American Crime Story season 4 has many notorious true crime cases to choose from after losing its previous subject. The FX show is one of the best true crime TV series of all time, taking an anthological approach to storytelling. Each season tells a different story that became well-known across the United States. So far, American Crime Story has covered the trial of O.J. Simpson, the assassination of Gianni Versace, and the Clinton-Lewinsky affair.

American Crime Story was renewed for season 4 with plans to focus on Steve Rubell and Ian Schrage, the creators of Studio 54, who were eventually convicted of tax fraud. In January 2023, FX’s chairperson confirmed to Variety that the season is still in the works but won’t focus on Studio 54 anymore. With American Crime Story season 4 losing its subject, there are many other infamous crimes that the producers could pick for the upcoming addition to the anthology.

15

The Oklahoma City Bombing

Timothy McVeigh And Terry Nichols Committed The Worst Act Of Domestic Terrorism In US History

A pivotal and horrific event that shook the entire United States was the Oklahoma City Bombing. On April 19, 1995, two extremists named Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols used a truck bomb to blow up the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. According to the FBI, the explosion killed 168 people, including 19 children. The Oklahoma City Bombing is still considered the worst incident of domestic terrorism in US History, giving it enough publicity to appear in American Crime Story.

Additionally, the investigation followed 43,000 leads and included over 7000 pounds of evidence The event resulted in trials for Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, as well as co-conspirator Michael Fortier. This gives the show plenty of material to pull from when creating the narrative.

14

The Murder Of Jonelle Matthews

Steven Pankey Put Himself At The Center Of His Victim’s Investigation

The disappearance and murder of 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews occurred in Greeley, Colorado on December 20, 1984 (via People). Her body wasn’t found until July 2019. Despite this, a neighbor named Steven Pankey – now known as Jonelle’s kidnapper and murderer – inserted himself into the criminal investigation and continually asserted he had knowledge of what happened.

As Pankey gained attention, running for Idaho governor, so too did the Janelle Matthews case. Due to the unusual circumstances surrounding the case, Jonelle Matthews’ kidnapping and murder would be a great choice for American Crime Story season 4. Additionally, it would give the series a chance to cover a case with slightly less national attention.

13

The Watts Family Murders

Chris Watts Became A Family Annihilator

One of the worst incidents of family annihilation in recent years is the murder of 34-year-old Shanann Watts and her daughters, 4-year-old Bella and 3-year-old Celeste, at the hands of their husband/father, Christopher Watts (via People). This murder was especially heinous due to the murder of the two young girls and the unexpected nature of the crime.

Shanann had a social media presence that made them seem like the perfect family. She was even pregnant with their next child, which Chris seemed excited about. Add in him having a mistress and there are plenty of angles with which the writers of American Crime Story can work. Additionally, since the crime occurred on August 13, 2018, it’s fresh in the minds of viewers, pulling in more possible viewers.

12

The Murder Of JonBenet Ramsey

JonBenet Ramsey’s Murder Is Unsolved

One of the best-known examples of child murder in the US is the murder of JonBenet Ramsey. A season of American Crime Story centered on the tragic crime would certainly pull in viewers. There are various angles to the crime that they could take. Multiple suspects exist, all falling into one of two categories – the crime was allegedly either committed by a family member or an intruder (via CNN).

However, there are two slight downfalls to American Crime Story season 4 covering this crime. Firstly, there wouldn’t be a satisfying conclusion since nobody was ever found guilty. Secondly, the Ramseys have a history of being litigious. Still, the producers would be remiss to not at least consider the option.

11

The Tuskegee Experiment

The US Government Experimented On Black American Men

If American Crime Story season 4 wanted to cover a behemoth of a case, they could take on the Tuskegee Experiment, better known as the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. In this study, conducted between 1932 and 1979, the US Public Health Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recruited 600 Black men with the promise of free health care, but the 399 men with syphilis only received placebos. Researchers coerced physicians not to treat the men (via History).

Ultimately, 128 participants died of Syphilis or Syphilis-related causes. Because there are so many victims, the Tuskegee Experiment would be difficult to cover. This scandalous experiment was made public when a PHS investigator named Peter Buxton leaked the story to reporter Jean Heller, resulting in a massive congressional hearing. The fallout could be the touchpoint for the season’s narrative.

10

The Jodi Arias Case

Jodi Arias Murdered Her Ex-Boyfriend Travis Alexander

On June 4, 2008, Jodi Arias killed her ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander. Alexander’s friends immediately pointed the police to Arias, feeling certain she was responsible (via Crime Museum). This spurred one of the most bizarre and salacious murder investigations and trials, broadcast all across the country. The story was complete with fictional ninja intruders and a major make-under.

Because this story is just as well known as the O.J. Simpson trial, it would be a prime option for American Crime Story season 4. Plus, both the prosecutor – Juan Martinez – and Jodi Arias’ defense lawyer – Kirk Nurmi – wrote tell-all books that could serve as insight into the trial.

9

The Murder Of Emmett Till

Emmett Till’s Lynching Propelled Forward The Civil Rights Movement

A darker part of US history that American Crime Story season 4 could follow is the horrendous lynching of the 14-year-old Black kid named Emmett Till after he supposedly flirted with a white woman on August 28, 1955 (via History). While not as recent as the other cases in the seasons of American Crime Story, the brutal murder is just as prolific and resonant as the other cases featured. The murder and trial helped propel the Civil Rights Movement forward. This case would allow the show to address race in a better way than The People V. O.J. Simpson.

