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Canal Street (2018)
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- And we have a choice. Are we going to allow the system to perpetuate a lie, or are we going to get educated-- - Trayvon Martin case and all these big high-profile cases-- - And you believe the jails are filled with people that do nothing. You think everybody's innocent? - Two young men who had bright, promising futures. - Kholi Styles, Brian Sudermill. - So where do we stand when it comes to privilege in America? - We are so marginalized as a people. - There are people dying in my neighborhood every day. - Find your place of truth. - ...criminalized, they are sometimes victimized, almost in-- - Other minorities do not get the news coverage. - I want to open the phones. Let's talk this out. I'm calling for comp. - 107.5 WGCI, you are live with Kendra G. - Call us right now, 866-9-RICKEY, 866-9-RICKEY, "Rickey Smiley Morning Show." - What's up? It's Angela Yee, and we are back on "The Breakfast Club." - So what is it we're really talking about, race, prejudice? - The fact that we're talking about race is indicative of the prejudice by inheritance. - The prison system is really one of the biggest businesses in America today. - All right, black lives matter, yes. Latino lives matter too. Asian lives matter. Indian lives matter. Muslim lives matter. - So everything's got to be about race all the time 'cause it sells the news. It sells to the community leaders. - Stereotypes are real. - Yeah, they are. - For a reason. - They're not made up out of thin air. - Everyone, of course, has strong opinions on one side or the other, but if we're gonna really grow as a community, as a society, we need to start listening to all perspectives. You want to go downtown... - Compared to a Caucasian person, you always have to prove if you're there. They never want to believe you on face value. - Oh, you supposed to be innocent until you're proven guilty, but apparently that ain't the case. - We can't just talk about race. We can't just talk about prejudice. - Well, you have the story that the mainstream media's gonna say anyway. - And I think the cops have a right to be suspicious. I get it. I get it. - Attorney Jackie Styles. I'm his attorney. - Murderer! - I don't trust them. I ain't pulling over for no cop unless there's witnesses. - We have another opportunity to hype up a black and white dispute and make the black kid look bad. - Whether you're black or white, whether you're Christian or Muslim, we are all one big family. - Chicago, the whole world is watching us right now. - Truth be told, I'm having a foul week I'm prayin' for a miracle now, Canal Street I can't move, I can't move Freeze, rich boy! Ah, he's so scared. Yo, you got all that money now, you got to show some love, brother. - Yo, man, get in. - You can't be playing like that, Joe. Is that loaded? - Yeah, it's loaded, man. Get in. - What's up, man? - You were scared, weren't you? - He was shaking in his boots. - Yo, so I guess today your last day off. - Yeah, unless my dad change his mind. - Hey, man, you really leaving to go for the higher life, bro. Like, get a good look at what you leaving behind, man. - Talk to him, man. Look at it. See it? - What am I missing? - Everything. - Come on, G. We got to go to class, man. - Okay, man, relax. Another one, man? - Relax, everybody. Frank, please. - Why you got two phones and no minutes, G? - One for my girls and one for Frank's mom. - Come on, hurry up. - Okay. - Hurry up. - You are an interesting brother, Mr. Styles. I'm told a lot of good things-- confident, outspoken, professional. - All lies. I'm terrible. Confident but not cocky, I like that, but my question to you is, does Jackie Styles know when to get mean? - If by mean you mean tough, my record shows I do. - Okay, no worries then, tough guy. How's a salary of 120,000 per year plus a 50,000 signing bonus sound? - 250 plus 50. Oh, he is tough, okay. Okay, well, then I guess we'll just have to settle on 100. - 120 plus 50 it is. - 120 plus 50 it is, and welcome to the team. - Hi, I'm A.J. Canton. For seven years I've served the county as an assistant state's attorney. I've put countless criminals behind bars and helped clean up our streets, but now I need your help with my next challenge: cleaning up the mayor's office. It's time to set those old politics aside and give this city the fresh start it deserves. This fall vote Canton. Thank you. - And cut. All right, good. Wrap for lunch. - So? Talk to me. - A little antiquated, don't you think? - No, no, no, simple and to the point, no flash. We just run it a million times. People will see that I'm genuine. - Sure, works for me. If you have a moment, Mr. Abernathy from the city council is holding on two. - Not a problem, but do me a favor. Transfer that call to my cell. It's about that time. Got to get my first-time Barack on. - Today we're gonna be continuing the conversation, except this time about the, uh--the genotype. Now, what's fascinating about genetics is what... - Yo, you need us to help you out tonight? - Nah, man, it's straight. I'm pretty much done with all the boxes. We ain't got as much as he is anyway. - Good, 'cause I wasn't trying to help you out anyway. Look, man, I don't know why you just don't stay here, bro. Grab a spot. Find a easy. - Tell that to my pops. - Brown eyes. Does anybody here have brown eyes? Can anybody--anybody-- - Just as long as you're there on time. Well, I'm having dinner ready by 6:00. Just be home by then, okay? Bye, boy. - Kholi? - Yeah, boy got me fried chicken. - Oh, the weather's definitely changing, brother. Outside of the Starbucks and the pools just popping up all over the place, this community has definitely benefitted from you. - Well, we've done enough to tear it down. May as well just build it right back up. - Obviously that is very true, but we sure got much more to do though. Now, when you coming back to church? - Who, me? - No, me. You. - Oof. - I'm just happy I could help. - Thank you, Lord, but thank you, Jay. Thanks for getting the church squared away, but hey, you wouldn't want to forget this. - Ooh. Absolutely. - Love you, man. Thank you. - Love you right back. - Come on, now. - Love you back. - All right, now. - All right. Yes, sir. - Jackie! - Sir! - Jackie! Sir! - Jackie. Mm, Jesus, thank you. - Hey. So we still got the hardwood floors. We got the nice marble in here. Now, we are both upstairs. You gonna be right down the hall. I'm in the master bedroom, but you ain't got to call me master. We have our own wings, bachelor-style, so. This is home, boy. This is it. May not be there to look in your eyes Like I was yesterday I see every single tear you cry ...close to the water It can always get to me All my love will keep you moving on You know I never... If you just look Look Into the horizon If you just look Look Into the horizon - You good? - It's not our home. It don't feel right. - Well, how you think that makes me feel? I lived in that house for five years before you even came along, but if we keeping your mama right there--right there-- then we all live here. I know we moved a long way from everything we know, but I might have a little something up my sleeve here. You know, your pop might need a little help getting back and forth to the south side. Go over there and get some Hal's Chicken. I got something. Come on. - Where did you get this? - I got you. Ha, ha! - This is cool, Dad. Can I take it for a spin? - Yeah, absolutely, and the seats vibrate too, boy, but don't you get no ideas. Have fun. - My love inside your heart now Keep my loving memory - If you listen to the press, it's always, "He's from the south side of Chicago. He is--" But they don't talk about how he was moved from the south side because his father got a promotion. - Right. - I've been around white people in cars that have gotten pulled over, and I could--I could feel the energy where the cop is kind of just hounding me, "Where's your license? Where's your registration? Do you have any criminal charges in your history?" - What was he doing in that neighborhood? - They just moved to that neighborhood. They were new to the neighborhood, moved from the inner city. - Exactly. - What, you got to register now? You got to register when you move into a new neighborhood? - He's not a registered sex offender, exactly, so... - Turn off the vehicle, sir. Nice car you got yourself here. - Thank you. - Must be new to the neighborhood. I know most of my kids on this beat. - Yeah, my dad just bought it. - Mm. Well, on behalf of the community, welcome you to the neighborhood, hmm? I'm over on Green Bay Road. You need anything, you just give me a holler, 'kay? Good to see you. All right, give me some, right here. Little--yeah. We did it in football. You have a good day now. - Hey, we're about to have a game. Do you want in? - Nah, I'm good. - You make it ten. We could run full. - Told you I'm good, little man. I'm not even dressed to play. - Come on. Man, all we're doing is having some fun. Who cares what you're wearing? I mean, if you're scared, then just say you're scared. Scared? - I don't appreciate you pressuring me like that, Zac Efron. It's not like that. How about just you and me then? - Don't worry. I'll sit this one out. You two have fun. - I just want to see what you can do. - You keep pressuring me, I'ma show you what I can do. - Now who's taking this all wrong? - I told you I'm good, man. All right. - Now, his classmate's name is Brian Sudermill. I mean, we've been talking about this for weeks. - Yeah. - I know this. - Let's go, G. I got first. - Your ball, big guy. - The two of them had got into a fight one week prior. Witnesses saw it. - I think it's pretty obvious what happened. - I read somewhere that these two had beef. - There was a altercation between the two of them a week or so before, so you--now-- - That was not the case. Oh, oh - If I call 911 and the police come, they might think that I did it. - Right. - I still look suspicious either way. - You want me to teach you how to play? - I don't think there's any controversy here. They had been fighting. Emotions got out of control, which will happen, and boom, you've got--you've got this Brian Sudermill kid dead. - Well, who killed Brian? 