Murder One (1995–1997): Season 1, Episode 7 - Chapter Seven - full transcript

Julie found her sister's diary today.

My first thought was...

...you should see this.

But we have to submit this to
the other side. Reciprocal discovery.

We only have to submit it
if we use it as evidence.

I don't want to let this thing out till
we understand exactly what's going on.

lnformed sources confirm...

...that a recent telephone survey
conducted by Avedon's legal team...

...shows that 67 percent....

-We have a leak in the firm, Louis.
-It would seem so.

Find it and cap it.



I'm reinstating bail in the amount
of 10 million dollars.

-Previous terms continue in effect.
-Thanks.

Let me tell you a story.

So Davey's at the motel.

Carello meets him there with the tape
to prove his information's good.

The tape shows Jake Nichols
making love to his wife. Beverly.

But for that tape to be worth
100 grand and two people's lives...

...the other guy had to have been
Richard Cross.

The Goldilocks murder case
has sprung another leak.

Hard on the heels of last week's news
that defendant Neil Avedon...

...flunked a jury survey commissioned
by his attorney. Ted Hoffman...

...comes another juicy rumor 8u iour.

A mystery witness known only to the
Los Angeles district attorney's office.

According to sources. this witness
can place the troubled film star...



...inside the apartment of 15-year-old
murder victim Jessica Costello...

...hours later than he's admitted
to police.

This witness. say sources.
is the real reason...

...the DA was willing to file
against Avedon...

...so soon after dropping charges
against philanthropist Richard Cross.

This case has more leaks
than the Nixon White House.

What I want to know is
who has an agenda in this firm.

lt can't be the associates. Chris
Docknovich is here every night till 10.

He barely has time to take a leak,
much less leak to the press.

I've talked to everyone else.
Lila, Sydney, the paralegals...

I've talked to everyone else.
Lila, Sydney, the paralegals...

...they all deny any knowledge.

They understand our attorney-client
privilege extends to them?

-lf they didn't, they do now.
-What about our attorney service?

You couldn't stack the Bibles
high enough to cover their denial.

Someone is talking to Connie Dahlgren.

She isn't getting this stuff
out of thin air.

I hope that it goes without saying...

...yours truly would sooner cut out
his tongue with a rusty blade...

-...than divulge a company secret.
-Understood, Louis.

But stay on this.

There's a leak in this office,
and I want to know who it is.

I guess it was just a matter of time.
I heard a Neil Avedon joke.

Which you'll share with us.

lt seems Neil's new girlfriend
auditioned for a part in a movie.

She would have gotten it,
but she choked.

Ooh.

I had a rather unpleasant experience
this morning, people.

report on Deadline: America
that the DA has a witness...

...who can place Neil at the scene
Iater than he's told us.

-Where'd they get that?
That's what I'd like to know.

There have been too many leaks in this,
some coming from this firm.

I'm going to assume
that no one at this table...

...is leaking to the press...

...but we have to be more careful
when discussing this case.

Think before you speak.
Loose lips sink ships.

On to current business.

If this so-called mystery witness is real,
he or she had to have surfaced...

...between the time Richard Cross
was released and Neil was arrested.

-Grasso kept it from us at the prelim.
-Apparently.

Then let's slap a motion
to compel discovery on her.

Force her to disclose the name
or deny she has such a witness.

Let me talk to Miriam first.

If she plays hardball, then we take off
the gloves. We're at war.

For every witness
on the prosecution list...

...l wanna know
who was their best friend...

...when they lost their virginity,
to whom.

I want to know every conceivable
agenda their witnesses could have.

I want to know every conceivable
agenda their witnesses could have.

Lisa, how's the case
in juvenile court coming along?

I'm trying to collar Matt Barkley
to get the charges dropped.

This is the gang kid?
-Darrin Butler, a.k.a. Little Chill.

Shot and killed a rival gang member
at a funeral for his cousin.

-Did he look us up in the yellow pages?
-His brother's the rapper Smooth G.

Based on his CD,
he can more than afford the retainer.

