07x19 - Blind Justice

[bunniefuu]

Here's your
bag, adam.

Welcome back
to sleepy eye.

Thanks.

Houston: hey, adam!

Adam!
[Chuckles]

Oh, boy.
Welcome home, adam.
Welcome home.

I'll take that.

Hi, houston.

Why isn't
mary here?

Well, something come up
at the last minute.
She couldn't make it.

You know something?
Taking care of
that dadgum school

Is one mess
after another.

Last night, the
plumbing backed up
again.

You know, I never did
cotton to that newfangled
indoor plumbing, anyhow.

Well, how's it feel
to be a new fledged
lawyer fellow, anyhow?

Everybody going to
be happy to see you.

I knew you'd
make it down there.

I'll be dadgum, boy,
I'm telling you
right now,

There's lots of things
you can take care of
around here.

Well, here we
are, adam.

Hey, mr. Lawyer!

[Indistinct chatter]

Welcome back.

Mary!

Hey, there.

I've been
dreaming of
this moment.

Oh, me, too.

You know,
for a while,
there,

I didn't think
anyone was too
much excited.

I think
we were.

If you'll stop kissing my
daughter long enough,
I've got a speech to make.

Now, we all know how
hard you worked to
become a lawyer,

And we just don't want
you to keep it a
secret, so, here.

Thank you.

It's beautiful.

What is it?

It's a sign.

It says "adam kendall,
attorney at law."

Speech.

Charles...
All of you,

Thank you so much.

Houston: adam, we
got a regular feast
set up for you

In the dining
room there.

I thought
sure as sh**t'
you'd smell it.

Caroline:
come on, everybody.

I can't believe
I ate so much.

Ma was pleased.
She fixed most of it.

We could've used
her at law school.

We used leftovers
to patch the cracks
in the plaster.

[Laughs]

Well, now that
you've been fed,
mr. Kendall,

What happens next?

Well, mr. Davis
did promise

That junior
partnership
in his firm.

First thing in the
morning, I guess
I go to work.

You know,
president arthur
was a lawyer.

I wonder
how I'd do
as first lady?

Not so fast.
I haven't even had
my first case yet.

But the white house
is so pretty.

So are you.

Welcome home.

Well, mr. Kendall.

Hello, mr. Davis.

- Good to see you again.
- Thank you.

Come on in,
come on in.

Sit down, sit down,
sit down, sit down.

Thank you.

I can't spare
you too much time.

I have a meeting--
a lunch meeting with
a circuit court judge.

Well, this shouldn't
take too long.

Well, it's certainly
a surprise to
see you again.

A surprise?
Didn't you
get my letter?

Letter? Oh!
Yes--yes, I did,
yes, I did.

That was over a month
ago, though, wasn't it?

- Yes.
- Yeah.

Well, how did you
find law school?

- Pretty tough.
- Yeah, I thought you would.

Considering
your circumstances.

My circumstances?

Well, I mean,
all those years

Of not being
able to see.

Well, it must not
have hurt me too much.

I finished in
the top 1%
of my class.

Oh, did you, now?
Did you? Well...

That's
very impressive.

Congratulations.

I'm sure you're going
to make a big success.

Look, I hate
to cut this short,

But as I told you,
I do have this meeting.

Oh, I don't want
to take up any
of your time,

I just wanted
to find out when
I should start.

Start?

Yes, with your firm.

[Sighs]

Well...

You do remember saying
that if I passed the bar,

There'd be a job
waiting for me?

Adam--

[Clears throat]

Sleepy eye is a expanding,
growing community,

And my law business
is growing right
along with it.

Now, I'll be
honest with you.

I really couldn't
count on--well, no,
I'll rephrase that--

I couldn't wait
for you to graduate.

Now, the young man
that you saw outside
when you came in,

That's daniel sloane.

He joined me
about 6 weeks ago,

And he's very capable.

Mr. Davis...

You gave me
your word.

We had an agreement.

I've been counting
on this job.

We shook hands on it.

Well, I'm sorry.

I am sorry!

Time and circumstances
change things.

Well, yes, they do,
but if you knew that,

Why did you
promise me the job
in the first place?

