You're not getting away with this! Palmer! / What?
You're an asshole!
- Hey! Stop! - Did that just happen?
- You meant to do that! - Well, you startled me.
I don't think I did.
Listen, this wasn't some West Anglewood drug sweep.
The search was good, there's no chance Carter tosses it.
Would you just calm down, that's why it's called an evidential hearing.
What? So you can smear me
and imply that I invented a phantom witness?
Did you?
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... I'm not even encumbered by it.
If the great State of Illinois can't meet its burden of proof.
If I walked with a guilty client, it's on you!
So I suggest you do your job, Kattan.
Now if you'd like to finish that cliché. You followed me
to piss or unload...
better not 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 volleyballie.
And, and, and how does that 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 won'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 won'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 holder, embezzled $140 million while you're at it?
I won't do that because that's your gig.
That's your forte.
- I'm hearing you. - I'm glad.
New Voicemail
All rise.
The court is in session. The Honorable Judge Stanley Carter presiding.
Be seated.
Before I ruled on the Pit's motion, is there anything either counsels care to add?
Yes, Your Honor. We'd 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.
Let me replay it.
Is this the first time your mom passed away or is this something...
you do on all your 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...
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 is dead too?
No, Grandpa is dead to me, it's like a figure of speech.
- You might have mis-heard something that I've 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 beetle 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 are my in-laws, I feel like we should... - Bob Schacner...
is that your divorce attorney?
He's good.
Should be living with me, by the way.
Hank!
What time the school starts in the morning, Hank? What's her teacher's name?
Brownie's night is which night? Soccer?
What's her favorite color?
Who's her best friend?
What does she have for breakfast?
Do you know her pediatrician's name? Do you've her phone number?
What does she wear?
Don't let this bother her.
She knows her dady never come home before bedtime...
because he is always on his phone on weekends.
She knows it's not right her mom to be... sad all the time.
- Sad? You're sad? - Yes!
I'm sorry you felt so sad. You got on facebook, befriended your old college buddy
George and fucked him!
He is so rugged.
He is so wise.
I don't know why you haven't already hang off in the mountain with that redneck.
You want to do something for me?
Water the fucking hydrangea or something!
Oh God... here we go.
Nothing changes.
Mary Palmer - beloved wife, mother and grandmother. 3 - 6 PM Rose Room
Hey Hank...
Hey Derrick.
I missed you.
Her heart just kind of turned off.
I found her by the hydrangeas.
Good job.
Oh, this is Saint Francis. I picked it. It used to be her favorite.
Friend of the birds like mom.
Oh, gotta remember put food out for them,
especially in the winter.
He, he's gentle, like mom used to be.
Ran all the snakes out of Indiana
and don't ask me how.
Ireland... out of Ireland?
Snakes here are constant but it's in St. Patrick, not San Francisco.
And in Ireland, not Indiana.
Trust me, nobody is dispersing reptiles in Indiana.
- Were you there? - I was not there.
- Maybe you're right. - Hank Palmer in Carlinville.
- Here he is. - That's Carlinville's state bird and...
- Hey Glen. - I just saw you a few minutes ago.
Where did you park?
- On the street. - I parked at...
Tried to get a... space in the big lot...
I'd 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 go to school in the summer...
No, it isn't. They just think that... they... can't come along.
- What's the story? - There is no story.
Do you have anything else to say for yourself?
Anything that would enlighten us concerning this?
What do you want to hear? Nobody's hiring.
You can't get spinach out of a petunia.
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. - 'Yeah', is not an affirmation a man uses in court.
- Yes sir, Judge... sorry. - Keys... go on...
and uh...
- Augustus... sir... - Of course... Gus...
Would you give those to Mr. William's ex-wife, please.
Then escort Mr. William to his ex-truck.
You're gonna sign that vehicle over to her.
And you ma'am, are going down to Devany Motors, ask for Mike Devany
The father of 'not that nitwit son'
and sell your new truck back to him
for whatever that 'turnip' there put down on it.
- This ain't fair, how I... - Hey! One more word, go on!
Look around you, you're standing on 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 Indiniapolis, tractor pulls, cotton candy, cattle corn
and the world's largest deer...
first week in August.
You'll love it. Hey wait, I forgot, wait, wait, wait...
You don't have a truck!
- Thank you very much, Judge. - Want me to tell you what the... causes that, ma'am?
Thank you fellows, I appreciate you all being here.
Who is out there guarding the donut shop?
- 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.
Thanks for coming. I appreciate it.
Whole force is out there.
- Henry... yeah. - Judge...
- Oh, Johnny boy... - I'm so sorry.
- Jessica said... - Thank you, Rose.
I'm going to shower and hit the rack.
Glenn, make sure you hold your boys together tomorrow.
We don't want a lot of... caterwauling.
- Will do, Judge. - Yeah.
I guess it has been a while, Hank,
but backing a car into the driveway would make getting out easier...
it's a concept not dulled by time.
- Thank you. - Right?
Got it.
Be my guest, please.
- How are you doing? - I need to water the plants.
You gonna to be okay at the funeral tomorrow?
- Yeah. - If the camera make an appearance,
we both know where... it's heading, right?
Up my arse.
Good man.
Tough day.
At the wake... he shakes my hand while he was hugging someone else.
This family is a fucking Piccasso painting.
You're gonna inherit all dad's important stuff...
It's crazy, I mean...
Magic 8 ball.
That's certain.
- Hey Hank, you want some breakfast? - You'll have to hustle if you do.
Hey, Hank. Going breakfast at the diner, care to join?
OK, when? Right now. Er, oh yeah, can I throw in some pants?
Sure, you're family member, we're prepared to offer you some consideration.
Any of that reason sounds reasonable.
I come here every Saturday for the last 35 years... Oh I forgot, today is 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 that you still work here.
In, in a good way, in a way, you know, when people are surprised,
you meet somebody you know... discovered they've the same job...
- ...20 years... stop it. - Yeah, he keeps his 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, er, I just saw her Tuesday.
Mysterious ways...
