Reasonable Doubt (2022–…): Season 1, Episode 5 - So Ambitious - full transcript
Previously on
Reasonable Doubt...
- It's been a long time.
- Sixteen years.
I can't be here anymore.
And the only way to do
that is to show remorse.
I cannot believe my
dad stood me up again.
I really wish you would
have forgiven Daddy
the same way you forgave Paul.
- Well, I can't see you
being a public defender.
- Once a PD, always a PD.
- I know you and Lewis
have your issues,
but you should really
think about making it work.
She up here staying
with her cheating-ass husband
and wanna give me
relationship advice.
- You know what would be dope?
If we could be friends.
I could stay in jail and dream
of this life that I could have
or I could actually live it.
Your husband's okay with
friends coming over?
Actually,
we're separated.
- He is an idiot to let you go.
- Ladies and gentlemen,
the people just told you
that their case is
clear, solid, definitive,
that Mr. Uribe is
the only person
who could have
committed this crime.
But I will lay out to you all
the ways their theory is flawed.
Was there a solid
chain of custody
when it came to the
physical evidence?
No.
Was Mr. Uribe the only
Latino man in the park
at the time of the assault?
No.
Were there other people
in the victim's life
who were motivated to harm him
that could not be accounted
for the night of the crime?
Yes.
That to me sounds like a case
with a whole lot of
reasonable doubt.
But you know what?
I don't have to
prove that to you.
That's the people's burden,
not yours.
All I'm asking you
to do is to listen.
Listen to the facts,
and lack thereof,
in order to prevent an innocent man
from going into the prison system
and becoming
something he is not.
Thank you.
Members of the jury,
you may now retire to the jury
room to begin deliberation.
- Hector?
Um... Okay. I know I said I
wanted to practice my Spanish,
but I don't know how to ask
why you would wanna take a plea
to go to jail for a
crime you didn't commit?
- My entire life,
things don't go my way.
So why would they now?
- Because you got me, Hector.
When I go to trial, I win.
- And I really appreciate
all your hard work,
but... I'm done.
- Hector.
- Hi, Mr. Clarke.
I'm...
- Damon Cooke.
- I'm Jax Nicholas.
Nice to meet you.
- Court has set
bail at $500,000.
- Any chance you can
get that lowered?
- You're being charged with
second-degree murder, Mr. Cooke.
By law that's the number.
- Alright, fine.
What about Rafael?
- Your codefendant, Mr. Coleman,
is also being charged with murder.
- Fuck, I can't believe
this shit is happening.
Take a breath, Mr. Cooke.
Why don't you tell me about
yourself? Where you from?
- Where I'm from...
I grew up on West
67th off Buckler.
- That's Rollin' 60s territory.
- They wouldn't let me in.
- Are you employed, Mr. Cooke?
- I run an auto
shop off Leimert.
Took over when my
daddy passed away.
Education?
- Graduated St. Bernard's.
Westchester, South LA.
- I'm from Crenshaw and
Coliseum, went to Fairfax,
so I know where
St. Bernard's is.
Uh, the night of the murder,
can you tell me what happened?
- Yeah, so me and my
homeboy, we was, uh...
- That's Mr. Coleman?
- Yeah. Rafael.
We went out to this spot
called Bottoms Up in Hawthorne
and, you know, we
ordered some drinks,
and Rafael was
hollering at a few
women and whatnot and then, uh,
this dude started
beefing with Rafael
and he wouldn't stop
running his mouth.
So then he tried to accuse Rafael
of getting with his girl and...
- Okay. Is that the
victim, Kevin Chapman?
- Yeah.
- Okay, what happened next?
- Then all hell broke loose.
I was getting hit from all sides
and just trying to keep
motherfuckers off me and shit.
- Well, this complaint says
that you fled the scene.
You told the police that you
weren't involved in a fight.
Why did you lie?
I ain't flee.
Or whatever it is
they trying to say.
I ain't kill nobody. I-I-I left.
I got a business. I
got responsibilities.
So what happens next, Fairfax?
- Well... well, that depends.
I can go to the DA, see about a
plea, or we can fight it in trial.
- Wait, wait. You said a plea.
You mean to say I'm guilty?
- Yes.
- But I'm innocent.
- So you wanna go to trial?
- I mean...
What do you think?
- Let me dig into your case a
bit, see what we're up against.
I'll go to the DA and come
back to you with some options.
- Alright. I mean, I can,
I can rock with that.
- I'll try to make it
quick so you can get back
to your ambitions of
a Rollin 60s ridah.
- You got jokes?
- Sorry. I...
- That was a good one.
Thanks.
Anyway,
I have 35 other cases that
need my attention, Mr. Cooke.
So unless you have any other...
- Good luck with
your other cases.
An unusual
mishap in a construction zone
near the 10-110 interchange
occurred this afternoon,
leaving the 10 freeway
backed up to Crenshaw.
- Hello?
- Hey, girl. What you doing?
- Sitting here
watching the news.
I feel like I'm
turning into my mother.
What you up to?
Reading these case studies.
Are you bringing anyone
to Sally's wedding?
- Nope. You?
- I was gonna bring
Kendall, but it's too soon.
- Hmm.
Okay, Autumn, when are you
gonna tell the other girls
that Kendall is not
just your roommate?
- I don't know. I feel like
you're more understanding.
- They'll understand.
- Maybe.
What about you?
- Uh, no. I am
too busy for love.
- It doesn't work that way.
- Okay, well, then I'm too
busy to have my heart broken.
- Yeah, yeah, but remember,
Jax, sharing is caring.
- Hmm.
How about you practice
what you preach?
Huh? Bye, Autumn.
Bye, girl.
- I've gone over Damon Cooke's case
and there are quite a few holes.
- Okay, what are they?
- Well, first of all,
the surveillance video
doesn't make it clear that
Mr. Cooke committed a crime.
- What about the witness?
- Come on, Miguel.
We all know eyewitness
testimony is never enough,
especially late at night
in that dark-ass bar
from a person working
the night shift.
- Fine. What else?
- Mr. Cooke is a business
owner without a criminal past.
He's also a fairly
mild-mannered individual
who barely drinks.
So, what, we're supposed to believe
that he suddenly got so drunk
that he decided to pierce flesh?
I mean, come on, that's a reach.
- So then you wanna go to trial?
I do.
But, you know, I at least wanna
hear what you're offering.
- Voluntary manslaughter midterm
of six years in state prison.
- Same charge. One
year in County.
- Nice try. Strike one,
Cooke lied to the police.
Strike two, we have witnesses
who say he was the aggressor.
And strike three, his
prints are on the knife.
Oh. You didn't get
the report yet?
Still seem like a reach?
- Did you bring a knife
to the bar that night?
- I bring my knife everywhere,
but, shit, it ain't a gun.
- So then you stabbed that man.
- What? No, look.
Alright. It was my knife, yes.
But it fell out of my pocket
during the craziness of the fight.
And somebody must
have grabbed it
'cause all of a sudden it was
stuck in this dude's neck.
And I was just like,
"What the fuck?"
So then I was gonna pull it
out, and Rafael told me not to.
So then we just, just fucking
broke up out of there.
I'm telling the
truth here, I swear.
- You sure you
wanna swear on that?
- Isn't it your job
to-to-to believe me?
- No. My job is to tell
you what your options are.
And given this new information
that you failed to share with me,
I'm telling you as your attorney that
a trial does not look good for you.
- I didn't do this. JAX:
Look, I spoke to the DA,
and he's offering
voluntary manslaughter.
Six years.
With good behavior, you can
be out on parole in two.
