Original subtitles

Previously on The Practice.

Is this all?

This is every penny I can get my hands on.

You got till tomorrow.

12 ,000. Number four.

To win.

I got

in a jam with a bookie.

I borrowed money for like seven hours. You took from a client's trust fund.

That's theft.

We're required to notify the client and the bar. If I don't, this whole firm

could get disbarred.

I can't even believe they're letting him out. Remember, he was never actually

charged in the kidnapping of your son.

The police know he did it.

They just couldn't prove it. Plus, he's a convicted child molester.

What exactly are you hiring me to do?

We want to bury our son.

Only he knows where the body is.

Wrongful death for a murder that took place 18 years ago?

They want closure. If I can create the threat of a lawsuit, maybe we can get

this guy to reveal where the remains are.

I didn't do it. Like you never molested those three little boys who put you in

here? I had nothing to do with that Baldwin kid going missing.

Have your attorney call me.

You never did see him abduct your son, did you? I didn't see it. So it could

have been somebody else. Nobody else was near Chad.

Can you account for such a coincidence?

A soon -to -be -convicted child molester is within 50 feet of a child at the

exact time he's kidnapped?

Objection. I'm going to let this case go forward. But, Mr. Donald, if you don't

come up with more, I will be dismissing it at a later date.

Mr. Donald?

Yes. I think I may be Chad Baldwin.

What makes you think you're Chad Baldwin?

I think my mother can answer that better than I can.

However, I want your assurance that she's not going to get in any trouble.

Why would she?

Um, the man who kidnapped Chad Baldwin.

The man that you sued.

John Pierce.

He's the man who gave me to my mother.

In Brockton, in 1983, it was the same year that the Baldwin child disappeared.

He wasn't using the same name then, but... Gave you a child?

Why didn't you go to the police?

Because he told her I was his son.

He asked me to watch James for a few days while he went out of town.

He never came back.

Excuse me.

Chad's picture was all over the news for weeks. How could you not have known he

had been kidnapped?

She didn't.

And we're not here for you to cross -examine her like she's a criminal. I

watched television.

Didn't even own one at the time. I know that seems hard to believe, but I wasn't

hiding him.

You will have to talk to the police.

And probably talk to the district attorney as well.

I know.

And I know I should have gone to them 18 years ago.

Whatever I did wrong, I am willing to accept the consequences.

Now that I realize who he is and what the Baldwins have gone through...

And this is why you're coming forward?

That, and because James has the right to know his birth parents.

Do you even remember John Pierce?

No, I don't even remember being Chad Baldwin.

And you're really sure you are?

A picture of my mother with John Pierce.

She always told me that he was my father.

And then I saw the news.

And he's not my father.

I'm the boy he kidnapped.

Are you sure?

No, we're not sure.

That's why we need you to take a blood test. We've already taken his and... He

thought Pierce was his father?

Until a few days ago, yes.

And the woman said she got him from Pierce?

Yes.

Richard, Jenny, there was a lot of news coverage on this.

Occasionally there are people who will try to take advantage of a situation no

matter how tragic.

By pretending to be our son?

We don't know.

You have money.

That's why we want to take the blood test.

You must think there's a good chance he's Chad or you wouldn't have come.

exploring the possibilities.

When can I see him?

Let us check things out first.

If he isn't Chad, we don't want your disappointment to be any greater than it

has to be.

My wife and I are very good at dealing with disappointment.

We've had years of practice.

We don't need you to decide how much we can take.

We'll do the blood test and go from there.

Anybody who knows this woman, knew her, knew somebody who knows her, we need to

support her testimony. Otherwise, it would be her word against Pierce's. I'm

it. Lindsay, if you could stay on the lab. They've only had the blood an hour.

They could test it in 20 minutes and be 99 % sure.

Are they still in my office?

Waiting. Come on, Eleanor.

Bobby or Eugene here?

Bobby's in a meeting, but Eugene's in his office.

Can I talk to you a second?

I, uh... I've joined Gamblers Anonymous.

I go to three meetings a week.

I'm also going to a regular therapist, so I feel confident that I'll be okay.

Good.

I'd like to apologize to the firm. I was thinking... That can't happen.

The rest of the people here don't even know, Jimmy.

Should they know, they become obligated by law to report you. I guess what I'm

saying, I'm willing to accept it if that's what anybody chooses to do.

But nobody will choose to do it. That's the problem.

They'll keep your secret and be potentially liable for doing so. If you

want to protect them here, do not tell.

Okay.

Are we okay?

You and me?

Do I forgive you?

Yes.

