Poisoned Love: The Stacey Castor Story (2022) Movie Script
1
- Bree!
- Go away!
[knocking rapidly]
Bree!!
Leave me alone!
[knocking]
Ulgh!
We gotta go!
[knocking rapidly]
Bree, did you take my belt?
I don't have your stupid belt.
Wait your turn.
Ladies, breakfast is
on the table.
We gotta go!
[frantic knocking]
Bree! Give me my belt!
[frantic knocking
over music blaring]
I know you took my belt.
Is it too much to ask for you
to not touch my stuff?
I didn't touch your stuff.
Ashley, Bree.
Try to play nice.
Oh, look what I found.
Alright, let's go!
She's your spawn.
If you girls want a ride,
you've got to hurry up.
I'm late.
Mark's giving me a ride.
Is that a new boyfriend?
It's not a big deal.
Sure looked like it through
the steamed windows yesterday.
You're funny.
Hey, Ashley.
I want to hear all about it.
I always want to know what's
going on in your life, okay?
Yeah.
Oh, grow up.
Mom!
Finish breakfast.
[radio playing rock music]
So I'm going to go over
this again,
because it keeps happening.
But...
Sorry.
Remember, past 30 days
we do not service them
until the accounts are paid
in full.
Okay, now let's
get back to work.
Stacey?
I need a word.
Third time this week.
[sighs]
It puts me in an awkward...
position.
What kind of position?
My favourite.
[whispers] Shh, they're
going to hear.
Oh, I don't care.
I'll fire 'em.
So, dinner tonight?
Oh, I can't tonight.
It's movie night.
I barely see the girls as it is.
Tomorrow?
Okay, tomorrow it is.
Shh.
[giggles]
[muffled giggling]
It's not over yet.
Just a few more minutes.
We've seen this movie
like a hundred times.
He sweeps her off her feet,
they live happily ever after.
Gotta go.
Love you.
Love you, too.
Ah-buh-bye.
Yeah. Hate you.
Guess it's just us.
I love spending a Saturday
night with you.
So, I've been thinking about us.
Uh-oh.
It's just that it's been
almost a year.
Uh-huh.
I always have to do
what's right for my girls,
but that's not really fair
to you,
because I have to schedule us.
Uh, but
I don't want to miss another
night or morning.
So, you want to live together?
If it was just me, sure.
But you'd be taking on a family,
all three of us.
It's... probably not
a good idea.
- Okay.
- Okay.
Because I think
it's a great idea.
I don't want to miss
another night or morning.
Will you marry me?
God, yeah.
[laughs]
Oh, David.
[laughs]
David, oh god! Oh!
[applause]
- Congratulations!
- Thank you so much.
Can I interest you
in some muffins?
Why are you acting so weird?
I was thinking for movie night,
we could watch
"Lord of the Rings."
Seriously?
You hate that movie.
Okay.
How about a horror movie?
"The Ring."
You ever heard of it?
Does it ring a bell?
Oh, my god, Mom.
When did this happen?
Last night!
You're engaged?
Yes.
To David.
No, to the mailman.
You guys have been going out
for what, a year?
Well, that's seven in dog years.
And believe me, at my age
you count 'em all.
I think it's awesome, Mom.
Of course you do.
What, you can't be happy for me?
You hardly know him.
Is he moving in with us?
We're going to move in with him.
Will we get our own rooms?
Doesn't he live in Midland?
That's a different
school district.
It's just a few miles away.
You'll still see your friends.
You should've asked if it was
okay with us first.
Okay.
I'm sorry.
I'm asking.
What's the difference?
You've already said yes.
That doesn't make me
his indentured servant.
I can tell him we're not ready.
It's your life, Mom.
It's okay with us.
Just don't listen to her.
No, Ashley's right.
The three of us have always
been a team,
The Three Musketeers.
The last thing I want to do
is mess that up.
I'm happy for you, Mom.
You deserve to be happy.
[sighs] Uh-huh.
[knocks]
I remember when your dad
won that for you.
Cost him like 60 bucks,
but he was determined.
And then he gave it to you,
and you were like "meh,"
and he was so sad.
Thanks.
I'll be sure to feel guilty
about that.
I didn't mean it like that.
It's just that he realized
all of a sudden
that you were getting too old
for these things,
and he didn't want that
to change.
And now you are 17.
Do you really love David?
Yeah.
But I don't want you to think
I'm trying
to replace your father.
Our hearts have an amazing
capacity to love equally,
but differently.
I don't love Bree more
than I love you,
or the other way around.
And I don't love David more
than I love your father.
That kind of love is endless.
Are we good?
Yeah.
Oh, baby.
Hi.
Aw, come on.
[laughs]
All for one...
(All) One for all.
There he is.
Hey!
I'm so sorry, we had a five-some
in front of us.
It was horrible.
We are fine.
Hi, girls.
Hi.
Hey.
So uh, here we are.
Sounds like we're all going to
be living under the same roof.
How about that?
[sarcastically] How about that?
We're very excited.
Me too.
And look, I know this is
a pretty big change
for you girls,
and we haven't spent a lot
of time together,
but I just want to make sure
you're both cool with it, and...
[laughs weakly]
What?
It just hit me.
I should've come
to you two first.
Like asking someone's father
for their daughter's hand
in marriage.
Out of respect, and I'm sorry
I didn't do that.
Instead all of this was sprung
on you out of the blue,
a new house, new school.
We would've said yes.
Well, that is a relief.
Still, um, I should've
asked you.
I love your mother, and I hope
you'll give me a shot.
Will we get our own rooms?
Bree.
Of course.
Ashley?
Yeah.
We're cool.
Cool.
[laughs]
Well, let's eat.
Yeah.
Hi, Michael.
I really want this, okay?
I should be happy.
I deserve that.
We do miss you.
[laughs] Oh, my girls!
You look beautiful, Mom.
Yeah? Thanks.
I do, don't I?
[laughs]
[giggles excitedly]
You look fabulous.
I'm so happy for you.
[camera shutter snapping]
Cheese!
Your dad's drunk!
Get the cameras ready.
[camera shutter snapping]
You look great.
Yes, I do, don't I?
Julie.
Yes.
Julie, this is my dad, Alan.
I don't think you were
properly introduced.
My son's a lucky man.
Yes, he is.
Lean in, everybody.
Okay.
We're a family now.
You guys look good!
Okay, and...
[cheering and applause]
Oh, baby
my heart stands still
when I'm with you
How's my favourite
granddaughter?
Don't let Bree hear
you say that.
I tell her the same thing.
He seems nice.
And Mom's happy.
Mm-hmm.
Great.
Your mom, she's been through
too much.
She always chooses you girls
over everything and anyone.
Don't make her feel like she has
to make that choice again.
Baby
Ooh, I get chills
when I'm with you.
[nervously] Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah!
Shoes off, please.
New carpet.
Right upstairs.
Um, I thought we were getting
separate rooms.
Uh, yeah.
Absolutely.
Um, that was my office,
I just have to clean
some of the stuff out.
Ashley! In, in!
You're perfect.
You're right there.
Okay, Mom, can you please
hurry up? I gotta go.
I am, hold on. Oh, it's not on.
[laughs]
Okay, hold on.
Mom, there's only two buttons.
It's the second button.
I got it, okay.
[annoyed] Mom!
It's on, it's on!
Wait, wait, clear a spot.
I'm coming in!
You're perfect, okay.
Ready?
[shutter snaps]
Which movie are
we watching tonight?
I think the boys
are going to watch
the game tonight, right?
It's movie night.
We'll watch something
tomorrow night.
[coldly] I'm working
tomorrow night.
Then we'll do it
the night after.
You know what? I'm sorry.
We're going to the bar.
No...
Movie night is movie night.
David, don't.
No, no. It's fine.
David, why
I said it's fine. Okay?
Look, the bar's gonna be fun,
there's gonna be some
other guys there.
Let's go, Dad.
I'm sorry.
You ladies have fun.
How was the game?
Good.
Dropped Dad off after.
Oh, how was he?
He's not feeling well,
but he seems fine.
Look.
Sorry, I've been so edgy.
Hi.
Why don't we go away
for a weekend?
Just us.
What about the girls?
They'll be fine.
Alone in the house, teenagers?
David.
You gotta start treating them
like they're more
than just guests.
You know, this is
their house too.
Trust gets trust.
You know what?
You're right.
So?
Babe, I'm already packed.
Really?
[chuckles]
I don't want to leave this room
the entire trip.
Oh, I like that idea.
The sound of your hello
The smile you gave my soul
The memories just won't go
I'll try harder with the girls.
I promise.
Thank you.
The touch of your caress
The way your eyes say yes.
The depths that you possess
[loud rock music]
[laughs]
Okay, my turn, my turn.
Yeah.
David's gonna kill you.
If he finds out.
Go to your room.
Hey Ash. Any more beer?
Yeah, follow me.
Can you stop it?
You love it.
Okay, what do you want?
I'll take anything with alcohol.
[whistles]
Sweet ride.
Don't touch it.
Don't even breathe on it.
Come on.
This is frickin' sweet.
Dude.
Well, you said he's an ass,
right?
Yeah, he is.
So?
He'll never know,
but you always will, right?
Come on.
Just around the block.
[heavy metal music]
Dude.
Woo!
Okay, Jason.
Let's go back.
I've had my revenge.
Okay. Let me turn her around.
[tires squealing]
Enough!
Woah, stop, stop it!
[tires squealing]
Are you insane?
Stop!
[laughing]
[engine roaring]
Jason, please stop!
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!!!
[tires squealing]
[police siren blares]
I'm so dead.
I trusted you.
David trusted you.
What were you even thinking?
I know!
I screwed up.
I'm sorry.
It's just nothing in this house
is ours.
His rules, his things.
I just, I miss it
the way it was.
Everything's different.
[crying]
[door slams]
David.
I'm so sorry.
Sorry is not going to cut it.
You are so lucky
nobody got hurt.
I know.
And how you didn't get cited
along with your friend is
is beyond me.
So tell me something.
How are you going to pay
that $500 impound fee?
I'll ask for more hours.
I swear.
Okay.
In the meantime,
you're grounded.
Work, school, that's it.
Grounded?
I'll make it right, I promise.
But you can't ground me.
No, no phone, no computer,
you are not leaving this house.
Mom!
Ashley, we'll talk
about it tomorrow.
Really?
[door slams]
[door slams repeatedly]
[muffled rock music]
Let's give her some space.
We'll deal with this tomorrow.
What are you doing?
[rock music blaring]
Excuse me.
[hammering]
What are you doing?
What is wrong with you?
You're not removing her door.
This is no longer her door.
I will decide her punishment.
Not while she's living
in my house.
This is our house.
No, it's not!
It's never been our house.
That's a joke.
Okay, stop. David, stop.
I hate him!
I hate being here!
Yeah, well the feeling's mutual.
Can we please talk about this?
