Stand Your Ground (2013) - full transcript

Perfect.

My life was perfect
and beautiful and blessed.

There was nothing extraordinary
about the end of that day,

nothing to prepare US
for the coming night...

The night that for some of US
would last forever.

I believe
that if we are still

and listen,

we can hear the voice of god.

This is the story

of how I learned to listen.

Okay. Got it.



H-Hello.

J-Just say it.

Oh, no.

Stop it.

No, stop it! Stop it!

We can't do anything.

We can't go.
They won't let US near him.

We're supposed
to stay here,

stay by the phone,
and wait.

- Wait?
- Mm.

Oh, lord.

Wait.

You used to do that
when you were little.

What?



Do what?

Stand there
in front of that fridge

swinging the door
back and forth,

trying to decide
what to eat.

Yeah.
You always told me

decide what I wanted before I opened the door.

Still makes absolutely
no sense to me.

Does Stephanie
let you do that at home?

Stephanie can't tell me
what to do.

She's not my mother.

How are they doing,
anyway?

I haven't seen them since the last time we went bowling.

Jj's always got something going on with school or church.

Stephanie
takes him everywhere.

So how did I rate
this visit anyhow, huh?

Where are you heading?

Over to
the new subdivision.

Yeah.

They hit me again
last night.

Again,
that same subdivision?

Yeah, same one.

Every house they hit
costs me about $6,000.

So why don't the police
do something about it?

Eh, police can't do nothing with copper thieves

unless you catch 'em
in the act.

Plus, they ain't
got the manpower

to keep an officer
there on-site, so...

So?

So I'm gonna sit
out there and watch.

No.

Jason, tell me
you're not serious.

Will you get that look off your face?
You and Steph.

Now, look,
all I'm gonna do is hide and watch,

and if anybody comes up,
I'll just call the police.

You know, they said
they'd have an officer

patrolling the area.
He'll come right over.

Mom.

Mom, I have to.

It's secluded
out there, right?

Whoever's doing this just gonna keep coming back.

I'll just watch,

and nothing's
gonna happen to me.

Well, I'm gonna say
a prayer for you anyhow,

just to make sure you're
not alone out there tonight.

Everything's fine
out here.

All right.

I'll talk to you later.

Bye.

They're here.

Lord, please no.

Stephanie?

Miss Jackie, he's dead.

The man--

that man died,

and Jason's been arrested and taken to jail,

and they're
saying that he--

it's okay.

They're saying that--

Jackie, this is Ellis.

Are you listening
to me, Jackie?

Look, I've spoken
to the judge,

and, um, Jackie,
I've got some things to say to, uh, you and Larry,

um, but I don't want
to do it over the--

Ellis, Ellis, you talk
to me right now.

Talk to me.

Jackie, do you
want to see Jason?

You want some music?

You want
some music on?

Honey, Ellis knows
what to do.

No.

No, he don't?

No music.

Okay.

He don't know.

He--he don't what?

He don't know
what to do.

Ellis?

He is just Jason's
real estate attorney.

He closes on houses.

He can't help.

He's a good man, though,

smart.

Yes.

Yes, smart?

Music.

* somebody's
praying for me *

I don't think I can--

Stephanie, what is it?

...can do this.

I don't think I can.

Just don't think
about yourself.

Just think about Jason and
how you can help him, okay?

And remember this.
He's inside.

He can't do a thing,

so don't
put anything on him.

He's helpless.

Jason's depending
upon you.

Anyone headed to cellblock "a,"
step this way.

All of you with a card
marked "a," come with me.

Jason! Jason!

It was an accident!

- Jason, pick up the phone!
- I wish I'd never...

- Pick up the phone!
- Jason!

Jason, baby,
listen to me.

Honey,
pick up the phone.

You're gonna get
through this, okay?

You are gonna
get through this.

You're just gonna have
to be strong, all right?

Remember when you told me--when you told me that you

were gonna go
out to the site?

I told you I was
gonna say a prayer

for you
just in case, right?

Baby, that means

you were not alone
out there,

and you are not
alone in there now.

Sweetheart,

listen.

As soon as we
get out of here,

we're gonna have you
out on bond, okay?

Okay? We're gonna get you
out on bond, okay? Okay?

Talk--talk to him.

How's jj doing?

He's fine, honey.

He's just confused.

What did you tell him?

Not much,

not yet, anyway.

I don't know
what to tell him.

We'll have
to talk to him,

and I love you.

Look at me, Jason.

You have
to come home to me.

Bojangles, down!

Hello.

Mama?

Okay.

Okay. Well,
what is it, mama?

Just say it.

Larry, mama says turn the TV on channel 32.

It's coming up right now.
Turn it on channel 32.

...on the very spot where
just some 24 hours ago,

these two men
saw their cousin

gunned down in cold blood.

Mr. Morales, can you
tell US in just a few words

what happened
on February the 29th?

Um, we--we went to get
something to eat,

and then, uh,
we come back to sleep

so we can work on the house early in the morning.

And then, uh,
well, we were sleeping.

A man walked up
with a flashlight

and knocked on our Van

and, uh,
told US to get out,

and, um, he walked
behind my cousin

and--and shot him.

He killed my cousin
with his gun.

And the questions continue
in this shattered community

as one family
searches for the answers

in this vicious
and unprovoked attack.

This is deaundria
keana Kelly.

...channel 32...

When we enter
the courtroom,

you're gonna sit
on the left-hand side,

immediate family
in the front row.

No talking.

All rise.

The honorable
judge Henry strickland,

superior court,
state of Georgia,

Crockett judicial circuit.

Good morning, everybody.

Please, sit down.
Make yourselves comfortable.

Having taken into account

the written testimony
of witnesses

Mr. Morales and Mr. Lerma

and the written report

of Crockett county
sheriff's deputy Clayton book

and in light
of the cross-examination

made by both you, Ms. Pitt,

and you, Mr. Burdette,

I find the charge
of felony murder will stand.

Remove the defendant.

Why'd they
put shackles on him?

Why--

what are you doing?

Don't stop.

I need charcoal.

Go home.

Take me home.

Charcoal
and vinegar.

No. I don't want
to be here.

Friday,

it's your birthday.

I need charcoal
for the barbecue,

vinegar
for the hot sauce.

Everybody likes
my hot sauce.

No, baby.

No.

Not this year.

Nobody's gonna be
expecting you to.

It's what I do.

Hey, Jason.

I don't know when
you'll hear this.

I know they took
your cellphone.

It's probably
in a box somewhere

with the rest
of your things,

but I just wanted
to call it

to hear your voice.

It's mom's birthday.

We're having a barbecue like-- like always,

all your
favorite foods.

I can't eat it.

I tried.

I'll wait till you
can eat it with me.

Uh, I guess i--

I don't know.