'Cause if you think about it, we've seen some cases in the past where it-- - They should look into Brian's past and his parents' past. - See you around, South Side. - South Side. - Hey. Don't let him get to you. I'm Zoey. It's your choice, killer. - I'm Kholi. - You live around here? - I live here now. - Man, he really messed you up. You should get that looked at. There's a coffee shop around the corner. - You want to buy me coffee? - You're cute. No, getting you some ice. You coming or what? - I know this road is getting hard I heard you say it's overwhelming I said I'd never be too far And I meant that from the heart I see the mountain getting higher I see it stacking up against you I always said you were a fighter But you've got your doubts tonight But I'm here to remind you It don't matter where you come from I know we can get through this It might feel like it's been so long But we keep on keeping on - Still I had a reason to ask why Why she cut me off the chain and let me fly And no, I'm not gonna be the one to say That we could have had it any other way So I'll keep running from what I called upon This loving from which I can move on And yes, I know she will keep me from the rain When the sun comes out, I'll be back again for you - All right. Everybody find a seat. Okay, everybody, go ahead and get settled in. Get everything cleaned. - What do you think you're doing? - I sit here. It's my seat. - I see your lip is healing up nicely. - I see if you want to try another cheap shot, I'm right here. - You got balls, son. So you a drug dealer or something? - One might find that offensive. I'm not a drug dealer. I'm a classical violinist. - No way. - Heck, no. - Biggie or Tupac? - The Rolling Stones or the Beatles? You sound racist. - I know about rap music. - ...okay, wonderful. - What do you drive? - Go ahead and pull out your music piece from last week. - BMW 325ci. - You don't know about rap music, bro. - Gentlemen, I'm wearing the tie. I'll do the talking. - Is that what it takes to run the class, 'cause, uh, heck, I can borrow my dad's tie tomorrow, and then I can be in charge. - All right, all right. You're not funny. All right, once again, we're gonna be working on... - Rolling Stones. - Half of you are gonna be working flats. Half of you are gonna be working sharps. - Me too. - Keeping up with the winners like a constant trip - Can I sit here? - Yeah. - Where you from? - Chicago. - Yeah, but, like, where? - South side, 83rd and Ingleside. - I don't know directions. Is that far? - Something like that. - By the way, how's that busted lip treating you? You kiss any courts lately? - So Zoey from Friendly Hills got jokes. - Just to make it perfectly clear, I was born and raised in Humboldt Park. - You didn't say that last night. - Last night? What happened last night? - Yeah, Kholi, what happened last night? - Nothing happened last night. We talked, and we went home. Our own homes. - Mm-hmm. - Oh, look at that, a guy who doesn't take the first opportunity to lie about getting in some strange girl's pants. - At least she admits she's strange. - Hey, OG. - Look, South Side, I'm having a party next weekend after Friday's game. You should come. - Is he gonna be there? - And everyone else. - I got to bring my boys. - Sure. - I'll see you there. - Whoo-hoo-hoo! What?! - Come on, son. - Ain't nobody go tell me that we was coming to a king's mansion. - More medieval for this guy. - Oh, for real? This all you, Mr. Jefferson? - It's about to be. - If I'd have knew we was coming here, I would have brought all that, you feel me? You know how much money I get paid selling to these fools? - Not that type of party tonight, G. - Then what type of party is it, Kholi? What am I supposed to do? - You do know there's females in that house, right? - Oh, yeah, I know there's females in there, but every one of them females is a case I'm not trying to catch. How they look though? You tell me. How they look? - Get on, man. - No, what they look like? No, I'm asking you. - That's enough, Liz. - Can we just have one conversation about this without you yelling at me? - We talked about it 20 times. - Stop... - I don't want to talk about it anymore. - Don't you think you've had enough? - Hey, we got to go talk. Look, I got a guy downstairs, but you got to be straight up with him, no screwing around. He's my buddy. - I only got, like, six on me. - That's fine, but I need your word. Don't sell him no $50 Tylenol. - Come on, Joe. If you think that low of me, why'd you even bring him here? - Hey, man, I'm about to--to head out. - Okay, man. You be safe. - Hey, hey, hold on. Let me, let me. - So this is my room. - Wow. Zija? - Yup, Zija. - I just wanted to say... I think there's a lot of beauty in this world. I don't need to be so angry all the time. - You play? - Yup, and I sing. I have a band. - Listen, man, I want you to get home safe. - Hey, look at me. Your life matters to me. - Stop touching me. You just can't-- - This is a night of love. - Listen, no it ain't. - Shh. Let's bury the hatchet. - You don't go to school with any of these other kids, right? - No way. - All right. - Graduated in 2010, but I used to sit for Zoey and a few of these other kids back in high school. - Okay, all right, well, you know, I'm with one of my boys. He go to that school now. - You're, like, the surrogate big brother? - Yeah, yeah. Well, you know, you took care of the drinks, so I guess that makes you the big sister. - I guess so. - Let's come together and end this darkness. - Get-- - Whoa, your hair. - Have a drink with me? - That was part of my plan all along. Little Punky Brewster can get it, now. Come on, now, - You want to know a deep, dark secret? I learned on the accordion. - Shut up. - Really? - Yeah. Oh, my dad, he had this bachata group, and sometimes they'd switch it up for the rhythm guitar. You want to know another secret? - I already knew that secret. - Oh, really? Am I that transparent? - Yeah, you're a little light. - Shut up. - Hey, buddy. Hey, buddy. I think your girl left. - What time is it? - The party's over. - I'll drive home. - You--you ain't driving. No, I got you. We got you. We're coming in peace. - I'm good. I'm good. I can drive. - Whoa. - I'm good to drive, bro. - Come on. - Thanks, bro. - Your breath is super offensive, okay? Hey, look, look. MayMay! - MayMay! - MayMay! - MayMay! Why is it black people always drive these big SUVs? - Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. I'ma let you slide 'cause you drunk. - You know, my BMW connects straight to your phone, Bluetooth and everything. - Some are just born lucky. - No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, look. My dad didn't become rich because of his generosity, but it wasn't given to him either. I can't tell you how many kids I know just get cars for their birthday. Happy 16th, son. You failed three classes? You get an Audi instead of a Lexus. No, we went 50/50. I earned $15,000 working the golf courses. It took me three years. You think all of us got something for nothing. - You do know where I come from people have real problems? - Can't help being born where you're born, man. - Says the wealthy kid with the BMW. - Do you not see what you're in right now? You keep talking like you don't live here, like you're just visiting. What have you got to prove, man? Where is the shame in coming from a nice neighborhood? My parents worked hard to get to where they are, and from the looks of it, so have yours. - I don't feel like I'm welcome here. - That's all in your head! Who is it telling you to leave? - Nobody! - When I was seven years old, I remember my parents took me out to the mall downtown. I was standing there holding my mom's hand, and I saw another kid there holding his mom's hand, only I had never seen anyone like him except maybe on TV, so at seven years old, I was unfamiliar with him, man. But I am asking you, is that my fault? - You're not seven no more, Brian. - Thanks for the ride. My house is up here on the left. - What was that? - I don't know. - Probably somebody blew a tire on that pothole again. - I guess. - Where are you going? - I'm gonna check it out. - Help! - Somebody help! Help! Help! Brian? Oh, my God. Brian! Brian! - When you dropped him off at his parents' house, that was around 4:30. And then you just left. Is that right? - I drove out. I pulled up, and I see someone laying on the floor, and I ran over. I shook him. That's why my hands got bloody. - So you kill kids and you sell drugs, right, Lashawn? - You know what? You put that in my mouth. I didn't say that. You said that. Why would you put that on me? - Marcus, Marcus, tell me what happened so we can all go home. Come on, man, I know you're just protecting your friends, but it's not gonna work because your boys right now, my two partners got them in a room. One of them's already talking. I wouldn't be surprised if he was telling all the cheat against you right now. - That's a lie. He wouldn't do that. - You don't sound too sure about that. - They don't care about what I got to say, Dad. In they mind I did it. In y'all mind I'm a murderer. In y'all mind-- - Bam. - Oh, and now we have a warrant, which entitles us to search your premises. - Any idea what we should expect to find when we tour that house up there? - I don't know, man. Now can I talk to my lawyer? I'm tired of talking to y'all. - You know what that is? - Oh, yeah. - No, take a really good look. - Look like cocaina to me. Whatever, it's not mine, so what's up? - I have a report saying that you two were in a fight not too long ago. - It wasn't a fight. It was a heated basketball competition. - What were you fighting about? - Are you even trying to listen to him? - We got past that. - I can do something for you if you give me something. - You can go fetch me some weed. - Yo, I want to talk to my lawyer though. How about that? What? Get your hands off me! Get your hands off me. Get your hands off me, man. - Sit down! - You want to do something? Come on! - How about I lock you up and lose the key? How would you like that? I got this. - Cool it. - I got this. - Cool it. - I got this! And they'll find you in a frigging Dumpster! Listen, you don't want to again, not