Original subtitles

♪ IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT

♪ I'VE GOT TROUBLES WALL TO WALL ♪

♪ IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT

♪ YEAH

♪ MUST BE AN ENDING TO IT ALL ♪

♪ OH

♪ BUT HOLD ON

♪ IT WON'T BE LONG

♪ JUST YOU BE STRONG

♪ AND IT'LL BE ALL RIGHT

♪ IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT ♪

♪ IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT ♪♪

[CAR ENGINE SPUTTERS]

[CAR ENGINE STARTS]

WHAT HAPPENED?

STALLED.

IT'S BEEN DOING THAT.

IT MIGHT BE THE CARBURETOR.

YOU'LL WANT TO GET THAT CHECKED.

YOU WERE DRIVING A LITTLE FAST.

I'M TRYING TO KEEP AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR BOSS.

DAMNDEST THING IS,

I NEVER EXPECTED IT TO FEEL THAT GOOD.

I GOT THE GUY

THAT WAS HAVING HIS WAY WITH MY WIFE.

I FIXED IT SO ANOTHER GUY WOULD GET THE BLAME,

BUT THAT WAS O.K.

HE HAD AS GOOD A REASON TO DO IT AS I.

I REMEMBER DRIVING AWAY, I BUST OUT LAUGHING.

HEY, IS THAT SO CRAZY?

THAT CATFISH MUST HAVE WEIGHED 50 POUNDS.

HE HAD WHISKERS OVER A FOOT LONG.

THAT'S BIG FOR A CATFISH.

ARE YOU SURE IT WASN'T A BEAVER?

WHAT COLOR WAS ITS FUR?

YOU KNOW I CAN'T STAND SARCASM.

OH, I'M SORRY, PARKER.

I NEARLY CAUGHT THAT OLD BOY. HE WAS BIG.

YOU KNOW, NOTHING MAKES A FISH SEEM SO BIG

AS NEARLY BEING CAUGHT.

YES, SIR. THAT'S THE TRUTH.

CHIEF, DR. LAUREEN ALCOTT IS HERE.

OH, FINE, FINE. YES.

COME IN, DOCTOR. COME IN.

YES.

HOW DO YOU DO?

WELL, PLEASE, SIT DOWN.

YOU SAID THAT, UH, SOMETHING WAS DISTURBING YOU?

UH, YES, BUT IT'S A CONFIDENTIAL MATTER.

I'M SORRY.

PARKER, IT'S CONFIDENTIAL.

YES, SIR. I WAS JUST LEAVING.

THIS IS ABOUT THE STATE'S EXECUTION OF RAY GARRETT.

OH, YES. YES.

THAT'S THE...

THAT'S THE BARNES' MURDER.

WHEN'S THAT EXECUTION COMING UP?

ALMOST IMMEDIATELY,

BUT GARRETT SHOULD NOT BE EXECUTED.

WELL, DOCTOR, THAT CASE IS PRETTY CUT AND DRIED.

BARNES WAS SLEEPING WITH GARRETT'S WIFE.

GARRETT ANNOUNCED HIS INTENTION AND SHOT HIM.

I'M TELLING YOU RAY GARRETT IS INNOCENT.

WERE YOU GARRETT'S PSYCHIATRIST?

NO. I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HIM,

BUT I WAS TOLD

IN THE MOST CONFIDENTIAL WAY--

AND I REALLY BELIEVE IT--

THAT SOMEBODY ELSE SHOT BARNES.

ARE YOU SAYING THAT ONE OF YOUR PATIENTS

TOLD YOU HE DID IT?

BECAUSE YOU MUST KNOW THAT, UH...

IT'S NOT UNCOMMON FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL PROBLEMS

TO CONFESS TO MURDERS.

THAT KIND OF MENTAL PROBLEM

IS NOT INVOLVED HERE.

I REALLY BELIEVE THIS INFORMATION.

I ALSO KNOW GARRETT HAS ONLY THREE DAYS LEFT.

YOU THINK IT'S THE TRUTH?

WELL, I BELIEVE HER

WHEN SHE SAYS ONE OF HER PATIENTS CONFESSED.

I'M SURPRISED THAT SHE BELIEVED THE CONFESSION.

YOU'RE CONVINCED GARRETT'S REALLY GUILTY?

PEOPLE THINK HE KILLED HIS WIFE, TOO,

THOUGH HE WASN'T ACCUSED OF IT.

WELL... WHAT'S OUR OBLIGATION IN A CASE LIKE THIS?

OH, NONE AT ALL.

THE CASE IS OVER.

I JUST HATE TO THINK

A MISTAKE MIGHT HAVE BEEN MADE.

WELL, CHIEF, THERE'S ALWAYS A POSSIBILITY.

YES, BUT THEN THERE'S SOME POSSIBILITIES

YOU JUST DON'T WANT TO HAVE ON YOUR MIND.

YEAH.

WELL, AS SOON AS I GET THESE TWO TIBBSES HOME

FOR LUNCH AND A NAP, I'LL LOOK INTO IT.

THEY LOOK WONDERFUL, VIRGIL.

THANKS, CHIEF. THANKS.

UH-OH.

HERE COMES MRS. ABERCROMBIE.

SEE YOU LATER.

OH, CHIEF!

OH, GOOD MORNING, MRS. ABERCROMBIE.

