"MARTIN:" "First day of law school... my professor says two things-- first, from this day forward... when your mother says she loves you, get a second opinion." "JACK:" "Ha ha." "And..." "MARTIN:" "If you want justice, go to a whorehouse." "If you wanna get fucked, go to court." "Naomi!" "JACK:" "Let's say you know a client's guilty." "MARTIN:" "Don't even start with that." "Our justice system doesn't care, and neither do I." "Every defendant, regardless of what he's done... has the right to the best defense possible." "JACK:" "Where were you with the truth?" "MARTIN:" "Truth?" "How do you mean?" "Naomi!" "JACK:" "How many ways are there to mean it?" "MARTIN:" "You think there's only one?" "naomi:" "You're late." "MARTIN:" "Yeah, yeah, yeah." "Actually, you're right." "There's only one that matters-- my version of it... the one I create in the minds of the jury." "You can call it something else-- the illusion of truth... if you want." "naomi:" "OK." "MARTIN:" "Jack, is that it?" "You need more?" "Yeah." "Tomorrow afternoon?" "I'll have my secretary set it up." "OK." "This is a cover story, right?" "Yeah." "Yeah." "OK, bye." "[Boys choir singing hymn in Latin]" "CHOIR: [Singing] Alleluia." "Alleluia." "Alleluia." "MC:" "Saint Michael's boys choir." "Thank you." "You're a talented group." "Right now, we're going to have a brief photo session... while we have the boys with his excellency." "I'll be back soon." "Bear with us, enjoy dessert, and thank you." "RUSHMAN:" "Ah, yes." "PHOTOGRAPHER:" "Here we go." "[Camera shutter clicking]" "PHOTOGRAPHER:" "Thank you." "RUSHMAN:" "Thank you." "Mangia, mangia." "JOHN:" "Thanks." "Marty." "What an unexpected surprise." "MARTIN:" "I'm getting our prosecutor off the hook." "JOHN:" "What'll it cost?" "A lot less than the alternative." "Tomorrow, my office, 9:30." "Is this on?" "Ooh, yes." "We have come to the heart of the matter... the reason we've all gathered." "This is the fifth straight year it's been my privilege... to serve as your master of ceremonies... for the Chicago Bar Association and Catholic Charities Ball." "MAN:" "You have to put that out." "JANET:" "It's a bar, for Christ's sake." "MC:" "Tonight, due to your generous efforts... we've broken last year's record in terms of attendees..." "MARTIN:" "I thought you quit." "JANET:" "I cut down." "[Applause]" "MARTIN:" "You look beautiful." "Cut your hair?" "JANET:" "Yeah." "A few months ago." "MC:" "As it has been my pleasure..." "MARTIN:" "Want to dance?" "MC:" "I'm pleased to introduce..." "JANET:" "There isn't any music." "MARTIN:" "Sure, there is." "MC: ...state's attorney, God love him..." "Mr. John Shaughnessy." "[Martin humming As Time Goes By]" "[Applause]" "To her shoulder..." "Time..." "JOHN:" "Thank you very much." "MARTIN:" "All you have to do is turn around." "JANET:" "You like it better like this." "That way you don't have to look at the person." "MARTIN:" "Oh, mean." "JOHN:" "Considering the hour..." "MARTIN:" "Look at me." "JOHN:" "I want to thank you for supporting the archbishop." "Let's find a bar you can smoke in." "Thanks for the invite... but I don't like one-night stands much." "We saw each other for months." "It was a one-night stand, Marty." "It just lasted six months." "[Applause]" "RUSHMAN:" "Thanks, John." "Ahem." "I must say..." "I haven't seen this many lawyers and politicians... gathered in one place since confession this morning." "[Laughter]" "[Applause]" "YANCY:" "The people are not going to tolerate... a monetary award to a cockroach who deserves 20 to life." "He may be your client... but Joey Pinero is a hard-case felon." "Dealing, racketeering, money laundering, attempted murder." "Dealing, racketeering, money laundering, attempted murder." "MARTIN:" "Did you say alleged, Yancy?" "Did you hear him say alleged?" "Mr. Pinero has never been convicted of anything." "Cops jumped him, left him bleeding in the snow." "It's a miracle he survived." "Having said that, I'm not opposed to a settlement." "Million-five, and Pinero leaves the state." "You can't limit his citizen's right to live wherever he wants." "Legally, that's unenforceable." "JOHN:" "Whether it's enforceable or a gentlemen's agreement..." "Mr. Pinero will know what we want." "Get the answer you're looking for." "Don't sit around and chat." "It's been a pleasure." "You're worse than the thugs you represent." "JOHN:" "That's enough, Bud." "It's over." "MARTIN:" "I got to run this by him." "JOHN:" "You're on 40% commission." "I'm assured your recommendation will prevail." "Thank you, John." "[Boys choir singing]" "[Boys choir singing]" "[Humming to music]" "RUSHMAN:" "My hand!" "[Crash]" "Oh, shit." "Hey." "Mr." "Vail." "Hey." "Mr." "Vail." "MARTIN:" "How you doing?" "[Woman singing in Spanish]" "JOEY:" "Buena." "Nice tune." "Dame dos tequilas para aqui." "WOMAN:" "OK, mi hijito." "JOEY:" "What'd they say?" "MARTIN:" "Take it or leave it for a million-five." "From Shaughnessy himself." "What do you think?" "We should take it... unless you wanna spend two years in appellate court." "Fuck that." "Close it." "Done." "JOEY:" "Gracias." "OK." "MARTIN:" "Gracias." "Salud." "MARTIN:" "Salud." "Mia?" "Your shot." "MARTIN:" "There's one more little thing." "They want you to, uh, leave the state." "They want you to disappear." "Disappear?" "That's good." "Same bullshit, right?" "What are you talking about?" "Ah." "I keep getting these offers from these guys, Marty." "MARTIN:" "What offers?" "A couple of months ago, a cop walks in." "He says, "You testify against Alderman Martinez..." ""and we'll owe you, Joey."" "Say he did you favors, say he's on your payroll... shit like that, right?" "I tell him to fuck himself." "Why?" "Because Martinez is a good man." "He's the only one holding out... while the others try to turn South River... into high-rent condos." "MARTIN:" "Why didn't you tell me before?" "Why?" "Because this happens every day." "I didn't think it had anything to do with this." "MARTIN:" "Oh, you don't?" "I've spent a lot of money here." "They've spent a lot more." "These people depend on me." "I don't give a shit." "Send them checks from California." "Chucho, hazme favor." "Saca mi cd." "JOEY:" "I respect your advice, but I can't take it." "I'll take the money, but I ain't going anywhere." "MARTIN:" "I don't like it." "JOEY:" "Chucho, dame." "What are they gonna do, kill me?" "MARTIN:" "They tried once." "How are they going to kill a man who never sleeps?" "Get the money." "You're too much." "JOEY:" "Hey." "That song you like--fourth cut." "MARTIN:" "Very nice, thank you." "JOEY:" "Yeah." "[Siren]" "STENNER:" "We got enough fucking cops here?" "Police will have their hands full." "WOMAN:" "Captain Stenner, can you tell us anything?" "STENNER:" "I don't know anything." "I just got here." "MAN:" "What's going on?" "STENNER:" "I haven't seen anything yet." "I'll go inside, come out and tell you." "[Stenner coughs]" "HARVEY:" "You should be home in bed, Abel." "It's going around." "STENNER:" "I'll consider that, Harvey." "[Train horn]" "STENNER:" "Christ." "HARVEY:" "What a mess, huh?" "[Panting]" "[Train horn]" "WEIL:" "Sam, you got all you need?" "Gently roll him over." "OFFICER:" "Police!" "Stop!" "WEIL:" "Right thumb and forefinger severed." "The symbol "B32.156" is carved into the chest." "WEIL:" "Body temperature still warm." "DETECTIVE:" "We got one on the run." "[Train horn]" "TV:" "A passing train has separated the suspect..." "MARTIN:" "You want to know what I hate?" "I hate when they go on about what big whores... the defense attorneys are." "We're the bad guys." "Because we're sitting next to some creep... we start to look creepy." "Plus, they assume they're guilty... and we know or something." "You don't know." "You don't ask, you don't care." "You do the goddamn job." "It's not like they're your friends." "Some are your friends, but..." "[Helicopter overhead]" "JACK:" "Why'd you leave the state's attorney's office?" "MARTIN:" "Dead-end job." "You either run for office, or you end up a judge." "Why become an umpire when you can play ball?" "TV: ...into the area around Saint Michael's... and the archbishop's mansion." "[Train horn blares]" "Over here!" "He's over here!" "TV:" "We will stay with this shocking story... as it continues to unfold throughout the day." "What we do know... is that at approximately 11:08 this morning..." "When did you know you had them?" "What?" "Sorry." "During the Pinero trial, when did you say, "l've got them"?" "The day I took the case." "Excuse me." "TV:" "The shocking murder this morning... of one of Chicago's most beloved figures..." "Archbishop Richard Rushman... has left the city numb." "We have Andy live." "ANDY:" "Chicago police have arrested a 19-year-old man... tentatively identified as Aaron Stampler." "According to Captain Abel Stenner..." "We have to reschedule." "Call my office." "I'm sorry." "[Telephone rings]" "[Ring]" "Law offices of Martin Vail." "MARTIN:" "You got the news on?" "We're watching it." "Call Sullivan in Judge Trotter's office." "Find out where they took him and call me at the Alibi." "A lot of guys will want this one." "The police have taken the first steps... acting with speed and determination." "[Alarm chirps]" "MAN:" "Are you taking the Stampler case?" "MARTIN:" "I'm sorry." "I can't talk about anything now." "Thank you very much." "WOMAN:" "When will you talk?" "MARTIN:" "State's attorney left