(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(CLATTERING)
(MAN COUGHS)
GIRL 1: Daddy!
-(FIRE CRACKLES) -(MAN COUGHS)
(MAN COUGHS)
-MAN: My babies! -Mom!
-MAN: My babies! Help! -Mom!
Mommy, come here! There's a fire! There's a fire in there!
Call the fire department!
(PHONE DIALING)
WOMAN: Yes, hello. I'd like to report a fire.
Yes, it's, uh, 1213 West 11th Street.
Uh... Yeah, it's... it's my... it's my neighbors'.
(GASPS)
Yes, there's, um...
There's babies in there. I...
I don't know.
(GASPS)
There's been an explosion.
(SOBS)
Oh, my God.
(SOBS)
Please, God.
Please let them be all right, God. Please!
-(SIRENS WAIL) -Please, God!
(SOBS)
(INDISTINCT TALKING)
(WAILS)
FOGG: Didn't start in here.
(CAMERA CLICKS)
VASQUEZ: What a sick puppy.
FOGG: Well, lookee here.
He didn't take no chances.
(RATTLES)
(SIGHS) Check this out.
Crazed glass.
(CAMERA CLICKS)
Kids' room.
Piece of shit. Waited until they were asleep.
(CAMERA CLICKS)
VASQUEZ: So, he pours the accelerant here.
FOGG: And it flashes over.
It goes straight out the door.
-Right along that baseboard. -Yup.
On the porch.
Son of a bitch.
(SIGHS) We'll nail him.
Thank you for coming down, folks.
I know how hard this must be.
This is Mr. Fogg, Mr. Vasquez. They're investigating the fire.
FOGG: Our condolences.
Y'all find out anything?
We're still trying to find our way.
I think you might be able to help us figure out a couple things.
Course.
It's... It's Stacy, right?
You weren't in the house at the time of the fire?
That's right.
She works nights sometimes.
Stopped on her way home from work.
Whereabouts was it you stopped, darling?
Um, I stopped at the Salvation Army to get the babies some presents.
At 9:00 in the morning?
Well, Christmas is coming and we're broke, so...
Course. How about the day before?
Anything unusual happen?
No, sir.
(ROCK MUSIC BLASTS ON CAR STEREO)
(MUSIC STOPS)
-(BABY CRIES) -Hey, there.
How are my precious ladies? Ooh. Why are you crying?
-Been crying all fucking morning. -You girls are lucky.
If your momma wasn't so pretty, you three wouldn't be here.
You fucking stink!
You think you can just stay out all night, come home and sweet-talk me?
Honey, I had a couple drinks.
I already got one DUI, so I stopped at Mikey's.
-What? -Nothing.
Have at it.
So, that night you went to work?
Yeah, I work nights. We need the money.
And you stayed at home with the kids? You do that a lot?
That's right.
I guess I'm one of them stay-at-home dads everybody's talking about.
(BABY CRIES)
There's another dinner in the oven if you're hungry.
-Who is it this time, Todd? -Who is who?
-I told you where I was last night. -You ain't told me shit.
You think I'm stupid? What the fuck is this?
Baby, you said you didn't wanna have no more children.
Then what's it doing in your wallet, you bastard?
I don't know.
-Thought maybe surprise sex... -You're such a fucking liar!
I could smell the bitch on you when you walked in this morning.
-I'm not lying to you, honey. -Mmm-hmm.
You ain't worth shit for a husband.
Bitch! I'm here every goddamn day taking care of these kids.
Oh, yeah? And why is that?
Why are you here every goddamn day taking care of these kids?
Because you don't have a fucking job, that's why!
Because you are a fucking loser!
-You better shut the fuck up. -Or what?
-I swear to God, woman. -You'll hit me again? Go on!
Oh, yeah, that's right. You can't hit me.
Because if you do, then I can't go to work and I can't make you money
to go out drinking and fucking and whatever the fuck else you do!
(DOOR SLAMS)
VASQUEZ: So, Stacy went to work that night
and you just, uh, stayed in bed?
(BOTTLES CLINKING)
-Yes, sir. -Had a few beers, maybe?
No.
FOGG: Reckon your kids sleep pretty sound?
TODD: Usually.
And then that night?
It was morning.
I was asleep, so I thought I was dreaming at first.
-GIRL: Daddy! -But then I realized
I could hear Amber screaming, "Daddy, Daddy."
AMBER: Daddy!
(BEADS RATTLE)
Everything was full of smoke. I couldn't see nothing but black.
It smelled like it did when the microwave blowed up last month.
AMBER: Daddy! TODD: Wires and lights popping.
Girls!
So, I made it to their room then.
(GRUNTS)
I had to kick through the childproof thing.
I never felt anything so hot in my life.
Thought I'd found Amber, but she was gone.
Amber! (GROANS)
Girls!
Amber!
Girls!
I couldn't take the heat, so...
I had to get outside. Catch my breath.
-(CLATTERING) -(COUGHS)
That's when I hollered out for my neighbor
to call emergency.
Can you think of why anyone would wanna hurt your family?
No, sir.
We had three of the prettiest babies anybody could have asked for.
Off and on, we'd fight and break up for a while,
but it was always the babies that brought us back together.
Neither of us could live without them kids.
Sometimes, I wish Amber had never woke me up.
Now, Todd, you've been in trouble before?
Yes, sir.
A couple of those times when we asked you what happened,
you didn't exactly tell the truth, isn't that so?
No, sir.
-But you're telling the truth now? -Yes, sir.
Just as Jesus, the lamb of God was taken too soon,
so too were these three innocents
taken back to the bosom of the Lord.
How else are we to understand
the loss of Amber, Karmen and Kameron?
Do you wanna stop somewhere, maybe get something to eat?
Cameron Todd Willingham, I don't wanna hear your voice.
And maybe never again.
-I'm hurting too, baby. -Did you hear a word I said?
Not if you're gonna start demonizing me. Speak to me like that...
-I will speak to you however I please. -You will not either.
Baby, if we're ever gonna get through this,
we gotta work together on this.
Stop the car! Stop the car. Let me out of the car.
-Why? What's...? -(SHOUTS) Stop the car!
Stop the fucking car, Todd!
-Tell me why. -Let me out of the car!
-Stop the fucking car, Todd! -(TIRES SCREECH)
Let me out of the car!
-Stop the fucking car! -(HORN BLARES)
(SOBS) Those were my babies and you didn't save them!
They were my babies! My babies, Todd!
(SIRENS WAIL IN DISTANCE)
OFFICER: Driver, exit the vehicle!
Put your hands up where I can see 'em! Do it now!
Turn around. Face away from me.
Interlace your hands behind your head.
Do not look back.
(HANDCUFFS CLICK)
Cameron Todd Willingham,
you're under arrest for murder.
-Murder? -You come with me.
-Who'd I kill? -Come on!
We'll talk about it at the station.
OFFICER: Let's go, Todd. You know the way.
TODD: I only just buried them, Marty.
This is some fucked-up bullshit.
Stand right there.
Let's go.
You're a real piece of shit. You know that?
Your own kids? Jesus, man.
(SHOUTS) I didn't do it, Marty! Fuck you!
Hey, fuck you!
(WEBB LAUGHING)
WEBB: Would you get the fuck down from that? This ain't no fucking zoo!
Jesus fucking Christ!
You want a banana? That'll make you calm down?
They ain't gonna throw you no peanuts. You know that, right?
Who you talking to, boy?
I-I-I was just talking to that mullet. She's real cute.
She gave me a little wink, you know?
-This yours? -Yeah.
Yours?
Get up.
I'm good, man. I was just fucking around.
You don't got to take shit so personal.
You smell like you wanna be left alone.
HORTON: If you plead guilty, you might live.
I'm not confessing to something I didn't do.
I'll say any goddamn thing you like, but I will not say I killed my own kids.
With the evidence they got...
Well, I'm going to take the stand and I'm gonna talk to the judge about it.
Idiot, they will tear you up on the stand.
Oh, they better.
Boy, you're about as dumb as you look.
What the fuck is wrong with you?
-Hey, hey, Todd, calm down. -Nah, listen to him!
They wanna kill me? Good!
They better start digging my grave now,
'cause I'll die before I say I killed my own kids.
Boy, I am the only thing between you and a needle right now.
No way in hell I'm putting you on that stand.
RADIO PRESENTER: Good morning, Texas! This is KZYZ.
The phone lines are burning up. Let's hear from you.
WOMAN 1: I always thought there was something off about him,
and it doesn't surprise me a little bit.
MAN 1: They should fry him. He needs to burn in hell.
WOMAN 2:What kind of daddy would kill his own babies like that?
WOMAN 3:Things like this don't happen here.
