Original subtitles

Previously on L .A. Law.

I think what Becker did was obstruction of justice.

Assume that's true. What he did is done. There's no ongoing crime being

committed. There's no reason for having Becker under surveillance.

Given that the case is on my desk, Tommy, I think that's a determination to

made by me.

It is not appropriate that it be on your desk. It's not appropriate?

You've been sleeping with a sitting judge for the past six months, and

going to tell me what is and isn't appropriate?

Your wife is holding you up with the threat to make public you're going to

prostitutes. I'd like to take an aggressive position in response.

What do you mean? Number one, I deny it. I am in the book.

How much?

A million five.

Which buys me what?

All records pertaining to Frank Ascoff are destroyed.

Neither myself nor my employees will reveal that Frank Ascoff was ever a

Camilla!

Thanks very much for coming at us at short notice.

You sure you don't want some coffee? No. No, thank you.

At this stage, we're just questioning anyone who had recent dealings with Miss

Greer.

Please sit down.

So when did you last see her?

Uh, two days ago.

And what were the circumstances?

It involved a legal matter.

Was it how you and Miss Greer knew each other, this legal matter?

Uh, actually, we met several years ago, a mutual friend introduced us.

How often did you see her after that?

Four or five times, all social occasions.

Were you a client?

No, no, our relationship was strictly social.

She never procured anyone to accommodate your particular taste in women?

What's that supposed to mean? When it comes to women, you're something of a

rough rider.

What? Did Miss Greer ever try to extort money from you in exchange for keeping

your relationship secret?

Look, I came down here voluntarily as someone who happened to know the

If I'm a suspect, I should have damn well been told before you started asking

questions. You are a suspect, Mr. Becker. Based on what?

Based on the fact that you were seen leaving Camilla Greer's home last night

hours before her body was found. You want to tell us what you were doing

I'm not answering any more questions.

All right, at this point, I have to inform you that you are under arrest for

murder of Camilla Greer. What?

You have a right to remain silent. If you give up that right, anything you say

can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have a right to an

attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided to you

charge. Now, do you understand each of these rights as I've explained them to

you?

He went down to the police station to make what he thought was a routine

statement. They arrested him for murder. And he didn't tell you any more than

that? Not on the phone. This is unbelievable.

Has the bail hearing been set? The DA's office is playing games.

I'm going there this morning to see Holtzman. You mean he might have to

the night in jail?

It is a distinct possibility.

Once it's set, Anne, can you handle the bail hearing? Sure. The only problem is

I won't be able to talk to Arnie until this afternoon. I'm in court all

I'll go talk to him. Jonathan, you should talk to the police. Find out the

of all the officers involved.

Get as much as you can. Right. We may also need the services of private

investigators. I'll call Jinx. All of Arnold's active clients need to be

contacted, reassured, and signed to other members of the firm until Arnold

available again. You and I should make those calls, Douglas. And under no

circumstances should anyone talk to the press.

We'll issue a short statement emphasizing our support and belief in

innocence. I can do that. I have some contacts at the L .A. Times.

I'll talk to the office staff.

Good.

There's no chance he actually did it, is there?

We will proceed on the assumption there is not.

Excuse me.

I'm looking for Miss Ionello.

Oh, she's over there. Thanks.

Okay. Yeah, I got it on.

I'll tell him you called.

Bye -bye.

Hi, I'm here about the copier.

I thought you were coming yesterday.

Yeah, I know, and I'm sorry. I was hung up in traffic most of the afternoon.

Well, somebody could have called.

They didn't call you? No, nobody called. I apologize for that. Have you been

here before?

No, never.

Oh, Benny, can you show this gentleman where the copier is?

Oh, sure.

Thank you.

Oh, Stan, I've been looking for you. What's up?

I want to talk to you about John Rosten.

Oh, come on, Tommy.

There's got to be another way to do this.

I thought we already had this discussion. Whether we like it or not,

strikes is the law. What if we reduce the charge to a misdemeanor? One year,

county jail.

The guy received $6 ,000 worth of stolen goods.

How do you make that into a misdemeanor?

I think we can figure some special circumstances.

I get the conviction John Roston does like.

That's right. Stan, he got caught with stolen building supplies.

