Original subtitles

- Frank.

- Morales.

- As a prisoner's rights advocate, I hear a lot of guys

claim they're innocent.

- 33 years and two months.

I loved the woman.

I didn't kill her.

- That's why I'm here.

I have a signed confession by someone who agrees with you.

Name's Philip Tice.

- Why is he coming forward now?

- Mr. Tice is dying of stomach cancer

and afraid of burning in hell.

[chuckles]

- I'm living in it.

So when do I get out?

- Courts are skeptical of third party confessions.

Before I could do anything, I need

to ask to take a polygraph, see if he's for real.

- For real?

I've been in this pit half my life

riding a beef for a crime I didn't commit.

That's real.

- Well, it's your call.

If you want to pursue this, I'll handle the case.

- I was 27 years old when that son of a bitch put me away.

Prosecutor and the DA's office.

Smug.

Cocky.

Phony New England accent.

I'll never forget him.

Leland McKenzie.

[theme music]

[music playing]

- Next up, People versus Brackman.

- Well, weren't the looting charges dropped?

- Yes, but a pesky disturbing the peace charge remains.

One officer used an illegal chokehold while escorting me

to the paddy wagon.

I expressed my outrage verbally.

The elbow was an accident.

- Douglas, maybe you should pay the fine and be done with it.

- The city attorney is stopping by this afternoon,

and since I have an eyewitness, he'll

be forced to drop the charges.

- Would you mind if I observed?

I'd like to see the process.

- Bring a notebook.

It should prove educational.

Moving on.

Osgood versus the state of California.

- That's my pro bono case.

Leland, I still need to speak with you about this one.

- In my office right after this meeting.

I'll be there.

- And since we're on the subject of pro bono work,

I'd like to congratulate you all on your commitment

to rebuilding Los Angeles.

- While we're busy patting ourselves on the back,

let me reiterate yesterday's message.

McKenzie, Brackman numbers are at their lowest

level in six years.

We're losing out to our competition.

Doesn't take 20/20 vision to know we

may not land on our feet.

If things don't turn around--

- This is probably a lousy time to be interviewing

at the DA's office.

- You bet it is.

- Just to be close to Zoey?

- Oh, come on, Ann.

It's bigger than that.

This is no secret.

I've given it a lot of thought.

- This makes our loss and our tax and domestic litigation

areas seem inconsequential.

- If that is a not so thinly veiled comment

about my husband's job, you will be glad to know

that he is coming home today.

- Good news.

- Stuart, like myself, was a victim of events

beyond his control.

Mr. Arnold Becker's disappearance,

on the other hand, I mean, who's kidding whom five months?

And nothing but a series of cryptic postcards

from around the world?

- It is puzzling. - Puzzling?

It's downright irresponsible.

The man is a partner in this firm.

He owes it to us to be present and holding his own.

He has my witness.

- Before we adjourn, serious weight should

be given to Douglas's comments.

Future of McKenzie, Brackman is in serious jeopardy.

In the upcoming weeks, I would like

you all to consider whether or not we have a future.

- My apartment's just across the street from the liquor store.

Convenient if I need a little creme de menthe.

- Yes, right.

Ms. Hennepin, how much of my arrest

did you actually witness?

- Oh, beginning to end.

Totally uncalled for.

That policemen used excessive force.

- And would you be willing to testify

to that effect at my trial?

- Oh goodness, yes.

[sighs]

- Ms. Hennepin-- Mary, you're a dream come true.

I'll have my assistant come in to take a statement.

- Shouldn't we discuss remuneration?

- Excuse me?

- Well, there'll be certain out-of-pocket expenses--

eating lunch, taking a bus.

- Oh, of course.

And remunerated you shall be.

- Not to mention the value of my time.

- Exactly what dollar sum did you have in mind?

- Oh, I don't know.

- Ballpark it.

- An even grand.

- $1,000?

- I've seen the car you drive.

You can afford it.

- Madam, I will not participate in bribery.

- $800?

- You'll not get a penny from me.