MAN 2: Hey, I'll shoot him myself. Boy took three innocent lives.
Only thing I regret is we can't kill him three times over.
PROSECUTOR: Members of the jury, I'd like you to take a look
at the sweet faces of these beautiful babies.
Karmen and Kameron, barely a year old,
and already brimming with life.
Little Amber, eagerly waiting for Santa's visit in only two days.
Now, I want you to imagine these little angels burning in their beds.
This was no arson.
-This was murder. -(GASPS)
Well, I'd barely poked my head out the door when...
He just stood there with this strange look in his eyes.
-That's total bullshit! -Hush up.
To the best of your knowledge,
did Todd Willingham ever make an attempt to get back in that house?
(GRUNTS)
He was too worried about that car of his.
He didn't try to save those kids till the cops showed up.
And it was like he was putting on a show.
FOGG: Fire talks to you. It does not lie.
And what did that fire tell you?
That it was deliberately set by human hands.
Can you be more specific?
Somebody poured gasoline through those children's room.
Even under their bed,
in the shape of a pentagram, the symbol of the devil.
He kept pouring down the hallway to the front door,
creating a fire barrier preventing any escape.
(COUGHS)
That fire was hotter than the hinges of hell.
We found evidence of what we call crazed glass.
Another indication it was goosed by liquid additive.
Worst of all, the refrigerator was moved to block the back door.
Someone made that house into a death trap.
Inspector Vasquez, how many arson cases have you worked on?
I reckon more than, uh, 1,200 fires.
And to the best of your knowledge, have you ever been mistaken?
Sir, fire does not destroy evidence. It creates it.
If I've ever been wrong, it's never been pointed out.
Mr. Horton?
No questions, Your Honor.
Mr. Webb, you, uh, shared a cell with Todd Willingham
at the Navarro County Jail. Is that correct?
Yes, sir.
And what did he tell you at that time?
Well, he...
He said that...
He came home
and that one of his children was hurt or even dead or whatever.
-What? -Shh!
And then, so he started...
He decided that he was gonna cover it up by starting a fire.
Hell, no!
Did he tell you who it was that injured that child?
-He did. Said it was his wife. -What?
Yeah, he said she... she was crying and carrying on with such emotion.
He... He just decided to take some paper and wad it up
and then he burnt it in a way
that made it look like them children was playing with it and such.
And did Willingham ever threaten you about telling anybody
what he had told you?
Yeah. He pointed his finger at me and did like this.
I'll kill ya.
Thank you, Mr. Webb.
Y'all need to start speaking some fucking truth around here!
-I am. -No, this is corrupt.
Don't believe that shit! That shit never happened, Judge!
-Control your client. Counselor. -TODD: That shit didn't happen.
You took an oath, didn't you? Start speaking some fucking truth, boy!
This is my courtroom, sir!
(GAVEL BANGS)
Mr. Jackson, call your next witness.
Uh, Mr. Evans, you, uh... you have first-hand knowledge
of Todd Willingham's history of violent behavior, don't you?
Yes, sir.
Would you explain to us what transpired between the two of you?
I mean, maybe me and Stacy was flirting a little,
but it didn't mean nothing.
Hell, Stacy was... She was like that.
And Todd sort of liked it.
Wasn't no reason to beat the crap out of me.
Sorry, Your Honor.
Beat me half to death.
JACKSON: But Mr. Willingham's propensity for violence
also found its way into his home.
Busted lip. Black eyes.
Bruises all over her legs.
Oh, and a red mark on her stomach where he'd kicked her.
JACKSON: Now, Mrs. King, did she say what she believed
the cause of those beatings to be?
Yes, sir.
Stacy was pregnant and Todd wanted to make her have a miscarriage.
(GASPS)
Is Kathy King's testimony correct?
-No, sir. -So, Todd didn't beat you up
when he found out you were pregnant and try to force you to abort?
No, sir.
He even came with me to the doctor when I was pregnant with them twins.
He was excited it might be a boy.
So, the testimony we've heard about the beatings, the obscenities...
I'm not saying Todd and I didn't fight,
but I gave him just as many bruises as he gave me.
(MURMURING)
Is it true that the police were called to your home
to control a situation where Todd Willingham was intoxicated,
and calling you a, "whore", "bitch" and "slut"?
Yeah, we was always arguing. It didn't mean nothing. People argue.
Despite the many occasions
that he behaved in such a violent manner,
how can you be so sure that he didn't commit this crime?
Because he loved those babies.
And he loves me.
Mrs. Willingham,
are you telling us that all of these witnesses
who have testified to your husband's violent abuse of you are just lying?
I don't know.
Do you have any idea why they would lie?
No.
Now, you were raised by your grandmother.
Your mother was a victim of family violence, wasn't she?
Mmm-hmm.
-Can you tell us what happened to her? -HORTON: Objection.
-Irrelevant, Your Honor. -Overruled.
The witness will answer the question.
Mrs. Willingham?
She was, um...
I'm sorry, can you speak up, please?
She was killed.
By your father?
Yes.
No further questions.
You don't understand. Todd is not like that.
Todd would never do anything to hurt those babies.
He loved those babies with all his heart!
He treated those babies better than anybody else did!
He would feed them and change their diapers
and he potty-trained them and you are not listening!
-The witness will step down. -No one's paying attention to facts!
-No one's telling the fucking truth! -The witness is excused!
No one is telling the truth or listening to anything we're saying.
-JUDGE: Young lady! -When do we get a chance to say the truth?
-JUDGE: You will step down! -I'm sorry, Todd. I'm sorry.
(SOBS)
Mr. Horton, call your next witness.
(CLEARS THROAT) Your Honor, the defense rests.
Y'all real clear on what was just said there, right?
-No, you need to stop. -Before they dig up the past.
Y'all real clear on that? This is the worst kind of crime there is.
JUDGE: I'll have you removed.
And there's been people all up this stand to lie about me.
People who just don't like me anyway.
I just wanna make sure I get a fair trial, Judge.
I wash my hands of this, Your Honor.
Ain't that how this shit works?
Now, I've sat here and stayed quiet
while y'all paint the worst possible picture of me.
Ain't I got a right to respond, Judge?
-Well done, son. Well done. -Sit down, son.
-Where are my friends? -JUDGE: Mr. Jackson?
Where are my family?
People who can actually vouch for me?
Sir, you need to calm down, sir.
The jury will disregard what they just saw and heard.
Mr. Jackson, proceed with your summation.
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
"Whosoever shall harm one of my children,
"it is better for a millstone to be hung around his neck
"and for him to be cast into the sea."
Members of the jury,
I ask that the words of Mark 9:42 remind you of your responsibility
as they remind me of mine.
Two days before Christmas,
Willingham committed the ultimate crime.
Can there be a more righteous case
for the imposition of the ultimate penalty?
Whether capital punishment in this case will deter others, I don't know,
but I do know it will deter Cameron Todd Willingham.
And that is what the state of Texas is asking you to do today.
Willingham wrote his own death sentence
when he killed those children.
It is your duty to carry it out.
(TODD SIGHS)
Sit down, boy.
Only been 40 minutes.
Deliberation can take days.
(BUZZER)
Jury's coming in.
JUDGE: Has the jury panel reached a verdict?
-Yes, sir. -Would you pass it to the bailiff?
Will the defendant rise?
By your verdict in this case,
you, the jury, have found the defendant, Cameron Todd Willingham,
guilty of the offense of capital murder as charged in the indictment.
Cameron Todd Willingham,
by order of the state of Texas
you are sentenced to death.
(GAVEL BANGS)
This is Tower Four. I got eyes on our boy on the dog run.
(CHAINS CLANK)
(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)
This here's general population.
Take yourself a good look 'cause you ain't never gonna see a crowd again.
INMATE 1: Hey, baby killer.
You like killing babies? Little bitch.
Back up!
-INMATE 2: You a sweet one. -You're gonna get yours, baby killer.
OFFICER: That's it, all right.
The long walk to the death chamber.
The condemned, that's you, baby killer,
can have his family there.
At least what's left of them in your case. Ha-ha. (CHUCKLES)
You'll see it again, I promise.
Welcome to death row.
I know you're listening, baby killer.
You wanna know what's coming. You all do.
Could be days.
Shit, it could be years, but somehow you guys are always so surprised.
It happens just after your last meal.
You can order any damn thing you want.
I seen one poor guy ask for candy. (CHUCKLES)
What about you, baby killer? What's your poison? Oh!
Poison. Injection. You get it? Get your ass in there.
Unhook him.
OFFICER 2: Step.
First, we strap your ass to that table
and then one of us puts in the IV.
Of course, we don't always get it right.
