Original subtitles

My mother said that men with accents can't be trusted.

Then maybe you should come with me to Russia.

I don't have an accent there.

But I would.

Could I trust you, then?

Ms. Carlisle, your carriage is waiting.

[laughs] That was terrific.

Both of you.

You are everything that Kenneth said you were.

You better jump on this train, Kenny,

because it's blasting out of the station.

There's one more scene that I'd like to try.

Does anyone mind?

Mimi: Actually, I wrote this myself.

The original story, I don't know,

it just seems so restrained.

Well, it is Victorian England.

Yes, but we're releasing the movie in 1993.

Even Maid Marion and Robin Hood,

they got it on this time around.

[laughter]

Mimi: Ready? Mikhail: Sure.

You bastard! You can't have forgotten me!

Coachman! Get this peasant away from me!

- Don't you remember these lips? - No!

- These eyes? - No!

- This voice? - No!

Well, then, what about these?

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

First up, Cheryl Brennan vs. World Wide Studios.

We're representing Cheryl Brennan?

Down, boy, we're representing

the studio Ms. Brennan is suing--

Oh, this is about her silicone implants.

What implants?

She claims the studio forced her to get them.

What, they put a gun to her head?

Her side's gonna have a hard time showing liability.

Even so, I wish we had settled.

Since the opposing council is one David McCoy.

- Heavy weight. - McCoy's good.

How aggressive can you get against him

without alienating your jury?

- Looks like I'm gonna find out? Douglas: Next up.

McConnell vs. Devries.

It's history.

The judge decided my septuagenarian bride

needed her daughter as a conservator.

Why didn't her new husband qualify?

Because we were ambushed.

I'd like to come talk to you privately about it.

- Please do. - And last on the agenda.

Jonathan has an announcement.

Some of you already know this,

but I've been asked to serve out

Art Middleman's term on the City Council.

- Wow! - What an Honor!

- Congratulations! - Yeah.

It's a five month appointment.

I'm not considering running for a seat.

Uh-oh. We've lost him.

- You and Mario Cuomo. - Yeah.

In any case, I'll be on leave of absence beginning today.

We're very proud of your well deserved recognition, Jonathan.

And rest assured, McKenzie Brackman won't expect

any special favors from City Hall.

[indistinct] We're adjourned.

I have a few parking tickets I want to talk to you about.

Okay, Stuart.

This is about the McConnell Case.

Actually, it's about more than that.

During the hearings, a document,

a letter, came into my possession.

Now, the only ones who knew about it,

other than Marion McConnell and her husband, were Gwen and I.

Somehow the other side got wind of it

and laid a subpoena on us. End of case.

Do you have any idea how they discovered it's existence?

Yeah, I think Frank Kittredge told them.

What?

He and Gwen have been seeing each other.

First she denied that she told him anything,

but now she admits she did.

She thinks he's blameless. I don't.

I understand that you've just inexplicably lost a case.

But to assume Kittredge is responsible,

what possible motive could he have?

I don't know. But I want you to

bounce his ass right out of here.

Well, it is not as simple as that.

Jonathan has just handed off a portion of his clients to Frank.

He's taken on a significant amount of our client overflow--

The bastard manipulated Gwen. He cost me my case.

Exposed us to malpractice!

You're talking financial investment?

Now hold on.

If you can prove this, not only will I insist

that Susan Bloom bounce him out of here,

I'll happily see to it that he's disbarred.

But right now, do you have

any evidence to back up your accusation?

- I'll get it. - Fine.

Until then, I suggest you remember it's only that,

an accusation.

[door opens]

My best offer's manslaughter

with a maximum sentence of ten years.

We're not interested.

If your client goes down on murder one,

he's looking at life without parole.

I didn't do it.

I can tie you to the weapon

and the inmate that you killed.

Your whole case is circumstantial.

You wouldn't be plea bargaining if you thought

you could prove first degree murder.

When the jury looks at Walter,

they're gonna see a convict who's already doing

a long stretch behind bars.

You think they're gonna be predisposed

to find him innocent?

Zoey: You're a fool not to take this deal.

My client is scheduled for parole in two months.

He's not gonna serve another minute in prison

for something he didn't do.

We're due in court.

I know the judge feels

you're qualified to handle this case.

But a murder trial is a lot different

than writing writs or juggling bogus appeals

for your other pals in prison.

[knocks on the door]

I've sat in my cell and read law books 18 hours a day

for the past 11 years.

I may not be a lawyer,

but I plan to win this case.

