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Documentary•Crime

The Best Episodes of Taking the Stand

Every episode of Taking the Stand ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Taking the Stand!

Binge this in 1d 5h•Peaking at 8.4/10

The story of crimes from the unique lens of the accused as they take the witness stand.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Taking the Stand Season 1 Episode 7 - Sean Foley
    8.4/10(6 votes)

    #1 - Sean Foley

    S1:E7

    Sean Foley stands accused in the shooting death of his girlfriend's step-father, Jimmy Shelton. After a booze-filled evening, Sean fatally shoots Jimmy on Jimmy's own back porch. Sean claims that Jimmy was the aggressor that night. Foley has decided to take the stand to convince the jury that he's innocent, that the shooting was in self-defense and not cold-blooded murder.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Taking the Stand Season 2 Episode 2 - Adam Matos
    8.2/10(11 votes)

    #2 - Adam Matos

    S2:E2

    When an entire family is found in a decaying pile of bodies by the side of a Florida road, the hunt is on to find what police fear might be two more victims; a man and his son are found alive, launching a bizarre investigation.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Taking the Stand Season 1 Episode 4 - Shayna Hubers
    8.0/10(7 votes)

    #3 - Shayna Hubers

    S1:E4

    Shayna Hubers takes the stand to defend herself after she brutally murdered her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Ryan Poston. She willingly takes the stand to prove her actions were in self-defense, by showing Ryan's abusive side.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Taking the Stand Season 1 Episode 5 - Eric Campbell
    8.0/10(7 votes)

    #4 - Eric Campbell

    S1:E5

    A shootout with police in West Virginia leads to the arrest of a 23-year-old Texas man, who is charged with savagely killing an elderly couple, robbing them and burning down their home. Facing the death penalty, the defendant decides to take the stand and points the finger at the surprising suspect he claims committed the horrific crimes.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Taking the Stand Season 2 Episode 5 - Lynlee Renick
    8.0/10(9 votes)

    #5 - Lynlee Renick

    S2:E5

    When renowned snake-breeder Ben Renick is found dead in his snake facility, law enforcement assume he is a victim of one of his deadly snakes... until the coroner finds bullet casings hidden behind shelves. Three years of investigation eventually lead police to Ben's wife, Lynlee Renick. Lynlee takes the stand to confess that she was present the day her husband got murdered but claims her innocence and points the finger at her ex-boyfriend, Michael Humphrey, and reveals that Ben was anything but the loving husband everyone assumed.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Taking the Stand Season 2 Episode 7 - Joshua Aide
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #6 - Joshua Aide

    S2:E7

    Joshua Aide is on trial for the murder of his ex-girlfriend's father, as well as her attempted murder and that of a family friend. He claims he was ambushed by the three who were plotting to kill him and cash in on his life insurance policy.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Taking the Stand

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  7. Taking the Stand Season 3 Episode 1 - William Zelenski
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #7 - William Zelenski

    S3:E1

    Exotic animal dealer William "Wild Bill" Zelenski is accused of murdering his girlfriend's 18-year-old son, Ryelee Manente-Powell after he stole $27,000 worth of venomous and exotic reptiles. He claims it was an accident and will take the stand to explain what really happened.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Taking the Stand Season 3 Episode 2 - George Wagner
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #8 - George Wagner

    S3:E2

    The Wagners stand accused of murdering eight members of the Rhoden family over a bitter child custody dispute. While several members of the Wagner family have plead guilty, George Wagner IV will take the stand and try to convince the jury he played no role in the massacre.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Taking the Stand Season 3 Episode 3 - Travis Rudolph
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #9 - Travis Rudolph

    S3:E3

    An argument between former NFL player Travis Rudolph and his ex-girlfriend escalates into a gunfight with her brother and his friends. Rudolph will take the stand to claim he had no choice but to open fire 39 times to defend himself. Will a jury believe he was justified or decide he went too far?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Taking the Stand Season 3 Episode 6 - Ryan Duke
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #10 - Ryan Duke

    S3:E6

    Georgia high school teacher Tara Grinstead's sudden disappearance in 2005 goes unexplained for 11 years until a surprising statement to law enforcement from Bo Dukes, a former student, names his friend and former classmate, Ryan Duke, as her killer. Fighting for his freedom, Ryan Duke takes the stand at his trial to assert who he says is the true killer. Will his testimony be enough to convince the jury he didn't murder Tara Grinstead?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Taking the Stand Season 3 Episode 7 - Delinord Dumerc
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #11 - Delinord Dumerc

    S3:E7

    In 2019 Delinord Dumercy takes the stand for the second time, claiming that his decision to shoot and ultimately kill James Peoples was in self-defense and not murder. Although this horrific event is witnessed by multiple people and captured on camera, Dumercy's first trial ended in a hung jury. Will prosecutors be able to convince a jury that Dumercy is guilty of murder? Or will they find him innocent after he claims that he was being hunted like an animal by James Peoples all along?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Taking the Stand Season 3 Episode 8 - Anthony Todt
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #12 - Anthony Todt

    S3:E8

    After the brutal murder of a mom, her children, and the family dog rocks a picture-perfect Orlando suburb--all signs point to the dad, Tony Todt. But Tony's own tear-soaked and unpredictable testimony points to the person you'd least expect, and there is no evidence to prove him wrong. Will Tony Todt be able to convince the jury he did not murder his family?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Taking the Stand Season 3 Episode 9 - Dean Cummings
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #13 - Dean Cummings

