02x07 - Say His Name

[bunniefuu]

[ Bell dings ]
It's like we talked about
already.

You know what I mean,
little man?

You gotta share
Mommy's time now.

What's up, Sherwin?
Hi, Andy.

[ Bell dings ]
Hi, Tank.

[ Both chuckle ]
How's the baby?

Oh, man,
she's beautiful.

Ah.
[ Chuckles ]

All she does is cry.

Yeah, well, that's
what babies do. They cry.

You're a big brother,
so it's your job to protect her.

Marcel.

Son, look [clears throat]
I need you to help me out, okay?

Go easy on Mommy.

Okay,
I'll be good, Daddy.

My man.

[ Both imitate expl*si*n ]

[ Chuckles ]

[ Cellphone ringing ]

Hey, baby.

Please tell me
they have it.

Boom.
Say my name, woman.

[ Chuckles ]

You weren't too hard on him,
were you?

No, no, he's fine.
I'll see you in a few?

I love you.

Love you back.
[ Chuckles ]

Don't tell Mommy
I let you have that.

Aaron:
His name is Andy Josiah.

Husband to Elaine,
father to Marcel and Lailah.

Can I watch elephants?

Yeah, you already know
the code.
Andy's just like you and me.

♪♪

[ Laughs ] You are too funny,
man. I'm telling you.

Now,
Mommy's gonna be there.

She got the popcorn
and the movie ready, so ‐‐

I left Tank!

Nah, it's okay.

I'll just turn around.

He wants more for his kids.

Do you think
he's still there?

Ain't nobody messin'
with Tank.

Tank's the man.

No one would have ever known
about Andy.

He would've just kept on
living his life...

[ Siren wails ]

...and I would've
never found him,

but I did.

♪♪

Hey, Ronnie, that Covid‐pod idea
you had was genius.

We did it at the office.

I think I'll keep him.

[ Chuckles ]

You know,
I wish Marie could be here.

Yeah.
How are things going
at the hospital?

Infection rate's still up.

She's been working
eight weeks straight.

You been able to
open back up yet?

Sporting‐goods store isn't
essential business, so...no.

Yeah, but it's been good having
more time with you, though.

[ Chuckling ] Yes, yes.

Well, getting
to see my grandson

is not the only reason
for this brunch.

We want to
have AJ baptized.

The church will allow
a small gathering.

Um...

we're not really religious.

Like, at all.
[ Chuckles ]

Well, we're not zealots,

but we do believe
in our Lord and Savior.

And our pastor
baptized Ronnie.

Look, he's great.
You'd like him, Mr. Wallace.

I'm sure.

We need to talk to Marie
about this.

Of course.

It's important for the family
to be a unit on this.

We're not even religious.

I know.
That's what we said.

AJ's their grandson, too.

Oh, so
you're on their side.

Hey, you picked the boy.

[ Laughs ]

He's getting so big.

He's treating me
like an all‐you‐can‐eat buffet.

Oh, speaking of,
feeding time.

[ AJ crying ]

No sad face.

Hey,
my mom's a superhero.

I have to share her
with the world.

Love you.

[ Softly ] Love you.

[ Crying continues ]




You gotta be exhausted.

Yeah, I don't even know
how I'm standing right now.

I don't like this.

What?

Having a window between us
again.

♪♪

How's Ms. Noreen?

We took her
off the ventilator.

Well, that's good.
Yeah. [ Chuckles ]

She's something else.

Married three times,

and I think she has her eye
on the patient two doors down.

You keep doing what you're doing
for your patients.

And when you're done...

I'm here.

♪♪

So, the house will be split
between you and your sister?

Yes, 50/50
is how he wanted it.

Alright, the file that we just
e‐mailed you has three things ‐‐

has a will,
a medical power of attorney,

and an end of life
directive.
Okay.

You're gonna need to go over
all those with your dad.

The will's gonna need
witnesses.

The other two are
gonna need to be notarized.

I don't even know
if they'll let me see him.

You can do most of it
on FaceTime, just like this.

