06x20 - Beauty And The Breast

[bunniefuu]

Previously on "L.A. Law"...

My father worked very hard for that money, Mr. Becker,

and she's letting that gigolo throw it away.


-Don't you talk about my husband that way.
-I love Marion.

Why is it so hard for you to accept?

I'd guess there's more to a forty
-year
-old guy

married to an old lady than meets the eye.

I found a letter he wrote to Marion dated six month ago.


-What kind of letter?
-It was an apology.

It seems ol' Roger, in an effort to prop up a failing business,

borrowed some money from one of his wife's accounts

without her knowledge.


-[door slams]
-You son of a bitch.


-What?
-Arnie's case just blew up.

The other side subpoenaed that letter, and once the judge sees it,

he's bound to rule in favor of the daughter.


-So why are you yelling at me?
-Because you told them.

What?

So your mom and Brian don't get along?


-Do you think he's too old for me?
-Is he older?

See? You couldn't even tell.

But since he's already graduated,

Mom's all freaked out.

I'd like you to meet Mikhail Olinskov,

the next Bobby DeNiro, if I have anything to do with it,

and my fiancé.

Suzie, you are wonderful.

You ain't seen nothing yet.

I've known Mikhail forever.

We have partied together,

gotten drunk together.

We even got married.

But until last night...

Well, I never thought I had a chance.

My mother said that men with accents can't be trusted.

Then maybe you should come with me to Russia.

I don't have an accent there.

But I would.

Could I trust you then?

Miss Carlisle, your carriage is waiting.


-[chuckles]
-That was terrific. Both of you.

You are everything that Kenneth said you were.

You better jump on this train, Kenny,

'cause it's blasting out of the station.

There's one more scene that I'd like to try.

Does anyone mind?

Actually, I wrote this myself.

The original story,

I don't know, it just seemed so restrained.

Well, it is Victorian England.

Yes, but we're releasing the movie in .

Even Maid Marian and Robin Hood, they got it on this time around.

[both chuckle]


-Ready?
-Think so.

You bastard, you can't have forgotten me.

Coachman, get this peasant away from me.


-Don't you remember these lips?
-No.


-These eyes?
-No.


-This voice?
-No.

Well then, what about these?

♪♪ [theme]

First up,Cheryl Brennen v. Worldwide Studios.


-We're representing Cheryl Brennen?
-Down, boy.

We're representing the studio Ms. Brennen is suing.

Oh, this is about her silicone implants.

Implants?

She claims the studio forced her to get them.

Oh, what, they put a g*n to her head?

Our side's onna have a hard time showing liability.

Even so, I wish we had settled,

since the opposing counsel is one David McCoy.


-He's a heavyweight.
-McCoy is good.

How aggressive can you get against him,

without alienating your jury?

Looks like I'm gonna find out.

Next up,McConnell v. Devries.

It's history.

The judge decided that my septuagenarian bride

needed her daughter as a conservator.

Why didn't her new husband qualify?

Because we were ambushed. I'd like to come talk


-to you about it privately.
-Yeah, please do.

And last on the agenda,

Jonathan has an announcement.

Some of you already know this,

but I've been asked to serve out

Art Middleman's term on the city council.


-Wow!
-Congratulations.

Yeah, it's a five
-month appointment.

I'm not considering running for a seat.


-He's already declining like a politician.
-Lost him.


-You and Mario Cuomo.
-Yeah.

In any case, I'll be on leave of absence beginning today.

We're very proud of your well
-deserved recognition, Jonathan.

And rest assured, McKenzie Brackman won't expect

any special favors from city hall.

[overlapping chatter]

We're adjourned.

Look, I have a few parking tickets I wanna talk to you about.

Oh, okay, Stuart.

This is about the McConnell case.

Actually, it's about more than that.

During the hearings, a document,

a letter came into my possession.

Now, the only ones who knew about it,

other than Marion McConnell and her husband,

were Gwen and I.

Somehow the other side got wind of it,

laid a subpoena on us, end of case.

Do you have any idea how they discovered its existence?

Yeah. I think Frank Kittredge told them.

What?

He and Gwen have been seeing each other.

First she denied having told him anything,

now she admits she did.

She thinks he's blameless. I don't.

I understand that you just inexplicably lost a case.

But to assume that Kittredge is responsible
-
-


-What possible motive could he have?
-I don't know.

But I want you to bounce his ass right out of here.

Well, it's not as simple as that.

Jonathan has just handed off a portion of his clients to Frank.

He's taken on a significant amount of our client overflow.

The bastard manipulated Gwen. He cost me my case,

exposed us to malpractice.

You're talking financial investments?