A million copies
in the first six weeks alone.

I listen to rap sometimes.

Arnold, you have hidden depth.

If Barkley won't deal,
do we have a fallback?

It's tough. Fifty eyewitnesses,
including six CRASH cops.

I'm trying to line up witnesses. The kid's
own grandma doesn't want to testify.

-She's pretty scared.
-Of the kid or the other gang?

Okay, folks, let's get to work.

How about say me and you do a little
something-something after this?

Man, she ain't trying to hear that.

Man, she ain't trying to hear that.

I don't think so.

Yo, she trying to hear me. Ain't you?

Lisa, your 10:OO is here.

-lf--
-Look it here.

If you'll take your seat,
Ms. Gillespie will be right with you.

-You see? She playing you, man.
-Yo, she ain't playing me, kid.

-No, I can tell--
-All right, you heard the lady.

Please take your seats.

What up, kid?

That's your boss?

And you, feet off the table.

And even if you were old enough,
this is a smoke-free workplace.

Now, mineral waters for everyone?

You can set them
in the conference room, Louis.

Hi. I'm Lisa Gillespie.
Which one of you is Mr. Butler?

Man, who is this?

I'm Smooth G.

Who the hell are you?

I'm your brother's attorney, Mr. Butler.

-What?
-Yo, you tripping.

Yo, we came here to see the man,
not some wack-ass gray.

Word, kid. My man.

Yo, you even know what we're
talking about?

No, and I won't pretend to...

...but when your little brother here
walks into juvenile court...

...he's going to need more than
street slang to walk out again.

The petitioner makes
a prima facie case...

...we can't argue
attenuating circumstances...

...he's looking at a minimum disposition
that will have his head spinning.

You know what I'm talking about?

Okay.

Here's where we stand.

I'll be talking to Deputy District
Attorney Barkley this afternoon.

I will argue self-defense,
but I don't expect him to dismiss.

Count on going to a jurisdictional hearing
in Judge Leyland's court Wednesday.

What are Little Chill's chances?

Judge Leyland's not exactly
a bleeding-heart liberal.

Basically, he's white.

Darrin, we need to arrange a time
to go over your testimony.

Darrin, we need to arrange a time
to go over your testimony.

Look, my Tech Nine did
all the talking I'm gonna do.

The judge is the sole finder of fact
in juvenile court, Darrin.

He needs to understand your state
of mind at the time of the shooting.

If you're convicted, you will
be confined to a juvenile facility...

...until your 21st birthday, and they
can add another four years to that.

Look, if it's either that or be a punk...

-...I'll do the time.
SMOOTH G: No!

You listen to your lawyer.

You think I'm paying all this money so
you can end up doing 13 in CYA?

He'll testify.

Maybe that won't be necessary.

Let me talk to the deputy
district attorney first.

Anything else?

Unless you have any questions.

No, we're cool.

Understand this, Miss Thing.

You come correct...

...for my little brother...

...or it's on you.

Hoffman or no Hoffman.

You know what I'm saying?

It's open.

Teddy! What a nice surprise.

The subject is surprise, Miriam,
and there's nothing nice about it.

We sound kind of grumpy.

I don't like finding out
qrom Deadline: America...

...that you're holding out
a witness on us.

You can't believe everything you hear
on those shows.

Are you telling me you don't have
a witness...

...who claims to place Neil Avedon
at the scene?

-I didn't say that.
-Then don't play games.

We all knew you had more
when you arrested Neil...

...and this witness was it.

Take a deep breath and start over.
I don't like where this is heading.

I think you owe me an explanation.

We arrested Neil off of the semen
in Jessica Costello...

...and his inconsistent statements
to the police.

I don't believe that.

You never would have charged him
if that's all you had.

If we're going to be pointing fingers...

...what about this phantom diary
of Jessica's?

Or hadn't you heard they voted
for reciprocal discovery in this state?

Come on, Miriam. Until I decide
I'm going to use it as evidence...

...I'm under no obligation
to hand it over.

You come on, Ted. If you're not
developing evidence off of that diary...

...I'll kiss your ass in Macy's window.

And before you come in here
accusing me of unethical behavior...

-...you'd better get your facts straight.
-Meaning?

Meaning that the leak to Connie Dahlgren
did not come from my office.

Then where did it come from?

I wish I knew myself.

Bottom line, Miriam.

Who's the witness?

Third name from the bottom.

Susan Dominick?

She's a night nurse at lephyr House.

She logged a call from Neil at 1 :45 a.m.
the night of the murder...

...from Julie Costello's phone.
That's two hours after he said he left.

I'm to believe this nurse came forward
out of concern for the public good?

The police dumped the records
from Julie's phone.

The call to Lester's facility
practically leapt off the page.

And after a little arm-twisting,
this nurse gave up Neil.

I'm not going to give you any more.

All this gratitude, I'm starting
to get a little grumpy myself.

Oh, and the next time you come by...

...just in the spirit of quid pro quo...

...you might like to bring that diary.

I could use a good book.

A detective came by to see me.
I can't remember his name.

-Polson.
-Yeah, I think that's it.

He told me the police had a record
of Mr. Avedon calling the clinic...

...the night of that girl's murder.

He made it seem like I'd just be
confirming what he already knew.

lt never occurred to me
he might be bluffing.

And that's all you did?

Confirmed that the call came from Neil?

Confirmed that the call came from Neil?

That's all I knew.
Dr. Lester took the call.

Thank you, Miss Dominick.
You've been very helpful.

Whatever you're paying that girl,
it's not enough.

What's that supposed to mean?

You're using her to undermine Neil.

That's ridiculous.

ls it?

She functions under the same umbrella
of privilege as you do.

She didn't have to talk,
and you didn't have to let her.

I was out. I wasn't in the office.

I resent your suggesting
I would do anything...

...to undermine the well-being
of one of my patients.

If you're so anxious to help...

...why didn't I hear about the call
from you a long time ago?

Well, maybe I didn't think it was
in Neil's best interest to tell you.

Did that ever occur to you, counselor?

W,, ould your definition of
Neil's best interests"...

...include keeping him
out of the gas chamber?

I want this understood.

I'm telling you this
in strictest confidence...

...only because I know
anything I say here...

...falls under Neil's
attorney-client privilege.

Get to the point.

Neil confessed to killing Jessica.

He called me that night. It was,
I don't know, about 1 :45.

He was frantic,
out of his mind on something.

Did he tell you he was
at Julie Costello's apartment?

I couldn't make any sense
out of what he was saying.

I told him to come to the clinic.

He showed up here
about a half an hour later.

Sobbing, confused.

He told me he'd just killed
Julie's sister.

If he was out of his mind on drugs,
how did he get here?

Cab, I guess. I'm not sure.

I gave him a sedative, sent him to bed.

I'll rot in jail before I'll testify
to any of this, Mr. Hoffman.

But my lips to God's ears...

...that's what happened.

We're in full damage control, people.

Either Lester's telling the truth
about Neil's confession...

...or running an errand
for Richard Cross.

Do you really think Neil confessed?

I'm not even sure he called.

Either way, we have to shut down
this nurse's testimony.

I sense a motion to exclude.

Arguably, her statements may fall under
Lester's doctor-patient privilege.

-When do you need it?
-I could've used it before she talked...

-...but I'll take it now.
-I'm on it.

Ray, any progress up in Sonoma?

I ran down hookers who used to work
for Carello.

They weren't exactly in mourning.

If they knew anything about the tape
or Davey's murder, they weren't talking.

-No family?
-A sister who hadn't seen him in months.

I asked if he had a safe.
She didn't know.

There's gotta be a second copy
of that tape.

If there is, I'll find it.

Let it go for now.
Get on Grasso's witness list.

Start with this nurse.
She's the weak link.

If Cross got to her,
it had to be soon after the murder.

Lester wouldn't let you
see her alone before.

He'll have her tied
with a ribbon by now.

Check her financial records,
any recent rise in her fortunes.

