Hunter (1984–1991): Season 5, Episode 15 - Informant - full transcript
When Hunter refuses to reveal an informant to a Grand Jury, he is sent to jail, as a convicted murder lands back on the streets, stalking the only witness against him--Hunter's informant.
Tonight on "Hunter."
-Get on your stomach!
Hurry up, man!
Your honor, I was
granted a new trial
because an informant was
never presented at my original trial.
-The court order compelling
Hunter to show up in court
and identify his informant.
-I can't do that!
-You know who it is?
-If this guy Banks
is who we think he is,
this informant's a strong
candidate for the morgue.
-Sergeant, I'm
ordering you to reveal
the name of your informant.
-I'm sorry, your honor.
You'll remain in
custody until you reveal
the name of your
informant to this court.
-Turn around and
you get a new haircut.
Get on your stomach!
Hurry up, man!
-We got a lot here.
Let's book!
-Car 29, we've got a
robbery in progress now!
Request black and whites!
Where's Jesse?
Where is Jesse?
Here he comes.
Here he comes, here he comes.
-Johnny!
Johnny!
Hit it!
For the record Mr. Banks,
tell me your current status.
I have been incarcerated
for the last seven
years, convicted of armed
robbery, attempted murder,
and first degree murder of an
associate, a Mr. Jesse Parker.
I pled to the first two counts.
The murder conviction
was the result of a jury trial.
-You were in uh, pro
per in filing your writ.
Do you still intend to represent
yourself at your new trial?
-Yes sir.
Very well.
Are you ready to proceed?
-Your honor, the
district attorney's office
has failed to respond
to my discovery motion.
I have not received
all the information
that I had requested.
-Miss Hubble,
your office indicated
it would cooperate fully.
-Yes, sir.
The autopsy and police
reports have been forwarded.
However, the uh,
ballistics report just
seems to have
gotten lost somewhere.
-Your honor, I was granted a
new trial by the Supreme Court
because an informant was
never presented at my original trial.
An informant who's
the key to my defense.
-Are you prepared to produce
the informant, Miss Hubble?
-I haven't contacted
the arresting officer
for the name of
the informant yet.
The arresting officer was
Sergeant Richard Hunter,
and he is still in
Central division.
Your honor, I do apologize
to this court for the delay.
However, I believe I can
respond to his 1538.5 motion
by the end of the month.
-If I were not...
-I would like to ask for a two
week continuance at this time.
-If I were not
facing this retrial
and the murder
charge was dropped,
I could have been
paroled last year.
However, I remain in custody
and it now appears that
my, my rights to a speedy
trial cannot be upheld.
I move the case be dismissed.
-Oh, your motion's
proper, but a bit lenient
for this court, Mr. Banks.
Miss Hubble, what's the
people's position on bail?
-We object, your honor.
In view of the charges
pending against Mr. Banks,
bail is not an alternative.
-Then let's proceed
with my trial.
Well, it's either
dismiss or set bail.
And I'm not going to
dismiss this case, Mr. Banks.
I'll set bail in the
amount of $50,000.
Court's adjourned
until Friday at 1:30 PM.
How'd you find out about this?
Uh, I got a friend who's
a bailiff down in Judge
Osmanson's court.
He said Banks put
on quite a show.
-You know, I hear that
Hubble's a pretty good DA.
It's hard to believe
that uh, some con could
twist her around
into a bail motion.
-Yeah.
Well...
You can bet that Banks
has spent every free hour
in the last seven years
in the jailhouse law library.
You know, he thought
he was gonna get out.
But the judge did a nice little
turn at the end of the show.
Set the bail at 50 Gs.
-Phew!
Yeah, a bondsman
would have to be an idiot to
take a risk like that.
He didn't need a bondsman.
15 minutes after Judge
Osmanson rapped his gavel,
an old girlfriend of
Banks, Christine Sacks,
mortgaged her house
and came up with bail.
-He's out?
-He's walking the same
sidewalk as you and me.
-Uh, by the way,
this is DA Hubble.
Sergeant McCall.
-Oh.
-Oh, Sergeant McCall, hi.
-Hi.
-Uh listen, could you
round up your partner?
We've gotta talk.
-Sure, I remember the case.
What do you remember about it?
-Robbery/homicide.
I made Banks on the
armored truck robbery.
You busted Banks and
his partner Ken Ardell
in a San Pedro motel.
The murder victim
was Jesse Parker.
He drove the getaway car.
They found him
stuffed in a car stolen
the day after the robbery.
Banks' nine millimeter
was the murder weapon.
An informant led you
to that motel, right?
-That's right.
-OK Hunter, I'm telling
you that informant
is material to the defense.
We have to make
him available for Banks
to cross examine in court.
-And I've been telling this
person for the last 18 minutes
that I can't do that.
-Hunter, and I
keep telling you it's
an entirely different ball game.
You don't have a choice.
-Well, I think I might.
Excuse me.
-Where you going?
-I'll be in the usual place.
-You know, my
parole officer, he still
thinks I work at
this fat factory.
-Well, a few more
days, you can send
him a postcard from Caracas.
Write something
nice, like "shove it."
You know, all the time we were
in the joint, Johnny
swore he didn't kill Jesse.
Accused the cops of
cooking up the evidence.
You think he did it?
He ever tell you where
he hid the money?
-Sure.
That's why I'm
living in this hole.
Yeah, but bad times are history.
So what are you guys
gonna do with your cut, huh?
-Get the hell out of here.
Oh.
Ah!
-I'm going out.
You need anything?
-Ah no, I'm fine.
-I been waiting a long time.
-For me?
Or the money?
-Both.
-They want me to
reveal my informant.
If I do, you will be
expected to show up in court.
He'll kill me.
You will have to
testify and tell them
everything you told
me six years ago.
I can't do that!
Banks will cross examine you.
- I - can't face him in court!
What's the matter?
Is there any holes
in your story?
Of course not.
-Then what's the problem?
I could end up dead
whether he goes to jail
or not.
-You came to me six
years ago voluntarily.
Our witness protection
program will take care of you.
We'll relocate you, change
your name, give you money.
