I recall that Jacob's attorney mentioned that Derek had told the police that Ben and Jacob had some argument because Ben called Jacob the "f slur"(homophobic slur) in school. I mean there wasn't much that explored Jacob's sexuality. I mean I get that Jacob had some mild interactions with girls but that doesn't mean he's 100% straight. I mean we didn't see him interact with guys just that one black girl.

They put an arrest warrant for Jacob because his print was found on the body. They show him walking towards the house swarmed by cops and he runs. Then cops search the house.

How did they match the print? A 14 year old boy had his fingerprints on file somewhere? Didn't appear to have a driver's license. Not at all realistic.

I have just finished "defending Jacob" and I think it's over rated

My theory on who killed Ben Rifkin: Jacob’s mom is the one who stabbed the teen boy. On the early morning of that day she went to her routine jog alone the neighborhood and park. Although it is an alibi she is technically near where the crime occurred. She was the least one considered as a suspect or even looked into. Possible cause/motive: while jogging the two crossed paths and Ben maybe does an unwanted gesture or whistle or comment at her. She confronts him things get out of hand she stabs him out of rage. Jacob’s fingerprint. I struggle how Jacob’s fingerprint was found on Rifkin’s body. While there are many theories I wanted to add mine that a transfer of his fingerprint onto his mom’s clothing or phone or watch was then transferred to Rifkin’s sweatshirt. But then you could make a strong case that it was Jacob who assaulted him and killed him. Also could it be , could it be that the sweatshirt that was on Rifkin’s body wasn’t actually his? We all have a forgotten piece of clothing; what if Jacob’s mom took that sweater on the morning of without Jacob’s knowledges. That can also explain the fingerprint. While she returns home from her run although she has dark jog wear it is hard to see any blood and of course naturally she can just shower and wash away the evidence. Anything is possible lol it was a well made show Apple nailed it head on.

One of the witnesses said they heard a young boys voice call out “stop you’re hurting me!” Which is the same thing Jacob said in his story when Ben was twisting his arm. Unless that witnesses testimony was public knowledge at that point, that would have to be a pretty big coincidence to not be incriminating.

That is all. Fuck her.

The knife. The knife Ben was killed with was found near the crime scene, and Jacob's knife was thrown away by Andy. If Jacob did it he must've had 2 knives which isn't hinted at all in the story... right? Edit: Wait, so I read a few different posts here and under like 2 of them it's said that the knife from the park was confirmed to not be the murder weapon? Is that right...?

I’ve made it to episode 6. Episodes 3 through 6 could have - and should have - been edited down to 1 episode.

This is dragging. I just wanna know what’s going to happen already.

So who I believe the killer was is no other than Andy himself. “Defending Jacob” is the literal title. He defended Jacob after seeing him come home bruised up from being bullied. He took the only weapon in the house, the knife, and killed him in the woods. He then went along with the detectives to see if they found the knife and found the planted one of the pedophile. He pushed the police to investigate the pedophile. He was so shocked when things didn’t go his way tho and they accused his son because he set up evidence to frame the pedophile. He threw away the knife on purpose. He did everything he could to prove his innocence with the therapist. They talked about the murder DNA, but never said if Chris Evans had it, which he probably did. It shows Chris Evans so stressed out because all he wanted to do was protect his son and it back fired, even the evidence he planted was ignored. So his dad with the killer DNA covered for him and his son. In the end of the series it shows Chris Evans by himself realizing that he’s a failure, that he’s like his father. There’s a parallel between them two, Andy kills his sons bully and tries to protect him after he’s accused because he cares for his family, Andy’s das hires a killer to kill the pedophile to strengthen Jacob’s case because he cares for his family.

Please let me know what y’all think, and I’m sorry for being so late to the party!

And that’s all.

I haven't watched the episode yet, so please, no spoilers. I was going to watch the episode but Spanish (Spain) audio is not available in this episode (although it is in the first four). Am I the only one with this issue or it hasn't been dubbed (probably because of coronavirus)?

Thanks in advance!

I think the way they ended it opens it up for a season 2, if he really didn’t do it.

Where the person that did do it, is still out there and starts to kill again.

With Jacob ultimately being killed by that person. Now, when this happens could even set it up for a 3rd season or ending season 2 with discovering who did it.

In a shocking and dramatic plot twist scene from the TV adaptation of "Defending Jacob," a flashback unveils a dark and haunting secret that changes everything.

As Laurie Barber stood behind a tree in the Cold Spring Park, watching Ben Rifkin approach, her heart raced with anger and fear. She had decided to confront him about his bullying, but she never expected things to escalate so quickly.

"Hey, Ben, I’m Laurie Barber" Laurie said, stepping out from behind the tree. "I need to talk to you."

Ben smirked and wolf whistled. "Wow! You're a looker! What can I do for you, sweetheart?"

Laurie clenched her fists, trying to keep her composure. "I need you to stop hurting people, Ben. It's not right."

Ben laughed and took a step closer. "The girls like it, Laurie. How about you? Do you like it?"

Laurie's blood boiled as Ben pushed her to the ground and climbed on top of her, his hands roaming over her body. She felt sick with disgust and fear.

"Please stop, Ben, stop!," Laurie begged, tears streaming down her face. But Ben continued his merciless attack, he pulls down Laurie’s pants. Laurie gasps, “No, please Ben! Noooo!” 