Now, hold on.

If you can prove this,

not only will I insist that Susan Bloom bounce him out of here,

I'll happily see to it that he's disbarred.

But right now,

do you have any evidence to back up your accusation?


-I'll get it.
-Fine!

Until then, I suggest you remember it's only that,

an accusation.

My best offer's manslaughter with a maximum sentence of years.

We're not interested.

If your client goes down on m*rder one,

he's looking at life without parole.

I didn't do it.

I can tie you to the w*apon

and the inmate that you k*lled.

Your whole case is circumstantial.

You wouldn't be plea bargaining if you thought you could prove first
-degree m*rder.

When the jury looks at Walter, they're gonna see a convict

who's already doing a long stretch behind bars.

You think they're gonna be predisposed to find him innocent?

You're a fool not to take this deal.

My client is scheduled for parole in two months.

He's not gonna serve another minute in prison for something he didn't do.

We're due in court.

I know the judge feels

you're qualified to handle this case,

but a m*rder trial is a lot different

than writing writs or juggling bogus appeals

for your other pals in prison.

I've sat in my cell and read law books hours a day

for the past years.

I may not be a lawyer,

but I plan to win this case.

Can you describe events leading up to your discovery of the victim's body?

I was on the g*n rail in the prison laundry.

We had just put the inmates on the line

and marched them to dinner.

I looked down, and I saw this big red spot

on the side of one of the canvas laundry carts.

Went to check it out and found Shamal Jebsome's body under a pile of shirts.

Blood was still oozing out of the holes in his chest.


-What did you do?
-I notified administration

They gave the order to lock down,

and we began a cell
-by
-cell search.

We found a homemade Kn*fe covered with blood in the cell

occupied by Walter Phelps.

And is this the Kn*fe you found?

Yes, ma'am.

Your Honor, I ask that this w*apon be introduced

into evidence, Exhibit .

So ordered.

Sergeant Hoxie, did you observe

the victim and the defendant

in the laundry room the day of the m*rder?

Yes, I did.

They operated steam presses next to each other.

And how would you characterize their behavior

toward each other that day?

Hostile. They had an argument requiring the intervention

of a correctional officer.

In fact, one month prior to Mr. Jebsome's m*rder,

you filed a disciplinary report,

did you not, describing an altercation

between these two men in which you

confiscated a steel pipe from the defendant.

Phelps was brandishing the w*apon.

I heard him thr*aten to k*ll Jebsome.

Thank you.

Your witness.

Sergeant Hoxie, how long have you been a guard at Bolsa Verde?

Eighteen years. Not quite as long as you've been there.

Your Honor, my background is irrelevant to these proceedings.

I ask that the witness's remark be stricken from the record.


-So ordered.
-Isn't it true that a convict has to be strong

and stand up to other convicts if he's gonna survive in the joint?

Objection, Your Honor. I don't see the relevance to this question.

Sergeant Hoxie has testified that on an earlier occasion

He heard my client thr*aten the victim's life.

I'm asking him to interpret that thr*at

in the context of the behavior he has seen in prison

every day for the past years.

Overruled. You may answer the question, Sergeant.

All an inmate has to do to survive in prison

is follow the rules.

The warden's rules or the convict's rules?

The victim had a history of sexual as*ault, did he not?


-Yes.
-By brandishing a pipe and threatening the victim,

isn't it possible that Mr. Phelps was merely making it clear

in the language of a convict that he wasn't gonna be anybody's girlfriend?

All I know is I heard Phelps say he was gonna k*ll him.

On the day of the m*rder,

when you searched Mr. Phelps' cell,


-did you find any blood on his clothing?
-No.

The victim was stabbed four times in the chest and the belly.

Based on your experience,

wouldn't those kinds of wounds cause blood to splatter on the k*ller?

I don't know. When you knifed that prison guard to death, did you get any blood on you?


-Your Honor?
-Sergeant, you're a hare's breath away

from causing a mistrial.

One more comment like that,

and you'll be doing time for contempt.

Ladies and gentlemen, you're instructed

to disregard Sergeant Hoxie's comment in its entirety.

Sergeant Hoxie,

you didn't actually see Mr. Phelps s*ab the victim, did you?

No, I did not.

No further questions at this time.

[cane taps]

[cane clatters]

[wood creaks]

Some lawyers study briefs on the eve of the trial,

I study courtrooms as well.

I'm sorry, Mr. McCoy,

I guess I've been caught staring.

Ms. Lamb, didn't you hear?

We've been postponed till tomorrow.

Actually, I was looking for the clerk. I'll get out of your way.

You're probably not looking forward to getting this one

in front of a jury as much as I am.