- $700.

- Not one red cent.

- $500.

Take it or leave it.

- What kind of a sucker do you think I am?

- First class.

[door slams]

- Roxanne, another postcard from Arnie.

- Oh, good.

- Where are the seashells?

- Down by the seashore.

Oh, the Seashell Islands.

They're off the East Coast of Africa.

- Oh.

Is Arnie ever coming back?

- I hope so.

- Me, too.

Can I keep this one?

It's my favorite.

- Why is that?

- Nudie.

- Philip Tice aced his polygraph.

- Well, nothing in this confession convinces me

he's telling the truth.

One thing is certain.

This statement isn't worth the paper it's printed on.

Tice can recant anytime, and there'd

be no evidence to prosecute him for this murder.

- I've gone over the court transcripts.

You had no direct evidence.

Your case against Osgood was circumstantial.

- This was my first capital case.

I was damn careful.

I did my job.

In any event, this is a conflict of interest for you.

You'll have to drop it.

- Given the time that's passed, the DA is

willing to waive the conflict.

On the condition we agree in writing

not to discuss the case.

- If I refuse, I look like I'm stonewalling to protect myself.

Is that the idea?

- Leland, it's possible the man you convicted is innocent.

[music playing]

- Zoey?

Welcome back.

- I guess I forgot to ask someone to water this.

- Well, last time you left, they wheeled you out on a stretcher.

Probably had other things on your mind.

- It's strange.

This is the Meacham file.

Right where I left it.

Like I haven't been gone at all.

Did they paint?

I don't remember the office being so dark.

- Zoey, I want to talk--

You're early for our interview.

- I just thought I'd stop by and see how Zoe's doing.

- Well, I'll see you in my office.

- You OK?

- I don't know.

I thought I'd feel different.

More comfortable.

- Maybe I've been too hard on you to get back.

But you know, if you're not ready, you're not ready.

I don't want to push.

You can tell me to shut up any time you want.

- Shut up.

- You sure you don't want to move in together?

[chuckles] And if I take this job here--

- Would you get out?

- Working side by side, sleeping side by side.

We can get a bed that converts into a partner's desk.

- Go!

- I'm leaving.

I'm gone.

[office chatter]

- Because Jonathan Rowlins lives 15

miles and a world apart from the district

he pretends to represent.

Now come November, we have a chance to change that.

- Same to you, Ellis.

- Why can't you write a speech like that?

Instead, you give me this.

"Racism is like a virus, emerging

when the resilience of the body politic

is lured by economic disparity."

- It's a good metaphor.

- We can't categorize the riots as a race issue.

- What-what does that say?

- That's one line about underclass versus middle class.

It's all skewed very Black.

I don't want to alienate the Latinos and Koreans.

They were all equally affected by the riots.

- Jeff, you stink.

Fix it.

[beeps]

- Yeah.

I can't-- I can't make it that early.

OK.

- The latest numbers show you're tracking

way down with the over 60 set.

Ellis has pulled within eight points.

You need the endorsement of Councilman Cooke, desperately.

Councilman Cooke's been a force in South Central for years.

He throws a lot of weight.

He carries a lot of water.

- I don't know, Terry.

I mean, the man makes me crazy.

- Jonathan, this isn't personal.

This is business.

You're hemorrhaging in the polls.

An endorsement from Councilman Cooke could stop that.

- I'll go see him.

- Well, aren't you required to report solicitation of a bribe?

- Why?

So when an investigation can be opened,

the more this firm's valuable time squandered?

No, thank you. - It would be an impropriety.

- I'll take my chances.

Pay attention.

You're in for a treat.

- I'm going to go get it.

Thanks.

- City Attorney Dana Romney?

- That's me.

You're Douglas Brackman.

415 violation.

Let me introduce--

- Gwen Taylor?

I used to see you hovering around the law review office.

I always thought you had great legs.

- Thanks.

You went to Loyola.

- Just graduated.

- How long you been with the city attorney's office?

- This is my first case.

