For the People (2018) s02e08 Episode Script
Moral Suasion
1 Previously on "For the People" You said something to me once.
You said, "You don't celebrate people going to jail.
" I don't think I fully understood that until now.
I turned on a client.
You tried to save someone's life.
I'm the person who never turns on you.
I was not that today.
[CRASH.]
- Roger! - Get on the ground now! MAN: Don't move! - Hey.
- Hey.
Come on.
[KID SISTER'S "LET ME SHAKE" PLAYS.]
[RAPPING.]
Is just the run they need us right now Can't end them nothing say lookin' like clowns Do what I do it and mess it around "I" is a verb, "they" is a noun Been in the game before you could breathe Coppa da Mille and shirts up my sleeve Ball at the bar like you wouldn't believe And I don't need a writer to do this for me [BABY COOS.]
Licky licky boom boom pow My competition look around I'm Jig Magellen So I'll show you how to pop it when you pop it off I go Let me shake Just let me shake RODNEY: You're my attorney? Really? - ALLISON: Yes.
I wouldn't have picked that belt, but you are absolutely pulling it off.
Thank you.
Obsessed with "Project Runway.
" I worship at the feet of Nina Garcia.
- She's the best.
- [CHUCKLING.]
Yeah.
- Posen? - Oh, he can kick rocks.
So many rocks.
But I'd take an outfit designed by him over this awful thing.
It's humiliating.
It doesn't even fit.
- Cigarettes.
- Cigarettes.
Things are gonna kill me, and I don't even smoke.
They're not going to kill you, Rodney.
I figured they'd just tell me to pack up.
- Isn't that what they do? - They do.
Usually.
But you were allegedly selling a big quantity.
And they traced the cartons back to a shipment - that came illegally from China.
- China? These came off a truck on Junction Boulevard.
I buy what I buy.
Sell what I can.
Who am I hurting? People out there sell drugs, guns.
I've never done anything like that.
Never been arrested.
I know it's scary.
You have no idea.
I have a daughter.
How old? She's 4.
Her name's Sky.
Beautiful name.
Beautiful girl.
I always wanted her to know there was more out there than East Baltimore.
No limits.
Nobody ever told me that.
You look so familiar.
I was actually thinking the same thing.
[EXHALES SHARPLY.]
But whatever.
We're here now.
Everything happens for a reason, right? This is gonna work out.
I have to believe that.
You should believe that.
We are going to work this out.
Okay? You should be released after your bail hearing this afternoon.
Is there anything I can do for you before then? Just get me out of here.
- Cigarettes? - Cigarettes.
- NYPD is cracking down.
- On cigarettes? Shouldn't they be, like, cracking down on crime? I feel like that's totally reasonable.
Jay.
Duty.
And I feel like that's totally un derstandable.
Because I had duty yesterday and the day before that, so why not today? Duty calls.
Call of Duty.
Tour of Duty.
Reporting for duty, General Carlan.
[CHUCKLES.]
I'm just gonna head over to the courthouse.
He could do five years for this.
For cigarettes.
He could do five years if he went to trial and was convicted.
But that's not gonna happen.
Talk to the line prosecutor.
They're not taking untaxed cigarettes to a jury.
- Jury duty? - Yes.
- You? - Yes.
- On jury duty? - Yes.
- With jurors? - [EXHALES SHARPLY.]
I think that's the way it works, even in state court.
- They're never gonna pick you.
- I hope they do.
Never served on a jury before.
There's a reason for that.
You're a judge.
- I'm a person.
- Yeah, not really.
- I pack a lunch.
- Someone packs it for you.
In a brown paper bag.
- And what does it say on that bag? - Nothing.
Does it say "World's Greatest Eddie Punchclock" on that bag? Maybe.
Anyway, it's state court.
And I'm looking forward to it.
To see the criminal justice system from a completely different perspective.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
Sorry.
Welcome to jury duty.
Good morning! Morning.
Let's try that again.
Good morning! Good morning!! Much better.
Good morning.
My name's Ms.
Ryan, and I'm here to answer any questions you have except one, which is when can I go home? The answer is 5:00.
5:00.
Not a minute before.
Do not ask.
- Now - What time are we out of here? 5:00.
Thank you for asking.
A few other things before we get Is it cool if I bounce at 4:30? 5:00.
Now, a few other things before we get started.
There's no eating or drinking in the courtrooms.
No pets.
No weapons.
No chewing gum.
No photography.
No hope.
No exit.
[CHUCKLES.]
That's a joke.
There is an exit right behind you to the left.
In a few minutes, some of you will be assigned a courtroom.
Please be patient.
In the meantime, please direct your attention to our monitors on which you will now see an advanced screening of "Wonder Woman.
" [REMOTE CLICKS.]
MAN: You have been summoned for jury service.
- [PEOPLE GROANING.]
- Now is also the time to put away your phones.
Thank you.
Thank you, all.
It's been a real pleasure.
without the participation of citizens like you.
- [CELLPHONE RINGS.]
- LYDIA: I did buy shampoo.
Look under the sink Under the sink under.
Under.
Did you look under the sink? - The sink under the sink.
- Excuse me.
- Yeah? - She said to put away our phones.
Okay, gramps, got it.
Did you look under the sink? No, the sink.
Under the sink - ALLISON: Is it true? - Yes, he's on jury duty.
- Who? - Judge Byrne.
No, I wasn't asking about that.
Really? Judge Byrne? In state court.
Is what true? The rumor about a softer, gentler, more reasonable Leonard Knox? - Who said that? - It's a rumor.
It's not anyone in particular.
You just hear it.
Sandra.
I subpoenaed her to turn over confidential information from her client.
I don't think she thinks I'm softer or gentler.
It might have been before that.
You're here about Rodney Jenkins? - Yes.
- Make your pitch.
Rodney has no priors.
This is a non-violent crime.
He's being charged as if he runs an illegal tobacco ring when in fact he's just selling on the street.
He should be released on his own recognizance.
It's a beautiful day.
I walked to work.
I never walk.
New York is glorious this time of year.
I took the train.
The subway is an amazing place.
One of the last places on Earth where there is no hierarchy.
Everyone is on equal footing.
Rodney's hearing is in 15 minutes.
Walk to the courthouse together? [ELEVATOR BELL DINGS.]
The rumor.
Is it true? You haven't answered my question.
Are you sure? Your Honor, - Mr.
Jenkins is being charged with the illegal sale of untaxed cigarettes in violation of 18 USC 2342.
In light of the nature of the offense, and Mr.
Jenkins' lack of criminal history, we would ask that Mr.
Jenkins be released on his own recognizance.
- No bail at all? - No, Your Honor.
Defendant moved here from Baltimore six months ago? That is correct, Your Honor.
To take care of his grandmother.
Do you have children, Mr.
Jenkins? He does, Your Honor.
A daughter.
Her name is Sky.
Sky? Okay.
You supporting her? He does his best, Your Honor.
Well, obviously his best isn't good enough.
His baby lives in Baltimore.
- Yes.
Sky - That wasn't a question.
Mr.
Knox, despite the fact that the defendant has a daughter living in another state, you do not consider him to be a flight risk? I do not.
Well, I respectfully disagree.
Even bad fathers want to see their daughters Your Honor, I strongly object to the insinuation that Mr.
Jenkins is a bad father because he doesn't live with his He's a bad father because he's in custody in New York and his daughter is in Baltimore.
Given that he's facing five years in prison for a first offense, I would like to persuade him to appear in court.
I'll set bond at $100,000.
You can call the next case.
100 grand? Cool.
I'll liquidate my 401(K) and sell my yacht.
It's a personal recognizance bond.
- Not cash bail.
- I don't get the difference.
It means you don't have to put up money.
You just need three people with means - or at least moral suasion to sign - Moral, what? Three people close to you need to sign the bond saying they're responsible for you showing up to court.
What about Sky's mother? I don't want her to know about this.
- She'll use it against me.
- Anyone else? I came up there to take care of my grandma in Harlem.
