The Defenders (2010–2011): Season 1, Episode 11 - Nevada v. Riley - full transcript
Nick and Pete come to the aid of a troubled ex-football player charged with battery. Meanwhile, Pete becomes exasperated when his father shows up in town.
Move, move. Get out of the way!
Get out of the way, now!
Hey, hey, listen, whoa,
wait a second, listen.
I need your help, man. My wife, Officer!
Relax, settle down.
He's there, man. He's right there, look.
I'll go with my shoes on. Riley!
Somebody... my hair, man.
You stay the hell away, Wade!
Stay the hell away!
Stop, get off him!
You hear me? I'll kill you.
I'll kill you.
That's your boy? Number 10? Yeah.
Wow, he's quick!
Yeah. Just like Dad.
The police said that Brett
hurt the guy pretty bad.
Yeah.
I don't get it. I really don't.
You've never known your
husband to be violent?
Well, you don't end up playing pro football
without being violent, Mr. Morelli,
but off the field, Brett is the
most gentle guy you've ever met.
It's why I married him.
And you haven't seen him for months?
Not since he moved out.
How's that happen?
One minute you're playing
professional football,
the next minute you're
sleeping in the back of a car.
Yeah, well, after Brett
retired from the game,
he just broke.
He couldn't hold a job,
he started drinking.
He started saying that I deserved better.
That I should leave him
and find somebody new.
I tried helping him, you know,
get him to stop drinking, but
I wouldn't leave him. I couldn't.
And so he did.
He just pulled himself away.
He gave up on himself, Mr. Morelli.
I never gave up on him.
I would like your help.
Please.
Morelli-Kaczmarek.
Hey, darling, this is Teddy K.
Mr. K, hey!
All right, you're going to
argue the motion to Bronson,
and then I'm going to file in Owens. Okay.
Pete! It's your dad!
Oh, no, no.
Uh, tell him that we're in court.
And Zoey, don't you dare...
I'll transfer to your cell.
Zoey!
He's your dad. You lie to him.
Hey, Dad. Can't really talk right now.
I'm walking into court.
No no no, I am. I'm walking in right now.
Why do I always say I'm in court?
Because I am always in court.
Why do you think?
Yeah, well, I learned from the master.
Are you kidding me? The weather?
What do you think? It's Vegas.
All right, Dad, I am literally
walking into court as we speak,
and it is life or death,
so I'm really gonna need to call you back.
No, I don't have time to open a window.
Yeah. Great, Teddy, it will be swell. Bye.
Open a window?
My dad is driving in
from Chicago next week.
He spends his winters in a
trailer park east of town.
And he wants you to open a window.
Yes.
It's too much to ask, for your Dad?
Are you kidding?
Answering that phone is too much to ask.
Ah, he's your dad, Pete.
You only get one.
Yeah, but why him? He's 70 going on 17.
I'm the parent; I'm the
one who's up all night.
Worrying that he won't come home?
No, worrying that he will.
He's trouble, Lisa. Big trouble.
You know the kind of guy.
Yeah, the kind of guy that
drives a red sports car,
wears Panama hats, and
white leather loafers?
Yeah, that's him exactly.
Like him.
Kiddo.
Dad.
You're supposed to be in court.
You must be Lisa.
Hi. Oh, my...
They told me all about you.
I'm Teddy K. Hi, Teddy.
They didn't tell me you
were gorgeous, though.
Oh.
Dad, please tell me you were speeding.
Ted Kaczmarek?
Oh.
You're under arrest.
Whoa, whoa, what's going on, Officer?
Grand theft auto.
You have the right to remain silent.
It was a pleasure meeting you.
- You, too.
- You have the right to a lawyer.
If you can't afford one,
one will be appointed
for you by the court.
He can't afford one.
Bye, Dad, great seeing you.
We'll talk, huh?
Okay.
Well, Lisa, that's my dad.
It's a new record.
Less than a minute in town,
and he's already cuffed.
He wasn't even out of his car.
Well, technically it's not his car.
Calm down, will you?
I'm sure there's a simple
explanation for it.
The simple explanation is that
he stole a Corvette, Nick.
Uh, Miss Roberta Sloan
reported the theft yesterday.
Mr. Kaczmarek claims joint ownership,
says this all is a mistake.
Hey, Pete, good to see you.
You'll never guess who I got a bond for.
Jimmy, just get him out here.
You know, I'll tell you, this is screwy.
I mean, I just talked to Teddy yesterday.
You, you talked to Teddy about what?
What did he want?
He wanted me to get him a tee time,
oh, and he said, "Do you need
some Montecristo cigars?"
Aha.
Aha... What?
It was a bribe, Nick.
It's what he does when he needs something.
Pete, Pete, he's my pal; Teddy's my pal.
I like the guy.
Sure you like him.
Everybody likes him.
He's the kind of guy who
buys you Cuban cigars,
but here's the thing, Nick,
he can't afford Cuban cigars,
so if he bought you Cuban cigars,
he did it with my money,
which technically makes
me your pal, not him.
Okay, okay, okay, you win, all right?
Thank you for the cigars.
You're welcome.
Nicolas.
Teddy. Hey, look at you.
Look at you. You look terrific.
You look terrific yourself, man.
You got skinny, my friend.
Oh, I lost a couple pounds, you think, huh?
Yeah. I've been working on it...
eating carrots...
All right, come on, you two,
enough with the love fest.
We have important things to do.
He is angry, isn't he?
Well... don't blame yourself.
But I do.
Sit on him, Lisa, don't let
him out of your sight.
Mr. Kaczmarek, there you go.
I'm just going to take
you this way, all right?
Okay.
See you, Teddy.
Oh, Pete, dinner, 8:00.
Just go.
All right, Jimmy, Brett Riley.
We need to talk to him.
Hey, your dad seems like a nice guy.
Just get us the room.
See?
You talked to Jen?
Yeah. Is she okay?
She wants you home.
Yeah.
She's better off without me.
And the boys?
Same.
Yeah, well, they're not convinced of that.
Why'd you do it, Brett?
Wh-Why'd you attack John Meers?
I hit John?
They told me that I was in a fight,
but they didn't say it was John.
You didn't know that you hit a guy?
No, I know I hit a guy.
I didn't know it was John.
Is he all right?
Is he hurt?
No, he's good now.
He was just released from the hospital.
The hospital?
You also attacked a security guard.
You were yelling something about your wife.
Do you remember that?
I don't know.
I don't know why any of this is happening.
Were you drinking the night of the fight?
I guess.
I usually do.
All right, Brett, look...
We won't be able to argue self-defense.
We can barely argue provocation.
The best we're gonna do is
go to the D.A. And try to make a deal.
Hey, I, uh, I saw you play once...
Big West Championship.
I bet the under.
I bet the over.
Eight solo tackles, four
breakups, two pics.
- That was a hell of a game.
- I remember the pics.
You don't forget a night like that. Yeah.
Yeah, those were the days, right?
Those were the days.
How does he do it?
How does he convince all you
people he's such a prince?
Pete, you know, you're the only one I know
that doesn't enjoy the guy.
Teddy!
What are you drinking? Hey.
Pete, let me talk to you for a second.
What now? Um, well, y-your dad...
He has kind of hired me as his attorney.
Oh, he did, did he? Yeah.
And did you discuss your fee?
I assume you got a retainer
from the deadbeat.
Kind of figured you'd
talk to him about that.
Yeah, so did he.
We bought the car together.
Roberta... She paid the monthly
note as a gift.
Now, your name isn't
on the registration.
Hmm. I suggested
that she register the car
in her company name for tax purposes.
Tax purposes.
But you did buy the car together?
Yes. Yeah.
That explains it. We'll have it
cleared up by tomorrow, Teddy.
Cleared up?
It's not going to get cleared up.
Why would she say he stole it
if he didn't steal it?
Pete.
Pete, Pete, Pete.
