Original subtitles

The following dramatization is based on court documents, published accounts, and

interviews, and is told from the perspective of Sonia Jacobs and Mickey

I water it every day. Not too much.

No matter where we are, we'll always remember that it's here, getting bigger

bigger.

Sticks and stones, needles and pins, Mickey and Sunny will always be friends.

Mickey!

We're like sisters now, Sonny, for as long as we live.

But I'll never see you again.

You're moving too far.

Mickey, hurry!

We're leaving!

Yes, you will.

it was you, Christy.

I don't suppose we could postpone this again, right? Oh, no

way. When we win that award, honey, we are going to look good.

I wear more than this at the beach.

How about this?

Red. Lovely.

Got anything in leopard? No.

What? I have this.

This is it.

Yeah. This is the first step to selling out.

Before you know it, I'll be wearing girdles and having my nails done.

It's the 90s, Mickey.

Even humanitarian, politically correct freedom fighters can enjoy playing dress

-up once in a while.

Besides, I get my nails done, and I manage to hang on to my soul.

Lawyers don't have souls.

I have elbow -length gloves.

Great. Maybe you can rustle me up a tiara.

Hello?

Mom. Yeah.

It's okay.

No, I'll give the tickets to my agent. He was dying to go anyway. And I think

he's got a crush on Christy.

I'll call you if I win.

Sonny.

Now, what about her?

Dad. Uh, yeah, yeah, right. Okay. Bye.

They're not coming?

No.

Some old friends are coming to visit from New York.

You upset?

Not about that. She told me that my best friend, when I was a kid, has been in

prison for 15 years.

What for?

Killing two cops.

And the guy she was living with is being executed in May.

Nice friends, Mick.

I don't know him, but Sonny was the nicest kid in the world.

Now she's a cop killer?

And this award is our calling card.

Would you put that thing away?

I'll strut a little, darling. It's good for business.

Well, there's David Haynes. He wants to meet you.

Jeremy, I've gotten blisters from glad -handing. Mickey, dear, the studios are

crawling over him to finance his next movie. He's not bad -looking, either.

Listen, he loved your documentary, and if you play him right... I don't want to

play anyone, Jeremy. Oh, he's not asking you to sell out.

Mickey,

people don't see documentaries.

They see movies, and David gets movies made.

So work with me.

Lead the way.

Hello? Sonny Jacobs?

Yes, operator, I'll accept.

So Sonny's parents thought it was my puppy. My folks thought it was hers.

Anyway. We got away with it for a few weeks. That was 30 years ago. If you're

flying 3 ,000 miles to have a reunion with the same sweet little girl, you're

going to be disappointed. I am also seeing my parents. Oh, yeah, right.

What about our meeting with David Haynes?

Hey, I've got my law practice to fall back on, but you, you've been waiting

whole life for this opportunity.

I'll reschedule. Oh, she's been in prison for years. Why is it suddenly so

unfortunate? I don't know.

We were like sisters growing up.

Like twins, we'd dress in the same outfits. We talked in secret codes.

She was a good kid, Christy.

How could she do something like this? It just doesn't make sense.

Murders come from all kinds of neighborhoods, Mickey.

Even yours.

I've got to see her.

Count. All inmates report to their cells.

Thank you.

Weird, you're all grown up.

You know, your face hasn't really changed.

Neither has yours.

Except for the wrinkles.

You certainly haven't lost any of your charm.

You really look good.

Well, I exercise.

I do yoga.

Yet, plenty of beauty rest.

Would you, uh... Would you like a soda or something?

Yeah. Okay.

They feed you in here?

Yeah, prison food.

Not a lot of choices if you're a vegetarian.

You're a vegetarian?

Yeah, I have been for years.

I kept mine, too.

All my stuff's been in storage since my parents died.

I'm sorry, Sunny.

Mom told me about the plane crash.

They let me go to the funeral.

I only got to see the kids for about five minutes before they hauled me away.

That's awful.

Well, at least my parents got to see me get off death row before they died.

It's a very recommended life, you know.

But the judge overruled them.

Why?

I don't know.

But I think he used to be a state trooper.

Anyway, an appeals court finally commuted my sentence to life.

But not Jesse's.

They allow you to see him?

Not since the trial.

But we write to each other every day.

Tell me about your kids.

Eric is 25.

God.

He has a little girl.

Wait a minute. That makes you a grandmother.

What about your daughter?

Gina.

She was just a baby when I got here.

Um, she's been with a foster family since my parents died.

It's been hard.

Can we talk about something else?

Sure.

It's kind of strange seeing her after so long.

Funny, she hasn't changed that much.

Get used to hearing from folks you ain't seen.

Jesse's execution will bring out all the ghouls and do -gooders.

Mickey didn't come because of Jessie.

She was my best friend.

You know, when you're kids, your best friend is, like, the most important

in the whole world.

Hey, as long as she keeps you in candy bars, she'll stay on my boat.

I don't know. You packed everything in this one little bag.

Oh, nobody dresses up like they used to, Leon. People don't care.

People like to be comfortable.

Makeup and a new hairstyle. You could be so much prettier.

I'm sure I could get you into my hairdresser tomorrow.

