Original subtitles

I don't believe you're innocent.

I swear to God, I did not kill him. All you can do is make a fool out of

yourself. And if lightning strikes and you do turn something up... That still

makes a fool out of me. Bob, you're telling us that Eric was innocent.

All I'm saying is that it may be possible.

Eric, you are going to get out of here.

You are going to go free.

You count on it.

Refill.

Harry Cokes is innocent.

Do you suppose he's sleeping?

If that thing had a name, what do you think it would be?

About logic.

Credibility.

Judgment.

How about Robert T.

Ironside? Why not? Same category.

How could I have blown it, Mark?

Chief, what makes you think he's dead?

Now, there were five witnesses who testified against him, all of them his

friends and yours.

Eric's my friend, too, and he denied it. You blaming yourself because you didn't

bet eight high against a royal fish?

If a man doesn't test the odds once in a while, Mark, he might as well throw in

his hand.

Murdoch.

Something about Murdoch. Something about him.

Mark, get Fran on the phone.

Chief, it's almost a quarter past two.

And in one hour, it will be a quarter past three.

Let's see if we can clear the net.

Good. That's okay. Don't worry about it. Just watch your feet.

No, no, no. Keep your eye on the ball.

Okay. Let's try it again.

Just work on it.

Try to work on it.

Here you go.

Hi.

Are you looking for somebody?

Yes, a Mr. Murdoch.

Oh, the name is Hal.

Hello. Hello.

What can I do for you?

Well, I was hoping to arrange for some benefits.

I'm sorry, Pete. You've got to talk to the DA.

I'm tired.

Hungry. Seven months behind on my work.

And my wife talking to her mother about a divorce.

Your wife wants to divorce her mother? Now, that's not a bad idea.

Look, Chief.

Old cases are old cases, right?

They close. I want to reopen this one. Oh, Chief, give me a break. One name,

that's all I want. The girl who made Murdoch's alibi.

Can't you see the writing on the wall?

Paxton had cut my throat.

I'm going to do a little cutting myself.

Now, what's that supposed to mean?

It means people who work together do favors for each other. We don't work

together.

Officially. All right, we used to.

Now, let's forget the threat. That wasn't nice. Not between two old

Not after what we've been through.

Why, I remember the night you sat in my office and cried after I got your kid

off the hook for boosting a car out of a parking lot.

My next girl got married five years ago. It's in the back.

And she... You know I don't have any kids.

Oh, but if you did, I'd be glad to help out.

Yes?

Mrs. McCartney?

My name is Ironside.

Chief Ironside. Yes, I know.

What do you want?

May I come in? Why?

Just a few questions.

One private citizen to another.

Then I don't have to let you in? No.

But it concerns a man's life.

A man in prison.

You remember the booth case.

I don't have very much time. My baby's sick.

I'll be right back. Excuse me.

I hope she sleeps now.

This won't take very long, will it? Oh, a few minutes.

Is that your husband?

Yes. He's a fisherman.

I'm afraid the fish haven't been running very good lately.

I'm sorry about this place. It's just that everything costs so much money.

Al Murdock.

He was involved in the booth case.

Look, all this...

was before I met Nick and before I got married.

Now, he doesn't know about any of it. Any of what?

How I used to run around. He doesn't know about any other men.

He's a very proud man, Mr.

Ironside, you know?

Tell me about Murdoch.

I was just a kid, and I met him at a party.

And I stayed with him maybe three, four days.

And that night, it was a Friday, he got home about four o 'clock.

And we talked about going someplace for the weekend, but he was broke.

So we just stayed there and drank.

That's all we did.

I think you'd better go now.

Just one more thing.

Have you ever seen this before?

No. No, I never did.

You pawned it three months ago.

I don't know what you're talking about. You used the name Annette Thompson.

The pawnbroker can identify you.

You're crazy, you know that?

I shouldn't have even let you in here. You sent the pawn ticket to Eric Oaks.

No. That was a very courageous thing to do.

You must have understood the coin's significance.

No. Now, you've put something into motion you can't stop now.

Nobody can.

I have to know how you got this coin. No.

Now, look.

I don't have to tell you anything.

Now, I don't know anything about any coin, so just leave me alone, okay?

