Original subtitles

Well, he was lying there, and somebody hit me over the head, and that's all I

remember.

Here,

I'll take over, Bill. Oh.

You don't have to read me my rights, Lieutenant. I already know them.

Are you all right, Constable? Oh, I guess so.

Well, we got a gunshot report about 9 o 'clock from Mantle's across the street.

Same man that saw you drive up 10 minutes later.

Oh.

Did you see anybody else?

Car drive away.

It wouldn't happen to have been a late model blue sedan.

Yeah.

That's the same one that was here the other day.

You know these are dangerous people.

You're right there in the middle.

Next time you could get hurt.

What am I going to do about it?

Ben.

Are you all right? Cassie, what are you doing here? Did somebody call you?

Yeah, one of my men.

I figured you better get to the hospital and get an x -ray. You might have a

concussion.

I'm free to go.

Thanks, Lieutenant.

I'm sorry they drug you in on this. I'm okay.

Are you sure? I'm sure.

You don't mind driving me?

What?

The movie.

Is your car ready? Yeah.

That's good.

I'm going up.

Don't touch me. I don't have a gun or a knife or even a pencil. So don't put

your hands on me Mr.

Gerard, it's Matlock Where is I think you better

leave mr. Matlock

Mr. Gerard, where are they going?

On a trip.

They going to start a little shooting match with the Benedicts?

We don't start it.

They did that when they killed that witness.

We don't know they killed that witness.

Mr.

Gerard, we...

We have to take this stuff one step at a time.

If you let it escalate, everybody loses.

Particularly your son.

When it suits your purpose, he's my son.

Fuck.

We have that in common.

All right, give all around on Tyler Hudson.

Oye,

pregúntale si está interesado en un carro.

He asked if you're interested in a car.

If it's the right kind.

Because, um, Mrs. Martinez has been in today.

Just what do you want?

I was just wondering, does anybody around here drive a full -size maroon

wagon? Why?

Last night, a fellow by the name of Mickey Morrison got himself killed.

And it seems that someone who drives a full -size maroon station wagon might be

involved. It means nothing to me. What's it to you?

Well, it seems that whoever killed Mickey Morrison might really be the

that killed Congressman McGinnis. And the talk is...

that that someone could maybe be you.

Now, why would I do such an outrageous thing?

Well, the talk also is that when it comes to the distribution of illegal

in this city, that you and your family are number one.

An ugly, unfounded rumor.

There's also talk that the investigation Congressman McGinnis was conducting

threatened to shut down your entire operation.

Pure fiction.

Talk also is that you're a very smart woman.

I confess.

And the word is that someone in your group stabbed the Congressman and framed

Craig Gentry, knowing that his father would blame his old enemy, Carl

start a war for revenge.

Now, while the Benedicts and the Gerards were busy killing each other off, you

and your gang, your family, would move in and establish yourself as number one

in the city.

You know something?

That's a hell of a good idea. I wish I'd thought of it.

Get out.

Yes, ma 'am.

Thank you for your time.

Mr. Benedict's expecting you.

We should hope so.

You got me down for five on the home team, right, Jimmy?

Right.

Thank you for coming by, Mr. Matlock.

Didn't seem I had much choice.

I'd like to get something on the record with you since you now work for the

Girards. So tell Liz that, Sam, I don't work for the Girards. And you listen to

what I have to say, please.

We do not want a war.

We have nothing to do with any of this. I did not kill Mickey Morrison.

He was going to help put the son of the man I hate away for life.

Why would I kill him?

How about this?

You paid him to give false testimony, and then he reneged on the deal, and so

you killed him. How about that?

Paul, come over here, please.

I'd like to sit in that chair, please.

Yes, sir.

Tom. Yeah?

Take out your gun and cover, Paul.

Tom, you will count to ten.

When you reach ten, you will pull the trigger.

Unless I tell you to stop.

Paul, I want you to tell me the truth.

I always tell you the truth.

Now, who is my right -hand man around here, Paul?

Count. I am. One.