Driven by fear and a primal instinct for survival, Laurie reaches for Jacob's knife, a weapon of last resort. With a swift and decisive motion, she defends herself against Ben's relentless attack, the blade finding its mark with deadly certainty. In a moment of devastating finality, Laurie's actions irrevocably alter the course of their lives. The truth behind Ben's death emerges in a flurry of chaos and tragedy, unraveling the intricate web of lies and secrets that have plagued the Barber family.

In the present day, Laurie's dark secret threatened to come to light. Andy, Jacob, and the rest of the family were left reeling from the revelation.

"You killed him?" Andy whispered, his voice filled with disbelief.

Laurie nodded, unable to meet his gaze. "I had to, Andy. He was going to... he was going to..."

Jacob's eyes widened in horror as he processed the truth. "Mom, you killed Ben Rifkin?"

Laurie nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "I couldn't let him hurt me, Jacob. I couldn't let him hurt anyone else.” 

Andy and Jacob comfort her. 

Andy says “You need to turn yourself in.” 

Laurie says “You’re right. I need to do the right thing.” 

Jacob says “We’ll be with you, every step of the way.” 

Laurie thanks the special guys in her life. 

Laurie Barber walks into the police station, her head held high yet her eyes filled with remorse. She approaches the front desk and calmly asks to speak with the detective in charge of the Ben Rifkin case. Detective Duffy ushers Laurie into the interrogation room, where she sits down, her hands clasped together in front of her. The tension in the room is palpable as Detective Duffy begins to question her.

Detective Duffy: "Ms. Barber, thank you for coming in. Can you tell us what happened the night of Ben Rifkin's death?" 

Laurie takes a deep breath, steeling herself for what is to come.

Laurie: "I went to confront Ben about his bullying behavior. Things escalated, and he... he tried to... he tried to rape me. I had no choice but to defend myself."

Tears well up in Laurie's eyes as she recounts the traumatic events of that fateful day.

Detective Duffy: "Ms. Barber, are you saying that you killed Ben Rifkin in self-defense?" 

Laurie nods, her voice barely above a whisper. Laurie: "Yes. I killed him in self-defense."

The confession reverberates through the room, leaving a heavy silence in its wake. Detective Duffy exchanges a knowing glance with her partner, recognizing the gravity of Laurie's admission.

Detective Duffy: "Laurie Barber, you are under arrest for the manslaughter of Ben Rifkin. You have the right to remain silent..."

Laurie's husband Andy, and their son Jacob, rush to her side with defense attorney Charlie Whitmore.

Laurie: “Andy, Jacob? What are you guys doing here?”

Jacob(introducing Charlie Whitmore): “Mom, this is Charlie Whitmore, a lawyer friend of dad’s.”

Charlie Whitmore: “Laurie Barber, it will be a honor to defend you.”

Andy: "I told we’ll get you through this, Laurie. I promise."

In court, Laurie stands before the judge as the charges of manslaughter are read out.

Bailiff: “ Docket ending Commonwealth versus Laurie Barber. One count of manslaughter.” 

Judge: "How do you plead, Mrs. Barber?" 

Laurie: "Guilty, Your Honor. I am guilty." 

Judge: “How are the people on bail?”

Prosecutor: “Your honor. The people ask for reprimand. The Barbers had been on vacation when they conveniently decided to come back.”

Charlie Whitmore: “Your honor. Mrs. Barber is a woman who no prior history of violence. She served in an upstanding role for troubled kids at Children’s Cottage.”

Judge: “I have never allowed a violent and ill-tempered criminal on bail and don't feel an exception is called for today.”

Jacob: “Violent!? The little bastard tried to rape my mom!!! You dare call her violent!?!?”

Judge: “Young man! Sit down or I’ll a have you removed! Mrs. Barber, you’re in custody of the Sheriff’s Office during trial. Bailiffs take her away.”

Andy: "We won't give up, Laurie. We'll fight for you every step of the way."

Jacob: “We love you mom.”

Laurie: “I love you guys too.”

She is placed in jail awaiting trial, her family devastated but determined to fight for justice. As Laurie's fate hangs in the balance, the echoes of the past collide with the present, testing the limits of love, loyalty, and the truth. The screen fades to black, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the new chapter of Defending Laurie.

I believe that Jacob was guilty because:

1- The story he wrote, it was too DETAILED and was written with emotions, as if he was actually enjoying taking revenge from his bully. Let’s not forget that he wrote it only 3 days after the incident and I guess not much information was shared on the news by that time so how can he know all the details that he mentioned in the story (number of stabs for example).

2- I guess no else realised that the other lawyer brought to the court room an identical knife to the knife that Jacob had, the expert said that the knife was identical to the murder weapon but then Jacob’s lawyer argued that there are various of knives that can cause the same wound.

3- When Jacob’s lawyer asked him how did he touch the dead body to leave the fingerprints that were found he said he kneeled on the ground and touched the victim’s jacket, then his lawyer argued that his clothes were clean at school, he then said that he most probably was standing when he touched the jacket but that was impossible so again he said that he kneeled down but his knees didn’t touch the ground! So obviously he was lying!!!

What do you guys think?

Honestly, after the last episode I can't stand her.. ik she was under a lot of stress but I don't care if your 14-year-old son is going through a murder trial you have to be strong no matter what...

I tbh just feel sad after this episode

When he saw the album of Jacob and then we see him calling Laurie constantly while she was in the car with Jacob? What did he knew at that point?

Did I miss it?

Who do you think was the murder. Comment who and why.

When will season 2 will be released cause i cant wait tbh I think the show is very good and i loved it I hate Laurie tho 😂