Original subtitles

A POPULAR JURY was a way of trial of the Mexican Judicial Procedure

from the year 1917 to 1929

HISTORY OF A SCOUNDREL

BASED ON THE BOOK "THE JURY RESOLVES"

ENTITLED BY ITS AUTHOR FEDERICO SODI

Being a free adaptation, without intervention of the author,

any resemblance to actual persons or events is purely coincidental.

Good afternoon, ma'am.

I am Antonio Aguirre, your lawyer.

Good afternoon.

Some friends of yours have entrusted me with your defense

and I have accepted it even if you make it difficult.

I don't want anyone to worry about me.

The law gives you the right to prove your innocence.

I have killed, sir,

that cannot change.

I've studied the case and with your help we could find mitigating facts.

Only God can decide that.

That is true. But now it will be men who will judge you.

They can do whatever they want with me.

-You're a Catholic, aren't you? -Yes, I believe in Christ.

There's not a word of Christ that denies the right to defend freedom.

I've committed a sin. It's only right that I should be punished.

I'll accept your religious feelings,

but you'll help me to prove your innocence.

Don't you understand that your life can end in prison?

My life will end where God sees fit.

All right, but however hard you put it...

I'll do my duty.

I declare the trial open.

Did you know the deceased?

Yes, I was manager of Mr. Benavente's business.

Was it a good business?

Yes, sir, my late employer made quite a bit of money.

We sold cheap but very good fabrics.

Are you in a hurry?

-No, sir. Why? -You look at your watch very often.

I have to take some pills that Dr. Cordoba prescribed and it's time.

May I?

Go ahead.

Would you say that your employer was in a financial hurry?

No, sir, he did spend a lot,

but the man had an ability for business and also earned a lot.

Why was he in need when he turned to the defendant for a loan?

Not at all. She forced him to take the money so she could have him.

But he didn't love her.

What do you think of your employer?

I worked for him for years.

I learned to know him intimately and to like him.

He was good, generous, a true gentleman.

Killing him was a crime.

An unforgivable crime.

I'm done.

The defense has the floor.

The defense has no questions at this time.

Then I request that the next witness be called.

Call Miss Marta Ruiz de la Mora.

You may step down.

Do you swear to testify truthfully?

I do, Your Honor.

Your name and age.

My name is Marta Ruiz de la Mora and I'm 24 years old.

Did you know the man who was murdered?

We were going to be married when that woman appeared.

Can you tell us what kind of man he was?

The kind of man every woman dreams of.

He was...

I share your pain, ma'am.

But justice must be done. I beg you to suppress your emotions.

Forgive me, it won't happen again.

Were you Mr. Benavente's girlfriend when he engaged with the defendant?

Yes, sir.

If he was a gentleman, how do you explain Mr. Benavente's attitude

to you in this case?

It was my fault.

I was harsh and cruel with him.

We broke off our engagement

and at that moment...

misfortune disguised as chance put that woman in his way.

He clung to her trying to forget me...

but we loved each other.

He had returned to me when...

You were an eyewitness to the murder.

Why do you think the defendant killed him?

She killed him because she is old!

He was young and handsome.

She was stalking him, begging for his love.

When she saw she was losing him, when she realized he was mine...

she killed him, like we were in a jungle.

I'm done.

No questions.

Then I call Mrs. Ana Benavente to the stand.

The prosecutor is crucifying you, will you let him?

I have no other solution.

I need to know a lot more than I know before I try to do anything.

Ma'am...

how are you related to the missing Mr. Benavente?

I'm his mother, sir.

Your Honor...

it's important to say that the Public Prosecutor's Office didn't intend

to bring this witness forward.

Respecting a mother's deep sorrow.

It was Mrs. Benavente herself who insisted on testifying.

You are here of your own free will, madam.

We all listened with the respect you deserve.

Thank you, sir.

I didn't come here seeking revenge.

My son is dead and nothing can bring him back into my arms.

In my heart I have forgiven the murderer.

I have come because I want to cleanse my son's name.

I want everyone to know what he was like.

No one can know it better than me.

I watched him grow up, I raised him.

I watched him become a man.

I was his mother but...

I was also his friend.

He never did anything dishonorable because it was not in his nature,

nor could he have hidden it from me.

If anything is said in this room against him,

it will be a lie, a vile lie.

I don't know why that woman killed him.

But I do know that in killing him...

she destroyed a magnificent man.

