Original subtitles

My client is a respected businessman.

This hearing is prosecutorial harassment.

Is it true you expected Ms. Thomas to drop

the murder one charge against Mr. Viola?

Well, let's put it this way.

It's gonna take our new District Attorney sometime

to get her bearings, but, if she'll look at a map,

she'll find that Hollywood is north off the one-oh-one.

Hollywood is where this Mafia fiction belongs.

Vincent Stefanini wasn't whacked

by mobsters in a movie.

He was executed in his own garage.

And Paulie, The Boss Viola was indicted for that crime

by a grand jury. He should be in custody.

On what grounds do you hope to revoke Mr. Viola's bail?

Reporter 1: There he is!

- Hey! - Mr. Viola.

Paul: In answer to your many questions--

it's a boy! Seven pounds, six ounces.

Congratulations.

Mr.Viola, is this a big event for your family?

Oh, Yes. And I'm still not answering to godfather, Sally.

But as of today, you can call me gramps.

How do you feel about today's hearing, Mr. Viola?

I just want to get it over with so I can go home

and bounce my new grandson on my knee.

So you expect the bail decision to be upheld?

I'd give four-to-one over the prosecution.

If he were a gambling man.

[indistinct chatter]

Clerk: Case number one-seven five-three-seven.

People vs. Viola.

Your Honor, the people move that the court

reconsider it's decision to grant bail to the accused.

Your Honor, this is an outrageous request

on the eve of a trial.

Nothing's changed since the original bail hearing,

except the personnel in the District Attorney's office.

Mr. Viola's no flight risk. Here he sits.

The prosecution's already exhausted its attempts

to paint him as a threat to the community.

What are we doing here?

When Mr. Viola posted his bail

of two million dollars

it was said to come from legitimate business assets--

primarily the Three V Trucking Company.

That is correct, Ms. Thomas.

Ruby: My inquiries reveal that only a small portion

of the money came from this business.

Most could be traced to deposits

in off-shore accounts.

Bail monies cannot be the result of criminal activity.

Your Honor, I'd like to show this deed

as proof of Mr. Viola's ownership

of his ancestral home in Palermo, Sicily.

Please note the signature of Mr. Antonio Viola

attesting to the mortgaging of this farmland

for two billionlire--

roughly one and a half million dollars.

And what distant relation

is this Antonio Viola to the accused?

I hope Ms. Thomas isn't suggesting

it's criminal to be part of a large family.

Your Honor, it's human nature

to resent Mr. Viola's prosperity.

I don't resent Mr. Viola's wealth.

The people resent his murder of Mr. Stefanini.

Judge Shubow: Let's save that for the trial, shall we?

Ms. Thomas,

the bench doesn't wanna hamper

your vigorous pursuit of this case.

But this document satisfies the court.

Mr. Viola's bail is continued.

He's free to go pending the outcome of his trial.

I couldn't have done better myself.

[laughs]

Don't smoke that yet, Mr. Kittredge.

When I'm finished, your new family

will have nothing to celebrate.

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Next, the Shooting Stars versus the Hollywood Hoopsters,

wrongful termination.

I don't believe you took this on.

All you do is handle their taxes.

Yeah, and I'm not a litigator.

This is really getting old, Douglas.

You have no case, Stuart.

These women breached their contract.

They were hired to perform with the Hoopsters.

Yes and they had the unmitigated gall

to actually win a game.

Everybody knows they are supposed to lose.

That is part of the show.

Yeah, but it doesn't have to be that way.

Arnie, the Stars get carried away.

Both teams start to play basketball

and the crowd goes crazy. To me, that's entertainment.

And the fact that the Stars win is no reason to dump them.

- I agree. Douglas: I don't.

I think that you have major problems.

Oh, my God.

- Speaking of problems. Douglas: Oh, no.

Don't tell me, our new tenant offered you

rent you couldn't refuse.

This isn't a laughing matter.

I can't believe we're sharing,

offices with a mob lawyer.

It's not clear he's a mob lawyer.

Susan Bloom assures me Mr. Kittredge

doesn't make a practice of defending these types.

That is not the point. This is organized crime.

And if he wins, they're gonna want him on retainer.

And they don't like to hear no for an answer.

Are saying that Viola isn't entitled to representation?

No, we're saying our firm could be jeopardized

by this association.

Obviously we don't as yet know Mr. Kittredge.