I just wanted to call

and say that I miss--
miss my little brother.

I mean, just look
what a perfect day

we've got
for a barbecue.

It's warm. I mean...

Debbie, I don't think
this was a very good idea.

Just look around at all these people in your backyard.

I mean,
there's that rowdy little hinkle boy.

Now, don't he
come over after school

and take bojangles
for a walk?

And I know Dr.
Massey calls and checks on you every day.

Don't you wish
somebody'd tell him

that plaid shorts and varicose veins don't go together?

And you know what Cynthia's doing over the evenings.

She's building
a prayer chain,

and she's called people from Georgia to New York,

and there are thousands of people praying for Jason,

people that we
don't even know,

and he don't know them.

I mean,
isn't that a miracle?

Honey, you've got
angels all around you,

and I think that's
a good enough reason

to celebrate with potato salad and green jell-o.

And when it just gets
too much for you,

just lean your head
over on his shoulder,

and say, "I'm tired."

I think--
I think he likes it

when we come to him
like little kids.

What was that song
we used to sing?

* little ones
to him belong *

* they are weak

come on.

You remember.

* but he is strong

* yes, Jesus loves me

* yes, Jesus loves me

* yes

* Jesus loves me

* for the Bible

- tells me so.
- * tells me so

- What we got here?
- What you looking at, man?

You have got to get me out of here as soon as you can.

I'm not gonna make it.

Oh, get him out!
Get him out now!

- He is dying in there.
- Jackie.

He cannot take it
another second.

I want you
to get him out now.

How many times do
I have to tell you this?

Until his bond hearing,

there is nothing
you can do,

nothing.

Jackie?

You so loved the world

that you gave
your only begotten son.

But I cannot give mine...

And I can't sit back
and do nothing.

Now, if you won't fix this,

I will.

I will.

I will find a way.

If you won't,

I will.

All right, then.

Just long
as you can.

Listen.

* I come
to the garden alone *

* while the dew is
still on the roses *

* and the voice I hear

* falling on my ear

* the son of god discloses

* and he walks with me

* and he talks with me

* and he tells me
I am his own *

* and the joy we share

* as we tarry there

* none other
has ever known *

Just to let you know,
your family's

been waiting for you
for some time,

so let's get you
all sorted.

Grammy, if you think
about something else,

the time goes faster.

You're gonna wear a hole in the floor, honey.

Will daddy have the bomb
when I see him?

Bomb?

What bomb?

Grammy said we were going
to get daddy out on a bomb.

A bond, not a bomb.

A bond is a way of bringing daddy home with US.

And where do you want to take daddy for dinner?

Spin-a-pin.

You really think
we should take him

to a bowling alley
on our first night home?

How 'bout we take him someplace real nice to eat?

Okay then.

Baskin-Robbins.

How 'bout
we let daddy decide?

Will he eat with US
from now on?

When we love somebody,

they're always with US.

Even when we can't
see them with our eyes,

we see them
with our mind

and our heart,
don't we?

So let's
just look at daddy

and see him
as much as we can,

look hard as we can.

And when he's at work

or when he's not
right in front of US,

he'll still be with US.

Hey, mister.

What are you
doing to me?

I'm looking at you

as hard as I can.

Jason, it's me.

Jason, calm down.

Look at me.
I'm right here.

It's okay, baby.

I can't
get used to it.

Cold weather?

No. Well,
yes, that, too,

but what
I can't get used to

is how you sell Jesus
in the stores.

Christmas come,
and baby Jesus is everywhere.

Then come
26 December, boom,

he's 75 % off
after-Christmas sale.

Cynthia, I'm sorry.

I just can't appreciate this,
not today.

Come on, look
at this pretty scene

with Santa and his suit
in the snow.

In Jamaica,
we don't have that.

You don't have
Santa claus?

Yeah, we have Santa,
but no snow.

We see a fat man
in a red suit

with white flakes
on his shoulder,

and we
think dandruff.

Sweetie, I appreciate
what you're trying to do,

but I just can't get my mind
off the arraignment.

Jason is there
right now with that judge.

Okay, so you want
to talk about it, then.

You want to be with him?

Well, I can't.

Only Jason and
his attorney is allowed.

So you want to do what you cannot do,
so stop that.

And what would you do
if you could be there?

- Nothing.
- That's right,

so why don't you do nothing here with me

and let the law people do their job?

Tell me about
this new lawyer man.

Mitchell Kane.

Ellis says he's the best.

He's got a really good
track record in mur--

in cases like this.

- Hmm.
- He grew up around here,

and he is
an amateur magician.

Musician?

Magician.

Oh, he pull bunnies
out of hats.

Maybe.

And cut people
in half with a saw?

I guess.

And make folks
disappear?

Yeah.

I think I have a job for Mr.
Kane after this trial is done.

I just can't
stand the thought

of Jason being in that courthouse for any reason.

I'll be better
when he's back home.

Do you think it's gonna
make Jason feel happy

to see his mommy's face
all wrinkly with worry?

Come on.
We're here with all this pretty stuff.

We might as well do something to make US smile.

All right,
I tell you what.

I'll go
to the ladies' room,

and then we'll go out
and get something to eat,

something fattening,
and it's my treat.

Good idea.
I'll wait here to see

if I could find
something for 100 % off.

Jackie, my precious,

I need for you to talk to me if you can.

What is it?

Just talk to me.

The district attorney
wants to indict Jason,

felony murder.

Yes, we all know that.

And felony possession
and aggravated assault.

There's five charges now.

Jackie.

Jackie.

So god has given you another load to bear.

He will not give you more than you can carry,

and he has given you
people who love you,

and we will
not leave you.

That's it.

We just do,

so let's get started
on this climb.

What's next?

Kane wants to see US
in his office.

Good morning.
Good morning. Good morning.

Mr. Kane, Mr. Kane,

can you tell US
one positive thing

about my son's case?

What you want me
to say to you

is that this will
all be over soon,

that Jason will be exonerated from all charges

and he'll be
totally free

to go back home
to his family.

I can't
tell you that.

But, Mr. Kane,
what can you tell US?

Well, I can tell you

that district attorney
pitt has offered

to drop the felony
murder charge

for a voluntary
manslaughter charge.

Why? Why this change?

All goes back
to deputy Clayton book.

He's the primary reason
why you got charged

with felony murder
in the first place,

but deputy book
has been terminated.

- Fired?
- What? Why?

As soon as the sheriff found out

that deputy book
had carried Mr. Morales

and Mr. Lerma back to
the alleged crime scene

and that he'd spoken to the news about the incident,

he started to sweat.

Looked like he was trying to cover up something.

Which he was.

So the sheriff
terminated deputy book

before he can give the department a black eye.