One of those men that a mother cannot look at

but with a sense of legitimate pride.

If I claim justice,

I do it not for myself,

but on behalf of all mothers who may be deprived, as I am,

of the best reason for living:

their children.

The defense has nothing to ask.

Thank you, ma'am.

You may leave with the assurance that this crime won't go unpunished.

Madam.

Your Honor, the prosecution will not call any more witnesses to testify.

This court is in recess until tomorrow at the same time.

It is not my custom to instruct the defendants for interrogation.

Tomorrow you'll testify. I must ask you to pay close attention

and to be very careful in your words.

Not a single lie will come out of my mouth.

Will you tell the facts as you told them to me?

As they happened.

It may be advisable to omit certain unnecessary details.

I will say everything.

We're going to need a lot of luck.

Madam...

when I ask you about your life,

may I remind you that you are under oath for telling the truth.

No need to remind me.

-Were you born in this town? -No, sir.

-I was born in a village. -Why did you leave your village?

The same old story of so many women.

I loved a man to whom I gave myself blindly.

A month later he left me.

I was no longer able to live in my village.

What did you do then?

I came to the city.

I wanted to work.

-To forget. -Did you get a job?

The city is cruel and indifferent, sir.

I tried everything, I even worked as a waitress.

Did you keep to work as a waitress?

No.

What did you do then?

I became a prostitute.

If these demonstrations are not stopped, I'll have the hall cleared.

How long did you engage in this infamous trade?

Fifteen years.

Why did you leave it?

Because I met a gentleman.

Would you like to tell us the details?

Yes, sir.

I must say I was happy at the Baroness's house.

The days of hunger and cold were far away.

It was a comfortable house.

I didn't ask for more.

With that long bath you took, you left only cold water.

Who told you to get up so late?

It's not like I'm a secretary.

-Four more stitches and it's ready. -Thanks, you're so sweet.

Hurry up, girls, the Baroness may get mad.

How did it go last night with your client?

-It was our farewell. -Why?

His father found out about it and sent him to "Suchigan" College.

Where?

Suchigan.

It must be Michigan.

It's the same thing.

-That's it. -Thank you.

Fasten my collar, will you?

Where did you learn to sew so well?

It was just poverty and my taste for dresses.

Thank you.

-Good evening. -Good evening.

-That's a nice hairstyle. -Do you like it?

-I saw it in a French magazine. -Good, very good.

-Eat more, you're too skinny. -I'm not skinny, I'm slim.

Call it what you like. There's been a lot of complaints about it.

I told you.

Girl, you look like you're going to awake. Put on a necklace, a flower.

Oh, you're going to ruin me.

Let's see, Maria Antonieta, turn around. All right.

Go to the salon, our customers are starting to arrive.

Wait a minute, ladies never run.

I don't know why the hell that is, but it's true.

So go calmly and enter the salon with an indifferent air.

They're the ones in a hurry.

-Madam. -What do you want?

Mr. Agustin de Alba wishes to see you.

-Send him in. -Okay.

-Good evening, Camila. -My dear Agustin, how are you?

Come in. Take a seat.

I appreciate you came upstairs to greet me.

Usually you only visit the living room and the bedrooms.

-It's not for lack of desire. -What a gentleman.

You always tell the lies women like to hear.

Any problems with the girls?

No. Well, I don't expect so.

You intrigue me. What is it?

Lina.

Any problems with her?

A serious problem at my age.

-I don't understand, Agustin. -It's simple and even ridiculous.

I've fallen in love with her.

Love...

Real love?

The best.

My God, nothing like this had ever happened in my house.

-You... -Me?

What are you going to do about it?

-Take her away from here. -What does she say?

She agrees. If you don't object.

I can't object.

I know that with you, she'll have her own house, money, peace of mind.

She'll have love and everything I have to offer.

At your orders, madam.

-Tell Miss Lina to come. -Alright.

I confess it's a hard blow for me.

For years Lina has been the main attraction of this house.

-I've invested a lot in her. -I know that.

-I'll pay anything. -Are you so interested?

Yes, I am.

You know that against love I have no weapon.

Take care of her. She's worth a lot more than you think.

I know, you won't have any complaints.

-Good evening. -Lina.

-Did you want to see me, ma'am? -Him.

And more than seeing you, he wants you to live with him.

I can't object.

I'm going to miss you very much.

Me too, but your future is more important.

Go.