We know he's ambitious.

And he bills in the high six figures.

On that note, we're adjourned.

[instrumental music]

Wait, you can't go in there.

It's alright, Sarah. I was expecting Mr. Kittredge.

I got your messages.

Pardon the mess. I'm still moving in.

Where are you putting the trophy you expect

for framing my client?

[chuckles] Trophies are kind of a male thing.

I'm planning this whole wall

for Mr. Viola's ugly head itself

stuffed and mounted.

Too bad your case isn't stronger.

My client didn't care about Vincent Stefanini.

He was nothing but a low-level employee.

He was an old rival.

And he was marrying his daughter into a drug empire.

That kind of power play enraged Viola.

If you could prove that, you wouldn't need to lean on me

the first day of trial. What is this garbage?

Every client I have with a plea bargain pending

has been turned down.

A 17-year-old kid has been denied his juvie status?

- This is extortion. - Not at all.

Now, I'm new here. Getting to know people.

I've gathered you're an important man.

An asset to Mr. Viola and his friends.

And in light of that, I have decided

to review all of your cases.

And screw with my clients' rights.

If you're so concerned about your clients,

tell them to get other representation.

Are you trying to threaten me into pleading this case out?

I'm trying to get your attention.

If I wanted to threaten you

I would mention a conversation between you and Mr. Viola,

which the FBI may have on tape.

Whatever conversation you're referring to,

it's protected by attorney-client privilege.

Not if it suggests conspiracy to commit perjury.

Like inventing a cousin in Palermo.

[chuckles]

Are you charging me with something, Ms.Thomas?

Not at the moment.

Then excuse me. I'm due in court.

[door shuts]

- Stan. - Stan: Good morning, Stuart.

- How are you? - Mm-hmm.

How are you? I think you all know each other. Right?

Um-hmm, yeah, look, we're all a little short--

time-wise. So, maybe we should just get started.

Yeah. Right.

Which... which one is Mr. Lipscomb?

- Right here. - Dan Lipscomb--

Eddie "Fastbreak" Foster.

- Stan: Jeff Kramer. - Okie-dokie.

Mr. Lipscomb,

you're the general manager of the Hoopsters.

So it was your decision to hire my clients, wasn't it?

Yeah, girls were a novelty.

To help spice up the act.

And at the first show they were fine.

They did just what they were supposed to.

And what, exactly, was that, Mr. Lipscomb?

To look good, help with the trick shots,

then back off and let the Hoopsters shine.

In other words, they were supposed to lose.

But it doesn't specifically state that anywhere

in the contract, does it?

It don't state anything about a game, either.

Page four.

"The Shooting Stars agree to participate

in an exhibition of basketball wizardry,

performed by the incredible Hollywood Hoopsters."

But there was a clock and referees and time periods.

I mean this could be construed

as an exhibition game, couldn't it.

Nope, in the definition section,

page 34, we define the term "wizardry"--

i.e. "the demonstration of extreme Hoopsterism,

preferably at the expense of the opposing team."

Does that sound like a real game to you?

Well, you could under certain circumstances.

Then you don't know the definition

of "Hoopsterism," huh?

No I don't. What page is that on.

This one.

Yeah, show him how it's done, boy.

Here we go, here we go.

Yeah, uh, huh,

do it, baby. Yeah, Alright, alright.

- Yeah. - Here we go.

- Oh, yeah. - Is it coming back?

Alright. Is it comin'?

- It's comin'. Stuart: Alright. I'm ready.

- Aah! - Ahh.

Hah. Ho. Hah. Hah.

Hah.

- Woah. - Psyche.

[laughs]

I woke up to what I thought was a car back firing.

It was 4:30 in the morning of my wedding day.

Were you surprised that your father

was getting home so late?

Not really. He'd been at the bachelor party.

Margaret: What did you do after you woke up?

My father didn't come inside, so I went out to the garage.

I thought may be he'd had too much to drink.

What did you find in the garage?

My father was lying on the floor

beside the open car door.

Blood was spattered inside the car

and I saw the bullet holes in his chest.

Margaret: Just a few more questions.

What did you do next?

I ran inside and called an ambulance and our priest.

A few minutes later, Uncle Nick,

my father's brother who lives with us,

got home from the bachelor party.

Did your father ever regain consciousness?

Yes.

Father Joseph was giving last rites

while I was trying to stop the bleeding.