on a piece of trash like this. - It's not gonna be like the other one. - Remember the last guy? - I-- - Who pulled the trigger?! Who pulled the trigger? - Your mama, that's who pulled the trigger. - Power 92.3, Terrence Palmer here. Like everyone, I am talking about Brian Sudermill, the boy from the 'burbs killed in front of his own house. - Mr. Kholi Styles, you're being charged with murder in the first degree in the death of Mr. Brian Sudermill. Do you understand? - Yes, sir. - And how do you plead? - Not guilty, Your Honor. - A murder happens every day here in Chicago. When it happens outside of the city, that's when it makes national news. "The Chicago Tribune," "The Chicago Sun Times," "RedEye," all have devoted front page coverage above the fold. - There's a lot of unconscious bias that goes on. It happens with all of us. It's very natural because your perspective is based on your environment and what you've experienced. - ASA Canton? - Yes? - Now, you've succeeded in getting life sentences your last three murder trials. Will you seek life again? - Now, Jake, you know I'm not prepared to discuss that at this time. - Do you believe that your being a black man in this particular case puts you in an awkward position? - Look, I'm not the first black prosecutor to try a black defendant, and I won't be the last. - Every murdered child deserves front-page coverage. - Like, I just saw a video recently in the news where people literally saw a kid dying and were, like, walking away because they were scared. - So was it a hate crime? Was he killed because he was white? - Mr. Styles, given that this is the first charge against you, I'm gonna set bail at $3 million. - Who did the judge think his dad is, P Diddy, Jay-Z? This is not Blue Ivy that's in jail right now. - Whether you--you caused suffering to someone, it is a mistake. - Unless you plan to murder them on purpose. Then it's not a mistake. - With Kholi being accused of murder, we have to look at it from a--from a Christian perspective. We have to look at it through those Christ lens. - Your Honor, I believe 1 or even 2 million would be sufficient. Even those figures would be near impossible for my client to obtain, but 3 million is nowhere within his reach. - Black man to black man, I would be sympathetic, except I chose to make something of myself, while he chose a different path, so no, I'm not in an awkward position. He and I, in more ways than one, are on completely opposite sides, and my team and I are going to make sure that this city and the jury see that as clear as day. - See, the lamestream media wants to keep the narrative going of black versus white, black versus white 'cause that's how a lot of these guys make money. The news media, some of the community organizers, they got to keep black and white people fighting 'cause it's a good story, and when we realize they're sitting at the big table getting rich and we're down here fighting and killing each other over nonsense. - It's a never-ending struggle for all minorities, but for some reason it's forgotten that the fact it's not just black injustice in America. - Mr. Franklin, you're no stranger to cases like this. Some might even say that you helped write the book on putting murderers like this away. - Now, that's not a question, is it? - Well, but don't you think that it could send the wrong message? - Now, that's a question, but no, I don't. - Now, I doubt you would ever exhibit such a breach of etiquette as to ask me to cut bail in half were it not for the simple fact that you're defending your son. Let this be the only incident. - I'm sorry, Your Honor. Forgive me. - A.J. Canton didn't ask me to join this case. I went after the prosecution for the sole purpose of joining that team, and it just so happens that the lead prosecutor is my good friend, Mr. A.J. Canton. - Let us remember the family of Kholi Styles. Remember, Chicago, we haven't heard it all yet. - There'll be no more questions. - A $80,000 advance? That's a lot of cash, Jackie. - I know, and I feel terrible even having to ask. - And you'll be acting as his attorney? So what you're telling me is you want 80 grand, and you'll be pretty much unavailable to work for me for the next several months after I've only hired you a few weeks ago. - Sir, with all due respect, I can't just leave my son in there. - Jackie, I think you're a good guy, but I can't forward you that much money. However, I'll keep you on a leave of absence, and in lieu of pay I'll arrange additional support for your team from one of our younger counsel. - I--I can't afford that. - Don't you worry about that. It's on me. You just worry about closing this case and helping your boy. You take whatever time you need. Your job will be waiting after you win it. - Thank you, Mr. Shaw. Thank you. - I mean, church, the world doesn't need more religion. What we need is more love, and once we love one another in spite of our differences, once we love one another in spite of our flaws, once we love one another in spite of our differences, we lead people to Christ. - All right, inmates, we got a new one. - Ezekiel 22:30 says, "I looked for someone among them that would build up "the wall and stand before me on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it." - Preacher Man, come and meet your new neighbor. - "But I found no one." Church, we need to stop judging. I mean, we can't all be saints in the church. I know I'm not. I know you guys are saying some of you guys are innocent, but I know I'm not. I mean, I've been on the block. I probably sold to some of you when I was coming up on Stony Island. You know me. Look, we all are and were flat broke and in need of someone to pay our debt, and the only one worthy died on Calvary. I mean, greater love has no more than this, to lay down one's life for one's friend. Look at your neighbor. Grab their hand. And let them know, "I'm with you." I'm with you. - Let them know, "I'm with you." I'm with you. - I am with you! I am with you. - 'Cause if not you, then who? Amen. Amen. - Tensions is rising all across the world, and social media is heating up. - On your news feed you scroll, and you see the face accused of the crime, and right there, that's, you know, judge and jury. - Blacks have to work twice as hard to accomplish what white people get. - That's not true. - In the past few decades, I mean, thousands of young Latino men shot and killed by police officers. Can you name me one? - And you think what, white people just get everything handed to them? - I can give you two, Ricardo Diaz-Zeferino, Gardena, 2013, Antonio Zambrano-Montes, Pasco, Wash, 2015, both killed by state police officers. - And those state police officers, they went back to work like nothing happened. - It's easy to see why a police officer would look at Kholi and think, "Oh, he's a murderer," because that was his mindset anyway. His mindset was already, "He's up to no good." - It's almost like we've become desensitized, and this is, like, the--the norm. - This is just America now. - And as you grow up, you realize the stuff we used to do as teenagers and then coming to tell a daughter that we was basically being racist and stereotyping each other. - You think you have it harder than me? - No, I know I do. - So, can you help me? I need you to dig around, see what you can find, anything. - My God, Jackie. I'm sure it crossed your mind that's a pretty weak alibi. - Frank, you know Kholi. - Do I? Do you? Hey, you're a great dad, but sometimes, you know, a kid can slip, you know, and there's just nothing you can do. - Well, I know what I need to do, and that's prove he didn't do this. Now, my question to you is will you help me? - You already know I will, but where we gonna start? - Ms. Abbas? - Mr. Shaw. Is everything okay? - Are you familiar with the Kholi Styles, Brian Sudermill case? - I am, and I'm sure you know better than I do that it's--it's pretty clearly open and shut. I mean, don't you think so? - It doesn't really matter what I think. You've just been promoted, Ms. Abbas. You'll be taking second chair for the defense on this trial, a trial that I need handled with care. Mr. Styles is a great investment, an investment that we need to get back to work. Do you understand? Good. Well, you should get going. You have a lot to get familiar with. - I wasn't in bed yet 'cause the baby was screaming. That's when I heard the bang, and I thought, I don't know, maybe an old car somewhere was having trouble. Took me a moment to calm her down, and I realized I was still hearing screams. Peeked out the window and saw Bill and that black kid. - Any idea how long from when you heard the shot to when you looked out the window? - I'm sorry, one minute, five minutes. I was focused on my daughter at the moment. - How well did you know Brian? - He used to babysit the boys a few years ago. I don't feel like much of a friend discussing this, but Brian was a pot head. Nothing beyond what kids tend to do--I mean, I was a now-and-then smoker myself, but you become a dad, you get delivered from all that, and you don't want your kids around people that do the things you used to do yourself. - Yeah. - I need his Webelos uniform. - I boxed it. - Which box? - Donations. - I don't want you in here. I'm keeping everything. I'm making something for him. Don't wear that. - Check the box in the back. - Hey, Zoey. You're a friend of Kholi Styles? I'm a detective working on his case. - What, WPD? - Nothing like that, private. I'm working for Kholi's dad, family friends. - Yeah, well, I got nothing to hide. - Then, hey, you don't mind if I ask you some questions? He was at your party that night, right, him and Brian? - Yeah, and everyone else in town, so. - Did you have any contact with him that night? - Yes, I did, but he didn't say anything about killing Brian, so. - How well do you know Kholi? - Get to the point. - Well, I've known Kholi all his life, right, and I'd like to prove that he didn't do this, and if, like you said, he didn't mention it to you or act suspiciously all night, then you might be somebody who can help. - They found him standing over Brian's body. Don't that mean he did it? - Actually, no, it doesn't, but the cops don't have any other suspects, and they aren't