The Circuit (2007–2010): Season 2, Episode 3 - The Fallout - full transcript

[Mid-tempo contemplative music]

- [Narrator] Aboriginal and
Torres strait islander viewers

are warned that this
program may contain images

and sounds that relate
to deceased persons.

Previously on "the circuit."

- I found him hanging
in his prison cell

[wailing]

A few hours ago.

- I'll wait for you, drew in
perth for another three months.

If you're not ready
to come over, then...

[Up-tempo tense music]



- Can't you come with us?
You'd love it.

- [Peter] I don't think
that's such a good idea.

[Muffled shouting]

- That kid you let off's in there.

- Well, let me go and talk to him.

[Bottles shattering] [Crowd yelling]

[Flames whooshing] [Bats slamming car]

- [Man] Come on!

[Men grunting] [Elbow thuds into face]

- Shit, sorry.

- But I will fight for you,

and I'll make sure that no one forgets.

[Mid-tempo guitar music]
[Singing in foreign language]

[Gentle pleasant music]
[Waves crashing]



[Gulls cawing] [Dogs barking]

[Leaves rustling in wind]

- Archie! Good to see you!

Is everything all right?

- Yeah, fine. Got a second?

- Sure. Might have two if you're lucky.
[Laughs]

[Grill sizzling] [Waves
crashing in distance]

So what's up?

- I was wondering if you'd
represent me at the inquest.

I wanna be a person of interest.

I did some checking, and I
could represent myself,

but I'm not sure I can be trusted.

- [Chuckles] Of course
I'll represent you

if that's what you want.

- Good, great. Thanks.

- Archie. What are you
hoping for by doing this?

- I wanna be there. I
wanna be a part of it.

- And that's all you want?
- I'm doing this for him.

- My darling, you're doing it for you,

and that's nothing wrong with that.

But, you know, to be part of
the process means you have

to trust it to work, right?

Archie, it's not a time
for grandstanding.

- I know, I know.

- I'm not trying to be a mother.

- If you were my mother, you
wouldn't care what I did.

[Gentle pleasant guitar music]

[Phone vibrating]

- Hi.

- [Dianne] Hi. Did I wake you?

- No, no. [Muffled speaking]

- [Laughs] Liar.
- Maybe.

- Drew, is it okay that I called?

- Yeah, of course it's okay.

- I didn't know what the protocol was

between couples who are
still married, but...

- Oh, the anniversary. [Sighs]

I'm so sorry, di, I didn't-

- that's all right.

I understand it's all a bit
silly me doing this, really.

- So?

- I think it was unfair to
give you that ultimatum,

and I was wrong.

I'm sorry. I really miss you, drew.

And, you know, it was never
that I didn't love you,

so I don't need you
to answer right now.

Just sit with it for awhile?

- Okay.
- Okay. Great.

Happy anniversary. - happy anniversary.

[Slow gentle guitar music]

[Hooves clopping]

- Joe, I understand how you
feel, but you've been summoned,

and that means, by law,
that you must attend.

Otherwise, you'll be
fined or sent to jail.

- Please, uncle, it's important.

Don't you wanna find out what happened?

- I know what happened. My son's dead.

No matter of talk's gonna change that.

- With respect, Joe, we
need you to be there,

to hear from you.

I mean, I'm not saying
there was foul play,

but if there was a mistake
made, wouldn't you wanna know?

- I've got questions I want answered.
You must, too.

- It's not difficult.

They'll just ask you to talk

about the last time you saw him.

[Waves crashing] [Hooves clopping]

- Will he be there?

- Yeah.

- Sorry.

- You tried.

Thank you.

- What for?

- You're always there for me.

I feel like you're always
doing the right thing

by me, you know?

[Slow pleasant music] [Bugs chittering]

[Car whooshes past]

[Propeller humming]

[Muffled chatter]

- You'd be lucky to get outta here

before the end of next year.

- Give me something to do with him.
I'm freaking out.

- Don't worry, okay?

We're going in, we're
pleading you guilty,

we ask to get the case remanded over

so we can assemble
witnesses, and it's done.

- Drew, if I get a record-

- you're not going to
get a record, okay?

We're all here to support you.

[Papers shuffling]

Here.

Go and make yourself useful
before you blow a gasket.

- Nicola, this is not about you.
It's about your mother.

Look, don't say that. Of
course I want you to go.

You deserve to have some fun.

Just please try to understand.

No. I know what you're saying,
but I can't, all right?

I have to go to work.

You're not running away. Nicola!

- There are a couple new files.

- Fine.
- It's five two.

- I'll be there when I'm ready!

[Mid-tempo contemplative music]

- How do you plead?
- Not guilty, your honor.

- [Peter] We'll remand
this over until 14.

- Thank you, your honor.
- The defendant was seen

by police throwing a bottle filled

with petrol at a parked car.

- Your honor, my client
was outside the time

when he saw the gang of youths,
and he became fearful,

and in his words, he
said that he wanted

to get them before they'd done him.

- Stand up, please.

[Muffled whispering]

I've listened to Mr. Ellis
attempt to make excuses for you,

and frankly, you don't deserve them.

I have nothing more to offer.

I told you last time where
your life was heading,

and I can tell you now
you are one step closer.

For the assault and
taking part in the riot,

I sentence you to three
months in juvenile detention,

[muffled murmuring]

Suspended for six months.

But you remember that feeling
because if you step out

of line again in that time,
you will be going to juvie.

That is all. - Thank you, your honor.

Take a seat down the
back there, Francis.

We'll do some paperwork.
- Jason Freeman?

[Hand patting back]

The defendant is charged with assault

of a police officer
and resisting arrest.

There is no record, your honor.

- [Peter] How do you plead?

- Not guilty, your honor.
- You may sit down.

We will hear this matter

on the next circuit.
- This is bullshit.

- Your honor, we have witnesses ready

and waiting to testify.

- Your honor, I'm afraid
we have not been able

to assemble any witnesses,
and I need more time

to be briefed by my client
before we present this case.

- We will remand this case over to the-

- 29th.
- To the 29th of this month.

Bail will continue.

- Thank you, your honor.
- Your honor,

we would ask that the continuation

of bail not be considered automatic.

- Your honor, my client
poses no flight risk.

He's gainfully employed by the
aboriginal legal service.

The existing bail conditions
should be sufficient enough!

- I'm satisfied that Mr.
Freeman poses no danger

to the community.

Bail will stand.

- Excuse me, Bob.

- And that pause Peter did when
he was sentencing Francis?

That was mean.

- He did what he had to do.
Kid needs a wake up call.

What, no [Indistinct] Peter
for taking the hard line.

Will the real Sam
wallan please stand up?

- Very funny.

He's not gonna come down that
hard on ya, so don't panic.

- Look, I don't know when's
a good time to say this,

so guess I'm just gonna say it.

I can't do it anymore, this job.

I'm sorry 'cause the last thing I

wanna do is let yous guys down.

It drives me nuts not
being with my family

and seeing this shit.

And yous know I think yous
guys do a fantastic job.

It's just not for me. I'm sorry.

- Don't ever apologize for being a man

and taking care of your family.

We'll find someone else, okay?

- It's all right, jas.

- Thanks.

[Muffled chatter] [Papers
thud down on table]

- What?

[Dark brooding music]

- So, rueben.

Here we are again. - Yes, sir.

- Sit down.

Mr. Ellis, how does your client plead?

- My client is pleading
guilty to charges

of breaking bail and of
destruction of property.

He pleads not guilty to the charges

of resisting arrest, assault,
and inciting the riot.

- Right. We'll remand the
most serious charges over.

Thank you.

- Your honor, it is alleged
that on the 15th of November,

Mr. beaton, who was on by
with a 6:00 pm curfew,

broke his bail - Archie?

- And met his friends down

at Jefferson park. - Hey, Sam.

How are you? - Members of another gang.

- Well, be better if I didn't have

to bring my son back to this.

How are you doing?
- Police arrived at the scene

to monitor the situation.
- Yeah, not long to go now.

I guess it'll come out.

- You're doing the right thing.

- [Scoffs] Yeah. You're the
only one that thinks so.

- [Bob] Situation came to a head.

Anyway, I should get back in.

Bad enough I missed the riot

without missing the fallout as well.

- My client admits
that he did break bail

and joined his friends
after the curfew time.

He was concerned for their wellbeing,

as there have been a
number of threats made

by another group of
youths to his friends,

and rueben felt that he could
settle the matter peacefully.

It is my client's belief and the belief

of many in the community that
the light sentence given

to the man who shot at the
family on the riverbank

is responsible for
stirring up the ill will

in the community and inciting the riot.

- Yes, thank you, Mr. Ellis.

