Original subtitles

Hey. Hey.

What are you looking at?

James Tang, Asian male, 33.

Six up close rounds to the hidden body.

Any witnesses?

Yeah, Lewis Tang, victim's younger brother. He's barely keeping it

I'm very sorry for your loss, Lewis.

Can you tell us what happened?

I heard some shouting, so I went over to the window.

There was this man with a gun pointing it at my brother's head.

I froze up.

He just started shooting.

Can you tell us what the man looked like?

I didn't get a good look at his face.

He was down the street before I even knew it.

Any other witnesses?

My brother's wife, Erica, and his son, Jimmy.

Jimmy was standing next to my brother when he was killed.

Thank you, Mr. Tan.

Is the boy hurt?

He wasn't hit, but he's got his father's blood all over him, not to mention half

his brain.

We're going to need to get the boy's picture now.

Do what you have to do.

Captain McCafferty.

It's really nice to meet you. There must be, what, four female police captains

in this entire state?

That's really quite an accomplishment.

Can I help you?

As a matter of fact, yes. Is that your office over there?

Uh, yeah.

Do I know you?

Oh, I'm sorry.

I don't know why I thought you'd... Brett Harper.

Oh, yeah, I've seen you on that court TV, right?

Yeah, how was I?

Brilliant? Demanding?

Whatever you say.

If you'll excuse me, I have a division to run.

Actually, I think you're going to want to hear what I have to say, given that

Timothy Benson was your first homicide case, and I'm defending him now.

I'm sure you realize that he only has three weeks before he's executed.

Midnight, April 23rd.

Are you finished with this?

If my reputation precedes me... I assume you know that I've taken on some lost

causes in my day.

If you knew me at all, you'd know I don't have time for lost causes.

Timothy Benton did not commit that murder.

That's your opinion?

Ten minutes. That's all I'm asking.

Why don't I believe that?

I know it's been 14 years since you investigated Joyce Benton's murder.

So maybe I should start with the basic facts.

I recall the pertinent ones.

such as Timothy Benson's continual and escalating abuse of his wife prior to

murder.

Spousal abuse is not a foolproof indicator of homicidal intent.

There was also ample forensic proof. He cut his hand while he was stabbing her.

His blood was all over the scene.

The blood was only there because he cut his hand at work before coming home that

night. The blood at the scene was an unfortunate coincidence.

So he said.

There was a witness who could have corroborated his story.

We looked for him.

What is it you want from me? The blood at the scene.

The DA's office has run DNA testing and they won't let me see the results.

I need that DNA.

And I need your help to get it. I tried to enlist your former partner first.

You talked to Jerry Ragonesi?

As I said, I tried.

I believe that Timothy Benson did innocent.

And you're my last resort.

And his.

So, anything new on the Chinatown shooting?

Not much.

Victim's a high school graduate.

No criminal record.

Worked his way from busboy to a restaurant manager.

Fetched T -ball, paid his taxes. All the neighbors said he was a nice guy, as

far as we can tell.

Squeaky clean in all respects.

In other words, if there's a motive, we're not seeing it.

From your description, it sounded like a mob hit.

Well, that's how it was described to us, but nothing in Mr. Tang's life leads us

in that direction.

Well, keep digging.

Everybody's got some dirty laundry somewhere.

What's wrong with the captain?

Is that Brett Harper I saw coming out of your office?

Yeah, you know him?

I saw him work his magic in court once.

Yeah, he wants to embarrass the hell out of me on the stand.

What do you want?

You want to go for a walk?

How long have we known each other?

Um, well, it's 12 years, right?

So I'd like to think that by now you could trust me.

Look, I heard about what Harper's trying to do for Timothy Benson, and I know

you were involved in closing that case, so... Yeah, I was.

It wasn't my first case.

I'd just been promoted to the homicide desk.

I remember waiting for my first call.

I remember not being able to sleep. I was so anxious I must have reorganized

closet at least six times before the call finally came.

I remember obsessing over exactly what I was going to wear.

I got the victim's blood all over my favorite outfit.

When we interviewed Benson at the scene, he claimed that he had a witness.

who could corroborate his cut hand.

He met her on the bus on the way home from work.

