Original subtitles

JULIE FOUND HER SISTER'S DIARY TODAY.

MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS... YOU SHOULD SEE THIS.

WE HAVE TO SUBMIT THIS TO THE OTHER SIDE... RECIPROCAL DISCOVERY.

WE ONLY HAVE TO SUBMIT IT IF WE USE IT AS EVIDENCE.

I DON'T WANNA LET THIS THING OUT TILL WE UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT'S GOIN' ON.

INFORMED SOURCES CONFIRM THAT A RECENT TELEPHONE SURVEY...

CONDUCTED BY AVEDON'S LEGAL TEAM SHOWS THAT 67...

[TV Continues, Indistinct] WE HAVE A LEAK IN THE FIRM, LOUIS.

IT WOULD SEEM SO. FIND IT AND CAP IT.

[Judge Bornstein] I'M REINSTATING BAIL IN THE AMOUNT OF $10 MILLION.

PREVIOUS TERMS CONTINUE IN EFFECT. THANKS.

LET ME TELL YOU A STORY.

[Hoffman Narrating] SO DAVIE'S AT THE MOTEL.

CARELLO MEETS HIM THERE WITH THE TAPE TO PROVE HIS INFORMATION'S GOOD.

THE TAPE SHOWS JAKE NICHOLS MAKING LOVE TO HIS WIFE, BEVERLY.

BUT FOR THAT TAPE TO BE WORTH A HUNDRED GRAND...

AND TWO PEOPLE'S LIVES...

THE OTHER GUY HAD TO HAVE BEEN RICHARD CROSS.

THE GOLDILOCKS MURDER CASE HAS SPRUNG ANOTHER LEAK.

HARD ON THE HEELS OF LAST WEEK'S NEWS...

THAT DEFENDANT NEIL AVEDON HAD FLUNKED A JURY SURVEY...

COMMISSIONED BY HIS ATTORNEY, TED HOFFMAN,

COMES ANOTHER JUICY RUMOR DU JOUR...

A MYSTERY WITNESS KNOWN ONLY TO THE LOS ANGELES DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

ACCORDING TO SOURCES, THIS WITNESS CAN PLACE THE TROUBLED FILM STAR...

INSIDE THE APARTMENT OF 15-YEAR-OLD MURDER VICTIM JESSICA COSTELLO...

HOURS LATER THAN HE'S ADMITTED TO POLICE.

THIS WITNESS, SAY SOURCES, IS THE REAL REASON...

THE D.A. WAS WILLING TO FILE AGAINST AVEDON...

SO SOON AFTER DROPPING CHARGES AGAINST PHILANTHROPIST RICHARD CROSS.

[TV Shuts Off]

THIS CASE HAS MORE LEAKS THAN THE NIXON WHITE HOUSE.

WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS, WHO HAS AN AGENDA IN THIS FIRM?

IT CAN'T BE THE ASSOCIATES. CHRIS DOCKNOVICH IS HERE EVERY NIGHT TILL 10:00.

HE BARELY HAS TIME TO TAKE A LEAK, MUCH LESS LEAK TO THE PRESS.

I'VE TALKED TO EVERYONE ELSE... LILA, SYDNEY, THE PARALEGALS. THEY ALL DENY ANY KNOWLEDGE.

DO THEY UNDERSTAND OUR ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE EXTENDS TO THEM?

IF THEY DIDN'T, THEY DO NOW. WHAT ABOUT OUR ATTORNEY SERVICE?

YOU COULDN'T STACK THE BIBLES HIGH ENOUGH TO COVER THEIR DENIAL.

WELL, SOMEONE IS TALKING TO CONNIE DAHLGREN.

SHE ISN'T GETTING THIS STUFF OUT OF THIN AIR.

I HOPE THAT IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING...

YOURS TRULY WOULD SOONER CUT OUT HIS TONGUE WITH A RUSTY BLADE...

THAN DIVULGE A COMPANY SECRET.

UNDERSTOOD, LOUIS, BUT STAY ON THIS.

THERE'S A LEAK IN THIS OFFICE, AND I WANT TO KNOW WHO IT IS.

IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF TIME. I HEARD A NEIL AVEDON JOKE ON THE ELEVATOR.

WHICH, OF COURSE, YOU'RE GONNA SHARE WITH US.

IT SEEMS NEIL'S NEW GIRLFRIEND AUDITIONED FOR A PART IN A MOVIE.

SHE WOULD'VE GOTTEN IT, BUT SHE CHOKED.

- [Chuckling] - MM.

I HAD A RATHER UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCE THIS MORNING, PEOPLE...

A REPORT ON DEADLINE AMERICA THAT THE D.A. HAS A WITNESS...

WHO CAN PLACE NEIL AT THE SCENE LATER THAN HE'S TOLD US.

- WHERE'D THEY GET THAT? - THAT'S WHAT I'D LIKE TO KNOW.

THERE HAVE BEEN TOO MANY LEAKS IN THIS CASE, SOME OF THEM COMING FROM THIS FIRM.

I'M GONNA ASSUME THAT NO ONE AT THIS TABLE...

IS DELIBERATELY LEAKING TO THE PRESS.

BUT WE ALL HAVE TO BE MORE CAREFUL WHEN DISCUSSING THIS CASE.

THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK. LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS.

ON TO CURRENT BUSINESS.

IF THIS SO-CALLED MYSTERY WITNESS IS REAL,

HE OR SHE HAD TO HAVE SURFACED BETWEEN THE TIME...

RICHARD CROSS WAS RELEASED AND NEIL WAS ARRESTED.

MEANING GRASSO KEPT IT FROM US AT THE PRELIM. APPARENTLY.

LET'S SLAP A MOTION TO COMPEL DISCOVERY ON HER,

FORCE HER TO DISCLOSE THE NAME OR DENY UNDER OATH SHE HAS SUCH A WITNESS.

LET ME TALK TO MIRIAM FIRST.

IF SHE PLAYS HARDBALL, THEN WE TAKE OFF THE GLOVES.

WE'RE AT WAR. FOR EVERY WITNESS ON THE PROSECUTION LIST,

I WANT TO KNOW WHO WAS THEIR BEST FRIEND IN FIFTH GRADE,

WHEN THEY LOST THEIR VIRGINITY AND TO WHOM.

I WANT TO KNOW EVERY CONCEIVABLE AGENDA THEIR WITNESSES COULD HAVE.

LISA, HOW'S THE CASE IN JUVENILE COURT COMING ALONG?

I'M TRYING TO COLLAR MATT BARKLEY, SEE IF I CAN GET THE CHARGES DROPPED.

THIS IS THE GANG KID? DARREN BUTLER, A.K.A. LITTLE CHILL.

SHOT AND KILLED A RIVAL GANG MEMBER AT A FUNERAL FOR HIS COUSIN.

WHAT'D HE DO, LOOK US UP IN THE YELLOW PAGES?

HIS BROTHER'S THE RAPPER SMOOTH G.

BASED ON HIS LAST C.D., HE CAN MORE THAN AFFORD THE RETAINER.

A MILLION COPIES IN THE FIRST SIX WEEKS ALONE.

I LISTEN TO RAP SOMETIMES.

