- You're not getting away with this! Palmer! - Hey.
- You asshole! - Whoops.
- Hey! S-s-s-s-stop! - Did that just happen?
- You meant to do that! - No, you startled me.
- Yeah, you meant to do that. - Nope. I don't think I did.
Listen, this wasn't some West Englewood drug sweep.
The search was good, there's no chance Carter tosses it.
Will you calm down? That's why they call it an evidentiary hearing.
What? So you can smear me,
imply that I invented a phantom witness?
Did you?
The-the jaded lawyer, with no uh, no respect for the law.
- That's original. - That's me?
I respect the law just fine, I'm just not in awe of it. I'm not encumbered by it.
If the great State of Illinois can't meet its burden of proof...
If I walk, with a guilty client, it's on you!
So I suggest you do your job, Kattan.
Now, if you'd like to finish that cliche you followed me
into the pisser to unload...
Did it involve my reflection? I'm sleeping at night. How do I do it?
I do it on a Tempur-pedic bed,
in a Highland Park home,
with a Ferrari in the driveway.
Next to a loving wife, with the ass of a high school volleyballer.
And, and, and how does it feel, Hank?
Knowing every person you represent is guilty?
It's fine.
Innocent people can't afford me.
Burden of proof, Kattan.
Wait, wait, wait... you said this wouldn't go to trial.
- I'm sorry, did I say that? - I hired you to make this go away.
Wrong! You hired me because we both know you wouldn't last two days in a federal penitentiary.
Don't tell me how to do my job.
Do I tell you how to commit fraud?
Deny coverage to terminally ill policy holders,
or embezzle $140 million, while you're at it?
I wouldn't do that, because that's your gig.
That's your forte.
- I'm hearing you. - I'm glad.
All rise.
Court is in session. The Honorable Judge Stanley Carter presiding.
Be seated.
Before I rule on the Defense motion, is there anything either counsel would care to add?
Yes, Your Honor. We would like to remove any doubt as to the validity
of our search.
Your... Your Honor, could I... approach? Your Honor?
- Yeah, I need a continuance. - Absolutely not!
My mom passed away this morning.
My ass.
Gotta replay it.
Is this the first time your mother passed away, or is this something
you do on all the cases you're about to lose?
- I'm sorry for your loss. - Thank you. First time. What a schmuck you are.
You know? He... he peed on me,
just now, in the restroom down the hall. I don't mean to...
Kattan, step away!
Daddy, are you sad about your mom?
Yeah, baby, I wish you'd met her.
Why can't I go with you?
'Cause it's depressing. You don't want to go.
So, Grandpa Palmer's dead, too?
No, Grandpa Palmer's dead to me, it's like a figure of speech.
You might have mis-heard something I said.
Sounds complicated. I should go with you.
Trust me, nobody wants to go to Carlinville, Indiana.
Everybody wants to leave.
You looking for something?
You got my Bit-O-Honey, old man?
Check it out.
I love you, baby. Don't eat it before breakfast!
- Got you. - Um... hmm.
Is there something I can do?
- They're my in-laws, I feel like we should... - Lou Shrubner...
is that your divorce attorney?
He's good.
She'll be living with me, by the way.
Hank!
What time does school start in the morning, Hank? What's her teacher's name?
Brownie meetings are which night? Soccer?
What's her favorite color?
Who's her best friend?
What does she eat for breakfast?
Do you even know her pediatrician's name? Her phone number? Have you got that on you?
I'm not gonna let you punish her for this. Okay? She understands.
She knows it's not right, that her daddy's never home before her bedtime
he's always on his phone on the weekend.
She knows that it's not right that her mom is, sad all the time.
- Sad? You're sad? - Yes!
I'm sorry you felt so sad. You got on Facebook, friended your old Gore-tex wearing college buddy
Josh, and fucked him!
He's so rugged.
He's so wise.
I don't know why you're not hanging off a mountain with him in a net right now.
You want to do something for me?
Water the fucking hydrangeas!
Oh, God... here we go.
Nothing changes.
Hey, Hank...
Hey, Dale.
I missed you.
Her heart just kinda turned off.
They found her by the hydrangeas.
Good job.
Oh, this is St. Francis. I picked. 'Cause he was her favorite.
Friend to the birds, like mom.
Oh, gotta remember to put food out for them,
especially in the Winter.
He's, he's gentle, like mom used to be.
Ran the snakes out of Indiana
and don't ask me how.
Ireland... out of Ireland?
Snakes here are constant, but St. Patrick, not St. Francis.
and it's Ireland, not Indiana.
Trust me, no one's dispersing reptiles in Indiana.
- Were you there? - I was not there.
- Maybe you're right. - Hank Palmer in Carlinville.
- There he is. - That's, Cardinal is the state bird and...
- Hey, Glen. - I just saw you a few minutes ago.
Where'd you park?
- I'm on the street. - I parked out...
Tried to get a... space in the big lot, I had to go around...
but, eventually I found one.
Here you go.
- Where's the family? - Couldn't make it, school.
Oh, I didn't know that kids in Chicago they go to school in the Summer, I...
There isn't... they just do thing... they got... I'm alone.
- What's the story? - There is no story.
Do you have anything else to say for yourself, Mr. Williams?
Anything that would enlighten us concerning this situation?
What do you wanna hear? Y'know, nobody's hiring.
You can't get spinach out of a turnip.
I can't afford to pay child support.
You can't, huh? But your new truck, out front...
Which one?
Yeah...
'Yeah', is not an affirmation a man uses in court.
- Yes sir, Judge, Your Honor. - Keys! Go on, pitch'em.
And uh... uh...
- Augustus, Judge... - Yeah, of course... Gus, uh,
would you give those to Mr. Williams' ex-wife, please.
Then escort Mr. Williams to his ex-truck.
You're gonna sign that vehicle over to her.
And you, ma'am, are gonna go down to Devany Motors, ask for Mike Devany,
the father, 'not the nitwit son,'
and sell your new truck back to him
for whatever the 'turnip' there, put down on it.
- This ain't fair, how am I su... - Hey! One more word, go on!
Look around you, you're standing in one of the last great cathedrals in this country,
built on the premise that you, and you alone, are responsible for
the consequences of your actions.
Now you still want fair? Alright, head north!
Stop when you get to Indianapolis, tractor pulls, cotton candy, kettle corn
and the world's largest steer...
first week in August.
You'll love it. Oh, hey, forgot... wait, wait, wait, wait...
You don't have a truck!
Thank you very much, Judge.
Want me to tell you what, uh... causes that, ma'am?
Thank you, fellows, appreciate you all being here.
But, who's out guarding the donut shops?
- She was a good woman, Joseph. - Grace and I are here...
- if you need anything. - Thank you.
Thank you. It means a lot to me.
- Sorry for your loss. - Good friends, always.
Good man. Good man.
- Hey. - Thanks for coming. I appreciate it.
Whole force is out there.
- Henry... yeah. - Judge...
- Oh, Johnny boy. - I'm so sorry.
- Joseph... - Thank you, Rose.
I'm gonna shower up and hit the rack.
Uh, Glen, make sure you hold your boys together tomorrow.
We don't want a lot of... caterwauling.
- Will do, Judge. - Yeah.
I get it's been a while, Hank,
but backing a car into a driveway to make getting out easier
is a concept... not dulled by time.
- Thank you. - Right?
Got it.
Be my guest, please.
- How you doing? - I need to water the plants.
You gonna be okay at the funeral tomorrow?
- Yeah. - If that camera makes an appearance,
we both know where it's heading, right?
Up my ass.
Good man.
Tough day.
At the wake, he shakes my hand while he's hugging everyone else.
This family's a fucking Piccasso painting.
Your room has all dad's important stuff.
- It's crazy, I mean... - Oh!
Magic 8 ball.
It is certain.
- Hey, Hank, you want some breakfast? - Better hustle, if you do.
Hey, Hank. Going to breakfast, at the diner, care to join?
Okay, when? Right now. Uh, hell yeah, can I throw on some pants?
Sure, you're family member, we're prepared to offer you that consideration.
Any of that, sound reasonable?
Coming here every Saturday for the last 35 years... Oh, I forgot, today's about you.
Coffee?
Let's go.
We'll see you there, Hank.
I'll be right along.
Still letting him wind you up?
Sam!
Henry.
I'm surprised you still work here.
