All language subtitles for Close.To.Home.S02E09.Shoot.to.Kill.1080p.WEB-DL.AAC2.0.H.264-squalor_track3_[eng]

[Instrumental music]

[Music continues]

[Dramatic music]

[Gunshot]

[Music continues]

(Williams) 'Victim's name is
bill Johns. Thirty four, salesman.'

shot after work as he was
getting to his car to go home.

Leaves behind a wife
and eleven month old baby.

I hear we have something
on the sniper shooting.

We've already got
a suspect in custody.

Richard Nelson,
45. Married, two kids.

Tell me it wasn't random.

Nothing like a random sniper
shooting to panic the public.

Ex co-workers.

Eight months ago Nelson
got fired and Johns got his job.

Love an up front motive.

You'll be ecstatic about this.
Bullet came from a high end

sniper rifle
called an air tooth.

- Nelson's?
- Something of a gun collector

owns the only one
registered in the county.

Claims it was stolen last year.

- Did he report it?
- Never got around to it.

It's probably at the bottom
of a pond somewhere.

Police are searching
for it. Maybe we get lucky.

- Ballistics?
- They uncovered the round

which is in pretty good
shape. Just need to find a rifle.

- 'What else?'
- That morning

witnesses saw Nelson parked
in the back of the factory lot.

Ex co-workers say, he did
that a lot since he lost his job.

Just sit there and watch.

- Recon.
- What are these?

E-mails sent to bill Johns
after Nelson was fired.

Ouch. If you're gonna
threaten someone's life...

Never put it in writing.

How did we get them?

Victim's wife, Mrs. Johns,
gave them to the police.

Annabeth, you talk to her.

We were friends. I
was close to his wife.

Kim helped me a lot
when our son was born.

I didn't know
anything about babies.

Boys, they were
complete mystery.

She's got two.

And when Richard
Nelson got fired?

(Jackie) 'Everything changed.'

Richard accused bill of
padding his sales figures.

Of forcing his
clients to pre-order

in order to make his
numbers look good.

Did bill do that?

Richard was bill's mentor.

Bill was just a better salesman.

He was... He was younger,
he was more outgoing.

He had the gift of gab.
My dad always said.

Charmed the birds
out of the trees.

When did the
hostile e-mails start?

Uh, couple of months
after Richard lost his job.

He blamed your husband.

He was having
trouble finding work.

And the family was
really struggling.

Are you still in touch with him?

Not after the threats started.

But, yeah, you hear things.

A friend told me that Kim
replaced her Rose bushes

with a vegetable garden.

She had to grow her own food?

And Joe had to drop out of
junior college this semester

take a job, help
support the family.

Joe is the oldest son?

Yeah, Artie is
still in high school.

[Baby crying]

That's my son.

How old?

He will be a year next month.

Oh.

I have a daughter, 16 months.

- What's her name?
- Haley.

That's Nick.

He is loud like his dad.

[Dramatic music]

What am I gonna do without him?

[Baby crying]

- Excuse me.
- Sure.

[Baby crying]

No murder weapon, no witnesses.

Sheer speculation.

Based on a gun my
client no longer possesses.

Right. It was stolen.

- Last spring.
- No police report.

I figured it was gone for good.

What about insurance claim?

I let my home owner's lapse.
I couldn't afford the premiums.

He has an alibi for the
time of the shooting.

"Home with your wife."

Speaking of wives,
Mrs. Johns gave us

the threatening e-mails
you sent to Mr. Johns.

That was right
after I was canned.

I was still pissed off.

Look, bill and I buried
the hatchet weeks ago...

Please, not another word.

"Liar, cheat. You're the one
who should've been fired.

"Congratulations, you
destroyed my family.

You'll get yours."

'You'll need more than that'

to convince a jury
Mr. Nelson's a murderer.

We know the weapon
belonged to him.

No, the same "type" of
gun is not the "same gun".

If there's only one in
Indianapolis, I think we can.

You can't prove it
if you don't find it.

And if you don't find it,
what else do you have?

A history of antagonism
between the two men. A motive.

I don't think we'll have any
trouble convincing the jury.

If you're so sure, charge him.

We got 72 hours,
we're in no rush.

A little cooperation could help
him avoid the death penalty.

I didn't do it.

Okay.

You think about it, Mr. Nelson.

At least, you'll get to see your
wife and kids on visiting day.

Which is a hell of a lot more
than bill Johns gets to do.

Don't play that lethal
injection card with us.

