Original subtitles

NARRATOR: THe new case,

We were in Sandy's office before he got killed .

I left around 2. Rickey stayed until, what?

-Four, maybe? LEE: I came back to see. . .

-. . . how things went. Fortas was dead . -Rickey, do you own a gun?

We recovered the murder weapon, and it's registered to you.

NARRATOR: Sharon Rooney, the accused,

I let myseIf fall in love with Tom . I got myseIf pregnant.

I've just made such a mess of my life.

Whatever mess you've made, we both know you didn't kill anyone.

Now I' m in this with you. And I' m in this to win.

NARRATOR: THe victim 's boyfriend,

Can't you handle my case without putting me in the middle of another jackpot?

What jackpot would that be?

I got my leg broke over Marlee Donovan.

NARRATOR: THe governor's wife,

You've thoroughly examined me on the stand .

My testimony has helped your case.

Am I missing something basic here? A wife or a girlfriend?

WYLER: None of the above.

Then you'lI have to tell me where the conflict is, Mr. Wyler.

NARRATOR: Rivals,

You screwed me, buddy boy. I wanted you to know how it feels.

I become governor, you won't have to put up with me.

You get elected, I'll kiss your ass in Macy's window .

NARRATOR: Dirty politics,

You set Laura Crimmins up.

If the news media was to get ahold of a videotape showing Garfield's. . .

. . . principal backer committing extortion. . .

. . .on Roger's behalf a week before election. . . .

-You' re playing a dangerous game. WYLER: I want Laura Crimmins cleared .

Otherwise, I' m taking you down.

GRASSO: Your Honor, I mourn Mr. White's untimely passing . . .

. . .as much as anybody.

But sentiment aside. . .

. . . I can't cross-examine a dead man.

His direct examination can still be admitted as prior sworn testimony.

GRASSO: You know as well as I do. . .

. . .that prior sworn testimony almost always includes cross-examination.

The key word being "almost" .

Larry White's testimony is vital to my client's defense.

Sharon Rooney shouldn't suffer for a tragedy that was beyond her control .

Neither should the people.

Except the people aren't facing the death penalty. Sharon is.

I am not unsympathetic.

But in the absence of the ability of Ms. Grasso to cross-examine Mr. White. . .

. . . I have no choice but to strike his testimony. . .

. . .and instruct the jury to disregard .

Approach?

Your Honor, I urge you to reconsider.

I've ruled, counsel .

The people further move that you quash Mr. Wyler's subpoena of Roger Garfield .

-On what basis? -Violation of work product privilege.

As DA, Roger's involved in the preparation of this case.

He was also running for office against one of the victims.

That gives him motive to want him dead .

This isn't about motive.

This is about you wanting to embarrass a former employer. . .

. . . by linking him to a murder that he had nothing to do with.

I' m glad you' re sure about that. I' m not.

lt would seem, Mr. Wyler, that what you want here is a license to go fishing .

If you grant the people this motion, Your Honor, I intend to file. . .

. . .a writ with the Court of Appeal .

Are you threatening me?

No.

But with all due respect, this isn't about you.

CRIMMINS: How on earth did you do it, Jimmy?

How did I do what?

The bank just called .

They've dropped their investigation and they've reinstated me with back pay.

I, uh. . . .

I had a conversation with Malcolm Dietrich.

But I'll spare you the details.

Well, I hope it goes without saying, I' m very grateful .

So when do you go back?

I' m on my way in right now .

And first order of business will be submitting my resignation.

Everything you said about Dietrich is true.

Still, it wasn't your fight.

I' m sorry that it spilled over onto you.

Be careful .

I'll be okay.

The greatest basketball player of all time is Magic Johnson.

Three MVPs, five titles.

-I have to go with Jordan. -My old man swears by Elgin Baylor.

Says he practically invented hang time.

Baylor was great. But Jordan's on another level .

ls this what I' m in for with the Latrell case? Jock talk from you wannabes?

Excuse me. Discussion of sports. . .

. . .is an important male ritual .

-Like seeing who can spit the furthest? -Yeah.

Besides, everybody knows the greatest basketball player of all time is Larry Bird .

'87 Eastern Finals. Steals the inbound pass, falls on his back. .

. . . hits Dennis Johnson for the lay-up to win the game.

-Morning, everyone. ALL: Good morning .

Jimmy. How is the judge going to rule on quashing Garfield's subpoena?

Well, in our favor, I hope.

