The Practice (1997–2004): Season 2, Episode 18 - Ties That Bind - full transcript

[ Groaning ]
You've been a bad,
bad cowboy.

- Oh, beat me, Sheriff.
- I'm gonna give you
what you want.

That's for sure.

I've been an ornery cowboy,
Sheriff.

You have, and you're not
gettin' away this time.

[ Man ]
Okay, let's stop here
a second.

Now, Mr. Goodwin,
can you identify
the woman on the screen?

Yes, that's Sara.
The defendant?

Yes.
Good. Now, the scene
we're watching--

- so far it's entirely
according to script?
- Yes.

Now, you were the director.
You were pleased at this point?



Yes.
Okay. Let's keep going.

Would you mind explaining to us
what's goin' on here?

Uh, besides the obvious,
for those of us...

who are not...
hard-core aficionados.

Uh, okay.

This is a bondage scene,
and, uh,

she's putting on
a choke dog collar.

The collar is velvet-lined.

She's now looping the leash part
through a supporting slot
on the canopy.

She's using the canopy now...

as a fulcrum
as she lowers herself.

- This looks painful.
- Well, the ecstasy here
is in the pain...

and the constriction, usually.

But here-- This is where--



Well, this is not scripted.

Well, d-did you try
and stop them?
Did you yell cut?

Well, no, because sometimes
the actors take it further,

and sometimes it works
for the movie creatively.

And besides, they were
a husband-and-wife team,

and they often
choreographed their
scenes on their own.

When did you realize
that things were out of control?

- It was right about here.
- Okay, let's just, uh--
we'll just listen.

[ Director, On Film ]
Pete? Wait. Hey.

Peter. Wait a minute.
Sara, he's not breathing.

[ Man On TV ]
What's going on?
I don't know. What's wrong?

Call a paramedic.

Geez.
I think he's dead.

He's dead.

Are you calling
a paramedic?
Let me hear from somebody!

- [ Man ] Rick,
call a paramedic, will ya?
- [ Goodwin ] Pete?

He's dead.

[ Spectators Murmuring ]
That wasn't supposed
to happen.

That wasn't
supposed to happen.

[ Line Ringing ]

[ Cell Door Opens, Closes ]

[ Sirens Wailing ]

Well, we could still
go manslaughter.

I thought you said
we didn't want that.

We didn't want it charged
because we were afraid
the jury would opt for it.

By going straight murder one,
murder two, it puts a lot
of pressure on them.

We did that in
the Gerald Braun trial
last year and it worked.

Didn't work
for that nanny though.

But it was an accident.
I understand that,

but obviously the director's
gonna be coming out with more,

'cause they didn't have to put
him on the stand just to get
the film into evidence.

We figure he'll say you killed
your husband intentionally.

- He's wrong.
- Yeah, Sara, see,
the problem here is the film.

You know, the jury just--
They were disgusted before
the dog collar even came out.

They are not my audience.

Right, but they're
the only audience
that counts right now,

and there's a chance
that they could say,
"Look who she is.

Let's just, you know,
throw her in jail."

The character in that film
is not me.

Yes, I understand,
but that is a tough
argument to sell.

You were...
really doing it.

We were making a film.

I think I understand.

Tough for the two of you
not to judge me, so the jury--

So you think I should
accept a deal?

I think we should see
what happens in the next
couple of days.

Maybe I can cross the director.
Who knows?

But, uh, yeah.
You need to start thinking
about a deal.

I love a man
who can cook.

[ Man On TV ]
It's my pleasure.
I got a lot of her videos.

You do?
The early ones,
before she went hard-core.

[ Woman Giggling ]
She's... good.

It makes me so...

hot.
You think she killed him
on purpose?

Who knows? I was readin'
they were having problems.

Reading it where?
In the porno trades?

Internet.

She really didn't
want to be a porn star.
She was kind of an innocent.

I could pull it all up.
It comes with good pictures.

[ Sara On TV ]
What's for dessert?
[ TV Turns Off ]

Please-- Don't stop
on my account.

What's up?
Not us.

I have some bad
fiscal news.

- What now?
- Since Lindsay cut back
on the drug dealers,

we're bringing in about
32,000 less per month.

And the murder one clients
keep lining up.

We're the hottest firm going
if you killed somebody.

