Original subtitles

So what are you going to do?

- About. - Rachel? Chunhua?

Look, Jenna..

Whoa!

Malcolm and I are going on a date.

Oh, give me a break.

- My client lied to me. - Defendants do that.

Especially with their lawyers.

You know my client killed his wife.

- Certainly, I know it. - Alright. That's it.

This case is hereby declared a mistrial.

- You have to fight, Harry. - Fight for what?

Or I could keep representing drug dealers and murderers.

Are you serious?

My moral responsibility was to distort

'and manipulate the actual facts'

so far beyond recognition

as to put a murderer back on the street.

It's disgusting.

I think it was Oscar Wilde who said

"We tend to regret more the mistakes we didn't make."

Of course, Oscar never had the pleasure of..

Marty Slumach.

Oh, Harry, it's so good to see you.

I'm so sorry to hear you got fired.

It's a terrible thing.

- I came as soon as I heard. - Oh.

A friend in need is a friend indeed.

- I live by that. - Uh-huh.

And what is it you need? Oh, alright.

Okay. Now that you mention it, it's a small hiccup.

I'm beginning a trial tomorrow. Just, uh, armed robbery.

But, it-it seems I got my ticket pulled for 30 days

a witness-tampering thing, for which I feel deep remorse.

I'm totally innocent.

Judge says I can still second-chair

but since I lost my license

I'm gonna need another attorney to try the case.

- Forget it. - It's taken me a long time..

To establish a trust here.

Guy was wrongly convicted once before

He's not a trusting person.

It's a very delicate situation.

Now, you've never been one to turn your back

on somebody in need, except for me.

Okay. Look. That's water over the dam.

I'm begging you.

We're dealing with a very delicate individual.

'He don't talk. Never.'

Not even to me.

You told me you'd established a trust with him.

I have. You know, as much as one can

with a person who don't talk.

- Are we sure he can talk? - Positive.

Now, he was loud and clear when he robbed the victim.

I thought you said he was innocent.

Totally.

Okay, look.

I understand from Mr. Slumach

that you were convicted once before

on the flimsiest of evidence, of, um..

What was the previous crime?

Armed robbery.

I also understand you don't trust lawyers

this despite your deep bond with Mr. Slumach.

But you need a lawyer just the same.

If it's gonna be me, I need you to be honest with me, sir.

Did you commit this robbery?

- What's the difference? - About 20 years.

I'm already convicted and you know it.

Okay.

Given that, I'd sleep a lot better

knowing you did it.

Too bad. 'Cause I didn't.

I didn't.

Hello. Are we looking for legal advice today?

Or perhaps a new pair of peep-toes?

Well, I was coming in just for some legal advice, but..

- Wow. - I'm attorney Adam Branch.

- May I help you? - My name is Amanda Knott.

I'm a performer at Chez Paris on James Street.

- I was just fired. - Chez Paris?

I love that place. It is so GaGa.

Why were you fired?

Well, the manager..

...he's also the owner..

...w-we'd been having an affair for the past six months.

Now he's back with his wife and suddenly, my act is..

...no longer good enough.

I'm sorry, but, are you, like..

...a man?

I, uh..

For the file.

- I'm anatomically male, yes. - Wow.

Is it possible you were fired for that?

No, I was fired because..

...his wife wants me gone.

Okay. And how long have you been out of work?

My last day is Friday.

Unless you can somehow change that.

Can you?

Hey. Georgie.

Hey. How are you, my friend? Georgie, this is Harry Korn.

Harry, this is the handling DA

George Kupcheck.

He's a real character.

Harry's gonna be handling the defense.

- How you doing? - Hey, Georgie, listen.

I hate to trade on our friendship

but if I could just get a small continuance

I'm thinking what, a month, tops.

Just, uh, just so Harry can get caught up to speed.

A continuance?

Are you on drugs?

First of all, we're not friends, Marty. You turn my stomach.

And secondly, you're not getting any continuance.

George, I got a little situation.

Yeah, I know your situation.

You're trying to delay this as long as you can.

It's what you do.

But I've had it, and so has the judge.

Which is why he said no more continuances.

George, I lost my license.

It's a setback, huh? Come on. These things happen.

Look, I'll give you a continuance, as will the judge.

But if he stays on in any capacity at all

if he's anywhere in the room--

I need him in the room, otherwise--

Then I'll deem you up to speed.

And if you so much as mention the word continuance

I'll move for sanctions.