But with this guy on the bench, it's hard to say.

Brief on exceptions to Hickman in case you have to appeal .

-Good work, Arnold . CHRIS: Assuming we win. . .

. . .get to beat up Garfield, we still calling Sharon?

She's the only one who can explain why she was on the PCH that night.

The jury needs to hear it.

Given her outburst, I worry what else they'll hear.

Dr. Boros put her on antidepressants. I think she can handle it now .

-When's her next prep session? WYLER: There isn't one.

Excuse me?

I've been through her testimony with her.

I don't want it to sound like we fed her some story.

I want the jury to see her real emotions.

What if she loses it and breaks down on the stand?

Then Miriam is left with a poor, young, defenseless girl to beat up.

She looks like a bully.

CHRIS: Still, it's a big risk.

Agreed, but if we want any shot at getting her off. . .

-. . .Sharon's got to tell her story. -Speaking of stories.

Any luck confirming the one about Caroline Van Allan's sister?

Her psychiatrist is coming up from La Jolla tomorrow .

I hope to get something out of her.

lnasmuch as tomorrow is Election Day. . .

. . .there will be no morning session so that everyone can get out and vote.

Now, regarding the people's motion. . .

. . .to quash the subpoena for District Attorney Garfield .

I have considered the defense's contention that this testimony. . .

. . .could be relevant to their case.

I am skeptical .

But in the interest of fully carrying out the intent of the Sixth Amendment. . .

. . . I' m going to deny the motion. . .

. . .and allow Mr. Wyler to call this witness.

My name is Roger Garfield . I' m the district attorney for Los Angeles.

And you' re also running for governor against Dan Stewart?

-Yes. WYLER: And before that. . .

. . .you were running against Tom Van Allan, one of the victims in this case?

-That's correct. -Now, politics. . .

. . .can be a pretty dirty game, can't it?

lt can be rough-and-tumble, but it needn't be dirty. Not if the candidates. . .

. . .stick to the issues and face the voters squarely.

WYLER: In your experience, do opposing campaigns. . .

. . . use spies to gain political advantage?

There are those campaigns that do.

-Mine isn't one of them . -Larry White wasn't your mole. . .

-. . .in Van Allan's campaign? -No, Mr. Wyler. He was not.

But you were aware that Mr. Van Allan. . .

. . .was conducting extramarital affairs, weren't you?

I heard rumors of that, yes.

Did you approve of the behavior?

On the contrary, I found it repugnant.

Emblematic of the decline in moral values which has occurred . . .

under the Van Allan-Stewart administration.

Then let me ask you, sir:

How did it make you feel when you saw Mr. Van Allan. . .

. . .a man engaged in these morally repugnant acts. . .

. . .lead you in the polls by 1 2 points?

I place my faith in the people, not in the polls.

Your Honor, request that the witness stop campaigning . . .

. . .and answer the question.

-Mr. Garfield? -Sorry, Your Honor.

I'll try to be more succinct.

WYLER: Let me be more succinct, Mr. Garfield .

Tom Van Allan was kicking your butt, wasn't he?

I was behind in some polls.

-You were desperate, weren't you? ROGER: No.

I had every confidence that once we got our message out there. . .

. . .we'd get the votes we needed .

Do you know Terry Philbrick?

Yes. He was Tom Van Allan's mole in my campaign.

And how do you know that?

I' m not really sure. Perhaps one of my staff informed me.

ls it because you had my office bugged and heard Mr. Philbrick tell me?

Your Honor, could Mr. Wyler be admonished on his continued attempts. . .

. . .to try to introduce evidence through questions?

-Rephrase, Mr. Wyler. -I withdraw the question.

May I approach the witness?

Mr. Garfield, I' m going to show you Defense Exhibit S. . .

. . .which is a memo from Terry Philbrick.

Would you read the highlighted passage, please?

"At this point, Garfield became agitated and said :

'The only way to prevent Van Allan's election is to have him killed . ' "

-Did you say that? -If I did, I' m sure it was gallows humor.

Let's be clear. Did you, or did you not say it?

The more likely explanation is that Mr. Philbrick had a vivid imagination.

Had . Past tense. Because Mr. Philbrick is dead too. lsn't he?

After overdosing on cocaine, as I understand it.

Tom Van Allan, Larry White, Terry Philbrick.

ls there some reason that all these people show up dead around you?

Perhaps you should ask an actuary.

Nothing further.

I found Mr. Wyler's attempts to link me to this case. . .