I didn't steal the damn car.
Son, please.
I did not steal anything.
You know, I broke the
woman's heart, that's true,
and I am deeply sorry for that,
but I did not steal her car.
Teddy, do you think this
all is just revenge,
like she's trying to have you arrested
just to pay you back for breaking it off?
I'm afraid it is.
Women.
Some women.
Not all women.
Cheers, Teddy. Cheers.
You're a bleeding heart,
Nick, I ever tell you that?
Over and over again, Matt.
Well, it bears repeating.
You're a soft touch.
Chump is a little too
strong, don't you think?
Hey, watch your mouth there
because I got a few choice
words for you, too.
Oh, yummy...
Will I be offended?
Yes, you will.
I don't know how you get
attempted murder with this.
I mean, it was a fist fight.
Professional football
player says he'll kill you,
he could kill you.
Oh, he hasn't played ball in years.
Come on, he's a broken down drunk.
Would you let him pound on you?
Listen, I'll drop the attempt murder
for two years on the battery,
two more for the cop, okay?
One in County, let him dry out,
anger management...
That's fair.
No, four years in prison
where he learns what a
real beating feels like.
And don't give me fair, Nick.
I used to play football, too. Ah...
Gate.
Hey, Brett, little coffee?
Yeah, sure.
What's your name again?
I'm Pete.
Yeah, okay.
All right, I talked to the D.A.
and they're open to a deal.
You have to plead guilty on felony battery,
and they'll drop attempt murder.
But you gotta do four years.
Brett, you go to trial on this and lose,
the judge can sentence you to 20 years.
Realistically, first offense,
Judge could give you eight,
so four on the plea is great.
It's great.
Brett, I need you to really
think about taking this deal.
He's lying.
What?
Why would she do it?
This is him.
Him?
Is he, huh?
What are you doing about him?
Hey, Brett, it's okay.
No, no, she's lying. She's lying.
Brett, it's okay. Calm down.
I know that she's lying.
Keep your hands off of me! Hey! Hey!
Get him off me! Get him off me!
Do you understand me?! Get him off me!
Open the gate! I'll kill you!
I swear I'll kill you!
Back off! Hey, come on!
Keep your hands off of her!
Stay away! You understand me?!
I don't care!
Nick, what the hell was that?!
I'll kill you! I have no idea.
I have no idea. Are you all right?
Yeah.
Look, I'm sorry for whatever I did.
I'm just a real mess here.
It's okay.
I don't think it was personal.
Did I, did I hurt you? You all right?
Yeah. I'm fine. I'm tougher than I look.
Are you sure? I just...
What was that?
What just happened back there?
I don't know.
I can't remember.
You get ahold of some alcohol,
do a little drinking?
No.
Look, um...
Pete and I came here to discuss
a plea deal with you tonight.
I think we're getting a
little ahead of ourselves.
I think there's something
else going on here.
Look, if you guys want to cut
me loose, I don't blame you.
Maybe I'm beyond helping.
No.
Give us a little time to
talk about it, all right?
Look, I'm so sorry.
Hey, listen to this.
This is Neurological Journal.
"Threats of violence increase from 15%
"One year after sustaining a brain injury
"To 54% five years after.
"31% of patients had
serious legal problems,
"And 20% of their relatives
had been assaulted
by them at least once."
That's awful.
Yeah, well, it gets worse.
"In 50 randomly selected inmates,
"84% had a history of brain impairment.
"75% of those were in prison for murder,
attempted murder or battery."
Any athletes in there?
Football players, boxers?
No. Must of them were car wrecks or fights.
A lot of the beatings occurred
when the victims were kids.
So what are we arguing? What's our defense?
Well, the D.A.'s overcharging helps us.
Filing Brett's case as attempted
murder gives us the right
to an affirmative defense.
We argue insanity?
Can't win insanity,
but we can win diminished capacity.
Aw, Nick, the guy's a drunk.
No jury's gonna give diminished
capacity to an alcoholic.
Yeah, right. You know,
we thought it was alcohol.
But here's the odd thing,
Emergency room blood work
the night of the fight?
No trace of alcohol.
Emergency room bloodwork
after he attacked Pete?
No trace... Of alcohol.
So diminished capacity due to brain injury.
We try to get the jury to knock
the attempted murder down to battery.
We already have an offer
of battery from the D.A.
Why not just take it?
Ah, the offer from the D.A.'s four years.
It's a long time.
If we knock the charges down,
Judge Chang won't give
him more than two tops.
And if we're lucky, under
the circumstances,
we could get probation.
Well, you guys seem like you
have this all under control.
You mind if I leave? I'm having a drink.
A drink? Who's the lucky guy? Theodore.
Theodore?
Meet Mr. K.
Teddy?
Go ahead. Go ahead, Zoey.
No, no, no, no go ahead! No go ahead!
She's going on a date with my dad!
Pete, it's just a drink.
God, you have a dirty mind.
Yes, I have a dirty mind.
I got it from my dad!
Go, Zoey. Go on, quick, quick!
Pete, Pete, calm down! Calm down!
Look, you got to look at
the positive side of this.
Zoey could be your new mom.
Hey, guys, this is kind of odd.
Look at this. What?
37 on the tape,
the transcript has Brett yelling,
"Stay the hell away way."
Is that a typo?
Let's listen.
I'll kill you, man!
Get off! Stay the hell away, Wade!
"Stay the hell away way"?
What is he saying?
Play it again.
I'll kill you, man! Get off!
Stay the hell away, Wade!
Stay the hell away, Wayne?
Stay the hell away, Ray?
Wade. Stay the hell away, Wade.
Who the hell is Wade?
You know, I never met a Wade in my life.
I don't know what Brett's talking about.
Well, when he was attacking his sponsor,
he was going on and on about
some guy named Wade and you.
And you were lying, and...
I have to ask you straight, Jennifer.
Is there or was there
another man in your life?
I need to step away for a minute.
There's no other man, Mr. Morelli.
There's never been another man.
Well, has he been violent
to you or the kids?
No. Never.
Is there any history of mental
illness in Brett's family?
No. Not that I know of.
Why? Football injuries?
Concussions?
Was he ever on Injured Reserve?
Ooh, no. Brett thought sitting
out was a sign of weakness.
Right. He used to say
"I'll just tape an aspirin to my helmet
and go back on the field."
But all the guys were like that.
Did he complain at all about headaches?
Blurred vision? Memory loss?
Well, Brett's memory isn't
what it used to be.
You know, several times,
I'd see him walk into a room
and forget why he was there.
I could tell it frustrated him.
You...
Okay. Thank you.
I-I got to get back to work.
Well, thank you, Jennifer. Excuse me.
Anita is my, uh...
landlord. She owns all this.
Far as the eye can see, huh?
Well, my late husband Herb saw a future
in trailer parks, bless his heart.
Ooh.
Uh... Teddy,
Lisa here has some news for you.
Maybe you want to talk about it alone?
Mm. What's to tell?
It's just a car.
Roberta?
Afraid so.
Women.
Well, Chicago PD faxed us
copies of the pink slip and sales
agreement for the Corvette.
Your name's not on either, Teddy.
I thought you said you
bought the car together.
I was with her when she bought it.
I mean, that's got to count for something.
Well, yeah, but since
you're not owner on paper,
is there any real reason
for you to believe that
you're a partial owner
of the car?
Look, before the demise of,
uh, our sad relationship,
I talked Roberta into selling all her cars.
You know, going green.
All right. So I volunteered
as a, uh, gentleman,
um, studied in such things
to broker said deal.
Vegas seemed the perfect
spot to unload that Vette.
Teddy, You can't sell a
bicycle in Vegas these days.
Oh, yeah, I suppose that's right.
Well, the plan does seem
a little half-baked.
Half-baked.
Half-baked, my friend, half-baked.
Cheers.
Oh, it's Pete.
Tell him to get his ass over here.