They do tryouts during the day.

I suspect, at this very moment

they're auditioning my replacement.

And where's your boss?

His office is in the back.

'I just want to be clear on the stated'

criteria for the discharge.

- That's all. - I believe I was clear.

The termination was performance related.

Admittedly, it's a very subjective thing

but one which certainly falls within the discretion

of a club manager.

Okay, but as I understand it, she has not only

performed to Mr. Thomas's satisfaction

'for the last three years'

but she's also been one of the more

popular acts with patrons.

I guess I would ask what's changed?

- 'What's changed?' - I'm sorry.

But I'd like to hear from Mr. Thomas.

I can't allow that. Come on!

Look, we're offering your client

a very generous severance.

And I don't think we really want to go to court, do we?

What's that supposed to mean?

Let's say we do go to trial.

- What do you-- - Mr. Branch.

- Carl. - No.

I made a mistake. I had an affair.

I cheated on my wife.

I have two young children

and I would like to save my marriage.

- Carl. - I'd like to finish, please.

'Do you really think I should'

keep Amanda in my employ and-and put my wife

through an agony of..

I mean, does that make sense to you?

Perhaps not, but it's hardly fair

to Amanda that she be fired.

I know that, and that's why I'm trying

to treat her as-as fairly as possible.

The severance package we offered is way more--

I just want my job.

If I let you keep your job

my wife will leave me.

That's not a legal justification.

I'm not talking about the law.

Sometimes..

These are my children, Mr. Branch.

Now, if you file that lawsuit

they'll not only learn that their father is unfaithful..

...but that he's..

The destruction you will cause..

I'm trying to be as fair and humane

'as I can be.'

How 'bout you do the same?

It's just, as I read the file more carefully

I don't see how we can possibly win this.

This is why I don't read files careful.

Blunts my creativity.

Marty. What's our defense here?

- Client didn't do it. - But he did do it.

What's more, the victim, who, on paper

seems to be a very credible guy, will say so in open court.

We got to somehow trip him up. You want my pickle?

- Marty! - Harry.

There's always something lawyers can do.

It's why people hate our guts, remember?

Okay, suppose we do win.

Doesn't it bother you putting

dangerous, guilty criminals back on the street?

I mean, I realize that's what lawyers often do

but usually with some conflict.

I don't see you experiencing a flicker of it.

Alright, first of all

Ronald may be innocent, like he says.

You know, he's got an alibi witness, you know?

I-I mean, okay, not a believable one, but..

And second, you're basically

in the same line of work as I am now

so how do you get to judge?

Well..

...I think that's what horrifies me.

That I could look in the mirror, and now see..

What?

My reflection?

Marty, let's face it.

You hardly lead a noble life.

Is this why you left me?

Why, 'cause I'm not a noble person?

Well..

...in part, yes.

- I'm sorry. That was out of-- - Oh, no.

Let's just focus on the witness tomorrow, okay?

Like you said, very credible.

You know, he's the prosecution's whole case.

So, if you don't trip him up somehow

you can stick a fork in Ronald Perry.

You know, not to put pressure.

Marty, I didn't mean--

Let's just..

...just focus on the case.

According to the client, he has an alibi.

I need you to hunt him down. That's our only chance.

And get Damien to help you. Tell him no violence.

Just find the guy and bring him to me. And do it fast.

- The trial starts tomorrow. - Okay.

- What? - Nothing.

Don't tell me nothing, Jenna.

You were staring at me funny.

What?

Well, it's not like it's my business.

But were you and Marty Slumach

ever...together?

Would that be a problem?

No. No.

Clearly, it is.

No, it's not. I got to go.

I told Adam I would meet him at Chez Paris to listen

- to the man-woman. - Excuse me?

Adam is representing a man-woman who got fired

by a man-man who had an affair with him-her

and he-she is one of those cross-dresser-singer-thingies.

Bye, Malcolm. Good night, Harry.

Why are you still here? Go find my alibi.

Sorry.

"Cross-dresser-singer-thingies."

'Whoo!'

Oh...my...God.

- Didn't I tell you? - I'm a little afraid.

I didn't think this was allowed in Ohio.

Look, that's her. She's already on.

'That's her in the middle.'

She's good. She's really good.

Whoo!

'Whoo!'

Well, I'd come out of the store around 9:30.

I was carrying a bag. Was fumbling for my key.

I was a little bit agitated.