Who's playing? Cold
blooded sniper shooting?

In this state, that's a
slam dunk for death row.

[Dramatic music]

The Nelson's financial
situation since he lost his job.

Bleak and getting bleaker.

Behind on property
taxes and a month away

from defaulting
on their mortgage.

According to the cops he
only found work a month ago.

Making a fraction of
what he made at erath.

- Doing what?
- Selling franchises

for a fast food chain.

Selling franchises,
that sounds lucrative.

- Ah, if you're good at it.
- Nelson wasn't good at it?

Apparently not. These jobs are
minimum wage plus commission.

If he made any commission,
he hadn't deposited the checks.

Bank account is bone dry.

Minimum wage at his
age must have been tough.

Have you talked to
his new employers yet?

Next on my list. I was on
my way to talk to his old boss.

- 'I'll let you know.'
- Okay.

[Melancholic music]

- You okay?
- Yeah.

'Gettin' axed after twenty
years can't be easy.'

especially when you losin'
out to a guy you trained.

Yeah, maybe he
trained him too good.

Five quarters
straight bill Johns

outsold Richard Nelson
by 40 plus percent.

You ever hear Nelson accused
Johns of fixing those numbers?

Sour grapes. Bill John was the
best damn salesman I ever saw.

Brought in a lot more
money than Nelson ever did.

Came time we had to
downsize, it was a no-brainer.

You know anything
about Nelson's new job?

I had heard rumors.

Fast food franchises.

Franchise? That's
what he's telling people?

Couple of my guys saw him
working behind the counter.

Chunky burger out on Raymond.

- When was this?
- Couple of weeks ago.

- That's clear across town.
- Makes sense, doesn't it?

Less likely to run into
his friends and neighbors.

Ray, Nelson was working in
the chunky burger on Raymond.

Uh-huh, behind the counter.

'Couldn't believe
he was responsible'

'for that sniper thing. '

bill was real responsible. I
even trusted him with the cash.

For one thing, he could count.

These kids..

- You're sort of a kid yourself.
- I'm 25.

You know what he did
before he came to work here?

Sales. It was on
his application.

He did okay.

Pension and health care.
What was he doin' here?

Times are tough, man.
Specially for a dude his age.

I was happy to take him. Over
qualified and eager to work.

You know what turn-over's
like in the fast food industry?

I figured Nelson was
stuck, so he'd stick.

You know what I mean?

So, he drives 25 miles to the
job that pays him minimum wage.

How does that add up?
Gas prices, the way they are.

- Made up in over time.
- You had him working account?

Why put him on the
grill when he can work

the point of purchase
with almost no training.

- Guess it was bad idea though.
- Why?

He freaked out the
last day he worked here.

Just up and left in
the middle of the shift.

- You know what happened?
- Didn't see it.

Apparently he took offense of
something some customer said.

Too bad. He was good.

Could've made manager in a year.

When was this exactly?

Same day that guy got shot.

How long do you keep your tapes?

Two weeks.

[Dramatic music]

I feel for the guy.

Hmm, it's a long, long
way from a suit and tie

to a chunky burger
hat and apron.

[Dramatic music]

They're laughing at him.

(Conlon) 'That one
doesn't think it's funny.'

no. He looks embarrassed.

And surprised.

(Conlon) 'Is that one
of Nelson's sons?'

the youngest one?

(Maureen) 'Artie.'

this happened that day.

Just hours before
Nelson killed bill Johns.

Richard Nelson looks
for work for months.

He finally lands a
crummy minimum wage job.

His kid sees him
workin' the counter

he's humiliated, he
goes and gets his gun.

And kills the man he
blames for ruining his life.

The time code on the
tape might help make sense

of Nelson's cellphone records.

He called his wife right
after he left chunky burger.

'Then a flurry of
calls to his sons.'

first, Joe, then Artie.

Then all kinds of calls between
the four of them all afternoon

both before and
after the shooting.

I doubt they we're discussing
his plans to kill bill Johns.

They might have been
discussing his alibi.

Mrs. Nelson.

Maureen Scofield from
the prosecutor's office.

- Yes?
- Might I have a word with you?

- Do I have a choice?
- Your husband called you

the day of the murder
right after he quit his job.

I don't remember.
Um, nothing important.

Right after he called you, you
and he each called your sons.

- Artie and Joe.
- That's right.

I needed them to come
home to help me find our dog.

- Your dog?
- Yeah. She was wandering.

