Under Age (1964) - full transcript

[band music playing]

♪ Under age
Under age ♪

♪ Under age

♪ Under age
Under age ♪

♪ We're under age

♪ We're too young

♪ Much too young to know

♪ What to do
Where to turn ♪

♪ When that sudden journey
starts to grow ♪

♪ Grow and grow

♪ Grow and grow



♪ Just take me out dancing
And buy me silly things ♪

♪ Don't think of romancing♪

♪ Or talk of wedding rings

♪ Take your time

♪ Take your time

♪ Let's take a while

♪ To be sure

♪ Sure that love will grow

♪ When you're young

♪ Love is blind

♪ It's the only minus

♪ And they know

♪ Yes, they know

♪ Yes, they know



[vocalizing]

[vocalizing continues]

♪ Under age

♪ Under age

♪ We're under age

♪ We're too young

♪ Much too young to know

♪ When you're young

♪ Love is blind

♪ It's the only minus

♪ And they know

♪ Yes, they know

♪ Yes, they know

[music ends]

[bangs gavel]

[Judge] Ruby Jenkins.

Ruby Jenkins, stand up, please.

Arraign the defendant.

[Adkins] In the name
and by the authority
of the state,

the grand jurors
do present in and to

the criminal district court
of this county,

that one, Ruby Jenkins...

Is that your name?

Yes, sir.

On or about
the 16th day of April,

in this year of our Lord
in the state of foresaid,

did then and there
unlawfully ravish,

and have carnal knowledge
of Linda Jenkins.

A female under the age
of 18 years,

the said Linda Jenkins,

not being the wife
of Ruby Jenkins.

Ruby Jenkins,
do you understand the charge?

Yes, Your Honor.

[Judge] How do you plead?

Not guilty.

-[Judge] Not guilty?
-Yes, sir.

Did you hear that ladies
and gentlemen of the jury?

She pleads not guilty.

Mr. Adkins...

who was the first witness
for the state?

Your Honor,
we'd like to call George Gomez.

For the benefit
of the witness,

the jury, and the court,

let me explain that
the rule of evidence

has been invoked
in this case.

And that means this,

the witnesses who have
already been sworn

will remain outside
the courtroom

until they are called
to testify.

You are not to discuss
this case with anyone,

except the attorneys.

Now, go ahead
with your evidence, please.

Yes, sir.

Your name is George Gomez?

That is right.

George,
how old are you, George?

Sixteen.

How old were you in April?

April 16th to be exact.

Fifteen.

Fifteen years old.

Uh, what grade in school
were you in at that time?

Ninth grade.

And what school was this?

Granite Junior High.

George, do you know a girl
by the name of Linda Jenkins?

Yes, sir, I do.

You two were pretty close?

Yes. We loved each other.

You loved each other?

You mean you had a crush
on her, a kind of puppy love?

No.

Well, I walked her home
from school every day,

and I put her mark on my arm.

Your Honor, are you putting
this boy's arm into evidence?

Well, I don't think
that's exactly
what he has in mind.

Your Honor, I should like
to have this witness
on voir dire.

I'm not going to enter
the tattoo into evidence.

I object, Your Honor.

The prosecution obviously
doesn't believe in young love.

The boy testified that he had
a genuine love for this girl.

And Mr. Adkins is twisting it
into nothing but puppy love.

And then trying
to hide the evidence

that will prove him wrong.

I think I'd overrule you
on that.

What, Your Honor,
that's what this
whole case is about.

We intend to prove that
these young people

were madly in love
and nobody could
keep them apart!

But, Your Honor,
the prosecution will prove

that Ruby Jenkins
manipulated this whole affair,

and nothing would have happened
if she hadn't promoted it.

[bangs gavel]

And now that you've had
equal time, gentlemen,

can we now take
our proper places,

and proceed
in an orderly manner?

[indistinct chatter]

[Adkins] Now, George,

do you know this
girl's mother, Ruby Jenkins?

Yes, sir, I do.

Directing your attention
to last April 15th,

will you state the facts
as to whether or not you had

a telephone conversation
with Linda Jenkins?

I did, sir.

[Adkins] Now, George,
you cannot tell the jury

what you and Linda
talked about.

However, I will ask you,

if she left the telephone
from time to time,

and then would come back
and say something to you.

She did, sir.

During these times that
Linda left the telephone
and returned,

did her mother say anything
to you on the phone?

Yes, sir, she did.

Well, tell the jury
as best you can,

what Ruby Jenkins said to you
on the telephone.

Well, sir...

Mrs. Jenkins came to the phone,

Linda had asked her
if it was all right

for us to have relations.

We object to that, Your Honor.

[Judge] Sustained.

Now you can't tell
what Linda told you.

You just tell what
Ruby Jenkins told you.

I'll handle it, Mr. Adkins.

I sustained
Mr. Tyler's objection

because you can only relate

just exactly what
the defendant herself told you.

Nothing else.

-Now, go ahead.
-Yes, sir.

Well, she came
into the phone--

By she, you mean Ruby Jenkins?

Yes, sir.

She started speaking to me
about sex and all about it.

She started discussing
what would happen.

That you would have to use
the Norgines.

I didn't hear you.

Linda would have to use
some Norgines.

Now, these... these Norgines,
they're a female medication?

[Tyler] I object to that,
Your Honor.

Unless counsel would qualify
the witness is an expert.

[Judge] Sustain it.

Well, then, in effect,
on that day over the telephone,

you agreed with Ruby Jenkins
to have intimate relations

with her daughter, Linda?

[Gomez] Yes, sir.

When was this to take place?

The next day,
after I took her
home from school...

Mrs. Jenkins said
that would be a good time,

because she would be at work.

Did you see Linda
the next day?

Yes, sir.

[inaudible conversation]

[slow instrumental
music playing]

[Adkins] What happened
when you got to her house?

[Gomez] We were startled
to find her there.

[Adkins] Mrs. Jenkins?

[Gomez] Yes, sir.

[Adkins] Was there
a conversation between
you and Mrs. Jenkins?

[Gomez] Yes, sir.

[Adkins] Tell the court
what was said and done.

[Gomez] She told Linda
to go put her books up

and go to the bathroom.

I was shaking all over.

I was so nervous.

She said It would be
all right, because...

in the eyes of God,
we would be married by nature.

[Adkins] She said...

"In the eyes of God,

you would be
married by nature"?

That's right.

Because we loved each other.

[Adkins] When they left
the bathroom,

what did Mrs. Jenkins
say to you?

She said,
"Don't be scared.

It'll be over real quick
and you'll be glad of it."

[Adkins] That you'll be
glad of it?

[Gomez] That we would be
married anyway when we were 18.

I told her I... I didn't want
my mother to find out.

It would shock her.

She kept saying there was
nothing to worry about,

and told us to go on back
to the bedroom.

[Adkins] Where was Mrs. Jenkins
when you last saw her?

In the hall.

[Adkins] And then
where did you go?

[Gomez] To Linda's bedroom.

[Adkins] Now tell us
in your own words
what each of you did.

[Gomez] I told her
I would have to do

what her mother told me to.

To wait 15 minutes for...
for the Norgine to work,

so that she would not
become pregnant.

I kept watching the time,

and when the time
had come, Linda said,

"Make something
wonderful happen."