In-in a good way, you know, in the way that people are surprised,
when they, somebody you know... discover they've the same job for...
- 20 years... stop it. - Yeah, you kept your hair...
like sawing sawdust, all that worry for nothing.
Any other fears come true?
Yes, just now. Old girlfriends, seeing them.
Stop staring, I know I look good.
I'm sorry about your mom.
She and I stayed close, uh, gee, I just saw her Tuesday.
Oh, mysterious ways... hm.
I'm assuming you still know where the cemetery is.
Yeah, you're invited, of course, you are.
- Wolf it, you gotta go. - Surprised I am.
See you there.
You've always been my sweetheart.
You always will be. I want you to know that.
I'll be back tomorrow.
And every day after that.
Bye, bye bye.
- Hank's feet are on the couch. - Indeed.
Hey, Glen, my nephew still playing ball?
Think either of them could ever be as good as you?
Yes...
Yes, Joe is hitting cleanup, in varsity.
Eric wouldn't know a baseball if you threw it at him, and it hit him in the head.
Anyway, for what it's worth, none of my business.
Keep an eye on the Judge, I think he's... drinking.
Are you crazy? Dad has been sober for 28 years.
I was at the courthouse, he forgot Gus' name.
Gus? Gus the bailiff?
Oh, come on!
Just saying.
That's bullshit! What time is your flight tomorrow?
8:15, can't wait,
first flight out.
Make yourself at home there, Henry.
- I'm going for groceries. - Should Glen drive you?
I don't know, Dale. Does being widowed make me a lousy goddamn driver, huh?
Hank, if I don't see you before you... before you leave, uh,
thanks for coming. I'm sure your mother would have appreciated it.
Honey, we're gonna go to Firefly for a drink.
- No. - Come on!
- I'm gonna go to bed. - No, drink, Dale, you coming?
Dale, you coming?
Hank, he threw things at us to get our attention,
not to draw blood, you know that.
No. He issued canine commands to get our attention.
He hurled periodicals for sport.
Please, with all the trouble you made, you're lucky that's all you got.
- Hey, thanks for showing up, Carla. - Yeah, I know I'm late, Billy, so, sue me!
It was tough, but... hell, c'mon, it wasn't that bad.
- Remember fishing? - Lake house.
Yeah, that's right, he used to tell us all to be quiet,
- 'You're scaring the fish away.' - 'You're scaring the fish away.'
And, he still goes there every Wednesday to play chess with Doc Morris.
- He loves that place. - Hey, don't I know you?
Don't you run the tire and rim shop over on State?
That's right.
Hey, Palmer?
I know you, too.
You little dimwit shutterbug retard, always with the shitty old movie camera.
- Easy. - Judge Palmer's your old man?
He thinks he runs this town, don't he?
- Your dad's a piece of shit! - Wait, wait, wait, no...
- I told you already! - Who's on parole?
You guys have a low opinion of Judge Palmer?
When your field officer is filling out his incident report,
I'm gonna be very helpful, helpful as possible.
So, let me guess, who's gonna fail any DWI?
Uh, you flinched! Possession of a controlled substance, domestic violence,
that's you, you alright, honey?
What other random myriad of fucking misdemeanors is gonna come to light
while you're drying out in the slammer?
Failure to appear, bench warrants? Come on!
And because I'm the only one that actually isn't driving with a suspended license,
I'll be driving your gals home girls, so... who lives closer?
Uh, bad skin muffin top or Red Bull semen breath?
Asshole!
Throw that punch! You like county food?
Maybe it's just my closed fist, counselor,
in my own personal space.
Maybe, I was gonna ask you blow on my dice.
That's a metaphor, I heard it, it's good, you're funny.
Let's get the hell outta here.
Get some couselling.
Derschowitz! Come here!
Uh, why don't you... read my beads, maybe I'll buy you a drink.
Punctuality issues, equal confidence in bloom, strong teeth, incestry gene pool
and... I'm guessing the wetter you get, the better you look. You'll go far.
What're you having?
Last call, boys.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, you're done.
- Are you watching for me? - What do you think I'm doing? I'm your eyes.
- Alright, just... straight... - You smell like her.
She smells nice, what is that?
It's playdough, that's what that is. Are you paying attention?
Straighten it out, back, back...
back, back. Easy, nice, nice, stop...
Shit.
- You did that on purpose. - No, I don't think I did.
No, you did it on purpose.
You bang it out yourself. Dale, let's go.
Let's go.
What the hell did he hit?
I was thinking a... six pack?
God damn it!
Which one of you peckerwoods banged up my car?
Answer me, who did this?
- Dad! Who do you think? - Who?
- Who drove last? - We saw you leave for the grocery store, come on.
- Glen, where're your boys? - Oh, dad, they wouldn't drive your car.
No, no, no, no. Don't let him pretend this is complicated, there's no reasonable doubt here.
He's human, his wife died, he fell off the wagon,
banged up the Caddy.
- Deal. Shit happens. - Like your marriage.
- What do you know about my marriage?
- I know a lot about your marriage. - Don't know a fucking think about my marriage.
She was my wife long before she was your mother.
We kept no secrets.
You tell your brothers you're getting a divorce? Go ahead, tell them!
Lisa, played hide the pickle, with someone else.
- I won't be back. - Happy trails.
- I will never fucking come back here again. - Good!
Make it quick.
Hank, don't get on the plane. I need you to come back,
- dad... - I don't care, Glen. You're on your own.
- Stop talking and listen to me. - I gotta to turn off the phone.
Hey, just shut up for a second! Shut your mouth and listen, for once in your entire life!
What is it, Glen?
Sheriff, Sheriff White called, called dad down to the police station,
asking questions about the damage to the car.
They think that he...
I don't wanna hear it. Unless he killed somebody, you're on your own...
They found a body, Hank.
You mean, Judge, I can milk her, kill her, cook her, eat her even, that's illegal?
True story!
- Mr. Palmer... - Judge Palmer, Deputy Hanson.
Sir, did anybody other than you have access to your vehicle?
No sir, no sir.
You gotta be shitting me! Is this an interview?
We've got a witness that puts his car on Route 30,
heading toward Shelby Road at the approximate time of the accident.
Oh, boy! But, that's not enough, to put his car at the scene.
Any strip mall lawyer is gonna chew that up and spit it out... stolen vehicle.
You need him behind the wheel.
- Hank, let's go, pal. - Go where?
Whoa?! Bothways Bobby, graduation night, the quarry, your Ranchero, I remember everything!
You and Kevin Thompson in the back seat naked, huffing whippets,
shall I continue?
I can elaborate.
- It's just a rumor. - Where were we?
He's been on the other side of the bench too long, he forgets.
If you don't talk, you walk.
We don't hide behind the law here. There's damage to the front of my car.
I went to the convenient store, last night, alright?
Every word limits his options, keep going.
Imagine a far-away-place, Hank,
where people value your opinion, now go there.
What about booze? 80% of hit-and-runs involve liquor.
His wife just died, why wouldn't he take a swig?
But, you need an admission from him, better yet, a voluntary urine sample.
There you go, fill her up.
A bladder full of courtesy coffee and a 'since you're in the john, anyway,' sort of thing,
just might catch him off guard.
We can get everything we need from a hair sample.
Sure can, nice work, Sheriff.
Yeah, you should be proud of yourself. You'll be halfway to manslaughter by lunch.
Judge Palmer, we're, uh, we're gonna need to impound your vehicle.
- Tell me what happened. - I don't remember.
- Beause you were drunk? - No, because I can't remember!
Don't you think I want to remember? I can't! For all I know it, I never hit anything or anybody!
So, I was in the liquor cabinet.
What kind of recovering alcoholic keeps a stocked liquor cabinet?
No, no, no, no...'recovered.' It's a reminder that I'm stronger. It holds no power over me.
Right now, that cop, Hanson's on his way to the mini mart
to ask some scared shitless, high school clerk with half a joint in his front pocket,
if you had the odor of an alcoholic beverage on your breath.
- Did you? - No!
- Blood shot eyes? - No!
- Slurred speech? - No!
They shouldn't drive together.
I'm on your side, Judge,
and if this goes south, and it might, you need to be able to say,
with some semblance of a straight-face,
that you havent had a drink in 28 years.
Hey, what's done is done. If you hit somebody, they swerved in front of you.
I strongly suggest you try out, and practice, that narrative.
Narrate this!
We're just gonna have to file another continuance, what else can I do?