HOW COME I NEVER MEET LIEUTENANT SKINNER

IN THIS PARK ANYMORE?

I REALLY COULDN'T SAY, MA'AM.

WELL, WHERE IS HE?

DON'T TELL ME HE WENT TO BIBLE CLASS AGAIN.

IT'S SINFUL TO MAKE A FALSEHOOD OUT OF A SACRED SUBJECT.

OH, YES, MA'AM.

WELL, NOW, UH... LET ME THINK.

UH, WHERE'S BUBBA?

WELL, WHAT DAY IS THIS?

IT'S TUESDAY.

WOULD THAT BE MORNING OR AFTERNOON?

MORNING, YOU FOOL.

HE'S PROBABLY DANCING.

WHAT?

AEROBIC DANCING.

YES. IT'S THE NEWEST, UH, CRAZE...

I BELIEVE.

HOLD YOUR FIRE. TARGETS UP!

WELL, DETECTIVE TIBBS.

YOU GOT AN EMERGENCY YOU CAN'T HANDLE OR SOMETHING?

NO. I'M JUST LOOKING AT SOMETHING FOR THE CHIEF.

A CASE YOU WORKED ON BEFORE I CAME--

RAY GARRETT?

GARRETT? OH, YEAH.

FELLA THAT KILLED HIS WIFE'S BOYFRIEND.

CAN WE?

YEAH. SURE.

WELL...

WE'RE, UH, NOT SAYING ANYTHING FOR THE MOMENT,

BUT A PSYCHIATRIST

CLAIMS GARRETT'S INNOCENT.

WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT THE ARREST?

WE GOT A CALL ABOUT A FIGHT AT A BAR.

WHEN WE GOT THERE,

BARNES WAS LAYING DEAD IN THE PARKING LOT.

GARRETT HAD JUST TOOK OFF IN A TRUCK.

WHEN DID YOU CATCH UP WITH HIM?

IN MINUTES.

HE WAS SPOTTED OUT ON OLD MILL ROAD.

ME AND CLINTON BROWN CHASED HIM FOR A WHILE.

HE LOST CONTROL OF THAT PICKUP, SPUN OUT,

AND HIT AN IRRIGATION DITCH.

WE CUFFED HIM.

HE'D TOSSED THE GUN AT THE PARKING LOT.

WE FOUND IT THERE LATER.

DID HE SAY ANYTHING?

YEAH. HE KEPT SWEARING ON HIS MAMA'S GRAVE

THAT HE DIDN'T KILL NOBODY.

O.K.

YOU KNOW SOMETHING, VIRGIL?

I DO REMEMBER THAT I BELIEVED HIM.

PRISON'S NO PLACE FOR INNOCENT MEN,

AND HE WAS INNOCENT.

I'M NOT SAYING THAT 'CAUSE I'M HIS ATTORNEY.

I REMEMBER

YOU ATTACKING ALL THAT FINGERPRINT EVIDENCE.

WELL, SURE I DID.

YOUR PRINTS CAN BE ALL OVER A GUN,

BUT I MUST PROVE, USING CHEMICAL TESTS,

THAT YOUR HANDS

ACTUALLY FIRED THE FATAL SHOT FROM IT.

GARRETT'S PRINTS WERE ENOUGH FOR THE JURY.

IT WAS AWFUL.

THE PROSECUTION'S WITNESS NEVER ACTUALLY SAW HIM

FIRE THE FATAL SHOTS AT BARNES.

EVERYBODY SAID HE KILLED HIS WIFE. HE DIDN'T.

I KNOW I REMEMBER THAT WELL.

A LOT OF EVIDENCE ABOUT BARNES WAS SUPPRESSED.

WHY?

THE JUDGE KEPT REMINDING ME

THAT THE VICTIM WASN'T THE ONE ON TRIAL.

THERE'S A LOT OF MEN WANTING BARNES DEAD.

I COULDN'T BRING THAT UP.

GARRETT CLAIMS

HE COULDN'T HAVE KILLED BARNES

BECAUSE BARNES

KNOCKED HIM OUT DURING THAT FIGHT.

DID YOU BELIEVE THAT?

I BELIEVED HIM ABSOLUTELY.

WILL YOU NOW TELL ME

WHY YOU'RE CONDUCTING THIS INQUIRY?

THERE MAY EXIST SOME NEW EVIDENCE IN HIS FAVOR.

HOW DO YOU KNOW?

NOW, ED, I'M JUST SAYING IT'S A MAYBE.

THAT'S ALL.

AND ANYWAY, MY SOURCE IS CONFIDENTIAL.

LISTEN, I'LL PHONE YOU.

THANKS FOR SPOILING MY DAY, BILL.

FORGIVE ME, ED.

YES, SIR?

GET ME PARCHMAN PRISON.

YEAH?

WHO'S PRODUCING THE EVIDENCE?

OH...

SO IT'S ALL REALLY NOTHING.

WELL, THE ONLY STAY I'M INTERESTED IN

IS FOR EVERYBODY TO STAY OUT OF WHAT'S LEFT OF MY LIFE.

I FINALLY ACCEPTED DEATH.

I AIN'T GOING TO SPEND MY LAST DAYS

TORTURED BY THE THOUGHT THAT SOMEBODY OUT THERE

IS STILL TRYING TO KEEP ME LIVING!

I GOT TO GO.

