Original subtitles

NARRATOR: THe murder,

We were with Sandy before he got killed .

-I left at 2, Rickey stayed until . . . . -Four, maybe?

MICHAELSON : I came back to see how things went. Fortas was dead .

NARRATOR: His public image,

Any concern, Rickey, about the rumors, , ,

, , , you 're the prime suspect in the murder of Sandy Fortas?

THe fact that anybody could think I could harm him, that makes me sick,

THat's why I'm dedicating the season to the memory of Sandy Fortas,

-He deserves the benefit of the doubt. -Or an Academy Award .

NARRATOR: Key evidence,

SEYBOLT : Do you own a gun? -We recovered the murder weapon. . .

. . .and it's registered to you.

MAN IOVER TV] : Police arrested basketball great Rickey Latrell,

Get me out of here.

NARRATOR: Defense strategy,

If I argue for a black man's freedom, we'lI have a psychological edge.

I don't wanna win the case by playing victim . I wanna win it on the merits.

We both know that cases like this are why I was hired here.

Whatever I decide won't be based on race.

This is L.A. , Chris. Everything is based on race.

I'll do the argument. I'll get the job done.

You'd better. Because if you don't, you still get to go home every night.

Rickey gets to sit in here.

He's prepared to put up his assets, including his mother's home.

Grant bail and send the message: Money talks, celebrity walks.

There is no question that Rickey Latrell will appear.

Bail is set at $ 1 0 million.

He was the only person, besides Rickey who was in Sandy Fortas' office.

-Plus, he found the body. -If we can hammer on the animus. . .

. . . between Fortas and Michaelson, we could have a shot.

At what? Ruining an innocent man's life?

-No, at getting our client off. -I' m not. . .

. . . hanging Lee Michaelson out to dry.

Are you sure you' re not letting feelings affect how . . .

-. . .we represent a client? -This is about representing our client. . .

. . .in a fair, responsible and ethical way. If that's asking too much of you guys. . .

. . .you should move over and let me handle it.

-No, I' m still holding . -How are you this morning?

-Hey, Joel . -Time for your semiannual . . .

. . .smoke detector check.

Don't go in the conference room . They' re having a meeting .

No, I' m holding for Alan Sheinkman. Still .

George DePetri : White, 42 years old, manages a lumberyard .

lncome between 40 and 50,000 a year.

Lose.

George DePetri played basketball for USC. I say we keep him .

-The affinity of one jock for another? DOCKNOVICH : Exactly.

-What years was he there? -' 74 to ' 78.

He wasn't starting during that time, I know that.

So he's bitter about that. He's bitter about the fact that he's white. . .

. . .and works in a lumberyard, while Rickey is black and plays basketball .

As far as I' m concerned, you couldn't pick a worse juror.

Do you have any feelings about it, Rickey?

-We can probably live with him . DOCKNOVICH : This guy can work for us.

He's a registered Democrat, his wife belongs to a labor union.

I won't get him dismissed for cause. I don't want to use. . .

. . .our remaining strikes to get rid of him .

Take a look at him in court. On balance, I think he's someone we can live with.

-Who's next? -Lois Rensch.

Fifty-five, white, 5th-grade schoolteacher.

I'd lose that one too. She's a lifelong public schoolteacher.

She no doubt resents the amount of money and attention spent on sports.

Aaron, it's possible we' re not going to be able to seat an all-black jury.

I' m not looking for an all-black jury. I' m looking for the best jury I can find .

I think any of them would be all right.

-Any of them? -Yeah.

When people get to know me, they like me.

-All right. Don't go getting cocky. -Baby, I' m not getting cocky.

Excuse me, folks. I need to service the smoke detector units in this office.

-Not right now, you don't. -It's scheduled maintenance.

We' re in the middle of a conference. Come back and do that later.

DOCKNOVICH : Who's next? -Nathan Soloveychik.

Excuse me, I don't want to be a pest.

Mr. Latrell? I just want to say I think you are the greatest point guard . . .

. . .in the game today. I think in time you'll surpass Oscar Robertson.

Thank you very much.

Would it be at all possible for you to sign something for my son?