looking. I can see that you care, that he meant something to you. We need your help, all right? I need to get inside this, and you're the only person that can do that. - Yeah? What do you need me to do? - Brian's world, the people in it, I need to get inside his life. Can you do that? - Yeah, I think I can do that. - Mr. Styles? I'm Nancy Abbas. Jerry sent me over. - Yeah, come on in. - Thank you. - That's Frank right there. - Hi. Nice to meet you, Nancy. - Yeah, have a seat right here. Yeah, I think I remember seeing you in the office there. How many cases like this have you worked? - Um, well, I just passed the bar last summer, so, you know, this'll be one of my first, but I've helped in a lot of civil cases. Here, um, I pulled some files on similar cases we can look at. That is the State of Illinois versus Elias Braley. He was an African-American teenager who was caught on a parking lot camera shooting a white teenager. They got a reduced sentence of ten years after proving he was attacked first. - Look, my son doesn't belong in there another ten minutes, let alone ten years. - I think it's only fair that I put this out there right from the start, okay? I've reviewed the facts of Kholi's case, and I am not entirely convinced that your son is innocent. Now, I'm gonna do whatever I can to help, but I think the best line of pursuit may be to admit that he shot the boy first while showing how the earlier altercation provoked Brian into attacking him. The toxicology test proved that they'd both been drinking that night. - It's an option, Jackie. We've been racking our brains here and come up with nothing. - That still doesn't explain how Kholi got a gun. Kholi doesn't own a gun. - How can you be so sure? You know, maybe one of the other two boys he was with-- - Because he's my son. I know my son, and he wouldn't do this. I know it. I believe it. - This is something. My kids are upset. My wife is afraid, and we've never been afraid before. It is a little too close to home, this story. - I actually admire the guy for sticking around, even if he did it, and calling for help because what are the cops gonna think the first time they roll up and they see-- - You admire him? - But what's the first thing they're gonna see when they see a black kid hunched over a seemingly dead body covered in blood? - I'm surprised they didn't shoot him. - Well, there you go! - You think A.J. Canton is an Uncle Tom? - It's not his fault that he's a black man from the inner city that has to take down another black man from the inner city. I mean, can you think about what he's probably thinking about? - You know, I got to tell you, I've met A.J. Canton. I think he's a fine man. I think he's got a thankless job. - Listen, personally, I think the brother's okay, okay? He kind of reminds me of something like a black Harvey Dent, you know what I'm saying? He's. - All right. All right, bye. - Hey,. - What's up, man? - You know I'm too young and too pretty to be up here all laid out. - I mean, I give you young, but that's about it. - What? Man, you better get out of here. Uh, look what the, uh, wind blew in. - Be nice, Ronnie. He's nice with the pockets. - Yeah, yeah. - What's up, my brothers? - A.J. - Bro, what up, yo? You good? So what's up, yo? Why it so dead up in here? Huh? Hey, Bobby, what you got on the game, man? I think I might want to get a piece of that. Ronnie-Ron, what it is, brother? - You keep saying that, "brother," so, uh, we still brothers? - I'm sorry, what? - I think you heard me just fine. - Yeah, whatever, man. - So what we having today, man? - Bobby, you know how I like to get my hair cut, man, so you tell me. Hmm? What's really good? All right. All right. Let's put it out there. So what's up? Y'all got a problem with me or something? - Is the money that good, A.J? - There it is. Is the money that good? Here I am thinking I can at least come to the shop and not have to hear this garbage. - Hey, you brought the garbage to the shop, brother. - All right, Ron. Seems like you got an opinion about this thing. The floor's all yours. Go ahead. Lay it all out for us, Ron. - Why you got to get your nose up in everything, hmm? Nah, I mean, I see you. You jump from one high-profile situation to the other, but you don't actually try to help anyone, let alone your own people. I mean, not unless, of course, there's a sea of reporters out there shoving cameras in your face, so what happened, man? - First of all, who you think you're talking to right now, hmm? You see, it seems like you got all these opinions, right? But I don't recall you doing a thing for the advancement of black folks. - Okay, so your doing something includes taking down a black man. - Oh, so check this out. When Ra-Ra got shot, right, after he got pulled over, it was cool for me to prosecute that white man. - No, hold on, man. - Hold on, hold on, hold on! Hold on! It's cool for me to prosecute the white man, right? But as soon as a white boy from the 'burbs loses his life and I take the case, now you all want to come at me like this. - Oh, you act like you ain't getting paid! - Oh, man, come on. - Like, you want us to think you just doing this because it's your civic duty. - It is my civic duty. A young man got murdered. See, y'all seem to be forgetting exactly where it is I come from. - What? Ain't nobody forget where you come from. Anybody forget where he come from? It's you that forgot where you come from. - What? - That's the second time you act like you didn't hear me. Let me ask you a question. - Go ahead, shoot. - Where's the bullet? - Oh, sh-- - No, where's the bullet? - Here we go again. - As a matter of fact, where's the gun? - Here we go. There it is. - All right, you gonna prosecute a young black man, and you ain't even got no physical evidence. - You see that, Bobby? This brother is now a lawyer. - Don't seem like it's that hard to do. - Mm-hmm. - Not in our days. Okay, look, we all know that you work for yours, A.J, all right? And you're running for mayor and all that, and you want to be the leader, but the question is why you got to take this case? - So tell me, Ron, who you think should take the case, hmm? See, I'm getting real sick and tired of this, y'all. When they started tearing down the community, I stepped up. When they ripped the guts out of the tailor homes, I was there right beside the people, but I can't make a difference if I just stay right beside the people. I have to lead and provide justice for all the people. - Let me tell you something, brother. I can remember when Harold Washington, one of the greatest to ever grace this city, would come through these doors almost every Sunday after services at Blackstone Church. He'd come through that door, and he'd sit down right here, right in that seat, and I remember it like it was yesterday. And he would take time away from actually running this city to help educate and spread positive messages to every man, woman, and child that came through that door. He was definitely one of the best of us, and I still feel him beside me today. - So you still want that line-up for all the cameras gonna be in your face? - Man, why you got to try to get so deep on a Sunday? - You can't take the sermon, get out the church. It's all good though. It's all good, A.J. - It's all good? - We'll always have a chair for you, man, even after you lose this case. - Mm-hmm. Yeah, well, may the right man win then, all right? - All right. - Hey, Kholi, how you doing this evening? I've been meaning to ask you a question. - Shoot. - How's your spiritual life, man? - I go to church. I'm good. - I'm not asking how long you been going to church. Being behind these walls has given me a chance to reflect, a chance to capture a different perspective. As a priest, I could quote the scripture with the best of them, and although I knew the Bible really well, I had never taken time to actually know the author of the Bible. The name of God was present in my life, but the presence of God was absent. I looked the part. I acted the part, but I'd never taken a moment to know God on a--on a personal level. - It's just hard, George, since my mom died, and now this? - You know, Kholi, I--I can't pretend to know what you're going through. I can understand wanting to question God. It's--it's in our nature to question, but you know, God does not allow pain without purpose. - I know you're close, God I know you're closer than you've ever been Right where you are - This--this crisis that you're going through, it's not meant to destroy you but rather to develop you. - Why can't I just enjoy you playing? - Hey, mister, you said I could have anything I want for my birthday. This is what I want. Come on, back straight, arms out. - Ma, I got this. Even if you feel alone, think of me, and you'll be home. Of all the things that we may never know, don't worry. I'll be there by your side. Yeah. - Happy birthday, Mom. - Thank you. Thank you. - George, will you pray for me? - Heavenly Father, we thank you for this moment, Lord. We trust, Lord, that you will continue to bless his life with seasons of uncommon favor, that he would know, Lord, that the pressures of life are simply meant to develop, promote, and to qualify him for all that you have in store for him. Live in him. Express yourself through him, and may he know you in a sovereign way. We thank you for it, Lord. Amen. - They have no prints, so he--they shouldn't even be holding him. - Right. - If anything, he should be out on bond. - He was screaming for help. Why would he do that if he was the killer? - I don't know, man. I'd probably go miles away, then call the police or something like that. - No one expects a killer to stick around and call for help. Isn't that the perfect cover? - He was murdered by someone. - Right. - We still don't know who. - Didn't they find him with a gun, what's this guy's name, Coca-Kholi No-Styles? - And you bringing a wallet back to him, that's not a good--it look like you robbed him and killed him and then came back. - If the white kid was standing over the black body and everybody ran up, they'd be like, "Hey, man, what happened, man?" - Right. - The first thing they would think is, "We need to call--" - Are you okay? - You right, yeah. - No, that's