A new car. Credit cards paid off.
You know the drill.

Neil Avedon.

Teddy, what's the deal
with the secret witness?

-How bad can she burn me?
-lf she's telling the truth?

-Not good.
-Oh, man.

Maybe we ought to think about a deal.

Who put that idea in your head?

Richard said Grasso offered a deal
weeks ago.

I told you not to talk to Richard Cross.

-Well, he's my friend.
-He is not your friend.

Teddy, he put up a million bucks
so I could stay out of jail.

I call that pretty friendly.

I'll make this real simple, Neil.

I am your only friend.

Anything you say to anyone else
can be used against you in court.

For your own sake,
you trust me, and me alone.

Until we're past this,
you consider everyone else an enemy.

You should have told me
about Grasso's deal.

Richard said you're supposed to.

Do you want to spend
the next six years in prison?

That was the deal.

Given your condition
at the time the offer was made...

...you weren't in a position
to consider it.

Well, does that mean
it's off the table?

Do you want me to find out?

Well, I don't know.

Then don't second-guess my judgment,
because Richard is pissing in your ear.

I'm sorry, Teddy.

You're my guy.

I'm not having a good day, Neil.

I need the truth from you.

Yes or no.

The night of the murder, did you call
Graham Lester from Julie's apartment?

I don't remember.

Did you or did you not confess to him
that you killed Jessica?

Teddy, I don't know.

Then the answer to both
questions is no.

As far as you know, you didn't
call Lester, you didn't confess.

The only person in that apartment
after midnight was Richard Cross.

Teddy, I could have been there.

-Look, I want to be straight about this.
-Save some nails for the DA.

Okay.

Go home, Neil.

Lock the door, don't talk to
Richard Cross, don't talk to the press.

If you get bored...

...read a book.

Whatever you say.

Officer Torrez...

...in your capacity as a member
of the anti-gang CRASH unit...

...did you attend the funeral
of William Moore...

...at Cypress Knoll Memorial Cemetery
on September 23rd of this year?

I did.

Had you known the deceased to be
a member of the One-Eights gang?

Had you known the deceased to be
a member of the One-Eights gang?

Yes.

What were the circumstances
of his death?

He was shot and killed in a drive-by
three days earlier.

Who were the Avalon Treys?

A rival gang. Their territory
abuts along Avalon Boulevard.

Were members of the Treys questioned
in the shooting of Mr. Moore?

They were the logical suspects...

...but we were unable to develop
any evidence linking them to the crime.

So on the afternoon
of Mr. Moore's funeral...

...you had reason to expect trouble?

That's why we were there.

Please describe what occurred.

Most of the One-Eights were present,
including Mr. Butler.

The minister had finished the eulogy...

...when a late-model Oldsmobile '98
approached the site.

Did you recognize the occupants?

They were members of the Treys.

Kevin Powell, who I'd dealt with
previously, was in the rear seat.

When Mr. Powell proceeded to lower
the rear-door window...

...the minor Butler pulled
a semiautomatic pistol from his jacket...

...fired four times, killing Mr. Powell.

Were any of the occupants
of this car armed?

We stopped them two blocks
from the cemetery.

A search of the car failed to turn
a weapon.

Had Mr. Powell said anything,
done anything to provoke such an attack?

He never got the chance.

Thank you, officer.

Your witness.

Are you familiar with a wall...

...at the corner of 11 6th Street
and Avalon Boulevard, officer?

Yes.

Does the wall in this photograph
accurately depict the wall I've described?

It appears to.
-We ask that this photo be marked...

...and entered into evidence
as Exhibit C.

So entered.

Could you explain to the court
what the graffiti on this wall means?

The gangs will mark a wall
like this to designate territory.

Another gang will come and mark over
the first gang's signs as a challenge.

If you know how to read the signs...

...you can usually predict violence
between the rival gangs.

Had you been watching
the wall in this photo?

We kept our eye on it.

The Treys had x'd out
the names of One-Eights.

They'd also written "187,"
penal code for homicide...

...alongside names, indicating
their intention to kill those members.

