Original subtitles

Don't get frustrated now. You won't get it. Just keep trying. You'll get it.

Good.

All right.

Oh!

I can't believe you just did that. That counts.

You'd be out.

The glove has got to be on your hand.

Where does it say that? Oh, you kiddo. Where does it say that? Where? Show me.

can't believe you just did that.

Hi, Brenda.

Hi, Debbie.

Let's get together and play some cards.

That'd be great, but not this weekend. We've got soccer, the Little League, and

two birthday parties.

Plus, I told them I'd help out at church on Sunday. But next weekend might be

all right.

Girls, play nice.

You look exhausted.

Yeah, I've been really getting into it with my stepmom.

Marianne doesn't like the way I'm raising my girls.

Oh, I'm sorry.

So lucky your family's tight.

Oh, God.

All right, I'll call you. Okay.

Okay, Mom.

Look, Jenny, Carolyn, girls, come on. I told you.

You see, it went much farther that time.

All right, I'm done. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it did, didn't it? Yeah. It's going to

soar across the park.

Watch this.

This one's the one.

Okay.

You ready?

Oh, yeah.

Not that way.

Good job.

Good job.

Janet, Marianne Barber is on the phone again about her granddaughter.

She sounds upset.

Should I get the McKeown file? I've got it.

Mrs. Barber, what's going on?

Of course.

Of course we're concerned.

You sure you don't want to stay and play cards?

No, thanks. Honey, Dick wants to work on the taxes tonight.

Oh, I'm sure that would be much more fun.

Oh, Frank, I can hardly contain myself. He whips out that calculator and I am

just putty in his hands.

Thanks for dinner, Brenda.

Anytime, Dick.

Scott, your parents are leaving.

Bye.

Here take go both of you and separate I

See you What

Kids say their prayers. Yeah.

We send them to bed early.

Yeah. And then we muggle up in front of the TV and see which one of us can stay

awake long enough to make love.

Now, while that might be a very tempting challenge, that would be the

McEwans.

Tonight? Honey, I told you about this weeks ago.

Oh, God, I don't want to hang out with them tonight. All you have to do is play

cards and smile.

Hi. Hi.

Come on in. Hey.

Hey. Hi. Hey, buddy. How are you? All right.

So where are the girls?

Uh, they're not with us.

Oh, the boys will be disappointed.

Yeah. Sorry, they're just sleeping over at my dad and stepmom's.

Oh, I know. Our boys live for staying with their grandparents.

Actually, uh, Mary Ann's been giving us a lot of grief lately.

Really? She's had some psychological problems.

Well, it's nothing serious, I hope.

Probably not. No, we're dealing with it.

Well, you know, let us know if we can do anything.

Watch the girls.

Great.

We told Marianne we had lots of friends who would stick up for us. Good people

like you guys.

Actually, Scott, I was wondering if you'd be a character witness for us.

A character?

What, is she taking you to court?

We can't predict what she'll do next. Yeah, of course, if you're uncomfortable

with that. No, no, no, no, no. It's fine.

Hey, let's play some cards, huh?

Hello, yes? This is Mary Ann Barber. Now, you will not believe what the girls

are saying now. This is bigger than anyone realizes.

The girls have been threatened if they talk. Now, they are ready to accuse all

the others involved.

So we need protection.

We need protection now. Okay, I'll send you an escort to the DA's office in the

morning. I'll coordinate everything with Vera Bradley, the child abuse

counselor.

Vera and I gathered the names of the other people the McEwen girls say

them. Besides the parents? Yes.

And who are these people?

Friends of the McEwens.

They're in on it together.

Sam, it may only be the tip of an iceberg.

The accusations include orgies, being hung from hooks and beaten, being sold

motels, made to watch snuff films and perform in front of cameras.

What kind of monsters do these things to children? Well, some of these charges

do seem kind of unlikely.

Unlikely?

Do you think these kids could make this up?

I don't know what goes on in your house, but my kids don't know this stuff.

No, of course not.

Evidently, there's a whole lot of shit to be stashed in these homes.

Thank you, ladies.

So, Bob, what do you think?

I think we should move as quickly as possible on this one.

We can have the search and arrest warrants in a matter of hours.

Let's show Kern County what we can do.

We took a real beating in the press for the way we handled the Dana Butler

murder. I want a highly coordinated, very public effort this time around.

one's going to go like clockwork.

Get me the editor of the Californian.

I want all the media in on this.

Brandon Niffin? Yes.

Ma 'am, you are under arrest.

Oh, you're making a mistake.

Where is your husband?

Stop that.

Where is your husband?

He's at work. Where does he work? Stop that. Where does he work? He's the

inventory parts manager at Delaney and Al.

But stop.

My little boys are asleep back there. Your boys?

All right, well, let's wake them up.

Brandon? Come on.

Ryan, time to wake up.

It's okay. It's just a big mistake. Your dad's going to sort it all out.

My stuff!

My stuff! No, no, Brian. Just let him look around.

Did I do something wrong? No, no. Of course not. Get dressed, ma 'am, or

take you down like that.

You can pull us out from there. That's all right. Here.

All right, Sona.

Let's go get dressed.

Okay.

All right.

We have to get dressed.

Go ahead.

Okay, let's see. These are yours. All right.

Here you go, sweetheart.

There's

nothing here.

Come with me, boys.

Wait, where are you taking them? Shalimar Children's Center.

Let me call their grandparents.

They need to come with us. They can stay at the neighbor's. They need to come

with us.

Okay, all right.

What's happening, Mommy?

Okay.

I want you to go with these nice policemen and do exactly as they say,

And I'll be about to pick you up as soon as I get everything worked out.

Okay. Just be a good boy and you'll be fine. Come on, son.

Mommy! Take care of your little brother.

I will, Mom.

You're scaring them. We'll take care of them. Well, you know, in any case as

disturbing as this one, I feel it's incumbent upon the district attorney's

office to move quickly and efficiently to excise this tumor,

basically, if you think of it that way, on the community.

I mean, just like with the doctor, we have to do what's prudent.

We have reports indicating that photos were taken during the activity, and with

this surprise search, We expect to confiscate all of the evidence. We want

people of Kern County to know that their children are safe.

Got nipping? Yeah. You're under arrest.

You have the right to remain silent.

You have the right to an attorney.

If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you.

What are you doing in a squad car?

Child endangerment.

Jenny and Carolyn are queuing. What are you, crazy? I'm particular.

Get in the vehicle.

Get in. All right, all right.

Brandon, what is going on? Are you okay?

They burst into the house, and they took the boys.

What? I forgot what's happening.

I don't know.

I sure as hell am going to find out.

Okay, I guess it boils down to you tell me where the photographs and the

pictures are.

If you can find some, have at it.

Because I have never done anything of this nature in my entire life with any

child. These allegations are absurd.

Debbie

and

Alvin's girls are saying we did those things to them?

I don't even know what some of those things are.

We want to know where the pictures are.

Is that what you were looking for in my house? Dirty pictures?

You won't find anything.

None of this happened.

The McCune girls are lying.

What would you say if I told you that your children are talking with one of

counselors right now and making the same claims?

Never.

They would never say that.

Ask them.

Just ask my children.

Never. You just ask them.

Ask my kids.

Jenny and Caroline just told me about what's been happening to you.

So I already know.

And it's okay for you to tell me the truth.

Nothing happened.

I know that people have been touching and hurting your body.

No.

You can trust me, Brandon.

I want to help you.

And I want to help your parents.

Are they in trouble?

Yes, they are.

And if you help me, then we can help you and your brother.

We can make it all stop.

We know about the motel rooms and being hung from hooks and about the strangers.

I want to make it easy for you to talk to me.

You think you can talk to me?

Okay.

Okay.

Have your mom and dad and the McEwans been touching your body, your

privates, in ways that hurt you?

No. Brian, it's very important that you tell me the truth.

You're safe in here.

If Brandon is saying that these things happened, is Brandon lying?

Um... No.

So what happened?

Okay.

They are calling it the Niffin McEwen molestation ring.

The parents have been charged with multiple counts of heinous crime

against their own children.

Brendan Hinton, 29, and mother of two young boys, is being held here in Kern

County along with her husband, Scott.

They are expected to make bail this weekend.

There have been unsubstantiated reports of traffic materials found.

And so, after a long investigation... I didn't even know where I worked.

Brenda said when they got there, they didn't know that we had children.

What kind of investigation is that?

Two little girls tell lies and we're in jail.

My children will never say these things.

That's what I thought.

Debbie, what's going on?

Marianne has my girls believe in all this crazy stuff happened to them.

Now she pulled you into it, too.

Well, why? What do we have to do with it?

Marianne wants custody.

She believes this happened.

I guess when we told her that you were going to help us... I'm so sorry she

pulled you into this.

But who would believe these things?

I mean, hooks and fishing line and cameras and hotels. I mean, my God, it's

sickening.

How can anybody get your little girl to say these things?

My stepmom's obsessed with molestation.

Who knows what she's got my girls believing now that they're living with

They're living with her?

She's got temporary custody.

You didn't tell us that.

When you asked Scott to be a character witness, why weren't you honest about

this? Dear God, Brenda!

I didn't think anyone would believe this. Who would believe all of this?

Did you ever see other children at the hotels?

No.

Well, you told Vera when you talked to her that...

Sometimes there might be another child.

Was that a mistake?

Kids... might be there.

Okay. Good, Brent.

Now, did they ever... I mean, did the grown -ups at the hotels ever make you

touch their privates with your mouth?

No.

Are you sure?

Brian told us that both you and he were forced into it.

Is that true?

No.

Well, was Brian telling us the truth when he said that? Did that ever happen

you?

Did anyone ever... Did you ever have anyone...

Do anything to your bottom?

No.

You didn't do anything wrong.

Okay?

We need you to remember.

So it did happen.

Please, I want to go home.

Don't get scared.

Don't get scared on me, Brian.

We told you that we wouldn't lie to you, Brian, and we won't.

I miss my mommy.

Of course you do.

You did really good, Brian. I know it's hard to keep going over this.

You're a really good boy.

Now, this is Dr. Woodling.

And he's going to do a physical, you know, check you out a little bit.

We're going to help you move.

I'm moving?

So you're the b**** that likes the mouths of little kids.

Janie, give her a hand with that mattress.

Brenda, are you all right?

Brenda. Mom.

I think I took the first flight.

Where are the boys?

Do you need a doctor? What the f*** is going on here?

Where are my children?

They're at the Chalamar Center. Let's get out of here. I want to pick up the

boys.

Dad's got the car.

Here it is!

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Can you get out of the way? Excuse me.

Oh,

my

God.

I want to be certain that Kevin Conway is the best attorney we can get. I want

this over with fast.

