Original subtitles

[indistinct]

Here's your water.

God, I can't believe I agreed to do this.

What kind of women go to auctions looking for a date?

Will you relax? It's gonna be fine.

What if nobody bids?

There's gonna be a frenzy, Arnie.

I want you to bid.

[Roxanne sighs]

Rox, I want you to just keep things going

so I'm not left standing there.

- Arnie! - I'll pay for it.

I just-- I just don't want to be hung up out there.

Emcee: Sold for twenty-five hundred dollars.

I think you got yourself a--

Okay, look,

they got 1,700 for the mortuary's--

- Calm down. - Go at least 1,800.

I got to beat the big bald guy who builds coffins.

Man: Mr. Becker, you're on.

Oh, God.

[cheers and applause]

[Arnold sighs]

- Oh, sorry. - Excuse me.

I was always the last kid to get picked for the team.

- Get out there. - You get out there.

You get out there.

Good luck.

Emcee: Arnold, you're up.

Come on out, Arnold.

[all laughing]

[applause]

[cheering]

36-year-old divorce attorney,

and isn't he gorgeous?

Now don't start a stampede, ladies.

What's our opening bid?

$400.

Emcee: 400? That's insulting.

Look at his gait.

Somebody give me a thousand this instant.

- 500. Emcee: Oh, ladies.

Emcee: Believe me, I would bid a thousand,

only my husband would be angry

and my boyfriend would kill me.

Now, do I hear a thousand?

There we have a thousand.

Emcee: That should just be the sales tax.

Emcee: Now come on. - 1200.

Emcee: I hear 12, how about 15?

- Alright. Emcee: Come on, ladies.

Emcee: This man is an expert on matrimony.

[crowd laughing]

- Two thousand. Emcee: Two thousand.

- 2,200. - 2,200!

Woman: 2,300. Emcee: Alright.

2,500.

Woman: 2,750.

2,750.

Emcee: 2,900.

3,000.

Emcee: $3,000!

Woman: $3,300.

Emcee: Okay. $3,300. Going once.

Look at his smile, ladies, those teeth.

Going twice.

3,500.

Emcee: $3,500 and he is so worth it.

Okay, anybody else?

How about we make it an even 4,000?

This money is going to help the homeless.

Whoo, there we are,

$4,000 from the pretty little redhead.

[applause]

4,000 once. This is still a bargain.

4,000 twice.

You are a lucky lady because--

- $5,000. - [gasps] Oh!

Emcee: $5,000.

[applause]

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

Santiago: And as the evidence will demonstrate,

Allison Toomey and Elliot Robb first met

while both were under the psychiatric care of Dr. Warren.

The evidence will further establish

that Mr. Robb developed a psychotic obsession

with respect to Ms. Toomey,

which obsession was repeatedly

and graphically revealed to Dr. Warren

both in group encounters and in private sessions.

On October 13th, 1986,

Mr. Robb walked into the defendant's office

and announced that he had bought a machete knife

which he intended to use to slaughter this woman.

He then pulled out the machete from his gym bag...

and showed it to the doctor.

At the end of the session, Mr. Robb left.

Do you know what Dr. Warren did?

He closed up his office for the day...

and he went to a movie.

Three days later, they found Allison's lifeless body

face down in her apartment.

There were 11 stab wounds in her upper body,

face and neck.

Santiago: Mr. Robb, whose testimony you will hear

in this trial, was arrested and convicted

for first degree murder.

His blame has already been assessed.

Today's proceeding is a civil action

for wrongful death brought by Allison's parents,

and it concerns the blame of Dr. Warren,

the man who knew it was going to happen and let it.

Santiago: The irony here is that Allison Toomey

placed herself in Dr. Warren's care

because she wanted to get well,

and as a madman left his office to chop her to bits,

does this doctor go to the police?

Does he bother to go to her?

Uh-uh.

He went to "Crocodile Dundee."

As we go along here,

you're going to hear a lot of legal terms,

but people, all we're really talking about is a man

who could have prevented a savage mutilation

with one phone call and instead chose to do nothing.

We are talking about a doctor who simply didn't care.

And we are talking about two devastated parents

whose only prayer right now

is that you people do.

Patients fantasize about violence all the time.

- Order. Markowitz: This guy had a knife.

Now, I don't see what's wrong with holding the psychiatrist

liable when he could have prevented it.

Kelsey: I'll tell you what's wrong with it.

If shrinks start getting sued, they're gonna

start playing it safe and refusing treatment

to anyone who seems even remotely dangerous.

