"PRIMETIME: THE OUTSIDERS," EXAMINES UNUSUAL PEOPLE WITH UNIMAGINABLE LIVES, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29 ON ABC

This week "Primetime: The Outsiders" goes behind the doors of a successful couple from the Sacramento, California area, who seemed to have it all -- until their life started to unravel in a baffling way. Richard and Susan Hamlin met in law school and, as he explains it, from there on had a "very blessed life." Richard was a star defense attorney and Susan a corporate lawyer who left her career to become a stay-at-home mom for their four children. They were part of Sacramento society, consistently attending the A-list party circuit of the local scene. As time went on, however, things started to shift and their marriage began to crumble. But that was just the beginning. Chris Cuomo reports how their story took a drastic turn the day Susan went into a police precinct to confess to planning the murder of her own husband and to molesting her children. But did it ever happen? "Primetime: The Outsiders" airs WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network (this report originally aired in February 2007).

"Primetime" examines the compelling story to find out whether Susan's confessions were real or whether she was in fact being brainwashed by her husband. The program follows the trial of Richard Hamlin, who is the defendant, rather than Susan. Cuomo interviews Richard, Susan, their children and police to get answers. Richard tells Cuomo that Susan's father is part of a satanic cult -- a cult that police and prosecutors say never existed - and that he is to blame. But ultimately the question remains whether Susan's husband was capable of physically beating and emotionally brainwashing his wife to believe the unthinkable... and if so, how?

Then: Cuomo reports on a man who says he was protecting his family from his neighbor and long-time friend when he shot him in the chest. He even called the police to confess what he had done. Originally convicted and sentenced to 25 years to life, he found a legal loop hole that set him free after only six years and sent shockwaves through the entire legal system. "Primetime" reports how other convicted killers have followed his lead and are using the same strategy. This report originally aired in February 2007.

David Sloan is the executive producer of "Primetime: The Outsiders."