OH.

WHAT NEWS?

WELL, NOTHING YOU WANT TO HEAR.

I'M AFRAID THE D.A. DOESN'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING.

WHY NOT?

HE TOLD MY CHIEF INVESTIGATOR

THAT GARRETT HAD HIS DAY IN COURT

AND WAS UNQUESTIONABLY GUILTY.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

I CAN'T DO ANYTHING

UNLESS YOU GIVE ME THE GUILTY PARTY'S NAME.

I CAN'T DO THAT.

I KNOW THAT IF AN INNOCENT MAN'S ABOUT TO BE EXECUTED,

IT'S YOUR DUTY TO SAVE HIM.

NO. THAT'S YOUR DUTY.

I'M WILLING TO REOPEN THE CASE,

INVESTIGATE TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITIES,

THOUGH YOU'VE GIVEN ME NEXT TO NOTHING TO WORK ON.

WHAT WOULD YOU SUPPOSE I COULD ACCOMPLISH?

IT TOOK THREE MONTHS TO CONVICT THE MAN IN PARCHMAN.

YOU EXPECT ME TO CLEAR HIM

AND CONVICT ANOTHER MAN IN THREE DAYS?

I'D LOSE MY MEDICAL LICENSE.

I'D CERTAINLY LOSE THE TRUST OF MY PATIENTS.

EVEN IF I TOLD YOU,

IT WOULD ONLY BE THROWN OUT OF COURT.

GARRETT'S EXECUTION COULD BE STAYED BY THE GOVERNOR.

WE COULD THINK ABOUT COURT LATER ON.

WOULD YOU CALL THE GOVERNOR YOURSELF,

TELL HIM WHAT YOU KNOW?

DON'T PUT ME IN THAT POSITION.

HERE YOU GO, DETECTIVE.

HERE'S THE GUN THAT KILLED TRAVIS BARNES--

COLT 45, MILITARY ISSUE.

THANKS, PARKER.

IT WAS NEVER REGISTERED.

NOTHING SAYS IT BELONGED TO ANYBODY,

EXCEPT GARRETT'S FINGERPRINTS WERE ON IT.

GARRETT SWORE HE NEVER OWNED A HANDGUN.

BUBBA, WHAT'S THIS ON THE HANDLE?

CEMENT. WASN'T RELATED TO THE CASE.

HOW DID IT RELATE TO GARRETT?

NOTHING.

GARRETT MANAGED A FOOD MARKET.

YOU KNOW SOMETHING, FOLKS?

I GOT TO GO MAKE SURE

I DIDN'T HELP CONVICT AN INNOCENT MAN.

WELL, WHAT YOU GOING TO DO, BUBBA?

I'M GOING TO PARCHMAN

AND SEE IF I CAN TALK TO GARRETT.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT HIM TO TELL YOU?

I DON'T KNOW.

I HAVE THE TRANSCRIPTS OF THE TRIAL HERE.

I DON'T NEED TO READ IT.

I REMEMBER EVERY WORD.

HE'LL TELL YOU SOMETHING NEW?

I DON'T KNOW, PARKER.

YOU THINK HE'D BE WILLING TO SEE YOU?

I DON'T KNOW.

HEY, TAKE OVER, ROY.

SIT DOWN OVER HERE.

HOW YOU DOING?

IS THAT THE PAPERS I SAID IN COURT?

SURE. A COPY ANYWAY.

CAN I SEE IT?SURE CAN.

YEAH. I'LL TELL YOU,

I'LL NEVER FORGET THAT NIGHT. NEVER.

YOU SAID IN COURT

GARRETT HADN'T BEEN IN HERE FOR A WHILE.

THAT'S RIGHT.

NOBODY ASKED YOU WHY.

THAT'S RIGHT.

GARRETT DIDN'T WANT TO SEE BARNES.

BARNES WAS A REGULAR HERE.

HE'D BEEN MESSING AROUND WITH HIS WIFE.

HE SHOWS UP HERE ONE NIGHT, BLAZING DRUNK,

THEN HE ASKED BARNES TO STEP OUTSIDE.

DID YOU SEE GARRETT'S GUN?

NOT INSIDE THE BAR.

YOU SAW THEM LEAVE.

THAT'S WHEN YOU HEARD GUNSHOTS?

COUPLE OF MINUTES LATER.

AND THEN YOU CALLED THE POLICE?

YEP.

WELL, IT SAYS IN HERE--LET'S SEE.

"I WENT OUTSIDE, SEEN GARRETT STAGGERING AROUND

"WITH HIS GUN IN HIS HAND.

"BARNES WAS ALREADY DEAD.

GARRETT GOT INTO HIS PICKUP AND DROVE AWAY."

DIDN'T IT SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE OTHER CAR?

NOPE.

HMM. THAT'S RIGHT.

YOU KNOW, THEY DIDN'T ASK ME ABOUT THAT OTHER CAR,

BUT THERE WAS ANOTHER CAR LEAVING THAT LOT.

YOU SAW ONE LEAVE.

SURE DID.

THAT'S THE FIRST THING I DID SEE.

IT WAS A-- IT WAS A OLDSMOBILE,

AND IT HAD AN ALABAMA PLATE.

THAT WOULD'VE BEEN A 1985 PLATE.

REMEMBER THE YEAR OF THE CAR?

NAH. I COULDN'T SAY.