Like I said, I was running late.

Looked up and saw this man ambling towards me.

At first I, I thought he was a homeless guy

'just asking me for change.'

I returned my focus to the car.

Suddenly, I had this big barrel of a magnum

sticking in my face.

Did you see who was wielding this weapon?

- That man. - The defendant.

- Yes. - Any doubt?

- None. - Well, did he say anything?

All he said was, "Watch. Wallet. Now."

And, sir, did you see the suspect ever again before today?

Uh, yes, I saw him the following day

in a police lineup, where I immediately identified him

as the man who'd robbed me the night before.

The night of the robbery you told the police

the suspect was very overweight.

- I did. - 'Next day..'

They called you in to see a lineup.

Did they indicate that they thought they had the guy?

They said they'd apprehended a man who matched the description.

And this is the lineup you saw?

Yeah.

I see exactly one

overweight guy.

The lineup has already challenged

unsuccessfully in pretrial, Your Honor.

The objection is overruled.

A little stacked, don't you think?

One overweight guy?

I imagine you were in shock having a gun stuck in your face.

My powers of observation weren't compromised.

Police notes indicate that the parking lot was not well lit.

Well, he was standing right in front of me.

- I got a perfect look at him. - Really?

Because according to the incident report

when describing him, you just said

and I quote, "Fat Latino."

No description of facial features

or clothing, nothing on height or hair

just, "Fat Latino."

Are you not good on details?

When was the last time you had a gun stuck in your face?

So you were distracted by the gun?

Well, I saw his face.

You didn't see the goatee or the scar?

- It was him. - 'For the gun..'

You said it appeared to be a seven-shooter

rubber grip, stainless-steel barrel.

That's very impressive.

As for the suspect, "Fat Latino."

It was that man right there.

Do you make room for the possibility

that after the police indicated

that they thought they had the guy

and you then saw one lone obese man in the lineup--

I wasn't influenced by the police.

I was not predisposed in any way.

That is the man who robbed me.

Did they ever find your watch or wallet

in my client's possession?

Not to my knowledge.

Did the police find

any physical or forensic evidence

connecting my client to this robbery?

Not to my knowledge, no.

So, basically, all we have is your ID

in a dark parking lot

while you were under shock

with a gun stuck in your face, right?

It was that man right there.

Am I not being specific enough?

Well...it seems you're very specific when it comes

to describing guns..

...just not fat Latinos.

Marty Slumach?

I am really concerned that she would date him.

- Why? - He's a schlub, Malcolm.

He has, like, zero ethics.

Other lawyers refer to him as "Law-trash."

He's not bona fide.

What does that say about Harry?

That maybe she was lonely, that maybe

she likes a good laugh once in a while

that maybe she has physical needs and likes some--

Ah! Don't even think that.

A woman should never date beneath her.

Those relationships don't work, there are studies.

And that Harry chose to date him

that tells me that she has esteem issues.

I think you're overreacting and wrong.

I have esteem issues, I know.

All my life I've dated men who are less than

so I could feel better than.

But even I would..

Ugh. Marty Slumach.

Oh.

Oopsies.

You did damage, Harry.

That was beautiful.

It's a work of art, is what it was.

I didn't exactly shake his story, Marty.

Okay, I'm here. Let's just get this done.

If you don't have the money, don't even think--

Carleton, Carleton.

Alright, my friend, this is Harry Korn.

She's gonna be conducting the direct.

- I take it you read the file? - Yeah, I did.

You have an envelope for me?

- I got a check right here. - Check?

It's not gonna bounce, I swear.

- I'm outta here. - Wait, wait, hold, hold, hold.

Carleton, an innocent life is on the line here.

- Are you kidding me? - Look, Doctor.

We're a bit hung out to dry here without you.

If that check bounces, I'll cover it.

No offense, but who the hell are you?

One second, Harry.

Come here.

Now, listen to me, you little prick.

That person is a respected attorney.

Great. That makes one of you.

She also happens to be my friend.

So you're gonna get your ass on that stand

and you're gonna testify in court

real convincing, you hear me?

Or I will take you out to the woodshed, rip out your colon

and shove it down your throat.

Do we understand each other, my friend?

You weren't just good, Amanda, you were fantastic.

There's no way they'll make the case

that firing you is performance-based.

If I have to, I'll take the entire jury to see you on stage.

Adam, I can't go into a courtroom.

'I'll just, I'll freeze up.'

