Original subtitles

[heartbeats]

Warden: Whereas Norman L. Stone did on March 11th, 1986

murder Roberta Johnson and whereas Norman L. Stone

was found guilty of murder in the first degree

and was sentenced to death,

the Supreme Court upheld the sentence of death.

Michael: Do issue this warrant directly

to cause the sentence of death to be executed.

Warden: The Supreme Court upheld the sentence of death

upheld on Norman L. Stone.

Executive clemency is not appropriate.

Michael: To cause the sentence of death...

Warden: And was sentenced to death in accord

with the provisions of the law.

Guilty of murder in the first degree.

Michael: To cause a sentence of death

in accord with the provisions of the law.

[groaning]

[heart beats faster]

[gasps]

What? What is it, Mickey?

[sirens in the distance]

A nightmare.

The same one?

Oh, I wish you'd never taken this damn case.

Yeah, well, I did.

You want something, some warm milk or something?

No, no, no. I'm okay.

Go back to sleep.

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

Douglas: U.S. vs. Lindley is on hold.

Moving on, where is Troutman vs. Troutman,

Troutman, Troutman, et al?

We've annulled all the marriages, and the ladies

have agreed to drop all criminal charges

in exchange for return of the stolen property.

Stuart: It's still a little sticky

with the IRS, but I think we'll be all right.

And I'm having dinner with his attorney tonight,

Lynette Pierce. We just have to dot the Is and cross the Ts.

Michael: Dirty work. Somebody's gotta do it.

[dog whimpers]

What is that horrible noise? I cannot hear myself think.

Sorry. Um, I'll take care of it.

And what is People vs. Lily White?

Yeah, I wanted to talk about that.

My client's accused of robbing a john.

A men's room?

[laughs] No, a john.

She's a prostitute, Doug.

I can't help suggesting, Victor, that a firm of our stature

shouldn't be associating itself with prostitutes.

Hm, you mean like Harold Osborne?

I beg your pardon.

This firm's biggest client happens to be my client's alibi.

Explain, please.

Victor: She says she couldn't have robbed

the john on the date in question

because she was shacked up with

Mr. Osborne in his Malibu condo.

He denies it.

Douglas: What are you going to do?

I might have to subpoena him. I don't know yet.

Well, there's a clear conflict of interest here.

I assume you'll withdraw from the case.

I haven't made up my mind about that.

There are only about 10 million other

qualified attorneys who could handle this matter, Victor.

I will think about it and I'll let you know.

Leland: Victor and I will discuss this later.

[dog whimpers]

Douglas: What is going on?

I'm sorry, but I found him

on the freeway this morning coming in.

He has no collar. Someone must have abandoned him.

I can smell him from here.

I'll have him cleaned up at lunchtime.

I'm trying to find a place for him.

For God's sakes, call the pound.

Absolutely not.

Do you know what they do to them there if no one claims them?

He-he'll be quiet if he's with me. He'll just sit at my feet.

- Come on, boy. Come on. Leland: It's alright, Douglas.

Michael, where do you stand with People vs. Petrovek?

I'm arguing his appeal this afternoon.

You know, I-- I still can't see why you took this animal's case.

A, because the Legal Defense Fund asked me to,

B, because I have seen the death penalty in action,

and C, because I happen to feel

that capital punishment is barbaric.

Becker: As opposed to raping a pregnant woman

and then executing her and her husband

while their six-year-old son hides in a closet.

What if you get him off on a technicality?

How are you gonna feel if he's back out walking the streets?

Well, what are you saying we should do, Ann, suspend

the guy's constitutional rights because you're offended

by the crime he's accused of committing?

- Convicted of committing. - Now, people, now, let--

How would you feel if this was your family?

If he murdered your family

wouldn't you want him put to death?

Executing a murderer

may be viscerally satisfying,

but it's a disgrace to an enlightened society.

Becker: I disagree. Victor: Thank you.

Now, now, now, that's enough.

Now, I enjoy a good debate as much as anybody,

but surely this is not the appropriate forum.

As we all have work to do and as I'm sure

we won't settle this issue here and now,

I suggest we adjourn, hmm?