Can you describe events leading up

to your discovery of the victim's body?

I was on the gun rail in the prison laundry.

We'd just put the inmates on the line and marched them to dinner.

Sgt. Hoxie: I looked down and saw this big red spot

on the side of one of the canvas laundry carts.

I went to check it out and found Shamal Jepsom's body

under a pile of shirts.

Blood was still oozing out of a holes in his chest.

What did you do?

Sgt. Hoxie: I notified administration.

They gave the order to lockdown,

and we began a cell by cell search.

We found a homemade knife covered with blood

in the cell occupied by Walter Phelps.

And is this the knife you found?

Yes, ma'am.

Zoey: Your Honor, I ask that this weapon

be introduced into evidence, Exhibit Two.

So ordered.

Sgt. Hoxie, did you observe the victim

and the defendant in the laundry room the day of the murder?

Yes, I did. They operated steam presses next to each other.

Zoey: And how would you characterize their behavior

toward each other that day?

Sgt. Hoxie: Hostile.

They had an argument requiring

the intervention of a correctional officer.

In fact one month prior to Mr. Jepsom's murder,

you filed a disciplinary report, did you not,

describing an altercation between these two men

in which you confiscated a steel pipe from the defendant?

Phelps was brandishing the weapon.

I heard him threaten to kill Jepsom.

Thank you.

Your witness.

Sgt. Hoxie, how long have you been a guard at Bolsa Verde?

18 years. Not quite as long as you've been there.

Your Honor, my background is irrelevant to these proceedings.

I ask that the witnesses remark

be stricken from the record.

So ordered.

Isn't it true that a convict has to be strong

and stand up to other convicts

if he's gonna survive in the joint?

Objection, Your Honor, I don't see

the relevance to this question.

Sgt. Hoxie has testified that on an earlier occasion,

he heard my client threaten the victim's life.

I'm asking him to interpret that threat

in the context of the behavior

he has seen in prison every day for the past 18 years.

Overruled. You may answer the question, sergeant.

All an inmate has to do to survive in prison

is follow the rules.

The warden's rules or the convicts rules.

The victim had a history of sexual assault, did he not?

Yes.

By brandishing a pipe

and threatening the victim,

isn't it possible Mr. Phelps

was merely making it clear

in the language of a convict

that he wasn't gonna be anybody's girlfriend?

All I know is I heard Phelps say he was gonna kill him.

On the day of the murder,

when you searched Mr. Phelps cell,

did you find any blood on his clothing?

No.

Nick: The victim was stabbed four times

in the chest and belly.

Based on your experience,

wouldn't those kinds of wounds

cause blood to spatter on the killer.

I don't know.

When you knifed that prison guard to death,

did you get any blood on you?

Your Honor...

Sergeant, you're a hair's breadth away

from causing a mistrial.

One more comment like that,

and you'll be doing time for contempt.

Ladies and gentlemen, you are instructed

to disregard Sgt. Hoxie's comment

in it's entirety.

Sgt. Hoxie,

you didn't actually see

Mr. Phelps stab the victim, did you?

No, I did not.

No further questions at this time.

Some lawyers study briefs on the eve of a trial.

I study courtrooms as well.

I'm sorry, Mr. McCoy.

I guess I've been caught staring.

Ms. Lamb?

Didn't you hear we've been postponed till tomorrow?

Actually, I was looking for the clerk.

I'll get out of your way.

You're probably not looking forward

to getting this one in front of a jury as much as I am.

Oh, we thought you'd take the money and run.

You're gonna have hard go proving that my client

was in any way responsible

for your client's cosmetic surgery.

I don't think that's what's going to be on the jury's minds.

Well, we'll find out tomorrow.

See you in court.

[instrumental music]

[knocking on the door ]

[bangs on the door]

Sarah?

Honey, it's-it's after midnight.

- What's wrong? - Everything.

What is it?

She's driving me crazy.

I was only an hour late!

- You had a fight with your mom? - She hates Brian for no reason.

I can't take it.

Okay, okay.

Will you let me stay here with you?

She knows she has a curfew on school nights.

She knew what the consequences would be.

Karen, I'm not here to question your rules--

No, but you did take her in.

Yeah, yeah, for one night.

And-and we made that very clear.

And if you hadn't said okay on the phone,

we wouldn't have done that.

Stuart, I just thought that

Sarah and I had made it through the worst.

I've been holding my breath for four years.

But the last few months she's been so...

defiant. And finding you meant she could really go after me.