I will try to be worthy of you.

For many months I was happy.

I had a home of my own,

and a generous and educated good man.

I tried hard to live up to him.

Le parapluie...

Avez vous le parapluie?

Non, j'ai ne pas le parapluie.

J'ai le crayon.

La table.

La table.

La chaise.

L'amour.

I don't think I'll ever learn.

Sit down.

I wasn't expecting you.

-I had a free moment. -I'm glad you came.

I made a great deal today. I came to bring you your share.

No. No, really, Agustin, I have more than enough.

Take it.

Nothing makes me happier than to share everything with you.

You've made me so happy...

that all I offer you seems so little.

Will you have dinner with me?

No.

I have some guests, one of those inescapable obligations.

But tomorrow we'll eat together.

-Why don't you go to the theatre? -I prefer to learn French.

You hardly keep yourself amused. You don't get out much.

I don't need to go out.

I need more time to enjoy this house you've given me.

It's a pity...

you can't live here.

You know that's the one thing we can't do.

Take care of yourself.

See you tomorrow.

See you tomorrow.

I felt happy and safe with that man I didn't love,

but I respected him and admired him.

And one day...

unexpectedly, as it's always the case with all the sad things...

the end came.

Ma'am, what did you find out about Agustin?

What happened? Why hasn't he come or called me these last days?

Tell me, ma'am.

Do they know about us and does it harm you in any way?

No, it's not that.

Then, why doesn't he come?

Because...

he can't come here anymore.

All this...

was too beautiful to last.

And how did he die?

When the man who had dignified your life died, what did you do?

For some time, I did nothing.

-I felt strange. -What did you live on then?

Didn't you think of working in the Baroness's house again?

No.

I had known another kind of life.

He had given to me around 40 000 pesos and a few jewels.

The idea of getting a new protector didn't seduce you?

A woman gets tired of men.

And that's how I felt.

Tired.

I decided to work. To find an escape and a distraction.

This time you chose a new job, right?

What job?

LINA HAUTE COUTURE

Here's your dress. It looks beautiful.

-Will I look prettier? -You'll look thinner.

I am content with that.

Rosa, tell Esther to come down. Have you seen this hat, madam?

It's beautiful and it fits me very well. I'll be back soon.

-I want a dress that makes me taller. -We'll get it.

Esther, take this to the lady's car.

-Goodbye, Lina. -See you soon.

Pick all this up, will you?

Take care of the store, please. I have to go to Puebla to buy lace.

-Yes, don't worry. -Where did you put my coat and hat?

In the dressing room.

WATCH THE NEXT EPISODE SEWING HOUSE

SEWING HOUSE

FIRST JOURNEY OF THE SERIES "THE JURY RESOLVES"

What is it, Pedro?

I think it's the carburetor.

-It'll take me a while to fix it. -Never mind, I'll walk in the woods.

As you wish, madam.

-When you're ready, blow the horn. -Yes, ma'am.

Can I help you, ma'am?

Thank you, sir, but I don't need anything.

Believe me, it's not often you find on the road such a beautiful sight.

Yes, indeed, this forest is very beautiful.

No, I was talking about you.

-You are very kind. -No. Just a man who discovers

and admires beauty.

I'm sorry you're not in some kind of trouble so I can help you.

My car is broken down, the driver is fixing it.

And I'm taking a walk in the woods. That's all.

Too bad you're not a maiden in risk. I'd rescue you like a knight-errant.

There are not maidens to be rescued anymore.

I'm Julio Benavente, at your service.

-My name is Lina. -Lina?

-Where have I heard that name? -Probably in your imagination.

-Are you going to Puebla? -Yes.

If you like, I can take you.

I thank you but I like to travel alone.

Well, in that case, goodbye.

Goodbye.

That's all right.

Send me three dozen of those buttons and the embroidered strip.

Thank you, Armando.

Lina, there's a gentleman who brought you these roses.

-To me? -He must have the wrong house.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

I'm sorry to disturb you. I just wanted to know if you'd arrived well.

You're very kind. I arrived well, thank you.

How did you find me so quickly?

Well...

It's difficult to hide a woman like you, even in a big city.

Besides, my name is on the front.

-Of course. -They're beautiful.

-Sit down. -Thank you.

I congratulate you, you have a very nice house.

Do you like it?

Yes.

You know what? Actually, we're almost colleagues.

-Really? -Yes.

I sell fabric too. Wholesale.