[indistinct chatter]

Arnie, don't forget your 11:30 with Mr. Herscowicz.

You've got to be all the way across town

for a 12:30 lunch with your mother.

- Oh, God. - Better not be late.

- Hey, puppy dog. - This way.

[barks]

Come on.

Ann, a minute?

Yes?

About the dog...

I hope I can enlist your wisdom in search of a solution.

Leland, Abby is very fragile right now.

Oh, I'm mindful of her situation.

Nevertheless, what if the dog bites someone?

- We could be liable. - You want me to talk to her?

You're close to her.

I'm sure you'll handle it far more tactfully than I could.

- And you don't have the guts. - There's that, mm-hmm.

Judge 1: Counselor, the factual record shows

the police found the gun in the defendant's car,

placed him under arrest at that time,

advised him of his constitutional rights,

and after waiving his rights, he confessed to the murders.

Assuming all of that to be true, Your Honor,

what I am arguing as a matter of law

is that the police had no right to stop

and detain Mr. Petrovek in the first place.

Accordingly, any search or confession

incident to that detention should not be admissible.

The factual record shows the police received

a radio call of a murder suspect.

It matched the description of the defendant

and the defendant's vehicle.

Yes, but if you examine the police report carefully,

something which Mr. Petrovek's defense counsel

unfortunately neglected to do during trial,

you will notice that the radio transmission

wasn't recorded until 11:32 a.m.

My client was stopped at 11:20.

Mr. Adler?

The officer simply made an error on the time.

All three arresting officers listed 11:20 on their reports.

Adler: I'm sure there's some explanation, Your Honor.

Michael: Of course there is, and we all know it.

Mr. Petrovek was snagged in

one of the police department's infamous dragnets.

Totally unfounded.

Fourteen drug busts on this street

have been overturned on appeal.

The police stopped my client looking for drugs,

found a weapon in his car, and coerced a confession.

Mr. Adler, if that call was not made until 11:32...

Your Honor, this man raped and tortured a pregnant woman

while he forced her husband to watch.

Then he put a gun in her mouth and blew...

Mr. Adler.

her head off and then her husband's.

All the while, a little six-year-old boy

crouched in a closet, trembling, hiding, listening

to the anguished screams of his mother and father.

How is this even remotely relevant

to the constitutional permissibility

of stopping the defendant's vehicle?

The defendant is and was

a deranged and suspicious-looking individual,

Your Honor, observed in an area

known to be frequented by violent criminals.

You're telling this court, in effect,

that the defendant was subjected to a substantial invasion

of his constitutional rights because he didn't look nice?

These veteran officers have an instinct, Your Honor.

They reasonably suspected that Mr. Petrovek--

Come on, Counselor.

Without that radio call,

there was no probable cause to stop him.

That means the gun and the confession

are fruits of the poisonous tree and therefore inadmissible.

Now, it's our custom to take these matters under advisement,

and we shall do so accordingly here.

But start assembling your evidence, Mr. Adler,

because unless the Constitution is repealed

before we can adjourn to chambers,

this case is headed for a new trial.

That's all.

Now we go back to the records.

[door closes]

The People vs. Appleton

ready to proceed for sentencing hearing?

As Mr. Appleton has been briefly hospitalized,

Your Honor, I would ask for a continuance until Thursday.

Judge 2: May I enquire as to the nature of his incapacity?

Mark: He has a bronchial infection, Your Honor.

He's due to be released later today.

Any objection, Ms. Van Owen?

No objection, Your Honor.

Judge 2: This matter is continued

to Thursday, 3 p.m. in this courtroom. Next matter.

Attorney 2: Mr. Dallas would request a continuance,

Your Honor, due to the un...

- Free for a beer? - Sure.

Attorney: presently in Key West, Florida.

[indistinct chatter]

Your table's right there.

Hi, Mom.

- How are you? - You're late.

- You look great. - Another eighth of an inch.

In four years, you'll be as bald as your father

before the transplant.

Great tan.

Looks like desert life must be agreeing with you.

Oh, yeah, major excitement

lying in the sun every day like a lizard.

Just another one of your father's brainstorms.

- How is Dad? - We're getting a divorce.

- What? What happened? - It's none of your business.