COULDN'T SAY IT LOOKING THAT NEW, YOU KNOW?

MR. GARRETT, I'M LIEUTENANT SKINNER, SPARTA POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THEY SAY YOU'RE THE ONE THAT ARRESTED ME.

YEAH. YEAH.

FUNNY, I DON'T REMEMBER.

THERE WAS ANOTHER FELLA.

CLINTON BROWN--HE WAS MY PARTNER THAT NIGHT.

OLDER MAN?

YEAH.

HE WAS ABOUT TO RETIRE, AS A MATTER OF FACT.

DID HE?

YEAH, BUT NOT IN THE RIGHT WAY.

CLINTON TOOK HIS OWN LIFE.

IT'S HARD FOR ME TO IMAGINE

DOING A THING LIKE THAT.

YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE I HADN'T SEEN

OF THE PEOPLE WHO PUT ME HERE.

OH, DON'T WORRY. NO HARD FEELINGS.

WELL, I'M GLAD TO HEAR YOU SAY THAT.

I REALLY AM.

SO WHAT BRINGS YOU HERE, LIEUTENANT?

I'D LIKE TO ASK A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CASE

IF YOU CAN STAND THEM.

ASK YOUR QUESTIONS.

MR. GARRETT, I KNOW WHAT YOU SAID HAPPENED

OUTSIDE THE BAR THAT NIGHT,

BUT I WAS WONDERING--

DID ANYTHING ELSE COME TO YOU AFTER THE TRIAL,

SOMETHING THAT YOU REMEMBERED LATER ON?

YES.

SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED AT...

AT THE END OF THE FIGHT.

AND THAT BARNES COULD FIGHT.

HE WAS STRONG.

PUNCHES KEPT COMING AND COMING.

OOH!

THEN THERE WAS THIS BRIGHT FLASH OF LIGHT.

A CAR.

A CAR'S HEADLIGHTS, MAYBE.

HAD TO BE.

AND THEN WHAT?

THEN I SAW SOMEONE WATCHING.

AND WHAT DID HE LOOK LIKE?

I COULDN'T TELL. I COULDN'T THINK ABOUT IT.

LIKE I SAID, I WAS FIGHTING FOR MY LIFE.

NEXT THING I KNEW, I WAS COMING TO,

HOLDING A GUN I'D NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

I'M SURE YOU TOLD SOMEBODY ELSE ABOUT THIS STORY

AFTER THE TRIAL.

SURE I DID.

DIDN'T MATTER NONE.

YOU EVER HAVE NIGHTMARES?

YES, I DO.

I HAVE NIGHTMARES.

THE PUNCHES, THEY JUST KEEP COMING AND COMING.

THEN THERE'S THE FLASH OF LIGHT.

AND THIS PECULIAR SOUND STARTS IN.

WHAT'S IT LIKE?

IT'S FOOTSTEPS.

BUT IT'S ONLY ONE REAL FOOTSTEP.

IT'S A STEP AND A CLICK.

A STEP AND A CLICK...

OVER AND OVER.

IT GETS LOUDER AND LOUDER

UNTIL I WAKE UP IN A SWEAT.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT SOUND?

NO.

WELL, MR. GARRETT, UH...

THANK YOU...

FOR TALKING TO ME.

TELL THE TRUTH NOW.

DID YOU COME HOPING I'D SAY,

"DON'T FEEL BAD.

"NOW THAT I'VE GOT TO FACE MY MAKER,

I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT I DID IT"?

MAYBE.

MAYBE I WAS HOPING THAT.

SURE.

I UNDERSTAND.

BUT I CAN'T SAY IT.

I DIDN'T DO IT.

OFFICER--WILSON, IS IT?

OFFICER SWEET, MA'AM-- WILSON SWEET.

SWEET.

IS THIS ABOUT MY HUSBAND WHO ONCE WAS?

YES, IT IS.

WHY?

IT'S A MURDER CASE.

QUESTIONS ARISE, EVEN IN OLD ONES.

O.K. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW?

WELL, WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN IT WAS

YOU FOUND OUT ABOUT YOUR HUSBAND AND GARRETT'S WIFE?

DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT CHERYL GARRETT TILL THE TRIAL.

I'D HEARD ABOUT OTHER WOMEN, BUT NOT HER.

WHAT WERE THEIR NAMES?

WHO I HEARD THEY WERE AND WHO THEY WERE

COULD BE VERY DIFFERENT.

I KNOW.

YOU OR I COULD BE NAMED AS A TRAMP

BY ANYBODY AT ANYTIME.

YES, MA'AM. I KNOW.

RUMOR HAD IT THAT ONE WAS, UH, RITA...

OSLEY.

AND THE OTHER WAS SOME PASSING-THROUGH GIRL.

JANICE SOMEBODY,

WORKED AT, UH, CINDY BURGER.

WERE THERE ANY OTHERS?

OH, SURE.

BUT WHO KNOWS WHO?

I TAUGHT HIM WHAT A WOMAN WAS.

AS SOON AS HE'D LEARNED,

HE WANTED TO TRY THEM ALL.

I KNEW SOMEBODY'D KILL HIM.

I MEAN, IF NOT GARRETT, THEN OSLEY OR SOMEBODY.

THAT'S THE SECOND TIME YOU'VE MENTIONED OSLEY.

