Original subtitles

I killed Senor Ward.

He had an affair in my house with my maid.

I've always wondered what you look like when you woke up in the morning.

Charlene.

Where are all these people who were so anxious for us to come?

Sonia. Sonia.

It took a long time for her to fall asleep.

Mother? In here.

Excuse me. Hey.

Mother. I just heard the news on the radio. Are you all right? Yes.

Are you sure? Is there anything I can do for you?

Everything's under control.

Excuse me.

He the stepson of the deceased?

I guess you could say that I was.

Sergeant.

The press are getting impatient.

Get a statement from him.

I've got to talk to the press.

I'll be right back.

All right.

Come on over here.

Come on.

Hold, hold, hold. Hold it.

I'm going to make this brief.

Richard Ward was stabbed to death last night between 11 and 2 a .m.

The whole investigation has already begun.

Any suspects in company? Not at this time, but we're making inquiries which

expect will lead to an arrest shortly. What does that mean, detective?

Can you give us any names?

We're not in a position to make any further comment on the case at this

What can you tell us about the murder? Hold it! I already told you. Sergeant!

Drop that knife.

Dan. Oh, hi, Charlene. I've been looking all over the place for you. Yeah?

Sarah said you weren't coming back to the office.

No, I'm going home to clean my ass.

Well, why bother? You never throw anything away.

Well, it's difficult. There's a lot of good stuff up there. Like what?

A lot of good stuff. Remember that fence stretcher I got that time?

They don't have a fence.

Well, if I ever get one and I want to stretch it, I got a fence stretcher.

We have a meeting with a new client.

I don't want a new client. I want to go home and clean my attic.

Well, she's just flown in from Rhode Island.

Yeah?

I asked her to.

Why?

Remember my friend from college, Clark Harrison?

He was your boyfriend, wasn't he?

Just a friend, Ben. Well, his mother remarried a man named Richard Ward.

Remember?

Oh, the guy in the paper this morning?

Yeah. What's she want with us?

Well, Clark's mother, Mrs. Ward, wants us to represent the woman who's been

arrested for killing her husband.

Huh.

Interesting, huh?

Yeah.

I don't care what it costs, Mr. Butler.

What I don't understand, Mrs. Ward...

is why you're willing to spend all this money to defend the person who

presumably murdered your husband.

That's my business, Mr. Matlock.

By the way, I prefer that no one knew that I'd hired you.

Oh, I'm afraid I can't do that.

And why not?

Well, first of all, I don't work that way.

Second, people know what I get. They're bound to wonder how a maid can afford

the likes of me.

Besides, if you really want to help this woman, you should let everybody know

you're on her side.

You're very persuasive.

I'm supposed to be.

I've made reservations on this afternoon's flight for the two of you.

Clark can't wait to see you.

I'm looking forward to it. Excuse me, Mrs. Ward. I don't think we're quite

finished here.

Oh, I'm so sorry. Of course.

You'll want to retain her. As a customer.

How much?

$100 ,000 should do it.

You're not inexpensive.

When I win, I'm considered a bargain.

Is there anything else, Mr. Matlock?

You still haven't told me.

I told you what?

Why you're defending your husband's supposed killer.

I have to know or I can't take the case.

Dick Ward was never exactly faithful to me.

I could bear it as long as he was discreet.

But now I'm in every gossip column that there is.

He had an affair in my house with my maid.

I don't blame her.

But I can't forgive him.

I want everyone to know precisely what kind of man he really was.

Thank you for telling me, Mrs. Ward.

I'll have my car meet you at the airport.

Ward did all right for himself.

Well, this is the Harrison mansion.

See, he moved in with Christina. Damn.

Isn't it magnificent?

Talk about some got it and some don't. Ben, don't start. It's going to be

Here we are at the scene of the crime.

I'm not staying in the maid's room.

Well, you're going to like them. They were wonderful to me.

Hope they got a hard mattress.

Forbes. Miss Matlock, nice to see you. And you.

I'm Ben Matlock. You're expected, sir. Please step in.

Wait here, please.

Where are all these people who were so anxious for us to come?

Yes?

Aunt Harriet.

Hello, Charlie.

This is my father, Ben Matlock. Christina's Aunt Harriet. How do you do?

To answer your question, not all of us were anxious for you to come.

Some of us think the idea of your representing the woman who killed my

husband is extremely distasteful.

I happen to be one of those people.

My niece is not at home at the moment. However, we're all dining in this

evening. The dress is informal.