So that's the reason for your visit.

No, no way.

I assure you that you couldn't dress your clients with my blankets.

You'll have to forgive me, I have work to do.

But first, I'd like to ask you something very important to me.

Tell me.

Will you have dinner with me tonight?

No.

That's the simple story of my life.

I make money, but I'm ambitious.

I have plans and also patience.

I think you've left out the most interesting chapter of your story.

What is it?

Women.

-No, that's not important. -Excuse me, sir.

Or at my age certain things should no longer be known?

At your age?

-What do you mean? -The obvious.

-That you're too young for me. -No, wait a minute.

You can't get rid of me on the pretext of age difference.

No, it's not a pretext. It's years.

But you can challenge all the mirrors in the world.

I wish that were true.

There's one thing that matters now.

Are you free?

I am free.

That's all I wanted to know.

I'm curious about you, too.

I'm free, too.

Wait.

Find a table, I'll go in a minute.

How are you, Julio?

How are you, Marta?

Won't you introduce us?

Sorry, this is Miss Lina Torres, this is Miss Marta Ruiz de la Mora.

-Nice to meet you. -Nice to meet you, too.

My parents keep asking about you.

-Say hello to them for me. -Why don't you do it yourself?

The doors of the house are still open.

One of these days I'll stop by and say hello.

Of course you will.

Goodbye, madam.

We were talking about your freedom.

Are you referring to Marta? Yes, we dated a long time ago.

But now we only see each other like two strangers.

She's pretty.

And she's young.

That gives her a right.

Lina...

as of tonight only one person has rights over me.

You.

Thank you. It was a lovely evening.

I hope it's the first of a thousand and one nights.

-Do you expect so many nights? -Yes.

Tomorrow?

Ma'am, the hotel manager says this was brought to you this afternoon.

-This afternoon? -Yes, ma'am.

-Thank you. -At your service, ma'am.

Hello?

Of course it's me.

I just woke up.

I slept wonderfully.

A little narcotized with so many roses in the room.

No.

Not today, Julio.

It's absurd that we see each other every day.

Julio...

what do you want from me?

-What do you mean? -Just what I said.

I'm already old. You're just beginning to live.

What can we have in common?

Lina...

I want you to understand this.

Ever since I met you, I've done nothing but follow my impulses.

And I intend to follow them as far as they take me.

-Mr. Benavente, you have a call. -Yes, I'll be right there, thank you.

Excuse me a moment, Lina.

And don't try to run away.

Lina.

-Where have you been? -How are you, Nacho?

You're more beautiful than ever.

I'm lonely and I want to have fun. Come with me.

-Forgive me, but I'm with someone. -You mean the boy who just left?

Don't worry, we'll spank him and send him to bed.

-Come with me. -Please leave me alone!

What's wrong? You were very fond of me at the Baroness's.

Does that little boy know?

-Good evening. -Good evening.

-I want you to meet my mother. -How do you do, madam?

-This is Lina, Mom. -My son has told me a lot about you.

He says I'll find the best clothes in town here.

Your son is very kind, ma'am.

How can I help you?

I'd like to see some dresses for my niece who just turned 18.

I hope I can please you.

Rosa, show the lady the latest dresses for young ladies.

-Yes, ma'am. -May I use your phone?

Of course. This way. Excuse me.

What kind of dress would you like? Cocktail dress, evening dress?

-I'd like to see an evening dress. -Wait a minute.

Lina, what have I done to make you treat me like this?

I don't understand.

I've called you 100 times and 100 times you've refused.

-What's the reason for your change? -I haven't changed, Julio.

It just can't be.

Just can't be?

-Don't I deserve an explanation? -There is no explanation.

I won't let you leave! I'll become your shadow if I have to.

-But you are going to listen! -Please, you're hurting me!

Forgive me...

but I need to talk to you.

-Tomorrow. -No, Lina, it can't be tomorrow.

It has to be tonight.

All right, call me at the hotel.

Why all the lies, Lina?

Does it have to be by force?

Now talk. Explain to me your cowardice and your deception.

There's not much I have to say.

I just want to come to my senses.

There are many years between you and me.

To go on would be to close our eyes to reality.

-Listen, Lina, please. -Why to talk?

The world is full of words.

I want to marry you.

Aren't those just words too?

-You're crazy! -No, Lina.

-I want you to be my wife forever. -Shut up!

