Murder One (1995–1997): Season 1, Episode 19 - Chapter Nineteen - full transcript
Cross acts strangely on the witness stand.
The victim.
Murder last night
you could be interested in.
15 year-old blond
named Jessica Costello.
Cleaning lady found her. Naked, tied up,
strangled, drugs all over the place.
the suspect:
Drug-addicted movie star. Neil Avedon.
You're hip-deep
in a rape homicide.
The defense plans their strategy.
How great is our side going, Ted?
When we get Richard Cross
back on the stand...
...we'll position him, very credibly,
as the killer of Jessica Costello.
The betrayal.
I talked with Cross.
He says you've been working for him.
Did you or did you not contravene
my instruction to turn him down?
-Let me explain.
-Did you deliberately mislead me...
...by failing to mention you arranged...
...for them to meet
the night she disappeared?
No, I didn't tell you the entire truth.
You're fired.
-Excuse me?
-I can't trust you.
I don't think she deserves
this draconian punishment.
Justine is a grownup. She did what
she did with her eyes open.
Why don't you make me the snake
in the Garden of Eden?
You set out to corrupt one
of my associates, and you succeeded.
A marriage unravels.
What I've been getting isn't enough.
It's not enough? Well, then find someone
who'll give you more.
Find someone who'll minister
to your every need.
I can't. As of now I'm still married
to you.
A friend to lean on.
I heard about you and Annie.
Did the rumor about us
have anything--?
Nothing whatsoever to do with this.
I hope Annie can find her way through
this without doing anything rash.
She has no idea how lucky she is.
-Let me cook you dinner one night.
-You're a dear friend, Francesca.
A new partnership.
You didn't think I'd abandon my
friend in her time of need, did you?
You learn fast, and you're loyal.
Those are the only two qualities
that I require.
To loyalty.
Knock, knock.
-I'll come back.
-No, I'm on hold. What's up?
l've been digging into that
Fast Track Tire deal.
Thought we closed that deal.
We're going back and forth.
The more I think about this--
Damn it!
Can't stand to be kept waiting.
What were you saying?
l've crunched some numbers.
What these guys are looking to walk
away with isn't justified by their share.
Each of the 12 franchises
reported losses...
...between 17 and 30 percent
in the previous quarter.
Meaning you're looking at a pretty steep
negative cash flow.
I'm not concerned about cash flow.
Even to cannibalize the chain
for real estate, we're gonna take a hit.
We're gonna be overpaying
for run-down buildings...
...in economically depressed areas.
Any way you slice it,
the deal doesn't make sense.
What did I tell you to do?
I told you to close
the Fast Track Tire deal.
-Yes, and this--
-Spare me your second-rate thinking.
When I tell somebody to do something,
I expect it to get done.
-Richard, if you would just hear me out--
-Shut up!
Get your fat ass out of my office
and close the deal!
Otherwise, I'll put somebody
on the job who will!
Regarding the judge's instructions...
...l've briefed everything
we're asking for.
I'll have an outline for closing
arguments end of today.
Are we really at that point?
Richard Cross is our last witness.
So it's settled then?
I won't be taking the stand?
It's settled as far as I'm concerned.
By the way, I've asked Chris
to handle Richard's direct examination.
The jury can't help picking up on
the personal animus between us.
I don't want that distracting
from his testimony.
That makes sense,
but shouldn't we wait...
...and see what Cross gives us
before we decide I shouldn't testify?
...and see what Cross gives us
before we decide I shouldn't testify?
Nothing's set in stone.
Neil, you're not gonna help yourself
by testifying.
Won't jurors hold it against me
if I don't?
-No.
I would.
If a person's innocent, he would wanna
take the witness stand and say that.
Neil, I am telling you...
...as someone who's been
a trial attorney for 17 years...
...defendants do themselves more harm
than good when they take the stand.
I suggest you put it out of your mind.
The car's downstairs.
We better get going.
Can we talk about this on the way?
Sure. Give us a minute to go
over a couple of other matters.
When we speak to a client,
we speak with one voice.
-ls that understood?
-I'm sorry.
What is or is not set in stone...
What is or is not set in stone...
...gets decided within the confines
of this office.
You don't think out loud
with a client in the room.
Sorry.
Mr. Cross, we have called you
to the stand to give you an opportunity...
...to explain what seem to be
a number of jarring coincidences.
I'm certainly happy to try.
You're a major contributor to
Roger Garfield's political organization.
And Roger Garfield personally saw
to your release...
...following your arrest for the murder
of Jessica Costello.
I object, Your Honor, to counsel's
attempt to suggest by insinuation...
...what he can't prove by evidence.
It's argumentative, it's improper,
and I ask that it be stricken.
This is a hostile witness.
Objection overruled.
The witness may answer.
Um, I did not buy myself a license
to kill, Mr. Docknovich.
If Roger Garfield thought I was guilty...
...all the campaign contributions
in the world...
...wouldn't have made him let me go.
It's been alleged that after
Neil Avedon got finished raping...
...and murdering Jessica Costello...
...that he made a call to the office
of Dr. Graham Lester.
You have a relationship with Dr. Lester.
Yes, I do.
You also have a relationship
with the nurse who testified...
...that she received the call, correct?
Well, I know her.
But I wouldn't say
we have a relationship.
Her brother's medical expenses
are being paid for by you.
-ls that a coincidence?
-Yes, it is.
Your paying over $300,OOO a year
for the medical care of an individual...
...who testified to meeting you once...
...has absolutely nothing to do with
assuring his sister's testimony?
Absolutely nothing.
Jonathan Kimball came across my path.
I was moved by the young
man's plight...
...and I've done what little
l've been able to do.
-Your wife is Jessica Costello's sister?
-Yes, she is.
You married her on the eve
of her testimony...
...thus allowing her to invoke marital
privilege when asked about you.
Was that a coincidence?
My wife and I married
because we love each other.
My wife and I married
because we love each other.
That, together with the mutual need
for emotional stability...
...after going through what we've both
gone through, is why we got married.
ls it a coincidence that when we
questioned the men...
...whose names appeared
in Jessica Costello's diary...
...each and every one of them testified
to being introduced to her by you?
If you're implying that I somehow
worked as a pimp for Jessica...
...let me hasten to correct
that impression.
Jessica looked at me,
and I think my wife can verify this...
...as a rich uncle.
Someone she could go to
when she had problems...
...when she needed money.
Someone who would be
nonjudgmental...
...and always indulgent.
In the final analysis...
...perhaps that's not what she needed.
But that's what I provided.
And that's all I provided.
What about a place for her to live?
Yes, I provided that too.
-You own the apartment she lived in.
-Yes.
As the owner, you would have
had access to her apartment.
Yes.
Okay.
I think you've answered
all my questions.
-Thank you.
-You're quite welcome.
But one other thing:
What do you think the basis was
for District Attorney Garfield...
...dropping the charges against you
for Jessica Costello's murder?
Your Honor, this is well-trod ground.
We've heard from four witnesses
why the charges were dropped.
I think the jury is entitled to hear it
from Mr. Cross himself.
Objection overruled.
I was with a young woman
the night of the murder.
She made a statement
as to my whereabouts.
-What was the young woman's name?
-Beverly Nichols.
Why didn't Beverly Nichols come forward
immediately upon your arrest?
I believe because she was
in fear of her husband.
This would be the same husband
who was captured on videotape...
...by her pimp, Fred Carello, participating
in a ménage à trois with the two of you?
If you're suggesting that her
husband's presence on that tape...
...means that he is not
a violent and jealous person...
...l think, with all due respect...
...that you have an overly simplistic view
of human sexuality.
Did you, in order to prevent others
with an equally simplistic point of view...
...from doubting the veracity
of your alibi...
...try to stop this videotape
from being seen?
No, I did not.
So you would have had nothing to do
with the murder of Fred Carello...
...and David Blalock on the evening
he was to take possession of this tape?
Objection. Counsel's testifying.
I'll withdraw the question, Your Honor.
I'm sure the answer
would have been no.
Yes, I'll give Mr. Cross the message.
