02x30 - The Second Verdict

[bunniefuu]

["Alfred Hitchcock" theme music]

- Good evening.

I'm now in the real estate
business

selling cemetery plots

for our modern nomadic
civilization.

The old-fashioned cemetery
presents a difficulty.

A plot bought in Maine

is of little use when someone

moves to California.

However, we have now solved this
problem

with portable plots.

Now at last, you can take it
with you.

Thus, whether driving on the
freeway,

or on a vacation, or a
honeymoon,

you will be ready for any
eventuality.

Actually, we don't sell the
plot,

just the hull.

Here for example is one model.

Three by six by eight feet.

You can see it will be quite
easy to carry

and will fit into any excavation

in any part of the country.

A final word about plots.

Tonight's is about a young
criminal lawyer

whose sense of ethics gets him

into a dangerous situation.

But first our sponsor takes a
moment

to point out a few simple
truths.

[tense music]

[ominous music]
[door buzzes]

- Everybody rise.

Be seated.

- I love you.

- Will the foreman of
the jury please stand?

Mr. Foreman, has the jury
reached

a verdict in this case?

- [Foreman] We have your honor.

- [Judge] And do you find the
defendant

innocent or guilty of
the charge of m*rder?

- We find the defendant,
innocent.

- [Judge] Thank you ladies
and gentlemen of the jury.

The defendant is dismissed.

Court adjourned.
[people chattering]

- Okay, okay.

- Oh Mr. Murray, you were
wonderful.

Wasn't he wonderful Lew?

- I picked a good lawyer.

- The evidence proved
Lew innocent Mrs. Rydell.

- Oh but you believed he was
innocent,

and nobody else did.

- Okay babe, let's go home okay.

- Thank you.

- Excuse me.

- Hey listen Murray, about your
fee,

I'd like to take care of it,
huh?

- [Ned] Don't worry about it
Lew.

- What I owe, I pay.

- We can settle later.

Look, why don't you go home,
relax,

have a couple of drinks.

- Lew don't drink.
- Really?

- [Melanie] Funny, his being a
salesman

out on the road and
all, he don't touch it.

Or gamble, or anything.

[Melanie giggles]

The only vice Lew's got is me.

- Hey, what, are ya writing a
biography?

Listen, I just wanna settle
what I owe you counselor.

I'll relax afterwards.

- Well Mr. Osterman's waiting
for me but

if you'd like to come up to the
office?

- Great, great, that's fine with
me.

Oh, you wait in the cab all
right,

I'll just be a couple of
minutes.

Oh, and, don't start talking
to the hackie you hear?

- Why should I talk to the
hackie?

- He wears pants don't he?

[horn honking]

- I haven't got too much time
Lew.

Mr. Osterman's waiting for me.

- Yeah, okay.

- I got so much work to catch up
on.

Come in Lew, sit down,
make yourself comfortable.

- No, that's okay.

I did a lot of sitting in court.

Mr. Murray, about the money I
owe ya.

Supposing I pay you
back 100 bucks a month,

that be okay?

- Sure Lew.

Fine 100 a month.

- Some months I'll be able
to swing a little bit more.

You know what it is being a
salesman.

I got good months, I got bad
months.

- There's no urgency Lew.

Osterman won't go to the
poorhouse

if you miss a payment or two.

- I'll sign a paper if you want.

- That won't be necessary.

- She's beautiful ain't she?

- Huh?

- Melanie, she's beautiful huh?

- Oh, you're a lucky man Lew.

- Yeah, that's what they all
say.

Except they don't say man.

- Oh, what do they say?

- Lucky dog, that's what they
say.

You know, I have to
watch her every minute.

All the time, even in my own
house.

Somebody will ring the doorbell

and she'll go to the door
wearing her nightgown

or that housecoat of hers
with the buttons open down to.

Don't matter to her, but
guys, you know what I mean?

- Yeah, I think so.

- Like that kid Freddy.

The grocery kid, I mean he
was just making a delivery

and she went to the door.

I know what the kid thought
seeing her like that.