-Yeah. -Could you make this brief, please?

Absolutely. lt just means so much to him . He's asthmatic.

LATRELL: What did you want me to sign?

Make it out to Joel .

Something's bothering you. You want to tell me what it is?

-You really want to know? -That would be why I' m standing here.

You' re letting Chris Docknovich call the shots, and in my opinion. . .

-. . . he doesn't know what he's doing . -You mean anything in particular?

Yeah. His picking a jury. How about that? He's putting people on who will kill us.

-Like who? -Like DePetri . I don't care. . .

. . .that he's a Democrat. I don't care that his wife belongs to a labor union.

I've known far too many guys like this. He don't like black folks.

-You' re convinced of this? -There's not a doubt in my mind .

ICHATTER]

Chris? Wyler doesn't want you to do anything on DePetri . . .

. . . until he's had a chance to talk to you.

-Mr. Swaboda, are you a sports fan? -You bet.

And when you think about professional athletes. . .

. . .what's the first thing that comes to mind?

Money.

Talent.

Sex.

Have you ever dated a professional athlete?

-No. -Would you like to?

I don't know . Not necessarily.

Uh, If I got to know one and I liked him, maybe I would .

Ms. Guerin, is this true of any professional athlete?

I particularly like basketball players.

You think you'd have no problem judging this case fairly, though. . .

-. . .is that right? -Absolutely. I would be totally fair.

Sidebar, Your Honor?

Approach.

-People challenge for cause, Your Honor. -The cause being?

By word and gesture, she's demonstrated . . .

. . .an insurmountable bias in favor of the defendant.

-Nonsense. -Nonsense?

She all but slobbered on him .

BORNSTEIN : Mr. Scotto, there's no cause.

Did you want to exercise one of your peremptories?

Yes, Your Honor.

Ms. Guerin, you are excused with the thanks of the court.

You' re kidding .

-You' re a schoolteacher, Mrs. Rensch? -Yes.

What do you think about your school's athletic budget?

Relative to other things, I think it's too high.

Do you harbor resentment toward those who serve as role models for boys. . .

. . . particularly African-American boys who might neglect their education. . .

. . .in pursuit of athletic stardom?

I wouldn't permit my resentments, whatever they may be. . .

. . .to intrude on my determination of whether someone is guilty of murder.

I' m sure you wouldn't.

The defense presents no challenge to Ms. Rensch.

You admire the defendant, Mr. DePetri?

I admire him as an athlete. Beyond that, I don't know him .

Should evidence support it, could you render a verdict. . .

. . .of guilty, knowing it could send a man to prison for life?

If the evidence supported it, yes, I would .

The prosecution presents no challenge to Mr. DePetri, Your Honor.

The defense asks to question Mr. DePetri at a later time.

HICKS: Rickey! -Hey, Ken! How you doing?

How you' re doing is the better question.

I' m doing all right. Hey, you know Chris Docknovich, Aaron Mosely?

-You worked for Hoffman. DOCKNOVICH : Right.

-How's your new boss? -He's fine.

Tell Jimmy that Ken Hicks said hello.

We tussled a few times when I was trying cases.

Ken's been trying to represent me since college.

-Some guys never take no for an answer. -You' re one of them .

I am . Say, Rickey, I have a celebrity goIf tournament I want you to play in.

-You sure about that? -Baby, I' m sure.

-This might not the right time. -It's exactly the right time.

He needs to show everybody he has nothing whatsoever to be ashamed of.

And you don't.

-I'll get with you later, man. All right? -All right.

Be strong, my brother.

Aaron, would you come into my office for a minute?

-We have to get something straight. -What's that?

I can't try this case and watch my back at the same time.

-That's what you have to do? -That's what I have to do.

Jimmy came to me, okay?

-I didn't go to him . -lt doesn't matter.

You waited until I wasn't there and undermined me.

You waited until we were going to court to tell me.

-I can't trust you! -I' m not auditioning to be your pal !

What's this?

He'll either support me as second chair, or he'll replace me as lead counsel .

Those are the only two choices.

The day you tell me what my choices are is the day I walk out the door.