We're not hearing the
incitement charges now.

- Yes, your honor.

In regards to the
destruction of property,

my client admits to smashing
the household windows

and to being present at but
not actually setting fire

to several other cars, your honor.

- Did your client attempt to stop

whomever he says destroyed the car?

- Sorry, your honor?

- Did your client attempt
to stop the person

that burned the car,
verbally or otherwise?

[People murmur]

- No, your honor.
- Thank you.

Stand up.

Mr. beaton, I do not take the
breaking of bail conditions

nor being treated like a fool lightly.

You have demonstrated a total
disregard for the law,

for yourself, and for
your so-called friends.

Now for the destruction
of the windows, the car,

and the public property,
the fine is $4,000.

Restitution for the damage is $7,000.

- I can't pay for that.

- [Indistinct] Your honor.

May we ask that the fine be converted?

- No, the fine stands.

- With respect, your honor,

that amount of money will
take years to repay.

- Then it will take years.

In the meantime, we will
hold you in custody

until such time as all the
other charges pertaining

to you are heard, including
the original assault.

[Muffled speaking]

- Yes, sir.
- Speak up! I can't hear you!

- Yes, sir.

[Tense brooding music]

- And if you think you're
impressing your friends

by coming off with just a fine,

let me lay it out for
you plain and simple.

If you fail to pay the fine,
you will go to prison.

If I find you guilty of
either of the assaults

or that you were responsible in any way

for causing the riot, you
will serve some serious time.

You could've been a
leader to these lads,

but you are going nowhere fast, Mr.
beaton.

That is all.

- [Drew] Thank you, your honor.

[Tense music] [People murmur]

[Birds chirping] [Bugs chittering]

- How'd he go?

- They didn't hear it today.

I told you drew was gonna
get it remanded over.

He's leaving the als.

- Is it because of what happened?

- He's not happy with
the job, that's all,

doesn't suit him, and
that's not your fault.

- So they want you to come back?

- I'll say no.

Family's more important.

- I think you should take it.

Billy and I have been talking.

He wants to get out of
here and go to broome.

I wasn't keen, but if
you're there a lot-

- why you wanna go?

- So maybe I could study
and get some work.

- There's nothing here
except the same old cycle.

- I don't wanna fall back
into that shit again.

- Where are you gonna live?

- Well, if Jason's not
working for a while,

maybe he can use the rent money.

- You two got this all figured out, eh?

- Well, we know you want
family to come first,

and Billy knows that.

But you love that job, and this way you

can be around for Billy, too.

- All right, maybe.

- I gotta give Jason a call.

- You know, he's come
good because of you.

- And you.

- You know, just because
Billy's moving on

doesn't mean you have
to leave here, too.

You can stay with me.

[Upbeat music]

[Car whooshes past]

[Door closes] [Muffled chatter]

- Hey Peter, got a sec?

- Everything all right?
- I'm not so sure.

Don't know where to start yesterday,

and rather either word to me.

They're putting in a report about you.

- Report, with relation to?

- I dunno, they wouldn't say.

Guess they figured I'd
come straight to you.

They seem pretty serious, eh?
Watch your back.

- Thanks, Bob. I'll bear that in mind.

- I reckon they think you
make their job harder

than it needs to be.

- Well, we both know that's not true.

- [Chuckles] Well, you must admit,

it isn't an easy region to police.

- Most coppers do their
job and do it well.

We both know that, too.
- I'm just saying.

Sometimes you don't think
of the politics enough.

Bob, I can't spend my life wondering

what people are gonna think of me.

I've got a job to do, at least for now.

[Muffled chatter]

- Mr. diamond is a no show.

- Has anyone seen him?

You know didn't have to
start back straight away.

- Yeah, well, it'll get
jas out of here quicker.

Besides, we're busy.

- Yeah, you can say that again.

You going to the inquest?

- I'll be there.

- Peter won't be going.
Respect for the family.

He didn't come to the funeral, either.

It's not as if it was his fault.

- Maybe not, but someone's dead.

You feel a responsibility.
Someone should.

- Not if he didn't do anything wrong.

- [Bailiff] All rise.

- And consequently, there
was ample opportunity

for the drugs to be placed there

by a person or persons unknown.

- That's a very sweaty
lawyer they've got there.

- We don't have to wonder
where they got the money.

- We are saying the police in
question made a judgment call

based on my client's appearance.

- And the fact that the drugs

were found on your client, presumably.