Now,
since the d.A.'S case

was based
on book's accusations,

this could weaken their case considerably in a jury trial.

They're dropping
the charges?

- Not by a long shot.
- I don't--

think what he's
trying to tell US--

district attorney pitt
and judge overby

have agreed to reduce
the felony murder charge

to voluntary
manslaughter.

You will serve
three to five years.

And if you do not
accept her plea bargain,

the judge will try you
at a bench trial.

Either way,
you are going to prison.

She wants
your decision soon.

Let me make sure
I've got this straight.

The only reason all this
is happening to Jason

is because that
deputy Clayton book lied,

and now everyone,

including the sheriff
and the d.A. And the judge,

all know that he lied,

and they're still
not gonna let him go?

He takes
the plea bargain,

he gets nothing less
than three years.

He takes the jury trial,

there's a 50/50 chance

that he'll go to prison
for at least 30.

Can you tell me why
my son's case gets weaker

every time
it strengthens itself?

Jackie.

Can you tell me why the termination of that deputy

hurt the prosecution's case

and it did not
help ours at all?

Can you tell me why
my son should go to jail?

Let me tell you why
he should not go to jail.

- He has a seven-year-old son...
- I think Jason needs

to listen
to these attorneys

and follow
their advice.

They know
what's best for him.

He has a wife who...

You need to take the offer, son.
Get it over with.

You'll be back home
before you know it.

- Three years is nothing.
- He is innocent!

- He is innocent!
- I just think it's

the best thing to do to take the plea bargain.

...go to jail for
something he didn't do!

He needs to pay up
and get it over with.

Pay up?

I just think
the plea bargain--

he's not your son!

When we finish
with the trial,

whether it be a bench trial or a jury trial...

Mr.
Kane, you'll go home to your wife and your family.

Ellis, you'll go home
to your wife.

Larry,
you'll go home to mom.

I have to make
this decision,

me and Steph.

Let's go home.

Honey.

I don't even
know her name.

What?

A boy died out on
that construction site.

He has a mother.

They won't
tell me her name.

She get
a phone call like US

in the middle
of the night?

I was wondering if she's sitting up right now.

I don't even know
her name.

Mom, Steph and I have come to a decision about the plea bargain.

Neither of US can get any peace about a bench trial.

I know that i'm
risking going to jail

for 30 years
taking that jury trial.

But, mom, we ain't
been able to say a word

about what
really happened...

None of US.

The story
wants to be told.

Putting it all
out in the open,

that's
the right thing to do.

It's what gives US peace.

Mom,
we're going to trial.

Sweetheart, sweetie,

Ellis has something
he needs to tell you.

Well, if it's
bad news, Ellis,

you're just gonna have to wait in line.

Well,
it's about the trial.

Oh, just say it,
Ellis.

Well, Kane has
asked that you--

all of US
certain things.

Kane feels,
we all feel

that you should not...

Bring your--your Bible
into the courtroom.

If there are nonbelievers
among the jury members,

and--well, and they look at you and they see your Bible,

it might offend them.

Jackie, they could
hold that against you.

They could hold that
against Jason.

Well, uh...

That was the main thing that I just was coming over for.

What else do
you want, Ellis?

You want me
to change my hair?

You know,
this length might offend somebody.

What color outfit do you
think I ought to wear?

'Cause blue
might offend somebody,

but red is bound
to set somebody off.

And how about if we
do forget the Bible

for those nonbelievers,
Ellis?

How about the believers?

You know, I guess
it all just comes down

to who
I'm going to offend,

because I guarantee you
I will offend somebody.

Thank you, Ellis.

I just didn't have enough on my plate today.

No, I don't--

I think I took a wrong turn
off of the exit.

I am trying to find
Kane's office, and--Larry?

L-Larry?

Larry, am I losing you?

Oh, my--no.

My pretty mom.

You about ready
to go back home?

It is so good to see
your face, Jim.

Good to see you
looking so much better.

I hear they're kicking
you out of here soon.

Mm-hmm. 11:00.

Be able to eat lunch
on the outside again.

Free woman.

Well, I won't
keep you from that,

but I did have something
I came by here to tell you.

Last night,
out of the clear blue,

I saw words
in front of my eyes,

and these words
were for you,

and the message was this,

that you are
to move into

and live in
the book of psalms.

Does that mean
anything to you?

Me either.

But I bet it will.

Will you do that for me,

remember that message?

Move into the book
of psalms. Mm-hmm.

Mm, and live there.

Bye, Mary.

Live it, Daniel.

Yeah.

You spoke
on psalms today.

Yes.

I don't know what
I'm supposed to do.

You mean about bringing your Bible into the courtroom?

I try too hard.

Do your best,

and let god do the rest.

Have I?

Done your best?

Have I?

More.

I feel so small.

Maybe that's
a good thing.

Lost.

Can I help my mom?

Go home.

Hug your babies.

My heavenly father...

I'm so tired.

I have done everything
I know for my Jason.

We all have.

As much as I love him...

I know you love him more.

He's so heavy,

my arms just
can't hold him anymore.

Take him from me.

Take him into your arms.

- Honey.
- Baby?

Did you take
your meds?

Did you
take yours?

Honey...

Cuttin out psalms...

Those are bibles.

- Mm-hmm.
- Um...

Because I want them with me until this is over.

I want to be able
to touch them,

and I want to have
verses for everyone,

you and Jason
and Cynthia to hold.

You--you could
just copy 'em.

Oh, no.

No copies.

We'll get
more bibles.

God won't mind.

Honey?

All rise.

The honorable
judge s. Carroll,

superior court
of the state of Georgia,

Crockett county.

Be seated.

If the jury is ready,
they may join US.

Would you spell
your name, please?

B-double o-k,

Clayton book.

And, sir, by who
are you employed?

Employed by the city of
ridgetop police department.

And are you a post certified police officer?

I certainly am.

On February 28, 2008,

were you called out
to the vicinity

of Gideon road
and old betts road?

I was.

And why were you
called out there?

I was dispatched
in reference to copper thefts.

Did you meet with
anyone out there?

I met with Mr. Jason veitch,

that man sitting right over there,
raising his hand.

And when you met with the defendant,
Mr. Veitch,

what did you find?

Well, we were discussing
how he was having trouble

completing any of his homes

in reference
to the copper thefts.

Did you and the defendant,
Mr. Veitch,

discuss what to do about
these copper thefts?

We did.

Would you describe,
please,

what he had to say,
questions he asked.

Well, we were discussing how best to resolve the issue,

and I told him what we
frequently suggest

is they install some type
of surveillance cameras,

like the deer still cameras,
down near the homes.

And how did the defendant,
Mr. Veitch, respond?

Said he
didn't like that idea.

Said he wanted
to sit out and watch,

try to catch 'em
in the act.

