All language subtitles for TRANSLATE THAT

Hey, Mom, here it comes.

BRANDON: Here, hit
this one hard.
(SIGHS)

Don't get frustrated now.
He won't get it.

Just keep trying.
You'll get it.

SCOTT: Good.

All right.

Whoa.

(LAUGHING) Oh!
I can't believe...

That counts.
You'd be out.

The glove has gotta be...

(LAUGHS) On your hand.

Where does it say that?

Oh, get over here.
Give me that ball.

Come on,
show me.

(LAUGHS) I can't
believe you
just did that.

DEBBIE:
Hey, Brenda.

BRENDA:
Hi, Debbie.

Let's get together
and play some cards.

That would be great,
but not this weekend.

We've got soccer,
little league,

and two birthday parties.

BRENDA: Plus, I told
them I'd help out at
church on Sunday.

BRENDA: But next weekend
might be all right.

DEBBIE: Girls, play nice.
Bye.

You look exhausted.

Yeah, I've been really
getting into it with
my stepmom.

DEBBIE: Mary Ann
doesn't like the way I'm
raising my girls.

Oh, I'm sorry.

You're so lucky
your family's tight.

CAROLINE: Mom!

Mom, tell Jenny to stop.

Oh, God. All right,
I'll call you.

Okay.

BRIAN: Okay, Mom, look.

DEBBIE:
Jenny, Caroline...
Girls, come on.

DEBBIE: I told you.

You see? It went much

farther that time.

Yeah. Yeah, it
did, didn't it?

Pretty soon it's gonna
soar across the park.

(SCOTT GRUNTING)

Watch this.

This one's the one.

Okay.

You ready?
Oh, yeah.

Right out that way.

Oh!
All right!

(CLAPPING)

Our son, the aviator.
(CHUCKLES)
(LAUGHS)

Good job.
Good job.

(TELEPHONE RINGS)

WOMAN: Janet?

WOMAN:
Mary Ann Barbour
is on the phone again

about her granddaughter.

WOMAN:
She sounds
upset. Should I get
the McCuan file?

I've got it.

(PHONE RINGS)

Mrs. Barbour,
what's going on?

No, of course.

Of course, we're concerned.

BRENDA: You sure
you don't want to
stay and play cards?

MARILYN: No thanks, honey,
Dick wants to work on our

taxes tonight.

Oh, I'm sure
that would be
much more fun.

Oh, frankly, I can
hardly contain myself.

He whips out
that calculator

and I am just
putty in his hands.

Mmm, cat's let out.
(MARILYN LAUGHS)

Thanks for dinner, Brenda.

Anytime, Dick.

Scott, your parents
are leaving.

SCOTT: Good night.

(CHILDREN CHATTERING)

Oh ho!

Soon, you'll be
as tall as me.

(LAUGHING)

BRANDON:
After goodbye,
can I watch TV?

BRIAN: Me too.
BRENDA: Yes, yes, you can.

All you ever say
is "me, too."

Me, too, me, too,
me, too, me, too.

Mom.

BRENDA: Brandon.

Here, take.
Go, both of you.

BRENDA: And separate.

I see you.

BRIAN: It's my bear.
BRANDON: You go fetch it.

So...
Hmm?

I was wondering...
What?

Kids say their
prayers...
Yeah.

We send them
to bed early...
Yeah.

And then we

snuggle up in
front of the TV

and see which one
of us can stay awake
long enough

to make love?

Well, while
that might be

a very tempting
challenge...

(DOORBELL RINGS)

That would be the McCuans.

Tonight?

Honey, I told you
about this weeks ago.

Oh, God, I don't want to

hang out with them tonight.

All you have to do
is play cards and smile.

DEBBIE: Hi.

BRENDA:
Hi, come on in.

Hey, hi.

Hey, buddy.
How are you?

All right.

So, where are the girls?
Uh, they're not with us.

Oh, the boys will
be disappointed.

Yeah, sorry. They're just
sleeping over at my
dad and stepmom's.

Oh, I know,
our boys live

for staying with
their grandparents.

Actually, Mary Ann's
been giving us

a lot of grief lately.

Really?

She's had some
psychological problems.

It's nothing
serious, I hope.

Probably not.
No, we're dealing with it.

Oh, well, let us know
if we can do anything.

Watch the girls.

Great.

We told Mary Ann
we had lots of
friends

who would stick up
for us, good people
like you guys.

Actually, Scott, I was...

I was wondering,
if you'd be a character
witness for us.

Character...

What, is she taking
you to court?

We can't predict
what she'll do next.

Of course, if you're
uncomfortable with that...

No, no, no,
no. It's fine.

Hey, let's play
some cards, huh?

(TELEPHONE RINGS)

Hello, yes?

MARY:
Yes, this is
Mary Ann Barbour.

You will not believe what
the girls are saying now.

This is bigger than
anyone realizes.

The girls have been
threatened if they talk.

Now, they are ready to accuse
all the others involved,

so we need protection.

We need protection now.

Okay, I'll send
you an escort

to the D.A.'s office
in the morning.

I'll coordinate everything
with Vera Bradley,

the child-abuse counselor.

(TELEPHONE RINGS)

Hi.

Vera and I gathered
the names of the
other people

the McCuan girls
say molested them.

Besides the parents?
Yes.

And who are these people?

Friends of
the McCuans.

They're in
on it together.

Sam, it may only be

the tip of an iceberg.

The accusations
include orgies,

being hung from
hooks and beaten,

being sold in motels,

made to watch snuff films,

and perform
in front of cameras.

What kind of monsters
do these things
to children?

Well, some of
these charges do

seem kind of unlikely.

Unlikely?

You think these kids
could make this up?

BENNIS: I don't know
what goes on in your house,

but my kids don't
know this stuff.

No, of course not.

Evidently, there's
a whole lot of
pornography

stashed in these homes.

Thank you, ladies.

(DOOR OPENS)

So, Bob,
what do you think?

I think we should move
as quickly as possible
on this one.

We can have
the search and
arrest warrants

in a matter of hours.

Let's show Kern County
what we can do.

We took a real
beating in the press

for the way we handled
the Dana Butler murder.

I want a highly coordinated,

very public effort
this time around.

This one's gonna
go like clockwork.

Get me the editor
of The Californian.

I want all the
media in on this.

(POUNDS ON THE DOOR)

What's going on?

Brenda Kniffen?
Yes?

Ma'am, you are
under arrest.

You're making a mistake.

Where is your husband?

Stop that!

Where is your husband?

BRENDA:
He's at work. Why?

Where does he work?
BRENDA: Stop that!

Where does he work?

He's the inventory
parts manager

at Delaney and Ahlf.

MAN:
Look in that box.

Stop. My little boys

are asleep back there.

Your boys?

All right, well,
let's wake them up.

Brandon?
Come on.

BRANDON: Mom?
Brian, time to wake up.

Mom?
It's okay. It's just
a big mistake.

Your dad's gonna
sort it all out.

My stuff!
My stuff!

