The Case of the Decadent Dean

In this episode we get a good introduction into courtroom proceedings when Perry gets a case dismissed when the prosecution cannot prove 'corpus delicti' or the fact that a crime had actually been committed. But it will not be long until Perry will be back in the courtroom trying to get his client cleared for the second time in the show.

Dr Aaron Stuart runs a prep school that seems to be having trouble meeting most of their bills. And with a company wanting to buy the land where the school is located people are beginning to talk about selling the school. Dr Stuart finds out that Assistant Dean, Tobie Wade, has been sabotaging the school but the reason is unclear. Dr Stuart confronts Tobie Wade near an ocean cliff and gets into a scuffle. Tobie Wade gets pushed off the cliff and falls into the ocean. Dr Stuart goes to the police station to confess to the homicide.

Even though Dr Stuart confessed, Perry is able to have the charges dismissed when the State cannot provide the 'corpus delicti'. So Dr Stuart is freed even when he still believes he killed Tobie Wade.

Later Dr Stuart receives a call from a teacher advising she had seen Tobie Wade alive in a rural cabin. Dr Stuart goes to the cabin and there the police now have their 'corpus delicti'. Dr Stuart is standing over the dead body of Toby Wade murdered with Stuart's tire iron.

Perry again is masterful as he defends Dr Stuart in court. Through testimony and video presentation, Perry works his magic as he combs the testimony to reveal the true murderer.

Not only does this episode provide the viewer with a good mystery- the script makes the show interesting and suspenseful. A very good episode.

Was this show EVER based on any semblance of reality?

Virtually all courtroom sequences are so far-fetched and NOT based in real law and justice as to be laughable, at best. This one is ridiculously so.

Just want to note the outstanding performance by Milton Selzer in this "Perry Mason" episode. This is an example of absolutely perfect casting (often a hallmark of this series). Selzer is a poised and confident actor and his performance is flawless. The episode as a whole has a very dramatic tone throughout, and fortunately produces excellent heavy drama, very watchable.