How informal?

What you're wearing will do.

Forbes will see you to your rooms. I'm sure they're fine. If it's all the same

to you, I'd just as soon have a talk with my client.

Think you could get us a lift down to the jailhouse?

The chauffeur is at your disposal.

Charlene!

Clark!

Oh!

Now let me look at you. Oh, Clark!

Stop, you're embarrassing me. You have nothing to be embarrassed about. Oh,

well, this is my father, Ben Matlock. Clark Harrison.

Nice to meet you.

Oh, it's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Matlock.

Certainly heard a lot about you. And vice versa.

Charlene. Oh, we're just on our way downtown, so... Oh, I'll be here.

Okay.

Real go -getter, isn't he?

Would you be more comfortable if I brought a translator in here?

No. I want you to understand our line of defense.

We're going to show that Richard Ward was a bad man and a moral man who had

affairs.

Do you understand?

I understand.

I think he took advantage of you. You were a servant at his home and he pushed

you to the limit.

Maybe he was blackmailing you?

No. I think you're afraid of him. And when you finally...

Fought back, there was a fight, and you killed him.

Circumstances might even indicate it was self -defense.

I killed him.

I killed Senor Ward.

to come here when I was little. Well, I'm surprised you remember that far

Well, I do.

I wonder when you used to read me stories.

There was one about a little girl who rode on a tiger. Oh, that's right.

Mr. Matlock, are you going to bring Sonia back from jail?

I'm going to try.

Come, Lola. It's bedtime.

Say your goodnight.

Goodnight, Mother. Goodnight, darling.

Goodnight,

everyone.

Goodnight.

Good night.

Not too cooperative.

Just exactly how do you plan on defending her?

Well... What are they doing here? What are you doing here? This is Richard's

son, Daniel.

Benjamin Matlock. Oh, I know who they are.

You know, it's bad enough you hired him to defend my father's killer, but you

even have the gall to put them up in his own home. First of all, this house

belongs to the Harrison family, not to you or to your late father.

I know you didn't like it when my father told you to quit sponging off the

family and get a job, but why don't you? Very bad manners, and somebody really

ought to correct them for you. You know that? Is that a threat?

Gentlemen.

just like the good old days.

That's Maria.

Sonia's daughter.

You know her?

She lives with her father in Cuba.

It sounds to me like you know a lot about Sonia.

I don't believe she could ever do something like this.

I'll never believe it.

You know what?

You look like somebody who'd use a swim.

Yeah.

Howdy, girl.

Howdy, girl. Look at that. All right.

You're a good swimmer, you know that?

Don't you, Tommy, how?

A good friend, huh?

She was my best friend.

But she hadn't come back that night.

Hadn't come back?

The night my stepfather was killed.

She went out with that man.

What man? When?

A little while after dinner.

He met her at the back gate.

Do you know his name?

No.

Would you recognize him if you saw him again?

Oh, sure. He came for her lots of times.

Now, this is very important.

Do you remember when Sonia came back?

It's all right. Just tell the truth.

Well, the police were already here, and she had the knife in her hand.

Why didn't you tell anyone you went out the night of the murder?

Well?

Sonia, you've got to help us. Who was the man the Lasso you with?

What time did you get home?

You have a possible alibi. Why won't you use it?

I've defended clients for nearly 25 years, but never one like this. If

guilty or innocent, they always yell their heads off.

I think you're covering for somebody, and I intend to find out who it is and

you're doing it, and I'll do it with or without your help.

There's a lot of it around, and somebody's bought off that poor woman in

Ben, I know Christina and Clark. They're not murderers. I used to think I could

tell who was capable of murder and who wasn't, but that was a long time ago.

Charlene, I want you to check the jail registry. Get the names of everybody

who's been in to see Sonia.

Maybe we'll get lucky and get the name of that man.

Anything else?

Not just now, thank you. Very good, sir.

who might you be?

Oh, I'm with Mr. Matlock.

I'm sure you are. Tyler Hudson at your service.

I don't think that will be necessary.

Didn't they feed you on the plane?

Not like this, they didn't.

Don't get too comfortable. We have a lot of work to do. Mr. Matlock?

Oh, Mrs. Ward.

Let me introduce our investigator, Tyler Hudson.

How do you do?

We'd like to borrow Lilla for the afternoon.

We have the names and addresses of four men who visited Sonia and her Jake.

Perhaps she could identify the one man who took her out the night of the

Tyler will take good care of her.

Oh, can I please?

Very well.