We'll set you up.
-Hey look, I can't control
the Supreme Court, you know.
You promised me!
-No, you promised me!
It works both ways, you know.
I could go to jail
protecting you.
-Yeah, and I could end up dead.
How long were you watching her?
MALE SUBJECT:
Probably about a week.
Back and forth to school
with the kids, to the market.
MALE SUBJECT: Once I watched
her play tennis with a friend.
I need help from you people!
Well, don't you have any
influence over the man?
Can't you order Hunter
to identify his informant?
Look, nobody's interested in
how much you respect his integrity
or whatever.
If we blow this, we're sunk!
I've just had it
with you people!
-Sergeant McCall,
you talk to your partner.
You tell him to cooperate.
Because I'll tell you this.
One way or another, he's
gonna identify his snitch.
-What's with her?
What happened?
-Well, I understand she's
been getting a lot of flack
from the DA over this case.
She has a court order compelling
Hunter to show up in court
and identify his informant.
-He may show up
in court, but he's
not going to name his informant.
-The problem is,
they've changed the rules
after the game was over.
Now they want us to replay
the game under the new rules.
It's crazy, but it's true.
Did Hunter say anything
to you about his friendly?
-No, I don't know who it is.
I wouldn't know him if he
walked through the door.
-Well, I uh, had the
Bureau send this up.
It's the closed informants file.
-You know who it is?
-Hunter was not exaggerating.
If this guy Banks is
who we think he is,
this informant's a strong
candidate for the morgue.
Morning, Mr. Banks.
Did you receive
the ballistics report?
-Yes I did, your honor.
Very well.
Proceed, Miss Hubble.
-Thank you, your honor.
I believe after we've
identified the informant,
we can go ahead
with the jury selection.
However, I would like to call a
short recess to give Mr. Banks
time to review the latest
evidence he's been given.
-That will not be
necessary, your honor.
Proceed, Miss Hubble.
-Thank you.
At this time, the
people would like
to call to the stand
Sergeant Richard Hunter.
-So did you talk to him?
Please state your name
for the record, Sergeant.
-Yeah.
-Did he listen?
Sergeant Richard
Hunter, H-U-N-T-E-R.
-Uh, He's going to
do what he wants.
-Sergeant Hunter, did
you receive information
from a reliable informant
leading to the arrest
and subsequent
conviction of John Banks
in the shooting death
of Jesse Parker?
-Yes, I did.
-Would you
please, for this court,
identify the person who
gave you that information?
-I respectfully decline
to do so at this time.
Your honor, it would appear
we've reached an
impasse on this issue.
There's at least
10 cases on point.
"People vs. Real," "100
Cal Appellate," "Third 415..."
I know the cases.
Both of you come forward.
-Your honor, I move
for a 15 minute recess.
-Your honor, we all know
the issues and the people
are not prepared to proceed.
This case should be dismissed.
-Your honor, I need 15 minutes
to talk to Sergeant Hunter.
-We've already passed that.
Sergeant, I'm
ordering you to reveal
the name of your informant.
-I'm sorry, your honor.
You know what a
contempt citation means.
-Yes, I do.
And you're prepared
to take that risk?
-Yes, I am.
-I find you in contempt.
Bailiff, get Sergeant
Hunter into custody.
Sergeant Hunter, you'll remain
in custody until you reveal
the name of your
informant to this court
and apologize to the court.
Let's not make
this a lengthy one.
-Then uh, call the criminal
courts building, Department 12.
Ask to speak to a
bailiff named Papallian.
P-A-P-A-L-L-I-A-N.
Tell him that the doctor put
me on mega doses of antibiotics
for my ear infection.
Tell him I can't even stand
up til my balance is better.
I know it sounds
stupid, but it's
the best I could come up
with on such short notice.
Hubble sent the
guy to bird-dog me
and I had to tell him
something to get rid of him.
All right now, phone calls.
First uh, call
the city attorney.
And don't let his girl tell
you that he's out to lunch.
The man hasn't left his
office in eight years for lunch...
His wife packs yogurts and
prunes for him every day.
Maybe he'll give us a
writ of habeas corpus
from the appellate court
ordering Hunter's release.
Uh next, chief of police.
Have him paged at
whatever luncheon he's doing.
Maybe he'll intercede with
the DA and get Hunter out.
All right?
It's a long shot,
but it's worth it.
Speaking of which, get me
the police commissioner too.
He owes me one.
I filled in a foursome
for him at one
of those celebrity golf
tournaments last month.
Maybe he'll speak to
the judge off the record.
Who knows?
If all else fails, call
the Attorney General.
Hell, I'm willing to fly
Sacramento this afternoon,
plead the case in front
of the Supreme Court.
-You gonna fly with your
ears in that condition?
What do you want, Hubble?
I'm busy.
-Subpoena.
Banks' informant file.
Charlie, you give
me this, the judge
has no reason to hold Hunter.
And you can vent
your blood pressure.
-What makes you think I have
a file on the Banks informant?
-Oh dammit, Charlie.
What do you think I am?
The new kid on the block?
I know you got a file.
Now produce it.
Forthwith.
-Now listen to me.
That Hubble is no dummy.
She had a bailiff grab
me on the way out.
I had to admit to her that
I had a file on your friend.
Look, she had the subpoena.
-Look, I know, Charlie.
We got a lot of work to do.
Let's get out of here.
-Yeah, baby!
All right!
What are you doing here?
It's getting a little
claustrophobic in
my damn hotel room.
Any word on the money?
-He'll get it when
he thinks it's safe.
Everyone's watching
him right now.
What do you want?
-We got over $500,000 stashed
and I can't even take in Vegas.
I just want to feel the money.
Spend it.
-Johnny was inside a
lot longer than you were.
He's just being careful.
Where is he, anyway?
Hey...
-He's at the law library.
-Cool it, Kenny!
-Hey look, almost half
a million and I can't even
afford a decent bottle of booze!
-Christine, I parked your
car around the corner.
That's enough, Kenny.
-Hey Johnny, my man!
They close the
law library early?
-I told you to stay straight
until we're in the clear.
After that, you can
drink yourself blind
and I won't care.
