All language subtitles for False.Arrest.1991.720p.WEBRip.x264.AAC-[YTS.MX]

(whimsical music)

- [Narrator] The following film is based on court records,

interviews and the book, "False Arrest."

Some names, characters and scenes have been changed.

(ominous music)

(man knocks)

- Hey, (woman chuckles) we missed you baby.

What's he got? - Shut up.

- Guns, I don't like guns.

- That's okay, baby, we'll just use a knife then huh?

(ominous music)

(man laughs)

(energetic music)

(dog barks)

(cartoon music)

- Listen, Catherine, we really have to push these guys.

I don't care what the competition is bidding,

hold on a second.

Jason, turn that down.

Jason, Eden?

- Yeah, Mom.

- Honey, turn Jason's TV down, I can't hear.

- You need to turn this down. - Hey don't touch that!

- Would you stop it, just a little bit, gosh.

- I'm watching that! - Little stupid brat,

just a little bit.

- Why don't we set up a meeting with Fidelity

in January? - Stop!

- Come on, Jason, - We can work this out

your mother can't hear. for free.

- Ron, your news makes noise too, that's my show.

- [Eden] It's his favorite show, Ron.

- Okay, okay, just trying to help.

- Look, why don't we talk about this

when we get to the office.

All right, I'll see you there, bye-bye.

- Jason.

- What is that?

- Good morning to you too.

And what time did you roll in last night?

- Don't be such a mother.

- Honey, and push your hair back,

I don't like it when it's in your eyes like that.

- Have some orange juice, Eric.

How's the band coming?

When do we get to hear you guys play?

- I don't know, it's not your kind of music anyway, Ron.

- Not my kind of music, huh?

What is my kind of music?

- Beats me.

- Oh, Tony, will you make a tuna casserole

for the kids tonight? - Tuna again?

- I know, it's New Year's but that's what they want.

And don't forget a salad.

- Do I ever forget salad? - Never, bye.

- I'm trying, Joyce, I'm really trying,

the kid hates my guts.

- He's just being careful, give him time.

- Sure, like maybe another five years,

maybe after 10 years, he could work up to a hello

or a good morning.

- You're making a big deal out of nothing,

the kids love you, I love you.

- I'm trying.

- I know you are and you're doing a great job.

- Is that all I get?

Don't forget the party tonight.

- I'm gonna start early, one for Cathy

and one for Arthur.

(car starts)

(ominous music)

(gun cock)

- Where are you going? - Nowhere.

- Hey, how about my 50 bucks?

- We'll be back.

(car engine revs)

(car engine turns off)

- Okay, turn put your shirt back on

and Susie will go get the forms to sign.

Morning, a little early in the day for that.

- One for you, happy New Year. - Thank you.

- One for my darling brother.

- Hey, you want some good news?

- Madison.

- 200 physicals minimum guaranteed.

- (Joyce hollers) All right, oh thank god,

I was about to offer them your body.

- My body, thank you very much.

Oh, also, Arizona is putting out a new contract for bids,

physicals for state-owned daycare centers.

- Wow, I'll get on that right away,

as soon as I run this over to Arthur.

- Hey partner. - Partner. (Joyce chuckles)

- Hi, - Hey.

honey, how are you? - Happy New Year.

- Is this for me? - Yes it is.

- Oh, you're such a sweetheart.

Thank you, thank you. - Hi, Bobby.

- Hey, Joycey.

When's that husband of yours

gonna let me make him a millionaire?

- Oh, we're working on it, Bobby.

- Yeah, I got investors lined up around the block.

Happy New Year to you and your family.

- Thank you. - Thank you, Bobby.

- We'll see you.

- Guess what? - What?

- We landed the Madison Insurance account.

- I love it. (Joyce chuckles)

My sister, the tycoon. - Yep.

- Ah, so. - What?

- The loan will be repayed on schedule?

- Oh, what are you putting the muscle on your own sister?

- Business is business.

(Joyce chuckles)

- And we are going after a state contract next.

- You're on a roll. - Hmm-mm,

you're gonna be proud of me.

- I'm already very proud of you.

(motorcycle revs)

- Hey, Arnie, hey, huh, what do you think?

- This is what you brought me here for, Bobby, rugs?

- Carpets, Arnie, genuine Persian carpets,

they go for 6500 a piece.

- Carpets, rugs, what the hell is the difference?

They're old.

- Sure they're old, that's the way they like them.

And I want you to peddle them for me.

- Ah yeah, no problem.

A lot of my friends pay 65 for an old rug,

excuse me, carpet.

Arnie, I'm gonna give you the names of some buyers.

It'll be no problem.

- Joycey, baby, ooh, you're looking good, momma,

you are looking good.

- Hello, Arnie.

- I thought maybe you and I could go out for a drink

after work, how's that sound?

- Arnie, it's New Year's Eve, you know family, friends,

Guy Lombardo, any of that ring a bell.

- I was thinking of another New Year's Eve,

we didn't need Guy Lombardo, huh.

- Arnie, don't touch me.

- She's crazy about me, huh?

We used to be an item, Joyce and me.

- Once, we had one date once when we were 17-years-old.

He's still 17.

- Ah, you don't know what you're missing Joycey babe.

- I think I do.

(ominous music)

- Fire! (guns fire)

- Good.

(bird calls)

(gun fires)

(men laugh)

- He's crazy, you know that.

(crowd cheers)

- Everyone, everyone, come on over.

Pat, come on up here.

Pat and I wanna thank each and every one of you

for making this the most successful year

in the history of Graphics Dimension.

We're the fasting growing printing company in the southwest

and you've done one hell of a job.

- Hello, Sherry.

- Boy, we are solid, we are stable,

we have formed a firm foundation for the future

and the best is yet to come, cheers.

(crowd cheers)

- Hey, hi, honey. - Hey, let me get you a glass.

- Okay.

- [Marilyn] This looks like a good party.

- Hi. - Marilyn.

- Hi. - Champagne.

- Oh, yes thank you. - Excuse me.

- Okay.

- Oh, that's a gorgeous outfit, you look terrific.

- Thank you, you look wonderful too.

(upbeat music)

- Hey, Wally. - Hey, Joycey.

- Happy New Year. - Do you believe it, 1981.

- You know what, Wally, you are the best designer I know.

- Hey, thank you.

- I just can't help thinking how much better you'd be

if you didn't fry your brains on this stuff.

- Hey, Joyce, it's a party.

(Joyce sighs)

- Don't you see how big this is,

opportunity doesn't come along this often.

- Oh. - And this deal

could change our whole lives.

- Look, hype our clients all you want, don't do it to me.

- I'm offering you half the chips in the biggest game

you ever had a chance to sit in in your life,

the chance for big money, seven figures.

- With those Vegas guys holding the cars?

I don't like that game, Ronnie.

If we do something wrong, they don't take us to court

and sue us, they call in the Louisville Slugger

and they break our knees.

- Why do you wanna pass up an opportunity like this?

- Pat, trust me, I've always done right by you.

This is the time to take the next step.

Come on, let's have some champagne.

Come on. - Come on.

- No, I gotta think about this, you guys go.

(ominous music)

- What are you guys gonna do?

- Don't ask questions.

- I don't like this.

- 20 minutes, let's move.

- Just put on something sexy,

we're gonna be wanting to party when we get back.

(ominous music)

- You gotta trust your instincts, honey.

If it doesn't feel right, you shouldn't take a chance on it.

- Ron is doing a great job and the business is taking off,

I can't fault him for wanting to be rich.

- I'm happy with the way we live now.

Who needs the aggravation.

- Did you get the cards ready?

- I laid them out, Mom.

- [Mom] Ooh, I'd better get some quarters.

(Marilyn laughs)

(doorbell rings)

- I'll get it.

- Oh, napkins, napkins.

- Good evening, sir, sorry to bother you.

- Ooh, anything wrong, officer?

- Well, we're doing some checking on a person

that has been seen in this neighborhood,

we're wondering if you might have noticed something

that could be of help to us.

- Whatever you need.

- May I come in?

- What did this person do?

- If I could just come in, sir.

- Sure, come on in.

- Don't say a word.

(man sighs)

(ominous music)

You call your wife. - Like hell I will.

(man grunts)

- Now, you call her or we'll get her ourselves.

- Marilyn. - Yeah?

- Come in here.

- Stay calm, lady.

(woman gasps)

- Honey, it's all right.

- Who else is here?

- Just her mother, she's in the den.

- Get her.

Move, damn it.

- Hey come on. - Take him.

- [Man] Hands behind your back.

Just take it real easy.

- Stay back there lady! - Mother, Mother,

we're being robbed. - No!

- Please, do what they say.

- Pat. - Well, what do you guys want?

- Cash and jewelry, where is it?

- I've got a couple hundred bucks in my wallet.

- It's in the bedroom,

I'll show you. - Move.

- I'll show you. - What do you want?

- Let's go, just go, go.

- Here, here, please, please,

take my earrings. - Why don't you take my car?

- Shut up! - Take my earrings.

- Come on, give me the bracelet.

- Don't hurt her! - My keys are on the sink.

- Get in there go! - Please, don't hurt me.

- Get down! - Please.

- On your knees! - Do it, do it.

- Don't hurt us, please. - Keep your heads down!

You say there's cash, where is it?

- It's in the drawer there, it's on the left hand side.

(objects rattled)

- Hey, you people are supposed to be rich.

Where's the gold?

- Here, take my diamonds.

- You said there's money, we know you got money,

where's the safe?

- Take it, we don't have a safe.

We were robbed about two years ago,

we have a safety deposit box in the bank.

Please take my diamonds. - Hey man, this stuff

is garbage! - Oh, no.

- [Man] We don't need these people no more.

(ominous music)

(woman moans)

(gun fires)

(woman screams)

(gun fires)

- No, no, no, don't! (gun fires)

(eerie music)

(phone rings)

- Hello?

Yes. (ominous music)

Oh my god. - What is it?

- How, what happened?

- Who is it, what's going on?

- We'll be right there.

(helicopter whirls)

(police radio chatter)

(dramatic music)

- Ron Lukezic, we're friends of the family.

- It's all right, Mr. and Mrs. Lukezic,

I'm Lieutenant Martinson.

- All they would tell me on the phone

is that it was an emergency, what happened?

- There was a break in?

- What about Pat and Marilyn, are they all right?

- No, they aren't, I'm sorry to say Mr. Redmond

and Mrs. Redmond's mother are dead.

- Oh my god, I can't believe this.

We were just with them this afternoon.

- What about Marilyn, is she all right?

- Mrs. Redmond's in the hospital,

we don't know if she's gonna make it or not.

(dramatic music)

- Was she raped? - There he is.

- Was it a ritual killing?

- I can't give you any answers now.

- All right, who's this? - She's nobody.

- Who's the lady there? - Who's the woman?

- Leave her alone, please, thank you, thank you, thank you.

- Who's the lady? - Answer these questions.

- Redmond's son just flew in from Ohio,

he's in there with her now.

(tragic music)

- Ah, Joyce.

- Michael oh god.

Shh, shh, it's all right.

Hey, you come and stay with us, all right?

- All right.

They operated all night, she's been in and out.

If the bullet had been a fraction of an inch

to either side, she wouldn't be alive.

(slow music)

Marilyn, hi, it's Joyce.

I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry.

- They hurt me. - Oh, I know, I know.

- Oh, Pat, oh my god, Pat, Pat's dead.

- Sh, Marilyn, go to sleep, go to sleep.

(Marilyn cries)

(Joyce sighs)

- This is one of the biggest police operations

in our city's history.

The people responsible will be brought to justice,

I promise you.

- It's a bad killing, Joe, the Mayor's in the hot seat.

- Well, it won't get any better with you guys snapping

at my heels.

- You've got to get those killers,

this is no pool room shooting.

We're talking about two murders in a home in Scottsdale,

the whole town is running scared.

- Four days, Joe and your detectives haven't turned up

as much as a footprint.

- Now just a minute, I've got every available man and woman

working on this case.

I wanna get these guys just as much as you do.

- We know that, Joe but you've seen the television coverage,

it's killing us.

- What am I supposed to do, all I can do is my job.

