Woman Undone (1996) - full transcript

Terri Hansen is discovered in the desert beside the blackened husk of her car which contains the charred corpse of her husband. When forensic evidence makes her out to be her husband's murderer, she quietly protests her innocence, but makes no effort to mount a defense. Terri doesn't expect to be believed. Was it self-defense or murder? While Terri acts strangely indifferent to her own fate, her attorney tries to reconstruct what happened. The moral ambiguity and the unfathomable mysteries of the human heart are just the sort of thing her attorney had hoped to leave behind him when he left big city law. In flashback, we see Terri's story.

(Low, ominous hum)
(Whispering voices)

(Whispering voices
continuing)

(Low, ominous hum)
Hey!

There's nothing to do.

Come on down.

You were a long way out.

We got lost.

You just sit there.

I'll get someone.

(Gasps)
(Panting)

Go ahead and cry, honey.



You've got every reason
in the world.

Aaahhh!

(Flies buzzing)
You got the body bag?

Just unroll it right here.

You're gonna have to help,
and I don't believe

we're gonna get him out
all in one piece.

It has to be done.

Hold that a second.

So your husband was driving.

Yes.

Can you give me his
full name, please?

Allan Mark Hansen.

Just the two of you?

In the car?



Yes.

We have a daughter, Miranda.

And... and where is she?

She's...

She's in...

In Florida,
with Allan's mother.

She's fine.

Safe.

Do you mean
you've called her?

No. I just know she is.

The sooner you tell her
about her father,

the better.

Now, uh, Nina wants you
to stay here for a while

and... and rest.

But I'll come back later
and, um...

We'll... we'll find a place
for you to stay,

okay?

You can call me.

Do you have a family
attorney?

No.

We just moved to Los Angeles
a few months ago.

I could recommend a couple
of local folks, if you like.

Not now. Not today.

You've brought Allan back?

Yes.

Yes, we did.

Male vocalist on radio:
♪ no! ♪

♪ I don't need no ♪
♪ stretch limo ♪

Allan: This is it!

Terri: Wow! It's really
tucked away up here!

Miranda: Can we get a dog?

Allan: Sure, but you have
to take care of it.

Miranda: I will, I will!

(Allan chuckles)
(Doorbell rings

insistently)
Well, here we are!

The hansens find themselves
in sunny California!

Wow!

(Allan chuckles)
(Indistinct happy comment)

I don't think we should put
new chairs or stuff in.

Let's just make it all
a big, soft room, so we can

lie around wherever we want.

I'd miss the old couch,
wouldn't you?

I don't know.

(Happy gasp) Oh, my god!

Oh... wow.

How does it feel?

Wonderful.

I'm glad we're here.

Come on, let's go take a look.

First day in our new house.

(Terri laughs)
Look at all the cars!

Look over there. I know...
all that traffic.

Oh, this is nice!

(Male vocalist singing
on radio)

Okay, honey, time for
the old snooze-a-rama.

(Shuts radio off)
This is just like camping,

huh?

Mm-hmm.

This is where everyone's
happy, right?

That's right.

Now, get some sleep.

You want the door open
or closed?

Half open.

(Chuckles) Okay.

Good night.

(Snoring)
(Distant sirens wail)

Allan: Oh, no.

(Sighs softly)
Just once.

No, I'm not...
I don't feel like it.

(Indistinct response)
(Indistinct sharp comment)

Allan.

(Gasping)
Allan.

(Grunting) Yeah?

(Allan sighs)
Can't sleep?

You know how I am.

Takes a few days to settle in.

Want me to sit up with you?

You don't have to.

You'll tell me if you don't
think things are working out,

won't you?

That's not what I was
thinking about.

I want US to be happy.

I really do.

Are you sorry we're here?

Do you miss him?

Allan, it was nothing.

I want you back.

Tell me what to do.

(Telephone rings)
Hello?

Hi, it's me.

Hi.

Are you all right?

I'm all right.

I had to be sure, you know?

I mean, Allan was really
out of control over this...

going after me
right in the office,

smashing that window.

Mom, look!

Someone there?

Yes.

Don't stay with him
just for Miranda's sake,

or because you feel guilty.

You don't understand.

That you love him?

Yes, I do.

That you're afraid to let go?

Thanks for calling.

Be careful, Terri.

Offer me a drink, buddy.

You came a long ways
if all you want's a drink.

(Mac laughs)
Go on up to the house.

Okay.

She said it was her
husband in the car,

but we'll run the dental charts
and find out.