And then bring the papers
to the hospital.

And payment?

I don't have much, but...

Everything's being covered
by a grant

from the Spencer Richardson
Family Foundation.

Oh, bless you both.

These are tough times
for everyone.

Just gotta
hang in there.

Having all this
is a big relief.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Talk soon.

[ Key taps ]

Hard as this is,
I keep telling myself

we're doing a lot of good.

We are.

[ Sighs ]

Ready for the next one?

You bet.

[ Door closes ]

Aaron: Hey, Jazz.

Jazz?

Hey, what's wrong?

He won't get off his neck.

[ Sighs ]

♪♪

♪♪

Alright, come on.

♪♪

[ Crying ]
Just kept begging.

He just ‐‐ He just wanted
to be let up.

Why wouldn't they
let him up?

I know.

He was crying
for his mother.

[ Sighs ]

He just kept crying.

I don't...

Yeah, I know.

I know.

[ Crying ]

♪♪

Alright.

I need your pressure to come up,
Ms. Noreen.

[ Coughing ]

Oh, this Covid
is getting on my nerves.

Ugh, me and you both.

Listen, please,

if you need anything,
press the button.

I don't need
you falling again.

You look tired.

Still not sleeping?

I'll sleep
when you're out of the woods.

Oh, honey, I have lived through
malaria, smallpox.

I lived through it all.

[ Both chuckle ]
[ Protestors shouting
on television ]

Oh, turn that off.

People walking around all
horrified, like this is new.

His knee was the noose,
honey.

Just got a new way
to k*ll us now.

You sound like Aaron.

How y'all doing?

We were doing the work
before all this.

You know,
I‐I‐I'm a little cautious.

You know,
it's been a long road.

But I love him,
and I know he loves me.

Y'all gonna make it.

Thank you.

[ AJ cooing ]

[ Cellphone vibrating ]

[ Cellphone clicks ]

Hello?

Just calling
to check in on you.

This isn't the time
to miss your curfew.

Yeah, trust me, I know.

My daughter and her boyfriend
are out there.

They can't sit still.

Lexi's at
a protest downtown.

You know what I hate
more than anything?

Feeling helpless.

Me and you finally got
something in common.

Now's the time
to be a troublemaker.

Just don't know what to do,
though.

[ Door opens ]

Hey, let's both
think on it.

My daughter's coming.

Take care of yourself,
Aaron.

Yeah, you too, Spencer.

You guys are back
kinda late.

[ Ronnie sighs ]
I'm sorry, Aaron.

We didn't mean for you
to be watching AJ this long.

Thanks, Dad.

I'm gonna take a shower.

Y'all been going out all day
every day, and you have a child.

I know.
I tried talking to her.

She won't listen.

[ Sighs ] Jazz?

Listen, I'm concerned
about you.

Me? Why?

Well, AJ's an infant.

There's things about this virus
still unknown.

You out there.
Some people not wearing masks.

Dad, we're being
as safe as we can.

And what about
your schoolwork and your son?

I'm doing this
for my son.

I mean,
a man has been lynched.

I'm out here so this
doesn't happen to him.

You aren't angry after
everything that happened to you?

Yeah, of course,
I'm angry.

Not angry enough.

♪♪

Yes, the will is notarized.

Sending it over now,
Mr. Baker.

Yeah, you, too.

You've been quiet
all day.

Feels like a time
for me to be quiet.

Thing to do now is to get
these protesters bailed out.
[ Bell dings ]

Who is it?

Safiya: It's Safiya.

I've got a mask.
Took a test.

I'll keep my distance.
[ Bell dings, buzzer ]

I'm sorry
for the intrusion.

I'm sorry I didn't reply
to your text.

Oh, no, I understand.

Uh, God, nice place.

Oh, thanks, Henry.

Listen,
I ‐‐ I found a case.

Staten Island cop
pulls over this man.

Reason unknown.

The next thing you know...

Andy Josiah.

He shot him in the back.

In front of his son.

Is he dead?

No,
he's in the hospital.

Paralyzed.