- ARNOLD, YOU HAVE HIDDEN DEPTHS. - [People Chuckling]

- IF BARKLEY WON'T DEAL, DO WE HAVE A FALLBACK? - IT'S TOUGH.

FIFTY EYEWITNESSES, INCLUDING SIX CRASH COPS.

I'M TRYING TO LINE UP CHARACTER WITNESSES,

BUT THE KID'S OWN GRANDMOTHER DOESN'T WANNA TESTIFY.

SHE'S PRETTY SCARED. OF THE KID OR THE OTHER GANG?

OKAY, FOLKS, LET'S GET TO WORK.

HEY, YO. SO HOW ABOUT YOU SAY ME AND YOU DO A LITTLE SOMETHIN' SOMETHIN' AFTER THIS?

SHE AIN'T TRYIN' TO HEAR THAT. I DON'T THINK SO.

YO, SHE TRYIN' TO HEAR ME, AIN'T YOU?

LISA, YOUR 10:00 IS HERE.

MM-HMM. IF... LOOKIT HERE.

IF YOU'LL TAKE YOUR SEAT, MS. GILLESPIE WILL BE RIGHT WITH YOU.

YOU SEE? SHE PLAYIN' YOU, MAN. YO, SHE AIN'T PLAYIN' ME, KID.

NO, I CAN TELL... ALL RIGHT, GENTLEMEN.

YOU HEARD THE LADY. PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS.

[Scoffs] WHAT UP, KID?

THAT'S YOUR BOSS? [Snickering]

YOU, FEET OFF THE TABLE. AND...

EVEN IF YOU WERE OLD ENOUGH, THIS IS A SMOKE-FREE WORKPLACE.

NOW, MINERAL WATERS FOR EVERYONE?

YOU CAN SIT THEM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, LOUIS.

HI. I'M LISA GILLESPIE. WHICH ONE OF YOU IS MR. BUTLER?

MAN, WHO IS THIS?

I'M SMOOTH G. WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?

- I'M YOUR BROTHER'S ATTORNEY, MR. BUTLER. - [Laughing] WHAT?

YO, YOU TRIPPIN'. YO! WE CAME HERE TO SEE THE MAN,

NOT SOME WHACK-ASS GRAPE.

WORD, KID. MY MAN.

YO, YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT WE'RE TALKIN' ABOUT?

NO, AND I WON'T PRETEND TO.

BUT WHEN YOUR LITTLE BROTHER HERE WALKS INTO JUVENILE COURT,

HE'S GONNA NEED MORE THAN STREET SLANG TO WALK OUT AGAIN.

THE PETITIONER MAKES A PRIMA FACIE CASE,

WE CAN'T ARGUE ATTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES,

HE'S LOOKING AT A MINIMUM DISPOSITION THAT WILL HAVE HIS HEAD SPINNING.

YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT?

OKAY, HERE'S WHERE WE STAND.

I'LL BE TALKING TO DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY BARKLEY THIS AFTERNOON.

I WILL ARGUE SELF-DEFENSE, BUT I DON'T EXPECT HIM TO DISMISS.

COUNT ON GOING TO A JURISDICTIONAL HEARING...

IN JUDGE LEYLAND'S COURTROOM ON WEDNESDAY.

WHAT ARE LITTLE CHILL'S CHANCES?

JUDGE LEYLAND'S NOT EXACTLY A BLEEDING HEART LIBERAL.

BASICALLY, HE'S WHITE. [Scoffing]

DARREN, WE NEED TO ARRANGE A TIME TO GO OVER YOUR TESTIMONY.

LOOK, MY TEC-9 DID ALL THE TALKIN' I'M GONNA DO.

THE JUDGE IS THE SOLE FINDER OF FACT IN JUVENILE COURT, DARREN.

HE'S GONNA NEED TO UNDERSTAND YOUR STATE OF MIND AT THE TIME OF THE SHOOTING.

IF YOU'RE CONVICTED, YOU WILL BE CONFINED TO A JUVENILE FACILITY UNTIL YOUR 21st BIRTHDAY,

AND THEY CAN ADD ANOTHER FOUR YEARS TO THAT.

LOOK, IF IT'S EITHER THAT OR BE A PUNK,

- I'LL DO THE TIME. - NO! [Slams Table]

YOU... LISTEN TO YOUR LAWYER!

YOU THINK I'M PAYIN' ALL THIS MONEY...

SO YOU CAN END UP DOIN' 13 IN C.Y.A.?

- HE'LL TESTIFY. - MAYBE THAT WON'T BE NECESSARY.

LET ME TALK TO THE DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY FIRST.

[Exhales] ANYTHING ELSE?

- UNLESS YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. - NO. WE'RE COOL.

[Murmurs, Indistinct]

LET'S GO.

[Men Chattering]

UNDERSTAND THIS, MISS THING.

YOU COME CORRECT FOR MY LITTLE BROTHER,

OR IT'S ON YOU.

HOFFMAN OR NO HOFFMAN.

YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYIN'?

[Knocking] IT'S OPEN.

- TEDDY. WHAT A NICE SURPRISE. - [Door Closes]

THE SUBJECT IS SURPRISE, MIRIAM, AND THERE'S NOTHING NICE ABOUT IT.

WE SOUND KIND OF GRUMPY.

I DON'T LIKE FINDING OUT FROM DEADLINE AMERICA...

THAT YOU'RE HOLDING OUT A WITNESS ON US.

[Exhales] YOU CAN'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR ON THOSE SHOWS.

ARE YOU TELLING ME YOU DON'T HAVE A WITNESS...

WHO CLAIMS TO PLACE NEIL AVEDON AT THE SCENE?

WELL, I DIDN'T SAY THAT.

THEN DON'T PLAY GAMES.

WE ALL KNEW YOU HAD MORE WHEN YOU ARRESTED NEIL, AND THIS WITNESS WAS IT.

YOU WANNA TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND START OVER?

'CAUSE I DON'T LIKE WHERE THIS IS HEADING.

I THINK YOU OWE ME AN EXPLANATION.

WE ARRESTED NEIL OFF OF THE SEMEN IN JESSICA COSTELLO...

AND HIS INCONSISTENT STATEMENTS TO THE POLICE.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT. YOU NEVER WOULD'VE CHARGED HIM IF THAT'S ALL YOU HAD.

IF WE'RE GOING TO BE POINTING FINGERS,

WHAT ABOUT THIS PHANTOM DIARY OF JESSICA'S?

OR HADN'T YOU HEARD THEY VOTED FOR RECIPROCAL DISCOVERY IN THIS STATE?

COME ON, MIRIAM. UNTIL I DECIDE I'M GONNA USE IT AS EVIDENCE,

I'M UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO HAND IT OVER. YOU COME ON, TED.

IF YOU'RE NOT DEVELOPING EVIDENCE OFF OF THAT DIARY,

I'LL KISS YOUR ASS IN MACY'S WINDOW.

AND BEFORE YOU COME IN HERE ACCUSING ME OF UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR,

YOU'D BETTER GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT FIRST. MEANING?

MEANING THAT THE LEAK TO CONNIE DAHLGREN DID NOT COME FROM MY OFFICE.

