Barbara Sabich Dead Polhemus, Carolyn
Scott Turow's Presumed Innocent ends with Barbara killing Carolyn to exact revenge on Rusty for his adultery. As Rusty reviews the evidence from Carolyn's apartment, he starts to see a glass from his own house that he knows he couldn't have placed there. After Rusty's trial falls apart in the book, he puts the bits together and confronts Barbara about her part in Carolyn's death. Rusty was framed by his wife, who left a semen sample and fingerprints at the crime site, not by Tommy Molto, his competitor.
Barbara wanted Rusty to do time in prison for Carolyn's murder, but corruption and incompetence in Kimble County's courts threw off her plans. Fascinatingly, the book never specifically reveals Barbara's intention in framing Rusty. Knowing that, as a brilliant attorney he would solve the case and have to face what Barbara had done to him, Rusty believes Barbara framed him to put him through the emotional roller coaster at the end of Presumed Innocent. Alternatively, Detective Lipranzer (Detective Rodriguez in the Apple TV+ version) believes that Barbara wanted Rusty to go to prison for Carolyn's murder, but corruption and incompetence in Kimble County's justice system destroyed her scheme.
Carolyn Polhemus Dumped Rusty for Raymond Horgan
Carolyn Polhemus is exposed in the original book to have had several indiscretions both before and after her marriage to Rusty. Carolyn was having an affair with Raymond Horgan, mentor and boss of Rusty, at the time of her murder. Finding this truth causes Rusty and Raymond to grow permanently apart, which results in Raymond showing up as a prosecution witness in the trial. Although it seems improbable that this specific story point from the book will show up on the Presumed Innocent TV show because Rusty has persuaded Raymond to represent him in court, it could cause some disagreement between the duo.
Starting with a decent Rotten Tomatoes rating, Presumed Innocent, Jake Gyllenhaal's first lead role in a television series, seems promising.
Carolyn Was Active in Some Shady Dealings
Presumed Innocent reveals that Carolyn concealed evidence from the Bunny Davis murder trial, reportedly the reason Liam Reynolds ordered Carolyn's murder. Although Scott Turow's original work does not have this plot, the book's version of Carolyn nevertheless exhibits legal misconduct. Rusty's defense in the book mostly centers on the so-called "B file," an allegation about a judge taking bribes for milder penalties. Carolyn finally stashed the papers in a drawer since, upon further inquiry, she discovered she would be linked to any corruption allegations having paid the funds for the fraudulent judge.
Rusty thought the B file motivated Carolyn's murder, much as the second semen sample in Presumed Innocent's case against Liam Reynolds. In fact, though, his awareness of the file resulted in his innocence for another reason. Assessed to Rusty's matter was Larren Lyttle, the dishonest judge. Judge Lyttle quickly called off the trial, acquitting Rusty of Carolyn's murder, worried that more debate of the B file might expose his earlier transgressions. Though time will tell, there isn't much so far to imply Judge Lyttle is similarly dishonest on the Apple TV+ show.
Obsession with Carolyn Collapses Tommy Molto's Case Against Rusty
Tommy Molto, played by Peter Sarsgaard in the TV series, is rather a sad character in Presumed Innocent. Jealousy over the accused's involvement with Carolyn Polhemus drives Molto's relentless hunt of Rusty in the book. The TV version has hints of this, which will probably get more noticeable as the weeks pass. Molto's jealously of Rusty and his will to get justice for Carolyn meant he took short cuts and compromised his case in the book.
Alejandro Stern, Rusty's defense attorney, reveals in one of the last courtroom moments the medical examiner, Dr. Kumagai, for failing to sufficiently track a DNA sample matching Rusty's blood type. Clearly linking Kumagai and Molto in front of the judge and jury, Stern strongly implies—that the prosecutor created the one piece of DNA evidence against Rusty. This plus Tommy's circumstantial evidence will enable Judge Lyggy to use Molto as a scapegoat when she dismisses the case at Presumed Innocent's trial at its climax.
Presumed Innocent: The Book's Greatest Reveals & Carolyn Polhemus's Killing Agent
Reading Scott Turow's original book can help one figure out who killed Carolyn Polhemus in Presumed Innocent, Jake Gyllenhaal's new crime drama. Presumed Innocent is a contemporary rendition of Scott Turow's tale of lust, murder, and betrayal starring Jake Gyllenhaal as hotshot prosecutor Rusty Sabich. After Carolyn Polhemus, his former mistress, is discovered dead, prosecutor Rusty Sabich faces life-long trial. Rusty's guilt becomes secondary in the book to a more general narrative about how institutional corruption and other events may impede the right to a fair trial.
Previously written for a 1990 film starring Harrison Ford and Greta Scaachi as Rusty and Carolyn, Presumed Innocent was Based on Presumed Innocent's first two episodes, it seems to be veering somewhat differently from the original book, with Jake Gyllenhaal's twitchy and enraged Rusty feeling far more guilty than his literary equivalent ever did. The AppleTV+ adaptation's central concern is who killed Carolyn Polhemus; it even generates a brand-new suspect not seen in the book. Still, by going back over the 1987 book, one may be able to identify who of Presumed Innocent's characters carried out the terrible murder.
The main cast of Presumed Innocent
Actor; Role in Presumed Innocent
Jake Gyllenhaal, Rusty Sabich
Ruth Negga; Bruce Sabich
Raymond Horgan; Bill Camp
Renate Reinsive; Carolyn Polhemus
Peter Sarszag; Tommy Molto
Lorraine Horghan; Elizabeth Marvel
Chase Infiniti; Chase Sabich
Kingston Rumi Southwick; Kyle Sabich
Lily Rabe; Dr. Liz Rush
Noma Dumezweni; Judge Lyttle
“Presumed Innocent” is an eight-episode limited series starring and executive produced by Jake Gyllenhaal, hailing from David E. Kelley and executive producer J.J. Abrams and is based on the New York Times bestselling novel of the same name by Scott Turow. Starring Gyllenhaal in the lead role of chief deputy prosecutor Rusty Sabich, the series takes viewers on a gripping journey through the horrific murder that upends the Chicago Prosecuting Attorney’s office when one of its own is suspected of the crime. As the accused battles to keep his family and marriage intact, the show looks at obsession, sex, politics, and the power and restrictions of love. The star-studded ensemble cast of the thriller also includes Ruth Negga, Bill Camp, Elizabeth Marvel, Peter Sarsgaard, O-T Fagbenle and Renate Reinsve.
Presumed Innocent streams weekly, Wednesdays on Apple TV+.