There are certain things you do not discuss with your child.

Now... here are the bank accounts,

a list of all of our stocks and bonds,

the last 10 years' tax returns.

Ballpark figure, how much alimony

do you think we can squeeze out of him?

Mom, stop.

I can't represent you in a divorce

action against my own father.

Well, I don't see why not, unless you love him

more than you do me, which is funny

considering, had it been left up to him,

you'd have never gone to law school.

"Oh, the boy has no head on his shoulders."

Now, that is what this so-called father said

until the mother stood up for the son.

Mom, please, I don't want to get in the middle here.

After 40 years of hell on this Earth,

I'm entitled to a little happiness.

I've been told that I'm still a very attractive woman,

and he doesn't function anymore.

I thought he still goes into the office.

- As a man in the bedroom. - Mom.

Mrs. Becker: Always had his tootsies and his whores.

The only thing that would have made me happier

is if his business fell off altogether.

Mom, please.

What's this?

Well, you were late, so I ordered for you.

I don't eat red meat anymore.

[chuckles] Well, who can keep up with you and your fads?

All this fussiness, you're just like your father.

Okay. It's okay. I'll eat it.

I am going through the most traumatic period of my life,

and there is no one there, no one to help me.

Mom, I'll take-- I'll take a look into it, okay?

- I'll see what I can do. - I'll find someone else.

Oh, I said that I would do it.

[spits]

- Maitre d'. Maitre d'. - Yes, ma'am.

I specifically asked for my steak charred, medium rare.

It's raw, cold as ice.

Maitre d': I'm very sorry.

Mrs. Becker: Thank you.

Oh, this is my son Arnold Becker.

He's one of the finest divorce lawyers in the city.

Are you married?

Very happily.

Well, you never know.

You may need a good lawyer one day.

Arnold, give the man your card.

[indistinct chatter]

Grace: I'm not blind, Mark.

I've read the editorials in the papers.

I've received copies of the jurors' letters to Judge Ruben,

and I know he's looking for a way out.

What about you?

I continue to believe deeply

we cannot allow individuals

the right to determine for themselves--

Thank you, Grace. I've already heard your closing arguments.

I'm sure you didn't invite me here to have an instant replay.

I invited you here to tell you

that my heart goes out to Chris Appleton.

That's very humane of you.

I'm not looking for a crucifixion here.

- I was arguing a principle. - Right. Right.

And now you just don't have the courage

to be responsible for it. You want it both ways, Grace.

You're rattling your saber in court, and then you try

to squirm out of your guilt by offering a backdoor deal.

I-- I just find that reprehensible.

What's reprehensible here is that you didn't do your job.

Please, give me a break.

Have you ever heard of AIDS stress syndrome?

What about it?

It's a theory, advanced by Dr. Freedman,

an expert on delayed stress.

He's willing to testify that under the constant stress

of caring for his dying lover, Chris Appleton was incapable

of forming a specific intent to commit murder.

You should have raised it at the trial.

It might have supported a diminished capacity defense.

Diminished capacity only makes sense

if you're willing to settle for a conviction on reduced charges.

I didn't want to let the jury off that easily,

especially since given Appleton's situation,

it still would have been a life sentence.

No, I firmly believe that under the circumstances,

I made the right choice.

You made the same choice as I made,

to defend a principle, except you defended yours

at the expense of your client's best interest.

- And you didn't? - He wasn't my client.

Why do I need to sit here and listen to this?

Wait, please.

Take this stuff. Read it.

It might be grounds for a new trial,

and a new trial could buy you a year.

[sighs] It's-- it's one doctor's completely untested theory.

Besides, it wouldn't do any good.

I didn't raise it at the trial. It's waived.

How do you know until you try?

Grace...

[instrumental music]

And if that doesn't work,

there's one other thing you could try.

Yeah, what's that?

I think you know.

I'll take it under advisement.

Regarding Harold Osborne as a witness in your trial,

I want you to take a look at this.

What is it?

Oh, just take a minute to go

through it, then we'll discuss

it later.

[quirky music]

[barks]

- I'll take care of it. - Okay.

Arnie. Arnie, wait.

There's someone in your office.

Someone?