The problem is,
the homicide customers
aren't paying.

- Okay.
- Bobby, you keep saying okay,

and our plate keeps getting
more filled with murder cases.

- Now, we're going backwards.
- Rebecca, I would love
for somebody...

to walk through that door
and plunk down...

a million dollar
retainer on my desk,
but until they do--

Fine. Fine.
All I'm saying is,
if somebody...

walks through that door
saying they killed somebody,
get the money up front.

Enough's enough.

[ Man ]
What was supposed to happen
in scene 29, Mr. Goodwin?

Well, as I said,
this was a bondage number.

The guy is bound,

uh, and, uh,

worked on by the woman
playing the dominatrix.

She was to--
to tie him up...

and then bring him
to an orgasm...

by tightening a scarf
around his neck...

while-- while she, uh--

Yes. And, uh,
had the defendant performed
a scene like this before?

Many times.
By "many," you mean--

At least 30,
maybe more.

So the defendant
was familiar with the act,

and knew how to
accomplish it safely?
Oh, absolutely. Absolutely.

And they had
a safety, uh, signal...

if it got too uncomfortable
for Peter.

Safety signal?
For her to stop choking him?

Yes.
And what was the signal?

Uh, it was a visual.
He would purse his lips
up into a kiss.

And did, uh, Mr. Katlin...

give this safety signal
during the scene in question?

Well, no, he couldn't.
I mean, she tied a kerchief
over his mouth.

Was the defendant's
covering of his mouth
part of the script?

Uh, no. No. No, it wasn't.

Mr. Goodwin,
shooting this scene,

you cut the first take,
didn't you?

I did.
You didn't think
it was erotic enough?

- I knew he could do it better.
- You wanted to heat things up
a little, push it?

Well, I didn't want her
to kill him.
I move to strike that.

- Sustained.
- Mr. Goodwin,

these bondage setups--
are they for an American market?

No, they go to Europe and Asia.
Oh, really?

And why is that?
I don't know.

Are you aware that the courts
have successfully prosecuted
this type of thing...

because it's a high-risk
sexual activity that if
imitated could result in death?

Did you know that?
I've heard that,

but none of my films
have been prosecuted.

- But this was high-risk,
am I right?
- Yes.

So if done incorrectly,
it could accidentally lead
to asphyxiation.

- You did know that?
- We've done this many times.

All right.
This... stunt
is called what?

It's called seesaw.
And the choking...

is necessary for a proper take,
is that correct?
Yes.

- So by choking him,
Sara was just doing her job.
- Well, she didn't stop.

Mr. Goodwin, who yells cut
during the filming
of a scene?

- The director. Me.
- And you didn't yell cut,
did you?

We've already established
that, Your Honor.
Yes, I know that,

but I want to make this
very clear because it's an
important point to the defense.

You didn't yell cut,
did you, sir?

I did not yell cut.

Thank you.

[ Chattering ]

[ Man ]
Make sure you file it.
[ Continues, Indistinct ]

Excuse me.
Are you Ms. Stone?
Yes.

I'm Ellenor Frutt,
Sara Katlin's attorney.

I don't wanna talk to you.
I understand, and I'm very sorry
for the loss of your brother.

Yes. Try to cope.
I just think that you
should consult an attorney...

before tomorrow's testimony.
I beg your pardon?

Ms. Stone,
I don't mean to sound cold,

but if you're gonna go in there
and accuse Sara Katlin
of killing your brother,

you could expose yourself
to some serious liability--

qualified immunity aside.

Ah. You're worried
about my legal exposure.

How thoughtful.
Why don't you just talk
to your own attorney.

You don't have to take
my word for it.
Oh, I won't.

I'd love to stay,
but just spending time
with you like this,

I feel the need to shower.

Rebecca?

Oh. God.

- This is where you work?
- What's wrong with it?

Oh. Don't you guys
make any money?

We do, but since
we don't pay our taxes,

we don't wanna
make the I.R.S. suspicious
with fancy office space.

Oh.
You know how us
criminal lawyer types are.

Oh, yeah, I do--
which is why I'm here.

The criminal lawyer type
defending Luis Moreno has
a suppression hearing scheduled.

He's trying to kick
your lineup I.D.,
and he could very well win.

What?
Well, in your statement
at the scene...

you said he
was wearing a coat
with some sort of hood.