I said I was sorry,
mr. Kendall.

So you did.

Ready for lunch,
arthur?

Morning,
your honor.

So, who says you've
got to have a partner
to get started in business?

Houston,
I went to every law
office in town today,

And not many of them
looked prosperous.

I just don't think
I'd do well on my own.

But you have to
practice law.

Well, that's
right, but...

Not here.

What?

I think I should go
where I'm needed.

Adam, what are
you saying?

Sounds like
he's leaving
sleepy eye.

That's what
it sounds like.

It came to me
all of a sudden

On the way
home tonight.

What did?

Walnut grove
doesn't have a lawyer.

Walnut grove?

Houston: adam.

Are you really serious
about leaving the school?

Yes.

Well, with you and mary gone,
what will happen to it?

What do you mean
what's going to
happen to it?

I was running
a school

When these two
were still listening
to bedtime stories.

Oh, hester-sue,
we just can't
leave you here--

Hester-sue:
listen, mary.

That sheepskin of his
is not wallpaper,

And he should use it.

Now, if he thinks
going to walnut grove
is the thing to do,

Then you should do it.

Like I said, I was
running a school
before by myself

And I can do it again.

And you won't
be idle, yourself.

I'm going to need
a secretary.

You type well
and take good notes.

Hester-sue:
yes, and with
all those dots,

No one will ever
know what's private.

[Laughs]

What do you think?

Oh, i--i don't know.

It's all so sudden.

Your family will
be real happy.

Well?

All right.
We'll go.

Adam: great!

You know,
all of a sudden,
I'm starving.

I think I'll have
a piece of that pie
after all, hester-sue.

Coming up.

Are you sure
about this?

I'm sure.

Houston, you could
smell that pipe all
the way to springfield.

Not as far as
walnut grove.

Oh.

Houston,
what's wrong?

Dadgum rheumatism,
I reckon.

I just got through
loading adam's trunk

All the way
up to the top
of the attic,

And now I got to go
and lug it all the
way back down again.

You know,
I'm sure going
to miss this place.

So many memories.

Yeah, I especially
recall the day

That feisty little
sister of yours

Come stomping up
them steps

Wanting to rent
this here place.

I ain't had a moment
of peace since.

And you've loved
every minute of it.

Yeah.
I'm not
the only one.

You and adam put
this school together.

It just don't seem
right to up and move.

Houston, you know
it has to be.

There's no future
for adam here.

If it weren't
walnut grove,

It would have to be
somewhere else.

The important thing

Is that adam and I will be
working together again.

Besides, we'll
have the family.

Yeah, but you
already have a family.

I mean, with you gone,

Who do you think
all them little ones
will be running up to?

"Houston, will you
tie my shoes?"

"Houston, will you tell
us a bedtime story?"

And the next thing
I know, hester-sue
will have me

Peeling taters
and stirring the soup.

Just like
you've always done.

Yeah, I reckon so.

You know, mary,

You've been
something special...

Since the first day
you came through that door

And lit this
whole place up.

Like some
kind of angel.

It just ain't going to be
the same without you.

Well...

I'm going to miss
you, too, houston.

You really are
a sweet man.

Don't let it
get around.

Good night, houston.

Here they come.

There they are.
Hey!

Have a good
trip, honey?

Yes, hi.

Laura: hi, adam.
Carrie: hi, mary.

Caroline:
welcome home!

Adam: how are you?

Caroline:
you must be
tired and hungry.

Adam: well, I'm not
tired, but the hungry
part is true.

Everything's ready.
Come on inside.

- I'll get your bags.
- Let me give you a hand.

What's going on
over there?

Oh, that's
edgar mills.

He's going to the
market on a big stretch
of land up north.

He and mrs. Oleson
set up a company
selling shares.

Have you bought any?

No, I got plumbing
to fix and a new
[indistinct] to buy.

Signs looks like
she's got plenty
of takers.

Reverend allen:
adam! Adam.

Reverend alden.

Home at last.
It's good to see you.

It's good
to be back.

You're planning on
buying into mrs. Oleson's
land deal?

Indeed I am. I think
it's a good investment
for the church.

Maybe I better
get over there
before he sells out.

I've never seen this
town get so fired up.