- THEN WHERE DID IT COME FROM? - I WISH I KNEW MYSELF.

BOTTOM LINE, MIRIAM, WHO'S THE WITNESS?

THIRD NAME FROM THE BOTTOM.

"SUSAN DOMINICK"?

SHE'S A NIGHT NURSE AT ZEPHYR HOUSE.

SHE LOGGED A CALL FROM NEIL AT 1:45 A.M. THE NIGHT OF THE MURDER...

FROM JULIE COSTELLO'S PHONE.

THAT'S TWO HOURS AFTER HE SAID HE LEFT.

I'M TO BELIEVE THIS NURSE JUST CAME FORWARD OUT OF CONCERN FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD?

THE POLICE DUMPED THE RECORDS FROM JULIE'S PHONE.

THE CALL TO LESTER'S FACILITY PRACTICALLY LEAPT OFF THE PAGE.

AND AFTER A LITTLE ARM-TWISTING,

THIS NURSE GAVE UP NEIL.

I'M NOT GONNA GIVE YOU ANY MORE, TEDDY.

ALL THIS GRATITUDE, I'M STARTING TO GET A LITTLE GRUMPY MYSELF.

OH. AND THE NEXT TIME YOU COME BY...

JUST IN THE SPIRIT OF QUID PRO QUO...

YOU MIGHT LIKE TO BRING THAT DIARY.

I COULD USE A GOOD BOOK.

A DETECTIVE CAME BY TO SEE ME.

I CAN'T REMEMBER HIS NAME. POLSON.

YEAH. I THINK THAT'S IT. HE TOLD ME THE POLICE HAD A RECORD...

OF MR. AVEDON CALLING THE CLINIC THE NIGHT OF THAT GIRL'S MURDER.

HE MADE IT SEEM LIKE I'D JUST BE CONFIRMING WHAT HE ALREADY KNEW.

IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME HE MIGHT BE BLUFFING. AND THAT'S ALL YOU DID,

CONFIRM THAT THE CALL CAME FROM NEIL?

THAT'S ALL I KNEW. DR. LESTER TOOK THE CALL.

THANK YOU, MS. DOMINICK. YOU'VE BEEN VERY HELPFUL.

[Door Opens, Closes]

WHATEVER YOU'RE PAYING THAT GIRL, IT'S NOT ENOUGH.

- WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN? - YOU'RE USING HER TO UNDERMINE NEIL.

THAT'S RIDICULOUS.

IS IT?

SHE FUNCTIONS UNDER THE SAME UMBRELLA OF PRIVILEGE AS YOU DO.

SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO TALK TO POLSON, AND YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO LET HER.

I WAS OUT. I WASN'T IN THE OFFICE.

I RESENT YOUR SUGGESTING THAT I WOULD DO ANYTHING...

TO UNDERMINE THE WELL-BEING OF ONE OF MY PATIENTS.

IF YOU'RE SO ANXIOUS TO HELP,

WHY DIDN'T I HEAR ABOUT THE CALL FROM YOU A LONG TIME AGO?

MAYBE I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS IN NEIL'S BEST INTEREST TO TELL YOU.

DID THAT EVER OCCUR TO YOU, COUNSELOR?

WOULD YOUR DEFINITION OF NEIL'S BEST INTERESTS...

INCLUDE KEEPING HIM OUT OF THE GAS CHAMBER?

[Exhales]

[Sighs]

I WANT THIS UNDERSTOOD.

I'M TELLING YOU THIS IN STRICTEST CONFIDENCE...

AND ONLY BECAUSE I KNOW ANYTHING I SAY HERE...

FALLS UNDER NEIL'S ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE.

GET TO THE POINT.

NEIL CONFESSED TO KILLING JESSICA.

HE CALLED ME THAT NIGHT. IT WAS, I DON'T KNOW, ABOUT 1:45.

HE WAS FRANTIC, OUT OF HIS MIND ON SOMETHING.

DID HE TELL YOU HE WAS AT JULIE COSTELLO'S APARTMENT?

I COULDN'T MAKE ANY SENSE OUT OF WHAT HE WAS SAYING.

I TOLD HIM TO COME TO THE CLINIC.

HE SHOWED UP HERE ABOUT A HALF AN HOUR LATER...

SOBBING, CONFUSED.

HE TOLD ME HE'D JUST KILLED JULIE'S SISTER.

IF HE WAS OUT OF HIS MIND ON DRUGS, HOW DID HE GET HERE?

CAB, I GUESS. I'M NOT SURE.

I GAVE HIM A SEDATIVE, SENT HIM TO BED.

I'LL ROT IN JAIL BEFORE I'LL TESTIFY TO ANY OF THIS, MR. HOFFMAN.

BUT, MY LIPS TO GOD'S EARS, THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.

[Hoffman] WE'RE IN FULL DAMAGE CONTROL, PEOPLE.

EITHER LESTER'S TELLING THE TRUTH ABOUT NEIL'S CONFESSION,

OR HE'S RUNNING ANOTHER ERRAND FOR RICHARD CROSS.

YOU REALLY THINK NEIL CONFESSED? I'M NOT EVEN SURE HE MADE THE CALL.

BUT EITHER WAY, WE HAVE TO SHUT DOWN THIS NURSE'S TESTIMONY.

I SENSE A MOTION TO EXCLUDE.

ARGUABLY, HER STATEMENTS MAY FALL UNDER LESTER'S DOCTOR-PATIENT PRIVILEGE.

- WHEN DO YOU NEED IT? - I COULD HAVE USED IT BEFORE SHE TALKED TO POLSON.

- BUT I'LL TAKE IT NOW. - I'M ON IT.

RAY, ANY PROGRESS UP IN SONOMA?

I RAN DOWN A COUPLE HOOKERS WHO USED TO WORK FOR CARELLO.

THEY WEREN'T EXACTLY IN MOURNING.

IF THEY KNEW ANYTHING ABOUT THE TAPE OR DAVIE'S MURDER, THEY WEREN'T TALKING.

NO FAMILY?

A SISTER WHO HADN'T SEEN HIM IN MONTHS.

I ASKED IF HE HAD A SAFE-DEPOSIT BOX. SHE DIDN'T KNOW.

- THERE'S GOTTA BE A SECOND COPY OF THAT TAPE. - IF THERE IS, I'LL FIND IT.

LET IT GO FOR NOW.

GET ON GRASSO'S WITNESS LIST, STARTING WITH THIS NURSE. SHE'S THE WEAK LINK.

IF CROSS GOT TO HER, IT HAD TO BE PRETTY SOON AFTER THE MURDER.

[Ray] LESTER WOULDN'T LET YOU SEE HER ALONE BEFORE.

HE'LL HAVE HER TIED WITH A RIBBON BY NOW.

CHECK HER FINANCIAL RECORDS. SEE IF THERE'S BEEN ANY RECENT RISE IN HER FORTUNES...

A NEW CAR, CREDIT CARDS PAID OFF... YOU KNOW THE DRILL.

NEIL AVEDON.

[Door Opens]

[Door Closes] TEDDY, WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH THE SECRET WITNESS?

HOW BAD CAN SHE BURN ME?