If you go to trial, you'll
be fighting a murder charge,
which is 15 to life.
- Fuck!
Alright, what would, what
would you do if you were me?
- I'm not you.
- Oh, I see. Okay.
So you-you don't think
this could happen to you?
- I didn't say that.
- No, no, no. Just keep
it real with me, Fairfax.
Shit, I ain't gonna tell.
- Although the fingerprint
evidence is inconclusive,
it was your knife.
You lied to the cops.
Just take the deal, okay?
You'll be better off.
- Damn.
I thought you was
gonna fight for me.
But you just gonna give up on me
like everybody else in my life.
- Mr. Cooke...
- Nah, don't Mr. Cooke me.
You gonna tell me my
shit is fucked up,
just tell me my inmate ID number
since that's all I am
to you anyway, alright?
Yeah, I'll take
the fucking deal.
It's so wonderful
Sally found a man
to spend her life with.
Even though she was a
fast little old thing
when y'all were in high school.
- Ooh. Ma!
I'm just speaking the truth.
You know, you're just
as pretty as Sally.
No reason you should
be sitting home alone.
- I'm not sitting
home alone, Mom.
I mean, I'm not even
30, so I have time.
- Yeah, that's what my
friend Debbie said years ago.
Now she can't even remember
her name, let alone find a man.
- Oh, so I should find a boyfriend
before I get Alzheimer's?
- Oh. Oh, it's something
to think about.
- Mom.
- Ooh-ooh.
Why don't you wear this one?
- I know, I was thinking about it,
but that's revealing, don't you think?
- Well, if you don't
want it, I might take it.
I could use a fish of my own.
- No.
- I haven't found anybody to
keep me company since Paul.
Actually, he called
the other day.
- Paul did?
- Yeah.
- And?
- And nothing.
I don't think it's a
good idea that we talk
after what happened between us.
No, you're right.
This is too revealing.
Well, why don't you
buy something new?
Buy something that'll
make Jonathan jealous.
- Ugh! I don't care about
making Jonathan jealous.
Besides, I can't even
afford a new dress.
God, this wedding is
costing me a fortune.
- Well, you could always
move home to save some money.
- I know, Mom. I know.
Oh, hell. It's getting late.
I have court in the morning.
Ugh.
Look, I'll just...
I'll go to Fox Hills and
find something tomorrow.
- I thought you said you
didn't have enough money
to buy a new dress.
- I'll put it on layaway,
skip lunch this week.
Mwah!
- Oh, Jesus. Help my child.
- So I was rereading your file
last night and I had a realization.
Your codefendant Rafael
Coleman has a criminal past.
And because you guys look
like you can be brothers,
there's an argument to be made
that the DA's eyewitness
misidentified you for Rafael.
- You saying Rafael did this?
- Possibly.
If your prints are conclusive
on the knife, maybe his are.
Do you think he did it?
- Hmm. Honestly, it
all happened so fast.
And I hate to say he did
something he didn't do.
- Yeah, that's fair.
But the point is that there's a
whole lot of doubt in this case.
- So you believe me then.
- I believe we
should go to trial.
- Because you believe me.
- Why is that so
important to you?
- It's not important to you?
- I don't know anymore.
Honestly, this
job... it's a lot.
- I appreciate you finally
keeping it real with me, Fairfax.
- Okay, look, I'm sorry I
told you to take the plea.
I'm not used to having people
who want to fight the system.
I'm used to people wanting to
give up out of frustration.
- Like you did with me?
- Yes.
- I'm sorry I went off on you.
It's not who I am.
It's just, um...
You know, this fucking place.
- I get it. Um,
I don't, but...
- I got what you meant, Fairfax.
- Okay, look, um,
why don't we do this?
Let's just, um,
you take some time
to think about it,
and either way,
I'll support you.
Okay?
- I will. Thank you.
And, uh, thanks for
not giving up on me.
- Same.
Ah!
I's
getting married, bitches!
- Okay, guys.
Get it!
- She already is.
- A-ha!
- Clearly.
- Bitch, who the
hell you texting?
- This football player I met
a couple of weeks ago, girl.
He wants to take me to
Miami in his private jet.
- That sounds like the
end of a Lifetime movie.
No, he's legit.
It's Jamarion Tucker.
- Bitch! What?
- Are you serious?
- Yes.
And he said he wants to come to
the wedding. He's my plus one.
- What?
- Wow, moving fast I see.
- They say when
you know, you know.
- And I know you bitches
better stop yappin'
and get a piece of this.
'Cause, god damn!
- Wow!
- What are we really doing here?
- Oh, hey, no!
- No!
We don't kiss the stripper.
No, don't do that.
- Oh, hell, no.
Here, baby, drink
this.
Okay?
No.
Oh, Sally.
Honey, what's wrong?
- I love Chris.
I do. But one dick, Jax?
Forever?
- Okay, yes. Yes.
But it's not like you
haven't enjoyed being single.
- Yeah, because I'm a ho.
- No, no, that's
not what I said.
- That's why I was out
there trying to make out
with that oily-ass stripper.
It's because my ho
ass couldn't help it.
And now, I'm trying
to go be a housewife
when I'm really just a ho wife.
- Sally, Sally, stop. Stop.
- I'm just a ho.
- Just stop talking.
It does not matter what
happened in your past, okay?
You... you are a different woman
since you fell in
love with Chris.
I've never seen you happier.
- Well, yeah.
You think you could settle
down with just one dick?
- Chris is always on your
side. I've never had that.
So, yeah, I can settle down
for one dick in a heartbeat.
- You can find it, Jax. You
just gotta make space for it.
You gotta be
vulnerable and open.
'Cause that is the only
way that love can come in
and then stay, you know.
- You're so profound
when you're drunk.
- I gotta throw up again.
- Okay, okay, okay, come on.
Come on, come on, come on,
come on. - Oh, God.
- Mr. Cooke?
- Uh, yeah. Call me Damon.
- Damon.
So what did you decide to do?
- Honestly, I don't
know, Fairfax.
You know, I mean, it's like
the more I stay in here,
the more I don't
wanna stay here.
Then I get all in my
head about this shit.
You know, should I take the
risk or take the deal, you know?
- I do, but Miguel, the DA,
he's put a clock
on the plea deal.
So unfortunately, you don't
have a lot of time to decide.
Tell me what you're
thinking. - Um...
I'm not, uh,
I'm-I'm not good at this.
- At what? Jail?
I don't think you're
supposed to be.
- No, I mean...
My mom died of an overdose
when I was just a little kid,
and then my dad worked
himself to death
to try and recover
what she took from us.
So it's just me
and my brother CJ.
And if I go in, I...
I don't, I don't know why
I'm telling you all this.
I guess I... just feel
like I can talk to you.
- I get that a lot.
So who do you talk to?
I mean, you're always
listening and shit, so...
Who's listening to you?
Go ahead. I got, I ain't
got nothing but time.
- Um...
No one, really.
Damn.
Does that make you sad?
- Um...
- Too personal?
- No, no, it's fine. Um...
No, I guess that that's what
made me wanna be a lawyer.
I know what it's
like to not be heard,
to not be believed.
- I'm sorry, Fairfax.
- Okay, you gotta stop
calling me Fairfax.
If you want me to call you
Damon, you have to call me Jax.
- Fair enough.
- My dad was an addict too.
He still is.
Racked up charges in
and out of jail, rehab.
But he is a good man.
The system failed him.
It fails a lot of us.
- Who failed you?
Was it him or someone else?
- You asked me earlier
what I would do if I were you.
And I think that you
should go to trial.
It's risky, but
you didn't do this.
You do not deserve
to go to prison.