Abby: The man pulled a-- Brackman: I said order!

The next person to shout out will be sanctioned.

Don't you think you're getting a little carried away

with this judge stuff, Douglas?

It's just small claims.

They don't even give you a robe.

For your information, I'm being fitted for a robe tomorrow.

Brackman: Also for your information,

there is nothing trivial about a judicial appointment,

even if it is only a temporary one in small claims.

Brackman: I'll be charged with the administration of justice.

- It'll be my province to-- - Alright, Douglas.

We're all very proud of your judgeship,

but we'd best move on here.

Sustained.

Brackman: But may I add for the record, Mr. Becker,

my activities are of somewhat more consequence

than parading around in a tuxedo

for a bunch of divorcées.

I happen to have raised $5,000 for the homeless, Douglas.

I also happen to have shattered last year's record

held by Stamp Keegan,

the Beverly Hills gynecologist.

I'm not surprised.

You're probably more experienced in the field.

Brackman: Order, we're still in session here.

Victor, how's the pajama case proceeding?

I'm ready for trial.

The plaintiff's bringing in some hotshot

from out of state to try this thing.

Oh, yeah? Well, who's the hired gun?

Some shark from Texas. He's an expert on product liability.

He's due here any minute, actually.

[gavel thuds] Moving on.

Brackman: Mr. Markowitz,

I'm still waiting for the Spenko prospectus.

I'll get it to you first thing in the morning, Douglas.

Brackman: What is going on?

You said with Mr. Gianelli's help

you'd have it finished in a day.

Yeah, how about I get to you

first thing in the morning, Douglas?

Brackman: I hope so.

And with that we're adjourned.

How are the big wedding plans coming?

We're waiting for available dates from the Bel-Air hotel.

[telephone ringing]

Brackman: Who is that?

Well, that's Hamilton Schuyler.

McKenzie: He's a gifted trial lawyer.

They call him Mighty Mouse.

Victor,

you're going up against Mighty Mouse.

Stuart,

thanks for covering my butt before.

I'll have that stuff finished by lunchtime, I promise.

No, take the whole day, just get it right.

Hamilton: Thank you.

- Hi. - Hi.

Victor Sifuentes.

Hamilton Schuyler, nice to meet you.

Ah, can I get you a cup of coffee or anything?

No, I've got one.

Now, I haven't had a chance to look at

all the papers yet, but I was wondering

whether you'd be inclined to settle

before I actually plunge in.

Well, we offered 20,000

to previous counsel, but I'm sure that my--

I think we both know 20,000 is offensive.

We're talking about a little boy scarred for life.

With all due respect, I think that 20 is more than generous.

There's no design defect here,

no negligence, no proximate cause.

There is a multi-million-dollar fabric company

with a product that caught fire,

engulfed the face of a 7-year-old boy

causing irreparable disfigurement.

Mhm-hm.

Well, I'm sure that once counsel has had time

to review the files, he'll see that his predecessor

was warned by the judge to settle this thing.

I'm sure that once counsel has had the opportunity

of seeing me in court, he'll realize I'm not my predecessor

nor am I like any other adversary he has ever faced.

Let me give you a little preview, Mr. Sifuentes.

When we go in there tomorrow, we'll both approach the bench,

all 3 foot 11 of me and you and your 6 foot plus splendor.

Now, a few people on that jury are going to snicker,

some may even laugh.

Now, when they do,

I'm gonna make them feel very ashamed for doing that.

What makes me so gifted in the courtroom, sir,

is that I can take that shame,

compound it with a little compassion

and turn it into a big fat plaintiff verdict.

All the while you'll be sitting there helpless,

knowing if you object or fight back,

you'll come off as a playground bully

maliciously attacking the sympathetic dwarf.

Do yourself a favor, Mr. Sifuentes.

Cut your losses, settle now.

You may be good Mr. Schuyler, but I've seen your cards

and you're not gonna win with the hand you got.

[scoffs] See you in court, sir.

[door shuts]

[chuckles] Mighty Mouse.

Dr. Adelson: And it's quite conceivable, Dr. Warren

couldn't predict how dangerous the patient would become.

So talk of violence alone

doesn't always mean call the police.

Do you have any idea how many wives come into my office

and fantasize killing their husbands or vice versa?

Dr. Adelson: Does that make them really dangerous?

Absolutely not.

But why not just play it safe

and alert the police anyway?

The reality is that once you start whistle-blowing,

a lot of potential psychotics

who might otherwise seek help, won't.