- I'm assuming you still know where the cemetery is. - Yeah, you're invited, of course you're.
- Oh, finish it, you gotta go. - Surprise that I'm.
See you there.
You'll always be my sweetheart.
You always will be... I want you to know that.
I'll be back tomorrow.
- Hank's feet is on the couch. - Indeed.
Hey, Glen, my nephew still playing ball?
Think either of them can be as good as you?
Yes...
Yes, Joe... is hitting clean up... in varsity.
Eric won't know a baseball if you threw at him,
even 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... he's drinking.
Are you crazy? Dad has been sober for 28 years.
At the courthouse, he forgot Gus' name.
Gus? Gus the bailor?
Oh, come on!
Just saying.
That's bullshit! What time is your flight tomorrow?
8:15, I 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 a widower make me a lousy goddamn driver, huh?
Hank, if I don't see you before, before you leave,
thanks for coming. I'm sure your mother would have appreciated it.
Honey, we're going to Firefly and 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. His use of canine command is to get our attention.
He hurls periodicals for sport.
Please, with all the troubles you made, you're lucky that's all you got.
- Hey, thanks for showing up, Carla. - Yeah, I know I'm late, so, sue me!
It was tough but hell, it isn't that bad.
- Remember the fishing days? - Lake house.
Yeah, he used to tell us all to be quiet,
- 'You're scaring the fish away.' - 'You're scaring the fish away.'
He still goes there every Wednesday to play chess with Dr. Morres.
- 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 shuttlebug retard, always shooting movie camera.
- He's... - Judge Palmer's your old man?
He thinks he runs this town, don't he?
- Your dad is a piece of shit! - Wait, wait, wait, no...
- I told you already! - Who's on parol?
You guys have a low opinion on Judge Palmer?
When your field official is filling out his incident report, I'm gonna be very helpful, as helpful as possible.
So let me guess, who's going to fill in the DWI?
Ugh, you flinched! Possession of controlled substances, domestic violence,
that's you, you alright, honey? What are the random myriad of fucking misdemeanors is gonna come to light
while you're drying up at the slammer?
Failure to appear bench warrants? Come on!
And because I'm the only one that isn't driving with a suspended license,
I'll be driving your gals home girls, so... who lives closer?
Er, bad skin muffin top or Red Bull semen breath?
Asshole!
Throw that first punch! You like county food?
Meet my closed fist, cousel,
in my own personal space.
Maybe, I'm just gonna ask you blow my dice.
That's a metaphor, I'd heard it, it's good, you're funny.
Let's get the hell outta here.
Get some couselling.
Hey shorty! Come here!
Uh, why don't you read my B's, maybe I'll buy you a drink.
Punctuality issues, equals confidence in bullying, strong teeth, ancestrial gene pools
and... I'm guessing the wetter you get, the better you look.
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.
- Straight... - You smell like her.
She smells nice, what's that?
It's??? Are you paying attention?
Straighten it out, back...
back, back. Easy, nice, nice,
Shit.
- You did that on purpose. - No, 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... six pack?
God damn it!
Which one of you peckerwoods banged up my car?
Answer me, who did this?
- Who do you think? - Who?
- Who drove last? - We saw you leave for grocery store, come on.
- Glenn... where're your boys? - Oh, dad... they won't drive your car.
Don't pretend this is complicated, there's no reasonable doubt here.
He's human, his wife died, he fell off the wagon,
banged up the Cadi'.
- Deal. Shits happen. - Like your marriage.
- What do you know about my marriage?
- I know a lot about your marriage. - Don't fucking think about my marriage.
She was my wife long before she was your mother.
We kept no secret.
You tell your brothers you're gonna divorce, go ahead, tell them!
Lisa, played hide the pickle with someone else.
- I won't be back. - Happy trail.
- I'll never fucking come bake 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.
- 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's it, Glen?
Sheriff, Sheriff White called, called dad down to the police station, ,
asking him questions about the damage to the car.
- They think he killed... - Glen listen... unless he killed somebody already, 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?
It's a 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 got a withness that put his car on route 30
heading toward Shelby Road at the approximate time of the accident.
Oh boy! That's not enough for his car to be at the scene.
Any schmuck lawyer is gonna chew that up and spit it out - stolen vehilcle.
You need him behind the wheel.
- Hank, let's go, pal. - Go where?
Oh!? Bobby, graduation night, the quarry, your Grand Chevy, 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 has 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. The damage to the front of my car...
- I went to the convenient store, last night, alright? - Every word limits his option, keep going.
Imagine a far-away-place, Hank.
Where people value your opinion, now go there.
No bad booze? 80% of hit-and-runs involve liquor.
His wife just died, why won't he take a sip?
But you need an admission from him, better yet, a voluntary urine sample.
There you go, fill her up.
A bladder filled with courtesy coffee and since he's in the john anyway, that 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 should have him for manslaughter by lunch.
Judge Palmer... we uh, we 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, I never hit anything or anybody!
So, I was at the liquor cabinet.
What kind of recovering alcoholic keeps his stock in the 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 is on his way to the mini mart
to ask some scared, shitless, high school clerk with half a joint at his front pocket,
- If you have an alcoholic beverage in 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 to someone with a straight-face.
You havent had a drink for 28 years.
What's done is done. If you hit somebody, it's because he swerved in front of you.
I strongly suggest you dry up and practice that narrative.
Narrate this!
We just need to file another continuance, what else can I do?
Trust me, I'm gonna be back as fast as I can.
It's a personal matter. Yea, I'd love to walk out of it but I can't.
Ken, hold on.
Why the hell you call me, Lisa?
Lauren?
Hi honey, what're you doing with mommy's phone?
No, 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 come home or maybe you come here. Look, look, we'll figure it out, don't worry. I promise.
I'll take you shopping, will you shop with me?
You want a cellphone? All you 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 grille...
- 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.
He's just a little fucking out of his mind. That's a rookie move, hands off.
The victim is Mark Blackwell.
Pretty amazing coincidence, don't you think?
Blackwell?