-Oh, we thought you'd take the money and run.
-[chuckles]

You're gonna have a hard go

proving my client was in any way responsible

for client's cosmetic surgery.

I don't think that's what's going to be on the jury's minds.

Well, we'll find out tomorrow.

See you in court.

[chuckles]

♪♪

[knocking on door]

[pounding on door]

[pounding on door]

Sarah.

Honey, it's
-
- it's
-
- it's after midnight.


-What's wrong?
-Everything.


-What is it?
-She's driving me crazy.

I was only an hour late.

You had a fight with your mom.

She hates Brian for no reason.

[cries]


-I can't take it.
-Okay, okay.

Will you let me stay here with you?

She knows she has a curfew on school nights,

and she knew what the consequences would be.

Karen, I'm not here to question your rules.

You know, but you did take her in.

Yeah, yeah, for one night.

And we made that very clear.

And if you hadn't said okay on the phone, we wouldn't have done that.

Stuart, I just thought that Sarah and I had made it through the worst.

I've been holding my breath for four years.

The last few months, she's been so defiant.

And finding you meant she could really go after me.

Yeah. Yeah.

Ann mentioned that you're not too crazy

about this boy she's going with.

I mean, she does not want to interfere.

No, but if she takes Sara's side or contradicts my judgment
-
-

That's why she thinks the three of you should get together and talk,

so that doesn't happen.

[sighs]

Karen, we know that you're sensitive.

I'm not sensitive,

I'm scared.

One reason I never told you about Sara was

I knew you had money,

and I was worried if you wanted to,

you could pull her away from me.

You're doing it right now,

and Ann's helping.

I'll I ever hear about is your gorgeous house

and Ann's beautiful clothes

and how Ann's car never needs a jumpstart.

[chuckles]

Please, I can't compete.

We don't wanna compete.

But she's my daughter too,

and I have strong feelings about it.

Yes, which she blackmails me with every day.

So we have to change that.

I don't want any more changes.

I just want my daughter back.

Well, you're not gonna get her back

if you deny her her father.

I can live with that. What I won't live with

is losing my daughter to your wife.

♪♪

Did your office conduct a forensic analysis

of the blood
-covered Kn*fe found in the defendant's cell?


-Yes.
-And what were your findings?

The Kn*fe is crudely made

and consistent with the jagged punctures

I examined on the body.

Lab tests showed that the blood on the w*apon

was that of the victim.

Do you have any doubt that the Kn*fe you examined

was the one used to k*ll Mr. Jebsome?

Objection! Inadequate foundation

for the witness to reach such a conclusion.

Your Honor, I believe I've laid foundation.

There's a Kn*fe of specific design and entry pattern,

as well as blood that matches the victim.

JUDGE: I'll allow it.

Ms. Lapine, in your expert opinion,

do you have any doubt that the Kn*fe found in Mr. Phelps' cell

less than an hour after the m*rder

is the same one used to k*ll Mr. Jebsome?

No doubt at all.

Thank you. Your witness.

Ms. Lapine, did you find any fingerprints on the m*rder w*apon?

They'd been wiped off.

Somebody went to the trouble

of wiping off the fingerprints but not the blood.

If you were gonna frame a person for m*rder,

wouldn't you clean your own fingerprints off the w*apon

but leave evidence that would link the w*apon to Mr. Phelps?

Objection. He's asking the witness to speculate.

Your Honor, as a forensic expert, Ms. Lapine's job

is to recreate crime scenarios.

You're reaching here, Mr. Moats.

Sustained.

According to the autopsy,

Mr. Jebsome's aorta was severed below the sternum.

Would that cause blood to spurt?

I've found blood splattered within eight feet of a victim.

Based on your experience,

wouldn't you expect the perpetrator of such a gory crime

to have blood on his clothing?

Yes, I would.

Did you find any blood

on Walter Phelps' clothing?

No, I did not.

Thank you, Ms. Lapine.

This is Cheryl Brennen's screen debut

in the film,

Separate Hearts.

Audiences saw a natural beauty.

Young, fresh, promising.

Unfortunately, Jeffrey Stern,

the president of Worldwide Studios,

saw a commodity that was flawed and needed improvement.

He offered her a starring role in Worldwide Studios'

feature film,Jamaica Rain.

But there was one condition.

She would have to have her breasts enlarged with surgical implants.

In fact, Jeffrey Stern was so adamant on this

that he handpicked the doctor

and he paid for all of her medical costs.

But there was one thing that Jeffrey Stern didn't do.

He didn't warn her about the potential for painful scarring.

or the possibility that one of the implants

might rupture inside her, as one did,

necessitating a mastectomy of the right breast.