So I say, fuck that deal.
Let's win this case together.
- Aight... Jax.
Yeah.
- Yeah.
- Hey. Jacqueline.
You
can call me Jax.
Hey, thanks for sending
me your opening statement.
I hope you're okay
with my edits.
- Really good
stuff. It's just...
- What's up?
- I haven't done
many murder trials,
so I think you should
take lead on this.
- But you are
Mr. Coleman's lawyer.
I expect you'll still
represent his best interests.
- Yes, of course. Trust me.
I only have Mr. Coleman's
best interests in mind.
They were beefing
with Mr. Chapman all night.
- Can you identify the two men
who were arguing with the victim?
- They're sitting
right over there.
- Mr. Wilson, can you identify
the man who gets up first?
- It's Rafael Coleman.
- Mr. Wilson, did you see
who threw the first
punch in this big melee?
- No, ma'am, I didn't.
- Can you identify the last
person to get to his feet?
It's Damon Cooke.
- Did you see who
stabbed Mr. Chapman?
- No, ma'am.
Sounds like
you didn't see much
save for this
surveillance footage
the prosecution
coached you up on.
- Nothing further.
- No further questions.
Mr. Ivanov,
you're the owner
of Altek Hardware on Leimert.
- For 22 years, yes.
- Do you sell this brand
of knife in your store?
- Yes.
- Now, Mr. Cooke is a
long-time customer, correct?
- He is, yes.
- Can you describe
this slip of paper?
- It's a receipt from my store.
- Would you please read the
signature on the receipt?
- Damon Cooke.
- Do you think he's a murderer?
Objection, Your Honor.
Calls for speculation,
lack of foundation,
and it's irrelevant
what this witness...
- Miss Nicholas,
you're on thin ice.
- Nothing further.
- Gentlemen.
- Oh. Hey, Jax.
- Let me guess.
Miguel is telling you all about the award
he's getting from our law school, right?
Or not. What's going on?
Yes, but Rafael's cutting
a deal with the DA.
They're reducing the charge against
him to assault if he testifies.
- Against me? Is
that what you mean?
- Yes.
So
then he's going to jail?
- Most likely only probation.
- Then am I going to jail?
- No, you're not.
I'm gonna win this case.
What?
- I love hearing you boss up.
- What, I hadn't before?
- No, not really.
- I'm humble, I guess.
- Hmm.
You're brilliant.
You're attentive.
You're strong and fearless.
- Wow.
You get all that just
from me being your lawyer?
- Whether you can
see yourself or not,
I, uh... I see you, Jax.
- And I see you.
So I know that after
this Rafael situation,
you're gonna wanna
take the stand.
- And you're right.
Rafael's telling his story,
you know, I'm finna tell mine,
so you cool with that?
- I like hearing you boss up.
- Alright, later, Fairfax.
- Ooh! Who you talking to?
- Oh. Um, no one.
- No, that's someone. You
got that look in your eye.
- Yeah, like that
pussy is pulsing.
- No, it is not!
- Sally's right. Who is it?
- Okay, fine, but no judgments.
It's a client.
- Oh! What?
- I just said no
judgment, Autumn.
- I'm not...
Trust me, I'm just
a bit confused.
- Yeah. I mean, is
this person a criminal?
- He's being falsely accused.
- Of a crime. Like a criminal.
- He is not a criminal.
You think I'd just be around
here liking criminals?
- Well... just be careful.
You know these bitches be out here
marrying these niggas in prison.
- Oh, my God.
- Don't be like them.
- Mr. Coleman, the jury has seen
the end of the surveillance video
which shows you getting up
from the floor after the fight.
Who are the two
men still fighting?
- Mr. Chapman and Damon.
- And did you see the knife?
- Yes, I did.
- Rafael, do you see the person
who stabbed Mr. Chapman
to death here today?
- Yes.
- Let the record show that the witnesses
pointed to the defendant, Damon Cooke.
No further questions.
- Your witness, Miss Nicholas.
The last time we
were in this courtroom,
you were seated at
the defense table
with my client and your
friend Damon Cooke.
What happened?
- What do you mean?
- Why are you testifying
for the prosecution?
- I wanna tell the truth.
- The truth?
You're not a truth
teller, Rafael.
You're nothing but
a common snitch.
- Objection. Argumentative.
Sustained.
- Did the district attorney's office
initially charge you with murder?
- Yes.
- And the murder charges,
along with any jail time,
have been waived in
exchange for your testimony.
Is that right?
- Yes.
- Mr. Coleman, were you ever
expelled from middle school?
- I don't think so.
- You don't think so
or you don't remember?
- I don't recall.
- This is from the Inglewood
Unified School District.
Does this report
jog your memory?
- Yeah, but I was a kid.
Who doesn't get into trouble?
- By trouble, did you mean to
say that you pulled a knife
on another student and
threatened to kill him?
- Yes.
- Did you throw the
first punch that night?
- Uh... I don't remember.
- Would it surprise you to
learn that many of the witnesses
have testified that you
did throw the first punch?
- It was a huge fight
in the club at night.
Like I said, I cannot recall.
- So you don't remember
anything about a fight
that you allegedly started
but you remember getting up and
seeing my client stab Mr. Chapman?
Right.
Nothing further.
Ooh!
Sorry, I didn't
realize how big it was.
You ladies wanna feel it?
- Never say those
words to us again.
Also, who did you pay
to get this award?
They usually give it to corporate
types like Emily or PD's like me.
- They finally realized that the
real stars are at the DA's office.
- Oh, a real epiphany.
- You guys can learn a lot
doing prosecutorial work.
- Oh, you mean like using scared
young men like Rafael Coleman
to build cases against
innocent Black men?
- Damon Cooke is
not innocent. Sorry.
Or you could move
to a corporate firm.
I just did.
And frankly, I sleep
a lot easier at night.
- What do you mean?
The stakes are
significantly lower.
Think about it. If I win, great.
And if I don't, those
rich, entitled assholes
probably deserved it.
- I don't wanna represent
rich, entitled assholes.
I represent people who
have nowhere else to turn.
If the system wants to take
away someone's liberty,
their-their freedom,
they're gonna need a
high burden of proof.
And they're gonna have
to go through me, period.
- Inspiring.
- Eat a dick.
- And how's it feel
when you lose, Jax?
- Either way, you've
paid your dues, Jax.
It's time to move
on. - Mm-hmm.
Oh, and it's time
for me to go home.
Get that good sleep.
Later, peeps.
See ya.
- You know, I don't intend to
stay at the DA's office forever.
I got
much bigger plans.
You're looking at the first
Latino governor of California.
You ever thought about
getting into politics?
- Uh...
- You and me could make a play for it.
You know what they say.
Behind every great man...
- Is a woman rolling her eyes?
- No, but, come on,
for real. Seriously.
You never thought about it?
You, me, bringing two of LA's
biggest constituencies together,
showing off our cute
Afro-Latino babies.
- Oh, my God. Please.
Are you serious?
Hmm.
You know what?
I think you and your little
award need some alone time.
I'll see you in court... Mike.
Okay.
- This is Jax.
Hey, did I wake you?
- Damon?
Uh, they let you make a phone
call this time of night?
- My brother put some
money on my commissary.
I traded for a burner.
Why you up so late?
- Uh, I was actually just
about to go to sleep.
- Why are you awake?
- Uh...
Rafael lying on me and shit.
I thought that
nigga was a friend.
- I'm sorry.
- You okay?
Me?
Uh... yeah, I mean...
Well...
Actually, my best friend is
getting married tomorrow.
And, I mean, I'm happy
for her. I guess I just...
