“Presumed Innocent” Episode 5 on Apple TV+ followed Rustyโ€™s 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 Carolynโ€™s murder, considering his contempt for her. Although Raymond doesnโ€™t buy into it, he believes in Rustyโ€™s 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 Carolynโ€™s murder.

Spoilers Ahead

Presumed Innocent Episode 6 “The Elements” Recap:

The previous episode of “Presumed Innocent” ended with Tommy Moltoโ€™s (Peter Sargaard) opening statement. He made a passionate plea to the jury about seeking justice in Carolyn Polhemusโ€™s (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 Carolynโ€™s 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 Carolynโ€™s 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 Rustyโ€™s skin being found under Carolynโ€™s fingernails. While questioning Kumagai, Molto stresses the fact that Carolyn suffered before her death. He also points out that Carolyn was pregnant with Rustyโ€™s child. Even though Kumagai mentioned a thin, heavy object as a cause of Carolynโ€™s death, no such weapon was recovered.

Kumagaiโ€™s Testimony

During Kumagaiโ€™s testimony, Raymond (Bill Camp) tries to rule out the possibility of Rusty having inflicted pain on Carolyn. So, Molto tries to malign Rustyโ€™s 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 Kumagaiโ€™s opinion about Rustyโ€™s behavior baseless and not rooted in scientific logic. He also points out Kumagaiโ€™s possible bias against Rusty since he had also lashed out against Rusty in the past.

Through his backfire, Raymond makes the jury question the prosecutorโ€™s attempt at Rustyโ€™s character assassination. Despite all that happened in the courtroom, Molto is confident about his approach. Della Guardia asks him how the fingernail-related evidence wasnโ€™t present in the earlier report. He wonders whether Molto is acting plainly out of his anger toward Rusty.

Rustyโ€™s Defense

Presumed Innocent Episode 6
O-T Fagbenle and Peter Sarsgaard in “Presumed Innocent,” now streaming on Apple TV+.

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 juryโ€™s 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.

Pathologistโ€™s Testimony

The pathologist notes that he couldnโ€™t find any DNA evidence on the rope that was used to tie up Carolynโ€™s 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 Carolynโ€™s 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 Carolynโ€™s fingernails. Through his further line of questioning, he tries to prove the logical leap taken by the prosecutors. The presence of Rustyโ€™s skin cells under Carolynโ€™s fingernails doesnโ€™t prove that he killed her. It might as well be that he kissed her.

Eugeniaโ€™s 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 Carolynโ€™s door while he was telling her to go away. Later, Mya admits that she didnโ€™t 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 didnโ€™t want to work on any case with Molto. Carolyn said he gave her ick. But Eugenia didnโ€™t 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 canโ€™t reconcile with their actions. Later, Barbara opens up to him about her kiss with Clifton (Sarunas J. Jackson). Rusty canโ€™t 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, Carolynโ€™s 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 didnโ€™t 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 Moltoโ€™s 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).

<< Previous Episode

Presumed Innocent Episode 6 Links: IMDb,ย Rotten Tomatoes,ย Wikipedia
The Cast of Presumed Innocent Episode 6: Jake Gyllenhaal, Ruth Negga, Bill Camp, Elizabeth Marvel, Renate Reinsve, Peter Sarsgaard, O-T Fagbenle, Chase Infiniti, Lily Rabe, Nana Mensah, Matthew Alan, Kingston Rumi Southwick
Presumed Innocent Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery | Runtime: 7 Episodes
Where to watch Presumed Innocent

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *