Law & Order: Los Angeles (2010) s01e18 Episode Script
Plummer Park
NARRATOR: In the city of Los Angeles the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups, the police who investigate crime and the district attorneys who prosecute the offenders.
These are their stories.
NICK: Okay.
You be nice to your grandparents, okay? No more jokes about Pop-Pop.
He farts.
Everybody farts, silly.
Bye.
Bye.
(SOFT ROCK PLAYING ON RADIO) Okay.
All right.
I will call you as soon as we get to Santa Barbara.
I will.
I promise.
Okay.
Love you.
Bye.
(IMITATES SHOOTING SOUND) Mrs.
Lane, you need a hand? Don't mind me.
I can use the exercise.
Okay.
You know, it's been that way for almost an hour.
Somebody just left it on.
VENUTI: You know the people in that house? Uh, yeah.
Nick and Amy.
Amy is away with their kids.
Thank you.
(CAR HONKING) (KNOCKING) (SPEAKING RUSSIAN) OFFICERS: Gun! (YELLS IN RUSSIAN) (GROANS) (FIRES) (CHATTERING ON POLICE RADIO) (EXCLAIMS) What happened to him? Calcium oxide, for starters.
He was being dissolved in quicklime.
But before that, head trauma, contusions, broken nose, probably from a beating.
But going by the blue-grey color around his eyes, cause of death is myocardial infarction.
Heart attack.
Mmm-hmm.
Hmm.
Looks like the man of the house, Nicholas Libergal.
Hmm.
Business card.
He's a goldsmith downtown.
Custom wedding bands.
Maybe he made someone's ring too tight.
Hey, check this out.
We've got a blindfold, plastic hand ties, duct tape Camera.
Not the usual gear for a killing.
Maybe it started out as something else.
A kidnapping.
Tie the guy up, blindfold him, camera for ransom photos They left the car running, thinking it would take a minute to grab him, but Libergal put up a fight.
And then, he died of a heart attack.
Rather than drive around with a body, they decided to get rid of him here.
Maybe still make a play for a ransom.
And all the while, they forgot they left the car running.
Yeah, crime's tough when you're stupid.
No fingerprint hits on the suspects.
No ID on either of them.
Just a no-name cell phone, a wad of cash, and a set of keys.
Yeah.
Nothing useful in here, either.
As for Nick Libergal, he immigrated from Russia in 1988.
He owns a mortgage, a car loan and furniture from IKEA.
I saw his bank statements.
There's no money there for a ransom.
Well, maybe his wife's family has the dough.
Well, getting kidnapped is one way to find out if your in-laws like you.
Yeah.
You know, these cowboys were all balls and no brains.
Besides lighting up the neighborhood, everything else about this rodeo is pretty slick.
No trace on the car, no IDs They have an accomplice with brains.
That's my gut.
They waited till Libergal was alone.
Means they were watching the house.
Nick was such a kind man.
The whole family.
Just the nicest people.
REX: We're very sorry.
The last few days, did you notice anyone parked on the street watching Mr.
Libergal's house? Yes.
The honking car.
I'd seen that one before, two days ago.
What honking car? The one that honked when the officer went up to the door.
It was parked over there, under that tree.
And it just zoomed out when the officers shot their guns.
What kind of car was it? Oh, well, um A Town Car.
It was the same car my late husband drove.
He was a chauffeur.
He used to drive Barbara Stanwyck around.
Thank you, ma'am.
Hey.
I got cigarette butts.
Five of them and three chewing gum wrappers.
Spicy peppermint.
He was here a while.
The brains of the operation.
He was stressing out.
And you would be, too, if you had two trigger-happy idiots working for you.
I left our kids at my parents' house.
I don't know how I'm going to tell them.
I can put you in touch with our Victims Assistance Program.
They can help you.
Mrs.
Libergal, we need you to look at the photographs of these two men.
Are these the men that killed Nick? Yes.
Have you seen them before? Mmm-mmm.
Did you get any calls or e-mails from people asking about your assets or your finances? Yours or your parents'? No.
We didn't have much.
(DOOR OPENING) Nick worked very hard.
He used to send money to his relatives in Russia.
And my parents, they're retired teachers.
It doesn't make sense.
We don't have anything that anybody would want.
Your husband's relatives back in Russia.
Any of them doing well? He has a younger brother in the oil business there.
He's rich.
Oh, God.
I've got to call them.
I have to tell them what happened to Nick.
(SOBS) You just wait here.
I'll get someone to come in and talk with you.
Homeland Security got a hit on your suspects.
They were printed at LAX customs two weeks ago, off a flight from Moscow.
Out-of-town talent.
Yeah.
For an out-of-town payday.
Maybe the point of kidnapping Libergal was to shake money loose from his brother, back in Russia.
Seems like it would be easier to just kidnap someone in Moscow.
From what I hear, if you kidnap someone in Russia, the police are the least of your worries.
Go talk to Homeland Security.
See if they were traveling with somebody.
OFFICER STRONACH: Mikhail Khomyakov and Igor Lagutin.
Entered the country on tourist visas issued on the same day in Moscow.
I checked our security cameras.
Uh, they didn't interact with anybody else in the customs line or baggage area.
But they were met in the terminal by two gentlemen.
They boarded a hotel shuttle bus.
Same hotel they gave as their local address.
But there's no record they checked in.
You have their visa applications? Mmm-hmm.
Occupation: Personal travel consultant.
Coming from a kidnapper, that's pretty cute.
I know.
Here.
Their local contact.
Eagles and Bears Friendship Club.
(SCOFFS) That's what it says.
On Fairfax.
Thank you.
Sure.
It was rented to a man named Oblomov four months ago.
I never met the man myself, but, uh, he paid three months' rent in advance.
Doesn't look like the Eagles and Bears have been doing much business.
No, you'd think helping criminals get tourist visas would pay well.
A cable bill.
I don't see a TV.
It's for an address in Laurel Canyon.
Spicy peppermint.
Police! Clear! (KNOCKING) It looks like this is where they were planning to keep Mr.
Libergal.
We've got a bed.
Eye-bolts in the floor to chain him down.
That's not all they had in mind.
Come out here.
Once the money was paid, they were going to kill him.
REX: There was a grocery bag from your store and a receipt from last week.
It could be this one.
I remember the Johnny Depp hat.
The guy did not have the cheekbones to pull it off.
Did they pay with cash or credit? Cash, both times.
Both times? When was the other time? Three days ago? He was stumbling through the aisles and couldn't find anything.
I think he was Russian.
So, I helped him.
He had a list.
What was on it? You know, staples.
Toilet paper, water, gum, energy bars Basic hostage survival kit.
It was the same list both times.
Except the second time, he also wanted sanitary napkins and a hairbrush.
Thank you.
There's a woman.
Three days ago.
That's the day after they screwed up Libergal's kidnapping.
Maybe they had another target already picked out.
And now, they've got her somewhere up in these canyons.
Yeah, and with the clock running out.
There's thousands of homes in those canyons.
I'm going to put someone 24l7 on that store.
What about the people who rented the house? Oh, it's a dead end.
The owners listed it on Craigslist.
Everything was done over the web.
They got paid first and last with a money order.
Then, that's the MO.