yet?" "MAN:" "Yeah." "Yancy, no less." "P.D.?" "Come and gone." "MAN:" "Lockup!" "MARTIN:" "Give my best to your brother." "MAN:" "Yeah, sure." "I'd like to see him alone." "All right." "I'll have to lock you in." "Understood." "You know who I am?" "Well...no." "No, sir." "No, I don't." "My name is Martin Vail." "I'm what you call a, um, big-shot attorney." "Oh, I don't-- I don't have no money." "I didn't think you did." "I'm willing to take your case pro bono... which means you get my expertise and hard work for free." "Or you could get the $40,000-a-year... court-appointed public defender who will almost certainly... escort you personally to death row." "Your choice." "No." "N-no, sir." "I would be gr-grateful for anything you could do." "You're welcome." "Ahem." "Now, your full name is?" "AARON:" "What?" "Oh." "Aaron Luke Stamp" "St-Stampler." "Stampler." "You from Kentucky, Aaron?" "AARON:" "Yes, sir." "I'm from Creekside." "Does it say that there?" "MARTIN:" "How long you been here in Chicago?" "Well, two years next month, I think." "MARTIN:" "You ever been arrested?" "No." "No, sir." "MARTIN:" "How do you know the archbishop?" "Well, um..." "I was begging on the street up on Wacker Drive." "[Clears throat]" "Bishop Rushman came by in his Cadillac." "He s-saw me, and he stopped." "He took me into Savior House." "I work as an altar boy." "I--I sing in his choir." "How long were you there-- Savior House?" "AARON:" "Year, year and a half." "You're supposed to leave when you're 18, but... but Bishop Rushman let--Iet me stay on... way past my 19th birthday." "That was nice of him." "Yes." "Yes, it was." "Aaron, did you have any reason to dislike the archbishop?" "Aaron, did you have any reason to dislike the archbishop?" "Dislike him?" "No." "No, sir." "He was..." "He was like a father to me." "Yeah, but you..." "How do I say this?" "Were you in the room when he was murdered?" "How can you explain that?" "There was someone else in that room, Mr. Vail." "A third person?" "Yes, sir." "MARTIN:" "Did you tell the police?" "Yes, I did, but they didn't believe me." "You tell me now." "I was--I was returning a book to Bishop Rushman's library." "I heard noise, so I went back into his-- in his bedroom." "Bishop--Bishop Rushman was laying on the floor." "There--there was blood all over everything." "Then I seen a shadow." "I seen a person..." "Ieaning over Bishop Rushman." "It looked up, then came at me, and that's when... when I lost the time." "What does that mean, "lost time"?" "I--I bla-bla--I blacked out." "It just-- It happens to me sometimes." "I just--I have..." "Spells." "Sp--I have spells." "I lose time." "I can't..." "I can't remember nothing." "Why did you run from the police if you did nothing wrong?" "Well, when..." "When I woke up, I was-- I was covered in blood." "I didn't know what to do." "I got scared." "I heard sirens, so I ran." "I know how it looks, but I swear" "I don't need you to convince me." "Just answer my questions." "But I didn't do this." "You gotta believe me." "MARTIN:" "I don't have to believe you." "I don't care." "I'm your attorney, which means I am your mother... father, best friend, and priest." "In other words, talk only to me from now on." "Not the cops, press, other guys in the cells... nobody without my permission, understand?" "Yeah?" "Yes, I do." "MARTIN:" "All right." "Now the important stuff." "What's your suit size?" "My--my what?" "Suit size." "About a 38?" "Uh..." "How would I know?" "I don't know." "About a 38-long." "TV:" "Stampler was flushed by the police... from his hiding place behind the cathedral." "The police chased him through the train yard... almost losing him as he scrambled over tracks... before an oncoming train, separating him from the police." "Prominent local criminal defense attorney Martin Vail... is believed to have visited Stampler" "After a brief chase across the rail yard... behind Saint Michael's Cathedral..." "Stampler was apprehended in a hole beneath train tracks." "REPORTER:" "Are you defending this man?" "MARTIN:" "I'm sorry." "I can't" "Thank you very much." "Thank you." "Thank you very much." "We've taken the first step in the process." "I can now take your questions." "MAN:" "Can you tell us anything about the altar boy group... that Aaron Stampler was part of?" "JOHN:" "Not much at this time." "WOMAN:" "Do you suspect other altar boys?" "JOHN:" "We suspect no one but Stampler." "He had access to the archbishop's quarters." "He was caught fleeing Saint Michael's." "Aaron Stampler was chased under McCormick place." "[Telephone rings]" "naomi:" "Law office of Martin Vail." "He'll call as soon as he gets in." "I talked to him." "OK." "Bye." "Naomi!" "Yeah." "MARTIN:" "Sorry I'm late." "We have a new client." "naomi:" "I was afraid you'd say that." "Who?" "They're calling him the butcher boy of Saint Mike's." "MARTIN:" "I like that." "naomi:" "Good." "You'll hear it a lot." "TOMMY:" "This kid who chopped up the archbishop?" "MARTIN:" "Tommy, you've got to use the word "allegedly"... especially if you want to be a lawyer." "He admits he was in the room when the killing occurred... but he didn't actually see it happen." "He was returning a book to the archbishop." "He heard loud noises in the bedroom." "He went in." "He sees a figure... someone in the shadows kneeling over the body." "He blacks out." "Next thing he knows... sirens are screaming, he's covered in blood." "The cops find him in a train tunnel." "He's got the archbishop's ring in his pocket." "TOMMY:" "He stole it?" "I didn't say that." "It was in his pocket." "Is that it?" "Yup." "That's, um..." "That's bullshit." "That's the worst bullshit story I've ever heard." "Now it's our bullshit story." "Let's get to work." "The name of the game is motive... as in, the prosecution doesn't have one." "We need to prove... someone else could have committed the crime... then we can establish reasonable doubt." "I wanna know everything I can about this guy." "We go to database, Hall of Records, IRS files... even his so-called charities." "So-called?" "The guy was a priest." "Naomi, write this down" "B32.156." "That was carved into the archbishop's chest." "Allegedly." "No." "That was a fact, but I appreciate the effort." "Thanks." "I also need case histories on murder by stabbing... murder by mutilation, murder by religion." "Also, I'm gonna need a psychiatrist." "naomi:" "You're telling me." "MARTIN:" "Not the kind that lives in a witness box." "I need a real one." "And someone who knows about amnesia." "What does he look like in person?" "The butcher boy?" "Like a boy scout." "A boy scout..." "with a merit badge in carving." "YANCY:" "The archbishop was a friend of Mr. Shaughnessy's." "He asked me who was my best man." "I said you." "JANET:" "Thank you." "I trust if I am to prosecute this case..." "I'll be given the authority requisite to this assignment." "JOHN:" "You're the one trying the case." "Let's establish one thing at the outset." "I want the death penalty." "JANET:" "I'd like to go over the case... before we make a determination about the death penalty." "JOHN:" "I'm open to anything you say... but in my mind, there's no debate." "Did he say anything, the boy they picked up?" "Yeah--he didn't do it." "YANCY:" "It's a slam dunk, Janet." "JANET:" "Excuse me." "I appreciate your faith in me... and I don't mean to be argumentative" "YANCY:" "That's what we pay you for." "If it's so open and shut, you don't need me." "The P.D. will plead no contest and seek the court's mercy." "There's not a public defender." "He's got a lawyer?" "Already?" "Who?" "I'm Martin Vail." "I'm defending Aaron Stampler." "I need to inspect the murder site." "The butcher boy, huh?" "Thank you." "Yes." "I forgot his real name." "JANET:" "What's the matter, Marty, lost your faith?" "Looking for a little religion?" "Which one of us is the true headline chaser?" "Unlike you, I was assigned to this case." "Think you're up to it?" "Sell the book rights yet, or are you waiting?" "Want to see some pictures?" "Come on." "They're kind of cute." "You'll agree they clearly show the heinous nature of the crime." "MARTIN:" "A small piece of advice-- don't use the word "heinous" in court." "Half the jury won't understand it." "One small piece of advice" "I'm not sitting second chair to you anymore." "In case you hadn't noticed, I graduated." "I had no reason to leave." "You had every reason to leave." "How can you still work for them?" "You really expect me to trot out after you, Marty?" "Quit just because you did?" "I don't need a Mercedes." "I don't need to see my face on the evening news." "You knew I was coming here, didn't you?" "You knew I would defend him." "You asked Shaughnessy for this." "Oh, please..." "What's the matter, you nervous?" "Been a while since you rubbed up against a woman with a brain?" "What's the matter?" "You tired, haven't been sleeping well?" "You're the one with the score to settle." "I sleep great at night." "[Door closes]" "[Door release buzzer]" "MARTIN:" "Thanks." "MARTIN:" "Hey." "Where is he?" "OFFICER:" "Over here." "MARTIN:" "We'll be sitting at a table with my associates." "Once the charges are read, the judge'll ask how you plead." "Not--not guilty." "No." "But I'm not guilty, Mr. Vail." "MARTIN:" "It doesn't matter." "Keep your mouth shut." "Don't say anything." "AARON:" "You're going to say I'm not guilty?" "I'll say whatever I say." "Don't