All language subtitles for Picket.Fences.S03E17.WebRip

[Jimmy] Previously on
Picket Fences...

George Putnik,
he's apparently missing.

‐I call and call and call...
‐[Jimmy] Who is he?

He's a massage therapist
on Prospect Street.

These women
are some of his clients.

There's been foul play,
I know it.

‐[Carter] Murder.
‐How can you be sure?

Contusion on the back of
the skull. He was whacked hard.

George Putnik canceled
an appointment
with Marcia Lawson

because he received
a death threat
from Ed Lawson.

And my question is,
did you do it?

Well, if I did do it,

it wouldn't be very smart for me
to share that with you,
would it?

‐[Kenny] Put your hands
behind your back, Mr. Mayor.
‐You say absolutely nothing.

...and will be used against you.

Maybe I could make them think
that I did it.

That is so stupid. No one's
ever gonna go for that.

‐[clang]
‐[thud]

Gee, I don't know, they might.

[exhales]

‐[indistinct chatter]
‐[fax machine beeping]

What are you doing?

You're wearing perfume.

Well, maybe sometimes
I just throw it on.

You never "just throw it on".

Sometimes I do.
It's like brushing my teeth.

‐I just, you know‐‐
‐Max, you never wear
perfume to work.

And you don't always shower
every morning,

but day after day, you've been
coming in here squeaky clean,

with fresh breath.

Minty. [chuckles]

It isn't minty.

[drawer closes]

[indistinct chatter]

Kenny?

There's nothing wrong with it.

You know,
we work side by side.

We're lovers.

‐Shh.
‐[chuckles]

It's perfectly natural for me
to throw on some perfume

‐or for you to have
fresh breath.
‐Okay, okay.

Hey.

Laurie, what's going on?

Oh, I just came down
to check out his breath.

I heard it was minty.

[laughs]

I can read lips.

Why are you here?

Uh, she's here
'cause I called her.

I have your first assignment.

"Assignment"?

Yes, you owe 3,000 hours
of community service.

You can start
by finding our mayor.

‐Mayor?
‐Uh, yes, Ed Lawson.

He's wanted for murder.

He and his wife disappeared
before we could arrest him.

We think they are somewhere
in the Caribbean.

I want you to use your
Dancing Bandit detective skills

to locate them.

Excuse me, can I
steal you for a second?

Excuse me.

[sighs]

Kenny and I are heading
the investigation.
I don't appreciate‐‐

It's going nowhere.

The guy's been missing a month
and, uh, you're not even close.

But bringing her in, I mean,
it seems ridiculous, she's‐‐

I am willing
to be ridiculous, Max.

I prefer that to feeling futile.

We've earned more respect
than this.

I'm sorry. Uh, this woman
is supposedly ingenious.

Let's take advantage of it.

Go. Find our mayor.

‐Now.
‐Uh...

[theme music playing]

[theme music ends]

We already searched the house.

And we've had it
under surveillance
ever since.

[interpreter] I want
to check the closets, wardrobe.

Other than
a few travel brochures,

you have nothing to suggest
they went to the Caribbean.

Maybe they just thought
of going south.

Maybe they just
left the brochures
for you to find.

Maybe they went fishing
in Alaska.

What about phones?
You checked the machines?

Why would they call
their own machine?

[Interpreter]
To check messages.

You don't have
the phone line tapped?

Murderers don't usually call in.

[interpreter] No wonder
you people never catch anybody.

‐[scoffs]
‐[interpreter] Can we
go to the house please?

‐We catch people.
‐[Jimmy] Take her.

Can I wear this?

Take her.

‐[door closes]
‐[dog barking in distance]

Are you out of your mind?

‐Hear me out.
‐No, Henry,
I will not hear you out.

You even mention the idea
of me being the mayor‐‐

Did I ask you to be mayor?

‐You implied.
‐No, you inferred.

Look, will you let me finish?

Obviously, nobody
on the city council
wants the job.