Your father.

Oh, God.

Hi, Dad.

How are you?

So-so, but you, [chuckles]

it's quite a palace you got here.

I didn't realize you've never been here before.

You never invited me.

It's too bad it took something like

this to get me here.

She told me

she was having lunch with you.

Dad, this is crazy.

After all these years, isn't

there something you can do?

She's your mother. You tell me.

Remember the time we went to Tahoe together?

She's still talking about it 20 years later.

She says I took you to whores.

I can go out to buy a newspaper, she says I'm going with whores.

Dad, please, I don't want to get in the middle here.

I told her that's what you were gonna say.

I knew you couldn't go against your own father

in a court of law.

That is what you told her.

I tried to tell her.

Tried means you didn't.

Dad, come on. You know what she's like.

Who went with you to every Little League game?

I'm not just talking about the home games.

I drove to Torrance,

to West Covina, for God's sakes.

And who bought you your first car? Huh? Huh?

Not to mention your first pack of latex protection.

You have to understand this has nothing to do

with the way I feel about you.

You were smart never to have children.

You can't believe the pain.

It's like having your heart sliced up like a pimento loaf.

Dad, please, I never meant to hurt you.

Forget it.

It's probably a blessing in disguise.

What do you mean?

- I wasn't gonna tell you. - What?

We'll know more after surgery.

- Surgery? - Exploratory in the prostate.

[sighs]

Dad, I feel terrible.

Oh, don't.

The truth is I was actually worried

up to this minute about dying.

But now to know that my own

son has turned on me--

Dad, I have not turned on you.

Okay, I'll call her.

I'll tell her that I can't take her case.

I knew you wouldn't let your old man down.

[chuckles]

You tell her to pack.

[door closes]

Validate your parking ticket, Mr. Becker?

Thank you.

Woman 1: As far as they're concerned, they don't have...

Man 1: Just trying to get approval rates...

[thumping]

[indistinct chatter]

[telephone ringing]

Man 2: Pete tells me that he was denied access.

Woman 2: We're gonna have to deal with...

Arnie?

Woman 2: The board will never approve...

Call Mark Pressman, tell him I need to renew

my Valium prescription.

[knocks] Yo.

Vinnie.

I brought you a burrito.

Great.

Sit down.

You get a chance to talk to the witness yet?

The star witness for the prosecution

is not gonna be talking to anybody.

What do you mean?

She's a broccoli.

She had a stroke about three months ago.

Terrible thing, this stroke business.

My Great Aunt Theresa, one day, healthy as a horse,

next day, stroked out like a side of beef.

Well, is there any way she's gonna recover?

Vinny: Oh, dear God, no.

I keep telling Uncle Sal, send her back to Italy.

Vinnie, I'm talking about this witness.

Oh, no, no, that poor woman, she's got more tubes

running out of her than Goodyear's got tires.

It's not even something you want to talk about while you eat.

Vinnie, is there any chance

that this witness is going to recover?

Not in this lifetime.

Well, I appreciate this on such short notice.

Any time, Mr. K.

Uh, shall I leave my bill with your gal?

That's fine.

Or if you want to recommend my

work to some of your colleagues,

we could just run a tab.

Okay. Run a tab.

In that case, the burrito's on me.

Enjoy.

[knock on door]

Ann: How's it going? [barks]

Abby: Puppy, down.

Um, it's going great.

I'm almost done with the Moriarty deposition,

and I'll have something for you by this afternoon.

Uh, what are you gonna do about the dog?

Well, I have signs up at the vet's and the supermarket.

It's hard to find someone who wants a big dog.

If you don't find a place for it by tonight, uh,

you should probably leave it at home from now on.

My landlord doesn't allow pets.

[sighs] Abby, unless he's got a law degree,

you can't keep bringing the dog to work.

Well, what do you want me to do, destroy him?

We're so obsessed with this crummy job

and this crummy office that we've lost sight of our values.

And if I try to do the humane thing,

then I don't think I should be persecuted for it.

Abby, no one is trying to persecute you.

Abby: Well, I'm under a lot of pressure these days,

and I would appreciate having a little support

and understanding around here.

Ann: You have it.