It was getting
dark. I was frantic.

That was the day
Artie discovered

his father's new job he
was trying to keep a secret.

He didn't want the boys to know.

- Did you know?
- Hm.

It was the best
thing he could find.

At his age, it's not
easy, you know.

We have the encounter
between your husband and son

on videotape. It must have
been humiliating for both of them.

It was a bit of a
shock for Artie.

But Richard's a grown man.

He can handle a couple of
teenage boys laughing at him.

His way of handling it
was to get his sniper rifle

and shoot the man he blamed
for putting him behind that counter?

Richard was home with
me when bill Johns got shot.

- Is that your story?
- That's the truth.

Lying to me isn't gonna
help your husband.

Would you excuse me?

I really need to get these
groceries in the fridge.

Arthur Nelson.

Ed Williams,
prosecutor's office.

I'm busy.

It's about your father's
job at chunky burger

and what happened
there the other day.

- Look, I gotta go.
- We have the security tape.

We know your friends mocked
your dad at the restaurant.

Just 'cause the chunky
burger uniform's queer.

- What'd your dad say to you?
- I don't remember.

You discover your father's
baggin' burgers for a living

and you don't remember
what you said to each other?

I said something like,
"what're you doing here?"

He said, "what does it
look like? I'm working."

- Told me to go home.
- What happened after that?

I went home to look
for our dog, Lola.

Were you with him then?

Yeah, met him home
and started searching.

You were with
him the whole time?

Till we found her.

- Then why all the phone calls?
- Calls?

He tried calling
you all afternoon.

So did you mother
and your brother, Joe.

Is it a crime to
make phone calls?

No, just doesn't make much sense

if you're with the person
you're supposedly calling.

Your father wasn't
with you, was he?

I guess we were looking for
Lola in different places sometimes.

You just said you were
together the whole time.

- Was he with you or not?
- With me.

And when he
wasn't, he called me.

- About looking for the dog.
- Looking for the dog. Right.

So you packed up your
tools and bolted out of here

in the middle of your shift
'cause your mom called?

Dad called.

Said I had to get home right
away and help find the dog.

- There's no mystery.
- No, there isn't.

In fact, it's transparent,
plain as day.

How's that?

You all cooked up this lost dog
story to give your dad an alibi.

- It's what happened.
- My dad was unemployed once.

Two years. Never
wanted my mom to work.

And she had to take
a job baggin' groceries.

It nearly killed him.

Dad wasn't angry about the job.

Come on, I talked to
the guy he worked for.

- He was half his age.
- Well, maybe he liked the job.

If he liked it, then why'd
he keep it a secret?

My dad didn't kill bill Johns.

Think about this dog story,
Joe. 'Cause the next time we talk

about what happened that
day it's gonna be under oath.

[Phone ringing]

Blackwell.

I'll be right down.

Police found your dad's gun.

Oh, yeah?

Rock quarry, half
a mile from erath.

Witness saw a guy toss it
there the night of the murder.

Must have been an
hour after the shooting.

It wasn't my dad.

Well, police is gonna
put him in the line-up.

If the witness picks him out..

Take your time. No rush.

Number three
looks familiar but..

Satisfied?

Well, he looks, sort
of like the man I saw.

But not quite.

Unable to make a positive
ID, think we're done here.

- I'm sorry.
- H-Hold on.

Number three looks familiar.

'Yeah, but..'

come on, how many
bites of the apple

- are you gonna give her?
- Hush. Familiar how?

He looks familiar but the
man I saw was much younger.

- 'Younger than all these guys.'
- Okay, we're done here.

Thank you.

I'd like to show
you some pictures.

- A couple of six packs.
- What're you fishing for?

(Conlan) 'A positive ID.'

witness saw a Joe
Nelson tossing the gun.

Maybe we've been looking
at the wrong Nelson all along.

The question is
did he kill bill Johns

or was he just helping his
father get rid of the evidence?

- Ballistics in crime lab.
- Thanks, Denise.

Bullet from the victim and
sniper rifle are a match.

Nelson's gun is
the murder weapon.

- Closes that loophole.
- 'Might just open another one.'

lab lifted three sets
of prints off the gun.

Richard, Joe and Artie Nelson.

'Well they all
had access to it.'

I'm surprised their
mother's prints aren't on it.

Maybe we should be
looking at all three nelsons.

You think they did it together?

We'd have to place the
three of them at the scene.

Well, they all had
cell phones, right?