Like I said, they're betting that you haven't got the guts--

And I don't!

Amanda, Confucius said, "Do unto others

or they'll keep doing it unto you."

You have to stick up for yourself.

'Let me draft a complaint, send it'

to opposing counsel, but I won't file.

Just the threat that we could file..

...they'll settle, I promise.

I'm sorry, but I find this a little curious.

I haven't even formally filed, and already I'm in chambers

for a motion to dismiss?

Something doesn't smell right.

Is this how you typically begin your trials, counsel

by questioning the integrity of the judge?

I haven't even officially filed the complaint.

I know. But I've seen it.

And as Mr. Emerson points out

the mere filing of a complaint of this type

is...incendiary, it's perhaps irreparable.

The defendant is a married man, with a family

and the allegations here would

be devastating whether they're proven or not.

The court has to be sensitive to that potential injustice.

So, why exactly are we here?

'We will conduct an evidentiary hearing.'

The courtroom will be sealed.

If I am satisfied that there

is enough to warrant a claim then I will allow

the lawsuit to be filed.

- If that's not the-- - This is outrageous.

We will conduct the hearing at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow.

Do you want to alienate me some more, or are we done for now?

Malcolm, um..

...when I said earlier that--

That it's your pattern to date beneath you

so you feel better than?

That those relationships never work.

- That? - Yes.

When I said something like that

I wasn't talking about me and you.

Malcolm. I wasn't. Come on, this is Cincinnati.

If I were looking to hook up with a loser, then..

You might think of yourself as less than, but..

...I certainly don't.

I really like you.

You're smart, you're funny.

You're going to be an amazing lawyer.

You pretty much wrote the brief on the fast-food case

and you haven't even gone to law school yet.

You're awesome. I think you should know that about yourself.

You're awesome.

So..

...this is, like, a real thing, you and me?

Well..

...it feels like it is to me.

- Does it to you? - You find my alibi?

- I'm working on it. - Working on it?

Malcolm, maybe I did a lousy job stressing the urgency of this.

No alibi witness, our guy goes to jail.

We are in trial now.

Harry, do we really think this alibi witness exists?

I don't care whether he exists or not.

The point is I asked you to find him.

'If you look at all the people wrongly convicted'

'and then cleared by DNA evidence, a full 77%'

'involve cases of mistaken eyewitness identification.'

- You've studied this? - 'For 11 years.'

Thirty-eight percent of those screw-ups

involve multiple eyewitnesses.

Can you imagine different people all fingering

the same innocent person?

We hear the expression, "I saw it with my own eyes."

Well, the fact is, the eyes lie.

- All the time. - 'Okay, doctor.'

Let's talk about this particular case.

Absolutely. This man, Mr. Layton

was under stress, fear.

Why? I'll tell you why.

He had a big gun stuck in his face.

Stress especially compromises one's ability to perceive.

'The likelihood is that he went into that lineup'

predisposed, wanting to believe the police had the guy.

He became desperate to believe it, determined.

- He says he's sure. - Ha!

If you look at all the eyewitnesses who got it wrong

they have one thing in common..

...they were sure.

'Do you have any evidence'

to show Mr. Layton was wrong here?

- No. But that doesn't mean-- - Thank you.

Do you have any reason to doubt his veracity?

No. But my research shows that--

Thank you.

And how many times have you testified

for the defense in one of Mr. Slumach's cases?

- I'm not really sure. - More than 50?

Probably around 50.

And you get paid to do so, don't you?

I get paid for my time, yes.

So you're a professional witness.

- Objection. - So, doctor..

How much money are you being paid

to sit in that chair right now?

Sixteen hundred dollars.

Gee.

I'm in the wrong business.

Kind of quiet, Harry. What's the matter?

'You got that acid reflux thing again?'

No. Marty.

Your little scene in the corridor with the expert

and his subsequent compelling testimony

it's left a very bad taste in my mouth.

- Why? - Why?

Because the testimony was bought

coerced, for all I know.

- 'Supplied.' - No, it wasn't.

Did we pay him for his time? Yes. Did we argue? Yes.

'I never put words in his mouth.'

Marty, it was disgusting.

- And you know it. - No, I don't know it.

You strong-armed a medical expert, a doctor under oath--

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Pharmaceutical companies put doctors

on the take all the time.

They pay doctors to prescribe their drugs.

You think car companies don't heap piles of dough on engineers

just to testify that their cars are safe?

