All language subtitles for L.A.Law.S05E03.Lie.Harder.1080p.HULU.WEB-DL.DDP5.1.H.264-BurCyg_track3_[eng]

[indistinct chatter]

[telephone ringing]

Rox, I need a huge favor.

Uh, I'm kind of busy.

Travel-Time's botched the trip.

We didn't get the Friday flight
and they didn't reserve

Chloe a spot
in Beginner Snow Bunnies.

Uh, call Liz Cohn,
she handles Arnie's trips.

Mm. Travel agent from hell.

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

Corrinne, Arnie needs this
motion by 9:30.

That's why I wrote it all down.

I don't want to take up
any more of your time

than is absolutely necessary.

Gee. Thanks.

Arnie: Rox, what's the hold up?

I gotta get those pages

filed by... Hi.

She's helping your busy wife,

so cut her some slack.

- If you say so.
- Mm.

Honey, I gotta help
this poor slob

get out of his wife's clutches.

I'll see you tonight.
I love you.

- Mm. Bye.
- Bye.

Corrinne? It's me, Gwen.

- Gwennie! Oh, Hi.
- What are you doing here?

Corrinne: What has it been,
10, 12 years?

Gwen: Oh, longer. Longer.

I had braces on last time we
saw each other.

I can't believe
how you've grown up.

- Yeah.
- What are you doing here?

Well, I work
for Stuart Markowitz.

I didn't know this.

I-- I married Arnie Becker.

Rox, Gus Brandt is trying
to call me from his car--

Arnie, you won't believe this.

- Little Gwennie works here.
- Little Gwennie?

Corrinne: Yeah, Susan Taylor's
little sister.

Our high school mascot,
she followed us to the prom.

Right. Hi.

We've met. Listen, I gotta go.

Uh, Stuart's waiting for these.

Corrinne: Oh, it's so good
seeing you.

- Like can we have lunch?
- No.

I mean, haven't you got
a lot of stuff to do

to get ready
for the weekend?

I'll make time for Gwennie.

I helped her buy her first bra.

- Remember, you were so cute.
- Yeah.

She was afraid
she'd never grow breasts.

No!

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

This is ex parte, Grace.

- I'm not the lawyer of record.
- But your firm is.

That makes
this meeting inappropriate.

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

The city is on the verge
of a race riot.

The solution
from the D.A.'s office

is to convict an innocent cop,

and the-- the judge on the case

is a total victim
of the hysteria.

Judge Stone has served with
distinction for seven years.

He can't control Holloway.

He let the D.A.
talk about a lie detector

in front of the jury,
he wouldn't even declare

a mistrial after putting
Kuzak into custody.

- But he declared the mistrial.
- Only after locking Rollins up.

Come on, Michael,

you can't ignore
the stench on this one.

Stone can't do it.

You're the presiding
Superior Court judge,

you have to take
responsibility here.

[sighs] Okay.

I'll get you a new judge.

Somebody who can
take the heat, okay.

Somebody who can
stand up to Holloway.

Just be sure
your boys are ready.

If we stall on this one,
the public

screams will only get louder.

That's not gonna
do you any good.

We're ready now.

Okay.

I'll get you a good judge.

Thanks, Michael.

First up, Shays
versus McKenzie Brackman.

Post mortem.

Motion for remittitur,
next Tuesday.

- What do you have for appeal?
Kelsey: Nothing procedural.

A lot of case law saying
a partner is not an employee.

Meaning she may not have
a claim for sex discrimination.

We tried that at summary
judgment and lost.

Yeah, but I just pulled
a case off Leslow,

ninth district, right on point.

- It's worth a shot.
- Well, good.

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

No Sollers, just her.

If I can crunch it down,
I'll try to settle it.

Moving on. A reminder, Leland.

We have the Lowry dinner
Thursday night.

People versus Chisolm.

Judge Stone's off the case,

so at least that's a start.

Expect a pre-trial tomorrow.

Jonathan and I have decided
that he will try

the case and I will
second chair.

Are you comfortable
with that, Jonathan?

Yes.

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

Both of you.

- Brackman: In Re Slaeffer.
- Hearing starts today.