It's Happy Hour.
Well, tell him I'm actually
working for a living.
Listen, Nick, I'm at the hospital.
Chang gave us the court
order for Brett's scan.
I just spoke with the neurologist.
We need to talk to Brett now.
Okay, okay. I'll be right there.
All right, Brett, here's the thing.
We still have the deal on the
table for the four years.
And, under the circumstances,
it's a good deal...
But Pete and I think that
we should go to trial.
Trial? Mm-hmm.
Why?
Well, maybe there's an explanation
for your violent behavior.
All the damage that was done
all those years in football.
Damage? What are you talking about?
You ever see a neurologist
when you played ball?
Why?
Brain damage from football allows us
to argue diminished capacity.
Brett, we could win this at trial.
It's a tough decision, I know that.
But before we do anything,
we'd like you to go see a neurologist
and get a head scan.
You want me to blame this all on football?
No. I'm a drunk.
Look, maybe your drinking
is because of the injury.
You're self medicating.
With the right medicine,
you might not be a drunk.
You might be able to
control your outbursts.
Brett, if that's true, you
don't belong in prison...
You should be in treatment.
You should be with your family.
They want you back. They do.
No.
No?
It's not my brain, it's me.
I am not going to blame football.
I've have problems as far
back as I can remember.
Brett, everybody has anger.
Everybody has little violent outbursts...
rage from time to time... but
it's different with you.
You have blackouts.
No... Did you have blackouts before?
Before football, did you have blackouts?
Wait a second. You're talking
about the game that I love.
It's fed my family, it's fed me.
I can't do that. I won't do that.
This is not about the game.
It's about your brain.
I'm sorry, I won't do that.
Brett... We're done here. Guard.
Guard. No.
I won't do it.
Brett!
Listen.
What's more important right now...
your football memories or your family?
Mr. Meers, did you know the
defendant before the attack?
Yes, I was his sponsor
for his AA counseling.
Is the defendant an alcoholic?
He has struggled with alcohol, yes.
And you tried to help him, yes?
I tried.
But the defendant attacked you.
Actually broke your jaw.
Isn't that right? Yes, but he...
12 stitches under the right eye?
A broken nose? Yes.
All because you were trying
to save him from himself.
Objection, Your Honor.
Withdrawn.
No more questions, Mr. Meers.
Hi, Mr. Meers. How you doing?
I've been better.
Would it shock you to find
that the medical report indicates
that there was no alcohol
in his system at the time of the arrest?
No.
Brett was trying to stop drinking.
He called me that night because
he was afraid he might slip.
Oh, so you went to meet him to help him
stay on the wagon?
Yes. If he wasn't drinking,
what do you think caused this attack?
I would assume a mental illness.
Object. Sustained.
Sir, do you think Brett Riley
even knew who you were
when he was beating you?
No. I don't.
Because he called you Wade
while he was beating you.
Right? That's what we heard
right here on the video.
Yes, he called me Wade.
I could see it in his eyes.
He wasn't hitting me.
Thank you.
Sir, I understand it's part
of your job description
to make excuses for the least among us,
but the reality is, you really have no idea
what was in the defendant's mind
when he was beating you nearly to death.
Objection, Your Honor.
No more questions, Your Honor.
I've heard about enough.
The blue indicates
an abnormally low blood flow
in the prefrontal cortex.
That indicates a rather
large amount of damage.
Dr. Stewart, what... what happens
to a guy from this?
Individuals with prefrontal injury show,
among other things, a
tendency towards aggression.
Why is that? We don't know exactly...
research in this area is very new...
but it's become clear in the past 20 years
that prefrontal injury correlates
very highly with disinhibition.
Disinhibition?
The inability to constrain
impulsive outbursts.
Ah.
You can't help yourself. Yes.
Would you say that brain damage
stems from his playing football?
I would. Yes.
How exactly?
By using his head as a battering ram.
That's how.
Sensor tests have recorded
hits to players' helmets
at forces from 50 g's all
the way up to 110 g's.
Now, if you crashed your
car at 25 miles per hour,
the force of your head
smacking the windshield
would be about 100 g's.
Would it surprise you to find that players
sustain these hits about
1,000 times a year??
No. So, in Brett's career,
from high school all the
way through to the pros,
theoretically, Brett was
in 15,000 car accidents.
His head smashed through
15,000 windshields.
Yes.
Wow.
Kind of knocks the sense
out of you, doesn't it?
Thank you, Doctor.
Oh, I'm-I'm sorry. Dr.
Stewart, just one last thing.
Sorry, everyone.
The aggressive behavior you described
as a symptom of Brett's brain injury...
can it be controlled with treatment?
It can be. Yes.
Behavioral therapy,
in conjunction with
anticonvulsant medication,
has been shown to blunt
the attendant violence.
Thank you.
Dr. Stewart, isn't every criminal,
on some level, brain-damaged?
If you're talking actual physical damage,
I would say no, probably not.
I see. So a killer
is not damaged?
A rapist is normal?
There might be other factors
at work: chemical imbalances,
genetic predispositions, socialization.
I see. So let me get this right.
So what you're saying
is that those reasons
are cause for punishment,
but physical damage is not.
Objection. He's testifying.
Please, Your Honor, allow me to rephrase.
So a guy with a bad
attitude should go to jail,
and a guy with, what, a low blood flow
is free to beat down his own wife?
Objection. All right. Withdrawn.
Doctor, thank you.
I have more than enough, Your Honor.
Dr. Stewart, you may stop down.
We'll take a one-hour recess.
Okay, Brett.
See you soon.
Man, that guy is good.
You think the medical
evidence will be enough?
No, I don't.
Listen, let me ask you a question.
Do you think the guy is in control?
You kidding me?
I saw otherwise, up close and personal.
Pete, I think sooner or later,
this jury has to see it, too.
It's too risky, Nick.
"Too risky," Coming from you?
Yeah, I don't know, Nick.
Look, I really don't want to do this.
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
Hi. Brett? Nick.
And... Michael. I'm Nick.
Zoey, you want to take the kids?
I may not need you.
Jen, are you ready?
Yeah. I'll be right back.
It's going to be okay.
It's going to be all right.
Thank you so much for coming down.
Everything's going to be okay. Okay.
Your Honor, the defense would like
to call Jennifer Riley to the stand.
Your Honor, Jennifer Riley
is not on the list.
My office faxed an amended list
this morning, Your Honor.
This morning? You know better than that.
Your Honor, she is Brett's wife.
- Jen?
- I mean, how much prep time
does the State need?
Your Honor, Counsel's out of line.
Get her out of here.
Call a listed witness, Counselor.
Like to call Brett Riley
to the stand, please.
Wait, wait. Right now?
Yes, right now.
You'll be all right.
Listen, I'm terribly sorry.
Okay. They haven't had a chance
to review and prep. Okay. All right.
Brett, take the stand, please.
It's okay.
State your name.
Brett Riley.
Occupation?
I'm not working.
And before your unemployment,
what did you do for a living, Brett?
Played football... safety.
And now you're an alcoholic.
Yes. But you haven't had a drink
since they put you in jail.
Is that correct?
No.
You feel okay?
I feel okay.
Good.
Okay, let's talk about your wife's affair.
Objection. Relevance.
On the video of
the incident, he referred to
his wife, Your Honor.
I'll demonstrate the relevance.
Continue, Mr. Morelli.
Mr. Riley, who's Wade?
Why? Well, during the incident, you
referenced someone named Wade.
Who's Wade?
Was Wade having an affair with your wife?
Yes.
Is it just Wade, Mr. Riley?
What?
Is there someone else having
an affair with your wife?
I don't know. Okay.
Let me show you what has been marked
as, uh, Defense Exhibit number 14.
You recognize this?
That's Wade...
That's Wade Fisk.
You played football with Wade
in high school, is that right?
He replaced you after an injury?
Yeah.