He burned up right where he sat.

You sound suspicious.

Fourteen miles from
the nearest paved road

in a station wagon?

Not exactly an all-terrain
vehicle.

Well, you think she's
guilty of something?

I didn't say that,
but she needs a lawyer,

and in this town,
that's you or Burt.

So give ol' Burt a call.

Burt's an asshole.

I'd like to think
I'm helping this woman.

I've got more than enough
to do right here, Mac.

The simple life,
you know what I mean?

No, I don't.

I can't help you
with this, Mac.

So, just how long
are you gonna keep

the law practice on hold?

Till I find something
better to do.

It's kinda lonely
around here.

I was married eight years.

I got used to being lonely.

I like it.

You've got a chance
to do some good here.

This woman is spooked,
and I mean real spooked.

I put her in the eldorado.

It wouldn't kill you
to give her a call.

(Rain falling)
Mrs. Hansen?

Ross bishop.

Thank you for coming.

You're welcome.

Hope I can be of some help.

Please have a seat.

Thank you.

I assume you have
contacted your family.

Allan's family.

My parents are both gone.

Several years ago.

If you like, I could outline
what has to be done.

Whatever.

Just some advice.

Nothing binding
on either one of US.

All right.

Sheriff mccord said
you were lost

at the time of the accident.

We kept driving and driving,
and then we hit something,

a broken place,
and Allan couldn't...

couldn't what?

He lost control.

And then the car crashed,
and it started on fire,

and I tried to get him out,
but it was impossible.

It was dark when it happened?

He kept turning onto
these little roads,

thinking that we could always
find our way back,

but really,
we didn't know where we were.

You've never been
to the desert before?

We've only been in California
a few months.

We came out here from Michigan.

Why'd you move?

Allan's company
offered him a transfer.

There was a lot of work out here
after the earthquake.

He's a structural engineer.

He did towne centre
in Ann arbor.

That's a long way from here.

Do you know if he left a will?

Yes, he did.

Is there anything in this
that would make anyone doubt

it was an accident?

No.

It just happened.

How'd it go?

Well, she told me
the same thing she told you.

They were on their way
to the inn, got lost,

ran the car into the ditch,
and it burned up.

And she was the only one
that saw the accident?

She was the only one
who saw the accident.

So, do you have a client?

She didn't ask,
and I didn't offer.

What are you afraid of?

I'm afraid of sheriffs
who recommend clients.

You've got a suspicious
mind, my friend.

Bye-bye.

See ya.

So you found the body
in the car.

Yeah, I found him in it,
and I took him out of it.

Geez.

Need a ride out?

I'm staying in town
for a few days.

It's too dark out there.

Gets into your head.

Yeah. Okay, trim.

(Distant thunder rumbles)
Hi, folks.

What are you looking for?

Something for my wife.

Sport or a defense?

Home protection,
that kind of thing.

We're just looking.

This is a good,
basic revolver, easy to use.

All you have to do is point
and squeeze the trigger.

Easy. Simple.

It's a favorite with the ladies.

It's light. Nominal kick.

See how it feels in the hand.

> How mush is it?

Four fifty-nine plus tax.

It's too much.

Just try it.

It's too much.

Just try it anyway.

I don't like it.

We have something similar
in a lower price range.

No.

Terri.

No.

Look, I wouldn't even care
if you never even

loaded the thing.

It's the principle of it.

The principle of it?

I thought you wanted it
for my protection.

It is. But I don't know why
you can't see the reality here.

I mean, just look around.

Allan, stop being so afraid.

I'm not afraid, Terri.

I'm worried.

I worry all the time
about you and Miranda.

You don't seem to realize that
every goddamn hopeless

nut case in the world
ends up here.

Well, then, maybe we
shouldn't be here.

Terri: Okay, let's go.

Miranda: Ohh.

Terri: Ohh!

Miranda: Ohh!

These buildings,
damaged in January's quake,

were further weakened
by yesterday's aftershock,

and city engineers
have decided on immediate...

(TV shuts off)
All right, Matt.

Keep your eyes open.

Go down, turn around,
and come back.

(Door opens)
You went swimming.

Yes. I had to get out.

There's a public pool
a few blocks from here.

Felt wonderful.

By yourself.

Yes, by myself.

Miranda didn't want to go?

No, she went over
to Jennifer's. How was your day?

Nothing to complain
about, I guess. (Chuckles)

I'll get used to the feel-good
types sooner or later.

I'll go change, get dinner.

It's registered in your name.