I know what they all think.

- Well, it was an unfortunate
thing Lew.

Kid made a pass, your wife told
you,

and then the next day they
find him k*lled and robbed.

It was circumstantial.

- Oh I get a kind of burn in my
head here.

That's why I don't drink you
see.

'Cause when I drink it's worse.

- Well Lew, it's over.

- Yeah.

- You're a free man now.

- Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Free.

[Lew chuckles]

[both men chuckle]

I k*lled that kid.

- You...

[Lew laughing]

- Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, I k*lled him.

The day after Melanie told me.

He was such a scrawny kid too.

How much did he weigh?

It was like breaking a stick in
half.

Well, I took the money out of
his pocket

to make it look like he was
mugged.

Though I didn't want the money.

I put it in the poor box at
the church on the corner.

[Lew laughing]

- You swore to me you

didn't k*ll that boy.

- Yeah.

Yeah well, you wouldn't of took
the case

if I told you the truth, would
ya?

- Why are you telling me now?

[Lew laughing]

- Because of all them
congratulations you got.

See, I hate guys who think

they're better than other
people.

- You may not believe this
Rydell,

but I've never defended a guilty
man.

- No?

Hey, there's a first time for
everything, huh counselor?

- I accepted your story.

I let you plead innocent.

- Yeah, well, what's the
difference,

you get your--

- Justice, that's the difference
Rydell!

- Justice?

Hey, don't worry about justice
Murray,

you don't lose any sleep over
that.

No justice in this jungle.

- [Murray] Rydell!

- What?

- You expect me to let
you walk out of here?

- Yeah.

- Forget what you told me,

you think just because
you've been acquitted?

You think I'm gonna file it away
in some

filing cabinet and lock the case
closed?

- Do you got another choice
counselor?

[Lew laughing]

[solemn music]

[phone buzzing]

- Yes.

- [Secretary] Mr. Osterman would
like to

see you in his office Mr.
Murray.

- All right.

[ominous music]

- I remember when Ned
first came into the office.

The ink was still wet on his law
degree.

But I knew the boy had
something.

- What was it papa?

- Convictions!

It's a rare thing to have Karen.

- Oh I know papa.

- And some of us believe what

is convenient for us to believe.

Oh, we're not dishonest, we're
just...

- Professionals.

- That's it I guess.

Ned has the purity of an
amateur.

- Oh papa, I don't want him that
pure.

I don't mind a little
corruption.

- Well take the Harpen case.

- Oh you told me about it before
papa.

- He's a boy, 15-years-old,

brother a notorious gangster
doing a stretch at the time.

He was stabbing an old
man on the East side.

I tell you, I wouldn't have
given

any lawyer a snowballs
chance with a case like that.

Didn't even want the office to
touch it.

But Ned insisted, why?

- Because he believed
the boy was innocent.

- He believed, that's the point.

And he proved it to the jury.

When Tony Hardeman got out of
the pen,

he was pretty grateful.

Why he sent Ned a--

[door opens]

Ned, congratulations!

- Oh, thank you.

- What kind of a car was
it that Tony sent you Ned?

Foreign wasn't it?

- English.

- A hand tool and he sent it
back.

- Well Ned's patriotic, he only
drives

what they make in Detroit,
right?

- Yeah, the motor had an accent.

- [Karen] You look tired!

- Yeah, well I am a little.

- Well pop is about to tell you

what a brilliant job you did in
court

and how proud he is of you.

Right papa?

- Well I know who's gonna
do the congratulating

and how she's gonna do it.

Hm.

Oh, don't forget the party.

- I won't papa.

Not a party.

- What party?

- [Karen] For you, tonight.

A victory celebration.

- Ah, I could do without the
cheers.

- Oh but darling, the cheers
are the nicest part of it.

- Look, Rydell wasn't anything
special.

Just somebody off the street.

A face in the crowd.

- Well the crowd is what

makes a lawyers reputation.

Ned.

- [Ned] Yeah?

- Ned what is it?

Something

bothering you?

Don't you feel well?