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

- Yes.
- And we represent the parents.

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

Returning a child
to an adoption agency,

how can you represent people
like that?

Abby: You've never met
the people, Ann.

You've never met the child,
and to my

knowledge,
you've never seen the file.

Maybe not, but as a mother, I--

I'm a mother too.

And based on my review
of the facts,

I accepted these people
as clients.

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

to my judgment,
as I do to yours.

I apologize.

Okay.

McKenzie: Good luck
on this case, Abby.

We know
it's a difficult situation.

Thank you.

And on that happy, happy

note, we're adjourned.

Becker: Stuart.

- How are you feeling?
- I'm fine, Arnie. Thanks.

You're taking care
of yourself, I hope?

What can I do for you?

I was expressing
genuine concern.

I don't always have
an ulterior motive.

But now that you
mention it, yeah,

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

Alright.

It's Gwen.

I think you should
give some serious

thought to that whole situation.

What situation?

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

McKenzie Brackman
just is not that kind of firm.

What kind of firm?
What are you talking about?

I'd rather slice my lips off

than have to tell
you this, but...

but you're my friend
as well as my partner,

I think I owe it to you.

The week before I got married...

she made a pass at me.

Really?

And I was about to get married,

so of course nothing happened.

But still she...

She came in to my office,

ostensibly to have a drink.

Before I knew it...

she's on the sofa
with all of her clothes off.

- Off?
- Off.

Becker: It was all I could do
just to get her dressed

and get her out of there.

The problem is,
she hasn't stopped.

Every time she comes
around me, I'm afraid

she's gonna pounce and, Stuart,

I don't think that I am

the only one that she's after.

What do you want me to do,
fire her?

Look...

I'm just thinking about your
reputation as well as mine.

She's the best secretary
I ever had.

She's the only one
who understands

my color-coding system.

I know. You have
every right to keep her.

If you wanna take that risk.

Well, listen, I, I just...

I just wanted you
to have this information.

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

He was six months old when he
first came home to live with us.

And at that time Billy appeared
to be a normal baby?

Carol: Yes. He cried a lot.

Um, but the doctor said
it was probably just colic.

And, um, he also, uh, stiffened
when we held him, but...

Well, they kept telling us
everything was alright.

But at some point you realize
that Billy was not fine.

Just after his first birthday
he had a seizure.

Uh, they ran
some more tests on him

and this time they found some
neurological damage.

Was he diagnosed
as being retarded?

Carol: Oh, no.

They said that he would probably

have some
learning disabilities

and that his motor skills
could be affected.

And yet, knowing that-- that
Billy would never be um...

"normal," you nevertheless
proceeded with the adoption.

He's our son.

The fact that he had problems
didn't make us

love him any less.

Abby: But here you are today,

almost five years later,
asking the State

to take back custody
of your son.

- Yes.
Abby: Why?

We can't control him.

Uh... for...

Uh, for the last two years,

he's been having these... rages.

He smashes things, he pounds his
head up against the wall.

He just snaps.

Have you, um, sought help
for Billy?

Oh, my God, yes.

Um... special schools,

uh, psychiatrists, medication.

[voice breaking]
We've spent our lifesavings

trying to make him better.

But he's not going
to get better.

So now you're...
you're giving up?

Carol: [crying] We don't
wanna give up,

but, um,

he hurts our other children.

Last year there was
an episode when...

he knocked the baby
down the stairs.

He's, um...

even started two fires.

He's my son...

and I love him.

But I can't take care of him.

Thank you, Mrs. Slaeffer.

I have nothing further.

Good afternoon, Mrs. Slaeffer.
I'm Jaime Rodriguez,

appearing for the Department
of Social Services.

Money is a factor here,
is it not?

No, this isn't about money.

Rodriguez: Well, you talked
about medical costs

and the depletion
of your savings,

so I'm assuming it's a factor.

Well, we have
three other children,

so, yes, it's a concern. But--

Thank you, ma'am.

Those three other children are

your natural
children, am I right?

Yes.

Rodriguez:
How does Billy feel about

his brothers and sister?

He loves them.

