Judge Carter Addison (Dick Van Dyke) kills his mistress then presides over the murder trial as Matlock tries to defend a framed man.
Matlock defends a rock star whose rowdy stage life appears to be affecting her courtroom performance.
Matlock's former professor and mentor (Don Porter), framed by students in a hit-and-run, seeks Ben's defense.
Accused of murdering his stingy landlord, a sidewalk Santa Claus (Pat Hingle) seeks Matlock's defense.
A district attorney matches wits with a much-despised author (Tricia O'Neil) after the writer's best friend dies.