They gave it to me because it's a slam dunk.

You know, pop.

- Young man, pardon me.

- Pardon you?

Wish I could.

- I would hardly call my case a slam dunk.

I was falsely arrested while headed for my wedding.

- I have a gold shield cop with no history of force

who says you used profanity, spit in his face.

- I was exercising my right to free speech.

Is that why you're persecuting me?

While 80% of looting related charges have been dropped.

- Police don't want yours dropped.

I'll tell you what, Brackman.

Thanksgiving's just around the corner, right?

Now you already spent time in the slam.

I'll recommend the judge give you time

served if you plead guilty.

- I'd rather be vivisected with a rusty churchkey.

Now you listen to me, junior.

You're talking with an experienced litigator.

If you want to avoid embarrassing yourself in court,

I suggest you drop the charges.

- Mr. Brackman, I've waited years to say this.

I'll see you in court.

[snickers]

Let's grab a drink sometime.

- The hell she will.

- Well I--

- Stuart?

- Hi.

- What are you doing?

- I'm looking at the wires and gears.

They make the bed move, see?

- Stuart, the car's parked out front.

Let's finish packing your suitcase.

- Are you taking me home?

- Uh-huh.

Remember, we talked about this.

- I don't want to finish packing right now.

- Ann.

Hello, Stuart.

- I'm busy.

- Whenever Stuart feels threatened or scared,

the pattern's are the same--

regression, inappropriate even childish behavior.

- I thought his recovery would be quicker.

He bounced back so fast after his heart attack.

- Now don't underestimate Stuart's return.

His blood clotting's under control.

Latest MRI shows no new swelling in the medial temporal lobe

where your husband suffered the mouse brain damage.

- He's so unpredictable.

One minute he makes complete sense.

The next, gibberish.

And the mood swings and periods of sadness.

- The area in Stuart's brain that's been affected

has to do with the storage of information.

Now full or even partial recovery could take months.

We don't know how much tissue was actually

damaged when he was beaten.

Now, I've been a neurologist half my life.

I've seen miraculous recoveries.

- Or he could stay this way forever.

- Have patience, Ann.

Try again.

[sighs]

- Felicia Holliday lived in the upstairs apartment.

She had borrowed $300 from me and never paid me back.

So I went to collect.

- This would be February 3rd, 1959.

The night of the murder.

- That's right.

She claimed that she was broke.

So I suggested an alternative method for settling the debt.

- How?

- Oral sex.

Felicia told me to leave.

But I wasn't about to leave until I got paid

back in one way or another.

I started to kiss her, and she grabbed a pair of scissors.

That's when I went for her throat.

She was wearing a big necklace and I started

to twist it to make her drop the scissors,

but she wouldn't let go.

I didn't mean to kill her.

- Mr. Tice, the police never found

that necklace you claimed to have used

to strangle Felicia Holliday.

Can you describe it?

- It was a thick silver chain with a cluster of heavy metal

hearts on the front.

I dropped the necklace down a sewer grate.

I-I was worried about my fingerprints.

- Your Honor, I'd like to offer into evidence the affidavit

of Felicia Holliday's mother taken last week,

confirming the victim owned a necklace

matching the description given by Mr. Tice.

It was a family heirloom missing from the victim's effects

after her death.

- Any objection?

- No.

- Additionally, it is stipulated that none of the documents

filed in connection with Ms. Holliday's death

contain any mention of this necklace.

What's more, the width of the necklace as

described by the witness conforms

to the bruise on the victim's neck.

- So stipulated.

- Mr. Tice, what prompts you to confess at this time?

- My doctor says I have less than a year to live.

Stomach cancer.

That made me take a hard look at my choices.

My mistakes.

I know I can't give Frank Osgood back the last 33 years.

But I want him to have his freedom for whatever time

he has got left.

- Thank you.

Nothing further.

- Court will take a brief recess.

- Happened pretty fast up there.

- Well, like I told you, Frank, it's an uphill push.

First trial, you were presumed innocent.