It's a death wish.

But we can't go to November
without one.

[sighs] So... so now what?

So let's see who does want it.

Let's put an ad in the paper
and the city council
can interview 'em.

"An ad in the paper"?

There are lots
of qualified people
out there looking for work.

You've been testing
the communion wines again,
haven't you, Henry?

Jill, we need a mayor.
The last one escaped.

Something stinks.

‐I don't smell anything.
‐But I have a good nose.

There.

‐[clicks]
‐[automated voice] You have
17 messages.

For today's messages
press play.

‐[beep]
‐Tuesday, 7:15 p. m.

[Marcia] Ed?

Pick the damn thing up, Ed.
I know you're there.

Pick up.

It's real mature.

Look, anyway,
I'm coming home tomorrow.

With any luck, you'll be
convicted and in jail by now.

Love you. Right. Goodbye.

Who?

That was Marcia Lawson,
Ed's wife.

‐[sighs]
‐So, they're not together.

Well, I...
I don't understand this.

It sounds like she
expects him to be here.

But, I mean,
that doesn't make any sense.

Why would...

What?

Did we check in there?

‐Why would we check in there?
‐[scoffs]

‐Because it's a freezer, Kenny.
‐Again?

[Max] Well, it certainly
has happened before.

You don't need to look at me
or talk to me like I'm crazy.

But Ed Lawson
was the one who did it.

I mean, what have we got,
a freezer suicide?

‐Yeah but we thought
he was with his wife.
‐He climbed right on in

‐and probably froze himself‐‐
‐But the message said he isn't.

‐So we are‐‐
‐Hey, will you knock‐‐

Hey!

Freezers kill people
in this town.

This one has a lock. Why?

To protect
the microwave pancakes?
I think not.

What's with the lock? [sighs]

[clang]

Okay, now open it.

‐You open it.
‐You're so sure that nobody
is in there.

‐I think you should open it.
‐You're so sure that somebody
is in there.

‐[Kenny] I think
you should open it.
‐Hey!

It's your turn to open up
the freezer since‐‐

‐I'll do it.
‐...is in there.

[gasps]

[indistinct chatter]

Jimmy, he's dead.
I'm quite positive.

‐Thank you, Carter.
‐Autopsy?

That would be nice.

‐[Carter] Oh, boy.
‐Max...

pick up the wife
when she shows up.

‐[Carter] Don't wanna damage
the integrity...
‐Something doesn't smell right.

‐[Carter] Okay, wait,
move the fish sticks.
‐[Kenny] Yeah.

So, I found your mayor.

And I still have 2,999 hours
left on the meter.

‐[chatter]
‐[Carter] One, two, three. Up!

‐[men grunt]
‐Oh! Help me. I got it.

‐Adam, I got it.
‐[indistinct chatter]

[Kenny] Yeah, and be careful.

‐[man 1] Okay.
‐[Carter] Careful.

‐[man 2] Watch his head.
‐[people gasp]

[Carter] I told you
to be careful.

‐[man 3] Did you see that?
‐[man 4] I don't believe that.

‐[exclaims]
‐[radio chatter]

‐He's cute.
‐Give me that.

‐He wasn't cute.
‐Oh, not cute.

‐[interpreter]
I like rosy cheeks.
‐[Carter] Oh.

Watch out!
Evidence coming through.

[indistinct chatter]

Anybody home?

‐[car beeping]
‐[radio chatter]

What are you doing here?

I heard there was
a secret stakeout

to arrest Marcia Lawson.

I thought I could be ready
and poised
to protect her rights.

How did you know we were here?

I tracked you down
by your minty breath.

What difference does it make?

‐Now, look, Kenny‐‐
‐Look, there she is.

Not too fast, I get carsick.

[car engine starting]

Let me get my feet in.

‐[tires screeching]
‐What's the matter with you?

‐[tires squeal]
‐[police siren blaring]

‐[Kenny] Marcia Lawson...
‐Don't say anything!

‐[Max] Be quiet.
‐[Marcia] What's going on?

Your husband
has been found dead.

We'd like to ask you
some questions.

Ed? He's‐‐he's dead?

[Max] Yes, he is.

Oh, my God.

Wh‐wh‐what happened?

Hit from behind.
Freezer. Tragic.

What, Ed was found
in the freezer?

[Max] He didn't say that.

He just said freezer.

Stop trying to trick my client.

‐"Client"?
‐We'd like to ask you
a few questions.

‐Tragic.
‐[stammers] Are you
arresting me?

‐No.
‐[Douglas] It's too bad.

It's when they arrest you that
you know you're safe.

‐Shut up.
‐Hostile.

Let's go, please.

Let's go. No sharp turns.

When I left, my husband
was certainly alive.

‐Why'd you leave?
‐[sighs]

Why would I stay?

I‐‐ When I left, I thought
that he had killed George.

‐I thought that he
was a murderer.
‐[Jimmy sighs]

So you just took off
for the Caribbean?

What? I‐‐I used
my maiden name.

I have nothing to hide.

I‐‐I‐‐I must have called home
a zillion times.

You‐‐you got the messages.

Now, why would I call Ed
if I thought that he was dead?

Maybe because you wanted us
to ask that very question.

[scoffs]

This is unbelievable!

I come home and I find out
that my husband is dead,

and you treat me like this.

‐She's lying.
‐[Marcia speaking indistinctly]

She's lying?
That's what this graph says?

[Marcia] I thought that
he was a murderer.

‐It's just as accurate
as a polygraph.
‐And just as inadmissible.

‐Where did you get this thing?
‐[Marcia] My husband was alive.

Please.

Crooks have
all the best equipment.

They have bigger budgets.

‐[Marcia] I just don't think‐‐
‐She's really lying.

Whoo! [chuckles]

Why would I just come home?

Why would I just walk,
waltz in the door

and let myself be arrested?

Because you're smart.

All right, that's enough.

I don't like this,
and the conversation is over.

We need you to identify
the body. Can you do that?

[indistinct chatter]

Um... I don't know.

Uh, yeah, I guess.

I... I still can't believe
he's gone.

Uh, I‐‐I can't believe it.

And you treat me
like a criminal.

[indistinct chatter]

[Carter] Sorry, but we need
a positive ID and...

Ugh. Uh...

Look, suppose
I don't identify him...

If the victim isn't established
as my husband,

then would that still
make me a suspect?

Oh, I think so.

[Kenny] All right, let's go.

Eww.

Carter?

Oh, oh, yes. Sorry.

Hm.

Yes, that's Ed.

He looks good.

[Kenny] Come on,
we're going to court.

Wait a minute.

[sniffles] Goodbye, Ed.

Goodbye.

May he rest in pieces.

And you!

[interpreter]
She went back three times
to this pier in St. Thomas

looking to buy that one.

Six... $60,000?

Records of her bank accounts,
her financial statements.

Don't ask me how I got it.

Just boot my computers
and the stuff comes spewing out.

[sighs] That's illegal
computer hacking.
You‐‐you promised‐‐

[interpreter]
Which is why I come to you
with a heavy conscience.

You'll see from these records
that Marcia Lawson

had no means to buy that boat.

A divorce settlement
would give her nothing.

Their house
is owned by the bank.

And here's this.

Oops. How did I get that?
Awful.

And, look,
life insurance policy.

If Ed Lawson dies,

Marcia gets 75,000. [chuckles]

What a world.

[bailiff] Case number 5552.

People v. Marcia Lawson.

Douglas Wambaugh
for the defendant, Your Honor.

First, let me say,

let us bow our heads
for a moment

to mourn the death of our mayor,
Ed Lawson.

Now, while we're bowing‐‐

Objection. You can't call
for a moment of silence

and then talk through it.

I'm just trying
to speed things up

to preserve the Judge's time.

