Original subtitles

Previously on L .A. Law. Rosalind Shays versus all of us.

Obviously, she's winning. Come on, now.

Now, this thing's far from being over. Grace took a big chunk out of Rosalind

the stand, and we haven't even begun our defense yet. Mr. Sollers, that is

enough. I founded that firm, and I was not going to let her ruin it. You're a

tired and scared old man.

Scared of becoming obsolete. I am not obsolete!

We find in favor of the plaintiff and order the defendant to pay punitive

damages in the amount of $2 .1 million.

Just follow me.

There he is. The heroic officer who shot a black kid in the back.

I move that you recuse yourself from this case.

Opposed. On what grounds? On the grounds that you, like Rogoff, are too

politically scared to do the job here.

Emotion is denied.

You're making it impossible for us to get a fair trial here. You're poisoning

the process.

You assume that the process is poison -free to begin with. I don't.

Mr. Kuzak, you are incorrect. This man cares nothing about justice. All he

about is getting re -elected. All he cares about is staying on Holloway's

side so he doesn't get scathed in the press.

You've got to call a mistrial now. Take him away.

He's got a choice now.

I think you're going to make a great husband.

My history with women would indicate otherwise.

Arnie? Douglas?

You know this young lady, don't you?

Hello.

Hi, Arnie.

Gwen, what brings you?

I just hired you.

Oh, great.

Rox,

I need a huge favor.

I'm kind of busy. Travel times botched the trip. We didn't get the Friday

flight, and they didn't reserve Chloe a spot in beginner snow bunnies.

Call Liz Cohen. She handles Arnie's trips.

Travel agent from hell.

Arnie says you're the only one who can deal with her.

Corinne. Barney needs his motion by 9 .30.

That's why I wrote it all down.

I don't want to take up any more of your time than is absolutely necessary.

Gee, thanks.

What's the holdup? I've got to get these pages filed by high.

She's helping your busy wife, so cut her some slack.

If you say so.

Honey,

I've got to help this poor slob get out of his wife's clutches. I'll see you

tonight. I love you.

Bye. Bye.

Corinne? It's me, Gwen.

Gwenny. Oh, God. What are you doing here?

What has it been, 10, 12 years? Oh, longer, longer.

I had a break. We got on last time. I'm sorry, Taylor. I can't believe how

you've grown up. Oh, yeah.

What are you doing here?

Oh, I work for Stuart Markowitz.

I didn't know this.

I married Arnie Becker.

Rob, Gus Grant tried to call me from his car.

Arnie, you won't believe this.

Little Gwenny works here.

Little Gwenny? Yes, Susan Taylor's little sister. Our high school mascot.

followed us to prom.

Right. Hi.

We've met.

Listen, I gotta go.

Stuart's waiting for these.

Oh, it's so good seeing you.

Can we have lunch? No.

I mean, haven't you got a lot of stuff to do to get ready for the weekend?

We'll make time for Gwenny. I helped her buy her first bra.

Remember? You were so cute.

She was afraid she'd never grow breasts.

No.

This is ex parte, Grace.

I'm not the lawyer of record. But your firm is. That makes this meeting

inappropriate.

I'm sorry, Michael, but look what's going on here.

The city is on the verge of a race riot. The solution from the DA's office is to

convict an innocent cop.

And the judge on the case is a total victim of the hysteria. Judge Stone has

served with distinction for seven years.

He can't control Holloway. He let the DA talk about a lie detector in front of

the jury. He wouldn't even declare a mistrial after putting Cusack into

But he declared the mistrial. Only after locking Rollins up. Come on, Michael.

You can't ignore the stench on this one.

Stone can't do it.

You're the presiding superior court judge. You have to take responsibility

I'll get you a new judge.

Somebody who can take the heat, okay? Somebody who can stand up the hallway.

Just be sure your boys are ready.

If we stall on this one, the public screams will only get louder, and that's

going to do you any good.

We're ready now.

Okay.

I'll get you a good judge.

Thanks, Michael.

First up, Shays versus Mackenzie Brackman.

Post -mortem.

Motion for remitter next Tuesday.

What do you have for appeal?

Nothing procedural.

A lot of case law saying a partner is not an employee, meaning she may not

a claim for sex discrimination. We tried that at summary judgment and lost.