This time, it's the other way around.

- Ben, my coming to see you is beside the point.

- I have been approached by your opponent, Mr. Ellis.

But I haven't promised him my endorsement.

If that's what you mean.

- Then you'll still consider endorsing me.

- Despite our past differences.

But I need your support in return.

I've been impressed by your leadership.

Enabling merchants to rebuild faster.

- Best way for this community to recover its dignity

is to continue mobilizing the cleanup efforts.

Open stores.

Help to get people working again.

- That's true.

However, you've excluded certain businesses.

Liquor outlets, for instance.

- I believe we should encourage owners

to redirect their efforts in a more positive way.

- Of course.

But I assume if I gave you my endorsement,

you'd help me protect those store owners who

want to open their doors again.

- When I took this office, I promised myself I would

act according to my conscience.

- The constituents don't give a damn about your conscience.

They want your help.

By discriminating against liquor stores burned during the riots,

don't you think you're punishing those merchants twice?

Rethink your position on this.

Something to consider.

- All rise.

Case number 62589.

People versus Brackman.

The honorable Janice L. Neiman presiding.

- Be seated.

Mr. Romney, present your first witness.

- The people call Mary Hennepin to the stand.

- You've got to be kidding.

Your Honor, move to find Mary Hennepin an unfit witness.

- On what grounds, Counselor?

- Yesterday, this woman solicited a bribe in return

for testifying on my behalf.

- Did a conversation take place between you and Mr. Brackman?

- Yes.

He invited me to his office and tried to bribe me.

- Liar.

- Mr. Brackman.

Go on, please.

- Well, he offered to pay me $1,000 to change my story

and testify for him.

- Liar!

- Counselor, as an officer of the court,

you are obligated to report such things to the city

attorney immediately.

- Your Honor, may I address the court?

I'm Gwen Taylor, Mr. Brackman's intern.

I can attest to his version of the alleged bribe.

- "Alleged?"

- Mr. Brackman, I'm denying your motion.

Ms. Hennepin may testify.

Maybe then we'll get to the bottom of this.

- Your Honor, in that case, I request a recess

so I can prepare to question the witness.

[sighs]

- We'll reconvene tomorrow morning.

Court's adjourned.

- Wow.

This is our home?

- Yours, mine, and the bank's.

Come on in.

We live here.

With our son.

- I forgot his name again.

- Matthew.

- Right.

Why can't I remember that?

It's a nice name.

Matthew.

Matthew, Matthew, Matthew.

I like the color of the walls.

- You hated this color.

We had a huge argument at the paint store.

[chuckles]

- Oh, right.

That's me.

Who are these people?

- That's Matthew and that's your daughter Sarah.

She's away at school.

And that's me.

- I know you.

- I'm your wife.

- I know.

Where was it taken?

- That's our backyard.

That was my birthday party.

- Happy birthday.

- Thank you.

Stuart?

Do you really know that I'm your wife?

- Yeah.

- Welcome home.

- Mr. Tice, what's your relationship with Mr. Osgood?

- We were neighbors when he lived with Felicia.

- That isn't the only time you were neighbors, was it?

I'm referring to your 1982 fraud conviction.

You served nine months in Lompoc.

- I was in for eight months.

- You and Mr. Osgood labored on the same work detail,

didn't you?

- We hardly spoke, and we never talked about Felicia.

- Yet the only proof you offer to back up your confession

is a description of a necklace which may or may

not be the murder weapon.

Is the reason you're able to describe

this necklace because Frank Osgood described it to you?

- Objection.

Asked and answered.

- Sustained.

- Are you expecting the court to believe

that you worked alongside an old neighbor and never--

- (FIRMLY) I avoided Frank Osgood.

And if he remembered me, he never showed it.

- Your illness must be saddling your family

with a sizable debt.

Has Mr. Osgood offered to help you

financially if you help him?

- Objection.

Assuming fact not in evidence.

- I'll allow it.

- Osgood never offered me a thing.

- Mr. Tice, when you were on trial for fraud,

did you ever lie under oath?