All those calls after Artie
saw his dad at the burger joint.

We could triangulate the
calls to the nearest cell tower.

Get a location. We'll know
exactly where they were.

Richard Nelson left work here
and made his first call to Joe.

Where was Richard goin'?

'General direction
of the erath factory.'

on his way to shoot bill Johns.

What about the two boys,
Artie and Joe? Where'd they go?

'Joe Nelson left the auto shop
and went the same direction.'

- 'towards the factory.'
- Artie?

Calls placed to Artie
went straight to voice mail.

Okay can you tell Artie
was when he got those calls?

Now, that's interesting.

'All over town
looks like initially'

'but the final cell tower
hit for Artie Nelson'

'when your victim was shot'

same as the one
for Richard and Joe.

(Conlon) 'So they were all in
the same place at the same time.'

- generally speaking.
- I hate that word, "generally."

All three Nelson men
were at the crime scene

when bill Johns was shot
with Richard Nelson's gun

and Richard Nelson's ammunition.

- At or near?
- In the general vicinity.

If we had a witness who
could place them at the scene.

If this were a drive-by
and we didn't know

who pulled the
trigger, we'd still charge

everyone in the car with murder.

I understand your "drive-by"
analogy but your car

is like a 1000 feet
wide in every direction.

All three of the nelsons
were there. It was their gun

their ammo, the victim was
someone they had motive to kill.

It doesn't matter
which one did it.

They all aided and
abetted the crime

they're all equally
responsible for it.

If they were together
but that is a supposition.

It's a very plausible
assumption.

Supported by a plausible
interpretation of the evidence.

Thank you.

Arrest Artie and Joe Nelson too.

We charge the three of them
with the murder of bill Johns.

[Dramatic music]

All three defendants are charged

with the murder
of William Johns.

- How do they plead?
- Not guilty, your honor.

- You speak for all of them?
- I do, your honor.

The defendants have
waived any potential conflict

and I'll be
representing all of them.

Very well. Miss chase,
on the matter of bail?

The people request that bail be
denied for all three defendants.

'Your honor, none of
them has a criminal record'

has never posed a
threat to the community

nor as the people well
know the means or resources

to leave the jurisdiction and
therefore pose no flight risk.

'We ask they be released
on their recognizance.'

means or no means they
conspired to murder a man

I think they're smart
enough to figure out

- how to flee the jurisdiction.
- Agreed.

As my father said, "all
you need to jump bail

"are two good feet and
one good head start."

Bail's denied. Defendants
will be remanded.

[Intense music]

Audacious and over-reaching
are the most polite words

I could use to describe this
unbelievably coercive tactic.

There's nothing unbelievable
or coercive about it.

All three Nelson
men are equally guilty.

And I'm gonna give all three

the opportunity
to tell the truth.

We're not interested.

Well maybe Mr. Nelson
isn't interested.

Neither are Joe or Artie.

I'd like to talk to them anyway.

Don't waste your breath,
they won't talk to you.

They're not
interested in a plea?

They all steadfastly
maintain their innocence.

And their ignorance of every
aspect of this tragic affair.

They're not involved.

And you're barking up a
whole forest of wrong trees.

At the precise moment
that bill Johns was shot

Richard, Artie and
Joe were at the scene

with Richard Nelson's weapon.

'You don't have
them at the scene.'

you have their cell phones

pinging off a tower
near the scene.

Oh, yes, the lost dog.

'Didn't live that far
from the factory.'

you may not like the
explanation but it's reasonable.

It's patently false. A
blatant, bald-faced lie.

Call it what you
want. They didn't do it.

An eye witness identified him.

She saw him ditching
the gun in a quarry

a half hour after
the murder occurred.

Allegedly. If she
has her ID right.

Those glasses
were kind of thick.

I have yet to hear
anyone say that they saw

my clients shoot
and kill anyone.

Not just any gun.
The murder weapon.

And his prints were on it.

Well, Joe was hunting
with his father, every year.

Don't you go hunting?

Did you in fact
throw that gun away?

You're not to
answer that question.

I'm not answering
any of her questions.

We have video tape
from the restaurant.

Evidence doesn't lie.

Over-zealous prosecutors
have been known to.

Publically humiliated
in front of his friends.

It's no big deal.

- Whatever.
- Don't say anything.

I can easily imagine
how that must have felt.

- So will a jury.
- 'Good luck with that.'

everyone did it,
everyone's responsible

everyone's going to jail,
everyone should confess.

