Genre dramatized court show Country of origin United States No. of seasons 1 First episode date 10 December 1958 Number of seasons 1 | Starring Edgar Allan Jones, Jr. Original language(s) English Producer(s) Selig J. Seligman Final episode date 30 September 1959 Language English | |
Accused is a 1958 dramatized court show consisting of filmed reenactments of actual court cases. The show was cancelled at the end of its first season.
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Background
In the summer of 1957, local television station KABC-TV began broadcasting Traffic Court, presenting re-enactments of traffic court cases and arraignments. The format proved popular and the show moved to ABC's national daytime schedule. It was soon followed by the syndicated Divorce Court and Day in Court. In December 1958, Accused debuted as the prime time version of Day in Court.
Casting
Similar to other courtroom dramas of the time, the defendants and witnesses were actors (including, for example, Pamela Mason and Robert Culp). However, the defense and prosecution attorneys were real-life lawyers. The court was presided over by Edgar Allan Jones, Jr. Jones had a law degree from the University of Virginia, was a member of the UCLA law faculty and a labor arbitrator.
Production
The show was produced by Selig J. Seligman, a former U.S. Army lawyer who served at the Nuremberg Trials. He later became an ABC Vice President as well as executive producer of Combat and Garrison's Gorillas.