Anna.
She'll have my back.
My cousin, Gerald, he stays up here, too.
I have a half-brother in Astoria we don't talk much but I sent him money last summer when he was in a bind.
But that's all the family I've got.
Well, let's start there.
How long will all of this take? A few days.
They served turkey last night.
I'm not going to ask how that was.
With gravy.
- I'm sorry.
- First time I ate.
It was actually pretty good.
Hang in there.
Okay? [SIGHS.]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING.]
You okay? Yeah, I'm fine.
You have enough to do? Or too much? I'm fine.
Really.
Sandra.
Take as much time as you need to get back to full speed, okay? You made one of the most difficult calls I've seen in my career.
There isn't a lawyer in this office who doesn't respect what you did.
What you went through.
And I know they feel the same way across the street.
They subpoenaed me.
That was awful.
I agree.
And I told Roger that personally in the strongest possible terms.
Well, thank you for raising it with him personally.
I know you two have a good relationship, so I'm sure that wasn't easy.
I want your help with something.
Okay! Let's get this party started.
What do you say we kick this off with a little voir dire? [QUIETLY.]
Voir dire originally referred to an oath taken by jurors to tell the truth.
Shut it.
Counsel, please proceed.
Juror Number 12, is there any reason you couldn't be impartial in a case involving one parent assaulting another at their children's sporting event? I have nine children.
Does that mean you can't be impartial? It means I hate children.
I'm a full-time college student.
University of Central Delaware.
It's online.
- What year are you? - I'm 22.
What year are you in college? I'm 22 there, too.
I'm 22.
I'm a small-business owner.
A hair salon.
And when I say small, I'm saying it's just me.
Your shop is closed right now? Could you repeat the question? I'm the chief judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Are you or is any member of your immediate family an attorney? Yes, I'm the chief judge And do you or any of your immediate family members have any relationships in the criminal justice system that you believe could potentially interfere with your ability to serve as a juror in this case? - Yes.
Absolutely.
- Thank you.
We're good, Your Honor.
Terrific.
We have our jury.
Congratulations.
Good news.
I got you two signatures on Rodney's bond.
Cousin Gerald and Brother Eric.
Side note Brother Eric is actually Brother Eric he joined the Nation of Islam this week.
I just thought that was funny.
- Bad news? - Neither is a great candidate.
Gerald is in every kind of debt you can name.
Don't try.
It's true.
All of them.
And Eric.
Excuse me, Brother Eric the only thing he owns is every live Prince recording ever made.
Dope, but not worth much.
So, even if we get a third co-signer Leonard might not approve the bond application.
You want to hear the good news? One, Leonard Knox is being reasonable.
Maybe Mercury is in retrograde.
Whatever it is, he's cool.
Second, I looked into Rodney's grandmother, Anna, and she's the dream co-signer.
Deacon at her church owns her brownstone in Harlem outright.
Rodney says she'll support him.
- What did he do this time? - This time? He tell you he come up from Baltimore to take care of me? Is that not true? His baby's mama told him to get lost because he couldn't hold down a job.
He's been leaving here every morning telling me he's going on interviews.
He'll fool you, honey don't fall for it.
He needs your help.
I don't have any money.
The judge isn't asking for money.
He's requiring three people to sign a $100,000 bond saying they're responsible for Rodney making his court date.
What happens if he doesn't make - his court date? - I promise Honey, I don't care what you're promising.
I don't know you.
But I do know that boy.
Now tell me what will happen if he doesn't show.
You would be responsible for the money.
- $100,000.
- But that's only if No.
I will not do this.
I don't have money.
But what I have is this house.
I bought it with my husband in 1981 and I own it free and clear.
And I'm not risking that for Rodney.
Now, when he gets out, he'll have a place to stay because he's family.
But he made his bed, he can lie in it.
And you can tell him I said that.
- Look, I'm sorry.
- Which one didn't come through? Gerald or Eric? Oh.
I don't blame her.
She's done a lot for me.
I used to spend summers up here with my parents She'd tell me not to speak ill of the dead.
Tell her I'm sorry.
I'm not mad at her, though.
We need someone else to sign the bond.
Someone who can actually be financially responsible.
It can be a friend.
You have friends who would risk a hundred stacks for you? I think.
I hope.
That must be nice.
It's so loud in here.
Never knew that.
Nobody ever talks about that.
I keep getting this pain in my chest.
Jason.
- [PEN CLICKS.]
- Jason.
We grew up together in Baltimore.
- He works at the Harlem DMV.
- Okay.
It's a bar in Harlem.
That's confusing.
He owns it, but I'd hate to lean on him.
Do you want to be in here any longer than you have to? I'm going to talk to Jason.
"Project Runway" is on tonight.
Will you take notes for me? Yes.
Of course.
I don't want to go back in there.
WILEY: Mrs.
McHugh, can you please tell us what you saw on the baseball field that day? Well, I typically don't watch much of the games.
My son is terrible.
He's very uncoordinated and lazy, like his father - Mrs.
McHugh - Yeah.
Okay.
Well, I heard some commotion, and when I looked up, Carl French that man there was charging across the field, screaming about some laser pointer.
But really? Carl was just upset his son struck out and he was gonna take it out on someone.
I don't think he's ever liked Mr.
Orsua.
[QUIETLY.]
Objection.
Uh, objection.
Conjecture.
Uh, conjecture? Sustained.
Mrs.
McHugh, you're nearsighted, - correct? - LACEY: Yes.
Is that why you're wearing glasses today? - Correct.
- [MARKER SCRATCHING.]
Can you read this, Mrs.
McHugh? Carrot.
Would you mind removing your glasses? Can you read this? Doesn't it still say carrot? Okay.
But can you read it? It says carrot, right? Okay, okay! Just - [PAPER RUSTLES.]
- Hold on.
[SIGHS.]
[MARKER SCRATCHING.]
Can you read this? No.
No, no, stop.
And were you wearing your glasses at the baseball game? I was not.
I was wearing my contacts.
As the evidence clearly demonstrates, Carl French viciously attacked a fellow parent because Mr.
French's son was playing poorly and he needed someone to blame.
So he concocted a story about Mr.
Orsua shining a laser into his son's eyes.
Carl French is guilty.
"G.
" Gave another man a concussion.
"U.
" Umpire was there he didn't see a problem.
"I.
" I don't believe eyes were ever actually in danger.
"L.
" - First things first, we need to - Eat lunch.
Oh, were you not gonna say lunch? I thought you were gonna say lunch.
I'm hungry, too, but let's pick a foreperson, knock that out, then eat on the state's dime.
- Good call, Lydia.
- I don't need a co-signer, yo.
I'll be happy to serve as foreperson.
I promise I'll take it seriously and respect all of your opinions.
I can get all of us out of here before 5:00.
I vote for Lydia.
- Lydia.
- Yeah, absolutely.
Great.
Lydia, fantastic.
I know I said lunch, but we should vote first.
Because if we all agree, then we can just get the hell out of here.
Who thinks Carl is guilty? Seriously, dude? Were you not watching the PowerPoint? The facts literally spell "guilty.
" Sorry, that's the way I saw the case.
I'll be happy to explain.
All right.
Where are we eating? [DOOR BUZZES.]
Rodney? What happened? Rodney if you don't tell me what happened, I can't help you.
Have you been to the infirmary? Do you want me to get you into protective custody? Listen.
Jason signed the bond.
The government is reviewing the file.
The prosecutor has to interview him, but it's a formality at this point.
What happened on "Project Runway"? What? "Project Runway" was on last night.
I asked you to take notes.
Rodney What happened to Olivier? He was safe.
Who won? Kimberly.
[CHUCKLES.]
I've really grown to appreciate her silhouettes.
There was a lot of personal drama this week.
Tell me.
The designers had to make a day-to-night look for Nina.
Anya picked this awful mustard fabric at Mood, and when Nina saw it in the workroom, she made that "I'm concerned about your taste level" face.
[CHUCKLES.]
