All language subtitles for S03E17 - Two Men Named Laredo

[ Cattle Mooing ]

[ Mooing ]

Howdy.
You the yard manager?That's right.

You have a shipment
of southern cattle here
for Shiloh Ranch?

Shiloh Ranch.
Oh, right here.Mmm.

Just sign right there.

You'll find 'em over
in the "C" section.

That's the first gate
right near the rail siding.

Thanks very much.
I'll be back as soon as I make
arrangements for the cars.

Hey, mister,
you're not talkin' about
cattle cars, now are ya?

Well, I wasn't plannin'
on shippin' 'em to Medicine Bow
in day coaches.

Well, it wouldn't
make any difference.
Wouldn't get there anyhow.

The trestle crossing over
Killer Canyon is washed out,

and there'll be
no rail traffic out of here
for the next two weeks.

Two weeks?Maybe longer.

Oh, I could drive 'em back
faster than that.

Well, why don't you?Well, for one thing, I only
brought two men with me.

That wouldn't be enough to
handle a herd of that size.
And for another--

There's no need of goin' through
the whole list, mister.

I don't see where
you have much choice.

One thing is certain.
You can't leave 'em here.
The feed bill would kill ya.

Guess you're right.

Well, you know this town.
Where would I look to find
some experienced trail drivers?

Well, if it was yesterday,
I'd say any saloon.

But most of the, uh, free hands
are already signed up
with another spread.

Oh, great.
I tell you what.

How about renting me
some of your office space
for a little while?

All right. Go ahead.
Make yourself at home.
Use my desk, huh?

Thanks very much.I'll take this here.

[ Cattle Mooing ]

Cattle drive.

Nice to have you with us.
We move out first thing
in the morning.

What do you think?Uh-uh.

He don't look like
the kind of man
I'd like to work for at all.

Besides, we were promised
a ride home by railroad.Right.

You can still have it...

if you want to wait around here
two weeks without pay.

He just convinced me.
Why the change in plans?

Oh, I just figured you boys
were getting a little soft.

I believe it.

Looks like one more hand oughta
do it for a herd that size.

Probably.

Well, I just hope you found
some good ones.

I've seen
these pickup crews before.

Most of 'em act like
they're doin' you a favor
just by riding along.

Well, Randy, uh, wanna see
what the rest of this town
looks like?

Good idea.Yeah.

Trampas?Huh?

You know, sun-up comes
awful early on a morning
when you start a cattle drive.

I was right.
He ain't the kind of man
I like to work for at all.

[ Mooing ]

Hyah!Ho!

[ Man ] Ho! Come on, there.
Let's move 'em.

Come on! Move! Move!

Easy down there.
Whoa!

[ Man Whistles ]

[ Shouting, Whistling ]

[ Mooing ] [ Man Whistles ]

[ Man Whistles ]
Ho!

[ Mooing ]

[ Whistles ]
Ho!

[ Thunderclap, Rumbling ]

How's it goin'?All right so far.

Sure is fixin' to bust loose
somewhere though.

Right here, if we're not lucky.

They're pretty spooky,
and that heat lightning
isn't helpin' any.

What do you think I volunteered
to ride drag for?

Them steers take a mind to
start running, I'd just as soon
be in back as anyplace else.

Very funny.
I'm sure the boys up front
will appreciate your humor.

I bet they will.

They are pretty jumpy though.

And Shiloh's only a day away.
Might be better to bed 'em down.

[ Thunder Rumbles ]

I think you're right.
I'll tell the boys.

[ Rattling ]

[ Horse Whinnies ]

- Stampede!
- Stampede!

The right flank, Trampas!
Hold 'em on the right!

[ Whinnies ]

Hey! Hey!

[ Coughs ]

[ Groans ]You all in one piece?

Yeah.
Thanks to you.

You know somethin'?

You just saved my life,
and I don't even know your name.

Eddie.
Eddie Laredo.

Well, I'm real glad
to know you, Eddie Laredo.
Real glad to know you.

I'll go see
if I can find your horse.

Thanks.

[ Mooing ]

What do you know
about him?

[ Sighs ]
Just what he told me
when he signed on for the drive.

He was headin' north.

How far north?I don't know.

Good hand?

Well, he knows enough
not to go takin' any stroll
in front of a stampede anyway.

Well, I-I mean, is he a--

Is he a good enough hand
to be a regular
at Shiloh?

Capable enough maybe.

But he's been here two weeks,
and I think I'm the only one
who knows his name.

Man's a loner, Trampas.

[ Cattle Mooing ]

Go ahead.
Ask him if you want to.

[ Sighs ]

Howdy.Hi.

Good book? Hamlet.
Shakespeare.

It's kinda deep for a cowpoke,
ain't it?

All depends
on the cowpoke.[ Chuckles ] Yeah.

Where you, uh, headin' after
we reach Medicine Bow?

No place special.

Uh, we could use
another hand at Shiloh.

A regular, I mean.You offering me a job?

[ Chuckles ]
Not me. Foreman is.

He says there's a spot
for a hand like you,
if, uh, if you want it.

What'll I tell him?

Well, uh, tell him yes.
And tell him thanks.

Oh, I don't
want to do that.
Might spoil him.

Besides, uh, he's gettin'
the best of the deal.

I hope so.

Please, God, I hope so.

Randy?Good morning, Judge.

Thought I saw you come in.
Anything wrong?

Oh, nothin' serious.
Broke a posthole digger
out on the line.