All I'm saying

is that we should try to find a home for the dog

in the next few days, okay?

Okay.

[instrumental music]

[indistinct chatter]

Nice little trick, Leland.

All the dirt on Harold Osborne, but since I've learned it

from office files, it's privileged

information and now I can't use it.

You want to sit down, talk about it?

Victor: It's a little late for that.

I could have killed his credibility with this stuff,

but now it's unethical for me to take advantage of it.

I have to withdraw from the case.

Ms. White can find another lawyer.

That's not the point, Leland. You suckered me.

Victor Sifuentes does whatever he can to protect his client.

So do I.

No good, a client of mine

is supposed to be a client of this firm's,

and my client just got screwed over by the senior partner.

Victor, PetramCo is our biggest client. We can't run the risk.

You couldn't have come to me and discussed it openly?

Well, it sounded to me like you'd already made up your mind.

If it'd been Mike Kuzak, you would called the surrogate son

in here and let him make the decision.

Me, you blindside.

Now you listen to me.

I am the senior partner here,

and one of my burdens is to determine

the best interests of this firm.

You're an associate,

and one of your burdens

is to live with the decisions of the senior partner.

Well, I won't live with it, Leland.

[scoffs] You know, Andrew Taylor was right.

There are different shades of treatment around here.

I quit.

[instrumental music]

I'm gonna ask for a continuance of the new trial.

I'd really appreciate your cooperation in waiving time.

My caseload's pretty jammed up right now.

But you lost the gun. You lost the confession.

You got a witness who in all likelihood

won't even be able to testify.

You don't have a case.

I'm gonna have to move for dismissal.

How the hell can you want this guy back out on the street?

When I took this case, I wasn't looking

to get him back out on the street.

I was looking to get him off death row.

Like it or not, now that I'm into it,

I have the legal and ethical responsibility

to make you prove your case.

You know damn well he's guilty.

The law says you have to prove it.

If you can't, don't blame me.

Well, I can get a continuance without your assent.

You need time to build a whole new case, Counselor.

You tell the judge that,

he just might dismiss this thing sua sponte.

You willing to run that risk?

Alright, I'll agree to bail, but this guy is a time bomb.

If he explodes, the blood's on your hands.

Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on.

Come on.

Now, I have to go to a meeting for about an hour.

I want you to be a good boy while I'm gone, okay?

I want you to be a real good boy while I'm gone.

No more peeing.

Here's your paper.

Okay? Okay.

That's a good boy, huh?

That's a good boy.

Okay. Here's your chew toy.

Good boy.

[barks]

Oh.

[barking]

Douglas: Pursuant to our telephone conversation 10/5,

I am confirming the MSC

we'll go in Department Six on 12/17 unless we trail,

in which case the IME will supplant

said MSC preparatory to--

[barking]

Will somebody do something about that miserable dog?

Hello?

[howling]

[instrumental music]

[barking]

[howls]

Aha.

[barks]

Bad dog. Extremely bad dog.

[barking]

[instrumental music]

Roxanne: Arnie? - Huh?

Roxanne: Lynette Pierce is here.

Should I tell her you're in a meeting?

Ms. Pierce, I told you to wait in reception.

Oh. [clears throat]

That's okay, Roxanne. Thank you.

I'm sorry to bother you, Arnie.

I was, uh, I was-- I was meaning to call you anyway.

Lynette: I just spoke to the DA.

He'll agree to probation

as soon as I've got letters from the wives

that Foster's agreed to make restitution.

Well, I'll talk to my clients. No problem.

You're a prince. Thanks.

Lynette, um, about last night...

Arnie, please, there's nothing more to say.

You're making too much out of it.

- These things happen to men. - Not to me.

Lynette: You've been under a lot of stress.

Your mother, your father, all this Oedipal drama stuff

could drive anyone crazy.

I understand completely.

So you're not gonna hold it against me?

Of course not.

So how about Saturday, dinner catered at my place?

Actually, I was hoping to get Foster out by the weekend,

and once Foster's out, then...

Arnie, you're a very sweet boy,

and I'm sure that you're very adequate

when you're not so distracted.

But Foster... I guess I'm kind of spoiled.

- If you know what I mean. - Uh-huh.