Did the defendant,
Mr. Veitch, say

that he was planning
on being armed?

Yes, he did.

And did you talk about the concept of shooting these men?

We did. He asked me

if somebody showed up
to steal his copper,

was he justified
in shooting that person?

And how did you respond?

Well, I told him no.

And how did Mr. Veitch
react to that advice?

He was very upset
when I told him he couldn't.

Did you ever suggest
to the defendant

that as a remedy
to these copper thefts,

that he could hire
some teenagers

to catch and beat up
these perpetrators?

No.
We never discussed anything at all about teenagers.

And did you suggest
to the defendant

that he could make
a citizen's arrest,

that he could
catch these men

and tie them
to a post?

No, I did not.

Did you talk more
about shooting?

Well, when I told him
he couldn't shoot that person,

he said, "well,
can I just shoot 'em in the leg?"

And I also explained
to him that no, he couldn't.

Would you describe
the defendant,

Mr.
Veitch's demeanor during the course of your conversation?

Well, he was very upset.

He was unusually determined to make apprehension of the subject.

To be blunt,

he was in a rage.

What?

Why would he
say that?

We knew he'd
be lying. It's okay.

It's officer book?

Yeah.

Fine.

Excuse me?

Is that what I should call you,
officer book?

You could call me
officer book,

Mr. Book.

Yes, sir.

Why did you leave

the Crockett county
sheriff's department?

Mr. Book?

The official reason was unsatisfactory probationary period.

Were you fired?

No, terminated.

Well, as part
of your termination,

were you told that your ability to make good decisions

and use good judgments
were unsatisfactory?

Yes, I was.

Were you told
that you continue

to make bad decisions

that resulted
in bad circumstances?

Yes, I was.

Were you told that you
were insubordinate

with an insubordinate attitude towards supervisors?

Yes, I was.

And were you told,
Mr. Book,

that you resort
to intimidation

in order to manipulate outcomes to your advantage?

Yes, I was.

And that you also
damaged the reputation

of your coworkers
and other agencies?

Yes, I was.

You were also told
that you demonstrated

a job performance
that was unsatisfactory.

Yes, I was.

Now, Mr. Book,

before you were
with Crockett,

you were with the,
uh, city of orlinda?

That's correct.

When you were up there

and, uh,
there's a reprimand,

it's called
a personal contact?

That's correct.

And you applied to Crockett county sheriff's department

after receiving
three personal contacts

in one week up in the city of orlinda?

I don't think
that's accurate.

You don't?

No. I--

let me refresh
your recollection

by showing you out of your own personal file--

- okay.
- No, no, no, no.

- Let me show you a--
- I said I don't remember.

Mr. Book...

Part of your training
as a police officer

is to write reports when you respond to a complaint, correct?

That's correct.

Now, in writing
these reports,

you're supposed
to put everything

that's significant,
correct?

Pertinent information.

Pertinent information.

So you went out to old betts road on February 28,

and you
made out a report,

and your report at 3:51

had only two paragraphs.
Is that correct?

- That's correct.
- And nowhere in there

do you say
anything about him

asking you to shoot
anybody, do you?

That's correct.

And nowhere in there
do you say

that he intended to, uh,
go out and stake it out himself.

That's correct.

And nowhere in there

did you say that he was
unusually determined

to go and capture
the violators himself.

That's correct.

So the fact that he was
unusually determined

to capture
these men himself,

intended to go out and stake out the property himself,

intended
to carry weapons,

and seemed intent
to shoot someone,

none of this
seemed pertinent?

- No.
- No?

No.

No.

Mr. Book, were you
at all concerned

that if you had told Mr.
Veitch to go and catch them himself,

that you might have
imposed some liability

on the sheriff's
department?

Well, first of all,
I would never tell somebody that.

Well, right.
You'd get in trouble

if you were
to tell somebody

to go out and catch them
himself, right?

I would get into trouble
if I were to tell somebody

to take the law
into their own hands

and then afterwards somebody
was to get hurt from it.

Well, in this case,
you did tell somebody

to take something into their own hands,
didn't you?

And they did get hurt,
didn't they?

How? You tell me.

You need to tell me exactly
what you're referring to.

Have you ever
been called out

to, um, burglaries
or thefts in progress

or drug deals,
anything of that nature?

Sure.

And I know
that police officers--

and I commend you for
being a police officer.

I really do.

You guys
have a tough job.

Whenever
you go somewhere,

you never really know

what's going
to happen, do you?

No.

Always expect
the unexpected.

And you never know
who was waiting for you,

if somebody's going to be dangerous or armed, right?

We don't ever know what's
waiting for US, Mr. Kane.

So when you do that,

when you confront
these people,

I mean, what do you do?

You draw
a service weapon?

If we feel like
the likelihood

that someone poses
immediate threat, yeah.

So then even
a trained police officer

would draw a weapon if he thinks himself to be in danger?

Mr. Book?

Mr. Book?

You can call me
officer book.

Now, let's go
to the gunshot wound.

Based on your experience and training,
Dr. Coffelt,

you can tell exactly
the degree of the angle?

Yes.

And also you can tell
the angle of entrance?

- Yes.
- Now, I would like for you

to turn your attention
to this artist's model.

Now, if you will
take a look there,

you'll
see a hole drilled.

It represents
a bullet hole.

Now, this hole
was actually done

by an engineer using
your autopsy report.

Does it appear to be an accurate representation

of the wound?

Dr. Coffelt?

Yes.

So if I were
to insert this object

into the hole
representing the wound,

we can tell
exactly the angle

in which the bullet
entered the body?

Yes.

I believe you have a familiarity with shotguns.

I'm not
an expert on weaponry,

but I do know
how a shotgun works.

Then you must know that a 12-Gauge shotgun has a pretty hefty kick.

In order to fire it,
you must place the stock

against your shoulder
to stop the kick.

Would you agree
with that, Dr. Coffelt?

Yes.

Oh, my, my.

Seems we have an issue.

Can you explain,
doctor--

I mean, barring
his ability to fly,

can you explain
how any human being

could be shouldering
a shotgun

with his hand
on the trigger

when it was fired
at this angle?

Thank you very much,
Dr. Coffelt.

Can I do anything
for you before I go?

Tell me how to make it
through the night.

Precious, tonight when
the devil comes in

creeping with
his deep, dark thoughts,

ask god
"what is the lesson?

What am I to learn?"

Be still,
and know that he is god.

Listen.

Listen.

Oh, I like that.

Be still,
and listen.

Yeah, but, Cynthia...

What if I say
I can't do this?

It don't matter a bit.

God says you can.

Tell US your name,
please.

Ernesto morales.

Where are you from?

Mexico.

And how long have you
been in this country?

Like, 12 years.

And why did you come
to this country?

To help my family
and my parents.

