My name is David Burroughs.
I'm currently serving the fifth year of a life sentence for killing my little boy.
The thing is, I didn't do it.
Not that I'm innocent.
A father's job is to protect his child from harm.
I failed.
Matthew was murdered in his bedroom as I slept down the hall.
Knowing he died alone,
wondering why his father never came to save him.
That's my real life sentence.
I happen to be serving it here,
in the protective custody unit at Briggs Penitentiary.
Prison is designed to strip away your identity.
Your sense of self.
The man I was no longer exists.
It's why I've refused to see any visitors since arriving.
Not even family.
Especially family.
I know what they think.
With the evidence against me, what they had no choice but to think.
I don't blame them, but I don't want to see them either.
It's better for everyone to forget.
Because the past never changes.
Until one day, it does.
Open number nine!
Let's go, Burroughs.
What's going on?
You have a visitor.
Your sister-in-law, Rachel Mills.
-That can't be right. -And yet here we are.
Why anyone would visit a child killer is beyond me.
But I've learned to just roll with the crazy shit.
Let's go. Up.
If I refuse?
Oh, Burroughs, please do.
-What are you doing here, Rachel? -You look different.
Yeah, well, it's been five years.
Are you okay?
Sorry, stupid question.
Did something happen to Cheryl?
No.
No, no, she's fine. She's actually great.
Okay.
I mean, she's…
She doesn't know I'm here.
-Why are you here? -I need to show you something.
And just before I do, I know it's gonna sound crazy.
I have this friend from college, Irene. She's married, two kids, the whole thing.
A couple weeks ago,
she posted photos online of a trip they took to Six Flags in Springfield.
Including this one.
Crazy. You come down here to show me a picture of your friend and her kids?
Look closer, David.
Tell me what you see.
He…
He-He…
-He looks like Matthew. -I know.
-The birthmark's smaller. -Doctor said it'd shrink as he got older.
Only he never got older.
Which means that this is…
just a photo of a little boy that looks like Matthew, if he was still alive.
Right?
Did you show Cheryl?
No. It took her a long time to rebuild her life.
I'm not gonna blow it up over something that… can't be true.
-You wouldn't come if you didn't think-- -That Matthew's somehow still alive? Yeah.
And I know how insane that sounds.
Just as insane as people thinking that I killed him in the first place.
Well, I never did.
I found him.
He was dead.
I know.
But if there's a chance,
no matter how impossible, that he is somehow still alive…
Time's up, Burroughs!
You-You need to turn the phone back on.
You need to turn it back on.
I don't need to do anything. Come on, let's go.
-Come on. -Show Cheryl.
Come on. Up!
Show Cheryl.
Let's go.
-I need to see the warden. -Again with the needs.
You're making a lot of demands today, Burroughs. I'd be careful.
Come on, let me tell him--
Can't say I didn't warn you.
Come on. Get him up.
Please.
Just talk to him.
Just let me talk to him. Please.
Oh, yeah, I'll get right on that.
Son of a bitch.
Tell me what you see.
Look closer, David.
Dad.
Wake up, Burroughs.
Warden wants to see you.
Officer Wesson filed a disciplinary report.
You wanna tell me what happened?
I asked to see you.
Doesn't sound like the kinda thing that gets you thrown into solitary.
Might have asked more than once.
Hmm.
Does this have something to do with Rachel Mills visiting yesterday?
I mean, it's been five years. What brought her out?
She showed me a photo of a young boy taken at Six Flags a few weeks ago.
And he looked like Matthew.
Like what he would look like now.
I mean exactly like Matthew.
Like, down to the-- The birthmark on his cheek.
-I thought if you saw the photo-- -I don't need to see the photo, David.
I get it.
Do you think you're the first lifer to grab on to some impossible idea
that this has all been some big mistake?
You're like a son to me, David.
I was at your trial.
The DNA was a match to Matthew.
-What about Rachel? -What about her?
She's a respected journalist. Maybe she's onto something.
She was a respected journalist.
She got fired from the Globe a few years ago.
What happened?
I don't know the details.
She's Cheryl's sister. She's-- She's not gonna drag up the past.
Well, Rachel's not my concern. You are.
You think it's a coincidence you ended up in my prison?
I pulled strings to get you here,
and I promised your old man I'd look out for you.
Then help me.
Look, you've got friends in the BPD. You could ask them for the murder book.
-You can't be serious. -Listen to me.