But please, please be careful.

She'll be fine.

Shall we dance?

Bye, Mother.

All you have accomplished is to put this family on the front page of every

newspaper across the country.

I'm sorry you disapprove, Harriet.

I disapprove, but everyone else I know thinks that you have lost your mind.

Mr. Matlock! Wait a minute.

I rest my case.

What on earth are you doing?

Oh, I was just attempting to reconstruct the crime.

Wouldn't Richard have used the back stairs?

Probably, but what if Sonia weren't in her room?

What if someone else knew where your husband was going and beat him there by

using these stairs? I was just trying to figure out how much time it might have

taken. This someone else?

Who did you have in mind?

Oh, I don't have anyone in mind.

Do you by any chance suspect me?

I could make a case for that.

You knew he was seeing the maid and you knew where her room was.

But I was asleep.

That'd be hard to prove.

You found the body. Of course, it's all hypothetical.

That's the house.

Where is he?

You know, Dilla...

The first thing you learn in the detective trade is patience.

For example, that's the first name on this list.

And we could be here for hours.

There he is! That's him, I'm sure of it.

That's the man that went out with Sonia. Get her out of here.

That's it, buddy.

Can I have a word with you?

Hey, hey!

Anyone see a guy come running in here?

Who wants to know?

Not me.

I just want a decent cue stick to shoot some pool with.

This look better?

Clark. It's a little early for that, isn't it? Was it ever too late?

It's nice, but not now, thanks.

I've always wondered what you look like when you woke up in the morning.

A lot like I do when I go to bed.

Well, I wonder what you looked like then, too.

What are you doing with yourself these days?

Well, that is my job to distribute my share of the family fortune and find

restaurants and clubs on two continents. And it isn't easy.

But I'm doing my best.

It's very tiring.

Up again all night?

No. Well, you've been lying here in the lap of luxury. I have been up since the

crack of dawn planning our entire day.

What day? This day.

It starts off with a nostalgic drive along the seacoast.

followed by an intimate little luncheon in a terribly overpriced restaurant.

Well, it's very nice, but I've already made plans.

You didn't.

Well, here's the small matter of a murder trial.

Charlene.

Excuse me.

Oh, it's all right. Clark was just leaving.

Ah, in fact, I've left.

No comment.

I didn't ask for one.

I meant from you.

Excuse me.

Hello.

We do have servants, Mr. Matlock.

Oh, they're going to have to fix their own breakfast.

This is for my daughter and me.

A joke.

Oh, mild.

How'd you sleep?

Great.

Good mattress.

It's been a long time.

I still got the knack. Bacon?

Hash browns?

You still do have a knack, don't you?

Yes.

Where's Tyler?

Still staked out on Rodriguez.

I'm waiting.

For what?

For you to ask me about Clark.

Charlene, you're a grown woman. I respect your privacy.

What the hell was he doing in your bedroom?

Nothing, really.

Just his way of being charming, I guess.

You know, he used to have so much promise. He was bright and talented.

Just never did anything with himself.

How old is he?

Thirty.

Damn near too old to learn to do anything, isn't he?

Tyler nailed down Sonia's friend. Oh, I forgot the salsa.

Hispanic. Makes them hot.

Sergeant McGuire.

I call your attention to People's Exhibit One.

And ask if you recognize it. Yes, I do.

Where was this weapon found?

Objection. The exhibit is identified as a kitchen knife, not a weapon.

Sustained. And where was this knife found?

The defendant was holding this knife when she surrendered to the police.

Were any laboratory tests performed on this knife?

Yes, there were. And what were the results of those tests?

Blood stains and skin particles found in this knife were consistent with those

of the decedent. And where was the decedent found?

In the servant's room, which was occupied by the defendant.

Now, when the defendant surrendered to the police, was she advised of her

rights? Yes, she was, in Spanish and in English.

And did she make a statement?

She said she killed Mr. Ward.

Thank you, Sergeant.

No further questions.

Cross -examine.

Sergeant McGuire.

What was the victim wearing when you found him?

Pajamas, slippers, and a robe.

You wear pajamas?

Objection, Your Honor. Irrelevant.

I'm trying to make a point here, Your Honor.

Overruled. Answer the question.

I wear pajamas.

Me too.

You wear slippers?

Yes.

How do you remove them?

One at a time.

Actually, what I meant was, do you sit down when you take them off?

Yes. Now, isn't it true that when you found Mr. Ward's body, he had on only

slipper? Yes. Where was the other one?

