Picket Fences (1992–1996): Season 4, Episode 9 - This Little Piggy - full transcript
Are you wondering how healthy the food you are eating is? Check it - foodval.com
---
‐Whoa!
‐Sheriff Brock.
‐I want you to make two copies.
‐Sheriff.
I can't believe it.
They told me, I heard it,
but I still can't believe it.
What do you mean
you heard it, you're deaf.
He's coming.
Here.
‐Who's coming here?
‐The Pope.
The Pope.
He's coming to Rome.
‐He lives in Rome.
‐No.
He's coming to this Rome.
Small town, America, Rome.
‐[Jimmy] When?
‐What?
Tomorrow.
Secret service will be here
at three o'clock
to go over security.
There will be a parade
and then I'm supposed
to officially welcome him.
Wait a second. The Pope?
‐The Pope?
‐The Pope, Pope.
‐He's coming here?
‐Tomorrow.
[theme music starts]
[theme music ends]
[agent] We will be
providing the security,
but we want to coordinate
with your full department.
‐Can I meet him?
‐No.
All we need to do today is
seal the manhole covers
on the parade route.
Now, tomorrow, I'd like your men
also to man each and every
garbage can along Main Street.
He'll be
in a bullet proof vehicle,
but we'll position a counter
sniper team just the same.
What about when he speaks?
He'll do that
from inside the bubble.
Now, we haven't had
enough advance
to secure off the town,
so there won't be any mingling.
‐May I speak after?
‐[all] No.
We‐We apologize
for the short notice
and the inconvenience,
but he very much wanted to visit
an ordinary American small town.
And he chose here?
He thinks
we're ordinary America?
I think because we are the town
of Rome.
Pope John Paul, here?
I saw a president once.
I saw Nixon, but to see a pope
in person, especially this one.
‐You're gonna go to the parade?
‐Of course, I'm going.
‐Isn't court in session?
‐Not anymore, it isn't
Why can't I meet him?
‐[door closes]
‐Because you can't, Kenny,
so stop being a pest about it.
I'm assigned to security,
I'm a life‐long Catholic,
shouldn't I be allowed
just to say hello.
You can say hello,
but if you touch him
you could be shot.
I've dreamed of meeting the guy.
Me, too.
You? You're Episcopalian.
I know, but when I was
in my 20s,
I went through this stage
where I fantasized
about being
with a different men.
And the more remote
the possibility,
the greater the fantasy.
The Pope's about as remote
as you can get.
You've had, you've had
sexual fantasies about the Pope?
Well, not this particular pope,
just popes in general.
That's sacrilegious.
You should burn forever.
Kenny, he is a man.
And what if I was standing
next to him
wearing this nice perfume.
He smiled
‐and said hello.
‐Max.
All I'm saying is
do you think
it's absolutely impossible
for the Pope to be attracted
to a woman?
Yes.
Popes are human.
Can I miss school?
They're gonna close schools
11 o'clock.
Kimberly is going to come by
and get both you and Matthew.
Mom's gonna be mad
she missed this.
Well, that's what she gets
for going to North Carolina.
You can tell her about it
when she gets home, okay?
This is big, Dad, really big.
Ooh, I know.
Could you get me
a security clearance?
Hi.
Hello, Mr. Pope.
‐Can I shake his hand?
‐Yes.
‐Am I supposed to kiss it?
‐No. No, no, no.
[TV playing in background]
What about refreshments?
Should I offer him
something to eat?
Eh, no, no.
After his address,
he'll adjourn to his hotel.
He's, he's very tired.
And you don't need
to be nervous at all.
He's a very friendly man.
[softly] Yeah, here we go, yeah.
All right, obviously,
if anybody approaches
the vehicle,
you move in immediately, okay?
‐Maxine.
‐The parade is expected
to last 36 minutes.
The address, 12 minutes.
The commute to his hotel,
seven minutes.
They'll be taking
the Rod Road route.
All those assigned at the hotel
get there now.
‐Any questions?
‐[all] No, sir.
Well, let's go. Move it.
[over radio] All security
are in place.
Can you believe it? You actually
believe he's coming?
‐It's a trick.
‐Shut up.
I wish Gary could have
been here for this.
Father Barrett,
he's dead.
‐I know.
‐Shut up.
All right.
‐Hey, let me in front,
I can't see from behind you.
‐Go ahead.
Hey buddy,
my father is the sheriff!
‐Did you see, Zack?
‐Yeah.
I can't believe I'm guarding
a trashcan!
This is a plum assignment.
You know, thrash cans are
very big with terrorists.
Plum assignment!
We've gotten rubbish!
We are making sure
that no one puts a bomb in here.
Well, oh, my God. Here he comes.
[crowd cheering]
I wanna be Catholic,
I can feel it.
[crowd cheering]
I have to admit,
I'm getting goosebumps!
Me too!
Uh, Kenny, Max, in case
you haven't noticed, this is it.
We are all secure here. Over.
I gotta call my mother.
Remind me to call my mother.
There he is.
He's not bad looking.
Max.
‐[gunshot]
‐[screaming]
Down.
Go, go, go, go, go.
Everybody stay down.
Out of the way.
Out of the way.
Step back, I say step back.
Come over here. He shot himself.
‐Jimmy, is he all right?
‐He shot himself, please.
Okay, people in front,
step back! Now!
He's my boyfriend.
He's my boyfriend.
‐Please, he shot himself.
‐Okay, relax.
Max, get him back.
Get him back!
Stand back.
[woman] Step aside, let's go.
We have no comments
at this time.
[indistinct chatter]
Okay, he wants ten.
How many times
do I have to go over it?
And did you know he brought
a gun to the parade?
Of course not, you think,
you think I'm going to be
near the Pope with a man
who has got a gun?
But you knew he was suicidal?
I knew he talked about it.
But I certainly never...
[sobbing] I can't believe
this has happened.
Okay, tell us
once again what he said before.
Um...
Just I love you.
We were at the parade,
watching it like everyone else.
He...
pulled out the revolver,
said I love you
and then pointed it at his head.
Did you grab it before
or after it went off?
I don't know.
Uh...
I think it went off
as I grabbed it.
‐[sobbing]
‐[reporter] As for
the confession...
Apparently he decided to do it
at the parade as sort of
a statement of protest.
[reporter] Against what?
The deceased Mr. Farm
we've been told was involved
in a homosexual relationship
with Mr. Speers.
We've also been told
that Mr. Farm was very angry
towards the Catholic church
which may have something to do
with his decision the end his
life in this manner on this day.
‐[indistinctly yelling]
‐If we learn more,
we'll keep you informed.
[indistinct shouting]
Well, his parents evidently
disowned him when
he came out of the closet.
‐[door slams]
‐They're strict Catholics.
That made him
want to kill himself?
Well, says he was married
and left his wife for Speers.
Well, so much
for small town visits.
You had to ruin it.
Could have taken
your life anywhere, but you had
to ruin it for all of us.
The Pope will never come back.
Just give us the call, Carter.
Single gunshot wound
to the temporal lobe,
likely self inflicted.
‐You ruined everything.
‐[engine revs]
I was up all night with Zack.
How do you explain suicide
to an 11‐year‐old?
How do you explain it
to anybody?