- Indeed, your honor.

However, we believe that
because of his appearance,

the police failed to
investigate the possibility

that the drugs were planted.

- Do you have any evidence to suggest

that this was the case?

- No, your honor, not at this stage.

- Not at this stage.

Well, I would've thought that,
since this is the hearing,

this would be the place to present it.

I'm far from satisfied the
counsel's made a case

for a third party being responsible

for the drugs and your client's jacket.

Stand up, please.

I'm fining your $1,500,
and I'm placing you

on a 12-month good behavior bond.

And Mr. britton, should your
client appear before me again,

he won't get off so
lightly, do you understand?

- Thank you, your honor.

- I hope I do better
than that city fella.

[Muffled chatter]

- The defendants and
his friends dominoed

or tipped over a row of motorbikes
outside the newtown pub.

The bikes sustained damage,
and a fight ensued

with the defendant throwing punches

and assaulting several of
the owners of the bikes.

There is a record, your honor.

- Your honor,

I wish to submit the
following coroner's report

into evidence. - Continue, Mr. Ellis.

- My client, Mr. Dennis, has admitted

to tipping the bikes
over and to the charges

that came out of the ensuing fight.

However, he was motivated
by the death of a young man

in his community, the details
of what you have right there.

It's alleged by my clients
that the boy bought the drugs

in question from members
of the bike club

who it is alleged deal
speed, marijuana,

and ecstasy and the like. - Objection.

Your honor, no charges have been laid

in relation to this case.

It's just speculation. - Your honor.

We know that it's been
happening in our country.

We've even seen it with our own eyes.

Even the kids, they're
talking about it.

- Elder ranald, I thank
you for your input,

but if Mr. Dennis is
to use as his defense

that the tipping over the
bikes was retaliatory,

that he did it because he
believed the men in question

were responsible for dealing drugs,

then he must assert that
to the local police

or here in this court.

Mr. Ellis.

- May I have a moment with
my client, your honor?

[People murmur]

Look, you go up to the stand right now,

and you could tell the court
why you think it was them.

- And then they'll lock them up?

- No, this isn't a trial.
No charges have been laid.

It just means the magistrate,

he decides whether he thinks
you have enough reason

to believe the man was dealing drugs.

- And then he gets locked up.

- This case is about
you, not about him.

You still have to report
him to the police.

Look, if you go to the
police and you lay charges,

then they have to do
something about it,

which means we can use
the death of the boy

as a reason why you did what you did.

- Forget what I said. We'll
take what's coming to us.

- Your honor, my client declines

to make a statement on this matter.

[Soft tense music]

[Bugs chittering]

- [Dianne] It's me.

Listen, I'm sorry for
ambushing you the other day,

and if you wanna forget
that I called, that's okay.

I understand. Okay, bye.

[Phone beeps] [Heels clacking]

- Hey, you.
- Hey back.

- Everything all right?
- Sure.

- You still going out
to see the family?

- Mm-hmm.

- Do you want me to
come with you again?

- Thanks, but I wanna handle it alone.
You know what I mean.

- Are you sure everything's okay?
You seem a bit distant.

- All good.

[Muffled chatter]

[Water splashing]

- [Peter] Whatever they've got,

they must figure it's
enough to get rid of me.

- [Ellie] You've done
everything by the book.

They're grabbing at straws.

- Really?
- Mm-hmm.

- What about the riot?
- What about it?

There are lots of other
factors at stake.

Stop beating yourself up, Peter.

God knows there are enough people

out there willing to do that for you.

- Thanks a bunch.

[Water splashing in distance]

So, how's leonie? How's ray?

- [Laughs] I wait all these years,

and suddenly I have a family. [Laughs]

It was good.

- I'm happy for you, Ellie.

- [Laughs] I'm happy for me to know.

No, it feels nice to
come home to someone.

- Bernadette's coming
up when I get back.

- Are you happy with your choice?

[Water splashing]

- I love her, Ellie,
despite everything.

I know there are times when she
doesn't even know who I am.

I couldn't think of
putting her in a home.

No Nicola to visit, no me.

And there are times when
she knows who I am.

- Those must be good moments, eh.

- They're the ones that
I break your heart

because when she knows who I am,

she knows what's happening to her.

[Soft poignant music]

- [Ellie] To family.

[Glasses clink] [Upbeat music]

[Truck humming]

[Dog barking in distance]

- [Woman] Hello, my boy.

