pepper about Marlena Simpson, whom she reveals was an officer who retired six years earlier after being charged with homosexual activity. Sergeant Crowley says he was called off of the case after Nina reported him to internal affairs, claiming harassment. On his own he re-checks the buildings in the warehouse district where the break-in took place and discovers evidence of the criminals’ presence. He reports his findings and notes that the building manager reported a series of misfiled invoices, and they suspect that the criminals obtained the records in order to bill customers with their own purchase orders, swindling money away from them. Sergeant Crowley takes Pepper aside to observe as two female prisoners she arrested previously are questioned by Tripp and Dalton. They have seen the recent news about Pepper and claim that she molested them in a similar manner as Nina. Pepper claims they are lying and taking advantage of the situation, but recognizes that it does not bode well for her case.
Sergeant Crowley decides to visit Marlena, who is unwilling to talk to him until he mentions Pepper’s name. Meanwhile, Pepper secretly follows Nina. Marlena is to be subpoenaed for Pepper’s trial, although she says that her testimony may be helpful towards her. She has had a successful career in the business world since resigning from the force, but points out that even in her new job her superiors would dismiss her if it became known that she is a lesbian, which she confirms that she is. She explains that she and Pepper were roommates at the police academy, and reveals that her homosexuality made Pepper uncomfortable and she asked her to move out. Pepper tracks Nina to a hideout and calls into the police station to inform her co-workers. Nina goes out again to deliver more scam invoices and Pepper holds her up with a gun. She forces Nina to let her inside before they get into a struggle. Pepper’s gun accidentally goes off and shoots Nina before the other criminals knock Pepper unconscious. Nina dies and the other criminals abandon them both. Sergeant Crowley arrives and finds Pepper sprawled out next to Nina’s body.
Captain Harris is forced to arrest Pepper and put her in a cell, despite Sergeant Crowley’s objections. They argue before the deputy district attorney is forced to admit that Pepper’s story has too much credibility to dismiss. Captain Harris releases her, but the trial is still on. Sergeant Crowley sends Royster on an unspecified undercover assignment. He comforts Pepper, who is emotionally drained by all the recent events. He takes her home, where Marlena is waiting for her. Pepper doesn’t want her to testify, fearing for her well-being if her homosexuality were to become known, but Marlena is determined to help her no matter the cost. The hearing begins and Pepper is officially charged. Sergeant Crowley and Styles search for Nina’s accomplices based on composites provided by Pepper. They find one of them, Jacobs, and he leads them on a chase through the city streets before they capture and arrest him. Jacobs claims to be uninvolved with the murder and Sergeant Crowley offers to reduce the charges against him if he cooperates with the police. He rats out John Silvano as his associate and gives the location of his office, and offers to testify about the circumstances of Nina’s death.
Royster poses as an assistant district attorney and convinces the two criminals brought in to testify against Pepper that their convictions will be overturned if Pepper is found guilty. In their excitement they talk about how their accusations have no basis in fact, and their conversation is recorded and used as evidence to support Pepper in the trial; the women are immediately returned to prison. However, there is still doubt about Pepper’s actions and Marlena is called to the stand. Marlena enters just as Sergeant Crowley and Styles return to the station with Jacobs in tow. Before Marlena can testify, Pepper offers her resignation to the board in order to protect her. However, Sergeant Crowley interrupts the proceedings to allow Jacobs to present his evidence, and he finds an excuse to tear up Pepper’s resignation form. In light of the new evidence, the charges are dropped and Pepper resumes her position on the police force. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: October 12, 1976 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:49:28
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:54143
- GENRE: Drama, police/private detective
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, police/private detective; LGBT Collection; Women's Collection - Drama
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1974-1978
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Bruce Gerber … Executive Producer
- Douglas Benton … Producer
- George Lehr … Associate Producer
- Barry Shear … Director
- Robert Collins … Created by
- Sean Baine … Writer
- Morton Stevens … Music by, Theme Music by
- Angie Dickinson … Cast, Sgt. Suzanne "Pepper" Anderson
- Earl Holliman … Cast, Sgt. Bill Crowley
- Charles Dierkop … Cast, Royster
- Ed Bernard … Cast, Styles
- Carol Lynley … Cast, Nina Daniels
- Edward Binns … Cast, John Silvano
- Jack Ging … Cast, Capt. Harris
- John Kerry … Cast, Sgt. Tripp
- Adam Wade … Cast, Sgt. Dalton
- Pat Crowley … Cast, Marlena Simpson
- Susan Gailey … Cast, Rosie
- Colleen Meeker … Cast, Fran
- Fred Lerner … Cast, Jacobs
- Charles Cooper … Cast, The Chairman
- Joe Ross … Cast, The Office Manager
- John McCann … Cast, Lt. Williams
- Norman Rice … Cast, Capt. Walters
- Larry Douglas … Cast, Asst. D.A. Troupe
- Nancy Hsueh … Cast, T.J.
- Katie Hopkins Zerby … Cast, Sally
- Michael Talbott … Cast, Officer #1