When you came to this country,
did you learn a trade?

Yes.

And what trade is that?

Drywall.

And do you have a crew?

Yes.

- And who is on that crew?
- Jose lerma

and, uh,
Juan Carlos reymundo.

And Mr. Reymundo,

is he the man
who was murdered?

- I object, your honor.
- Sustained.

My apologies,
your honor.

I will rephrase.

Juan Carlos reymundo,

is he the man
who was killed

on February 29, 2008?

Yes.

- Were you related to him?
- Yes.

And are you related
to Mr. Lerma?

Yes. He's my cousin, too.

Now, Mr. Morales,

were you and
your two cousins

working on a house
on old betts road

owned by Jason veitch,
on February 29, 2008?

Yes.

And what time did you
finish work on that day?

About 10:00 at night.

And what did
you do then?

Go to a store and buy lunch.

And why is it that
you went to the store

to buy your lunch

instead of
returning home?

Because we wanted
to stay on the job.

Where did you go to get
something to eat?

To a Walmart.

And when you returned
to the work site,

what did
the three of you do?

We saw a car coming.

And where did
this vehicle go?

Parked behind US.

What did you
see or hear?

I heard when he shot his gun,

and he started yelling for US
to get out of the Van.

And was this
the same man

who had pulled up in the vehicle behind you?

No. He was coming
from another direction.

What happened next?

Lay on the ground.

And was the man
with the gun

who ordered you
to get out of the Van,

to get on the ground

the defendant
here on trial?

Yes.

Were you afraid?

Yes.

Then what happened?

I heard a shot.

Was anybody shot?

Juan Carlos.

When Juan Carlos
reymundo was shot,

did he say
anything to you?

"Cousin."

After your cousin
was shot,

what did you
say or do?

I'm asking, "please help.

Please call 911,
call the police."

What, if anything,
did the defendant say or do?

Told US to shut up,
not to look at him.

Had you tried to move before Juan Carlos was shot?

No.

- Had Juan Carlos tried to move?
- No.

Did someone
pick up Juan Carlos?

The man
with the flashlight.

And how did that man

get Juan Carlos
to his truck?

Just pick him up from behind
and, like, dragged him.

Mr. Morales,

I know that this is
very difficult for you.

I'm going to be
as easy as I can.

Will you answer
some questions for me?

On the evening
of February 29, 2008,

I believe you said that you stopped working around 10:00 that night.

Yes.

And then, well,

help me out
a little bit.

You were questioned
by the sheriffs?

Yes.

And you were
in a little room,

and they were
videotaping it.

Did you know that they were videotaping you?

Yes.

And did you tell

the sheriff's deputy
at that time

that you had left
around 8:00 or 8:30

to go get
something to eat?

No.

So you told them on the videotape that it was 10:00?

Yes.

Mr. Morales,
when you returned

from eating
at the Walmart

on the night
of February 29,

didn't you turn off
Gideon road

and go all the way
down old betts road,

going by
the construction site?

No.

Did you not then
turn your vehicle around

and go back down
old betts road,

passing by the house
a second time?

No.

So you drove
directly to the house?

- Yes.
- Mr. Morales,

when you gave
your recorded statement,

did you tell the officer

that you had forgotten
where it was

and that you turned
the wrong way?

I did not say that.

I'm going to play
a portion

of your statement
for you.

If we can
turn down the lights.

We leave, like,
8:00 or 8:30,

get something
to eat.

- And where did you go to eat?
- Arby's.

When you came back
to the house after eating,

did you come
directly to the house?

No. We--we drive
around and around.

Mr. Morales,
why did you do that?

Because we were
talking a lot,

and, uh, like,
it's real dark,

so we have trouble seeing,
so we drive too far

and go up to where
you can turn around,

and then we
come back real slow,

but we still
don't find the house.

So what do you do
when you can't find

the house
on old betts road?

We turn around
again,

and, uh,
we--we pull over.

That's where we
turned off the Van.

What'd you do after you
turn off the engine?

We turn off the lights,
and we try to sleep.

And you
go to sleep there?

No,
because in a second,

we--we can see better,
and, uh,

we--we start
the Van again,

and we go to the house.

Oh, so you couldn't
find the house

- because it was dark?
- Yes.

Are you aware
that many, many things

you are
telling US today

are completely different

from what
you told the police

on your
videotaped interview?

Yes. I--i remember
some things.

It's so long ago.

I can't remember everything,
just some things.

No further questions,
your honor.

Do you have
another witness to call?

I do, your honor.

I call bill flourney.

And what is
your name, sir?

Billy flourney.

And you live
in Crockett county?

Yes, ma'am.

All your life?

All my life.

And are you related

to the defendant,
Jason veitch?

I'm his father-in-law.

Do you work
for your son-in-law?

Yes, ma'am,
for almost eight years now.

And what kind of work
do you do for him?

Well, I'm sort of like
a handyman on his houses.

And were you aware
that these houses

were hit
by copper thieves

about this time
last year?

Yes, ma'am.

How did
Jason veitch react

when his houses were hit by these copper thieves?

Well, ma'am,

he didn't like it.

Let me say this

in a language
you can understand.

Did he express
a reaction?

Every time one got hit,

he had to have
the stuff replaced,

and it was costing him
a good bit of money.

Did you know
he was going out

to old betts road
on February 29?

Yeah, he--

and what was he intending to do out there?

He just said
he was going to go out

and see if he could help the law catch who's been stealing.

On February 29,
did you talk to him on the phone?

Yeah. It was, you know,
during the night.

It was--you know,
it was after midnight.

And when he called you after midnight,
what did he say?

He said he was being robbed
out on lot number three,

and I asked him, I said,
"have you called the law?"

And he said yes.

And I asked him,

"do you want me
to come over there?"

And he said yes.

And so when you got to Gideon and old betts road,

what did you see?

All I saw
was a white Van.

Did you approach
the Van?

I pulled up
sort of close to the Van.

And went up
to the driver's door?

- Right.
- And you had a flashlight.

Right.

And what did you do
with the flashlight?

Started shining it
at the Van.

What happened next?

Wasn't long
before I heard a shot

over in them woods
to the left there.

And after you heard the gun go off,
then what happened?

Okay, it seemed
just a few seconds.

I saw Jason walk up.

And what was he doing
when you first saw him?

He had his gun,
and it was aimed up high.

Did he say anything?

He come up, like I say,

at the Van, and he started

to order them
out of the Van.

Then what happened?

After some time,

they started coming
out of the Van.

How many came
out of the Van?

- Two.
- And what happens

when the two men
came out of the Van?

Things started
to get tense,

'cause we could hear somebody
rustling around in the Van,

and they
wouldn't come out.

So when these
two guys got out,

did they make an aggressive action toward you?

No.