Dr. Adelson: They'll stay out there...

and maybe more people will be killed.

Kelsey: Thank you. Your witness.

You're telling this court that as a maniac stalked out

on a mission to mutilate Allie Toomey, Dr. Warren served

a societal purpose by keeping his mouth shut?

Dr. Adelson: Please don't twist my words.

I'm saying that based on the history of the patient,

it is possible for Dr. Warren

to have concluded he was harmless,

and that if so no warning was necessary.

In other words, you're saying it's a guessing game,

and if a doctor has to guess incorrectly,

better to err on the violent side.

Objection.

Better to slash a girl's

throat open than upset

your trust with the patient.

- Objection. - Sustained.

A knife was plunged into her torso

11 times, and you're worried about

the chilling effect on psychotherapy.

Kelsey: Your honor. - Ms. Santiago.

The jury will disregard that last remark.

Santiago: Dr. Adelson, you've been sitting in this courtroom.

You've heard about the threats, the murder.

You really think Dr. Warren done good here?

I'm saying it's possible for him to have determined

that Mr. Robb was not really dangerous.

Good answer, doctor.

You're a very fine witness.

By the way, how much is the defendant paying you

for your expert testimony today?

$2000.

Uh-huh.

Hamilton: Your honor, if it please the court,

I'd like a sidebar.

Approach.

[scattered laughter]

Your honor, during the course of the trial

I'll be calling my client as a witness.

Since he's only ten years old I'd like permission to lead.

Why don't you make that motion at the time you call him?

It's a little premature right now.

I apologize, judge. I'm ready to proceed.

Well, then, let's do. Step back.

You know, I think the biggest falsity ever told to me

came from my very own mother.

She used to say, "One day, son,

they're gonna stop laughing,"

but I soon found out no matter what I did,

the giggles were unrelenting.

There is nothing so piercing,

nothing so emotionally debilitating,

as being laughed at.

It makes one grow up full of pain, full of anger,

but most of all full of the determination

to make it stop.

That's one of the reasons I went to law school.

I assumed that no one would dare to chuckle

at an attorney at law,

but I was wrong, because when I walk into a courtroom,

they don't see a man who graduated

second in his class.

They don't see a man who is an accomplished

attorney at law.

They see exactly what you just saw,

a dwarf standing tippy-toe on his trial case

trying to see over the judge's bench,

and they do exactly what some of you just did.

They laugh.

Now, I don't blame them and nor do I blame you

because I've learned in the science of human nature,

physical deformity always gives rise to ridicule,

and worse, even shock.

It's a very, very painful lesson to learn.

Now, this young man is Kevin Talbot.

Three years ago he was wearing pajamas

made of fabric manufactured by the defendant.

Those pajamas caught fire,

and now Kevin too has to learn that same painful lesson.

He may grow up to be many things.

He may be a doctor, he may be an attorney,

he may even be a triple crown batting champion

with one of the major leagues,

but what he'll always be first

to everyone he ever meets is disfigured.

Now, he may rise above his handicap

as I think I have mine.

He may even achieve enough successes to make people

forget his disfigurement,

but every time he tries to forget,

there'll always be a frightened gasp of shock,

a quickly averted stare to remind him,

to bring back the humiliation

and the pain that will afflict him

every single day for the rest of his life.

Believe me.

[telephone ringing]

[woman sighs]

- Good morning. - Good morning.

Oh, they're gorgeous.

From Nina Hollander.

Rox, would you look at these?

Reuben lilies, halaconias, sterling roses.

This is easily a $300 arrangement.

When this woman gives to a charity, she really gives.

Where are you taking her?

She's taking me, that's the whole beauty of it.

I need some pencils.

You see, she sends the flowers, orchestrates the entertainment.

It's a complete role reversal, Roxanne, I love it.

Do you have any idea what a relief it is

not to have to plan a date?

No.

For once all I have to do is sit back

and let the evening happen to me.

No expectations, no idea of what's to come.

Sounds great, Arnie.

Rox, call Renee Quintana

and have her do a check on this woman.

I like to have some idea of what's to come.

[Roxanne scoffs]

[Arnold sighs]

Markowitz: When am I gonna have it?

Gianelli: I'll have it as soon as possible.

Yeah, how about sooner? Oh.

Ah, excuse me.

Quick lunch?

No, I have a sandwich coming in.

Well, how late are you gonna be tonight?

Oh, maybe 10:30, 11:00.