I'm visiting Sunny tomorrow, Mom.

You're going back to that prison?

No, I'm going to meet her for cocktails at the Fontainebleau.

There's no need to be sarcastic.

I'm sorry.

I'm tired.

Well, if you want to spend all your time here in a place like that, visiting

with someone you haven't laid eyes on in 30 years, fine.

I just don't understand you.

You never did.

Welcome home, honey.

Thanks, Dad.

Do you remember that tree we planted?

Oh, God.

I wonder if it's still there.

No, I went back to Elmont eight years ago, and I tried to find it.

All the trees looked alike.

You know, I am tired of talking about me.

Tell me about you.

One day is pretty much like another.

Not a lot to tell.

How about what the hell happened?

Go ahead, say it. Everybody else has.

How could I have been stupid enough to get involved with an ex -punch?

Sonny, I'm just trying to understand.

Me too.

Of the two of us, I always figured you'd be the one to end up in trouble.

You're right.

I don't know if you can understand.

You haven't changed that much from when we were kids.

For me, I feel like I've already lived three or four lives.

And the person I was when I met Jesse, well, let's just say he

was dangerous and exciting, and I like that.

Hmm.

Papers called you Bonnie and Clyde. Well, that crap sold a lot of papers.

Nothing to do with the truth.

We were just struggling to get by, trying to raise our kids.

Mom asked me once why I didn't run when I found out Jesse had been in prison.

Truth is, he didn't tell me right away.

By then, I was hooked.

By the time Tina was born, we were a real family.

Jesse always treated Eric like his own son.

We didn't have much money, but we had each other.

And we were in love.

Put it down next week on business.

I thought you were going to paint the mural for the daycare center.

Yeah, well, so was I. Until somebody told him I'd been on the joint.

Anyway, I found this guy. He's got a couple of 9mms for sale pretty cheap.

Oh, listen.

I can re -blow them and sell them.

I don't like that thing with the gun.

Oh, honey.

Look, as long as your name's on that bill, it's not anything funny.

I don't know what I can do.

We need the money.

Tuffy, I don't want you to go.

Eric, will you please turn that thing down?

I want to go home.

We've been here a week.

When's the car going to be fixed? Honey, I don't know.

Jesse said he would take care of it.

Can I at least go outside?

No.

I hate it here.

Back up. We're leaving.

Now? Yeah. This is Walter Rhodes. He's going to give us a ride upstate.

Hey, man, why don't you grab a cup of coffee or something?

No problem.

Honey, can't we wait till morning?

No, he wants to go tonight.

He gives me the creeps. Who is he?

He's just a guy I met up in prison.

Look, it's just a ride.

You want to get out of here or not?

Don't turn, Mommy.

No, nothing, honey.

Get up. We're going to go home.

Come on, sweetheart.

Why are we stopping now?

Because your chauffeur needs some shot -eye.

You don't want me to fall asleep and kill a foul, do you?

It'll be daylight soon. I'm tired, too.

This your gun?

What's the problem, officer?

This yours?

Yes, sir.

License and registration.

What are you hassling us for? We're not doing anything.

You just sit there and keep quiet.

Mommy? Quiet, Eric. It's okay.

Parole violators, ma 'am. We're screwed.

This is 1 -8 -12. I need a 10 -29.

That gun one of ours?

Not anymore.

Shut that kid up. Would you relax?

I'm scared, Jesse.

Step out of the car. Keep your hands where I can see them.

You two.

What the hell did I do?

Just step out of the car.

I can't. The door's broken.

You, step to the front of the car.

Get out!

Hey, Mommy.

It's okay, honey. Try to find Tim his beer.

I didn't see anything.

All I know is I didn't do it, and neither did Jesse.

If you didn't see, how do you know?

No physical contact.

I've got to go.

Thanks for coming.

Sunny, when can I come back? Whenever. I'm not going anywhere.

Yeah, I figured she was guilty, too, until I heard her side.

So you believe her?

In my heart, I do.

And what does your head tell you?

Come on.

You run across an inmate who says he's guilty of anything, be sure and let me

know. Yeah, but what if she's telling the truth? What if she's innocent?

Well, in this country, you're innocent until proven guilty. And she's been

proven guilty.

You're obsessing about this, you know. No, I'm not.

The one thing you've talked about for the last five years and you're blowing

off. I'm sorry. I know you don't understand, but I've got to do this.

Okay.

It's your life.

Who is that?

Kate DeFaro, Jesse's mom.

She wants me to confess to the shooting.

Try and save Jesse.

I can't believe she'd ask you to do something like that.

I can't.

I'm a mother, too.

I thought I'd talk to my lawyers about it.

I'm in for life anyway.

Why should you?

If it weren't for him... Don't.

I love him.

Sonny, I don't get it.

Why aren't you angry with him for what happened?

Why should I be?

So I'd have someone to blame?

Well, maybe I'm not that grown up. I think he ruined your life. Mickey? You

don't think he ruined your life? I made my own choices.

Sonny, when I think about what you went through that day... How did you do it?

I'd been alone.

I really think I would have fallen apart.

But I had the kid to think about.