Yeah. He-He was.
Yeah.

Well, in the lineup
he was wearing a hooded jacket,

which could possibly
make your I.D. tainted.

What genius
put a hood on him?

The hood wasn't
even up in the I.D.,
but they could possibly say--

Wait. What happens
if they suppress my I.D.?

He walks.
You're the whole case.

Now, look.
I'd like you at the hearing.

You're not gonna be testifying
or anything, but I want
the judge seeing your face.

Anything to keep this human.
I don't want this whole thing
turning on the Constitution.

Fine.

[ Door Shuts ]

[ Sara On TV ]
I'm feeling a little chill
in here.

[ Man ]
Why don't you move closer?
Where did you get this?

Jimmy gave it to me.
It's her early years.
Soft porn.

You know, I know I'm
supposed to know this
because I'm a lawyer,

but why isn't this
prostitution?

It's sexual conduct
for money.

Well, legally
it's not prostitution...

because neither party
is deriving pleasure from it.

It's-- It's a job
on both sides.

- That's the distinction?
- I didn't write the law.

They both look like
they're deriving
pleasure to me.

Well, that--
that's acting.

They're just good actors.
Oh, right. I forgot.

[ Man ]
Yeah. Mmm.

Well, got a full day
tomorrow.

Otherwise I'd love to see
how it ends.

Yeah, my arson case
resumes tomorrow.

I'm sure they'll be
calling the defendant.

Well, I'm sure
you'll cross him
if they do.

Yeah. What's your day like?

Same old.

[ Moans ]

- Any ideas?
- I was hoping
you would tell me.

- We're lousy on motive.
- She hated him.
Stood to inherit his money.

She killed him.
On 16 millimeter.

But it was high-risk stuff.
Can we chip it
to involuntary manslaughter?

[ Sighs ]
No. Means says voluntary
is as good as we're gonna get.

- That offer expires tomorrow.
- And if we go
battered spouse syndrome?

It's too late.
And even if it isn't,
we have to declare.

Battered spouse means
she had intent, which is
different than accident.

So we could go manslaughter.
Voluntary.

Battered spouse--
or stay with accident.

I say we chuck battered spouse.
How's that gonna look
when she's into bondage?

We either accept manslaughter
or we go for it.
What do you think?

- [ Sighs ]
Flip?
- Right.

Heads, manslaughter.
Tails, we go for it.

Tails.

It's an accident.
We go for it.

This is why we get paid--
to make these decisions.

[ Helen ]
You're sucking my elbow again.

You're always
sucking my elbow.

It's supposed to be
one of the erogenous zones.

Isn't that what they say?

Who?

Women who read Cosmo.
Mmm.

Well, I've never read it.

Huh.

Mmm. In fact, the only time
I've ever heard it,
it was from Lindsay.

She likes to get
her elbow sucked.

I always just thought
it was something with her.

And the relationship between
your brother and the defendant
had gotten worse?

[ Ellenor ]
Objection.
[ Judge ] Overruled.

- What, exactly, did
your brother tell you--
- Objection.

Overruled.
I'm allowing this
testimony, Ms. Frutt.

The court will take
ample note of your
vigorous objection.

Let me rephrase it.
Please describe
your brother's relationship...

with the defendant.
I suppose it was
like any marriage.

They loved each other
in the beginning.

Wanted to kill each other
in the end.

Difference being,
she went through with it.

[ Together ]
Objection!
Sustained.

The jury will certainly
disregard that.

What indications did you have...

that their relationship
had deteriorated?

Well, there was a lot
of open hostility
the last year or two.

By open hostility you mean--
Fighting. Yelling.

They were both verbally
abusive to each other.

- Sometimes they were
physically at each other.
- You saw this?

Yes.
What complicated things--

Their careers
were sort of joined.

Even if they divorced,
they couldn't really
leave one another.

Mrs. Stone, did you ever
hear the defendant...

make any direct threats
against your brother?

- Yes.
- [ Ellenor ]
Objection.

- [ Judge ]
Overruled.
- And, uh, could you...

describe these threats--
when they took place?

The last one came
about three days
before his death.

And what was that threat?
She said
she would kill him.

And where did that
threat take place?
At their house.

It was a family dinner
sort of thing.

They got into one
of their customary arguments.