Yeah, Ann mentioned that

you aren't crazy about this boy she's going with.

I-I-I mean, she doesn't want to interfere--

No, but if she takes Sarah's side

or contradicts my judgment--

That's why she thinks the three of you should get together,

and talk, so that doesn't happen.

[sighs]

Karen,

we-we know that you're sensitive.

I'm not sensitive.

I'm scared.

One reason I never told you about Sarah was

I knew you had... money.

And I was worried if you wanted to,

you could pull her away from me.

I don't want to do that.

You're doing it right now. And Ann's helping.

All I ever hear about is your

gorgeous house and Ann's beautiful clothes and how...

Ann's car never needs a jump-start.

Please, I can't compete.

We don't want to compete.

But she's my daughter too,

and I have strong feelings about it.

Yes. Which she blackmails me with every day.

So we have to change that.

I don't want anymore changes.

I just want my daughter back.

Well, you're not gonna get her back,

if you deny her her father.

I can live with that. What I won't live with...

Is losing my daughter to your wife.

[instrumental music]

Did your office conduct a forensic analysis

of the blood-covered knife found in the defendant's cell?

- Yes. - And what were your findings?

The knife is crudely made.

Lapine: And consistent with the jagged punctures

I examined on the body.

Lab tests showed that the blood

on the weapon was that of the victim.

Do you have any doubt that the knife you examined

was the one used to kill Mr. Jepsom?

Objection.

Inadequate foundation for the witness

to reach such a conclusion.

Your Honor, I believe I've laid foundation.

There's a knife of specific design

and entry pattern, as well as blood that matches the victim.

Judge Harbin: I'll allow it.

Ms. Lapine, in your expert opinion,

do you have any doubt

that the knife found in Mr. Phelps's cell

less than an hour after the murder

is the same one used to kill Mr. Jepsom?

- No doubt at all. Zoey: Thank you.

Your witness.

Ms. Lapine did you find any fingerprints

on the murder weapon?

They'd been wiped off.

Somebody went to the trouble

of wiping off the fingerprints,

but not the blood.

If you were gonna frame a person for murder,

wouldn't you clean your own fingerprints off the weapon

but leave evidence that would link the weapon to Mr. Phelps?

Objection. He's asking the witness to speculate.

Your Honor, as a forensic expert,

Ms. Lapine's job is to recreate crime scenarios.

You're reaching here, Mr. Moats. Sustained.

According to the autopsy,

Mr. Jepsom's aorta

was severed below the sternum.

Would that cause blood to spurt?

I found blood spattered within eight feet of the victim.

Based on your experience,

wouldn't you expect the perpetrator of such a gory crime

to have blood on his clothing?

Yes, I would.

Did you find any blood

on Walter Phelps's clothing?

No, I did not.

Thank you, Ms. Lapine.

McCoy: This is Cheryl Brennen's screen debut

in the 1986 film "Separate Hearts."

Audiences saw a natural beauty.

Young, fresh, promising.

Unfortunately, Jeffrey Stern, the President

of World Wide Studios, saw a commodity

that was flawed and needed improvement.

He offered her a starring role

in World Wide Studios major film, "Jamaica Rain."

But,

there was one condition.

She would have to have her breasts enlarged

with surgical implants.

In fact, Jeffrey Stern was so adamant on this

that he hand-picked the doctor and he paid

for all of her medical costs.

There was one thing that Jeffrey Stern didn't do.

He didn't warn her about the potential

for painful scarring...

or the possibility that one of the implants might

rupture inside her, as one did,

necessitating a mastectomy of the right breast.

After that, the film offers dried up.

To an industry that is obsessed with sex appeal and image,

Cheryl Brennen was damaged goods.

Jeffrey Stern robbed Cheryl Brennen.

He robbed her of her looks, her career, and her health.

But yet he doesn't think he owes her anything.

In the course of this trial, we will show that Jeffrey Stern

owes Cheryl Brennen more than he can ever repay.

What happened to Cheryl Brennen is tragic.

And there is no doubt that others share

the responsibility for her suffering.

Certainly the implant manufacturer is liable.

And Ms. Brennen is going after them in a separate action.

But to point at the head of a studio and say,

"He made me get implants," is ludicrous.

C.J.: Mr. Stern didn't force Cheryl Brennen

to have her breasts surgically enlarged.

The evidence will show that decision

was hers and hers alone.

She must take responsibility for her choice.

Thank you.

The court is recessed until 2:00 p.m.

