Matlock (1986–1995): Season 1, Episode 6 - The Don: Part 1 - full transcript

Use moral persuasion,
then barbecue them.

WOMAN: Mr. McShane,
are you saying

you're going to personally
prosecute the case?

That's exactly what I'm saying.

Hello? Aah! Aah!

All we want is justice.

Whenever I find
who is responsible

for endangering my daughter,

I'm gonna feed him
to the district attorney

piece by piece.

You could be disbarred for this.



You were saying?

( upbeat jazz theme playing)

( tender theme playing)

MAN (on TV): By the
homecoming of Nicholas Baron,

the reputed gangland leader

known sometimes as "The Baron,"

who was paroled yesterday
after seven years in prison.

Turn that up.

On charges ranging
from extortion,

(higher volume): to
conspiracy to commit murder,

Baron was convicted
only of tax evasion.

But his imprisonment was
enough, authorities say,

to loosen the grip
the Baron family had

on organized crime
operations in this area.



Advanced age and failing health

were reportedly
factors in his release.

Don't wait up for me.

Baron is 65.

On the local weather
front... (turns off TV)

(engine sputtering)

Why don't you just take my car?

Forget it!

(engine sputtering)

Donald!

( ominous theme playing)

(car engine starts)

(tires screech)

Jesus.

(sneezing)

(grumbles)

(groans)

Ah.

(sighs)

Sarah? Sarah?

(sneezes)

Oh, damn. Ahh.

No, not you.

Something in the air is
playing havoc with my nose.

Hay fever.

(sighs)

You take what?

Oh. Oh, I see.

So the idea is the pills
make you so sleepy,

you forget you got hay fever.

Well, if I find somewhere
to lie down, I'll...

I'll take one of 'em.

Tell Charlene I'll be
there in a few minutes.

Okay.

I'm sorry to keep you
waiting. That's all right.

Actually, Mr. Matlock,
I was waiting for you.

Oh. Oh.

Here.

Oh, thank you.

(sneezes)

Thanks. My name is Paul Baron.

My father's Nicholas Baron.

Somebody planted a car bomb

in Donald Kovacs'
car this morning.

He's dead.

The police think
my father killed him,

but he didn't do it.

But he would like
to talk with you.

Oh, I'm sure Nicholas
Baron has lots of lawyers

with far more experience in
this sort of thing than I have.

He wants you.

Well, thanks,
but I... I decline.

No, it's all right.
I've got plenty.

You, uh... You
talk with my father,

and whether or not you
decide to take the case,

this is what you get.

That's $20,000.

That's what it says.

You wanna go for a ride?

Air-conditioned?

(chuckles)

I'll have to run it full blast.

(sneezes)

( majestic theme playing)

PAUL: My father's
right over there.

Know anything about
roses, Mr. Matlock?

Oh, a fair amount.

I know you're supposed
to fertilize them,

water them and cut them.

That's more than
most people know.

This is a cultivar that I
personally helped to develop.

I call it Irene's Ruby.

Roses are a hobby
that became a business.

I know a fair amount
about you too, Mr. Matlock.

Born in some backwater town
that doesn't even exist anymore,

poor family, father
killed in a car crash.

And here you are,

one of the best-known
lawyers in the country.

Now, how do you explain that?

Hard work.

I believe it was preordained.

I think you simply
followed along the path

that had been laid out for you,

just like I followed
along the path

that had been laid out for me.

Looking back along that path,

I can see some things
I regret having done.

Some of the crimes that I did
I've already paid for in prison.

All of the others I'll
pay for soon enough.

But I did not murder
Donald Kovacs,

and I refuse to pay
for the crimes of others.

It's a matter of honor.

I should return this.

I don't charge
for consultations.

As for the case, I decline.

Mr. Matlock...

I'm gonna do something
I've never done before.

I'm gonna beg.

Please clear my name.

I didn't do this,

and I want to stand trial
so people will know that.

I want to do it soon

because in about six months'
time, I'm gonna be dead.

Please, Mr. Matlock?

(sighs)

(sighs)

I have one condition.

The case will be handled
my way, on my terms.

I make all the decisions,

and I take it all the
way no matter what.

All the way no matter what,

or I'm out right now.

