Original subtitles

Nothing's easy these days.

No matter what language you speak.

Murphy's Law.

What can go wrong, will.

This is AT &T calling with a collect call from Gary Hobson. Will you accept

charges? Collect call from Gary Hobson?

Gary Hobson? Who was that?

It was me, AT &T.

Uh, they didn't.

Go ahead.

Hello? This is the Atlanta Nuclear Power Plant.

I don't understand what he's saying.

Hello? Coca -Cola?

Rolling Stones? Prospero?

Listen.

Don't turn the power on.

Turn on.

I don't understand what he's saying.

Turn on.

What's up?

Zucker? No, wait. Listen.

Listen. Your coolant level's low, and your gauges are faulty. If you turn that

thing on, the whole thing's gonna melt down.

Melt down?

Face it. Even when you get tomorrow's newspaper today, you're still not out of

the woods.

Not by a long shot.

Like it or not, you still gotta deal with life.

What?

I'm sorry, the government of Russia refuses to accept the charges.

Oh, wait a second, I... Please deposit $38.

Please deposit $38.

Not to mention... Please deposit... The phone company.

You get stuck in traffic?

Look, I don't want to talk about it. I'm right, and you know it.

As usual, Chuck, you have an illogical leg to stand on.

Garrett, help me out here. Am I right or not?

About what?

Body piercing and NBA forward.

Don't you guys have to go to work?

Hey, what's this?

Your mail.

Looks like more than two months worth.

Forwarded from your last address.

Delivered it. No extra charge.

I don't know.

What? The jury summons.

Failure to respond may lead to arrest and fine.

That's all right. You can ignore that. Due to disregard of previous three

notices. The first three times.

Well, when do they need you? Today.

So, go to the courthouse, explain the situation.

They'll excuse you.

I'll just go down and explain my situation.

In fact, I got things I got to do today.

Well, I still think you need to be there. Yeah, they don't mess around with

stuff. All right, so I'll spend an hour. Listen, Chuck,

I'm going to have to get a ride today.

All right, hurry up.

What's that for?

Hockey.

Ask a stupid question.

Marissa, you coming?

I'll take the trade.

Good luck.

What's the hurry?

I got to get off this jury by noon or some guy's going to probably die.

Oh, come on. Hurry up, slowpoke.

All right, what are you going to say?

I'm going to tell him the truth.

Bad idea.

What? Bad idea.

Look, I didn't get the first three notices. I'll just ask the judge if I

reschedule.

Hey. Hey!

Do you believe this guy?

Hey! No easy rider!

Hey! You want to move that thing?

Why would I want to do that? Because this is my spot. I don't think so.

Oh, really? You see, Garrett?

You see the rude and unsavory characters you're going to have to deal with on

jury duty? Look.

Hey, if you're planning to use that stick, don't.

You'll regret it.

What? No, I wasn't. You heard me.

I wasn't going to use that.

Hey, lady.

Lady, come on. That was two seconds. That guy took my spot.

What are you... Come on.

Nice hockey stick.

You can't have that in here. That's a weapon.

Didn't anybody tell you?

Actually, the rules don't say anything about hockey sticks, but they do say

firearms, knives, any implement that can be considered or used as a weapon shall

not be allowed in any facility that's deemed the jurisdiction of the court.

What are you, hall monitor?

Just the citizen doing her duty.

And if I'm chosen, this would be my 18th trial.

Well, I deem that a weapon, and I don't like it. Doesn't bother me.

I'm not going to be here that long anyway, so it doesn't matter.

May I have your attention, please?

Welcome to part six.

You are in the criminal section of the Cook County Superior Court.

You're all here to be jurors, is that correct?

Well, no, actually, I've got to go. Listen, stop your complaining.

You will all be given numbers at the door.

Now, if you would, please follow me.

The only one that can spring you now is the judge.

Be ashamed if you go.

I always liked hockey players.

All rise.