And Uncle Nick kept asking him, "Who did this to you?"

And finally my father opened his eyes.

Did your father say anything?

Objection. Calls for hear say.

Dying words exception, Your Honor.

Overruled.

There's no evidence the man knew he was dying.

Yes he did. He asked Father Joseph to take care of me.

Ms. Stefanini, the objection is overruled.

Continue, Ms. Flanagan.

What did your father say?

He said, "Paulie. Paulie did it."

Margaret: Where any of your father's associates

called Paulie?

Yes.

Paul Viola.

Nothing further.

Ms. Stefanini, Paul Viola wasn't just

an associate of your father's, was he?

Carmella: No, he's my godfather.

Frank: And would you have wanted to hear

your father accuse your godfather with his dying words?

Margaret: Objection. - I'll rephrase.

Isn't it true that you've had a grudge

against Paul Viola for 15 years?

We barely speak to each other.

Because you ran away from home when you were 16.

- Objection. Relevance. - Establishing bias, Your Honor.

I'll allow it.

Did you resent your godfather

for bringing you home after you'd ran away?

Yes.

And also, didn't you know that your godfather

was apposed to your upcoming marriage?

He was unhappy that I was marrying a Colombian.

Frank: So at the moment of your father's death,

you knew that your godfather did not endorse your marriage?

I'm a grown woman. It was nobody's business.

Right, you resented Paul Viola's interference

and now you allege you heard your father say, "Paulie."

You're twisting what happened. I heard what I heard.

I have nothing further.

Carmela, can you tell us more about

what happened when you were 16?

I'd run off with a guy who worked at a carnival

and my godfather came and got me.

And did you ever see your boyfriend again?

I wasn't supposed to but...

he found me at my girlfriend's a week later.

His arm was in a cast.

He'd said my godfather's men had broken it!

Objection! This is complete hearsay!

The jury will disregard.

Please, Ms. Stefanini,

just stick to the facts that you know.

I know his arm was in a cast, Your Honor.

Margaret: So rather than resenting your godfather,

wouldn't you say that you were afraid of him?

Yes, I am afraid of him.

Then why are you here?

Because this was my father, Ms. Flanagan.

I can't bring him back

but I know who killed him.

Move to strike!

Judge Fiorelle: So ordered.

Margaret: I have nothing further.

See the golden flame at the base of your spine.

Breathe in slowly.

Feel the glow rise up

into your solar plexus.

Sorry. I was thinking about my case while I was shaving.

It's good you didn't wait.

Feel the glow at the base of your skull

like the moon shining on the calm lake

which is your mind.

You know, I've been going at this wrong.

Leland doesn't see it but I think

I can get sex discrimination.

Let everything go.

Feel in harmony with the universe.

I love yoga.

[phone rings]

That could be the office, is the machine on?

Might be important. I'd better get it.

You guys go on without me. Hi Mattie.

Ned: And breathe in...

Should I be in there?

Emergency meeting. Partners only.

Oh. What's Jonathan doing in there?

Don't ask.

To me it's dollars and cents.

If Jonathan is gonna take over Frank's clients...

Susan, I've taken them on.

Kittredge asked for my help because the D.A.

was freezing him out and I said yes.

Yeah. Well, the problem is you said yes to more than that.

Kittredge has asked Jonathan to represent him

if the DA pursues criminal charges.

What charges?

Suborning perjury, maybe conspiracy.

I don't want this firm tainted.

Leland, she's blowing smoke.

She's got nothing and she's trying to strong-arm him.

More power to her! The woman's got...

I'm, I'm looking for a genderless term here.

Guts. That's what it takes to go after somebody like Viola.

Wait a minute. Whatever happened to due process?

Thank you.

That's not our concern right now.

You are, Jonathan.

You locked horns last year with the District Attorney's Office.

And I was right.

So why should we poison our relationship with the new DA

over a guy who's ethics are anybody's guess?

He's your associate.

How close are his ties with Viola.

Frank's an independent.

Now I chewed him out when he took Viola on

but I could not get him to back down.

Well, he must know they're auditioning him

for a permanent job.

Well, I don't think he'd take it.

Look, if anybody can defend these guys

without getting sucked in, it's Frank.

That still doesn't address

how it looks to our corporate clients.

I don't care how it looks.

I care that clients rights are being jeopardized.

I care that the DA is using her power

to influence the outcome of a trial.