Yeah, but I just pulled a case off Westlaw, 9th District, right on point.

It's worth a shot. Good.

In the meantime, I'm meeting with Rosalind tomorrow.

No solace, just here. If I can crunch it down, I'll try to settle it. Moving on,

a reminder, Leland, we have the Lowry dinner Thursday night. People versus

Chisholm? Judge Stone's off the case, so at least that's a start.

Expect a pretrial tomorrow.

Jonathan and I have decided that he will try the case and I will second chair.

Are you comfortable with that, Jonathan?

Yes. Well, let's try to stay out of jail, both of you.

In re, Slaper.

Hearing starts today.

This is the couple that wants to return its adopted child?

Yes. And we represent the parents.

I'm sorry, but I find this whole thing repulsive.

Returning a child to an adoption agency?

How can you represent people like that?

You've never met the people, Ann. You've never met the child, and to my

knowledge, you've never seen the file. Maybe not, but as a mother, I... I'm a

mother, too.

And based on my view of the facts, I accepted these people as clients.

And since this is my case, I'll thank you to defer to my judgment, as I do to

yours. I apologize.

Okay. Good luck on this case, Abby.

We know it's a difficult situation.

Thank you.

And on that happy, happy note, we're adjourned.

Stuart?

How are you feeling?

I'm fine, I think.

Are you taking care of yourself, I hope?

What can I do for you?

I was expressing genuine concern. I don't always have an ulterior motive.

But now that you mention it, yeah.

There is something I'd like to talk to you about.

It's Gwen.

I think you should give some serious thought to that whole situation.

What situation?

I hate to say this, but she isn't appropriate.

Mackenzie Brackner just is not that kind of firm. What kind of firm? What are

you talking about? I'd rather slice my lips off than have to tell you this,

but... But you're my friend as well as my partner. I think I owe it to you.

The week before I got married, she made a pass at me.

Really? Now I was about to get married, so of course nothing happened, but still

she... She came into my office, ostensibly to have a drink.

Before I knew it, she's on the sofa with all of her clothes off.

Off?

Off. It was all I could do just to get her dressed and get her out of there.

The problem is, she hasn't stopped.

Every time she comes around me, I'm afraid she's going to pounce on Stuart.

I don't think that I am the only one that she is after.

What do you want me to do, fire?

Look.

I'm just thinking about your reputation as well as mine. She's the best

secretary I ever had.

She's the only one who understands my color -coding system.

I know.

You have every right to keep her.

If you want to take that risk.

Well, listen, I just wanted you to have this information.

No, no, I appreciate it. I really do.

He was...

Six months old when he first came home to live with us. And at that time, Billy

appeared to be a normal baby.

Yes. He cried a lot, but the doctor said it was probably just colic.

And he also stiffened when we held him, but, well,

they kept telling us everything was all right. But at some point, you realized

that Billy was not fine. Just after his first birthday, he had a seizure.

They ran some more tests on him, and this time they found some neurological

damage. Was he diagnosed as being retarded?

Oh, no. They said that he would probably have some learning disabilities and

that his motor skills could be affected.

And yet, knowing that Billy would never be, um, normal, you nevertheless

proceeded with the adoption.

He's our son.

The fact that he had problems didn't make us love him any less.

But here you are today.

Almost five years later, asking the state to take back custody of your son.

Yes. Why?

We can't control him.

For the last two years, he's been having these

rages. He smashes things. He pounds his head up against the wall. He just

snaps.

Have you sought help for Billy?

Oh, my God, yes.

Special schools, psychiatrists, medication.

We've spent our life savings trying to make him better.

But he's not going to get better.

So now you're giving up?

We don't want to give up, but, um...

He hurts our other children.

Last year there was an episode when he knocked the baby down the stairs.

He's, um, even started two fires.

He's my son.

And I love him.

But I can't take care of him.

Thank you, Mrs. Slater. I have nothing further.

Good afternoon, Mrs. Slaver. I'm Jaime Rodriguez, appearing for the Department

of Social Services.

Money is a factor here, is it not?

No, this isn't about money.

Well, you talked about medical costs and the depletion of your savings, so I'm

assuming it's a factor.

Well, we have three other children, so yes, it's a concern. Thank you, ma 'am.

Those three other children are your natural children, am I right?

Yes. How does Billy feel about his brothers and sister?

He loves them.