What'd you have in mind?

A civil suit.
You could ‐‐

No, we're not
ambulance chasers.

[ Sighs ]

We could do it pro bono.

He has two kids.

His wife's
a stay‐at‐home mom.

They'll need the money,
Aaron.

There'll be plenty of lawyers
happy to take this case

if that's
what the family wants.

I'm not walking in there,
peddling my wares,

telling them
to put a price on their pain.

Sure. I understand.
[ Sighs ]

I'm at home,
wringing my hands

and, yeah, I know
it's got to be worse for you,

especially since
you had to drop

the ‐‐
the Collars for Dollars.

Anyway,
it's good to see you.

[ Sighs ]
[ Door opens, closes ]

♪♪

♪♪

[ Sighs ]

♪♪

Hey, can you help me,
sweetheart?

Tryna
look up somebody.

♪♪

[ Sighs ]
Tried his Facebook, but ‐‐

You need an account.

Oh.
What's the name?

Andy Josiah.

[ Keyboard clacking ]

"Prayers For Andy"?

He's got a baby.

She was born
six weeks ago.

[ Sighs ]

Here's a GoFundMe link.

What's that?

A donation page
for the family.

Police shot him?

Yeah.

Put some money in there
from us, huh?

[ Keyboard clacking ]

♪♪

[ Indistinct P. A. announcement ]

Help you, sir?

I'm looking
for Andy Josiah.

He's in custody.

I'm a lawyer.

Can you please ask
if he'll see me?

♪♪

That ain't Aaron Wallace
walkin' up in here!

[ Laughs ]
I'm ‐‐ Yeah, I'm ‐‐
I'm sorry to intrude.

Elaine: Are you kidding?
Come in.

Um, I'm ‐‐
I'm sorry about this, man.

I've been
testing negative.

I would talk to you with the
mask off, if that's alright.

Sure, of course.

Uh, w‐we followed
your story.

Right, babe?

I know about your story, too,
Mr. Josiah.

Andy.

That's my wife, Elaine.
Hey.

Andy, I'm here to see
if there's anything I could do.

Uh, well,
we already have a lawyer.

Yeah, Elaine's cousin
recommended him.

I'm assuming
you haven't been arraigned?

Mm.
They said, with Covid,
the courts are on pause.

Yeah, even virtually,
it's slow.

[ Sighs ] What are they
charging you with?

Resisting,
which is B. S., man.

They pulled me over
for Driving While Black.

[ Sighs ]

Anyway, we did the dance.

They asked for my license,
registration.
Yeah.

The younger one leaves
to run my plates and all that,

but the older one,
he stays.

Dude's just lookin'
to put a foot in my a*s.

Hm.

He asked if I got any drugs
or weapons in the car.

I said no,

but he still pulled me out.

I'm asking him what's the deal,
you know?

Am I under arrest?

[ Crying ]

You okay, babe?

So Marcel's tryna
to get out of his car seat.

Anyway, he gets caught up.

I reached in the driver's
side window to help him.

I hear this bang...

...and everything
went black.

I didn't know I was shot
until I woke up in the hospital.

[ Sighs ]

And how's Marcel doing?

I wish he was here
to meet you.

But we ain't lettin' him see me
all chained up like this.

My boy's
been through enough.

He thinks Andy
is a superhero.

I'm a delivery driver.
[ Chuckles, sniffles ]

No,
you are a superhero.

Delivering things
people need.

Thank you.

Honestly, I feel lucky.

Coulda had some fool
on my neck for eight minutes.

Listen, I know
you have an attorney,

but maybe there's
something I can do about

getting those cuffs off.

Just call me with
your lawyer's information.

I'll take it from there.

We sure appreciate you.

My daughter,

she was about
the same age as your son

when I went to prison.

She never saw me
any different.

In your son's eyes...

you're still his hero.

Cuffs or no cuffs.

Thank you, Mr. Wallace.

Thank you.