You know everything that goes on around here, don't you?

Two.

You know I do.

Three. Did I kill Congressman McGinnis? Four.

No. Do you know who did?

Five. No.

Please, Mr. Benedict.

Six. Do you know who killed that witness last night?

Seven. No.

Eight. The truth.

Nine. I don't know, for God's sakes, Carl.

Wait a minute. Stop.

Put your gun away, Tom.

Paul doesn't lie, Mr. Matlock.

I warned you about dangerous people.

Mr. Benedict, I'm Lieutenant Weber.

I don't understand.

Somebody shoots up your place and you don't see anybody?

It all happened very fast.

What about you, Mr. Matlock?

Well, I'll tell you the truth. I didn't see much. I saw a lot of flooring

underneath the tables. I gave my statement to the officer.

All right, thank you.

Hey, Lieutenant.

Carl Benedict is sure it was the Gerard group who did this.

Uh -huh.

You may have a really hot potato here.

My potato's not any hotter than yours, you know.

gentlemen are here to see Mr. Girard.

Mr. Girard? Yes.

These two officers want to see you.

Drunk, but hit.

How is he? He's still in surgery.

Oh.

You want a cup of coffee?

Thanks.

You,

uh... Do you remember being a little boy?

What? Being a little boy.

I remember.

I mean, I remember things.

Seems like a long time ago.

Hell, it was a long time ago.

But I remember.

There you go.

I bet when you were a little boy, you thought he was it.

I mean, I bet you thought he was the greatest, didn't you?

They had to take out his spleen.

But he's going to be in intensive care for a while, but he's going to be all

right.

I mean, at least that's what they say. Oh.

You're a lucky man.

That's good.

You don't see him?

No.

Keep all around, courtesy of Tyler Hudson.

What is it this time?

The shootout at the Benedict House.

Oh, you know, by the way.

Sam Gerrard got shot a couple times.

I heard.

You shouldn't have used a maroon station wagon. That's how I knew it was you.

Bye, Anthony.

You have 60 seconds to convince me not to use this.

All right, I took a look around in the back before I came inside. I saw the

maroon station wagon in the garage.

Now, the bullet holes that are in there now were not there before the shootout

and can be used for the process of identification.

Now... The Gerards know that they didn't shoot up the Benedicts, and Sam's hit

was a retaliatory gesture. So as you can understand, both sides are more than a

little upset. If they find out what you have done, you can depend on having a

very fine and splendid funeral in the very near future. Now, I have left the

best parts of this story on Ben Matlock's answering machine because I

travel without insurance.

Don't shoot, okay?

Hello in there.

Hello, Carl.

Hello, Tom.

Hello, Paul.

Now, don't shoot.

I've got somebody I'd like you all to meet.

So stand back, keep a good thought,

and kind of aim your guns towards the ground.

This person, this person may very well be

an answer to our problem.

So say hello to good news.

Now, if there's any more trouble between now and the end of the trial, I'm

telling you, your son might as well just plan to go to prison.

I appreciate what you're trying to do, Mr. Matlock, but I'm not sure.

You're not going to believe me.

Carl Benedict is here.

And he's alone.

Why is he here?

I asked him to come.

Show him in.

Hello, Carl.

Sam.

It's been a long time.

Yes, it has.

How's your father?

You know him? He never changes.

Give him my regards.

Sam, we were only acting out of what we thought was self -defense.

We don't want a war with you.

I came here personally as an act of good faith to tell you this.

I'm truly sorry about what happened.

I accept that.

Thank you for coming.

All right, Mr. Matlock.

I'll agree to your suggestion.

Good. How's Craig?

Um... He's holding up.

You have any children, Mr. Matlock?

Yes.

You get along?

Yes.

That's good.

I'll come again.

Peter?

Mr. Gerard has agreed to a proposal I made that may get us by our immediate

problems here.

I'm listening.

Somebody must have seen Craig Gentry after 8 .30 the night of the murder.

people cover the streets. Find someone who saw him.

You're asking a lot.

