Original subtitles

- [car alarm toots] - [doors unlock]

Don’t move, don’t make a sound. Just give me the keys.

Come on.

I’ll take that watch.

Faster.

- Please. I’m the Mayor. - I don’t care what you are.

Maybe I’ll kill you because you’re the Mayor.

- Please. - Wallet, wallet. Where’s your wallet?

It’s in my briefcase, but I don’t carry any cash.

Get in, get in. Come on, come on.

Disparity of wealth, that’s all this is.

’Cause you got, I take from you.

Put down the knife or your head explodes.

Lie down on the ground.

You take the car, I walk away.

I said, "Lie down!"

You’ve got me at attempted robbery, tops.

And I’m looking at six to eight,

chopped to three if I’m good.

- Shut your mouth. - No.

No, see, I think you’ll want to hear this.

See, if I do time, I gotta come looking

for the guy responsible. It’s who I am.

That’s right.

You take a good, long look at me.

Don’t I seem like the kind of psycho who might come back?

I bet you’ve got kids, too.

[dog barking in distance]

[theme music playing]

[theme music ends]

[officer 1] Folks, we need you to stay back behind the yellow tape.

[officer 2] Only essential personnel.

Essential personnel only.

He just appeared.

I turned around.

Sit down over here, Bill.

[siren wails]

- This is the knife? - He just appeared.

Uh, dust it. Run that through ballistics for the report.

- I just turned around. - Bill.

Bill, I’m gonna have Jill check you out.

I think you might be in shock.

Preliminary determination, intermediate gunshot wound to the head.

Cause of death, the bullet.

- It wasn’t pneumonia? - That’s sarcasm.

I’ll note your attitude in my report.

- Sarcasm. - All right.

Max, take him over to Jill.

This was the third car jacking in one month.

- Come on. - I just killed a man.

- Jimmy. - What are you waiting for?

All right, fellas, let’s go.

Handle with care.

Boom. He just pulled the trigger.

After the guy dropped the knife?

Oh, yes.

They were both standing real still,

the Mayor was pointing the gun.

They were talking about something.

Real calm.

Then boom!

- Where were you? - Standing about 50 yards away.

I was poised in eyewitness position.

That’s what I am, an eyewitness.

- I see. - Can you get me on Action News?

Howard, we know you suffer from Alzheimer’s.

This isn’t my Alzheimer’s, I saw it!

It was vicious.

- Details at 11:00. - Howard, uh...

Boom! It happened just like I’m telling you.

He’s right.

If the victim had been holding the knife,

- it still would have been in his hand. - Why?

The bullet went right through the forebrain.

Look at those distal joints.

Totally convulsed.

We’ve got massive contractions

of the carpi radialis.

And check out that abductor.

Talk English, will you?

The hand would have convulsed on the knife.

My bet, the guy dropped it before the Mayor shot him.

I just keep seeing his face.

I close my eyes, and I keep seeing his face.

We’ve got to talk about counseling, Bill.

You’re bound to suffer some post-traumatic stress.

Jimmy. Good. [clears throat]

I got to make a statement.

The press is asking if we’re linking this guy

with the two car jackings around Lincoln.

Was it the same guy?

I don’t know.

Um, Jill, would you excuse us for a sec?

Sure.

What’s the matter?

Evidence says the guy dropped his knife before you shot him.

I beg your pardon?

The suspect was four feet away from you,

holding no weapon, when you fired.

What?

Is this what crazy Howard told you?

[Jimmy] Confirmed by forensics.

In your statement, you said he was holding a knife to your throat

at the time you pulled the trigger.

You’re talking to me like, like I’m a suspect or something.

Was he holding a knife when you shot him?

I asked you a question!

I can’t be completely sure.

He was trying to kill me.

I was probably in shock.

I can’t be 100% certain.

What the hell are you doing?

I think you better get yourself a lawyer.

I’m very good with insanity cases.