You can do whatever you want.

I don't want it.

Terri, think.

I don't want to think.

I am afraid of it.

You didn't even hear me
come in.

Then what good would it
have done me?

That's not my point.

My point is,
you haven't even considered it.

I have considered it.

You have forced me
to consider it.

You just don't get it,
do you?

I am trying
to protect you, Terri.

Someone has to.

Stop it, Allan.

I do not want that gun
in this house.

I hope you know
what you're doing.

(Country/western music
playing on jukebox)

So, Mrs. Hansen,
we need to decide

whether I'm going to
represent you or not.

Well, I guess I just assumed
that you would.

Okay.

Let me be straight with you...
I have to know the truth,

otherwise I can't help you.

Not that you haven't
been telling the truth.

I understand.

You don't know me at all.

I just... want to...

Get this settled and...

Get back to our lives,
me and Miranda.

Tell me about your marriage.

We weren't very happy.

That's part of why we came
out here... we thought that

the change would do US good.

It was a mistake.

Moving to California?

Thinking it would help.

We didn't...

(Stammering) I-I didn't...

I'm sorry.

I keep having this sensation
that when this is over,

Allan and I will sit down
and... get things

straightened out.

Chet Willis,
Allan's stepdad.

Ross bishop.

This is my wife, enid,
Allan's mother.

My sympathies, Mrs. Willis.

Thank you.

If you'd like to pick up
a rental car, you can follow me

back to town.

'Ppreciate it.

She should try to get
something in her stomach.

I don't think she's hungry.

You want to try, sweetie?

If you want.

I think she should.

Come on, sweetie,
let's hit the coffee shop.

When Allan's father died,
it was hard.

This is a lot harder.

(Heavy sigh)
To lose a child is...

I did what I could.

I want you to know that.

He really loved you.

I know that.

He was only 9
when his father died.

After that, he...

Just...

Was always afraid.

Afraid of losing things and...

Things getting away from him.

But he always said
that he would take care of you.

He always did.

But now we can't...

(Weeping) We can't
take care of him.

(Wind howling)
You're going up and down

These lanes like something's
chasing after you.

It's just some exercise.

Uh-huh.

Must do a couple of miles
a day.

No, nothing like that.

My name's Jim.

Hi.

What's your name?

Terri.

Well, you look good, Terri.

Thanks.

What are you, about 30?

Oh, come on.

"Oh, come on," what?

I just want to know
a little something about you.

I see you around here a lot.

Why don't you ask me
something else?

You worried about your age?

I'm worried about how
you make friends.

Well, Terri, have you read
any good books lately?

(Laughing) No.

(Laughing) Me neither.

I don't read very much.

I just don't want you to think
I'm stupid.

Well, maybe I'm stupid too.

Well, if you were,
how would you know?

Why don't you ask me
about my husband?

Ask what?

I'm 36.

You look good, Terri.

Look at you!

It's so weird out here.

It's kind of pretty in a way,
the light on the rocks,

the sky. Look who it is.

Chuck said there used to be
Indians behind every rock.

I haven't seen one yet.

Chuck said you'd never know.

They melt right into
the landscape.

What?

Your eyes.

They're just like the sky.

Why did you come here?

We wanted to see
what it was like.

Grandma and grandpa
are gonna take you home.

When are you coming?

I have a few things
to get settled. I'll be home

in a couple of days.

What are we gonna do, mommy?

We're gonna have a...

Funeral for daddy...

Then we're going to remember him
and... how good he was to US.

I love her.

She's a cutie.

I think I'll name her
blondie.

She looks like a blondie
to me.

Think mom'll like her?

Yeah, she'll like her.

Happy birthday, sweetheart.

Thank you.

Now, you stay here.

I'm going to go
get your mother.

Okay.

Have you always
wanted to be married?

All my life.

Really? No.

So, Terri with an "i," huh?

(Indistinct response)
Could be worse.

(Terri laughs)
Where's mom?

She'll be out later.

What are you doing?

You looking for something?

I don't know.

What's wrong?

I saw you at the pool.

You did? I didn't see you.

Who was he?

Who was who?

Tell me.

(Stammering) Who...?

Don't fuck with me!

Allan, calm down.

Don't fuck with me!

If you mean Jim,
he's a swimming instructor

at the pool,
and he comes over

and he wants to talk sometimes.

What's his last name?

Uh... I don't know.

What's his last name?

I don't know.

What difference does it make?

What do you mean,
what difference does it make?

I mean, what difference
does it make?

Can't you control yourself?

