You're not getting away with this!
Palmer! / what?
You're an asshole!
- Hey! Stop!
- Did that Just happen?
- You meant to do that!
- Well, you startled me.
I don't think I did.
Listen, this wasn't some
West Anglewood Drug sweep.
The search was good, there's
no chance Carter tosses it.
Would you Just calm down, that's why
it's called an evidential hearing.
What? So you can smear me
and imply that I invented
a phantom witness?
Did you?
The jaded lawyer, with no
uh, no respect for the law.
- That's original.
- That's me?
I respect the law Just fine, I'm Just not
in awe... I'm not even encumbered by it.
If the great state of Illinois
can't meet its burden of proof.
If I walked with a guilty
client, it's on you!
So I suggest you do
your job, Kattan.
now if you'd like to finish that clich.
You followed me
to piss or unload...
Better not involve my reflection. I'm
sleeping at night? How do I do it?
I do it on a tempur-pedic bed,
in a highland park home,
with a Ferrari in the driveway.
Next to a loving wife, with the ass
of a high school volleyballie.
And, and, and how
does that feel, Hank?
Knowing every person you
represent is guilty?
It's fine.
Innocent people can't afford me.
Burden of proof...Kattan.
Wait, wait, wait... you said
this won't go to trial.
- I'm sorry, did I say that?
- I hired you to make this go away.
Wrong! You hired me
because we both know you
won't last two days in a
federal penitentiary.
don't tell me how to do my job.
Do I tell you how
to commit fraud?
Deny coverage to terminally ill
policy holder, embezzled $140
million while you're at it?
I won't do that because
that's your gig.
That's your forte.
- I'm hearing you.
- I'm glad.
New voicemail
all rise.
The court is in session. The honorable
judge Stanley Carter presiding.
Be seated.
Before I ruled on the
pit's motion, is there
anything either
counsels care to add?
Yes, your honor. We'd like to
remove any doubt as to the validity
of our search.
Your...Your honor, could I...Approach?
Your honor?
Yeah, I need a continuance
Absolutely not.
My mom passed away this morning.
My ass.
Let me replay it.
Is this the first time your mom
passed away or is this something...
You do on all your cases
you're about to lose?
I'm sorry for your loss.
Thank you, first time.
What a schmuck you are.
You know? He...He peed on me,
Just now, in the restroom down the hall.
I don't...
Kattan, step away!
Daddy, are you sad
about your mom?
Yeah, baby, I wish
you'd met her.
Why can't I go with you?
'Cause it's depressing.
You don't want to go.
So, grandpa Palmer's
is dead too?
No, grandpa is dead to me,
it's like a figure of speech.
You might have mis-heard
something that I've said.
Sounds complicated, I
should go with you.
Trust me, nobody wants to
go to Carlinville, Indiana.
Everybody wants to leave.
You looking for something?
You got my beetle
honey, old man?
Check it out.
I love you, baby. don't
eat it before breakfast!
- Got you.
- Um...Hmm.
Is there something I can do?
They are my in-laws, I
feel like we should...
Bob Schacner...
Is that your divorce attorney?
He's good.
Should be living
with me, by the way.
Hank!
Hank!
What time the school starts in the
morning, Hank? What's her teacher's name?
Brownie's night is which night?
Soccer?
What's her favorite color?
Who's her best friend?
What does she have
for breakfast?
Do you know her pediatrician's name?
Do you've her phone number?
What does she wear?
don't let this bother her.
She knows her daddy never
come home before bedtime...
Because he is always on
his phone on weekends.
She knows it's not right her
mom to be...Sad all the time.
- Sad? you're sad?
- Yes!
I'm sorry you felt so sad. You got on
Facebook, befriended your old college buddy
George and fucked him!
He is so rugged.
He is so wise.
I don't know why you haven't already hang
off in the mountain with that redneck.
You want to do something for me?
Water the fucking
hydrangea or something!
oh god...Here we go.
Nothing changes.
Mary Palmer - beloved wife, mother
and grandmother. 3- 6 pm rose room
hey Hank...
Hey Derrick.
I missed you.
Her heart Just kind
of turned off.
I found her by the hydrangeas.
Good job.
oh, this is Saint Francis. I picked it.
It used to be her favorite.
Friend of the birds like mom.
oh, gotta remember put
food out for Them,
especially in the winter.
He, he's gentle,
like mom used to be.
Ran all the snakes
out of Indiana
and don't ask me how.
Ireland...Out of Ireland?
Snakes here are constant but it's in St.
Patrick, not San Francisco.
And in Ireland, not Indiana.
Trust me, nobody is dispersing
reptiles in Indiana.
- Were you there?
- I was not there.
- Maybe you're right.
- Hank Palmer in carlinville.
- Here he is.
- That's Carlinville's state bird and...
- Hey Glen.
- I Just saw you a few minutes ago.
Where did you park?
- On the street.
- I parked at...
Tried to get a...Space
in the big lot...
I'd to go around...
But eventually I found one.
Here you go.
- Where's the family?
- Couldn't make it, school.
oh, I didn't know that kids in Chicago
go to school in the summer...