WHY IS THAT?

NO REASON,

EXCEPT I SEE HIM EVERY NOW AND THEN.

I THINK TO MYSELF THAT I WAS THE WIFE

OF THE MAN WHO RUINED HIS WIFE.

POOR FELLA. HE JUST HOBBLES BY HERE.

HOBBLING?

HE'S GOT A LAME LEG. I FORGET WHICH ONE.

CAN I WAIT ON THESE PEOPLE?

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.

HI, LADIES. HOW ARE YOU TODAY?

WHAT'S IT ABOUT? IT'S URGENT. THAT'S WHAT IT'S ABOUT.

HOLD ON, MA'AM.

CHIEF, WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO TELL HER?

I MEAN, SHE SAID IT'S URGENT,

AND SHE'S REAL MAD.

ALL RIGHT, PARKER. I'LL GET ON WITH HER.

UH, YES, DR. ALCOTT? I'M WITH YOU.

I HOPE I'M NOT TEARING YOU AWAY

FROM SOMETHING MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN MY SILLY CONCERNS.

YOUR CONCERNS ARE MINE.

LET ME BE THE JUDGE

OF WHETHER THEY'RE SILLY OR NOT.

MY LIFE'S BEEN THREATENED.

WHAT'S YOUR JUDGMENT?

OH.

WELL.

WELL, I DON'T SEE HOW WE CAN HELP YOU, MA'AM,

IF YOU WON'T LET US.

CAN'T YOU PUT AN OFFICER HERE?

WE COULD GUARD THE HOUSE,

BUT WE CAN'T GUARD YOU

UNLESS YOU'RE HERE ALL THE TIME. ARE YOU?

OF COURSE NOT.

PLEASE DON'T TOUCH THOSE FILES.

DON'T EXAMINE THEM!

NO, MA'AM. I WON'T.

UH, DOCTOR,

IF YOU WOULD ONLY IDENTIFY THE THREAT,

I COULD REMOVE IT FOR YOU DIRECTLY AND QUICKLY.

I CHOOSE NOT TO IDENTIFY ANY OF MY PATIENTS.

HMM.

WELL, UH, DOCTOR,

I HAVE OTHER DUTIES I HAVE TO ATTEND TO,

SO IF YOU'LL EXCUSE ME.

CAN YOU AT LEAST TELL ME

WHAT YOU THINK BROUGHT THIS ON?

I MADE A SUGGESTION TO A PATIENT,

SOMETHING I THOUGHT HE SHOULD DO,

AND HE BECAME VIOLENTLY ANGRY.

WERE YOU ALONE?

YES. IN MY OFFICE.

ABOUT 7:00. AFTER HOURS.

DID THE PATIENT INJURE YOU?

NO.

I RAN OUT, GOT TO MY CAR.

HE COULDN'T--

AT LEAST HE DIDN'T FOLLOW ME.

HE SHOUTED,

"NEXT TIME, I'LL BRING A GUN."

THAT'LL STOP YOU.

WHEN I CAME BACK THIS MORNING,

I FOUND THIS MESS.

EXCUSE ME, VIRGIL.

A NEIGHBOR SAID

SHE DID SEE A MAN HERE LAST NIGHT

ABOUT 7:30 OR SO.

DID HE BREAK IN?

SHE DOESN'T KNOW. HE WAS GONE.

SHE NOTICED THE MAN HAD A BRACE ON HIS LEG.

DID THE PERSON THAT ATTACKED YOU--

IF YOU CAN TELL ME--

HAVE A BRACE ON HIS LEG?

I CAN'T TELL YOU THAT.

THIS IS BORDERING ON THE SILLY.

OH.

I'M SORRY YOU FEEL THAT WAY.

WELL...

WE'LL DO WHAT WE CAN TO WATCH YOUR HOUSE.

I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE

THAT YOU ARE THE SAME DR. ALCOTT

THAT WAS SO VERY HELPFUL TO MY WIFE.

I PRESUME YOU ARE.

MY POLICY IS NOT TO RESPOND

TO ANYONE'S PRESUMPTIONS

ABOUT WHO IS OR WHO IS NOT

A PATIENT OF MINE.

YOU REALLY THINK IT'S HOPELESS?

WELL, BUBBA,

A GOVERNOR MAY GRANT A STAY OF EXECUTION

TO GIVE EVERYBODY A CHANCE

TO LOOK OVER NEW EVIDENCE,

BUT HE DOESN'T WANT A NEW THEORY.

YEAH, I KNOW.

IF I EVER SAW AN INNOCENT MAN, CHIEF,

I SAW ONE AT PARCHMAN PRISON.

IF WE CALLED THE GOVERNOR

AND TOLD HIM THERE'S A WOMAN IN SPARTA

WHO KNOWS THE REAL KILLER

AND ASKED HIM TO WAIT

UNTIL SHE TOLD US HIS NAME,

HE'D THINK WE WERE PECULIAR.

YOU WOULD NATURALLY TELL THE GOVERNOR

THAT THAT WOMAN'S A REPUTABLE PSYCHIATRIST,

WOULDN'T YOU?

IF SHE WERE A WORLD-RENOWNED PSYCHIATRIST,

IT WOULD MAKE NO DIFFERENCE.

DID LUCY BARNES TELL YOU ANYTHING?

SHE MENTIONED A FELLA NAMED OSLEY.