She gave him a cloth diaper to soak up the blood.

Did you have a name?

No.

That's the initials only.

I looked for it for weeks.

And what about the bloody diaper? Did he tell you where it was?

Well, he talked about it with my partner, Jerry.

Reganese, but...

We were never able to find it.

End of story.

Maybe not.

When I got to Benson's building that night, I saw Jerry

walking away from a dumpster.

Well, do you think he was ditching the diaper?

I know nothing was going to convince him we had the wrong guy.

Well...

As long as you thought he was right about Benson.

That's just it.

We all thought so.

But all through the investigation, I just had this feeling, you know, that

Jerry had made his mind up awful fast.

You know?

Did you tell him how you felt?

What? Are you kidding?

Your first homicide?

I went through that phase with Dick.

Sometimes it just takes a while before they're ready to listen to a girl.

Oh, well, right. And you never got past that phase. No, this was more than just

the gender thing.

It was just me and Amanda. You know, as a single mom, I needed the job for a lot

of good reasons.

When they teamed me up with Jerry, I was so happy.

I was going to have a chance to prove myself.

It didn't matter how I felt about it.

Benson, I just didn't have the confidence then.

I didn't feel like I was in a position to make waves.

And now?

Did he get along with all of your other employees?

Sure, they couldn't ask for a better boss, and everybody loved his sense of

humor.

Did he ever confide in you, maybe about a problem he was having?

The only problem he seemed to be having was managing his finances, and since we

write him a nice check, I was a little surprised.

He told you he was having a financial problem?

Oh, he didn't have to.

Every payday, like clockwork, one of Benny Chow's boys would show up with his

palm raised.

Benny?

Benny is one of the neighborhood private bankers.

So how much did he owe this Benny guy?

Do you know why he borrowed the money? Well, that's none of my business,

Inspector, but I do know this.

Benny hates getting stiffed. And from what I hear, he considers it a capital

offense.

When I left for work this morning, I wanted to talk but I couldn't find you.

You can hide your face from the world, but I know the real you.

Gotcha. Let me.

Not so fast.

You used to like my sneak attacks. Get off me, please.

Paul, I'm sorry.

I'm going for a run.

Midnight. So?

Nope. It's my fault.

You know, I tried springing romance on you, and you shut me down.

I know.

You know, tonight I tried ambush.

I didn't get a smile out of you.

Look, we promised each other that we would never pretend.

We would respect each other's moods. I've been respecting yours for weeks.

You know, what the hell's going on?

I can't just come home from a 12 -hour shift and do it.

There was never a problem before.

Ten years together, Andy, and the one thing that we could always count on,

the thing we did right, the thing we never used as a weapon,

is me and you in that bed.

If the sex isn't working, then something else is going on.

So, Jerry.

Hey.

How you doing? Good.

Well, well, well.

I'm assuming you called to offer up congratulations.

Oh, yeah.

Being as how I finally made the short list for lieutenant.

No fooling. No fooling.

You know, they said it'd never happen.

But I guess even us old white guys eventually get our shot, huh?

Yeah.

I guess so.

No, it's not what I called.

I think we may have a little problem. Hmm? By the name of Timothy Benson.

It was a lawyer called you too, huh?

Yeah, I seen a little runt on TV.

I wouldn't worry about it. He's probably just looking for material for his next

book. I don't think so.

Caitlin McCafferty.

Still the pretty Irish Rose.

But then, I always figured you for aging well.

Did you hear me?

Yeah, I heard you.

Benson.

He's guilty as charged.

And you were with me on that, 100%.

Yeah. I was with you.

Of course, I didn't get the chance to talk to Selma Craig.

Selma Craig?

That name escapes me.

You don't remember her? No.

It's very funny because I think that you would.

She was Benson's witness from the bus.

I spent a month trying to track her down.

She called you two weeks before the trial.

Why didn't I know about this? Because she was pointless, that's why.

We had our guy.

And if memory serves, I had about six other open cases.

This was capital murder, Jerry.

Jerry, I had an obligation.

You know, Katie, I still got a lot of friends on this job.

They're the kind of people who just hate it when the apple cart gets overturned.

So back off, huh?