In five years, I've never asked you for anything.
And you never had to. I care about you, David.
The moment you think there's a way out, this place breaks you.
It's not about getting out. It's just that I know something no one else does.
What?
That I'm innocent.
Someone else was there that night.
Prisoner's ready.
Matthew's dead, David.
No photograph's gonna change that.
Stella, can you come in here, please?
Can you clear my schedule for today?
Yes, sir. Anything else?
Yeah, book me on the next flight to Boston.
Hey, Soph.
Hey.
-Good to see you, Adam. -How are you?
-Good, how are you? -Yeah, good.
Wow, look what the cat dragged in.
Hey, Sophie.
You're looking well.
Always a charmer. Why didn't you call?
Oh, yeah. That's a good question.
Can't a guy visit his friend without having some secret agenda?
Yeah, he can. But you have one, Dad.
It was a last minute-thing. How's he doing?
Well, you know my brother.
He's more worried about the Sox making the playoffs than he is the cancer.
Um, where's Lenny at?
-In the living room. -Okay.
-Uh, give me a minute? -Yeah.
Don't ask me.
Two on and nobody out.
Another base hit…
I wish I could sit around and watch the game in the middle of the day.
Not with how these clowns are playing.
Adam's outside with Sophie. Hope you don't mind we dropped by.
Guess it depends on why.
Mm, I was in the neighborhood.
Last time I checked, Briggs was in Maine, not Boston.
David came to see me.
He, uh… He wants a copy of Matthew's murder book.
Why?
It's been five years. Why ask for it now?
He always said he was innocent.
I think a part of him even believes it.
He's my son. I want to believe it.
But we both know better.
What?
I've come across every kind of killer imaginable at Briggs.
You know, plenty claim they're innocent. Most claim they've changed.
But Lenny, there's something in their eyes when they talk to you.
Something that can't be erased with time or meds or religion.
It's like a…
It's like a snake, you know, under a rock.
It's always there.
-But with David-- -So now you believe him?
Maybe I'm just getting old.
You sure there's nothing in that file that can come back on us?
How could it?
Nothing we did that night changed a damn thing.
Hey, Pops, what's going on?
It's probably better that you don't know.
Yeah, I'm sure you're right, but why don't you tell me anyways?
Rachel Mills came to visit David yesterday.
Rachel?
About what?
Matthew.
David thinks he's still alive.
Hey, Burroughs.
Warden Mackenzie says to make sure it stays hidden.
No signs of forced entry. No fingerprints or foreign DNA.
Even the defendant admits he was asleep alone inside the house.
He claimed he woke up and discovered the body.
Mr. Burroughs has a history of night terrors.
And during a night terror,
is it possible for someone to inflict harm on another person
without being conscious of it or even remembering it when they wake up?
Yes. It is.
Due to the severity of the injuries,
a visual ID was impossible.
But DNA tests confirmed the body was Matthew Burroughs.
And would these injuries be consistent
with the baseball bat found in the woods?
Yes.
They would.
Let's talk about what happened next.
You're neighbors with the defendant, correct?
Yes.
Can you tell us what you saw the night of the murder, Mrs. Winslow?
I saw a man bury something in the woods behind his home.
And is the man that you saw that night in this courtroom today?
Yes, it was David Burroughs.
Jumping up and down the floor
My head is an animal…
So, I'm still waiting on three RSVPs for the baby shower.
Hello? Earth to Rachel?
Yeah, e-vite reminder, I'm on it.
What's going on?
You seem more Rachel than normal.
Why, thank you.
-Didn't you have an interview last week? -Yeah.
-Uh, the Pawtucket Times. -Hmm.
They're keeping my résumé on file,
which is code for we know who you are and what happened.
I'm sorry.
But what? I hear a "but" coming.
Well, you've interviewed at every paper in the New England area.
Maybe it's time to move on?
You mean teach Intro to Journalism at Quincy College for the rest of my life?
Just thought if enough time had passed, you know.
You'd find your way back?
Yeah.
You can't let what happened at the Globe define you.
-Why not? Everyone else has. -No, you're a great journalist.
Okay? You just…
You need to get out there and find a story.
So there's something I wanted to talk to you about.
-Oh. -Ooh!
-You okay? -Oh, yeah. Sorry.
Yeah, no, I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine.
I just…
She's really moving around today.
She?
You found out?
I thought the Ronster wanted to do some sort of gender reveal party.