. . .were as pathetic as they were insulting .

The voters now know their next governor has nothing to hide.

Mr. Wyler? Are you disappointed you didn't deliver a knockout punch?

WYLER: I wasn't trying to knock out anyone.

My job is to establish reasonable doubt about the guilt of Sharon Rooney.

REPORTER: Do you feel you did that? -Ask the jury.

Who are you voting for governor?

Hey, I've got an update for you on Marlee Donovan's ex.

Donny McKee?

Justine's been prepping him for trial .

Make that "was. "

After Larry White went out the back door on us, I put a tail on McKee.

Caught him at LAX trying to board the redeye for Miami .

-Where is he now? -The library.

Thought you'd want to talk with him before he went on vacation.

What's going on, Mr. McKee?

That goon of yours. Where's he get off manhandling me?

He was under the impression we had a deal you were trying to back out of.

Well, yeah, he's right. I've changed my mind about testifying .

I went to bat for you with the DA.

And to express my gratitude, I'll send you a crate of oranges. . .

. . .and a Hurricanes cap when I get to Miami .

I wouldn't be in such a hurry to hobble out of here, Mr. McKee.

I stilI have to meet the DA to finalize the deal .

I forget to show . . .

. . .and they'll issue a warrant for your arrest on the original charges.

You' re threatening me now?

I' m just telling you that if you don't testify as we agreed . . .

. . .you' re looking at 1 5 years for possession for sale.

Plus, I subpoena you and suggest to the jury that you had good reasons. . .

. . .to whack Marlee yourself.

You' re a real bastard .

You can count on it.

-Mr. Wyler? -Oh, Dr. Hearn.

-Thanks a lot for coming . -Sorry I' m late, I always. . .

-. . .get lost downtown. -Oh, that's fine. Sit down.

As I told you on the phone. . .

. . . I' m not terribly eager to get dragged into the Rooney case.

That's not my intention.

My other concern is protecting Samantha's privacy.

Well, as I understand it, the psychiatrist-patient privilege. . .

. . .was pierced by the malpractice suit.

lt was.

I would still prefer not to testify.

I don't think that's going to be necessary.

I just need some information to work with.

ls there anything that you can tell me about Caroline Van Allan's sister?

Well, in many ways, she was the mirror image of your client.

Pretty, fragile, prone to depression.

And when did you start treating her?

Her last year of college. Right after her first suicide attempt.

And when did you learn about the affair with Tom Van Allan?

Samantha told me during one of our sessions.

I advised her against continuing it.

Suggested it was her way of expressing rage towards Caroline.

And how did Van Allan break off the affair?

One of his aides handled it.

Which hurt Samantha more than the breakup.

That he'd choose to end it in such an impersonal way.

Few days later she drowned off St. Vincent.

The family pretended it was an accidental death.

But it was a suicide.

The note she sent me before she died made that pretty clear.

Did Caroline know about her husband's affair with her sister Samantha?

I really couldn't say.

When my lawyers advised me to release my case notes. . .

. . .they went to Mrs. Benedict's lawyer, Louis Blaustein.

Shortly after that, the family dropped the suit.

I suppose it's possible Caroline's mother never shared this information.

Or, that if she did, Caroline is in a state of denial about it.

Call Frank, tell him to find out everything about this lawsuit.

And the subpoena on Caroline Van Allan?

Serve it. We can release her if we come up empty.

Assuming we do call her, you want me to handle her on the stand?

-You' re losing faith in me already? -No.

It's just given your romantic involvement with her--

That's a mistake I've backed away from .

But thanks for your concern.

I hope you remembered to vote today, Mr. Wyler.

8:00 this morning, Mr. Dietrich. I pulled the lever for Dan Stewart.

That's all right. I seriously doubt Roger was counting on your support.

Actually I' m glad we ran into each other.

There's something I've been meaning to give you.

The videotape of our conversation the other night?

In exchange for getting the charges dropped against Laura Crimmins.

-That was our deal . -Huh.

A rare breed in this modern world . A man of his word .

Sir, would it be fair to say that you have accumulated a vast fortune. . .

. . .through your various business enterprises?

Hard work has its dividends, yes.

And in order to protect this fortune, you. . .

. . .support some politicaI candidates and oppose others, correct?

It's called democracy, sir.

It's common knowledge that you are a Roger Garfield supporter.

How much money do you think you put into his campaign?

I'd have to check, but I'd say in the order of several million dollars.