I need you to get out in front of this thing.

It's not exactly policy for me to go marching around town re -interviewing

witnesses. What do you need me to do, Captain?

Well, I think it'd be a good idea to have a fresh set of eyes.

And obviously, that's where we start.

Selma Craig, I'm on it.

I was wondering when the police were going to call me back.

I didn't think it would take 14 years.

Well, what you had to say then is just as important now.

Well, we were coming home from my daughter's three -month checkup, and the

stopped near this factory.

This man staggered on.

There weren't many people aboard, and I remember being a little frightened of

him. He said something to you?

No, but there was something about him that wasn't right.

His eyes were red and he looked agitated.

I found out why when he sat down across the aisle from us.

His right hand was bleeding pretty badly.

Did he ask you for help?

No, he just stared out the window.

I offered him a diaper to stop the bleeding.

He was very appreciative.

Did he mention his name?

No.

The baby started crying and a couple of stops later we got off.

Now, why did you call the police about him?

It must have been six months later.

I saw his picture in the newspaper.

He was standing trial for his wife's murder.

This police inspector, Rago -something.

Rago -nazy?

That's right.

He was discussing the man's claim.

He had cut his hand before coming home that night.

I thought I might have something to contribute.

But he never called me back.

Now, I resent your innuendos.

I'm a respectable businessman and a pillar of my community.

Yeah, well, with all due respect, Mr. Chow, you're a damn shy luck.

You pray on the weak, you pray on the... I serve it, the disenfranchised.

Now, without me, they would have no access to capital. The banks don't want

know these people exist.

The banks don't send goons when their borrowers don't pay.

Ladies.

And why are we even having this discussion?

James Tang was one of my most reliable clients.

How much did you lend him?

Ten grand, which he was repaying each week with interest.

Well, now, Benny, I think you're lying.

Okay, because James Tang had a good job with no known debt, so why would he need

to borrow so much money from a man like you?

As long as I get paid, that's really none of my business.

He's dead now, okay?

And you're not helping us here, Benny.

So if you don't help us, it's going to be our business to make your life

miserable.

I heard he needed the money for his family.

Someone there maybe got in a little deep.

But that's all I know.

He barely leaves my side.

It must be very difficult for you right now.

His nightmares are so terrible.

My little boy.

He cries out for his father in his sleep.

Do you have questions for me?

Actually, we've learned some things about your husband.

That he borrowed money from a low shark.

Oh. Why did you need the money?

It wasn't for us.

His brother needed the money.

He hasn't had a real job in as long as I can remember.

No one else would lend him a cent.

Do you know why Lewis would need so much money?

James wouldn't tell me. I was opposed to the whole idea.

We fought over it.

He was the older brother, and family meant everything to him.

He was willing to make any sacrifice.

I'm sorry for your loss, Mrs. Tang.

Can you give it to me?

What's up, Paul?

Hey.

I told you I couldn't meet you for lunch today.

This is crazy, Candy. We need to talk. You're upset.

Oh, I'm upset on a good day. On a bad day, I'm furious.

Okay, well, now we're getting somewhere. I mean, at least you admit we have a

problem. You have a problem.

I know about your latest affair, Paul.

I saw you leaving that hotel.

You saw how.

Thanks for the confirmation.

Look, it's not an affair.

It happened twice. It's over.

You left sex with another woman twice, but that's not an affair?

What exactly is an affair, Paul? Is that three times or sending flowers or

staying the night?

You and I haven't been... So help me God if you blame us for your infidelities.

I will unload my entire clip into you right here and now.

Andy, please, listen to me. I know so much more than I want to already.

Well, I can't justify what happened. I mean, I wasn't really attracted to her.

Look, you want truth, I'm giving you truth.

Great.

Do you feel better now?

You feel cleansed of this horrible burden of guilt?

You cheated on me again, and you unloaded your truth in a parking lot.

I can't do this anymore.

You love me.

I know I love you.

How the hell do you expect me to believe that?

Every time I start to feel better about us again.

We've tried fixing this ourselves and it's not working.

I want a change.

We can work on this together as partners. I have a partner.

And I trust her to be there for me. You I do not trust to get out of this

parking lot with your pants zipped.

