Original subtitles

Previously on The Practice.

Some guy stabbed me.

Guy? Yeah, a guy.

You can help prevent a big miscarriage here. Get out.

This integrity of the robe thing, that's just a bunch of crap.

I never had a gun.

All right, take him out. For the rest of the trial.

His hands are cuffed to the chair and his mouth is taped. Your Honor, that

be so prejudicial. It's not up for debate.

We find the defendant not guilty.

Marry me.

Marry you?

I love you.

And I want to be your husband.

I'm going to move in with Bobby.

But I'm going to have to move out. I can't spend that place on my own.

You can find another roommate.

I'm looking at the moment and I thought maybe...

On a temporary basis, we can... You think Eleanor and I are a good match?

Well, look, she dates men who cut off heads. I have this thin little neck. Oh,

okay, that's really funny.

See, you're already bickering.

Roommates.

Lucy?

You scared me. I'm sorry.

Bobby, look at this.

It's a nun holding the Boston Herald with yesterday's date.

What? Look.

He's still out there.

The nun that stabbed Lindsay, he's not dead. Bobby, do you see that? That's

yesterday's date. Calm down.

Don't tell me to calm down. Why is he doing this? What is this, some kind of

threat?

What are you doing?

Check the background.

You'll see that lamp on Jimmy's desk.

That picture was taken here.

What? He knows how to get in.

That's great.

He's alive.

With his own key.

Could be a copycat. Could, but this doesn't exactly fit a copycat profile.

It fits Joey Herrick's profile.

He would love to taunt us this way. You blame Joey Herrick for everything.

How would he get a key?

Isn't it possible the lock was picked?

Doesn't look like it.

Are you telling me that the guy who stabbed me might still be out there?

mind out there, Lindsay. How about in here?

Okay, let's not panic.

That's easy for you to say. You're not the one he's after.

It's got to be connected to that nun killer case.

What else could it be?

Six months.

I got to serve?

Ronnie. She thought it out in front of me. I wasn't even speeding. The problem

is you fled the scene.

But then I turned myself in.

Doesn't that count for something?

If you want to try it, we can try it.

I'm ready. The prosecution's ready.

But if we lose at trial, you could get two to three years.

My recommendation is we take the deal.

All right.

They'll call us up then.

We don't necessarily think it's the same guy.

This firm has had a lot of high -profile cases where you put murderers back on

the street. The highest profile being that Nunn case.

Also, Lindsay's attack got a lot of media attention.

I thought you said this wasn't a copycat. I said it didn't fit the

It could be someone that hates this firm and is using the Nunn motif to, well,

dramatic effect.

So what's going to be done?

We'll investigate, Bobby.

But we don't even have a death threat here.

I won't lie and say you'll get tremendously high priority.

Great.

Changing the locks would be a good place to start. You're moving in with me

tonight.

Do you still have your gun?

Unless you took it.

No, I got it.

Let's not overreact here.

Overreact? There's some psycho targeting us, Jimmy. And you think a gun's gonna

be the answer? Well, maybe not, but if it is, I want it to be in my hand.

I'd say this guy is already winning.

3 -0 -5 -0 -1, Commonwealth versus Ronald Vega, reckless driving, leaving

scene of an accident.

Another police conspiracy, Counselor?

No, Your Honor.

Your Honor, we've reached a tentative agreement subject to the approval of the

court. Let's hear it.

One second, Your Honor, I need a moment.

I'm sorry, the agreement is off.

What? Something you'd like to share with the rest of us? Your Honor, Elizabeth

Nicklin, the victim, died this morning from a ruptured spleen. Because the case

now involves a homicide... Homicide! It was an injury sustained in the accident.

In light of the new circumstances, the Commonwealth would like to withdraw the

plea offer agreement, add the vehicular homicide to the charges, and move

forward. You can't be serious. Bond sent in $75 ,000.

Take him into custody.

This is outrageous!

Yes, well, given the fact that your client confessed... I suggest you get

together with the DA and work out a plea.

I need to talk to you. I'll be back there in a second. Miss Washington. I'll

there in a second.

What the hell? The doctor connects the death with the accident. Beck, it's not

like I have much of a choice.