After that, the film offers dried up.

To an industry that is obsessed with sex appeal and image,

Cheryl Brennen was damaged goods.

Jeffrey Stern robbed Cheryl Brennen.

He robbed her of her looks, her career and her health,

but yet he doesn't think he owes her anything.

In the course of this trail,

we will show that Jeffery Stern

owes Cheryl Brennen more than he can ever repay.

What happened to Cheryl Brennen is tragic.

And there is no doubt that others share

the responsibility for her suffering.

Certainly, the implant manufactureris liable.

And Ms. Brennen is going after them in a separate action.

But to point at the head of a studio and say,

"He made me get implants," is ludicrous.

Mr. Stern didn't force Cheryl Brennen to have her breasts surgically enlarged.

The evidence will show that decision was hers and hers alone.

She must take responsibility for her choice.

Thank you.

The court is recessed until p.m.

Cheryl, I know you don't believe it,

but we all are truly sorry for what has happened.

I believe you're sorry to be here, Jeff.

I know how precious your time is.

After you. Mr. Stern, Ms. Lamb.

B.J., forward.

Boy, you got some serious paper going here.

Oh, yeah, I guess I do.

Have you seen the notation on the new tax forms?

"For Paperwork Reduction Act instructions,

see separate sheet."

[chuckles]

You're Brenda, right?

Yeah. I work for Frank Kittredge.

All day and all night as far as I can tell.

Well, I like to keep busy.

Hey, I thought I had first dibs on the best and brightest secretaries.

Thanks. That's
-
- That's awfully nice to hear.

Don't tell me Frank isn't lavish with his compliments.

No, Mr. Kittredge is a very fair boss.

How come you're always too busy to talk to me?


-I'm not.
-Oh, come on.

I see you in here night after night, late.

You know, I'm gonna go talk to Frank about overworking you.

[chuckles] You'll have to wait.

He's in court all afternoon.

Is he?


-[knocking on door]
-Susie.

Babe, you're early.

You won't be able to decipher this, but basically,


-Kenny met our price.
-Fantastic.

Twelve weeks plus one guaranteed,

personal trainer on payroll,

star trailer on location,

and name above the title.


-You said I wouldn't get that.
-I underestimated the heat.


-Oh!
-[chuckles]

Wolfgang's got our champagne on ice.

Let's go celebrate.

Oh, Susie, I'm sorry. I have to cancel our date.

Uh, Mimi wants to rehearse tonight.

Well, hey, babe, don't be late.

You know what happened to the guy you're replacing.

Susie, should we talk about us?


-Should we?
-Well, I've been feeling,

since our night together,


-which was a big surprise.
-I'll say.

A nice surprise. But I've been thinking,

this hasn't changed our ground rules, am I right?


-And I'm worried that for you
-
-
-Hey! Don't worry.

It's not in your contract. We're in sync here.

If you say so.


-I'm sorry to miss dinner.
-No biggie.

If I don't see you in the morning, break a leg.

Thanks for everything, [speaks Russian].


-[door closes]
-[drawer slams]

Mr. Phelps, what do you do on the outside?

I'm a farmer. I used to grow marijuana,

which, unfortunately, is against the law.

So I'm incarcerated, but I'm not a m*rder*r.

Sergeant Hoxie said he heard you arguing

with the victim just prior to the m*rder.

Mr. Jebsome borrowed three packets

of instant soup from me several months ago.

I asked many times to please repay the loan.

I was growing increasingly irritated.

And that day in the laundry, I was expressing my irritation.

But that's all I did.

We heard testimony that on another occasion,

you wielded a pipe and threatened to k*ll Mr. Jebsome.

Because of my long hair,

Mr. Jebsome thought I wanted to be a woman, his woman,

which I did not. [chuckles]

Therefore, like the spiny blowfish,

I adopted a menacing behavior to ward off a predator.

No, neither of us is equipped to k*ll.

When did you last see Mr. Jebsome?

At the end of our shift. He was standing behind his steam press.

MOATS: What happened then?

The bell went off,

and we got on line to go to supper.

Did you notice Mr. Jebsome at this time?

I had no knowledge of his presence

or lack thereof.

I was thinking about my food.

So you went to the dining hall

and you ate.

What happened then?

Then I went back to my cell to meditate.

Then they put us in lockdown,

and the screws tore the place apart.

And they found that Kn*fe in my stash.

Mr. Phelps, if you didn't k*ll Mr. Jebsome,

how do you explain the presence of the m*rder w*apon in your cell?

Well, I couldn't say for sure.

See, in prison,

things just have a way of happening.