There's nothing to talk about.
Hey! Stop!
I'm talking to you.
You know, Stacey,
this isn't working.
[rock music
continues to blare]
Well, you knew that it wasn't
going to be an easy transition.
And I have to say,
Ashley has not helped.
It's been almost a year.
That's enough time
to make things work.
Do you want my blessing?
I want your advice.
Marriage is difficult.
Oh, okay.
You have to tough it out.
Make it work.
What are you going to do
if you leave David?
Where are you going to live?
Where are you going to work?
Do you think it was easy living
with your dad?
Okay, all right.
No.
You make a choice
and you stick with it.
Where are my pruners?
Right there.
Oh.
This is the first year mom
didn't remember, isn't it?
Yep.
Do you think David will be nicer
after what happened?
Doubt it.
Well, we'd better go.
He knows what time we're
supposed to be back from school.
I'm sorry, Daddy.
It's been six weeks
since you grounded her.
I think Ashley has learned
her lesson.
You think so?
Because I haven't seen a real
change in attitude.
David.
That's not being reasonable.
No.
She used to be an A student
and now she's barely passing.
I think this whole thing
has gotten out of hand.
What does that have to do
with the door?
She's 17. She has a right
to privacy, her own room.
And her own rules! Is that it?
How many times do I have
to say I'm sorry?
I made a mistake, nothing
happened to your stupid car.
Ashley.
No! This is ridiculous,
and you let him do it.
Just start showing a little
respect around here
and maybe we'll talk.
Go to hell.
Ashley!
I hate both of you.
[pouring liquor]
You know, it would help
if you would show
just a little bit of respect
to us as well.
You're the one who's acting
like a child.
My... So it's my fault, huh?
I'm the bad parent here.
[laughs weakly]
[knocks on door frame]
The door is closed.
Mom's just wondering if you want
to come and help make dinner.
No, thank you.
You're just making it worse.
Worse?
You can go down there and
suck up to him if you want,
but I'm not.
Please, Ashley.
Why?
So Mom won't be upset.
Go.
I'm chopping, it's fine.
I think that's it, right?
Great, thank you.
Oh, great.
Do you want to get the pasta
from the cupboard?
Sure.
Are you making your special
pasta sauce?
Actually, David has an idea
of his own.
A potential disaster.
I'm not a cook like your mom,
but something my dad
passed down.
You girls like spicy?
Love it.
Um, Ashley isn't good
with spice though,
maybe we could do some
a little milder?
Sure.
It's okay. I'll probably
just have salad anyway.
Oh, you don't know
what you're missing.
What about if we do
a little of both?
[phone rings]
Oh, excuse me.
Hello.
What? How?
No, no, no, no. I'll come.
My dad died.
What?
What happened?
I don't know.
He collapsed, I just went to see
him yesterday.
He was fine.
He seemed perfect.
Oh, my god.
Hey.
You all right?
Can I make you something?
No, I'm good.
You finished, sweetie?
Mm-hmm.
What are you doing?
Let her clean it up.
You're not her nursemaid.
You know, I raised them
on my own for six years.
I've been a pretty
damn good mother.
How many drinks is that tonight?
Oh, so you're counting now?
Yeah, David. I am.
Self-medicating is not going
to help the situation.
Oh, so now we're in a situation.
Drink it, go ahead.
Go on, drink yourself stupid.
- That's enough.
- Is it?
You're not going
to stop until...
[yells] Hey, hey!
You're not going to stop
'til you kill yourself,
so go for it if that's
what you want.
Just... just shut up,
both of you.
I can't take this anymore.
Neither can I.
Where the hell do you think
you're going?
None of your business.
Hey, get your ass back here.
Loser.
Well, then stay out!
[door slams]
Ahhhhh!!!!!
[gasps]
Bree!
Mom...
Look Bree, I'm sorry,
I didn't...
Get away from us!
Stacey!!!
[door slams]
Bree and I are at my friend
Cheryl's house.
Mm-hmm.
- Okay.
- Ow!
There we go, that's much better.
Hey, Ashley's going
to stay at Mark's house.
That was his mom.
Bree, how about we get you
up to bed?
I'll come up in a minute.
How long are we staying
here for?
Oh, a few nights maybe.
Give him some time to think
about things.
I need clothes.
Uh... I'll sneak back
and get some later.
Don't worry, Mom.
He didn't mean it.
It'll be okay.
I don't know.
I haven't seen him in a week.
David knew he had
a meeting, right?
Mm-hmm.
[phone rings]
[phone rings]
(Voicemail) Hello, this is David
Castor. Please leave a message.
I'll get back to you.
[beep]
He's not picking up.
David?
David?
- David?
- David?
[knocks at door]
David?
Stacey, Stacey, we should
call the police!
[urgently] David!
[knocks rapidly]
[knocks rapidly]
Mr. Castor, this is the police.
[knocks rapidly]
Are you in there?
[sobs] Oh, my god.
Dispatch, we have a 10-91,
Caucasian male, early 50s.
Oh, my god!
[Radio chatters]
So, you and your daughters were
with friends the entire weekend?
Yeah.
Ashley stayed with
her boyfriend's family,
Bree and I were
with my friend Cheryl.
Hmm.
And had you been noticing any
differences in his behaviour?
Yeah.
Every day.
He's been going through a lot,
and becoming more
and more abusive,
self-destructive since
his father died.
Mom?
It's okay.
Down the hall.
What's going on?
[shutter snapping]
That is definitely not
an apple martini.
His wife said that he owned
a heating and refrigeration
company, right?
Yeah.
Man.
That's a hell of a way
to kill yourself.
Wait. We're going with suicide?
Well, there's no forced entry,
and no signs of a struggle.
I mean, you heard what she said
about him, right?
Hmm.
I mean, I don't know, we'll see
what comes back from the lab,
but 50 bucks says yes.
Guys, you want to come in?
Mason?
Yeah?
Check this out.
Do you find that odd?
It's garbage.
Nobody's been doing
any real cooking
in this kitchen for a while.
Why is he throwing out
a turkey baster?
That's a good question.
Bag it and run it to the lab.
It's me.
It's okay.
[kettle squealing]
I'd feel more comfortable
if you were staying with me.
It's okay, Mom.
Well, you're not going to sleep
in that room.
Yeah.
I'll sleep in Ashley's room.
I just don't think it's good
for Bree to be in this house.
I'll handle it.
Oh, you poor dear.
Going through all this again.
It's.
I don't understand how he
could do this to you.
Sorry to keep you waiting,
Mrs. Castor.
It's just his ring.
Thank you.
It's been ruled a suicide,
as we expected.
His organs were coated
with ethylene glycol toxicity.
[sighs]
The anti free.
The antifreeze, yes.
Oh...
What?
About a month before he died,
we were watching a show.
One of those news shows
on television.
It was about a man who had died
by ingesting anti free,
and David commented how painful
it would be to die from that.
And yet that's how he chose
to do it.
I'm sorry.
Is there anything else?
No. No.
[tearfully] Well, thank you
very much.
Thank you.
Let me walk you out.
Thank you.
I do have one more question.
Of course.
Did David cook?
Uh...
Not really.
Pasta every once in a while.
Why?
Oh, it's nothing.
I'm just trying to a get a sense
of his state of mind.
Just this way.
When did you say these changes
were made to the will?
About a month before he died.
We never got around
to having it notarized.
I can't notarize something
from a month ago, Stace.
Or without both parties.
It's against the law.
I could go to jail.
I'm going to lose everything.
His life insurance wasn't much,
it's 50,000,
and he had changed the will
because he didn't want
everything going to his family.
Of course.
I'm embarrassed.
I'm embarrassed to even ask.
I don't have anyone else
to turn to.
I'm...
Oh, I didn't plan on being
a widow twice.
It's okay, I'm sorry.
Thank you.
Sugar, or cream, anything?
No. Thank you.
You've been doing
some redecorating.
Yeah. Kind of our way
of startin' over.
Yeah.
Thank you.
How are you and the girls
holding up?
As well as expected.
We're all in a bit of shock.
Yeah, I'm sure.
And I appreciate you taking
the time to answer
a few more questions.
You said your husband was alone
the entire weekend.
Is that right?
Yeah. We had a fight,
as I told Detective Mason.
Bree and I stayed
at my friend, Cheryl's.
Ashley stayed at
her boyfriend's.
But you did come home at
one point to grab some clothes.
Twice, yeah.
But you never actually
saw your husband?
No.
Hmm.
See, that's where I'm still
a little confused.
You said you heard your husband
snoring in the bedroom,
but you never actually saw him.
That's right.
But your clothes are
in the same bedroom, correct?
I had clothes in
the laundry room.
I never went in the bedroom.
Hmm.
Laundry room is... is where?
Downstairs.
But I came in through
the front door,
and then I could hear him
snoring from here.
He must snore loudly then.
Yeah.
The bedroom door was...
was closed?
When we found him, yeah, it was.
But it must've been open
when I heard him snoring.
I'm sorry, Detective.
What's the point of
all these questions?
Do you know anyone who may have
threatened David
or wanted to do him any harm?
No. Of course not.
And who's this in this photo
here with your daughters?
That's my first husband,
Michael.
And he passed away
how many years ago?
Six years. Heart attack.
I'm very sorry.
Why did you ask if someone
had recently threatened David?
We have reason to believe
it may not be a suicide,
Mrs. Castor.
I'm sorry, what?
We're still piecing
things together,
and I'm not at liberty
to discuss the details.
But I will ask you to, um,
to come down to the station
and submit your fingerprints.
My fingerprints?
It's more of a process
of elimination, Mrs. Castor.
And It still might very
well be ruled a suicide.
But if it's not and somebody
intentionally poisoned
your husband, we all want
to find out who it was.
Of course.
I'll help any way I can.
Oh hey, I can do the rest
if you want.
Cheryl, the police are asking
more questions.
They're not convinced
that it was suicide.
They think someone
might've killed him.
What?
I know.
They won't tell me anything,
and I know David killed himself.
[tearfully] It's the only thing
that makes sense.
But they might want to talk
to you, okay?
Me? Why?
About the will.
No. They don't know about that.
But you worked with him
and you knew him.
Okay, okay.
Gosh, Stace. This must just be
a terrible mistake.
How far should a mother go
to protect her daughter?
You kidding me with that?
There's no way.
There are a lot of similarities
between David Castor
and Stacey's first husband.
Mike Wallace died
of a heart attack.
The police report said
"no evidence of foul play."
And I just read
the coroner's report.
There was no autopsy.
She didn't want one
on religious grounds.
There's nothing about
Stacey Castor
that comes across as religious.
So you think she murdered
both of her husbands?
The man was 38.
Perfect health, some domestic
issues, started drinking.
She wanted out, he dies.
Sound familiar?
Reese.
There is no evidence that links
Stacey Castor to any of that.
Yet someone used that turkey
baster to poison David Castor.