Rodriguez: I would imagine
he would miss them quite a bit.

[crying] We will miss him,
Mr. Rodriguez.

I would like to focus
on what this does to Billy,

Mrs. Slaeffer, not you.

[crying] Don't you think we've

agonized over this?

If you have,
then you must be aware

of Billy's chances
of ever being adopted again

if he's put back in the system.

- What are those chances?
- Not good.

They're close to non-existent.

This is... hard enough
without you doing this.

Forgive me, ma'am,
but it can never be hard

enough to do what you're doing.

Objection.

You're asking to strip a

six-year-old boy away
from his family.

Your Honor,
I made an objection.

Mr. Rodriguez.

I'm sorry.

Just tell me this.

With all his problems,

what else has Billy got
but the love of a family?

What else does he have but you?

[crying] We don't know
what else to do.

The question is...

what will Billy do?

[Carol crying]

Rodriguez:
What will Billy do, ma'am?

[telephone ringing]

- Hi, I'm glad I caught you.
- I'm going to lunch.

I've got a million things
to do and I'll never get

to the dry cleaners in time
to pick up the ski jackets.

Could you do me a big favor?
It's right down the street.

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

Would you step in here, please?

I-- I work for Arnie,
not for you.

A-- and it's not fair to dump
all this stuff on me.

Well, it was Arnie who suggested
I ask you to help.

Roxanne: It's a family trip,
Corrinne.

It has nothing to do with me
or with my job,

a-- and I don't like being
asked to handle

all of the-- the pesky details.

I didn't realize
you felt that way.

Well, now you do.

I'm sorry.

I guess
I was being insensitive.

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

You've been the anchor
in Arnie's life

and now he has Chloe and me.

- What's that got to do with it?
- Maybe nothing.

But maybe... you feel a little
abandoned and resent it and--

I don't feel abandoned!

I-- I feel taken advantage of.

A-- and the only thing that,

that I resent here
is being analyzed.

How could you possibly know
how I feel or who I am?

- You've only known me a year.
- I see.

And I've only known
Arnie a year, too. Is that it?

I mean how could
I possibly understand him

as well as, say, you do.

I never said that.

But if the shoe fits...

It doesn't.

But this has been
an illuminating conversation.

Yes, very.

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

There's enough there to proceed,
Your Honor.

If we don't satisfy
the burden--

I've read through your papers,
Ms. Fusco.

You have no business
going forward.

No witness, no physical
or testimonial evidence, and--

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

Excuse me?

A young man
by the name of Jerome Bailey

came forward last night.
Lives in the neighborhood.

Says he saw Officer Chisolm
shoot the boy,

with no one else in the alley.

And this guy just suddenly
appears now?

Look, I'm not gonna play
games with you.

I had my doubts,

I had Mr. Bailey
take a polygraph,

the results are inconclusive.

I have no proof
he's making it up.

But I also know that
Derron Holloway

held a town meeting yesterday
in that neighborhood

imploring someone
to come forward and be a hero.

Well, if this witness
isn't credible, then--

There's no determination
he's not credible.

And Rogoff wants us to use him
if his story checks out.

Well, how do you check it out

if there was no one else
in the alley?

I'm checking it out.

Okay. You get your unexpected
witness in here tomorrow.

I wanna have a little chat.

And get Rogoff in here too.

And tell him
I don't give a damn

about his re-election plans.

There will be no bogus
prosecution in my courtroom.

I'll give him the message.

2 o'clock.

Dr. Evans: Billy's condition is
most likely the result

of drug use by the birth-mother.

I'd like to say
this is an uncommon thing,

but unfortunately it's not.

Abby: Did my clients know
anything about

this drug abuse at the
time of the adoption?

No.

Now, Doctor, based on your

psychiatric examination of this

child, could you
tell us Billy's prognosis?

Dr. Evans: Extremely retarded
social skills.

I don't think this child
will ever bond,

either with the Slaeffers
or anybody else.

It's extremely unlikely
he'll ever have

the capability
to experience adult love.

Abby: And these rages
and uncontrollable fits?

Do you think he'll grow
out of this?