worry." "But, Mr. Vail" "This can't go on in court, so get used to it now." "I speak." "You do not speak." "Your job is to sit there and look innocent." "I am innocent." "That's it!" "That's exactly how you should look." "That's exactly it." "Can you remember that?" "That's the look." "AARON:" "This is how I always look." "MARTIN:" "Then you're way ahead of the game already." "Don't smile." "Don't..." "[Reporters shouting questions]" "WOMAN:" "Can we have a statement?" "MARTIN:" "No." "We're gonna find out what happened." "MAN:" "What about public pressure?" "MARTIN:" "The only pressure is to find the truth." "MAN:" "Was the archbishop's blood on him?" "MARTIN:" "You've been talking to the police." "They usually get everything wrong." "WOMAN:" "How do you explain his blood-soaked clothing?" "MARTIN:" "Currently, I'm not explaining anything." "I've only recently been retained." "Significant facts are in dispute and continue to be in dispute." "MAN:" "You're a master at putting the victim on trial." "That will be difficult in this case." "MARTIN:" "A victim is my client." "We have two victims here, no suspects." "Thank you." "Thank you." "JOHN:" "I don't think there'll be any question about the verdict." "All rise." "JUDGE:" "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen." "Bailiff?" "BAILIFF:" "State vs. Aaron Stampler." "Sit down." "Is everyone here?" "BAILIFF:" "Yes, Your Honor." "JUDGE:" "Madam prosecutor?" "The state charges Aaron Stampler with murder in the first degree." "How does your client plead, counselor?" "I need time to make a complete psychiatric evaluation... before any charges are brought." "JANET:" "We have more than enough evidence for the allegations." "I agree." "Motion denied." "Mr. Stampler... do you understand the charges?" "AARON:" "Yes." "I direct my client not to answer... because his response may tend to incriminate him." "He's taking the fifth on whether he understands the charges?" "Yes, Your Honor." "Until a psychological evaluation... he'll be taking the fifth on all questions posed." "The State vs. Appleby..." "if you'll review our precedent." "Thank you." "Nah, I can't do that." "Nah." "What do you want?" "TOMMY:" "I'm looking for the room Aaron Stampler stayed in." "You the police?" "I'm his uncle." "[Train passes by]" "Unh!" "Aah!" "Aah!" "Aah!" "MARTIN:" "Thanks." "AARON:" "Well, hey." "This--this is Alex's." "Who's Alex?" "He's one of the other altar boys." "An altar boy?" "An altar boy was wearing this?" "Well, not--not at Mass." "MARTIN:" "This altar boy attacked a colleague of mine." "He hurt him pretty bad." "What was he doing in your room?" "My room?" "Yeah." "I--I can't..." "I can't--I don't know." "I mean, I don't." "Know where to find him?" "AARON:" "Who?" "Alex?" "Uh-huh." "AARON:" "I don't know where he is." "Who's Linda?" "Lin-Linda?" "She your girlfriend?" "Where is she?" "I'd like to talk to her." "AARON:" "I don't know where she is." "Why do I feel you're not telling me something?" "AARON:" "I'm telling the truth." "I don't think so." "Are you surprised that Alex attacked my friend?" "No." "No, I mean, he has a temper." "Yeah." "I'd say so." "You think it could be Alex... who was that figure you saw at the archbishop's room?" "I c--Alex?" "I couldn't be sure." "But it could be him?" "I don't--I don't know." "The state wants you dead." "Help me, or that's what they'll get." "I" "I'm trying." "I can't--can't remember." "I don't understand." "Why would Alex do such a thing?" "For his own reasons." "Maybe someone hired him." "H-hired by who?" "I don't know." "Forget the whole thing." "Do you think he's capable of doing it?" "I--I don't know." "He..." "I don't know who's capable of such a thing." "MARTIN:" "Oh, thanks." "ARRINGTON:" "Sure." "He claims someone else was in the room... and that he can't remember." "You want me to look into this amnesia question... and see what he actually knows?" "Yeah." "What if he knows he did it?" "The major causes of amnesia are... substance abuse, seizures, head injuries, and malingering." "I think the kid's telling the truth." "OK." "Then let's get something straight." "I'm more than happy to analyze him." "In fact, I'm looking forward to it." "But I won't just validate a story, understood?" "You do your job, I do mine." "Yadda, yadda." "ARRINGTON:" "That's right." "If I think it's necessary..." "I'd want to get an mri, EEG, and neuropsych testing, agreed?" "MARTIN:" "Yes, Doctor." "Good night, Doctor." "ARRINGTON:" "I'll be recording our meetings for Mr. Vail... so what we talk about isn't as confidential... as if you were consulting with a doctor for help." "He may call me as a witness... so if you have questions, ask while he's here." "N-no." "No, ma'am." "I understand." "Good." "I think we'll be fine." "See you later." "OK." "Bye." "ARRINGTON:" "Was there a period of time... surrounding the archbishop's death... that you don't remember?" "AARON:" "Yeah--yes." "I lo--Iost the time." "I mean--I mean, I b-blacked out." "Have you had these blackouts before?" "AARON:" "Yes." "Yes, I have." "When's the first time you remember them happening?" "Um..." "They st-st-started when I was about 12." "Were your parents aware of what was happening?" "N-no." "No." "My--my...my mother was dead." "ARRINGTON:" "And your father?" "Mm-mmm." "No." "No." "No." "He was not--not a nice man." "Did you seek treatment?" "Did I what?" "Uh, did you see a doctor for them?" "Oh." "No." "No." "You don't see a doctor in Creekside..." "You don't see a doctor in Creekside... unless your leg's broke." "[Arrington laughs]" "MARTIN:" "Hey." "Can I talk to you?" "JANET:" "Talk." "MARTIN:" "Excuse us." "I'll bring her right back." "JANET:" "How dare you." "Am I some chess piece to move around?" "I was having lunch." "When are we getting all the discovery?" "What do you want, Marty?" "MARTIN:" "To know when we're getting discovery." "I've got motions to file." "JANET:" "No, you don't." "You're looking to make a deal." "I have no authority to deal." "I haven't discussed this with my client." "If we needed to deal, I have all the authority I want." "Bullshit." "Shaughnessy wants the whole shot... and he's using you to get it." "Anybody in your position would deal this down... to murder with no death penalty." "My position?" "We have a fucking great case." "Great case?" "Lack of prior record, no eyewitness... no confession, no motive." "Hard evidence." "I assume this means you're not going with insanity... which is a shame." "My shrinks would have torn him apart." "By the way, pleading the fifth on the charges was brilliant." "It was good, wasn't it?" "Yeah." "I liked it." "You lose this case... you take the fall, not Shaughnessy." "Talk to me." "JANET:" "We're going to trial." "It only takes one... just one juror that doesn't believe he did it." "One juror looks into that face" "I got to admit, that face is great." "Are you prepping him to take the stand?" "That stutter-- it's p-p-priceless." "Oh, Marty... don't tell me you think he didn't do it." "Has little Aaron Stampler gotten to you?" "We're not just talking jail." "It's about ending someone's life." "If you're wrong and do this for Shaughnessy... can you live with it?" "I'll live." "See you in court." "MARTIN:" "We stipulate that murder was done here." "Therefore, these photographs have no probative value." "JANET:" "This is a case of mutilation and torture." "The only reason the prosecution... wants to show these pictures is shock appeal." "JANET:" "That's not true." "They identify the heinous nature of the crime... and they connect the defendant to the crime scene." "Prejudicial." "I beg to differ." "MARTIN:" "Beg all you want." "JUDGE:" "Counsel, please." "The photographs are in." "Would you two like a recess to carry on in private?" "Sorry, Your Honor, but the next thing you know... he'll be objecting if we bring in the murder weapon." "Now that she brings it up..." "MARTIN:" "This is a public building." "Excuse me, Mr. Vail... would you sign this for me?" "ARRINGTON:" "Tell me about Linda, your girlfriend." "Y-yes." "Yes, she was." "How'd you meet?" "Uh, we was both at the Savior House." "I was an altar boy." "She--she was doing work for Bishop Rushman." "What was the relationship like?" "AARON:" "M-me and Linda?" "Mm-hmm." "She was real cultural." "Real cultural and very smart." "We--we had a nice time together." "W-we might get married." "Were you sleeping together?" "Well, that's private." "ARRINGTON:" "I know." "I have to ask the question." "Were you having a sexual relationship?" "Y-yes." "Yes, we were." "ARRINGTON:" "Were you sleeping with anyone else at the time?" "No." "Was she?" "Has she been to see you, Aaron?" "Well--well, no, but" "ARRINGTON:" "And that upsets you?" "AARON:" "No." "No, thing is, she--she went away." "She went away for a while." "She left b-before this happened." "I don't even think... don't even think she knows about it." "[Alarm chirps]" "[Telephone rings]" "Yo, boss." "Hey." "Got something for me?" "Yeah." "naomi:" "There's nothing catalogued at downtown branch... under the numbers B32.156... but I think the "B" is actually an 8." "I think the knife slipped." "832.156." ""Thomas Jefferson"?" "I don't think he did it." "You won't be much happier with this-- a list of the archbishop's charities... and his foundation's investments." "Nothing startling here, except for how many there are." "Wait a minute here." "What was he doing with the