He didn't walk down the stairs
and put it in the garbage
himself.
No, but we're supposed
to believe
that she left it in the garbage?
I have seen criminals
do stupider things.
Look, she was in the house
alone with him.
Opportunity.
He was abusive, motive.
Her prints were all over
the glass and that baster.
She lived there.
She cooked, she cleaned.
It's not enough.
Right.
So the best chance we have
is to see if the pattern fits.
Okay.
But it's on you.
Great.
You have no right to do this.
Mrs. Castor, I have a court
order signed by a judge.
For what possible reason?
I can't discuss that
at this time.
Well, then you can discuss it
with my lawyer,
because I am going to sue
the police, the city,
everyone you work with.
[slams receiver]
Oh, wow.
What happened, Mom?
I have a few questions about
Stacey Castor's first husband.
Her first husband?
Michael?
Mm-hmm.
What was their
relationship like?
Well, I think that if Michael
hadn't have died,
I think they would've gotten
a divorce.
She suspected he was having
an affair.
And how did his death
affect her?
Oh, it was terrible.
Despite all the problems
that they were having,
Stacey was devastated by it.
They all were.
Especially Ashley.
Ashley and her father
were close?
No.
No, that's what made it so odd.
You see, Michael adored Bree.
He hardly had any time for
Ashley, and she was jealous.
She resented him.
Well, maybe she felt some guilt
because of that.
Maybe.
But that's what made it so odd
and strange.
I mean, she was alone
with Michael when he died.
Now it's happened twice.
What do you mean "twice?"
I don't think I should answer
any more questions.
I'm sorry.
Miss McGowan,
it's important that you tell me
everything you know.
Stacey made me swear not to
say anything and I promised.
I'm sorry you made that promise.
But if you are knowingly
withholding evidence,
you're breaking the law.
And you don't want to go down
that road.
Ashley was in the house
with David that weekend. Alone.
Well, according
to their statements,
she was at her boyfriend's house
that entire weekend,
that was verified
by his entire family.
Stacey told me that she drove
by the house and she saw
Ashley leaving.
Miss Castor.
Detective.
How are you doing?
Thank you for giving us more
of your time.
Oh, not at all.
Sorry about the mess.
We are officially closing
next week.
Well, this will be quick.
Mrs. Castor, did you withhold
any information
about your daughter's
whereabouts
on the weekend that David died?
No. Of course not.
Okay, because according
to Cheryl McGowan,
you told her that you saw Ashley
leaving the house
the same night that David
passed away.
Is this true?
She must've misunderstood.
Okay, but she was pretty clear
that you asked her not
to tell anyone.
Well, I am at a loss as to how
that got taken out of context.
What I told Cheryl is that
she didn't want to go back
to the house ever again.
Ashley disliked David immensely.
She even threatened him.
I did withhold that.
I didn't want that getting out
and being taken the wrong way.
What do you mean,
she threatened him?
They fought all the time.
She's a teenager.
You know, she isn't
always rational
when she loses her temper.
Right.
And did she ever threaten him
in a way that made you feel
like she meant it?
No.
But... you know.
I don't know what goes on
in someone else's mind.
So for the record,
you never saw Ashley at
the house that weekend?
No.
These crystals
are ethylene glycol.
They were taken
from the antifreeze
on David Castor's kidney.
Mm-hmm.
Now this is from the first
husband, Michael Wallace.
Ethylene glycol.
The probability is within
a statistical certainty.
Thank you.
So we were right.
[laughs] We? Yes.
What are you doing?
Jason Peters' dad,
is a detective.
You know what he told me so
that the whole class could hear?
That they think Dad
might've been murdered.
Just like David.
Both of them were poisoned.
Where's Bree?
At a friend's.
Were you going to tell us,
or were we just supposed
to see it on the news?
I know. I'm sorry.
What the hell is going on, Mom?
They don't even know.
They just won't leave it alone.
But it's nothing.
But listen.
They are going to ask you
whether you were alone
at any time when you were
staying at Mark's,
and you need to tell them no.
I was alone.
Mark and his family went
to a birthday party.
I didn't want to go.
For how long?
I don't know, five or six hours.
Don't tell them that.
Why should I lie?
I'm trying to protect you.
From what?
All of this. Just all of this.
It's okay. They're not going
to find anything.
What would they find, Mom?
What do you think they'd find?
Okay, now you're freaking
me out.
Ashley. Ashley.
Baby, it's okay.
All of this is okay.
We are done speaking of this,
all right?
I am always going
to protect you,
no matter what.
You know that, right? Right?
Do you know that?
Yes.
Okay. All right.
Okay.
Now this is not going to help.
Why not? It helps you.
Fair enough.
You know, when I was 18, my
mother gave me my first one.
She said if a child can die
in war at 18,
they can have their
first drink, too.
You turn 18 in a week.
Now, I am not naive enough
to think
you haven't already done this.
But I want to make it official
with me.
Have a seat.
My own concoction.
And this is the good vodka, not
the cheapo stuff David drank.
Cheers.
Seriously?
What?
You're too cool to have a drink
with your own mother?
I don't know, it's just weird.
Like I said, we do not speak
to anyone about any of this,
ever.
One for all?
All for one.
Miss her, kiss her, love her
What's wrong with you?
Please, don't speak.
Either of you.
Bree, we are having Ashley's
birthday party on Saturday.
You could invite some of
your friends too if you want.
Cool.
Can I drink too?
No.
[groans]
Good.
[distant rock music]
[rock music blaring]
[laughing]
Ashley, come here.
What?
I got a surprise for you.
Now we can't do this out there,
because technically
you're still underage.
Sweet.
Can Mark have one?
Eh, better not.
I don't want the cops asking me
any more questions.
Happy 18th.
Cheers.
Better though, huh?
It's not bad.
You're the best.
Thank you, Mom.
Aww.
[rock music blaring]
[laughs drunkenly]
Got you!
Where have you been?
It's my birthday.
For once I am actually
having fun.
[laughs uncomfortably] Okay.
Aren't you happy?
No, no, not like this.
Screw you, then.
Woah, woah, woah!
Ash!
Hey. Hey.
Come on.
Leave me alone!
I don't feel very good.
Hey, Bree?
Get her up to her room, okay?
Ashley, okay baby. You're okay.
She's okay.
Let her sleep it off.
[rock music]
It's okay.
You were
[sobbing] I was feeling fine.
Ashley, you... you're fine.
Just... Just go.
Bree, will you stay?
Why? So you can puke on me?
No thanks.
[whining] Please...
What's wrong?
I don't know.
Just don't leave.
Do you miss our other room?
No.
I really liked it.
I didn't mind sharing, honestly.
Mom's so different now.
She seems happier.
She shouldn't be.
Why can't you just let her
be happy?
Let her have this.
I'm sorry.
I'm really sorry.
I hate myself.
Bree, I really don't feel well.
Goodnight, Ashley.
It's driving me out
of my mind.
That's why it's hard for me
to fight.
Can't get her
out of my head.
Miss her, kiss her,
love her.
That girl is poison.
That girl is poison.
Can you go wake your sister?
She has to be at work
in an hour.
[shrieking] Mom! Mom!
Mom, she's not breathing!
Ashley, Ashley, Ashley!
Help, Mom!
What's happening?
Wake up!
Ashley! Ashley.
Wake up, Ashley!
Bree, calm down.
Calm down, just calm down.
Hurry, please!
Upstairs.
Please.
My daughter was drinking
last night
and I think she took some pills.
Please step back.
Checking her breathing.
Something.
Let's load her up.
Please hurry.
Seventeen-year-old girl
found unresponsive.
Respiratory rate at 4.
Please hurry!
[sobs] Oh, please.
Ma'am, you need to wait here.
She's my daughter!
There's nothing more you can do.
The waiting area's
around the corner.
You need to wait there.
[sobs]
[whispers] Mom, mom.
What is that?
[breathing shakily]
It's not true.
She wouldn't write that.
Mom, it's not true!
- Bree.
- It's not true.
Everything's okay.
No. It's not her.
Listen. It's okay.
No, she wouldn't write it.
Listen to me.
She wouldn't. It's not true.
I want you to calm down, okay?
Okay. Breathe, just breathe.
Oh, my god, Stacey.
What happened?
She's in the emergency room.
They don't know if she's going
to make it.
Why would she do this?
Why would she try
to kill herself?
It was her.
What?
[sobbing]
I was trying to protect her.
I didn't know what else to do.
No, no, no. I'm here, honey.
I'm here, baby.
[sobs]
Mrs. Castor. How's Ashley?
They don't know yet.
Show them the note!
[sighs]
Has she confessed to any
of what's in this before?
No, just that.
Any of you?
No.
Had she ever attempted suicide?
She threatened once.
She wrote a note then too.
Was it printed like this one?
Yeah.
My sister wouldn't kill herself.
She wouldn't hurt anyone.
Bree.
No, she wouldn't
do those things.
She did do those things...
Mom, maybe you should
take her home.
No, I'm not going anywhere!
[yelling] Stop it, just stop!
Just leave her, it's fine!
Bree! Just stop it!
Mrs. Castor?
What?
You can see your daughter now.
Uh, not until after
we've talked to her.
I'm her mother.
That's right. Your questions
can wait.
No, it can't.
You have no right!
[firmly] Hey!
Sit down. Now.
Both of you.
[monitors beeping]
Hi, Ashley.
Where's my mom?
She'll be in soon.
We need to ask you
a few questions.
Would that be all right?
What do you remember
from last night?
Do you remember what pills
you took?
I didn't take any pills.
I only had a few drinks.
What drinks?
I don't remember.
Detective, she's not
strong enough
for this kind of questioning.
Just, just a few more, Doc.
Ashley, there was an empty
prescription bottle
next to your bed.
You overdosed on those pills,
and there was also a note.
A note?
Can you tell me what was in it?
I don't remember writing a note.
It was a confession, Ashley.
To the murders of your father
and David Castor.
Did you write it?
Tell me what you wrote.
Tell me what was in the note,
Ashley.
It's important.
Detective.
[machines continue to beep]
Dear Mom, I'm sorry
for what I've done.
I know the police suspect you
of poisoning Daddy
and David with antifreeze.
I can no longer live with
the guilt of knowing
you might go to jail for
something you didn't do.
Ashley?
Is this all true?
Detective!
"It was me."
"I mixed the antifreeze
into their drinks"
"without them knowing it."
"I killed them."
Ashley.
[sobbing] I'm sorry.
No, you don't have
to cover for her.
I'm not covering for anyone.
Detective, that's enough!
Look, I know you're scared.
Okay. What you're feeling
is normal.
You'd rather take
the blame yourself
than to believe she could ever
harm you like this.
She didn't.
She wouldn't do that,
she's my mom.
She would never do that.
[sobs]
Ashley.
Tell us the truth, Ashley.
This is going to have to wait.
Out!
Reese.
[sobbing]
...
What?
"Antifree."
What?