JIMMY : I' m gonna tell you what your choices are.

You either represent the client, or you hit the bricks.

That means whatever difficulties you have are forgotten or settled .

You' re aggrieved because we discussed the case without you.

Get over it.

I' m going with his instincts in this case. DePetri is a lose.

You' re aggrieved because you' re second position. Get over it.

I am not going to let a lawyer's personal feelings about anything . . .

. . .sway how we make decisions in this case. We manage to win. Period .

You got it?

Yeah.

Good .

-Hey. -Oh, hi .

I don't appreciate what you did yesterday.

-What'd I do? -You lied to me to get an autograph.

And you think smoke detectors don't require maintenance?

No, I think you scammed your way in, you got me in trouble. . .

. . .and you won't do it again.

Excuse me. I was here for legitimate reasons.

As for the autograph, forgive me. It's not every day in my life. . .

. . . I' m in the same room with Rickey Latrell .

And you just happened to have a basketball .

Yes, I did .

GWEN : From now on, you' re not allowed to wander around by yourself.

-We meet again. GWEN : Joel? Joel?

IGWEN CLEARS THROAT]

Life's precious moments.

What impression, if any, do you have of the defendant?

He seems like a good person.

From a distance, he seems like a nice young man.

No impression of any kind .

Ms. Embry, in your opinion. . .

. . .is it more likely the defendant was arrested and charged with this crime. . .

. . . because he's African-American, or because of a good faith belief. . .

. . .on behaIf of police and the DA's office that he's guilty?

I thought the purpose of a trial was to find that out.

Ma'am, I asked what you thought was more likely.

Well, I have no idea.

There are African-American men who are in trouble because they. . .

. . .deserve to be in trouble. And there are those in trouble because of racism .

In the case of a successful and well-known young man like Mr. Latrell . . .

. . . I' m sure there are those in positions of authority. . .

. . .who would like nothing more than to destroy him .

I am, however, capable of keeping an open mind .

-Sidebar, Your Honor. -Approach.

Move to challenge for cause.

Specifically?

This juror has an innate mistrust of the justice system . . .

-. . .with regard to African-Americans. -She said she'd keep an open mind .

She's clearly predisposed to view the defendant as a victim .

You don't have cause, Mr. Scotto.

If you want her off, you've got one preemptory left.

You leave me no choice but to use it, Your Honor.

Ms. Embry, you are excused with the thanks of the court.

HICKS: You took charge out there, Chris. -Thanks.

We' re well on our way to having a black majority on that jury.

I know that took some doing . I salute you for that.

It's not really appropriate that we discuss this with you, Mr. Hicks.

Allow me just one observation. Do with it what you will .

The one that's gonna do you the most good is Otwell .

He was at the Million Man March. He's very active in community affairs.

He identifies very much as an African-American.

See you inside.

Ever been accused of a crime, Mr. Otwell?

-No. -Ever been pulled over while driving?

Yeah, I've been charged with DWB a few times.

-What's DWB? -" Driving while black. "

Does it make you angry to be charged with DWB?

-lt doesn't make me happy. -Does it make you angry?

If police pulled you over while you went about your business. . .

. . .intimidated you, interrogated you because of the color of your skin. . .

. . . how would it make you feel?

Angry.

Sidebar, Your Honor?

Approach.

-Move to challenge for cause. -It's not there.

Your Honor, this man has admitted animus toward the police.

Nothing he said demonstrates an inability. . .

. . .or unwillingness to judge this case fairly. That's the only criterion.

I agree. You don't have cause, Mr. Scotto.

The defense presents no challenge to Mr. Otwell .

Congratulations, Mr. Otwell, you' re our 1 2th juror.

-May I be heard, Your Honor? -Sure.

OTWELL: Sorry for not bringing this up, but after talking . . .

. . .with my wife last night, it occurs to me that a long trial would be. . .

. . .something of a financial hardship for me.

Well . . . .

You' re an employee of the city. You'll receive full salary. Where's the hardship?

I also work in an African-American bookstore in South Central .

I need the income from both jobs. If l take extended leave, I'll be replaced .

Not good enough, Mr. Otwell . You' re on the jury.