"Make something
wonderful happen"?

Afterwards, what then?

I put my clothes on
and walked into
the front room.

I was shaking like everything.

[Judge] Son...

uh, don't let your voice drop.

They can't hear you.

Yes, sir.

When you got
to the front room,

what did Linda's mother
do then?

She asked me how I felt,
and I said I felt drastic.

You felt what?

Drastic.

My legs were shaking.

I felt nauseated, like...
like about to faint
or something.

So I said goodnight
and caught my bus for home.

And was this
the only time that

you had intimate relations
with Linda Jenkins?

No, sir.

They were two other times
that I recall.

And did her mother,
Ruby Jenkins

know about these other times?

Yes, sir. She told us to.

She told you to?
That you weren't willing.

-[Tyler] Objection.
-[Gomez] Neither one
of us was.

[Tyler] Objection!
Objection, Your Honor.

He's leading.

Wait a minute. Wait a minute.

Give me time to rule
when there is an objection.

If I overrule on objection,
that means you may answer.

If I sustain an objection,
you may not.

I sustain it here.

So proceed.

Now, George, answer me this.

Have you ever had
intimate relations

with anyone
besides Linda Jenkins?

No, sir. I have not

We pass the witness,
Your Honor.

[Gomez] George,

you don't mind my asking
you a few questions, do you?

That's what he's here for,
Mr. Tyler

When did you start
going with Linda?

Was it last semester?

[Gomez] Well, I...
I couldn't say for sure.

I attended two schools
last year, so...

This was my first year
in public school,

Was it at last December?
February, March?

Well, I... Somewhere.

Well, your best guess.

Somewhere around February?

You were going steady,
weren't you?

With Linda?

-[Tyler] Yes.
-[Gomez] Yes, sir.

In fact, you walked her home
from school almost every night.

Not night, evening.

Well, after school.

Yes, sir.

You spent a lot of time
in her house?

Yes, sir.

Alone?

-Yes, sir.
-Listening to the records?

-Yes, sir.
-In her bedroom?

Yes.

Well...

That's where
the record player was.

Isn't it true that
on April 15th,

you took her blouse off
and petted her?

[Adkins] Well, uh, objection.

Just answer, yes or no?

Your Honor, we object.

Overruled you, Mr. Prosecutor.

Answer the question.

I did.

I don't recall the 15th,
but... I did do that, yes.

Didn't you have relations
with Linda on that same day?

No, sir.

Now, George,

while you and Linda
were going steady,

did you ever
give her any money?

[Gomez] No, sir.

Didn't you,
as a matter of fact,

buy her cheerleader's uniform?

-[Gomez] No, sir.
-You didn't do that?

[Gomez] No, I didn't.

[Tyler] Have you ever
seen this before?

It looks like the key
that opens Linda's house.

Opens what?

It looks like the key
to the back door.

Objection.

Mr. Tyler, are you offering
that key into evidence?

[Tyler]
You live on the other side
of the expressway

from Linda, don't you, George?

What is it they call that?

You mean Little Mexico?

Some people call it that.

[Tyler] No, George.

What do you...
What do your people call it?

Sal...

- Sal si puedes.
-[Tyler] Sal si puedes.

Get out if you can.

And was that what you were
trying to do, George?

Objection, Your Honor.

Harry Tyler's trying
to inject prejudice

into this trial
because of this boy's race.

[Judge] Sustained.

Has anyone warned you, George,

that your testimony
in this trial

is enough to convict you
of statutory rape,

when you reach the age 17?

I don't know anything
about that.

Didn't the district attorney
offer you immunity

if you would testify against
Ruby Jenkins In this case?

All they said
was to tell the truth.

Just tell the truth.

Now, George...

let's move to the day.

The first time it's happened.

Being at the Jenkins House
as much as you were.

You were aware
of what day of the week

Mrs. Jenkins had off from work,
weren't you?

[Gomez] Yes, sir.

I believe it was a... Tuesday.

It was a Tuesday.

Tuesday afternoon,
in fact, wasn't it?

I guess so.

Why were you surprised
to find her there?

[Gomez] Pardon me?

When you and Linda got home,

why were you surprised
to find her mother there?

[Gomez] Because she said
she was going to be at work.

Now, George,
for the benefit of the judge,

and the jury,
let's fix in our minds

the dates of these
alleged intimacies, shall we?

First phone call.

When you asked Mrs. Jenkins

if you could marry
her daughter,

when was that?

[Gomez] That was...
April 15th.

This Monday.

[Tyler] Uh, let's just
mark that for clarity

Here, you mark it.

All right.

Now the first intimacy.

When was that?

That was the next day,

April 16th, Tuesday.

[Tyler] Mark that
if you don't mind.

And the second intimacy,

when was that?

[Gomez] That was
the 17th, Wednesday.

[Tyler] Mark it.

I believe
you testified earlier

that there were three
or four intimacies.

Three, sir.

The last one was on...
Saturday, the 20th.

[Tyler] Mark that, too, please.

Saturday night.

Was that the Saturday night

you were supposed to be
at a Boy Scout meeting?

[Gomez] No, sir.
That was the night

I was supposed to go
to the Midnight Mass.

[Tyler] Do you have
Midnight Mass
every Saturday night?

Now we object to that,
Your Honor.

The boy is testifying
in regard to his
own religion, Your Honor.

Sustained.

Just ask him about
the night in question.

This midnight mass.

It was a High Mass,
wasn't it?

I presume so.

[Tyler] High Mass.

Just on special days,
like Easter.

Well, George, if that was
a Saturday night before Easter,

your first intimacy
was at least two days

before you had this famous
telephone conversation

with Ruby Jenkins.

Where you learned
all about the birds and bees.

[Adkins] Objection.

[Judge banging gavel]

[Judge] Sustained.

George, you know
the difference between
love and lust?

You told Mr. Adkins over here

that you and Linda
loved each other.

Didn't you mean lust?

No.

I loved her.

Is that why you put
that tattoo on your arm?

A lot of us do that
to show we're in love.

Could the jury
see that, please?

What do those letters
stand for?

George Gomez...

loves Linda Jenkins.

Thank you, George.

Stand down, please.
Call your next witness.

Call Sybel Riley.

You are the sister
of the defendant, Ruby Jenkins.

-Is that right?
-Half-sister.

We have the same mother.

And how long
have you known

the defendant's
daughter, Linda?

All of her life.

Do you know George?

Do you mean the Mexican boy?

No.

No, I didn't know him
very well.

Didn't he come over
to your house with Linda?

He has never been to my house.

Is, uh, Linda staying
at your house now?

Yes, sir.

Now, how long has she been
staying there?

Since July the 19th,
of this year.

Now, directing your attention
to July 21st.

Will you state the facts
as to whether or not

you took Linda Jenkins
to the juvenile home?

I did.

And did she have
a conversation with
the juvenile workers?

Yes, she did.

Now directing your attention
to July 28th.

Will you state the facts
as to Ruby Jenkins,

when you visited her home
at 565 Meadowbrook?

Well, my mother had called,

and said they had put
Ruby in jail,

and that she needed
some things,

clothes and things.

And would I go to her house
and get some things

and take them down to the jail?

-[Adkins] And you did this?
-[Riley] Yes.

