Photo: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

Back in 2006, director Nick Cassavetes filmed Alpha Dog, which was based on the true story of the kidnapping and subsequent murder of 15-year-old Nicholas Markowitz. This week, Jesse James Hollywood, whose character was portrayed by Emile Hirsch in the film, took the stand in his own self-defense. Natasha Vargas-Cooper has been covering the sensational murder trial for the Awl, turning in a series of excellent pieces that remind us more than a little bit of Dominick Dunne. [Awl]