- Objection.
- Overruled.

Suddenly they're
screaming at each other,
and then she said it--

she said she'd kill him.

Did she say
anything else?
Yes.

She said she could do it during
one of their sex scenes...

and make it look
like an accident.

[ Spectators Murmuring ]

It's unfair surprise.

It's willful, deliberate,
and this case should be
dismissed right now.

Lindsay, you knew
this witness was coming,
There's nothing in her--

You knew that
she'd be testifying.
You've got to be kidding.

Hold on here.
Let me get a question in.

What did you give them
on this witness?

That she would testify
as to the hostile relationship.

She just testified
as to direct threats.

[ Judge ]
Counsel.
He withheld that.

Do I have to give them
a transcript?
Oh, come on!

[ All Shouting ]
Hey!

I have to say, Mr. Means,
I don't like it.

- Your Honor, I hope you don't--
- Ah, ah! Don't make it worse
by insulting me.

You withheld
that little nugget.

[ Sighs ] All right,
I'll give you extra time
to prepare your cross,

but I'm not dismissing.
That is so prejudicial.

- I am not dismissing.
- At minimum, you should
strike the testimony.

They heard the testimony.
If I strike it, you can't
really cross her on it.

That would be worse.
Her testimony stands.

One more stunt like that,
and I set the defendant free.

Yes, Your Honor.

You've got to be kidding me.
Yeah, that's me.
I just love to kid.

You sit on
a threat like that?
Material evidence?

You knew the nature
of the witness's testimony.
Come on, Ed. That's not you.

We've tried cases
against each other before.

You've never pulled anything
close to unfair surprise.
What's going on?

Ell, you try your case,
I'll try mine.

She couldn't even describe
the race of the shooter.

She didn't describe
any facial features,

but she remembered
a big hood.

Then they put my client
in a lineup
wearing a hood.

We did not wardrobe the guy.
He wore his own coat.
There was no poss--

That makes
no legal difference,
and you know it.

It makes a factual difference
to the extent that
you're saying...

we orchestrated the lineup,
which is impossible--
This lineup is not reliable.

- since we had no idea
what the guy was--
- Hold on. Hold on.

Uh, did she describe the hood
in her earlier statement?

No. And he wasn't the only one
wearing a hood, so I don't
see how--

There was one other,
who the witness may not
have even seen.

You see, my client
was number two.

She made the I.D.
when he stepped forward,

before even looking
at the other two.

Which goes to the reliability
of it.
Oh, come on, Jean.

All right, look.
The I.D. stands.
I'm not suppressing it.

And do me a favor, Ms. Ward.

Send a message to the jackass
who let him walk the lineup
with a hood.

Yes, Your Honor.

And I think it would be
a good idea if the two of you
got together.

No offense, Ms. Washington,
but the case looks like
a big dog with a little bark.

We're done.
[ Gavel Raps ]

[ Chattering ]

How do you not tell us?
I didn't remember.

You threatened
to kill somebody,
and you don't remember?

We screamed anything
and everything
at each other that night.

- You threatened
to do it in a scene?
- I don't know.

Maybe I did,
but that doesn't mean
I'd actually do it.

Well, given that you did do it,
you can see how that might look.

Ellenor, we screamed
at each other a lot.
We even hit each other.

If I said what his sister
said I said-- could be.

But it was never
while I was in
a calm state.

It was never like
it was something I was
actually considering.

I didn't kill him
on purpose.

[ Chattering ]
[ Elevator Bell Dings ]

What now?
I don't know.

I'll cross the sister
and maybe--
You gotta nail her, Ellenor.

I know.
Tic Tac?

Was this the only time
you ever heard...

- my client threaten
your brother?
- No.

There were other
threats before?
Yes.

- Threats to kill him?
- Yes, as a matter of fact.

How many times did you hear
deadly threats like these?

I'm not sure.
More than five?

Probably not, but I heard
some scream fests where
they threatened each other...

where she threatened
to kill him.

And did you ever
report these threats
to the police?

- In hindsight--
- I'm not asking for hindsight,
Ms. Stone.

Did you ever report
these threats to the police?

- Again, the answer
is yes or no.
- No, I didn't.

And you loved
your brother, am I right?

The fact that I didn't
report the threats doesn't mean
I didn't take them seriously.