South River deal?" "Pull that up." "Who are the investors?" "Shaughnessy?" "That's Joey Pinero's neighborhood." "JOEY:" "See this lot here?" "This all used to be houses." "In fact, there was a house over on the corner... where I kissed my first girlfriend." "Got her pregnant, too." "MARTIN:" "Hell of a kiss, Joey." "JOEY:" "Oh, yeah." "This whole neighborhood's gonna end up high-rent condos... if those guys get their way." "That's why I'm buying back the lot with the settlement." "You heard about that, right?" "The money?" "ALDERMAN:" "Who hasn't?" "JOEY:" "Marty's the best." "MARTIN:" "Just doing my job." "JOEY:" "Yeah." "A million-five, he's just doing his job." "MARTIN:" "Alderman, Joey tells me a cop came around... wanting him to set you up." "ALDERMAN:" "It's typical." "Can't buy me, so they try and buy a brother." "Most people assume this land we're walking on... belongs to the railroad, but it doesn't." "It belongs to the church." "The church?" "Mm-hmm." "So that's the Rushman Foundation?" "ALDERMAN:" "Right, along with a bunch of rich developers." "Including John Shaughnessy?" "ALDERMAN:" "Oh, yeah." "Then they got greedy, buying up all the land... and old buildings around the church property... then tearing it down." "Our old neighborhood was gonna to disappear." "So I asked the archbishop..." ""What are you doing to these people?" ""They're poor." ""They're getting kicked out of their homes..." ""and they're Catholic."" "JOEY:" "Fuckin'" "A." "ALDERMAN:" "He listened." "I couldn't believe it." "He told them to stop developing around the church property." "MARTIN:" "So the partners are holding these empty buildings... they can't knock down and land they can't build on." "Shaughnessy loses millions." "ALDERMAN:" "Mm-hmm." "MARTIN:" "If I need you to, will you testify?" "JOEY:" "Who, me?" "Oh, yeah." "Easy." "Just change out of this, put on a Brooks Brothers... with loafers and tassels, you bet." "MARTIN:" "Not--not you." "ALDERMAN:" "Sure." "I'll testify." "SHAUGHNESSY:" "You know what people think-- think this great city runs itself." "It gets up, goes to work... and climbs into bed at night like we do." "They're unaware of what it takes to see it doesn't break down-- crime, fires, riots... the goddamn water pipes bursting under the city." "What a fucking mess that was." "Who does the water commissioner call... the contractor who built it?" "No." "He calls me." "They all call me." "God damn, this is terrific." "They call me, because I keep the peace." "That's my job." "This city doesn't burn because I won't permit it." "I'm the great negotiator." "You think people get that?" "Truth is, I don't care." "Dumb bastards don't even vote." "All they want to do is eat, sleep, watch TV... and occasionally fuck their wives." "MARTIN:" "Guess we should all thank you." "SHAUGHNESSY:" "Ha." "You're welcome." "John, you need some new material." "I've heard this great city speech 10 times." "Your boy Pinero's not honoring his side of the deal." "Is that what this dinner's about?" "Pinero?" "In part." "MARTIN:" "I told him what the deal is." "He's a grownup." "What's the other part?" "I understand your assistant's been digging around... in the archbishop's financial affairs." "Yeah." "Well..." "How much did you lose... when he pulled the plug from South River, John?" "Let me tell you something." "It's a mistake to stick your thumb... in the eyes of the most powerful people in the city." "MARTIN:" "It's not their eyes I'm aiming for." "Do not fuck with me, Marty." "Pipes are bursting again, John." "ECKERT:" "ln the most anticipated murder trial... in recent Chicago history... former State's Attorney prosecutor Martin Vail... will lead with his opening statement... on behalf of Aaron Stampler..." "JANET:" "Richard Rushman was a man of God." "He spent his life giving to the people of Chicago." "He was a beacon of inspiration... not only as a spiritual leader..." "YU: ..." "Deliver his opening statement tomorrow..." "MARTIN:" "My name is Martin Vail." "The reason I'm here, and you're here... is to make sure that the truth is known." "Now, we can begin to learn the truth... by talking about what the prosecution... does not want you to hear." "JANET:" "Do not be fooled... by the defendant's innocent appearance and demeanor." "Aaron Stampler... sat in judgment of Archbishop Rushman... and determined that not only should he die... but he should die the most brutal..." "MARTIN:" "Aaron was arrested within minutes... of the Archbishop's death." "We all saw it on television." "But why?" "Because he was convenient." "Because there was enormous pressure to solve this crime." "JANET:" "The evidence will show that Aaron Stampler... stalked, ambushed, and savagely murdered this great man." "MARTIN:" "The prosecution doesn't want you to hear... about the other altar boys in the choir... who have mysteriously disappeared." "JANET:" "You will learn that Aaron Stampler... had everything he needed for the perfect assassination." "Using this knife..." "Aaron Stampler repeatedly stabbed... at the archbishop's chest... his genitals, his eyes." "MARTIN:" "They don't want you to hear... that the archbishop made investments... on behalf of the Roman Catholic church... and that those investments resulted in huge losses... for some very, very powerful people." "They don't want you to hear about... the 20 death threats this year alone... that the archbishop received prior to death." "And they really don't want you to hear... about their theory of motive." "And why is that?" "Very simple." "They don't have one." "JANET:" "Inspector Woodside, can you explain to the court... where these sneakers came from?" "WOODSIDE:" "They were taken off the defendant... when he was apprehended." "JANET:" "And what was the result of the bloodstain analysis?" "WOODSIDE:" "The result proved to be human blood... matching the blood type and DNA characteristics... of Archbishop Rushman." "JANET:" "What do the footprints surrounding the body say?" "The killer left a pattern of bloody footprints... around the area of the struggle... as indicated by the spread of blood through the room." "MARTIN:" "Yes or no, lnspector-- could there have been a third person there?" "WOODSIDE:" "There is no evidence to suggest that." "But there's no evidence to prove there wasn't." "No." "And after the struggle, what happened then?" "WOODSIDE:" "Analysis suggests the killer was startled... during the mutilation... and ran downstairs from the bedroom." "Is it possible, lnspector... that the real killer-- a third person-- who maybe was smart enough... not to tramp a freeway of blood through the place... couldn't this person have placed the defendant's prints... on the knife while he was passed out?" "Mr. Vail, anything is possible." "JANET:" "So, the victim suffered a great number of stab wounds?" "WEIL:" "Yes, he did--78." "He tried to defend himself." "That explains the cuts to hands and forearms." "Doctor, isn't it a fact that you can't be sure... whether more than one person inflicted... these 78 stab and incise wounds?" "WEIL:" "It could've been more than one, but I doubt it." "From your analysis of the knife wounds, Dr. Weil... do you have an opinion whether the killer... was left or right-handed?" "WEIL:" "The throat wound and chest wounds... were made from an angle that strongly suggests... a left-handed person was using the knife." "To your knowledge, is the defendant left-handed?" "Yes, he is." "It's possible that a right-handed person... could've deliberately used his left hand... to inflict these wounds." "Yes, that is possible." "Then it would be reasonable to assume... that there was a third person at the crime scene?" "Reasonable, no, but it is possible." "ANCHOR:" "Then following opening statements... it was a day of strong and detailed testimony... from the prosecution's first witnesses" "Cook County Forensics Chief Harvey Woodside... and Cook County Medical Examiner Emil Weil." "There was also tough cross-examination... by Stampler defense attorney Martin Vail." "By most accounts, though, the prosecution..." "JANET:" "Captain Stenner, I'd like to thank you... for all the time you've given us today." "Finally, I would like to turn your attention... to the symbol carved in the archbishop's chest." "Would you tell the jury about that, Captain?" "STENNER:" "Yes." "The letter and the numbers B32.156... were carved into the archbishop's chest." "JANET:" "Have you been able to find an identical reference?" "I believe so, yes." "The symbol--B32.156-- is actually catalog code for a book... discovered in a private reading room..." "located in the church basement." "The B32 part refers to a book" "The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne." "When we opened the book to page 156... we discovered an underlined passage." "JANET:" "Would you please read this underlined passage... to the court?" ""No man, for any considerable period..." ""can wear one face to himself..." ""and another to the multitude..." ""without finally getting bewildered..." ""as to which may be the true."" "Thank you." "What does that passage mean to you, Captain?" "MARTIN:" "Objection." "He's a policeman, not an English professor." "His interpretation would be speculative and irrelevant." "She didn't ask for an expert opinion." "The witness can answer." "Well, to me, it's simple." "The killer thought his victim was two-faced." "Dishonest at something." "JANET:" "ln