The Streets of San Francisco (1972–1977): Season 4, Episode 19 - Judgment Day - full transcript
(theme music playing)
♪♪
(elevator bell dings)
Your motion to dismiss
is denied, counsel,
at least for the time.
You may renew your motion
prior to final arguments.
We'll recess for lunch now.
Court will reconvene at 2:00.
♪♪
(knock on door)
Afternoon, Your Honor.
I'm from Education for Lawyers,
the legal publishing house.
- Mm-hmm.
- We have a gift for you, Judge.
A gift?
- Yes.
- What do I have to buy?
(chuckles) No, no strings.
We just feel that our
new book is so important
that every juror
should have a copy.
(phone ringing)
Excuse me.
- The phone.
- Sure.
Oh, come on in.
Close the door.
I've only a few minutes.
Judge Matthews.
Oh, Helen, honey, hi.
Oh, sure, if you
can make it by 1:30.
Oh, I'm so glad you finished.
I can't wait to read it.
Mm-hmm.
Bye, honey.
That was my daughter.
She's on her way over here.
I'm sorry.
I won't even have five minutes.
30 seconds, I promise.
Disbarment proceedings?
I think I'd rather have roses.
(chuckles) You've never read it?
I really wouldn't
have any use for it.
Judges can't sit on
disciplinary review.
But thanks anyway.
No, no, we want you to have it.
All right.
But you have sat on
disbarment boards, haven't you?
Oh, long time ago.
Five years ago?
That book was published then.
It tells why an attorney
should be disbarred
and why he shouldn't.
How could you be
sure you were right
if you never even read the book?
Young man, I've
read a lot of books
in my 20 years
in legal practice.
(alarm buzzes)
You know, it's no
accident that that woman
holding the scales of
justice is blindfolded,
just like you.
Only your blind judgments
have ruined people's lives.
(alarm buzzing)
(chuckles softly)
Well, you won't
pass judgment again.
None of you will.
(alarm buzzing)
(buzzing stops)
(siren wailing)
That makes three in
less than four weeks.
Mm-hmm.
Two judges and
a public defender.
It's got to be the
same killer, Mike.
Any leads?
That depends on
what you give me.
Same as the last two.
.38-caliber slug, close range.
You and the print boys
ought to have this
report mimeographed.
No changes, no
clues, no nothing.
KELLER: Helen.
Steve.
Oh, Steve.
I still can't believe it.
I talked to her
not more than an
hour ago on the phone.
We were going to celebrate
my finishing the law
review article tonight.
Listen, Helen, when you
talked to her on the phone,
did you notice anything
in her voice or her tone?
Helen.
No.
She was happy and warm.
Why would anybody
do that to her?
It doesn't make any sense.
Tom.
Would you take Miss
Matthews home, please?
Oh, no, I want to stay.
There's nothing you can do.
As soon as I have
anything at all...
Any information...
I'll call you.
I promise, all right?
Okay.
Hiya, Bernie.
(sigh) Looks pretty clean.
Mm-hm. Antiseptic.
What do you got?
We have one break this time.
- What?
- You.
Now, you knew
the judge's friends;
maybe you knew
some of her enemies.
No, Mike, Judge is
a very special lady.
On or off the
bench, she was fair.
She didn't have any enemies.
Can I tell you something?
All judges have enemies.
It's an occupational hazard.
What about that public defender?
He wasn't a judge.
No, you're right,
but he was a lawyer,
and that's our common
denominator so far.
That and the fact that
they were all at work
when they were killed.
There's nothing here, come on.
Let's talk to Lenny.
Maybe he's got something.
What's for lunch?
Vinegar.
The recipe for salad
dressing here is simple.
It's vinegar, plain vinegar.
Why didn't you call me back?
I didn't have
anything to say, Mike.
You didn't give me enough to
go on, not even a connection.
Well, that's just what we
don't have, a connection.
Now listen, what we got
is two murdered judges
and a lawyer who never worked
on the same case together.
They live in different
parts of the city.
There's no financial
or personal relationship.
Which leaves us with
nothing but a random killer.
Maybe that's what he is.
Oh, come on now,
you don't believe that.
No, but I can't give you
a psychological profile
on what you've told me either.
Look, I'm a psychiatrist,
not a magician.
You guys make me feel
like a first-year med student.
Feed me a couple
of isolated facts
and expect a full diagnosis.
I almost dropped out
because of teachers like you.
KELLER: You know,
two of the victims
did go to the same
law school, Rutledge.
Why didn't you
tell me that before?
Because the third victim went
to the University of Arizona.
Well, two out of three,
that's better odds than
you're going to get out of me.
If law students
have to go through
the harassment I
did at med school,
I'd bet on the revenge motive.
Thank you very much.
There were at
least 16 professors
I personally wanted to throttle.
Call me.
Let's have lunch sometime.
(horn honking)
You want me to drive?
No, I'm okay.
I was just thinking
about the judge.
Four years of
college, law school,
20 years of practice, and what?
You end up with
a nine-cent bullet.
You and this, um, Helen Matthews
still pretty close?
No, used to be.
I was carrying a
pretty heavy schedule
when I was going to school.
Couple of part-time jobs
when I was doing my classes,
and, uh, I used to crash
on the Matthews' couch.
And Judge, she was
good to me, you know.
She went to bat for me,
got me a partial scholarship.
Maybe she was tired of
you sleeping on her couch.
(chuckles)
But you know that she was
the only one that understood
me going into police
work rather than law.
We'll get him.
Yeah.
And you think that the
killer's name is on this list?
Well, it's just a possibility.
You see, Judge
Matthews and Judge Kline
graduated in the class of '51.
Maybe the murderer did, too.
Oh.
At least we have this
list to check through R&I.
What was the name
of the third victim,
the, uh, the public defender?
Scott. Hazen A. Scott.
Hazen A. Scott?
That's right.
Ms. Prune, uh,
would you get me a list
of the first-year students,
class of '51?
Thank you.
I thought that's
what we had here.
No, no, this is the
graduating class.
There's only 89 names here.
That's why I want to
see the first-year list.
There's 150 started out.
Thank you.
That class only
had 40% flunk-outs.
It was a good class, I remember.
Judge Matthews is
right at the top of the list.
STONE: There it
is, Hazen A. Scott.
Yeah, and that's the connection.
All three of them
went to the school,
but Scott, he transferred
to the University of Arizona.
A connection, but no motive.
Well, it's just 147 names.
Let's run them
through a computer.
What computer?
Look, that list is 20 years old.
Now, I can get somebody
over at alumni records
to get you some more
current addresses.
Well, we'd appreciate that.
May we borrow this?
Of course.
Gentleman, I teach my students
that the lawyer and law
enforcer must support each other.
(chuckles) Because by
the time we get to court,
it certainly looks as if it
works the other way around.
(chuckles) It sort of balances
things out, doesn't it, Dean?
Thank you.
I wonder how many
are still in the Bay Area.
Well, we'll have to check 'em
out no matter where they are.
Yeah, does that check
include a per diem?
♪♪
Good evening, Mr. Johnson.
I'm from Education for Lawyers,
the legal publishing house.
All right, let's go over
our computer again.
All right, the state bar
has got 59 attorneys listed
working in California who
graduated from Rutledge.
And 41 of those are
still in the Bay Area.