No, it isn't. They Just think that...
They...Can't come along.
- What's the story?
- There is no story.
Do you have anything else
to say for yourself?
Anything that would enlighten
us concerning this?
What do you want to hear?
Nobody's hiring.
You can't get spinach
out of a Petunia.
I can't afford to
pay child support.
You can't, huh? But your
new truck, out front...
Which one?
Yeah...
'Yeah', is not an affirmation
a man uses in court.
'Yeah', is not an affirmation
a man uses in court.
- Yes sir, judge...Sorry.
- Keys...Go on...
And uh...
- Augustus...Sir...
- Of course...Gus...
Would you give those to Mr.
William's ex-wife, please.
Then escort Mr. William
to his ex-truck.
you're Gonna sign that
vehicle over to her.
And you ma'am, are going down to
Devany Motors, ask for Mike devany
the father of 'not
that nitwit son'
and sell your new
truck back to him
for whatever that 'turnip'
there put down on it.
- This ain't fair, how I...
- Hey! One more word, go on!
Look around you, you're standing on one of
the last great cathedrals in this country,
built on the premise that you and
you alone are responsible for
the consequences
of your actions.
now you still want fair?
Alright, head north!
Stop when you get to Indianapolis,
tractor pulls, cotton candy, cattle corn
and the world's largest deer...
First week in August.
You'll love it. Hey wait, I
forgot, wait, wait, wait...
You don't have a truck!
Thank you very much, judge.
Want me to tell you what the...
causes that, ma'am?
Thank you fellows, I
appreciate you all being here.
Who is out there
guarding the donut shop?
- She was a good woman, Joseph.
- Grace and I are here...
- ...if you need anything.
- Thank you.
Thank you. It means a lot to me.
- Sorry for your loss.
- ...Good friends always.
Good man.
Thanks for coming.
I appreciate it.
Whole force is out there.
- Henry...Yeah.
- Judge...
- oh, Johnny boy...
- I'm so sorry.
- Jessica said...
- Thank you, rose.
I'm going to shower
and hit the rack.
Glenn, make sure you hold
your boys together tomorrow.
We don't want a lot of...
Caterwauling.
- Will do, judge.
- Yeah.
I guess it has been
a while, Hank,
but backing a car into the driveway
would make getting out easier...
It's a concept not
dulled by time.
- Thank you.
- Right?
Got it.
Be my guest, please.
- How are you doing?
- I need to water the plants.
You Gonna to be okay at
the funeral tomorrow?
- Yeah.
- If the camera make an appearance,
we both know where...
It's heading, right?
Up my Arse.
Good man.
Tough day.
At the wake... he shakes my hand
while he was hugging someone else.
This family is a fucking
Picasso painting.
you're Gonna inherit all
dad's important stuff...
It's crazy, I mean...
Magic 8 ball.
That's certain.
- Hey Hank, you want some breakfast?
- You'll have to hustle if you do.
Hey, Hank. Going breakfast
at the diner, care to join?
Ok, when? Right now. Er, oh yeah,
can I throw in some pants?
Sure, you're family member, we're
prepared to offer you some consideration.
Any of that reason
sounds reasonable.
I come here every Saturday for the last 35
years... oh I forgot, today is about you.
Coffee?
- Let's go.
- We'll see you there, Hank.
I'll be right along.
Still letting him wind you up?
Sam...
Henry.
I'm surprised that
you still work here.
In, in a good way, in a way, you
know, when people are surprised,
you meet somebody you know...
Discovered they've the same job...
- ...20 years...Stop it.
- Yeah, he keeps his hair...
Like sawing sawdust, all
that worry for nothing.
Any other fears come true?
Yes...Just now. Old
girlfriends, seeing Them...
Stop staring, I
know I look good.
I'm sorry about your mom.
She and I stayed close, er,
I Just saw her Tuesday.
...Mysterious ways...
- I'm assuming you still
know where the cemetery
is. - Yeah, you're
invited, of course you're.
- oh, finish it, you gotta go.
- Surprise that I'm.
See you there.
You'll always be my sweetheart.
You always will be... I
want you to know that.
I'll be back tomorrow.
- Hank's feet is on the couch.
- Indeed.
Hey, Glen, my nephew
still playing ball?
think either of Them
can be as good as you?
Yes...
Yes, Joe...Is hitting
clean up...In varsity.
Eric won't know a baseball
if you threw at him,
even hit him in the head.
Anyway, for what it's
worth, none of my business.
Keep an eye on the judge, I
think he's...He's drinking.
Are you crazy? Dad has
been sober for 28 years.
At the courthouse,
he forgot Gus' name.
Gus? Gus the Bailor?
oh, come on!
Just saying.
That's bullshit! What time
is your flight tomorrow?
8:15, I can't wait,
first flight out.
Make yourself at
home there, Henry.
- I'm going for groceries.
- Should Glen drive you?
I don't know, Dale. Does being a widower
make me a lousy goddamn driver, huh?
Hank, if I don't see you
before, before you leave,
thanks for coming. I'm sure your
mother would have appreciated it.
Honey, we're going to
firefly and drink.