Don't you have any
self-respect?

Allan, I made a mistake,
but that was back in Michigan,

not here.

I love you.

I want to be with you,
but it seems that everything

that I say hurts you
or threatens you.

I'm trying to communicate
with you.

"Communicate"?

Where did you read that?!

I've had enough of this.

You've had enough?

(Terri screams)
You've had enough?

(Terri screaming)
Damn you!

(Knocking on door)
Come here!

Allan! Aah! Let go!

Are you all right?

Yes, honey, um...

I'm all right.

Why don't you and the girls
watch TV, and we'll get

the party started
in just a minute.

Okay.

Is it... can I help?

(Laughing) No!

Who's your dog?

Blondie.

My dad got it for me.

Oh, thanks so much!

My mom got it at bullock's.

Isn't anybody gonna take this?

Happy birthday!

Girls: Happy birthday!

Yeah. There you go,
sweetheart.

Where's daddy?

He's in the bedroom.

He's not feeling too well.

Make a wish.

Hurry up, make a wish!

Yay!

How you doin'?

Fine.

Allan saw US here yesterday.

Oh, yeah?

He thinks there's
something between US.

Well, I keep trying.

He got pretty upset.

He's an asshole.

No. He was hurt.

I had an affair
before we moved here.

He found out.

He thinks it's happening again.

It wasn't an affair, really.

It was one night.

But I hurt him.

Did you want to hurt him?

I wasn't thinking about him.

Nobody should be everything
to anybody.

Well, what should we
do about it?

What do you mean?

I mean, do you want me
to kill him?

What?

Isn't that what you do
with jealous husbands?

You're joking.

(Laughing)
Sometimes I just want

to be gone.

Where?

I don't know. Just gone.

(Bullet clatters in tray)
Thirty-eight caliber.

It was in his brain.

Entrance above the right ear,
terminated left anterior

without exiting.

Fatal?

As in dead.

Could this be, uh...

An old war wound...?

Nnn... no.

Self-inflicted?

Possible. But it's also
possible he may have been

shot more than once,
but all the soft tissue

was destroyed.

His brain was the only thing
not burned up.

It was protected by the skull.

Boiled a bit.

When can I have
the final report?

I'll ned to swear a warrant.

Uh, couple of days.

Uh, better keep her
in the jurisdiction.

They usually like to stay
near the body, anyway.

(Rain falling)
(Thunder rumbles)

Called Jennifer's mom.

She's got blondie.

She's gonna be so happy
to see you.

Go on.

Love you.

Bye.

Thanks.

I'll call you, okay?

(Weeping softly)
(Continues weeping)

Jennifer's parents
invited US over for dinner

tomorrow night.

Who are they?

Jennifer's one of
Miranda's friends from school.

Do you want to?

No.

I'm sorry.

For what?

For how bad you feel.

What am I supposed to say?

Everything's fine now?

This was our getaway place.

She got the L.A. house
in the divorce.

She never really
liked it out here.

Maybe she just didn't like
being out here with me.

You don't know?

I don't care.

You haven't been practicing?

Not for about a year.

Does that worry you?

Mnh-mnh.

Good.

I'm one of those people
who came charging out

of law school
to defend the innocent,

to uphold the noble vision
of impartial justice.

And?

I ended up in Los Angeles.

Back there, the simple truth
tends to get lost.

Is there such a thing?

Maybe not.

I'm a good lawyer, Mrs. Hansen.

Don't worry.

But?

I like to sleep at night.

Do you?

(Chuckles softly)
Better than I used to.

Strange weather this year.

Usually don't get
this kind of rain.

Feels good.

Yeah.

Changes all the colors out here.

Smell the sage?

It's beautiful.

Yes, it is.

Does it help?

Help what?

I always used to wonder
what it would be like

after a divorce,
how you let go.

We were both ready to end it.

We just cut it clean.

I don't know what she's doing,
who she's seeing.

I don't want to know.

You sound angry.

I'm getting over it.

Or maybe you're not.

Or maybe I'm not.

It was another guy.

That's an old story.

Let's head back.

Whoop.

(Thunder rumbles)
(Music playing)

Does your life
ever scare you?

Scare me?

I mean, like...

Where's it going?

(Scoffs)
Nowhere.

It's already here.

This is it.

Sometimes I wish
I didn't know anything

about you.

I wish I didn't even
know your name.

How you doin', Mac?

Ross.

Mrs. Hansen,
I'm here to serve

a county warrant on you
for arrest for suspicion

of first degree murder.