I don't understand this.

I thought we were innocent until proven guilty in this country.

What have they done?

How can they keep our children?

We're trying to get a visit with the boys. So far, none of us has been

to see them. They're in protective custody.

They're protected from who?

They can just take them.

Anytime they want, they can just take our children.

They keep asking me over and over, and when I say no, they just ask again and

again, and they won't stop, and they yell at me when I answer wrong.

Don't answer wrong.

You have to do what they say. They can come and get us any time. Just take us

away.

I want to go home.

What do you think they did to Mom and Dad?

I'm worried about him.

Me too.

The court has ordered the welfare department to hand over the Niffin

for interviews with the attorney for the defense.

I don't think that's good for the children.

They're very fragile.

They've already been through so much.

Deny access.

It's a court order.

Ignore it.

What about the family visit with just the grandmothers?

One visit, supervised.

Anyone mentions the case or the parents, and it's over.

How are you? Oh, we missed you very much.

What did they do to Mom and Dad?

When can we go home?

We're trying to work that out.

So come on now, you tell me, how's school?

Did you do your fractions?

Are you on the hip? Oh, it's so good to see you. I miss you so much.

You're nearly as tall as me.

Honey,

these are for you.

There's one for you and one for your brother.

Brandon, the things you said about your mom and dad, were they

true?

No. Then why did you say them?

They kept saying they wanted to tell the truth.

But then they don't believe us.

They keep us in the room for hours every day and ask us over and over until we

agree with them.

I'm really scared.

Let's go find Brandon.

I'll be right here.

Oh, God, Corrine.

I don't know how Scott and Brenda are staying through all this.

Brenda said she'd kill herself before she'd go to prison.

Bye -bye, honey. Bye -bye. See you soon. I love you.

So, if I can't be with my parents right now, then...

Why can't I stay with Grandma and Grandpa Nevin?

Well, it's really complicated, Brian.

Everyone's just trying to do the right thing.

Brandon.

Brandon, what's wrong?

Is my mom gonna die?

Corrine Oliver told Brandon that his mother's going to kill herself.

I knew this was a bad idea.

He's a basket case.

Have we lost him as a witness?

I don't know.

I want an arrest warrant for Corrine Oliver.

Witness tampering.

I want her in jail now.

No more visits.

Those kids stay under wraps. Period. No one sees them but us.

Brenda.

Mom.

Are you okay?

This is Kevin Conway, our attorney.

I'll be representing you in your case as well, Miss Oliver.

Can they just arrest people at their whim?

Yeah, they can, and they are.

There's no one in Bakersfield right now who's above suspicion.

They're intimidating everyone who tries to help us.

People are afraid to speak out because then they're branded child abusers.

Once Brenda and Scott's trial is over, I'm sure I can get the charges against

you dropped.

But till then, for your own good, you're going to have to stay away.

Can't I at least testify about what Brandon told me?

No. Not unless you want to incriminate yourself and taint your own case. No.

I'd advise against it.

Can't I... Can't I help?

No.

Go back to Mississippi.

Because then at least I won't have to worry about you.

And this is all going to be over soon.

Has to be.

Vera, this is Andy Gindis.

I've appointed him lead counsel on a different McKeown case.

I hope you have a strong stomach.

When you hear what's been done to these sweet children.

Well, I've read all the reports.

It's sickening, the things these kids have said. You've done a great job,

Oh, thank you.

It's not easy.

It requires persistence.

None of them want to talk about it.

Sometimes it takes all day, sometimes it takes many days.

But it's too important to give up on, no matter how long it takes.

I won't give up either.

Well, Vera has a great talent with these kids.

She'll help you in whatever way you need.

Yes, please, let me know.

Great. I'll be in touch.

All right. Thank you.

This is a big case, Andy.

A big case.

Everyone's watching.

It's a career maker.

Well, Sam, it's a case I can really believe in.

We have leads on at least two more huge molestation cases.

I don't have to tell you how public this is going to be.

Sam, it's going to take some time.

Okay, to make this case solid, we have to take care.

These are children.

Oh, they're safely in custody. No one can get to them. So take all the time

need.

Don't lose this case, Andy.

Not a chance.

Okay, okay.

Easy, breathe now. Breathe, breathe, breathe.

Shh, shh, shh. Okay.

I thought I heard him, but I can't. Oh, baby.

I can't, I can't.

I keep trying to go on, but I can't.

Come on, boys, just keep it together for the boys, huh?

Kidnap their children.

And every night I pray to God. And every day I wake up to this empty room.

And what are they thinking about it? Do they know that we still love them?

That we're trying to get them back? I mean, God, what do they think?

We're going to win.

I'm going to win.

God, how do we get back the last year and a half of our lives?

I mean, how do I get back at Christmas and their birthdays and theirs?

All programs.

How can we win, Scott?

God, it kills me that I can't protect you.

And I couldn't protect them.

No.

I just can't stand feeling this helpless.

It's happened to us.

The trial is finally starting.

Okay, and we're going to get up. in front of that jury, and they are going

see that we are innocent.

You know what?

Forget about cooking. Let's go out to eat.

Oh, I don't know, Scott.

Listen, I know we owe it to ourselves, huh?

I am not staying cooped up in here forever.

That's it. Get your manager. Now.

Are you okay?

It's okay.

You all right?

Yeah.

What's the problem? You listen to me.