And may I say, Bill,

I’ve always considered you an ideal candidate.

This is serious. I may need your help.

All right.

But there are two things I need from all my clients,

the truth,

and a $1,000 retainer.

The latter, I insist on.

I’m not ready to hire you yet.

I may not even need an attorney, probably.

I’m sure I don’t really need a lawyer. I...

I haven’t done anything wrong.

Why don’t you tell me what happened?

I, uh...

I told him to lie down on the ground, and he refused.

He kept saying that if I made him go to jail, he’d be back.

And he meant it.

I could tell from the look in his eyes, this man would be back.

I have a family. I...

I just pulled the trigger.

Okay, Mary, broaden your stance.

Good. Tight pattern.

Susan, aim for the trunk, not for the groin.

Jill.

Okay, everybody, reload.

What’s up?

Well, I’m thinking about joining the class.

- Excuse me? - I, I figured

it’s a good idea to know how, you know, just in case.

You hate guns.

I hate the thought of being carjacked.

And a gun seemed to save Bill Pugen. Who knows?

Well, you couldn’t get a carry permit anyway.

And Bill Pugen was guilty of illegal possession.

By law, you’d have to keep the gun at home.

Well, just the same even if you got caught carrying it.

It’s just a misdemeanor, right?

The knife was dropped before he shot.

I didn’t say it wasn’t.

It’s not in there, Kenny.

There’s nothing in there about the location of the knife.

I don’t see Howard’s statement.

There’s nothing falsified in this report.

It’s what you left out.

This document becomes public record.

Meaning?

Meaning?

Meaning, are you sure you want to stir things up on this?

You redo that report.

You list the facts in their entirety. Understood?

Yes, sir.

The kids are on their way.

They should be here by 10:00.

Let’s not be basket cases, Marjorie.

We don’t want them to...

Let’s see what happens before, uh...

How can Jimmy arrest you?

He knows you’re not a criminal.

He knows you.

I don’t know.

Well, there may not be an arrest.

But let’s be calm. We have to stay calm for the kids.

How?

How do we get through this?

We will.

I’m sorry, Marjorie.

I’m sorry.

Hasta la vista, baby.

[Matthew] Well, you can’t get me!

Boys, I’ve told you, no killing each other on school days.

Let me have that gun , Zack. Hand me that gun.

Oh, no, you don’t, young lady. No ripped jeans.

- You’re not going... - No school today. Faculty meetings.

I’m going to work.

Wambaugh lets you walk around the office like that,

exposed at the buttocks?

He likes me to wear these.

He thinks I have sexy, ripe cheeks.

- Is that right? - He said that? Wambaugh said that?

Oh, honey, she’s just pushing your buttons.

- Could you take the boys to school, please? - Let’s go.

I don’t know if I like you working for Wambaugh.

That’s a dead issue, sweetheart.

- That’s so... - Bye.

[Jill exhales deeply]

Ah.

Who am I to say anything?

Did you sleep at all last night?

I don’t know what to do, Jill.

Bill Pugen’s a friend of mine.

Well, how about turning the whole thing over to the DA and letting him decide?

We’re between district attorneys.

Petrovic left last week for Green Bay,

and the new guy is due in here today.

[sighs] Probably gonna ask me what I wanna do.

The look in his eyes, I’ve seen it before.

Jimmy’s gonna get me.

This new DA, what do you hear?

Uh, supposed to be some up-and-comer out of Madison.

He’ll probably use this as a cause célèbre.

Hey, you’re the celebrity.

Just take a look at these papers.

The people think you’re a hero.

Your approval rating has gone up 19 points.

Jimmy Brock doesn’t listen to public opinion.

If he thinks I’ve committed a crime,

the son of a bitch will arrest me. That’s...

He meant "son of a bitch" in a good way.

Um, here are the photocopies you wanted.

Ah, thank you.

Tell me, Kim, do you know your father’s thinking

on this shooting incident?

That’s not fair, Mr. Wambaugh.