I see no indication
that he will.

Abby: And, doctor,
in your expert opinion,

what effect would
Billy's behavior have

on the other members
of the family?

Well, obviously it
takes its toll on everyone,

but the most serious threat
is to the emotional well being

of the other children.

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

Abby: And, doctor, do you have
an opinion as to whether

Billy should remain
in this household or not?

In my opinion he should not.

Abby: Thank you.
Nothing further.

Rodriguez:
The chances of this boy

being able to bond and trust,

do they go up or down if he
is removed from the family?

Down.

Rodriguez: In fact, the damage

caused to this boy would be

totally irreparable,
wouldn't it?

- That's possible.
Rodriguez: Mm-hmm.

Rodriquez:
And, Doctor, does Billy love

his parents and his siblings?

Yes, he does.

Rodriguez:
Would it be fair to say

that he loves them very much?

Dr. Evans: Yes

Rodriguez:
So this child is quite

capable of experiencing love.

I was talking about his

capability for
experiencing adult love.

I understand that, but that's
way off in the future.

Right now, today, this young man

is capable of loving, isn't he?

Yes.

What happens to that capability

once he's ripped apart
from his family?

I have to balance the needs of

the other children, not
just Billy, not only--

This proceeding isn't about

the other children,
it's about Billy.

I care about Billy,
Mr. Rodriguez. I care very much.

Are you telling me that this
child is going to be better off

in a state agency
than with his family?

- Maybe not, but--
- Then don't sit there...

telling us how much
you care about Billy.

Do you think I'm enjoying this?

- Mr. Rodriguez?
- Move to strike.

This is an impossible
situation.

We're all just trying to use
our best judgment!

Alright, both of you!

[clears throat]

Doctor, you testified that
during the course

of your practice you've
had extensive experience

with behavioral disorders,
many with adopted children.

That's right.

Have any of these
children suffered

from behavior problems
as severe as Billy's?

Yes.

And in your experience, how many

of these adoptive parents,

other than the Slaeffers,

have sought to give
their children back?

- Rodriguez: How many, ma'am?
- None.

I have nothing further.

Now, I-- I-- I don't listen to
gossip, believe me.

And I am not a fan of innuendo.

But, uh, this is different.

When a partner in this firm
comes to me with his concerns...

- I-- I have to consider them.
- Which partner?

Well, uh, I'm not at liberty
to mention any names,

but, uh, this partner, uh,

is concerned about your--
your promiscuity.

My what?

Well, uh, you know, your-- your

uh, sexual adventure... ism.

Arnold Becker?

Well, I...
I can't mention any names.

- Yes, Arnold Becker.
- Stuart, this is what happened.

Arnie invited me
to his office for a drink.

I didn't know at the time,
but he was getting married

and I guess he was freaking out.

I was there three,
maybe four minutes

when he started
taking my clothes off.

Now, I won't say
I wasn't willing.

- But it was all his idea.
- Mm-hmm.

We did it that one time,
on the sofa

in his office, and never again.

And now he can't even
look at me.

I am not promiscuous.

I do not sleep around,

and I do not wanna lose my job

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

Okay.

That fine.

Really.

I'll bring it down to one nine

but that's as fair
as I get, Leland.

I'd rather go into bankruptcy
rather than give you one nine.

- [laughing] No, you wouldn't.
- How can you be so sure?

The reason you brought me in,
the reason you stepped down,

was to save what you love.

Well, if you understood that,

why did you do what you did?

I did what I was hired to do.

Let's be honest about that,
Leland.

Somebody had to be ruthless,
somebody had to play hard.

You didn't want to be
that somebody.

You'd been too popular
too long.

I can understand that.

What I can't understand

is after I did
all the dirty work,

that you never
gave me the chance.

To do what?

I was hoping that
after all the hardball,

I'd be able to sit back
and enjoy.

Enjoy what I'd helped build.

Cultivate some of that
McKenzie loyalty.

McKenzie: Wouldn't have
happened, Rosalind.

No, you can't grind up
the people you work with

and then later expect
their devotion.

You needed
a little grinding here.