So once you've had a chance to review with the ladies,

give me a call and I'll take you out for a nice lunch.

Bye.

[thumping]

Where's my prescription? Why didn't my prescription come?

Mark Pressman's on vacation.

- I told you. - I can't take this anymore.

When it's dark, I won't be able to sleep.

I just lie there all night, shaking.

So you'll come home with me.

No, Rox, I can't.

When you were a little boy and you stayed home sick,

did you ever have tomato soup

with crackers all crumpled up on top?

Yeah, in a big blue bowl

so I wouldn't spill it in my bed.

And a glass of milk and Oreos.

I don't like that yucky white stuff in the middle.

I'll scrape it off for you,

and you'll be real warm and snuggly.

I have this soft blankie my grandma made.

It's feathers inside and fleecy cotton on the outside.

And we'll just watch old shows on TV until you can fall asleep.

I have all the old "Star Treks" on cassette.

Even one with the Tribbles where they start multiplying?

Yep. Does that sound good?

[sighs]

I really don't like the Oreos, though.

Could we stop and get some graham crackers

and maybe some chocolate syrup for the milk?

Remember the straws that bend?

Anything you want, Arnie.

[instrumental music]

What happened? My dog is gone.

Mr. Brackman took it.

Where is he?

They said you took my dog.

[clears throat]

[dog whimpers]

Douglas: We took a little walk to the pet shop.

He's not a bad dog, really.

He just gets anxious when you leave him alone.

Thank you, Douglas. I really ap-- appreciate it.

You know, I brought a stray home once when I was a boy,

but my father gave him to the gardener

because he was always jumping on the furniture.

Where's his leash? I'll-- I'll take him back to my office now.

It occurred to me, since you're having a hard time

placing him, why don't I take him?

Do you want him?

I've always had a way with animals.

I prefer their company to some people, in many cases.

I don't mean you.

I've taken the liberty of giving him a name, Sparky.

[barks]

I'm very grateful, Douglas,

but do you really think this is gonna work out?

He'll have a nice backyard to run in.

It's better than destroying the office.

While he was in the file room, he made rather a meal

out of the Rona vs. Gradinger file.

Oh. Bad dog.

He doesn't understand why you're yelling at him.

Unless you discipline him at the scene of the crime,

it just confuses the issue.

Isn't that right, Sparky?

Hmm? Isn't that right?

[smacking lips]

Mark: And in addition to the evidentiary errors,

Your Honor, I would ask for a new trial on the grounds

of AIDS stress syndrome.

What?

Mark: Uh, recent studies have

shown that psychological

and emotional trauma

associated with AIDS might

impact the ability to act freely.

Judge 2: You're talking diminished capacity, Counselor.

You didn't raise it at trial, so it's waived.

Well, the thing is these are new studies, Your Honor, and I--

Nice try, Mr. Gilliam,

but you're not gonna get another bite with that.

Well, the truth is, Your Honor, I didn't raise it at trial

because I didn't know about it.

I just learned of the AIDS syndrome defense yesterday.

Ms. Van Owen told me about it.

Judge 2: Ms. Van Owen counseled you on this?

Mark: Yes, Your Honor.

And in light of my complete lack of knowledge

of this vital defense, I feel that

I must, as an officer of the court,

move for a new trial on the grounds that I was incompetent

in my representation of Mr. Appleton.

Ms. Van Owen, did you in fact

discuss these matters with Mr. Gilliam?

Yes, Your Honor, I did.

Well, I'm gonna require briefs on this,

but my inclination is to grant Mr. Gilliam's motion.

Briefs due in 10 days,

the defendant to remain free on bail until my final ruling.

20 minute recess.

Thank you.

Ms. Van Owen?

I owe you my gratitude.

You don't owe me anything.

I appreciate you seeing me as a person

and not as a cause or a disease or an issue,

but a human being.

Good luck, Mr. Appleton.

Thank you.

Thank you.

[instrumental music]

Who made my bail?

Your mother.

She put up her house as collateral.

Great lady, man.

Where you going, Jimmy?

Places. I got friends.

Your mother wants you to move in with her.

That way, I can keep tabs on you for a while.

