MARTIN: First day of law school...
my professor says two things--
first, from this day forward...
when your mother says she loves you, get a second opinion.
JACK: Ha ha. And...
MARTIN: If you want justice, go to a whorehouse.
If you wanna get fucked, go to court.
Naomi!
JACK: Let's say you know a client's guilty.
MARTIN: Don't even start with that.
Our justice system doesn't care, and neither do I.
Every defendant, regardless of what he's done...
has the right to the best defense possible.
JACK: Where were you with the truth?
MARTIN: Truth?
How do you mean? Naomi!
JACK: How many ways are there to mean it?
MARTIN: You think there's only one?
NAOMl: You're late.
MARTIN: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Actually, you're right.
There's only one that matters-- my version of it...
the one I create in the minds of the jury.
You can call it something else-- the illusion of truth...
if you want.
NAOMl: OK.
MARTIN: Jack, is that it? You need more?
-Yeah. -Tomorrow afternoon?
I'll have my secretary set it up.
OK.
-This is a cover story, right? -Yeah.
Yeah. OK, bye.
[Boys choir singing hymn in Latin]
CHOIR: [Singing] Alleluia.
Alleluia.
MC: Saint Michael's boys choir. Thank you.
You're a talented group.
Right now, we're going to have a brief photo session...
while we have the boys with his excellency.
I'll be back soon.
Bear with us, enjoy dessert, and thank you.
RUSHMAN: Ah, yes.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Here we go.
[Camera shutter clicking]
PHOTOGRAPHER: Thank you.
RUSHMAN: Thank you.
Mangia, mangia.
JOHN: Thanks.
Marty. What an unexpected surprise.
MARTIN: I'm getting our prosecutor off the hook.
JOHN: What'll it cost?
A lot less than the alternative.
Tomorrow, my office, 9:30.
Is this on?
Ooh, yes.
We have come to the heart of the matter...
the reason we've all gathered.
This is the fifth straight year it's been my privilege...
to serve as your master of ceremonies...
for the Chicago Bar Association and Catholic Charities Ball.
MAN: You have to put that out.
JANET : It's a bar, for Christ's sake.
MC: Tonight, due to your generous efforts...
we've broken last year's record in terms of attendees...
MARTIN: I thought you quit.
JANET : I cut down.
[Applause]
MARTIN: You look beautiful.
Cut your hair?
JANET : Yeah. A few months ago.
MC: As it has been my pleasure...
MARTIN: Want to dance?
MC: I'm pleased to introduce...
JANET : There isn't any music.
MARTIN: Sure, there is.
MC: ...state's attorney, God love him...
Mr. John Shaughnessy.
[Martin humming As Time Goes By]
[Applause]
To her shoulder...
Time...
JOHN: Thank you very much.
MARTIN: All you have to do is turn around.
JANET : You like it better like this.
That way you don't have to look at the person.
MARTIN: Oh, mean.
JOHN: Considering the hour...
MARTIN: Look at me.
JOHN: I want to thank you for supporting the archbishop.
Let's find a bar you can smoke in.
Thanks for the invite...
but I don't like one-night stands much.
We saw each other for months.
It was a one-night stand, Marty.
It just lasted six months.
[Applause]
RUSHMAN: Thanks, John.
Ahem. I must say...
I haven't seen this many lawyers and politicians...
gathered in one place since confession this morning.
[Laughter]
[Applause]
YANCY: The people are not going to tolerate...
a monetary award to a cockroach who deserves 20 to life.
He may be your client...
but Joey Pinero is a hard-case felon.
Dealing, racketeering, money laundering, attempted murder.
MARTIN: Did you say alleged, Yancy?
Did you hear him say alleged?
Mr. Pinero has never been convicted of anything.
Cops jumped him, left him bleeding in the snow.
It's a miracle he survived.
Having said that, I'm not opposed to a settlement.
Million-five, and Pinero leaves the state.
You can't limit his citizen's right to live wherever he wants.
Legally, that's unenforceable.
JOHN: Whether it's enforceable or a gentlemen's agreement...
Mr. Pinero will know what we want.
Get the answer you're looking for.
Don't sit around and chat. It's been a pleasure.
You're worse than the thugs you represent.
JOHN: That's enough, Bud. It's over.
MARTIN: I got to run this by him.
JOHN: You're on 40%commission.
I'm assured your recommendation will prevail.
Thank you, John.
[Boys choir singing]
[Humming to music]
RUSHMAN: My hand!
[Crash]
Oh, shit.
-Hey. -Mr. Vail.
MARTIN: How you doing?