Check for other houses on Craigslist that were rented in the last two months.
You know, we could be wrong.
There might not be any more kidnap victims.
Yeah.
If you were this crew, would you fly halfway around the world for just the one play? I wouldn't.
Assume the worst.
OFFICER: Detective.
Hmm.
The suspects' car got a ticket ten days ago on North Fuller in West Hollywood.
The 1200 block.
Well, they could be anywhere.
In the Canyon house, there was a chessboard.
Yeah, marked on the floor.
So? So? Plummer Park.
These guys, they look like Moscow punks, yeah? Yeah.
You see them here, about a week and a half ago? They play chess.
Of course they play chess.
They're Russian.
Yura (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE) When I worked Hollywood Division, my sarge used to come here during his lunch break and grab a game.
If you want good homemade borscht, this is the place.
(SPEAKING RUSSIAN) Yeah, he remembers them.
He says they're no good chess players.
They look too much at women.
Yeah? Which women? (SPEAKING RUSSIAN) The married ones.
He thinks they got big handle for Anna Ackroyd.
Big handle.
Oh.
Big handle.
Is Anna Ackroyd here? No.
She's not here for a few days now.
(THANKING IN RUSSIAN) REX: There's Anna's husband, Dennis.
Yeah, he looks nervous.
What do you think? He's home from work all day, we haven't seen his wife I think we should reach out to him.
(DOORBELL RINGING) Delivery.
Mr.
Ackroyd? Yeah.
I need a signature.
Stay calm, Mr.
Ackroyd.
Sign the pad.
We know your wife is missing.
We're here to help.
No, go away.
They said they were watching the house.
You're in over your head.
These are dangerous people.
Please.
They said no police.
Dad.
Mila, stay out of this.
Please.
Your daughter has the right idea.
(SPEAKING RUSSIAN) That's my wife's uncle.
He's here from Moscow to help.
You're endangering your wife.
We know how to handle this.
No.
Go away.
Please.
We know who the men are who kidnapped your niece.
I don't understand.
He's lying.
He speaks English.
They're going to kill Mom.
They will not.
Please.
Just Just stay away.
Please.
Call us.
(LOUDLY) Thank you, sir.
Have a nice day.
DENNIS: I took Anna to the doctor this morning because her flu got worse.
But she's, uh She's sleeping now.
WOMAN: Just tell her we're thinking of her.
Yes.
I I will, Mrs.
Fiero.
Thanks.
Goodbye.
We got a tap on every phone and DSL line into the house.
And cell phone intercepts.
What's the profile on the Ackroyds? Mrs.
Ackroyd is a native of Russia.
She met Mr.
Ackroyd in Canada.
They were married there.
Immigrated here He's a math teacher at Caltech.
She's a librarian at USC.
And they have a A teacher and a librarian? Mmm-hmm.
Where's the ransom money coming from? The uncle flew in from Moscow two days ago.
We're guessing he's the bank.
We got activity.
They're going shopping.
If we can get the girl alone, she'd probably have a lot to say.
Well, it's the middle of the day.
She should be in school.
Have a patrol car pick her up for truancy.
I don't know what to do.
My dad said that we can't tell anybody.
He won't even let me go to school.
Mila, your dad can't handle this.
We have the experience.
We have expert negotiators.
I don't know.
I just I don't want to make a mistake.
I just want my mom back.
Look.
She was with her uncle, and these cops just came and snatched her away.
I mean, I just can't believe it.
I mean, I called a lawyer.
He said that, uh, it's a damn ticket for truancy.
I mean, I'll pay it, for God's sakes.
Sir, have a seat.
I'll go see what the holdup is.
Mila, your mother doesn't have much time.
We have to jump (DOOR OPENING) (SOFTLY) Her father's outside.
I spoke to my supervisor.
We have to let her go.
Okay.
Mila, this is your last chance.
You can really make a difference.
You can save your mom.
Oh, God.
I came home from school last Friday.
Our house was all messed up and my mom was gone.
My dad called everywhere, and we couldn't find her.
And then, they Skyped my dad on our computer.
We could see them.
They were these guys in masks.
And my mom My mom had tape over her mouth.
She was so scared.
What did the guys say? I don't know.
They They were talking in Russian.
My dad can speak it.
They wanted money.
They said to have my mom's family in Russia give it to them.
And we have just been waiting.
And it's horrible.
I just can't stop thinking about my mom.
It would help if we had the video of that conversation.
Did you father record it? Not on purpose.
My dad put some spyware on the computer to record everything I do.
I think that video is still on there.
Do you think you can find it? You send the file to that address.
I'll try.
You did good, Mila.
You're really helping your mom.
Oh! Hey.
You okay? Finally.
What happened in there? Uh, nothing.
They just gave me a ticket and a lecture about staying in school.
The girl sent it (FEDORA MAN SPEAKING RUSSIAN) (TRANSLATING) Hello.
Can you hear me? Are you listening? (DENNIS SPEAKING RUSSIAN) DOVZHENKO: Yes.
(DENNIS SPEAKING RUSSIAN) Please don't hurt my wife.
(FEDORA MAN SPEAKING RUSSIAN) DOVZHENKO: Shut up and listen.
(SPEAKING RUSSIAN) (WHIMPERING SOFTLY) Price is ten million American dollars.
(DENNIS SPEAKING RUSSIAN) That's impossible.
We're not rich.
(SPEAKING RUSSIAN) Your wife's family in Moscow, (SPEAKING RUSSIAN) they can pay.
The money will be delivered to our associates in Russia.
(FEDORA MAN SPEAKING RUSSIAN) We will send you instructions.
(FEDORA MAN SPEAKING RUSSIAN) You have one week.
(DENNIS SPEAKING RUSSIAN) That's not enough.
(DENNIS SPEAKING RUSSIAN) Please don't hurt her.
Anna, I love you.
(FEDORA MAN SPEAKING RUSSIAN) One week or we start cutting her.
(ANNA CRYING) (SOBS LOUDLY) Send it to the lab and see what they can pull from it.
There's something on his lapel.
Uh The stitching around his button hole.
I've seen that before.
In the junk mail from the Eagles and Bears Club.
A flyer for a tailor.
"Lenny's of Brentwood.
Old World elegance for New World men.
" Yeah.
And jet-setting kidnappers.
Our friend says the ladies can't keep their hands off his suits.
That's the kind of suit I want.
What What kind of material is that? Ah.
Wool.
Super 180.
Feel.
This is new, no wrinkles.
Hey.
Do you know this suit? Yes.
Sure.
I made that suit.
Oh.
So, you know the guy you made it for.
Yes.
All right.
We're going to need his name and contact information.
Okay.
Uh His name is Oblomov.
He ordered three more suits.
Here he is.
Uh I just have a number, no address.
All right.
Here's what you're going to do.
When our technicians get here, you're going to call Oblomov and you're going to tell him his suits are ready for a fitting.
Now, you're going to talk about the cut, the fabric.
You're going to talk as long as we tell you to, okay? Sure.
Uh You arrest him What do I do with the suits? Don't worry.
He'll need them for his trial.
We've had a steady cell phone GPS signal for the last 20 minutes coming from that house.