I want it noted that
my client is on trial

for no other reason than that

both the victim
and the Frigidaire
belonged to her.

[Littleton] Your client
is on trial for murder,

for George Putnik
as well as her husband.

Now, if you're so interested
in saving time,

why don't you just stipulate
that she did it, Mr. Helper?

Then we can move right on
to sentencing.

I don't think that the sarcasm
is called for, Your Honor.

I ask that the District Attorney
be sanctioned for his remarks,

and I ask you
to dismiss all charges

due to his shocking behavior,

which he says simply
because I'm Jewish
with multiple sclerosis.

‐[people murmuring]
‐[woman] What?

It's kitchen sink time, Judge.

I'll be pulling out
all the stops.

Are you ready to go, Counsel?

I'll need two weeks to interview
witnesses and then I'll‐‐

Take three.
Trial date April 24th.

‐Till then‐‐
‐Get out.

‐I'm nothing if not consistent.
‐[people murmuring]

‐Is this really the way
to get a town mayor?
‐[Jill] Uh...

Well, actually, we'll probably
get a more qualified candidate
this way

rather than holding it open
to profit or vote.

I see.

Well, I'm... I'm happy to apply,

although I can't help
but ask, um,

having a minister
selecting the town mayor,

isn't that mixing church
and state just a little?

We sit here as members
of the town council.

And the selection's
only temporary

until the November election.

But since you ask,

you have a problem
with church, Mr. Kidd?

You have something against God
we should know about?

[woman] She said that
she loved George...

and that George
was in love with her.

[Carter] I still maintain
I could be a good mayor.

I finished a very close second
in the elections

so the people have
nearly spoken on this.

Politics is a boy's club.

The fact that I used to be a man
should be a plus.

Marcia had just come
from seeing George
and she was upset.

She hated Ed.

Marcia loathed him.

She killed George,

and then she killed Ed.

When mayors kill,
it sets a very bad example.

And with all that's happened
in Rome, Wisconsin,

I have to say, poor leadership.

Very poor leadership!

Waive your residency
requirement,

and I can change that.

♪ Be a frog, be a frog
Be a frog ♪

Two counts, 12 years.

You're a character.

She committed two murders,
she should be doing life.

Now, we're offering
a 12‐year recommendation.

That is the deal of this
or any century.

Let's not raise our voices,
we're all friends here.

We're not friends!
She's a murderer.

I am not her friend,
you got that?!

I got that

as well as that
little piece of spit

that shot out
and hit me in the nose.

You want to be adversaries?

Fine! Let's be that way.

You were lucky
to survive the arraignment.

So, let's skip all the bluster,

make the deal
to reflect your horrible case.

Let's hear it.

Two counts
of disorderly conduct.

And if you want to throw in
"disturbing the peace,"

I won't scream.

The defendant goes back
in lockup.

Your offer is rejected.

‐[woman murmuring]
‐I try to be reasonable.

Both murders
reveal the same pattern.

Blow to the back of the head
rendering the victims
unconscious,

then death by hypothermia
in the freezer.

Anything else?

No signs of bruising
or struggle.

No indications of trauma.

[Littleton]
And what does that mean?

Well, that both victims
were probably surprised

by someone they knew
and trusted.

Neither likely knew
what hit them.

You can really tell that
from looking at a corpse?

Yes, I can.

Fear can leave
chemical traces in the body.

Neither of these victims
showed signs of being afraid.

The bruise, um,
back of the head?

You actually knocked
Ed Lawson's head completely off

while trying to remove
his frozen body, didn't you?

It fell right to the floor
with a big thump.

‐Is there a question?
‐[people murmuring]

When the head snapped off
and went thump on the floor,

maybe that made the bruise?

No, this was
a pre‐mortem trauma.

Carter, you've ever
pronounced somebody dead

who turned out to be alive?

‐Objection.
‐[Judge] Overruled.

[Douglas] You later sang
with her at O'Kelly's, right?

Just two days
after she supposedly died.