(man knocks)

Dan, this is my best man.

Come on in Dan.

You all know Dan Ryan, my chief investigator.

- Anything break yet?

- Not in the half hour I've been sitting out there

waiting for you. - Wise guy, huh?

- No sir, I just hate wasting time.

- You have something for us, Ryan?

- I have Mrs. Redmond's description of the killers.

- I'm thinking maybe this is an armed robbery gone sour.

- Thieves don't usually put a bullet

in the back of your head and then slash your throat.

- What if they were high? - There's no evidence

of drugs, no, what you got here

is a bonafide contract killing.

- With these people, the Redmond's are the people next door.

So, where's the motive?

- These clowns are hired guns, understand?

We find them, we find whoever it is that set up the hit.

- Is this all right, it's the only black dress I have.

You're wearing a gun to the funeral?

- I'm scared, Joyce.

Why was Pat killed, maybe it had something to do

with the business.

- What are you saying, you think you could be next?

- I don't know what to think.

- The Redmond murder case continues

to baffle police tonight.

It has been five days since the brutal killings

of Patrick Redmond and his mother-in-law, Helen Phelps.

- [Reporter] This just into the newsroom.

Composite drawings of the three murder suspects

have just been released by the police department.

They were assembled by descriptions provided

by Mrs. Redmond who miraculously survived

being shot in the head.

Assistant DA, Joseph Brownley has asked the public

for their help in the identification and apprehensive

of the Redmond killers.

(phone rings)

(ominous music)

- Martinson.

Who, oh yeah.

Take it easy.

- They was at my place New Year's Eve, three of them,

they was drinking.

"I got three, I got three," one of them said,

he kept saying, "I got three."

- Slow down, okay.

- Look, I'm scared, I'm on probation,

I can't afford to mess up.

- We'll take care of you.

Do you know where they are?

- Yeah, Chicago.

(tires squeal)

- Let's go. - Okay, somebody roll

in the back of this place.

- [Policeman] All right, I got it, I got it.

- Get out of the way, move it! - Come with me, Johnson!

- Hold it. - All right, get out of here!

Move it, move it, get out of the way, police officers!

- Tell them now. - Okay come on.

- Police open up! (man pounds on door)

Take it, take it, go on, take it, go on!

(crashes door open)

- [Policeman] Police freeze, freeze, perp,

hold it right there!

(woman screams)

- Move, move!

Don't move, don't move, man!

Quiet, shut up!

- Hold up, hold up, hold up! - Hey, hold, get her!

- Stop her, stop right there, come here,

come here, come here, come here!

Hold it, hold it!

Right there, right there!

Come on baby, come on!

Freeze, don't move or I'll blow your brains out!

- Relax, relax, be calm. - Gotcha.

- Mrs. Redmond, you're certain about those two men.

- Yes I'm certain, they're the ones.

- Okay, that does it, let's go.

- Thank you, ma'am.

Let's go.

(dark music)

- (man chuckles) You guys are crazy,

'cause I ain't murdered nobody.

- Uh-huh, well that's okay though,

we got plenty of time.

I tell you what, why don't we just start

at the very beginning, shall we?

Who hired you?

- Hey, come on, I don't know what the hell

you're talking about, I'm telling I never even heard

of Redmond until I saw his name on television!

- Hey, hey, take it easy, Billy.

If you didn't do anything, we're gonna find it out.

- Don't make me beg.

- Well, if you did do something, we gonna find that out too.

- Tell us again. - You gotta have some sleep.

- We all have to, Ed, but not until you tell us

who put out the contract.

- Morning.

- Bye.

- Eric, wait a minute. - Gotta run, Mom.

- Eric, I wanna talk to you.

- Mom, I've gotta rehearse with the band.

- Honey, listen to me, I'm concerned about you and Ron.

I'd appreciate if you'd talk to him once in awhile.

- Why?

- Because he's your stepfather and he loves you.

- Mom, what Ron loves is Ron, he's a jerk

and everybody sees it but you.

- Eric, he is my husband and I married him

because I love him,

now if you don't wanna make an effort for yourself,

will you please do it for me?

- Sure, just like he's doing, huh?

- Come on. - Mom.

- Give me a hug, that's my boy.

- I'll talk to you later.

(phone rings) (people chattering)

- Any luck? - Mm-mm, still working on it.

Another shift in there now.

- Gentlemen, Mr. Hooper just broke, gave me two names,

Bobby Cruz and Arnie Merrill.

- Hey. - Breakfast is on me.

Let's go to work.

I told you.

(people chatter)

- Terrific, we get the warrants laid

and the two jokers skip town.

- We'll get him.

Got any mugshots for me?

- Yeah, Bobby Cruz and Arnie Merrill.

They both have records,

I sent copies to every police department in the country.

So, we catch these two, we solve the crime of the century.

- Yeah, I wish it was that easy.

I got a feeling these two guys are just the middle men.

Cruz, he's Joe Fario's nephew.

- Chicago family? - Uh-huh.

- They involved in this? - Maybe.

- See Cruz thinks he runs Arizona.

He brought our three boys into town.

- And what about Arnie Merrill?

- Arnie's just a cheap wiseguy,

runs a small time burglary ring.

He does jobs for Cruz, he picked our boys up

at the airport.

- What's the connection to Pat Redmond?

- I don't know, but we're making connections fast,

don't worry.

See Cruz is in real estate with Arthur Ross,

Arthur Ross is Joyce Lukezic's brother.

- Business partner's wife.

- And guess who Joyce dating way back in New York

before she met her first husband, Arnie Merrill.

- Interesting. - Uh-huh.

- But you're not giving me anything I can take into court.

- Joe, you'll be in court soon enough, all right.

Right now the name of the game is to flush these guys out,

Arnie and Cruz, make them talk,

then we can grab (indistinct).

- [Ron] I don't care what the reason is,

color bled here, I won't except inferior work.

- Ron, this is an old machine. - I don't want excuses,

I want it done right!

Do I have to do everything myself!

- Honey, what's wrong? - Oh.

- What's going on?

- Old Ron's been wound a little tightly.

- Honey, did you have to chew him out like that

in front of everyone?

- I'm sick and tired of their lame excuses.

Hello, yeah, hold on a second.

What are you doing here anyway?

- Well, I was hoping you might be able

to come home for dinner.

- Can I call you back?

- Look, we haven't spent one night together

since the funeral.

- I wish I could, I'm swamped,

the machines are breaking down, I'm going out of my mind.

- We never see you anymore. - Joyce, it's tough

without Pat, don't you understand that?

- Just come home for dinner and I'll drive you right back

here afterwards, okay?

- I've got work to do.

Hello, hi.

- Excuse me, I'm looking Harriet McClay,

Arnie's Merrill's daughter.

- Yeah, who's looking? - Dan Ryan,

from the County Attorney's Office.

I'd like to talk to you about your father.

- What's he done now?

- Well, your father's been connected

to a very serious crime.

I have a warrant for his arrest,

I'd like for you to get him the message.

- Well, how am I supposed to know where he is?

- Just do it, okay.

I have your old man dead to rights in a murder rap.

Tell him to call me and maybe we can make a deal,

otherwise, he's going to the gas chamber.

Have a good one.

(engine starts)

- What do you want right now! - Look, I need something

for the next two months. - I can't talk about it now,

I really can't!

- Joyce, we made a commitment to this business,

do or die, whatever it takes.

What happened to that?

- Look, I would love to stay here and talk to you

about it but my kids are waiting

on a hot street corner for me, I have to go!

- Well, Joyce, I just wish I had a rich husband

to fall back on.

- Hey, what's wrong?

- (Joyce sighs) Cathy is upset with me.

I can't say as I blame her though,

I'm not exactly carrying my share of the load.

- Why not? - Oh, God, Arthur,

these murders have got everybody crazy.

Ron is flipping out at work,

Eric is not talking to anybody

and I just, I don't seem to be able

to keep my mind on business anymore.

- Oh, I know, it's getting to me too.

I had a visit from the county investigator

looking for Bobby Cruz.

- Why, is Cruz involved?

- Do I know?

He took off weeks ago, I haven't seen him since.

Listen, Joyce, I had a run in with Ryan a few months ago,

I mean, this guy is something else.

He drove a truck right through the window of my gun shop.

- Why would he do that?

- Oh, he had idea that I was running a bookie operation.

- Were you? - Joyce, the point is

he's got it in for me and I'm just paranoid enough

to think he's gonna try to pin this thing on me.

- Oh, come on, that's ridiculous.

- No, no, it's realistic.

This is a big case, they're under a lot of pressure

to make a bust.

Now, I'm not gonna take a fall for something I didn't do.

And Joyce, I'm going to tell you something

if I were you, you better look out.

(phone rings)

- Ryan. - Arnie Merrill here.

- Arnie, you're looking at a charge of murder one, pal.

Why don't you do yourself a favor

and come in out of the cold.

- Harriet said something about a deal.

- I'm not after you, Arnie

but I want whoever's pulling your strings.

- First we talk, no cops, alone.

- You got my word, now where you at?

- A city that's so nice, they named it twice.

(plane engine runs)

(rain pouring)

(thunder roars)

- Arnie Merrill, you Arnie Merrill?

- You buying, I'm talking.

You both know I'm no trigger man.

- That's right, Arnie,

you're just a warm and wonderful human being

who fingered the Redmond's, come on,

I'm tired of this song and dance, talk!

- I just gotta know what's in it for me.

- Oh is that it, huh?

- Fine, you don't wanna talk, I got a warrant right here

that says I extradite you back to Phoenix tonight,

you ready?

- Yeah, okay, okay, it was Bobby Cruz.

- What's the matter with you, what you don't hear too good.

We know all about Bobby Cruz, I need to know

who was behind Cruz.

Come on, Arnie, try.

Come on!

- Give me a break, huh?

- Hey this was your break, pal,

only you're too dumb to know it.

You want a break, come on, let's get out of here,

come on, get up, come on!

- All right, hold on, hold on, what's the problem,

cool your jets. - What's the problem?

- Yeah, sit down man.

- You're under arrest.

- All right, all right, all right.

- You gonna talk to me? - Yeah, yeah.

- Now, Arnie.

(dark music)

- It's Joycey.

- Excuse me? - It was Joyce.

- Joyce, Joyce who, Joyce Lukezic?

- You got it.

- What, she planned the whole thing, huh?

- Right. - Right,

what do you take me for an idiot, huh?

What do you take me for an idiot, huh!

- Hey, get your hands off, I tell you it's true.

And I can prove it, all right.

- You can prove it. - I can prove it.

Joyce was the one.

- [Jason] Mom, do we have to wait, I'm hungry.

- Yeah, Mom, let's wait, Ron's not coming,

neither is Eric.

- Okay.

- I'm really starving, I'm gonna go.

- Take the place mats.

- I'm not gonna call him, you call.

No, I'm not call the boy.

- You wanna eat, you set the table.

- Those things make me nervous, I told you last night.

- We have a deal, remember, I'm gonna take care of you

but I need it on tape.

- Okay, I'll put it on a tape, I did it on account of fear,

sheer fear, I was terrified of Bobby Cruz.

And I didn't get a nickel for it.

Valium, I need it for my back.

- Why don't you start talking, Arnie.

- About four year ago, Joyce came to me, wanted to know

if I knew someone who would kill her husband.

- Her husband, why'd she want him killed?

- She wanted to take over the business.

I told her no way, no way!

- Okay, what happened next?

- Nothing, until last September,

Bobby Cruz showed me this picture of Pat Redmond.

I asked him where he got it

and Cruz said from Joyce.

Cruz offered me $10,000 to take on Mr. Redmond.

- Did Cruz say why he wanted Redmond killed?

- Yeah, he said he wanted to take over the printing company.

He also said within six months we'd get rid

of Ron Lukezic.

- How does Joyce figure in that?

- I don't know. - You don't know.

- No.

- Okay.

Maybe, maybe, were Cruz and Joyce partners

and maybe they were planning on

running the business together.

- It's possible.

- Okay then.

Why did Cruz want Ron Lukezic killed?

- He said he wanted to take over the business,

so he and Joyce could be partners

and run the business together.