(SPEAKING IN RUSSIAN) REX: Down, down, down! (SCREAMS) Put it down right now! Police! Police! (OFFICERS YELLING) Get down! Get down! It's safe.
Mrs.
Ackroyd, are you alright? (ANNA SOBBING) Yes.
It's over.
Detectives.
We got something out here.
Ten million bucks, and that's what it gets you.
I don't remember what happened in the house.
I haven't slept in a long time.
What day is it? Thursday.
When can I see my family? Very soon.
But it's important that we get details while they're still fresh in your mind.
I don't want to think about it.
I just want to go home.
MILA: Mom? Mom.
Oh, my God.
Sweetheart.
I'm so glad you're okay.
Oh, God.
Honey.
Mom, I was so worried, but I'm so glad DENNIS: You okay? You okay? Thank you.
DENNIS: Are you okay? ANNA: (CRIES) I'm okay.
I'm okay.
What's this list you had on you? Names? More kidnap targets? You know, the kidnapping charge is just the half of it, Mr.
Kovelachuk.
The body in the tub, that's on you.
The attempted murder of two police officers, that's on you, too.
So, if you ever want to see the motherland again, you better start talking.
I know the rules.
Don't talk.
Get lawyer.
You can kiss my beautiful Russian ass.
I don't talk to cops.
They probably have a gang back in Moscow.
This list might be targets they were scouting for the next crew to send over.
Let's put them out of business.
JONAH: Mrs.
Ackroyd, I understand why you've been reluctant to revisit your ordeal.
But we have less than two weeks to prepare for the preliminary hearing.
That won't be an issue once you hear what Dennis and Anna have to say.
DENNIS: This whole kidnapping, it Anna and I don't have very much money.
I mean, it's a struggle every month.
And her aunt and uncle in Russia, they have so much.
They live like kings.
Big country estate, fancy cars, jewelry I mean, we asked them once for a loan for Mila's education, but They don't share.
They're very selfish.
So, Anna has got a childhood friend who knows Boris Kovelachuk.
And we came up with a plan.
A kidnapping plan.
And it was to get the money from Uncle Andrei and no one was supposed to get hurt.
Mrs.
Ackroyd was a willing participant.
She was never in any jeopardy.
It was all a show to impress her uncle.
This is why we told you that we did not want the police involved.
Mr.
Ackroyd, are you being threatened? Is that why you're lying? We're not lying.
This is just a stupid idea.
A stupid idea.
And And we're sorry that we wasted your time.
Mr.
Ackroyd, we know for a fact those men attempted another kidnapping.
If you're afraid to testify against them, we can protect you.
MAYNARD: My client told you what happened.
They won't be testifying in any kidnapping case.
Anna called me yesterday and told me.
I made a lot of money trading oil.
And it causes so much jealousy in my family.
Money.
It is a curse.
No offense, but this story, it doesn't line up with the facts as we know them.
Maybe you have the wrong facts.
I know my family.
Anna's mother, my sister, she always had a green eye.
And my niece is just like her.
I don't want to file a police complaint.
I just want to go home.
It is just old family business.
Thank you.
You are very good police.
We saw that video.
We saw the husband before we rescued Anna.
If they were acting, they deserve ten Oscars.
They're afraid to testify.
You can't blame them.
Well, we have seven days before the preliminary hearing.
We may have to make a case without their testimony.
Should be a no-brainer.
The kidnappers were caught red-handed.
Except Anna wasn't tied up.
She wasn't confined.
She was in the bathroom.
No one was waving a weapon around.
It looked like they were ready to sit down for lunch.
There was a fresh grave dug for her.
Yeah.
They're going to argue that was window dressing just to scare the uncle.
Look, can't we tie the suspects to the botched kidnapping? Going to be tough.
The airport photos with all four kidnappers weren't clear.
The lab couldn't make a positive ID If we don't survive the preliminary hearing, those kidnappers are going to be on the first plane back to Russia.
And I don't like people thinking that they can come here and commit crimes with impunity.
We hear you.
Anna said she went with the kidnappers willingly, but her daughter said the house was in shambles.
Maybe SID can find evidence of the grab.
Lauren.
The back door of the Ackroyd house was kicked in.
And SID found shards of glass in the living room from a broken lamp.
That and the bruises on Mrs.
Ackroyd could add up to a violent kidnapping.
Or a burglary or a fight with her husband.
(CELL PHONE RINGING) This evidence doesn't mean much without the Ackroyds to corroborate it.
Well, this is odd.
Latent got a pop on a thumbprint in the bedroom where the uncle was staying.
It matched a thumbprint that was put into the system by the FBI.
Uh, quote, "Print belongs to an unknown person of interest "and was found at a suspect residence in Washington ten years ago.
" Close quote.
The Bureau is very interested in where you found this fingerprint.
Well, we all play nice and put our cards on the table for once? It turned up during a kidnapping investigation.
Your turn.
It's a national security matter.
(SCOFFS) Which could mean anything and nothing these days.
It was found in a meeting house for a Russian spy ten years ago.
We caught the spy.
We believe the thumbprint belonged to his handler.
Back to you.
Our fingerprint belongs to a relative of a kidnapping victim.
His name is Andrei Kalugin.
He just checked into a hotel on Sepulveda.
You better hurry.
He's booked on a flight home, day after tomorrow.
Maybe we can do something about that.
Uncle Andrei's a spy? More like a spymaster.
It explains why Dennis and Anna want the whole kidnapping case to go away.
Because an investigation might dig up the fact that their uncle's a spy.
If, in fact, he is their uncle.
And if they are, in fact, who they say they are.
Well, can we find out? Soon.
The preliminary hearing is in three days.
We're going to lose the kidnappers.
I love a deadline.
I'm sorry it took so long.
I had to ask Ottawa for clarification.
So, Dennis Ackroyd The information on his immigration form matches our records.
Born in Cornwall, Ontario, in 1966.
Everything in good order.
Except for the fact that Mr.
Ackroyd never left Canada.
You're sure? Somebody spoke to him? That wouldn't be possible.
Mr.
Ackroyd is buried at the Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery in Saskatoon.
He died in 1989 at the age of 23.
As for this marriage to Anna Semienko, there's no record of it anywhere.
No record of an Anna Semienko ever having resided in Canada.
TJ: Dennis Ackroyd stole his identity from a dead Canadian, and Anna has no record of existing before she immigrated here.
The FBI think they're spies, sleepers sent by the Russians 18 years ago.
Uncle Andrei's their handler.
The kidnappers probably don't even know they were spies.
This is why the Ackroyds wouldn't cooperate.
They're afraid we'd find out their secret.
Well, now we know their secret, there's nothing left for them to hide.
No more reason for them not to cooperate with us.
Call the FBI.
Get the Ackroyds in.
What's happening? What's going on? You're under arrest for espionage.
Dennis.
Anna.
Don't say anything.
Mom? Dad? Mila.
Mila.
Mila, we'll be fine.
Mila, sweetheart, be strong! Why are you arresting my parents? They didn't do anything.
We'll explain everything at our offices.
I don't want to go.
I want to stay here.
You can't stay, Mila.
They're going to be searching the house.
You have to come with us.
This woman from Family Services is going to take care of you.