- Now, that's a lie, isn't it?
- Objection.

- Sustained.
- You regarded these threats
seriously?

- Yes, I did.
- She vows to kill your brother,
somebody who you love,

and you don't bother
to notify the police?

Now, which part of that
is a lie--

- Objection.
- the part about you took
the threat seriously,

- or the part about
you loving your brother?
- Objection.

Ms. Frutt.

You never liked Sara Katlin,
did you, Ms. Stone?

I certainly didn't
approve of her.

Is it your testimony
to this jury that youdon't
despise my client?

We aren't friendly.
You blamed my client...

for a lot of your brother's
emotional problems,
didn't you?

My brother went through
a lot of stuff.
I suppose you could say--

I am not asking for you
to give us an analysis.

Did you blame my client
in front of others...

for a lot of your brother's
emotional problems?

- Yes or no.
- Yes.

And have you spoken to your
brother's probate attorney
since his death?

-Objection.
-Offered to impeach. This woman
has motive to accuse my client.

- Objection.
Move to strike, Your Honor.
- Overruled.

In your brother's will,
if he should die suddenly,

who would inherit his money?
His wife. Her.

And, if you know,

should his wife be held
responsible for his death,

- who would inherit it then?
- It would go
to his next of kin.

Does he have any parents?
No.

Any brothers or sisters?
One.

You?
Yes.

So if this woman is convicted
of killing your brother,

all the money would go to you?

I believe so.
You believe so?

-And how much money
are we talking about?
-A few hundred thousand dollars.

[ Spectators Murmuring ]
Thank you.

That'll be all.

Oh! Um, I actually have
one more question.

Has anybody else ever threatened
your brother's life before?

Yes, once.
A man he partnered with
in some real estate deals.

- He threatened
your brother's life?
- Yes, over some dispute.

- And you heard the threat?
- Yes.

And what did you do then?

I reported it
to the police.

Ah. Thank you.

[ Wind Whistling ]
♪ [ Jukebox: Blues ]

So you've got a chance?

I don't know.
Ellenor was good.

You think we should have
jumped at manslaughter,
don't you?

Mmm, it's hard to say, really.
Have you ever slept with Bobby?

- What?
- Well, the guy keeps
sucking my elbow,

like it's supposed
to make me hot.

You're the only woman I know
who ever liked her elbow sucked,
so I--

[ Laughing ]
What?

I might have told him
that I liked it,

but I wasn't speaking
for womankind.

He--
Suckles it,
like it should give milk.

Lindsay,
be straight with me.

Did you and he ever--

Oh, my God.

It happened before you, Helen--
way before.

I-It was just a brief... thing.

Why didn't you tell me?

Because I knew you were
on the chase--
which I supported.

And I know you
and your sense of loyalty.

If you even thought I shared
a glass of punch with him,
you never would have gone near.

How long ago?

Long, long. July.

It just happened, Helen.

There was no need
for you to ever know,

but you asked me
so straight out,

I don't wanna lie.

Should I have?

No.

[ Sighs ]

You told her?
Bobby, she asked me
flat out. I had to.

Past tense. It's okay.
What was her reaction?

She's okay with it.
You know, it happened
before her.

She's a big girl.
But stop sucking
her elbows.

Hey, Lindsay,
are you ready?
Yeah. Let's go.

[ Ellenor ]
Right.

You... suck her elbows?

Yes, I knew the risk.

That was the main point
for the--

The choking.
Yes.

Sara, you don't deny
threatening your husband?

No. We fought a lot.

We sometimes got violent.

Maybe I did threaten him.

I know that
there were many times
that I wished he was dead.

Why?
Why?

It was a volatile
relationship.
I felt controlled by him,

abused by him--

Mostly verbally,
sometimes physically.

I wanted to get out
of the pornography industry.

I blamed him
for not letting me.

Did you love your husband?

I suppose I did.

But I certainly hated him
much more than I loved him.

So you-- You hated him?

Very much.

Sara, did you kill
your husband?

No. It was an accident.

Are you glad
that he's dead?

Are you glad
that he's dead?

Well, I'm certainly not glad...

for all the problems
that it's caused me, but...

otherwise, uh,

yeah, I guess maybe a little.

[ Spectators Murmuring ]

Whatever you do,
you can't blame Lindsay.

