All language subtitles for Equal.Justice.S01E01.Pilot.1080p.AMZN.DDP2.0.H.264-BTN_4_text

[opening theme music playing]

♪Living in a real world♪

♪We try to rise above♪

♪All we see, searching for
something to believe♪

♪One day you'll find
you can make a life♪

♪That's worth living through♪

♪If you are living
for the truth♪

♪All that we're trying
to win♪

♪Feels like a mountain
to climb♪

♪We can make it over
over time♪

♪Hold on♪

♪Hold on♪

♪We can make it over
over time♪

♪And all that we're trying
to win♪

♪Feels like a mountain
to climb♪

♪We can make it over
over time♪

♪Hold on♪

♪Hold on♪

♪We can make it over
over time♪♪

[choir]
♪Didn't my Lord♪

-♪Didn't my Lord♪
-♪Didn't my Lord♪

♪Didn't my Lord♪

♪Didn't my Lord
deliver Daniel♪

♪deliver Daniel
deliver Daniel?♪

♪Didn't my Lord
deliver Daniel♪

♪and why not every man?♪

♪Didn't my Lord
deliver Daniel♪

♪deliver Daniel
deliver Daniel?♪

[indistinct speaking]

♪Didn't my Lord
deliver Daniel♪

♪deliver Daniel
deliver Daniel?♪

We'll go Friday night.

Best food, best music.

We don't have a date.

We don't need dates.

Yeah, we don't need dates.

No looking for guys.

What are you wearing?

Uh, black skirt, black
stockings, black boots.

-You're looking for guys.
-[laughs]

How long can
they keep this up?

-It's getting bigger
every day.
-Yeah, it is.

♪and why not every man?♪

♪He delivered Daniel
from the lion’s den♪

♪and Jonah from
the belly of the whale♪

♪and the Hebrew children
from the fiery furnace♪

♪and why not every man?♪♪

[female reporter]
In the case
of four white police officers

accused of killing
Stevie Howard, a Black youth,

protesters have returned
for the 12th day.

In a televised statement
last night,

Reverend Marcus Calvin
demanded a meeting
with the district attorney,

accusing the D.A.
of wanting a whitewash

in the emotionally
charged case.

[Reverend]
The question is:

Is he prepared to deal
with the truth?

Credibility
of the district attorney's
office is the issue,

not whether a murder
has been committed.

There is no doubt
that a murder
has been committed.

That is irrefutable
and uncontested by all.

[Arnold] What office
is this guy running for?

He's getting more press
than the president.

Pull yourself back a little.
Keep this thing in perspective.

Do me a favor,
will you, Gene?

I got elected district attorney
because of perspective.

Let me have
that water, will you?

We're not campaigning anymore.
We're just trying a case.

Don't be so naive, will you?
This is a campaign.

Calvin's got us
sitting in a fishbowl.

Everything he does,
he exploits for his own agenda.
I promised the people justice.

Now, Calvin's got the Blacks
climbing up my door
screaming, "Prove it."

-Arnold.
-Every move, every motion,

every decision
affecting this trial,

I want to cross my desk
before it happens.
That's what I want.

What do you wanna do,
try this case
from your office?

Don't undermine
what I can do for you.

I walk through that crowd
every morning, afternoon.

You don't. I'm gonna be
reading every transcript.

I'm gonna be meeting James
every day. That's my job.

Trust my judgment.

Everything, Gene.
Cross my desk.

Is that it?

Yeah, that's it.

Wait a minute.
You have a meeting with
Calvin and Mrs. Howard.

I wanna know everything
that goes on in that meeting.

That's tomorrow. What time?

That's exactly my point.
You guys set the meeting.

It's this morning, Arnold.

Today.

[orchestral music playing]

[sings along]

-Hi.
-Morning, Melanie.

-Good morning.
-Hello, Christopher.

Jo Ann, those flowers came
for you this morning.

-Really? They're for me?
-Uh-huh.

They're beautiful.

-Oh, Andy.
-"Thanks for last night."

-Owen Ransel, the lawyer from
Melnick and Ransel called.
-Whoa!

Owen Ransel wants to meet me?

Is there something
you want to tell us?

-Are you leaving us?
-Joan? Who's Joan?

Hey, Andy. When you
have your meeting,

could you mention my name?
I'd appreciate it.

Listen, Melanie.

These flowers are not for me.

These flowers are for somebody
who has a personal life.

I'm sorry, Jo Ann.
These are for Joan,
down in clerical.

-I'll send them down to her.
-Clerical.

Thanks, anyway.

Three years of law school,
I don't get diddly.

Hi, Mike.

[screams] Oh.

Sheila.

Good morning.

Briggs!

It's not funny, Briggs.

You're sick. You know that?
You're really sick. Very sick.

Tell us something
we don't know.

Sheila, that wasn't funny.

If you have a problem,
you come to me.

You don't go running off.
You don't try and solve it
by yourself.

Let me have
Sergeant Sanders, please.

Jo Ann, would you
put some toast on?
Yeah, it's Mike James.

You owe me one, Briggs.
Prelims.

Come on, honest to God.
Take some over for me.
Help me out.

Jo Ann, what, and
help out a rookie?

This is your time
of suffering.

This is your time of pain.

I can't help you.
You'd regret it. I couldn't.

Denny. How you doing?
Mike James here.

Listen. How's Margaret?

Terrific. Denny,
I need one from you.

The officer's nightsticks
in the Howard killing.

I'm on my way
to trial tomorrow.

Have one of your uniforms
bring it up, will you?
Sure, I'll hold.

On the other hand,
do you have anything
blonde, 5'3", blue eyes?

Oh, sure. I got, um--
I got a prostitute.

Great, I'll take it.

Great.

You'll love him.
He's had a horrible life.

What do you mean, did I
go through procedure?

Since when do I have to
go through procedure?

-Is she in?
-[on TV]
He-- he touched me.

-Linda.
-Shh.

Where? I'm sorry,
but these are questions
I have to ask.

Cheryl, you were raped.

He's in jail, all right?

So these are things
that we've got to talk about.

These are things
I have to know.

-Hi.
-Hi. Have you got
any cigarettes?

You quit.

-I lied.
-I quit, too.

Come on, you are
a worse liar than I am.

Whatever happened
to that blood pact we made?

I'm not gonna smoke.
I just wanna hold it.

Come on, I'm gonna be
late for case review.

Thank you. Have a good one.

Denny, I know the game,
and I don't buy it from you.
Now, look.

Come on, they're talking
to half the town.

Silence. So very classy.

-So, what about it?
-What about it?

I don't know.
I don't know.

This is four cops
we're putting on trial here,
not the Brotherhood.

-See you guys at case review.
-Don't put me on hold!

I almost forgot.

I'm in the hot seat
today with Morgan.

[Andy] Don't sweat it.

Don't sweat it?
Are you crazy?

Briggs. Come on, it's 8:25.

[Mike] Look, you're playing
with me, man.

Come on, this is Mike James
you're talking to.

If that's what you guys
want to make out of it,
murder...

[calmly] ...is murder, friend.

[phone ringing]

-Good morning, Melanie.
-Good morning, Julie.

Thank you.

She's coming. She's coming.

Okay, boys.

Pay to play.

[orchestral music playing]

-Oh, boy, oh, boy.
-Ooh, baby, baby, baby.

Come on, come on. Let's go,
let's go. We're blowing it.

Your problem, counselor,
is that life is dodgy.

Behold, our angel of justice
and transformation.

One at a time,
one at a time.

Slowly, slowly.

[man] Okay, hurry up.
Come on, come on.

It's starting, it's starting.