Sometimes the fella lays there just screaming in agony for hours,
-begging to be put out of his misery. -What if I'm innocent?
(CHUCKLES)
Nobody ever done it, baby killer.
Nah, it was their best friend who done it or...
(CHUCKLES)
He didn't know the gun was loaded or he was just trying to scare 'em.
But, damn, you? You just stood there and watched them babies burn.
Now, that's cold.
That's what I'm gonna do for you, baby killer.
I'm gonna stand there and watch.
And when they pump that shit inside of you,
you are gonna burn from the inside out.
A107.
(BUZZER)
INMATE: Hey! Are you that Willingham fella?
You the boy that burned them babies?
(CACKLING)
INMATE: Hey! We got something special for you.
(INDISTINCT TALKING)
Up through there.
INMATE: Hey, it's the baby killer!
Little bitch.
(LAUGHTER)
Stop. Face the wall.
You have one shower every two days and that's it.
(GRUNTS)
We got a five at tower block!
(ALARM)
Get him!
(GROANS)
Hey! Don't move! Don't you fucking move!
You got him? We good?
OFFICER 1: Let's see how you like some alone time, boy.
Son of a bitch can bleed.
OFFICER 3: He ain't too pretty anymore.
Make him your bitch!
Pick his ass up.
-Piece of shit. -Come on. Get up!
"I'm sorry, boss." Say it.
Say it!
(GROANS)
(CHOKES)
"I'm sorry, boss."
(INHALES DEEPLY)
Say it.
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(DOOR SLAMS)
(TODD GROANS)
(GRUNTS)
-Aw. Aw! -Daddy.
(SOBS)
Wasn't my fault.
(MUFFLED MUSIC)
(STACY CHUCKLES)
(LAUGHS)
(CHUCKLES)
(BABY COOS)
(GRUNTS)
TODD: Y'all are treating me worse than a damn animal!
I wouldn't even treat my dog like this!
STACY: Get the fuck out of here, Todd!
Go back to the bar. Find some girl to suck on your dick!
Get the fuck out of here.
Get the fuck out of here, Todd!
TODD: Who are you cheating on me with, bitch?
Everybody in the fucking town! (GRUNTS)
-What's his name? -Shut the fuck up!
You fucking whore.
Come on, Todd. That's enough.
Come on, baby. I love you so much. You know that.
See, you're not so mad.
-Come on, baby. It's okay. -Don't you move.
Come over here, baby. Come on.
TODD: We both fucked up
and you fucked up, too.
AMBER: Daddy!
Daddy!
(SCREAMS)
Help! Help me!
(GRUNTS)
(GROANS)
Y'all can take me out of here!
(SOBS)
I promise I won't do anything bad again!
I promise I'll be good!
(MUTTERS)
(WATER SPLASHES)
(INDISTINCT PA ANNOUNCEMENT)
Mr. Daniels, may I have a pen and paper?
Say please.
May I have a pen and paper, please?
May I have a pen and paper, please, sir?
(SIGHS)
TODD: Dear Stacy, I don't understand why you won't come visit me.
I've had a lot of time to think about our life together.
"It already feels like so long ago."
-Him again. What's he want now? -Grandma, lay off.
(CLEARS THROAT)
"I have not been good.
"I suppose I'm paying for that now.
"But why... Why should I be punished for a thing I did not do?
"You know I would never hurt those babies."
You tell him to leave you be.
He was a wicked child that became a wicked man.
And if you'd figured that out sooner, I might still be a grandmother.
If he'd killed anybody, it would have been me.
You know what? I'm gonna write a letter to Governor Ann Richards
and tell her how much he loved his little girls.
Well, that's just great, Stacy.
I'm gonna go write a letter to Santa!
This is my favorite Stacy.
Oh, yeah? What a surprise.
And why is that?
You just look real nice this time of day.
Thank you, Todd.
Wrote you a song.
Oh, yeah? How's it go?
Wanna hear it?
Sure. Why not?
(TODD CLEARS THROAT)
Don't go to work
Don't put on your shirt
Leave alone that little skirt
Come back to bed
Give a little head
(CHUCKLES)
We can spend our whole lives rolling in the dirt
-You like it? -I liked some parts of it.
-Which parts of it do you like? -Take a wild guess.
Rolling in the dirt?
-Before that. -Huh?
The part where you're nice and sweet. What are you doing, Todd?
One more time
Come on, you're just trying to show off.
One more time, baby. Come on.
-I gotta go. -Come on.
You're like a 12-year-old boy.
All right. I give in.
TODD: Dear Stacy,
I don't understand why you won't answer my letters.
I know you can never get over what happened,
but I lost everything, too.
Not just the kids and you and our home,
but pretty soon now, my life.
OFFICER: Cell block...
TODD: They have given the needle to at least one of us
every month since I've been here.
INMATE 1: God bless you, brother. INMATE 2: Hang in there, bro.
INMATE 3: I'll pray for you.
-(RHYTHMIC BANGING) -INMATE 4: Be strong!
TODD: I'd like to believe, even in a terrible place like this,
there may be some good.
But all I see is cruelty and suffering.
Everybody pretty much hates it the same.
(INDISTINCT TALKING)
INMATE: And death will be swallowed in victory.
Death, where is your victory?
Death, where's...
Will you let me fucking walk?
-Will you let me fucking walk? -Chill the fuck out!
INMATE: Let me walk like a fucking man!
Stand tall, bruh!
INMATE: Oh, God! Oh, God!
Let me fucking walk, you bastards!
Hey, baby killer!
Baby killer!
Hey, white boy.
Yo, asshole! What's your problem, man? I'm talking to you!
-Think I'm stupid or something, boy? -Boy? Come again?
If I say anything to you, you gonna start saying I confessed some shit.
Get a reduced sentence. Fuck that.
Hey, listen good, sugar.
They get you here,
they got you good.
Confession make you feel better, huh, sweet pie?
All right.
I knocked over a jewelry store
trying to hit a lick.
Old guy, he reached under the counter for a piece
and I-I shot him in the head.
(GRUNTS)
I was high.
And I am guilty, but murder one?
Shit, that's manslaughter at the most.
But this is Texas.
You know why they call it capital punishment? Huh?
Yeah, you ain't got no capital, you get punished.
-That's right. -Shit.
Don't tell me that's your story, too,
'cause I know that sorry-ass state-appointed lawyer of yours.
Huh?
Plumbers ain't no different from lawyers.
There's good ones and there's bad ones. But you know what?
Poor folks always get the bad ones. Just like my granddaddy always said,
everybody gets the same amount of ice,
except rich folks get it in the summer.
Course, you could try to become a cause célèbre or some such shit,
maybe with some publicity.
Yeah, you can get you one of them fancy-pants, white-shoe boys
willing to do it for free.
By then, who knows if you got enough time left to make a difference.
-Hold up. -What?
You saying I can get me a new lawyer with no money?
Yeah, boy.
Yeah, you just write up a letter about your situation
and send it to the Texas Equal Justice Initiative. That's Initiative.
I-N-I-T-I-A-T-I-V to the E.
T-I-V to the E.
LAWYER: So, you say your previous counsel,
he failed to capitalize on numerous opportunities
to impeach the prosecution's witnesses,
or to present any viable alternative
to their theories of your culpability?
He did a shit sorry job.
-Mmm-hmm. -Sold you down the river.
This is your trial transcript
and... a few books.
Might be helpful. Homework.
I'm preparing a writ of habeas corpus, also known as a Great Writ.
We're allowed to present new evidence, if we can find some, that is.
Do you have any resources to help us?
Someone who'll pay for a private investigator?
-Your wife or family? -No, sir.
Right. Well, we'll figure something out.
We need to find something in your trial that demonstrates negligence.
That's harder to do once you've been convicted.
I need you to go through the transcript and find anything questionable.
Can you do that?
I think I'll squeeze it into my very hectic schedule.
This Writ could be your last chance. And a slim one at that.
(WHISPERS)
PONCHAI: Hey, Metallica?
(CHUCKLES) I can practically hear you reading.
Give that a rest. Let me beat you at crazy eights.
This is making my head hurt.
They make it that way on purpose. Keep out dummies like us.
-Some crazy-ass words in here, bro. -Mmm-hmm.
-Contemporus. Colloquy. -Spell that shit without looking.
-Analogous. Did I even say it right? -(CHUCKLES)
-Meticulous. Interwoven. -Uh-huh.
Now, I'm gonna drop some knowledge for you.
That first appeal, it might not go nowhere.
They ain't gonna overturn their hunting buddy's conviction.
You might have a chance with the Fifth Circuit.
-What about this Supreme Court shit? -You kidding?
If it leans any more to the right, it'll tip over.
These books keep talking about justice like it's something real.