Look how it's written.
It's a typo.
The way she told me
about that TV special?
The way she...
Can I see my daughter now?
I need to ask you a question.
Is that necessary?
I'm talking to her.
The night your husband died,
you said he was drinking vodka.
Is that right?
Yeah.
And I'm sorry, I'm forgetting
some of the details.
What was mixed with that vodka?
You know the answer.
My daughter made that quite
clear in her confession.
Please answer the question.
You know the answer! It was
mixed with anti free!
Antifree.
Stacey Castor,
you are under arrest
for the murder of David Castor,
and for the attempted murder
of your daughter,
Ashley Wallace.
What?!
What are you doing?
Anything you say can and will
be used against you
in a court of law.
Mom?
Stay with Grandma, okay?
[screams] Mom! Mom!
It's okay honey.
[shrieks] Mom! Mom!
Grandma.
Go get in the car.
Why didn't you come and see me?
Because you're a liar.
I'm not a liar, Grandma.
Your mother could never do
those things, ever.
And you think I could?
You admitted it.
I didn't write that letter!
You never want your mother
to be happy.
Anytime she gets close to
someone, you sabotage it.
You have to believe me, Grandma.
My daughter is not a killer.
I did not raise anyone
who could do those things.
It's not your fault.
It's not hers, either.
Go on, get in the car.
She's not going with you.
Yes, she is.
Bree.
Your mother has been asking
for you.
She needs you.
She needs both of us now,
more than ever.
Grandma, I...
Now!
She's not going with you!
You take your hands off of me!
Get your hands off her!
This is none of your business.
You made it my business.
Get the hell out of here.
All right? They're both going
to stay with my family.
Bree can decide for herself.
Then let her.
No.
I'm staying with Ashley.
Oh, Bree.
Just please, I'm not going
with you.
[engine starts]
[knocking at door]
Can I come in?
I'm glad you decided to stay
with us.
Thank you.
Why didn't you go with Grandma?
I don't know.
You have to know that
I'm telling the truth.
If you're telling the truth,
that means Mom's lying.
I know.
Which means she killed
Dad and David.
That means she tried to kill...
Come here.
I don't want to believe
it either.
I even thought, "what if I
did it and I don't remember?"
That's actually what I thought
at first at the hospital.
She would never do that.
She wouldn't. It's Mom.
She's not Mom.
She's sick, and
we didn't know it.
But we still have each other,
and we're not going to let her
take that away from us.
Okay?
[reporters clamour]
Bree! Is your mom a killer?
Ashley. Did she try
to frame you?
Did she really do it? Did she?
Do you have any comments at all?
She's got nothing to say.
When was the last time
you spoke to your mother?
Mr. O'Malley!
How you doing?
Nervous.
The defence is going to try
to point the finger at you.
Their only chance they have is
to create reasonable doubt.
Just tell the truth.
She'll be there, right?
Yes, she will.
But she can't hurt you anymore.
Be strong.
Your father had a nickname
for Bree.
Is that right?
Yeah.
But not you.
You weren't as close
to your father as Bree?
No, not really.
Did you resent that special bond
they had for each other?
No.
You just said to your friends in
the past and in your deposition
that it was because of this bond
that you formed
your own special relationship
with your mother.
Is that true?
I guess.
You guess.
Did you or did you not think of
your mother as your best friend?
When we were younger, I...
It's a yes or no question.
Answer it yes or no.
Did you think of your mother
as your best friend?
Yes.
Do you often visit
your father's grave?
Sometimes.
Have you ever said "I'm sorry,
Daddy" to your father's grave?
Not because...
Answer it yes or no,
and remember,
you are under oath.
Have you ever said "I'm sorry,
Daddy" to your father's grave?
Yes, but I...
Thank you.
Ashley, you said your mother
served you alcohol
on the night of your party.
Is that right?
Yes.
Has this happened before?
A few days before my birthday.
We were both stressed
with everything going on,
so my mom made me a vodka drink.
How did you like that?
It was terrible. I threw up.
And how did you like the drinks
that were made for you
on the night of
your birthday party?
They were awful.
And after you finished those
drinks, what happened?
I felt sick and disoriented.
I went to my room
and I passed out.
And before you passed out,
did you type a suicide note
and confession?
No.
The next thing I knew,
I was in the hospital.
Did you write this note?
No, I did not.
Did you poison your father
with antifreeze?
No, I did not.
Did you go to the house
at any time
during the weekend
David Castor died?
No.
Did you poison David Castor?
No, I did not.
No further questions.
Ashley?
Have you ever threatened
suicide before?
I wrote a note
to an ex-boyfriend.
And inside that note
you discussed
two prior suicide attempts,
right?
Yes.
Ashley, had you ever drank
vodka before that day
with your mother?
No.
So you didn't know what it
tasted like before that day?
No. But it didn't taste
like alcohol.
But you just said that
you'd never had it before.
So how could you know?
What I'm having a hard time
understanding, Ashley, is why,
if the drink tasted so horrible
as you claim,
that you drank it anyway.
Because I trusted her.
Trusted your mother.
Yes.
Because she was your
best friend, wasn't she?
No further questions.
[sobs]
I thought she was the one
on trial, not me!
All they have to do is plant
doubt in one juror's mind.
That's not going to happen.
The jury's going to see right
through that attorney.
Then they're going to think
I'm the one who did it.
Just one minute.
Ash.
What did she tell you then?
She said that she saw Ashley
leaving the house.
Why do you think she would
tell you this?
Objection. Conjecture.
Sustained.
Did you give this information
to Detective Reese
when you were questioned?
Yes.
Do you think Stacey Castor
knows you are a person
who would not lie to the police,
therefore expecting
that you would divulge
that information to shift
the blame on Ashley?
Objection.
Sustained.
This is a copy of the suicide
note purported to be written
by Ashley Wallace.
Yes.
Can you tell the court,
Detective Reese,
if there is a consistent
misspelling anywhere
on this document?
Yes. The word "antifreeze"
is spelled "anti free."
Have you ever heard
that word mispronounced
in that manner before?
Yes. Twice.
By Stacey Castor,
during a discussion
at the police station
and when we arrested her.
[courtroom muttering]
Detective Reese. I uh, noticed
a slight accent.
I, uh, I grew up in New York.
Could you say the word
"strength" for the court, please?
"Strenth."
"Strenth." Is that how
your parents said it?
Your mother, maybe?
Yeah.
Is it fair to say that we
glean our vernacular
from our parents
more than anyone else,
maybe certain words,
maybe subconsciously
misspelling certain words,
if we've heard it pronounced
in a particular way
by our parents our whole life.
Is that possible?
I suppose that's possible, yes.
And as far as the fingerprints
on the glass of antifreeze
is concerned,
isn't it true that Mrs. Castor's
fingerprints
were found everywhere in the
house, since she lived there?
Yeah.
The defence calls its next
witness, Stacey Castor.
Raise your right hand, please.
Do you swear to tell the truth,
the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth,
so help you God?
I do.
Mrs. Castor, did you love
your first husband?
With all my heart.
I still do. I still miss him.
And David Castor?
He changed my life.
I never thought I would be
happy again.
I loved him very much.
Was Ashley happy
that you remarried?
No. She and David
did not get along.
He was hard on her, and
I blame myself for that.
I should not have put Ashley
in that situation.
What situation?
She felt she had no way out.
Mrs. Castor, do you love
your daughter?
With all my heart. Both of them.
But you did have a special place
in your heart for Ashley,
correct?
We were best friends.
Your daughter was in her bedroom
for 17 hours
after going to bed the night
before feeling that sick.
Is that normal, Mrs. Castor?
For Ashley to be in her room,
17 hours? Yes.
And the next time you saw
your daughter
was when you found her
unresponsive and drooling in her bed.
Is that right?
Yes.
[laughs] My god.
You lost two husbands
to poisoning.
Your daughter is drooling
in her bedroom.
Is this really your testimony?
Your prints were
on the turkey baster.
They were on the glass next
to the bed.
No one else's.
Not Ashley's, not even
your dead husband's.
You were in the house
that weekend,
you were there, no one else.
And when the police got
too close,
you poisoned your own daughter,
then you typed that letter
to frame her.
Didn't you?
No.
You're lying, Mrs. Castor.
Objection.
Sustained.
No. I'm not lying.
[cries]
If Mom's found not guilty,
will I have to go live with her?
Probably.
Will they arrest you, then?
Why would they arrest me?
Well, if Mom didn't do it...
Bree. She did it.
Even if the jury doesn't think
she did it.
I don't want to go live
with her.
You're amazing, you know that?
I do know that.
But why do you think so?
Because you love mom,
and you know she loves you
despite everything.
I thought you would believe
anything she said.
I mean, I did.
You were going to take
the blame for her,
and she was going to let you.
How could she do that?
I don't know.
Hey Ashley, Bree.
Why are you here already?
The jury's still out.
We wanted to be here
just in case.
Well, you girls take care, okay?
Jury's back.
Would the defendant please rise?
On count one, murder
in the second degree,
in the death of David Castor,
how do you find the defendant?
Guilty.
[crowd gasps]
On count two, attempted murder
in the second degree,
how do you find the defendant?
Guilty.
On count three,
offering a false instrument
in connection to the forgery
of David Castor's will,
how do you find the defendant?
Guilty.
I hate my mother for ruining
so many people's lives.
What gave her the right
to play god with people?
I never knew what hate was
until now.
Even though I do hate her,
I still love her
at the same time.
That bothers me,
and it's so confusing.
How can you love someone
and hate them at the same time?
She was my best friend,
and she took that all away
just because she got scared.
I was scared too when I was
in the hospital all by myself,
and I wanted my Mom, but
she was the one who did this.
[sobs]
This will be my last chance
to say goodbye.
As horrible as it makes me feel,
this is goodbye Mom.
I know you're sick, and I know
that isn't all your fault.
I know that sickness also comes
from your own mother
who even now
cannot see the truth.
As hard as the two tried
to break me, I survived,
and I will survive,
and I will not become like you.
I'm going to do good things
in this world,
despite making me and Bree,
in every sense of the word,
orphans.
[sobs]
In all my years in the criminal
justice system,
I've seen murderers of
every variety and stripe.
What you did to David Castor
can only be described
as premeditated torture.
As bad and evil as that was,
what you tried to do
to your daughter is simply
something I cannot comprehend.
You, Mrs. Castor, are in a class
all by yourself.
I'm going to impose the maximum
sentence I'm allowed.
51 and one third years.
Court is adjourned.
[gavel slams]
[camera shutters snapping]
No one won today.
No one.
[reporters clamouring]
You still maintain that David
got the idea to kill himself
from a news magazine
segment about...
A woman who killed her husband
using anti free.
But not just one,
but two husbands.
Have you thought about the irony
that this is a news program
about a woman who killed her
two husbands with antifreeze?
No.
This is a program about a woman
who was accused of killing them.