I have a big problem with a prosecution witness who says he saw my client enter

the victim's office building at that time.

It is essential that I provide him with a legitimate alibi.

There's no guarantee I can find you someone.

I know that.

But if you can, Sam Gerard would consider it repayment for all the

you've caused me.

And it would go some distance in demonstrating that you didn't frame

Gentry yourself.

That'll be $5 .50.

But didn't I see you on TV?

Yeah. You're the guy that said he saw Craig Gentry going to that building over

there the night somebody killed the congressman, right?

Yeah, that's right.

Is this about the same place you parked that night?

So what if it was?

Well, when you saw him, was he coming from that direction over there or from

that direction back over there?

What do you want to know that for?

Or was he just standing in front of the door there? I mean, how long were you

watching him? You know, five seconds, ten seconds? What?

Hey, who are you?

Well, I'm certainly not the guy that paid you to perjure yourself, that's for

sure. And I also know about your two felony convictions.

Just give me my money and get out of the cab.

Hey, you're going to get a second chance, you know. They're going to call

back to the stand. And this time, I wouldn't lie.

Because you can't spend your money in jail.

Mr. Silvers, you testified earlier that you saw the defendant

going into an office building at 15589 Peachtree around

825 the night of the murder. That's right.

Mr. Silvers, are you nearsighted? Did you wear glasses?

Yeah. Were you wearing glasses the night of the murder? Yeah.

According... for this copy of a bill from your optometrist.

Your glasses were being repaired the night of the murder.

That's right, they were.

But I was wearing these.

I always carry my spares.

Oh.

Well, I guess... I guess you could see as well...

that night as you ever have. That's right.

Have you been back to the building since the murder?

As a matter of fact, I took a fare over there last night.

Would you recognize that person again?

As a matter of fact, that's him sitting right there at the end of the first row.

For the record, he's identified Tyler Hudson.

Did you see anybody else last night?

Yeah, you.

Me? Yeah, that's right. You and him were standing at the front door talking.

Oh.

About what time was that? Do you recall?

Around 8 .30.

Are you as certain you saw me last night as you are about seeing

Craig Gentry the night of the murder?

You bet I am.

You know, the problem...

With your seeing me last night, I was here

last night at 8 .30 with the deputy district attorney

discussing jury instructions.

There.

That's the man you saw last night and you thought it was me. You tricked me.

Of course I did.

Tricked you, huh? Yeah.

Are you still sure it was Craig Gentry you saw outside that building the night

of the murder?

Well, withdraw the question. Nothing further.

Redirect?

No, Your Honor.

If the court please, the date rests.

This court is adjourned until 9 a .m. Monday morning, at which time we'll hear

the case for the defense.

You saw Craig Gentry that night?

I was going past the Blue Moose bar.

How did you know it was him?

I saw him on the TV, on the news.

And you're willing to testify?

Yes, sir.

Tell Mr. Gerard this even thing.

No, I have a few more things I need to clear with Miss Lynn.

What were you doing the night the congressman was murdered?

I was at my boyfriend Jack's.

I remember watching a news bulletin about it the next morning during

We are engaged, by the way.

And how is it you happened to see Craig Gentry? Well, I ran out to get a couple

things at a deli near Jack's condo.

What was the name of the deli, do you recall?

Sure, Simon's Deli. What's Simon's? We take out from there all the time. Mr.

Matlock loves their chicken salad.

And that's where you saw Craig Gentry?

No, no, no. I saw him through the window at the Blue Moose Lounge.

That's a place you've got to pass to get to the deli from Jack's condo.

Anyway, I saw Mr.

Gentry sitting at the bar.

And what time was that?

About 9, 9 .15.

You're sure about the time?

Yes. Now, the time is very important. If you saw Craig Gentry in that bar at 9

.15, then he couldn't have been at the congressman's office building.

And you're positive that it was Craig Gentry?

Positive.

After all, I did see him twice.

Oh, you made two trips to Simon's?

