All language subtitles for The.Burning.Bed.1984.DVDRip_en

It was like
I was watching myself.

I told the kids
to get in the car...

...told them to wait.

It was March 9th, 1977,
in Evansville, Michigan.

What's happening?

What the hell is going on?

Hey!

Move it!
There's kids in there!

Is there people in there?

Please, God!

My boy is in there!

I think my boy's in there!

Where's Fran?

Mrs. Hughes, my name
is Aron Eridanus.

The court has appointed me
to be your attorney.

It's son of ironic.

I used to work
in the prosecutor's office.

A few months ago, I would have
been prosecuting this case.

Mrs. Hughes, I've been told
that you committed murder.

Is that correct?

I've been told that you've
confessed to committing murder.

Is that correct?

If the information
I have been given is accurate,

this will be an extremely
difficult case to defend.

It will be impossible
if you won't help me.

Please answer me,
Mrs. Hughes.

Yes.

Yes?

Yes what?
Yes, you did kill him?

Mrs. Hughes?

Last night I dreamed that he...

...he was here.

He came into the jail,
and keys were dangling. He...

...came into my cell
and sat down and said,

"Everything will be all right.

L e \\\ e \\\

I loved him.

I did.

Who's that guy over there?

- Who?
- The one smoking.

Oh, that's Mickey Hughes.

He's older.

Isn't he cute?

He's really wild, too,
I think.

Let's get something to drink.

- Come on.
- Francine!

You're one of the Hughes boys.
I heard about you.

Waft you hear?

Why aren't you dancing?

Ain't found anybody
I want to dance with.

Want one?

No!

What's the matter, you afraid
it'll stunt your growth?

I'm not afraid of anything.

Am I gonna see you Friday?

Maybe.

Faster!

Faster, Mickey!

Hey! Okay! Right!

Okay!

Don't.

Don't, Mickey.

What's the matter?

You've got nothing to be afraid of.
I know what I'm doing.

You wouldn't believe what happens
at the night shift at the nursing home.

They got these two nurses, and...

Hey!

Come on, you guys,
knock it off.

I just love it
when you say my name.

You'd try to convince me
of anything.

Yeah, I could,
if you'd just close your eyes.

Mickey, don't! Don't.

You can hear what's going on
in the backseat, can't you?

I want to do it right,
not in the front seat of a car.

I want to wait
until I get married.

Right. Okay.
So let's get married.

- When?
- Right away.

What's the hurry?

I can't believe you!

Dinner's ready.

Why don't you two
come on in and sit down.

You sit right here.

Thank you.

Mickey says your folks
are mountain people, too.

I guess you've got some manners.

I hope so, ma'am.

Well, I wasn't no older than you
when Berlin and I got married.

I guess I've got something
to say about that, right, Mickey?

Would you cut the roast, daddy?

Francine, I really can't believe
you don't want to see him anymore.

Don't be so hard on him.

Why don't you take him back?

- I need some time to see if--
- Why?

He just...

I don't know.
He won't leave me alone.

He's always
talking about getting married.

What's that color?

- Pianissimo.
- I like it.

He said I'll destroy him
if I make him wait any longer.

Doesn't sound so bad to me.

He really loves you.

Francine,
come in here and help me, hon.

Just a minute.

He does, doesn't he?

Yeah.

He's sitting home alone,
listening to records and crying.

That's love.

That's real...

I don't know,
I think I should finish school,

maybe get a job,

just get out of here.

You're everything to me.

Nobody ever said that
to me before.

Well, I never
said that to anybody.

I told him over and over
that I wanted to wait,

but he wouldn't take no
for an answer.

I didn't know what to think.

I mean, nobody
ever loved me like that.

It was real powerful.

I'm such a lucky guy.

Marry me, Fran.

Marry me. Make me happy.
Make yourself happy.

I want to.
Oh, I don't know anymore.

It's such a beautiful night.

Do I look any different?

No. Why?

Look at me.
Look at my eyes. What do you see?

Same thing I see every day.
Pupils.

- I'm serious.
- So am I.

- What are you talking about?
- Want a donuts?

I'll pay for the donuts.

Am I walking any different?

No.

Come on, I give up.
What's the big deal?

I did it.

- You what?
- Shh.

My God, Francine,
that is a big deal.

- You okay?
- I think so.

Think anybody will be able
to tell by looking?

Don't look.

No.

I hope not.

I hope I'm not pregnant.

He didn't have any...?

My God.

Well, did you like it?

I don't know.

Where were you?

Where else?

Oh. Yeah.

I guess you'll marry him, huh?

I guess.

That one's $93.

Ma, I'm gonna need
a little help.

How much help?

$93 worth of help.

You can buy it on time
if you have credit.

You just make monthly payments.

I'll make good on it.

Hell, you ain't gonna get married
every day, now, are you?

Not on your life.

Kisses sweeter than wine...

You like being married?

I like it a lot.

Home, newlyweds!

Help me with my zipper!

I can't wait till we get
a place of our own.

- I want some soda pop.
- Me too.

I'll get it.

Fran, would you help out?

Of course. Stop it!

Can't wait, huh?

Lover boy.

You'd best be looking
for a steady job now.

I'm working on it!

We'd been married
about a year,

but we were still living
with Mickey's parents.