PONCHAI: There ain't no justice in the system.
Man, ain't none in this life, either.
You know, why was I born black?
Hmm? Yeah, black as hell.
Why was y'all born poor and stupid?
Can't I be born poor and smart?
PONCHAI: No, not in this life, bruh.
What if somebody really is innocent?
Ain't got nothing to do with it.
The death penalty's good politics.
Matter of fact, in an election year, they always kill twice as many of us.
-That's politics for your ass. -For real?
Yeah. Candy-ass politicians feel like real men killing folks.
Take your hand, bruh.
-(CHAINS RATTLE) -(RHYTHMIC BANGING)
-Right on, brother. -INMATE 2: Hold it back, brother!
Keep your head up high, man!
INMATE 3: Stay strong!
COMMENTATOR: Second and five, ball on the 38th. Hand off to Smith...
-Go! Go! -Come on, baby! Come on!
-Go! -Do you hear me?
-Run! Run, boy! -That's my boy, right there.
-Run, boy! -My Southern boy right there!
-Yeah! -Yeah!
COMMENTATOR: Cowboys, touchdown!
And the Cowboys take the lead for the first time.
-Kick ass! -(CHUCKLES)
They don't know about that Southern brown!
-All the way, baby! Let's go! -Gave over. I got you.
How about them boys?
(DOOR OPENS)
-Hey. Thanks for covering my shift. -Yeah, you owe me, bitch.
Maggie would've skinned my ass alive if I missed Becky's party.
We had a clown, a cake. The whole nine fucking yards.
I was serving ice cream to little princesses.
(CHUCKLES) It's pretty good.
-Get out of there, Willingham. -Yeah, boss.
-Hurry up. -Hurrying up, boss.
I'm in a real hurry.
Real hurry to go do nothing.
You fucking listening to me, baby burner?
-(STAMMERS) -Huh?
Yes, boss. I was.
-Fucking pervert! -Take it easy. He's on my watch.
I don't give a shit. I don't want his sicko ears on my kids. Look at me.
Why are you so fucking interested in my life, huh?
Come on, man. Let's go.
Sunday was my daughter's birthday, too.
I would've killed the motherfucker.
What are they gonna do? Put you on death row?
Nah, he's just a screw, Ponch.
Probably got picked on at school.
Says he's got a daughter.
Ponch?
Ponchai.
What's up, Ponch?
I, um...
I got my date today.
They're moving me to the observation cell.
Scared I'm gonna kill myself.
Shit, Ponch.
It is what it is.
Shit, I'm... I'm thinking, uh...
Two orders of onion rings to go with my chicken-fried steak,
smothered in Texas Pete.
One of them strawberry milkshakes.
I'm gonna throw up all over the damn place. (CHUCKLES)
(SOBS QUIETLY)
Lord, give me the grace to take what I can...
(SIGHS)
(MUTTERS)
No! Get off me! Get off me!
Get off me! Mother...
It's not my time yet, man!
It's not my time! No!
No! Not yet!
-Let's go, brother. Let's go, brother. -No, I can't.
Yes, you can, Ponch. Yes, you can. Yes, you can, brother.
Stand tall now, brother! Let's go, Ponch!
They gonna get this worked out too for you, baby!
Ponchai James!
Ponchai...
Whoo! Whoo!
Let's go, Ponch! Let's go, brother!
All right! Ponchai James!
They gonna remember you, Ponch!
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
I've been around the block a time or two
Done almost everything a boy can do
I've done some living, yeah I've had fun
But there is one thing that I haven't done
Haven't done
I want to know how forever feels
(MUSIC STOPS)
Hey!
You need some help?
So, are you from around here?
Why did you stop back there?
Well, I didn't think you were dangerous.
Figured I could take you one on one. (CHUCKLES)
You weren't scared?
-What? -You weren't scared?
Well, of you? Why?
Why not?
Guess I just didn't think about it.
Thank you so much.
-Oh, thank you. -Can't you stay a moment more?
You might be just the kind of person we're looking for.
Oh.
You're scared now. (CHUCKLES)
Well, a little weirded out, to tell you the truth.
-What do you want from me? -Your address.
-What for? -I wanna send you something.
Oh. You don't need to send me anything.
Well, I wanna return the favor.
I think you and I were intended to meet.
MAN: So, was she, like, a crazy person?
Or... Why did she want your address?
Well, she said somebody might wanna write me a letter.
-Who? -A prisoner.
-(INHALES SHARPLY) -What?
-Nothing. -What?
It's just classic Liz.
-Oh! Here we go. -The abandoned kittens.
The homeless family at the truck stop.
-Oh, my God. -The starving African kids on TV.
-Okay! Gullible, bleeding heart. -Oh, I'm not saying that.
-You called me Saint Liz for a decade. -Well, that's not what I think.
We're well past lying, George, aren't we?
LIZ: So, yesterday, I got a letter.
-Hey, Mom. -Hey, sweet girl. How was school?
Earth to Julie.
-Sorry? -Never mind.
-Love you. -Love you, too.
LIZ: And it said,
"Dear Ms. Gilbert, I got your address from TCADP.
"I was told that you might be willing
"to correspond with someone such as myself."
-What is that? The TAD... Whatever. -TCADP.
Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.
-How'd you get involved in that? -The lady who asked for my address.
-You don't listen to me. -No, I was listening. What did he do?
-Never mind. -Oh, come on, Liz. Come on.
Why is he on death row?
He, um...
He burned down his house with his kids inside.
-That's charming. -(CHUCKLES) All right.
-(COUGHS) -Here.
(COUGHS)
So, why exactly are you doing this?
-I didn't say I was doing it. -But you're thinking about it.
Well, can I just not know? I don't know.
Isn't looking after one person with a death sentence enough?
-(SIGHS) -I'm sorry.
So, are you and the kids okay?
-Money and everything? -Hmm. Yeah.
-If you need anything, just... -Your check comes on time.
We talked all that out.
-(SIGHS) -I failed you, Liz.
And yet you're here for me.
If things were the other way round, would I be there for you?
(EXHALES DEEPLY)
We could hope that's so, or just admit the truth.
How are you? Really?
Mommy, you forgot the milk.
-Oh! I'm going to the market later. -Okay.
Mom, what are reading there?
Letter from a guy in jail who kills babies.
Julie!
What, are you writing a play about him or something?
No, sweetie. Um, there's a man who's in prison.
-He wants Mom to visit him. -Seriously?
A lot of people visit inmates and I'm not saying...
You know they're gonna poison him to death, right? He deserves it.
You got somewhere to be, like school?
-And maybe clean your mess up. -I know what the death penalty is.
I can't believe you're actually thinking about visiting a murderer.
-I didn't say-- -That is so gross.
-I didn't say he was innocent. -Okay, then what are you saying?
-He's a human being! -(SIGHS)
Okay, I'm late. Dave's gonna drop me.
So, are you seeing your dad later?
No, the gremlins will be there.
Well, they are your brother and sister.
-(MOUTHS) -What?
Fine, I'll go.
-All right, am I getting you later? -JULIE: No, Dave's gonna drive me.
Well, will you call me, please?
Mom, I got soccer practice till six and I'm taking the bus. Bye.
I thought I was getting you. What about oatmeal?
TODD: Death row inmates
aren't allowed to associate with the general population.
We have no contact at all with the outside.
No one in the whole world knows I exist.
I feel like I am slowly being erased.
Please excuse my writing.
I am learning to express myself better.
I have added your name to my visitors list in case you decide to come.
Meantime, I hope your life turns forever forward.
Yours, Cameron Todd Willingham.
Sir, I'm here to see Cameron Todd Willingham.
Come, miss.
(HANDCUFFS CLICK)
Thank you for coming, Mrs. Gilbert. It's really nice to meet you.
-Nice to meet you, too, Cameron. -Folks call me Todd.
Oh. Yeah, Todd.
I really appreciate you coming all this way.
-You're in Houston, right? -Yeah.
-TODD: How was the drive? -Oh, it was fine. Well, some traffic.
You know, Houston freeways have become...
crazy.
You know, you're my first visitor in a long time.
LIZ: Am I?
Well, good. Yes?
Why is that?
I...
I-I mean, your... your wife comes?
No, Stacy and me ain't together no more.
Oh.
TODD: I guess I understand.
-It's just... -(BUZZER)
I miss her, is all.
Hmm. Sorry.
How about your folks or...
They're in Oklahoma, ma'am.
It's 200 miles each way.
And my folks is old and my mom's ailing, so...
They come when they can.
Well, how about you tell me about...
your life here, what it's like or...?
-TODD: Not much to tell, really. -Hmm. Right.
Any comforts or... I don't know?
In jail? No, ma'am.
