Original subtitles

John? John?

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, have you reached a verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

Will the defendant please rise?

We find the defendant, Lester Matthews, guilty of murder.

Bless.

We can appeal.

Bless.

I used to feel lucky in life.

No matter what I did, it turned out okay. The last couple of years have been

lousy turn after another.

I told that already.

Les, we've considered your application for parole very carefully.

Frankly, we were impressed.

Your war record in Vietnam, the fact that you remained a partner with the

Corporation, but most importantly, your exemplary record here in the seven years

since your conviction.

Look, John Coulter was my best friend and my partner. I did not murder him.

issue here is your qualifications for parole, not the circumstances of your

conviction.

Now, on that basis...

Parole is granted.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I told you.

Yeah, I guess my luck's changing, huh?

I'm really happy for you, Les. I really am.

Thanks, pal. Thanks a lot.

Hey, lighten up, Eli.

Look, you'll be out of here in no time.

18 months is like a lifetime in this joint.

I won't forget you, Les.

I won't let you.

Look, I'll have a job waiting for you when you get out.

You mean that?

Would I lie to you?

I've never been anything but a thief, and not a very good one.

Hey, trust me, would you? Now get back to work before I change my mind.

Hey, leave him alone.

Go on, Eli. Get out of here.

You didn't make parole, huh?

What do you care?

I just came to say goodbye.

Drop it, Matthews.

newspaper is supposed to be wrapped in plastic when it rains I don't care if it

was clear when you delivered you can listen to the weather report I've been

subscribing to your paper for over 30 years and my money is as good as anybody

else's for a dry newspaper you ought to see this I can barely make out the front

page

Law officers.

Charlie. Dad, where are you? You had the Johnson deposition in 15 minutes.

Charlie, let's cancel.

Well, we canceled it twice last week. Cancel it again.

Do this for me.

Go in the storage room, dig out the files on one of my old cases.

Lester Matthews.

The Lester Matthews? The one in the morning paper?

Yes. I didn't know you represented him. I tried.

Oh.

Oh, that's the one you lost.

Just dig out the files, will you?

I'll be there in a few hours.

Oh, Dolan.

Madeline. Stop by to see Les Matthews.

Well, we've already got a lawyer for him.

Would you mind if I spent a few minutes with him?

Suit yourself.

Thanks.

Hey, Bob.

What brings you out on this miserable day?

I understand you're holding Les Matthews for trial.

So?

I'd like to see him.

You're not his lawyer.

Bob, for old time's sake, fill me in.

Well, a couple of inmates witnessed the stabbing.

When did convicted felons become strong witnesses?

A guard saw it, too.

You got a motive?

I'm late for an arraignment.

Well, Bob, it just doesn't make sense. A man a few days from parole committing

cold -blooded murder like that.

That's not my problem. And Ben, it's not yours either.

I've got a little pull with the jailer.

Les, I know how angry you are that I lost your case.

Look, why don't you get out of here? Sam already got me a lawyer.

For what it's worth, I never forgot your case.

It's like an itch I can't scratch.

Somehow, somewhere, I missed something.

Something that would have turned it around.

You earned $100 ,000.

Maybe you lost a few nights' sleep.

I've been in this joint for seven years.

Get out of here.

From what I hear, you're looking at life unless you get the best lawyer you can

find. Now, I know you're angry, and I don't blame you. What is it with you,

For seven years, I haven't heard a word from you, and all of a sudden, you show

up looking for work. I mean, what... For seven years, there was nothing I could

do.

Maybe now there is.

I'd like the chance.

Mr. Matlock, there's a guy out there that says he's his lawyer.

Yeah?

What's it going to be, Les?

He's mistaken.

Mr. Matlock's my attorney.

It's past your bedtime. What are you doing here?

I'm working on the case.

But my toenail got caught in my sock, so I'm working on my toenail.

You go ahead.

I'm waiting for Tyler anyway.

Since I got started with this, I think I'll just finish it off.

Go ahead.

Okay.

I went over the Les Matthews trial.

A miscarriage of justice.

Another way of saying you hate being beaten.

Darlene, I've got this feeling.

Well, let's look at the facts.

Les Matthews caught his partner John Coulter stealing $50 ,000 from their

company in order to pay off his gambling debts. Right.