- It's just after the trial
blues,

- Oh, is that the case
for the defense, hm?

- I'm afraid so your honor.

I love you Karen.

- Would you have the
stenographer

please read that back to the
court?

- Question, does the
defendant Edward Murray

love Miss Karen Osterman?

Answer.

[slow paced music]

[tense music]

- You still shake hands
with losers counselor?

- [Ned] Tony, how are you?

What are you doing here?

- I couldn't shake your mitt in
court

so I figured I'd wait here in
the lobby.

- You were in court?

- Yeah, I sat in the back pew.

Figured nobody would
recognize me in the back.

Got time for me to buy
you a drink counselor?

- Tony, I'm sorry, but I'm kinda
bushed.

I've had a long day.

- [Tony] Yeah, sure.

- Hey, how's Margie?

- Well she's fine.

Is something bugging ya kid?

- Why?

- You got that look.

What is it, a girl?

- I don't fool around.

[Tony chuckles]

- Money?

- I got all I need.

- Remember what Tony said.

You got troubles, Tony
wants to hear about it.

I owe you a favor.

- Tony, that was a long time
ago.

- A favor's a favor.

Yesterday, today, tomorrow.

- How is your brother?

- Kid's gonna be an
architect in about a year,

how do ya like that?

- [Ned] Great, great.

- Now it if weren't for you

he'd of been hustling
nickels in a pool room.

- Now Tony, I'm happy about the
boy,

but you don't owe me
anything on his account.

- Now look kid,

when I do as a big favor for you

as what you've done for
me, then I close the books.

- Look Tony, I really have to
go.

Why don't you stop by the
office some afternoon, hm?

- I don't wanna give the place a
bad name.

- Come up to the apartment,
we'll have a drink there.

- When?

- Thursday.

- What time?

- Nine o'clock.

[perky music]

Thanks.
[Tony chuckles]

[swanky music]
[door knocking]

- Just a second!

Hi Mr. Murray!

Gee this is a surprise, come on
in!

- Thank you.

Is Lew home?

- No.

Hey, you know what time it is?

- One o'clock.

- Gee, where'd the morning go?

Oh Lew went down to Mr.
Fleming's office.

His old office, Mr.
Fleming's a sales manager.

Hey, you don't think Lew would
have

any trouble getting
his old job back do ya?

I mean, you know how business
people are.

I mean, they can't blame Lew can
they?

- No Mrs. Rydell.

- Oh, you wanna sit down?

Gee, I ought to get dressed,

but then I get dressed and
I don't have anything to do.

You see, Lew don't like me to
work

and he just wants me to stay
home.

Hey, would you like some coffee?

- No, no thank you.
- Hey, how 'bout a root beer?

- Now Mrs. Rydell,
- I got some root beer

- Could you sit down
- in the refrigerator.

- [Ned] and talk to me for a
moment?

- Sure.

You know, Lew says I'm a lousy
housekeeper

but then I guess he didn't marry
me

because I was neat.

- Mrs. Rydell, would you mind if
I asked

you a few questions?

- Sure, go ahead.

Do you mind if I finish my
nails?

I was doing my nails.

- Go right ahead.

- Thanks.

- Mrs. Rydell,

before the trial you told me

that Lew was the jealous type
didn't you?

- Uh-huh.

- Was there ever any
justification for his jealousy?

- What do you mean?

- [Ned] You know what I mean
Mrs. Rydell.

- Maybe I don't know how
to make an apple pie,

but there's one thing I never
done to Lew is cheat on him.

- Please, I need the truth.

The delivery boy, Freddy.

Lew was furious about the
pass he made at you wasn't he?

- Well he didn't wanna
pin any robes on him.

- Did he threaten to harm the
boy?

- Well what do you mean harm?

- [Ned] Hurt him.

- Well he said the kid
needed a lesson Ned, so.

- What kind of a lesson?

- Oh a slap in the mouth just to

teach him to keep hands off.

That's all.

- Mrs. Rydell, the trial's over.