WYLER: Even more with soft money through your companies. . .

. . .and your political action committee?

-All legal . WYLER: Then I' m curious.

Do you like Roger Garfield that much?

Or do you just hate Tom Van Allan more?

I never hated Tom .

I did, however, come to view him as a morally compromised man.

Because, as attorney general, he prosecuted several top executives. . .

. . .at one of your chemical companies for environmental violations?

Minor violations at best.

Which resulted in several millions of dollars' worth of fines, if memory serves.

You also tangled with the governor in his first term .

Once again, over Merced Chemical, correct?

Merced became something of a crusade for Tom at this point.

A trophy for him to hang on his wall .

What was the result of that action?

I was personally fined $3 million. . .

. . .and a subsidiary division of Merced went bankrupt.

So your personal animus towards the governor was pretty deep, wasn't it?

Well, we had our disagreements.

Didn't you hire Larry White to spy on Tom Van Allan's campaign. . .

. . .and his personal life?

White approached me with information he thought would be of interest.

But you could have turned Larry White down?

If a man wants to betray his long-time friend to my benefit, sir. . .

. . . he's the scoundrel, not me.

Did White tell you about the governor's affair with Sharon Rooney?

-Yes. WYLER: Did he tell you. . .

. . .Van Allan would be at Lancaster's beach house. . .

. . .on the night of August 1 9th?

I don't believe so.

ls that what your politician friends call a nondenial denial?

Objection. Argumentative.

Sustained .

Did Larry White tell you about a . 22 caliber pistol he gave to his girlfriend . . .

. . .who also was Sharon Rooney's roommate?

I don't recall .

Because, if you did, you would be admitting that you had the means. . .

. . .opportunity and motive to kill the governor?

GRASSO: Objection! BELL: Sustained .

The jury will disregard Mr. Wyler's last statement.

If Mr. Garfield gets elected . . .

. . .that would ease your problems with Merced Chemical, wouldn't it?

I' m optimistic it will, yes.

And you'd like for this trial to go away too?

I don't have any feelings about it one way or the other.

You didn't come into my office to discuss a plea bargain. . .

-. . .offered by Mr. Garfield for my client? -Objection. lrrelevant.

-Goes to motive, Your Honor. BELL: Overruled .

We did discuss the plea bargain, yes.

I thought it might benefit everyone involved .

So much so, you attempted to blackmail me into accepting it, didn't you?

-That's ludicrous. WYLER: Really?

So if I asked you to pull that videotape out of your pocket. . .

. . .and play it for us, it would show us discussing the weather.

ls that your testimony?

Your silence speaks volumes, sir.

CAROLINE: Jimmy. WYLER: Good evening, Caroline.

Working late, counselor?

A man knocked on my door tonight with a delivery from Wyler and Associates.

I must admit, I was hoping for roses.

Roses aren't usually sent with a subpoena.

-You want to tell me what's going on? -I don't think so.

You know, I occasionally read those women's magazines.

They have these articles about how couples. . .

. . .shouldn't keep secrets from one another.

After you testify, I think our decks will be clear.

I'll know why you've been avoiding me?

-I haven't been avoiding you. -Don't try and con me.

I was married to Tom Van Allan.

I have perfect pitch when it comes to detecting the half-truths men tell .

And more than a little experience at telling your own.

Am I in trouble here? Should I have a lawyer?

Might not be a bad idea. Who handles that for you?

Louis Blaustein.

He's a good lawyer.

I' m sure he'll give you excellent advice on your subpoena.

I don't know what you' re up to.

But I have the impression we' re not going to be friends when this is over.

-Well, I hope that isn't the case. -Me too.

NEWSCASTER ION TV] : In one of the closest races, , ,

, , ,in modern California history Los Angeles District Attorney, , ,

, , ,Roger Garfield has won a razor-thin victory, , ,

, , , over incumbent governor, Dan Stewart,

Victory came at 1,,00 this morning when all three major networks

, , , declared Garfield the winner, THis was the scene at Garfield headquarters, , ,

, , ,at the Century Plaza Hotel as the governor-elect addressed his supporters,

ROGER ION TV] : THank you very much!

-I want to read a telegram Ijust received, -Governor Garfield .

Why does that stick in my throat?

We' re all gagging .

ROGER: Congratulations on your hard-fought victory,

I look forward to working with you in the days ahead, , ,

, , , to make California truly the Golden State,

THank you, Governor Stewart, for your, , , ,

-Have you heard about Rickey Latrell? WYLER: Yeah.