[somber music playing]

[Riley] I gathered
the things together.

[Adkins] Now, relate the facts
as to whether or not

you found
any female medications

among her effects.

[Riley] Yes, I did.

Two different kinds.

Thank you, Mrs. Riley.

Pass the witness.

Mrs. Riley.

You've known that George
has been dating Linda

for quite some time now,
haven't you?

Yes, I've known about it.

Did you object to that?

Of course I objected.

Linda shouldn't go out
with that kind of a boy.

What do you mean,
"that kind of a boy"?

Why... you know...

No, I don't know.
What do you mean?

Why, he's a Mexican boy!

A Mexican boy!

And is that the reason
you went down

to the juvenile home
and started all this?

Because your sister
let her daughter go out
with a Mexican boy?

No, that's not right.

She's the one who called
the judge and told him

that I had kidnapped
her daughter.

I just wanted them to know
the straight of it.

Now, Mrs. Riley,

when Linda came to you
with this wild tale of
promiscuity,

of course,
you called her mother

to get the denial,
or confirmation of it.

-Didn't you?
-No, sir.

[Tyler] You didn't do that?

No.

Linda told me what happened.

You mean that you convicted
your sister of a serious crime

without getting
her side of the story?

-[Adkins] Objection.
-The truth is, Sybel Riley,

-you hate your sister.
-[Askins] Objection.

-You've always hated her.
-[Adkins] Objection,
Your Honor.

-And you're holding...
-Objection!

Order. Order in this court.

Mr. Tyler.

Don't ever make
an outburst like that
again in my courtroom.

[Tyler] But, Your Honor,

the jury has a right to know
what made this woman do

what she has done
to her sister.

You do that again, Mr. Tyler,

and I'm going to have you
put in jail.

Your Honor, we ask that
the jury be instructed

to disregard this outburst,

and it will be stricken
from the record.

The jury is so instructed.

Strike it from the record.

No further questions.

Stand down please.

Call your next witness.

Your Honor...

we call Linda Jenkins.

[indistinct chatter]

[chattering stops]

You're Linda Jenkins?

Yes, sir.

In April of this year,
how old were you?

Fourteen.

What? No, I was still 13 then.

Linda, do you know a person
by the name of George Gomez?

Yes, sir.

When did you meet him?

I met him in January.

It was at a hootenanny.

-A what?
-A hootenanny.

[Adkins] Would you describe
that for the court and jury?

Well, it's just a place
where the kids go.

They sing folk songs,

or are they can sit around
and listen.

[Adkins] You mean
a nightclub, a cabaret?

Well, no, no. They...

they served Cokes
and and coffee.

It's just a place
where the young people go.

["Boil Them Cabbage Down"
playing]

♪ The only song
I ever did sing was ♪

♪ Boil them cabbage down

♪ Boil them
Cabbage down, boys ♪

♪ Turn them hoecakes 'round

♪ Only song
I ever did sing was ♪

♪ Boil them cabbage down

♪ Boil them
Cabbage down, boys ♪

♪ Turn them hoecakes 'round

♪ Only song
I ever did sing was ♪

♪ Boil them cabbage down

♪ Grandpa had a mealy cow
Was mealy when it was born ♪

♪ Took a Blue Jay 40 years
To fly from horn to horn ♪

♪ Boil them
Cabbage down, boys ♪

♪ Turn them hoecakes 'round

♪ The only song
I ever did sing was ♪

♪ Boil them cabbage down

♪ Mary had a little lamb
The doctors were surprised ♪

♪ Old McDonald had a farm

♪ You should have
seen their eyes ♪

♪ Boil them
Cabbage down, boys ♪

♪ Turn them hoecakes 'round

♪ The only song
I ever did sing was ♪

♪ Boil them cabbage down

[music continues]

♪ Boil them
Cabbage down, boys ♪

♪ Turn them hoecakes 'round

♪ The only song
I ever did sing was ♪

♪ Boil them cabbage down

[all cheering]

[folk music playing]

♪ We know nothin'
But plucking on our bow ♪

♪ Bow knows the sky of blue

♪ Never knew till I met you

♪ What normal love
Could do, oh, do ♪

♪ I will love her do

♪ Never gonna marry
in the fall ♪

♪ Never marry in the spring

♪ I'm in love
With a pretty little girl ♪

♪ Who wears
A diamond ring, oh, ring ♪

♪ Wears a diamond ring

♪ Can't you see
You turtle dove ♪

♪ Flying from pine to pine♪

♪ See him mourn
His own true love♪

♪ As I, my dear
For mine, oh, mine♪

♪ I, my dear, for mine♪

♪ Never could afford
A store bought ring ♪

♪ See a sparkling
Diamond stone ♪

♪ All I can afford
Is a loving heart ♪

♪ The only one I own, oh, own

♪ Only one I own

♪ For I'm just a country boy

♪ Money have I none

♪ I've got silver
In the stars ♪

♪ Gold in the mornin'
Sun, oh, sun ♪

♪ Gold in the mornin' sun

[song ends]

We started to talk and...

we found out we went
to the same school.

And... later on,

George asked me
if he could walk me home.

And I said, "All right."

Directing your attention
to April of this year...

Will you state the facts
as to whether or not,

at that time, you were the wife
of George Gomez?

Well, not legally.

I mean, no.

Well, were you the wife of...

Ruby Jenkins?

[audience murmuring]

Well, no.

Now, directing your attention
to the evening of April 15th.

Did you and your mother
have a telephone conversation

with George Gomez?

Yes, sir.

[Adkins] Under the law,

you cannot tell me
what the conversation was

between you and George Gomez.

The court just won't
let you do that.

Tell what the conversation
was with your mother.

[slow instrumental
music playing]

[Linda] Well, she asked me

if I wouldn't like to be
married to George

in the eyes of God.

That's what she said.

[Adkins]
And what did you answer?

[Linda] Well, I said no.

[Adkins]
And what did she say, then?

[Linda] Well, she kept on
saying that it was all right,

and that
a lot of people did it.

And she didn't see
any harm in it,

and that
I would never regret it.

And that I would be
perfectly happy
the rest of my life.

"I'd be perfectly happy...

the rest of my life."

What else did she say?

Well, she told me that
it had been arranged for me

to have relations with George
the next afternoon.

And did you?

Yes.

When I got home from school,

mother was there
and I was surprised
to find her at home and...

-Well...
-Go on.

She took me in...
into the bathroom and...

she handed me a...
a norgine.

She said
it would keep me from...

from getting pregnant.

And she kept on saying that...

that I would never regret it.

And that I would
always be happy and...

and she was glad
I would do it.

[Adkins] Now, Linda,
a simple yes or no.

Did you or did you not

have intimate relations
with George Gomez

on the afternoon
of April 16th?

Yes, sir, I did.

And was your mother
in the house at this time?

No.

Well, yes. She was
in the living room, ironing.

Objection.

How could she know
what her mother was doing?

[Judge] Sustained.

[Adkins] Now, Linda,
how many times

did you have these...

intimate relations
with George?

Well...

there were four times in all,

but each time I would
tell her I didn't want to.

But she just
kept on talking, and...

and saying that
I would never regret it.

And...

Finally, she just
talked me into it.

[Adkins] And then
what happened?