Oh, yeah, sure.

11 months on death row,

and I'm gonna move in with mom.

Well, I'd like you to consider a halfway house--

Hey, you're my lawyer, man, not my social worker.

I am also responsible for putting you back on the street.

Yeah, well, take a load off, Counselor.

I'll take responsibility from here.

Jimmy.

I appreciate what you done, Mr. Kuzak,

but, listen, while I'm free,

nobody's gonna tell me what to do. Nobody.

[scoffs] Don't make me regret this.

[instrumental music]

Life's full of regrets, man. See you around.

[instrumental music]

- What? - Nothing.

Do you have something to say to me?

You bet I do.

Well, then why don't you say it instead of slamming around

like the dragon lady?

Now, I have tried to keep

my mouth shut about the Petrovek case.

I have tried not to let my disagreements

with your beliefs in this matter get in the way

of my personal feelings for you.

But getting this crazy animal out on bail,

it's unconscionable. How could you?

The man was wrongfully convicted, Grace.

Are you saying he didn't do it?

I'm saying that his conviction was tainted.

- Michael. - And he deserves a new trial.

He's innocent until proven guilty.

That's a principle you don't turn your back on

just because he's accused of committing a heinous crime.

It is one thing to stick up for a principle,

but you have carried this anti-death penalty thing

to the point where you are jeopardizing innocent people.

In other words, if people are frightened enough,

it's okay to suspend certain constitutional rights?

The man is a crazed killer.

He did it, he will do it again,

and when he does, it'll be on your hands.

Oh, you've got a hell of a nerve, Grace.

Why, because I dare to disagree

with the great civil libertarian?

Look, I don't punish you for your opinions.

Don't punish me for mine, okay?

[telephone rings]

Hello.

Yeah, this is Michael Kuzak.

When?

Yeah.

Great.

What the hell happened?

Your man knocked over a liquor store. That's what happened.

Michael: And four plain clothes detectives

just happened to be there, ready to gun him down?

He pointed a pistol at them. They were justified.

Michael: It was an ambush, and you know it.

That punk was sticking a gun in people's faces

less than 10 hours after his release.

Those cops executed Petrovek, and you set it up.

If you mean did I tell the police

to follow him, you're damn right.

Am I glad he got killed before he killed somebody else?

You bet.

You just bought yourself a wrongful death action.

Adler: Take your best shot.

You've got about as much chance of that as I had of keeping

that sleaze locked up in the first place.

Arnie, what's this all about?

Summoning your mother to your office like a total stranger.

I had to break a 3 o'clock date with Louise Swanson

at the Polo Lounge, for God's sake,

and this man tells me that my son

is representing him in the divorce proceeding.

Go ahead, Arnold. Tell her that you're my lawyer.

How dare you do this to me.

- Like father, like son. - Lucky for him.

You'd have turned him into a back-biting, bedwetting,

flute-playing, little fat boy wimp.

Enough, both of you.

Just sit down and be quiet.

Thank you.

Now, Ms. Melman is taking notes

to reflect that in the matter of Becker vs. Becker,

both parties have requested that their son, Arnold Becker,

represent them as their attorney.

The record will further reflect that Arnold Becker

hereby refuses upon pain of death to represent

either party in a legal capacity.

In his capacity as son, however,

he would like to state that it's about time both parties grew up

and stopped using the aforementioned son

to bludgeon each other.

He would further suggest that

in recognition of 40 years together,

the parties might at least attempt some counseling

before they decide to throw in the towel on this marriage.

In the event, however, the parties choose

to disregard this advice, they are of course free

to seek counsel, get a divorce, and split up their property

any way they want, leaving their son totally out of it.

You see, Mom... Dad...

your only child...

your baby boy... is 36 years old...

and neither one of you is gonna get custody.

Is that clear?

If we have to sell the house, there won't even be enough left

for two lousy one-bedroom condos.

Social Security goes down, too.

I guess if you really hate Palm Springs,

we can talk about moving back.

Mrs. Becker: Al, a bill came from the proctologist

for a surgical consultation.

Mr. Becker: I didn't want to worry you.

Don Wallastein went through the same operation.

He was in and out in a week.