I was trying to fit in
the best I could.

We were hoping Mickey
would find a job.

Now, here's Mickey
when he was six.

Quiet little thing.

Never used to make
a bit of fuss.

Sure hope he likes this.

I think you look real pretty.

Thanks.

Thought you pulled the head
on this thing.

- Did you get a job?
- Nah.

Weren't for bad luck...

Yeah, you got it.

Awful early in the day
to quit looking, isn't it?

What do you think?

- Got a beer?
- Me too.

Well, what do you think?

Where'd you get that?

K-Mart, on sale for a dollar.

Take it off.

Take it off.
Get me a beer.

I'll get it.

- Get it yourself.
- Hey!

Well, that's different, ain't it?
That's real sassy.

Make a fool out of me,
sassin' me in front of my family!

Yum
e crazy'

Hey, let me in!

Promise you'll be good.

Don't you ever lock
no door on me, ever!

Ever!

- Give me that!
- Don't!

You know how to behave!

Come on.

Look...

It's just that you
look so good in those things.

They're too sexy.

I only wanted
to look good for you.

Yeah, I know.

It wasn't so wrong to look pretty
before we were married.

Why is it now?

It's not, it's not.

Look, it's just that
I love you so much,

I can't stand to think of you
dressing up for anybody else.

Mick, I'm sorry.

This came for you.

We're just wasting our time.

If you can't learn to trust me,

then perhaps you would be
better sewed by another attorney.

I've been turned down
on a plea bargain.

You've been denied bail.

I don't have a clue
how to plead this case.

What do I have to do or say
to convince you to defend yourself?

You like it in here?

Do you?

Well, fine.

Do you know what this is?

This is a letter from a woman

who has been beaten
by her husband for years.

She read about what you did,

about what was happening to you,

and she realized that
she had to leave her husband.

Mrs. Hughes, you are not alone.

I always wanted to have

a house in the country, the kids...

you know, the whole thing.

Mickey and me,
we dreamed about it. It was fun.

When he was working,
he'd always buy me something nice.

Something real nice.

How do you like my girl?

That's a beautiful scan'.
You buy that for her, Mickey?

You bet.

That's a fine woman, indeed.

You're a lucky man.

Anyway, when I got up
to the top of that building,

there was this observatory.

I looked up, there wasn't
a cloud in the sky,

just the full moon,

as naked as me
the day I was born.

Don't tell me that!
I saw! You were looking at him!

Knock it off, won't you?

What's going on?

So I left.

Berlin took me
to my momma's place in Jackson.

Here.

I'm gonna get a job.

I was thinking maybe they needed--

Help me with this root, will you?
I can't seem to get it all out.

I was thinking maybe they needed
somebody down at the donuts shop.

I'd like to try to finish school.

You always was
good with gardening.

Momma, I don't want to go back.

I had to sell
your old bed, Francine.

I want to stay here for a while.

Lots of women,
they have to put up with their men.

Especially if there's children.

And mostly the men don't mean it.

Hand me that can over there,
will you, honey?

If you make a hard bed,
you have to lay in it.

Have you been sick
in the mornings yet?

It ain't fair.

Now, you know
that Mickey's gonna be coming by.

- He's already called you--
- I don't want to talk to him!

It's his baby, too.

I know he's jealous,
but that's only natural.

It's your duty
to stand by him.

Francine, he loves you.

It's not really so bad, is it?

No. It ain't so bad.

Here.

My daughter!

Christy Marie.

He was so proud
when Christy was born.

When she was six months old,
we moved into our own place.

It wasn't the greatest,
but I was real happy.

Would you get the baby seat
out first, honey?

Got our own place finally.

I love you.

You know where
I want to plant the garden?

Right in the front.

You are my sunshine

My only sunshine

The new job,
it's gonna work out just fine.

The baby's so big.
How old is she now?

Six months.
Can you believe that?

Did my mother ever
feel that way about me?

I love her so much.

And so does Mickey!

Get up!

Hey, you girls, come on in.
We're gonna play some records.

I'm glad you're here.

You guys ready
for some more beers?

Everybody is.
We want some more food, honey.

Ernie wants five hamburgers.

Make it three.

Hey, when did you do this?

Yesterday.

Where?

Hey, Mick,
will you change the record?

- In town.
- Why?

I just took Christy
into town, Mickey.

We get lonely out here.

I told you not to
go in town without me.

So what do you think?

- Not bad.
- Yeah, it's not bad.

You okay?

I don't know how
you can put up with it.

Things have been really good
since Christy was born.

He's just a little ragged
since he lost his job.

I'm sorry, Francine,
but that don't make it right.

It was just as much my fault.

We're a family now.
I've got to try to be a good wife.

I've got to figure out
what he wants

and what he's thinking.

Just wait. He'll be in here
apologizing any minute.

You gonna let him?

It's not easy for him, too,
you know.

It's hard being
a good husband and a good father.

He's doing the best he can.

Stop looking at me.
I'm all right.

Really.

Everybody's gone.

- You don't have to do that.
- I want to do it.

I'm sorry.

I don't want
to talk about it, okay?

I don't know how
you put up with me sometimes.

Can't control myself.

I don't really deserve you.

No?

I don't?