You don't know who I am or how I am...

or what's behind my life.

The only thing I know is that I love you.

-I won't marry you. -Why?

I should hold on to you.

I should blindly accept the happiness you offer me.

But I can't.

Who can stop it?

Myself.

I have a past, Julio.

A dark, sad past.

If that weren't enough, I'd become an old woman attached to a young man.

No, no. Don't say that.

You're beautiful. You're the woman I dream of.

I want you, I love you, don't you understand?

If you love me...

-don't talk about marriage again. -Lina.

My life.

-Julio... -I love you.

Julio.

Happiness for you.

To our first month of happiness.

To you, Julio.

You know? Today I want to take you to meet my business.

I think it's time you know what I do for a living.

It'll be a pleasure.

I think I've forgotten my money.

Let me have your pencil to sign the bill.

Give me your pencil to sign the bill.

Sorry, sir, but we don't accept signatures.

-Don't you know me? -I do, and you're a good customer,

but the manager doesn't accept signatures.

-Tell the manager I'll sign the bill. -Please.

And if he thinks I won't live up to my name, he can tell me personally.

All right. I'll tell him, sir.

How about it? Doubting about my signature.

Don't bother, I've got money.

What are you saying?

Do you think I can accept such a thing? I'd rather cut off my hand.

-Don't be a child, Julio. Here. -Please, Lina.

I have too much respect for myself to accept that.

I beg you not to insist because I'll end up getting angry.

Forgive me.

The manager says that since it's you, you can sign, Mr. Benavente.

-Thank you. -Thanks to you.

-Good night, Julio. -Good night, Rosita.

-Good night, sir. -Good night.

Why so thoughtful?

I'm still in the same old dream.

What's your dream?

To be the owner of all those stores, the ones I showed you the other day.

To be the only one to buy and sell those fabrics.

I'd be so rich you'd think it's incredible.

Buying all those stores must cost a fortune.

Well, apparently it does.

But with only 300 000 pesos I can get started.

Only 300 000 pesos?

Look, by the way. This is the last balance of my store.

Look at the profits. What do you think?

It's truly amazing!

Imagine that amount multiplied by all the stores on that street.

But, anyway, that's not your problem.

-You want to go to the movies? -Of course.

-Here, I'll turn off the light. -Yes, thank you.

What happened then?

There was no pause in our happiness.

Julio was more and more charming to me every day.

He was still obsessed with the idea of his big business.

Sometimes he'd come in worried that he was in financial trouble.

Did you ever give him a loan?

Yes, I did. I was so insistent that Julio accepted my loans.

Small amounts that he paid me back forcing me to accept interests.

Did he ever ask you to help him carry out his big business?

No, sir.

I once touched on the subject but he refused outright.

He didn't want me to take any risk on such a big operation.

-Did you live together? -No, sir.

Julio lived with his mother. I never wanted him to miss home.

That's when something unexpected happened.

Julio and I grew up together.

Although we took different paths, we never stopped seeing each other.

I know, Father. Julio told me about you.

That's why I'm here, ma'am. I know he loves you.

And in a man like Julio that has a definite value.

I need to know what your feelings are about him.

I won't stop loving him as long as I live.

Then everything will be easy.

You can't go on living like this, offending God and your fellow men.

-Father. -You must get married,

put in order a love to which you have every right.

You don't know the whole truth, Father.

I lived a dirty horrible life, where sin was a habit...

and a way of life.

God alone knows how sorry I am.

God is satisfied with your repentance.

Day after day I have bitterly paid for everything I did.

-Marriage will bring you peace. -It's not enough, Father.

I'm older than him.

What will happen when my face and body can't hide it?

Love is made of nobler things than flesh.

Of tenderness, of understanding, of spirit.

It's not fair to live in hiding when both can live

in society with dignity.

Promise me you'll think about it.

I promise you, Father.

I couldn't decide.

I felt that to marry him was to swindle him,

to tie him to a murky past,

to a hopeless future.

He was so young, so trusting.

I began to turn my eyes to God,

to the God I had abandoned in my youth.

I knew I could find you here.

-What for? -To talk.

There is no more appropriate place.

Maybe it's the best one.

What do you want?

To tell you to leave Julio.

I love him.

That's why you must leave him.

He has the right to a clean life and a clean woman.

-That's what he's decided. -He's blind.

And you know that what is wonderful today

will be sordid and ugly in a few years.

It won't be.