[Woman singing in Spanish]
JOEY: Buena.
Nice tune.
Dame dos tequilas para aquí.
WOMAN: OK, mi hijito.
JOEY: What'd they say?
MARTIN: Take it or leave it for a million-five.
From Shaughnessy himself.
What do you think?
We should take it...
unless you wanna spend two years in appellate court.
Fuck that.
-Close it. -Done.
JOEY: Gracias.
OK.
MARTIN: Gracias.
Salud.
MARTIN: Salud.
-¿Mía? -Your shot.
MARTIN: There's one more little thing.
They want you to, uh, leave the state.
They want you to disappear.
Disappear?
That's good. Same bullshit, right?
What are you talking about?
Ah.
I keep getting these offers from these guys, Marty.
MARTIN: What offers?
A couple of months ago, a cop walks in.
He says,"You testify against Alderman Martinez...
"and we'll owe you, Joey."
Say he did you favors, say he's on your payroll...
shit like that, right?
I tell him to fuck himself.
Why? Because Martinez is a good man.
He's the only one holding out...
while the others try to turn South River...
into high-rent condos.
MARTIN: Why didn't you tell me before?
Why? Because this happens every day.
I didn't think it had anything to do with this.
MARTIN: Oh, you don't?
I've spent a lot of money here.
They've spent a lot more.
These people depend on me.
I don't give a shit.
Send them checks from California.
Chucho, hazme favor.
Saca mi cd.
JOEY: I respect your advice, but I can't take it.
I'll take the money, but I ain't going anywhere.
MARTIN: I don't like it.
JOEY: Chucho, dame.
What are they gonna do, kill me?
MARTIN: They tried once.
How are they going to kill a man who never sleeps?
-Get the money. -You're too much.
JOEY: Hey.
That song you like--fourth cut.
MARTIN: Very nice, thank you.
JOEY: Yeah.
[Siren]
STENNER: We got enough fucking cops here?
Police will have their hands full.
WOMAN: Captain Stenner, can you tell us anything?
STENNER: I don't know anything. I just got here.
MAN: What's going on?
STENNER: I haven't seen anything yet.
I'll go inside, come out and tell you.
[Stenner coughs]
HARVEY: You should be home in bed, Abel.
It's going around.
STENNER: I'll consider that, Harvey.
[Train horn]
STENNER: Christ.
HARVEY: What a mess, huh?
[Panting]
[Train horn]
WEIL: Sam, you got all you need?
Gently roll him over.
OFFICER: Police! Stop!
WEIL: Right thumb and forefinger severed.
The symbol"B32.156" is carved into the chest.
WEIL: Body temperature still warm.
DETECTIVE: We got one on the run.
[Train horn]
TV: A passing train has separated the suspect...
MARTIN: You want to know what I hate?
I hate when they go on about what big whores...
the defense attorneys are.
We're the bad guys.
Because we're sitting next to some creep...
we start to look creepy.
Plus, they assume they're guilty...
and we know or something.
You don't know.
You don't ask, you don't care.
You do the goddamn job.
It's not like they're your friends.
Some are your friends, but...
[Helicopter overhead]
JACK: Why'd you leave the state's attorney's office?
MARTIN: Dead-end job.
You either run for office, or you end up a judge.
Why become an umpire when you can play ball?
TV: ...into the area around Saint Michael's...
and the archbishop's mansion.
[Train horn blares]
Over here! He's over here!
TV: We will stay with this shocking story...
as it continues to unfold throughout the day.
What we do know...
is that at approximately 11:08 this morning...
When did you know you had them?
What? Sorry.
During the Pinero trial, when did you say,"I've got them"?
The day I took the case. Excuse me.
TV: The shocking murder this morning...
of one of Chicago's most beloved figures...
Archbishop Richard Rushman...
has left the city numb.
We have Andy live.
ANDY: Chicago police have arrested a 19-year-old man...
tentatively identified as Aaron Stampler.
According to Captain Abel Stenner...
We have to reschedule. Call my office. I'm sorry.
[Telephone rings]
[Ring]
Law offices of Martin Vail.
MARTIN: You got the news on?
We're watching it.
Call Sullivan in Judge Trotter's office.
Find out where they took him and call me at the Alibi.
A lot of guys will want this one.
The police have taken the first steps...
acting with speed and determination.
[Alarm chirps]
MAN: Are you taking the Stampler case?
MARTIN: I'm sorry. I can't talk about anything now.
Thank you very much.
WOMAN: When will you talk?
MARTIN: State's attorney left yet?
MAN: Yeah. Yancy, no less.
-P.D.? -Come and gone.