You know I love it when you call him that.
Oh, you do?
Wow.
A nurse at our last ultrasound let it slip.
Hi.
How's it feel having a little girl?
Um…
Yeah, uh, it feels…
right.
Like I'm not replacing him.
I know that must sound silly.
It doesn't.
Not even a little.
It's okay.
Uh, I'm fine. It's just hormones.
-Um, can you get me some tissues? -Of course.
Oh, um, what did you want to talk to me about?
Uh, nothing. Not important.
Journalism isn't just about reporting the news.
It's about seeking the truth. Holding power to account.
Giving a voice to those who don't have one,
but listening to them deeply and respectfully.
That's what a journalist should be trying to do.
Okay.
Next week, we'll be discussing media literacy,
and I want everyone to bring in an article that contains examples
of attribution and sourcing.
And no, Jordy, it cannot be digital, okay?
Hello?
This is a collect call from an inmate at Briggs Penitentiary.
If you'd like to accept these charges, press 1.
-Hello? -Rachel, it's David.
Don't know how much time I've got, but I talked to Mackenzie.
I have some new information. Can you please come back here?
Yeah. Drive up first thing tomorrow morning.
-Okay. -I'll see you then.
Okay.
David Burroughs.
Ross Sumner. It's a pleasure to meet you.
Do you know you're the only college graduate in the PCU?
Not to mention law professor at BU. It's very impressive.
I have been starved for some intelligent conversation.
You did your undergrad at Amherst, right?
-Want to know where I went? -Not really.
I went to Williams College.
Yeah, we are both graduates of the Small Ivies.
Jesus, is that Ross Sumner?
Yeah, I guess so. Why?
Why?
They found six bodies stuffed in a sub-zero on his family's estate
and two more in his Upper West Side penthouse.
He's insane. How'd he get work detail?
It's above my pay grade.
You, uh, had your first visitor the other day, isn't that right?
Your sister-in-law, Rachel Mills.
-How'd you know that? -I know all about you, David.
And I find you fascinating.
See, I killed 11 people.
And they were all strangers to me. It just meant nothing, props on the stage.
But you, David, you killed your own son.
The flesh of your flesh.
So tell me, David,
when you brought that bat down
on his little skull…
what did that feel like?
I think you should back off.
Okay.
I'm just making conversation here.
Fight!
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Let them tire themselves out for a second.
Yeah! Fuck him up!
That's right. Nobody's coming to save you.
Dad.
Wake up.
Fuck you!
Get up! Get up! Get him up! Get up!
Get up! Get up!
All right, all right. All right!
Hey, it's done! You're done!
I saw what you did.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Ross Sumner's housed in permanent Ad Seg.
How the hell does he get on a PCU work detail?
Looks like some kind of clerical mix-up during a transfer.
Want to explain why you and Officer Lu just stood there?
An altercation broke out between two dangerous and violent inmates.
You mean a cannibalistic psychopath jumped--
A man who beat his own son to death.
With all due respect, Warden, we were working a 50-man detail.
We engaged when we had to and when I felt it was safe to do so,
and I'm not gonna apologize for that.
-All right. That'll be all. -Sir.
Rachel Mills. I'm here to see David Burroughs.
Jesus, what happened?
I got attacked.
-You okay? -I'm fine.
Don't worry about it.
What did Mackenzie say?
He said I was a lifer grasping at straws, looking for a way out.
But he also said that you were fired from the Globe.
Yeah. I teach at Quincy College now.
You sound thrilled.
I loved being a reporter, so, yeah.
It's been hard.
Is that what this is?
It's just a story for you?
-No. -You sure?
-David, no. -Then what is it?
The worst things that happen in life usually can't be fixed.
No matter how much we wish they could, we can't go back and make things right.
But if Matthew's alive and we find him,
then maybe this is one time we can.
That's why I'm here.
Mackenzie gave me Matthew's case file.
Are you sure you want to do this?
Well,
I'm getting a free continental breakfast at the Briggs Motor Lodge.
And, you know, I'm a sucker for a day-old bagel, so…
-I'm in. What am I looking for? -It's not what, it's who.
'Cause if Matthew wasn't the little boy I found that night, who was he?
We'd be looking for a Caucasian boy
the same age and size as Matthew who went missing before the murder.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
has the best database. I'll look there.
What about the M.E. who confirmed the body?
Right, well, technically, the DNA was a match,
but it could have been altered in the lab.
