Original subtitles

[Corey Cash] Previously on Reasonable Doubt...

[Tanya Scoggins] What was different about that morning?

- I'm stopping this. - I know that your friend is on trial.

So, some advice,

fewer emotions, more reason.

[Peter Thompson] It's good to see you, Lucy.

How did you find me?

Joint custody? Oh, my God, what am I gonna do?

Look, I put this house up as part of her bail.

Do you really think I would help her run and risk losing the bond?

We will lose the house that we both live in.

I'm just going to school, then Kumon.

- It's not that big-- - You have Kumon today?

They really don't like you.

- [Jax Stewart] Spenser. - I don't do that type of stuff,

but I vape though.

I got the results of the paternity test.

The baby is mine.

I decided to give Lewis a chance.

If I'm going to co-parent, Jax is gonna be involved too.

- [winces] - [Daniel Kim] Are you Eboni Phillips?

We need you to testify about everything between you and JT.

[Corey] You ready to testify?

That son of a bitch deserved to fucking die.

I don't know, maybe this has all gone too far.

Maybe we should tell the truth.

[♪ dramatic music playing]

[newscaster] [on TV] Well, it's another day in the Shanelle Tucker case.

And to say that each day in this trial has left the public

on the edge of their seats is an understatement.

Last week, retailers reported a drop in JT jerseys,

showing heavy support for Mrs. Tucker.

But this week, after the testimony of Mrs. Tucker's cousin,

Sally Braswell, JT jerseys are flying off the shelves,

backing their beloved NFL star, Jamarion Tucker.

You okay?

You wanna talk about it?

Now you wanna talk?

Listen, you're still my wife

and the mother of our children,

so if something's wrong besides our shit, then, yes, Sally, I wanna know.

Look, I still...

I still care.

I don't believe you.

[♪ "Ice Box" by Omarion playing]

I'm also still mad.

I don't believe you.

- ♪ I apologize ♪ - ♪ For makin' you cry ♪

♪ Look me in my eyes ♪

♪ And promise you won't do me the same, yeah ♪

♪ Girl, I really wanna work this out 'cause I'm tired of fighting ♪

- ♪ Fighting ♪ - ♪ And I really hope you still want me ♪

- [breathes heavily] - ♪ The way I want you ♪

- ♪ Baby, I want you ♪ - ♪ I said I really wanna work this out ♪

♪ Damn, girl, I'm trying ♪

♪ It's no excuse, no excuse ♪

♪ I don't wanna be stuck, off in this cold, cold world ♪

♪ Don't wanna mess this up, better keep your eye on me, girl ♪

♪ I don't wanna be stuck... ♪

[Sally moaning]

♪ 'Cause I don't wanna mess this up ♪

♪ Better keep your eye on me, girl... ♪

[Sally moaning]

♪ I don't wanna be stuck, off in this cold, cold world ♪

♪ 'Cause I don't wanna be... ♪

[Chris moaning]

♪ Don't wanna mess this up, better keep your eye on me, girl ♪

[both moaning]

♪ Girl, I really wanna work this out 'cause I'm tired of fighting ♪

♪ And I really hope you still want me the way I want you ♪

♪ I said I really wanna work this out ♪

♪ Damn, girl, I'm trying ♪

♪ It's no excuse, no excuse ♪

♪ I said I got this icebox where my heart used to be ♪

♪ Got this icebox where my heart used to be ♪

♪ I'm so cold, I'm so cold, I'm so cold, I'm so cold ♪

♪ I got this icebox where my heart used to be ♪

♪ I'm so cold, I'm so cold, I'm so cold ♪

♪ Girl, I really wanna work this out 'cause I'm tired of fighting ♪

[♪ theme music playing]

♪ From La Brea to Slauson ♪

♪ It's all us ♪

♪ The Sun, Central Ave Jazz ♪

♪ It's all us ♪

♪ Where we at? ♪

♪ Hit the Maverick Flats ♪

♪ Leimert and right back to the ark ♪

♪ It's all us ♪

♪ We coastin' on the west between sets and wealth ♪

♪ We toast the sunset in the Dons ♪

♪ Take flight into the night under Cali stars ♪

♪ In a world on wheels ♪

♪ It's all us ♪

♪ It's the world we feel ♪

♪ It's all us ♪

♪ From the hills to Hollywood ♪

♪ It's all us ♪

♪ No doubt we all we got ♪

♪ Hold it down, black and brown ♪

♪ In a city of dreams ♪

♪ It's all us ♪

[Jax] Look what I found in Spenser's room.

- No. Are you serious? - Yeah.

It fell out of his jacket pocket.

I'm so mad right now,

I could snatch his behind right up out of his bed.

Uh-huh, tell his ass to stay in his room for the rest of his fuckin' life.

- That part. - [Lewis Stewart] Hm.

But, I mean, I guess we can't be too hard on him, right?