HIS WIFE WAS ONE OF HER HUSBAND'S PLAYMATES.

SHE SEES HIM NOW AND AGAIN.

HE'S GOT A LEG BRACE.

SHE THINKS HE HAD CAUSE.

WAIT A MINUTE.

WE HAVE HERE A NOTE FROM JAMISON.

"A NEIGHBOR OF DR. ALCOTT

"SAW A MAN LEAVING HER HOUSE

WEARING A LEG BRACE."

PARKER!

HOW OLD A MAN?

ABOUT 40.

YES, SIR?

KNOW ANY WHITE MEN ABOUT 40

WEARING LEG BRACES?

ONE. GOT HIS KNEE MASHED UP IN AN ACCIDENT.

HIS NAME'S CARLTON OSLEY.

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?

UH...WELL...

WHAT PROBLEM WE DO HAVE IS NOT YOURS.

WE'D LIKE TO ASK YOU

ABOUT YOUR FORMER HUSBAND CARLTON OSLEY.

I WISH YOU WOULDN'T.

WELL, WE'RE NOT GOING TO INSIST.

IT'S BECAUSE I HATE HIM,

AND CONSEQUENTLY, I HATE THINKING ABOUT HIM.

DON'T I KNOW YOU?

OLD FRIEND OF YOUR SISTER ETHEL.

THAT'S RIGHT. DEE SHEPARD.

I HADN'T SEEN CARLTON SINCE WE SPLIT.

DO YOU RECALL EVER HEARING HIM

THREATEN TO KILL TRAVIS BARNES?

MANY TIMES.

THREATENED TO KILL ME, TOO,

CONSEQUENTLY TO WHAT HE THOUGHT

ME AND TRAVIS WAS DOING,

WHICH WAS IN HIS MIND.

THINK MAYBE HE WAS JUST BLOWING OFF STEAM?

I THINK HE MEANT IT.

THAT'S WHY I MOVED IN WITH MY SISTER.

DEE COULD TELL YOU.

YEAH.

YEAH.

WELL, WHAT DID YOU THINK

WHEN YOU HEARD BARNES WAS SHOT?

I THOUGHT CARLTON HAD SHOT HIM.

THAT WAS MY FIRST THOUGHT.

THEN Y'ALL CAUGHT THAT OTHER FELLA.

CARLTON MUST HAVE REALLY CELEBRATED.

EVER THINK WE MIGHT HAVE CAUGHT THE WRONG OTHER FELLA?

YES, TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH.

WHAT DID YOU DO ABOUT IT?

YOU DIDN'T TELL ANYBODY?

I TRIED. THAT OTHER FELLA'S WIFE.

ELLEN GARRETT?

UH-HUH.

THE LADY WHO DIED OF A BROKEN HEART.

WELL, ANYHOW, HEART FAILURE.

I WROTE HER THIS NOTE,

AND I SAID, "I THINK MY HUSBAND SHOT HIM.

NOT YOURS."

SHE NEVER GOT IT.

SHE WAS DEAD.

AND THAT WAS IT?

YOU DIDN'T TELL ANYBODY ABOUT IT?

NOT TILL NOW.

YES, MA'AM.

THANK YOU.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

WE'RE LOOKING FOR CARLTON OSLEY.

HE'S OVER BY THE MIXER.

HE IN ANY TROUBLE?

THE WHOLE WORLD'S IN TROUBLE, MAN.

OSLEY!

THERE'S AN '85 OLDS 4-DOOR

IN THE EMPLOYEE PARKING LOT.

THAT BELONG TO YOU?

YEAH, IT'S MINE, IF IT'S BLUE.

HEY, IT AIN'T STOLEN.

I BOUGHT IT NEW. IT'S FINALLY PAID FOR.

I NEVER BEEN IN NO ACCIDENTS,

NO TROUBLE.

ONE OWNER, HUH?

YEAH. YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME?

DID YOU BUY IT FROM A LOCAL DEALER?

UH-UH.

FERDI'S.

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA.

I BET IT'S PRETTY HARD

TO GET THAT CEMENT OFF YOUR HANDS.

NO, IT AIN'T HARD.

A LITTLE WATER.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO KNOW,

LIKE HOW I TAKE THAT BRACE OFF AT NIGHT?

AIN'T NO MORE QUESTIONS.

ANY QUESTION IN YOUR MIND, LONNIE?

NOT AS TO WHO THE GUILTY PARTY IS, THERE AIN'T.

TELL DETECTIVE TIBBS

THAT CARLTON OSLEY'S ARRIVED AND HEADING FOR THE HOUSE.

DOCTOR LET OSLEY IN

LIKE SHE EXPECTED HIM.

JUST STAND BY.

SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

YOU THINK SHE'S TAKING HIM BACK AS A PATIENT?

MAYBE.

I HOPE SHE DOESN'T WIND UP BEING A PATIENT.

NO. NO. DON'T. BACK.

NO. AAH.

PLEASE. PLEASE STOP. NO.

I--NO--

SHUT UP!

WHERE IS IT?

WHERE IS IT?

AAH!

I'LL KILL YOU.

IS IT UPSTAIRS? HUH?

IN THE CAR? THE CAR?

NO!

THE CAR. THE CAR.

HOLD IT.

HEY. COME ON, MAN.

GET UP THERE.