You have my word.

The first thing you're
gonna do is turn yourself in.

(chatter)

All right. Anybody
want to do the honors?

Miranda him,
Charlie, then book him.

All right, Frank. Ahh.

What do you got on my client?

Motive.

Donald Kovacs was the man who,

according to your client,

bribed the accountant whose
testimony sent him to prison.

He's also the man who took
over many of the Baron family's

illegitimate enterprises
while said client was in prison.

(sneezes)

What's the matter?

I got hay fever. Go on.

Sorry.

We got Eddie A.

Eddie Alonzo, the man
who made the bomb

and indeed planted the
bomb that killed Kovacs.

Now, Eddie A. was an old
friend of the Baron family.

I say was because
he's no longer with us.

He was found shot to
death in a field this morning.

Two bullets to the head.

Now the phrase
that comes to mind

is "gangland-style killing."

Hey, but what are friends for?

Now, we've got
mud from that field

found embedded in
the tires of a certain car.

(sneezes)

(grunts)

Could we get on to
the substantive part?

No problem, because
we've got an eyewitness

who saw the driver
of that certain car

shoot and kill Eddie Alonzo.

And we also got this, found
at the scene of the crime,

and this belongs to guess who.

Frank, do you
really think my client

would murder his own friend?

Oh, come on, counselor.

I think your client would
murder his own mother

if it meant saving his hide.

The Barons aren't a family.
They're a pack of wolves.

Here I am defending
the head wolf.

Right. But why?

I don't know, Frank. Ah-choo!

I guess I'm just
living right. Mm.

MAN: Phillips, I can't get
a conviction on this turkey

unless the wife will testify

that she saw him
pull the trigger.

If those detectives of yours

spent less time staring
out their windows

and more time chasing criminals,

we could put a few more
of them away, couldn't we?

Don't tell me how tough it is.

I was a cop, remember?

Would you stop
trying to break my heart

and get me some hard evidence?

I don't care how
you do it, just get it!

(hangs up phone)

Are you as pleased
with yourself as you look?

Ahem. Here's the
goods on Nicholas Baron.

Sit down.

How long has your
father been governor?

You know, if you'd have asked
before you helped yourself,

I might have warned you.

(grunts)

Max.

Oh, he's almost deaf.

Max!

(dog whimpers) Yeah, ha-ha.

Yeah, yeah.

No, no, don't move.
I'll... I'll toss them to you.

There, two.

And two more. Okay?

You're a good boy,
Max, I love you.

His hearing's
really getting bad.

Oh. Hm.

Tell me something.

What do you think
of the Baron case?

I think it's a lock, boss.

So do I.

I'm afraid you're gonna

have to take a back
seat this time, Palmer.

But who's gonna prosecute?

( mellow theme playing)

I said when I became
district attorney

that I would break the back
of organized crime in this city,

and this is part
of that promise.

WOMAN: Mr. McShane,
are you saying

you're going to personally
prosecute the case?

That's exactly what
I'm saying, my dear.

MAN 1: Rumor was, you and
Ben Matlock almost came to blows

last time you all
met in the courtroom.

Ha-ha. I never listen to rumors.

MAN 2: Excuse me, can
you give us some idea...?

Mr. Matlock, is it true

that you and District Attorney
McShane are bitter enemies?

Well, let's just say I didn't
vote for him. Excuse me.

(reporters clamoring)

MATLOCK: Defendant waives time,

further reading
of the indictment,

pleads not guilty.

May we proceed directly
to the issue of bail?

JUDGE: Mr. McShane,
what is the state's position?

We recommend the
defendant be held without bail

until his trial.

To free a man with his
reputation as a mobster,

one who faces two
counts of murder,

would be a slap in the face

of every law-abiding
citizen in this community.

Moreover, Nicholas
Baron is a man

of considerable
wealth and means,

one who could,
and I submit would,

flee at the first opportunity.

I move that he remain in custody

till the time of his trial.

Your Honor,

my client has no
intention of fleeing.

On the contrary, he
wants to stand trial,

and he wants to do
so as soon as possible.

No matter what his past,
no matter what his reputation,

he's entitled to the
rights of any citizen.