I'm sorry, Todd. I don't know...
I don't know, uh... what to ask or how to...
If... If... If I make it harder
to talk.
No, ma'am. How about you?
Tell me about the outside world.
Maybe I can get out of this place for a while.
Oh. All right. Um...
Sure. But maybe you'd call me Elizabeth?
When you say "ma'am", it makes me feel like you're talking to my mamma.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
-Elizabeth. -Okay.
Well... Um...
Let's see.
-TODD: You married? -Me? Divorced, actually.
-Kids? -Two.
Andrew and Julie.
-Boy and a girl. -Yeah.
-That's nice. -Yeah. Yeah.
My big girl Amber, she'd be 11 by now.
And Karmen and Kameron, they'd be nine.
They was twins.
LIZ: Twins? Ooh!
-That's something, huh? -Yes, ma'am... Elizabeth.
-You ever try diapering two at once? -No.
-Ooh-ee. -(CHUCKLES)
Stacy used to say it was like trying to grab a hold
of two little greased piggies at the state fair.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
Oh, they was the most beautiful babies in the whole world.
They were all different, but cut from the same cloth.
Kameron, she was smart.
She had, like, a routine that she stuck to.
If anybody disturbed it and she didn't like it,
she would let the whole of Texas know about it.
Karmen, she was... she was more like me.
Amber, she was a great big sister.
She went from redecorating her sister's room
to turning around to me one time and saying,
"Daddy, I love the new babies, but when are they going home now?"
(BOTH LAUGH)
Gosh, I tell you I wanna hear about the world
and I end up doing all the talking.
No, it's fine.
I'm sorry. I guess it's just been a while.
How long has it been?
Eight years.
Hmm. Eight.
I'm pretty much at the end of the line now.
You scared, Todd?
I did not kill my own children, Elizabeth.
I swear.
I loved them more than I love life itself.
-(BANGING) -OFFICER: Time's up.
(HANDCUFFS CLICK)
LIZ: It was weird.
He was gentle and soft-spoken.
Oh, that's 'cause he wants to get in your pants.
-You know that's true. -That's rude.
And he was a devil worshipper to boot!
-No! No. -I heard it right on the TV.
He burned up those babies as a sacrifice to Satan himself.
Seriously, girls, you're getting out of control.
If anybody were to come near my babies,
I got a .38 Colt by my bedside with their name on it.
The idea of you with your loaded .38
makes me wanna move out of the neighborhood, June.
Come on, girls, let's get started.
Are you gonna use some of this for your new play?
-Oh, I don't know. -It's fascinating.
Liz? Well, what if somebody was trying to hurt your babies?
-Hmm? -I'd do anything.
-See? -That's not the point.
-Of course it is. -It's still taking a life.
Of a monster who doesn't deserve to live.
It's just revenge. I mean, are we still there?
Isn't that a primitive idea?
No. It's called restitution. Let the punishment fit the crime.
Okay, well, you better kill your ex-husband.
-(LAUGHTER) -Wouldn't that be great?
Please don't become one of those sad women we hear about
who falls in love with...
-Not me! -I'm just saying.
Thank you so much for your interest in my love life. But don't worry.
Even someone as desperate as me
knows that a death-row romance doesn't have a future.
(LAUGHTER)
Hey.
Dad died.
(JULIE SNIFFS)
TODD: Dear Elizabeth,
I didn't get a chance to express my deep gratitude for your visit.
It lifted my spirits for days.
Sir.
TODD: I used to be full of hate.
Hate for the judge. Hate for the jury.
Hate for everyone who mistreated me and wanted me dead.
I guess after all this time, the hate just kinda burned out of me.
I've been working hard on my case, and it's funny.
I'm no longer the same dumb 24-year-old
who lost his place in the world,
and have achieved more learning within these walls
than I ever did in school.
I can remember every word of our conversation.
You're the kind of person I never had a chance to meet.
An artist filled with intellectual ideas
and worldly wisdom.
JULIE: "For me, it was more than a connection to a world.
"It brought my heart to life
"and created an omni-potent glow around my being." (CHUCKLES)
Sounds like he's prepping for the SATs.
Mmm-hmm. Well, first of all, it's "omnipotent",
and secondly, maybe he's just trying to improve himself.
Maybe there's other people we know
who might wanna, like, study for the SATs.
I'm studying.
You going to visit him again?
Is this, like, a thing?
I might.
Why?
I don't know, honey.
You know, when you just wanna do something?
Help... somebody who's feeling
so much, you know?
I don't know what I'm saying. Am I making any sense?
Honestly?
Not really.
(SIGHS)
(HANDCUFFS CLICK)
-I cannot believe you came back. -I sure did.
Look at you. So pretty.
-You don't have to say that, Todd. -Are you kidding me?
It's your hair, your eyes, your dress.
Everything's just, mmm-mmm, singing to me.
Okay.
Stand up for me.
-Just give me a twirl. -What?
Come on now. Just once.
-Come on. -No.
How you been?
Liz... Last time you came, I was the one that did all the talking.
How are the kids? Julie and Andrew, right?
Yeah. They're okay. Hmm.
-I told you their ages? -No.
Um, Julie's 17.
-Uh-oh. -Super smart.
She's a great kid.
But she's a pain in my butt sometimes.
-(CHUCKLES) -Oh, my Lord.
Well, you wouldn't have wanted to know me when I was 17.
-Believe me. -No kidding?
Uh-uh.
-And Andrew? -Best freckles known to man.
-He breaking hearts? -(CHUCKLES) On the cusp!
They get to see their daddy much?
What's wrong?
Their dad died a couple of weeks ago.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry to hear about your loss.
I guess we both know what it is to lose something then.
(CLEARS THROAT)
I wrote a poem about my babies.
It's pretty bad. Wanna hear it?
Sure. Of course.
It's bad.
I know their beauty flows deep within
And all that's broken, their love will mend
This beauty of theirs is so unique
It's much more valuable than priceless antiques.
Nice.
Fucking terrible, huh?
(CHUCKLES)
LIZ: It's terrible!
(INDISTINCT PA ANNOUNCEMENT)
(BUZZER)
-TODD: You're a Cowboys fan, right? -Yeah.
TODD: Think Aikman and Irving have still got it?
You almost done? It's fucking freezing out here.
I figured out why you're always pissed.
Yeah? Why's that?
TODD: 'Cause you're a prisoner here too, like me.
You ain't bottom of the pile.
You ain't top of the pile, neither. Just kind of middle of the pile.
Huh!
Now, in order to feel like you're going somewhere in the world,
you gotta stand on the likes of me.
But it don't really get you anywhere. You just stay in the middle.
Yeah? You my fucking therapist now?
Nah, I just got a lot of time on my hands, is all.
(PANTS)
You ever read Man's Search for Meaning?
I was absent that day.
It's by Viktor E. Frankl.
Okay.
Now, the guy basically says to live is to suffer.
And to survive, you gotta find meaning in the suffering.
I made a promise to my daughter.
She visits me sometimes.
You got a daughter too, right?
What's her name again?
Becky. Let's go inside.
I don't need to cuff your bitch ass.
Are you sure? I'm feeling dangerous, brother.
-DANIELS: Yeah, you ain't got shit. -(CHUCKLES)
TODD: How you been?
Yeah?
You been doing much?
This is you.
It don't really look like you, though, huh?
I might have to give her a haircut.
You seen your sisters?
They good?
You mad at me?
They mad at me?
You still see them?
Yeah, you taking care of them?
Yeah?
You gonna tell them you saw Daddy?
You gonna tell them I'm sorry?
You know I didn't do it, don't you?
LIZ: Well, Todd, you wanted to hear about my life, so here goes.
You probably didn't want this much detail,
but you did say you wanted to know everything.
Mornings are tough.
Morning!
LIZ: Teenagers think they can stay up all night.
Then they seem surprised when they have to wake up for school.
I probably coddle them too much, but... but that's my right as a mother.
And, well, it's just me now
and guess I want them to know I'm there for them.
Hey, didn't you need me to sign that signature page for you?
LIZ: I tell you,
sometimes that hour between six and seven in the morning
feels about five minutes long.
Lunch. Is that enough? Give me a hug.
Bye, Momma. I love you.
-Love you. -Love you.
LIZ: Most days I try to write.
Recently, not so much.
As good as my life is,
I can't help thinking of all the plans I had that never happened.
I know that sounds spoiled to someone in your situation,
but you said you want the truth.
TODD: Dear Elizabeth,
I cannot thank you enough for sharing your thoughts and feelings with me.
I never really looked deeply into myself before...
LIZ: Dear Todd, I got your drawing.
That is so beautiful.
TODD: You say you wanna know what my life is like.