Here, take your backpack.
How can they be spies? They're just, like, ordinary.
My dad's from Canada.
We're not sure where he's from.
We're not even sure what his real name is.
What? Oh, God.
What'll happen to them? They'll either go to jail or your family might be sent back to Russia.
Mila, what matters most right now is where you'll be tonight.
So, Mrs.
Hellman will, um, help find a family for you to stay with.
You mean a foster home? Well, can I stay with my best friend, Natalie? Please? I'm sure that it'd be okay with her parents.
I'm sure we can arrange that.
You can stay here and make your calls.
I don't think we should say anything until we speak to a lawyer.
What Mr.
Dekker has to say has nothing to do with the charges you're facing.
I want you to testify about the kidnapping.
The truth, this time.
All your secrets are out.
You have nothing more to protect.
Not only did these men terrorize your wife, they also destroyed another family, a young family with two small kids.
We can't put them in jail without you.
If we help him.
What will you do for us? (SPEAKING RUSSIAN) These men were brutes.
I'll testify.
The Ackroyds told us they were college sweethearts when they were recruited.
They were sent here to befriend academics, policy makers, gather information on politics, technology, trade Information that was hard to come by 20 years ago when the Russians sent them, but is now freely available on the net.
They're low-level operatives.
There's no evidence that our national security was compromised.
So, what's going to happen to them now? That's what I want to talk to you about.
We got word from the Russians.
They're interested in a trade.
We've got somebody sitting in a Russian prison that we'd like to get out.
How soon? Within a week.
One week? And the kidnapping trial is at least two months away.
And I need the Ackroyds here to testify.
Then, I suggest you find a way to wrap up this case quickly.
Well, we have leverage for a week.
Let's use it.
My clients aren't interested in any plea offer.
Don't say no until you've heard the offer.
The woman you kidnapped, she was a spy for the Russian SVR.
She was arrested three days ago by FBI agents, as well as her husband.
Whoever told you they had rich relatives in Moscow was wrong.
You didn't know that, did you? Now, here's the offer.
You plead guilty to all counts, give us the names of your accomplices, and you serve Or we deport you to Russia.
You kidnapped a Russian SVR agent.
What kind of reception do you think you're going to get? You think Putin will be waiting there with a bouquet of roses? Can we be deported to Cuba? (FEDORA MAN SPEAKS RUSSIAN) If you are here making deals, it is because you don't have case.
I know SVR.
I know Russian government.
They will trade spies.
These people will go.
Poof.
No more witnesses.
Then, we'll go free to country of our choice.
Tell them no deal.
JUDGE CRUZ: You're telling me your two principal witnesses won't be available for trial? JONAH: Anna and Dennis Ackroyd are facing federal espionage charges, Your Honor.
They'll be deported in a spy swap within days.
We only have them for the purpose of this hearing.
Your Honor, if my clients are going to be denied their Sixth Amendment right to confront witnesses at trial, I don't see how we can proceed with the case.
The defendants can exercise their Sixth Amendment right here and now.
We'll allow Mr.
Mironov to cross-examine our witnesses as per California v.
Green.
Their testimony can be preserved and used later at trial.
Cross-examine now? But I'm not ready.
I need at least two weeks to prepare.
It's not our choice to send these witnesses out of reach forever.
We're mere pawns in a much bigger game, Your Honor.
Aptly put, Mr.
Dekker.
Mr.
Mironov, this will be your only shot at these witnesses.
Make the most of it.
(WHISPERING) They kept me blindfolded and chained to the floor all day.
They taunted me.
They'd tell me that my relatives didn't want to pay, and that my husband didn't want me anymore.
They'd tell me how they were going to kill me.
Bury my body so that my family would never find me.
Are the men who kidnapped you in the courtroom today? It was those men.
Those two.
Let the record reflect the witness pointed to the defendants.
Thank you.
Is it your testimony that you never met or talked to my clients prior to the day you were kidnapped? Yes.
Thank you.
No more questions.
JUDGE CRUZ: The witness is excused.
Ma'am, you may step down.
Your Honor, the People rest.
Your Honor, under Penal Code 866, the defense would like to call a witness to impeach the testimony of Mr.
Dekker's last witness.
Who's your witness? Mila Ackroyd.
Mila, you called me at my office yesterday morning.
Is that correct? Yes.
Please tell the judge what you told me.
About two weeks before my mom was kidnapped, I came home early from a soccer practice.
My mom and dad were in the kitchen talking with two men.
And do you see these two men here today? Yes.
It's those guys at the table.
The witness is pointing at my clients.
And what were your parents doing? They were talking in Russian with those guys.
And my mom told me to go to my room and do homework.
And what else did you tell me? A week after, my parents had this big argument.
Something bad happened.
Some man named Libergal.
And my dad said that those guys had screwed up their big plan, and my mom said that they should have never gone into, like, business with them.
And she called them killers.
She was afraid they'd hurt them next.
The day after, I came home, our house was all messed up, and my mom was missing.
Thank you, Mila.
No more questions.
(WHISPERS) Do you realize what you've done? You've implicated your parents in a botched kidnapping that resulted in a man's death.
That means your parents are guilty of murder.
If you think they're guilty of murder, you should just put them in jail.
They're liars.
They have been lying to me my whole life.
They deserve to be in jail, here.
Is that what this is about? If your parents are in jail here, you don't go back to Russia? It's not fair that I have to go back with them.
All my friends are here.
My school.
My whole life.
It's just not fair.
You're right.
It's not fair.
But I'm not going to put your parents in jail.
And the only thing you've managed to do is create so much confusion, that two murderers might go free.
Now, you're going to be on the stand again tomorrow.
And when I cross-examine you, you're going to tell the truth.
Come on, Mila.
I'll take you home.
Give her a break, Joe.
She's only 15.
She doesn't know what she wants.
No, she knows exactly what she wants.
She just doesn't know how to get it.
Maybe we can help her.
She said this in court? I mean, it's just not true.
We know.
But if her testimony stands, it will create reasonable doubt at trial.
Your kidnappers could go free.
So, what do you want us to do? LAUREN: This is a declaration of emancipation for Mila.
It would terminate your parental rights, allowing her to live with her friend's family.
Then, Mila can stay here, and you can be on your way.
If we sign this, we'll never see her again.
She feels you betrayed her.
She might already be lost to you.
It's our baby.
We wanted a child, even before we started our other life.
We had always hoped for a girl.
Mila is the only real thing in our life.
She's not a child anymore.
And you chose your life.
Let Mila choose hers.
I'm sorry I said all those things about my parents knowing those men.
It wasn't true.
And the argument you said you overheard? Was that true? No.
No.
I never heard them say anything like that.
My parents would never hurt anybody.
Not on purpose.
I'm sorry for lying.
No more questions.
Young lady, you may step down.
Your Honor, the People have established probable cause to proceed to trial.
We also ask that the testimony of Dennis and Anna Ackroyd be preserved for use at trial.
This court concurs.
The case will be calendared for trial.
We're adjourned.
Mironov just called.
His clients want to make the deal.
(CRYING) Don't forget about us, okay? Be a good girl, okay? I love you.
Folks.
It's time.
Be strong, okay? Be strong.
Be safe.
