Warning! Spoilers Ahead for Presumed Innocent episode 7.
Summary
Presumed Innocent’s season 1 has still not revealed the identity of the central killer. However, based on some details presented in the show’s episode 7’s cliffhanger ending, it is hard to be suspicious about one particular character. Since episode 1,Presumed Innocenthas done an incredible job of dropping several red herrings and clues that make nearly every main character a suspect in Carolyn Polhemus' murder.
Out of all the prime suspects, however, Molto has been the most suspicious because, as flashbacks reveal, he always had a thing for Carolyn. But, to his dismay, she never gave him any attention and even reported him to their firm’s HR. Episode 7 also features a flashback where Carolyn distances herself from Molto when he tries to get too close, suggesting that Molto might have killed her out of jealousy and revenge. However, even though many clues are piled against Molto,Presumed Innocentepisode 7’s endingsignificantly reduces the odds of his involvement in the murder.
Presumed Innocent Spoilers: Who Killed Carolyn Polhemus & The Book’s Biggest Reveals
Reading Scott Turow’s original novel could solve the case of who killed Carolyn Polhemus in Jake Gyllenhaal’s new crime drama, Presumed Innocent.
The Note With The Murder Weapon At Molto’s Home Suggests Kumagai Is The Killer In Presumed Innocent
Many Clues Point In Kumagai’s Direction
For starters, since Carolyn was found tied up in the same way Bunny Davis was after her murder, the killer has to be familiar with details of the Bunny Davis murder case that were not made public. Since Kumagai was the medical examiner in the case, he must have known every little detail about it. As seen throughoutPresumed Innocent’s runtime,Kumagai also has a long history of rolling out autopsy reports when he finds it convenient. He even suddenly emerges with evidence surrounding Rusty’s DNA under Carolyn’s nails right after Rusty confronts him for not disclosing details from the Bunny Davis case.
Another little detail that makes Kumagai even more suspicious is that he says “Go F**k Yourself” to Rusty in an early episode of the show, which is exactly what the note says.
Perhaps the biggest clue that hints at his involvement in the murder is that the murder weapon (fireplace poker) appears in Molto’s home with the “Go Fk Yourself” noteright after Molto points out Kumagai’s negligence and oversight in court to frame Rusty as a violent man. Another little detail that makes Kumagai even more suspicious is that he says “Go Fk Yourself” to Rusty in an early episode of the show, which is exactly what the note says.
Kumagai also despises Rusty, which could have been one of the primary reasons why he might have killed Carolyn and framed him as the murderer. Carolyn also might have been at odds with Kumagai before her death because Reynolds ended up in prison because of him. She might have confronted him for hiding the evidence, which might have led to a conflict that eventually prompted Kumagai to kill her.
Other Potential Suspects In Presumed Innocent Explained
Molto, Eugenia, Barbara, & Raymond Are All On The List
Carolyn’s son, Michael, reveals that Carolyn was scared of someone at her office. Given how she often distanced herself from Motlo, it is hard not to believe she was afraid of him because of how obsessed he was with her. This makes him a potential suspect even though he is a prosecutor in the case. Barbara, for obvious reasons, seems suspicious because she is Rusty’s wife and even knew about his extramarital affair with Carolyn.
The fact that Eugenia seems to have a thing for Rusty and would also often warn him about getting involved with Carolyn suggests that she, too, never liked Carolyn. AlthoughRaymond may come off as the show’s most likable character, he cannot be overlookedsince he was deadset on winning the state elections inPresumed Innocent’s early episodes and was seemingly willing to do just about anything to win. Since there are clues against nearly every main character, it would be interesting to see howPresumed Innocentseason 1 will connect the dots in its finale.
Presumed Innocent
An eight-episode limited series based on the New York Times bestselling novel of the same name by Scott Turow. Starring Gyllenhaal in the lead role of chief deputy prosecutor Rusty Sabich, the series takes viewers on a gripping journey through the horrific murder that upends the Chicago Prosecuting Attorney’s office when one of its own is suspected of the crime. The series explores obsession, sex, politics, and the power and limits of love, as the accused fights to hold his family and marriage together.