You said when you hired me

that you would not be using me as a police snitch.

Oh, I wouldn’t ask you to encroach on family relationships.

The family is sacred.

But should information fall into your lap,

well, we have an obligation to represent our client zealously.

There’s a whole cannon of ethics, you know,

aimed directly at my head.

I don’t know what my father’s thinking.

She knows. He’s gonna get me.

Ah, Jimmy couldn’t think of bringing charges.

The people would lynch him.

Oh, he can’t do it.

You want me to indict the town mayor?

You heard the facts.

But what jury will convict?

It’s vigilantism.

Sheriff, look, uh...

I’m new here in town.

I don’t know you, I don’t know the people.

The thing is, the good guy lived, the bad guy died.

The facts are gray.

We can basically do whatever we want.

What I want is to uphold the law.

I understand, Sheriff, but follow me.

Now, on appearance, the shooting was self-defense.

Now, if you, as the Sheriff, want to call it that,

I, as the District Attorney, will accept that.

I will not call it self-defense.

[door opens]

Douglas Wambaugh. It’s an honor and a pleasure.

Doug, you don’t have an appointment.

"An appointment." What a character.

Jimmy and I are very good friends.

Our families spend the holidays together.

Last week, his wife, Jill, she snipped off

- a bunion off my left toe. - Doug.

[Douglas] She didn’t charge me.

She was so delicate, I barely felt a pinch.

That’s what friends mean to each other here in Rome.

The people in this town are very close.

This is a private conversation.

Well, I just came to meet

our new addition to the public sector.

Douglas Wambaugh welcomes you to Rome, Wisconsin.

Oh, thank you.

It’s a pleasure.

I’d like to have you over for dinner maybe.

Doug, the District Attorney and I are discussing business.

Now, if there’s nothing else...

Well, actually, since I’m here...

I represent Mayor Bill Pugen.

Not that he’s charged with anything,

nor do I expect him to be.

Would my expectations be misplaced?

It’s too soon for us to know.

Too soon means it’s not too late.

Off the record, let me provide you

with a little free discovery.

That is my gift to you as a welcome present.

I’m not looking for any gifts.

Take one anyway.

What you’re both thinking about is stupid.

Do you know what kind of a witness Carter Pike is?

A rumored necrophiliac who chases tornadoes.

And Howard Buss?

[laughing]

I can get continuances, drag this out.

And by the time we get to trial,

his Alzheimer’s would have damaged his brain,

he wouldn’t be able to talk,

much less have a memory.

Who... Who is this man?

I am Douglas Wambaugh.

And I win my cases.

Mayor Pugen is a beloved member of the community.

And I don’t think that any new kid in town

- should make a name... - I don’t need to make a name for myself.

All I ask is that we think long and hard

about what we plan to do.

There are consequences.

I’ll call you about that dinner.

Well, the facts will sustain the charges,

but, personally, I think an arrest would be futile.

But if I do make an arrest?

Is Mayor Pugen in?

He’s in a meeting.

Excuse me. You can’t go in there.

We can.

Excuse me?

[Kenny] I’m sorry, Bill. If it were up to me...

Please put your hands behind your back.

You are under arrest for the murder of John Dunham.

You have the right to remain silent.

Anything you say may and shall be used against you.

You have the right to an attorney.

If you cannot afford one, one will be provided to you

by the state of Wisconsin.

Details remain unclear, but we can confirm

Bill Pugen, the Mayor of Rome, Wisconsin,

has just been arrested for murder.

It seems the people of Rome would rather prosecute the town’s sheriff

for arresting a man everyone considers to be a hero.

If I’d have been the mayor, I’d have shot the SOB.

No question about it.

- Absolutely. - [switches off TV]

[sighs]

[bailiff] Case Number 9942.

People v. William Pugen.

Douglas Wambaugh for the defendant, Your Honor.

We waive reading.

But may I say for the record,

in 32 years of practice,

I have never witnessed such a travesty of justice.