No, no, Brian, Brian.
Just let them look around.

Did I do something wrong?
No, no, of course not.

Get dressed, ma'am,
or we take you down
like that.

Okay. Come on.

Here we go.
Here, here.

All right, everybody.

Let's go get dressed.

Okay.

All right.
Here, here.

Here we go.

Um...

We have to get dressed.

Go ahead.

Okay, let's see.
These are yours.
All right.

Here you go, sweetheart.

OFFICER: No, nothing here.

Come with me, boys. Mommy.

Where are you taking them?
Shalimar Children's Center.

Let me call their
grandparents...

They need to come with us.
They can stay
at the neighbors'.

They need to come with us.

Okay, all right.

BRANDON: Mom.
BRIAN: What's
happening, Mommy.

Okay, now I
want you to go

with these nice
policemen and
do exactly

as they say, okay?

And I'll be by to
pick you up as soon
as I get everything

worked out, okay?

Just be a good boy,
and you'll be fine.
Come on, son.

It's gonna be fine. Mommy!

OFFICER: Let's go.
Come with me.

Take care of
your little brother.

I will, Mom.

OFFICER: There we go.

(SOBS) You're
scaring them.
We'll take care of them.

BENNIS: Well, you
know, in any case as
disturbing as this one,

BENNIS: I feel it's
incumbent upon

the District Attorney's office

to move quickly
and efficiently

to excise this...

BENNIS: Tumor, basically,
if you think of it that way,

on the community.

BENNIS: Just like with
a doctor, we have to

do what's prudent.

Um...

We have reports
indicating

that photos
were taken

during the
sexual activity,

and with this
surprise search,

we expect to confiscate

all of the evidence.

We want the people
of Kern County to know

that their children are safe.

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

Scott Kniffen?
Yeah.

You're under arrest.

You have the right
to remain silent.

Is this one of those
singing telegrams?

BOB: You have the
right to an attorney.

If you cannot afford
an attorney, one will
be appointed to you.

What's happened
to Brenda? What? Argh!

What's she doing
in a squad car?

BOB: Child endangerment.

BOB: Jenny and
Caroline McCuan.

What, are you crazy?
That's ridiculous.

Get in the vehicle.

Get in!

All right, all right.

Brenda, what is going
on? Are you okay?

They burst into the house

and they took the boys.

What?

Scott, what's happening?

I don't know.
(IGNITION STARTS)

(EXHALES DEEPLY) I sure
as hell am gonna find out.

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

Okay, I guess it boils
down to you tell me

where the photographs
and the pictures are.

If you can find
some, have at it,

because I have never done

anything of this nature

in my entire life
with any child.

These allegations
are absurd.

Sodomy, sex with minors,

pornography,

and oral copulation.

Debbie and Alvin's
girls are saying

we did those
things to them?

I don't even know what
some of those things are.

We want to know
where the pictures are.

Is that what you were
looking for at my house?

Dirty pictures?

You won't find anything.

None of this happened.

The McCuan girls are lying.

What would you
say if I told you

that your children are talking

with one of our
counselors right now

and making the same claims?

Never.

They would never say that.

Ask them.

Just ask my children.

Never. Just ask them.

Ask my kids.

(SIGHING)

So...

Jenny and Caroline
just told me

about what's been
happening to you.

So, I already know.

And it's okay for you
to tell me the truth.

Nothing happened.

I know that people
have been touching

and hurting your body.

No.

You can trust
me, Brandon.

I want to help you.

And I want to help
your parents.

Are they in trouble?

Yes, they are.

And if you help me,

then we can help
you and your brother.

We can make it all stop.

We know about
the motel rooms,

and being hung from hooks,

and about the strangers.

I want to make it easy
for you to talk to me.

VERA: Do you think
you can talk to me?

Okay.

Okay.

Have your mom and dad

and the McCuans

been touching
your body,

your privates,

in ways that hurt you?

No.

VERA: Brian...

It's very important
that you tell me the truth.

You're safe in here.

Okay.

If Brandon is saying

that these things happened,

is Brandon lying?

Um...

No.

So it happened.

Okay.

REPORTER TERRY:
They are calling it

the Kniffen-McCuan
molestation ring.

The parents have been charged

with multiple counts

of heinous sex crimes

committed against
their own children.

Brenda Kniffen, 29,

and mother of two young boys,

is being held here
in Kern County

along with her husband,
Scott Kniffen.

They are expected to make bail

this weekend.

There have been
unsubstantiated reports

of pornographic
materials found.

And so, after
a long investigation...

(MOCKS LAUGHS)
A long investigation?

They didn't even
know where I worked.

Brenda said when
they got there,

they didn't know
that we had children.

What kind of
investigation is that?

Come on, what...
Two little girls tell lies

and we're in jail?

REPORTER TERRY (ON TV):
A crowd of noisy
and angry residents

made their opposition known
at the last planning meeting.

That ended the discord
among all in attendance.
MAN: Come on, man!

Well, my children would
never say these things.

That's what I thought.

Debbie, what's going on?

Mary Ann has my
girls believing

all this crazy stuff
happened to them.

Now she pulled
you into it, too.

Why? What do we
have to do with it?

Mary Ann wants custody.

She believes
this happened.

I guess, when we told her

that you were gonna help us...

I'm so sorry
she pulled you into this.

But who would believe
these things?

I mean, hooks and
fishing line

and cameras and hotels?

I mean, my God,
it's sickening.

How can anybody
get your little girls
to say these things?

My stepmom's obsessed
with molestation.

Who knows what she's
got my girls believing

now that they're
living with her.

They're living with her?

She's got temporary custody.

You didn't tell us that.

When you asked Scott
to be a character witness,

why weren't you
honest about all this?

Dear God, Brenda!

I didn't think anyone
would believe this.

Who would believe
all of this?

BENNIS: Did
you ever see

other children
at the hotels?

No.

Well, you told Vera,

when you talked to her that,

sometimes there
might be another child.

Was that a mistake?

Kids...

Might be there.

Okay.

Good, Brandon.

Did they ever,

I mean, did the

grown-ups at the
hotels ever...

Make you touch their

privates with your mouth?

No.

Are you sure?

Brian told us
that both

you and he were
forced into it.

Is that true?

No.

Well, was Brian telling us

the truth when he said that?

Did that ever
happen to you?

Did anyone ever...

(SIGHS)

Did you ever have anyone

do anything
to your bottom?

No.

You didn't do
anything wrong.

Okay?

We need you to remember.

Yes.

So it did happen.

BRIAN: Please, I
want to go home.

Don't get scared.

Don't get scared
on me, Brian.

BENNIS: We told you that

we wouldn't lie to you, Brian,

and we won't.

I miss my mommy.

Of course you do.

You did really
good, Brian.

I know it's hard
to keep going over this.

You're a really good boy.

BENNIS:
Now, this is
Dr. Woodling,

and he's gonna
do a physical,

you know, check
you out a little bit.

We're gonna
help you move.

I'm moving?