I would imagine he would miss them quite a bit.

We will miss them, Mr. Rodriguez. I would like to focus on what this does to

Billy, Mrs. Slater, not you.

Don't you think we've agonized over this? If you have, then you must be

Billy's chances of ever being adopted again if he's put back in the system.

are those chances?

Not good.

They're close to nonexistent.

This is...

Hard enough without you doing this? Forgive me, ma 'am, but it can never be

enough to do what you're doing. Objection. You're asking to strip a six

-old boy away from his family.

Your Honor, I made an objection.

Mr. Rodriguez.

I'm sorry.

Just tell me this.

With all his problems, what else has Billy got but the love of a family?

What else does he have but you?

We don't know what else to do.

The question is...

What will Billy do?

What will Billy do, ma 'am?

Hi,

I'm glad I caught you. I'm going to lunch.

I've got a million things to do, and I'll never get to the dry cleaners in

to pick up the ski jackets. Could you do me a big favor? It's right down the

street. No, I can't. It won't take a minute.

Would you step in here, please?

I work for Arnie, not for you.

And it's not fair to dump all this stuff on me.

Well, it was Arnie who suggested I ask you to help. It's a family trip,

It has nothing to do with me or with my job. And I don't like being asked to

handle all of the pesky details.

I didn't realize you felt that way.

Well, now you do.

I'm sorry.

I guess I was being insensitive.

I know it's been hard for you, Roxanne.

You've been the anchor in Arnie's life, and now he has Chloe in me. What's that

got to do with it?

Maybe nothing, but maybe you feel a little abandoned and resented.

I don't feel abandoned.

I feel taken advantage of, and the only thing that I resent here is being

analyzed.

How could you possibly know how I feel or who I am? You've only known me a

I see.

And I've only known Arnie a year or two, is that it? I mean, how could I

possibly understand him as well as say you do?

I never said that.

But if the shoe fits... It doesn't.

But this has been an illuminating conversation.

Yes, very.

How in God's name do you plan to make this case? There's enough there to

proceed, Your Honor.

If we don't satisfy the burden... I've read through your papers, Miss Fusco.

have no business going forward.

No witness.

No physical or testimonial evidence.

Actually, Your Honor, we now do have a witness.

Excuse me?

A young man by the name of Jerome Bailey came forward last night. Lives in the

neighborhood. Says he saw Officer Chisholm shoot the boy with no one else

alley. And this guy just suddenly appears now.

Look, I'm not going to play games with you.

I had my doubts.

I had Mr. Bailey take a polygraph. The results are inconclusive.

I have no proof he's making it up, but I also know that Darren Holloway held a

town meeting yesterday in that neighborhood, imploring someone to come

and be a hero.

Well, if this witness isn't credible, then... There's no determination he's

credible. And Rogoff wants to use him if his story checks out. Well, how do you

check it out if there was no one else in the alley?

I'm checking it out.

Okay, you get your unexpected witness in here tomorrow.

I want to have a little chat.

And get Rogoff in here, too.

And tell him I don't give a damn about his re -election plans.

There will be no bogus prosecution in my courtroom.

I'll give him the message.

Two o 'clock.

Billy's condition is most likely the result of drug use by the birth mother.

I'd like to say this is an uncommon thing, but unfortunately it's not.

Did my clients know anything about this drug abuse at the time of the adoption?

No. Now, Doctor, based on your psychiatric examination of this child,

tell us Billy's prognosis?

Extremely retarded social skills. I don't think this child will ever bond,

either with the slavers or anybody else. It's extremely unlikely he'll ever have

the capability to experience adult love.

And these rages and uncontrollable fits, do you think he'll grow out of this?

I see no indication that he will. And, Doctor, in your expert opinion, what

effect would Billy's behavior have on the other members of the family?

Well, obviously it takes its toll on everyone, but the most serious threat is

the emotional well -being of the other children.

And it appears there's even a physical threat here.

Then, Doctor, do you have an opinion as to whether Billy should remain in this

household or not?

In my opinion, he should not.

Thank you.

Nothing further.

The chances of this boy being able to bond and trust, do they go up or down if

he's removed from the family?

Down. In fact, the damage caused to this boy would be totally irreparable,

wouldn't it? That's possible.

Mm -hmm.

And, Doctor, does Billy love his parents and his siblings?