And I care, Douglas,

that my firm is buying right into it.

Alright, provided you don't compromise our relationship

with the DA's office,

I'm willing to let you continue for now.

Unless another partner has a strong objection.

Well, there you have it, Jonathan.

Our under whelming support.

Mr. O'Hearn, how long did you direct surveillance

of Paul Viola for the FBI?

For seven years.

I ask you and the jury to turn to page 178

of the FBI's transcript of that surveillance.

And beginning with paragraph number 98,

who were the parties talking?

Mr. Viola is talking to Stefanini's brother, Nick.

I got this from a bug we planted at Viola's club.

Could you read aloud and explain to us

the first three exchanges?

Objection. This man has no foundation for explaining--

This man is an expert at interpreting these tapes.

- Overruled. Proceed. Margaret: Please.

Viola says, "These Gonzalez' are luridiporci"

that means evil pigs.

Who are the Gonzalez'?

The family Stefanini's daughter was gonna marry into.

Viola goes on,

"The Gonzalez' swim in la robba,"

that means stuff or drugs.

"La polvere, rocks, coca--"

terms for heroin and cocaine.

Then Nick says, "The cola can make trouble."

That's probably another reference to coke.

Viola answers,

"Vinnie doesn't know trouble. You hear what I'm saying?"

Everybody's coming to me asking for the job.

Tell Vinnie that.

Ask how long does he expect me to say no

to guys who want him clipped."

Margaret: "Clipped?" - Killed.

Margaret: When did this conversation take place?

Two months before Vincent Stefanini was shot to death.

And when was the last time you saw Vincent Stefanini?

On the night of the bachelor party.

We were watching from a van

outside of the base social club.

Around 1 a.m., Viola and Stefanini came out

and drove off together.

And a little less than four hours later,

Vincent Stefanini was found bleeding to death

on the floor of his garage.

- Isn't that correct? - Yes, it is.

Margaret: I have nothing further.

Mr. O'Hearn, can you explain to me the FBI's goal

in collecting these wire taps?

O'Hearn: Yes, they've been used to convict

Twenty five members of organized crime

on various federal charges.

And was my client one of those convicted?

No.

In fact, these tapes have never been successfully used

to prove an criminal activity by Paul Viola, have they?

That's right.

Well, I can see why you're so eager

to recycle them here.

Margaret: Objection. Frank: Withdrawn.

Let's talk some more about paragraph 98

which I'd now like the jury to find

in the defense's transcript.

Can you explain to the jury why they've gotten

two different transcripts from the same tape?

In a trial like this, each side prints

their version of what's on the tapes.

Because different people can hear vastly different things.

Sometimes.

Frank: Now in paragraph 98,

don't we simply have two men agreeing

that drugs are a distasteful business?

As a prelude to Viola making a threat

on Vincent Stefanini's life.

Threat?

I ask the court's permission to play

this section of the tape.

Proceed. Bailiff.

[on tape] "La polvere, rocks, coca--"

the cola can make trouble...

[laughs] Vinnie doesn't know trouble,

you hear what I'm saying?

Everybody's coming to me asking me for the job.

Tell Vinnie that.

Ask him how long does he expect me to say no

to guys who want him clipped?

I've really got to congratulate you.

I can barely hear that conversation.

But Mr. Viola's tone is clear.

Would you call it threatening?

A lot of times people mask a threat in a friendly tone.

So you would describe Mr. Viola's tone as friendly?

He sounded concerned.

I agree.

And didn't he say that he had declined

invitations to "clip"

Mr. Stefanini? Whatever that means.

Right. But Viola--

And isn't it fair to say that paragraph 98

is the most damning exchange you could come up with

out of seven years eaves dropping on my client?

Yes. As we interpret it, the context--

Exactly.

As you interpret it.

Nothing further.

The problem is, you're going after Frank Kittredge

and my clients are paying the price.

Okay.

I came on strong with him.

But it burns my ass when a lawyer who defends scum

starts playing a civil rights violin.

I'm not here to talk you out of prosecuting Viola.

Good. Because I got him and I'm not letting go.

He's wiggled through the cracks too many times

thanks to the Kittredges of this world.

Viola has a right to counsel.

I didn't interfere with Mr. Viola's miserable rights.

I only let his lawyer know I'm watching him.

Harassing him from where I sit.

Now look, I respect you, I respect where you came from

and the fact that you may end up

on the state supreme court someday.