Do you and each of you understand and agree. . .

. . .that you will accurately and truly try the case now pending before this court. . .

. . .and a true verdict render according to the evidence presented to you. . .

-. . .and the instructions of the court? -I do.

Mr. Scotto?

There are those of you, no doubt, who wonder:

How could someone like Rickey Latrell, do something like this?

Setting aside any moral conviction, how could he do something . . .

. . .that would send him to prison for life?

I mean here, after all, is a 25-year-old multimillionaire. . .

. . .who has a great life. Why would he be willing to give that up?

Ladies and gentlemen, I' m here to tell you that he's not.

When he left his house that day, being sure to take along his gun. . .

. . .and when he shot Sandy Fortas and left in a plane back to Las Vegas. . .

. . .at no time was Rickey Latrell willing to give up anything .

He was convinced then he wouldn't caught. . .

. . .as he is convinced today that he won't be convicted .

What he says to himseIf then, and now, and every day of his life is:

" I' m Rickey Latrell . I can do anything I want. "

The reason I' m here. . .

. . .the reason there's a paycheck on my desk every other Friday is society. . .

. . . meaning the rest of us, have a significant interest in saying to Rickey:

" No, you can't.

You can't do this, Rickey.

You can't commit murder. "

Now, the defense may very well try to distract you from that basic truth.

They may take the path of other lawyers. . .

. . .in other cases who made race the central issue of the case.

They may try to convince you this. . .

. . .is less a trial to determine the guilt of a man than a referendum on. . .

. . . racial inequities in American society. Should the defense do that. . .

. . .then they'll be insulting the intelligence of every single one of you.

Whether you' re black or white. . .

. . . I think you can withstand attempts to distract you.

I think that once we demonstrate with evidence and with testimony. . .

. . .that Rickey LatrelI did commit murder. . .

. . .that you will do what your sworn oath requires you to do.

You will find the defendant. . .

. . .guilty.

Something about the way he called him Rickey, wasn't there?

ISIGHS]

By the way, who's going to be giving your opening statement?

Chris Docknovich.

Funny, I would've thought you'd be doing it.

Why is that?

You have just as many years experience as Docknovich has.

Or more, since you came from the PD's office where all you did was try cases.

Not to mention the fact that it's you, not Docknovich. . .

. . .who understands what this case is about.

Which is what, in your opinion?

Being a black man in America.

Mm-hm .

lt wouldn't be of any significance to you that this particular. . .

. . . black man in America made $4. 2 million last year.

ILAUGHS]

You think it's just the money with me.

You want to be Rickey's agent. I understand that.

You want 1 0 percent of his action. God bless you, that's fine.

It's a dog-eat-dog world . . .

. . .and you guys go after each other's meal tickets all the time.

Do me a favor, though. Keep the trial commentary to yourself.

I stilI think you' re the one who should be doing the talking in there.

I' m not going to pretend this case is like any other.

It's not.

The defendant is a famous young man. . .

. . .and wealthy beyond any of our wildest dreams.

But for all that, this case comes down to a single, simple question:

Will the prosecution prove that Rickey Latrell killed Sandy Fortas?

No. I' m here to tell you that they will not.

I am here to tell you that they cannot. They cannot. . .

. . . because Rickey Latrell is an innocent man.

He's also what is known as a big fish.

It's our contention that from the L.A. P. D. . .

. . .to the L.A. County district attorney's office, there were individuals. . .

. . .obsessed with landing a big fish. . .

. . .whether the facts warranted it or not.

Oh, make no mistake. The prosecution is gonna try to use. . .

. . . Rickey Latrell's celebrity against him . They already have.

You heard Mr. Scotto's opening statement. What he is doing . . .

. . .is daring you to find Rickey Latrell guilty.

He will make you feel that the only reason. . .

. . .you wouldn't find him guilty would be his celebrity.

Or, alternatively, his race.

Each and every one of you must work very hard to keep focused on the facts.

You must judge Rickey Latrell just as you would judge anybody else.

If you do that, ladies and gentlemen. . .

. . . I have no doubt you'll find him not guilty.