Because, I mean, we still need to talk to the kids about...

Yeah, I know.

So, when are we gonna tell 'em about the baby?

We? [scoffs]

I mean, I'll be there, but this is your show,

so you let me know when you want us to tell 'em.

I say we wait...

until the baby comes.

It'll be better to tell 'em as they're meeting their new baby brother.

Mm-hm.

Okay.

How's the launch coming?

Saw your text earlier about one of your coders quit.

Yeah, man.

He fucked us, but, uh, I suggested that we promote Lena.

Oh, Lena. I love her.

She's the best assistant you've ever had.

Facts.

Yeah, she's gonna kill it.

But how are you doing?

We're still trying to get Eboni, Natasha's mom.

If she can corroborate JT's pattern of abuse,

then that takes some of the pressure off Shanelle's testimony.

Yeah, okay.

How are you doing?

Oh, I'm, I'm good.

Okay, I know that didn't sound convincing, but I actually am.

I mean, the medication is working.

Not being first chair is helping.

And I don't know, I just... I just wish I could help Shanelle more.

You still think she's lying about killing JT?

I don't know.

At this point, all I know is one of my best friends

could spend the rest of her life in prison

and it's my job to try to prevent that from happening.

[Lewis] Hm.

Do or do not.

There is no try.

- What are you talking about? - It's Star Wars.

Oh, God, I forgot you a nerd.

Star Wars is not--

You know what?

Just whatever.

It's okay, my little nerd.

You're my little nerd. [chuckling]

Mm-hm. Alright.

Oh, you know what we should do?

We should tell Spenser tomorrow.

That way he could spend all day freaking out trying to find it.

Oh, good idea.

And we could spend tonight smoking it.

- Yes. [chuckles] - Mm.

Ooh. No, this little nigga didn't.

This shit is flavored.

[♪ upbeat music playing]

[scoffs] Unbelievable.

Yeah, we gotta talk to him about this.

That's your son.

♪

Morning, Jax.

I got some great news.

Talked to Daniel, he spoke to Eboni last night for about an hour.

And guess what?

She's agreed to testify.

[Jax] [on phone] That's fantastic.

I'm glad we don't have to subpoena her as a hostile witness.

Yes, exactly. However...

she does have one condition.

[Shanelle Tucker] The fuck is she doing here?

[Jax] Shanelle, we need Eboni's testimony.

JT didn't have any other long-term relationships

that can confirm his pattern of abuse.

- So, just hear her out. - [Shanelle] Great.

Now my life depends on the word of an alcoholic, pill-popping,

no-good-ass baby mama.

There's a lotta things that you don't know.

I've been clean for three and a half years.

And?

How come I ain't heard from you until now?

What are you, what are you looking for, a paycheck?

Attention?

Because JT is dead.

Now I can get to you without him tearing up my fuckin' life.

You know what?

We're gonna let the two of you talk.

Yeah, we'll be right outside.

This is crazy.

Shanelle, give her a chance.

[Shanelle sighs]

Look, I know Jamarion was a horrible person.

However, he did say that you were a selfish person

and a terrible mother.

And given the way you abandoned Natasha,

let's just say two things can be true.

[Eboni Phillips] Okay.

After he got drafted, he knocked me up,

and then he resented me

because I didn't wanna get rid of my baby, Natasha.

And that's when the abuse started.

Do you know how sick it is for someone

to punch you in your face

and then expect for you to give them something for their pain?

Toradol, Demerol, Oxy, yeah.

I gave him all that shit just so that he could play well.

And then after...

I would just inject myself with whatever was left.

Jamarion made me incapable of being a good mother.

And then he tricked me into believing I was born that way.

I'm still trying to forgive myself

for allowing any of that to happen.

You didn't allow that to happen.

Anyway, you're not the one I wanted to hear my story.

You want me to tell Natasha?

Yes.

[scoffs]

And if I agree, you'll testify?

[Corey] So, what do you think is happening in there?

Either she's gonna convince her to testify or she gonna kill her.

Yeah.

We're good. I'm gonna testify.

That is great. Thank you, Eboni.

And-And I know it's the weekend,

but could you please come by the office tomorrow, first thing?

- We need to prep you. - I'll be there.

Perfect, thank you.

[♪ downbeat, mellow music playing]

[Damon Cooke] I ain't never had nobody fight for me the way that you do.

[Jax] You lost 16 years of your life

because my fight wasn't enough.

[Shanelle] I've watched you take on cases where no one thought you could win,

but you still did anyway.

- [knocks on door] - [Lewis] You ready to talk to Spense?

Uh, yep.

[Spenser Stewart] It's not mine.

[Jax] It was in your pocket.

- I was holding it. - For a friend?

- Alright, it's mine. - [Jax] Yeah.

What a surprising turn of events.

You know what? You're on punishment.