Anybody spoken with Docknovich?

He's still down at Parker Center.

Oh, a telegram came for you.

"See you in Macy's window . Bring your ChapStick. Governor Garfield . "

In other news, police have arrested basketball great, Rickey Latrell, , ,

, , , for the murder of Las Vegas Storm owner Sandy Fortas,

THe arrest came at 2,,00 this morning outside the House of Blues, , ,

, , , on the Sunset Strip,

You should have called me to arrange a surrender.

lnstead, you grab Rickey at 2 in the morning and slap handcuffs on him .

Talk to the cops. I had nothing to do with that.

That's crap. You wanted to embarrass him and us.

There's no love lost between this office and your firm .

The word came down. We had him arrested .

That's more courtesy than your boy gave Fortas when he emptied his .38 into him .

-" Boy" ? -Figure of speech.

You could take lessons in racial sensitivity from your boss.

Garfield waited so he wouldn't alienate the black vote. . .

. . . by arresting an African-American superstar.

-Your interpretation. -An arraignment, as soon as possible.

Yeah, I'lI see what I can do.

But I wouldn't count on Mr. Latrell walking out of jail anytime soon.

Get me out of here.

CHRIS: That wilI have to wait for the arraignment, Rickey.

Well, when is that?

Probably tomorrow morning .

Wait a minute.

-I have to stay in here until tomorrow? -That's assuming we get bail .

This arraignment. . . .

It's going to be on TV?

-Probably. -Mm-hm .

That means my mother's going to see it.

I've called you in before court today because Mrs. Van Allan. . .

. . . has filed a complaint of witness tampering against Mr. Wyler.

WYLER: What?

She says you seduced her, then urged her to change her testimony.

-That is ridiculous. BELL: Please, Mr. Wyler.

Don't insult me by denying you had a relationship with her.

WYLER: It's been acknowledged in court that we had relations, Your Honor.

I' m not going to deny it, or defend it.

Was I guilty of bad judgment? Yes.

But it was after her testimony, with her full consent.

And now you've recalled her.

Well, I've received some new evidence that I hadn't anticipated .

Maybe you should have thought a little more than six inches into your future.

I've looked the other way far too many times with you already, Mr. Wyler.

Your antics in the courtroom, the loan from Mrs. Van Allan.

I've returned that.

And your consistent lack of respect for this court.

Respect is a two-way street, Your Honor.

And with all due respect, I didn't suborn perjury or seduce Caroline Van Allan.

She knows why we want to call her, and doesn't want to answer our questions.

That's the reason for this.

Your Honor, the only appropriate measure here. . .

. . .is to have Mr. Wyler removed from this case.

I am tempted, Ms. Grasso.

But the removal of Mr. Wyler at this point would cause undue harm . . .

. . .to Ms. Rooney's defense.

So you'll continue as the attorney of record, Mr. Wyler.

But at the conclusion of this trial . . .

MCKEE: I met Marlee right after she came out here from Minneapolis.

My band was playing at this club off the Strip, and she showed up one night.

We talked between sets.

She was a major hottie, so I asked her out.

A month later, we were living together.

How was Marlee supporting herseIf at that time?

She was a model . Or trying to be.

She'd done some print work, some little runway.

And then she got hired for one of those underwear catalogues.

A big shoot down in Baja. She was stoked .

And how did her new job affect your relationship?

Well, I didn't have to support her anymore.

And then she started working a lot, making decent money.

And then one day she came home, and she said she was moving out.

Did she say why?

She had met someone else.

Wouldn't say who, but made it sound like he was some big shot.

What did you do?

MCKEE: I made a fool out of myself, basically.

I mean, I was in love with this girl .

You know, I begged her to stay.

Told her if she needed space, I'd give it to her. Whatever she wanted .

And then how did she respond?

She walked out. I had--

I'd had a couple of drinks and I guess I . . . .

I slapped her around a little.

WYLER: Well, two days after this, Mr. McKee, something happened to you.

What was that?

Yeah.

This.

lt was maybe 1 0 at night.

I was practicing . There was a knock at the door.

I went to open it, and these two guys just pushed their way in.

What kind of guys?

You know, muscle.

One of them had a New York accent.

He told me I should stay away from Marlee. . .

. . .that she was somebody else's now .

And then they just-- They just started whaling on me.

They broke my leg and fractured my cheek.

They say what would happen if you tried to see her?

