PREVIOUSLY ON "BOSTON LEGAL"...
I'M JUST TRYING TO GET AN ERECTION!
WELL, WHO KNOWS? MAYBE IT'S THE MAD COW.
(gasps) MY PENIS HAS ALZHEIMER'S.
PHOEBE. ALAN.
WHY DRAG THIS OUT BEYOND A TIME
WE'RE STILL ATTRACTED TO EACH OTHER? I'M NOT ATTRACTED TO YOU NOW.
FINE. LET'S GO WITH THAT. PHOEBE.
WHAT HAPPENED? I WAS IN LOVE WITH HER.
THAT'LL KILL THE MOMENT.
AND SHE LOVED ME, JUST... NOT ENOUGH.
MAYBE IT'S NOT TOO LATE. SHE'S HAPPILY MARRIED WITH CHILDREN.
(pounding on door)
(snoring)
(knock on door)
(snorts)
(pounding)
(squeaks) DENNY CRANE.
(pounding)
AAH!
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
I GOT SCARED. OF WHAT?
I HEARD BANGING. WHAT BANGING?
(knock)
THAT BANGING. THAT'S A KNOCK. ANSWER IT.
ME? YOU HEARD IT.
YOU LIVE HERE.
(knock)
NEVER MIND. WE'LL BOTH ANSWER IT.
(pounding)
(knock)
(pounding)
PHOEBE.
CAN I TALK TO YOU, ALAN? IT'S IMPORTANT.
WHAT'S GOING ON? THE POLICE JUST ARRESTED MY HUSBAND.
THEY--THEY SHOWED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.
I TRIED TO CALL YOU, BUT--BUT I GUESS
YOUR PHONES ARE TURNED OFF, SO... ARRESTED HIM FOR WHAT?
MURDER.
MURDER?
YOU'RE THE BEST LAWYER THAT I KNOW. SO WILL YOU HELP?
WHO'S HE ACCUSED OF KILLING? ONE OF HIS NURSES.
I'M SORRY, ALAN, BUT THIS IS MY FAMILY HERE.
I... I NEED YOU.
THIS IS GONNA BE A GOOD ONE.
***
SO HE'S IN CUSTODY NOW?
YEAH, THEY'RE ARRAIGNING HIM FIRST UP.
IT'S MY OPINION THEY PURPOSELY ARRESTED HIM AT NIGHT.
THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY INVOLVED LOVES GAMESMANSHIP,
SO YOU'LL HAVE YOUR WORK CUT OUT FOR YOU.
(rooster crows)
CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE CASE ITSELF?
WELL, MY HUSBAND IS ONE OF THE LEADING CARDIOLOGISTS
AT BOSTON GENERAL.
OH, ISN'T HE SPECIAL?
SORRY.
UH, THE VICTIM IS ONE OF HIS FORMER NURSES.
SHE WAS FOUND POISONED TO DEATH.
THEY CLAIM THAT HE WAS HAVING AN AFFAIR WITH HER. HE WASN'T.
HE HAD, BRIEFLY, IN THE PAST, BUT IT WAS LONG OVER.
(rooster crows)
I'M SORRY. COULD YOU EXCUSE US FOR A SECOND?
I'LL BE RIGHT BACK. DENNY.
WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?
WHAT? THE ROOSTER NOISE,
AND DON'T PRETEND YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.
DENNY, IT'S COMING FROM YOU. WHAT THE HELL IS IT?
WELL... YOU REMEMBER THAT LITTLE, UH, UH, UH,
UH, BLOOD FLOW ISSUE I HAD? YEAH.
THE DOCTOR HAS HOOKED ME UP TO A MONITOR.
I'M SUPPOSED TO KEEP A JOURNAL.
A-ANY KIND OF BLOOD FLOW, I'M SUPPOSED TO MAKE A NOTE. A MONITOR?
YEAH. CONNECTED TO--
SHH. YEAH. ONE THAT SOUNDS LIKE A ROOSTER?
THAT'S JUST MY RINGTONE. YOU CAN CHOOSE FROM MANY.
LOOK, OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A SERIOUS CASE.
THAT'S WHY THE DOCTOR WANTS-- I'M TALKING ABOUT THE MURDER.
I DO NOT WANT TO BE HEARING FROM THAT THING.
ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME? I'LL PUT IT ON VIBRATE.
I'M SORRY.
SO, UH...
THE ARRAIGNMENT'S TOMORROW MORNING.
FIRST UP.
THE THING IS, ALAN, THEY FOUND EVIDENCE
OF HIM BEING PRESENT AT HER HOUSE.
NOW HE WAS THERE A WEEK AGO, BUT NOT ON THE NIGHT
OF THE MURDER. WHICH WAS WHEN?
TWO NIGHTS AGO. I-I'M SURPRISED YOU HAVEN'T HEARD ABOUT IT.
IT'S BEEN ALL OVER THE NEWS.
I MEAN, HE IS THE TOP CARDIOLOGIST AT BOSTON GENERAL.
YES, YOU MENTIONED THAT.
YOU SAY HE ONCE HAD AN AFFAIR WITH THE VICTIM. A WHILE AGO, YES, BUT IT WAS OVER.
WELL, IF IT WAS OVER, WHY WAS HE AT HER HOUSE A WEEK AGO?
HE SAID THAT SHE WAS DISTRAUGHT,
AND HE WENT THERE TO CALM HER DOWN.
AND YOU BELIEVE THAT? I DO.
OKAY.
PLUS, HE HAS AN ALIBI.
WHICH IS?
ME. HE NEVER LEFT THE HOUSE TWO NIGHTS AGO.
AH.
YOU'RE SURE?
POSITIVE.
HELLO.
(buzzing)
(squeaks) DENNY CRANE.
(buzz)
***
(reporters) MR. SHORE! MR. CRANE! MR. SHORE!
PLEASE EXCUSE US. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO COMMENT.
I HAVE A COMMENT.