Cheryl, I know you don't believe it.

But we all are truly sorry for what has happened.

I believe you're sorry to be here, Jeff.

I know how precious your time is.

After you, Mr. Stern.

Ms. Lamb.

V.J., forward.

[indistinct chatter]

[telephone ringing]

Boy, you got some serious paper going here.

Oh. Yeah. I guess I do.

Did you see the notation on the new tax forms,

"For Paperwork Reduction Act instructions,

see separate sheet?"

[laughs]

You're Brenda, right?

Yeah.

I work for Frank Kittredge.

All day and all night as far as I can tell.

I like to keep busy.

Hey, I thought I had first dibs

on the best and brightest secretaries.

Thanks. That's-that's awfully nice to hear.

Don't tell me Frank isn't

lavish with his compliments?

No. Mr. Kittredge is, is a very fair boss.

Then how come you're always too busy to talk to me?

- I'm not. - Oh, come on.

I see you in here night after night late.

You know, I'm gonna go talk to Frank about overworking you.

You'll have to wait. He's in court all afternoon.

[chuckles] Is he?

- Suzy? - Babe!

You're early.

You won't be able to decipher this.

But basically Kenny met our price.

Fantastic.

Twelve weeks plus one guaranteed,

personal trainer on payroll, star trailer on location.

And name above the title.

You said I wouldn't get that.

- I underestimated the heat. - Ahh!

...got our champagne on ice. Let's go celebrate.

Oh, Suzy. I'm sorry. I'll have to cancel our date.

Uh, Mimi wants to rehearse tonight.

Well, hey, babe, don't be late.

You know what happened to the guy you're replacing.

Suzy, should we talk about us?

Should we?

Well, I've been feeling since our night together...

which was a big surprise.

- I'll say. - A nice surprise.

But I've been thinking, this hasn't changed our ground rules,

am I right?

And I'm worried that for you--

Hey, don't worry.

It's not in your contract. We're in sync here.

If you say so.

Well, sorry to miss dinner.

No biggie, if I don't see you in the morning,

break a leg.

Thanks for everything, dushenka.

[thud]

Mr. Phelps, what do you do on the outside?

I'm a farmer. I used to grow marijuana.

Which, unfortunately, is against the law.

So I'm incarcerated. But I'm not a murderer.

Sgt. Hoxie said he heard you arguing

with the victim just prior to the murder.

Mr. Jepsom borrowed three packets of instant soup

from me several months ago.

I asked him many times to please repay the loan.

Walter: I was growing increasingly irritated.

And that day in the laundry, I was expressing my irritation.

But that's all I did.

We heard testimony that on another occasion

you wielded a pipe and threatened to kill Mr. Jepsom.

Because of my long hair,

Mr. Jepsom thought I wanted to be a woman.

His woman. Which I did not.

Walter: Therefore, like the spiny blowfish,

I adopted a menacing behavior to ward off a predator.

Though neither of us is-is equipped to kill.

When did you last see Mr. Jepsom?

At the end of our shift. He was standing behind his steam press.

Nick: What happened then?

The bell went off, and we got on line to go to supper.

Did you notice Mr. Jepsom at this time?

I had no knowledge of his presence or lack there of.

I was thinking about my food.

So, you went to the dining hall and you ate. What happened then?

Then I went back to my cell to meditate.

Then they put us in lockdown,

and the screws tore the place apart.

And they found that knife in my stash.

Mr. Phelps, if you didn't kill Mr. Jepsom,

how do you explain the presence

of the murder weapon in your cell?

Walter: Well, I couldn't say for sure.

See, in prison,

things just have a way of happening.

Nick: There are 1,700 inmates in Bolsa Verde.

Why do you think you were chosen to be framed?

I don't have anybody looking out for me.

See, most inmates belong to gangs. I do not.

So, I'm paying the price.

Nick: I have nothing further.

Mr. Phelps, you've testified that you argued with the victim

over three packets of soup he owed you.

Nothing to kill a man over.

Isn't it true that convicts trade packets of soup

for everything from coffee and cigarettes

to drugs and inmate prostitutes?

Soup's pretty valuable.

And people kill for valuable things, don't they?

I didn't kill Jepsom.

The unpaid debt was the motive.

Working together in the laundry was the opportunity.

I'm a pot grower!

Walter: And while growing pot is considered a crime,

I do not consider myself a criminal.

In other words, your only real defense to charges of murder

is that you are an exemplary drug dealer?