Oh, yeah. They'd kill me.

WYLER: They would kill anyone who got involved with Marlee.

lncluding the governor of California, right?

Objection. Calls for speculation.

-Sustained . WYLER: No more questions, Your Honor.

Sir, were you recently charged with possessing methamphetamine?

-Yes, I was. GRASSO: Has Mr. Wyler. . .

. . . been assisting you in getting that charge reduced?

He's been talking to someone in the DA's office.

So, since he's been helping you, you've been helping him here today. . .

. . . by saying the things he wants you to say?

No, I've been telling the truth.

The truth as told by a long-time abuser of methamphetamine, correct?

I've had my problems in that area.

lsn't it possible that this attack that you described . . .

. . .was related to your drug dealing? And had nothing to do with Marlee?

No, this was about Marlee.

GRASSO: This case has been on the news for months, Mr. McKee.

Why is it that you' re just coming forward now?

Because I was scared .

lt couldn't be that you needed time to get your story straight with Mr. Wyler?

-Objection. GRASSO: Withdrawn.

Thank you, Mr. McKee.

Your Honor.

The defense calls Caroline Van Allan.

Mrs. Van Allan, did your late husband, Tom Van Allan. . .

. . . have a sexual relationship with your sister in the year prior to her death?

-No. WYLER: No?

Then could you tell us who Dr. Gretchen Hearn is?

She was my sister's therapist.

Who your mother, Helen Benedict. . .

. . .sued for wrongful death after your sister's death, correct?

-Yes. WYLER: I' m going to show you. . .

. . . Dr. Hearn's notes on your sister's treatment. . .

. . . released in the wake of the lawsuit.

-I'd like you to read a portion of them . -Objection, Your Honor.

If Mr. Wyler's purpose here is to cause Mrs. Van Allan further pain. . .

-. . . he's more than accomplished that. -Overruled . I want to hear this.

Would you read the highlighted portions, please, Mrs. Van Allan?

" Patient reports she's begun an affair with her sister's husband .

She displays little remorse or insight. "

I don't know why my sister told the doctor that. . .

. . . but I can assure you, she never told me.

WYLER: Have you ever read those notes prior to today?

CAROLINE: No, of course not.

They weren't released to your family during the lawsuit?

To my mother and her lawyer, Louis.

I' m sorry, I didn't quite catch the whole name.

Louis Blaustein.

-And who's your lawyer? -You already know .

WYLER: For the court.

Louis Blaustein.

WYLER: Can you tell us when these notes were released?

How? I've never seen them before.

Well, there is a date stamped on there from Mr. Blaustein's law firm .

Would you read it, please?

"July 1 4th, 1 996. "

WYLER: Two weeks before your family dropped the lawsuit. . .

. . .and a month before your husband was murdered .

I don't see the connection.

Didn't you tell me that you moved out of your husband's bedroom in July?

-I told you that in privacy. -Nevertheless, it is true, isn't it?

And that you stopped traveling with your husband in July?

-Yes. WYLER: Yet you expect us to believe. . .

. . .that you've never seen these notes before? That you had no idea. . .

. . .that your husband had begun a reckless affair. . .

. . .with your emotionally fragile sister. . .

. . .who jumped off a boat and killed herseIf when he tried to end the affair?

I' m sorry. I just--

I will never believe that my sister had an affair with Tom .

Mrs. Van Allan, I have no desire to make you relive this painful episode.

But you are lying, aren't you? You knew about your husband's affair.

-No. I did not. WYLER: And when you found out. . .

. . .you weren't only angry, you were fit to kill?

Your Honor, how much more of this is Mrs. Van Allan supposed to take?

As long as it takes to get to the truth, Ms. Grasso.

Why are you doing this?

Because, Mrs. Van Allan, I can't save your sister. . .

. . . but I can save her.

Richard Hayes Latrell .

You are charged with murder in the first degree.

A violation of California Penal Code section 1 87. How do you plead?

Christopher Docknovich on behaIf of Mr. Latrell . We enter a plea of not guilty.

-On the issue of bail-- -Brian Geller for the people.

We strongly oppose bail .

We believe the defendant represents a flight risk.

Where does Mr. Geller think he's gonna go?

He still charters his own jet, Your Honor.

Putting him within reach of the one or two countries that don't follow the NBA.

Your Honor, my client is eager to demonstrate his innocence.

We assure the court that he will be ready and available for trial .