- Yeah, okay.

- Businessman Robert Cruz was expedited today

from St. Charles, Illinois and flown back for trial

here in Phoenix.

Police across the country had been searching for Cruz

with connection with the murders of Patrick Redmond

and his mother-in-law on New Year's Eve.

Three other men, reportedly professional hitmen

associated with the mob have also been charged

with the murder.

Cruz had been working out of a building in Scottsdale

where he maintained offices with Arthur Ross,

a local real estate developer.

Police are speculating on Ross's involvement in the case

but failed to comment on whether he would be called in

for questioning.

We will continue to bring you-

- What's the matter? - Something's wrong.

I'm gonna call your Uncle Arthur.

(phone rings)

Come on, let's go.

- Wally Roberts, I'm Dan Ryan, I appreciate you calling me.

- Hi, how you doing? - Good.

- You want a drink? - No thank you.

This you, graphic designer of the year,

campaign of the year, very impressive.

- I manage to keep busy.

- Yeah, you must be very good.

Me I could hardly ever draw.

- Well, I guess it's something you have to be born with,

you know what I mean?

- I guess so.

This yours?

- A pipe is not against the law.

- I didn't say it was.

But they use these to free base cocaine, don't they?

- I wouldn't know.

- The hell you wouldn't.

You're high right now, aren't you?

So, Wally, what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?

- There is a yellow car out there,

I recognize it, I'm no idiot and yesterday

it was a blue car.

- So?

- Look, I am being followed here and I don't like it.

I don't like it at all.

- You expect me to do something about it?

- Right, you make them go away, I'll make you a deal.

- Well, what have you got, Wally?

- You wanna know about the Redmond murders.

- Okay, if the information is good,

I'll see what I can do.

- Do it now. - Sure, right after I leave.

So, Wally, what have you got?

- Joyce, she told me.

- Told you what?

- Joyce said that she was gonna have Pat Redmond killed.

- What's the matter, Mom?

- Something's wrong, your Uncle Arthur is in some kind

of trouble.

- Well, I don't think so, I think he just left town

on business or something, I don't know.

- Not telling me, no, it's not like him.

You know what, I like your hair like that, very chic.

- Chic, ouch, Mom, old ladies are chic.

- Excuse me.

- Hey, maybe that's why Mark Campbell doesn't like me

or maybe he thinks I'm chic.

- And who's Mark Campbell?

- I told you, he's that senior that I was gonna

call up and ask to the Backwards Dance.

- So? - I lost my nerve.

- No guts, no glory. - No, see he's got

this amazing girlfriend and I'm like from nowhere.

- I had a similar problem when I was in high school.

I'll tell you what Grandma told me

if you think it'll help.

She always used to say, "I think you're a wonderful,

young woman and if some bozo doesn't see in you the beauty

that I see in you, then he's got a problem, not you."

(girl laughs)

Does that help? - No. (girl laughs)

- It never helped me either.

- That was great, it was a lot of fun,

we should do that more often.

- Well, once we get that state contract, honey,

I'll have more time.

- Ha, I'll never see you then.

- Where are my keys?

What the heck?

- Joyce Lukezic? - Yes.

- The Phoenix Police, I have a warrant for your arrest,

step out of the car please. - What?

- Over here.

Put your hands on the hood of the car.

- Hey. - Spread your legs,

we've gotta frisk you ma'am.

- Stop it, get away from her!

- You're charged with conspiracy to commit capital murder.

- What?

- You have the right to remain silent.

- Eden, go call Ron.

- If you give up the right to remain silent,

anything you say can and will be used against you

in a court of law.

(dramatic music)

- Mom, Mom, Mom! - What are they saying,

what are they saying?

- Don't take my mom away, Mom, Mom!

Mom, Mom, Mom!

- Hey! - Mom, Mom!

Mom, Mom!

(tragic music)

- Oh, come on now Joyce, we all know

you had Pat Redmond killed.

Now you'll make it a lot easier all around

if you just tell us the whole story.

- I don't know what you're talking about.

How could you even think I would do a thing like that,

those people were my friends!

- Why do you keep lying, Joyce,

you're just making it harder on yourself.

- I am not lying.

You have the wrong person, sooner or later

you're gonna find that out.

- Okay, okay, we'll find that out.

Bobby Cruz, you know Bobby Cruz don't you?

- Wait, wait, - Is that him?

please let me explain to you who I am, all right.

I have a home and a family,

my husband is Ron Lukezic, I have three children,

I run my own business.

How could you think that someone like me

would be involved in a murder?

- You were introduced to Bobby Cruz

by your brother, Arthur, is that correct?

- We have been through this, I told you.

- Tell us again.

- All right, my brother Arthur

said that Bobby Cruz represented some investors

from Chicago who were looking for real estate in Phoenix.

- Did Cruz ever offer to introduce Ron and Pat

to potential clients for their printing business?

- He talked to Ron a couple of times,

he offered to help get some printing orders

from a couple of casinos in Las Vegas.

- What kind of printing orders, Joyce?

- Ads, brochures, playing cards, things like that,

it never came to anything.

- What would those printing orders be worth?

- To start out with, $25,000 maybe.

- Right, with the prospect of additional orders

from the other casinos totalling possibly

several million dollars, wouldn't you say?

- If they liked their work, I suppose.

- So, you could say these Vegas contracts

would make the company a pretty valuable asset, huh?

- What difference does that make?

- You do know that your husband and Pat Redmond

had a buy back clause in their partnership?

- Yes, but so what?

- So what?

So after Pat Redmond's murder, did your husband buy

his share of the company?

- Yes, he did but-

- And in the event of your husband's death,

you would inherit the whole company, wouldn't you?

- My husband's death? - Yes.

Yeah.

(ominous music)

- My god, what are you trying to do to me?

- Nothing you haven't done to yourself, Joyce.

You see, you may not have pulled the trigger

but you're responsible for Pat Redmond's murder.

I wanna see you die in the gas chamber.

- Are they crazy, Mom didn't do anything,

how can they just take her away?

- Where is she?

- They had her in handcuffs, they just pushed us

out of the way. - Wait, calm down, all right,

calm down, we're doing everything we can.

And your mother is gonna see Mr. Busey today.

- Who's Mr. Busey.

- He's a lawyer, the best in Arizona,

he'll clear things up pronto.

- Ron, why did they take her away?

- It was all a big dumb mistake,

they'll soon find out she didn't do anything

and let her go.

- What if they don't?

- They will, they can't blame this on her, she's innocent,

now I want you all to be real good.

Don't worry, your mom will be home soon.

- Oh, oh, officer I wonder

if you could give us a little privacy, please sir.

- Mrs. Lukezic, I'm Martin Busey,

your husband has retained me to defend you.

- Thank god, how is Ron, how are the kids,

are they all right?

- Everybody's fine, they send you their best.

I'm gonna have you back with them before you know it.

- Do you know what the police are saying?

They think I had Pat Redmond killed.

- I know.

- I don't know anything about this whole thing,

I don't know any killers.

- Well, you do know Bobby Cruz.

See, well they say he's family.

And what about Arnie Merrill, did you have

an intimate relationship with him?

- Oh, 20 years ago I had one date with him once,

I was 17-years-old for heaven's sake.

- Uh-huh, well see now I heard the relationship

was a little more current than that.

- Oh come on, that's ridiculous.

- Well, now look, I'm on your side here,

but you've gotta understand something,

in the next few weeks, there are gonna be

some very ugly things said about you,

some of it true, some of it not so true.

But I've got to know what to believe

in order to fight for you.

- All right, I'm sorry.

- Okay, now our friend, Mr. Merrill,

he says that your brother's organized crime.

- That's a lie, my brother Arthur buys

and sells real estate.

He goes to Las Vegas once in awhile and he gambles

but that doesn't make him a criminal.

- Did you also know that the police have another witness,

someone who will testify that they heard you say

that you were to have Pat Redmond killed?

- Witness, what witness.

- The name is Wally Roberts.

- Well, that's totally crazy,

why in heaven's would Wally say a thing like that?

- I wish I knew.

- Mr. Busey, honest to God,

I would not do a thing like that.

I'm innocent.

- I believe you, and I'm gonna do everything in my power

to get you back home where you belong.

We're working on the bail bond right now.

- Wait, wait, wait, where are you taking me?

- Club med.

- No, I'm not supposed to go to jail.

My lawyer is posting a bond.

No, seriously, I'm not, this is a mistake,

you're not supposed to take me here.

Look, you really don't understand.

I don't belong in here, I didn't do anything,

I'm not a criminal.

Now wait a minute.

No, no, you don't understand!

I don't belong in here, I'm innocent, listen to me!

- You know girl, I don't think she does belong in here.

She ain't no criminal.

- No, she's innocent.

- That's right, she's just here for a visit.

A rich lady on a visit.

- A conjugal visit.

(woman laugh)

Honey, I'm gonna treat you so good,

I'm gonna wish I was you.

(ominous music)

- Why can't I come see Mom?

- Oh, please try to understand, Jason,

they're only allowing two visitors today.

Even Eric can't come.

- When's she coming home?

- Real soon.

- We're gonna have to tough this one out, champ,

be real grown up about it, huh?

- Yeah, you can come see Mom next time.

- I'll look after him.

(Eden laughs)

- Hi.

- Love you honey.

- Hi, sweetheart, are you all right?

- I'm okay, Mom and don't worry about Eric and Jason,

they miss you like crazy but they're handling it real well.

- Oh thank God, I've been going out of my mind.

- Everything's gonna be all right,

we're gonna get you out of here?

- When Ron, Busey said I wouldn't have to spend one day

in here. - It's a capital offense,

they say it'll take a few more days.

We've got a great lawyer, we've gotta trust Busey, okay?

We'll get you out of here, I promise, hold on, hold on.

(upbeat music)

(dark music)

- What do you want? - Guess.

(women laugh)

- Excuse me.

- Hey!

- Get her arm. - Stop it.

- Get her arm. - What are you doing?

- What do you think we're doing?

- You Central Avenue bitch.

- Please, God, no. (woman laughs)

God no, don't.

(woman hollers)

- Just relax, please, oh god, don't.

- Shh, it's okay. - Don't, don't.

- That's right, squeal, I like it when you squeal.

(Joyce cries)

- Please, god, no, no, no, no!

Oh god, no, oh.

No, no, no, no, no, no, oh god, no, no, no!

(Joyce cries)

Ron, you have to get me out of here.

- Somebody hurt you.

What happened?

(Joyce cries)

- They put me in this cell.

- [Ron] Joyce, tell me.

- Women held me down. - What are you saying?

- They raped me.

(ominous music)

- Oh god.

- Ron, please get me out of here.

- You can't go back in there.

I'll make them move you.

(Joyce cries)

- Please help me.

- I will, Joyce, I will, I promise.

(Joyce cries)

- Eric, did you do the laundry?

- No, I forgot.

- You know it's not like I'm asking you

to take the clothes down to the lake and beat them

with a rock.

- Okay, I'll do it as soon as I can.

- How's Mom?

- Is she okay?

Is she fine?

She's been in there for three weeks.

- Hey, I'm doing the best I can.

- Yeah, you could have fooled me.

- You got a big mouth, Eric, why don't you shut it up.

What are you looking at?

- When's Mom coming home?

- She'll be home when she's home.

This place is a pig sty.

I want it cleaned up.

Pick that up. - No!

- I said pick it up!

- Hey don't you touch him, let him go!

- Is that what you want, Eric, come on, Eric,

is that what you want, come on.

- Stop it, all right, stop it!

Come on, stop it, come on, okay,

Mom's not gonna want trouble, just stop it.

- Anytime, Ron, anytime!

- Lukezic, your bond's been posted, let's go.

- I can go? - You're out of here.

- Come back and visit some time.

- Wait. - Bitch!

- No, uh-uh, it's not worth it, it's not worth it,

stop, just stop.

- Mom's home, Mom! - Oh, sweetheart.

- Mom, oh I missed you. - Oh, sweetheart.

- Oh, God I missed you guys, let me look at you,

let me look, oh God you look good.

- You look great, Mom.

- Mom, I hope you don't have to go back to the slammer.