There's something about
the smell of easy money

That does get
folks excited.

Come on, let's
get something to eat.

Yeah.

It's a perfect location.
It's right above
the post office.

There's even
a desk that
somebody left.

Albert:
well, all you need
now is a house.

Almanzo: the apartment that
we were talking about at
the old caldwell place.

Charles: now, that's
been sitting idle since
they moved back east.

Laura: and it's
right near us.

Adam: no, it'll be a while
before we can think about
getting into a house.

Charles: I'll bet I could help.
I could co-sign a loan
for you at the bank.

That's kind,
sir, but no.

I want to see what
kind of a living I'm
going to make first.

We'll be fine
at the hotel.

And we won't
have to worry about
missing a client

As long as we're
living in the office.

Now, that's
the truth.

Who wants
to say grace?

Baby grace.

[Laughing]

I will.

Dear lord,
we thank you

For this food
you've set
before us.

But most of all,
we thank you

For bringing
our family
together again,

A dream we
never expected.

Amen.

Men: amen.

Dr. Baker:
well, I don't know.

Mills:
there won't be many
shares left to sell.

Dr. Baker, you're
passing up a chance
of a lifetime.

I have to
think it over.

Oh, for heaven's sake.
What's there to
think over?

Dr. Baker: mrs. Oleson,
when you came into my office

With a pain
in your middle,

I didn't cut you
right open.

I thought it over.

And when I had,
I prescribed--

Ah! It isn't necessary

To discuss my
medical history,
for heaven's sake.

I'm sorry.

I'll think
it over.

Mills: suit yourself.
Who's next, please?

Thank you,
young man.

The shingle is up.
The diploma's on
the wall.

I guess
we're all set.

Not quite. No office
is finished without
a plant to brighten it up.

Now we're all set.

[Knock on door]

Right on time.
Your first client.

It's more likely

Someone complaining
about the noise.

Nels!
Come on in.

- Good morning.
- Good morning.

Well, looks like
you're all set
for business.

Yeah, all we need
now is a client.

Well, this is
not entirely
a social call.

See, adam?
What did I tell you?

Have a seat.

No, I don't
have to sit.

This is
about this land
development scheme

That harriet
has gotten into.

Everybody in town is
drawing their money
out of the bank,

They're buying
everything from
me at credit,

Just so they can put
all of their money

Into this
land thing.

Yeah,
we noticed.

Well, the sun is
going to rise in the
morning as usual,

And I don't want
to find that I've got
a lot of unpaid bills.

Do you think
it's a fraud?

Probably not.

Mr. Mills
clearly has title.
I checked that.

And he has that offer
from the railroad--
a tentative offer, at least.

That was quite
a coup he made

Getting that land
when he did.

Caused quite a smash
in the business circles.

You should see all
the newspaper clippings

He showed me.

Well, exactly what
is it that bothers you?

Well, if that property
is so valuable,
and he owns all of it,

It seems to me he ought
to keep the profits

Instead of
selling shares.

I'd think so.

Of course, he does
have a fairly good
reason for it.

He says there's another
investment opportunity
that he wants to get into

And he can't if you
ask to wait for the
railroad money.

Well, do you know
if the land has
been surveyed?

Nels: no. Harriet told me
to mind my own business

When I asked her
about that.

That's the first
thing I'd like you
to find out about.

Now, that land
used to be
timberland.

It could be
unstable if there's
not proper watershed.

Well, it shouldn't
be too hard to check.
I'll just make a phone call.

Good. I feel
better already.

- It's nice to have you back.
- Thank you.

I'll get
back to you
as soon as I can.

Thank you, adam.
I certainly
appreciate it.

Good-bye.

Congratulations,
counselor.

Well, we're not
in court yet,

But we do have
our first client.

And it's
a good start.

Thank you.

Sorry, folks.
That's it.

Woman: oh, no!

Can't sell
what I don't have.

Ohh!

Oh, well, my,

Did you think it over
a little too long,
doctor?

- I'm afraid so.
- Ohh.

Well, I tell
you what I'll do.

I'll sell you
some of my shares,
as a special favor.

You will?

Yes, anything for
an old friend and
my physician.

