Original subtitles

[ Man ] Excuse me, sir.

Do you think that the people on death row should have a right to an appeal?

These people forfeit their right to live. Period.

You take a life, far as I'm concerned, you have no rights.

They give them the weight rooms with TV sets, the cable TV. Right?

So, no thanks. It's an eye for an eye, not an eye for H.B.O.

It's a little barbaric, isn't it? I mean, it's just vengeance, right?

[ Man ] Did you hear about the execution of Randall Jefferson tomorrow night?

Tomorrow night? No, I didn't hear that. What'd he do?

They say he murdered a 19-year-old girl.

Fry him. Fry 'em all.

I believe this man deserves everything he gets for what he did to that girl.

And her parents, my gosh,

to lose a child, there's nothing worse than that.

[ Woman ] I think about what Jen, uh-- about what she'd be doing.

You never get over that.

Maybe after tomorrow.

If they really do it this time.

[ Interviewer ] You don't think the execution will actually take place?

Man's had three dates come and go already.

Now I hear he's got some new lawyers-- some out-of-state lawyers.

I don't understand who would do a job like that.

I mean, what kind of people would want to help an animal like Randy Jefferson?

You got water pressure in your room? We're not staying here.

Figures. Where'd they put you up, like, uh, the Four Seasons? The Ramada, actually.

I realize that. But our position is the man did not receive a fair trial--

You guys got water pressure over here? [ Eugene ] My room's fine.

Jimmy, we need that index. I got no flush power.

We believe it's important for the governor to hear this evidence himself before.

I understand, but-- You're fine. It's okay in here.

I know that. But what I'm saying is-- I can't believe this.

Jimmy, will ya knock it off in there?

I got the background for the pardon board. Here. [ Sighs ]

Hello?

Now they're saying that he won't meet with us personally, but he may--

and they stress "may"-- attend the clemency hearing.

They assured us that he'd meet us.

His office says he'll take the pardon board ruling "under advisement."

You shouldn't use the minibar. Jimmy, do you mind? We need those exhibits.

Jimmy, would you just relax? Okay, let's just settle down.

I stayed in a place once, they had this big cheese plate.

Check with the front desk, Lindsay, please. It cost me 22 bucks.

Jimmy, it is just a bottle of water. Everybody, just shut up, please!

Take a look at this.

Randall Jefferson, convicted in the 1988 murder...

of Richmond coed, Jennifer Carson,

is set to die by lethal injection just after midnight tonight.

Robert Donnell, Jefferson's attorney, arrived here this morning from Boston,

and Channel Three's Elizabeth Knox was there.

No, I don't think it's over by any means.

Governor Benning has assured us that he will personally attend the clemency hearing...

and I have confidence he'll see that my client did not receive a fair trial.

That's all. Meanwhile, at Cedar Springs Correctional Facility,

only yards away from the room where he is set to die,

Randall Jefferson can only wait.

[ TV Turns Off ]

[ Line Ringing ]

[ Cell Door Opens, Closes ]

[ Sirens Wailing ]

[ Siren Wailing ]

[ Horn Honking ]

[ Interviewer ] You reloaded? You rolling?

Okay, here we go. Mark it.

[ Bobby ] Now wait a second. Uh, Bobby, if this isn't a good time--

Uh-- No, uh--

Go ahead. Ask your questions.

Okay, just a little bit on how you got here, just background on Randy.

[ Bobby ] Okay. Uh, he's been on death row six-and-a-half years.

That's pretty much right, I think.

His first lawyer missed the deadline for filing habeas.

It took three years just to reach federal court.

Have you been with him the whole six-and-a-half years?

About a week. The fact is, Randy had no lawyer for two years.

About a third of the guys on death row don't.

The Capital Defenders Project monitors who's up next. And they asked us in.

Hey, Bobby, we gotta go. Clemency hearing starts in 40 minutes.

How do the other lawyers feel about coming down here, about us filming their every move?

Oh, would you get out of my face!

Heckinger will be sitting to your left. Try to direct as much as you can to him.

Lopez will be in the center. His sister was carjacked last year, so keep clear.

What about the attorney general, Walgren?

He'll go first, and he'll be good.

He not only tried the case, but he got elected A.G. by promising to pull the switch himself.

Governor's not gonna make it. He's judging a 4-H show in Dinwiddie.

Oh, that's not good. Hey, no press allowed up here.

They're making a documentary. Is that right?

