Justice (2006) s01e12 Episode Script
Christmas Party
THE CABDRIVER,MR.
PATEL,WAS SHO IN THE HEAD WITH HIS OWN GUN.
THE KILLER LEFT IT IN MR.
PATEL'S CAB AFTER HE STOLE HIS MONEY.
WHO DID YOU IDENTIFY AS THE KILLER? THAT MAN THERE AT THE DEFENSE TABLE - STEVEN GERARD.
KEEP IT TOGETHER,STEVE.
THE JURY'S WATCHING.
I DON'T WANT THEM SEEING YOU LOOK UPSET.
I'M SORRY.
IT'S HARD.
I CAN'T BREATHE.
I DIDN'T KILL ANYONE.
DETECTIVE,TELL US WHY YOU THINK MR.
GERARD WAS THE KILLER.
A BOUNCER AT THIS CLUB SAW GERARD GET INTO THE VICTIM'S CAB AT 1:00 A.
M.
THE TAXI METER SHOWED THAT GERARD WAS DROPPED OFF A BLOCK FROM HIS APARTMENT AT 1:23 A.
M.
THAT'S EXACTLY WHEN A CONVENIENCE STORE CLERK NEAR THE MURDER SCENE HEARD A GUNSHOT AND CALLED THE POLICE.
YOU ARRESTED MR.
GERARD A HIS APARTMENT THE NEXT DAY? YES.
HE WAIVED HIS RIGHTS,AND HE ADMITTED THAT HE HAD GOTTEN INTO A FIGHT WITH THE DRIVER ABOUT THE FARE.
WE SEARCHED HIS PLACE FOR THE MONEY HE TOOK FROM MR.
PATEL,BUT IT WAS GONE.
RON WANTS TO MAKE SURE YOU GET BACK IN TIME FOR THE PARTY.
HE SENT YOU JUS TO TELL ME THAT? MM-HMM.
STEVE,MEET LISA CRUZ,ONE OF OUR INVESTIGATORS.
RON SAYS YOU ONLY TOOK THIS CASE TO AVOID SMALL TALK AT THE CHRISTMAS PARTY.
I DID IT TO STOP AN INJUSTICE.
MISSING THE CHRISTMAS PARTY WAS JUST A BONUS.
WAIT.
YOU CAN'T PUT ME BACK IN JAIL.
I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING.
PIPE DOWN,MR.
GERARD.
YOUR LAWYER ISN'T HERE FOR YOUR PRETRIAL CONFERENCE, SO I'M MOVING YOUR TRIAL TO MAY.
MAY? I CAN'T STAY IN JAIL UNTIL MAY! PLEASE,DON'T DO THIS! GIVE ME A SECOND.
YOUR HONOR,HOLD ON.
MAY I SPEAK TO THIS MAN? DO WHAT YOU WANT.
YOU'VE GOT 30 SECONDS.
WHAT'S YOUR STORY? THEY SAY I SHOT A CABDRIVER,BUT I DIDN'T.
SEE,MY FRIENDS AND I WENT OU TO CELEBRATE AFTER MIDTERMS.
MIDTERMS? YOU'RE A COLLEGE STUDENT? MY FRIENDS MET SOME WOMEN,AND THEY DITCHED ME.
I DIDN'T HAVE A RIDE BACK HOME FROM THE CLUB,SO I CALLED A CAB.
I DIDN'T REALIZE UNTIL LATER THAT I LOST MY WALLET AT THE CLUB,AND I COULDN'T PAY.
THEN WHAT HAPPENED? HE TURNED INTO AN ALLEY,AND HE PULLED A GUN ON ME.
I RAN FOR MY LIFE.
WHERE DID YOU GET THE BRUISES? JAIL.
I KEEP GETTING JUMPED IN THE YARD.
I - I'VE BEEN IN THREE MONTHS.
MY MOM LIVES IN PITTSBURGH, AND SHE DOESN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO POST MY BAIL OR COME OUT HERE,EVEN.
LET ME SEE THIS GUY'S FILE? - WHY? IT'S NOT YOUR CASE.
- JUST GIVE ME THE FILE.
NO WITNESS STATEMENT.
NO FORENSIC EVIDENCE.
YOU GOT THIS KID ON A MURDER CHARGE,BUT YOU HAVE NO CASE.
TIME'S UP.
YOUR HONOR,MR.
GERARD JUST FIRED HIS OLD LAWYER.
I'M TAKING HIS CASE.
WHEN'S HIS TRIAL SET FOR? FRIDAY.
GREAT.
BASED ON THESE FACTS,IT'S A 1-DAY CASE, SO WE'LL KEEP THAT TRIAL DATE.
IF YOU TAKE DECEMBER 22nd, I ENDS WHEN COURT CLOSES AT 5:00 P.
M.
I'M NOT KEEPING A JURY HERE OVER THE HOLIDAY BREAK,YOU UNDERSTAND? YES,YOUR HONOR.
MISS HALE,CHECK YOUR EXHIBITS WITH THE CLERK.
YOUR CLIENT LOOKS PRETTY NERVOUS.
WELL,HE SHOULDN'T.
THE D.
A.
HASN' MET HER BURDEN, AND WHEN SHE RESTS,I'M MOVING TO DISMISS.
IF THE JUDGE DOESN'T GRAN IT,I'LL REST AND GO TO CLOSINGS.
SEE,JURIES NEVER WANT TO HANG AROUND BEFORE THE HOLIDAY, SO WE'LL BE OU OF HERE BY 5:00.
STEVE WILL BE HOME,ON A PLANE BACK TO PITTSBURGH TO SEE HIS MOM.
MR.
NICHOLSON,YOUR CROSS.
I KNOW WE ALL WANT TO GET OUT OF HERE FOR THE HOLIDAYS, SO I'LL BE BRIEF.
MY CLIENT'S PRINTS WEREN' FOUND ON THE GUN,WERE THEY? NO.
AND NOBODY SAW HIM SHOOT THE DRIVER? NO.
AND YOU DIDN'T FIND ANY MONEY OR ANYTHING TO SUPPORT YOUR THEORY THAT THIS WAS A ROBBERY.
NOW ISN'T IT POSSIBLE THE REASON THERE WASN'T ANY MONEY IN THE CAB IS BECAUSE MR.
PATEL JUST STARTED HIS SHIF AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY CASH ON HAND? OR HE DID,AND YOUR CLIENT STOLE IT.
WHAT'S THAT,A THEORY? BASICALLY WHAT YOU'VE GO AGAINST MY CLIENT IS JACK.
IN FACT,YOUR HONOR,THE D.
A.
's CASE IS SO WEAK, WE'RE MOVING FOR A JUDGMENT OF ACQUITTAL NOW.
MISS HALE? GREAT TO SEE YOU,COUNCILMAN.
HEY,GO EASY ON THE BOOZE THIS YEAR.
BILL.
BILL! GRAB SOME DUCK.
EVA? TELL THE BARTENDERS TO SAVE THE DOM PRIGNON FOR POTENTIAL CLIENTS.
THEY CAN GIVE THE D.
A.
s BRUT.
THEY'LL BE ABLE TO TELL WHICH IS WHICH BY THEIR SUITS.
HOW DOES RON MANAGE TO JUGGLE A FULL CASELOAD AND PLAN THIS PARTY? HE MUST SLEEP IN HIS OFFICE.
NO,HE SLEEPS WITH A PARTY PLANNER, WHICH IS WHY HE GETS SUCH A GOOD DEAL ON ALL OF THIS.
I JUST HAVE TO FINISH ONE LAST THING.
GO SEE IF WE QUALIFY FOR THE DOM.
CAPTAIN,GREAT TO SEE YOU.
SO WHA DO YOU HEAR ABOUT THE DUNN CASE? YOU GUYS GONNA MAKE AN ARREST? COME ON,RON,YOU KNOW I CAN'T TALK ABOUT THAT.
I KNOW I KNOW HAVE FUN IN AN HOUR,HE'LL BE TALKING HIS HEAD OFF.
LOVE THE CHRISTMAS PARTY.
YOU GET TO SEE OLD FRIENDS,BURY THE HATCHET, GET NEW CLIENTS.
IS TOM HERE YET? STILL IN COURT.
HE SAYS IT'S A DEAD-BANG ACQUITTAL.
HE'LL BE HERE SOON.
YEAH,WE'LL SEE.
TOM WILL DO ANYTHING TO AVOID SCHMOOZING AND SMALL TALK.
- OH,HI.
HOW ARE YOU? - OH,GREAT.
JUDGE MADISON'S HERE.
YOU KNOW WE INVITE ALL THE JUDGES,RON.
YES,WE INVITE THEM.
I JUS DON'T EXPECT THEM ALL TO SHOW UP.
HEY,I'M GLAD SHE'S HERE.
REALLY.
SHE'S THE ONE WITH ISSUES.
I AGREE WITH MR.
NICHOLSON.
YOUR CASE IS AWFULLY THIN,MISS HALE.
YOUR HONOR,I HAVE- TAKE IT EASY.
LE THE MAN FINISH.
BY LAW,LOOKING AT THE EVIDENCE IN THE LIGHT MOST FAVORABLE TO YOU,MISS HALE, I DON'T SEE HOW A REASONABLE JURY COULD CONVICT.
MR.
NICHOLSON'S RIGHT.
YOU HAVE JACK.
WE DID HAVE JACK,BU NOW WE HAVE A GREAT CASE.
THIS MORNING,AN EYEWITNESS SHOWED UP.
YOU-YOU CAN'T DROP AN EYEWITNESS ON THE DEFENSE NOW.
HE JUST CAME FORWARD THIS MORNING.
YEAH.
YOU DON'T FIND THA A LITTLE ODD OR SUSPICIOUS? WHERE'S THE DISCOVERY? WHAT THE HELL IS THIS? THERE ISN'T EVEN A WITNESS STATEMENT.
HE DIDN'T GIVE ONE.
HE DIDN'T SPEAK TO THE POLICE.
HE SPOKE TO ME.
I'M NO OBLIGATED TO CREATE DISCOVERY.
CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT HE SAID? HE SAW YOUR CLIENT SHOOT THE DRIVER DEAD.
IS THAT CLEAR ENOUGH FOR YOU? YOUR HONOR,THE DEFENSE NEEDS TIME TO PREPARE FOR THIS WITNESS.
UH,WE NEED TO REQUEST- A CONTINUANCE? NOT A CHANCE.
NOW LOOKIT,I TOLD YOU WHEN YOU TOOK THIS CASE, THIS IS A 1-DAY TRIAL.
NOW THE D.
A.
WILL PRESENT THEIR NEW WITNESS.
YOU WILL CROSS HIM.
I WILL GET THIS CASE TO THE JURY BY 4:00.
AND IF THEY'RE LIKE MOST JURIES BEFORE A HOLIDAY, WE'LL HAVE A VERDIC BY 5:00,UNDERSTAND? PLEASE FIIND HIM A GOOD HOME RON! RON! UH,EXCUSE ME.
I - I DIDN'T ORDER A BABY.
HE LOOKS LIKE JUSTICE SCALIA.
I FOUND HIM ON A TABLE IN THE EVIDENCE PREP ROOM.
WHAT? HE'S BEEN ABANDONED,RON.
TAKE HIM TO THE BACK.
I'LL GET SECURITY TO CHECK TAPES SO WE CAN FIGURE OUT WHO LEFT HIM.
I CAN'T GO BACK TO JAIL.
TAKE IT EASY,ALL RIGHT? YOU'RE STILL WALKING OUT OF HERE.
OH,GOD,I'M SORRY.
ATTORNEY/CLIENT MEETING.
I THINK THERE'S ANOTHER ONE ON THE FIFTH FLOOR.
WHAT DID THE DISCOVERY TELL YOU? THE EYEWITNESS' NAME IS NICK ALLEN, AND HE'S GOT NO CRIMINAL RECORD.
NOW WHEN A WITNESS SHOWS UP LIKE THIS, THAT'S ALL THE D.
A.
HAS TO GIVE US.
NOW USUALLY WE GOT MONTHS TO INVESTIGATE THIS GUY.
THIS TIME WE'VE GOT FIVE MINUTES.
HOW COULD THERE BE A WITNESS? I DIDN'T DO THIS! DON'T WORRY.
WE'LL HANDLE IT.
CALL THE OFFICE.
HAVE THEM SET UP A TRIAL COMMAND CENTER AND SEND US THE EQUIPMENT WE'LL NEED.
HOW ARE YOU GONNA CROSS-EXAMINE A WITNESS WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHO HE IS OR WHAT HE'S GONNA SAY? CAREFULLY.
STEVE'S INNOCENT,RIGHT? OR HE'S JUST WRONG.
I HAVE TO SHOW THE JURY THAT.
I'M NOT GOING HOME,AM I? THIS CASE GOES TO JURY IN THREE HOURS.
YOU WILL BE ON A PLANE HOME TONIGHT.
I PROMISE.
100% INNOCENT.
I'M THE INNOCEN BYSTANDER SOMEHOW I GOT STUCK BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE SEND LAWYERS,GUNS AND MONEY LIKE I ALWAYS SAY, IF YOU GOT THE RIGH LAWYER WITH YOU, WE'VE GOT THE GREATES LEGAL SYSTEM IN THE WORLD.
I'VE GOT TO HELP TOM.
HIS TRIAL JUST BLEW UP.
RON,YOU HAVE TO TELL THE POLICE ABOUT THIS BABY.
WE HAVE CLIENTS HERE.