Trust me, I'm gonna be back, fast as I can.
It's a personal matter. Yeah, I'd love to walk out on it, but I can't.
Karen, hold on.
Why the hell you calling me, Lisa?
Lauren?
Hi, honey, what're you doing with mommy's phone?
No, no, don't worry about it, don't worry about it. What's up?
I miss you, too. Baby, I'll see you soon.
Either I'll come home or, maybe you'll come here.
Look, look, we'll figure it out, don't worry. I promise.
I'll take you shopping. Wanna go shopping?
Want a cellphone? All your own? I'll get you...
Daddy has to work.
Yep?
Hank, forensics found traces of blood on your dad's car.
- So...? - Deep in the grill...
- Great! - It matches the victim.
- I'm sorry. - It's murder two.
- Murder? So, are you a clairvoyant? - That's not the whole of it, son.
I guess, he's just fucking out of his mind. That's a rookie move, careful.
The victim is Mark Blackwell.
Pretty amazing coincidence, don't you think?
Blackwell?
You killed him!
- Oh, shit! That's Mrs. Blackwell. - You killed my son.
Alright, alright, go straight to the car!
- Straight in, there you go. - When our lawyers are done with you,
- I'll be living in your house! - We're sorry for your loss, ma'am.
- Sorry? - Let's go, let's go!
- You will be! - Hank, Come on!
And you can shove all that ma'am shit.
- C'mon, let's go! - See, I recognize you! You're no altarboy!
Let's go. Let's go. Let's go!
Why were those people so mad?
She spit on the window.
Look, dad's a judge, you know. Sometimes he has to make difficult decisions.
There was a girl...
- What, what was her name? - Hope Stevens.
There's a guy...
Mark Blackwell, was a senior, like Glen.
Hope was his girlfriend, just turned 16.
He took a .38 to her house, shot the place up,
- Can we talk about something else? - I don't get it...
- Wh-why... - He shot out her bedroom windows,
angry over whatever kids get angry about
when they've been, uh, dating for, what? 6 months?
Now you listen to me. He stood in court and wept like a lost child,
said he was drunk and would never do it again.
If he meant to hurt her, he would have.
I believed him! I believed him. I believed him.
I gave him the minimum, 30 days.
I remember the morning he got out.
Glen and I were in the backyard, tinkering with his...
breaking ball. Pitching scouts were starting to come to his the games, Cincinnati vs St. Louis.
But, uh...
- God help us, why we did that... - Blackwell...
drug her down to a spill pond.
it's about 50 yards behind our house.
He hauled her into 2 feet of water and kneeled on her chest until he drowned her.
Dad gave him 20 years. He got out in April.
- Stop the car. - Dad, come on.
Shit for brains, am I speaking Korean? Stop the goddamn car!
- I need my walk. - Leaving the scene, blood evidence,
motive. Biggest mistake of your career and you just happened to run him over?
I could convict you over coffee but, no, no, routines are important, close the door, go.
If the blood matches, and I've no reason to doubt it does,
then, I must have clipped him. I don't remember any of that.
The 'I don't remember what happened defense,' doesn't fly with a corpse.
We need to establish a firm defense!
We gotta get the charges dropped and make it all go away at the preliminary hearing.
We never go to trial.
There's no 'we' here, Henry. This was an accident, period.
Any decent lawyer can argue this, easily.
And by decent, I mean honest.
Someone from here, someone with integrity that an Indiana judge will respect.
I retained one of that breed this morning, alright?
I wish I liked you more.
Oh, boy.
- He didn't mean it. - He didn't mean that.
- I wish he'd died instead of mom. - Cut it out!
- Jut cut it out! - Eyes forward, you coward.
That's awful!
He says, 'jump', you say, 'how high?'. Pull over the car.
- Hank, you shoot your mouth off too damn much! - Where's he going?
Driving Miss Daisy. What a fucking coward you are.
- Maybe we should follow dad. - Should I?
Oh, God. Where were you two when they were distributing testicles?
- Fuck it, I'm out. - Good! Good!
Hey, Judge, where're you going?
- Indiana State Penitentiary's this way. - Kiss my ass.
What line were we in, when they were distributing testicles?
You know I have to go, right?
You're here to listen, not talk, okay?
You know, the great thing about authentic mercury glass is the double wall.
You see that in there? And right on the bottom, New England Glass Company.
What a great find.
Uh, wow!
Guys, you want to head upstairs to my office?
- Judge Warren caught it, you know him, sir? - Yes, I do.
He's tough, he's fair... and full of himself.
He assigned a special prosecutor, Dwight Dickham,
out of Gary. I wonder why so far.
The preliminary hearing's set for next Friday.
Wow! Uh...
- We're in a bit of a pickle. - It's pretty straightforward, CP. It was dark...
Hold up... uhhhh,
What would you say your stronger suit is? Old furniture or law, quick?
- Uh, uh, well, law, law. - Law school?
Yes.
Yes, you're familiar with the concept or yes, you attended one?
Oh, can't practice law without going to law school. Yeah, Valpo.
Valpo? Valparaiso?
It's up... Oh, mom, I just told her not to cover Valparaiso.
Come on, I hate when she stacks books here!
Um, it's, uh... here in Indiana. Did you get out of state?
- Northwestern. - Wow, that's a dandy of a school!
Ever defended in a jury trial?
- Yes, I have. - Charge?
- Assault. - Degree? - Third.
- Verdict? - It was a guilty verdict.
Coach Blakely broke a clipboard over his quarterback's
head, during halftime, at the homecoming game.
- Now, in his defense, - Now, he gets one!
John Jr. had his helmet on!
- He just keeps selling, doesn't he? - Sit, down!
Uh, just so you know, Summers I interned at the Public Defender's office in Evansville, and
after graduation, I clerked 2 years for Justice Roberts, on the Indiana Supreme Court.
Which was a... pretty cool experience.
The word 'wow', is not your friend in court.
- Thank you, duely noted. - This is your guy?
If he drops the ball, you're facing a murder trial, just so you know.
I'm gonna get a coffee.
Wow! This is a law suit right here. Don't get sued before you lose your next case.
Don't mind him, you're my guy.
Your Honor, I'm gonna fight like a badger for you.
You can count on that.
Good Morning.
All rise.
Court is in session.
The Honorable Judge Sanford Warren, presiding.
Be seated.
I understand there's a motion you'd like to be heard on.
Your Honor, the deadline for filing a change of venue motion
has already come and gone.
So unless there has been a change in circumstance
that warrants filing the motion, out of time,
say if the, county up and moved overnight.
Barring that, this trial happens right here, in Carlinville.
This is a preliminary hearing, not a trial.
What's the story, Mr. Dickham, filing for a change of venue?
Out of curiosity, Your Honor, if I were to ask for a change of venue, you'd say what?
You missed the deadline, but I'll consider it.
And then?
Deny it, you missed your deadline.
No motion, Your Honor.
We're here to establish whether there's probable cause
to bind this over for trial.
I want to hold presentation of evidence
until I take some testimony.
After which, I will hear arguments.
Without further delay, let's get started, gentlemen.
Sheriff, after you arrived, what, what happened?
When I approached the victim, he was unresponsive.
And at that time, did you offer any assistance?
- He was dead, son. - So, no?
- That's a no. - Great.
And exactly what did Mr. Palmer tell you?
Mr. Palmer stated he drove his vehicle.
His 1971 Cadillac de Ville?
Correct, the night of the accident.
Okay.
Excuse me, excuse me!
- Yeah? - Sir, are you co-counsel?
- He is not! - No, I'm not.
Sit and zip it!
Sir, did you form an opinion as to the cause of death?
Massive internal damage.
Injuries consistent with being struck by a car.
Thank you, Dr. Putney. No further questions, Your Honor.
Cross examination, Mr. Kennedy?
Uhh, no further, que... no, no questions, Your Honor.
So you were working that night at the mini mart when you saw Judge Palmer and Mr. Blackwell?
They was both over by the cooler.
Did you see them make eye contact?
Yes, I saw Mr. Blackwell and Judge Palmer make eye contact.
- And then what did Judge Palmer do? - Dropped his eggs...
- I said out! Bailiff, get rid of him! - Read that!
Not my first time.
So, after that, did they go out together? Did you see him follow...
All rise.
Court is in session, The Honorable Judge Sanford Warren, presiding.
Be seated.