your experience, Captain... do killers ever intentionally leave clues to their motive?" "CAPTAIN:" "Not often, but it happens." "MARTIN:" "Thanks." "Thanks." "Yeah, sure." "Did you underline that book?" "Did I what?" "Did you underline that book?" "No, Mr. Vail." "No?" "I never even opened The Scarlet Letter." "I don't--don't like Hawthorne." "I tried to read that one about the house with seven somethings." "I couldn't get past page ten." "I weren't the only one using Bishop Rushman's library." "Everybody borrowed books from Bishop Rushman." "He encouraged it." "Altar boys and staff-- everyone was in there." "MARTIN:" "Guard?" "Thanks." "MARTIN:" "You don't give up, do you?" "JACK:" "So, you didn't know anything about Hawthorne?" "No." "What about the impact" "MARTIN:" "Look, I can't talk now." "My office will call you." "Thanks." "I'll see you." "Bye." "Bye." "What the fuck happened in there?" "I guess that eight was a "B" after all." "MARTIN:" "Think this is funny?" "We're losing this case." "Tommy, how could you have missed that?" "TOMMY:" "There's 50 of them, plus the entire police department." "How was I to know he had a private reading room?" "It's your job." "Want my job?" "I want you to do your fucking job!" "I'm working on a third man defense." "Have you figured that out yet?" "I don't have a third man." "You know why?" "'Cause you can't fucking find him !" "Is it that hard to find one indigent kid?" "naomi:" "Maybe we already got the kid who did this." "We have to at least consider the possibility." "All the hard evidence points towards him... and you keep refusing to even look at it." "I'm not refusing to look at anything!" "I don't think he did it!" "Look, you two... we're up in two days, and we got dick!" "So do your goddamn jobs!" "TOMMY:" "Fuck!" "It must've been hard for you to come here to Chicago." "Didn't know anybody." "No." "Nobody." "Didn't have any money?" "AARON:" "No." "Nothing." "ARRINGTON:" "I want to talk more about your girlfriend Linda now." "Can we, Aaron?" "AARON:" "No." "Why not?" "[Beep]" "Aaron?" "[Beep]" "AARON:" "I'm sor-sor--I'm sorry." "Do--do you think we could do this later?" "No, let's stay with this." "I'm just feeling-- a litt-little tired." "Why does talking about Linda Forbes upset you?" "It, uh, doe--it doesn't." "I just don't-- don't want to talk about it right now." "Why not?" "Are you all right?" "No." "My head hurts." "[Beep beep beep]" "OK, OK, I'm sorry." "Let me just fix this." "Hey, you know what I can do with this thing?" "Now, how the fuck should I know?" "Jesus Christ." "Aaron." "What?" "Wh-what was you saying?" "MAN:" "Come on." "[Alarm chirps]" "[Brakes screech]" "ALEX:" "Stop him !" "ALEX:" "What do you want?" "I'll kill you!" "TOMMY:" "I don't think so, Alex." "Drop it." "Drop it." "TOMMY:" "Remember me, huh?" "My name is Martin Vail." "ALEX:" "I don't give a fuck!" "You got no right doing this!" "I have every fucking right!" "I'm Aaron Stampler's attorney, you little shit!" "Now!" "What do you know about the archbishop's murder?" "Nothing." "Where the fuck you think you're going?" "No more shit." "Don't fuck with us." "ALEX:" "I swear, I know nothing!" "Then what were you doing at Aaron's house?" "What were you looking for?" "A tape." "MARTIN:" "A tape?" "Videotape?" "Yeah." "MARTIN:" "Of what?" "Sex stuff." "MARTIN:" "Sex stuff?" "What, do I have to draw a picture for you?" "MARTIN:" "Who?" "Who?" "!" "ALEX:" "Me, Linda." "And Aaron?" "Yeah." "He shot it, too-- for the archbishop." "MARTIN:" "Are you telling me that Archbishop Rushman... is involved with sex stuff?" "ALEX:" "Yeah." "He called it "purging the devil."" "He'd say a sermon for ten minutes... and then he'd tell us what to do." "I don't give a fuck what you believe!" "MARTIN:" "Hey, hey, hey... what were you going to do with the tape?" "ALEX:" "Trash it!" "I was going to throw it away." "Just one?" "One tape?" "ALEX:" "He'd use the same one, keep recording over and over." "MARTIN:" "What made you think Aaron had it?" "ALEX:" "I thought he got it, went back, and killed him." "He did kill him, right?" "No, he didn't." "Where's this girl?" "Where's Linda?" "She freaked out!" "She panicked." "She split." "I'm not expecting any postcards." "Look at me." "Look at me." "Get him the fuck out of here, Tommy." "ALEX:" "What?" "Where to?" "TOMMY:" "Warm bunk and three meals a day." "ALEX:" "You can't arrest me." "You're not a cop!" "TOMMY:" "I used to be." "That work for you?" "Shit." "OFFICER:" "Hey, look who's here." "MARTIN:" "Don't get up." "That's a good article." "OFFICER:" "You know the rules." "Don't disturb anything." "Don't remove anything." "If you do, it's my ass." "MARTIN:" "Yeah, mine, too." "I won't touch anything." "[Videotape rewinding]" "Excuse me." "Then preach the gospel to every" "MARTIN:" "Hello." "What are you guys watching?" "Wait a minute." "RUSHMAN:" "Alex, go to her." "Good." "Now help her." "That's it, Aaron." "Good." "Linda, help out." "Good." "Take off her blouse, Aaron." "That's it." "Now, help him, Linda." "Isn't that sweet, Linda?" "Good." "That's it." "Now take him in your mouth." "TOMMY:" "Heeere's motive." "RUSHMAN:" "Aaron, take her from behind." "Aaron, take her from behind!" "MARTIN:" "Jesus Christ." "[Buzzer]" "Thanks." "MARTIN:" "I need to talk to him alone." "ARRINGTON:" "There's something" "I need to be alone with my client." "Do you trust me?" "Do--Yes." "Yes." "Of course I do." "Good, because I don't trust you." "I'll lay it all out for you." "I'm losing this case." "You know why I'm losing this case?" "'Cause my fucking client is fucking lying to me." "I nev-nev-never" "That's bullshit!" "That's it." "No more bullshit." "No more games." "Everybody thinks you did this!" "Everybody!" "I'm the only one who believes you, and I am that close!" "So I want it all out-- all of it, right here." "Did you underline that book?" "Hey, hey!" "Look at me." "Did you underline that book?" "N-n-no, I didn't." "I don't believe you." "That is bullshit!" "I told" "I don't fucking believe you!" "I saw the tape!" "I saw the tape." "I know what he did to you." "AARON:" "No, no, no!" "MARTIN:" "Don't fucking do this." "Tell me the truth." "You fucking killed him, didn't you?" "You're so full of shit!" "You did it, didn't you?" "Don't lie to me." "You little fuck!" "You killed him !" "You son of a bitch!" "You fucking killed him !" "AARON:" "No!" "What the hell you want from me now?" "Quit your cryin'!" "I can't understand a goddamn word!" "You little sissy!" "You make me sick!" "Well, lookie here." "Who the fuck are you?" "MARTIN:" "Who the fuck are you?" "This is my cell, Jack!" "Who the fuck are you?" "I got you now." "You're the lawyer." "You his lawyer, ain't you?" "Yeah, with your fancy suit." "I heard about you." "Well, my, my." "You sure fucked this one up, counselor!" "They're gonna shoot Aaron so full of poison... it's gonna come out his eyes!" "Where is Aaron?" "Aaron's cryin' off in some corner somewhere." "You scared him off." "You gotta deal with me now, boy." "I ought to give you a beatin' on principle!" "Look at me." "You come pulling' that tough-guy shit on Aaron again..." "I'll kick your fuckin' ass to Sunday!" "You understand me?" "I understand you." "MARTIN:" "Aaron gets in trouble, he calls you." "You're the man." "Aaron couldn't kick his own ass." "I mean, you seen him, with the "Duh-duh-duh."" "Jesus Christ." "He can't handle anything." "Sure as shit couldn't handle all that preacher's blood." "If he'd done like I told him, we wouldn't be in this mess!" "But he got scared and, "Duh."" "Ran off and got hisself caught." "Stupid little shit." "MARTIN:" "So Aaron did kill Rushman?" "Hell, no!" "Jesus Christ!" "Where'd they find you?" "Ain't you been listenin' to me?" "Aaron don't have the guts to do nothin'." "It was me, boy." "It was me." "It was you." "Yes, it was." "He come cryin' to me like always... stuttering' and whining'" ""l can-can't t-take it no more, Roy." ""You got--got to help me." ""Please--please, Roy."" "I said, "Shut your mouth, you little girl!" ""Grow up." "Be a man." "Take care of yourself."" "MARTIN:" "Be a man." "Yeah." "So your name is Roy?" "Oh, jeez, I'm sorry." "Yeah." "What is it, Marty?" "Yeah." "Listen, Marty, I'm dyin' for a smoke." "Do you have a cigarette on you?" "MARTIN:" "No." "I quit." "Fuck that." "I can't live without them." "There's gotta be a butt around somewhere." "Roy, tell me about-- about Linda." "Linda?" "Yeah." "Who the fuck cares about Linda?" "MARTIN:" "I care." "I'd like to know about Linda." "ROY:" "That little tramp." "Everybody had a piece of her." "She had Aaron wrapped up so tight... he actually thought she was his girlfriend." "It was pathetic." "She broke his heart." "So that's why you had to kill Rushman?" "Because of the sex stuff?" "You seen the tape." "Answer me, you son of a bitch!" "Do you think I'm playin' with you?" "I will break your fuckin' neck!" "I'll ask you again." "Have you seen that tape?" "MARTIN:" "Of course I saw the tape." "ROY:" "Goddamn it!" "I told him, "Get the tape!" "It's motive, you asshole!"" "This is gonna fuck everything up!" "Don't show that to a goddamn person!" "Do you understand me?" "Yes!" "Aaron!" "MARTIN:" "Damn it." "Mis" "Mr. Vail?" "Yeah." "I'm right here, Aaron." "[Sighs]" "MARTIN:" "He did it." "The little fuck did it." "How could I miss that?" "Am I going to need stitches?" "ARRINGTON:" "No." "He didn't