MAN: Lockup!
MARTIN: Give my best to your brother.
MAN: Yeah, sure.
I'd like to see him alone.
All right. I'll have to lock you in.
Understood.
You know who I am?
Well...no. No, sir. No, I don't.
My name is Martin Vail.
I'm what you call a, um, big-shot attorney.
Oh, I don't-- I don't have no money.
I didn't think you did.
I'm willing to take your case pro bono...
which means you get my expertise and hard work for free.
Or you could get the $40,000-a-year...
court-appointed public defender who will almost certainly...
escort you personally to death row. Your choice.
No. N-no, sir.
I would be gr-grateful for anything you could do.
You're welcome. Ahem.
Now, your full name is?
AARON: What? Oh. Aaron Luke Stamp--
St-Stampler.
Stampler.
You from Kentucky, Aaron?
AARON: Yes, sir. I'm from Creekside.
Does it say that there?
MARTIN: How long you been here in Chicago?
Well, two years next month, I think.
MARTIN: You ever been arrested?
No. No, sir.
MARTIN: How do you knowthe archbishop?
Well, um...
I was begging on the street up on Wacker Drive.
[Clears throat]
Bishop Rushman came by in his Cadillac.
He s-saw me, and he stopped.
He took me into Savior House.
I work as an altar boy.
l--I sing in his choir.
How long were you there-- Savior House?
AARON: Year, year and a half.
You're supposed to leave when you're 18, but...
but Bishop Rushman let--let me stay on...
way past my 19th birthday.
That was nice of him.
Yes. Yes, it was.
Aaron, did you have any reason to dislike the archbishop?
Dislike him? No. No, sir.
He was... He was like a father to me.
Yeah, but you...
How do I say this?
Were you in the room when he was murdered?
How can you explain that?
There was someone else in that room, Mr. Vail.
-A third person? -Yes, sir.
MARTIN: Did you tell the police?
Yes, I did, but they didn't believe me.
You tell me now.
I was--I was returning a book to Bishop Rushman's library.
I heard noise, so I went back into his--
in his bedroom.
Bishop--Bishop Rushman was laying on the floor.
There--there was blood all over everything.
Then I seen a shadow.
I seen a person... leaning over Bishop Rushman.
It looked up, then came at me, and that's when...
when I lost the time.
What does that mean, "lost time"?
l--I bla-bla--I blacked out.
It just-- It happens to me sometimes.
I just--I have...
Spells. Sp--I have spells.
I lose time. I can't...
I can't remember nothing.
Why did you run from the police if you did nothing wrong?
Well, when...
When I woke up, I was-- I was covered in blood.
I didn't know what to do. I got scared.
I heard sirens, so I ran.
I know how it looks, but I swear--
I don't need you to convince me. Just answer my questions.
But I didn't do this. You gotta believe me.
MARTIN: I don't have to believe you. I don't care.
I'm your attorney, which means I am your mother...
father, best friend, and priest.
In other words, talk only to me from now on.
Not the cops, press, other guys in the cells...
nobody without my permission, understand?
Yeah?
Yes, I do.
MARTIN: All right.
Nowthe important stuff. What's your suit size?
My--my what?
Suit size. About a 38?
Uh...
How would I know? I don't know.
About a 38-Iong.
TV: Stampler was flushed by the police...
from his hiding place behind the cathedral.
The police chased him through the train yard...
almost losing him as he scrambled over tracks...
before an oncoming train, separating him from the police.
Prominent local criminal defense attorney Martin Vail...
is believed to have visited Stampler--
After a brief chase across the rail yard...
behind Saint Michael's Cathedral...
Stampler was apprehended in a hole beneath train tracks.
REPORTER: Are you defending this man?
MARTIN: I'm sorry. I can't--
Thank you very much. Thank you.
Thank you very much.
We've taken the first step in the process.
I can nowtake your questions.
MAN: Can you tell us anything about the altar boy group...
that Aaron Stampler was part of?
JOHN: Not much at this time.
WOMAN: Do you suspect other altar boys?
JOHN: We suspect no one but Stampler.
He had access to the archbishop's quarters.
He was caught fleeing Saint Michael's.
Aaron Stampler was chased under McCormick place.
[Telephone rings]
NAOMl: Law office of Martin Vail.
He'll call as soon as he gets in.
I talked to him. OK. Bye.
-Naomi! -Yeah.
MARTIN: Sorry I'm late. We have a new client.
NAOMl: I was afraid you'd say that.
Who?
They're calling him the butcher boy of Saint Mike's.
MARTIN: I like that.
NAOMl: Good. You'll hear it a lot.