Can we skip the flattery?

The point is, you're important

to the African-American community,

which is very sensitive to due process.

This could hurt you.

You seem pretty ambitious yourself, Mr. Rollins.

Don't you worry about your relationship with Zoey Clemmons.

How that might be perceived in the African-American community?

Look. Can we just stick to business?

Then don't pull out my race and put it on the table!

I appreciate your concern

for the clients you inherited from Kittredge.

Don't worry about them.

You'll find us cooperative.

Thank you.

But understand me.

I'm going to go on looking into Mr. Kittredge himself.

And if I find enough, I will go after him

with a big smile on my face.

[instrumental music]

My days are endless, too.

You're a busy man.

Went well today.

I think I neutralized the wiretap evidence.

Congratulations.

You know, I wanted to ask you to take over my clients.

I figured you'd never consider it.

- You were right. - I almost asked you anyway.

I wanted to hear what you'd say.

I'd have said get out now.

Your client problems are only the beginning.

Viola isn't worth it.

I know. I've prosecuted these people.

So have I.

I was a U.S. attorney for five years.

I know what I'm dealing with.

A few years ago a man like Viola

tried to enlist me.

I said no.

And then he was shot to death right in front of me.

And you know something? I was relieved.

Got him out of my life.

Once these people have you, they never let go.

Well, the trick is not to let them have you.

I've never seen that trick work.

[instrumental music]

The Shooting Stars are a pickup team, right?

We were all first string in college.

Two of us went to the Olympics.

But nobody ever paid you

to play basketball competitively.

No.

So you were well aware, weren't you,

that when your team signed the contract

with the Hoopsters,

you were being hired as performers.

It was a job. That's all we cared about.

It was a job with a script.

And the night that you were fired,

you didn't follow the script, did you?

Look, we got carried away!

We were out there.

We were hot. The crowd was with us.

Answer the question, Ms. Sprung!

Take it easy, Stan. She's not on trial for murder.

Well, I'll ask again.

On the night in question,

did you perform as the Hoopsters expected you to?

They played us.

When the game got serious, they were just as pump--

Stan: Did you perform as they expected?

Angela: There was no performing!

For a few minutes, it was a real game!

- Stay calm, Angela. Angela: No.

I have something to say.

You know, in college we worked just as hard

as the guys did.

Playing basketball meant just as much to us

as it did to them.

When they got out,

they were looking at million dollar salaries

for doing what they love and we got told,

"Sorry, you're only entertainment."

So we were motivated. You understand?

We worked hard. We got real good.

And that night with the Hoopsters,

our reflexes took over.

When we saw we had a chance,

we knew we had to play.

Play to win.

And you know what happened?

When it was all over,

the crowd gave all of us a standing ovation.

Your Honor, the People have one more witness to call.

Sidebar, Your Honor.

Approach.

What's going on here?

Explain, Miss Flanagan.

An ex-parte application was made

to protect the anonymity of this witness.

This is an unfair surprise.

I don't have grand jury testimony--

Take it easy, Mr. Kittredge.

You'll have sufficient time to prepare.

You may call the witness, Ms. Flanagan.

The people call Michael Maceina.

Please, tell us, what is your occupation?

I run a bar, The Wayfarer in San Pedro.

And who came into the bar

on September 9th of last year?

Paul Viola came in with Vincent Stefanini.

It was close to last call.

Did you know these two men?

I had seen them.

They used to be regular customers 20 years ago

when my dad ran the place.

Can you describe their arrival

on this particular night?

They came in with their arms around each other.

They'd already had a few and Mr. Viola told me

that Mr. Stefanini's daughter

was getting married the next day.

Then they ordered a set for old time's sake.

So initially, the two men were congenial.

- Did that change? - What do you mean?

Did their mood alter as the two men drank together?

Well, I couldn't really tell.

They were sitting at a back table.

I was busy cleaning up.

Mr. Maceina, did you hear the two men argue?

Not really.

Didn't you hear Mr. Viola pound on the table

and threaten Mr. Stefanini?

Objection. She's leading her own witness.

Request permission to treat this witness

as hostile, Your Honor.

- Granted. - Mr. Maceina.

Didn't you testify to the grand jury that you quote,

"Heard the two men argue violently?"

Then you checked on your own gun

because you feared for your life.

I did say that but I was lying.

Your previous statement was sworn testimony.