What are you talking about?

Her husband was shot.

I need your arm, please.

Hold on a minute, Mac.

Let's keep it simple, Ross.

Then read her her rights.

Mrs. Hansen, you have
the right to remain silent.

Anything you say can be used
against you in a court of law.

You have a right to legal
counsel, which I assume will

continue to be Mr. Bishop.

Your other hand, please.

Let's go.

Roy took a .38 round
out of her husband's head.

Oh, Jesus.

It's in evidence,
along with the autopsy report.

I'll be booking her in
over at county.

Right.

I'll be there.

I went over
the coroner's report.

Why did you shoot him?

I didn't.

Then who did?

I can't...

Doesn't make sense.

How did it happen?

Like I said...

This is crazy.

What are you saying?

Did either you or your
husband own a gun?

He bought one for me,
but I... I didn't want it,

so I told him to take it back.

Did he?

I don't know.

Do you know where it is now?

No.

(Knock on glass)
(Knock)

Oh, hi. Do you have
an appointment?

Dr. Mcnichol, 11:30.

Hansen?

Yes.

Fine. Take a seat.

(Telephone rings)
Doctor's office.

Yes.

Is it an emergency?

Okay, come in at two.

You may have to wait.

Excuse me, ma'am, you're not
supposed to be here.

I'm looking for Allan Hansen.

Hansen!

Someone here to see you.

What are you doing here?

Could we talk?

Could we go somewhere else?

Well, honey, I'm right
in the middle of it here.

I mean, uh, can it wait?

I prefer not.

It's almost 3:00.

I'll be home in a few hours.

Allan.

Honey, I-I gotta do this.

Come here.

We'll talk when I get home.

Here, have a look at this...

Can I talk to you?

Sure.

I'm pregnant.

Don't worry.

It's not very likely it's yours.

Ohh.

Look, did you tell your husband?

I tried.

I'll do what I can.

What does that mean?

I'll pay my half.

Of what?

An abortion.

That's how easy it is
for you.

I'm... I'm just trying
to be realistic here.

No, you're not.

You have no idea what this is.

None.

Like you say, it's probably
not even mine, so...

There you are.

Hi.

Can we talk now?

All right.

Okay.

Do you think we are...

Mmm....

Do you think things are...

Working out?

What are you saying?

I'm saying...

Are we all right?

What, you don't think so?

Why don't you ever
just answer me?

I am.

(Sighs) I wish I could
just say something to you

without always having to worry
about how you'd react.

I'm pregnant.

Honey, that's wonderful.

Is it?

What?

(Chuckling) What?

Don't worry, don't worry.

It's gonna be just fine.

Allan, I...

It's gonna be fine.

Don't worry.

I understand.

It's gonna be all right.

We're gonna be...

(Sighs)
We're gonna be just fine.

There are no maybes
when it comes to right

and wrong.

Heaven is simple,
and so too is hell.

Allan, you still awake?

Yeah. What's wrong?

(Sighs) Nothing.

I just thought you'd be asleep.

Come here.

Sit down.

What's the matter?

You know.

What, about being pregnant?

(Weeps softly)
Oh, honey, there's

nothing wrong with that.

It just makes you
sexier, that's all.

We don't have to be careful.

Allan...

Do you think we...

Do you think that this is
the right time for US

to be having a baby? I mean...

We've already got so many
things to work out as it is.

I'm scared.

(Sighs)
I'm scared of what's

happening to US.

I think we need to talk
about... my having an abortion.

Allan, are you listening
to me?

I'm listening.

What are you thinking?

I don't know.

I'm thinking that things
are too complicated.

We argue and we argue
and we lose our way.

(Sighs)
I just want to make things

simple.

So do I.

Then let's forget
this ever came up.

What do you mean?

I mean, you won't
get an abortion.

I think I might have to.

Why?

Because I don't understand
what is happening between US.

I love you.

You love me?

That's why you won't
have my baby, you love me?

Now, tell me again.

Tell me again.

You love me? Huh?

I don't understand it, Terri.

You'll have to tell me.

"I love you, Allan"?

Huh? "I love you"?

(Terri cries out)
I think our little brunette

Might be a blonde.

(Pounding on door)
See her eyes?

(Television audio
continues indistinctly)

...those are the brows
of a natural blonde.

She forgot to darken them.

What's up?

What's the matter?

Don't ask.

I'm going to leave him.

Not for my sake, you're not.

(Chuckles) Don't worry.

What would you do?

I don't know.