You know, between my trial and this Spenko mess of yours,

it seems like I'm never gonna see you again.

I don't think its fair for you to take all

the heat for Gianelli's screw-ups.

Let him break in, he's a good kid.

It's not like I hate him or anything, Stuart,

I just would love to see you before midnight

one of these nights.

He'll catch on.

You know, if he's not cutting it, Stuart,

you're not doing him a favor. You should maybe talk to--

It's gonna be fine, Ann.

Everybody's a little slow at first.

A little slow?

[Markowitz laughs]

You are such a nice person.

Maybe I'll wait up for you after all.

I'll...

I'll bring my butterfly net.

"UCLA, Harvard Law,

editor of the law review,

Ames competition...

best oralist."

McKenzie: Well, I am impressed, Mr. Rollins.

Thank you, sir.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Well, let's see. My-- my mother's an attorney,

my father is a professor of economics at UC Riverside.

I've clerked for a the past few summers at Felder-Ivy-McCoy.

As a matter of fact, they offered me a permanent position,

but under the heading less is more,

I think that a small prestigious firm

such as McKenzie-Brackman

could be more responsive to my personal needs,

or at least Bill Howard thinks so.

Bill Howard?

- As in Howard Enterprises? - Yes, sir.

He's been a close personal friend of my family for years.

That's how Mr. Rollins came to our attention.

Rollins: He also told me that you have a real commitment

to minority hiring that goes beyond tokenism.

That means a lot to me.

Well, Mr. Rollins, your education is top drawer,

your family connections are impressive.

I think you could fit in quite nicely.

Thank you.

What would you be looking for

in the way of compensation?

Seventy-two-five,

and I wouldn't be opposed to your designating

a percentage of that as a signing bonus.

Excuse me, but [clears throat]

we've been starting our associates at

pretty much commensurate with the going rate,

which as I'm sure you're aware, is considerably lower.

I understand, sir, but I've already been offered

71 with Horton & Gold.

So much for your doctrine of less is more.

[laughing]

Sometimes more is more.

[all chuckle]

Well, perhaps we could reach as high as fifty-seven-five.

With all due respect, Mr. Brackman,

this is not a negotiation.

Gentlemen, it's been a genuine honor

and a pleasure, thank you very much.

Could you give us till the end of business today?

Of course, sir.

Obviously, his salary demands are totally out of line.

Oh, he's bright, he's articulate,

I like his directness.

He's a winner.

I want him to be our winner.

I strongly disagree.

No, I'm pulling rank, Douglas.

What are you going to do when his salary becomes

common knowledge among the other associates?

We'll see that it doesn't.

Then I guess you've bought yourself a lawyer.

Brackman: I hope you haven't bought all of us

a giant headache as well.

So other pajama fabrics have a higher level

of flame retardant than the defendant's?

Walworth: Yes, sir.

The defendant's fabric was treated

with flame retardant chemicals,

but the more protective fabrics are the ones

actually made with flame resistant fibers.

Hamilton: And what would you say is the manufacturing cost

difference between the defendant's fabric

and the other more flame retardant brands?

Walworth: The other one costs about 96 cents more per pair.

Hamilton: So it is possible that if the defendant

saw its way to spending, should we say, an extra dollar

in the name of safety,

Kevin Talbot would still have his whole face?

- Objection! - Sustained.

- That remark is stricken. Hamilton: Nothing further.

Ms. Walworth, isn't it true that some children are allergic

to the fabrics made with flame resistant fibers?

Some children do have reactions, yes, sir.

And for those kids, their only option

is the chemically treated pajamas

like the ones made by my client's fabric, is that right?

Walworth: That's correct.

And, Ms. Walworth, you're familiar

with the government regulations

regarding flammability standards.

- Are you not? - I am.

And does the fabric used by my client comply

with these safety standards?

Walworth: It does.

Sifuentes: And as a former member of

the consumer products safety

commission,

have you ever had occasion

to question the safety of this fabric?

- No, sir. - Ms. Walworth--

Woman: Fire!

Sifuentes: What the! Your honor! Judge: Hey.

Sifuentes: Objection! This is outrageous!

[extinguisher sprays]

You rigged that thing to go off!

I apologize, judge. I didn't mean to, I was just--

Your honor, I move for an immediate mistrial

and I ask that he be held in contempt!

- Counsel, approach. - It was an accident.

- Yeah, sure it was. - Get up here now.

Judge Vance: You try anything like that again,

and you got a mistrial.

I will personally see to it

that you never try another case in this state again.