Don't walk away, Andy, please.

Don't walk away.

Needless to say, the DA wasn't thrilled when I told him about Selma Craig.

CD?

Oh, sorry.

What about the DNA testing?

They ran the test.

When will the test be available?

They're in my office.

What exactly did the results show?

Beats me. That's why they got experts.

Well, according to his landlord, Lewis has apparently flown the coop.

He left right after the murder.

He moved?

He was two months behind on his rent. She thinks he skipped for good.

Does she know where we can find him?

You did mention a guy who's been looking for him, a Dean Esposito.

What do you want?

Not clear.

Just that he was real anxious to find Lewis.

These striations are those of Timothy Benson. As you can see, he was clearly

present at the scene of the crime.

Indeed? These would be those of his wife.

And is that all, just the two of them?

No. A third set of markers was lifted from a blood swatch also taken at the

scene.

All I can tell you is the Bensons had a male visitor who bled in their

apartment.

Reasonable doubt.

I wouldn't run toward the courthouse steps just yet.

And why is that?

The swatch is severely degraded.

Given that condition, it's unlikely a court would admit that DNA into

So there was definitely a third party there, but the science won't let us

it.

Unless we can find him, Timothy Benson's about to become a dead man walking.

My apartment's on the ground floor.

Benson's lived on four.

You testified at the trial that you were home the night of the murder.

Eating a late dinner, watching Unsolved Mysteries on a tooth.

Please.

I heard someone banging on the street door.

It was Benson.

He was a tenant. Why didn't he just use his key?

I didn't ask. I just got out of his way.

What I remember is he reeked of booze.

Do you recall any strangers in or around the building that night?

I've been living and working at the building almost 40 years.

I keep a good eye out.

There wasn't no strangers around that night. You can go to the bank on that.

Lewis and I have been friends for a couple of years.

We met at the church basketball league.

Why were you looking for him?

To warn him about Zeno.

Chinatown Triads.

What's his beef with Lewis Tang?

All right. I am only telling you this because I care about him.

Louis was looking to make some quick cash dealing.

He couldn't hold the job on account that he had this learning deficit.

About the drug deal.

All right.

He picked up a smack from Cino, but somehow he got ripped off by his buyer.

Inexperienced. Meantime, he still owes Cino for the stuff.

We heard he already paid him back.

Only part. He still owes like 30 grand.

That's why Cino put out the hit.

All right, wait a minute.

Why James Tang? Was he part of this vibe, too? No, no, no. That was Lewis'

The hitter messed up.

He killed the wrong brother.

That's why we can't find Lewis, who's on the run from Ceno. No, no, no. You got

to get it all flipped.

See, Lewis is out there looking for Ceno to get him back for what happened to

his brother.

Man, he is in way over his head.

If anybody gets popped now, it's going to be him.

I lived upstairs from the Bensons for many years.

Did you consider yourself a friend?

No. I told you how many nights that SOB kept me and my wife up with his

screaming.

Didn't seem to matter. We both had jobs to go to in the morning.

At the trial, you testified that you heard an argument the morning of the

murder. It was more than an argument. He threatened to kill her.

And you heard all this from your apartment? Yeah, I did. The building,

unfortunately, has very thin walls.

And Timothy, well, he had a very loud voice.

Had you ever heard him threaten to kill her before?

No, but he would come home from work and take out his frustrations. The man's a

savage. No one deserves that kind of treatment.

Did she talk to you about it?

No. I'm assuming she was too embarrassed.

She kept a lot on the inside, but she couldn't hide from me. She seemed nice,

sensitive.

They struggled. She did what she could to help out. She didn't deserve that

of treatment.

You know, the next time you hear a man beating a woman, maybe you should do

something about it. I did. I did. One night when it got really loud, I went

there. I tried to talk to him.

He scared the hell out of me.

You should try calling the police next time.

Look, you think I don't lie awake nights wondering what if?

Were you home when the murder happened?

No, it was taxi, but I was working late.

When I got home from the office, people were everywhere.

I hate the death penalty. I think it's barbaric. But if anyone deserves to die,

it's Timothy Benson.

The more I know about Timothy Benson, the less I like him.