- No.
- Come on!
- I'm Gonna go to bed.
- No, drink, Dale, you coming?
Dale, you coming?
Hank, he threw things at
us to get our attention,
not to draw blood,
you know that.
No. His use of canine command
is to get our attention.
He hurls periodicals for sport.
Please, with all the troubles you made,
you're lucky that's all you got.
- Hey, thanks for showing up, Carla.
- Yeah, I know I'm late, so, sue me!
It was tough but hell,
it isn't that bad.
- Remember the fishing days?
- Lake house.
Yeah, he used to tell
us all to be quiet,
- 'you're scaring the fish away.'
- 'you're scaring the fish away.'
he still goes there every Wednesday
to play chess with Dr. Morres.
- He loves that place.
- Hey, don't I know you?
don't you run the tire and
rim shop over on state?
That's right.
Hey, Palmer?
I know you too.
You little dimwit shuttle bug retard,
always shooting movie camera.
- He's...
- Judge Palmer's your old man?
He thinks he runs
this town, don't he?
- Your dad is a piece of shit!
- Wait, wait, wait, no...
- I told you already!
- Who's on parole?
You guys have a low
opinion on judge Palmer?
When your field official is
filling out his incident
report, I'm Gonna be very
helpful, as helpful as possible.
So let me guess, who's going to fill in
the DWI?
Ugh, you flinched! Possession of
controlled substances, domestic violence,
that's you, you alright, honey?
What are the random
myriad of fucking misdemeanors
is Gonna come to light
while you're drying
up at the slammer?
Failure to appear bench warrants?
Come on!
And because I'm the only one that isn't
driving with a suspended license,
I'll be driving your gals home
girls, so...Who lives closer?
Er, bad skin muffin top
or red bull semen breath?
Asshole!
Throw that first punch!
You like county food?
Meet my closed fist, Counsel,
in my own personal space.
Maybe, I'm Just Gonna
ask you blow my dice.
That's a metaphor, I'd heard
it, it's good, you're funny.
Let's get the hell outta here.
Get some counselling.
Hey shorty! Come here!
Uh, why don't you read my b's,
maybe I'll buy you a drink.
Punctuality issues,
equals confidence in
bullying, strong teeth,
ancestral gene pools
and...I'm guessing the wetter
you get, the better you look.
What're you having?
Last call, boys.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, you're done.
Are you watching for me?
What do you think I'm doing?
I'm your eyes.
- Straight...
- You smell like her.
She smells nice, what's that?
It's? Are you
paying attention?
Straighten it out, back...
Back, back. Easy, nice, nice,
shit.
- You did that on purpose.
- No, don't think I did.
No, you did it on purpose.
You Bang it out yourself.
Dale, let's go.
Let's go.
What the hell did he hit?
I was thinking...Six pack?
God damn it!
Which one of you peckerwoods
banged up my car?
Answer me, who did this?
- Who do you think?
- Who?
Who drove last?
We saw you leave for
grocery store, come on.
- Glenn...Where're your boys?
- oh, dad...They won't drive your car.
don't pretend this is complicated,
there's no reasonable doubt here.
He's human, his wife died,
he fell off the wagon,
banged up the cadi'.
- Deal. Shits happen.
- Like your marriage.
- Like your marriage.
- What do you know about my marriage?
- I know a lot about your marriage.
- don't fucking think about my marriage.
She was my wife long before
she was your mother.
We kept no secret.
You tell your brothers you're Gonna
divorce, go ahead, tell Them!
Lisa, played hide the
pickle with someone else.
- I won't be back.
- Happy trail.
- I'll never fucking come bake here again.
- Good!
Make it quick.
Hank, don't get on the plane.
I need you to come back,
- dad...
- I don't care, Glen.
- Stop talking and listen to me.
- I gotta to turn off the phone.
Hey, Just shut up for a second!
shut your mouth and listen for
once in your entire life!
What's it, Glen?
Sheriff, sheriff white called, called
dad down to the police station,,
asking him questions about
the damage to the car.
They think he killed...
Glen listen...Unless he killed
somebody already, you're on your own..
They found a body, Hank.
You mean judge, I can milk her, kill her,
cook her, eat her even, that's illegal?
It's a true story!
- Mr Palmer...
- Judge Palmer, deputy hanson.
Sir, did anybody other than you
have access to your vehicle?
No sir, no sir.
You gotta be shitting me! Is
this an interview? No sir, no sir.
You gotta be shitting me!
Is this an interview?
We got a witness that
put his car on route 30
heading toward Shelby road at the
approximate time of the accident.
oh boy! That's not enough for
his car to be at the scene.
Any schmuck lawyer is Gonna chew that
up and spit it out - stolen vehilcle.
You need him behind the wheel.
- Hank, let's go, pal.
- Go where?
oh!? Bobby, graduation night, the quarry,
your grand Chevy, I remember everything!
You and Kevin Thompson in the back
seat naked, huffing whippets...
Shall I continue?
I can elaborate...
- It's Just a rumor.
- Where were we?
He has been on the other side of
the bench too long, he forgets...