- That doesn't make it right. - But it goes on.

Look, if big, rich companies can benefit from that kind of help

why-why should poor schlubs like Ronald Perry..

Is that what you tell yourself?

It's what I'm telling you.

You know, Harry, sometimes

I think you lose track of the ground

sitting up there on that high horse of yours.

Ronald Perry could very well be guilty.

- Is probably guilty. - Or he could be innocent.

- Oh, please. - Which is a jury question.

Our job is to fight for the guy

and if you're sitting there, suggesting

that we fight a little less hard for the ones we think did it

maybe you should save a little of that disgust for yourself.

The very fact that you're being this defensive tells me you--

I'm defensive because I'm sick of it.

I hear this crap all the time. I'm sick of it, Harry.

Oh, oh, Marty Slumach is-is law trash

sleazy, bottom-feeding.

You think that feels good?

'I'm not law trash.'

- I'm as noble as the next.. - Okay, settle down.

To hear this from somebody who knows me?

From somebody that I've been with?

Ronald Perry deserves best efforts.

Guilty or not. They all do.

You have no right to look down on me, to judge me.

You can go to hell.

Judge Coulis is very respected, Adam.

I hadn't even filed.

Well, maybe a favor was pulled

to get fast action, but she's a good judge.

- Will Amanda testify? - I hope.

This is really unbelievable.

Easy, easy, easy.

Harry, this is Stevie Kazz, the alibi.

- We found him. - And it wasn't easy, neither.

Have a seat, Stevie. And I'm watching you.

So don't be stealin' nothin', neither.

Man has got a stealin' problem.

Now, tell her what you told us.

Don't make me smack your ass. Tell her.

Ronnie didn't do this thing. He was with me that night.

We was hangin' at my place, watching "CSI"

and "Who Wants To Be A Big Fat Loser," or whatever it's called.

He didn't do that robbery six years ago

neither, it was just me.

Six years ago, you were both

arrested at the scene.

Yeah, we pulled in to get gas.

I get out of the car, do my thing.

Ronnie don't know I'm gonna do it, he's just in the car.

It's what I told everybody. It's what he told everybody.

And nobody believed him. That's why he don't trust nobody now.

But Ronnie don't steal, Ronnie don't rob.

And the night of the current robbery?

With me. And I wasn't robbin' nobody, neither.

Man took a rare night off.

- What were you doing? - I told you.

Watching "America's Biggest Fat Loser," whatever it's called.

You say, your place. You have no known address.

I got several places. Just under different names.

Wonderful.

Anybody else with you?

Just Ronnie and me.

Told all this to the other attorney already.

Problem is, even if he's not lying

he still comes off a liar.

Add to that

increase the risk that Ronnie's prior might come in.

I mean, at a minimum, it gets established

that Ronnie associates with armed robbers.

I can't see letting that guy anywhere near the witness stand.

He only hurts us.

I say we go straight with our game plan

go right to the closing argument.

You better be good, by the way or else you can--

Alright, Marty.

Look, are you and I okay?

Yeah. Why wouldn't we be?

Marty, you told me to go to hell.

Well, it's not like I won't be going there too, right?

You know that better than anybody.

You had an affair?

Yes. It ended nine days ago.

What happened?

His wife found out. They..

Carl...said that he wanted

to try to make things work with his family.

And that the affair had to end.

- And then what? - Four days later..

He said that I would have to leave.

'That his wife couldn't bear the idea'

of me working in the same..

I was fired.

Amanda, can you tell the court why your job

is so important to you?

All my life, I've always been different.

I'm anatomically male. I think of myself as a woman.

Retreating into my stage persona?

'It was more than an escape.'

It was home.

This job is my lifeline in so many ways.

I just need it more than ever.

'This love affair you describe.'

- Was it consensual? - Yes.

You never felt any pressure to, say..

- Go out with your boss? - No.

Did it have anything to do with his being your boss?

- No. - I appreciate your honesty.

I understand your act is very popular.

- Yes. - Ever have any offers

from other clubs, say, trying to steal you away from Chez Paris?

- Yes. - And since you've been fired

have you gone out looking for other work?

- No. - 'And since your breakup'

have you approached Mr. Thomas

called him in an effort to get back together?

- Yes. - How many times have you

approached him or called him?

- More than 20? - I'm not sure.

The reason you need this job, at Chez Paris

is because it's your only means of staying close to Mr. Thomas.