- [people agreeing] - [gavel pounding]

[Judge] Quiet.

Quiet!

Quiet down or I’ll clear the room right now.

John Littleton appearing for the people, Your Honor.

No request for bail,

but we would petition for change of venue...

We want the trial here in Rome.

The defendant is the mayor of the town.

And he’s entitled to a jury of his peers.

Yes, but not his close, personal friends.

Your Honor, I take exception to that remark.

The District Attorney is new to Rome. He doesn’t know us,

and already he insinuates

that the people of our community

are incapable of being trusted.

I didn’t say that.

I could certainly understand

this young man’s desire to get out of this case.

He’s probably afraid of a big murder trial because he’s inexperienced.

Hey, I’m not afraid of anything.

I’m speaking as an officer of this court.

And I believe that a venue change

is in the interest of a fair trial.

Our new friend has quite a temper.

- Who is this man? - [Judge] All right, that’s enough.

If the defendant wants his day in this court,

I’m inclined to give it to him.

Your Honor, the defendant is the mayor of the town.

His friends live here.

One of them arrested him.

- [people agreeing] - [gavel pounding]

[Judge] Quiet!

I’m satisfied we can provide a fair trial right here.

Petition for venue change is denied.

OR is granted. Let’s set a date.

Your Honor, the defendant stands ready for trial now.

- Immediately? - [Douglas] As long as these charges

are allowed to hang over his head, he is hurt.

He wants to confront his accusers at once.

- [people agreeing] - [Judge] That’s enough.

Quiet.

Counsel, in chambers.

Sheriff Brock, you too.

If you are gonna put on an insanity defense,

- I need time... - We’re not going with insanity,

we’re going with self-defense.

Police investigation done?

- [Jimmy] Uh, basically. - What, what?

This is a murder trial, Your Honor.

The longer this thing lives, the more publicity it will generate.

The bigger the circus, the tougher it will be

to find impartial jurors.

- Two weeks. - What?

Your Honor, I request that cameras be allowed in the courtroom.

- Why? - You’re asking me why?

- To defray legal costs. - [Judge] Denied.

We’ve negotiated a movie-of-the-week deal with CBS.

They said if they get enough documentary footage,

they’ll air it during sweeps,

which will give us a higher license fee.

- Am I hearing this? - Wambaugh, I said denied.

Voir dire starts Monday.

Trial date, November on the 1st. Now, get out.

[Douglas] About dinner, I spoke to my wife.

I don’t want to have dinner.

A man has to eat.

My wife makes a wonderful brisket.

It’s her special dish.

Sheriff Brock.

Do you have any idea what you’ve done?

[Jimmy] The job.

That’s what I do as Sheriff, that’s what you do as Deputy.

- I did my job. - Did you tell the Mayor that if it were up to you,

an arrest would not be made?

- Did you tell him that? - I don’t think he’s a criminal.

I won’t stand for insubordination

any more than I will vigilantism.

I meant no disrespect to you, Jimmy.

It’s just that...

It’s just what?

You see the statistics.

Crime’s rising, we can’t stop it.

People these days, they have to start protecting themselves.

Ten years ago, it was "Lock your front door."

Five years ago, "Install an alarm."

Maybe today it’s "Buy a gun."

Hmm. Very good point.

I’ll put it in my opening.

I can’t believe you’re representing Bill Pugen.

You two don’t like each other.

Exactly why he wants me.

The whole town knows that I think he’s a shmuck.

For me to defend him must mean that I think he’s innocent.

So that’s why he wants you.

Why’d you say yes?

He is innocent.

This is the big time, Myriam.

This is my chance.

You remember why I left New York.

They all laughed at me there.

When will you stop having to prove yourself?

I’m not trying to prove myself.

He broke the law.

If anything, it’s because he’s the Mayor.

If I made such a public exception,

that wouldn’t serve the town.

But arresting him has ripped the town apart, Jimmy.