[agent] We, uh,
we have a problem.
‐What?
‐Uh, this is Bishop Cole.
He's traveling with the Pope.
‐Bishop Cole.
‐Hello.
‐Won't you come in, sir?
‐Thank you.
[clears throat]
Yes, sir, how can I help you?
Sheriff, the incident yesterday
was not a suicide.
The Speers fellow
actually shot
and killed Mr. Farm.
It was murder.
You saw this?
Uh, no.
‐He did.
‐He, who?
Pope John Paul.
He turned back to wave
and he saw the man
shoot the other man.
He didn't know
you were calling it suicide
until he read the account
in this morning's paper.
But he said you've got it
very wrong.
This is definitely a murder.
[all shouting]
And we move
for an immediate trial.
Absolutely no comment.
This, this was
a suicide.
No comment,
absolutely no comment.
The man took his own life.
You're crazy, you don't know
what you're doing.
He shot himself,
you're all insane!
Okay, come on, come on.
I'm going to stick to that.
Such a tragedy.
Arresting people every time
a gun goes off,
this is supposed to be America.
All right, just get on
in there, Doug. I don't get it.
I do. Who's going to commit
murder in front of thousands
of people, that's ridiculous.
It would have to be a suicide.
That's what he wants us
to think.
He knew everybody would be
looking at the Pope,
he just didn't count the Pope
looking back at him.
‐Please, come on now.
‐No, Jimmy,
listen, they were standing here,
on the opposite sightline
from everybody else.
And everyone's looking at
the Pope in the bubble,
it was perfect.
‐He would, why?
‐I talked to Farm's sister.
‐Who's Farm?
‐Dead guy.
Farm told his sister that if
he ever wanted to leave Speers,
Speers would kill him.
And the sister says
he was going to leave Speers.
Oldest motive in the world.
Well, now,
this is a local matter now,
so...
Hold it, hold it,
we need his statement.
Who?
[scoffs] What do you mean "Who?"
Him, who.
‐He's a witness.
‐The Pope?
‐He saw the crime.
‐You're joking.
Well, we've got a helicopter
waiting to take him to Chicago,
he's due back at the Vatican.
We can't make this arrest
without his statement.
So, you want me to
bring the Pope here
to, what, identify a suspect
out of a line up?
He is our only witness here.
The key to this arrest.
And the trial,
he needs to testify in court.
Exciting times.
[all chattering]
Quiet, quiet, quiet,
quiet down!
‐[all chattering]
‐I can't hear anything
if you all talk.
Your Honor, I'm Gloria Borf,
counsel to the Vatican embassy.
With the greatest respect
to our system of jurisprudence,
the idea of subjecting
the Pope to this process
is completely untenable.
Why? He witnessed a crime.
‐I understand, but he is the‐‐
‐Quiet.
I wanna hear
from the assistant
attorney general.
What I would submit is
that we simply videotape
the deposition immediately
subject to cross examination.
and then we can let the pontiff
resume his travels.
‐[Douglas] I object.
‐Why?
My client has the right
to confront his accuser
‐and‐‐
‐He can do that
in the deposition.
We want to do it in open court.
Videotapes are only appropriate
when the witness is
not available.
Now he's here, Your Honor,
and he's available.
And once he leaves
the jurisdiction, I have
no power to bring him back.
So, let's do it now, tomorrow.
‐What?
‐Excuse me, it's a simple case.
One witness,
it's a one‐day trial.
We wouldn't even
need voir dire.
The Rosner jury
is already empaneled
on the Tamrac robbery case.
We can switch them over,
use them on this trial.
The defense offers no objection.
‐Counsel?
‐You're not serious?
We are talking about the Pope.
We're also talking
about a defendant's right
to confront his accusers
in the court of law.
You promise you'll limit
your cross examination
to half a day?
‐Absolutely.
‐Your honor.
‐Judge.
‐[Judge] Then I see no hardship.
You cannot subpoena the Pope.
You have a case law
that says I can't?
He's a Head of State.
If he doesn't testify,
then a murderer goes free.
Why don't you ask him
what he wants to do?
That's not fair.
You're exploiting his morality.
Opening arguments,
10 o'clock tomorrow.
[Douglas] Uh, your Honor.
It it wouldn't be
too much trouble,
I'd like a lot of cameras
in the courtroom.
Forget it.
Agent Johnston, you can secure
off the courthouse.
I can't believe
you're doing this.
Wambaugh against the Pope.
Eventually, it had to happen.
‐Are you crazy?
‐[Douglas] Keep your voice down.
Why wouldn't we prefer
the videotape?
He's the Pope for God's sake.
I assume that the man makes
for a credible witness.
I would think he holds
quite a presence.
I mean the jury
will be spellbound
to be in a room with him.
‐Ben.
‐No.
This was stupid.
You just want to be able
to have your moment.
That's all this is.
H‐How can my defense attorney
want the Pope
to appear against him in court.
I mean it's ludicrous.
You can keep your mouth shut
for two seconds.
I'll tell you my strategy.
In person or on tape,
it doesn't matter.
The Pope is the Pope.
What I wanted
was the Rosner jury.
By using
the Pope's unavailability
to get an immediate trial,
I got the Rosner jury.
‐What's so important about that?
‐Eight women, that's what.
Two are divorced,
one had a child through in vitro
and one is a lesbian.
This is the jury
we want for this trial.
What, y‐you think
they're anti‐Catholic?
It only takes one.
They'll never get
a unanimous verdict,
this I promise you.
What about his sister,
if the death threat comes in?
It won't. I already
suppressed it.
‐How?
‐Hearsay. Your death threats
don't come in.
Do I testify?
I don't know yet.
The Pope's demeanor
doesn't scare me.
Yours does a little.
[serene music playing]
This is a fabulous honor,
Your Holiness.
And we hope not to take up
too much of your time.
‐This is Sheriff Brock.
‐Hello.
Uh, nice to meet you.
This is my son, Zachary.
He's desperate to meet you.
Last year I was a stigmatic.
God came to me
and my palm's bled.
[all laugh]
That's cute.
Jimmy, this is Speers' record.
He was convicted
of extortion in 1986.
Served 10 months,
not an altar boy.
Hi.
Sheriff, can we go some place
more quiet?
‐How're you doing?
‐My office.
[Zack] Come on, Mr. Pope,
I'll show you
to my father's office.
‐Could you stop
sniffing me, please.
‐I can't believe you.
Where are we?
No other witnesses.
His sister's testimony
was suppressed.
Put out a reward.
Ten thousand people,
somebody had to see it.
I hope so. Otherwise,
our case comes down
to him.
[all sigh]
[reporter] ...and the pontiff
is expected to take the stands
sometime after 11 o'clock
as the first and only
prosecution witness.
Meanwhile media attorney,
Sherin Donahue brought
yet a third motion
seeking cameras to be
allowed into the courtroom,
but Judge Bone simply told her
to get out.
Will he wear white or red?
‐What?
‐The Pope.
What color scheme
will he go with?
Uh, can you just eat
your breakfast.
It's getting soggy.
I like the green.
Can we just not make
a big deal out of this, huh?
‐[siren wailing]
‐[indistinct chatter]
[man over radio] All units
standing by, no further
backup needed at this time.