No video games, no phone.

And no more hanging out with these new friends of yours

because, clearly, they're a bad influence.

But, Mom, they're in my theater class.

And we were practicing for the showcase.

Look, they were doing way worse things than I was doing.

I was just vaping.

It's not that big of a deal.

Vaping is smoking, and smoking is a big deal, Spenser.

What are you talking about?

- I mean, Mom does it. - [Jax] What'd you say?

Excuse me?

I'm also not 15.

And don't you worry about what grown folks do

until you become one.

- Okay. - Give me this damn phone.

Turn the game off.

[door closes]

What?

- Um-- - Okay, uh, don't start.

I'm just-- It was looking a lot like Jadakiss versus Dipset in there.

- Oh. - You gon' make it though?

Okay. You know, wait until he hear about your baby news, Cam'ron. Huh.

Oh, okay.

[♪ "Oh Boy" by Cam'ron ft. Juelz Santana playing]

- ♪ All the girls see the ♪ - ♪ Boy ♪

- ♪ Look at his kicks ♪ - ♪ Boy ♪

- ♪ Look at this car ♪ - ♪ Boy ♪

- ♪ All I say is ♪ - ♪ Oh, boy ♪

♪ Boy, boy, boy, boy ♪

When was the first time Mr. Tucker was physically abusive towards you?

The night I told him I was pregnant.

He, he wanted me to get an abortion, and I refused.

He got so angry and started kicking me in my stomach.

Was that the only time he physically assaulted you?

No, it became a regular occurrence.

And then, he started verbally humiliating me

in front of our friends.

And then, sometimes, he would lock Natasha and I

into our guest house,

just so that he could entertain other women.

Some of them being my friends,

some of them being the wives or girlfriends of his teammates.

Were you ever in fear of your life when you were involved with Mr. Tucker?

Yes, most definitely.

Thank you.

So, Miss Phillips, you said that Mr. Tucker physically assaulted you

because he didn't want you to give birth to your daughter,

- Natasha, correct? - Yes.

However, Mr. Tucker ended up with full custody

when you two decided to separate.

How'd that come to be?

Even though JT didn't even want Natasha, his mother, Mavis, did,

and he just didn't want me to have her.

So, they started spending thousands of dollars

in a custody battle that I just couldn't afford.

So, you're saying money was the reason you were not awarded visitation?

No.

Okay, so tell us why the court denied you visitation rights to your child.

[sighs]

Because by the end of my relationship with JT,

I was addicted to painkillers.

And in order to have visitation,

the court put me in rehab.

And did you finish that program?

No.

Because JT kicked me off the medical insurance

because he wanted me to get kicked out of the program

and to lose custody and to remain addicted.

He doesn't care who he hurts

as long as he maintains some control.

- Okay, that was, uh, that was pretty good. - Yeah.

- That was good, a good job. - [Jax] Yeah.

So, we're gonna take a break and when we come back,

we're gonna do some tactics the DA may use.

Uh, Eboni, you need anything?

- Some air. - [Krystal chuckles]

I know a place.

That went better than I thought.

Same.

And I'll be a bit more aggressive this round, see how she does with that.

It's a good idea. I mean, her testimony, sad as hell.

Which also means powerful as hell.

Yeah.

♪

You're not getting to Natasha,

and you're not gonna testify.

How did you even find me?

I'm Jamarion Tucker's mother.

I align myself with the right people.

Natasha just buried her father.

And then the only mother that she's ever known

is about to go to prison.

But you still wanna stop me from seeing her?

Because it's what my son wanted.

And the least I can do right now is honor his wishes.

And that means keeping you quiet.

I've been quiet long enough.

You know, I have a laundry list of things you did while under the influence.

You think it won't come out on the stand in front of the world?

So what?

It's better that the world knows the truth about your son.

And what about what Natasha learns about you?

And since you're supposedly sober,

well, you won't have the drugs to numb that shame.

♪

[Jax] [on phone] Hey, Daniel, I'm two minutes away.

Jax, we have a problem.

Alright, can you try to wake up for me?

Oh, my God. Oh, my God, did she drive here?

Her parking ticket says she got here about an hour ago.

I was... I was nervous.

I was nerv--

[Jax] Eboni, listen to me. Let's get you home.

- Let's get you home, okay? - No, no, I--

- It's okay, it's okay. - I can, I can still do it--

- Oh. Oh, my God. - [Daniel] Diazepam.

Call 9-1-1.

[♪ somber music playing]

- Miss Phillips is stable now. - That's good.

Thank you, Dr. Wyatt.

She should be thanking you.

If you hadn't gotten her here in time for us to pump her stomach,

the combination of alcohol and diazepam would've been lethal.

I'm sorry.

No, no, no, no, no apologies.

We just pushed you too hard, too fast.

We'll be able to postpone the testimony.

No. I can't do it.