Did they make
an aggressive action

towards
your son-in-law?

Not that I can recall.

Were you in fear
for your safety

because of
these two guys?

- Yes. Yes.
- And why is that?

Just the fact that
I didn't know who they was

out there in the middle
of the night.

I didn't know
if they had weapons.

Did you see any weapons?

No, but I could tell
there was more inside.

Did he eventually
come out?

Yes. He wasn't as calm
as the other two.

Did he make an aggressive action toward you?

He--he was,
like, looking around,

like, you know,
he wanted to do something.

So you were in fear
of this unarmed man

because he
was looking around.

And the first two men,
were they on the ground?

At some point, yeah.

Did the third one
get on the ground?

He would--
he would get down,

and then he would
get back up and,

you know, look around
and stuff like that.

What happened next?

Well,

he was gonna get up
at one point there,

and Jason pushed him down easy with his foot there on his shoulder.

When he pushed the guy
down on the ground

with his foot,
what happened next?

This guy--everybody was
trying to get him

to put his hands
behind his back,

and he wouldn't do it.

So I walked up to him,
and I tapped him on the hand

to try to make
him understand

that you need to put
your hands behind your back.

What happened after you
hit him on the hand?

I'd about
done decided this guy

wasn't going to put
his hands behind his back,

so I started back towards my truck to get some rope.

What happened next?

And you said everybody was in shock, right?

Yes.

Did Jason appear
to be in shock?

Yes.

Is there any question
in your mind

that this shooting might
have been intentional?

No, sir.

It was not intentional.

I can tell you that.

And you've known Jason
for how long?

I've known him
about nine years.

Is he a hothead?

No.

- Does he get angry?
- No.

Have you ever seen him
raise his voice?

Never.

Ever heard him
use a curse word?

- Not ever.
- Ever been in trouble?

- Not ever.
- Is he a vigilante type

that wants to go out and get revenge on somebody

- for taking his property?
- No.

When he asked you,
"what do I do now?"

You said, "Jason,
just tell the truth."

"Just tell the truth."

Has he always
told the truth

about how this happened?

Yes.

And has he always said
the same thing?

Yes.

It's always been
what you described?

Always the truth.

Thank you, Mr. Flourney.

Larry, I want to go
see Jason tonight.

All righty.

This could be
his last night.

Could be.

What if they
finish up tomorrow

and the verdict comes in

and it's
his last night at home?

Mm-hmm.

Well, they won't let US
talk to him in court.

Am I supposed to give up
his last night, too?

I know.

I can't take
his last night, can I?

If this is his last night of freedom...

He needs to spend it

with Stephanie and jj,
doesn't he?

Hmm.

And I have to give him that,
don't I?

Hmm.

Thank you.

You're right.

Thank you for talking me
out of that.

Yep.

You always know
what to say.

Mr. Kane says
the most dangerous thing

I can do
is to take the stand.

That's what he says.

Yeah, but then he says
I have to take the stand

if I'm gonna have even
a chance of acquittal.

Yes, Jason.

So which one
am I supposed to do?

Don't you
believe god knows

whether you should take
the stand or not?

I do.

Think he'll let me know?

I'm still in jail.

I'm trapped.

Steph, I'm just lost.

My daddy says just because you don't know where you are,

doesn't mean you're lost.

Honey, I have no idea
what you mean by that.

I don't either.

Jason, when you
mentioned the bad points

about using deer cameras
to deputy book,

what did he say?

Well, he said,
"why don't you just hire

"a group of teenage guys
to come out here

and, when they come to steal the copper,
just beat 'em up?"

So, Jason,

armed with your gun
for protection

and your cellphone
for communication

and a flashlight,
you seated yourself

on a plastic bucket
in the woods

and started to watch

around 10:30
Friday night.

Yes, sir.

How do you know
it was around that time?

Well, I called my mom
as soon as I got out there,

and that was 10:24.

And how do you know
it was exactly 10:24?

From my cellphone records.

Now, did you have any other incoming or outgoing calls?

A few.

I called Stephanie
a couple times and Billy,

but mostly I just waited.

What was it like
out there, Jason?

It was very dark,
very quiet

till I saw a car coming off in the distance sometime after midnight.

Okay.
Tell US about that.

It came from Gideon road,

passed on old betts road,
and disappeared.

It'd come back,
passed me a second time.

Then I saw it start
back toward me again.

I was shaking.

I was just hoping
it'd keep on going,

but this time,
it pulled over to the side of the road

and cut the lights
and engine.

It just sat there.

Then it crunk back up,
and the lights come back on,

and then it went
real slow past the drive,

and it turned around
in the road

and pulled right
into the gravel drive,

and when it did,
the light shone right on me.

I just--i just dove
into the woods.

When I dove into those bushes,
I was scared,

just scared to death.

Crockett county
911 operator 712.

What is your emergency?

Yes.
Gideon road and old betts road in ridgetop.

Sir?

Gideon road and old betts road in ridgetop.

What is your address?

It's a new house.

I'm hiding
in the woods.

I'm being robbed.

Stay on the line, sir.
I'm transferring you.

Sheriff's office.

I have a caller
for you.

He says he's
at Gideon road

and old betts road
in ridgetop.

He's hiding in the woods,
and he's being robbed.

Sir, what's your address?

It's
a brand-new house.

I don't have that address.
I can't talk.

And it's
being robbed?

What's your name?

I can't talk.

Oh, okay. Okay.

How are we going
to find you?

I gotta hang up.

Don't call me back.

Okay. Okay.

You can hang up now.

Hello.

Billy, it's Jason.
They're here.

Hello?

Jason. Jason.

- Jason?
- Billy, they're here.

They're out here right now.
I'm being robbed.

Did you
call the law?

Billy, I can't talk.
Listen.

I'm hiding in the woods.

I don't know
if they can see me.

I called 911.

You want me
to come on out there?

Lot three.
Police said they'd have

somebody patrolling
the area all night.

He should be here
any second now.

You come when you can.
I'm gonna hang up now.

Don't call back.

Where's the police?

Where are they?

No. Lord, please no.

Billy.

Billy,
please stay back.

All right, now,

y'all come on out.

Police are on their way,
and I got a gun!

Y'all need to step out
of there right now!

Come on. Get out.

Come on out now!

Put your hands up now.

- Put your hands up now.
- Come on!

Put your hands
up now!

- Come on. Over by...
- Ven. Ven. Ven.

Come on. Over there.

Y'all lay down
on the ground now.

There's more in there.

Put your hands
behind your back.

- Behind your back.
- I can hear you in there.

- Come on out now.
- Down on the ground. Come on. Down.

Behind your back.

Come on.

Hey, ¿que es esto?

No, no, no, no, no, no, no!

No, no, no, no!

Over here!
Over here, buddy!