Virginian sent me
to get another one.

Cook thought we could use
some extra coffee.

Mm-hmm. Then you're expected
back at the fence line
right away, huh?

Yes, sir.

Well, I thought you
could do an errand for me,
but first things first.

I'm sorry, Judge.
But some of the other boys
are around.

Uh, Trampas and Eddie are
out cuttin' fence lengths.
I could send one of them in.

No, I'll find 'em myself.

He's workin' out
real well,
isn't he, Judge?

Who?Eddie.

- Did you think he wouldn't?
- No.

It's just-- Well, temporary
hands aren't usually the kind
that want to stay on.

- Eddie seems to be different.
- That makes the opinion
unanimous.

What do you mean?

Oh, Trampas, Betsy, you.
Uh, Eddie Laredo seems
to have made quite a hit.

Well, he didn't save my life
the way he did Trampas's.

I don't understand all those
fancy books that him and Betsy
are always talkin' about.

But when you're
on a job with him,
he pulls his weight.

And at the end of the day,
he doesn't get in
anybody's way.

I'd say a man like that
would be a welcome addition
to any crew goin'.

And I'd say you were right.

You sure you don't want me
to look them up
on my way back?

No, no.

You can build a fence
without a posthole digger,

but the first rule
about running
a successful ranch...

is always have a pot
of coffee over the fire.

You better get out there
as soon as possible.

Got it.

Wait.

Pull.

This thing's binding.

Morning.Morning, Judge.

Much more to go?Oh, about an hour.

Say, there's a letter
waiting for me in town.
Would you mind going in for it?

Would I mind? That's the same
as asking me if I'd like
to take the rest of the day off.

[ Chuckles ]

Uh, mind if I take
Eddie here with me?

That's all right,
so long as you finish up here.

By the way, Eddie, my daughter
tells me you asked to borrow
some books from my library.

You don't mind,
do you, sir?

Not at all.
Help yourself.

Come on. We'll get it done
in a half hour.

No, it'll take an hour.

Howdy!

Hop off, cowboy.

That's him, Bojo--
the fella with Trampas.

Yeah? What about him?You know?
The new hand at Shiloh.

More Shakespeare?No.

Mmm. "Collected Poems,
by Percy B. Shelley."

Wait'll the boys
at the ranch
get a look at that.

Well, I'm one up
on most of 'em.
I can read it.

[ Chuckles ]
That's right.

You want somethin', Bojo?

No, just lookin' at this
fine-lookin' animal here.

You know, Trampas,
it takes a lot of muscle
to run a horse like this.

Now, you think your
friend can handle him?

Oh, he can handle a horse
real fine.

And the man
standin' next to him,
if he has to.

Oh, you don't say.

[ Horse Whinnies ]

Go on, ride him, Shakespeare!
Stay with him, boy!
Stay in there!

[ Bojo Laughing ]

[ Shouting ]

Hold him!

Hold him, Eddie.
Ride him!

Yahoo!

Oh.[ Laughs ]

You all right?
Huh?

Yeah.I'll get your horse
for you.

Ho, son.
Ho. Ho, now. Ho, ho.

[ Laughs ]

Now, how could that happen
to an expert rider like him?

Honey, you should've
seen yourself.

Why, you took off that horse
like a buzzard with a tick.

More like a mud hen to me.

[ Laughing ]
I think you went
10 feet in the air.

Had these burrs
under your saddle.

I wonder how they got there.

Oh, well,
you're not sore, are you?
It's just a joke.

Come on in.
I'll buy you a drink.

We was just jokin'.
Trampas.

Eddie, you're not gonna
let it go at that?It was a joke.

Eddie, listen to me.
Stories like that get around.
You gotta live in this town.

It was a joke, Trampas.
Let it go.

Eddie, come on.
Let's take 'em right now.

Listen, let it go!

Hey, Eddie, you forgot
your book of poetry!

I'll give it to him.Uh-uh.

He wants it,
he'll have to come
and get it.

[ Chuckles ]

[ All Laughing ]

[ Voices Laughing ]

[ Laughing Continues ]

You need company?

Come on.
I'm taking you home.Not tonight.

I'm expecting company.

Mmm. What kind of books
have you been reading?

Molly.

Beat it, mister.
You've just
been replaced.

Yeah. Maybe you should try
a little Shakespeare.

I'll show you who's gonna
be replaced. Get up
to your room, Molly!

Beat it.
I said beat it!

Eddie, that's enough!

[ Groaning ]

[ Screams ]
Help, somebody!

Eddie.
Eddie, wake up.

What's the matter?Uh, Ryker
wants to see you.

Who?Emmett Ryker,
sheriff's deputy.

Is somethin' wrong?You better get dressed.

What's this all about,
Emmett?

I have a warrant
for the arrest of
Eddie Laredo, Judge.

What charge?

Maybe I better tell you
all at the same time.Mornin'.

Uh, you wanted to see me?What time you get in town
last night, Eddie?

Last night?
Well, I was in the bunkhouse
all night, not in town.

He was in his bunk
when I came in last night,

and he was still there
when I got up this mornin'.

That's a fact.
He doesn't wander
too far from the ranch.

That's a pretty swollen hand.
How'd it happen?

Well, I don't know.

I guess yesterday,
when I fell.

You know,
when the horse threw me.

You sure it didn't happen
when you beat up Bojo Sanders?

- When I what?
- Bojo? Eddie?

You know Molly Weems, Eddie?

Yeah. Met her yesterday.