Am I here to help you any way I can?

Maybe.

But are we okay, like everything's back to normal?

No.

I don't trust you as much.

Well, that's a pretty big loss.

Yes, it is.

And Jimmy, it's not just yours.

That ever occur to you?

The thing is, the police will want to talk to you.

Why do they even have to find out? If you're really Chad Baldwin, it will get

out. A kidnapped child comes back after 18 years?

This will eventually get out.

And you are going to be considered a suspect?

You kept the child. You never contacted the police. You will certainly be

considered an accessory.

I thought he was Pierce's son.

Yes, and assuming that's true, if you try to be sneaky about this now, you

lose all credibility with the police when they come to ask you questions.

And they will come.

So what are you suggesting we do?

Assuming you are Chad Baldwin, I'd like to go to the district attorney's office.

I think we can make a deal.

I'm hopeful they'll give you immunity.

And what would I have to give them?

John Pierce.

You can put him away.

Can you promise you'll be protected?

No.

Bobby Lank, no.

It's the lab.

Bobby Donald.

Send me the report.

Thank you.

Well, it seems you're Chad Baldwin.

The blood test is conclusive.

It's him.

He's your son.

Oh, my God.

We found our son.

Oh. When can we see him?

He said he'd like to do it at the office.

I need to sit down. I'm shaking.

And this woman...

is willing to testify against Pierce.

We can finally put him behind bars.

I think she'd like to, but she could change her mind and take the fifth.

Why would she do that? She came forward.

James is afraid she might be charged with something.

James?

That's his name.

Here's what we want.

We want our son back.

You want the man who kidnapped him punished.

And you're willing to not punish her?

I'd like to go to the DA and tell her the two of you, the victims, are in

of granting Allison Tucker some kind of immunity.

We could get you and your son reunited and put Mr. Pierce back in prison.

Let's do that.

90 % of the people who walk into my office promising me a conviction in

for immunity are a lot more involved than they admit.

And I'll bet 90 % of that 90 % are people who know they're about to be

up. Alison Tucker would have never been prosecuted on anything.

You're asking me to make a blind bid.

The Baldwin support it.

If the victims of the crime want to give this woman immunity and help you

convict the man we both know is responsible, Helen, where's the

Yeah, I need more.

I'll make a proffer that she can put John Pierce with Chad Baldwin in 1983.

You've never had that.

Add that to the existing circumstantial evidence.

Put them together how? Is she an eyewitness?

Yes.

On several occasions.

She raised the kid.

If you don't give her immunity, you know what will happen. She'll take the

fifth. Her son will refuse to testify against her, and you will be left with

what the blind man saw.

I'll give her queen for the day.

If I buy her story, I'll give her accessory after the fact.

Nice try.

Accessory. I'll agree to no time if I buy her story. If I don't, no deal.

You okay?

Yeah.

Just kind of hitting me.

My whole life, I... I thought my father was just a pierced man.

Do you have any pictures of him?

The bald ones?

I don't think so.

But you've met them.

Yeah. They seem really nice.

And I... They've never stopped loving you.

What does she look like?

My mother.

I'm your mother.

I know, Mom.

I didn't mean... No. I mean, I'm all for you meeting them.

I know you raised me.

I know who my mother is.

We need to go.

I was working in Brockton as a waitress.

One day I was washing my clothes at the laundromat and this man came in with

James, who was about four.

We started talking and he said that James was his son and that the mom had

and that they were living in a camper.

What year was this?

This was 1983, early summer.

He said his name was Chris Stevenson, but when we saw John Pierce on the

television a week ago...

Well, that was the man who gave me James, and we figured things out.

Do you recall the name of the laundromat?

No, but I think it was on Crescent near the railroad track.

How did you end up with James permanently?

Well, one day John Pierce said that he had to go away for a few days, and he

asked if I could watch James, and I said yes.

How long did this Mr. Pierce say he'd be gone?

Three, four days.

But then he... Well, he never came back.

Well, when did it occur to you he might not be coming back at all?

I don't know.

I suppose a few months later.

I thought about going to the police.

But I knew that they would put the boy in a foster home.

We had bonded.

And I, um...

I just didn't want him to be put in a home.

You remember any of this?

I remember our place in Springfield.

Nothing much before that.

You believe her?

I don't know.

It's hard to swallow that she didn't have some inkling the kid was kidnapped.

Likelihood is she probably didn't want to know.

You checked her out?

Her employment history and the location of the laundromat pan out. No criminal

record.

Owns a little second -hand shop.

Wonderful mother and neighbor.