It's not gonna
happen, miss chase.

Just doesn't work that way.

Hearing on the motion to
dismiss murder charges against

Richard, Arthur
and Joseph Nelson.

Mr. Bosco.

Miss chase asserts
that the defendants acted

as a so called gang to
aid and abet a murder.

This requires her to place
all three of them together

at the crime scene when
the murder occurred.

It's common basis
for a murder charge.

The evidence doesn't support
it. Cell towers in that area

have a range of 1000
feet in any direction.

They could've been up to
2000 feet away from each other

at the time. Out of sight
or hearing one another.

Given the other
evidence it's reasonable

to infer they were
there together.

It's equally reasonable
to infer that they weren't.

The murder was committed
with the Nelson family's gun

the Nelson family's
ammunition, they had motive

- means and opportunity.
- Assertions that are irrelevant

whether the Nelson's
were together or apart

when the shooting took place.

Now there's no factual
basis to support the charge

that my clients worked together
to aid and abet the murder.

Miss chase's gang theory
simply does not apply.

These men were not in a
car, this was not a drive-by...

Respectfully, your honor, a
jury should decide this question.

But this is the essence of
your case, miss chase, isn't it?

That the defendants
acted together

and so should be treated
equally as principles in the crime.

Yes, your honor.

You'll have my
ruling in the morning.

You worried about
how the judge will rule?

Oh, flip a coin. It
could go either way.

What else is bothering you?

I'm concerned the way
annabeth is handling this case

has as much to do with
the fallout from Jack's death.

And what happened to the
drunk driver who killed him.

She identifies with
the victim's wife.

How could she not?

I think annabeth wants
to make sure Jackie Johns

feels justice was
served and not thwarted.

Is that how annabeth feels?

Trent bishop pled
guilty, as you know.

Vehicular homicide.
Plea agreement.

I've recommended seven years.

Last week the
judge gave him four.

Why so lenient?

First offense, family
man, upstanding citizen

just had a bad day.

He has no record of
driving under the influence.

She must be sick about it.

She hasn't said anything
about it. Not to me anyway.

If that happened to me

I'd be so angry I
couldn't see straight.

See that's what
I'm worried about.

Maureen, I endorsed the
tack annabeth has taken

with the Nelson case.

Well, we'll see
if the judge does.

The people's case
is based on the theory

that the three
defendants acted together

to aid and abet a murder.

I find that the evidence
presented is insufficient

to support this claim.

Accordingly, defendant's
motion to dismiss is granted.

- Your honor, without prejudice.
- Of course, miss chase.

My advice to you is that
you either pick the shooter

and make the best
case you can against him

or drop the case altogether.

- Thank you, your honor.
- Dismissed.

[Gavel bangs]

What happened? Why
did he dismiss the charges?

It's complicated. It doesn't
mean our case is over.

Richard Nelson
threatened bill for months

and then he and his
sons murdered him.

What is so
complicated about that?

[Intense music]

New murder charges
against the nelsons?

Horton only
dismissed the charges

because of the gang theory.

Yeah, but you've also
gotta pick the shooter.

Do you have new evidence
that points to one of the nelsons?

- No there isn't.
- Then what's the new theory?

Try each of them
individually for the murder.

Each of them had the
motive, means and opportunity

to shoot bill Johns.

You want three separate
trials against them.

They acted together
and murdered bill Johns

but if I can't try them
together I'll try them apart.

This is your creative
way around his ruling?

It's unconventional but it
doesn't change the facts

or what I would
argue to the juries.

- It's borderline.
- 'It's over the line.'

a prosecutor down in Florida
got called before the state bar

for trying something like this.

I know, but that prosecutor
gave the different juries

different theories of
the same crime, I won't.

But for that, don't you have to
say each one was the shooter?

- That's impossible.
- No, no.

Would I like to know
who shot the gun? Yes.

But do I need to know that
to make convictions? No.

We argue the same
facts for each defendant.

Access to gun and ammo,
motive and presence at the scene.

The cellphone data isn't
definitive on that point.

No, but taken with
everything else, it's persuasive.

This case's similar to any other
case with multiple defendants.

Defense attorneys want
separate trials in those cases

it doesn't work to our
advantage, it works to theirs.

It's unorthodox
but it's not wrong

to try them separately
for what they did.

[Instrumental music]

Where exactly are you
going with this case?

You seem to have a
problem with what I'm doing.

I'm concerned about
what's driving you.