MOATS: There are inmates in Bolsa Verde.

Why do you think you were chosen to be framed?

I don't have anybody looking out for me.

See, most inmates belong to gangs.

I do not. [chuckles]

So I'm paying the price.

MOATS: I have nothing further.

Mr. Phelps, you have testified that you argued with the victim

over three packets of soup he owed you,

nothing to k*ll a man over.

Isn't it true that convicts trade packets of soup

from everything from coffee and cigarettes

to dr*gs and inmate prostitutes?

Soup's pretty valuable.

And people k*ll for valuable things, don't they?

I didn't k*ll Jebsome.

The unpaid debt was the motive.

Working together at the laundry was the opportunity.

I'm a pot grower.

And while growing pot is considered a crime,

I do not consider myself a criminal.

In other words, your only real defense

to charges of m*rder

is that you are an exemplary drug dealer?


-Objection.
-Withdrawn. I have nothing further.

Miss Clemmons? My name's Melinda Garrett.

I was sitting in the back of the courtroom today.

You were lucky to get a seat.

Phelps is innocent.

I hope the members of the jury haven't made that decision already.

I don't mean I think he's innocent.

I know he's innocent.

How's that?

Ebell Hoxie's my ex
-boyfriend.

Sergeant Hoxie, the guard who testified?


-Yeah, only he was lying.
-How do you know that?

Because he's the one that k*lled that convict.

♪♪

Not this again. I've already been through this with Gwen.

Gwen doesn't believe you sank my case,

or she doesn't wanna believe it.

You've really got her snowed, haven't you?

Arnie, this is absurd.

Why would I wanna sabotage your case?


-Your phone log for the past two weeks.
-[book drops]


-How did you get this?
-Does it matter?

According to this, you returned calls to a woman

identified only as Laura, no phone number.

I don't need one, I know it by heart.

But it's not Laura McConnell. It's an old friend of mine, Laura Shipley.

I'm sure. And I'm sure you can produce someone to attest to this.


-You're very good.
-And you're good enough to know you can't back up

these ridiculous allegations.

From what Gwen tells me,

whoever did leak that information

may have been doing your client a favor.

Her husband embezzled more than that first grand, didn't he?

That's not the point. you interfered with my case.

You used Gwen, you manipulated her.

This from the man who seduced her in his office

and tried to have her fired?

You're a splendid moral example.


-Right. And I'll do whatever it takes.
-Thanks for the warning.

Dr. Shearer, when you first saw Cheryl Brennen last year,

she'd already experienced complications

from her silicone breast implants, is that correct?

Yes, approximately one year after the initial insertions,

Miss Brennen began experiencing capsular contracture in both breasts.


-And in plain terms?
-Excess scar tissue formed around the implants

and constricted, causing disfiguration of the breasts

and extreme pain.

Because of the severity of symptoms,

Miss Brennen's breasts had to be reopened

so that the scar tissue could be cut away,

and the implants replaced.

Dr. Shearer, did this solve the problem?

No, the symptoms recurred,

and the operation had to be repeated.

In fact, by the time I saw her,

she'd had four such surgeries

as well as a closed capsulotomy.


-Now, what is that?
-It's a non
-surgical procedure

in which the scar tissue is broken up by externally squeezing the breasts.

And what would you say is the advantage of this method of treatment?

Mainly to avoid surgery. Plus, each time you remove an implant,

you peel out some of the tissue along with it.

Cheryl had wanted to preserve as much of her breast tissue as possible.

And was this treatment successful?

Only temporarily. When Cheryl came to me,

her right implant had ruptured,

and I had to surgically remove the leaking prosthesis.

What did you find when you opened up Cheryl Brennen's right breast?

It was like an oil spill.

The silicone gel had oozed out of its envelope,

and there were globs of it throughout the surrounding tissue.

In order to clean it up,

I had to remove all her remaining breast tissue.

And what about the left implant?

Although it appeared to be intact,

I removed it also at Cheryl's request.

Thank you. Nothing further.

Dr. Shearer, did Cheryl Brennen come to you

out of dissatisfaction with her previous surgeon, Dr. Ludwig,

whom Worldwide Studios had recommended?

No, she came to me on referral after Dr. Ludwig's death.

Is there any way Dr. Ludwig could've known

that Cheryl was prone to capsular contracture

or that one of her implants might break?

No, the vast majority of implant recipients

don't have serious complications.

There is no way to predict who will and who won't.

Isn't it extremely rare to remove all the breast tissue

after a rupture as you did with Cheryl?

It may be rare, but in her case it was necessary.

Didn't you, in fact, exceed what was necessary?

I did what any responsible surgeon would have done.