Based on the testimony of the witnesses and the evidence presented by Mr. Dickham,
the court finds probable cause to hold this over for trial.
Jury selection will begin one week from today.
See you folks in court.
Agreement from the Gipper's coach.
Excuse me?
Agreement from the Gipper's coach, ten letters.
Eye of newt. Knute Rockney, the great Notre Dame coach from South Bend, Indiana.
He knows the answer, yet he asks.
Come in, sit down.
Let's hold some court. Yeah.
Sit down, peacefully, easily, easily...
Why do you think Dickham missed the filing deadline
- for the change of venue? - Oh, he didn't miss the deadline.
It's a small town. For every two people who stand in front of you,
one wins, one loses, one loves you, one hates you.
Yes, yes...
Pretty obvious that Dickham had no intention of filing, he wants the trial here.
CP stepped down this morning.
Why?
Said he'd assist a more seasoned attorney, couldn't live with himself if his lack of...
experience, cost the case.
Confidentially, what were you doing on Shelby Road?
There's no route, from the mini mart home, where that makes sense.
Wait, wait, wait...
Are you asking if you could represent me?
Okay.
I remember being near the mini mart, I needed eggs.
The road home was washed out, where it dips near the old mill.
I turned around, stopped at the light on State,
then, uh...
I-I'm missing time, so...
- Can I borrow your pen? - Yeah.
To answer your question, no, I'm not asking if I can represent you, it doesn't work that way.
You can't afford me, so I have to do it for free.
Fortunately, I'm a bit light on my pro bono quota this year.
This is my standard services contract. Check, sign and date.
Offer expires in a business day.
I'll give it a think.
The artiste at work.
Hey, Hank. I'm splicing film.
- I see. - You can help, if you want.
Nah, I'll just watch you.
You know what's funny, when you said that the old man was playing chess every Wednesday with
- who was it? - with Doc Morris.
Yeah, 'cause he doesn't play chess.
In fact, the only thing he detests more than board games is doctors.
He does so play chess.
I'll show you. I have it.
It's not really ready yet, but...
That's a grackle. They're a real nuisance.
There's the lake.
Here's the porch....
See? He's playing chess.
Stop.
It's a nice frame.
Thanks.
What else you got?
Well, if you wait, you'll see I got, a whole family of muskrats crossing the lake...
Yeah?
- Body recovered there. Figure impact right here. - Yeah. Thatta way.
Police report has him on a bike?
- Yeah. I don't see any skid marks. - Okay, hey, here it is. Lawyer to client...
Did you recognize Blackwell?
- I don't remember, uh... - No, no...
- I can't have... - Can't have? Stick with that.
Look, we both know you didn't intentionally hit him, right?
But that's the way they're gonna spin it.
A few shots of Jack, just the right amount of ax to grind...
That's what I thought. But you haven't been drinking, have you?
- No. Nope. - Are you sick, pop?
You might say I'm sick, yes. Yeah.
Cancer... in my plumbing... colon.
A few more chemo sessions, it'll be in...
in uh, remission. Nothing I can't handle, nobody knows.
Your mother knew, that's all.
They need intent for murder, that's our case.
We build a diminished ability defense due to the chemo.
If we can gain sympathy from the jury, they'll never convict you.
- But, wait, wait, hold on! - Native son, public servant, for over 40 years?
No, back up! Look what that does to all the cases
I've heard for the last year.
The facts here?
Ev-everybody I sentenced will challenge the ruling.
Strangers! Who gives a shit? You're gonna die in prison!
I'd rather die in prison than be remembered like that.
- Oh, boy. - An incompetent old man on the stand. No.
Oh, I'm not letting you anywhere near the stand.
Now, listen, listen to me.
Ulysses S. Grant held this country together.
Now, what's he remembered for? Being a drunk!
Ronald Reagan oversaw the fall of the Berlin Wall, the end of the Cold War,
but any discussion of his legacy ends with jellybeans, naps
and Alzeimer's.
Reagan? Wow! With all due... I'm gonna say this as professionally, and gently, as I possibly can.
You're a civil servant, in a corn belt, bible-banging backwater.
Nobody, nobody, gives a rat's ass about your legacy!
But I do, son, I do.
I sat on the bench in that courtroom for 42 years.
People in this community trust me.
They trust the law. Now this...
this accident, is a legal ironball, Henry.
You can't screw it up.
So don't.
And only guilty people refuse to take the stand.
- Got me? - You tie my shoelaces together,
I can't help you if you won't let me do my job!
Unlock the car, come on, let's go, I wanna go home.
Damn it!
Oh, it's cool!
Fuck me!
I only own the one black dress.
Hank, there's someone I'd like you to meet, this is my daughter, Carla.
Well, light a match and hold my hair back! This is your Hank?
God, just try not to embarass me, okay?
- You, you, you two met? - Nope.
- Yep. Yeah! - Yes.
- At the bar, right? - Girl, what is up with you, turn around.
Huh, I see that T-shirt survived.
The night Hank Palmer vanished from Carlinville.
- Since when have you had a daughter? - February, 1990.
She's home for Summer break.
- Uh, were you married? - Negative, no.
Um, I am the unplanned, but happy, result of a Wabash River float trip.
Yep. Kool-Aid and Everclear.
- And now, Carla goes to Georgetown. - DC? Georgetown? Wow!
Are you ever in, Washington, Mr. Palmer?
Never. What're you studying?
Law.
Always, on grass, never on pavement, you won't splash your shoes, that way.
I don't know what my problem is.
Personally invested in your client. You feel their life in your hands.
Both pass, trust me.
I hope not.
So, sir, you're telling me that you're not even a little bit swayed
by the fact that you're familiar with the defendant
and his stature in the community?
Now, what exactly is our target juror?
Intelligent people who will listen to instructions,
follow the evidence.
Crackpots, those I can persuade to swallow their own tongues.
Anyone who's seen a sasquatch, moonlanding deniers, those are our people.
Mr. Palmer.
Subtelty, Henry, a velvet touch.
Bumper stickers? Anybody got one on their car, truck, RV? Show of hands.
And, uh, what do they read? Exact words, please.
It just spells out "tolerance", with religious symbols.
Willie Nelson, for President?
Really? Does he seem a likely candidate?
They never got him on a felony.
Certified breast inspector, have 'em out.
Gun control means usin' both hands.
Honor roll student on board?
Wife and dog missing?
Reward for dog.
- Thank you. - Thank you!
I missed you, baby.
This is gonna be such a fun weekend.
Unless I drop you down the escalator!
Lauren, uh...
I feel like I should prep you, before you meet Grandpa Palmer.
'Cause he is nothing like Grandpa Schneider.
Grandpa Schneider is, kinda, you know, nice and affable, and he'd maybe take you for ice cream,
maybe, or read to you. Grandpa Palmer doesn't wanna do any of that.
If you ask him to read to you, he might throw the book at you.
But anyway, don't worry about it, I mean, he's not evil, he's just a dirty old mummy.
And he can't hurt you, because you're special.
Oh, my God, there he is, look.
He's usually wrapped in gauze, and oozing and shuffling.
He's... come outside to feed.
Who are you?
- Lauren... - Lauren. You know who I am?
- Grandpa. - Yeah.
You're my granddaughter?
Let's go, come on with me.
You glad to be here?
It's been a long time. I've waited a long time for this.
You're my little sweetheart.
I'll show you the house, come on.
You're the first granddaughter I ever had.
In fact, you're the first girl in this county in a long time.
I think grandpa's sweet.
Yeah, he isn't, but I'm glad you see it that way.
Alright, that's for comfy, there you go, do you want a second pillow?
- Yes. - Good, now put your head down.
There you go.
And now... oops, oh, maybe I'm gonna strangle you...
Feel good? Okay, there's ghosts here. I'm gonna leave you alone now.
Whose room is this?
It was your Uncle Glen's.
Why are there so many trophies?
Because he was a really good baseball player,
- really good. - Did he play on TV?
He probably would've been on a big team...
but, when Glen and I were in high school,
we got in a really bad car accident,
and his hand got messed up.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Why didn't he take his trophies to his own house?
They were more important to his father.
Kind of a... touchy subject, go to sleep.
- Good night, baby. - Good night, dad.
Okay, let's rehearse.
Mr. Palmer, Mark Blackwell appeared in your court prior to killing Ms. Stevens.
- Correct? - Uh, huh.
Well, a lot of people appeared in my court, prior...