Lew is legally innocent,

and a court can't charge him
twice for the same crime,

so you have nothing to hide.

- I ain't hiding nothing.

- Lew taught that boy a
lesson, didn't he Mrs. Rydell?

A lesson that k*lled him!

- That's a lie!

What are you trying to pull on
me?

- Lew m*rder*d that kid didn't
he?

He said so!

- You're crazy, Lew never
said nothing like that!

That delivery boy was robbed!

Why should Lew rob a delivery
boy?

He don't need no delivery
boys nickels or dimes!

- Close your coat.

- Huh?

- Close your coat!

Because if you don't Mrs.
Rydell,

the same thing might happen
again!

So close it, because I'm not
interested!

And keep it closed!

Because Lew might not
find some fool like me

to believe he's innocent
and sell it to a jury!

- You stop trying to scare me.

- Now button the coat.

- You can't give me orders.

- [Ned] Button that coat!

- I didn't mean nothing like
that.

I love Lew.

I love him!

- Sure you do Mrs. Rydell.

But why didn't you explain that
to Lew

before he k*lled that kid!

- What's the matter?

Hi!

Where's your derby?

You know how the joke goes?

A husband forgets a derby and
comes home

and finds two derby's.

- Well I was--

- You okay babe?

- I'm all right Lew.

- I was just passing by--

- And thought you'd say hello to
my wife.

That's nice, she don't get much
company.

I got good news baby.

I saw Fleming today and he said

I can start any time I
want, same territory.

- Oh that's wonderful Lew!
[Lew chuckles]

- [Lew] I guess we got
it made, huh counselor?

- That's right Lew.

You've got it made.

[tense music]

- Well one thing anyway,

you got that coat buttoned for a
change.

[dramatic music]

- We now observe the ritual
of the station break.

Following this will be the
second half

of the "Alfred Hitchcock Hour."

[ominous music]

- Sit down Ned.

Ned, did you go uptown to
see Mrs. Rydell yesterday?

- That's right.

- [Mr. Osterman] Why?

- There was a question I wanted
answered.

- A question?

What question?

If there were any questions
to be answered by Mrs. Rydell

the trial was the proper
place to ask them.

- Unfortunately I didn't get the
chance.

- Well look Mr. Osterman,
let's not play games.

Murray went up town to tell my
wife

that the verdict in my case was
wrong.

He went up there to scare her

by telling her I was guilty!

Ain't that right counselor?

- [Mr. Osterman] Is that
the reason you went Ned?

- Yes.

- See Mr. Osterman, I ought to
sue him.

Lawyer or no lawyer.

- Are you out of your mind?

Accusing your own client
after an acquittal?

- One hour after that acquittal,

Lew stood in my office

and told me he actually k*lled
that boy!

- Huh?

- [Hank] Is that true?

- What!

Awe come on now Mr. Osterman,
what do I look, nuts?

Why would I wanna do a
stupid thing like that

after a jury's just freed me,

I'd have him put away if
I did anything like that!

- Yeah, perhaps we can arrange
that too!

- Hey, ask him, ask him the
other reason he went up town.

- That is the only reason!

- You saw my wife Mr. Osterman,
she's beautiful ain't she?

- Well--

- Yeah, well, that's the other
reason.

- Mr. Rydell, Mr. Murray
is engaged to my daughter.

- Well that don't make him no
choir boy.

- Can't you see H.E.,
the man's a psychopath.

- You got no right to
persecute me or chase my wife!

- Oh no, of course not Mr.
Rydell.

There must be some
misunderstanding.

I'm sure Mr. Murray has
no interest in your wife.

At least that's true isn't it?

- Look, I wouldn't go near his
wife

if she were in a velvet swing!

It's too dangerous!

Rydell might wait for me some
dark night

like he waited for that delivery
boy!

- I'll sue you Murray!

Oh you hear me Osterman?

You don't stop this kid
from talking like he is,

I swear I'll sue this whole
company

for a suit for slander!

- Mr. Murray will apologize.

- Yeah, sure, sure I will, to
the State!