But your problem is

you can't ever feel victorious

unless the other guy
is devastated.

I was good for this place.

You saved this place.
Absolutely.

But so did I
by stepping back in.

One million three.
I can make that payment.

You'll have it by the end
of business tomorrow,

and you can walk away
leaving me defeated,

but not fatally crushed.

One million five.

I want you to at least limp.

One four, and it'll be over.

I can sell one four.

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

We can file the dismissal
as soon as I get the check.

Deal.

Deal.

Billy, I promise
this will be real short

and not very hard.

Ninja Turtles,
that's a sharp tee shirt.

- Did you see the movie?
- Twice. My father took me.

My son took me.

And I hear
you like baseball too.

[clicks his tongue]

Does your father ever take you
to see the Dodgers?

[clicks his tongue]

Billy?

John gave me his glove.

Sounds like a pretty
good brother to me.

Is John here?

No, he's not.

Where is he?

Judge Robin: Well, I believe
he's in school.

Listen.

I understand...

that sometimes you hit John.

And Carl, too.

[clicks his tongue]

Do you know why you hit your
brothers and sister?

Is John here?

Billy. Do you know
why you hit them?

[crying] No.

Judge Robin: Do you know that
it's wrong for you to hit them?

That it's wrong for you
to start fires?

Yes.

Well, what I'm trying
to understand...

is if you know it's wrong...

why you do it?

Why can't I go home?

Well, while we're trying to
figure all this out,

it'd be better
if you live away from home.

With Mrs. Lewis.

Are my parents
gonna come for me?

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

[instrumental music]

Just a second.
What are you doing here?

I represent Mr. Bailey.

You asked to interrogate him,
he's entitled to counsel.

When did you become his lawyer?

- That's privileged.
Judge Armand: Not privileged.

Well, answer my
question right now

or I'll lock you up
for contempt.

Tuesday.

Mr. Bailey, have a seat.

According to your latest
statement,

you saw the police officer
shoot the boy.

Yeah.

Judge Armand:
But on the night this happened

you gave a statement saying you

saw nothing,
you only heard the shots.

I was-- I-- I was-- I was scared

to tell the cops what I saw.

- Why?
Halloway: Uh-uh. I'm sorry.

I'm not going to allow
free discovery for defense.

- This is--
- This is a surprise witness.

The defense is entitled
to this information.

And if you interfere
with me again,

I'm gonna add obstruction
of justice to contempt,

throw you in a rat hole
for a week.

Now, young man,
you tell me what you saw.

And I don't care
what Mr. Holloway

instructed you to say.
You look at me!

You don't wanna
lie in here now.

Well, the first shot
I-- I didn't see,

I-- I only heard it.

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

There was this kid running
and I seen the cop shoot him.

Judge Armand: Did you see
anybody else?

- Jerome: No.
- How many shots did you hear?

Two, three, I don't know.

Why haven't you said anything
about this before?

'Cause it-- 'cause it was
the cops who done it.

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

And you decided to come forward
after Mr. Holloway addressed

a group of you and your
neighbors two days ago?

Did Mr. Holloway tell you
to come forward?

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

Okay.

You can go.

Mr. Holloway.

A minute, please.

[door closes]

Now... if I find out

that you manufactured
this witness in any way,

or that you suborned perjury,

I will make it
my personal purpose in life

to see you disbarred.

You know,
that robe only gives you

qualified immunity,
Your Honor.

You slander me with any
accusations like that

and you won't have
to look for me,

because I'll be coming
for you.

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

I didn't know I needed
your approval.

[sighs]

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

But it is a credibility
question.

Oh, God.

Judge Armand: Yes, they have a
case, Mr. Kuzak,

shaky as it is.

I have no discretion
to kick it.

That is, if you choose
to go forward.

The district attorney's office
is prepared to prosecute.

For once, will you
show me something?

The district attorney's office
is prepared to prosecute.

[sighs]

We impanel tomorrow morning.

Well, we've been down
this road before.

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

This time with me.

Taking this child away
from his family will ruin him.

The doctors can make
all kinds of predictions

about this and that,
but, come on.

We all know his fate

if he's returned to the agency.