All right?
-You get out of here.
I got a lot of
work to do tonight.
Yeah.
-Hey!
Hunter's got a
surveillance unit out front.
What do you think of that?
-He's probably got
one out back too.
-Good point.
Just be careful.
-Always.
See you.
-So how'd the shopping go?
-Good.
What do you want?
-You have to ask?
I just want to pay in my part.
-Look Charlie, you
did what you had to do.
Don't worry about it.
-Yeah.
Just still don't like it.
So what's next?
Well, I think we should
push on uh, Ardell and Banks.
-What about Christine?
You think she'll testify?
-Oh, I think she's
getting around to it.
-Is she safe?
-Charlie, let's not
forget that uh, Banks
doesn't know Christine
is the informant.
I don't want to blow her cover.
I think she's safe
just the way she is.
-Yeah.
But tomorrow
afternoon in court, Banks
is gonna find out who
that informant was.
-Hunter, you got
a call on line three.
-Yeah.
-Take it right there.
-Hunter.
What?
When did that happen?
Yeah, I got it.
Yeah, we're rolling on it.
Yeah, thanks.
-What's that?
-Black and white unit discovered
a dead body in a parking lot.
It's Kenny Ardell.
-OK.
Walter?
He's all yours.
WOMAN: 1 William
Commander, I show you
code six at Paradise Motel.
Well, I'm gonna hang
around here til
it's all wrapped up.
Roger.
-OK, Charlie.
One round behind
the right ear exiting
through the left eye socket.
No sign of struggle.
Somebody was
sitting next to him,
and obviously got
the jump on him.
-Somebody who he knew, maybe?
-Yeah.
-I talked to the manager.
He said Ardell checked
in about three days ago.
He heard the shot.
By the time he got out to the
body, there was nobody there.
-You know, I think this uh,
changes Banks' situation,
don't you?
Yes.
-I'd like to go see him.
- Jump all over him!
- Good.
I gotta stop by
the judge and get
a signature before
the sun comes up.
-Find anything interesting?
-No.
This guy was definitely neat.
-Well, I'm gonna
head back to the office.
If there's anything turns
up, call me, all right?
-Right.
-I don't want to look at
you unless it's in court.
-You know what that is?
-Search warrant.
What do you want, Hunter?
-Looking for the
gun that killed Kenny
Ardell early this morning.
-Kenny's dead?
-Yeah, he's dead.
Mind if I come in?
-Can I stop you?
You're wasting my time, Hunter.
I didn't shoot anyone.
I didn't shoot a gun.
I haven't been near a gun.
You're not gonna find
a gun in this house.
Run your tests, Hunter.
I'm clean.
You think I'm that stupid?
I'm not.
-All right, where
were you last night?
-Minding my own business.
-Yeah, and where was that?
-I want to a strip
joint on La Brea.
-A strip joint?
What was it called?
-The Cover Girl Club.
- Cover Girl Club.
- Cover Girl Club.
- What time were you there?
- Nine o'clock.
-Nine o'clock til when?
-Four o'clock. HUNTER:
From 9:00 to 4:00?
- From 9:00 to 4:00.
- In the morning?
In the morning.
-You must be awfully tired.
-A little.
-I'm gonna check you out.
-Please do.
Please do.
You know, I might just slap
you with a harassment suit.
Would you like that?
-The clerk at the surplus store
distinctly remembers Ardell.
Said the guy was kinda loose.
Loose?
-Yeah.
He's got a real
fondness for bourbon.
-What did he buy?
A one and a half by two
and a half footlocker.
-Well, that's uh, big enough
to put a half million dollars in,
I guess.
-Yeah, that's what
I was thinking.
There was no sign
of it at the motel.
-And there's nothing
in the report about it
being in his car either.
What about Banks' house?
-Well, Hunter was there.
He didn't mention anything
about half a million dollars.
-All right, I'll tell you what.
I'll go back to the motel,
see what I can dig up.
CAPT. DEVANE All right.
Look, check with me
as soon as you get back.
-Right.
-William Nine, he's
pulling over at terminal four.
I gotta overshoot.
He's all yours.
Thanks for the ride.
-He's out of the cab.
He's heading into Allied
International Air Freight.
I've lost him, William Eight.
-Hon-honey.
Honey, the music stopped!
-Well, I'm not done yet!
-Babe, baby, nobody's
gonna pay to see
what you're doing up there.
Thank you.
Give her some free
admission tickets.
Next!
Mr. Gaunt?
-Yeah?
-I'm Sergeant Hunter,
police department.
-What?
Somebody's pasties fall off?
-No, not that I know of.
Uh, was this fellow
in here last night?
-Johnny Banks.
He's been in here
the last couple nights.
-You know him?
He sat with me for
a couple of drinks.
Sure I know him.
-You're sure about that?
-Come on!
Before he got sent
up, he used to hang
around here all the time.
He dated one of the
strippers that lived upstairs.
I'm sorry, honey,
but I'm looking
for something originality.
Uh, Christine uh...
-Christine Sacks?
-Yeah.
Did a hell of a thing
with a white boa.
-How long was Johnny here?
-Next!
Oh, I'd say uh,
til closing time.
Then he went upstairs
and visited the girls.
-Thanks.
-It's OK.
Listen, you like girls.
-Well, when I see them I do.
- Yeah well, we've got shows
- 7:00 to 2:00 AM, you know?
Freebies.
-Right.
I appreciate it.
Really.
-Really?
You're hired, honey.
I love you.
Get blonde and be
here Friday at six o'clock.
You uh, want me
to call for backup,
Nine?
Negative, William Eight.
He's just switching cabs.
Pick him up at the
Sepulveda ramp.
Roger.
Kenny's bags were
packed, Charlie.
-How'd you make
out at the strip joint?
-Banks' alibi checks out.
-Well, I was just
over at Ardell's room.
All of his bags were packed
and he had a ticket to Caracas.
-So they were in motion.
Why kill the partner?
-I don't know.
Christine said that Banks
was digging at him all week.
-Banks didn't trust Ardell.
So they killed him for his cut?
-Maybe.