So, you're the bitch
that likes the mouths

of little kids.

Janie, give her a hand
with that mattress.
Wait a minute. Wait a minute.

BRENDA: Stop it!
Let me go!

BRENDA: Help! Help!
(SLAPPING)

(SOBBING, SCREAMING)

(SLAPS)

BRENDA: Let me go!

(CRYING)

Scott.

BRENDA: Scott.

What did they
do to you?

Oh, my God, Brenda,
are you all right?

Brenda.
Mom?

Oh, honey,
I took the first flight.

Where are the boys?

Do you need a doctor?
What the hell happened here?

BRENDA: Where are my children?

They're at the
Shalimar Center.

Let's get out of here.

I want to pick up the boys.

Dad's got the car
out in front.

FEMALE REPORTER: Oh, look,
here they come!

MALE REPORTER:
There they are!

Excuse me. Excuse me.
Excuse me.

I'm the wrong person
to ask about this.

Can you get
out of the way?

SCOTT: Excuse me.
I have no idea.

No, no idea.

All right. Come on.

Oh, my God.

DICK: I want to be certain

that Kevin Conway
is the best attorney
we can get.

I want this over with fast.

I don't... I don't
understand this.

I thought we
were innocent

until proven guilty
in this country.

What have they done?

(SOBS)

How can they keep
our children?

We're trying to get
a visit with the boys.

So far, none of us has
been allowed to see them.

They're in
protective custody.

They're protected
from who?

(SOBS) They can
just take them?

(CRIES) Anytime they
want, they can just
take our children?

Shh, shh, shh.
It's okay.

They keep asking
me over and over,

and when I
say "no," they just...

They just ask
again and again,

and they won't stop,
and they yell at me
when I answer wrong.

Don't answer wrong.

You have to do
what they say.

They can come
and get us anytime,
just take us away.

I want to go home.

What do you think they
did to Mom and Dad?

I'm worried about 'em.

Me, too.

Me, too.

(GRUNTS)

Oh!

God!

(BANGS)

(BANG CONTINUES)

JANET: The court has ordered
The Welfare Department

to hand over
the Kniffen children

for interviews with the
attorney for the defense.

I don't think that's
good for the children.

They're very fragile.

They've already been
through so much.

Deny access.

It's a court order.

Ignore it.

What about the family visit
with just the grandmothers?

(SIGHS)

One visit, supervised,

anyone mentions the case
or the parents and it's over.

Oh.

Oh!
(BOTH LAUGHING)

Oh, how are you guys?

We missed you very much.

What did they do
to Mom and Dad?

When can we go home?

We're trying
to work that out.

So, come on now.
You tell me, how's school?

Did you do your fractions?

MARILYN:
It's so good to see you.
I missed you so much.

Look, you're nearly
as tall as me.
(BRANDON LAUGHS)

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

Honey, these are for you.

There's one for you
and one for your brother.

Brandon...

The things you said
about your mom and dad...

Were they true?

No.

Then why did you say them?

They kept saying they
want us to tell the truth.

But then they
don't believe us.

They keep us in the room
for hours every day

and ask us over and over
until we agree with them.

Oh.

I'm really scared.

Let's go find Brandon.

I'll be right here.

Oh, God, Corene.

I don't know how
Scott and Brenda

are staying sane
through all this.

Brenda said she'd kill herself
before she'd go to prison.

Bye, honey.
Bye, bye.

See you soon.
I love you.
Take care.

So if I can't

be with my parents
right now then,

why can't I stay with
Grandma and Grandpa Kniffen?

Well, it's really
complicated, Brian.

Everyone's just trying
to do the right thing.

Brandon...

Brandon, what's wrong?

Is my mom gonna die?

Corene Oliver told Brandon

that his mother's
going to kill herself.

I knew this was a bad idea.

He's a basket case.

Have we lost him
as a witness?

I don't know.

I want an arrest warrant
for Corene Oliver...

Witness tampering.

I want her in jail now.

No more visits.

Those kids stay
under wraps, period.

No one sees them but us.

(DOOR BUZZES)

Brenda.

Mom.

Are you okay?

This is Kevin Conway,
our attorney.

I'll be representing you
in your case, as well,
Mrs. Oliver.

Can they just arrest
people at their whim?

Yeah. They can,
and they are.

There's no one in
Bakersfield right now
who's above suspicion.

They're intimidating
everyone who tries
to help us.

People are afraid
to speak out

because then they're
branded child abusers.

Once Brenda and
Scott's trial is over,

I'm sure I can get
the charges against
you dropped.

But till then,
for your own good,

you're gonna have
to stay away.

Can't I at least testify

about what
Brandon told me?

No, not unless you want
to incriminate yourself

and taint your own case.

No. I'd advise
against it.

Can't I...
Can I help?

Mom...

Go back to
Mississippi

because then at least
I won't have to worry
about you.

And this is all
gonna be over soon.

It has to be.

Vera, this is
Andy Gindes.

I've appointed
him lead council

on the Kniffen-McCuan case.

I hope you have
a strong stomach

when you hear what's been
done to these sweet children.

Well, I've read
all the reports.

It's sickening.

The things these kids
have said... You've
done a great job, Vera.

Well, thank you.
It's not easy.

It requires persistence.

None of them want
to talk about it.

Sometimes it takes all day.
Sometimes it takes many days.

But it's too important
to give up on,

no matter how
long it takes.

I won't give up either.

Well, Vera has a great
talent with these kids.

She'll help you in
whatever way you need.

Yes, please, let me know.

Great. I'll be in touch.

Thank you.
Thank you.

Thanks.

(EXHALES)

This is a big case,
Andy, a big case.

Everyone is watching.
It's a career-maker.

Well, Sam, it's a case
I can really believe in.

We have leads on

at least two more
huge molestation cases.

BENNIS: I don't
have to tell you how
public this is gonna be.

Sam, it's gonna
take some time,

okay, to make
this case solid.

We have to take care.
These are children.

Well, they're safely
in custody. No one
can get to them.

So take all the
time you need.

Don't lose this case, Andy.

Not a chance.

BRANDON: Mom?

BRIAN: Mom?

(GASPS)

(SOBS)

Oh, my boys!

My boys!

(CRIES)

Scott! Scott!

(CRIES)

Brenda, okay,
hey, hey.

All right, baby, all right.

Easy, breathe now.
Breathe. Breathe.

Shh, shh, shh.
Okay.

(SOBS) I thought,

I heard him again.

Oh, baby.

Hush.

I can't,
I can't do this.

(CRIES)

(SOBS) I keep
trying to go on,

but I can't.

Come on,
for the boys just, just...

Keep it together
for the boys, huh?

(SOBS) They kidnapped
our children.
I know.

(SOBS) I mean, every
night I pray to God,

and every day I wake up
to this empty room.

What are they thinking about?

Do they know that
we still love them,

that we're trying
to get them back?

I mean, God,
what do they think?

Hey, hey.

We're gonna win.

We're gonna win?

Scott, how do we get back

the last year and
a half of our lives?