Your Honor, the parole
board of the state penitentiary

saw fit to grant my
client an early release.

They didn't see him
as a threat to society.

They saw him as an
aging, ill man deserving pity.

Surely the court of the people
is no less compassionate.

SAWYER: Bail is set at $500,000.

Preliminary hearing
set for September 12th.

Is that acceptable
to the defense?

Yes, Your Honor.

Mr. McShane?

Prosecution agrees.

Court will recess till
2:30 this afternoon.

(gavel bangs)

Never thought I'd see
you in a courtroom again.

Never thought I'd have
an opportunity like this.

Is it true that you and
District Attorney McShane

are bitter enemies?

Well, let's just say
I didn't vote for him.

REPORTER: Do you
want to elaborate on that?

MATLOCK: No, thanks.

MATLOCK: How do I look?

Oh, you look great.

Your client looks
suspiciously like a gangster.

(sneezes) Bless you.

Thank you.

Whatever it is
you're allergic to,

I sure hope it isn't flowers.

It seems Nicholas
Baron's friends,

or business associates,
you might say,

are delighted to have
you on their team.

MATLOCK: You,
I take it, are not.

I was always under
the impression

we were criminal lawyers,
Dad, not criminals' lawyers.

I understand.

I'll take this one alone.

Look.

I just want to know
why you took the case.

Nicholas Baron
has his own lawyers.

He could've gone anywhere.

But he came to me.

I have to believe it's because

I have a reputation
for being honest.

Besides, he begged me.

He begged me to
take this thing to trial.

It was very hard for him.

Try as I might, I
can't get around that.

I just can't get around it.

He wants an honest defense.

I have to give him
the best that I can.

If you're in, so am I.

I'll see you at 11:00
at the Baron estate.

All right.

Hey, Ben. Heh-heh-heh.

Ben, you'll never guess
what I heard about you

down at the police station.

(both laughing)

Does it have anything to do

with my being Nicholas
Baron's lawyer?

You're kidding.

Guess again.

He's not kidding.

Tyler, we need you to
check out an Edward Alonzo.

Apparently, he's the man who
put the bomb in Kovacs' car,

and he's known on
the streets as Eddie A.

Charlene, we're talking
major underworld here.

Well, better get started.

(suspenseful theme playing)

I'm Ben Matlock. I
have an appointment.

(doorbell rings)

Well, hello, I could've told you
you'd wind up taking the case.

I'm Cathy Baron.

Turn around and place
your hands on the wall.

Hey, leave it, Marty.

This is Benjamin
Matlock, father's attorney.

Come in, please.

I guess everybody's
a little nervous.

Well, searching
everything that moves

is my brother Paul's idea.

How many times
do I have to tell you?

You didn't walk today, did you?

I had other things to
worry about this morning.

Ah, Mr. Matlock.

Yes, sir. Welcome.

I'd like you to meet my
youngest son, Daniel.

You're a doctor?

Internist.

You know, I've been
having an awful problem

with hay fever lately.
I don't suppose you...

I'm sorry. I only
prescribe for patients.

The cardiologist is gonna
stop by this afternoon.

You'll be here?

No.

I have other patients
too, you know?

Been nice meeting you.

Same here.

I thought this
little get-together

was gonna involve
the whole family.

Some of us are more interested
in family business than others.

Then again, some of
us are just not welcome.

How are you, Mr. Matlock?

Fine.

Did you, uh, talk to the DA?

Yeah. And he says
he has an eyewitness

who saw you shoot Eddie Alonzo.

That's impossible.

I was in the park.

Well, we need
to cover all bases.

Right now, in order to plant
the seed of reasonable doubt,

we need to give some thought

as to who else
might have killed him.

Hi. Sorry to be late.

Having car trouble lately,
and I had to take a taxi.

Oh, uh, Nicholas, Paul,

this is my daughter and partner,

Charlene Matlock.

How do you do? How do you do?

Nicholas and Paul Baron.

It's a pleasure.

Please.

May I?

By all means.

Anyone else?
PAUL: I'll have some.

Thank you.

Let me go ahead with this.
Because the killer had access

to Nicholas' car and gun,

he or she was probably no
stranger to this household.

What are you saying?