Yes, he does.

Would it be fair to say that he loves them very much?

Yes. So this child is quite capable of experiencing love. I was talking about

his capability for experiencing adult love. I understand that, but that's way

off in the future. Right now, today, this young man is capable of loving,

he? Yes.

What happens to that capability once he's ripped apart from his family? I

to balance the needs of the other children, not just Billy. This

isn't about the other children. It's about Billy. I care about Billy, Mr.

Rodriguez. I care very much. Are you telling me that this child is going to

better off in a state agency than with his family?

Maybe not. Then don't sit there telling us how much you care about Billy. Do you

think I'm enjoying this, Mr. Rodriguez? Move to strike. This is an impossible

situation. We're all just trying to use our best judgment. All right.

Both of you.

Doctor, you testified that during the course of your practice, you've had

extensive experience with behavioral disorders, many with adopted children.

That's right. Have any of these children suffered from behavior problems as

severe as Billy's? Yes. And in your experience, how many of these adoptive

parents, other than the slavers, have sought to give their children back?

How many, ma 'am?

None. I have nothing further.

Now, I don't listen to gossip, believe me, and I am not a fan of innuendo, but

this is different.

When a partner in this firm comes to me with his concerns, I have to consider

them. Which partner?

Well, not at liberty to mention any names, but this partner is concerned

your promiscuity.

My what?

Well, you know, your sexual adventure.

Ism. Arnold Becker.

Why? I can't mention names.

Yes, Arnold Becker.

Stuart, this is what happened.

Arnie invited me to his office for a drink. I didn't know at the time, but he

was getting married, and I guess he was freaking out. I was there three, maybe

four minutes when he started taking my clothes off.

I won't say I wasn't willing, but it was all his idea.

He did it that one time on the sofa in his office and never again.

And now he can't even look at me.

I am not promiscuous. I do not sleep around and I do not want to lose my job

because some jerk can't deal with his own glands.

Okay.

It's fine.

I'll bring it down to one nine, but that's as fair as I get, Leland. I'd go

bankruptcy rather than give you one nine.

No, you wouldn't.

How can you be so sure?

The reason you brought me in, the reason you stepped down, was to save what you

love. Well, if you understood that, why did you do what you did?

I did what I was hired to do. Let's be honest about that, Leland. Somebody had

to be ruthless.

Somebody had to play hard.

You didn't want to be that somebody.

You've been too popular too long.

I can understand that.

What I can't understand is after I did all the dirty work, that you never gave

me the chance.

To do what?

I was hoping that after all the hardball, I'd be able to sit back and

Enjoy what I'd helped build.

Cultivate some of that McKenzie loyalty.

Wouldn't have happened, Rosalind.

Now, you can't grind up the people you work with and then later expect their

demotion. You needed a little grinding here.

But your problem is, you can't ever feel victorious unless the other guy is

devastated. I was good for this place.

You saved this place.

Absolutely.

And so did I, by stepping back in.

One million three. I can make that payment. You'll have it by end of

tomorrow, and you can walk away, leaving me defeated, but not fatally crushed.

One million five.

I want you to at least limp.

One four, and it'll be over.

I can sell one four.

Okay. I'll have Jack draw up the settlement papers. We can file the

soon as I get the check.

Deal.

Deal.

Billy, I promise this will be real short and not very hard.

Ninja Turtles, that's a sharp T -shirt.

Did you see the movie?

Twice. My father took me.

My son took me.

And I hear you like baseball, too.

Does your father ever take you to see the Dodgers?

Billy?

John gave me his glove.

Sounds like a pretty good brother to me.

Is John here?

No, he's not.

Where is he?

Well, I believe he's in school.

Listen.

I understand that sometimes you hit John and Carl, too.

Do you know why you hit your brothers and sister?

Is John here?

Billy, do you know why you hit them?

No.

Do you know that it's wrong for you to hit them? That it's wrong for you to

start fires?

Well, what I'm trying to understand is if you know it's wrong, why

you do it.

Why can't I go home?

Well, while we're trying to figure all this out, it would be better if you live

away from home with Mrs. Lewis.

Are my parents going to come for me?

Well, that's what we're trying to decide.

Just a second. What are you doing here?

I represent Mr. Bailey.

You asked to interrogate him. He's entitled to counsel.