-What?
-It's slow. Shh, shh, shh.

-Wait, wait, whoa!
-Yes, yes, yes.

Lady of truth prepares
to condemn the sinners
to expunge their evils.

Done. Unbelievable.

Brings a tear to one's eye.

-Wait, wait, wait.
-Come on, come on.

Baby.

-What?
-Oh, my God.

-What?
-Oh, my God.

What?

I've died and gone to heaven.

Let me in there.
Let me in there.

[indistinct conversations]

-[clattering]
-[gasps]

[groans]

Briggs!

Excuse me.

I've got a charge of criminal
mischief and possibility

of a weapon with intent,
basically a vandalism case.

I went down to the scene,
a convenience store,
several windows were shot out.

I found some witnesses
who saw the perpetrator.

They say they can identify him.
I took their statements.

-They told me what they saw.
-You took how many statements?

-Took six.
-That's a lot of story.

Anticipate inconsistencies
between what they told you
on the scene

and what you're gonna hear
when they take the stand.

-Yes. I anticipate that--
-You had someone with you

who can verify those
original statements, right?

So who did you have with you?
A police officer? A detective?

Oh, who was with me? I--

Um...

[scoffs]

Nobody.

Nobody, right?

So, this is your case.
These people get on the stand,

and they say something
different from your records,

and who is there to testify
to the inconsistencies?

Who, Harris?

I guess that it will be me.

Yes, counselor,
you're damn right.

But you just made yourself
a witness in your own case.

Because you were
so busy playing cop.

I've told you people.
When you're a lawyer,
you stand back.

Sir, I'd like to be able
to argue that.

There isn't any argument,
because the defense has a right

to those statements
and to question who took them.

And that person is standing
right in front of me.

So it's going to be like,
"Where is Harris?

In front of the grand
jury today? No.

She's the star defense
witness in her own case."

There's nothing funny.

You just cost me
another lawyer on this,

because I'm gonna have
to hire someone, because
you might be on the stand.

Go sit down. Merkle,
take over this case.

-You got my memo?
-Uh, yes, I did.

-But--
-Just trust me on this one.

I don't think
Mike's going to go for it.

Andy, where are we
on the Tomsic homicide?

I got 15 motions
hanging me up
on that murder arson.

And I got all these
to break into.

Unless you want me
to plead Tomsic out.

No. You really
can't get to it.

Six weeks.

Searls, you're up.

Boss, we have
an opening here.

I'd like to be considered
to take over for Andy.

Especially since
she's leaving.

-Leaving?
-[all] Boo.

I never said
I was leaving.

-[men] Boo.
-Guys.

Aren't you getting carried
away on this, Searls?

This is a residential
burglary and assault.

You've already got
100% I.D., positive prints.

The police made no effort
to recover the stolen goods,

which I needed to
salt this guy away.

So I twisted some arms
down at the precinct.

I had him go through
all the invoices on pawn guns
for the past three weeks.

My lead was a stolen gun,
led right to the rest
of the property.

Yeah, get in cross wires
with the police,

especially if there was any
badgering, considering
what we got going on--

Sir, we have an assault here.

We have intent to inflict
serious injury. Okay?

So that gives us three years
on the assault,

four years on burglary,
which kicks in five years more
for priors. That's 12 years.

They'd take a year off and me
getting him to take a plea?

He's got no defense.

It's 11 years in state prison.

I've got him off the street.
We don't go to court.

I'd say the ledger's
in the black on this one.

Let's end on a win.

That's it for today.

Pick up the memorandum
on juror voir dire
at the back of the room.

It's not a Bible. Don't get
all out of whack about it.

Don't sweat it. At least
you're getting out of here
with your life.

Yeah, not for long.
I'm in Parkins' court again.

Week four.

Maximum sentences.
It's all he wants.

Oh, looky down there, huh?

Diane Polson,
Network News, number one.

She could make you a star
just like that.

[choir singing outside]

Your Honor, the defendant is
charged with attempted murder
with a deadly weapon.

He shot at his landlady.
His statement
to the police was,

"I shot at the bitch
because she was ridiculous."

Oh, you shot at the bitch
because she was ridiculous.

Your Honor,
Mr. Bolton's landlady was
not injured in any way.

We are willing to plead
to a charge of
aggravated assault,

provided it carries
a limitation of no more
than one year in jail.

That Mr. Bolton's landlady
was frightened and not killed,
Your Honor,

is due to Mr. Bolton's
poor marksmanship.

The people cannot accept
a plea for anything less
than the standing charges,

assault with a deadly weapon,
and attempted murder.

Mr. Bolton, think of yourself
as a sick plant.

I'm the gardener.

What we do is dig it up
and put it into the hothouse

so that it can get well again.

And that's what
we're going to do with you.

Mr. Bolton will be remanded
to custody without bail

and returned to trial,
December the 14th.

Case number 392740,
People versus Gonzales.

Quiet! Now let's move it
or we'll never get through this.

-I'm sorry, what case
was that again?
-Gonzales.

[speaking in Spanish]

Shh, shh, shh.

People versus Gonzales,
Your Honor.

Mr. Gonzales is a repeat
offender accused of burglary.

Just a minute.

[conversing in Spanish]

What's that, Mr. Gonzales?

[speaking in Spanish]

He says his name is Gomez,
Your Honor.

-[speaking in Spanish]
-Where's Gonzales?

[officer] I thought
this was Mr. Gonzales.

Mr. Weiser,
is this your client?

I don't know, sir.
I'm not sure.

[officer] I've got him on
my list as Gonzales, sir.

We lost the body on this one.

We got a Gonzales
back there?

[people clamoring]

Get this man out of here.

Bench warrant for
Mr. Gonzales. Next case.

We're telling you that
we're gonna prosecute this case

to the fullest extent of the law
in an open courtroom.

And you can have
confidence in that.

Four white cops
kill one Black boy.

And we hear you're going
to get justice for that.

Because he has some confidence.

Where's the cry of outrage?

She does not hear
a cry of outrage.

If a cop is shot in the streets,
there is a great outrage.

When one of your own
is shot down on the streets,

you drive a locomotive
through these courts.

This woman does not hear
a locomotive.

She sees no engineer.

She smells no fuel
that's going to drive this train

to bring these white cops
to justice for the death
of one Black boy

for stealing a $49 camera
from a drugstore.

Where is your confidence?

They say my child...

my Stevie...

They say he took
that policeman's gun.

They say he went crazy,
was gonna shoot that policeman.

No.

Not my Stevie.

He was murdered.

That I know.

That I know.

This I don't know.

Why should I believe you?

What do you care about me?

Mrs. Howard.

You lost a son.

You want those four officers
to answer to that.

I can't promise you
a conviction.

But I've never lain down
on a case in my life,

and I'm not gonna
lie down on this one.

The people want
those four officers
found guilty of murder.

Oh, uh, sir, I'd really
like to talk to you about
the Tomsic murder.

-What?
-Andy's case.

No, uh, I don't think so.

No, I'm not asking for you
to bump me up to homicide.

But I think there's some
very logical reasons

why I'd be right
for this particular trial.

-Look, Searls-
-Eugene.

Sir, I know this defendant.
I mean, I know him.

Albeit some minor narcotic
offenses, I've already
put him away twice.

I've taken the liberty,
I've gone over
the arrest reports.

The murder was drug-related.
This guy operates
in his own territory.

He never leaves it.
I know the scene of his crime.

I also know Andy's
preliminary work is thorough.

I can move right on it.
I'm right for this.

I can do it. I deserve it.

The Fuller case.

Fuller. Fuller.

My client, Adrian Fuller.

Adrian Fuller.