[ Sniffles ]

♪♪

[ Exhales shakily ]

♪♪

[ Indistinct P. A. announcement ]

♪♪

Look, I'm not unsympathetic,

but the reality is they can't
arraign him because of Covid.

They're not gonna release him
because of the cops.

So we bring in
an emergency order.

No court to even hear it.

They're still taking
petitions for ‐‐

Hey, no disrespect,

but I already got some
respiratory stuff.

[ Sighs ]

I'm not gonna try to
chase down a judge

over a hospital arraignment

they couldn't do
if they wanted to.

He's handcuffed
to a hospital bed.

For security.

We know why they do it.

Just ‐‐

It's NYPD policy that ‐‐

You ever been handcuffed?

N‐No, but ‐‐

'Cause if you had...

I promise you, you would never
shrug it off like ‐‐

like it was
some harmless policy.

Aaron.
'Cause it's not.

It's not harmless.

Mr. Salkin, we respect
your expertise and experience.

And ‐‐ And, of course,
given your ‐‐

your medical condition,

we'd never want you
to do something

that puts your health
at risk,

but we could do the work,
file it,

even appear on your behalf to ‐‐
to argue the petition.

I'm just saying
we should take a day off,

spend some time with AJ.

The protests are working.
People are feeling the pressure.

We have to keep going.

Jazz, you barely hold him
anymore.

Stop tryna
to guilt‐trip me, Ronnie.

My parents haven't talked about
anything else since it happened.

Last night, I even heard them
crying together.

I know you're hurting, Jazz.
I'm hurting, too.

But when bad things happen,
we need to lean on each other.

God,
we are not your parents,

and I'm never gonna be
your mother,

spending all day baking
a fancy quiche or whatever.

Can you stop attacking
for one second?

And I'm not baptizing AJ.

That's not fair.
He's my son, too.

And my parents only want
the best for us.

You know,
you're always talking about

how your dad
never opens up.

You're doing
the same thing.

Now's the time
for action.

So if you're gonna go,

we need to drop him off
with your mom.

[ AJ cooing ]

You're quiet today.

Mm.

Just have
a lot on my mind.

Yes, ma'am.

Do you think,
by hanging around here,

you can keep me
or anyone else from dying?

My ‐‐ My family's fine.

I'm not talking
about your family.

I'm talking about you.

When the last time
you ate a good meal?

Or looked
in the mirror?

You got a face
like an angel,

but, honey,

a little blush would do you
some good right now.

[ Chuckles ]

I watch you
wear yourself down.

There's nothing left.

I'm not an activist
or a lawyer.

I'm a nurse.

And being right here
in this hospital,

this ‐‐
this is what I can do.

[ Sighs ]
Roswell:
So, I called the clerk.

Staten Island's
only got one judge hearing

emergency petitions
two afternoons a week.

But if we move fast,
we can get in later today.

She said we can send
the paperwork electronically.

That the D. A.
talking to the judge?

Welcome to Staten Island.
Home of the old boys' club.

Look who got
his license back.

Gee, Morris,
I didn't know you had

a special interest
in this one.

[ Chuckles ] Slow day.

Okay, someone want to tell me
what this is all about?

Yes, Your Honor.

Mr. Andy Josiah
has lain unarraigned

in a hospital bed
for 13 days.

He remains chained
to that bed,

detained
in clear violation

of criminal‐procedure law


unreasonable delay, counselor.

And Roundtree vs. New York
makes clear

that delay is 24 hours

and clearly states
that "arrestees held in custody

for more than 24 hours
without arraignment

are entitled to release ‐‐"

Unless there's an acceptable
explanation for the delay.

And what might that explanation
be, Mr. Crawford?

Well, apparently, Mr. Wallace
is the only person in America

who hasn't heard about
this global flu pandemic.

That doesn't justify leaving
a man handcuffed to a bed

for weeks
without a chance to be released.

[ Scoffs ] With virtual hearings
slowing things down

and NYPD stretched
to the breaking point,

there are delays,
Your Honor.

Some delay is understandable,
but 13 days?