I mean, how do I get
back the Christmas

and their birthdays

and their school programs?

How? How can we win, Scott?

(SOBS)

God, it kills me that
I can't protect you.

And I couldn't
protect them.

No.

I just can't stand
feeling this helpless.

What's happened to us?

The trial is
finally starting.

Okay, and we're gonna
get up in front of that jury,

and they are gonna see
that we are innocent.

You know what?
Forget about cooking.

Let's go out to eat.

Oh, I don't know, Scott.

Come on, listen. We owe
it to ourselves, huh?

I am not staying cooped
up in here forever.

Okay?

Okay.

All right, that's it.
Get your manager now.

You okay?
It's okay.

You all right?

MAN: What's the problem?

You listen to me.

For a year and a half,

we've been putting up with
the stares and the whispers.

SCOTT: Right here,
right now, it stops.

We've been coming to this
restaurant for over 10 years.

I don't give a damn
what you think of us,

but you will treat my wife
and me with respect!

I insist on it!

(SOBBING)

REPORTER TERRY:
Protests continue alongside

this sensational trial.

There are new
charges of molestation

and satanic cult worship

not only here, but all
across the United States.

A Pandora's box has been
opened and hell released.

Dr. Woodling,

what does your
wink-response test show?

Based on case history
and medical exams
of the boys,

I would say that
the positive wink response

is caused from multiple
penetrations of the anus

with an erect
penis and a finger.

Brandon Kniffen, Your Honor.

Oh.

(SPECTATORS MURMUR)

Okay, Brandon.

You remember when you told me

about the nasty things that
your parents did to you?

Yes.

Okay.

Well, let's talk
about the times
your mom and dad

and Debbie and
Alvin McCuan

hung you from the
hooks in your house

and put their fingers
in your butt.

Objection. Leading.

Your Honor,
these are little children.

I have to lead a little.

Overruled.
Be careful, Mr. Gindes.

Brandon, you told me
they hung you from hooks.

Yes.

What have they done to him?

I'd like to call
Brian Kniffen, Your Honor.

(SPECTATORS MURMUR)

Brian, this way.

Hey.

(SNIFFS)

Brian...

(SOBS)

A short recess,
Your Honor, please?

Brian, let's take
a little recess.

(CRIES)

Oh, my God.

(SOBS)
Did you see him?

Did you see him?
He looked worse
than Brandon.

Oh, God, our sweet
little boys, Scott.

My God, they're
little robots.

Oh, I just want
to hold them.

GINDES: Brian?

Brian, look at me.

Look at me.

I know you're embarrassed.

You can do this, okay?

Brian,
you need to help us.

Don't you want to
help this be over

for you and for Brandon

and for your parents?

Yeah, okay.

Me, too.

Look at me, Brian.

Look at me.

Now you just do
what we talked about.

You tell the truth.

In a couple of days,
I promise,

this whole thing
is gonna be over.

Okay?

You were touching
their private parts?

Yes.

What, with your mouth
or your hand?

Objection, Your Honor.
He's leading.

Overruled.

With your hand
or with your mouth?

My hand.

Okay, okay.

Now, when you
were hanging
from the hook,

what did your mommy
do to you?

Objection, Your Honor,
foundation.

Overruled.

These are children,
Mr. Conway.

When you were hanging
from the hook,

what did your mommy
do to you?

Stick her mouth
on my penis,

stick her finger
in our bottom.

In your bottom?

Yes.

Okay.

Now let's talk about

the strangers
and the pictures, okay?

Okay, Brian, you can go.

You did very well.
You're a very good boy.

There you go.

You can just go off
with the officer there.

You did very well, Brian.

Absolutely not.
Never.

Never.

It's been torture
being without my boys.

I love my children
more than my own life.

SCOTT: These things
did not happen.

I don't know
why they're saying this,

but I love my sons.

So?

Denied.

Denied?

Judge Ferguson just ruled

that Mary Ann Barbour's
psychological history

was not relevant.

Not relevant? It's what
started this whole thing!

She's the one who told
those little girls what to say

in the first place.

We've got ourselves
quite a perfect score
here, don't we?

Request for pre-trial
interview with the
children, denied.

Our own physical
with the children,
denied.

Statement by their
regular pediatrician,
denied.

Statements from
their teachers,
for God's sake, denied.

Irrelevant, irrelevant,
irrelevant.

You know that
Judge Ferguson

lost his election bid
for district attorney

because he was
painted as soft
on child molesters.

Yes, I know that.

Oh, God, what can I do
to make this right?

You understand.

My son...

My son and Brenda,
their lives are
on the line.

What else can we do?

I've tried everything.

Well...

Keep trying.

(BREATHES DEEPLY)

God couldn't defend
these people right now.

GINDES:
There is nobody here, nobody

who has the power
to make these children lie

against their parents.

They got up on the stand,

one after the other.

And they described scenes

of horrendous perversion
and abuse,

and they stuck to
those facts no matter
how many times

the defense attorneys
questioned them.

They told the truth.

This case is strong

because guilt has
been proven beyond
a reasonable doubt

by four children

and by substantial
and very powerful

corroborative
medical evidence.

For these children,

what horrors existed
for them at night.

You are the only people

who have the power to
put an end to that night.

Children don't lie
about sexual abuse.

Children don't lie.

Thank you.

These children have been

in the custody
of the Welfare Department

since they were taken,
forcibly, from their parents

over two years ago.

The District Attorney's office

has had unlimited access
to these children.

The defense has had none.

In Salem, two little girls
pointed their fingers

and said,
"Those people are witches."

And those people
were taken before a jury,

and 20 of them were hung.

What went wrong there
is going wrong here...

Hysteria.

Please...

Do not put down
your reason, as
Mr. Gindes has asked,

and just believe.

Use your reason.

Ask yourselves,

"Is what these children
are saying, reasonable?"

For the sake
of these children
and their families,

please, use your reason.

Thank you.

This damn paper.

Marilyn.

Really, Brenda, they're
part of this hysteria.

They wrote about it
day after day

because it sells papers.

You were a big story.

(RUBS)

(SIGHS)

I haven't held my
children in over two years.

It's almost over.
We're nearly there.

What if
they've forgotten me?

REPORTER BANKS (ON TV):
...child molestation
are lodged

against the owners
of the McMartin Preschool.

This may be the largest
in the current wave

of molestation cases
to be indicted nationwide.

(TELEVISION TURNS OFF)

More victims?

(TELEPHONE RINGS)

DICK: Yes, hello?

Thank you.

The jury is back.

It'll be okay, okay.
All right.

All right, at worst,
we'll get a hung jury.

All right?

Come on,
these stories of kids

hanging from hooks
all over our living room,
it's ludicrous.

It's not
physically possible.

No one person could believe
these stories, let alone 12.

Okay, two years
and one month,

and it ends today.

Okay?

Okay.

(SHUFFLES PAPERS)

Will the defendants
please rise?