- Yes, but I'm telling the truth now.

I killed Felicia Holliday.

And I swear on my life.

- That's not saying a lot, Mr. Tice.

- Objection.

- Withdrawn.

Nothing further.

[muttering]

[knocks]

- Yep.

- Settling in.

[sighs]

- Ruby, I want more to do than just write appellate briefs.

- I thought you should start back slowly.

- Well, I appreciate your concern.

But I want a full caseload, not the victim's discount.

- OK.

The Asset Forfeiture Unit is bogged down,

I'll send you the files.

- Good.

- Zoey.

I want you to know that I do feel somewhat

responsible for what happened.

You were in a vulnerable place during the Meacham trial.

- Ruby, you and I both know you advised me to perjure myself.

But the decision was mine.

You're not responsible for what I said on the witness stand.

I'm not blaming you because I got shot.

- Then we'll be able to get past this.

- We have to, don't we?

[music playing]

- Hey, Tom.

Got a moment?

- Sure, Leland.

What's up?

- How was your interview?

- It was good, I think.

Thanks for asking.

And Leland, I know that we're shorthanded around here.

I'm just-- I'm still feeling restless.

I wonder what it might be like working at the DA's office,

you know?

Truth and justice and the American way.

- Well, for what it's worth, lately,

I empathize with your restlessness.

- Tom.

- Hey.

- Leland, I'm glad I caught you.

- What is it, Daniel?

I'm late.

- Tomorrow, I'm calling you as a witness.

- What exactly do you hope to accomplish

putting me on the stand?

- Questions have cropped up about how

you prosecuted the case.

- What questions?

- I can't discuss the details with you.

If you'd like, speak to the prosecutor.

I've already apprised her.

I'm sorry.

[music playing]

- Mr. Osgood, where were you the night Felicia Holliday

was killed?

- Alone in my pico efficiency.

Blitzed out of my brain.

I was a wreck.

Felicia and I had stopped seeing each other a few weeks before.

- And you still had feelings for her?

- She was the only woman I ever loved.

Of course, in prison, my opportunities

have been limited.

[muttering]

- At any time, did you discuss Felicia's murder with Mr. Tice?

- No, I barely remember him at the apartments.

Not at all at Lompoc.

- And Mr. Osgood, over the 33 years since your arrest,

have you steadfastly maintained your innocence?

- At the time, the DA offered me seven years

if I'd plead to manslaughter.

But I wouldn't take it.

Two years ago, the parole board said

they wouldn't let me out because I wouldn't show remorse.

I can't show remorse for something I didn't do.

- Thank you.

- Mr. Osgood, you had a history of physically

abusing Felicia Holliday.

In fact, three months before she was murdered,

you were arrested for assaulting her, weren't you?

- She called the cops, yeah.

- Isn't it true you said to the arresting officer,

"I'll kill her for this?"

- Yeah, but I never--

- And weren't you identified by two eyewitnesses

as the man they saw running from Ms. Holliday's apartment

the night she was murdered?

- They were mistaken.

- Thank you.

Nothing further.

[muttering]

- It was horrible.

The police were risking their lives while this man screamed

threats and obscenities.

Oh, the officers tried reasoning,

but he just kept taunting them.

- And is the man you saw presently in our midst?

- "Presently in our midst?"

- That's the man.

- Let the records show Ms. Hennepin

has identified the defendant, Douglas P. Brackman.

Thank you, ma'am.

Your witness.

- Watch this.

Ms. Hennepin.

Had you been drinking on the night in question?

- I don't drink.

- Not even a little creme de menthe now and then?

- Objection.

Leading the witness.

- Witness will answer.

- I hadn't sipped any that night.

- How many people were in the parking lot during the arrest?

- 20.

Maybe 30.

- You're not sure?

- Objection. Irrelevant.

- Overruled.

- 25 people.

- And you're absolutely certain it

was me you saw among that crowd at dusk from across the street.

- Objection. Badgering.

- Oh, shut up!