‐[Littleton] Objection,
Your Honor.
‐[Judge] Sustained.

Marcia Lawson was the only one

who had access to the homes
of both of the victims.

Both of the victims were also
last seen with Marcia Lawson.

And the physical evidence?

Hair, prints, and fiber

all belong to the defendant,
Marcia Lawson.

You were once convinced

Ed Lawson murdered
George Putnik.

We now believe
it was Marcia Lawson.

Yeah, but you were
so convinced it was Ed,

you had a warrant out
for his arrest.

You were looking
all over for him.

Where did you eventually
track him down?

‐In his house.
‐[people murmuring]

Of all places.

You enlisted the help
of Laurie Bey,

the Dancing Bandit, to find him?

That is correct.

The same woman
you were prosecuting
for bank robbery

just a few weeks ago.

She's now on your side.
[chuckles]

It's nice when people
can work out their differences.

‐Objection, Your Honor.
‐Sustained.

How long did it take
for Laurie Bey

to find the person you've been
searching out for two months?

We all found him, together.

How long after she
was put on the case?

Forty minutes.

‐[people murmuring]
‐Hm.

Imagine how it looks
to an outsider.

The sheriff's department
enlists the aid
of a known bank robber

to help out with its case.

They put a felon
in charge. [laughs]

Oh, my, I... I guess
it's only funny to me.

I was in charge of the case,
not Laurie Bey.

Kenny Lacos and I
were running the investigation.

Ah, Deputy Lacos.

I saw the two of you in the car
waiting to arrest my client.

That's right.

Do you remember
what you were doing

as I happened to look
into your car window?

‐We were kissing.
‐[people murmuring]

French kissing
or was it Yugoslav?

‐Objection, Your Honor,
this has absolutely nothing‐‐

Now, wait a minute.
I'm trying to show

that the two officers in charge
of this botched investigation

were romantically entangled.

In fact, they were
tangling in uniform

while conducting
the investigation.

My involvement with Deputy Lacos
never compromises investigation.

[Douglas] The kiss?

Was it French or Yugoslav?

‐French.
‐[people] Ooh!

[Littleton] Kissing.

It's not enough you need a felon
to locate the victim,

but kissing on a stakeout!
French kissing!

You two do this to me
on purpose. I know you do.

‐[Kenny] Can I ask you
a question?
‐Yeah, go ahead.

Why is it no matter
what the case
or what the crime,

it's always us, the police,
on trial? Why?

Because that's what
defense attorneys do, Kenny.

They put the police on trial.

And with this particular
police department‐‐

Now, watch it, John.

"Watch it"?

"Watch it"?!

You've got deputies necking
on a stakeout. "Watch it"?!

You‐‐ [scoffs]

All he has to do
is show reasonable doubt.

Now, you knew how tough
this case was gonna be,
to begin with.

You‐‐ "Watch it"?
You're telling me to "watch it"?

[door slams shut]

Forgive me for not showing you
the respect you so...

rightfully earned.

[door closes]

I don't like
to make predictions,

but I got
a permanent tingle going.

You think we'll win?

Well, they can't clear
reasonable doubt.

I just don't see how.

So, um, can I...

Can I not testify?
I'd rather not.

You can't be required to
but, Marcia,

the jury would wanna hear
your story.

[sighs] Can I be
perfectly honest?

Certainly not. I'm your lawyer.

[Marcia] No,
I want you to hear this.

I could take the stand
and I could testify

that I didn't kill
either George or Ed.

Mm, that would be lovely.

What?

Can I win without testifying?

I think yes,
but with your testimony,

‐that we might have
a better chance‐‐
‐I killed Ed.

And I killed George.

I tell you this because...

This is going to sound
really perverse...

but I guess if you've already
committed murder,

that's about as low
as you can get.

[sighs]

But actually, it's not.
I've hired an agent.

I beg your pardon.

I can make a book deal
upwards to a million dollars.

Talk shows, Montel, Ricki Lake,
and all that garbage.