Just that I'd like to have a
word or two with your help

and any business associates
who might come by often.

PAUL: No.

Mr. Matlock, we take
care of our own here.

As for our associates,

well, the family business
over the past several years

has been reduced to a
small trucking company,

and we're talking
to our employees.

Uh, that's not
entirely accurate.

Oh, it's not?

Oh, no.

Besides owning the
trucking company,

you also have partial
ownership in three restaurants,

five country clubs, two
refuse-removal companies,

and a host of flower shops.

Sugar?

No, no sugar.

And that's true, by the way.

We have a few minor
legitimate diversifications.

There is one thing about
this case that bothers me.

The man who killed Kovacs,
then was himself killed,

Eddie Alonzo,

was someone
whom all of you knew.

Of course we knew him.

He was one of my
father's oldest employees.

He bounced all three
of us on his knee.

Are you saying that
one of us hired him

and then had him killed?

He was like a brother to me,

like a second
father to the children.

Besides, he was retired.

I know.

But who could best talk
him out of retirement?

I don't think a stranger.

I think someone
he knew and trusted.

Well, if you'll excuse
us, we'll go to work.

Let's get a line
on the eyewitness.

Could I see you for
a minute, please?

I'll see you outside.

Anything you have
to say to Mr. Matlock

you say in front in me.

Well?

I want him off this case.

I've been against hiring an
outsider from the beginning,

and nothing he has said or done

has made me change
my mind on that.

You've made your point,
Paul, but I'm going to ignore it.

Mr. Matlock is my lawyer,

and that's the
way it's going to be.

(tires screeching)

Cathy?

You must be Cathy Baron.

Must I?

I've seen your
picture in the paper.

Charlene Matlock. I'm
working on your father's case.

Hello.

For the moment,
I'm without wheels.

Could I get a ride into town?

Sure.

Thanks.

Oh, uh, tell my
dad I have a lift.

Don't forget your seat belt.

Thanks.

(engine revs)

(tires screeching)

( funky theme playing)

Do you always drive this fast?

Sorry.

It's all right.

So you're a successful lawyer.

I'm envious.

Well, right now I'm just a
successful junior partner,

but I'm working on it.

That's a lovely
locket. Is it old?

It was my mother's.

God, it feels good to
get out of that house.

You still live at home?

Well, when Nicholas
Baron is your father,

you don't exactly have a
whole lot of options in life.

I'll give you a perfect example.

What?

Do you see that cop up there?

CHARLENE: Yeah.

Okay.

(engine revs)

(chatter over radio)

(laughs)

See what I mean?

I can't even get a
cop interested in me.

It's very limiting.

That's tough.

So how's the case going?

Well, it's a little
early to speculate.

Please do.

All right.

Whoever killed Eddie Alonzo

had to have access
to your father's house.

You mean, like one of us.

We can't rule that out.

(tires screech)

You better learn one thing fast,

and that's no matter
what, we are a family here,

and no outsider dare question
our loyalty to each other ever.

I can understand that, Cathy.

Just like you'll
have to understand

that we're not on the
case to protect your family.

We're here to
defend your father.

Now... do I still get a ride

or do I have to walk?

Okay, you're right, we're even.

But hang on.

(engine revs)

(tires screech)

( suspenseful theme playing)

(jiggles doorknob)

Tyler?

Tyler, it's me, Ben.

(door unlocks)

For crying out loud,
what are you expecting,

Eddie Alonzo's ghost?

Look, somebody killed
him, and that somebody

might be looking for
somebody who knew him.

And I am here in his apartment.

Hm? Did you find anything?

Yeah. Yeah, I found
some escrow papers.

Eddie Alonzo bought
himself a house ten days ago.

A house?

Sounds like he came
into some money recently.

You think that money
came from the hit?

I don't know.

Nicholas Baron and
Eddie Alonzo go back

almost 50 years.

I don't think The Baron
would have to pay him.

What a guy. Now,
can we get out of here?

I'll tell you what to do.

See if you can find
some current pictures

of The Baron's children.

Maybe somebody in this building

saw them with
Eddie Alonzo recently.

Okay.

( mysterious theme playing)

(gunshot)

You were saying?