[ Interviewer ] Yeah, we talked to Tom Edgar. Here it is.

All right. Here we go.

[ Man ] These give you some idea of the brutality.

The slashes on the arm,

she tried to defend herself, but the blows kept on coming.

There has been no show of remorse, no regret,

not even an acknowledgment by Mr. Jefferson that he even did this.

Let's be clear here. I don't celebrate the death penalty.

It should be used to punish only the most brutally coldhearted killers.

Randy Jefferson meets that criteria.

Randy Jefferson's trial lasted three days.

Three days.

The only testimony against him came from a convicted felon...

who said Randy made a jailhouse confession to him,

and who only gave his testimony after the prosecution offered to reduce his sentence.

No weapon, no other forensic evidence.

Mr. Donnell, he was convicted. Are you here to retry him?

I'm here to emphasize that the trial lasted three days,

with a lawyer who called only one witness...

and spoke for just two minutes at the penalty phase.

We have medical records never entered as evidence...

documenting a pattern of abuse at the hands of his stepfather.

If you're suggesting ineffective assistance of counsel,

the United States Supreme Court has already rejected that claim.

Not on merits. The court found he had not raised the issue in a timely fashion.

So you're asking us to second-guess the Supreme Court?

Look,

a man is waiting to die here.

And the truth is you may be his last hope.

All I'm asking is that you look at the process that condemned him...

and ask yourself, was it conducted fairly?

Fourteen minutes. They could have at least pretended to discuss it.

Governor could still override it. Oh, there's some hope.

[ Sighs ] Someone's gotta tell Randy.

No, no, no. It's just a recommendation.

He can still grant you a pardon and--

and we hear that the governor is taking a very strong interest in your case, Randy.

I'll tell you what. Uh, I'm on my way out there now.

And I'll talk to you soon. Okay?

Okay. Great. Lindsay, where are we?

Still holding. We can't get into federal court until we hear from state supreme.

They're gonna ding us pretty quick, so let's be ready. Jimmy, I need you with me.

I thought I was with Eugene. That was then.

If things start gettin' crazy, I'm gonna need someone at the prison with Randy.

Bobby, could we talk about this, like, uh, privately?

I mean, you know my feelings. I knew this would happen.

Lindsay, I'm entitled to my feelings.

Jimmy, I understand your feelings, but I need you.

But you don't understand. It's just that I'm not comfortable with certain aspects.

The man's on death row for a crime he possibly didn't commit...

and for which he definitely didn't get a fair trial.

What "aspects"? Aspects like I keep thinkin' about that young girl...

who got left on the side of the road.

That's why he's on death row. No, he's on death row because the poor man--

Stop it! Stop it, all of you! That's enough.

You too. Shut it off.

[ Cell Door Closes ]

I understand Bobby's position. This isn't a question of guilt or innocence.

It's a question of fairness. Obviously, that's why we're here.

I'm mean, that's why I'm a lawyer-- to see that justice is done.

But I'm not gonna lie to you.

I don't see the justice in a young girl having her life snuffed out,

and the bozo who did it getting to wake up every morning...

to bacon and eggs on my dime and your dime.

[ Interviewer ] You sound angry. Well, maybe I am.

It makes me angry when people treat this guy...

like he's some kind of saint just 'cause he's gonna die tomorrow.

I mean, we all die.

That girl died.

Jimmy, if you're not gonna be okay with this-- No, I'll be fine.

Good. I love babysittin' murderers.

Hey, you said be candid. Pay no matter to the cameras.

[ Door Buzzing ]

What's goin' on, boys? They're makin' a documentary.

Not on my watch they're not. It's okay, Billy. They got clearance.

Oh, yeah? Y'all gonna show the whole thing? Right up to the cocktail hour?

Funny. Let me see my client.

Guess you found your way. Open her up, Bill. I'll take it from here.

Yes, sir, Warden. Steve Langston. Good to meet you.

Well, gentlemen, if you're ready, let's go meet our friend.

[ Gate Opens ]

[ Door Closes ]

[ TV, Indistinct ]

[ Woman On TV ] Believe me, it's nothing...

compared to what your father and I have had to endure.

[ Guard ] Open eight!

Randy. Bobby Donnell. Nice to finally meet you in person. You too.

This is my associate, James Berluti. He'll be with you the rest of the day.

So, whatever you need-- Yeah, right.

Whatever. Thanks for comin'.

[ Bobby ] So, that's where we were this morning.