Prior to Moore's death...

...had "187" been written
on the wall beside his name?

Yes.

Was Darrin Butler's name on the wall?

"Little Chill," his gang name,
was below Mr. Moore's.

Anything written beside it?
" 187. "

So when Kevin Powell
and his fellow Treys...

...pulled into Cypress Knolls Cemetery,
Darrin had a reasonable expectation...

-...that they were coming for him?
- Objection. Calls for speculation.

Overruled.

I can't read his mind.
I know he shot four times.

Which is the reason
he's still alive today, isn't it?

-Objection.
-Withdrawn.

You found no weapons in the car,
but isn't it a fact...

...that you recovered a 9 mm handgun
in a dumpster...

-...a half block from the cemetery?
-Wiped clean.

The entire neighborhood
is gang territory.

lsn't it possible, or even likely,
that gang members fleeing a shooting...

...would want to dispose
of an unregistered weapon?

It's possible.

Thank you. Nothing further.

Leaks have only one purpose, Connie,
to bias and inflame.

There's a pool of potential jurors
out there...

...twelve of whom will decide
my client's fate.

I want them walking into that courtroom
with an open mind.

With all this publicity,
can Neil Avedon get a fair trial?

These leaks are an attempt to poison
the atmosphere of justice.

The question is whether jurors
can be open-minded.

Could you?

Rumor is, you had Miriam Grasso
on the carpet over this.

I respect Miriam, but I told her
the same thing I'm telling you.

Let's try this case in a court of law,
not before the television cameras.

One last question:

How badly does this mystery witness
hurt Neil's chances for acquittal?

Connie, we don't even know what this
so-called mystery witness has to say...

...or what motivated this person
to come forward.

The testimony may not even
be relevant...

...to the question of whether
my client is innocent or guilty.

-That's great. That'll do it.
Cut.

The implacable fac. ade of Ted Hoffman.

Next time, I'll bring a chisel.

You tell me something.

Who told you the results
of our jury survey?

You know I can't answer that.

If I've got a traitor working for me,
I'd like to know.

And speaking hypothetically,
just what do I get in return?

I'd say the pleasure of knowing
you did the right thing...

...but I know better.

Sorry, Ted. I'm afraid
I'm just a girl who can say no.

-Ted?
-How goes it, Chris?

Just filed the Susan Dominick motion.

And I just finished up
with Connie Dahlgren.

Know where Lila keeps the aspirin?

No, but I got a rumor I bet even
America doesn't have.

No, but I got a rumor I bet even
America doesn't have.

-It's all over the courthouse.
-Do I want to hear it?

Grasso's quit the case.

Hm....

Mm.

-Whoa, whoa, whoa. What? What?
Excuse me.

Where you going?
Come back here, man!

Hey. Good morning.
How's everybody doing?

Okay.

Look, I know you don't want to testify,
but I need you up there today.

What are you talking about?

The way you dissed that cop,
no way they'll convict me.

I appreciate the vote of confidence,
but I'm not so sure the judge bought it.

And what am I supposed to do?
Get up there and beg him?

Now, he can kiss my black ass
before I'll do that.

What did I tell you?

All right, then.

Okay.

Darrin, when was the last time
you saw your father?

I ain't never seen him.

-Your mother?
-Overdosed two years ago.

I live with my grandmother.

When was the last time
you saw someone killed?

Last month. Our cousin Willie.

William Moore, whose funeral you were
attending on September 23rd?

Yeah.

Can you describe how Willie died?

Bunch of us was chilling
on the corner...

...couple of Treys rolled up,
popped him.

How close were you standing?

Far as I am from you.

ls your cousin the only person
you've seen killed?

Man, you bugging me?

I seen plenty of people killed.

My cousin Maurice,
my brother Danny...

...K-Dog, Sleepy.

Look, I don't know how many.
Maybe 12.

Have you ever been shot at yourself?

First time, I was 6.

Bullet came through the wall
while I was sleeping.

Was that frightening?

I'd sleep in the bathtub.