That case was closed
last Thursday, Frank.

I'll be damned.

[Parkins] So ordered. Next case.

Jo Ann.

-Oh, hi.
-How's it going?

Um, pretty good.
I don't know.

Hang tight.

You got your
frickin' case, man.

Tomsic.
Give me the file.

-Says who?
-Says Rogan.

I put 100 hours in on this.
It's all broken down.

What do you care?
You're on your way
out of here, anyway.

-Give me.
-Okay, look.

You've got an eyewitness.
But I gotta warn you.

-You should let me take your--
-Took the course. Got an A.

[bailiff] 742,
the People versus McBain.

People versus Robert McBain,
Your Honor.

Mr. McBain was placed on
probation in this court
three years ago.

Ten years for sale of
cocaine, first offense.

Reported for first two years.
Did not report thereafter.

Did not take drug tests,
as was ordered.

People ask the court
revoke probation,

that the defendant be sentenced
to serve remainder
of sentence in state prison.

Defendant's counsel?

Your Honor, there are
some special circumstances.

-Corporal McBain--
-Corporal?

-[McBain whispering]
-Got it.

-May we approach the bench?
-Counsels.

Sit down.

Sir, there are several
of his superior officers

who'd like to come and testify
to the character of my client

in the hope of having
the charge excused.

He is in the military,
a career serviceman, Your Honor.

Not today,
not with this calendar.

Step back.

Defendant will return to this
court day after tomorrow.
Defendant is remanded.

If Your Honor would consider,
Corporal McBain's wife
and children

have come here from
his base in North Carolina.

If we could ask that
he be released on
his own recognizance.

Ms. Harris?

People request defendant
be remanded

to custody of county jail
in lieu of posting bail.

Defense motion denied.
Next case.

Ms. Harris.

You are a prosecutor.

Thank you, Your Honor.

[bailiff] Next case,
People v. Kamai.

Case 324759.

[Mike] Yeah, that's terrific.
Thank you very much.

-Mike.
-The cops can't spare a car

to pick up Mr. Walters.
They're all out on long lunches.

They're gonna make us
eat it on this one.

-Mike.
-246, Market Street.

Mike, that's not where he is.

-We just got a call.
-Oh.

[instrumental music playing]

I'm not gonna go through
Calvin every time I want
to talk to our damn witness.

Calm down, Mike.
Don't put the gloves on.

[indistinct conversations]

Right this way.

To the right, please.

The Reverend will be
with you in just a moment.

Can I get you something?

The Reverend will see you.

We'll do our best to
accelerate escrow, Reverend.

Thank you very much, gentlemen.

Thank you.

Ah, Mr. James. Ms. Janovich.

Please, come in.

Welcome. Please, have a seat.

[door shuts]

If Mr. Walters is here,
could you call him, please?

Mr. Walters is here.
Mr. Walters is fine.

I'm going to assume,
for the moment,
that all you're offering

is a little protection
for one frightened witness.

You resent coming here,
don't you, Mr. James?

Things don't work unless
you have your hand
on the control, do they?

That is the system.

You will not see diplomas
on these walls.

But I have a master's degree
in the system.

-I see.
-And you're not sure

that you regard me
with respect,
are you, Counselor?

My regard for you, Reverend,
is irrelevant.

And you are thinking that
it remains to be seen whether
or not both of us matter.

You have your place.
I have mine.

Unless both of our places
belong to one of us.

[chuckles] You can't lose,
can you, Calvin?

Convict these counselors
because you brought the pressure
to try them, acquit them,

and we become everything
you told your people we were.

Either way,
your power increases.

I would like to see
Mr. Walters now.

I have advised Mr. Walters
to fully cooperate
with both of you.

My office is yours.

Great. Thank you.

[phone ringing]

Hello, Mr. Walters.
Julie Janovich.

-We met at
the grand jury hearing.
-Yes, ma'am.

Mr. Walters,
good to see you again.

-My wife.
-Oh, pleased to meet you.

Please, come in. Sit down.

Mr. Walters, as Julie and I
have explained to you,
tomorrow, you go on the stand,

tell what you saw.

The other attorneys on
behalf of the four officers

will do their darndest to try
to tangle you up in words,
try to confuse you.

We'll very simply prepare you
step by step for tomorrow.

We'll review your testimony
previously given at
the grand jury and for us.

-Okay?
-Yeah.

All right.

These two, and that one,
and that one.

Those four.

Good.

Great.

[Christopher] The defendant
comes in first.

I make him wait.

Then I walk in.

He can't look me in the eye.

I got him.

Oh, yeah?

I got the murder weapon
right here.

[laughs] Of course,
I'm serious.

Bring the gun over?

No, no, no, no.
I can't do that.

It's evidence.

Well, I can do anything.

Go for it.

You want to do what?

Uh-huh.

Uh-huh.

Oh, my God.

I'm on my way.

Oh, yeah.

[wolf whistling]

[convict] Hey,
what's happening, mama?

[convicts clamoring]

Corporal, she asked to see you.

Corporal McBain,
you're about to be sentenced
five to ten years in prison.

Now, I'm going through
your file here, and it just
doesn't make sense to me.

I see two different
Robert McBains.

What are you talking about?

Well, there's a man here
who sold cocaine,

and there's a man here
who broke probation.

And yet, I'm staring at
three pages of depositions

from your commanding
officers describing you

as an exemplary soldier, as...

as a man with strong leadership
qualities, as a trustworthy
citizen and soldier.

I mean, I don't know
who you are,

I don't know who
I'm sending to prison.

You're gonna send me to jail,
and you don't know who I am?

-That's not what I meant.
-You wanna walk in here

and make yourself feel better
for what you're gonna do?

The judge could
have given you jail.

He gave you probation.
You violated it.

All you had to do
was find work.

Hey, I found work, lady.

The judge wouldn't
let me take it.

What do you mean? What work?

Work. In a plant
in Millard County.
Work with my cousin.

Judge said I couldn't
take it 'cause of the
terms of my probation.

I couldn't leave
this jurisdiction.

He must have said
more than just no.

I mean, did you
explain this to him?

You don't get it.
I told him I had a way
to feed my family.

I had to leave.
He said, "No."
He said, "Forget about it."

Woman, I had
to feed my family.

Yes, Corporal McBain,
but there are laws.

I broke the law.

I sold cocaine once.

I regret that.

But I don't regret
violating probation.

I went to the service.

I lied about my record.
They took me.

I got a job.

I have a job.

I'm not blaming anybody
for what I did.

I can handle this.

But my wife, my kids...

what the hell's going
to happen to them?

-[slow music playing]
-[woman groaning]

[woman] Oh, Christopher.

[Christopher] I'm gonna
be in and out of court
in three days.

I've got the weapon.

I've got the ballistics report.

I've got an eyewitness.

They've got no defense.

God, you make me
feel so safe.

Tell me about
the coroner's report again.

Coroner's report?

[radio playing indistinctly]

Good morning.
Hey, we're coming up
on 06:00 am.

America's Favorite
Disc Jockey, Tall Paul...

Look, Detective,
we have the gun.

We know the gun belongs
to the defendant.

We have the two bullets
that killed the victim,

and we know that the bullets
came from the defendant's gun.

Wouldn't it be nice,
for God's sake,

if we could tie the defendant to
the shooting with our witness?

Don't tell me
our witness is in the wind.

Find him, Detective Dekom.

That's what you're for.
That's what your job is.

Listen, I want to
talk to him today.

I want you to find him,

and I want to talk to him
today, Dekom, okay?

[sighs]

My car.

My car. Oh.

-Man!
-[glass shatters]

Oh, no.

The gun.

Oh, the gun.