IF SHE'S TELLING THE TRUTH, NOT GOOD.

OH, MAN.

MAYBE WE OUGHT TO THINK ABOUT A DEAL.

WHO PUT THAT IDEA IN YOUR HEAD?

RICHARD SAID GRASSO OFFERED A DEAL WEEKS AGO.

I TOLD YOU NOT TO TALK TO RICHARD CROSS.

WELL, HE'S MY FRIEND.

HE IS NOT YOUR FRIEND. TEDDY.

HE PUT UP A MILLION BUCKS SO I COULD STAY OUT OF JAIL. I CALL THAT PRETTY FRIENDLY.

I'LL MAKE THIS REAL SIMPLE, NEIL.

I AM YOUR ONLY FRIEND.

ANYTHING YOU SAY TO ANYONE ELSE CAN BE USED AGAINST YOU IN COURT.

FOR YOUR OWN SAKE, YOU TRUST ME AND ME ALONE.

UNTIL WE'RE PAST THIS, YOU CONSIDER EVERYONE ELSE AN ENEMY.

YOU SHOULD'VE TOLD ME ABOUT GRASSO'S DEAL. RICHARD SAID YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO THAT.

DO YOU WANT TO SPEND THE NEXT SIX YEARS IN PRISON?

THAT WAS THE DEAL.

GIVEN YOUR CONDITION AT THE TIME THE OFFER WAS MADE,

I DIDN'T THINK YOU WERE IN A POSITION TO CONSIDER IT.

MM, DOES THAT MEAN IT'S OFF THE TABLE?

- DO YOU WANT ME TO FIND OUT? - WELL, I DON'T KNOW.

THEN DON'T SECOND-GUESS MY JUDGMENT...

BECAUSE RICHARD CROSS IS PISSING IN YOUR EAR.

I'M SORRY, TEDDY. YOU'RE MY GUY.

[Exhales]

I'M NOT HAVIN' A GOOD DAY, NEIL.

I NEED THE TRUTH FROM YOU. YES OR NO...

THE NIGHT OF THE MURDER, DID YOU CALL GRAHAM LESTER...

FROM JULIE'S APARTMENT?

I DON'T REMEMBER.

DID YOU OR DID YOU NOT CONFESS TO HIM THAT YOU KILLED JESSICA?

TEDDY, I DON'T KNOW.

THEN THE ANSWER TO BOTH QUESTIONS IS NO.

AS FAR AS YOU KNOW, YOU DIDN'T CALL LESTER, YOU DIDN'T CONFESS.

THE ONLY PERSON IN THAT APARTMENT AFTER MIDNIGHT WAS RICHARD CROSS.

TEDDY, I COULD'VE BEEN THERE.

LOOK, I WANNA BE STRAIGHT ABOUT THIS.

SAVE SOME NAILS FOR THE D.A.

OKAY.

GO HOME, NEIL. LOCK THE DOOR.

DON'T TALK TO RICHARD CROSS. DON'T TALK TO THE PRESS.

IF YOU GET BORED, READ A BOOK.

WHATEVER YOU SAY.

[Man] OFFICER TORRES, IN YOUR CAPACITY AS A MEMBER OF THE ANTIGANG CRASH UNIT,

DID YOU ATTEND THE FUNERAL OF WILLIAM MOORE...

AT CYPRESS KNOLL MEMORIAL CEMETERY ON SEPTEMBER 23 OF THIS YEAR?

[Torres] I DID.

HAD YOU KNOWN THE DECEASED TO BE A MEMBER OF THE ONE-EIGHTS STREET GANG?

- YES. - WHAT WERE THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS DEATH?

HE WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN A DRIVE-BY THREE DAYS EARLIER.

- WHO ARE THE AVALON TREYS? - A RIVAL GANG.

THEIR TERRITORY ABUTS ALONG AVALON BOULEVARD.

WERE MEMBERS OF THE TREYS QUESTIONED IN THE SHOOTING OF MR. MOORE?

THEY WERE THE LOGICAL SUSPECTS,

BUT WE WERE UNABLE TO DEVELOP ANY EVIDENCE LINKING THEM TO THE CRIME.

SO ON THE AFTERNOON OF MR. MOORE'S FUNERAL, YOU HAD EVERY REASON TO EXPECT TROUBLE.

THAT'S WHY WE WERE THERE.

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHAT OCCURRED.

MOST OF THE ONE-EIGHTS WERE PRESENT, INCLUDING THE MINOR, MR. BUTLER.

THE MINISTER HAD JUST FINISHED HIS EULOGY...

WHEN A LATE-MODEL OLDSMOBILE 98 APPROACHED THE SITE.

- DID YOU RECOGNIZE THE OCCUPANTS? - THEY WERE MEMBERS OF THE TREYS.

KEVIN POWELL, WHO I'D DEALT WITH PREVIOUSLY, WAS IN THE REAR SEAT.

WHEN MR. POWELL PROCEEDED TO LOWER THE REAR-DOOR WINDOW,

THE MINOR, BUTLER, PULLED A SEMIAUTOMATIC PISTOL FROM HIS JACKET,

FIRED FOUR TIMES... KILLING MR. POWELL.

WERE ANY OF THE OCCUPANTS OF THIS CAR ARMED?

WE STOPPED THEM TWO BLOCKS FROM THE CEMETERY.

A SEARCH OF THE CAR FAILED TO TURN A WEAPON.

HAD MR. POWELL SAID ANYTHING, DONE ANYTHING...

TO PROVOKE SUCH AN ATTACK?

- HE NEVER GOT THE CHANCE. - THANK YOU, OFFICER.

YOUR WITNESS.

ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH A WALL AT THE CORNER OF 116th STREET AND AVALON BOULEVARD, OFFICER?

YES.

DOES THE WALL IN THIS PHOTOGRAPH ACCURATELY DEPICT...

THE WALL I'VE JUST DESCRIBED? IT APPEARS TO.

YOUR HONOR, WE ASK THAT THIS PHOTO BE MARKED...

AND ENTERED INTO EVIDENCE AS MINOR'S EXHIBIT "C."

SO ENTERED.

OFFICER, COULD YOU EXPLAIN TO THE COURT WHAT THE GRAFFITI ON THIS WALL MEANS?

THE GANGS WILL MARK A WALL LIKE THIS TO DESIGNATE TERRITORY.

ANOTHER GANG WILL COME ALONG AND MARK OVER THE FIRST GANG'S SIGNS AS A CHALLENGE.

IF YOU KNOW HOW TO READ THE SIGNS,

YOU CAN USUALLY PREDICT VIOLENCE BETWEEN THE RIVAL GANGS.

HAD YOU BEEN WATCHING THE WALL IN THIS PHOTOGRAPH?

WE KEPT OUR EYE ON IT.

MEMBERS OF THE TREYS HAD X-ED OUT THE NAMES OF ONE-EIGHTS.

THEY'D ALSO WRITTEN "187"... PENAL CODE FOR HOMICIDE... ALONGSIDE SEVERAL OF THE NAMES,

INDICATING THEIR INTENTION TO KILL THOSE MEMBERS.