Convicted.
It doesn't mean she did it.
- Bree!
- Go away!
[knocking rapidly]
Bree!!
Leave me alone!
[knocking]
Ulgh!
We gotta go!
[knocking rapidly]
Bree, did you take my belt?
I don't have your stupid belt.
Wait your turn.
Ladies, breakfast is
on the table.
We gotta go!
[frantic knocking]
Bree! Give me my belt!
[frantic knocking
over music blaring]
I know you took my belt.
Is it too much to ask for you
to not touch my stuff?
I didn't touch your stuff.
Ashley, Bree.
Try to play nice.
Oh, look what I found.
Alright, let's go!
She's your spawn.
If you girls want a ride,
you've got to hurry up.
I'm late.
Mark's giving me a ride.
Is that a new boyfriend?
It's not a big deal.
Sure looked like it through
the steamed windows yesterday.
You're funny.
Hey, Ashley.
I want to hear all about it.
I always want to know what's
going on in your life, okay?
Yeah.
Oh, grow up.
Mom!
Finish breakfast.
[radio playing rock music]
So I'm going to go over
this again,
because it keeps happening.
But...
Sorry.
Remember, past 30 days
we do not service them
until the accounts are paid
in full.
Okay, now let's
get back to work.
Stacey?
I need a word.
Third time this week.
[sighs]
It puts me in an awkward...
position.
What kind of position?
My favourite.
[whispers] Shh, they're
going to hear.
Oh, I don't care.
I'll fire 'em.
So, dinner tonight?
Oh, I can't tonight.
It's movie night.
I barely see the girls as it is.
Tomorrow?
Okay, tomorrow it is.
Shh.
[giggles]
[muffled giggling]
It's not over yet.
Just a few more minutes.
We've seen this movie
like a hundred times.
He sweeps her off her feet,
they live happily ever after.
Gotta go.
Love you.
Love you, too.
Ah-buh-bye.
Yeah. Hate you.
Guess it's just us.
I love spending a Saturday
night with you.
So, I've been thinking about us.
Uh-oh.
It's just that it's been
almost a year.
Uh-huh.
I always have to do
what's right for my girls,
but that's not really fair
to you,
because I have to schedule us.
Uh, but
I don't want to miss another
night or morning.
So, you want to live together?
If it was just me, sure.
But you'd be taking on a family,
all three of us.
It's... probably not
a good idea.
- Okay.
- Okay.
Because I think
it's a great idea.
I don't want to miss
another night or morning.
Will you marry me?
God, yeah.
[laughs]
Oh, David.
[laughs]
David, oh god! Oh!
[applause]
- Congratulations!
- Thank you so much.
Can I interest you
in some muffins?
Why are you acting so weird?
I was thinking for movie night,
we could watch
"Lord of the Rings."
Seriously?
You hate that movie.
Okay.
How about a horror movie?
"The Ring."
You ever heard of it?
Does it ring a bell?
Oh, my god, Mom.
When did this happen?
Last night!
You're engaged?
Yes.
To David.
No, to the mailman.
You guys have been going out
for what, a year?
Well, that's seven in dog years.
And believe me, at my age
you count 'em all.
I think it's awesome, Mom.
Of course you do.
What, you can't be happy for me?
You hardly know him.
Is he moving in with us?
We're going to move in with him.
Will we get our own rooms?
Doesn't he live in Midland?
That's a different
school district.
It's just a few miles away.
You'll still see your friends.
You should've asked if it was
okay with us first.
Okay.
I'm sorry.
I'm asking.
What's the difference?
You've already said yes.
That doesn't make me
his indentured servant.
I can tell him we're not ready.
It's your life, Mom.
It's okay with us.
Just don't listen to her.
No, Ashley's right.
The three of us have always
been a team,
The Three Musketeers.
The last thing I want to do
is mess that up.
I'm happy for you, Mom.
You deserve to be happy.
[sighs] Uh-huh.
[knocks]
I remember when your dad
won that for you.
Cost him like 60 bucks,
but he was determined.
And then he gave it to you,
and you were like "meh,"
and he was so sad.
Thanks.
I'll be sure to feel guilty
about that.
I didn't mean it like that.
It's just that he realized
all of a sudden
that you were getting too old
for these things,
and he didn't want that
to change.
And now you are 17.
Do you really love David?
Yeah.
But I don't want you to think
I'm trying
to replace your father.
Our hearts have an amazing
capacity to love equally,
but differently.
I don't love Bree more
than I love you,
or the other way around.
And I don't love David more
than I love your father.
That kind of love is endless.
Are we good?
Yeah.
Oh, baby.
Hi.
Aw, come on.
[laughs]
All for one...
(All) One for all.
There he is.
Hey!
I'm so sorry, we had a five-some
in front of us.
It was horrible.
We are fine.
Hi, girls.
Hi.
Hey.
So uh, here we are.
Sounds like we're all going to
be living under the same roof.
How about that?
[sarcastically] How about that?
We're very excited.
Me too.
And look, I know this is
a pretty big change
for you girls,
and we haven't spent a lot
of time together,
but I just want to make sure
you're both cool with it, and...
[laughs weakly]
What?
It just hit me.
I should've come
to you two first.
Like asking someone's father
for their daughter's hand
in marriage.
Out of respect, and I'm sorry
I didn't do that.
Instead all of this was sprung
on you out of the blue,
a new house, new school.
We would've said yes.
Well, that is a relief.
Still, um, I should've
asked you.
I love your mother, and I hope
you'll give me a shot.
Will we get our own rooms?
Bree.
Of course.
Ashley?
Yeah.
We're cool.
Cool.
[laughs]
Well, let's eat.
Yeah.
Hi, Michael.
I really want this, okay?
I should be happy.
I deserve that.
We do miss you.
[laughs] Oh, my girls!
You look beautiful, Mom.
Yeah? Thanks.
I do, don't I?
[laughs]
[giggles excitedly]
You look fabulous.
I'm so happy for you.
[camera shutter snapping]
Cheese!
Your dad's drunk!
Get the cameras ready.
[camera shutter snapping]
You look great.
Yes, I do, don't I?
Julie.
Yes.
Julie, this is my dad, Alan.
I don't think you were
properly introduced.
My son's a lucky man.
Yes, he is.
Lean in, everybody.
Okay.
We're a family now.
You guys look good!
Okay, and...
[cheering and applause]
Oh, baby
my heart stands still
when I'm with you
How's my favourite
granddaughter?
Don't let Bree hear
you say that.
I tell her the same thing.
He seems nice.
And Mom's happy.
Mm-hmm.
Great.
Your mom, she's been through
too much.
She always chooses you girls
over everything and anyone.
Don't make her feel like she has
to make that choice again.
Baby
Ooh, I get chills
when I'm with you.
[nervously] Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah!
Shoes off, please.
New carpet.
Right upstairs.
Um, I thought we were getting
separate rooms.
Uh, yeah.
Absolutely.
Um, that was my office,
I just have to clean
some of the stuff out.
Ashley! In, in!
You're perfect.
You're right there.
Okay, Mom, can you please
hurry up? I gotta go.
I am, hold on. Oh, it's not on.
[laughs]
Okay, hold on.
Mom, there's only two buttons.
It's the second button.
I got it, okay.
[annoyed] Mom!
It's on, it's on!
Wait, wait, clear a spot.
I'm coming in!
You're perfect, okay.
Ready?
[shutter snaps]
Which movie are
we watching tonight?
I think the boys
are going to watch
the game tonight, right?
It's movie night.
We'll watch something
tomorrow night.
[coldly] I'm working
tomorrow night.
Then we'll do it
the night after.
You know what? I'm sorry.
We're going to the bar.
No...
Movie night is movie night.
David, don't.
No, no. It's fine.
David, why
I said it's fine. Okay?
Look, the bar's gonna be fun,
there's gonna be some
other guys there.
Let's go, Dad.
I'm sorry.
You ladies have fun.
How was the game?
Good.
Dropped Dad off after.
Oh, how was he?
He's not feeling well,
but he seems fine.
Look.
Sorry, I've been so edgy.
Hi.
Why don't we go away
for a weekend?
Just us.
What about the girls?
They'll be fine.
Alone in the house, teenagers?
David.
You gotta start treating them
like they're more
than just guests.
You know, this is
their house too.
Trust gets trust.
You know what?
You're right.
So?
Babe, I'm already packed.
Really?
[chuckles]
I don't want to leave this room
the entire trip.
Oh, I like that idea.
The sound of your hello
The smile you gave my soul
The memories just won't go
I'll try harder with the girls.
I promise.
Thank you.
The touch of your caress
The way your eyes say yes.
The depths that you possess
[loud rock music]
[laughs]
Okay, my turn, my turn.
Yeah.
David's gonna kill you.
If he finds out.
Go to your room.
Hey Ash. Any more beer?
Yeah, follow me.
Can you stop it?
You love it.
Okay, what do you want?
I'll take anything with alcohol.
[whistles]
Sweet ride.
Don't touch it.
Don't even breathe on it.
Come on.
This is frickin' sweet.
Dude.
Well, you said he's an ass,
right?
Yeah, he is.
So?
He'll never know,
but you always will, right?
Come on.
Just around the block.
[heavy metal music]
Dude.
Woo!
Okay, Jason.
Let's go back.
I've had my revenge.
Okay. Let me turn her around.
[tires squealing]
Enough!
Woah, stop, stop it!
[tires squealing]
Are you insane?
Stop!
[laughing]
[engine roaring]
Jason, please stop!
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!!!
[tires squealing]
[police siren blares]
I'm so dead.
I trusted you.
David trusted you.
What were you even thinking?
I know!
I screwed up.
I'm sorry.
It's just nothing in this house
is ours.
His rules, his things.
I just, I miss it
the way it was.
Everything's different.
[crying]
[door slams]
David.
I'm so sorry.
Sorry is not going to cut it.
You are so lucky
nobody got hurt.
I know.
And how you didn't get cited
along with your friend is
is beyond me.
So tell me something.
How are you going to pay
that $500 impound fee?
I'll ask for more hours.
I swear.
Okay.
In the meantime,
you're grounded.
Work, school, that's it.
Grounded?
I'll make it right, I promise.
But you can't ground me.
No, no phone, no computer,
you are not leaving this house.
Mom!
Ashley, we'll talk
about it tomorrow.
Really?
[door slams]
[door slams repeatedly]
[muffled rock music]
Let's give her some space.
We'll deal with this tomorrow.
What are you doing?
[rock music blaring]
Excuse me.
[hammering]
What are you doing?
What is wrong with you?
You're not removing her door.
This is no longer her door.
I will decide her punishment.
Not while she's living
in my house.
This is our house.
No, it's not!
It's never been our house.
That's a joke.
Okay, stop. David, stop.
I hate him!
I hate being here!
Yeah, well the feeling's mutual.
Can we please talk about this?
There's nothing to talk about.
Hey! Stop!
