Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt is the eighth in the series of Jesse Stone movies based on the novels by Robert B. Parker. In this installment, Jesse (played by Tom Selleck) has been suspended from his job as police chief in Paradise, Massachusetts, after being accused of beating up a suspect. While he is trying to clear his name and get his job back, he is called in to investigate a brutal double homicide at a local diner.
The victims are two young men who were known to be involved with the mob, and Jesse quickly realizes that he is in over his head. The mob boss, Gino Fish (played by William Devane), is in town and seems to be involved in the killings, but he has a lot of powerful people protecting him. Jesse has to navigate his way through a web of corruption and deceit in order to unravel the truth and bring the killer or killers to justice.
Along the way, Jesse also has to deal with personal issues, including his relationship with his ex-wife, his ongoing struggle with alcoholism, and his reluctance to accept help from his friends and colleagues. The movie features a strong ensemble cast, including Kathy Baker as Jesse's assistant, William Sadler as a local businessman with ties to the mob, and Gloria Reuben as a journalist who becomes entangled in the case.
Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt is a tense and gripping crime thriller that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end. It is a testament to the enduring appeal of the Jesse Stone character, who has become one of the most beloved and iconic figures in contemporary crime fiction.