NO! DON'T! STOP IT! STOP IT!

DON'T HURT HIM! HE DIDN'T BREAK IN HERE!

YES, MA'AM. WE KNOW.

HE'S A SICK MAN.

I WON'T BE MAKING A COMPLAINT AGAINST HIM.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO. I WILL.

COME ON.

YOU MIGHT WANT TO GO INSIDE

AND TEND TO THEM WOUNDS ON YOUR FACE.

OH, MY GOD.

THANK YOU.

HERE'S THE PRISONER, CHIEF.

WELL, MR. OSLEY. SIT DOWN IN THAT CHAIR.

NOW, WE'RE GOING TO PLAY A TAPE FOR YOU.

THE TAPE IS LABELED "CARLTON OSLEY,"

WHICH, OF COURSE, IS NO PROOF

THAT IT'S YOUR VOICE.

SOME OF US THINK IT IS, AND SOME DON'T.

MAYBE YOU CAN HELP US.

DAMNEDEST THING IS,

I NEVER EXPECTED IT TO FEEL THAT GOOD.

I GOT THE GUY HAVING HIS WAY WITH MY WIFE,

AND I FIXED IT

SO THAT ANOTHER GUY WOULD GET THE BLAME.

THAT WAS O.K.

HE HAD AS GOOD A REASON TO DO IT

AS I HAD.

I REMEMBER DRIVING AWAY, I BUSTED OUT LAUGHING.

HEY.

IS THAT SO CRAZY?

IS THAT YOU?

DON'T SOUND TO ME LIKE ME.

WHAT'S YOUR INTEREST IN THAT TAPE?

I GOT NO INTEREST IN IT.

YOU SURE TRIED TO GET TO IT.

YOU TERRORIZED LAUREEN IN HER OFFICE,

BROKE INTO HER HOME.

SHE INVITED ME IN.

THAT WAS THE SECOND TIME!

AFTER YOU PUNCHED HER IN THE FACE.

I DONE TOLD YOU ALL

THE GUY ON THAT TAPE IS NOT ME.

I'LL BET YOU

IF WE PLAY THAT TAPE FOR A JURY,

THEY'RE GOING TO HEAR YOU.

WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOU HOLDING ME FOR?

LORD HAVE MERCY.

DIDN'T Y'ALL TELL THE MAN

WHY WE'RE HOLDING HIM?

YES, SIR.

FELONIOUS ASSAULT, BREAKING AND ENTERING,

BATTERY, AND RESISTING ARREST.

IS THAT ALL?

JUST HOLD ON, Y'ALL.

OSLEY, LOOK HERE.

AN INNOCENT MAN IS GOING TO GET EXECUTED

IN A COUPLE HOURS

OVER A KILLING YOU TALKED ABOUT ON THAT TAPE.

I'M TELLING YOU...

I'M ASKING YOU...

DON'T LET THAT HAPPEN.

YEAH. YOU MEAN CONFESS I DONE IT?

YOU THINK YOU'RE TALKING TO SOME KIND OF MORON?

WE'RE TALKING TO A MAN WHO AIN'T WELL, THAT'S SURE.

A MAN THAT THE LAW WOULD TAKE SYMPATHY ON

AND MAYBE EVEN HELP

ONCE THEY UNDERSTAND HIS STATE OF MIND.

YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PREACHER, BOY.

YOU GOT A SOOTHING WAY OF TALKING.

IS THAT RIGHT? WELL, MAYBE I COULD--

BUBBA, BUBBA, BUBBA.

YES, SIR. I'LL TAKE A WALK.

YEAH.

TAKE HIM AWAY.

WELL, BUBBA'S GOT THE RIGHT IDEA.

ONLY A CONFESSION DIRECTLY FROM THAT MAN

MIGHT-- AND I SAY MIGHT--

GET A STAY OF EXECUTION.

BUT THAT TAPE ISN'T GOING TO WORK.

ARE YOU GOING TO STOP TRYING, CHIEF?

WELL, WE GOT TILL 9:00.

MIGHT BE ONE OF THE FEW TIMES IN HISTORY

A BUNCH OF POLICEMEN STOOD AROUND

TRYING TO FIGURE A WAY TO STAY AN EXECUTION.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

LAUREEN, COME ON IN.

UM...

VIRGIL...TOLD ME, UM, WHAT HAPPENED.

NO, NO, NO. I'M ALL RIGHT.

I WAS WALKING AND THINKING

AND SUDDENLY I SHOWED UP IN FRONT OF YOUR HOUSE.

I SHOULDN'T BE POPPING IN LIKE THIS.

OF COURSE YOU SHOULD.

THIS IS SPARTA.

POPPING IN STILL HAPPENS HERE.

IS YOUR HUSBAND HOME?

UH, NO. HE'LL BE HERE ANY MINUTE.

MAY I WAIT?

OF COURSE.

WHY DON'T YOU HAVE A SEAT?

I'LL MAKE US SOME COFFEE.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE NOTION GOT STARTED

THAT ALL PUBLIC PROSECUTORS WANT TO BE GOVERNOR

AND THAT THEY WANT TO CLIMB UP

ON THE BODIES OF THOSE THEY SEND TO THE ELECTRIC CHAIR.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT GOT STARTED,

BUT IT SURE HAS CONSIDERABLE BACKING.