[officer] Stay back, please.
‐Just stay where you are.
‐[indistinct chatter]
What?
Max, it's the Pope‐mobile.
It's illegally parked.
Don't even think about it.
First you say suicide,
now it's murder.
I never categorically
said suicide.
I said likely self‐inflicted.
And then you change
your medical diagnosis
because the Vatican
told you to.
‐Object.
‐Counsel.
[Carter] I factored
into my original findings
the statement of the defendant.
upon that statement
being impeached
and a new eyewitness' statement
I modified by conclusion.
But the wound itself,
it's consistent with suicide?
Consistent, yes, but no more
likely than homicide.
Nice job, Carter,
but you forgot to say amen.
‐What?
‐Objection.
Withdrawn, nothing further.
The witness may step down.
Call your next witness.
Bring him to the front doors,
right away.
Thank you, Your Honor.
The people call...
The Pope.
[hushed whispers]
Do you swear to tell the truth,
the whole truth and nothing
but the truth, so help you God?
‐I do.
‐Be seated.
Your Holiness.
Could you please state your name
and address for the record.
Pope John Paul II,
Vatican City, Europe.
Your Holiness, I call
your attention to Monday last.
Were you involved in a parade
in the Commonwealth of Rome,
Wisconsin?
‐...Roma, Wisconsin?
‐Yes.
Do you recall if you saw
anything unusual
during the course
of this parade?
[Pope] Yes.
Could you tell
what you observed.
This man points a gun at a man
‐and shoot him.
‐That's right to the point.
I admire that.
Your Holiness, are you
absolutely sure it was this man?
This is the man.
[bishop] "I was waving
at the crowd.
I turned back
over my right shoulder
and the people were waiving
and I was waving back.
And my eye caught a man
pointing a gun.
Not at me, at another man
standing next to him holding it
to the side of his head.
And then suddenly the man turned
facing the gun man..."
‐Boom. Boom.
‐"Boom"? Boom.
The man went down.
Your Holiness, the defendant
claims that the deceased
turned the gun on himself
and that he, the defendant,
tried to intercede.
[bishop]
"No, no, this is not true.
Erm, he had his arm extended
with the gun.
‐May I show you?"
‐Yes.
[speaking Italian]
Sit down.
[bishop]
"His arm was at full length
and then the victim turned
to see
and as he reached up
to push the gun
the gun was discharged
and it was more..."
‐[speaks Italian]
‐"More like an execution."
Hmm.
Your Holiness,
are you sure about this?
That's what you saw?
As God is my witness
and I am yours.
Thank you, Your Holiness.
I have nothing further.
[all groaning]
Good afternoon, Your Holiness.
I'd like to say first
that our country
is very honored by your visit.
Rome, Wisconsin, is honored
by your visit.
My client, well, not so honored.
[chuckling]
I also hope you understand
our system is adversary
in nature.
So I must be adversary.
So if I do or say
anything despicable,
it's not because
I'm anti‐Catholic,
it's because I'm a lawyer.
So nothing I say should be
interpreted as disrespect
to either you
or your prestigious position.
‐[translating softly]
‐Thank you.
Wambaugh's being polite.
This is a bad sign.
You testify that you saw
a murder take place.
And yet I'm curious.
You didn't tell anybody
about what you witnessed
until a day later.
This is true.
"Because I saw the police
apprehend the criminal.
And I mistakenly assumed
that they considered him
to be the murderer
and till the next day
when I saw the newspaper."
Oh, I see.
The police estimate
that you were
about 50 to 60 yards away
at the time of the shooting.
Would that be fair?
‐[whispers]
‐Yes.
Sixty yards.
You're in the glass bubble
which is moving,
you really recognize
this man's face?
[bishop] "I did not see
his face clearly.
What I saw was
his outstretched arm
with the gun."
[Douglas]
Oh, yeah, well, forgive me.
But earlier you testified
that you clearly recognized him.
You pointed at him.
This is the man. I am sure.
But you didn't clearly
see his face.
Objection. The defendant
by his own statement
says he was there.
Thank you, thank you, I...
I'm just curious as how
the witness can be
so determined?
Now I noticed,
in the newspaper account
which you read,
that it referred to my client,
as a homosexual.
Did this influence your decision
to come forward?
‐Objection!
‐Goes to bias, Your Honor!
The objection is overruled.
Do you have bias
against my client
because he's a homosexual?
‐No.
‐Are you more likely to consider
a person capable of evil
because he is a homosexual?
‐Objection!
‐Sustained!
[Douglas] Do you consider
homosexual acts to be evil?
‐[woman] Objection!
‐[Judge] Sustained!
I'm entitled to explore bias!
‐This is the Pope!
‐Well,
perhaps Your Honor would like
to take a break,
and go into chambers
and genuflect?
‐Objection!
‐You are out of order!
Please, please!
Sit down!
I should like to answer
on his charge of bias.
You may speak, Your Holiness.
[speaking Italian]
"The Catholic Church
does not consider
homosexuality to be evil."
But the homosexual act...
that is sinful, isn't it?
A homosexual act is bodily evil.
‐[speaking Italian]
‐"This is not a bias.
"Any genital act,
outside of marriage is wrong."
Oh, I see! So if
two homosexuals get married...
sex would be okay!
‐[Pope] No!
‐[bishop] "No."
[Douglas] Why not?
"It is not permissible
for homosexuals to marry."
Well, why not?
Your Honor, this is getting
into religious debate.
It has nothing to do
with the bias, whatsoever!
[Douglas]
I'm just trying to understand!
It's okay for heterosexuals
to get married,
but not homosexuals.
And yet he says
that there is no bias.
[stammering] "It is because
a Catholic marriage requires
a recital of vows,
and consummation of the union."
Yes, and...
"It is wrong for homosexuals
to consummate."
Why?
Because sex,
which is morally wrong
when there is no possibility
of transmitting new life.
So what about
sterile heterosexual couples?
Is it evil for them to have sex?
‐No.
‐Why not?
Because it is still God's way.
Oh, but it isn't God's way
for a homosexual couple?
I object! I object! I object!
‐Now there's three objections!
‐Quiet!
I think I got it!
No sex without marriage,
no gay marriage whatsoever,
but there's no Catholic bias
against gays!
Does that sum it up?
[Henry sighs]
You're supposed to be
a guardian of
the judicial process,
what happened in there today
was vile! It was blasphemy!
He has a right to cross‐examine!
It had nothing to do
with the truth!
It had nothing to do
with evidence! And for you
to allow it to continue,
‐you should be ashamed!
‐Get out!
We're not in a courtroom now,
we're in the house!
My house! Get out!
You wonder why,
people hate lawyers?
Hate the judicial process?
That was the Pope in that chair,
where's the decency
to this system?
Get the client off!
Isn't there a canon of ethics
that requires lawyers
to conduct themselves
with a scintilla of dignity?
Nope!
[sighs]
You were guilty
up there today, Henry!
You let it go on.
For what?
To honor our system!
What a system!
What a great country we live in!
American justice at work!
[door opens and closes]
How do homo sapiens have sex?
Homosexuals, stupid!
Not homo sapiens!
Homosexuals!
[announcer]
...percent of all Catholics...