Now, that's all you're going to get. I'm not going to allow you to break up my

home, so please just get out of here and leave me alone.

Can you tell me where the sea fire is tied up?

Over to the end of the pier.

But if you're looking for the crew, they're in there.

Thank you. You're welcome.

Hey, hey. To a good run and a hundred more.

Mr.

Marcotti?

Yeah, that's me.

My name is Ironside. I'd like to talk to you in a moment.

All right.

I'll see you guys back at the boat.

We finally had a good catch.

Maybe our luck's changing.

Stella, what can I do for you?

It's about your wife.

What?

Something's happened. She's hurt.

No, no, nothing like that.

So?

Well, there's a man in prison for a crime he may not have committed.

Your wife knows about his case.

She might be able to help him.

Okay. What are you talking to me for? Talk to her. I have.

But she's... She's afraid to say what she knows, afraid of what you'll think

her.

Now, maybe you can talk to her, make her understand how important... No.

No, you understand.

She's a good girl.

She don't know nobody in prison.

You stop saying these things and stay away from her.

Chair, no chair. I'll break your neck.

Bob, anything wrong?

You hear me?

Stay away.

You all right?

Yes, I'm all right.

What are you doing here?

I got a fish business down the street. Goes with the markets.

I just dropped in for a drink.

You look like you could use one.

Oh, thanks, but I'm running late now.

What are you doing picking fights with fishermen? Just a misunderstanding.

I'll see you later.

You could have gotten hurt. There were two of them.

No. No, they were smart. They were smart to run away.

You didn't recognize them by any chance?

No.

You can make it all right.

Nick. No!

We ain't gonna talk about my wife no more.

I told you once. Yes, you told me.

You told me once you'd break my neck.

But then you tried to save it.

Do you care why those men were trying to kill me? Hey, that's your business.

And yours, whether you like it or not.

Now, that man in prison... I don't know this guy you're talking about.

You're afraid, Nick.

Don't be afraid.

Nick Marcotti ain't afraid of nobody. You're afraid to find out that Billie

might be human.

That there might have been somebody else in her life before you came along.

You're just trying to cause trouble, ain't you? Nick, the last thing in the

world I want to do is to cause trouble between you and your wife.

And there won't be trouble if you just stop acting like a child.

Not a child.

Child B! How does Billie Jean feel that she can't talk to you like a wife talks

to her husband?

Did... Did she tell you that?

No.

No, she loves you very much.

She loves you so much she'd rather let that man rot in prison than hurt you.

This thing that she's hiding from me.

Is it a mistake?

That's all.

Part of the trial and error of the young.

That's all?

That's all.

If you're willing to look at it that way.

Good night, Nate.

Good

night.

Here we go.

I believe it is your sir.

Well, the court looks so small.

Yeah, well, I'm glad you noticed.

Shall we...

He moves great.

Then why am I such a dismal tennis player?

Well, you relax and do it.

Does this come with lessons?

Well, this parts for free.

You tell that to all your students. Just the female ones.

Do you have any other kind?

Now and again.

Do you come along with all the ladies at the club?

Some of them.

I bet most of them.

Does that bother you?

What? About the other ladies.

No.

Tell me about them.

What's to tell?

Oh, come on now. Don't be bashful. I want to hear.

That's kind of kinky, you know.

Does that bother you?

No.

Then I'm all ears.

And no brains.

I only asked you to play tennis with him, not go to the apartment.

You asked me to find out about his old girlfriends. I used my own judgment.

Judgment? I'm a big girl now, Chief.

And as you like to keep reminding me, a policewoman.

Well, you leave me with nothing to say.

I'm not sure I like that.

Well, did you get anything out of Murdoch? Well, between wrestling him off

pouring him drinks, I got him to tell me about all his conquests. Till three o

'clock in the morning? That's a lot of conquests. Regular Alexander the Great.

Among them, Billie Jean Marcotti?

A Billie Jean, but not that last name. She married.

She finds them.

My wife, she's going to do what's right. She'll talk to you now.

Mrs. Marcotti, are you willing to tell your story

from the witness stand?

A trial?

A hearing.

I think it's time to put a certain group of people together again.

We proceed now in the matter of petition on behalf of the prisoner Eric Oakes

for a new trial.