PRIOR TO MR. MOORE'S DEATH, HAD "187" BEEN WRITTEN ON THE WALL BESIDE HIS NAME?

YES.

WAS DARREN BUTLER'S NAME ON THE WALL?

"LITTLE CHILL," HIS GANG NAME, WAS BELOW MR. MOORE'S.

ANYTHING WRITTEN BESIDE IT? "187."

SO WHEN KEVIN POWELL AND HIS FELLOW TREYS...

PULLED INTO CYPRESS KNOLL CEMETERY,

DARREN HAD A REASONABLE EXPECTATION THAT THEY WERE COMING FOR HIM, DIDN'T HE?

- OBJECTION. CALLS FOR SPECULATION. - OVERRULED.

I CAN'T READ HIS MIND. I JUST KNOW HE SHOT FOUR TIMES.

WHICH IS THE ONLY REASON HE'S STILL ALIVE TODAY, ISN'T IT, OFFICER?

OBJECTION. WITHDRAWN.

YOU SAID YOU FOUND NO WEAPONS IN THE CAR,

BUT ISN'T IT A FACT THAT YOU RECOVERED A NINE-MILLIMETER HANDGUN...

IN A DUMPSTER A HALF BLOCK FROM THE CEMETERY?

WIPED CLEAN. THE ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD IS KNOWN GANG TERRITORY.

ISN'T IT POSSIBLE OR EVEN LIKELY...

THAT A CARLOAD OF GANG MEMBERS FLEEING A SHOOTING...

WOULD WANT TO DISPOSE OF AN UNREGISTERED WEAPON?

IT'S POSSIBLE.

THANK YOU. NOTHING FURTHER.

LEAKS HAVE ONLY ONE PURPOSE, CONNIE...

TO BIAS AND INFLAME.

THERE'S A POOL OF POTENTIAL JURORS OUT THERE,

12 OF WHOM WILL DECIDE MY CLIENT'S FATE.

I WANT THEM WALKING INTO THAT COURTROOM WITH AN OPEN MIND.

WITH ALL THIS PUBLICITY, CAN NEIL AVEDON GET A FAIR TRIAL?

THESE LEAKS ARE AN ATTEMPT TO POISON THE ATMOSPHERE OF JUSTICE.

THE QUESTION IS WHETHER JURORS CAN BE OPEN-MINDED. COULD YOU?

RUMOR IS YOU HAD MIRIAM GRASSO ON THE CARPET OVER THIS.

I RESPECT MIRIAM, BUT I TOLD HER THE SAME THING I'M TELLING YOU.

LET'S TRY THIS CASE IN A COURT OF LAW,

NOT BEFORE THE TELEVISION CAMERAS.

ONE LAST QUESTION.

HOW BADLY DOES THIS MYSTERY WITNESS HURT NEIL'S CHANCES FOR ACQUITTAL?

CONNIE, WE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THIS SO-CALLED MYSTERY WITNESS HAS TO SAY...

OR WHAT MOTIVATED THIS PERSON TO COME FORWARD.

THE TESTIMONY MAY NOT EVEN BE RELEVANT...

TO THE QUESTION OF WHETHER MY CLIENT IS INNOCENT OR GUILTY.

THAT'S GREAT. THAT'LL DO IT. [Man] ALL RIGHT. CUT.

THE IMPLACABLE FACADE OF TED HOFFMAN.

NEXT TIME, I'LL BRING A CHISEL.

YOU TELL ME SOMETHING.

WHO TOLD YOU THE RESULTS OF OUR JURY SURVEY?

YOU KNOW I CAN'T ANSWER THAT.

IF I'VE GOT A TRAITOR WORKING FOR ME, I'D LIKE TO KNOW.

AND, SPEAKING HYPOTHETICALLY, JUST WHAT DO I GET IN RETURN?

I'D SAY THE PLEASURE OF KNOWING YOU DID THE RIGHT THING.

BUT I KNOW BETTER.

SORRY, TED. I'M AFRAID I'M JUST A GIRL WHO CAN SAY NO.

TED. HOW GOES IT, CHRIS?

JUST FILED THE SUSAN DOMINICK MOTION.

I JUST FINISHED UP WITH CONNIE DAHLGREN.

DO YOU KNOW WHERE LILA KEEPS THE ASPIRIN?

NO, BUT I'VE GOT A RUMOR I BET EVEN DEADLINE AMERICA DOESN'T HAVE.

IT'S ALL OVER THE COURTHOUSE. YEAH? DO I WANNA HEAR IT?

GRASSO'S QUIT THE CASE.

HMM.

[People Chattering] [Elevator Bell Dings]

♪♪ [Humming] MM!

WHOA, WHOA, WHOA, WHOA! WHAT? WHAT?

- EXCUSE ME. - WHERE YOU GOIN'? COME BACK HERE.

[Man] WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?

HEY, GOOD MORNING. HOW'S EVERYBODY DOING?

OKAY.

DARREN, I KNOW YOU DON'T WANT TO TESTIFY, BUT I NEED YOU UP THERE TODAY.

WHAT ARE YOU TALKIN' ABOUT? THE WAY YOU DISSED THAT COP,

NO WAY THEY'LL CONVICT ME.

I APPRECIATE THE VOTE OF CONFIDENCE, BUT I'M NOT SO SURE THE JUDGE BOUGHT IT.

WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO? GET UP THERE AND BEG HIM?

HE CAN KISS MY BLACK ASS BEFORE I DO THAT.

WHAT'D I TELL YOU?

- ALL RIGHT, THEN. - OKAY.

DARREN, WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SAW YOUR FATHER?

I AIN'T NEVER SEEN HIM.

- YOUR MOTHER? - OVERDOSED TWO YEARS AGO.

I LIVE WITH MY GRANDMOTHER.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SAW SOMEONE KILLED?

LAST MONTH. MY COUSIN WILLIE.

WILLIAM MOORE, WHOSE FUNERAL YOU WERE ATTENDING ON SEPTEMBER 23?

YEAH.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE HOW WILLIE DIED?

BUNCH OF US WAS CHILLIN' ON THE CORNER.

A COUPLE TREYS ROLLED UP, POPPED HIM.

[Laughs] HOW CLOSE WERE YOU STANDING?

FAR AS I AM FROM YOU.

IS YOUR COUSIN THE ONLY PERSON YOU'VE SEEN KILLED?

MAN, YOU BUGGIN' ME?

I SEEN PLENTY OF PEOPLE KILLED.

MY COUSIN MAURICE, MY BROTHER DANNY.

K-DOG, SLEEPY.

LOOK, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY. MAYBE 12.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN SHOT AT YOURSELF?

FIRST TIME, I WAS SIX.

BULLET CAME THROUGH THE WALL WHILE I WAS SLEEPIN'.

WAS THAT FRIGHTENING?

I'D SLEEP IN THE BATHTUB.

DARREN, WHY DID YOU BRING A GUN TO YOUR COUSIN WILLIE'S FUNERAL?

FIGURED THERE MIGHT BE SOME BANGIN'.

LIKE OFFICER TORRES, DID YOU ASSUME THERE MIGHT BE SOME TROUBLE...

IF THE AVALON TREYS SHOWED UP?