Maceina: I know.

But the Deputy DA told me

that if I cooperated it would be good for me.

I had tax problems.

Told me he could make them go away.

You are saying, you were asked to lie?

No, no, I lied on my own.

But I'm telling you the truth now.

The two guys came in. They had a drink.

I didn't hear anything.

You are under oath, Mr. Maceina.

Did you talk to anyone who suggested

to you change your testimony?

No.

You didn't talk to your father?

Your father who ran the bar in the old days?

The one who knew Paul Viola

when he was called "Paul the Trigger?"

- Objection. - Judge Fiorello: Overruled.

I wanna hear the answer.

Yeah, I talked to my dad.

To tell him my conscience wouldn't let me lie.

You lied under oath before?

But now you expect us all to believe

that you are telling the truth.

That's right.

I have nothing more for this man.

Mr. Maceina, you understand

that by contradicting your earlier testimony,

you're admitting to perjury and could face a jail sentence?

Yes.

And the DA's offer to fix your tax trouble will evaporate?

I know.

And you still swear that my client only had a friendly drink

with Mr. Stefanini and they had their arms around each other?

- That's true. - Nothing further.

That can't happen again.

Frank?

You're an attorney.

You know if I'd impeached that guy on the witness stand,

it would have been a lot more convincing.

You think a recanting witness bothers the jury?

It bothered me.

I'm running this case and I was blindsided.

Paulie told you...

Are you asking if we got to the witness, Frank?

No. I'm telling you I don't need outside help.

I have my own investigators.

And how is their progress?

Any news from brother Nick?

His alibi's full of holes.

He clearly benefited from his brother's death.

When I get him on the stand, we'll make reasonable doubt.

Pappas: Doubt is only a beginning.

A guilty man hopes that his lawyer

will make reasonable doubt.

This jury has heard vivid details.

A death bed accusation.

They need something more than doubt.

Frank, I told you when I hired you, I'm not guilty.

Sometimes I sense you don't believe me,

so I'll say it again.

I'm not guilty.

Then act like it.

Get out of my way and let me win.

Anything less will be unacceptable, Frank.

- Hey. - Hi.

I just buzzed you.

I'm done with the Kravitz due diligence.

Do the tax returns go back to you or the general files?

General files is fine.

Everything okay?

No. I'm thinking about my case.

You think it's a loser, too, right?

Ah, I don't know.

I like the Stars, though.

I saw them burn up the boards in San Diego last year.

Oh, yeah?

Did you notice the power forward, Angela Sprung?

- Yeah. - She's incredible, right?

She led the country in scoring in her senior year.

She deserves to play basketball.

I just can't get these guys to admit it.

Well, I know how she feels.

I was the best guard in my junior high.

Then everybody grew and I didn't.

They laughed me when I tried out for the high school team.

You grew more than I did.

I used to play, too.

I could consistently score

eight out of ten free throws.

You know what I always wanted to do?

Drive the lane.

Yeah, right. Take it right to their faces.

Not past the ball off,

not shoot from the perimeter,

power drive right to the board.

Oh, me too, man.

I knew their egos would get in their way.

[sighs]

[Nick on tape] La polvere, rocks, coca--

Cola can be trouble.

[Nick on tape] Vinnie doesn't know trouble.

You hear what I'm saying?

Everybody's coming to me asking me for the job.

Tell Vinnie that.

Ask him how long does he expect me

Frank? How's it going?

It isn't.

I'm trying to find enough reasonable doubt

to save my neck.

You think you're in that deep?

I'm damned if I win

and damned, or worse, if I lose.

And if you try to get out, assuming you could,

it tells Ruby Thomas that her tactics work.

Frank: I don't wanna lose or get out.

I took this because I thought I could win and walk away.

Now, I don't know.

And it scares the hell out of me.

Frank, you know how to litigate.

When you got here, your reputation said killer.

Just... just concentrate on the case.

Now, what do they really have on your guy?

Too much. And it doesn't make sense.

Paul Viola is way to smart

to drive off in front of a hundred witnesses

with a man he planned to have killed.

Unless that's what he wanted everybody to think.

It's too risky. The families don't operate that way.

Alright. Well, who else had motives?

A dozen hoods.

Stefanini's own brother stood to take over his business.

Listen to this.

[sighs]

[on tape] La polvere, rocks, coca--

[on tape] "...coca. make trouble."

What 'cola? What did he say?