- Objection. Zoey: Withdrawn.

I have nothing further.

Ms. Clemmons?

My name's Melinda Garrett.

I was sitting in the back of the courtroom today.

You were lucky to get a seat.

Phelps is innocent.

[laughs] I hope the members of the jury

haven't made that decision already.

I don't mean I think he's innocent. I know he's innocent.

How's that?

Ebell Hoxie's my ex-boyfriend.

Sgt. Hoxie, the guard who testified?

Yeah, only he was lying.

How do you know that?

Because he's the one that killed that convict.

[instrumental music]

Not this again! I've already been through this with Gwen.

Gwen doesn't believe you sank my case.

Or She doesn't want to believe it.

You've really got her snowed, haven't you?

Arnie, this is absurd.

Why would I want to sabotage your case?

Your phone log

for the past two weeks.

- How did you get this? - Does it matter?

According to this, you returned 11 calls

to a woman identified only as "Laura." No phone number.

I don't need one. I know it by heart.

But it's not Laura McConnell,

it's an old friend of mine, Laura Shipley.

I'm sure.

And I'm sure you can produce someone

to attest to this. You're very good.

And you're good enough to know you can't back up

these ridiculous allegations!

From what Gwen tells me,

whoever did leak that information

may have been doing your client a favor.

Her husband embezzled more than that first 50 grand, didn't he?

That's not the point! You interfered with my case.

And you used Gwen, manipulated her--

This from the man who seduced her

in his office and tried to have her fired!

You're a splendid moral example--

Right! And I'll do whatever it takes!

Thanks for the warning.

Dr. Shearer, when you first saw Cheryl Brennen last year,

she'd already experienced complications

from her silicone breast implants, is that correct?

Yes, approximately one year after the initial insertions

Ms. Brennen began experiencing

capsular contracture in both breasts.

McCoy: And in plain terms...

Excess scar tissue formed around

the implants and constricted

causing disfiguration of the breasts

and extreme pain.

Shearer: Because of the severity of the symptoms,

Ms. Brennen's breasts had to be reopened

so that the scar tissue could be cut away

and the implants replaced.

Dr. Shearer, did this solve the problem?

No, the symptoms recurred

and the operation had to be repeated.

In fact, by the time I saw her,

she'd had four such surgeries

as well as a closed capsulotomy.

McCoy: Now, what is that?

It's a non-surgical procedure

in which the scar tissue is broken up

by externally squeezing the breasts.

And what would you say

is the advantage of this method of treatment?

Shearer: Mainly to avoid surgery.

Plus, each time you remove an implant,

you peel out some of the tissue along with it.

Cheryl had wanted to preserve as much

of her breast tissue as possible.

And was this treatment successful?

Shearer: Only temporarily.

When Cheryl came to me,

her right implant had ruptured

and I had to surgically remove the leaking prosthesis.

What did you find when you opened up

Cheryl Brennen's right breast?

It was like an oil spill.

The silicone gel had oozed out of its envelope

and there were globs of it

throughout the surrounding tissue.

In order to clean it up,

I had to remove all of her remaining breast tissue.

And what about the left implant?

Although it appeared to be intact,

I removed it also, at Cheryl's request.

Thank you, nothing further.

Dr. Shearer, did Cheryl Brennen

come to you out of dissatisfaction

with her previous surgeon, Dr. Ludwig,

whom World Wide Studios had recommended?

No. She came to me on referral after Dr. Ludwig's death.

Is there any way Dr. Ludwig could have known

that Cheryl was prone to capsular contracture.

Or that one of her implants might break?

Shearer: No. The vast majority of implant recipients

don't have serious complications.

There's no way to predict

who will and who won't.

C.J.: Isn't it extremely rare

to remove all the breast tissue

after a rupture, as you did with Cheryl?

It may be rare. But in her case, it was necessary.

Didn't you, in fact, exceed what was necessary?

I did what any responsible surgeon would have done.

So, instead of leaving Cheryl without a breast,

did you consider...

any further reconstruction?

Shearer: After all she'd been through,

the last thing she needed was another implant.

So, it was Cheryl Brennen's decision

to forego further surgery that might improve her appearance.

Can you seriously blame her?

Was it her decision?

- Yes. - Thank you.

[instrumental music]

All rise.

Mr. Moats, you can call your next witness.

Your Honor, we have no further witnesses. The defense rests.

Judge Harbin: Very well, then let's proceed

with closing arguments.

Ms. Clemmons?