Well, I'd certainly
appreciate that.

Of course I'll have
to charge you just
10% over cost.

Why should
I pay extra?

Well, I have to
make a profit.

[Chuckles]

- I guess.
- All right, come along.

Come right
into my parlor.

There's every
penny of it.

It all checks out.

Fine.

Mr. Oleson, I admit
to a little surprise

That you didn't get
in on this yourself.

Well, I'm afraid that
my wife is the big
investor in this family.

[Thunder]

You'd best get
to the bank
before it closes.

Oh, no need to.

I'll be on
the morning stage.

You're going
to take all that
with you in cash?

Yeah, it'll be
safe enough.

I'd get a bank draft
if I were you, like
you've been doing.

Stop worrying,
mr. Oleson.

Well, I'll
be on my way.

Have a good trip.

[Thunder]

What's the
trouble, doc?

We've been swindled,

That's what's
the trouble!

Where is that
thieving no-account--

Nellie: who are you
talking about?

Edgar mills,
that's who!

Now, I just come back
from up north,
the hawkins' place.

You know that land
we all bought into?
Well, it's not there.

What's going on
out here?

- It's gone!
- What's gone?

Our land's gone
and our money's
gone with it.

Dr. Baker, will you stop
raving like a maniac
and make some sense?

- It's flooded.
- What is?

We don't own land.
We own a lake.

Nellie:
[gasps]
flooded?

Now, where is he?

Nellie:
he's in his room.

Think I'd better
go get adam.

Ohh! Where do you
think you're going?

- Home.
- Is that so?

Where's our money?

What are you
talking about?

To think that
we trusted you!

Mrs. Oleson, I swear
to you I don't know
what's going on.

Oh, really?

I suppose that
you didn't know

That the land
you sold us
would flood?

- Flood?
- Yes.

Dr. Baker: here it is.

No, that's only
yesterday's receipts.

Every day he had a
bank draft made up.

You come with me.

Where are you
taking me?

I'm locking you up
in the ice house

Until we can turn
you over to the law.

By whose authority?
You have no right!

Mr. Mills, now,
I'm an attorney,

And we do have the
right as citizens

To forcibly
detain you.

I did nothing wrong!

Will you listen
to that?

Your rights will
be fully protected
under the law.

You're making a mistake.
You know the railroad
wanted that land.

I'm just a
speculator.

I had no idea
that it would flood.

You'll have
every opportunity

To prove that
in court.

Let's go.

Oh, adam, do you think
that he could get
away with this?

Well, mrs. Oleson,
the man may just be
telling the truth.

Adam.

Telephone.

Now, you're absolutely sure
that there's no record

Of any
besides that one?

All right.
Thank you.

Bad news?

Yes, especially
for mr. Mills.

Adams,
mills wants
to see you.

What for?

He didn't say,
but he seems
very insistent.

All right.
I have to make
a phone call first.

Caroline, can you get
me the courthouse
in sleepy eye?

Thanks for coming.
I wasn't sure
you would.

I won't be staying
unless you have
a good reason.

Is a fair trial
reason enough?

You'll get one.

The district marshal
is on his way.

I need
a good lawyer.

I want you
to represent me.

No, thanks.

Turning down a case?
Business must be
pretty good.

It's not that.

You don't like me?
That's all right.

I'm not looking
for friendship.

Mr. Mills, when
I defend a client,

I need to believe at least
in his probable innocence.

What do you mean?

I mean that 6 days ago,
while you were knowingly

And happily fleecing
the good people
of this community,

The railroad had already
withdrawn its offer

Because their survey showed
the land to be unusable.

I didn't know about it,
I swear to you.

I didn't know
about it.

Well, it's going to be pretty
hard to make people believe it.

Maybe not,
unless I prove it.

It is at least
plausible

That I'm telling
the truth, isn't it?

Well?

Maybe.

What I'm trying
to say is that
I'm not your man.

Now, a lot of my friends
got hurt from this little
scheme of yours.

I'm a member
of their community.

Don't you see?

That's why it's important
for you to defend me.

You are involved here.

You do care about
this town's welfare.

I'm sorry.

The idea was that
a man is innocent

Until proven guilty.