I don't know, I feel like
everyone around me is
coupling up and finding someone,
and I'm just hella single.
I'm so sorry. I should not be
sharing any of this with you.
No, no, no,
it's nice. It's nice.
I like it.
I mean, you know, I'm sure you got dudes
trying to get with you all the time.
Not the right ones.
Would you know if you
found him? - I hope so.
Isn't that what they say,
when you know, you know?
I don't know.
I thought I
was in love once,
but, nah, maybe it's me.
My friends say I'm guarded.
I don't know how to... open up.
- And yet you opened up with me.
Um...
- You seem uncomfortable, Jax.
- I am.
Sometimes
being uncomfortable
is a good thing.
It gets you out of your head
when you're thinking too much.
- I think a lot.
- What you thinking about now?
- What are you thinking about?
- You.
- Oh, yeah?
- Always.
- What are you doing to me?
- Same thing you're doing to me.
Good night, Jax.
And now, everyone,
please gather around
for the father-daughter dance.
- What's up?
- Girl, I can't believe
Jamarion didn't show.
I mean, he said he
was gonna be late,
but now it's looking like
he ain't coming at all.
Oh. I'm sorry, girl.
Hmm?
- Yes, thank you.
You know what?
Your cousin only
gets married once.
I really think that you
should get up out this seat
and get back out there.
Jamarion'll make it up to you
with that fat-ass "I just
made All-Pro" bonus money.
- You're right.
- I know.
- Thanks, girl.
Oh...
Sis, don't listen to what
Autumn and Sally have to say.
If you like this nigga,
then like this nigga.
Hell, maybe you win the case
and we all end up boo'd up.
It's a possibility.
- Hey.
- Hey.
How'd you sleep?
- Good.
Really good.
- Yeah.
Me too.
- We should discuss our case.
- I don't want to
talk about the case.
- Damon, we need to go over
your testimony one more time.
- Jax, please.
Not now.
- Okay.
- I think about
what it would be like to just,
to just sit somewhere,
you know, just the two of us.
Just to talk.
Beyond these walls
and without time limits.
- I think about that too.
- You do?
- I do.
Everything hinges on
Damon's testimony.
I can't fuck this up.
- Language.
- A man's life is at stake.
- Focus on Miguel and
the case he's built.
I don't care what
that damn school says.
You a better lawyer than him.
Jacqueline, you are the smartest
person in any room you're in.
Remember that and your client
will walk out of there a free man.
- Thank you, Ma.
- We can talk more
later if you need.
- Oh.
- I gotta head out.
- Uh, well, don't you
need to get dressed first?
- I've learned a
lot about myself
in the past few years.
I'm an alcoholic.
And I've done some things
when I was drinking
that I'm not proud of.
And I'm sorry.
I'm ten years sober now.
I'm not the same guy.
- I think it was good for
us to have this time apart
so that Paul could
get himself together.
I'm proud of how far he's come.
- Oh, so, so this is happening.
You're getting back together.
Unbelievable. MAMA
LU: Jacqueline.
Jacqueline! Jacqueline,
wait. Please!
Are you really gonna
pretend like nothing happened?
He made a mistake.
- Yes, but why does he deserve
another chance from me or from you?
- Every day you fight for
people's second chances.
What's the difference?
- The difference is
that you are my mother
and I expect more from you.
But you always choose
yourself first.
You failed me then and
you are failing me now.
- You weren't the only
one hurt, Jacqueline.
I was hurt too. I loved him.
One day you will love someone
really, truly love someone
and you will see that it's
not that easy to let 'em go.
- If this is what love looks like,
then I feel sorry for both of us.
Oh. Hey. Uh...
You're Damon's lawyer, right?
- Yes.
- I'm his brother CJ.
- CJ! It's nice to meet you.
I've heard a lot about you.
- And you, too. Thanks
for fighting for him.
Means a lot to him and to me.
- Of course.
- He can't go away for this.
I can't be out here by myself.
- You won't be.
Thanks.
Do you
promise to tell the truth,
the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth?
- I do.
- Mr. Cooke,
why were you the last person
fighting with Mr. Chapman?
- I didn't know I was.
I just felt myself getting hit.
- You didn't flee the
scene, did you, Mr. Cooke?
- I left.
I, um...
I knew I had been in a fight.
I just didn't want any trouble.
Uh...
I wish I had stuck around.
That was, that was a mistake.
- Did you know Mr. Chapman
before that night?
- Never seen him
before in my life.
- Did you stab Kevin Chapman?
- No.
I didn't do it.
- Nothing further.
Mr. Ortiz, your witness.
- You said you
jumped into the fight
because your friend Rafael
Coleman needed help, correct?
- Yeah.
- Mr. Chapman was winning
the fight, wasn't he?
- I-I don't know.
Well, at some point,
Mr. Chapman started
getting the better of you.
- Um, I don't think so, no.
Come on, Mr. Cooke.
He was kicking your ass.
- What?
Nah, it wasn't like that.
- Oh, so you were
kicking his ass?
- See, I didn't say that.
- Oh, okay, then,
Mr. Cooke, which one is it?
Did you beat up Mr. Chapman or did
he beat you up like a rag doll?
And when embarrassed,
you pulled out a knife?
- Objection!
Badgering the witness.
- I just told you I
ain't kill that man!
Why the fuck you make
it seem like that?
- Sustained.
- Nothing further, Your Honor.
Finally, there's Rafael Coleman,
who offers us the most
damning evidence of all.
Mr. Coleman with his own eyes
witnessed the defendant stab Kevin
Chapman in the midst of a brawl.
He didn't say maybe
it was Mr. Cooke.
Or it might have been.
No, he never wavered.
And neither should any of you
in doing what is right and just
by finding Damon Cooke guilty.
Thank you.
- Miss Nicholas.
- Thank you, Your Honor.
The people want
you to believe that
because Mr. Cooke was
at the bar that night,
because he was in a fight,
because he bought a knife,
and because a witness
who cut a deal to save his
own skin says he did it,
that this is all
enough to convict.
Well, it's not enough.
Damon Cooke has no violent past.
He was simply in the wrong
place at the wrong time.
Almost every generation of
Black families starts at zero.
Damon Cooke, through his hard
work in his family business,
broke that cycle.
Today is your chance
to break the cycle
of convicting young Black men
of crimes they did not commit.
Mr. Ortiz talked about
doing the right thing.
The right thing is to acquit
Damon Cooke and send him home.
Thank you.
The jury has come
to a decision in this case.
The clerk will now
read the verdict.
- We, the jury, find the
defendant Damon Cooke
guilty of second-degree murder.
Mr. Cooke,
you are hereby remanded
into the custody of the sheriff
who shall transfer you...
- Damon, I... I'm...
- I know.
- Damon, we can appeal
your conviction.
And this time, we don't
have to play by the rules.
We'll do whatever's
necessary to win.
- You did your best, Jax.
But it's over.
Aight? We ain't in
this together no more.
I'm inside and you're out there.
You can't be in this with me.
This is my time to serve now.
- But...
- One day we gonna
see each other again,
and you're gonna barely
remember who I am, but...
I ain't never gonna
forget you. - I'm...
I'm not ready to let you go.
- Yeah, but you're about to
become some badass lawyer chick.
And I'm just gonna be some
dude you once defended.
- Well, you'll always
mean more than that to me.
- What if I'm not?
What if at the end
of the day, I'm just
a criminal?
- Damon.
I...
- It's okay. I, uh...
I already know.
At least now I do.
Later, Fairfax.
I'm sorry...
Jax.
- Hey. You okay? Can
you open the door?
Don't worry.