IF YOU'LL GO TO dennycranelaw.com,
YOU'LL FIND CANDID PHOTOS OF-- PLEASE, I WILL ASK YOU TO RESPECT MY PRIVACY.
THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY DIFFICULT TIME.
I CAN SAY UNEQUIVOCALLY THAT MY HUSBAND IS INNOCENT. IF YOU'LL EXCUSE US.
(camera shutters clicking)
I'D ADVISE YOU NOT TO TALK TO THE PRESS.
THE D.A. IS TRYING THIS CASE IN THE MEDIA, ALAN--
EVEN SO. I MEAN, WILL YOU LOOK AT THIS? WELL, IT'S VERY HIGH-PROFILE.
MY HUSBAND IS THE LEADING CARDIOLOGIST-- ALL RIGHT ALREADY.
SORRY.
ALL RISE. THIS COURT IS NOW IN SESSION.
THE HONORABLE JUDGE BEACON PRESIDING.
LET'S BE CLEAR RIGHT NOW.
THIS IS A COURTROOM, NOT A CIRCUS.
ANYONE BREAKING ITS DECORUM IS GOING TO GET SPANKED
BY ME PERSONALLY. (monitor buzzes)
THE CLERK WILL CALL THE CASE. (man) NUMBER 3-2-8-5-9--
COMMONWEALTH v. ROBERT L. BROOKS
ON THE FELONY COUNT OF MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE.
GOOD MORNING, YOUR HONOR. ALAN SHORE FOR THE DEFENSE.
MY GOODNESS. WHAT A SPLENDID TURNOUT.
WE'LL WAIVE READING OF THE CHARGES
AND ENTER A PLEA OF NOT GUILTY.
I'D ASK THAT YOU RELEASE MY CLIENT
ON HIS OWN RECOGNIZANCE PENDING TRIAL.
MY CLIENT IS A RESPECTED DOCTOR.
IN FACT, I'M TOLD HE'S THE TOP CARDIOLOGIST AT BOSTON--
STEWART BETTS REPRESENTING THE STATE, YOUR HONOR.
GOOD MORNING. WE DO NOT TYPICALLY AFFORD BAIL
TO FIRST-DEGREE MURDERERS. MY CLIENT HAS WELL-ESTABLISHED ROOTS IN THE BOSTON COMMUNITY.
HE'S CERTAINLY NOT A FLIGHT RISK.
HE HAS NO PRIOR CRIMINAL RECORD.
HIS BEING AT LARGE POSES NO REAL RISK TO SOCIETY.
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT MR. SHORE, YOUR HONOR,
BUT I THINK THAT THE REST OF THE PUBLIC
WOULD CONSIDER A MURDERER-- ANY MURDERER--
ESPECIALLY THIS MURDERER, A DEVIOUS MURDERER TO BE A RISK.
I'M SORRY. DID YOU USE THE WORD "MURDERER"
FOUR OR FIVE TIMES IN THAT SENTENCE?
I'D HATE TO MISQUOTE YOU. MR. SHORE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE DISCIPLINED?
(buzz) GIVEN THE SOPHISTICATED METHODOLOGY OF THIS MURDER,
MAKING IT APPEAR LIKE A HEART ATTACK,
I'M PERSUADED THAT THE DEFENDANT POSSESSES
THE REQUISITE CRAFTINESS TO INDEED ESCAPE THIS JURISDICTION
WITH LITTLE EFFORT IF HE SO CHOOSES. GEE, THAT SOUNDED IMPARTIAL.
BAIL IS DENIED.
THE DEFENDANT SHALL RETURN TO CUSTODY. WE ARE ADJOURNED. (bangs gavel)
I'LL BE BACK TO MEET WITH YOU SHORTLY.
IN THE MEANTIME, PLEASE DO NOT SPEAK TO ANYONE.
WELL DONE ON BAIL.
HE CAN BE A BIT CHILLY AT FIRST, BUT...
SHOULD WE GO AND MEET HIM?
I'D LIKE TO SIT WITH HIM ALONE, PLEASE.
WHY?
BECAUSE I WOULD. I LIKE TO GET A FEEL FOR THOSE I DEFEND.
DENNY, YOU NEED TO STOP YOUR PENIS FROM HUMMING.
OH.
(cell door bangs)
(lock clanks)
THANK YOU.
YOU WANT ME TO STAY?
I THINK I'M GOOD.
YOU DON'T PLAN TO KILL ME, DO YOU?
WE'LL SEE HOW IT GOES.
(door clatters)
SO IS IT ROBERT OR BOB?
ROBERT.
SO WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME, BOB?
I'M INNOCENT.
I DID HAVE A SHORT-LIVED RELATIONSHIP WITH HER,
WHICH I BROKE OFF TO HER LESS-THAN-CONCEALED DISMAY.
WHEN YOU SAY "SHORT-LIVED"?
17 DAYS LAST AUTUMN.
SHE WAS YOUR NURSE?
ONE OF MY NURSES, YES.
WHAT OCCASIONED THE END OF THE AFFAIR?
YOU'RE NOT CURIOUS
AS TO WHAT PRECIPITATED THE BEGINNING?
I'VE SEEN A PICTURE OF HER. I CAN FILL IN THAT BLANK.
WELL, THE AFFAIR'S END WAS OCCASIONED
BY MS. GHOULET'S EMOTIONAL INSTABILITY.
SHE WAS BECOMING INCREASINGLY ERRATIC,
CAUSING AN UNACCEPTABLE DISTRACTION FOR ME AT WORK.
I SEVERED THE RELATIONSHIP
AND I SOUGHT TO CREATE A DISTANCE.
SHE WAS PERSISTENT.
I NEVER SAW HER ROMANTICALLY AGAIN.
I MOST CERTAINLY DID NOT GO TO HER HOME
THE EVENING OF HER DEATH,
AND I PLAYED NO ROLE WHATSOEVER IN HER DEATH.
QUESTIONS?
ACCORDING TO THE INCIDENT REPORT,
YOU WERE SEEN BY A NEIGHBOR AT HER HOUSE THAT NIGHT.