Right now, we're waiting for the state court. That should be soon.

But whatever they say, we move directly into federal court.

We have some good issues. Okay. Sounds good.

And you know, the governor can always grant you a pardon on his own.

Yeah, I know that.

What about you? You all right?

I got my moms, some family comin'.

They had a problem. They couldn't find out the visitin' times.

I'll fix it. Thanks.

Thanks a lot.

What do you mean "test the equipment"?

They test it, make sure it all works. I want you there.

If anything malfunctions or even looks shaky, that's something else we can argue.

That sounds a little desperate, Bobby. Like we're not desperate?

Remember the guy in Florida, defective electric chair, uh, barbecued his head?

If anything goes wrong with the equipment, how they handle it--

anything at all-- we might have Eighth Amendment grounds.

You'll be there? So we have a record? [ Interviewer ] Yep.

Just keeps gettin' better and better. Just do it, Jimmy!

It's lethal injection. What could go wrong with it?

What'd ya get? Twelve hundred.

No, it's not worth it. Two above and blue book.

Is that right? You'll never get your money back.

Is that my heart? Yeah. It's racin' too.

I'd go get a physical. Hey, you ticklish?

- All right, I got pressure. - Pick an arm. Any arm.

No, this one's taped.

- How ya doin'? - Starting the saline now.

All right. Yeah. Got clean lines.

[ Man On Table ] I don't feel so good. That's the point.

Oh, God. Okay, I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere.

- Think I'll be here for a while. - [ Men Laughing ]

[ Man Over TV ] Preparations continue here for tonight's execution...

of convicted murderer Randall Jefferson.

Just minutes ago, the state supreme court dismissed his last series of appeals.

That means his lawyers will now have to race off to federal court.

But for now, preparations continue--

Here we go. District court names are at top, court of appeals at bottom.

I've starred the Reagan appointees. I should've crossed them off.

Fax numbers, home phones, reversal rates.

You're sure we can get around the new habeas restrictions? It's not really habeas.

We're asking for a hearing based on evidence not available to the trial court.

It would be nice if we had some new evidence.

Where are we on ineffective assistance?

Affidavits from two clerks sayin' his first lawyer...

basically sat passive through most of the trial.

A fact which seemed to bother no one.

I just got off the phone with Franklin Walters, the judge from the original trial.

He's willing to say that if he would have known about the abuse in Randy's past,

he would have used his discretion...

to convert the death sentence into life without parole.

He's faxing it over right now. Well, that's something.

What about that jury pool business? It won't fly.

Under McCleskey, we'd still have to show specific discrimination in this case.

What about that jailhouse witness, Dugger, the one who claimed Randy confessed?

Remember him? Yeah, yeah. No, there is something.

I was going through these press files again,

and Frank Dugger gave a few interviews around the time of the first state appeal.

And there is one here, and he said something really strange.

Yeah. "There's no question. I heard what I heard.

The man told me he killed that girl. I took that test, so you know I'm not lying."

Test? Like in a polygraph test?

Who gave him a lie detector? And why isn't it in the record?

What's our deadline to file, outside?

6:30, at the latest, maybe 7:00 to append. Okay, that gives us six hours.

Let's find Dugger, see what he meant, first of all.

Was there a polygraph, what was the result, and what the hell happened to it?

Lindsay, let's find a way to leak this thing, maybe get Walgren to play a card.

And that first lawyer, Cooperman. Eugene, do a fly-by, see if he waves.

That's it. Let's go.

[ Interviewer ] We heard about your appeal, uh, being turned down.

It's all right.

It didn't surprise you?

Way as I see it, people done made up their minds.

All the appeals, motions, boards, whatnot.

People wanna believe somethin', that's what they gonna do.

Can't change that.

Been tryin' six years, three months, 26 days.

Just tired of it.

They want me, I ready.

Uh, your lawyer, Bobby Donnell, he seems to think you still got a ways to go.

That's what he says.

I don't know. I'm just here.

But I'm ready... if they want me.

Uh, what are you reading?

Guinness Book of World Records. So many things in here. Strange things.

I used to think, I get out, see everything, do everything.

Rocket cars. Rocket cars. Yeah, I like those.

Rocket cars. Now--

Now I'm strong.

I made my peace.

You know? Yeah.

I's ready.

I's ready.

[ Interviewer ] What's the difference between a polygraph and a lie detector?

A polygraph is a lie detector.