I apologize judge, I didn't mean to ignite it.

- The hell you didn't. Judge Vance: Cut it out!

Let's proceed.

All rise.

The session is now called to order,

the honorable Justice Douglas Brackman presiding.

I see that our docket is quite full

and accordingly let us proceed to our first case.

Case number one, Weedon versus Greevy.

$200 I pay for a talking bird

and all it does is cuss me.

- It talks, the bird talks. - Wait a second.

Nothing but smut from the minute it came into my house--

He wanted a talking bird

and now he's upset over content.

Hold it.

Am I to understand you seek a refund

because the parrot engages in profanity?

Engage? It called my wife a whore.

Greevy: She called her a horse.

There's a big difference.

It was whore. He repeated it twice.

Hold it.

Bailiff, bring exhibit A up here, please.

Brackman: Now, litigants, I am aware of no warranty

as to the subject matter of the bird's conversation.

- What's its name? - Penelope.

Spike.

Well, Spike or Penelope, whoever you are,

can you talk for Judge Brackman?

Can you say, "Hello, Judge Brackman"?

- Hello. - Good girl.

Well, Mr. Weedon, it seems--

- You're a wimp. - Hey.

- You see? Bird: Jackass.

You're in contempt.

And he's a bigot, too.

Order, everybody.

- Suck my beak. Woman: Penelope!

I want punitive damages!

I'll take it under advisement.

20 minute recess.

Bite my shorts.

[bird speaking]

Bird: Kiss my brownie.

In the 17 years I've been a psychiatrist

I must have heard over a hundred different threats like this.

And have you ever warned the

potential victims of these threats?

Yes, sometimes. And the police, too.

But you didn't on this occasion, did you?

No, I honestly didn't think Mr. Robb was capable

of committing this kind of violence.

Dr. Warren: Everything in his history and his medical records

indicated these threats were the products

of delusional episodes.

I still can't believe that I was wrong.

No further questions.

So you hear these threats all the time, doctor?

Between Mr. Robb and my other patients, I...

probably get one a month.

And on how many occasions do your clients

come in wielding machetes?

I thought he was just trying to show off a little.

Is it your testimony, doctor,

that it's customary for patients to expose

weaponry to their psychiatrists?

Dr. Warren: No, but it does happen.

Dr. Warren, you blew this one, didn't you?

- It was not my fault. Santiago: Hey, come on, doctor.

A patient of yours tells you he's gonna go chop up a woman,

then he goes out and does just that

while you do absolutely nothing.

Is it your testimony before this jury

that you feel no compunction here whatsoever?

Of course...

Not a day goes by that I don't replay

that last session with him over and over again.

And, doctor, it just has to be true.

Had you done something, Allison Toomey

might still be alive today.

That's true.

And knowing that, doctor,

how can anyone in this room

truly consider you to be completely blameless?

- Objection. Santiago: Come on, doctor.

Look at the jury and tell them you don't blame yourself.

Kelsey: Objection! Judge Vance: Sustained.

That's okay, I don't think

I have any further questions.

Judge Vance: Thank you. You may step down, doctor.

[instrumental music]

Kevin, can you tell us what the kids say to you?

Kevin, remember our little chat?

You're gonna be a brave boy

and tell the jury exactly what they say to you.

They call me things.

Hamilton: What kind of things?

The big kids say I'm a geek and stuff.

Like a leper,

and the little kids are scared of me.

They think I'm a monster.

Hamilton: Do you think you're a monster, Kevin?

Sometimes.

Hamilton: You're not.

You're a very fine, brave young boy.

No further questions.

Kevin.

You testified when you were playing...

with the lighter fluid,

you spilled some on your left sleeve, right?

Yes.

And then you decided to light

one of your mom's cigarettes?

Yes.

And it was the sleeve with the lighter fluid

that caught fire, then, correct?

Yes, and then it spread to the curtains.

Sifuentes: Thank you, Kevin.

Nothing further.

Hamilton: Plaintiff rests, Your Honor.

Your Honor, the defendant moves for a directed verdict.

The jury will be excused

while I entertain a motion from counsel.

See you back here 10:00 a.m. tomorrow.

Kevin, thank you, you can step down.

There's no reason for me to even put on a defense.

As a matter of law,

the plaintiff's claim cannot be sustained.

There is not one shred of evidence

which goes for design defect,

and as for the failure to warn issue,

their whole case comes down to this ludicrous notion

that there should have been a warning label on the pajamas

reading "Do not soak in lighter fluid

before igniting with a match." They have no case, judge.