Before that, he committed two armed robberies. Go for the felony, Tommy, and

for the conviction. He did those robberies and served time for them 15

ago. What happened to a little prosecutorial discretion?

The three strikes law is what happened.

Our job is not to redefine it, but to enforce it, as is across the board.

No exceptions.

Go for the felony, Tommy.

It's me.

Hi, I just called you.

I pulled some strings and I got us a suite at the Ventana for Friday,

and Sunday night.

Great.

That was convincing.

Oh, I just talked to Halsman.

And he won't agree to reducing the charge against John Rosten?

Nope.

Are you surprised?

I don't think I've ever gone into a trial before where I've actually wanted

lose.

Well... I'm sure that once you're in there, whatever ambivalence you have

soon give way to that well -worn killer instinct of yours. And more is the pity.

I win, and this guy goes away for life?

Look, the guy has committed two violent felonies in the past that we know about.

God knows how many we don't know about. And having committed a third...

Nonviolent felony. A felony, nevertheless. He's got to pay the

I hate it.

Who's the judge?

Arthur Bryson.

You're not going to be too crazy about this either.

What? Remember I told you I lived with a man for a couple of years?

Well, that man was Arthur Bryson.

Does he know about us?

Tommy, we've been seeing each other for three months.

The courthouse parking attendant knows about us. Well, should I ask him to

recuse himself?

Well, see how it goes. I really don't think it's necessary.

The relationship's been over for a while, and we're very cordial to one

and as a rule, Arthur's pretty fair -minded.

Who else have you slept with around this courthouse?

I don't think you really want to know the answer to that, do you? Oh, you

You slut, your honor.

Ah, forgive me.

Get me

out

of here.

Everything's being handled.

You need to tell me what happened.

The cops asked me to come down here for routine questioning.

I cooperated.

Next thing I know, they accused me of being one of Camilla's customers.

Were you a customer?

No.

Did the police give you any indication as to why they consider you a suspect?

Last night, I went to Camilla Greer's on behalf of Frank Ascoff.

You didn't report it.

Frank hired me in large part to protect his reputation. I didn't want to

associate myself, if I extension him, to a prostitute's murder.

Do you think that Frank could have...

Sorry to keep you waiting, Leland.

Well, there's no sense breaking with tradition this late in life.

What have we got?

How's the pain?

It passes.

Are you taking the medication?

Nope. Leland. Well, for some odd reason, my clients and my partners rely on me

to keep a clear mind.

Now, what are we looking at?

The biopsy came back positive.

It remains to be seen what course of treatment to follow.

But we didn't catch it early.

You'd always like to catch it earlier.

But no, we didn't.

I'd like to schedule you for surgery. We need to get in there and see how things

stand.

How are you the week of the 23rd?

Fine.

Excuse me. Is all that whistling necessary?

Oh, forgive me.

Was I bothering you?

A little bit. You whistle a lot, you know.

Yeah, I do whistle a lot.

I find it relaxes me. Yeah, well, it could be somewhat annoying to others.

Oh, that's interesting.

You know, there are those who very much enjoy it. Is that right? Yeah.

You know, there was a period of time where my dad used to whistle the theme

the movie Laura.

You know the one.

and over and over again, you know, until I finally said to him, Dad, you've got

to expand your repertoire a bit.

You know what he said to me? He said, Chet, when I get a song in my head, I

a song in my head.

Could you please stop whistling?

Mr. Dorsett, on or around March 10th, 1994, did you have a conversation with

defendant, John Rosten, regarding Copper Pipe?

Objection. Calls for hearsay.

Admission against interest?

Overruled. The witness will answer.

I told John that the Meyer brothers were planning on stealing a load of Copper

Pipe from Stroessner's building supply.

I also told him that if he held it in his yard until a buyer was found, he

make himself 500 bucks.

What was his response?

Said it was okay. Did you actually see the pipe after it was stolen in Mr.

Rosten's possession?

Yes, I did. I saw it in his garage.

I have no further questions.

Mr. Dorsett, when you asked Mr. Rosten to hold on to the copper piping, you

no mention of the fact that it was stolen. Isn't that true?

Uh, no, that's not true.

Do you have any reason to lie here today, sir?