Come on, damn it!

Come on!

Let's go, hurry.

She's got the guns, honey.

You don't want to go without us.

Move it, now!

Come on, baby girl.

Hurry! Come on, Harry.

Let's go!

Oh, my God. Honey, don't look.

Come on!

Don't be scared. I've got you.

Here take Tina.

We need another car.

We're in this together.

Be careful, Jeffrey.

You'll be okay.

I love you. Let's go.

We need your car, mister. Hey, what are you doing?

They see a driver's license registration.

Dan.

What are you doing, man?

Go!

Jesse, the kids.

Stay cool.

tired of hearing a good story.

Ballistics matched those slugs we dug out of those two troopers to the nine

millimeter we found on your boyfriend. I told you I didn't see what happened.

Don't give me the see no evil, hear no evil crap. I just didn't know what

happened to my kids.

If I don't start hearing the truth, you may never see those kids again.

Mommy!

Mommy! Hey!

Eric? Hey!

Mommy, are you okay?

Mommy, I'm scared. Let's go.

Tell them to call Grandma.

Eric, I love you.

Tell Tina Mommy loves her.

detention center for a week.

Can you imagine that?

A little boy all alone and scared.

My parents finally got him out.

It's amazing. He never lost faith in me.

What about Tina?

Tina gave up on me a long time ago.

It's funny. It's okay. Let it go.

You don't show emotion in here, Mickey.

If they see me crying, I'll go to lock up.

They do that.

I brought some pictures.

Mom and Dad brought them to see me every chance they could.

Do you know it's only seven?

Mickey, I have a love.

Maybe not the one I would have preferred.

But I make the best of it.

Here's something.

You spent 15 years in prison for something you didn't do.

But I was there.

And those men died.

And there isn't a day goes by that I don't think about their children.

You didn't kill those two men, Sonny.

You weren't committing a crime when it happened, so how could they convict you?

Well, it wasn't exactly a fair fight.

I've done you any bit.

Sorry, I mean, it's just formality.

So read the charges against you, you'll make your plea, and we'll be out of

here.

I'm your lawyer.

Judge Zachler appointed me.

Good morning, Mr. Sass.

Andy?

Jesse.

They're arraigning him separately.

Part of his deal.

What deal?

Well, I thought you knew.

He's going to testify that you and Taffaro killed those cops.

The press was playing up the Bonnie and Clyde thing. Cop killers.

And the D .A. was relying heavily on Rhodes' testimony.

I kept thinking nobody in their right mind would believe him.

And after Sonia fired the gun?

Jesse got away from the other cop, grabbed the gun from Sonia, and opened

I have no further questions.

You may step down.

Rhodes played right to the jury.

I couldn't believe what was happening.

But no matter how much I complained, Andy kept saying, Sass had no case.

And then the nightmare got worse.

Lucky for Sass, along came Brenda Isham.

Where did you meet Sonia Jacobs?

We were in the same cell.

Did you ever discuss her case?

She said she was glad she killed him.

Would you do it again?

Court is adjourned till 9 a .m. tomorrow morning.

I never exchanged one word with that girl. I swear, I want you to put me on

stand. That will carry you apart.

Don't worry.

I'm preserving everything for the appeal.

You keep talking about an appeal. If there's no evidence, how can they find

guilty? Bonya, I'm an experienced lawyer. I know what I'm doing. They have

case.

I read somewhere that if a jury has voted to acquit, they'll usually make

contact with the defendant when they return.

None of them looked at me that day.

The jury has reached a verdict in this case.

In the charge of first -degree murder, we find the defendant, Sonia Jacobs,

guilty.

Jesse. I'll write you every day.

I love you, Sonia.

Sonia, will you beg for mercy?

I don't want mercy. I want a death. That's all.

How have you survived in here?

Well, Beth Roe will prepare you.

Four years, seven months, 19 days, on a little walk all alone.

I had room for six paces, and that's what I did all day. I paced back and

and back and forth and back and forth.

You know what they call you on the road?

Dead man.

Because that's what you are, the walking dead.

And I was only allowed to read two books, the Bible and a law book.

I guess they figured either way, live or die, I'd be prepared.

Will you talk to me, please?

I knew I was losing my mind and that pretty soon there would be nothing left

inside.

So I learned to meditate, to examine my life and my situation.

And I realized there were two ways of looking at it.

I could be in a cell or a sanctuary.

I couldn't change where I was, so I changed my perception.

I want to help.

Got a hacksaw on you?

I'm serious.

Why?

You don't belong here.

Sonny, what they've done to you makes me sick.

I'll do everything I can to help you, but there's one condition. You tell me

truth.

Always.

I want to talk to your lawyers.

You'll like them. They've worked for free ever since the money ran out.

I want to meet Eric and Tina.

Why are you doing this?

Because I think he's innocent.

I thought you'd be happy, Tina.

Happy? What difference does it make if I'm happy?

I mean, you think anybody gives a damn?

Hey, Tina, knock it off.

Do whatever you want.

I don't even know why I came.

But you don't blame her.

I remember.

It happened just the way she told you.

Just the way she told everybody.

Nobody was interested in the truth.