Anya was all about to cry, and everyone jumped in to help her finish except Viktor.
He thought it was cheating.
Of course he did.
The judges ended up loving Anya's jumpsuit.
It was this beautiful bronzed color.
Backless.
Belted.
Viktor totally wanted to rat her out on the runway.
But he held his tongue.
Julie got eliminated.
Kerry Washington wasn't feeling her look We need to get this done quickly.
- What? - We have a problem.
What is the problem? The problem is you told me I was getting a little old grandma who owns property, and that is not a little old grandma.
She wouldn't sign.
Well, you can't sub her out with a friend who has a prior.
That conviction is from 2005.
He was 18.
Two ounces of pot? That's, like, no pot.
It's pot.
It's a conviction.
Which means I can't sign off on this.
I can't make this go away.
You can find someone else.
No, I can't.
What happened to the kinder, gentler Don't with that.
I am right here.
But I work in an office with policies and procedures I have to follow.
I need to get him out of there.
He's only been in jail for three days.
And in only three days, he's gone from a guy with light in his eyes to a guy with a bruised face.
How would you do in jail for three days? I'm doing everything I can.
I am doing everything I can! I'll interview him.
If I'm satisfied, I will push this through.
JASON: $100,000? Did Allison not discuss - the amount of the bond with you? - She did.
It's just different hearing it in here in this office.
There are official seals on everything.
If Rodney fails to appear, you're responsible for that amount.
- I get it.
- By signing this bond, you're making yourself responsible for Rodney appearing in court.
When you say "responsible" We could garnish your wages.
Go after any assets you have.
Which is why I'd like to go over them now.
Uh, I've got the bar.
Bank owns most of it.
- A 2007 Grand Cherokee.
- All paid for.
According to the records, you also have a condo in Pittsburgh.
It's valued at 160 grand.
No.
That's my sister's.
The deed and the mortgage are in your name.
- But it's not mine.
- Legally it is.
I bought that for her when her husband left her.
Wait - You're telling me - We could go after that house.
This is in the event that Rodney skips town or misses a court date.
That shouldn't happen.
I'm just required to lay out the worst-case scenario.
- Right.
- Do you understand? I do.
Good.
But I can't.
Do this.
Uh, I know I said I would, but I can't risk my sister's place.
I have enough people leaning on me.
I can't handle another.
Did anybody actually see Mr.
French strike Mr.
Orsua? LYDIA: He went after him.
They ended up under the bleachers and the dude came out with a cracked skull.
So, no? What do you think happened? I don't know what happened.
I just know no one testified to actually seeing Mr.
French drive Mr.
Orsua's head into the ground.
The lady did.
The mom.
No.
She said her friend told her that.
- Same difference.
- No, it's not.
That testimony was inadmissible.
- I heard it.
- Yeah.
I heard it, too.
- You have to ignore it.
- Why? - Because it was hearsay.
- Say what? Hearsay.
An out-of-court statement offered for the truth of the matter asserted.
It was in court.
I heard it.
Yeah, I heard it, too.
The mom.
Listen.
I think you're probably right.
But I also think French's wife was having an affair with Mr.
Orsua.
- What - She looked like she felt so sorry for him when he was on the stand.
Like, she cared about him more than her husband.
- That would explain a lot.
- I wish my husband would.
We don't know that that's true and, frankly, it's irrelevant.
To you.
I have my set of facts, you have yours.
That's not how facts work.
I may not be a judge, but that's how I feel.
My facts are my facts.
So you switching your vote yet, Pops, or what? Not guilty.
- [ALL SIGH.]
- Well, I tried.
We can all thank Mr.
Belvedere for dragging this out another day.
[DOOR OPENS.]
I've been calling you.
I know.
I'm sorry.
Thank you.
I've been out trying to find money.
Weirdly, people who Rodney hasn't seen for a few years don't want to be on the hook for $100,000.
- This is crazy.
- Bail is crazy.
The idea that freedom depends on money.
It's pretty much the whole system, isn't it? - It's cruel.
- It's stupid.
And this is federal court.
If Rodney were in state court, he'd actually have to come up with the cash.
I'm sure Leonard isn't helping.
- He actually is.
- Really? I'm sure you don't want to hear that right now, but he's trying.
I don't know what it is about Rodney.
If things had shaken out differently, he could have gone to Princeton.
He could be a lawyer.
Or a fashion designer or the next Kehinde Wiley.
He would've been our friend.
He would've come home and watched "Master of Crowns" with us.
Let's go home, Al.
And watch "Master of Crowns" I don't want to go home.
There's nothing you can do here right now.
We'll look for money in the apartment.
Maybe there's at least four quarters in the couch.
Let's go home.
That's it.
What? There is money in the apartment.
Where? I need a favor.
Where's the little vase that was up here on the shelf? A client of mine, Rodney Jenkins, is close to posting bail but I can't find a third co-signer for the bond to put him over the top.
Is that something we're supposed to understand? I want to co-sign for Rodney so he can get out of jail.
It was right here I don't own any property.
The government will want that.
I'm asking you to sign.
Did you throw it away? Dad, I'm trying to talk to you.
- Sign what? - The bond.
She wants us to sign the bond.
For Rodney? The Rodney we just heard about three seconds ago? He's a criminal.
He's not a criminal.
- He's in jail.
- He was arrested.
- For a crime.
- For selling cigarettes Which is a crime, right? - Right? - Why are you Forget Rodney.
This isn't about Rodney.
You would be doing this for me.
I get 25% of my trust when I turn 30.
Skip it.
Keep it.
I am 100% sure Rodney will make his court appearances, but this way you'd be protected.
This is basically a loan to me.
An advance on money you're already planning on giving me, and all it takes is a signature.
Al, I think you are improperly attached to this Rodney.
- What? - I agree.
And there's a chance it doesn't end here.
He could be using you.
Are you You guys are serious? Yes, we're serious.
And, no, we are not signing for you or Rodney or anyone else you fall in love with.
You're just putting your name on a piece of paper.
Listen.
I know you don't love what I'm doing with my life.
I don't understand it, and I think it's unfair.
We can talk about that later.
But right now? I am your daughter, and I am asking you for help.
Please.
I don't think it's a good idea, and I think at some point when you are older, you will understand and appreciate this decision.
- I am not a child! - Really? You're living in our apartment for free.
You call us for money, and for no other reason.
You want, you ask, and you take with no consideration for who we are.
You are a child.
You are our child and we're your parents, and we're saying no.
No.
Find the vase and put it back.
So, listen.
Jason I know.
I can see it on your face.
I tried to raise some money myself.
Are we done here now? Rodney, I'm going to push to get a deferred prosecution deal.
That would mean no jail time Yeah, I heard this before.
From you.
No jail time.
And here I am.
In jail.
For what? Two more weeks? Months? - Five years? - It won't be that long.
You keep saying that and here I am! And I haven't even been convicted of anything.
I'm done talking.
I'm done talking to you.
[CRIES.]
I'm sorry.
This isn't your fault.
I just can't talk about this anymore.
I can't hope I'm gonna get out anytime soon.
The only way to survive in here is to have no hope.
Zero.
To live minute by minute.
I need to survive.
I'm going to survive.
I'm gonna make it through this and do better.
When I get out, whenever that is, I'm gonna be a better man.
I'm gonna be a father who is there and provides for his daughter in the right way.
I want to be the person for her that I never had.
I want her to be happy, and I want to be happy.
But right now, I can't have any hope.
Because I need to survive.
Because I want to live to see something good.
How do you do it? [EXHALES SHARPLY.]
There's a little hook.
No.
Not that.
Is it about the bike generally? How do you live with Seth? Because of the sleep walking? Because he's a prosecutor.
Oh.
That? That's not a problem.
Don't you think it impacts the way you do your job? It certainly doesn't make me any less aggressive, if that's what you mean.
If anything, it's the other way around, especially if he's left dishes in the sink.
Or let that cat in from across the hall.
[SCOFFS.]
I do not like that cat.