Having nothing to do with his celebrity. Having nothing to do with his race.

Having only to do. . .

. . .with justice.

As one of the lead detectives in the case, you are conversant. . .

. . .with the evidence found prior to Rickey's arrest?

-Yes, I am . -Among that evidence. . .

. . .were bullets recovered from the victim's body?

-Yes. -Was a weapon recovered?

Yes.

-Did you identify the gun, detective? -lt was a Sphinx 380.

ls this that gun?

Yes, it is.

SCOTTO: The prosecution asks that the weapon be introduced . . .

-. . .as people's Exhibit One, Your Honor. -So ordered .

SCOTTO: How did you obtain this gun, detective?

A man named James Askie was picked up for robbery. The gun was in his car.

SCOTTO: Did you learn how he got it?

Yes. He bought it from an individual we later identified as one Hector Soto.

-Objection. Hearsay. -Foundational, Your Honor.

I'll allow it to establish chain of custody.

SCOTTO: Did you locate Mr. Soto?

Yes. He worked at the South Coast Solid Waste Treatment Facility.

He found it on a garbage truck.

SCOTTO: And did you determine if the route taken by that truck. . .

. . .intersected with the route taken by the defendant that day?

I reiterate my objection to this testimony as constituting pure hearsay.

Sit down, Mr. Docknovich. You' re overruled .

SCOTTO: Detective? -Among the stops made by this. . .

. . . particular truck were dumpsters at the Van Nuys Airport.

Mr. LatrelI told us he flew out of the Van Nuys Airport.

Did you ascertain to whom the gun was registered?

SEYBOLT : Yes, the gun is registered to the defendant. . .

. . . Richard Hayes Latrell .

SCOTTO: Were you able to review the ballistics report on that gun?

SEYBOLT : Yes.

How conclusive was it that this gun was the murder weapon?

One hundred percent.

SCOTTO: No further questions.

You get any fingerprints off the gun?

Nothing usable.

DOCKNOVICH : So the answer would be no.

-Right. -Do you have any evidence to support. . .

. . .the theory that it was Mr. Latrell who fired this gun?

SEYBOLT : No. DOCKNOVICH : No residue test. . .

-. . .on his hands or clothes? -Objection.

-Witness already answered . -Overruled .

The arrest wasn't proximate to the shooting .

There were no residue tests performed .

DOCKNOVICH : Matter of fact, there was no evidence adduced . . .

. . .to indicate that Mr. Latrell was carrying the gun. . .

-. . .on the day in question, was there? -No.

Thank you, detective.

SCOTTO: What is your occupation? VOPARIL: I' m in the security field .

SCOTTO: Who do you work for?

The building management at 1 080 Hilgard .

Were you at work at 1 080 Hilgard on the day of the murder?

-Yes, I was. -Would you tell us. . .

. . .if at any time over the course of the day you saw the defendant.

Yes, I did .

Would you describe the time and the circumstances?

lt was 4: 1 5 on a Sunday afternoon. I observed Mr. Latrell walking . . .

. . . unaccompanied, out of the elevator and proceeding toward the exit.

And what, if anything, transpired between you?

Well, I engaged him in a brief conversation and got an autograph.

Though not for myself.

ls this that autograph?

Yes.

Ask that this be introduced as people's Exhibit Five, Your Honor.

So ordered .

Mr. Voparil, what, if anything, did you observe about the defendant?

Just that he was in a hurry.

Objection. Speculation. Ask that it be stricken?

Sustained and stricken. The jury will disregard .

No further questions.

You said you were in the security field?

Yes.

-You' re a guard . -Right.

You wear a uniform, you carry a stick.

Should you actually confront a criminal, you'd call the police--

Objection. Counsel's mocking the witness.

DOCKNOVICH : Withdrawn.

How many times did you contact the DA's office prior to testifying today?

-Objection. lrrelevant. -Overruled .

I got in touch a number of times. I thought I had pertinent information.

You've also applied for a job at the L.A. P. D, have you not?

I have.

-What happened there? -I was rejected .

On what grounds?

They said it was because I scored too low on the written test.

Uh-huh.