He is mine. And I will have him.

-You're wasting your time. -I'm young, I can wait.

Wait.

There's something else I must tell you.

I will fight for him with all my strength.

Do as you please.

He's ambitious. I'm rich.

I'll provide all the money he needs.

And I'll take him away from you.

We'll see about that.

I was brought up in a school where all the tricks are valid.

Julio is mine, you understand?

And he'll stay mine.

Where have you been? I've been waiting for an hour.

Julio...

I want to marry you.

Lina.

My darling. Say it one thousand times.

You finally said what I wanted so badly.

Wait.

It has to be on my terms.

Terms? What terms?

That all I have will be yours.

I'll sell the shop and the jewelry,

and with that money you can buy the shops.

And you'll fulfill the dream you've been pursuing so long.

No, no.

I can't accept.

It will either be like that or it won't be.

Julio, don't you understand that from now on, we have to be one person?

But, Lina, what you're asking is absurd.

Why? I have faith in you, in your vision of business.

We'll both be rich.

Do you have any objection?

I don't know.

I don't know. I had thought of doing it differently.

Julio, we don't have to wait.

Once all those shops are yours...

we'll get married when you say.

Lina.

WATCH THE NEXT EPISODE SINISTER MOCKERY

SINISTER MOCKERY

FIRST JOURNEY OF THE SERIES "THE JURY RESOLVES"

Here you go, ma'am, that's 300 000 pesos.

So you got 50 000 for the jewelry?

And 300 000 for the store.

That's 350 000 pesos.

Your dreams start to come true.

Our dreams. We'll finally be rich.

Tomorrow I'll give you an IOU to guarantee the debt.

It's not necessary.

While we get the marriage license, I want to visit the factories

in the country, to ensure the production of fabric.

Something might happen to me and I want you to be well-supported.

Are you going to be away for long?

I don't know. Possibly three or four weeks.

They will be eternal weeks for me.

He left.

My life then became a long, terrible wait.

His letters arrived less frequently.

Then...

there were no more letters.

My situation became untenable, I didn't have a single penny.

I had to leave the hotel.

Ma'am.

Believe me, the hotel management is very sorry that you are leaving.

I repeat that it is not urgent to pay the debt you owe us.

I know that and I appreciate it.

But I can't accept it.

I've already made my decision.

Where are you going?

Why didn't you turn to the few people who would have helped you?

Because I still had my dignity left.

I felt I was going crazy with that unexplained disappearance of Julio.

Julio!

-Lina. -Julio.

Julio.

Tell me it's not a lie, that it's you.

Of course it's me. But where have you been?

I've been looking all over town for you.

No one's given me a clue about you. I thought I'd lost you forever.

No, it's me and now we're together. Together, together.

Yes. Come on, get in.

The whole first part of my journey went very well.

I visited each factory in the country and confirmed production.

When I left Orizaba I had that accident.

I spent two months between life and death.

When I left the hospital, I ran to look for you but...

I couldn't find you anywhere.

My love, I would have liked to have been by your side.

I know you would.

Here you are.

Tomorrow you leave this horrible room.

We're together again and that's what matters.

Of course. Don't worry.

Here...

...300 000 pesos,

You can deposit them in the bank and cash them.

I don't know if I've told you, but our business

has already started to produce profits.

Good. Now I have to go.

-So soon? -Yes, I have things to do.

I'll pick you up tomorrow for lunch. Promise me one thing.

You'll be very pretty and very well-dressed, as always.

I don't know how, but I'll make it.

Mr. Benavente cancelled his account.

-It can't be true. -He withdrew all the funds he had.

I'm sorry, madam.

LINA HAUTE COUTURE

ARMORY

Then I understood that it was all over after that cruel mockery.

And I decided to kill him.

-What time does the play start? -At 9:00. We have to hurry.

Listen, Lina.

Julio!

Julio!

-Julio! -Julio!

Why? Why did you do it, Lina?

I don't know. I couldn't stand all your mockery.

Mockery?

But I just came to say goodbye to her,

to tell her that I love you...

and that I was going to marry you.

Forgive me!

Forgive me!

Forgive me!

I think I can testify that...

the defendant has had the courage to tell every last bit of the truth.

As a representative of the rights of the society in which we live,

it is my duty to point out that from the very story of the accused

emerges the image of an unjustified crime.

A murder born in the murky world of passions

that the law must inexorably punish.

An exemplary man has died.