Mr. Riley, is your friend,
Wade Fisk, having an affair
with your wife, Jen?
Yes.
Your high school buddy
sleeping with your wife? I said, yeah.
Is anybody else trying to take your wife?
Your Honor, objection. Asked and answered.
I mean, you thought Mr.
Meers was trying to take your wife.
Was there somebody else?
I mean, could it be him?
Your Honor, objection. You think it's him?
I mean, you saw him walk her
out of the courtroom today.
I mean, could it be...?
Your Honor, I object...
I'm just trying to understand
if anybody else slept with Jen, that's all.
Can you tell me that? Keep your hands off!
Keep your hands off!
Get out of... You understand me?
You keep your hands off! Calm down.
I'll kill you! Calm down. Calm down.
Keep your hands away from my wife!
Leave her alone!
Leave her alone!
Calm down. Get off me!
Calm down...
***
***
He badgered his own client!
Your Honor, Brett Riley is not in control,
And I just inadvertently proved that.
Inadvertently, my ass.
You proved he's violent!
But not in control.
He's sick, Your Honor, not guilty.
Your Honor, I want the jury admonished.
This isn't proof of anything.
Could have been a hoax.
Hoax, my ass.
I'm going to agree with the State
and instruct the jury to
disregard the testimony.
Thank you, Your Honor.
It's wrong, Judge. It is.
Furthermore, Mr. Morelli, Mr. Kaczmarek,
while I can't prove that you planned this,
at best, you put your own
client out on a limb
that could have done more harm than good.
If either of you even approach,
***
I'll hold you both in criminal contempt
and personally submit
to the state bar a complaint
against your licenses.
Your Honor, you are not...
9:00 A.M. tomorrow.
Closing arguments.
I want this trial
over with now.
Nicolas?
Teddy!
You seen Pete?
You know, I thought maybe
he might buy us all dinner.
Oh, no, I haven't seen him around.
We got this big close tomorrow.
He... He gets a little antsy.
Oh, yeah, sure. Well, you're working.
Okay, well, I'll stay out of your way.
Oh, no, no. Stick around.
Come on. I need a break anyway.
You want a drink? Oh, sure.
Let me do it.
Scotch?
Uh, just a thimble.
I got to work.
You want one of my fine, fine cigars?
Sure.
These are great.
Oh. Thank you. Cheers. Cheers, my friend.
Mm. Yeah. Here. Take it.
Oh.
I'll just keep this for later.
You keep that, and here, take mine.
Teddy.
You look good, my friend.
I love that hat.
Can I see it?
Sure.
Ah, look at that.
This thing has lived.
Been around a long time, huh?
Yeah, it was my grandfather's.
Man was a king.
Wore it every day everywhere.
It's nice.
That ring.
Let me see that ring.
My wedding ring?
Yeah, let me see your wedding ring.
Wore that every day everywhere.
What, are you gonna pawn it?
You know...
we got to move on, Nick.
It's time.
Well, um...
I-I can't really do that, Teddy.
I...
I got a kid, you know?
Yeah.
You know, Sammy's gonna be all right.
Look, I read this book.
In this book, it said
just... just love 'em...
a lot.
Thanks, Teddy. I'm gonna do that.
So I'll let you get back
to your business.
You and Pete, you work really hard.
Yeah.
I'm proud of my kid. Ted...
So you just tell him I'm-I'm sorry that I...
I missed him...
again.
I'll tell him, Teddy.
Okay.
Hey, Teddy. Hmm?
The ring?
The what?
The ring.
Oh, sure.
Get off him! Damn it, I'll kill you!
I'll kill you!
Get off him! I'll kill you!
"I will kill you."
Ladies and gentlemen, remember those words.
Brett Riley was a professional.
A one-in-a-million athlete.
Stronger than a man twice
his size, and fast...
famously fast,
whose job it was to crush his opponents...
break them if at all possible,
and bring them down.
That was Brett Riley.
If a man like Brett Riley
says "I'll kill you,"
it's no idle threat.
If a man like Brett Riley
hits you over and over
and over again, you might end up dead.
I think we all can agree
that Brett Riley had the capacity
to murder with his own hands.
But did he have the intent?
Mr. Morelli says no. Mr. Morelli says
that Brett Riley's capacity
to plan ahead was diminished
by weak blood flow.
Use your own common sense,
ladies and gentlemen.
Thousands of men have retired from football
without ever trying to murder somebody.
What makes Brett Riley so special?
Why should we give him a pass?
Good morning.
This my son's football helmet.
Sammy, he's nine years old.
He started playing pee
wee football last year.
Look at these nicks.
See that?
That's paint from the other team's helmet.
Makes a dad feel good, you know,
because you know, his son's out
there mixing it up, being brave
and not afraid to play the
game, take a few knocks.
You know, Mr. Ward is right.
Brett Riley is that one-in-a-million kid
who goes from pee wee football,
through high school ball,
college ball, into the pros.
That's a... that's a lot
of years of football.
That is 20 years of...
Football players are gladiators.
They're our gladiators.
And we relish the violence.
That's why we watch it.
But there is a price that men
like Brett Riley pay.
Their brains get smashed inside
that skull over and over
every practice, every game,
every season for 20 years.
Man, I got to tell you something...
I still love the game.
I love football.
I was raised on football.
I watch it every Sunday.
But I got to tell you,
lately I can't watch a game
without wincing every time these men hit...
their... heads.
Some of those guys are going
to end up just like Brett,
who attacks his friend and calls him Wade.
Or attacks his own lawyer, calls him Wade.
He may as well been
fighting the devil himself.
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,
Brett had no intention
of killing John Meers.
He was fighting his past.
And for that, he needs medication.
Not prison.
Between you and me...
I don't think my boy's going
to play football next season.
Aw, it's awful.
Guy had everything.
A wife, kids... and now maybe prison.
Yep.
Must make you feel kind of silly.
The way you talk to Teddy.
Teddy? How is this about Teddy?
Pete, if my dad were still around,
if I had one more summer with him,
I would love every minute of it.
I would.
Even if he was robbing banks.
Maybe you should talk to Lisa.
Lisa.
Teddy. I can't talk to you about it, Pete.
You can't talk to me about it?
He's my father.
He's my client. He has privilege.
Privilege my ass. I'm paying his bill.
I'm your client.
Sorry, Pete.
Okay, well, then let me tell you...
Teddy's claiming that she
asked him to sell the car.
Speculation.
Lisa, I lived with the guy, okay?
And when the TV disappears
or the good silver,
he's only got two stories.
"Your mother wanted me to have it,"
or "Your mother asked me to sell it."
You know what, he probably
convinced her to sell the car,
not just so he could have a alibi someday,
but because he actually thought
he was trying to help,
but he's not... helping.
You're probably right, Pete.
///////////
s . So what are you going to do?
Mr. Foreperson, has the
jury reached a verdict?
We have, Your Honor.
"Case number 57639, in the
matter of Brett Riley.
"As to count number one,
attempted murder...
"Not guilty.
"As to the second and final count,
"Battery with serious bodily injury...
not guilty."
So he wanted me to wait here for him?
Mm-hmm.
Is he mad, or...?
Well, you know Pete.
He's just a little frazzled. Yeah.
Hey, Teddy!
Look what I found in the glove compartment.
A box of number twos.
What is this?
Roberta wanted it sold, and I bought it...
over book, just so you know.
The deal is done.
- Oh, Pete, look...
- Oh, forget it.
It was either that or drive
you around all winter,
and that wasn't going to happen.
Yeah, well, thank you, son.
I'll remember this. You better remember it.
Because the pink slip is in my name.
So if you ever sell, trade,
pawn or so much as gamble
this puppy away, I will have you in chains.
Well, fair enough.
Boy, you are a chip off the old block, huh?
You are.
What do you say, Dad?
You want to take us for a spin up the Strip,
see what kind of trouble
I can keep you out of?