For a year and a half, we've been putting up with the stares and the

Right here, right now, it stops.

And we've been coming to this restaurant for over ten years.

I don't give a damn what you think of us, but you will treat my wife and me

respect.

I insist! Donuts.

Protests continue alongside this sensational trial.

There are new charges of molestation and satanic cult worship, not only here,

but all across the United States.

A Pandora's box has been opened and hell relieved.

Dr. Woodland, what does your wink response test show?

Based on case history and medical exams of the boys...

I would say that the positive wink response is caused from multiple

of the anus with an erect finger.

Brandon Niffin, Your Honor.

Okay, Brandon, you remember when you told me about the nasty things that your

parents did to you?

Yes.

Okay.

Well, let's talk about the times your mom and dad and Debbie and Alvin McEwen

hung you from the hooks in your house and put their fingers in your butt.

Objection. Leading.

Your Honor, these are little children.

I have to lead a little.

Overruled.

Be careful, Mr. Guindas.

Brandon, you told me they hung you from hooks.

Yes.

What have they done to him?

I'd like to call Brian Niffin, Your Honor.

Brian, this way.

Your Honor, please.

Brian, let's take what he says.

Did you see him? Did you see him? He looked worse than Brad. Oh, God, our

little boy. Oh, God. Oh,

I just want to hold him.

Brian, look at me.

Look at me.

I know you're embarrassed.

You can do this, okay?

Brian, you need to help us.

Don't you want to help this be over for you and for Brandon and for

your parents?

Yeah? Okay.

Me too.

Look at me, Brian.

Look at me.

Now you just do what we talked about. You tell the truth.

In a couple of days, I promise, this whole thing is going to be over.

Okay?

You were touching their private parts.

Yes.

What, with your mouth or your hand?

Objection, Your Honor. He's leading.

Overruled.

With your hand or with your mouth?

My hand.

Okay, okay.

Now, when you were hanging from the hook, what did your mommy do to you?

Objection, Your Honor. Foundation.

Overruled. These are children, Mr. Conway.

When you were hanging from the hook, what did your mommy do to you?

Stick her mouth on my... Stick her finger in our bottom.

In your bottom?

Yes.

Now, let's talk about the strangers and the pictures, okay?

Okay, Brian, you can go.

You did very well.

You're a very good boy.

There you go.

You can just go off with the officer there. You did very well, Brian.

Absolutely not.

Never.

Never.

It's been torture being without my boys.

I love my children more than my own life.

These things did not happen. I don't know why they're saying this.

But I love my sons.

So?

Denied. Denied?

Judge Ferguson just ruled that Marian Barber's psychological history was not

relevant. Not relevant? It's what started this whole thing.

She's the one who told those little girls what to say in the first place.

We've got ourselves quite a perfect score here, don't we?

Request for pretrial interview with the children, denied. Our own physical with

the children, denied.

Statement by their regular pediatrician, denied. Statements from their teachers,

for God's sake, denied.

Irrelevant, irrelevant, irrelevant.

You know.

That Judge Ferguson lost his election bid for district attorney because he was

painted as soft on child molesters. Yes, I know that.

Oh, God, what can I do to make this right?

You understand.

My son.

My son and Brenda, their lives are on the line. What else can we do?

I've tried everything.

couldn't defend these people right now.

There is nobody here, nobody, who has the power to make these children lie

against their parents.

They got up on the stand, one after the other, and they described scenes of

horrendous perversion and abuse, and they stuck to those facts no matter how

many times the defense attorneys questioned them.

They told the truth.

This case is strong because guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt by

four children and by substantial and very powerful corroborative medical

evidence.

For these children, what

horrors existed for them at night?

You are the only people who have the power to put an end to that night.

Children don't lie about sexual abuse.

Children don't lie.

Thank you.

These children have been in the custody of the welfare department since they

were taken forcibly from their parents over two years ago.

The district attorney's office has had unlimited access to these children.

The defense has had none.

In Salem, two little girls pointed their fingers and said, those people are

witches.

And those people were taken before a jury, and 20 of them were hung.

What went wrong there is going wrong here.

Hysteria.

Please, do not put down your reason, as Mr. Guindas has asked, and just believe.

Use your reason. Ask yourself, is what these children are saying

reasonable?

For the sake of these children and their families, please, use your reason.

Thank you.

Damn paper, Carolyn.

Really, Brenda, they're part of the hysteria. They wrote about it day after

because it's those papers.

You wrote big.

Dory.

I haven't held my children in over two years.

It's almost over. We're nearly there.

What if they've forgotten me?

This may be the largest in the current wave of molestation cases to be

indicted nationwide.

More victims?

Yes, hello?

Thank you.

The jury is back.

Okay, okay, all right.

All right, at worst, we'll get a hung jury, all right?

I mean, come on, these stories of kids hanging from hooks all over our living

room, it's...

A load of Christmas. It's not visibly possible.

No one person could believe these stories, let alone 12.

Okay, two years and one month.

And it ends today.

Will the defendants please rise?

Have you reached a verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

We, the jury, in the above entitled case, find the defendant, Scott Niffin,

guilty in violation of 69 counts of child abuse.

We find Brenda Niffin guilty on 70 counts of child abuse. We find Alvin

McCune... Guilty. We find Deborah McCune guilty in violation of 69 counts of

child abuse. Guilty.

Guilty. Guilty.

Guilty. Guilty.

Brandon Niffin, you are hereby sentenced to 240 years.