But apparently that
doesn't work here.

Of course it does.

Then, for god's sake,

Help me, man!

Are you a lawyer
or not?

Mr. Kendall,
I need you.

Mary.

Hmm?

I'm going
to take the case.

But this afternoon,
you said--

I know,
I know, but...

Mary, I'm a lawyer,

And it's my job
to defend him,

No matter what
my personal
feelings are.

Are you certain?

I'm certain.

Like I said,
news travels fast.

Folks aren't
too happy about it.

Does that
include you?

Just thinking about
you, your future.

I'm not so sure
about taking on mills
as your first case.

I've already
given my word.

I suppose a man has
to do what he has to do.

You got my order,
charles?

Not yet, jed. It's all
set to load, just have
to tally up your bill.

Are you giving
a little good advice

To your
son-in-law here?

What?

Well, the word is out.

He's thinking about
defending that crook.

I'm not thinking
about it.

I'm his lawyer.

Well, you might
reconsider, boy.

You're making
a big mistake.

You know, I'm a little
too old for you to be
calling me "boy."

And if it's a mistake,
I guess it's mine to make.

Here's
your bill, jed.

You keep it.

And keep
the lumber, too.

I don't do business
with this family.

I'm sorry, charles.

Don't worry about it.

You know, mary,
I think I can make

A pretty solid
case for mills.

It's kind of strange,
isn't it?

We leave sleepy eye
to practice law here,

And my first case
takes us right back
where we started.

Adam, do you really
think mills is innocent?

If things happened
just the way he says.

What if he's lying?

Well, I can't hide from
that possibility.

[Glass breaks]

Man 1:
go back where you
came from, city boy!

Mary: ahh!
Adam: get down!

Man 2:
mills don't deserve
no trial!

Man 1:
you're defending
a crook!

Man 2:
may not be
too healthy for you!

Adam--

Shh! It'll
be all right.

We'll be all right.

Adam, hold me.

And what sort of man
is edgar mills?

Well, he's, uh--
oh, ever so charming,

And polite,
you know the type.

Objection, your honor.

Mrs. Oleson: again?

Sustained.
Just answer the
question, please.

Well, I'm trying
to, your honor,

But he keeps
interrupting me.

Mrs. Oleson,

You had every good
reason to believe

That the land sale
was legitimate?

I most
certainly did.

Why, all the articles
in the newspapers--

Adam: objection,
your honor,

That is implying
that the sale
was not legitimate.

Judge: sustained.

No further questions.

Your witness, counsel.

Mrs. Oleson,
edgar mills
believed so strongly

In the value
of that property

That he purchased it
without the benefit
of a survey.

Now, didn't you find
that a little unusual?

Uh--well,
good heavens.

I don't know
about such things.

You are known as
a shrewd businesswoman?

Yes.

Well, then don't you think
it might have been wise

To learn a little bit
about these kind of
transactions

Before encouraging
the entire town

To invest
their money in it?

Objection.
He's harassing
the witness.

Your honor, I'm just
trying to establish

That, while my client
was ill-advised
or maybe foolish

To buy that land
without a survey,

Isn't this woman
and the other investors,

Through a combination
of their greed
and ignorance,

Just as culpable?

Well, how dare you!

Judge:
overruled.
You may continue.

I have no
further questions,
your honor.

Judge:
mr. Sykes?

No questions,
your honor.

The witness
is then excused.

Your honor,
we'd like to
call the defendant,

Edgar mills,
to the stand.

Do you swear
to tell the truth,

The whole truth
and nothing
but the truth,

So help you god?

Mills: yes, I do.

State your name?

Edgar mills.

Be seated,
mr. Mills.

Mr. Mills,

What are you going
to do with the money?

Well, what money
is that, sir?

What money?

The money that was paid
to you by the citizens
of walnut grove

For the worthless shares.

Sure that you don't
plan to keep it?

It was come by
honestly.

I'm sorry for their
losses, though.

So, you do intend
to keep it.

Yes, sir, I do.

Sykes: I see.

Now, let's go back
to when you first decided
to sell the shares.

I find it fascinating
that a man who stands

To make a modest
fortune for himself

Would consider doing
any such thing.