They're leaving him there,

torturing him,
violating his dignity,

and they're doing
it intentionally
because some cop ‐‐

I'd be awful careful about
imputing motives,

Mr. Wallace.
They've done three other
arraignments on arrests

with injured defendants
that came after Mr. Josiah's.

All of whom were released
from the hospital,

whereas your client
is still in the hospital.

Then leave a guard
if you want to,

but take the cuffs
off him.

The man can't even walk.

But he can still
use his hands,

which we believe constitutes
a security threat.

Your Honor, there's no reason
to deviate from the protocols

we've used in every case
for the last 50 years.

Alright, alright,
I've heard enough.

I'll take it
under advisement,

and I'll get you a ruling
this afternoon, gentlemen.

Thank you.

I want those cuffs off him.
Any idea when he'll rule?

It was an emergency petition.
He's gonna rule fast.

[ Cellphone vibrating ]
Look, at least he didn't
deny us from the bench.

Yeah. Hold on.
[ Cellphone clicks ]

Hey, Jazz.

[ Crying ] Dad, I'm sorry.

Ronnie is...

Hey, sweetheart, hold on.
What happened?

Ronnie is in ‐‐

I'll talk to him.
I'll talk to him.

Aaron, it's Larry.

Yeah,
police arrested Ronnie.

We're at the 29th precinct.

Wait for me.
I'll be right there.

Okay.

He's coming, Jazz.
He's coming.

Ronnie?

You okay?

I think so.
How's Jazz?

Your mother
just came to get her.

Now, come on.
What happened?

I‐I‐It was
a peaceful protest,

and this guy, he came outta
nowhere with a brick.

He was gonna
smash a window,

and...I told him
we're not about rioting.

He smashed it anyway,

so I waved down
a couple cops for help...

and they just thought
I did it.

[ Sighs ]

I‐I tried to tell them
it wasn't me,

but...one of them
grabbed Jazz.

So I‐I jumped
in front of her,

and I told our friends
to ‐‐ to get her outta there,

and that's when they roughed me
up and then they cuffed me

and they brought me here.

You know how this
coulda turned out, right?

Look, I've never been in trouble
with the law before.

What are they
gonna do to me?

Hey, listen to me.
Ronnie, look at me.

I promise you're
gonna be fine, alright?

[ Crying ]

I didn't do anything,
Mr. Wallace.

I know, son.

I know.

Ronnie, listen,

I told them
I was your lawyer

so they would let me in
to see you,

but when you get
in front of the judge,

it won't be me
representing you.

What do you mean?
Why?

Safiya Masry.
The warden?

She's also
a very good lawyer.

She'll take care of you.

I'll be there,
and so will your father.

Why ‐‐
Why can't it be you?

'Cause some those judges
don't like me,

and it can't be Henry
'cause he's affiliated with me.

Okay? Trust me.

Docket ending 6553

People of the State of New York
vs. Ronald Baxter

charged with two counts
of Resisting Arrest,

Obstruction of
Governmental Administration,

and Riot
in the Second Degree.

Yeah, don't worry, Larry.
Ms. Masry got this.

Safiya Masry
on behalf of Mr. Baxter.

We'll wave the readings,
not the rights.

Simple riot case,
Your Honor.

On a plea to the charge,
the people recommend


community service.

Not a chance, Your Honor.

Mr. Baxter
is completely innocent.

He tried
to stop the violence

from happening
and called for help.

And instead of law enforcement
taking a moment

to listen to Mr. Baxter,

they indiscriminately
threw him on the ground

and arrested him.

But not before
getting some licks in.

Mr. Baxter would not comply
with the officer.

Because
he did nothing wrong.

Sounds like
there's no disposition.

Are the people asking
for bail?

He's in "A" student
with no criminal record.

He has family here
in court.

Yes, fine, Ms. Masry.

Defendant is released
on his own recognizance.

We'll set this for motions
three weeks from today.

Court Officer: Step out.
Next case, please.

[ Sighs ]

Thanks for doing this.

I'm sorry
I had to do it at all.

He seems like
a good kid.

He is.