I'll give you five.

Five years? That's a deal.

Vehicular plus leaving the scene. Swack would pin him with eight.

Minimum. But he might not even sign off on five.

Let's have it recalled. We'll get rid of it.

I have to talk to my client first.

The offer is now five years.

I didn't do it. The doctors evidently can connect the injury. I didn't hit

I wasn't driving the car.

What are you talking about?

Teddy Barrington. He's this big real estate guy. I detail his car.

He hit her. He was drinking. He paid me to say that I did it.

Somebody else is paying you to take the fall.

Yes. How much?

$30 ,000, plus $10 ,000 for each month I had to serve.

For five years?

No way.

I'm not doing five years.

Ronnie, you signed a confession. But I didn't do it!

Okay.

Is there any way we can prove this? Do you have an alibi?

No. It was late at night and I was home sleeping when he called.

If you go to my apartment, look in my closet, you'll find the money.

It's Washington.

I wasn't driving that car.

This is exactly what you want.

Get your auto recoil, small, easy to conceal.

How much?

$6 .50. That's a lot of money.

Pay him five.

I don't dicker.

Look, you can't buy this anywhere.

It's illegal for you to own it, and they don't give out carry permits.

Eleanor.

Okay, here.

In any trouble, call me.

Thanks, Tom.

Have a safe day.

I don't know whether to be happy I have a gun or appalled that you can buy them

on the street.

Well, look at it this way. One less gun to fall into the wrong hand.

You know, maybe I should learn how to shoot it. There are plenty of places for

that. There's not much kick on it, so it won't be that hard.

Have you ever fired yours?

Only in target practice.

It sounds a little

like a tall tale, Rebecca.

Yes, it does.

With one exception.

Not a bribe.

This is evidence.

30 ,000.

He also promised to pay him an extra 10 for each month he spent in jail.

No witnesses?

No. But I ran Barrington's priors. He has two DURs. And your client has two

cocaine priors. But maybe he got this money dealing. He has been straight,

sober, and honest for six years.

We'll talk to this Barrington guy.

Can I be there?

Okay.

But listen, Rebecca.

If I find we're being put through the ring around this, I'm taking five years

off the table and I'm pushing for eight.

You think I'm putting you on?

I think he might be.

George? What are you doing with a gun? Never mind. What are you doing crashing

into people on the sidewalk? I wasn't crashing. I was walking with your head

down. What are you doing here?

Well, I was coming by to say hi, but I'm certainly rethinking that given the

sound of your voice.

I'm sorry. What the hell are you doing with a gun?

Our office is being terrorized by some wacko. Well, just a little jumpy. What,

gun? You?

Well, I just... What you should be doing is moving. Getting out of that

apartment. It's a bad neighborhood. It's already taken care of. I'm moving in

with Helen Gamble.

It's Beacon Hill. It's very safe. I still want a gun.

We've been terrorizing your house.

It's just... It's a long story, and I'm late for a depo. How about we get

dinner? You can tell me then.

Yeah, great. Okay. It would have to be an early one. 5 .30, let's say.

Angelina? Great. You'll be coming armed?

That's cute.

I'll see you.

When Ronnie returned the car, I noticed he looked rattled. How do you mean

rattled? Nervous.

Fidgety. So I decided to check the car out before I paid him.

And that's when you saw the damage to your car?

Yes. And it was at that time that he told me what he had done.

I was upset with him at first.

He started to cry.

He was very distraught about the whole situation.

Whose idea was it to call the police?

It was mine.

I told him that either now or later, the police were going to have to be told.

I also made it very clear that if he voluntarily turned himself in, the DA

be more forgiving.

Did you go anywhere while Mr. Vega had your car?

No, I stayed at home.

Was anyone with you? My wife. Why were you getting your car detailed at night?

I typically have it done at night because that's when I'm not using it.

All of a sudden I get the feeling I'm the one being investigated.

Mr. Vega claims that you're paying him $30 ,000 to take the fall for you.

That you hit Elizabeth Nicklin, not him.

You're not taking him seriously.

Then this interview's over.