Well, even if she knew, she still took the kid out of the hands of a child

molester. Meaning?

She left the situation better than she found it.

Well, if she knew he was kidnapped, she should have come forward. Look, our

endgame is to get Pierce.

She can help us do that.

You think I should make the deal?

She'll plead to accessory?

No time served.

I think you should make the deal.

We're in.

You get your immunity if you testify against Pierce.

So, she can't be prosecuted? That's right. But it means going forward as

tomorrow at the probable cause hearing, then again, of course, at trial.

Okay.

But, Allison, you have to understand.

This is going to be an ugly battle.

Pierce's attorney will try to shred you. She'll go from attacking your honesty

to suggesting you're trying to extort the Baldwins for money. She could even

claim that you're the real kidnapper.

You're in for a nasty few months.

Okay.

So are they going to arrest John Pierce?

They're doing that as we speak.

Bobby. The Baldwin's are here.

Would you like us to leave?

No. I mean, um... I don't know. I mean, it's okay.

It's okay.

Shulman.

I can't believe this day is here.

Thank you so much.

for bringing him back

incredibly

it was the publicity of last week's civil proceeding that led James Tucker

conclude that he in fact is the missing Chad Baldwin John Pierce was arrested

last night without incident. His probable cause hearing is scheduled for

'clock.

Anything from Rebecca?

She's still in Brockton. She should be back by lunch.

I hope she finds somebody to support that woman's story.

You don't think the judge will believe her?

Don't know.

So you met this man in the laundromat, and he introduced you to a boy he said

was his son James. Is that correct?

Yes. And this boy is the young man you now know is the son of Richard and Jenny

Baldwin, the son that was kidnapped 18 years ago. That's correct.

And is that man who introduced you to the boy, that man that said James was

son and asked you to look after him, is that man in the courtroom?

Yes, he is. Would you point him out, please?

The defendant.

She's lying. Mr. Pierce.

I never had a kid with me. Mr. Pierce.

And I show you this picture of Ms. Tucker.

Can you identify it? It's a picture of me and the defendant taken about 20

ago. We were at a carnival together.

This was previously marked and identified. I offer it now in evidence.

Nothing further for the witness, Your Honor.

Though I remind the court that all the testimony from last week's civil

proceeding has been entered as recorded testimony evidence.

Ms.

Tucker, during the 18 years you were raising Chad Baldwin as your own son,

you ever talk to the police about the father who left his son with you and

returned? No. Did you talk to anyone about it in 18 years?

No. You kept the whole thing a secret. Is that a fair statement?

I guess you could say that. Did you keep it a secret because you knew what you

were doing was illegal?

I know that what I did was wrong, and yes, it was probably illegal.

But at the time, I really believed that what I was doing was best for James.

You claim Mr.

Pierce asked you to watch Chad for a few days and never returned.

Yes. Did you ever tell any of your fellow workers at the Golden Cup why you

quitting? No. Did anyone ever see you and Mr. Pierce and Chad together in the

weeks he was living in Brockton before he left town?

I don't know. You can't recall?

No. So if I said, based on everything you've told me, I believed you had

kidnapped Chad, you really wouldn't have any way of disproving that, would you?

I don't know how you prove that you didn't do something.

And if I said I believe you concocted this whole elaborate story in order to

frame a convenient dupe and free yourself from responsibility for the

acts you admit you committed.

Objection. Sustained.

Ms. Tucker, are you trying to frame Mr.

Pierce in order to protect yourself? If I wanted to protect myself, I would have

stayed living the way I've been living for the past 18 years.

I did this for my son.

Because I wanted him to meet his birth parents.

Birth parents that I didn't even know existed until a few weeks ago.

I see.

But before you carried out this little act of altruism, you made sure you cut a

deal with the DA, right?

In exchange for this testimony, you were promised you wouldn't serve any time.

Is that true, Ms. Tucker?

Yes.

That's correct.

My sister and I don't really communicate much anymore, Miss Washington.

I'm just looking... I need witnesses to substantiate what she's telling us.

I don't really know anything.

Did you know she had a child?

Yes. And did she tell you she had gotten the boy from a man?

Yes, some guy she met at a laundromat. I heard the whole thing.

And did you believe her?

Why wouldn't I?

Miss Tucker, I'm Allison's lawyer.

I'm on her side.

I'm just trying to collect information.

You said it like you doubt her.

Mr. Pierce's lawyer will doubt her, and she'll try to tear her up.

I need to know whatever ammo she could possibly dig up.

Can I talk to you?

Thought we did, then.