- Justice.
- For bill Johns?

- Or for Jack?
- Jack?

Your husband.

This has nothing to
do with Jack, Maureen.

- I'm just doing my job.
- I know you're angry.

Four years for
vehicular homicide.

Well I can't do anything
about the sentence.

Okay.

My two cents, and I'm
saying this as a friend

I think you're trying
to get Jackie Johns

the justice you were denied.

I'm getting her the
justice she deserves.

And this has nothing
to do with me, okay?

[Intense music]

Pick a shooter, judge,
that's what you told her to do.

She picked three.

- Miss chase?
- Three defendants, your honor.

I don't know who the shooter is.

Three defendants in
three separate trials?

The three
contradictory theories?

(Judge) 'Not in my court.'

not contradictory
theories, your honor.

Nothing the people say
in one trial will contradict

what we say in
any of the others.

Each case will show how
each Nelson individually

had the motive,
means and opportunity

to murder bill Johns
without having to prove

which one of them
pulled the trigger.

- I don't see the problem.
- It's unethical.

Separate trials?

Defense lawyers
do it all the time.

The end runs around your
ruling, judge, not the normal way

to prosecute a crime
committed by a group.

Unorthodox but not unethical.
That said it's a fine line.

Step over it and
I will throw out

all three cases, with
prejudice this time.

Yes, your honor, I
understand. Thank you.

Three trials could easily
become a circus, miss chase.

I'll see that they
don't, your honor.

Good. I don't like the circus.

All three trials in
the same courtroom?

Makes it easier for everyone.

Our witnesses testify on
the same day in all trials.

And judge horton
presides over all three?

And the juries and
defendants rotate in and out.

I'm still uncomfortable
with this.

Obviously, one of them shot,
Mr. Johns but we don't know

which one and whether
the others even participated.

Maureen, if so,
then the innocent one

should've told us when
we offered them the deal.

They're lyin' because
they think if they

tough it out
they'll all get off.

And with bosco
representing all three

we can't separate
them to break that lie.

I'm with annabeth,
we go with three trials.

For the record, I
strongly disagree.

If you want out, I can replace
you with marinelli or Kingsley.

I'm staying on the case.

Then help her draft her opening.

Richard Nelson lost his
job, bill Johns kept his.

And for that Richard
hated bill. And blamed him.

Richard Nelson blamed bill
Johns for the taxes he couldn't pay

the house he might lose.

He blamed him for his
son, Joe, having to drop out

of junior college to
help support the family.

Joe Nelson blamed bill
Johns for the stress his parents

were under, the fights
at home over money.

Artie Nelson blamed bill
Johns for ruining his father's life.

Turning him from
a man he admired

'to a man his friends mocked.'

from a man who
was proud of his job

to a man who hid what he
did from his own children.

When you've heard the
evidence, I'll ask that you render

the only verdict, you can
based on that evidence.

Richard Nelson
is guilty of murder.

Joe Nelson is guilty of murder.

Artie Nelson is
guilty of murder.

[Intense music]

Jurors, I'm gonna ask you
to do something very simple

in this trial.

Listen to what the prosecution
will not and cannot say

about Artie Nelson.

That they cannot say Artie
Nelson pulled the trigger

and shot bill Johns.

They can't say Joe
Nelson shot bill Johns.

Because they
don't know if he did.

Their case is weak,
speculative and just plain wrong.

They will not and cannot say

Richard Nelson
fired that bullet.

Did he own the gun? Yes.

But it was stolen a
year before the crime.

Was he in the general
vicinity at the time

the crime was committed? Yes.

But he was looking for
the lost, beloved family dog.

This boy, Artie Nelson
did not murder bill Johns.

This young man, Joe Nelson
did not murder bill Johns.

Richard Nelson did
not murder bill Johns.

[Intense music]

Then they'll start with
your oath to tell the truth.

- Okay - and then I'll ask you

some questions about
bill and your life together.

Okay.

We want jurors to know
him and understand

how much his death hurt you.

Now, don't be afraid
to ask for a recess

if you need it. This is gonna
be really emotional for you.

Alright.

And then I'll ask you about the
hostile e-mails Richard Nelson

sent to your husband.

Bosco will probably object
to some of my questions

but don't worry about
that. I'll deal with it.

Is he gonna attack
me? Call me a liar?

You're the victim's widow.

Abusing you
wouldn't help his case.

Okay.

Jackie, your testimony
is our best direct evidence

of the Nelson's
motives for killing bill.