-An unnecessary partner
that knew too much.
-So where does
this leave Christine?
-William Nine, right
turn westbound.
Uh, I'll continue south.
He's all yours.
William Eight, I'm on him.
-Hasn't made us yet and
looks like he's headed home.
I'm gonna go set
up on the house.
-Do we know
where the friendly is?
WILLIAM NINE: One William Nine.
Do we have the present
location on the friendly?
William Eight and William Nine,
stand by.
-It's the beige stucco
house around the corner.
William Nine, still checking
for whereabouts
on your informant.
-Roger.
Advise One William 156
that the primary is there now.
Roger.
-Hello, officer.
I hope I didn't make
things too difficult for you.
Big yellow cab.
I told him to drive real slow.
I'll be going in the house now.
So you have a nice evening.
-Charming.
-What's the word?
-I don't know.
WOMAN: William Nine, stand by.
-Stand by to stand by.
-Yeah, right.
-Hey, baby.
-Why'd you kill Kenny?
-What are you, crazy?
I didn't kill anybody.
I'll prove that at my trial.
-Look, I'm sick and tired
of hearing about your trial.
-Well, nobody asked you to care.
-Why don't you get
the hell out of here!
-What in the hell is
the matter with you?
-You are!
You stupid son of a...
William Eight and William Nine,
the friendly is apparently
at the residence.
You're advised to bring her in.
-William Eight.
Roger.
-Let's do it.
-William Eight.
We got shots fired.
-Where'd you get the gun?
-I bought it when he got out.
He just kept coming at me.
In the kitchen with a knife.
He just kept coming.
-He couldn't have known
that you were the informant.
-He knew!
He knew everything.
He said so.
-Christine, this officer's
going to take you downtown,
get your statement.
All right?
-OK.
There was nothing
else I could do.
You're saying Banks
didn't threaten Christine.
She just cooked
up this whole thing
so she could get
rid of him and then
make it look like self defense?
-That's right.
I think if you look
close enough,
you'll find out that
Sacks set Banks up
with the murder of Parker
about seven years ago.
-You know, that makes sense.
She gets him put away for
life, figuring sooner or later he's
gonna tell her
where the money is.
-If that's true, you people have
to give me some hard evidence.
Right now she's got a real
good case of self defense.
And I can't hold
her unless you give
me something I can work with.
And I gotta be in
court in 10 minutes.
Well uh, we'll talk, OK?
Uh, have lunch or something.
-Yeah sure.
We're on the same team.
-Why is it so hard if
we're on the same team?
-Where is Christine
Sacks right now?
-We released her
after questioning.
-Well listen, if you think you
can hook her, keep fishing.
I'll talk to the DA, see if we
can't work something out.
-Right.
-Rick, here's the itinerary
on Banks that you wanted.
-Great.
-Dee Dee, this is for you.
Oh, and uh, this is the judge's
signature on Christine Sacks.
-Oh yeah, I'll need that.
Thanks.
-Just holler if you
need anything, all right?
-I do.
Uh, keep an eye on
Christine til I get there.
-You got it.
-Thanks a lot.
-You going over
to see Christine?
-Yeah, as soon as I go
through this one more time.
-Well, you know that stop he
made at the air freight counter
at LAX?
-Yeah.
Guess what I just got?
A statement from the
clerk who was on duty.
Banks was checking
up on a shipment
made by one Christine Sacks.
What shipment?
-Footlocker to
Caracas, Venezuela.
-What?
You know, this
dovetails with the receipt
that you found
at Ardell's motel.
-Sure does.
-Well, I'll go see
Christine right now.
-I'm gonna check the airlines
and see if Christine's booked
on a flight from
LA to Venezuela.
-Great.
I'll call you from the car.
How you doing?
-What are you doing here?
Can I come in?
-Sure, I guess so.
-Where you going?
-Miami.
To visit my mother
for a few weeks.
I need to get away.
-Your mother live in Miami?
-What are you talking about?
Of course she lives in Miami.
Christine?
-Hmm?
-I think you killed
Parker seven years ago
and set Banks up for it.
I think you killed Ardell.
And I think you murdered
Banks right here in this room
in cold blood.
I think you lied to me
over the years, made
a fool out of me,
the judicial system.
I'm gonna do everything I
possibly can to prove that.
-You're wrong.
-I got a cab waiting.
You want to help
me with these bags?
-No.
-This is One William 56.
Uh, have Sergeant McCall
meet me on open tac, please.
DEE DEE: This is McCall.
Yeah, McCall.
She's loading up the taxi
cab on the way to the airport.
-Well, you were right.
She's booked on
a flight to Caracas
and she's going through Miami.
-Good work. She'll
be code six, LAX.
Out.
Ladies and gentlemen,
we're ready to board
Allied International
flight 167 to Miami.
We'll be boarding today by rows.
So right now, I'd
like passengers
with children or passengers
needing assistance, as well
as our first class
passengers, to begin
boarding through gate 44A.
Please have your
boarding passes ready.
-'Scuse me?
John Banks knew what that was.
Do you?
-Search warrant?
-Search warrant.
That's correct.
Would you step over here please?
Can I see your purse?
Yeah.
Yeah, thank you.
-What are you looking for?
-Want to hold that
for me, please?
Thank you.
You know Christine, there comes
a moment in every detective's
career when he has
to realize he made
a very, very bad
judgment in character.
I'm guilty of that.
Just like you're guilty of
murdering three people.
-I wonder what the
movie is on this flight?
-You used me to set up
John Banks, didn't you?
-I have a plane to catch.
-I know you do.
Yet I believe I have
a footlocker to look at.
-You can't take that!
-What are you gonna do?
Call the police?
You have a very nice time in
Caracas, Venezuela, Christine.
Oh, don't forget to call
your mother in Miami
and take her to dinner.
-Rick, we just got that
package you wanted.
Air Express called and
we went and picked it up.
It's on your desk with the
bolt cutters you wanted.
-You may want to see this, Ray.
Hi.
-Is this um, what I think it is?
-Sure is.
Ray.
All right.
Whoo, look at that!
Wow!
Yep, yep, yep, yep.