Mike, if we use
some more grasp,

it'll lend more credibility
to Dr. Hough's testimony.

Julie, that's fine.
We just have
to be very careful

-we don't exploit
Mrs. Howard's pain.
-I agree with you--

Counselor, yesterday,
pursuant to your meeting
with Reverend Calvin,

he has stated that you promised
to be in direct communication

with him at each stage
of his case.

No, wait, no, hold it.
No, I have made
no promises to anyone,

except that I will prosecute
this case to the fullest extent
of the law, period. That's it.

-Excuse me. Uh, counselor, I--
-Excuse me.

Working with you gives me
a real sense of destiny, Mike.

Yeah, well, don't buy
the house on that one.

Excuse... Excuse me, sir?

Mrs. Howard.

I think you're a good man.

-Mr.--
-James.

I think you're gonna do
the right thing.

Thank you, Mrs. Howard.

[Mike] Cause of death, you said,
was a cerebral hematoma
caused by a blunt trauma.

-[doctor] Right.
-[Mike] What does that mean?

[doctor] There were
signs of two specific blows.

Uh, one to the rear
cranial region.

-Here.
-Yes...

and the other directly
centered at the top
of the skull.

-Here.
-Right.

Any other injuries?

Uh, severely bruised
left shoulder.

-Mm-hmm.
-A ruptured right kidney.

-Here.
-Mm-hmm.

And a fractured
right patella.

-Here.
-And three broken ribs.

-Here and here.
-Right.

Was there any indication,
Dr. Hough

that Stevie Howard displayed
unnatural strength or power?

Objection!

I'll rephrase the question.

What was the victim's
physical description?

Uh, the victim was 5'7''
and weighed 130 pounds,
Mr. James.

Uh-huh, 5'7''.

130 pounds.

Dr. Hough, did you
conduct a test
to determine whether or not

Stevie Howard was under
the influence of narcotics?

[Dr. Hough] Yes.

And what was the result
of that test?

His blood workup showed
no signs of methadrine,
crack, PCP, or hallucinogens.

His bloodstream
in the brain was normal.

If there was a history
of drug intoxication,

the tissues in the brain
would be delicate.

-And were they?
-No, sir.

No further questions,
Your Honor.
Thank you, Dr. Hough.

[sighs, clears throat]

Is there any medical evidence
you can provide, Doctor,

that can substantiate absolutely

Steven Howard did not
vigorously resist arrest,

possibly even with
great hostility?

-Well, I...
-Yes or no, please.

No.

No further questions.

[judge] You may
step down, Dr. Hough.

[speaking indistinctly]

[footsteps approaching]

Hi.

You look very pretty.

Thank you.

-You ready?
-Mm-hmm.

Let's go.

Counsel, if the, uh, people
are ready to continue.

We are, Your Honor.

We would like to call
Cheryl Koster to the stand.

Cheryl?

[judge] You swear to tell
the truth, the whole truth,

and nothing but the truth,
so help you God?

-Yes.
-Please be seated.

Cheryl, will you please
state your full name?

[clears throat]

Cheryl Koster.

Just relax now.

Tell us where
you go to school.

Cheryl?

You wanted it,
you lying little bitch.
She ain't hurt.

She wanted it on
her back. You wanted it.

Get off, man.
She wanted it.

-Cheryl!
-Get off!

Cheryl, please. Cheryl!

Cheryl. Cheryl,
listen to me.

-Listen to me.
-[screaming]

I'm your friend. Stop it.

-Let me go!
-Stop it. Now, calm down.

Come here.

It was my fault!

I... I shouldn't have
been there so late.

It was my fault.

I didn't fight enough.

Is that what
you want to tell them?

Oh, it'll hurt me. I can't.

Cheryl, he wants you
to be afraid.

He's pulling
the strings again.

He's beating you.

-He's got you.
-[sobbing]

You like that?

God!

I don't know. I don't know!
I don't know!

Cheryl, listen to me.

When he raped you,
no one could hear you.

You couldn't do anything.

-Now you can.
-I can't.

Are you a whore?

Huh?

No!

Well, he says you are.

He says you're a whore.

No, I am not a whore!

Can you be a victim forever?

Because he's got you forever.

You are his forever!

You, and then somebody else.

And somebody else again.

I am afraid.

Cheryl, he's afraid
of you now.

You.

Why... Why are you
doing this to me?

-You're supposed
to be my friend.
-I am your friend.

And I want to
help you beat him.

Kick him. Attack him.
Hurt him.

He is not going to hurt you
or anyone else again

if you put him
where he belongs!

I'll be there with you,
but I need you to scream.

I want you to yell.

I want you to tell every
moment of what he did to you.

Look at me! Look at me!
Don't look away!

It was night.

You came out of your classroom.

Into the parking lot.

You got to your car.

What happened?

I opened my door.

I opened my door.

Um, my shoulder.
He grabbed me.

And he pushed me
into the car.

Um...

I... I tried to push him away.

I... I... I tried
to push him away,

but he kept tearing
at my clothes.

[sobs]

And I kept trying
to push him away.

And I was screaming.

And then he hit me.

He hit me very hard.

And he had a knife.

[Linda] The man
with the knife.

Is he in this room?

Yes.

Do you see him?

He's there.

Look at me.

Look at me.

You look at me.

That's him!

Your Honor,
I'm requesting the court's
understanding on this.

You don't have
the murder weapon.

Last night, I logged it
from the evidence room

along with
the ballistics report.

I went down the hall
momentarily to the men's room.

I left shortly
afterwards and...

-I discovered
the gun was gone.
-Judge!

The murder weapon
was stolen from your office.

Is that what you're trying
to tell me, Mr. Searls?

I don't have the weapon, sir.

I suggest the people consider
pleading this case out

inasmuch as it's taking
an obvious downslide here.

I can't do that! The people
will not accept a plea bargain
on murder one, Your Honor.

The defense has the right
to have evidence,

to see that evidence
in court and examine it.

Yo've denied them
that right by losing it.

You blew it, Counsel.
You lost the evidence.

And if you don't have
any other evidence,
I'm gonna dismiss this case.

Wait a minute. Your Honor,
I do have a case here.

-I've got an eyewitness.
-Where is he?

-[knocking on door]
-We're looking for him, sir.

-Mr. Searls.
-Your Honor, please.

He was in the store,
witnessed the killing,

it's here
in the grand jury minutes.

The people have lost
the supposed murder weapon.

They can't even produce
their only witness.

I'm going to give you
two days, Mr. Searls.

You produce that witness
in court to testify
or this case is dismissed.

Thank... Thank you, Your Honor.

Detective Dekom, please.

Did he leave any word?

What about his car radio?

Okay, thanks, Ms. Polson.

-Excuse me.
-I'm sorry.

Harry, Diane.

[Walters] I was coming up
through the alley
by this building.

It was like 7:30 because
I was let off sweeping
at the gas station.

So when you came out of
the alley, what did you see?

These two patrol cars.

They were across the street
in this vacant lot.

Were the patrol cars
parked as indicated here?

That's right.

And I saw that boy.
He come rolling over
the hood of that car.

And you see, that
was what stopped me...

when I heard
all that screaming.

-Did Stevie Howard have
anything in his hands?
-No way.

His hands were waving
empty over his head.

Did you see a gun?

No, that's for sure.
They were empty.

And the boy with
his hands up,
crying out.

What did he say?
Was he verbally abusive?

He was just on his knees
with his hands in the air
when that cop jumped him.

Is that officer in this room
at this moment, Mr. Walters?

-Yes, sir.
-Would you point him
out to us, please?

That one. Right there.