No. Isn't it true that at the time of your arrest, you offered to testify

against Mr. Rosten and the Myatt brothers in return for leniency?

I offered to tell the truth.

What, if anything, did the district attorney's office offer you in exchange

testifying? They would charge me with a misdemeanor. Are you familiar with

California's three strikes law?

Objection. Sidebar, Your Honor.

Approach.

Your Honor. The three strikes law is irrelevant.

We all know that the jury's not supposed to consider punishment when deciding

guilt or innocence.

Miss Krieger's only making reference to it to get sympathy for her client. Your

Honor, this law is entirely relevant. It goes to impeach Mr. Mulaney's star

witness who was facing his third strike when he cut his deal with the DA.

Is that true?

Yes. It goes to the credibility of the witness. The objection's overruled.

Stand back.

Mr. Dorsett, at the time of your arrest, you had two felony convictions, one for

burglary and one for armed robbery, correct?

Yeah, that's correct.

Are you aware of the fact that had you been charged with the third felony,

be facing a mandatory sentence of 25 to life?

Yes. Would it be fair to say, then, that you were extremely anxious to reduce

your charge to a misdemeanor and willing to turn on people that you'd known most

of your life?

Oh, like they wouldn't do it to me? I wouldn't do it to you, Albert.

That's enough, Mr. Austin.

What sentence did you receive as a result of your deal?

I got three years probation.

I have nothing further.

Witness may step down.

This court is adjourned for lunch until 2 p .m. Mr. Mullaney, would you please

give me five minutes in the room so I can explain to you how this all

Mr. Krieger, would you please advise your client that this constitutes an

inappropriate communication?

I just want you to see who I am. I'm not the type of person you should be doing

this to. All right, come on, John. Mr. Mullaney, please, five minutes. That's

all I ask.

Your Honor, the defense asked that Mr. Becker's bail be set at $100 ,000.

My client has numerous ties to this community, not the least of which is a

longstanding partnership with the law firm of McKenzie Brackman.

As such, he does not represent a flight risk.

Respectively, Your Honor, the people disagree.

Mr. Becker has the financial means and the connections to leave this country

quickly and quietly.

We ask that he be held without bail.

Ask the counsel, explain her reference to financial means and connections, Your

Honor. Ms. Fox.

Mr. Becker's salary is in the high six figures.

And he owns property in Ibiza.

Although the defendant will gladly give up his passport, I would ask that

counsel explain how she knows these things about my client. He told me. In

context of your investigation of this case? In the context of a conversation

had prior to his arrest. This brings us to our second motion, Your Honor. We ask

that the court order the District Attorney's Office to disqualify Ms. Fox

prosecutor in this case.

Why would I do that, Ms. Kelsey? She was recently involved in a romantic

relationship with my client, which ended rather badly.

We believe that her resulting animus makes it impossible for her to

this case in an unbiased manner. Your Honor, my relationship with Mr. Becker

inconsequential and has no bearing on this case.

These charges were brought against the defendant because he was seen leaving

scene of the murder by two investigators for the district attorney's office.

His fingerprints were found throughout the victim's house and on the victim's

body. And who was it that assigned the investigators to follow him in the first

place? I did.

For what reason?

Mr. Becker is the subject of an ongoing investigation for obstructing justice.

That is a total sham!

This woman is out to get me. That is the only reason that I'm here.

Miss Kelsey, please advise your client that these outbursts are in no way

helping his case.

I'm sure he understands that, Your Honor. All right. As to this motion for

disqualification, I want supporting papers filed by both sides.

I'll take that matter under advisement.

As to the issue of bail, I do not believe that Arnold Becker represents a

risk. Therefore, I'm going to set bail on this matter.

Due to the seriousness of the crime, I'm going to order the bail be set in the

sum of $500 ,000.

All right, let's call the next case, please.

So what's the problem?

There's no problem.

It's just I'm not sure this is the weekend to go away.

I need to get to this.

So what's up there exactly?

What do you mean? It's Big Sur. Haven't you ever been to Big Sur?

We're clearing your table right now, Judge. Thanks, Rudy.

It's far, isn't it?

It only takes two hours to get there.

You don't think it would be more relaxing to just stay in town and sulk?

No, I don't. All right.