I'm talking to you.
You know, Stacey,
this isn't working.
[rock music
continues to blare]
Well, you knew that it wasn't
going to be an easy transition.
And I have to say,
Ashley has not helped.
It's been almost a year.
That's enough time
to make things work.
Do you want my blessing?
I want your advice.
Marriage is difficult.
Oh, okay.
You have to tough it out.
Make it work.
What are you going to do
if you leave David?
Where are you going to live?
Where are you going to work?
Do you think it was easy living
with your dad?
Okay, all right.
No.
You make a choice
and you stick with it.
Where are my pruners?
Right there.
Oh.
This is the first year mom
didn't remember, isn't it?
Yep.
Do you think David will be nicer
after what happened?
Doubt it.
Well, we'd better go.
He knows what time we're
supposed to be back from school.
I'm sorry, Daddy.
It's been six weeks
since you grounded her.
I think Ashley has learned
her lesson.
You think so?
Because I haven't seen a real
change in attitude.
David.
That's not being reasonable.
No.
She used to be an A student
and now she's barely passing.
I think this whole thing
has gotten out of hand.
What does that have to do
with the door?
She's 17. She has a right
to privacy, her own room.
And her own rules! Is that it?
How many times do I have
to say I'm sorry?
I made a mistake, nothing
happened to your stupid car.
Ashley.
No! This is ridiculous,
and you let him do it.
Just start showing a little
respect around here
and maybe we'll talk.
Go to hell.
Ashley!
I hate both of you.
[pouring liquor]
You know, it would help
if you would show
just a little bit of respect
to us as well.
You're the one who's acting
like a child.
My... So it's my fault, huh?
I'm the bad parent here.
[laughs weakly]
[knocks on door frame]
The door is closed.
Mom's just wondering if you want
to come and help make dinner.
No, thank you.
You're just making it worse.
Worse?
You can go down there and
suck up to him if you want,
but I'm not.
Please, Ashley.
Why?
So Mom won't be upset.
Go.
I'm chopping, it's fine.
I think that's it, right?
Great, thank you.
Oh, great.
Do you want to get the pasta
from the cupboard?
Sure.
Are you making your special
pasta sauce?
Actually, David has an idea
of his own.
A potential disaster.
I'm not a cook like your mom,
but something my dad
passed down.
You girls like spicy?
Love it.
Um, Ashley isn't good
with spice though,
maybe we could do some
a little milder?
Sure.
It's okay. I'll probably
just have salad anyway.
Oh, you don't know
what you're missing.
What about if we do
a little of both?
[phone rings]
Oh, excuse me.
Hello.
What? How?
No, no, no, no. I'll come.
My dad died.
What?
What happened?
I don't know.
He collapsed, I just went to see
him yesterday.
He was fine.
He seemed perfect.
Oh, my god.
Hey.
You all right?
Can I make you something?
No, I'm good.
You finished, sweetie?
Mm-hmm.
What are you doing?
Let her clean it up.
You're not her nursemaid.
You know, I raised them
on my own for six years.
I've been a pretty
damn good mother.
How many drinks is that tonight?
Oh, so you're counting now?
Yeah, David. I am.
Self-medicating is not going
to help the situation.
Oh, so now we're in a situation.
Drink it, go ahead.
Go on, drink yourself stupid.
- That's enough.
- Is it?
You're not going
to stop until...
[yells] Hey, hey!
You're not going to stop
'til you kill yourself,
so go for it if that's
what you want.
Just... just shut up,
both of you.
I can't take this anymore.
Neither can I.
Where the hell do you think
you're going?
None of your business.
Hey, get your ass back here.
Loser.
Well, then stay out!
[door slams]
Ahhhhh!!!!!
[gasps]
Bree!
Mom...
Look Bree, I'm sorry,
I didn't...
Get away from us!
Stacey!!!
[door slams]
Bree and I are at my friend
Cheryl's house.
Mm-hmm.
- Okay.
- Ow!
There we go, that's much better.
Hey, Ashley's going
to stay at Mark's house.
That was his mom.
Bree, how about we get you
up to bed?
I'll come up in a minute.
How long are we staying
here for?
Oh, a few nights maybe.
Give him some time to think
about things.
I need clothes.
Uh... I'll sneak back
and get some later.
Don't worry, Mom.
He didn't mean it.
It'll be okay.
I don't know.
I haven't seen him in a week.
David knew he had
a meeting, right?
Mm-hmm.
[phone rings]
[phone rings]
(Voicemail) Hello, this is David
Castor. Please leave a message.
I'll get back to you.
[beep]
He's not picking up.
David?
David?
- David?
- David?
[knocks at door]
David?
Stacey, Stacey, we should
call the police!
[urgently] David!
[knocks rapidly]
[knocks rapidly]
Mr. Castor, this is the police.
[knocks rapidly]
Are you in there?
[sobs] Oh, my god.
Dispatch, we have a 10-91,
Caucasian male, early 50s.
Oh, my god!
[Radio chatters]
So, you and your daughters were
with friends the entire weekend?
Yeah.
Ashley stayed with
her boyfriend's family,
Bree and I were
with my friend Cheryl.
Hmm.
And had you been noticing any
differences in his behaviour?
Yeah.
Every day.
He's been going through a lot,
and becoming more
and more abusive,
self-destructive since
his father died.
Mom?
It's okay.
Down the hall.
What's going on?
[shutter snapping]
That is definitely not
an apple martini.
His wife said that he owned
a heating and refrigeration
company, right?
Yeah.
Man.
That's a hell of a way
to kill yourself.
Wait. We're going with suicide?
Well, there's no forced entry,
and no signs of a struggle.
I mean, you heard what she said
about him, right?
Hmm.
I mean, I don't know, we'll see
what comes back from the lab,
but 50 bucks says yes.
Guys, you want to come in?
Mason?
Yeah?
Check this out.
Do you find that odd?
It's garbage.
Nobody's been doing
any real cooking
in this kitchen for a while.
Why is he throwing out
a turkey baster?
That's a good question.
Bag it and run it to the lab.
It's me.
It's okay.
[kettle squealing]
I'd feel more comfortable
if you were staying with me.
It's okay, Mom.
Well, you're not going to sleep
in that room.
Yeah.
I'll sleep in Ashley's room.
I just don't think it's good
for Bree to be in this house.
I'll handle it.
Oh, you poor dear.
Going through all this again.
It's.
I don't understand how he
could do this to you.
Sorry to keep you waiting,
Mrs. Castor.
It's just his ring.
Thank you.
It's been ruled a suicide,
as we expected.
His organs were coated
with ethylene glycol toxicity.
[sighs]
The anti free.
The antifreeze, yes.
Oh...
What?
About a month before he died,
we were watching a show.
One of those news shows
on television.
It was about a man who had died
by ingesting anti free,
and David commented how painful
it would be to die from that.
And yet that's how he chose
to do it.
I'm sorry.
Is there anything else?
No. No.
[tearfully] Well, thank you
very much.
Thank you.
Let me walk you out.
Thank you.
I do have one more question.
Of course.
Did David cook?
Uh...
Not really.
Pasta every once in a while.
Why?
Oh, it's nothing.
I'm just trying to a get a sense
of his state of mind.
Just this way.
When did you say these changes
were made to the will?
About a month before he died.
We never got around
to having it notarized.
I can't notarize something
from a month ago, Stace.
Or without both parties.
It's against the law.
I could go to jail.
I'm going to lose everything.
His life insurance wasn't much,
it's 50,000,
and he had changed the will
because he didn't want
everything going to his family.
Of course.
I'm embarrassed.
I'm embarrassed to even ask.
I don't have anyone else
to turn to.
I'm...
Oh, I didn't plan on being
a widow twice.
It's okay, I'm sorry.
Thank you.
Sugar, or cream, anything?
No. Thank you.
You've been doing
some redecorating.
Yeah. Kind of our way
of startin' over.
Yeah.
Thank you.
How are you and the girls
holding up?
As well as expected.
We're all in a bit of shock.
Yeah, I'm sure.
And I appreciate you taking
the time to answer
a few more questions.
You said your husband was alone
the entire weekend.
Is that right?
Yeah. We had a fight,
as I told Detective Mason.
Bree and I stayed
at my friend, Cheryl's.
Ashley stayed at
her boyfriend's.
But you did come home at
one point to grab some clothes.
Twice, yeah.
But you never actually
saw your husband?
No.
Hmm.
See, that's where I'm still
a little confused.
You said you heard your husband
snoring in the bedroom,
but you never actually saw him.
That's right.
But your clothes are
in the same bedroom, correct?
I had clothes in
the laundry room.
I never went in the bedroom.
Hmm.
Laundry room is... is where?
Downstairs.
But I came in through
the front door,
and then I could hear him
snoring from here.
He must snore loudly then.
Yeah.
The bedroom door was...
was closed?
When we found him, yeah, it was.
But it must've been open
when I heard him snoring.
I'm sorry, Detective.
What's the point of
all these questions?
Do you know anyone who may have
threatened David
or wanted to do him any harm?
No. Of course not.
And who's this in this photo
here with your daughters?
That's my first husband,
Michael.
And he passed away
how many years ago?
Six years. Heart attack.
I'm very sorry.
Why did you ask if someone
had recently threatened David?
We have reason to believe
it may not be a suicide,
Mrs. Castor.
I'm sorry, what?
We're still piecing
things together,
and I'm not at liberty
to discuss the details.
But I will ask you to, um,
to come down to the station
and submit your fingerprints.
My fingerprints?
It's more of a process
of elimination, Mrs. Castor.
And It still might very
well be ruled a suicide.
But if it's not and somebody
intentionally poisoned
your husband, we all want
to find out who it was.
Of course.
I'll help any way I can.
Oh hey, I can do the rest
if you want.
Cheryl, the police are asking
more questions.
They're not convinced
that it was suicide.
They think someone
might've killed him.
What?
I know.
They won't tell me anything,
and I know David killed himself.
[tearfully] It's the only thing
that makes sense.
But they might want to talk
to you, okay?
Me? Why?
About the will.
No. They don't know about that.
But you worked with him
and you knew him.
Okay, okay.
Gosh, Stace. This must just be
a terrible mistake.
How far should a mother go
to protect her daughter?
You kidding me with that?
There's no way.
There are a lot of similarities
between David Castor
and Stacey's first husband.
Mike Wallace died
of a heart attack.
The police report said
"no evidence of foul play."
And I just read
the coroner's report.
There was no autopsy.
She didn't want one
on religious grounds.
There's nothing about
Stacey Castor
that comes across as religious.
So you think she murdered
both of her husbands?
The man was 38.
Perfect health, some domestic
issues, started drinking.
She wanted out, he dies.
Sound familiar?
Reese.
There is no evidence that links
Stacey Castor to any of that.
Yet someone used that turkey
baster to poison David Castor.
He didn't walk down the stairs
and put it in the garbage
himself.