A visual ID wasn't possible due to the nature of the injuries. Jesus Christ.
-Yeah, it was probably the point. -Why such extreme measures?
Why not just take Matthew in the park?
They knew I'd never stop looking. No parent would.
But if you thought he was dead and were locked away for murder…
But why you? Why Matthew?
Okay, focus on questions that can be answered.
Like what?
Hilde Winslow.
Why did she lie?
If she had nothing to gain from your conviction,
the most obvious answer is that someone put her up to it.
-Yeah. -Maybe even the person that took Matthew.
Well, start there.
You got someone that can look into her?
My old editor at the Globe.
Rachel,
if we're right about this…
then there's someone very dangerous behind it.
So be careful.
You too.
You've reached the voicemail of Jim Doherty with the Boston Globe.
Please leave a message.
Hey, Jim. Uh, it's Rachel.
Hi.
I know it's been a while, um, but I need a favor.
Could you run a name for me?
Uh, it's a Hilde Winslow from Revere, Mass.
Thanks in advance. Talk to you soon.
Hey.
Did you, uh-- Did you see I sent the e-vite reminder?
I did. Is that why you called me earlier? Looking for validation?
It's your fault that I'm needy. Mom and Dad liked you best.
Naturally.
Hey, where are you?
Uh, I'm at the, uh…
the Briggs Motor Lodge.
In Maine.
Why?
I needed to see David.
Okay? And before you say anything,
and I know I should've told you, but I knew how you'd feel.
Yet you did it anyway.
Cheryl, can you please let me explain? All right? I don't--
Rachel, I don't care, okay? Whatever it is, I don't care.
Cheryl, listen. You need to hear this.
No, Rachel. You need to hear me.
I am done talking about this.
I gotta go.
I…
Wake up, Burroughs.
I need to take you to the infirmary.
-What time is it? -Time for you to do what I'm telling you.
Let's go. Up.
What's with the key?
Want me to buzz it open, wake all these monsters up?
You know what kind of shit show that would be?
Come on, walk.
What's going on?
Ross Sumner filed a complaint. Doctor needs to catalog your injuries.
It won't take long.
Go.
Let's go.
I'm sorry, Burroughs.
Help!
Someone! Help!
Help me!
Guard!
Guards!
Help! Please! Please don't do this!
Help!
Guards!
Oh, shit.
-It's over, Burroughs. It's over. -Why are you trying to kill me?
I don't have a choice.
I took their money.
Who… Whose money?
Prisoner's loose!
Oh!
I knew you wouldn't let me down.
-How you doing, kiddo? -I'm hanging in there.
I have to admit, I was surprised by your call.
Not disappointed, I hope.
Did you have a chance to look into Hilde Winslow for me?
You know I did. You want to tell me what this is about?
I'm not sure yet. Why?
Well, for one thing, Hilde Winslow is no longer her legal name.
It's now Harriet Winchester.
-When did she change it? -November 2021.
That's a month after her testimony sent my brother-in-law to prison.
Someone doesn't usually change their name unless they want to disappear.
She sold her house in Revere and pretty much dropped off the map.
No current address?
Only one I could find was a P.O. box in New York under her new name.
New York City?
-She have friends or family there? -None that I could find.
Sounds like Hilde doesn't want to be found.
Sounds like someone's working a story.
It's about time, Rachel.
Now listen, when you're ready to share, call me.
Thanks. I'll be in touch.
I had to give you a few stitches.
You can have Advil or Tylenol, whichever you prefer.
There's no time, Doc. We gotta take Mr. Burroughs to Ad Seg.
You tried to kill a corrections officer, Burroughs.
Is that what he said?
You ain't gonna survive the day. I promise you.
Officer Wesson. Officer Lu.
-You okay? -I got lucky.
We were just about to escort Mr. Burroughs to Ad Seg.
-Warden. -Save it. Save it.
You and Sumner try to kill each other, I don't give a shit.
Law of the jungle keeps the peace.
But go after my officers, you're crossing an uncrossable line.
Didn't go after anyone.
Officer Wesson's report was pretty clear.
You faked an illness.
You demanded to be brought to the infirmary.
And then on the way here, you attacked him.
And you believe that?
Do I believe
the word of a decorated officer over the word of a child killer?
Yes.
I do.
I'm gonna take Mr. Burroughs
and get him processed for his new home in Ad Seg.
You've had a long night, Ted.