Was he ready and available on December 1 6th, 1 992. . .

. . .when he was to appear in Santa Monica Municipal Court?

Mr. Docknovich?

Mr. Geller is referring to an infraction of the California Vehicle Code 4000A.

The nonregistration of one of Mr. Latrell's many vehicles.

His reasons for failing to appear are documented .

He was in his rookie season and assumed . . .

. . .that his manager would take care of the matter. He regrets. . .

. . .inconveniencing the court and is well aware of the gravity of the situation.

So am I, Mr. Docknovich.

Dr. Boros, did you recently perform a psychiatric evaluation of Sharon Rooney?

-Yes, I did . JUSTINE: And what was your diagnosis?

That Sharon suffers from borderline personality disorder.

Would you define that, doctor?

Yes. Borderline personalities tend to form relationships in which. . .

. . .their identities become merged with that of the significant other.

They fear abandonment.

They become severely depressed when that abandonment occurs.

Did this happen with Governor Van Allan?

BOROS: Yes.

JUSTINE: Would this predispose her to harm the governor?

No. High-functioning borderlines with no history of violence or substance abuse. . .

. . .are much more likely to direct that anger toward themselves.

Which, in fact, she did when she attempted to hang herseIf in her cell .

That's correct.

Doctor, the jury saw Sharon stand here several weeks ago and declare:

" I' m the one who's guilty. I should be punished . "

-Was this a confession to murder? -In my professional opinion, no.

That declaration came during her husband's testimony.

Sharon feels a great deal of guilt over what she sees. . .

. . .as her betrayal of her husband .

By coming to his defense, she was attempting to remerge. . .

. . . her identity with his.

Acutely depressed borderlines will often say or do anything they think. . .

. . .will win their significant other back.

Thank you.

Nothing further.

Lot of fancy words there, doctor.

Any of them make it impossible for Sharon Rooney to be a murderer?

Unlikely, but not impossible.

So then, it's possible, doctor, that the defendant. . .

. . .in the wake of this abandonment depression you described . . .

. . . might commit an act of violence without any previous history. Correct?

I'd be very surprised .

Now you stated that borderline personalities. . .

. . .will do or say anything to win back their significant others.

-Does that include telling the truth? -lt can.

So when Miss Rooney stood up in court and said, " I am the one who's guilty" . . .

. . .she may have been confessing to two brutal murders.

Just as common sense would tell you that she was, correct?

I don't think that's what she was doing . But I can't preclude the possibility.

Because you weren't at that beach house the night these murders occurred .

-No. MARK: Hm .

Thank you, doctor.

Your Honor.

The defense calls Sharon Rooney.

Well, I grew up in Bellflower.

My dad died when I was 4.

My mom, she was a strict Catholic. She made sure we went to Mass every week.

I never minded it. lt always gave me a lot of comfort.

WYLER: Do you still go to Mass?

Yeah, I go. I go to the chapel in jail now a couple times a week.

WYLER: Do you pray?

Yes.

WYLER: For what?

For forgiveness.

And what do you ask God to forgive you for?

For aborting my baby.

For cheating on my husband .

WYLER: Now, your husband is a medical student, right?

SHARON : Yes. -Tell us about that.

What it's like being married to a medical student.

Well, you never see your husband much.

They' re either working at the hospital . . .

. . .or sleeping so they can go back.

Was that the only reason that you never saw your husband?

No. I found out he was having an affair with one of his nurses, later.

WYLER: So you were pretty vulnerable when you met Tom Van Allan.

Now, when did you meet the governor?

My roommate, Sally, she worked in his campaign.

I met Tom at a fundraiser that she took me to.

And what was that like?

lt was like a fairy tale.

Tom was so charming . lt had been a long time since I'd . . . .

Since I'd had that kind of attention from a man.

WYLER: And he swept you off your feet?

The next weekend . . .

. . .Tom asked me. . .

. . .to meet him at Dean Lancaster's beach house.

And I spent the night.

And I am so sorry, Kyle.

How often did you see Tom after that?

Just whenever he was in town.

Usually at Dean's house.

WYLER: Did there come a time when one of the governor's aides. . .

. . .called you to talk about your relationship with him?

Larry White.

He told me that Mrs. Van Allan had . . .

. . .found out about us and that Tom couldn't see me anymore.

After you stopped, did something happen to cause you. . .

-. . .to contact the governor again? -Yes. I found out I was pregnant.

Since Kyle and I hadn't been sleeping together, I knew the baby was Tom's.