Okay, so this unreported polygraph test, why is it so important?

I thought they were inadmissible. They are.

But if the prosecution took a polygraph and the result in any way suggested Randy's innocence,

the law is they got to turn that over to the defense.

If they didn't, it's prosecutorial misconduct.

If they did and the defense ignored it,

well, then that's ineffective assistance of counsel.

And that's enough for a stay of execution?

Ten years ago, with Brennan and Blackmun and Marshall, even money.

Today--

Eugene, what's your impression of Randy Jefferson?

I don't really know him. But that's not the point.

Who or what he is is beside the point?

What he is is black, among other things. There's a point to that.

So this is a question of race with you? The death penalty is about race.

The fact is if you're a person of color and you kill a white man in this country,

or, God forbid, you do what they say Randy Jefferson did and kill a white girl,

you are 12 times more likely to end up on death row...

than a white man for killin' a black person.

But that's not something you can actually argue in court. Nope.

Can't argue that much in court.

I'm looking for Tommy Cooperman. He's with a client, but--

What is this? They can't come in here. You can't come in here!

Mr. Cooperman? Mr. Tommy Cooperman? Sir, you can't do this!

I need to ask you questions about Randy Jefferson.

Hold on. This is my office. I don't have to talk to you.

Sharon, call Mitchell. No, call the police. He may be executed tonight.

Look, I told you on the phone, that was a long time ago. It's over.

I'll come back. No, hold on.

Damn, will you turn that off? That was a client.

Mr. Cooperman, I have a client who may be dead tomorrow.

That's not my fault. Look, what do you want from me?

I'm sorry about Randy. I did what I could.

I'm not here to blame you.

I need 10 minutes of your time to help save a man who may be innocent.

You got 10 minutes?

You, uh, okay in there?

Yeah. You need anything?

A cup of coffee?

Okay, then, uh, I'm gonna go make a few phone calls, stay on top of things.

You sure you're okay?

I's fine.

Then, uh, I'll see ya then.

You ever have an operation? In a hospital, I mean?

[ Interviewer ] No, actually, I haven't.

I had my appendix out when I was 13.

And they put a mask over your face and tell you to count backwards from 10.

And then... nothing.

That's how this goes. Faster.

Except he'll never wake up.

Bobby says not a fair trial.

Okay, I think it's worth a look, or two, or three.

But the way I read it, they pinned the guy.

He's guilty, he pays the price.

It's supposed to be the most humane way.

And they just go to sleep.

Like they do to a dog or a cat.

They just go.

It's merciful, right?

As of 11:30 this morning, the state supreme court has denied Mr. Jefferson's latest appeal.

My office has filed in federal district court...

and we are confident they will uphold that ruling.

Look. Eugene says Randy's old lawyer never heard of any lie detector.

He says even though he was in over his head,

he would have never ignored a polygraph result.

Where are we with that witness, Frank Dugger?

Uh, Lindsay, hold on. Call waiting.

Yeah?

Right. Right. Exit eight.

Got it. Thanks. Thanks a lot.

Okay. That was the parole officer. We got him.

Dugger works at some burger joint off I-70. I'll head out there after--

Ah, we're just getting started here.

Uh, I don't know when I'm gonna be done. I'll get Eugene.

How you guys holdin' up?

Yeah, me too.

[ Walgren ] Yes, Alice?

Is the Fifth Circuit considering anything not raised in state court?

No. There are no new issues.

This case has been litigated for seven years.

It's almost over. [ Bobby ] Excuse me, Mr. Walgren.

Mr. Donnell? We have information that a witness, Frank Dugger,

may have been given a lie detector test by your office...

prior to his testifying against Randy Jefferson.

Do you have a comment?

That is absolutely ridiculous.

I will say this, Mr. Donnell. Mr. Dugger came forward voluntarily with his testimony.

Based solely on the specificity and detail of that statement,

my office concluded we had a credible witness.

[ Woman ] Mr. Walgren. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you very much.

We have a piece of evidence that Mr. Dugger did a lie detector test.

I'm lookin' for Frank Dugger.

Well, enlighten me. It's what I said.

Whatever's there, that's what I said.

Well, Frank, you said a lot of things over the years. The man killed her.

Looked me right in the eyes and told me so. Told me how he stabbed her.

And you took it upon yourself to inform the district attorney? I had to.

You hear somethin' like that-- I was losin' sleep.