Look, I have a sweet reserve, a hot tub and a fireplace, plus massages scheduled

for both days. I think we should take advantage of that, don't you?

I heartily concur.

Hi, Arthur.

Hi, Carol. Judge Bryson.

Counselor. Counselor.

Hi, Calvin.

Good to meet you, Tommy Mullaney. Ginger, it's a pleasure.

Thank you.

What's it look like? Give me five minutes.

I'll see you at the table.

So where are we going?

Ventana. Oh, I remember it well.

Yes, it didn't stop raining the whole time we were there.

Both times we were there.

Your Honor, your table's ready.

Good seeing you again, Carol.

Counselor.

Yes, change that date.

Change that date to tomorrow.

Arnie, I called when I heard it on the news.

You and everybody I ever knew.

Well, what happened?

I went there to make the offer. I found her dead.

You didn't say anything to the police about me, did you?

Attorney client privilege obtains. I didn't violate your confidence.

I appreciate that.

Attorney -client privilege does not obtain when the attorney has to defend

himself.

Now, you mean you're not my lawyer anymore?

That's right. One of the principal components of my defense is going to be

pointing the finger at someone else.

As far as I'm concerned, whoever was in Camilla's book is a potential suspect.

It's going to be hard to know who they all are. I mean, I imagine whoever

her also got rid of the book.

Was it you, Frank?

What do you mean?

I mean, was it you?

I take it you're asking me this not as my lawyer, huh? I'm asking you this as

someone who's been arrested for murder.

Look, they're not going to make this thing stick.

I mean, if you didn't do it, they're not going to convict you.

Sometimes that equation doesn't hold true.

Well, it wasn't me, okay?

It wasn't me.

So you know, I'm going about defending myself with everything this office has

bear. That means tough -flight trial lawyers. It means private investigators.

Whatever it takes, I will prove that I did not commit this murder.

Well, no doubt you will.

Mr. Rosten, how did you come to have $6 ,000 worth of stolen copper pipe in your

garage? Albert Dorsett asked me if he could keep it there as a favor.

I did not know it was stolen.

Did he say why he needed you to keep it there?

He said he bought the pipe for a plumbing job and needed someplace to

Is it your testimony that he made no mention of the fact that the pipe was

stolen? Yes.

Following your arrest, did you sign this confession stating that you did have

knowledge that the pipe was stolen?

Yes. Why did you sign it if it wasn't true?

Because the cops told me they had me dead to rights, but that they could go

on me if I was cooperative.

Have you ever been convicted of a felony before this?

Sidebar, Your Honor.

Approach.

Counsel's trying to slip in that he's facing strike three, Your Honor. I

that to be both irrelevant and prejudicial. The fact that he was facing

third strike meant that his only chance of leniency was having this reduced to a

misdemeanor. That's what the cops promised him. That's what they lied to

about. I've been advised that no promises were made.

Counselor, whether or not your client was misled, there's no evidence that the

confession was coerced.

As such, I find testimony as to the so -called three strikes law are the type

sentence Mr. Rosten is likely to receive if found guilty to be prejudicial

rather than probative.

You're to make no mention of either one.

Stand back.

Mr. Rosten, how long has it been since you were convicted of a crime?

More than 15 years.

You gainfully employed?

Yes. I've been working in a hardware store for the past 12 years.

Are you permitted to operate the register, handle cash?

Yes. You ever been accused of stealing anything while you were working there?

Objection. Sustained.

Okay.

I have nothing further.

According to police records, you and Albert Dorsett were arrested for

together back in 1975.

Objection. Past bad acts are inadmissible. I move for an immediate

Defense counsel brought up his record on direct. She opened the door.

So she did.

The objection's overruled.

Is it your testimony that knowing Mr.

Dorsett's history, you had no suspicion, no inkling at all that the copper pipe

he was asking you to look after was stolen?

I didn't think about it. Were you lying when you confessed to the police?

Yes, they told me that was the only way they could knock it down to a

misdemeanor. Wouldn't you agree?

But you have a far greater incentive to lie today than you did on the day you

were arrested.

I don't deserve to get life imprisonment over this, sir. Move to strike. I've

got two children. Mr. Austin. A girl who's seven and a boy who's nine.

Mr. Austin, that's enough.

The jury's instructed to disregard the defendant's outburst.