- Counselors, that's enough.

Ms. Hennepin, if you would answer that question, please.

- It was Mr. Brackman I saw.

His bald head was shining like a beacon.

Your Honor, it's time for my medication.

May I?

- Your Honor, this is an obvious ploy to gain sympathy.

- Ma'am, you go right ahead.

- Oh.

- Ms. Hennepin, were you taking medication

on the night in question?

- Yes.

Premedol.

- For what ailment, may I ask?

- Change of life.

- Isn't it true that the menopausal condition

can cause hot flashes, wild mood swings, irrational outbursts?

Symptoms that can distort a woman's perception.

- Objection.

Speculation.

- You're also insulting half the population, Mr. Brackman.

I use the same prescription.

And believe it or not, I experience

neither irrational outbursts nor misperceptions.

- Your Honor, I meant no disrespect.

- Mr. Brackman, any further legitimate questions

for the witness?

[muttering]

- OK, run that by me again.

- I'm having Jeff rewrite my proposal.

I'm taking out the sanctions against the liquor stores.

- That's not going to look good.

There's a lot of resistance from community leaders.

- I need Cooke's support, you said that yourself.

[clamoring]

- Yeah, how do you feel about the latest poll?

- Now look here, I'd like to make a brief statement

before answering any questions.

I'm here to tell you that South Central

is growing strong again.

You know, not far across town, there are vacant lots.

Scars not from our most recent unrest,

but from the Watts Riots nearly three decades ago.

I will not allow this neglect to continue.

It's a waste, it's is a shame, and it's going to have to stop.

- Rumor has it you've changed your stand on the licensing

of liquor stores.

- Many small businesses rely on alcohol sales

to maintain their profit margin, thereby

allowing them to sell milk and bread at a reasonable cost.

- Are you surprised by Councilman Cooke's endorsement?

- Should I be now?

- That he's supporting Ellis, do you

consider yourself the underdog?

- The councilman's endorsement is his business.

Look, I'm not here to maintain the status quo.

We need to shake things up.

We need to wake up.

[clamoring]

[ringing]

- Who are you?

How did you get in here?

- Jane Sengstack.

I saw your name on the door.

It wasn't locked.

- What can I do for you?

- The woman in Mrs. Thomas's office

said I should see you about my asset forfeiture case.

Why are you persecuting me?

I'm not a drug dealer.

My son Michael made a terrible mistake.

I'm not saying that he shouldn't be held accountable.

But I wasn't charged with a crime.

How can you take away my home?

- Mrs. Sengstack, if drugs were found on your property,

we can seize your house.

That's the law.

- But I didn't know.

He must have been doing this after school

before I got home from work.

- According to this affidavit, an informant

said you were present.

- (ANGRILY) According to this affidavit and that report

and this informant.

Take your nose out of that file and listen!

- Mrs. Sengstack, you should really talk with your lawyer.

- I spent 20 years paying the mortgage.

Most of my money is in that house.

- I'm sorry.

- I drive an 82 Civic with a bad clutch.

And ever since you took away my home, me and my eight-year-old

have been living in it.

[whirring]

- Ann.

Ann!

- What is it, Stuart?

- How does this work?

- How does what work?

- This.

- That's Chinese checkers.

- Doesn't work like the checkers I had at the hospital.

[rings]

- Don't let him put any marbles in his mouth.

- What's your name?

- Matthew.

- Right.

Sorry.

- Daddy.

Mommy, Mommy.

- Mr. McKenzie, in 1959 as deputy district attorney,

you successfully prosecuted Frank Osgood for the murder

of Felicia Holliday.

Is that correct?

- Yes.

- This note was found in your files

on the Holliday investigation.

Do you recognize the handwriting?

It appears to be my own.

- For the record, the note is dated September 4th, 1959.

One month before Frank Osgood's murder trial.

Would you please read the note aloud?

- "5:30 PM.

Call from Frank Yates, probation officer.

Prisoner in custody claims he saw a man leave Holliday

apartment on night of murder.