IF ONE OF THEM ABANDONED A BABY,THEY BROKE THE LAW.
WE CAN'T TURN THEM IN WITHOU AT LEAST TALKING TO THEM.
HERE'S THE SECURITY FOOTAGE.
NO SIGN OF A BABY.
WE DON'T KNOW THIS WAS A CRIME.
WHAT ELSE COULD IT BE,A MISTAKE? LOSING YOUR CAR IN A PARKING GARAGE IS A MISTAKE.
THIS IS A CRIME.
THE LAW SAYS A MOTHER WHO CAN'T CARE FOR HER BABY CAN'T BE PROSECUTED FOR LEAVING HER CHILD IN A SAFE PLACE LIKE A HOSPITAL OR FIRE STATION.
WE COULD ARGUE I EXTENDS TO LAW FIRMS.
we cou Id WHEN A CHILD IS LESS THAN 3 DAYS OLD.
THAT BABY IS OLDER THAN THAT.
I AM OPENING UP A TRIAL COMMAND CENTER FOR TOM.
ONE OF US NEEDS TO GET BACK TO THE PARTY.
WE DIDN'T INVITE EVERYONE HERE SO THEY COULD GIVE BUSINESS TO EACH OTHER.
I'D RATHER GO MINGLE,BELIEVE ME.
WE'VE GOT A BIG PROBLEM.
THIS IS ALL OUR SECURITY FOOTAGE.
CLEARLY,THIS BABY DIDN' COME IN THROUGH OUR LOBBY.
SO WHERE DID IT COME FROM? THE ONLY OTHER WAY IN IS THROUGH THE BACK ENTRANCE, AND YOU NEED A KEY CARD.
GREAT.
SO ONE OF OUR EMPLOYEES ABANDONED HIM.
TELL THE JURY WHAT YOU SAW THE NIGHT OF THE MURDER.
I SAW A CABDRIVER GET SHOT BY THAT MAN.
DO YOU RECOGNIZE THIS GUY? NO,I'VE NEVER SEEN HIM BEFORE.
COULD HE HAVE BEEN OUT THERE? I DON'T KNOW.
MAYBE.
AFTER THE CABBIE PULLED THE GUN ON ME,I JUST RAN.
I DIDN'T SEE OR HEAR ANYTHING.
WHAT DID YOU SEE IN THE CAB? I SAW A FIGH GOING ON- A BAD ONE- BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND THE DEFENDANT.
I TRIED TO CALL 9-1-1 FOR HELP, BU MY CELL PHONE DIDN'T GET SERVICE.
THEN THE DEFENDANT SHO THE CABBIE TO DEATH.
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
WELCOME TO EVERY TRIAL LAWYER'S WORST NIGHTMARE.
TOM HAS THREE HOURS TO CROSS A WITNESS WITH NO AMMO AND NO TIME TO PREPARE.
WE ARE GOING TO DIG INTO THIS WITNESS FOR HIM.
NOW USUALLY,YOU'D HAVE WEEKS TO DO THIS.
TODAY WE ARE DOING THIS ON THE FLY AND ON A DEADLINE.
THE COURTS CLOSE AT 5:00 P.
M.
Luther,can you hear me? YES.
THE PACKAGE JUST ARRIVED.
GOOD.
THE LAPEL MIKE WILL BROADCAS WHAT HAPPENS IN COURT BACK TO US.
I WILL TALK TO YOU THROUGH THE EARPIECE.
SIT CLOSE TO TOM SO YOU CAN RELAY MY MESSAGES.
DO NOT GET CAUGHT.
What we're doing might be legal,or it might not be.
WITH THIS JUDGE,WE'D BE BETTER TO SAY SORRY THAN ASK FOR PERMISSION.
ARE WE READY? LET'S GO.
PLEASE TELL THE JURY WHY YOU WERE IN THE ALLEY THAT NIGHT.
I WAS AT A CLUB ON SUNSET AND ALVARADO.
I LEFT AT ABOUT 1:15.
WHAT TIME DID YOU GET TO THE ALLEY? MAYBE FIVE MINUTES LATER.
I TOOK THE ALLEY BEHIND ALVARADO BECAUSE IT'S A SHORTCU TO MY APARTMENT.
I LIVE ON EWING STREET.
HIS ROUTE CHECKS OUT ON THE MAP.
IN THE TIME HE SAYS.
HOW MANY OF YOU PARALEGALS ARE SOBER? NO,REALLY.
IF I HAVE TO ASK ONE OF YOU TO DRIVE ME HOME, HOW MANY COULD? OKAY.
SIX OF YOU JUST EARNED CHRISTMAS BONUSES.
GO HELP LUTHER.
YOUR ABILITY TO INTIMIDATE 25 YEAR OLDS IS STILL IMPRESSIVE.
JUDGE MADISON,GOOD TO SEE YOU.
WHERE'S YOUR HUSBAND? HOME.
YOU KNOW HOW HE FEELS ABOUT YOU,RON.
AT LEAST IT'S MUTUAL.
ACTUALLY,I THOUGH YOU FELT THE SAME WAY.
WELL,AS LONG AS YOU KEEP INVITING ME, I'M GONNA KEEP COMING.
WE KNOW WHOEVER ABANDONED THE BABY WORKS FOR US.
THE HANDWRITING LOOKS FEMININE,SO CHECK OFF THE GUYS.
THAT'S 23 WOMEN.
8 ARE OUT OF TOWN, AND I WALKED IN WITH THESE TWO.
THAT LEAVES 13.
UH,HUNGRY? NEEDS A CHANGE? WHAT? I'M GUESSING HUNGRY.
WHOEVER LEFT HIM BOUGHT THIS AT A GROCERY STORE IN LOS FELIZ.
HOW MANY OF OUR EMPLOYEES LIVE IN LOS FELIZ? ONE-EVA, THE NEW RECEPTIONIST.
LUTHER WANTS TO KNOW IF THERE'S ANYTHING ABOU NICK'S APPEARANCE THAT MIGHT HELP GET A READ ON HIM.
YEAH.
WHEN HE FIRST WALKED IN, I NOTICED HE WAS WEARING AN OFF-THE-RACK SUIT.
BUT HE HAD ON DESIGNER SHOES.
AND HE LIVES ONE BLOCK FROM STEVE'S CRUMMY APARTMENT, BUT HIS WATCH COSTS MORE THAN STEVE'S RENT.
NOW THERE'S GOTTA BE A STORY THERE.
HE JUST GOT A HAIRCUT,SO HE WANTS TO MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION.
HE'S CONFIDENT,CONVERSATIONAL.
MAKES EYE CONTACT.
THE JURY LOVES HIM.
THEY DO? ALREADY? JURORS JUDGE FAST.
FIRS IMPRESSIONS ARE EVERYTHING.
This guy makes a great one.
THE D.
A.
PROBABLY TOLD HIM TO DRESS DOWN FOR COURT.
I WOULD HAVE.
WHY WOULD YOU GIVE UP YOUR SON,EVA? HE'S NOT MY SON.
HE'S MY NEIGHBOR'S SON.
I'M SORRY.
YOU TOOK THIS BABY? I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO.
MY NEIGHBOR KELLY,SHE'S ON DRUGS, AND SHE LEAVES HIM ALONE ALL THE TIME.
IT'S AWFUL.
THIS MORNING,I SAW HER LEAVE,AND THE BABY WAS CRYING FOR HOURS.
AND SHE NEVER CAME BACK.
I HAD TO DO SOMETHING.
I HAD TO SAVE HIM.
ANYBODY WOULD HAVE.
YOU KIDNAPPED HIM AND BURGLARIZED THE APARTMENT- TWO FELONIES.
EVA,WOULD YOU EXCUSE US FOR A MINUTE? BE NICE.
SHE THOUGHT SHE WAS DOING THE RIGHT THING.
WE'RE NOT HARBORING A KIDNAPPER.
WE HAVE TO TURN HER IN.
LET'S AT LEAST TRY TO GET THE MOTHER DOWN HERE, REUNITE HER WITH HER BABY,TRY TO SAVE EVA FROM PRISON.
NO.
IF THE MOTHER IS AS BAD AS EVA SAYS, GIVING THE BABY BACK WOULD PUT HIM IN DANGER.
I DON'T WANT THA ON MY CONSCIENCE.
YES,I HAVE A CONSCIENCE.
IF WE CALL THE POLICE,EVA WILL BE ARRESTED, AND THE BABY COULD END UP IN FOSTER CARE.
YOU WANT THAT ON YOUR CONSCIENCE? FIND A DOCTOR TO EVALUATE THE BABY- PREFERABLY NOT ONE WE REPRESENTED IN A MALPRACTICE SUIT.
KEEP SECURITY ON EVA.
SHE CAN'T LEAVE.
AND DIG INTO THE MOTHER.
KEEP IT ALL QUIET.
DON'T LET ANYONE OU THERE KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.
WE'RE NOW CRIMINAL CONSPIRATORS IN A KIDNAPPING.
WHAT A GREAT PARTY.
THIS MAN,STEVE GERARD,WAS THE KILLER.
ARE YOU SURE? IT WAS HIM.
I'M ABSOLUTELY SURE.
MR.
NICHOLSON? CROSS? I GOTTA START.
DO WE HAVE ANYTHING WE CAN USE AGAINST THIS GUY? LUTHER SAYS THEY'RE STILL TRYING, BU THEY HAVEN'T COME UP WITH ANYTHING YET.
MR.
NICHOLSON,ARE YOU GOING TO CROSS-EXAMINE THIS WITNESS OR NOT? WE JUST GOTTA STALL LONG ENOUGH TO GIVE LUTHER TIME TO FIND SOMETHING.
THE DOCTOR SAYS THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF ABUSE.
HE'S A LITTLE MALNOURISHED,BU OTHERWISE FINE.
HAS THE MOTHER REPORTED THE BABY MISSING YET? NO,AND I CAN'T GE HER ON THE PHONE.
WELL,KEEP TRYING.
SEND SOMEONE OU TO HER APARTMENT IF YOU HAVE TO.
WE NEED TO FIND THIS WOMAN.
I'M READY TO STAR MY CROSS,YOUR HONOR.
HOW DID YOU KNOW THIS WAS GOING TO TRIAL TODAY,MR.
ALLEN? HAVE YOU BEEN FOLLOWING IT IN THE PAPER? - OBJECTION.
RELEVANCE.
- OBJECTION? WE'RE TRYING TO GET THE JURY OUT OF HERE FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
I'M SORRY,FOLKS.
I'M TRYING.
OBJECTION OVERRULED.
HOW IS TOM GONNA GET HIM TO TELL THE TRUTH? HE'S NOT GONNA JUST ADMIT HE'S LYING.
HE'S GONNA GET NICK TO COMMIT TO A STORY, CATCH AN INCONSISTENCY AND SHOW THE JURY HE'S A LIAR.
I HEARD ABOUT THE TRIAL ON THE RADIO.
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A PICTURE OF MY CLIENT- IN THE PAPER,ON THE NEWS? NO.
HAS THE D.
A.
EVER SHOWN YOU A PICTURE OF THE DEFENDAN AND ASKED IF HE WAS THE GUILTY PARTY? NO.
THE LAST TIME I SAW YOUR CLIENT WAS WHEN I SAW HIM PULL THE TRIGGER AND KILL THE CABDRIVER.
I SEE YOUR NAME ISN' HERE IN THE POLICE REPORT.
LIKE I SAID,I COULDN' GET THROUGH TO THEM.
BUT YOU DIDN'T STICK AROUND TO TALK TO THE COPS EITHER.
WHY NOT? I WAS SCARED.
I MEAN,I KNOW WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU TESTIFY AGAINST A KILLER.
BUT I COULDN'T LET HIM WALK JUST BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID.
THAT'S WHY I'M HERE NOW.
FOR A WITNESS THAT JUST SHOWED UP TODAY, I'D SAY THE D.
A.
PREPPED HIM VERY WELL.
I WANT PROOF THAT THIS GUY COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING THAT NIGHT! GET ME WEATHER REPORTS FOR THE NIGHT OF THE MURDER, AND CHECK OUT THE LIGHTING CONDITIONS IN THE ALLEY.
GO.
GO NOW! YOU WERE WALKING HOME FROM A CLUB WHEN YOU SAW THIS INCIDENT? YES.
DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO DRINK? NO,I DON'T DRINK.
I'VE BEEN SOBER THREE YEARS.
HOW'S YOUR EYESIGHT? OKAY,I GUESS.
YOU GUESS? WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HAD YOUR EYES CHECKED? LAST YEAR MAYBE.
BUT LOOK,I CAN READ THE HEADLINE OF THE NEWSPAPER THAT GUY'S READING IN THE BACK ROW- LOOKS LIKE THE LAKERS BLEW ANOTHER CLOSE ONE,94-91.
CAN I GET A LITTLE HELP HERE,LUTHER? TRYING TO STALL WITH THIS GUY, and he's killing me.
THE DOCTOR DIDN'T FIND ANY EVIDENCE OF ABUSE,EVA.
THAT'S GREAT FOR THE BABY,BUT IT'S BAD FOR YOU.
IT MEANS YOU HAD NO EXCUSE FOR TAKING HIM.
WELL,THERE ARE OTHER KINDS OF ABUSE.
KELLY WAS NEVER HOME.
SHE LEFT HIM ALONE ALL THE TIME.
THEN WHY DIDN' YOU CALL THE POLICE? I DIDN'T PLAN THIS,YOU KNOW? IT-IT JUST HAPPENED.