Out of a van? What difference does it make where... What difference does it

make? Yes, it's a 30 -day wait in Massachusetts. We got a guy dressing up

nun sending us threats. We're supposed to wait a month? That's the law.

There's a law against stabbing people, too. Oh, please.

What? Oh, please. We're lawyers, Lindsay.

Members of the bar. That goes for you, too. We don't commit crimes, and you

buying that gun off of God knows who? It was a client. It's against the law.

You complain every day we're not doing enough to legitimize ourselves. What if

you get caught carrying?

You could get disbarred. Did you think about that? Did you?

Bobby, shut up.

All right, let's all... The fact that we're engaged doesn't mean I'm not still

seeing your partner.

You don't speak to me like that in here.

Hey. Hey.

I don't like the sound of that.

Barrington's wife backed him up.

Said he was home the whole time.

Well, what'd you expect? She's his wife.

Let's talk about what you expect, Rebecca.

Jennifer, say what you have to say.

We're pressing forward against Vega.

I'm telling you... We have a signed confession.

He was paid to give that. Which we can't prove.

And that is what this is all about, isn't it? The only case you'll be able

prove is against Vega.

Why even investigate Barrington? Because with Ronnie's testimony, he represents

automatic reasonable doubt.

Rebecca. Give him a lie detector.

Not admissible, and you know it. But it's accurate.

Rebecca.

We're going forward against Vega. It comes from above.

Because the woman is dead, and somebody needs to be convicted.

That it?

All the evidence we have points to Vega.

Mr.

Barrington's wife will provide an alibi.

They're moving forward against you.

Ronnie, I think we should just try it.

You convince me, you persuade one juror, we've got reasonable doubt. And we can

impanel first... I'm excited to stick with my confession, Miss Washington.

I'm sorry?

It was me.

I hit the woman.

I decided to stick with my confession.

Let that be that.

Wait a second. You're going back to saying you drove the car? Yes.

You had any visitors here?

Mr. Barrington's attorney.

Came to ask why I was accusing somebody else of doing what I did.

How much?

How much they offering you this time?

He appealed to my conscience.

You can't do this.

This is a homicide.

I don't care how much they're offering you. This will ruin your life. For God's

sake, listen to me.

My life will be ruined?

Do you know the first thing about my life, Miss Washington?

My parents were dead when I was nine.

I never finished high school. I make about $11 ,000 a year if I'm lucky.

Going to prison may be the best way to prevent me from becoming a criminal.

You're a criminal right now if you do what you're talking about. I hit the

woman. You have my confession.

What do you expect me to do about it? Well, I want to be let off.

A lawyer can't knowingly defraud the court. You don't know anything.

You suspect.

Your Honor, I know.

So what? I take you off the case, just lies to his next lawyer.

He marches in here with some ignoramus and the court is no better protected

against fraud.

Most attorneys wouldn't give a damn anyway.

How did you get to be so cynical?

I'm not cynical, counsel. I'm annoyed.

My day was supposed to end 20 minutes ago.

Oh, forgive me. I'm sure you have a nice bowel movement plan and you want to get

to it, give your day some meaning.

Have you been listening to what I'm saying?

A kid has been bought off to take a homicide rap.

In your court.

If that doesn't bother you, then don't tell me you're not cynical, or jaded, or

even putrid for that matter.

I will reject the kid's guilty plea.

Thank you. He will have a trial, whether he likes it or not.

And you will be his lawyer.

Me?

I can't. Yes, you can.

I may have to be a witness because of what I heard. I'll decide that as I go

along. We impanel in the morning.

He'll just fire me. I won't let him.

In the interest of justice and non -cynicism, you're the best lawyer for

job. Your Honor. Nine o 'clock, counsel. You delay my bowel movement one more

second, I'll hold you in contempt.

It's an emergency.

I think there's somebody in my apartment.

I put a little piece of tape on at lunchtime. It's broken.

And you don't have a maid or a super? No, no.

Nobody goes in there but me.

And nobody's come out since you arrived?

No.

Okay. Let's go in.

Judge Kittleson?

Out!

Get out!

Let's go.

What?

I came to surprise you.

Oh.

Work.