When did you become his lawyer?

That's privileged.

Not privileged.

Well, answer my question right now or I'll lock you up for contempt.

Tuesday.

Mr. Bailey, have a seat.

According to your latest statement, you saw the police officer shoot the boy.

Yeah. But on the night this happened, you gave a statement saying you saw

nothing. You only heard the shots.

I was... I was... I was scared to tell the cops what I saw.

Why? Uh -uh. I'm sorry. I'm not going to allow prediscovery for defense.

This is... This is a surprise witness. The defense is entitled to this

information. And if you interfere with me again, I'm going to add obstruction

justice to contempt, throw you in a rat hole for a week.

Now, young man.

You tell me what you saw. And I don't care what Mr. Holloway instructed you to

say. You look at me.

You don't want to lie in here now.

Well, the first shot, I didn't see. I only heard.

As I looked around the corner, I saw the second shot.

There was a kid running it.

I seen the cop shoot.

Did you see anybody else?

No. How many shots did you hear?

Two, three, I don't know.

Why haven't you said anything about this before?

Because it was the cops who done it.

I was scared if I told on them, they'd come and get me next.

And you decided to come forward after Mr. Holloway addressed a group of you

your neighbors two days ago.

Did Mr. Holloway tell you to come forward?

He told me to say what I saw, and that's what I'm doing.

Okay.

You can go.

Mr. Holloway?

A minute, please.

Now, if I find out that you manufactured this witness in any way, or that you

suborned perjury, I will make it my personal purpose in life to see you

disbarred. You know, that robe only gives you qualified immunity, Your

You slander me.

With any accusations like that, and you want to look for me because I'll be

coming for you.

I don't like the way you do business, mister.

I didn't know I needed your approval.

Well, I don't know whether to believe the kid or not.

But it is a credibility question. Oh, God. Yes, they have a case, Mr.

Cusack. Shakey as it is.

I have no discretion to kick it.

That is, if you choose to go forward.

The district attorney's office is prepared to prosecute.

For once, would you show me something? The district attorney's office is

prepared to prosecute.

We impanel tomorrow morning.

Well, we've been down this road before.

Yes, and you'll all go down it again.

This time with me.

Taking this child away from his family will ruin him.

The doctors can make all kinds of predictions about this and that, but

we all know his fate if he's returned to the agency.

Troubled six -year -old, he'll never be adopted again. He'll grow up without a

home or a family.

How can any of us straight -faced say this child will be better off?

Yes, he has problems.

Yes, he's tough to live with, and sure, he can be a burden.

You run that risk as soon as you decide to be parents.

Now, as for the child, any child, but especially one who has problems, now, he

has to have the guarantee that no matter what, his parents will stick by him.

I know they have tried, Your Honor, but for God's sake, tell them to try again.

And if it still doesn't work, tell them to try again.

Giving that child back.

Should be the last resort.

They're not here with a receipt, trying to return merchandise.

And let's be honest, they are the only people in this room who really love that

little boy.

The rest of us are here doing our jobs.

But they love him.

They love their son.

But Billy is getting angrier.

Billy's getting worse.

He pushed their baby daughter down the stairs. She could have been killed.

He put a hot iron against Carl's arm.

He smashes his own head against the wall. He has cut himself for stitches

dozen times.

My clients have made every sacrifice, and they have failed. They would put him

in a private institution, but they have no money.

And right now they're scared.

They're scared for Billy. They are scared for their other children.

They are desperate people, Your Honor.

They are asking you for desperate relief.

I will try to make a decision by the end of the day.

This court is adjourned.

It's silly, Arnie. There's nothing for Corinne and me to talk about. Rox,

don't be like that.

You're on her side. You always will be. There are no sides. There's a

misunderstanding that needs to be gotten out in the open to clear the air.

Look, we're all friends here, right? We're caring individuals who try to

each other with decency and mutual respect.

You are the lowest slime on earth. You have the sexual responsibility of a

warthog and the morals of a flea. You would screw your own grandmother and

tickets to it. And I only pray for one thing, that when someone finally does

murder you, there is a hell for you to rot in.

You were talking about decency and mutual respect.

Wonderful evening, Douglas Leland. I'll call you tomorrow.

Very good. Well, thank you very much, and I look forward to that.