I WAS JUST TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
AND MAYBE YOU DID, BUT YOU DEFINITELY DID IT THE WRONG WAY.
I KNOW.
I'M SORRY.
I JUST THOUGHT YOU GUYS ALWAYS KNOW HOW TO HANDLE THINGS AND HELP PEOPLE.
I THOUGHT YOU WOULD KNOW WHAT TO DO.
THIS CRIME TOOK PLACE AROUND 1:30 IN THE MORNING.
ARE YOU IN THE HABI OF STAYING OUT LATE? Lisa,tell Tom we've got something he can use.
ALLEN TESTIFIED THA HE COULD SEE EVERYTHING.
HE COULDN'T HAVE.
THERE WAS NO MOON THE NIGHT OF THE MURDER, AND STREETLIGHTS IN THAT ALLEY WERE OUT.
THE CITY SENT A REPAIR TEAM THE FOLLOWING WEEK.
PLUS IT WAS TRASH DAY.
THERE WERE DUMPSTERS OUT THERE.
Tell Tom to lock the guy down on where he was when he saw the shooting.
Tell Tom to be precise.
LUTHER SAYS TO ASK WHERE HE WAS STANDING EXACTLY WHEN HE SAW THE CAB AND THE MURDER.
TELL ME,WHERE EXACTLY WERE YOU STANDING WHEN YOU SAW THIS CRIME? I WAS ALMOST DOWN TO BERKELEY AVENUE.
I WAS STILL IN THE ALLEY.
I STOPPED NEXT TO THE BACK DOOR OF THIS CHINESE PLACE WHEN I SAW THE GUN.
WAS ANYONE ELSE THERE? NOT THAT I NOTICED.
WHAT COULD YOU SEE FROM WHERE YOU WERE STANDING? THE GAS STATION ACROSS THE STREET.
TAKE A LOOK A THIS PICTURE.
IS THIS THE POINT OF VIEW OF THE ALLEY YOU HAD THAT NIGHT? YEAH,IT LOOKS LIKE IT.
HOW FAR AWAY WAS THE CAB? MAYBE 30 FEET.
ANY OBJECTS OBSTRUCTING YOUR VIEW? IT WAS TRASH DAY.
THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A DUMPSTER BEHIND THE RESTAURANT.
THE DUMPSTER WASN'T IN MY WAY.
IT WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ALLEY.
ALL RIGHT.
MAYBE YOU HAD A CLEAR LINE OF SIGHT, BUT HOW COULD YOU HAVE SEEN ANYTHING IN THE DARK? ALL THE STREETLIGHTS WERE BROKEN AND THERE WAS NO MOON OUT THAT NIGHT.
ARE YOU TELLING US THA IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT, WITH NO LIGHTS,YOU CAN I.
D.
A MAN FROM 30 FEET? THE DOME LIGH INSIDE THE CAB WAS ON.
IT WAS LIKE A SPOTLIGH ON BOTH THEIR FACES.
I WENT TO THE MOTHER'S HOUSE, BUT SHE WASN'T THERE.
NONE OF THE NEIGHBORS HAVE SEEN KELLY SHE CLEARLY DOESN' CARE ABOUT THE BABY.
I SAW THAT HER MAILBOX WAS BROKEN AND LETTERS WERE SPILLING OUT.
SOME OF HER MAIL WAS ON THE GROUND,SO IT'S NOT A CRIME TO LOOK AT IT.
BASED ON THE LETTERS, I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE MOTHER.
KELLY WRIGHT WENT TO REHAB THIS YEAR,BUT SHE LEFT EARLY.
I CHECKED COURT FILES.
SHE AND HER HUSBAND SPLIT UP THREE MONTHS AGO.
HE LIVES UP NORTH.
OUCH.
BASED ON THESE DIVORCE PLEADINGS, I'D SAY HE'S THE STABLE ONE- LIVES IN SACRAMENTO,WORKS CONSTRUCTION,NO CRIMINAL RECORDS.
MOTHERS ALMOST ALWAYS GE CUSTODY,DESERVING OR NOT.
I LEFT A PARALEGAL AT THE APARTMENT.
KELLY JUST SHOWED UP.
SHE STILL HASN' REPORTED HER KID MISSING? NO.
SO WHAT'S THE PLAN? INVITE HER TO THE PARTY.
WHAT? WELL,LIKE YOU SAID, WE NEED TO FIND OUT IF SHE'S A BAD MOTHER, WHETHER ABE HERE SHOULD GO TO FOSTER CARE.
ABE? HIS NAME'S DAVID.
REALLY? HE LOOKS LIKE AN ABE TO ME.
WE NEED TO SETTLE THIS THING QUIETLY, OR EVA'S GOING TO PRISON ALONG WITH US.
RON,YOUR GUESTS ARE STARTING TO WONDER WHERE YOU ARE.
YOU - YOU DON'T KNOCK? H - HE'S NOT MINE.
ARE YOU SURE? YES,I'M SURE.
HE'S A CLIENT'S NEPHEW.
REALLY? WHICH CLIENT? GOD,I LOVE CATCHING YOU IN LIES.
YOU'RE RUNNING LOW ON DOM.
MY DIRECT EXAMINATION OF THIS WITNESS TOOK 15 MINUTES.
MR.
NICHOLSON HAS KEPT HIM ON THE STAND FOR ALMOST TWO HOURS.
HIS CLIENT IS GOING TO GET CONVICTED.
DELAYING THE INEVITABLE WON'T STOP IT.
MR.
NICHOLSON,DO YOU HAVE ANY MORE REAL QUESTIONS? OH,THEY'RE ALL REAL.
SEE,THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY DROP AN EYEWITNESS ON THE DEFENSE OUT OF NOWHERE.
NOW I HAVE THE RIGHT TO CONDUCT A FULL AND COMPLETE CROSS-EXAMINATION.
IT'S 3:00 NOW.
YOU HAVE 1 MORE HOUR.
BUT I'M LOOKING AT THIS JURY,AND THEY'RE HATING YOU FOR KEEPING THEM HERE.
THE MOTHER JUST GOT HERE.
WE'VE GO A PARALEGAL WATCHING HIM IN THE E.
P.
R.
WHY? WHY ISN'T THE MOTHER WITH HIM? SHE'S NOT READY TO BE WITH HIM YET,RON.
YOU'LL SEE.
YOU COME IN MY HOUSE,AND YOU TAKE MY SON? AND YOU HAD NO RIGHT! YOU LEFT HIM ALONE FOR HOURS! IT IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS,YOU BITCH! LADIES,PLEASE! LET'S ALL BE RATIONAL,ALL RIGHT? EVA BROUGHT DAVID HERE BECAUSE SHE WAS CONCERNED.
WE ARE ALL CONCERNED.
WE JUST WANT TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S IN HIS BEST INTEREST AND YOURS.
I AM HIS MOTHER.
I'M IN HIS BEST INTEREST! WHERE IS HE? WHERE IS DAVID? HE'S SAFE.
WE HAVE SOMEONE WATCHING HIM.
KELLY,YOU HAVE A DRUG PROBLEM.
MAYBE DAVID NEEDS MORE THAN YOU CAN GIVE HIM.
WHO THE HELL ASKED YOU,YOU SKINNY BITCH? LET'S ALL JUST CALM DOWN.
YOU NEED TO GIVE ME MY SON NOW, OR I AM GONNA TELL EVERYONE THAT YOU KIDNAPPED HIM! MR.
ALLEN,YOU CLAIM THAT AFTER THE SHOOTING,YOU TRIED TO CALL FOR HELP.
I DID CALL.
I COULDN'T GET THROUGH.
ARE YOU IMPLYING THAT I DIDN'T? CHECK MY CELL RECORDS.
I'M NOT IMPLYING ANYTHING.
I'M JUST SAYING THAT IF YOU WERE BUSY LOOKING DOWN AT YOUR PHONE, YOU COULDN'T HAVE SEEN EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED IN THE CAB.
SO WHEN EXACTLY WERE YOU LOOKING DOWN AT YOUR PHONE? WHERE'S RON? I HAVEN'T SEEN HIM.
DID YOU SEE THAT BABY? DID IT LOOK LIKE RON? SO WHERE'S THE MOTHER NOW? IN MY OFFICE.
WE HAD TO SEPARATE THEM.
KELLY WANTS TO PRESS CHARGES AGAINST EVA AND US.
SURE,WE'RE LIABLE,TOO.
WE'RE HER EMPLOYERS.
AT WORSE,WE'RE CONSPIRATORS.
AT BEST,WE'RE ACCOMPLICES.
YOU WANT TO BE THE ONE TO FIRE HER? LOOK,WE HAVE TO PROTECT OUR FIRM.
IF EVA GETS PROSECUTED, I'LL PAY FOR HER DEFENSE AND,OF COURSE,OURS.
EVA,I'M SORRY, BUT AS LONG AS KELLY IS THREATENING TO PRESS CHARGES, WE NEED LEGAL SEPARATION.
THAT MEANS YOU'RE FIRED.
WE'LL TRY TO TALK KELLY OUT OF INVOLVING THE POLICE.
YOU DON'T NEED TO LOSE YOUR JOB AND GO TO PRISON.
IT'S CHRISTMAS.
STAY HERE.
IF WE'RE GOING TO MEDIATE THIS, WE NEED THE FATHER'S PERMISSION.
I JUST SPOKE WITH HIM.
HE GAVE US POWER OF ATTORNEY.
BUT KELLY NEEDS REPRESENTATION,TOO.
WE GOT A LOBBY FULL OF LAWYERS.
I'M SURE WE CAN FIND SOMEBODY WILLING TO EARN A QUICK FEE.
WE NEED A JUDGE,TOO,SOMEONE WHO HANDLES MEDIATION.
JUDGE MADISON COULD DO IT.
BETTER GET SOMEBODY ELSE.
THERE ISN'T.
I CHECKED.
WHAT'S GOING ON WITH YOU? YOU'VE BEEN AVOIDING HER ALL NIGHT.
DID YOU SLEEP WITH HER OR SOMETHING? JUDGE MADISON WAS THE FIRST MRS.
TROTT.
THAT'S AN AWFULLY NICE WATCH,MR.
ALLEN.
YES.
SO? HOW COULD YOU AFFORD IT? WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING? I'M SELF-EMPLOYED AS A CONSULTANT.
"CONSULTANT.
" THAT'S PRETTY BROAD.
WHAT IS THAT? WELL,THE SERVICE I PROVIDE VARIES DEPENDING ON WHAT EACH CLIENT NEEDS.
TELL TOM TO MOVE IN ON MOTIVE.
Maybe there really was a robbery that night.
He doesn't have a real job.
Maybe he killed the cabdriver for money.
It's worth asking.
HOW COULD YOU AFFORD THE WATCH,MR.
ALLEN? DID YOU BUY IT? WAS IT A GIFT? OR ARE YOU A THIEF? OBJECTION.
MR.
NICHOLSON IS BADGERING THE WITNESS.
SUSTAINED.
DID YOU MURDER THE CABDRIVER? NO.
THIS REALLY WAS A ROBBERY GONE WRONG,WASN'T IT? - OBJECTION! ASKED AND ANSWERED.
- THAT'S ENOUGH.
THAT'S WHY YOU CAME HERE - ARGUMENTATIVE! YOU HAVE TO STOP HIM! - TO PIN YOUR CRIME ON SOMEONE ELSE! I DIDN'T KILL THE CABDRIVER.
HE DID.
I NEED A MOMEN WITH MY CLIENT.
PRETEND LIKE WE'RE TALKING ABOU SOMETHING.
I JUST NEED A MINUTE TO THINK.
- YOU OKAY? - NO.
DO YOU REALLY THINK HE KILLED THE DRIVER? HONESTLY,NO.
HE'S TOO COOL.
WHY WOULD HE COME HERE IF HE DID? I WAS JUST TRYING TO RATTLE HIM.
YEAH,WELL,I DON' THINK IT WORKED.
NO,ME NEITHER.
AND NOW I'M ALL OUT OF QUESTIONS.
YOUR HONOR,I WAS WONDERING IF WE COULD TAKE A BRIEF RECESS.
NO,KEEP GOING.
LIKE YOU SAID,LET'S GET OUT FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
I REALLY NEED TO TAKE A BREAK.
I NEED TO USE THE RESTROOM.
GO AHEAD.
WE'LL ALL WAIT.
YO,THIS GUY'S GOT ALL THE ANGLES COVERED.
Yes,and right now he's coming across like the perfect witness.
I'LL KEEP HIM TALKING, BUT YOU HAVE GOT TO FIND SOMETHING FAST.
WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN,TOM, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU.
DON'T MAKE A LIAR OUT OF ME,LUTHER.
I PROMISED THIS KID I WOULD GET HIM HOME FOR CHRISTMAS.
YES,WELL,MAYBE YOU SHOULDN' HAVE MADE THAT PROMISE.
GET OUT OF MY WAY.
GET OUT OF MY WAY! I'M GOING TO FIND DAVID,AND THEN I'M LEAVING.
NO,YOU'RE NOT.
WE HAVE TO MEDIATE CUSTODY OF YOUR SON.
YEAH,MEDIATE THIS.
I'M CALLING THE COPS.
THERE'S THE PHONE RIGHT THERE.
GO AHEAD.
YOU READY TO TAKE A DRUG TEST? THE POLICE WILL GIVE YOU ONE.
NO,THEY WON'T.
I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING WRONG.