Eat your breakfast!
While only 21% of Non‐Catholics
would convict.
Fifty two percent
of all Protestants think
he did commit the crime,
but would nevertheless
find reasonable doubt!
I say no!
Right now, the prosecution's
entire case is a coroner
who says it could be suicide!
and one eyewitness
from 60 yards, who I think
we put a dent in.
But the jury might want
to hear it from me!
That's true, but if you take
the stand, your prior record
comes into evidence.
And we don't want that!
‐But if I say nothing‐
‐Now you listen to me,
young man!
If you make one mistake
up there,
you'll be making license plates
for the rest of your life.
Frankly, Ben,
you don't come off so good.
And first impressions
count big in trials.
And for what it's worth?
I don't like you.
I recommend we don't testify!
[sighs]
‐Okay!
‐Okay.
You heard Carter Pike.
He said it could
have been self‐inflicted!
What's that if not
reasonable doubt?
Now, the Pope says
he saw what happened,
he says he saw it
with his own eyes!
But did he?
Well,
it's easy to be blinded
by his celebrity!
We've all seen him on the TV,
oh, bigger than life,
His Holiness!
But underneath the fancy outfits
and holy hats,
he is a man.
A 75‐year‐old man,
with 75‐year‐old eyes!
Looking through a glass bubble,
on the move, with 10,000 people
screaming at him.
Can he really be sure
what he saw,
beyond reasonable doubt?
Ten thousand people!
And he's the only one who,
who says he, he saw what he saw!
The only one!
Reasonable doubt?
And like any man,
oh, especially older men,
he comes with
his predispositions, doesn't he?
Prejudices?
I won't call them that.
But according to this witness,
homosexual behavior,
is morally evil!
And according to this witness,
divorce is evil!
So when the Pope
picked up the newspaper,
and read about a homosexual,
divorced man,
maybe he was slightly
more predisposed to think,
Ben Spears was capable of evil!
And according to this witness,
maybe some of you
are morally evil too!
Well, I don't know.
Perhaps some of you
had sexual relations
outside of marriage!
Maybe you had sex,
solely out of lust!
Maybe some of you
have been divorced.
Perhaps you use contraception,
or had a child through
in vitro fertilization.
These are all morally evil acts
according to that eyewitness!
Now, many Catholics don't agree
with those positions, I know!
But the Pope, [laughs],
he's adamant, he's convinced
he's right!
Just like he's convinced
that what he saw,
but maybe he's not right!
Maybe this eyewitness
clings to the unreasonable!
And maybe this eyewitness
sometimes sees
what he chooses to see!
And blinds himself,
to what he doesn't want to see.
So, ladies and gentlemen,
if you can't trust
the messenger,
you must reject the message.
Only one person out of 10,000,
a person with a bias,
reasonable doubt?
Of course,
there's reasonable doubt!
This case,
isn't about homosexuality.
It isn't about contraception
or divorce.
Or Catholicism.
This is a murder case.
It is a murder case.
An eyewitness saw that man,
point a gun at John Farm's head,
and commit homicide!
An eyewitness,
whose testimony
stands uncontroverted!
The eyewitness,
is the Pope!
[laughs] The Pope!
I know it seems...
No matter how much evidence
we have these days, it seems,
it's very tough
to get convictions.
But you,
have eyewitness testimony,
from the Pope!
[door opens]
Ex‐parte, Henry!
‐I'm honored at the invite!
‐Don't you dare strut!
That closing argument
was disgusting!
In 42 years on the bench,
I've never seen anything
more prejudiced
than what you just did!
‐Are you speaking as a Catholic?
‐I'm speaking as a judge!
Clinging to the idea,
that what goes on in that room,
should still have
a shred of integrity!
Then you're a naive judge.
I had a client out there
charged with murder.
Now, if there's any distrust
between races and religion,
it's my job to tap into it.
‐It's not your job
to inflame it.
‐Oh, yes, it is.
Whatever I can legally do
to get my client off, I do it.
Because that's the American way.
And what about your religion,
Doug?
Orthodox Judaism condemns
homosexuality.
Why don't you mention that?
The Pope is not Jewish.
What's happened to you?
A year ago, you worried
that you'd only be remembered
as a good lawyer.
That if you had to do it
all over again,
you'd be a good man.
And I told you, you were
the best man I knew.
But that was last year.
Now, I don't recognize you.
I don't recognize the person
who brought a lawsuit
against Carter Pike
after his house caught fire.
I don't recognize the man
who made cruel jokes
about his wife
at their anniversary party.
And I certainly
don't recognize the man
who's been in my courtroom
the last two days.
You've become mean‐spirited.
Your core seems to be bitter
where it was always kind.
Great speech.
Maybe you should be Pope.
I'm the lawyer.
I don't have to win
any popularity contest.
If I win, I'm accepted.
Your wife is gone.
You have no family.
It hurt
when Kimberly Brock left.
Doug...
If you're looking
for affirmation
in your win‐loss record,
you're looking
in the wrong arena.
There is no soul in lawyering.
There's no dignity in it
for the most part.
And there certainly is
no redemption.
What you did in that courtroom
just now
was without honor
and without excuse.
I can no longer
call you my friend.
Get out.
[clears throat]
Will the defendant please rise.
Madam Foreman,
has the jury reached
the verdict?
‐We have, Your Honor.
‐What say you?
In the matter of the "People
of Wisconsin
versus Benjamin Speers"
on the count of first degree
murder, we find the defendant
guilty as charged.
[indistinct murmuring]
Members of the jury,
this completes your service.
I thank you.
Take the defendant into custody.
‐This matter is adjourned.
‐[gavel pounds]
[indistinct chatter]
I can appeal, right?
I can appeal.
‐Yes, you can.
‐State Court of appeals,
then what?
‐How high can I go?
‐We can appeal
to the highest authority.
No, I don't think
you'd wanna take it there.
Can't I just say one thing
to him?
He's a little anxious
to leave town.
Father.
I just wanted you to know
that Mr. Wambaugh wasn't
speaking for this community.
And he wasn't speaking for me.
Nor me.
I know this.
‐Goodbye, Mr. Pope.
‐Goodbye.
‐He winked at me.
‐Max.
He's attracted to me.
I could tell.
‐Max.
‐Maxine.
You saw him. He's a flirt.
Max.
[Carter humming]
That's not a word.
He most certainly is.
Peckerhead is not a real word,
it's a nickname.
‐Was it yours?
‐I'll show you.
I don't give a damn
what that book says.
I'm not giving you 27 points
for "peckerhead."
[doorbell rings]
Pick another word.
[softly] Peckerhead.
What?
I'm sorry, Henry, I went home
to my empty house and I...
I started thinking, you know,
that though I'm a little old
to start, you know,
to take up new hobbies...
[chuckles]
...so I tried to distract myself
from my loneliness. It helps.
Eh, naturally, you know
a trial with the Pope,
why, that's very good
as distractions count.
I'm in the middle
of a Scrabble game.
Your courtroom, Henry,
has always been one
of integrity,
and I apologize
if I compromised it.
You did.
Well, as long as you win,
you must be doing
something right.
So, you try to win at all costs,
but at the cost
of our friendship, Henry,
that's too steep.