Have you reached a verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

We, the jury
in the above entitled case

find the defendant,
Scott Kniffen,

guilty in violation
of 69 counts of child abuse.

We find Brenda Kniffen

guilty on 70 counts
of child abuse.

We find Alvin McCuan, guilty.

We find Deborah
McCuan, guilty.

(ECHOING) In violation
of 69 counts of child abuse.

Guilty...
Child abuse...

Guilty...

Guilty.

Brenda Kniffen,
you are hereby
sentenced to 240 years.

Scott Kniffen,
you are hereby
sentenced to 240 years.

You are both remanded
into the custody

of the state
of California.

Oh, hey!

(CRIES)

MARILYN: Why?

(CRIES)

Judge Ferguson's sentence
was harsh and swift.

Alvin and Debbie McCuan
will each serve

more than 250 years
for their crimes,

Scott and Brenda Kniffen,
240 years a piece.

The sentences are
the longest ever imposed
here in Kern County.

The Welfare Department
feels it's best

for the children
to say goodbye.

The kids need closure.

We'll allow
one 15-minute visit.

No crying.

If you cry,
we will end it.

Okay. Okay.

Okay, boys.

Ah!

(LAUGHING)

Oh, God!

Oh, my God!

SCOTT: Look at you!
I can't believe it.

(LAUGHING)

Dad!

SCOTT: Oh, my baby.

BRENDA: Oh, my God,
you got so tall

So...

Can we
all go home now?

Uh...

PRISONER:
Whoo, fresh blood.

Come on, sweetie.

Come on. Mmm.

Mmm, mmm.

PRISONER 2:
Yeah, blondie.

PRISONER 3: Bad mommy.

PRISONER 2:
Lookin' good, huh?

You're going to spend
a long time in here.

BRENDA:
"Dear Brandon,

"I want you to know
that no matter what
you've been told,

"your mommy loves you
with all my heart and soul.

"I know you were forced

"into saying those
things in court,

"and I don't want you
to ever blame yourself.

"You and Brian will always be

"the most precious things
in our lives.

"Dad and I tried
so hard to get you back.

"Help Brian
to understand that.

"I want you guys
to know that I'm okay.

"And I believe that someday
we will be together again.

"What we have as a family
will always be in our hearts.

"No one can
take that from us.

"I want you to grow up
and be nice young men,

"to go to college,

"and love a girl as much
as I love your daddy.

"All we can pray for now
is for God to step in.

"Don't ever forget
he exists, because he does.

"What is most important to me

"is that you boys
stay together

"and that you take
care of each other.

"Remember, I love you guys.

"I always will.

"Mommy."

SCOTT:
"Mom,
I'm in protective custody

"here at San Quentin.

"Evidently, guys like me don't
last long in here otherwise.

"I'm not far
from Sirhan Sirhan
and Charles Manson.

"Remember when I was a boy
and you used to worry
about the company I kept?

"It'd be funny, but it's not."

(ALARM BUZZES)

"Keep trying to get
custody of the boys.

"It's all we hope for.

"I'm so worried about Brenda."

So, Brandon,
could you pass me the peas?

Thanks. How was
your day, Brian?

Good, Mr. Black.

Yeah?
Well, that's good.

What'd you do?

Nothing, Mr. Black.

You know, Brian,
you can call me "Dad."

Um...

That's okay, Mr. Black.

Brian! Stop!

You ought to call him
whatever he wants.

Why?
He's not my dad.

And I'm not
calling anybody
"Dad" but Dad.

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Come in.

Andy.

Hey.

How's the Pitts
case coming?

Just like Kniffen,
only more of them.

(NERVOUS LAUGHING)

Look, um, Sam,

the court's
reviewing Marilyn and
Dick Kniffen's petition

for custody
of Brandon and Brian.

Look, there is no reason
not to place them
with the grandparents.

Dick Kniffen as much
as called these boys
liars in the press.

But shouldn't they be
with family?

They are just gonna
pressure these
poor boys to recant.

Now, they've been
through enough.

It's not good
for the appeal,

certainly not good
for the kids.

So go to juvenile court
and fight custody.

Thanks.
You bet.

You look good.

Really.

I've settled in some.

What about you, Marilyn?
Are you okay?

Yeah, but...

What?

Gindes showed up
at the custody hearing.

No.

He had
all kinds of paperwork,

and he fought us,
and he won.

Oh, no.

I am so sorry.

We tried so hard.

I know, Marilyn.

I know
you've done everything...

Sold everything,
mortgaged everything.

I know.

Perfect.

You're in prison,
and you're comforting me.

Where are they?

They're with
a really nice foster family.

And they're both
doing great,

although Gindes
shows up every week or so

and takes them out
to talk about the case

so they won't forget
for the appeal.

Oh, I spoke
to your mom yesterday.

She's doing her best
to get up here when she can.

Have you seen Scott?

Yeah. He looks okay.

He's trying
to get his own radio.

Well, that'll help.

Two hundred and forty years
in prison

is a long time
to be without a radio.

It's from the
foster mom...

Brian's baby tooth.

She thought you might...

Well...

(SIGHS)

It's not much, is it?

BRENDA:
"My darling Scott,

"I get a lot of letters
from my mother.

"She sounds so sad.

"I'm worried about her.

"Writing to you
is my only relief.

"The days are so very long,
and the nights are longer.

"I will continue to
write every day.

"Every single day,
until we are together again.

"Do you think the boys get
our cards and letters?

"We're missing their
birthdays, their soccer games,

"their heartaches.

"Who takes care of them
when they're sick?

"I wonder if they
still think about us."

Mommy.

Mommy!

Brian?

Brian, where
are you going?

Brian, stop.

Brian, stop!

Brian...
What are you doing?

I don't know.

Where were you going?

I don't know.

I don't know
what's true anymore.

(SNIFFLES)

No appetite?

Or just the wrong
kind of meat?

I know you like it
young and tender.

I'm innocent, Landry.

My kids will tell the truth,
then I'm going home.

Sure you will.

You're up for parole
in a short 104 years.

DICK:
We came to you because
you're not from Kern County

and because we believe

that your past
as a police officer will help.

With 12 years on the PD,
and 20 years private,

I've seen my
share of parents

who don't believe
what their kids have done.

We know our children,
Mr. Dunn.

We want you to
help us figure out

how this all happened.

I won't spin my wheels
trying to get guilty
folks out of prison.

I have been a
respected member
of this community

my entire adult life.

I have served on a
grand jury in this county.

Something went terribly wrong
with this case.

It's ruined
all of our lives.

I'll tell you
what I'll do.

I'll investigate.

You pay me my rate,

but if at any point
I become convinced
they're guilty,

I'm gone, and what
you paid, you paid.

BRENDA: Mr. Dunn. Ma'am.

So, I've been reading
the newspaper articles.

It all seems
a bit frenzied.
A bit?

How do you think
this happened
to you, Mrs. Kniffen?

(SIGHS)

I think Debbie McCuan's
stepmom became convinced

that her granddaughters
were being molested.