Carlinville Police Dept Joseph Palmer
You killed him!
- Oh shit! That is 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 burn another name in your house!
- I'm sorry for your loss, ma'am. - Sorry? - Let's go, let's go!
You'll be! You can shovel that man's shit. Come on!
- Mom, let's go! - See, I recognize you! You're no altar boy!
Why are these people so mad?
She spit on the window.
Look, dad is a judge, you know. Sometimes he has to make difficult decisions.
There was a girl...
- What was her name? - Hope Stevens.
There's a guy...
Mark Blackwell, your senior, like Glen.
Hope is his girlfriend, just turned 16.
He took a 38 to her house, shot the palce up,
- Can we talk about something else? - I don't get it...
- Why... why... - He shot out at her bedroom windows,
angry over whatever kids get angry about...
when they have been 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 gave him the minimum, 30 days.
I remember the morning he got out,
Glen and I were in the backyard, tinkling with this...
- breaking ball. - Pitcher was just starting the game, Cincinnati vs St. Louis.
But uh...
- God help us, why'd he do that? - Blackwell...
threw her down into the sweage pond...
it's about 50 yards behind her house.
All into it was is 2 feet of water. He knealed down on her chest until she drowned.
Dad gave him 20 years, he got out in April.
- Stop the car. - Dad, come on.
Shoot the Korean, am I speaking Korean? Stop the goddamn car!
- I need my walk. - Leaving the scene, blood evidence,
motive... biggest mistake in your career and you just happened to run him over?
I can convict you over coffee but no, no, no, routine is 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.
'I don't remember what happened defense' does not fly with a corpse.
We need to establish a firm defense!
We gotta get the charges dropped and make it all go away in the preliminary hearing
- and never go to trial. - There is no way here, Henry, this is an accident, period.
Any decent lawyer can argue this easily.
By decent, I mean honest.
Someone from here, someone with integrity that an Indiana judge would respect.
I retained one of the greatest this morning, alright?
I wished I'd like you more.
- He didn't mean it. - He didn't mean that.
- I wished he'd died instead of mom. - Cut it out!
- Jut cut it out! - Eyes forward, you coward.
- That is awful! - He said 'jump', you said 'how high?' . Pull over the car.
Hey, you shoot your mouth off too damn much!
Drive and stay with him. What a fucking coward you are.
- Maybe we should follow dad. - Should I?
Oh God... what were you doing when they were distributing testicles?
- Fuck, I'm getting out. - Good! Good!
Hey, Judge, where're you going?
- Indiana Penitentiary is this way. - Smart ass.
Where am... where were I when they were distributing testicles?
You know I have to go, right?
♪ Someway, baby, it's part of me, apart from me. ♪
♪ You're laying waste to Halloween ♪
♪ ...and I while I knew ♪
♪ I was not magnificent. ♪
♪ Strayed above the highway aisle. ♪
♪ Jagged vacance, thick with ice. ♪
♪ I could see for miles, miles, miles ♪
You're here to listen, not to talk, okay?
You know the great thing about authentic mercury glass is the double wall,
you see that in here? Right on the bottom... England Glass Company.
What a great find.
Guys... you want to head upstairs to my office?
- Judge Warren called it, you know him, sir? - Yes, I do.
He's tough, he's fair, full of himself.
He assigned a special prosecutor, Dwight Dickham,
out of Gary... I don't know why so far.
The preliminary hearing is set for next Friday.
- We're in a bit of a pickle. - It's pretty straight forward, C.P. It was dark...
Hold up...
What would you say your stronger suit is? Old furniture or law, quick?
- Er, well, er... law, law. - Law school? / Yes.
Yes, you're familiar with the concept or yes, you've attended one?
Yeah, right, I practice law without going to a law school... well, yeah, Valpo.
Valpo? Valparaiso?
It's... up... my, I just told her not to... cover Valparaiso.
Come on, I hate it when she stacks books here!
It's... er... here in Indiana, Did you get out of state?
- Northwestern. - Wow, that's the dandy of a school!
Ever defended in a jury trial?
- Yes, I have. - Charge?
- Assault. - Degree? / Third.
- Verdict? - It was a guilty verdict.
Coach Blakelive broke a clipboard over his quarterback's head during halftime at the homecoming game.
- Now... in his defense, - Now, you're guessing! - John Jr. has his helmet on!
- He just keeps selling, doesn't he? - Sit... down!
Just so you know, summers I interned at the public defense office in Evansville.
After graduation, I clerked 2 years for Justice Robert, Indiana Supreme Court.
It sure was, er... pretty cool experience.
The word 'wow', is not friendly in courtroom.
- 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 to fight like a badger for you.
You can count on that.
Good Morning.
From Judge Joseph Palmer to Judge Sandford Warren
All rise.
The court is in session.
The Honorable Judge Sandford Warren presiding.
Be seated.
I understand there's a motion you'd like to be heard of.
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 Warren's file of motion is out of time,
say if... er... county upped 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. Dickam, 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?
Denied it, you missed your deadline.
No motion, Your Honor.
We're here to establish whether there's a probable cause
to find if there's a motion for trial.
I want to hold a presentation of evidence
until both sides testified.
After which, I would hear the 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.
Exactly what did Mr. Palmer tell you?
Mr. Palmer stated he drove his vehicle.
His 1971 Cadillac he drove?
Correct, on the night of the accident.
Okay.
Excuse me, excuse me!
- Yeah? - Sir, are you co-counsel?
- He's not. / No, No. - Sit and zip it!
Sir, did you form an opinion as to the cause of death?
Massive internal damage.
Injury consistent of being struck by a car.
- Thank you, Dr. Putney. No further questions, sir. - Cross examination, Mr. Kennedy?
Er, no further, er, no questions, Your Honor.
So you were working that night at the mini mart when you saw Judge Palmer and Mr. Blackwell?
They were both by the cooler.
Did you see them make eye contact?
Yeah, I saw Mr. Blackwell and Judge Palmer make eye contact.
- And then what did Judge Palmer do? - Dropped his eggs...