I got you.
I'm Lewis.
- Hey.
You busy?
Reasonable Doubt...
- It's been a long time.
- Sixteen years.
I can't be here anymore.
And the only way to do
that is to show remorse.
I cannot believe my
dad stood me up again.
I really wish you would
have forgiven Daddy
the same way you forgave Paul.
- Well, I can't see you
being a public defender.
- Once a PD, always a PD.
- I know you and Lewis
have your issues,
but you should really
think about making it work.
She up here staying
with her cheating-ass husband
and wanna give me
relationship advice.
- You know what would be dope?
If we could be friends.
I could stay in jail and dream
of this life that I could have
or I could actually live it.
Your husband's okay with
friends coming over?
Actually,
we're separated.
- He is an idiot to let you go.
- Ladies and gentlemen,
the people just told you
that their case is
clear, solid, definitive,
that Mr. Uribe is
the only person
who could have
committed this crime.
But I will lay out to you all
the ways their theory is flawed.
Was there a solid
chain of custody
when it came to the
physical evidence?
No.
Was Mr. Uribe the only
Latino man in the park
at the time of the assault?
No.
Were there other people
in the victim's life
who were motivated to harm him
that could not be accounted
for the night of the crime?
Yes.
That to me sounds like a case
with a whole lot of
reasonable doubt.
But you know what?
I don't have to
prove that to you.
That's the people's burden,
not yours.
All I'm asking you
to do is to listen.
Listen to the facts,
and lack thereof,
in order to prevent an innocent man
from going into the prison system
and becoming
something he is not.
Thank you.
Members of the jury,
you may now retire to the jury
room to begin deliberation.
- Hector?
Um... Okay. I know I said I
wanted to practice my Spanish,
but I don't know how to ask
why you would wanna take a plea
to go to jail for a
crime you didn't commit?
- My entire life,
things don't go my way.
So why would they now?
- Because you got me, Hector.
When I go to trial, I win.
- And I really appreciate
all your hard work,
but... I'm done.
- Hector.
- Hi, Mr. Clarke.
I'm...
- Damon Cooke.
- I'm Jax Nicholas.
Nice to meet you.
- Court has set
bail at $500,000.
- Any chance you can
get that lowered?
- You're being charged with
second-degree murder, Mr. Cooke.
By law that's the number.
- Alright, fine.
What about Rafael?
- Your codefendant, Mr. Coleman,
is also being charged with murder.
- Fuck, I can't believe
this shit is happening.
Take a breath, Mr. Cooke.
Why don't you tell me about
yourself? Where you from?
- Where I'm from...
I grew up on West
67th off Buckler.
- That's Rollin' 60s territory.
- They wouldn't let me in.
- Are you employed, Mr. Cooke?
- I run an auto
shop off Leimert.
Took over when my
daddy passed away.
Education?
- Graduated St. Bernard's.
Westchester, South LA.
- I'm from Crenshaw and
Coliseum, went to Fairfax,
so I know where
St. Bernard's is.
Uh, the night of the murder,
can you tell me what happened?
- Yeah, so me and my
homeboy, we was, uh...
- That's Mr. Coleman?
- Yeah. Rafael.
We went out to this spot
called Bottoms Up in Hawthorne
and, you know, we
ordered some drinks,
and Rafael was
hollering at a few
women and whatnot and then, uh,
this dude started
beefing with Rafael
and he wouldn't stop
running his mouth.
So then he tried to accuse Rafael
of getting with his girl and...
- Okay. Is that the
victim, Kevin Chapman?
- Yeah.
- Okay, what happened next?
- Then all hell broke loose.
I was getting hit from all sides
and just trying to keep
motherfuckers off me and shit.
- Well, this complaint says
that you fled the scene.
You told the police that you
weren't involved in a fight.
Why did you lie?
I ain't flee.
Or whatever it is
they trying to say.
I ain't kill nobody. I-I-I left.
I got a business. I
got responsibilities.
So what happens next, Fairfax?
- Well... well, that depends.
I can go to the DA, see about a
plea, or we can fight it in trial.
- Wait, wait. You said a plea.
You mean to say I'm guilty?
- Yes.
- But I'm innocent.
- So you wanna go to trial?
- I mean...
What do you think?
- Let me dig into your case a
bit, see what we're up against.
I'll go to the DA and come
back to you with some options.
- Alright. I mean, I can,
I can rock with that.
- I'll try to make it
quick so you can get back
to your ambitions of
a Rollin 60s ridah.
- You got jokes?
- Sorry. I...
- That was a good one.
Thanks.
Anyway,
I have 35 other cases that
need my attention, Mr. Cooke.
So unless you have any other...
- Good luck with
your other cases.
An unusual
mishap in a construction zone
near the 10-110 interchange
occurred this afternoon,
leaving the 10 freeway
backed up to Crenshaw.
- Hello?
- Hey, girl. What you doing?
- Sitting here
watching the news.
I feel like I'm
turning into my mother.
What you up to?
Reading these case studies.
Are you bringing anyone
to Sally's wedding?
- Nope. You?
- I was gonna bring
Kendall, but it's too soon.
- Hmm.
Okay, Autumn, when are you
gonna tell the other girls
that Kendall is not
just your roommate?
- I don't know. I feel like
you're more understanding.
- They'll understand.
- Maybe.
What about you?
- Uh, no. I am
too busy for love.
- It doesn't work that way.
- Okay, well, then I'm too
busy to have my heart broken.
- Yeah, yeah, but remember,
Jax, sharing is caring.
- Hmm.
How about you practice
what you preach?
Huh? Bye, Autumn.
Bye, girl.
- I've gone over Damon Cooke's case
and there are quite a few holes.
- Okay, what are they?
- Well, first of all,
the surveillance video
doesn't make it clear that
Mr. Cooke committed a crime.
- What about the witness?
- Come on, Miguel.
We all know eyewitness
testimony is never enough,
especially late at night
in that dark-ass bar
from a person working
the night shift.
- Fine. What else?
- Mr. Cooke is a business
owner without a criminal past.
He's also a fairly
mild-mannered individual
who barely drinks.
So, what, we're supposed to believe
that he suddenly got so drunk
that he decided to pierce flesh?
I mean, come on, that's a reach.
- So then you wanna go to trial?
I do.
But, you know, I at least wanna
hear what you're offering.
- Voluntary manslaughter midterm
of six years in state prison.
- Same charge. One
year in County.
- Nice try. Strike one,
Cooke lied to the police.
Strike two, we have witnesses
who say he was the aggressor.
And strike three, his
prints are on the knife.
Oh. You didn't get
the report yet?
Still seem like a reach?
- Did you bring a knife
to the bar that night?
- I bring my knife everywhere,
but, shit, it ain't a gun.
- So then you stabbed that man.
- What? No, look.
Alright. It was my knife, yes.
But it fell out of my pocket
during the craziness of the fight.
And somebody must
have grabbed it
'cause all of a sudden it was
stuck in this dude's neck.
And I was just like,
"What the fuck?"
So then I was gonna pull it
out, and Rafael told me not to.
So then we just, just fucking
broke up out of there.
I'm telling the
truth here, I swear.
- You sure you
wanna swear on that?
- Isn't it your job
to-to-to believe me?
- No. My job is to tell
you what your options are.
And given this new information
that you failed to share with me,
I'm telling you as your attorney that
a trial does not look good for you.
- I didn't do this. JAX:
Look, I spoke to the DA,
and he's offering
voluntary manslaughter.
Six years.
With good behavior, you can
be out on parole in two.
If you go to trial, you'll
be fighting a murder charge,
which is 15 to life.