So instead of leaving Cheryl without a breast,

did you consider any further reconstruction?

After all she'd been through, the last thing she needed was another implant.

So it was Cheryl Brennen's decision to forego further surgery

that might improve her appearance?

Can you seriously blame her?

Was it her decision?

Yes.

Thank you.

♪♪

All rise!

Mr. Moats, you can call your next witness.

Your Honor, we have no further witnesses.


-The defense rests.
-JUDGE: Very well.

Then let's proceed with closing arguments.

Miss Clemmons?

Your Honor, uh, at this time,

I request a
-minute recess.

Is this really necessary, Counselor?

Yes, Your Honor, I think it is.

Why aren't you putting Melinda Garrett on the stand?

I don't think she's a credible witness.

I don't either, but if she can make the jury believe

that Hoxie's somehow involved in Jebsome's m*rder,

you may be able to establish reasonable doubt.

Don't you tell me how to argue my case.

Either you're a real dope, which I don't think you are,

or this is some strategy to get your client grounds for appeal

based on incompetent representation.

Why the hell do you care?

I'm a big fan of due process.

Your client is entitled to have all the evidence heard.

You know, in the place where I live,

men would cut each other's throats for a pair of your panties.

So all your talk about due process counts for less

than whatever it is you're wearing under that.

Okay, prison's bad and you're bitter.

But what the hell does that have to do with you screwing

your client out of the only sh*t he's got?

If I put this woman on the stand

and the jury convicts,

my guy will be dead, and I'll be next.

You snitch on a prison g*ng

or a guard who's in their pocket,

your life's not worth one packet of chicken noodle soup.

If you have a case you're not making because you're afraid of retribution,

let me help.

I'll see you're protected.

I'm a lifer.

Even if Walter gets out, where are you gonna put me?

There's not a joint in the country where I'll be safe.

If you're gonna sell out Walter Phelps because you're looking over your own shoulder,

you shoulda stuck to making license plates.


-I'll have the endive salad.
-And I'll have the same.

I'm sorry, ma'am. There's no smoking in this section.


-Mom.
-Oh, I didn't think to ask.


-You wanna try to move?
-Oh, no. No big deal.


-You keep saying you're gonna stop.
-Yeah, no willpower.

Really, I'm
-
- I'm fine here.

Well, I'm very glad that we could all get together.

Me too.

I know its been a little rough on all of us lately.

Well, actually I have an idea

how things could go smoother.

I think I ought to move in with Ann and Stuart,

at least until school starts in the fall.


-If that would be okay with you.
-It's not okay with me.

See? You say you'll hear me out, but as soon as
-
-

I am just telling you, Sarah, I don't like the idea.

I agree with your mom, Sarah. It's only a month before you graduate.

This doesn't have anything to do with the fact

that Brian works near Ann and Stuart's, would it?

I haven't even seen Brian... hardly.

Oh, so she has been with Brian.


-Is that a problem?
-Why don't you ask me?

Because you don't let me in on what you're doing.

You've now got Ann to confide in.

Maybe because every time I even mention Brian, you lose it.

I lose it when you ignore my rules against dating on school nights.


-I never heard that rule.
-No, of course not,

you don't have to enforce rules

or say no or get blamed.

After years, you and Stuart can just be Sarah's wonderful pals.

Keeping Sarah from Stuart was your lie, not ours.

SARAH: You didn't want me to have anyone but you.

You wouldn't tell me anything about him.

You are ganging up on me.

I've done my damndest for you.

But you can't blame Stuart for not helping you.

I didn't want his help or yours.

Sarah and I were doing just fine before you started helping.


-SARAH: Mom.
-Look, we don't need to talk this through.

All I need is for you to not see Brian behind my back

an for you to stay out of it.

All right, Miss Clemmons, let's proceed.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,

I've asked you to find Walter Phelps guilty of m*rder in the first degree.

Your Honor?

I apologize to the prosecution for interrupting,

but I respectfully request that the defense be allowed

to call one more witness.

[crowd murmuring]

Ms. Garrett, what reason would Sergeant Hoxie have

to perjure himself?

Ebell's a prison guard,

but he makes most of his money being a mule

for some Latino g*ng.

I forget their name.

Move to strike. No foundation.

How do you know this? He's got a $, stereo

and a new Corvette.

You don't make that kind of money working for the state.

That isn't enough, Miss Garrett. The answer's stricken.

Ms. Garrett, tell the court what happened

on the night Shamal Jebsome was k*lled.

I was ironing. Ebell came home drunk as usual

and asked me how to get blood out of his shirt.

I told him Fels
-Naptha and cold water,

cause that's what my mom uses on stains.