Like I said, I ran down there around nine to pick up some sodas, and then

11 or so, Jack and I were starving, so I ran back down there again to pick up

some ham and cheese sandwiches.

Ham and cheese?

Uh -huh.

Ham and cheese is Jack's favorite.

Anyway, when I went past the Blue Moose the second time, I looked in the window,

and I noticed he was still sitting at the bar.

That'll be all, Miss Lynn.

I can go?

Miss Martinez will be in touch.

Oh, nice to meet all of you.

Goodbye.

Problem?

Did she owe you or was she strictly for hire?

What are you saying?

Simon's a kosher deli. You can't get a ham sandwich from there.

I thought she was pretty effective.

All she needs is a little rehearsing. What we need is a legitimate...

Witness.

Nice try.

You'll put in a good word with Mr. Gerard?

Absolutely.

Morning, Kathy.

Let me know when Ben comes in. I'll be in Michelle's office. Oh, he's already

here. Huh?

He's not due until 11.

He was here when I got here. He said he didn't want to be disturbed.

How is he?

Well, let's put it this way. He's not playing the ukulele.

I'll see if I can cheer him up. Better not.

He's in there with somebody.

Who? Mr.

Morgenstern from the taxi licensing board.

What are you doing with him?

Beats me.

Let's go say good morning.

Good morning.

We're expected.

What's going on in there?

Am I late? I wouldn't know.

Mr. Matlock's expecting me.

Uh, Mr. Atkins is here.

Go right in.

What's Ben doing?

I'm Carl Benedict.

They're expecting you.

Right in there.

Cassie, call over to the TV station and ask them if I can look at that file tape

again. I'll meet you there.

Want to run it again?

Well... What are you doing?

We've been going about this all wrong.

It's not who came out of the building that's important.

It's who went in.

Lieutenant Weber, how long...

Have you been with the Atlanta police?

17 years.

And how long have you been with the organized crime division?

12 years.

So, 12 years with the highest grade detective salary, that'd mean what you

what, $40 ,000, $50 ,000 a year?

Objection. No relevancy.

Your Honor, I beg the court's indulgence here.

All right, overruled for now.

You may answer.

Yeah, that's about what they pay.

So I guess with pension and medical and overtime, you must... But still,

with prices as high as they are, it must be really difficult to make ends meet.

I see where you're going, Counselor. The departmental regulations allow

moonlighting, and I do make some extra money as a security consultant.

Oh, so that's how... That's how I have a condominium in Hawaii, as you have

found, and an Italian sports car in my garage.

It's a good investment.

And a toy, so what?

Oh.

Yeah, so I guess with the moonlighting, the security work that you do,

on an annual basis, that... About $150 ,000.

You know what I'm going to ask before I ask you, don't you?

What do you do to make that kind of money?

I told you, I'm a security consultant.

Well, I mean, do you put in alarm systems or build special fences or hire

guards? Security, like a lot of things now, is highly specialized, and I know a

great deal about it.

One of your major clients is Benedict Industries?

I'd have to consult my records on it. You didn't anticipate that question, did

you?

What do you do for Benedict Industries? Give them a little...

Uh, inside information, advance warning of sting operation?

Objection, Your Honor.

Mr. Matlock's questions are speculative and insulting.

Sustained. You know better, Mr. Matlock. Now let's move along.

Yes, sir.

Let's follow this line.

Congressman McGinnis comes down here to investigate, uh, local organized crime.

Oh, like, uh, say, the, uh, Benedict Industries.

You're appointed liaison officer. That's a happy coincidence. The problem is,

Congressman McGinnis was going to investigate everything and everybody.

And sooner or later, your connection with the Benedict family had to come up.

the least, there would be an internal affairs investigation and maybe even

criminal charges against you.

What do you think?

A congressman had to go, and someone else had to get the blame. What do you

think?

I think you're crazy.

Well, that may be.

The morning the body was discovered, you arrived at the building with the other

police officers?

Yes, that's right. About what time was that?

About 7 a .m. About 7 a .m. You know what happened?