- ¿Pero que es esto?
- Get down!

¿Quienes son
este gente?

- Tranquilo.
- No, no, no, no.

No me toque!

Tranquilo.

- No me toque!
- Billy, get back.

No me toque!
No me toque!

Lay down on the ground.

- No trouble.
- ¿que es esto?

¿Que es esto?

Get down!

Get down! All right?

No, no, no.

Down! Stay down!

Oh, god!

No!

Why?!

Oh, my god!

I didn't mean
to do that.

Jason,
just tell the truth.

Mi primo! No!

- Just tell the truth, Jason.
- Call 911!

Señor, por favor!

- Please! We don't have anything...
- Right.

Crockett county 911,
operator 4348.

- What is your emergency?
- Señor!

- Por favor!
- Send an ambu--

send an ambulance
to the corner

of Gideon road and old betts road in ridgetop.

Someone's been shot.

Everything was kind of--

I was--

they told me apply
some pressure to the wound,

so that's what
I was trying to do.

Okay.
Did the ambulance come?

No, sir.

What did you do, Jason?

Well, Billy said,
"we need to get this man to the hospital,"

and I said,
"you're right,"

so we picked him up
and put him in Billy's truck.

How did you pick him up?

One arm was around Billy,
and one arm was around me.

We just
walked him over there.

- You didn't drag him, or--
- no, sir. No.

We picked him up and
carried him the whole way.

Weren't you concerned about getting his blood on you?

I wanted Mr. Reymundo
to live.

I'm sorry?

I wasn't
worried about blood.

I just wanted him to live.

Isn't it true that the single thing on your mind

was that if anybody tried to Rob any of your houses,

they weren't gonna
get away with it?

Isn't that true?

No, ma'am.
That's not true.

All I wanted was for the police to catch whoever was doing this.

You ignored
deputy book's advice

when he told you,

if you saw anybody
out there, to call 911.

No, ma'am. I called 911
just like deputy book said,

but he didn't have any officers in the area like he told me he would.

I never would have come out had my father-in-law not drove up.

He told you not to confront these people,
didn't he?

No, ma'am. He did not.

Deputy book told me the only way I was gonna catch 'em

was to catch 'em myself.

So when he testified
that he told you

that if you saw
anybody out there,

you were to call 911 and
not to confront them,

he wasn't
telling the truth?

Yes, ma'am.
That's correct.

So you're
saying he lied?

Yes, he lied.

But the truth
of the matter is

you went out there
to catch somebody.

Ma'am, that's not true.
I went out

to watch and to wait
and to call the police,

and that's
exactly what I did.

No intention of approaching them,
confronting them,

making a citizen's arrest,
or shooting them?

- No, ma'am.
- Then why, Mr. Veitch,

did you bring this?

I didn't know what would happen if I was discovered.

I just wanted to be prepared
and protect myself.

You testified that you
came out of the woods

because you feared for your father-in-law's safety.

- Isn't that true?
- Yes, ma'am. That's correct.

He was safe enough at home in his bed,
wasn't he?

- Yes, ma'am.
- And you're the reason

that he was out there,
Mr. Veitch, isn't that true?

- Yes, ma'am.
- You put him in harm's way.

You are the one
who caused this danger.

Ms. Pitt, I wasn't
the only one there.

Mr.
Veitch, you understand that you are here

because the grand jury
of this county

has indicted you
on five counts?

I understand that.

And you understand
that you are charged

with unlawfully
killing a young man?

I understand the charges.

What was his name?

Mr. Reymundo.

What was his full name?

Juan Carlos reymundo.

So you admit
that you killed him?

No. I don't admit
I killed a man.

I accidentally shot a man.

You killed him,
didn't you?

I didn't mean to kill
Mr. Reymundo.

Answer the question!
You killed him, didn't you?!

- He's dead because of me.
- And he is dead

because you shot him
with a shotgun.

I accidentally killed him
with that gun, yes, ma'am.

Nobody else put this shotgun on his back,
did they?

No, ma'am, they did not.

And you pulled
the trigger, didn't you?

Mr. Reymundo
was getting up.

I thought he was gonna
pull a gun or a knife.

I was scared to death.

But I know this
for sure, Ms. Pitt.

I didn't pick that gun up
and aim it at Mr. Reymundo,

put it on my shoulder,
and pull that trigger.

No, ma'am.
I didn't do that.

The shot that killed him

was after you
kicked him, wasn't it?

I didn't kick
Mr. Reymundo.

I used my foot
to push him back down.

You pushed him to the ground with your foot?

Yes, ma'am.
That's correct.

Why did you omit that from your direct testimony?

What direct testimony,
Ms. Pitt?

The direct testimony

we just had
a few minutes ago.

You didn't say
a word about that.

But Mr. Kane
didn't ask me about that.

So you lied to this court,
didn't you, Mr. Veitch?

When? No. I--

which is it,
Mr. Veitch?

Did you push him
to the ground,

or did you lie
to this court?

I--i don't--

when you killed
Mr. Reymundo--

your honor,
I object to the form of the question.

He's already answered the business of killed.

- His hands were in plain view.
- I asked her to rephrase it,

and the court instructed her to do so.

Sustained.

Mrs. Pitt,
I want to clarify

that the gun did
accidentally go off.

You did not give
all the details

to the police officer at the scene of the shooting.

We didn't go into all the specific details at the time.

I just answered the questions that he asked me.

You told him what you wanted him to know,
didn't you?

I told him that I
accidentally shot a man.

That was
the most important thing to me,

was that I accidentally
shot a man.

Because that's what
you wanted him to hear.

Because that's the truth.

Honey,
what you looking at?

It's that juror,
the one I told you about.

Larry, he scares me.

An innocent young man
is dead.

Juan Carlos reymundo
is dead,

and the defendant
killed him.

No question, he killed him.

We are here to determine
if that's okay with you,

if that's okay with you,

the designated spokespersons
for Crockett county.

We are here to determine

the guilt or innocence
of Jason veitch,

and you have heard
his testimony,

the defendant who had
an excuse for everything,

takes responsibility
for nothing.

You've heard the facts.

You know the defendant
was angry.

As much as he
tried to minimize that,

you know he was angry.

He lost a lot of money.

He chose to go out there.

He chose to go out there
with a loaded gun.

And despite the fact
that the law is on the way

and these guys
aren't going anywhere,

he cannot restrain himself

from taking justice
into his own hands.

He became the aggressor.

He fired a shot
to scare the people,

to intimidate them,

forcing them
to lie on the ground,

gun pointed at them
the whole time.

What he did to these three men
was aggravated assault,

and what he did to Mr. Reymundo
is felony murder.

Ladies and gentlemen,

you cannot create a situation
by your own conduct

and then claim,
"oh, because of this situation,

I was forced to do
something bad to someone."