Mr. Mullaney.

No more questions.

Thank you.

Benny, have you seen Chet, the copier guy?

No, I don't think he's been here today.

I feel bad.

How come?

Ah, because this guy was whistling, and he got on my nerves, so I told him to

stop. So why do you feel bad?

I don't know. I guess I was a little harsh, right?

I don't know.

Was he obnoxious?

No, not really. I mean, the guy was just whistling.

I don't like this whistling.

More guilt?

Is he coming back?

I assume so. I mean, I don't think he finished programming the copier.

If somebody comes back, they'll tell him you're sorry.

Is that absolutely necessary?

No. It's really up to you.

You should have known better than to ask the two of you.

Okay. I'll put a tail on him starting tonight.

We have to be prepared for the possibility of his leaving the country.

at this point, there's nothing we can do to prevent that.

So, track his movements.

That I can do. Are we looking into any of her other clients?

I'm going to talk to some of the girls, see if I can start piecing together a

list. You think it was Frank, though? Yes, I do.

Well, until we have something definite, we mustn't overlook anything.

I want to ride along with you when you tail him. What for?

Because I want to watch him with my own eyes.

What is it you think all of a sudden I'm going to miss something?

Chink, if I can gain some insight by riding along with you and thereby assist

my own defense, I think it's probably time well spent.

I'll be in front of the building at 5 .30.

I guess there's no reason for me to come along in that case.

Was there ever?

Can a reasonable person look at the prosecution's evidence and not have

as to Mr. Rosten's guilt?

I think a reasonable person could have strong doubts.

Mr. Rosten was in custody for five hours before he confessed.

He was scared.

And the police...

We're telling him over and over again that he was as good as convicted and

it was to his advantage to confess.

And he believed them.

The only other evidence comes from a man with two violent felony convictions who

under the three strikes law is looking at a possible life sentence if

A man who would do or say anything to get out of that.

Thanks to the DA.

That man is a free man.

While the defendant, a man who has led an exemplary life for more than 15

a man who also has two felony convictions, but stopped being a

ago, is sitting here facing life in prison. Objection. Move to strike.

Objection sustained.

Defense counsel's last remarks are stricken. The jury is instructed to

disregard. Ms. Krieger, you are treading dangerously close to a mistrial.

John Rosten says he did not know the pipe was stolen.

I ask you, as reasonable men and women, to give him the benefit of the doubt.

All I ask is that you look at the facts.

$6 ,000 of stolen pipe was found in Mr. Rosten's yard.

By Mr.

Rosten's own testimony.

The man who asked him to store the pipe, Albert Dorsett, had been his partner in

crime. Mr.

Rosten knew Dorsett was a thief, not a plumber. He knew the pipe was stolen. He

admitted so himself.

In writing.

Now that's something innocent people don't usually do.

And, despite Ms. Krieger's suggestion,

There's no evidence of any kind that Mr. Rosten's confession was coerced.

As jurors, your job is not to consider what penalty lies ahead for Mr. Rosten

he's convicted.

My job is to present you with those facts which I believe prove John

Rosten's guilt.

Your job is to examine those facts and make a decision.

I'm confident that having done so...

you will find John Rosten guilty.

Remember Gene Hackman and the French Connection?

He was on the street eating pizza, drinking coffee, while Fernando Rey was

restaurant.

Remember that? What's he doing in there? He's buying magazines.

You're taking it at a sweet time.

Would it be out of the question for me to go over there and buy a magazine?

Completely out of the question.

But I have an idea.

Why don't you boys go home and I'll bring you a full report in the morning.

I gotta use the bathroom.

There's a bar half a block up and try not to let him see you.

Boy, you really know your way around this kind of thing, don't you?

Why are you here, Eli?

I told you, I want to keep an eye on Artie. Right.

Now, why don't you tell me the reason?

What if I said that I had hoped to rekindle the spark that used to be there

between us? I'd say that tonight is probably not a good night to do that.

That's all right. If I've managed to lay a foundation so that rekindling might

occur at a later date, I've accomplished something.

Have I done that?

Careful. Be careful.

So,

what kind of massage did you schedule?

Basic shiatsu.

Which is what? You've never had a shiatsu massage?

I've never had any massage.