    S3:E9

    Skiing icon Dean Cummings is on trial for the shooting death of Guillermo Arriola, a local New Mexican rancher who was only armed with a can of mace. Cummings claims the shooting was done in self-defense. With no other witnesses, the jury will have to weigh the forensics against Cummings testimony. Will they acquit him or find him guilty of first degree murder?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Taking the Stand Season 3 Episode 11 - Andrew Mitchell
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #14 - Andrew Mitchell

    S3:E11

    During a routine undercover prostitution sting, Columbus Vice Detective Andrew Mitchell shoots and kills 23-year-old Donna Dalton Castleberry. Mitchell takes the stand, claiming he feared for his life but the Prosecution argues that Donna, locked in the backseat of a car, was no longer a threat. An audio recording of the entire incident will prove to be a key piece of evidence. Will the jury decide this was a justified killing?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Taking the Stand Season 4 Episode 2 - Hannah Payne
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #15 - Hannah Payne

    S4:E2

    Hannah Payne is on trial for the murder of Kenneth Herring, a motorist who fled an accident.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Taking the Stand Season 4 Episode 3 - Darrin Lopez
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #16 - Darrin Lopez

    S4:E3

    Investigators discover there's much more to a shooting than a simple love triangle gone wrong.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Taking the Stand Season 2 Episode 1 - Danielle Redlick
    7.8/10(10 votes)

    #17 - Danielle Redlick

    S2:E1

    Stay-at-home mom Danielle Redlick was arrested and charged with 2nd Degree Murder and Tampering with Physical Evidence in the death of her husband, pro sports executive Michael Redlick. After holding on to her account of the night of January 11, 2019 for nearly three years, Danielle finally takes the witness stand, and her story takes a turn. What will the jury think of Danielle waiting nearly 11 hours to call 911 and her claims of abuse?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Taking the Stand Season 2 Episode 3 - Nancy Brophy
    7.8/10(10 votes)

    #18 - Nancy Brophy

    S2:E3

    Romance novelist, Nancy Brophy, faces life in prison for the murder of her husband, Chef Dan Brophy. After finding surveillance video showing Nancy's minivan driving around the time and area of his murder and a blog post Nancy wrote entitled "How to Murder Your Husband," she is arrested and charged one Count of Murder and one Count of Unlawful Use of Firearm. Now, Nancy Brophy is set to testify in her own defense.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Taking the Stand Season 2 Episode 4 - Curtis Reeves
    7.8/10(10 votes)

    #19 - Curtis Reeves

    S2:E4

    Curtis Reeves stands accused of murdering Chad Oulson over popcorn at a matinee movie; the defense claims he acted in self defense while the state's prosecutors argue that Reeves was short-tempered and unjustified in the shooting.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Taking the Stand Season 1 Episode 3 - Scott Nelson
    7.7/10(8 votes)

    #20 - Scott Nelson

    S1:E3

    When a parolee is bounced from his job, he seeks retribution on a peaceful, unwitting community when he kidnaps, tortures and kills a mother and caregiver. Scott Nelson takes the stand to give a convoluted explanation on why he blames his parole officer for his seemingly random decision to kidnap, torture and kill a local Florida woman.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Taking the Stand Season 2 Episode 6 - Cristhian Bahena Rivera
    7.7/10(8 votes)

    #21 - Cristhian Bahena Rivera

    S2:E6

    When a young college student disappears on her evening run, investigators scour her small town searching for her. And when her accused attacker, Cristhian Bahena Rivera takes the stand, the story becomes more complicated than they could've imagine. Who will the jury believe.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Taking the Stand Season 1 Episode 8 - Sabrina Limon
    7.6/10(6 votes)

    #22 - Sabrina Limon

    S1:E8

    When railroad mechanic Robert Limon is shot and killed by Jonathan Hearn, an investigation leads to Robert's widow--and spurs questions about her involvement in the crime. Sabrina Limon takes the stand to contest the account of her former lover, Jonathan Hearn, insisting she had no knowledge of his intent to commit the crime.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Taking the Stand Season 1 Episode 6 - Leon Jacob
    7.4/10(6 votes)

    #23 - Leon Jacob

    S1:E6

    Former Houston doctor Leon Jacob is currently serving a life sentence. He was found guilty of plotting, along with his girlfriend, Valerie McDaniel, the murder of his ex-girlfriend and Valerie's ex-husband. Valerie took her own life after serving some time in prison. Leon Jacob takes the stand to defend his rocky past.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Taking the Stand Season 1 Episode 9 - Luke Vanhemert
    7.4/10(6 votes)

    #24 - Luke Vanhemert

    S1:E9

    When a university student and athlete is stabbed to death following a minor traffic incident, a 24-year-old fast food worker is indicted on a second-degree murder charge. Luke VanHemert takes the stand to address inconsistencies in his story to police, and to claim his actions were in self-defense.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Taking the Stand Season 1 Episode 1 - Jodi Arias
    7.3/10(13 votes)

    #25 - Jodi Arias

    S1:E1

    When a young Arizona businessman is found slaughtered in his bathroom, friends point police towards his on-again off-again ex-girlfriend. Facing the death penalty, Jodi Arias takes the stand for an unprecedented 18-days in an attempt to explain how the brutal killing of her ex-boyfriend was self-defense.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Sean Foley" is the best rated episode of "Taking the Stand". It scored 8.4/10 based on 6 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 2/17/2022. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Adam Matos".