- Fuck!
Alright, what would, what
would you do if you were me?
- I'm not you.
- Oh, I see. Okay.
So you-you don't think
this could happen to you?
- I didn't say that.
- No, no, no. Just keep
it real with me, Fairfax.
Shit, I ain't gonna tell.
- Although the fingerprint
evidence is inconclusive,
it was your knife.
You lied to the cops.
Just take the deal, okay?
You'll be better off.
- Damn.
I thought you was
gonna fight for me.
But you just gonna give up on me
like everybody else in my life.
- Mr. Cooke...
- Nah, don't Mr. Cooke me.
You gonna tell me my
shit is fucked up,
just tell me my inmate ID number
since that's all I am
to you anyway, alright?
Yeah, I'll take
the fucking deal.
It's so wonderful
Sally found a man
to spend her life with.
Even though she was a
fast little old thing
when y'all were in high school.
- Ooh. Ma!
I'm just speaking the truth.
You know, you're just
as pretty as Sally.
No reason you should
be sitting home alone.
- I'm not sitting
home alone, Mom.
I mean, I'm not even
30, so I have time.
- Yeah, that's what my
friend Debbie said years ago.
Now she can't even remember
her name, let alone find a man.
- Oh, so I should find a boyfriend
before I get Alzheimer's?
- Oh. Oh, it's something
to think about.
- Mom.
- Ooh-ooh.
Why don't you wear this one?
- I know, I was thinking about it,
but that's revealing, don't you think?
- Well, if you don't
want it, I might take it.
I could use a fish of my own.
- No.
- I haven't found anybody to
keep me company since Paul.
Actually, he called
the other day.
- Paul did?
- Yeah.
- And?
- And nothing.
I don't think it's a
good idea that we talk
after what happened between us.
No, you're right.
This is too revealing.
Well, why don't you
buy something new?
Buy something that'll
make Jonathan jealous.
- Ugh! I don't care about
making Jonathan jealous.
Besides, I can't even
afford a new dress.
God, this wedding is
costing me a fortune.
- Well, you could always
move home to save some money.
- I know, Mom. I know.
Oh, hell. It's getting late.
I have court in the morning.
Ugh.
Look, I'll just...
I'll go to Fox Hills and
find something tomorrow.
- I thought you said you
didn't have enough money
to buy a new dress.
- I'll put it on layaway,
skip lunch this week.
Mwah!
- Oh, Jesus. Help my child.
- So I was rereading your file
last night and I had a realization.
Your codefendant Rafael
Coleman has a criminal past.
And because you guys look
like you can be brothers,
there's an argument to be made
that the DA's eyewitness
misidentified you for Rafael.
- You saying Rafael did this?
- Possibly.
If your prints are conclusive
on the knife, maybe his are.
Do you think he did it?
- Hmm. Honestly, it
all happened so fast.
And I hate to say he did
something he didn't do.
- Yeah, that's fair.
But the point is that there's a
whole lot of doubt in this case.
- So you believe me then.
- I believe we
should go to trial.
- Because you believe me.
- Why is that so
important to you?
- It's not important to you?
- I don't know anymore.
Honestly, this
job... it's a lot.
- I appreciate you finally
keeping it real with me, Fairfax.
- Okay, look, I'm sorry I
told you to take the plea.
I'm not used to having people
who want to fight the system.
I'm used to people wanting to
give up out of frustration.
- Like you did with me?
- Yes.
- I'm sorry I went off on you.
It's not who I am.
It's just, um...
You know, this fucking place.
- I get it. Um,
I don't, but...
- I got what you meant, Fairfax.
- Okay, look, um,
why don't we do this?
Let's just, um,
you take some time
to think about it,
and either way,
I'll support you.
Okay?
- I will. Thank you.
And, uh, thanks for
not giving up on me.
- Same.
Ah!
I's
getting married, bitches!
- Okay, guys.
Get it!
- She already is.
- A-ha!
- Clearly.
- Bitch, who the
hell you texting?
- This football player I met
a couple of weeks ago, girl.
He wants to take me to
Miami in his private jet.
- That sounds like the
end of a Lifetime movie.
No, he's legit.
It's Jamarion Tucker.
- Bitch! What?
- Are you serious?
- Yes.
And he said he wants to come to
the wedding. He's my plus one.
- What?
- Wow, moving fast I see.
- They say when
you know, you know.
- And I know you bitches
better stop yappin'
and get a piece of this.
'Cause, god damn!
- Wow!
- What are we really doing here?
- Oh, hey, no!
- No!
We don't kiss the stripper.
No, don't do that.
- Oh, hell, no.
Here, baby, drink
this.
Okay?
No.
Oh, Sally.
Honey, what's wrong?
- I love Chris.
I do. But one dick, Jax?
Forever?
- Okay, yes. Yes.
But it's not like you
haven't enjoyed being single.
- Yeah, because I'm a ho.
- No, no, that's
not what I said.
- That's why I was out
there trying to make out
with that oily-ass stripper.
It's because my ho
ass couldn't help it.
And now, I'm trying
to go be a housewife
when I'm really just a ho wife.
- Sally, Sally, stop. Stop.
- I'm just a ho.
- Just stop talking.
It does not matter what
happened in your past, okay?
You... you are a different woman
since you fell in
love with Chris.
I've never seen you happier.
- Well, yeah.
You think you could settle
down with just one dick?
- Chris is always on your
side. I've never had that.
So, yeah, I can settle down
for one dick in a heartbeat.
- You can find it, Jax. You
just gotta make space for it.
You gotta be
vulnerable and open.
'Cause that is the only
way that love can come in
and then stay, you know.
- You're so profound
when you're drunk.
- I gotta throw up again.
- Okay, okay, okay, come on.
Come on, come on, come on,
come on. - Oh, God.
- Mr. Cooke?
- Uh, yeah. Call me Damon.
- Damon.
So what did you decide to do?
- Honestly, I don't
know, Fairfax.
You know, I mean, it's like
the more I stay in here,
the more I don't
wanna stay here.
Then I get all in my
head about this shit.
You know, should I take the
risk or take the deal, you know?
- I do, but Miguel, the DA,
he's put a clock
on the plea deal.
So unfortunately, you don't
have a lot of time to decide.
Tell me what you're
thinking. - Um...
I'm not, uh,
I'm-I'm not good at this.
- At what? Jail?
I don't think you're
supposed to be.
- No, I mean...
My mom died of an overdose
when I was just a little kid,
and then my dad worked
himself to death
to try and recover
what she took from us.
So it's just me
and my brother CJ.
And if I go in, I...
I don't, I don't know why
I'm telling you all this.
I guess I... just feel
like I can talk to you.
- I get that a lot.
So who do you talk to?
I mean, you're always
listening and shit, so...
Who's listening to you?
Go ahead. I got, I ain't
got nothing but time.
- Um...
No one, really.
Damn.
Does that make you sad?
- Um...
- Too personal?
- No, no, it's fine. Um...
No, I guess that that's what
made me wanna be a lawyer.
I know what it's
like to not be heard,
to not be believed.
- I'm sorry, Fairfax.
- Okay, you gotta stop
calling me Fairfax.
If you want me to call you
Damon, you have to call me Jax.
- Fair enough.
- My dad was an addict too.
He still is.
Racked up charges in
and out of jail, rehab.
But he is a good man.
The system failed him.
It fails a lot of us.
- Who failed you?
Was it him or someone else?
- You asked me earlier
what I would do if I were you.
And I think that you
should go to trial.
It's risky, but
you didn't do this.
You do not deserve
to go to prison.
So I say, fuck that deal.
Let's win this case together.