Well,
like I said,

I had several
investment
opportunities

That wouldn't wait.

Perhaps you'd like
to instruct the court

In the nature of
these investment
opportunities.

Well, there
were several.

I had really
not made
a specific choice.

Just tell us
what they were.

Adam: objection,
your honor.

That line of questioning
is immaterial.

Judge:
sustained.

Sykes: my apologies
to the court.

The line of questioning
is immaterial,

But not for any reason
beyond the fact

That this man's answers

Would be a further embroidery
on all the other lies

That he's told
under oath.

That is not true!

Are you familiar
with a gentleman

Named thomas
w. Harcourt?
Well?

Answer the question,
mr. Mills.

I know him.

Yes, of course you do.

Thomas w. Harcourt is
a surveyor by profession.

And this is a copy of
the confidential report
to mr. Edgar mills

That the land that he
had already purchased
was worthless.

[Crowd murmuring]

[Gavel bangs]

May I see that,
please?

If it please
the court,

I'd like
a little time

To reassess
my position,

If indeed
I have one.

Judge:
granted.

We will adjourn
until 9:00
tomorrow morning.

[Gavel bangs]

I'd like a few minutes
with my client.

I'm sorry.

Oh, you're sorry.

Why on earth
didn't you tell me?

We could have
put in a guilty plea

And asked for mercy.

You must have known
this information
would come out.

That judge upstairs
is going to throw
the book at you.

I said I'm sorry.

I took a chance.

I thought perhaps
they wouldn't check
my survey report.

You weren't looking
for a chance.

You were looking
for a miracle.

What's done is done.
No matter.

Oh, no.
No matter at all.

Just 18 years
in prison.

[Chuckles]

Not really.

And what does
that mean?

Nothing.

All right.

Now, we do have
one chance.

If you return what's
left of the money,

That can save you
maybe 10.

It's impossible.

Mr. Mills, I am talking to you
about 10 years of your life!

It's gone.

Spent. I owed some money.

Mr. Kendall, I
appreciate your concern,

But it is over!

I'm ready for any
punishment that the court
deems necessary.

Mr. Mills, I don't
understand you.

I'd like to rest.

I'm really very tired.

[Lock jingles]

- Adam?
- Hmm?

Come on.
Let's get some sleep.

No, you go ahead.

Not without you.

Oh, mary.

My first case.

My client lies
to me,

And then he won't
even give me
a chance

To help him out.

You know, I saw mr. Davis
in the courtroom today.

I'll bet he's glad
I'm not with the firm.

Adam, you can't
blame yourself
for what happened.

Who am I going
to blame? Mills?

Yes.

I can't.

I just feel
too sorry for him.

Dear god, mary.
He is going to spend

The rest of his
life in prison,

And he doesn't
even seem to care.

[Knock on door]

Yes?

I'm sorry
to disturb you
at this late hour,

But we were told
we could find a
mr. Kendall here.

That's me.

May we come in?

Certainly.

Mr. Kendall,
I'm dr. Ruddy,

Mr. Mills'
physician.

This is
his wife, edna,

And their son,
david.

That's rather
surprising.

I asked mr. Mills
if I should contact
any relatives,

And he said he
was a widower
without family.

I thought
as much.

We wouldn't have known
about the trial had it
not been for this.

It's just
a small paragraph

In an article
on land fraud.

I spotted it when
going through the
"financial journal."

You must want
to see your husband.
I'll take you to him.

No, I don't want
to see him just yet.

Mr. Kendall,
after reading this,

I took it upon
myself to go to
mrs. Mills here

And give her
some information

That edgar
had sworn me
not to disclose.

Perhaps it was
a little unethical
on my part,

But I think, after
you've heard it,

You'll
understand why.

But, doctor,
you have to understand

That it won't have any
bearing on the trial.

My client is guilty.

We know that,
mr. Kendall.

Could we
talk a while?

All right.
In the dining room.

Thank you.

I'll make
some coffee.

Thank you.

Judge: quiet, please.

This court is
now in session.

Your honor, we
would like to call

Mrs. Edgar mills
to the stand.

Your honor, I
object to this!

I am guilty!