♪♪

Listen, Henry and I,

we have no idea what it's like
to walk in your shoes,

but we're here.

We're standing
right next to you.

Just remember that.

[ Sighs ]
Now go be with your family.

♪♪

♪♪

[ AJ cooing ]

Ronnie's been released.

[ Crying ]
Oh, honey.

I know.
I was just scared.

[ Sniffles ]
Don't think
I hadn't noticed you...

shutting everyone out,

including AJ.

Can I say
something horrible?

Yeah.

I love AJ.

I never thought I could
love someone so much,

but what was I thinking?

Bringing a Black child
into this world?

I feel like I sent my son
to his grave.

I can't make you
any promises

because we can't control
what they do.

Raising him
won't be easy,

especially
when he gets older.

He'll leave the house,
and ‐‐ and...

you won't
be able to breathe

until he walks
in the front door again.

But look at
what you and Ronnie created.

A beautiful son.

And when AJ becomes a man,

he will leave you in awe,

because AJ
has an army protecting him.

An army.

♪♪

I'm going home.
[ Chuckles ]

My family needs me.

When you leaving?

Tonight.

I, uh, took a test.
I'm negative.

I wish I could
give you a hug.

Oh, save all that
for your beautiful grandson.

[ Chuckles ]

Marie,
the world is what it is.

Focus on what you can control,
and let go what you can't.

Yes.

Now, go home.

You gonna make me miss
"Jeopardy!"

[ Both chuckle ]

♪♪

Jump.
Yeah, I'm ‐‐ I'm jumping.

Jump.
[ Chuckling ] I'm trying.

[ Sighs ]
I wiped out.

Okay, Marcel, let's give Dad
and Mr. Wallace some time.

Nice to meet you,
Mr. Marcel.

Hey, bud,
you forgetting something?

[ Door opens ]
Ah, mwah.

[ Both imitate expl*si*n ]

[ Both laugh ]

[ Door closes ]

[ Sighs ]
Hey, how you doing, man?

Mm.

I don't know how you held on
for nine years.

The very same reason
you're gonna hold on ‐‐

your family.

Mm.

[ Sighs ] Listen,
I struck out on the cuffs.

Thanks for tryin',
Mr. Wallace.

We lost this round,
but we ain't done yet.

Only man I ever met
stronger than you was my father.

[ Chuckles ]

Glad he's not here
to see me like this.

What happened
wasn't about you.

You don't gotta feel
no shame or guilt.

Alright?

Yeah, but certain things
I looked forward to, you know?

Picking up my son,

swinging him around,

even taking
the trash out.

Seems stupid, huh?

I get it.

But it made me feel
like a man for my wife.

[ Voice breaking ] I ain't
never gonna get to make
love to her again.

Man,
you see how fine she is?

[ Both chuckle ]

You still got
a lot to live for, Andy.

You know the question
I ask every day?

What's that?

What the hell's
their problem?

I mean,
they got everything.

Yet they still
on some genocide mess.

We exist.

My grandson's father
got arrested today.

Aw, man. Sorry.

Is he okay?

[ Sighs ]
He's a bit shaken, but ‐‐

He's got you.

He'll pull through.

Look, you done way more
than this other lawyer.

What you think about
representin' me?

Take these muthas
to task.

Alright.
But talk to your wife.

If you're sure, I'll bring
the paperwork tomorrow.

[ Groans ]

Andy, you alright?

[ Groans ]

I get this pain in my neck
sometimes.

You want me
to call a doctor?

Nah, nah.

I'm cool, man.

You got any pictures
of your grandson?

Oh, yeah.

Can't believe you're back.

I was in so deep,
I, uh, honestly didn't know

how much Jazz needed me.

Well, you're home now.
That's all that matters.

But you're
gonna need some time.

PTSD is no joke.

Trust me.

Any tips?

Lean on your family.

Talk it through.

Don't think
you can tackle this alone.

[ Cellphone vibrating ]

[ Cellphone clicks ]

Hello?

Salkin: It's Craig Salkin,
Andy Josiah's lawyer.