I love you.
I love you, Mila.
Anna.
Come on.
(SOBBING) Let's go make that deal.
These are their stories.
NICK: Okay.
You be nice to your grandparents, okay? No more jokes about Pop-Pop.
He farts.
Everybody farts, silly.
Bye.
Bye.
(SOFT ROCK PLAYING ON RADIO) Okay.
All right.
I will call you as soon as we get to Santa Barbara.
I will.
I promise.
Okay.
Love you.
Bye.
(IMITATES SHOOTING SOUND) Mrs.
Lane, you need a hand? Don't mind me.
I can use the exercise.
Okay.
You know, it's been that way for almost an hour.
Somebody just left it on.
VENUTI: You know the people in that house? Uh, yeah.
Nick and Amy.
Amy is away with their kids.
Thank you.
(CAR HONKING) (KNOCKING) (SPEAKING RUSSIAN) OFFICERS: Gun! (YELLS IN RUSSIAN) (GROANS) (FIRES) (CHATTERING ON POLICE RADIO) (EXCLAIMS) What happened to him? Calcium oxide, for starters.
He was being dissolved in quicklime.
But before that, head trauma, contusions, broken nose, probably from a beating.
But going by the blue-grey color around his eyes, cause of death is myocardial infarction.
Heart attack.
Mmm-hmm.
Hmm.
Looks like the man of the house, Nicholas Libergal.
Hmm.
Business card.
He's a goldsmith downtown.
Custom wedding bands.
Maybe he made someone's ring too tight.
Hey, check this out.
We've got a blindfold, plastic hand ties, duct tape Camera.
Not the usual gear for a killing.
Maybe it started out as something else.
A kidnapping.
Tie the guy up, blindfold him, camera for ransom photos They left the car running, thinking it would take a minute to grab him, but Libergal put up a fight.
And then, he died of a heart attack.
Rather than drive around with a body, they decided to get rid of him here.
Maybe still make a play for a ransom.
And all the while, they forgot they left the car running.
Yeah, crime's tough when you're stupid.
No fingerprint hits on the suspects.
No ID on either of them.
Just a no-name cell phone, a wad of cash, and a set of keys.
Yeah.
Nothing useful in here, either.
As for Nick Libergal, he immigrated from Russia in 1988.
He owns a mortgage, a car loan and furniture from IKEA.
I saw his bank statements.
There's no money there for a ransom.
Well, maybe his wife's family has the dough.
Well, getting kidnapped is one way to find out if your in-laws like you.
Yeah.
You know, these cowboys were all balls and no brains.
Besides lighting up the neighborhood, everything else about this rodeo is pretty slick.
No trace on the car, no IDs They have an accomplice with brains.
That's my gut.
They waited till Libergal was alone.
Means they were watching the house.
Nick was such a kind man.
The whole family.
Just the nicest people.
REX: We're very sorry.
The last few days, did you notice anyone parked on the street watching Mr.
Libergal's house? Yes.
The honking car.
I'd seen that one before, two days ago.
What honking car? The one that honked when the officer went up to the door.
It was parked over there, under that tree.
And it just zoomed out when the officers shot their guns.
What kind of car was it? Oh, well, um A Town Car.
It was the same car my late husband drove.
He was a chauffeur.
He used to drive Barbara Stanwyck around.
Thank you, ma'am.
Hey.
I got cigarette butts.
Five of them and three chewing gum wrappers.
Spicy peppermint.
He was here a while.
The brains of the operation.
He was stressing out.
And you would be, too, if you had two trigger-happy idiots working for you.
I left our kids at my parents' house.
I don't know how I'm going to tell them.
I can put you in touch with our Victims Assistance Program.
They can help you.
Mrs.
Libergal, we need you to look at the photographs of these two men.
Are these the men that killed Nick? Yes.
Have you seen them before? Mmm-mmm.
Did you get any calls or e-mails from people asking about your assets or your finances? Yours or your parents'? No.
We didn't have much.
(DOOR OPENING) Nick worked very hard.
He used to send money to his relatives in Russia.
And my parents, they're retired teachers.
It doesn't make sense.
We don't have anything that anybody would want.
Your husband's relatives back in Russia.
Any of them doing well? He has a younger brother in the oil business there.
He's rich.
Oh, God.
I've got to call them.
I have to tell them what happened to Nick.
(SOBS) You just wait here.
I'll get someone to come in and talk with you.
Homeland Security got a hit on your suspects.
They were printed at LAX customs two weeks ago, off a flight from Moscow.
Out-of-town talent.
Yeah.
For an out-of-town payday.
Maybe the point of kidnapping Libergal was to shake money loose from his brother, back in Russia.
Seems like it would be easier to just kidnap someone in Moscow.
From what I hear, if you kidnap someone in Russia, the police are the least of your worries.
Go talk to Homeland Security.
See if they were traveling with somebody.
OFFICER STRONACH: Mikhail Khomyakov and Igor Lagutin.
Entered the country on tourist visas issued on the same day in Moscow.
I checked our security cameras.
Uh, they didn't interact with anybody else in the customs line or baggage area.
But they were met in the terminal by two gentlemen.
They boarded a hotel shuttle bus.
Same hotel they gave as their local address.
But there's no record they checked in.
You have their visa applications? Mmm-hmm.
Occupation: Personal travel consultant.
Coming from a kidnapper, that's pretty cute.
I know.
Here.
Their local contact.
Eagles and Bears Friendship Club.
(SCOFFS) That's what it says.
On Fairfax.
Thank you.
Sure.
It was rented to a man named Oblomov four months ago.
I never met the man myself, but, uh, he paid three months' rent in advance.
Doesn't look like the Eagles and Bears have been doing much business.
No, you'd think helping criminals get tourist visas would pay well.
A cable bill.
I don't see a TV.
It's for an address in Laurel Canyon.
Spicy peppermint.
Police! Clear! (KNOCKING) It looks like this is where they were planning to keep Mr.
Libergal.
We've got a bed.
Eye-bolts in the floor to chain him down.
That's not all they had in mind.
Come out here.
Once the money was paid, they were going to kill him.
REX: There was a grocery bag from your store and a receipt from last week.
It could be this one.
I remember the Johnny Depp hat.
The guy did not have the cheekbones to pull it off.
Did they pay with cash or credit? Cash, both times.
Both times? When was the other time? Three days ago? He was stumbling through the aisles and couldn't find anything.
I think he was Russian.
So, I helped him.
He had a list.
What was on it? You know, staples.
Toilet paper, water, gum, energy bars Basic hostage survival kit.
It was the same list both times.
Except the second time, he also wanted sanitary napkins and a hairbrush.
Thank you.
There's a woman.
Three days ago.
That's the day after they screwed up Libergal's kidnapping.
Maybe they had another target already picked out.
And now, they've got her somewhere up in these canyons.
Yeah, and with the clock running out.
There's thousands of homes in those canyons.
I'm going to put someone 24l7 on that store.
What about the people who rented the house? Oh, it's a dead end.
The owners listed it on Craigslist.
Everything was done over the web.
They got paid first and last with a money order.
Then, that's the MO.
Check for other houses on Craigslist that were rented in the last two months.
You know, we could be wrong.