"Yes. Yes, you do,
Mickey, you deserve me.

"Of course you do, Mickey.

Don't say that."

My only sunshine

You make me happy

When skies are gray

- Excuse me.
- Louder.

- Sing louder.
- You'll never know, dear

- Louder.
- How much I love you

Play!

Please don't take
my sunshine away

I told you to shut up.
You have a big mouth, Fran.

Leave me alone!

- Shut up!
- You're sick!

Don't!

Don't!

No, don't!

I hate you!

_ say it again!
' No!

Bitch!

Fran, come here.

I don't want to.

Come in here.
I want to talk to you.

No.

I want to tell you I'm sorry.

I love you.

Why'd you do it?

Why?

Don't cry.

Please.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Hughes,
but we don't make the rules.

The head of the household
must apply for welfare.

Why didn't your husband
come with you?

He just...
I guess he's too proud.

Oh.

My kids are hungry.

The problem is,
you can't get welfare

unless you separate
from your husband.

All you have to do
is sign the proper papers.

I could give you a food order
right now if I had those papers.

- And all I do is sign?
- That's all.

Honey.

My husband said
he'd kill me if I left him.

The courts would protect you.

- Where are the papers?
- They're right here.

I want you to read
before you sign,

and then you just pay the filing fee
and the papers are sewed.

The fee? How much?

$7, Mrs. Hughes.

$7? You think
I'd be here if I had $7?

I don't have it.

I see.

Well, uh...

I can't pay you back.

You'll want to read this
very carefully,

and in six months, you'll go to court
for the final decree.

- This the divorce paper?
- Yeah.

I can be divorced just like that?

Just like that.

"Charlotte and Sally
were inside the house.

"They were laughing.

"When Willie reached
the edge of the forest,

"he lay down on a mound
of cool green moss.

"The moon sat
like a big saucer in the sky.

He looked up,
and what do you think happened?"

A bear got him.

A bear?

No. "They couldn't
see him anymore

"because night had fallen.

"And when they looked out
in the morning,

he was gone."

Where'd he go?

Okay, get in the back seat.
Come on.

You be good. Play a game.

I'm proud of you, honey.
It's a real good thing you're doing.

I'm kind of afraid to let go.

Stop it! Stop it!

- Come on, be nice.
- I said it first!

I packed so fast, I don't even know
if I got everything.

You'll be all right, Francine.

- I said it.
- You're gonna be fine.

Let's sing a song, okay?

- "You are my sunshine"?
- Yes.

- You are my sunshine
- This is that stupid song!

My only sunshine

You make me happy

When skies are gray

You'll never know, dear

How much I love you

Please don't take
my sunshine away

You are my sunshine

My only sunshine

You make me happy...

Would you keep them
on the porch?

You're going to have a baby sister.
What's a good name?

- Shelly.
- Shelly?

- Hey, there.
- Look who's here.

- How you doing?
- Hi there, honey.

I'm happy you're here.

My, you're getting big.

Yeah. Come on in.

Hey! How you doing, Christy?

- Guess what?
- What?

I'm pregnant again, too,
myself.

No kidding?

Don't show yet.
Just two months.

- How's Ernest and the baby?
- Fine.

- You stay on the porch.
- Hey, Jimmy.

I don't believe this.

Look at all these names!

My gosh.

There I am.
"Gaby and Ernest."

- I know.
- There's Vic and Lois.

There's the twins,
Terry and Tommy!

My gosh,
where are all these people?

Seems like another world,
don't it?

Yeah.

I heard the divorce
is going through.

I didn't know
what else to do.

I thought he'd be by, but he hasn't.
I heard he has another girl.

You're just down, Fran.

You did your best.

Mickey has that real bad temper.
He always did.

But he loves me.

Maybe this'll be
the best one yet.

Yeah.

Dr. Franks,
please report to E.R.

Dr. Franks to E.R.

I seen her.

Berlin was just saying he can't tell
which one she looks more like.

Well, you look fine, Francine.

She was a pretty easy birth.

What you calling her?

I don't know. Maybe Nicole.

From the soap opera,
remember?

Them was good days.

Ain't you gonna ask
about Mickey?

Well, he's just fine.

He's got himself
all straightened out.

He's working.

Now, when are you two
gonna get back together

and be a family
like you ought to?

We're divorced.

You just had his child, Francine.
That ain't no divorce.

Your children need their father.

I did it for the children.

He's changed now.

Don't you
love him no more, Francine?

Woman's got to take
the bitter with the sweet, you know.

Mickey loves you, Francine,
something awful.

He wants to see his children.

I'm afraid.

Oh, he won't hurt you, honey.

Now, he stayed away
'cause you wanted it,

but it's wrong to keep a father
from his own children.

This ain't no use,
talking to her.

Yes it is.

She heard me.

Looking great, honey.

- Care if I come in?
- Yeah.

You do all this yourself?

You run a great household.

- That your chicken?
- Yeah.

I've been missing your cooking.

Missing you.

Here.

You working?

I'm all straightened out.

You want to see the baby?

Yeah.

Look at that.

Looks like Christy, huh?

Hey, here's your papa.

Gaby will be bringing
the kids home any minute.

I can't wait around
to see them, though.

Hey, Fran, I want us
to get back together.

We're divorced, Mickey.