-You know, Christine
killed three people,
threw her whole life
away, just for this money.
-Yep.
-Wonder what she's thinking now?
-Do we care?
No.
-Get on your stomach!
Hurry up, man!
Your honor, I was
granted a new trial
because an informant was
never presented at my original trial.
-The court order compelling
Hunter to show up in court
and identify his informant.
-I can't do that!
-You know who it is?
-If this guy Banks
is who we think he is,
this informant's a strong
candidate for the morgue.
-Sergeant, I'm
ordering you to reveal
the name of your informant.
-I'm sorry, your honor.
You'll remain in
custody until you reveal
the name of your
informant to this court.
-Turn around and
you get a new haircut.
Get on your stomach!
Hurry up, man!
-We got a lot here.
Let's book!
-Car 29, we've got a
robbery in progress now!
Request black and whites!
Where's Jesse?
Where is Jesse?
Here he comes.
Here he comes, here he comes.
-Johnny!
Johnny!
Hit it!
For the record Mr. Banks,
tell me your current status.
I have been incarcerated
for the last seven
years, convicted of armed
robbery, attempted murder,
and first degree murder of an
associate, a Mr. Jesse Parker.
I pled to the first two counts.
The murder conviction
was the result of a jury trial.
-You were in uh, pro
per in filing your writ.
Do you still intend to represent
yourself at your new trial?
-Yes sir.
Very well.
Are you ready to proceed?
-Your honor, the
district attorney's office
has failed to respond
to my discovery motion.
I have not received
all the information
that I had requested.
-Miss Hubble,
your office indicated
it would cooperate fully.
-Yes, sir.
The autopsy and police
reports have been forwarded.
However, the uh,
ballistics report just
seems to have
gotten lost somewhere.
-Your honor, I was granted a
new trial by the Supreme Court
because an informant was
never presented at my original trial.
An informant who's
the key to my defense.
-Are you prepared to produce
the informant, Miss Hubble?
-I haven't contacted
the arresting officer
for the name of
the informant yet.
The arresting officer was
Sergeant Richard Hunter,
and he is still in
Central division.
Your honor, I do apologize
to this court for the delay.
However, I believe I can
respond to his 1538.5 motion
by the end of the month.
-If I were not...
-I would like to ask for a two
week continuance at this time.
-If I were not
facing this retrial
and the murder
charge was dropped,
I could have been
paroled last year.
However, I remain in custody
and it now appears that
my, my rights to a speedy
trial cannot be upheld.
I move the case be dismissed.
-Oh, your motion's
proper, but a bit lenient
for this court, Mr. Banks.
Miss Hubble, what's the
people's position on bail?
-We object, your honor.
In view of the charges
pending against Mr. Banks,
bail is not an alternative.
-Then let's proceed
with my trial.
Well, it's either
dismiss or set bail.
And I'm not going to
dismiss this case, Mr. Banks.
I'll set bail in the
amount of $50,000.
Court's adjourned
until Friday at 1:30 PM.
How'd you find out about this?
Uh, I got a friend who's
a bailiff down in Judge
Osmanson's court.
He said Banks put
on quite a show.
-You know, I hear that
Hubble's a pretty good DA.
It's hard to believe
that uh, some con could
twist her around
into a bail motion.
-Yeah.
Well...
You can bet that Banks
has spent every free hour
in the last seven years
in the jailhouse law library.
You know, he thought
he was gonna get out.
But the judge did a nice little
turn at the end of the show.
Set the bail at 50 Gs.
-Phew!
Yeah, a bondsman
would have to be an idiot to
take a risk like that.
He didn't need a bondsman.
15 minutes after Judge
Osmanson rapped his gavel,
an old girlfriend of
Banks, Christine Sacks,
mortgaged her house
and came up with bail.
-He's out?
-He's walking the same
sidewalk as you and me.
-Uh, by the way,
this is DA Hubble.
Sergeant McCall.
-Oh.
-Oh, Sergeant McCall, hi.
-Hi.
-Uh listen, could you
round up your partner?
We've gotta talk.
-Sure, I remember the case.
What do you remember about it?
-Robbery/homicide.
I made Banks on the
armored truck robbery.
You busted Banks and
his partner Ken Ardell
in a San Pedro motel.
The murder victim
was Jesse Parker.
He drove the getaway car.
They found him
stuffed in a car stolen
the day after the robbery.
Banks' nine millimeter
was the murder weapon.
An informant led you
to that motel, right?
-That's right.
-OK Hunter, I'm telling
you that informant
is material to the defense.
We have to make
him available for Banks
to cross examine in court.
-And I've been telling this
person for the last 18 minutes
that I can't do that.
-Hunter, and I
keep telling you it's
an entirely different ball game.
You don't have a choice.
-Well, I think I might.
Excuse me.
-Where you going?
-I'll be in the usual place.
-You know, my
parole officer, he still
thinks I work at
this fat factory.
-Well, a few more
days, you can send
him a postcard from Caracas.
Write something
nice, like "shove it."
You know, all the time we were
in the joint, Johnny
swore he didn't kill Jesse.
Accused the cops of
cooking up the evidence.
You think he did it?
He ever tell you where
he hid the money?
-Sure.
That's why I'm
living in this hole.
Yeah, but bad times are history.
So what are you guys
gonna do with your cut, huh?
-Get the hell out of here.
Oh.
Ah!
-I'm going out.
You need anything?
-Ah no, I'm fine.
-I been waiting a long time.
-For me?
Or the money?
-Both.
-They want me to
reveal my informant.
If I do, you will be
expected to show up in court.
He'll kill me.
You will have to
testify and tell them
everything you told
me six years ago.
I can't do that!
Banks will cross examine you.
- I - can't face him in court!
What's the matter?
Is there any holes
in your story?
Of course not.
-Then what's the problem?
I could end up dead
whether he goes to jail
or not.
-You came to me six
years ago voluntarily.
Our witness protection
program will take care of you.
We'll relocate you, change
your name, give you money.
We'll set you up.
-Hey look, I can't control
the Supreme Court, you know.
You promised me!
-No, you promised me!
It works both ways, you know.