But, you'd agree... that there were special circumstances, surrounding this case.
Most people think that their cases are pretty special.
Okay, by the way, there's no snacks on the witness stand.
- Give it back! - No! No distractions.
I don't need preparing.
You've never sat... on a witness stand. You've never been in that seat.
Dickham doesn't have intent, Henry,
- and he never will. - Dickham, is a snake charmer.
He'll play his tune, get the jury swinging into his version of that night
and then you can say goodbye to your dreams of flags flying at half-mast when you're dead.
It's half-staff. No one says half-mast anymore.
Yeah, let's remain unprepared. Fuck it!
Alright, no need to be... so morose, Henry.
Sam, can you hear me? Well, my head's in the oven.
I was just thinking it was either that or maybe, uh, shower up and come meet you.
Okay, there? Alright.
Oh, my God, looks taller than it used to be. Did they raise it?
Come on, big city, show me what you got.
Alright, I'm just gonna stretch out, for a sec. Come on, give me a boost.
God, too easy!
We're in!
So, it's midnight. I'm on the Dayton Blacktop, hauling ass home.
A 76' Chevette, fake wood paneling?
- Chev? No, dad's Maverick. I know! - What were you thinking?
From the corner of my eye, I spot something.
Biggest buck you have ever seen. 12, 14 points,
200 pounds, give or take,
charging the road straight for me.
We skid, one hand on the wheel, one hand on Carla.
This deer jumps, flies over the hood,
its back hoof taps the glass. One mile per hour faster,
he's coming through the windshield, all antlers and hoofs, killing me for sure, maybe both of us.
I make a decision, right then and there.
Whatever had, or hadn't, happened in the past,
I was gonna be the hero, of my own story.
- Sound corny? - Sounds epic.
I've four grand in my name, I borrowed another twelve from grandpa,
so that's about sixteen grand. I made Dan an offer for the diner that he couldn't refuse.
- The place was on its last leg... - This place, this is your place?
- Yeah, this is my-this is my place. - What do you got me bustin' into it for?
For my amusement...
worth the broken window.
Bought the tavern three years later.
I got money. I got money. I got a lot of... I got money like the Colonel's got chicken.
- You're an entrepreneurial spirit. - Yep.
Okay, I'm impressed.
We have known each other since the 3rd grade, what, you didn't already know enough to be impressed?
- I always liked you. - You're a dick.
- You... - This is about accomplishment.
- There you are. - Alright, baby.
- Except it was 2nd grade. - What?
In 2nd grade, in Ms. Jenkins' class, on the kickball field, in the south corner,
is where I try to kiss you and you... fish-hooked me.
Tastes like cinnamon...
almost.
You just broke off to reminisce?
- Just a... sidebar. - Okay.
Come on...
- What's wrong? - You know I'm leaving when the trial's over?
Are you sure you, you should do this?
- Am I sure? - He's sure. I'm wondering if you're sure?
Man! Oh! Why did we come here?
I love seeing you here but I'm not naive, Hank.
- I know you. - What do you think you know? Honestly.
That I'm a decent guy? That I'm loyal? That I'm a... phenomenal lawyer?
That I got a work ethic that'll rival the fucking Amish? What do you know?
Say it, I'm used to being held under scrutiny.
Here's what I know. I am never leaving Carlinville.
I love it here... and you're just a boy from Indiana,
who's gonna do whatever he has to do to pretend that's not true.
Lock the door behind you.
I'm gonna go play with myself. I'll be thinking of you.
And I made out with your daughter.
Judge says he's missing time, explain that to me.
It's called chemo brain.
Along with the, the fatigue and the cracked skin, we sometimes suffer from memory loss, confusion,
dementia, delusions...
It's a very real possibility, probability, that he was mentally impaired the night he hit Blackwell.
Well, if you can corroborate that, I need it in my back pocket.
I'm not asking. I may need you to testify.
He's geting chemotherapy in a fishing cabin.
I don't think he wants anyone knowing,
and I'm his doctor, I'm bound by his wishes.
Bound by his wishes or his vanity?
When will he be done with the treatments?
Well, like I told your father, that's up to him.
On him? But...
- how would he know? - So, what exactly did he tell you?
He told me it's under control, it's in remission.
Give it up, you country quack, I'm not his son,
- I'm his fucking lawyer! - Well, this isn't an act, is it?
You really aren't a pleasant person.
Right now? I'm a Summer breeze.
Once I subpoena you, get you on the stand and extract the truth from your ass, like tree sap,
then you'll realize, in that moment, correct. I'm not a pleasant person.
We caught it too late to cut it out,
to... slap a bag on it.
If he'd had regular screenings...
but, the Judge wasn't the type to invite a camera, with any degree of regularity.
Your mother, insisted that he try.
I suspect he's still doing it for her.
I've been treating him for years.
His condition keeps advancing...
until it reaches stage 4.
- What's a hush puppy? - Good for you.
- Dad, give me your hand. - Get out! Hey!
Get out!
Gotta get my shoes on.
- Are you okay? - Oh, no, no!
Stay still, you will be okay.
Non, no, no, no. Hold on to me...
Come on, let's get to the tub.
Okay?
Careful, careful where you're stepping.
Can you get your leg over?
There you go.
- Okay? - Okay, ready.
Let's go.
- Is the temperature okay? - Too hot.
Sorry, sorry, sorry.
Ooh, that's a little cold.
What is it?
Can I come in?
I'll be out in a minute, go eat! Finish your hush puppies, baby.
- I'm full. - In a minute, Lauren!
- Come on... - What are you doing?
What should you say?
We're fixing the sink, it leaks.
- Can I help? - She'll slip, it's too, the water...
No, there's water all over the floor.
Alright, go... go do something. Grandpa and I'll be down in a minute.
- Knock-knock. - Lauren!
I wasn't talking to you!
- Who's there? - Army.
Army, who?
Are me and grandpa still going for ice cream?
Tell me about Lauren, likes, dislikes, the future... may hold for you.
Where're you leaning? Teacher, doctor... lawyer, seems popular lately.
Racecar driver.
I just like to go really fast.
You're thinking, aren't you?
I got-I got a bad idea... but it could be fun.
- You're looking at the road? - Yeah.
Doing awesome, check your mirrors.
You're a natural, by the way.
I feel like I could just take my hands off the wheel and let you drive.
Aah... don't you do it when I do it!
Right?
See?
And that's how you keep abreast of what's going on on the road.
When are you and mommy getting a divorce?
What? Put your hands at 10 and 2.
- Where did you hear that? - It is pretty obvious.
Well, the way these things work... you know, it takes a long time,
happens in stages and, uh...
- Your stuff is in boxes. - That's a stage.
You're not wearing your wedding rings,
and you're probably gonna ask me who I wanna live with.
- So which stage are we in? - That one.
You know too much.
- Mommy would be lonely. - Yeah? What about me?
- So would I. - Daddies don't get lonely.
They only marry younger mommies.
Well, we'll figure it all out, baby.
It happened to Megan, then it happened to Kaitlin.
I just didn't think it would happen to me.
Me, neither.
Wanna turn left up here?
Oh, my God, I'm just gonna let you drive home. You're doing great!
You're making the turn all by yourself. Good girl, good girl, good girl!
Okay, when you see mom, what are you supposed to say?
Best vacation ever!
Yeah, that's pretty good. Just don't oversell it! You know what I mean?
Hey, thanks.
You gonna be alright?
You will be fine. You're something else!
Hey, daddy.
Best vacation ever!
It's coincidence. That's what that was.
June, July, August, September, October, November, December, Januar...
June, July, August, September, October, November, De... Fuck!
Here we go.
Sir, I appreciate the primer and DNA evidence analysis,
but bottomline this for us... what do all those numbers and percentages mean
when determining if it's Mark Blackwell's blood on Judge Palmer's car?
- It's the victim's blood on the car. - Didn't take a swing at Mr. Blackwell?
No, sir.
Use profanity? Rant, rave, mock, display any sign of hostility?
No...
None of that.
Dr. Brannamon, you found something else in his system at the time of death, correct?
Yes, we did. Mark Blackwell had Oxycodone Paracetamol in his blood, Percocet.
And your lab in Chicago registered his blood alcohol level at .23?
Yes.
In that condition, could he've been riding a straight line?
If he could ride a bike at all, it would've been swerving.