You drive?
He's driving. Huh?
Look, kid, I don't suppose
you could spot your old man a
C note for a couple of days?
Get out of the way, now!
Hey, hey, listen, whoa,
wait a second, listen.
I need your help, man. My wife, Officer!
Relax, settle down.
He's there, man. He's right there, look.
I'll go with my shoes on. Riley!
Somebody... my hair, man.
You stay the hell away, Wade!
Stay the hell away!
Stop, get off him!
You hear me? I'll kill you.
I'll kill you.
That's your boy? Number 10? Yeah.
Wow, he's quick!
Yeah. Just like Dad.
The police said that Brett
hurt the guy pretty bad.
Yeah.
I don't get it. I really don't.
You've never known your
husband to be violent?
Well, you don't end up playing pro football
without being violent, Mr. Morelli,
but off the field, Brett is the
most gentle guy you've ever met.
It's why I married him.
And you haven't seen him for months?
Not since he moved out.
How's that happen?
One minute you're playing
professional football,
the next minute you're
sleeping in the back of a car.
Yeah, well, after Brett
retired from the game,
he just broke.
He couldn't hold a job,
he started drinking.
He started saying that I deserved better.
That I should leave him
and find somebody new.
I tried helping him, you know,
get him to stop drinking, but
I wouldn't leave him. I couldn't.
And so he did.
He just pulled himself away.
He gave up on himself, Mr. Morelli.
I never gave up on him.
I would like your help.
Please.
Morelli-Kaczmarek.
Hey, darling, this is Teddy K.
Mr. K, hey!
All right, you're going to
argue the motion to Bronson,
and then I'm going to file in Owens. Okay.
Pete! It's your dad!
Oh, no, no.
Uh, tell him that we're in court.
And Zoey, don't you dare...
I'll transfer to your cell.
Zoey!
He's your dad. You lie to him.
Hey, Dad. Can't really talk right now.
I'm walking into court.
No no no, I am. I'm walking in right now.
Why do I always say I'm in court?
Because I am always in court.
Why do you think?
Yeah, well, I learned from the master.
Are you kidding me? The weather?
What do you think? It's Vegas.
All right, Dad, I am literally
walking into court as we speak,
and it is life or death,
so I'm really gonna need to call you back.
No, I don't have time to open a window.
Yeah. Great, Teddy, it will be swell. Bye.
Open a window?
My dad is driving in
from Chicago next week.
He spends his winters in a
trailer park east of town.
And he wants you to open a window.
Yes.
It's too much to ask, for your Dad?
Are you kidding?
Answering that phone is too much to ask.
Ah, he's your dad, Pete.
You only get one.
Yeah, but why him? He's 70 going on 17.
I'm the parent; I'm the
one who's up all night.
Worrying that he won't come home?
No, worrying that he will.
He's trouble, Lisa. Big trouble.
You know the kind of guy.
Yeah, the kind of guy that
drives a red sports car,
wears Panama hats, and
white leather loafers?
Yeah, that's him exactly.
Like him.
Kiddo.
Dad.
You're supposed to be in court.
You must be Lisa.
Hi. Oh, my...
They told me all about you.
I'm Teddy K. Hi, Teddy.
They didn't tell me you
were gorgeous, though.
Oh.
Dad, please tell me you were speeding.
Ted Kaczmarek?
Oh.
You're under arrest.
Whoa, whoa, what's going on, Officer?
Grand theft auto.
You have the right to remain silent.
It was a pleasure meeting you.
- You, too.
- You have the right to a lawyer.
If you can't afford one,
one will be appointed
for you by the court.
He can't afford one.
Bye, Dad, great seeing you.
We'll talk, huh?
Okay.
Well, Lisa, that's my dad.
It's a new record.
Less than a minute in town,
and he's already cuffed.
He wasn't even out of his car.
Well, technically it's not his car.
Calm down, will you?
I'm sure there's a simple
explanation for it.
The simple explanation is that
he stole a Corvette, Nick.
Uh, Miss Roberta Sloan
reported the theft yesterday.
Mr. Kaczmarek claims joint ownership,
says this all is a mistake.
Hey, Pete, good to see you.
You'll never guess who I got a bond for.
Jimmy, just get him out here.
You know, I'll tell you, this is screwy.
I mean, I just talked to Teddy yesterday.
You, you talked to Teddy about what?
What did he want?
He wanted me to get him a tee time,
oh, and he said, "Do you need
some Montecristo cigars?"
Aha.
Aha... What?
It was a bribe, Nick.
It's what he does when he needs something.
Pete, Pete, he's my pal; Teddy's my pal.
I like the guy.
Sure you like him.
Everybody likes him.
He's the kind of guy who
buys you Cuban cigars,
but here's the thing, Nick,
he can't afford Cuban cigars,
so if he bought you Cuban cigars,
he did it with my money,
which technically makes
me your pal, not him.
Okay, okay, okay, you win, all right?
Thank you for the cigars.
You're welcome.
Nicolas.
Teddy. Hey, look at you.
Look at you. You look terrific.
You look terrific yourself, man.
You got skinny, my friend.
Oh, I lost a couple pounds, you think, huh?
Yeah. I've been working on it...
eating carrots...
All right, come on, you two,
enough with the love fest.
We have important things to do.
He is angry, isn't he?
Well... don't blame yourself.
But I do.
Sit on him, Lisa, don't let
him out of your sight.
Mr. Kaczmarek, there you go.
I'm just going to take
you this way, all right?
Okay.
See you, Teddy.
Oh, Pete, dinner, 8:00.
Just go.
All right, Jimmy, Brett Riley.
We need to talk to him.
Hey, your dad seems like a nice guy.
Just get us the room.
See?
You talked to Jen?
Yeah. Is she okay?
She wants you home.
Yeah.
She's better off without me.
And the boys?
Same.
Yeah, well, they're not convinced of that.
Why'd you do it, Brett?
Wh-Why'd you attack John Meers?
I hit John?
They told me that I was in a fight,
but they didn't say it was John.
You didn't know that you hit a guy?
No, I know I hit a guy.
I didn't know it was John.
Is he all right?
Is he hurt?
No, he's good now.
He was just released from the hospital.
The hospital?
You also attacked a security guard.
You were yelling something about your wife.
Do you remember that?
I don't know.
I don't know why any of this is happening.
Were you drinking the night of the fight?
I guess.
I usually do.
All right, Brett, look...
We won't be able to argue self-defense.
We can barely argue provocation.
The best we're gonna do is
go to the D.A. And try to make a deal.
Hey, I, uh, I saw you play once...
Big West Championship.
I bet the under.
I bet the over.
Eight solo tackles, four
breakups, two pics.
- That was a hell of a game.
- I remember the pics.
You don't forget a night like that. Yeah.
Yeah, those were the days, right?
Those were the days.
How does he do it?
How does he convince all you
people he's such a prince?
Pete, you know, you're the only one I know
that doesn't enjoy the guy.
Teddy!
What are you drinking? Hey.
Pete, let me talk to you for a second.
What now? Um, well, y-your dad...
He has kind of hired me as his attorney.
Oh, he did, did he? Yeah.
And did you discuss your fee?
I assume you got a retainer
from the deadbeat.
Kind of figured you'd
talk to him about that.
Yeah, so did he.
We bought the car together.
Roberta... She paid the monthly
note as a gift.
Now, your name isn't
on the registration.
Hmm. I suggested
that she register the car
in her company name for tax purposes.
Tax purposes.
But you did buy the car together?
Yes. Yeah.
That explains it. We'll have it
cleared up by tomorrow, Teddy.
Cleared up?
It's not going to get cleared up.
Why would she say he stole it
if he didn't steal it?
Pete.
Pete, Pete, Pete.
I didn't steal the damn car.
Son, please.
I did not steal anything.
You know, I broke the
woman's heart, that's true,
and I am deeply sorry for that,
but I did not steal her car.