Not Osgood."

And below is the single word "unreliable."

It's underlined twice.

- Did you tell Mr. Osgood's lawyer

about this potential eyewitness?

- As I recall, the probation officer

who passed this information on to me

cautioned that the prisoner had not been credible in the past,

as underscored here.

- Is it possible you determined the informant was unreliable?

Independent of the probation officer's assessment.

- Well, that conversation took place over 30 years ago.

To the best of my recollection, I was told

the informant was unreliable.

- Did you make any attempt whatsoever

to track down this witness?

- No.

- And by not giving this information to Mr. Osgood's

attorney, didn't you deprive him of the chance

to seek out this witness?

- It's true, I didn't pass it on.

But otherwise, I have no idea.

- Isn't it possible if someone had tracked down this witness,

now lost forever, he might have identified

Philip Tice as the man seen running from Felicia

Holliday's apartment?

- I suppose it's within the realm of possibility.

- Thank you.

Your witness.

- Mr. McKenzie, in 1959 when you were a prosecutor, the rules

governing disclosure of evidence were

less rigid than today, correct?

- That's correct.

- You had no legal obligation to turn over information that

appeared unreliable, did you?

- No.

And rumors from a prisoner attempting

to barter early release are hardly convincing,

particularly when that prisoner has

a history of being unreliable.

- Nothing more.

- Redirect.

The legal obligation aside, didn't you

have a moral obligation to turn over evidence suggesting

Mr. Osgood might be innocent?

- Objection. Irrelevant.

- Overruled.

I'd like Mr. McKenzie to answer.

- Didn't you have a moral obligation

to tell Mr. Osgood's lawyer about this third witness?

- Perhaps.

[muttering]

- Tight schedule?

- We'll make it work.

- Son of a bitch.

You set me up.

You never had any intention of giving me your endorsement.

[dings]

- I considered supporting you.

But I decided the 16th District would

be better served by Ellis.

- Why?

- Honestly?

You grew up in privilege.

UCLA, Harvard.

Now what does the editor of the Law Review

know about the streets of South Central?

Ellis fought his way up.

He knows the problems firsthand.

He's someone I can work with, find practical solutions.

- Just give us a minute, please.

I'd love to know what kind of deal you offered Ellis.

- Oh, don't be so sanctimonious.

You were pretty quick to make a deal yourself.

- So you don't think I'm the best man?

- It's not about who's best.

It's about getting into office.

Frankly, I don't think you're going to win.

Excuse me.

- In the matter of the People versus Douglas Brackman,

violation of Penal Code 415, Disturbing the Peace,

I find the defendant guilty as charged.

- Yes!

Oh, Your Honor, the people asked that Mr.

Brackman received the maximum sentence of 90 days

in the county jail.

- Over my dead body!

Your Honor, I protest.

- Protest all you want, Mr. Brackman.

Your conduct when placed under arrest was disgraceful.

As an officer of this court, you're

expected to set an example by showing

respect for law enforcement.

And since you failed to do so, I'm

making an example out of you.

Sentencing will be Monday.

Bailiff, take Mr. Brackman into custody.

- Hurry back to the office.

Get Leland on top of this and Mullaney.

For God's sakes, get Benny.

Anyone. - Gwen.

Gwen, come meet my folks.

[yelling and gunfire]

[volume increases]

- Hello?

Hello?

(URGENTLY) Hello?

[grunts]

[dial tone]

[pounds]

[beeping]

Mom?

Mom?

(WEAKLY) Mom?

- Stuart?

Sweetheart?

Stuart?

[sobs]

It's OK, Stuart.

Everything's going to be all right, I promise.

- We will all come to order.

Be seated.

Although I'm unable to dismiss Mr. Tice's confession entirely,

it comes surrounded by doubts, unsupported by physical proof

so that it's impossible to believe

with any degree of certainty.

Therefore, the petitioner's request for a new trial

is denied.

[muttering]

- He's innocent!

Dammit!

- Mr. Tice, sit down.