Mrs. Blackwell, after all those years and all that heartbreak,
- how'd you feel when he was released? - I finally had my Mark back.
I'd waited so long for him to come home.
No mother should have to bury her child.
Thank you, ma'am.
How often did you visit Mark in prison?
Uh, I don't remember, too many times.
Perhaps the visitation records will refresh your memory.
How many times?
- Twice... - Pardon me?
Twice!
Oh, so, not too many times, two times, in 20 years?
Twice! One for each end!
- It's a 20 degree bend, at best. - So, Deputy Hanson, uh, looking at this road,
there's no indication that Judge Palmer tried to slow his vehicle?
- No. - As a matter of fact,
there're no brake marks at all, are there?
- No sir. - No further questions, Your Honor.
Mr. Palmer?
Deputy Hanson, you were previously an officer in Detroit...
Objection, the deputy's credentials are not in question.
- I was gonna say, "Welcome to Carlinville." - Uh, huh.
As stated by Mr. Dickham, these photos were taken the morning of the incident.
Uh, what is that? Can you help me?
- Right there. - Not really, no.
Does that help?
Road kill? Raccoon, maybe?
- Is there an offer of proof, here? - What's your point, Mr. Palmer?
That, there, is a snappin' turtle.
And?
And, Detroit can be forgiven for not knowing what running over a snapping turtle is like.
Nobody hits one if they see it and can possibly avoid it.
You hit a rabbit, possum, skunk, your car goes 'oop-oop'.
But, now then a snapper, is similiar to smacking into a
cyclinder block... car goes, 'ka-blam!', 'ka-boom!'
Mr. Palmer, where exactly are you going with this?
Whoop. Your Honor, the prosecution maintains that a lack of brake marks
is evidence that Mr. Blackwell was deliberately struck.
Is it not reasonable to assume Judge Palmer could have hit something substantial,
in the dark, raining, not realized it was a person that was hit,
just kept going.
That's been firmly established. Are we within a mile of a question here?
The question is, Deputy... any brake marks in front of that turtle?
Yes/no?
No, there are not.
Thank you, that's all I have.
You re-arranged everything!
Alright, Mary, wait! What? What? What? What?
What? God damn it!
Don't be a you know what, Mary! Don't be a you know what.
Memory plays... tricks on me! Still trying!
You left too soon, Mary. You left too soon!
Hey, I think I heard you were having a bad dream.
God, what happened to your hands?
Here, let's make your skin soft.
Hey. Hey, hey.
Who's the best lawyer you've ever seen? Come on.
Mine's Robert Graham. I work for him. He just... doesn't lose.
Now you.
Mr. Shaw.
My first job after law school. A drifter killed a farmer, violated his wife.
Five Points Road, with a coring knife.
Vile human being, vile. Court assigned Mr. Shaw the case.
So... we took dinner to the jail, 'cause every night, Mr. Shaw sat with him.
Prepared him, defended him... no tricks.
He won?
Electrocuted.
He was dead, but Mr. Shaw had to live it.
He was threatened, spit on.
People wouldn't sit near him, in church.
He could've refused the case easily but he believed in the law.
Now, I can't say, uh, best. But Henry Shaw...
most decent man I ever met. Ever. Ever. Yeah.
- Henry? - Decent man. Great man. I think so.
- Hank Palmer. - Hank? Sheriff White.
Wondering if you can come by the station. There's something you should see.
We've already seen the security footage from the night of the accident.
Here's what happens. The Judge leaves the store, his car goes one way,
- Blackwell, the other. - Patience...
- Time? - Four minutes 45.
- He didn't get to the mill. - And? Point being?
In his statement, Judge Palmer said he reached the road near the mill,
it was washed out and he turned around. He's lying.
It takes nine minutes to get to the mill and back.
Your dad did it in five. He didn't turn around because it was washed out.
He turned around to follow Blackwell.
He's lived here his whole life. You think he can't gauge when the road's gonna flood?
- That's not the point. - Sherriff, may we use your office, please?
- Thanks. - Well, you know how to clear a room.
- Ten years, he'll do seven. - Insufficient evidence.
- Offer expires when you walk out that door. - Pack it in.
- You want me to fly you? - I'm glad to see you're on your game.
I like you, too, but I'm so bored.
I have intent now!
Premeditation. I'll paint your father as a 'holier than thou'
prick determined to see what he considers justice served.
My father is a 'holier than thou' prick
determined to see what he considers justice served. So, it's gonna be a light day.
That's funny. I guess I can't fault you for not remembering me.
I was just second chair for the prosecution.
You defended that Milkwakee beer baron's kid, the one that went slumming in Derry.
Forty million in the bank, one dead prostitute.
My God, you're good, best verdict money can buy.
Everybody wants Atticus Finch, until there's a dead hooker in a hot tub.
There's your bumper sticker.
So, in a nutshell, you're following me down here to settle a score?
Oh, good Lord, no.
I followed you down here because I knew, if I didn't,
it was likely somebody was gonna get away with murder.
My father is a lot of unpleasant things and murderer is not one of them.
But he is a liar. We've established that.
A liar who thinks he can operate under the color of the law just like his son.
You're a shined up wooden nickle, Mr. Palmer.
A bully with a big bag of tricks.
But unlike you, I have one simple belief,
that the law is the only thing capable of making people equal.
Now, you may think Mark Blackwell was white trash and he may very well have been,
but in the eyes of the state, his life matters.
I'm gonna impale your client on a first degree murder charge
and you get a front row seat.
Why are we even down here? Like it is never a tornado, this is stupid.
Be happy your grandpa has a basement.
Oh, boy.
Don't worry everyone, I got it.
Hey, turn that on, Uncle Ben.
Yeah, why don't you show us what you've been working on.
You said you're going to show me, man.
Come on. Let's go.
Okay.
Charles Francis Jenkins first invented the projector
on June 6, 1894 in Wayne County, Indiana.
Dale, can you show the movie that you made?
- Thank you. - Here we go!
- Alright! - Whoo!
- Alright! - Yeah!
- Yay! - Good going, Dale!
Oh, nice.
Oh, family Christmas, look at you guys in your pj's.
That's us.
- That's our family. - Yeah, it is...
- There's me. - Sweet.
Dad, you were cute once.
There's Hank and dad.
- Judge, you had hair? - Oh, you...
- There you are! - Watch and learn, boys.
Watch and learn!
- Look at that. Oh, look at that! Jee-sus! - Look at that arm!
- That was the best day! - You betcha!
- Proud mama. - And Dad.
- Oh, shit! - Shut it, George...
Turn it off!
- Alright, speed it up, man. - I can't...
- It's film, I-ca, I can't... - Next! Next!
Crank the fucking thing with your hand if you have to, let's go, let's go!
Give him a chance.
Dale, turn it off!
- Okay, alright! - Enough!
- We're gonna fix it. It's okay. - Not in this house!
- Oh, Dad, shit! - Oh, no.
I'm so sick... of you. I'm tired of the way you decide, how the world is gonna run!
What? You're gonna parcel out who gets to say and do what and when you say it?
I decide, in this house. You can go decide, in your house!
No, I can't! Because I'm stuck, in purgatory, with a client
who's doing everything in his power, to be found guilty!
You didn't make it anywhere near the mill, did you?
Did you? You hung me out to fucking dry, with Dwight Dickham, 'cause you held out on me!
I told you everthing I knew! You told me everything is...
- Guys, come on! Easy! Easy! - Get outta my way! Get outta my way!
- Alright, Alright! - Dad, you can't go out there!
Get your gimp hand off me!
- God damn it, Hank! - Where's he going?
Why'd you pull me out of Boy Scouts?
As punishment for blowing up the McCross' mail box with M-80s!
- I was 13, that, you remember. - Oh, old enough to know better!
You didn't come to my high school graduation, or college.
- Oh, boo, fucking hoo! - Why?
Why? Jail time, truancy, I wasn't gonna reward anything,
- none of your shit! - I graduated from law school, for Christ sake!
As opposed to what, dropping out?
- Fuck you! - Ooooo. Let me tell you something, okay?
Here...
I put a roof over your head,
money in your pocket,
clothes on your back,
food in your mouth!
Who paid for that college education?
I never showed up to kiss your asshole! Your mother?
She's a housewife.
Why couldn't you swallow your goddamn pride and just come home to her?
You tell me why!
'Cause you'd invite people, at end of parole, back to court.