Most people saw it as self-defense.

You could have let it be.

[sighs] I couldn’t let it be.

[man] I’ll hook up inside.

Okay. I think we’ll just set up over there.

At this point, we don’t know who will be taking the stand first.

- Speculation is that... - We’ve learned virtually nothing

about the defense’s strategy.

- It’s anticipated that Mayor Pugen will... - You know, of course,

that the Mayor has been completely silent so far,

on the advice of his attorney.

But it would be impossible to prevail

on a self-defense strategy without hearing his account.

When we walk in and out of the courtroom, Marjorie,

I want you to take his hand.

You believe in him, you love him.

The jury has to see it.

And you, children, you look at him adoringly.

He’s your father, a loving family man.

And you embrace at the end of each day

right there in the courtroom.

We want the jury,

and we want to humanize.

Are you all right?

Oh, I’m fine. I’m fine.

This one...

This one’s a little tense.

- How can this be? - Just give me a mild sedative.

- I’ll be fine. - I can’t put you in the witness chair

on drugs, Carter.

Doctor.

It’s a neurotic edema of the vocal chords,

probably induced by panic.

Oh, so he’s gonna sound like a chipmunk?

[stutters] It could just be hyperventilation.

Carter, let’s try some singing.

Sometimes that can relax the swelling.

You have got to be kidding me.

He had a bad experience in the witness stand last year.

He’s the medical examiner.

[Carter] ♪ My eyes have seen the glory of the... ♪

Oh, no, that’s it. I’m kicking it.

You’re not kicking it.

Look, you cannot expect me to go into court

- with these two witnesses. - I expect you...

This if my first trial in this town...

Hey!

- [Carter clearing throat] - Hmm?

Maybe Howard should go first.

[John sighs]

- Howard, are you ready? - Yes.

We go through my Alzheimer’s condition first,

flagging the occasional lapses of dementia,

but clarifying that it does not impair

my capacity for observation.

Good, good. Now, look,

if there’s anything that you don’t remember,

you just say so, all right?

We can always recollect with your statement.

Now, Howard, this is very important,

if you get confused, just say you don’t remember.

Don’t worry about me.

- I’m ready. - Okay.

[in squeaky voice] So am I. Let’s go.

[John sighs]

[Jimmy] All right. Please. Please. Move aside.

Please. Please excuse us.

- Not now. - [man] Here comes the Mayor.

- [Douglas] No comment. - [Pugen] Excuse me, please.

- No comment. - [Douglas] Let us through.

[reporters clamoring]

- [Pugen] No comment. - [Douglas] Please.

Let us through. Please.

Later, later. No comment now. No comment. Later.

I have a story for you.

Your Honor, the prosecution calls as its first witness

- Mr. Howard Buss. - Your Honor,

the defense will stipulate to Mr. Buss’s testimony.

He saw Mayor Pugen discharge his weapon

after the carjacker dropped the knife.

Mr. Littleton?

Well, the prosecution contends

that the gun was fired 20 to 30 seconds

after the knife was dropped.

20 to 30 seconds so stipulated with pleasure.

Uh, fine.

The jury has to consider this stipulation

as uncontroverted evidence.

Prosecution may call its next witness.

Uh, the People...

[Carter clearing throat]

The People call Carter Pike.

All Carter Pike is gonna do

is confirm what Howard says.

Mr. Littleton?

That’s right.

We can stipulate that Carter’s forensic findings

support Howard Buss’s version of the events?

- Fine. - [Judge] So ordered.

Call your next witness.

Well, that’s all we have, Your Honor.

The prosecution rests.

[scattered laughter]

You could have demanded they testify.

Why should I?

I’m happy to take the stipulations.

[sighs] Don’t you see what Wambaugh did?

The jury doesn’t get to hear our story.

Instead of witnesses, they get dry stipulations.

Now, what kind of impact is that...

Are you gonna tell me how to try my case, Sheriff?