There might not be any more kidnap victims.
Yeah.
If you were this crew, would you fly halfway around the world for just the one play? I wouldn't.
Assume the worst.
OFFICER: Detective.
Hmm.
The suspects' car got a ticket ten days ago on North Fuller in West Hollywood.
The 1200 block.
Well, they could be anywhere.
In the Canyon house, there was a chessboard.
Yeah, marked on the floor.
So? So? Plummer Park.
These guys, they look like Moscow punks, yeah? Yeah.
You see them here, about a week and a half ago? They play chess.
Of course they play chess.
They're Russian.
Yura (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE) When I worked Hollywood Division, my sarge used to come here during his lunch break and grab a game.
If you want good homemade borscht, this is the place.
(SPEAKING RUSSIAN) Yeah, he remembers them.
He says they're no good chess players.
They look too much at women.
Yeah? Which women? (SPEAKING RUSSIAN) The married ones.
He thinks they got big handle for Anna Ackroyd.
Big handle.
Oh.
Big handle.
Is Anna Ackroyd here? No.
She's not here for a few days now.
(THANKING IN RUSSIAN) REX: There's Anna's husband, Dennis.
Yeah, he looks nervous.
What do you think? He's home from work all day, we haven't seen his wife I think we should reach out to him.
(DOORBELL RINGING) Delivery.
Mr.
Ackroyd? Yeah.
I need a signature.
Stay calm, Mr.
Ackroyd.
Sign the pad.
We know your wife is missing.
We're here to help.
No, go away.
They said they were watching the house.
You're in over your head.
These are dangerous people.
Please.
They said no police.
Dad.
Mila, stay out of this.
Please.
Your daughter has the right idea.
(SPEAKING RUSSIAN) That's my wife's uncle.
He's here from Moscow to help.
You're endangering your wife.
We know how to handle this.
No.
Go away.
Please.
We know who the men are who kidnapped your niece.
I don't understand.
He's lying.
He speaks English.
They're going to kill Mom.
They will not.
Please.
Just Just stay away.
Please.
Call us.
(LOUDLY) Thank you, sir.
Have a nice day.
DENNIS: I took Anna to the doctor this morning because her flu got worse.
But she's, uh She's sleeping now.
WOMAN: Just tell her we're thinking of her.
Yes.
I I will, Mrs.
Fiero.
Thanks.
Goodbye.
We got a tap on every phone and DSL line into the house.
And cell phone intercepts.
What's the profile on the Ackroyds? Mrs.
Ackroyd is a native of Russia.
She met Mr.
Ackroyd in Canada.
They were married there.
Immigrated here He's a math teacher at Caltech.
She's a librarian at USC.
And they have a A teacher and a librarian? Mmm-hmm.
Where's the ransom money coming from? The uncle flew in from Moscow two days ago.
We're guessing he's the bank.
We got activity.
They're going shopping.
If we can get the girl alone, she'd probably have a lot to say.
Well, it's the middle of the day.
She should be in school.
Have a patrol car pick her up for truancy.
I don't know what to do.
My dad said that we can't tell anybody.
He won't even let me go to school.
Mila, your dad can't handle this.
We have the experience.
We have expert negotiators.
I don't know.
I just I don't want to make a mistake.
I just want my mom back.
Look.
She was with her uncle, and these cops just came and snatched her away.
I mean, I just can't believe it.
I mean, I called a lawyer.
He said that, uh, it's a damn ticket for truancy.
I mean, I'll pay it, for God's sakes.
Sir, have a seat.
I'll go see what the holdup is.
Mila, your mother doesn't have much time.
We have to jump (DOOR OPENING) (SOFTLY) Her father's outside.
I spoke to my supervisor.
We have to let her go.
Okay.
Mila, this is your last chance.
You can really make a difference.
You can save your mom.
Oh, God.
I came home from school last Friday.
Our house was all messed up and my mom was gone.
My dad called everywhere, and we couldn't find her.
And then, they Skyped my dad on our computer.
We could see them.
They were these guys in masks.
And my mom My mom had tape over her mouth.
She was so scared.
What did the guys say? I don't know.
They They were talking in Russian.
My dad can speak it.
They wanted money.
They said to have my mom's family in Russia give it to them.
And we have just been waiting.
And it's horrible.
I just can't stop thinking about my mom.
It would help if we had the video of that conversation.
Did you father record it? Not on purpose.
My dad put some spyware on the computer to record everything I do.
I think that video is still on there.
Do you think you can find it? You send the file to that address.
I'll try.
You did good, Mila.
You're really helping your mom.
Oh! Hey.
You okay? Finally.
What happened in there? Uh, nothing.
They just gave me a ticket and a lecture about staying in school.
The girl sent it (FEDORA MAN SPEAKING RUSSIAN) (TRANSLATING) Hello.
Can you hear me? Are you listening? (DENNIS SPEAKING RUSSIAN) DOVZHENKO: Yes.
(DENNIS SPEAKING RUSSIAN) Please don't hurt my wife.
(FEDORA MAN SPEAKING RUSSIAN) DOVZHENKO: Shut up and listen.
(SPEAKING RUSSIAN) (WHIMPERING SOFTLY) Price is ten million American dollars.
(DENNIS SPEAKING RUSSIAN) That's impossible.
We're not rich.
(SPEAKING RUSSIAN) Your wife's family in Moscow, (SPEAKING RUSSIAN) they can pay.
The money will be delivered to our associates in Russia.
(FEDORA MAN SPEAKING RUSSIAN) We will send you instructions.
(FEDORA MAN SPEAKING RUSSIAN) You have one week.
(DENNIS SPEAKING RUSSIAN) That's not enough.
(DENNIS SPEAKING RUSSIAN) Please don't hurt her.
Anna, I love you.
(FEDORA MAN SPEAKING RUSSIAN) One week or we start cutting her.
(ANNA CRYING) (SOBS LOUDLY) Send it to the lab and see what they can pull from it.
There's something on his lapel.
Uh The stitching around his button hole.
I've seen that before.
In the junk mail from the Eagles and Bears Club.
A flyer for a tailor.
"Lenny's of Brentwood.
Old World elegance for New World men.
" Yeah.
And jet-setting kidnappers.
Our friend says the ladies can't keep their hands off his suits.
That's the kind of suit I want.
What What kind of material is that? Ah.
Wool.
Super 180.
Feel.
This is new, no wrinkles.
Hey.
Do you know this suit? Yes.
Sure.
I made that suit.
Oh.
So, you know the guy you made it for.
Yes.
All right.
We're going to need his name and contact information.
Okay.
Uh His name is Oblomov.
He ordered three more suits.
Here he is.
Uh I just have a number, no address.
All right.
Here's what you're going to do.
When our technicians get here, you're going to call Oblomov and you're going to tell him his suits are ready for a fitting.
Now, you're going to talk about the cut, the fabric.
You're going to talk as long as we tell you to, okay? Sure.
Uh You arrest him What do I do with the suits? Don't worry.
He'll need them for his trial.
We've had a steady cell phone GPS signal for the last 20 minutes coming from that house.
(SPEAKING IN RUSSIAN) REX: Down, down, down! (SCREAMS) Put it down right now! Police! Police! (OFFICERS YELLING) Get down! Get down! It's safe.