Last night, too,
according to what
she told the sheriff.

She said you made advances
to her outside the saloon.

When Sanders tried to stop you,
there was a fight.

Are you tryin' to tell us that
Bojo Sanders is pressin' charges
for assault and battery?

County prosecutor's
pressing charges, Trampas.

Bojo died late last night.

You ready?

But it's a mistake.
It's gotta be a mistake.

Apparently
there's an eyewitness.

Well, that could be
a mistake too. [ Horses Galloping Off ]

Isn't there something
you can do, Judge?
Could you help?

Well,
I'm going into town anyway.
I'll talk to Brad Carter.

[ Sighs ]Company, Laredo.

Eddie, this is Brad Carter.
He's agreed to represent you
in court.

Nice to meet you, sir.
In court?

The county prosecutor's
decided to charge you
with murder.

But I didn't kill anybody.

Relax. From what
Judge Garth tells me,

it looks as though
this won't get past
the preliminary hearing.

Well, what's that?

The court hears
the prosecution's evidence...

and determines whether or not
it's strong enough
to warrant a trial.

And from everything I can see,
his case is weaker than
the drinks at a church picnic.

Him. He's the murderer.
Eddie Laredo.

Be absolutely certain now,
Miss Weems.

Your accusation may
cost this man his life.

Oh, I'm very certain.
He killed Bojo.

Your witness.

Miss Weems,
you testified that when
the defendant stopped you,

you were on your way home
from the saloon.

That's right.

Had you been doing
any drinking?

How many?

Three? Four?

[ Sighs ]
I don't count them.

But we can assume
that you had
a number of drinks.

Objection.

I submit, Your Honor,
that the witness's condition
on the night of the murder...

is very relevant
to her testimony.Overruled.

Now, Miss Weems, after you
had a number of intoxicating
drinks at the saloon--

I was not drunk.

you walked alone
to your hotel at what time?2:00 a.m.

You told the court earlier
that the defendant startled you
when he addressed you.

May I ask why?Well, I didn't
see him standing there.

Well, it was too dark.

It was too dark for you
to see him standing there.

Miss Weems, have you
ever been in trouble
with the law before?

Objection.

Your Honor, the purpose
of this hearing is to explore
the nature of the charges,

not the background
of the witness.

Your Honor,
it's a matter of record...

that this woman has been jailed
as an unsavory and
disreputable citizen...

in at least two cities.That has no bearing
on this case.

Now, just let him finish,
Walt, please.

She admits she'd been
drinking heavily that night.

She admits that the street
was too dark for her
to see the man clearly.

Now, in the name of justice,
Your Honor,

can we dare to prosecute
a decent, honest,
hardworking young man...

on the very questionable
testimony of this woman?

Well, if an eyewitness
isn't good enough--

This is a nice, quiet,
hardworking boy.

He doesn't accost women
in the street, and
he doesn't beat men to death.

Now, if you want me to spend
the whole day parading character
witnesses back and forth,

I can do that,
but the fact remains that
the prosecution's eyewitness...

turns out to be nothing more
than a drunken woman!

Oh, Your Honor--

Now, just
go sit down, boys.

It's the opinion of this court
that there is insufficient
evidence...

to bring this case
to trial.

I'm dismissing the charges. [ Gavel Raps ]

Court's adjourned.

Mr. Carter, Judge Garth,
I don't know how
to thank you.

If they were all
this easy, Eddie.
Judge.

You're still a murderer,
Eddie Laredo.
You fooled the whole town.

Just a bashful
little bookworm,
all wide-eyed and innocent.

Well, your play-acting
is not going to last forever.

And when you forget your lines,
you'll take your bows
from the end of a rope,

and I will be
leading the applause.

♪ For ages and ages
I worked for my wages ♪

♪ But tomorrow
I'll be broke again ♪♪

Ho-ho, you good-lookin'
devil, you.

Come on there, Eddie. We'll
show you how to sprinkle your
wages all over Medicine Bow.

No, thanks. I'd just as soon
let the money age
in the envelope.

Well, now, course
that's up to you.

It does seem kind of
wasteful, though,

when you could
invest it so wisely
in whiskey and women.

But if that's the way
you feel about it.

♪ For ages and ages
Come on, Trampas. Let's go.

How about it, Eddie?
You comin' with us?

This is one payday you got
a right to celebrate.

No, thanks.
Another time.

You're, uh--
You're not stayin' in
because of Molly Weems, are you?

[ Footsteps ]

Hey, Trampas, come on.
The wagon's ready to roll.All right.

Now look, if, uh,
you change your mind,
it won't be hard to find us.

You keep talkin'.
They're waitin' for you
out here.

You're badgering me
yourself.

Hey, Molly. You gonna
help me celebrate?

Oh, you better look out there,
old buddy. Strange things
begin to happen...

to Molly's eyesight when she--
[ Clears Throat ]
celebrates too much.

All right, Belden.
I've had about enough
of that talk for one day.

Well, I was just
makin' conversation.

And what are you
callin' me Belden for?
My name's Grant, Ulysses S.

I said, I've had about
enough of that kind of talk.

And this here's my friend,
Robert E.

All right, have your joke.
But don't expect me
to go along with it.

Now look what you done, Belden.
Now I gotta celebrate alone.

[ Thud ]

[ Knocking ]Who is it?

Josh.Who?

Josh, Molly.
Come on, open up.
[ Thud ]

Josh, my foot.
Get out of here.

Get out of here.

Get out of here, Laredo.