No, but we're supposed
to believe
that she left it in the garbage?
I have seen criminals
do stupider things.
Look, she was in the house
alone with him.
Opportunity.
He was abusive, motive.
Her prints were all over
the glass and that baster.
She lived there.
She cooked, she cleaned.
It's not enough.
Right.
So the best chance we have
is to see if the pattern fits.
Okay.
But it's on you.
Great.
You have no right to do this.
Mrs. Castor, I have a court
order signed by a judge.
For what possible reason?
I can't discuss that
at this time.
Well, then you can discuss it
with my lawyer,
because I am going to sue
the police, the city,
everyone you work with.
[slams receiver]
Oh, wow.
What happened, Mom?
I have a few questions about
Stacey Castor's first husband.
Her first husband?
Michael?
Mm-hmm.
What was their
relationship like?
Well, I think that if Michael
hadn't have died,
I think they would've gotten
a divorce.
She suspected he was having
an affair.
And how did his death
affect her?
Oh, it was terrible.
Despite all the problems
that they were having,
Stacey was devastated by it.
They all were.
Especially Ashley.
Ashley and her father
were close?
No.
No, that's what made it so odd.
You see, Michael adored Bree.
He hardly had any time for
Ashley, and she was jealous.
She resented him.
Well, maybe she felt some guilt
because of that.
Maybe.
But that's what made it so odd
and strange.
I mean, she was alone
with Michael when he died.
Now it's happened twice.
What do you mean "twice?"
I don't think I should answer
any more questions.
I'm sorry.
Miss McGowan,
it's important that you tell me
everything you know.
Stacey made me swear not to
say anything and I promised.
I'm sorry you made that promise.
But if you are knowingly
withholding evidence,
you're breaking the law.
And you don't want to go down
that road.
Ashley was in the house
with David that weekend. Alone.
Well, according
to their statements,
she was at her boyfriend's house
that entire weekend,
that was verified
by his entire family.
Stacey told me that she drove
by the house and she saw
Ashley leaving.
Miss Castor.
Detective.
How are you doing?
Thank you for giving us more
of your time.
Oh, not at all.
Sorry about the mess.
We are officially closing
next week.
Well, this will be quick.
Mrs. Castor, did you withhold
any information
about your daughter's
whereabouts
on the weekend that David died?
No. Of course not.
Okay, because according
to Cheryl McGowan,
you told her that you saw Ashley
leaving the house
the same night that David
passed away.
Is this true?
She must've misunderstood.
Okay, but she was pretty clear
that you asked her not
to tell anyone.
Well, I am at a loss as to how
that got taken out of context.
What I told Cheryl is that
she didn't want to go back
to the house ever again.
Ashley disliked David immensely.
She even threatened him.
I did withhold that.
I didn't want that getting out
and being taken the wrong way.
What do you mean,
she threatened him?
They fought all the time.
She's a teenager.
You know, she isn't
always rational
when she loses her temper.
Right.
And did she ever threaten him
in a way that made you feel
like she meant it?
No.
But... you know.
I don't know what goes on
in someone else's mind.
So for the record,
you never saw Ashley at
the house that weekend?
No.
These crystals
are ethylene glycol.
They were taken
from the antifreeze
on David Castor's kidney.
Mm-hmm.
Now this is from the first
husband, Michael Wallace.
Ethylene glycol.
The probability is within
a statistical certainty.
Thank you.
So we were right.
[laughs] We? Yes.
What are you doing?
Jason Peters' dad,
is a detective.
You know what he told me so
that the whole class could hear?
That they think Dad
might've been murdered.
Just like David.
Both of them were poisoned.
Where's Bree?
At a friend's.
Were you going to tell us,
or were we just supposed
to see it on the news?
I know. I'm sorry.
What the hell is going on, Mom?
They don't even know.
They just won't leave it alone.
But it's nothing.
But listen.
They are going to ask you
whether you were alone
at any time when you were
staying at Mark's,
and you need to tell them no.
I was alone.
Mark and his family went
to a birthday party.
I didn't want to go.
For how long?
I don't know, five or six hours.
Don't tell them that.
Why should I lie?
I'm trying to protect you.
From what?
All of this. Just all of this.
It's okay. They're not going
to find anything.
What would they find, Mom?
What do you think they'd find?
Okay, now you're freaking
me out.
Ashley. Ashley.
Baby, it's okay.
All of this is okay.
We are done speaking of this,
all right?
I am always going
to protect you,
no matter what.
You know that, right? Right?
Do you know that?
Yes.
Okay. All right.
Okay.
Now this is not going to help.
Why not? It helps you.
Fair enough.
You know, when I was 18, my
mother gave me my first one.
She said if a child can die
in war at 18,
they can have their
first drink, too.
You turn 18 in a week.
Now, I am not naive enough
to think
you haven't already done this.
But I want to make it official
with me.
Have a seat.
My own concoction.
And this is the good vodka, not
the cheapo stuff David drank.
Cheers.
Seriously?
What?
You're too cool to have a drink
with your own mother?
I don't know, it's just weird.
Like I said, we do not speak
to anyone about any of this,
ever.
One for all?
All for one.
Miss her, kiss her, love her
What's wrong with you?
Please, don't speak.
Either of you.
Bree, we are having Ashley's
birthday party on Saturday.
You could invite some of
your friends too if you want.
Cool.
Can I drink too?
No.
[groans]
Good.
[distant rock music]
[rock music blaring]
[laughing]
Ashley, come here.
What?
I got a surprise for you.
Now we can't do this out there,
because technically
you're still underage.
Sweet.
Can Mark have one?
Eh, better not.
I don't want the cops asking me
any more questions.
Happy 18th.
Cheers.
Better though, huh?
It's not bad.
You're the best.
Thank you, Mom.
Aww.
[rock music blaring]
[laughs drunkenly]
Got you!
Where have you been?
It's my birthday.
For once I am actually
having fun.
[laughs uncomfortably] Okay.
Aren't you happy?
No, no, not like this.
Screw you, then.
Woah, woah, woah!
Ash!
Hey. Hey.
Come on.
Leave me alone!
I don't feel very good.
Hey, Bree?
Get her up to her room, okay?
Ashley, okay baby. You're okay.
She's okay.
Let her sleep it off.
[rock music]
It's okay.
You were
[sobbing] I was feeling fine.
Ashley, you... you're fine.
Just... Just go.
Bree, will you stay?
Why? So you can puke on me?
No thanks.
[whining] Please...
What's wrong?
I don't know.
Just don't leave.
Do you miss our other room?
No.
I really liked it.
I didn't mind sharing, honestly.
Mom's so different now.
She seems happier.
She shouldn't be.
Why can't you just let her
be happy?
Let her have this.
I'm sorry.
I'm really sorry.
I hate myself.
Bree, I really don't feel well.
Goodnight, Ashley.
It's driving me out
of my mind.
That's why it's hard for me
to fight.
Can't get her
out of my head.
Miss her, kiss her,
love her.
That girl is poison.
That girl is poison.
Can you go wake your sister?
She has to be at work
in an hour.
[shrieking] Mom! Mom!
Mom, she's not breathing!
Ashley, Ashley, Ashley!
Help, Mom!
What's happening?
Wake up!
Ashley! Ashley.
Wake up, Ashley!
Bree, calm down.
Calm down, just calm down.
Hurry, please!
Upstairs.
Please.
My daughter was drinking
last night
and I think she took some pills.
Please step back.
Checking her breathing.
Something.
Let's load her up.
Please hurry.
Seventeen-year-old girl
found unresponsive.
Respiratory rate at 4.
Please hurry!
[sobs] Oh, please.
Ma'am, you need to wait here.
She's my daughter!
There's nothing more you can do.
The waiting area's
around the corner.
You need to wait there.
[sobs]
[whispers] Mom, mom.
What is that?
[breathing shakily]
It's not true.
She wouldn't write that.
Mom, it's not true!
- Bree.
- It's not true.
Everything's okay.
No. It's not her.
Listen. It's okay.
No, she wouldn't write it.
Listen to me.
She wouldn't. It's not true.
I want you to calm down, okay?
Okay. Breathe, just breathe.
Oh, my god, Stacey.
What happened?
She's in the emergency room.
They don't know if she's going
to make it.
Why would she do this?
Why would she try
to kill herself?
It was her.
What?
[sobbing]
I was trying to protect her.
I didn't know what else to do.
No, no, no. I'm here, honey.
I'm here, baby.
[sobs]
Mrs. Castor. How's Ashley?
They don't know yet.
Show them the note!
[sighs]
Has she confessed to any
of what's in this before?
No, just that.
Any of you?
No.
Had she ever attempted suicide?
She threatened once.
She wrote a note then too.
Was it printed like this one?
Yeah.
My sister wouldn't kill herself.
She wouldn't hurt anyone.
Bree.
No, she wouldn't
do those things.
She did do those things...
Mom, maybe you should
take her home.
No, I'm not going anywhere!
[yelling] Stop it, just stop!
Just leave her, it's fine!
Bree! Just stop it!
Mrs. Castor?
What?
You can see your daughter now.
Uh, not until after
we've talked to her.
I'm her mother.
That's right. Your questions
can wait.
No, it can't.
You have no right!
[firmly] Hey!
Sit down. Now.
Both of you.
[monitors beeping]
Hi, Ashley.
Where's my mom?
She'll be in soon.
We need to ask you
a few questions.
Would that be all right?
What do you remember
from last night?
Do you remember what pills
you took?
I didn't take any pills.
I only had a few drinks.
What drinks?
I don't remember.
Detective, she's not
strong enough
for this kind of questioning.
Just, just a few more, Doc.
Ashley, there was an empty
prescription bottle
next to your bed.
You overdosed on those pills,
and there was also a note.
A note?
Can you tell me what was in it?
I don't remember writing a note.
It was a confession, Ashley.
To the murders of your father
and David Castor.
Did you write it?
Tell me what you wrote.
Tell me what was in the note,
Ashley.
It's important.
Detective.
[machines continue to beep]
Dear Mom, I'm sorry
for what I've done.
I know the police suspect you
of poisoning Daddy
and David with antifreeze.
I can no longer live with
the guilt of knowing
you might go to jail for
something you didn't do.
Ashley?
Is this all true?
Detective!
"It was me."
"I mixed the antifreeze
into their drinks"
"without them knowing it."
"I killed them."
Ashley.
[sobbing] I'm sorry.
No, you don't have
to cover for her.
I'm not covering for anyone.
Detective, that's enough!
Look, I know you're scared.
Okay. What you're feeling
is normal.
You'd rather take
the blame yourself
than to believe she could ever
harm you like this.
She didn't.
She wouldn't do that,
she's my mom.
She would never do that.
[sobs]
Ashley.
Tell us the truth, Ashley.
This is going to have to wait.
Out!
Reese.
[sobbing]
...
What?
"Antifree."
What?
Look how it's written.
It's a typo.