The court is prepared to hear arguments from Mr. Paxton for the people and from

Mr. Clavin for the plaintiff.

Our newsmen should understand.

that the ultimate decision on the petition to retry Mr. Oaks will be mine

mine alone.

There will be no jury.

This is a hearing, not a trial.

And I'm sure the attorneys here today will confine themselves closely to the

legalities of the matter.

First witness, Mr. Cleveland.

Eric, what time was it when you left the country club after speaking with Mrs.

Booth?

Well, it must have been about 8 o 'clock.

Where'd you go then?

To Walter Booth's home.

Did he answer the door?

No, I rang the bell, but when nobody came, well, I thought he must be

So you went in?

Yes, through the back.

Where did you find Mr. Booth?

On the floor of the study.

And he was dead.

Then what did you do?

I was frightened.

I knew how it would look under the circumstances.

I mean...

My relationship with Mrs. Booth. Will you speak up, please, Eric?

I said I meant my relationship with Mrs. Booth.

I just ran away.

But you didn't stay away.

No, I drove around for a while.

I was worried.

Maybe I'd left some kind of trace.

I touched things, my fingerprints.

I went back.

This is quite important, Eric. Was the front door open or closed then?

It was open.

I went into the study, and that's where Korchek, the caretaker, found me. Your

Honor, this testimony in no way introduces any new evidence. This is all

matter of record. May I remind the district attorney there is no record of

Oaks' trial?

Thank you. That'll be all, Your Honor, unless Mr. Paxton wants to question it.

We asked our question seven years ago.

Thank you, Eric.

Now, Lieutenant Reese, as I understand it, the housekeeper was off for the

evening. Until the next day.

When she discovered that the coin was missing from the desk. That's right.

Well, now, you can consult your notes if you like. What was the time of death

established by the coroner?

Sometime between 7 o 'clock and half past 10.

Between 7 and 10 .30. And what time did Eric Oaks leave the country club?

It was 8 o 'clock.

Well, I know that Mr. Oaks claimed it was 8 o 'clock, but how can you be sure?

Because he was seen by several people.

Oh, I see. In that case, there's no doubt about it. He was seen leaving the

club. But Oaks had plenty of time to go to the house and kill Waller Booth. Is

that correct?

At that time. Do we have to continue with this line of questioning?

The people are more than willing to stipulate that Oaks left the club at 8 o

'clock.

Mr. Cleveland?

Sorry, sir.

That'll be all.

Thank you, Lieutenant.

Could we call, please, Mr.

Robert T.

Ironside?

Chief Ironside, you conducted the investigation to Waldo Booth's murder,

not? Not personally.

But as head of the detective division, I was involved.

And you were satisfied that seven years ago, I mean, your department had done a

thorough job.

Seven years ago, yes.

Even though the missing coin was never found.

That's correct.

What made you change your mind?

A pawn ticket sent to Eric Oakes in prison.

Was the pawn ticket redeemed?

Yes, for a gold coin exactly like the one stolen from the desk of Walter Booth

the night he was murdered.

And do you feel that this coin, turning up as it has, all is the case against

Eric Oaks? Yes, I do.

Thank you, Chief.

Chief Ironside, seven years ago, did you really think that Eric Oaks was guilty?

I did.

And today?

I do not.

Do you approve?

I... I have none yet, but the new evidence indicates... Oh, yes, the coin.

leads to be the one stolen from Walter Bruce's death the night he was murdered.

You sure that's the same one? It fit the description exactly.

Well, I asked you to take a look at this coin.

Does it fit the description also?

It does.

I bought it yesterday in a pawn shop.

Thank you, Chief Einstein.

I'd like to call Mrs. Billie Jean Marcotti.

And I'd like you to know that Mrs. Marcotti is a voluntary witness

her own free will and without subpoena.

Very well.

Mrs. Marcotti, for seven years you had that coin in your possession and then

pawned it.

Why?

It was my little boy's birthday.

And we don't have very much money.

And I wanted to give him a party and buy him a few things. Oh, I see.

And, uh, What about the pawn ticket? What did you do with that?

I sent it to Mr.

Oaks in prison.