And the hardest part is knowing that I might have been able to help her.

She should have let me testify.

Why didn't you?

She said I'd been through enough.

She said she would go to the electric chair before she'd let them rip me apart

on the witness stand.

Eric, you were a little kid.

Even if the prosecutor didn't manage to trip you up on some detail, sweetie,

they would have figured you were lying just to protect your mom.

Anyway, I don't mean to intrude, but I want to help.

Quite the contrary.

We're grateful for any help that you can give us.

A fresh perspective would be nice.

Sonny's final appeal has to be submitted within six months.

This is Holly Strafer, Sonny's co -counsel, Mickey Dickoff.

Nice to meet you.

Six months?

It really isn't that long.

If the appeal fails and the outs are 10 ,000 to one, it will.

Sonny will be in prison for the rest of her life.

So...

Where would you like to begin?

What have you got for me to read?

Christy? It's me.

Listen, can you come out here for a few days?

I guess she could take the sofa.

Mom, I wouldn't ask Christy to stay here without asking.

I rented an apartment today.

Well, it justifies reason.

First, you give up a perfectly good teaching job to pursue a film career,

now that something's finally come of that, you throw it all away for this.

What would you like me to do?

Just forget about it, go back to L .A.? She was my best friend.

And what if you're wrong?

I mean, have you even considered that?

What if she is a murderer?

Well, you'll get to repeat your favorite expression. You were right and I was

wrong.

Her lawyer should have let her testify.

If the jury had heard her, they never would have convicted her. Read this.

They found six guns in the car, all registered as Sonny. It says she

to two cops and she lied, Mickey.

You told the cops you were only a hitchhiker?

That you didn't even know Rhodes or Jesse?

I was terrified.

I'd been through hell that night, and I would have said anything, anything to

get out of there and get back to my kids.

What about those confessions?

Mickey, I never confessed to anyone.

But all those guys, they were all registered in your name. That's right.

were registered, meaning I didn't break any laws.

Don't play games with me.

I've made a lot of stupid mistakes.

And believe me, I've had plenty of time to think about it. But I've also had

enough judgment to last three lifetimes, and I sure as hell don't need it from

you.

Now you listen to me.

I've learned a few things in the last 15 years myself.

And one of them is, only a fool accepts everything on blind faith.

I have put my life on hold for you. Hey, you contacted me, remember?

If you've changed your mind, go on. Get out of here. Find somebody else's flag

to wave.

What the hell is that supposed to mean? Oh, come on. That's what you do, isn't

it? Just go from one lost cause to another? St. Mickey?

I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry I didn't mean that.

Forgive me.

Simon? Okay, but if you lie to me, I'm gone.

Okay, I've written down everything I can think of. Questions to ask, documents

to request.

I don't know how to thank you. Oh, this is such a long shot, Nikki.

Yeah.

I am scared to death how I screwed things up for her.

Oh, I'm way over my head.

But I couldn't quit now even if I wanted to.

Hey, you take care.

Bye.

Bye!

Sonny, is there any way I can get a hold of Jesse's records?

Kay has them, but I doubt if she'll be very helpful.

Jose said it would be pointless for me to say I did it.

She's pretty upset.

How can she hold that against you? It's crazy.

They're about to execute her only child.

It'd be crazy, too.

Visiting hours are now over.

He's got to stay.

There was a chance for Clemencey. Don't give up hope. There is no hope.

The media, the lawyers, the politicians have already decided.

Any

word

about Jesse?

No.

If Brenda Isomery can't enter testimony, would it help?

If we could prove she was coached or coerced.

But first they have to find her. Then get her to admit she's a liar.

Not likely.

She lied. Plain and simple. We've got to find her.

We've had a private detective looking for her for months.

Jesse Thay has been lifted.

The execution's tonight.

Sonny? Jesse?

1977.

That's the last time I heard your voice.

Sometimes I thought about you so hard.

I'm sure you could hear me.

Hear my thoughts.

I wish I could see you.

Mom came by.

Tina, too.

Tina?

They strip searched her.

Fifteen years old and they strip searched her.

Well, I mean, is she okay?

Oh, God, she was so grown up.

I told her I almost didn't recognize her because she was wearing makeup.

She did the damnedest thing.

She took out a tissue and wiped the makeup off right there at the table.

Listen, I know this is hard for you.

It's okay, baby. I love you.

I want to make this easier. I'm going to hang up first, okay?

You won't believe it. They pulled the switch three times and his head caught

fire.

Should I get that?

Okay.

I'm sorry, my grandmother can't talk right now.

Tina?

Tina, it's me, Mom.

Honey, talk to me.

Will you, please?

Don't you vultures ever give up.

It's been three months.

Find another story and leave me alone.

I'm a friend of Sonny Jacobs' Mrs. Taffaro.

I'm not a reporter.

Uh, please, I... I'm just trying to save my friend the way you were trying to

save Jesse.

He was an artist.

He studied Japanese brush painting in prison.

Loved to read.

He was a writer, you know.

They burned him at the stake.

And your friend could have saved him. You're wrong.

Sonny's the only person in the whole world who loved him as much as you do.

She could have lied for him.