NEIGHBOR'S MISTAKEN.
I WAS THERE SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THE MURDER.
I HAD GONE IN AN ATTEMPT TO DEFUSE HER EMOTIONS.
I WAS NOT THERE ON THE MURDER NIGHT,
WHICH MY WIFE WILL CONFIRM.
WELL, WIVES HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO LIE FOR THEIR HUSBANDS.
THE JURY WILL FIND MY WIFE VERY PERSUASIVE.
DON'T YOU FIND HER IMPRESSIVE, MR. SHORE?
***
DENNY, IF THIS CASE COMES DOWN TO HIS TESTIMONY...
(scoffs) HE'S INCREDIBLY UNLIKABLE.
ALL WORKED OUT THEN, DIDN'T IT?
WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
ALAN, YOU DIDN'T REALLY WANT TO LIKE THIS GUY, DID YOU?
NO, BUT I DO WANT TO WIN THE CASE. REALLY?
OF COURSE REALLY.
WHAT, DO YOU THINK I'D PURPOSELY LOSE
SO I COULD BE WITH HIS WIFE? I WOULD.
YOU WOULD NOT.
YOUR TRUE LOVE IS YOUR UNDEFEATED RECORD.
AND YOUR TRUE LOVE IS HER.
YOU KNOW, DENNY...
I MUST ADMIT, FROM TIME TO TIME
THROUGH THE YEARS,
IN VARIOUS CASES...
I'VE SECRETLY FANTASIZED
THAT SHE WAS IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM,
WATCHING.
(laughs) EVERYTHING WE DO
IS ALL ABOUT IMPRESSING THE GIRL,
EVEN WHEN THE GIRL ISN'T THERE.
BUT HERE, SHE WILL BE THERE,
WATCHING ME.
RELYING ON ME, EVEN.
ALAN, LOOK AT ME.
AT FIRST I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE FUN, EXCITING.
NOW I'M TELLING YOU AS YOUR BEST FRIEND, GET OUT.
IN DEFEAT, YOU LOSE,
DISAPPOINTING THE ONE WOMAN YOU'VE REALLY LOVED.
IN VICTORY...
SHE WALKS AWAY WITH HER HUSBAND...
WHICH ISN'T YOU.
***
OKAY, AT FIRST
THE CORONER RULED NATURAL CAUSES,
AND YOU CAN PRETTY MUCH SEE WHY.
NOT A MARK ON HER.
EXCEPT FOR THIS MOLE HERE. IT'S SPECTACULAR.
CAN I TOUCH IT? H--
BUT ONCE THEY TUMBLED TO THE AFFAIR,
THEY DECIDED TO LOOK AGAIN.
THAT'S WHEN THEY FOUND THIS.
YOU CAN SEE THE NEEDLE MARK HERE ON THE THIGH.
SUCCINYLCHOLINE.
THE BEAUTY IS,
IT BASICALLY DISAPPEARS FROM THE SYSTEM WITHIN MINUTES.
AND BEST OF ALL,
THE SYMPTOMS MIMIC A HEART ATTACK.
AND IT KILLS YOU IMMEDIATELY?
FIRST PARALYSIS, THEN DEATH.
IT'S LIKELY SHE WOKE UP WHEN SHE GOT JABBED,
BUT GOING INTO PARALYSIS, NOTHING SHE COULD DO...
WOW. EXCEPT WATCH HER KILLER WALK OUT THE DOOR.
ANY SEMEN?
NOT YET.
(monitor buzzes)
NO SEMEN WAS FOUND.
SALIVA OR HAIR?
NOTHING FOUND ON THE BODY.
ALMOST THE PERFECT CRIME.
WHOEVER DID THIS WAS ONE SMART GUY.
***
THE NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE IS HERE,
MEANING HIS SIGHT LINE IS THIS WAY,
WHICH BASICALLY MEANS HE'D SEE CARS FROM THE FRONT
GIVEN THE CURVE OF THE STREET.
WHAT'S THE LIGHTING LIKE?
WELL, A STREET LAMP HERE, SO IT'S NOT GREAT.
SO IF WE CAN SHAKE THIS WITNESS, THEN EVERYTHING ELSE
IS COMPLETELY CIRCUMSTANTIAL, RIGHT?
PHOEBE, THEY CAN PLACE HIM AT THE SCENE WITH FORENSICS. NOT THAT NIGHT.
NO, THE NEIGHBOR DOES THAT.
YOUR HUSBAND HAD A ROMANTIC HISTORY WITH THE VICTIM.
THE VICTIM'S MOTHER WILL TESTIFY AS TO THREATS HE MADE. SHE'S LYING.
YES, ACCORDING TO YOUR HUSBAND.
WHOEVER DID THIS CLEARLY HAS MEDICAL EXPERTISE.
ADD TO THAT--
ADD TO THAT WHAT?
THE JURY WILL HATE HIM.
MEANING YOU HATE HIM.
MY FEELINGS AREN'T RELEVANT.
OH, COME ON, ALAN.
YOUR FEELINGS AREN'T IN PLAY HERE?
(scoffs)
(sighs)
I THINK THAT IF YOU LOOK AT THIS CASE CLINICALLY,
YOU WILL APPRECIATE
THAT THE PROSECUTION'S CASE IS VERY WEAK.
THE EVIDENCE IS ALL CIRCUMSTANTIAL.
THE VICTIM HAD OTHER AFFAIRS.
WHICH WE CAN'T PROVE.
AND MY HUSBAND HAS AN ALIBI.
THE TESTIMONY OF A DEVOTED WIFE
IS RARELY WINNING.
I DON'T THINK THE JURY WILL BELIEVE YOU.
DO YOU BELIEVE ME?
NO.
I KNOW YOU.
YOU WOULD NEVER FORGIVE HIM FOR HAVING THE AFFAIR.
IN FACT, IF MEMORY SERVES ME,
YOU CAN BE QUITE PUNISHING ON THAT SUBJECT.