By the side of the bed.

Isn't it reasonable to assume, from the position of the body and the placement

of the slipper, that Mr. Ward sat on the edge of the bed, took off one slipper

before he was stabbed with the knife?

Objection, Your Honor. This line of questioning calls for speculation on the

part of the witness.

Your Honor, I am not asking this witness to speculate, only to confirm that

which is consistent with the known facts in this case. That is, that Mr. Ward

was familiar and comfortable enough in this woman's bedroom to take off his

slippers.

Quiet, please.

Counsel will approach the bench.

Your Honor, Mr.

Matlock is attempting to put the victim on trial here. Your Honor, it is

essential for our defense that the court recognize the character and behavior of

Mr. Ward.

We intend to show that this married man in a position of authority was forcing

his attentions on this frightened, virtually defenseless foreign national.

I am going to allow this line of questioning.

I think a full understanding of the circumstances is important for the jury.

I don't think it will militate against the prosecution's presentation of fact.

Sergeant McGuire, what was the defendant wearing when you arrested her?

Some sort of print dress.

Sergeant McGuire, are you suggesting that the defendant got out of bed, got

dressed, took a walk, With the murder weapon in her hand?

No.

I'm not suggesting anything of the kind.

I'm relieved to hear that.

No further questions.

Your Honor, the prosecution calls Dr. Milton Austin to stand.

Mr. Ward?

You're leaving so soon?

I'll come back for the sentencing.

You're never in one place for very long, are you?

Not if I can help it, no. Why?

I've been trying to reach you at your office, but your secretary keeps saying

you're out of town.

Well, that's just what I say when I don't want to take a call.

Oh, I just wanted to ask you where you were at the time of the murder.

I was out of town.

I'm not surprised.

Your subpoena.

Rack him.

And give this five spot to Mr. Rodriguez.

There's a guy over there who wants to stop you.

I'm Sonia's lawyer.

Your wife told me I might find you here.

You better get out of here while you can.

You're supposed to be a friend of Sonia's.

Get out.

Mr. Rodriguez, if you'll tell your friends to go back to the bar, their

beer is on me.

I'll say my piece to you and then I'll leave.

If you were with Sonia the night

of the murder, You can stop what's happening to her.

I don't know what your problem is, but I'm sure I can help you with it.

I can be a lot of trouble for you, too.

You could wind up being charged as an accessory to murder. You could go to

prison.

Talk to me now or the police later. I'll leave it up to you.

Stay close, son.

I got him.

People asking questions.

No.

I want to talk to you.

Then when?

Okay, when? I'll be there.

Stiles? How is he?

Doctor says he's got broken bones and a concussion. Nothing really serious,

though. Can we see him tomorrow?

He said maybe.

He will be okay.

Why don't you leave my husband alone?

Mrs. Rodriguez, we're very sorry about what happened to your husband.

But we can help him if you'll tell us who did this.

Sonia, someone tried to kill him.

Next time they might succeed.

I don't know what hold this killer has over you, but it must be powerful.

Because in spite of all that's happened, you're still willing to expose your

friend to danger.

No matter how strong it is, it can be broken.

If you'd just let me help you.

Let me help you, please.

Thank you.

Sonia.

Why won't you let me help you?

So, how would you describe your father?

A self -made man, devoted to his family.

Devoted? Yes.

You are aware he was having a physical relationship with his mate.

I am now, yes.

But he was devoted to his family?

I don't know why my father was driven to do what he did, or by whom.

But I do know he was always devoted to my mother and me.

Your mother was the late Helen Ward?

Yes.

She became an alcoholic.

Yes. Did you blame your father for this? No.

Could you specify for the court when your mother developed a serious drinking

problem?

I don't recall.

Was it after your father left her?

I suppose so, yes.

Isn't it true that your mother died in an automobile accident while driving

under the influence?

Yes. Isn't it true that on several occasions you publicly denounced your

as being responsible for your mother's condition?

Objection.

Relevancy.

Sustained. No further questions.

Court will recess and reconvene at 2 p .m.

How are we doing here?

Well, we're making some targets on Richard Ward's lack of character. With

breakthrough of Rodriguez, we may be able to establish reasonable doubt.

they took him out of ICU and put him in a room early this morning. Let's see if

we can talk to him. Any luck on finding the car that hit him? No, no plates. But

you wouldn't think it'd be that hard to track down a red 55 Thunderbird.

Red T -Bird?

Yeah, the cars are classic. There can't be that many of them in this town.