Well, try staying in your kitchen for an entire day.
Then think about what it'd be like to be there for the rest of your life.
Regular prisoners talk about doing time,
but on the row, there is no time.
The clock stopped moving the minute we were sentenced.
People say we should all live life like it could be taken away at any moment.
Death catches most people unawares.
You're asleep or your body shuts down or an accident happens,
but to live every moment waiting,
knowing that they could decide to kill you at any moment,
I can't help picturing the dents in the door
where others have kicked and fought as they went in.
(DOOR SLAMS)
CLERK: Sure you want this one?
It's kind of a snooze. The jury was only out for an hour. I got better ones.
-Just this one, please. -All right.
-Thanks, sir. -You're welcome. Next.
MARGARET: He wanted to get in so bad, he broke the windows with a tire iron.
But the fire just blew that glass back at him.
I never seen a man cry so hard.
He didn't try to save those kids till the cops showed up.
And it was like he was putting on a show.
It doesn't surprise me he started that fire.
JACKSON: This so-called art hung above Todd Willingham's bed.
Dr. Grigson, what can you tell us about it?
In my experience, such images of death and violence
are often associated with cult-type activities.
It is my conclusion that Todd Willingham
is a severe sociopath with violent tendencies.
JACKSON: Is it true that the police
were called to your home
to control a situation where Todd Willingham was intoxicated
and calling you a "whore," "bitch" and "slut"?
Todd would never do anything to hurt those babies!
He loved those babies with all his heart!
He treated those babies better than anybody else did!
-JUDGE: Mr. Horton? -No questions, Your Honor.
Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Horton.
-Well, you can thank my girl Rhonda. -Yeah?
She told me I had to see you, so you'd stop pestering.
Oh, well, I just wanted to get your thoughts on Todd Willingham.
-So, you knew him before? -Oh, yeah.
Guess everybody in town knew him, huh?
Crosse the street to stay out of his way is more like it.
Nothing but trouble, that boy.
Tell you a little story.
The night after Todd's children died,
the whole town had a gathering to raise money for their funeral.
He acted like he'd just won the lottery.
Drinking, playing darts.
Plain whooping it up.
Just 'cause someone acts inappropriately
doesn't mean they're a murderer, though, right?
You're right.
What's inappropriate is taking his part.
Now, you seem like an educated woman.
He had the motive, he had the means and the science backed it up.
What makes you so cocksure he's innocent?
I honestly don't know if he's innocent or not.
The question is, did he get a fair trial?
Let me guess. You seen Todd and he charmed you.
He was quite the ladies' man back in Corsicana.
I wouldn't know anything about that.
But what I do know
is that you failed to challenge witnesses that changed their story.
You failed to reach out to Todd's friends.
You failed to find a single scientific expert.
I am sorry, sir,
but it seems like you barely tried to create reasonable doubt
in the jury's minds.
Where'd you get your law degree, missy?
State didn't give me enough money to feed these horses to defend that boy.
-But I did the best I could. -Yeah?
Yeah, and regardless of your estimation of my professional abilities,
the fact remains... that boy is a monster and he will die.
Worry about the living, Ms. Gilbert.
Well, maybe you should do the same.
LIZ: We clearly have enough to file an appeal at the Fifth Circuit.
And I'm sorry, sir, but this Horton seems like a complete loser.
I mean, he decided Todd was guilty from the get-go.
Granted, Todd's trial was a horror show,
but it doesn't mean he's innocent.
But then what about his appeal?
Ms. Gilbert, I appreciate your zeal.
I worked this case for six years and got nowhere.
There are so many others in need of my help who I can help.
-But then what-- -They denied him habeas corpus.
You're asking the state to re-open a case based on character witnesses
when the primary factor in his conviction
was the arson investigation.
I have to agree with the experts here, Ms. Gilbert.
Fire does not lie.
Look, you've been kind to him and I admire that.
But personal involvement can blind you to the truth.
I've been there.
Just don't let your emotions get the better of you.
My emotions? What?
-'Cause I'm a woman? -(SIGHS)
-That's not what I meant. -Then why don't you enlighten me?
Have sympathy for the man he's become.
Don't forget about the man he was.
Great. I'm gonna go finish your job for you.
Hold on a sec.
Look, I'm sorry. I don't mean to be rude, but it's been a long road on this one.
-I got to let it go at some point. -But you know what?
I've been reading this one file, this Johnny Webb character,
and his testimony seems like a complete lie.
I mean, is there a way we can get to him?
(WELDING)
Hey!
Hey. How's it going?
Are you from one of those church groups?
No, uh, Judge Powell called you, right?
Yeah.
Yeah, I've been, uh... talking to some people about Todd Willingham.
Sounds familiar.
Yeah, you, uh, talked to the court about how he confessed to you, um...
about starting a fire that killed his daughters.
Right. Yeah, n-n-n-now I remember.
It's sad, but he said it.
Yeah, I've been reading your testimony carefully.
Just wondering how all that happened.
It was a long time ago, you know?
Yeah, I can't remember last week.
But it sure would help if there's anything you could tell me.
Well...
Uh...
I was just sitting in my cell, you know,
and, uh... yeah, this guy gets put in with me.
Well, he's talking for a while and he just confessed to me right there.
-That's about it. -Just like that?
You felt like you knew Todd well at all or...
Like I said, we shared a cell, so, you know...
Why do you think he confessed to you?
(CHUCKLES)
I-I guess he just needed to tell somebody, you know?
Sometimes a stranger's good for that.
How does that work?
When you testify in somebody else's case,
they, um, give you a reduced sentence
or... do things change?
You're a welder, huh?
-Guess so. -(CHUCKLES) My dad, too.
Is that what you wanted to do?
-Underwater welder, actually. -The coolest job!
(CHUCKLES)
-Is that what you are now? -I wish.
Uh... I took a course, though. Studying and shit.
-Yeah, I-I took it down in, uh... -Don't tell me. Houston?
-Houston. Yeah! -At the Ocean Corporation.
Damn right! They got everything in there.
-It's expensive. -Yeah, you ain't kidding.
-It's far from here, too. -Yeah, you know.
-I drove my truck. -This one?
-Yeah. That's my baby. -Now, that is-- That's sweet.
Almost got her new, too.
-Why are you asking me about all this? -How'd you pay for this?
Oh, I know what I wanted to ask you.
Did Jackson, the district attorney...
Did he promise you a reduced sentence for that little story you told?
I don't know. I...
-Did he do that to you? -I don't know.
Like, promise to take care of you?
-They do that? -I don't want to talk no more, so...
I'm sorry, Johnny, but was that the deal?
Yeah, but I ain't supposed to talk about this stuff, so--
Who told you not to talk about it, the district attorney
is asking you not to talk, and they're using you--
-It's time for you to leave, lady-- -Listen to me!
They are gonna kill an innocent person!
-And then you have to live with it? -I'm done here!
They're gonna kill an innocent man and you have to live with it?
You know, I got a gun.
Okay. We were just talking.
-I'm done talking. -Okay. All right, I'm gonna go.
-Get the fuck out of here then! -Okay!
You could help.
Please.
TODD: He threatened you?
That stupid motherfucker, he threatened you?
Listen to me. His story stinks. You know why?
That guy's a snitch.
I think the DA paid somebody to pay him off.
-He took a bribe. -Mmm-hmm.
Ooh, he's a spineless piece of shit.
But do you understand what that means?
We got a snitch,
a gas can that was never found and Stacy's testimony.
-Yeah. -Look at all this evidence.
Reaves says there's no problem.
We've got plenty to go file an appeal with the Fifth Circuit.
Fifth Circuit? I already spent five of my appeals, Liz.
-I only got one more left. -But you got one more left.
It's gonna go the same way as all the others.
Todd, you've got one more.
(SIGHS)
Do you think life is fair, Liz?
I don't know.
You think God is all right with that?
I don't think we know what His plan is.
I don't even try to begin to imagine.
I wanna live.
That's why we're not gonna give up for one second.
Okay?
So, life isn't fair.
What are we gonna do with that?
Maybe this, right now...
is the best we get.
Us being here for each other.
Knowing how wrong it all is.
Maybe this is the God part.
All of us down here...
trying to figure it all out.
That's beautiful, baby.
Is this our house?
Is that Mommy? Is she crying?
Is she crying 'cause I was mean to her?
Is this Daddy?
Daddy was bad, huh?
I'm sorry, baby.
The doctor who testified that Todd was a sociopath never even met him!
-That seems unfair. -(SIGHS) Exactly.
Yeah. They bring him in whenever they want a guaranteed death penalty.
-His nickname is Dr. Death. -Dr. Death?
He... He was expelled from the American Psychiatric Association
for making diagnoses without meeting defendants.