IT'S DIFFERENT WHEN YOU HAVE KIDS.
YES, AND YOUR CHILDREN NEED THEIR FATHER AROUND.
SO YOU'RE WILLING TO DO WHATEVER YOU CAN
TO KEEP HIM OUT OF JAIL, INCLUDING LIE FOR HIM
IN THE WITNESS CHAIR.
YOU'RE WRONG.
I DON'T THINK SO.
WELL, CLEARLY...
I NEED TO GET ANOTHER ATTORNEY.
IF WE AGREE TO PLEAD TO MANSLAUGHTER--
ABSOLUTELY NOT.
THAT'S YOUR HUSBAND'S DECISION.
AND I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THAT WILL BE.
THERE WILL BE NO GUILTY PLEA.
THIS WASN'T
A HEAT-OF-PASSION CRIME, PHOEBE.
IT WAS...
CALCULATED... COLD.
DO YOU TRUST THIS MAN?
HOW ABOUT AROUND YOUR CHILDREN?
HE WOULD NEVER HURT THE CHILDREN.
AND HE DID NOT... COMMIT THIS CRIME,
HOWEVER MUCH YOU'RE DETERMINED TO BELIEVE OTHERWISE.
YOU STILL LOVE ME, ALAN...
AS DO I YOU.
YOU... (sighs)
YOU DON'T THINK
THAT I WANT TO BELIEVE THAT HE'S GUILTY SOMETIMES?
IT WOULD BE SO EASY TO.
I MEAN... I AM STILL ANGRY OVER THE AFFAIR.
OF COURSE I AM.
AND SOMETIMES I THINK IT WOULD JUST BE EASIER
IF I...
IF I JUST DITCHED EVERYTHING AND...
INCLUDING HIM...
AND TOOK OFF TO SOME ISLAND WITH--
WITH AN OLD BOYFRIEND THAT I'VE NEVER...
DON'T.
MM.
DO NOT MAKE THAT MISTAKE.
YOU NEED TO PROTECT YOURSELF, ALAN...
BECAUSE WHEN THIS TRIAL IS OVER...
I WILL BE WALKING AWAY WITH HIM.
MY FAMILY IS MY LIFE.
***
I KNOW SHE WAS AFRAID OF HIM BECAUSE SHE TOLD ME SO.
SHE WAS IN A VERY EXCITABLE STATE WHEN SHE DID SO.
SHE SAID, "MOM, I'M SCARED TO DEATH OF HIM."
WHY DID YOUR DAUGHTER FEAR THE DEFENDANT, MRS. GHOULET?
SHE THREATENED TO TELL HIS WIFE
THAT THEY HAD RESUMED THE AFFAIR. (gallery gasps and murmurs)
WHAT ELSE DID YOUR DAUGHTER TELL YOU?
SHE SAID HE SAID,
"IF YOU DO TELL HER, YOU WILL PAY FOR IT."
(paper flaps)
VERY DRAMATIC. PROBABLY SEE IT ON THE NEWS.
YOU LIKE BEING ON THE NEWS? OH, YOU THINK I ENJOY
TALKING ABOUT MY DAUGHTER'S MURDER?
WELL, I SEE YOU A LOT ON TV. ALMOST AS MUCH AS HIM.
NOT THAT MUCH. YOU'RE RIGHT.
(gavel bangs, monitor buzzes)
UH, PHYLLIS-- MAY I CALL YOU PHYLLIS?
(buzz)
(whispers) OH, MY GOD.
UH, WHEN YOUR, UH, DAUGHTER TOLD YOU
THAT SHE FEARED MY CLIENT, WERE YOU WORRIED? (scoffs) OF COURSE I WAS.
DID YOU TELL ANYBODY? SURELY YOU TOLD SOMEBODY?
A FRIEND, A RELATIVE, A-A MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST?
OBJECTION. OVERRULED.
PHYLLIS... (singsong voice) DID YOU MAKE UP THIS LITTLE STORY?
(scoffs) NO, I DID NOT. YOU'RE A DISGUSTING PERSON.
I DON'T LIKE BEING CALLED DISGUSTING.
DID YOU EVER CALL YOUR DAUGHTER DISGUSTING?
OF COURSE NOT.
I HAVE A COPY OF A LETTER HERE
THAT YOU WROTE TO YOUR DAUGHTER SHORTLY BEFORE HER DEATH.
THE, UH, PROSECUTION HAS THE LETTER,
AND THEY MISTAKENLY FORGOT TO PRODUCE IT DURING DISCOVERY.
OVERSIGHT. WOULD YOU READ THE HIGHLIGHTED SECTION, PLEASE?
AND DON'T FORGET TO PROJECT. THERE'S A CAMERA BACK THERE.
OBJECTION.
THE HIGHLIGHTED SECTION, PLEASE.
"YOU NEVER CALL.
"YOU'RE TOO BUSY RUNNING AROUND WITH ALL YOUR MARRIED MEN.
"YOU'RE A DISGRACEFUL,
DISGUSTING WHORE."
(gallery murmuring)
NO EVIDENCE OF ANYBODY ELSE BEING PRESENT IN THE HOME
EXCEPT FOR THE VICTIM AND THE DEFENDANT.
SOUNDS LIKE SLOPPY WORK
FOR THE DEFENDANT TO LEAVE HIS PRINTS BEHIND. HE DIDN'T. NOT REALLY.
WE ONLY FOUND A FEW OLD PRINTS HERE AND THERE.
THE CRIME SCENE WAS OTHERWISE CONSPICUOUSLY METICULOUS.
IT CAUSES CARDIAC ARREST, VENTRICULAR DYSRHYTHMIA.
IT QUICKLY DEGRADES.
IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO DETECT AFTER A FEW HOURS.
SOUNDS LIKE THE PERFECT DRUG IF YOU'RE LOOKING
TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER. IT IS.