- Eboni. - I've done things.

I've done terrible things that I don't want anybody to know.

And if I walk into that courtroom, they're gonna dig.

I could lose my job.

I could lose any chance of being back with Natasha.

I could lose everything.

I, um, I completely understand.

And I wouldn't want you doing something that you just--

that you're uncomfortable doing.

[Eboni sighs]

Thank you.

Me stepping away I think is best for everybody's safety.

[Corey] Safety? What are you...

Eboni, did somebody get to you?

[Shanelle] Fuckin' Mavis.

Eboni was pretty shaken up.

Yeah, I don't even know why I'm surprised.

She put her son on a pedestal his whole damn life.

She ain't ready to see him get knocked down now.

You know, wait 'til I get on the stand. I'ma put an end to this shit.

Do you feel ready to testify?

Absolutely.

And there aren't any landmines we could step on?

[Shanelle] Jax, no.

I've known for a while I was gonna have to do this.

Right, but with Eboni gone, this now falls solely on you.

Yeah, thanks a lot.

I'm not saying that to be mean, Shanelle.

I just want you to be ready.

[Shanelle sighs]

Corey and I can add a extra day of prep to get you ready.

It's gonna be hard, but crucial.

You up for that?

Fuck Mavis.

I'll be ready.

Okay.

Ugh. Fuckin' Spenser.

Damn it.

[groans]

We absolutely need juror 11.

I will let you know what happens. Thank you, Henry.

Dad thinks he can get us tickets to a hockey game.

Then we're going to Dave & Buster's,

and then some go-karting place in Torrance.

Okay, honey, I think you should manage your expectations with your dad, okay?

Three days is a long time, a lot can happen.

Mom, you're okay with me going to Dad's, right?

Of course, I am.

Just, uh, worry about you.

[John Wargo] It's fine, Mom.

He's not some crazy person. He's my father.

Make sure you text me, okay?

- And-And send me-- - Evidence that I'm alive?

Well, I was gonna say pictures,

but same difference.

Uh, books.

- Oh, yeah. - Oh, yeah.

[♪ dramatic music playing]

Honey?

[John] Yeah?

I need you to keep this on you, okay?

It's just getting chilly outta nowhere.

- Uh, bye, Mom. - Bye.

[♪ dramatic music playing]

- [door closes] - [sighs]

The People understand the court's concern about juror number 11,

but he claims his notes were for deliberations only,

and the publisher that he was seen speaking with is an acquaintance.

The defense feels that we should make the assumption

that juror number 11 has ill intentions,

considering the high-profile nature of the case.

At this point in the trial, the People feel like

replacing him would be disruptive.

Your Honor, the defense is prepared to provide photo evidence

that a publisher had direct contact with juror number 11's notes.

And furthermore, keeping juror number 11 on this case

could be grounds for a retrial

if the verdict yields the need for an appeal.

With the dismissal of juror number 11, we have no more alternates.

However, I do need to maintain the integrity

of the judicial process.

Therefore, juror number 11 will be dismissed.

Mr. Cash, is the defense prepared to resume its case tomorrow?

We are prepared with our experts, yes.

[Judge Frances Roth] Okay, great, thank you.

- See you all tomorrow? - Yeah.

[♪ dramatic music playing]

[keyboard keys clacking]

Hey.

Sorry you're on punishment.

Are you?

I didn't tell on you.

- I know. - They took away your phone?

And my video games,

and I gotta come home straight after school,

which means I'm missing the practice for the showcase.

It's fucked up.

Well, I still got my phone,

so maybe one of your friends can record the practice,

send it to me, and I'll just show it to you.

- For real? - [Naima Stewart] Yeah.

They said you couldn't use your phone, not mine.

Damn, Naima. You a real one.

I know.

[♪ gentle music playing]

Hey.

Hey, I am so sorry.

I got caught up at work.

All good, we just got started.

Is this your wife?

Oh, uh, n-no, my wife, Kendall, had a last-minute business trip.

This is my friend, Sally.

We grew up together.

Oh, that's nice.

Let's see how we're doing post-embryo transplantation, shall we?

[Autumn Owens] Mm-hm.

[Autumn groans softly]

- Yeah, yeah, yeah. - [exhales]

Please tell me you have good news. [chuckles]

I am so sorry, Mrs. Owens.

I'm unable to find a heartbeat.

[♪ somber music playing]

So... I'm no longer pregnant.

But we do have one embryo left, so there's still hope.

But if that one doesn't take, then I have to start the IVF process

from the beginning, right?

[Dr. Hyacinth Ramanand] Yes, that's right.

Why don't you get dressed and meet me in my office,

so we can discuss next steps?

Take your time.

Yeah. Okay, thanks, Dr. Ramanand.

Mm-hm.

Let's keep this between us.

Jax and Shanelle have enough to worry about.

Yeah, that's great. Another secret.