Let the record show that
Mr. Walters is pointing
to Officer Ward.

What happened next?

[Walters] And then,
the other one.

That one, sitting
with the blue jacket.

[Mike] Let the record show
Mr. Walters is indicating
Officer Chandler.

[Walters]
He had his stick out.

So when the big one drags
the boy up by the armpits...

that stick, it came crashing
right down on that boy's head.

And each took turns.

I swear to the Lord,
there's nothing left
to believe in.

As God is my conscience,
they were killing that boy.

Those policemen,
they were killing him.

[Mike] Continue, please.

[Walters] And then,
those other two.

Let the record show
that Mr. Walters is indicating
Officers Vosburgh and Cate.

They come on next,

kicking that boy
with their boots

and hitting him
with their sticks.

[Mike] Mr. Walters...

it was night.

How could you see
all this so clearly?

The lights of
the police cars were on.

No way not to see it.

It was a terrible thing.

All four, beating
and kicking him.

It was murder. All four,

doing it till that
poor boy was gone.

[footsteps fading]

[judge] Mr. James.

No further questions,
Your Honor.

[Andy] Jo Ann, I don't know.

I'm not sure
Melnick and Ransel
is what I want.

It's a really big law firm.

Come on, you won't be running
around with 80 cases at once.

You'll be away
from this revolving toilet.

You flush them down,
they come right back up again.

What about time for men,
for God's sake?

Jo, what's wrong?

Jo Ann.

Did you ever prosecute a case
that you didn't even
think should be there?

Parkins' Court.

Oh, boy.

I've served four months
with this guy.

I've got two to go.

And I have done
everything his way.

I mean, I've never
made a mistake.

I mean, I've never made
a decision, either.

I go up against him,
what's it gonna cost me?

Depends on what you want.

What I want?

I want him to respect me
and to think that I'm doing
a good job.

I'm sending people
to the penitentiary
for two years

where, if they were lucky
enough to have a job,

they'd be getting probation,
and I'm asking
ten-year sentences

when I feel that I should be
asking for three because
those are his rules.

I mean, I don't know
what the hell I'm doing.

Jo, when I first got
to the D.A.'s office
right out of law school,

I wanted to be the best.

I got into Parkins' Court
because I knew
that if I did well there,

I would get ahead fast.

So what did you do?

Played the game.

[sighs]

-[Parkins] This is?
-A continuation, Your Honor.

People versus Robert McBain,
violation of probation.

Oh, yes. You asked
for the opportunity to present

character witnesses on
behalf of the defendant.

-[man] Yes, sir.
-Are they present?

Uh, yes, sir.

[Jo Ann] Your Honor, may I?

Ms. Harris.

I've carefully read the file
on Corporal McBain.

He apparently could not find
work and broke probation
to provide for his family.

I've spoken
to his commanding officer.

He has begun to educate himself.

He seems to have
a career designed for himself.

If justice has any conscience
about rehabilitation,

this man has already
accomplished above and beyond
what our system can provide.

There is no evidence
of returning
to cocaine trafficking.

It appears that this was
a single, one-time offense.

I feel that there
would be no purpose

in revoking probation
and putting him in prison.

He's serving his country.

The People recommend,
Your Honor, that all charges
be expunged

and that Corporal McBain
be returned to his family
and to his unit.

That'll be stricken
from the record.

Your Honor, I want this
on the record.

I will decide what goes
and what does not
go on the record.

Corporal McBain will be
returned to custody.

This court will have
a 30-minute recess.

Miss Harris, I want to see
you in my chambers now.

Youngster, you had
an opportunity with me,
and you have blown it.

Your Honor, sir,
fairness and punishment
must come into play.

Somewhere along the line,
my discretion has got
to become important.

No, what's important is that
my judgment not be undermined.

In my court,
you abide by my rulings,

and you learn. You either
make it or you break it.

Yes, sir, it is your court,
but given these circumstances--

The circumstance is that
your soldier's going to jail.

I'm gonna demand that you be
removed from my courtroom.

I want prosecutors,
young lady. You are soft.

And you're not cutting it
with me. That's all.

[Dekom] I spent nine hours
trying to find this guy.

This other man's
an eyewitness to homicide.

Do you want stripes
for bringing him in?

Don't push me, sonny boy.
You take notice.

He's a junkie. He's not well.
He could have a meltdown.
You want that?

Goes by the name of Sugar.
Sugar, meet Assistant
District Attorney Searls.

You're a hard man
to find, Sugar.

You want a glass of water?

Detective, bring the man
a glass of water, will you?

Look, let's get
right down to it.

According to what you told
Mrs. Kanin and the grand jury

and Detective Dekom,
you're an eyewitness
to a murder.

The one that took place
at the K&M Market

on the 17th of August,
approximately 3:30
in the afternoon?

That's what you said. Correct?

That's what
I told the man, yeah.

All right. What were
you doing there?

Doing... I was doing
the bathroom.

No, and then what?
I mean, what did you do?
What did you see?

What? Oh, come on, man.

Did you ever see
this guy before?

Anywhere, any time, ever?

Yeah, that's the guy
that shot Brucie.

He shot Brucie.

He didn't have to.

'Cause he would've given him
anything, but he didn't care.

[sighs] Dekom.

This guy's garbage.
I'm putting garbage
up on the stand.

Cool out, my friend.

Come on, he's high,
he's stoned.

He remembers.
That makes the case.

Am I supposed to trust that?
Who catches him

when he comes falling
off the stand?

He'll deliver.
This is what you got.

He goes on at 3 o'clock
this afternoon.

That's three and a half
hours from now.

I want you to take care
of him like he's your baby.

I want you to feed him,
drink him, clean him,

clothe him, I want you
to deliver him to me.

Unbelievable.

Where is he? Where is he?

He's gone! He's gone!

[Bob] You're sitting
with a circumstantial case.

It's your client's
second offense.
Don't cry to me.

It'll take five years.

[Briggs] Firm. No parole.

Drop it down to three firm,
and we'll take.

Hey, you Briggs?

Me? No, not necessarily.

You put my son away,
Benny Solarz.

Benny Solarz? Benny Solarz?

Benjamin Solarz?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.

He's the kid that used to
hang up around Shadyside.

Used to make the late-night
visits to the elderly people.

My boy's a good kid.

He's a good kid?
He's a good kid
with a baseball bat.

He nearly killed
that old lady up there.

Ten years.
Gone from me
for ten years.

Well, I'll tell you
the truth, Dad.

They should've put
him away for 20.

-I thought
it was a busy day.
-[grunts]

[men grunting, groaning]

-Security!
-[grunts]

[grunts]

All right, buddy,
break it up,
break it up.

-[officer] What's your problem?
-[Solarz] Let me go!

Let me go!

Hey, Bob.

Next time, your office.

Oh, man, oh, man, oh, man.

[Dekom] Look, relax, kid.

Man only has five places
in this entire universe.

You don't understand.
You don't get it.

If I blow this case, Dekom,
I'm finished. It's over.

Rogan's gonna put me
right back into prelims.

[Dekom] Well, cool out.

Let's go.

[solemn music playing]

[Christopher] My God.
Sugar. Sugar.

Sugar, it's me, Searls.

-Sugar? Oh, my God. Sugar!
-[Sugar groans]

Come on, come on.
Sugar, get up.

Come on, Sugar,
I need you, man.

Get up. Come on, get up!

Dekom, do something.

Sugar. Sugar,
come on, get up.

Huh? Come on,
Sugar, get up!

Dekom, do something.
He's all that I've got.

[sighs]

Take a cab back.
We'll meet you.

What?

You don't want to be here.