WELL, MY FAX SHOULD BE

TO THE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR NOW.

GERARD, CAN'T YOU MAKE A CALL?

YOU DON'T REMEMBER THIS CASE?

I WAS STILL IN PHILADELPHIA.

RAY GARRETT, WHO'S NOW AWAITING EXECUTION,

TOLD PEOPLE HE WAS GOING TO KILL TRAVIS BARNES.

SAID, "I'LL GET A .45 AND BLAST HIM,"

THE MAN WHO SEDUCED HIS WIFE.

DESPITE TESTIMONY THAT HE HATED GUNS

AND PROBABLY NEVER FIRED ONE.

HE WAS SEEN STANDING OVER THE DEAD MAN

WITH HIS WEAPON IN HIS HAND.

FOUR SLUGS FROM THAT WEAPON WERE FOUND IN THE VICTIM.

AND IF THAT WASN'T ENOUGH,

BY THE TIME GARRETT WENT ON TRIAL,

IT WAS WELL KNOWN THAT BEFORE HE DID THE SHOOTING

HE PHYSICALLY ATTACKED HIS OWN AILING WIFE,

WHO SOON DIED OF HEART FAILURE.

WELL, WE NEVER TRIED HIM FOR THAT.

DIDN'T HAVE TO. THE WORLD TRIED HIM FOR IT.

MR. DARNELLE, A MR. GRADDY IS ON THE PHONE FROM JACKSON.

LET ME PUT IT ON THE SPEAKER.

HE SAYS THE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR

DICTATED A MESSAGE HE WANTS TO READ Y'ALL.

GO AHEAD, MR. GRADDY.

MR. DARNELLE?

YES, SIR.

HOW YOU DOING?

WE MET AT CONVENTION IN NEW ORLEANS.

HAD A FINE TIME TOGETHER.

YOU REMEMBER?

YES. THANKS FOR REMEMBERING.

I'M SORRY BOTH THE GOVERNOR AND--

LET ME READ THIS.

IT REFLECTS EVERYBODY'S VIEW.

"IN DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT

"TO STAY THE EXECUTION OF RAY GARRETT,

"THE CONFESSION OF A MAN LIKE OSLEY

"UNDER PSYCHIATRIC CARE,

"IS NOT A CONVINCING FACTOR.

"SUCH CONFESSIONS

"HAVE NOT BEEN RELIABLE IN THE PAST,

"AND WE DO NOT FEEL JUSTIFIED IN CALLING

"THE VERDICT AND THE TWO APPEALS INTO QUESTION.

"YOUR PETITION, DESPITE THE HUMANE MOTIVES

"THAT INSPIRED IT,

MUST BE DENIED."

HEY, LISTEN, DARNELLE.

YES, SIR?

I WAS TRYING TO REMEMBER THAT HOTEL DOWN THERE

WHERE A COUPLE OF THEM MOVIE STARS

DISGRACED THEMSELVES.

IMAGINE GETTING IT ON WITH A COUPLE OF TEENYBOPPERS.

MY GOD...

PUT ALL YOUR CLOTHES IN THERE

EXCEPT FOR YOUR SOCKS, SHOES, AND UNDERWEAR.

PUT THAT ON.

MY LAWYER CALL BACK?

NO.

MY DOCTOR?

NOBODY CALLED.

YEAH, YEAH, YEAH.

IF I REFUSE TO PUT THAT THING ON?

DINNER WILL BE DELAYED.

YOU KNOW SOMETHING, RAY?

I BELIEVE I WOULD'VE ORDERED CHICKEN LIVERS MYSELF.

I CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING I LIKE BETTER.

NEVER HAD THEM BEFORE.

SO I THOUGHT I WOULD.

DID YOU LIKE THEM?

PROBABLY WON'T ORDER THEM AGAIN.

WELL, RAY, IT'S 8:50.

GOODBYE, JOHN.

THANKS FOR YOUR COMPANY.

GOD BE WITH YOU, RAY.

AND YOU, TOO, MY FRIEND.

EVENING, MRS. TIBBS.

CHIEF, COME ON IN.

VIRGIL WITH YOU?

HE'S PARKING THE CAR.

CHIEF, I KNOW YOU KNOW DR. LAUREEN ALCOTT.

YES, INDEED. DOCTOR.

I'LL GET SOME COFFEE.

THANK YOU.

I WONDER IF A MESSAGE REACHED YOU

FROM YOUR PATIENT?

HE'S BEEN TRYING TO GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU.

I WAS OUT WALKING AROUND.

DR. ALCOTT, HELLO.

I REALIZE I'VE CAUSED YOU SOME PROBLEMS,

AND I WANT TO SAY I'M SORRY.

OH, WELL, I THINK THE MAIN PROBLEM'S

GOING TO BE THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S.

WHEN WE INVESTIGATE CARLTON OSLEY

AND ESTABLISH HIS GUILT,

AND WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT,

MR. DARNELLE'S GOING TO HAVE TO PROSECUTE HIM

AND DEMAND THE SAME PENALTY

THAT RAY GARRETT IS FIXING TO PAY AS WE SPEAK.

FOR THE SAME CRIME.

IT WOULD'VE BEEN BETTER

IF I'D NEVER BROUGHT THIS UP.

BETTER?

FOR WHOM?

FOR ME, OF COURSE. FOR ME.

[CLOCK CHIMES]