- I say out! Bailor, get rid of him! - Read that!
Not my first time.
Object! You can't prove eyw contact, idiot!
So... after that did they go out together? Did you see Palmer...
All rise.
The 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. Dickam,
the court finds probable cause to hold this over to trial.
Jury selection will begin in one week from today.
See you folks in court.
Judge Joseph Palmer faces murder trial
Agreement from the Gisbon's coach.
- Excuse me? - Agreement from the Gisbon's coach, ten letters.
I allude...
He knows the answer, yet he answers.
Come in, sit down.
- His home is court... - Yeah.
Sit down, peacefully, easily, easily...
Why do you think Dickham missed the filing deadline
- for change of venue. - Oh, he didn't miss his deadline.
It's a small town. For every 2 people standing in front of you, one wins, one loses, one loves you, one hates you...
- that's... - pretty obvious indeed. Dickam has no intention of filing, he wants the trial here.
C.P. stepped down this morning.
Why?
He said his assistant is more seasoned and couldn't live with himself for his lack of... experience, cost the case.
Confidentially, what were you doing in that Choplin Road?
There's no route in that mini mart's home that makes sense.
Wait, wait, wait...
Are you asking if you could represent me?
Okay...
I remember being at the mini mart, I needed eggs.
The road home was washed up, where it dips at the state's old mill...
I turned around, stopped at the light at the state,
then er...
I'm missing time, so...
- Can I borrow your pen? - Yeah.
To answer your question now, 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 the pro bono quota this year.
This's my standard service contract. Check, sign and date...
HP services / Yes / No / Missing time Offer expires in a business day.
I'll give it a think.
The artist is at work...
Hey Hank, I'm splicing film.
- I see. - You can help, if you want.
No... I'm just watching.
You know what's funny, when you said that the old man was playing chess every Wednesday with...
- who was it? / with Dr. 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 greco. 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 to see what I got, a whole family of masquerade...
Body's recovered there. Figure the impact right here.
The police report have him on a bike?
- Yeah. I don't see any skid marks. - OK, hey, here it's. Lawyer to client...
Did you recognize Blackwell?
- I don't remember, er... / I can't have... - No, no, no, no. / Can't have? Stick with that.
Look... we both know you did not
intentionally hit that guy but that's where they're gonna spin it.
A few shot of Jack's, just the right amount of extra gripe,
that's what I thought... but you haven't been drinking, have you?
- No... - Are you sick, pops?
You might say that I'm sick, yeah.
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 an attempt for murder, that is our case.
We build on diminished ability for defense due to chemo.
If we can gain some sympathy from the jury, they'd never convict you.
- Wait, wait, hold on! - Native son, public servant, for over 40 years?
No... back up! Look what it does to all the cases
I'd heard over the last year.
- You had last year? - Everybody that I sentenced will challenge the rule.
Strangers, who give 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.
Oh, I, m not letting you anywhere near the stand.
Now, listen, listen to me.
Ulysis S. Grant held this country together,
now what is he remembered for? Being a drunk!
Ronald Reagan never saw the fall of the Berlin Wall that ended the Cold War
but any discussion of his legacy ends with jellybeans, naps
and Alzeimer.
Reagan? Wow... with all due... I'm gonna say this as professionally and as gently as I possibly can...
you're a civil servant in a corn belt, bible-banging battle.
Nobody, nobody... gives a ratass about your legacy!
But I do, son, I do.
I sat on the bench in that court for 42 years.
People in this community trusts 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 tied my shoelace together.
I can't help you if you don't let me do my job!
Unlock the car, come on, let's go, I want to go home.
Damn it!
Oh, this is cool!
Fuck me!
I only own the one black dress.
Hank, there is someone I'd like you to meet, this is my daughter Carla.
Well, like I imagined, hold my hair back... this is your Hank?
God, just try not to embarass me, okay?
- You, you two met? - Nope. / Yeah, / Yes.
- At the bar... right? - What's up with you, turn around.
Huh, I see that T-shirt survived.
The night Hank Palmer vanished from Carlinville.
- Since when you have a daughter? - February, 1990.
She was home for summer break.
- Er... were you married? - Negative, no.
Um, I am the unplanned but happy result of a Washback river boat trip,
Kool-Aid and Everclear.
- And now Carla goes to Georgetown. - D.C., Georgetown? Wow!
Have you ever... 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 invest in your client, putting their lives in your hands.
It'll pass, trust me.
I hope not.
So sir, you're telling me you're not even a little bit swayed
by the fact that you're familiar with the defendant
and his stature in the community?
- No... - What exactly is our target juror?
Intelligent people who will listen to instructions
and follow the evidence.
Crackpots, those that can be persuaded to swallow their own tongues.
Anyone who has seen a sasquatch, moon-landing deniers, those are our people.
Mr. Palmer.
Subtly, Henry... a velvet touch.
Bumper stickers? Anyyone got one on their car, truck, Harley? Show a hand.
And er... what do they read? Exact word, 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 them out.
Gun control in using both hands.
Honor roll students 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 on the escalator!
Lauren... uh...
I feel like I should prep you before you meet Grandpa Palmer.
"cause he's nothing like Grandpa Schnider,
Grandpa Schnider is kinda, you know... nice and half a bowl, maybe take you for ice cream,
maybe he will read to you, Grandpa Palmer does not 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 God, there he is, look.
He's usually wrapped in gauze, and whooshing and shuffling.
He has come outside... to feed.
Who are you?
- Lauren... - And who I am? / Grandpa.
Yeah.
You are my granddaughter?
Let's go, come on with me.
Glad to be here?
It has been a long time, I've waited a long time for this.
You're my sweetheart.
I'll show you the house, come on.
- I think grandpa is sweet. - Yeah, he isn't but I'm glad you see it that way.
This is super comfy, there you go, do you want a second pillow?
- Yes. - Good, put your head down.
There you go.
And now... oops, oh, maybe I'm gonna have a little fun now...
Feel good? Okay, this goes 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 was in high school,
we got into a really bad car accident,
then 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.