Judge: the defendant
will remain silent

Or face removal
from this courtroom.

Your honor, please!

Judge: mr. Mills, this
trial will continue

Whether you are
present or not.

Now, sit down.

Bailiff: you swear
to tell the truth,
the whole truth

And nothing but the truth,
so help you god?

Mrs. Mills: I do.

- State your name.
- Edna mills.

Please be seated.

You are the wife
of the defendant?

Yes, I am.

Adam: now,
there's a dr. Ruddy
in the courtroom.

Would he rise,
please?

Adam: do you know
dr. Ruddy?

Mrs. Mills: yes, I do.

He's my husband's
physician.

I see.

Dr. Ruddy
came to you
a few days ago

With a newspaper
clipping,
did he not?

Yes, he did.

It was
about this trial.

Adam: and that was
the first you'd
heard about it?

Mrs. Mills: yes.

Adam: it must have come
as quite a shock to you.

Yes, but it was
nothing in comparison

To what the doctor
told me after that.

Could you tell the
court what that was?

Dr. Ruddy told me
that my husband

Had only a few months
more to live.

[Crowd murmuring]

[Gavel bangs]

Judge: order!
Order, please.

Continue, counsel.

How many children
do you have,
mrs. Mills?

3.

My youngest one
is here in the courtroom.

He's 10.

And how do you
all get along?

Financially,
I mean.

Mrs. Mills: like most,
week-to-week.

Until recently,

My husband sent me
bank drafts every day.

I deposited them
in the bank.

He told me that his ship
had finally come in

And that we'd
never have to worry.

I was never worried.

Never.

Adam: no,
of course not.

You had no reason
to worry.

Your husband
saw to that.

Gentlemen
of the jury,

Now, we are not
in any way

Trying to evade
my client's guilt.

What we are asking

Is that you consider
the circumstances

Behind his actions.

Now, edgar mills
is the sole support

Of his wife
and 3 children.

After he learned about
his physical condition,

He panicked.

He needed to make money,

And quickly.

Not for himself,

But for his loved ones.

Now, if you look

At the dates
on the survey report

And on the
bill of sale,

You'll find that edgar
mills purchased that land

Prior to the survey.

Why would he do that?

Because he was
desperate.

How long would
it take to get that
survey report back?

A week?

A month?

That's not long
to you and me,

But that's a lifetime
to edgar mills.

How many of you
have families?

What would you do
in edgar mills' place?

That's a difficult
question to answer,

Isn't it?

Everybody in
the courtroom!

The jury is in.

Judge:
quiet, please.

This court
is now in session.

Gentlemen of the jury,
have you reached a verdict?

Man: we have,
your honor.

We find the defendant
guilty of fraud.

[Gavel bangs]

Judge: order, please.

I congratulate the jury
on this verdict.

Regardless of
the circumstances,

The decision of guilty
is proper here.

I've held a meeting
in my chambers with
the wife of the defendant

And with several citizens
of walnut grove.

Now, mrs. Mills has
pledged to return
all of the money that's left

From this
fraudulent land sale.

Now, this, of course,
will have a great
impact on my sentencing.

Will the defendant
please rise?

Mr. Mills,
I have here a list--

A list of names of the
people whom you defrauded.

Now, all of these people have
made pledges to this court.

A mrs. Oleson pledges
employment for your wife

In exchange for
room and board.

A dr. Baker has pledged
medical attention

To your family for as long as
they live in walnut grove,

And the list goes on.

Mr. Mills,
you see, these people

Who became involved in
your scheme out of greed,

Now wish to become
involved with your family

Out of compassion.

It appears that
many have learned

A great deal
about themselves

From this case.

Mr. Mills,

The court
recommends leniency.

You are to live out
the remainder of your days

In the comfort
and love of your family.

This court is adjourned.

Kendall, that was
a heck of a job.

Why, thank you.

Listen, why don't
you and me have a
meeting tomorrow.

I think there's
a very good chance

I can find a spot
for you in my law firm.

I'm very sorry,
but I think
my partner and I

Would rather
go it alone.

Look, son, I can
make a much better offer

Than anything your
partner can afford.

No, I don't
think you can.

Let's go
to lunch, partner.