Okay, so I'll go down
to the bar association,
I'll get the addresses
on those 41 names.
At this time of night?
Well, I got a friend
who's working down there,
and she said she'd keep
the place open for us.
- Oh, a friend. I see.
- Yes.
Well, would you tell
her that we appreciate
- what she's doing for us?
- Sure.
I knew you would.
Well, my friend Tanner,
tomorrow morning
we pick up the phone and we
call every one of these names.
Tomorrow?
I mean, why not now?
You call 41 attorneys
at this time of night,
we'll have another
victim... you.
(phone ringing)
Homicide. Stone.
Yeah.
What's the address?
Eight, uh-huh.
All right, we'll be there.
Do you have a Brian
Johnson on that Rutledge list?
Uh-uh, why?
Well, he's on somebody's list.
He's an attorney and he's dead.
Grab your coat and
take the list, come on.
MAN: The janitor
called me at home.
He found Brian's
body just as you see it.
I don't understand it.
Is some psychopath
running around,
knocking off lawyers for kicks?
That's what the papers say.
Now, why Brian, huh?
That's just what
we're trying to find out.
Can you tell me what law
school your partner attended?
Law school?
Boalt Hall, we
both went to Boalt.
Just this morning we decided
to take on a new secretary,
a second secretary.
- Boalt...
- Just this m...
- University of California?
- That's right.
Did either of you
ever go to Rutledge?
No, I said Boalt Hall.
What's that got to
do with anything?
Well, that breaks
the connection.
Look, there was nothing taken.
I told the officer
this wasn't a robbery.
Did he have any unhappy
clients, anyone with a grudge?
- Against Brian?
- Yes.
Oh, I doubt it.
He was a very easygoing
guy, introverted, you know.
Me, maybe I, uh, well, I've
got a hot temper sometimes,
but not Brian.
Well, what about
his personal life?
Was he married?
Well, his wife died about
a year ago from cancer.
He all but lived in this office.
Would you check
this list carefully?
Mark off all the names of the
people your partner worked with
and his personal friends.
Now, you don't
think that the killer
was another attorney, do you?
Well, he knew them well enough
to get into their court chambers
and their offices.
Do you know if he expected
to see anyone tonight,
oh, about 9:00?
There's a mark on his calendar.
Not that I know of.
Now, wait a minute,
he did get a call
just as I was
leaving the office,
but I don't know if Brian
promised to see him or not.
You said "him."
Yeah, some guy, at
least it sounded that way,
but, then again, Eddie...
Well, that's the janitor...
He said he never saw
anybody in the hall.
Still it's possible.
Yeah, it's possible.
Brian did take clients on
late at night sometimes.
Like I said, he...
he lived in the office.
Now, that's, that's some help.
Yeah, at least we know
we're looking for a man.
(birds screeching)
Hello.
Excuse me.
Can I help you?
Yes, is Judge Abrams
in his chambers?
He won't be back until tomorrow.
Is he out playing golf?
He's on vacation.
Yeah.
Okay, thank you.
The judge has a
crowded calendar all week.
Anything I can do for you?
No, my business is
personal with the judge.
I'll be back.
STONE: Well, that's it.
No prints, no
witnesses, no connection
except for the.38-caliber slugs,
all fired from the same gun.
Four murders and that's
all the lab can come up with.
KELLER: I'm not
doing much better.
I got three teams
working full-time,
haven't come up with any ties.
Let's look through 'em again.
Maybe we can come
up with something.
Where did you get this?
Tanner picked it up
next to Johnson's body.
(phone rings)
Homicide. Stone.
Oh, yeah, he's right here.
Helen Matthews for you.
Hi. How you feeling?
All right, I guess.
I called to ask a favor of you.
- Sure.
- I'm over here in Mother's
court chambers.
I came to pick up
her personal things,
but they won't release her
books, pictures, anything
without a police authorization.
Hang on just a second.
Can we release Judge
Matthews' personal property?
Yeah, listen, why
don't you hang on?
I'll come on down and help you.
Okay.
You know, Johnson might
have had this in his hand
when he got shot.
What are you trying to say?
I think I saw one of these
on Judge Matthews' desk, too.
It isn't very much to show for
a lifetime of law practice, is it?
Your mother left an impression
on a lot of the
lawyers in this town.
Ask any that were
in court with her.
She made 'em a
lot smarter for it.
Steve, the bailiff spent
two hours packing those.
I'll put it back.
What are you looking for?
This.
This here was on your mother's
desk the day she was killed.
Well, she was always
rechecking the statutes.
Disbarment proceedings, 1971.
This mean anything to you?
No.
Except I don't understand.
She wouldn't care about that.
Why not?
Well, it's five years old.
There's been another
revised edition.
Mother always kept
up on the literature.
Now, why would a
judge and a lawyer have
an outdated copy on their
desk the day they were shot?
You think the killer
brought it with him?
Yeah.
Disbarment's a good motive.
15 members sit on
the disciplinary board.
It changes every year.
Here, these are all of the
proceedings back to 1968.
If you want to go further
back, I'll have to get them
- out of storage.
- Uh, no, I think this will be fine.
Thank you.
Oh, I should think you'd
need a research staff.
Oh, here comes
my staff right now.
Mrs. Hewitt, this
is Lieutenant Stone.
Hello.
Well, I'm sure glad I
brought my glasses.
Yeah, now, these are all the
disbarments between '68 and '71.
Now, the same board
resides for the entire year.
Is that right?
Yes, their names are
on the front of the folders.
- Thank you.
- So, all we got to do
is match our four
names with the year.
So you finally made the
law school pay off, huh?
Maybe.
Here it is, '71.
Hold on, let me see.
Matthews, right,
Johnson, Scott, Kline...
All four who were murdered.
Is there anything unusual about
the disbarment hearings of '71?
Any cases that stood out?
That board rendered
two very close decisions
in the Talmage and Jensen cases.
Eight for, seven against.
Uh, yes,
your four victims voted with
the majority in both cases,
recommending disbarment.
Ronald Talmage... A
great deal of publicity,
misappropriation of trust funds.
He received a long
prison sentence.
The papers were full of it.
Both recommendations
were appealed by the
state Supreme Court.
The other was Elliott
Jensen... Jury tampering.
You remember him of course?
Sure, he's a defender
of liberal causes.
Or radical causes,
depending on where you sit.
Now, if Talmage is still in
prison, that just leaves Jensen.
Want to pick him up?
No, no, I want a lot
of hard facts on him
before we pick him up.
Eight to seven... That's
a tough decision to lose.
Wonder if he was innocent.
Or thinks he was.
(phone rings)
Miss Hewitt.
Yes, he is.
Inspector, it's for you.
Thank you.
Yeah. Keller.
Yeah, Bill, go ahead.
Yeah.
Mm-hmm.
Right.
Yeah.
Thanks a lot.
Well, we can
scratch out two more.
Carter died of a stroke
and Neily is a U.N.
advisor in India.
That's five dead, one out of
the country, and two still living.
What about Lang
and Judge Abrams?
Uh, Lang... He
moved to Los Angeles,
and Abrams... he's still
living in the Bay Area.
Matter of fact, he's
due back in court today.
I think we ought
to call the LAPD,
have 'em put around-the-clock
protection on Lang.
We ought to do the
same for Judge Abrams.