-[Sugar gasping, shuddering]
-What are you gonna...

It's your case, kid.

[grunts]

[choir]
♪Hold out♪

♪Hold out♪

♪Hold out♪

♪Hold out♪

♪Hold out♪

♪Hold out♪

♪I promised the Lord
that I would♪

♪Hold out♪

♪Until He meets me♪

♪Until He meets me
in Galilee♪♪

[Sugar singing indistinctly]

♪He's here, He's here
He's here, He's here♪

♪Wonderful is the gospel...♪

How is he? Huh?

How he is. He's your witness.

-Hey.
-How are doing, Sugar?

Are you all right?
Sugar, are you okay?

-Perfect.
-Okay, good.
Now, listen to me.

When we get in there...
Listen to me.

We're gonna take you through
exactly what you saw.

Don't worry about me, man,
I'm fine. Just fine.

Okay. Good, good.

All I want you to do is
just answer the questions--

Thanks, brother.

What?

Thanks, brother man.

Counselor, we're ready.

All right. Okay.

-Hey.
-Hi.

You won't believe
who I just saw over there.

-Who?
-You remember that girl--

Wait a minute.
Save my place.

Andy, how did the interview go?

Hey, boss. Well, it went
better than I expected.

I have a lot invested
in you, you know.

I know.

Okay.

Excuse me.

[sighs]

I got a call
from Judge Parkins today.

Wants me to pull you
out of his court.

Says you don't have
what we need here.
Don't have the stuff.

[Jo Ann] I wasn't gonna let him
send that Marine to prison.

-Well, he says--
-I know what he says.

So what should I tell him?

You have a choice?

Did you have one
in that courtroom?

Yes.

I did.

I decide where my people go.

You leave Parkins' court
when you choose
to leave his court.

Somebody care enough
to buy me a drink?

Ah. Ah.

Ow.

I have to ask.

[sighs] Julie.

Julie, what you
know of me to be...

despicable.

It's well-recorded.

I've just been humbled.

Don't hurry through this.

No, I won't.

You see, I feel renewed.

I-I-I... My flesh
has been pounded.

And I-I-I don't know.
I've seen the light.

-Julie.
-Mm.

I'm so in need
of your guidance.

Purge yourself.
I can help you.

How much money have
you taken in on my...

-...bare buns?
-Confession.

-Pure advice.
-You came high.

-Round off the figure.
-Five bucks a pop.

-Briggs.
-$200.

-Briggs.
-That's it.
I feel whole now.

You can see me
as a new person now.

-You can root for me
as a new person now.
-Let me say one thing.

You don't have to say
anything, Julie. Not yet.

Not tonight, sweetheart.
Give us time.

You...

[thuds]

[orchestral music playing
on tape recorder]

[slurping]

[footsteps approaching]

Mr. James?

Mrs. Walters.

My husband wants
to tell you something.

[music stops]

What do I do now?

Try to use
your imagination.

♪White sand♪♪

-That is good.
-Mmm.

That is really good.

How do I get to this place?

Close your eyes.

Okay. Feel the hot sun
on your face?
Does that feel good?

[Mike] Uh, excuse me.

We gotta talk.
We got a problem.

My witness lied.

What?

Two officers killed
that boy, not all four.

What are you
talking about?

Calvin wants a clean sweep.
He got to Walters.

Walters perjured himself.

Oh, my God.

The other two were there.
They just didn't kill him.

[sighs]

I'm gonna put Walters
back on the stand.

-I'm gonna impeach him.
-What?

-I've got no choice.
-No, wait a minute.

-Don't do that.
-Why not?

They were acting
in concert.
They're cops.

Those two are just as guilty of
murder as the two who did it.
There's a precedent for that.

The jury has a right to decide
each person's involvement,
not you, not me.

Mike, you had
a clean case on all four.

Now you want to
blow the whole thing out?

I'm not trying this case
based on perjured testimony.

I got the D.A. sitting up
in his office right now,

-looking out the window,
counting votes.
-Don't give a damn.

Listen to me. I'm not gonna
go up there and tell him

that our star witness may be
lying and our star prosecutor
wants to fold his hand.

You play it out.

Okay?

What's happened to you?

[sighs]

It's not for you to decide.

Let it be revealed on cross.
That's the defense's job.

The jury has a right
to know the truth.

If you cut this case open
this far into the trial,

everybody already
accusing us of backing off,

all you're gonna do
is pull support away
from Arnold.

And you know what
comes in to replace him,

the same reactionary,
bigoted crap that
we had in here before.

I'm not playing politics
on this case because
you have an agenda.

Now you go to Arnold,
and you get permission
to impeach,

or we go to
the Ethics Committee.

What are you trying
to do to me?

Gene...

You and Calvin
are playing the same game.

I don't see the difference
between you.

[sighs]

[scoffs]

Go ahead.

Impeach.

What about Arnold?

I'll take care of Arnold.

-Mike...
-[door closes]

[Mike] Mr. Walters...

You came to my office
last night.

-[softly] Yes, sir.
-I can't quite hear you.

-[loudly] Yes, sir.
-Did I ask you to?

-No, sir.
-Why did you do so?

Because I lied.

-[all gasp]
-I lied here. I've been lying.

Order.

Wait. Wait a second, please.

I was there. I was there.

I saw the beating.

I saw that boy
being beaten, I saw it.

This one...
This young man.

His chest was puffing up,
his eyes were wide,

and he went to help
the boy, it seemed,

but the other one there,
he stopped him.

He put a hand on his chest
and moved him back.

[Mike] What you just said,
Mr. Walters,

is that two of those officers
were just standing there.

Those two were, yes, sir.

Officers Vosburgh
and Cate doing nothing.

Just standing.

They were not beating
Stevie Howard.

No, sir. It was
those other two.

[crowd clamoring]

[Mike] Two days ago...

you said that all four
of those officers beat
Stevie Howard to death.

Mr. Walters?

Yes, sir.

I'm confused, Mr. Walters.

Why in the world
would you say that?

-It was the Reverend.
-[crowd gasping]

Excuse me, Mr. Walters,
the Reverend?

Reverend Calvin.

-Reverend Marcus Calvin?
-[clamoring]

-Yes, sir. He came to me.
-And?

He told me to go
to the police and say...

I saw all four officers
murder that boy.

[Mike] He told you to lie.

[Walters] He said
they were all...

that they were guilty
as the other two.

Except that nothing
would happen to them
if I just told what I saw.

They would just be back
on the street.

There'd be more of the same.

And I believed that
he had to be right.

But you lied, Mr. Walters.

Why would you
allow yourself to lie...

about the death
of a 17-year-old boy?

I'm--

I'm not much, I, uh...

The Reverend
or all those people

come to me because
of what I saw that night.

I came to my wife.

I told her everything.

I told her I did nothing.

I wanted to do
something so bad.

She held me.

I was so ashamed.

I did nothing.

I was as bad as those cops
who just stood by.

Those other two cops,
they were like animals.

The boy was dying.

I did nothing to help him.

Maybe I, uh... Maybe
I could have saved him.

Mr. Walters...

did you ever lie about
the actions of officers
Ward and Chandler?

Never.

Your witness.

Uh, Mr. Walters, uh...

You testified before
the grand jury on, um...

June 24th, did you not?

[Walters] Yes, sir.

Um... And when you
testified on June 24th,

you swore...

an oath...

to tell the truth so help you
God, did you not?

Yes, I did.

And isn't it a fact, sir,
that two days ago,

when you got on the stand,

you put your left hand
on the Bible

just as you did
that first time
before the grand jury,

and you put
your right hand
in the air,

and you swore to tell
the truth, did you not?

Yes, I did.