Bye-bye.
-He just stepped out.
-I have contracts for him to sign.
I just need to run to xeroxing,
but you can go on in.
Hoffman and Associates.
I'm sorry, Ms. Appleton is no longer
with this firm.
Bill Weingart called again,
desperate for a sit-down about his bill...
...which he characterized
as exorbitant and unfair.
I told him you won't be available
until the trial is over.
I don't know if I can wait that long.
Gary Blondo called wanting you to buy
a table at the Big Brothers' fundraiser.
There are no enemies in this town,
only continuing interests.
There are no enemies in this town,
only continuing interests.
-Are you Theodore Hoffman?
-I am.
But this gentleman will accept service.
This is on a personal matter, sir.
Evening.
My wife is suing me for divorce.
I think the explanation
is pretty self-evident.
I don't want to be married
to you anymore.
You've made that abundantly clear.
What upsets me is that I found out
from a process server.
l've been telling you how I felt
for a while.
I was meeting with an attorney.
It's not like you didn't see this coming.
You don't think 12 years of marriage
earns me the courtesy of a phone call?
I tried to make this
as painless as possible.
We're not putting a dog
to sleep here, Annie.
You're being precipitous.
I'm asking you to put off your decision.
You're asking me to put my life on hold
so you can focus all your attention...
...on this trial, which I won't do.
I want to get on with my life.
Then help me understand the rush here.
Are you about to set up housekeeping
with someone else?
I have to do carpool. Excuse me.
I'm asking you for the last time...
-...please don't do this.
-There's coffee if you want it.
Please lock the door behind you
on your way out.
Lizzie? Come on,
we'll be late for school.
Much has been made, Mr. Cross...
...of your campaign contributions
to Roger Garfield.
For the record, is Mr. Garfield
the only elected official...
...to whom you make
campaign contributions?
All told, I probably give about a million
dollars a year in political donations.
Mr. Garfield is one of many.
Much has been made of your footing
the bills for Jonathan Kimball.
ls Mr. Kimball the only individual...
...for whom you underwrite
medical expenses?
No.
Please believe me when I say I don't like
to make a habit of bragging...
...about my good works. But there are
about 20 different people...
...whose medical expenses
are underwritten by me.
And why is that, Mr. Cross?
Because I believe very strongly
that with wealth comes responsibility.
Now I want you to pout for me.
Excuse me?
I said that with wealth
comes responsibility.
Do you consider Neil Avedon a friend,
Mr. Cross?
Yes, I do.
When bail was set for Mr. Avedon
at $10 million...
...were you not the one
who posted the bail?
Yes, I was.
Unbutton the top of your blouse,
pick up those papers...
...drop them on the floor, bend over,
and pick them up.
Do it.
May we have a brief recess?
Mr. Cross, has something
come over you?
No. Why do you ask, Your Honor?
You've made an extremely
inappropriate remark.
I'd like to know
what caused you to do so.
Your Honor, I've tried to be as truthful,
responsive and cooperative as possible.
If I've said anything that's
been otherwise, I apologize.
Why don't you proceed with
your questions, Ms. Grasso.
You've cooperated with the defense
at every turn...
-...have you not, Mr. Cross?
Yes, I have.
ln fact, I've gone so far as to employ
my own private investigators...
...on Neil's behalf. Mr. Hoffman
maintains that I'm trying to frame Neil.
But all I've ever done is try to help him.
ls there any reason that you would--?
Do you think that makes me pathetic?
-Richard?
Sit down, Mr. Freilich.
Please limit your remarks to responding
only to the questions you've been asked.
Can we stick to the script, please?
-Excuse me, Mr. Cross?
-No, listen.
This is between me and her, okay?
-And you don't come in until I signal--
Mr. Cross.
Your Honor, may we have
a brief recess?
You go over to her
and take your hand...
...and you put it
right between her legs.
That's it. No talking.
Mr. Freilich, is your client aware
of where he is right now?
Your Honor, my client has been
under a great deal of strain as of late.
It's possible he may be showing
some of the signs of that.
Okay. This court is in recess.
Miss Grasso, will you have
any further questions?
No, Your Honor.
I'm going to call it quits for today.
We'll resume tomorrow morning at 9:30.
You may step down, Mr. Cross.
Thank you very much, Your Honor.
-We need to talk.
-ln here.
I wanna testify.
-You think it went badly for us?
-I don't think it went great.
Looks as though Richard is having
a nervous breakdown.
-I'd say that's good for us.
-How is that good for us?
The jury looks at him and
concludes that either he's cracking up...
...under the strain of lying or he's crazy
and thereby capable of murder.
-You win either way.
-I hate to disagree with you...
...but what we saw today
didn't make me think...
...Richard was capable of murder.
Chris, am I the only one
that feels that way?
I'd have to go with Ted.
Then I have to disagree
with both of you.
-I think I'm in trouble.
-Neil, let me be blunt.
You're too exposed on too many fronts
to take the stand.
Miriam Grasso will eat you alive.
The jury knows about my past.
Knowing about it and being presented
with you...
...trying to distance yourself
from it are two different things.
I think if I present myself truthfully,
the audience will believe me.
Neil, it's not an audience, it's a jury.
And when it comes to explaining your
life, you cannot afford to be truthful.
If I don't get up there,
and I get convicted...
...l will spend 30 years in a cell...
...thinking I could've done something
and I didn't.
Whatever else I have to endure,
I can't endure that.
Tomorrow morning, I'm gonna testify.
And I expect you to prepare me for it
as best you can.
And I expect you to prepare me for it
as best you can.
-Neil.
Ted...
...this is what I want.
Were you using cocaine when you were
captured on this tape...
...strangling Melissa Griotte?
I believe I was, yes.
Just so I understand you correctly,
Mr. Avedon...
...it's your contention that strangulation
in this instance was an erotic act?
-I'm not defending what I did.
Aren't you?
I thought that was the
whole purpose.
-I'm not defending what I did to Melissa.
What about Jessica?
-Was strangling her an erotic act?
I didn't strangle her.
-You don't remember strangling her?
I didn't strangle her.
We have sworn testimony
from Richard DiGiacomo...
...that you had your hands around
Jessica's throat at the House of Blues.
-ls that not the case?
-That guy was lying, Chris.
-We showed he was lying.
-Answer the question, Mr. Avedon.
No. It's not the case.
-Could it be that you don't remember?
-No.
Did you not tell Detective Arthur Polson
of the L.A.P.D...
...that you were experiencing
memory loss and blackouts?
I remember that night at the
House of Blues. I never touched her.
How well do you remember
the night of September 20th?
Well enough to know
I didn't kill anybody.
So you never confessed to this crime?
Right.
So Dr. Graham Lester is a liar?
-Right.
And the nurse who testified
that you called, she's also a liar?
That's right, she's a liar.
We have Dr. Graham Lester,
Susan Dominick, Richard DiGiacomo...
...Melissa Griotte's lying...
...Roger Garfield's lying about letting
Richard Cross go, and Cross...
...well, he's just lying
about everything.
ls it your contention, Mr. Avedon...
...that you're the only one
telling the truth?
I assume, at some point, someone from
our side is going to say something here.
Objection, Your Honor. Argumentative.
Overruled.
I get the picture, okay?
-You're saying it's gonna be rough.
It's not a matter of rough.
I'm telling you you're gonna
get yourself convicted.
I understand what the stakes are here.
But I gotta do what I believe I gotta do.
What I need from you is help.
You've got it.
Okay. Let's go
to your relationship with Jessica.
-Are you gonna testify, Neil?
-Yes, I am.
REPORTER 1 : When did this come about?
I've wanted to from the beginning.
-This isn't an act of desperation, Ted?
-Absolutely not.
My client wants to tell his own story,
as is his right.
-Whose idea was it?
-The entire defense team was involved.
REPORTER 2: Are you nervous about
Grasso's cross-examination?
I'm here to tell the truth.
Whatever I get asked, that's what I'm
gonna do. I'm just gonna tell the truth.
Do you swear to tell the truth,
the whole truth...
-...and nothing but the truth?
-I do.
State your name for the record.
-Neil Avedon.
You may be seated.
-Good morning, Mr. Avedon.
-Good morning.
I'd like to ask you some questions
in the hope that the jury...
-...might get to know you a little better.
-Fine.
ls Neil Avedon the name
you were born with?
No. I was born James Rennick.
I changed my name to Neil Avedon
when I was 15.
What were the circumstances
surrounding your decision to do that?
I decided that I wanted
to become an actor...
...and I left Indianapolis,
came out to Los Angeles...
...l managed to get an agent...
...and my agent suggested
I change my name.
Was it hard leaving Indianapolis?
No.
Leaving your family
and friends wasn't hard?
I didn't have very many friends.
And as far as leaving my family
was concerned, it wasn't hard at all.
What was it about your family...
-...that you wanted to get away from?
-My old man.
What was it about your old man?
If it'll speed things along,
the people will stipulate...
...to the defendant having had a
difficult childhood and an abusive father.
Ms. Grasso already knows that
we won't stipulate, Your Honor.
We want our client to testify
as to who he is...
...and how he came to be here.
That is his right.
And shame on Ms. Grasso
for the mocking tone...
-...she can't keep out of her voice.
-Excuse me?
Okay, counsel, that's enough.
Mr. Hoffman, I can do without
the ad hominem attacks.
Ms. Grasso, your objection's overruled.
I was asking you about your father.
He was pretty quiet.
He worked for Bendix Brake Linings
for 30 years.
He never let it interfere with his job...
...but nights and weekends,
he used to drink.
Uh, he was a couple inches
shorter than me, I remember that.
He took very good care of his things,
I remember that.
He bought a 1965 Dodge Coronet
station wagon.
And he was still driving it
when I left home in 1984.
And he was still driving it
when I left home in 1984.
You know, he'd wash it
on the weekends.
He changed the oil himself.
When I was about 10...
...l had dropped some M&M's
on the floor in the back seat...
...and they got stepped on.
And when he saw it,
he grabbed me by my hair...
...and banged my head
against the car door...
...until our neighbor came out
and made him stop.
He never could get the stain out
of the carpet from those M&M's.
How did your father feel
about your acting career?
Not interested.
He never came to see me
in any school plays.
He made a point of not watching
whatever television show I was on.
And he said acting was for fags.
It's fair to say, is it not,
that your acting career took off?
I was very fortunate.
All for One was a top-ten show
for seven years.
You made a lot of money?
-Yes.
Acquire any bad habits?
-Yes, I did.
Tell us about them.
I began to drink and use cocaine...
...and I eventually lost control
of my life.
Tell us what that means, Neil.
I went through 3 to 4 grams
of cocaine a week...
...a fifth of vodka a day.
-How did that affect your behavior?
-I became a monster.
I would verbally abuse people.
I was violent.
What were the consequences
to this change in behavior?
When you're the star
of a hit TV series...
...people work very hard
at trying to forgive you.
There were no consequences.
Was it during this period
that you met Richard Cross?
Yes.
Would you describe your relationship?
Richard's a collector.
I was a TV star.
I was good to have around.
-What was in it for you?
He always had a lot of cocaine.
And beautiful women.
He made me laugh.
And I thought he was my friend.
Was it Richard who introduced you...
-...to Dr. Graham Lester?
-Yes.
-Did you become Dr. Lester's patient?
-Yes, I did.
Why did you do so?
The cocaine was getting out of hand,
and the alcohol was too.
And I felt as though I had
to do something.
Richard said that Dr. Lester had treated
a lot of famous Hollywood drug addicts.
And he said with Dr. Lester,
you didn't have to stop getting high.
Your Honor, I'm going
to object to that as hearsay.
Offered solely for its effect...
-...on Mr. Avedon's state of mind.
-Overruled.
Did Cross also introduce you...
-...to Jessica Costello?
-Yes.
Would you describe for us what your
relationship with her was like?
One minute we'd be curled up
in each other's arms...
...you know, reading or
watching TV or talking.
The next minute, she'd be hitting me
in the head with a telephone...
...or throwing my clothes
out the window.
We'd get high together,
or we'd stop getting high together.
As crazy as we both were...
...we understood each other.
And as much as I've loved anyone,
I loved her.
I would like you to take us through
the night of September 20th, 1995.
Tell us exactly what you did.
I was staying
at Chris Docknovich's house.
I left there around 10:OO
to go over to see Jessica.
I got a pizza, gram of coke.
We ate, we got high.
We put rwo-lane Blacktop on the VCR.
We made love while we watched it.
And I left around midnight.
-Did you rape Jessica Costello that night?
-No, sir.
-Did you murder her?
-No, sir, I did not.
I have no further questions.
On the night of the murder,
you were staying...
...at Chris Docknovich's home.
-ls that correct?
-Yes.
What were the circumstances
surrounding you staying at his home?
I was having a hard time
staying off drugs and alcohol.
And Chris was keeping an eye on me.
Was there any reason why someone
from your lawyer's office...
...rather than someone from your
therapist's was keeping an eye on you?
At the time, I was embroiled
in another legal matter.
-What caused you to be so embroiled?
-Objection.
Overruled.
I killed a swan at the Bel-Air Hotel.
How did you kill a swan, Mr. Avedon?
I strangled it.
Are you familiar with a young woman
named Melissa Griotte?
-Yes.
-Are you familiar with a videotape...
-...of the two of you in bed together?
-Yes, I am.
-...of the two of you in bed together?
-Yes, I am.
ls it not a fact that what we see
on that videotape...
...is you with your hands
around Miss Griotte's throat?
I wasn't strangling Melissa.
You have your hands around her throat.
What was it you were doing?
lt was sex. As weird as that sounds...
...and I know it sounds weird...
...that's what it was about.
Look, I was a drug addict.
I was crazy.
And that's what I was doing.
Miss Griotte testified
she was afraid for her life.
-Objection.
-Well, obviously, that wasn't true.
-You can tell by the tape.
-Objection sustained.
ls it your testimony, Mr. Avedon...
-...that Miss Griotte was lying?
-Yes.
We heard from Mr. DiGiacomo
that you had your hands...
...around Jessica Costello's throat
one evening at the House of Blues.
-Was that also sex?
-Objection. Argumentative.
Overruled.
-That never happened.
-So Richard DiGiacomo is also lying?
Yes.
Dr. Lester's nurse is lying
about receiving the telephone call.
Dr. Lester is lying
about the confession.
ls it your position that you're the
only person here telling the truth?
Objection. Argumentative.
I'll withdraw the question.
If it pleases the court, Your Honor...
...the people will resume
our cross-examination...
...of this witness tomorrow morning.
That's fine.
We'll stand in recess till 9:30
tomorrow morning.
You scared me.
What are you doing here?
Working on a business proposal, and
I needed some background information.
On lephyr House?
No, we're looking into
buying out an HMO.
Sit down.
-What's the problem?
-Suppose you tell me.
I don't know who you think you are,
but I don't report to you.
I report to Richard Cross,
and I have work to do, okay?
Sit.
Do not lie to me, Justine.
Do not ever lie to me.
This was all just
a huge misunderstanding.
All I was trying to do was--
-No lies. Only truth.
-Please let go.
-Understand?
-Yes. Please let go. Please.
Douglas...
...if security had been watching
Justine for several days...
...why was I not informed?
I wanted to be sure we had a problem.
Well, there was a problem, because this
person was under surveillance, correct?
-Yes, but the difference--
-So I was left out of the loop, wasn't l?
I didn't see any reason to alarm you.
Well, what alarms me...
...is that my security chief has not been
entirely forthcoming with me.
That is what I find alarming...
...and unacceptable.
-Totally unacceptable.
-I'm sorry.
I'm not interested in your apologies.
Apologies mean nothing to me.
Listen to me.
I am being photographed...
...from the 14th floor of that building
right over there.
My phone has been tapped!
I have made more than a few enemies
in my lifetime.
So I need to trust the people
who work for me.
But what I'm finding out is that I can't
trust you, and I can't trust Justine.
I can't trust anybody.
I check my car seat belts to make sure
they haven't been tampered with, okay?
ln case I happen to meet
with an accident.
Do you understand what I'm saying? So l
am not looking for apologies or excuses!
I am looking only for performance!
Am I making myself perfectly clear?!
I didn't mean to cause
an uproar, Richard.
If I used poor judgment, I want to assure
you it'll never happen again.
Let's hope not.
Make sure she gets home safely.
That's it?
You say that as if you're
questioning me.
No.
Good, because I think I've answered
enough questions for one week.
-What size is that dress?
-Eight.
Julie wears a six.
I think that would look good on her,
don't you?
I'm sure it would.
Good.
Lisa? Hey.
Ted's not here, is he?
No, he's not back from court yet.
-What's up?
-I need a favor.
Shoot.
I need you to get me
in a room with Ted.
I gotta be honest with you...
...l don't think there's a lot you can do
to get back in Ted's good graces.
You know how he is
once his mind's made up.
Well, I think he's gonna
want to see this.
-Oh, my God.
-The handiwork of Richard Cross.
Lisa, I'm 100 percent convinced
Cross murdered Jessica.
-Richard Cross did that to you?
-Last night.
He flew into a rage. Next thing I know,
he's strangling me.
I'll certainly talk to Ted...
...but he knows Cross is violent, and he
already believes he's behind the murder.
-So....
-I'm in the room with him...
...14 hours a day. I'm watching him
unravel right in front of my eyes.
Soon, he's gonna make a mistake.
I'll be there to capitalize on it.
I want Ted to know that.
He's not gonna take you back, Justine.
Will you talk to him?
Yeah.
But you've gotta get as far away
from Cross as you can. Please.
Talk to Ted.
ln looking over the transcripts
of yesterday's proceedings...
...l found something you said
that seemed quite perceptive.
You said, and I quote:
"When you're the star of a hit
TV show...
...people try very hard to forgive you."
Am I correct in taking that
to mean that you knew...
...producers and network executives
were aware of your drug problems...
...and chose to look the other way?
So long as it doesn't interfere
with the work, yeah.
Can I also take that to mean
that you were aware...
...that your friends
and acquaintances...
...were sufficiently fearful
of offending you?
-That they tolerated your bad behavior?
-Yes.
And that would include your women
friends and acquaintances?
Yes, it would.
What would your behavior consist of...
...in relation to your women
friends and acquaintances?
A variety of things.
-lncluding rape?
-No.
Let's talk about your relationship...
...with Jessica Costello a little bit.
You were how old
when you started seeing her?
-Twenty-five.
-And she was how old?
I later found out she was 15.
lt must be pretty heady stuff for a
15 year-old to be with a big TV star.
I don't think me being on TV
meant all that much to her.
Did you make it a practice
to supply her with drugs?
No.
But you did say that on the
night she was murdered...
...you went over to her apartment
with coke, did you not?
Jessica didn't need me
to supply her with drugs.
She got drugs from all over the place.
You leave the home
of Chris Docknovich...
...and get to Jessica's around 10.
Had you been drinking?
-I don't believe so.
-You don't believe so...
-...but you don't remember.
I wasn't drinking before.
-I may have had a drink when I got there.
-One drink?
One or two. Not more than that.
-Plus the gram of coke?
-Right.
-Plus the gram of coke?
-Right.
And notwithstanding her efforts
to stop...
...she cheerfully consented to get high,
you watched a movie...
...you made love, you kissed her
goodbye, and you left.
-ls that right?
-That's right.
Following your departure,
some other individual came over...
...raped Jessica Costello,
strangled Jessica Costello...
...and then left.
Yes.
You did not call Dr. Lester from
Jessica's apartment at 1 :45 a.m.?
You did not confess to Dr. Lester
that you killed her?
That's right.
But you did show up at Dr. Lester's
office in an agitated state...
-...did you not?
-Yes.
And that was attributable to what?
The fact that I continued to use cocaine
and I drank after I left Jessica.
Did you or did you not say
to Detective Arthur Polson...
...that you were experiencing some
blackouts and memory loss?
-I did not kill Jessica and forget about it.
-Ask that the witness...
-...be directed to answer the question.
Mr. Avedon.
Yes. I did say I was experiencing
some memory loss.
So when you state conclusively
that you did not kill Miss Costello...
...you did not rape Miss Costello...
...that regardless of what's contained
in Dr. Lester's notes...
...you did not confess to the crime...
...aren't what you're really saying is
that you couldn't have done this thing?
-I'm saying I didn't.
-ls it possible that you did it...
-...and don't remember?
-No.
You don't remember other things.
-ls it possible you don't remember this?
-I would remember this. I didn't do it.
So in other words, you...
-...who have repeatedly used violence--
-Objection.
Who have repeatedly
used strangulation...
...as a means of getting
what you want--
...as a means of getting
what you want--
I object to the district attorney's
badgering of this witness.
Ms. Grasso.
-Yes, Your Honor?
-Ask your question.
Isn't what you're really doing...
...asking us to take it on faith
that you're not capable of the crime...
-...you've been charged with?
-I guess I am.
And yet you can't state
with absolute certainty...
...that you didn't do it, can you?
If you're asking me if it's possible
that I blacked out...
...and, in the course of that blackout,
that I raped and murdered Jessica...
-...l guess, theoretically, it is possible.
-Thank you--
But I know myself, and I know
what I'm capable of--
Thank you.
-And I didn't do it.
Grande lattes, anybody?
Thanks.
-Sure.
Today felt good.
I felt like I was completely
in the moment...
...and I felt like this was a real
connection between me...
-...and at least three people in the jury.
-Good.
How did you think I did?
I think you did very well.
Good. Thanks.
I'm gonna go to the men's room.
I'll be right back.
You didn't really think
he did that well, did you?
He's an actor. He wants applause.
Do you have a moment
for Justine Appleton?
Always.
Justine. You're looking radiant,
as usual.
-Thank you. This is for you.
-What is it?
It's my letter of resignation.
It's effective immediately.
You must be joking.
Well, I can't imagine a more promising
career opportunity than this...
...has presented itself.
So I have to conclude
that you're unhappy here.
To put it mildly, yes.
-Uh-huh.
-I don't take well to verbal abuse.
I won't tolerate being manhandled...
...no matter how out of line
I may have been last night.
Oh. Well....
Douglas sometimes approaches his job
with a little too much enthusiasm.
I'm sorry about that.
I will speak to him.
I'm not talking about Douglas,
I'm talking about you.
Oh, well, I guess I haven't
been myself lately...
...as was evidenced by my behavior
in court.
I'm sorry.
I have to beg your forgiveness.
-I don't know, Richard.
-Now, Justine, look. I promise.
lt will never, ever happen again.
And as far as this
Ietter of resignation goes...
...l hope you'll allow me to put
this in the appropriate file.
And I would like you to look...
...at your new contract as chief financial
officer of Alpha Microdyne Limited...
...the digital-systems company
that I acquired earlier today.
-What?
-You can go over the fine points...
...at your leisure.
Meanwhile, here is a signing
bonus of $100,OOO.
-Richard.
-I can't talk to you about it now...
...because I'm late.
You know how those blue bloods at the
symphony board hate to be kept waiting.
-Francesca.
-Am I interrupting?
No.
Come on in.
I was in the area.
I thought I'd drop by and say hello.
I'm glad you did.
I'm glad you did.
-Dining in tonight, I see.
-Yes, I am.
-Can I offer you half a sandwich?
-No, thank you.
You should have called me, though.
I would have met you here,
and we could have gone out.
I'll remember for next time.
-Will you?
-I promise.
Good.
How are things?
Things are not great.
Annie filed for divorce.
-I'm sorry.
-Thanks.
Having just been through it myself...
...l think I know what a difficult time
you're having.
You're not wrong.
I'd guess that, at the end of the day,
all you want is a little distraction...
...for everything else that's going on
in your life.
You'd be right.
Let's distract each other, Teddy.
Just this one night.
I don't know if that's a good idea.
Come home with me.
Let me convince you that it is.
Subtitles by
SDl Media Group
OCR extraction
by D.Lauper
Murder last night
you could be interested in.
15 year-old blond
named Jessica Costello.
Cleaning lady found her. Naked, tied up,
strangled, drugs all over the place.
the suspect:
Drug-addicted movie star. Neil Avedon.
You're hip-deep
in a rape homicide.
The defense plans their strategy.
How great is our side going, Ted?
When we get Richard Cross
back on the stand...
...we'll position him, very credibly,
as the killer of Jessica Costello.
The betrayal.
I talked with Cross.
He says you've been working for him.
Did you or did you not contravene
my instruction to turn him down?
-Let me explain.
-Did you deliberately mislead me...
...by failing to mention you arranged...
...for them to meet
the night she disappeared?
No, I didn't tell you the entire truth.
You're fired.
-Excuse me?
-I can't trust you.
I don't think she deserves
this draconian punishment.
Justine is a grownup. She did what
she did with her eyes open.
Why don't you make me the snake
in the Garden of Eden?
You set out to corrupt one
of my associates, and you succeeded.
A marriage unravels.
What I've been getting isn't enough.
It's not enough? Well, then find someone
who'll give you more.
Find someone who'll minister
to your every need.
I can't. As of now I'm still married
to you.
A friend to lean on.
I heard about you and Annie.
Did the rumor about us
have anything--?
Nothing whatsoever to do with this.
I hope Annie can find her way through
this without doing anything rash.
She has no idea how lucky she is.
-Let me cook you dinner one night.
-You're a dear friend, Francesca.
A new partnership.
You didn't think I'd abandon my
friend in her time of need, did you?
You learn fast, and you're loyal.
Those are the only two qualities
that I require.
To loyalty.
Knock, knock.
-I'll come back.
-No, I'm on hold. What's up?
l've been digging into that
Fast Track Tire deal.
Thought we closed that deal.
We're going back and forth.
The more I think about this--
Damn it!
Can't stand to be kept waiting.
What were you saying?
l've crunched some numbers.
What these guys are looking to walk
away with isn't justified by their share.
Each of the 12 franchises
reported losses...
...between 17 and 30 percent
in the previous quarter.
Meaning you're looking at a pretty steep
negative cash flow.
I'm not concerned about cash flow.
Even to cannibalize the chain
for real estate, we're gonna take a hit.
We're gonna be overpaying
for run-down buildings...
...in economically depressed areas.
Any way you slice it,
the deal doesn't make sense.
What did I tell you to do?
I told you to close
the Fast Track Tire deal.
-Yes, and this--
-Spare me your second-rate thinking.
When I tell somebody to do something,
I expect it to get done.
-Richard, if you would just hear me out--
-Shut up!
Get your fat ass out of my office
and close the deal!
Otherwise, I'll put somebody
on the job who will!
Regarding the judge's instructions...
...l've briefed everything
we're asking for.
I'll have an outline for closing
arguments end of today.
Are we really at that point?
Richard Cross is our last witness.
So it's settled then?
I won't be taking the stand?
It's settled as far as I'm concerned.
By the way, I've asked Chris
to handle Richard's direct examination.
The jury can't help picking up on
the personal animus between us.
I don't want that distracting
from his testimony.
That makes sense,
but shouldn't we wait...
...and see what Cross gives us
before we decide I shouldn't testify?
...and see what Cross gives us
before we decide I shouldn't testify?
Nothing's set in stone.
Neil, you're not gonna help yourself
by testifying.
Won't jurors hold it against me
if I don't?
-No.
I would.
If a person's innocent, he would wanna
take the witness stand and say that.
Neil, I am telling you...
...as someone who's been
a trial attorney for 17 years...
...defendants do themselves more harm
than good when they take the stand.
I suggest you put it out of your mind.
The car's downstairs.
We better get going.
Can we talk about this on the way?
Sure. Give us a minute to go
over a couple of other matters.
When we speak to a client,
we speak with one voice.
-ls that understood?
-I'm sorry.
What is or is not set in stone...
What is or is not set in stone...
...gets decided within the confines
of this office.
You don't think out loud
with a client in the room.
Sorry.
Mr. Cross, we have called you
to the stand to give you an opportunity...
...to explain what seem to be
a number of jarring coincidences.
I'm certainly happy to try.
You're a major contributor to
Roger Garfield's political organization.
And Roger Garfield personally saw
to your release...
...following your arrest for the murder
of Jessica Costello.
I object, Your Honor, to counsel's
attempt to suggest by insinuation...
...what he can't prove by evidence.
It's argumentative, it's improper,
and I ask that it be stricken.
This is a hostile witness.
Objection overruled.
The witness may answer.
Um, I did not buy myself a license
to kill, Mr. Docknovich.
If Roger Garfield thought I was guilty...
...all the campaign contributions
in the world...
...wouldn't have made him let me go.
It's been alleged that after
Neil Avedon got finished raping...
...and murdering Jessica Costello...
...that he made a call to the office
of Dr. Graham Lester.
You have a relationship with Dr. Lester.
Yes, I do.
You also have a relationship
with the nurse who testified...
...that she received the call, correct?
Well, I know her.
But I wouldn't say
we have a relationship.
Her brother's medical expenses
are being paid for by you.
-ls that a coincidence?
-Yes, it is.
Your paying over $300,OOO a year
for the medical care of an individual...
...who testified to meeting you once...
...has absolutely nothing to do with
assuring his sister's testimony?
Absolutely nothing.
Jonathan Kimball came across my path.
I was moved by the young
man's plight...
...and I've done what little
l've been able to do.
-Your wife is Jessica Costello's sister?
-Yes, she is.
You married her on the eve
of her testimony...
...thus allowing her to invoke marital
privilege when asked about you.
Was that a coincidence?
My wife and I married
because we love each other.
My wife and I married
because we love each other.
That, together with the mutual need
for emotional stability...
...after going through what we've both
gone through, is why we got married.
ls it a coincidence that when we
questioned the men...
...whose names appeared
in Jessica Costello's diary...
...each and every one of them testified
to being introduced to her by you?
If you're implying that I somehow
worked as a pimp for Jessica...
...let me hasten to correct
that impression.
Jessica looked at me,
and I think my wife can verify this...
...as a rich uncle.
Someone she could go to
when she had problems...
...when she needed money.
Someone who would be
nonjudgmental...
...and always indulgent.
In the final analysis...
...perhaps that's not what she needed.
But that's what I provided.
And that's all I provided.
What about a place for her to live?
Yes, I provided that too.
-You own the apartment she lived in.
-Yes.
As the owner, you would have
had access to her apartment.
Yes.
Okay.
I think you've answered
all my questions.
-Thank you.
-You're quite welcome.
But one other thing:
What do you think the basis was
for District Attorney Garfield...
...dropping the charges against you
for Jessica Costello's murder?
Your Honor, this is well-trod ground.
We've heard from four witnesses
why the charges were dropped.
I think the jury is entitled to hear it
from Mr. Cross himself.
Objection overruled.
I was with a young woman
the night of the murder.
She made a statement
as to my whereabouts.
-What was the young woman's name?
-Beverly Nichols.
Why didn't Beverly Nichols come forward
immediately upon your arrest?
I believe because she was
in fear of her husband.
This would be the same husband
who was captured on videotape...
...by her pimp, Fred Carello, participating
in a ménage à trois with the two of you?
If you're suggesting that her
husband's presence on that tape...
...means that he is not
a violent and jealous person...
...l think, with all due respect...
...that you have an overly simplistic view
of human sexuality.
Did you, in order to prevent others
with an equally simplistic point of view...
...from doubting the veracity
of your alibi...
...try to stop this videotape
from being seen?
No, I did not.
So you would have had nothing to do
with the murder of Fred Carello...
...and David Blalock on the evening
he was to take possession of this tape?
Objection. Counsel's testifying.
I'll withdraw the question, Your Honor.
I'm sure the answer
would have been no.
Yes, I'll give Mr. Cross the message.
Bye-bye.
-He just stepped out.
-I have contracts for him to sign.
I just need to run to xeroxing,
but you can go on in.
Hoffman and Associates.
I'm sorry, Ms. Appleton is no longer
with this firm.
Bill Weingart called again,
desperate for a sit-down about his bill...
...which he characterized
as exorbitant and unfair.
I told him you won't be available
until the trial is over.
I don't know if I can wait that long.
Gary Blondo called wanting you to buy
a table at the Big Brothers' fundraiser.
There are no enemies in this town,
only continuing interests.
There are no enemies in this town,
only continuing interests.
-Are you Theodore Hoffman?
-I am.
But this gentleman will accept service.
This is on a personal matter, sir.
Evening.
My wife is suing me for divorce.
I think the explanation
is pretty self-evident.
I don't want to be married
to you anymore.
You've made that abundantly clear.
What upsets me is that I found out
from a process server.
l've been telling you how I felt
for a while.
I was meeting with an attorney.
It's not like you didn't see this coming.
You don't think 12 years of marriage
earns me the courtesy of a phone call?
I tried to make this
as painless as possible.
We're not putting a dog
to sleep here, Annie.
You're being precipitous.
I'm asking you to put off your decision.
You're asking me to put my life on hold
so you can focus all your attention...
...on this trial, which I won't do.
I want to get on with my life.
Then help me understand the rush here.
Are you about to set up housekeeping
with someone else?
I have to do carpool. Excuse me.
I'm asking you for the last time...
-...please don't do this.
-There's coffee if you want it.
Please lock the door behind you
on your way out.
Lizzie? Come on,
we'll be late for school.
Much has been made, Mr. Cross...
...of your campaign contributions
to Roger Garfield.
For the record, is Mr. Garfield
the only elected official...
...to whom you make
campaign contributions?
All told, I probably give about a million
dollars a year in political donations.
Mr. Garfield is one of many.
Much has been made of your footing
the bills for Jonathan Kimball.
ls Mr. Kimball the only individual...
...for whom you underwrite
medical expenses?
No.
Please believe me when I say I don't like
to make a habit of bragging...
...about my good works. But there are
about 20 different people...
...whose medical expenses
are underwritten by me.
And why is that, Mr. Cross?
Because I believe very strongly
that with wealth comes responsibility.
Now I want you to pout for me.
Excuse me?
I said that with wealth
comes responsibility.
Do you consider Neil Avedon a friend,
Mr. Cross?
Yes, I do.
When bail was set for Mr. Avedon
at $10 million...
...were you not the one
who posted the bail?
Yes, I was.
Unbutton the top of your blouse,
pick up those papers...
...drop them on the floor, bend over,
and pick them up.
Do it.
May we have a brief recess?
Mr. Cross, has something
come over you?
No. Why do you ask, Your Honor?
You've made an extremely
inappropriate remark.
I'd like to know
what caused you to do so.
Your Honor, I've tried to be as truthful,
responsive and cooperative as possible.
If I've said anything that's
been otherwise, I apologize.
Why don't you proceed with
your questions, Ms. Grasso.
You've cooperated with the defense
at every turn...
-...have you not, Mr. Cross?
Yes, I have.
ln fact, I've gone so far as to employ
my own private investigators...
...on Neil's behalf. Mr. Hoffman
maintains that I'm trying to frame Neil.
But all I've ever done is try to help him.
ls there any reason that you would--?
Do you think that makes me pathetic?
-Richard?
Sit down, Mr. Freilich.
Please limit your remarks to responding
only to the questions you've been asked.
Can we stick to the script, please?
-Excuse me, Mr. Cross?
-No, listen.
This is between me and her, okay?
-And you don't come in until I signal--
Mr. Cross.
Your Honor, may we have
a brief recess?
You go over to her
and take your hand...
...and you put it
right between her legs.
That's it. No talking.
Mr. Freilich, is your client aware
of where he is right now?
Your Honor, my client has been
under a great deal of strain as of late.
It's possible he may be showing
some of the signs of that.
Okay. This court is in recess.
Miss Grasso, will you have
any further questions?
No, Your Honor.
I'm going to call it quits for today.
We'll resume tomorrow morning at 9:30.
You may step down, Mr. Cross.
Thank you very much, Your Honor.
-We need to talk.
-ln here.
I wanna testify.
-You think it went badly for us?
-I don't think it went great.
Looks as though Richard is having
a nervous breakdown.
-I'd say that's good for us.
-How is that good for us?
The jury looks at him and
concludes that either he's cracking up...
...under the strain of lying or he's crazy
and thereby capable of murder.
-You win either way.
-I hate to disagree with you...
...but what we saw today
didn't make me think...
...Richard was capable of murder.
Chris, am I the only one
that feels that way?
I'd have to go with Ted.
Then I have to disagree
with both of you.
-I think I'm in trouble.
-Neil, let me be blunt.
You're too exposed on too many fronts
to take the stand.
Miriam Grasso will eat you alive.
The jury knows about my past.
Knowing about it and being presented
with you...
...trying to distance yourself
from it are two different things.
I think if I present myself truthfully,
the audience will believe me.
Neil, it's not an audience, it's a jury.
And when it comes to explaining your
life, you cannot afford to be truthful.
If I don't get up there,
and I get convicted...
...l will spend 30 years in a cell...
...thinking I could've done something
and I didn't.
Whatever else I have to endure,
I can't endure that.
Tomorrow morning, I'm gonna testify.
And I expect you to prepare me for it
as best you can.
And I expect you to prepare me for it
as best you can.
-Neil.
Ted...
...this is what I want.
Were you using cocaine when you were
captured on this tape...
...strangling Melissa Griotte?
I believe I was, yes.
Just so I understand you correctly,
Mr. Avedon...
...it's your contention that strangulation
in this instance was an erotic act?
-I'm not defending what I did.
Aren't you?
I thought that was the
whole purpose.
-I'm not defending what I did to Melissa.
What about Jessica?
-Was strangling her an erotic act?
I didn't strangle her.
-You don't remember strangling her?
I didn't strangle her.
We have sworn testimony
from Richard DiGiacomo...
...that you had your hands around
Jessica's throat at the House of Blues.
-ls that not the case?
-That guy was lying, Chris.
-We showed he was lying.
-Answer the question, Mr. Avedon.
No. It's not the case.
-Could it be that you don't remember?
-No.
Did you not tell Detective Arthur Polson
of the L.A.P.D...
...that you were experiencing
memory loss and blackouts?
I remember that night at the
House of Blues. I never touched her.
How well do you remember
the night of September 20th?
Well enough to know
I didn't kill anybody.
So you never confessed to this crime?
Right.
So Dr. Graham Lester is a liar?
-Right.
And the nurse who testified
that you called, she's also a liar?
That's right, she's a liar.
We have Dr. Graham Lester,
Susan Dominick, Richard DiGiacomo...
...Melissa Griotte's lying...
...Roger Garfield's lying about letting
Richard Cross go, and Cross...
...well, he's just lying
about everything.
ls it your contention, Mr. Avedon...
...that you're the only one
telling the truth?
I assume, at some point, someone from
our side is going to say something here.
Objection, Your Honor. Argumentative.
Overruled.
I get the picture, okay?
-You're saying it's gonna be rough.
It's not a matter of rough.
I'm telling you you're gonna
get yourself convicted.
I understand what the stakes are here.
But I gotta do what I believe I gotta do.
What I need from you is help.
You've got it.
Okay. Let's go
to your relationship with Jessica.
-Are you gonna testify, Neil?
-Yes, I am.
REPORTER 1 : When did this come about?
I've wanted to from the beginning.
-This isn't an act of desperation, Ted?
-Absolutely not.
My client wants to tell his own story,
as is his right.
-Whose idea was it?
-The entire defense team was involved.
REPORTER 2: Are you nervous about
Grasso's cross-examination?
I'm here to tell the truth.
Whatever I get asked, that's what I'm
gonna do. I'm just gonna tell the truth.
Do you swear to tell the truth,
the whole truth...
-...and nothing but the truth?
-I do.
State your name for the record.
-Neil Avedon.
You may be seated.
-Good morning, Mr. Avedon.
-Good morning.
I'd like to ask you some questions
in the hope that the jury...
-...might get to know you a little better.
-Fine.
ls Neil Avedon the name
you were born with?
No. I was born James Rennick.
I changed my name to Neil Avedon
when I was 15.
What were the circumstances
surrounding your decision to do that?
I decided that I wanted
to become an actor...
...and I left Indianapolis,
came out to Los Angeles...
...l managed to get an agent...
...and my agent suggested
I change my name.
Was it hard leaving Indianapolis?
No.
Leaving your family
and friends wasn't hard?
I didn't have very many friends.
And as far as leaving my family
was concerned, it wasn't hard at all.
What was it about your family...
-...that you wanted to get away from?
-My old man.
What was it about your old man?
If it'll speed things along,
the people will stipulate...
...to the defendant having had a
difficult childhood and an abusive father.
Ms. Grasso already knows that
we won't stipulate, Your Honor.
We want our client to testify
as to who he is...
...and how he came to be here.
That is his right.
And shame on Ms. Grasso
for the mocking tone...
-...she can't keep out of her voice.
-Excuse me?
Okay, counsel, that's enough.
Mr. Hoffman, I can do without
the ad hominem attacks.
Ms. Grasso, your objection's overruled.
I was asking you about your father.
He was pretty quiet.
He worked for Bendix Brake Linings
for 30 years.
He never let it interfere with his job...
...but nights and weekends,
he used to drink.
Uh, he was a couple inches
shorter than me, I remember that.
He took very good care of his things,
I remember that.
He bought a 1965 Dodge Coronet
station wagon.
And he was still driving it
when I left home in 1984.
And he was still driving it
when I left home in 1984.
You know, he'd wash it
on the weekends.
He changed the oil himself.
When I was about 10...
...l had dropped some M&M's
on the floor in the back seat...
...and they got stepped on.
And when he saw it,
he grabbed me by my hair...
...and banged my head
against the car door...
...until our neighbor came out
and made him stop.
He never could get the stain out
of the carpet from those M&M's.
How did your father feel
about your acting career?
Not interested.
He never came to see me
in any school plays.
He made a point of not watching
whatever television show I was on.
And he said acting was for fags.
It's fair to say, is it not,
that your acting career took off?
I was very fortunate.
All for One was a top-ten show
for seven years.
You made a lot of money?
-Yes.
Acquire any bad habits?
-Yes, I did.
Tell us about them.
I began to drink and use cocaine...
...and I eventually lost control
of my life.
Tell us what that means, Neil.
I went through 3 to 4 grams
of cocaine a week...
...a fifth of vodka a day.
-How did that affect your behavior?
-I became a monster.
I would verbally abuse people.
I was violent.
What were the consequences
to this change in behavior?
When you're the star
of a hit TV series...
...people work very hard
at trying to forgive you.
There were no consequences.
Was it during this period
that you met Richard Cross?
Yes.
Would you describe your relationship?
Richard's a collector.
I was a TV star.
I was good to have around.
-What was in it for you?
He always had a lot of cocaine.
And beautiful women.
He made me laugh.
And I thought he was my friend.
Was it Richard who introduced you...
-...to Dr. Graham Lester?
-Yes.
-Did you become Dr. Lester's patient?
-Yes, I did.
Why did you do so?
The cocaine was getting out of hand,
and the alcohol was too.
And I felt as though I had
to do something.
Richard said that Dr. Lester had treated
a lot of famous Hollywood drug addicts.
And he said with Dr. Lester,
you didn't have to stop getting high.
Your Honor, I'm going
to object to that as hearsay.
Offered solely for its effect...
-...on Mr. Avedon's state of mind.
-Overruled.
Did Cross also introduce you...
-...to Jessica Costello?
-Yes.
Would you describe for us what your
relationship with her was like?
One minute we'd be curled up
in each other's arms...
...you know, reading or
watching TV or talking.
The next minute, she'd be hitting me
in the head with a telephone...
...or throwing my clothes
out the window.
We'd get high together,
or we'd stop getting high together.
As crazy as we both were...
...we understood each other.
And as much as I've loved anyone,
I loved her.
I would like you to take us through
the night of September 20th, 1995.
Tell us exactly what you did.
I was staying
at Chris Docknovich's house.
I left there around 10:OO
to go over to see Jessica.
I got a pizza, gram of coke.
We ate, we got high.
We put rwo-lane Blacktop on the VCR.
We made love while we watched it.
And I left around midnight.
-Did you rape Jessica Costello that night?
-No, sir.
-Did you murder her?
-No, sir, I did not.
I have no further questions.
On the night of the murder,
you were staying...
...at Chris Docknovich's home.
-ls that correct?
-Yes.
What were the circumstances
surrounding you staying at his home?
I was having a hard time
staying off drugs and alcohol.
And Chris was keeping an eye on me.
Was there any reason why someone
from your lawyer's office...
...rather than someone from your
therapist's was keeping an eye on you?
At the time, I was embroiled
in another legal matter.
-What caused you to be so embroiled?
-Objection.
Overruled.
I killed a swan at the Bel-Air Hotel.
How did you kill a swan, Mr. Avedon?
I strangled it.
Are you familiar with a young woman
named Melissa Griotte?
-Yes.
-Are you familiar with a videotape...
-...of the two of you in bed together?
-Yes, I am.
-...of the two of you in bed together?
-Yes, I am.
ls it not a fact that what we see
on that videotape...
...is you with your hands
around Miss Griotte's throat?
I wasn't strangling Melissa.
You have your hands around her throat.
What was it you were doing?
lt was sex. As weird as that sounds...
...and I know it sounds weird...
...that's what it was about.
Look, I was a drug addict.
I was crazy.
And that's what I was doing.
Miss Griotte testified
she was afraid for her life.
-Objection.
-Well, obviously, that wasn't true.
-You can tell by the tape.
-Objection sustained.
ls it your testimony, Mr. Avedon...
-...that Miss Griotte was lying?
-Yes.
We heard from Mr. DiGiacomo
that you had your hands...
...around Jessica Costello's throat
one evening at the House of Blues.
-Was that also sex?
-Objection. Argumentative.
Overruled.
-That never happened.
-So Richard DiGiacomo is also lying?
Yes.
Dr. Lester's nurse is lying
about receiving the telephone call.
Dr. Lester is lying
about the confession.
ls it your position that you're the
only person here telling the truth?
Objection. Argumentative.
I'll withdraw the question.
If it pleases the court, Your Honor...
...the people will resume
our cross-examination...
...of this witness tomorrow morning.
That's fine.
We'll stand in recess till 9:30
tomorrow morning.
You scared me.
What are you doing here?
Working on a business proposal, and
I needed some background information.
On lephyr House?
No, we're looking into
buying out an HMO.
Sit down.
-What's the problem?
-Suppose you tell me.
I don't know who you think you are,
but I don't report to you.
I report to Richard Cross,
and I have work to do, okay?
Sit.
Do not lie to me, Justine.
Do not ever lie to me.
This was all just
a huge misunderstanding.
All I was trying to do was--
-No lies. Only truth.
-Please let go.
-Understand?
-Yes. Please let go. Please.
Douglas...
...if security had been watching
Justine for several days...
...why was I not informed?
I wanted to be sure we had a problem.
Well, there was a problem, because this
person was under surveillance, correct?
-Yes, but the difference--
-So I was left out of the loop, wasn't l?
I didn't see any reason to alarm you.
Well, what alarms me...
...is that my security chief has not been
entirely forthcoming with me.
That is what I find alarming...
...and unacceptable.
-Totally unacceptable.
-I'm sorry.
I'm not interested in your apologies.
Apologies mean nothing to me.
Listen to me.
I am being photographed...
...from the 14th floor of that building
right over there.
My phone has been tapped!
I have made more than a few enemies
in my lifetime.
So I need to trust the people
who work for me.
But what I'm finding out is that I can't
trust you, and I can't trust Justine.
I can't trust anybody.
I check my car seat belts to make sure
they haven't been tampered with, okay?
ln case I happen to meet
with an accident.
Do you understand what I'm saying? So l
am not looking for apologies or excuses!
I am looking only for performance!
Am I making myself perfectly clear?!
I didn't mean to cause
an uproar, Richard.
If I used poor judgment, I want to assure
you it'll never happen again.
Let's hope not.
Make sure she gets home safely.
That's it?
You say that as if you're
questioning me.
No.
Good, because I think I've answered
enough questions for one week.
-What size is that dress?
-Eight.
Julie wears a six.
I think that would look good on her,
don't you?
I'm sure it would.
Good.
Lisa? Hey.
Ted's not here, is he?
No, he's not back from court yet.
-What's up?
-I need a favor.
Shoot.
I need you to get me
in a room with Ted.
I gotta be honest with you...
...l don't think there's a lot you can do
to get back in Ted's good graces.
You know how he is
once his mind's made up.
Well, I think he's gonna
want to see this.
-Oh, my God.
-The handiwork of Richard Cross.
Lisa, I'm 100 percent convinced
Cross murdered Jessica.
-Richard Cross did that to you?
-Last night.
He flew into a rage. Next thing I know,
he's strangling me.
I'll certainly talk to Ted...
...but he knows Cross is violent, and he
already believes he's behind the murder.
-So....
-I'm in the room with him...
...14 hours a day. I'm watching him
unravel right in front of my eyes.
Soon, he's gonna make a mistake.
I'll be there to capitalize on it.
I want Ted to know that.
He's not gonna take you back, Justine.
Will you talk to him?
Yeah.
But you've gotta get as far away
from Cross as you can. Please.
Talk to Ted.
ln looking over the transcripts
of yesterday's proceedings...
...l found something you said
that seemed quite perceptive.
You said, and I quote:
"When you're the star of a hit
TV show...
...people try very hard to forgive you."
Am I correct in taking that
to mean that you knew...
...producers and network executives
were aware of your drug problems...
...and chose to look the other way?
So long as it doesn't interfere
with the work, yeah.
Can I also take that to mean
that you were aware...
...that your friends
and acquaintances...
...were sufficiently fearful
of offending you?
-That they tolerated your bad behavior?
-Yes.
And that would include your women
friends and acquaintances?
Yes, it would.
What would your behavior consist of...
...in relation to your women
friends and acquaintances?
A variety of things.
-lncluding rape?
-No.
Let's talk about your relationship...
...with Jessica Costello a little bit.
You were how old
when you started seeing her?
-Twenty-five.
-And she was how old?
I later found out she was 15.
lt must be pretty heady stuff for a
15 year-old to be with a big TV star.
I don't think me being on TV
meant all that much to her.
Did you make it a practice
to supply her with drugs?
No.
But you did say that on the
night she was murdered...
...you went over to her apartment
with coke, did you not?
Jessica didn't need me
to supply her with drugs.
She got drugs from all over the place.
You leave the home
of Chris Docknovich...
...and get to Jessica's around 10.
Had you been drinking?
-I don't believe so.
-You don't believe so...
-...but you don't remember.
I wasn't drinking before.
-I may have had a drink when I got there.
-One drink?
One or two. Not more than that.
-Plus the gram of coke?
-Right.
-Plus the gram of coke?
-Right.
And notwithstanding her efforts
to stop...
...she cheerfully consented to get high,
you watched a movie...
...you made love, you kissed her
goodbye, and you left.
-ls that right?
-That's right.
Following your departure,
some other individual came over...
...raped Jessica Costello,
strangled Jessica Costello...
...and then left.
Yes.
You did not call Dr. Lester from
Jessica's apartment at 1 :45 a.m.?
You did not confess to Dr. Lester
that you killed her?
That's right.
But you did show up at Dr. Lester's
office in an agitated state...
-...did you not?
-Yes.
And that was attributable to what?
The fact that I continued to use cocaine
and I drank after I left Jessica.
Did you or did you not say
to Detective Arthur Polson...
...that you were experiencing some
blackouts and memory loss?
-I did not kill Jessica and forget about it.
-Ask that the witness...
-...be directed to answer the question.
Mr. Avedon.
Yes. I did say I was experiencing
some memory loss.
So when you state conclusively
that you did not kill Miss Costello...
...you did not rape Miss Costello...
...that regardless of what's contained
in Dr. Lester's notes...
...you did not confess to the crime...
...aren't what you're really saying is
that you couldn't have done this thing?
-I'm saying I didn't.
-ls it possible that you did it...
-...and don't remember?
-No.
You don't remember other things.
-ls it possible you don't remember this?
-I would remember this. I didn't do it.
So in other words, you...
-...who have repeatedly used violence--
-Objection.
Who have repeatedly
used strangulation...
...as a means of getting
what you want--
...as a means of getting
what you want--
I object to the district attorney's
badgering of this witness.
Ms. Grasso.
-Yes, Your Honor?
-Ask your question.
Isn't what you're really doing...
...asking us to take it on faith
that you're not capable of the crime...
-...you've been charged with?
-I guess I am.
And yet you can't state
with absolute certainty...
...that you didn't do it, can you?
If you're asking me if it's possible
that I blacked out...
...and, in the course of that blackout,
that I raped and murdered Jessica...
-...l guess, theoretically, it is possible.
-Thank you--
But I know myself, and I know
what I'm capable of--
Thank you.
-And I didn't do it.
Grande lattes, anybody?
Thanks.
-Sure.
Today felt good.
I felt like I was completely
in the moment...
...and I felt like this was a real
connection between me...
-...and at least three people in the jury.
-Good.
How did you think I did?
I think you did very well.
Good. Thanks.
I'm gonna go to the men's room.
I'll be right back.
You didn't really think
he did that well, did you?
He's an actor. He wants applause.
Do you have a moment
for Justine Appleton?
Always.
Justine. You're looking radiant,
as usual.
-Thank you. This is for you.
-What is it?
It's my letter of resignation.
It's effective immediately.
You must be joking.
Well, I can't imagine a more promising
career opportunity than this...
...has presented itself.
So I have to conclude
that you're unhappy here.
To put it mildly, yes.
-Uh-huh.
-I don't take well to verbal abuse.
I won't tolerate being manhandled...
...no matter how out of line
I may have been last night.
Oh. Well....
Douglas sometimes approaches his job
with a little too much enthusiasm.
I'm sorry about that.
I will speak to him.
I'm not talking about Douglas,
I'm talking about you.
Oh, well, I guess I haven't
been myself lately...
...as was evidenced by my behavior
in court.
I'm sorry.
I have to beg your forgiveness.
-I don't know, Richard.
-Now, Justine, look. I promise.
lt will never, ever happen again.
And as far as this
Ietter of resignation goes...
...l hope you'll allow me to put
this in the appropriate file.
And I would like you to look...
...at your new contract as chief financial
officer of Alpha Microdyne Limited...
...the digital-systems company
that I acquired earlier today.
-What?
-You can go over the fine points...
...at your leisure.
Meanwhile, here is a signing
bonus of $100,OOO.
-Richard.
-I can't talk to you about it now...
...because I'm late.
You know how those blue bloods at the
symphony board hate to be kept waiting.
-Francesca.
-Am I interrupting?
No.
Come on in.
I was in the area.
I thought I'd drop by and say hello.
I'm glad you did.
I'm glad you did.
-Dining in tonight, I see.
-Yes, I am.
-Can I offer you half a sandwich?
-No, thank you.
You should have called me, though.
I would have met you here,
and we could have gone out.
I'll remember for next time.
-Will you?
-I promise.
Good.
How are things?
Things are not great.
Annie filed for divorce.
-I'm sorry.
-Thanks.
Having just been through it myself...
...l think I know what a difficult time
you're having.
You're not wrong.
I'd guess that, at the end of the day,
all you want is a little distraction...
...for everything else that's going on
in your life.
You'd be right.
Let's distract each other, Teddy.
Just this one night.
I don't know if that's a good idea.
Come home with me.
Let me convince you that it is.
Subtitles by
SDl Media Group
OCR extraction
by D.Lauper