Mr. Farrow, Sonny is not responsible for Jesse's death.

If you need to blame someone, blame Walter Rhodes.

Blame Michael Thet.

Blame the public's need for revenge, but not Sonny.

She loved your son.

Do you think he was innocent?

Transcripts are in those boxes.

Thank you.

I want them back.

Yeah, but I was only three weeks late with my payment.

Well, can't you raise my credit limit? I've been a good customer for 20 years.

Yeah, well, I'm expecting a residual check soon, and I'll send it in then.

Hmm. Thanks.

So I lied.

Must be tough.

Yeah, well, they always want to give you credit until you need it.

Okay,

where were we?

Rhodes recanted his testimony three times. He said he did it all, but it

make any difference.

Didn't die with ballistics or the witness account.

See, the bullet that hit the police car definitely came from the back of the

Camaro. And the truck driver, Hyman, remembers Rhodes in front.

Yeah.

But both truck drivers clearly remember seeing Jesse pinned on the hood of the

police car when the first shots were fired.

Yeah, so if Rhodes and Jesse are both in front, who fired from the back?

It wasn't Sonny. I know, I know, I know. But who?

I don't know.

I'm beat.

I'm going to hit the road.

Okay.

You know...

You ought to get some sleep, too.

Yeah. Holly.

What about Brenda Isham?

Nothing yet, Mick.

I'll check with our detective again tomorrow, okay?

Night.

Night, Holly.

Mickey, what's wrong?

Jose, you're not going to believe this.

I've figured out what happened.

So, this is Hyman's truck parked here.

Rhodes is standing at the front of the Camaro before the shooting starts.

Both the truck drivers see this and see the cops subdue Jesse and slam him on

the hood of the police car.

And then their testimony differs.

Mackenzie sees Trooper Black make a radio call and sees Rhodes move to the

of the Camaro.

But Hyman never sees any of this because Mackenzie's truck blocks Hyman's view.

By the time Mackenzie's truck clears Hyman, the shooting starts and Hyman's

watching the action, the cops falling.

Now, it never registered in Hyman's mind Rhodes moved because he never saw it.

But there's still one problem.

Ballistics show the shots came from the back seat.

They inserted a pole into the bullet hole that they found the police car.

The trajectory pointed directly to where Sonny was seated.

But Rhodes was the one who drove the police car away from the scene, so they

don't know exactly where it was parked.

Now look.

If you shift it, even a foot, now the trajectory points behind the Camaro

where Rhodes moved.

At the trial, he swore Sonny fired the gun, then handed it to Jesse.

But Rhodes was the only one who conclusively tested positive for firing

that day.

If you're right,

it proves that Sonny was innocent.

It proves Jesse was, too.

Jose did it. I am part of your defense team now. Wow.

That is not the best part.

I figured out what happened that day.

But, Sonny, my theory proves both of you were innocent.

No, you don't understand.

Jesse always said that he didn't do it, but I never really knew.

And I guess in the back of my mind, I figured if he did do it, that somehow it

justified me being here all this year.

Sonny, I'm sorry. I thought in some way this would make you happy.

Oh, it does.

His mom will know, and Eric and Tina will know.

I just wish I could tell him I'm sorry.

Jose says it'll be hard to get the graphics and the appeal.

Either way, I win.

How's that?

You've shown me what it's like to trust somebody again.

Now somebody trusts me.

Great. We can exchange phone calls and letters, and I can tell you what a great

life you're missing. Oh, Vicki.

I'll be fine.

I'm more worried about you.

I'm flying to Wyoming tomorrow.

I've got a lead on...

Brenda Isham. Yeah, and then I'm going back to L .A. to take care of some

business.

What?

I guess remembering that day when you moved away with your parents.

Yeah, well, this time I'm coming back.

Are you Brenda Isham?

Yeah.

I'd like to talk to you about Sonya Jacobs.

I heard she was a cop killer.

That she'd gunned down those two men with her kids watching.

So you lied.

Not that simple.

I was only a kid.

They had an airtight case against me.

Did they propose a deal?

I was afraid that I would rot in jail for the next ten years if I didn't help

them out.

I'm sorry.

I didn't know what had happened to her or to him.

If you're really sorry, you'll come back and testify.

No, I can't go back there.

Listen to me.

Two policemen are dead.

A man has been executed, and two children grew up without a mother or a

No one can change that, Brenda.

But Sonny has been rotting in a prison for 15 years for something she didn't

You can change that.

I'll swear out a statement.

I'll let you videotape me whatever you want.

But I can't go back there.

She felt threatened, so she lied to convict Sonny.

Granted, but unless she swears to it in court, it does us no good.

What about Rhodes?

He recanted on three separate occasions, for God's sake.

One of them was under oath. He even admitted he lied to the other prisoners.

Grow up, Mickey.

Convicts change their testimony with the weather.

So, he lies when he takes it back, but not when he points his finger to save

own neck.

Unfortunately, yes.

Well, that should have at least gotten them a new trial. The only weapon Sats

had was Rhodes.

Okay, here it is.

Complete with graphics. We're messengering it over to the appellate

tomorrow. This is our last chance for revision.