Molly, is that any way
to greet a friend?

What do you want?
Your book?

All right, take your poetry
and get out of here.

I don't read poetry, Molly.

I live it.

How do you expect me
to act poetic with that gun
aimed at me?

[ People Chattering ]

[ Laughing, Chattering ]

[ Hooves Clopping ]

[ Sighs ]

[ Sighs ]

[ Cattle Mooing ]

[ Bellowing ]

[ Bellowing In Distance ]

Mornin'.Mornin'.

Big night
last night?Big enough.

How about you?Oh, the usual thing.

Read a little,
took a walk, then to bed.Mmm.

That book must have
mighty long fingernails.Fingernails?

Oh, I know.
You, uh, got those scratches
shavin' too close this morning.

That razor of yours
needs a manicure.

What are you talkin' about?
I didn't even shave
this morning.

Here, take a look
at yourself.

I must've scratched
myself in my--
my sleep or somethin'.

Or somethin'.

All right, Romeo,
who is she?What?

Come on, Eddie, you don't have
to play games with me. I saw
you leavin' town last night.

Judge.

Trampas, you and your boys
kicked up a little dust in town
last night, didn't you?

Well, yes, sir.
But, uh, they're all
on the job this mornin'.

Were you with 'em,
Laredo?

No, I kept the dust down
in the bunkhouse all night.

Uh, somethin' wrong, Judge?

Molly Weems
was murdered last night.
Beaten to death in her room.

You boys
had better go on in.

Ryker wants to talk
to all of you.

Guess we better
get started.

Just a minute, Eddie.

Before the rest of the hands
show up, there's somethin'
I want to know.

- Why did you lie to the judge?
- Lie to him?

You were in town
last night, Eddie.
I saw you.

It couldn't have been me.
I told ya.

It was you, Eddie.
You were ridin' your horse...

and wearing some
fancy shirt and hat.

Trampas, I told you.
I read a book.
I went to bed.

- You don't think I had any--
- I don't know
what to think, Eddie.

I'm sure of one thing--
either my eyes are bad...

or you're a barefaced,
gold-plated liar.

Let's find out which.

There's nothin' wrong
with my eyes.

Pearl-buttoned shirt.

There's blood on it, Eddie.

Whose blood is it?
Yours or Molly's, huh?

Collected Poems
of Percy B. Shelley.

Molly picked this up
the other day...

when you dropped it
in the street.

When did you get it from her?
Last night?
Or isn't this your book?

I don't read poetry.It's your book, Eddie.

You're talkin'
to the wrong man.Don't give me that.

I know who I'm talkin' to.

I'm talkin' to Eddie Laredo.
I'm talkin' to the man that
killed Molly Weems.

Eddie Laredo
couldn't kill anybody.
He hasn't got the guts.

He lets a pig like Bojo
make a fool out of him and
girls like Molly laugh at him.

Yeah.

He makes men
trust him too.

He lets 'em go
out on a limb for him.

Men like Judge Garth, Carter.
Men like--

Come on, Eddie.
You're comin' with me.

[ Grunting, Gasping ]

[ Rifle Cocks ]Eddie.

[ Footsteps Approaching ]

Please, somebody help me.

Please.

Well, it's better.
Much better today.

Either you're the best nurse
I've ever had,

or Trampas has been
following instructions
or both.

Oh, don't give her
too much credit, Doc.

It was a long ways
from my heart.

About an inch.[ Chuckles ]

He hasn't been following
your orders, Doctor. He hasn't
stopped talking for three days.

That's a chronic complaint.
I wouldn't expect a little thing
like a bullet to cure that.

Now, just don't think
that you're stronger
than you really are.

[ Groans ]You're going to be in bed
for quite a while yet.

Just so I'm up
in time for the trial.

They're not going
to prosecute Eddie
for shooting you, Trampas.

He's being
charged with murder.

[ Sighs ]
Poor Molly.

You remember what she said
about his play-acting?
Well, she was right.

She had to get herself
killed to prove it.

I understand the boy claims
he doesn't know anything
about Molly's murder.

Then why'd he try to kill me?
I'll tell you why.

Because I saw him in town
the night of the murder.

I called his bluff
on the scratches,
the book, the bloody shirt.

Then he took a rif--See what I mean about
him talking, Doctor?

I'm afraid this time
it was my fault, Betsy.

Now, I want you
to take it easy.
Rest.

Do you understand that?
I'll look in again tonight.

I'll walk out with you, Doc.

Let me fix the pillow.
Oh. Okay. [ Door Opens, Closes ]

Well, it's still a little early,
but I think he's gonna
be all right.

Oh, the sheriff
asked me to give you
a message for him, Henry.

Eddie Laredo
has asked to see you.

[ Hooves Clopping ]

[ Sighs ]

Did you win or lose,
Walt?[ Chuckles ]

The verdict was guilty.
[ Sighs ]

Cattle rustling.
Ten years-- hard labor.

The defendant
was 19 years old.

There are times, Henry,
when I wish I'd gone
into business with my brother...

manufacturing
self-hardening putty.

Nineteen, huh?Mmm.

Not much younger
than Eddie Laredo.

Yeah. But that's about as far
as the comparison goes.

The young man
who was convicted of rustling
I can feel sorry for.

- He took a chance and lost.
- And Laredo?

What are you driving at, Henry?

Well, to be honest, Walt,
I'm not quite sure myself.

I can't seem to equate
the things I've heard
about him--

the things I must
assume to be true
if he killed Molly Weems--

with what I've seen
with my own eyes.