Did you ask him about the blood?

Yeah. He said he'd had to teach a n*gg*r a lesson.

He said that he'd made him ineligible for parole permanently.

What did you take that to mean?

That he k*lled the guy.

MOATS: Did he say anything else?

Yeah. He said that for taking care of the g*ng's business,

they were gonna pay him enough money to buy an above
-ground swimming pool.

Ms. Garrett, why are you coming forward now,

instead of a month ago when Shamal Jebsome was k*lled?

Well, I know it isn't right,

but Ebell and me, we were gonna get married.

I didn't want to get him in trouble.

I came to my senses after we broke up.

No further questions.

You said Ebell told you he had teach a n*gg*r a lesson.

Did he ever tell you specifically that he k*lled a man?

He didn't use those words,

but I knew what he meant.

But he never said, "I k*lled someone,"

or "I stabbed a man,"


-or anything like that.
-No.

Melinda, when did you and Sergeant Hoxie break off your engagement?


-About a month ago.
-And why was that?

Because I found him in our bed with one of my girlfriends.

And is that why you came forward to testify,

because you're angry and you want to get back at him?

No, I wanna see justice done.

Yet your desire to see Ebell punished for this crime

was awakened only after you discovered he was cheating on you, isn't that right?


-Yes.
-Thank you, Melinda.

I have nothing further.

Nice job, Counselor. You may just pull this off.

I signed my own death warrant in that courtroom today.

Look, I'm gonna try and get you placed in protective custody.

moved out of state, whatever it takes.

Protective custody is the worst place I could be.

Even if I get it, it won't be a con who'll do the job,

it'll be some crooked screw like Hoxie.

Well, maybe I can get you paroled.

Oh, come on, Counselor.

They don't let out people who k*ll prison guards.

And even if they did, a parole review takes time.

I'd never make it to the hearing.

I feel responsible.

You did what you had to do.

We all gotta do what we gotta do.

If there's any way I can help!

There is something.

In case the jury finds Walter guilty,

I'd like to be ready with a motion to set aside the verdict.

Do you think you could get a colleague access to a law library

so I can prepare?

I think I can make that happen.

That would be greatly appreciated.

Hey, what are you doing here so early?

You must be as behind as I am.

Oh, let's not talk about behinds.

They call these jelly
-filled?

Oh, that's much better.


-So how is everything?
-Dandy.

That's why I'm binging on lard and sugar at a.m. in semi
-public.

Does this have anything to do with your two
-year plan

with the Russian or form?

I've built a career tailoring deals I can live with.


-You want one?
-Uh
-uh.

And, boy, have I screwed up this time.

Which deal are we talking about, the movie or the marriage?


-Take your pick.
-Hey, don't be so hard on yourself.

You two had sex. That could change any marriage.

[chuckles]

The only thing that changed is that I suckered myself

into thinking Mikhail had feelings for me.


-Listen, I sound like a sap.
-No, you sound like a human being.

Exactly.

Two nights ago, he didn't come home till three in the morning.

Said he was rehearsing.

Last night, he calls,

says there's been a schedule change.

They're sh**ting a night scene.

And I sat up in my bathrobe like a jealous wife

torturing myself with images of Mikhail and Mimi.

You think this is pathetic? You should have seen me before Donut Land.


-sh**ting range.
-Hmm?

That's what I do when I start feeling vulnerable.

A little target practice gets me back on beam

before I do something really stupid.

[chuckles]

Your method has fewer carbohydrates.

Yeah, but my right eardrum's sh*t.

[laughing]

Listen, when you start to nosedive

around, uh, , come see me.

We'll take a coffee break, yeah?

Hey. Thanks.


-Zoey.
-I got here as soon as I could.

What the hell happened?

Nick Moats escaped from custody last night,

no thanks to you.

Me? Wait, what's this got to do with me?

He wouldn't have disappeared out the ventilation shaft

if you hadn't gotten him access to the law library.

Every time Moats leaves that courtroom,

he's handcuffed and has three guards with him.


-Where were they?
-That's not the point.

The P.D.'s office has taken over Phelps's case.

They're about to ask for a mistrial.

Your job is to make sure they don't get one.

All rise.

I appreciate counsels being here on such short notice.

Due to the extraordinary circumstances,

I thought I should hear from both sides.

Will counsel please approach?

Edward Mann for the Defense, Your Honor.

In view of the fact that previous counsel for the defense escaped from custody

and is currently at large, I move for a mistrial.

I object, Your Honor.

The jury has no knowledge is a fugitive,

and therefore cannot be prejudiced by that information.