If you don't talk, you walk.
We don't hide behind the law here.
The damage to the front of my car...
I went to the convenient
store, last night, alright?
Every word limits his
option, keep going.
Imagine a far-away-place, Hank.
Where people value your
opinion, now go there.
No bad booze? 80% of
hit-and-runs involve liquor.
His wife Just died, why
won't he take a sip?
But you need an admission from him,
better yet, a voluntary urine sample.
There you go, fill her up.
A bladder filled with
courtesy coffee and since
he's in the John anyway,
that sort of thing...
Just might catch him off guard.
We can get everything we
need from a hair sample.
Sure can, nice work, sheriff.
Yeah, you should be proud of yourself. You
should have him for manslaughter by lunch.
Judge Palmer...We uh, we Gonna
need to impound your vehicle.
- Tell me what happened.
- I don't remember.
- Because you were drunk?
- No, because I can't remember!
don't you think I want to remember?
I can't! For
all I know, I never hit
anything or anybody!
So, I was at the liquor cabinet.
What kind of recovering alcoholic
keeps his stock in the cabinet?
No, no, no, no...'Recovered'
it's a reminder
that I'm stronger. It
holds no power over me.
Right now, that cop Hanson is
on his way to the mini mart
to ask some scared,
shitless, high school
clerk with half a joint
at his front pocket,
- if you have an alcoholic
beverage in your breath,
- did you?
- No!
- Blood shot eyes?
- No!
- Slurred speech?
- No!
They shouldn't drive together.
I'm on your side, judge,
and if this goes south and
it might, you need to
be able to say to someone
with a straight-face.
You haven't had a
drink for 28 years.
What's done is done. If you hit somebody,
it's because he swerved in front of you.
I strongly suggest you dry up
and practice that narrative.
Narrate this!
We Just need to file another
continuance, what else can I do?
Trust me, I'm Gonna be
back as fast as I can.
It's a personal matter. Yea, I'd
love to walk out of it but I can't.
Ken, hold on.
Why the hell you call me, Lisa?
Lauren?
Hi honey, what're you
doing with mommy's phone?
No, no, no, don't worry about it,
don't worry about it. What's up?
I miss you too, baby.
I'll see you soon.
Either I come home or maybe
you come here. Look,
look, we'll figure it out, don't worry.
I promise.
I'll take you shopping,
will you shop with me?
You want a cellphone? All you own?
I'll get you...
Daddy has to work.
Yep?
Hank, forensics found traces
of blood on your dad's car.
- So...?
- Deep in the grille...
- Great!
- It matches the victim.
- I'm sorry.
- It's murder two.
- Murder? So, are you a clairvoyant?
- That's not the whole of it.
He's Just a little fucking out of his mind.
That's a rookie move, hands off.
The victim is mark Blackwell.
Pretty amazing coincidence,
don't you think?
Blackwell?
Carlinville police dept.
Joseph Palmer
you killed him!
- oh shit! That is Mrs. Blackwell.
- You killed my son.
Alright, alright, go
straight to the car!
- Straight in, there you go.
- When our lawyers are done with you,
I'll burn another
name in your house!
- I'm sorry for your loss, ma'am.
- Sorry? - Let's go, let's go!
You'll be! You can shovel
that man's shit. Come on!
Mom, let's go!
See, I recognize you!
you're no altar boy!
Why are these people so mad?
She spit on the window.
Look, dad is a judge, you know. Sometimes
he has to make difficult decisions.
There was a girl...
- What was her name?
- Hope Stevens.
There's a guy...
Mark Blackwell, your
senior, like Glen.
Hope is his girlfriend,
Just turned 16.
He took a 38 to her
house, shot the place up,
- can we talk about something else?
- I don't get it...
- Why...Why...
- He shot out at her bedroom windows,
angry over whatever
kids get angry about...
When they have been dating for...What?
6 months?
now you listen to me, he stood in
court and wept like a lost child,
said he was drunk and
would never do it again.
If he meant to hurt
her, he would have.
I believed him! I believed him.
I gave him the minimum, 30 days.
I remember the
morning he got out,
Glen and I were in the backyard,
tinkling with this...
Breaking Ball. Pitcher Was Just
starting the game, Cincinnati vs St. Louis.
But uh...
- God help us, why'd he do that?
- Blackwell...
Threw her down into
the sewage pond...
It's about 50 yards
behind her house.
All into it was is 2
feet of water. He
kneeled down on her chest
until she drowned.
Dad gave him 20 years,
he got out in April.
- Stop the car.
- Dad, come on.
Shoot the Korean, am I speaking Korean?
Stop the goddamn car!
- I need my walk.
- Leaving the scene, blood evidence,
motive...Biggest mistake in your career
and you Just happened to run him over?
I can convict you over
coffee but no, no, no,
routine is important,
close the door, go.
If the blood matches and I've
no reason to doubt it does,
then I must have clipped him.
I don't remember any of that.
'I don't remember what happened
defense' does not fly with a corpse.
We need to establish
a firm defense!
We gotta get the charges dropped and make
it all go away in the preliminary hearing
and never go to trial.
