Uploaded September 2013 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Hour 2: Deciding Punishment
Jimmy Moran has been found guilty of shooting and badly injuring a woman in a robbery that went wrong. During the sentencing phase of the trial, Judge Rakoff hears arguments from the court appointed psychiatrist, the prosecuting and defense attorneys, the victim's husband and Jimmy himself. Meanwhile Alan Alda discovers how neuroscience is already influencing the sentencing of defendants -- especially young defendants like Jimmy -- by revealing in vivid detail how the immaturity of the teenage brain makes it vulnerable to foolish and impulsive acts. Alda also explores more speculative neuroscience that may predict Jimmy's future dangerousness and even his remorse for the injury he caused. And before Judge Rakoff pronounces Jimmy's sentence, Alda meets a judge who has volunteered to have his own brain probed as he makes sentencing decisions.
For more videos and other content, go to: brainsontrial.com
See hour one here: brainsontrial.com/watch-videos/video/episode-1-determining-guilt
Hour 2: Deciding Punishment
Jimmy Moran has been found guilty of shooting and badly injuring a woman in a robbery that went wrong. During the sentencing phase of the trial, Judge Rakoff hears arguments from the court appointed psychiatrist, the prosecuting and defense attorneys, the victim's husband and Jimmy himself. Meanwhile Alan Alda discovers how neuroscience is already influencing the sentencing of defendants -- especially young defendants like Jimmy -- by revealing in vivid detail how the immaturity of the teenage brain makes it vulnerable to foolish and impulsive acts. Alda also explores more speculative neuroscience that may predict Jimmy's future dangerousness and even his remorse for the injury he caused. And before Judge Rakoff pronounces Jimmy's sentence, Alda meets a judge who has volunteered to have his own brain probed as he makes sentencing decisions.
For more videos and other content, go to: brainsontrial.com
See hour one here: brainsontrial.com/watch-videos/video/episode-1-determining-guilt