Kinda 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 appear in my court, prior...
But do you agre... 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 me back! - No! No distraction.
- I don't need preparing. - You never sat on a witness stand, you'd never been on that seat.
Dickham doesn't have intent, Henry
- and he never will. - Dickham is a snake shyam
He will play his tune, gets the jury swings 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-staffed... No one says half-mast anymore.
Here, let's remain not rehearsed. Fuck it!
Alright, don't need to be... summer rose, Henry.
Sam, can you hear me? Well, my head is in the oven.
I was just thinking it was either that or maybe shower up and come meet you.
Okay... there? Alright.
Oh my God, looks taller than it used to. Did they raise it?
Come on, big city, show me what you got.
Alright, I'm just gonna stretch up for a second. Come on, give me a boost.
We are in!
- So, it's midnight. - I'm on a date at Blackchop hauling ass home.
76' Chevette, fake wood paneling?
- Chev? No, dad's Maverick. Yeah, I know! - What were you thinking?
From the corner of my eye, I spot something.
Biggest buck you'd ever seen. 1214 point,
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 thru' the windshield, all abs and hoofs, killing me for sure, maybe both of us.
I made a decision right then and there.
Whatever had or hadn't happened in the past,
I was going to be the hero of my own story.
- Sound corny? - Sounds epic.
I've 4 grand in my name, I borrowed another 12 from grandpa,
took about 16 grand, I made Dan an offer for the diner he couldn't refuse.
- This place was on its last leg... - This, this is your place?
- Yeah, as a matter of fact, this is my place. - Why you got me busted into it?
For my amusement...
worth the broken window.
Bought the tavern 3 years later.
I got money, I got money. I got a lot. I got money like Colonel Sander got chicken.
- You've a natural entrepreneurial spirit. - Yep. / OK, I'm impressed.
We've known each other since the 3rd grade, why, you didn't already know enough to be impressed?
- I'd always liked you. - You're a dick.
- You... - This is about accomplishment.
- There you are. - Alright, baby.
- Except for second grade... - What? / In second grade,
in Ms. Jenkins' class, on the kid's ballfield, south corner,
that's where I try to kiss you and you... fish-hooked me.
Taste like salmon.
You just broke off 2 minutes...
- Just... side parked. - Okay.
Come on...
- What's wrong? - You know I'm leaving when the trial is over?
You sure, you should do this?
- Am I sure? - He's sure but I'm wondering if you are sure?
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 rivalled the fucking Amish? What do you know?
Say it, I'm used to being held under scrutiny.
Here's what I know. I'm never leaving Carlinville.
I love it here and you're just a boy from Indiana,
who's going to do what he has to do. That much I'm sure.
Lock the door behind you.
- I'm going to play with myself. I'll be thinking of you. - And I'm gonna to meet your daughter.
Judges see missing time, explain that to me.
It's called 'chemo brain'.
Along with the fatigue and the cracked skin, sometimes suffered from memory loss, confusion,
dementia, delusions...
It's a very, very real possibility, probability, that he's mentally impaired the night he hit Blackwell.
If you can collaborate that, I need you in my back pocket. I'm not asking, I may need you to testify.
He's geting hemotherapy 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 his treatments?
Like I told your father, that's up to him.
In him? But...
- how would he know? - So, what exactly did he tell you?
He told me it's under control, it's in remission.
Quit your country quack, I'm not his son,
- I'm his fucking lawyer! - Well, this isn't that, is it? You really aren't a pleasant person.
Right now? I'm a summer breeze.
Once I subpoenaed you, get you on the stand and extract the truth from your ass like tree sapping,
then you'll realize on that moment you're correct. I'm not a nice person.
We caught it too late to cut it out,
to slap a bag on it.
If he had regular screenings...
but the judge wasn't the type who invites the camera, even if he agreed to the glare...
Your mother insisted that he try.
I suspect he would not do it even for her.
I've been treating him over a year.
His condition just keeps sliding...
until it reached stage 4.
His pain will increase. We will administer morphine to control it.
- What's a Hush Puppy? - It's good for you.
Come on...
- Get out! Leave me! - Dad, give me your hand.
Get out!
Did I put my shoes on?
- Are you okay? - Oh no, no!
Stay still, you will be okay.
Hold on to me...
Come on, let's get to the tub.
Okay?
Careful, watch your steps here.
Can you get your leg over?
There you go.
- Is that 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 Puppy, baby.
- I'm full. - In a minute, Lauren!
- Come on... - What are you doing?
What will you say?
We're fixing the sink, it leaks.
- Can I help? / She'll slip... - No, there's water all over the floor.
Now go, go do something. Grandpa and I will be out in a minute.
Knock-knock / Lauren! I wasn't talking to you!
- Who's there? - Barney / Barney who?
Barney who and grandpa still going for ice cream?
Tell me about Lauren, likes, dislikes, the future... may hold for you.
What do you want to be? Teacher, doctor... lawyer, seems popular lately.
Racecar driver.
I just like to go really fast.
You're thinking, aren't you?
I, I got a bad idea but it'll be fun.
- You're looking at the road? - Yeah.
Dude, awesome, check the mirrors.
You're a natural, buddy... I feel like I can just take my hands off the wheel and let you drive.
Aah... don't you do it when I'm doing it!
See?
And that's how you keep abreast with what's going on on the road.
When are you and mommy getting a divorce?
What? Put your hand where it's intended to.
- 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...
- Your stuff are in boxes, - That's a stage.
You're not wearing your wedding rings,
and you probably going to ask me who I want to live with.
- So which stage are we in? - That one.
You know too much.
- Mommy will be lonely. - Yeah? What about me?
- So would I. - Daddies don't get lonely.
They only marry younger mommies.
Well, we will figure it all out, baby.
It happened to Megan and then it happened to Kaitlin.
I just didn't think it'll happen to me.
Me neither.
Let's turn left up here.
Oh my God, the way you're driving, you're doing great! You're making the turns all by yourself. Go, big girl, big girl!
Okay, when you see mom, what are you suppose to say?