(Eric laughs)

- Hey, I'm home for good now, that's it, I'm here, okay.

- Four death sentences came in today

at the end of the first trial in the Redmond murder case.

Robert Cruz, alleged to be a member

of one of Chicago's most prominent mob families

and three professional hitmen had been found guilty

of conspiracy to murder.

The four men were sentenced to die in Arizona's gas chamber.

Coming up next week is a hearing for Joyce Lukezic,

the Scottsdale wife and mother who is accused

of masterminding the murders.

The principle prosecution witness is Arnold Merrill

who claims that Mrs. Lukezic entered into a conspiracy

with Cruz.

- I just can't figure out why Arnie would name you.

- I wish I knew.

- How about Arthur, why'd he run?

- He was scared, he tried to warn me

but Arthur could never do anything like that.

At any rate, Busey has filed a motion for dismissal,

they'll have to drop the charges.

They don't have any choice,

this case doesn't make any sense.

Oh god, you feel good.

- [Mr. Busey] Oh, come on in,

would you all like a cup of coffee, something cold to drink?

- No, thanks. - No, not for me.

- Joyce, Ron, I appreciate you all coming down here.

I hate to start off on a sour note

but well, we've had a bit of a setback.

- What?

- [Mr. Busey] The dismissal wasn't granted.

- What does that mean?

- It means we're gonna have to go to trial, I'm sorry.

- Martin, you said that couldn't happen.

- Well, unfortunately the evidence presented

at the preliminary hearing

was strong enough to warrant that.

- What evidence, since when are lies evidence?

- I can't believe this, you mean, that they seriously think

that Joyce planned to kill Pat and me

and take over the company.

- See the prosecution is gonna argue that your company

was about to be worth a great deal of money

because of a printing order from Las Vegas.

Now you did go to Vegas last year with Bobby Cruz

and Ross, right?

- Sure, they took me around, introduced me to some people,

took me to some casinos, hotels,

I almost pulled off a big deal but it didn't happen.

- And Ron could testify to that.

- Oh, Ron's not gonna testify. - Why not?

- If I put Ron on the stand, they could cross-examine

and boy they'll have a field day with Ron.

There's no limit to what they can insinuate.

- Well, he has to testify.

- Martin knows what he's doing, honey.

- Look, we have every reason to be optimistic.

Joyce there's no physical evidence against you.

I can convince a jury that this was a robbery

that went tragically wrong.

- I don't know.

- Joyce, please, let me do it my way.

I'll do my best, you have nothing to worry about, I promise.

(phone rings)

- Hello. - Marilyn, hi, it's me.

How are you?

- I'm doing okay.

- I hadn't seen you, I just wanted to make sure

you were all right.

- I'm just fine.

- It wasn't me, Marilyn, you know it wasn't me.

(slow music)

- Shut up! - You shut up!

- Jason!

- Stop it! - Jason!

Jason, stop that!

- Stop it, Billy, get off of him, stop it!

- Jason! - What are you doing?

- Jason, come here.

- What's the matter with you?

- Take it back, take it back!

- Hey. - You take it back!

- (indistinct), I'll kill you!

- I'll kill you!

- Stop. - What happened here?

- Who started this?

- He started it. - Liar, you did,

you said they were gonna kill my mom!

- Billy, did you say that?

- Mom, you said they were gonna put her in the gas chamber.

- Your kid's turning into a real trouble maker.

Come on.

- Hey sport. - Leave me alone.

- What's with him?

- He just had a fight.

Billy told him I was going to the gas chamber.

- Let him calm down first.

- Oh god, he's getting in trouble now,

what's gonna happen once the trial starts?

They're gonna drag me through the mud.

- All you have to do is tell the truth.

- Oh, what's the truth?

They're gonna sleeze everything up, you know that.

Our marriage, our divorces, our bank accounts,

our companies, my brother's business.

I can't let Jason go through that.

- [Announcer] Flight 20 to Boston now boarding gate three.

- I wanna stay with you. - I want you to stay with me.

It hurts me as much as it hurts you.

But you're gonna have a great time with your dad.

- If it hurts, why are you sending me away?

Did I do something bad?

- No, no, not at all, I love you very, very much

and I'm always gonna be there for you.

And as soon as this dumb trial is over,

we're all gonna be together again like a family,

just like we always were, all right?

- Ready to go little guy?

- So long, champ, watch out for yourself.

- You have fun, okay man.

- I'm gonna miss you little brain.

Give me a kiss,

give me a kiss. - Yuck.

(Eric laughs)

(slow music)

- You be good. - Bye Mom.

(slow music)

(ominous music)

- [Reporter] Jim, it's up, come on, let's go.

Come on Dustin.

- Mrs. Lukezic, Mrs. Lukezic are these your children here?

Are these your children?

- [Reporter] How long do you expect the trial to last?

How long do you expect the trial to last.

- Excuse me sir, excuse me sir.

- [Reporter] We've been waiting out here for hours,

we need some help here.

- [Reporter] How long do you

expect the trial to last, please.

(dramatic music)

- All rise, (indistinct) Superior Court

of the State of Arizona is now in session.

The Honorable Rudolf Gerber, Judge presiding.

- Please be seated.

The People of the State of Arizona versus Joyce Lukezic.

- And Pat told me that Ron was negotiating a big order

in Las Vegas.

Joyce's brother was gonna get them all the printing

they wanted worth millions of dollars.

- And what happened to that Las Vegas business?

- Well it fell through.

Pat said, "I don't wanna have anything to do with it."

He was not willing to kick back or pay bribes to the mob.

- I said to Joyce, "I hear the Vegas deal is off."

She was mad, "She said the deal is not off."

- [Lawyer] What else did she say?

- She said she was tired of Pat holding the business back.

She said, "I'm going to have the son of a bitch wasted."

She said "I have the connections

to have Pat Redmond killed."

(judge pounds gavel)

- I will bar from the court anyone including any member

of the media that disrupts these proceedings.

- Your witness.

- Mr. Roberts, you have a severe drinking problem,

don't you? - Objection, your honor,

irrelevant and immaterial.

- It relates to the witness's credibility

and objectivity, your honor.

- Overruled.

- Yes, I'm a recovering alcoholic in AA.

- Uh-huh, now Mr. Roberts,

did you also have a problem last year with narcotics

or drugs of any nature?

- Yes I did.

- In fact, Mr. Roberts isn't it fair to say

that every single day you were either high on alcohol

or high on cocaine at some part of the day?

- Yes, I was.

I was high most of the day on one thing or another.

- [Mr. Busey] No further questions, your honor.

(people chatter)

- Don't worry.

- Wally looked like a jerk.

The jury is gonna discount his testimony.

- Maybe not, see maybe they're thinking

we wouldn't be so dumb as to use that clown as a witness

unless he was telling the truth.

- Oh yeah, we got hurt.

I need to reestablish credibility fast.

- Well, I'm working on it.

- Don't work on it, fix it, my job is on the line,

so is yours.

- Be careful with that.

Sit it down here.

- Having a little garage sale?

- More like a going out of business sale.

- Hey, I was gonna get one of these,

but I figured why spend all the money,

I could just go out and run five miles,

of course, I didn't do that either.

- Can I do something for you, Mr. Ryan?

- Yes, you can.

You could answer a few more questions about your partner

if you don't mind.

- My ex-partner.

I've already told you all I know.

- Oh yeah, well, it seems to me

you had a pretty good little business here,

why'd you walk away from it?

- Well, I'm not the one doing the walking,

so I can't really answer that, can I?

- Oh Joyce quit.

- Yep, after I left a good job to go into this.

- Well, she's gotta spend some time now with her family,

her husband, they're pretty close aren't they?

- Her husband, you really don't know anything do you?

- They got a few problems? - A few.

Have you talked to anyone else,

I mean, it's not exactly a secret.

- Are you saying what I think you're saying.

- I'm saying that Joyce was upset

because her husband was having affairs with other women.

- Objection, your honor, move to strike,

this is not relevant.

- Objection is provisionally overruled, go ahead.

- [Lawyer] What did she say?

- She said that she would have Ron taken care of.

She said her brother had connections in the mob.

She said she'd have Ron's ass and his business too.

(gavel strikes)

- Order, order in the court.

(gavel strikes)

- Why didn't you tell me?

- It was nothing.

- Nothing, you knew we were vulnerable.

Why did you conceal that affair from me?

- [Joyce] It happened last year.

- It was an affair, it meant nothing.

- I was devastated when I found out.

All I wanted to do was hit back at Ron.

- All right, now, wait a minute here,

did you actually say those things

about having Ron taken care of?

- It didn't mean anything, it was just crazy talk.

We talked it over and decided

to give our marriage another chance.

- Is there anything else I need to know?

- No.

- Now badly did Cathy hurt us?

- She just shoved a knife in our back.

(phone rings)

- Hello? - Murderer,

you're gonna burn in hell.

- You have a nice day too.

(Joyce slams phone)

- I'll have the number changed.

- How many more, days of this.

I just want it all to be over.

- Joyce, would you be very upset

if I didn't come to court tomorrow?

- Ron, I need you there.

- And I wanna be with you

but I've been thinking about the TV news.

They'll be on us like flies tomorrow.

- There's not much we can do about that now is there?

- Yeah, we could avoid it.

I just don't wanna create a situation where our marriage

is on trial on the TV news,

the trial belongs in the courtroom.

- Honey, I really need you to be there for me.

I mean, it's bad enough that my own brother took off,

how do you think I feel?

- Look, Joyce, I am doing

everything I can for you, everything.

The lawyers are expensive,

the business is damned near bankrupt.

We don't agree on this but I know I'm right.

Joyce, honey, Joyce.

- Last Thanksgiving I was sitting in the waiting room

with Sunview Development and Joyce came in.

She went into her brother's office, right?

And Mr. Cruz was there at the time.

- Did you attempt to listen at the door?

- I didn't have to listen at no door,

I mean the sound came right through the wall.

- What were they talking about?

- Well, Joyce asked Mr. Cruz, why Mr. Redmond

hadn't been taken care of yet.

- Did Mr. Cruz reply.

Yes he did, he told Joyce that Mr. Redmond

would be dead before Christmas.

(audience sighs and chatters)

- [Lawyer] Your witness.

- Mr. Merrill, do you tell lies very often?

- Objection, your honor, he's insulting the witness.

- Sustained.

- Isn't it true, Mr. Merrill that you knew

you were about to be charged with first degree murder

unless you could come up with a story

that could cut yourself a deal with the prosecution?

- No sir.

- And in order to save your own skin,

you tried to convince them that Joyce Lukezic was involved,

didn't you? - No.

- Isn't that why you concocted this whole story?

- [Lawyer] Objection, asked and answered,

he's throwing up a smoke screen.

- No, no, nope, nope, I didn't make up no story,

I'm telling the truth,

you just don't wanna hear the truth, huh?

Joyce was behind the whole thing.

I was there, I heard her.

(dark music)

- Order, order in the court.

- They walked right into that. - Oh yeah.

- Do you have to read that here?

- Okay, we'll throw all the newspapers out,

we'll unplug the TV, we won't think about it,

we won't talk about it at all.

- I just don't wanna see Arnie Merrill's face

in my own house.

- Honey, you're acting like a kid.

- Mm, smells good.

- I hope she serves it sometime before Thanksgiving.

- Isn't it a beautiful day?

- What are you the weather girl?

I gotta run.

- Are you gonna be in court today?

- I'll try and make it.

- You'll try and make it.

- I've got a problem at the plant.

- Well, I don't give a damn about the plant, Ron!

I need you there.

Busey's putting me on the stand today.

- Honey, please. - Please, what,

just go ahead and tell everybody I'm guilty

and get it over with.

- We just don't seem to be able to communicate do we?

I'm doing all I can to help you,

I'm paying for your lawyer,

how am I supposed to do that if I don't work?

- Well, just go ahead and get out of here then!

- Mrs. Lukezic, could you speak a little louder please.

- I said I didn't hire any killers.

I wouldn't know how to.

This whole thing has been some kind incredible mistake.

- Thank you, no further questions your honor.

- Did Bobby Cruz ever tell you that he knew three hit men?