The two of them had a violent argument, which dozens of people saw. Right.

Later that night, Coulter was found shot to death in his home, and they found

the murder weapon at Matthews' house. The man didn't even have an alibi.

That's right.

Well, now, if I'd been on the jury, I'd have convicted.

Well, you'd have been wrong.

Daddy, every once in a while...

It's all right to lose.

Charlene, these three partners were Vietnam veterans.

They had a dream. They started a business.

They were best friends.

Les Matthews didn't kill his best friend over $50 ,000.

Even if that's true, that's not the case we're going to try.

This one is a lot tougher.

Maybe, maybe not.

Well, you sure took your sweet time.

Well, the guy I was looking for doesn't hang out on street corners.

Well... All the news sheds a slightly different light on this case. As you

the con that got iced, Mr.

Lashley, was doing life for committing two murders, but they weren't just

ordinary murders.

They were contract hits for the mob.

Oh.

So he's not likely to kill without getting paid.

Not likely.

Maybe somebody didn't want Les Matthews to come out of prison alive.

Like who?

Maybe the same person who put him there to start with.

Tyler, you know this is important to me.

Yes?

We need some answers out of prison.

So what do you want me to do, send out a questionnaire?

Uh, did I ever tell you that the warden and I went to college together?

No.

Why?

Hold it.

Face forward.

Strip. Hey, dimwit.

Your sheet doesn't say that you're deaf.

Yeah, I wouldn't talk to you about me.

No.

But if you give me any trouble, your head will land on his desk.

Now get in there.

Just like old times. I hope not.

Me too.

Daddy, I can't reach John Kotler's widow. She won't return my calls.

Charlene Matlock. Yes, ma 'am.

Case A -98104.

State of Georgia versus Lester Matthews.

Benjamin Matlock for the defense, Your Honor.

Defendant waives the reading of the complaint. Has been advised of his

constitutional rights. Time is waived.

I'm setting this case for January 17th at 9 a .m.

If this courthouse hasn't floated away by then.

Prosecution agrees?

Yes, Your Honor.

Mr. Matlock?

Fine with me, Your Honor. Thank you, gentlemen. I'll call the next case in

a moment.

Less.

Hey, Raj.

I thought you could use some moral support.

Oh, Raj Bundy, this is Ben Matlock. This is his daughter, Charlene.

Pleasure.

Look, if there's anything you need, please let me know.

I appreciate it. I gotta go. I'll see you in a bit.

Actually,

we met before at Les' last trial.

That's right.

You were assisting Les.

You've got quite a memory.

Who do you assist now?

I'm the treasurer of the company.

Oh.

Look, everything I've got, I owe to Les.

Mr. Matlock, you have got to get him off this time.

That's the plan.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Oh, bad day, huh?

Very.

Les missed you in court.

I was busy.

My daughter says the company's quadrupled in size.

Business is great.

What can I do for you?

Well, you're Les's partner, Mr. Dolan, and I was wondering if you have any idea

why someone would want to keep him in prison.

I don't follow you.

Well, it's true that...

You and John Coulter's widow would inherit his share of the company if he

die. That's true.

I have a theory that the man Les stabbed was hired to kill him by someone on the

outside.

I get the feeling you think it was me.

Well, I could make a case for it.

You live an expensive life, houses, cars, travel.

A life you...

can't quite afford since you have borrowed liberally from the bank account

holds Les' share of the profits.

Les knows all about that.

You know, if I had a legal and binding agreement that forced me to give up

large sums of money that could have been mine to someone who didn't earn it and

couldn't spend it, I might become better.

I'm tired of you, Mr. Matlock.

Seven years ago, you thought I betrayed Les, and now it's the same thing.

Les Matthews is my friend. I've proven it time and again, and I don't have to

justify it to you.

Well, that remains to be seen.

There's your subpoena.

You know, I think Les made a dreadful mistake hiring you.

Maybe he thinks I'll get it right this time.

Hello?

Where is it?

Hey, what's happening here?

Where's the book?

You all right?

There you go.

Gee. I gotta get out of this place. Look, those guys do not read

What kind of book are they talking about?

You don't want to know.

Our cell is torn apart. That guy almost stabbed me with a shiv.