For saving his miserable skin

for not sending him to the
chair!

- Ned!

I don't know what went on in
your office.

I don't know what Rydell
said or didn't say

and I don't care.

But I do know that anything that
happens

reflects on this law firm and
Mr. Rydell was tried in court.

- Mis-tried.

- You tried the case
you won his acquittal.

That's all I'm concerned with.

And let me remind you Ned,
in case you've forgotten.

A lawyer hasn't the right
anymore than a priest

does to violate something told
him

in confidence by his client.

- I also know a lawyer goes
into court to obtain justice!

- Are you conducting a
class in law Mr. Murray?

- I didn't mean it--

- When I need a refresher course
in the

function of the law I'll
go back to law school!

Meanwhile, I'll run this law
firm

the way I've run it for 25
years!

And that doesn't include
betraying a clients trust

or retrying him in public after
he's

been legally cleared!

Legally, do you understand!

- If you won't believe me, maybe
the District Attorney will!

- Ned!

- I'll sue you!

Don't kid yourself I won't.

- Who said I'm kidding myself?

[dramatic music]

[door buzzing]

All right, all right,
I'm coming, I'm coming!

- Darling, I've been ringing and
ringing.

- Well I was sleeping.

- Oh, at eight o'clock?

Well, aren't you going to invite
me in

or is Thursday girl night
at the skating rink?

- I'm sorry darling.

- A Greek bearing gifts.

- Oh, what is it?

- It's not a snake, open it.

Watch.

You're beginning to
need a woman I can see.

I was saving it

but your birthday isn't for six
months

and it's even longer til
Christmas.

- What it cost?

- Oh darling, really.

You shouldn't ask the price of a
gift.

- Well I only ask because,

honey, if you're trying
to bribe me [chuckles].

- Oh, am I trying to bribe you?

- Yeah, I get that little
feeling.

- Oh, I see!

What about my old sex appeal?

- Now that might be more
effective.

- Think so?

Shall I try?

- [Ned] What can you lose?

- Well?

- Yeah, I guess I'm
fire-proofed.

Wanna drink?

Now what's so funny?

- The whole bit.

You, father.

Did you really whistle at each
other, hm?

I'd love to have been there.

- Sure.

Ringside huh, the best seats?

- Oh but don't you feel silly

fighting with poor daddy over

some idiotic salesman?

- The whole thing amuses you
doesn't it?

- You don't expect me to
take it seriously, do you?

- I do.

- Oh darling.

- Now what's that mean?

- It means,

of course you take it seriously.

And I do understand.

I honestly do Ned.

But oh dear,

why just now.

When everything was going so
beautifully?

I mean, why spoil things now?

- Now exactly what am I
spoiling?

- Do I have to spell it out?

- Yeah, letter by letter.

- You haven't even said
you liked your pipe.

- [Ned] It's a beautiful pipe,

but exactly what am I spoiling
Karen?

- Oh for heavens sakes,

suppose that awful man did k*ll
that boy?

- Yes?

- Well what I mean...

Of course he ought to be
punished.

But why must you feel that it's
your

special duty to see that he is?

- Because I am responsible
for Lew Rydell's

being set free, that's why!

- [Karen] Must you feel so
responsible?

- Apparently.

I put some lemon in there.

- Thank you.

Ned.

- What?

- Have you gone to the District
Attorney?

- I'm going tomorrow.

- And I can't make you change
your mind?

- I don't think so darling.

- [Karen] Even if I tried hard?

- I wouldn't like you to try.

- Oh I don't understand you.

- The whole thing seems very
simple to me.

- Why must you be so obstinate
Ned?

- Oh, is that what your father
says it is?

- I'll tell you what else father
says if you're interested.

- I'd like to hear.

- Oh, he said that if you go to
the

District Attorney tomorrow,

you can find yourself
another law firm to work for.

- What about his daughter?

What does she say?

- About what?

- Do I find myself another
daughter too?

- Not yet.

- [Ned] How long have I got?

- A little longer.

- Did daddy tell you to say that
too!