YOU LEFT YOUR BABY ALONE FOR HOURS THIS MORNING, SO IF YOU CALL THE POLICE NOW, LE ME TELL YOU WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN.
THEY'RE GOING TO INVESTIGATE YOU, AND YOU'LL GO TO JAIL FOR CHILD ENDANGERMENT.
YOU CAN HAVE EVA ARRESTED FOR KIDNAPPING, BUT YOU MIGHT JUST END UP SHARING A CELL.
OR YOU CAN AGREE TO MEDIATION.
OKAY.
WHERE DID YOU GO WHEN YOU LEFT THE SCENE OF THE CRIME? YOU ALREADY ASKED THAT.
I WENT HOME,REMEMBER? MR.
NICHOLSON,IT'S GETTING CLOSE TO LAST CALL HERE.
WRAP IT UP.
NO,NOT YET! WE'RE CLOSE! I'd appreciate the court's patience,Your Honor.
OH,GOD.
OKAY,OKAY,OKAY.
HE'S A GREAT WITNESS.
HE DIDN'T COME FORWARD UNTIL TODAY.
NO CRIMINAL RECORD.
HE'S GOT MONEY.
NO VISIBLE MEANS OF INCOME.
LISA,TELL TOM TO ASK NICK IF HE'S EVER BEEN ARRESTED.
LUTHER SAYS TO ASK NICK IF HE'S EVER BEEN ARRESTED.
MR.
ALLEN,HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ARRESTED? NO,I'VE NEVER BEEN ARRESTED.
PAY ATTENTION,PEOPLE.
YOU HAVE JUST HEARD A MAN COMMIT PERJURY.
LISA ARE THERE TWO MEN IN SUITS SITTING TOGETHER IN THE GALLERY? Uh,one's athletic,short-haired.
The other's a nerd,arrogant, but his suit is nicer than the other guy.
YEAH,EXACTLY.
WHA ARE YOU LUTHER,PSYCHIC? IF I'M RIGHT,ONE OF THEM IS AN ASSISTANT U.
S.
ATTORNEY, AND THE OTHER'S AN FBI AGENT,BU I NEED YOU TO CONFIRM IT.
DID YOU COME OUT HERE TO PLAY HOST, OR ARE YOU GONNA DISAPPEAR AGAIN? WE'VE GOT AN ISSUE IN THE BACK,A DOMESTIC DISPUTE.
THE PARENTS WANT TO SETTLE IT BETWEEN THEMSELVES, BUT WE NEED A JUDGE TO MEDIATE TODAY.
ASKING ME TO WORK AT A CHRISTMAS PARTY IS PRETTY BOLD,EVEN FOR YOU.
LOOK,ONE OF OUR EMPLOYEES FINDS HERSELF AT THE CENTER OF AN UNFORTUNATE SITUATION.
TECHNICALLY,SHE MIGHT HAVE INADVERTENTLY VIOLATED THE KIDNAPPING STATUTE.
- WHAT? - SHE'S A GOOD PERSON, AND SHE DIDN' MEAN TO DO IT.
THE MOTHER LEFT THE BABY ALONE,WE THINK TO GET DRUGS.
LISTEN TO WHA SHE HAS TO SAY.
A QUICK,QUIET RESOLUTION IS IN EVERYONE'S BEST INTEREST.
TRUST ME.
PER CHAPTER 11 OF THE CALIFORNIA FAMILY LAW CODE, CUSTODY DISPUTES ARE FIRS SUBJECT TO PRIVATE MEDIATION.
DO BOTH PARTIES HAVE COUNSEL? MRS.
WRIGHT DOES,AND MR.
WRIGHT IS IN TRANSI AND HAS GIVEN TNT&G POWER OF ATTORNEY TO ACT IN HIS STEAD.
CAN I TALK? JUDGE,THEY'RE TRYING TO STEAL MY BABY.
NO ONE IS STEALING YOUR BABY.
THIS IS A LEGAL WAY TO DETERMINE THE BEST LIVING SITUATION FOR DAVID.
BUT THE COURT ALREADY GAVE ME CUSTODY.
IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE YOU'RE DOING A VERY GOOD JOB,KELLY.
EVERYONE'S SAYING I'M SUCH A HORRIBLE MOTHER, BUT WHY DOESN'T ANYONE CARE THAT MY SON WAS KIDNAPPED? IF I WAS GONNA GIVE THIS SUBPOENA TO THE FBI, WHICH ONE OF YOU GUYS COULD TAKE IT FOR ME? THANKS,GUYS.
YOU WERE RIGHT,LUTHER.
OKAY,ALL HELL IS ABOUT TO BREAK LOSE.
GOD,I WISH I WAS THERE.
LISA Tell Tom to ask this guy what his NADDIS number is.
LUTHER SAYS TO ASK NICK WHAT HIS NADDIS NUMBER IS.
IS LUTHER SURE ABOUT THIS? MR.
ALLEN TELL ME SOMETHING.
WHAT'S YOUR NADDIS NUMBER? OBJECTION! MOVE FOR THE COURT TO BE CLEARED! SO ORDERED.
MR.
NICHOLSON,NOT ONE MORE WORD.
CLEAR THE COURTROOM.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED? IF THIS WITNESS HAS A NADDIS NUMBER, IT MEANS HE'S A FEDERAL SNITCH.
THIS IS ACTUALLY A QUESTION OF LIFE AND DEATH.
MR.
NICHOLSON WANTS TO ASK MR.
ALLEN IF HE'S A FEDERAL INFORMANT.
THAT CAN GE MR.
ALLEN KILLED.
MR.
NICHOLSON SHOULD GO TO PRISON IF HE DOES THAT.
AND YOU SHOULD LOSE YOUR BAR CARD.
BY LAW,YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO TELL ME IF THE WITNESS IS RECEIVING BENEFITS FROM THE GOVERNMENT.
YOU DIDN'T DO THAT.
MR.
ALLEN DIDN'T GET ANYTHING FOR TESTIFYING IN THIS CASE.
HE'S A FEDERAL WITNESS,NOT A STATE C.
I.
HE'S INVOLVED IN AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION OF THE CALI CARTEL.
THE FBI DIDN'T EVEN WANT HIM TO COME FORWARD.
THEN WHY DID HE? BECAUSE HE SAW YOUR CLIENT COMMI MURDER,AND HE WANTED JUSTICE.
GIVE ME A BREAK.
HE'S AUDITIONING.
HE'S TRYING TO SHOW YOU WHA A GREAT WITNESS HE CAN BE SO YOU'LL PUT HIM ON THE PAYROLL AS A STATE SNITCH,TOO.
- HE'S LYING.
- NO,HE'S NOT.
HE LIED IN COURT.
I ASKED HIM IF HE'D EVER BEEN ARRESTED.
HE SAID "NO," BUT MOST C.
I.
s GET RECRUITED AFTER THEY'VE BEEN BUSTED.
HAS THIS GUY EVER BEEN ARRESTED OR NOT? YES,MR.
ALLEN HAS A DRUG ARREST,BUT IT WAS EXPUNGED.
I DIDN'T ASK THAT.
I ASKED IF HE HAD EVER BEEN ARRESTED.
HE DENIED IT.
HE PERJURED HIMSELF.
NOW THERE'S NO WAY THIS COURT CAN BELIEVE HE'S TELLING THE TRUTH ABOUT MY CLIENT.
STEVE GERARD IS AN INNOCENT MAN! OKAY,OKAY.
NOW CAN YOU TWO WORK SOMETHING OUT, A PLEA DEAL,SOMETHING? UH MURDER TWO,MAX TEN.
NO,DROP THE CASE,OR I FINISH MY CROSS AND EXPOSE THIS GUY AS A SNITCH AND A LIAR.
HOLD ON,HOLD ON.
NOW YOU CANNOT EXPOSE AN INFORMANT.
IF I DON'T,MY CLIENT DIES.
YOU'VE SEEN HIM.
HE'S BARELY HOLDING ON IN JAIL.
HE WILL NO SURVIVE PRISON.
PLUS,HE'S INNOCENT.
I WILL NO LET HIM GET WRONGLY CONVICTED.
IF YOU EXPOSE MR.
ALLEN,I WILL HOLD YOU IN CONTEMPT.
AND I WILL MAKE SURE YOU'RE PROSECUTED CRIMINALLY.
LAWYERS AREN'T SUPPOSED TO MAKE PROMISES THEY CAN'T KEEP.
NOW I MADE A PROMISE TO MY CLIEN THAT HE WOULDN'T GO BACK TO JAIL, JUST LIKE I'M BETTING YOU MADE A PROMISE TO THE FEDS THAT NICK ALLEN WOULDN'T GET EXPOSED, SO LET'S BRING BACK THE JURY, SEE WHO GETS TO KEEP THEIR PROMISE.
I WANT THE COPS! KELLY,LISTEN TO ME.
YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL BABY BOY.
THAT'S RIGHT! HE IS MINE! BEING A MOTHER IS A HUGE RESPONSIBILITY.
DO YOU HAVE KIDS? NO.
THEN WHO THE HELL ARE YOU TO TELL ME THAT? I KNOW BEING A PAREN IS ABOUT SACRIFICE.
THAT'S WHY I COULD NEVER DO IT.
BUT CLEARLY,YOU WANT TO DO THE BEST THING FOR DAVID.
IF YOU COULD JUS GET THROUGH REHAB AND FINISH THIS TIME, YOU COULD BE A GREAT MOM.
MR.
TROTT IS WILLING TO PAY FOR IT.
- SORRY? - SHUT UP,RON.
THE FATHER'S COMING,RIGHT? YES,HE'S FLYING DOWN NOW.
THE FATHER WILL TAKE CARE OF DAVID WHILE YOU GET THE TREATMENT YOU NEED, MR.
TROTT WILL HELP PAY ANY EXPENSES FOR DAVID'S FATHER.
NO,I DO NOT WANT HIM LIVING WITH HIS FATHER.
ARE YOU WORRIED YOUR EX-HUSBAND WOULDN'T BE A GOOD DAD? NO,NO,I BUT- BUT IN A DIVORCE,WE MAKE CHOICES OUT OF SPITE.
WE SAY AND DO THINGS WE DON'T REALLY MEAN.
WE REGRET THEM LATER, BUT YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO MAKE THAT MISTAKE.
YOU HAVE DAVID TO CONSIDER.
IF YOU GO INTO REHAB, I'LL ARRANGE FOR REGULAR VISITATIONS WITH YOU AND DAVID.
EVENTUALLY,YOU COULD REGAIN JOINT CUSTODY.
YOU'LL BE ABLE TO LIVE WITH DAVID AGAIN.
AGREED? ALL RIGHT.
BUT CAN I PLEASE SEE DAVID NOW? COME ON.
HE'S OVER HERE.
REHIRE THE RECEPTIONIST.
I WAS GOING TO.
MM-HMM.
SHUT UP,RON.
I'D LIKE TO REMIND THE WITNESS THAT HE'S STILL UNDER OATH.
MR.
ALLEN ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN- DON'T FINISH THAT QUESTION.
YOUR HONOR,THE STATE THE STATE MOVES TO DISMISS THE CHARGES AGAINST MR.
GERARD.
GOOD JOB,EVERYBODY! THANK YOU.
GOOD JOB! MERRY,MERRY CHRISTMAS! THE CHARGES ARE DISMISSED.
THE JURY IS EXCUSED.
IT'S OVER? IT'S OVER.
LISA BOOKED YOU ON A FLIGHT BACK TO PITTSBURGH.
IT'S OUR TREAT.
COME ON,YOU'VE GO A PLANE TO CATCH.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
WOULD YOU MIND GIVING ME A RIDE? I REALLY DON'T WANT TO TAKE A CAB.
COME ON.
THIS PARTY WAS MUCH BETTER THAN LAST YEAR'S.
NEXT TIME,BRING YOUR HUSBAND.
HE'S FAMILY,IN A WAY.
THIS FIRM IS YOUR FAMILY,RON.
IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN.
WHY DIDN'T THINGS WORK OUT BETWEEN YOU TWO? BECAUSE SHE WAS A BETTER LAWYER THAN ME.
I HATE THAT.
I OWE YOU A PRESENT THIS YEAR.
I GOT TO MISS THIS PARTY.
NO SMALL TALK,NO SCHMOOZING.
THAT'S GIFT ENOUGH FOR ME.
CONGRATULATIONS,TOM.
YOU MANAGED TO MISS THE PARTY THREE YEARS IN A ROW.
YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN TOM IN COURT.
HE WAS AWESOME.
AWESOME? WHAT'S SO AWESOME? HE CROSSED ONE WITNESS.
WE SAVED A BABY.
- WHAT BABY? - NICHOLSON! YOUR CLIENT KILLED THAT CAB DRIVER.
YOU GOT A GUILTY GUY OFF BY GAMING THE SYSTEM.
NO,I DIDN'T.
NICK ALLEN IS THE ONE WHO'S TRYING TO GAME THE SYSTEM.
LOOK,HE WANTED ANOTHER SOURCE OF INCOME.
THAT'S WHAT TODAY WAS ABOUT.
NICK ALLEN DIDN'T ASK FOR ANYTHING, AND HE NEVER GOT ANYTHING.
HE TRULY JUST WANTED TO SEE JUSTICE DONE.
WHAT,AM I SUPPOSED TO BELIEVE A SNITCH? D.
A.
s DON'T PICK THEIR WITNESSES,TOM, BUT YOU CAN PICK YOUR CLIENTS.
PICK BETTER NEXT TIME.
