This movie, based upon real-life events, starts off slowly, with some lovely switches, as bad guys turn into good guys and good guys into bad. Interestingly enough, the only character that is more than sketched in by the end of the movie is that of the killer. Although all the performances are fine, particularly Meat Loaf as the investigating detective -- much to my surprise -- a story line that turns into a rather straightforward "How to Prove It" in the second half stops this from being more than a well-turned variant of a police procedural as executed by an amateur.
In terms of construction, it is just as well that this has the advantage -- or perhaps excuse -- of being based on reality. The whole issue is fixed by a piece of last-minute evidence that is submitted in court: life, unlike fiction, need not, I suppose, obey rules.
In terms of construction, it is just as well that this has the advantage -- or perhaps excuse -- of being based on reality. The whole issue is fixed by a piece of last-minute evidence that is submitted in court: life, unlike fiction, need not, I suppose, obey rules.