What does that mean?

Nothing.

This stays between us.

It's gonna be okay.

Yeah.

Oh, come on.

Yeah, it's gonna be okay.

It's gonna be okay.

Okay, so Lucy is gonna wanna focus on that text that you sent Toni

as you starting to plan JT's murder.

We need you to focus on that being the catalyst

for you wanting to leave, not kill.

Got it?

Okay.

[Corey] Alright, here we go.

Mrs. Tucker, I'm sorry you endured such a painful time.

I'm sure that was very difficult for you.

Thank you.

And, yes, it was.

How would you describe your relationship with Mr. Tucker?

Well, it was, it was good in the beginning,

and then, it turned slowly.

He became controlling and jealous.

He forced me to quit my job and move to Atlanta,

where he was playing at the time.

Forced you? Did he hold a gun to your head?

- He did not. - [Jax] So, how did he force you?

- He manipulated me. - How?

If I knew how, it wouldn't have worked, would it?

Okay, Shanelle, I'm gonna need you to keep your cool

and just simply answer the question.

Okay, saying something like, "I don't know,"

is much better than coming off smug to the jury.

- Okay. - Okay?

Let's just move on.

Why did you stay with Mr. Tucker for over 15 years if it was so bad?

Because of my children, and I was scared of what he'd do to me.

But you knew. So, what changed?

Mr. Hunter, Toni Holley,

or you just weren't ready to give up the Gucci?

[scoffs]

Is this Lucy talking or you?

This is me testing you.

The other ADA schooled me on Lucy's tactics.

And you saw it with Sally.

She'll start off soft and sweet to lure you in,

she will twist your words, and then she will pounce.

We need you to compartmentalize.

The prosecution's job is to paint you as a lying gold digger

who has so much pent-up anger inside of you

that you killed JT in cold blood.

If you take anything Lucy says about you personally,

you will lose.

So kill that insecure girl from high school

and be the woman who endured hell and is still standing here.

Shall we start again?

[♪ pensive music playing]

♪

So, of course, we know that, uh, jury selection isn't an exact science.

So, based on voir dire, of the four jurors dismissed,

three were picked by the prosecution,

only one was chosen by the defense.

And of the four alternates that were chosen to replace them,

three were favored by the defense,

only one by the prosecution.

So, where does that leave us now?

Eight to four, in our favor.

So, winning.

Woo-woo.

I don't have the numbers.

I told you early on not to underestimate them, Lucy.

Trust me, I remember.

I just can't lose this case, Mike.

[Mike Ortiz] I know.

What about making or floating a plea?

To plea something lesser?

Alright, so just got an offer from Lucy.

- [Jax] Wait, what? - Yep.

Voluntary manslaughter, 10 years, less with good behavior.

Okay, this does not seem like Lucy.

But it does sound like Mike.

If they bite, then they're just as scared as you are.

- If not, then-- - I should be scared.

No, just prepared.

Lucy must be worried about the jury.

Clearly. But that solidifies the fact that we're winning.

[Jax] For now.

Shanelle still has to testify.

Yes, but Shanelle came off very sympathetic in that TV interview.

And once she starts detailing the abuse...

[Jax] I'm worried about Shanelle and if she's ready.

Yeah, me too.

Obviously, we need to talk to Shanelle.

But after today, I think she might consider taking something.

It's her safest bet.

Who knows?

Maybe they've underestimated you.

Yeah, but how do we tell her she may have to serve 10 years?

It's better than life.

You've been charged with first-degree murder.

The jury has the option of convicting you of first-degree,

second-degree, or manslaughter.

Prosecution's offering you 10 years

for voluntary manslaughter.

However, we can ask them to consider some mid-term

or low-term sentencing,

which means you can serve as little as three years.

I thought we were doing well. Why would I need to take a deal?

We don't need to, but jury trials can be a gamble.

And without Eboni, your testimony will determine how this ends.

Yeah, you already told me that.

And you don't think I could do it?

- I think you're hiding something. - Ugh.

And if I think that, then the jurors might too.

Okay, look, at the end of the day, Shanelle,

this is completely up to you.

We're just here to offer you some advice.

And that's not based on anything personal.

It's just the pros versus the cons, and that's it.

Okay, so the pros would be this would finally be over.

I wouldn't have to testify.

What are the cons, besides prison?

Fine, I'll start.

I'd be considered a convicted murderer, right?

Technically, it's a convicted felon.

Whatever. I'd have to put that on my job applications, right?

- Right. - What about Jamarion's money?

Would I get to keep it since he put it in my name?

Well, given that you were convicted of his murder,

the DA might take steps to block you from getting it.

[Shanelle sighs]

So, probably not.

What about my kids?

Well, the children's custody might be up for debate

while you serve time.

[Shanelle] So, let me get this straight.

What I'm hearing is I would be broke,

unable to get a job, and I could lose my kids?