She wanted
to tell you earlier.

It was while all that
stuff happened
with Isikoff and me...

betraying you
over the warrant business--

and I convinced her
to hold off, timing-wise.

Helen, it-it's nothing
that affects us.

It's just one of those
pieces of history that,

under the circumstances,
are better left untold.

And it's over?
Yes.

It's over.

There's nothing going on
between you now?

No.

Well, then you certainly knew
it was possible for him
to die in this stunt.

[ Sara ]
Well, I knew
it was dangerous, yes.

So dangerous you had
a safety signal for him
to tell you to stop?

Yes.
But he couldn't give you
that signal, could he?

Because his mouth was covered,
wasn't it, Ms. Katlin?

Yes.

Now, where in the script
did it call for you to put
a kerchief over his mouth?

It didn't.

You ever tie a kerchief around
your husband's mouth before?

No.

So this would be a...
big coincidence?

Time he dies just happens to be
the one time you covered
his mouth?

- Objection.
- Sustained.

Now, Ms. Katlin,
you were very honest...

in admitting that you hated
your husband.

You were also honest
in admitting that you
wished him dead on occasion.

In the spirit of that
unflinching honesty,

wasn't it just a little
reckless for you to cover
his mouth with that kerchief?

- [ Ellenor ]
Objection.
- Overruled.

Ms. Katlin?

Potentially deadly stunt.

The only safety net
is his mouth.

The only way
he can save himself,
you took away.

Wasn't that just
a little reckless?

I suppose so.

And, Ms. Katlin,
again, honestly,

when you did something
this reckless in a stunt...

that was so high-risk
to begin with,

didn't you increase the chances
that something could go wrong?

Yes, but I didn't mean
for it to go wrong.

Yes, but you did increase
the chances for something
to go wrong, didn't you?

- Yes.
- You increased the chances
he would die, didn't you?

I guess I did.
But I didn't mean
for him to die.

A deadly stunt.
You hated him.
You wished him dead.

You increased the chances
of his death.

He dies.
You admit you're
glad he's dead.

You knowingly put him
at extreme, extreme risk,

didn't you?
I don't know.

You don't know?

So then it might be possible
that on some unconscious level
you did mean for him to die?

Isn't that possible?

I don't know.
I-I-- I don't know.

I--
I think you do,
Ms. Katlin.

I think you do.

You told me to tell the truth.
You told us
it was an accident.

It was.

But those questions he asked--
I just told the truth.

You said tell the truth,
and I did.

What happened?

What happened is,
they've got you on murder two.

Why?
Because they don't need
specific intent for murder two.

All they need
is extreme recklessness,

and you just gave it to them.

[ Sara ]
I don't understand.
If you were reckless,

with the knowledge of
the potential consequences,
then that's enough.

It's not murder one,
but it's murder two.

And, uh, what's
the penalty for that?

Life.

- [ Rebecca ]
Manslaughter?
- It's a conviction.

He shot and killed a guy
in cold blood.

Manslaughter, he gets out
in five years
or maybe less.

Rebecca, I have no intention
of making a deal,

but before I reject it,
I have to be sure
you'll hold up.

I'll hold up.
You're the entire case.
If you wobble even slightly--

Don't worry about me.

Now, he's the one.
I saw it.

Please,
don't worry about me.

Okay.

[ Elevator Bell Dings ]

We didn't prepare her,
Ellenor.

She's looking at
a life sentence because
we didn't do our jobs.

No. I didn't do my job.
Isn't that what you mean?
I'm not laying it on you.

Yeah, but it is on me.
I'm the one who prepped her.
It was my responsibility--

Then put her back up there.
Try to rehabilitate.

What good is that gonna do?
She said it under oath.

Her version of recklessness
isn't the same as
legal recklessness.

She has no foundation
to give legal conclusions.

She hasn't admitted
anything legally.

You think the jury's
gonna make that distinction?

You have to make
that distinction
in your closing, otherwise--

We phoned it in, Ellenor.

We did what
everybody else did.
She's just a porno hooker.

What's really at stake?
Court-appointed--
We were sloppy.

Because of that, she's looking
at a life sentence.

[ Chattering ]

Voluntary. Two years.
Credit for time served.

Too late. Murder two.
We got it, we'll keep it.
You may not have it.