- Why? - Oh, just curious.
Mm, it's not an issue.
We do our jobs.
I would never compromise anything for him.
And he wouldn't for me.
And I don't think any of us in this office would be any other way.
How long have you been sitting in here? - An hour.
- [CHUCKLES.]
That's weird.
Right? [INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
It's really no better than the coffee in the office.
- But we're out of the office.
- You say that like it's a good thing.
It is.
We're out.
In the city with people.
In the vibrant, pulsating life of the city.
You returned that cocaine, right? - Okay, let's go.
- What? Oh.
Why is he so short? He's a normal-sized man.
I always thought he was, like, seven feet tall with abs made of dark, weathered granite.
Come on.
We need to leave now.
We don't need to leave.
Why do we need to leave? [QUIETLY.]
Because I don't want to end up doing anything awkward.
Then don't do something awkward.
- Mm.
Not really an option.
- Just sit here.
- I'm sure he doesn't even see us.
- [LOUDER.]
Judge! What the hell I told you.
Now I have to go over.
No, you don't.
You can stay here.
He's there.
You're here Morning.
Hello, Your Honor.
Good morning, Ms.
Littlejohn.
Mr.
Oliver.
- Do you want to join me? - No, we don't want to bother you.
Is that a juror badge? I'm serving our state court this week from the jury box.
Wow.
That must be weird.
Mostly for the others.
Not that you're weird Seth hasn't had his coffee.
Yeah, it is weird.
They have no respect for what I do and my years of experience in the courtroom.
Well, that's kind of the point.
- Right? - Seth No, I just mean, you're a judge.
They're people.
They're supposed to be just people.
With no special knowledge or experience.
If it was all judges and lawyers on a jury, it wouldn't be a jury.
It'd be a judgery.
He's not well That's an excellent point, Mr.
Oliver.
There's no room for a judge on that jury.
Thank you.
- What are those? - Doughsants.
Part doughnut, part croissant.
I figured since I've been the one muddying up the works, I could at least bring a treat.
I'm open to change my vote.
I realize I may have been stubborn and arrogant up to this point.
So, go ahead.
Tell me why French is guilty.
He ran at the guy.
- He was yelling.
- He was.
He had all the reason in the world to do it because of the laser pointer being shined at his kid.
And because of the affair the guy was having with French's wife.
Those shoes he was wearing.
They're not shoes.
They're not sandals.
What are they? They're douchey.
I own the same pair.
I had to bail my daughter out of jail once.
A friend dragged her to a party.
It got busted.
That friend bought drugs.
My daughter was carrying her purse.
They didn't charge her because of who I am.
But if they did if she went to trial, who would believe that she went to that party and didn't drink or do drugs? It's not logical.
I'm her father, and I assumed that she was lying.
Listen, that dude might have done it.
Probably did.
I think he did.
I'll be honest.
But if I'm putting myself in his position, or my daughter's and we've all been there is that enough? My husband fights with other parents at my daughter's soccer games.
I hate it.
Maybe that has something to do with how I'm thinking.
People in my building accuse me of hogging three dryers with no evidence at all.
I do.
I hog them.
But they don't know that.
[CHUCKLING.]
Is second-degree assault too much for a skirmish at a Little League game? Rodney? Rodney.
I feel like I can see the future with him.
Two distinct paths.
We get him out on bond, Leonard and I work out a deferred prosecution deal and he turns this all around.
He can be special at anything he does.
The other path? - You know what it is.
- I do.
I asked my parents to sign the bond.
Okay.
That's unorthodox.
- They said no.
- Why? I don't know.
I don't understand my parents.
I never have.
I was a horrible kid growing up.
I was an army brat.
We moved a lot.
The easiest way to make new friends is to fall in with the bad kids.
I stole.
I drank.
I liked girls.
[INHALES DEEPLY.]
Before I knew it, I was 23 with a son and I hadn't spoken to my parents in four years.
What's his name? [CHUCKLES.]
Marvin.
[BOTH CHUCKLE.]
I wanted him to have a nerdier name than me.
Marvin.
His name was Marvin.
I'm sorry.
[SNIFFLES.]
Um When he passed, my parents were on my doorstep the next morning.
They drove 16 hours from Chicago.
Stayed with me for a month.
I was done.
I was done.
And they brought me back to life.
Parents don't always do what we want when we want, but they try to do their best.
And they come through when they know you have nowhere else to go.
Your parents made that calculation.
I'll be fine.
But Rodney doesn't have parents.
And the people he does have? They are not coming through for him.
This whole experience has reinforced every awful thing that's happened in his life.
I am his person here, and I can't do a damn thing for him.
Maybe these people don't know what you know? What's that? That this is it for Rodney.
That this is the moment that will make him or break him.
You have to make them see what you see.
Or you can give up.
You've done a lot for him already.
What are you gonna do? What you asked for.
The police report from the night Roger Gunn was swatted.
You were right.
Jill was there.
I'm not a lawyer.
I don't have to follow your rules.
But I know people.
I know Jill.
I know what she gives to this job.
I would leave it alone.
[DOOR OPENS.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
JUDGE JONES: Welcome back! Let me do a quick count to make sure we didn't lose anyone on the trip.
Great.
Still have 12.
Now, I understand you've reached a verdict.
Yeah, it took awhile, but we got it.
What say you? We, the jury, in the case of the People of the State of New York v.
Carl French, find the defendant not guilty.
[MURMURING.]
TINA: Good afternoon, Juror Number 9! [CHUCKLES.]
Please.
- Number 4.
- And? How was it? Not what I expected.
[SIGHS.]
But still interesting.
Alarming, sad, unfair, frustrating.
Deeply unsettling at times.
But, you know, all those people, they got it right in the end.
I think.
Wasn't always clear that they would.
That we would.
People were drawing pictures more than I think is healthy in that environment, but I think we did get it right.
And, you know, over here, we have all these great lawyers and judges who are so smart and so learned and so rigorous, and they get it wrong.
A lot.
At a real cost to people's lives.
This system is imperfect and unfair in ways I never really understood.
You didn't talk to them like that, did you? A-At first, yeah.
Didn't go over well.
I wouldn't think so.
But we warmed up to each other.
We We talked to each other like people.
The jury room.
The hospital waiting room.
The subway car.
There aren't many places left where you're just one little person bumping up against another little person.
All together, all elevated or diminished, I suppose, depending on where you came from.
All equal.
And in that moment, anyway, all connected.
I don't have anything left to say.
I know.
I was hoping I could just say something.
I liked Rodney instantly.
That's not usually how it works for me.
I felt like I knew him for years the second I laid eyes on him.
He's smart, sensitive, optimistic, charming.
He did not have all of the things I had growing up, but he had you.
Rodney is such a great person because of you.
My parents sent me to the best schools, put me in the best clothes.
I live in their immaculate apartment.
But I don't have their support.
That hurts me.
I know it, but it surprises me every time.
I can't complain because they've given me everything else, because this world we live in, this system, it is set up to help people like me.
- [G FLIP'S "BRING ME HOME" PLAYS.]
- Cut one string? There are a thousand others holding me up.
The system is stacked against Rodney.
I'm not making excuses for him, but it's true.
We all make mistakes.
Some of us are lucky enough to not have our mistakes come back and haunt us.
It's a luxury.
Rodney has one string left.
One person left.
You can't cut the string.
Not now when he has nothing else holding him up.
Now I'm scared of the dark Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh All I can hear is my heart Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh I need you to bring me home I need you to bring me home My life is out of control I need you to bring me home Yeah, I know Yeah, I know This ain't forever Yeah, I know Yeah, I know I will get better - [KEYS JINGLE.]
- If I go, If I go And lose it ever I'll need you to bring me home I am breaking down I am losing my patience They say that winding roads Lead to great destinations Can you help me to change this? Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh I am falling apart Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh Now I'm scared of the dark Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh All I can hear is my heart Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh I need you to bring me home I need you to bring me home My life is out of control I need you to bring me home Yeah, I know Yeah, I know I will get better If I go, if I go And lose it ever I'll need you to bring me home
You said, "You don't celebrate people going to jail.