Your Honor, clearly, Mr. Moats was using this court

as a staging ground for his escape,

which means he was not advancing

an adequate defense of his client.

Your Honor, you and I both saw how impressively Mr. Moats

argued his case for the defense.

Evidently, counsel was sufficiently impressed

that she interceded on Mr. Moats' behalf

in such a way as so to facilitate his escape.

Are you implying I'm an accessory?

I'm just stating the facts,

and the facts are you're implicated,

which leads me to question the fairness of this entire proceeding, Your Honor.


-Your Honor
-
-
-Mr. Mann,

I'm satisfied with the treatment

the defendant's received in this courtroom.

The jury has been sequestered since yesterday

and isn't aware of these recent events.

I'm inclined to let them do their job

and return the verdict.

Motion for mistrial denied.

The court is in recess.

[overlapping chatter]

[no audible dialogue]

Excuse me.

Well, my guess is he won't bite unless we go higher.

I'm sorry, but there's no way my studio is responsible for what happened to that woman.

Yeah, but you can see it, though.

The jury does not sympathize

with rich Hollywood studios, Jeff.

They sympathize with maimed women like Cheryl Brennen.


-[intercom beeps]
-WOMAN:Mr. McCoy's here.


-Show him in.
-C.J., I've built a career

on knowing what appeals to an audience.

I've been watching the jury too.

And if McCoy won't settle, I think we can win.

The trend right now is strong, independent women.

who take responsibility for themselves,


-a woman like yourself.
-Is that why you hired me?

Given a choice between you and a victim like Cheryl Brennen,

I don't think there's any question who the winner is.


-[knocking on door]
-Come in.

Thank you.


-Ms. Lamb, Mr. Stern.
-Hello.

Is there an empty chair to my right or my left?


-To your right.
-Thank you.

I expected you want to settle before Cheryl testified.


-What's your offer?
-$, all in, no admission of liability.


-Barely covers her medicals.
-What do you want, Mr. McCoy?


-Two million.
-You're way out of line.

When my client became ill,

she was earning half a million a picture.

But she was not an established star.

And that's why I'm not asking for million.

Look, when you come back down to earth, we'll continue this.

If I were you, I would reconsider your position.

I'm about to paint a picture of your client

you'll wish that jury never saw.

When I'm done, two million's gonna look like a bargain.

As you said, Mr. McCoy, we'll see you in court.

Left, B.J.


-[door opens]
-Thank you, Mr. Stern.

[door closes]

Hey! Aren't I married to you?

Hi, Susie. We've been missing each other at home.

Yeah. When you just come in to shower and change midday,

you're sure to miss me.

They treating you okay on the set?

So far so good.

Well, Kenny's been wild about your dailies.

Said you and Mimi are burning up the film.

And that's where it's going to stay.

On film.

That's what I came here to tell you.

I'm not going to sleep with Mimi Francis,

so you don't need to worry about her.

Look. [chuckles]

You and I said "I do" to a business deal, not a marriage.

I understand our agreement to the letter.

I'm not gonna attach any new provisions.

And I won't violate the spirit of our contract.

This is hardly a conventional marriage.

But sometimes we have to trust each other more than husbands and wives.

I'm not going to abuse that trust.

I'm not going to run around with my leading ladies and hurt your feelings.

Whoa!

[chuckles] Are you feeling sorry for me?

No, I'm not feeling sorry, I am feeling respect.

You work very hard to make me look good in your town.

I'm not going to do something to make you look foolish.

Fair enough.

[chuckles] You know, Mikhail,

you're a pleasure to do business with.

[kisses]

[knocking on door]

[knocking on door]

[pounding on door]


-Karen.
-Where is she?


-What?
-Sarah.

Sarah's not here.

What do you mean she's not here?

I mean she left early this afternoon.

She never came home.

Come on.

Yeah.

[siren wails in distance]

[phone rings]

Hello.

When you live in a place

with green walls and blue uniforms,

you forget how many colors there are out here.

Congratulations.

The jury found Walter not guilty.

I read about it in the paper.

[chuckles] Always good to win your last case.

So nothing happens to him,

I've recommended that his sentence be commuted to time served.

Oh, good. That's good.

I didn't have any choice, you know,

doing what I did.

I hope I didn't cause any problems for you.

Nothing you couldn't repair by turning yourself in.

[chuckles] I can't help you there.

I wanna thank you for what you did for me.

If you think that I intentionally

helped you escape, you're crazy.

Whatever you say, Counselor.

For what it's worth, you have my promise.

I'll do everything I can to be a standup citizen.

So long, Zoey.


-[dial tone]
-[sighs]

[receiver clatters]

[sighs]

♪♪ [theme]