- No, he never told me anything about any hitmen,

I don't know any hitmen,

I don't even know Mr. Cruz that well.

- Are you telling this jury

that your ex-boyfriend Arnie Merrill

was incorrect when he said

you went to your brother's office

and asked Cruz why Redmond hadn't been taken care of.

- Yes, I am.

- But you wanted that Las Vegas business didn't you?

- I wanted it as much as my husband did yes.

- Mm-hmm.

And Mr. Cruz wanted that business a lot too, didn't he?

- I don't know what Mr. Cruz wanted.

- And your brother wanted it as well, isn't that right?

- No, that's not true.

- Isn't it, weren't you and your brother and Bobby Cruz

all planning on murdering your husband next

so you could all get your greedy hands on that business?

- Objection your honor, he's badgering the witness.

- Sustained.

(dark music)

- What was your share of the spoils going to be?

- Nothing.

Well, that's exactly what Pat Redmond got, isn't it?

- Mr. Brownley, Pat Redmond was a friend of mine,

we're talking about the murder of my close friend.

I couldn't do that, don't you understand,

I couldn't do that!

(Joyce cries)

- The defendant said I have the connections

to have Pat Redmond killed.

This is not a robbery or a burglary, not at all,

this is a calculated contract murder.

Joyce Lukezic intended to kill her

own husband six months later and her motive was money.

She wanted that printing company

so that she could make millions.

This is a ruthless, greedy woman who bought the death

of her best friend.

(dark music)

- Joyce, Joyce, you okay, huh?

- Mm-hmm.

- Here we go, don't worry, everything should be fine.

- How long do you think the jury will be out?

What do you think the chances on Mrs. Lukezic's-

Are you okay? - Joyce?

- The lady needs some help here.

- Joyce?

Get that stuff out of here, hey call a doctor,

call a doctor!

- Joyce, Joyce.

(slow music)

- What happened?

- They think it's a heart attack, a mild one.

- Oh great. (Joyce cries)

- The state wants to kill me and my heart wants to kill me,

everybody wants to kill me.

- Joyce, I love you so.

And you're gonna be just fine.

- Where are Eric and Eden?

- They're right here in the waiting room.

I feel so sorry baby.

I feel it's my fault.

I should have been with you.

- It's all right, it doesn't matter.

- I'm so sick and tired of this thing coming between us.

Be patient with me, someday I'll grow up.

- It was all me.

(slow music)

- Baby, I'm so sorry.

- I understand the jury has reached a verdict.

Due to the sudden illness of the defendant,

we will waive her presence for the taking of the verdict.

Bailiff show the jury in.

(dramatic music)

- Mister foreman will you please hand your verdict

to the bailiff.

(dramatic music)

- What honey, what is it?

- What?

- Oh god, Mom, they found you guilty.

- No, no, no, no don't do that!

I didn't do anything, I didn't do anything!

(Joyce cries)

- Oh Mommy, oh Mommy. (Eden cries)

(Joyce cries)

(slow music)

(dramatic music)

(intriguing music)

(whimsical music)

(soft ethereal music)

(pensive electronic music)

(machines beeping)

(handcuffs rattling)

(sighing)

- [PA Speaker] Nurse Brown to the OR, stat.

Nurse Brown to the OR, stat.

- Ron Lukezic.

This is our son and daughter, Eden and Eric Dow.

- [PA Speaker] Dr. Jillson, line two.

Dr. Jillson, line two.

- I, I can't.

I just can't.

- Eric, what are you doing?

- I can't see my mother like that.

- Oh, come on, Eric, she needs you.

Eric.

- Hell with him, let him go. - Eric!

(machines beeping)

Mom?

- Joyce, you okay?

- I don't know what I am.

Where's Eric?

- Oh, he wasn't feeling very well.

I'm sorry, Mom, he (pausing) can't see you like this.

I think it hurts him too much.

- [Ron] I'm gonna kick his butt.

(handcuffs rattling)

- What are they gonna do to me?

- Don't worry.

The verdict was a surprise,

but it's not the end of the world.

Busey's working on an appeal

and we've got a great shot at a second trial.

(Joyce sighing)

Only...

Well, you're gonna have to...

Maybe just for a while, you're gonna have to...

- I can't go to prison, Ron.

I just can't do it.

- They have no right to do this.

You didn't even do anything.

- You know what happened to me in jail.

- This is only the first round.

We're going to appeal.

- Eden, hon, can you give us...

Give us a minute alone, all right?

- Sure, Mom.

I'll come see you, every day.

- Joyce...

- Ron...

I can't do it.

You don't know what it's like.

- Right now, you don't have a choice.

- Yes I do.

(sullen synthesizer music)

I'd rather die.

I mean it.

I mean it.

- Joyce.

Joyce.

(Joyce mumbling) Shh-sh-sh-sh.

Don't say anything.

I've been thinking about how you feel,

and I understand now.

A whole life in prison,

away from the kids, alone.

I wouldn't have the strength for a life like that.

If it was me, I'd wanna end it too.

(low dramatic music)

I won't let them hurt you again, Joyce.

They won't hurt you again.

I love you, babe.

I love you, baby.

(somber piano music)

(phone ringing)

- Hello?

Oh, hi, Dad!

God, I'm glad you called.

- How's your mother?

- I don't know.

They say that she's gonna be okay.

- I tried to call her last night,

but they wouldn't put me through.

I can't believe the things they're saying on TV.

- Well, none of it's true.

I can't stand seeing her like that, Dad.

And Eric, he won't even go see her.

- Sweetheart, let's talk about you and Eric, okay?

I want you both to come to Boston.

- I don't think so, Dad.

- Look, the change'll do you good.

- Jason settled in real fine

and he'd be so happy to see you.

- (sighing) I don't know.

- Look, sweetheart, you can't do anything for your mother.

You just gotta face reality, Eden.

She's gonna be in prison for a very long time.

- Mom needs me.

I'll never leave her.

(ominous music) (machine beeping)

(machine beeping rapidly)

(machine flatlining)

(alarm chiming)

- [Nurse] Get the doctor.

- [Doctor] What the hell's wrong?

- [Nurse] She's in cardiac arrest.

- Defib paddles.

Her blood pressure's falling.

Clear! (paddles shocking)

Clear! (paddles shocking)

(beeping returning to normal)

(soft piano music)

- [Eden] Mom, are you okay?

(Joyce sobbing)

- I just couldn't face it.

- I know.

I love you, Mom.

Don't you love me enough to stay with me?

(Joyce sobbing) Oh, come here.

Do you know what you used to tell me when I was little?

You used to say that whatever we had to face,

we'd face it together.

- Oh, baby, I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

- I have to talk to you.

- What?

- I've been wondering about something.

How did Mom get those pills?

You gave 'em to her, didn't you?

(pensive synthesizer music)

- You think it wasn't painful for me?

She begged me for them. - She could've died!

- Put yourself in her shoes.

She'll probably be locked up for life anyway.

- What?!

What did you say?!

- They'll probably execute her.

- Just, shut up!

Shut up, don't say that!

How can you say that?!

(sobbing)

(screaming)

You bastard!

(spitting)

- As soon as you're well enough, they'll be transferring you

to the Durango Detention Center until sentencing.

- What kinda sentence do you think I'll get?

- Well, I...

I wish I knew.

Judge Gerber's delayed sentencing

pending the result of the motion for a new trial.

- How long will that take?

- Year at least, maybe longer.

- A year?

- Well, I think we have a real good chance

with this new motion.

- Yeah, that's what you said before.

- Well...

Sometimes things don't work out exactly as we planned them,

but we're gonna keep on fighting.

Joyce, we're gonna keep on fighting.

(ominous electronic music)

(gate buzzing)

(camera shutter snapping)

- All right, give me the sign.

Personal property goes in the envelope.

Memorize the number on it.

From now on, that's you.

Well, go on, strip.

(inmates chatting)

(whistling and catcalling)

- [Woman] She looks like fun! (laughing)

Doesn't she?

(continued catcalling)

- Come on in.

Lights are out at 11:00.

Beds have to be made by 7:00.

No visitors the first two weeks.

No one comes more than once a week.

Do what I told you, follow the rules,

and keep your nose clean.

Through here.

(catcalling continuing)

- Come on, sugar.

Lemme help ya.

- [Joyce] Thanks.

- [Woman] Nighty-night!

- [Woman] Don't let the bedbugs bite! (laughing)

- In here, Lukezic.

You haven't been assigned a cellmate yet.

- Oh, a swinging single, huh? (laughing)

Hey, well, good luck!

(sullen music)

- [Officer] What are you looking at?

Go on, get outta here!

Get outta here!

(inmates chatting)

- Hey, Joycie, baby!

Long way from Scottsdale.

- She sure never did no time before.

- Yeah, but you gotta give her some credit.

She was gonna pop her old man and take over his business.

- Rich and clean.

Bet she squeaks.

(phone ringing)

- Eden.

- Hello? - Eden.

- Mom!

- Honey...

I miss you so much.

How are you?

- We're fine!

We wanna see you!

- I wanna see you too.

I've gotta talk to Ron about it.

Is he there?

- Joyce?

Honey? - Hi, honey.

- How you holding up?

- Well, I wish I could say I wasn't lonely and scared,

but I am. - I need you too,

but they won't let us visit for the first two weeks.

- Come soon, please come soon.

- You've been talking long enough.

Get off the damn phone! - Wait a minute.

I'm talking to my husband!

- Joyce?

- Bye, honey.

Yeah, operator.

(water spraying)

(ominous music)

(woman screaming) - Shut up!

(woman screaming) Shut up!

Get outta here!

Now!

What are you looking at?

- Nothing.

What the hell's the matter with you?

- Why did she do that?

- You think you need a reason?

Look where you are.

Come on.

(gate buzzing)

(inmate talking loudly)

(indistinct chattering)

- [Man] Well, you know, I've been talking to your lawyer-

(laughing) - Oh!

Oh.

- You look good.

- Oh, psh, I look like hell.

You two look good!

Come on, let's sit down.

(Joyce weeping) - Oh, Mom.

- How's Eric?

- All right.

Just stays in his room and practices guitar all day.

- Why won't he come and see me?

- I don't know, Mom, he's being real weird.

I just think he needs some more time.

- Have plenty of that, don't I?

- Joyce...

About what happened in the hospital, I...

I should never have given you those pills.

- It's not your fault.

I said I'd rather die.

- Do you still feel that way, Mom?

- No.

No. - Good.

- But I am ready for some good news.

What about my new trial?

- It could be (pausing) another 18 months

before we hear anything.

- Oh, Mom, Mom, Mom, it's okay.

- Oh, Ron, I can't be in here for 18 months.

- Busey will get another trial, maybe even sooner, Joyce.

- Ron, promise me something.

Take care of these kids.

All right?

They need you.

- I'm not going anywhere, babe.

I'm here for you.

- Hi.

- Hello.

- Nice day.

- Yeah.

Did you want something?

- Nope, I don't want nothing, but you might want something.

- Yeah, and we just might have it for you.

- Cat and me, we're like the official welcome wagon

for Durango, and we got a special "hi, neighbor" for you.

- Get away from me.

- Hey.

This is good stuff.

- I don't take dope.

- Oh, then wake up and smell the coffee.

- Get your hands off of me. - Oh, come on, honey.

Don't get so- - Stop it!

- Hey, listen, I'm not gonna let this go to waste.

(Joyce struggling)

Okay.

Hold still now.

Here you go.

Have a nice day.

(Joyce coughing)

- What the hell are you doing?

- Back off, Nadine. - You back off.

She's new here.

She doesn't know anything, okay?

- [Woman] Is she your friend?

- Yeah, she's my friend.

Come on, let's get you cleaned up.

(Joyce coughing)

- What was that?

- Smack.

- Heroin?

Give me heroin?!

- Nice and easy, I don't think you got very much.

Here, use this. (Joyce coughing)

Believe it or not, they were trying to be nice to you.

- Nice?!

Shooting my nose with dope, nice?!

- Yeah, well, they figured that you'd like it.

They were (pausing) courting you.

- If that means what I think it means...

I'm married and I have three children.

- Yeah, well, prison does things to people.

- You sick?