TOMMY: This kid who chopped up the archbishop?
MARTIN: Tommy, you've got to use the word"allegedly"...
especially if you want to be a lawyer.
He admits he was in the room when the killing occurred...
but he didn't actually see it happen.
He was returning a book to the archbishop.
He heard loud noises in the bedroom.
He went in. He sees a figure...
someone in the shadows kneeling over the body.
He blacks out. Next thing he knows...
sirens are screaming, he's covered in blood.
The cops find him in a train tunnel.
He's got the archbishop's ring in his pocket.
TOMMY: He stole it?
I didn't say that. It was in his pocket.
Is that it?
Yup.
That's, um... That's bullshit.
That's the worst bullshit story I've ever heard.
Now it's our bullshit story.
Let's get to work.
The name of the game is motive...
as in, the prosecution doesn't have one.
We need to prove...
someone else could have committed the crime...
then we can establish reasonable doubt.
I wanna know everything I can about this guy.
We go to database, Hall of Records, IRS files...
even his so-called charities.
So-called? The guy was a priest.
Naomi, write this down--
B32.156.
That was carved into the archbishop's chest.
-Allegedly. -No.
That was a fact, but I appreciate the effort.
Thanks.
I also need case histories on murder by stabbing...
murder by mutilation, murder by religion.
Also, I'm gonna need a psychiatrist.
NAOMl: You're telling me.
MARTIN: Not the kind that lives in a witness box.
I need a real one.
And someone who knows about amnesia.
What does he look like in person?
The butcher boy?
Like a boy scout.
A boy scout... with a merit badge in carving.
YANCY: The archbishop was a friend of Mr. Shaughnessy's.
He asked me who was my best man.
I said you.
JANET : Thank you.
I trust if I am to prosecute this case...
I'll be given the authority requisite to this assignment.
JOHN: You're the one trying the case.
Let's establish one thing at the outset.
I want the death penalty.
JANET : I'd like to go over the case...
before we make a determination about the death penalty.
JOHN: I'm open to anything you say...
but in my mind, there's no debate.
Did he say anything, the boy they picked up?
Yeah--he didn't do it.
YANCY: It's a slam dunk, Janet.
JANET : Excuse me. I appreciate your faith in me...
and I don't mean to be argumentative--
YANCY: That's what we pay you for.
If it's so open and shut, you don't need me.
The P.D. will plead no contest and seek the court's mercy.
There's not a public defender.
He's got a lawyer?
Already? Who?
I'm Martin Vail.
I'm defending Aaron Stampler.
I need to inspect the murder site.
The butcher boy, huh?
Thank you. Yes.
I forgot his real name.
JANET : What's the matter, Marty, lost your faith?
Looking for a little religion?
Which one of us is the true headline chaser?
Unlike you, I was assigned to this case.
Think you're up to it?
Sell the book rights yet, or are you waiting?
Want to see some pictures?
Come on. They're kind of cute.
You'll agree they clearly show the heinous nature of the crime.
MARTIN: A small piece of advice--
don't use the word "heinous" in court.
Half the jury won't understand it.
One small piece of advice--
I'm not sitting second chair to you anymore.
In case you hadn't noticed, I graduated.
I had no reason to leave.
You had every reason to leave.
How can you still work for them?
You really expect me to trot out after you, Marty?
Quit just because you did?
I don't need a Mercedes.
I don't need to see my face on the evening news.
You knew I was coming here, didn't you?
You knew I would defend him. You asked Shaughnessy for this.
Oh, please...
What's the matter, you nervous?
Been a while since you rubbed up against a woman with a brain?
What's the matter? You tired, haven't been sleeping well?
You're the one with the score to settle.
I sleep great at night.
[Door closes]
[Door release buzzer]
MARTIN: Thanks.
MARTIN: Hey. Where is he?
OFFICER: Over here.
MARTIN: We'll be sitting at a table with my associates.
Once the charges are read, the judge'll ask how you plead.
-Not--not guilty. -No.
But I'm not guilty, Mr. Vail.
MARTIN: It doesn't matter.
Keep your mouth shut. Don't say anything.
AARON: You're going to say I'm not guilty?
I'll say whatever I say. Don't worry.
But, Mr. Vail--
This can't go on in court, so get used to it now.
I speak. You do not speak.
Your job is to sit there and look innocent.
I am innocent.
That's it! That's exactly how you should look.
That's exactly it. Can you remember that?
That's the look.
AARON: This is how I always look.
MARTIN: Then you're way ahead of the game already.
Don't smile.
Don't...
[Reporters shouting questions]
WOMAN: Can we have a statement?