[Muffled speaking]

- All right now. Here's
what we have so far.

[Sighs] They've offered us a new deal.

Doesn't save the two main sites,
but it's got money with it.

- We knew we weren't
gonna save them sites.

They always do what
they want in the end.

- We still got two problems we need

to get 'em to negotiate on
so we can move forward.

The fixing of our land
when they finish,

royalties, and real job
opportunities for our mob.

- Me and my mates, we've
been trying to get a job now

for a couple of years, and nothing.

White fellow, they can just come along,

sign on, get work just like that,

whereas we have to go
through hoops just

to get a bloody training position.

- [Mick] Well, that's what we need

to talk to this mob about.

- Do you think you'll get
what you're asking for?

- Even if we do get what
we want, we're gonna lose.

The mining company will
use the government

to get what they want in the long run.

They've got money to burn.

What we need to do is keep 'em

at the table as long as we can.

- For the money.
- It's not the money.

We still haven't mapped the country

to save the sites from damage.

If we say no now, we get more time.

Problem will be when they
pull the plug on talk time.

- Well, you have the right to negotiate

until all the requirements are met.

Native trial gives you that right.

- Except the mining company
really can do what they want.

Still, we take our time.

As long as the old fellows
still get funding

to take our people
out, show 'em country,

to learn about country,

the more that stuff can be passed down.

- Give 'em a bit at a time
just to keep 'em going.

- We may not be lawyers, but
we know what we're doing.

It's up to you, mob, to decide.

- Time for a cuppa.

[Dog barking in distance]

- Hey, drew.

- Hey, young fella.
You going all right?

- Yeah. I got a scholarship in perth.

- Really? Hey, that's solid.

Good on ya.

- Yeah, but he's not
gonna be taking it up.

- Why? It's a great
opportunity for him.

It'd be good for him to
get a good education.

- He can get all the
education he needs here.

He's not going.

[Tense music] [Basketball dribbling]

[Mid-tempo contemplative music]

[Car whooshes past]

[Footsteps thudding]

- You always lurk around
people's houses late at night,

or am I just special?

- You are a bit special.

So how was the visit?

- Tricky.

Leroy got a scholarship,
good school in perth.

- Smart kid.
- Yeah.

But Mick won't let him take it.
It doesn't make sense.

- Why doesn't it make sense?

- Well, it's a good school,

and he'll be getting opportunities

that kids up here only dream about.

- That argument doesn't hold
anymore, drew, not now.

I mean, sure, back when
I went to high school,

we were all trying to
get a city education,

but it's got better.

- And how many kids still got right?

- Not as many as you'd think.

Anyway, isn't Leroy like 11?
- Almost 12.

- He's too young to leave his family.

- He lives out in the
middle of nowhere,

and there's no opportunities
out there for him.

You only have to look at
the kids that we represent

to see that it gets them nowhere.

- So we let our kids get separated

from their parents for their own good.

Is that what you're saying?
- Oh, come on.

It's not the same when you
have a choice, you know that.

- Do I?
- Yes you do.

And if we keep saying

that every time a kid
leaves their country

that they're a stolen generation,

then we're making a mockery
of what bloody happened.

- That's not what I'm saying.

All I'm saying is what argument
do us parents get to make?

- Not that one.
- Then what?

Taking children away
changes everything.

It messes with their future.

- So does leaving them in a place

with nothing to offer them. - Nothing?

What about their family, love,

learning about their
culture, their country?

Take all that away from them,
and what do they have?

They're lost, disconnected, broken.
Look at you.

I didn't mean that.

- I know.

[Bottle thudding]

[Mid-tempo soft rock
music] [Birds chirping]

[Hooves clopping] [Gull cawing]

[Drew plops onto bed] [Sighs]

[Jewelry softly clattering]

[Jewelry softly clattering]

[Drawer shuts] [Drawer opens]

[Drawer shuts]

[Sighs]

[Knock at door]

- Ready?

[Car approaching]

- Drew.

[Footsteps crunching in gravel]

I'm sorry. - You said that,

and I meant it when I
said you didn't have to.

I'm fine.

Joe here?

[Footsteps shuffling]

- Archie, you must try
to keep control, yes?

Or you will be in contempt of court.

I know it's hard for you.
It's hard for everyone.

Please have some respect for the court,

if not for the family, please.

- I'll show respect for
people if they show respect

for me and for clarry, okay?

- Okay, so you know what's expected

of you when your name is called?