Troubled six-year-old,
he'll never be adopted again.

He'll grow up
without a home or a family.

How can any of us,
straight-faced,

say this child will be
better off?

Yes, he has problems,

yes, he's tough to live with,

and sure he can be a burden.

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

Now, as for the child,
any child,

but especially
one who has problems,

now, he has to have
a guarantee that

no matter what,

his parents will stick by him.

I know they have tried,
Your Honor.

But for God's sake,

tell them to try again,

and if it still doesn't work,

tell them to try again.

Giving that child back...

should be the last resort.

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

And let's be honest,

they are the only people
in this room

who really love
that little boy.

The rest of us are here
doing our jobs.

But they love him.

They love their son.

But Billy is getting angrier.

Billy's getting worse.

He pushed their baby daughter
down the stairs.

She could have been killed.

He put a hot iron
against Carl's arm.

He smashes his own head
against the walls.

He's cut himself for stitches
over a dozen times.

My clients have made every
sacrifice and they have failed.

They would put
him in a private institution,

but they have no money.

And right now, they're scared.

They're scared for Billy,
they are scared

for their other children.

They are desperate people,
Your Honor.

They are asking you
for desperate relief.

I will...

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

This court is adjourned.

It's silly, Arnie.

There's nothing for Corrinne

and me to talk about.

Rox, please don't be like that.

You're on her side.
You always will be.

There are no sides,
there's a misunderstanding

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

Look, we're all
friends here, right?

We're caring individuals who,
who try to treat each other

with decency
and mutual respect.

You are the lowest slime
on earth.

You have the sexual
responsibility of a wart hog

and the morals of a flea.

You would screw
your own grandmother

and sell tickets to it.

And I only pray for one thing,

that when someone
finally does murder you,

there is a hell
for you to rot in.

You were talking about decency
and mutual respect.

A wonderful evening,
Douglas, Leland.

- I'll call you tomorrow.
Brackman: Very good.

McKenzie: Well, thank you very
much and I look forward to that.

Anybody need a lift? We can have
a night cap in the limo.

Brackman: Thanks. We both drove.

Actually, I'm going to visit
the men's room before I go,

so I'll say my good-byes here.

- Thanks again, Leland.
- My pleasure.

Good night, Douglas.

- It went well.
- Yes.

[instrumental music]

- Leland?
- I just ate here as well.

- It's good food.
- Very good.

I just ordered the special.

Shark.

Well, I saw you

and just wanted to be sure
you got our check.

Yes, thank you.

That's why I decided to treat

myself to a nice meal.

It's a lot of money.

You don't have to tell me that.

Any plans on
what to do with it?

I thought I'd take
a leave of absence

from the firm for a month.

Slow down a little.
Maybe...

get to know my grandchildren.

Sounds good.

Grace and Sollers will file
the dismissal in the morning.

Yeah. Good to be done with it.

Yes.

Well, uh...

You know, they have
a great dessert tray here

and I'll bet you skipped it.

- I did.
- At least take a look.

If nothing grabs you, you could
join me for a cup of coffee.

I'd be happy to.

The judge says
she needs the night.

Oh, my God.

She promised
she'd have a decision

first thing tomorrow, so--

Let's call this off.

- Carol.
- Maybe he was right, Ben.

Maybe we should try again.

What can we try
that we haven't tried?

[crying] What's wrong with us?

[shushing]

If they take him back,

then he won't be our son.

He just stops being ours.

[somber music]

[sobbing]

Judge Robin: The adoption
of a child

is an unqualified
and irrevocable bond,

and for anyone
to treat it otherwise

is completely reprehensible.

I certainly am
loathe to encourage

other such parents
to return their children.

And I'm especially concerned

that other adopted boys
and girls may suddenly fear

being shipped back
to state agencies

because they don't live up
to their parent's expectations.

I also have to look at the
individual consequences here.

Returning Billy to the State

would surely
cripple him emotionally,

if not forever, for a long time.

How could any child
get over this...

even if he is re-adopted?

But according to the doctors,

returning Billy to the family

offers no real hope for
emotional improvement either.

