First Degree" is based on an 1875 murder and subsequent investigation, in a small New England town, which lead to the execution of the convicted killer.

Waldo Langmaid, Josie's younger brother, grows impatient while waiting for Josie's friend to arrive. Despite Josie's pleading he leaves ahead of her for school. When Josie realizes that her friend is not going to show up on time, she sets off alone for the nearly two mile walk to school. She never makes it. A search by lantern light discovers something so horrid that the most strong-hearted men are glad to make their way out of the woods. Fear and panic immerse the small community and a $2,000 reward is quickly offered for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the monster who committed this unspeakable crime. Amidst the untimely funeral of Josie A. Langmaid the townspeople try to come to grips with the tragedy. Officer Hildreth and Detective Dearborn make a swift arrest and it looks like an open and shut case. The suspect is about to be lynched by an angry mob, when surprising new evidence surfaces in the form of a telegraph from town officials in a neighboring state. This turn of events sets the investigation moving in a new direction. The first suspect is released and another takes his place. Rumors abound that someone very close to the victim is acting quite peculiar. A trial leads to a conviction and the townspeople seek justice in a public execution of the condemned killer.