it, yeah, yeah. - It's tragic for his family. - It's tragic. I mean-- - But imagine how tragic it is for Kholi's family. - They do not put people in prison for nothing. - What? - Where have you been for... - Okay, all right. - Like, the past 200 years? - Basically, he's toast. That's what all the kids are saying at the school, anyway. - Well, I think they have good as his chance as anyone. - You really believe that? - Yeah. They're gonna try it in the city, so, you know, race is not really gonna be a question. - Babe, you might as well do it on the moon. I mean, it's not about the location. Location doesn't mean anything. It's about public perception. You can't take race out of that. - He's not being persecuted because he's an African-American kid. He's being persecuted because he's covered with blood with a dead kid at his feet. - This is still a world of race issues, yes, right? - Yes. - And this trial is gonna be Sisyphus pushing the boulder up the hill again and again and again. - Uh-huh. - And it's not gonna stop, and those people up there with their newspapers, they're gonna be force-feeding us articles about their local opinion. - You all remember the Central Park Five? - Of course. - 1989, a woman is jogging through the park, is raped. Five men, all black, stand accused and profess their innocence, right? - I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Quinn. What is your point? - To get perspective, to get personal. In 2002-- - On what? This is not the same case. - Those men were vindicated when the real rapist was found through DNA. - If the roles were reversed, they would have seen Brian as innocent. - You're Muslim. - Oh. - I'm Jewish. We have fears. We're both, to an extent, afraid of the natural prejudices that come with us as being who we are. That's what this whole case is about. - I don't believe that racism is something that we come into the Earth as humans naturally participating in. I believe it is a condition that is taught. - Why does everything in Chicago have to be about race? - Craig, at the end of this day it has to be about the facts, okay? And to accept that it isn't something I'm prepared to do. - Well, then I hope you're right. - So do you think he's innocent, Brenda? - No, I think he's guilty, and I think he should go to jail for life. - All right, Brenda. Thank you very much for your call. - What if it's all said and done, Kholi's not guilty? He's innocent? - So no matter what, this guy's being crucified and judged in the media, and that's another life destroyed. It's sad. These are two kids. - But at the same time, if he is guilty, he does need to be in jail for the rest of his life because Brian's mother and Brian's dad cannot get another moment with their son. So this is all they have, huh? Well, I wouldn't call this much of a plan. - Could be better, but you know, Jackie really believes what Kholi's telling him. - I know my son, and he wouldn't do this. - And you, what do you think? Do you still believe that this boy did it? - There may be a bit of doubt. - Hmm. - How are you holding up? - I wish everyone asking me that would stop. I'm fine. - I feel bad. It was my party. - You weren't handing out guns at the door, were you? - Look, I didn't know Brian that well, but he seemed like a nice guy. - Is there a reason you're talking to me, Zoey? - Look, my parents died, car crash six years ago. I still don't talk about it with anybody, not even my sister. - That was about the time I moved in with my uncle and aunt. You were with him that night, Kholi? - Yeah. - He seem like a nice guy? - Yeah, he does. - Nobody can say he didn't have it coming. He pissed off a lot of people, but he was good to me, and I loved him. He had such an ego, you know? He was so confident. That's why I liked him. No... I loved him. Brian could always hold a grudge, but I never thought he'd end up dead. - Hello. Mr. Manheim, is that right? - Yes? - I'm Nancy Abbas. I work for Kholi Styles. We were just wondering if you'd answer a few questions regarding the murder that took place next door. - Please come in. Come in. - Okay. So you were outside that morning? - Mm-hmm. - Must have heard the gunshot pretty loud and clear. - I did. I know the sound of a gun. Ranger, retired. A gunshot here, it's about as foreign a sound as you can get. - So I mean, what did you do when you heard the shot? - Well, I ran toward it. I figured someone might have gotten hurt. It only took me a minute to pinpoint the direction, but by the time I got close enough to see the Sudermill house, all I could see was that car taking off down the road. - What car? - I just saw a pair of red lights speeding off, getting smaller and smaller. Body type was like a Tesla or a Mercedes. - Okay. And then you saw Brian alone? - I saw someone, a body on the ground, and by the time I got back down, there was Bill holding his son and that black boy right beside him. - Bill Sudermill says he found Brian around 4:40. This man heard the gunshot at 4:30, took a minute or two to locate the source, saw the car drive away and leave Brian alone. Then Bill comes out at 4:40 and sees Kholi there with Brian? Why would he come back if he was the killer? - Nah, that doesn't mean anything. - Jackie, this is our first break. - No, I tell you what this is. We've got one senior citizen who claims he saw some red lights far away in the dark. You know what the county's got? My son covered in that boy's blood. - Okay, but even you have to admit that this is good. - Eh. - Okay, plus there's still no gun. - And no bullet to trace it to. When it comes down to it, that could be the only thing that exonerates Kholi. In this town, they've already strung the noose. No one's gonna do the heavy lifting for us. - Frank's right. - You know, maybe this doesn't seal the deal, but at least it's a shadow of proof that there might be somebody else. - So find the bullet. - They think I'm a murderer. The guards look at me like I'm nothing. The dudes look at me like a pushover. - Are they keeping you safe? - My roommate is a priest. He's cool, but once I go to the cafeteria, once I go to the gym-- - We may have a witness. A man says that he saw a car pull away just after the murder. It was before you went back. - That's great. - You should be a little happier, son. - You think I'm a murderer? If Ma was here, she would believe me. - No, son, I didn't raise a murderer, and your mother, your mother does believe you. She saw everything. She has the best seat in the house, and your mother knows you didn't kill that boy. Do you understand? - I just want to go home. I didn't kill nobody. - 107.5 WGCI, you're live with Kendra G. You know today is trial day. - Kholi Styles is facing life in prison, on trial right now, as we speak. - If Kholi Styles were white, would we be having this same discussion? - Absolutely not. First of all, you'd have no reason to talk to me. He wouldn't be in jail. - All rise. - The prosecutor is also black, A.J. Canton. He's also from a similar background as Kholi. - I mean, why is he taking this case? What is his personal motivation? - Well, I think it's a high-profile case, career aspirations. Think about it. I think it seems pretty obvious, or there's an obvious answer, at least. - The Honorable Judge Renita Hailey presiding. - You may sit. - Kholi is also being judged because of the stereotypes of Chicago right now. - Mm-hmm. - The inner city's pulling for Kholi, but meanwhile I feel like everywhere else they're kind of--everybody thinks he did it. - Brian and Kholi had a contentious relationship, did they not? - They got into it the first time they met, if that's what you mean. - A fistfight? - Might as well have been. - Well, what was it about? - They just didn't like each other. - Now, Brian and Kholi rode home together. Could it be they patched things up? - Maybe, but if you knew Brian, you knew he had a pretty hot temper. He could be your best friend one minute and your worst enemy the next. - How long had you and Brian been dating before he died? - Two years. - Wow, that's a long time for two teenagers. - I know, but we were in love. - And that night, when you saw your boyfriend for the last time, what was his demeanor? - This conversation is over. - Why are you yelling at me? - This conversation is over. - I loved him, but sometimes it was just like he flipped a switch. - Mm. Then is it possible that night, despite Brian's good mood, that he may have flipped a switch, as you said, and antagonized Kholi Styles, and in turn Kholi may have flipped a switch on him? - I guess so, maybe. Yes. - You were there the night of that basketball game, right? What was your impression of Kholi? - I just want to see what you can do. - You keep pressuring me, I'ma show you what I can do. - I got a bad vibe. - Elizabeth, did you feel safe around him? - No. I didn't. - Thank you. - The latest developments in our ongoing coverage of Black, White, and Red. With the trial of Kholi Styles well underway, speculation is circulating as to whether or not Assistant State's Attorney and mayoral candidate A.J. Canton will once again seek life. - We have all these anti-gun programs and anti-drug programs, but there's no program strong enough to counter bad influences. Turn that off. - I want to see you on TV. - I said turn it off. - A.J., all right, don't talk to them like that. They care about you, and they're interested in what you do. - I know, 'Toy. - Besides, seeing you on television like that kind of makes you a little famous. Now do what you got to do. - Hey, guys. - Are you mad at us? - Nah, buddy. Daddy is not mad at you. I just didn't want you guys to see me like that. - But you've been on TV before, dad. We've seen you get interviewed for things lots of times. - I know, and you're right, but this time, this case... What they're saying about your dad and what my plans are, this time it's different. Do you guys understand why? - Did you do something wrong? Are you gonna be in trouble? - No, no, no, no. I'm not gonna be in any trouble, all right? - Why were you so upset? Was it because of what happened at the barber shop with Uncle Ronnie? - A little bit. But look, what I want you guys to understand is that God made this beautiful world of right and wrong. Now, sometimes it's just