Now, I want to know.

Okay.

Lashley. The guy who died.

He was the top con in the joint.

And he had this book with all his contacts.

Drugs. Chaos.

Outside sources.

Everything.

All the book is missing.

You know what that book is?

No.

Oh, thanks for answering my call.

For a while there, I thought you were avoiding me.

Why would I do that?

Oh, I remember that clock.

It's beautiful.

A clock like that should be kept up.

It probably needs repair.

Were you here before?

Yes. I was here the day after your husband died.

Mr. Matlock.

You know, I resented you seven years ago when you defended my husband's killer.

And I don't really understand what you're doing here now.

Excuse me?

What do you want?

I've never been able to get your husband's death out of my mind.

How have you been?

It's been difficult.

I loved him, and I miss him.

Seven years is a long time.

There's been no one else?

No one like him?

Well, at least he left you. Money?

That doesn't buy me what I want.

Is that all you wanted to know, Mr. Matlock?

Yes. I see.

Then thank you.

Goodbye, Mr. Matlock.

Thank you.

Is that today's newspaper?

Mine got away from me, if you're not using it.

I know.

It's not today's.

Ah. Thank you.

Where's my book?

Andrea, who is it?

Yakovil?

We've been together a long time.

How long?

Almost six years.

We began seeing each other about a year after John died.

Only nobody knows.

That's why Andrea lied.

It's a long time for a secret like that.

Mr. Matlock, look at it from my point of view.

I get less Matthew's job, falling in love with John Coulter's widow.

It's a little awkward.

So you keep your home as a front?

That's right.

Well, if you want people to really believe you live there, you better get

new magazines and wind your clocks.

Les appreciated your coming to court.

You were there?

Yes.

I have never believed that Les killed John Calder.

I was in Vietnam with the three of them.

We were friends.

And that's how you know Les?

Yes. And that's how he brought you into the business?

That's right.

You know, it's kind of like an old movie plot.

It's interesting.

In the movies, toward the end, we know about the man and the woman and that the

man has his friend's job.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Later, there's another revelation.

That's how they keep your interest to the end.

So, did you do it?

No, I didn't do it.

Well, I'd better be going.

We're in court in the morning.

Maybe I'll see you then.

Goodbye, Mr. Mason. Bye.

Officer Green, on December 2nd at precisely

3 p .m., did you respond to the sounds of a fight coming from the prison

library? Yes, sir, I did.

Please tell the court what you saw.

As I entered the library, I saw an inmate, Lester Matthews, lying over

Lashley with a ship in his hand.

You just stabbed him.

I show you People's Exhibit 5 and ask if you recognize it.

Yes, sir, I do. That's the weapon I took from Lester Matthews.

Nothing further.

Cross -examined.

Officer Green, you are familiar with the defendant's prison record.

Yes, sir. It's excellent.

In fact, he had just won parole, hadn't he?

Yes. In your long prison experience, have you ever heard of an inmate who's

won his parole committing cold -blooded murder while he's still in prison?

No, sir, I haven't.

Well, let me ask you this.

You testified that you saw the defendant holding a knife over the victim.

That's right.

But you didn't actually see the defendant stab the victim.

No, sir, but it looked like... I'm not interested in what it looked like, Mr.

Green, just what you saw.

Now, so far as you know, Mr.

Lashley could have attacked Mr.

Matthews. There could have been a struggle. Mr. Matthews could have killed

in self -defense.

Your Honor, objection.

Speculation.

No further questions.

Mr. Lashley went into the library and asked Mr. Matthews for a book.

And Mr. Matthews pulled out a knife and stabbed him.

Did you try and stop him?

Yeah, I tried.

But it all happened so fast, there was nothing I could do.

No further questions?

Mr. Matlock?

He's lying.

Mr.

Foley, did you go to the library with Mr. Lashley and Mr. Lipton?

Yeah, that's right.

Why did the three of you go to the library?

To get some books. I see.

Was there something in particular you were interested in reading?

Well, I was going to look around.

How about, would you mind reading that right there to the court?

Yeah, I would.

Objection, Your Honor. No relevancy. I fail to see the point of this

demonstration. You will in a second.

Mr. Foley, please read the book.

There you go.

I can't.

You can't? No.