That crime demands justice.

The facts are so clear that it is painful to highlight them further.

Madam...

do you consider yourself guilty or innocent

of the murder of Julio Benavente?

I am guilty.

Do you think you should be punished for your crime?

I must be punished.

I don't deserve God...

or men's forgiveness.

Your Honor, the Public Prosecutor's Office has nothing further to add.

The defense admits that the accused has told her truth, her whole truth.

Now we'll see if that's the truth of the facts.

In all my long career as a defender I have never come across anyone

who accused and condemned herself as in this case.

That courage and that confession deserve all my respect.

But also my suspicions.

I call Mrs. de Mont Clair to the stand.

Enriquito. How are you?

Very well, Camila. Thank you very much. And you?

Still struggling.

Would you like to tell us your full name and age?

I'm the Baroness Camilla de Mont Clair, as everyone knows.

As for the age, I know it's required by law,

but it seems to me a legal impertinence.

Of course. Did you know the defendant?

Of course, I did.

Poor Lina.

How did she get to your house?

With the air of a wild animal and horrible clothes.

The eternal story.

A man had deceived her and wanted to kill himself.

I dissuaded her and told her it was stupid.

In a very short time, I made her the most famous woman in town.

What is your opinion about her, her behavior, her personality?

A great girl.

Too romantic perhaps.

But really good.

In the time she lived with you, did you notice...

-any inclination to crime? -That's nonsense.

She was an angel, an angel full of remorse.

Many times I found her crying because she said she was

in this bad habit up to her neck.

And it was true. But it was hopeless.

Do you know that she killed a man?

That's what they say.

But I assure you that if she killed him,

she must have had good reasons.

Thank you, madam. I won't bother you anymore.

The Public Prosecutor's Office wishes to question the witness.

Proceed.

There's something I'd like to make completely clear.

What did the defendant do in your house?

You know perfectly well.

I'd like to hear it from your own lips.

She traded love for money.

And this angelic image you intend to give of the defendant,

do you find it compatible with her ability for clearing out clients?

It was her job. People have to make a living.

And sometimes they live as they can, not as they want to.

But you won't deny that prostitution requires hardness of feeling,

social resentment and a total lack of moral principles.

That's the old opinion of some moralists.

But I, who have lived long years of love and for love,

have learned that these women are the product of the selfishness

and cruelty of other human beings.

Are you defending the unworthiness of your profession and your house?

Your last name is Gomez, right?

-Yes. -Son of Juan Daniel?

Yes, and my father was a gentleman.

Precisely.

Your father, may he rest in peace, who was a true gentleman,

had a very different opinion of my house and my girls.

I have nothing more to ask.

You are still under oath.

Yes, sir.

You were the manager of Mr. Benavente's store, right?

I said so.

In your previous statement you said that the business was very good.

Yes, sir.

Did Benavente buy the other stores on the block?

Not to my knowledge.

He, however, had the money given to him by the defendant.

-I don't know that. -Is this Mr. Benavente's signature?

-It looks like it. -Is it or isn't it?

Yes, it is.

You agree with the handwriting experts.

These documents certify that Benavente swindled the defendant.

I've visited the store and it's very small and with little merchandise.

Besides, that merchandise is of a very low class and too expensive.

Businesses are not judged by the facade.

Exactly, I judged it by the background.

-Your employer lived well, didn't he? -Like a gentleman.

You're an expert in commercial matters, I understand.

-That's right, I am. -Using that skill,

could you explain how Mr. Benavente

spent 250 000 in three months,

if his business, according to this balance, produced only 2 000 a month?

I don't know, maybe he had other income.

Well...

He didn't tell me everything.

I'd say he didn't tell you anything.

Was Mr. Benavente nice to the defendant?

For months, and daily, he picked a dozen roses for her.

You claimed that he didn't love her.

He didn't love her.

Then how did he spend money, time and attention on a woman

he didn't love?

-I don't know. -I do.

He wrapped her up, he flattered her. He prepared her for the swindle.

He would lay his nets to take away her entire fortune.

Objection, Your Honor.

The defense is misrepresenting the intentions of a dead man.

Objection sustained.

I have nothing further to ask the witness.

I call Mr. Juan Lima to the stand.

-Do you swear to tell the truth? -Yes, I do.

What is your occupation?

I am a waiter at the California restaurant.

Did you attend the defendant and Mr. Benavente

the night he forgot the money and wanted to sign the bill?