Darrin, why did you bring a gun
to your cousin Willie's funeral?

Figured there might be some banging.

Did you assume that
there might be some trouble...

...if the Avalon Treys showed up?

Soon as I saw that window roll down...

...l knew either me or one of my homies
was gonna get it.

How did you know they weren't
arriving to pay their respects?

Man, they came to bust a cap.

-No other reason for them to be there.
-That's right, kid.

Man, you want me? Punk-ass!
Come on with!

-Yeah, Little Chill--
Clear the gallery!

Come on with it.
You smoked. You too, punk!

ln Los Angeles.
the Goldilocks murder case...

...continues to be beset
by leaks and rumors.

With me to discuss the latest
is legal expert Dana Benson.

The courthouse buzz is that Deputy
District Attorney Miriam Grasso...

...has pulled out of the case in a dispute
with DA Roger Garfield.

Now. sources aren't saying
how this dispute began...

...but it's yet another blockbuster...

...that's sure to rock
this already-sensational case.

If Grasso withdraws. will that hurt
or help defendant Neil Avedon?

Miriam Grasso is a topnotch prosecutor.
The DA's office has others. yes.

But if this rumor proves true...

...l think the defense will be sleeping
a lot better in the nights to come.

How about it?
Getting any more sleep these days?

I feel like I've been watching
a production of Waiting for Godot.

It's fascinating, but what does it mean?

lt means that the leak about Lester's
nurse came from Garfield.

I cornered him in his office...

...said I didn't appreciate him
going around me to the press.

And then, after a brief stab at a denial,
he admitted it.

And one thing led to another,
and I quit.

-Do you think that's wise?
I'm not getting rich in this job.

All I have is my reputation.

I think your client's guilty, but I don't
like to feel like somebody's puppet...

...especially when it's Roger Garfield's
hand that's up my dress.

Excuse my language, young man.

Who's replacing you?

It's up to Roger.

Well, speaking personally, Miriam,
I'm going to miss you.

With all due modesty...

...you've got a better chance
without me.

Maybe. But this case
is turning into a circus.

And if Garfield has his way,
it's going to get worse.

This case needs your honesty, Miriam.

Blow any more smoke up my bustle,
and you'll set the sprinklers off.

It's not flattery. It's the truth.

Stay on the case.

Funny, you didn't seem this charitable
Last night on Deadline: America.

Funny, you didn't seem this charitable
Last night on Deadline: America.

New deck, new deal. We'll start over.

I don't know, Ted,
but I'll take it under advisement.

Teddy...

...did I miss something in there?

Getting Grasso off the case is the best
thing that could happen to us.

How much money you got
in your pocket?

Well, maybe 30 bucks.

I'll put up my next week's draw
against your $30...

...that before the week is out,
Miriam Grasso will be back on the case...

-...and Garfield will be licking her boot.
-She just quit.

She's paper-training that idiot.

If you think Miriam will quit
the biggest case in her life...

...you got another thing coming.

We cannot allow the law of the streets...

...to become the laws of this land.

Now, Darrin Butler committed
a brutal act of revenge.

He may learn nothing if incarcerated
until his 25th birthday...

...but he will surely learn nothing
if allowed to go free.

We ask this court
to sustain the petition.

I grew up in a neighborhood
where the only violence...

...you were likely to see was
the occasional schoolyard bloody nose...

...where "lf I die before I wake"
was an innocent bedtime prayer.

Darrin grew up in a neighborhood...

...where he had to sleep in an
iron bathtub to avoid being killed.

He didn't start the cycle of violence.

He was trying to survive. You saw
an example of that in this courtroom.

A gesture that we would not
have noticed...

...was a symbol of the deadly rules
by which gang members live.

To Darrin, the "187" scrawled
next to his name meant he was next.

So when Kevin Powell
rolled down that car window...

...Darrin believed
he was about to be killed...

...and he reacted in the only way
he knew how, in self-defense.

Remember, the last time he saw
someone roll down a car window...

...his cousin Willie was shot dead.