8

The Casey Anthony Case

Casey Anthony Is Widely Considered A Miscarriage Of Justice

Casey Anthony being found not guilty for the alleged murder of her 2-year-old daughter Caylee Anthony is widely considered a massive miscarriage of justice, much like the O. J. Simpson case. As such, it could be a great option for American Crime Story season 4. Even if she was absolved of guilt, according to Biography’s timeline, she still went 30 days without reporting her daughter missing and repeatedly lied about her daughter’s whereabouts.

The young woman made up a nanny and pretended to have a job at Universal Studios. She also got a tattoo that says “Bella Vita” which means “beautiful life” after Caylee’s death, which she has since covered up (via People). The trial was also filled with twists and turns. As such, there is plenty for the show to explore.

7

The Manson Family

The Manson Family Famously Committed The Tate-LaBianca Murders

Charles Manson is one of the best-known cult leaders of all time due to the book Helter Skelter. At the direction of Manson, his” Family” committed at least seven different murders, with estimates reaching as high as 35 people (via Biography). The most famous are the Tate-LaBianca killings. This story has been told repeatedly, so there are many chilling TV shows and movies about Charles Manson and his Family. With the track record of American Crime Story, this show could be one of the best versions yet by incorporating the character-driven narrative approach and strong writing seen in previous seasons.

6

The Clutter Family Murder

In Cold Blood Could Be Told In American Crime Story Season 4

The Clutter family murders were a quadruple homicide committed by Perry Smith and possibly Richard Hickock. It’s strongly believed that the murders were all done by Smith alone, even though Hickock helped with the plan and was present. The incident is recorded in one of the best true crime books of all time, In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. While this book was adapted into a 1967 movie and a 1996 miniseries, In Cold Blood could be used with the court records in order to create a season of American Crime Story that views the crime from a modern lens.

5

The Iran Contra Scandal

The Iran-Contra Scandal Revealed A Government Secret

If American Crime Story season 4 wanted to follow in the footsteps of Impeachment, the writers could focus on the Iran-Contra scandal. This was another instance where the government did something wrong but another person was scapegoated. The political scandal under the Reagan administration involved the CIA training and financing the Contras in Nicaragua and making a secret arms-for-hostages deal with Iran, providing them with weaponry (via PBS).

The scandal, fallout, and the conviction of Robert McFarlane would be a great focus. The stories of the two seasons would diverge slightly because Robert McFarlane received jail time for committing crimes under the instruction of government officials, whereas an immunity agreement meant Monica Lewinsky didn’t serve the jail time she faced.

4

The West Memphis Three

The West Memphis Three Were Wrongfully Convicted Of Murder

While the first season of American Crime Story focused on one type of miscarriage of justice, O.J. Simpson being found not guilty, season 4 could focus on a different kind of miscarriage of justice, the West Memphis Three’s wrongful conviction. Damian Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Miss Kelley were arrested and found guilty of murdering three 8-year-old boys named Steve Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers (via The Innocence Project).

However, there was no evidence and a coerced confession. In 2007, DNA testing excluded the three convicted killers. Then, all three were released in 2011 on Alford pleas. American Crime Story season 4 could follow their fight for justice up to the point of their release. In addition to telling an influential US crime story, it would also help push forward their battle for exoneration.

3

The Central Park Five

The Central Park Five Were Wrongfully Convicted Of Sexual Assault

A really well-known US crime case that American Crime Story season 4 could focus on is the Central Park Five case. In this story, five Black and Latinx teen boys were found guilty of sexually assaulting a jogger (via History). The teenagers spent years in jail only for DNA evidence and a confession from the real culprit, Matias Reyes, to exonerate them.

This compelling story has a strong angle because it looks at both wrongful convictions and racism. Additionally, it would be considered timely due to Donald Trump’s role in the case. The only downfall to selecting the Central Park Five for American Crime Story season 4 is the fact that the story was already told phenomenally in Netflix’s miniseries When They See Us.

2

Tonya Harding And Nancy Kerrigan

Nancy Kerrigan’s Assault Went Down In Sports Crime History

A less heavy but still compelling crime that American Crime Story season 4 could cover is the assault of Nancy Kerrigan, also called the “whack heard around the world.” These two figure skaters were direct competitors trying to get on the US Olympic team. After practice, on January 6, 1994, a hitman named Shane Stant broke Nancy Kerrigan’s leg with a collapsable baton (via Biography).

He was hired by Tonya Harding’s ex-husband and bodyguard, Jeff Gillooly and Shawn Eckhardt, respectively. Because this event led up to the Olympics, it became known worldwide, making it something that would fit right in with the other seasons of American Crime Story. Moreover, because of the success of I, Tonya, many people too young to remember the incident now know about the crime, giving it wider appeal.

1

The Unabomber

Ted Kaczynski Bombed Universities And Airlines

If American Crime Story writers want to go into season 4 with a bang, they could cover the story of the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski. The Harvard-educated mathematical genius went on a 17-year bombing rampage while living in a cabin in the woods and writing a manifesto against technology (via Britannica). The show could jump back and forth between the victims, investigators, and Kaczynski – offering an interesting narrative perspective that is different from previous seasons of American Crime Story. Additionally, the fact that the bomber’s own brother turned him in would provide an interesting twist for viewers unfamiliar with the true story.

Sources: Variety, FBI, People, People, CNN, History, Crime Museum, History, Biography, People, Biography, In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, PBS, The Innocence Project, History, Biography, and Britannica