Matters before this court will now be heard. The Honorable Jake Welburn

presiding.

Morning, everyone.

You may sit.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome.

I want to thank you all for being here.

I know you have other places you could be, but we'll try to make this as

agreeable as we can.

Now, Mr.

Hockey Stick, what a pleasant surprise.

Your Honor.

Now, aren't you glad you didn't hit me?

Quick formality.

If any one of you feels...

If they can't undertake their civic responsibility, speak up now.

Your Honor. Your Honor. Your Honor, I'm a neurosurgeon, and I have two

procedures scheduled for today, both with life -threatening implications.

Is there any way?

Execute. Your Honor. Your Honor.

I'm on a dialysis machine, and I need to go in every day or else.

Execute. Your Honor.

I'm a single parent, mother of five. My kids need me, and I'm the sole supporter

of the family.

Mother of five, excuse.

I have some personal issues, Your Honor.

Could you be more specific?

No. I mean, not really.

Well, let's just say I have some personal responsibilities.

Let's just say congratulations.

You get to serve the state of Illinois.

All right, what are they?

One, you have an incurable disease with less than a year to live.

Go on.

You're self -employed and have a wife and four kids to support.

Next. You believe every man is guilty until proven innocent.

It works every time.

My client is charged with embezzling money from his employer.

If you knew that the defendant had spent time in jail for stealing before, would

that affect your opinion of his guilt or innocence?

I've always felt that someone is guilty until proven innocent.

Excuse me, what did you say?

Unless they were innocent, and then in that case, of course, they would be

found innocent until proven guilty.

Dismissed for cause, Your Honor.

I don't see it. He said guilty until proven innocent.

And then he retracted it.

Would you like to use one of your preemptories?

You give me no choice, Your Honor.

Actually, at this time, Your Honor, if you would permit me a short recess, an

unavoidable conflict has just come to my attention. If you could permit me...

Your Honor,

how do I get rid of this ball and chain?

Excuse me? I see her two minutes before we go into session.

I still haven't seen any discovery.

Now she's telling prospective jurors that I've done time. Stop right there,

DeLuca.

Recess. For lunch.

Lunch? One hour? In my chambers.

Don't worry, you'll be home for dinner.

And five bucks richer, not to mention the free lunch.

I had a boyfriend who was a hockey player.

I'm not a hockey player.

Neither was he.

But he knew a thing or two about hip checks.

I really ought to be going.

Oh, as long as you're back in 37 minutes, the judge will throw the book

if you're late.

Marty, you ought to get out of here right now.

All right, come on.

Come on. You want to meet my friend? Come on.

Come on.

Come on. Yeah, right.

Come on.

Look, look, look. This guy is nuts. Look at him, man. Come on.

Come on. Come on.

Come on. We're through here.

Do yourself a favor.

Don't tell the cops anything.

Are you welcome?

Let the record show that the defendant has elected to go pro se, acting as his

own counsel, and has refused to have counsel appointed, as is his right.

Moving right along, ladies and gentlemen.

In the case of the people versus DeLuca, we have a jury. As the bailiff calls

your name, would you please step into the juror's box?

Linda Newman.

Patricia Viniker.

Latisha Williams.

Doris Temple.

Craig Dumas.

Sherry Silverman.

Hank?

Pierce. Greg Irving.

Harvey Kildescott.

Jennifer Gretzler.

Don't bother taking a seat, Mr. Hobson.

Your Honor.

Your Honor, I'm very sorry for taking up the court's time.

Bailiff, will you call the final juror, please?

Jerry Hopp.

Come on down.

Ladies and gentlemen, by this time you should have found by your places

notepads, paper, that sort of thing, and I encourage you to take notes.

They will come in very helpful when reviewing the case.

Away from this courtroom, you will restrain yourself from viewing any

that relates in any way to this trial, including radio, TV,

newspapers.

I know how much you enjoy reading that paper with your morning coffee.

But for the duration of this trial, you must forgo that pleasure.