Hey.
Everything alright?

I'm afraid not.

Andy's on life support.

On life suppor‐‐
Hold on.

What happened?

Blood clot
went to his brain.

He lost a lot of oxygen.
Too much.

I was just talking
to him.

Family's been advised to
discontinue medical assistance.

No.
Thought you'd want to know.

[ Sighs ]

Thanks.

♪♪

[ Monitor beeping ]

♪♪

[ Indistinct P. A. announcement ]

♪♪

♪♪

[ Sighs ]

[ Voice breaking ]
I'm sorry, Andy.

I'm so sorry.

I am so sorry.

♪♪

Elaine: Mr. Wallace.

Thank you
for getting those off.

At least he can
have his dignity.

[ Voice breaking ]
I guess ‐‐

I guess I should go call his
mother so she can say goodbye.

And...

...I don't know if
I can say goodbye to him.

I don't know
if I can do this.

[ Crying ]

He held on
for almost an hour...

and fought like hell.

[ Sighs ]

That's what
we need to do.

Okay. How?

Get me in front of
the Attorney General.

I'd, uh, shake hands,
but, you know.

We appreciate you
seeing us at all.

Henry made it sound
important.

It is.
It's about Andy Josiah.

Yeah, police sh**ting.
Staten Island.

I know the case.

And you know
Morris Crawford.

I know you hate him,
Henry,

but he represents
his constituents.

Which is exactly
why we're here.

On doctors' advice,

Mr. Josiah's family
just let him pass.

Mm.
I'm sorry to hear it.

So now you got a potential
homicide investigation

on your hand and a D. A. who's
gonna want to whitewash it.

He may not even impanel
a Grand Jury.

So you want me do
what exactly?

Executive order 147.

Gives me the right,
not the responsibility,

to investigate
police shootings.

Invoke E. O. 147, Alan.

Take it away
from Crawford.

This family, they're...

they're never
gonna get justice.

Not if he's running the
investigation and prosecution.

Mr. Wallace,
are you saying

you already know
what justice is in the case?

We're just asking for a full,
fair, transparent investigation,

and if it shows negligence,
recklessness, or intentionality,

someone needs
the guts to prosecute.

You let Crawford sweep
this under the rug,

there'll be
political hell to pay,

and you'll be
the one paying.

I'll look into it.

Aaron: He's not gonna do
anything about it, is he?

He's in a political vise.

Even if he pushes
the prosecutors

to take it
to a Grand Jury,

there's no incentive to present
the information objectively.

It's total copland
over there.

You got that look.

Yeah, I got an idea.

Be hard as hell to pull off,
but I think it's the only way.

I'm in.

My husband is not even buried,
Mr. Wallace.

What you're asking me
to do...

I know.

And I hate to ask.

Focus should be
on your family.

But we need to back the A. G.
into a corner,

and he won't act unless
there's public pressure.

If it wasn't for you,

Marcel and Andy
wouldn't have even had

that time together
before he, uh...

[ Sighs ]

All I have to do
is make a statement?

Yeah.

[ Sighs ]

Kids are good.

I checked in on 'em.

So sorry to hear about
that young man.

You know, he didn't have
a shred of bitterness.

He was a better man
than me.

I heard
you're lobbying for him.

That's a helluva boulder
to push uphill.

Feels hard as hell
right now.

How's Ronnie?

There are certain "firsts"
all of us remember.

First love...

first kiss...

first heartbreak.

First r*cist experience.

Yeah.

I was in kindergarten.

My new best friend
told me

his ‐‐ his parents
couldn't play with any N's.

He didn't even know
what that word meant.

I was 8.

In the scouts.

There were three of us
Black kids,

and when it came time
to set up camp,

the scout leader

[scoffs, sighs]

he segregated us.

Put us on the outskirts
of the white kids' tent.

I mean, I moved my family
to the suburbs.

I'm involved
in the community.

I...

I go to church.

I did everything right.

But they still put their hands
on my son.