We still have
grounds on appeal--
that unfair surprise.

My office doesn't care
about the appeal right now, Ell.
They want the verdict.

All right, Ed.
Come on, tell me.
What's up?

Do I need to?

How many murder trials
you guys win lately?

The upcoming profile
in Boston magazine--

You don't think there's
an awareness about that
in my office?

And with these cops getting
killed by your heroin clients,
after Bobby tipped 'em off--

Off the record?
Yeah. You and me.

The D.A.'s office
has a slight agenda
against your firm.

Every client you represent
has the added disadvantage...

that from our side,
we'll be trying a little harder.

Does Helen Gamble
know about this?

It's not an official policy,
but any D.A. who pulls
one of your cases,

he or she gets a little visit--
a personal visit--
from Scott Hamburg.

[ Groans ]
No favors, no deals.

This sucks!
Yes, it does.

But I gotta tell ya, Ell--
from where I sit,

your girl knew
what she was doin'.

She took care of a situation.
I have no problem
puttin' her away.

Forever?
Forever.

She'll get over it.

Who?
Nothing.

Hey, are you ready?
Yeah.

Uh, one second.

Do you want her
to get over it, Lindsay?
Excuse me?

You say you're
for Helen and me,

- but ever since we got together
I've been pickin' up--
- Pickin' up what?

Why did you tell her?

[ Laughs ]
What are you accusing me of?

I'm not accusing you
of anything.
I'm just wondering if--

Well, you're wondering wrong.
She's one of my best friends.

I just chose not to lie to her.
There was no other motive
than that.

Fine.

Fine.

[ Sighs ]
I have to get to court.

So the manslaughter deal,
that's off?

Well, you could say that.

Sara, you basically
gave 'em murder two
on the stand.

I'm gonna give it
my best shot,
but right now,

beating murder one
could be the best
we could do.

Well, maybe it's right.

- I beg your pardon?
- Maybe I did mean
to kill him.

I thought all night about
those questions he asked me--
the district attorney?

It's all true.
I knew it was dangerous,
covering his mouth.

I wanted him dead.
What if, maybe, part of me
did do it on purpose, Ellenor?

I'm not sure that I didn't.

Okay, you know what?
We're not gonna argue that.
Let's go.

You got any ideas?

Well, don't recall her
to the stand.

She suddenly wonders
whether she did it
on purpose or not?

She takes that whole
"truth, so help you God" part
a little too seriously.

Should probably
keep her out of the room.

Maybe I'll take
another stab at a plea.
You know, I'll see if the--

What?
What you just said.

Now she wonders
whether she did it
on purpose or not...

and that whole
"so help you God" part"--
that's it.

That's what?
That's our closing.

What are you talking about?

Well, could it be true?
Could it be?

All I can say is,
I've never gotten
any mandate.

But you haven't had
any cases against us.

They know you're sleeping
with me.

Bobby, let's face it.

Your firm has pissed
this office off.

That Joey Heric case
made you a target.

And when those
police officers got killed--

For me,
as far as my office goes,

I'm sleeping with the enemy.

The day I stop
winning my cases, I'm gone.

Because of me?
Because of you.

Little common sense here, folks.

She wanted him dead.

She stood to inherit everything
if he died.

She threatened to kill him
in a dangerous sex scene.

These aren't just things
we put into evidence.

These are things
she flat-out admits.

Sara Katlin told you all this.

You don't wanna believe me?
Believe her.

Of course she intended
to kill him.

And even if you should
somehow want to resist
that conclusion,

you simply cannot escape
her guilt for murder
in the second degree.

For murder two,
all she need have...

is an awareness
of an unjustifiably high risk
to human life...

and she basically
admitted that too,
didn't she?

Ladies and gentlemen,

if you don't wanna believe me,

please, believe her.

Well, it would be easy
to dismiss her, wouldn't it?

Porno queen--
We all saw what she does
for a living.

And whatever character traits
you want to attach to her,

integrity really
isn't the first one
that comes to mind.

Not that this is at all
relevant,

but when I watched the footage,
I was disgusted.

But every defendant
gets his or her
day in court,

and as her lawyer
it is my job to present
her side of the story.

And since we came in today
armed only with her word, well--

What could
her word be worth?

Turns out, quite a bit.

So much so
that the prosecutor...

just stood before you
and asked you
to believe her.