Understood?

Fine.

Well, let's start the proceedings.

Mr. Prosecutor.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is a case about betrayal.

How one man, the defendant, stole...

from the very man who'd reached out... No one was more shocked than me.

I tried to run my company like a family. I treated Phil like a son.

And to find out that all these years he'd been cooking the books and stealing

money right out from under me.

How is it this loss was discovered, Mr. Prosky?

My accountant.

I'd been paying a company that didn't exist for supplies I never received.

And all the checks were made out and signed by Phil.

Broke my heart.

Mr. Prosky?

Can you tell us how Mr. DeLuca came into your employ?

Sure. I object.

On what grounds?

Irrelevance.

Defines character, Your Honor.

Character?

I don't see it.

Besides, this was 12 years ago.

Overruled.

Mr. Prosky.

So it was an ex -con. I hire ex -cons. It's almost all I hire. Why's that?

I got into trouble when I was a kid, did a short bid up at County Youth.

When I got out, a guy in the neighborhood gives me a job plumbing and

supplies.

Next thing I know, I'm a partner.

He gave me a chance.

I wanted to thank him. He said, you want to say thank you, do for someone like I

did for you.

Turns out he'd done a stretch up at Parkside.

How many ex -cons did you hire over the years?

In 21 years, 87.

And how many of those 87 ex -cons have stolen from you?

None.

Until Phil.

Thank you, Mr. Prosky.

No more questions.

Mr. DeLuca.

Twelve years I worked for you?

That's right.

Twelve years on the job.

Wife.

Son.

Why would I do this?

$372 ,000 is a lot of money.

Maybe that's all the reason you need it. A simple yes or no will do. You didn't

ask me a question.

Did I ever steal from you before?

Not that I know of.

Not that you know of?

Yes or no, Mr. Prosky?

No. Did I ever, ever cause any trouble at all?

No. And swear to God, I wish we could go back to that.

You were family, Phil.

I keep thinking about you and Sally and Alec.

Don't you ever, ever use that word family with me.

We were never good enough to be part of your family.

And you never let us forget it.

Mr. DeLuca, anything else?

No, Your Honor.

I think I made my point.

Mr. Prosky, you may step down.

Consular, call your next witness.

Your Honor, can I just take a couple of moments with my colleagues?

Juror number four, would you be good enough to hand the note that was just

to you to the bailiff?

Don't.

Bailiff. Yes, sir. Would you read the note for the benefit of the court?

I am very attracted to you.

Well, isn't that nice?

Juror number five.

Do me a favor, will you please?

Make time on your time, not on mine.

That's all.

Thank you.

All right.

Back in 30.

What a nice man that Mr. Prosky.

Hiring all those ex -cons.

87 ex -cons.

Guy deserves a medal.

No, we weren't supposed to discuss it. Technically, you're right, but we're

discussing a man's character, not the case. Sounds to me like you're

the case, Hank. You want to question me about rules of conduct? You who can wait

to shirk a civic duty.

I never said I want to shirk my civic duty.

He just had more pressing business to attend to.

Like the rest of us don't.

I don't.

Max remains, takes a rare individual who goes out of his way to help a stranger.

How true.

Rules are rules.

No further questions, Ron.

Thank you, Mr.

Sarkeesian. You may step down.

Consular.

With that, Your Honor, prosecution rests.

Ah. Then, Mr. DeLuca, would you like to call your first witness?

No, Your Honor.

No.

No.

The defense rests.

Very well, then.

In the light of this somewhat inexplicable decision, we'll proceed to

deliberations.

Whose idea was it to make Hobson foreman again?

I believe it was Linda's, Hank.

I thought you couldn't wait to get the hell out of here.

Doesn't anybody here find his behavior just a little odd?

He's no Matlock. I'll give you that.

I'm talking about after the recess.

I mean, he just gave up. That's not odd. Of course he gave up because he

realized he couldn't win.