- Aight... Jax.
Yeah.
- Yeah.
- Hey. Jacqueline.
You
can call me Jax.
Hey, thanks for sending
me your opening statement.
I hope you're okay
with my edits.
- Really good
stuff. It's just...
- What's up?
- I haven't done
many murder trials,
so I think you should
take lead on this.
- But you are
Mr. Coleman's lawyer.
I expect you'll still
represent his best interests.
- Yes, of course. Trust me.
I only have Mr. Coleman's
best interests in mind.
They were beefing
with Mr. Chapman all night.
- Can you identify the two men
who were arguing with the victim?
- They're sitting
right over there.
- Mr. Wilson, can you identify
the man who gets up first?
- It's Rafael Coleman.
- Mr. Wilson, did you see
who threw the first
punch in this big melee?
- No, ma'am, I didn't.
- Can you identify the last
person to get to his feet?
It's Damon Cooke.
- Did you see who
stabbed Mr. Chapman?
- No, ma'am.
Sounds like
you didn't see much
save for this
surveillance footage
the prosecution
coached you up on.
- Nothing further.
- No further questions.
Mr. Ivanov,
you're the owner
of Altek Hardware on Leimert.
- For 22 years, yes.
- Do you sell this brand
of knife in your store?
- Yes.
- Now, Mr. Cooke is a
long-time customer, correct?
- He is, yes.
- Can you describe
this slip of paper?
- It's a receipt from my store.
- Would you please read the
signature on the receipt?
- Damon Cooke.
- Do you think he's a murderer?
Objection, Your Honor.
Calls for speculation,
lack of foundation,
and it's irrelevant
what this witness...
- Miss Nicholas,
you're on thin ice.
- Nothing further.
- Gentlemen.
- Oh. Hey, Jax.
- Let me guess.
Miguel is telling you all about the award
he's getting from our law school, right?
Or not. What's going on?
Yes, but Rafael's cutting
a deal with the DA.
They're reducing the charge against
him to assault if he testifies.
- Against me? Is
that what you mean?
- Yes.
So
then he's going to jail?
- Most likely only probation.
- Then am I going to jail?
- No, you're not.
I'm gonna win this case.
What?
- I love hearing you boss up.
- What, I hadn't before?
- No, not really.
- I'm humble, I guess.
- Hmm.
You're brilliant.
You're attentive.
You're strong and fearless.
- Wow.
You get all that just
from me being your lawyer?
- Whether you can
see yourself or not,
I, uh... I see you, Jax.
- And I see you.
So I know that after
this Rafael situation,
you're gonna wanna
take the stand.
- And you're right.
Rafael's telling his story,
you know, I'm finna tell mine,
so you cool with that?
- I like hearing you boss up.
- Alright, later, Fairfax.
- Ooh! Who you talking to?
- Oh. Um, no one.
- No, that's someone. You
got that look in your eye.
- Yeah, like that
pussy is pulsing.
- No, it is not!
- Sally's right. Who is it?
- Okay, fine, but no judgments.
It's a client.
- Oh! What?
- I just said no
judgment, Autumn.
- I'm not...
Trust me, I'm just
a bit confused.
- Yeah. I mean, is
this person a criminal?
- He's being falsely accused.
- Of a crime. Like a criminal.
- He is not a criminal.
You think I'd just be around
here liking criminals?
- Well... just be careful.
You know these bitches be out here
marrying these niggas in prison.
- Oh, my God.
- Don't be like them.
- Mr. Coleman, the jury has seen
the end of the surveillance video
which shows you getting up
from the floor after the fight.
Who are the two
men still fighting?
- Mr. Chapman and Damon.
- And did you see the knife?
- Yes, I did.
- Rafael, do you see the person
who stabbed Mr. Chapman
to death here today?
- Yes.
- Let the record show that the witnesses
pointed to the defendant, Damon Cooke.
No further questions.
- Your witness, Miss Nicholas.
The last time we
were in this courtroom,
you were seated at
the defense table
with my client and your
friend Damon Cooke.
What happened?
- What do you mean?
- Why are you testifying
for the prosecution?
- I wanna tell the truth.
- The truth?
You're not a truth
teller, Rafael.
You're nothing but
a common snitch.
- Objection. Argumentative.
Sustained.
- Did the district attorney's office
initially charge you with murder?
- Yes.
- And the murder charges,
along with any jail time,
have been waived in
exchange for your testimony.
Is that right?
- Yes.
- Mr. Coleman, were you ever
expelled from middle school?
- I don't think so.
- You don't think so
or you don't remember?
- I don't recall.
- This is from the Inglewood
Unified School District.
Does this report
jog your memory?
- Yeah, but I was a kid.
Who doesn't get into trouble?
- By trouble, did you mean to
say that you pulled a knife
on another student and
threatened to kill him?
- Yes.
- Did you throw the
first punch that night?
- Uh... I don't remember.
- Would it surprise you to
learn that many of the witnesses
have testified that you
did throw the first punch?
- It was a huge fight
in the club at night.
Like I said, I cannot recall.
- So you don't remember
anything about a fight
that you allegedly started
but you remember getting up and
seeing my client stab Mr. Chapman?
Right.
Nothing further.
Ooh!
Sorry, I didn't
realize how big it was.
You ladies wanna feel it?
- Never say those
words to us again.
Also, who did you pay
to get this award?
They usually give it to corporate
types like Emily or PD's like me.
- They finally realized that the
real stars are at the DA's office.
- Oh, a real epiphany.
- You guys can learn a lot
doing prosecutorial work.
- Oh, you mean like using scared
young men like Rafael Coleman
to build cases against
innocent Black men?
- Damon Cooke is
not innocent. Sorry.
Or you could move
to a corporate firm.
I just did.
And frankly, I sleep
a lot easier at night.
- What do you mean?
The stakes are
significantly lower.
Think about it. If I win, great.
And if I don't, those
rich, entitled assholes
probably deserved it.
- I don't wanna represent
rich, entitled assholes.
I represent people who
have nowhere else to turn.
If the system wants to take
away someone's liberty,
their-their freedom,
they're gonna need a
high burden of proof.
And they're gonna have
to go through me, period.
- Inspiring.
- Eat a dick.
- And how's it feel
when you lose, Jax?
- Either way, you've
paid your dues, Jax.
It's time to move
on. - Mm-hmm.
Oh, and it's time
for me to go home.
Get that good sleep.
Later, peeps.
See ya.
- You know, I don't intend to
stay at the DA's office forever.
I got
much bigger plans.
You're looking at the first
Latino governor of California.
You ever thought about
getting into politics?
- Uh...
- You and me could make a play for it.
You know what they say.
Behind every great man...
- Is a woman rolling her eyes?
- No, but, come on,
for real. Seriously.
You never thought about it?
You, me, bringing two of LA's
biggest constituencies together,
showing off our cute
Afro-Latino babies.
- Oh, my God. Please.
Are you serious?
Hmm.
You know what?
I think you and your little
award need some alone time.
I'll see you in court... Mike.
Okay.
- This is Jax.
Hey, did I wake you?
- Damon?
Uh, they let you make a phone
call this time of night?
- My brother put some
money on my commissary.
I traded for a burner.
Why you up so late?
- Uh, I was actually just
about to go to sleep.
- Why are you awake?
- Uh...
Rafael lying on me and shit.
I thought that
nigga was a friend.
- I'm sorry.
- You okay?
Me?
Uh... yeah, I mean...
Well...
Actually, my best friend is
getting married tomorrow.
And, I mean, I'm happy
for her. I guess I just...
I don't know, I feel like
everyone around me is
coupling up and finding someone,
and I'm just hella single.