SHE NEVER TOLD ME SHE WAS AFRAID OF HIM,
BUT SHE DID SHE SAY SHE WAS THINKING ABOUT
TELLING HIS WIFE ABOUT THE AFFAIR. WERE THERE OTHER MEN TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE?
THERE WERE CERTAINLY RUMORS OF OTHERS.
SHE, OF COURSE, NEVER BROUGHT THEM AROUND THE HOSPITAL.
(man) I'D SEEN HIS CAR MANY TIMES. (Betts) AND YOU SAW IT THE NIGHT OF THE MURDER?
YES. I'D GOTTEN UP TO GO TO THE BATHROOM.
I-I LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW. I SAW IT.
YOU FIRST TOLD THE POLICE YOU WEREN'T SURE.
WELL, IT HAD HAPPENED A FEW DAYS EARLIER,
AND I HAD TO THINK BACK.
I DID, AND I AM SURE I SAW IT THAT NIGHT.
HMM. EVER SEE ANY OTHER CARS GO INTO THAT DRIVEWAY
ON OTHER NIGHTS?
OH, MANY TIMES.
UM, MS. GHOULET HAD A VERY... DIVERSE RECREATIONAL LIFE.
***
WHAT DO YOU MEAN I SHOULDN'T TESTIFY?
MY FEELING IS IT WOULD BE A DISASTER.
THE PROSECUTION WOULD PICK YOU APART OVER THE AFFAIR.
AND ALL YOU CAN DO, REALLY,
IS SAY THAT YOU DIDN'T GO TO THE VICTIM'S HOUSE THAT NIGHT,
AND WE HAVE PHOEBE TO SAY THAT.
WELL, I'M NOT AN ATTORNEY,
BUT I WOULD THINK AT A MINIMUM,
A DEFENDANT NEED TAKE THE STAND TO DENY THE CRIME
FOR WHICH HE IS CHARGED. YOU WOULD BE WRONG.
(Denny) COME ON. YOU'RE GUILTY AS SIN. YOU DON'T FOOL US.
YOU WON'T FOOL A JURY. STOP BEING SUCH A BABY.
TELL ME, BOB, HAD YOU RESUMED THE AFFAIR?
JUST A YES OR NO QUESTION.
NO.
I THINK WE'LL SKIP YOUR TESTIMONY.
ARE YOU IN LOVE WITH MY WIFE, MR. SHORE?
JUST A YES OR NO QUESTION.
***
HE STRIKES ME
AS A VERY DIFFICULT MAN TO LOVE.
WELL, THAT SEEMS TO BE MY CURSE.
I FALL FOR DIFFICULT MEN.
IT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD, DOES IT?
IT LOOKS TERRIBLE.
WE'VE STILL GOT REASONABLE DOUBT.
PHOEBE, OUR ENTIRE DEFENSE IS YOU.
YOU HAVE TO PERSUADE THE JURY TOMORROW.
AND I'M SORRY, BUT I HAVE TO SAY THIS--
YOU NEED TO DO A MUCH BETTER JOB PERSUADING THEM
THAN YOU HAVE SO FAR PERSUADING ME.
OR ME.
***
THE ROBERT BROOKS TRIAL WINDS DOWN TODAY
WITH THE DEFENDANT'S WIFE, PHOEBE PRENTICE,
TAKING THE STAND.
SHE'S OF COURSE EXPECTED TO SAY
THAT HER HUSBAND NEVER LEFT THE HOUSE
ON THE NIGHT OF ISABELLE GHOULET'S MURDER. (elevator bell dings)
DENNY CRANE. STEP ASIDE. MR. CRANE!
NOT WEARING UNDERWEAR. NOT PRETTY. NO COMMENT.
YOU SWEAR TO TELL THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH
AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, SO HELP YOU GOD?
I DO. BE SEATED.
MS. PRENTICE, YOU'RE MARRIED TO THE DEFENDANT,
DR. ROBERT BROOKS?
I AM. AND HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SO?
16 YEARS.
I IMAGINE THIS HAS BEEN QUITE AN ORDEAL FOR YOU.
YES.
DO YOU LOVE YOUR HUSBAND?
VERY MUCH.
SO IN THE INTEREST OF FAIRNESS, IT SHOULD BE SAID,
YOU HAVE A STRONG BIAS HERE.
I DO.
NOT WITHSTANDING THAT BIAS,
YOU UNDERSTAND THAT YOUR TESTIMONY TODAY
IS SUBJECT TO THE PAINS AND PENALTIES OF PERJURY?
I DO.
THEN LET'S CUT RIGHT TO THE CHASE, SHALL WE?
BECAUSE WE'RE ALL DYING TO KNOW,
WHERE WERE YOU ON THE NIGHT ISABELLE GHOULET WAS MURDERED?
WELL, I ARRIVED HOME FROM WORK A LITTLE AFTER 7:00,
WHICH WAS MY ROUTINE.
WE LIKE TO HAVE DINNER AS A FAMILY.
IT'S A RITUAL WE'RE VERY CONSCIENTIOUS ABOUT.
YOU, YOUR HUSBAND AND YOUR TWO CHILDREN? THAT'S RIGHT.
AND AFTER DINNER?
MY KIDS DID THEIR HOMEWORK. IT WAS A SCHOOL NIGHT.
AND ROBERT DID SOME WORK IN HIS DEN,
AND I THINK THAT I DID SOME LAUNDRY OR SOMETHING.
UM, THEN AT ABOUT 10:00, MY KIDS WENT TO BED.
AND... ROBERT AND I HAD A GLASS OF WINE,
WE WATCHED SOME NEWS,
AND, UH, THEN HE TOOK A SLEEPING PILL,
WHICH HE INVARIABLY DOES,
AND WE WENT TO SLEEP.
IT WAS PRETTY UNEVENTFUL.
YOU STAYED IN ALL NIGHT? THAT'S CORRECT.
DID YOUR HUSBAND LEAVE THE HOUSE?
MS. PRENTICE, DID YOUR HUSBAND LEAVE THE HOUSE?
I'M SORRY, YOUR HONOR.