Well, finally, mother and I
had an argument,

and I told her I never wanted
to see George Gomez again,

because we had
broken up for good.

And she said,

"Well, you can't break up now,

because now you're married
in the eyes of God."

Then I said it didn't make
any difference,

and that
I didn't believe that, anyway.

And I wasn't going out
with George anymore.

And she says,

"If you don't go out
with George,

you won't go out with anyone
as long as you're underage."

And I said, "All right,

I wouldn't go out
with anyone then."

And she said,
"Oh, yes, you are,

because George is coming
over here tomorrow night,

and you're going into
that bedroom with him."

And I said, "You go into that
bedroom with him.

That's what
you really want, say it."

And what did you do then?

Did you strike back?

I ran away.

[somber instrumental
music playing]

[Linda crying]
I just wanted to die.

[Judge] Now, you, reporters.

I don't mind you taking
photographs in the courtroom.

You have a legal right
to do so.

But do not get between
the witness and the jury.

[Adkins] Now, directing
your attention to July 22nd.

Did you have occasion to talk
with the officers

out at the juvenile home?

Yes, sir. I did.

And since this thing
has gotten into court,

have you talked
with George Gomez?

No, sir.

We pass this witness,
Your Honor,

Linda.

Do you remember the day
of the telephone conversation?

April 15th?

Yes, sir.

Is it not a fact
that on that day

George removed your blouse
and petted you?

That's not true!

Then was it the day before?

He didn't ever do that?

He never did that?

No!

Not until... the 16th...

when we had relations.

[Tyler] So...

it is your testimony that

before the 16th April,

George never laid
his hands on you indecently?

That is true.

[Tyler] Either intimate
relations or petting?

He didn't.

[Tyler] You couldn't be
mistaken about that?

[Linda] No.

[Tyler] At that time,

did you know
anything at all about sex?

Well, just what
my mother told me.

[Tyler] Linda...

Is it a fact that
earlier in the year

you had asked about sex?

And you had a book about sex?

Aa book you had borrowed
from one of your girlfriends.

No.

[Tyler] You didn't borrow
a book about sex.

Well, not that I recall.

[Tyler] Didn't your mother
order through the mail,

in a plain brown wrapper,
as they say...

A manual about sex?

Female hygiene...

and all the problems
young girls of your age
have to face.

Yes, she gave that to me.

Then, Linda,

prior to April the 16th,

you weren't
completely ignorant

about the birds and the bees.

Well, I don't remember.

By the way, Linda,

did George ever give you
any money?

Yes. He...

he bought my cheerleader
uniform for me.

Was that before
April the 16th, or after?

After.

-After?
-Yes.

[Tyler] You say
your mother told you
it was all right?

Just fine for you kids
to have intimate relations.

Well... she said...

Well, that she went
to bed with a man.

You say she told you
she went to bed with men?

Well, yes, she...

[Tyler] Your Honor,

I believe I have this witness
on cross examination.

-[Judge] Yes. Now, don't--
-Your Honor, I just want to--

[Judge] Well, if you didn't
hear her, Mr. Adkins,

if you would just tell me,
I'll have the matter read back.

[Tyler] I will ask you this.

How many times
did you and George

have these intimate relations?

It was four.

[Tyler] You had four?

Was one of these times
a Saturday night?

Yes, the third time.

[Tyler] Wasn't that the night

that George was supposed to
have been at Mass?

Yes.

[Tyler] Could this have been
the high mass before Easter?

Well, it could have been.

Linda, are you aware that
Easter was April, the 14th?

-Object!
-This was two days

before these alleged
intimacies took place.

-The way you kids tell it...
-Objection, Your Honor,
he's badgering.

He's deliberately trying
to confuse this witness.

Sustained. Let the witness
testify, Mr. Tyler.

What? Your Honor,
that's exactly
what I'm trying to do.

Let the witness testify...

to that truth.

The jury will decide
as to the truth, Mr. Tyler.

Do you recognize this?

-But, now...
-Yes, that's the key
to our back door.

Your Honor, would you tell him
to either enter that key
into evidence,

or keep it in his pocket?

[Judge] Now you know better
than that, Mr. Tyler,

You have testified that George
and you were never married.

Is that correct?

Yes, it is.

[Tyler] Mark this, please.
As defense Exhibit number one.

Thank you.

I hand you what has been marked
as defense exhibit number one,

and ask you
to identify it, please.

Well, it's my Bible.

[Tyler] YourBible?

Yes.

Will you open it
to the first page, please?

Would you read
the inscription there?

"To Linda
with all my love, George."

[Tyler] Are those
your lip prints?

[Linda] Yes.

[Tyler] Sealed with a kiss.

Thank you, Linda.

That is all.

Your Honor...

No question.

[Judge] Step down, please.

Continue, please.

Call Dr. Vivian Scott.

What position do you hold

with the county
Health department?

Assistant health officer.

Now, directing your attention
to July 27th.

Did you examine a girl
by the name of Linda Jenkins?

I did.

Would you tell the jury
what your examination
revealed?

It revealed...

that the girl
was no longer a virgin.

Thank you, Doctor.

Pass the witness, Your Honor.

Madam...

Is there a positive way
to tell that woman
is no longer a virgin?

Well, there's no 100% way.

No.

Thank you.
No further questions.

You through with her?

Step down, please.

Call your next witness.

Your Honor, at this time,
the state rests.

The court will now recess
for lunch until two o'clock.

Ladies and gentlemen
of the jury,

you have got to stay together,
eat together,

and stay with the bailiffs.

Of course you understand

that you are not to discuss
this case among yourselves.

You are not to read
any newspapers,

listen to any radio,
or watch any television.

Court is now recessed.

[indistinct chatter]

Is the defense ready?

[Tyler] Yes, Your Honor.

Then call your first witness.

Call W.J. Earnhardt.

[indistinct chatter]

State your name please, sir.

W.J. Earnhardt.

I will ask you whether or not
you are the justice
of the peace.

Yes, sir.

[Tyler]
Would you state the facts
as to whether or not

a complaint was filed
in your court

by the defendant,
Ruby Jenkins.

Yes, sir.

Do you know on what day
the charge was filed?

On 20th of July.

[Judge] They say they can't
hear you, Judge.

Speak a little louder.
Keep your voice up.

-[loudly] Yes, sir!
-[laughter]

Judge Earnhardt,
I'm going to ask you to say

who the charge
was filed against.

It was her sister,
Miss. Sybel Riley,
or something like that.

Her sister?

Believe that's all.

Now, Judge, just what was
the charge that was filed?

The charge was
that Miss Jenkins

went over to this lady's house

and got her daughter
and her clothes.

You mean, Mrs. Riley went over
and got her daughter's...

got the girl's clothes for her?

Hell, I don't know
which one's which.

Which one's mother?

Well, the mother
is Mrs. Jenkins.

Well, Mrs. Jenkins is the one
who filed on the other one.

Now, said Mrs. Riley
went over to her house

and got her daughter
and her clothes.

And took them to her house,

and, uh, wouldn't let her
daughter go home.

Now, Judge,
was there actually

a criminal charge filed, or...
or was it just a matter of

getting the deal before you,
so you could hear it?

The court inquiry.

Well, Judge,
was there actually
a court of inquiry,

or did you settle this
all over the telephone?

I settled it over the phone,
as far as I'm concerned.