do it." "Aaron has no idea what just happened in there." "Kept seeing all the signs-- big ones." "The abusive background, these repeated blackouts... the ellipsis in thought, he's ambidextrous." "I tried to tell you when you came in." "MARTIN:" "You may be thrilled, but I'm fucked." "I don't have a case." "It's textbook multiple personality disorder." "Put me on the stand." "I'll testify." "He's insane." "I can't" "I can't change plea in the middle of a trial." "The judge would never allow it." "Besides, insanity's the hardest thing to prove." "OK." "My professional opinion?" "This is not a criminal we're dealing with." "It's a sick kid." "He's sitting in a cell, and it's not where he belongs." "Got an aspirin?" "[Door buzzes]" "[Sighs]" "Come on, Connerman." "Ask it." "Ask what?" "The question you wanted to ask me before." "I--I don't understand, Mr. Vail." ""How can you defend someone if you know they did it?"" ""How can you do that?"" ""How can you fucking defend these fucking scumbags?"" "Isn't that what you wanted to ask me?" "All those coy questions, all that bullshit." "Bottom line is, "How can you do what you do?"" "[Sighs]" "You think it's the money, don't you?" "The money's nice." "The money's very, very nice." "The first thing I ask a new client is..." ""You been saving up for a rainy day?" ""Guess what?" "It's raining."" "You think it's because I want to see my face... on the cover of magazines?" "Fifteen seconds on TV?" "I love it." "I fucking love that shit." "I really do." "But guess what?" "That's not it." "You go to Las Vegas?" "JACK:" "Yeah." "I don't go to Vegas." "Why do you think I don't?" "JACK:" "Marty, it's late." "I think we should both" "Why gamble with money... when you can gamble with people's lives?" "That was a joke." "[Sighs]" "All right, I'll tell you." "I believe in the notion... that people are innocent until proven guilty." "I believe in that notion because I choose to believe... in the basic goodness of people." "I choose to believe that not all crimes... are committed by bad people... and I try to understand... that some very, very good people... do some very bad things." "You know, when I was working for Shaughnessy..." "I did something very, very bad." "I mean, illegal." "I was a prosecutor then." "This thing that I did, it was bad." "I was very upset by it." "Decided I had to leave, so I left." "I became a defending attorney-- irony being that everyone assumes I'm lying anyhow." "And I made myself this little promise-- that, um..." "I would reserve my lies for other than my public life." "You print any of this, I'll sue your fucking ass." "All right, so I made a little mistake." "naomi:" "No shit." "MARTIN:" "You want a new suit?" "I'll buy you a new suit." "TOMMY:" "Made a mistake?" "You told us the third man did it." "Now you got your third man." "And a fourth and a fifth." "naomi:" "What are you gonna do, Marty?" "MARTIN:" "I don't know." "I really fucked up here." "You were right." "naomi:" "So how are you gonna get him off?" "I don't know." "What I know is..." "Aaron did not commit first-degree murder." "TOMMY:" "He stabbed him a billion times." "MARTIN:" "Not Aaron." "To convict someone of a capital crime... the state must prove intent." "Roy had intent, Aaron didn't." "naomi:" "The only way to prove that is to change the plea... which we can't do mid-trial unless you want a career change." "MARTIN:" "I could have been mistaken, but I wasn't wrong." "Aaron is innocent." "It's Roy who is guilty." "TOMMY:" "This kid needs an exorcist, not a lawyer." "MARTIN:" "You're so full of shit." "You didn't see it!" "He's one sick motherfucking boy who's been fucked around... his whole life by his father, by his priest." "He does not deserve to die." "It's our job to make sure a jury believes that." "OK." "How do we do it?" "By somehow introducing this whole abuse thing." "The tape." "What about the tape?" "naomi:" "That's crazy." "That gives him motive." "MARTIN:" "It looks like that, but it's..." "No, actually, it turns this whole thing around." "It gives concrete documentation of what Rushman did to this kid." "But we can't put it in." "You know that." "But we're not going to." "Oh, fuck." "Ohhh..." "OK." "OK." "Good." "[Doorbell buzzes]" "ANCHOR: ..." "He also talks about there were several times... that things got stormy... and he would be the one that would call." "But they never recorded anything on this... and they have no record of violence..." "[Telephone rings]" "Yeah?" "What the hell are you doing?" "Who is this?" "JANET:" "You know damn well who." "Barleycorn's now." "Janet?" "Cute porno." "Part of your collection?" "JUKEBOX:" "Now that I know you..." "I've learned to love you..." "MARTIN:" "Hey." "Where'd you get it?" "Steal it from the crime scene?" "I know nothing about this tape." "You're such a liar." "If this tape has on it what you say... it gives you motive." "You had to." "You couldn't introduce it in court." "The jury would despise you for dishonoring the bishop." "But if you get me to show it... motive or no motive, I'm the one who looks bad... and you gain sympathy for your poor little abused boy." "You think so?" "I hate you." "Don't use it." "I have no intention of using it." "Usual, Stu." "You got it." "You're up to even more than that, aren't you?" "I'm not up to anything." "JANET:" "You think I'm walking through that door?" "There's a tiger on the other end." "You know who'd be upset?" "Shaughnessy." "Fuck him." "Fuck him?" "Fuck you." "Thanks a lot." "All right, if this isn't your motive, what is?" "I have motive." "Yeah?" "What is it?" "I'm really going to tell you." "You'd better tell the jury soon." "Time's running out." "WAITRESS:" "Here you go." "You think you've got me." "You think because you know me as well as you do... you know how I think." "Well, I know how you think." "You know what I'm thinking?" "What happened to your face?" "I--I bumped it on a medicine cabinet." "[Snorts]" "No, Marty." "That was a girl on her way out." "Maybe we should come back here later." "JANET:" "Later?" "They close in ten minutes." "MARTIN:" "No, after the trial." "When you've got nothing to lose." "How can your timing be so good in a courtroom... and so bad in real life?" "I'll think about it later." "I hate you too much right now." "WOMAN:" "You've got a visitor." "YANCY:" "Well, here she comes." "Talk to you later." "OK." "YANCY:" "Janet." "SHAUGHNESSY:" "Morning." "So where's the tape?" "There's some pretty ugly stuff on that tape." "Yes, there is." "JANET:" "Who would have thought?" "SHAUGHNESSY:" "Where did it come from?" "Landed on my front door last night." "No note." "Vail?" "Who else?" "Clever prick." "What do you think he's up to?" "I honestly don't know." "SHAUGHNESSY:" "Cut the crap." "You know him pretty well." "You were balling him, for Christ's sake." "Where is it?" "At home." "I have some advice for you." "If you really have aspirations beyond this particular office... pick up that little handbag, go home right now... and destroy this tape you should've destroyed..." "like I did the minute you received it." "You don't think Vail has a copy?" "You don't think there's an original?" "It's Stampler that's on trial, not the Catholic church... and if you haven't found another motive to hang him on... then God help you." "BAILIFF:" "All rise." "Please sit down." "Madam prosecutor." "Ms. Venable." "The state calls Thomas Goodman." "Objection, Your Honor." "The prosecution knows full well... that Mr. Goodman is my investigator in this case." "Under the work product rule, he can't be compelled to testify." "Permission to approach the bench, Your Honor?" "Granted." "Important evidence has come into my possession... which I believe he can authenticate." "It's Mr. Vail's privilege." "If he doesn't want Mr. Goodman to testify..." "Mr. Goodman doesn't testify." "Make a decision, Mr. Vail." "Mr. Goodman, have you ever been to my apartment?" "TOMMY:" "Nope." "I mean my apartment building." "Allegedly." "JANET:" "I'm sorry." "You're confused." "Either you have, or you haven't." "Allegedly doesn't figure." "I have...been there." "Yes." "Why did you go there?" "TOMMY:" "I was delivering something." "For whom?" "Martin Vail." "Mr. Vail sent you to deliver something to me?" "Yes." "What was it?" "A videotape." "Could this have been the tape you delivered for Mr. Vail?" "I have a feeling it is, yes." "JANET:" "The People place this in evidence, Your Honor." "So ordered." "Bailiff, please index." "JANET:" "Where did Mr. Vail get this tape... if it is indeed the same one?" "TOMMY:" "He took it from Archbishop Rushman's closet." "JANET:" "He stole it?" "TOMMY:" "No, he borrowed it." "Once I transferred it for him, I returned it." "JANET:" "Can you describe for me what's on this tape?" "There was a sermon by Archbishop Rushman-- a rehearsal, I should say-- followed by, um... a kind of home movie." "JANET:" "A home movie?" "Of what?" "TOMMY:" "Some altar boys." "JANET:" "And?" "TOMMY:" "A girl." "Doing what?" "An altar boy lesson of some kind?" "Having sex." "[Spectators gasp]" "Quiet." "A porno movie?" "TOMMY:" "Mmm...yes." "Yes." "Now how is it, do you think... that this tape, this porno tape... was in the archbishop's closet... in order for Mr. Vail to find it there?" "He was the, um--the...director." "Who was?" "Archbishop Rushman." "JUDGE:" "Quiet in the court!" "MARTIN: [Whispering] Everything's going fine." "JANET:" "And