UH... COULD I PLEASE TAKE A SHORT BREAK?
NO, I-I THINK YOU SHOULD ANSWER THE QUESTION, MA'AM.
DID YOUR HUSBAND LEAVE THE HOUSE THAT NIGHT?
YES.
(gallery murmuring)
YOUR HONOR, I'D LIKE A SHORT RECESS TO CONFER WITH MY CLIENT.
NOT GONNA HAPPEN. WHEN DID HE LEAVE?
I DON'T KNOW. I, UH...
I WOKE UP AFTER MIDNIGHT.
YOUR HONOR, I NEED TO CONFER WITH MY CLIENT.
MR. SHORE, BE QUIET.
DO YOU KNOW WHERE HE WENT?
NO, I DID NOT KNOW.
WHEN DID HE GET HOME?
SOME TIME AFTER 3:00.
YOUR HONOR, THIS IS UNFAIR SURPRISE. SHE--
IT'S YOUR WITNESS. I DON'T CARE.
WE'RE FAST APPROACHING GROUNDS FOR A MISTRIAL.
YOU NEED TO GIVE ME A RECESS.
ALL RIGHT. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A 1-HOUR BREAK.
WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?
I AM SO SORRY. IF YOUR INTENT WAS TO BURY HIM, WHY'D YOU HIRE ME?
TO RECONNECT, SO YOU'D BE THERE FOR HER
WHEN HER HUSBAND WENT OFF TO JAIL. THAT ISN'T TRUE.
YES, IT IS. YOU LOVE ALAN. DO YOU DENY IT?
I HIRED ALAN TO SECURE MY HUSBAND'S FREEDOM.
THAT WAS MY INTENT.
I WANTED TO PRESERVE MY FAMILY AT WHATEVER COST.
SO WHAT CHANGED?
WELL, I SUDDENLY THOUGHT, IF...
IF I COMMIT PERJURY, WHAT IF I GO TO JAIL?
WHO RAISES MY KIDS THEN? I MEAN, THEY COULD BE--
THEY COULD BE FACED
WITH LOSING BOTH THEIR FATHER AND THEIR MOTHER AND...
PLUS, I...
PLUS WHAT?
I REALLY BELIEVED THAT THE AFFAIR WAS OVER, ALAN.
I DID. BUT IT WASN'T.
NOW HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO LIE FOR SOMEBODY
WHO'S NOT EVEN FAITHFUL TO ME?
(cell door clanks)
SO, BOB, WE NEED TO TALK.
***
YOU OKAY?
I'M FINE.
YOU WANT ME TO TAKE THIS?
I'LL TAKE IT.
***
FIRST OF ALL, I ADMIRE YOUR HONESTY.
TO GIVE TESTIMONY AGAINST SOMEBODY YOU LOVE...
WE ALL WITNESSED AN EXTRAORDINARY THING.
OF COURSE, YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO GIVE THAT TESTIMONY.
WHILE IT'S TRUE YOU WERE UNDER OATH,
YOU ALSO ENJOY A PRIVILEGE AS THE DEFENDANT'S SPOUSE
TO NO GIVE EVIDENCE AGAINST HIM.
WELL, AS I SAID, I DIDN'T PLAN TO,
BUT ONCE I TOOK THE STAND,
I FELT THAT I'D EFFECTIVELY WAIVED THAT PRIVILEGE, SO...
AH.
I GUESS THE OTHER CONCLUSION WOULD BE THAT PERHAPS
YOU REALLY DID WANT TO TESTIFY AGAINST HIM.
DID YOU?
YOU KNOW I DIDN'T.
MS. PRENTICE,
HAVE YOU UNDERGONE ANY PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT OF LATE
FOR A PERSONALITY DISORDER?
I'VE NEVER BEEN DIAGNOSED...
WITH ANY PERSONALITY DISORDER.
THAT WASN'T MY QUESTION.
I ASKED WHETHER YOU'VE BEEN TREATED RECENTLY FOR ONE.
MY MEDICAL HISTORY IS PRIVATE.
BUT I WILL REPEAT
THAT I'VE NEVER BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A PERSONALITY DISORDER.
HUH.
WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF TO BE A VIOLENT PERSON,
MS. PRENTICE? NO.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN VIOLENT? WELL, I'M SURE EVERYONE'S LOST
HIS OR HER TEMPER, BUT... EVER LOST YOURS WITH A KNIFE?
AM I BEING TOO VAGUE?
HAVE YOU EVER LOST YOUR TEMPER WITH A KNIFE
WITH YOUR 9-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER?
NO.
NO? GEE.
FOR SOMEONE WITH SUCH A STRONG OBLIGATION
TO TELL THE TRUTH UNDER OATH, THAT ANSWER SURPRISES ME.
DID YOU NOT THREATEN YOUR 9-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER
WITH A KNIFE AFTER SHE SPILLED GRAPE JUICE
ON YOUR NEW LIVING ROOM CARPET?
I SNAPPED AT HER WHILE I HAD A KNIFE IN MY HAND.
WASN'T IT MORE LIKE YOU WERE WATCHING TELEVISION,
SHE SPILLED THE JUICE, YOU FLEW INTO A RAGE,
WENT INTO THE KITCHEN, RETURNED WITH PAPER TOWELS
AND THE KNIFE AND THREATENED HER?
WASN'T IT MORE LIKE THAT?
I NEVER THREATENED HER WITH A KNIFE.
A FEW MINUTES AGO IN THAT WITNESS ROOM,
YOU INDICATED TO ME THAT YOU HAD NOW REACHED THE CONCLUSION
THAT YOUR HUSBAND HAD RESUMED HIS AFFAIR WITH MS. GHOULET.
DID YOU NOT? YES.
IN TRUTH, YOU REACHED THAT CONCLUSION
A WEEK BEFORE THE MURDER WHEN MS. GHOULET TOLD YOU
THE AFFAIR WAS BACK ON, RIGHT? THIS TIME,
YOU PICKED UP THE KNIFE AND THREATENED YOUR HUSBAND. NO.