And given that...

given that his return
to the household

threatens the safety
of the other children...

and given the fact that
I trust the parents here...

not only to love their son,

but to act in accordance
with what they think is best.

I'm hereby
granting their petition.

[Carol cries]

Judge Robin: In God's name,
I hope you're right.

Because what I'm doing,
quite frankly,

leaves me a little ill.

Billy Slaeffer will return
to the custody of the County.

The clerk will
draft the order.

And may I suggest that
every one of us

say a little prayer tonight

for a boy
who has no comprehension

of what is happening to him.

We're adjourned.

No, I'd start
with the eyewitness part.

It's a stronger opener.

So what, lose the stuff
on Holloway?

No, no, no, keep it.
But open with the other.

Get the credibility question
on its feet immediately.

Okay. Alright, let's go.

Jonathan, listen.

[sighs] I probably don't have
to tell you this,

but this trial's gonna be like
nothing you've ever had before.

Microphones are gonna be
shoved in your face

everywhere you turn.
Packed courtrooms.

People are gonna
call you names.

I've seen it.

You've seen it from the
second chair.

It's a lot different
when it's coming

directly at you, Jonathan.

Now, I'm gonna be right there
beside you, I'm with you.

But to a certain extent,
you're gonna be

all alone in that courtroom.

- I'm ready.
- One other thing.

I gave you this case
because you're black, yes.

But also because you're
a hell of a lawyer.

Thank you.

[door opens]

Hi.

I don't suppose
you're ready to offer

a last minute plea
on murder two.

- Nope.
- Well, listen.

Uh... I have been a little less
than aggressive so far.

And, you know, I'm conflicted
about a lot of what's going on.

But I don't wanna mislead you.

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

I'm going for it
as hard as I can.

We know that, Marcia.

And we know
what you're dealing with.

Yeah, well...

Good luck. [laughs]

- It's pretty scary, huh?
- Yeah.

Look, Ralph, she treats him
like a contagious disease,

she's got to expect
to get reamed.

Arnie, this is a ton of work.

I'm gonna be in here forever.

We'll give you
custody of the kids,

but we want the boat.

With the trailer.

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

- Ralph: Now, don't call me back.
- Can't hear you.

I'm headed into a tunnel.

- Get out of my way.
- We have to talk.

- In your dreams.
- You are in my dreams.

Every night.
It's tearing me apart.

- Good.
- What, is that what you want?

You wanna see me destroyed?
Well, take a good look.

Because the indestructible
Arnold Becker is crumbling,

all because of you. Please.

Please, will you talk to me.

You have to know something.

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

I wasn't trashing his secretary
to save my own neck.

It w-- it was a wild, defensive
move by a desperate man.

Yes, desperate.

Don't you see that,
i-- if you stay around here,

I'm terrified of what could
happen between us?

And it's not just because
you're a beautiful woman.

I'm a married man.

Beautiful women
don't affect me.

But [inhales] you...

are so much more than that.

Your poise, your...

your self-assurance,
your... innate sensuality.

Those things
make you irresistible.

Stuart must be wondering
where you are.

Oh, God, the deposition.

[telephone ringing]

- Ralph: Arnie.
- Ralph.

Yeah, no,
we must have got cut off.

It's all this
damn construction.

Ralph: I'm telling you, I may
have the judge for the...

[sighs]

Oh, I love a woman
who's on time.

Oh. I thought we were
going to lunch.

This is more important.

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

Would you both please
just sit down.

If you're not gonna
talk to each other

you can at least listen to me.

Now...

Roxanne, you are my best friend,
nothing can change that.

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

You know my deepest, darkest
secrets and you still love me.

You'll never know how much
that means to me.

You're my wife.
Nothing can change that.

You're the woman I swore to
love and honor

as long as we both live
and I wanna,

I wanna laugh with you,
and I wanna fight with you,

and I wanna grow old with you.

And I'll never be able
to tell you

how much that means to me.

But some things do change.

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

You're gonna have to share me.

But it doesn't mean
I love you any less.

And you're gonna have
to accept the fact that

Roxanne is a very
important part of my life

and she always will be.