Scott Niffin, you are hereby sentenced to 240 years.

You are both remanded into the custody of the state of California.

Oh, hey, help me.

Judge Ferguson's sentence was harsh and swift.

Alvin and Debbie McEwen will each serve more than 250 years for their crimes.

Scott and Brenda Niffin, 240 years apiece. The sentences are the longest

imposed. Here in Kern County.

The welfare department feels it's best for the children to say goodbye.

The kids need closure.

We'll allow one 15 -minute visit, no crying.

If you cry, we will end it.

Okay.

Okay, boy.

Oh, my God.

Look at you.

I can't believe it.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God, you got so tall.

So, can we all go home now?

Dear Brandon, I want you to know that no matter what you've been told, your

mommy loves you with all my heart and soul.

I know you were forced into saying those things in court, and I don't want you

to ever blame yourself.

You and Brian will always be the most precious things in our lives.

Dad and I tried so hard to get you back.

Help Brian to understand that.

I want you guys to know that I'm okay.

And I believe that someday we will be together again.

What we have as a family will always be in our hearts.

No one can take that from us.

I want you to grow up and be nice young men, to go to college and love a girl as

much as I love your daddy.

All we can pray for now is for God to step in.

Don't ever forget he exists because he does.

What is most important to me is that you boys stay together and that you take

care of each other.

Remember, I love you guys.

I always will.

Mommy.

Mom, I'm in protective custody here at San Quentin.

Evidently, guys like me don't last long in here otherwise.

I'm not far from Sirhan Sirhan and Charles Manson.

Remember when I was a boy and used to worry about the company I kept?

It'd be funny, but it's not.

Keep trying to get custody of the boys.

It's all we hope for.

I'm so worried about Brenda.

So, Brandon, could you tap me the beat?

Thanks. How was your day, Brian?

It was fun.

Yeah? Not good.

What'd you do?

Nothing, Mr. Black.

You know, Brian, you can call me Dad.

Um,

that's okay, Mr. Black.

Brian!

Stop!

You ought to call him whatever he wants. Why?

He's not my dad!

And I'm not calling anybody dad, but dad.

Come in.

Andy.

How's the Pitts case coming?

Just like Niffin, only more of them.

Look, Sam, the court's revealing Marilyn and Dick Niffin's petition for custody

of Brandon and Brian. Look, there is no reason not to place them with the

grandparents.

Dick Niffin as much as called these boys liars in the press. But shouldn't they

be with family?

They are just going to pressure these poor boys to recant. Now, they've been

through enough.

It's not good for the appeal.

Certainly not good for the kids.

So, go to juvenile court and fight custody.

Thanks. You bet.

We're good.

Really.

I've settled in some.

What about you, Marilyn? Are you okay?

Yeah, but... What?

He didn't just show up at the custody hearing.

No.

He had all kinds of paperwork.

And he fought us, and he won.

Oh, no.

I am so sorry.

We tried so hard.

I know, Marilyn.

I know you've done everything.

Sold everything, mortgaged everything.

I know.

Perfect.

You're in prison and you're comforting me.

Where are they?

They're with a really nice foster family.

And they're both doing great.

Although, Ginda shows up every week or so and takes them out to talk about the

case so they won't forget for the appeal.

Oh, I spoke to your mom yesterday.

She's doing her best to get up here when she can.

Have you seen Scott?

Yeah.

He looks okay.

He's trying to get his own radio.

Oh, that'll help.

240 years in prison is a long time to be without a radio.

From the foster mom.

Bryant's baby tooth.

She thought you might... Well...

So much, isn't it?

My darling Scott, I get a lot of letters from my mother.

She sounds so sad.

I'm worried about her.

Writing to you is my only relief.

The days are so very long and the nights are longer.

I will continue to write every day, every single day, until we are together

again.

Do you think the boys get our cards and we're missing their birthdays, their

soccer games, their heartaches?

Who takes care of them when they're sick?

I wonder if they still think about us.

Mommy.

Ryan?

I don't know what's true anymore.

No appetite?

Or just the wrong kind of meat?

I know you like it young and tender.

I'm innocent, Landry.

My kids will tell the truth.

And I'm going home to see you.

You're up for parole in a short 104 years.

We came to you because you're not from Kern County and because we believe that

your past as a police officer will help.

For 12 years I'm a PD and 20 years private.

I've seen my share of parents who don't believe what their kids have done.

We know our children, Mr. Dunn. We want you to help us figure out how this all

happened. I won't spin my wheels trying to get guilty folks out of prison.

I have been a respected member of this community my entire adult life. I've

served on the grand jury in this county.

Something went terribly wrong with this case.

It's ruined all of our lives.

I'll tell you what I'll do.

I'll investigate.

You pay me my rate.

But if at any point I become convinced they're guilty, I'm gone. And what you

paid, you paid.

Mr. Dunn?

Ma 'am.

So I've been reading the newspaper articles.

It all seems a bit frenzied.

A bit?

How do you think this happened to you, Mrs. Neff?

I think Debbie McCune's stepmom became convinced that her granddaughters were

being molested.

She wanted to discredit anyone who could help Alvin or Debbie, anyone who would

get in the way of her getting custody of those little girls.

And she decided we were in the way.

Pretty drastic dragging you into this. Seems like there are a lot of kids all

over the place accusing people now.

Why do you think that is?

I have no idea.

We were so naive.

We never believed we could be found guilty.