Jensen's had five years
to plan his revenge,
and now we've got
one day to find him
before Judge Abrams comes back.
(tires screech)
Not the greatest neighborhood
for a big-time lawyer.
Yeah, ex-big-time lawyer.
He's on welfare now;
that's how I got his address.
(knocking)
Jensen... sure, I know him.
Three months in arrears.
That's how I know my tenants...
By how much they owe me.
Is he in his room?
Upstairs, front apartment.
Thank you.
He didn't look so bad
when he moved in.
Of course he wasn't exactly
the picture of health, but lately...
Shh...
I knew it, I knew it.
I should have thrown
him out a long time ago.
W-What's he done?
Jensen.
You in there, Jensen?
(chuckling): Yeah.
I've been here forever.
Who wants to know?
San Francisco Police Department.
Oh, San Francisco.
Uh, sorry about the
place, gentlemen,
but I-I-I didn't know
you were coming.
Uh, have a seat.
Or if you prefer to stand...
Um, what's the...
what's the charge, gentleman?
Or is this just
a-a social visit?
When was the last time you
left this room, Mr. Jensen?
The last time, uh...
(chuckles) Long time ago.
Very, very cold and...
Nobody spoke on this...
Nobody said hello or anything.
Yeah, Mrs. Unger was,
uh, Mr. Jensen here
in his room the
night before last?
It's Ms. Unger.
Of course he was
here, just like he is now.
Brought him some soup.
He spilled it all over my rug.
Look at him.
What good is he to
himself or anybody else?
Never dare to judge
until you've heard
the other side, madam.
Do you have anyone
taking care of you?
Any relatives?
Well, somebody said that...
my conscience would be
judgment enough for me.
I always wanted to use
that in court, you know.
Mr. Jensen... Uh, my
wife, uh, she's dead,
but I'm not alone.
He visits me.
Who's that?
My son.
Lovely boy.
Wants to be... a
lawyer like his old man.
I-I... I don't see
him very often,
but I know he cares.
He couldn't hold a gun
steady enough to shoot anyone.
No, but his son could.
Jensen doesn't know where he is.
The landlady has never seen him.
Why don't you start with R&I,
and see if they can't
find out his old law firm.
(groans)
Maybe someone
there will know his son.
You can drop me
off at the courthouse.
- (engine starting)
- Well,
we don't know who's
pulling the trigger,
but I can guarantee
you the next victim.
(tires screeching)
Everybody's life is
in danger, Lieutenant.
Haven't you driven
Market Street lately?
Well, this threat is a little
more direct, Your Honor.
I understand,
but I'm quite sure the
marshals can protect me.
Judge, all I'm asking is
to add to that protection.
While I'm off the
bench, certainly,
but I won't allow my courtroom
to be turned into an armed camp.
Anyway, I'm quite capable
of taking care of myself.
I keep a loaded pistol
in that drawer out there,
and I'm not afraid to use it.
Well, then how
about a compromise?
Stay home until we
get this thing settled.
Lieutenant, my calendar
is more congested
than the Bayshore Freeway.
Besides, the presiding
judge wouldn't allow it.
He already has.
I talked to him.
Now, see here...
- (knocking)
- Come in.
Uh, excuse me, may I
talk to you for a minute?
Uh, Judge Abrams,
Inspector Keller.
Hello.
What have you got?
Barry Jensen.
That's the kid's
name; he's a possible.
Uh, Jensen's partner remembers
he dropped out of Berkeley
about a month after
his father's disbarment.
Possible nervous breakdown.
Wait a minute.
I remember.
The Jensen boy filed an appeal.
Yeah, looks like
he's pronouncing
his own judgments now.
Five-eight, 140
pounds, sandy hair.
That's how he
looked five years ago.
He's 22 now; R&I's
running to check on him,
- motor vehicles, too.
- Wait a minute,
good looking guy, early 20s?
Yeah.
If you have a
crystal ball, Richard,
don't hold out on me.
I can use it to clear
out this backlog.
No, Judge, no crystal ball.
He was in court
yesterday, looking for you.
He said he'd be back.
Your father owes
me three months rent.
Now, I'm gonna
have to call my lawyer.
He's not feeling well right now.
He'll pay you
when he gets better.
Hey, uh, when will that be?
I want my money now, $150.
Where's the rest of it?
You'll get it.
I'll be back.
Dad?
It's me, Barry.
(water running)
Dad?
I'm gonna get you out of
here real soon now, Dad.
Should have done
it a long time ago,
as soon as I got back home.
(sighs)
I promised that doctor
I'd take care of you.
Just had to take
care of them first.
(water running)
Dad?
You all right?
(water running)
Dad?
STONE: Now did you say
his son was headed south?
I didn't say south.
I wouldn't know
south from Miami.
I said he went that way.
But don't you worry, he's going
to come back to pay the rent.
He said so.
Did he say when?
You think he was
putting me on, huh?
Oh, there goes that $100.
You stay in your apartment,
don't open the door for anyone.
We'll keep you
under surveillance.
You think he's dangerous?
We just don't want
to take any chances.
Now, go on.
KELLER: Okay, I'm on
my way, and, uh, tell Tanner
to put Barry Jensen's
DMV photo on my desk.
(sighs) Well, we
can scratch out Lang.
LAPD got him on
DOA, car accident,
hit-and-run.
Did Tanner describe him to you?
Yeah, young male
Caucasian, sandy hair.
- Sounds like Barry.
- Well, it was no accident.
Come on, let's go.
(engine starting)
(tires squealing)
You still think he'll show
while court's in session?
Well, with his father dead,
he's capable of doing anything.
All right.
Just to set the record
straight, you make no decisions.
I'll sit in the
rear of the court,
run decisions by mail later.
All you do is take
matters under submission,
you understand?
Even then, I
doubt that it's legal,
but I'll let the presiding
judge take the rap if it isn't.
(chuckles)
Now, you're the only one
that has seen Barry Jensen.
If you see any young man
come through that courtroom door
that looks like him in any
way, you give me a signal.
Yes, sir.
Well, how do I look?
Like a cop trying
to look like a judge.
All rise, department
two, small claims court
in and for the city and
county of San Francisco
is now in session. Judge
Amos Abrams presiding.
Be seated.
Now, the matter
before this court
is Donner v. Bren.
Are Mr. Richard Donner
and Mr. Alex Bren
present in the courtroom?
Step forward.
Jackson on Criminal Procedures.
One minute.
Hurry it up, will you?
I got to read the last hundred
pages for a test in a hour.
You should have
started a week ago.
(sighs) Save it.
You sound like an old Oliver
Wendell Schwartz himself.
I get enough of that in class.
You'll never make
a trial attorney
if you don't learn to
prepare in advance.
(chuckles) There's
no money in trial work.
Let those clowns knock their
brains out chasing ambulances
and arguing the fine
points of criminal justice.
All I want from my degree
is a fat corporate salary.
Well, the real challenge
is in criminal law.
Where did you get that,
from one of your books?
No.
No, a great trial
attorney proved it to me.
Yeah, okay, so some of
them make it to the top.
But then what do they have,
a footnote in some
dusty legal journal?
(chuckles)
He didn't even have that.
You see what I mean?
I'll take stock options
and big retirement
pay any ol' day.
Representation is
something you buy.
It's like a color TV.
Is that all you think about?
Money and power?
(sighs) Just give
me the book and...