Could he really afford to see
what Kevin Powell's intentions were?

Your Honor, these are children of war.

And no purpose can be served
by punishment.

I ask that you find my client not guilty.

Richard Cross.
He doesn't have an appointment.

Show him in.

Richard.

I'm not happy, Teddy.

-How can I help?
-I called Neil today.

He told me you instructed him
not to take my calls.

That's true.

I'm racking my brains here.

Did I do something to offend you?

All I've tried to do
throughout this process...

...is to be the best friend to Neil
that I can.

I appreciate that, Richard.

But you need to understand,
Neil's in a fragile state of mind.

You're telling me?
That's why I put up the kid's bail.

And Neil's grateful for that.

But what you consider a helpful
suggestion sends this kid into orbit.

I mentioned that Grasso offered a plea.
I thought he already knew.

All the same, he came in here
bouncing off the walls.

And you think that's my fault?

Look, Teddy, I have tolerated
a certain level of innuendo here...

...because I realize that you have
a job to do.

But you cross a line when you tell him
that he can't even talk to me.

I mean, I think I deserve better
than that.

-Don't you?
-It was certainly not my intention...

-...to offend you, Richard.
-Well....

But right now,
I need Neil thinking straight.

Which means listening to his lawyer,
not his friends...

...however well-intentioned
they may be.

As usual, you're right.

This is not about me.

This is about that poor kid
who's fighting for his life.

I'm glad you see it that way.

When this whole thing is over, we should
get together, you, me and Annie.

Get on the jet,
go to my place in Breckenridge...

...put this whole case behind us.

That sounds like a plan.

Still friends?

Always, Richard.

Thank you for coming today.

I have a brief statement to make
regarding People versus Avedon.

ln any case involving
significant public interest...

...there are bound to be
unsubstantiated leaks and rumors.

While it is impossible to shut down
these leaks...

...it has come to my attention
that one of them...

-...has emanated from this office.
Shocking.

-Gambling in Casablanca.
I want to give assurance...

...to the press and to the public
at large...

...that every effort has been made
to see that this does not occur again.

To the extent that this episode
has embarrassed Miriam Grasso...

...she has my sincerest apology.

Oh, he's not just down on one knee,
he's in full grovel.

This case is hers to win.

ln other words, guess whose ass it is
if Neil walks.

I'll let Miriam say a few words.
and then we'll take any questions.

Thank you. Roger.

Let me just say that I'm happy
to be back on board...

...and I look forward to trying this case
where it always belonged...

...in a court of law.

Way to go, Miriam.

What's that for?

Don't ask.

We're back in business.

-Got a minute?
-What's up, Louis?

I think I found our leaker.

I'm embarrassed to admit it,
but I did a little amateur sleuthing...

...and you'll never guess who I saw...

...coming out of Connie Dahlgren's
apartment at 7:OO this morning...

...with wet hair, no less.

Come in. Sit down.

Before I start, is there anything
you'd like to tell me?

I'm not sure I follow.

I think you do.

-You've been talking to Connie Dahlgren.
-Oh, God.

Violating the confidentiality
of this firm.

-Mr. Hoffman, l--
-Be quiet and listen.

An attorney's fundamental duty
is to his client.

To violate that privilege
is to violate a trust.

Not only have you exposed this firm
to possible civil liability...

...you've jeopardized your own career
before it's even begun.

Mr. Hoffman, I swear, l--

I never meant for this to happen.

I was walking to my car,
and she was...

...there.

-All decked out and smelling like--
-I don't require the details, Sydney.

She asked me if I wanted
to have a drink.

Well, I don't drink, but I thought,
"Well, okay."

Two Passion Bowls later,
I was in her apartment.

She was undoing my tie.

Next thing I know,
I'm not wearing pants.

Mr. Hoffman, I didn't have a date
until I was a freshman in college.

And here was this incredible woman.

I mean, her breasts--

You were seduced.

Exactly.

The real measure of a man is what
he does when no one else is looking.

When he's guided only by his own sense
of right and wrong.

By that measure...

...you failed.