MERRY CHRISTMAS! THE DEATH OF VIJAY PATEL
PATEL,WAS SHO IN THE HEAD WITH HIS OWN GUN.
THE KILLER LEFT IT IN MR.
PATEL'S CAB AFTER HE STOLE HIS MONEY.
WHO DID YOU IDENTIFY AS THE KILLER? THAT MAN THERE AT THE DEFENSE TABLE - STEVEN GERARD.
KEEP IT TOGETHER,STEVE.
THE JURY'S WATCHING.
I DON'T WANT THEM SEEING YOU LOOK UPSET.
I'M SORRY.
IT'S HARD.
I CAN'T BREATHE.
I DIDN'T KILL ANYONE.
DETECTIVE,TELL US WHY YOU THINK MR.
GERARD WAS THE KILLER.
A BOUNCER AT THIS CLUB SAW GERARD GET INTO THE VICTIM'S CAB AT 1:00 A.
M.
THE TAXI METER SHOWED THAT GERARD WAS DROPPED OFF A BLOCK FROM HIS APARTMENT AT 1:23 A.
M.
THAT'S EXACTLY WHEN A CONVENIENCE STORE CLERK NEAR THE MURDER SCENE HEARD A GUNSHOT AND CALLED THE POLICE.
YOU ARRESTED MR.
GERARD A HIS APARTMENT THE NEXT DAY? YES.
HE WAIVED HIS RIGHTS,AND HE ADMITTED THAT HE HAD GOTTEN INTO A FIGHT WITH THE DRIVER ABOUT THE FARE.
WE SEARCHED HIS PLACE FOR THE MONEY HE TOOK FROM MR.
PATEL,BUT IT WAS GONE.
RON WANTS TO MAKE SURE YOU GET BACK IN TIME FOR THE PARTY.
HE SENT YOU JUS TO TELL ME THAT? MM-HMM.
STEVE,MEET LISA CRUZ,ONE OF OUR INVESTIGATORS.
RON SAYS YOU ONLY TOOK THIS CASE TO AVOID SMALL TALK AT THE CHRISTMAS PARTY.
I DID IT TO STOP AN INJUSTICE.
MISSING THE CHRISTMAS PARTY WAS JUST A BONUS.
WAIT.
YOU CAN'T PUT ME BACK IN JAIL.
I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING.
PIPE DOWN,MR.
GERARD.
YOUR LAWYER ISN'T HERE FOR YOUR PRETRIAL CONFERENCE, SO I'M MOVING YOUR TRIAL TO MAY.
MAY? I CAN'T STAY IN JAIL UNTIL MAY! PLEASE,DON'T DO THIS! GIVE ME A SECOND.
YOUR HONOR,HOLD ON.
MAY I SPEAK TO THIS MAN? DO WHAT YOU WANT.
YOU'VE GOT 30 SECONDS.
WHAT'S YOUR STORY? THEY SAY I SHOT A CABDRIVER,BUT I DIDN'T.
SEE,MY FRIENDS AND I WENT OU TO CELEBRATE AFTER MIDTERMS.
MIDTERMS? YOU'RE A COLLEGE STUDENT? MY FRIENDS MET SOME WOMEN,AND THEY DITCHED ME.
I DIDN'T HAVE A RIDE BACK HOME FROM THE CLUB,SO I CALLED A CAB.
I DIDN'T REALIZE UNTIL LATER THAT I LOST MY WALLET AT THE CLUB,AND I COULDN'T PAY.
THEN WHAT HAPPENED? HE TURNED INTO AN ALLEY,AND HE PULLED A GUN ON ME.
I RAN FOR MY LIFE.
WHERE DID YOU GET THE BRUISES? JAIL.
I KEEP GETTING JUMPED IN THE YARD.
I - I'VE BEEN IN THREE MONTHS.
MY MOM LIVES IN PITTSBURGH, AND SHE DOESN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO POST MY BAIL OR COME OUT HERE,EVEN.
LET ME SEE THIS GUY'S FILE? - WHY? IT'S NOT YOUR CASE.
- JUST GIVE ME THE FILE.
NO WITNESS STATEMENT.
NO FORENSIC EVIDENCE.
YOU GOT THIS KID ON A MURDER CHARGE,BUT YOU HAVE NO CASE.
TIME'S UP.
YOUR HONOR,MR.
GERARD JUST FIRED HIS OLD LAWYER.
I'M TAKING HIS CASE.
WHEN'S HIS TRIAL SET FOR? FRIDAY.
GREAT.
BASED ON THESE FACTS,IT'S A 1-DAY CASE, SO WE'LL KEEP THAT TRIAL DATE.
IF YOU TAKE DECEMBER 22nd, I ENDS WHEN COURT CLOSES AT 5:00 P.
M.
I'M NOT KEEPING A JURY HERE OVER THE HOLIDAY BREAK,YOU UNDERSTAND? YES,YOUR HONOR.
MISS HALE,CHECK YOUR EXHIBITS WITH THE CLERK.
YOUR CLIENT LOOKS PRETTY NERVOUS.
WELL,HE SHOULDN'T.
THE D.
A.
HASN' MET HER BURDEN, AND WHEN SHE RESTS,I'M MOVING TO DISMISS.
IF THE JUDGE DOESN'T GRAN IT,I'LL REST AND GO TO CLOSINGS.
SEE,JURIES NEVER WANT TO HANG AROUND BEFORE THE HOLIDAY, SO WE'LL BE OU OF HERE BY 5:00.
STEVE WILL BE HOME,ON A PLANE BACK TO PITTSBURGH TO SEE HIS MOM.
MR.
NICHOLSON,YOUR CROSS.
I KNOW WE ALL WANT TO GET OUT OF HERE FOR THE HOLIDAYS, SO I'LL BE BRIEF.
MY CLIENT'S PRINTS WEREN' FOUND ON THE GUN,WERE THEY? NO.
AND NOBODY SAW HIM SHOOT THE DRIVER? NO.
AND YOU DIDN'T FIND ANY MONEY OR ANYTHING TO SUPPORT YOUR THEORY THAT THIS WAS A ROBBERY.
NOW ISN'T IT POSSIBLE THE REASON THERE WASN'T ANY MONEY IN THE CAB IS BECAUSE MR.
PATEL JUST STARTED HIS SHIF AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY CASH ON HAND? OR HE DID,AND YOUR CLIENT STOLE IT.
WHAT'S THAT,A THEORY? BASICALLY WHAT YOU'VE GO AGAINST MY CLIENT IS JACK.
IN FACT,YOUR HONOR,THE D.
A.
's CASE IS SO WEAK, WE'RE MOVING FOR A JUDGMENT OF ACQUITTAL NOW.
MISS HALE? GREAT TO SEE YOU,COUNCILMAN.
HEY,GO EASY ON THE BOOZE THIS YEAR.
BILL.
BILL! GRAB SOME DUCK.
EVA? TELL THE BARTENDERS TO SAVE THE DOM PRIGNON FOR POTENTIAL CLIENTS.
THEY CAN GIVE THE D.
A.
s BRUT.
THEY'LL BE ABLE TO TELL WHICH IS WHICH BY THEIR SUITS.
HOW DOES RON MANAGE TO JUGGLE A FULL CASELOAD AND PLAN THIS PARTY? HE MUST SLEEP IN HIS OFFICE.
NO,HE SLEEPS WITH A PARTY PLANNER, WHICH IS WHY HE GETS SUCH A GOOD DEAL ON ALL OF THIS.
I JUST HAVE TO FINISH ONE LAST THING.
GO SEE IF WE QUALIFY FOR THE DOM.
CAPTAIN,GREAT TO SEE YOU.
SO WHA DO YOU HEAR ABOUT THE DUNN CASE? YOU GUYS GONNA MAKE AN ARREST? COME ON,RON,YOU KNOW I CAN'T TALK ABOUT THAT.
I KNOW I KNOW HAVE FUN IN AN HOUR,HE'LL BE TALKING HIS HEAD OFF.
LOVE THE CHRISTMAS PARTY.
YOU GET TO SEE OLD FRIENDS,BURY THE HATCHET, GET NEW CLIENTS.
IS TOM HERE YET? STILL IN COURT.
HE SAYS IT'S A DEAD-BANG ACQUITTAL.
HE'LL BE HERE SOON.
YEAH,WE'LL SEE.
TOM WILL DO ANYTHING TO AVOID SCHMOOZING AND SMALL TALK.
- OH,HI.
HOW ARE YOU? - OH,GREAT.
JUDGE MADISON'S HERE.
YOU KNOW WE INVITE ALL THE JUDGES,RON.
YES,WE INVITE THEM.
I JUS DON'T EXPECT THEM ALL TO SHOW UP.
HEY,I'M GLAD SHE'S HERE.
REALLY.
SHE'S THE ONE WITH ISSUES.
I AGREE WITH MR.
NICHOLSON.
YOUR CASE IS AWFULLY THIN,MISS HALE.
YOUR HONOR,I HAVE- TAKE IT EASY.
LE THE MAN FINISH.
BY LAW,LOOKING AT THE EVIDENCE IN THE LIGHT MOST FAVORABLE TO YOU,MISS HALE, I DON'T SEE HOW A REASONABLE JURY COULD CONVICT.
MR.
NICHOLSON'S RIGHT.
YOU HAVE JACK.
WE DID HAVE JACK,BU NOW WE HAVE A GREAT CASE.
THIS MORNING,AN EYEWITNESS SHOWED UP.
YOU-YOU CAN'T DROP AN EYEWITNESS ON THE DEFENSE NOW.
HE JUST CAME FORWARD THIS MORNING.
YEAH.
YOU DON'T FIND THA A LITTLE ODD OR SUSPICIOUS? WHERE'S THE DISCOVERY? WHAT THE HELL IS THIS? THERE ISN'T EVEN A WITNESS STATEMENT.
HE DIDN'T GIVE ONE.
HE DIDN'T SPEAK TO THE POLICE.
HE SPOKE TO ME.
I'M NO OBLIGATED TO CREATE DISCOVERY.
CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT HE SAID? HE SAW YOUR CLIENT SHOOT THE DRIVER DEAD.
IS THAT CLEAR ENOUGH FOR YOU? YOUR HONOR,THE DEFENSE NEEDS TIME TO PREPARE FOR THIS WITNESS.
UH,WE NEED TO REQUEST- A CONTINUANCE? NOT A CHANCE.
NOW LOOKIT,I TOLD YOU WHEN YOU TOOK THIS CASE, THIS IS A 1-DAY TRIAL.
NOW THE D.
A.
WILL PRESENT THEIR NEW WITNESS.
YOU WILL CROSS HIM.
I WILL GET THIS CASE TO THE JURY BY 4:00.
AND IF THEY'RE LIKE MOST JURIES BEFORE A HOLIDAY, WE'LL HAVE A VERDIC BY 5:00,UNDERSTAND? PLEASE FIIND HIM A GOOD HOME RON! RON! UH,EXCUSE ME.
I - I DIDN'T ORDER A BABY.
HE LOOKS LIKE JUSTICE SCALIA.
I FOUND HIM ON A TABLE IN THE EVIDENCE PREP ROOM.
WHAT? HE'S BEEN ABANDONED,RON.
TAKE HIM TO THE BACK.
I'LL GET SECURITY TO CHECK TAPES SO WE CAN FIGURE OUT WHO LEFT HIM.
I CAN'T GO BACK TO JAIL.
TAKE IT EASY,ALL RIGHT? YOU'RE STILL WALKING OUT OF HERE.
OH,GOD,I'M SORRY.
ATTORNEY/CLIENT MEETING.
I THINK THERE'S ANOTHER ONE ON THE FIFTH FLOOR.
WHAT DID THE DISCOVERY TELL YOU? THE EYEWITNESS' NAME IS NICK ALLEN, AND HE'S GOT NO CRIMINAL RECORD.
NOW WHEN A WITNESS SHOWS UP LIKE THIS, THAT'S ALL THE D.
A.
HAS TO GIVE US.
NOW USUALLY WE GOT MONTHS TO INVESTIGATE THIS GUY.
THIS TIME WE'VE GOT FIVE MINUTES.
HOW COULD THERE BE A WITNESS? I DIDN'T DO THIS! DON'T WORRY.
WE'LL HANDLE IT.
CALL THE OFFICE.
HAVE THEM SET UP A TRIAL COMMAND CENTER AND SEND US THE EQUIPMENT WE'LL NEED.
HOW ARE YOU GONNA CROSS-EXAMINE A WITNESS WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHO HE IS OR WHAT HE'S GONNA SAY? CAREFULLY.
STEVE'S INNOCENT,RIGHT? OR HE'S JUST WRONG.
I HAVE TO SHOW THE JURY THAT.
I'M NOT GOING HOME,AM I? THIS CASE GOES TO JURY IN THREE HOURS.
YOU WILL BE ON A PLANE HOME TONIGHT.
I PROMISE.
100% INNOCENT.
I'M THE INNOCEN BYSTANDER SOMEHOW I GOT STUCK BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE SEND LAWYERS,GUNS AND MONEY LIKE I ALWAYS SAY, IF YOU GOT THE RIGH LAWYER WITH YOU, WE'VE GOT THE GREATES LEGAL SYSTEM IN THE WORLD.
I'VE GOT TO HELP TOM.
HIS TRIAL JUST BLEW UP.
RON,YOU HAVE TO TELL THE POLICE ABOUT THIS BABY.
WE HAVE CLIENTS HERE.
IF ONE OF THEM ABANDONED A BABY,THEY BROKE THE LAW.