was the defendant one of the altar boys... performing in the archbishop's home movie?" "Yes, he was." "JANET:" "Was his girlfriend?" "I believe her name is Linda Forbes." "Yes, she was." "And did it appear to you the defendant was enjoying... performing in this film with his girlfriend?" "No, he does not." "I will not ask if you think we have uncovered motive." "We will decide that for ourselves... once we've all seen the videotape." "No further questions." "JUDGE:" "Does defense wish to cross?" "No, Your Honor." "Court's in recess." "Bailiff, set up for the tape." "Mr. Goodman, you're excused." "JANET:" "Thanks for the advice." "ARRINGTON:" "Mr. Vail said she was your girlfriend." "AARON:" "Y-yes, she was." "ARRINGTON:" "How'd you meet?" "AARON:" "We was both at the Savior House." "I was an altar boy... and she was w-working for Bishop Rushman." "ARRINGTON:" "Doing what?" "ARRINGTON:" "Were you sleeping with anyone else at the time?" "No, no." "ARRINGTON:" "Was she?" "AARON:" "N-n-no--no." "[Telephone rings]" "MARTIN:" "Yeah." "No, I'm still here." "What?" "MARTIN:" "Thank you." "JUDGE:" "Mr. Vail... are you prepared to proceed with your first witness?" "Yes, Your Honor." "The defense calls John Shaughnessy." "Oh, shit." "The People object, Your Honor." "Mr. Shaughnessy's never been identified" "Your Honor, may I approach?" "Yes, you may." "Thank you." "MARTIN:" "My client's on trial for his life here." "He's always maintained there was someone else... in that bedroom." "You think Mr. Shaughnessy can confirm that?" "The U.S. Constitution takes precedence... permitting the calling of any witness... to promulgate evidence of innocence." "That's clearly stated in the Sixth Amendment." "It's also profound in Brady vs. Maryland." "MARTIN:" "Mr. Shaughnessy... you serve on the board of an organization... known as The Rushman Foundation?" "I'm privileged to be an honorary board member." "Explain the nature and purpose of this foundation." "SHAUGHNESSY:" "It was founded by the late archbishop." "Its purpose is to invest in projects... for the greater good of the community." "Greater good of the community." "OK." "Would that be true in the case of the now bankrupt..." "South River housing development?" "Yes." "Tell the court why the project was abandoned." "SHAUGHNESSY:" "There was a difference of opinion... as to the costs." "MARTIN:" "Wasn't there also a difference of opinion... between the investors and the late archbishop himself?" "I don't recall." "Don't recall?" "Well... what kind of money we talking about here?" "How much money, Mr. Shaughnessy... was invested in this failed South River enterprise?" "Sixty million dollars." "[Spectators gasp]" "Sixty million dollars?" "Wow, that's a lot of money." "You and the archbishop have been friends... for, what, 20 years?" "You knew each other really well." "Were you surprised at the content of that tape..." "Ms. Venable submitted?" "Of course." "You never heard any allegations... charges against him during that time?" "Not that I recall." "Especially since you were State's Attorney... for the last 15 years." "You've supervised all the prosecutions... in Cook County during that time... especially the prosecutions of all prominent figures." "I also have a thousand of the best prosecutors." "But as State's Attorney, you ultimately decided... who would be indicted and who wouldn't." "Yes." "All right, let me just take you back now." "Let's go back to June 1985." "You recall any allegations... of sexual misconduct against the archbishop at that time?" "I don't recall that." "You recall a young man named Michael O'Donnell... who came to the felony review unit at your office?" "I have no idea what you're talking about, counselor." "It's so confusing." "I have this document here... from the Chicago police department... that says, uh, yes, "Michael O'Donnell..." ""spoke to the unit supervisor over a period of two weeks..." ""explaining to him in graphic detail..." ""sexual abuse he suffered at the hands of Rushman."" "[Crowd murmurs]" "JUDGE:" "Quiet." "MARTIN:" "lsn't it also true, Mr. State's Attorney... that you then decided your friend Archbishop Rushman... was not going to stand trial for any of it?" "He owed you big-time, John." "You must've been pissed off when he pulled out of South River." "What happened?" "He just said, "No!" "I can't take it"?" "You and your investors-- sixty million reasons to kill him." "You little cocksucker." "JUDGE:" "Witness dismissed." "Court's in recess." "Vail, in my chambers now." "That's for Joey Pinero, you little shithead." "YANCY:" "Start looking for a job." "JUDGE:" "If you think you can use my courtroom... to wage personal vendettas and settle old scores... you are sorely mistaken." "I'm striking Shaughnessy's testimony from the record... as irrelevant and holding you in contempt... to the tune of $10,000." "MARTIN:" "So you're telling me..." "I can't get a fair trial in your courtroom?" "Be very, very careful." "You're on dangerous ground." "Shall I make that check out to you?" "Shall I take you off this case?" "You're making a mockery of my courtroom... and I am not going to allow it." "I suggest you start representing your client... and stop representing yourself." "AARON:" "Do this later?" "ARRINGTON:" "No, let's stay with this a minute." "AARON:" "I just-- I'm feeling ver-very tired." "ARRINGTON:" "Yeah, I know." "Why does talking about Linda Forbes upset you?" "AARON:" "It d--it doesn't." "I just" "ARRINGTON:" "OK." "AARON:" "S-sorry, I'm sorry." "ARRINGTON:" "You know what I can do with this thing?" "How the fuck should I know?" "MARTIN:" "Dr. Arrington, how much time have you spent... with Aaron Stampler?" "Around 60 hours." "MARTIN:" "What did you find during your evaluation?" "ARRINGTON:" "I found Mr. Stampler suffers... from an acute disassociative condition-- specifically, multiple personality disorder." "JANET:" "Objection, Your Honor." "Dr. Arrington's only stating what she's observed." "JANET:" "Your Honor?" "JUDGE:" "Counselors." "JANET:" "Now I know what you're doing." "JUDGE:" "Will you excuse us for a minute?" "JANET:" "If he wants to question his client's sanity" "I'm trying to establish a medical basis for amnesia." "JANET:" "No." "He's saying he's crazy." "JUDGE:" "Are you?" "No, I am not." "I will allow you to proceed if you're very, very careful." "Absolutely." "Yes." "JUDGE:" "Write down that he said that." "MARTIN:" "All right, where were we?" "Now, could Aaron Stampler have been present... during the murder of Archbishop Rushman... and not remember it?" "Yes, he could." "Could you explain that?" "ARRINGTON:" "His state at that time was such that his body... could be present at a homicide... yet his mind would be unable to recall it." "MARTIN:" "And how is that possible?" "The neurological mechanism making this possible... began with the early abuse suffered from his father." "In defense, Aaron's psyche splintered... and helped him to create two separate personalities." "Your Honor." "Mr." "Vail." "I didn't say it." "JUDGE:" "You have been warned." "Do you want to pursue this?" "I suggest you think long and hard before answering." "Your Honor, just one last question." "All right, Dr. Arrington... in your opinion... is Aaron Stampler capable of murder?" "No, he is not." "He's far too traumatized... to express normal anger and frustration." "He keeps his emotions repressed." "Which is why he created Roy, who is capable of such crimes." "Objection, Your Honor!" "JUDGE:" "That's enough, Mr. Vail." "The jury will disregard that last statement... as will the court." "Madam prosecutor, do you wish to cross?" "You bet I do." "Since you brought it up, against the court's instructions..." "I'm curious to know, is multiple personality disorder... your primary area of expertise?" "It's not my primary field, no." "Is forensic psychiatry your primary area of expertise?" "No, I'm a neuropsychologist." "I see." "So, you have no forensic experience... and you're more of, oh, let's say, an academic." "Then you will forgive this rather academic question." "I'm driving, somebody cuts me off." "I think, "l could just kill that guy."" "But I don't, do I?" "I'd hope not." "That's right." "Things happen to us." "People wrong us." "But we don't all go around inventing psychopaths... to do our dirty work for us, do we?" "I'm not suggesting you suffer from multiple personality." "I'm saying Mr. Stampler does." "Yes, we heard." "You've also testified that you have met this..." "What was his name again?" "Roy." "Roy what?" "He didn't give a last name." "I see." "Did Roy tell you he had murdered the archbishop?" "Mr. Vail was alone with him at the time." "I was watching through the window." "But afterwards, I was in the room... and saw both Roy and his transformation back into Aaron." "Did you happen to tape this appearance of Aaron" "Oh, I'm sorry." "I'm sorry." "I just cannot get used to this name." "ARRINGTON:" "Roy." "Did you?" "No, the tape was off." "Off?" "So, you have no record whatsoever of his appearance." "No." "No." "JANET:" "Does Aaron Stampler know right from wrong?" "Yes, he does." "If he butchered the archbishop, would he know" "MARTIN:" "Objection." "If Aaron Stampler murdered the archbishop... would he know he'd broken the law?" "Yes, he would, but Aaron didn't kill" "Oh, yes, I know, Doctor." "It was Roy." "That's all." "No further questions, Your Honor." "JUDGE:" "Witness