Fuck.

This nigga Jamarion couldn't have written a better outcome.

You know what?

We promised that we were gonna get you outta this.

We're not about to back down on that promise, right, Jax?

I know what we agreed to,

but I'm just taking a page out of your book.

I'm considering the client.

Oh, I don't think Shanelle's the client you're considering.

Don't bring Isabella into this.

Unfortunately, she is all over this.

[♪ pensive music playing]

[♪ "Bad & Boujee" by Jerome Thomas & Pitch 92 playing]

♪ Bad and ya boujee ♪

♪ Ooh, yeah, bad and ya boujee ♪

[vocalizing]

[Autumn] What are these for?

Kendall called me.

I'm so sorry, girl.

Come here.

She is such a snitch.

I'm fine, ready to move on.

- Okay. - Thank you.

How's Shanelle? I feel so bad

I haven't been able to see her in a minute,

but there's been a lot going on.

I mean, she's okay, you know, just taking it one day at a time.

[Autumn] Hm.

How's Sally?

She's been short and stressed,

like she is spiraling over this trial.

I've noticed that too.

I mean, Shanelle is her cousin.

Yeah, but it's like a unhealthy attachment, you know?

Like she's going through it herself.

And I love her, but she is definitely not an empath.

Girl. [scoffs]

- Would you mind checking on her? - Of course.

You take care of Shanelle, I'll talk to Sally.

[chuckles] This reminds me of when we were in high school.

Remember when shit went south,

and you would take Shanelle and I would take Sally?

Yep.

Same shit, different decade.

Here we go.

Why haven't you wanted to see me?

I tried at least three times this week.

Girl, I'm testifying soon.

I gotta focus on that.

Okay.

Have you talked to Jax?

Did you tell her the truth?

- I changed my mind. - [Sally Braswell] What?

Why?

[Shanelle] Because I had a moment of weakness.

Alright? I'm sticking to my original plan.

But you said Jax was already suspicious.

Do you think she can help you win this case

without knowing what really happened?

Are you talking about what Jax wants or what you want?

What I want is not to be burdened with the truth.

Sis, did you open your mouth?

Of course not, I didn't say anything.

No, you, Jax, Autumn sitting around drinking,

talkin' shit about me.

Look at how paranoid you are.

Holding on to this secret is driving you crazy.

And me too.

It's ruining my life, my marriage, my friendships.

You think I like being locked up in here for some shit I didn't fuckin' do?

You don't think it's ruining my life?

Do you hear how selfish you sound?

Selfish?

I lost my house when you decided to run off

with your little boyfriend and you didn't tell me about it.

My husband is not even talking to me because I was protecting you.

But you think this is selfish?

Okay, fine.

I'll show you what selfish really is.

[crying] 'Cause from now on, you on your own.

[♪ dramatic music playing]

[slams receiver]

[slams receiver]

[♪ hip-hop music playing]

- [Corey] Hey. - Hey.

So, we just wanted to check on you.

Yeah, how you feeling?

You ready?

Well, I wasn't, but then I made a decision.

I want Corey to question me on the stand today.

Why?

Where's this coming from?

From you.

From me?

You have been doubting me this entire time.

Hell, you've been doubting me since the 10th grade.

[scoffs] Wait... wait a minute.

So, you wanna pull this bullshit, last minute,

'cause of some shit from high school?

No, I want to be supported by someone who thinks I can win this.

- [Jax] Oh. [scoffs] - Not someone ready to take some deal.

[Corey] Okay, hold on.

L-Listen, initially, Jax and I both agreed that you should take the deal.

Okay, so if you're doing this to punish her--

You're punishing yourself.

Well, wouldn't be the first time.

[♪ somber music playing]

I hope you're ready, Corey, 'cause I sure am.

Mr. Cash, you ready to call your witness?

Yes, Your Honor. The defense calls Shanelle Tucker to the stand.

[clerk] Raise your right hand.

Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth,

the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

[Shanelle] I do.

[Judge Roth] Mr. Cash.

Mrs. Tucker, how are you doing today?

I'm okay, considering.

[Corey] I understand.

Let's talk about your marriage with Jamarion Tucker.

What was that like?

Well, at first it was magical. It was a fairy tale come true.

He courted me.

He romanced me, and, and he married me.

How long did that fairy tale last?

[Shanelle] Not long.

There were some small things in the beginning.

He once forgot his ticket to a basketball game at home

and so, he took mine.

He made me go back to the house to get his,

and somehow, it was my fault

that I didn't make sure he had his.

Sadly, I believed him.

By the time I got back to the game, there was another woman in my seat.

I mean, that-that sounds like a big thing to me.

Why would you consider that small?

A broken heart was better than a broken jaw.

So let's talk about the months leading up

to the final confrontation with you and Mr. Tucker.

What were those like?

They were horrible.