MARTIN: No. We're gonna find out what happened.
MAN: What about public pressure?
MARTIN: The only pressure is to find the truth.
MAN: Was the archbishop's blood on him?
MARTIN: You've been talking to the police.
They usually get everything wrong.
WOMAN: How do you explain his blood-soaked clothing?
MARTIN: Currently, I'm not explaining anything.
I've only recently been retained.
Significant facts are in dispute and continue to be in dispute.
MAN: You're a master at putting the victim on trial.
That will be difficult in this case.
MARTIN: A victim is my client.
We have two victims here, no suspects. Thank you.
Thank you.
JOHN: I don't think there'll be any question about the verdict.
All rise.
JUDGE: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
Bailiff?
BAILIFF : State vs. Aaron Stampler.
Sit down. Is everyone here?
BAILIFF : Yes, Your Honor.
JUDGE: Madam prosecutor?
The state charges Aaron Stampler with murder in the first degree.
How does your client plead, counselor?
I need time to make a complete psychiatric evaluation...
before any charges are brought.
JANET : We have more than enough evidence for the allegations.
I agree. Motion denied.
Mr. Stampler...
do you understand the charges?
AARON: Yes.
I direct my client not to answer...
because his response may tend to incriminate him.
He's taking the fifth on whether he understands the charges?
Yes, Your Honor.
Until a psychological evaluation...
he'll be taking the fifth on all questions posed.
The State vs. Appleby... if you'll review our precedent.
Thank you.
Nah, I can't do that. Nah.
What do you want?
TOMMY: I'm looking for the room Aaron Stampler stayed in.
You the police?
I'm his uncle.
[Train passes by]
Unh!
Aah! Aah!
Aah!
MARTIN: Thanks.
AARON: Well, hey.
This--this is Alex's.
Who's Alex?
He's one of the other altar boys.
An altar boy?
An altar boy was wearing this?
Well, not--not at Mass.
MARTIN: This altar boy attacked a colleague of mine.
He hurt him pretty bad.
What was he doing in your room?
-My room? -Yeah.
l--I can't... I can't--I don't know.
I mean, I don't.
Know where to find him?
AARON: Who? Alex?
Uh-huh.
AARON: I don't know where he is.
Who's Linda?
Lin-Linda?
She your girlfriend?
Where is she? I'd like to talk to her.
AARON: I don't know where she is.
Why do I feel you're not telling me something?
AARON: I'm telling the truth.
I don't think so.
Are you surprised that Alex attacked my friend?
No. No, I mean, he has a temper.
Yeah. I'd say so.
You think it could be Alex...
who was that figure you saw at the archbishop's room?
I c--Alex? I couldn't be sure.
But it could be him?
I don't--I don't know.
The state wants you dead.
Help me, or that's what they'll get.
l--
I'm trying. I can't--can't remember.
I don't understand. Why would Alex do such a thing?
For his own reasons.
Maybe someone hired him.
H-hired by who?
I don't know. Forget the whole thing.
Do you think he's capable of doing it?
l--I don't know. He...
I don't know who's capable of such a thing.
MARTIN: Oh, thanks.
ARRINGTON: Sure.
He claims someone else was in the room...
and that he can't remember.
You want me to look into this amnesia question...
and see what he actually knows?
Yeah.
What if he knows he did it?
The major causes of amnesia are...
substance abuse, seizures, head injuries, and malingering.
I think the kid's telling the truth.
OK.
Then let's get something straight.
I'm more than happy to analyze him.
In fact, I'm looking forward to it.
But I won't just validate a story, understood?
You do your job, I do mine. Yadda, yadda.
ARRINGTON: That's right.
If I think it's necessary...
I'd want to get an MRl, EEG, and neuropsych testing, agreed?
MARTIN: Yes, Doctor. Good night, Doctor.
ARRINGTON: I'll be recording our meetings for Mr. Vail...
so what we talk about isn't as confidential...
as if you were consulting with a doctor for help.
He may call me as a witness...
so if you have questions, ask while he's here.
N-no. No, ma'am. I understand.
Good.
I think we'll be fine.
-See you later. -OK.
Bye.
ARRINGTON: Was there a period of time...
surrounding the archbishop's death...
that you don't remember?
AARON: Yeah--yes. I lo--Iost the time.
I mean--I mean, I b-blacked out.
Have you had these blackouts before?
AARON: Yes. Yes, I have.
When's the first time you remember them happening?
Um...
They st-st-started when I was about 12.
Were your parents aware of what was happening?
N-no. No.
My--my...my mother was dead.