that, black or white, no in between. - But sometimes the world shakes things up a bit and gives us this lukewarm gray area, and that's what's happening with your dad's case. A lot of people out there, especially the media, are gonna try to take advantage of the community and everyone in it, and their biggest piece of ammunition is your father and what his plans are. - You see, they're gonna try to paint me as a bad guy, and I just hoped I could still be your hero for just a little bit longer. - Don't worry, Daddy. I won't let anyone put any pain on you. Come here, little man. You too. Get over here. Come on. Daddy loves you. You're my babies. And you too, my big baby. - Mm-hmm. - I love you. - You may call your next witness. - The state calls Marcus Jones. - I'll tell you the truth, MayMay. I don't like people like you, and I know if I dig around, I'm gonna find a family of people just like you. - Mr. Jones, please face me, raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you, God? - I do. - Look, MayMay, you saw that Kholi didn't pop Brian, right? So we need you to testify under oath. - Test--come on, man. You got my sheet. I walk in that room, those people take one look at me, and they gonna think I'm lying. - You got a brother, 23. You got a crackhead mama, Lord have mercy. And you got a daughter, little Tanya. You don't got a daddy no more, do you? - Forget all what they may or may not think. We need you, all right? Kholi needs you. You gonna help us? - Now, you're gonna tell me right now who did it. You tell me who pulled the trigger. - Mr. Jones, you were at the party with Mr. Styles. I mean, you two were best friends, right? - Yes. - And you were with him the whole night, from approximately 6:30 p.m. to 4:00 a.m., right by his side the whole time? - No. He was in that girl's room for about an hour. I didn't see him again till after that. - Will the court please allow me to present exhibit G, a 9-millimeter handgun, into evidence? - We will. - Thank you. Did we know about this? I'll check with Frank. Now he finds a gun? - Mr. Jones, is this your gun? - Yes. - And how did it wind up in court today? - The police, they found it under my bed. - Was this the gun used to kill Briand Sudermill? - Yes. - So was it you that shot Brian? - No, sir, I did not. - Okay, okay, so if you didn't murder him, then who did? - Kholi. - What?! - Objection! - I don't know why. I had it on me when I got in the car. I guess he slipped it off-- - Your Honor, this is a clear violation of disclosure. - We will have order. - Maybe that was his plan the whole time, to shoot him in the street. That's all they need. You have to go. - He's dead, Kholi. Get in the car. - We had no prior knowledge of this gun or this witness. Mr. Canton here has clearly and deliberately withheld this information, and we move for a mistrial. - Quiet. - He shot him, and I grabbed the gun and took off. I don't know. We panicked. - The jury will ignore this outburst. - So MayMay, you saying I pulled the trigger? - We will have order in this court. - You killed Brian! Yes, you pulled the trigger. - Mr. Jones, that is enough. - Where Lashawn at? - You can't help Kholi? - I want to, but I can't. - You know what that is? - Why you doing this? - 'Cause you pulled the trigger! You killed Brian! - Bailiff. That is enough! Bailiff. Get off! Get off! - Stop lying! - Take the jury into their holding. - Tell the people the truth! - I will see counsel in my chambers now. - Objection! No, he can't do this! - Get off me! Get off me! Dad! Dad! Get off me! I didn't do it! I didn't do it! - This is outrageous. We get no discovery, and then the prosecution whips out a gun. This jury can't unsee that pistol, and they can't unhear that false testimony! - Calm down, Mr. Styles. What is this? - The end of this case, Your Honor, and for a lack of a better term, he just heard the last nail hammer into that coffin, and understandably they're panicking. - Neither ASA Canton nor the State's Attorney's Office provided any information regarding the discovery of this gun. Canton deliberately withheld this information, thereby robbing this defense of the time to prepare a proper cross-examination. - He's just mad his son's little hood friends aren't gonna back up his nonsense story. - You have no idea what you're talking about. Your Honor, if you're not gonna give me the mistrial, the least you could do is sanction the prosecutor... - What? - By tossing out the witness's entire statement. - Your Honor, we can see that he is clearly blind and distracted when it comes to his son and justice for Brain Sudermill! - That is enough. Now, Mr. Canton, is he right? Did your office withhold this information from the defense? - Your Honor-- - And think before you answer me. - Your Honor, we only became aware of Mr. Jones's desire to testify this morning. Up until then we had no intention of putting one of the defendant's best friends on the stand. That's nonsensical. What prosecutor in their right mind would do something like that? - And yet you did. - Marcus reached out from Cook County and requested to be here. He said that he had to tell the truth, that what was going on was eating him up inside. - You got to be kidding me! - My God. - Your Honor, I'm sorry. This is classic sandbagging. - Oh, come on. - You can't just pop up with evidence in the middle of a trial and expect me to cross-examine, and there's no way that MayMay, my son's best friend from childhood, suddenly wanted to just flip and make those outrageous statements. I've known that boy too long. He wouldn't. - Your Honor, if you would check with the prison, I'm sure there's a record of the call, and then he can see that when we got it and followed up, there would be no time to have this formal sit-down discovery session! - What about the gun? - That came even later, Your Honor. I promise you that everything is legit, legal, and on the up-and-up here. I'm sorry, man, all right? I truly, truly am. - Don't apologize to me. You apologize to my son. This ain't over. - Styles is falling apart. His case is paper-thin, and it's already started to crack and wither away. - Yeah, I see it. I'm sure he sees it too. - You don't sound too pleased with that. - You're not a father. I mean, sure, I mean, most likely we got it right, and Kholi killed Brian Sudermill, but that man is still in there fighting for his son's life. - Well, let's not forget who he's fighting against. Don't start doubting yourself. That would be suicide. - It's not about me doubting myself or not. It's about father-to-father, what that man must be going through. Look, I'm about to shatter what little bit of a world he's been able to hold on to, and I'm gonna do my job. Doesn't mean I have to like doing it. - Just make sure you do it. - Three, four... All alone again In the evening time, the feeling time - Samuel Billings, the interpreter of the voice of God. I go to church. I have my whole life. I know God. I know right from wrong, but you, I can't even take you seriously for a minute. Was my son perfect? No, but he didn't deserve what he got. I've seen you on television, heard your interviews on my son's case. You're a performer. Is this a church, or is this a concert venue? - All right, Mr. Sudermill. Out of respect for your situation, I will allow what you said to be forgotten, but please don't let this outfit fool you. Jesus is still my Lord, and if you keep going on the route that you're going, then the Lord will have to protect you from my next action. - Are you threatening me? - You come to this place of worship making accusations, and you're asking me about threats? - Don't try to make this about anything other than what it is. - And what is that? - I walked outside my front door, and I saw my son sitting in a pool of his own blood. I don't care what color Kholi was. He murdered my son. - Do you know how long kids have been killing kids outside of these doors? - Is that supposed to help me? I'm sorry about those kids. I truly am, but my son is gone, and my wife and I have been drowning ever since 'cause he was taken, taken by a monster, a monster that-- - Chalice Chandler Billings! Sir, she was my daughter, my heart! I held her in my arms, okay? I felt her body turn cold! Two holes in her chest, and she was only seven years old. Ask me if they solved her case. Was this turned into a Black Lives Matter campaign? No. She wasn't gunned down by a cop. Was it a hate crime? No! She was riding on her Power Wheel, like she does every single morning. I went inside to get her a glass of juice. She was safe. 30 seconds, I came back, and she was gone just like that. - You want me to say I'm sorry? How terrible that must have been for you. - Mr. Sudermill, I don't want anything from you, sir, that you can't find for yourself. Your son is gone. He's another bright light of his creation just snuffed out before he had the chance to shine, and we are all the lesser for it, all of us. You know, you have to give yourself permission to change course. This is more than just a coat of paint that I'm spraying, Mr. Sudermill. We may not be able to see past each other's weakness... But we can all find common ground. Father God, I come before you in prayer, dear Lord, to help us understand the things that we just don't understand. Just give us the eyes to see and the ears to hear and the heart to receive your truth even when the situations are tough. We honor you, and we thank you for this moment, in Jesus' name, amen. - We're debating all this nonsense. You're bringing race into it that I don't think's fair. It's getting away from us. - You know, the body is still in the morgue because it's a part of a crime investigation. - We have the body of Brian Sudermill just deep freezing on ice. - So they can't release the body to the funeral home. - Oh, that's so sad. - Sometimes it takes tragedy to really discover what's the best in humanity, what's really ins--deep down inside of us. - Someone died, so as we sit here, you know, with all our theories and everything playing amateur Columbo, I want to dedicate this program to Brian Sudermill. - And Kholi. - Yeah, you remember Brian's name. - Who right now is sitting in jail accused of a crime. - I want to dedicate this program to the guy