I thought you had
an answer for everything.

Not everything.

On the other hand...

I never hit women.

(Passionate sigh)
(Moaning and sighing)

How's blondie?

Miranda: She's fine.

She peed on grandma's
knitting last night.

Uh-oh.

She pees on everything.

She can't help it.

Are you all right?

When are you coming home?

Pretty soon.

Grandma keeps on
making spaghetti.

Oh, no...! (Chuckles)
Honey, let me talk to grandma,

then we'll talk some more.

Grandma!

Enid: How are you?

I'm all right.

We really haven't talked.

I wondered what you were
thinking.

I'm not thinking anything.

What the police are saying
isn't true.

All right.

I loved Allan.

I wouldn't do something
like that.

Okay.

Is that yours?

It looks like the one
Allan bought.

You know where they found it?

It's in evidence now.

Probably gonna turn out
to be his, isn't it?

I don't know.

You don't know,
or you're not telling?

You do know all six shots
had been fired, don't you?

I did not murder him.

What are you saying?

You shot him in self-defense?

No.

Tell me what happened,
or I can't go on with this.

No. I can't.

Why not?

(Inhales sharply)
Because I don't know

what to tell Miranda.

What do you want to tell her?

Something that won't
destroy her.

She doesn't have to hear
what you tell me.

Is it better for her to think
you murdered her father?

I didn't.

You aren't giving me
much of a choice.

It's not that simple.

I'm a good listener.

(Sighs)
I was going to talk to Allan

about a divorce.

I arranged for Miranda
to go to Florida

to see his parents
so we could be alone.

That was the last time
she ever saw him.

I was trying to
face the truth.

Things haven't been right
between US for a long time,

and I'd been afraid of
what that would mean.

But then, after Miranda left,
I didn't like being alone

in the house with him.

Did you tell him yet?

Tell him what?

That you want a divorce.

No.

Maybe you don't want it.

I don't.

Just don't see any other way.

Do you miss me
when we're not together?

(Jim chuckles softly)
Sure.

No, you don't.

Do you want me to?

If I needed your help,
would you help me?

Sure.

"Sure."

What are you doing?

I wanted to kiss you,
so I did.

You forget where we are?

I don't care.

Don't be stupid.

Oh, am I being stupid?

If you want to stay married,
you are.

And what if I don't?

Oh, calm down.

Oh, what? Am I embarrassing
you in front of your

other girlfriends?

Yeah.

Aren't you going to get up
and move?

I'm comfortable.

Do you want to fuck me?

Yes.

Jim wasn't bad.

He was nice to be around.

He likes women.

He liked me.

And you probably don't
understand why i'd

sleep with him.

Why would you?

I tried to be everything
that Allan wanted me to be.

That was a mistake.

And then, after Miranda
was born, he went someplace

inside himself.

It was as if...

There was nothing more
for me to do.

It was as if he...

Didn't need me for anything.

I got lost.

But I didn't want
to change things.

I didn't want to lose him.

(Rock music playing loudly)
Mr. Mercer?

Jim.

Ross bishop.

Come in.

Thanks.

(Loud music continuing)
(Silence)

So what you remember
is the same as what

she told me.

Pretty much.

"Pretty much"?

Well, there wasn't anything
sentimental between US.

We'd just try to be nice
to each other now and then,

you know?

Well.

She talk about her marriage?

She was unhappy, man.

That's all?

Well, she didn't
tell me everything.

That's not the way it was.

She tell you she was thinking
about getting a divorce?

Yeah.

To be with you.

(Chuckles) No, man,
of course not.

I just think it was all
real unhealthy between

her and her husband,
and she was trying

to protect her daughter.

By breaking up the family?

Actually, I think she was
with him too long for her

daughter's sake, but that's
just my opinion.

I assume you can account
for your whereabouts

on September 2nd.

What, the day her husband
got killed?

Yeah.

Yeah. I was at work,
at the pool.

Taught an evening safety class.

Probably forty,
fifty people saw me there.

Sounds like an alibi to me.

Please be seated.

Mr. Redmond, are the people
ready to proceed?

Yes, your honor.

This is the gun
that killed Allan Hansen.

Ballistics will show that.

Evidence will prove
that the defendant fired

the fatal shot.

This is the body
of Allan Hansen as

sheriff mccord found him.

This is where the car was
found, a deserted canyon road

some 14 miles from the highway.

The car was completely burned.

It took an autopsy report
to reveal that the defendant's

husband died of a gunshot wound
to the head.