You're kidding.

Well, not everybody has massages, Carolyn.

You're still going to go through with it, though, aren't you? Good.

I can't believe you've never had a massage.

Arthur?

Yeah, Arthur.

I want to talk to you.

Okay.

I want to go somewhere else. I don't want to talk here.

This really isn't a good time.

Whatever it is, can we talk about it tomorrow?

No, I don't want to talk tomorrow. I want to talk right now. Why don't I step

out for a minute, huh?

No.

We'll talk tomorrow, Arthur.

Every day for the past week, this son of a bitch has been standing in my

courtroom. I have had to look at him. I have had to listen to him.

Up until... Today, I could handle it.

I think Mr. Mulaney will bear me out when I say that I think I've been fair

my rulings and judicial in my temperament.

When, however, I heard you were going away to Big Sur together for the

something in me just gave out.

Either pull yourself together and go home.

If you don't do that, I'm going to have to call the police.

Oh, isn't he capable of throwing me out?

Are you challenging me, sir?

Yes, sir.

Right here and now, I'm challenging you.

I want you to demonstrate how much you're willing to risk for this lady.

it.

Look, why don't we go outside and talk this out? Take your hand off me.

You have no idea how much I loved you.

I think it's time to leave, Your Honor.

You can't imagine how terrifying it is to actually be faced with the

of going to prison.

There's still a lot that has to happen before you reach that point.

You know, I never told you this.

I was secretly happy when you stopped seeing Eli.

Yeah? Why was that?

I guess I felt if you were going to be seeing anybody at the firm, it should be

me. Mm -hmm.

time it was me yes it was everything about that happening again are you

because you're terrified to face the possibility you might go to prison or

because we just happen to be sitting here both

you're unbelievable and with all the stuff that you have in your mind you

make the time for a little action That isn't an answer, Jinxie.

Here you go.

What's he doing?

Oh, my God. That's what he's doing.

Do you have any inkling of it?

No.

Barney, where are you going?

Barney.

Want to roll down your window, Frank?

What do you want?

You and I need to have a little chat.

Who's that?

Just someone I know. Someone who doesn't want to go to prison for committing a

murder. You and I both know that I didn't commit.

Bye.

What do you want, Harney?

Look, would you two go back to the car for a minute? Just give me a minute.

What do you want?

I want you to take a good look at yourself, Frank.

It's three in the morning, you're in the middle of a murder investigation, and

you're picking up hustlers in West Hollywood? What does that tell you?

It's nothing I haven't known for a very long time.

Camilla Greer was providing you with male prostitutes?

Look, I don't want to get into this with you, honey, now excuse me, huh?

You listen to me, Frank. Whether you come forward of your own free will, or

whether you're a drag for it, kicking and screaming, you and all your

are coming out.

I have no way of knowing.

What do you mean?

Chet had himself a heart attack yesterday.

Last I heard, he was still in intensive care.

Oh, my God.

How well did you know him?

I hardly knew him at all.

He was a good egg.

Whistling used to drive me crazy, but all in all, he was a good egg.

It's all programmed and ready to go. You shouldn't have any problems.

You want me to take you through it?

No, no, thank you.

Oh,

it's great, Max.

He's in with Arnie.

So after I took off last night, I just drove, just pretty much through

to the house that I had lived in for the past 22 years.

And Vivian allowed me to come in.

I proceeded to tell her the truth.

It was quite a night.

I always thought that if you were smart enough, you could hide almost anything,

but... No, that's proven not to be the case.

Why'd you kill her, Frank?

Look, I didn't start out intending to. I went over there to try to make a deal

with her. That's what I was going over there for.

Yeah, I know, but your heart wasn't in it.

I just thought... that I could do it better.

Why did you kill her? I realized I couldn't trust her.

I mean, no matter how much money I paid her, it seemed that there'd always be

that chance that my secret would get out.

And realizing that, I panicked.

I, um... I put my hands in her throat.

And before I knew what I was doing, I'd strangled her.

Now what?

Now I turn myself in.

You want to have a lawyer with you when you do that.

Can any of you represent him? No, no one here can represent him.

We'll find you a lawyer.

Good.

I think I want to... I want to go home now and change my clothes before I go

down there.

Arnie, I'm sorry for what I put you through.