A thousand divorces
can't change anything.

You're mine.

I don't want to go back.

I don't want it the way it was.

Hey!

Nobody knows me
like you do.

Go on, tell me you missed me.

Yeah, I missed you.

It'll be a lot better this time.

I promise.

It's over.

I can come and go
as much as I want.

Just leave, Mickey.

Christy, don't run.

Grandma!

I snowed you'd come!

He's hurt real bad, Francine.

He went through a stop light
and got hit by a telephone truck.

Oh, no.

They're flying a surgeon in
from Chicago.

Some kind of specialist.

He don't want me nor no one.
He just keeps calling for you.

How bad is he?

He's real bad. The doc says
he may not make it.

- I've got to go to the bathroom, bad!
- I'll take him. I'll take him.

Come on. Let's go, boy.

He's all busted up inside.

I come to spare you.
You go get you some sleep.

Rest of 'em's in the waiting room.

He still doesn't know me, Wimpy.

It's a wonder
he knows anything at all.

He was awful close to death.

Doc says it's a miracle.

I've got to hand it to you,
Francine.

We sure didn't think much
of you divorcing Mick,

but you're okay in a pinch.

- We're glad you're back.
- Thanks.

I'm gonna stay
a little while longer.

I thought, "My God,
he's never gonna make it."

When I took his hand,
he started to cry.

I did too.

I stood there thinking
how awful it was.

Nobody deserved this.

What?

Yeah.

That's real good.

No. My bed isn't too hard.

What's the matter, honey?

I can't hear you.

I'm hugging you too
over the phone.

I hope I see you soon, too.

I love you.

Gaby kept telling me
not to go back.

But I felt I owed it to Mickey
to help nurse him,

so when Flossie said
the place next door was empty,

I decided to move in.

You want to talk to my mom?

I decided if I'm going to
help Mickey get better,

I might as well be close by.

- I owe him that.
- Mom, it's for you.

You owe him nothing.

Hello, I'm busy.
I'll have to call you back.

You didn't see him
in the hospital.

- He nearly died.
- I wish he had.

My gosh, that was
a terrible thing to say.

I'm sure glad
Ernest didn't hear me.

Be careful.

You know, Francine, sometimes
I think that's the only way

you're going to get rid of him.

We're divorced, Gaby.

Anyway, he's gonna
live over there with Flossie.

Soon as he's better,
I'm on my way.

You're really
fooling yourself, Francine.

Thanks for helping me
get settled.

Against my better judgment.

They're here!

Mommy, Mommy,
they're here!

Daddy! I missed you!

The kids were so happy
to see Mickey

when he came home
from the hospital.

Fran.

The doctors weren't sure
whether he'd ever be the same.

Wait, is Fran coming?

You'll feel better as soon as
we get your dressing changed.

I thought, "How could I leave?

What would the kids think if I
walked away and left their father?"

Fran!

Fran, come here!

Hey, Fran!

Mom, Daddy says he wants you
and he wants you now.

I know, I can hear him.

Come on, Fran! Come here!

Mickey wants you
to change his dressing.

He can change it himself.

Doctor said he's got to learn.

Do it for me, Fran.

Don't seem like anybody can do
anything right for him but you.

Look at him.

He's been home over a month,
and he's still lying around.

The doctor said he should be
up trying to walk.

How's he going to get better
if you keep babying him?

This is my house. I don't think you
ought to take that tone with me.

I'm sorry.

I'm tired.

I've got three babies
at home to take care of,

and him over here...

He won't do anything for himself.

I'm going home.

I'm going to stay.
I can't take it any longer.

Hey!

You can't stay.

How about a nice welcome?

Dad!

You ain't staying, Mickey.

Well, who's gonna stop me?

We're divorced. The welfare.

Hey, come on, Fran.

It's time I came home.

Things are getting
out of line here.

Any more?

No.

Put 'em down.
You want to help me fold 'em?

I'm hungry-

I'll have supper ready
in a little while.

That's not what I'm hungry for.

I'm all better now.

The kids.

Let's, uh...
let's get married again.

- No. It wouldn't work.
- Sure it would.

You're mine, Fran. A thousand
divorces can't take that away.

No, Mickey.

What, you think
I'm not man enough for you?

I think you're gonna be
just fine.

I'm fine now.

It don't work no more, Mickey.

Stop that!

- Stop it!
- Don't do it!

- Go get grandma!
- Nobody's gonna help you now!

Grandma!

Don't!

Don't hurt me! Don't!

Don't!

Don't!

No!

Who'd want to be
married to you, anyway?

- Boy, you got a problem?
- Get out of my way.

Come here!

Fran?

Where are you?

We got him calmed down, ma'am.

Says he's not going to
bother you anymore.

You're not going to
take him away?

Sorry, ma'am, but we didn't
see him do anything,

so we're not allowed
to make an arrest.

You can go to the prosecutor's office
in the morning

and swear out a complaint.

Complaint?

Would you like me
to take you to the hospital?

No.

Got a little drunk.

Guess I'm not all well yet.

Fannie, I'm humbling myself.

Sorry.

I won't do that no more.

Ever hit me again
in front of my kids,

or anyone...

Your kids?

I'll leave you.
I'll take the kids and go.

You ain't going no place.