I-- What do you
think of him, Walt?

Oh, I think he's one
of the rare ones, Henry.

Doesn't place any value
on human life,
not even his own.

Doesn't even seem to mind that
Brad Carter won't defend him.

Says he was going
to plead guilty anyway.

Has he admitted his guilt?

No. Just doesn't care.

So Eddie Laredo hangs.

He got away with murder once,
Henry.

I'm not going
to let it happen again.

Without one word
raised in his defense.

Without counsel.

I don't intend to
deprive him of his rights.

And if you'd like to help
find him an attorney,
you're more than welcome.

Yeah.Henry.

I'm not a blood-thirsty man.

But as far as Eddie Laredo
is concerned,

I've never met anyone
who deserves hanging more.

I'd like to see him,
Emmett.

How's Trampas?Well, he'll be
out of commission for a while.

Doc Spaulding
says he's pretty lucky.Lucky?

Shot down by a man
he thought was his friend?

He'd be lucky if he stuck
to fighting with his enemies.

I'd appreciate it if you'd
tell him that for me.

Tell him all the boys in town
are pulling for him.

He's too unlucky a poker player
for us to want to lose him
permanently.

Mmm. Thank you.

Hello, Eddie.

You wanted to see me?

[ Door Closes ]

How's Trampas, Judge?

As well as
might be expected.

He-- He won't die,
will he?

Please don't let him die.

Who are you
worried about, Eddie--
Trampas or yourself?

I don't care
what happens to me.

That's not the way
Trampas tells it.

He told me
why you tried to kill him.
What's your explanation?

I don't know.

You shot him because
he saw you in town the night
Molly Weems was murdered.

No, sir!Because he found
the blood-stained shirt...

you were wearing
when you killed her.No, sir!

He was gonna show that shirt
to Emmett Ryker.

- Judge, I swear, no!
- What are you sayin'?
He's lying?

I don't know!
Can't you understand that?

I just don't know.

Judge Garth, I'm so confused.

You don't know what it's like.

[ Sighs ]
Do you deny
shooting Trampas?

I guess I can't deny that.

You must've had some reason.
What was it?

I don't remember.

I know it sounds funny,
but I can't help that.
It's true.

I swear to heaven, Judge.
I don't remember.

You remember...
after the shooting,

when I came into the bunkhouse
before they took you away?

You asked me
to try to help you.

Yes, sir.

I don't know
if I canhelp you.

I don't know if I want to.

But I do want to know
about the shooting,

so will you tell me
what you do remember?

Well, I remember--

I remember hearing a-a shot,

and it sounded like
it was a million miles away.

Then I saw Trampas...

and the rifle--

And the rifle was in my hands.

Now, I don't know
why I shot him.

I don't even remember
pullin' the trigger.

Why did you kill Molly?

I didn't kill Molly.

You didn't,
or you don't remember?

Thank you, Emmett.You won't forget to
tell Trampas hello for me?

No. Has Brad Carter
been in?

To see Laredo?
He came in
the day of the shooting.

Not since?Not unless he
got by me somehow.

Mm-hmm.

Brad.Well, Judge Garth.
How are you, sir?

Like to ask you something,
if you've got a minute.

I've always got a minute
for you, Judge, but I have
a client waiting at my office.

Got another one
waiting in jail.

Laredo?You talk to him?

I heard his whole story.

And it was all I could do
to keep from
laughing in his face.

[ Chuckles ]
He doesn't remember
shooting Trampas.

He doesn't remember
killing Molly Weems.

Now there's a great defense
for you, isn't it?

Not guilty on the grounds
of a bad memory.

You seem to be
prejudging your own client.

Well, first of all,
he's not my client anymore.

But even if he were,
I'm not sure I understand
what your interest in him is.

I don't blame you, Brad.
I--

It's obvious the boy's a killer,
but I don't know, I--
Something about him, I--

Well, there
I'll agree with you.

He's one of the most cleverly
diabolical murderers
I've ever met.

I'm sorry, Judge.
I'd like to be more
impersonal about it,

but my conscience
keeps getting in my way.

Well, every man,
guilty or innocent,
is entitled to his day in court.

Eddie Laredo
had his day in court.

The Bojo Sanders case.
I helped clear him
of those charges.

Made it possible for him to
walk out of this courthouse...

and commit two more acts
of violence.

That's a burden
I'm gonna have to live with
for a long time.

I don't intend to add to it.

Good day, Judge.

You should be in bed.

Eddie goes
on trial tomorrow,
doesn't he?

Yeah.

You don't believe him,
do you?

Well, I can easily understand
how you must feel.

I don't know
what to figure.

Cold as ice,
he pulls me out in front
of stampeding cattle.

Cold as ice,
he tries to kill me.

How am I supposed to feel?

Confused, I suppose, like me.

Did you know that
before they took him away,

after the shooting,

he cried?

He pleaded for help.

Doesn't sound like
the same Eddie that
stood over there and--

Well, that's just
what I mean.

How can you figure out
a man that acts like
two different people?

[ Knocking ]

Come in.

Glad you could make it,
Doctor.

No trouble at all, Henry. It's
always a pleasure to spend some
time with you after a hard day.

Well, I intend
to make you work
for your brandy tonight.

You will have brandy,
won't you?Well, if you'll join me.

Yeah.

Sit down.
Put your feet up.

Now, I've been put
in the proper frame of mind.