It wasn't possible.

And why do you think your boys did what they did in court?

That is the only thing I want to know.

Mr. Dunn, find out what they did to my little boys.

Okay.

I'll warn you, though.

I'm not going to lie to you.

It could take years to unravel this.

You know where to find me.

Dear Scott, another lonely Christmas.

I prayed.

The cafeteria made turkey, which wasn't half bad. Dear Brenda, I got to work in

the yard.

It was so wonderful to be outside and see the sky.

I wish we were somewhere where the seasons changed.

Then at least I could watch the time pass.

Darling Brenda, I spent time with the chaplain today. We prayed and talked

and... Happy anniversary.

Maybe this year will be the year we get to see each other.

Don't lose hope.

I love you.

Well, look at this.

And here I thought you only liked playing games with kids.

When are you finally going to leave me alone, Beth?

Some people wanted the death penalty for you, Nissen.

Yeah, and some people wanted life.

Lucky for me, I only got 240 years, huh?

Ain't long enough for your type.

You know, in case you haven't noticed, there's a lot of my type here.

In fact, there's 26 of us here on Child Molest, all from the same county.

That seems kind of odd, doesn't it?

Or don't you think the system makes mistakes?

Nah. Gee, the system's been my best friend.

Just keep watching your back, Niffin.

Hey, it's got nothing to do with you guys.

The Blacks just had to move, and the Walkers are getting divorced.

And the Platts had a family problem.

But listen, you're gonna like the Sayers. They've got a boy your age, and

they're really nice, and they really want you guys.

Come on.

Don't touch my stuff. The real fun always gets the top drawer.

Watch out, kid.

Stay away from me.

What's wrong with him?

Nothing.

Well, don't take it out on me just because your parents didn't love you.

Hey, hey, boys. Okay, all right. Brian, that's enough. John.

Okay, easy, easy.

Dear Brenda.

I've been studying the legal journals, and there's a lot of trouble brewing for

the Kern County DA's office because of the way they've handled these cases.

There are questions about a lot of them all across the country.

McMartin in Los Angeles, Amaral in Massachusetts, Michaels in New Jersey.

That's got to help us.

I'm sorry, Bess. I think this lady wanted that.

You wanted that, right?

You starting something with me?

No, I'm ending something.

You get into it with me, girl, you'll be in pieces. I'm already in pieces.

And if you want to get into it, just come on. Because I've got nothing left

lose and I'm done taking your crap.

Wasn't hungry anyway.

Come on.

Best take those getting used to.

Maybe I can get the courts of the DA's office to take a look at these results.

They're usually the ones to order a lie detector test, but they wouldn't do it.

And with years and years of dead ends, we try everything.

You said you were going to look over the old police reports?

Oh, I did, yeah. It took me weeks to wade through them all again.

Anything? Yeah, when, uh... When I took a look at the dates, I found something

odd.

It seems that some of these reports were written weeks after the interviews with

the boys, and I got to tell you...

That's not police reporting. That's creative writing.

Yeah, it's one long fairy tale.

Well, look, uh... I didn't come without any good news today.

Oh? Because of time and pressure from Dick and the other families who were in

the same boat, an investigation has been launched by the state attorney

general's office.

They're looking into Kern County's conduct of these molestation cases.

Really?

Listen, Andy, it's not looking good for us. I'm proud of my work, Sam. I did the

right thing for these kids.

There are court reversals now in a number of East Coast cases. The papers

questioning whether these kids told the truth. Well, I believe the children, all

of them.

For God's sake, Andy, we've had kids, you know, accuse people in our own

They had the sheriff's department digging up backyards looking for bodies

weren't there.

Over time, public opinion has taken a nasty shift on this thing. I don't care

about public opinion, Sam. These kids did not make these things up.

We have saved them from lives of abuse and degradation, and I am proud of that.

Listen to me, Andy, that's fine.

But I have to pull us out of this tailspin.

We've got one of the kids from the old Pitts case claiming that she was

pressured by us to testify against her family. Please, that didn't happen.

These cases go down the drain.

You go down the drain.

Everything you touched will be reversed.

The court will tear you to pieces.

Now look.

You and I have had problems on a number of cases You're not a team player

I'm

not sure we'll be able to find anything much for you to do around here

Can't keep talking about this.

Brandon, how do you explain that I don't remember any of it if it happened?

Do you remember your first day in kindergarten?

No, so what?

Grandma said you cried and tried to take your bear with you.

So?

So even though you don't remember it, you know what happened because everyone

said so.

That's the way it is with this.

Everyone said it happened, so it did.

I just don't believe it.

What, the whole world is lying to us?

The courts?

The police, the social workers, foster parents, they're all lying to us.

Why?

You see, it doesn't make sense any other way. It must be true.

It can't be true.

You just don't want to believe it.

Not again. That's it. All right, Brenda, stop it. Stop it, you two, stop it.

One of you has to go.

I cannot have you both here any longer.

Honey, I know it's harder for you this week, with it being Brian's 13th

birthday.

But soon we will all be together.

We have a lot to look forward to now that our appeal gets closer.

I hang on to the thought that soon we will be in each other's arms again.

Love forever, Scott.

Mommy loves you.

time okay you're up scott hey

how are you i'm good oh it's so good to hear your voice

it's been so long this time i'm so lonely for you

yeah they treating you okay actually better all the time yeah your

sparkling personality's wearing them down huh

Learned a few things.