You're the two women that
I care about

most in this world.

And part of accepting me
for everything that I am...

is for you two
to accept each other.

Maybe I did overreact.

I guess
I was pretty thin-skinned.

The Appellate Court
won't miss this.

Not one little bit.

I'm surprised you had
the sense to settle.

But no less delighted.

- Thank you, Your Honor.
- Thank you, Your Honor.

Judge Travelini:
I'll move post-trial

motions off calendar.

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

[chuckles]

Hey, uh, listen.

Before I lose my chance
I'd like to say congratulations.

You are one hell of a lawyer.

Thanks. So are you.

No, I-- I really mean it.

You're strong. You're fearless.

You go for the throat
with the best of them.

Thanks again, I think.

Besides that, you're one of the
most beautiful women

I've ever met.

Listen, now that I'm not
beating your brains out,

uh, would you consider
having dinner with me?

Dinner? Like a date?

Ah, see, that was too direct,
wasn't it?

I'm always either too subtle
or too direct.

Women never know what I mean.
You know what I mean?

I'm not sure
I know what I mean.

I'm a little confused.

Pretty interesting, huh?

[laughs] Yeah,
pretty interesting?

So, uh, Friday at eight,
if that was a yes.

- It was a yes.
- Alright.

Um, I guess that's it.

Billy would like to see you.

- I don't know about that.
- Where is he?

In the hall with
the social worker.

- Listen--
- We can't just walk away Abby.

Let us say good-bye.

[somber music]

Hi, honey.

Remember when I explained about

your going to
live in a different place

with other children.

And you'd go to school.

[crying] You be good, okay?

I wanna go home.

We have to say
good-bye now, Billy.

[crying] I'll be good.

Carol: Oh.
Billy: I promise.

I love you, buddy.

- Billy, it's time to go.
- No!

- Don't leave me!
- Come on, Billy.

- Mommy, please.
- No, no, no.

Mommy, please!

I promise, I'll be good.

I wanna go home.
Mommy, please!

I promise I'll be good!

I wanna go home!

Fusco: We don't know
what William Russ intended

to do with the car
he stole on August 11th.

Strip it down...

keep it, joy ride.

We don't know.

And we'll never know.

Because as this
13-year-old fled from the car,

as he was running home
to his mother,

that man right there
shot him in the back.

- People: Yeah.
- This is not in dispute.

What is in dispute is why.

Now, the defendant,

police officer Brian Chisolm

claims he was
suddenly confronted

with black drug dealers
who shot at him,

and fearing for his life,
he returned fire,

accidentally killing
William Russ.

There is no evidence
of these drug dealers.

There is no evidence
of any bullets

fired from the guns
of these phantom drug dealers.

The reason for this...

there were no drug dealers.

[indistinct murmurs]

We will place an eyewitness
at the scene

who saw Officer Chisolm
shoot William Russ.

This witness saw no one else,

except the victim and that man,

the armed white police officer
who shot him,

and then stood over
the body of an unarmed boy

and claimed self-defense.

And then just expected
everyone to believe him.

I don't believe him.

And after you've heard
all the evidence,

neither will you.

A week ago... they had
no eyewitnesses.

Then suddenly this man here,
Derron Holloway,

pays a little visit
to the neighborhood,

and a witness appears.

See, Derron Holloway represents
the family of the victim.

Derron Holloway stands to make

a lot of money
through a lawsuit.

A lawsuit which will be
easier won

if Brian Chisolm receives
a criminal conviction here.

The eyewitness... is lying.

The eyewitness was never there.

Drug dealers were there.

They shot at this man,
he fired back,

and yes, William Russ
was accidentally killed.

That's what happened.

The evidence will bear out...

that's exactly what happened.

Anchorwoman: While defense
attorney Jonathan Rollins

claims the shooting
was accidental

Prosecution plans to call
its first witness on Monday.

In other news,
Police Commissioner Kevin...

[crickets chirping outside]

- What?
- Oh, nothing.

Nothing.
Mommy just had a bad dream.

I wanted to come and see you.

Go back to sleep, honey.

[instrumental music]

[sniffs]

[crying]

[theme music]