You'd recognize those who did their time,
turned their lives around, made something of themseves.
Everyone in court'd applaud. You made sure they did.
You'd tell them how proud you were...
proud of fucking strangers.
Is that all you wanted, Henry, was a kind word and attaboy?
Then, to use your words, you should've come... the fuck home!
We all waited, quietly, but you never came.
Okay? And I was the one she blamed because you wouldn't come home.
Me, now was I tough on you? Yes.
How'd you turn out, Henry? Waiting tables, a bum?
You put me into a juvenile detention.
You sent me to fucking Vanderburgh!
- No, no, no, no. You put yourself there! - Did I?
Yes.
The prosecution recommended community service, that was your fault!
No, no, it wouldn't have helped you.
I didn't need help, I needed you!
You were high, you rolled the car with your brother in it!
He had a Major League career ahead of him,
a 90 mile an hour fast ball and he runs a tire shop!
You crippled him, you stole his future, you call me an asshole?
I was just 17, that's what happened. I was 17.
Oh! I was 13, I was 17...
You were headed down the wrong path. I did what I thought was right.
You know I didn't just graduate from law school, I graduated first in my class.
- Good. - I was first in my class.
Yeah...
- I did really well, dad. - You're welcome.
Fuck!
I'm tearing this house down.
Gonna burn this fucking house down.
- About that storm, huh? - Hmm...
I'm glad you and mom became friends and... uh, why?
- Why Sam? - Why?
- Who the fuck is Carla's dad? - Go,
- Please. - go to courthouse, pull the certificate.
I did. There's no father's name listed.
No, there is not...
because Carla's father was never gonna be her father.
Him knowing, would just complicate things.
There was no Wabash River float trip, there's no Everclear and Kool-Aid,
it's just one of those lies we tell ourselves...
in order to move on, and we did.
Great, I get to move on, too.
What lies you gonna tell me?
That it was fine with me when you left to go to that goddamn concert,
and never called again.
That, um...
I am entirely confortable with Carla never knowing who his father is.
That you're the only one who's gonna get hurt
when you run away, again, like you always do.
Oh, I know that look.
You're a bullshitter.
Well, yeah, it's my bullshit, kindly removed your shoes from it.
See you in 20 years.
Looking forward.
Finally opened her up, huh?
Yeah.
Evin Williams, she was 23 years old when I drove down to Bardstown, Kentucky,
1979, to buy her.
I almost cracked this baby open a thousand times.
And be glad you didn't.
Yep.
You gonna tell me I shouldn't drink?
You're big boy.
As long as you're ready for tomorrow.
Dickham's gonna turn up the heat.
I'm ready.
I went and saw mom, today.
Yeah?
Nice...
Where is she now?
Where's who?
Where's Mary? Where's... You think there's something else,
after we die?
You asking me if I believe in God?
Do you?
I'm 72, with stage 4 cancer. What choice do I have?
You know...
I was gonna say that, uh... I was gonna apologize for belittling your marriage.
It's not easy to have a good marriage.
I don't know what to do, what would you do,
with Lisa and all?
I-I-I don't know. Henry, I truly don't.
You think you could make each other happy again?
Go on...
have a little toast here,
to whatever, I don't know, but let's have a toast.
- Uh, to good luck in court. - Good luck.
The Judge's Cadillac reappears in the frame, approximately 5 minutes
after he left the lot.
Exact time, Sheriff?
Four minutes, 45 seconds.
Okay, again. When he leaves.
oops, uh, went too far.
There we go.
Judge Palmer?
Dad!
Bailiff?
Do you mind calling an ambulance?
Dad, talk to us.
Dad?
St. Thomas More,
I don't know which paragraph the Judge would like...
maybe St. Joseph because he's the patient's...
Okay, okay, Dale...
- and St. Joseph... - Alright, dial down the crazy now, dial it down!
- Hey, you want to go to the vending machine? - Okay.
Here.
Whoa!
Get whatever you want.
- You have a naked lady in here. - Yeah,
- it's a fun wallet. - Film the vending machines, Dale.
- Look, don't look at me like that. - Don't take it out on him.
Not now, don't look at me like that, not now.
You don't know what my life is like, okay?
Mom is gone, alright?
And dad is...
And then what are we gonna do about Dale, huh? What, are you gonna help? You? Really?
I'm not like you, I haven't been stuck here all this time...
- I understand why you're going mental. - Hank,
I've never asked for a goddamn thing in your life!
- I'd never ask you for anything! - Hey, I'm fucking here...
- Yeah, well he's your father, you should be here! - Oh, my God.
- I'm going crazy... - I've never asked you for a goddamn thing, okay?
I'm asking you, now! You cannot lose this case!
Dad cannot go to prison.
Don't pat me, don't pat me, I'm the big brother here, you don't pat me.
Dad wants to see you, Hank, not you, Glen.
- I killed the bastard. - You're funny.
Please, don't ever say that again. Don't say that to anybody.
- No. I know me. I ran that man down. - You're speculating, I know you, too.
You're not capable of overriding a lifetime of ethical superiority.
I don't have the energy to fight with you, Henry.
Then muster some.
- Do you remember hitting him? - It's just a matter of time.
Clocks run out! Out of fucking time!
You're not taking the stand!
- Then, uh, I'll fire you and CP'll do it. - You're the most...
brutally, bullheaded client I've ever had.
This is easy, there's no witness.
The prosecution can't prove you hit him any more than you can.
I've sprayed reasonable doubt all over this case.
Please, just, will you just... let me do my job,
let me do the talking, keep you mouth shut, you're gonna win.
Yes...
but I have to live here.
You're impossible to defend!
What happened to Reagan?
You know, the jellybeans, and your horseshit legacy?
Okay, so, you're gonna swear in hand to God and lie under oath that
you remember hitting him?
I won't confess to something I don't remember doing, okay?
- You promise? - Yes.
- Thank you. - Yes.
- I'll see you in court, Henry. - Alright, I'm sorry, I just...
I'll see you in court.
Judge Palmer,
do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?
I do...
Judge Palmer, you've been on the bench how long?
42 years.
Sir, how many violent crimes have you ruled on in that time?
Objection, the defendant's history as a judge is not relevant.
Your honor, the state has introduced evidence, that suggests
a motive for the alleged crime related to the judge's duties.
I'm entitled to rebut that laughable presumption.
Overruled.
It's, uh, not something I keep track of.
Would it surprise you to learn you've presided over 17 murder trials,
- 434 assaults, 12,942 civil cases. - It would not.
Did you run over any of those folks?
- Objection! - Reign it in, Mr. Palmer.
- Just lost your wife? - Yes.
- How long were you married? - 50 Years.
How did she pass?
She spent the morning kneeling, she fussed over hydrangeas,
a bloodclot formed in her left leg and...
went to her heart.
The day of the accident, what did you do that morning?
- Buried your mother, uh, my wife. - Tough day, how did you feel?
- Tired. - Tired, dark, raining...
- do you remember hitting the victim? - I do not.
Thank you.
Nothing further.
Would it be fair to say that you dislike Mark Blackwell?
Yes.
Wished him ill?
I did.
Dead?
Yes.
Deputy Hanson testified that you told him
that only you were allowed to drive that car,
- not even your late wife. - It's my car.
But now a man's blood, a man that you hate,
was found on a car that only you drive
- but you don't know how it got there? - I do not, no.
A six foot one, 220 pound man,
that's a pretty big old boy, on a steel bicycle...
but you're in the dark about it all?
- Objection, asked and answered. - Overruled.
Correct.
So, on one of the worst days of your life,
you enter the mini mart,
- you see a man you hate... - Objection! Argumentative!
Let him finish.
You see a man that you hate, and minutes later, you've altered your route,
and both you and that man are on the same road,
at the same time, only you're in your car, with his blood on it,
and he's in a ravine, with his kidneys ruptured, and his back broken,
and you don't remember hitting him?
I do not.
So, you're telling this court, under oath,
which I know you understand better than most,
that a-a man who killed somebody, on your watch,
a man you released, who drowned a 16 year old girl,
a man that you absolutely hate,
on the worst day of your life, and you have the
perfect opportunity to balance the scales of justice...
and your testimony is that you didn't seize that chance and kill him?
No.
No further questions.
That's not my testimony.
Sir, how have I mischaracterized your testimony?
Objection, he said no more questions.
- Your Honor? - My testimony is...
that I don't remember hitting him.