Get that idea
right out of your head.

Wherever you went, I'd find you.
Then you know what would happen?

Huh?

Yeah, you're gonna
stay right here...

...or those kids ain't gonna
have no mother.

Understand?

Yes.

Francine, in all my research,
I haven't found a single precedent

that would support
a plea of self-defense,

so this is what I recommend--

we forget self-defense,
and we change the plea

to not guilty by reason
of temporary insanity.

You mean crazy?

No, I mean, if I can get
expert testimony

as to your state of mind
at the time of the murder,

we may have a chance.

Now, you'll have to see
a number of psychiatrists.

Are you willing to do that?

The next couple of years were
just about the best we had.

Mickey calmed down a little,

even let me apply to college.

And the kids getting older
made everything easier.

Let me have that crescent wrench.

One wrench.

Thanks.

I need that ball-peen hammer.

- Here's the hammer, Daddy.
- Thanks.

Where'd you guys go yesterday?

The store.

What did you get?

We needed
some milk and...bread.

Where's that hammer?
I need the hammer.

It's right there.

Daddy!

Well...

- Daddy, you're all dirty.
- So?

You're making me all dirty.

I love your mom.

I love my mom, too.

Come on.

- Oh, no!
- Come on.

I'll teach you.

Expecting something?

No.

Mickey Hughes,
Mickey Hughes...

Francine Hughes.

Thought you weren't
expecting anything.

I'm not.

- "This is to confirm that you..."
- It's a check!

From the government!
I got the grant!

They'll give me money
to go to business school.

You're not going to school.

If I get a degree,
I could get a job.

I could just go in the mornings,

and I'd be home
by the time the kids got back.

I could still take care
of the house.

If I don't go,
we don't get the money.

In the beginning, I was afraid
to even open my mouth in class.

But little by little,

I felt better.

I liked to pretend the other part
of my life didn't even exist.

One of each, please.

Thank you.

No, thank you.

I swear, Fran,
you hardly eat anything.

Just because you eat
enough for both of us.

You want to go shopping after class?
We're going to the mall.

I can't.
My husband needs the car.

Hiya, Henry.

- You remember Henry.
- Yeah. Hi, Henry.

Henry here protects our school,
don't you, Henry?

Hi.

Henry Checkoff.

Francine Hughes.

Pleased to meet you.

Mickey started complaining more
and more about me going to school.

I was afraid he was going to
try to make me stop.

He got drunk one night
and started in on me and the kids,

so I packed the kids
in the car.

You looking for this?

Every time I'd try to run away,
he'd catch me,

and things would get worse.

Mickey, stop it!

Hey!

Stop!

Stop!

Stop!

I'll kill you!
I'll kill you!

Get your hands off him!
Get off that boy!

Stay back!

You're hurting him!

- Get off him!
- Get back!

Get your hands off him,
I tell you!

Get off him! Get off him!

- Stop!
- Leave him alone!

Leave that boy alone!

It's been going on
too long now.

Something awful
gonna happen.

You're family.

You've got to help us.

She's right.

It ain't Mickey's fault,
nor Francine's, either.

He just ain't...right.

Never has been right
since that crash.

I ain't gonna sit here
and listen to this talk.

It's true, Berlin. I snowed it
that night in the hospital.

The minute
he pushed my hand away.

It's for Mickey, too.

He's got to be sent someplace
where he can get some help.

And the children.

There's no son of mine
is going to no mental ward.

Not whilst I'm alive.
Just stop it.

Sit down, Berlin.
I know what's right.

I think y'all being
awfully hard on Mickey.

- I'm leaving.
- You ain't.

You watch me.

Berlin stayed away
for three weeks.

Flossie just crumbled.

She took to her bed and
stayed there until he came back.

We never discussed
committing Mickey again.

I knew I was totally
on my own now.

So, how can I help you,
Mrs. Hughes?

Last night, my husband--
my ex-husband--

tried to kill me.

He hit a police officer.

Come on, let's go.
Could we go please?

I see by the records
he's on probation.

Have you been in touch
with his probation officer?

No sir.

Well, don't worry.

Since he's on probation,
he'll automatically...

I want to go see Daddy.

...be picked up.

Put it back.

Come here.
Come over here.

- Move over.
- Mom!

- When?
- I can't say when.

As I've said,
he's violated his probation

by assaulting a police officer.

He'll serve time for that.

Could I fill out a complaint?
You know, for attempted murder?

I'm afraid
he's going to kill me.

I don't know what else to do.

I'm going to have to let
probation handle it.

But come back to see us
if there's any more trouble.

Let's go.

My name is Francine Hughes.

I'm at a pay phone
in Lansing with my kids.

- Stop it.
- Stop it!

I don't have any money.

My ex-husband, who's
on probation, beat me up.

He threatened to kill me.
I need some protection.

I'm sorry. Stop it!

I'm sorry.
I need some protection.

When?

Take her, take her.

Mom!

Well, he's home right now.
I'm afraid to even go there.

- Pick it up.
- I want to go home!

I want to go home!

I don't want to!
I want to go home!

A couple of days?

- I want to go home!
- Stop it!

- I'm working on this. No!
- Stop it!

I want to go home!

Ma, we need help.

- Good night.
- Good night.