WE CAN'T TURN THEM IN WITHOU AT LEAST TALKING TO THEM.
HERE'S THE SECURITY FOOTAGE.
NO SIGN OF A BABY.
WE DON'T KNOW THIS WAS A CRIME.
WHAT ELSE COULD IT BE,A MISTAKE? LOSING YOUR CAR IN A PARKING GARAGE IS A MISTAKE.
THIS IS A CRIME.
THE LAW SAYS A MOTHER WHO CAN'T CARE FOR HER BABY CAN'T BE PROSECUTED FOR LEAVING HER CHILD IN A SAFE PLACE LIKE A HOSPITAL OR FIRE STATION.
WE COULD ARGUE I EXTENDS TO LAW FIRMS.
we cou Id WHEN A CHILD IS LESS THAN 3 DAYS OLD.
THAT BABY IS OLDER THAN THAT.
I AM OPENING UP A TRIAL COMMAND CENTER FOR TOM.
ONE OF US NEEDS TO GET BACK TO THE PARTY.
WE DIDN'T INVITE EVERYONE HERE SO THEY COULD GIVE BUSINESS TO EACH OTHER.
I'D RATHER GO MINGLE,BELIEVE ME.
WE'VE GOT A BIG PROBLEM.
THIS IS ALL OUR SECURITY FOOTAGE.
CLEARLY,THIS BABY DIDN' COME IN THROUGH OUR LOBBY.
SO WHERE DID IT COME FROM? THE ONLY OTHER WAY IN IS THROUGH THE BACK ENTRANCE, AND YOU NEED A KEY CARD.
GREAT.
SO ONE OF OUR EMPLOYEES ABANDONED HIM.
TELL THE JURY WHAT YOU SAW THE NIGHT OF THE MURDER.
I SAW A CABDRIVER GET SHOT BY THAT MAN.
DO YOU RECOGNIZE THIS GUY? NO,I'VE NEVER SEEN HIM BEFORE.
COULD HE HAVE BEEN OUT THERE? I DON'T KNOW.
MAYBE.
AFTER THE CABBIE PULLED THE GUN ON ME,I JUST RAN.
I DIDN'T SEE OR HEAR ANYTHING.
WHAT DID YOU SEE IN THE CAB? I SAW A FIGH GOING ON- A BAD ONE- BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND THE DEFENDANT.
I TRIED TO CALL 9-1-1 FOR HELP, BU MY CELL PHONE DIDN'T GET SERVICE.
THEN THE DEFENDANT SHO THE CABBIE TO DEATH.
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
WELCOME TO EVERY TRIAL LAWYER'S WORST NIGHTMARE.
TOM HAS THREE HOURS TO CROSS A WITNESS WITH NO AMMO AND NO TIME TO PREPARE.
WE ARE GOING TO DIG INTO THIS WITNESS FOR HIM.
NOW USUALLY,YOU'D HAVE WEEKS TO DO THIS.
TODAY WE ARE DOING THIS ON THE FLY AND ON A DEADLINE.
THE COURTS CLOSE AT 5:00 P.
M.
Luther,can you hear me? YES.
THE PACKAGE JUST ARRIVED.
GOOD.
THE LAPEL MIKE WILL BROADCAS WHAT HAPPENS IN COURT BACK TO US.
I WILL TALK TO YOU THROUGH THE EARPIECE.
SIT CLOSE TO TOM SO YOU CAN RELAY MY MESSAGES.
DO NOT GET CAUGHT.
What we're doing might be legal,or it might not be.
WITH THIS JUDGE,WE'D BE BETTER TO SAY SORRY THAN ASK FOR PERMISSION.
ARE WE READY? LET'S GO.
PLEASE TELL THE JURY WHY YOU WERE IN THE ALLEY THAT NIGHT.
I WAS AT A CLUB ON SUNSET AND ALVARADO.
I LEFT AT ABOUT 1:15.
WHAT TIME DID YOU GET TO THE ALLEY? MAYBE FIVE MINUTES LATER.
I TOOK THE ALLEY BEHIND ALVARADO BECAUSE IT'S A SHORTCU TO MY APARTMENT.
I LIVE ON EWING STREET.
HIS ROUTE CHECKS OUT ON THE MAP.
IN THE TIME HE SAYS.
HOW MANY OF YOU PARALEGALS ARE SOBER? NO,REALLY.
IF I HAVE TO ASK ONE OF YOU TO DRIVE ME HOME, HOW MANY COULD? OKAY.
SIX OF YOU JUST EARNED CHRISTMAS BONUSES.
GO HELP LUTHER.
YOUR ABILITY TO INTIMIDATE 25 YEAR OLDS IS STILL IMPRESSIVE.
JUDGE MADISON,GOOD TO SEE YOU.
WHERE'S YOUR HUSBAND? HOME.
YOU KNOW HOW HE FEELS ABOUT YOU,RON.
AT LEAST IT'S MUTUAL.
ACTUALLY,I THOUGH YOU FELT THE SAME WAY.
WELL,AS LONG AS YOU KEEP INVITING ME, I'M GONNA KEEP COMING.
WE KNOW WHOEVER ABANDONED THE BABY WORKS FOR US.
THE HANDWRITING LOOKS FEMININE,SO CHECK OFF THE GUYS.
THAT'S 23 WOMEN.
8 ARE OUT OF TOWN, AND I WALKED IN WITH THESE TWO.
THAT LEAVES 13.
UH,HUNGRY? NEEDS A CHANGE? WHAT? I'M GUESSING HUNGRY.
WHOEVER LEFT HIM BOUGHT THIS AT A GROCERY STORE IN LOS FELIZ.
HOW MANY OF OUR EMPLOYEES LIVE IN LOS FELIZ? ONE-EVA, THE NEW RECEPTIONIST.
LUTHER WANTS TO KNOW IF THERE'S ANYTHING ABOU NICK'S APPEARANCE THAT MIGHT HELP GET A READ ON HIM.
YEAH.
WHEN HE FIRST WALKED IN, I NOTICED HE WAS WEARING AN OFF-THE-RACK SUIT.
BUT HE HAD ON DESIGNER SHOES.
AND HE LIVES ONE BLOCK FROM STEVE'S CRUMMY APARTMENT, BUT HIS WATCH COSTS MORE THAN STEVE'S RENT.
NOW THERE'S GOTTA BE A STORY THERE.
HE JUST GOT A HAIRCUT,SO HE WANTS TO MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION.
HE'S CONFIDENT,CONVERSATIONAL.
MAKES EYE CONTACT.
THE JURY LOVES HIM.
THEY DO? ALREADY? JURORS JUDGE FAST.
FIRS IMPRESSIONS ARE EVERYTHING.
This guy makes a great one.
THE D.
A.
PROBABLY TOLD HIM TO DRESS DOWN FOR COURT.
I WOULD HAVE.
WHY WOULD YOU GIVE UP YOUR SON,EVA? HE'S NOT MY SON.
HE'S MY NEIGHBOR'S SON.
I'M SORRY.
YOU TOOK THIS BABY? I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO.
MY NEIGHBOR KELLY,SHE'S ON DRUGS, AND SHE LEAVES HIM ALONE ALL THE TIME.
IT'S AWFUL.
THIS MORNING,I SAW HER LEAVE,AND THE BABY WAS CRYING FOR HOURS.
AND SHE NEVER CAME BACK.
I HAD TO DO SOMETHING.
I HAD TO SAVE HIM.
ANYBODY WOULD HAVE.
YOU KIDNAPPED HIM AND BURGLARIZED THE APARTMENT- TWO FELONIES.
EVA,WOULD YOU EXCUSE US FOR A MINUTE? BE NICE.
SHE THOUGHT SHE WAS DOING THE RIGHT THING.
WE'RE NOT HARBORING A KIDNAPPER.
WE HAVE TO TURN HER IN.
LET'S AT LEAST TRY TO GET THE MOTHER DOWN HERE, REUNITE HER WITH HER BABY,TRY TO SAVE EVA FROM PRISON.
NO.
IF THE MOTHER IS AS BAD AS EVA SAYS, GIVING THE BABY BACK WOULD PUT HIM IN DANGER.
I DON'T WANT THA ON MY CONSCIENCE.
YES,I HAVE A CONSCIENCE.
IF WE CALL THE POLICE,EVA WILL BE ARRESTED, AND THE BABY COULD END UP IN FOSTER CARE.
YOU WANT THAT ON YOUR CONSCIENCE? FIND A DOCTOR TO EVALUATE THE BABY- PREFERABLY NOT ONE WE REPRESENTED IN A MALPRACTICE SUIT.
KEEP SECURITY ON EVA.
SHE CAN'T LEAVE.
AND DIG INTO THE MOTHER.
KEEP IT ALL QUIET.
DON'T LET ANYONE OU THERE KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.
WE'RE NOW CRIMINAL CONSPIRATORS IN A KIDNAPPING.
WHAT A GREAT PARTY.
THIS MAN,STEVE GERARD,WAS THE KILLER.
ARE YOU SURE? IT WAS HIM.
I'M ABSOLUTELY SURE.
MR.
NICHOLSON? CROSS? I GOTTA START.
DO WE HAVE ANYTHING WE CAN USE AGAINST THIS GUY? LUTHER SAYS THEY'RE STILL TRYING, BU THEY HAVEN'T COME UP WITH ANYTHING YET.
MR.
NICHOLSON,ARE YOU GOING TO CROSS-EXAMINE THIS WITNESS OR NOT? WE JUST GOTTA STALL LONG ENOUGH TO GIVE LUTHER TIME TO FIND SOMETHING.
THE DOCTOR SAYS THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF ABUSE.
HE'S A LITTLE MALNOURISHED,BU OTHERWISE FINE.
HAS THE MOTHER REPORTED THE BABY MISSING YET? NO,AND I CAN'T GE HER ON THE PHONE.
WELL,KEEP TRYING.
SEND SOMEONE OU TO HER APARTMENT IF YOU HAVE TO.
WE NEED TO FIND THIS WOMAN.
I'M READY TO STAR MY CROSS,YOUR HONOR.
HOW DID YOU KNOW THIS WAS GOING TO TRIAL TODAY,MR.
ALLEN? HAVE YOU BEEN FOLLOWING IT IN THE PAPER? - OBJECTION.
RELEVANCE.
- OBJECTION? WE'RE TRYING TO GET THE JURY OUT OF HERE FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
I'M SORRY,FOLKS.
I'M TRYING.
OBJECTION OVERRULED.
HOW IS TOM GONNA GET HIM TO TELL THE TRUTH? HE'S NOT GONNA JUST ADMIT HE'S LYING.
HE'S GONNA GET NICK TO COMMIT TO A STORY, CATCH AN INCONSISTENCY AND SHOW THE JURY HE'S A LIAR.
I HEARD ABOUT THE TRIAL ON THE RADIO.
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A PICTURE OF MY CLIENT- IN THE PAPER,ON THE NEWS? NO.
HAS THE D.
A.
EVER SHOWN YOU A PICTURE OF THE DEFENDAN AND ASKED IF HE WAS THE GUILTY PARTY? NO.
THE LAST TIME I SAW YOUR CLIENT WAS WHEN I SAW HIM PULL THE TRIGGER AND KILL THE CABDRIVER.
I SEE YOUR NAME ISN' HERE IN THE POLICE REPORT.
LIKE I SAID,I COULDN' GET THROUGH TO THEM.
BUT YOU DIDN'T STICK AROUND TO TALK TO THE COPS EITHER.
WHY NOT? I WAS SCARED.
I MEAN,I KNOW WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU TESTIFY AGAINST A KILLER.
BUT I COULDN'T LET HIM WALK JUST BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID.
THAT'S WHY I'M HERE NOW.
FOR A WITNESS THAT JUST SHOWED UP TODAY, I'D SAY THE D.
A.
PREPPED HIM VERY WELL.
I WANT PROOF THAT THIS GUY COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING THAT NIGHT! GET ME WEATHER REPORTS FOR THE NIGHT OF THE MURDER, AND CHECK OUT THE LIGHTING CONDITIONS IN THE ALLEY.
GO.
GO NOW! YOU WERE WALKING HOME FROM A CLUB WHEN YOU SAW THIS INCIDENT? YES.
DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO DRINK? NO,I DON'T DRINK.
I'VE BEEN SOBER THREE YEARS.
HOW'S YOUR EYESIGHT? OKAY,I GUESS.
YOU GUESS? WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HAD YOUR EYES CHECKED? LAST YEAR MAYBE.
BUT LOOK,I CAN READ THE HEADLINE OF THE NEWSPAPER THAT GUY'S READING IN THE BACK ROW- LOOKS LIKE THE LAKERS BLEW ANOTHER CLOSE ONE,94-91.
CAN I GET A LITTLE HELP HERE,LUTHER? TRYING TO STALL WITH THIS GUY, and he's killing me.
THE DOCTOR DIDN'T FIND ANY EVIDENCE OF ABUSE,EVA.
THAT'S GREAT FOR THE BABY,BUT IT'S BAD FOR YOU.
IT MEANS YOU HAD NO EXCUSE FOR TAKING HIM.
WELL,THERE ARE OTHER KINDS OF ABUSE.
KELLY WAS NEVER HOME.
SHE LEFT HIM ALONE ALL THE TIME.
THEN WHY DIDN' YOU CALL THE POLICE? I DIDN'T PLAN THIS,YOU KNOW? IT-IT JUST HAPPENED.