Are you saying you can't read?

Yeah, so what? I read the pictures.

Isn't it true you did not go to the library for a book?

No. Isn't it true you're one of Wayne Lashley's errand boys?

No. Isn't it true he ordered you to guard the library door while he

kill Les Matthews? Oh, that's a bunch of bullshit.

Isn't it true you're serving a life term for armed robbery and a double murder

and perjury means nothing to you?

No further questions.

Redirect.

No, Your Honor.

Been level with me, have you?

We're not getting anywhere, are we?

We're making some points.

And my people are working day and night.

Thanks.

Well, that would be very helpful.

If you... Okay,

as long as it's someone that you know and that's reliable.

All right. Thanks a lot.

Bye.

Dad?

What?

Terrible. Thanks.

Daddy, I'm going to call a CPA in the morning. I've been all through these

company books.

Sam Dolan made them a fortune.

I'm no expert, but somehow, someway, there's a lot less money here than there

ought to be.

Did Tyler call?

Not yet.

I hope he's all right.

You saved my life.

You want to repay me?

Give me that book.

I don't trust anyone here.

You can trust me.

Eli,

you're going to have to trust someone.

Bundy?

Hello?

Hello?

Well.

Now we know Roger Bundy's private number was in Wayne Lashley's little black

book. Well, that still doesn't prove he paid Lashley to kill Les.

I know.

Oh, wait a minute.

You mean I spent all that time in prison, risked my life for nothing?

Not exactly.

If Mr. Bundy's our boy...

He didn't commit one murder. He committed two.

Mr.

Mantle.

Thank you for agreeing to see me here.

You sounded so urgent on the phone.

Well, it was a night just like tonight that your husband was murdered.

It was raining.

That's right.

Now, what was so urgent, Mr. Matlow? You and Mr. Bundy didn't tell me the whole

truth when we spoke.

You didn't? No.

A couple of things.

Six weeks before your husband died, you and Mr. Bundy were in Bermuda at the

same time. In fact, you were on the same airplane. Was that a coincidence?

Why did you lie about when the affair began?

I thought that we should tell everybody the truth.

Exactly what is that?

My testimony at Les Matthews' trial was true.

I did come home and find John's body.

The house was dark.

It was thundering.

But when... You called the police?

I was about to call the police.

Roger arrived.

He was drenched from the rain.

He said that he had had a drink earlier in the day with Les Matthews and that

he had come over to talk with John.

He was hoping to make peace between Les and John.

Why didn't you tell anyone he was here?

Because if anyone knew we were having an affair, we would have looked guilty.

I want you to think back.

Did you see his car come up?

My husband had just been killed.

But you waited for the car to leave to call the police?

Yes, I did.

Did you see the car?

No. Roger wasn't in the habit of parking near the house when he came to see me.

That night he didn't come to see you. He came to see your husband.

I want you to tell me exactly what happened when he left.

He walked to the door.

gave me a kiss and said not to worry and left.

Did you watch him go?

Yes, I could see his umbrella go down the street.

And that was it, you called the police?

Mr. Matlock, no matter what we did, I know Liz Matthews killed my husband.

Well, it's taken seven years, but I think I'm going to prove you wrong.

Come to court tomorrow.

Might be interesting.

How long have you known Les Matthews?

About 17 years.

In fact, you served in Vietnam with him, didn't you? Yes, I did. And when was

that?

1970 to 71.

And when Les Matthews came home in 1971, you stayed on for another tour, didn't

you? Yes.

According to your military record, you were... in the 3rd Battalion of the

Airborne Division.

Right? That's right.

Did you know a fellow named Wayne Lashley?

No, I didn't. Are you sure?

Yes. The reason I sound skeptical is because I have his military record right

here, and during 1971 and 72, he served in your outfit.

You sure you didn't know him?

I just told you I didn't.

Okay. Let me ask you this, then.

You're treasurer and chief financial officer of the Tacoma Corporation.

Is that right?

That's right.

And you have a private telephone in your office?

Yes. And let's see. The number is 555 -6960.

Is that right?

Yes.

I bet you wonder how I got that number.

Well, I'll tell you.

I got it out of this little black book.

And oddly enough, This book was owned by Wayne Lashley.