ARRINGTON: And your father?
Mm-mmm. No. No. No.
He was not--not a nice man.
Did you seek treatment?
Did I what?
Uh, did you see a doctor for them?
Oh.
No. No.
You don't see a doctor in Creekside...
unless your leg's broke.
[Arrington laughs]
MARTIN: Hey. Can I talk to you?
JANET : Talk.
MARTIN: Excuse us. I'll bring her right back.
JANET : How dare you.
Am I some chess piece to move around?
I was having lunch.
When are we getting all the discovery?
What do you want, Marty?
MARTIN: To know when we're getting discovery.
I've got motions to file.
JANET : No, you don't. You're looking to make a deal.
I have no authority to deal.
I haven't discussed this with my client.
If we needed to deal, I have all the authority I want.
Bullshit. Shaughnessy wants the whole shot...
and he's using you to get it.
Anybody in your position would deal this down...
to murder with no death penalty.
My position?
We have a fucking great case.
Great case?
Lack of prior record, no eyewitness...
no confession, no motive.
Hard evidence.
I assume this means you're not going with insanity...
which is a shame.
My shrinks would have torn him apart.
By the way, pleading the fifth on the charges was brilliant.
-It was good, wasn't it? -Yeah.
I liked it.
You lose this case...
you take the fall, not Shaughnessy.
Talk to me.
JANET : We're going to trial.
It only takes one...
just one juror that doesn't believe he did it.
One juror looks into that face--
I got to admit, that face is great.
Are you prepping him to take the stand?
That stutter-- it's p-p-priceless.
Oh, Marty...
don't tell me you think he didn't do it.
Has little Aaron Stampler gotten to you?
We're not just talking jail.
It's about ending someone's life.
If you're wrong and do this for Shaughnessy...
can you live with it?
I'll live.
See you in court.
MARTIN: We stipulate that murder was done here.
Therefore, these photographs have no probative value.
JANET : This is a case of mutilation and torture.
The only reason the prosecution...
wants to showthese pictures is shock appeal.
JANET : That's not true.
They identify the heinous nature of the crime...
and they connect the defendant to the crime scene.
-Prejudicial. -I beg to differ.
MARTIN: Beg all you want.
JUDGE: Counsel, please. The photographs are in.
Would you two like a recess to carry on in private?
Sorry, Your Honor, but the next thing you know...
he'll be objecting if we bring in the murder weapon.
Nowthat she brings it up...
MARTIN: This is a public building.
Excuse me, Mr. Vail...
would you sign this for me?
ARRINGTON: Tell me about Linda, your girlfriend.
Y-yes. Yes, she was.
How'd you meet?
Uh, we was both at the Savior House.
I was an altar boy.
She--she was doing work for Bishop Rushman.
What was the relationship like?
AARON: M-me and Linda?
Mm-hmm.
She was real cultural.
Real cultural and very smart.
We--we had a nice time together.
W-we might get married.
Were you sleeping together?
Well, that's private.
ARRINGTON: I know. I have to ask the question.
Were you having a sexual relationship?
Y-yes. Yes, we were.
ARRINGTON: Were you sleeping with anyone else at the time?
No.
Was she?
Has she been to see you, Aaron?
Well--well, no, but--
ARRINGTON: And that upsets you?
AARON: No.
No, thing is, she--she went away.
She went away for a while.
She left b-before this happened.
I don't even think...
don't even think she knows about it.
[Alarm chirps]
[Telephone rings]
-Yo, boss. -Hey.
-Got something for me? -Yeah.
NAOMl: There's nothing catalogued at downtown branch...
under the numbers B32.156...
but I think the"B" is actually an 8.
I think the knife slipped. 832.156.
"Thomas Jefferson"? I don't think he did it.
You won't be much happier with this--
a list of the archbishop's charities...
and his foundation's investments.
Nothing startling here, except for how many there are.
Wait a minute here.
What was he doing with the South River deal?
Pull that up.
Who are the investors?
Shaughnessy?
That's Joey Pinero's neighborhood.
JOEY: See this lot here? This all used to be houses.
In fact, there was a house over on the corner...
where I kissed my first girlfriend.
Got her pregnant, too.
MARTIN: Hell of a kiss, Joey.
JOEY: Oh, yeah.
This whole neighborhood's gonna end up high-rent condos...
if those guys get their way.
That's why I'm buying back the lot with the settlement.
You heard about that, right? The money?
ALDERMAN: Who hasn't?
JOEY: Marty's the best.
MARTIN: Just doing my job.
JOEY: Yeah. A million-five, he's just doing his job.