Why? Because I knew he didn't kill Mr. Booth, and I thought maybe it was my

chance to help him. Objection. I'm not interested in Mrs. Marcotti's

conjectures. Just saying.

Just your questions, Costler.

Then let me ask you this, Mrs. Marcotti.

How did this coin come into your possession seven years ago?

I was with a man named Hal Murdock.

With him?

On a date?

In a bar?

What does with him mean?

I was staying with him.

We were drinking and then he wanted to go someplace, but he didn't have any

money.

He said a man owed him $50 for some tennis lessons, so I went with Hal to

Mr. Booth's house.

When we got there, the lights were on.

Nobody came to the door and Hal got mad because he figured Mr. Booth was inside

but not answering on purpose.

So we went around the back way by the tennis court.

We found a door open and we just went in.

There wasn't anybody there and Hal said he was going to get his money one way or

another.

Then he found the coin on the desk and he said that he knew what it was and for

me to put it in my bag.

So I did.

After that, we looked around some more, and I saw something on the floor.

It was a dead man.

He'd been hit in the head.

After that, we just ran away. We just ran. When you ran, Mrs. Marcotti, how

you leave the house?

We went the front way to get to the car as fast as we could.

Now, try to remember, this is very important.

Did you leave the front door open or closed?

We left it open. I started to go back to close it, but Hal pulled me away.

He was really scared. He said that we couldn't tell anybody that we'd been

and to get rid of the coin. But you didn't?

No, I didn't. Why not?

I always thought maybe someday I would tell what happened, but I was afraid to.

My husband, he told me I had to tell you, though, because all that at the

the night it happened was about 8 o 'clock.

And I read in the newspapers that Mr. Oaks was still at that country club at 8

'clock. And Mr. Booth was already dead, so he couldn't have killed him.

Mrs. Marcotti, thank you very much. I'm sure Mr. Paxson has some questions.

I have here your sworn statement to the investigating officer that during the

night in question, you and Mr. Murdoch remain in his apartment.

That wasn't true.

Oh, then you lied.

Yes, I did. But you're telling the truth now.

Yes. Well, we're grateful that you finally got around to it.

Mrs. Varkati, you've confessed to illegal entry and committing an act of

Have you ever done anything like that before?

No. Never stolen anything before?

No. Not even as a child?

No, I never stole.

You were quite a remarkable woman. Most young children feel something until they

learn right from wrong.

I did.

I wouldn't be surprised if Chief Ironside did.

She never stole anything.

Broke into a home until that night.

I'm interested in why you relaxed your rigid standards on that particular

evening. I told you I was just 18 and I'd been drinking and I wasn't used to

Were you used to spending weekends with, you know, rather...

Casual boyfriends?

Objection! I am not going to allow the district attorney to malign... I will

decide what the district attorney will be allowed to do, Mr. Cleveland.

And you're not going to ask that particular question, Mr. Paxton.

You're not addressing a jury now.

Now, how drunk would you have to be to do what you did?

Pretty drunk, I guess.

Drunk? Or very drunk. Your Honor, the witness has already admitted to being

intoxicated. We'll let it go...

Let's see, you said that you entered the house around 7 .30.

Yes. For sure.

Yes, that's how I know Mr. Oakstone. Oh, please, just answer my question.

On a night seven years ago at the ripe old age of 18, when by your own

you were so drunk you didn't know the difference between right and wrong, so

drunk you considered a joke to commit a felony. That drunk.

All those years ago.

And you still claim that you know almost to the minute what time all this took

place. Yes. couldn't just as easily have been 8 .15, 8 .30, some other time

after Oaks killed Walter Booth? No, I saw the clock in the car. Oh, and you

know how notoriously correct and accurate car clocks are.

In other words, it was 8 o 'clock because you say so.

And you're an honorable woman.

if I may point out, the fact still remains that Eric Oakes admitted being

house twice. Now, Mrs.

Marcotti's visit could have occurred between the time of the murder and

return to erase the traces of his guilt.

Here's where we win or lose.

Your Honor, Mr.

Hal Murdock is under subpoena. We'll call him at this time.

Then, Mr. Murdoch, as I understand it, you confirmed Mrs. Marcotti's statement

in all essential details, even to the establishing of the Times and the Clock.

That's what I said. And the whole episode was because Booth owed you $50.