This is why you read everything.
I swear I'm gonna cook for you tomorrow night. That is just pitiful.
I like cold pizza.
Well, I do, too, but at least put it on a plate.
Hey, you.
Jules, did a Dr. Hurst call when I was out?
Nope. Bye.
-Where you headed? -Studying.
LIZ: With Dave?
You mean you actually know his name?
LIZ: What?
Look...
What?
I know how amazing it must be being pen pals with a murderer,
but it's like you think you're some kind of hero or something.
Do you even know Andrew is crying himself to sleep at night
because he misses Daddy?
You have no idea what's going on around here.
-I do, too. -You don't.
That's just not true.
I'm sorry!
(SIGHS)
I'm sorry, sweet pea.
COMMENTATOR: Dallas is now inside field-goal range
on the Arizona 37th, second down and eight.
Cowboys come out of the shotgun.
There's a snap. Cardinals coming with the blitz.
Hutchinson scrambling left. Oh! It's picked off again!
Come on!
What kind of lame-ass excuse for a quarterback
throws three interceptions in the first quarter?
(LAUGHS) Hey, Willingham! Cowboys suck!
Hey, shut the fuck up.
Whoever thought the Cowboys wouldn't make the playoffs
three years in a goddamn row.
-Yeah. Sucks. -Unbelievable.
LIZ: Well, first of all, we are talking about a man's life.
So, now you're spearheading an effort to prove Todd's innocence?
Well, I wouldn't say spearheading, but I am helping his lawyer.
Todd's trial was a complete travesty.
INMATE 1: Hey, Willingham, they're talking about you on the radio.
INMATE 2: Hey, Todd, change the station, man.
-Which frequency, Will? -It's 1060.
LIZ: ...knew that I was going to supposedly meet a killer, but...
I found myself talking to a vulnerable, sensitive man.
He was very easy to talk to.
How do you expect to change people's minds who know of Todd's past,
that he beat his wife in front of multiple witnesses?
LIZ: I mean, have you ever been cruel to someone in your life?
-That make you a murderer? -No.
Uh... It was very clear that witness testimony
changed from the time they talked to the police
to the time they were in a courtroom.
There's new DNA evidence.
In this case, there may be new fire evidence.
There are more questions to answer here.
HOST: What you're telling me is, you believe that Todd is innocent.
Yes, I am.
I believe the state of Texas
is about to kill an innocent man.
Would you wanna kill an innocent man?
There is more than enough evidence for Todd to be granted an appeal.
If there's any question...
Hey.
Your date's been set.
February 17th.
Now, I feel excited.
I read something on somebody
who's supposed to be, like, the world expert on fires.
His name's Hurst.
I got a message to him and found out he lives in Austin.
And I just feel like that's what we need, you know?
We need an expert who can come in and challenge this absurdity.
Liz, I'm not here to be saved.
Well, I'm not...
I'm not a character in one of your fucking plays
or a pretend boyfriend
or someone here to percolate some excitement
into your otherwise boring ex-fucking-housewife life!
I am here to die.
These are my last days, Liz. Not yours.
And I don't need them filled up with your false hope.
Now, I am grateful for all the faith you've had in me.
All the work. Everything.
But it don't matter what truth you find now.
It ain't gonna make no difference.
I lied, Liz.
I lied to you.
I lied to everybody.
AMBER: Daddy!
I said I went straight to the girls' room,
which I did.
Crawled over to them.
Burning shit falling on me and smoke everywhere.
Everything was on fire.
(COUGHS)
And I tried to get in, but I couldn't because it was too hot.
Amber!
I already knew that they...
(COUGHS)
(SIRENS WAIL)
(SOBS)
I was too afraid to...
I was too afraid to see my own kids burning to death.
I wanted to go back in, but I couldn't 'cause I was too afraid.
So, I am guilty.
Any man can't save his own kids don't deserve to live.
He wants to stop.
Maybe he's right. Maybe we're just torturing him.
I mean, what chance have we got, honestly?
Doesn't matter.
I mean, you think... you think this is just about Todd?
The system doesn't work. It's broken.
How many others out there you think been fucked over?
STACY: Yeah.
For a while there, we was crazy in love.
Uh, and then we got married after the twins was born and...
I thought that meant he really loved me.
But... now I think he was just doing it for them.
Stacy, if there's anything you can remember
that we could use to save him... this is it.
They're about to kill him.
I know that, yeah.
Please, help us.
My brother, he's police.
He says if Todd gets off,
they're gonna come persecute me and Todd's gonna help them do it.
I don't wanna go jail instead of him.
That's crazy.
Todd loves you. He talks about you all the time.
You need to go see him.
-Uh-uh. I can't do that. -Stacy...
He was the father of your babies.
And he's changed.
Please, just go see him.
-Hey, babe. -Hey, Mom.
Hey, a doctor left you a message. Dr. Hurst...
-Hurst? Oh, my God! -Yeah.
Wait, Mom! Is everything okay?
-Yeah, buddy. Not that kind of doctor. -All right.
-Have a great day. -All right.
Okay.
Hmm. Hmm.
(EXHALES)
(HURST MURMURS)
We're so grateful that you're willing to dive in like this.
-I mean-- -What's your sign?
Excuse me?
Under what sign of the Zodiac were you born?
-Aries? -And your horoscope, do you read it?
Sometimes, I guess.
Sometimes it's right and sometimes it's wrong.
(CHUCKLES) Well, all that stuff's just...
People have always been fascinated by the stars.
They charted their movements.
They could tell you when Mercury was retrograde
or when Mars was aligned with Venus.
They made predictions based on these observations.
These people were called astrologers.
They were the experts on the solar system,
until the science of astronomy came along
and proved their ideas to be nothing but bullpucky.
I've studied the report their experts wrote.
(SIGHS)
Follow me.
Move your feet.
Oh.
(HURST SIGHS)
LIZ: Oh.
-What do you see? -Well...
-Nothing. -Exactly. No burn signature.
And no such thing as crazed glass, either.
The spider pattern happens...
when it's hit by cold water from the fire hoses.
(GASPS)
I spent two days going over every detail of this case.
The thing about investigators is they tend to find what they're looking for.
Even if it isn't there.
They'd already decided Todd was guilty
before they walked into that house.
They were so sure it was arson,
they didn't even bother to check the space heater.
Whoever installed the electrical wiring had never even heard of a safety code.
TODD: Girls!
HURST: Those flames ran up the ceiling,
burning the walls before moving their way down.
AMBER: Daddy!
HURST: The fire was what we call a flashover.
Instant combustion of everything flammable.
The V pattern the experts found, also a signature of a flashover.
The accelerant on the porch?
HURST: Charcoal grill and lighter fluid
the experts somehow neglected to mention.
My babies are burning up!
And the refrigerator that blocked the back door?
HURST: Linoleum underneath is untouched.
It was always there. Never been moved.
Oh.
My report is based on hundreds of hours of experiments
by the most rigorous scientists in the field.
These so-called experts of theirs may have seen lots of fires,
but in the end, they're just astrologers.
-Thank you, Mr. Hurst. -Thank you so much.
There's also just one more thing that we have to...
Uh... What we owe you.
I don't believe in astrology, Ms. Gilbert.
But I do believe in karma.
Mine can use all the help it can get. The pleasure's mine.
Todd, we got Hurst! Listen to me!
We got to Hurst. We got to him!
He said there's no way that fire was arson.
You know what that means? If there's no arson, there's no crime.
-Can you believe it? -No, I can't.
LIZ: Oh, my God.
It's like I've been saying the whole time.
Reaves is on his way to the parole board right now.
He said there's no way they won't regard this as exculpatory evidence.
(SIGHS)
Todd!
We have a real chance.
Oh, I don't know, Liz.
I'm not fixing to start hoping again. Hope is bad.
I got ten days left.
If I start hoping again, them ten days is gonna go by just like that.
I understand. But I'm hoping.
You know what I was ruminating on just now while I was waiting for you?
What?
After all them terrible things I said to you,
I thought you'd given up on me.
(EXHALES)
Never.
(WHISPERS) Never.
-Irene. -Yes?
I need get this copy of Hurst's report to the Board of Pardons and Paroles.
Second thought. Got this. Thank you. Sorry.
-Hey, Cindy. -Hey, Skip.
I was wondering if you can get this out ASAP.
-Sure thing. -Thanks so much.
-You have a good one. -You, too.
CLERK: This fax just came in from the parole board, sir.
How can they deny it without reading it?
No. N-N-N-No, it's a new interpretation of existing evidence
using scientific methods that weren't available then.
That constitutes new evidence!
How could they not even meet? It...
Hello? Hello?
Irene, I wanna...