And the D.A., Walgren, he accepted your story? Yeah. So?

It didn't bother anybody that people you share cells with have a funny habit of confessing?

Hey, I'm a good listener. When you came forward with Randy Jefferson's confession,

did the D.A. give you a lie detector test?

What? I read in the paper where you said they gave you a test.

You read a lot of things in the paper. Did they give you a test?

I don't recall. You don't recall?

Frank, a man is about to die.

If you are in any way responsible, I will never go away.

You know how long "never" is?

Not in front of them.

Turn it off.

[ Interviewer ] So, what's it like?

It's like the air gettin' tighter, heatin' up.

Like you want to rip off your clothes, but it ain't your clothes, it's everything.

That's just what it's like.

People say it's justice. But, the row--

the row ain't justice.

You sittin' here waitin', knowin' they want to kill you.

They want to kill you.

And one day, they gonna do it.

Maybe Randy's dyin' tonight, you know, but really,

all of us, we're already dead.

11:50, thereabouts, we'll initiate the preparation protocol--

fitting Jefferson to the table itself, attaching monitor cables,

intravenous tube, et cetera.

At 11:55, we'll do the final rundown,

and I issue the execution order.

Uh, at that point, we also, uh, seat the witnesses in the viewing area.

At exactly one minute past the hour of 12:00,

the technician initiates a flow of Sodium Pentothal.

That's a barbiturate, puts him to sleep.

And after that, pancuronium bromide and potassium chloride...

are administered in lethal concentrations.

And that is it. I don't foresee any complications.

Of course you never know. How do you mean?

Well, no system's foolproof.

Particularly when it comes to the ending of human life.

Uh, life is tenacious. Like hope, I guess. Sorry?

Uh, this is where I have to leave you.

[ Interviewer ] Mr. Carson-- Get off my porch.

Sir, if you just have a minute-- No, we don't have a minute.

We don't have any more time for you people. It's all right, honey.

They're leaving. Okay, Mr. Carson, we--

You didn't tell me that you were talking to Randy Jefferson.

Uh, yes, we did. What are you trying to do, make him a cause?

No, not at all. You gonna make a nice good-bye film for him? Hmm?

Gonna let the whole world see him as human?

Well, my daughter didn't get to say good-bye.

Nothin' human about what he did to her.

[ People Chattering ]

[ Man ] So, he picks me up, puts me in the cart.

I said, "Mama won't let me." He said, "Mama said it's all right."

Then he pushed me down the hill.

[ All Chattering, Laughing ]

[ Woman ] That's why they never won.

We won a few games. What you talkin' about?

We did good.

[ Chuckles ]

I'm gonna miss you.

Excuse me?

Are you my son's lawyer?

I'm, uh, part of the team for your son.

I just wanted to thank you for all your hard work on his behalf.

Uh, it was nothing.

And for believin' in him all this time.

I, uh-- You're welcome.

Carl? Darius?

That's Carl. This is Randy's brother.

And Darius. Come shake the man's hand, Darius.

Hey, Darius.

And that's my mother.

Come here, Mama.

We just want this to be over with. We want to get on with our lives.

Bloodlust. Makes for good ratings. What?

That's the reason they took the business of justice out of the hands of the victims.

Oh, I see. So, they shouldn't be allowed to grieve?

That's not what I mean. Well, what do you mean, Lindsay?

If the governor sees that, we can't expect the government to be objective these days.

They just want some closure. Is that so hard for you to understand?

Eleanor, I didn't mean it. I know what you mean.

Okay. Eugene came through.

They did give Dugger a polygraph, and Randy's old lawyer never heard of it.

Now we find the technician who administered the polygraph, and we're right back in this.

All right, this-- I want to see their record.

Yeah, okay, okay, I thought you'd finally get around to me.

I gotta tell you, your timing's a little shaky on this.

Uh--

All right, look, my position, if you want to call it that--

I usually prefer not to speak in absolutes, but--

My position has changed somewhat over time.

No, actually, I know exactly when my position changed.

April 27, 1991, when my very best friend...

let some guy into her walk-up on East 73rd Street in New York.

Yeah, supposed to be this great neighborhood, right?

And he, uh-- he followed her upstairs, and he somehow got her up to the roof...

and he, uh-- he stabbed her and he killed her.

Anyway, before, uh, Lisa's death, I was fervently anti-death.

I mean, loudly anti-death. I--

I would have had bumper stickers on my car, if I had a car.