What medical advice is it
you're going to attempt
to wangle out of me...

without paying
for an office call?

[ Chuckles ]

Well, as a matter of fact,
I-I am going to try to
wangle something out of you--

your participation
in a small experiment.If I can help.

A short time ago,
I came up with a-- a rather
startling solution...

to a... confusing
set of circumstances.

I wonder if you'd arrive
at the same conclusion.

- Which is?
- I'd rather not say yet.

Do you know Eddie Laredo?

Only by reputation.

Which reputation?
He has two, you know.

That of a quiet boy--
shy, easygoing--

and that of a man
with a... violent temper,

a man who could kill
with his bare hands.

You saw the hole he put in
Trampas. That's hardly the work
of a shy, easygoing boy.

Exactly.

And that's
part of the problem.

Depending on who
you're talking to,

Eddie might be one of,
I don't know,
two different people.

Now, what might make
a quiet, easygoing boy
become a cold-blooded killer?

Perhaps he isn't
really the quiet type.

Maybe that's just a pose.

That thought occurred to me,
too, as it did to other people,
I suspect.

But-- I don't know.

There could be
another explanation.

Stevenson shows us in
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde...

that the forces of
both good and evil
are present in all of us.

[ Chuckles ]
I doubt whether Eddie Laredo
has any secret potion...

that would enable him
to separate the two.

Well, let's say he's
a mixture of good and evil.

A mixture, yes.
But not completely good one day
and completely bad the next.

Well, haven't even those
so-called good people been
guilty of committing crimes?

Well, yes, but they're usually
driven to it by circumstances...

or bad judgment...
or... emotional instability.

Emotional instability?

It's possible, then,
for a man to become
so emotionally unbalanced...

that he loses complete control
over his actions?

Well, certainly it's possible.

We call it insanity.

That's what I've
been waiting to hear.

Now, wait a minute, Henry.
Let's not jump to conclusions.

I haven't examined this boy,
but from what I hear,

I doubt whether
I could certify him insane.

"And on the aforementioned date,
the accused did willfully
and maliciously...

"and of his own accord
administer a violent beating
to one Molly Weems,

"from which beating
death was the direct result.

For these crimes herein
described, Edward Laredo
stands charged with murder."

Edward Laredo,
are you represented
by counsel?

[ Garth ]
May it please the court--

I'll represent the defendant.

Is that all right with you,
Mr. Laredo?

Yes, sir.
I appreciate it.

Well, you've heard
the charges against you.

To these charges,
Edward Laredo,
how do you plead?

Uh, Your Honor,
my client and I haven't had
much chance to confer.

I respectfully ask
for a short recess.

Your Honor--[ Gavel Raps ]

You can't mean it, Henry.

You're not really
going to plead
that killer innocent?

By reason of insanity.
Yes.

How can you even
think of claiming
such a thing?

One look at him tells you
he's as normal as you or I.

Walt, we admit
the possibility
he committed those murders.

But that he's normal?
Of that I'm not convinced.

Well, I think the jury
will agree with me.

Look, I don't say
he should be set free, but does
he deserve to be hanged?

I'll make a bargain with you.

If you'll recommend leniency--
life imprisonment--

and if the court approves,
I'll plead him guilty.

Murder is still
a hanging offense.

I'll not help set
a precedent that could give
a cold-blooded murderer...

the right to commit a crime
and escape punishment--

create a situation whereby
a murderer could come into court
claiming he can't remember.

No, sir.

Well, then you've got
a fight on your hands.

I've never run away
from a fight before.

Well, gentlemen,
let's get back
and try the case.

[ Crowd Chattering ]

Now, the attitude of the law
with regard to insanity...

is defined in a precept
known as the McNaughton Rule.

Now, simply stated, it is this:

If, at the time
he committed a criminal act,

a man was incapable
of distinguishing
between right and wrong,

he's to be regarded
as legally insane.

Now, gentlemen,
it's my fervent hope that
before this trial is over,

you will come to believe,
as I do, that at the time
he killed Molly Weems,

the defendant was not capable
of understanding...

the wrongfulness of his act.

Your Honor.

I feel that it's incumbent
upon this court to explain
to the jury...

that the McNaughton Rule
was never intended to imply that
insanity was a state of mind...

that can be turned off and on.

To the contrary.
A man is either sane
or insane.

And no man can be sane today,
insane tomorrow
and sane again the day after.

[ Gavel Rapping ] [ Spectators Chattering ]

Now, let's have order,
Mr. Prosecutor,

and allow the court
to decide what obligations
are incumbent upon it.

Now, you may call
your first witness.

Yes, sir. I've seen Eddie
wear this shirt before.

When?The night Molly
was killed.

You mentioned earlier
that you found this shirt among
the defendant's belongings.

Was there anything
unusual about it?

There were blood stains on it.

Your witness.

Trampas, is it true
that Eddie Laredo
once saved your life?

Yes, sir.You became close friends
after that.

Can you describe
his personality,
his general behavior?

Well, he was, uh--

uh, quiet, easygoing,
never one to kick up a fuss.

I see.
Quiet, easygoing.

Yet you testified he shot you
down in cold blood, didn't you?

Yes, sir.

Can you describe his behavior
just before the shooting?

Well, sir, that's kind of
hard to explain. Uh--

Well, he, uh, acted
different than usual.

This Eddie Laredo--

this quiet, soft-spoken,
easygoing fellow who didn't
want to kick up a fuss...

but who stands accused of
two deliberate murders...

was acting abnormally
when he committed
the one act of violence...

that can be proved
against him, wasn't he?