She was standing there naked nude to surprise me, and they busted in with

What'd she say? Not much. She gathered her stuff and left. Won't take my calls.

We can wait till the end of the week if it's easier. No, it's fine.

Eleanor's gonna move in with Helen today, so I'll need to sleep at your

tonight.

Sounds romantic.

I gotta go to court. I'm second chance, Rebecca.

He's been here again.

He held this.

He held it.

He had a certain smell, a cologne, this is it.

This is no copycat.

It's him.

I don't smell anything.

It's him.

When we got there, he was crying.

The defendant?

Yes, he said he'd hit a woman who was crossing the street and that he panicked

and drove off.

Anybody with him when you arrived?

Yes, Mr. Theodore Barrington, the owner of the car.

And were you able to establish Mr. Barrington's connection with all this?

Basically, the defendant was detailing Mr. Barrington's car.

And when driving it home, the defendant hit the woman.

He told Mr. Barrington about it, and evidently Mr. Barrington convinced him

notify us.

Did you look into whether Mr. Barrington was driving the car himself?

I'm told he was questioned later.

My question is, did you look into this possibility?

No. Why not?

Because the kid confessed to it.

Are you aware that the defendant claimed he was paid $30 ,000 by Mr.

Barrington? Objection.

Overruled. I made that up. Mr. Vega, take your seat.

Judge, I told I just wanted to... I said take your seat and close your mouth, or

I'll have it taped shut.

And if you don't think I'll do it, ask your lawyer. I don't want her to be my

lawyer. I'll give you one last warning. Look, I just want to plead guilty.

Okay, Detective Simons, I'll ask you again.

Are you aware that my client claimed he was paid $30 ,000 by Mr. Barrington to

say he was driving the car?

I was not aware of that at the time.

I was made aware of that this morning, but I was told that the defendant has

since retracted the statement.

Are you aware his subsequent retraction came after Mr. Vega was paid a visit to

his cell by Mr. Barrington's attorney?

I was not aware of that, no.

Thank you, detective.

That's all.

The Commonwealth calls Ronald Vega.

Objection, Your Honor. My client has a Fifth Amendment right not to testify. I

think if you remove the tape from Mr. Vega's mouth, you'll learn that he

that right.

What were you thinking?

Is that why you came?

To compound my humiliation? Because believe me, it's not possible.

Roberta, I didn't know you and I were speaking romantically, much less... I

it difficult to tell a man I miss him.

For whatever reason, it's just easier to show up in his apartment naked.

My God.

How can I ever make eye contact with people again?

Oh, you said that when you were on the Internet.

You got over it. This is much worse.

I was standing there naked.

I can't even imagine what people must think.

Why do you care what they think?

You're always saying when you put that robe on, you're a judge.

It's so important that everybody think of you as a great judge with integrity.

Part of being a good judge is the appearance of dignity. So they walked in

on your personal life.

That doesn't make you any less dignified professionally.

You weren't doing anything illegal. It was a big mistake.

And know what they were all talking about, Roberta?

Your body.

How great it is.

Really?

I wasn't calling you over and over last night just because I felt bad for you.

It got me a little worked up.

Not happy I walked in there with the police seeing you like that.

I'll be honest, I was shocked.

But I was glad to see you.

I've missed you too.

That was McGuire. No leads yet, but the fact that he's become bolder like this,

they consider him dangerous.

Gee.

Look, I think we should get a guard.

Can I talk to you?

Go ahead.

In my office.

What have I done to deserve this?

You've done absolutely nothing, Bobby.

I'm getting this because I don't like you buying illegal guns. It doesn't make

any sense. You're getting it for always judging me. I'm not judging you. Judging

me when you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.

What do you think Eleanor and I should do, Bobby?

Expect the police to protect us? Go to court and get a restraining order? All

murderers stay away, one mile radius? Expect you to protect me? Okay, that was

personal. You're attacking me again. No, you're the one who started the attack

on me. Lindsay, what the hell is going on? I've got scars, Bobby.

You want to see them?

And they still hurt. Here we go.

Here we go.

Look, Lindsay, I know what you went through. I understand. You know what I

through. If you want. I got stabbed three times.