It'll be the last chance, period.

These are the graphics I used.

They'd make a great segment, especially if you can get Brenda Isham. I talked to

her last night. She said she'd do it. She'll face 20 million people on TV, but

she won't face Michael Sapp?

I know.

Yeah.

Thanks. Turn the TV on. Channel 7.

He overturned her conviction.

What about Jesse Taffaro? Mr. Stads, did Walter Rhodes lie?

Walter Rhodes passed the polygraph test. I wouldn't have made the deal if he

hadn't. Jesse Taffaro was guilty, just like Sonia Jacobs is guilty. And yes, we

will retry her. But Mr. Stads, will you cut a deal with Sonia? No deals, thank

you. Jose,

it's me.

Mickey, we've been trying to reach you for hours.

The appellate court overturned... It's on the news. Did she know?

No, she... Let me tell her.

I can make it to Broward in half an hour.

She's not at Broward.

Sonny's missing.

Where are you taking me?

This isn't legal. I'm not supposed to leave the prison.

Let's go. Come on.

Move it.

Unbelievable.

I want her located and returned tonight.

Look, we had a court order to release her. When her verdict was overturned,

was given over to local authorities to await retrial.

She's no longer the state's responsibility.

There was nothing I could do.

Sonny was afraid of this. That's why we filed the motion.

What motion? We have a court order preventing her removal or transfer.

I'm sorry, but we never got it.

We're going to get her back.

And if one hair on her head is harmed, we're going to file a lawsuit so big

it's going to think this day.

I know it's late, but it's an emergency. Could you have Judge Enriquez call Jose

Quinone's office, please?

Thank you. What's the point of getting a court order if it's never delivered to

the warden?

Yeah, well, talk is cheap.

No, no, no, no, no. First thing in the morning.

Okay.

Talk is cheap coming from a lawyer.

You're smart, Alec.

You're smiling.

I've even been known to laugh on occasion.

Yeah, well, that I would have to see.

Why don't you go on?

I'll wait for the judge to call.

I sent Christy a copy of the deposition, and she packs me back some notes, so

I'd like to go through them.

You know, Sonny's a very lucky lady.

Yeah.

She's led a charmed life.

Hello.

Is that her? I don't know.

What do you think?

Do you see her?

It's her.

Your Honor, Sonia Jacobs has already spent 16 years behind bars for a

which was overturned. It would be an outrage to deny her a reasonable bail

pending a new trial.

Mr. Satz.

Your Honor, the defendant is still charged with the brutal murder of two

officers. The people vehemently oppose any bond request.

Mr. Quinone, how's your client going to make bond?

Your Honor, I have a house in Boston I'd be willing to put up as collateral.

And I'd gladly take full responsibility for Sonia.

I mean, uh, Sonia.

Your Honor, since Mr. Sats tried the original case, and we filed a motion to

disqualify him, we feel he is unduly prejudiced against our client. She is

charged with murder, Your Honor. I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't

keep her in custody.

And I resent any other implication.

Well, the nature of the charges against the defendant are such that I'm going to

deny the bond motion.

For the record, Mr. Quinone, I've known Mr. Sats for 20 years.

I've always found his professional ethics to be of the highest standards.

Next case.

What rock did Sacks crawl out from under?

He's feeling the heat.

He could fight us in the air.

He thought a reconviction of his career could be on the line.

Holly's right.

We're cornering him.

If we win, you'll have to explain why his star witness lied to get two

convictions and why an innocent man was executed.

We could file a motion to recuse the judge.

He and Seth are awful chummy. Keep the judge. It won't matter anyway.

At least he's honest enough to admit it. But it could help them, Sonny.

It could be to their advantage.

They already have the advantage.

Why do you think I've spent the last 16 years in prison?

They can do whatever they want.

Coming back to the office?

I've got something to do. I'll see you later.

Okay.

Okay. Oh, give me help. Put it in there. Yeah, I've brought the last of your

files back. Hi, Tina.

Oh, Tina's just going to take a wash for me. Oh, well, listen, can I give you

any help here?

Let me do this. All right.

They called us the Siamese twins in camp.

Then I moved away and we lost touch.

Yeah, I know the feeling.

I know you've had it tough, Tina. Must have been terrible not having your

parents. But when she gets out... Cut the crap, okay?

I've heard it all my life.

I'll be home by your birthday, by Christmas, by graduation.

All just a bunch of lies.

She didn't lie, Tina. She believed in the system. Yeah, right.

The truth will set me free, honey. That was another one of her favorite

expressions. So I waited and waited and waited.

I'm not waiting anymore.

Look, she made some mistakes, some big ones, but it's not her fault it's taken

so long.

People like you make me sick, you know?

With your perfect houses and perfect families and perfect mothers.

Well, my fairy tale is a little different, okay?

Look, maybe you've had more than your share of grief, Tina, but look around.

There aren't any perfect families in this world.

It takes lots of love.

And forgiveness.

For any family to stay together.

Well, I'm fresh out.

Tina!

She's got enough for both of you.

Hi, Mom.

I was just thinking about you.

No.

No, nothing's wrong.

Maybe it's time to consider an alternative theory.