Best vacation ever!
Yeah, that's pretty good. Just don't oversell it! You know what I mean?
Hey, thanks.
You'll be alright?
You'll be fine, you're so hustle.
Hey, daddy.
Best vacation ever!
It's coincidence. How's that possibe?
Here we go.
Sir, I appreciate the primary DNA evidence analysis
but bottomline of support... what all those numbers and percentages mean
when determining 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.
Used profanity? Rant, rave, mock, displayed any sign of hostility?
No...
- None of that. - Dr. Brannamon, you found something else in the system at the time of his death, correct?
Yes, we did. Mark Blackwell had Oxycodone Paracetamol in his blood,
Percocet. Didn't your lab in Chicago register a blood alcohol level of .23?
- Yes. - In that condition, could he've been riding in straight line?
If he could ride a bike at all, he would've been swerving.
Ms. Blackwell, after all those years and all the heartbreak,
- how did you feel when he was released? - I finally had my Mark back.
- I waited so long for him to come home. - No mother should have to bear losing a child like that.
Thank you, ma'am.
How often did you visit Mark in prison?
Er, I... don't remember, too many times.
Perhaps these visitation records would 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 hand!
- It's at a 20 degrees bend at best. - So, Deputy Hanson, 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 up there?
- No sir. - No further questions, Your Honor.
Palmer?
Deputy Hanson, you were previously an officer in Detroit...
Objection, the deputy's credential is not in question.
- "welcome to Caritonville" - Uh huh.
As stated by Mr. Dickham, these pictures were taken in 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?
- Sir, offer of proof here? - What is your point, Mr. Palmer?
That there, is a snapping turtle.
- And? - And, Detroit can be forgiven for not knowing what running over a snapping turtle is like.
Nobody will hit it if they can see it and possibly avoid it. if you hit a rabbit, possum or skunk, your car goes 'oop-oop'. Now if you hit a snapper, similiar to smacking into a cyclinder block... kluck-kluck, 'ka-bam!', 'ka-boom!'
Mr. Palmer, where exactly are you going with this?
Oop... Your Honor, the prosecution maintains that the 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 realize that a person is hit,
just kept going.
Thus, it has 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 or no?
No... there're 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...
My memory plays me. Search on! Go on, search on!
You left too soon, Mary. You left too soon!
Thought I heard you having a bad dream.
God, what happened yo your hands? Here, let's make the skin soft.
Who is the best lawyer you've ever seen? Come on.
Mine is 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 coroner knife, vile human being, vile.
Court assigned Mr Shaw the case.
So... we took dinner to the jail every night, Mr. Shaw sat with him.
Prepared him, defended him, no tricks.
He won?
Electrocuted.
He was dead. Mr. Shaw had to live with it.
He was threatened, spit on,
People won't sit near him in church.
He could've refused the case easily but he believed in the law.
Now, I can't say, er... best but Henry Shaw...
most decent man I've ever met.
- Henry? - Decent man.
- Hi, Palmer. - Hank? Sheriff White.
Wonder you can come by the station, there's something you should see.
We already seen the security footage on the night of the accident.
Here is what happened. The Judge leaves the store, his car goes one way,
- Blackwell, the other. - Patience...
- What time? - 4 minutes 45.
- He didn't get to the mill. - And?
- The point being? - In his statement, Judge Palmer says he reached the road near the mill,
it was washed out and he turned around, he's lying.
It takes 9 minutes to get to the mill and back.
Your dad did it in 5. He didn't turn around because it was washed out.
He turned around to follow Blackwell.
He lived here his whole life. Don't you think he can gauge whether the road is going to flood?
- That's not the point. - Sherriff, may we use your office, please?
- Thanks. - What's the honor of a spare room?
- 10 years, he will do 7. - Insufficient evidence.
Offer expires when you walk out..
- Do you want me to fry you? - I'm glad to see you're on your game.
I like you too but I'm so bored.
I've 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 going to be a light day.
That's funny, I guess I can't fault you for not remembering me.
I was the second chair for the prosecution.
You defended that Milkwakee beer baron's kid, the one that went slimy and dreary.
40 million in the bank, one dead prostitute.
My God, you're good, best verdict money can buy.
Everybody went at him because he flinched, until there's a dead hooker in a hot tub.
There is your bumper sticker.
So, now I'm not sure, you followed me down here to settle a score?
Oh, good Lord, no.
I followed you down here because I knew that if I didn't,
it was likely somebody was getting away with murder.
My father is a lot of many unpleasant things but murder is not one of them.
But he is a liar. We established that.
A liar who thinks he can operate under the color of the law just like his son.
Your shine isn't worth a 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.
You may think Mark Blackwell was white trash and he may very well had been
but in the eyes of the state, his life matters.
I'm going to impale your client on a first degree murder charge
and you get front row seat.
Why are we even down here? Like there's never a tornado, this is stupid.
Be happy that your grandpa has a basement.
Don't worry everyone, I got it.
Hey, turn that on, Uncle Dale.
- Yeah, why don't you show us what you are 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!
Oh, nice.
Oh family Christmas, look at you guys in your pj's.
That's us.
- That is our family. - Yes, it's...
- There is me. - Sweet.
Dad, you were cute once.
That's Hank and dad.
- Judge, you had hair? - How are you...
- There you are! - Watch and learn,
boys.
Watch and learn!
- That was the best day! - That's it.
- Proud mama. - And Dad.
- Oh, shit... - Shut it, George...
Turn it off!
- Alright, speed it up, man. - I can't...
- It's film-making, I can't... - Next! Next!
- Break the fucking thing with your hand if you have to, let's go, let's go! - Give him a chance.
Turn it off!
- Okay, alright! - Enough! / What?
- We're gonna fix it. It's okay. - Not in this house!
Oh Dad, shit!
- Oh... - 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, when you say it?
I decide in this house. You can go decide in your house!
No, I can't! / Why? Because I'm still 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? - OK, OK, OK...
Did you? You hung me out fucking dry with Dwight Dickam 'cause you rat 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!