Yes. Thank you
for coming down, Judge.
Nice to see you.

Can I go home now?

[audience laughing]

You're excused.

You may go.

Call Wilbur Neal.

Now, I understand
from this attorney

that because
of your religion,

you do not want to swear
to tell the truth.

But we'll take an affirmation.

And under the law,
an affirmation
is just as binding.

You hereby affirm

that the testimony you will
give in this matter,

now on trial in this court,
will be the truth,

the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth.

On the thing that is binding
on your conscience?

I will.

[Tyler] Your name
is Wilbur Neal?

Yes, sir.

[Tyler] I will ask if you are
an ordained minister.

Yes, I am.

[Tyler] Are you acquainted
with one George Gomez?

Yes, I am.

[Tyler] How did you two
become acquainted?

I was employed at the Westside
Community Center last year,

and I was his scoutmaster.

Are you acquainted
with Linda Jenkins?

Yes, I met her through George.

She was his girlfriend.

You know Ruby Jenkins?

Yes, I do.

How did you become acquainted
with Ruby Jenkins?

She called me
on the phone in March.

-That would be before Easter.
-Yes.

[Tyler] Do you recall
what she said that day?

She wanted to know
if George had ever
asked me to marry them.

I said yes, he had,

but I thought
he was just joking.

She said that she thought
George was serious

about wanting to get
married to Linda.

And she asked me
not to marry them.

[Tyler] Not to marry?

Yes. She called me
several times in April and May.

Four or five times.

[Tyler] Did Mrs. Jenkins
ever mention to you

that she was suspicious that

the children were having
intimate relations?

Yes.

Mrs. Jenkins called me
right after the first of May.

She told me very bluntly
that they had.

I said, "Are you sure?"

And she said, "Yes."

I'm absolutely sure
that it has happened.

[Tyler] I believe you said
you were George's scoutmaster?

Yes.

[Tyler] Did you ever let George
have access to your car?

-Yes, I did.
-[Tyler] Quite often?

Yes, during scout meetings,

or shortly before
they were over,

George would ask me
for the car

so he could go get Linda.

Then later,
he would pick me up

and I would drive him home.

[Tyler] Did you ever notice
anything unusual

as you... came upon them
in the car?

Mm, not particularly.

[Tyler] Were they necking?

There was one instance,

several instances
when George...

when I would be driving
Linda back home.

Of course, I would be driving

and George and Linda
would be together.

And at these times,
he might kiss her

once or twice
before they got home.

That's a goodnight kiss,
I suppose.

[slow instrumental
music playing]

I did not feel that
my ministerial role

was to break it up,
because it was
perfectly innocent.

And I felt they felt
it was innocent

being with me.

[Tyler] Did you loan George
your car for other dates?

Dates wherein he would be
alone with Linda?

Yes, several times.

[Tyler] Of course,
you wouldn't have
any way of knowing

what happened when they were
alone in your car?

No.

[Tyler] Now, Reverend...

would you say that George
and Linda were in love?

In your opinion.

Well, they certainly
thought so.

[Tyler] And thinking
makes it so, doesn't it?

[Adkins] Objection.
He's leading.

Sustained.

No further questions.

Now, Preacher...

You were fairly close
to George, weren't you?

That's right.

[Adkins] Was he a pretty
clean-cut boy?

Absolutely.

[Adkins] Active in the scouts?

He was an Eagle Scout.

[Adkins] Now that's
the highest rank
in scouting, isn't it?

Yes.

I believe his father
is an officer in Korea,
isn't he?

Well, he's in the service
somewhere overseas.

[Adkins] Now, Preacher,
about Linda Jenkins...

Didn't she always act
like a little lady?

I knew very little
about Linda.

Well, she didn't do
anything nasty

in front of you, did she?

Certainly not.

[Adkins] You never heard her
swear or anything?

No, I object!

I mean... no.

[Adkins] And you never heard
Linda or George discuss sex,
did you?

No, sir.

Now, Preacher, you testified,
I believe that

Mrs. Ruby Jenkins was afraid

that George was going
to marry her daughter.

You know, of course,
that a 13-year-old girl

can't get married
in this state.

I didn't know that,
but it's a good law.

You married, Preacher?

Yes, sir.

No more questions.

Stand down, please.

Call your next witness.

Call Barney Jenkins.

Your name is Barney Jenkins?

[Barney] That's right.

What relation are you
to the defendant,
Ruby Jenkins?

She's my ex-wife.
We were married in 1947.

Then you're the father
of Linda Jenkins?

[Barney] Yes, sir.

[Adkins] I will ask you
if during the month of May,

you had occasion to be
at the residence
of Ruby Jenkins.

Yes, It was Saturday,
the 18th of May,

and I remember
that was the day,
because that's the day

I delivered
the child support check.

[Tyler] Child support check?

Then you and Ruby
are divorced?

Yes, since 1951.

[Tyler] Now, was there
anyone at home?

Well, there didn't appear
to be at first,

and I walked up the driveway
there and knocked on the door.

And nobody answered,
so I started to walk in,

but the latch was latched
from the inside,

but I could see through
the front screen.

And I saw this Mexican boy
coming out from the bedroom,

stuffin' his pants in
like this, you know.

[Tyler] Was anyone else there?

[Barney] Yes, Linda.
She was there.

She had her shorts on,
and when she came out,

she was pushing her blouse
down into her shorts.

She had fresh
makeup on and lipstick,

and she just combed her hair.

[Tyler] Where was your ex-wife
at this time?

Oh, she had to work
that Saturday.

So I gave Linda
the check and left.

When was the next time
you were in Ruby Jenkins' home?

Well, it was the weekend
prior to June 17th.

And she told me she thought
she was pregnant.

-What?
-Yeah. Ruby told me

she thought
Linda was pregnant.

What did you do?

Well, I got on the extension
phone in the other room

and Ruby rang up this
Mexican boy, and asked him

what he was gonna do
about Linda?

And he said he'd had
all he wanted of Linda,

"We are through."
That is all.

And hung up,
and that's all he said.

-"We are through."
-[Tyler] All right.

So I called up
a friend of mine,

and asked about filing
a statutory rape charge

-against this boy.
-[Tyler] Who was this
friend that you called?

[Barney] Mr. North
down at the district
attorney's office,

He told me to come by
and see him.

When I came down to file,
and I told him I'd be
down there next Monday.

[Tyler] And did you go
on Monday?

[Barney] Well, I had...

I was having a great deal
of difficulty getting around.

I was... I was...
I was hurting so much.

You see, I had this painful
operation in my left leg,

and I was in such
great pain that day

that I could hardly even walk.

So on that Monday,

the doctor put me
in the hospital.

And did you ever
go down to the district
attorney's office?

No.

No further questions.

Now, Barney, how long
have you known Mr. North

and myself
down at the district
attorney's office?

Oh, ever since we were
all about ten years old.

I believe that
you testified that

you make child support
payments on Linda.

-Is that right?
-Sure do. Every month.

Of course, if she got married,

you wouldn't have to make
those payments now, would you?

-Well, no, but--
-Thank you very much, Barney.

-I appreciate you coming down.
-No--

Thank you.

Your Honor, we will put
the defendant on next.

All right.
Take the stand, please.

