WOMAN ON THE RUN: THE LAWRENCIA BEMBENEK STORY {PART 2 OF 2} (TV)
Summary
Part two of two in this drama based on the autobiography of discharged Milwaukee police officer Lawrencia Bembenek, focusing on the events surrounding the murder of Christine Schultz. In part two, Laurie's husband Fred Schultz takes the stand and undermines his own wife's defense by admitting to some confusion over the serial number and whereabouts of his police issue handgun. As the jury deliberates, tension mounts between Laurie, who fears she's going to prison for a crime she didn't commit, and Fred, who keeps telling her it's all going to be fine. Meanwhile, Bill Bryson, a journalist who started attending the trial out of curiosity, starts piecing together information about how poorly the investigation and trial were conducted. After Laurie is found guilty and sentenced to life in prison, Bryson's inquiries uncover glaring evidence of negligence, if not corruption, on the part of the investigators involved. Bryson writes a cover story for a magazine which generates increased public scrutiny. In spite of mounting evidence that she was framed by her husband and the police department, Laurie's appeal is turned down. An enraged Laurie discovers that Fred was one of the officers involved in the nude photo scandal she exposed, which won her the animosity of the Milwaukee police. In prison, Laurie begins a relationship with Nick, a fellow inmate's brother, who visits her frequently and even offers to marry her. When Laurie's second appeal fails, she enlists Nick's help in a successful escape attempt. The couple drive to Canada, where they assume new identities and settle down. However, someone recognizes them and they are quickly arrested. Nick is sent back to the U.S., where he resumes his old life, while Laurie's case attracts the attention of a number of prominent Canadian lawyers. The attorneys are unable to win her a new trial, but the Milwaukee District Attorney offers her a plea bargain, and the Canadians urge her to accept it. Though at first reluctant, Laurie agrees to plead no contest to a charge of second degree murder. She is let out of jail, having already served the equivalent sentence time. The film concludes by remarking that the file on the Christine Schultz murder remains closed at the Milwaukee Police Department. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: May 17, 1993 Monday 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:30:56
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:31953
- GENRE: Drama, mystery/suspense
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, mystery/suspense; Drama, police/detective; Murder
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV, 1993
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Michael L. Weisbarth … Executive Producer
- Robert Lantos … Executive Producer
- Ian McDougall … Producer
- Greg Copeland … Associate Producer
- Sandor Stern … Director, Writer
- Lawrencia Bembenek … Based on the book by
- Peter Manning Robinson … Music by
- Tatum OÕNeal … Cast, Lawrencia Bembenek
- Peggy McCay … Cast, Virginia Bembenek
- Bruce Greenwood … Cast, Fred Schultz
- Alex McArthur … Cast, Nick Gugliatto
- Kenneth Welsh … Cast, Don Eisenberg
- Saul Rubinek … Cast, Bill Bryson
- Victor Garber … Cast, Frank Marrocco
- Robert Joy … Cast, Sheldon Zenner
- Catherine Disher … Cast, Judy Zess
- Colin Fox … Cast, Joe Bembenek
- Alan Jordan … Cast, Bevins
- Linda Griffiths … Cast, Maggie Friel
- Patrick Galligan … Cast, John Callaghan
- Ted Simonett … Cast, Judge Skwieraski
- Helene Clarkson … Cast, Marybeth
- Norwich Duff … Cast, John McClinton
- A. Frank Ruffo … Cast, Louie Kebezes
- David Eisner … Cast, Ron Lester
- Paul Haddad … Cast, Corey Genton
- Kathryn Greenwood … Cast, Sylvia Bonner
- Linda Goranson … Cast, Connie Bell
- Elizabeth Hannah … Cast, Diane Hanson
- Gerry Mendicino … Cast, the Fortyish Man
- Carolyn Scott … Cast, Florek
- Chantal Craig … Cast, Sherry Wonaker
- Tamar Lee … Cast, Dominique
- Sally Cahill … Cast, the TV Room Guard
- Brenda Bazinet … Cast, Amy Bryson
- Ken Smith … Cast, the Gate Guard
- D.L. Anderson … Cast, the Customs Officer
- Shelley Goldstein … Cast, the Visiting Room Guard
- Roger Dunn … Cast, Det. Logan
- Michael Polley … Cast, the Pathologist
- Todd Brenner … Cast, the Mountie
- Janine Manatis … Cast, Dr. Swales
- Elizabeth Lennie … Cast, Mary Selby
- Mary Ann Coles … Cast, the Middle-Aged Woman
- Sharon Dyer … Cast, Anne
- Mary Lu Zahalan … Cast, Maureen Lacy
- Philip Williams … Cast, Jake Lipner
- Ray Paisley … Cast, the Sergeant
- Janet Burke … Cast, Debbie
- Dave Nichols … Cast, the Canadian News Anchor
- Richard Hardacre … Cast, the Milwaukee Male Anchor
- Sandra Stahlbrand … Cast, Milwaukee Female Anchor #1
- Faye Dance … Cast, Milwaukee Female Anchor #2