So I came back to say I'm sorry
and to ask you to forgive me.
[theme music start]
[theme music ends]
---
‐Whoa!
‐Sheriff Brock.
‐I want you to make two copies.
‐Sheriff.
I can't believe it.
They told me, I heard it,
but I still can't believe it.
What do you mean
you heard it, you're deaf.
He's coming.
Here.
‐Who's coming here?
‐The Pope.
The Pope.
He's coming to Rome.
‐He lives in Rome.
‐No.
He's coming to this Rome.
Small town, America, Rome.
‐[Jimmy] When?
‐What?
Tomorrow.
Secret service will be here
at three o'clock
to go over security.
There will be a parade
and then I'm supposed
to officially welcome him.
Wait a second. The Pope?
‐The Pope?
‐The Pope, Pope.
‐He's coming here?
‐Tomorrow.
[theme music starts]
[theme music ends]
[agent] We will be
providing the security,
but we want to coordinate
with your full department.
‐Can I meet him?
‐No.
All we need to do today is
seal the manhole covers
on the parade route.
Now, tomorrow, I'd like your men
also to man each and every
garbage can along Main Street.
He'll be
in a bullet proof vehicle,
but we'll position a counter
sniper team just the same.
What about when he speaks?
He'll do that
from inside the bubble.
Now, we haven't had
enough advance
to secure off the town,
so there won't be any mingling.
‐May I speak after?
‐[all] No.
We‐We apologize
for the short notice
and the inconvenience,
but he very much wanted to visit
an ordinary American small town.
And he chose here?
He thinks
we're ordinary America?
I think because we are the town
of Rome.
Pope John Paul, here?
I saw a president once.
I saw Nixon, but to see a pope
in person, especially this one.
‐You're gonna go to the parade?
‐Of course, I'm going.
‐Isn't court in session?
‐Not anymore, it isn't
Why can't I meet him?
‐[door closes]
‐Because you can't, Kenny,
so stop being a pest about it.
I'm assigned to security,
I'm a life‐long Catholic,
shouldn't I be allowed
just to say hello.
You can say hello,
but if you touch him
you could be shot.
I've dreamed of meeting the guy.
Me, too.
You? You're Episcopalian.
I know, but when I was
in my 20s,
I went through this stage
where I fantasized
about being
with a different men.
And the more remote
the possibility,
the greater the fantasy.
The Pope's about as remote
as you can get.
You've had, you've had
sexual fantasies about the Pope?
Well, not this particular pope,
just popes in general.
That's sacrilegious.
You should burn forever.
Kenny, he is a man.
And what if I was standing
next to him
wearing this nice perfume.
He smiled
‐and said hello.
‐Max.
All I'm saying is
do you think
it's absolutely impossible
for the Pope to be attracted
to a woman?
Yes.
Popes are human.
Can I miss school?
They're gonna close schools
11 o'clock.
Kimberly is going to come by
and get both you and Matthew.
Mom's gonna be mad
she missed this.
Well, that's what she gets
for going to North Carolina.
You can tell her about it
when she gets home, okay?
This is big, Dad, really big.
Ooh, I know.
Could you get me
a security clearance?
Hi.
Hello, Mr. Pope.
‐Can I shake his hand?
‐Yes.
‐Am I supposed to kiss it?
‐No. No, no, no.
[TV playing in background]
What about refreshments?
Should I offer him
something to eat?
Eh, no, no.
After his address,
he'll adjourn to his hotel.
He's, he's very tired.
And you don't need
to be nervous at all.
He's a very friendly man.
[softly] Yeah, here we go, yeah.
All right, obviously,
if anybody approaches
the vehicle,
you move in immediately, okay?
‐Maxine.
‐The parade is expected
to last 36 minutes.
The address, 12 minutes.
The commute to his hotel,
seven minutes.
They'll be taking
the Rod Road route.
All those assigned at the hotel
get there now.
‐Any questions?
‐[all] No, sir.
Well, let's go. Move it.
[over radio] All security
are in place.
Can you believe it? You actually
believe he's coming?
‐It's a trick.
‐Shut up.
I wish Gary could have
been here for this.
Father Barrett,
he's dead.
‐I know.
‐Shut up.
All right.
‐Hey, let me in front,
I can't see from behind you.
‐Go ahead.
Hey buddy,
my father is the sheriff!
‐Did you see, Zack?
‐Yeah.
I can't believe I'm guarding
a trashcan!
This is a plum assignment.
You know, thrash cans are
very big with terrorists.
Plum assignment!
We've gotten rubbish!
We are making sure
that no one puts a bomb in here.
Well, oh, my God. Here he comes.
[crowd cheering]
I wanna be Catholic,
I can feel it.
[crowd cheering]
I have to admit,
I'm getting goosebumps!
Me too!
Uh, Kenny, Max, in case
you haven't noticed, this is it.
We are all secure here. Over.
I gotta call my mother.
Remind me to call my mother.
There he is.
He's not bad looking.
Max.
‐[gunshot]
‐[screaming]
Down.
Go, go, go, go, go.
Everybody stay down.
Out of the way.
Out of the way.
Step back, I say step back.
Come over here. He shot himself.
‐Jimmy, is he all right?
‐He shot himself, please.
Okay, people in front,
step back! Now!
He's my boyfriend.
He's my boyfriend.
‐Please, he shot himself.
‐Okay, relax.
Max, get him back.
Get him back!
Stand back.
[woman] Step aside, let's go.
We have no comments
at this time.
[indistinct chatter]
Okay, he wants ten.
How many times
do I have to go over it?
And did you know he brought
a gun to the parade?
Of course not, you think,
you think I'm going to be
near the Pope with a man
who has got a gun?
But you knew he was suicidal?
I knew he talked about it.
But I certainly never...
[sobbing] I can't believe
this has happened.
Okay, tell us
once again what he said before.
Um...
Just I love you.
We were at the parade,
watching it like everyone else.
He...
pulled out the revolver,
said I love you
and then pointed it at his head.
Did you grab it before
or after it went off?
I don't know.
Uh...
I think it went off
as I grabbed it.
‐[sobbing]
‐[reporter] As for
the confession...
Apparently he decided to do it
at the parade as sort of
a statement of protest.
[reporter] Against what?
The deceased Mr. Farm
we've been told was involved
in a homosexual relationship
with Mr. Speers.
We've also been told
that Mr. Farm was very angry
towards the Catholic church
which may have something to do
with his decision the end his
life in this manner on this day.
‐[indistinctly yelling]
‐If we learn more,
we'll keep you informed.
[indistinct shouting]
Well, his parents evidently
disowned him when
he came out of the closet.
‐[door slams]
‐They're strict Catholics.
That made him
want to kill himself?
Well, says he was married
and left his wife for Speers.
Well, so much
for small town visits.
You had to ruin it.
Could have taken
your life anywhere, but you had
to ruin it for all of us.
The Pope will never come back.
Just give us the call, Carter.
Single gunshot wound
to the temporal lobe,
likely self inflicted.
‐You ruined everything.
‐[engine revs]
I was up all night with Zack.
How do you explain suicide
to an 11‐year‐old?
How do you explain it
to anybody?
[agent] We, uh,
we have a problem.
‐What?
‐Uh, this is Bishop Cole.