Then why didn't he go down fighting, Hank? Because of the evidence.

We saw checks in his name, assets in his name. We spoke with witnesses.

What more do you want? He's guilty.

He knows that.

And he knows we know it.

Hey,

Harvey.

What do you think?

Linda?

I think that Gary has a point.

Why doesn't that surprise me?

Listen, what if somebody got to DeLuca?

Threaten him?

I think you've watched one too many TV shows. Gary.

Based on the evidence, we have no choice but to find him guilty.

It's late.

Let's vote and go home.

Okay.

Let's vote.

All right.

Finally.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I understand you reached a verdict last

Is that true, Mr. Foreperson?

Is that true, Mr. Foreperson?

Yes, Your Honor.

Bailiff.

If there are no further motions, the foreperson will proceed to read the

verdict. Ah!

Oh, what a cute cat.

Oh, what a cute cat.

Whose cat is that?

Finally remove that cat from my courtroom.

Please! Now, Mr.

Foreperson, where were we?

We have a verdict.

Yes, Your Honor.

I assume it is unanimous?

No, Your Honor, it's not.

Why does that not surprise me?

Without polling the jury, I'd say it's 11 to 1 and... Yes, sir, I'm the one.

Oh. Hobson, in my chambers.

Now.

I gotta tell you, son.

If your intentions are to try my patience, you're doing one hell of a

Well, Your Honor, you see that... No, I'm just an inch away from drop -kicking

you right out of this building.

Well, I hope you don't do that, Your Honor. Sit down.

Now.

Last night, you believed he was guilty.

Pretty much.

So, between last night and this morning, something changed your mind.

What was it?

Well, I can't tell you that. I think you were reading something.

The bailiff tells me that on two separate occasions, he had to confiscate

newspaper from you. Is that true?

Yes, sir, that is true, but that will not happen again. Can you give me one

solid good reason why I shouldn't toss you off this jury right now?

I can't.

You can.

Sir, I'm exactly the person you want on this jury.

And let me tell you why.

I don't know what your problem is, Hobson, but we've taken all we're going

take. Right, people?

I think we should listen to him.

That is a surprise.

Come on, people, we've decided this thing once. Why should we do it again?

Because we might be wrong, that's why.

You believe this guy?

Look, I don't want to be here any more than anyone else does.

But I keep asking myself the same question.

Why does a guy who's clean after all this time, who's changed his life, why

he suddenly throw that away?

I'll tell you why.

300 ,000 bucks.

Twelve years he's had the same job. He's been married ten of those years. He's

got a six -year -old kid. That doesn't prove squat.

What about his wife, Gary?

Where is she in all of this?

And friends?

Why hasn't he had any friends testify for him?

I don't know.

We want to believe you, Gary, but you have to help us.

So, are you ready to take another boat?

All right, everyone.

Courtroom. The judge has an important announcement to make.

It has come to my attention that certain admonishments that I gave this jury may

not have been followed.

For this reason, and after careful consideration, I have decided that until

verdict is reached, you will be sequestered.

Understanding full well the impact that this might have, On a loved one, I will

allow conjugal visits to the hotel.

Abuse of this privilege could have serious consequences, so just don't do

That's all.

The state of Illinois thanks you for your continued services.

Look, I wouldn't ask if there was another way, but the Lucas wife, she

something, I'm sure of it. And what if this something turns into nothing?

I mean, face it, Gare, the woman didn't even have the decency to show up in

court. and lie under oath before God and country to protect the man she loves.

I mean, what kind of wife is that? That's exactly what I want to find out.

what about the paper? It doesn't have anything to say about this? They took

paper before I could read it.

Listen, are you going to talk to DeLuca's wife or not?

All right, I will talk to her.

Now, how do I get in touch with you?

That I'm not sure about because we're sequestered.

Hang it up.

Now.

Now get on the bus.

Well, honey, I gotta go. I'll talk to you later. Honey?

Okay, sweetie.