Yes, sir.

Could you tell us what happened before the couple left the place?

-Okay, let's go. -Let's go.

Wait.

I have to make a call. Will you excuse me for a moment?

Congratulations, you're a great actor.

-Thank you. -Give me the bill.

Fine. Here's for dinner...

and this is for you, because of your work.

-Thank you very much. -Thanks to you.

Did you know why Benavente asked you to perform that charade?

He didn't tell me but I took it as a game.

I'm going to tell you.

That farce was intended to make the defendant believe

that Mr. Benavente was incapable of accepting money from women.

What does the defense intend to prove?

You'll see, Mr. Prosecutor. I'm done with the witness.

I call Mr. Manuel Ramos to the stand.

I don't understand where Aguirre is going.

Now I know the reason for his silence throughout the trial.

With Your Honor's permission.

Can the defendant tell us if she knows the witness?

Yes, that's Father Manuel,

Julio's schoolmate and his close friend.

Thank you very much, madam.

Excuse me, but I don't understand a word you're saying.

I'm speaking in Latin, a language you undoubtedly master being a priest.

-Latin? -Exactly.

I don't understand.

The law punishes those who lie to hurt others. Do you understand?

Yes, I do.

I'm not a priest.

You, acting as a priest, went to see the accused at her hotel, didn't you?

-Yes, sir. -Why did you do that?

Because Julio Benavente asked me to.

He begged me to do him that favor of friends.

Being the lady so religious,

it was the only way to convince her to marry him.

I refused at first,

until one day he confessed to me that if I didn't help him,

he would lose the great business of his life.

-I'm done with the witness. -With Your Honor's permission.

Do you swear that Mr. Benavente asked you such a thing?

-Yes, I swear. -No further questions.

I call Miss Marta Ruiz de la Mora to the stand.

-Where do you live, miss? -15, Merida street.

-Is the house yours? -Yes.

-Did you buy it? -It was a gift from...

my father.

Your father is a modest employee who earns 500 pesos a month.

Could he have bought a house on that salary?

You can guess.

I've already guessed.

It was bought by Julio Benavente in the amount of 75 000 pesos, for you,

two weeks after he received a big amount of money from the defendant.

Why did he give you that splendid gift?

He told me he was going to marry the defendant.

I had been so good to him, he wanted to give me that house.

A generous soul, especially with other people's money.

But that's not true either, miss.

How do you know?

Because I invested a lot of time in this case

and I've had a lot of people investigating details.

I know everything.

I don't know what you mean.

Julio Benavente gave you that house because he was your lover, first,

-and then your legitimate husband. -That's not true!

He was your husband since before he met the defendant by chance,

before studying her sad story and hatching his plan to take her money,

-with your complicity. -No.

No.

That can't be true.

No.

That's a lie!

This is a certified copy of your marriage certificate.

You supported Benavente because you loved money as much as he did.

Not only you accepted the plan of making her fall in love,

but you went so far as to intervene in the farce.

When you saw her in church

telling her you were going to fight for her love,

what you really meant was that she would be scared

and would cling to Benavente more, giving him all her money.

The charade succeeded.

With the money you swindled from her, you bought yourself jewelry and furs.

And you both traveled abroad.

The accident in Orizaba was a poor, silly apology

that only that poor woman, blinded by love, could believe.

When you returned happy and satisfied,

you didn't count on divine justice.

The death of your husband was not in your plans.

Stop it! Please!

It's true.

It's all true!

Let me go!

Let me go!

By a cruel irony,

that man, that subtle and poisonous scoundrel,

has been called here an exemplary gentleman.

Gentlemen of the jury,

the witnesses have clearly revealed not the sad truth of the defendant,

but the plain truth of that scoundrel.

When she killed him, what she did without knowing it,

was to clean our city of the garbage that this man represented.

It was not she who killed him, but a higher justice,

the one that armed her hand.

Gentlemen of the Jury,

you have heard what is necessary to give a judgment following the law.

You may retire to your deliberation.

-Tired? -Very much.

Tomorrow we'll go to Veracruz to rest for a few days.

You need it. I'll pack tonight.

-Sir. -Tell me.

-A lady wants to see you. -I'm not for anyone.

She's crying and she wants to see you no matter what.

Tell her I'm not here.

You're the only one who can help me.

You have to.

Who are you? What's wrong with you?

I just killed a man.

THE END

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