But you know, when I think of Lisa,

so frightened up on that roof--

She wanted to have kids, you know?

And then I think of him, the butt-wipe that killed her,

and how he must have smiled to have such a pretty girl up on that roof with him.

Actually, my position hasn't changed.

But let's just say, uh, I have a car now.

No bumper stickers. [ Door Opens ]

Is that enough? [ Bobby ] Ellie?

If you're finished with your close-up, the governor just rang.

Yeah.

[ Woman Over TV ] In rejecting Jefferson's last-minute plea,

Governor Benning said that in his opinion--

I'm seein' it on the television. Just like that, huh?

Attorneys for the condemned man expressed their dismay with the governor's ruling--

So, uh, you called Randy, right? I mean, uh, you told him, I hope.

'Cause, uh, I'm not so good with bad news.

Thanks.

Listen, Bobby, I'd like to get out of here now.

Bobby, you know I get conflicted feelings.

I'm tryin' to tell you, it's not comfortable--

Yeah. Right.

Okay.

Yeah. I knew I'd get this speech.

Whatever. Yeah.

Sure.

[ Sighs ]

[ Door Closes ]

[ Man ] Chicken teriyaki with extra teriyaki sauce.

You like that Chinese food? Yep.

Some strawberry ice cream. Some Twinkies.

You like them one on top of the other, right? Yeah, that's the way I like 'em.

And we got ya some lobster.

You ever had lobster before? When I was a kid.

[ Guard ] You know how to eat it?

[ Jefferson ] I know how to eat this thing.

Watch out, Randy, bite your head off. [ Laughing ]

Look.

All the good stuff's inside.

You gotta break it open.

Usually you use like, uh, pliers or something.

Yeah, that's the meat in there.

Okay. Hold on. Now you need some butter.

It's no good without butter. Butter?

You got any butter? And, like, a microwave?

Here.

Go for it. Take a big swipe.

Now pop it in your mouth.

So? Good, huh?

It's good.

Mr. Rintels? Hi, my name is Eleanor Frutt. I'm an attorney.

And I was wondering if your security firm was using polygraph analysis...

seven years ago in the Overland area?

I see. Okay. Well, thank you very much for your time.

That's it. We're set to go. How much more time?

None. His clerk was expecting our filing 12 minutes ago.

Bobby, we can't wait any longer. We don't have enough.

Don't you think the affidavit from Frank Dugger at least raises the question?

They're not holding up this execution on the word of some ex-con.

But they'll kill him based on his word.

What about a temporary stay pending a review of Walgren's old files?

Fishing. There has to be some record of that test!

Five minutes, then we go with what we have.

Maybe we could get a subpoena, or we'll find a judge-- I got it! I got it!

And you conducted a test on Frank Dugger in the Randy Jefferson case?

Uh-huh. I understand. I understand.

No, no, no. I know. It was just internal. Yes!

Mr. Gordon, would you be willing to sign a statement based on what you just told me?

That would be great. Could you just hold on one second, please? Thank you.

He says he remembers the test. He says that Dugger tested borderline...

and that he went to Walgren's office and told him all about it way back when,

and then they never responded. Walgren sat on it.

That's it. Type something up. Lindsay, make the call. Tell 'em 10 minutes.

Can you believe this? Let's move!

First time was by lottery.

I just felt so strongly that this man was deserving of death.

And it's biblical-- a life for a life.

And if I felt that way, I wasn't going to stick my head in the sand.

I was going to back it up by action.

So when they made the lottery available,

I signed up first thing and got picked.

Simple, really. You just gotta know how to handle the syringe and be steady about it.

You aren't even in the room, so there is no public relations of any kind.

That's nine men you've executed in, uh, how long a period of time?

That would be... just this year.

But let me clear something up. I don't execute them.

I just carry out a procedure.

The state executes 'em.

The people do.

I'm just a pair of willing hands.

"Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value...

by how much faith God has given you"--

Father? Father? You have a phone call. Robert something. The Coalition to--

Thanks. You'll be okay? Back in a minute.

He'll be okay? Sure.

Man, I ate too much of that.

You want a bromo or somethin'? I'll be okay.

Just, uh, take it easy. I mean, it takes time.

There was a guy so fat once, they buried him in a piano case.

Where'd you hear that? Book of World Records.

Got a copy right over there.

Wow. I used to have one of these.

Man, give me that.

Read everything there is to know in this book.

Check that man out.