Okay, let's go. Let's find our rooms quickly.

Sorry, we're closed.

Um, Mrs. DeLuca?

Who sent you?

Uh, a friend of your husband's.

Not really a friend, more like an acquaintance. He told me... How'd you

Well, it wasn't easy, believe me.

I went to your house and you weren't home, so then I asked your neighbor who

said that you worked here, and then I... You lay a hand on my kid.

I'll see you in hell. You understand?

Hey, hey, hey, hey!

Did Prosky send you? No, Prosky did not send me.

I'm here to help, okay?

Here to help.

Why should I believe you?

Look, this person who sent me here, now he is convinced that your husband is

being railroaded.

How he knows this, I can't tell you.

Why he wants to help, I have no idea. That's just the way he is.

So why didn't he come?

He's on your husband's jury.

I don't think I believe you.

Fine.

You don't want to help your husband? It's no skin off my nose.

I'm not the one who has to explain to his son why Daddy isn't coming home for

the next 10 to 20.

Okay.

I'll talk to him.

You can't talk to him. He's sequestered. Just him.

Nobody else.

Yeah.

Your conjugal visit is here.

All right.

Hi, honey.

What are you doing now?

Relax. I'm just trying to get you out of here.

DeLuca's wife said she won't talk to anyone but you.

And since she can't come here, you're gonna have to go there. Well, how? I

out of here, they're gonna be all over me.

You got 40 bucks?

For what?

The flowers.

You're not going anywhere until I get reimbursed for that beautiful bouquet.

Are we clear?

Oh, yeah, very clear.

Good. In that case, uh, you got a corkscrew?

Excuse me, Mr. Bailiff?

Yeah.

Mr. Bailiff, I'm afraid, uh, things got a little out of control in there.

We had a, we had a little accident with the wine, so I think it's a shame to see

it stain. And I was, uh, I was, um, I was wondering if maybe we could get some

club soda to let it soak, you know?

I can never remember. Is it, um, is it hot water that sets a stain or cold?

How am I supposed to know? Do I look like Martha Stewart to you?

A little bit.

Gary Hobson?

In the booth.

Good job.

I said,

young man, you're just going.

Yes, ma 'am.

I've been too scared to go down there myself.

Why don't you tell me what you know?

I don't know anything. All I know is he didn't do it.

Do you know who did?

Prosky.

Prosky robbed himself?

I guess.

At least that's the way Phil had it figured.

He said Prosky was hiding profits or something.

He started talking to the guys at work.

You know, see if anyone else knew anything.

Prosky got wind of it.

He told Phil to mind his own damned business.

That's when the phone call started.

No, no.

What kind of phone call?

What do you think?

Prosky hasn't hired himself a bunch of choir boys.

You're saying Prosky's employees are involved in it? I don't know. I don't

anything. All I know is Phil is being framed.

He'd never risk going back to jail.

You've no idea how far he's come.

He'd rather die than go back there.

Would you be willing to testify?

Would you tell the court what you know? I can't.

We have a six -year -old son.

Prosky made the last phone call himself.

He made it clear what would happen if I testified.

There must be someone who knows something, someone willing to testify.

No.

Had a couple of thugs take him into an alley and beat him up. He'd probably be

dead right now if some stranger hadn't come along and stopped him.

Welcome back.

Judge Walpole, I'm glad you're here, because there's something we should talk

about. I don't know what your problem is, Hobson, but I'm through with you.

You're off the jury.

Your Honor, there's something very important you should know. Do yourself a

favor.

Get some help.

You need it.

To wait. That's it. You went home?

What was I supposed to do? I got kicked off.

That's the booth down here on the right. Hey,

look at it this way. The guy does what? A year in jail? Maybe less?

Then bam!

The truth comes out.

Front page news.

Gets a book deal. Does the talk show circuits.

Tom Selleck plays him in a movie of the week.

Guy ends up rich and famous.

How is that going to happen if he doesn't go to jail, huh?