"Vinnie doesn't know trouble. You hear what I'm saying?"

What did he say?

[Nick on tape] "La polvere, rocks, coca--"

[on tape] "...coca. make trouble."

"Cola."

"Cola."

Maybe it doesn't mean drugs at all.

What does it mean?

- Where is that statement? - Something I can do to help?

Yes, look for the phone records from the Stefanini house.

They're over on the floor someplace

or we can order up another copy.

Alright, what am I looking for?

September 9th, last year.

We're gonna need some luck to put this together.

Your Honor, the people rest.

Mr. Kittredge, you may call your first witness.

Your Honor, we recall Carmela Stefanini.

Come forward, Miss Stefanini.

I remind you that you're still under oath.

Frank: Miss Stefanini,

was your father a religious man?

Not really, no.

And yet, what were his dying words

when he asked the priest to take care of you?

"Predicura Della miapicola."

- Picola? - My little one.

His name for me.

Pi-cola,

which is not slang for cocaine?

[laughs] Of course not.

So when your Uncle Nick said on the tape

that Picola could make trouble.

- He meant you? - I don't know.

But your father knew, didn't he?

When he was dying he knew you had made trouble.

That's why he asked the priest to take care of you.

No, he knew I was religious.

And yet you refused to attend your own

matrimonial instruction classes with your fiancé ?

Or did you have reservations about

marrying a man you hardly knew?

Objection, this is irrelevant.

Move on, Mr. Kittredge.

Why did you telephone the priest

on the night that your father was killed?

To ask him to come help.

But the telephone records from that night

show that you and Father Joseph spoke for 15 minutes

before you bothered calling an ambulance.

I was upset. Father Joe calmed me down.

For 15 minutes?

While your father bled to death?

I was... I don't remember.

I thought my father was already dead.

In fact, didn't you think you'd killed him?

- Margaret: Objection! - Overruled.

You killed him because you were desperate

not to marry Eduardo Gonzales, weren't you?

That's not true!

Your father wasn't forcing you?

No.

You were a happy and willing bride?

Your Honor, this is outrageous!

Asked and answered!

Alright. Move on Mr. Kittredge.

Miss Stefanini, I have something

I would like you to look at.

- Is this your signature? - It looks like it.

Isn't this your signature on the receipt

for the purchase of a 38 caliber pistol.

The same kind of gun somebody bought to kill your father?

I didn't buy it to kill my father.

I bought it to kill myself!

Why, Carmela?

You were marrying the man you loved, weren't you?

I bought it a month before.

I was confused then.

Where's this gun today? This gun you bought--

I threw it away!

I changed my mind and threw it in the ocean!

Come on, Carmela, confession is good for the soul!

- I didn't do anything. - Objection, this is badgering!

Judge Fiorello: Sustained.

Maybe you did buy the gun for yourself.

You were desperate. You didn't want this marriage.

But your father was controlling you

the way he always controlled you.

You tried to plead with him, didn't you?

He wouldn't listen. The gun went off.

I loved my father!

And when he was dying, when he accused Viola,

wasn't he protecting you?

- Objection! - I didn't kill him!

Judge Fiorello: That's enough, Mr. Kittredge.

Carmela, if I asked Father Joseph

wouldn't he tell me that you confessed to him--

He can't do that!

Right.

He can't.

I have no more questions.

We have no questions at this time.

Frank: No more witnesses, Your Honor.

The defense rests.

So, even though you hired these women to play basketball,

you didn't really want them to play basketball, did you?

They were there to put on a show.

We're the Hollywood Hoopsters, man. We're entertainers.

Right, and it wasn't very entertaining

for them to actually play you, was it?

It's not what we hired them to do.

No, you hired them to lose.

- You got it. Stuart: Okay. Fine.

Let's go to that night in Bakersfield.

Now you had done all your showboating,

made all your trick shots.

There's two minutes left on the clock and all of a sudden,

the Shooting Stars made it a game.

All of a sudden, they got off

eight unanswered points, didn't they?

It was a fluke, they took us by surprise.

But you continued to play, didn't you?

You missed a lay-up. Then you missed a three pointer.

They weren't supposed to play real defense.

But they did play defense.

They shut you down is what they did.

Then they got off two fast breaks.

Oh, no way!

Angela Sprung, drove down the lane,

faked you out your jock strap

and scored the winning basket.