Somebody took a knife and stuck it into me three times. It went through muscle

and ligaments and arteries.

I was on that floor dying.

And you think you know?

You know, you just, you give me an engagement ring, you think I'm going to

it all go away? Will you marry me? That's supposed to just heal everything.

I almost died, and you can't bring yourself to talk about it. I need to

about it.

You know, a week later, you're wondering how many people we should invite.

We can't pretend it never happened now. Okay, he's out there. He's back.

And he's coming to this office, and I can smell him, and I can smell him. I

smell him.

I can smell him.

I can smell him.

Living room or bedroom?

You can leave it right there.

Two more.

George, take a break. Two more, then I'll collapse.

What's the dish, Eleanor? No guy carries that many boxes without expecting to

get a little something in return.

Sorry to disappoint you, just friends.

Oh, come on. Roommates are supposed to share their little sexual secrets.

I sleep with this football player. He comes over with his poodle.

Dog likes to lick my toes during.

For a second, I felt safer on the street.

Seriously, Eleanor, no guy is interested in being just friends.

Not even a loser like George.

Shh.

Look, the truth is, under these circumstances, it's not the worst thing

world to have a male friend close by. No, especially one who can cut off

Would you shut up? Look, I'm sorry.

He's weird, okay?

Not as convinced as you are that he's innocent.

Will you just unpack?

Aren't you already bossing me around?

Under oath, is it your testimony that you struck Elizabeth Nicklin while

Teddy Barrington's car?

Yes. You turned yourself into police. You signed a full confession.

Yes. Now, did you tell your attorney that Mr. Barrington paid you for a false

confession? Yeah, but I was lying to her.

He never paid me.

I hit the woman, and I'm accepting responsibility.

So you were just lying to me when you told me you were paid to confess.

That's right.

And you suddenly changed your story after getting a visit from Mr.

attorney, didn't you, Ronnie? Yeah, because he appealed to my conscience.

Plus, you know, I don't want to be sued for false accusing somebody.

I see.

You first told me he paid you $30 ,000.

And then you told me to go to your apartment.

And when I did, sure enough, I found almost 30...

Your Honor, I have to object. She's giving testimony here. If she's going to

a witness... Let's just get through this.

A lawyer can't stand... Overruled.

Where'd the $30 ,000 come from?

Savings.

Savings? Ronnie, you made $11 ,000 a year in your best year.

You saved up $30 ,000?

Yes. You have an account at Commonwealth Savings Bank tolling $703.

Why not put the $30 ,000 in a bank?

It was illegal gains.

Illegal how?

I refuse to answer that on grounds that could incriminate me. But you have a

conscience, Ronnie.

And you're of the confessing mind.

Objection. Sustained. When you told me you were being paid to confess, and I

trying to talk you out of doing that, you said I couldn't know you. These are

attorney -client communications.

You're lucky enough to have a scumball here who's willing to confess. Why don't

you sit and be happy with that?

You said the $30 ,000 plus $10 ,000 for every month you'd spend in jail, that's

more money than you'd ever know.

You said that going to prison, getting this money, might actually prevent you

from becoming a criminal.

That was all just a lie?

Yes. You're lying now, aren't you, Ronnie? No. Taking the fall for a

bet you're getting a lot for that.

It was me driving the car.

Why aren't you looking at me, Ronnie?

I look at you, but you're just some ambitious bitch doing I don't know what

why.

I guess that's it.

I'm just some ambitious bitch standing up here who you're having trouble

at.

Hey, you sure you don't want to stay for dinner? I'm going to the market. I can

get you whatever you like. Thank you, but believe it or not, I actually have

plans tonight.

Oh, really?

You have a hot date?

Are you making fun of me, Eleanor?

Uh, no.

Actually, I wasn't.

Well, I thank you for the offer, but I do have plans.

Well, I thank you for all the help.

You want to walk me out?

Sure.

This is the craziest trial I've ever heard of.

We have the defendant saying he's guilty while his lawyer said he's not.

I've been acting like a witness, offering facts into evidence, and a lot

has been attorney -client privilege.