Well, I'd like to talk again, then.

Go ahead.

I can't get it out of my head about what you said, about shattering trust.

And, well, I realized I was betting money.

I even knew I was betting the client's money.

And I suppose I knew I was gambling with the firm's reputation.

What never really hit me, until you said what you said, Was that I was

wagering friendships and I guess that means I was willing

to but on that I Wasn't really aware.

I Never would have knowingly done that You people here You're really the only

thing I have that truly means anything to me

I'm not comfortable telling people I love them, and especially other men.

But I do love you, Eugene.

And for me to risk...

I'm an addict.

But if I ever needed the will to lick this, I got it now.

Because my friendship with you, well, I

hope you know what I'm saying.

They offered nothing new.

The 18 -year -old memory of an unsubstantiated witness whose

highly suspect.

The only thing she could establish is that she once briefly knew my client.

Even if the court were able to accept her concoction, you would certainly have

to recognize, Your Honor, that this newly discovered evidence could never

satisfy at trial the burden of guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Accordingly, I ask that my client be released and the charges be dismissed,

time with prejudice.

We already had an eyewitness.

Mrs. Baldwin placing John Pierce at the scene of the crime at the exact time of

the crime. We found three Legos inside Mr.

Pierce's apartment.

Chad Baldwin was seen playing with Legos at the scene.

He has convictions for two other child molestations. I'm sorry, those will not

come into evidence. I think they will. They go to pattern. The prejudicial

alone. Civil liberties are less in style than they used to be. I would

appreciate getting to finish my statement much like she got to finish

Go ahead.

In addition to Mrs. Baldwin placing Mr.

Pierce within 50 feet of her son at the time of the disappearance, in addition

to an informant who testified that John Pierce admitted to the abduction,

We now have the testimony of Allison Tucker, who says she got Chad Baldwin

John Pierce.

Let's not forget, Your Honor, his prior molestation convictions will likely come

into evidence as pattern evidence. All of that will be enough to satisfy

reasonable doubt.

Your Honor, it's unquestionable that this matter satisfies the burden of a

probable cause hearing.

I agree.

The defendant is bound over.

Trial date for the first week of February.

And, Miss Lightstone, Miss Gamble is correct.

There's an excellent chance the jury will hear about these other molestation

convictions.

Take your client in a corner.

Tell him he's got a problem.

This court is adjourned.

I can't believe he may finally get it. Well, I'm going to need you for trial,

which you heard will be in February.

Okay. Bobby.

Hey, Bryce. Can I sit?

Sure.

Listen, before we get carried away, I'd like to try to settle this. Our leverage

is good, and with the chance of the other convictions being suppressed, and

there is that chance, I'd like to get what we can get now.

How long?

If I could get eight years, I'd be thrilled.

You okay with that?

I guess.

Allison, can I talk to you for a second?

What's up?

This is Rebecca Washington.

She's an attorney with our firm.

Yeah, I think we met.

She's been looking for witnesses who could perhaps bolster your testimony.

Today, she spoke with your sister.

And?

She says three years before taking in James, you miscarried.

Two years before that, you miscarried.

Six months before taking in James, you tried to adopt.

You were rejected.

A month later, you told your sister you thought about just going to a hospital

and taking a baby.

She's lying.

Why would she make up those lies?

She's lying.

Did you kidnap James, Allison?

No. Did you get lucky?

John Pierce, a child molester, just happened to be in the area at the time?

He just happened to be a friend?

Are you the beneficiary of an incredible coincidence?

No. You also told your sister Mr.

Pierce had a juvenile arrest for molestation.

Juvenile records are sealed.

So how would you know that?

We didn't know that.

Pierce told me. So what? So what?

It means you had reason to know he'd make a perfect suspect.

Did you try to frame him, Allison?

Snatched a kid where he worked?

Planted the Legos in his apartment you had access?

Is that what happened, Allison?

If I was involved, Mr. Donald, why would I ever come forward

now?

I don't think you really did.

James did.

And you couldn't stop him.

You're mistaken.

The question is, what do we do now?

Well, if Beck found this out, I gotta believe the police will too. No.

The sister's not talking to the police.

She spoke to me because I'm Allison's lawyer.

Which raises another issue. We're Allison's lawyers. The conflict of

spoke of before has reared its ugly head.

Do we tell the Baldwins?

How do we not? I agree.

You have to tell the Baldwins and Allison.

Wait a second.

Allison could still have criminal exposure on this for obstruction of

perjury. It doesn't matter. She didn't reveal the information. Her sister did.

It's not privileged.

