Dead Files' producers, Rob Rosen and Desma Simon, are now working with a new show on Investigation Discovery called "Reasonable Doubt".
When families feel their loved ones are falsely accused of murder, they call criminal attorney Melissa Lewkowicz and retired homicide detective Chris Anderson for help. Chris and Melissa will go back over the evidence, re-interview witnesses and case investigators, and meet with experts to see if they feel there is any reasonable doubt in the conviction. If there is, they will get them the help they need to reopen the investigation. If not, they give the families the cold hard truth.
I had the opportunity to interview Melissa and Chris.
Chris:
Q: What made you want to go into law enforcement? What/who were your influences?
A: "My mother, it was her influence and relationship with our city."
Q: I read that you saw you and Melissa as “the millennial Odd Couple”. How do you view your team now?
A: "Lol! We are so much alike now I consider her my sister! We talk multiple times daily, and not just about Reasonable Doubt about everything!"
Q: How do your family and friends feel about you doing Reasonable Doubt?
A: "My family loves it. They all understand that Reasonable Doubt tackles an issue that is a real problem in society (wrongly convicted) We also seek to help those that that are basically sitting in prison because their loved one is unjustly in prison (in their minds)."
Q: Is there anything about you we don’t know that you’d like to share?
A: " I am a grill master! I grill weekly everything from Vegetables to whole animals!"
Mr. Christopher Anderson
(Think I'm heading to Chris' next summer holiday.)
Melissa:
Q: What made you want to go into law? Did you have any influences?
A: "As a first generation American, I was raised by my ENTIRE family – and everyone had a piece of advice. Their strongest, most compelling argument: “education is something NOBODY can ever take away from you.” Even though my father barely finished high school, my parents stressed the value of education over ANYTHING else.
"My family would have weekly dinners/discussions. Every Friday night, my mother would invite our whole family and friends - who we considered family. Ira Chester, my law partner at Chester & Lewkowicz, was one of those friends/family members. He went to High School with my mother and would come to our dinners. There, he would regale us with stories about his work as a criminal defense attorney. He sounded like a superhero curing the world of all its injustice! I was just a child, but I knew then, what I wanted to do… I wanted to be a superhero too!"
Q: What did you think when you were approached for the show? How do you feel now?
A: "When our Producer/Creator Rob Rosen walked through my office doors, I knew THIS was the right show to get involved in – because THIS show… This show mattered. This show COULD make a difference. This show COULD help effectuate GREAT change.
"After 10 weeks on the road with some of the most hardworking, brilliant, strong, creative people I have ever had the privilege of meeting – I knew the show WOULD make a difference! And I knew it WOULD effectuate GREAT change!"
Q: I keep seeing you are a partner of a law firm and are referred to as a “super lawyer” and a “rising star”. How does it feel reaching such a level of success at such a young age?
A: "I don’t measure success in terms of accolades – though my mother and I do appreciate them. 😉 I do appreciate that it was those accolades that opened the door to this project – and for that – I am eternally grateful."
Thank you, Chris and Melissa. And thank you, Melissa, for these great pictures.
If you haven't already, please check out "Reasonable Doubt" Wednesday nights on Investigation Discovery.