- Well, as a matter of fact-

- She's just got a touch of the flu.

But she's gonna be okay, right?

Yeah, she's gonna be okay, fine.

Come on.

You better wise up to this place, Joyce,

or you'll be in real trouble.

- I'm already in real trouble.

- Snitching to the guards can get you killed.

That's rule one.

By the way, I'm Nadine.

- I'm Joyce. - Yeah.

Everyone knows who you are.

I guess you've never been in prison before, huh?

- No.

- You must be pretty scared then.

- Yeah, to say the least.

- You oughta realize one thing here.

Most of the women in here, thieves, junkies, murderers,

and this is their world.

You have to live by their rules.

If you keep to yourself, mind your own business,

you'll be okay.

But if it comes down to it,

I mean, if somebody hassles you, somebody disrespects you,

you gotta stand up for yourself.

- What do you mean, fight?

- Fight...

Stab...

Kill, do whatever it takes.

- I can't fight. - Hey.

You do what you gotta do.

Never show fear.

- [Man On PA] Lukezic, 104831.

Lukezic, 104831.

Report to control at once. - Oh, that's me.

Oh god, where's control?

- Right over there, the door. - Thanks.

- [Judge] Please sit down, Mrs. Lukezic.

- [Joyce] What's going on?

- As you know, Mr. Busey filed a motion in this court

for a new trial, and I granted that motion.

Unfortunately, the state has appealed my decision.

Your new attorney will have to handle the matter

in the Supreme Court.

- My new attorney?

What new attorney?

- I'm sorry, but...

Joyce, I can't go on representing you.

- What?

- Don't worry, you'll have plenty of time

to find a new attorney. - Martin.

You can't quit on me.

- Now, naturally, I'll be available

to assist your new attorney in any way I can.

- I'm sitting here with a death sentence

hanging over my head.

You can't just walk out on me.

- Why are you doing this?

- I'm satisfied Mr. Busey has (pausing) legitimate reasons

for withdrawing from the case.

- Why?

(sighing)

- [Ron] Hi, you've reached Ron.

I can't get to the phone right now,

but if you leave a message,

I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

(answering machine beeping) - Honey.

It's me.

Busey just walked out on me.

I have to talk to you.

Ron, I need you.

I need you.

(phone clicking)

(inmates chattering)

What are you doing?

Making pruno.

- Pruno?

- Little fruit juice, some sugar.

Gallon of this stuff is worth four cartons of cigarettes.

Want a sample?

- (coughing) I think I'll take a rain check.

- So, how's it going?

You find a new lawyer?

- [Joyce] No.

How?

Ron hasn't come to see me.

I don't know what to do.

- Great guy you go there.

- This has all been very, very hard on him, you know?

- You know, you make him out to be

some kinda saint or something.

To tell you the truth,

I wouldn't be surprised if he was the one behind it all.

- He had a lot to gain,

but I just can't believe that he would have anybody killed.

- You can't believe?

Or you don't wanna believe?

(dog barking)

- You see that bimbo Ron brought home last night?

- [Eric] Yeah, I saw her.

- She ripped off one of Mom's dresses.

- Ron probably gave it to her.

No, he probably paid her with it.

- Poor Mom.

Eric, you gotta go see her.

You gotta let her know that you care about her.

- Don't start that again.

(door opening)

- You going somewhere, Ron?

- Something came up.

I have to go out to California.

I'll be gone for a couple, maybe three days.

Try to scare up some new business.

- Yeah, well, hurry back, okay?

- Nice outfit.

- Thank you.

- You and Eric can take care of yourselves okay, can't you?

- Yeah.

- Here's...

Some money for...

For food.

- So, you were just gonna leave without telling us?

- No, I was (pausing) waiting for you.

- Oh.

- And I was gonna call.

Well, I gotta get going.

Give me a kiss goodbye?

(door closing)

(car starting) (Eden grimacing)

- You mean he went on a business trip?

- [Eden] He said he'd be gone three days.

That was two weeks ago.

- He'll show up.

- Mom, he sold the printing company.

(Joyce exhaling)

And he's emptied out all your bank accounts.

He hasn't left any forwarding address,

only left a lousy $50.

I didn't wanna tell you this, Mom,

but he's been seeing someone.

A waitress from a bar, and she's been coming to the house.

He's a creep, Mom, forget him.

Mom?

I'm here, okay?

I'll never leave you.

- [Joyce] (sobbing) I hate myself when I cry.

- [Nadine] Oh, go ahead.

I'll pretend like I don't notice.

- To hell with him!

- There you go, that's the attitude.

Love stinks.

- And I thought he loved me.

I thought we had this perfect life.

I had everything I ever dreamed of having.

- And that's all it was, kiddo, a dream.

Now, what you gotta do here is get real.

Stop feeling sorry for yourself.

Start thinking about what's really important here:

finding a lawyer, getting a new trial.

- I don't even have money for a lawyer now.

- [Nadine] We'll think of something.

- (sighing) What difference does it make?

- I'm never gonna get outta here.

- Dammit, girl, will you listen to yourself?

- It's true.

- You want me to tell you it's hopeless?

It probably is.

What are you gonna do,

wait for them to put you in the gas chamber?

(Joyce sobbing)

Joyce, you have to find a lawyer.

You wanna get outta here?

Grow up!

- [Doctor] Eden, I'm gonna have to run some more tests.

- Does this mean that I should be scared?

- No, not at all.

I would like to call your dad, though, just to fill him in.

- Sounds serious.

- I detected a small growth on one of your ovaries.

I wanna do a biopsy.

- When you say "a growth"-

- Well...

There is always a chance that it could be a malignancy.

- [Woman] Okay, honey.

Yeah, and I love you too.

- Let your fingers do the walking.

- Geez, there must be a thousand lawyers in here.

How do we know who's any good?

- You just have to start calling 'em.

I'll ask around and get some recommendations.

You know, Eden can start calling some for you too.

(dial tone humming)

- Don't mind if I go first, now do you, sugar?

- Yeah, operator, gimme my man at 555-

- Wait your damn turn.

(Joyce groaning) - Hey!

- Try it!

I'm in here for two murders.

Another one isn't gonna make a damn bit of difference!

(inmates cheering)

- Way to go, Joycie.

- I think the house oughta go for about $350,000.

What do you think?

I know it's a little run-down.

I've been doing the best I can to maintain it.

(door opening)

Oh, Eden.

Shouldn't you be in school?

- [Eden] Mr. Busey, what are you doing here?

- Well, we're just looking at the house.

You don't mind, do you?

Why don't you take a look at the pool?

It's right out there.

- How did you get in?

- Well, I've had a key for quite a while now.

- [Eden] Why?

- Eden...

I'm gonna have to do something,

well, that I regret very much.

I don't know if you know,

but when Ron and your mother hired me,

they used this house as security for my fee.

And since I've never been fully paid-

- No, you can't take this house!

We live here!

- Eden...

I'm sorry.

I've done everything I can to help.

I've been paying the mortgage outta my own pocket,

giving you money for food,

but the utilities, maintenance, pool,

the expenses have just mounted up

and (pausing) we've gotten way behind.

So...

Well, I have no choice but to put this house on the market.

Honey, I'm just as sorry as I can be.

(inmates chatting)

- Well, it has to be some kinda mistake!

- He's turning us out, Mom.

Here's his written notice.

- I'll call him and I'll...

I'll stop him, (pausing) somehow.

- I hate to hit you with anything else, Mom, but...

I need to go be with Dad for a while.

- You want a couple weeks with him, go vacation.

- No.

Dad's arranged for me to go to school in Boston.

I'll be gone a year.

- A year?

You can't go now.

- I have to go.

It's all arranged, I'm leaving next week.

- Why?

I need you.

- I have to go.

If you understood why-

- You're turning out to be just like Ron!

Things get tough and you take a walk.

Well, thanks a lot, Eden.

- That is not the way it is, Mom, really.

- Really?! - Really.

- Then how is it?!

- I can't tell you.

- Then don't go!

- I have to go; I have to go now.

(sullen synthesizer music)

- Oh god, Mom. (Joyce sobbing)

Goodbye. (Joyce sobbing)

- I love you, Mom.

Bye. - Eden!

I'm sorry, don't go.

I need you!

Eden!

(Eden sobbing)

- I'm here to see Joyce Lukezic.

- [Guard] Okay.

(door buzzing)

- Mrs. Lukezic?

I'm Tom Thinnes.

- I've been rating lawyers among the women in here

and you scored pretty high.

Of course, (chuckling)

I'm not sure how much of a recommendation that is,

considering they all ended up in here.

- It's possible you may stay in here with them

for a very long time.

- That's not very encouraging, is it?

- I'm just giving you my first reaction to your case.

You had a highly-respected attorney defending you,

yet one jury's already found you guilty of murder.

A second is very likely to.

- Well, that first jury was wrong.

- I won't represent you if I think you're guilty.

There are plenty of other lawyers

willing to represent thieves and murderers.

I'm not one of them.

- What would you say if I told you

I think I know who did it?

I don't have any proof and...

(sighing) It's really very hard for me to say this

because...

I loved him and I really wanted my family to work.

- [Tom] Your husband?

- Yeah.

- I understand he walked out on you.

- Yes, he did.

And if you think I'm bitter about it, you're right,

but that's not why I'm saying this.

I honestly believe (pausing) he was capable of murder.

And if you're gonna be my lawyer,

you're gonna have to look into that.

- You understand that if I decide to defend you,

you're gonna have to trust me, totally.

- Trust you?

Sure!

I know all about trust, Mr. Thinnes.

I trusted my first attorney. (laughing)

He told me I had nothing to worry about.

I trusted my husband.

He said he would always stand by me.

I trusted my brother and my children,

and now I'm completely alone.

So, maybe you'll understand why I'm a little reluctant

to take anybody on trust.

- Mrs. Lukezic, your attitude sucks.

- Mr. Thinnes.

(sighing) I'm sorry.

I've just been feeling pretty lousy lately.

I didn't mean to take it out on you.

- It's okay, but there's something else that concerns me.

You attempted suicide, didn't you?

- Yes, I did.

Do you have a problem with that?

- I'm a Catholic, Mrs. Lukezic.

I think suicide is a waste of life,

I'm completely opposed to it, and I don't want a client

who doesn't have the courage to fight for her life.

- I won't try it again.

I'd like you to represent me.

Do I have a lawyer or not?

- I want you to start with chief investigator Dan Ryan.

Hello, beautiful, how was your weekend?

- None of your business. - Hmm, that good?

- Hmm.

I could be having a wonderful time

in San Francisco this week

instead of coming in here to this.

How come the hopeless ones always call you?

You're never gonna get her off.

- Never say never. (phone ringing)

- Tom, didn't you watch the TV coverage?

Rich, New York?

Where's she gonna get a jury of her peers, the country club?

- I think she might be innocent, Mary.

- Oh, you said the magic words.

When do I start peeping through keyholes?

- This guy is our number-one target, Arnie Merrill.

- [Mary] The man in black.

Looks like Marlon Brandon in "Guys and Dolls."

- In his dreams.

Arnie is an old boyfriend of Joyce's.

Now, he claims that he overheard Joyce and Bobby Cruz

planning to kill Pat Redmond.

- Bobby Cruz?

Ferriola family, Chicago.

- Right.

Cruz is sitting on death row right now.

He's never admitted anything.

Arnie is 80% of the case against Joyce.

If we can prove he's not a credible witness...

- If we can't, goodbye Joycie.

- [Reporter] Arnold Merrill is a free man today

after serving less than three years

of his sentence for burglary.

You'll recall that Merrill-

- He helped to murder two people.

He frames me, and then he gets a lousy three years!

I'm in here two years

and the Supreme Court hasn't even ruled on my appeal yet.

Jesus!

- Come here.

(Joyce exhaling) - God.

Oh, that feels good.

(soft synthesizer music)

- I got a cure for the blues, you know?

An ancient Aztec cure.

- Really? - Yeah, really.

It works too.

But you gotta relax.

(Joyce sighing)

Come on, close your eyes.

- I guess I'm not (pausing) that relaxed.

(uneasy piano music)

- [Tom] Betty?