Anybody need a lift? We can have a nightcap and a limo. Thanks. We both

Actually, I'm going to visit the men's room before I go, so I'll send my

goodbyes here. Thanks again, Leland. My pleasure. Good night, Douglas.

It went well. Yes.

Leland, I just ate here as well.

It's good food.

Very good. I just ordered the special.

Shark. Well, I saw you and just wanted to make sure you got our check.

Yes, thank you. That's why I decided to treat myself to a nice meal.

It's a lot of money.

You don't have to tell me that.

Any plans on what to do with it?

I thought I'd take a leave of absence from the firm for a month. Slow down a

little, maybe get to know my grandchildren.

That sounds good.

Grace and Sellers will file the dismissal in the morning.

Yeah. Good to be done with it.

Yes.

You know, they have a great dessert tray here, and I'll bet you skipped it.

I did. At least take a look. If nothing grabs you, you could join me for a cup

of coffee.

I'd be happy to.

The judge says she needs the night.

Oh, my God.

She promised she'd have her decision first thing tomorrow, so let's call this

off.

Carol. Maybe he was right, Ben.

Maybe we should try again.

What can we try that we haven't tried?

What's wrong with us?

If they take him back, then he won't be our son.

He just stops being ours.

The adoption of a child is an unqualified and irrevocable bond.

And for anyone to treat it otherwise is completely reprehensible.

I certainly am loathe to encourage other such parents to return their children.

And I'm especially concerned that other adopted boys and girls may suddenly fear

being shipped back to state agencies because they don't live up to their

parents' expectations.

I also have to look at the individual consequences here.

Returning Billy to the state would surely cripple him emotionally, if not

forever, for a long time.

How could any child get over this, even if he is readopted?

But according to the doctors, returning Billy to the family offers no real hope

for emotional improvement either.

And given that...

Given that his return to the household threatens the safety of the other

children, and given the fact that I trust the parents here, not

only to love their son, but to act in accordance with what they think is best,

I'm hereby granting their petition.

In God's name, I hope you're right, because what I'm doing, quite frankly,

leaves me a little ill.

Billy Slather will return to the custody of a county.

The clerk will draft the order.

And may I suggest that every one of us say a little prayer tonight for a boy

has no comprehension of what is happening to him.

We're adjourned.

No, no, I start with the eyewitness part. It's a stronger opener.

So what, lose the stuff on Holloway? No, no, no, keep it, but open with the

other. Get the credibility question on its feet immediately.

Let's go.

Jonathan, listen.

I probably don't have to tell you this, but this trial's gonna be like nothing

you've ever had before.

Microphones are gonna be shoved in your face everywhere you turn.

Packed courtrooms.

People are gonna call you names.

I've seen it. You've seen it from the second chair. It's a lot different when

it's coming directly at you, Jonathan.

Now, I'm gonna be right there beside you. I'm with you. But to a certain

you're gonna be all alone in that courtroom.

I'm ready.

One other thing.

I gave you this case because you're black, yes, but also because you're a

of a lawyer.

Thank you.

Hi.

Don't suppose you're ready to offer a last -minute plea on murder, too?

Nope. Well, listen, I have been a little less than aggressive so far, and

you know I'm conflicted about a lot of what's going on, but I don't want to

mislead you.

Once we start, I'm going for a conviction.

I'm going for it as hard as I can. We know that, Marcia.

And we know what you're dealing with.

Yeah, well... Good luck.

It's pretty scary, huh?

Yeah.

Look, Ralph, she treats him like a contagious disease. She's got to expect

get reamed. Arnie, this is a ton of work. I'm going to be in here forever.

We'll give you custody of the kids, but we want the boat.

With the trailer.

Ralph, I'm going to have to call you back.

I can't hear you. I'm headed into a tunnel.

Get out of my way. We have to talk. In your dreams. You are in my dreams every

night. It's tearing me apart.

Good. Well, is that what you want? You want to see me destroyed? Well, take a

good look, because the indestructible Arnold Becker is crumbling all because

you. Please, please, will you talk to me?

You have to know something.

When I went to Stuart, it wasn't malicious. I wasn't trashing a secretary

save my own neck.

It was a wild, defensive move by a desperate man.

Yes, desperate.

Don't you see that if you stay around here, I'm terrified of what could happen

between us?

And it's not just because you're a beautiful woman. I'm a married man.