that was killed. - Brian told me he'd be heading out to USC with some friends. I figured he'd be going off to college on a basketball scholarship come summer anyway. He was ready, so I figured sure. He took off around 6:00. Turns out he stayed right in town to go to a party that night. - And when you opened the front door? - I thought I saw a ghost because that couldn't be my boy laying there, no way. I mean, things like this don't happen to boys like Brian, no. I mean, we live in a good neighborhood. This can't happen in Winnetka. This is exactly why we left Indiana. And then I see the blood pooling up behind his head. There's a hole going right through him, right... right here. He should have been playing ball this weekend. You know, he's been talking about his game every night over dinner. I'd--I'd hugged him just a few hours earlier. - And did you see anybody else out there? - Yes. I didn't get a good look at him at first. All I saw was blood. I saw his--his legs, his--his chest, his hands. They were all painted red. And when I got a good look at his face... it was blank. - Can you point him out in the court today? - Mr. Sudermill, you've already lost a son. Here I risk losing mine. Sir, did you see Kholi Styles pull the trigger? - No. - So you heard the gunshot, but you didn't come downstairs right away, correct? - We don't hear guns in my neighborhood. It was a bit startling. - So how long after the time that you heard the gunshot before you'd gone outside? - Five minutes. - Mm. So five minutes after you heard the gunshot you went downstairs to see the person that you believed to be the killer? - Yes, I saw your son. I believe I made that quite clear. - Sir, what is the likelihood that someone who had just committed a murder would stick around for five whole minutes at the crime scene? Wouldn't they run away immediately? - Mr. Styles, I'm a professional psychologist. People do all kinds of things for unexplained reasons. What is it that you want me to do, provide an alibi for your son? - And how do you know he was a drug pusher? - A friend of mine bought from him, got screwed over. - So it's likely that Brian had enemies, huh? - Objection. This is all hearsay. How about we just stick to the night in question? - Your Honor, can I get just a little bit of leeway here? - I'll allow it for now. - Miss Swanson, you invited Kholi to your party personally? - He seemed like a nice guy. - And how did he get along with the other guests at the party? - He blended in just fine. People seemed to like him. - Now, he'd been drinking. Did the intoxication affect his temper? - No. He was a fun drunk, not a mean drunk. - Now, were you ever at all intimate with him that evening? - Objection, Your Honor. - Building to the suspect's state of mind moments before the incident, Your Honor. - What's that got to do with this? - Mr. Canton? - Sorry, Judge. It's fine. It's fine, Judge. He's just grasping at straws. I say let him grasp. - Objection withdrawn. - We kissed. - That's it? - That's it. - He was respectful? - Yes. - So you felt safe in his company? - Yes, I did. - You're sure that's the vehicle you saw leaving the scene of the crime that night? - Yes, sir, that's the car. - No more questions. - Uh-oh, it seems as though we got ourselves a ghost car here. Stop me when I've said something that isn't true. You don't know who the car belongs to. You didn't bother to write a license plate number down. And as far as you know, this car could have just been passing through the neighborhood. - No, I saw it was stopped. Then it took off. - Uh-huh. Let me ask you, how thick are those glasses, anyway? - I can't stay here. You think they gonna give me life? - Life, like all things, is fleeting. Once you realize that life is but a small drop in the glass of your whole existence, the sooner you'll be at peace with the prospect of letting go. You are a man of God. I am a man of God. There are those that are nonbelievers. What they do is they just keep running towards a cliff when there's nothing up ahead. They're scared all the way, but not us. We fall back on faith. Whether it comes today or 50 years from now makes no difference. We're gonna keep on running. We're gonna stand on this faith. Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive our trespasses, as we forgive those who... Trespassed against us. Lead us not into temptation, and deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory. - In Jesus' precious name. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name. - I love you. We're gonna get through this. Now, when we get in here, you're gonna be under a microscope. It's not what they know. It's what they can prove, right? Now, every remark that is made, they're gonna be looking to you for your reaction, and that's how they're gonna make their call, so 25 % is what they hear. 75 % is what they see, so let's make sure they see the right thing, all right? Don't slouch. You look good. You ready? - I love you. - I love you too, son. - Mr. Styles, have you any more witnesses? - I'd like to call to the stand Kholi Styles. - Mr. Styles, please raise your hand and repeat. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you, God? - I do. - Please sit. - Son. Are you a God-loving man? - Yes. - Then you will be vindicated. The defense rests. - Mr. Canton, do you wish to cross-examine? - No more questions, Your Honor. - Very well. As it's already after 4:00, we'll recess for the day and start with closing arguments first thing in the morning. - Can you imagine what Mr. Styles is going through with his son locked up? - Exactly. - By all accounts a promising guy, this guy, he's on his way up, the father, in my neighborhood, and this--this nightmare. And then, of course, coming up this weekend, the Sudermill family is gonna bury their son. - So you can try to comprehend what you dealing with - Hello? - Detective, I didn't want to do that to Kholi. They blackmailed me. - MayMay? - Check this out. I saw that boy and his girl fighting that night. - Can we have a conversation about this? - I did have a conversation with you. There's nothing to talk about. - I barely spoke. - Do you want me to take care of that thing? - Don't do that. - Do you think that this is a good idea? I guarantee you, you will screw this up. - I don't think it's a good idea. I just-- - Can I help you, man? - Oh, no, I'm good. I have go to college next year. - Are you kidding me? - I have to go to college next year. - I understand what you have to do. - I got a scholarship! - Do you think that this is something that I wanted-- - It doesn't matter what you want me to do! This conversation is over, and I don't want to hear anything about it. - She's pregnant? - I don't know. I guess so. - You saying you think Liz may have had something to do with this? - I don't know, man. I'm just saying. I found out her uncle's a cop. I don't know if he had something to do with what happened to me or if those cops were just focusing on the black boy in the room, but they made me say those things there. They made me. I know Kholi ain't popped nobody. Look, man, I got to go. - MayMay, wait. MayMay? - It's unbelievable that I'm still standing here I'm better than people give me credit for Come on, Jackie, pick up the phone! - Pay me my money, I'm patiently humble And hungry, evasive by sharing my feelings I don't trust no one But complaining is not in my mental... - Hey, can I help you? - Yeah, can I talk to Elizabeth Chu, please? My name is Frank Kosinsky, all right? I'm a private detective, and I have reason to believe Liz might have information that can clear my client. - Information? - Yeah. - What are you talking about? What client? - Kholi Styles. - The boy who murdered Brian Sudermill? - Allegedly. - Get off my porch. - No, please, sir, if you just get Liz, we can clear-- - Look, Kosinsky or whatever your name is, you understand I'm a police officer, right? Now, I can have you on the ground and in cuffs before you can even say harassment. Walk away. - No, you don't understand. A young boy's life is in danger! A mathematician Quicken the rhythm, a taking the money magician - Elizabeth? - Which is being focused and making better decisions Hoo, trust the game of true precision I used to be, I had focus to turn my life around - Liz! - Hey! - Wait, man, wait! - Don't move! - Wait, wait! - Don't move! - Okay, okay! - Liz, you okay, baby? - She's not here, man. There's a letter. - Stay still. - Check the nightstand, man. - What'd you do to her? - Man, there's a letter. Please read the letter. - Get down. - Just check the nightstand. - Stay down! Stay on your stomach! - I made a mistake. But now I know I need to reveal the truth. - She wrote that. - Be quiet! - I'm not a bad person. This was not in my intentions. - What'd you do to her? - I didn't do anything, man! - What'd you do to her?! - That's her handwriting! - Stay down Till we came up, ay-ya-ya-ya - Uncle Hank, Aunt Rose, I'm sorry. I'm sure I'll see you again, but for now so long. - That's enough, Liz. - Can we just have one conversation about this-- - We've talked about it 20 times. - He seemed like a nice guy. - Did you feel safe around Kholi after what had transpired? - No. I didn't. Nobody can say he didn't have it coming. He pissed off a lot of people, but he was good to me, and I loved him. - I have been shocked at the rush to judgment that has been going on all along the way. I'm gonna quote my mother and just say shame, shame, shame. There's plenty of blame to go around. Those who were wagging their fingers, pointing them, those who did not lend a hand, who were too slow to solve the problem. Lord help us all. - When Kholi got arrested, I tried to convince myself I didn't care. I had to do what I had to do. - Good morning to the people of the city of Chicago. It is so wonderful to see so many of you here celebrating the life of this young man. Yes, that is what I said. That's right. I said celebrate. I mean, to the naked eye, it is a tragedy that this young man's life be cut so short, but we're here with soulful eyes, and soulful eyes see that this young man has gone to be with the Lord. - Thanks for the ride anyway. It was enlightening. - Anytime you want to talk. - I mean, just think. I mean, we can