DANIELS: Hey, you are dealing

with professional
criminals here, Ben.

The Baron and his family,
the victim and his family.

I mean, these guys are all pros.

And I'll just bet you
that that sniper was too.

MATLOCK: If he's such
a pro, why am I still alive?

Because nine times out of ten,

Kovacs wanted to scare
you off from the case.

A case, I might add, you
had no business being on

in the first place.

Want some coffee? No.

You see, they're
afraid that you're gonna

somehow see to it
that this guy walks

and that the old man
just might try and recoup

a few of the business
losses the family suffered

while he was in prison.

Yeah. Trucking company
did go downhill, didn't it?

(laughs): Trucking company?

Come on, these
guys are into numbers.

They're into so many
rackets, I'll bet you

they can't even
keep track of them.

And now the word is that
The Baron has had some...

moral objections
to dealing in dope.

Give me a break.

I'll tell you what happened.

The Kovacs cornered
the market first

and then muscled them out.

And if Donald Kovacs
had of had any smart,

he would've stopped
there. But no, he got greedy,

and they got even.

Well, if that's the case,
the Kovacs had to expect

some kind of reprisal
when the old man got out.

They probably did,

but they didn't expect
a reprisal so soon.

Well, I guess the
best thing for me to do

is go over there and
have a talk with them.

Uh, the Kovacs?

(laughs)

I'll call the coroner

and have him keep
an eye out for you.

You're talking to the Kovacs.

(laughing)

( suspenseful theme playing)

Now, that's the way
azaleas are supposed to look.

What kind of
fertilizer do you use?

What did you say?

I say fertilizer. What
kind do you use?

Little this, little that.

Trade secret, huh?

(doorbell rings)

Matlock, come in.

Oh. Phillip Kovacs.

Thank you. Nice house.

Beautiful grounds.

I was, uh... I was asking
your gardener how he does it.

I didn't get very far.

Ah. Well, he does
have a little problem

with his hearing, yes.

Problem with his hearing, or...

problem trying to be
something he isn't?

No harm in having someone
keep an eye out front.

Yeah.

Is Ms. Kovacs here?

No.

You did indicate that you
wanted to talk with me.

Can I offer you a drink?

What's your pleasure?

Maybe a glass of mineral water.

I understand you used to help
your brother run his business,

sort of, second in command.

That's right.

Any idea who might
have taken a shot

at my associate and
me this afternoon?

Took a shot at you?

Absolutely not.

Why would we do that?

Well, if somebody
frightened me off this case,

nobody else worth
a damn will take it.

Nicholas Baron
would be convicted.

I think you'd like that.

You know, I heard
prison got to the old man,

made him soft.

If I had to guess,
I'd say it was his son.

Paul?

He'd like nothing better
than to start a war with us.

It's the only prayer he's got

of getting back in
the major leagues.

Like you say, it's only a guess.

Hm. That why we
want you on the case.

To prove the Baron innocent,

you gotta find out who's guilty.

What happens then, revenge?

All we want is justice.

( suspenseful theme playing)

Hello, Mr... Matlock. Mm.

You said you only
prescribe for patients,

I'm a patient.

Hay fever's worse than ever.

Something you get every year?

No, first time.

Nose is runny,
my eyes is watery,

and the back of
my throat itches.

Sneezing constantly.
It's driving me crazy.

Say, "ah." Ah.

Ah. Ah.

Ah. Ah.

You should be seeing
an allergist, not me.

Well, I thought I'd throw
a little business your way,

and from the looks of your
waiting room, you could use it.

(sighs) Well,

having Nicholas
Baron for a father

is not exactly
good for business.

Having him for a client
isn't good for business either.

(snorts, groans)

Took me five years
to build up a practice

and one day for my
father to destroy it.

I'm gonna give you a shot,
Mr. Matlock. I'll need a hip.

Oh.

You think your father's guilty?

No.

I think he was framed.

I do too.

By somebody in our family?

Maybe.

Just for the record...

that's an allegation
I deeply resent.

(needle punctures)

I can tell.

( mischievous theme playing)

These just came.

Take them to the
children's hospital.

These are for Charlene.

Oh. Thank you.

Who are they from?

Paul Baron.

