The charred body of a young Asian woman is found huddled near an apartment elevator. At first, it appears that the victim may have set herself on fire in protest over religious differences with the Chinese consul general. Ultimately, however, a murder case is assembled and a suspect brought into court -- and the defense attorney is Howard Pincham (
Chris Sarandon), a longtime friend of DA Arthur Branch (
Fred Dalton Thompson). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide