Murder One (1995–1997): Season 1, Episode 22 - Chapter Twenty-Two - full transcript
The verdict.
Will the defendant please rise?
We, the jury in the charge of
murder in the first degree...
...find the defendant guilty.
The discovery.
Somewhere in Jessica Costello's
apartment is a camera.
Which means there's a VCR.
Which means that somewhere, there
may be a videotape of the murder.
The break-in.
Any way for us to get in short
of breaking and entering?
No way that's in time for us
to do any good.
Now we got us a game.
They're gonna put me in prison
for the rest of my life.
We found a camera and a VCR...
...in Jessica Costello's
apartment tonight.
I think there's a
videotape of Jessica's murder.
-Where is it?
-Somewhere under Richard Cross' control.
The truth revealed.
Richard Cross has AIDS.
If Richard Cross killed Jessica and really
is in the last stages of AIDS...
...he would have nothing
to lose by telling us.
Richard Cross has always managed to
stay one step ahead of us.
If he's dying, it just might
allow us to catch up.
Martina Spector called about a time
to go over your divorce settlement.
-You're free at 11 :30.
-Have her come in.
Morning, people.
Morning.
First order of business,
Iet's welcome back Justine.
I got new carpeting for that office.
Thanks a lot.
-Where are we on locating Richard Cross?
-We're still looking.
Given his illness,
he's probably in an AIDS clinic...
...that specializes in neural pathology.
Three of the best are in Europe.
A Newberry Center in San Francisco
and St. Catherine's in New York.
We won't get patient information
out of those places.
I got people at the private airports
Iooking for the tail number of his plane.
I got people at the private airports
Iooking for the tail number of his plane.
-Keep me posted.
Also...
...we've been keeping an eye
on Cross' estate.
-Julie Costello turned up.
-Justine, take a ride out there...
-...and see what you can find.
-Okay.
Let's think for a moment.
Are we putting ourselves to best use...
...by hunting for Richard Cross,
when we really have no idea...
...if he has a videotape of the murder
or that such a tape even exists?
Are there suggestions how our
energies could be put to better use?
I believe there is a tape and
Richard Cross has it.
He was in the parking garage
that night. There's a VCR down there.
-It's not a big leap, Arnold.
-Just asking.
Any sense how Bornstein will respond
to our argument for mitigating factors?
No way she goes better than 25 to life.
What we hope for is straight life.
-Then he has a shot at parole.
Is there enough mitigation...
-...to keep him out of a level-four?
No.
We hope he goes to the
California Rehab Center...
...at Norco rather than someplace
like Folsom, or Pelican Bay...
...or Tehachapi.
God help him if they
send him there.
The van's downstairs. It's time.
Will the defendant please rise?
Mr. Avedon, do you have anything
to say before I pass sentence?
Yes, Your Honor.
Proceed.
There are no words to express
my sorrow over Jessica's tragic death.
Or how completely impossible it is
that I could've killed her.
As God is my witness...
...l am innocent.
This is a terrible mistake.
I pray that you can see that...
...somehow.
That's all I have to say.
Mr. Avedon, rarely have I seen such a
stubborn refusal to accept the truth.
ln your statements to probation
and to this court today...
...you continue to profess innocence
in the face of evidence of your guilt.
You have shown absolutely no remorse
for this heinous crime.
You're a violent young man,
and a danger to our community.
Therefore, I see it as my duty to
sentence you to life in prison...
...without the possibility of parole.
Mr. Avedon, you are remanded to the
custody of the Los Angeles County Jail...
...to be transferred and delivered
in one week...
...to the California State Prison
at Folsom, a level-four facility...
...to begin your sentence.
This verdict isn't the last word...
...not by a long shot.
We're going to file an appeal.
But Teddy, all my money's gone.
I'm not worried about our fees.
The important thing right now
is not to panic.
-I'm gonna die in prison.
-You won't.
Look, I'm not gonna try
and con you.
This is gonna be an uphill fight.
And it's gonna take some time.
But we're gonna be with you
every step of the way.
And you're gonna get through this.
And you're gonna get through this.
Try and get some rest.
I'll be back to see you tomorrow.
-Ted.
-What's up, Ray?
-Anything on Cross?
-No.
But I can put the Portalegre kid
at the murder scene.
I figured you'd want to know.
Eduardo Portalegre.
A warrant's been issued for him
on outstanding parking tickets...
...one of which puts his car in
front of Jessica's building at 1 :52 a.m.
Wouldn't the police already have turned
that up in their investigation?
The car was sold. The new owner
got stuck with the tickets.
When he got out from under them,
they spun around to Portalegre.
Who supposedly raped Jessica two
months before she was killed.
Could be he goes back to see her again
and it turned nasty.
Or maybe Cross orchestrated the whole
thing for his viewing pleasure...
...and it got out of hand.
And he tries to seal you off by having
you take the kid on as a client.
Thanks, Ray.
What's the basis of your motion
for a new trial, Mr. Hoffman?
New and relevant evidence pointing
to the real killer.
Don't tell me.
The one-armed man.
Counsel's sarcasm is gravely misplaced
with a young man facing life behind bars.
-What's your evidence?
Eduardo Portalegre...
...a young man arrested for rape,
has been alleged to have raped...
...Jessica Costello before she was killed.
We have concrete and irrefutable
evidence that Mr. Portalegre's car...
...was parked outside the victim's
residence at the time of her death.
And the jury concluded that Neil Avedon
was actually in the apartment...
-...and that he killed the girl.
Mr. Avedon's right...
...to due process necessitates
that he be allowed...
...to due process necessitates
that he be allowed...
...to place this Portalegre evidence
before a new jury.
Come on, Ted. You did everything
but shout from the mountain top...
...that Richard Cross killed
Jessica Costello. And it didn't work.
You want to take another bite of
the apple with a new scapegoat?
It's not appropriate. And not relevant.
Miss Grasso doesn't wanna
give up a win.
But, Your Honor, I ask you...
...to focus on the primary
consideration here, which is justice.
Mr. Avedon got a fair trial
and is able to appeal.
That is justice. Motion denied.
-Counselor.
-Detective, what can I do for you?
19-year-old girl is a homicide.
We've got a suspect in custody.
He's asking for you.
His name is Jerry Albanese.
Don't know him.
Says he knows about
the Costello murder.
-What can you tell me about him?
-Not much.
Came out of Brooklyn.
Priors for burglary and ADW.
He's at Parker Center.
-I'm interested and grateful.
-I'm just doing my job.
Under that heading, do you remember
Eduardo Portalegre?
-Yeah.
- We can put him...
...at the murder scene
with a parking ticket...
...he got outside her building.
I know you'd be
sticking your neck out.
I'll check it out.
Ted, these are for you.
And Martina Spector's waiting
in your office.
Thanks, Lila.
-Spector's the divorce attorney?
-Yeah.
What a shame.
Tell me about it.
Ted, why even hire me
to handle your divorce?
You're making it impossible
for me to do my job.
I'm not looking to go to war here.
You don't have to fall
on your sword either.
The house, half of everything you own,
and 30,OOO a month?
Teddy, this isn't a settlement.
It's penance.
And unwarranted at that.
It's not like you ditched her
for some tootsie.
I don't want my daughter put through
an ugly, drawn-out contest.
And I want her future assured.
She should have every opportunity
available to her.
She's 10 years old.
An allowance of a quarter million
dollars is overdoing it.
I'll give you a letter acknowledging
your reservations.
Teddy, I'm not trying to cover my ass.
You're making a mistake
you'd never let a client make.
As I said...
...I'm comfortable with
the arrangement.
Give me a crack at the
valuation of the firm...
-...on the schedule of assets.
-The valuation's fine.
The other side's overestimated the
Iong-term receivables of the firm.
And inflated goodwill
way out of proportion.
J
I know Melanie Kendall
and I guarantee you...
...she did this expecting us to negotiate.
Martina, make the offer, close the deal.
I understand what you want, Ted.
But let me accomplish this in a way
that makes some degree of sense.
Fine.
-Hi, Justine.
-How is he?
Not good.
We need to talk to him, Julie.
Now's not a good time.
Julie, Neil's being sent to Folsom.
And what is talking to Richard
gonna do to change that?
He didn't kill my sister.
He's not going to confess...
-...to something he didn't do.
-We found a camera...
...in the bedroom. We think
Richard has a tape of the murder.
There was a VCR in a locked cabinet
in the garage.
We think Richard retrieved the tape
and has kept it hidden ever since.
-Who do you think is on it?
-That we're not sure of.
-What if it was Neil?
-Then that would be that.
At least we would know
he deserves what he's getting.
Justine, I understand
what you're saying.
And I understand why you feel
the way you do.
I would ask that you try
and understand me.
I will not betray my husband.
We're not asking that you
betray him.
All we want is for Ted to be
able to talk to him.
I'll think about it.
We may not have very much time.
I know that.
I said, I'll think about it,
and I will.
Okay.
He's not back.
I expect him any moment.
-Okay.
-Cancel the rest of my morning.
-I have to go down to Parker Center.
-Right.
Here's the schedule of the exhibits.
And I updated our brief to include
a case I picked up on Westlaw.
And I updated our brief to include
a case I picked up on Westlaw.
It's from the 9th Circuit.
It's not controlling.
-And it's not exactly on point, but....
-What is it?
A dictum backing our contention
that Neil's "confession"...
...to Lester should never have
been admitted due to unreliability.
-I'll read it.
-I think if the dicta...
...in the concurring opinion
serves us to the extent that--
-Arnold, I'll read it.
-Right.
-Excuse me.
-Come in.
-Excuse me.
-Come in.
I just got off the phone
with Julie Cross.
She doesn't think her husband
should be disturbed.
Knowing he could have a videotape
of her sister's murder.
I guess Julie took a run
at convincing Cross...
...got smacked down, and gave in.
I don't think so. I think she's actually
stepping up to the role of wife here.
Then we'll have to track down
Cross ourselves.
I have to get back to work.
Mr. Hoffman, let me say right off the
bat, I know you're a very busy guy.
I appreciate your coming
in here to see me.
How can I help you?
I was hoping we could help
each other.
Okay. How can we help each other?
-Do you know Sal De Genoa?
-No.
Sally Rocko? Sal De Genoa?
Sal Junior?
-Don't know any of them.
-No, no. It's all the same guy.
-You don't know him?
-I don't know him.
Well, he's a made guy in the
Philadelphia mob, you know.
Occasionally I do some work for him.
What kind of work?
Well, let me put it this way,
I ain't a bricklayer.
Sal calls me, it's because he
wants me to whack somebody.
I'm the one who whacked Jessica
Costello, Mr. Hoffman.
-Did Sal tell you to do that?
-That's right.
Why did Sal De Genoa want
Jessica Costello killed?
-He was doing it for Richard Cross.
-Did he tell you that?
I put two and two together, you know.
Cross is in Atlantic City. He goes
down there for the Purnell Whitaker...
...Julio Cesar Vasquez fight.
He's at the tables. He's hanging out.
Who's with him?
Sal's with him.
Next day Sal calls me.
You know why he wants to see me?
So you tell me, who am I working for?
Jessica was strangled.
That's an unusual method for a
professional killer to use, isn't it?
Which is exactly the way
that I wanted it.
I wanted it to look like a crime
of passion.
This thing you're in on now,
was it also a contract killing?
No. That was a crime of passion.
I just-- I fell in love with
the wrong girl, that's all.
I trusted her.
She goes out on me.
One thing leads to another,
and you know....
What's your purpose in coming forward
now, Mr. Albanese?
My purpose is getting you
to represent me.
-What's the defense?
-That I'm crazy, you know?
Are you crazy?
You could convince a jury that I am.
I know you could, you know?
You'd get all the right shrinks.
You'd find something the cops
did wrong. You'd find something.
And you'd convince
12 people that I'm crazy.
l've seen you in action, Mr. Hoffman.
You'd convince 12 people to set
themselves on fire...
...you put your mind to it.
Thanks for the vote of confidence.
You're the man. Yeah.
What room is this going into?
-It's down the hall, to the right.
-Hi, Arnold.
-Hi. Got a minute?
Yeah, sure. Come on in.
If it's all the same,
I'd just as soon stay outside.
Okay.
I understand you've elected
not to tell us where Richard is.
Right.
I'd like to talk to you
about the consequences...
...of your husband dying
before we can talk to him.
The consequences are an innocent
man gets shipped to Folsom.
He'll turn middle-aged in there.
If he lives that long, he'll turn old.
Before that, he'll be
gang raped on a regular basis.
-Arnold--
-Know what they do to pretty boys?
They knock out your teeth
to use your mouth--
-Stop it.
-That's what's gonna happen to him.
Nothing Ted is going to say to Richard
is going to make a difference.
How convenient it is for you
to think that.
And I think Richard is entitled
to die in peace.
Really? What did he do over the course
of his life to entitle him to that?
-Isn't everyone entitled to that?
-No.
Particularly not when it ruins
the life of another human being.
Well, I don't think Richard
is responsible for that.
Let me cut to the heart
of the matter.
Whatever deal that you have
with Richard...
...and whatever justification
you have made...
...regarding this "marriage,"
it does not, no matter how much...
...you want it to, absolve you
of the responsibility...
...to do what's right.
You owe it to us to tell us
where Richard Cross is.
Whatever you think of my marriage
to Richard, it is a fact.
He is my husband, and I am his wife.
And whatever else I do, I am going to
honor the commitment I made to him.
Don't you dare stand there
with your air of moral superiority...
...and tell me what I owe you.
I owe you nothing.
Wow ....
What's he worth? 400 million?
Whatever else they say about you,
they can't say you sold yourself cheap.
Further, your client agrees to pay
alimony and child support...
...totaling in the aggregate
$427,OOO a year.
Ted will also pay all of his daughter's
medical and educational expenses.
Reasonable educational expenses.
Okay. "Reasonable" educational
expenses until Lizzie is 21 .
Annie gets the house and its contents.
What am I leaving out?
On the liquidation of assets...
...Ted keeps the stock portfolio
valued at 1 .1 million dollars.
And Annie gets the cash,
totaling 900,OOO...
...with Ted contributing $100,OOO in
AT&T shares to make up the difference.
What was discussed was your client
paying $100,OOO in cash.
We're agreeing to pay the 100,OOO.
We just want to do it in stock.
Except that a 100K in stock
is only worth 72...
...when you go to sell it
and pay capital gains.
Then don't sell it.
We want the cash.
And we do not want to be saddled
with his tax liability.
Come on.
We're giving you the house.
We agreed to your
evaluation of the firm.
To all of which we are entitled.
To all of which we are entitled.
You can't be saying that
with a straight face.
-I absolutely am.
This is a front-loaded deal.
I want cash, Martina.
I do not want stock equivalency.
-I find this offensive.
-I'm sorry that you feel that way.
We'll take the $100,OOO in stock.
Hang on a second.
-We'll take the stock.
Annie, may I speak to you
for a moment in private?
There's nothing to talk about, Melanie.
I can't even remember the last time
I had a martini.
I thought gin gave you a headache.
lt does.
But after today, how could I possibly
feel any worse?
Well, at least it's over with.
Yeah.
Thanks.
For what?
You could have made this whole process
pretty grueling if you'd chosen to.
And you didn't.
Believe it or not, all I ever wanted
was for you to be happy.
I thought the best way to do that
was to work hard, be successful...
...and that would make me
a good husband.
A lesson learned.
All these lonely people...
...with nothing better to do than
sit around getting drunk?
If you wanna see a study on loneliness,
check into a hotel for a few of months.
Everybody's en route.
The more ornate the lobby,
the more depressing it is.
When are you gonna
get a place of your own?
It's on the list of things to do.
I drove by a little house for sale
in Santa Monica, on 20th.
Spanish, lap pool in the back yard.
You'd only be three minutes away so
Lizzie could come over anytime.
Sounds great.
Want me to call the realtor
and make an appointment?
-Sure.
-Mr. Hoffman...
...you have a call from your office.
What is it, Louis?
Another round?
-No. Just the check, please.
I'm on my way.
An inmate just attacked Neil
with a knife.
-Oh, my God.
-I'll call you later.
-Are you okay?
-No, I'm not okay.
-Somebody tried to kill me.
-Tell me what happened.
I'm in the shower.
This guy comes on to me.
He won't take no for an answer,
and he won't back off.
So I hit him.
And he came after me with a shank.
You gotta get me out of here, Ted.
That's what we're trying to do, Neil.
But like I said, it may take a while.
I'll speak to the
watch commander.
I promise you the person who did this
won't be able to get near you again.
-Do you wanna press charges?
-And set myself up as a snitch?
I'm already a target.
Everybody here knows my name.
And everybody knows my face.
Coming after me is a shortcut
to a reputation in here.
And believe me, it's gonna happen.
It's just a matter of when.
And this is not me being paranoid.
It's a fact.
I'll go to Bornstein and see what
can be done to protect you.
You gotta get me out of here, Teddy.
-You gotta get me out of here.
-We're doing our best, Neil.
I promise you that.
Appleton. Sure, send her in.
Hi.
Richard's in lurich.
He'll be back in
Los Angeles tomorrow night.
Ted'll want to meet him at the plane.
They are landing at Van Nuys
around 9.
I can't promise he'll talk to you.
I understand.
-This wasn't easy.
-I know.
My mother was a good wife
to my father.
I wanted to be a good wife
to my husband.
Your mother wasn't married
to Richard Cross.
Arnold Spivak gave me his opinion.
Which for some strange reason
mattered to me.
I decided that Neil not going to prison
for the rest of his life...
...was more important than
the kind of wife I was.
I decided I owed it to him.
I decided I owed it to all of you.
I'd be very surprised if Jerry Albanese
killed Jessica Costello.
-Why?
-l've been talking to people...
...close to the Philly mob.
Nobody's ever heard of him.
It's not inconceivable, if Cross was
hanging around with Sal De Genoa.
It's not inconceivable, if Cross was
hanging around with Sal De Genoa.
It's not inconceivable at all.
Cross likes to be around wise guys.
If he says Cross was with De Genoa
at the Whitaker-Vasquez fight...
...that sounds right. He says Cross asked
De Genoa to take care of Jessica...
...that sounds right.
What doesn't sound right...
...is that De Genoa
would bring in Albanese.
Because nobody ever heard of him.
If you're asking can I prove
he's lying, the answer's no.
I don't have that on the night
of the fight...
...Cross was attending a state dinner
in Jakarta.
ln other words, he might be
telling the truth?
I know how bad you want him to be,
Ted. I just don't think he is.
What I'm asking, Your Honor,
is that you use your influence...
...to have my client moved to a more
protected status while he's at County.
I can't imagine the people
would oppose me on that.
As long as he's off the street,
we have no interest...
...in where Mr. Avedon
is incarcerated.
I understand your concern.
But my power is limited in this situation.
I believe a call from a superior
court judge would have an effect.
Especially if you were to articulate
the ramifications of a liability suit...
...against the County should
anything like this happen again.
I'm aware of what needs
to be said and to whom.
As to whether or not it'd be effective,
I can't say.
But I'll see what I can do.
Thank you. Your Honor, I also urge you
to reconsider this man's sentence...
...in light of what has happened.
Mr. Avedon is good-looking,
vulnerable. He's a celebrity.
All of which makes him a trophy
in a place like Folsom.
Perhaps if he were sent to a less
severe facility such as...
...the California Rehab Center.
Your client may be famous,
but he also has a history of violence.
I don't want him where he
can victimize other inmates...
...convicted of lesser offenses.
We'll have to disagree as to whether
Neil poses a threat to anyone.
What I'm sure we can agree on
is that Mr. Avedon still enjoys...
...the constitutional protection
from cruel and unusual punishment.
He won't survive a year at Folsom.
I'll take it under advisement and make
whatever recommendations...
...l deem appropriate.
Understand however, the final call is
made by the Department of Corrections.
This was never a death-penalty case.
It's my hope that you will use all your
influence to keep it from becoming one.
Sir, excuse me.
But we've been through this.
I don't know when Mr. Hoffman
will be returning.
I can tell you that when
he does get back...
...he will not be able to meet
with you today. Now--
-Can I help you?
-I'm Sal De Genoa.
-Ted Hoffman. How do you do?
-Somebody knows me?
l've been trying to explain
that he needs an appointment.
I don't need an appointment, fruitcake.
When an accusation's made against me,
I go to the source, me.
-That's the way I operate.
-I'm representing a client.
Names come up, I check them out.
That's the way I operate.
Some Jerry La-La, whatever, mentions
my name and you're checking me out?
I never heard of this guy in my life.
He tells a story...
...and suddenly people ask me if
I ordered a 15 year-old girl killed. What?
You do know Richard Cross?
-Hey, you got something to do?
-Yeah. This is it.
It's all right, Louis.
Let's step into my office.
I don't mean to be rude.
This isn't a conversation
I wanted to share with others.
I understand.
Richard Cross didn't have anybody
killed. Not that broad, not anybody.
-How do you know that?
-I know because I know.
I know people have people killed.
Richard Cross isn't like them.
He's the kind of guy
who likes to have stories to tell.
He likes to say, "l was out
Iast night with a Hollywood star."
I was out with a
professional basketball player."
"l was out last night with a mob guy."
He hung around me so he could tell
people about it.
He ain't no tough guy.
I ain't no tough guy.
Larry here, he's a tough guy.
-What was in it for you?
-What was in it for me? I liked the guy.
Was the nature of your relationship
purely social?
Whoa, wait. Was I served with
a subpoena when I wasn't looking?
I'm sure you can appreciate
that the attorney's role is...
...to explore any and all theories that
might serve to exonerate his client.
I not only appreciate it...
...l admire it.
The whole reason for my coming here
today is to advise you...
...that I am not a theory.
Now, so long as you understand that,
as long as my name is off the table...
...we have absolutely no problem.
If you have no relationship
to this crime, Mr. De Genoa...
...l have no interest in you.
Beautiful. We'll leave it at that.
Case closed. New subject.
-You licensed in the state of Nevada?
-No.
-Can I make a modest proposal?
-By all means.
I'm paying an attorney a
quarter million a year retainer...
I'm paying an attorney a
quarter million a year retainer...
...in Las Vegas. I'm ready
to drop him down an elevator shaft.
And you'll be looking for someone
to replace him.
-That's exactly right.
-I don't think I'm the guy.
Let's not close any doors.
Can we manage not to do that?
-Absolutely.
-That's all.
We don't have to say another word.
-Hi, Arnold.
-Hi.
To what do I owe
the pleasure of this visit?
I was wrong to say
what I said earlier. I'm sorry.
You weren't wrong.
You were horrible,
but you weren't wrong.
I'm sorry that I was horrible.
For what it's worth, I think you did
the honorable thing.
You also think I married Richard
for his money.
Why you married him
is none of my business.
I did marry him for his money.
And the security it buys me.
And the fact that he asked me.
Would I have married him
if he didn't have money?
Probably not.
But if in some small corner of myself
I didn't actually love him...
...l wouldn't have married him
no matter how much money he had.
Like I said, it's none of my business.
You really mean a lot to me, Arnold.
I think about you, and I think about
what might have been.
And it makes me sad.
Think about me sometimes.
-How are you, Mr. Hoffman?
-Good, Jerry. How are you?
Seeing as you're here,
I feel pretty good.
You'll understand if I have some
questions for you.
-Yeah, sure.
-We made some inquiries in Philadelphia.
Nobody seems to have heard of you.
That's because I ain't from
Philadelphia. I'm from Providence.
I know Sal because he used
to have a ____atta up in Providence.
He used to come up a lot
and hang out.
What if I told you that on the night
Purnell Whitaker fought Vasquez...
...Richard Cross was attending
a state dinner...in Jakarta?
I'd just say let's go to plan B,
you know?
Which would be what?
Tell the truth and hope for the best.
You didn't kill Jessica Costello,
did you?
No, sir.
Okay.
But I would maintain that
doesn't make a difference...
...and let me explain why.
I got homicidal tendencies.
I have murdered several prostitutes,
and ones the authorities...
...don't know anything about,
which would make me...
...a wholly credible suspect
in your murder.
Why would you want to take the rap
for a murder you didn't commit?
Same reason I gave you before,
commandant.
Because I'd have you at the controls,
that's why.
Mr. Hoffman, not to tell you your
business, because I ain't gonna do that.
But...
...we can pull this thing off.
When you think Richard Widmark
in The Kiss of Death...
...or you think Jimmy Cagney
in White Heat.
Think Peter Lorre from M.
That's what that jury's gonna see
when they look at me.
I'll go to a mental hospital
for a few years.
Neil Avedon's gonna be a free man.
Maybe I'm missing something.
But this looks like your classic
win-win situation to me.
You're a smart fellow, Jerry.
Too bad your mind hasn't been put
to more beneficial purposes.
What's gonna be more beneficial
than staying out of prison?
I'm not going into court claiming
things I know to be false.
Since when?
Since always.
Well, can you refer me to somebody?
I'm sorry, I can't.
All right. Well, Mr. Hoffman...
...you can't blame me
for trying, can you?
Counselor, we located
the Portalegre kid.
-He's in New York City.
-When does he plan to return?
Not anytime soon.
And given the fact...
...that the Costello investigation
is now closed...
...my bosses aren't eager
to pay for me...
...to go back there and question him
about a parking ticket.
Was Albanese able to shed any
light on things?
-Not really.
-Oh.
He seemed like a guy who
was looking to play the angles.
Yeah.
Hello, Neil.
-What's up?
How's the hand?
-Hurts.
-I understand they've moved you...
-...in with a more protective population.
-Yeah, thanks.
I'm pretty much the only
guy not wearing a dress.
So where are they sending me?
I spoke to Bornstein. She's
recommending you go to China Lake.
This is the place where they lock
you up for 23 hours a day.
The job right now is to keep you
healthy during the appeals process.
There's never been a prisoner
or a guard killed there.
How about you quit jerking me off?
You and I both know I'm going away
for the rest of my life.
-We don't know that.
-At least at Folsom...
...someone might slit my throat
and put me out of my misery.
Neil, wherever you are...
...however bad it is, you gotta do
what it takes to stay alive.
ls that the word from on high, Teddy?
ls that my inspirational message
for the day?
I'll tell you what. Why don't they lock
you up in here?
You tell me how it
doesn't matter how bad it is.
-What would you like me to tell you?
-Nothing.
Just stroll on out of here
to your next big trial.
No one's strolling anywhere, Neil.
What I am doing is busting my ass,
all day, every day...
...trying to accomplish one thing,
and one thing only.
Getting you out of here.
I'm sorry that up until now
I haven't been successful.
If you can find someone who'll
work harder or be more effective...
...l suggest you hire them.
Just tell me where to send the files.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
Do we have any reasonable
expectations that Richard Cross...
...is gonna be forthcoming with
what he knows, whatever it is?
I have to believe that somewhere inside
the man there's a human heart.
Probably the size of a caraway seed,
but a human heart, nonetheless.
And if I was about to meet my maker,
I wouldn't want to leave this world...
...having sent an innocent man
to prison for the rest of his life.
Let's hope.
Let's hurry it up.
Excuse me.
This is a secured area.
I'm gonna have to ask you
to leave.
We have business with the individual
arriving on that plane.
The individual on that plane
doesn't want to be disturbed.
-Get back in your car--
-Get your hands off me.
It's all right, Douglas.
-I have my instructions.
-I'm giving you new instructions.
-I appreciate your cooperation...
-Okay.
-...and so does Neil.
-Sure.
All right. Let's get it in here closer.
Richard.
Who's that?
ls that you, Teddy?
How are you feeling?
Well...
...I'm not doing so wonderful
at the moment.
-Am I in Los Angeles?
-Yes. You're home.
-Good.
Richard...
...Neil needs your help.
I heard they found him guilty.
And you and I both know that he's not.
We found the video camera
in the apartment, Richard.
If there's anything you know
about the murder...
...if you are Neil's friend,
as you claim...
...now's the time to help him.
You're a smart guy, Teddy.
Despite all our differences, you know...
...l always admired you for your mind.
I'm dying, Ted.
I don't feel ready for that just yet.
I'll hold a good thought
for you, Richard.
But in God's name, don't die
with this on your head.
For Neil's sake as well as your own...
...tell me where the tape is.
Richard.
Do it for me, Richard.
It's in my safe.
What safe?
ln my office.
ln the floor under the desk.
It's a Biedermeier desk, Ted.
You should take a moment
to appreciate it.
-What's the combination?
-The what?
-What's the combination?
-The what?
-The combination?
-Combination....
Um....
One...
...94, 11 ....
Sir, we gotta get this man
to a hospital.
Take Douglas with you.
And you really should take a moment
to admire that desk, Ted.
It's beautiful.
Thank you for coming by to visit me.
lt means a lot.
Please. Come on.
I'll do that.
I bet you guys are really gonna
get your shots in now, aren't you?
Now that Mr. Cross is too sick
to stand up to you.
The combination is 1 -94-11 .
I saw what you tried to do to him
during the trial.
The things you said about his wife
in public.
The way you planted that Appleton
broad in here to spy for you.
I'll tell you what. In my opinion...
...you're the lowlife, not him.
We appreciate the
awkwardness of the situation, Fournier.
All we want to do is get the tape.
I'll tell you something else too.
Out of all the people
l've ever worked for...
...l've never met more of a gentleman
than Richard Cross.
Here's your tape.
What's up?
-We've got the videotape.
Everybody in my office.
It's Neil.
-Oh, no.
-Someone hit the fast forward.
There.
He didn't do it.
Jessica was still alive when Neil left.
Speed through this.
Right here.
Oh, my God.
Subtitles by
SDl Media Group
OCR extraction
by D.Lauper
Will the defendant please rise?
We, the jury in the charge of
murder in the first degree...
...find the defendant guilty.
The discovery.
Somewhere in Jessica Costello's
apartment is a camera.
Which means there's a VCR.
Which means that somewhere, there
may be a videotape of the murder.
The break-in.
Any way for us to get in short
of breaking and entering?
No way that's in time for us
to do any good.
Now we got us a game.
They're gonna put me in prison
for the rest of my life.
We found a camera and a VCR...
...in Jessica Costello's
apartment tonight.
I think there's a
videotape of Jessica's murder.
-Where is it?
-Somewhere under Richard Cross' control.
The truth revealed.
Richard Cross has AIDS.
If Richard Cross killed Jessica and really
is in the last stages of AIDS...
...he would have nothing
to lose by telling us.
Richard Cross has always managed to
stay one step ahead of us.
If he's dying, it just might
allow us to catch up.
Martina Spector called about a time
to go over your divorce settlement.
-You're free at 11 :30.
-Have her come in.
Morning, people.
Morning.
First order of business,
Iet's welcome back Justine.
I got new carpeting for that office.
Thanks a lot.
-Where are we on locating Richard Cross?
-We're still looking.
Given his illness,
he's probably in an AIDS clinic...
...that specializes in neural pathology.
Three of the best are in Europe.
A Newberry Center in San Francisco
and St. Catherine's in New York.
We won't get patient information
out of those places.
I got people at the private airports
Iooking for the tail number of his plane.
I got people at the private airports
Iooking for the tail number of his plane.
-Keep me posted.
Also...
...we've been keeping an eye
on Cross' estate.
-Julie Costello turned up.
-Justine, take a ride out there...
-...and see what you can find.
-Okay.
Let's think for a moment.
Are we putting ourselves to best use...
...by hunting for Richard Cross,
when we really have no idea...
...if he has a videotape of the murder
or that such a tape even exists?
Are there suggestions how our
energies could be put to better use?
I believe there is a tape and
Richard Cross has it.
He was in the parking garage
that night. There's a VCR down there.
-It's not a big leap, Arnold.
-Just asking.
Any sense how Bornstein will respond
to our argument for mitigating factors?
No way she goes better than 25 to life.
What we hope for is straight life.
-Then he has a shot at parole.
Is there enough mitigation...
-...to keep him out of a level-four?
No.
We hope he goes to the
California Rehab Center...
...at Norco rather than someplace
like Folsom, or Pelican Bay...
...or Tehachapi.
God help him if they
send him there.
The van's downstairs. It's time.
Will the defendant please rise?
Mr. Avedon, do you have anything
to say before I pass sentence?
Yes, Your Honor.
Proceed.
There are no words to express
my sorrow over Jessica's tragic death.
Or how completely impossible it is
that I could've killed her.
As God is my witness...
...l am innocent.
This is a terrible mistake.
I pray that you can see that...
...somehow.
That's all I have to say.
Mr. Avedon, rarely have I seen such a
stubborn refusal to accept the truth.
ln your statements to probation
and to this court today...
...you continue to profess innocence
in the face of evidence of your guilt.
You have shown absolutely no remorse
for this heinous crime.
You're a violent young man,
and a danger to our community.
Therefore, I see it as my duty to
sentence you to life in prison...
...without the possibility of parole.
Mr. Avedon, you are remanded to the
custody of the Los Angeles County Jail...
...to be transferred and delivered
in one week...
...to the California State Prison
at Folsom, a level-four facility...
...to begin your sentence.
This verdict isn't the last word...
...not by a long shot.
We're going to file an appeal.
But Teddy, all my money's gone.
I'm not worried about our fees.
The important thing right now
is not to panic.
-I'm gonna die in prison.
-You won't.
Look, I'm not gonna try
and con you.
This is gonna be an uphill fight.
And it's gonna take some time.
But we're gonna be with you
every step of the way.
And you're gonna get through this.
And you're gonna get through this.
Try and get some rest.
I'll be back to see you tomorrow.
-Ted.
-What's up, Ray?
-Anything on Cross?
-No.
But I can put the Portalegre kid
at the murder scene.
I figured you'd want to know.
Eduardo Portalegre.
A warrant's been issued for him
on outstanding parking tickets...
...one of which puts his car in
front of Jessica's building at 1 :52 a.m.
Wouldn't the police already have turned
that up in their investigation?
The car was sold. The new owner
got stuck with the tickets.
When he got out from under them,
they spun around to Portalegre.
Who supposedly raped Jessica two
months before she was killed.
Could be he goes back to see her again
and it turned nasty.
Or maybe Cross orchestrated the whole
thing for his viewing pleasure...
...and it got out of hand.
And he tries to seal you off by having
you take the kid on as a client.
Thanks, Ray.
What's the basis of your motion
for a new trial, Mr. Hoffman?
New and relevant evidence pointing
to the real killer.
Don't tell me.
The one-armed man.
Counsel's sarcasm is gravely misplaced
with a young man facing life behind bars.
-What's your evidence?
Eduardo Portalegre...
...a young man arrested for rape,
has been alleged to have raped...
...Jessica Costello before she was killed.
We have concrete and irrefutable
evidence that Mr. Portalegre's car...
...was parked outside the victim's
residence at the time of her death.
And the jury concluded that Neil Avedon
was actually in the apartment...
-...and that he killed the girl.
Mr. Avedon's right...
...to due process necessitates
that he be allowed...
...to due process necessitates
that he be allowed...
...to place this Portalegre evidence
before a new jury.
Come on, Ted. You did everything
but shout from the mountain top...
...that Richard Cross killed
Jessica Costello. And it didn't work.
You want to take another bite of
the apple with a new scapegoat?
It's not appropriate. And not relevant.
Miss Grasso doesn't wanna
give up a win.
But, Your Honor, I ask you...
...to focus on the primary
consideration here, which is justice.
Mr. Avedon got a fair trial
and is able to appeal.
That is justice. Motion denied.
-Counselor.
-Detective, what can I do for you?
19-year-old girl is a homicide.
We've got a suspect in custody.
He's asking for you.
His name is Jerry Albanese.
Don't know him.
Says he knows about
the Costello murder.
-What can you tell me about him?
-Not much.
Came out of Brooklyn.
Priors for burglary and ADW.
He's at Parker Center.
-I'm interested and grateful.
-I'm just doing my job.
Under that heading, do you remember
Eduardo Portalegre?
-Yeah.
- We can put him...
...at the murder scene
with a parking ticket...
...he got outside her building.
I know you'd be
sticking your neck out.
I'll check it out.
Ted, these are for you.
And Martina Spector's waiting
in your office.
Thanks, Lila.
-Spector's the divorce attorney?
-Yeah.
What a shame.
Tell me about it.
Ted, why even hire me
to handle your divorce?
You're making it impossible
for me to do my job.
I'm not looking to go to war here.
You don't have to fall
on your sword either.
The house, half of everything you own,
and 30,OOO a month?
Teddy, this isn't a settlement.
It's penance.
And unwarranted at that.
It's not like you ditched her
for some tootsie.
I don't want my daughter put through
an ugly, drawn-out contest.
And I want her future assured.
She should have every opportunity
available to her.
She's 10 years old.
An allowance of a quarter million
dollars is overdoing it.
I'll give you a letter acknowledging
your reservations.
Teddy, I'm not trying to cover my ass.
You're making a mistake
you'd never let a client make.
As I said...
...I'm comfortable with
the arrangement.
Give me a crack at the
valuation of the firm...
-...on the schedule of assets.
-The valuation's fine.
The other side's overestimated the
Iong-term receivables of the firm.
And inflated goodwill
way out of proportion.
J
I know Melanie Kendall
and I guarantee you...
...she did this expecting us to negotiate.
Martina, make the offer, close the deal.
I understand what you want, Ted.
But let me accomplish this in a way
that makes some degree of sense.
Fine.
-Hi, Justine.
-How is he?
Not good.
We need to talk to him, Julie.
Now's not a good time.
Julie, Neil's being sent to Folsom.
And what is talking to Richard
gonna do to change that?
He didn't kill my sister.
He's not going to confess...
-...to something he didn't do.
-We found a camera...
...in the bedroom. We think
Richard has a tape of the murder.
There was a VCR in a locked cabinet
in the garage.
We think Richard retrieved the tape
and has kept it hidden ever since.
-Who do you think is on it?
-That we're not sure of.
-What if it was Neil?
-Then that would be that.
At least we would know
he deserves what he's getting.
Justine, I understand
what you're saying.
And I understand why you feel
the way you do.
I would ask that you try
and understand me.
I will not betray my husband.
We're not asking that you
betray him.
All we want is for Ted to be
able to talk to him.
I'll think about it.
We may not have very much time.
I know that.
I said, I'll think about it,
and I will.
Okay.
He's not back.
I expect him any moment.
-Okay.
-Cancel the rest of my morning.
-I have to go down to Parker Center.
-Right.
Here's the schedule of the exhibits.
And I updated our brief to include
a case I picked up on Westlaw.
And I updated our brief to include
a case I picked up on Westlaw.
It's from the 9th Circuit.
It's not controlling.
-And it's not exactly on point, but....
-What is it?
A dictum backing our contention
that Neil's "confession"...
...to Lester should never have
been admitted due to unreliability.
-I'll read it.
-I think if the dicta...
...in the concurring opinion
serves us to the extent that--
-Arnold, I'll read it.
-Right.
-Excuse me.
-Come in.
-Excuse me.
-Come in.
I just got off the phone
with Julie Cross.
She doesn't think her husband
should be disturbed.
Knowing he could have a videotape
of her sister's murder.
I guess Julie took a run
at convincing Cross...
...got smacked down, and gave in.
I don't think so. I think she's actually
stepping up to the role of wife here.
Then we'll have to track down
Cross ourselves.
I have to get back to work.
Mr. Hoffman, let me say right off the
bat, I know you're a very busy guy.
I appreciate your coming
in here to see me.
How can I help you?
I was hoping we could help
each other.
Okay. How can we help each other?
-Do you know Sal De Genoa?
-No.
Sally Rocko? Sal De Genoa?
Sal Junior?
-Don't know any of them.
-No, no. It's all the same guy.
-You don't know him?
-I don't know him.
Well, he's a made guy in the
Philadelphia mob, you know.
Occasionally I do some work for him.
What kind of work?
Well, let me put it this way,
I ain't a bricklayer.
Sal calls me, it's because he
wants me to whack somebody.
I'm the one who whacked Jessica
Costello, Mr. Hoffman.
-Did Sal tell you to do that?
-That's right.
Why did Sal De Genoa want
Jessica Costello killed?
-He was doing it for Richard Cross.
-Did he tell you that?
I put two and two together, you know.
Cross is in Atlantic City. He goes
down there for the Purnell Whitaker...
...Julio Cesar Vasquez fight.
He's at the tables. He's hanging out.
Who's with him?
Sal's with him.
Next day Sal calls me.
You know why he wants to see me?
So you tell me, who am I working for?
Jessica was strangled.
That's an unusual method for a
professional killer to use, isn't it?
Which is exactly the way
that I wanted it.
I wanted it to look like a crime
of passion.
This thing you're in on now,
was it also a contract killing?
No. That was a crime of passion.
I just-- I fell in love with
the wrong girl, that's all.
I trusted her.
She goes out on me.
One thing leads to another,
and you know....
What's your purpose in coming forward
now, Mr. Albanese?
My purpose is getting you
to represent me.
-What's the defense?
-That I'm crazy, you know?
Are you crazy?
You could convince a jury that I am.
I know you could, you know?
You'd get all the right shrinks.
You'd find something the cops
did wrong. You'd find something.
And you'd convince
12 people that I'm crazy.
l've seen you in action, Mr. Hoffman.
You'd convince 12 people to set
themselves on fire...
...you put your mind to it.
Thanks for the vote of confidence.
You're the man. Yeah.
What room is this going into?
-It's down the hall, to the right.
-Hi, Arnold.
-Hi. Got a minute?
Yeah, sure. Come on in.
If it's all the same,
I'd just as soon stay outside.
Okay.
I understand you've elected
not to tell us where Richard is.
Right.
I'd like to talk to you
about the consequences...
...of your husband dying
before we can talk to him.
The consequences are an innocent
man gets shipped to Folsom.
He'll turn middle-aged in there.
If he lives that long, he'll turn old.
Before that, he'll be
gang raped on a regular basis.
-Arnold--
-Know what they do to pretty boys?
They knock out your teeth
to use your mouth--
-Stop it.
-That's what's gonna happen to him.
Nothing Ted is going to say to Richard
is going to make a difference.
How convenient it is for you
to think that.
And I think Richard is entitled
to die in peace.
Really? What did he do over the course
of his life to entitle him to that?
-Isn't everyone entitled to that?
-No.
Particularly not when it ruins
the life of another human being.
Well, I don't think Richard
is responsible for that.
Let me cut to the heart
of the matter.
Whatever deal that you have
with Richard...
...and whatever justification
you have made...
...regarding this "marriage,"
it does not, no matter how much...
...you want it to, absolve you
of the responsibility...
...to do what's right.
You owe it to us to tell us
where Richard Cross is.
Whatever you think of my marriage
to Richard, it is a fact.
He is my husband, and I am his wife.
And whatever else I do, I am going to
honor the commitment I made to him.
Don't you dare stand there
with your air of moral superiority...
...and tell me what I owe you.
I owe you nothing.
Wow ....
What's he worth? 400 million?
Whatever else they say about you,
they can't say you sold yourself cheap.
Further, your client agrees to pay
alimony and child support...
...totaling in the aggregate
$427,OOO a year.
Ted will also pay all of his daughter's
medical and educational expenses.
Reasonable educational expenses.
Okay. "Reasonable" educational
expenses until Lizzie is 21 .
Annie gets the house and its contents.
What am I leaving out?
On the liquidation of assets...
...Ted keeps the stock portfolio
valued at 1 .1 million dollars.
And Annie gets the cash,
totaling 900,OOO...
...with Ted contributing $100,OOO in
AT&T shares to make up the difference.
What was discussed was your client
paying $100,OOO in cash.
We're agreeing to pay the 100,OOO.
We just want to do it in stock.
Except that a 100K in stock
is only worth 72...
...when you go to sell it
and pay capital gains.
Then don't sell it.
We want the cash.
And we do not want to be saddled
with his tax liability.
Come on.
We're giving you the house.
We agreed to your
evaluation of the firm.
To all of which we are entitled.
To all of which we are entitled.
You can't be saying that
with a straight face.
-I absolutely am.
This is a front-loaded deal.
I want cash, Martina.
I do not want stock equivalency.
-I find this offensive.
-I'm sorry that you feel that way.
We'll take the $100,OOO in stock.
Hang on a second.
-We'll take the stock.
Annie, may I speak to you
for a moment in private?
There's nothing to talk about, Melanie.
I can't even remember the last time
I had a martini.
I thought gin gave you a headache.
lt does.
But after today, how could I possibly
feel any worse?
Well, at least it's over with.
Yeah.
Thanks.
For what?
You could have made this whole process
pretty grueling if you'd chosen to.
And you didn't.
Believe it or not, all I ever wanted
was for you to be happy.
I thought the best way to do that
was to work hard, be successful...
...and that would make me
a good husband.
A lesson learned.
All these lonely people...
...with nothing better to do than
sit around getting drunk?
If you wanna see a study on loneliness,
check into a hotel for a few of months.
Everybody's en route.
The more ornate the lobby,
the more depressing it is.
When are you gonna
get a place of your own?
It's on the list of things to do.
I drove by a little house for sale
in Santa Monica, on 20th.
Spanish, lap pool in the back yard.
You'd only be three minutes away so
Lizzie could come over anytime.
Sounds great.
Want me to call the realtor
and make an appointment?
-Sure.
-Mr. Hoffman...
...you have a call from your office.
What is it, Louis?
Another round?
-No. Just the check, please.
I'm on my way.
An inmate just attacked Neil
with a knife.
-Oh, my God.
-I'll call you later.
-Are you okay?
-No, I'm not okay.
-Somebody tried to kill me.
-Tell me what happened.
I'm in the shower.
This guy comes on to me.
He won't take no for an answer,
and he won't back off.
So I hit him.
And he came after me with a shank.
You gotta get me out of here, Ted.
That's what we're trying to do, Neil.
But like I said, it may take a while.
I'll speak to the
watch commander.
I promise you the person who did this
won't be able to get near you again.
-Do you wanna press charges?
-And set myself up as a snitch?
I'm already a target.
Everybody here knows my name.
And everybody knows my face.
Coming after me is a shortcut
to a reputation in here.
And believe me, it's gonna happen.
It's just a matter of when.
And this is not me being paranoid.
It's a fact.
I'll go to Bornstein and see what
can be done to protect you.
You gotta get me out of here, Teddy.
-You gotta get me out of here.
-We're doing our best, Neil.
I promise you that.
Appleton. Sure, send her in.
Hi.
Richard's in lurich.
He'll be back in
Los Angeles tomorrow night.
Ted'll want to meet him at the plane.
They are landing at Van Nuys
around 9.
I can't promise he'll talk to you.
I understand.
-This wasn't easy.
-I know.
My mother was a good wife
to my father.
I wanted to be a good wife
to my husband.
Your mother wasn't married
to Richard Cross.
Arnold Spivak gave me his opinion.
Which for some strange reason
mattered to me.
I decided that Neil not going to prison
for the rest of his life...
...was more important than
the kind of wife I was.
I decided I owed it to him.
I decided I owed it to all of you.
I'd be very surprised if Jerry Albanese
killed Jessica Costello.
-Why?
-l've been talking to people...
...close to the Philly mob.
Nobody's ever heard of him.
It's not inconceivable, if Cross was
hanging around with Sal De Genoa.
It's not inconceivable, if Cross was
hanging around with Sal De Genoa.
It's not inconceivable at all.
Cross likes to be around wise guys.
If he says Cross was with De Genoa
at the Whitaker-Vasquez fight...
...that sounds right. He says Cross asked
De Genoa to take care of Jessica...
...that sounds right.
What doesn't sound right...
...is that De Genoa
would bring in Albanese.
Because nobody ever heard of him.
If you're asking can I prove
he's lying, the answer's no.
I don't have that on the night
of the fight...
...Cross was attending a state dinner
in Jakarta.
ln other words, he might be
telling the truth?
I know how bad you want him to be,
Ted. I just don't think he is.
What I'm asking, Your Honor,
is that you use your influence...
...to have my client moved to a more
protected status while he's at County.
I can't imagine the people
would oppose me on that.
As long as he's off the street,
we have no interest...
...in where Mr. Avedon
is incarcerated.
I understand your concern.
But my power is limited in this situation.
I believe a call from a superior
court judge would have an effect.
Especially if you were to articulate
the ramifications of a liability suit...
...against the County should
anything like this happen again.
I'm aware of what needs
to be said and to whom.
As to whether or not it'd be effective,
I can't say.
But I'll see what I can do.
Thank you. Your Honor, I also urge you
to reconsider this man's sentence...
...in light of what has happened.
Mr. Avedon is good-looking,
vulnerable. He's a celebrity.
All of which makes him a trophy
in a place like Folsom.
Perhaps if he were sent to a less
severe facility such as...
...the California Rehab Center.
Your client may be famous,
but he also has a history of violence.
I don't want him where he
can victimize other inmates...
...convicted of lesser offenses.
We'll have to disagree as to whether
Neil poses a threat to anyone.
What I'm sure we can agree on
is that Mr. Avedon still enjoys...
...the constitutional protection
from cruel and unusual punishment.
He won't survive a year at Folsom.
I'll take it under advisement and make
whatever recommendations...
...l deem appropriate.
Understand however, the final call is
made by the Department of Corrections.
This was never a death-penalty case.
It's my hope that you will use all your
influence to keep it from becoming one.
Sir, excuse me.
But we've been through this.
I don't know when Mr. Hoffman
will be returning.
I can tell you that when
he does get back...
...he will not be able to meet
with you today. Now--
-Can I help you?
-I'm Sal De Genoa.
-Ted Hoffman. How do you do?
-Somebody knows me?
l've been trying to explain
that he needs an appointment.
I don't need an appointment, fruitcake.
When an accusation's made against me,
I go to the source, me.
-That's the way I operate.
-I'm representing a client.
Names come up, I check them out.
That's the way I operate.
Some Jerry La-La, whatever, mentions
my name and you're checking me out?
I never heard of this guy in my life.
He tells a story...
...and suddenly people ask me if
I ordered a 15 year-old girl killed. What?
You do know Richard Cross?
-Hey, you got something to do?
-Yeah. This is it.
It's all right, Louis.
Let's step into my office.
I don't mean to be rude.
This isn't a conversation
I wanted to share with others.
I understand.
Richard Cross didn't have anybody
killed. Not that broad, not anybody.
-How do you know that?
-I know because I know.
I know people have people killed.
Richard Cross isn't like them.
He's the kind of guy
who likes to have stories to tell.
He likes to say, "l was out
Iast night with a Hollywood star."
I was out with a
professional basketball player."
"l was out last night with a mob guy."
He hung around me so he could tell
people about it.
He ain't no tough guy.
I ain't no tough guy.
Larry here, he's a tough guy.
-What was in it for you?
-What was in it for me? I liked the guy.
Was the nature of your relationship
purely social?
Whoa, wait. Was I served with
a subpoena when I wasn't looking?
I'm sure you can appreciate
that the attorney's role is...
...to explore any and all theories that
might serve to exonerate his client.
I not only appreciate it...
...l admire it.
The whole reason for my coming here
today is to advise you...
...that I am not a theory.
Now, so long as you understand that,
as long as my name is off the table...
...we have absolutely no problem.
If you have no relationship
to this crime, Mr. De Genoa...
...l have no interest in you.
Beautiful. We'll leave it at that.
Case closed. New subject.
-You licensed in the state of Nevada?
-No.
-Can I make a modest proposal?
-By all means.
I'm paying an attorney a
quarter million a year retainer...
I'm paying an attorney a
quarter million a year retainer...
...in Las Vegas. I'm ready
to drop him down an elevator shaft.
And you'll be looking for someone
to replace him.
-That's exactly right.
-I don't think I'm the guy.
Let's not close any doors.
Can we manage not to do that?
-Absolutely.
-That's all.
We don't have to say another word.
-Hi, Arnold.
-Hi.
To what do I owe
the pleasure of this visit?
I was wrong to say
what I said earlier. I'm sorry.
You weren't wrong.
You were horrible,
but you weren't wrong.
I'm sorry that I was horrible.
For what it's worth, I think you did
the honorable thing.
You also think I married Richard
for his money.
Why you married him
is none of my business.
I did marry him for his money.
And the security it buys me.
And the fact that he asked me.
Would I have married him
if he didn't have money?
Probably not.
But if in some small corner of myself
I didn't actually love him...
...l wouldn't have married him
no matter how much money he had.
Like I said, it's none of my business.
You really mean a lot to me, Arnold.
I think about you, and I think about
what might have been.
And it makes me sad.
Think about me sometimes.
-How are you, Mr. Hoffman?
-Good, Jerry. How are you?
Seeing as you're here,
I feel pretty good.
You'll understand if I have some
questions for you.
-Yeah, sure.
-We made some inquiries in Philadelphia.
Nobody seems to have heard of you.
That's because I ain't from
Philadelphia. I'm from Providence.
I know Sal because he used
to have a ____atta up in Providence.
He used to come up a lot
and hang out.
What if I told you that on the night
Purnell Whitaker fought Vasquez...
...Richard Cross was attending
a state dinner...in Jakarta?
I'd just say let's go to plan B,
you know?
Which would be what?
Tell the truth and hope for the best.
You didn't kill Jessica Costello,
did you?
No, sir.
Okay.
But I would maintain that
doesn't make a difference...
...and let me explain why.
I got homicidal tendencies.
I have murdered several prostitutes,
and ones the authorities...
...don't know anything about,
which would make me...
...a wholly credible suspect
in your murder.
Why would you want to take the rap
for a murder you didn't commit?
Same reason I gave you before,
commandant.
Because I'd have you at the controls,
that's why.
Mr. Hoffman, not to tell you your
business, because I ain't gonna do that.
But...
...we can pull this thing off.
When you think Richard Widmark
in The Kiss of Death...
...or you think Jimmy Cagney
in White Heat.
Think Peter Lorre from M.
That's what that jury's gonna see
when they look at me.
I'll go to a mental hospital
for a few years.
Neil Avedon's gonna be a free man.
Maybe I'm missing something.
But this looks like your classic
win-win situation to me.
You're a smart fellow, Jerry.
Too bad your mind hasn't been put
to more beneficial purposes.
What's gonna be more beneficial
than staying out of prison?
I'm not going into court claiming
things I know to be false.
Since when?
Since always.
Well, can you refer me to somebody?
I'm sorry, I can't.
All right. Well, Mr. Hoffman...
...you can't blame me
for trying, can you?
Counselor, we located
the Portalegre kid.
-He's in New York City.
-When does he plan to return?
Not anytime soon.
And given the fact...
...that the Costello investigation
is now closed...
...my bosses aren't eager
to pay for me...
...to go back there and question him
about a parking ticket.
Was Albanese able to shed any
light on things?
-Not really.
-Oh.
He seemed like a guy who
was looking to play the angles.
Yeah.
Hello, Neil.
-What's up?
How's the hand?
-Hurts.
-I understand they've moved you...
-...in with a more protective population.
-Yeah, thanks.
I'm pretty much the only
guy not wearing a dress.
So where are they sending me?
I spoke to Bornstein. She's
recommending you go to China Lake.
This is the place where they lock
you up for 23 hours a day.
The job right now is to keep you
healthy during the appeals process.
There's never been a prisoner
or a guard killed there.
How about you quit jerking me off?
You and I both know I'm going away
for the rest of my life.
-We don't know that.
-At least at Folsom...
...someone might slit my throat
and put me out of my misery.
Neil, wherever you are...
...however bad it is, you gotta do
what it takes to stay alive.
ls that the word from on high, Teddy?
ls that my inspirational message
for the day?
I'll tell you what. Why don't they lock
you up in here?
You tell me how it
doesn't matter how bad it is.
-What would you like me to tell you?
-Nothing.
Just stroll on out of here
to your next big trial.
No one's strolling anywhere, Neil.
What I am doing is busting my ass,
all day, every day...
...trying to accomplish one thing,
and one thing only.
Getting you out of here.
I'm sorry that up until now
I haven't been successful.
If you can find someone who'll
work harder or be more effective...
...l suggest you hire them.
Just tell me where to send the files.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
Do we have any reasonable
expectations that Richard Cross...
...is gonna be forthcoming with
what he knows, whatever it is?
I have to believe that somewhere inside
the man there's a human heart.
Probably the size of a caraway seed,
but a human heart, nonetheless.
And if I was about to meet my maker,
I wouldn't want to leave this world...
...having sent an innocent man
to prison for the rest of his life.
Let's hope.
Let's hurry it up.
Excuse me.
This is a secured area.
I'm gonna have to ask you
to leave.
We have business with the individual
arriving on that plane.
The individual on that plane
doesn't want to be disturbed.
-Get back in your car--
-Get your hands off me.
It's all right, Douglas.
-I have my instructions.
-I'm giving you new instructions.
-I appreciate your cooperation...
-Okay.
-...and so does Neil.
-Sure.
All right. Let's get it in here closer.
Richard.
Who's that?
ls that you, Teddy?
How are you feeling?
Well...
...I'm not doing so wonderful
at the moment.
-Am I in Los Angeles?
-Yes. You're home.
-Good.
Richard...
...Neil needs your help.
I heard they found him guilty.
And you and I both know that he's not.
We found the video camera
in the apartment, Richard.
If there's anything you know
about the murder...
...if you are Neil's friend,
as you claim...
...now's the time to help him.
You're a smart guy, Teddy.
Despite all our differences, you know...
...l always admired you for your mind.
I'm dying, Ted.
I don't feel ready for that just yet.
I'll hold a good thought
for you, Richard.
But in God's name, don't die
with this on your head.
For Neil's sake as well as your own...
...tell me where the tape is.
Richard.
Do it for me, Richard.
It's in my safe.
What safe?
ln my office.
ln the floor under the desk.
It's a Biedermeier desk, Ted.
You should take a moment
to appreciate it.
-What's the combination?
-The what?
-What's the combination?
-The what?
-The combination?
-Combination....
Um....
One...
...94, 11 ....
Sir, we gotta get this man
to a hospital.
Take Douglas with you.
And you really should take a moment
to admire that desk, Ted.
It's beautiful.
Thank you for coming by to visit me.
lt means a lot.
Please. Come on.
I'll do that.
I bet you guys are really gonna
get your shots in now, aren't you?
Now that Mr. Cross is too sick
to stand up to you.
The combination is 1 -94-11 .
I saw what you tried to do to him
during the trial.
The things you said about his wife
in public.
The way you planted that Appleton
broad in here to spy for you.
I'll tell you what. In my opinion...
...you're the lowlife, not him.
We appreciate the
awkwardness of the situation, Fournier.
All we want to do is get the tape.
I'll tell you something else too.
Out of all the people
l've ever worked for...
...l've never met more of a gentleman
than Richard Cross.
Here's your tape.
What's up?
-We've got the videotape.
Everybody in my office.
It's Neil.
-Oh, no.
-Someone hit the fast forward.
There.
He didn't do it.
Jessica was still alive when Neil left.
Speed through this.
Right here.
Oh, my God.
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