Verdict in Blood (2002)

Widowed Joanne Kilbourn is an ex-police officer, whose deceased husband Ian was the Ontario provincial Attorney General when he was murdered. His murder was eventually solved six years after the incident. After a stint as a criminology professor, Joanne now works as the criminal and justice expert for a local television news show. Her latest assignment is do an in-depth story on Judge Marcia Blackwell, who used to be known for delivering harsh sentences, but as of late has been more compassionate in sentencing the convicted. After an off the record comment to Joanne that she is taking early retirement, Judge Blackwell is found murdered in her home, she bludgeoned on the head. Joanne's story turns to Judge Blackwell's murder, Joanne working alongside the chief police investigator, Detective Alex Emanuel. Joanne and Alex find that there are many potential suspects, including an ex-con who Judge Blackwell sentenced years earlier and with who she later had a very close association, a troubled youth who she let stay in her coach house, two grown daughters with who she had a dysfunctional relationship, a lawyer who she seemed to be "paying off", and the family of the victim of her last case who were unhappy with her light sentencing. Joanne and Alex also discover that Judge Blackwell was keeping some secrets which may be key to solving the murder.