And all the while, we have your honor up there, taping my client's mouth,

calling him scum.

We have more grounds for appeal. This is the trial court, counsel. You can make

your appeals later.

Maybe he doesn't care about Ronnie, but I bet he cares about the integrity of

this room.

I hope you care about it.

Ronald Vega doesn't. He accepted money to be bought off the truth.

He spits on this room. He spits on me, the judge, on you. You don't represent

me, Mr. Vega.

You want to rot in jail for cash? It's not just your business.

It's mine, and it's theirs.

And I won't be bought off.

And I doubt you will be either.

You took an oath to uphold the law and find the truth.

And we all know the truth here, don't we?

Ronald Vega wasn't driving that car.

If we can't convict with a confession, then something is definitely wrong with

the system.

All the evidence, all of it, supports Mr.

Vega's confession.

A woman is dead here, ladies and gentlemen.

Ms. Washington may choose to characterize this trial as a farce, but

life was lost, and we have an admission from the man responsible.

If you were to acquit on the basis of the defense counsel's opinion, well,

then we would have a farce.

Wouldn't we?

You all set?

I still have a lot of work to do, actually.

Well, I'm not leaving you here alone.

I have a gun, remember?

Lindsay.

I'm sorry.

You just seemed to recover so fast. It didn't occur to me what should have been

so obvious.

I'm okay, Bobby.

No. We're not going to make that mistake again and just assume you're okay.

You were almost killed.

It's going to take a long time before that trauma goes away.

You're right. I was just happy to move forward and pretend it was all behind

That's what I do.

I like to believe everything's okay.

But I can't do that here.

I'm still being out there.

It just brings it all back.

I just keep thinking.

What if he's caught, ever?

He goes to trial.

I'd have to testify it.

It was just so much easier.

With him being dead.

I just want him dead.

The jury has reached its verdict.

We have, Your Honor.

The defendant will please rise.

I'll say you, Madam Foreperson.

Commonwealth versus Ronald Vega on count one, vehicular homicide, and count two,

leaving the scene of an accident.

We, the jury, find the defendant, Ronald Vega, not guilty.

What do you know?

Members of the jury, we thank you.

You're free to go, as is the defendant. We are adjourned.

This is a pattern with me. I get them off, they never say thank you.

Miss Washington, the court thanks you.

You see that look he just shot me?

What was that?

Well -deserved.

Come on, I'll buy you dinner.

the spinach angel hair pasta I got all the ingredients hello

I changed my mind about dinner.

But I think Helen's too dead tired to cook.

You?

Susan Robin?

Lindsay?

You told me you had to work late that night, remember, Eleanor?

I had theater tickets.

You said you'd be in the office till at least nine, but when I went there, I

found Lindsay.

Helen's not dead.

She just inhaled a little chloroform.

She's alive.

Sometimes I like to simulate death.

When she wakes, she'll find you.

You came to kill me?

You know how many times you've killed me.

Think you can reach that gun?

You can use that gun to kill me, Eleanor.

Let me make it easier for you.

I would love to go out that way.

With you pulling the trigger.

Go ahead, Eleanor.

Get your gun.

Go ahead.

Shoot me.

You'd be doing me a favor, wouldn't you?

Putting me out of my miserable, pathetic existence.

What you don't know about me is that I would.

I will shoot you.

Then do it.

I'll make you do it.

I'm going to kill you unless you kill me.

George. Do it!

Don't come any closer! Shoot me, Eleanor!

Don't make me pull the trigger. Don't make me do it! You're going to have to

it, Eleanor.

You're going to have to be the executioner.

George put the knife down and we're gonna talk about it. Just put it down

I'm feeling better.

I could even dance.

What's the matter, Eleanor?

Not as dead as you'd hoped for?

I told you I love to simulate it.

I put blanks in your little gun earlier.

You didn't really think I wanted to be killed by you, did you?

Oh, I did want to see if you'd do it.

George, please.

If you're psychotic or whatever, you obviously need help, and I can help you.

You just shot me.

Now you want to help me?

You have an insanity defense for everything you've done.

Well, then, I'll also have one for what I'm about to do.

Please?

Bad boyfriend.