SOON AS I SAW THAT WINDOW ROLL DOWN,

I KNEW EITHER ME OR ONE OF MY HOMEYS WAS GONNA GET IT.

HOW DID YOU KNOW THE TREYS WEREN'T JUST ARRIVING TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS?

MAN, THEY CAME TO BUST A CAP.

NO OTHER REASON FOR THEM TO BE THERE.

- THAT'S RIGHT, KID. - MAN, YOU WANT ME? PUNK-ASS!

- [Commotion, Shouting] - YOU'RE DEAD, LITTLE CHILL.

- [Judge Leyland] BAILIFF! CLEAR THE GALLERY. - COME ON WITH IT!

YOU'RE SMOKED! YOU TOO, PUNK! [Gang Members Chattering]

[Officer] TAKE 'EM OUTSIDE. TAKE 'EM OUTSIDE.

IN LOS ANGELES, THE GOLDILOCKS MURDER CASE...

CONTINUES TO BE BESET BY LEAKS AND RUMORS.

WITH ME TO DISCUSS THE LATEST IS LEGAL EXPERT DANA BENSON.

THE COURTHOUSE BUZZ IS THAT DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY MIRIAM GRASSO...

HAS PULLED OUT OF THE CASE IN A DISPUTE WITH D.A. ROGER GARFIELD.

SOURCES AREN'T SAYING HOW THIS DISPUTE BEGAN,

BUT IT'S YET ANOTHER BLOCKBUSTER...

THAT'S SURE TO ROCK THIS ALREADY SENSATIONAL CASE.

IF GRASSO WITHDRAWS, WILL THAT HURT OR HELP DEFENDANT NEIL AVEDON?

MIRIAM GRASSO IS A TOP-NOTCH PROSECUTOR.

THE D.A.'s OFFICE HAS OTHERS, YES,

BUT, IF THIS RUMOR PROVES TRUE,

I THINK THE DEFENSE WILL BE SLEEPING A LOT BETTER IN THE NIGHTS TO COME.

[Switches Off TV]

HOW ABOUT IT, TED? GETTING ANY MORE SLEEP THESE DAYS?

I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN WATCHING A PRODUCTION OF WAITING FOR GODOT.

IT'S FASCINATING, BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

IT MEANS THAT THE LEAK ABOUT LESTER'S NURSE CAME FROM GARFIELD.

I CORNERED HIM IN HIS OFFICE,

TOLD HIM I DIDN'T APPRECIATE HIM GOING AROUND ME TO THE PRESS.

AND THEN AFTER A BRIEF STAB AT A DENIAL,

HE ADMITTED IT.

AND ONE THING LED TO ANOTHER, AND I QUIT.

- YOU THINK THAT'S WISE? - I'M NOT GETTING RICH IN THIS JOB, TEDDY.

ALL I HAVE IS MY REPUTATION.

I THINK YOUR CLIENT'S GUILTY AS HELL,

BUT I DON'T LIKE TO FEEL LIKE SOMEBODY'S PUPPET,

ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S ROGER GARFIELD'S HAND THAT'S UP MY DRESS.

EXCUSE MY LANGUAGE, YOUNG MAN.

WHO'S REPLACING YOU?

- IT'S UP TO ROGER. - WELL, SPEAKING PERSONALLY, MIRIAM, I'M GONNA MISS YOU.

WITH ALL DUE MODESTY, YOU'VE GOT A BETTER CHANCE OF GETTING NEIL OFF WITHOUT ME.

MAYBE, BUT THIS CASE IS TURNING INTO A CIRCUS.

AND IF GARFIELD HAS HIS WAY, IT'S GONNA GET WORSE.

THIS CASE NEEDS YOUR HONESTY, MIRIAM.

BLOW ANY MORE SMOKE UP MY BUSTLE, AND YOU'RE GONNA SET THE SPRINKLERS OFF.

IT'S NOT FLATTERY. IT'S THE TRUTH. STAY ON THE CASE.

FUNNY, YOU DIDN'T SEEM QUITE THIS CHARITABLE LAST NIGHT ON DEADLINE AMERICA.

NEW DECK, NEW DEAL.

WE'LL START OVER. I DON'T KNOW, TED.

BUT I'LL TAKE IT UNDER ADVISEMENT.

TEDDY?

DID I MISS SOMETHING IN THERE?

GETTING GRASSO OFF THE CASE IS THE BEST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN TO US.

HOW MUCH MONEY YOU GOT IN YOUR POCKET?

WELL, MAYBE 30 BUCKS.

I'LL PUT UP MY NEXT WEEK'S DRAW AGAINST YOUR $30...

THAT, BEFORE THE WEEK IS OUT, MIRIAM GRASSO WILL BE BACK ON THE CASE,

AND ROGER GARFIELD WILL BE LICKING HER BOOT.

SHE JUST QUIT. SHE'S PAPER-TRAINING THAT IDIOT.

IF YOU THINK MIRIAM IS GONNA WALK OFF THE BIGGEST CASE IN HER LIFE,

YOU GOT ANOTHER THINK COMIN'.

WE CANNOT ALLOW THE LAW OF THE STREETS...

TO BECOME THE LAWS OF THIS LAND, YOUR HONOR.

NOW, DARREN BUTLER COMMITTED A BRUTAL ACT OF REVENGE.

HE MAY LEARN NOTHING IF INCARCERATED UNTIL HIS 25th BIRTHDAY,

BUT HE WILL SURELY LEARN NOTHING IF ALLOWED TO GO FREE.

WE ASK THIS COURT TO SUSTAIN THE PETITION.

YOUR HONOR, I GREW UP IN A NEIGHBORHOOD...

WHERE THE ONLY VIOLENCE YOU WERE LIKELY TO SEE...

WAS THE OCCASIONAL SCHOOL-YARD BLOODY NOSE,

WHERE "IF I DIE BEFORE I WAKE" WAS AN INNOCENT BEDTIME PRAYER.

DARREN BUTLER GREW UP IN A NEIGHBORHOOD...

WHERE HE HAD TO SLEEP IN AN IRON BATHTUB TO AVOID BEING KILLED.

HE DIDN'T START THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE IN WHICH HE FOUND HIMSELF.

HE WAS TRYING TO SURVIVE. YOU SAW AN EXAMPLE OF THAT IN THIS COURTROOM.

A GESTURE THAT MOST OF US WOULD NOT EVEN HAVE NOTICED...

WAS A SYMBOL OF THE DEADLY RULES OF ENGAGEMENT BY WHICH GANG MEMBERS LIVE.

TO DARREN, THE "187" SCRAWLED NEXT TO HIS NAME MEANT HE WAS NEXT.

SO WHEN KEVIN POWELL ROLLED DOWN THAT CAR WINDOW,

DARREN BELIEVED HE WAS ABOUT TO BE KILLED,

AND HE REACTED IN THE ONLY WAY HE KNEW HOW... IN SELF-DEFENSE.

REMEMBER, THE LAST TIME HE SAW SOMEONE ROLL DOWN A CAR WINDOW,

HIS COUSIN WILLIE WAS SHOT DEAD.

COULD HE REALLY AFFORD TO SEE WHAT KEVIN POWELL'S INTENTIONS WERE?