- Love you.
- I love you.

Everything�s gonna be all right.

- Good night.
- Good night.

Sweet dreams.

- See you tomorrow.
- Okay.

- Love you.
- Love you.

Let me in!
I just want my kids!

Give me my kids!
I'll break this door in your face!

He's here right now.
Could you please send some help?

The police are on their way.
Get away from here!

What'll they do?

- Let me in!
- No!

I just want my kids!

Maybe just for now
you ought to let him have the kids.

He'd never hurt 'em.

Give me those kids
or I'll break this door in your face!

It'll calm him down.

Oh, please, Francine,
I can't take any more, I just can't.

Oh, God.

Flossie will be real good to 'em, honey,
and you can get 'em back later.

Come on, kids, let's go.

Francine?

Want something to eat, honey?

I can't.
I have to get going.

I've got to get some help
before my money runs out.

Got to do something about Mickey.

It was wrong
to let him take the kids.

We had no choice.

I've got to get some gas
before I go to Lansing.

- Wish me luck.
- I sure do, honey.

He could get my kids back.

He could keep my husband from
doing anything he pleases to me.

That's a police matter,
Mrs. Hughes.

Maybe you should hire a lawyer

and sue your husband
for the custody of your children.

Custody? They're my children!

Something has to be done now
before he gets drunk and kills me.

Lots of women leave the state
just to get away.

I can't do that.

I don't have a car.
I don't have any money.

I can't leave my children!

I'm getting aid
to dependent children,

and he's not supposed to be
living with me, but he won't get out.

That's breaking the law,
isn't it?

Yes, but the only thing
that this department can do

is take your welfare away.

And where would your children be
without that?

I don't have my kids.
He has my kids.

I want my kids back.

I'm sorry, but there's nothing
I can do for you.

Why don't you throw away
all his clothes and lock the door?

Or you could get a peace bond
and keep him away.

- Then, if he beats you--
- After he beats me. After.

I know how you feel,

but you see, Mrs. Hughes,
if we take action,

the only one
we can prosecute is you.

You don't know how I feel.

I'm not coming, Mickey.

I don't care
what you promise.

Fine. Go ahead.

I'm not gonna do it.

Send the kids over to your mother,

go in the bathroom,
and lock the door.

- He really sounded--
- What?

He really sounded sorry!

Don't call me anymore!

Oh. Hi, honey.
How are you?

No, I love you, too.

Okay, it's time for you
to go to bed.

I love you.

Bye .

It's almost time for church,
honey.

Just a second, Momma.
I've just got to finish this.

- Mommy!
- Come here!

_ Mommy!
_ Mom!

Oh, God!

- How are you doing?
- Good.

Hi, Fran.
The kids wanted to see you.

Don't worry,
we won't stay long.

It's okay.

Want some coffee?

We're just getting ready
to go to church.

Oh, well, we won't keep you.

Fran, I want to talk to you.

Come here, partner.

Okay. -

Really, you don't have to come back.
I'm not even going to ask you.

I just want to tell you...

...I quit drinking.

And I'm going to church.

I did all those things to you
because of the drinking.

It'll never happen again.

That's real fine, Mickey.

I made up my mind
I'm not coming back.

The kids miss you
something awful.

Children need
a mother and a father both.

Soon as I get a job and I get settled,
I'm going to come get the kids.

I love those kids.
I'll never give them up.

Give them up? I'm their mother.
lf l have to, I'll get a lawyer.

Mom, you should have seen
the breakfast I made for everyone.

And I took the laundry
down to the Laundromat.

Such a good girl!

Lot of responsibility
for a little child.

I'm real sorry
you won't be coming with us.

I guess you've
made up your mind.

You've got your reasons,
but it's a crying shame,

'cause he's doing his best.

Come on, kids,
let's get in the car.

I miss you.

- Bye, Mom!
- I love you, Mom!

I love you.

Please, Fran.
It'll be different this time.

I love you.

I want you with me and the kids.

I'll never take another drink.

If I do, you can leave.

Bye, Mom!

Bye, Mommy!
Don't miss me!

Good bye!

You will also hear the testimony

of Christy Hughes
and her brother James Hughes.

They will tell you
that they observed the fight.

They will also tell you
that the fight ended,

that James Berlin Hughes
went to bed in the bedroom,

and that somewhere
between a half an hour

and two hours
after he went to bed,

Francine Hughes told them
to put on their coats,

that as they were going to the car,

they both saw a gas can
sitting on the back porch,

which they had not seen
earlier that day.

Shortly thereafter, Francine Hughes
came out of the house,

got into the car,

and started to drive away.

After all the evidence
has been presented to you,

we will ask that you find
the defendant guilty as charged--

guilty of premeditated murder.

Now I'm going to ask you
to put yourself

in the place of Francine Hughes,

and when she tells you
about what she experienced,

about the inhuman situation
she found herself in,

try your hardest to
put yourself in her place,

to see all the circumstances
from her point of view.

Francine Hughes is not
a cold-blooded killer.

When you hear the history
of Francine Hughes...

...when you hear
her human situation...

...you will enter a verdict
of not guilty

at the conclusion of this case.

Now, you indicated
that Mickey Hughes

made repeated threats
to kill Francine.