Get your hands off me!
God damn it, Hank! Where's he going?
Why did 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. - Old... old enough to know better!
You didn't come to my high school graduation or college.
- Oh, boo, fucking who! - Why?
Why? Jail time, truancy, I was never rewarded anything,
- none of your shit! - I graduated from law school, for Christ sake!
As oppose to what, dropping out?
- Fuck you! - 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 don't you swallow your goddamn pride and just come home to her?
You tell me why!
'Cause you didn't invite kid parolees back to court.
You recognized those who did their time,
turned their lives around, made something of themseves.
Everybody in the court applaud, you made sure that they did.
You told them how proud you were...
proud of fucking strangers.
Is that all you wanted, Henry, is some kind words and 'thataboy'?
Then the usual way is to come... the fuck home!
We all waited,
quietly
but you never came.
OK? And I was the one you blame because you won't come home.
Me, now was I tough on you? Yes.
How you turned out, Henry? Waiting tables, a bum?
You put me into a juvenile detention.
You sent me to the fucking Vanderburgh!
- No, no, no. You put yourself there! - Did I?
Yes.
The prosecution recommended community service, that was your call.
No, it won'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 now he work at a tire shop!
You crippled him, you stole his future, you call me an asshole?
I was 17, that's what happened. I was 17.
Oh! I was 13, I was 17...
You were heading 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 wellcome. / Fuck it!
I'm tearing this house down.
Burn this fucking house.
Mary Palmer 1940 - 2014
- About that storm, huh? - Hmm...
I am glad you and mommy became friends and I... why?
- Why Sam? - Why?
Who the fuck is Carla's dad?
Go, go to courthouse, pull the certicicate.
I did... no father is listed.
No, there's not
because Carla's father was never going to be her father.
Him knowing, would just complicate things.
There was no wildlife river boat 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 are you going to tell me?
That it was fine with me when you left and go to that goddamn concert,
you never called again.
That... umm...
I'm entirely confortable with Carla never knowing who his father is.
That you're the only one who is 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, kinda removed your shoes from it.
See you in 20 years...
looking forward...
Finally opened her up, huh?
Yeah.
Eva Williams, she was 23 years old when I drove down to Bart Stone, Kentucky,
1979, to buy her.
I almost cracked this baby open a thousand times...
And I'm glad you didn't.
Yep.
You're not going to tell me I shouldn't drink?
You're big boy
as long as you're ready for tomorrow.
Dickam is gonna turn up the heat.
I'm.
I went saw mom today.
Yeah?
Nice...
Where is she now?
Where's who?
Where is Mary? You're thinking something else...
after we died?
You're asking me if I believe in God?
Do you?
I'm 72, stage 4 cancer. What choice do I have?
You know...
I was going to say that, uh... I was going to 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 don't know. Henry, I truly don't.
You think you can make each other happy again?
Go on...
have a little toast here,
to what, I don't know but let's have a toast.
- To good luck in court. - Good luck.
The Judge's Cadillac reappears in the frame approximately 5 minutes
after it left the lot.
Exact time, sheriff?
4 minutes, 45 seconds.
OK, again. When he leaves,
oops, sorry, too far...
there we go.
Judge Palmer?
Dad!
Bailor...
you mind calling an ambulance?
Dad, talk to us.
Dad?
St. Thomas More,
I don't know which paragraph the Judge would like to...
maybe St. Joseph because he's the patient's...
Okay, okay, Dale...
- and St. Joseph... - Dial down the crazy now, dial it down! / And...
- Hey, you want to go to the vending machine? - OK. / Here...
Whoa / Get whatever you want.
- You've 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 get off on him.
Not now, don't look at me like that, not now.
You don't know what my life is like, OK?
Mom is gone, alright?
And dad is...
And then what are we going to do about Dale, Huh? What, you gonna help? You? Really?
I'm not like you, I've been stuck here all the time...
I understand why you're going mental...
Hank, I've never asked for a goddamn thing in your life!
- I'd never asked you for anything! - Hey, I'm fuking here...
- Yeah, but he is your father, you should be here! - Oh my God...
- I'm going crazy... - I'd never asked for a goddamn thing, OK?
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...
- I know me, I ran that man down. - You're speculating, I know you too.
You're not capable of overriding a life time 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! I don't have fucking time!
You're not taking the stand!
- Then, uh... I'll fire you and C.P. will do it. - You're the most...
brutally, bullheaded client I've ever had.
This is easy, there is no withness. The prosecution can't prove you hit him any more than you can.
I'd spread reasonable doubt all over this case.
Please, please will you just... let me do my job, let me do the talking, keep you mouth shut and win.
Yes...
but I'd to live here.
You're impossible to defend!
What happened to Reagan?
You know, the jellybeans, and your horseshit legacy?
OK, 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. - I'm sorry, I just
I'll see you in court.
I do...
Judge Palmer, you have been on the bench how long?
- 42 years. - So 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, suggested 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.
But would it surprise you to learn that 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! - Rein it in, Mr. Palmer.
- Just lost your wife? - Yes.
- How long were you married? - 50 Years.
How did she pass?
She spent the morning knealing, she fussed over hydrangeas,
a blood clog formed at her left leg and...
went to her heart.
The day of the accident, what did you do that morning?
- I buried your mother, oh, 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 you 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 pounds 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 entered the mini mart,
- you see a man you hate... - Objection! Argumentative!
Let him finish.
You see a man you hate and minutes later, you altered your route,
and both of you and the man are on the same road,
at the same time, only you and your car, with his blood on it,
and he is 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 man who killed somebody on your watch,
a man you released, who drowned a 16 years old girl,
a man that you absolutely hate,
on the worst day of your life and you have the
perfect opportunity to balance the scale of justice
and your testimony is that you didn't seize that chance and kill him?
No.
No further questions.
That is not my testimony.
Sir, how have I mis-charaterized your testimony?
Objection, he said no more questions.
- Your Honor? - My testimony is...
that I don't remember hitting him.
- Your Honor, may I request a brief recesss? - Denied.