[audience murmuring]

[chattering stops]

Uh, has she been sworn?

Yes, she has, Your Honor.

State your name, please.

Ruby Mae Jenkins.

[Tyler] Speak right up, please.

So everybody can hear you
right into the microphone.

Ru... [clears throat]

Ruby Mae Jenkins.

[Tyler] And you're the mother
of Linda Jenkins, right?

That's right.

[Tyler] Do you know
George Gomez?

Yes.

[Tyler] Was he a frequent
visitor to your home?

Well, up until June, he was.
He...

He'd be there every afternoon
when I got home.

[Tyler] What time
did you get off work?

Five o'clock.

[Tyler]
Where were you employed?

At the Dixie
Dry Cleaners, I...

I press dresses,
and, you know,
things like that.

[Tyler] How long have you been
employed at this job?

-[Ruby] Three years.
-[Tyler] Now...

referring you
to April the 15th.

I will ask you if anything
unusual happened that day?

Well, when I got home
from work, I...

I didn't see
Linda at first, and...

and I called to her and...
and she was in her room.

So... so I went back,

there's always to say
something to her and...

She had an odd expression
on her face and...

and she was nervous.

Just very nervous.

[Tyler] Go on.

So I... I asked her
what the matter was, and...

and... and she said nothing.

But I knew she was lying,

because I know
my daughter and...

Well, eventually,
she told me she...

She said that George
took off her blouse,

and had petted her.

And well, I gave her
a strict lecture on that.

I said that that those things,
they just don't happen and...

and that they're
not to happen.

[Tyler] And did that
end the matter?

No, no, that...

That night Linda came to me
and she said that,

that George was on the phone
and he wanted to talk to me

about the two of them
getting married.

And... and I said, "Why, Linda,

that's ridiculous.
You are entirely too young."

And she said, "Well,
George wants to talk to you
about it, so."

So I went to the phone
and I said, hello and...

he said, "Mrs. Jenkins,
I would like your permission

for me and Linda
to get married."

[Tyler] He asked you
if he could get married
to Linda?

So I... I said, "George,

under no circumstances
can I agree to this.

You are entirely too young."

Did you discuss sex with him?

Yes, I... I told him I said,

"When people get married,
sex follows and...

and they have sex relations,
and that means children.

And what in the world are you
gonna do with children,
when you're...

when you're nothing
but children yourself?"

And I told him, I said,
"You cannot get married."

[Tyler] All right now.

The following day,
April the 16th,

Did you work all day
that day?

-No, I got off at 12:30.
-[Tyler] Went home?

Yes, I...

I, uh, made the bed,
and I swept the floor,

and I did some dishes and
and then I started ironing.

[Tyler]
Did the kids come home?

Yes, about 4:30,

Lind and George came in
together and...

they were talking about
the cheerleader campaign.

Linda... she was going
after a cheerleader and...

while they were talking
about how it was going,

and the parade,
and school activities,
and things like that.

[Tyler] Did they go into
Linda's bedroom?

Well, yes. Uh...

George didn't know
how to dance,

and Linda was teaching him
to dance.

And and the record player
was on.

[Tyler] Could you see them
from where you are ironing?

I could see everything.
Or shadows of everything.

I wanted to keep an eye on,
because of what Linda

had told me the day before.

[Tyler] How long were they
in the bedroom?

Oh, about 15 minutes.
I can't be sure.

Well, then
they came out together,

and we talked for a while.

And then, George said he'd
have to run and catch his bus.

[Tyler] Mmm.

[Tyler] Did you work
the following Saturday,

All day.

[Tyler] Did anything
out of the ordinary

happen the next day, Sunday?

The thing
I was so afraid of...

Linda... Linda'd been acting
strange all day...

she wouldn't look at me
when I talked to her.

And she just wasn't herself.

And that morning, I...
[clears throat]

I opened
my medicine chest and...

I noticed that one of my
Norgines was missing,

I was sure,
because there were
supposed to be three,

and there was only two.

And I went to Linda's room,

and I said, "Linda, one of my
Norgines is missing.

You didn't take it, did you?"

And she said, "No."
But I knew she was lying,

because I know my daughter.

And I said, "Linda,

have you and George
been up to something?"

And she denied it again.

And I grabbed the Bible,

because I knew
what had happened.

And I said, "Linda, now,
you swear on this Bible.

You swear that you and George

haven't been up to something."

And, well, she started to put
her hand on that Bible,

but she couldn't.
And then I knew for sure.

And I said,
"Oh, my God, Linda,

those things are nothing
but feminine medications,

and they won't keep you
from getting pregnant."

-[Tyler] What did you do?
-[audience murmuring]

I called Mr. Neal.

[Tyler] Preacher
who testified here?

I asked him what I should do.

And I told him that
if ever I needed help

in making a decision,
I needed it now.

[Tyler] At a later date,
did you discuss this

with your former husband
Mr. Jenkins?

Yes, we talked about it.

Barney said he was gonna
go down and file charges
against George.

[Tyler] Did you call George
on the telephone that day?

-Yes, sir.
-Why did you do that?

Because we thought
Linda was pregnant.

[Tyler] Uh-huh.

And I asked George
what he was gonna do about it.

And he said,
"Oh, I'm fed up with Linda.

I am through with her
and that's that."

[Tyler] When did you find out
Linda was not pregnant?

Next day.

[Tyler] So you didn't
file charges against George

with the district
attorney after all?

Well, no. You see, Linda...
When she started in,

"Mother, please
don't go, and...

it'll cause a lot of trouble
and it'll be in the papers.

And here I am in school...

and it'll cause
a bad reputation,

and things like that.
Mother, please don't go."
So...

I told her that if she agreed
never to see that boy
George again,

that I wouldn't go.

Well, I thought that
was the end of it.

Everything went along
all right until about
six weeks later.

[Tyler] Would that be
about July the 19th?

That's the day.

I found Linda's key ring
and I noticed

that her key
to the back door was missing.

[Tyler] Key ring?

Oh, well... well, it's not
a key ring.

It's... just a little
key chain, you know,

with a four leaf clover on it.

[Tyler]
Was it a key like this?

Mr. Tyler, I have warned you
not to show that key again

unless you intend
to enter it as an exhibit.

[Tyler] But, Your Honor,
that's exactly
what I intend to do.

[audience murmuring]

[Tyler] Mark this, please.

Defense exhibit number two.

Any objections, Mr. Adkins?

[Adkins] No objections.

[Tyler] Admitted.

Do you recognize this key?

Yes, sir. That's...
That's my key to the back door.

[Tyler] Does Linda have
a duplicate of this key?

Well, she did have and...

until I noticed
it was missing.

[somber instrumental
music playing]

I said, "Linda, do you know

that your key is missing
for the back door?"

And she said, "I lost it."
But I knew she was lying.

And I said, "Linda, did you
give that key to someone?

Did you give that key
to George?

I told you never
to see him again.

Now, what's he doing
sneaking in this house
at night while I'm asleep?"

And she said that it was
none of my business,

and she didn't want
to talk about it.

And I said,
"It is so my business.

Everything you do
is my business

as long as you're underage."

And she said,
"That's not true.

I'm old enough to get married."

And I said, "You're not
old enough to get married.

You're just... just my baby."

[crying] And she said,
"Quit calling me a baby.