There was a TV news crew that arrived.

that building before the police did and they had their cameras rolling they

recorded everything everybody who went in and out of that building and the

police have looked at that tape and and the tv news people i did everybody

looked at that tape over and over and over again just hoping they might see

somebody come out of that building it could be the killer and you know what

Everyone was accounted for. That's right.

That's right. How about this?

I was looking at that tape again this morning, and it's in evidence, then the

jury will be viewing it.

I hadn't thought of it before.

But you know what I did not see, Lieutenant?

I did not see you entering that building.

Well, I was there. Oh, I have no doubt that you were there.

But I don't think you entered the building that morning.

I think you had been there all night.

Oh, no.

I think you waited, as you had several nights before, for the congressman to be

alone in his offices.

And that night, you killed him.

No. And then you spent the night.

No. Yes.

And then...

The next morning when the police arrived, you just folded yourself in

You're right. And then you framed the man you knew had had two heated

with the congressman, Craig Gentry. Lieutenant, you're not very good at

And I'm not talking about graft. You may be pretty good at that.

I'm talking about committing murder and then placing the blame.

On someone else. You're just not good at it.

There were too many mistakes.

When you planned this, did you have any idea whose toes you'd be stepping on? I

didn't plan anything.

Let's speculate.

You planted the murder weapon at Mr. Gentry's home while you were searching

No. You destroyed his alibi by paying Mickey the bartender to lie.

You further incriminated...

Mr. Gentry, by paying Dick Silvers to commit perjury. That's not true.

Your Honor, I object.

Can Mr. Matlock substantiate any of this? You betcha.

A moment longer, Your Honor.

Proceed.

I'm afraid it is true. That's what I meant by you're not very good at this.

a person has to lie himself, that's one thing. But when you have to pay someone

else to lie...

You had to kill Mickey.

When it became apparent he was going to come forward and tell the truth, didn't

you? No.

But Dick Silvers, he played his part beautifully, didn't he?

I don't know what else to tell you. No.

How long have you known Dick Silvers?

I first laid eyes on him when he came forward after the murder.

Are you sure?

Yes.

Mr. Silvers has had an interesting history.

Two felony convictions, 31 arrests in the past seven years. Isn't that right?

Could be.

He's worked for you for a number of years, hasn't he?

Objection. Your Honor.

Go ahead.

He has, hasn't he? No. As a gopher or sometimes private detective, an

informant, kind of your connection with the underworld, so to speak.

I've used a lot of people, but he was not one of them. You pay these

sometimes. Sometimes.

you see to it that they avoid prosecution when they give you

Is that right?

It's common practice, yeah. So what did you do for Dick Silvers to get him to

lie about seeing Craig Gentry?

I did nothing, and I'm not aware of his lying.

What, did you get him a new cab?

No. You did get him his own taxi franchise so he wouldn't have to drive

fleet anymore, didn't you? No.

He does have his own cab and taxi seal, doesn't he? You tell me.

This is Defense Exhibit F for identification.

By law, an applicant for a city cab franchise must not have gotten a felony

conviction in the prior five years.

But that requirement can be waived.

with a recommendation from a law enforcement or judicial officer.

Now, this is a certified copy of Mr.

Silver's application.

What does it say in the upper right?

Approved Atlanta PD endorsement.

The application doesn't reveal the endorser's name, does it?

I don't see it, no. Public documents don't carry that information.

This is Defense Exhibit G for identification.

This is a certified copy of a document entitled Memo of Franchise

Approval. And it's signed by Commissioner Morgenstern himself.

Would you read what it says on the second line, Lieutenant?

It says, Atlanta police endorsement by Lieutenant Chet

Weber.

Noted for file.

Noted for file. See, that's not a mistake.

You just can't trust these bureaucrats not

to cover for themselves, can you?

We find the defendant, Craig Gentry, not guilty.

The jury having found the defendant not guilty, this court is adjourned.

Thank you.

I'll see you back here.

I've been thinking a lot about that night, ten years ago,

when I walked out.

The worst thing about it was that I never said goodbye.