The way she told me
about that TV special?
The way she...
Can I see my daughter now?
I need to ask you a question.
Is that necessary?
I'm talking to her.
The night your husband died,
you said he was drinking vodka.
Is that right?
Yeah.
And I'm sorry, I'm forgetting
some of the details.
What was mixed with that vodka?
You know the answer.
My daughter made that quite
clear in her confession.
Please answer the question.
You know the answer! It was
mixed with anti free!
Antifree.
Stacey Castor,
you are under arrest
for the murder of David Castor,
and for the attempted murder
of your daughter,
Ashley Wallace.
What?!
What are you doing?
Anything you say can and will
be used against you
in a court of law.
Mom?
Stay with Grandma, okay?
[screams] Mom! Mom!
It's okay honey.
[shrieks] Mom! Mom!
Grandma.
Go get in the car.
Why didn't you come and see me?
Because you're a liar.
I'm not a liar, Grandma.
Your mother could never do
those things, ever.
And you think I could?
You admitted it.
I didn't write that letter!
You never want your mother
to be happy.
Anytime she gets close to
someone, you sabotage it.
You have to believe me, Grandma.
My daughter is not a killer.
I did not raise anyone
who could do those things.
It's not your fault.
It's not hers, either.
Go on, get in the car.
She's not going with you.
Yes, she is.
Bree.
Your mother has been asking
for you.
She needs you.
She needs both of us now,
more than ever.
Grandma, I...
Now!
She's not going with you!
You take your hands off of me!
Get your hands off her!
This is none of your business.
You made it my business.
Get the hell out of here.
All right? They're both going
to stay with my family.
Bree can decide for herself.
Then let her.
No.
I'm staying with Ashley.
Oh, Bree.
Just please, I'm not going
with you.
[engine starts]
[knocking at door]
Can I come in?
I'm glad you decided to stay
with us.
Thank you.
Why didn't you go with Grandma?
I don't know.
You have to know that
I'm telling the truth.
If you're telling the truth,
that means Mom's lying.
I know.
Which means she killed
Dad and David.
That means she tried to kill...
Come here.
I don't want to believe
it either.
I even thought, "what if I
did it and I don't remember?"
That's actually what I thought
at first at the hospital.
She would never do that.
She wouldn't. It's Mom.
She's not Mom.
She's sick, and
we didn't know it.
But we still have each other,
and we're not going to let her
take that away from us.
Okay?
[reporters clamour]
Bree! Is your mom a killer?
Ashley. Did she try
to frame you?
Did she really do it? Did she?
Do you have any comments at all?
She's got nothing to say.
When was the last time
you spoke to your mother?
Mr. O'Malley!
How you doing?
Nervous.
The defence is going to try
to point the finger at you.
Their only chance they have is
to create reasonable doubt.
Just tell the truth.
She'll be there, right?
Yes, she will.
But she can't hurt you anymore.
Be strong.
Your father had a nickname
for Bree.
Is that right?
Yeah.
But not you.
You weren't as close
to your father as Bree?
No, not really.
Did you resent that special bond
they had for each other?
No.
You just said to your friends in
the past and in your deposition
that it was because of this bond
that you formed
your own special relationship
with your mother.
Is that true?
I guess.
You guess.
Did you or did you not think of
your mother as your best friend?
When we were younger, I...
It's a yes or no question.
Answer it yes or no.
Did you think of your mother
as your best friend?
Yes.
Do you often visit
your father's grave?
Sometimes.
Have you ever said "I'm sorry,
Daddy" to your father's grave?
Not because...
Answer it yes or no,
and remember,
you are under oath.
Have you ever said "I'm sorry,
Daddy" to your father's grave?
Yes, but I...
Thank you.
Ashley, you said your mother
served you alcohol
on the night of your party.
Is that right?
Yes.
Has this happened before?
A few days before my birthday.
We were both stressed
with everything going on,
so my mom made me a vodka drink.
How did you like that?
It was terrible. I threw up.
And how did you like the drinks
that were made for you
on the night of
your birthday party?
They were awful.
And after you finished those
drinks, what happened?
I felt sick and disoriented.
I went to my room
and I passed out.
And before you passed out,
did you type a suicide note
and confession?
No.
The next thing I knew,
I was in the hospital.
Did you write this note?
No, I did not.
Did you poison your father
with antifreeze?
No, I did not.
Did you go to the house
at any time
during the weekend
David Castor died?
No.
Did you poison David Castor?
No, I did not.
No further questions.
Ashley?
Have you ever threatened
suicide before?
I wrote a note
to an ex-boyfriend.
And inside that note
you discussed
two prior suicide attempts,
right?
Yes.
Ashley, had you ever drank
vodka before that day
with your mother?
No.
So you didn't know what it
tasted like before that day?
No. But it didn't taste
like alcohol.
But you just said that
you'd never had it before.
So how could you know?
What I'm having a hard time
understanding, Ashley, is why,
if the drink tasted so horrible
as you claim,
that you drank it anyway.
Because I trusted her.
Trusted your mother.
Yes.
Because she was your
best friend, wasn't she?
No further questions.
[sobs]
I thought she was the one
on trial, not me!
All they have to do is plant
doubt in one juror's mind.
That's not going to happen.
The jury's going to see right
through that attorney.
Then they're going to think
I'm the one who did it.
Just one minute.
Ash.
What did she tell you then?
She said that she saw Ashley
leaving the house.
Why do you think she would
tell you this?
Objection. Conjecture.
Sustained.
Did you give this information
to Detective Reese
when you were questioned?
Yes.
Do you think Stacey Castor
knows you are a person
who would not lie to the police,
therefore expecting
that you would divulge
that information to shift
the blame on Ashley?
Objection.
Sustained.
This is a copy of the suicide
note purported to be written
by Ashley Wallace.
Yes.
Can you tell the court,
Detective Reese,
if there is a consistent
misspelling anywhere
on this document?
Yes. The word "antifreeze"
is spelled "anti free."
Have you ever heard
that word mispronounced
in that manner before?
Yes. Twice.
By Stacey Castor,
during a discussion
at the police station
and when we arrested her.
[courtroom muttering]
Detective Reese. I uh, noticed
a slight accent.
I, uh, I grew up in New York.
Could you say the word
"strength" for the court, please?
"Strenth."
"Strenth." Is that how
your parents said it?
Your mother, maybe?
Yeah.
Is it fair to say that we
glean our vernacular
from our parents
more than anyone else,
maybe certain words,
maybe subconsciously
misspelling certain words,
if we've heard it pronounced
in a particular way
by our parents our whole life.
Is that possible?
I suppose that's possible, yes.
And as far as the fingerprints
on the glass of antifreeze
is concerned,
isn't it true that Mrs. Castor's
fingerprints
were found everywhere in the
house, since she lived there?
Yeah.
The defence calls its next
witness, Stacey Castor.
Raise your right hand, please.
Do you swear to tell the truth,
the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth,
so help you God?
I do.
Mrs. Castor, did you love
your first husband?
With all my heart.
I still do. I still miss him.
And David Castor?
He changed my life.
I never thought I would be
happy again.
I loved him very much.
Was Ashley happy
that you remarried?
No. She and David
did not get along.
He was hard on her, and
I blame myself for that.
I should not have put Ashley
in that situation.
What situation?
She felt she had no way out.
Mrs. Castor, do you love
your daughter?
With all my heart. Both of them.
But you did have a special place
in your heart for Ashley,
correct?
We were best friends.
Your daughter was in her bedroom
for 17 hours
after going to bed the night
before feeling that sick.
Is that normal, Mrs. Castor?
For Ashley to be in her room,
17 hours? Yes.
And the next time you saw
your daughter
was when you found her
unresponsive and drooling in her bed.
Is that right?
Yes.
[laughs] My god.
You lost two husbands
to poisoning.
Your daughter is drooling
in her bedroom.
Is this really your testimony?
Your prints were
on the turkey baster.
They were on the glass next
to the bed.
No one else's.
Not Ashley's, not even
your dead husband's.
You were in the house
that weekend,
you were there, no one else.
And when the police got
too close,
you poisoned your own daughter,
then you typed that letter
to frame her.
Didn't you?
No.
You're lying, Mrs. Castor.
Objection.
Sustained.
No. I'm not lying.
[cries]
If Mom's found not guilty,
will I have to go live with her?
Probably.
Will they arrest you, then?
Why would they arrest me?
Well, if Mom didn't do it...
Bree. She did it.
Even if the jury doesn't think
she did it.
I don't want to go live
with her.
You're amazing, you know that?
I do know that.
But why do you think so?
Because you love mom,
and you know she loves you
despite everything.
I thought you would believe
anything she said.
I mean, I did.
You were going to take
the blame for her,
and she was going to let you.
How could she do that?
I don't know.
Hey Ashley, Bree.
Why are you here already?
The jury's still out.
We wanted to be here
just in case.
Well, you girls take care, okay?
Jury's back.
Would the defendant please rise?
On count one, murder
in the second degree,
in the death of David Castor,
how do you find the defendant?
Guilty.
[crowd gasps]
On count two, attempted murder
in the second degree,
how do you find the defendant?
Guilty.
On count three,
offering a false instrument
in connection to the forgery
of David Castor's will,
how do you find the defendant?
Guilty.
I hate my mother for ruining
so many people's lives.
What gave her the right
to play god with people?
I never knew what hate was
until now.
Even though I do hate her,
I still love her
at the same time.
That bothers me,
and it's so confusing.
How can you love someone
and hate them at the same time?
She was my best friend,
and she took that all away
just because she got scared.
I was scared too when I was
in the hospital all by myself,
and I wanted my Mom, but
she was the one who did this.
[sobs]
This will be my last chance
to say goodbye.
As horrible as it makes me feel,
this is goodbye Mom.
I know you're sick, and I know
that isn't all your fault.
I know that sickness also comes
from your own mother
who even now
cannot see the truth.
As hard as the two tried
to break me, I survived,
and I will survive,
and I will not become like you.
I'm going to do good things
in this world,
despite making me and Bree,
in every sense of the word,
orphans.
[sobs]
In all my years in the criminal
justice system,
I've seen murderers of
every variety and stripe.
What you did to David Castor
can only be described
as premeditated torture.
As bad and evil as that was,
what you tried to do
to your daughter is simply
something I cannot comprehend.
You, Mrs. Castor, are in a class
all by yourself.
I'm going to impose the maximum
sentence I'm allowed.
51 and one third years.
Court is adjourned.
[gavel slams]
[camera shutters snapping]
No one won today.
No one.
[reporters clamouring]
You still maintain that David
got the idea to kill himself
from a news magazine
segment about...
A woman who killed her husband
using anti free.
But not just one,
but two husbands.
Have you thought about the irony
that this is a news program
about a woman who killed her
two husbands with antifreeze?
No.
This is a program about a woman
who was accused of killing them.
Convicted.
It doesn't mean she did it.