- Tom!

What brings you here?

- I need your help. - Sure, whatever you need.

- What can you tell me about Martin Busey

dropping outta the Lukezic case?

- Sorry, not that one, Tom.

- I'm heartbroken.

- It's important? - It sure is.

- Tell ya what, I have to go upstairs to the ladies room.

Stay outta the files, especially the L section here.

- Joyce, you had Ron pegged to a T.

- You found something?

- You're gonna love this.

- I stopped into court today

and I just called in a few favors.

Now, I got a look at a sealed transcript

of a very private conversation

between your first attorney and Judge Gerber.

- [Joyce] What private conversation?

- The one where Busey explained

why he was withdrawing from your case.

He claimed there was a conflict of interest.

- A conflict of interest?

I don't get it. - Oh, it's simple enough.

He was representing another client

with a direct involvement in this case: your husband.

(Joyce sighing)

- That sure explains a few things, doesn't it?

- Ron had a motive.

He wanted the printing company,

so he had Pat killed to get it.

- And your suicide attempt.

- Ron gave me the pills.

- And now he's disappeared,

so he can't be questioned in court.

- (scoffing) It's hard to believe.

- The FBI believed it.

The feds write a report every time they change their socks.

Guess who this points the finger at?

- Ron. - Oh, you better believe it.

- Well, at least somebody's on my side.

- Look, we're on the right track now,

but we still gotta concentrate on Ryan's investigation.

That's our case: malicious prosecution.

(gun firing)

- [Mary] Ray?

Ray Kleinfeld?

- Yeah, you're- - Mary, Mary Durand.

- How are ya? - Hi.

I appreciate you talking to me, Ray.

You look pretty busy.

Hey, it's okay.

Do you mind if I just finish this, though?

I got some clients coming. - No problem.

What your clients got in mind, robbing a bank?

(gun firing)

- I got a lot to say about my brother.

You know why the jerk changed his name?

He figured, "Who ever heard of a wiseguy named Kleinfeld?"

(Mary laughing)

- He said you gave him the guns that killed Pat Redmond.

- They were his pals, he said.

How the hell am I supposed to know

they're gonna kill two people?

Damn Arnie.

(exhaling)

The cops tried to railroad me as an accessory to murder.

I...

I just don't have nothing to do with him no more.

- Well, what about Joyce?

Arnie said she organized the whole thing?

- Joyce is a lady.

I know her from New York.

She never killed nobody.

Arnie cut himself a deal.

Joycie gets gas, Arnie gets three years.

His testify was one horse dropping after another.

- Will you say that in court?

- Oh, I...

I don't know.

I mean, who's gonna protect me?

- Protect you?

From what? - Well...

I mean, I got a business, I got a family.

I mean, I don't even know I should be talking to you.

- Ray, Ray, Ray, wait a minute.

What are you talking about?

- Dan Ryan.

- Dan Ryan?

The investigator from the DA's office?

- Yeah. - He give you a hard time?

- (scoffing) Well, only if you call

threatening to break both my legs a hard time.

- Eden's doing great.

The chemo seems to be working fine

and Dad says that the odds are better than 90%

that the doctors got all of the tumor.

- I still think you should've told your mother.

I mean, it just seems so unfair.

- Yeah, well, Eden just doesn't want

Mom to worry about her, that's all.

(phone ringing)

- Could you get that, Eric? - Sure.

Hello?

- Eric?

(laughing) I can't believe I got you.

I haven't talked to you for so long.

- How are you, Mom?

- I'm okay.

(sentimental music)

How's everything at Bonnie and David's?

- Oh, they've been just great taking me in and all.

- Honey, won't you come to see me?

- I'm sorry, I can't.

I'll put Bonnie on, okay, Mom?

- Wait.

Look, I know how hard this is on you.

I know how you must be embarrassed about me

with your friends,

but you're all I have now.

- I'm sorry, I can't.

(dial tone humming) (Joyce sighing)

(inmates chatting and laughing)

- Eric hung up on me.

I haven't talked to him in over two months,

and he hung up on me.

- Hey, watch it!

- I got a message for you, Nadine.

Stop selling pruno.

That is our business.

- You go to hell. (Nadine groaning)

- Hey, leave her alone!

- You're way overdue, Lukezic.

I'm-a cut you a new face.

- Forget it, Joyce!

Get outta here!

- [Woman] Come on, baby, come on.

Come on, come on, come on.

- Come on, sweetie.

- No, you're the one that's overdue.

Come on.

Come on!

Come on.

(groaning)

- Come on, Joycie! - Yeah, Joycie!

(both struggling)

(screaming)

- Don't!

Joyce, don't! (Joyce panting)

(shank shattering)

(crying)

Girl...

You just left Central Avenue a thousand miles behind you.

- You testified that Joyce told you

that she was gonna have Pat Redmond killed.

You intend to stick by that?

- Yes, I did believe she said those things.

- Look, I don't get it, Wally.

You admitted in court that you were a frequent user

of cocaine and booze,

that you wouldn't trust your own memory.

You were talking about delusions!

- No, not true delusions!

- It was more like magnifying things outta proportion.

- Oh, come on, don't play word games with me.

You were probably wired the day you testified.

- Yes, I was.

I didn't wanna testify!

I knew I was a mess, okay?!

I tried to leave town.

He made me come back.

- [Tom] Who?!

- Ryan!

He told me that the mob was after me!

He told me that he could protect me, and I didn't wanna die!

- Take it easy, Wally.

Nothing is gonna happen to you.

- Nothing?

That's why I found a dead bird on my kitchen table

in a bunch of blood!

That guy is a sicko,

and he will do anything to get a conviction in this case!

- You better listen to this.

I found it buried in those boxes Busey sent over:

an interview made three years ago

by one of his investigators.

- [Woman] I was with Ron at a party.

He pulled up his shirt

and showed me where some guy had shot him.

Ron told me he paid $500 to a couple of black guys

to find that guy and kill him.

- Her name is Judy Frank.

She sold printing supplies to Ron and Pat.

- She's a crucial witness!

She can testify that Ron set up a hit before!

- So, how come Busey never put her on the stand?

- Because he was also representing Ron.

Busey wasn't about to point the finger at his other client.

- [Mary] Bingo!

- Joyce's life could depend on her testimony.

Get her in here tomorrow.

- Well, I gotta find her first.

- Call her high school, call her mother,

call her hairdresser.

Tell them Judy has inherited a million bucks.

Tell them anything!

I want this woman found!

- It's true, Ron did have a bullet scar on his stomach.

He said a burglar shot him years ago.

- Seems like he got himself some payback.

- [Joyce] He did it.

He had Pat killed.

- Yes, and that's what I'll be arguing

at the hearing tomorrow.

Dan Ryan totally ignored Ron as a suspect!

His investigation was a put-up job from start to finish.

- But why would he do that?

Isn't a county investigator

supposed to be more interested in justice

than in putting someone in the gas chamber?

- It's time you understood our justice system, Joyce.

It isn't about justice, it's about winning!

Pat Redmond's murder was played out

in all the headlines and every TV news program!

The people of the city were terrified!

So, the politicians joined up with the DA's office

and they said to Dan Ryan, "Find these killers, Dan.

"Find them."

He had to come up with someone, so he came up with you!

He did anything that he had to

to railroad you into a conviction.

I hate those bastards!

They can lie, they can suborn perjury,

they can withhold evidence, they can bribe witnesses!

Drives me crazy when they do that.

- That's Tom's big problem.

He never gets emotionally involved.

(Tom laughing)

- Would you like another cup? - Yes I would.

(indistinct chatter)

- [Dan] Evening, counselor.

Heard you're representing Lukezic.

Tough chore.

- Oh, it's not so tough.

She's innocent.

- (laughing) Yeah, sure.

You have to say that.

- I'm saying more than that.

You framed that woman.

- Framed her?

- See you in court, Mr. Ryan.

- The good news is they've okayed my new trial.

- Oh, Joyce, that's fantastic.

- But the bad news is that we're gonna be up against

a new prosecutor, and Tom says this guy has the best record

for convictions in the entire DA's office.

And he's going for the death penalty.

- Creep.

- Kirby!

Lukezic!

Pope!

- I'll tell you all about it later.

- [Nadine] Okay.

(sentimental piano music)

- [Eden] Dear Mom, hi.

How's it going?

I love you and miss you more than you can ever imagine.

I know you thought that I was acting really selfish

leaving you by yourself.

But there was a reason.

And now that I've had my last dose of chemo

and they tell me I'm really clean, I can tell you.

I had an operation six months ago.

It was a tumor.

- "I'm fine now, and life is beautiful again.

"Mom, I love you very much."

Can you imagine what she musta been going through?

And all by herself.

(sighing) Still, she was worried about me.

- Kid her age?

One special girl.

- I've been thinking about everything

I should've said to her,

everything I should've done with her, with all of them.

- Don't be so hard on yourself.

- Three years ago, I was always so busy,

I never seemed to have any time for them.

- I'd rush off to work in the morning, come home late.

The maid'd make their dinner.

By the time I got home,

they were either asleep or off to a friend's house.

(sighing) If I ever get outta here-

- When you get outta here.

- When I get outta here,

things are gonna be different.

These three kids are gonna be

the most important thing in my life.

- I hope I'm able to see it.

- Nadine... (sentimental piano music)

(sighing) I owe you so much.

I never coulda survived in here without you.

- I love you, Joyce.

- This is the Miss Frank

who used to sell to Graphics Design.

No?

I'm sorry, I think our records are mixed up.

No record of Judy Frank since she left Phoenix

right after Joyce was arrested.

- We have to find her.

The trial starts tomorrow; we're running outta time.

- Hello, Mrs. Frank?

I'm sorry to bother you.

Oh, Miss Frank.

Are you related to Judy Frank, the printing vendor?

I'm an old friend of hers.

I'm just in town.

She what?!

She got married?!

You wouldn't happen to know

how I could get in touch with her, would you?

The Air Force?

Do you know her married name?

(gavel pounding)

- The People of the State of Arizona v. Joyce Lukezic.

Proceed.

- The prosecution says that Joyce Lukezic is guilty

of premeditated murder and that the motive was greed.

I agree.

Greed is the motive.

But the evidence will show that the state

has the wrong Lukezic at that table.

The right Lukezic who should be the defendant in this case

is Ron Lukezic. (audience murmuring)

- Mr. Roberts, you have testified

that Joyce Lukezic made these certain statements

about having Pat Redmond killed.

Did she make those statements to you?

- I would say that, yes, that she did say those things.

But you'd have to talk about the context.

- She did make those statements?

- Yes, she did.

- [Dan] Thank you, Your Honor.

No further questions.

- Mr. Roberts...

Will you explain to the jury what kind of drinking

and drugs you were doing at the time you met with Mr. Ryan?

- Prior to my meeting with Ryan,

I think I consumed about (pausing)

four bottles of whiskey in a 30-hour period.

And I also consumed (pausing)

about a quarter of an ounce of cocaine

during the same time period. (audience murmuring)

- Would you tell the jury

what cocaine has a tendency to do to your mind?

- You build things.

You hallucinate.

You start hearing and seeing things.

- Such as Joyce Lukezic saying

she was gonna have Pat Redmond killed?

- Objection!

- Sustained.

The witness will not answer that.

Let me ask you, Mr. Roberts.

Knowing yourself, would you believe yourself under oath?

- No, I wouldn't. (audience murmuring)

- [Tom] No further questions.

- Okay, thank you.

Sorry to bother you so late.

- No luck?

Mary, I need Judy Frank.

Where is she?

- Look, I'm closing in on her.

- I have to do more than show that Dan Ryan set Joyce up.

I need Judy Frank to point the finger at Ron!

- I know!

(sighing) She married in Vegas.

Her husband's name is McKinney.

He's in the Air Force.

Judy works on the base herself.

- Then it's easy.

- She could be anywhere in the world.

I've called 50 Air Force bases!

- Call a hundred, dammit.

- [Bailiff] Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth,

and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

- I swear to God. - Please take the stand.

- Please state your name for the record.

- Arnold Merrill, Your Honor.

- Mr. Merrill...

Were you released from prison recently?