I could go to jail
protecting you.
-Yeah, and I could end up dead.
How long were you watching her?
MALE SUBJECT:
Probably about a week.
Back and forth to school
with the kids, to the market.
MALE SUBJECT: Once I watched
her play tennis with a friend.
I need help from you people!
Well, don't you have any
influence over the man?
Can't you order Hunter
to identify his informant?
Look, nobody's interested in
how much you respect his integrity
or whatever.
If we blow this, we're sunk!
I've just had it
with you people!
-Sergeant McCall,
you talk to your partner.
You tell him to cooperate.
Because I'll tell you this.
One way or another, he's
gonna identify his snitch.
-What's with her?
What happened?
-Well, I understand she's
been getting a lot of flack
from the DA over this case.
She has a court order compelling
Hunter to show up in court
and identify his informant.
-He may show up
in court, but he's
not going to name his informant.
-The problem is,
they've changed the rules
after the game was over.
Now they want us to replay
the game under the new rules.
It's crazy, but it's true.
Did Hunter say anything
to you about his friendly?
-No, I don't know who it is.
I wouldn't know him if he
walked through the door.
-Well, I uh, had the
Bureau send this up.
It's the closed informants file.
-You know who it is?
-Hunter was not exaggerating.
If this guy Banks is
who we think he is,
this informant's a strong
candidate for the morgue.
Morning, Mr. Banks.
Did you receive
the ballistics report?
-Yes I did, your honor.
Very well.
Proceed, Miss Hubble.
-Thank you, your honor.
I believe after we've
identified the informant,
we can go ahead
with the jury selection.
However, I would like to call a
short recess to give Mr. Banks
time to review the latest
evidence he's been given.
-That will not be
necessary, your honor.
Proceed, Miss Hubble.
-Thank you.
At this time, the
people would like
to call to the stand
Sergeant Richard Hunter.
-So did you talk to him?
Please state your name
for the record, Sergeant.
-Yeah.
-Did he listen?
Sergeant Richard
Hunter, H-U-N-T-E-R.
-Uh, He's going to
do what he wants.
-Sergeant Hunter, did
you receive information
from a reliable informant
leading to the arrest
and subsequent
conviction of John Banks
in the shooting death
of Jesse Parker?
-Yes, I did.
-Would you
please, for this court,
identify the person who
gave you that information?
-I respectfully decline
to do so at this time.
Your honor, it would appear
we've reached an
impasse on this issue.
There's at least
10 cases on point.
"People vs. Real," "100
Cal Appellate," "Third 415..."
I know the cases.
Both of you come forward.
-Your honor, I move
for a 15 minute recess.
-Your honor, we all know
the issues and the people
are not prepared to proceed.
This case should be dismissed.
-Your honor, I need 15 minutes
to talk to Sergeant Hunter.
-We've already passed that.
Sergeant, I'm
ordering you to reveal
the name of your informant.
-I'm sorry, your honor.
You know what a
contempt citation means.
-Yes, I do.
And you're prepared
to take that risk?
-Yes, I am.
-I find you in contempt.
Bailiff, get Sergeant
Hunter into custody.
Sergeant Hunter, you'll remain
in custody until you reveal
the name of your
informant to this court
and apologize to the court.
Let's not make
this a lengthy one.
-Then uh, call the criminal
courts building, Department 12.
Ask to speak to a
bailiff named Papallian.
P-A-P-A-L-L-I-A-N.
Tell him that the doctor put
me on mega doses of antibiotics
for my ear infection.
Tell him I can't even stand
up til my balance is better.
I know it sounds
stupid, but it's
the best I could come up
with on such short notice.
Hubble sent the
guy to bird-dog me
and I had to tell him
something to get rid of him.
All right now, phone calls.
First uh, call
the city attorney.
And don't let his girl tell
you that he's out to lunch.
The man hasn't left his
office in eight years for lunch...
His wife packs yogurts and
prunes for him every day.
Maybe he'll give us a
writ of habeas corpus
from the appellate court
ordering Hunter's release.
Uh next, chief of police.
Have him paged at
whatever luncheon he's doing.
Maybe he'll intercede with
the DA and get Hunter out.
All right?
It's a long shot,
but it's worth it.
Speaking of which, get me
the police commissioner too.
He owes me one.
I filled in a foursome
for him at one
of those celebrity golf
tournaments last month.
Maybe he'll speak to
the judge off the record.
Who knows?
If all else fails, call
the Attorney General.
Hell, I'm willing to fly
Sacramento this afternoon,
plead the case in front
of the Supreme Court.
-You gonna fly with your
ears in that condition?
What do you want, Hubble?
I'm busy.
-Subpoena.
Banks' informant file.
Charlie, you give
me this, the judge
has no reason to hold Hunter.
And you can vent
your blood pressure.
-What makes you think I have
a file on the Banks informant?
-Oh dammit, Charlie.
What do you think I am?
The new kid on the block?
I know you got a file.
Now produce it.
Forthwith.
-Now listen to me.
That Hubble is no dummy.
She had a bailiff grab
me on the way out.
I had to admit to her that
I had a file on your friend.
Look, she had the subpoena.
-Look, I know, Charlie.
We got a lot of work to do.
Let's get out of here.
-Yeah, baby!
All right!
What are you doing here?
It's getting a little
claustrophobic in
my damn hotel room.
Any word on the money?
-He'll get it when
he thinks it's safe.
Everyone's watching
him right now.
What do you want?
-We got over $500,000 stashed
and I can't even take in Vegas.
I just want to feel the money.
Spend it.
-Johnny was inside a
lot longer than you were.
He's just being careful.
Where is he, anyway?
Hey...
-He's at the law library.
-Cool it, Kenny!
-Hey look, almost half
a million and I can't even
afford a decent bottle of booze!
-Christine, I parked your
car around the corner.
That's enough, Kenny.
-Hey Johnny, my man!
They close the
law library early?
-I told you to stay straight
until we're in the clear.
After that, you can
drink yourself blind
and I won't care.
All right?
-You get out of here.
I got a lot of
work to do tonight.
Yeah.
-Hey!
Hunter's got a
surveillance unit out front.