YOU TOLD HIM YOU WOULD KILL HIM, DIDN'T YOU? NO.
THEN YOU SAID YOU'D THINK OF SOMETHING
EVEN BETTER THAN KILLING HIM, DIDN'T YOU, PHOEBE? NO.
YOU TESTIFIED THAT ROBERT TOOK A SLEEPING PILL THAT NIGHT.
DID HE UNKNOWINGLY TAKE TWO OR THREE EXTRA,
MAYBE IN HIS WINE? THAT'S RIDICULOUS.
YOU WERE DRIVING THE CAR THAT PULLED INTO
MS. GHOULET'S DRIVEWAY THAT NIGHT,
AND YOU GAVE HER THE INJECTION THAT KILLED HER,
KNOWING FULL WELL THE POLICE WOULD SUSPECT HIM. YOUR HONOR, THIS IS--
SIT DOWN, MR. BETTS.
AND YOU DIDN'T JUST FRAME HIM AND BURY HIM AT TRIAL.
YOU ADDED THE INDIGNITY OF HAVING AN OLD BOYFRIEND
BE PART OF THE EQUATION.
ONE MIGHT FIND THAT TO BE A LITTLE SICK.
YOU KNOW, HE IS THE SICK ONE.
AND HE HAS CONCOCTED THIS FANTASTIC TALE...
TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER.
YOU DON'T LOOK WELL, PHOEBE.
YOU'RE DIABETIC.
HOW DO YOU GET YOUR INSULIN?
INJECTIONS.
PRETTY GOOD WITH NEEDLES THEN.
***
SPECTACULAR PERFORMANCE.
BUT I MUST SAY, I'M NOT SURPRISED.
MR. SHORE IS LEGENDARY
FOR HIS STUNTS AND SPELLBINDING MANEUVERS
THAT NO DOUBT DAZZLE HIS AUDIENCES, BUT--
I OBJECT TO MY SEX LIFE BEING INTRODUCED-- MR. SHORE.
(Betts) YOU SEE? THIS IS WHAT HE DOES.
HE DISTRACTS, HE USES SLEIGHT OF HAND,
HE MANIPULATES.
BUT ALL OF THESE PLOYS...
THEY COME FROM DESPERATION.
ALL THE PHYSICAL EVIDENCE POINTS TO THE DOCTOR,
AND IT TOOK THE EXPERTISE OF A DOCTOR
TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE A HEART ATTACK, DIDN'T IT?
THE DOCTOR WAS ROMANTICALLY INVOLVED WITH THE VICTIM.
THE DOCTOR IS THE ONE WHO THREATENED THE VICTIM.
MR. SHORE HAD NO CHOICE
BUT TO REACH INTO HIS MAGIC HAT
AND GROPE FOR SOMETHING
THAT HE COULD PASS OFF AS REASONABLE DOUBT.
WELL...
THERE'S DESPERATION AND THERE IS... DESPERATION.
LET'S ALL GET REAL.
I WOULDN'T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN TO GET REAL.
IT'S SO HARD TO BELIEVE
THAT ANY OF THIS COULD POSSIBLY BE REAL.
IT'S SO IMPLAUSIBLE,
SO FANTASTIC, SO UTTERLY...
PHOEBE.
(scoffs)
WHETHER SHE SUDDENLY CHOSE
TO BURY HER HUSBAND WHILE ON THE STAND,
OR WHETHER IT WAS PART OF SOME MASTER PLOT, I DON'T KNOW.
BUT SHE BURIED HIM.
THERE IS NO DISPUTING THAT.
THIS CRIME WAS EXECUTED WITH MACHIAVELLIAN EFFICIENCY
BY A WOMAN WHO NOT ONLY HAD PLENTY OF MOTIVE,
BUT IS ALSO QUITE HANDY WITH NEEDLES.
TRUE, THERE WAS NO FORENSIC EVIDENCE
TO PROVE SHE WAS AT THE SCENE,
BUT YOU HEARD THE DETECTIVE.
HE SAID THE HOUSE WAS, "CONSPICUOUSLY METICULOUS."
IT HAD BEEN CLEANED UP.
COULD PHOEBE PRENTICE
HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE DRUG SUCCINYLCHOLINE?
WHY NOT? HER HUSBAND IS A DOCTOR.
THEIR HOUSE IS FULL OF MEDICAL BOOKS.
THERE'S ALL KINDS OF EVIDENCE AGAINST HER,
BUT THE TRUTH IS, IT DOESN'T MATTER,
BECAUSE YOU SAW ALL YOU NEEDED TO IN HER TESTIMONY.
YOU SAW IT IN HER EYES, YOU HEARD IT IN HER VOICE,
AND YOU KNOW...
SHE DID IT.
PHOEBE PRENTICE KILLED THE WOMAN HER HUSBAND WAS SLEEPING WITH
AND FRAMED HER CHEATING HUSBAND IN THE PROCESS.
PERFECT CRIME.
ALMOST.
***
OKAY. (clears throat)
MADAM FOREPERSON,
THE JURY HAS REACHED A UNANIMOUS VERDICT?
WE HAVE, YOUR HONOR. THE DEFENDANT WILL PLEASE RISE.
WHAT SAY YOU? "IN THE MATTER OF
"THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
"v. ROBERT L. BROOKS,
"ON THE CHARGE OF MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE,
"WE FIND THE DEFENDANT ROBERT BROOKS
NOT GUILTY."
(gallery murmuring)
(reporters all shouting at once)
(camera shutters clicking)
(shouting continues)
***
MY ADVICE TO YOU,
DR. BROOKS, IF YOU HAVE OUT-OF-TOWN RELATIVES...
THE PRESS HERE DOES NOT FIGURE TO LET UP FOR A WHILE.
NO DOUBT YOUR WIFE HAS LEFT TOWN.
WELL, I, UH, I SUPPOSE
A, UH, A HUGE THANK-YOU WOULD BE IN ORDER.