" I don't think I fully understood that until now.
I turned on a client.
You tried to save someone's life.
I'm the person who never turns on you.
I was not that today.
[CRASH.]
- Roger! - Get on the ground now! MAN: Don't move! - Hey.
- Hey.
Come on.
[KID SISTER'S "LET ME SHAKE" PLAYS.]
[RAPPING.]
Is just the run they need us right now Can't end them nothing say lookin' like clowns Do what I do it and mess it around "I" is a verb, "they" is a noun Been in the game before you could breathe Coppa da Mille and shirts up my sleeve Ball at the bar like you wouldn't believe And I don't need a writer to do this for me [BABY COOS.]
Licky licky boom boom pow My competition look around I'm Jig Magellen So I'll show you how to pop it when you pop it off I go Let me shake Just let me shake RODNEY: You're my attorney? Really? - ALLISON: Yes.
I wouldn't have picked that belt, but you are absolutely pulling it off.
Thank you.
Obsessed with "Project Runway.
" I worship at the feet of Nina Garcia.
- She's the best.
- [CHUCKLING.]
Yeah.
- Posen? - Oh, he can kick rocks.
So many rocks.
But I'd take an outfit designed by him over this awful thing.
It's humiliating.
It doesn't even fit.
- Cigarettes.
- Cigarettes.
Things are gonna kill me, and I don't even smoke.
They're not going to kill you, Rodney.
I figured they'd just tell me to pack up.
- Isn't that what they do? - They do.
Usually.
But you were allegedly selling a big quantity.
And they traced the cartons back to a shipment - that came illegally from China.
- China? These came off a truck on Junction Boulevard.
I buy what I buy.
Sell what I can.
Who am I hurting? People out there sell drugs, guns.
I've never done anything like that.
Never been arrested.
I know it's scary.
You have no idea.
I have a daughter.
How old? She's 4.
Her name's Sky.
Beautiful name.
Beautiful girl.
I always wanted her to know there was more out there than East Baltimore.
No limits.
Nobody ever told me that.
You look so familiar.
I was actually thinking the same thing.
[EXHALES SHARPLY.]
But whatever.
We're here now.
Everything happens for a reason, right? This is gonna work out.
I have to believe that.
You should believe that.
We are going to work this out.
Okay? You should be released after your bail hearing this afternoon.
Is there anything I can do for you before then? Just get me out of here.
- Cigarettes? - Cigarettes.
- NYPD is cracking down.
- On cigarettes? Shouldn't they be, like, cracking down on crime? I feel like that's totally reasonable.
Jay.
Duty.
And I feel like that's totally un derstandable.
Because I had duty yesterday and the day before that, so why not today? Duty calls.
Call of Duty.
Tour of Duty.
Reporting for duty, General Carlan.
[CHUCKLES.]
I'm just gonna head over to the courthouse.
He could do five years for this.
For cigarettes.
He could do five years if he went to trial and was convicted.
But that's not gonna happen.
Talk to the line prosecutor.
They're not taking untaxed cigarettes to a jury.
- Jury duty? - Yes.
- You? - Yes.
- On jury duty? - Yes.
- With jurors? - [EXHALES SHARPLY.]
I think that's the way it works, even in state court.
- They're never gonna pick you.
- I hope they do.
Never served on a jury before.
There's a reason for that.
You're a judge.
- I'm a person.
- Yeah, not really.
- I pack a lunch.
- Someone packs it for you.
In a brown paper bag.
- And what does it say on that bag? - Nothing.
Does it say "World's Greatest Eddie Punchclock" on that bag? Maybe.
Anyway, it's state court.
And I'm looking forward to it.
To see the criminal justice system from a completely different perspective.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
Sorry.
Welcome to jury duty.
Good morning! Morning.
Let's try that again.
Good morning! Good morning!! Much better.
Good morning.
My name's Ms.
Ryan, and I'm here to answer any questions you have except one, which is when can I go home? The answer is 5:00.
5:00.
Not a minute before.
Do not ask.
- Now - What time are we out of here? 5:00.
Thank you for asking.
A few other things before we get Is it cool if I bounce at 4:30? 5:00.
Now, a few other things before we get started.
There's no eating or drinking in the courtrooms.
No pets.
No weapons.
No chewing gum.
No photography.
No hope.
No exit.
[CHUCKLES.]
That's a joke.
There is an exit right behind you to the left.
In a few minutes, some of you will be assigned a courtroom.
Please be patient.
In the meantime, please direct your attention to our monitors on which you will now see an advanced screening of "Wonder Woman.
" [REMOTE CLICKS.]
MAN: You have been summoned for jury service.
- [PEOPLE GROANING.]
- Now is also the time to put away your phones.
Thank you.
Thank you, all.
It's been a real pleasure.
without the participation of citizens like you.
- [CELLPHONE RINGS.]
- LYDIA: I did buy shampoo.
Look under the sink Under the sink under.
Under.
Did you look under the sink? - The sink under the sink.
- Excuse me.
- Yeah? - She said to put away our phones.
Okay, gramps, got it.
Did you look under the sink? No, the sink.
Under the sink - ALLISON: Is it true? - Yes, he's on jury duty.
- Who? - Judge Byrne.
No, I wasn't asking about that.
Really? Judge Byrne? In state court.
Is what true? The rumor about a softer, gentler, more reasonable Leonard Knox? - Who said that? - It's a rumor.
It's not anyone in particular.
You just hear it.
Sandra.
I subpoenaed her to turn over confidential information from her client.
I don't think she thinks I'm softer or gentler.
It might have been before that.
You're here about Rodney Jenkins? - Yes.
- Make your pitch.
Rodney has no priors.
This is a non-violent crime.
He's being charged as if he runs an illegal tobacco ring when in fact he's just selling on the street.
He should be released on his own recognizance.
It's a beautiful day.
I walked to work.
I never walk.
New York is glorious this time of year.
I took the train.
The subway is an amazing place.
One of the last places on Earth where there is no hierarchy.
Everyone is on equal footing.
Rodney's hearing is in 15 minutes.
Walk to the courthouse together? [ELEVATOR BELL DINGS.]
The rumor.
Is it true? You haven't answered my question.
Are you sure? Your Honor, - Mr.
Jenkins is being charged with the illegal sale of untaxed cigarettes in violation of 18 USC 2342.
In light of the nature of the offense, and Mr.
Jenkins' lack of criminal history, we would ask that Mr.
Jenkins be released on his own recognizance.
- No bail at all? - No, Your Honor.
Defendant moved here from Baltimore six months ago? That is correct, Your Honor.
To take care of his grandmother.
Do you have children, Mr.
Jenkins? He does, Your Honor.
A daughter.
Her name is Sky.
Sky? Okay.
You supporting her? He does his best, Your Honor.
Well, obviously his best isn't good enough.
His baby lives in Baltimore.
- Yes.
Sky - That wasn't a question.
Mr.
Knox, despite the fact that the defendant has a daughter living in another state, you do not consider him to be a flight risk? I do not.
Well, I respectfully disagree.
Even bad fathers want to see their daughters Your Honor, I strongly object to the insinuation that Mr.
Jenkins is a bad father because he doesn't live with his He's a bad father because he's in custody in New York and his daughter is in Baltimore.
Given that he's facing five years in prison for a first offense, I would like to persuade him to appear in court.
I'll set bond at $100,000.
You can call the next case.
100 grand? Cool.
I'll liquidate my 401(K) and sell my yacht.
It's a personal recognizance bond.
- Not cash bail.
- I don't get the difference.
It means you don't have to put up money.
You just need three people with means - or at least moral suasion to sign - Moral, what? Three people close to you need to sign the bond saying they're responsible for you showing up to court.
What about Sky's mother? I don't want her to know about this.
- She'll use it against me.
- Anyone else? I came up there to take care of my grandma in Harlem.
Anna.
She'll have my back.