What do you think of that?
-He's probably got
one out back too.
-Good point.
Just be careful.
-Always.
See you.
-So how'd the shopping go?
-Good.
What do you want?
-You have to ask?
I just want to pay in my part.
-Look Charlie, you
did what you had to do.
Don't worry about it.
-Yeah.
Just still don't like it.
So what's next?
Well, I think we should
push on uh, Ardell and Banks.
-What about Christine?
You think she'll testify?
-Oh, I think she's
getting around to it.
-Is she safe?
-Charlie, let's not
forget that uh, Banks
doesn't know Christine
is the informant.
I don't want to blow her cover.
I think she's safe
just the way she is.
-Yeah.
But tomorrow
afternoon in court, Banks
is gonna find out who
that informant was.
-Hunter, you got
a call on line three.
-Yeah.
-Take it right there.
-Hunter.
What?
When did that happen?
Yeah, I got it.
Yeah, we're rolling on it.
Yeah, thanks.
-What's that?
-Black and white unit discovered
a dead body in a parking lot.
It's Kenny Ardell.
-OK.
Walter?
He's all yours.
WOMAN: 1 William
Commander, I show you
code six at Paradise Motel.
Well, I'm gonna hang
around here til
it's all wrapped up.
Roger.
-OK, Charlie.
One round behind
the right ear exiting
through the left eye socket.
No sign of struggle.
Somebody was
sitting next to him,
and obviously got
the jump on him.
-Somebody who he knew, maybe?
-Yeah.
-I talked to the manager.
He said Ardell checked
in about three days ago.
He heard the shot.
By the time he got out to the
body, there was nobody there.
-You know, I think this uh,
changes Banks' situation,
don't you?
Yes.
-I'd like to go see him.
- Jump all over him!
- Good.
I gotta stop by
the judge and get
a signature before
the sun comes up.
-Find anything interesting?
-No.
This guy was definitely neat.
-Well, I'm gonna
head back to the office.
If there's anything turns
up, call me, all right?
-Right.
-I don't want to look at
you unless it's in court.
-You know what that is?
-Search warrant.
What do you want, Hunter?
-Looking for the
gun that killed Kenny
Ardell early this morning.
-Kenny's dead?
-Yeah, he's dead.
Mind if I come in?
-Can I stop you?
You're wasting my time, Hunter.
I didn't shoot anyone.
I didn't shoot a gun.
I haven't been near a gun.
You're not gonna find
a gun in this house.
Run your tests, Hunter.
I'm clean.
You think I'm that stupid?
I'm not.
-All right, where
were you last night?
-Minding my own business.
-Yeah, and where was that?
-I want to a strip
joint on La Brea.
-A strip joint?
What was it called?
-The Cover Girl Club.
- Cover Girl Club.
- Cover Girl Club.
- What time were you there?
- Nine o'clock.
-Nine o'clock til when?
-Four o'clock. HUNTER:
From 9:00 to 4:00?
- From 9:00 to 4:00.
- In the morning?
In the morning.
-You must be awfully tired.
-A little.
-I'm gonna check you out.
-Please do.
Please do.
You know, I might just slap
you with a harassment suit.
Would you like that?
-The clerk at the surplus store
distinctly remembers Ardell.
Said the guy was kinda loose.
Loose?
-Yeah.
He's got a real
fondness for bourbon.
-What did he buy?
A one and a half by two
and a half footlocker.
-Well, that's uh, big enough
to put a half million dollars in,
I guess.
-Yeah, that's what
I was thinking.
There was no sign
of it at the motel.
-And there's nothing
in the report about it
being in his car either.
What about Banks' house?
-Well, Hunter was there.
He didn't mention anything
about half a million dollars.
-All right, I'll tell you what.
I'll go back to the motel,
see what I can dig up.
CAPT. DEVANE All right.
Look, check with me
as soon as you get back.
-Right.
-William Nine, he's
pulling over at terminal four.
I gotta overshoot.
He's all yours.
Thanks for the ride.
-He's out of the cab.
He's heading into Allied
International Air Freight.
I've lost him, William Eight.
-Hon-honey.
Honey, the music stopped!
-Well, I'm not done yet!
-Babe, baby, nobody's
gonna pay to see
what you're doing up there.
Thank you.
Give her some free
admission tickets.
Next!
Mr. Gaunt?
-Yeah?
-I'm Sergeant Hunter,
police department.
-What?
Somebody's pasties fall off?
-No, not that I know of.
Uh, was this fellow
in here last night?
-Johnny Banks.
He's been in here
the last couple nights.
-You know him?
He sat with me for
a couple of drinks.
Sure I know him.
-You're sure about that?
-Come on!
Before he got sent
up, he used to hang
around here all the time.
He dated one of the
strippers that lived upstairs.
I'm sorry, honey,
but I'm looking
for something originality.
Uh, Christine uh...
-Christine Sacks?
-Yeah.
Did a hell of a thing
with a white boa.
-How long was Johnny here?
-Next!
Oh, I'd say uh,
til closing time.
Then he went upstairs
and visited the girls.
-Thanks.
-It's OK.
Listen, you like girls.
-Well, when I see them I do.
- Yeah well, we've got shows
- 7:00 to 2:00 AM, you know?
Freebies.
-Right.
I appreciate it.
Really.
-Really?
You're hired, honey.
I love you.
Get blonde and be
here Friday at six o'clock.
You uh, want me
to call for backup,
Nine?
Negative, William Eight.
He's just switching cabs.
Pick him up at the
Sepulveda ramp.
Roger.
Kenny's bags were
packed, Charlie.
-How'd you make
out at the strip joint?
-Banks' alibi checks out.
-Well, I was just
over at Ardell's room.
All of his bags were packed
and he had a ticket to Caracas.
-So they were in motion.
Why kill the partner?
-I don't know.
Christine said that Banks
was digging at him all week.
-Banks didn't trust Ardell.
So they killed him for his cut?
-Maybe.
-An unnecessary partner
that knew too much.
-So where does
this leave Christine?
-William Nine, right
turn westbound.
Uh, I'll continue south.
He's all yours.
