This episode appears to be based on the 1975 Martha Moxley/Michael Skakel case. This includes allusions to the name of the main protagonist Michael Sarno (based on suspect Michael Skakel) and the name of the murder victim Mary Beth Mosley (based on victim Martha Moxley). Other detail elements of the real-life murder are alluded to, including the popularity of the murder victim and the manner of her death, the failed initial investigation and subsequent opening of the cold case, and the prominence of the Sarno family (as the Skakel family was related by marriage to the Kennedy family).
Briscoe quips that checking parking tickets worked in capturing Berkowitz. He is referring to David Berkowitz, the Son of Sam killer who terrorized NYC in 1976-77. A witness whom Berkowitz shot at and missed recalled seeing a policeman ticketing cars shortly before the shooting. This led to Berkowitz's arrest because his car had been ticketed
Merwin Goldsmith plays Judge Ian Feist in this and 10 other episodes. He previously played the part of Trial Judge Gollub in Episode 1.17, Mushrooms (1991).
Ken Marks has played three different characters over the course of the series:
- Episode 8.15 Faccia a Faccia (1998) - Agent Ruggiero.
- Episode 11.7 Amends (2000) - Michael Sarno.
- Episode 19.8 Chattel (2009) - Brian Klassen.
Mary Beth Mosley was murdered on August 21, 1981.