Right let's get started then.

Okay.

Richard said bill
faked the sales figures

just before their boss decided
who to let go and who to keep.

How did bill feel
about that accusation?

It wasn't true, he felt
horrible, sick and then scared.

- Scared of what?
- Of Richard.

Richard Nelson, the defendant?

- Richard threatened him.
- He threatened your husband?

- How?
- He wrote bill e-mails.

He blamed him for getting fired.

(Jackie) 'He said
he'd get him back.'

what did bill think
Richard would do?

Bill told me that he thought
Richard wanted to kill him.

He took the threat seriously?

- Yes.
- And did you?

Yes.

- And look at what happened?
- Objection.

(Judge) 'Sustained'.

No further
questions, your honor.

Good afternoon, Mrs.
Johns. I'm sorry for your loss.

And that you have to be
here today to discuss it.

I'd like to hear more
about these e-mails.

Had you actually seen these
e-mails before bill was killed?

After he was killed.

I looked for them on his
computer and I printed them out.

- Then what?
- I gave 'em to the police.

Did you find any other e-mails
from Richard on bill's computer?

Yes. There were a lot of
them. About business mostly.

What happened to those?

All the e-mails
Richard ever sent to bill

were on the computer
that I gave to the police.

Did you delete any e-mails

before you turned
it over to the police?

No. I don't think so.

Don't you know?

Not intentionally,
if I inadvertently..

Did you or did you
not delete any e-mails

from your husband's computer?

No. I don't think I
deleted anything.

'Let me refresh your memory.'

recognize it? You
deleted this one didn't you?

Objection, your honor, we're
unaware of this evidence.

We obtained it this morning

from Mr. Johns'
Internet service provider.

That doesn't excuse the defense

from following proper
rules of discovery.

(Bosco) 'Impeachment
evidence, judge.'

an e-mail Richard
Nelson sent bill Johns

months after the so-called
threatening e-mails.

The witness deleted this
and seven other such friendly

dare I say, cordial e-mails
from Mr. Johns' computer.

We'd like an opportunity
to review this evidence.

Lemme see it?

I'll allow it. You may
read it, Mrs. Johns.

[Instrumental music]

"Bill, it was a
competition and you won.

"And I stomped off the
field like an angry kid.

"Let's grab coffee or a beer
when you have a chance.

"Miss you buddy. Richard."

Your husband replied to
this message, didn't he?

Agreed to meet Richard
for a drink, didn't he?

- I don't know.
- Of course you do.

You deleted his
response saying just that.

"Dear Richard, tomorrow
at nine, the daily grind

"look forward to
seeing you. Bill."

Hardly the Hatfield's
and McCoy's, is it?

Richard and bill had
reconciled, hadn't they?

I didn't believe
that. I still don't.

He killed my husband.

You hid evidence
of this reconciliation

from the police
and from this court.

You're a liar, Mrs. Johns.

[Intense music]

We could've dealt with
those e-mails if you'd told us.

You jeopardized all three cases.

If I told you, you might've
not charged the nelsons.

- Let me decide that.
- I didn't know they'd find 'em.

A trial isn't a game
of hide and seek.

You've basically
perjured yourself.

Did you hear the part
about the whole truth?

- Will they be acquitted?
- Should they be?

The question is what
else haven't you told us?

You know everything,
now. I'm sorry.

[Intense music]

Now Jackie can't
testify in their trials.

So, what was Nelson
doing that day?

Remember that first
interview you had with him

'before bosco shut him up?'

yeah, Nelson said
they'd buried the hatchet.

What if he was
trying to save bill?

From one of his sons?

- Right. But which one?
- I don't know.

And as long as they
won't to talk to us.

We could go back
to them with a plea.

We've already tried that.

Conlon talked to Richard Nelson
but he never talked to the boys.

They might listen to him.

- What're you offering?
- Fifteen years for the shooter.

(James) 'If the others can
convince me they weren't involved'

- suspended sentences.
- It's fair offer, Richard.

We reject it.

This isn't the way to protect
your family, Mr. Nelson.

It's a guaranteed
way to put them in jail.

Mr. Bosco says that Jackie Johns
won't even be allowed to testify

at my son's trials.

That doesn't mean
they'll be acquitted.

I think it does. We'll
see about that, I guess.

Jackie Johns isn't the
only lying wife, Mr. Nelson.

Your wife is lying too and
she'll have to take the stand.

