In the series premiere, following the home invasion murder of Matt Skokie--a war vet--and an assault on his wife Gwen, four suspects are brought into custody: Tony Gutierrez, an impressionable teen who got in way over his head even under the watchful eye of his dedicated and hard-working father, Alonzo Gutierrez, Hector Tontz, a young man who has lived life on the fringes of society and has made bad decisions just to survive, and Carter Nix and Aubry Taylor, two incredibly lost souls whose addiction to drugs and to one another has become destructive and paralyzing.

Thirty-six hours have passed and reality is starting to sink in for all sides. Barb and Russ must come face-to-face with the suspects, Carter and Aubry, for the first time at the arraignment hearing. For Aubry and Carter, the hearing is their first opportunity to see one another since being arrested.

Nearly a month after the arraignment of the accused, the emotional complications of all involved continue to deepen. Carter’s sister Aliyah (Regina King), a devout Muslim, arrives to support her brother despite their strained relationship, and her stark disapproval of his involvement with Aubry.

Russ and Barb's youngest son, Mark arrives in Modesto in support of his estranged parents. At the same time, the families of both victims begin to lose control of their emotions as they hear that Carter's defense team has been granted a bail hearing due to new information. Carter's sister, Aliyah, makes it clear to Carter that he must follow her conditions and stay away from Aubry, whose parents pressure her to attend an NA meeting.

Soon after Carter is released from bail, he and Aubry reunite. In a desperate attempt to keep him from facing trial and possible execution, she cuts his ankle bracelet and forces him to make a run for the Canadian border. Meanwhile, after Matt's funeral in Oakland, Mark finally has the courage to tell Barb that he is engaged to a woman she may not approve of.

Following Carter and Aubry's failed attempt to flee the country, Barb becomes more dogged in her fight for justice and turns to media outlets to bring more attention to her son's case. Aubry is held in hospitalized care and continues to push her family and the authorities away. Back behind bars, Carter's situation worsens and Aliyah is desperate for contact with him.