You know, some people
still think about justice!
You're crazy, Barry,
you know that?
Crazy.
The respondent
maliciously and fraudulently
misrepresented the
guarantee on my car.
He said there was
a 90-day warranty
on both parts and
labor, Your Honor.
65 days later,
the transmission went out,
and he flatly refused to fix it.
Come to the point, if you can.
That constitutes an oral
contract, according to the law.
Do you have a witness?
You bet, Your Honor.
My wife heard every word.
Is she in the courtroom?
No, she couldn't
take off work today,
but I have a letter from
her stating all the facts.
I'd like to enter
this as Exhibit A.
Yes.
Um, Exhibit A...
All right, I'll take your
case under submission.
And, uh, you'll receive
the decision by postcard.
Why can't you make
up your mind now?
Because I choose not to.
Well, what's so difficult?
Look, if you want an argument,
I'll give you an argument.
Some judge you are.
Sit down.
(clears throat)
Did you get anything from DMV?
Jackpot.
They're sending us a picture
from his driver's license.
The address was
over two years old
and I checked it... no good.
Why do these guys
always look like choirboys?
Hey, Steve, I got get a copy...
Have DMV make another one.
Mike's in court right now.
When you saw Mr. Leans
painting your house the wrong color,
why didn't you stop him?
I tried, Your Honor,
but he kept telling me,
"Wait until it's through.
You're going to like it."
But you didn't?
Oh, not one little
bit, Your Honor.
See, I picked out this
nice cream, you know?
But he painted it canary yellow!
Oh, I don't know much
about the law, Your Honor,
but if you brought your
car in to be painted red,
and this clown painted it
pink, you wouldn't like it.
Now, would you, Your Honor?
Operator, I want
the bailiff's office.
Hello?
Listen carefully.
I will only say this once.
There's a bomb planted
in department two,
small claims court.
It will go off in five minutes.
(siren wailing)
All I'm asking for is what's
fair and legal, Your Honor.
I mean, a poor housewife
has to have some protection
against dishonest workmen.
I don't have to pay
that man, do I, Judge?
Yes, uh, I'll take your
case un-under submission,
and, um, you'll get
your decision by mail.
Now this court is in recess,
and, uh, I'd like you all
to leave this building
quietly and quickly.
Clear the court. Everybody out.
Directly to the exit, please.
Move quickly, please.
Quickly and
quietly to the exits.
ABRAMS: Well, what's the
matter? What happened?
Call the bomb squad.
Tell them to check out all
the courtrooms in this wing.
All right.
♪♪
Mike, hit it!
(woman screams)
(groaning)
- Come on.
- (groaning)
Mike, it's this way.
I just talked to
the doctor, and...
So did I, over the phone.
So you know he's all right.
Yeah, he's mad as hell, right?
Well, you don't look
so happy, either.
Well, I sealed off
a six-block area,
combed every one of those
buildings, and found nothing.
That kid is either
smart or very lucky.
Well, you look good.
(Keller sighs)
Let me see that
a minute, will you?
Oh, you won't get a
commendation for a scratch like that.
Lenny, use your
influence around here.
I've been here a day. I
want to get out of here.
I'm just a shrink. You get your
walking papers from your doctor.
- How do you feel?
- Lousy. I blew it.
No, you didn't blow it, not
in a crowd like that. Not at all.
Well, I could have avoided
getting shot. (chuckles)
As you get older,
you slow up a bit.
(sighs) Uh-huh, yeah.
Well, I'd just like to
know how he got the piece
into the courthouse
in the first place.
Here.
I want you to read it.
Read it in here.
- What? Oh, no.
- (Stone chuckles)
I bet he even thought
he thought this up, huh?
What is this? First
Year Law Book. Yeah.
I had one of these once.
The stamp's been erased out.
What is this?
R... It's Rutledge?
Yeah, but Jensen
dropped out of Berkeley.
- Yeah, but his father went to Rutledge.
- STONE: So?
So he could be
following in his footsteps.
What are you trying to tell me?
Okay, I'm just lying here
making up my own
psychological profile,
but the boy idolized his father.
Maybe he couldn't
handle the disgrace, right?
Right.
Well, that's obvious.
So, maybe he went to Rutledge.
We never checked
that with the dean.
Now you're thinking.
What do you say, Lenny?
Should we check it out?
Well, what do I
know? You're the cops.
Yeah, we just take the
book down to the lab,
have the boys check
it with an infrared.
(grunts)
- STONE: Can I tell you something?
- Yeah.
I already did.
It came from Rutledge.
So you just lie back
and rest yourself
while we go out and take
care of this thing, huh?
No way. I'm going with you.
Wait, wait, wait. No, the
doctor's got you in here
- Yes, I am.
- For two more days observation.
Mike, I'm depending on
you to get me out of here.
Wait a minute.
You planned this
whole thing, didn't you?
(chuckles)
I knew you wanted
to be on the collar
for personal reasons.
Why does the
department even pay you?
He does all the head work.
KELLER: Could he be
enrolled under an alias?
No, no, we-we verify
every academic transcript.
But this book did
come from your library?
Oh, yes, yeah.
Say, you know what?
You might show this
picture to Mrs. Newton.
That's our librarian.
She might recognize him.
Thank you very much.
(door closes)
(sighing)
(sighs)
Judge Abrams.
Hold it!
(gunshot)
Call the campus police.
♪♪
(siren wailing)
(tires screeching)
All right, you take that
side of the building.
You go around the back.
♪♪
Drop the gun, Jensen!
Don't come up
here, or I'll kill you!
You don't have a chance!
Like my father, huh?
They didn't give him a chance.
They framed him.
They were afraid
he'd revolutionize
their corrupt justice.
He had a chance to
defend himself, Barry.
But they wouldn't
listen to the truth.
They condemned him.
Just like you condemned
all the people you killed.
Who gave you that right?!
They deserved to die, Abrams.
Like you!
Hold it!
STONE: Well, now
just a minute, Judge.
That case was cut-and-dried.
Oh, no, no.
I don't buy that.
No, sir, not for a minute.
All right.
All right, then, what
about the Bren case?
You didn't go for the
used car dealer, did you?
The car dealer was right.
He sold the vehicle
below market price, as is.
He deserves to be paid.
Judgment for the plaintiff.
Yeah, well, to be
honest with you, Judge,
I thought the boy
was telling the truth.
Okay, then, how
about Mrs. Ledbetter?
There's no proof the
painter made a mistake.
The lady changed her mind
after the house was painted.
Obviously, she wanted
it redone for free.
Judgment for the plaintiff?
No question about it.
And what about the Carlson case?
For the defendant?
All right, Your Honor.
Yes, thanks.
Yeah, well... thank you, Judge.
Good-bye.
Oh, no. (laughs)
No, I-I must admit,
it was a great experience
sitting behind that bench.
Yes. Good-bye.
Lunchtime.
Yeah. What do you know.
Judge Abrams'
verdict was opposite
the way I would have
gone in four out of ten cases.
Maybe that's why
you're behind the desk,
and he's behind the bench.
Come on, you're on lunchtime.
No. Wait a minute.
You had two years of
law school, didn't you?
Yeah.
Well, now tell me, if
the defendant challenges
with an oral contract,
and the plaintiff
has no witnesses...
Are you with me so far?
I don't know what
you're talking about.