- Long as I don't have to be in there.

Just when I'm needed, okay?

- Okay, then. Well,
I'll see you inside.

[Tense brooding music]

- Come on, you two.

People are starting
to fill up the seats.

[Ellie chuckles]

Best we move in now, eh?

- Archie?

You stay strong, eh?

- All rise.

[Chairs shuffling]

The inquest into the death of Mr.
Clarence long is underway.

Coroner Dennis small presiding.

Please sit.

[Chairs shuffling]

My name is Meredith Watson,

and I'm the counsel
assisting the coroner.

I would ask representatives

to make themselves known to the court.

- Lance gearing,

representing assistant
superintendent Robin sharp,

warden Mike Jones, warden
Phil boxer, Mr. Jack Palmer,

Dr. Phillip landers, and Dr.
John sheehan.

- I'm drew Ellis.

I'm representing the long family.

- Ellie zdybicka, [Clears throat]

Representing Archibald McMahon,

the defective spouse of the deceased.

[Tense music] [Muffled chatter]

- Today, we're here to fact find.

We're not here to find judgment
or apportion guilt or blame.

The purpose of this inquest
is to provide you a review

of the circumstances
surrounding the death.

This court will try to
determine cause of death

and to discover if any other
parties have contributed

to that death by any means,
including negligence.

The verdict in this
case will not be given

at the end of the inquest.

That had a date to be set.

Personally, I hope the findings
will help bring some closure

for you all.

- The inquest calls the
state's first witness.

- When the alarm was raised,
we went into the cell.

The deceased was visible
through the bars.

He had a noose around his
neck and was hanging.

- My colleague in cutting down the body

and lowered him to the
floor in a prone position.

We cut the noose away from his
neck using a Hoffman knife

and commenced cpr until
the doctor arrived.

- I checked for a pulse but found none.

The guards had been delivering cpr,

as is the procedure until
medical care arrives.

I personally resumed cpr,

checking for vital signs
at regular intervals.

Mr. long could not be revived.

At approximately 1:54 pm,

I pronounced him dead at the scene.

- Doctor, don't you
think it's suspicious

that the autopsy was performed
so soon after the death?

- I believe the medical
examiner was already in broome.

- Are you aware of any
reason the medical examiner

would have been in the
broome at that time?

I understand there were no
other autopsies performed

around that date.

- [Chuckles] I understand that she

was holidaying with her family.

Look, in my opinion, the
autopsy was not performed

with any undue haste.

- My name is Robin sharp.

I'm employed as an
assistant superintendent

with the department of corrections.

- Mr. sharp, how do you
identify if a person needs

to be overseen by a
risk assessment group?

- Well, there are many things
we take into consideration,

visible behavior, past
records referenced

by the police or the family members,

general demeanor of the inmate,

the reasons why they
are being imprisoned

in the first place.

- [Meredith] Did you know
immediately that Mr. long

would be a candidate
for the watch program?

- Yes.
- And what did you do then?

- I called our prison psychiatrist, Dr.
landers,

and Jack Palmer, one
of our social workers.

- Spoke to Mr. long about
how he was feeling

at the time of his admission,
how has coping in prison,

let him know that I was able to talk

about anything that he
wanted to talk about.

- And what did he talk about?

- He wasn't talking about
suicide or self harm.

It was more about how long he
was gonna have to be in there

and how he didn't like to be
locked up in a small space.

- Your honor.

Mr. Palmer, did any alarm
bells sound for you

with regard to the way that Mr.
long was talking?

- Yes, of course.

Many of the things he was saying

were common reactions
to being locked up.

- [Drew] How many times
did you see him?

- Everyday, and if it wasn't me,

it was one of the other team members.

- And over that subsequent period,

did you notice any change in the way

that Mr. long was presenting himself?

- Yes, he seemed seen to be getting on,

adapting to prison life,
and his mood was better.

[Tense brooding music] [Clock ticking]

[Door creaks open and shut]

- Dr. landers was the family
notified that Mr. long

had been removed from at-risk status?

- Yes, we notify the family as
soon as the decision is made,

and we spoke to Mr. long.

We made sure he understood that we

were always there for him to talk to.

Mr. long knew that if he had
any feelings of depression,

any desire to speak whatsoever,

he merely had to contact
one of the guards.

- Permission to pursue a line
of questioning, your honor.

- [Dennis] Granted.

- You said that you notify the next

of kin under these circumstances.