My cousin, Gerald, he stays up here, too.
I have a half-brother in Astoria we don't talk much but I sent him money last summer when he was in a bind.
But that's all the family I've got.
Well, let's start there.
How long will all of this take? A few days.
They served turkey last night.
I'm not going to ask how that was.
With gravy.
- I'm sorry.
- First time I ate.
It was actually pretty good.
Hang in there.
Okay? [SIGHS.]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING.]
You okay? Yeah, I'm fine.
You have enough to do? Or too much? I'm fine.
Really.
Sandra.
Take as much time as you need to get back to full speed, okay? You made one of the most difficult calls I've seen in my career.
There isn't a lawyer in this office who doesn't respect what you did.
What you went through.
And I know they feel the same way across the street.
They subpoenaed me.
That was awful.
I agree.
And I told Roger that personally in the strongest possible terms.
Well, thank you for raising it with him personally.
I know you two have a good relationship, so I'm sure that wasn't easy.
I want your help with something.
Okay! Let's get this party started.
What do you say we kick this off with a little voir dire? [QUIETLY.]
Voir dire originally referred to an oath taken by jurors to tell the truth.
Shut it.
Counsel, please proceed.
Juror Number 12, is there any reason you couldn't be impartial in a case involving one parent assaulting another at their children's sporting event? I have nine children.
Does that mean you can't be impartial? It means I hate children.
I'm a full-time college student.
University of Central Delaware.
It's online.
- What year are you? - I'm 22.
What year are you in college? I'm 22 there, too.
I'm 22.
I'm a small-business owner.
A hair salon.
And when I say small, I'm saying it's just me.
Your shop is closed right now? Could you repeat the question? I'm the chief judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Are you or is any member of your immediate family an attorney? Yes, I'm the chief judge And do you or any of your immediate family members have any relationships in the criminal justice system that you believe could potentially interfere with your ability to serve as a juror in this case? - Yes.
Absolutely.
- Thank you.
We're good, Your Honor.
Terrific.
We have our jury.
Congratulations.
Good news.
I got you two signatures on Rodney's bond.
Cousin Gerald and Brother Eric.
Side note Brother Eric is actually Brother Eric he joined the Nation of Islam this week.
I just thought that was funny.
- Bad news? - Neither is a great candidate.
Gerald is in every kind of debt you can name.
Don't try.
It's true.
All of them.
And Eric.
Excuse me, Brother Eric the only thing he owns is every live Prince recording ever made.
Dope, but not worth much.
So, even if we get a third co-signer Leonard might not approve the bond application.
You want to hear the good news? One, Leonard Knox is being reasonable.
Maybe Mercury is in retrograde.
Whatever it is, he's cool.
Second, I looked into Rodney's grandmother, Anna, and she's the dream co-signer.
Deacon at her church owns her brownstone in Harlem outright.
Rodney says she'll support him.
- What did he do this time? - This time? He tell you he come up from Baltimore to take care of me? Is that not true? His baby's mama told him to get lost because he couldn't hold down a job.
He's been leaving here every morning telling me he's going on interviews.
He'll fool you, honey don't fall for it.
He needs your help.
I don't have any money.
The judge isn't asking for money.
He's requiring three people to sign a $100,000 bond saying they're responsible for Rodney making his court date.
What happens if he doesn't make - his court date? - I promise Honey, I don't care what you're promising.
I don't know you.
But I do know that boy.
Now tell me what will happen if he doesn't show.
You would be responsible for the money.
- $100,000.
- But that's only if No.
I will not do this.
I don't have money.
But what I have is this house.
I bought it with my husband in 1981 and I own it free and clear.
And I'm not risking that for Rodney.
Now, when he gets out, he'll have a place to stay because he's family.
But he made his bed, he can lie in it.
And you can tell him I said that.
- Look, I'm sorry.
- Which one didn't come through? Gerald or Eric? Oh.
I don't blame her.
She's done a lot for me.
I used to spend summers up here with my parents She'd tell me not to speak ill of the dead.
Tell her I'm sorry.
I'm not mad at her, though.
We need someone else to sign the bond.
Someone who can actually be financially responsible.
It can be a friend.
You have friends who would risk a hundred stacks for you? I think.
I hope.
That must be nice.
It's so loud in here.
Never knew that.
Nobody ever talks about that.
I keep getting this pain in my chest.
Jason.
- [PEN CLICKS.]
- Jason.
We grew up together in Baltimore.
- He works at the Harlem DMV.
- Okay.
It's a bar in Harlem.
That's confusing.
He owns it, but I'd hate to lean on him.
Do you want to be in here any longer than you have to? I'm going to talk to Jason.
"Project Runway" is on tonight.
Will you take notes for me? Yes.
Of course.
I don't want to go back in there.
WILEY: Mrs.
McHugh, can you please tell us what you saw on the baseball field that day? Well, I typically don't watch much of the games.
My son is terrible.
He's very uncoordinated and lazy, like his father - Mrs.
McHugh - Yeah.
Okay.
Well, I heard some commotion, and when I looked up, Carl French that man there was charging across the field, screaming about some laser pointer.
But really? Carl was just upset his son struck out and he was gonna take it out on someone.
I don't think he's ever liked Mr.
Orsua.
[QUIETLY.]
Objection.
Uh, objection.
Conjecture.
Uh, conjecture? Sustained.
Mrs.
McHugh, you're nearsighted, - correct? - LACEY: Yes.
Is that why you're wearing glasses today? - Correct.
- [MARKER SCRATCHING.]
Can you read this, Mrs.
McHugh? Carrot.
Would you mind removing your glasses? Can you read this? Doesn't it still say carrot? Okay.
But can you read it? It says carrot, right? Okay, okay! Just - [PAPER RUSTLES.]
- Hold on.
[SIGHS.]
[MARKER SCRATCHING.]
Can you read this? No.
No, no, stop.
And were you wearing your glasses at the baseball game? I was not.
I was wearing my contacts.
As the evidence clearly demonstrates, Carl French viciously attacked a fellow parent because Mr.
French's son was playing poorly and he needed someone to blame.
So he concocted a story about Mr.
Orsua shining a laser into his son's eyes.
Carl French is guilty.
"G.
" Gave another man a concussion.
"U.
" Umpire was there he didn't see a problem.
"I.
" I don't believe eyes were ever actually in danger.
"L.
" - First things first, we need to - Eat lunch.
Oh, were you not gonna say lunch? I thought you were gonna say lunch.
I'm hungry, too, but let's pick a foreperson, knock that out, then eat on the state's dime.
- Good call, Lydia.
- I don't need a co-signer, yo.
I'll be happy to serve as foreperson.
I promise I'll take it seriously and respect all of your opinions.
I can get all of us out of here before 5:00.
I vote for Lydia.
- Lydia.
- Yeah, absolutely.
Great.
Lydia, fantastic.
I know I said lunch, but we should vote first.
Because if we all agree, then we can just get the hell out of here.
Who thinks Carl is guilty? Seriously, dude? Were you not watching the PowerPoint? The facts literally spell "guilty.
" Sorry, that's the way I saw the case.
I'll be happy to explain.
All right.
Where are we eating? [DOOR BUZZES.]
Rodney? What happened? Rodney if you don't tell me what happened, I can't help you.
Have you been to the infirmary? Do you want me to get you into protective custody? Listen.
Jason signed the bond.
The government is reviewing the file.
The prosecutor has to interview him, but it's a formality at this point.
What happened on "Project Runway"? What? "Project Runway" was on last night.
I asked you to take notes.
Rodney What happened to Olivier? He was safe.
Who won? Kimberly.
[CHUCKLES.]
I've really grown to appreciate her silhouettes.
There was a lot of personal drama this week.
Tell me.
The designers had to make a day-to-night look for Nina.
Anya picked this awful mustard fabric at Mood, and when Nina saw it in the workroom, she made that "I'm concerned about your taste level" face.
[CHUCKLES.]
Anya was all about to cry, and everyone jumped in to help her finish except Viktor.