Teddy, do you think this
all is just revenge,
like she's trying to have you arrested
just to pay you back for breaking it off?
I'm afraid it is.
Women.
Some women.
Not all women.
Cheers, Teddy. Cheers.
You're a bleeding heart,
Nick, I ever tell you that?
Over and over again, Matt.
Well, it bears repeating.
You're a soft touch.
Chump is a little too
strong, don't you think?
Hey, watch your mouth there
because I got a few choice
words for you, too.
Oh, yummy...
Will I be offended?
Yes, you will.
I don't know how you get
attempted murder with this.
I mean, it was a fist fight.
Professional football
player says he'll kill you,
he could kill you.
Oh, he hasn't played ball in years.
Come on, he's a broken down drunk.
Would you let him pound on you?
Listen, I'll drop the attempt murder
for two years on the battery,
two more for the cop, okay?
One in County, let him dry out,
anger management...
That's fair.
No, four years in prison
where he learns what a
real beating feels like.
And don't give me fair, Nick.
I used to play football, too. Ah...
Gate.
Hey, Brett, little coffee?
Yeah, sure.
What's your name again?
I'm Pete.
Yeah, okay.
All right, I talked to the D.A.
and they're open to a deal.
You have to plead guilty on felony battery,
and they'll drop attempt murder.
But you gotta do four years.
Brett, you go to trial on this and lose,
the judge can sentence you to 20 years.
Realistically, first offense,
Judge could give you eight,
so four on the plea is great.
It's great.
Brett, I need you to really
think about taking this deal.
He's lying.
What?
Why would she do it?
This is him.
Him?
Is he, huh?
What are you doing about him?
Hey, Brett, it's okay.
No, no, she's lying. She's lying.
Brett, it's okay. Calm down.
I know that she's lying.
Keep your hands off of me! Hey! Hey!
Get him off me! Get him off me!
Do you understand me?! Get him off me!
Open the gate! I'll kill you!
I swear I'll kill you!
Back off! Hey, come on!
Keep your hands off of her!
Stay away! You understand me?!
I don't care!
Nick, what the hell was that?!
I'll kill you! I have no idea.
I have no idea. Are you all right?
Yeah.
Look, I'm sorry for whatever I did.
I'm just a real mess here.
It's okay.
I don't think it was personal.
Did I, did I hurt you? You all right?
Yeah. I'm fine. I'm tougher than I look.
Are you sure? I just...
What was that?
What just happened back there?
I don't know.
I can't remember.
You get ahold of some alcohol,
do a little drinking?
No.
Look, um...
Pete and I came here to discuss
a plea deal with you tonight.
I think we're getting a
little ahead of ourselves.
I think there's something
else going on here.
Look, if you guys want to cut
me loose, I don't blame you.
Maybe I'm beyond helping.
No.
Give us a little time to
talk about it, all right?
Look, I'm so sorry.
Hey, listen to this.
This is Neurological Journal.
"Threats of violence increase from 15%
"One year after sustaining a brain injury
"To 54% five years after.
"31% of patients had
serious legal problems,
"And 20% of their relatives
had been assaulted
by them at least once."
That's awful.
Yeah, well, it gets worse.
"In 50 randomly selected inmates,
"84% had a history of brain impairment.
"75% of those were in prison for murder,
attempted murder or battery."
Any athletes in there?
Football players, boxers?
No. Must of them were car wrecks or fights.
A lot of the beatings occurred
when the victims were kids.
So what are we arguing? What's our defense?
Well, the D.A.'s overcharging helps us.
Filing Brett's case as attempted
murder gives us the right
to an affirmative defense.
We argue insanity?
Can't win insanity,
but we can win diminished capacity.
Aw, Nick, the guy's a drunk.
No jury's gonna give diminished
capacity to an alcoholic.
Yeah, right. You know,
we thought it was alcohol.
But here's the odd thing,
Emergency room blood work
the night of the fight?
No trace of alcohol.
Emergency room bloodwork
after he attacked Pete?
No trace... Of alcohol.
So diminished capacity due to brain injury.
We try to get the jury to knock
the attempted murder down to battery.
We already have an offer
of battery from the D.A.
Why not just take it?
Ah, the offer from the D.A.'s four years.
It's a long time.
If we knock the charges down,
Judge Chang won't give
him more than two tops.
And if we're lucky, under
the circumstances,
we could get probation.
Well, you guys seem like you
have this all under control.
You mind if I leave? I'm having a drink.
A drink? Who's the lucky guy? Theodore.
Theodore?
Meet Mr. K.
Teddy?
Go ahead. Go ahead, Zoey.
No, no, no, no go ahead! No go ahead!
She's going on a date with my dad!
Pete, it's just a drink.
God, you have a dirty mind.
Yes, I have a dirty mind.
I got it from my dad!
Go, Zoey. Go on, quick, quick!
Pete, Pete, calm down! Calm down!
Look, you got to look at
the positive side of this.
Zoey could be your new mom.
Hey, guys, this is kind of odd.
Look at this. What?
37 on the tape,
the transcript has Brett yelling,
"Stay the hell away way."
Is that a typo?
Let's listen.
I'll kill you, man!
Get off! Stay the hell away, Wade!
"Stay the hell away way"?
What is he saying?
Play it again.
I'll kill you, man! Get off!
Stay the hell away, Wade!
Stay the hell away, Wayne?
Stay the hell away, Ray?
Wade. Stay the hell away, Wade.
Who the hell is Wade?
You know, I never met a Wade in my life.
I don't know what Brett's talking about.
Well, when he was attacking his sponsor,
he was going on and on about
some guy named Wade and you.
And you were lying, and...
I have to ask you straight, Jennifer.
Is there or was there
another man in your life?
I need to step away for a minute.
There's no other man, Mr. Morelli.
There's never been another man.
Well, has he been violent
to you or the kids?
No. Never.
Is there any history of mental
illness in Brett's family?
No. Not that I know of.
Why? Football injuries?
Concussions?
Was he ever on Injured Reserve?
Ooh, no. Brett thought sitting
out was a sign of weakness.
Right. He used to say
"I'll just tape an aspirin to my helmet
and go back on the field."
But all the guys were like that.
Did he complain at all about headaches?
Blurred vision? Memory loss?
Well, Brett's memory isn't
what it used to be.
You know, several times,
I'd see him walk into a room
and forget why he was there.
I could tell it frustrated him.
You...
Okay. Thank you.
I-I got to get back to work.
Well, thank you, Jennifer. Excuse me.
Anita is my, uh...
landlord. She owns all this.
Far as the eye can see, huh?
Well, my late husband Herb saw a future
in trailer parks, bless his heart.
Ooh.
Uh... Teddy,
Lisa here has some news for you.
Maybe you want to talk about it alone?
Mm. What's to tell?
It's just a car.
Roberta?
Afraid so.
Women.
Well, Chicago PD faxed us
copies of the pink slip and sales
agreement for the Corvette.
Your name's not on either, Teddy.
I thought you said you
bought the car together.
I was with her when she bought it.
I mean, that's got to count for something.
Well, yeah, but since
you're not owner on paper,
is there any real reason
for you to believe that
you're a partial owner
of the car?
Look, before the demise of,
uh, our sad relationship,
I talked Roberta into selling all her cars.
You know, going green.
All right. So I volunteered
as a, uh, gentleman,
um, studied in such things
to broker said deal.
Vegas seemed the perfect
spot to unload that Vette.
Teddy, You can't sell a
bicycle in Vegas these days.
Oh, yeah, I suppose that's right.
Well, the plan does seem
a little half-baked.
Half-baked.
Half-baked, my friend, half-baked.
Cheers.
Oh, it's Pete.
Tell him to get his ass over here.
It's Happy Hour.
Well, tell him I'm actually
working for a living.
Listen, Nick, I'm at the hospital.