Isn't that it, Amanda?

Okay, we'll take a break.

Ten minutes.

I will see counsel in my chambers.

- I am tossing this out. - Just like that.

Counsel, she has made no effort to mitigate.

She even admits that she can get other work.

She also concedes the boss-employee

equation wasn't really in play.

But of course it's in play--

This court is not equipped

to remedy broken hearts.

She has a whole community of friends.

Yeah, and I am not in power to give her her job back.

All a court of law can do is award money damages

of which there seem to be none.

If you file, I will not allow this complaint to stand.

If you go ahead and file, all the same

or even threaten to, well, that reeks of abuse of process.

Extortion.

And I don't think you want to go there.

Are you actually prohibiting me

from so much as filing the claim?

I am telling you that if you do

on these facts

it's at your own peril.

I can certainly amend the complaint to allege..

But, Amanda, maybe this is best.

It would've been tough for you to move on with your life

at least emotionally, there, with him.

I know this is difficult to believe at the moment.

But you'll find somebody.

You're a beautiful, sensitive, gifted woman.

- With a penis. - Okay.

There is something just too enchanting about you

not to find love again.

You're a really kind man.

May I come to your final performance tonight?

I'd like that. Okay.

- Onward and upward, right? - Right.

The victim told you.

The person who robbed him

the person who stuck a Magnum in his face

is that man, Ronald Perry.

And Bernard Layton was unwavering.

'I mean, this is a trustworthy witness.'

He has no motive to lie, no bias

'he made a positive ID, in the lineup.'

And he was resolute when he came face to face

with him in this room.

As for the defense, well, there was no defense.

No alibi, no suggestion

that the defendant was anywhere

but in that parking lot.

Nothing. Just one hired gun

expert witness who had no knowledge

of this case whatsoever.

He just came armed with an expert opinion

that sometimes eyewitnesses get it wrong.

Wow. An expert who was paid to be here.

An expert who's testified in 50

maybe 100 of these kinds of cases.

An expert that criminal defense attorneys

keep on speed dial

just in case they have nobody else.

Now, Bernard Layton, did he seem unsure to you?

Equivocal? Uncertain?

He had no doubt.

None.

He was there.

He saw who robbed him.

No doubt.

If you were to Google "Project Innocence"

you'd see case after case after case after case

of people wrongly convicted by unflinching

but mistaken eyewitness testimony.

I'm sorry, Your Honor. She's introducing evidence.

- Ms. Korn. - Sorry.

You know, to be honest

when I first got this case, I thought, "Ick."

Who wants these kinds of cases?

They don't pay. The facts are ugly.

'And when I first saw the defendant'

'I thought, "He probably did it."'

I'm sure a few of you think the same.

And the victim, he's intelligent

clean-cut, upper middle class

certainly no motive to lie.

Why wouldn't we believe him?

I mean, he was there, for God's sake.

If he says it was Ronald Perry

then who the hell are we to doubt him?

Well, you have a duty to doubt him.

You took an oath to demand that the prosecution satisfy

its burden of proving guilt beyond all reasonable doubt.

And they haven't done that.

'They never found the watch'

'or wallet in my client's possession.'

Never located a gun.

They introduced no physical evidence

no circumstantial evidence, no forensics of any kind

just the eyewitness account from a man

who clearly had to be in shock.

A man who was able to describe almost nothing

about his assailant.

For the gun, you heard the meticulous details

but for the suspect, "Fat Latino."

'That's it. Maybe Mr. Layton got it right.'

Perhaps it was Ronald Perry.

But maybe, just maybe, he got it wrong.

That's why, when it comes to eyewitness testimony

we demand corroborating evidence

and here, there is none.

None.

And even if you were inclined to accept

an uncorroborated eyewitness account

please let it at least be from somebody

who could describe the defendant.

The color of his shirt

'length of hair, eyes, nose'

something more than "Fat Latino."

Let the testimony at least be from somebody

who wasn't in shock at the time.

Someone who didn't have a big gun stuck in his face.

That is, if you care.

A lot of juries don't, let's face it

especially when it comes to blacks and Latinos

and not just the fat ones.

Objection, Your Honor.

- Come on! - Come on, what?

Are you prepared to argue that equal treatment exists?

Alright, counsel, we get your point.

I'm new at this criminal practice.

I come from patent law

a much more lucrative practice.

Very white-collar.