You know, Jazz ‐‐
she's been going out there

with a ‐‐ with a ferocity
I didn't know she had.

It's not like her
to be this reckless,

especially now she has AJ,
you know?

I keep thinking
it's because of me.

What do you mean?

Well, would she be going out
there like that, day and night,

if she hadn't watched her father
go to prison?

Had to go and visit him
in that place every week?

Her father was stolen
from her.

She's got every right
to be angry about it.

I'm gonna get 'em.

For Ronnie...

for Andy...

for all of us.

I'm gonna get 'em.

♪♪

My husband, Andy, was shot
in front of our son.

He's 7.

I don't know a single person ‐‐
Black, white, green ‐‐

who would resist
a police officer

in front of their child.

My Andy is not here
to advocate for himself,

so I am asking
Attorney General Burke

to do the right thing.

Turn it off.
[ Remote clicks ]

The Times called,
asking what our position is.

And we said?

The matter
is under investigation.

We make no comment
until the final determination

has been made.

Wallace is relentless,
I give him that.

We're at 900, Dad.
Already?

I can't wait to see the look
on Burke's face tomorrow

when there's 1,000 protesters
outside his house.

Want you to be careful.

And wear a mask.

So y'all are, like,
double‐teaming me?

[ Chuckles ]
I don't mind it.

[ Chuckles ]

How are
you and Ronnie doing?

I know it's not my fault,
what happened, but...

I just want him
to feel happy again.

I want him to feel safe.

Mm, that'll take some time,
sweetheart.

I know I haven't been
myself lately,

and I took it out
on you and Ronnie.

I'm sorry, Dad.

Water under the bridge,
baby girl.

Thank you, though,
for fighting for Andy.

I'm proud of you.

So...why am I hear,
Mr. Richardson?

I want to
make your life easier.

[ Scoffs ]
Somehow I doubt that.

You're in a pickle.
I got a solution.

You talking about Josiah?

Word is, there's a massive
protest outside your house.

Not feeling the heat?

Crawford's the one
who should be in the hot seat.

Not me.
He represents
a bunch of cop‐loving

white folks on an island,

and he's gonna deliver
the justice his people want.

You, on the other hand,
represent all of us.

And we want
something else.

And asking me to put myself in
the middle of this catastrophe?

That's your solution?
No.

We both know nothing good
comes of this.

You indict these cops,

you lose Staten Island
and half of upstate.

You do nothing, you lose
three‐quarters of the city.

Yeah, which is why ‐‐

You appoint
a special prosecutor.

Aaron Wallace.

[ Scoffs ]
You're out of your mind.

He's the perfect choice.

He's got massive credibility
from the Black community.

You give him free rein,

and it goes up in flames,
it falls on him.

And if against all odds,
he succeeds in Staten Island,

a nice halo effect
for you

having ensured a full, fair,
and transparent process.

He's got no chance.

Maybe not.

But I'd rather see him try
than see Crawford tap‐dance.

At least the message
is that it matters.

Does he have any idea
what he's stepping into?

In theory, yes.

In practice, I expect he'll be
in for some hard lessons.

Let him take a shot,
Alan.

There's nothing
but upside in it for you.

And your legacy.

[ Sighs ]

Pastor Williams:
Father God in Heaven,

we're gathered here today
to anoint AJ Baxter.

Today, he becomes
one of your shepherds.

A loyal servant.

For everything
there is a season,

and a time for every matter
under heaven.

We ask
that you guide young AJ,

keep him from harm.

Shield him, Lord.

A time to be born
and a time to die.

The days have been dark,

but no matter what challenges
may arise,

whatever danger may lurk,

you will protect AJ,
this Black boy.

A time to weep
and a time to laugh.

We pray that you guide
AJ's footsteps, Lord,

give him hope
and a vision for the future.

A time to mourn
and a time to dance.

And when it's time for him
to join you, Lord,

may he enter
into the Kingdom of Heaven.

We ask this
in the name of the Father,

the Son,
and the Holy Spirit.

In Jesus' name we pray.

Amen.

♪♪

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