You cannot put the forces
in motion that create the danger

and then claim the danger
as your defense.

Juan Carlos reymundo is dead,

and Jason veitch killed him.

And I ask you,
I implore you,

to not lose sight
of that reality

as you deliberate.

On a dark Georgia night

in February, 2008,

two lives were
accidentally destroyed.

You cannot return

Juan Carlos reymundo
to his family.

You cannot
return Jason veitch

to the life he knew
before this tragic accident.

But you can send Jason home.

Jason went out
to his property

on the night of February 29

to help the police catch

whoever was stealing
from his property.

He had done everything else
he could do.

Heh.

He put up a sign that said,

"smile. You're on camera."

He put a vehicle
on the site

hoping that the burglars
would think it was occupied.

He filed a report

every single time
his houses got hit,

and they got hit 17 times.

17 times.

He had done everything
that he could do,

and a young sheriff's deputy

with a long history

of poor conduct
and unprofessional behavior

flippantly
gave him bad advice.

Jason went out there
to his property

not because he was
a vigilante or a Rambo,

as the state
wants you to believe,

but he--he was just simply
protecting his property...

And he reacted to a situation
that transpired

because he was
simply scared to death.

There's a law in this state

called the stand
your ground law.

It used to be that even
if you were in your home

and somebody just
broke in there with a gun,

you had the duty to retreat.

No more.

The Georgia legislature has said
you don't have to retreat.

You can stand your ground,
and that's what Jason did.

He stood his ground.

Now, it seems to me

that the law was never designed

to give you protection
on the one hand

and rip it out with the other.

The law was not designed
to allow you to defend yourself,

but if you do, it's a crime.

Now, the prosecutor,
she wants you to believe

that these acts were done
by an enraged man

who just wanted
to shoot somebody.

I want you to see
Jason veitch for who he is.

He is a good man...

Who was put
in an impossible situation

and did the best he could.

He's a good man.

And though he never
intended to do harm,

he knows somebody died
as a result of what he did.

He knows that every time
he looks at the mirror.

He knows that
every time he looks

at his seven-year-old son.

He will never get over that.

The state has an opportunity to close closing arguments.

Does the state
wish to proceed?

Please, your honor.

You may do so.

A young man is dead,

and it was all so unnecessary.

Juan Carlos reymundo can
no longer speak for himself.

He can no longer
ask for justice

for himself
or his grieving family...

So I ask for him.

Right here, right now,

let's show the world
what Georgia justice means.

You are duty-bound
to apply the law here.

It's more than that.

You have a sworn obligation
to Juan Carlos,

an oath
that you made to god.

God, I pray for bojangles and my teacher,

and I pray that I don't have to go to school tomorrow.

Amen.

Jj,

honey, why don't you want to go to school tomorrow?

Will daddy
pick me up after school?

Probably.

Maybe.

We might be getting some big news for daddy tomorrow.

Tomorrow is a big day.

Mommy, me and daddy
need to talk.

What you want
to talk about, big man?

They're gonna tell you
about jail tomorrow.

Yeah.

We think tomorrow will
be the day we find out.

Are you scared?

Mm-hmm.

Are you?

Yeah,

but just a little bit.

I talked
to Jesus about it.

He told me
that he goes to jail, too,

so you won't be alone.

There's something
I'm supposed to do,

just in case.

What's that?

You eat any lunch?

I got a breakfast bar
in here somewhere.

One way or another,

we're gonna
find out today.

Will you eat it
if I find it?

Kane says there's no way
those 12 jurors

could agree
on all those charges.

Why don't we
walk around?

He doesn't think Jason's
coming home with US today.

Come on, cuz.

Let's go see if the sky
has cleared up any.

Jackie, don't.

There are 12 people
back there

deciding what is
gonna happen to my son.

What can I do?

I am going
to pray for him

and for them
and for US right here.

Debbie,
you can join me,

or you can leave.

Dear lord, help US now.

Whatever is being
decided in that room,

take care of my son.

Take care
of my little bird.

Give him protection
under your wings.

"For he will give
his angels charge over thee

to protect thee
in all thy ways."

Thank you, lord,

for your protection
in the dark night

and for the joy
that comes in the morning.

Thank you, father,

for helping our brother,

for helping my brother.

It's time.

Ladies and gentlemen,

let me remind you

that this is a matter
that requires utmost dignity.

As I said before,
a young man has perished,

and another's life
is in the balance.

There will be no cause
for outward disagreement

or celebration
no matter what this verdict is.

Has the jury
reached a verdict?

Oh, lord, not him.

We have, your honor.

Please hand the verdict form to the bailiff.

Will the defendant
please rise?

"The state of Georgia
vs. Richard Jason veitch.

We the jury
find the defendant..."

"Not guilty
of felony murder."

"1b, we the jury
find the defendant

"not guilty
of involuntary manslaughter

"as a result
of pointing a gun.

"C, we the jury find
the defendant

"not guilty
of involuntary manslaughter

"as a result
of reckless conduct.

"D, we the jury
find the defendant

"not guilty as a result
of simple battery.

"E, we the jury
find the defendant

"not guilty
of involuntary manslaughter

during the commission
of a lawful act."

So says the jury.

Ladies and gentlemen,
it's been a long journey.

Let's go home.

Not a day goes by

that I don't think
about her and her family.

Not a day goes by
that I don't pray for them,

And I have learned to listen...

And I take him at his word.

* I could
not have known *

* how it all would end

* how they would accuse

* and how you would defend

* father, through it all

* you told me to believe

* wrongs would be made right

* the captive would go free

* so I trusted you

* like a child would do

* I took you at your word

* every word you've said

* every promise made

* and every verse I read

* the truth would soon prevail

* justice would be served

* and love would never fail

* I took you at your word

* when you said,
"take up your cross *

* walk into this war"

* my heart began to waver

* and I cried out
to you, lord *

* my refuge and my fortress

* my deliverer, my friend

* your child
is needing rescue *

* come and
prove yourself again *

* and I trusted you

* like a child would do

* I took you at your word

* every word you've said

* every promise made

* and every verse I read

* truth would soon prevail

* justice would be served

* love would never fail

* I took you at your word

* you will
know the truth *

* and the truth'll
set you free *

* it will set you free

* you will know
the truth *

* and the truth'll
set you free *

* and who the son has freed
is free indeed *

* I took you at your word

* every word you've said

* every promise made

* and every verse I read

* the truth
would soon prevail *

* justice would be served

* and love
would never fail *

* I took you at your word

* I took you
at your word *

* your word

* every word
you said *

* I took you at your word

* every promise made

* and every verse I read

* took you at your word

* took you
at your word *

- * ohh
- * every word you said

- * took you at your word
- * every promise made