[instrumental music]

Arnie, it just came.

It's so beautiful.

You really like them?

I can't believe it.

It's nicer than the Christine Amorelli.

That's 'cause it's the Roxanne Melman.

I told Bennett's it was for the most special lady in my life.

Arnie, thank you.

No.

No, thank you, Rox.

Last night was...

was really, really special for me.

Would you um, like to again...

I mean, come over?

No, I don't think so, Rox.

Oh, you've got a date.

Oh, no, the truth is,

I'm just not so sure I could trust myself

to be such a gentleman again.

I love you.

[instrumental music]

You're the best.

[indistinct chatter]

It's a police state, Lester. Who's kidding who?

Once your boys got together,

they decided to take the law into their own hands.

The man shouldn't have been on the streets in the first place.

Oh, so it's my fault he's dead?

Is-- is that what we're saying here?

We're saying it's his fault,

unless they changed the law about holding up liquor stores

whilst I was relieving myself in the men's room.

Yeah, well, he didn't deserve to be gunned down

by a bunch of fascist, gun-toting cowboys

who knew damn well they were gonna get away with it.

To tell you the truth, Counselor,

the deceased was not a righteous individual.

The deceased was a total freaking

degenerate drug-humping killer who I, for one,

will not lose one minute's sleep over, huh?

Yeah, well, what about the next guy

these hot dogs decide to blow away?

Is it gonna be because they don't like the color of his skin

and they figure their own department is willing

to wink at what amounts to sanctioned murder, Lester?

Internal Affairs will investigate the shooting,

alright, and if this was out of policy,

the officers involved

will be dealt with accordingly, alright?

This is a recorded message, Lester.

Huh. You looking for a fight, huh, sport, huh?

And I'm looking for a good night's sleep, alright?

Do you find it ironic, Lester,

that I took this guy's case to prevent an execution,

and I did my job so well, it got him killed?

Lonny, do not let this philosopher drive home, huh?

- I'll call him a cab. - No, no. No cab.

No.

Here, call this number...

And tell the lady that I need a ride home.

Lonny, one more till my ride gets here, huh?

No, Lonny.

Come on, Counselor. I'll walk you out. Mm?

The air will do you good.

[indistinct radio chatter]

Evening, officers.

Everything alright, sir?

Oh, yeah, it's great. Everything is just great.

I'm afraid we're gonna have to ask you to move along, sir.

Well, what if I don't?

Well, we'll have to arrest you.

[chuckles] Why don't you just gun me down

right here in the street, huh?

Well, why don't we just help you up, sir?

You touch me, you're gonna be sorry.

I happen to be an attorney.

Oh, well, in that case...

But... I happen to be waiting for my ride.

Officer 1: Uh, maybe you ought to wait in the unit, sir,

till your ride shows up.

Am I under arrest?

Officer 1: Not yet, sir.

Michael: Well...

Now am I under arrest?

[both laugh] What have we got?

Um, I'm DDA Van Owen.

- Is that you, Gracie? - Yeah.

Uh...

I'd take it as a personal favor

if you'd help me get Mr. Kuzak into my car, officers.

Oh, yes, ma'am.

I am not drunk.

[chuckling] Gosh, no.

[all laugh]

- Oh, boy. - Oh, boy. Come on.

I gotta get you into a cold shower

and some hot coffee and then into bed.

The truth, I am glad the guy's dead.

And what if he'd done it again?

I couldn't have lived with myself.

So, tell me, does that make me a hypocrite?

No, it makes you human.

Thank you, Gracie.

I love you

and I feel terrible about everything that's happened

and I'm gonna feel like a jerk in the morning.

Mm-hmm.

But I still think you're wrong

about capital punishment.

When I become Chief Justice of the Supreme Court,

there are gonna be some changes made.

Okay.

Come on, Mr. Chief Justice.

[laughs]

Oh.

[groans]

[whispering]

[laughs] A shower will make you feel better.

- There you go. - Wait a minute.

Come on.

Let me take your watch.

- Oh, that's cold. - Yeah, that's the whole idea.

Whoo!

No! No!

Aah! Aah!

I love you, Gracie.

- I love you. - I love you, too.

[theme music]