It's the only way you'll
get your alibi into evidence.

- So?
- So, if we prove she's lying

you're all going to prison.

[Dramatic music]

We made our decision.

A lost dog?

Lola.

Why didn't you tell
the police about Lola

when they first questioned you?

I don't remember what I said.

I can read you the
notes if you like.

You told them Richard
was at home with you.

- If you say so.
- But we know he wasn't.

- No.
- Then why did you say he was?

I was scared.

You lied because
you were scared?

I guess so, yes.

Scared to tell the
police your husband

was looking for a lost dog?

Scared because they were

accusing Richard
of killing bill.

Police investigating a murder
don't usually give information

to the suspect's
wife, Mrs. Nelson.

I'm sure that's what they said.

The police didn't tell
you bill Johns was dead.

You already knew. That's
why you were scared.

That's why you lied.
You already knew.

- 'Your honor.'
- Is that a question, Ms. Chase?

How did you know
that, Mrs. Nelson?

You were protecting
your family, right?

That's what wives
and families do.

Protect each other
from outsiders.

Yes.

That's what Mrs.
Johns tried to do

when she didn't tell us
about the friendly e-mails

between her husband and
yours. How they'd reconciled.

That's what you're trying to do
right now. Protect your family.

I don't know.

I'm not asking
you to tell the truth

because it's the right
thing to do, Mrs. Nelson.

I'm asking you to
protect your family.

Lying isn't gonna keep
your family out of jail.

Your honor.

Finish up with this
witness, miss chase.

I'm finished, your honor.

[Intense music]

- Mr. Conlan.
- Mr. Bosco?

Nelsons wanna take the deal.

Really? What
changed their minds?

Miss chase's cross examination.

Richard now
concedes Kim's alibi...

Was fabricated?

It is likely to be
unpersuasive with the juries.

Physical evidence
being as it is.

They realize now, they
won't all be acquitted.

I'd say that's a fair analysis.

I'll set up the meeting
for this afternoon.

- Good, I'll tell 'em.
- 'One thing first.'

who's the shooter?

I took my dad's gun
and drove down to erath.

I snuck in the back of the
lot and waited till it got dark.

Mr. Johns came
out of the building

walked to his car
and... And I shot him.

My dad and brother
got there right after that.

I wanted to turn myself in right
then but they wouldn't let me.

My brother took the gun
and my dad took me home.

'They were just
trying to help me.'

please don't punish them.

Under the terms of your
agreement, you plead guilty

to the crime of
voluntary manslaughter.

Yes.

Under the terms of this
agreement you will serve

a sentence in state prison
of no less than 15 years.

- Is that correct?
- Yes.

Is there anything further
you'd like to say, young man

before I enter judgment.

I know what I did was wrong.

Mr. Johns didn't deserve to die.

And I'm really
sorry to Mrs. Johns.

And her baby.

And to everyone
in my family too.

"The court hereby accepts
the defendant's plea of guilty

"and enters judgment as set
forth in the plea agreement."

The defendant is
remanded to the custody

of the department
of corrections.

[Gavel bangs]

[Melancholic music]

[Intense music]

Don't you have a
baby to get home to?

Why're you still here?

I just talked to conlon.

Trent bishop has filed
his notice of appeal.

I expected that.
Pretty much automatic.

Conlon said he told
the Attorney General

it was personal to our office
since it involved your husband.

And the ag agreed to
let us handle the appeal.

- Us?
- Me. I take the lead.

At the sentencing, my
stomach was in knots.

I had to force myself to go.

I thought I could
get some closure.

That's what everybody said.

Bishop had agreed to plead
to seven which I didn't think

was nearly enough
but... Best we could do.

And bishop walks up..

And says he's sorry. That
just makes me feel worse.

And then I hear the
judge say four years.

Four years, for taking
my husband's life.

I was stunned.

Closure?

It felt like somebody
ripped the scab off

and kicked me in the stomach.

It felt like all my hard work,
all the healing I had done

right back to square one.

Why didn't you come to me?

I guess I just thought
I could tough it out.

That would mean a
lot to me, Maureen.

I'd sleep better at night
knowing you were handling it.

Me too.

I can keep you posted
every step of the way.

I can brief you once a month.

I can let you know
when it's all done.

Whatever works for you.

- Every painful detail.
- Okay.

Thank you.

I'll see you tomorrow.

[Instrumental music]

(Annabeth narrating) Stay tuned
for scenes from our next episode.

[Theme music]