All this nonsense should stop right now.

Mr. Schuyler?

Your honor, I don't expect Mr. Sifuentes to like our case,

nor do I expect him to have one ounce of compassion

for my client's crippling injuries,

but take it from somebody who's been a victim his entire life--

No, I am sorry, I've had enough of that, too.

Mr. Sifuentes.

Your Honor.

He has been beating the jury over the head

with his handicap, using it as a weapon.

I am not handicapped, sir!

I want my objection to this manipulation on the record.

And I object to this attack.

Now that's enough from both of you.

Mr. Sifuentes, you've made your point.

Mr. Schuyler, I must say it's not totally lost on me.

Now let's skip these personal digressions

and stick to the facts.

I apologize, Your Honor.

I realize this case is not about myself

nor is it about Mr. Sifuentes,

it's about Kevin Talbot.

Now, if the jury rules against him,

perhaps I can explain that to him,

but how am I gonna explain the fact that the judge

is gonna throw his hopes out of court

before the trial is even over?

Well, I'm not inclined to take this matter

out of the jury's hands,

so I'm going to deny your motion, Mr. Sifuentes.

Open tomorrow morning with your defense.

This case will go on and that is all.

And don't you ever speak to me like that again.

You deserve it. That little fire stunt, the constant--

Hey, hey, hey.

Enough, enough.

Arnie, Renee Quintana got the make on Nina Hollander.

She's rich.

What do we got here?

Married once, no kids,

well educated, a harpist, no less.

She studied at the conservatory.

This is a renaissance woman, Rox.

Look at this, look at this.

She breeds appaloosas.

Probably between harp lessons.

Here, sign this.

"Worth approximately 30 million dollars."

This lady multi-talented or what?

Guess what? Her limousine service called.

They'll be picking you up on Thursday

and they would like to know what you drink

so they can stock the bar.

I could grow accustomed to this, Roxanne.

Make it dom perignon.

So, what did you hear about this new guy, anything?

Black,

brilliant, Harvard Law.

Job offers up the wazoo.

Oh, great, a star.

That noise you just heard?

That was the sound of my option being dropped.

Stop being so negative.

Abby, if I fail the bar again, I'm dead meat.

You passed.

Tony, you passed.

It's easy for you to say.

Okay.

When do the results come back?

In a couple of weeks, and if I have failed--

Excuse me.

If I've failed again

I have to go back into the family business.

What's the family business?

Well, suffice it to say, it ain't too lawyerly.

- You'd give up being a lawyer? - I might have to.

You see, my brother was sort of running the business,

but he recently um...

he recently became incapacitated

and now my father is really pressing me

and he's very hard man to say no to.

- [chuckles] All fathers are. - You don't know my father.

Whenever I go for a family dinner at the compound--

The compound?

Never mind.

You don't wanna know.

Robb: And then I dragged her from the

kitchen to the bathroom.

Santiago: And she was already dead at this point?

Yes, but I kept stabbing her...

over and over and over.

Then I was finished.

I washed my hands.

I had finished.

Nothing further.

[indistinct whispering]

Are you sure?

Why the kitchen knife, Mr. Robb?

All those threats with the machete,

but instead you kill her with a kitchen knife.

I didn't have it with me.

Kelsey: You go to murder someone

and you forget the weapon?

- What kind of a killer are you? - Objection.

Kelsey: Something else is bothering me, Mr. Robb.

Today you tell us that you washed the blood off your hands,

but in the confession you gave to the police,

you said you never took your gloves off.

I object. Will counsel please tell us

where she's headed with all of this?

I'd be glad to.

This man did not kill Allison Toomey.

- What? Robb: I did too!

Kelsey: He'd like to think he did, but I'm

gonna prove that this is simply

another one of his fantasies.

Santiago: Oh, this is crazy.

I don't like surprises, Ms. Kelsey.

Neither do I, Your Honor,

but while listening to Mr. Robb's testimony,

it suddenly became apparent to me.

Judge Ruben: I'll give you a little more latitude.

When you described the murder a few moments ago,

you stabbed with your right hand,

but in the confession you said you were left-handed.

- Why? - I don't remember.

Kelsey: I'll tell you why, because in the paper

it said the police were looking for a left-handed killer,

so that's what you gave them.

- This is a speech. - Tell us, Mr. Robb.

Why did you confess to a murder you didn't commit?

Because I did it, I did too commit it!

Oh, come on, you don't even know the facts.