Jesse's gone.

We can't help him.

But it might help Sonny if we give him up as a shooter.

If we do that, then what's the difference between them and us?

Besides, she'd never go for it.

Okay, it was a bad idea.

I don't think Sass is as confident as he'd like us to believe.

He's got to try to convict Sonny again on a case that's 16 years old.

Tough to do when your star witness is Walter Rhodes.

How many times can he lie without tripping himself up?

Sass cut a deal because Rhodes passed the polygraph.

Has anyone actually seen that test?

I mean, we all know he lied, so how did he pass it? The test wasn't used as

evidence.

Then why don't we get our own expert to look at it? And if we prove that he

didn't have it... Mickey, I don't want to do it now.

I want to use it as ammo for the trial.

I think you should do it now.

Well, thank you very much for your opinion, but Sonny's my client.

Then why don't you represent her?

You know what? I think I've heard enough from you. Yeah? Yeah.

Well, this is about Sonny's life, and it's not just about Sonny.

It's the whole system is shot to hell when it allows somebody like Walter to

barter his life for hers.

With the same people who are supposedly dispensing justice.

Are you through?

Not until you agree to get the polygraph guy.

All right.

Good.

That woman is going to give me a heart attack.

You want some good news?

You heard from the polygraph guy.

No, actually, I was going to give you a tip on a horse race.

Come on.

The most bungled test he has ever seen.

We're going to depose Tom Montrose, the same guy who gave Rose the original

test.

Oh, I want to be there.

All right, but you have to promise me that you will keep your mouth shut.

Oh, you know me.

During the polygraph, you asked Rhodes, did you see Jesse shoot both police

officers?

And in your report to Mr. Fats, you wrote that Rhodes responded, yes.

Correct? That's right.

But if you look at the actual polygraph chart, you wrote that he responded, no.

Not exactly.

This is your handwriting, isn't it?

Yes. Are you saying that when you wrote no, you really meant yes?

No, that's not what I'm saying.

I must have changed the wording on the question.

Something... Okay, it was a long time ago.

I really don't remember.

On page two of your report, you wrote... Wrote that he could not be sure whether

Sonia fired at all.

Yet he swore at the trial Sonia fired the first time.

Let's go, Sonny.

Sats is running scared.

Do you know when the lion is most dangerous?

When he's injured or his back is to the wall.

Don't underestimate Sats.

And don't fill Sonny's head with promises you can't keep.

In the meantime, I filed a discovery motion for everything in Sats' files

Rose's name on it.

Now I'm counting on you to help me find something we can use.

And I keep his honor waiting.

I don't believe it. They finally came to see you. I think they came for you.

Mr.

Guignol?

Your Honor, we call Walter Rhodes to the stand, and I'd like your permission to

treat him as a hostile witness.

Objection! Gentlemen, this is not a trial.

It's merely a hearing to determine whether or not Mr. Satch should be

disqualified as the prosecutor for this case.

I'm going to allow some latitude in questioning the witnesses.

Thank you, Your Honor.

In 1977, 1979, and again in 1982, you recanted

your original testimony that Sonia and Jesse Taffaro had shot the two officers.

Is that correct?

I only recanted in 1982.

Didn't you say, under oath, I put two people on death row for something that

they didn't do, that I did?

That's right.

But today you're saying that those recantations were all lies.

That you stand by your original testimony.

Yeah.

What was the reason for recanting your testimony?

I wanted to get back at them.

Give them a hard time.

And who was them?

The DA's office.

That bunch.

And you wanted to give them a hard time because they weren't helping you get

your parole.

So you can get better work assignments, privileges, that sort of thing.

That's right.

And did you get what you wanted?

Usually.

So you'll say whatever it takes to get what you want, including lying to help

Mr. Satt get death penalty convictions on Sonia and Jesse.

Is that a question?

Not in my mind.

So you never told me how it went.

I'm okay, I guess. How come you look like a kid who didn't get nothing for

Christmas?

I don't know.

I guess the closer I get to the front door, the more I'm afraid something's

gonna screw up.

Hey, you gotta keep your head up. Think positive.

Let your light shine, girl.

In other words, you gotta do all that stuff you keep telling me to do.

You're gonna be fine.

Hey,

we went ahead and ordered.

Remember the 1977 confession that Rhodes made to another inmate that he was the

shooter? Convict testimony.

It's worthless.

Yeah. But there was a guard who may have overheard the conversation.

It was buried in that last batch of files.

This is suppressed evidence.

If Jesse's attorneys had seen this, they could have saved his life.

I'm going to rub this in Satka's face.

Good.

I want everyone to know those bastards didn't just cross the line.

They tried to erase it.

If Walter Rhodes had failed his polygraph test, would you have made a

bargain with him? Of course not.

And yet the report of this test, which you deem so important, was never

to Sonia Jacobs' attorney.

It wasn't a verbatim statement, so I didn't feel it was necessary to hand it

over.

The state Supreme Court agreed with me. But the 11th Circuit overturned the

conviction based on that, didn't they?

If I had thought it was going to be an appellate point, I would have handed it

over.

Well, that's certainly a new legal standard.