He's traveling with the Pope.
‐Bishop Cole.
‐Hello.
‐Won't you come in, sir?
‐Thank you.
[clears throat]
Yes, sir, how can I help you?
Sheriff, the incident yesterday
was not a suicide.
The Speers fellow
actually shot
and killed Mr. Farm.
It was murder.
You saw this?
Uh, no.
‐He did.
‐He, who?
Pope John Paul.
He turned back to wave
and he saw the man
shoot the other man.
He didn't know
you were calling it suicide
until he read the account
in this morning's paper.
But he said you've got it
very wrong.
This is definitely a murder.
[all shouting]
And we move
for an immediate trial.
Absolutely no comment.
This, this was
a suicide.
No comment,
absolutely no comment.
The man took his own life.
You're crazy, you don't know
what you're doing.
He shot himself,
you're all insane!
Okay, come on, come on.
I'm going to stick to that.
Such a tragedy.
Arresting people every time
a gun goes off,
this is supposed to be America.
All right, just get on
in there, Doug. I don't get it.
I do. Who's going to commit
murder in front of thousands
of people, that's ridiculous.
It would have to be a suicide.
That's what he wants us
to think.
He knew everybody would be
looking at the Pope,
he just didn't count the Pope
looking back at him.
‐Please, come on now.
‐No, Jimmy,
listen, they were standing here,
on the opposite sightline
from everybody else.
And everyone's looking at
the Pope in the bubble,
it was perfect.
‐He would, why?
‐I talked to Farm's sister.
‐Who's Farm?
‐Dead guy.
Farm told his sister that if
he ever wanted to leave Speers,
Speers would kill him.
And the sister says
he was going to leave Speers.
Oldest motive in the world.
Well, now,
this is a local matter now,
so...
Hold it, hold it,
we need his statement.
Who?
[scoffs] What do you mean "Who?"
Him, who.
‐He's a witness.
‐The Pope?
‐He saw the crime.
‐You're joking.
Well, we've got a helicopter
waiting to take him to Chicago,
he's due back at the Vatican.
We can't make this arrest
without his statement.
So, you want me to
bring the Pope here
to, what, identify a suspect
out of a line up?
He is our only witness here.
The key to this arrest.
And the trial,
he needs to testify in court.
Exciting times.
[all chattering]
Quiet, quiet, quiet,
quiet down!
‐[all chattering]
‐I can't hear anything
if you all talk.
Your Honor, I'm Gloria Borf,
counsel to the Vatican embassy.
With the greatest respect
to our system of jurisprudence,
the idea of subjecting
the Pope to this process
is completely untenable.
Why? He witnessed a crime.
‐I understand, but he is the‐‐
‐Quiet.
I wanna hear
from the assistant
attorney general.
What I would submit is
that we simply videotape
the deposition immediately
subject to cross examination.
and then we can let the pontiff
resume his travels.
‐[Douglas] I object.
‐Why?
My client has the right
to confront his accuser
‐and‐‐
‐He can do that
in the deposition.
We want to do it in open court.
Videotapes are only appropriate
when the witness is
not available.
Now he's here, Your Honor,
and he's available.
And once he leaves
the jurisdiction, I have
no power to bring him back.
So, let's do it now, tomorrow.
‐What?
‐Excuse me, it's a simple case.
One witness,
it's a one‐day trial.
We wouldn't even
need voir dire.
The Rosner jury
is already empaneled
on the Tamrac robbery case.
We can switch them over,
use them on this trial.
The defense offers no objection.
‐Counsel?
‐You're not serious?
We are talking about the Pope.
We're also talking
about a defendant's right
to confront his accusers
in the court of law.
You promise you'll limit
your cross examination
to half a day?
‐Absolutely.
‐Your honor.
‐Judge.
‐[Judge] Then I see no hardship.
You cannot subpoena the Pope.
You have a case law
that says I can't?
He's a Head of State.
If he doesn't testify,
then a murderer goes free.
Why don't you ask him
what he wants to do?
That's not fair.
You're exploiting his morality.
Opening arguments,
10 o'clock tomorrow.
[Douglas] Uh, your Honor.
It it wouldn't be
too much trouble,
I'd like a lot of cameras
in the courtroom.
Forget it.
Agent Johnston, you can secure
off the courthouse.
I can't believe
you're doing this.
Wambaugh against the Pope.
Eventually, it had to happen.
‐Are you crazy?
‐[Douglas] Keep your voice down.
Why wouldn't we prefer
the videotape?
He's the Pope for God's sake.
I assume that the man makes
for a credible witness.
I would think he holds
quite a presence.
I mean the jury
will be spellbound
to be in a room with him.
‐Ben.
‐No.
This was stupid.
You just want to be able
to have your moment.
That's all this is.
H‐How can my defense attorney
want the Pope
to appear against him in court.
I mean it's ludicrous.
You can keep your mouth shut
for two seconds.
I'll tell you my strategy.
In person or on tape,
it doesn't matter.
The Pope is the Pope.
What I wanted
was the Rosner jury.
By using
the Pope's unavailability
to get an immediate trial,
I got the Rosner jury.
‐What's so important about that?
‐Eight women, that's what.
Two are divorced,
one had a child through in vitro
and one is a lesbian.
This is the jury
we want for this trial.
What, y‐you think
they're anti‐Catholic?
It only takes one.
They'll never get
a unanimous verdict,
this I promise you.
What about his sister,
if the death threat comes in?
It won't. I already
suppressed it.
‐How?
‐Hearsay. Your death threats
don't come in.
Do I testify?
I don't know yet.
The Pope's demeanor
doesn't scare me.
Yours does a little.
[serene music playing]
This is a fabulous honor,
Your Holiness.
And we hope not to take up
too much of your time.
‐This is Sheriff Brock.
‐Hello.
Uh, nice to meet you.
This is my son, Zachary.
He's desperate to meet you.
Last year I was a stigmatic.
God came to me
and my palm's bled.
[all laugh]
That's cute.
Jimmy, this is Speers' record.
He was convicted
of extortion in 1986.
Served 10 months,
not an altar boy.
Hi.
Sheriff, can we go some place
more quiet?
‐How're you doing?
‐My office.
[Zack] Come on, Mr. Pope,
I'll show you
to my father's office.
‐Could you stop
sniffing me, please.
‐I can't believe you.
Where are we?
No other witnesses.
His sister's testimony
was suppressed.
Put out a reward.
Ten thousand people,
somebody had to see it.
I hope so. Otherwise,
our case comes down
to him.
[all sigh]
[reporter] ...and the pontiff
is expected to take the stands
sometime after 11 o'clock
as the first and only
prosecution witness.
Meanwhile media attorney,
Sherin Donahue brought
yet a third motion
seeking cameras to be
allowed into the courtroom,
but Judge Bone simply told her
to get out.
Will he wear white or red?
‐What?
‐The Pope.
What color scheme
will he go with?
Uh, can you just eat
your breakfast.
It's getting soggy.
I like the green.
Can we just not make
a big deal out of this, huh?
‐[siren wailing]
‐[indistinct chatter]
[man over radio] All units
standing by, no further
backup needed at this time.
[officer] Stay back, please.
‐Just stay where you are.