- No daddy didn't tell
me to say that counselor!

I make up my own speeches!

- Karen, Karen wait!

Now please wait!

- I've obviously waited

too long Mr. Murray.
- Now listen to me.

- [Ned] Listen to me!

Now listen to me, listen to me.

- It won't come off, I'll mail
it.

[ominous music]

[Ned gasping]
[face slapping]

- Oh.

Tony.

- Hey counselor,

you left a little in the bottle.

- Tony.

I'm drunk.

What are you doing here?

- Well I was invited, remember?

I came to get that drink

but it looks like you got a
headstart.

- I had a tough day.

- Yeah.

That's a nice pipe.

- Yeah.

I owe you a drink.

- Yeah, well, forget about the
drinks.

I'll fix us a nice pot of hot
coffee.

- Good idea.

- Yeah.

Come on, get your feet up there.

After I fix the coffee,

I'll come back and then we'll
talk

about what made it a rough day,
huh?

[slow gentle music]

So that's what's bugging ya?

Rydell knocked off the kid, huh?

Another cup of coffee will do.

- Why don't you laugh?

- Laugh?

- Yeah.

It's a joke.

Rydell must be laughing.

- Oh take it easy counselor.

- Why did he have to tell me?

Why couldn't he keep his mouth
shut?

- Bugs.

What's the doc call it?

A compulsion.

- Maybe you think I'm making
too much of it too, huh?

Osterman does, Karen does.

Sure, forget it.

Just a small legal error.

I mean after all, there are
more K*llers on the streets

then there are in the death
house.

I can't fix the world.

All right.

All right, maybe I should.

It's wise, it's prudent.

But somehow I can't!

It sticks in my crawl!

Tony, my father was a lawyer
too.

And he had a friend, Judge
Lincoln Arthur.

Yeah, that's right,
the same judge that sat

at Lew Rydell's trial.

Well they loved the law Tony.

Well not the law just as a
system of punishments but

as the only idea of justice we
have.

I don't know, maybe as boy I
listened

to my father and Judge Arthur
too long.

I don't know.

- Yeah, I know.

Everybody gotta respect
something.

What made the laws?

Cops.

When they catch you that's the
law.

You can't nail this
Rydell on nothing, huh?

- No, double jeopardy.

One trial to a customer.

That's the way it is in the
books.

- Well, that's the trouble
with being a lawyer!

It's gotta be legal.

Well me,

I ain't legal.

- What do you mean?

- Hey counselor, why don't you
come up the house one night

and Margie will fix us a nice
big dinner--

- Tony--

- And we'll open a bottle of
wine, huh?

- What did you mean by what you
just said?

- Now look kid, you got
too much on your mind.

You gotta square things
with the old man, the girl.

I'll take care of it.

- How?

[Tony sighs]

- Look, in my business we
don't have double jeopardy.

If I front a guy and he goes
wrong,

there's no law that says
I gotta lay off of him

because I made a mistake
the first time you see?

Now I'll take care of
everything.

You got a free night, you come
up

and we'll put it on the
feedback.

- Tony wait.

- What is it kid?

- Where are you going?

- Home.

Margie's got the dinner on the
stove.

- You got something up your
sleeve?

- Me?

Nothing.

Why don't you get some shut eye.

You go to the office in the
morning

and tell the old man
everything's gonna be all right.

No mess.

You're not gonna hear anything
from this Rydell anymore.

As a matter of fact,

this Rydell,

kinda disappear.

- Disappeared?

- He took a boat somewheres.

[Tony chuckles]

A slow boat.

For his health.

[ominous music]

[suspenseful music]

[tense music]

- Mind if I bust in a minute
Ned?

- Of course not H.E.

- Paper says rain.

We can use some out in the
country.

No, nevermind.

Sit down.

Ned, I did a little soul
searching last night.

A man gets out of practice with
all

that sort of stuff you know.

Forgets first principals and all
that.

You go to the DA Ned.

Don't let anything I
said yesterday stop you.

It's just my arteriosclerosis.