Your Honor, uh, at this time,

I request a ten minute recess.

Is this really necessary, counselor?

Yes, Your Honor, I think it is.

Why aren't you putting Melinda Garrett on the stand?

I don't think she's a credible witness.

I don't either, but if she can make the jury believe

that Hoxie's somehow involved in Jepsom's murder,

you may be able to establish reasonable doubt.

Don't you tell me how to argue my case.

Either you're a real dope, which I don't think you are,

or this is some strategy to get your client grounds for appeal

based on incompetent representation.

Why the hell do you care?

I'm a big fan of due process.

You're client is entitled

to have all the evidence heard.

You know, in the place where I live,

men would cut each other's throats

for a pair of your panties.

So all your talk about due process counts

for less than whatever it is your wearing under that.

Okay. Prison's bad and you're bitter.

But what the hell does that have to do with you

screwing your client out of the only shot he's got?

If I put this woman on the stand

and the jury convicts,

my guy will be dead and I'll be next.

You snitch on a prison gang or a guard who's in their pocket,

your life's not worth one packet

of chicken noodle soup.

If you have a case you're not making

because you're afraid of retribution, let me help.

I'll see you're protected.

I'm a lifer.

Even if Walter gets out, where are you gonna put me?

There's not a joint in the country where I'll be safe.

If you're gonna sell out Walter Phelps

because you're looking over your own shoulder,

you should have stuck to making license plates.

[door opens]

I'll have the endive salad.

And I'll have the same.

I'm sorry, ma'am, there's no smoking in this section.

Oh, mom. I didn't think to ask.

- You want to try to move? - Oh, no. No big deal.

You keep saying you're gonna stop.

Yeah. No will power.

Really, I'm fine here.

Well, I'm very glad we could all get together.

Me, too.

I know it's been a little rough on all of us lately.

Sarah: Well, actually, I have an idea

how things could go smoother.

I think I ought to move in with Ann and Stewart.

Sarah: At least until school starts in the fall

if that would be okay with you.

It's not okay with me.

See? You say you'll hear me out, but as soon as I--

I am just telling you, Sarah. I don't like the idea.

I agree with your mom, Sarah. It's only a month before you--

This doesn't have anything to do with the fact that Brian

works near Ann and Stewart's, would it?

I haven't even seen Brian, hardly.

Oh, so she has been with Brian?

- Is that a problem? - Why don't you ask me?

Because you don't let me in on what you're doing.

You've now got Ann to confide in.

Maybe because every time I even mention Brian, you lose it.

I lose it when you ignore my rules

against dating on school nights.

- I never heard that rule. Karen: No, of course not.

You don't have to enforce rules

or say no or get blamed.

After 17 years, you and Stewart

can just be Sarah's wonderful pals.

Keeping Sarah from Stewart was your lie, not ours.

Sarah: You didn't want me to have anyone but you!

You wouldn't tell me anything about him.

You are ganging up on me.

I've done my darndest for you.

But you can't blame Stewart for not helping you!

I didn't want his help! Or yours.

Sarah and I were doing just fine

before you started helping!

Look, we don't need to talk this through!

All I need is for you to not see Brian behind my back.

And for you to stay out of it.

Alright, Ms. Clemmons. Let's proceed.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,

I've asked you to find Walter Phelps

guilty of murder in the first degree--

Your Honor...

I apologize to the prosecution for interrupting.

But I respectfully request that the defense be allowed

to call one more witness.

[indistinct chatter]

Ms. Garrett,

what reason would Sgt. Hoxie have to perjure himself?

Ebell's a prison guard,

but he makes most of his money

being a mule for some Latino gang.

I forget their name.

Move to strike. No foundation.

How do you know this?

He's got a $12,000 stereo

and a new Corvette.

You don't make that kind of money working for the state.

That isn't enough, Ms. Garrett.

The answer is striken.

Ms. Garrett,

tell the court what happened

on the night Shamal Jepsom was killed.

I was ironing, Ebell came home drunk as usual

and asked me how to get blood out of his shirt.

Melinda: I told him Fels Naptha and cold water.

Because that's what my mom uses on stains.

Did you ask him about the blood?

Yeah, he said he'd had to teach a *** a lesson.

Melinda: He said that he'd made him ineligible

for parole permanently.

What did you take that to mean?

That he killed the guy.

Nick: Did he say anything else? Melinda: Yeah.

He said that for taking care of the gang's business,

they were gonna pay him enough money

to buy an above ground swimming pool.