I WAS JUST TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
AND MAYBE YOU DID, BUT YOU DEFINITELY DID IT THE WRONG WAY.
I KNOW.
I'M SORRY.
I JUST THOUGHT YOU GUYS ALWAYS KNOW HOW TO HANDLE THINGS AND HELP PEOPLE.
I THOUGHT YOU WOULD KNOW WHAT TO DO.
THIS CRIME TOOK PLACE AROUND 1:30 IN THE MORNING.
ARE YOU IN THE HABI OF STAYING OUT LATE? Lisa,tell Tom we've got something he can use.
ALLEN TESTIFIED THA HE COULD SEE EVERYTHING.
HE COULDN'T HAVE.
THERE WAS NO MOON THE NIGHT OF THE MURDER, AND STREETLIGHTS IN THAT ALLEY WERE OUT.
THE CITY SENT A REPAIR TEAM THE FOLLOWING WEEK.
PLUS IT WAS TRASH DAY.
THERE WERE DUMPSTERS OUT THERE.
Tell Tom to lock the guy down on where he was when he saw the shooting.
Tell Tom to be precise.
LUTHER SAYS TO ASK WHERE HE WAS STANDING EXACTLY WHEN HE SAW THE CAB AND THE MURDER.
TELL ME,WHERE EXACTLY WERE YOU STANDING WHEN YOU SAW THIS CRIME? I WAS ALMOST DOWN TO BERKELEY AVENUE.
I WAS STILL IN THE ALLEY.
I STOPPED NEXT TO THE BACK DOOR OF THIS CHINESE PLACE WHEN I SAW THE GUN.
WAS ANYONE ELSE THERE? NOT THAT I NOTICED.
WHAT COULD YOU SEE FROM WHERE YOU WERE STANDING? THE GAS STATION ACROSS THE STREET.
TAKE A LOOK A THIS PICTURE.
IS THIS THE POINT OF VIEW OF THE ALLEY YOU HAD THAT NIGHT? YEAH,IT LOOKS LIKE IT.
HOW FAR AWAY WAS THE CAB? MAYBE 30 FEET.
ANY OBJECTS OBSTRUCTING YOUR VIEW? IT WAS TRASH DAY.
THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A DUMPSTER BEHIND THE RESTAURANT.
THE DUMPSTER WASN'T IN MY WAY.
IT WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ALLEY.
ALL RIGHT.
MAYBE YOU HAD A CLEAR LINE OF SIGHT, BUT HOW COULD YOU HAVE SEEN ANYTHING IN THE DARK? ALL THE STREETLIGHTS WERE BROKEN AND THERE WAS NO MOON OUT THAT NIGHT.
ARE YOU TELLING US THA IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT, WITH NO LIGHTS,YOU CAN I.
D.
A MAN FROM 30 FEET? THE DOME LIGH INSIDE THE CAB WAS ON.
IT WAS LIKE A SPOTLIGH ON BOTH THEIR FACES.
I WENT TO THE MOTHER'S HOUSE, BUT SHE WASN'T THERE.
NONE OF THE NEIGHBORS HAVE SEEN KELLY SHE CLEARLY DOESN' CARE ABOUT THE BABY.
I SAW THAT HER MAILBOX WAS BROKEN AND LETTERS WERE SPILLING OUT.
SOME OF HER MAIL WAS ON THE GROUND,SO IT'S NOT A CRIME TO LOOK AT IT.
BASED ON THE LETTERS, I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE MOTHER.
KELLY WRIGHT WENT TO REHAB THIS YEAR,BUT SHE LEFT EARLY.
I CHECKED COURT FILES.
SHE AND HER HUSBAND SPLIT UP THREE MONTHS AGO.
HE LIVES UP NORTH.
OUCH.
BASED ON THESE DIVORCE PLEADINGS, I'D SAY HE'S THE STABLE ONE- LIVES IN SACRAMENTO,WORKS CONSTRUCTION,NO CRIMINAL RECORDS.
MOTHERS ALMOST ALWAYS GE CUSTODY,DESERVING OR NOT.
I LEFT A PARALEGAL AT THE APARTMENT.
KELLY JUST SHOWED UP.
SHE STILL HASN' REPORTED HER KID MISSING? NO.
SO WHAT'S THE PLAN? INVITE HER TO THE PARTY.
WHAT? WELL,LIKE YOU SAID, WE NEED TO FIND OUT IF SHE'S A BAD MOTHER, WHETHER ABE HERE SHOULD GO TO FOSTER CARE.
ABE? HIS NAME'S DAVID.
REALLY? HE LOOKS LIKE AN ABE TO ME.
WE NEED TO SETTLE THIS THING QUIETLY, OR EVA'S GOING TO PRISON ALONG WITH US.
RON,YOUR GUESTS ARE STARTING TO WONDER WHERE YOU ARE.
YOU - YOU DON'T KNOCK? H - HE'S NOT MINE.
ARE YOU SURE? YES,I'M SURE.
HE'S A CLIENT'S NEPHEW.
REALLY? WHICH CLIENT? GOD,I LOVE CATCHING YOU IN LIES.
YOU'RE RUNNING LOW ON DOM.
MY DIRECT EXAMINATION OF THIS WITNESS TOOK 15 MINUTES.
MR.
NICHOLSON HAS KEPT HIM ON THE STAND FOR ALMOST TWO HOURS.
HIS CLIENT IS GOING TO GET CONVICTED.
DELAYING THE INEVITABLE WON'T STOP IT.
MR.
NICHOLSON,DO YOU HAVE ANY MORE REAL QUESTIONS? OH,THEY'RE ALL REAL.
SEE,THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY DROP AN EYEWITNESS ON THE DEFENSE OUT OF NOWHERE.
NOW I HAVE THE RIGHT TO CONDUCT A FULL AND COMPLETE CROSS-EXAMINATION.
IT'S 3:00 NOW.
YOU HAVE 1 MORE HOUR.
BUT I'M LOOKING AT THIS JURY,AND THEY'RE HATING YOU FOR KEEPING THEM HERE.
THE MOTHER JUST GOT HERE.
WE'VE GO A PARALEGAL WATCHING HIM IN THE E.
P.
R.
WHY? WHY ISN'T THE MOTHER WITH HIM? SHE'S NOT READY TO BE WITH HIM YET,RON.
YOU'LL SEE.
YOU COME IN MY HOUSE,AND YOU TAKE MY SON? AND YOU HAD NO RIGHT! YOU LEFT HIM ALONE FOR HOURS! IT IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS,YOU BITCH! LADIES,PLEASE! LET'S ALL BE RATIONAL,ALL RIGHT? EVA BROUGHT DAVID HERE BECAUSE SHE WAS CONCERNED.
WE ARE ALL CONCERNED.
WE JUST WANT TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S IN HIS BEST INTEREST AND YOURS.
I AM HIS MOTHER.
I'M IN HIS BEST INTEREST! WHERE IS HE? WHERE IS DAVID? HE'S SAFE.
WE HAVE SOMEONE WATCHING HIM.
KELLY,YOU HAVE A DRUG PROBLEM.
MAYBE DAVID NEEDS MORE THAN YOU CAN GIVE HIM.
WHO THE HELL ASKED YOU,YOU SKINNY BITCH? LET'S ALL JUST CALM DOWN.
YOU NEED TO GIVE ME MY SON NOW, OR I AM GONNA TELL EVERYONE THAT YOU KIDNAPPED HIM! MR.
ALLEN,YOU CLAIM THAT AFTER THE SHOOTING,YOU TRIED TO CALL FOR HELP.
I DID CALL.
I COULDN'T GET THROUGH.
ARE YOU IMPLYING THAT I DIDN'T? CHECK MY CELL RECORDS.
I'M NOT IMPLYING ANYTHING.
I'M JUST SAYING THAT IF YOU WERE BUSY LOOKING DOWN AT YOUR PHONE, YOU COULDN'T HAVE SEEN EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED IN THE CAB.
SO WHEN EXACTLY WERE YOU LOOKING DOWN AT YOUR PHONE? WHERE'S RON? I HAVEN'T SEEN HIM.
DID YOU SEE THAT BABY? DID IT LOOK LIKE RON? SO WHERE'S THE MOTHER NOW? IN MY OFFICE.
WE HAD TO SEPARATE THEM.
KELLY WANTS TO PRESS CHARGES AGAINST EVA AND US.
SURE,WE'RE LIABLE,TOO.
WE'RE HER EMPLOYERS.
AT WORSE,WE'RE CONSPIRATORS.
AT BEST,WE'RE ACCOMPLICES.
YOU WANT TO BE THE ONE TO FIRE HER? LOOK,WE HAVE TO PROTECT OUR FIRM.
IF EVA GETS PROSECUTED, I'LL PAY FOR HER DEFENSE AND,OF COURSE,OURS.
EVA,I'M SORRY, BUT AS LONG AS KELLY IS THREATENING TO PRESS CHARGES, WE NEED LEGAL SEPARATION.
THAT MEANS YOU'RE FIRED.
WE'LL TRY TO TALK KELLY OUT OF INVOLVING THE POLICE.
YOU DON'T NEED TO LOSE YOUR JOB AND GO TO PRISON.
IT'S CHRISTMAS.
STAY HERE.
IF WE'RE GOING TO MEDIATE THIS, WE NEED THE FATHER'S PERMISSION.
I JUST SPOKE WITH HIM.
HE GAVE US POWER OF ATTORNEY.
BUT KELLY NEEDS REPRESENTATION,TOO.
WE GOT A LOBBY FULL OF LAWYERS.
I'M SURE WE CAN FIND SOMEBODY WILLING TO EARN A QUICK FEE.
WE NEED A JUDGE,TOO,SOMEONE WHO HANDLES MEDIATION.
JUDGE MADISON COULD DO IT.
BETTER GET SOMEBODY ELSE.
THERE ISN'T.
I CHECKED.
WHAT'S GOING ON WITH YOU? YOU'VE BEEN AVOIDING HER ALL NIGHT.
DID YOU SLEEP WITH HER OR SOMETHING? JUDGE MADISON WAS THE FIRST MRS.
TROTT.
THAT'S AN AWFULLY NICE WATCH,MR.
ALLEN.
YES.
SO? HOW COULD YOU AFFORD IT? WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING? I'M SELF-EMPLOYED AS A CONSULTANT.
"CONSULTANT.
" THAT'S PRETTY BROAD.
WHAT IS THAT? WELL,THE SERVICE I PROVIDE VARIES DEPENDING ON WHAT EACH CLIENT NEEDS.
TELL TOM TO MOVE IN ON MOTIVE.
Maybe there really was a robbery that night.
He doesn't have a real job.
Maybe he killed the cabdriver for money.
It's worth asking.
HOW COULD YOU AFFORD THE WATCH,MR.
ALLEN? DID YOU BUY IT? WAS IT A GIFT? OR ARE YOU A THIEF? OBJECTION.
MR.
NICHOLSON IS BADGERING THE WITNESS.
SUSTAINED.
DID YOU MURDER THE CABDRIVER? NO.
THIS REALLY WAS A ROBBERY GONE WRONG,WASN'T IT? - OBJECTION! ASKED AND ANSWERED.
- THAT'S ENOUGH.
THAT'S WHY YOU CAME HERE - ARGUMENTATIVE! YOU HAVE TO STOP HIM! - TO PIN YOUR CRIME ON SOMEONE ELSE! I DIDN'T KILL THE CABDRIVER.
HE DID.
I NEED A MOMEN WITH MY CLIENT.
PRETEND LIKE WE'RE TALKING ABOU SOMETHING.
I JUST NEED A MINUTE TO THINK.
- YOU OKAY? - NO.
DO YOU REALLY THINK HE KILLED THE DRIVER? HONESTLY,NO.
HE'S TOO COOL.
WHY WOULD HE COME HERE IF HE DID? I WAS JUST TRYING TO RATTLE HIM.
YEAH,WELL,I DON' THINK IT WORKED.
NO,ME NEITHER.
AND NOW I'M ALL OUT OF QUESTIONS.
YOUR HONOR,I WAS WONDERING IF WE COULD TAKE A BRIEF RECESS.
NO,KEEP GOING.
LIKE YOU SAID,LET'S GET OUT FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
I REALLY NEED TO TAKE A BREAK.
I NEED TO USE THE RESTROOM.
GO AHEAD.
WE'LL ALL WAIT.
YO,THIS GUY'S GOT ALL THE ANGLES COVERED.
Yes,and right now he's coming across like the perfect witness.
I'LL KEEP HIM TALKING, BUT YOU HAVE GOT TO FIND SOMETHING FAST.
WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN,TOM, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU.
DON'T MAKE A LIAR OUT OF ME,LUTHER.
I PROMISED THIS KID I WOULD GET HIM HOME FOR CHRISTMAS.
YES,WELL,MAYBE YOU SHOULDN' HAVE MADE THAT PROMISE.
GET OUT OF MY WAY.
GET OUT OF MY WAY! I'M GOING TO FIND DAVID,AND THEN I'M LEAVING.
NO,YOU'RE NOT.
WE HAVE TO MEDIATE CUSTODY OF YOUR SON.
YEAH,MEDIATE THIS.
I'M CALLING THE COPS.
THERE'S THE PHONE RIGHT THERE.
GO AHEAD.
YOU READY TO TAKE A DRUG TEST? THE POLICE WILL GIVE YOU ONE.
NO,THEY WON'T.
I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING WRONG.
YOU LEFT YOUR BABY ALONE FOR HOURS THIS MORNING, SO IF YOU CALL THE POLICE NOW, LE ME TELL YOU WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN.
