A date-rape victim and her father (run up against 'the system.' It fails them, so he shoots the rapistto death. That's where this story of law and morality begins. He confesses, and the police recover the gun. However, the police have 'erased' his Constitutional rights, as the prosecutor puts it. By the book, the killer should walk. But the judge throws out the book. So defense attorney MacHeath urges the jury to consult another book: ""a higher law."" (TV Guide)