What, are you a lawyer?

Two stipulations. That is your entire case.

Look, Howard Buss and Carter Pike

are unreliable witnesses.

They’re the two most unreliable witnesses I’ve ever seen.

Now, I don’t care what the defense’s strategy is.

For me to get my case in without having to talk about Howard’s Alzheimer’s,

or without the jury listening to Carter Pike’s

- little chipmunk voice... - Don’t yell at me.

Don’t tell me how to try my case.

All I’m telling you is that the only story

the jury gets to hear is the Mayor’s.

I’ll get the Mayor.

When he testifies, I’ll get him.

160 over 90.

That is a little high.

But it’s understandable with all the stress, Marjorie.

Everything else is just fine.

So, I’m not having a heart attack?

No. Just a little hypertension.

I’ll call in a prescription for you at...

Okay.

Nothing to worry about.

You and Jimmy have been in our house.

We have been in yours.

My husband is a moral man.

Problem is...

so is mine.

So, when you surprised him with your pistol,

- he dropped the knife? - That’s right.

I kept telling him to lie down or I’d shoot,

and he kept staring at me.

Saying that if I was responsible for sending him to jail, he’d be back

to kill me or maybe just to maim me.

So, what was going through your mind at this point, sir?

The system.

The system?

I kept thinking about...

About the overpopulation of the prisons.

How violent criminals are being set free earlier.

How they come out of prison

more dangerous than they go in,

how he probably would be out in three years,

and I was afraid.

You were afraid that he would kill you?

When he talked about killing me, that was one thing.

But when he threatened my kids,

my children...

I said to myself, "No.

"I will not let this man harm my family.

I will not."

[Douglas] So, what did you do?

I looked right into his psychotic eyes,

and I pulled the trigger.

[people applauding]

- [gavel pounding] - [Judge] Quiet.

That’s enough.

You people be quiet.

[Douglas] Thank you, Mayor Pugen.

I have nothing further.

Well... [clears throat]

Just so we’re all clear here.

Now, you’re not claiming any diminished capacity or insanity

when you pulled that trigger?

To the contrary, it was probably

the sanest moment of my life.

- [people applauding] - [Judge] I said, "That’s enough."

- [gavel pounds] - I’m warning you.

One more outburst, and I’ll take prisoners.

Did you know, sir, it is illegal

to carry a concealed weapon?

The Constitution guarantees the right to bear arms.

The Bill of Rights does not guarantee...

- [Judge] Hold it, Counsel. - ...the individual’s right

- to bear arms. - I’m not interested

in any Constitutional analysis.

Save it for the appellate courts.

Now, according to your testimony,

you shot the victim because you were afraid

he would come back three years later

- to harm you or your family. - That is correct.

You had no fear that he would harm you at that very second?

- That is correct. - And you believe you were justified?

Absolutely.

Proud to stand up in court today and say so.

I am not proud of killing another human being,

but I will not engage in recrimination.

Well, if you were so convinced of your merit, Mr. Mayor,

why at first did you lie?

Why did you tell Sheriff Brock

that that knife was pressed against your throat when you fired?

I told the Sheriff that the knife was pressed to my throat, that is true.

I also told the Sheriff that I was in fear for my life

at the time I discharged, also true.

The Sheriff then inferred that the knife

was pushed to my throat at the very second that I discharged.

The next day when he particularized his questions, we set the record straight.

You never lied?

I never lied.

I think you did.

[chuckles] Well... Well, then it’s settled. After all,

we gathered here to learn what the District Attorney thinks.

- [all laughing] - [Judge] Okay, that’s enough.

I completely object to that man.

Wambaugh, sit down.

Do you have anything else?

Mr. Littleton, do you have any more questions?

No, I’m done.

[in squeaky voice] We’re dead in the water.

- [indistinct conversations] - [cash register dings]

Hello.

Don’t call me a midget, I’m a little person.

I want to be clear on that.