I remember him being stressed about money.

He was angry, agitated, he was barely ever home.

And when he was, I would just try to avoid him.

So, I finally realized that I... I had to leave

and just wanted to be happy.

So, what did you do?

I made a plan to leave.

[Corey] Made a plan to leave.

So, could you please just tell the court what your plan was

to leave Mr. Tucker?

[Shanelle] So, I picked a day where I knew he wouldn't be home.

I dropped my baby off at school early,

and then I went back to the house to pack up to go.

Most of my belongings were already at my cousin's place,

so I wouldn't be at the house too long.

And then, Jamarion came home, unexpectedly.

I told him I was leaving, that I was taking Natasha

and our youngest, Jordan, with me,

and I headed for the door.

How did he respond to that?

He started yelling, telling me I wasn't going anywhere

with his children, and I didn't want any part of it.

So, I tried to leave to avoid a fight.

And in that moment,

did Mr. Tucker become violent with you?

[Shanelle] He started choking me.

[Corey] And what did you do in that moment?

I tried to remove his hands from around my neck,

[muffled] but h-he was too strong, so I panicked.

Because I started getting lightheaded and I couldn't breathe.

So, I grabbed the thing closest to me, and I hit him.

Hard.

[Corey] Had he ever choked you before?

No, that was the first time.

[Corey] So, beside that being the first time that he choked you,

what made this time different than

any of the other incidents of physical abuse

that you suffered from Mr. Tucker?

His eyes.

They were cold.

And while he was doing it, he said...

"I should have done this a long time ago."

[murmuring]

[Corey] Thank you.

No further questions, Your Honor.

[Judge Roth] Ms. Wargo, your witness.

I am so sorry for everything you had to endure, Mrs. Tucker.

Thank you.

[Lucy Wargo] Sounds awful.

It... it was.

And yet you stayed. Why?

'Cause I didn't have a choice.

But you had money, family, friends.

I was ashamed. I was scared.

Of Mr. Tucker or of being poor?

[Corey] Objection, argumentative.

[Judge Roth] Sustained.

Were you privy to Mr. Tucker's affair with Miss Toni Holley?

Yes.

Your Honor, People's Exhibit 27.

Mrs. Tucker, what exactly did you mean by,

"You made it that much easier for me to do

what I know I have to do next."

I meant to leave JT.

But instead, you killed Mr. Tucker.

- Objection, argumentative. - [Judge Roth] Sustained.

Be careful, Ms. Wargo.

[Lucy] Understood, I'll rephrase.

Did Mr. Tucker have certain triggers that would cause him to be violent?

Yes.

And I tried to learn them, so I could avoid them.

But you could also use those triggers to kinda set him off, correct?

No.

[sighs] I would never in a million years intentionally provoke JT.

[Lucy] You started an affair with Mr. Tucker's mentee, correct?

Weren't you concerned if Mr. Tucker found out about it,

he would act violently?

Yes, that's why I ended the affair.

Well, according to Mr. Hunter's testimony,

the affair began three months before Mr. Tucker's death.

Wasn't that during the time that you were allegedly planning to leave?

It was somewhere around that time, yes.

So, you finally get the courage to leave Mr. Tucker,

a man that you feared for years,

and you decide to start an affair with one of his closest friends?

Adrian helped me see my worth after years of believing I had none.

Wow. So, during this time, would you say

that you became more confident, braver, smarter?

Yes, I believe so.

Let's talk about the day in question.

You said that Mr. Tucker came back unexpectedly.

Why did you move forward with leaving then?

Because I couldn't wait any longer.

Oh, what, so you just told him your entire plan?

Well, I didn't know how mad he would get.

But you just told me that you were aware of the triggers

that made him violent, correct?

Yes, but that was the worst that he had ever--

Okay, so, uh, during the fight,

at what point did you hit Mr. Tucker on the back of the head?

When he walked away.

Mrs. Tucker, do you recall giving a statement to the police?

I do.

In that statement to the police, you said, and I quote,

"I hit Mr. Tucker while he was choking me."

Well, I meant... when he was, when he walked away,

I was still scared, I was confused.

Oh, I thought you were now confident, brave, smart,

or is that not true?

You're doing exactly what he did.

- Nothing further. - Twisting my fucking words!

- [Judge Roth] Mr. Cash. - He was gonna kill me!

Mr. Cash.

Mrs. Tucker.

Mrs. Tucker, it's okay, it's okay, it's okay.

So, Mrs. Tucker, could you kindly tell the court

why you hit Mr. Tucker in the back of the head when he was walking away?

I was scared that he'd come back and finish what he started.

[Corey] That is completely understandable.

No further questions, Your Honor.

The defense rests.

Mrs. Tucker, you are dismissed.

[Shanelle sobbing]

Well, thanks for not saying I told you so.

Who? Me?