I want you to take the rest of the day off.
Yes, sir.
Get him up.
Philip, if I go to Ad Seg, I'm a dead man.
You're not going to Ad Seg.
Officer Diego called me after it happened.
He told me he saw Wesson plant a shiv on you after you got knocked out.
Wesson said someone paid him to kill me.
Well, I don't think Ross Sumner was an accident either.
Which means whoever wants you dead
has the reach to buy inmates and guards alike.
And this all started after Rachel showed you that photo of Matthew.
-I told you. -I know.
I'm sorry.
But you're gonna have to trust me now, David.
Because I can't protect you here anymore, and I told your father I would.
You look like shit.
-What are you doing here? -What, it's not obvious?
We're here to break you out.
What are you, crazy? If you get caught, you'll lose everything.
You'll die if you stay here.
And we're not gonna let that happen.
We don't have a lot of time.
If this is gonna work, we gotta take you through the plan.
-Wait, we have a plan? -We do.
And if it all goes well, you'll walk right out of here.
Okay, there's one checkpoint between my office and the elevator.
It's a low-security crossover used mainly by COs.
Just keep your head down, and we should be fine.
Even with my head down,
won't the guard want to see a transfer order?
No, because you won't be wearing your prison jumpsuit.
You'll be wearing Adam's uniform.
Next, we'll move through the visitors' exit,
which leads right out to the main parking lot.
From there, you'll take Adam's cruiser and have a two-hour head start
before roll call even notices you're gone.
Now remember what to do if anybody finds you before I get back.
David caught me off guard, took my gun, put me in the closet, cuffed me.
If not, everyone will assume Adam drove off, and I'll sneak him out later tonight.
Adam, I…
You don't know what you'd do without me? It's been that way since we were kids.
Go find Matthew.
Heard what happened with Burroughs. You heading home?
Yeah, yeah. At least that SOB will enjoy a stretch in Ad Seg, right?
What are you talking about? I just came from Ad Seg.
-The warden didn't drop him off? -No.
Excuse me, warden!
Ted, I thought I told you to go home.
I just spoke to the Ad Seg officer. He said you never dropped off Burroughs.
Yeah. I was gonna take him over just after I walked my son out.
Go home, Ted.
Yes, sir.
Burroughs?
Hey, whoa! Let him go!
-Step back or I will kill him! -Do not do this, Burroughs!
Goddamn it! Burroughs has taken the warden hostage!
Lock the prison down right now! Lock it down! We got a hostage situation!
Shit. Shit, it didn't work. What are we gonna do?
Okay, David, they're gonna be waiting for us, okay?
So you get behind me, you put the gun on me,
and you follow my lead, okay?
You can do this. Come on!
Put your gun down!
Don't do this, Burroughs! On the ground!
Lower your weapons!
-Lower your weapons! -Put the gun down now!
-I said lower your weapons! Do it now!
Do what he says!
-Okay. -Put 'em on the ground!
-Keep going! Back off! -Do it right now!
-Buzz us through! Buzz us through! -Hit the buzzer!
-Hold on. Where's the cruiser? -It's the visitors' lot. No time.
-We'll take my truck. It's over here. -Stand down!
Stand down!
Get back! Stay where you are! Stay where you are!
They're not moving.
They're not moving!
Get out of the way! Get out of the way!
Hang on!
Burroughs just escaped in the warden's pickup.
Alert the state police!
Be advised, male subject's last known location
was south on Highway 1.
Patrol cars in pursuit.
All vehicles be on alert for a Ford pickup.
Inmate last seen fleeing Briggs Penitentiary.
Subject is armed and extremely dangerous.
Go! They're gaining!
We interrupt our regularly scheduled program for breaking news.
Reports are coming in of an escape out of Briggs Maximum Security Penitentiary.
Few details are in, but we can confirm that the inmate's name is David Burroughs.
Five years ago, Burroughs was convicted for the brutal murder of his son Matthew,
a case that made national headlines and gripped the nation.
All right, everyone, in position.
-Now what? -That depends.
-On what? -Them.
Spike strip deployed. We have the vehicle boxed in.
They have nowhere to go.
That'll be the negotiator.
We're gonna negotiate?
No, we're not.
So you remember, you're a desperate man. Okay?
Whatever comes next, they need to believe
that you'll do anything not to go back, do you understand?
Sniper now has a shot and waiting for the go/no go.
Yeah, that's not gonna be a problem.