He said specifically,
as I recall your testifying,

"That it was all over for her"?

My question is this, officer--

Why didn't you take him away?

Because he'd made
the same threats to me,

and they didn't seem like--

they were just words.

I see.

On what did you
base this conclusion?

That he had an opportunity
while he was threatening me

to back it up, and he didn't.

Do you put yourself
in the same position, sir,

with your uniform and gun?

I assume you were
wearing your gun.

Yes, right, I had a gun.

Are you equating your situation
with Francine's?

Wasn't it quite obvious to you that
he wasn't going to be doing anything

while you were still there?

I didn't assume that, no.

Mrs. Hughes, do you see the person
known to you as Francine Hughes

in the courtroom here today?

Yes, sir, I do.

Mrs. Hughes, she was married
to one of your sons?

Yes, sir.

Which son was that?

My son James.

We called him Mickey.

I'm sorry.

I'm all right.

I'm fine.

Around the time
of March 9th, 1977,

how would you say Mickey
and Francine were getting along?

I thought everything was just
as good with them as anybody else.

I knew they had a few problems.

You know, like anybody,
they have disagreements,

maybe financial problems and stuff,
but nothing unusual,

nothing that bothered me
or concerned me.

Was there ever an occasion,
Mrs. Hughes,

when you saw your son
strike Francine Hughes?

Never.

Never have I ever seen
any of my sons

strike one of their wives.

Mrs. Hughes, do you recall
the children ever telling you

about their father
beating up on their mother?

Well, the children came over
a couple of times,

and they would say, "My mommy
and daddy is fighting."

I see. They wouldn't say, "My daddy
is beating up on my mom."

I suppose they have said that.

On August 12th of 1972,

at approximately 14 minutes
after 7:00,

do you recall a situation where
the police came to your house

because your son had repeatedly
hit you in the face?

I most certainly do not!

I don't know where you're
getting your information from.

- Okay.
- I most certainly do not!

Mrs. Hughes, do you recall
when you called

the gingham County
Sheriff's Department,

and on that occasion,
Francine Hughes hid in your house?

Hid in my house?

Well, she had hid
in our house sometimes.

She done that
even before they got married.

I didn't know whether they was
fighting or playing games or what.

And who was she hiding from?
Her children?

Well, I don't know.

Maybe she was
hiding from him.

Afterwards, she'd say,

"Mom, it's more my fault
than it is his."

Mrs. Hughes, don't you remember
the police coming to your house

when Francine
was hiding from Mickey

because, among other things,
he had been beating on her?

I do not recall
no such an occasion.

Do you recall telling the policemen that
Mickey Hughes had hit you repeatedly?

No, sir.

Do you recall him
breaking down the door

to try to get into your house
to get after her?

He didn't break down no door!
He did not!

Mrs. Hughes,
I'm merely asking you.

You just better ask something else.
He didn't break down my doors.

You sure got you
some good information.

Excuse me.

You better go back
and get you some more.

Now, Christy, what was he saying
to your mother during this evening?

You mean, you want to know
what kinds of things he said?

I want to know
what he said, yes.

Well, he called her a whore.

- And he...
- Tell me.

I'm sorry you have to
say this, Christy,

but you tell us
what he said to her.

He called her a bitch and a whore.

Did your mom seem depressed
or happy or normal or what?

Depressed.

Now, Christy, is this
the first time that you remember

that your father
beat up on your mother?

No.

- Was it the second time?
- No.

- Was it the third time?
- No.

- The fourth or fifth time?
- No.

How many times did your father
beat up on your mother?

Too many to count.

Do you remember your father
grabbing your mother by the arms,

bending them
up behind her back?

Do you remember
showing the policeman that?

Yes.

Christy, do you remember
telling them that your dad

hit her in the face
and hit her in the head?

Yes.

Like this?

I don't know.

Usually with the back
of his hand or his fist,

or the front of his hand.

- Just any old way, right?
- Right.

Did your mother
ever try to get away,

get away with you and the children,
the other children?

- Many times.
- Many times?

And do you remember
where you went?

Usually to Grandma
Hazel Moran, in Jackson.

Her house.

What would happen on those occasions
that you would go to Jackson?

He would come and threaten to,
like, bust down the door

and break things if she--

What did he say he would do
if she tried to leave?

He would kill her.

He said that if she left with you,
he would kill her?

Yes.

How many times
did he tell her that?

Two or three.
I don't know.

Christy...

How do you feel
about your father being gone?

You miss your father?

No.

Are you glad that he's gone?

- Objection.
- Sustained.

That is all I have, your honor.

The defense calls Francine Hughes.

Why didn't you leave?

At first I didn't because...

...feeling the way I did about him
being, you know, such a young man

and not being able
to work or anything.

What more could I take
away from him?

Could I take the kids and leave?

And I knew if I did,
he'd find me.

March 9th, 1977,

wasn't the first time
he threatened to kill you.

Did you believe those threats?

When he first
started making them, I didn't,

but when he started chasing me

and trying to run me off the road
and stuff like that,

I believed him.

In the last year,
I had come to believe

that sooner or later he would.

I was afraid.

Very afraid.

And it was like he just wanted
to possess me.

Francine, you've said
that your children

are the most important
thing in the world to you.