She wanted to discredit
anyone who could
help Alvin or Debbie,

anyone who would
get in the way

of her getting custody
of those little girls.

And she decided
we were in the way.

Pretty drastic
dragging you into this.

Seems like there
are a lot of kids
all over the place

accusing people now.

Why do you think that is?

I have no idea.

We were so naive.

We never believed
we could be found guilty.

It wasn't possible.

And why do you
think your boys said
what they did in court?

That is the only thing
I want to know.

Mr. Dunn,

find out what they did
to my little boys.

(SIGHS)

Okay.

I warn you, though,
I'm not gonna lie to you.

It could take years
to unravel this.

You know where to find me.

BRENDA:
"Dear Scott...

"Another lonely Christmas.

"I prayed.

"The cafeteria made turkey,
which wasn't half bad."

SCOTT:
"Dear Brenda,
I got to work in the yard.

"It was so wonderful to be
outside and see the sky."

BRENDA:
"I wish we
were somewhere
where the seasons changed.

"Then, at least,
I could watch the time pass."

SCOTT:
"Darling Brenda,
I spent time
with a chaplain today.

"We prayed and talked and..."

BRENDA:
"Happy anniversary.

"Maybe this year
will be the year
we get to see each other.

"Don't lose hope.

"I love you."

Well, look at this.

And here I thought
you only liked
playing games with kids.

When are you
finally gonna leave
me alone, Bess?

Some people wanted
the death penalty
for you, Kniffen.

Yeah, and some
people wanted life.

Lucky for me,
I only got 240 years, huh?

Ain't long enough
for your type.

You know, in case
you haven't noticed,

there's a lot
of my type here.

In fact, there's 26
of us here on child molest,

all from the same county.

BRENDA: It seems kind
of odd, doesn't it?

Or don't you think
the system makes mistakes?

No, gee, the system's
been my best friend.

Just keep
watching your back...

Kniffen.

Hey, it's got nothing
to do with you guys.

The Blacks just
had to move,

and the Walkers
are getting divorced.

And the Platts had
a family problem.

But listen,
you're gonna like
the Sayers.

They've got a boy
your age, and
they're really nice,

and they really
want you guys.

Come on.

(UNZIPS)

Hey.

Don't touch
my stuff.

The real son
always gets
the top drawer.

Watch out, kid.
Stay away from me.

What's wrong with him?

Nothing.

Don't take it out on
me because your
parents didn't love you.

(GROANING)

Get off of me!
Get off of me!

Hey! Hey, boys!
Okay, all right.

Brian, that's enough.
John! Stop that.

Okay, easy, easy.

SCOTT:
"Dear Brenda, I've been
studying the legal journals,

"and there's
a lot of trouble brewing

"for the Kern County
D.A.'s office

"because of the way
they've handled these cases.

"There are questions
about a lot of them
all across the country...

"McMartin in Los Angeles,
Amirault in Massachusetts,

"Michaels in New Jersey,

"that's gotta help us."

I'm sorry, Bess,
I think this lady
wanted that.

You wanted that, right?

You starting
something with me?

No, I'm ending something.

You get into it with me,
girl, you'll be in pieces.

I'm already in pieces.

And if you want
to get into it,
just come on

because I've got
nothing left to lose

and I'm done
taking your crap!

WOMAN: Let's go, Bess.

Wasn't hungry anyway.

Come on.

Bess takes a little
getting used to.

Maybe I can get
the courts and
the D.A.'s office

to take a look
at these results.

They're usually
the ones who order
a lie-detector test,

but they
wouldn't do it.

And with years and years
of dead ends,

we try everything.

You said you were
gonna look over
the old police reports?

Oh, I did.
Yeah,

it took me weeks to
wade through them all again.

Anything?
Yeah, when...

When I took
a look at the dates,

I found something odd.

It seems that
some of these reports

were written weeks after
the interviews with the boys,

and I've gotta tell you,

that's not police reporting,
that's creative writing.

Yeah, it's
one long fairy tale.

(SIGHS)

Well, look, uh...

I didn't come without
any good news today.

Oh?

Because of time
and pressure

from Dick and the
other families who
are in the same boat,

an investigation
has been launched

by the state
attorney-general's office.

They're looking into
Kern County's conduct

of these
molestation cases.

Really?

Oh, thank God.

Oh.

Listen, Andy,
it's not looking
good for us.

I'm proud of
my work, Sam.

I did the right thing
for these kids.

There are court reversals
now in a number
of East-Coast cases.

The papers are questioning

whether these kids
told the truth.

Well, I believe
the children, all of them.

For God's sake, Andy,
we've had kids accuse
people in our own office.

They had the
sheriff's department
digging up backyards

looking for bodies
that weren't there.

Over time, public opinion

has taken a nasty shift
on this thing.

I don't care
about public opinion, Sam.

These kids did not
make these things up.

We have saved them
from lives of abuse
and degradation,

and I am proud of that.

Listen to me, Andy.
That's fine.

But I have to pull us
out of this tailspin.

We've got one of the kids
from the old Pitts case

claiming that
she was pressured by us

to testify
against her family.

Please, that didn't happen.

These cases
go down the drain,

you go down the drain.

Everything you touched
will be reversed.

The court
will tear you to pieces.

Now, look.

You and I
have had problems

on a number of cases.

You're not a team player.

I'm not sure
we'll be able to

find anything much for you
to do around here.

Wrong.
I am right.

Can't keep
talking about this.

Brandon,
how do you explain

that I don't remember
any of it if it happened?

Do you remember
your first day
in kindergarten?

No! So what?

Grandma said you cried
and tried to take
your bear with you.

So?

So, even though
you don't remember it,

you know what happened
because everyone said so.

That's the way
it is with this.

Everyone said it
happened, so it did.

I just don't believe it.

What, the whole world
is lying to us?

The courts?
The police?

The social workers?
Foster parents?

They're all lying to us?

Why?

You see, it doesn't
make sense any other way.

It must be true.

It can't be true.

You just don't
want to believe it.

(STRUGGLING)

SAYER: Not again.
That's it!

All right, Brandon, stop it!

Stop it, you two.
Stop it.

One of you has to go.

I cannot have you both
here any longer.

SCOTT:
"Honey, I know
it's harder for you this week

"with it being
Brian's 13th birthday,

"but soon
we will all be together.

"We have a lot
to look forward to now

"as our appeal gets closer.

"I hang on to the thought
that soon

"we will be in each
other's arms again.

"Love forever, Scott."

Mommy loves you.

WOMAN: Yeah, I know.
Be good for Mommy.

LANDRY: Time.

WOMAN: Okay.

Kniffen, you're up.

Scott?

Hey. How are you?

I'm good.

Oh, it's so good
to hear your voice.

It's been so long this time.

I'm so lonely for you.

Yeah.
They treating you okay?

Actually,
better all the time.

Yeah?

Your sparkling personality's
wearing them down, huh?

(LAUGHS)

Well, I've learned
a few things.

Yeah.
Yeah, me, too.

(CHUCKLES)

It's a very good day
for us.