But, Eugene, I... I am telling the bald ones.

What's happening with Pierce?

No.

John. I didn't do it. I won't say I did.

I finished listening before declaring your position, Mr. Pierce. Helen, this

a one -time only offer. You know the evidence we have. The judge indicated

going to admit the molestation conviction.

I didn't do it. I admit I knew the woman, but I never took the kid.

She must have been, she's trying to frame me. She's trying to frame you 18

later. What is this, careful planning?

I don't know what's going on.

I was friends with her, but I never grabbed that kid.

You've got till noon tomorrow.

I'm offering you reckless endangerment for a kidnapping. That is a gift which I

am willing to give you to spare putting those families through a trial.

And I hope you turn it down.

Because I love to go after guys who go after kids.

She did it?

We can't prove it, but we think so.

Does James know?

We don't think so.

He seems to believe his mother's version of the events.

So where does this leave us?

Well... Ethically, we think we should inform the district attorney.

We're a little trapped because Allison is also our client.

Before we do anything, we thought we'd get your reaction to it all.

Why would she come forward and expose herself if she were the kidnapper? We

believe James insisted on coming forward, and she couldn't talk him out

As we said, we can't prove any of it.

But this is where we are.

I would like you to not tell the district attorney.

Okay.

Why? Because if you do...

It's going to turn Chad against you and ultimately us.

Like it or not.

She controls our relationship with our son.

A man stands to be convicted for a crime he didn't commit.

Well, maybe the police will find this new information out on their own. That

doesn't seem likely. And besides, Pierce could enter a plea.

Eleanor. Bobby.

My husband's right.

We need to have a relationship with this woman.

It's possible. If James were to know that Allison was the kidnapper, he might

sever his relationship with her, making it easier for you. That might be so, if

you could prove it.

But you can't.

You asked for our thoughts, Bobby.

As your clients, we're directing you not to tell the district attorney about

this new information.

He maintains his innocence.

Oh, come on, Henrietta. He does. Helen, what can I tell you? It's not about what

you tell me. It's about what you say to him. You've got to advise him of his

legal chances here. If this goes to trial, he's dead. I can't make him take

deal. Make him see reality.

Well, give me something to go back with. I gave you eight years for a

kidnapping. What do you want me to gift wrap it?

Make it six.

I'll get him there. I'll give him 15 and juvie. He'll love it.

Six.

I'll sell it.

Seven. Sell seven.

Lucy, notify the Baldwins and the Tuckers we're going back in before Judge

at 11 if they want to be there. Do they have to? No, it's their choice. I'm

going. Eleanor?

I'm with you.

So this guy's going back to prison?

Seems so.

Jimmy, lunch plans.

Me?

No, I'm wide open.

I'm going to grab a sandwich at 12 .30 or so.

Great.

Bobby. You're here.

We were close when Lucy called. The case is over?

They supposedly have reached a deal.

There's a joint recommendation scheduled before Judge Kenny.

Listen, I know we've already discussed this, but I'm going to say it again.

If Pierce is doing jail time, he's serving it quite possibly for a crime he

didn't commit.

Will you really be able to live with that?

John Pierce is a two -time child molester, whether or not he actually

Chad. He served his time for those offenses.

I'm not going to lose sleep for him.

This is my time to make up for 18 lost years with my son.

Is it really over?

We don't know.

We're told there's a plea.

Allison. Could I see you in private in the witness room?

I'll go with you.

No, this is private, Bobby.

I'm going with you.

Did you kidnap my son,

Allison?

I asked you a question and I would appreciate an answer.

Did you kidnap my son?

I raved, James.

I'm his mother.

Well, then, as his mother, you'll understand my rage.

Like only a mother can.

I will get along with you, because I have to.

I will welcome you into my home. I will.

sit across a dinner table from you.

I will welcome you into my life to keep James in my life.

But with every embrace, please know I will never, ever

forgive you.

And you'll understand that, won't you?

Because a mother can understand.

Court's in session.

Let's go.

You understand, Mr. Pierce, that you are pleading guilty to the charge of child

endangerment?

Yes, Your Honor.

And you understand that by pleading guilty, you waive your rights to an

and will be sentenced to state prison for a term of not less than seven years.

Mr. Pierce, I ask you a question.

Yes, Your Honor, I understand it all.

Ms. Lightstone, do you support and recommend this plea?

I do, Your Honor.

All right, then. The plea is entered and accepted.

Mr. Pierce, you are hereby found guilty of the charge of child endangerment.

Security, take Mr. Pierce into custody.

This court is adjourned.