I'm so sorry. I should not be
sharing any of this with you.
No, no, no,
it's nice. It's nice.
I like it.
I mean, you know, I'm sure you got dudes
trying to get with you all the time.
Not the right ones.
Would you know if you
found him? - I hope so.
Isn't that what they say,
when you know, you know?
I don't know.
I thought I
was in love once,
but, nah, maybe it's me.
My friends say I'm guarded.
I don't know how to... open up.
- And yet you opened up with me.
Um...
- You seem uncomfortable, Jax.
- I am.
Sometimes
being uncomfortable
is a good thing.
It gets you out of your head
when you're thinking too much.
- I think a lot.
- What you thinking about now?
- What are you thinking about?
- You.
- Oh, yeah?
- Always.
- What are you doing to me?
- Same thing you're doing to me.
Good night, Jax.
And now, everyone,
please gather around
for the father-daughter dance.
- What's up?
- Girl, I can't believe
Jamarion didn't show.
I mean, he said he
was gonna be late,
but now it's looking like
he ain't coming at all.
Oh. I'm sorry, girl.
Hmm?
- Yes, thank you.
You know what?
Your cousin only
gets married once.
I really think that you
should get up out this seat
and get back out there.
Jamarion'll make it up to you
with that fat-ass "I just
made All-Pro" bonus money.
- You're right.
- I know.
- Thanks, girl.
Oh...
Sis, don't listen to what
Autumn and Sally have to say.
If you like this nigga,
then like this nigga.
Hell, maybe you win the case
and we all end up boo'd up.
It's a possibility.
- Hey.
- Hey.
How'd you sleep?
- Good.
Really good.
- Yeah.
Me too.
- We should discuss our case.
- I don't want to
talk about the case.
- Damon, we need to go over
your testimony one more time.
- Jax, please.
Not now.
- Okay.
- I think about
what it would be like to just,
to just sit somewhere,
you know, just the two of us.
Just to talk.
Beyond these walls
and without time limits.
- I think about that too.
- You do?
- I do.
Everything hinges on
Damon's testimony.
I can't fuck this up.
- Language.
- A man's life is at stake.
- Focus on Miguel and
the case he's built.
I don't care what
that damn school says.
You a better lawyer than him.
Jacqueline, you are the smartest
person in any room you're in.
Remember that and your client
will walk out of there a free man.
- Thank you, Ma.
- We can talk more
later if you need.
- Oh.
- I gotta head out.
- Uh, well, don't you
need to get dressed first?
- I've learned a
lot about myself
in the past few years.
I'm an alcoholic.
And I've done some things
when I was drinking
that I'm not proud of.
And I'm sorry.
I'm ten years sober now.
I'm not the same guy.
- I think it was good for
us to have this time apart
so that Paul could
get himself together.
I'm proud of how far he's come.
- Oh, so, so this is happening.
You're getting back together.
Unbelievable. MAMA
LU: Jacqueline.
Jacqueline! Jacqueline,
wait. Please!
Are you really gonna
pretend like nothing happened?
He made a mistake.
- Yes, but why does he deserve
another chance from me or from you?
- Every day you fight for
people's second chances.
What's the difference?
- The difference is
that you are my mother
and I expect more from you.
But you always choose
yourself first.
You failed me then and
you are failing me now.
- You weren't the only
one hurt, Jacqueline.
I was hurt too. I loved him.
One day you will love someone
really, truly love someone
and you will see that it's
not that easy to let 'em go.
- If this is what love looks like,
then I feel sorry for both of us.
Oh. Hey. Uh...
You're Damon's lawyer, right?
- Yes.
- I'm his brother CJ.
- CJ! It's nice to meet you.
I've heard a lot about you.
- And you, too. Thanks
for fighting for him.
Means a lot to him and to me.
- Of course.
- He can't go away for this.
I can't be out here by myself.
- You won't be.
Thanks.
Do you
promise to tell the truth,
the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth?
- I do.
- Mr. Cooke,
why were you the last person
fighting with Mr. Chapman?
- I didn't know I was.
I just felt myself getting hit.
- You didn't flee the
scene, did you, Mr. Cooke?
- I left.
I, um...
I knew I had been in a fight.
I just didn't want any trouble.
Uh...
I wish I had stuck around.
That was, that was a mistake.
- Did you know Mr. Chapman
before that night?
- Never seen him
before in my life.
- Did you stab Kevin Chapman?
- No.
I didn't do it.
- Nothing further.
Mr. Ortiz, your witness.
- You said you
jumped into the fight
because your friend Rafael
Coleman needed help, correct?
- Yeah.
- Mr. Chapman was winning
the fight, wasn't he?
- I-I don't know.
Well, at some point,
Mr. Chapman started
getting the better of you.
- Um, I don't think so, no.
Come on, Mr. Cooke.
He was kicking your ass.
- What?
Nah, it wasn't like that.
- Oh, so you were
kicking his ass?
- See, I didn't say that.
- Oh, okay, then,
Mr. Cooke, which one is it?
Did you beat up Mr. Chapman or did
he beat you up like a rag doll?
And when embarrassed,
you pulled out a knife?
- Objection!
Badgering the witness.
- I just told you I
ain't kill that man!
Why the fuck you make
it seem like that?
- Sustained.
- Nothing further, Your Honor.
Finally, there's Rafael Coleman,
who offers us the most
damning evidence of all.
Mr. Coleman with his own eyes
witnessed the defendant stab Kevin
Chapman in the midst of a brawl.
He didn't say maybe
it was Mr. Cooke.
Or it might have been.
No, he never wavered.
And neither should any of you
in doing what is right and just
by finding Damon Cooke guilty.
Thank you.
- Miss Nicholas.
- Thank you, Your Honor.
The people want
you to believe that
because Mr. Cooke was
at the bar that night,
because he was in a fight,
because he bought a knife,
and because a witness
who cut a deal to save his
own skin says he did it,
that this is all
enough to convict.
Well, it's not enough.
Damon Cooke has no violent past.
He was simply in the wrong
place at the wrong time.
Almost every generation of
Black families starts at zero.
Damon Cooke, through his hard
work in his family business,
broke that cycle.
Today is your chance
to break the cycle
of convicting young Black men
of crimes they did not commit.
Mr. Ortiz talked about
doing the right thing.
The right thing is to acquit
Damon Cooke and send him home.
Thank you.
The jury has come
to a decision in this case.
The clerk will now
read the verdict.
- We, the jury, find the
defendant Damon Cooke
guilty of second-degree murder.
Mr. Cooke,
you are hereby remanded
into the custody of the sheriff
who shall transfer you...
- Damon, I... I'm...
- I know.
- Damon, we can appeal
your conviction.
And this time, we don't
have to play by the rules.
We'll do whatever's
necessary to win.
- You did your best, Jax.
But it's over.
Aight? We ain't in
this together no more.
I'm inside and you're out there.
You can't be in this with me.
This is my time to serve now.
- But...
- One day we gonna
see each other again,
and you're gonna barely
remember who I am, but...
I ain't never gonna
forget you. - I'm...
I'm not ready to let you go.
- Yeah, but you're about to
become some badass lawyer chick.
And I'm just gonna be some
dude you once defended.
- Well, you'll always
mean more than that to me.
- What if I'm not?
What if at the end
of the day, I'm just
a criminal?
- Damon.
I...
- It's okay. I, uh...
I already know.
At least now I do.
Later, Fairfax.
I'm sorry...
Jax.
- Hey. You okay? Can
you open the door?
Don't worry.
I got you.
I'm Lewis.
- Hey.
You busy?