Why was my client, Mr. McMahon,

not notified of the decision to take Mr.
long off watch

nor in fact of his death?

- Mr. long had listed his
father as his next of kin,

and he was notified in both instances.

- Thank you.

[Tense music]

[Bugs chittering]

- What are you doing here?

- I came to offer my support.

- You stayed away from the
funeral out of respect.

Why are you here now?

- Your niece is a friend of mine.

She's more than a friend.
She's like a daughter to me.

I thought I might be able to help her.

- We've had enough help,
especially from you.

- Mr. long, I liked clarry very much,

but I did what I was required to do.

- You think so?
- Yes, I do.

I'm very sorry for your loss.

[Soft downbeat music]

- How did the other members
gauge that Mr. long

had ceased to be at risk to himself?

- Well, he began to
talk about the future,

to talk about things that he

could participate in
while still in prison,

about things he would do
when he was released.

I mean, these were all positive signs

that he was making progress.

- Dr. landers.

Given what ultimately took place,

does what you're describing here sound

like the behavior of a suicidal person?

- Not in and of itself, no.

But given his behavior
prior to his improvement,

then it's possible in this case

that Mr. long gave the
impression to everyone involved

in his care and to his family

that his state of mind was
improving when, in fact,

he was still continuing
to think about self harm.

[Slow poignant music] [Chair shuffling]

[Heels clacking]

Dr. landers, why were
there no warning bells

when Mr. long suddenly
began to seem better?

Why was the watch not continued?

- Whilst this sometimes can be
a sense of a change of mood

in a person who has made up their mind

to take their own life, it's
far more frequently the case

that that change of mood is a sign

that the person's outlook is improving.

Mr. long was showing
progress for a greater time

than what one would have
expected from someone

who was on the verge of
taking their own life.

- Your honor.

Doctor, is it sometimes
possible for everyone involved

in someone's care to be
unaware that that person

is planning on taking their own life?

- Yes, it is, as appears
to be the case here.

- [Mr. gearing] Do you feel
that everything possible

was done to protect Mr.
Long from self harm?

- Obviously, I feel regret and sadness

that Mr. long took his
own life, but yes.

Given the knowledge and
information we had,

I believe everything possible was done

to protect clarry from self harm.

[Leaves rustling in
wind] [Bella sobbing]

[Soft poignant music]
[Birds and bugs chittering]

- [Peter] Better?

[Sniffling and crying]

I knew. I knew, and I didn't
get it through my head.

He was pushing us all
away because he knew he

couldn't go on, and I didn't see it.

- Because he didn't want you to.

- I wish he'd let us in.

I miss him so much.

[Sobbing]

- Doctor, were you aware that Mr. long

had severed all ties with
his longtime partner?

- Yes, we talked about that.

- And the fact that Mr. long
had not only been imprisoned

but that he had rejected his
spouse didn't concern you?

- Of course, but Mr. long
made it clear, very clear

that he he wanted to
put that relationship

behind him in order to move forward.

- You didn't think this
was cause for concern?

Suddenly someone simply ignores
their partner of six years?

- We talked about it, yes.

Mr. long decided that he wanted to put

what he termed an unhealthy
relationship behind him.

He was ashamed.

[Laughs incredulously]

- Doctor, do you believe Mr. long.

- Keep it together, Archie.

- You heard him, Sam. It's bullshit.

- Blowing up's not gonna
do anyone any good.

- I believe he meant the abusive
side of the relationship.

- This is bullshit!

[Tense music]

- I think this would be a
good time to take a break.

We'll resume in 30 minutes.

- [Meredith] All rise.

[Chairs shuffling]

[Footsteps departing]

- You tell me, Sam. You
tell me what I have to do!

They sit up there, telling
whatever lies they like!

- You and clarry know what you had!

What they say doesn't
make any difference!

- Yes, it does. They said that
clarry was ashamed of me.

How do you think that makes me feel?

- Archie.
- It's a coverup, ell.

All of it.

They took him off watch because
he was a gay black man!

Who cares if the faggots
kill themselves? Fuck it!

Hand them a rope. Hope
they get the hint!

- Archie, stop!

- You need to put me on the stand.

- To say that? They think
you were out of your mind.

- They kept him from me!

They stopped me from seeing him!

- You don't know that!
- Yes, I do.

- Archie. Archie.

We need to talk.

[Soft downbeat music]

[Footsteps departing]

- Well, it doesn't make any sense.