Chang gave us the court
order for Brett's scan.
I just spoke with the neurologist.
We need to talk to Brett now.
Okay, okay. I'll be right there.
All right, Brett, here's the thing.
We still have the deal on the
table for the four years.
And, under the circumstances,
it's a good deal...
But Pete and I think that
we should go to trial.
Trial? Mm-hmm.
Why?
Well, maybe there's an explanation
for your violent behavior.
All the damage that was done
all those years in football.
Damage? What are you talking about?
You ever see a neurologist
when you played ball?
Why?
Brain damage from football allows us
to argue diminished capacity.
Brett, we could win this at trial.
It's a tough decision, I know that.
But before we do anything,
we'd like you to go see a neurologist
and get a head scan.
You want me to blame this all on football?
No. I'm a drunk.
Look, maybe your drinking
is because of the injury.
You're self medicating.
With the right medicine,
you might not be a drunk.
You might be able to
control your outbursts.
Brett, if that's true, you
don't belong in prison...
You should be in treatment.
You should be with your family.
They want you back. They do.
No.
No?
It's not my brain, it's me.
I am not going to blame football.
I've have problems as far
back as I can remember.
Brett, everybody has anger.
Everybody has little violent outbursts...
rage from time to time... but
it's different with you.
You have blackouts.
No... Did you have blackouts before?
Before football, did you have blackouts?
Wait a second. You're talking
about the game that I love.
It's fed my family, it's fed me.
I can't do that. I won't do that.
This is not about the game.
It's about your brain.
I'm sorry, I won't do that.
Brett... We're done here. Guard.
Guard. No.
I won't do it.
Brett!
Listen.
What's more important right now...
your football memories or your family?
Mr. Meers, did you know the
defendant before the attack?
Yes, I was his sponsor
for his AA counseling.
Is the defendant an alcoholic?
He has struggled with alcohol, yes.
And you tried to help him, yes?
I tried.
But the defendant attacked you.
Actually broke your jaw.
Isn't that right? Yes, but he...
12 stitches under the right eye?
A broken nose? Yes.
All because you were trying
to save him from himself.
Objection, Your Honor.
Withdrawn.
No more questions, Mr. Meers.
Hi, Mr. Meers. How you doing?
I've been better.
Would it shock you to find
that the medical report indicates
that there was no alcohol
in his system at the time of the arrest?
No.
Brett was trying to stop drinking.
He called me that night because
he was afraid he might slip.
Oh, so you went to meet him to help him
stay on the wagon?
Yes. If he wasn't drinking,
what do you think caused this attack?
I would assume a mental illness.
Object. Sustained.
Sir, do you think Brett Riley
even knew who you were
when he was beating you?
No. I don't.
Because he called you Wade
while he was beating you.
Right? That's what we heard
right here on the video.
Yes, he called me Wade.
I could see it in his eyes.
He wasn't hitting me.
Thank you.
Sir, I understand it's part
of your job description
to make excuses for the least among us,
but the reality is, you really have no idea
what was in the defendant's mind
when he was beating you nearly to death.
Objection, Your Honor.
No more questions, Your Honor.
I've heard about enough.
The blue indicates
an abnormally low blood flow
in the prefrontal cortex.
That indicates a rather
large amount of damage.
Dr. Stewart, what... what happens
to a guy from this?
Individuals with prefrontal injury show,
among other things, a
tendency towards aggression.
Why is that? We don't know exactly...
research in this area is very new...
but it's become clear in the past 20 years
that prefrontal injury correlates
very highly with disinhibition.
Disinhibition?
The inability to constrain
impulsive outbursts.
Ah.
You can't help yourself. Yes.
Would you say that brain damage
stems from his playing football?
I would. Yes.
How exactly?
By using his head as a battering ram.
That's how.
Sensor tests have recorded
hits to players' helmets
at forces from 50 g's all
the way up to 110 g's.
Now, if you crashed your
car at 25 miles per hour,
the force of your head
smacking the windshield
would be about 100 g's.
Would it surprise you to find that players
sustain these hits about
1,000 times a year??
No. So, in Brett's career,
from high school all the
way through to the pros,
theoretically, Brett was
in 15,000 car accidents.
His head smashed through
15,000 windshields.
Yes.
Wow.
Kind of knocks the sense
out of you, doesn't it?
Thank you, Doctor.
Oh, I'm-I'm sorry. Dr.
Stewart, just one last thing.
Sorry, everyone.
The aggressive behavior you described
as a symptom of Brett's brain injury...
can it be controlled with treatment?
It can be. Yes.
Behavioral therapy,
in conjunction with
anticonvulsant medication,
has been shown to blunt
the attendant violence.
Thank you.
Dr. Stewart, isn't every criminal,
on some level, brain-damaged?
If you're talking actual physical damage,
I would say no, probably not.
I see. So a killer
is not damaged?
A rapist is normal?
There might be other factors
at work: chemical imbalances,
genetic predispositions, socialization.
I see. So let me get this right.
So what you're saying
is that those reasons
are cause for punishment,
but physical damage is not.
Objection. He's testifying.
Please, Your Honor, allow me to rephrase.
So a guy with a bad
attitude should go to jail,
and a guy with, what, a low blood flow
is free to beat down his own wife?
Objection. All right. Withdrawn.
Doctor, thank you.
I have more than enough, Your Honor.
Dr. Stewart, you may stop down.
We'll take a one-hour recess.
Okay, Brett.
See you soon.
Man, that guy is good.
You think the medical
evidence will be enough?
No, I don't.
Listen, let me ask you a question.
Do you think the guy is in control?
You kidding me?
I saw otherwise, up close and personal.
Pete, I think sooner or later,
this jury has to see it, too.
It's too risky, Nick.
"Too risky," Coming from you?
Yeah, I don't know, Nick.
Look, I really don't want to do this.
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
Hi. Brett? Nick.
And... Michael. I'm Nick.
Zoey, you want to take the kids?
I may not need you.
Jen, are you ready?
Yeah. I'll be right back.
It's going to be okay.
It's going to be all right.
Thank you so much for coming down.
Everything's going to be okay. Okay.
Your Honor, the defense would like
to call Jennifer Riley to the stand.
Your Honor, Jennifer Riley
is not on the list.
My office faxed an amended list
this morning, Your Honor.
This morning? You know better than that.
Your Honor, she is Brett's wife.
- Jen?
- I mean, how much prep time
does the State need?
Your Honor, Counsel's out of line.
Get her out of here.
Call a listed witness, Counselor.
Like to call Brett Riley
to the stand, please.
Wait, wait. Right now?
Yes, right now.
You'll be all right.
Listen, I'm terribly sorry.
Okay. They haven't had a chance
to review and prep. Okay. All right.
Brett, take the stand, please.
It's okay.
State your name.
Brett Riley.
Occupation?
I'm not working.
And before your unemployment,
what did you do for a living, Brett?
Played football... safety.
And now you're an alcoholic.
Yes. But you haven't had a drink
since they put you in jail.
Is that correct?
No.
You feel okay?
I feel okay.
Good.
Okay, let's talk about your wife's affair.
Objection. Relevance.
On the video of
the incident, he referred to
his wife, Your Honor.
I'll demonstrate the relevance.
Continue, Mr. Morelli.
Mr. Riley, who's Wade?
Why? Well, during the incident, you
referenced someone named Wade.
Who's Wade?
Was Wade having an affair with your wife?
Yes.
Is it just Wade, Mr. Riley?
What?
Is there someone else having
an affair with your wife?
I don't know. Okay.
Let me show you what has been marked
as, uh, Defense Exhibit number 14.
You recognize this?
That's Wade...
That's Wade Fisk.
You played football with Wade
in high school, is that right?
He replaced you after an injury?
Yeah.
Mr. Riley, is your friend,
Wade Fisk, having an affair
with your wife, Jen?
Yes.