THEY'RE GOING TO INVESTIGATE YOU, AND YOU'LL GO TO JAIL FOR CHILD ENDANGERMENT.
YOU CAN HAVE EVA ARRESTED FOR KIDNAPPING, BUT YOU MIGHT JUST END UP SHARING A CELL.
OR YOU CAN AGREE TO MEDIATION.
OKAY.
WHERE DID YOU GO WHEN YOU LEFT THE SCENE OF THE CRIME? YOU ALREADY ASKED THAT.
I WENT HOME,REMEMBER? MR.
NICHOLSON,IT'S GETTING CLOSE TO LAST CALL HERE.
WRAP IT UP.
NO,NOT YET! WE'RE CLOSE! I'd appreciate the court's patience,Your Honor.
OH,GOD.
OKAY,OKAY,OKAY.
HE'S A GREAT WITNESS.
HE DIDN'T COME FORWARD UNTIL TODAY.
NO CRIMINAL RECORD.
HE'S GOT MONEY.
NO VISIBLE MEANS OF INCOME.
LISA,TELL TOM TO ASK NICK IF HE'S EVER BEEN ARRESTED.
LUTHER SAYS TO ASK NICK IF HE'S EVER BEEN ARRESTED.
MR.
ALLEN,HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ARRESTED? NO,I'VE NEVER BEEN ARRESTED.
PAY ATTENTION,PEOPLE.
YOU HAVE JUST HEARD A MAN COMMIT PERJURY.
LISA ARE THERE TWO MEN IN SUITS SITTING TOGETHER IN THE GALLERY? Uh,one's athletic,short-haired.
The other's a nerd,arrogant, but his suit is nicer than the other guy.
YEAH,EXACTLY.
WHA ARE YOU LUTHER,PSYCHIC? IF I'M RIGHT,ONE OF THEM IS AN ASSISTANT U.
S.
ATTORNEY, AND THE OTHER'S AN FBI AGENT,BU I NEED YOU TO CONFIRM IT.
DID YOU COME OUT HERE TO PLAY HOST, OR ARE YOU GONNA DISAPPEAR AGAIN? WE'VE GOT AN ISSUE IN THE BACK,A DOMESTIC DISPUTE.
THE PARENTS WANT TO SETTLE IT BETWEEN THEMSELVES, BUT WE NEED A JUDGE TO MEDIATE TODAY.
ASKING ME TO WORK AT A CHRISTMAS PARTY IS PRETTY BOLD,EVEN FOR YOU.
LOOK,ONE OF OUR EMPLOYEES FINDS HERSELF AT THE CENTER OF AN UNFORTUNATE SITUATION.
TECHNICALLY,SHE MIGHT HAVE INADVERTENTLY VIOLATED THE KIDNAPPING STATUTE.
- WHAT? - SHE'S A GOOD PERSON, AND SHE DIDN' MEAN TO DO IT.
THE MOTHER LEFT THE BABY ALONE,WE THINK TO GET DRUGS.
LISTEN TO WHA SHE HAS TO SAY.
A QUICK,QUIET RESOLUTION IS IN EVERYONE'S BEST INTEREST.
TRUST ME.
PER CHAPTER 11 OF THE CALIFORNIA FAMILY LAW CODE, CUSTODY DISPUTES ARE FIRS SUBJECT TO PRIVATE MEDIATION.
DO BOTH PARTIES HAVE COUNSEL? MRS.
WRIGHT DOES,AND MR.
WRIGHT IS IN TRANSI AND HAS GIVEN TNT&G POWER OF ATTORNEY TO ACT IN HIS STEAD.
CAN I TALK? JUDGE,THEY'RE TRYING TO STEAL MY BABY.
NO ONE IS STEALING YOUR BABY.
THIS IS A LEGAL WAY TO DETERMINE THE BEST LIVING SITUATION FOR DAVID.
BUT THE COURT ALREADY GAVE ME CUSTODY.
IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE YOU'RE DOING A VERY GOOD JOB,KELLY.
EVERYONE'S SAYING I'M SUCH A HORRIBLE MOTHER, BUT WHY DOESN'T ANYONE CARE THAT MY SON WAS KIDNAPPED? IF I WAS GONNA GIVE THIS SUBPOENA TO THE FBI, WHICH ONE OF YOU GUYS COULD TAKE IT FOR ME? THANKS,GUYS.
YOU WERE RIGHT,LUTHER.
OKAY,ALL HELL IS ABOUT TO BREAK LOSE.
GOD,I WISH I WAS THERE.
LISA Tell Tom to ask this guy what his NADDIS number is.
LUTHER SAYS TO ASK NICK WHAT HIS NADDIS NUMBER IS.
IS LUTHER SURE ABOUT THIS? MR.
ALLEN TELL ME SOMETHING.
WHAT'S YOUR NADDIS NUMBER? OBJECTION! MOVE FOR THE COURT TO BE CLEARED! SO ORDERED.
MR.
NICHOLSON,NOT ONE MORE WORD.
CLEAR THE COURTROOM.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED? IF THIS WITNESS HAS A NADDIS NUMBER, IT MEANS HE'S A FEDERAL SNITCH.
THIS IS ACTUALLY A QUESTION OF LIFE AND DEATH.
MR.
NICHOLSON WANTS TO ASK MR.
ALLEN IF HE'S A FEDERAL INFORMANT.
THAT CAN GE MR.
ALLEN KILLED.
MR.
NICHOLSON SHOULD GO TO PRISON IF HE DOES THAT.
AND YOU SHOULD LOSE YOUR BAR CARD.
BY LAW,YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO TELL ME IF THE WITNESS IS RECEIVING BENEFITS FROM THE GOVERNMENT.
YOU DIDN'T DO THAT.
MR.
ALLEN DIDN'T GET ANYTHING FOR TESTIFYING IN THIS CASE.
HE'S A FEDERAL WITNESS,NOT A STATE C.
I.
HE'S INVOLVED IN AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION OF THE CALI CARTEL.
THE FBI DIDN'T EVEN WANT HIM TO COME FORWARD.
THEN WHY DID HE? BECAUSE HE SAW YOUR CLIENT COMMI MURDER,AND HE WANTED JUSTICE.
GIVE ME A BREAK.
HE'S AUDITIONING.
HE'S TRYING TO SHOW YOU WHA A GREAT WITNESS HE CAN BE SO YOU'LL PUT HIM ON THE PAYROLL AS A STATE SNITCH,TOO.
- HE'S LYING.
- NO,HE'S NOT.
HE LIED IN COURT.
I ASKED HIM IF HE'D EVER BEEN ARRESTED.
HE SAID "NO," BUT MOST C.
I.
s GET RECRUITED AFTER THEY'VE BEEN BUSTED.
HAS THIS GUY EVER BEEN ARRESTED OR NOT? YES,MR.
ALLEN HAS A DRUG ARREST,BUT IT WAS EXPUNGED.
I DIDN'T ASK THAT.
I ASKED IF HE HAD EVER BEEN ARRESTED.
HE DENIED IT.
HE PERJURED HIMSELF.
NOW THERE'S NO WAY THIS COURT CAN BELIEVE HE'S TELLING THE TRUTH ABOUT MY CLIENT.
STEVE GERARD IS AN INNOCENT MAN! OKAY,OKAY.
NOW CAN YOU TWO WORK SOMETHING OUT, A PLEA DEAL,SOMETHING? UH MURDER TWO,MAX TEN.
NO,DROP THE CASE,OR I FINISH MY CROSS AND EXPOSE THIS GUY AS A SNITCH AND A LIAR.
HOLD ON,HOLD ON.
NOW YOU CANNOT EXPOSE AN INFORMANT.
IF I DON'T,MY CLIENT DIES.
YOU'VE SEEN HIM.
HE'S BARELY HOLDING ON IN JAIL.
HE WILL NO SURVIVE PRISON.
PLUS,HE'S INNOCENT.
I WILL NO LET HIM GET WRONGLY CONVICTED.
IF YOU EXPOSE MR.
ALLEN,I WILL HOLD YOU IN CONTEMPT.
AND I WILL MAKE SURE YOU'RE PROSECUTED CRIMINALLY.
LAWYERS AREN'T SUPPOSED TO MAKE PROMISES THEY CAN'T KEEP.
NOW I MADE A PROMISE TO MY CLIEN THAT HE WOULDN'T GO BACK TO JAIL, JUST LIKE I'M BETTING YOU MADE A PROMISE TO THE FEDS THAT NICK ALLEN WOULDN'T GET EXPOSED, SO LET'S BRING BACK THE JURY, SEE WHO GETS TO KEEP THEIR PROMISE.
I WANT THE COPS! KELLY,LISTEN TO ME.
YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL BABY BOY.
THAT'S RIGHT! HE IS MINE! BEING A MOTHER IS A HUGE RESPONSIBILITY.
DO YOU HAVE KIDS? NO.
THEN WHO THE HELL ARE YOU TO TELL ME THAT? I KNOW BEING A PAREN IS ABOUT SACRIFICE.
THAT'S WHY I COULD NEVER DO IT.
BUT CLEARLY,YOU WANT TO DO THE BEST THING FOR DAVID.
IF YOU COULD JUS GET THROUGH REHAB AND FINISH THIS TIME, YOU COULD BE A GREAT MOM.
MR.
TROTT IS WILLING TO PAY FOR IT.
- SORRY? - SHUT UP,RON.
THE FATHER'S COMING,RIGHT? YES,HE'S FLYING DOWN NOW.
THE FATHER WILL TAKE CARE OF DAVID WHILE YOU GET THE TREATMENT YOU NEED, MR.
TROTT WILL HELP PAY ANY EXPENSES FOR DAVID'S FATHER.
NO,I DO NOT WANT HIM LIVING WITH HIS FATHER.
ARE YOU WORRIED YOUR EX-HUSBAND WOULDN'T BE A GOOD DAD? NO,NO,I BUT- BUT IN A DIVORCE,WE MAKE CHOICES OUT OF SPITE.
WE SAY AND DO THINGS WE DON'T REALLY MEAN.
WE REGRET THEM LATER, BUT YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO MAKE THAT MISTAKE.
YOU HAVE DAVID TO CONSIDER.
IF YOU GO INTO REHAB, I'LL ARRANGE FOR REGULAR VISITATIONS WITH YOU AND DAVID.
EVENTUALLY,YOU COULD REGAIN JOINT CUSTODY.
YOU'LL BE ABLE TO LIVE WITH DAVID AGAIN.
AGREED? ALL RIGHT.
BUT CAN I PLEASE SEE DAVID NOW? COME ON.
HE'S OVER HERE.
REHIRE THE RECEPTIONIST.
I WAS GOING TO.
MM-HMM.
SHUT UP,RON.
I'D LIKE TO REMIND THE WITNESS THAT HE'S STILL UNDER OATH.
MR.
ALLEN ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN- DON'T FINISH THAT QUESTION.
YOUR HONOR,THE STATE THE STATE MOVES TO DISMISS THE CHARGES AGAINST MR.
GERARD.
GOOD JOB,EVERYBODY! THANK YOU.
GOOD JOB! MERRY,MERRY CHRISTMAS! THE CHARGES ARE DISMISSED.
THE JURY IS EXCUSED.
IT'S OVER? IT'S OVER.
LISA BOOKED YOU ON A FLIGHT BACK TO PITTSBURGH.
IT'S OUR TREAT.
COME ON,YOU'VE GO A PLANE TO CATCH.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
WOULD YOU MIND GIVING ME A RIDE? I REALLY DON'T WANT TO TAKE A CAB.
COME ON.
THIS PARTY WAS MUCH BETTER THAN LAST YEAR'S.
NEXT TIME,BRING YOUR HUSBAND.
HE'S FAMILY,IN A WAY.
THIS FIRM IS YOUR FAMILY,RON.
IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN.
WHY DIDN'T THINGS WORK OUT BETWEEN YOU TWO? BECAUSE SHE WAS A BETTER LAWYER THAN ME.
I HATE THAT.
I OWE YOU A PRESENT THIS YEAR.
I GOT TO MISS THIS PARTY.
NO SMALL TALK,NO SCHMOOZING.
THAT'S GIFT ENOUGH FOR ME.
CONGRATULATIONS,TOM.
YOU MANAGED TO MISS THE PARTY THREE YEARS IN A ROW.
YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN TOM IN COURT.
HE WAS AWESOME.
AWESOME? WHAT'S SO AWESOME? HE CROSSED ONE WITNESS.
WE SAVED A BABY.
- WHAT BABY? - NICHOLSON! YOUR CLIENT KILLED THAT CAB DRIVER.
YOU GOT A GUILTY GUY OFF BY GAMING THE SYSTEM.
NO,I DIDN'T.
NICK ALLEN IS THE ONE WHO'S TRYING TO GAME THE SYSTEM.
LOOK,HE WANTED ANOTHER SOURCE OF INCOME.
THAT'S WHAT TODAY WAS ABOUT.
NICK ALLEN DIDN'T ASK FOR ANYTHING, AND HE NEVER GOT ANYTHING.
HE TRULY JUST WANTED TO SEE JUSTICE DONE.
WHAT,AM I SUPPOSED TO BELIEVE A SNITCH? D.
A.
s DON'T PICK THEIR WITNESSES,TOM, BUT YOU CAN PICK YOUR CLIENTS.
PICK BETTER NEXT TIME.
MERRY CHRISTMAS! THE DEATH OF VIJAY PATEL