Your Honor, may I-may I request a brief recesss?
Denied.
Mr. Palmer,
Judge Palmer.
Do you think... you killed him intentionally?
Objection, calls for speculation, move to strike.
Yes.
Order!
Order! Order!
Settle down.
Thank you, Your Honor, no further questions.
Redirect, Judge?
Okay.
- So... you think you did it? - Correct.
Okay, you think, but
- not because you remember hitting him? - That's right.
Oh, your opinion is you hit him on purpose, correct?
I, I, I just said yes.
Why do you think you can't remember the accident?
- My wife just died. - Undergoing any medical treatment?
Objection! Relevance.
- Goes to state of mind, Your Honor. - Overruled.
- You and I are finally done. - Oh, we're not done.
Yeah, we're done. CP, you're up.
Sit down, Mr. Kennedy.
You're done when you answer my question!
- No, no, no, no! - Answer it!
No, no, you're not my lawyer! You're not my lawyer!
You're on the stand as a witness, answer my question!
I'm of sound mind and body. It is none of your goddamn business!
- Sit down! - No, no!
- Keep quiet! I'm not done! Sit down! - No, no, no!
Judge Palmer,
it's your right to seek other counsel if you so choose
but you'll have to do so after you've completed your testimony.
Yes, sir.
I'll ask you again, undergoing any medical treatment?
- Yes or no? - Chemotherapy.
- For how long? - 6 months.
Chemo? That's cancer.
- Yes... - Prognosis?
It's advanced.
Did your doctor caution you against the potential
- side effects of chemotherapy? - Yes. he did.
What are they?
- Nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, - Delusions, fits of anger,
- depression, memory loss? - No, no,
- none of that applies to me. - Really?
What would happen to all the cases you presided over in the last 6 months
if it were determined that your mental actuality
- was diminished. - Objection!
- Counsel is trying to prejudice the jury. - Overruled.
All those trials... they would be declared mistrials, would they not?
- Potentially, yes, - A stain on your reputation.
You'd do anything to avoid that, would you not?
No, no, no! NO!
Then, why don't you remember... seeing Blackwell that night?
I remember him, I just don't recall, uh...
hitting that son of a bitch.
What do you remember?
I remember he, uh... opened his disgusting mouth.
What could he possibly have said?
Hey, Judge...
sorry to hear about your wife.
You know...
seeing her buried no more than 50 feet from Hope,
I'm not gonna have to walk too far to piss on both graves.
He got him.
No...
doesn't add up.
I don't buy it. Can't be the first time someone's insulted you.
It's your job.
Why did you go easy on him the first time?
Of all the judges in Indiana, you're one of the tightest.
You gave him 30 days. He threatened her, discharged a firearm at her residence,
that's 6 months, a year, easy. What was your reasoning?
180 days, that's solid, maybe to cool it off.
Maybe he doesn't kill Hope, maybe we're not here.
All the years you sat on that bench, all the people that stood
before you, the leniency...
the understanding, the free ride, goes to Mark Blackwell?
How do you explain that lapse in judgement?
I looked at him... and saw you.
The same, wilful disobedience.
The same recklessness.
I looked at him and saw my middle son,
my little boy.
My good boy.
I watched him cry, right there. I wanted to put my arms around him and tell him that
it didn't have to be like this.
I wanted someone to help him,
like I'd want someone to help my boy...
if he'd lost his way.
It was my chance to be...
that someone, is that so much to ask?
Maybe so, maybe so.
I have memories...
of us,
you and me,
and I don't.
How come?
- Why? - Why?
Why?
I looked at you and saw him.
Your Honor, may the deputy please approach.
Last question. This man's been your bailiff for 22 years. What is his name?
You don't know?
Uhhh... I'd like to go home now.
Nothing further, Your Honor.
Hey.
- Are you okay? - I don't know.
Depends on the verdict.
I'm Carla's dad, right?
This again? Why, why can't you just let it go?
- She's fine. - Of course, she is.
I mean, it's obvious, she's born 9 months after I split.
Either that, or you cheated on me, you know.
Either way, it's not fine, it's just one version, slightly less not fine, than the other.
And the thing is, listen...
God, this is ugly. Here it is. I met Carla at the tavern, blind, okay?
- I went there with Dale and Glen and, and... - He's her father.
- He, who is her father? - Yeah, Glen doesn't know.
- What my, my brother? - It just was the one time.
- Glen, Glen, that fucker, what? - What do you mean what?
- What do you mean, Glen!? - You Left!
- Fuck off! I went to a Metallica concert! - And you never came back!
He was so broken, he was sweet, he was almost normal. I needed a little normal!
And now what? That makes me, what?
A-a-a more superior prick than every shit between two shoes.
Damn it, Hank, I loved you then and I love you now.
I do. I love how, you're simultaneously,
the most selfish and the most generous person I know.
I love how, you hate a bully while you're being one,
but your constant second-guessing of others,
that-that, crystal ball bullshit?
That-that-that... that hyper-verbal vocabulary vomit thing that you do...
I disappear throughout the hack.
Say it again.
All of it?
- Yep? -Jury entering, all rise.
Be seated.
Mr. Foreman, have you reached a verdict?
We have, Your Honor.
What say you, in the matter of the State of Indiana versus Joseph Palmer,
on the charge of murder in the first degree?
We find the defendant not guilty.
And on the lesser included charge of voluntary manslaughter?
We find the defendant... guilty.
Order.
Move for sentencing, Your Honor?
This case has been a most tragic occurrence
as I am required to impose an appropriate sentence.
But, as you know, all too well, sir, that is the job.
I am therefore sentencing you to serve four years in state prison.
Sentence is to be begin forthwith.
Deputy, please take Judge Palmer into custody.
Order!
Dad, dad.
- Dad. - Yeah.
I've always been proud of you, always.
Listen to me, you're a strong man, not a boy, okay?
I need you to look after your brother for me.
Now, can you do that?
Okay, dad.
And this camera... it was a buffer for you.
Úse it,
- but you don't need it. - Okay, dad.
Okay.
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,
thank you for your service. You're excused. This court is adjourned.
- Do we expect an appeal? - Nah!
You know, 90% of the country believes in ghosts?
Less than a third, in evolution?
35% can correctly identify Homer Simpson and the fictional town in which he resides.
Less than 1% knows the name, Thurgood Marshall.
But, when you put 12 Americans together in a jury and you ask for justice...
something, just south of brilliance, happens.
Often as not, they get it right.
You know, uh...
six weeks we prepped Burke's mistress for the infamous Hank Palmer cross.
And you... you went easy on her.
I did?
- Might cost you your job. - Well, you know, when you lose...
you lose...
And, when you're on a streak, you know, you... stick with it.
Sign here, and here, to take possession.
You look good, you warm enough?
- Yeah. - Too warm?
Knock it off.
Glen and Dale stopped for more bait.
Remember you used to bring these home?
Yeah.
- Gimme some of those. - Here.
Gimme some to take home, too.
There you go.
You, you little gremlins... you inhaled these,
- remember? - Sure!.
Inhaled them, ha, ha.
'Til Dale jerked a filling out and ruined it for everybody.
Yeah.
- Your mother nailed me for it. Fucking Dale! - Um... hmm...
He's the greatest!
- Want some water? - No.
Remember what you'd say, if you-if you thought I had one on me?
- 'Where's my Bit-O-Honey, old man?" - 'Where's my Bit-O-Honey, old man?"
- Worked every time. - Yeah.
- You are. - I am?
- Yeah. - What?
Question you asked me about, best lawyer, and all.
You picked a fellow you work with.
I choose you.
You know...
Glen could have really been something.
- No doubt about it. - Yeah.
Yep.
Five bucks, I catch a sunfish before you.
I'm feeling lucky.
Come on, come on.
Nah, it's nothing.
Dad?
- Close your eyes. - All right.
Green and orange, come on, close them.
One, two, three. Closing, closing, closing...
You didn't make it.
Again, one, two...
Thanks for doing this,
it's nice.
Um...
I'm gonna close the place early tonight, if...
you wanna come by
around nine-ish, let's say?
I'll save a piece of pie for you.
Where you going?
To get some air.
Hey.
I just wanted to... you know, have a moment before you run out, you know?
- I'm just gonna take some air. - No, but, you, you, you... disappear!
I just wanna...
Alright.
Palmer, you asshole!
I'm right here.
I'm from here!