[ Whistles ] That is a fat man.

1069 pounds.

I don't want to be buried in no case.

And no box.

How tall was the tallest man?

Huh? Ah, that's easy-- 8 foot 11.

Tallest woman? Seven foot 7 and a half.

Tallest man who was not technically a giant?

Aha.

[ Chuckles ]

Attorneys for convicted murderer Randall Jefferson...

now claim to have new evidence which they hope will save their client's life.

In a last-minute filing in federal court this evening,

it was revealed that one of the state's key witnesses...

may have been given a lie detector test.

Great. Thanks. Bye.

That was Ronnie Pratt. He's clerking for Addison.

The two of us were summer associates together.

He thinks we definitely have four judges leaning our way.

Eleven of them on the panel. Three more, we got it. What about Burton?

Burton? Wait a second. I thought we had Burton.

They can't find him. He took his family to dinner theater tonight.

Either Plaza Suite gets out early, or we get the alternate-- Philip Zaiac, the hanging Cuban.

Fastest car was Craig Breedlove, Spirit of America.

Then along came Gary what's-his-name, uh, with the Blue Flame. See?

Only that was a rocket. So folks didn't know whether to grant him the record.

Hmm. Mm-hmm.

You see? It wasn't really a car. It was just a rocket on wheels.

Hmm. I think they should have gave it to him.

Yeah. Yeah.

Fastest man wins. I'm with you.

[ Footsteps Approaching ]

[ Sighs ] Counselor.

How you feelin', Randy? You have a good dinner?

I heard you had lobster. Yeah, with some butter.

Good. Good. Uh, I need to go over a few things with you...

about what's gonna happen in the next couple of hours, okay?

Uh, approximately 11:30, we're gonna move you to a waiting area.

Now, uh, Father Maloney will be with you and your lawyer here.

You'll be there about 15 minutes.

[ Guard ] Mr. Berluti? Phone for you.

Oh, my God, yes! All right! Hey, congratulations, Bob--

I know, not yet. We'll wait.

You comin' down here? All right, I'll see you soon.

They gave him a stay! They gave him a stay!

[ Prisoners Cheering ]

I just got the call. Fifth Circuit agreed that there was a question...

as to the propriety of the D.A.'s office at the time of trial.

It's kicked to the Supreme Court, but as of this moment, you got a stay.

Oh, my God. I got a stay.

[ Jimmy ] Okay. [ Laughing ]

[ Chattering ]

[ Walgren Sighs ] You happy? The man is my client.

The man is a killer. I did my job.

You sound like you're runnin' for somethin'. You don't know me.

You don't know my office. If you withheld a lie detector result, I know enough.

You know, I asked some buddies of mine up north what they knew about you.

Did you? They felt it was a bit hypocritical for you...

to be setting ethical standards anywhere.

Let alone so far from home.

I'll see you in court.

I doubt it.

How ya doin'? So-so.

May I have your attention, please? We have just received word...

that the United States Supreme Court has lifted the stay of execution.

We will proceed.

[ Chattering ]

I better go tell him.

No. Bobby, listen.

If you don't mind, I'd like to tell him.

[ Guard ] Open eight! [ Gate Buzzing ]

[ Door Opens ]

Randy?

Go with God, my son.

[ Interviewer ] Thank you.

Randy.

[ Langston ] Let me just make a brief statement.

Shortly after midnight at the Cedar Springs Maximum Security Facility,

the sentence of death was carried out upon Randall DeWitt Jefferson.

At 12:02, the procedure was initiated.

By 12:03, the condemned was fully unconscious...

and death was pronounced just a few minutes ago...

at exactly 12:19.

His final words were...

that he was innocent of the crime for which he had been convicted,

that he asked pardon of any people he had hurt,

and, uh, for their prayers.

[ Reporters All Chattering At Once ]

[ Footsteps Approaching ]

Jimmy? We're headin' down. You want to come? Bobby's already down there.

Nah. Thanks.

I'm beat. You sure?

Yeah. Maybe I'll watch some TV.

Yeah. Okay. Good night.

See you in the morning. Good night.

The Spirit of America.

[ Interviewer ] Sorry?

Why don't you go get a drink, okay? Okay.

Look, Jimmy, I, uh--

I just have one more question. What?

Look, I don't know if it's appropriate, but, uh,

do you still maintain your former feeling about the death penalty?

I've answered enough questions today.

[ Woman ] You stinker!