There is no way here, Henry,
this is an accident, period.
Any decent lawyer can
argue this easily.
By decent, I mean honest.
Someone from here, someone with integrity
that an Indiana judge would respect.
I retained one of the greatest
this morning, alright?
I wished I'd like you more.
- He didn't mean it.
- He didn't mean that.
- I wished he'd died instead of mom.
- Cut it out!
- Jut cut it out!
- Eyes forward, you coward.
That is awful!
He said 'jump', you said 'how high?'.
Pull over the car.
Hey, you shoot your mouth
off too damn much!
Drive and stay with him. What
a fucking coward you are.
- Maybe we should follow dad.
- Should I?
oh god...What were you doing when
they were distributing testicles?
- Fuck, I'm getting out.
- Good! Good!
Hey, judge, where're you going?
- Indiana penitentiary is this way.
- Smart ass.
Where am...Where were I when they
were distributing testicles?
You know I have to go, right?
Someway, baby, it's part
of me, apart from me.
you're laying waste
to Halloween
...and I while I knew
I was not magnificent.
Strayed above the
highway aisle.
Jagged vacance,
thick with ice.
I could see for
miles, miles, miles
you're here to listen,
not to talk, okay?
You know the great thing about authentic
Mercury glass is the double wall,
you see that in here? Right on the
bottom...England glass company.
What a great find.
Guys...You want to head
upstairs to my office?
Judge Warren called it,
you know him, sir?
Yes, I do.
He's tough, he's fair,
full of himself.
He assigned a special
prosecutor, Dwight Dickham,
out of Gary... I don't
know why so far.
The preliminary hearing
is set for next Friday.
We're in a bit of a pickle.
It's pretty straight forward, C.P.
It was dark...
Hold up...
What would you say your stronger suit is?
Old furniture or law, quick?
- Er, well, er...Law, law.
- Law school? / yes.
Yes, you're familiar with the concept
or yes, you've attended one?
Yeah, right, I practice law without going
to a law school...Well, yeah, Valpo.
Valpo? Valparaiso?
It's...Up...My, I Just told her
not to...Cover Valparaiso.
Come on, I hate it when
she stacks books here!
It's...Er...Here in Indiana,
did you get out of state?
- Northwestern.
- Wow, that's the dandy of a school!
Ever defended in a jury trial?
- Yes, I have.
- Charge?
- Assault.
- Degree? / third.
- Verdict?
- It was a guilty verdict.
Coach Blakelive broke a clipboard
over his quarterback's
head during halftime at
the homecoming game.
- now...In his defense, - now, you're
guessing! - John Jr. has his helmet on!
- He Just keeps selling, doesn't he?
- Sit...Down!
Just so you know, summers I interned at
the public defense office in Evansville.
After graduation, I clerked 2 years for
justice Robert, Indiana supreme court.
It sure was, er...Pretty
cool experience.
The word 'wow', is not
friendly in courtroom.
- Thank you, duely noted.
- This is your guy?
If he drops the ball, you're facing
a murder trial, Just so you know.
I'm Gonna get a coffee.
Wow! This is a law suit right here. don't
get sued before you lose your next case.
don't mind him, you're my guy.
Your honor, I'm Gonna to
fight like a badger for you.
You can count on that.
Good morning.
From judge Joseph Palmer
to judge Sanford Warren
all rise.
The court is in session.
The honorable judge
Sanford Warren presiding.
Be seated.
I understand there's a motion
you'd like to be heard of.
Your honor, the deadline for
filing a change of venue motion
has already come and gone.
So unless there has been
a change in circumstance
that Warren's file of
motion is out of time,
say if...Er...County upped
and moved overnight,
barring that, this trial happens
right here in Carlinville.
This is a preliminary
hearing, not a trial.
What's the story, Mr. Dickam,
filing for a change of venue?
Out of curiosity, your honor, if I were to
ask for a change of venue, you'd say what?
You missed the deadline
but I'll consider it.
And then?
Denied it, you missed
your deadline.
No motion, your honor.
We're here to establish
whether there's a probable cause
to find if there's a
motion for trial.
I want to hold a
presentation of evidence
until both sides testified.
After which, I would
hear the arguments.
Without further delay, let's
get started, gentlemen.
Sheriff, after you arrived,
what, what happened?
When I approached the victim,
he was unresponsive.
And at that time, did you
offer any assistance?
- He was dead, son.
- So, no? / that's a no. / great.
Exactly what did Mr.
Palmer tell you?
Mr. Palmer stated he
drove his vehicle.
His 1971 Cadillac he drove?
Correct, on the night
of the accident.
Okay.
Excuse me, excuse me!
- Yeah?
- Sir, are you co-counsel?
- He's not. / no, no.
- Sit and zip it!
Sir, did you form an opinion
as to the cause of death?
Massive internal damage.
Injury consistent of
being struck by a car.
Thank you, Dr. Putney. No
further questions, sir.
Cross examination, Mr. Kennedy?
Er, no further, er, no
questions, your honor.
So you were working that
night at the mini mart
when you saw judge Palmer and Mr.
Blackwell?