Why wouldn't he see me then?

Why wouldn't he say goodbye? Something?

Why did he leave me with nothing?

- You were the only person he
couldn't hide himself from,

the only one he couldn't lie to.

That's why he couldn't bear to see you.

[Sighs]

[Papers shuffling]
[Tense brooding music]

- Mr. long, what did you talk about

with your son on the
last visit you made?

- It was the day before,
and he was fine.

Said he was gonna come good, you know?

- [Meredith] He expressed
a desire to change?

- [Grunts] Said he was gonna
put all that nonsense

behind him when he come out
of prison, be a real man,

find a good woman, get
married and have kids.

[Soft downbeat music]

It's the truth.

He said that to me straight in the eye,

same as I'm looking at you.

- Yes, I felt he was doing better.

- And what made you think that?

- He wasn't crying.

He wasn't talking about being
confined, that sort of thing.

But I knew something wasn't right.

I couldn't put my finger on it.

Where are you concerned he
may have been suicidal?

- Yes, I'd been in fear
of that since he went in.

But that last day, I was more concerned

that he was planning on living a lie.

- [Mr. gearing] Did you inform
anyone of these concerns?

- No. I just felt uneasy.

I think I made it something
else in my head.

I thought he was telling me that he

couldn't go on living the
life that he was leading

and that he was going
to have to change that.

And now I look back.

He was telling me that he
couldn't go on living at all

if he had to change who he really was

and that he didn't see
any way out of that.

I've wanted to blame everyone
for taking him off watch,

for not seeing what
was really happening,

but I should've known.

I missed it.

He hid from me, and he hid from Archie,

and he told my uncle
and the psychiatrist

and everyone what they wanted to hear

when he should have asked us for help.

If he'd just let us sit
in, [Voice breaking]

Maybe it would have been
different because we loved him.

We wouldn't have let him fall.

[Soft poignant music] [Bella sobbing]

[Birds chirping] [Footsteps shuffling]

[Knocking at door]

- Russell.

- Hi, Peter. Sorry to just
turn up in your doorstep.

- Oh, I was just on my way out.
What brings you here?

- I'll get straight to the point.

We've received a complaint against you.

- Oh.

And what is it I'm
supposed to have done?

- An allegation of bias in regards

to a recent case you presided over.

The complaint has been lodged
with the chief magistrate

that you allowed to a client
to appear in court inebriated

and that the sentence you're
handed down was light

because he was the son
of an als officer.

- I've never underplayed a sentence

or given favor to anyone
based on their connections.

- We've gotta investigate
Peter, no choice.

- But why didn't the chief
magistrate call me?

- Well, he's tied up.
That's why he sent me.

- Which leads me to ask why

didn't you just call me, Russell?

- Just like you to stand down just

till this is sort of sorted
out, purely voluntary.

- And if I don't? [Scoffs] Oh, I see.

- The replacement magistrate
is coming up to take over.

I'm sorry, Peter.

[Plane roaring] [Wheels screeching]

[Muffled chatter]

[Door creaking]

- When are we going to see the Connors?

We haven't seen them for a long time.

- Yeah, it's been awhile.

- It's very hot.
- Welcome to broome.

[Bags clunking against each other]

Oh, I'm sorry.

- Hello, Peter.
- Hi.

Megan, this is my wife, Bernadette.

- Hello.
- Hello.

Are you a friend of Nicola's?

- How are you?

- I've had better days.

- That bad.
- Worse.

- Sounds really serious.

- It'll be all over
broome before you know.

- Can I help?
- I don't think so.

[Slow poignant music]

- I better...

[Heels clacking]

[Muffled chatter] [People laughing]

[Engine starts in distance]

[Heels clacking] [Knocking at door]

- Archie?

Archie, it's me.

[Knocking on door]

Archie, are you there?
Please answer me.

[Birds chirping] ["Eulogy
for a black man"]

♪ Lay me down in the sacred ground ♪

♪ keep me from the cold

♪ wrap me in your deep warm earth ♪

♪ where the stars can see my soul ♪

♪ take me where them trees stand tall ♪

♪ by the waters and the river bend ♪

♪ let me face the rising sun

♪ commend my spirit to the wind ♪

♪ make no monuments or moral grounds ♪

♪ don't speak my name again
when you lay me down ♪

♪ never oh

♪ don't speak my name again
when you lay me down ♪

[Muffled whispering]