Garland Booker is found shot and killed inside his car; his brother Cecil's body is nearby. The Bookers both had lengthy rap sheets for robbery. The detectives identify the killer as George Costas, the owner of a jewelry store. Costas says that he shot the Bookers in self-defense after they tried to rob him at gunpoint. But it quickly becomes apparent that they never even entered the store; he shot them while they were trapped behind a security gate. A jury will be sympathetic to Costas because he's been a victim of multiple robberies before.
But the detectives discover that Costas previously killed another would-be robber, and it was excused as self-defense. Then he moved to a neighborhood with a high rate of armed robberies - as if he were trying to make himself an attractive target for criminals. Furthermore, forensics show that after the Bookers ran from his store, he re-loaded his gun, followed them into the street, and shot Garland again. Costas insists he's in the right, and refuses a plea. Stone becomes determined to win the case; wanting to prove that the law shouldn't condone vigilantism.
In court, Costas plays to the jury's patriotic feelings by saying that he's grateful to be in the USA and have the right to carry arms. He is an immigrant from Greece, where civilians are not allowed guns. He insists Garland Booker was reaching for what Costas believed to be a crowbar inside the car; and shot him again in self-defense. Costas' lawyer calls Cerreta as a witness because of his experience in testifying in cases of police shootings. Cerreta says that in his opinion, Costas shooting at the Bookers inside the store was justified. But he considers it to be excessive force to then follow them outside. He says that in that situation he would not have fired until he knew for certain that Garland was pulling a weapon.
Stone ultimately convinces the jury that Costas used excessive force. They convict him of Garland Booker's murder but acquit him of Cecil's. But Costas subsequently launches an appeal (which he's likely to win.) Members of the jury tell press that they think he did nothing wrong, but felt under pressure to convict him.
- No Kill like Overkill: Costas not only fatally wounded Garland Booker, but chased him out into the street and shot him in the back several more times as he was running away.
- Self-Defense Ruse: The basic claim of the prosecution is that killing the Bookers was this. The jury is convinced in one case, but not the other, and it appears the first will be overturned on appeal.
- Vigilante Injustice: Stone, on going after Costas:"If we let him walk, we're endorsing an armed populace that metes out justice as they see fit."