Ms. Garrett, why are you coming forward now

instead of a month ago when Jamal Jepsom was killed.

Well, I know it isn't right but

Ebell and me, we were gonna get married.

I didn't want to get him in trouble.

Melinda: I came to my senses after we broke up.

Nick: No further questions.

You said Ebell told you he had to teach a *** a lesson.

Zoey: Did he ever tell you specifically

that he killed a man?

He didn't use those words, but I knew what he meant.

But he never said, "I killed someone,"

or, "I stabbed a man." Or anything like that?

No.

Melinda, when did you and Sgt. Hoxie

break off your engagement?

About a month ago.

Zoey: And why was that?

Because I found him in our bed

with one of my girlfriends.

And is that why you came forward to testify,

because you're angry and you want to get back at him?

No. I want to see justice done.

Zoey: Yet your desire to see Ebell punished for this crime

was awakened only after you discovered

he was cheating on you, isn't that right?

- Yes, but-- - Thank you, Melinda.

I have nothing further.

Nice job, counselor.

You may just pull this off.

I signed my own death warrant in that court room today.

Look, I'm gonna try and get you placed in protective custody,

moved out of state. Whatever it takes.

Protective custody is the worse place I could be.

Even if I get it, it won't be a con that'll do the job,

it'll be some crooked screw like Hoxie.

Maybe I can get you paroled.

Come on, counselor,

they don't let out people who kill prison guards.

And even if they did, a parole review takes time.

I'd never make it to the hearing.

I feel responsible.

You did what you had to do.

We all gotta do what we gotta do.

If there's any way I can help...

There is something.

In case the jury finds Walter guilty,

I'd like to be ready with a motion to set aside the verdict.

Do you think you could get a colleague access

to a law library, so I can prepare?

I think I can make that happen.

That would be greatly appreciated.

Hey, what are you doing here so early?

You must be as behind as I am.

Oh, let's not talk about behinds.

They call these jelly filled?

Oh, that's much better.

- So, how is everything? - Dandy.

That's why I'm bingeing on lard and sugar

at 6:00 a.m. in semi-public.

Does this have anything to do with your two year plan

for Russian reform?

I've built a career of tailoring deals I can live with.

- You want one? - Uh-huh.

Boy, have I screwed up this time.

Which deal are we talking about?

- The movie or the marriage? - Take your pick.

Hey, don't be too hard on yourself.

You two had sex.

That could change any marriage.

Ha, the only thing that's changed is that

I suckered myself into thinking Mikhail had feelings for me.

Listen. I sound like a sap.

No. You sound like a human being.

Exactly.

Two nights ago

he didn't come home until 3:00 in the morning.

He said he was rehearsing.

Last night he calls.

Says there's been a schedule change.

They're shooting a night scene.

And I sat up in my bathrobe like a jealous wife

torturing myself with images of Mikhail and Mimi.

You think this is pathetic.

You should've seen me before Donut-land.

- Shooting range. - Hmm?

Well, that's what I do when I start feeling vulnerable.

A little target practice gets me back on beam

before I do something really stupid.

Your method has fewer carbohydrates.

Yeah, but my eardrum's shot.

[laughs]

Listen.

When you start to nose-dive around 10:00,

come see me. We'll take a coffee break, yeah?

Susan: Hey.

Thanks.

[indistinct chatter]

Zoey!

I got here as soon as I could. What the hell happened?

Nick Moats escaped from custody last night. No thanks to you.

Me? Wait, what's this got to do with me?

He wouldn't have disappeared out the ventilation shaft

if you hadn't gotten him access to the law library.

Every time Moats leaves that courtroom,

he's handcuffed and has three guards with him.

- Where were they? - That's not the point.

The P.D.'s office has taken over Phelps's case.

They're about to ask for a mistrial.

Your job is to make sure they don't get one.

[indistinct chatter]

All rise.

I appreciate counsel's being here on such notice.

Judge Harbin: Due to the extraordinary circumstances,

I thought I should hear from both sides.

Will counsel please approach?

Edward Mann for the defense, your Honor.

In view of the fact that previous counsel

for the defense escaped from custody

and is currently at large, I move for a mistrial.

I object, your Honor, the jury has no knowledge

that Mr. Moats is a fugitive, and therefore

cannot be prejudiced by that information.

Your Honor, clearly, Mr. Moats was just using this court

as a staging ground for his escape.

Edward: Which means he was not advancing

an adequate defense of his client.