She said nothing of this.

The defendant was found
hiding... here.

The gun that killed him
was found here.

The gun turned out to be hers.

Simply put, Mrs. Hansen
shot and killed her husband

and set this car afire
to conceal her crime.

And as the people of
California will show,

there are any number of reasons
as to why she did this.

During the course of
your investigation,

did you find any evidence
whatsoever of anyone else

besides Mrs. Hansen
and her husband being at

the scene of the accident?

No, sir, I did not.

Does that in your mind
preclude the possibility

of someone else that
might have been there,

someone who might have been
an accomplice to Mrs. Hansen?

Well, that'd be pretty tough
to prove one way or the other.

Why is that?

It was in the desert.

So?

Well, unless someone
dropped something,

left something there,
it's too rocky for tire tracks

or footprints,
and in the sand,

if the wind blows, it just...

Prosecutor: No further
questions.

Mr. Mccord,
the, uh, fingerprints

on the cartridges...
they were Mr. Hansen's?

Yes.

So Mr. Hansen loaded the gun.

It would appear so.

So that, although the gun
was registered in Mrs. Hansen's

name, Mrs. Hansen
did not load the gun.

It would appear not.

Thank you, sir.

Is this a record of
your examination of Mrs. Hansen?

Yes.

And how would you describe
her condition in general

that day?

A few minor injuries...
painful, but not serious.

And her frame of mind?

Well, she didn't cry.

She didn't react much at all.

I thought she was...

Pretty tough.

Tough? Or cold?

Y-You don't really know,
Mrs. Hansen, do you? You don't

know what she was thinking...

You're gonna have to take
the stand, and you've got to

tell the jury what happened...
the whole thing.

They need to hear it from you.

All the way to the end?

All the way to the end.

Prosecutor: Your honor,
I'd like to enter this medical

record as people's exhibit 15.

No more questions.

Mrs. Hansen, you loved
your husband, didn't you?

Yes.

Do you love your daughter?

Yes.

Why was she in Florida?

She goes there every year
to visit her grandparents.

Was this year just like
every other year?

No. We sent her early.

Why?

Allan, my husband, and I
needed to talk some things

through. We needed to be alone.

He decided that we should
drive out to the desert,

to the mojave oasis inn.

Only you never made it
to the inn.

No.

What was on your mind
that day?

That if things didn't get
better between US,

we may have to get a divorce.

Radio deejay: Hope you all
are having a good day

out there.

Enjoy this next tune.

(Country/western song
playing on radio)

Is this the road?

Fifty-eight...
that's what the sign said.

It's heating up.

Puts a strain on the engine.

Is it dangerous?

We just have to be aware,
that's all.

You sure?

Yeah, I'm sure.

Are we okay?

Yeah, yeah. We're okay.

Ohh. I think this little
getaway is gonna be good for US.

I haven't exactly made it
easy for US, have I?

Things can't be
the way they were.

I know. They won't.

We just have to put
everything behind US.

Allan, I really need
to talk to you. Do you want

to talk now, or do you want
to wait till we get there?

It's okay.

I had the abortion.

I had to.

What are you thinking?

There's the sign for the inn.

Turn right.

Where are you going?

I want to go back.

That's what you want to do.

I don't want any distractions.

I don't want to go
any further.

There's that "I want" again!

What do you think having
a child would have meant to me?

I don't know.

You don't know.

But you went ahead anyway.

What do you think Miranda
means to me?

It's not the same.

How's it different?

Circumstances are different.

There's always circumstances,
Terri.

There were circumstances
with Miranda.

If you recall,
we had to get married.

If you recall, we had no money.

Things were good between US.

So we wouldn't have
Miranda now?

Oh, fuck you, Allan.

Fuck you and your goddamn
"if you recall."

You sit around all day,
you think this shit up,

and it makes you feel good
because you think that you're

right and I'm wrong.

And you won't forgive
my mistake, and I apologize

and I apologize. I'm not gonna
apologize anymore!

You haven't apologized yet!

I've been apologizing to you
since we moved here!

I'm not talking about that!

I'm talking about the abortion!

Maybe you don't understand,
Terri. You killed our child.

It hurts you when I say that,
doesn't it?

Everything about US hurts.

Well, what do you think
it does to me?!

You could have tried
to understand.

Understand what?

That you murdered my child?

Don't say that.

Why? Because it's true.

Because it might not
be yours.

Goddamn you!

Goddamn you!

(Terri screaming)
Things are pretty simple now,

Aren't they?