Mrs.
Ackroyd, are you alright? (ANNA SOBBING) Yes.
It's over.
Detectives.
We got something out here.
Ten million bucks, and that's what it gets you.
I don't remember what happened in the house.
I haven't slept in a long time.
What day is it? Thursday.
When can I see my family? Very soon.
But it's important that we get details while they're still fresh in your mind.
I don't want to think about it.
I just want to go home.
MILA: Mom? Mom.
Oh, my God.
Sweetheart.
I'm so glad you're okay.
Oh, God.
Honey.
Mom, I was so worried, but I'm so glad DENNIS: You okay? You okay? Thank you.
DENNIS: Are you okay? ANNA: (CRIES) I'm okay.
I'm okay.
What's this list you had on you? Names? More kidnap targets? You know, the kidnapping charge is just the half of it, Mr.
Kovelachuk.
The body in the tub, that's on you.
The attempted murder of two police officers, that's on you, too.
So, if you ever want to see the motherland again, you better start talking.
I know the rules.
Don't talk.
Get lawyer.
You can kiss my beautiful Russian ass.
I don't talk to cops.
They probably have a gang back in Moscow.
This list might be targets they were scouting for the next crew to send over.
Let's put them out of business.
JONAH: Mrs.
Ackroyd, I understand why you've been reluctant to revisit your ordeal.
But we have less than two weeks to prepare for the preliminary hearing.
That won't be an issue once you hear what Dennis and Anna have to say.
DENNIS: This whole kidnapping, it Anna and I don't have very much money.
I mean, it's a struggle every month.
And her aunt and uncle in Russia, they have so much.
They live like kings.
Big country estate, fancy cars, jewelry I mean, we asked them once for a loan for Mila's education, but They don't share.
They're very selfish.
So, Anna has got a childhood friend who knows Boris Kovelachuk.
And we came up with a plan.
A kidnapping plan.
And it was to get the money from Uncle Andrei and no one was supposed to get hurt.
Mrs.
Ackroyd was a willing participant.
She was never in any jeopardy.
It was all a show to impress her uncle.
This is why we told you that we did not want the police involved.
Mr.
Ackroyd, are you being threatened? Is that why you're lying? We're not lying.
This is just a stupid idea.
A stupid idea.
And And we're sorry that we wasted your time.
Mr.
Ackroyd, we know for a fact those men attempted another kidnapping.
If you're afraid to testify against them, we can protect you.
MAYNARD: My client told you what happened.
They won't be testifying in any kidnapping case.
Anna called me yesterday and told me.
I made a lot of money trading oil.
And it causes so much jealousy in my family.
Money.
It is a curse.
No offense, but this story, it doesn't line up with the facts as we know them.
Maybe you have the wrong facts.
I know my family.
Anna's mother, my sister, she always had a green eye.
And my niece is just like her.
I don't want to file a police complaint.
I just want to go home.
It is just old family business.
Thank you.
You are very good police.
We saw that video.
We saw the husband before we rescued Anna.
If they were acting, they deserve ten Oscars.
They're afraid to testify.
You can't blame them.
Well, we have seven days before the preliminary hearing.
We may have to make a case without their testimony.
Should be a no-brainer.
The kidnappers were caught red-handed.
Except Anna wasn't tied up.
She wasn't confined.
She was in the bathroom.
No one was waving a weapon around.
It looked like they were ready to sit down for lunch.
There was a fresh grave dug for her.
Yeah.
They're going to argue that was window dressing just to scare the uncle.
Look, can't we tie the suspects to the botched kidnapping? Going to be tough.
The airport photos with all four kidnappers weren't clear.
The lab couldn't make a positive ID If we don't survive the preliminary hearing, those kidnappers are going to be on the first plane back to Russia.
And I don't like people thinking that they can come here and commit crimes with impunity.
We hear you.
Anna said she went with the kidnappers willingly, but her daughter said the house was in shambles.
Maybe SID can find evidence of the grab.
Lauren.
The back door of the Ackroyd house was kicked in.
And SID found shards of glass in the living room from a broken lamp.
That and the bruises on Mrs.
Ackroyd could add up to a violent kidnapping.
Or a burglary or a fight with her husband.
(CELL PHONE RINGING) This evidence doesn't mean much without the Ackroyds to corroborate it.
Well, this is odd.
Latent got a pop on a thumbprint in the bedroom where the uncle was staying.
It matched a thumbprint that was put into the system by the FBI.
Uh, quote, "Print belongs to an unknown person of interest "and was found at a suspect residence in Washington ten years ago.
" Close quote.
The Bureau is very interested in where you found this fingerprint.
Well, we all play nice and put our cards on the table for once? It turned up during a kidnapping investigation.
Your turn.
It's a national security matter.
(SCOFFS) Which could mean anything and nothing these days.
It was found in a meeting house for a Russian spy ten years ago.
We caught the spy.
We believe the thumbprint belonged to his handler.
Back to you.
Our fingerprint belongs to a relative of a kidnapping victim.
His name is Andrei Kalugin.
He just checked into a hotel on Sepulveda.
You better hurry.
He's booked on a flight home, day after tomorrow.
Maybe we can do something about that.
Uncle Andrei's a spy? More like a spymaster.
It explains why Dennis and Anna want the whole kidnapping case to go away.
Because an investigation might dig up the fact that their uncle's a spy.
If, in fact, he is their uncle.
And if they are, in fact, who they say they are.
Well, can we find out? Soon.
The preliminary hearing is in three days.
We're going to lose the kidnappers.
I love a deadline.
I'm sorry it took so long.
I had to ask Ottawa for clarification.
So, Dennis Ackroyd The information on his immigration form matches our records.
Born in Cornwall, Ontario, in 1966.
Everything in good order.
Except for the fact that Mr.
Ackroyd never left Canada.
You're sure? Somebody spoke to him? That wouldn't be possible.
Mr.
Ackroyd is buried at the Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery in Saskatoon.
He died in 1989 at the age of 23.
As for this marriage to Anna Semienko, there's no record of it anywhere.
No record of an Anna Semienko ever having resided in Canada.
TJ: Dennis Ackroyd stole his identity from a dead Canadian, and Anna has no record of existing before she immigrated here.
The FBI think they're spies, sleepers sent by the Russians 18 years ago.
Uncle Andrei's their handler.
The kidnappers probably don't even know they were spies.
This is why the Ackroyds wouldn't cooperate.
They're afraid we'd find out their secret.
Well, now we know their secret, there's nothing left for them to hide.
No more reason for them not to cooperate with us.
Call the FBI.
Get the Ackroyds in.
What's happening? What's going on? You're under arrest for espionage.
Dennis.
Anna.
Don't say anything.
Mom? Dad? Mila.
Mila.
Mila, we'll be fine.
Mila, sweetheart, be strong! Why are you arresting my parents? They didn't do anything.
We'll explain everything at our offices.
I don't want to go.
I want to stay here.
You can't stay, Mila.
They're going to be searching the house.
You have to come with us.
This woman from Family Services is going to take care of you.
Here, take your backpack.
How can they be spies? They're just, like, ordinary.
My dad's from Canada.