Well, now wait a minute.
Judge Abrams
on that Ledbetter...
♪♪
(elevator bell dings)
Your motion to dismiss
is denied, counsel,
at least for the time.
You may renew your motion
prior to final arguments.
We'll recess for lunch now.
Court will reconvene at 2:00.
♪♪
(knock on door)
Afternoon, Your Honor.
I'm from Education for Lawyers,
the legal publishing house.
- Mm-hmm.
- We have a gift for you, Judge.
A gift?
- Yes.
- What do I have to buy?
(chuckles) No, no strings.
We just feel that our
new book is so important
that every juror
should have a copy.
(phone ringing)
Excuse me.
- The phone.
- Sure.
Oh, come on in.
Close the door.
I've only a few minutes.
Judge Matthews.
Oh, Helen, honey, hi.
Oh, sure, if you
can make it by 1:30.
Oh, I'm so glad you finished.
I can't wait to read it.
Mm-hmm.
Bye, honey.
That was my daughter.
She's on her way over here.
I'm sorry.
I won't even have five minutes.
30 seconds, I promise.
Disbarment proceedings?
I think I'd rather have roses.
(chuckles) You've never read it?
I really wouldn't
have any use for it.
Judges can't sit on
disciplinary review.
But thanks anyway.
No, no, we want you to have it.
All right.
But you have sat on
disbarment boards, haven't you?
Oh, long time ago.
Five years ago?
That book was published then.
It tells why an attorney
should be disbarred
and why he shouldn't.
How could you be
sure you were right
if you never even read the book?
Young man, I've
read a lot of books
in my 20 years
in legal practice.
(alarm buzzes)
You know, it's no
accident that that woman
holding the scales of
justice is blindfolded,
just like you.
Only your blind judgments
have ruined people's lives.
(alarm buzzing)
(chuckles softly)
Well, you won't
pass judgment again.
None of you will.
(alarm buzzing)
(buzzing stops)
(siren wailing)
That makes three in
less than four weeks.
Mm-hmm.
Two judges and
a public defender.
It's got to be the
same killer, Mike.
Any leads?
That depends on
what you give me.
Same as the last two.
.38-caliber slug, close range.
You and the print boys
ought to have this
report mimeographed.
No changes, no
clues, no nothing.
KELLER: Helen.
Steve.
Oh, Steve.
I still can't believe it.
I talked to her
not more than an
hour ago on the phone.
We were going to celebrate
my finishing the law
review article tonight.
Listen, Helen, when you
talked to her on the phone,
did you notice anything
in her voice or her tone?
Helen.
No.
She was happy and warm.
Why would anybody
do that to her?
It doesn't make any sense.
Tom.
Would you take Miss
Matthews home, please?
Oh, no, I want to stay.
There's nothing you can do.
As soon as I have
anything at all...
Any information...
I'll call you.
I promise, all right?
Okay.
Hiya, Bernie.
(sigh) Looks pretty clean.
Mm-hm. Antiseptic.
What do you got?
We have one break this time.
- What?
- You.
Now, you knew
the judge's friends;
maybe you knew
some of her enemies.
No, Mike, Judge is
a very special lady.
On or off the
bench, she was fair.
She didn't have any enemies.
Can I tell you something?
All judges have enemies.
It's an occupational hazard.
What about that public defender?
He wasn't a judge.
No, you're right,
but he was a lawyer,
and that's our common
denominator so far.
That and the fact that
they were all at work
when they were killed.
There's nothing here, come on.
Let's talk to Lenny.
Maybe he's got something.
What's for lunch?
Vinegar.
The recipe for salad
dressing here is simple.
It's vinegar, plain vinegar.
Why didn't you call me back?
I didn't have
anything to say, Mike.
You didn't give me enough to
go on, not even a connection.
Well, that's just what we
don't have, a connection.
Now listen, what we got
is two murdered judges
and a lawyer who never worked
on the same case together.
They live in different
parts of the city.
There's no financial
or personal relationship.
Which leaves us with
nothing but a random killer.
Maybe that's what he is.
Oh, come on now,
you don't believe that.
No, but I can't give you
a psychological profile
on what you've told me either.
Look, I'm a psychiatrist,
not a magician.
You guys make me feel
like a first-year med student.
Feed me a couple
of isolated facts
and expect a full diagnosis.
I almost dropped out
because of teachers like you.
KELLER: You know,
two of the victims
did go to the same
law school, Rutledge.
Why didn't you
tell me that before?
Because the third victim went
to the University of Arizona.
Well, two out of three,
that's better odds than
you're going to get out of me.
If law students
have to go through
the harassment I
did at med school,
I'd bet on the revenge motive.
Thank you very much.
There were at
least 16 professors
I personally wanted to throttle.
Call me.
Let's have lunch sometime.
(horn honking)
You want me to drive?
No, I'm okay.
I was just thinking
about the judge.
Four years of
college, law school,
20 years of practice, and what?
You end up with
a nine-cent bullet.
You and this, um, Helen Matthews
still pretty close?
No, used to be.
I was carrying a
pretty heavy schedule
when I was going to school.
Couple of part-time jobs
when I was doing my classes,
and, uh, I used to crash
on the Matthews' couch.
And Judge, she was
good to me, you know.
She went to bat for me,
got me a partial scholarship.
Maybe she was tired of
you sleeping on her couch.
(chuckles)
But you know that she was
the only one that understood
me going into police
work rather than law.
We'll get him.
Yeah.
And you think that the
killer's name is on this list?
Well, it's just a possibility.
You see, Judge
Matthews and Judge Kline
graduated in the class of '51.
Maybe the murderer did, too.
Oh.
At least we have this
list to check through R&I.
What was the name
of the third victim,
the, uh, the public defender?
Scott. Hazen A. Scott.
Hazen A. Scott?
That's right.
Ms. Prune, uh,
would you get me a list
of the first-year students,
class of '51?
Thank you.
I thought that's
what we had here.
No, no, this is the
graduating class.
There's only 89 names here.
That's why I want to
see the first-year list.
There's 150 started out.
Thank you.
That class only
had 40% flunk-outs.
It was a good class, I remember.
Judge Matthews is
right at the top of the list.
STONE: There it
is, Hazen A. Scott.
Yeah, and that's the connection.
All three of them
went to the school,
but Scott, he transferred
to the University of Arizona.
A connection, but no motive.
Well, it's just 147 names.
Let's run them
through a computer.
What computer?
Look, that list is 20 years old.
Now, I can get somebody
over at alumni records
to get you some more
current addresses.
Well, we'd appreciate that.
May we borrow this?
Of course.
Gentleman, I teach my students
that the lawyer and law
enforcer must support each other.
(chuckles) Because by
the time we get to court,
it certainly looks as if it
works the other way around.
(chuckles) It sort of balances
things out, doesn't it, Dean?
Thank you.
I wonder how many
are still in the Bay Area.
Well, we'll have to check 'em
out no matter where they are.
Yeah, does that check
include a per diem?
♪♪
Good evening, Mr. Johnson.
I'm from Education for Lawyers,
the legal publishing house.
All right, let's go over
our computer again.
All right, the state bar
has got 59 attorneys listed
working in California who
graduated from Rutledge.
And 41 of those are
still in the Bay Area.
Okay, so I'll go down
to the bar association,
I'll get the addresses
on those 41 names.