I understand.

-I'll clear out my desk.
-There's no need to do that.

Finish your internship.

Take this opportunity to grow.

To become the kind of lawyer
I can be proud of.

That your parents can be proud of.

If you do that...

...this matter will remain
between the two of us.

Thank you, sir.

I'll never forget this.

For your sake, I hope not.

-Oh, and Sydney.
-Yes, sir?

Next time somebody offers you
a Passion Bowl...

...stick to Shirley Temples.

I see too many of these cases.

A young man shot and killed
and another accused of his murder.

Usually, I must decide whether the
defendant minor committed the crime.

But in this case...

...l must consider why.

By the standards of his young life,
he could not afford to see...

...what might happen once that car
window was rolled all the way down.

I condemn the world that made him
think like that.

But I cannot fully condemn him.

I find Darrin Butler...

...acted in self-defense.

Therefore, it is my order...

...that he be released
to the custody of his older brother.

I order that he perform 300 hours
of community service...

...at a facility for the elderly...

...and that he report to a probation
officer of the juvenile court each week...

...until his 18th birthday.

Young man, I'm giving you
a second chance.

Take it.

You know they lay waiting
for you, right?

I'm on it.

You know I'm hard,
and I ain't even worried.

-ls he going to be all right?
-Hey.

-ls he going to be all right?
-Hey.

He's back in the 'hood.

-I'm glad you're free.
Hey!

What are you working on?

Going over prior testimony from
Miriam Grasso's expert witnesses.

-It's a pretty impressive crew.
-No doubt.

Why don't you knock off,
go home, get some rest.

Another couple of hours,
soon as I get through this.

Dave Blalock lived for his work.
In the end, how many people cared?

Don't make the mistake he did.

Get a girlfriend.
Get a life outside this office.

That's good advice, Teddy.

Thanks.

Night, Chris.

Good night.

ln other news. the younger brother
of rap star Smooth G...

...was acquitted of murder charges...

...in the death
of a South Central teenager.

I want to feel good about this.
I really do.

But I keep thinking putting him
in the streets...

...is like getting someone off
a speeding ticket in Bosnia.

Maybe the DDA was right.

Chances of seeing his 13th birthday
are better in prison...

...than they are
in his own neighborhood.

But a win is a win, right?

Help me out here.

-Seems to me you got two choices.
-Mm-hm.

You can either take comfort
in the fact that you did a great job.

Or you can agonize over this
and drive us both crazy.

Do I drive you crazy?

Out of my mind.

Hoffman says I should
get myself a girlfriend.

Oh.

Who's the lucky babe?

Come here.

So Miriam Grasso's back on the case.

And we found our leak.

-Who?
-Sydney Schneider.

Sydney Schneider?

You're kidding.
Why would he do something like that?

He was seduced by Connie Dahlgren.

Actually, sexually seduced?

Little Sydney?
I remember when he was in diapers.

He could have used one.

He just about wet his pants
relating the saga.

Remember Lizzie's expression the first
time we took her to Disneyland?

The "l can't believe
this is really happening...

...but don't pinch me
in case it's a dream" look?

That's the one.
You should have seen his puss.

What does someone like Sydney see
in a harpy like Connie Dahlgren?

I think breasts had
something to do with it.

-Are you going to tell his parents?
-No.

What are you thinking?

Husband-wife privilege?

Goes without saying.

Graham Lester says
Neil confessed to him.

If it's true, you were right
about him all along.

What does Neil say?

He was so coked and liquored up,
he doesn't know what he remembers.

What do you do now?

Exactly what I have been doing.

How will you be able to look
your daughter in the eye...

...if Neil Avedon killed a 15-year-old girl
and you get him off?

That's the wrong question, Ann.

The right question is,
how can I look her in the eye...

...if I don't give Neil the presumption
of innocence the Constitution does?

-Daddy?
Oh, honey, I'm sorry. I forgot.

I promised you'd say good night
when you got home.

Come on, honey.

Let's go upstairs.

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SDl Media Group

OCR extraction
by D.Lauper