We're not sure where he's from.
We're not even sure what his real name is.
What? Oh, God.
What'll happen to them? They'll either go to jail or your family might be sent back to Russia.
Mila, what matters most right now is where you'll be tonight.
So, Mrs.
Hellman will, um, help find a family for you to stay with.
You mean a foster home? Well, can I stay with my best friend, Natalie? Please? I'm sure that it'd be okay with her parents.
I'm sure we can arrange that.
You can stay here and make your calls.
I don't think we should say anything until we speak to a lawyer.
What Mr.
Dekker has to say has nothing to do with the charges you're facing.
I want you to testify about the kidnapping.
The truth, this time.
All your secrets are out.
You have nothing more to protect.
Not only did these men terrorize your wife, they also destroyed another family, a young family with two small kids.
We can't put them in jail without you.
If we help him.
What will you do for us? (SPEAKING RUSSIAN) These men were brutes.
I'll testify.
The Ackroyds told us they were college sweethearts when they were recruited.
They were sent here to befriend academics, policy makers, gather information on politics, technology, trade Information that was hard to come by 20 years ago when the Russians sent them, but is now freely available on the net.
They're low-level operatives.
There's no evidence that our national security was compromised.
So, what's going to happen to them now? That's what I want to talk to you about.
We got word from the Russians.
They're interested in a trade.
We've got somebody sitting in a Russian prison that we'd like to get out.
How soon? Within a week.
One week? And the kidnapping trial is at least two months away.
And I need the Ackroyds here to testify.
Then, I suggest you find a way to wrap up this case quickly.
Well, we have leverage for a week.
Let's use it.
My clients aren't interested in any plea offer.
Don't say no until you've heard the offer.
The woman you kidnapped, she was a spy for the Russian SVR.
She was arrested three days ago by FBI agents, as well as her husband.
Whoever told you they had rich relatives in Moscow was wrong.
You didn't know that, did you? Now, here's the offer.
You plead guilty to all counts, give us the names of your accomplices, and you serve Or we deport you to Russia.
You kidnapped a Russian SVR agent.
What kind of reception do you think you're going to get? You think Putin will be waiting there with a bouquet of roses? Can we be deported to Cuba? (FEDORA MAN SPEAKS RUSSIAN) If you are here making deals, it is because you don't have case.
I know SVR.
I know Russian government.
They will trade spies.
These people will go.
Poof.
No more witnesses.
Then, we'll go free to country of our choice.
Tell them no deal.
JUDGE CRUZ: You're telling me your two principal witnesses won't be available for trial? JONAH: Anna and Dennis Ackroyd are facing federal espionage charges, Your Honor.
They'll be deported in a spy swap within days.
We only have them for the purpose of this hearing.
Your Honor, if my clients are going to be denied their Sixth Amendment right to confront witnesses at trial, I don't see how we can proceed with the case.
The defendants can exercise their Sixth Amendment right here and now.
We'll allow Mr.
Mironov to cross-examine our witnesses as per California v.
Green.
Their testimony can be preserved and used later at trial.
Cross-examine now? But I'm not ready.
I need at least two weeks to prepare.
It's not our choice to send these witnesses out of reach forever.
We're mere pawns in a much bigger game, Your Honor.
Aptly put, Mr.
Dekker.
Mr.
Mironov, this will be your only shot at these witnesses.
Make the most of it.
(WHISPERING) They kept me blindfolded and chained to the floor all day.
They taunted me.
They'd tell me that my relatives didn't want to pay, and that my husband didn't want me anymore.
They'd tell me how they were going to kill me.
Bury my body so that my family would never find me.
Are the men who kidnapped you in the courtroom today? It was those men.
Those two.
Let the record reflect the witness pointed to the defendants.
Thank you.
Is it your testimony that you never met or talked to my clients prior to the day you were kidnapped? Yes.
Thank you.
No more questions.
JUDGE CRUZ: The witness is excused.
Ma'am, you may step down.
Your Honor, the People rest.
Your Honor, under Penal Code 866, the defense would like to call a witness to impeach the testimony of Mr.
Dekker's last witness.
Who's your witness? Mila Ackroyd.
Mila, you called me at my office yesterday morning.
Is that correct? Yes.
Please tell the judge what you told me.
About two weeks before my mom was kidnapped, I came home early from a soccer practice.
My mom and dad were in the kitchen talking with two men.
And do you see these two men here today? Yes.
It's those guys at the table.
The witness is pointing at my clients.
And what were your parents doing? They were talking in Russian with those guys.
And my mom told me to go to my room and do homework.
And what else did you tell me? A week after, my parents had this big argument.
Something bad happened.
Some man named Libergal.
And my dad said that those guys had screwed up their big plan, and my mom said that they should have never gone into, like, business with them.
And she called them killers.
She was afraid they'd hurt them next.
The day after, I came home, our house was all messed up, and my mom was missing.
Thank you, Mila.
No more questions.
(WHISPERS) Do you realize what you've done? You've implicated your parents in a botched kidnapping that resulted in a man's death.
That means your parents are guilty of murder.
If you think they're guilty of murder, you should just put them in jail.
They're liars.
They have been lying to me my whole life.
They deserve to be in jail, here.
Is that what this is about? If your parents are in jail here, you don't go back to Russia? It's not fair that I have to go back with them.
All my friends are here.
My school.
My whole life.
It's just not fair.
You're right.
It's not fair.
But I'm not going to put your parents in jail.
And the only thing you've managed to do is create so much confusion, that two murderers might go free.
Now, you're going to be on the stand again tomorrow.
And when I cross-examine you, you're going to tell the truth.
Come on, Mila.
I'll take you home.
Give her a break, Joe.
She's only 15.
She doesn't know what she wants.
No, she knows exactly what she wants.
She just doesn't know how to get it.
Maybe we can help her.
She said this in court? I mean, it's just not true.
We know.
But if her testimony stands, it will create reasonable doubt at trial.
Your kidnappers could go free.
So, what do you want us to do? LAUREN: This is a declaration of emancipation for Mila.
It would terminate your parental rights, allowing her to live with her friend's family.
Then, Mila can stay here, and you can be on your way.
If we sign this, we'll never see her again.
She feels you betrayed her.
She might already be lost to you.
It's our baby.
We wanted a child, even before we started our other life.
We had always hoped for a girl.
Mila is the only real thing in our life.
She's not a child anymore.
And you chose your life.
Let Mila choose hers.
I'm sorry I said all those things about my parents knowing those men.
It wasn't true.
And the argument you said you overheard? Was that true? No.
No.
I never heard them say anything like that.
My parents would never hurt anybody.
Not on purpose.
I'm sorry for lying.
No more questions.
Young lady, you may step down.
Your Honor, the People have established probable cause to proceed to trial.
We also ask that the testimony of Dennis and Anna Ackroyd be preserved for use at trial.
This court concurs.
The case will be calendared for trial.
We're adjourned.
Mironov just called.
His clients want to make the deal.
(CRYING) Don't forget about us, okay? Be a good girl, okay? I love you.
Folks.
It's time.
Be strong, okay? Be strong.
Be safe.
I love you.
I love you, Mila.
Anna.
Come on.
(SOBBING) Let's go make that deal.