- How can you do this?

- Philip, don't do this.

- Mr. Morales, get control of your witness.

- I confessed.

What more do you want me to do?

- Bailiff, remove him!

- This isn't fair.

One innocent person has died already.

Isn't that enough?

The man is innocent.

[music playing]

- I found this in your bottom drawer.

I hope you don't mind.

- It's a gift from my ex.

So how bad do you think Cooke's hurting?

- Latest polls say you and Ellis are in a dead heat.

- Sorry about your losing the endorsement.

But how was my speech?

Did the Reaganomics joke-- did it get a laugh?

- I didn't use it.

- Why not?

- Jeff, don't let the door hit you in the ass.

Jonathan, just because you got sandbagged,

doesn't mean you have to give up the good fight.

If you want, I can have Jeff do some opposition research.

- Euphemism for digging up dirt.

- Ellis has momentum.

We have to drop him in his tracks.

That means change our tactics.

Go on the offense.

- No.

No.

- You want to win, or do you want to lose?

- All right.

Let's go after Ellis.

See what Jeff can come up with.

- Hey there, Benny.

- I got another postcard from Arnie.

Roxanne, another postcard from Arnie.

- You know, going to find yourself is one thing,

but if Arnie doesn't get back, he's going

to find himself unemployed.

- (SOFTLY) Jesus.

- Close.

- Arnie?

- Hiya, Rox.

[laughs]

Oh god.

Benny.

Ben-O.

[laughs]

- That really is you.

- Yeah.

- You've lost weight.

- Yeah, I started a macro diet in the Western Antilles.

Five months, guys, traveling the globe.

I saw it all.

The Brazilian Rainforest, the Himalaya Mountains.

The Sahara Desert.

Ooh.

- I've always wanted to visit Egypt.

The Pyramids, the Sphinx.

- What was it like?

- A little too much chlorine at the Cairo Hilton.

But Rox, you would have loved this spot in the Yacking Yeti.

- You never left the hotels?

Didn't five months away teach you anything?

- No.

[snickers]

Of course I left the hotels.

This is a new dawn, a new day.

A new me.

- I've heard this before.

- Well, you wait and see, Rox.

I've changed.

By the way, have you been starting my car?

- After two weeks, I disconnected the battery.

- Rox, you know that screws up the alarm.

[moans]

- Oh.

So I'm looking at this woman.

And I think she's telling me the truth.

But a sworn affidavit says that she knew her son was

selling cocaine in the house.

That she might even be selling coke herself.

- Let the jury decide who's telling the truth.

- She's living in her car, Tommy.

All I'm saying is that maybe my time is better

served going after serious criminals

instead of single mothers or small-time dealers.

- Talk to Ruby. Convince her.

- Right, and reaffirm her suspicions that I've gone soft?

That I can't handle this anymore?

Ow. Ow.

- You have gone soft.

- I don't know.

Maybe I've been avoiding going back because I

don't want to go back.

I mean, why should I?

- Upholding the law, remember?

Getting the bad guys.

- Thank you, corporate lawyer.

All your rah-rah thing about moving to the DA's office.

Hop on over.

- Next week soon enough?

- Are you serious?

- Yeah.

I'm feeling kind of bad about jumping ship.

Looks like McKenzie Brackman is unraveling.

- That's not your problem.

- In that case, I feel great.

[laughs]

- I'm so happy for you.

- Yeah.

I'm happy for me, too.

I'm getting happier.

- Car won't start?

- I owe you an apology.

- Me first.

You heard the judge.

He found your non-disclosure of a witness acceptable.

- Given the code in 1959, to dismiss

a possible witness without even talking to him is arrogant.

A hotshot working in the DA's office

about to make his career.

- Leland, you believed in your case.

Fought hard for a conviction.

At worst, you made an error in judgment.

- This case launched my career.

Put me in private practice.

And the thought that my error may

have cost a man a life of freedom

is almost too staggering to bear.

Goodnight, Daniel.

[car starts]

[music playing]

[audio logo]