YOUR HONOR, THESE ARE CHILDREN OF WAR.

AND NO PURPOSE CAN BE SERVED BY PUNISHMENT.

I ASK THAT YOU FIND MY CLIENT NOT GUILTY.

[Knocking] [Door Opens]

RICHARD CROSS. HE DOESN'T HAVE AN APPOINTMENT.

SHOW HIM IN.

RICHARD.

I'M NOT HAPPY, TEDDY.

HOW CAN I HELP? I CALLED NEIL TODAY.

HE TOLD ME YOU INSTRUCTED HIM NOT TO TAKE MY CALLS.

THAT'S TRUE. HMM.

I'M RACKING MY BRAINS HERE.

DID I DO SOMETHING TO OFFEND YOU?

BECAUSE ALL I'VE TRIED TO DO THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE PROCESS...

IS TO BE THE BEST FRIEND TO NEIL THAT I POSSIBLY CAN.

I APPRECIATE THAT, RICHARD, BUT YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND...

NEIL'S IN A FRAGILE STATE OF MIND.

AND NEIL'S GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

BUT WHAT YOU CONSIDER A HELPFUL SUGGESTION SENDS THIS KID INTO ORBIT.

I MENTIONED THAT GRASSO OFFERED A PLEA.

I THOUGHT HE ALREADY KNEW.

ALL THE SAME, HE CAME IN HERE BOUNCING OFF THE WALLS.

[Scoffs] AND YOU THINK THAT'S MY FAULT.

LOOK, TEDDY,

I HAVE TOLERATED A CERTAIN LEVEL OF INNUENDO HERE...

BECAUSE I REALIZE THAT YOU HAVE A JOB TO DO.

BUT YOU CROSS A LINE WHEN YOU TELL HIM...

THAT HE CAN'T EVEN TALK TO ME.

I MEAN, I THINK I DESERVE BETTER THAN THAT.

DON'T YOU?

IT WAS CERTAINLY NOT MY INTENTION TO OFFEND YOU, RICHARD.

WELL. BUT RIGHT NOW, I NEED NEIL THINKING STRAIGHT,

WHICH MEANS LISTENING TO HIS LAWYER, NOT HIS FRIENDS,

HOWEVER WELL-INTENTIONED THEY MAY BE.

AS USUAL, YOU'RE RIGHT.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME.

THIS IS ABOUT THAT POOR KID WHO'S FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE.

I'M GLAD YOU SEE IT THAT WAY.

WHEN THIS WHOLE THING IS OVER, WE SHOULD GET TOGETHER... YOU, ME AND ANNIE.

GET ON THE JET, GO TO MY PLACE IN BRECKENRIDGE,

PUT THIS WHOLE CASE BEHIND US.

THAT SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN.

STILL FRIENDS?

ALWAYS, RICHARD.

- [Camera Shutters Clicking] - THANK YOU FOR COMING TODAY, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

I HAVE A BRIEF STATEMENT TO MAKE REGARDING PEOPLE V. AVEDON.

"IN ANY CASE INVOLVING SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC INTEREST,

"THERE ARE BOUND TO BE UNSUBSTANTIATED LEAKS AND RUMORS.

"WHILE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SHUT DOWN ALL OF THESE LEAKS,

"IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT AT LEAST ONE OF THEM...

HAS EMANATED FROM THIS OFFICE." [Hoffman] SHOCKING.

GAMBLING IN CASABLANCA.

I WANT TO GIVE THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE ASSURANCE TO THE PRESS AND TO THE PUBLIC AT LARGE...

THAT EVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO SEE THAT THIS DOES NOT OCCUR AGAIN.

TO THE EXTENT THAT THIS EPISODE HAS EMBARRASSED MIRIAM GRASSO,

SHE HAS MY SINCEREST APOLOGY.

AH, HE'S NOT JUST DOWN ON ONE KNEE.

HE'S IN FULL GROVEL.

[Garfield On TV] THIS CASE IS HERS TO WIN.

YEAH. IN OTHER WORDS, GUESS WHOSE ASS IT IS IF NEIL WALKS.

I'LL LET MIRIAM SAY A FEW WORDS, AND THEN WE'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.

[Grasso On TV] THANK YOU, ROGER. LET ME JUST SAY...

THAT I'M HAPPY TO BE BACK ON BOARD,

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO TRYING THIS CASE WHERE IT ALWAYS BELONGED...

IN A COURT OF LAW.

- [Reporters Shouting, Indistinct] - WAY TO GO, MIRIAM.

- WHAT'S THAT FOR? - DON'T ASK.

WE'RE BACK IN BUSINESS.

- GOT A MINUTE? - WHAT'S UP, LOUIS?

I THINK I FOUND OUR LEAKER.

I'M EMBARRASSED TO ADMIT IT, BUT I DID A LITTLE AMATEUR SLEUTHING,

AND YOU'LL NEVER GUESS WHO I SAW COMING OUT OF CONNIE DAHLGREN'S APARTMENT...

AT 7:00 THIS MORNING, WITH WET HAIR, NO LESS.

[Hoffman] COME IN. SIT DOWN.

BEFORE I START, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO TELL ME?

[Stammers] I'M-I'M NOT SURE I FOLLOW.

I THINK YOU DO. YOU'VE BEEN TALKING TO CONNIE DAHLGREN...

- OH, GOD. - VIOLATING THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF THIS FIRM.

MR. HOFFMAN, I... BE QUIET AND LISTEN.

AN ATTORNEY'S FUNDAMENTAL DUTY IS TO HIS CLIENT.

TO VIOLATE THAT PRIVILEGE IS TO VIOLATE A TRUST.

NOT ONLY HAVE YOU EXPOSED THIS FIRM TO POSSIBLE CIVIL LIABILITY,

YOU'VE JEOPARDIZED YOUR OWN CAREER BEFORE IT'S EVEN BEGUN.

[Whimpers] MR. HOFFMAN, I SWEAR, I...

I NEVER MEANT FOR THIS TO HAPPEN.

I WAS WALKING TO MY CAR, AND SHE WAS... THERE,

- ALL DECKED-OUT AND SMELLING LIKE... - I DON'T REQUIRE THE DETAILS.

SHE ASKED ME IF I WANTED TO HAVE A DRINK.

WELL, I DON'T DRINK, BUT I-I THOUGHT, WELL, OKAY.

TWO PASSION BOWLS LATER, I WAS IN HER APARTMENT.

SHE WAS UNDOING MY TIE...

NEXT THING I KNOW, I'M NOT WEARING PANTS.

MR. HOFFMAN, I... I DIDN'T HAVE A DATE...

UNTIL I WAS A FRESHMAN IN COLLEGE,

AND HERE WAS THIS... THIS INCREDIBLE WOMAN.

I MEAN, HER BREASTS...

YOU WERE SEDUCED. EXACTLY.

SYDNEY, THE REAL MEASURE OF A MAN IS WHAT HE DOES WHEN NO ONE ELSE IS LOOKING,

WHEN HE'S GUIDED ONLY BY HIS OWN SENSE OF RIGHT AND WRONG.

BY THAT MEASURE, YOU FAILED.

I UNDERSTAND.