I'm really sorry.

Good luck, Frank.

Has the jury reached a verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

In the matter of the people versus John Roston on the charge of receiving stolen

property, we, the jury, find the defendant guilty.

Your Honor, we ask that Mr. Roston be released on bail pending sentencing. I

don't believe that'll be necessary, counsel. I'm ready to pronounce sentence

now.

I've been a judge for 17 years now.

I can honestly say that I've never loved a job half so well.

And all the time I have been on the bench, I judged each case based on

its merits.

And I imposed sentences after considering the severity of the crime

character of the individual who's responsible.

I considered both, and I considered them...

Carefully.

But a new law has come into being.

And now I'm instructed not to consider anything.

My mandate is to mete out punishment based on categories.

Upon conviction of a third felony, the defendant is sentenced to

life imprisonment. No ifs. ands or buts, no consideration.

Well, folks, I'm not going to do that.

I realize that as a result, in all probability, sanctions will be imposed

I suspect that come next election, I'll be off the ballot and off the bench.

But as much as I love being here, I can honestly say none of that matters to me.

What matters to me is that as a sitting justice, I do that which I think is

just.

It's not a matter of being heroic. It's not a matter of being noble.

Mostly, it just lets me sleep better at night.

Mr. Austin, despite the fact that the crime for which you have been found

is your third felony,

You are sentenced to one year probation.

The jury's dismissed for the thanks of the court.

We are adjourned.

Arnie.

Hello, Belinda.

Normally I'd say it's great to see you, but if you'll forgive me right now is

not a good time.

We have something to talk about, you and I.

I can't imagine what.

Ascoff confessed to Camilla Greer's murder. You're no longer a suspect.

The only reason I was a suspect was because of you. The reason you were a

suspect was because you left the scene of a crime without reporting it.

Look, let's cut through the crap, Belinda.

It's only you and me here.

You had me followed out of personal malice. You went looking for anything

could find, and this just happened to fall in your lap.

You misused the power of your office as a way of exacting some sort of sick

revenge. You have a pretty high opinion of yourself, don't you, Arnie?

You think every ex -girlfriend you couldn't make a commitment to stays up

plotting your downfall? I could bring you up on charges to the Attorney

General's office. I could personally sue you for libel. Then why don't you?

Because I don't want to involve myself in your life one minute longer than I

have to. And should you decide to involve yourself any further in mine, I

hesitate. I will take you on, and I will bring you down.

You wanted a commitment?

That's a commitment.

Are you packed?

Yeah. Are you miserable?

When your friend the judge came over here last night,

I thought he was kind of a sad guy.

He didn't look sad today.

Do you admire him for what he did?

Yeah. He placed his own gratification over the doing of his job. I find that

contemptible. His job is to administer justice.

His job is to administer the law.

Three strikes, you're out, is the law.

It's a stinking law.

I happen to disagree with you, but even if I didn't...

He did today what he did last night. He took over. He anointed himself king.

All I can say is that I wish I had had the courage to act on my convictions to

the extent he did.

I wish I had had the courage to anoint myself king.

Well, I'll tell you what.

While we're away this weekend, I'll let you pretend.

You wanted to see me?

Oh, yeah.

Rosenstiel is set for the 17th?

I believe so.

I don't want any more continuances in that case.

Whoever's going to handle it, I want it to go forward.

Will do.

Also, I have to go into the hospital in a week or so. I'm not sure of the exact

date.

What's it for?

I was in getting my prostate examined. My internist found something.

Your secretary in there, and she said you had to sign this before I give it to

the minister. Could you wait outside, Benny, please?

He said he's parked downstairs in the circle. It doesn't matter, Benny.

Wait outside.

I will just be a minute.

Oh, my God, Leland.

I don't want any visitors when I'm in that hospital.

Okay. The Bradshaw arbitration is scheduled for that week. I'll need for

take over.

Fine.

Well, that's about it.

I'll keep you posted.

How does it look, then?

Well, we won't know until after the surgery.

Is there anything I can do?

Well, try not to lose the bride show.

Why don't you ask Benny to come in?

Okay.

Benny?

Can I come in now?

Yes, you may.

Is everything okay?

Everything's fine.

May I close the door?

If you would.