Uh, yes.

For the tennis lesson.

Mr. Murdoch, do you expect us to believe that a man of Booth's stature, a

successful public accountant, would legitimately Welsh on a $50 debt?

He didn't have $50. I told you if I were inside there.

Yes, you did.

You did.

Do you mind telling the court, Mr. Murdoch?

Booth got himself into some sour deals. He was almost bankrupt.

What kind of deals?

How do I know? Then how could you possibly know that he was almost

Same way I heard stories about those propositions he was pushing, gold and

vaults, all that stuff. You heard stories?

Where? Around the club.

Where? Around the club where?

Some of the members, I don't recall. Mr. Murdoch, were you ever a client of

Waller Booth's?

Me? No. Did you ever invest your own funds in one of his deals?

No, I never had any funds.

Then you never argued with him about anything other than the $50 you claim he

owed you? Right.

Then you couldn't possibly know so much about his finances, could you?

Yes, I could. Oh, you could?

Well, how?

If I ask you, Murdoch, how?

His wife.

Help his wife.

Told you?

Mrs. Booth told you?

Now, under what circumstances exactly would Mrs. Booth tell you about her

husband's intimate affairs?

Intimate circumstances.

Well, Mr. Murdoch, we're almost finished.

Would you tell me again why you and Mrs. Mercari went to... He owed me $50.

Booth was already dead when you arrived.

He was already dead.

No further questions.

Do you wish to cross -examine? Just a few questions, Your Honor.

You say that Booth was already dead when you got to the house.

Yeah.

Lying on the floor? Yes.

Face up or face down?

It was a long time ago. I know.

But you don't see dead bodies every day.

I don't remember.

Face up.

And where was his body?

By the window? By the door?

By the desk?

Behind it? In front of it? Just a minute. It was seven years ago. You just

the best you can, Mr. Murdock.

Near the desk.

Uh, behind him, my friend.

I ask you to, uh, look at these photographs.

Taken by the police photographer.

Mr. Booth's body was face down and beside the desk.

Okay, okay. Well, you know, I just didn't remember. Mr. Paxton, let me see

photographs, please.

Certainly. No further questions, Your Honor.

Thank you.

You may step down.

Mr. Cleveland?

no further witnesses.

My petition stands upon testimony that Eric Oakes could not possibly have

committed the crime he was convicted of. The honor of the people have one more

witness they'd like to call. How do you feel about continuing, Mr. Cleveland? If

Mr. Paxton has a witness, I think we ought to hear him today.

Well, Mr. Paxton? Will Mrs. Martha Booth please take the stand?

Mrs. Booth, you know the penalty for perjury, don't you?

I do.

Now, I ask you, were you having an affair with Hal Murdock prior to your

husband's death?

You're talking about a time long before I ever met this person. Just answer the

question.

Yes. Now I ask you, did your husband know about that affair? Is that why you

refused to pay Murdoch?

Is that why they argued the day before the murder?

Yes.

Thank you.

Go for the questions.

Mr. Cleveland?

No, sir, no questions.

I have no further words.

Well, Mr. Claven, your petition is taken under advisement.

Court will be prepared to rule at 10 a .m. tomorrow morning.

Well, Eric, we made some points. Take it easy. It's going to be all right.

Bob, I've done the best I can.

Excuse me, Bob.

6 -7.

Obviously collector's items. They haven't been destroyed.

From my personal file.

I'll see you in court tomorrow?

Definitely.

It is the opinion of the court, after carefully reviewing the evidence

to it, that while certain questions have been raised, There is no new evidence

of a substantive enough nature to warrant a new trial in the case of Eric

Mr. Oakes is to be returned to the state prison immediately to serve out the

remainder of his term.

This proceeding stands adjourned.

What was the point?

You dragged us through the mud. You opened up old wounds. Why?

For the same reason you sent Eric that pawn ticket.

A truth that has to be hidden turns into a cancer. So, it's still hidden. The

truth hasn't come out. It will.

I promise you.

No warm welcome for an old friend?

Not even a drink?

Very appropriate for this house. Very appropriate.

Prisoners.

Free to move around in their private little worlds, but still prisoners.

What's that supposed to mean?