Weren't you fearful that even the most incompetent lawyer would have used

statement, I don't know if Tony applied at all, to prove that he'd lied on the

polygraph? Polygraph results are subjective, Counselor. That's why

inadmissible. You should know that. But you put a lot of stock in them.

You made a deal that resulted in the execution of Jesse DeFaro and life in

prison for Sonia Jacobs based on Walter Rhodes' polygraph. I relied on the

analysis given to me, and that indicated that Mr. Rhodes was telling the truth.

Apparently the truth can be a subjective thing in the hands of your polygraph

expert.

Tell me one more thing, Mr. Satz.

Didn't you think it was unethical to hire Rose's public defender, the same

that you made a deal with to be your chief assistant shortly after the trial?

No, I had known the man for years and thought he was a terrific lawyer.

Did the paraffin test indicating that Rose was the only one who had definitely

fired a gun concern you? Those tests were inconclusive.

What about the fact that Rose drove the getaway car, initiated the kidnapping of

Mr. Levinson?

Which question would you like me to answer?

Answer me this.

Do you recall seeing this document?

It's a deposition from Henry Claycomb, a prison guard who overheard Rhodes tell

another inmate that he was the shooter.

I don't recall.

This document was in your files, Mr. Satz.

I'll tell you for sure who didn't see this.

Jesse DeFaro's lawyers.

Now, if you were representing him, wouldn't you have wanted this

Yes, I suppose I would.

Did the fact that you were running for state attorney's office at the time have

any bearing on your actions on this high -profile case?

I ran on my record, not this trial.

No further questions, Your Honor.

I've waited years to see that man break a sweat.

Sass has offered a deal.

I knew it. The deal.

He'll promise not to retry you.

But you had to take the stand and swear that Rose didn't pull the trigger.

Sass says if you agree to the deal, you could be eating a steak dinner tonight.

Well, that's the same as saying Jesse and I killed those men.

I pushed him hard today.

He'll look like a fool if he lets you walk.

You didn't do anything but expose what really happened.

We can't let Sats do this. This is Sonny's decision.

It's a one -time offer.

I want you to think about this very carefully.

Sonny, Jose's right.

Another trial could drag on forever.

And you could still lose.

Tell Mr. Sats I'm a vegetarian.

I don't eat steak.

I will not confess to something I didn't do.

And I will never betray Jesse.

Maybe you should reconsider Seth's deal.

Did Jose put you up to this?

He's worried. He thinks it may be your only chance.

What kind of a chance is that, Mickey?

A chance to say that we were murderers and that Jesse deserved to die?

I'd rather face a new jury.

Do you think I should take the deal?

I can't tell you what to do.

Nobody can.

Mickey, would you take the deal?

Don't ask me that, Sonny.

There was a time when I would have taken the deal, any deal.

But not anymore.

They may have my body, but not my soul.

I'll be fine.

Hello? Seth wants to meet at the courthouse first thing in the morning.

going to offer a new deal?

That'd be my guess.

You're the only one I've called, so please keep this to yourself.

Yeah, sure.

See you in court.

I just get so nervous at those parole hearings. I'm going to coach you this

time. Remember how I got Nellie out two years early?

All right, come Mother's Day, you're going to be home with your kids where

belong.

We've got a transfer order on you.

Where? Courthouse.

Come on.

They don't drag you down to the courthouse this late on Friday for

Get going.

I believe you made it. Oh, me neither. They were closing the doors of the plane

when I got on.

Oh, I can't deal with her.

Hey, did you reach Tina?

No, after a message.

Hi, honey.

Hi. Thanks for coming down.

Well, I hope they let her go.

Me too.

You should have heard your father last night bragging about you to anybody who

would listen.

You were?

To tell the truth, I was bragging a little too.

Thanks, son.

Okay, where's Sonny? I'm going up now.

Not without me.

You're saying nothing that will influence her, you understand me?

You sure know how to keep a secret.

It's called the Alford plea.

It's not used much, but basically what it means is that you maintain your

innocence. Charges against you will be read in court and you agree not to

contact.

And that's it? I go free?

This place has to be protected. You can't sue him or the state.

Money and liability.

That's all it's about.

The best you'll ever offer.

It's up to you.

I've been here a long time.

I want to be my kid.

I want to watch my granddaughter grow up.

I don't have to say anything.

No lies.

No.

Until that's, I'll take the deal.

Listen to me, Sonny.

This whole deal hangs on your silence.

If you say anything, anything that refutes that, the whole deal can blow.

All right, shall we proceed?

Sonia Jacobs, you're charged with two counts of murder.

Your Honor, may I have a glass of water?

I have a very bad taste in my mouth.

Sonia Jacobs, our records show that you have served 16 years, 233 days of your

original sentence.

Sounds right.

Well, then I order you freed for time served.

No physical contact until she's processed out.

You changed your mind.

Listen,

everybody. It'll be a while before she's processed out. We'll club down the

street. We can all... I'm free.

Let's make a shot. You guys go ahead.

I'll see you later.

Almost half my life.

And this is all there is.

You keep it.

Hi.

I was told Sonia Jacobs would be released here.

Well someone must know where she is.

I'm not coming back.