You've also applied to the police departments of Beverly Hills. . .

. . . Huntington Beach, Redondo Beach, Pasadena, Lompoc and San Luis Obispo.

-What kept you out of them? -Objection. lrrelevant.

Maybe it was the color of my skin.

The objection's sustained .

Did you apply to the L.A. district attorney's office?

-Objection. -I'll allow it.

-Yes. -What happened there?

The application's still pending .

ls it your hope, Mr. Voparil, that if you make a good witness here today. . .

. . .they'll give you a job?

I call them the way l see them, counselor.

I' m that way on the job. I' m that way testifying in court.

-You having a good time here today? -Objection, Your Honor.

Withdrawn.

Gwen.

-What can I do for you, Joel? -I come with a peace offering .

This is a scorecard from a goIf game Dinah Shore played . . .

-. . .signed by her before she died . -You' re kidding .

Put it away, in 20 years it'll be worth. . .

. . . between $300, $400, maybe more.

-ls that true? -Absolutely.

-Try not to handle it excessively. -You didn't have to do this.

Well, I did something wrong, and I wanted to show you I was sorry.

Well, thanks. It's very sweet.

If I should ever have to fix something . . .

. . . I don't want you to be concerned .

Okay.

That's all I have to say. You have a pleasant evening .

Okay.

-The detectives' testimony held up. -Aaron?

Chris did a good job with the security guard .

The detectives could be subjected to greater collateral attack.

We were called by Jennifer Freeland . She's a publicist Rickey's hired .

He didn't tell me about that.

She's lining up benefits and interviews. . .

-. . .and wants us to have someone there. -No.

Tell her to wait till the trial's over.

She's intent on starting right away.

While this trial is going on, we don't want him doing interviews. Period .

This is Ken Hicks behind this.

What does he stand to gain?

He wants Rickey to give that 1 0 percent to him .

To the extent that he's got Rickey's ear, he's making progress.

He's worked us since the trial began.

Why us? We' re here because of Michaelson.

lt doesn't matter. Ken Hicks looks to drive a wedge wherever he can.

He's coming at Rickey from more than one angle.

-That's not our problem . -Lee's the reason we' re here.

-Well, it doesn't matter. -He's also a friend of yours.

That's true, he is. But I am not getting drawn into a range war between agents.

Our one and only function is to get our client acquitted of the murder charges.

And to the extent that we take sides on any other issue. . .

. . . I think that we run the risk of alienating our client. . .

. . .and compromising our own effectiveness. And I won't do it.

-You prepping Michaelson tonight? -Only about his testimony.

Just don't get him mad at Rickey before he takes the stand .

At the time you left the room . . .

. . .what was the tone between Mr. Fortas and Mr. Latrell?

-lt was businesslike. -Yet you were asked to leave. Why?

Jimmy, haven't we done this enough?

Lee, I don't want any surprises in there for you.

I' m ready. I promise.

Okay.

Something else you want to talk about?

-Like what? -Rickey's thinking vis-�-vis Ken Hicks.

He doesn't confide in me about business matters.

Hicks is all over you guys.

So have a million other people.

All I' m asking for is a little advance warning .

I know you are.

I look. . .

. . .at everything in my life at this moment:

Two busted marriages, a mother, brother and sister that won't talk to me.

I mean, no life outside of work.

I can still point at one thing in my life I' m proud of. . .

. . .and that's Rickey's career.

Beyond the money. Beyond it being another pelt in my saddlebag .

I've been with this guy a long time. lt means something to me.

I know it does.

I don't want to lose him to Ken Hicks.

Look, if I hear anything specific. . .

. . . I'll let you know .

That's all I' m asking .

Got a second?

Don't you have a day job, Hicks?

ILAUGHS]

Some things take precedence.

This is for you.

-What's in it? -Names, numbers.

I suggest you have someone call them .

Because of his relationship to the defendant. . .

. . .and his reluctance to testify, we ask that Mr. Jackson be designated . . .

. . .as a hostile witness for the purpose of direct examination.

We oppose that.

Mr. Docknovich, I' m giving Mr. Scotto some leeway in his questioning .