MARTIN: Alderman, Joey tells me a cop came around...
wanting him to set you up.
ALDERMAN: It's typical.
Can't buy me, so they try and buy a brother.
Most people assume this land we're walking on...
belongs to the railroad, but it doesn't.
It belongs to the church.
-The church? -Mm-hmm.
So that's the Rushman Foundation?
ALDERMAN: Right, along with a bunch of rich developers.
Including John Shaughnessy?
ALDERMAN: Oh, yeah.
Then they got greedy, buying up all the land...
and old buildings around the church property...
then tearing it down.
Our old neighborhood was gonna to disappear.
So I asked the archbishop...
"What are you doing to these people?
"They're poor.
"They're getting kicked out of their homes...
"and they're Catholic."
JOEY: Fuckin'-A.
ALDERMAN: He listened. I couldn't believe it.
He told them to stop developing around the church property.
MARTIN: So the partners are holding these empty buildings...
they can't knock down and land they can't build on.
Shaughnessy loses millions.
ALDERMAN: Mm-hmm.
MARTIN: If I need you to, will you testify?
JOEY: Who, me? Oh, yeah.
Easy.
Just change out of this, put on a Brooks Brothers...
with loafers and tassels, you bet.
MARTIN: Not--not you.
ALDERMAN: Sure.
I'll testify.
SHAUGHNESSY: You know what people think--
think this great city runs itself.
It gets up, goes to work...
and climbs into bed at night like we do.
They're unaware of what it takes to see it doesn't break down--
crime, fires, riots...
the goddamn water pipes bursting under the city.
What a fucking mess that was.
Who does the water commissioner call...
the contractor who built it?
No. He calls me. They all call me.
God damn, this is terrific.
They call me, because I keep the peace.
That's my job.
This city doesn't burn because I won't permit it.
I'm the great negotiator.
You think people get that?
Truth is, I don't care.
Dumb bastards don't even vote.
All they want to do is eat, sleep, watch TV...
and occasionally fuck their wives.
MARTIN: Guess we should all thank you.
SHAUGHNESSY: Ha.
You're welcome.
John, you need some new material.
I've heard this great city speech 10 times.
Your boy Pinero's not honoring his side of the deal.
Is that what this dinner's about? Pinero?
In part.
MARTIN: I told him what the deal is.
He's a grownup. What's the other part?
I understand your assistant's been digging around...
in the archbishop's financial affairs.
Yeah. Well...
How much did you lose...
when he pulled the plug from South River, John?
Let me tell you something.
It's a mistake to stick your thumb...
in the eyes of the most powerful people in the city.
MARTIN: It's not their eyes I'm aiming for.
Do not fuck with me, Marty.
Pipes are bursting again, John.
ECKERT : In the most anticipated murder trial...
in recent Chicago history...
former State's Attorney prosecutor Martin Vail...
will lead with his opening statement...
on behalf of Aaron Stampler...
JANET : Richard Rushman was a man of God.
He spent his life giving to the people of Chicago.
He was a beacon of inspiration...
not only as a spiritual leader...
YU: ...Deliver his opening statement tomorrow...
MARTIN: My name is Martin Vail.
The reason I'm here, and you're here...
is to make sure that the truth is known.
Now, we can begin to learn the truth...
by talking about what the prosecution...
does not want you to hear.
JANET : Do not be fooled...
by the defendant's innocent appearance and demeanor.
Aaron Stampler...
sat in judgment of Archbishop Rushman...
and determined that not only should he die...
but he should die the most brutal...
MARTIN: Aaron was arrested within minutes...
of the Archbishop's death.
We all saw it on television.
But why? Because he was convenient.
Because there was enormous pressure to solve this crime.
JANET : The evidence will show that Aaron Stampler...
stalked, ambushed, and savagely murdered this great man.
MARTIN: The prosecution doesn't want you to hear...
about the other altar boys in the choir...
who have mysteriously disappeared.
JANET : You will learn that Aaron Stampler...
had everything he needed for the perfect assassination.
Using this knife...
Aaron Stampler repeatedly stabbed...
at the archbishop's chest...
his genitals, his eyes.
MARTIN: They don't want you to hear...
that the archbishop made investments...
on behalf of the Roman Catholic church...
and that those investments resulted in huge losses...
for some very, very powerful people.
They don't want you to hear about...
the 20 death threats this year alone...
that the archbishop received prior to death.
And they really don't want you to hear...
about their theory of motive.
And why is that? Very simple.
They don't have one.
JANET : Inspector Woodside, can you explain to the court...
where these sneakers came from?
WOODSIDE: They were taken off the defendant...
when he was apprehended.