Your Honor, you and I both saw how impressively Mr. Moats

argued his case for the defense.

Evidently, counsel was sufficiently impressed

that she interceded on Mr. Moats behalf

in such a way as to facilitate his escape.

Are you implying I'm an accessory?

I am just stating the facts.

And the facts are you're implicated.

Which leads me me to question the fairness

of this entire proceeding, Your Honor.

- Your Honor-- - Mr. Mann.

I'm satisfied with the treatment

the defendant's received in this courtroom.

Judge Harbin: The jury has been sequestered since yesterday

and isn't aware of these recent events.

I'm inclined to let them do their job and return a verdict.

Motion for mistrial denied.

The court is in recess.

[indistinct chatter]

[indistinct]

Well, my guess is that he won't bite unless we go higher.

I'm sorry, but there's no way my studio's responsible

for what happened to that woman.

Yeah, but you can see it, though.

The jury does not sympathize

with rich Hollywood studios, Jeff.

They sympathize with maimed women like Cheryl Brennen.

[beeps]

Secretary: Mr. McCoy to see you. - Show him in.

C.J., I have, built a career

on knowing what appeals to an audience.

I've been watching the jury, too.

And if McCoy won't settle, I think we can win.

The trend right now is strong, independent women

who take responsibility for themselves.

A woman like yourself.

Is that why you hired me?

Given a choice between you and a victim like Cheryl Brennen,

I don't think there's any question who the winner is.

[knocking on the door]

Come in.

Thank you.

- Ms. Lamb, Mr. Stern. - Hello.

Is there an empty chair to my right or my left?

- To your right. - Thank you.

I expected you want to settle

before Cheryl testified. What's your offer?

500,000 dollars. All in. No admission of liability.

Barely covers her medicals.

What do you want, Mr. McCoy?

- Two million. - You're way out of line!

When my client became ill

she was earning half a million a picture.

But she was not an established star.

And that's why I'm not asking for twenty million.

Look, when you come back down to earth, we'll continue this.

If I were you, I would reconsider your position.

I'm about to paint a picture of your client,

you'll wish that jury never saw.

When I'm done, two million's gonna look like a bargain.

As you've said, Mr. McCoy,

we'll see you in court.

Left V.J.

Thank you, Mr. Stern.

[telephone ringing]

Hey! Aren't I married to you?

Hi, Suzy.

We've been missing each other at home.

Yeah? Well you just come in to shower and change midday.

You're sure to miss me.

They treating you okay on the set?

So far, so good.

Well, Kenny's been wild about your dailies.

Said you and Mimi are burning up the film.

And that's where it's going to stay...

on film. That's what I came here to tell you.

I'm not going to sleep with Mimi Frances,

so you don't need to worry about her.

Look,

you and I said "I do" to a business deal, not a marriage.

I understand our agreement to the letter.

I'm not going to attach any new provisions.

And I won't violate the spirit of our contract.

This is hardly a conventional marriage.

But sometimes we have to trust each other

more than husbands and wives.

I'm not going to abuse that trust.

I'm not going to run around

with my leading ladies and hurt your feelings.

Woah,

are you feeling sorry for me?

No, I'm not feeling sorry. I'm feeling respect.

You worked very hard to make me look good in your town.

I'm not going to do something to make you look foolish.

Fair enough.

You know, Mikhail, you're a pleasure to do business with.

[kisses]

[knocking on the door]

[knocking continues]

[pounds on the door]

[door opens]

- Karen. - Where is she?

- What? - Sarah.

Sarah's not here.

What do you mean, "she's not here?"

I mean, she left early this afternoon.

She never came home.

[crickets chirping]

Come on in.

Yeah.

[siren wailing at distance]

[telephone ringing]

Hello?

[Nick] When you live in a place with green walls

and blue uniforms, you forget

how many colors there are out here.

Congratulations.

The jury found Walter not guilty.

I read about it in the paper.

Always good to win your last case.

So nothing happens to him,

I've recommended that his sentence be commuted

to time served.

[Nick] Oh, good.

That's good.

I didn't have any choice, you know.

Doing what I did

I hope I didn't cause any problems for you.

Nothing you couldn't repair by turning yourself in.

[laughs] I can't help you there.

I want to thank you for what you did for me.

If you think that I intentionally

helped you escape, you're crazy.

Whatever you say, counselor.

For what it's worth, you have my promise,

I'll, I'll do everything I can to be a stand-up citizen.

So long, Zoey.

[horn honking]

[sighs]

[theme music]