‐[indistinct chatter]
What?
Max, it's the Pope‐mobile.
It's illegally parked.
Don't even think about it.
First you say suicide,
now it's murder.
I never categorically
said suicide.
I said likely self‐inflicted.
And then you change
your medical diagnosis
because the Vatican
told you to.
‐Object.
‐Counsel.
[Carter] I factored
into my original findings
the statement of the defendant.
upon that statement
being impeached
and a new eyewitness' statement
I modified by conclusion.
But the wound itself,
it's consistent with suicide?
Consistent, yes, but no more
likely than homicide.
Nice job, Carter,
but you forgot to say amen.
‐What?
‐Objection.
Withdrawn, nothing further.
The witness may step down.
Call your next witness.
Bring him to the front doors,
right away.
Thank you, Your Honor.
The people call...
The Pope.
[hushed whispers]
Do you swear to tell the truth,
the whole truth and nothing
but the truth, so help you God?
‐I do.
‐Be seated.
Your Holiness.
Could you please state your name
and address for the record.
Pope John Paul II,
Vatican City, Europe.
Your Holiness, I call
your attention to Monday last.
Were you involved in a parade
in the Commonwealth of Rome,
Wisconsin?
‐...Roma, Wisconsin?
‐Yes.
Do you recall if you saw
anything unusual
during the course
of this parade?
[Pope] Yes.
Could you tell
what you observed.
This man points a gun at a man
‐and shoot him.
‐That's right to the point.
I admire that.
Your Holiness, are you
absolutely sure it was this man?
This is the man.
[bishop] "I was waving
at the crowd.
I turned back
over my right shoulder
and the people were waiving
and I was waving back.
And my eye caught a man
pointing a gun.
Not at me, at another man
standing next to him holding it
to the side of his head.
And then suddenly the man turned
facing the gun man..."
‐Boom. Boom.
‐"Boom"? Boom.
The man went down.
Your Holiness, the defendant
claims that the deceased
turned the gun on himself
and that he, the defendant,
tried to intercede.
[bishop]
"No, no, this is not true.
Erm, he had his arm extended
with the gun.
‐May I show you?"
‐Yes.
[speaking Italian]
Sit down.
[bishop]
"His arm was at full length
and then the victim turned
to see
and as he reached up
to push the gun
the gun was discharged
and it was more..."
‐[speaks Italian]
‐"More like an execution."
Hmm.
Your Holiness,
are you sure about this?
That's what you saw?
As God is my witness
and I am yours.
Thank you, Your Holiness.
I have nothing further.
[all groaning]
Good afternoon, Your Holiness.
I'd like to say first
that our country
is very honored by your visit.
Rome, Wisconsin, is honored
by your visit.
My client, well, not so honored.
[chuckling]
I also hope you understand
our system is adversary
in nature.
So I must be adversary.
So if I do or say
anything despicable,
it's not because
I'm anti‐Catholic,
it's because I'm a lawyer.
So nothing I say should be
interpreted as disrespect
to either you
or your prestigious position.
‐[translating softly]
‐Thank you.
Wambaugh's being polite.
This is a bad sign.
You testify that you saw
a murder take place.
And yet I'm curious.
You didn't tell anybody
about what you witnessed
until a day later.
This is true.
"Because I saw the police
apprehend the criminal.
And I mistakenly assumed
that they considered him
to be the murderer
and till the next day
when I saw the newspaper."
Oh, I see.
The police estimate
that you were
about 50 to 60 yards away
at the time of the shooting.
Would that be fair?
‐[whispers]
‐Yes.
Sixty yards.
You're in the glass bubble
which is moving,
you really recognize
this man's face?
[bishop] "I did not see
his face clearly.
What I saw was
his outstretched arm
with the gun."
[Douglas]
Oh, yeah, well, forgive me.
But earlier you testified
that you clearly recognized him.
You pointed at him.
This is the man. I am sure.
But you didn't clearly
see his face.
Objection. The defendant
by his own statement
says he was there.
Thank you, thank you, I...
I'm just curious as how
the witness can be
so determined?
Now I noticed,
in the newspaper account
which you read,
that it referred to my client,
as a homosexual.
Did this influence your decision
to come forward?
‐Objection!
‐Goes to bias, Your Honor!
The objection is overruled.
Do you have bias
against my client
because he's a homosexual?
‐No.
‐Are you more likely to consider
a person capable of evil
because he is a homosexual?
‐Objection!
‐Sustained!
[Douglas] Do you consider
homosexual acts to be evil?
‐[woman] Objection!
‐[Judge] Sustained!
I'm entitled to explore bias!
‐This is the Pope!
‐Well,
perhaps Your Honor would like
to take a break,
and go into chambers
and genuflect?
‐Objection!
‐You are out of order!
Please, please!
Sit down!
I should like to answer
on his charge of bias.
You may speak, Your Holiness.
[speaking Italian]
"The Catholic Church
does not consider
homosexuality to be evil."
But the homosexual act...
that is sinful, isn't it?
A homosexual act is bodily evil.
‐[speaking Italian]
‐"This is not a bias.
"Any genital act,
outside of marriage is wrong."
Oh, I see! So if
two homosexuals get married...
sex would be okay!
‐[Pope] No!
‐[bishop] "No."
[Douglas] Why not?
"It is not permissible
for homosexuals to marry."
Well, why not?
Your Honor, this is getting
into religious debate.
It has nothing to do
with the bias, whatsoever!
[Douglas]
I'm just trying to understand!
It's okay for heterosexuals
to get married,
but not homosexuals.
And yet he says
that there is no bias.
[stammering] "It is because
a Catholic marriage requires
a recital of vows,
and consummation of the union."
Yes, and...
"It is wrong for homosexuals
to consummate."
Why?
Because sex,
which is morally wrong
when there is no possibility
of transmitting new life.
So what about
sterile heterosexual couples?
Is it evil for them to have sex?
‐No.
‐Why not?
Because it is still God's way.
Oh, but it isn't God's way
for a homosexual couple?
I object! I object! I object!
‐Now there's three objections!
‐Quiet!
I think I got it!
No sex without marriage,
no gay marriage whatsoever,
but there's no Catholic bias
against gays!
Does that sum it up?
[Henry sighs]
You're supposed to be
a guardian of
the judicial process,
what happened in there today
was vile! It was blasphemy!
He has a right to cross‐examine!
It had nothing to do
with the truth!
It had nothing to do
with evidence! And for you
to allow it to continue,
‐you should be ashamed!
‐Get out!
We're not in a courtroom now,
we're in the house!
My house! Get out!
You wonder why,
people hate lawyers?
Hate the judicial process?
That was the Pope in that chair,
where's the decency
to this system?
Get the client off!
Isn't there a canon of ethics
that requires lawyers
to conduct themselves
with a scintilla of dignity?
Nope!
[sighs]
You were guilty
up there today, Henry!
You let it go on.
For what?
To honor our system!
What a system!
What a great country we live in!
American justice at work!
[door opens and closes]
How do homo sapiens have sex?
Homosexuals, stupid!
Not homo sapiens!
Homosexuals!
[announcer]
...percent of all Catholics...
Eat your breakfast!
While only 21% of Non‐Catholics
would convict.