I could have blocked her shot but I backed off.

The Stars didn't win on they're own?

They won because you let them win?

Hell, yeah!

Five women did not beat the Hollywood Hoopsters!

So, my clients did not breach their contract

by winning the game, you're team breached it

by allowing them to win.

Your client just admitted wrongful termination, Stan.

Psyche!

Paul Viola is a professional criminal

at the top of his field.

That's why they call him "The Boss."

He's spent a lifetime laughing at the law.

Big Paulie, why, he's a virtuoso.

He plays our legal system like a violin.

You saw a dramatic display by Mr. Viola's lawyer.

But it proved nothing

except that Mr. Kittredge is capable

of wildly creative scenarios.

And of brow beating a young woman into hysterics.

It cast no doubt on Mr. Viola's guilt.

Today, Mr. Viola sits before you

on a charge of pre-meditated murder.

His motive was clear and cold blooded.

You heard the tapes.

Having personal problems

with an unruly employee like Vincent Stefanini.

Have him clipped, rub him out.

That is the solution in Mr. Viola's line of work.

The only hitch was

that after he was shot,

Vincent Stefanini lived long enough

to tell witnesses who did it.

Paulie, Paul Viola committed murder.

Do not let him get away with this.

Ladies and gentlemen has the prosecution met its burden?

Have they proven to you beyond a reasonable doubt

that Paul Viola must have killed Vincent Stefanini

or do you think it's possible

that Carmela Stefanini killed her father

because he was forcing her to marry a man

she didn't love?

Forget the gangster nicknames.

Forget the references to Mr. Viola's business.

Our legal system doesn't allow you

to convict a man for his reputation.

Your job is clear and specific.

And your conclusion is clear if you stick to the facts.

Carmela had motive. Carmela had a gun.

Carmela heard the dying man's alleged accusation

and knew it was a lie.

The prosecution has pursued Paul Viola

with all the urgency of a runaway train.

Luckily, we have a breaking system

on runaway prosecutions in this country.

You are those breaks, ladies and gentlemen.

Slow this train down to the plain facts.

Bring back the only verdict you can.

Not guilty.

[sighs] We can go for damages you know.

The Hoopsters are in the red. You can check it out.

A big settlement could put them out of business.

We're aware of that.

My clients don't want the money, Stan.

They wanna play. They deserve it.

Attendance was up 20%

when they were touring with the Stars.

What do you want me to do?

I want you to talk them into honoring the contract

and let them really play basketball.

The Hoopsters have nothing to lose.

And it could be the best deal they ever made.

Okay.

Maybe I can get them to go for it.

You know, you were great in there.

Well, they didn't waste any time.

- Good. I like that. - Mmm.

Have you reached a verdict?

Foreperson: We have, Your Honor.

Judge Fiorello: What say you?

Foreperson: In the matter

of the people vs. Paul Viola

on the charge of first degree murder,

we find the defendant not guilty.

Judge Fiorello: Thank you ladies and gentlemen.

You are dismissed.

This court is adjourned.

Miss Thomas, it's been a pleasure.

Don't get too comfortable with your new lawyer.

He's only won the first round.

[indistinct chatter]

Ann: Hi, I just got back from the Bhodi Tree

and I found a yoga book that even you are gonna love.

- What's this? - I was just playing

a little one on one with Billy during lunch time.

Not too bad for an old guy.

You look very sexy.

- I won my case. - You're kidding?

The Shooting Stars have a new contract

with the Hollywood Hoopsters

for ten exhibition games win, lose or draw.

- That case was unwinnable. - Mm-hmm.

I'm unbelievably proud of you.

You are a true hero.

Yes, I am.

I may not be in harmony with the universe,

but I'm definitely learning the tune.

Where's my Mustang?

I thought you might feel more comfortable in this.

You paid for my services.

This is an extra thank you.

[chuckles] Well,

I appreciate the thought...

To turn down such a gesture

would be to slight a man's heartfelt gratitude.

I'm old fashioned.

I'm fond of my Mustang.

You're a good lawyer

but you still have a lot to learn.

Frank, you should have implicated Nick

instead of Carmela.

Nick didn't kill anybody. Carmela did.

But it's too bad to see a woman indicted.

And it's of no use to us.

[laughs]

But you'll do better next time.

[keys clinging]

Take a test drive, Frank.

See how she responds.

With all due respect,

I'll walk.

[instrumental music]

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