At this time of night?
Well, I got a friend
who's working down there,
and she said she'd keep
the place open for us.
- Oh, a friend. I see.
- Yes.
Well, would you tell
her that we appreciate
- what she's doing for us?
- Sure.
I knew you would.
Well, my friend Tanner,
tomorrow morning
we pick up the phone and we
call every one of these names.
Tomorrow?
I mean, why not now?
You call 41 attorneys
at this time of night,
we'll have another
victim... you.
(phone ringing)
Homicide. Stone.
Yeah.
What's the address?
Eight, uh-huh.
All right, we'll be there.
Do you have a Brian
Johnson on that Rutledge list?
Uh-uh, why?
Well, he's on somebody's list.
He's an attorney and he's dead.
Grab your coat and
take the list, come on.
MAN: The janitor
called me at home.
He found Brian's
body just as you see it.
I don't understand it.
Is some psychopath
running around,
knocking off lawyers for kicks?
That's what the papers say.
Now, why Brian, huh?
That's just what
we're trying to find out.
Can you tell me what law
school your partner attended?
Law school?
Boalt Hall, we
both went to Boalt.
Just this morning we decided
to take on a new secretary,
a second secretary.
- Boalt...
- Just this m...
- University of California?
- That's right.
Did either of you
ever go to Rutledge?
No, I said Boalt Hall.
What's that got to
do with anything?
Well, that breaks
the connection.
Look, there was nothing taken.
I told the officer
this wasn't a robbery.
Did he have any unhappy
clients, anyone with a grudge?
- Against Brian?
- Yes.
Oh, I doubt it.
He was a very easygoing
guy, introverted, you know.
Me, maybe I, uh, well, I've
got a hot temper sometimes,
but not Brian.
Well, what about
his personal life?
Was he married?
Well, his wife died about
a year ago from cancer.
He all but lived in this office.
Would you check
this list carefully?
Mark off all the names of the
people your partner worked with
and his personal friends.
Now, you don't
think that the killer
was another attorney, do you?
Well, he knew them well enough
to get into their court chambers
and their offices.
Do you know if he expected
to see anyone tonight,
oh, about 9:00?
There's a mark on his calendar.
Not that I know of.
Now, wait a minute,
he did get a call
just as I was
leaving the office,
but I don't know if Brian
promised to see him or not.
You said "him."
Yeah, some guy, at
least it sounded that way,
but, then again, Eddie...
Well, that's the janitor...
He said he never saw
anybody in the hall.
Still it's possible.
Yeah, it's possible.
Brian did take clients on
late at night sometimes.
Like I said, he...
he lived in the office.
Now, that's, that's some help.
Yeah, at least we know
we're looking for a man.
(birds screeching)
Hello.
Excuse me.
Can I help you?
Yes, is Judge Abrams
in his chambers?
He won't be back until tomorrow.
Is he out playing golf?
He's on vacation.
Yeah.
Okay, thank you.
The judge has a
crowded calendar all week.
Anything I can do for you?
No, my business is
personal with the judge.
I'll be back.
STONE: Well, that's it.
No prints, no
witnesses, no connection
except for the.38-caliber slugs,
all fired from the same gun.
Four murders and that's
all the lab can come up with.
KELLER: I'm not
doing much better.
I got three teams
working full-time,
haven't come up with any ties.
Let's look through 'em again.
Maybe we can come
up with something.
Where did you get this?
Tanner picked it up
next to Johnson's body.
(phone rings)
Homicide. Stone.
Oh, yeah, he's right here.
Helen Matthews for you.
Hi. How you feeling?
All right, I guess.
I called to ask a favor of you.
- Sure.
- I'm over here in Mother's
court chambers.
I came to pick up
her personal things,
but they won't release her
books, pictures, anything
without a police authorization.
Hang on just a second.
Can we release Judge
Matthews' personal property?
Yeah, listen, why
don't you hang on?
I'll come on down and help you.
Okay.
You know, Johnson might
have had this in his hand
when he got shot.
What are you trying to say?
I think I saw one of these
on Judge Matthews' desk, too.
It isn't very much to show for
a lifetime of law practice, is it?
Your mother left an impression
on a lot of the
lawyers in this town.
Ask any that were
in court with her.
She made 'em a
lot smarter for it.
Steve, the bailiff spent
two hours packing those.
I'll put it back.
What are you looking for?
This.
This here was on your mother's
desk the day she was killed.
Well, she was always
rechecking the statutes.
Disbarment proceedings, 1971.
This mean anything to you?
No.
Except I don't understand.
She wouldn't care about that.
Why not?
Well, it's five years old.
There's been another
revised edition.
Mother always kept
up on the literature.
Now, why would a
judge and a lawyer have
an outdated copy on their
desk the day they were shot?
You think the killer
brought it with him?
Yeah.
Disbarment's a good motive.
15 members sit on
the disciplinary board.
It changes every year.
Here, these are all of the
proceedings back to 1968.
If you want to go further
back, I'll have to get them
- out of storage.
- Uh, no, I think this will be fine.
Thank you.
Oh, I should think you'd
need a research staff.
Oh, here comes
my staff right now.
Mrs. Hewitt, this
is Lieutenant Stone.
Hello.
Well, I'm sure glad I
brought my glasses.
Yeah, now, these are all the
disbarments between '68 and '71.
Now, the same board
resides for the entire year.
Is that right?
Yes, their names are
on the front of the folders.
- Thank you.
- So, all we got to do
is match our four
names with the year.
So you finally made the
law school pay off, huh?
Maybe.
Here it is, '71.
Hold on, let me see.
Matthews, right,
Johnson, Scott, Kline...
All four who were murdered.
Is there anything unusual about
the disbarment hearings of '71?
Any cases that stood out?
That board rendered
two very close decisions
in the Talmage and Jensen cases.
Eight for, seven against.
Uh, yes,
your four victims voted with
the majority in both cases,
recommending disbarment.
Ronald Talmage... A
great deal of publicity,
misappropriation of trust funds.
He received a long
prison sentence.
The papers were full of it.
Both recommendations
were appealed by the
state Supreme Court.
The other was Elliott
Jensen... Jury tampering.
You remember him of course?
Sure, he's a defender
of liberal causes.
Or radical causes,
depending on where you sit.
Now, if Talmage is still in
prison, that just leaves Jensen.
Want to pick him up?
No, no, I want a lot
of hard facts on him
before we pick him up.
Eight to seven... That's
a tough decision to lose.
Wonder if he was innocent.
Or thinks he was.
(phone rings)
Miss Hewitt.
Yes, he is.
Inspector, it's for you.
Thank you.
Yeah. Keller.
Yeah, Bill, go ahead.
Yeah.
Mm-hmm.
Right.
Yeah.
Thanks a lot.
Well, we can
scratch out two more.
Carter died of a stroke
and Neily is a U.N.
advisor in India.
That's five dead, one out of
the country, and two still living.
What about Lang
and Judge Abrams?
Uh, Lang... He
moved to Los Angeles,
and Abrams... he's still
living in the Bay Area.
Matter of fact, he's
due back in court today.
I think we ought
to call the LAPD,
have 'em put around-the-clock
protection on Lang.
We ought to do the
same for Judge Abrams.
Jensen's had five years
to plan his revenge,
and now we've got
one day to find him
before Judge Abrams comes back.
