New Series 'In Defense Of' Premieres June 25 at 9/8c on Oxygen

Oxygen Media, the network for high-quality crime programming, debuts a new original series “In Defense Of” on Saturday, June 25 at 9pm ET/PT. From award-winning producers Magical Elves comes the psychologically thrilling crime series that explores the complex relationships between notorious defendants and the attorneys who represented them. The top defense lawyers on the infamous cases of Timothy McVeigh, Jodi Arias, Branch Davidians member Clive Doyle and Ted Bundy will share their very personal, at times provocative take on events.  From putting their reputations on the line, and in some cases their own lives, to the personal sacrifices made the series highlights what these lawyers endured in order to defend the largely unfavored.

In each hour-long, standalone episode, “In Defense Of” will give viewers a unique point of view on headline-grabbing cases with first-hand accounts from their high-profile defense attorneys. From riveting details of the most personal moments between attorney and client to their staunch belief in protection of rights for all Americans, each episode will detail the evolution of their relationships and have you questioning your own preconceptions of each case.

The series includes the following four cases: 

Timothy McVeigh: The Oklahoma City Bomber

Defense Attorney: Chris Tritico

Chris Tritico was one of the lead defense attorneys representing Timothy McVeigh in the Oklahoma City Bombing case in 1997, which became the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil up until 9/11, killing 168 people and injuring over 600. Tritico was one of only five attorneys in the country who raised their hand to defend McVeigh. During the trial, Tritico surprisingly forged a very close relationship with McVeigh and ultimately became the most trusted member on his defense team. McVeigh was executed in 2001 for his crimes.

Clive Doyle: The Branch Davidians

Defense Attorney: Dan Cogdell

Successful defense attorney Dan Cogdell represented Clive Doyle during the 1993 case of the Branch Davidians. After a 51 day standoff ended in the tragic deaths of 75 people, the case gained national attention and was recognized as the largest military force ever used against civilian suspects. Cogdell represented Doyle alongside 16 other attorneys and the 11 Branch Davidian members that survived the event.  After a seven week trial that encompassed 130 witnesses and nearly 1,500 pieces of evidence, Doyle was acquitted of all charges. 

Jodi Arias: The Murder of Travis Alexander

Defense Attorney: Kirk Nurmi

Kirk Nurmi worked in a public defender’s office for 10 years before getting assigned to the Jodi Arias case in 2008, in which she was arrested as the lead suspect for the brutal murder of her ex-boyfriend, Travis Alexander. During the trial, Nurmi’s discomfort working on the Arias case grew exponentially to the point where he put in multiple requests for his dismissal, but was denied each time. Arias was ultimately convicted but dodged the death penalty, receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Ted Bundy: Serial Killer

Defense Attorney: John Henry Browne

John Henry Browne has represented defendants in a number of high-profile cases, but none would compare to the five years he spent defending serial killer Ted Bundy, who was accused of killing over thirty women in four states. Browne was out of law school for three years before being sought out by Bundy to cover his case. Through the course of the trial, Bundy confessed unimaginable things to Browne that he never told anyone prior. The confessions shocked Browne to his core, leading him to completely question his line of work. In 1989, Bundy was executed at a Florida State prison.

“In Defense Of” is produced by Magical Elves with Dan Cutforth, Jane Lipsitz, Casey Kriley and Russell Heldt serving as executive producers.

About Oxygen Media:

Oxygen Media is a multiplatform crime destination brand for women. Having announced the full-time shift to true crime programming in 2017, Oxygen remains one of the fastest growing cable entertainment networks with popular unscripted original programming that includes the flagship “Snapped” franchise, “Cold Justice,” “Killer Couples,” “Criminal Confessions,” and breakout hit event series such as “The Disappearance of Natalee Holloway,” “Dahmer on Dahmer: A Killer Speaks” and “Aaron Hernandez Uncovered.”  Available in more than 77 million homes, Oxygen is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Watch Oxygen anywhere: On Demand, online or across mobile and connected TVs.