Matter of fact, I should probably represent him.

Chuck, that is the most idiotic thing I've ever heard.

You gotta help him, Gary.

Uh -oh. Oh, Gary, can you just wait till after breakfast, please?

Phil DeLuca was discovered dead in Cook County lockup yesterday shortly after a

guilty verdict was rendered in his money laundering and embezzling trial.

Deputies on the scene have determined that Mr. DeLuca took his own life.

All right, so we got to find the guy Posky's thugs beat up.

Come on, Chuck, let's go.

I told you, stay out of this. It's not a thing I can do.

Gus, you're his last and only hope.

Hey, look, I'm sorry for the guy, but I got a family, too.

So we got some time. What's the big deal?

There's worse things.

You think Posky's going to let you just skate off into the sunset?

No way, pal.

As soon as the Lucas finish, you're next up to bat.

Look, I got work to do.

Gus, he's going to kill himself.

Bill?

No way.

Not him.

You don't know the guy.

I know.

Believe me.

Please.

I think he's innocent.

What? I've changed my mind. I say he's innocent.

I can't believe this. The guy's guilty. We all know it.

What changed your mind has nothing to do with this trial.

And that would be?

Gary. I'll go sit on a pen.

Look, we're not just a bunch of computers sitting here. We're people.

free to interpret the evidence any way that we feel is right. You're right,

Linda.

But we have to try to be reasonable people.

It's time, dear.

Are you with us?

Come on. He's guilty.

All rise.

Matters before this court will now be heard. The Honorable Jake Welburn

presides.

That was close.

Mr. Foreperson, have you reached the verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

Would you hand your verdict to the bailiff, please?

Mr.

Foreperson, would you read the verdict, please?

Wait!

Big mistake, Hobson. Your Honor, if you can just give me two minutes of your

time, I think I can show you that... Your Honor, this man has something to

and if it pleases the court... Bailiff, remove these men. Two minutes of the

court's time. I think I can show you... I can't do this. Your Honor, I would

like to call this man as a witness.

You can't.

This is my life.

The trial is over.

Objection! What are you objecting to? A verdict has been reached.

Now, Bailiff.

Remove these men. This was not my idea.

I have nothing to say.

Nothing. Wait a minute.

Who are you?

A witness, Your Honor.

A witness who is too afraid to testify because of Mr. Prosky. Your Honor.

Both of these men here are afraid to testify because they know that Mr.

is the one who is skimming funds off the top of his own company. This is

ludicrous, Your Honor.

With all due respect.

You're not going to dignify this man's slanderous suspicions?

No.

No.

I'm going to do better than that.

I'm going to toss this whole ludicrous mess out.

What? I'm going to do us all a favor and declare a mistrial.

Your Honor!

If you want to retry, file a motion tomorrow morning.

Now, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, thank you very much for your services.

I know this hasn't been easy for any of you.

Court is adjourned.

I don't know what your story is, son, and I've half a mind to take you out to

the woodshed.

But in spite of all that, I will allow that your motives may have been better

than your methods.

Thank you. Based on your time served in my courtroom, I've asked the courts that

you never be summoned for jury duty again.

Well, thank you, Your Honor, but... Oh, no.

I didn't do it for you.

Madam Foreperson, in the matter of the people versus Joseph Prosky, how do you

find?

Guilty.

Some people say things always work out for the best.

Others say that's the way it was meant to be.

Life is full of twists and turns.

And you don't always know where it's taking you.

But it sure can be an interesting journey.

Especially for someone who gets tomorrow's newspaper today.

Hey!

Hey! Want to get a cup of coffee?

Linda, I, uh...

My life is sort of kind of complicated.

It's perfect.

We'll work on it.

Come on.

Stephen Collins goes from seventh heaven to sheer hell next.

He is a wealthy businessman racing against time to save his kidnapped son

abductor has left him with a time bomb.

As time runs out, part of Murder Mystery Week, next here on Hallmark.