Won't you ever realize
that I'm growing up?"

And I said,
"You are not growing up,

and that... well, you've
got to get that key back
from George today."

And she said, "Oh, no, I won't
because we're married.

Married in the eyes of God."

[sobbing] And I said,
"Stop saying that.

Do you want people to think
that we are nothing but
poor White trash?"

Did she come home that night?

No, she stayed at my sister's.

[Tyler] What did you
do about that?

Well, Linda said she wasn't
gonna come home, so...

So I called Judge Earnhardt
the next day.

[Tyler] That's the judge
who testified here earlier?

Yes, sir, him.

He said that he'd try
to get Linda back home.

[Tyler]
Will you state the facts

as to whether,
at some later date,

you received a call
from the juvenile home?

Yes, they arranged for me
to come down,

and have an appointment
on July 26th and...

Well, I thought
they had it all worked out
for me to take Linda home.

When I got there, why...
these two police women

came up to me and said,
"You're under arrest."

[Tyler] Did they tell you
what the charge was?

Well, they said
it was for rape.

[Tyler] Is this your Bible?

No, it's Linda's.

Do you recognize this page?

That... that's
the holy matrimony page.

The page I found
the day she left.

Would you read it aloud
for the judge and the jury?

"George Gomez
and Linda Jenkins

were wed and united
in holy matrimony."

Whose handwriting is it?

-It's Linda's.
-Linda's?

-Mm-hmm.
-What is the date?

April 15th.

April the 15th.

Now that was the day
before George and Linda claim

where these relations
took place?

Yes.

Now, Ruby Jenkins,

I want you to tell
the jury truthfully,

did you ever, by word,

act, or gesture...
encourage your daughter

to have relations
with George Gomez?

No.

No, I didn't do that.

I didn't.

I realize that...

that this was
a difficult time in her life,

beginning to notice boys
and... [sniffles]

and wanting nice things.

Well, I just did
what I thought
a good mother should do.

I tried to understand,
and to offer some help,

but she wouldn't
open up to me.

Well, you just don't know
how hard it is
when they won't open up.

They won't even talk to me.

So, I...

I tried to get some help
from the minister.

And from her father,
but that didn't help.

Well, George and Linda
were just too much in love,

and nothing could stop them.

I felt so alone
in wanting to help my baby.

Such a baby.

[sniffling]

Pass the witness.

[all murmuring]

Mrs. Jenkins?

How old are you?

Thirty-eight.

How long have you been
separated from Barney?

Ten, eleven years.

How many other times
have you been married?

Twice.

How was this before Barney,
or after Barney?

Once before and once after.

Well, you haven't been
married in the last five
years then, have you?

No.

In other words, Mrs. Jenkins,
you can't keep a husband,

and now you can't
even keep a daughter.

-Is that right?
-[Tyler yells] Objection.

[Judge] Sustained.

Don't do that, Mr. Adkins.

Now, did you discuss sex

over the telephone
with George Gomez?

-Yes...
-And was this done

in the presence
of your daughter?

Well, yes.

Now tell me this.

Were you on the premises,
in the house,

when they both said they had
these intimate relations?

-Well...
-Well, just answer yes or no!

-Yes or no? Yes or no?
-[screams] Yes!

Well, they...
they said they did!

Did George buy Linda's
cheerleader uniform for her?

Yes, he did.

She didn't have the money
to buy it, did she?

No. Well, that's the reason
I didn't want her
to go into it.

Why didn't you stop
George from giving her
all this money?

Well, I tried to.

I... I asked him not to
give her any more money.

Did he give her
a lot of money?

Well, yes. Yes, sir.

Your testimony is that
you never approved

of these intimate relations
between George and Linda.

-Is that right?
-No, I never approved of it.

But you did talk to George
about sex, didn't you?

-Well...
-And you did talk to Linda
about sex, didn't you?

Well, yes, she asked...

[Adkins] And you tried to get
George to marry Linda.

-Didn't you?
-No.

-[Adkins] You didn't?
-No!

No further questions,
Your Honor.

Step down, please.

Call your next witness.

May it please the court,

Your Honor.

Ladies and gentlemen
of the jury,

the defender rests her case.

The state closes at this time,
Your Honor.

Ladies and gentlemen
of the jury.

Close the testimony.

Excuse all the witnesses.

We will now hear the arguments.

Are you ready
to proceed, gentlemen?

May it please the court.

[Judge] Mr. Tyler.

Ladies and gentlemen
of the jury...

on behalf of the defendant,
Mrs. Ruby Jenkins,

I want to thank you
for your time and attention
during this trial.

This is the saddest,
most tragic case

that I have ever encountered
in all my long years in court.

Sad...

because it concerns
a budding and tender love,

turned sour by
premature consummation.

Tragic...

because it has wounded
and scarred this loving mother,

and crushed her beneath
its irresistible power.

She did the best she could.

Tried everything she knew.

But young love
would have its way,

just as it did
with Romeo and Juliet.

You know that these kids
were desperately in love.

That they had
every opportunity

to consummate that love,

because Ruby Jenkins
was out working,

making a living
for her daughter.

You saw the tattoo
on George's arm.

You heard him say that
he walked Linda home

from school every day,

and they were alone
in that house.

Oh, yes, they were married.

Married in the eyes of God.

Linda even filled out
the matrimonial page
in her Bible.

It was in her own handwriting.

Ruby Jenkins has
nothing to do with it.

And what about that date?

April the 16th?

The day these kids claim
this absurd event took place.

They admit they had
intimate relations
before Easter.

And Easter was April the 14th.

Two days earlier.

Two days earlier.

Now, why did this case
ever come to court?

In our modern,
sex oriented society,

young lovers sometimes
have intimate relations.

No matter how hard we try
to prevent them,

they get together.

You know it,

so do I.

And what happens
when their parents

find out about
their transgressions?

Oh...

They hush
the whole matter up.

That's what they do.

And Ruby Jenkins did just that

when she learned
about George and Linda.

She didn't want a soul
to know about it.

She didn't even file charges
against George Gomez,

because Linda said it would
get in the newspapers,

and her reputation
would be ruined.

Now, why wasn't this case
hushed up?

Just the way dozens
of others are every day.

I'll tell you why.

Ruby Jenkins had a sister,

who was full of prejudice
and hate.

She had a daughter,

who was a temperamental,
vengeful girl

who would
see her mother in jail

rather than stop sneaking out
on dates with George Gomez.

Now, every daughter rebels
against her mother somewhat.

That's human nature.

But Linda, goaded on
by her spiteful aunt,

brought shame and destruction
to this mother.

The same mother
who brought her
into the world,

nursed her,
and cared for her.

Fed her, clothed her.
Both mother and father to her.

I am sure that you realize now
what is going on here.

This is no
Perry Mason thriller
that you are watching.

This is the real thing.

I am not going to recount
these kids testimony.

I'm not going to point out

the obvious discrepancies
and the lies in their stories.

I'll just ask you this.

Does it all sound believable?

But these gentlemen over here
say that you've got to believe

that Ruby Jenkins proposed
this incredible thing.

Believable?

It's preposterous.

This mother is no different
from any other.

She faced the same problem

that any mother
of a 13-year-old
daughter must face.

She tried to instruct
her daughter
in the facts of life.