Well, no one's proposing him for sainthood. I know. It's just very hard

excited about helping a wife -beater.

He served 14 years, and he's about to die, even for wife -beating. I'd say

was a fairly stiff sentence.

Still nothing on our mystery map?

I talked to all the neighbors. Nobody remembers Benson's bleeding hand.

Or the cloth diaper.

You know, without corroboration, I'm not even sure how well Selma Craig's

statement will play.

You know, if his hand was cut, it would explain why he didn't use his keys.

I'd have to super -buzz him in. But if he cut his hand at work, why not just

first aid there?

Well, at the trial, the defense claimed that he'd been drinking at work. He

didn't want his employer to know. All this potentially exculpatory evidence,

didn't consider it the first time?

Are you suggesting I wasn't doing my job?

Captain, I didn't mean any disrespect.

Thanks. You can go now.

I'm going to order in.

Battalion.

Something we should have done weeks ago.

Don't.

Come on, let me in.

You know what we both want.

Huh?

To feel good again.

To feel loved again.

That's my girl?

Let me show you how much I love you.

Don't shut me out.

We reviewed every page in my file. He has no idea who attacked his wife.

I'm sorry to hear that.

I was hoping for a lead.

Some way to convince the court to give us some more time.

Let me just get started here. All the judge will see is Timothy Benson fed 14

years to make this case.

Yeah, but until now I didn't have a... We don't have this other man's name, let

alone a motive.

We've come to the end of the road.

know how you feel.

No, you don't.

You didn't look into his eyes. You didn't see the fear.

You won't have to see the disappointment.

I'm sorry. I wish I could have done more.

That's the amazing thing about Michael. He had every reason to be bitter.

But instead, he chose to make something of his life in prison.

Take a look at that.

It took six years, but he got his high school equivalency.

When he got to prison, he didn't know how to read or write.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Timothy Benson was a literate when he was convicted.

You didn't know that.

I wish I knew what to do, how to change myself so you could finally accept the

truth of my love for you, and it's unsigned.

It was never turned over to his lawyer?

A DA only has to turn over material that might help.

Obviously, we didn't think it would help the case.

Joyce, when I left for work this morning, I wanted to talk, but I

you.

You can hide your face from the world, but I know the real you. This doesn't

sound like a stranger to me. That sounds like somebody who knew her pretty well.

Are you thinking what I'm thinking? The neighbor that we spoke to, Kevin Gallo,

he told us that she kept a lot on the inside, but that she couldn't hide from

him. He even went downstairs when they were fighting, like he wanted to defend

her honor.

Well, run his record.

See if you can pick up a handwriting sample.

Bring him in for a talk.

Why more questions? I thought we covered everything last time. We're exploring

the possibility that Timothy Vincent did not kill his wife.

Now we're thinking the killer was someone who knew Joyce Benson well.

Like a neighbor. A neighbor who considered himself a friend.

No one comes to mind.

Do you remember anyone who was attracted to her or thought maybe she was

attracted to him as well?

You know, it'd be hard for me to say.

I didn't spend that much time with her.

But you said you saw her all the time. You said she was sensitive and nice.

I say that about a lot of people.

Joyce Benson was very pretty.

You're saying you didn't have any feelings for her.

Yeah, I felt sorry for her, for the way her husband treated her. And that's all?

That's all.

If you don't mind, I'm going now.

Guys, could I have a minute before you finish with Mr. Gallo?

Let's let him sit.

He's backpedaling. We should hit him with the letter now.

Not yet.

Really?

I think we're wasting our time.

Pheno's a drug dealer, and this is supposedly where he does his thing.

Oh, how awkward.

Spending our time to protect this gum.

Think we should just let him shoot it out?

Look,

there's a little... Pheno's gotta be here. Be careful.

Come on, Lewis. Drop it now!

He's not worth it.

That son of a bitch killed my brother!

That's not going to bring James back, Lewis.

I don't care.

Lewis, we know what happened.

Okay? We know Cino put a hit out on you. We're going to arrest him.

No!

I want to finish this now, right here.

Then who's going to be there for Jimmy?

Huh?

Come on, Lewis.

Lewis?