That means that the fish are held by glass walls and that people are held by

their secrets. Thank you. To Eric Oaks.

Nobody joining me?

Did you come to see me, Robert?

I came to see all of you, Marty.

Not to apologize, of course.

No, no apologies. Then please leave.

You've caused Marty enough anguish already.

No, I'm sure that Robert did what he felt he had to do. It's Eric, of course,

who really has to pay the price.

Pretty cruel to raise his hopes and then pull the plug like that. Robert, you

were wrong. Why can't you accept that? Eric did not kill Walter Booth. Then who

did kill him?

Murdoch? He certainly had opportunity.

Motive.

But he didn't do it. How do you know? Billie Jean Marcotti.

She was with him.

I believe her. And just to satisfy my own curiosity, who did murder Walter?

Beth. Oh, they kill you for that. You tried once, Harry, when two of your

threw me off the pier.

Didn't you know that a great many paraplegics are very good swimmers?

Robert, I didn't kill anybody. No?

Well, then maybe it was Ken.

Ken!

Did you kill Walter?

Don't be a... Is it absurd that you tried to have Eric killed?

Ken.

Convict tried to knife Eric in the shower at the state prison. His name was

Noonan. Noonan had a very expensive attorney, Ken Clavin. What did you

him, Ken, that you'd get him out?

What did you promise him? What? You'd better start reading up on the laws

slander. One of those laws asked for proof.

Want me to open up that can of worms?

Oh, maybe it wasn't you, Ken.

Maybe it was you, Harry.

You were involved in Walter's deals, weren't you? What deals? Any deals.

Let's just take one, the gold deal.

Did it go sour or maybe there wasn't any gold deal at all? Robert, what are you

trying to do to us? Say one of us left the club and came back here. No, Harry,

no. That would have been impossible.

Then what was possible? Walter Booth was already dead when the five of you left

the house that night. And all five of us lied to the police, is that it?

You lied to me, that's it.

I couldn't believe that five people I'd considered my friends would all...

all be telling me the same lie.

You're guessing. You're just guessing. I saw a police photograph, Ken.

Walter's body lying on the floor.

I saw what he was wearing. The sports shirt, the slacks, the slippers.

But those slippers were dry.

Walter didn't take Marty to the car in the rain that night because he was

already dead.

Robert.

That's a very cruel game you're playing. Nothing compared to the game you've

been playing all these years, Marty.

And the truth is, you killed Walter.

Then let a man you were supposed to be in love with take the rap for it.

That's not true.

I did love him. Yes, you loved him.

Now what about Murdoch?

A diversion.

You turn to diversion when you have nothing else.

You stop it, Roberts.

You stop it now, right now! No!

Let's put the whole thing on the table once and for all.

You told me about your quarrel, Marty, but not everything.

It wasn't only the price of a divorce, but his threat to tell Eric about Hal

Murdock.

Then Harry came in, saw what you'd done, and he and Ken offered you a deal.

Frame Eric for the murder and provide all of you with an airtight alibi.

Why? Why should we do anything like that? You and Ken were both involved in

Walter's deals.

They would have come out in a police investigation.

There would have been a scandal and you would have been ruined. You're

forgetting something, Robert.

Me, I defended Eric myself.

You bet your life you did. You got him off on a manslaughter rap. It only cost

him 15 years.

All of you saved your own lives. You can't prove a word of it. Not a word of

You're right, I can't.

It'll take a confession.

Has anybody got a pencil?

Would you get that drunk out of here?

How about it, Marty?

How much more of this can you live with?

How much more?

You said yourself you're a prisoner here.

Seven years, seven years a prisoner.

Now free yourself, Marty. Tell the truth!

No, these are my friends.

They took care of me.

Is that a crime?

That's what it is.

I made my bargain.

They got the best of it.

Nothing ever touched them, Marty. Not one of them.

You were the one on public display. Only you.

Marty.

Marty, tell the truth.

I didn't mean to kill him.

It happened.

Oh, and we never met a framed Eric.

I pleaded with him not to come back here that night.

But he... It was too late.

You think it's been easy for me living with what I've done to Eric?

I'd gladly change places with him.

I think you're going to have to, Marty.

I think you'll all have to.

Here he is.

Eric Harvey.

I appreciate this.

Eric.