Yeah, me too.

It's a very good day for us.

Yeah, now that Gindas has resigned from the DA's office, there's no one fighting

us. Yeah, Mom and Dad can finally get custody of Brian.

Yeah, Brian.

But, you know, just Brian.

Scott.

You know, it's been eight years.

I don't know, sweetheart.

I don't know what he's thinking. I don't.

What if... What if he believes all the lies?

What if he thinks that we're the monsters that they say that we are?

What if we get our appeal and I get out of this hell only to find out that my

son's... He... Ty.

No.

Brent?

In a 367 -page opinion, Gindas was blasted for being an overzealous

who, in his blind quest to convict, forgot or ignored his constitutional and

ethical duties as a representative of the people. Every time we got ready for

appeal, something got in the way. But now that Gindas is gone, we're going to

win this time. I can feel it. It's turned.

Did they really get out?

We're not allowed to talk to you about this. We could lose custody.

All right.

I'll get it.

But that's just what Dick needs.

He hasn't been well.

We don't know how long it will be before the court makes a determination.

There's been a lot of harsh criticism over the DA's office during these

molestation trials of the early 80s.

A number of these cases have been reversed and people freed.

We wait now for word on the fate of the Niffin McEwen trial.

know i was a good mother you know it what have i ever done how could you let

this happen i prayed and i believed

It's all too much.

It's really too much.

Thank you for sticking with us through all of this.

There's this lawyer, Michael Snedeker.

He's very active and vocal.

Victims of child abuse legislation.

He's one of the attorneys that won the appeal for the Pitts family.

I'm gonna get to him.

Will he take us?

I thought I'd camp on his doorstep.

Hey, Mr. Dunn.

All right, Brian.

Look, son, technically you're still under protective custody because you're

underage.

And I know I'm not supposed to be talking to you, and all hell is going to

loose when I do, but I think it's time that we talked about your parents and

what went on back there.

I want to.

And your brother, too. I understand he's with the Marines now.

We don't talk much.

Not in a while, though.

Jenkins is back to punch for Hart.

Okay, here's the kick.

And it's a good one.

Takes the ball at the 23.

Cuts back across the green and finds his blockers.

He's down the sideline and only the punter to beat.

The 30. The 20. The 10.

Touchdown!

He'll take the lead in the state championship.

13 -7.

Oh, what a game we've got here, folks.

Now the coach is on the timeline.

For 10 years, I've had a perfect record in here.

Doctor, please try and appreciate how desperately I want to visit with my son.

I don't doubt that you do.

They're grown.

They're 16 and 19.

What could I possibly do to hurt them?

Nothing. Then why?

Why can't I see them?

Because you're in denial.

I'm not in denial.

You can't make any progress or receive any benefits from that progress until

first admit your problem.

You know, I don't have a problem, except for I've been in prison for ten years

for something that never happened. I will not okay a family visit while

in denial.

If you could admit

to even one small act of molestation, I'd see that as a positive step.

And then I could recommend for the visit.

If I say I molested my boys, you'll let me see them?

Yes.

There is no force, or pressure,

or bribe, or...

that would ever make me say I did that to my children.

I would rather die here alone than ever have them think I did such a thing.

Hey, Grandma.

No sleeping at the table.

Grandma.

Grandma!

Grandma.

Grandma.

God, please bring Marilyn the peace she so deserves.

Killed him.

The whole thing, it killed him.

Will you keep working to free my parents?

Till they turn off my light.

I'm sorry, Brian.

I know you were closer.

Yeah.

And I'm sorry I didn't make it to the funeral on time.

How's Grandpa taking it?

Tried to reach you last night.

It's just so hard without Grandma.

What?

Last night in his sleep.

I think he died of a broken heart.

Stress all these years.

I wish I could have protected you more.

Been a better brother, somehow.

We have to make this right.

We have to get Mom and Dad out.

Brian.

Do you understand?

If it didn't happen...

If none of it ever happened, then how can I live with what I've done?

Dear Scott, I have resigned myself to the fact that I'm going to spend the

of my life in prison.

The worst part is knowing I'll never see you or my precious boys again.

This is no longer a nightmare I expect to wake from, or a mistake I expect to

fixed.

I look to no one for help, not even God.

Our son's childhoods have already passed us by.

I hope that they have found happiness without us.

It is now the only thing I hope for.

Always your loving wife, Brenda.

Oh, you must be Mr. Dunn.

I'm Michael Snedeker. This is my wife and law partner, Lisa Shorts. Thanks.

ma 'am.

I took the liberty of driving up the files, along with my investigative

and such, so that you two could get a real idea about the case.

Well, I'm sorry you made such a long drive. As I told you on the phone, we're

very busy now with other cases.

Yep, long drive.

Can I get a cup of coffee?

So the younger one recanted, signed a declaration that he'd lied and is

to testify to that?

Yeah. That's Brian. Nice kid. He's been in 16 foster homes.

Oh, no.

And the older boy?

Well, I'm working on it, but there's more guilt there.

We need him because he was older.

The grandparents?

Good people.

Scott's parents gave it everything they had.

It killed them both.

Look, I know you helped get the Pitts family freed. This is the same thing.

I know why you came to us, but it doesn't change our work. Before you make

decision, listen to this.

I can't tell you where I got it or who gave it to me.

All of the original interview tapes have been misplaced.

And I promised my source that they'd remain anonymous.

The jury never got to hear the whole tape.