Beautiful women don't affect me, but you are so much more than that.

Your poise, your self -assurance, your innate sensuality, those things make

you irresistible.

Stuart must be wondering where you are. Oh, God, the deposition.

Ralph.

Yeah. No, we must have got cut off. It's all this damn construction.

Oh,

I know a woman who's on time.

This is more important.

What is this, Arnie? A ploy to get us together.

Would you both please just sit down?

If you're not going to talk to each other, you can at least listen to me.

Now, Roxanne, you are my best friend. Nothing can change that.

You're irreplaceable on so many levels I can't even list them. You know my

deepest, darkest secrets, and you still love me. You'll never know how much that

means to me.

You're my wife.

Nothing can change that.

You're the woman I swore to love and honor as long as we both live, and I

to laugh with you, and I want to fight with you, and I want to grow old with

you. And I'll never be able to tell you how much that means to me.

But some things do change.

I'm married now, and that does make a difference.

You're going to have to share me. But it doesn't mean I love you any less.

And you're going to have to accept the fact that Roxanne is a very important

part of my life, and she always will be.

You're the two women that I care about most in this world.

And part of accepting me for everything I am is for you two to accept each

other.

Maybe I did overreact.

I guess I was pretty thin -skinned.

The appellate court won't miss this, not one little bit.

I'm surprised you had the sense to settle, but no less delighted.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I'll move post -trial motions off calendar.

She's a pain in the ass, but she's right.

Listen, before I lose my chance, I'd like to say congratulations.

You are one hell of a lawyer.

Thanks. So are you.

No, I really mean it.

You're strong. You're fearless.

You go for the throat with the bathroom.

Thanks again, I think.

You're one of the most beautiful women I've ever met.

Listen, now that I'm not beating your brains out, would you consider having

dinner with me?

Dinner? Like a date?

No, see, that was too direct, wasn't it?

I'm always either too subtle or too direct.

Women never know what I mean, you know what I mean?

I'm not sure I know what I mean. I'm a little confused.

Pretty interesting, huh?

Yeah, pretty interesting.

So, uh, Friday at 8, if that was a yes?

It was a yes.

Guess that's it.

Billy would like to see you.

I don't know about that.

Where is he?

In the hall with the social worker.

Listen, we can't just walk away, Abby.

Let us say goodbye.

Hi, honey.

Remember when I explained about your going to live in a different place with

other children?

And you go to school?

We have to say goodbye now, Billy.

I'll be good.

I promise.

I love you, buddy.

Billy, it's time to go. No!

Don't leave me. Come on, it'll be fine.

Mommy!

No!

We don't know what William Russ intended to do with the car he stole on August

11th. Strip it down, keep it, joyride.

We don't know.

And we'll never know.

Because as this 13 -year -old fled from the car, as he was running home to his

mother, that man right there shot him in the back.

This is not in dispute.

What is in dispute...

is why.

And the defendant, police officer Brian Chisholm, claims he was suddenly

confronted with black drug dealers who shot at him. And fearing for his life,

returned fire, accidentally killing William Russ.

There is no evidence of these drug dealers.

There is no evidence of any bullets fired from the guns of these phantom

dealers. The reason for this?

There were no drug dealers.

We will place an eyewitness at the scene who saw Officer Chisholm shoot William

Ross. This witness saw no one else except the victim and that man, the

white police officer who shot him and then stood over the body of an unarmed

and claimed self -defense and then just expected everyone to believe him.

I don't believe him. And after you've heard all the evidence?

Neither will you.

A week ago, they had no eyewitnesses.

Then, suddenly, this man here, Darren Holloway, pays a little visit to the

neighborhood, and a witness appears.

See, Darren Holloway represents the family of the victim.

Darren Holloway stands to make a lot of money through a lawsuit.

A lawsuit which would be easier won if Brian Chisholm receives a criminal

conviction here.

The eyewitness is lying.

The eyewitness was never there.

Drug dealers were there. They shot at this man. He fired back. And yes,

Russ was accidentally killed. That's what happened.

The evidence will bear out.

That's exactly what happened.

While defense attorney...

shooting was accidental.

Prosecution plans to call its first witness on Monday. In other news, Police

Commissioner Kevin

Nothing, Mom. I just had a bad dream.

I wanted to keep seeing you.

But I couldn't.