The only person who would even listen to me was

James.

He stepped up for me.

He did not deserve to die.

That's right, Lewis. That's right. And that's why you have to step up for Jimmy

right now.

He needs you. You're his uncle.

You're his family, Lewis.

Come on.

Put the gun down.

Lewis, put the gun down, please.

Come on, Lewis. That's right.

That's right.

It's okay.

Mr. Gallow, sorry for the delay.

If you don't mind, I really got to use the john now. In a minute.

Now, you told my inspectors that you had

no feelings for Joyce Benson.

No, no, that's not what I said. I said I liked her as a friend, as a neighbor.

Sitting here and lying isn't going to help you. I'm not lying.

Joyce. When I left for work this morning, I wanted to talk, but I

you. You can hide your face from the world, but I know the real you. Did you

write this?

No.

We had it analyzed by a handwriting expert. It's yours.

Okay, maybe I wrote this.

So what?

Just raises some questions as well.

It was stupid of me. She was married.

And she rejected you.

That couldn't have felt very good.

No, wait a minute.

You know what probably happened?

Benton found my letter. He was jealous. That's why he killed her.

No.

Mr. Gallo, that's not what happened.

We ran some DNA tests and they were...

Another man's blood in the apartment, and we're thinking it was yours.

I was never down there.

I'm drawing up papers now.

The judge is going to order you to submit to DNA testing, and then we'll

The only problem is that when the tests come back positive, my hands will be

tied.

I won't even be able to talk to a DA.

It's going to be first -degree murder all the way.

Of course, if you... What? If I what?

Confess, then I'll have a little wiggle room.

You know, if you tell me exactly what happened, then maybe it's a possibility

could find some extenuating circumstances.

She was so abused.

She didn't know what she wanted.

I wanted to be there for her.

I wanted to take her away from that bastard.

She threatened to go to him if I didn't stop asking.

And that's why you killed her.

I wanted to give her a better life.

I begged her to leave him.

He didn't love her.

I thought you should hear it from me personally. My promotion has been put on

ice indefinitely.

Now, they didn't say why, but I have a feeling it has something to do with this

Benson thing.

And you think that's unfair?

Yes, I do.

I got the wrong guy?

Believe me, you stay on this job long enough, you're bound to make a bad call.

This went way past bad judgment, Jerry.

I know what you did with the diaper.

had the very best of intentions.

You framed an innocent man.

Innocent?

That wife -beating scum looked pretty guilty to me.

Fourteen years on death row.

Hey, your hands are as dirty as mine.

Oh, no. You hid the truth from me. I didn't know about Thelma Craig. Oh, come

on. Get down off that high horse, will you?

You mean to stand there and tell me that you didn't have any idea at all of what

I did with that diaper?

You didn't say a damn thing.

And you know why?

Because you made a choice to win.

So don't go and try to back off of that now.

So you met with Paul?

Yes.

He seemed sincere.

Oh, they had doubts that you'd keep this appointment.

I circled the block a few times.

It takes courage to heal a troubled marriage.

Right.

Except I'm not really here to talk about that.

Did Paul tell you what happened last night?

He mentioned it.

He felt bad he made you so angry.

Yeah.

It wasn't all his fault.

My parents split when I was ten.

My mother dated a bunch of guys.

None of them really lasted very long.

And then she met Ricky.

And she was crazy about him. She was really happy.

Did you like him?

I guess, you know.

I tried to be good.

Maybe you would say.

Big responsibility for a young girl.

I wasn't that young. I was 15.

You were attracted to him.

I watched my mom.

And I liked it when she...

Looked nice.

Men liked it when she talked sweet and flirted and... Yeah, I

wanted Ricky to like me.

Sexually? Sexually, no.

Maybe.

I didn't really understand that then.

What happened with Ricky?

One night he came into my room and he raped me.

And I hit the bruises.

It was bad enough that my mother said, don't. I couldn't let her know that

it was because of me.

Does your husband know about this?

And in a startling turn of events, the district attorney's office has announced

it will set aside the murder conviction of Timothy Benson.

Justice?

Fourteen years without my family in this place?

This horrible place?

Those people ruined my life.

Where's the justice for them?