(tires screech)
Not the greatest neighborhood
for a big-time lawyer.
Yeah, ex-big-time lawyer.
He's on welfare now;
that's how I got his address.
(knocking)
Jensen... sure, I know him.
Three months in arrears.
That's how I know my tenants...
By how much they owe me.
Is he in his room?
Upstairs, front apartment.
Thank you.
He didn't look so bad
when he moved in.
Of course he wasn't exactly
the picture of health, but lately...
Shh...
I knew it, I knew it.
I should have thrown
him out a long time ago.
W-What's he done?
Jensen.
You in there, Jensen?
(chuckling): Yeah.
I've been here forever.
Who wants to know?
San Francisco Police Department.
Oh, San Francisco.
Uh, sorry about the
place, gentlemen,
but I-I-I didn't know
you were coming.
Uh, have a seat.
Or if you prefer to stand...
Um, what's the...
what's the charge, gentleman?
Or is this just
a-a social visit?
When was the last time you
left this room, Mr. Jensen?
The last time, uh...
(chuckles) Long time ago.
Very, very cold and...
Nobody spoke on this...
Nobody said hello or anything.
Yeah, Mrs. Unger was,
uh, Mr. Jensen here
in his room the
night before last?
It's Ms. Unger.
Of course he was
here, just like he is now.
Brought him some soup.
He spilled it all over my rug.
Look at him.
What good is he to
himself or anybody else?
Never dare to judge
until you've heard
the other side, madam.
Do you have anyone
taking care of you?
Any relatives?
Well, somebody said that...
my conscience would be
judgment enough for me.
I always wanted to use
that in court, you know.
Mr. Jensen... Uh, my
wife, uh, she's dead,
but I'm not alone.
He visits me.
Who's that?
My son.
Lovely boy.
Wants to be... a
lawyer like his old man.
I-I... I don't see
him very often,
but I know he cares.
He couldn't hold a gun
steady enough to shoot anyone.
No, but his son could.
Jensen doesn't know where he is.
The landlady has never seen him.
Why don't you start with R&I,
and see if they can't
find out his old law firm.
(groans)
Maybe someone
there will know his son.
You can drop me
off at the courthouse.
- (engine starting)
- Well,
we don't know who's
pulling the trigger,
but I can guarantee
you the next victim.
(tires screeching)
Everybody's life is
in danger, Lieutenant.
Haven't you driven
Market Street lately?
Well, this threat is a little
more direct, Your Honor.
I understand,
but I'm quite sure the
marshals can protect me.
Judge, all I'm asking is
to add to that protection.
While I'm off the
bench, certainly,
but I won't allow my courtroom
to be turned into an armed camp.
Anyway, I'm quite capable
of taking care of myself.
I keep a loaded pistol
in that drawer out there,
and I'm not afraid to use it.
Well, then how
about a compromise?
Stay home until we
get this thing settled.
Lieutenant, my calendar
is more congested
than the Bayshore Freeway.
Besides, the presiding
judge wouldn't allow it.
He already has.
I talked to him.
Now, see here...
- (knocking)
- Come in.
Uh, excuse me, may I
talk to you for a minute?
Uh, Judge Abrams,
Inspector Keller.
Hello.
What have you got?
Barry Jensen.
That's the kid's
name; he's a possible.
Uh, Jensen's partner remembers
he dropped out of Berkeley
about a month after
his father's disbarment.
Possible nervous breakdown.
Wait a minute.
I remember.
The Jensen boy filed an appeal.
Yeah, looks like
he's pronouncing
his own judgments now.
Five-eight, 140
pounds, sandy hair.
That's how he
looked five years ago.
He's 22 now; R&I's
running to check on him,
- motor vehicles, too.
- Wait a minute,
good looking guy, early 20s?
Yeah.
If you have a
crystal ball, Richard,
don't hold out on me.
I can use it to clear
out this backlog.
No, Judge, no crystal ball.
He was in court
yesterday, looking for you.
He said he'd be back.
Your father owes
me three months rent.
Now, I'm gonna
have to call my lawyer.
He's not feeling well right now.
He'll pay you
when he gets better.
Hey, uh, when will that be?
I want my money now, $150.
Where's the rest of it?
You'll get it.
I'll be back.
Dad?
It's me, Barry.
(water running)
Dad?
I'm gonna get you out of
here real soon now, Dad.
Should have done
it a long time ago,
as soon as I got back home.
(sighs)
I promised that doctor
I'd take care of you.
Just had to take
care of them first.
(water running)
Dad?
You all right?
(water running)
Dad?
STONE: Now did you say
his son was headed south?
I didn't say south.
I wouldn't know
south from Miami.
I said he went that way.
But don't you worry, he's going
to come back to pay the rent.
He said so.
Did he say when?
You think he was
putting me on, huh?
Oh, there goes that $100.
You stay in your apartment,
don't open the door for anyone.
We'll keep you
under surveillance.
You think he's dangerous?
We just don't want
to take any chances.
Now, go on.
KELLER: Okay, I'm on
my way, and, uh, tell Tanner
to put Barry Jensen's
DMV photo on my desk.
(sighs) Well, we
can scratch out Lang.
LAPD got him on
DOA, car accident,
hit-and-run.
Did Tanner describe him to you?
Yeah, young male
Caucasian, sandy hair.
- Sounds like Barry.
- Well, it was no accident.
Come on, let's go.
(engine starting)
(tires squealing)
You still think he'll show
while court's in session?
Well, with his father dead,
he's capable of doing anything.
All right.
Just to set the record
straight, you make no decisions.
I'll sit in the
rear of the court,
run decisions by mail later.
All you do is take
matters under submission,
you understand?
Even then, I
doubt that it's legal,
but I'll let the presiding
judge take the rap if it isn't.
(chuckles)
Now, you're the only one
that has seen Barry Jensen.
If you see any young man
come through that courtroom door
that looks like him in any
way, you give me a signal.
Yes, sir.
Well, how do I look?
Like a cop trying
to look like a judge.
All rise, department
two, small claims court
in and for the city and
county of San Francisco
is now in session. Judge
Amos Abrams presiding.
Be seated.
Now, the matter
before this court
is Donner v. Bren.
Are Mr. Richard Donner
and Mr. Alex Bren
present in the courtroom?
Step forward.
Jackson on Criminal Procedures.
One minute.
Hurry it up, will you?
I got to read the last hundred
pages for a test in a hour.
You should have
started a week ago.
(sighs) Save it.
You sound like an old Oliver
Wendell Schwartz himself.
I get enough of that in class.
You'll never make
a trial attorney
if you don't learn to
prepare in advance.
(chuckles) There's
no money in trial work.
Let those clowns knock their
brains out chasing ambulances
and arguing the fine
points of criminal justice.
All I want from my degree
is a fat corporate salary.
Well, the real challenge
is in criminal law.
Where did you get that,
from one of your books?
No.
No, a great trial
attorney proved it to me.
Yeah, okay, so some of
them make it to the top.
But then what do they have,
a footnote in some
dusty legal journal?
(chuckles)
He didn't even have that.
You see what I mean?
I'll take stock options
and big retirement
pay any ol' day.
Representation is
something you buy.
It's like a color TV.
Is that all you think about?
Money and power?
(sighs) Just give
me the book and...
You know, some people
still think about justice!
You're crazy, Barry,
you know that?