(Gunshot)
They couldn't get

any simpler.

(Distant thunder rumbles)
You know how I found you?

I smelled you.

Allan, put the gun down.

Please?

Please?

(Thunder rumbles)
The police will find you,

no matter what.

I know that.

We could go back.

I wasn't planning on it.

What about Miranda?

I'm not even sure
Miranda's mine.

I loved you once.

No.

You don't care about me.

You don't care about Miranda.

All you care about
is that I fucked someone else.

I don't care about
anything anymore.

Allan, wait.

I lied to hurt you.

I'm still pregnant.

You'd say anything.

You just want to live.

(Audible exertion)
(Terri shrieks)

(Distant coyote yelps)
I can't get out!

(Terri cries out)
Do something, Terri!

Allan!

(Allan screaming)
I can't!

(Screaming)
God!

Help me, Terri!

Help me!

Oh, dear god!

Oh, my god! Aaahhh, god!

Oh, dear god!

(Screaming)
Terri!

(Screaming)
(Gunshot)

(Screaming stops)
(Man coughs)

Now, let me understand...
you claim you shot your husband

because...

He was suffering,
and there was no hope.

None?

None.

And you only shot him once?

And you testify that he
fired at you just once?

Yes.

Well, when the gun
was recovered, there were

six expended cartridges.

Coyotes.

Afterwards, these...

Coyotes kept coming around,
and I shot at them

to get rid of them.

He was gone, but...

Somehow I thought I could
protect him.

Mm-hmm.

You haven't been employed
since moving to California.

Is that so?

That's right.

And how do you now propose
to support your daughter

and yourself?

I've worked editing
academic publications.

I'll find something.

Does that sort of thing
pay well?

Not particularly.

But perhaps supplemented
by a substantial life insurance

settlement.

Objection.

Irrelevant conjecture.

Sustained.

Was the gun always
in the glove compartment?

No.

Well, it was registered
in your name.

He bought it for me.

Well, why was it in the car?

I don't know.

Well, there it was.

There you and your husband were,
in a trackless, desolate

wilderness, your daughter
far away, your family

ignorant of your whereabouts,
your marriage troubled

such that only four days before
you had an abortion.

Objection.

Your honor, Mrs. Hansen
cited this herself during

treatment for her injuries.

I refer you to people's 15.

A legal medical procedure
does not constitute

prima facie evidence
of motivation.

Sustained.

Mrs. Hansen, why did you
conceal the weapon you used

in a dark crevice of rock?

Because I'd hoped
no one would have to know.

Well, if you were innocent,
wouldn't you want

everyone to know?

The way that he died...

I thought it would be
too cruel, for them.

For who?

For his parents.

For our daughter.

And what about you? Weren't
you trying to protect yourself?

Yes.

From being caught.

From no one believing me.

You must admit,
it strains the imagination.

I'm telling you
what happened.

Well, I only wish you had
done so before charges

were filed.

You wouldn't have
believed me then, either.

So you see,
I really had no choice.

Allan Hansen bought this gun.

Allan Hansen loaded it.

Allan Hansen put it
in the glove compartment.

And Allan Hansen,
out of his own rage,

intended on killing
his wife with it.

And he almost did.

Terri Hansen
is not a perfect woman.

There's was not
a perfect marriage.

But marital failure
and moral standards

are not on trial in this court.

The truth is, Terri Hansen
had no motive to commit

this crime.

Allan Hansen drove the car.

Allan Hansen trapped himself
inside that fire.

His wife simply gave him
the only mercy he had left.

Terri Hansen is innocent
of the charges set before you

in this courtroom.

She's innocent
by any standard of decency,

and certainly innocent
by any legal standard.

I trust that you, ladies
and gentlemen of the jury,

will find exactly that.

Thank you.

Your honor.

They've returned.

It's time to go.

Good luck.

Please rise for
the reading of the verdict.

On the single count
of first-degree murder,

we find the defendant
guilty as charged.

(Gavel bangs)
She looks great,

Doesn't she?

She looks real good.

She likes Florida.

This is her new school.

How are you doing?

It's very simple here.

You can't allow yourself to wish
for things you don't have,

so you enjoy what you do have.

Yeah.

I think we can expect
work release,

about another four years.

You have to go.

Got a deposition
over in inyo.

At night here,
you can smell the farms...

the hay, the water.

This is nice country.

I'll be through here next week.

I'd like to come see you.

Next week.

Maybe I don't have
to say this,

but I believe it happened
the way you said it did.

I did what I had to do.