Your high school buddy
sleeping with your wife? I said, yeah.
Is anybody else trying to take your wife?
Your Honor, objection. Asked and answered.
I mean, you thought Mr.
Meers was trying to take your wife.
Was there somebody else?
I mean, could it be him?
Your Honor, objection. You think it's him?
I mean, you saw him walk her
out of the courtroom today.
I mean, could it be...?
Your Honor, I object...
I'm just trying to understand
if anybody else slept with Jen, that's all.
Can you tell me that? Keep your hands off!
Keep your hands off!
Get out of... You understand me?
You keep your hands off! Calm down.
I'll kill you! Calm down. Calm down.
Keep your hands away from my wife!
Leave her alone!
Leave her alone!
Calm down. Get off me!
Calm down...
***
***
He badgered his own client!
Your Honor, Brett Riley is not in control,
And I just inadvertently proved that.
Inadvertently, my ass.
You proved he's violent!
But not in control.
He's sick, Your Honor, not guilty.
Your Honor, I want the jury admonished.
This isn't proof of anything.
Could have been a hoax.
Hoax, my ass.
I'm going to agree with the State
and instruct the jury to
disregard the testimony.
Thank you, Your Honor.
It's wrong, Judge. It is.
Furthermore, Mr. Morelli, Mr. Kaczmarek,
while I can't prove that you planned this,
at best, you put your own
client out on a limb
that could have done more harm than good.
If either of you even approach,
***
I'll hold you both in criminal contempt
and personally submit
to the state bar a complaint
against your licenses.
Your Honor, you are not...
9:00 A.M. tomorrow.
Closing arguments.
I want this trial
over with now.
Nicolas?
Teddy!
You seen Pete?
You know, I thought maybe
he might buy us all dinner.
Oh, no, I haven't seen him around.
We got this big close tomorrow.
He... He gets a little antsy.
Oh, yeah, sure. Well, you're working.
Okay, well, I'll stay out of your way.
Oh, no, no. Stick around.
Come on. I need a break anyway.
You want a drink? Oh, sure.
Let me do it.
Scotch?
Uh, just a thimble.
I got to work.
You want one of my fine, fine cigars?
Sure.
These are great.
Oh. Thank you. Cheers. Cheers, my friend.
Mm. Yeah. Here. Take it.
Oh.
I'll just keep this for later.
You keep that, and here, take mine.
Teddy.
You look good, my friend.
I love that hat.
Can I see it?
Sure.
Ah, look at that.
This thing has lived.
Been around a long time, huh?
Yeah, it was my grandfather's.
Man was a king.
Wore it every day everywhere.
It's nice.
That ring.
Let me see that ring.
My wedding ring?
Yeah, let me see your wedding ring.
Wore that every day everywhere.
What, are you gonna pawn it?
You know...
we got to move on, Nick.
It's time.
Well, um...
I-I can't really do that, Teddy.
I...
I got a kid, you know?
Yeah.
You know, Sammy's gonna be all right.
Look, I read this book.
In this book, it said
just... just love 'em...
a lot.
Thanks, Teddy. I'm gonna do that.
So I'll let you get back
to your business.
You and Pete, you work really hard.
Yeah.
I'm proud of my kid. Ted...
So you just tell him I'm-I'm sorry that I...
I missed him...
again.
I'll tell him, Teddy.
Okay.
Hey, Teddy. Hmm?
The ring?
The what?
The ring.
Oh, sure.
Get off him! Damn it, I'll kill you!
I'll kill you!
Get off him! I'll kill you!
"I will kill you."
Ladies and gentlemen, remember those words.
Brett Riley was a professional.
A one-in-a-million athlete.
Stronger than a man twice
his size, and fast...
famously fast,
whose job it was to crush his opponents...
break them if at all possible,
and bring them down.
That was Brett Riley.
If a man like Brett Riley
says "I'll kill you,"
it's no idle threat.
If a man like Brett Riley
hits you over and over
and over again, you might end up dead.
I think we all can agree
that Brett Riley had the capacity
to murder with his own hands.
But did he have the intent?
Mr. Morelli says no. Mr. Morelli says
that Brett Riley's capacity
to plan ahead was diminished
by weak blood flow.
Use your own common sense,
ladies and gentlemen.
Thousands of men have retired from football
without ever trying to murder somebody.
What makes Brett Riley so special?
Why should we give him a pass?
Good morning.
This my son's football helmet.
Sammy, he's nine years old.
He started playing pee
wee football last year.
Look at these nicks.
See that?
That's paint from the other team's helmet.
Makes a dad feel good, you know,
because you know, his son's out
there mixing it up, being brave
and not afraid to play the
game, take a few knocks.
You know, Mr. Ward is right.
Brett Riley is that one-in-a-million kid
who goes from pee wee football,
through high school ball,
college ball, into the pros.
That's a... that's a lot
of years of football.
That is 20 years of...
Football players are gladiators.
They're our gladiators.
And we relish the violence.
That's why we watch it.
But there is a price that men
like Brett Riley pay.
Their brains get smashed inside
that skull over and over
every practice, every game,
every season for 20 years.
Man, I got to tell you something...
I still love the game.
I love football.
I was raised on football.
I watch it every Sunday.
But I got to tell you,
lately I can't watch a game
without wincing every time these men hit...
their... heads.
Some of those guys are going
to end up just like Brett,
who attacks his friend and calls him Wade.
Or attacks his own lawyer, calls him Wade.
He may as well been
fighting the devil himself.
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,
Brett had no intention
of killing John Meers.
He was fighting his past.
And for that, he needs medication.
Not prison.
Between you and me...
I don't think my boy's going
to play football next season.
Aw, it's awful.
Guy had everything.
A wife, kids... and now maybe prison.
Yep.
Must make you feel kind of silly.
The way you talk to Teddy.
Teddy? How is this about Teddy?
Pete, if my dad were still around,
if I had one more summer with him,
I would love every minute of it.
I would.
Even if he was robbing banks.
Maybe you should talk to Lisa.
Lisa.
Teddy. I can't talk to you about it, Pete.
You can't talk to me about it?
He's my father.
He's my client. He has privilege.
Privilege my ass. I'm paying his bill.
I'm your client.
Sorry, Pete.
Okay, well, then let me tell you...
Teddy's claiming that she
asked him to sell the car.
Speculation.
Lisa, I lived with the guy, okay?
And when the TV disappears
or the good silver,
he's only got two stories.
"Your mother wanted me to have it,"
or "Your mother asked me to sell it."
You know what, he probably
convinced her to sell the car,
not just so he could have a alibi someday,
but because he actually thought
he was trying to help,
but he's not... helping.
You're probably right, Pete.
///////////
s . So what are you going to do?
Mr. Foreperson, has the
jury reached a verdict?
We have, Your Honor.
"Case number 57639, in the
matter of Brett Riley.
"As to count number one,
attempted murder...
"Not guilty.
"As to the second and final count,
"Battery with serious bodily injury...
not guilty."
So he wanted me to wait here for him?
Mm-hmm.
Is he mad, or...?
Well, you know Pete.
He's just a little frazzled. Yeah.
Hey, Teddy!
Look what I found in the glove compartment.
A box of number twos.
What is this?
Roberta wanted it sold, and I bought it...
over book, just so you know.
The deal is done.
- Oh, Pete, look...
- Oh, forget it.
It was either that or drive
you around all winter,
and that wasn't going to happen.
Yeah, well, thank you, son.
I'll remember this. You better remember it.
Because the pink slip is in my name.
So if you ever sell, trade,
pawn or so much as gamble
this puppy away, I will have you in chains.
Well, fair enough.
Boy, you are a chip off the old block, huh?
You are.
What do you say, Dad?
You want to take us for a spin up the Strip,
see what kind of trouble
I can keep you out of?
You drive?
He's driving. Huh?
Look, kid, I don't suppose
you could spot your old man a
C note for a couple of days?