We'll both ensure he doesn't get out of line.

Motion granted . Proceed, Mr. Scotto.

Describe your relationship with the defendant, sir.

-He's a friend of mine. -For how long?

Oh, since I' m 5.

And on the day that Sandy Fortas was killed . . .

. . .did you drive the defendant to McCarran Airport?

Yes, I did .

-Was that for a commercial flight? -lt was a charter.

-He chartered a private jet? -That's right.

How many passengers were on that plane?

Three. Rickey, Carla and myself.

Tell me, because I've never flown on a private plane. . .

. . .do you go through a metal detector to fly on them?

No, you don't.

Did you know the defendant to have been carrying a gun that day?

He was not carrying a gun that day I know of.

Had he been armed, he would have avoided being detected by flying . . .

. . .on a private plane, right?

-Objection. Speculative. -Sustained .

Did the defendant confide in you, Mr. Jackson?

About some things he did, about some things he didn't.

Did he confide his feelings about Fortas?

-No. -Really?

Really.

At no time did Rickey Latrell give you any indication. . .

. . .of his feelings toward the man he was going to Los Angeles to meet?

That's right.

What do you do for a living, Mr. Jackson?

I manage some properties. I have some entrepreneurial things happening .

Who pays you?

Rickey Latrell pays me.

-Did you ever see him become violent? -No.

Were you present at a club called Satch's in Boston on. . .

. . . March 1 0th, 1 995?

What happened that night wasn't Rickey's fault.

-Whose fault was it? -Look, you go out with Rickey Latrell . . .

. . . people treat him like they own him .

He takes more than you can imagine.

People come up to him with their hands out. . .

. . .wanting to be near him, wanting to be his friend .

But they' re not like you, are they, Mr. Jackson?

You' re really his friend .

You' re damn right.

Would you lie for Rickey Latrell, Mr. Jackson?

I don't know .

I do know I'd lay my life down for him .

Nothing further, Your Honor.

Has anything you've said today concerning Rickey Latrell been a lie?

No.

No further questions.

APPLETON : What are you doing?

Recycling .

What do you mean, recycling?

All of this paper can be reused .

You' re going through our garbage.

I' m not going through your garbage.

I' m removing staples before the paper is fed to the shredder.

I service the shredder, I know what happens when staples aren't removed .

-What are you doing? -He says he's removing staples.

I had time on my hands.

So you thought you'd come see if anything needed to be done?

What a thoughtful guy you are.

Gwen, there's reasons those papers are on my cart.

You' re looking for anything that has Rickey Latrell's name on it.

-That's not the case. -Let's go, Joel .

You' re someone who assumes the worst in people.

Yeah? Well, this time, I' m right.

May I at least clean up?

No, you may not. And you can take back your Dinah Shore goIf scorecard .

-Gwen, no. Please. -Out, Joel .

Hi, I' m here to see Jimmy Wyler.

I came over during luncheon recess because I thought it was important. . .

-. . .that I speak to you. -Please.

I understand you have some objection to my husband doing public relations.

My objection runs to trying this case in the media.

Why not try it wherever you can win it?

Because it's the jury that really matters.

And I think it'll be perceived as a cynical attempt at manipulation.

I don't think you have to worry about that with Rickey.

He comes across very well with the public.

It's not the public I' m worried about.

It's those 1 2 people on the jury who may actually take their job seriously.

Mr. Wyler. . .

. . . please believe I am speaking for my husband when I tell you. . .

. . .this is something he very much wants to do.

He doesn't wanna come out acquitted by the jury. . .

. . .and despised by the world at large.

It is not just the jury that matters.

-ls this Rickey talking now? -Yes, it is.

SCOTTO: Describe your relationship with the defendant, Mr. Michaelson.

I' m his agent. I' m also his friend .

SCOTTO: On the day of the murder, you were with him, were you not?

-Yes, I was. -Would you describe the circumstances?

We went into Sandy Fortas' office to discuss his contract.

-Who was present in the room? -Just the three of us.

What was the tone of that meeting?

lt was businesslike.

-Had you reached an agreement? -Nope.

-Why not? -We were at an impasse.