You should.

They walked into their home, and they took their children away.

There was the grace of God.

The inventory lists at least 26 ,000 pages of case documents. It'd take a

to read.

Lisa, we can barely meet our commitments now.

I want to go home. No, don't get scared.

Don't get scared on me, Brian.

We told you we wouldn't lie to you, Brian, and we won't.

I miss my mommy.

Well, of course you do.

Sounds like the Marine Corps has been real good for you.

It was the right thing at the right time.

Hey, you're over 18 now, Brandon.

Hell, you're a Marine.

You're, uh, free.

Just say whatever you want now.

Brandon, we need you.

I've been confused for a long time about what went on.

What I said.

What really happened.

Who told me what.

And now?

I'm so confused.

Now, when I think about it, I know only one thing for sure.

If those things had been done to me, I'd remember.

What I do remember is that one day,

they walked in and they stole my parents.

The two most powerful people in my world.

That terrified me beyond words.

What do we do?

We're going in on a writ of habeas corpus.

Which means we have to have new evidence.

Exactly. Things not handled in the original trial.

We intend to prove that you were unjustly incarcerated for crimes that

happened. Well, what do we have?

Well, first, we have all the new research data.

Unsuggested questioning, brainwashing.

Second, we have declaration.

From both your sons, recanting their prior testimony, they stated

they were never molested.

They know.

They know.

There's no denying it's going to take time getting this case together.

We need experts.

We need reports on doctor's testimony.

We coordinated with local counsel Stan Simran.

He knows all the players in Kern County.

He's a very fine attorney.

Mr. Snedeker, look,

I genuinely appreciate everything you're trying to do, but please understand,

we will never, ever get a fair hearing in Kern County.

It's a different time now, Scott.

All right.

Are you sure?

Yeah.

How beautiful you still are.

Liar.

Hey, stop. You're not supposed to do that. No, come on. What are you going to

do, arrest us?

They know.

They know none of it happened.

I can live with anything else.

Since May 16th, 1984, and for the past 12 years, Brenda Niffin and Scott Niffin

have been illegally confined in the custody and control of the California

Department of Corrections.

The accusations against the Niffins arose through one woman, Mary Ann

during an episode of a recurring psychosis while she was caretaking for

granddaughters, Jenny and Caroline McEwen. Your Honor, in order to find for

writ, the defense has to bring in new evidence that was not known or

during the very lengthy original trial.

Now, the trial addressed the Mary Ann Barber issue.

That is true, Mr. Snedeker.

No one now in the medical community believed the wink response is indicative

of... Again, Your Honor...

Experts disagreeing on this was presented in the original trial.

Your Honor, you have just heard a series of experts testify that Brandon and

Brian were subjected to what we now know, due to recent research, is

and suggestive questioning by officials who were already convinced that the

abuse had occurred.

It is this new research into the area of brainwashing and coercion that explains

how this happened.

The district attorney's office was unwilling to accept any answer other

what they sought.

They whipped up a witch hunt frenzy.

Look at him. He's wonderful.

Brandon, when you were nine years old, during your first taped interview, you

were asked 340 leading questions.

What happened during that questioning when you told them there was no abuse?

They'd get mad, and they'd ask me over and over, accuse me of lying or of

calling my brother a liar.

I was terrified.

Your Honor, in the reports of the interviews with these little boys, no

was ever made that they both initially denied that they were abused.

The interviewers described things and then badgered the boys until they

Brandon, how many times do you think someone from the district attorney's

talked to you between the time you were taken and the time of the trial?

Fifty.

Maybe more.

And if I didn't remember it just right,

they'd get really angry.

They would lock the door, trap me in there for hours.

Sitting there alone, I would have said anything to make it stop.

Do you remember what you thought was going to happen?

I thought if I answered the questions the way they wanted... I could go

home with my parents.

For that, I would have done anything.

I would have said anything.

Their right to due process was violated. Their right to present witnesses was

violated.

The prosecution failed to preserve evidence in the trial.

They failed to turn over exculpatory evidence.

Your Honor, these two boys, now men, do not want to live with the stigma of

child molestation.

That is understandable.

But there has been no new, unconsidered evidence presented.

Everything the defense has offered was considered in the original nine -month

trial where 12 citizens found these defendants guilty.

Look at our boy.

He's a man.

In the words of Justice Brandeis, the greatest dangers to liberty lurk

in the insidious encroachment by men of zeal.

Well -meaning, but without understanding.

Listen to the interview tape in its entirety.

Witnesses concur that there were many interview tapes of these two young boys.

Only this one, located by Denver Dunn, has survived.

Listen to it, Your Honor.

We wouldn't lie to you, Brian, and we won't.

I miss my mommy.

Two little boys were ripped from their loving home, isolated, frightened,

bounced from foster home to foster home, while being used to convict and

imprison their parents.

Two little boys, all the while believing that when this was over, they would be

reunited with their parents and go home.

Were these kids abused?

Yes, Your Honor.

They sure were.

Well, what do you know, Niffin? You were right.

You're going home.

Hold it, boy.

I can finally call someone, Dad.

I'm so sorry.

I'm so sorry.

No, no.

Brandon, you were just a little boy. It wasn't your fault. It was never your

fault. We always knew that.

Always.

I celebrated every single one of your birthdays, sweetie. Every one.

I missed you so much.

Finally.

Finally.

Congratulations. Thank you.

Oh, Mom.

Let's go home.