Now, sir,

you swore to tell the truth
before the grand jury.

You swore to tell the truth
two days ago.

And now...

you're swearing
to a different truth.

So, sir, are you
telling us that sometimes

when you swear to tell
the truth, you tell the truth,

and sometimes,
when you swear to tell
the truth, you lie?

-Is that what
you're telling us?
-No, sir, no.

But...

which time were
you lying, Mr. Walters?

How are we here
supposed to know?

Or...

-Or was it all lies?
-No, sir, no, sir.

I'm telling the truth now.

Let me get this straight,
Mr. Walters. Just bear with me.

You just testified that
the Reverend Calvin influenced
you to lie, did you not?

Yes, sir.

Can we not assume
from this, then, sir,

that Mr. James here could
exercise a similar influence

-on your testimony?
-Objection!

Or is it simply that your truths
are those of the last person
you spoke to?

-[Mike] Objection!
-No further questions.

[judge] Mr. James?

Prosecution rests,
Your Honor.

Court is adjourned.
We'll resume 10 o'clock

-tomorrow morning.
-[gavel bangs]

-[all groaning]
-[reporter] Reverend Calvin,

is there any truth
to this statement?

[woman] Reverend Calvin,
is there any truth?

[Reverend] They got to him.
This has all been engineered

by the D.A.'s office
in collusion of
the police department.

I've done nothing wrong.

[people conversing indistinctly]

[woman] Good evening,
Mrs. Rogan.

You look lovely.

Well, if it isn't Mrs. Rogan.

Hey, guy. What are
you up to tonight?

I'm loose.

Want to get a room here?

Ooh, you're coming on
awful fast.

Hey, I've got an in.
It's Thursday night,
and they've probably got

a couple of empty cells
in the drunk tank.

Look at Arnold.

Always admired the way
he does the first name thing.

Hundred top people here

to do charity work
for the Boys Athletic League.

But I'm thinking well now.

What about Arnold Bach
for our next mayor?

Then the city gets
the recreation center,

and Arnold Bach becomes
a park on the east side.

That's called a win-win
situation, Jesse.

In a couple of years, Gene,
if the man moves up,
maybe you can take his place.

[Jesse] Well...

[Gene] Excuse me a minute.

[people conversing indistinctly]

I don't believe you.
I don't believe you.

My whole office
is blowing up
in my face.

The phones are ringing,
the press is screaming.

You left me exposed, Gene.

-Arnold--
-You undermined me.

Mike James is doing
a balancing act
with my office,

impeaching witnesses and
pointing fingers in the dark.

What the hell do you want?

How about a week in front
of the Ethics Committee?

Because that's where we'd be
if I hadn't given
James his reins.

Threats? You're stepping
over the line here.

Come on, Arnold,
think ahead.
That's your game.

Witness tampering,
suborning perjury.

Calvin. Use him.
He used you.

Expose him, he's a criminal,
and that's what's
blowing this case.

Not Mike James,
not the press, not you.

Indict him.

You'd be a bloody hero.

-[man] Arnold?
-Bill?

You're smart, Gene.

You're damn smart.

But you watch your ass,
because you came
this close tonight.

Monsignor. How are you?

God, it's good to see you.

Hi.

What was that?

Nothing.

[Cheryl] Linda!

Linda.

Hey, Cheryl.

I came by your office.

I, um... I just wanted
to really, um...

Well...

-Thank you, Linda.
-You're welcome.

Listen, you know he's gonna
be put away for a long time.

-You know that,
don't you?
-Yeah.

Yes.

But anyway,
I thought that we could...

Maybe tomorrow night or Sunday,

you know, catch a movie.

Uh, tomorrow's the weekend.

Don't you want to be
with your friends?

I'm sure you've got
better things to do.
Parties and...

You know, what...

-What you do.
-I know.

I just thought that
maybe you and I could
go out and have fun.

Cheryl, you don't
need me anymore.

Honey, you think you do.

You need to get away
from this place.

You need to go back
to all the things
that you did

before this happened.

Oh, Cheryl,
you're creative. You're...

This is my job.

It's my job, sweetheart.

For a lot of ugly reasons,
and it's every day.

That's not what
I'm talking about.

I'm okay.

What I'm talking about...

Look, you come back.
You see me in a month.

You tell me about
something fun.

You tell me about a dance.

Tell me about a boyfriend.

[solemn music playing]

[sniffles]

Good morning,
ladies and gentlemen
of the jury.

I would like to thank you
for all of your attention...

during the course of this trial.

And I would like
to review with you

the evidence that has been
presented here.

[sighs]

♪I promised the Lord
that I would♪

♪Hold out♪

♪Hold out♪

♪Hold out♪

♪Hold out♪

♪Hold out♪

♪I promised the Lord
that I would♪

♪Hold out♪

♪Until he meets me♪

♪'Til he meets me
in Galilee♪

♪I promised the Lord
that I would...♪

Good morning,
ladies and gentlemen
of the jury.

Defendants have been
charged with murder

in the first degree.

As jurors, you must
evaluate the evidence

to determine whether
their guilt has been proven
beyond a reasonable doubt.

♪Until he meets me♪

♪Till he meets me
in Galilee...♪

I was thinking about
this case last night,

and I was wondering what
I was going to say to you
in the court today.

-♪Yes, I have♪
-♪Yes, I have♪

-♪Yes, I have♪
-♪Oh, yes, I have♪

♪You can follow me down♪

♪To that golden stream♪

-♪Yes, you can♪
-♪Yes, you can♪

-♪Yes, you can♪
-♪Oh, yes, you can♪

♪I promised the Lord
that I would...♪

-How's the look down there?
-
♪ Hold out...♪

-It's a packed courtroom.
-
♪ Hold out...♪

-I ran into Arnold.
-
♪ Hold out...♪

He wants to know
what you're going to say.

What'd you tell him?

I told him you were
going to be sensational.

♪ Hold out...♪

What are you going to say?

♪'Til he meets me
in Galilee...♪

Come on, Mike,
not even a few crumbs?

-♪Until he meets me♪
-♪Till he meets me
in Galilee...♪

You got what there is.

♪Until he meets me♪

♪Till he meets me in Galilee♪

♪Galilee♪♪

But we have seen nothing,

I repeat, nothing presented
here in this court

that has proven to me or you

or any of us

beyond a reasonable doubt

that these men
murdered Stevie Howard.

We've lost one life,
ladies and gentlemen.

Let's not throw away
four more.

I ask you to return
the only verdict

that speaks the truth...
not guilty.

All four officers aquitted
of all charges.

Thank you.

[judge] Mr. James,
your final argument.

[sighs heavily]

This is the worst case
I've ever tried.

I'm sick of it.

There were moments
when Mr. Walters was
on the stand,

I wanted to crawl
under this table
so you couldn't see my face.

You see these
two gentlemen here?

That's my boss.

And that...

is the district attorney.

The guy that you vote for.

He doesn't want me
to say this, but I've got
to tell you something.

This case...

is out of control.

It's been tried in the streets.

It's been tried
in the corridors.

It's been tried
in the evening news,

on the steps
of this courthouse.

But, my God,
there is only one place
this case should be tried,

and that is in this courtroom
in front of you.

Now, how could this happen?

How?

If you're willing to admit,
and it's impossible to deny

that this case could've
gotten out of control,

then you also have to admit
that my witness, Mr. Walters,

could've gotten
out of control, too.

When?

When the Reverend
Marcus Calvin sold him

a higher calling
than the truth.

But there's still
the question...

"Why is Stevie Howard dead?"

Why?

You heard the defense state that

he grabbed
one of the officer's guns

and had to be clubbed
into submission.