We never get any of these "ick" cases.

'In fact, I often wondered about the attorneys'

who did criminal law.

As I said, there's no money in it.

For the most part, your clients are..

...well...criminals.

What kind of lawyer wants that for a life?

Well, there's one, sitting right there.

Marty Slumach.

'Wakes up every day'

fights against overwhelming odds, and for what?

To make the prosecution satisfy its burden every damn time

even for his guilty clients.

Why? What's the point?

Well, the point is, once you relax those standards

once you say, "Close enough is good enough," "Seems guilty"

"Lock him up," it's not just the guilty who are at risk

but the innocent.

You.

'Me.'

Law trash.

That's what we bluebloods like to call

the Marty Slumaches of the world.

'But the thing is, without lawyers like him'

'a lot of innocent people would go to jail.'

Especially the disenfranchised who have no money, no resources

no means to fight the system.

That's why, at closer look

Marty isn't so much law trash as he is a hero.

One I admire very much.

Is he retiring? Is there gonna be a gold watch?

What the hell is going on here?

What's going on is that man

not Marty, but our client

could very well be innocent.

The State has not satisfied its burden.

It hasn't even come close.

He has not been proven guilty beyond all reasonable doubt.

You can't charge a man, take away his freedom

with no physical or forensic evidence, nothing

but one shockey ID

and call that justice.

You can't be satisfied with that.

Or can you.

Assuming, of course, you care.

Do you?

This is the worst part, right here.

Always gets me so nervous.

You ever get nervous?

I can see you're a wreck.

At this point, I'll ask the defendant to rise.

Mr. Foreman, this verdict is unanimous?

- Yes, Your Honor. - What say you?

In the matter of The People of the State of Ohio

versus Ronald Perry

on the charge of aggravated armed robbery

we the jury, find the defendant Ronald Perry..

...not guilty.

Wow.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury

the state of Ohio thanks you for your service.

You are now dismissed.

- Wasn't expecting that. - Me neither.

Okay, Ronald, the jury took its responsibility seriously.

'You're free to go.'

Congratulations.

He's overcome.

I can see that.

Harry, I-I can't thank you enough

you know, for your help, for your kind words, which..

Y-you know what? Can we sit down for a sec?

Okay.

You know this-this whole experience

it's just made me think

how great it would be, you know, if we..

You know, if were to join up.

Me with a pile of cases, you with the valid license..

...we make a good team.

Marty, that's not in the cards.

Okay. Just a thought, that's all. It's..

You know, I had another thought.

Not like me to have two thoughts in a week

but, you know, this, uh..

It...it made me remember

how great a team we were, y-you know, socially.

I'm just gonna say this. Okay?

You're the best person I ever met in my life.

Period. If there was a chance that..

You know...again..

I don't think that's in the cards, either.

Oh..

Okay.

We can always be friends, right?

- Absolutely. - Yeah, I mean, listen.

This doesn't have to be good-bye.

Not at all.

And maybe I'll have some cases

I'll bring your way and we could

we could co-counsel?

That sounds great.

Great. Fantastic.

Take care of yourself, okay, Harry?

You, too. I will.

I told her she should go out big, you know?

'However much she hurts inside'

go out big, for all she's worth.

- You want to come watch? - Sure.

- Something wrong? - You tell me.

Chunhau, talk to me. What's wrong?

What's wrong is you've stopped talking to me.

No, I haven't.

You've been pulling away, Adam.

I'm not exactly sure why, but--

I've just been busy, that's all.

You were also nearly shot a few weeks ago.

You were clearly traumatized and yet..

Is there...somebody else?

Adam, I don't mean to be needy, and I know you're working hard

but if we're gona be together

I need to feel together.

- You need to talk to me. - Okay.

Sorry. Okay.

I just feel like I'm missing a piece of the puzzle here.

Look, like you said, I've been through a lot.

I need to communicate better, and I will.

I will.

- Okay. - Come on.

Let's go help send Amanda off.

Okay.

Are you coming?

I wouldn't miss it.

Saved

Somebody, not Oscar Wilde

but somebody once said

"Our lives are the sum total of our experiences."

But it's not the experiences.

It's the people.

Not just the ones in our lives..

...but those who play through.

The Amandas.

The Martys.

All the fly by, small but rich relationships.

Sometimes they're the most special of all.

It's why we always promise to keep in touch.

If only we did. If only we did.

- Yah! - Aah!

You stink!