may step down." "If you'd like to reopen the prosecution's case... and call the State's psychiatrist..." "I'd certainly agree to it." "No, I don't think that's necessary." "I think we all get the picture here." "JUDGE:" "Mr. Vail, are you ready to proceed?" "Would you like a recess?" "[Alarm chirps]" "Roy?" "Aaron." "Could you tell us a little about... your relationship with Archbishop Rushman?" "AARON:" "He wa-was like a father to me." "I l-loved him very much." "MARTIN:" "Why did you love him?" "Why?" "Uh-huh." "Well, he s-saved my life... and he was the only person that e-ever treated me..." "like I was worth anything." "Stop your whining, little girl." "Be a man." "MARTIN:" "We've all seen that tape that you were in, Aaron." "How did that make you feel?" "Did it change your feelings about Archbishop Rushman?" "AARON:" "N-no." "Uh-uh." "He was a w-wonderful man." "MARTIN:" "You didn't feel anger towards him... about being forced to perform in that tape?" "AARON:" "No." "H-he did everything for me." "There wasn't nothing else I could do for him... and h-he needed it." "Do you know someone named Roy?" "No." "No, I don't." "MARTIN:" "You heard Dr. Arrington's testimony... about what she and I saw there at the jail." "Some pretty strange things going on there, you remember?" "I heard what she said, but I don't remember any of that." "No recollection?" "No, sir." "Did you kill Archbishop Rushman?" "AARON:" "N-no, sir." "I did not." "MARTIN:" "Thank you." "Your witness." "JANET:" "Mr. Stampler, would you like some water?" "AARON:" "No." "No." "No, ma'am." "You sure?" "Ye-yes, ma'am." "Thank you, ma'am." "Mr. Stampler, did you believe that the archbishop wore masks?" "I'm--I'm sorry." "What did you say?" "JANET:" "Do you think he acted one way in public... and another way in private?" "AARON:" "No, I didn't think that." "Wasn't that why you underlined the Hawthorne passage?" "JANET:" "Mr. Stampler?" "No." "I did not underline that book." "JANET:" "You didn't underline it?" "No, ma'am." "And you didn't carve numbers... referring to that passage into his chest?" "AARON:" "No, ma'am, I did not." "I t-told you l" "You loved him." "JANET:" "You loved him like a father." "Even though he made you and your girlfriend... perform demeaning sexual acts for his own gratification?" "No, you don't understand." "H-he--There was no other way... for him to cast out his own demons." "He needed it." "He needed to get off!" "That's what he was doing." "That's what he needed you for-- to perform like a circus animal." "That was your function in his life." "AARON:" "No." "No." "JANET:" "Mr. Stampler, I'm going to ask you straight... because I am tired... and I've had all I can take of this sordidness." "I want to go home and wash my hands... and forget all about you and Archbishop Rushman." "Did the archbishop force you... and your girlfriend and others... to perform sexual acts while he watched--yes or no?" "No--Yes, he did, but" "Yes, he forced you." "He forced you... by threatening expulsion from Savior House... and a life on the street with no heat, no water, and no food." "He put you in front of a camera... he made you take off your clothes... and you don't think that's another side... another face of a man we thought we knew?" "AARON:" "No!" "JANET:" "If someone did that to me..." "I'd kill him." "I wouldn't hesitate." "I would stab him 78 times with a knife." "I would chop off his fingers." "I would slash his throat open." "I would carve numbers into his chest." "I'd gouge out his eyes, I swear to God." "But that's me." "No further questions, Your Honor." "Where the hell are you going?" "Excuse me?" "You look at me when I'm talking to you, bitch!" "JUDGE:" "Mr. Stampler!" "ROY:" "Fuck you, lady!" "Come here!" "JUDGE:" "Bailiff!" "Order!" "ROY:" "You want to play rough?" "Let's play rough." "Come on." "Back off!" "Back off!" "MARTIN:" "Roy, take it easy!" "ROY:" "Keep coming, asshole!" "I'll break her fucking neck!" "MARTIN:" "Roy, come here." "ROY:" "Fuck you." "I'm walking out of here real slow." "ROY:" "No!" "No!" "No!" "Now, don't you" "No!" "You OK?" "Yeah." "I'm OK." "JUDGE:" "Don't even think of lighting that cigarette." "JUDGE:" "How's your neck?" "I'll live." "I could call a doctor." "Mm-mmm." "JUDGE:" "Mr. Shaughnessy just called to inform me... there will be no mistrial." "As if that was his right." "MARTIN:" "Can't believe that scumbag has the balls to call." "No." "Thanks." "JUDGE:" "What matters to me is what you have to say." "Obviously, your case has been damaged." "In fairness to the prosecution, I will declare a mistrial... regardless of what Shaughnessy and Vail think... if that's what you want." "The prosecution doesn't want to try this case again... even if it could." "Which it can't, at least not by me." "And I think I can guarantee you... no one in the D.A.'s Office will, so... it's up to you." "I'm dismissing the jury in favor of a bench trial... and a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity." "Yes?" "MARTIN:" "Yeah." "JUDGE:" "The defendant will be remanded to Elgin... for an evaluation period of 30 days." "Let them decide the term of his commitment." "Any problem with that?" "JANET:" "Your honor, he'll be out in a month." "JUDGE:" "Take it up with the legislature." "JUDGE:" "I'm going home." "MARTIN:" "Your Honor..." "JUDGE:" "No, I'm not refunding your contempt fine." "And the next time you want a client off on insanity... you plead that way, or I'll have you disbarred." "You OK?" "Am I OK?" "Do I seem OK?" "I get attacked by this sick twist." "I've lost the case." "I'm out of a job." "No, Marty, I'm not particularly OK... but, hey, you won." "Justice was done." "Who the hell cares, right?" "Congratulations." "You knew, didn't you?" "You knew if I went after him, he'd wig out up there." "I knew he'd come out if he was threatened." "And who better to do that than me?" "You used me." "Yeah, I did." "I had no choice." "What did I use that was so terrible?" "I knew you'd do your job." "I knew you'd stand up to Shaughnessy." "I knew you'd try to win the case." "What's wrong with that?" "I lost my fucking job." "You should have left years ago." "JANET:" "Why do you think you know what's right for me?" "Because I'm arrogant." "I'm very... very arrogant." "Want to dance?" "No." "You sure?" "Yeah." "MARTIN:" "All you have to do is turn around." "JANET:" "No." "[Martin humming]" "JANET:" "No." "MARTIN:" "I have to see my client." "MARTIN:" "I'd like a minute alone." "GUARD:" "Are you sure?" "Yeah." "I'm sure." "MARTIN:" "You OK?" "AARON:" "My--my head hurts." "You don't remember what just happened?" "No?" "AARON:" "No." "I lo-lo-lost time again." "Well, I got some good news." "They've agreed to stop the trial." "They're going to send you to a hospital." "You can get the help you need." "And there's a very good chance... you can get out someday soon." "Yeah." "AARON:" "I ca--I can't believe it." "I don--don't know what to say, Mr. Vail." "MARTIN:" "That's all right, Aaron." "I knew the minute you came into my cell." "I knew everything was going to be OK." "You sa--You saved my life." "MARTIN:" "Yeah." "I got to go." "Wh-when will I see you again?" "That's up to the courts now." "I don't want you to worry." "I'm going to stay on top of this, OK?" "AARON:" "Thank you." "All right." "You give me a call if you need to, OK?" "I will." "All right." "Hey, Mr. Vail?" "Yeah." "Um, will you t-tell Ms. Venable I'm sorry?" "T-tell her I hope her neck is--is OK." "MARTIN:" "Yeah." "MARTIN:" "What did you just say?" "AARON:" "What?" "You told me you don't remember, that you black out." "So how do you know about her neck?" "AARON:" "Um..." "Well, good for you, Marty." "I was going to let it go." "You was looking so happy just now..." "I was thinking, "Mmm."" "But to tell you the truth, I'm glad you figured it... 'cause I have been dying to tell you." "I just didn't know who you'd want to hear it from" "Aaron or Roy or Roy or Aaron." "I'll let you in on a little secret." "A client/attorney privilege secret." "MARTIN:" "Uh-huh." "It don't matter who you hear it from." "It's the same story." "I--I j-just had to kill Linda, Mr. Vail." "Th-that cunt just got what she deserved." "But... cutting up that son of a bitch Rushman?" "That was just a fucking work of art." "[Laughs]" "You're good." "You are really good." "Yeah." "I did get caught though, didn't I?" "Mmm." "So there never..." "There never was a Roy?" "Jesus Christ, Marty." "If that's what you think..." "I am disappointed in you, I don't mind telling you." "There never was... an Aaron... counselor." "Come on, Marty, I thought you had it figured at the end." "Putting me on the stand was fucking brilliant." "And that whole "Act like a man"?" "Jesus, I knew exactly what you wanted from me... it was like we were dancing, Marty." "Guard." "Don't be like that, Marty." "We did it, man." "We fucking did it." "We're a great team, you and me." "You think I could have done this without you?" "You're feeling a little anger here... because you started to care about Aaron." "I can understand that, but..." "Iove hurts, Marty." "What can I say?" "I'm just kidding!" "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings!" "What else was I supposed to do?" "Hey, you'll thank me down the road... 'cause this is going to toughen you up, Martin Vail!" "You hear me?" "That's a promise!" "[Woman singing in Spanish]" "[Choir singing]"