Now, how do you suppose your private, unlisted number wound up in this

murderer's telephone book?

I don't know.

You still insist you didn't know him.

That's right.

I won't belabor the point.

We'll move on to something else.

Seven years ago, when your friend, the defendant, Les Matthews, went to prison,

you took over his job.

as chief financial officer of the Tacoma Corporation, right?

That's right.

And in that time, the business has done very well.

So have you.

I have bank statements that show that you have accumulated $4 .2 million

in six different accounts.

Well, we have some excellent investment portfolios.

You know, since I defended Les Matthews on a charge of murder seven years

ago, I've always felt like I missed something, some kind of thread.

But, Mr. Bundy, you have done me the great service of showing me I

didn't miss anything.

Seven years ago, there was nothing to miss.

There was nothing to find.

But now...

I found it.

Your Honor, I'd like to enter into evidence this statement and supporting

documents from a certified public accountant showing that in the past

years, exactly $4 .2 million have been stolen from the Tacoma Corporation by

financial manipulation of its books.

You stole that money, didn't you? No.

You killed John Coulter so you could steal that money, didn't you? No.

Objection! We are here to try Les Matthews for the murder of Wayne

are not here to retry a murder he has already been found guilty of.

Your Honor, may we approach the bench?

Your Honor, I believe I have evidence showing that these two murders are

inextricably linked together.

But, Your Honor, as I just said, Les Matthews has already been found guilty.

Burton, don't you want to find the truth?

Yes, of course I do, but the past is... Pass, gentlemen. No fighting in this

courtroom. Your Honor, I honestly believe this is the only way we'll ever

discover the truth.

Very well, Mr. Matlock. But I warn you, get to the point.

Objection overruled. Proceed, Mr. Matlock. Mr. Bundy, isn't it true that

were having an affair with Mrs. Coulter for almost a year before her husband was

murdered? Yes.

In fact, only a moment after she discovered the body, you came into her

didn't you?

Yes. And you both decided it would be wise for you to leave before she called

the police.

Yes. Why was that?

Because we thought we might be considered suspects.

When you came into the house, you were drenched as if you'd been standing out

the rain unprotected.

It was raining very hard.

And yet when you left...

You had your umbrella.

Now, Mrs. Coulter will be glad to testify that you did.

What was your umbrella doing there?

I don't know. I... I must have left it there a couple of days before.

Well, you don't usually carry an umbrella on a warm, sunny day, do you?

I suspect not.

And you're sure you left it there a couple of days before? Couldn't have

week? Maybe two?

Well, it might have been a couple of weeks before.

Mr. Bundy, there are two things I remember about August 1979.

One was John Coulter's murder.

The other, my garden died.

We had a drought that summer.

Your Honor, I have a headline here from the Atlanta Examiner dated August

10, 1979, the morning after John Coulter was murdered. And the headline reads,

and I quote, Surprise storm ends eight -week -long drought.

Now, why was your umbrella at the Coulter house during the drought?

You know, those...

The warm, sunny days we have here in Atlanta.

I don't know.

I... It probably was some kind of a mistake. I'll tell you why.

You went to see John Coulter before his wife came home.

The night of August 9th. It was raining. You had your umbrella.

You shot him.

You heard someone drive up.

You ran out the French doors.

No umbrella.

You got drenched.

Then you saw it was Andrea who had come home.

Then you realized you forgot your umbrella.

So you went around to the front of the house.

Came in the front door.

You killed him! You killed John!

No, I didn't. Yes, you did.

Seven years ago,

You saw your opportunity to clean up.

You knew Sam Dolan couldn't add a column of figures.

So when Les Matthews got in a fight with John Coulter, you saw your opportunity

to get rid of both of them and steal to your heart's content.

But when Les Matthews won his parole, you knew he had come home and discovered

your thefts.

So you contacted your old army buddy, Wayne Lashley, and you hired him to kill

Les Matthews. Only it backfired.

My client killed him in self -defense.

Isn't that the way it happened?

No.

I believe with the help of Mrs. Coulter, the good officers of the Atlanta Police

Department will prove it.

The defense rests.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, have you reached a verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

We find the defendant, Lester Matthews, not guilty.

Thank you.

Don't thank me. Thank him.

Yeah, thank me.