- You've been found out. Santiago: Objection!

- Ms. Kelsey! - You dreamed of killing her.

- But you didn't do it, did you? - I was the one who killed her.

Kelsey: Everything you confessed to was in the paper,

you memorized it.

But your memory is lousy today, Mr. Robb,

and everyone in this courtroom knows you didn't do it.

I did! I stabbed her over and over and over...

- You didn't stab anybody. - It was me!

- It was my crime! Judge Ruben: Mr. Robb.

Robb: It's mine! I belong in prison!

You can't do this!

It's mine!

You've heard the testimony of a deluded individual

desperately clinging to the belief

that he murdered Allison Toomey.

A right-handed man claiming to be left-handed,

a man who didn't even remember the facts.

You've also heard three psychiatrists tell you today

that this could all very well just be a fantasy,

that his confession and plea of guilty

could simply be an extension of that fantasy.

The plaintiffs are asking you to punish Dr. Warren

for not having a foresight to predict

that Elliot Robb was a murderer,

and yet here we sit with the full benefit

of hindsight and we still can't say he's a murderer.

And in fact, ladies and gentlemen,

whether you believe that psychiatrists

should warn in a situation or not,

it no longer makes any difference,

because if Elliot Robb didn't kill that girl,

then the actions of my client are absolutely no consequence.

Thank you.

Van Owen: Oh, sure, I don't mind.

Whatever time you finish with your deposition. Uh-huh!

Okay, love you, too, Mickey.

Yeah, talk to you later.

Hi.

Hi, stranger in a strange land.

I hope I'm not taking you at a bad time.

No, actually I had a hinky 459

who just copped to a year at county lid,

so I'm a free woman for now.

Huh?

You don't do too much-- much criminal, do you?

[chuckles] Try none.

I've never even been in this building before.

Of course, there was a total wacko

in the elevator on PCP or something.

[Van Owen laughs]

Yeah, so let me guess that since you are not here

to soak in the luxurious ambience,

there must be something I can do for you.

Grace, I hate to impose,

but some evidence came out in a civil trail I'm involved in,

and I know its gonna sound more like

Perry Mason than real life,

but there's a man in prison

serving time for a murder he didn't commit.

And what I was hoping was

that you could do something to get him out

before I lose another night's sleep over it.

Are you representing him?

Not exactly.

Well, it's really up to his counsel

to make a motion for a new trial.

He didn't have a trial, he pled guilty,

some PD represented him.

Can't you make a motion as an officer of the court?

I can if the new evidence is compelling enough.

What have you got?

A lot of inconsistencies

in the various statements he made,

and I just know he didn't do it.

Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Ann,

but the police are usually pretty good about

sniffing out compulsive confessors.

And with about thousand other case files

sitting on my desk, I'd really need something more

in the way of hard evidence to get his case re-opened.

Okay, thanks for your time.

Sure.

Peletier: This guy is so damn good, Victor,

he's got the jury right in the palm of his hand.

You haven't seen me yet.

At least let's wait until we put on our defense.

I know, but...

it's just that win or lose,

my company doesn't look very good

battling this poor little kid.

Besides, I'd sort of like to give him something anyway.

That's fine. I just don't want you throwing out

any offers just because you think we're beat.

I understand, Victor, but I want you to make them an offer.

Okay.

Have you seen, Schuyler?

Let me check the head count, sir.

And make it fast and ready to go.

Schuyler: Do you think this is funny, or what?

Hey.

Pull down those, stud, let's see what you got.

- Hey! - Watch out.

Easy, bud, we're just doing a little

anthropology research here.

What the hell is wrong with you?

Hey, bud, what're you gonna do about it?

I mean, there's three against one here.

[chuckles] Should I say one and a half?

[laughing]

[mirror shatters]

Punk 2: Hey, bud!

[grunts]

You better redo your math!

Let's go, out!

- Get out! - Be cool. Cool.

Oh, God.

You alright? You okay?

I'm fine.

Am I cut?

Yeah, a little right there.

- Right over here - It's okay, okay.

Oh, boy.

[panting]

- I'm-- I'm really sorry. - Oh, damn!

[clattering]

[people chattering]

Schuyler!

Your honor, I'm afraid there has been a slight altercation.

Not with Mr. Sifuentes.

No, with strangers.

Unfortunately, one of the byproducts of...

my abnormality is that I get attacked...

simply because of the way I look.

There are bullies in this world who like to beat people up

just because they look different.

It's something I've faced all my life.

