CSI: Las Vegas answered whether Josh Folsom (Matt Lauria) was responsible for murder, while also setting up the arc that will likely continue through the rest of the season. After months of waiting, what were the results of the investigation into Folsom’s guilt or innocence?
To recap, Folsom’s mother, Jeannette, was killed after he discovered she was doing drugs again. Her killer, Kahn Schechter, was connected to a drug lord named Raphael Tarquenio, who has managed to remain one step ahead of the law.
While it was clear that both Folsom and his friend, Trey, were investigating the crime off the record, neither of them killed Schecter. As Folsom waited in prison, Trey attempted to point authorities in Tarquenio’s direction.
It didn’t look good for Josh at first, especially since once Trey was picked up, they both tried to cover for the other person. And when Raphael showed the new Undersheriff and the CSI’s footage of Trey and Josh with Kahn, it looked even worse. But despite the fact that Kahn was eventually found dead, it was still a question of who committed the crime.
What's next for Josh Folsom after the events of CSI: Las Vegas Season 3, Episode 1?
Eventually, the team would figure out that Schecter died after being injected with capsaicin, an ingredient seen in hot peppers. Earlier, while searching Tarquenio’s home, they saw his nephew, Zach, eating spicy hummus. Since the same kind of peppers were found at a stash house associated with Raphael, they deduced he was the killer.
To make himself appear that he was not involved in Jeannette’s murder, Raphael brought his nephew in for Kahn’s murder. Despite Zach claiming he alone was responsible, Catherine was not prepared to back down.
It is very likely the attempt to bring down Raphael Tarquenio will last for the season. But what does this mean for Josh?
He was ultimately released, but because of his actions in hunting down Kahn on his own, his job is on the line. Even if he does go back to work, he may still need to earn the trust of his colleagues again.
CSI: Vegas airs Sundays on CBS at 10/9c. You can find the episodes the next day on Paramount+.