If you think going to the DA's
the right

thing to do you go ahead and do
it.

- You mean that H.E.?

- [H.E.] Stick with your
convictions, that's what counts.

- Thanks H.E. I appreciate it.

But

I'm not going to the DA.

- What?

- You were positively right.

I wouldn't have accomplished
anything,

it would've splattered the firm.

- You mean you've changed your
mind?

- Well that or my principals.

- Wow.

That does put a different
color on the horse doesn't it?

I can't say that I'm not
relieved.

In any case, you would of had to
prove

that Rydell perjured himself

and we both know what those
chances would have been.

- That's right H.E.

So you can relax now.

- Of course I hate to see a
fellow

like Rydell get away with it.

- Yeah, sure.

- But we'll leave it to
providence

and see that he's punished.

Of course you know that
Karen was pretty upset.

She didn't sleep a wink, poor
kid.

She thinks you're mad at her.

- I'm not mad at anybody

H.E. not anymore.

- She gave me a message for you.

- Yes.

- She said, "Tell Ned I still
can't get the ring off."

- Well you tell her to stop
trying H.E.

- Then give her a call, won't
you Ned?

You're very unhappy.

If it doesn't rain I might get
in

a round of gold this afternoon.

[solemn music]

- Hello Margie, it's Ned Murray
again.

Tony still isn't home huh?

I know what you told me
but I, I thought maybe...

Well have him call me as
soon as you hear from him.

Thank you.

[upbeat music]
[phone ringing]

- Hello.

Hello!

Hello?

- Who was it?

- I don't know, they hung up.

- What do you mean they hung up?

You said hello, didn't they
answer?

- Oh cut it out Lew.

Maybe it was the wrong number.

Maybe it was some kid playing
around with the phone.

How should I know?

- Maybe it was the signal huh?

Look at me when I'm talking to
you!

Maybe it was the signal huh?

- What do you mean a signal?

I said hello.

What kind of a signal is hello?

- When I'm home you answer.

- Don't be stupid.

- Lately we,

we get a lot of wrong numbers.

How come they dial us all the
time?

- Are you nuts?

One lousy wrong number.

Why don't you get the phone shut
off

if you're so suspicious?

- I got a better idea baby.

Why don't I just shut it off
myself!

- Lew!

- Them wires from now on
sweetheart,

they got special rates for
two-timers!

That's what you are!

- Well why don't you just lock
me up

and swallow the key huh?

Go ahead!

Lock me up like I was
imprisoned or something

while you're out on the
road so I sit around--

- That's what you're waiting for
huh?

Waiting for me to go out on the
road.

My first road trip so you can be
alone!

I ought to break your neck!

Just like I broke that kids!

[Lew groans]

- What do you mean?

What kids?

- What kid.

What kid do you think I mean?

- Lew.

I told you nothing happened.

- Yeah, nothing ever happens.

Oh, it's just the wrong
number, that's all.

Nothing ever happens.

You walk around advertising
yourself!

Look at yourself!

This stuff I make up and
stick in my head here huh?

Hey, why don't I open up the
window

and so everybody can see

and you can put on your
own little show, okay?

Why don't I do that huh?

Why don't I.
[Melanie sobs]

[dramatic music]

Wrong number huh?

- [Melanie] Lew, what is it?

- Why?

Why?

- Lew, don't hurt me.

I love you.
- You know what I

- [Lew] gotta do now.

- I've been good, I've been
good.

I love you, I love you!

- Yes Hilda?

- It's Mr. Murray to see you
judge.

- Ned?

Oh, have him come in Hilda.

- Sick of you!
[Melanie sobbing]

You made a date baby, keep it.

- Please Lew, I didn't make no
date!

- Signal him.

- Slow down Ned.

Now, what is this story of
yours?

A parable?

- [Ned] A riddle judge, a legal
riddle.

- Well, let's see if I
can state it for you.

A criminal lawyer who defends
somebody

against a m*rder charge
and does it successfully.

He's convinced of his clients
innocence

and that helps him get the
acquittal.