And when I told him, he said that I had to get an abortion.

WYLER: And did you?

Yes.

WYLER: Will you tell us about that?

Well, it was terrible.

lt was terrible. The room that they do it in is so cold .

And all these people are standing over you.

All these strangers with masks on their faces.

And when it's over, you just feel really empty inside.

Now, Sharon, you' re a Catholic.

How could you have an abortion? lsn't it against the teaching of the Church?

I did it for Tom . He promised to marry me after the election.

What happened after you had the abortion?

Well, he stopped taking my phone calls.

We never spoke again.

Let's go back to the night of August 1 9th.

-Now, did you receive a phone call? -Yes.

From a man who told me that he was one of Tom's aides.

And he told me that Tom wanted to see me out at the beach house.

Had you ever talked to this, this aide before?

SHARON : No. He just said he worked with Larry.

WYLER: Did you go out to the house? -Yes.

And what happened when you got there?

Well, I did what I usually did .

I parked . . .

. . .on Pacific Coast Highway. . .

. . .and I walked down the beach to the house.

And I walked up the back stairs. . .

. . .to the bedroom .

And there was Tom and some girl .

And blood everywhere.

lt was horrible.

WYLER: They were dead .

-And then what did you do? SHARON : I ran out of the house.

I got back into my car and . . . .

I started to drive down PCH . I' m not even sure where I was going .

All I can remember. . .

. . .was hitting a car and being arrested .

Now, did you have your roommate's gun with you on that night?

-No. -And later did you tell Adrienne Orduno. . .

. . .you killed the governor and tossed the gun over a wall near Big Rock?

No, I did not.

And when you got up in this court. . .

. . .and you said " I' m the guilty one. I' m the one who should be punished " . . .

-. . .what were you referring to? -To the abortion.

WYLER: You still feel pretty guilty about that, don't you?

It's the worst thing I've ever done.

Your witness.

Do you need a moment, Ms. Rooney?

No, it's okay. I' m all right.

This is the first time you've told this story to anyone but your lawyers?

Yes.

Why didn't you tell it to the police that night?

Well, I was in shock.

Seeing Tom . . .

. . .look like that, I just kept thinking God must be. . .

. . .trying to show me something . He must be trying to punish me.

-But you were at the beach house? -Yes.

GRASSO: You were in the room with the bloody bodies. . .

. . .of Governor Van Allan and Marlee Donovan?

Yes.

So the only question is whether you pulled the trigger.

I didn't.

Did you know your roommate had a gun?

Yes.

GRASSO: Do you know where she kept it?

She kept it in her dresser drawer.

GRASSO: So you were at the beach house at the time of the murders.

You had access to your roommate's gun.

Weren't you also angry at the governor?

No.

Well, I don't understand .

Didn't you say that the abortion was the worst thing you'd ever done?

-Yes. GRASSO: And yet you weren't angry. . .

. . .at the person who made you do this terrible thing?

I don't know . I don't know . Maybe I was. Maybe secretly I' m glad he's dead .

Because he deserves to be dead for what he did to you and your baby.

Mm-hm .

Ms. Rooney, this story about one of the governor's aides calling you.

-You made that up, didn't you? -No, I didn't.

When you stood up and declared, " I' m the one who's guilty. . .

. . . I' m the one who should be punished " . . .

. . .you were confessing to murder, weren't you?

Of my baby, not Tom .

Redirect, Mr. Wyler?

Sharon. . .

. . .if you were making up a story, you wouldn't admit you were. . .

-. . .at the beach house that night. -No.

Now, wouldn't it just be easier to say that you were driving on the PCH?

Yeah.

WYLER: Sharon.

Do you care if this jury convicts you?

I don't want them to convict me.

But if they do. . . .

If they do, and I get executed, at least I'll be with my baby.

I didn't look at the jury like you said . Do you think they believed me?

Yeah, I think they did .

lt was hard .

Going through all that again.

You did great, Sharon.

You' re a lot stronger than you think.

Would you mind saying a rosary with me?

A rosary?

Oh, you aren't Catholic?

More of the lapsed variety.

Would you just kneel with me, please?

Uh. . . .

Please?

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. . .

. . .and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord . . .

. . .who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary. . .

. . .suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried .

He descended into hell .

On the third day, he arose again. . .

. . .and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty.

From thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead .

And his kingdom wilI have no end .

ISPEAKING lNDISTINCTLY]

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