only speculate what the face of Jesus looks like. - I need to talk to you face to face. - Do I have to? - I'm already here. Please? - I got a killer hangover, and on top of that you're gonna yell at me, so can we please just do this some other time? - I love you so much, Brian. - You already know I'm going to college next year. Liz, I got a scholarship at State. I don't need this on my mind. - Then I'll take care of it myself. - No, you won't. You don't do anything for yourself. You'll take care of it for a few weeks, and then you'll come knocking at my door, and that's not fair to me because I never asked to have a kid! - You don't want me? - Please just-- just get rid of the baby. - Oh, he forgot his wallet. - Liz, I have a life to start. Now, you can come along if you want, but if not, that's on you. I'm tired, and I'm hungover. I'm going to bed. Bye, Liz. - I'm gonna drop this off real quick. - Well, make it quick. I'm tired, bro. I'm beat. - Liz? - Brian? Brian? - Yo, dawg, seriously? - Please don't do this. No, wait. Liz! - What do we look like with this right here? This is not a good look, fam. We got to go. - No, man, we can't just leave him. - Oh, man, what you talking about, man? Think about it, right? I've seen this. Kholi, man, let's go. - You know I ain't clean, man. This all they need, man. - Yo, Kholi, are you coming? - Come on, man. We got to help him. - He's dead, Kholi. Get in the car. - Kholi. - I mean, look at your neighbor. - You writing your own ticket, dawg. - Our eyes are our shackles, ladies and gentlemen. - Help! - It will only be on the day that we can look at each other and see the Lord... - Brian? - That we will be free. - Mr. Styles, Mr. Styles. - No major head injury, but he had a collapsed lung. We had to insert a chest tube in order to re-expand it. - Is he going into surgery? - No, that'd make it worse. - Back up! Back up! Back up! Back up! - Make way, please. - Hey. Thank you for coming. - He's endured a lot of trauma. It's still too soon to tell. I'm sorry. - Good morning, Chicago. Drown out the social media. Turn off the television. Get into the silence, and when you tap into that silence, listen to your own heartbeat. - Help me to find the right words to say - Listen to the times where you needed someone to show you grace and no one was there. Be the change you want to see. - Mr. Canton! Mr. Canton! Anything to say about the trial? - This is a day for mourning, not a day for politics. No more questions. Please excuse us. - So please offer your eyes and ears to our friend, Mr. Jackie Styles. - I just want to fly with healing stars Too many battles, no strength to fight - I stand here today having been challenged as a father. Such a young life was lost in such cold fashion because of the lack of warmth in the hearts of humanity. Some would say we live in a fallen world, but as I stand here and look out, I can't help but see hope for a brighter day. He did that, and although he lies sound asleep, his voice is louder than ever, strongly urging us to fight our hate, to live better than our ancestors could have imagined. To the Sudermills, to Brian, let us lift them up in prayer, and extend a hand towards them. To a young man who was loved so much, we say goodnight. - Slide, I'ma let you slide. - We will see you in the morning, and to the world, I stand here, and I say good morning. We are just getting started. - I know I'm broken My heart has fallen so far I need your love to life me up Hurrah I know I'm broken - Listen to your own heartbeat. Listen to the times where you needed someone to show you grace and no one was there. And when you hear that heartbeat, you'll see that the heartbeats don't tell us whether or not we're innocent or guilty. It just says that we're humans. And so I have a special message for you, Kholi. I want you to know that the cloud over your head today will be the water you drink from tomorrow. - I love you. We're gonna get through this. - My heart has fallen so far I need your love to lift me up High, lift me up Love lifts me up Love lifts me up Love lifts me up High - I'm Holland. - I'm Bree. - And today we're at Soundscape... Studios. - In Chicago. - Yeah. - Ain't nothing to it but to do it That slow motion got you dragging Now you can take the time, just do it Do it, do it, do it - We have X equals 24. Then what does that give us for Y? - Oh, Ms. Deese, 33. - Of course, Paulina, 33. Very good. Anyone? Ah, Kholi? - 42 squared, Ms. Deese. - Very good. - Welcome to Friendly Hills High School, Kholi. Well, tell you what. Just have a seat right over there. - Put my trust in God for a breakthrough You could try if you want to, it ain't... - What is the first thing America thinks of when they hear the word "minority?" - Professional sports. Cable channels from the number 200 and up. The people who wash our cars. Ticket, ticket, ticket. - That's why some folks in Winnetka are trying to keep an eye on Kholi Styles. Why? Because racism is taught. - Just do it. Do it, do it, do it Head up, you can do it, so what if you blew it? - Every kid that gets killed is the next great superstar or the ne--the greatest guy ever as soon as they die. Nobody cares about these kids until they're dead. - You can do it, do it When you're stuck in yesterday - We have to be willing to get up to the plate, stand up to the lecterns, get to the microphones and speak about the issue. We're afraid to talk. - Then I'm lift you up When you feel like it looks run out Let them fill your cup So the change gonna come - And I really want to challenge you guys as brown and black people to really think about the words and the messages you put out there. - Just do it. Do it, do it, do it Head up, you can do it So what if you blew it? - What is the deal with America and race? - You can do it, do it - Even when you feel-- oh, my gosh, I'm so sorry. I'm drooling. - Action. Not quite that slow. - This is a serious movie, okay? - Cut. - You are crazy. - For us to change America, we have to get uncomfortable. It doesn't mean we have to be unkind. It doesn't mean we have to put each other down, but what it does mean is that in order for the root of this country to be healed, we got to get uncomfortable so that we can address the pain. - Philippians tells us that we can be all... - What's privilege mean to you, Al Roker, Jr? - Privilege is getting something that you didn't earn. - So you have an advantage being a hot woman. Like, you get out of tickets. I don't recall you doing-- Go and answer that, bro. Let me-- - Yeah, yeah. What's up? What's up? It's Ron's Place. - We would lie. - Cut. - We wouldn't lie. - I'ma follow you. - Oh. - Of course. - Did you ever see "My Cousin Vinny," the movie? Wasn't Daniel-san from "The Karate Kid" movie guilty in the beginning? And then at the end you realize there was no chance he committed the murders. - How do you bring in-- how do you bring Ralph Macchio movies and relate it to this Brian Sudermill being killed? I-- - Everyone thought he was guilty. - It's a stretch. So-- - And at the end everyone realized there's no chance he's guilty. - So the Cousin Vinny defense is what we're gonna use for this? - Yes! - In the name of Jesus To break every chain, break every chain - There is power in the name of Jesus Say it again. There is power in the name of Jesus. There is power in the name of Jesus To do what? To break every chain, break every chain We don't sell news, "The Mexicans are coming for our jobs. "Put up those walls. Oh, the blacks are coming for our lives." Hell, they're coming for our daughters. Head for the border! Orale, I love America! I love Mexicans, hoo-ah!" Let me do that again. Can we do that again? - There is power in the name of Jesus to break every To break every chain, uh-huh, break every chain But we not done. Turn it up. There's an army rising up There's an army, there's an army rising up We taking our stand. There's an army There's an army rising up to break every chain To break every chain, break every chain. Oh - Whether it's your revelation, you can't lead people to see the love of God. I myself have been guilty of being hateful and prideful in my revelation of God's word. - There's an army rising up - Five people come to church, and then three of those people come extra because they feel guilty. Would you rather them just not come at all? - I'd rather them not come at all. I want them to-- I want them to-- - No, I want them to come because I want them to hear that word. Even if they hear a little bit or all of it, but at least they're in there for whatever reason. - Just to break every chain - In everybody's life we're gonna be confronted with the reality of how is your faith gonna play out in real-life situations? - There is power in the name of Jesus - Your responsibility as influencers, you guys all took responsibility for it, and not one person said, "Hey, this is their mama's and daddy's responsibility to pour something into them." Do you see yourself as the answer or just a part of? - Nowadays a fan could hit us up, and we could talk directly to them, and they look at us just as big as the news out of Washington or whatever, you know? - Falling, falling, falling in Jesus' name, falling I hear the chains falling - I have to be responsible for these people because I've had thousands and thousands of people tell me how their lives have been changed because of the things I've done for them. - I hear the chains falling, I hear the chains falling - There was a lot of stuff that the prosecution didn't take a look at. - That's right. - Yeah, so--but I mean, but my thing is this though. If--now, Kholi was returning his wallet. - Hold it, stop. You know what? You better get me with his--you-- how you gonna agree with him and me, and we just? What is wrong with you, man? All right, we'll pick-- we'll pick it up again. - They falling, they falling, they falling They falling, they falling, they falling They falling, they falling, they falling They falling. They falling, they falling, they falling They falling, they falling, they falling They falling, they falling, they falling Give us the power.... in the name of Jesus. So much power in the name-- - Hector's playing music on this now. |
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