William Eight, I'm on him.
-Hasn't made us yet and
looks like he's headed home.
I'm gonna go set
up on the house.
-Do we know
where the friendly is?
WILLIAM NINE: One William Nine.
Do we have the present
location on the friendly?
William Eight and William Nine,
stand by.
-It's the beige stucco
house around the corner.
William Nine, still checking
for whereabouts
on your informant.
-Roger.
Advise One William 156
that the primary is there now.
Roger.
-Hello, officer.
I hope I didn't make
things too difficult for you.
Big yellow cab.
I told him to drive real slow.
I'll be going in the house now.
So you have a nice evening.
-Charming.
-What's the word?
-I don't know.
WOMAN: William Nine, stand by.
-Stand by to stand by.
-Yeah, right.
-Hey, baby.
-Why'd you kill Kenny?
-What are you, crazy?
I didn't kill anybody.
I'll prove that at my trial.
-Look, I'm sick and tired
of hearing about your trial.
-Well, nobody asked you to care.
-Why don't you get
the hell out of here!
-What in the hell is
the matter with you?
-You are!
You stupid son of a...
William Eight and William Nine,
the friendly is apparently
at the residence.
You're advised to bring her in.
-William Eight.
Roger.
-Let's do it.
-William Eight.
We got shots fired.
-Where'd you get the gun?
-I bought it when he got out.
He just kept coming at me.
In the kitchen with a knife.
He just kept coming.
-He couldn't have known
that you were the informant.
-He knew!
He knew everything.
He said so.
-Christine, this officer's
going to take you downtown,
get your statement.
All right?
-OK.
There was nothing
else I could do.
You're saying Banks
didn't threaten Christine.
She just cooked
up this whole thing
so she could get
rid of him and then
make it look like self defense?
-That's right.
I think if you look
close enough,
you'll find out that
Sacks set Banks up
with the murder of Parker
about seven years ago.
-You know, that makes sense.
She gets him put away for
life, figuring sooner or later he's
gonna tell her
where the money is.
-If that's true, you people have
to give me some hard evidence.
Right now she's got a real
good case of self defense.
And I can't hold
her unless you give
me something I can work with.
And I gotta be in
court in 10 minutes.
Well uh, we'll talk, OK?
Uh, have lunch or something.
-Yeah sure.
We're on the same team.
-Why is it so hard if
we're on the same team?
-Where is Christine
Sacks right now?
-We released her
after questioning.
-Well listen, if you think you
can hook her, keep fishing.
I'll talk to the DA, see if we
can't work something out.
-Right.
-Rick, here's the itinerary
on Banks that you wanted.
-Great.
-Dee Dee, this is for you.
Oh, and uh, this is the judge's
signature on Christine Sacks.
-Oh yeah, I'll need that.
Thanks.
-Just holler if you
need anything, all right?
-I do.
Uh, keep an eye on
Christine til I get there.
-You got it.
-Thanks a lot.
-You going over
to see Christine?
-Yeah, as soon as I go
through this one more time.
-Well, you know that stop he
made at the air freight counter
at LAX?
-Yeah.
Guess what I just got?
A statement from the
clerk who was on duty.
Banks was checking
up on a shipment
made by one Christine Sacks.
What shipment?
-Footlocker to
Caracas, Venezuela.
-What?
You know, this
dovetails with the receipt
that you found
at Ardell's motel.
-Sure does.
-Well, I'll go see
Christine right now.
-I'm gonna check the airlines
and see if Christine's booked
on a flight from
LA to Venezuela.
-Great.
I'll call you from the car.
How you doing?
-What are you doing here?
Can I come in?
-Sure, I guess so.
-Where you going?
-Miami.
To visit my mother
for a few weeks.
I need to get away.
-Your mother live in Miami?
-What are you talking about?
Of course she lives in Miami.
Christine?
-Hmm?
-I think you killed
Parker seven years ago
and set Banks up for it.
I think you killed Ardell.
And I think you murdered
Banks right here in this room
in cold blood.
I think you lied to me
over the years, made
a fool out of me,
the judicial system.
I'm gonna do everything I
possibly can to prove that.
-You're wrong.
-I got a cab waiting.
You want to help
me with these bags?
-No.
-This is One William 56.
Uh, have Sergeant McCall
meet me on open tac, please.
DEE DEE: This is McCall.
Yeah, McCall.
She's loading up the taxi
cab on the way to the airport.
-Well, you were right.
She's booked on
a flight to Caracas
and she's going through Miami.
-Good work. She'll
be code six, LAX.
Out.
Ladies and gentlemen,
we're ready to board
Allied International
flight 167 to Miami.
We'll be boarding today by rows.
So right now, I'd
like passengers
with children or passengers
needing assistance, as well
as our first class
passengers, to begin
boarding through gate 44A.
Please have your
boarding passes ready.
-'Scuse me?
John Banks knew what that was.
Do you?
-Search warrant?
-Search warrant.
That's correct.
Would you step over here please?
Can I see your purse?
Yeah.
Yeah, thank you.
-What are you looking for?
-Want to hold that
for me, please?
Thank you.
You know Christine, there comes
a moment in every detective's
career when he has
to realize he made
a very, very bad
judgment in character.
I'm guilty of that.
Just like you're guilty of
murdering three people.
-I wonder what the
movie is on this flight?
-You used me to set up
John Banks, didn't you?
-I have a plane to catch.
-I know you do.
Yet I believe I have
a footlocker to look at.
-You can't take that!
-What are you gonna do?
Call the police?
You have a very nice time in
Caracas, Venezuela, Christine.
Oh, don't forget to call
your mother in Miami
and take her to dinner.
-Rick, we just got that
package you wanted.
Air Express called and
we went and picked it up.
It's on your desk with the
bolt cutters you wanted.
-You may want to see this, Ray.
Hi.
-Is this um, what I think it is?
-Sure is.
Ray.
All right.
Whoo, look at that!
Wow!
Yep, yep, yep, yep.
-You know, Christine
killed three people,
threw her whole life
away, just for this money.
-Yep.
-Wonder what she's thinking now?
-Do we care?
No.