- Yeah.

About six, seven months ago.

- So, you served less than three years.

Yet when you met with Mr. Ryan in New York,

you were facing the death penalty

for first-degree murder, weren't you?

- I knew there was a warrant out for me, yeah.

- So, you made up this story about Mrs. Lukezic

in order to make a deal, correct?!

- Objection!

- No, I didn't make up any story.

I told Mr. Ryan exactly what happened.

- Oh.

Well, let's see if you did.

You related to the jury the conversation

that you claimed to overhear

between Bobby Cruz and Mrs. Lukezic

at the Sun View Development Office, correct?

- I didn't claim nothin'.

I said it, yeah.

- You were in the conference room adjacent to that office?

- Yeah.

I wanted to hear what they were talking about,

so I listened through the wall,

and that's when I heard them planning to kill Mr. Redmond.

- [Tom] You are certain that you heard through that wall?

- Certain.

Yes sir.

- Your Honor, I have in my hands this section of office wall

from the Sun View Development building.

This wall is composed of a layer of drywall,

two-by-four studding, over three inches of insulation,

and, in addition, as you can see,

half-inch plywood paneling on the outside.

Now, Mr. Merrill, I submit that walls this thick

insulated between rooms, carpeted and draped,

with piped-in music all around

could hardly allow you to overhear anything!

(low pensive music)

- I want off the stand.

My arm's getting numb.

- You want a recess?

- Yeah, I need a recess for the day.

I don't wanna get no heart attack.

(audience whispering)

- You know what you did!

You know what you did!

I had a life!

- Come on, lady, let's go. - You destroyed my life!

(Dan clearing throat)

- [Dan] Good to see you, Ray.

- What can I do for you, Mr. Ryan?

- I think you know exactly what you can do for me.

We're in trouble with this murder case, Ray.

We need your help.

- Well, you know I always cooperate with the law, Mr. Ryan.

- Yeah, I know that, Ray.

That's why I want you to think of ways

in which you can confirm your brother Arnie's testimony.

- I'm not gonna lie for him.

- I don't want you to lie for him.

I want you to tell the truth.

- But I don't know anything at all

about his testimony, Mr. Ryan.

- Look, Ray, what do I have to do?

Do you want me to walk here again,

kick and scream, threaten to break your legs?

Is that gonna be necessary?

- No, it's not necessary, Mr. Ryan.

- After all, Ray, you supplied the guns

that killed Pat Redmond.

- Mr. Ryan- - You could lose your license,

lose your whole business.

- Mr. Ryan, I told you I didn't have anything to do with it.

- And need I remind you, Ray,

that if you're convicted of anything to do with this case,

you lose your kids.

That's right.

They'll walk in, put 'em in a foster home.

Boy, would I hate to see that happen.

But it will.

See ya.

- Ray called me immediately.

Ryan tried to make him confirm Arnie's story,

put the fear of death into the poor guy.

- Sounds to me like he's scared.

I think you've got him on the run.

- I still have to bring him down in court eventually.

- You sound worried. - I am.

I worry for all my clients.

- I know you do.

- Hey, I almost forgot!

I brought you a visitor. - Really?

(gasping) Oh my god! (laughing)

(sentimental piano music)

Oh, why didn't you call me and tell me?

- [Eden] Oh, it wouldn't have been a surprise then, Mom.

- Let me look at you.

Oh, god, you look beautiful.

Are you all right?

- Yes, Mom, I'm okay, I'm fine.

- They didn't find anything else?

- No.

The chemo got it all.

- (exhaling) Thank god.

How's Jason?

- Oh, he's great.

He sends all his hugs and kisses to you.

- How long are you gonna be able to stay?

- (sighing) I'm not going back to Boston.

I'm gonna stay with Eric at Bonnie and David's.

- You mean it? - Yes.

I'm gonna be here every day from now on.

And when you're free, we'll go get a new place,

and you me, Jason, and Eric will be together again.

- (sighing) Yes. - Yes, yes, yes.

- Hi. - Hi.

- I'm Judy McKinney. - Hi, Mary Durand.

Nice to meet you.

- Nice to meet you too. - Thank you very much

for seeing me; I really appreciate it.

- Let's go here.

- Yeah? - Yeah.

I sold paper to printers and publishers in Phoenix

before I married into the service.

I knew Ron Lukezic a million years.

He's one of the all-time lowlifes of the world.

- [Mary] Why do you say that?

- [Judy] Ron had a guy killed.

- [Mary] Did he tell you that?

- 10 times he told me, and other people too.

I was once in his office and he said to me,

"Hey, did I ever show you this?"

And he opened up his shirt and showed me this scar.

Ron told me that someone had broken into his home

and shot him.

He found out who the-

I don't mean to offend anybody, but he said,

"I found out who the nigger was,

"paid a couple of other black guys 500 bucks,

"and had him shot." (audience murmuring)

- Objection!

Irrelevant, it's hearsay! (gavel pounding)

- Your Honor, this witness is testifying

to Ron Lukezic's homicidal state of mind.

If he was inclined to hire contract killers,

it is appropriate to allow her testimony!

- Ron Lukezic's state of mind is not relevant to this case!

I request that the witness testimony be disallowed

and the jury advised to disregard it.

- As I understand it, the defense is arguing

that Ron Lukezic was behind the murder of Pat Redmond.

- Yes, Your Honor!

- Objection overruled. (audience murmuring)

- Relax, Tom, you won them over.

That was the best summary I ever heard.

- I was afraid to stop talking and sit down.

I had to make sure they understood

that Joyce had no reason to have Pat Redmond killed,

that Ron was the only one who profited from his death.

- Then why has the jury already taken five days?

- [Bailiff] Will the defendant please rise?

- Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,

have you reached a verdict?

- No, you're honor, we've been unable to agree on a verdict.

(audience murmuring)

(gavel pounding)

- Have you conscientiously made every effort

to agree on a verdict?

- We have, Your Honor.

We are of the opinion

that no agreement is possible among us.

- In that case, I declare this a hung jury.

The defendant will be returned

to the Durango Detention Center

until such time as a new trial can be set.

Court is adjourned. (gavel pounding)

- I still don't know how Tom did it,

but I've been released on OR bond until the new trial.

- And you should be walking outta here free and clear.

A mistrial; what a lousy break.

- I know, can you believe it?

10 jurors found me innocent.

And two,

two,

were convinced that Ron and I were in it together.

(sighing)

(sentimental music)

I'll keep in touch.

- No, you won't.

- Yes I will.

I promise.

- You keep him. (Joyce laughing)

- Nadine...

I love you.

I never told you, but I do.

I love you.

- Mm, mm, mm, looking good!

- Thanks. - You take care of yourself.

- You too, Dorinda.

- And don't do anything I wouldn't do.

- Where's the fun in that? (Dorinda laughing)

Be good, girl.

(inmates applauding and cheering)

- [Woman] Stay out this time!

- [Woman] Yeah, that's it, Joycie!

- [Woman] Miss you!

(Eden laughing)

- Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Oh! (laughing)

Oh!

(soft electric guitar riffs)

(knocking on door)

(door opening)

(sentimental piano music)

- Thought you'd have a new guitar by now.

Eric...

I'm sorry for what this has done to your life,

but I'm still your mother.

At least I wanna be, if you'll let me.

I'm just so afraid I've lost you.

- I wanted to help you.

I wanted to help you more than anything.

- I know.

I know how much it hurts.

- I was afraid to go and see you.

I just didn't think you were ever coming home again.

- Honey, it's almost over.

We're gonna win this one.

- I love you, Mom.

- [Bailiff] All rise.

Department A of the Superior Court of the State of Arizona

is now in session.

The Honorable Rudolph Gerber, judge presiding.

(gavel pounding)

- [Tom] Mr. Ryan, in the course of your investigation,

you had occasion to meet with Arnold Merrill

in New York, didn't you?

That meeting you tape-recorded?

- Yes, I did.

- According to expert testimony,

you had that tape recorder turned off

no less than 25 times during your interview, didn't you?

- We sat there for a number of hours.

There were needs to go to the bathroom, to walk around.

There were needs to change tapes.

- 25 times?

During any of these breaks, did you...

Did you promise Mr. Merrill

that he would be given immunity from prosecution?

- I did not.

- Perjury is a criminal offense, Mr. Ryan.

- [Prosecutor] Objection, Your Honor!

- (chuckling) Withdrawn.

Did you tell him that you would talk to somebody

in the county attorney's office

and do the best you could for him?

- Yes, I did.

- And you got him a pretty good deal, didn't you?

That 10-count indictment for the homicides,

that all went away.

- I think so.

- Before Mr. Merrill entered his plea,

he went to the probation department

and he was interviewed for a pre-sentence report, wasn't he?

- Yes.

- In your experience, these reports are used

by the Department of Corrections

in order to determine whether an individual

should be paroled and have his sentence commuted,

is that right?

- I'm not sure I understand the procedure.

- But you do know that that report said that Arnie Merrill

was just a kind of a relatively minor burglar,

and it omitted all references to the Redmond homicides.

And wasn't that report signed by you, Mr. Ryan?!

- (sighing) I don't know that those reports got him parole.

- All the information in that report is false, isn't it?

- I think so,

except for my name. (audience murmuring)

- When Mr. Merrill was in custody in Phoenix,

was he permitted conjugal visits?

- The Phoenix jail does not allow conjugal visits.

- Yet sometimes (pausing) you would take him to hotels

to visit with his wife, did you not?

- I can't recall.

- Well...

Let me get Mr. Merrill's Department of Corrections file.

And let me ask you (pausing)

if it refreshes your memory.

Go ahead, take a look.

When you took him out of jail,

you had to sign for him, didn't you?

- That's right.

You wanted Arnie Merrill to have sexual relations

in order to keep him happy, isn't that correct?

You didn't want him to change his story.

- That's right. (audience murmuring)

- Now...

There came a time when Mr. Merrill's wife's Cadillac

was in jeopardy of being repossessed,

and you made several payments

to the financing company for it, didn't you?

- [Prosecutor] Objection, objection!

Irrelevant!

- Overruled!

- (sighing) That's correct.

- Did Mr. Merrill inform you

that he was addicted to the drug Valium?

- He may have.

I knew he had a dependency on Valium.

- Did you tell him that it would be no problem

for him to receive Valium while he was in custody?

- I don't know that I made that specific statement.

- Well now...

Would you agree that providing Valium, making car payments,

permitting unauthorized conjugal visits,

falsifying the pre-sentence report,

would you agree that these were pretty big favors

that you were doing for Mr. Merrill?

- I wouldn't call them favors.

- And that in return for these favors,

was he willing to lie for you?!

(audience murmuring) - Objection!

- [Judge] Sustained.

- [Tom] Your witness.

- [Prosecutor] Did you tell Mr. Merrill

that he had to pin the Redmond murders on Joyce Lukezic?

- I did not.

- Thank you.

Nothing further.

- You may step down.

Now.

- Thank you. (audience murmuring)

(soft suspenseful music growing)

- Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,

have your reached a verdict?

- We have, Your Honor.

- Will the defendant please rise?

The foreman will now read the verdict.

- We find the defendant, Joyce Lukezic, not guilty.

(courtroom cheering) (light upbeat music)

- Mr. Ryan, any comment on the miscarriage of justice

in this case?

Mr. Ryan?

Sir, is there any kind of misjustice-

(reporters clamoring)

- Gonna hurt somebody!

I mean it.

(courtroom chattering)

- Miss Lukezic, would you care to make a statement?

- Oh.

Well...

Well, I had help. (laughing)

I...

I had a lotta time to think while I was in prison,

and (pausing) one thing I figured out

was that I wanna live forever.

Life is so short and we don't have any time to waste,

so I just wanna spend as much time as I can with my family.

Okay. - Thank you very much.

- Thanks.

(light uplifting music)

- [Narrator] Dan Ryan was cited for contempt of court.

He was found not guilty.

He resigned for the District Attorney's office.

The Phoenix authorities have no intention

of charging Ron Lukezic

in connection with the Redmond killings.

Joyce and her children still live in Arizona.

(light uplifting music)

(upbeat synthesizer music)

(soft ethereal music)