They were both by the cooler.
Did you see Them
make eye contact?
Yeah, I saw Mr. Blackwell and
judge Palmer make eye contact.
- And then what did judge Palmer do?
- Dropped his eggs...
- I say out! Bailor, get rid of him!
- Read that! not my
first time. object! You can't
prove eye contact, idiot!
So...After that did they go out together?
Did you see Palmer...
All rise.
The court is in session, the honorable
judge Sanford Warren presiding.
Be seated.
Based on the testimony of the witnesses
and the evidence presented by Mr. Dickam,
the court finds probable cause
to hold this over to trial.
Jury selection will begin
in one week from today.
See you folks in court.
Judge Joseph Palmer
faces murder trial
agreement from the Gisbon's
coach. - excuse me? - Agreement
from the Gisbon's coach, ten letters.
I allude...
He knows the answer,
yet he answers.
Come in, sit down.
- His home is court...
- Yeah.
Sit down, peacefully,
easily, easily...
Why do you think Dickham
missed the filing deadline
- for change of venue.
- oh, he didn't miss his deadline.
It's a small town. For every 2
people standing in front of
you, one wins, one loses, one
loves you, one hates you...
- That's...
- Pretty obvious indeed. Dickam has
no intention of filing,
he wants the trial here.
C.P. Stepped down this morning.
Why?
He said his assistant is more
seasoned and couldn't live
with himself for his lack
of...Experience, cost the case.
Confidentially, what were you
doing in that Choplin road?
There's no route in that mini
mart's home that makes sense.
Wait, wait, wait...
Are you asking if you
could represent me?
Okay...
I remember being at the
mini mart, I needed eggs.
The road home was washed up, where
it dips at the state's old mill...
I turned around, stopped
at the light at the state,
then er...
I'm missing time, so...
- Can I borrow your pen?
- Yeah.
To answer your question
now, I'm not asking if
I can represent you, it
doesn't work that way.
You can't afford me, so...
I have to do it for free.
Fortunately, I'm a bit light on
the pro bono quota this year.
This's my standard service contract.
Check, sign and date...
HP services / yes / no / missing time
offer expires in a business day.
I'll give it a think.
The artist is at work...
Hey Hank, I'm splicing film.
- I see.
- You can help, if you want.
No...I'm Just watching.
You know what's funny,
when you said that the old
man was playing chess
every Wednesday with...
- Who was it? / with Dr. Morris.
- Yeah, 'Cause he doesn't play chess.
In fact, the only thing he detests
more than board games is doctors.
He does so play chess.
I'll show you. I have it.
It's not really ready yet but...
That's a Greco. They're
a real nuisance.
There's the lake.
Here's the porch....
See? He's playing chess.
Stop.
It's a nice frame.
Thanks...
- What else you got? - Well, if you wait to see what I got, a
body's recovered there. Figure the impact right here. 630.2
- Yeah. I don't see any skid marks.
- Ok, hey, here it's. Lawyer to client...
Did you recognize Blackwell?
I don't remember, er...
/ I can't have...
No, no, no, no. / can't have?
Stick with that.
Look...We both know you did not
intentionally hit that guy but
that's where they're Gonna spin it.
A few shot of Jack's, Just the
right amount of extra gripe,
that's what I thought... but you
haven't been drinking, have you?
- No...
- Are you sick, pops?
You might say that
I'm sick, yeah.
Yeah, cancer...In my
plumbing...Colon.
A few more chemo
sessions, it'll be in...
In uh...Remission. Nothing I
can't handle, nobody knows,
your mother knew, that's all.
They need an attempt for
murder, that is our case.
We build on diminished ability
for defense due to chemo.
If we can gain some sympathy from
the jury, they'd never convict you.
Wait, wait, hold on!
Native son, public servant,
for over 40 years?
No...Back up! Look what
it does to all the cases
I'd heard over the last year.
You had last year?
Everybody that I sentenced
will challenge the rule.
Strangers, who give a shit?
you're Gonna die in prison!
I'd rather die in prison than
be remembered like that.
- oh boy.
- An incompetent old man on the stand.
oh, I'm not letting you
anywhere near the stand.
now, listen, listen to me.
Ulysiss. Grant held
this country together,
now what is he remembered for?
Being a drunk!
Ronald Reagan never saw the fall of the
Berlin wall that ended the cold war
but any discussion of his legacy
ends with jellybeans, naps
and Alzheimer.
Reagan? Wow...With all
due...I'm Gonna say this as
professionally and as
gently as I possibly can...
you're a civil servant in a corn
belt, Bible-banging battle.
Nobody, nobody...Gives a
rat ass about your legacy!
But I do, son, I do.
I sat on the bench in
that court for 42 years.
People in this
community trusts me.
They trust the law. now this...
This accident is a legal
iron ball, Henry.
You can't screw it up.
So don't.
And only guilty people
refuse to take the stand.
- Got me?
- You tied my shoelace together.
I can't help you if you
don't let me do my job!
Unlock the car, come on,
let's go, I want to go home.
Damn it!
oh, this is cool!
Fuck me!
I only own the one black dress.