I am highly promotable

if I tell my story.

Problem is,

if I take the stand and I say
that I didn't commit murder

and then tell my story after
in the book and all,

then they can come after me
for perjury.

Now, if I can get the acquittal
without testifying,

then I can say and I can publish
whatever I want

without risk of prosecution.

The acquittal also exempts me
from Son of Sam laws, I think,

although my‐‐my agent's still
waiting on an opinion letter
on that.

You're disappointed?

Look, this is what
I want you to do.

Put on no defense.

They really don't have
any witnesses anyway.

Our defense is just poking holes
in the prosecution,

which you've already done.

But by calling
no witnesses whatsoever,

it'll make my not testifying
less conspicuous.

Also by doing nothing,

I'll probably have grounds
for inadequate counsel...

‐[grumbles]
‐...should we lose,

and I'll be able to appeal.

But we won't lose.

They have no case.

Seems you've got everything
figured out, Marcia.

I really didn't plan
on killing them.

There wasn't much premeditation.

It just... happened.

So now I gotta make
the best of it.

[Jimmy] When I came
to this town,

the biggest crime problem
was jaywalking.

Now, it's murder.

And this department routinely
botches investigation,

mishandles evidence,

and the bad guys go free!

Things are changing today.

We will begin
a physical fitness regimen.

We'll have new standards.

Anyone not measuring
up to those standards,

will be broomed out. Anybody.

This department
has had it far too...

What are you doing here?

At your service, sir.

Dismissed. Go.

That's mine.

[indistinct dialogue]

Eyes front.

Fun time's over.

‐There's a new sheriff in town.
‐[door closes]

And it's me.

[indistinct chatter]

Henry, I would like to withdraw
from this case.

I can't let you do that.

It would be prejudicial
to the defendant

to let you out
in the middle of a trial.

‐You know it.
‐My client and I disagree

as to strategy. It can't work
if I represent her.

Sorry.

I just can't do it.

I know I'm a defense lawyer.

I have a job, but, Henry,
I just can't do it anymore.

You're Douglas Wambaugh.

"Reasonable doubt
for a reasonable fee."

"Have retainer, will travel."

You represent anybody.

You're a character.

You once said that the worst way
to punish me

was to hold up a mirror.

I think you just did.

You know, Doug,

within three minutes
of every case,

you tell me whether your client
is guilty or not.

If he is,

out come the jokes,
the character,

all the shtick to help you cover
how you really feel

about what you're doing.

You waltzed in
with Marcia Lawson

asking for moments of silence,

making cracks
about kitchen sinks.

And I knew...
she killed her husband.

I always know...

because I know,
contrary to popular opinion,

Attorney Douglas Wambaugh
has a deep, deep conscience.

Well, uh,

that makes my behavior
much more inexcusable.

No.

Because when you walk
into a courtroom,

you take an oath
to uphold the law,

and you do that.

You've never wavered
from your responsibility
as a defense lawyer

and as an officer of the court.

And I won't let you waver
from it now.

But, Henry,

it can't be justice
for her to walk,

and if I do my best, she will.

Your job really isn't justice.

Your job is being her advocate.

That's how we're supposed
to get to justice, remember?

Oh, that's a nice theory.

I've always been able
to sing myself to sleep with it,

but not tonight.

[Judge] Counsel...

Let me make it easy for you.

I order you to give her
the best defense you can!

If you don't...

I'll see you disbarred.

Mm‐hmm. Now,
there might be justice.

[door closes]

She said it.

Her very own words.

"I wish Ed were dead."

And you heard
the defendant say this when?

About a week before
Ed became dead.

Thank you, Mrs. Walker.

If you really thought Marcia
was motivated to commit murder,

why didn't you tell the police?

Because I didn't
take her seriously.

I just thought, you know...

[Douglas] She was fantasizing
like every housewife does

at one point or another
about her husband dying.

Exactly.

Thank you, Sylvia, that's all.