He thought it was cheating.
Of course he did.
The judges ended up loving Anya's jumpsuit.
It was this beautiful bronzed color.
Backless.
Belted.
Viktor totally wanted to rat her out on the runway.
But he held his tongue.
Julie got eliminated.
Kerry Washington wasn't feeling her look We need to get this done quickly.
- What? - We have a problem.
What is the problem? The problem is you told me I was getting a little old grandma who owns property, and that is not a little old grandma.
She wouldn't sign.
Well, you can't sub her out with a friend who has a prior.
That conviction is from 2005.
He was 18.
Two ounces of pot? That's, like, no pot.
It's pot.
It's a conviction.
Which means I can't sign off on this.
I can't make this go away.
You can find someone else.
No, I can't.
What happened to the kinder, gentler Don't with that.
I am right here.
But I work in an office with policies and procedures I have to follow.
I need to get him out of there.
He's only been in jail for three days.
And in only three days, he's gone from a guy with light in his eyes to a guy with a bruised face.
How would you do in jail for three days? I'm doing everything I can.
I am doing everything I can! I'll interview him.
If I'm satisfied, I will push this through.
JASON: $100,000? Did Allison not discuss - the amount of the bond with you? - She did.
It's just different hearing it in here in this office.
There are official seals on everything.
If Rodney fails to appear, you're responsible for that amount.
- I get it.
- By signing this bond, you're making yourself responsible for Rodney appearing in court.
When you say "responsible" We could garnish your wages.
Go after any assets you have.
Which is why I'd like to go over them now.
Uh, I've got the bar.
Bank owns most of it.
- A 2007 Grand Cherokee.
- All paid for.
According to the records, you also have a condo in Pittsburgh.
It's valued at 160 grand.
No.
That's my sister's.
The deed and the mortgage are in your name.
- But it's not mine.
- Legally it is.
I bought that for her when her husband left her.
Wait - You're telling me - We could go after that house.
This is in the event that Rodney skips town or misses a court date.
That shouldn't happen.
I'm just required to lay out the worst-case scenario.
- Right.
- Do you understand? I do.
Good.
But I can't.
Do this.
Uh, I know I said I would, but I can't risk my sister's place.
I have enough people leaning on me.
I can't handle another.
Did anybody actually see Mr.
French strike Mr.
Orsua? LYDIA: He went after him.
They ended up under the bleachers and the dude came out with a cracked skull.
So, no? What do you think happened? I don't know what happened.
I just know no one testified to actually seeing Mr.
French drive Mr.
Orsua's head into the ground.
The lady did.
The mom.
No.
She said her friend told her that.
- Same difference.
- No, it's not.
That testimony was inadmissible.
- I heard it.
- Yeah.
I heard it, too.
- You have to ignore it.
- Why? - Because it was hearsay.
- Say what? Hearsay.
An out-of-court statement offered for the truth of the matter asserted.
It was in court.
I heard it.
Yeah, I heard it, too.
The mom.
Listen.
I think you're probably right.
But I also think French's wife was having an affair with Mr.
Orsua.
- What - She looked like she felt so sorry for him when he was on the stand.
Like, she cared about him more than her husband.
- That would explain a lot.
- I wish my husband would.
We don't know that that's true and, frankly, it's irrelevant.
To you.
I have my set of facts, you have yours.
That's not how facts work.
I may not be a judge, but that's how I feel.
My facts are my facts.
So you switching your vote yet, Pops, or what? Not guilty.
- [ALL SIGH.]
- Well, I tried.
We can all thank Mr.
Belvedere for dragging this out another day.
[DOOR OPENS.]
I've been calling you.
I know.
I'm sorry.
Thank you.
I've been out trying to find money.
Weirdly, people who Rodney hasn't seen for a few years don't want to be on the hook for $100,000.
- This is crazy.
- Bail is crazy.
The idea that freedom depends on money.
It's pretty much the whole system, isn't it? - It's cruel.
- It's stupid.
And this is federal court.
If Rodney were in state court, he'd actually have to come up with the cash.
I'm sure Leonard isn't helping.
- He actually is.
- Really? I'm sure you don't want to hear that right now, but he's trying.
I don't know what it is about Rodney.
If things had shaken out differently, he could have gone to Princeton.
He could be a lawyer.
Or a fashion designer or the next Kehinde Wiley.
He would've been our friend.
He would've come home and watched "Master of Crowns" with us.
Let's go home, Al.
And watch "Master of Crowns" I don't want to go home.
There's nothing you can do here right now.
We'll look for money in the apartment.
Maybe there's at least four quarters in the couch.
Let's go home.
That's it.
What? There is money in the apartment.
Where? I need a favor.
Where's the little vase that was up here on the shelf? A client of mine, Rodney Jenkins, is close to posting bail but I can't find a third co-signer for the bond to put him over the top.
Is that something we're supposed to understand? I want to co-sign for Rodney so he can get out of jail.
It was right here I don't own any property.
The government will want that.
I'm asking you to sign.
Did you throw it away? Dad, I'm trying to talk to you.
- Sign what? - The bond.
She wants us to sign the bond.
For Rodney? The Rodney we just heard about three seconds ago? He's a criminal.
He's not a criminal.
- He's in jail.
- He was arrested.
- For a crime.
- For selling cigarettes Which is a crime, right? - Right? - Why are you Forget Rodney.
This isn't about Rodney.
You would be doing this for me.
I get 25% of my trust when I turn 30.
Skip it.
Keep it.
I am 100% sure Rodney will make his court appearances, but this way you'd be protected.
This is basically a loan to me.
An advance on money you're already planning on giving me, and all it takes is a signature.
Al, I think you are improperly attached to this Rodney.
- What? - I agree.
And there's a chance it doesn't end here.
He could be using you.
Are you You guys are serious? Yes, we're serious.
And, no, we are not signing for you or Rodney or anyone else you fall in love with.
You're just putting your name on a piece of paper.
Listen.
I know you don't love what I'm doing with my life.
I don't understand it, and I think it's unfair.
We can talk about that later.
But right now? I am your daughter, and I am asking you for help.
Please.
I don't think it's a good idea, and I think at some point when you are older, you will understand and appreciate this decision.
- I am not a child! - Really? You're living in our apartment for free.
You call us for money, and for no other reason.
You want, you ask, and you take with no consideration for who we are.
You are a child.
You are our child and we're your parents, and we're saying no.
No.
Find the vase and put it back.
So, listen.
Jason I know.
I can see it on your face.
I tried to raise some money myself.
Are we done here now? Rodney, I'm going to push to get a deferred prosecution deal.
That would mean no jail time Yeah, I heard this before.
From you.
No jail time.
And here I am.
In jail.
For what? Two more weeks? Months? - Five years? - It won't be that long.
You keep saying that and here I am! And I haven't even been convicted of anything.
I'm done talking.
I'm done talking to you.
[CRIES.]
I'm sorry.
This isn't your fault.
I just can't talk about this anymore.
I can't hope I'm gonna get out anytime soon.
The only way to survive in here is to have no hope.
Zero.
To live minute by minute.
I need to survive.
I'm going to survive.
I'm gonna make it through this and do better.
When I get out, whenever that is, I'm gonna be a better man.
I'm gonna be a father who is there and provides for his daughter in the right way.
I want to be the person for her that I never had.
I want her to be happy, and I want to be happy.
But right now, I can't have any hope.
Because I need to survive.
Because I want to live to see something good.
How do you do it? [EXHALES SHARPLY.]
There's a little hook.
No.
Not that.
Is it about the bike generally? How do you live with Seth? Because of the sleep walking? Because he's a prosecutor.
Oh.
That? That's not a problem.
Don't you think it impacts the way you do your job? It certainly doesn't make me any less aggressive, if that's what you mean.
If anything, it's the other way around, especially if he's left dishes in the sink.
Or let that cat in from across the hall.
[SCOFFS.]
I do not like that cat.
- Why? - Oh, just curious.
Mm, it's not an issue.