JANET : And what was the result of the bloodstain analysis?
WOODSIDE: The result proved to be human blood...
matching the blood type and DNA characteristics...
of Archbishop Rushman.
JANET : What do the footprints surrounding the body say?
The killer left a pattern of bloody footprints...
around the area of the struggle...
as indicated by the spread of blood through the room.
MARTIN: Yes or no, Inspector--
could there have been a third person there?
WOODSIDE: There is no evidence to suggest that.
But there's no evidence to prove there wasn't.
No.
And after the struggle, what happened then?
WOODSIDE: Analysis suggests the killer was startled...
during the mutilation...
and ran downstairs from the bedroom.
Is it possible, Inspector...
that the real killer-- a third person--
who maybe was smart enough...
not to tramp a freeway of blood through the place...
couldn't this person have placed the defendant's prints...
on the knife while he was passed out?
Mr. Vail, anything is possible.
JANET : So, the victim suffered a great number of stab wounds?
WEIL: Yes, he did--78. He tried to defend himself.
That explains the cuts to hands and forearms.
Doctor, isn't it a fact that you can't be sure...
whether more than one person inflicted...
these 78 stab and incise wounds?
WEIL: It could've been more than one, but I doubt it.
From your analysis of the knife wounds, Dr. Weil...
do you have an opinion whether the killer...
was left or right-handed?
WEIL: The throat wound and chest wounds...
were made from an angle that strongly suggests...
a left-handed person was using the knife.
To your knowledge, is the defendant left-handed?
Yes, he is.
It's possible that a right-handed person...
could've deliberately used his left hand...
to inflict these wounds.
Yes, that is possible.
Then it would be reasonable to assume...
that there was a third person at the crime scene?
Reasonable, no, but it is possible.
ANCHOR: Then following opening statements...
it was a day of strong and detailed testimony...
from the prosecution's first witnesses--
Cook County Forensics Chief Harvey Woodside...
and Cook County Medical Examiner Emil Weil.
There was also tough cross-examination...
by Stampler defense attorney Martin Vail.
By most accounts, though, the prosecution...
JANET : Captain Stenner, I'd like to thank you...
for all the time you've given us today.
Finally, I would like to turn your attention...
to the symbol carved in the archbishop's chest.
Would you tell the jury about that, Captain?
STENNER: Yes. The letter and the numbers B32.156...
were carved into the archbishop's chest.
JANET : Have you been able to find an identical reference?
I believe so, yes.
The symbol--B32.156--
is actually catalog code for a book...
discovered in a private reading room...
located in the church basement.
The B32 part refers to a book--
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
When we opened the book to page 156...
we discovered an underlined passage.
JANET : Would you please read this underlined passage...
to the court?
"No man, for any considerable period...
"can wear one face to himself...
"and another to the multitude...
"without finally getting bewildered...
"as to which may be the true."
Thank you.
What does that passage mean to you, Captain?
MARTIN: Objection.
He's a policeman, not an English professor.
His interpretation would be speculative and irrelevant.
She didn't ask for an expert opinion.
The witness can answer.
Well, to me, it's simple.
The killer thought his victim was two-faced.
Dishonest at something.
JANET : In your experience, Captain...
do killers ever intentionally leave clues to their motive?
CAPTAIN: Not often, but it happens.
MARTIN: Thanks.
-Thanks. -Yeah, sure.
Did you underline that book?
Did I what?
Did you underline that book?
-No, Mr. Vail. -No?
I never even opened The Scarlet Letter.
I don't--don't like Hawthorne.
I tried to read that one about the house with seven somethings.
I couldn't get past page ten.
I weren't the only one using Bishop Rushman's library.
Everybody borrowed books from Bishop Rushman.
He encouraged it.
Altar boys and staff-- everyone was in there.
MARTIN: Guard?
Thanks.
MARTIN: You don't give up, do you?
JACK: So, you didn't know anything about Hawthorne?
-No. -What about the impact--
MARTIN: Look, I can't talk now. My office will call you.
-Thanks. -I'll see you.
Bye.
What the fuck happened in there?
I guess that eight was a"B" after all.
MARTIN: Think this is funny? We're losing this case.
Tommy, how could you have missed that?
TOMMY: There's 50 of them, plus the entire police department.
How was I to know he had a private reading room?
-It's your job. -Want my job?
I want you to do your fucking job!
I'm working on a third man defense.
Have you figured that out yet?
I don't have a third man. You know why?
'Cause you can't fucking find him!
Is it that hard to find one indigent kid?
NAOMl: Maybe we already got the kid who did this.