Hank, there is someone I'd like you
to meet, this is my daughter Carla.
Well, like I imagined, hold my hair back...
This is your Hank?
God, Just try not to
embarrass me, okay?
- You, you two met?
- Nope. / yeah, / yes.
- At the bar...Right?
- What's up with you, turn around.
Huh, I see that
t- shirt survived.
The night Hank Palmer
vanished from Carlinville.
- Since when you have a daughter?
- February, 1990.
She was home for summer break.
- Er...Were you married?
- Negative, no.
Um, I am the unplanned but happy
result of a wash back river boat trip,
Kool-Aid and ever clear.
- And now Carla goes to Georgetown.
- D.C., Georgetown? Wow!
Have you ever...Washington, Mr.
Palmer?
Never. What're you studying?
Law.
Always, on grass, never on pavement,
you won't splash your shoes that way.
I don't know what my problem is.
Personally invest in your client,
putting their lives in your hands.
It'll pass, trust me.
I hope not.
So sir, you're telling me you're
not even a little bit swayed
by the fact that you're
familiar with the defendant
and his stature
in the community?
- No...
- What exactly is our target juror?
Intelligent people who will
listen to instructions
and follow the evidence.
Crackpots, those that can be persuaded
to swallow their own tongues.
Anyone who has seen a sasquatch,
moon-landing deniers, those are our people.
Mr. Palmer.
Subtly, Henry...A velvet touch.
Bumper stickers? Anyone got one on
their car, truck, Harley? Show a hand.
And er...What do they read?
Exact word, please.
It Just spells out "tolerance",
with religious symbols.
Willie Nelson, for president?
Really? Does he seem
a likely candidate?
They never got him on a felony.
Certified breast
inspector, have Them out.
Gun control in using both hands.
Honor roll students on board?
Wife and dog missing?
Reward for dog.
- Thank you.
- Thank you!
I missed you, baby.
This is Gonna be
such a fun weekend.
Unless I drop you
on the escalator!
Lauren...Uh...
I feel like I should prep you
before you meet grandpa Palmer.
"Cause he's nothing
like grandpa Schneider,
grandpa Schneider is
kinda, you know...Nice and
half a bowl, maybe take
you for ice cream,
maybe he will read to you, grandpa
Palmer does not do any of that.
If you ask him to read to you,
he might throw the book at you.
But anyway, don't worry about it, I mean
he's not evil, he's Just a dirty old mummy
and he can't hurt you,
because you're special.
oh god, there he is, look.
He's usually wrapped in gauze,
and whooshing and shuffling.
He has come outside...To feed.
Who are you?
- Lauren...
- And who I am? / grandpa.
Yeah.
You are my granddaughter?
Let's go, come on with me.
Glad to be here?
It has been a long time, I've
waited a long time for this.
you're my sweetheart.
I'll show you the
house, come on.
I think grandpa is sweet.
Yeah, he isn't but I'm
glad you see it that way.
This is super comfy, there you
go, do you want a second pillow?
- Yes.
- Good, put your head down.
There you go.
And now...Oops, oh, maybe I'm
Gonna have a little fun now...
Feel good? Okay, this goes here.
I'm Gonna leave you alone now.
Whose room is this?
It was your uncle Glen's.
Why are there so many trophies?
Because he was a really
good baseball player,
- really good.
- Did he play on TV?
He probably would've
been on a big team
but when Glen and I
was in high school,
we got into a really
bad car accident,
then his hand got messed up.
oh, I'm sorry.
Why didn't he take his
trophies to his own house?
They were more important
to his father.
kinda touchy subject,
go to sleep.
- Good night, baby.
- Good night, dad.
Okay, let's rehearse.
Mr. Palmer, mark Blackwell appeared in
your court prior to killing Ms. Stevens.
- Correct?
- Uh huh.
Well, a lot of people appear
in my court, prior...
But do you agree...That there were special
circumstances surrounding this case.
Most people think that their
cases are pretty special.
Okay, by the way, there's no
snacks on the witness stand.
- Give me back!
- No! No distraction.
- I don't need preparing.
- You never sat on a
witness stand, you'd
never been on that seat.
Dickham doesn't
have intent, Henry
- and he never will.
- Dickham is a snake shyam
he will play his tune, gets the jury
swings into his version of that night
and then you can say
goodbye to your dreams of
flags flying at half-mast
when you're dead.
It's half-staffed... no one
says half-mast anymore.
Here, let's remain not rehearsed.
Fuck it!
Alright, don't need to be...
Summer rose, Henry.
Sam, can you hear me? Well,
my head is in the oven.
I was Just thinking it was either that
or maybe shower up and come meet you.
Okay...There? Alright.
oh my god, looks taller than it used to.
Did they raise it?
Come on, big city,
show me what you got.
Alright, I'm Just Gonna stretch up for
a second. Come on, give me a boost.
We are in!
So, it's midnight. I'm on a date
at blackchop Hauling ass home.
76' Chevette, fake
wood paneling?
- Chev? No, dad's Maverick. Yeah, I know!
- What were you thinking?
From the corner of my
eye, I spot something.