I'm having dinner
with him tonight.

So I can interview him.

Edward Alonzo.

According to one of
the tellers at his bank,

the only thing Edward
Alonzo has deposited

in the last nine years
is social security checks.

But guess what
happened last week.

He walked in with
a cashier's check.

Twenty-five thousand dollars,

which he withdrew
the very next day

and used it as a down
payment on a house for his sister.

Early tomorrow morning
I want you to go down

to the park where
Nicholas Baron walks.

See if you can find somebody
who saw him there that morning.

Okay.

Well, the only way we'll
get this case dismissed

is to discredit the
DA's eyewitness.

And the only way to do that

is to get an
eyewitness of our own.

Hm.

(giggles)

Oh, relax, Ben, it's
only an interview.

(piano playing soft music)

That'll be all, thank you.

Hello.

Look at you. Don't
you look nice?

Have a seat. Thank you.

Very pretty dress.

You have nice taste. Thank you.

They, um, closed
the doors tonight

at my request.

I wanted to spare you any
embarrassment you might feel

by being seen with me socially.

I also find the idea of dining
with you alone irresistible.

How nice.

So... Here's to a
mutually useful evening.

How's your father?

Convinced your
father's innocent. Hm.

How's yours?

Convinced your
father can get him off.

Well, that was simple.
So much for business.

You know what I think?

I think we should start
off with the scampi,

then move right into the veal.

They've got a great
veal, you're gonna love it.

Their specialty.
I hate to interrupt

the festivities with anything
as mundane as the case,

but, uh, we do need a
little bit more to go on.

We do?

Yeah.

Like what?

Well, um, what about
the Kovacs family?

What about?

Well, could any one of them

have murdered Donald
Kovacs or Eddie Alonzo?

Any one of them.

How do we prove that?

Well, first we have to get
one of them to confess.

Well, I don't think I wanna
know how you do that.

Charlene, first we talk,

we're reasonable, we
use moral persuasion,

and then we barbecue them.

You're a dangerous man.

(laughs)

Hm.

That sounds almost
like a compliment.

It is.

Oh.

Almost.

(chuckles)

What? I have some, uh,

questions about
your family enterprise.

If you could fill that out
and send it over to the office.

That way I won't have
to ask them over dinner.

I have to tell you, I'm really
not in the mood for scampi.

Or veal.

Could I see a menu, please?

( suspenseful theme playing)

Dad?

Dad?

Oh.

(phone rings)

Hello?

MAN: Place is a mess, isn't it?

Who...? You should
see your father.

We're at the courthouse.
Side door's open.

And come alone.

Who is...? Oh. ( dial tone)

( tense theme playing)

Dad?

Dad?

(phone ringing)

Hello?

(muffled grunts)

(phone ringing)

(clears throat)

Hello? MAN: Sorry
to wake you up,

but there's an emergency
down at the courthouse.

That's where I'm
holding your daughter.

( dial tone)

MATLOCK: Charlene?

Charlene.

( mysterious theme playing)

(phone ringing)

Hello.

Hello? MAN: Try your office.

( man laughs)

Charlene?

CHARLENE (faintly): Dad?

Charlene? CHARLENE: Dad?

Oh. Are you all right?

I'm all right.
Are you all right?

Well, I got this phone
call. I-I didn't know...

(phone rings)

Hello.

MAN: This was just a game.

Walk off this case
while you still can walk.

( dial tone)

(Charlene panting)

Somebody really
wants us off this case.

( dramatic theme playing)

( ominous theme playing)

Somebody's trying to
scare us off this case.

Let me tell you something.

Now, I don't care who it is.

Anything... I mean, anything
happens to my daughter,

there's gonna be hell to pay.

My men will find out who
did it. Oh, Paul, please.

He's here because
he thinks it's one of us.

That's impossible.

Isn't Phillip Kovacs
the one you should be

dragging out of
bed and harassing?

Let me tell you something.

Whenever I find
who's responsible

for endangering my daughter,

I'm gonna feed him
to the district attorney

piece by piece.

( somber theme playing)

CHARLENE: I don't
know, Dad, call it intuition,

call it pre-hearing jitters,
call it common sense,

but I have this awful feeling
you're gonna go out there,

and the DA's
gonna eat you alive.