But, Mrs. Walker,
given Ed Lawson's death,

did you change your position
regarding the seriousness
of the defendant's words?

Yes, with what she said,

with her obsession
for George Putnik...

I now believe that
she did intend to kill Ed.

‐[people murmuring]
‐[Littleton] Thank you.

Nothing from me.

At this time, the prosecution
rests, Your Honor.

The defense rests.

[people murmuring]

‐No witnesses?
‐None.

We'll adjourn till after lunch,

then we'll hear summations.

‐Counsel, in chambers.
‐[bangs gavel]

‐What the hell are you doing?
‐Defense strategy.

I gave you some advice, Counsel.
You better not ignore it.

‐I told you
to take me off this case.
‐And I didn't take you off!

So we proceed at
our own risks, don't we?

Do your job, Counsel,

'cause I promise you,
I'll do mine.

‐[Kenny grunting]
‐[man] One, two. One, two.

One, two. One, two. One, two.

Come on, you bunch of sissies!

One, two. One, two. One, two.
Keep 'em up.

One, two. One, two.
Up, two. Up, two.

Up, two. Yeah. Up...

[phone ringing]

‐[Kimberly] Hey.
‐[woman] Mayor's office.

This room looks good on you.

Oh, that's not funny. [chuckles]

You called me?

Yes, I did.

Kimberly,
from a teenager's perspective,

what do you think
this town needs in a mayor?

‐You haven't found one yet.
‐No.

We've seen a lot of
great candidates

but Rome is
a very strange town, honey.

‐You're just discovering this.
‐[chuckles]

Who is your ideal mayor?

Um... I don't know. Uh...

Probably, uh, Howard Buss.

Howard Buss?
He put his pants on backwards.

[clicks tongue]

‐Besides which, he's dead.
‐[Kimberly] I know.

And I don't know about
all the administration stuff.

He probably was incompetent,
but...

this town has gotten angry, Mom.

And I don't know if it's
because of the crime

or the busing or whatever.
I have no idea.

But Howard Buss...

what's that expression?

Um... When you smile,
the whole world smiles with you.

‐Mm‐hmm. Mm.
‐[Kimberly] Howard smiled a lot.

Yeah.

This town's just been
drained of...

[sighs] I don't know,
its spirit.

And that's what's always made
Rome a little different.

Optimism, even joy a little.

I don't know.

‐You asked me. What do I know?
‐Yeah.

What do you know?

It's an awful thing
to keep finding people
in freezers.

It was just under
three years ago,

poor Marcia Banks
was dug out of her dishwasher.

You have to ask,

what kind of a community
kills with home appliances?

Today, my client Mrs. Lawson
is accused

of murdering George Putnik,
the man who would squiggle her,

and her husband Ed,

the man who apparently wouldn't.

There was a reason
I put on no defense,
ladies and gentlemen.

The reason I offered nothing
on this woman's behalf

is because...

Well... it's because
a defense attorney's job

is to puncture
the prosecution's case.

And they put on no case,

no witnesses,
no physical evidence.

They put up the coroner
who drops heads

and pronounces people dead
while they're still alive.

They put up deputies

who give tonsillectomies
to each other in squad cars.

They used a felon
to find a victim

who was right in his own house
the whole time. [laughs]

All I have to say
is look at the evidence.

The evidence shouts
"not guilty."

Not guilty.

I... I know that many of you,

many of you would probably like
to believe she did it, I'm sure,

'cause then, uh,
we could have some closure.

At some point,
we all want closure.

But I'm afraid
you can't close this case.

You have to go back there
and listen to the evidence,

and do your job.

It's only if we do our jobs
that the truth comes out.

Have to go and...
and do our jobs.

So you go and do yours,

and find Marcia Lawson...

not guilty.

Thank you.

[people murmuring]

Marcia Lawson was obsessed
with George Putnik.

A day after he refused
to see her anymore,
he's found dead.

She loathed her husband.
She openly admitted
wanting him dead.