I wanna draft an appeal for a 30-day stay of execution!
IRENE: You don't have to shout. There's an intercom, you know.
Find... Find out how late the governor's office is open.
Hi.
Thanks for coming.
How you been?
-Good. -Good.
You look good.
-No, I don't. -Yeah, you do.
Them eyes, now.
You been wanting me to come here all these years,
what's on your mind?
Ms. Gilbert says my only chance now
is a stay of execution from the governor.
I just need a statement from you.
-I don't think I can do that, Todd. -Why not?
You know I already wrote a letter
to Governor Ann Richards trying to defend you, she didn't respond.
You just gotta go to Governor Perry. Otherwise, I don't get my pardon.
I've been the only one defending you this whole time.
-What's stopping you now then? -A lot of things.
A lot of things. Grandma.
Do you have any idea how many people don't want me to do that?
There's only you.
I just don't think that I can do that.
Why'd you come here then?
We were married, weren't we? I figured I should.
That ain't the reason.
I think you feel guilty you never helped me with my case.
Hold on a second.
-Where'd all that money go, huh? -What?
All the insurance money I could have used to get me a lawyer.
To me trying to survive
-and rebuild my life. -To you?
Making your hair look nice?
-Them nails look expensive. -Yeah. That's where it went.
Making yourself look pretty around town.
-Wow. -While you cut me off.
Fucked all kinds of idiots by now, I bet.
Do you have any idea the stories I have to sit and listen to,
all the girls who wanna brag about fucking the guy on death row?
-It's all true. It's all true. -Yeah, I know.
They all fucked the baby killer.
Wow. You haven't changed a bit.
(SHOUTS) How the fuck would you know?
Because I know you, Todd Willingham!
Twelve years, bitch.
Twelve years it's taken you to pluck up the courage to come see me!
Why didn't you come see me once?
Because they told me that you killed my babies!
OFFICER: Hey! That's enough!
But...
You know I didn't.
You know I wouldn't hurt them kids, Stacy. You know.
I spent 12 years thinking about it now. I remember everything.
I remember everything, Stacy, and I'm sorry.
I apologize if I ever hurt you. But I loved you, Stacy.
-Todd, please, stop it. -I loved you.
Now, we made three beautiful children and they're gone.
-I am paying for it now. -Stop.
But I'm just asking this one thing now, please.
I'm begging you.
-Just this one thing. Please. -Todd, I'm sorry. I gotta go.
(KEYS RATTLE)
Hey.
They're, uh...
They're moving you closer to the chamber.
(SIGHS)
-(RHYTHMIC BANGING) -Find the way, brother.
Go gently, my friend.
INMATE 1: Keep your head up. INMATE 2: Stay strong, brother.
Hey, you remember that Hail Mary Roger Staubach threw in the playoffs
against the Vikings in '75?
TODD: Yes, sir.
DANIELS: Come on.
Down 14-10.
Twenty-four seconds left.
He just rears back and lets that baby fly.
And somehow,
it bounces off the defensive halfback
and right into the hands of Drew Pearson.
Touchdown, Cowboys.
Unbelievable.
That's what you need, brother.
A Hail Mary.
I wish I could throw it for you.
TODD: ...of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now
and at the hour of our death, amen.
TV: ...for Todd Willingham, scheduled to be executed in just five days,
this marks the end of a 12-year ordeal.
You got a pen and paper or something?
BARMAN: Here you go.
WEBB: To whom it may concern.
My name is Johnny Webb.
I was forced to testify against Mr. Willingham
by the District Attorney's Office and other officials.
I'm given no other choice
but to recant my testimony at this time.
Mr. Willingham is innocent of all charges.
They're gonna take Daddy away now, honey.
I don't know. They just say it's my time.
I'm gonna miss you, too.
I'm gonna really miss you.
That day in the fire, if I...
If I could have just saved you...
Amber.
Come on, honey. It'll be okay.
Just let your brother do all the talking.
(REPORTERS CLAMORING)
Do you still support your husband? Can you tell us what happened?
-Can you tell us what happened? -What would you like to share?
(CLEARS THROAT)
Regardless of what's been said in the past,
I have here my affidavit.
It says Todd confessed to her when she visited him in prison.
Texas is doing the right thing making that monster pay for what he did.
Come on. That's all we have to say.
(REPORTERS CLAMORING)
(BUZZER)
TODD: You know, her granddaddy took out an insurance policy on the kids.
Cashed it right after the fire.
She's terrified.
They're all running scared after this Hurst report.
I asked my mom and dad not to come.
It would be too much for them.
Yeah.
You know, the report's on the Governor's desk right now.
Governor Perry?
Yeah.
(SIGHS)
I'm getting scared now, Liz.
Not about dying.
Just that it's gonna hurt. They say it hurts so much.
You gonna be there, right?
Promise.
Good.
I don't wanna die alone.
JULIE: Momma? Are you okay?
LIZ: They're gonna kill him tomorrow.
I failed.
No.
(SIGHS) I let him down.
If I'd found Hurst sooner...
No, Momma. No, Momma, you didn't.
You did so much for him.
I guess I thought the right thing would win.
I thought the right thing would win!
I'm sorry.
I'm so, so sorry.
No! I'm sorry!
That you had to learn such a shitty truth about the world.
Paul, I am telling you the Governor has not read this.
Because it's proof!
Just please find somebody who will make him read it.
(HORN BLARES)
(GLASS SHATTERS)
-(KNOCKS ON DOOR) -TODD: Yo!
DANIELS: Yeah? TODD: How long?
DANIELS: An hour and a half, maybe.
Ain't nobody called?
I'm sorry, brother.
TODD: I'm definitely expecting a phone call, boss.
DANIELS: I know.
TODD: Elizabeth Gilbert, you let me know the second she calls.
I promise.
You all right?
Yeah, I know.
Fuck.
She's critical, but stable.
We're confident she'll pull through. Unfortunately, her neck is broken.
We're not sure if she'll ever be able to walk again.
They're taking her into surgery now.
(MACHINE BEEPS)
TODD: Shit.
(KEYS RATTLE)
(SIGHS) It's time.
Come on, now. Get up.
All right, let's do it.
You ready? One, two, three.
(TODD SHOUTS) No!
No!
-She don't have to be here, does she? -I can't do nothing about it.
-My ex-wife. -I can't do nothing.
I hope you rot in hell, you bitch!
-Do you have any final words, son? -Yes, sir.
I am an innocent man
convicted of an unspeakably heinous crime,
which I did not commit.
Twelve years I've been wrongly persecuted,
despite me maintaining my innocence.
It is my dying wish that my body be cremated
and then my ashes spread across my daughters' graves.
From God's dust I came.
Now, to God's dust I judiciously return.
Then the earth shall be my throne.
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
All right then, y'all.
(GROANS)
(EXHALES DEEPLY)
(GROANS)
(EXHALES DEEPLY)
(MUTTERS SOFTLY)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(PANTS)
(GROANS)
(CLICKS)
(SOFTLY) Thank you.
TODD: Hey, groovy lady, I'm wondering where you are.
I guess something big must have come up.
When you read this, I'll be gone,
but I wanted to tell you about this dream I had.
Me and my girls were out for a walk or some such.
-Can you get me one? -No, not that one.
I don't want that one. Get me... get me this one.
Good.
TODD: It was one of those cool fall days.
Football weather, my daddy used to call it.
AMBER: Today was the last day. No, yesterday was the last day.
But they were doing it this week...
TODD: Funny thing is, you were there, too.
Out for a walk, I guess.
-Ee-yah! -(LAUGHTER)
Okay.
TODD: I suppose there's lots of reasons to feel sorry for myself.
My greatest regret is not being allowed to be buried beside my girls.
But thanks to you, I have tried to make my peace.
You showed me that love is always there,
if you just open yourself to it.
You helped me learn to enjoy the simple blessings of being alive.
I only wish I had something to give you in return,
besides my love always.
Yours truly, Todd.
Let's go.
REPORTER: Governor Perry, a question about Texas.
Your state has executed 234 death-row inmates,
more than any other governor in modern times. Have you...
(APPLAUSE)
Have you struggled to sleep at night,
um, with the idea that any one of those might have been innocent?
No, sir, I've never struggled with that at all.
The state of Texas has a very thoughtful,
a very clear process in place
of which when someone commits
the most heinous of crimes against our citizens,
they get a fair hearing,
they go through an appellate process,
they go up to the Supreme Court of the United States if that's required.
But in the state of Texas, if you come into our state
and you kill one of our children, you kill a police officer,
you're involved with another crime and you kill one of our citizens,
you will face the ultimate justice in the state of Texas,
and that is you will be executed.
REPORTER: What do you make of...
(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)