I'LL CLEAR OUT MY DESK. THERE'S NO NEED TO DO THAT.

FINISH YOUR INTERNSHIP.

TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO GROW,

TO BECOME THE KIND OF LAWYER I CAN BE PROUD OF,

THAT YOUR PARENTS CAN BE PROUD OF.

IF YOU DO THAT,

THIS MATTER WILL REMAIN BETWEEN THE TWO OF US.

THANK YOU, SIR.

UM, I'LL NEVER FORGET THIS.

FOR YOUR SAKE, I HOPE NOT.

OH, AND, SYDNEY. YES, SIR.

NEXT TIME SOMEBODY OFFERS YOU A PASSION BOWL,

STICK TO SHIRLEY TEMPLES.

[Breath Quavers]

[Judge Leyland] I SEE TOO MANY OF THESE CASES.

A YOUNG MAN SHOT AND KILLED AND ANOTHER ACCUSED OF HIS MURDER.

USUALLY, I MUST DECIDE WHETHER THE DEFENDANT MINOR COMMITTED THE CRIME,

BUT, IN THIS CASE, I MUST CONSIDER WHY.

BY THE STANDARDS OF HIS YOUNG LIFE,

HE COULD NOT AFFORD TO SEE WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN...

ONCE THAT CAR WINDOW WAS ROLLED ALL THE WAY DOWN.

I CONDEMN THE WORLD THAT MADE HIM THINK LIKE THAT,

BUT I CANNOT FULLY CONDEMN HIM.

I FIND DARREN BUTLER... ACTED IN SELF-DEFENSE.

THEREFORE, IT IS MY ORDER...

THAT HE BE RELEASED TO THE CUSTODY OF HIS OLDER BROTHER.

I ORDER THAT HE PERFORM 300 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE...

AT A FACILITY FOR THE ELDERLY...

AND THAT HE REPORT TO A PROBATION OFFICER OF THE JUVENILE COURT...

EACH WEEK UNTIL HIS 18th BIRTHDAY.

YOUNG MAN, I'M GIVING YOU A SECOND CHANCE.

TAKE IT.

[Gavel Raps]

YOU KNOW THEY LAY WAITIN' FOR YOU, RIGHT?

I'M ON IT. YEAH. YOU KNOW I'M HARD, AND I AIN'T EVEN WORRIED.

IS HE GONNA BE ALL RIGHT? HEY, HE'S BACK IN THE HOOD.

[Smooth G.] I'M GLAD YOU'RE FREE. HEY.

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON? GOIN' OVER PRIOR TESTIMONY...

FROM MIRIAM GRASSO'S EXPERT WITNESSES.

IT'S A PRETTY IMPRESSIVE CREW. NO DOUBT.

WHY DON'T YOU KNOCK OFF, GO HOME, GET SOME REST.

ANOTHER COUPLE OF HOURS, SOON AS I GET THROUGH THIS.

DAVE BLALOCK LIVED FOR HIS WORK.

IN THE END, HOW MANY PEOPLE CARED?

DON'T MAKE THE MISTAKE HE DID.

GET A GIRLFRIEND. [Chuckles]

GET A LIFE OUTSIDE THIS OFFICE.

MM, THAT'S GOOD ADVICE, TEDDY.

THANKS.

NIGHT, CHRIS.

GOOD NIGHT.

IN OTHER NEWS, THE YOUNGER BROTHER OF RAP STAR SMOOTH G...

WAS ACQUITTED OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER CHARGES...

IN THE DEATH OF A SOUTH CENTRAL TEENAGER.

I WANNA FEEL GOOD ABOUT THIS. I REALLY DO. [TV Continues, Indistinct]

BUT I KEEP THINKING, PUTTING THIS KID BACK ON THE STREETS...

IS LIKE GETTING SOMEONE OFF A SPEEDING TICKET IN BOSNIA.

MAYBE THE D.D.A. WAS RIGHT. HIS CHANCES OF SEEING HIS 13th BIRTHDAY...

ARE PROBABLY BETTER IN PRISON THAN THEY ARE IN HIS OWN NEIGHBORHOOD.

BUT A WIN IS A WIN, RIGHT? HELP ME OUT HERE.

[TV Shuts Off]

SEEMS TO ME YOU GOT TWO CHOICES. MM-HMM?

YOU CAN EITHER TAKE COMFORT IN THE FACT THAT YOU DID A GREAT JOB,

OR YOU CAN AGONIZE OVER THIS AND DRIVE US BOTH CRAZY.

DO I DRIVE YOU CRAZY?

OUT OF MY MIND.

HOFFMAN SAYS I SHOULD GET MYSELF A GIRLFRIEND.

[Laughing] OH.

WHO'S THE LUCKY BABE?

COME HERE.

[Annie] SO, MIRIAM GRASSO'S BACK ON THE CASE.

AND WE FOUND OUR LEAK. WHO?

SYDNEY SCHNEIDER.

SYDNEY SCHNEIDER? YOU'RE KIDDING.

WHY WOULD HE DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

HE WAS SEDUCED BY CONNIE DAHLGREN.

ACTUALLY SEXUALLY SEDUCED?

LITTLE SYDNEY? I-I REMEMBER WHEN HE WAS IN DIAPERS.

HE COULD'VE USED ONE.

HE JUST ABOUT WET HIS PANTS RELATING THE SAGA.

REMEMBER THE EXPRESSION ON LIZZIE'S FACE...

THE FIRST TIME WE TOOK HER TO DISNEYLAND?

THAT "I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING,

BUT DON'T PINCH ME IN CASE IT'S A DREAM" LOOK?

THAT'S THE ONE. YOU SHOULD'VE SEEN THIS KID'S PUSS.

WHAT DOES SOMEONE LIKE SYDNEY SCHNEIDER...

SEE IN A HARPY LIKE CONNIE DAHLGREN?

I THINK BREASTS HAD SOMETHIN' TO DO WITH IT.

ARE YOU GONNA TELL HIS PARENTS? NAH.

[Clock Chiming]

WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?

HUSBAND-WIFE PRIVILEGE? GOES WITHOUT SAYING.

GRAHAM LESTER SAYS NEIL CONFESSED TO HIM.

IF IT'S TRUE, YOU WERE RIGHT ABOUT HIM ALL ALONG.

WHAT DOES NEIL SAY?

HE WAS SO COKED AND LIQUORED-UP THAT NIGHT, HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT HE REMEMBERS.

WHAT DO YOU DO NOW?

EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING.

TEDDY, HOW WILL YOU BE ABLE TO LOOK YOUR DAUGHTER IN THE EYE...

IF NEIL AVEDON KILLED A 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL AND YOU GET HIM OFF?

THAT'S THE WRONG QUESTION, ANN.

THE RIGHT QUESTION IS, HOW CAN I LOOK HER IN THE EYE...

IF I DON'T GIVE NEIL THE SAME PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE THE CONSTITUTION DOES?

[Footsteps]

DADDY? OH, HONEY, I'M SORRY. I FORGOT.

I PROMISED YOU'D SAY GOOD NIGHT WHEN YOU GOT HOME.

COME ON, HONEY. LET'S GO UPSTAIRS.