Kevin Talbot regrettably will

have to face it all through his.

I'd like a continuance until tomorrow morning...

so that I can seek medical attention and get fresh clothes.

Judge Vance: Certainly, tomorrow morning 10:00 a.m.

Members of the jury, this incident is not relevant

to any issue that's before you.

You're instructed to disregard it entirely.

This court is adjourned until tomorrow morning.

Judge Ruben: Mr. Foreman, has the jury reached a verdict?

- We have, Your Honor. - What say you, Mr. Foreman?

We the jury in the case of the estate

of Allison Toomey versus Peter Warren

find in favor of the defendant.

[laughs]

Congratulations.

So what happens to Elliot?

- He goes back to prison. - Even after that verdict?

Well, that was just a civil trial about you, Peter.

Unfortunately it has nothing to do

with the criminal disposition on him.

Can I talk to you for just a minute? Would you excuse us?

Sure.

You see, this is exactly what's bothering me.

I have the sinking feeling that my job is only half done.

Elliot Robb is going back to prison

and the real murderer is still out there.

Won't the police do something?

I hope so, but I doubt it.

As far as they're concerned Elliot's still the killer,

which is why I need to review your medical files.

I want to refresh myself on the case histories

of the other members of that therapy group.

Why?

I think the DA's office will do something

if I can give them something to work with,

and I am willing to bet that the real murderer

is a member of that group therapy session,

somebody who knew Allison and who heard Elliot's threat.

Wait, just a second.

You see, if I can talk to some of those people,

maybe I can stir something up.

Maybe there was some sexual involvements, some jealousies.

You said yourself those groups can get pretty intimate.

Hey...

We're still talking in the scope of our attorney-client

relationship here, right?

Of course.

Then let me tell you this

in total confidence.

I murdered Allison Toomey.

Is this is a joke?

We were having an affair...

and when she threatened to go public it,

well, a psychiatrist can lose his license, his whole life,

for getting sexual involved with a 17-year-old patient.

She threatened to expose me, Ms. Kelsey, so I killed her.

You son of a bitch.

Psychologically, it wasn't very hard to convince Elliot

he'd done it, poor bastard is so wracked with guilt anyway.

He wanted to be punished.

Why are you telling me this? Dr. Warren: So you'll stop.

I'm well versed the laws pertaining to privilege,

not simply doctor-patient, but attorney-client as well,

and I know that by telling you these things,

you are forever precluded from directly or indirectly

telling anybody else.

I also know...

that you'll have to cancel this little

fact-finding safari you're planning,

unless you care to be disbarred.

What makes you think I won't do it anyway?

Dr. Warren: As we both know, the things I tell you

in the context of our privilege

are inadmissible in a court of law.

You can't get me, lady,

even if you wanted to throw away your career to do it.

[tense music]

Thank you for the excellent representation.

I recommend you.

Damn it! I'm just so tempted to turn him in.

What good will it do?

Okay.

Nothing you say can be used against him, right?

And with Robb still confessing,

they can easily get reasonable doubt.

So your doctor gets off, you get disbarred.

So what am I supposed to do?

You do what lawyers have to do sometimes,

you put it behind you.

You think about something positive,

something worthwhile,.

Linguine al pesto, for example.

And you accept the fact that what's best about the system

is also sometimes hardest to live with.

[insects chirping]

That and pray that my client gets hit by a bus.

Yeah, that, too.

Come on, let's go to bed.

I have to sit out here for a while.

Do you want me to make you something to eat?

I'm fine.

I, I love you.

The important thing is that it's all for a worthy cause.

Absolutely.

When you think this is providing shelter for the homeless,

it all becomes a very small sacrifice, doesn't it?

Well, we all do what we can.

Yet I keep getting the feeling that somehow

we just haven't done quite enough.

I so agree.

[instrumental music]

Funny thing is, I just agreed out of curiosity.

I wanted to see what these auctions were like.

That's why I went.

I was curious, no intention of bidding,

but when I saw you, I said...

"Mhmm, I want it."

Ooh.

I'm glad you did.

Where are you going?

It's 1:30, Nina, I've got a full day tomorrow.

Arnold: I should probably-- - Give me your hand, Arnie.

[kisses]

So soft.

[cuffs rattling]

What are you doing?

Relax, Mr. Becker, you are my prisoner.

[ominous music]

Nina, come on, it's too late for a game.

This is no game, mister.

I paid $5,000 for this

and intend to get my money's worth.

Every last penny.

[jazz music]

[theme music]