Crazy.
The respondent
maliciously and fraudulently
misrepresented the
guarantee on my car.
He said there was
a 90-day warranty
on both parts and
labor, Your Honor.
65 days later,
the transmission went out,
and he flatly refused to fix it.
Come to the point, if you can.
That constitutes an oral
contract, according to the law.
Do you have a witness?
You bet, Your Honor.
My wife heard every word.
Is she in the courtroom?
No, she couldn't
take off work today,
but I have a letter from
her stating all the facts.
I'd like to enter
this as Exhibit A.
Yes.
Um, Exhibit A...
All right, I'll take your
case under submission.
And, uh, you'll receive
the decision by postcard.
Why can't you make
up your mind now?
Because I choose not to.
Well, what's so difficult?
Look, if you want an argument,
I'll give you an argument.
Some judge you are.
Sit down.
(clears throat)
Did you get anything from DMV?
Jackpot.
They're sending us a picture
from his driver's license.
The address was
over two years old
and I checked it... no good.
Why do these guys
always look like choirboys?
Hey, Steve, I got get a copy...
Have DMV make another one.
Mike's in court right now.
When you saw Mr. Leans
painting your house the wrong color,
why didn't you stop him?
I tried, Your Honor,
but he kept telling me,
"Wait until it's through.
You're going to like it."
But you didn't?
Oh, not one little
bit, Your Honor.
See, I picked out this
nice cream, you know?
But he painted it canary yellow!
Oh, I don't know much
about the law, Your Honor,
but if you brought your
car in to be painted red,
and this clown painted it
pink, you wouldn't like it.
Now, would you, Your Honor?
Operator, I want
the bailiff's office.
Hello?
Listen carefully.
I will only say this once.
There's a bomb planted
in department two,
small claims court.
It will go off in five minutes.
(siren wailing)
All I'm asking for is what's
fair and legal, Your Honor.
I mean, a poor housewife
has to have some protection
against dishonest workmen.
I don't have to pay
that man, do I, Judge?
Yes, uh, I'll take your
case un-under submission,
and, um, you'll get
your decision by mail.
Now this court is in recess,
and, uh, I'd like you all
to leave this building
quietly and quickly.
Clear the court. Everybody out.
Directly to the exit, please.
Move quickly, please.
Quickly and
quietly to the exits.
ABRAMS: Well, what's the
matter? What happened?
Call the bomb squad.
Tell them to check out all
the courtrooms in this wing.
All right.
♪♪
Mike, hit it!
(woman screams)
(groaning)
- Come on.
- (groaning)
Mike, it's this way.
I just talked to
the doctor, and...
So did I, over the phone.
So you know he's all right.
Yeah, he's mad as hell, right?
Well, you don't look
so happy, either.
Well, I sealed off
a six-block area,
combed every one of those
buildings, and found nothing.
That kid is either
smart or very lucky.
Well, you look good.
(Keller sighs)
Let me see that
a minute, will you?
Oh, you won't get a
commendation for a scratch like that.
Lenny, use your
influence around here.
I've been here a day. I
want to get out of here.
I'm just a shrink. You get your
walking papers from your doctor.
- How do you feel?
- Lousy. I blew it.
No, you didn't blow it, not
in a crowd like that. Not at all.
Well, I could have avoided
getting shot. (chuckles)
As you get older,
you slow up a bit.
(sighs) Uh-huh, yeah.
Well, I'd just like to
know how he got the piece
into the courthouse
in the first place.
Here.
I want you to read it.
Read it in here.
- What? Oh, no.
- (Stone chuckles)
I bet he even thought
he thought this up, huh?
What is this? First
Year Law Book. Yeah.
I had one of these once.
The stamp's been erased out.
What is this?
R... It's Rutledge?
Yeah, but Jensen
dropped out of Berkeley.
- Yeah, but his father went to Rutledge.
- STONE: So?
So he could be
following in his footsteps.
What are you trying to tell me?
Okay, I'm just lying here
making up my own
psychological profile,
but the boy idolized his father.
Maybe he couldn't
handle the disgrace, right?
Right.
Well, that's obvious.
So, maybe he went to Rutledge.
We never checked
that with the dean.
Now you're thinking.
What do you say, Lenny?
Should we check it out?
Well, what do I
know? You're the cops.
Yeah, we just take the
book down to the lab,
have the boys check
it with an infrared.
(grunts)
- STONE: Can I tell you something?
- Yeah.
I already did.
It came from Rutledge.
So you just lie back
and rest yourself
while we go out and take
care of this thing, huh?
No way. I'm going with you.
Wait, wait, wait. No, the
doctor's got you in here
- Yes, I am.
- For two more days observation.
Mike, I'm depending on
you to get me out of here.
Wait a minute.
You planned this
whole thing, didn't you?
(chuckles)
I knew you wanted
to be on the collar
for personal reasons.
Why does the
department even pay you?
He does all the head work.
KELLER: Could he be
enrolled under an alias?
No, no, we-we verify
every academic transcript.
But this book did
come from your library?
Oh, yes, yeah.
Say, you know what?
You might show this
picture to Mrs. Newton.
That's our librarian.
She might recognize him.
Thank you very much.
(door closes)
(sighing)
(sighs)
Judge Abrams.
Hold it!
(gunshot)
Call the campus police.
♪♪
(siren wailing)
(tires screeching)
All right, you take that
side of the building.
You go around the back.
♪♪
Drop the gun, Jensen!
Don't come up
here, or I'll kill you!
You don't have a chance!
Like my father, huh?
They didn't give him a chance.
They framed him.
They were afraid
he'd revolutionize
their corrupt justice.
He had a chance to
defend himself, Barry.
But they wouldn't
listen to the truth.
They condemned him.
Just like you condemned
all the people you killed.
Who gave you that right?!
They deserved to die, Abrams.
Like you!
Hold it!
STONE: Well, now
just a minute, Judge.
That case was cut-and-dried.
Oh, no, no.
I don't buy that.
No, sir, not for a minute.
All right.
All right, then, what
about the Bren case?
You didn't go for the
used car dealer, did you?
The car dealer was right.
He sold the vehicle
below market price, as is.
He deserves to be paid.
Judgment for the plaintiff.
Yeah, well, to be
honest with you, Judge,
I thought the boy
was telling the truth.
Okay, then, how
about Mrs. Ledbetter?
There's no proof the
painter made a mistake.
The lady changed her mind
after the house was painted.
Obviously, she wanted
it redone for free.
Judgment for the plaintiff?
No question about it.
And what about the Carlson case?
For the defendant?
All right, Your Honor.
Yes, thanks.
Yeah, well... thank you, Judge.
Good-bye.
Oh, no. (laughs)
No, I-I must admit,
it was a great experience
sitting behind that bench.
Yes. Good-bye.
Lunchtime.
Yeah. What do you know.
Judge Abrams'
verdict was opposite
the way I would have
gone in four out of ten cases.
Maybe that's why
you're behind the desk,
and he's behind the bench.
Come on, you're on lunchtime.
No. Wait a minute.
You had two years of
law school, didn't you?
Yeah.
Well, now tell me, if
the defendant challenges
with an oral contract,
and the plaintiff
has no witnesses...
Are you with me so far?
I don't know what
you're talking about.
Well, now wait a minute.
Judge Abrams
on that Ledbetter...