In October 2005, Jes Markson, a movie and television producer, writer and director, was accused of the murder of Taylor Rodriguez. Taylor, a well-known celebrity, had been found dead in Markson’s Hollywood Hills mansion. Following a highly publicized trial, the judge found Markson not guilty.

Markson’s life was not the same after the trial. Markson’s hit television show, Newport Beach, was canceled. While Markson had always been known for high-profile relationships and suspected affairs, the public, press, and the rest of the entertainment industry had now completely turned against Markson. It was impossible for Markson to find anyone to back new projects. Even Markson’s friends treated Markson differently.

Markson, financially well off due to past successes, decided to lay low in the mansion and wait for the right time to make a comeback. Ostracized by Hollywood, Markson only had regular contact with Alex Palmer, Markson’s friend and resident of Markson’s pool house, and some other close friends.

By January 2007, Markson was ready to get back to work and try to create the next big television series. Feeling that a sufficient amount of time had elapsed since the trial, Markson called a number of old associates to pitch ideas. The script for a show called Cardiac Arrest, a crossover comedy about the lives of a group of quirky Bay Area doctors and police officers, was particularly well received. Markson was put in contact with the major television network GBC.

By March 2007, Markson’s life was looking up. In February, Markson was introduced to London Desmond, a major movie star, and they immediately hit it off. In addition, GBC decided to shoot a pilot for the series the following month. Markson appeared to be given a fresh start. Most reminders of the past were gone; even Alex moved out of the pool house in early March.

The pilot was shot and edited and was scheduled to premiere on June 7, 2007, just in time for the new summer season. The week before, critics had been invited to a preview of the show, so they could complete their reviews in time for the premiere. The critics loved it. They called it the “next obsession in television” and hailed it as Markson’s “triumphant comeback.” Network executives were so impressed they picked up the show for the entire summer season and into the fall season.

Markson decided to host a catered dinner to celebrate on the night of June 5, 2007. Markson invited a few friends to the mansion. Besides an argument with Alex that morning, the party went well. London, though busy with work, was even able to stop by after the guests had left.

The next morning, the caterer, Carter Cravin, returned to the mansion at 10 a.m. to pick up some equipment. When Carter walked inside, the caterer saw Markson lying on the floor of the living room face up. Markson had died of a gunshot wound. Carter called 911 and then called Adrian Chase, a fellow client and publicist to London Desmond.

Soon thereafter, Adrian’s car raced up the driveway. Adrian ran out of the car and into the house. Adrian emerged from the house a minute later and raced away.

A police car arrived at the scene minutes later. Detective Dana Brown went into the house, and after radioing for a crime scene investigation unit, Brown questioned Carter. Carter told Brown about the previous day’s events, including the fight with Alex and about Adrian.

After the unit collected evidence, Brown head to Adrian’s house. Adrian confessed to taking a watch and Markson’s PDA from the crime scene. Brown arrested Adrian for obstruction of justice.

While waiting for the lab results, Brown was able to interview Stevie Riccio (a neighbor), London Desmond, and Alex Palmer. When the fingerprints from the scene were put through the database, one was determined to be Alex Palmer’s.

Based on the information obtained from the interviews and evidence found at the scene, Brown obtained a search warrant. At Alex’s apartment, some clothes were taken into evidence to be tested for gunshot residue.

Dectective Brown also asked Alex to submit to a Memory Mapping Test, a new scientific test used to detect a suspect’s memory of details of a crime. The Los Angeles Science Lab, the lab used by the Hollywood Police Department, had recently purchased the necessary equipment. Alex agreed to the test.

Later, the gunshot residue analysis showed that elements found on Alex’s clothes were consistent with those found in black powder. With all the above evidence, Detective Brown, had probable cause to obtain an arrest warrant for Alex Palmer. Detective Brown then arrested Alex for the murder of Jes Markson.