BRENDA:
Yeah, now that
Gindes has resigned
from the D.A.'s office,

there's no one fighting us.

SCOTT:
Mom and Dad can
finally get custody of Brian.

BRENDA:
Yeah, Brian...
But just Brian.

Scott...

You know,
it's been eight years.

Why doesn't
Brandon want to
leave his foster home?

I don't know, sweetheart.

I don't know what
he's thinking. I don't.

What if...

What if he believes
all the lies?

What if he thinks that
we're the monsters

that they say
that we are?

What if we get our appeal,
and I get out of this hellhole

only to find out
that my sons hate me?

LANDRY: Time.

No.

Brenda?

Brenda!

DUNN:
"In a 367-page opinion,

"Gindes was blasted for being
an overzealous prosecutor,

"who, in his blind
quest to convict,

"forgot or ignored

"his constitutional
and ethical duties

"as a representative
of the people."

Every time we got
ready for an appeal,

something got in the way,
but now that Gindes is gone,

we're gonna win this time!

I can feel it!
It's turned!

Could they really get out?

Oh, Brian.

We're not allowed
to talk to you
about this.

We could lose custody.

(BREATHES DEEPLY)

Right.

(TELEPHONE RINGS)

I'll get it.

This is just
what Dick needs.

He hasn't been well.

We don't know
how long it will be

before the court
makes a determination.

There's been a lot
of harsh criticism

over the D.A.'s office

during these molestation
trials of the early '80s.

A number of these
cases have been
reversed and people freed.

We wait now
for word on the fate

of the Kniffen-McCuan trial.

Brenda.

(BREATHES HEAVILY)

How?

(SOBS)

Oh, God.

BRENDA: I don't understand.

Why?

Why not me?

You know I was a good mother.
You know it.

What have I ever done?

How could you
let this happen?

I've prayed,
and I've believed,

and... And...

(SOBS) I might as
well be dead.

I am dead.

Oh, God.

Where are you?

(GASPS)

No!

Oh!

It's all too much.

It's really too much.

Thank you for sticking
with us through all of this.

There's this lawyer,
Michael Snedeker.

He's very active and vocal

in victims of child-abuse
legislation.

He's one of the attorneys
that won the appeal
for the Pitts family.

I want to get to him.

Will he take us?

I thought
I'd camp on his doorstep.

Hey, Mr. Dunn.

Hi, Brian.

(SIGHS)

Look, son, technically
you're still under
protective custody

because you're underage.

And I know I'm not supposed
to be talking to you,

and all hell is gonna
break loose when I do,

but I think it's time that
we talked about your parents

and what went on back there.

I want to.

And your brother, too.
I understand he's
with the Marines now.

We don't talk much,
not in a while now.

(PATS ARM)

COMMENTATOR:
Jenkins is
back to punt for Hart.

Okay, here's the kick,
and it's a good one.

Deep down field
is Brian Kniffen.

He takes the ball
at the 23,

cuts back across the grain
and finds his blockers.

He's down the sideline
and only the punter to beat.
Come on.

The 30, the 20, the 10,
touchdown!

Yes! Yes!

They'll take the lead
in the state championship.

Thirteen to seven.

Oh, what a game
we've got here, folks.

Now the coach
is on the sideline.

For 10 years,

I've had a perfect
record in here.

Doctor, please try
and appreciate

how desperately
I want to visit with my sons.

I don't doubt that you do.

They're grown.

They're 16 and 19.

What could I possibly
do to hurt them?

Nothing.
Then why?

Why can't I see them?

Because you're in denial.

I'm not in denial.

You can't make any progress

or receive any benefits
from that progress

until you first admit
your problem.

You know, I don't
have a problem

except for I've been
in prison for 10 years

for something
that never happened.

I will not okay a family visit
while you're in denial.

(SIGHS)

If you could admit

to even one small act
of molestation,

I'd see that
as a positive step.

And then I could
recommend for the visit.

If I say
I molested my boys,

you'll let me see them?

Yes.

There is
no force or pressure

or bribe or prize

that would ever make me say
I did that to my children.

I would rather
die here alone

than ever have them think
I did such a thing.

Hey, Grandma,
no sleeping at the table.

Grandma.

Grandma!
Grandma!

Gran...

God, please bring Marilyn
the peace she so deserves.

It killed them.

The whole thing,
it killed them.

Will you keep working
to free my parents?

'Til they turn off
my lights.

Hey.

I'm sorry, Brian.
(BRIAN SOBS)

I know you were closer.

Yeah.

And I'm sorry I didn't make
it to the funeral on time.

How's Grandpa taking it?

Tried to reach you
last night.

It's just so hard
without Grandma.

What?

Last night, in his sleep.

I think he died
of a broken heart.

The stress
all these years.

I wish I could have
protected you more,

been a better brother
somehow.

We have to make this right.

We have to get
Mom and Dad out.

(VOICE BREAKS)
Brian...

You understand?

If it didn't happen...

If none of it
ever happened,

then how can I live
with what I've done?

BRENDA:
"Dear Scott,

"I have resigned
myself to the fact

"that I'm going to spend
the rest of my life in prison.

"The worst part is knowing

"I'll never see you
or my precious boys again.

"This is no longer a nightmare
I expect to wake from

"or a mistake
I expect to be fixed.

"I look to no one for help,

"not even God.

"Our sons' childhoods
have already passed us by.

"I hope that they have found
happiness without us.

"It is now the only
thing I hope for.

"Always your loving wife,
Brenda."

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Oh, you must be Mr. Dunn.

I'm Michael Snedeker.

This is my
wife and law partner,
Lisa Short.

Hi.
DUNN: Sir, ma'am.

Uh, I took the liberty
of driving up the files

along with
my investigative
report and such

so, uh, that you two
could get a real idea
about the case.

Well, I'm, uh...

I'm sorry
you made such a long drive.

As I told you on the phone,
we're very busy now
with other cases.

Yep, long drive.

(CLEARS THROAT)

Can I get a cup of coffee?

SNEDEKER:
So the younger one recanted,

signed a declaration
that he'd lied,

and is willing
to testify to that?

Yep. That's Brian.
Nice kid.

He's been
in 16 foster homes.

Oh, no. (SIGHS)
And the older boy?

Well, I'm working on it,
but there's more guilt there.

Yeah, we'd need him
because he was older.

The grandparents?

Good people.

Scott's parents gave it
everything they had.

It killed them both.

Look, I, uh...

I know you helped get
the Pitts family freed.

This is the same thing.

I know
why you came to us, but,

it doesn't change our work...

Before you make
a decision...

Listen to this.

I can't tell you
where I got it

or who gave it to me.

All of the original
interview tapes

have been "misplaced".

I promised my source
that they'd remain anonymous.

A jury never got
to hear the whole tape.

You should.

They walked into their home,

and they took
their children away.

There but for
the grace of God.

The inventory list
is at least 26,000 pages
of case documents.

It would take a year to read.

Lisa, we can barely meet
our commitments now.