And you'd never seen him
act that way before.

- No, sir.
- Thank you.

I'd never called him
a murderer before either.

[ Chattering ]

[ Gavel Rapping ]

I examined the defendant
at great length last night,

and I found him to be lucid,
cogent and rational.

Would you consider him to be
mentally unbalanced
in any way, Doctor?

No, I wouldn't.Thank you.

Your witness.

Dr. Spaulding, when you
examined the defendant,

did he, uh, mention the crimes
for which he's charged?

Only that he didn't remember
having committed them.

Didn't remember.

Loss of memory.

Now, how might that
happen to a man?

Well, there might be
several reasons.

The most common might be
a blow to the head,
concussion,

skull fracture,
certain illnesses.

- And insanity?
- That's possible, yeah.

Now, Doctor, would you kindly
define insanity for us?

Well, in general,

it's a term which applies
to an individual who has
lost his ability to reason.

And does all insanity
take only one form?

No, I'd say there
would be many forms.

How many?

Well, I'm not qualified
to answer that, Henry.

Medical science is a long way
from solving all the mysteries
of the human mind.

Well, then you would say there
are some forms of insanity...

with which you are
not entirely familiar?

Yes, you might say that.
Yes.

Your Honor, it seems to me
the defense is once again...

trying to lead us down the path
toward on-again, off-again
insanity--

an illness
of his own invention.

[ Judge ]
Objection sustained.

Now, let's not have the witness
making conjectures.

Uh, Dr. Spaulding,
how does an insane
person behave?

- I beg your pardon?
- How does he behave?

We all know that all murderers
are not necessarily insane.

We also know that
all mental patients are
not necessarily homicidal.

But what else
do we know or not know?

I mean, are they all wild-eyed?
Do they rant and rave?

Of course not.
There is no set
pattern of behavior.

Now, Dr. Spaulding,
have you ever observed
a mental patient...

who, on occasion and
for short periods of time,
is lucid, cogent, rational?

Yes, I have.

Well, now, might not
the opposite be also true?

Could you say,
beyond the shadow of a doubt,

that it would be impossible
for a normally lucid person...

to be subject to
lapses of insanity?

No, sir.

Thank you, Doctor.
No further questions.

One moment, Doctor.

I have two questions only.

When Eddie Laredo told you
that he couldn't remember
the crime in question,

what was your reaction?

I didn't believe him.

Finally, once and for all,
as a medical expert,

do you consider the defendant,
Eddie Laredo, to be insane?

No, sir.
I do not.

[ Sighs ]
Daddy, aren't you
gonna go to bed?

I don't think I'd sleep.
[ Sighs ]

It's going badly, isn't it?

I thought
they'd understand.

Thought I'd be able
to persuade them.

Well, what would happen
if you did?

Oh, the jury would
recommend leniency,
life imprisonment.

But I haven't
convinced them, I--

And if I fail tomorrow, I--

Daddy, what convinced you?

Eddie's story.

And my own lopsided...
instincts.

The way he told his story.

If only the jury
could hear it
from his own lips.

But I can't put him
on the stand.

The prosecution
would tear him apart.

[ Sighs ]
Well, I'm not Eddie,

but if it were me,
I'd much rather face
the prosecutor than the hangman.

All right, Henry,
call your first witness
for the defense.

I call the defendant,
Edward Laredo.

[ Spectators Chattering ] [ Gavel Tapping ]

Then I saw Trampas
on the floor.

And the rifle...
was in my hands.

You don't remember
pulling the trigger?No, sir.

[ Chattering, Scoffing ]

You don't remember
fighting with Trampas?

No. He was the best friend
I ever had.
I wouldn't fight him.

And the previous night, the
night Molly Weems was killed,
how did you spend your time?

Went to bed early
in the bunkhouse.

Trampas claims
he saw you in town--
Molly Weems's place.

No, sir.

The scratches on your face
the next morning--
how did they get there?

I don't know.

[ Chattering, Laughing ]

[ Gavel Rapping ]

I swear.
I'm telling the truth.

Judge, I swear by everything
that's holy, I don't know.

Your witness.

Young man,
you really puzzle me.

Doc Spaulding says
you're a sane, reasonable man.

Even your attorney says
you're insane only sometimes.

[ People Chuckling ]

And yet, you seem to have
such terrible problems
with your memory.

May I ask why your memory
is so bad?

I don't know.

You don't know,
or you don't remember?

[ Laughing ] [ Gavel Raps ]

Order.
I must have order
in this court.

Oh, forgive me.

I shouldn't treat this lightly,
I know.

A bad memory can be
a serious affliction.

Have you always had trouble
remembering things?

No, sir.

On the job, for instance,
when you're given a chore to do,

do you forget what it is
as soon as you're told?

No.

What about your birthday?
Uh, can you remember that?

March 18.

Well, now, that wasn't
too difficult, was it?

Let's try again, shall we?

Can you remember
where you were born?

Central City, Colorado.

Excellent.

Now, this may be a bit
more difficult, Mr. Laredo.

Can you possibly recall
your mother's name?

Mary.

Good boy.

Can you describe her for us--
the color of her hair, her eyes?

Your Honor, this line of
questioning is pointless.

It's designed
to harass the witness.

To the contrary, Your Honor.
It's designed to help him.

The defendant remembers
some things, forgets others.

Perhaps,
if we start back far enough,
we might find the truth.

Proceed.