(chuckles) I SUPPOSE. THANK YOU.
CAN'T SAY THAT YOU WERE EVERYTHING
PHOEBE BUILT YOU UP TO BE, BUT, UH, YOU WERE CLOSE.
DID YOU REALLY NOT SUSPECT THAT SHE'D LEFT THE HOUSE THAT NIGHT?
I NEVER LEFT THE HOUSE, ALAN.
WHEN YOU TOLD ME THAT I WAS THE WHOLE DEFENSE
AND THAT I WASN'T PERSUASIVE,
I... DECIDED ON ANOTHER TACK--
INCRIMINATING MY HUSBAND IN A WAY
THAT WOULD MAKE ME SEEM GUILTY.
DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT I WOULD THREATEN
MY OWN CHILD WITH A KNIFE? COME ON.
(Robert) WE HAD TO MAKE UP A FEW THINGS,
GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO GET HER WITH.
I NEVER GOT THE CALL FROM THE VICTIM
TELLING ME ABOUT THE AFFAIR,
I NEVER TOLD ROBERT I WAS GONNA KILL HIM,
AND... I NEVER LEFT THE HOUSE THAT NIGHT.
YOU WERE VERY CONVINCING.
YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN TOO CONVINCING.
YOU'RE NOW ALMOST CERTAIN
TO BE ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH THE CRIME. I CAN RISK THAT
SINCE THERE'S NO EVIDENCE OF ME COMMITTING IT
BECAUSE I DIDN'T.
AND IF NEED BE,
ROBERT CAN ALWAYS SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT.
HE'S PROTECTED NOW BY DOUBLE JEOPARDY, SO...
THERE'S STILL PERJURY. WHO COMMITTED PERJURY?
HE NEVER TESTIFIED, AND I NEVER LIED.
YOU'LL REMEMBER THAT I DENIED ALL OF YOUR ACCUSATIONS.
IN FACT, THE ONLY ONE
WHO TRIED TO INTRODUCE FALSE EVIDENCE WAS YOU.
IT WAS NEVER MY INTENT TO PLAY IT THIS WAY.
I...
MY PLAN WAS SIMPLY TO BE HIS ALIBI,
BUT THEN WHEN YOU SAID THAT I WASN'T PERSUASIVE...
I'M SORRY.
YOU SHOULD LEAVE NOW.
(mouths words) THE TRUTH IS, I NEVER DECEIVED YOU.
YOU TOLD ME HE WAS INNOCENT.
BUT YOU WEREN'T DECEIVED, WERE YOU?
TWO OTHER THINGS I TOLD YOU...
KEEPING MY FAMILY TOGETHER WHATEVER THE COST
WAS EVERYTHING TO ME...
AND THAT AT THE END, I WOULD BE...
WALKING AWAY WITH ROBERT.
I WAS VERY CLEAR ON THAT.
***
THERE'S GOTTA BE A WAY TO TURN THEM IN.
WE COULD.
GET DISBARRED...
GO FISHING...
RETIRE TO STUD. (laughs)
YOU KNOW, ALAN, YOU GOTTA TIP YOUR HAT.
SHE FOOLED EVERYBODY, INCLUDING US.
I AM NOT... TIPPING MY HAT.
THIS IS ONE OF THOSE TIMES
I'M LUCKY TO BE UNLUCKY IN LOVE.
I'LL BET YOU'RE LUCKY AT CARDS.
LET'S GO TO VEGAS.
I'M TRYING TO CHEER YOU UP.
ALAN...
THE THING YOU HAVE TO REALIZE, AND SOMEDAY YOU WILL,
A PERSON ONLY HAS ONE TRUE LOVE IN HIS LIFE.
LIKE IT OR NOT, YOUR TRUE LOVE...
IS ME.
WE MAY NOT HAVE SEX,
BUT OURS IS AN AFFAIR OF THE HEART.
AND WE DO SPOON WELL.
AND I MAKE YOU SMILE.
YES, YOU DO.
(laughs)
SLEEPOVER?
(monitor buzzes)
OH, FORGET IT. WHAT?
JUST FORGET IT.
I KNEW HE DID IT ALL ALONG, YOU KNOW?
DID YOU NOW? AND SHE WAS PLAYING YOU.
WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME? YOU HAD TO DISCOVER IT FOR YOURSELF.
LIKE DOROTHY AND THE RUBY SLIPPERS.
EXACTLY.
I HAD A DREAM ONCE I DID DOROTHY...
AND THE LULLABY LEAGUE GIRLS.
DO YOU THINK THEY'RE OF AGE?
I WOULDN'T KNOW.
DWARFS LOVE GROUP SEX, YOU KNOW?
I'M NOT LISTENING.
I SHOULD GIVE BETHANY A CALL.
(buzz)
(Lullaby League Girls) * WE REPRESENT THE LULLABY LEAGUE *
(buzzing) * THE LULLABY LEAGUE, THE LULLABY LEAGUE *
* AND IN THE NAME OF THE LULLABY LEAGUE *
* WE WISH TO WELCOME YOU TO MUNCHKINLAND * (buzzing continues)
NEXT ON "BOSTON LEGAL"...
IT'S ONE YOU CAN'T WIN, ALAN. SAYS WHO?
SAYS LAW. SAYS THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT. SAYS $50,000.
I'VE BEEN INFORMED THAT YOU AND DENNY CRANE HAVE A SIDE BET. ME?
THIS ALAN SHORE IS DRAGGING YOU INTO THE SEWER.
HEY, MOM. HI, UNCLE JERRY. THIS IS MY GIRLFRIEND FIONA.
I BROUGHT HER ALONG IF THAT'S OKAY.
FIONA'S A SPERM DONOR BABY, TOO.
IT'S POSSIBLE THAT FIONA IS YOUR HALF SISTER.
YOU BETRAYED ME.
YOU BOTH BETRAYED ME AND THIS FIRM AND THE CLIENT!
YOU SICKEN ME.