And he's found in her freezer
while she's in the Caribbean.

Now, the phone calls
back to the message machine,

that's very clever, but come on.

She was last seen
with both victims.

She was the only one
with access to both.

She's the only one
with a motive to kill both.

Life insurance policy
leaves her $75,000.

Let's use our heads, folks.

Now, if there had been
anyone else on the murder scene,

we would have found
some evidence,

but there was nothing
to indicate anyone but her.

Hairs, fibers, prints,
it only points to Marcia Lawson.

Let's use our heads,
ladies and gentlemen.

Like Mr. Wambaugh says,
"Do your job"

before somebody you love
ends up in a freezer.

[people murmuring]

‐[phone ringing]
‐What's with the hat?

Uh, it looks good on me.
You like it?

[laughs] Laurie...

Um...

My daughter said something
to me. Uh...

This town is a little bankrupt
at the moment

when it comes to morale and...

I think, more than
a balanced budget,

what we need is
life‐affirming leadership.

[Jill sighs]

‐How do I ask this?
‐[Henry] I'll ask.

You owe 3,000 hours
of community service.
We want you to be mayor.

I signed it correctly.

‐Uh...
‐[Jill] You're very good
at computers.

You're an administrative whiz.

And as for your personality, uh,

Rome could use a little bit
of what you've got.

Me? Mayor?

It's completely ridiculous,
totally insane,

therefore it's appropriate.

‐Just say yes.
‐Oh. [chuckles softly]

[chuckles]

[Jill sighs]

[Judge] Madam Foreman,
has the jury reached a verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

Will the defendant please rise?

What say you?

In the matter
of People vs. Marcia Lawson

on the charge
of first‐degree murder
of George Putnik,

we find the defendant
not guilty.

‐[people murmuring]
‐[man] There you go.

On the charge
of first degree murder
of Edward Lawson,

we find the defendant
not guilty.

‐[indistinct shouting]
‐[people murmuring]

Member of the jury,
thank you for your service.

This matter is adjourned.
The defendant is free to go.

[bangs gavel]

[indistinct chatter]

[reporters speaking
indistinctly]

Well, obviously I'm overwhelmed.
I'm very happy.

Do you have an opinion
as to who committed the murder?

My‐‐my God. Uh...
Well, I have a lot to say,

but now is not the time. I...

I just want to enjoy
today's verdict

and take the time, you know,
to mourn my husband's passing.

‐[reporter] What about
the movie deal?
‐No, I‐‐

‐Wambaugh?
‐Mr. Wambaugh?

‐Any victory comments?
‐Well, what can I say.
Wonderful.

‐The big break came when
the head snapped off the body.
‐[reporter laughs]

I'm very good with victims
that are in two pieces.

It has an advantage emotionally.

But forgive me, I have
to collect my thoughts.

I have so few, you know.

[reporters clamoring]

I want to be alone, damn it.

Tough.

Another trial, another victory.

Got to admit it, Henry,
I'm good.

Yes.

Yes, you are.

72 years old.

My life amounts to nothing,

unless putting killers
back on the streets
counts for something.

That man you eulogized
last month,

the child molester?

He was my son.

You wanna compare failures?

I was his father.

His father.

And I couldn't bring myself
to see him as anything other
than a monster.

Well, we all looked at him
like that.

But you nevertheless
eulogized him.

I heard.

You talked about him
as if he were...
a human being.

Show me a man who can
look into the eyes of a murderer

or a child molester

and still locate humanity...

and I'll show you
Douglas Wambaugh.

I know what they'll be saying
at my funeral.

"Douglas Wambaugh...

good attorney."

If I had to do it
all over again,

I'd be a good man.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Wouldn't we all?

I won't lie to you, Doug.

I'd often rather have root canal
than be in your company,

but you're a good man.

In fact...

and I'll deny this
if ever asked to repeat it,

you're probably
the best man I know.

[theme music playing]

[theme music ends]