In that context,
I'd like to ask you

if you remember an incident
which occurred some time ago.

Yes.

Could you tell us what happened?

The kids kept begging for a puppy,

and some people we knew
gave us one.

The kids called her Lady.

It was real cold
when we brought her home,

but Mickey
wouldn't let her in.

So our neighbor gave us
an old, raggedy doghouse.

We fixed it up
behind the garage

and put straw in it
to keep the puppy warm.

Did there come a time when
the dog was going to have puppies?

Yes, she was going to have puppies
before she was a year old.

When she got ready to have them,
she was acting really sick,

and they wouldn't come out.

We asked Mickey if we could
take her to the veterinarian,

but he wouldn't let us.

The kids were crying,
and they were running in and out,

crying, "Another one came out.
It's dead."

They begged Mickey to let us bring her
inside because it was cold out,

but he wouldn't, so we tried to
sneak her in on the back porch.

He found out, and he put her out.
She was bleeding.

What happened to the dog?

When I went out later,
she was...she was dead.

She was lying on the ground.

When the kids came out,
they said,

"Momma, she's frozen."

So the dog froze to death

after giving birth
to those puppies?

Yes.

Now, Francine...

...we're going to March 9th, 1977.

Could you tell me
how that day started out?

Like any other day.

I got up at 5:30 and started
to get ready to go to school.

When I got to school,
I felt really good.

By the time I got home,
I was kind of tired.

You're late!

Five minutes.
Had to give a girl a ride home.

And now you're going to
give her a ride every day?

No, she has a regular ride.
I won't do it again.

And I need your help.
Save me! Save me! Please!

I'll save you.

What did you get this for?

'Cause we were all out.

What's for dinner?

There's no meat in here.
There's nothing!

I got some TV dinners.

You know
I don't like them.

I didn't think you were
gonna eat here anyway.

That's the trouble with you.

You're always thinking.

I don't even want to
smell that stuff cooking.

Come on, you go outside!

Go on!

That's another trouble--
school!

You're not gonna
go there anymore!

I'm not gonna quit.

Huh?

Let me just feed the kids,

and then I'll
fix you something else.

No.

No. No.

And no school.

I'm not gonna quit school.

I can fix you
so you'll never go back.

Go ahead, then!

Don't!

Yeah?

Leave me alone!

I was just thinking...

...maybe I should just say,
"I'm going to quit school,"

get him quieted down,

then figure out later
how to go back.

But I couldn't.

Something rose up in me
and said no.

"If you say it, Mickey will win
just like he always has,

and you'll never
go back to school again."

I went back inside,
and Mickey started punching me.

Christy went over to Flossie's
to call the police.

Was he hitting you when
the police pulled up, Francine?

No.

When he realized
they were gonna come,

he went into the living room
and sat down.

And what happened
after the policemen left?

I had the kids wash,
and we sat down to eat.

I remember my lip was
stinging with the salt

where he had hit me.

We were trying to be quiet,

and he was sitting
in the living room.

And then he came
into the kitchen to get a beer.

Clean it up!
Clean it up!

Get down!

That's right! That's right!
That's right!

What about school?

What about the school,
the school, the school?

No. No.

I won't go.

No.

You went up to the bedroom
to clear Mickey's dinner dishes.

He was there.

What happened?

He said, "How 'bout a little?"

What did that mean?

He wanted to have sex.

Why didn't you just say no?

I knew if I refused,
he'd start again.

I didn't want to go through it.

The kids were hungry.

They were crying and stuff.

And...l was worried
about them, so l...did.

How did it make you feel?

I thought I might vomit.

I hated it...

...worse than I ever
hated it before.

Because...

...he was drunk,
it took a long time.

After he went to sleep...

...I got dressed and...

...and I told the kids
they could come out.

What was going
through your mind, Francine?

It's hard...

...to describe how I felt.

I was thinking that...

...I was thinking about all the things
that had happened to me.

How much he hurt me
my whole life.

And I thought about school...

...all that work, for nothing.

Whatever I did,
Mickey would knock it down.

And then I thought...

...about my kids,

and how their lives were

as terrible as mine. And...

...I thought, "Take 'em away.

"Just leave.

And when Mickey wakes up,
you and the kids will be gone."

"When Mickey wakes up,
you and the kids will be gone."

Mom, what's happening?

- What's going on?
- The house is burning!

Okay, Francine,
let's go through this again.

You waited till
Mickey fell asleep, is that right?

- Right?
- Yes.

Then you took the kids
out to the car, right?

You got the gasoline
out of the garage

and you came back
into the house, right?

You poured the gasoline
around the bed,

and then you lit a match
and ran to the car, right?

- Right?
- Yes.

Okay, the kids were in the car,
and they were scared and crying,

and you started driving away.

Francine, what were you doing?
Where were you going?

I ran for my life.

I ran for the life of my kids.

Francine, did you
premeditate and plan

the death of your husband
Mickey Hughes?

No.

The defense rests.

The jury's in.

You're wanted downstairs.

Has the jury
reached a verdict?

We have, your honor.

We find the defendant
not guilty

by reason of temporary insanity.

Very well,
ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you for your service
in this matter.

And I thank
each and every one of you...

Mrs. Hughes will be
set free immediately.

- Not guilty.
- Temporary insanity.