All language subtitles for L.A. Law S08E21 Whistle Stop

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'd deny
it. I am in the book.

How much?

A million five.

Which buys me what? All records
pertaining to Frank Ascoff are

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.

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?

Uh, no, no. Our relationship was
strictly social.

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

What's that supposed to mean? Here, 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?

And 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 names of all the officers
involved.

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

investigator. 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.

Okay, 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. Thanks. 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 Rosten 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.

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

Saturday, and Sunday night.

Great.

That was convincing.

Oh, I just talked to Holzman.

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's 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 consequences.

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 another, 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.

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
killed her?

I don't know.

He certainly had motive.

But knowing Camilla, he wasn't the only
one. Look, I gotta talk to Frank.

Okay.

I'll let you know as soon as the bail
hearing's set.

Do we know a DA's in charge of my case?

Someone named Belinda Fox.

Do you know her?

Yeah, I know her.

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 painting?

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.

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.

Well, 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 of 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?

Sorry.

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.

Roston's possession?

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

I have no further questions.

Mr. Dorsett, when you asked Mr.

Roston to hold on to the copper piping,
you made 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.

This 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.

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, you'd 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. Roster.

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

Ms. 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

-standing 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 financial means and the
connections to leave this country

and quietly.

We ask that he be held without bail.

Ask that 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

district attorney's office to disqualify
Ms. Fox as 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 prosecute

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

flight risk.

Therefore, I'm going to set bail in 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 knew you'd get to this.

So what's up there exactly?

Yes, sir, about ten o 'clock.

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'll only take us 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 massage is scheduled for both days.
I think we should take advantage of

that, don't you?

I heartily concur.

Hi, Arthur.

Hi, Carolyn. Judge Bryson.

Counselor. Counselor.

Hi, Carolyn.

Good to meet you, Tommy Mullaney.

Judge Riddick. 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, we didn't stop her any more until
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 at 3.

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

to 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. Roston, 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 easy 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. 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.

So when he comes back, he'll tell him
you're sorry.

Is that absolutely necessary?

No. It's really up to 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.

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

So, crack 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 his 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
that kind of thing, don't you?

Why are you here, you know?

I told you, I want to keep an eye on
Arnie.

Right. Then 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.

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

a later date, I have accomplished
something.

Have I done that?

Be 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?

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, is 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.

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.

It was me.

Yes, it was.

You ever think about that happening
again?

Are you asking 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 still make the time for a

little action.

That isn't an answer, Jinkx.

Here he comes.

What's he doing?

Oh, my God.

That's what he's doing.

Do you have any inkling of this?

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. Yes, 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, Arnie?

Look, would you two go back to the car
for a minute? This is not the way to go.

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 board kicking and
screaming, you and all your sisters are

coming out.

Chet coming back?

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. He
shouldn't have any problems.

You want me to take you through it?

No. No, thank you.

Oh, 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... The last 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 didn't you kill her? I realized I
couldn't trust her.

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

be that chance that... that my secret
would get out.

And realizing that, I panicked.

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

Before I knew what I was doing, I'd
strangled him.

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... 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.

You're back?

Yeah. Very 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?

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, Benny.

Okay.

Oh, my God.

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?

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.