[Jax chuckles]

[sighs] I'm trying to be different...

but sometimes in trying not to make the same mistakes,

you make the same mistakes.

So, I'm sorry for not believing in you.

No, no.

This one's on me.

I keep making rash decisions without thinking 'em through.

It's how I got myself in this shit to begin with.

[door opens]

So, the offer is off the table.

I figured.

So, what's gonna happen?

That's something only those 12 jurors and God know.

[♪ somber music playing]

[Lucy] How was it?

- Hey, Mom. - [Lucy] Oh. [chuckles]

Hey.

[John] It was awesome.

- Bye, Dad. - [Peter] Bye, John.

This meant a lot to him. Peter, thank you.

No, Lucy, thank you.

[Corey] Jax, you got a second?

So, I know you didn't get a chance to question Shanelle on the stand today.

I was, uh, I was wondering if you wanted to--

No, there's no world where the second chair would do the closing.

- Today was not your fault. - No, it was, it was my fault.

Should've taken that deal.

I just wanted so badly for Shanelle to win.

It really was about my shit.

It's always about our shit.

That's why we're good lawyers.

We care.

Yeah, I guess.

Good luck on your closing.

You're gonna kill it.

[Krystal and Daniel speaking indistinctly]

And this is the column you cannot mess up.

- I don't understand... - You have to remember...

And what are y'all doing in here?

I... [sighs] I-I-I-I didn't do well on my LSAT practice exam.

And she was so sad that she asked for my help,

and now we're officially best friends.

[Jax] [chuckles] Okay.

Put me in, coach.

Okay.

Alright, well, you better bring your "A game" for Jax.

- [chuckles] - Hey, don't you embarrass me.

[knocks on door]

Hey, hey. Oh.

You're reading.

Well, I'm not allowed to do anything else.

[Jax chuckles]

Poor baby.

Well, you were right the other day.

- I shouldn't be smoking. - Hm.

And, honestly, I've limited how often I do it

because, unfortunately, it's a bad habit I've picked up.

And that's the thing, I don't want you to take on any bad habits.

Because once you start, it's almost impossible to quit.

You have to know your limits.

And addiction runs on my side of the family, Spenser.

So, I can't even allow you to start something knowing how it ends, okay?

And one day, you'll thank me.

Yeah, maybe, but not today, Ma.

That's fair, that's fair.

But I still love you.

- I guess. - [Jax] You guess?

- I love you too, Mom. - Quit playing games.

- Stop it. [kisses] - [Spenser] Alright, okay, alright, Mom.

Alright, alright, alright.

You still my baby. I don't care how big you get.

- [Spenser] I'm not a baby anymore. - [Jax] Yes, you are.

[muttering]

[cell phone buzzing]

Hello?

[operator] [on phone] You have a collect call

from Calimesa Prison from inmate...

[Isabella Torres] [on phone] Isabella Torres.

[operator] Do you accept this call?

Yes.

Isabella, it's good to hear from you.

Hi, Corey.

Been following your case.

Doesn't look like it's going very well.

Look, no matter what happens,

I'm garnering some more attention.

I am gonna make more people aware of your case.

I'm gonna get you that clemency.

Getting my hopes up just to be let down

feels like getting convicted over and over again.

I know it's hard, Isabella, but I am telling you,

we are so close to the finish line.

[Isabella] Except you're the only one that's running.

I bowed out of this race a long time ago.

Isabella, as your lawyer,

I am telling you, you are making a mistake.

Well, maybe you shouldn't be my lawyer.

You're fired, Corey.

[line clicks, beeps]

[♪ somber music playing]

Between the 405 and Slauson, it took me an hour to get home.

Oh. [chuckling]

And I still gotta do this all-nighter.

[Jax] I'm so sorry, baby.

Come here.

What's happening, beautiful? Hey.

[Lewis sighs]

- Well, guess what? - Hm?

I had a talk with Spenser tonight.

He get in that ass again?

[laughs] No.

I just told him the truth.

You know, I told him I didn't want him to repeat my mistakes.

Hm. You took accountability.

I'm, like, oddly turned on right now.

[chuckling] Oh, wow.

Anyway, all I'm saying is it felt good coming clean to him and to myself,

that smoking has been a problem.

You know, I think hiding it from him has sent the wrong message,

and it sent me deeper and deeper down this rabbit hole

I haven't been able to come back from and...

I have to go.

[♪ "(She Keeps On) Passin Me By" by The Pharcyde playing]

Yeah, I'll, I'll be back.

♪

Are you coming home tonight?

Unfortunately, yes.

Okay.

[door closes]

♪

[cell phone buzzing]

Dianne?

Already?

But she's only 29 weeks.

Okay, okay, I'll be there.

Hey, Lu, uh, sorry to call so late, but can you watch the kids?

♪

What's wrong?

[Jax] I know who killed JT.

[♪ theme music playing]