We were talking
about your mother.

Can you remember
the color of her eyes?

No, I can't.

Oh, dear.
Memory trouble again.

She died
when I was born!

I am sorry.

Well, let's see what else
you can remember.
Your father, for instance.

Can you recall his name?

Josh.
Josh Laredo.

Now, I realize this isn't easy
for you, Mr. Laredo.

I-I mean, a man who can't
remember things that happened
just a few days ago...

is bound to
have trouble with this.

But try, my boy.

Did you ever go to school?

Yeah, he was
a good-lookin' man.

And he wasn't afraid
of anything or anybody.

Not old Josh.

We were talking
about your schooling.

And he had friends.
Real friends.

Who? Who are you talking about?
Your father?

Men friends.
Women friends.

Oh. Then he must have
treated his women
very nicely.

Sure.

But he could've been
rough with them, too,
if he had to be.

Rough with them, hmm?

Then I assume you learned
about women from him?

Oh, I can be rough
with 'em too.
That's how they want it.

Is that how Molly Weems
wanted it?

I didn't know the lady
that well.

[ Spectators Chattering ] [ Gavel Taps ]

Perhaps you don't
remember the lady, hmm?

Well, let's put that
memory of yours to work again.

Since you seem to recall
your father fairly well,
tell us more about him.

Who?

Your father, of course.

Oh, my old man.
He was a nice enough guy.
Not too smart though.

Oh?He was shot in the back
by a jealous husband.

What about his clothes?

Whose?Your father's clothes.

Were they fancy?
Silk shirts with pearl buttons?

Maybe.Like this one?

Maybe.

Strange. You can remember
your father's clothes so easily,

but you have trouble
remembering your own.

- Who says so?
- All right, look at this shirt.

Can you remember wearing it?

Mister, this shirt
has blood on it.

I don't wear shirts
with blood on 'em.

How did the blood get there?

- Ask Eddie.
It's his shirt.
- I beg your pardon?

Mister, that's
Eddie Laredo's shirt.
Ask him, will ya?

I've been under the impression
that you are Eddie Laredo.

Did he tell you that?

You told us that
when you gave your name
to the bailiff!

Mister, you're a liar!

Young man, any more answers
like that, and I'll hold you
in contempt of this court.

You want to know
something, Judge?

I've got nothing
but contempt
for this court.

Any bunch of nitwits
who'd confuse me with
a no-account slob like Eddie!

[ Gavel Raps ]That's enough.

Deputy Ryker,
remove this man
from the courtroom.

Just a minute.
Did you kill Molly Weems?

What difference does it make?
This isn't my trial.
It's Eddie's!

What kind of game
is this, Henry?
What are you trying to--

Look at him, Walt.
Does he look like
he's playing a game?

You want someone to hang?

Well, Laredo's your man,
not me.

What else is he good for?
No one'll miss him.

No one will even
know he's gone.Come on, Laredo.

Get your hands off me!
You've got no right
to hold me!

Laredo killed her!
Her and that loud-mouthed
cowpoke too.

You know how I know?
Because I saw him.
I saw him kill her!

Now leave me alone!
Get off!

Hold it, Laredo!

[ Screams ]

I gotta--
I gotta see Trampas.

It's all right, Eddie.
It's all right.

I think I understand it now.

[ Sighs ] [ Knocking ]

Trampas, come on in.Uh, no, thanks, Betsy.

I just came up
to deliver a message.

Well, there's a fresh pot of
coffee on the dining room table.

No, thanks, Betsy.

And if that message
is what I think it is,

this coffee is only
going to get cold.

Well, uh--

And I happen to know
that you've already missed
your supper in the bunkhouse.

[ Chuckles ]
I'm convinced.

Much obliged, Betsy.

Going toget cold?

Now, I assume that
that, uh, message
you're about to deliver...

has something to do with Daddy
not coming back from town yet.

Well, the judge says
not to wait supper.

He's going to stay in town
and talk to Doc Spaulding
for a while.

Well, I didn't wait supper,
but thanks anyway.

Well, you know me.
I'd do anything for
a cup of cold coffee.

[ Chuckles ]

Um, Trampas, how's Eddie?

Lucky Emmett Ryker
was smart enough to aim
and hit him in the leg,

good enough to hit
what he was aimin' at.

Doc Spaulding says
he ought to be up
and around in a day or two.

And then what?

Back to the courtroom
and hear what the jury
has to say.

But there can't be any doubt,
can there, after what
happened today?

Well, I have to admit,
I didn't think so.

But the judge says
you can't ever be sure.

He's afraid some people
might think it was an act.

Eddie was just pretending.
Tryin' to fool 'em
all over again.

Oh, this-this waiting
is just awful.

When-When will we find out?

Same time Eddie does.

- Good night, Betsy.
- Good night.

[ Betsy Sighs ]

[ Door Opens ]

Has the jury reached a verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

Will the defendant
please rise?

[ Coughs ]

Announce your verdict, please.

We find the defendant
guilty,

but with a recommendation
for mercy.

[ Judge ]
So be it.

The defendant,
Edward Laredo,

will be transferred under guard
to the territorial penitentiary,

where he will be confined
as a prisoner...

from this day forward
until the end of his life.

Henry.

Congratulations.

We all
learned something today,
thanks to you.

Learned something?Mercy, compassion
and wisdom.

Yeah, we won the case,
but we lost Eddie.

Lost him?
Looks like we just got
around to finding him.

Let's hope
he finds himself.