“Presumed Innocent” Episode 5 on Apple TV+ followed Rustyโs fight to prove his innocence after Della Guardia & Molto found additional evidence against him. Rusty tries to introduce the theory of Liam Reynoldsโ involvement in Carolynโs murder, considering his contempt for her. Although Raymond doesnโt buy into it, he believes in Rustyโs innocence. While Barbara seeks other options for happiness, the Sabich family reaches their breaking point. Now, “Presumed Innocent” episode 6 follows Kumagai, Eugenia, and Michael taking the stand to testify in the case of Carolynโs murder.
Spoilers Ahead
Presumed Innocent Episode 6 “The Elements” Recap:
The previous episode of “Presumed Innocent” ended with Tommy Moltoโs (Peter Sargaard) opening statement. He made a passionate plea to the jury about seeking justice in Carolyn Polhemusโs (Renate Reinsve) case. After he set the stage with conviction, Rusty (Jake Gyllenhaal) started feeling uneasy. Now, we see Herbert Kumagai (James Hiroyuki Liao) entering the stand to speak about Carolynโs cause of death. He mentions that she suffered severe contusions, skull fractures, and brain herniation. His testimony indicates the horrifying way in which she bled to death.
From Carolynโs dead body, Kumagai notes that she was struck once on the back of her head, broke her nose, and then struck two more times in the back of her skull. He also points out Rustyโs skin being found under Carolynโs fingernails. While questioning Kumagai, Molto stresses the fact that Carolyn suffered before her death. He also points out that Carolyn was pregnant with Rustyโs child. Even though Kumagai mentioned a thin, heavy object as a cause of Carolynโs death, no such weapon was recovered.
Kumagaiโs Testimony
During Kumagaiโs testimony, Raymond (Bill Camp) tries to rule out the possibility of Rusty having inflicted pain on Carolyn. So, Molto tries to malign Rustyโs character by bringing up the topic of the time of the autopsy. Kumagai notes that Rusty showed up agitated, erratic, and scared to see Carolyn’s dead body. Right after, Raymond calls Kumagaiโs opinion about Rustyโs behavior baseless and not rooted in scientific logic. He also points out Kumagaiโs possible bias against Rusty since he had also lashed out against Rusty in the past.
Through his backfire, Raymond makes the jury question the prosecutorโs attempt at Rustyโs character assassination. Despite all that happened in the courtroom, Molto is confident about his approach. Della Guardia asks him how the fingernail-related evidence wasnโt present in the earlier report. He wonders whether Molto is acting plainly out of his anger toward Rusty.
Rustyโs Defense
Raymond & Mya (Gabby Beans) advise Rusty & Barbara (Ruth Negga) to present themselves as a loving couple, and he shields her. Barbara finds that idea offensive and insulting to the juryโs intelligence. So, Mya points out that storytelling can win them the case more than the truth. Still, Barbara refuses to appear like a scared lamb and claims her presence in the courtroom – despite the charges of heinous crimes against her husband – proves that she believes in his innocence. During the later court trial, a pathologist shares his study of DNA proof.
Pathologistโs Testimony
The pathologist notes that he couldnโt find any DNA evidence on the rope that was used to tie up Carolynโs body. So, he believes the preparator was careful not to leave any evidence. He considers the murder as a sudden act of rage followed by a methodical way of tying her up without leaving any trace. Later, Raymond notes that Rusty & Carolyn were the prosecutors the last time a female victim was found in a similar state as Carolyn.
Raymond tries to direct the jury to the possibility of Liam’s connection to Carolynโs death. But the Judge considers it a logical leap and objects to it. Raymond asks the pathologist what kind of skin cells were found under Carolynโs fingernails. Through his further line of questioning, he tries to prove the logical leap taken by the prosecutors. The presence of Rustyโs skin cells under Carolynโs fingernails doesnโt prove that he killed her. It might as well be that he kissed her.
Eugeniaโs Testimony
During her testimony, Eugenia (Virginia Kull) mentions having caught Rusty & Carolyn off-guard when they were trying to kiss each other. Although there were no clear discussions, she sensed an undercurrent of their romance. She also saw them fighting with each other in the underground parking lot. Rusty was banging on Carolynโs door while he was telling her to go away. Later, Mya admits that she didnโt like Carolyn. She also acknowledges that Carolyn never made a complaint against Rusty to HR. However, she did make a complaint against Molto.
Eugenia mentions that Carolyn didnโt want to work on any case with Molto. Carolyn said he gave her ick. But Eugenia didnโt observe Molto being unprofessional toward Carolyn. On the other hand, Rusty showed signs of unprofessionalism through his obsessive behavior toward Carolyn. Back home, Jaden (Chase Infiniti) speaks with Rusty about his possible disassociation from his memories because he canโt reconcile with their actions. Later, Barbara opens up to him about her kiss with Clifton (Sarunas J. Jackson). Rusty canโt fathom that despite his infidelity. Perhaps he finds the thought of lack of control unbearable.
Presumed Innocent Episode 6 “The Elements” Ending Explained:
How does Michael’s testimony shape Rusty’s case?
The judge brings both the defense and prosecuting sides for a discussion. She expects them to come to a bargain agreement. But Molto refuses to convict Rusty for murder. Rusty refuses to be imprisoned at all and also expects an apology. During the next trial, Carolynโs son, Michael (Tate Birchmore), comes to the stand to testify. Despite having no proof of Rusty having killed Carolyn, he remains confident in that assumption. As an angsty teenager who didnโt have a good relationship with his mother, he kept blaming her sexual partner for her murder.
The judge realizes that Michael is merely presenting his impressions as factual truths. So, she tells the jury that those are only his opinions and not proven facts. Moments later, Michael mentions another thread. In the past, Carolyn told him that she was having trouble with a man at her workplace. Michael claims that Rusty is the man she was afraid of. After Moltoโs questioning, Raymond stands up to question Michael further. But within moments, he starts feeling woozy and collapses on the ground. While the guard tries to offer him CPR, Rusty tries to pacify Lorraine (Elizabeth Marvel).