Believe her.

And the reason
he made that argument...

is because of all the things
that jumped out
during this trial,

the most conspicuous
was her truthfulness.

She didn't hide a damn thing.

She got up
on that witness chair,
and to her own detriment,

she told the truth.

Admitted she hated her husband.
Admitted she wanted him dead.

Even admitted that
she was glad when he died.

Now, nobody--
not me, not him,

and I suspect, not even you--

ever expected that much
truth from her.

But what did she say...

when asked whether or not
she intended to kill
her husband?

She said no.

And when asked
was she so reckless...

that she should have foreseen
that he might die,

she did not admit that.

She said, "I don't know."

That was honest.

She didn't know.

That is reasonable doubt,
ladies and gentlemen.

She didn't know.

And her doubt...
is also your doubt,

if you take her
at her word.

So I'm gonna ask you
to go back into that room,
and I am gonna...

make the same request
that he just made.

If you don't believe me,

please...

believe her.

Thank you.

[ Spectators Murmuring ]

How long have they been out?
Six hours now.

- They'll suspend at 7:00
and then resume tomorrow.
- You still got a shot?

Ellenor was strong.
Can I talk to you a second?

I've been thinking
about your little...
accusation.

[ Groans ]
I'm sorry about that.

It may be true.

I didn't tell her about us
with any motive
to break you up,

and I do think
you make a great couple.

But I'd be lying if I said
I didn't miss you.

Well, is it--

I-Is this...
gonna be a problem?

I don't think so.

I hope not.

I miss the sex.

I miss being held by you.

I miss you.

- [ Door Opens ]
- Hey, Lindsay--
Jury's back.

- Already?
- Yeah. Let's go.

Jury's back.

I heard.

See you.

See ya.
[ Door Opens, Closes ]

[ Spectators Murmuring ]

Madam Foreperson,

the jury has reached
its unanimous verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

What say you,
Madam Foreperson?

Commonwealth versus Katlin.

On the charge of murder
in the first degree,

we find the defendant,
Sara Katlin,
not guilty.

[ Gasps ]

On the charge of murder
in the second degree,

we find the defendant,
Sara Katlin,

not guilty.

[ Sobbing ]
Thank you.

[ Ellenor ]
Sara, they believed you.

[ Door Opens ]
[ Footsteps ]

What are you doin'?
Just sitting.
What are you doing?

I actually had a date tonight.

I just came by
to pick up my case.

How'd it go?
Terrible.

- She asked me
what I did for a living.
- And you told?

[ Laughs ]
[ Chuckling ]

[ Groans ]
So--

[ Groans ]

What's goin' on?

I think I've been here
too long already.
Uh-oh.

We had a client
who was innocent.

Well, at least more innocent
than guilty.

And we were completely
unprepared for it.

I looked at her like an alien.
Innocent-- What's that?

And it almost cost her.

Have you ever had
an innocent one, Eugene?
Hmm.

I'd have to check.
[ Chuckles ]

But it's like Bobby says--
Every once in a great,
great while,

you get one,
and that's why we do this.

Remember?
I guess.
I don't know.

I'm afraid if I do this too long
I'll lose complete perspective.

It's better since I dropped
the drug dealers,
but still.

Did you know
I've slept with Bobby?

Could you repeat
that last part?
It was a while back.

That's just between us--
your little party favor
for walking in here tonight.

Oh.
I just wonder,
have I lost perspective?

Did sleeping with him
make me lose perspective?

Was I meant to be
a criminal lawyer, or was I
just meant to sleep with one?

I knew everything I was
and wanted to be when I
graduated from law school.

I really did.
And now--
[ Chuckles ]

I know nothing.

Okay. And, uh,
what you don't know--

uh, it's about Bobby?

Not so much Bobby.
I mean, I--

I know what that was...
or wasn't.

It's more about...
everything.

I feel like, being in this
kind of work, I don't know
who I am anymore...

when it comes to everything.

Oh. Welcome to the club.

[ Laughs ]
That's it?

That-- That's your wisdom?
[ Chuckling ]

"Welcome to the club"?

Lindsay, in our line of work,
it isn't too good
to be ponderous.

You got an innocent client
off today.

Enjoy it.
Savor it, even.

[ Woman ]
You stinker!