As far as my ears go, they’re big.

The biggest in this town.

I know everything about everybody.

And eventually, I’ll know most of what there is to know about you.

To save time,

I’ve compiled an easy-to-fill-out questionnaire.

Please have it completed by Tuesday.

[chuckles]

Ma’am, I don’t even have a place to live yet.

I-I haven’t unpacked one box in my office,

[stutters] I’ve never tried a murder case before in my life,

and I’m supposed to go after your mayor with virtually no evidence.

[chuckles] I’m a little unsettled at the moment.

You think I could maybe get an extension on this questionnaire?

Well, it’s in your interest to complete it now.

You have no friends in Rome.

People will look to me for an early indication.

I’d like to be able to say something nice.

Wednesday. No later.

No guts, that’s his problem.

Hotshot district attorney, my ass.

He’s a fraud! Potatoes.

He doesn’t have a very good hand to play, honey, I think he’s doing his best.

Oh, that’s crap. He’s phoning it in.

Is Mayor Pugen a murderer?

- Yes. - Jimmy.

That’s for the jury to decide, sweetie.

The man is a murderer, no matter what the jury says.

You seem to be taking this very personally.

There’s nothing personal about it, I’m just concerned about my client.

You’ve had clients you cared much more about.

For you to be this agitated, you must be worried about yourself.

Just let me practice my closing!

[sighs]

Miriam...

Miriam...

I...

I took a real chance.

I could’ve gone with insanity or involuntary manslaughter,

I could’ve chewed up Howard

and Carter and played for reasonable doubt,

I went with straight self-defense.

It’s a risk.

I hope I didn’t screw up.

And you need to feel you’ve done your job well, and I think that if

the jury ratifies Bill Pugen and his fear,

then you’re gonna take that to mean that the streets aren’t safe.

The streets of this town are as safe as I can make them.

I didn’t say they weren’t.

[dramatic music playing]

Do you have any idea how...

To know my wife is taking shooting lessons,

do you have any idea how that makes me feel as a sheriff?

- As a husband? - But it’s not about you, Jimmy.

It’s about what’s happening out there.

It is about me.

And if women have to carry guns and people cheer vigilantes,

then Bill Pugen is right.

And I’m wrong.

I’m lost.

I’ll tell you, Jill, I...

I’m completely lost.

[sighs]

- Involuntary manslaughter? - I think it’s the best we can do.

Four years? Three suspended?

- This was practically premeditated. - We’re losing, Sheriff.

Now, this at least puts the man behind bars.

No! I do not want to go to jail.

I cannot risk jail.

It would be one year only.

If they convict on second-degree, you’re looking at 12 minimum.

- You said we were winning! - We are winning.

They wouldn’t make us this deal unless they knew that.

You think I should tell ’em to stick it?

As your lawyer, I bring you the offer.

But I’m obligated to tell you, it is a risk.

This jury could do anything.

Your advice, your counsel, that’s what I’m paying you for.

Tell them to stick it.

Don’t you dare speak to me like that.

You offer a bogus plea--

- In my professional judgment, that we-- - I was--

I’m the District Attorney, it’s my call!

[sighs]

I told you from the start, this was an impossible case.

There was no upside to pursuing it, there never was.

At best, we win. And a good man goes to jail.

A town loses its mayor, and carjackers feel safer.

Now, at worst, we lose.

We waste tax dollars, and leave an entire community demoralized

to the point of civil disfunction.

There was no point! It was no-win!

You still don’t get it.

- [door opens] - Close that door.

Now!

The man committed a crime, that’s the truth.

It’s not your job to decide whether the pursuit of that truth has an upside.

- It is my job to-- - I’m talking now!

I never excuse criminal behavior out of expediency,

and if you do, then you don’t get it.

[knock at door]

- Jimmy... - What?

Wambaugh just called, the plea bargain’s been rejected.

When you think of America...

you think of guns.