But you heard
the medical examiner
say that

there was no apparent
sign of a struggle,

that Stevie Howard
was not on drugs,

and there was no history
of violent crime.

You heard Mr. Walters say that
he saw two of those officers

beat Stevie Howard to death,

and the other two
just stood there and watched.

Now, why would they do
such a thing?

Why?

The boy was on his knees
begging for mercy!

Why?

Because they lost control!

Because they were after him,

running, and had
to keep chasing him

until they were out of breath,
and they couldn't stop,
and their hearts were aching,

and they got him,
and they snapped,

and they were angry,
and they lost control!

When the people we depend upon
to uphold the law lose control,

then we are all lost.

That is what happened.

And Stevie Howard...

is dead.

One boy.

One boy.

Four trained officers.

I'm asking you...

to go back in there...

and think about
what you have heard.

Dismiss all the
outside influences,

and then come back in here
and do the right thing.

What you think is right.

If you can do that, then...

that's all I can ask.

Thank you.

[Christopher] Guilty of murder.
Guilty of murder.

Guilty of murder.
Guilty of murder.

Guilty of murder
in the first degree.

The jury's still out.

Come on. [clears throat]

Thank you, Diane.
Of course, we can get together.

I'd be happy to spend
some time with you
just as soon as I unwind.

It was a great victory
for all of you.

-Oh, sorry.
-Oh! Hi!

We bumped into
each other yesterday.

-I'm Christopher Searls, ADA.
-How do you do?

Just nailed down a heavy
murder case next door.

Uh-huh.

And, uh... I guess
you're busy, I see.

Probably have
to read about it.

Put your vote in
for the old death penalty.

Oh, man, what an idiot.

Oh.

[Gene] I don't know.
I can't even think
of Sunday right now.

[thunder rumbling]

Well, then, then you go.

I'm sorry.
I'm just-- I'm very tired.

Look, I'll be home
in an hour, okay?

I love you, too.

Bye.

Hey.

Hi.

What's going on?

End of another week.

I got a conviction on an
especially morbid rapist

and said goodbye to the girl.

An especially decent kid
who showed one hell
of a lot of guts.

Well, you should be
out celebrating.

I am. I'm gonna go have
a late supper with my dad.

So why aren't you smiling?

Did you ever have supper
with my dad? [chuckles]

And my cat, Teddy, went in
to the hospital today.

He's having surgery
in the morning.

He might not
come out of it. And...

[sighs] Damn it.

No husband, no children.

Tomorrow, maybe
not even my cat.

You never told me
about Teddy.

Well, I do have
my private life, Gene.

Why are you still here?

Do I seem different to you?

Well, you know...
I mean, the shape.

What do you think?
Still there, right?

Well, sure.

Gene, you're not
what you were
five years ago, but...

Are we facing
a vanity crisis here?

I used to be
on the right track.

You know, I was on track.

It used to be a matter of
winning a case, losing a case.

And now, it's...

I don't even know
what it is anymore.

What do you mean?

My first day in court,

and I remember walking
into the courtroom
on the first day.

10B.

-Judge Ricker.
-Yeah.

I had a new leather briefcase,
which was a present from Jesse.

And I walked into the room.
It was in this building.

And I stepped
into the well.

First person who spoke
to me was the bailiff.

-It was old John Satterfield.
Remember him?
-Mmm.

And he said,
"Good morning, Counselor."

"Counselor."

That word.

Counsel...

for the Office
of the District Attorney.

You are the prosecutor.

You represent the people.

"Ladies and gentlemen,
I come before you...

to present to you
proof of guilt.

This man is accused."

Oh, God.
I used to be so pure.

No, you weren't.

You were a great lawyer.

You were charming.
I always liked you.

But you were always
in the next room
before you got there.

[chuckles]

You are relentless.

I'm your friend.

Hi, Dad.

It's Christopher.

[laughs]

I'm batting one for one, Pop.

Yeah, I've been here
18 months.

First homicide case.

I won.

Dad... I was great.

I had him in my hand like I...
like I always dreamed.

You're talking to the next
special prosecutor, Pop.

Six months.

Yeah, six months.

[thud]

Hey, who's that?

Who's there?

What? No,
I'll call you back.

I'll call you
right back, Pop.

Sugar.

[voice breaking]
Twenty-five.

Just a spoon, brother.

Twenty-five bucks.

Please.

[man] Briggs, I get enough
abuse here during the day.

I don't have to stay here
late and take it from you
every Friday night.

What can I tell you, guys?
When you're hot, you're hot.

-Give me the cards.
-[Julie speaking indistinctly]

Briggs, you are
an opportunity
waiting to happen.

Five card, nothing wild.

High card open.

-Watch his eyes.
-Like all the good perverts?

Andy, come here.

I want you in the game.

I want a piece of your...

-future.
-Eat cake, Briggs.

How about just a little piece
of those stock options?
What do you say?

What I say is you're a greedy
little sexist latent homosexual.

[laughter]

Okay.

Mike, it's your bet.

I fold.

Out.

Gone.

State your case.

Uh-oh.

Whoa, yeah.

[Briggs] 110.

-[Julie] You little sumsucker.
-[snorts]

Running an X-rated
peep show into my office?

Nobody said
it's a perfect world.

How much is in there?

Oh, it's all in there.

Mike, I will mortgage
my future.

Whatever you have left,
I need it.

I'm cleaned.

We all got to crawl once
in our lifetime, sweetheart.

It toughens the knees.

That is it. Guys?

-I'm on empty.
-Mike?

Julie, I got to pass
on this one.

Mike, no way.
You've got to help me out.

Look, I've got to
get that back. That's me.

That is my derriere, guys.

That is my ass on the line.

Guys?

-Going once.
-Guys?

-Going twice.
-Guys?

Going, going.

-Yo!
-[Andy] Yeah.

-[woman] Oh, all right.
-[man] Good golly!

Beat 'em.

[laughing]

-All right.
-[phone ringing]

-Michael, grab the phone.
-[all cheering]

Oh, thank you. Thank you.

Well, let's begin my life
with an empty box.

Mike, Julie,

jury has a vote.

Good luck.

-Thanks.
-[man] Hey, good luck, guys.

[bailiff] Jury entering.
Quiet, please.

[judge] Has the jury
reached a verdict?

No, Your Honor. We have not.

I have instructed you,
the jurors, to have deference
for each other's views,

to listen with a disposition,
to be convinced of
each other's argument.

-Have you followed
these instructions?
-We have, Your Honor.

We have no reason to believe
in the foreseeable future that
we will arrive at a verdict.

The jury is
hopelessly deadlocked.

[judge] No chance.
Are you absolutely sure?

Yes.

Ladies and gentlemen
of the jury,

the court would like to
thank you for your service.

Under the laws of this state,
I have no other choice
but to declare a mistrial.

[people clamoring]

I thank the jury
for their time and commitment.
The jury is dismissed.

-This court is adjourned.
-[gavel bangs]

[people speaking indistinctly]

Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!

[screams]

-[sobbing, grunting]
-Oh, my God.

[Mike] Hands off!

-[grunts]
-Okay, people,
please get up.

[speaks indistinctly]

All right, come on, people.
Let's go. Clear the court.

[Mike] All right!

[sobbing]

[gasps]

[Mike] Mrs. Howard,
I'm sorry.

I know how you must feel.
I'm sorry.

[breathing heavily]

My son is gone.

You don't know how I feel.

You didn't lose a son.

You didn't lose a son.

Mrs. Howard, I'm gonna
try this case again.

I'll be back here again.

Will you?

Will you?

[sobs]

[closing theme music playing]