BRIAN (OVER TAPE):
I want to go home.

BENNIS (ON TAPE):
Now don't get scared.

Uh. Don't get scared
on me, Brian.

We told you we wouldn't
lie to you, Brian,

and we won't.

BRIAN (ON TAPE):
I miss my mommy.

BENNIS (ON TAPE):
Well, of course you do.

Sounds like the Marine Corps
has been real good for you.

It was the right thing,
the right time.

Well, you're
over 18 now, Brandon.

Hell, you're a Marine.

(SIGHS)

You're, uh, free to say
whatever you want now.

Brandon, we need you.

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

I've been confused
for a long time

about what went on,

what I said,

what really happened,

who told me what.

And now?

I'm still confused.

But now,
when I think about it,

I know only one
thing for sure.

If those things
had been done to me,

I'd remember.

What I do remember,

is that one day,

they walked in
and they stole my parents,

the two most powerful people
in my world.

And that terrified me
beyond words.

What do we do?

I'm here to see
Brenda Kniffen.
I'm her lawyer.

Can I see her?
Yes, you can.

Brenda?

Hi.

I think I have
good news for you.

SNEDEKER: We're going in
on a writ of habeas corpus.

Which means we have
to have new evidence.

Exactly.

Things not handled
in the original trial.

We intend to prove that
you were unjustly incarcerated

for crimes
that never happened.

What do we have?

Well, first we have
all the new research data

on suggestive questioning,
brainwashing.

Second,
we have declarations...

From both your sons, recanting
their prior testimony.

They stated unequivocally

they were never molested.

They know.

They know.

Wow.

There's no denying it's
going to take time getting
this case together.

We need experts.

We need reports
on doctors' testimony.

We coordinated with
local council Stan Simrin.

He knows all the players
in Kern County.

He's a very fine attorney.

(CHUCKLES)

Uh,

Mr. Snedeker.

Look, I genuinely appreciate

everything
you're trying to do,

but please understand

we will never ever get
a fair hearing

in Kern County.

It's a different
time now, Scott.

All right.

(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)

Hi.

Hi. Feeling all right?

See you shortly.
You with us?

Okay, good.

(BOTH LAUGHING)

Oh, my God.
Oh.

God, look how beautiful
you still are.

Liar.

Hey, stop.
You're not supposed
to do that.

Oh, come on.
What are you gonna do?
Arrest us?

They know.

They know
none of it happened.

I can live
with anything else.

SNEDEKER:
Since May 16, 1984,

and for the past 12 years,

Brenda Kniffen
and Scott Kniffen
have been illegally confined

in the custody and control

of the California Department
of Corrections.

The accusations
against the Kniffens

arose through one woman,
Mary Ann Barbour.

During an episode
of a recurring psychosis

while she was caretaking
for her two granddaughters,

Jenny and Caroline McCuan.

Your Honor,
in order to
find for this writ,

the defense has
to bring in new evidence

that was not known
or considered

during the very lengthy
original trial.

Now, the trial addressed
the Mary Ann Barbour issue.

That is true, Mr. Snedeker.

No one now
in the medical community

believes the wink response
is indicative of sodomy.

Again, Your Honor,
experts disagreeing on this

was presented
in the original trial.

SNEDEKER: Your Honor,
you have just heard
a series of experts testify

that Brandon and Brian
were subjected

to what we now know,
due to recent research,

is coercive
and suggestive questioning

by officials
who were already convinced

that the abuse had occurred.

It is this new research

into the area
of brainwashing and coercion

that explains
how this happened.

The District Attorney's
office was unwilling
to accept any answer

other than what they sought.

They whipped up
a witch-hunt frenzy.

Look at him.
He's wonderful.

SNEDEKER: Brandon,
when you were nine years old,

during your first
taped interview,

you were asked
340 leading questions.

What happened
during that questioning

when you told them
there was no abuse?

They'd get mad,

and they'd ask me
over and over.

They accused me of lying

or of calling
my brother a liar.

I was terrified.

(WHISPERING) We know.

Your Honor, in the reports

of the interviews
with these little boys,

no mention was ever made

that they both
initially denied
that they were abused.

The interviewers
described things

and then badgered the boys
until they agreed.

Brandon,

how many times do you think
someone from the
District Attorney's office

talked to you between
the time you were taken
and the time of the trial?

Fifty.

Maybe more.

And if I didn't remember
it just right,

they'd get really angry.
(INAUDIBLE WHISPERING)

They would lock the door,
trap me in there for hours,

sitting there alone.
I would have said anything
to make it stop.

Do you remember
what you thought
was going to happen?

I thought if I answered
the questions

the way they wanted,

I'd get to go home

with my parents.

For that, I would
have done anything.

I would...
I would have said anything.

Their right to due process
was violated.

Their right
to present witnesses
was violated.

The prosecution failed
to preserve evidence
in the trial.

They failed to turn over
exculpatory evidence.

Your Honor, these two boys,

now men,

do not want to live
with the stigma
of child molestation.

That is understandable.

But there has been
no new unconsidered
evidence presented.

Everything the defense
has offered was considered

in the original
nine-month trial

where 12 citizens found
these defendants guilty.

Look at our boy.

He's a man.

(SIGHS)

SNEDEKER:
In the words
of Justice Brandeis,

"The greatest dangers
to liberty lurk

"in the insidious encroachment
by men of zeal,

"well-meaning
but without understanding."

Listen to the interview
tape in its entirety.

Witnesses concur
that there were many

interview tapes
of these two young boys.

Only this one,
located by Denver Dunn,
has survived.

Listen to it, Your Honor.

(PLAYER CLICKS)

BRIAN (OVER TAPE):
I want to go home.

BENNIS (OVER TAPE):
Now don't get scared.

Uh. Don't get scared
on me, Brian.

We told you we
wouldn't lie to you, Brian,

and we won't.

BRIAN (OVER TAPE):
I miss my mommy.

SNEDEKER:
Two little boys
were ripped from
their loving home,

isolated, frightened,

bounced from foster home
to foster home

while being used to convict
and imprison their parents.

Two little boys,

all the while believing
that when this was over,

they would be reunited
with their parents

and go home.

Were these kids abused?

Yes, Your Honor.

They sure were.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUDING)

(KEYS RATTLE)
(UNLOCKS PRISON DOOR)

Well, what do
you know, Kniffen?

You were right.
You're going home.

(DOOR SLAMS)

(DOOR BUZZES)

Hold it, boys.

(SOBS)

Oh.

I can finally
call someone "Dad."

Aw, son.

I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry.

No, no, Brandon.

You were just a little boy.
It wasn't your fault.

It was never your fault.
We always knew that,
always.

I celebrated every single one
of your birthdays, sweetie,

every one.

I missed you so much.

Oh, my God.

Finally.

Finally.

Finally.

SNEDEKER:
Congratulations.
Thank you.

Mom.

(LAUGHS)

Thanks.

Oh.

Come here.
Congratulations.

Oh.

Come on.
Let's go home.