Ever since Paul Revere took his midnight ride,

America symbolized the land

where the good guys took up arms

and stave off the bad guys.

Bill Pugen did just that.

Bill Pugen... is an American.

People throughout this country have to live in fear.

One out of every four families

will be robbed, raped, burglarized or murdered.

Seventy-three percent of adult women will be crime victims.

That’s the other thing about America.

We’re a nation of crime.

When that carjacker put the knife under Bill Pugen’s throat,

and he said to him that he’ll come back to kill him,

and hurt his family, well, damn it!

He got fed up.

He wasn’t going to be a victim,

so he saved his family.

He did what every good husband and father would be proud to do,

and ladies and gentlemen...

maybe he saved you.

Maybe Bill Pugen stopped the knife

from getting put under your throat.

You’re glad he pulled the trigger.

Admit that. Just like the people of Rome,

that cheered right here in this very room,

you’re glad.

He’s our mayor.

He’s one of us.

So you go right back to that jury room...

and you do what’s right.

You follow your heart.

[sighs, clears throat]

Yes, he is the Mayor.

Maybe a beloved member of this community, maybe one of you,

I don’t really know.

You see, the defense counsel is right,

I don’t know you people.

I’ve only been in town here for a few days,

I don’t really have any idea who the people of Rome are.

The only person I have any kind of feel for at all is the Sheriff.

So let me tell you what I know about him.

He’s a man who doesn’t measure the truth for its popularity,

he doesn’t consider integrity for its pragmatic consequences,

he practices honesty not because a good might come out of it,

but because honesty itself is a good.

And he knows that if an individual

or a community ever abandons that principle...

then we’d all be in big trouble, wouldn’t we?

Look, let’s... let’s just be honest here for a second, people.

There’s not a person in this room who believes what Bill Pugen did was self-defense.

It was vengeance.

Now, was he legitimately afraid? Of course.

Is there a part of me

deep inside that’s glad he pulled that trigger?

Yes.

If he said he just snapped,

I’d say I understand.

But he is not claiming that.

He reflectively thought about the inadequacy of our prison and judicial systems,

and with a clear mind, he took the law into his own hands.

Now, whatever we feel in our hearts, in our heads, we know that is criminal.

We all absolutely know it.

The question becomes, "What are we gonna do about it?"

Now, Mr. Wambaugh was right.

I don’t know you people.

But right now, why don’t you tell me...

A society of guns like he says where the good guys

take up a little anarchy, wipe out the bad guys,

while juries pretend they don’t see?

Or maybe, you’re more like him.

People of honor.

Of unflinching honor.

Who know that no matter how frightened we are,

we cannot allow that fear to corrupt our integrity.

As individuals or as a society.

Ladies and gentlemen of Rome, Wisconsin,

I hope to God you are like that man.

[all murmuring]

[door opens]

It was a gifted closing.

Not too preachy, quietly effective.

Uh, this is an official room.

I couldn’t tell whether the jury was persuaded,

but I could read the room.

The people of Rome accept you.

Uh... [chuckles] I appreciate that,

but I’m a little nervous right now,

do you think I can have a minute by myself?

Certainly. Maybe later, I could snuggle you in my bosom.

I find you attractive.

[stammers, chuckles] I appreciate that,

but, um...

Jury’s back.

[all talking indistinctly]

[bailiff] All rise.

Be seated.

Mr. Foreman, has the jury reached its verdict?

Yes, Your Honor, we have.

Will the defendant please rise?

- What say you? - On count one,

on the charge of carrying a concealed weapon,

we find the defendant guilty as charged.

On count two,

on the charge of second-degree murder,

we find the defendant guilty as charged.

- [all gasping] - [dramatic music playing]

[sobbing]

Sentencing will be set, uh, for December 6th.

Bailiff, take the defendant into custody.

Your Honor...

bail under the circumstances.

It’s a murder conviction.

He goes into custody.

[sobbing]

[door closes]

[theme music playing]

[theme music ends]