I' m not gonna lie and tell you it was a love fest.

Sandy refused to pay Rickey what he was worth.

He felt that Rickey owed him some sort of special consideration.

By himself, Rickey was softhearted enough to buy that.

-Not you. -No, not me.

Sandy was trading on sentimentality to save himseIf money.

With me that doesn't work.

-But it does work with Rickey? -Absolutely.

If it had been up to Rickey, he would have taken whatever Fortas offered .

You know, from what little I remember of agency law, it was up to Rickey.

I don't operate according to basic agency law, counselor.

I have an emotional attachment to what I do.

It's not just numbers. My instinct is to protect. . .

. . .and Rickey Latrell is someone that needs protecting .

Then why'd you leave him alone in the room?

Because Sandy wanted to talk to Rickey alone.

But it was Rickey who told you to leave them .

Because Sandy wanted it. Rickey went along . . .

. . .to be a nice guy. I let him go, and I wish the hell I hadn't.

Why is that? ls there something you could've done. . .

. . .to prevent what happened?

No, Mr. Scotto. There was nothing Rickey did that there was to prevent.

I wish I was there because then I would be an eyewitness to that fact.

SCOTTO: What time was it when you left?

MICHAELSON : About 2. SCOTTO: Did you return at some point?

-I did . -What time was that?

-About 5. -What'd you find?

I found Sandy Fortas on the floor.

-What did you do? -I called 91 1 .

So to review . . .

. . .you left the defendant with the deceased at the defendant's request.

When you returned the. . .

. . .deceased was deceased, the defendant gone.

-Objection. BORNSTEIN : Sustained .

lt wasn't while Rickey was there that he was killed, okay. . .

-. . .smart guy? BORNSTEIN : This is your only warning .

Next time, I cite you for contempt.

The jury will disregard the witness's remarks.

What percentage do you take of the defendant's income?

-Objection. -Overruled .

SCOTTO: Mr. Michaelson?

Ten percent.

Between salary and endorsements, Mr. Latrell made between 5. . .

. . .and 6 million dollars a year. That would put you down for haIf a million.

And this proves what, exactly?

You stand to lose a lot if Rickey Latrell never plays again.

Objection. Your Honor, the prosecutor is now giving testimony.

Sustained . The jury will disregard .

Nothing further, Your Honor.

Your Honor, given the lateness of the hour, the defense asks. . .

. . .to start cross-examination in the morning .

I'll go along with that.

The jury is admonished not to talk about the case. . .

. . .among themselves or with anyone else, to avoid all news reports. . .

. . .about the case, and to refrain from reading anything about the case.

Something's dropped in our laps. We think you should know about it.

Ken Hicks gave me an envelope this morning .

lt had a list of prosecution witnesses and phone numbers of people. . .

. . .who have damaging information about them .

lncluded among the witnesses was Lee Michaelson.

And?

DOCKNOVICH : Notwithstanding Hicks' obvious bias. . .

. . . I think we have to take a fresh look at Michaelson.

Fortas' private detective, who Szymanski knows. . .

. . .said Michaelson was caught stealing from clients.

Fortas was about to go public.

MOSELY : Michaelson would have been finished .

Every one of his clients would have left him, including Rickey.

We know he was cleaned out in his divorce.

He's been having money problems. He's been on antidepressants.

You think you have enough to say he's guilty of murder?

I think we definitely have enough to create reasonable doubt.

He had motive, opportunity, and in all likelihood, access to Rickey's gun.

I don't know if he's guilty, but with this information. . .

. . .there is no doubt in my mind he should be a suspect.

APPLETON : Hey. Have you had dinner?

Lee Michaelson did not commit this murder.

You' re sure?

No.

Look. . .

. . .if he's hiding something, we need to know that.

We need to exploit that.

If he's not, we destroy the reputation of a man I've known for 20 years.

Maybe a man who steals from his clients deserves it.

Maybe we need to consider the source of the allegation.

Fair enough.

But what if the allegation turns out to be true?

Then we've gotta go with it.

So. . .

. . .what about dinner?

I' m not really up for it tonight, Justine.

Okay.

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