You saying that
'cause you mean it,

or you trying to
make me feel better?

Dad, he has an eyewitness,
you have nothing.

(door opens) What are
we gonna use for defense?

I wish I knew.

Mr. Miracle.

I want you to
remember this moment.

Years from now, when
you look back on this time,

when you're old,

and when you're
a graceful matron

with 30 grandchildren.

When criminal
historians study this case,

I want you to
remember this time.

When things
looked utterly dismal

and absolutely hopeless.

I want you to remember the time

that Tyler Hudson
single-handedly

reached in and pulled
your fat out of the fire.

Come in, Alice.

Ben Matlock, Charlene Matlock,

Alice Jenkins.

Alice, was in Lincoln
Park painting a landscape

on the very day
and at the very time

the murders were committed.

Guess who else was there?

Nicholas Baron.

She saw him, and she's
willing to say so in court.

Alice, I am very
happy to meet you.

( upbeat theme playing)

Now... uh, Ms. Jenkins,

do I understand correctly

that you've been
working on this painting

every day at Jackson Park

for almost two weeks now?

Yes, you see... that is a study

in the way the sun displays

and enhances the leaves
and the mist on the water.

I intend to call
this... Sundance.

It's nice.

Thank you.

Uh, have you ever seen

Nicholas Baron before?

ALICE: Oh, yes.

As a matter of fact,

I saw him in Jackson Park,
because he walked in front of me

when I was painting on
a week ago Wednesday.

He was so handsome
and distinguished,

I had to stop painting.

And how far away
from you was he?

Oh, uh... Uh, 9 feet.

Uh-huh. About what
time of day was it?

ALICE: Close to 8:00.

I was almost done for the day.

Uh, that's about the
time Mr. Henderson said

that Mr. Alonzo was shot.

(whispers): Is this
what you wanted?

I'll let you know.

MATLOCK: You're sure
that's the man you saw?

ALICE: Oh, yes, yes.

Because I saw his picture

in one of those
newsweekly magazines.

And I said to myself... Yeah.

ALICE: "That's
that handsome man,

and he just got out of prison."

So you're sure

that it was Nicholas Baron
that walked in front of you

while you were
painting, in Jackson Park

on the morning of
the 19th, around 8:00?

Oh, yes, I'm sure.

And I will never forget it.

No further questions.

Uh...

Ms. Jenkins... do you know a man

by the name of Michael Escott?

No.

Hm.

What about Anthony Berinni?

No.

Irrelevant, Your Honor.

Mr. McShane is... Is
confusing the witness,

and frankly, confusing me.

I intend to show relevancy
in a moment, Your Honor.

Proceed.

Ms. Jenkins, do you
know a Robert Daily?

No.

You don't?

Well... Well, that's odd.

I-I say that because

according to this
Atlanta police record,

you do know them.

Or at least you did.

I don't know what
you're talking about.

Isn't it true that
these three men

were each charged
with serious felonies,

but in each case
you came forward

and provided alibi?

(crowd murmuring)

Isn't it true, Ms.
Jenkins, that, in fact,

you were paid in
each of these instances

to provide an alibi?

Well... I just like
to help peop...

Just answer the question!

Did you see Nicholas
Baron in the park

the morning of the 19th?

Well... McSHANE: Just a simple

declarative
sentence, Ms. Jenkins.

Tell the truth, for a change.

Your Honor...

McSHANE: Did
someone approach you

to be a witness for the
defense in the case?

(whispers quietly): Yes.

Were you told to testify

that you saw Nicholas
Baron in that park?

Yes.

McSHANE: You lied... didn't you?

I mean, you never
saw him there, did you?

ALICE: No.

Did someone pay
you to lie, Ms. Jenkins?

Yes.

Would you point him out, please?

Lawyer, Mr. Matlock.

McSHANE: I beg your pardon.

(clears throat)

The lawyer, Mr. Matlock.

Mr. Matlock?

( melancholy theme playing)

Mr. Matlock?

Uh, I have no further
use for this witness.

Matlock could be
disbarred for this.

That's right, kid.

That's right.

( somber theme playing)

( upbeat jazz theme playing)