Then after the verdict, he
discovers his client is guilty.

- That's right.

- Was he thrown evidence that
has appeared in the trial?

Evidence he has misinterpreted

or concealed unknowingly?

- No, it was a confession.

- [Arthur] And how does
he obtain this confession?

- It was given to him
unsolicited by his client.

- Are there any witnesses
to this confession?

- No, and when he's confronted
with it

in front of another person,
he denies it completely.

[horn honking]
- Ah.

I see.

This is not a legal
riddle you're asking Ned.

It's an ethical riddle.

- If you were that lawyer Judge,

what would you do?

- If I were that lawyer...

Well, I imagine at first I'd be
outraged.

I feel I'd helped to cheat
justice.

I'd feel like storming into
the District Attorney's office

and exposing myself and the
m*rder*r.

And then later--

- Later?

- I'd feel only pity.

- Pity?

Pity for a man like Rydell?

- Exactly.

A man who feels the compulsion
to confess

must've felt the compulsion to
k*ll.

They're symptoms of the same
disease.

If there's one thing the law

has learned in this century,

it is the ability to have
compassion for the sick.

- Well he's sick all right,

but that doesn't justify--

- Are you talking about Lew
Rydell?

- Yes.

- And he told you that he
m*rder*d that grocery boy?

- He felt he was safe enough.

He knew he couldn't be indicted
twice.

- Oh, very rational thought

to justify an irrational act.

- What?

- Isn't it possible the
man is mentally ill?

He kills a boy for putting
an arm around his wife.

And he confesses when there
is no need to confess.

- He's dangerous and he'll do it
again!

If a man just looks at his wife

it'll be an excuse for another
m*rder!

- If Rydell had been found
guilty--

- Then he'd be where he
belongs in the death house!

- I was the judge at the trial.

It was my prerogative to pass
the sentence Ned, not yours.

- It was first degree m*rder.

- But there is no
automatic death sentence.

I can't tell you anything
official

about what my sentence might
have been,

but if evidence concerning
Rydell's mental condition

had been submitted,

it is possible a jury would have

found him criminally insane.

And in that case, I couldn't
possibly

have given him the death
sentence.

I think I would have

remanded him to a state
institution

for the criminally insane.

- Then you

wouldn't have sent him to the
chair?

- No.

The chair would not have been
the justice

that Rydell deserves.

- I must go Judge.

[ominous music]

- [Arthur] Are you all right?

- Yes, I,

I have an appointment.

I have to hurry.

- Well you're not upset
by something I said?

- Oh no, no.

But there's somebody I have to
see fast!

[fast tense music]

Taxi! Taxi!

[door knocking]

Taxi!


can make it!

[g*n firing]

- Oh no, no!

Somebody help!

Help!

Somebody, help!

[suspenseful music]

- Okay, this will be fine!

Thank you!

Lieutenant, please!

Let me in!

Tom, Tom Bailey!

- He's okay Pete.
- What's happened?

- [Tom] We got a dying man in
there.

My mistake, a dead man.

[solemn music]

One for the books huh?

Tony Hardeman getting it
from a jealous husband.

And you know who plugged him?

An ex-client of yours.

He says Tony was after his wife.

- Where is he?

- Rydell, upstairs.

He won't beat the rap this time.

Where do you think you're going
counselor?

- Upstairs.

- What for?

- He's entitled to a lawyer
isn't he?

- He don't need a lawyer,
he needs a straight jacket!

- That's what I intend to prove
in court.

Excuse me Tom I,

I have to see my client.

- That concludes our story.

Scenes of next weeks play

will on view in a few minutes.

One last word in behalf

of my cemetery and funeral
business.

I'm running a special this week.

A combination, 10-day Caribbean
cruise

and a burial at sea.

It's quite popular.

As we learned this evening,

the law of double jeopardy

protects the criminal

from having to face the
same charge more than once.

No such mercies shown
the television viewer.

In other words,

here is another commercial.

["The Funeral March of a
Marionette" by Charles Gounod]

[dramatic music]