We do our jobs.
I would never compromise anything for him.
And he wouldn't for me.
And I don't think any of us in this office would be any other way.
How long have you been sitting in here? - An hour.
- [CHUCKLES.]
That's weird.
Right? [INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
It's really no better than the coffee in the office.
- But we're out of the office.
- You say that like it's a good thing.
It is.
We're out.
In the city with people.
In the vibrant, pulsating life of the city.
You returned that cocaine, right? - Okay, let's go.
- What? Oh.
Why is he so short? He's a normal-sized man.
I always thought he was, like, seven feet tall with abs made of dark, weathered granite.
Come on.
We need to leave now.
We don't need to leave.
Why do we need to leave? [QUIETLY.]
Because I don't want to end up doing anything awkward.
Then don't do something awkward.
- Mm.
Not really an option.
- Just sit here.
- I'm sure he doesn't even see us.
- [LOUDER.]
Judge! What the hell I told you.
Now I have to go over.
No, you don't.
You can stay here.
He's there.
You're here Morning.
Hello, Your Honor.
Good morning, Ms.
Littlejohn.
Mr.
Oliver.
- Do you want to join me? - No, we don't want to bother you.
Is that a juror badge? I'm serving our state court this week from the jury box.
Wow.
That must be weird.
Mostly for the others.
Not that you're weird Seth hasn't had his coffee.
Yeah, it is weird.
They have no respect for what I do and my years of experience in the courtroom.
Well, that's kind of the point.
- Right? - Seth No, I just mean, you're a judge.
They're people.
They're supposed to be just people.
With no special knowledge or experience.
If it was all judges and lawyers on a jury, it wouldn't be a jury.
It'd be a judgery.
He's not well That's an excellent point, Mr.
Oliver.
There's no room for a judge on that jury.
Thank you.
- What are those? - Doughsants.
Part doughnut, part croissant.
I figured since I've been the one muddying up the works, I could at least bring a treat.
I'm open to change my vote.
I realize I may have been stubborn and arrogant up to this point.
So, go ahead.
Tell me why French is guilty.
He ran at the guy.
- He was yelling.
- He was.
He had all the reason in the world to do it because of the laser pointer being shined at his kid.
And because of the affair the guy was having with French's wife.
Those shoes he was wearing.
They're not shoes.
They're not sandals.
What are they? They're douchey.
I own the same pair.
I had to bail my daughter out of jail once.
A friend dragged her to a party.
It got busted.
That friend bought drugs.
My daughter was carrying her purse.
They didn't charge her because of who I am.
But if they did if she went to trial, who would believe that she went to that party and didn't drink or do drugs? It's not logical.
I'm her father, and I assumed that she was lying.
Listen, that dude might have done it.
Probably did.
I think he did.
I'll be honest.
But if I'm putting myself in his position, or my daughter's and we've all been there is that enough? My husband fights with other parents at my daughter's soccer games.
I hate it.
Maybe that has something to do with how I'm thinking.
People in my building accuse me of hogging three dryers with no evidence at all.
I do.
I hog them.
But they don't know that.
[CHUCKLING.]
Is second-degree assault too much for a skirmish at a Little League game? Rodney? Rodney.
I feel like I can see the future with him.
Two distinct paths.
We get him out on bond, Leonard and I work out a deferred prosecution deal and he turns this all around.
He can be special at anything he does.
The other path? - You know what it is.
- I do.
I asked my parents to sign the bond.
Okay.
That's unorthodox.
- They said no.
- Why? I don't know.
I don't understand my parents.
I never have.
I was a horrible kid growing up.
I was an army brat.
We moved a lot.
The easiest way to make new friends is to fall in with the bad kids.
I stole.
I drank.
I liked girls.
[INHALES DEEPLY.]
Before I knew it, I was 23 with a son and I hadn't spoken to my parents in four years.
What's his name? [CHUCKLES.]
Marvin.
[BOTH CHUCKLE.]
I wanted him to have a nerdier name than me.
Marvin.
His name was Marvin.
I'm sorry.
[SNIFFLES.]
Um When he passed, my parents were on my doorstep the next morning.
They drove 16 hours from Chicago.
Stayed with me for a month.
I was done.
I was done.
And they brought me back to life.
Parents don't always do what we want when we want, but they try to do their best.
And they come through when they know you have nowhere else to go.
Your parents made that calculation.
I'll be fine.
But Rodney doesn't have parents.
And the people he does have? They are not coming through for him.
This whole experience has reinforced every awful thing that's happened in his life.
I am his person here, and I can't do a damn thing for him.
Maybe these people don't know what you know? What's that? That this is it for Rodney.
That this is the moment that will make him or break him.
You have to make them see what you see.
Or you can give up.
You've done a lot for him already.
What are you gonna do? What you asked for.
The police report from the night Roger Gunn was swatted.
You were right.
Jill was there.
I'm not a lawyer.
I don't have to follow your rules.
But I know people.
I know Jill.
I know what she gives to this job.
I would leave it alone.
[DOOR OPENS.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
JUDGE JONES: Welcome back! Let me do a quick count to make sure we didn't lose anyone on the trip.
Great.
Still have 12.
Now, I understand you've reached a verdict.
Yeah, it took awhile, but we got it.
What say you? We, the jury, in the case of the People of the State of New York v.
Carl French, find the defendant not guilty.
[MURMURING.]
TINA: Good afternoon, Juror Number 9! [CHUCKLES.]
Please.
- Number 4.
- And? How was it? Not what I expected.
[SIGHS.]
But still interesting.
Alarming, sad, unfair, frustrating.
Deeply unsettling at times.
But, you know, all those people, they got it right in the end.
I think.
Wasn't always clear that they would.
That we would.
People were drawing pictures more than I think is healthy in that environment, but I think we did get it right.
And, you know, over here, we have all these great lawyers and judges who are so smart and so learned and so rigorous, and they get it wrong.
A lot.
At a real cost to people's lives.
This system is imperfect and unfair in ways I never really understood.
You didn't talk to them like that, did you? A-At first, yeah.
Didn't go over well.
I wouldn't think so.
But we warmed up to each other.
We We talked to each other like people.
The jury room.
The hospital waiting room.
The subway car.
There aren't many places left where you're just one little person bumping up against another little person.
All together, all elevated or diminished, I suppose, depending on where you came from.
All equal.
And in that moment, anyway, all connected.
I don't have anything left to say.
I know.
I was hoping I could just say something.
I liked Rodney instantly.
That's not usually how it works for me.
I felt like I knew him for years the second I laid eyes on him.
He's smart, sensitive, optimistic, charming.
He did not have all of the things I had growing up, but he had you.
Rodney is such a great person because of you.
My parents sent me to the best schools, put me in the best clothes.
I live in their immaculate apartment.
But I don't have their support.
That hurts me.
I know it, but it surprises me every time.
I can't complain because they've given me everything else, because this world we live in, this system, it is set up to help people like me.
- [G FLIP'S "BRING ME HOME" PLAYS.]
- Cut one string? There are a thousand others holding me up.
The system is stacked against Rodney.
I'm not making excuses for him, but it's true.
We all make mistakes.
Some of us are lucky enough to not have our mistakes come back and haunt us.
It's a luxury.
Rodney has one string left.
One person left.
You can't cut the string.
Not now when he has nothing else holding him up.
Now I'm scared of the dark Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh All I can hear is my heart Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh I need you to bring me home I need you to bring me home My life is out of control I need you to bring me home Yeah, I know Yeah, I know This ain't forever Yeah, I know Yeah, I know I will get better - [KEYS JINGLE.]
- If I go, If I go And lose it ever I'll need you to bring me home I am breaking down I am losing my patience They say that winding roads Lead to great destinations Can you help me to change this? Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh I am falling apart Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh Now I'm scared of the dark Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh All I can hear is my heart Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh I need you to bring me home I need you to bring me home My life is out of control I need you to bring me home Yeah, I know Yeah, I know I will get better If I go, if I go And lose it ever I'll need you to bring me home