Like everybody says,
we must do.

She tried to do this.

She told her daughter
she was too young
to get married.

She was too young
for intimate relations.

She even asked the preacher
what do about these kids,

they were getting too close.

If there is anything
this mother is guilty of,

it is too much love.

She took Linda
back into her arms,

knowing full well

that she had transgressed,

and done a terrible thing.

She welcomed her back home.

And she told her,
"I'll stand by you.

Keep away
from this boy, George,

and we'll start a new life."

Even after today,
she still wants her back home.

Ladies and gentlemen
of the jury,

I place the liberty
of Ruby Jenkins in your hands,

and I know
that your verdict

will be quick,

it will be just...

and it will be "not guilty".

Thank you.

[audience murmuring]

May it please the court.

[Judge] Mr. Adkins.

Ladies and gentlemen
of the jury,

I'm sure that not one of you
in this courtroom

is against young love.

Certainly I'm not.

Young love is a normal
and beautiful emotion.

But I submit to you...

in spite of
the emotional outbursts

you've heard
in this courtroom today,

we are not dealing
with emotion.

We are dealing with the law.

Now, you and I know
that young love is blind.

Therefore, it must be led.

Now, this is not a case
of vengeance by Linda Jenkins.

This is a case
against a mother

who failed her daughter

at the most crucial time
in her young life.

For in our society,
it is the parent

who is both morally
and legally,

mind you, legally responsible

for guiding young love
into the proper channels.

Now, Ruby Jenkins
made her first mistake

when she let this Mexican boy
into her house,

Now, I don't mind telling you
I don't like George Gomez,

and he hasn't heard
the last of this.

Assisted...

by this mother, George Gomez
broke down the resistance

of Linda Jenkins.

She was violated.

At the age of 13...

she lost her status
as a virgin.

She lost the most
valuable thing

she'll ever have
in her entire life.

She lost the right
to present herself

to her husband as a virgin

on her wedding night.

Now...

how much accountability...

does a girl of 13 have?

Fine. Only a couple
of years ago,

she was playing with dolls.

And they... injected her
into a situation of matrimony.

And sex.

And her mother sat by...

talked to her about it,

even encourage this act.

And Linda Jenkins
is under age.

Under the age of consent.

So what was this
mother's motive?

Well, she talked
to a lot of people.

She talked to George
and to Linda,

she talked to her preacher.

Why, she even talked
to her ex-husband.

And what did she talk about?

Was it really a fear
that these kids were
getting too close?

No.

Not fear.

She talked about marriage.

Surely to God,
she wasn't trying to get rid

of a 13-year-old daughter
through marriage.

But on the other hand...

Linda was in
junior high school.

She was getting pretty
expensive to her mother.

Now I can't plead insanity
for this woman.

She hasn't pleaded it herself.

But there's something wrong
with this woman's mind.

She's warped and twisted.

She led her daughter
to destruction.

Made a mockery of motherhood.

A mockery of motherhood.

Now, what more bizarre
and depraved set of facts

can you imagine than this?

Why, it isn't even human.

Animals act like this,
not people.

And I submit to you...
that her conduct

warrants her confinement
in the penitentiary.

Now the purpose
of criminal law is twofold.

First, it's to punish
the offender.

But second,

it's to keep others
from becoming offenders...

Now, we hear a lot today
about delinquent teenagers.

But I submit to you,
in reality,

these are
disillusioned teenagers.

Now, the church can teach

the morality
of right and wrong.

The schools can teach

the legality of right
and wrong.

And the Boy Scouts
can set a good examples.

But I tell you
that one corrupt adult...

can undo all of these
good values

by one bad word, or act.

And so I ask that
your verdict be guilty.

And by that verdict,

you say to all
delinquent parents,

who would push their children
into crime and the gutter,

that not only
are they morally responsible,

they are legally responsible.

And they will be punished

under the laws of this state,

Thank you.

It now becomes my duty...

to read to you the charge
under the law.

"The defendant
stands charged by indictment

with the offense of rape
of one, Linda Jenkins,

alleged to have been committed
in this county and state,

on or about
the 16th day of April.

To this charge...

the defendant has
pleaded not guilty.

When an offense is actually
committed by one person,

but other persons are present
and they aid by acts,

or encourage by words
or gestures,

those actually committing
the unlawful act,

such person,
so aiding or encouraging

are themselves
principal offenders.

And may be prosecuted as such.

You are instructed
that the rape of a female

under the age of 18 years
is constituted by proof

that the sexual act occurred
with a person or persons,

not the husband
of the said female.

The elements of force,
threats, and fraud,

and consent have
no bearing on this case.

Now, therefore,

if you should find and believe
from the evidence

beyond a reasonable doubt,

that on or about
the 16th day of April,

George Gomez did then
and there ravish and have

carnal knowledge
of Linda Jenkins,

and that the defendant
Ruby Jenkins was present,

and did aid by acts,

or encouraged by words
or gestures,

then you will find
the defendant
guilty of rape as charged.

You will then assess
the punishment

of Ruby Jenkins at death.

Or by confinement
in the penitentiary

for not less than five years.

If you do not so find,
and believe from the evidence

beyond a reasonable doubt,

then you will find
the defendant not guilty.

You are charged
that George Gomez
was an accomplice,

if any offense was committed.

And you are instructed

that you cannot find
the defendant guilty

upon his testimony alone.

There must be other evidence
in the case

tending to connect
the defendant

with the commission
of the offense charged.

In all criminal cases,
the burden of proof
is on the state.

You are the exclusive judges
of the facts proved...

of the credibility
of the witnesses,

and of the weight
to be given to the testimony.

But you are bound to receive
the law from the court,

which is here in given you
and be governed thereby."

All right,
ladies and gentlemen
of the jury,

you will retire
to the jury room

to consider your verdict.

When you have
reached your verdict,

summon the bailiff.

Ladies and gentlemen
of the jury,

may I have your verdict
in this case?

Will the defendant please rise?

"We, the jury,
find the defendant...

guilty of rape."

-[audience murmuring]
-[screams] Oh, my God!

-[sobbing]
-[Judge] As part
of the indictment...

-[sobbing]
-...and assess her punishment

at 15 years
confined in the penitentiary.

Thank you, ladies
and gentlemen of the jury.

You are dismissed.

Criminal district court
is now adjourned.

[loud chattering]

[intense instrumental
music playing]

[music ends]

Pretty stiff sentence,
15 years.

Of course,
you'll appeal the case.

[Tyler] Ah...

You know, a defense lawyer
could win a lot more cases

if the defendant could plead
ignorance of the law.

[Adkins] She may not have been
as ignorant of the law
as you think.

You know,
she gave a confession,

then refused to sign.

[Tyler] Yes, I know.

But it's a woman's prerogative
to change her mind.

Why do you think
she encouraged those kids

the way she did?

[Tyler]
For the same damn reason

that hundreds
of similar mothers
out there are trying to push

their own daughters
into marriage

as soon as the kids
reach puberty.

[Adkins] But Ruby Jenkins
went too far, legally.

[Tyler] Maybe she did.

[Tyler] But morally,
she's no more guilty

than anybody else
in this society.

And I don't think
that Ruby Jenkins

should go to the pen
while they stay free.

[orchestral music playing]

[music ends]