Mr. Palmer,
Judge Palmer.
Do you think you killed him intentionally?
Objection, call for speculation, move to strike.
Yes.
Order!
Settle down.
Thank you, Your Honor, no further questions.
Redirect, Judge?
OK.
- So... you think you did it? - Correct.
OK, you think
- but not because you remembered hitting him? - That's right.
- Oh, your opinion is that you hit him on purpose, correct? - I, I, I, uh, 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.
- Yes, we're done. - C.P., you're up. / Sit down, Mr. Kennedy.
- You're done when you answer my question! - No, no, no, no! / Answer it!
- No, you're not my lawyer! you're not my lawyer! - You're on the stand as a witness, answer my question!
- I'm sound mind and body, it's none of your goddamn business! - Sit down!
- Keep quiet! - No, no, no! / I'm not done! Sit down!
Judge Palmer,
it's your right to seek other counsel if you so choose
but you'll have to do so after you 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 is advance.
- 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/ Yes,
- depression... memory loss? - No,
- none of that applies to me. - Really?
What happen to all the cases you presided over the last 6 months if it would determine that your mental actuality
- was diminished. - Objection!
- Cousellor is trying to prejudice the jury. - Overruled.
All those trials, they will be declared mis-trials, would they not?
- Potentially, yes, - A stain on your reputation...
- You'd do everything to avoid that, would you not? - 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, er... opened his disgusting mouth.
What could he had possibly said?
Hey, Judge,
sorry to hear about your wife.
You know,
seeing her buried no more than 15 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 has 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 off.
Maybe he doesn't kill Hope and maybe we'd not be 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 cried 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 want someone to help my boy.
If he lost his way,
it was my chance to be...
that someone, is that so much to ask?
Don't think so...
I have memories...
of us.
You and me,
and then nothing.
How come?
- Why? - Why?
Why?
I looked at you and saw him.
Your Honor, may the deputy please approach.
Last question. This man has been your bailor for 22 years. What is his name?
You don't know?
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,
It means it's obvious, she's born 9 months after I split.
Either that or you cheated on me.
Either way, it's not fine, just one version slightly less not fine than the other.
And the thing is... listen...
I gotta say someting. Here it's. I met Carla at the tavern, blind, OK?
- I went with Dale and Glen and... - He is her father.
- He who is her father? - Yea, Glen doesn't know.
- What my... my brother? - It just was one time.../ Glen?
- Glenn? That fucker, what? - What do you mean what? / What do you mean Glen
- You left! - Fuck up! I went to a Metallica concert! / And you never came back!
He was broken, he was sweet, he was almost normal and I needed a little normal!
You know what? That makes me, what?
A. a... more superior prick never slipped into his 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,
that your constant second-guessing of others that...
that... crystal ball bullshit?
That, that, that... that hyper-verbal vocabulary vomitting that you do...
and just disappeared right beside me, Hank.
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 Mr. Joseph Palmer
on the charge of first degree murder?
We find the defendant not guilty.
And on lesser included charge of voluntary manslaughter?
We find the defendant... guilty.
Order.
Move for sentencing, Your Honor?
This case has been the most tragic occurence
as I'm required to impose an appropriate sentence
but as you know, all too well, sir, that's the job.
I therefore sentencing you to serve four years in state prison.
Sentencing 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,
can you do that?
OK, dad.
This camera, it was a buffer for you.
Úse it
- but you don't need it. - OK, dad.
Okay...
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,
I thank you for your service, you're excused, This court is adjourned.
- Do you expect an appeal? - Nah!
You know, 90% of the country believe in ghosts?
Less than a third believes in evolution?
35% can correctly identify Homer Simpson and the fictional town he resides.
Less than 1% knows the man Furgot Marshall.
But, when you put 12 Americans together in a jury and ask for justice.
Something hard to believe happens.
More often than not, they get it right.
You know, uh,
6 weeks we prep 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, win or lose,
even it's...
and when you're on a streak. ....stick with it.
Indiana prison seven months later.
Petition for Compassionate Release.
Sign here and here to take possessions.
You look good, you warm enough?
- Yeah. - Too warm?
Mackerel.
Glen and Dale have gone for some more bait.
Remember you used to bring these home?
Yeah.
- Give me some, - Here...
give me some to take home too.
There you go.
You little gremlins, you inhaled these,
- remember? - Sure!.
Inhaled them, haha.
Until Dale failed to fill it out and ruined it for everybody.
Yeah...
Your mother nailed him for it. / um... hmm... Fucking Dale!
He is the greatest!
- You want some water? - No.
Remember what you said to me if you thought I had one on me?
'Where's my beetle honey, old man?"
- Worked every time. - Yeah.
- You are... - I am? / Yeah / What?
The question you asked me about the best lawyer and all...
You picked a fellow you work with,
I'll choose you.
You know...
Glen could have really been something.
- No doubt about it. - Yeah...
Yep...
5 bucks I'll catch a sunfish before you.
Feeling lucky...
Come on, come on.
Nothing.
Dad?
- Close your eyes. - All right.
Green and orange, close them, come on.
One, two and three. Close, closing, closing...
You didn't make it...
Again, one, two...
Thanks for doing this,
it's nice.
I'm gonna close the place early tonight, if...
you want to come by...
around nine... ish, let's say?
I'll save a piece of pie for you.
Where are you going?
To get some air.
Hey.
I just wanna uh... you know, have a moment before you run out, you know?
- I'm just gonna take some air. - No! you, you, you... disappear!
I just wanna...
Alright.
Palmer, you motherfucker!
I'm right here.
I'm from here!
♪ Someway, baby, it's part of me, apart from me. ♪
♪ You're laying waste to Halloween ♪
♪ You fucked it friend, ♪
♪ It's on it's head, It struck the street ♪
♪ You're in Milwaukee, off your feet ♪
♪ ... and at once I knew ♪
♪ I was not magnificent ♪
♪ Strayed above the highway aisle. ♪
♪ Jagged vacance, thick with ice ♪
♪ I could see for miles, miles, miles ♪