Let's go to the hospital.

Coming?

No, I'll meet you back here.

We threw out some good times tooling around on that, didn't we?

Where were you yesterday?

Why?

Because someone used this car yesterday to run down Sonia's alibi.

And whoever that was made a deal with Sonia to take the rap for Richard Ward's

murder.

And you suspect me? I don't want to.

Well, then why would you?

Because you're a rich man's son who's never given a moment's thought to

or anyone but himself.

I was in the symphony, and I have witnesses, about 1 ,500 of them.

Satisfied? I suppose so.

You just eliminated yourself, the orchestra, and about 1 ,500 others as

suspects.

Mr. Rodriguez, please listen to me.

The only thing that can save you and your family is to tell me the truth.

You again?

Can't you leave this family alone?

Don't you understand? You can't help us.

For God's sake, have you done enough harm?

I'm sorry for what's happened.

I truly am.

What's the matter with me?

It's so simple.

Is the defense ready to proceed?

Could the court have a short delay, Your Honor? We're waiting for counsel.

Just how long are we supposed to wait?

Put me on the stand.

You won't regret it.

Is counsel for the defense deliberately trying the patience of this court?

Because if you are, you are succeeding admirably.

I call Clark Harrison to the stand.

It was a quarter of 11 on the night of the murder.

I was going to meet someone for a midnight sale.

I took the back stairs because that's the fastest way to get to the garage

my room.

And I noticed that Sonia's door was open.

She wasn't in her room.

And her bed hadn't been slept in.

How do you know the exact time?

There's a large clock on the kitchen wall. It's the first thing I saw when I

turned on the lights.

Why didn't you come forward to this testimony sooner, Mr. Harrison?

Because I'm a rich man's son.

I never gave a moment's thought to anyone or anything but myself.

Why are you coming forward now?

Because I'd like to publicly apologize to Mrs. Cardenas.

No further questions.

Cross -examine.

Mr. Harrison, sir.

Did you check to see if the defendant had gone to...

A wash -up?

No, I didn't.

Did you see if she was in the living room?

No.

In other words, she could have been in any room in the house?

Yes, I suppose so.

No further questions.

Mr. Matlock. Your Honor, we have just uncovered some new evidence that will

significant bearing on this case.

May I have a few moments with my client?

All right, court will recess for ten minutes.

Your daughter's a beautiful little girl.

I'm a father, and I know I would do anything for my child.

Mr. Rodriguez told me what you've been through.

And I'll do everything in my power to see that you're never separated from

daughter again.

I want you to trust me.

Come on, Miss Cardenas.

Senor Ward gave me money.

It was not a great deal of money.

But in almost two years, it was enough for me to buy my daughter's way to

America.

It cost a great deal of money to smuggle someone all the way from my country.

Excuse me, Your Honor.

We're going to get into some pretty sensitive areas. I'd like to ask my

associate to remove Miss Cardenas' daughter from the courtroom.

Request granted.

It'll be just a moment.

It costs a great deal of money to smuggle someone into this country.

He knew what I had done.

He told me that he would call the authorities and my daughter would be

and never allowed to return if I said no to him.

If you said no to him.

Miss Cardenas.

Why did Mr. Ward give you money?

For sleeping with him.

Did you kill Richard Ward?

No.

You've told the police you did.

I agreed to say that.

What happened the night of the murder?

I was coming home from seeing my daughter, who was with my cousin

He came out of the house.

He had a knife.

Let the record show the defendant has indicated one Daniel Ward.

Daniel told me he killed him for what he did to his mother.

He told me that if I would say I did it...

He would not inform on my daughter.

And he would give me money to keep her.

How much money?

$25 ,000.

Did he give it to you?

He said I would get it after the trial.

May I see the ring you're wearing?

Ooh.

Beautiful.

Probably an antique.

Very valuable.

Have you ever met Mrs. Ellen Ward?

No. She had died before I came to her medical. I see.

I'm not very good at reading small print without my glasses. Could you read the

inscription for us?

To Helen from Dick, 1951.

Where'd you get that ring?

Daniel Ward gave it to me.

There's a sort of a down payment?

Yes.

Yes.

Has the jury reached a verdict?

We find the defendant not guilty.

Oh, Clark.

I'm so proud of you.

So am I.

Thank you, Mr. Matlock. I suppose you were a bargain after all.

Is this goodbye?

Yes. Good.

Well, Charlene, alone again.

Glad we took the case?

You know, about the good old days.

These are the good old days.