Fifty two percent
of all Protestants think
he did commit the crime,
but would nevertheless
find reasonable doubt!
I say no!
Right now, the prosecution's
entire case is a coroner
who says it could be suicide!
and one eyewitness
from 60 yards, who I think
we put a dent in.
But the jury might want
to hear it from me!
That's true, but if you take
the stand, your prior record
comes into evidence.
And we don't want that!
‐But if I say nothing‐
‐Now you listen to me,
young man!
If you make one mistake
up there,
you'll be making license plates
for the rest of your life.
Frankly, Ben,
you don't come off so good.
And first impressions
count big in trials.
And for what it's worth?
I don't like you.
I recommend we don't testify!
[sighs]
‐Okay!
‐Okay.
You heard Carter Pike.
He said it could
have been self‐inflicted!
What's that if not
reasonable doubt?
Now, the Pope says
he saw what happened,
he says he saw it
with his own eyes!
But did he?
Well,
it's easy to be blinded
by his celebrity!
We've all seen him on the TV,
oh, bigger than life,
His Holiness!
But underneath the fancy outfits
and holy hats,
he is a man.
A 75‐year‐old man,
with 75‐year‐old eyes!
Looking through a glass bubble,
on the move, with 10,000 people
screaming at him.
Can he really be sure
what he saw,
beyond reasonable doubt?
Ten thousand people!
And he's the only one who,
who says he, he saw what he saw!
The only one!
Reasonable doubt?
And like any man,
oh, especially older men,
he comes with
his predispositions, doesn't he?
Prejudices?
I won't call them that.
But according to this witness,
homosexual behavior,
is morally evil!
And according to this witness,
divorce is evil!
So when the Pope
picked up the newspaper,
and read about a homosexual,
divorced man,
maybe he was slightly
more predisposed to think,
Ben Spears was capable of evil!
And according to this witness,
maybe some of you
are morally evil too!
Well, I don't know.
Perhaps some of you
had sexual relations
outside of marriage!
Maybe you had sex,
solely out of lust!
Maybe some of you
have been divorced.
Perhaps you use contraception,
or had a child through
in vitro fertilization.
These are all morally evil acts
according to that eyewitness!
Now, many Catholics don't agree
with those positions, I know!
But the Pope, [laughs],
he's adamant, he's convinced
he's right!
Just like he's convinced
that what he saw,
but maybe he's not right!
Maybe this eyewitness
clings to the unreasonable!
And maybe this eyewitness
sometimes sees
what he chooses to see!
And blinds himself,
to what he doesn't want to see.
So, ladies and gentlemen,
if you can't trust
the messenger,
you must reject the message.
Only one person out of 10,000,
a person with a bias,
reasonable doubt?
Of course,
there's reasonable doubt!
This case,
isn't about homosexuality.
It isn't about contraception
or divorce.
Or Catholicism.
This is a murder case.
It is a murder case.
An eyewitness saw that man,
point a gun at John Farm's head,
and commit homicide!
An eyewitness,
whose testimony
stands uncontroverted!
The eyewitness,
is the Pope!
[laughs] The Pope!
I know it seems...
No matter how much evidence
we have these days, it seems,
it's very tough
to get convictions.
But you,
have eyewitness testimony,
from the Pope!
[door opens]
Ex‐parte, Henry!
‐I'm honored at the invite!
‐Don't you dare strut!
That closing argument
was disgusting!
In 42 years on the bench,
I've never seen anything
more prejudiced
than what you just did!
‐Are you speaking as a Catholic?
‐I'm speaking as a judge!
Clinging to the idea,
that what goes on in that room,
should still have
a shred of integrity!
Then you're a naive judge.
I had a client out there
charged with murder.
Now, if there's any distrust
between races and religion,
it's my job to tap into it.
‐It's not your job
to inflame it.
‐Oh, yes, it is.
Whatever I can legally do
to get my client off, I do it.
Because that's the American way.
And what about your religion,
Doug?
Orthodox Judaism condemns
homosexuality.
Why don't you mention that?
The Pope is not Jewish.
What's happened to you?
A year ago, you worried
that you'd only be remembered
as a good lawyer.
That if you had to do it
all over again,
you'd be a good man.
And I told you, you were
the best man I knew.
But that was last year.
Now, I don't recognize you.
I don't recognize the person
who brought a lawsuit
against Carter Pike
after his house caught fire.
I don't recognize the man
who made cruel jokes
about his wife
at their anniversary party.
And I certainly
don't recognize the man
who's been in my courtroom
the last two days.
You've become mean‐spirited.
Your core seems to be bitter
where it was always kind.
Great speech.
Maybe you should be Pope.
I'm the lawyer.
I don't have to win
any popularity contest.
If I win, I'm accepted.
Your wife is gone.
You have no family.
It hurt
when Kimberly Brock left.
Doug...
If you're looking
for affirmation
in your win‐loss record,
you're looking
in the wrong arena.
There is no soul in lawyering.
There's no dignity in it
for the most part.
And there certainly is
no redemption.
What you did in that courtroom
just now
was without honor
and without excuse.
I can no longer
call you my friend.
Get out.
[clears throat]
Will the defendant please rise.
Madam Foreman,
has the jury reached
the verdict?
‐We have, Your Honor.
‐What say you?
In the matter of the "People
of Wisconsin
versus Benjamin Speers"
on the count of first degree
murder, we find the defendant
guilty as charged.
[indistinct murmuring]
Members of the jury,
this completes your service.
I thank you.
Take the defendant into custody.
‐This matter is adjourned.
‐[gavel pounds]
[indistinct chatter]
I can appeal, right?
I can appeal.
‐Yes, you can.
‐State Court of appeals,
then what?
‐How high can I go?
‐We can appeal
to the highest authority.
No, I don't think
you'd wanna take it there.
Can't I just say one thing
to him?
He's a little anxious
to leave town.
Father.
I just wanted you to know
that Mr. Wambaugh wasn't
speaking for this community.
And he wasn't speaking for me.
Nor me.
I know this.
‐Goodbye, Mr. Pope.
‐Goodbye.
‐He winked at me.
‐Max.
He's attracted to me.
I could tell.
‐Max.
‐Maxine.
You saw him. He's a flirt.
Max.
[Carter humming]
That's not a word.
He most certainly is.
Peckerhead is not a real word,
it's a nickname.
‐Was it yours?
‐I'll show you.
I don't give a damn
what that book says.
I'm not giving you 27 points
for "peckerhead."
[doorbell rings]
Pick another word.
[softly] Peckerhead.
What?
I'm sorry, Henry, I went home
to my empty house and I...
I started thinking, you know,
that though I'm a little old
to start, you know,
to take up new hobbies...
[chuckles]
...so I tried to distract myself
from my loneliness. It helps.
Eh, naturally, you know
a trial with the Pope,
why, that's very good
as distractions count.
I'm in the middle
of a Scrabble game.
Your courtroom, Henry,
has always been one
of integrity,
and I apologize
if I compromised it.
You did.
Well, as long as you win,
you must be doing
something right.
So, you try to win at all costs,
but at the cost
of our friendship, Henry,
that's too steep.
So I came back to say I'm sorry
and to ask you to forgive me.
[theme music start]
[theme music ends]