Biggest buck you'd ever seen.
1214 point,
200 pounds give or take,
charging the road
straight for me.
We skid, one hand on the
wheel, one hand on Carla.
This deer jumps,
flies over the hood,
its back hoof taps the glass.
One mile per hour faster,
he's coming thru' the
windshield, all abs and
hoofs, killing me for
sure, maybe both of us.
I made a decision
right then and there.
Whatever had or hadn't
happened in the past,
I was going to be the
hero of my own story.
- Sound corny?
- Sounds epic.
I've 4 grand in my name, I
borrowed another 12 from grandpa,
took about 16 grand, I made Dan an offer
for the diner he couldn't refuse.
- This place was on its last leg...
- This, this is your place?
Yeah, as a matter of
fact, this is my place.
Why you got me busted into it?
For my amusement...
Worth the broken window.
Bought the tavern 3 years later.
I got money, I got money. I got a lot. I
got money like colonel sander got chicken.
- You've a natural entrepreneurial spirit.
- Yep. / ok, I'm impressed.
We've known each other
since the 3rd grade, why,
you didn't already know
enough to be impressed?
- I'd always liked you.
- you're a dick.
- You...
- This is about accomplishment.
- There you are.
- Alright, baby.
- Except for second grade...
- What? / in second grade,
in Ms. Jenkins' class, on the
kid's ball field, south corner,
that's where I try to kiss you
and you...Fish-hooked me.
Taste like salmon.
You Just broke off 2 minutes...
- Just...Side parked.
- Okay.
Come on...
What's wrong?
You know I'm leaving
when the trial is over?
You sure, you should do this?
Am I sure?
He's sure but I'm wondering
if you are sure?
Why did we come here?
I love seeing you here
but I'm not naive, Hank.
- I know you.
- What do you think you know? Honestly.
That I'm a decent guy? That I'm loyal?
That I'm a... phenomenal lawyer?
That I got a work ethic that rivalled
the fucking Amish? What do you know?
Say it, I'm used to being
held under scrutiny.
Here's what I know. I'm
never leaving Carlinville.
I love it here and you're
Just a boy from Indiana,
who's going to do what he has to do.
That much I'm sure.
Lock the door behind you.
- I'm going to play with myself.
I'll be thinking
of you.
- And I'm Gonna to meet your daughter.
Judges see missing time,
explain that to me.
It's called 'chemo brain'.
Along with the fatigue
and the cracked skin,
sometimes suffered from
memory loss, confusion,
dementia, delusions...
It's a very, very real
possibility, probability, that
he's mentally impaired the
night he hit Blackwell.
If you can collaborate that,
I need you in my back
pocket. I'm not asking, I
may need you to testify.
He's getting haemotherapy
in a fishing cabin.
I don't think he
wants anyone knowing
and I'm his doctor, I'm
bound by his wishes.
Bound by his wishes
or his vanity?
When will he be done
with his treatments?
Like I told your father,
that's up to him.
In him? But...
- How would he know?
- So, what exactly did he tell you?
He told me it's under
control, it's in remission.
Quit your country
quack, I'm not his son,
- I'm his fucking lawyer!
- Well, this isn't that,
is it? You really aren't
a pleasant person.
Right now? I'm a summer breeze. is it?
You really aren't a pleasant person.
Right now? I'm a summer breeze.
Once I subpoenaed you,
get you on the stand and
extract the truth from your
ass like tree sapping,
then you'll realize on that moment
you're correct. I'm not a nice person.
We caught it too
late to cut it out,
to slap a bag on it.
If he had regular screenings...
But the judge wasn't the
type who invites the
camera, even if he
agreed to the glare...
Your mother insisted
that he try.
I suspect he would not
do it even for her.
I've been treating
him over a year.
His condition Just
keeps sliding...
Until it reached stage 4.
His pain will increase. We will
administer morphine to control it.
- What's a hush puppy?
- It's good for you.
Come on...
- Get out! Leave me!
- Dad, give me your hand.
Get out!
Did I put my shoes on?
- Are you okay?
- oh no, no!
Stay still, you will be okay.
Hold on to me...
Come on, let's get to the tub.
Okay?
Careful, watch your steps here.
Can you get your leg over?
There you go.
- Is that okay?
- Okay, ready.
Let's go.
- Is the temperature okay?
- Too hot.
Sorry, sorry, sorry.
Ooh, that's a little cold.
What is it?
Can I come in?
I'll be out in a minute, go eat!
Finish your hush puppy, baby.
- I'm full.
- In a minute, Lauren!
- Come on...
- What are you doing?
What will you say?
We're fixing the sink, it leaks.
- Can I help? / she'll slip...
- No, there's water all over the floor.
now go, go do something. Grandpa
and I will be out in a minute.
Knock-knock / Lauren! I
wasn't talking to you!
- Who's there?
- Barney / Barney who?
Barney who and grandpa
still going for ice cream?
Tell me about Lauren, likes, dislikes,
the future... may hold for you.
What do you want to be? Teacher, doctor...
Lawyer, seems popular lately.
Racecar driver.
I Just like to go really fast.
you're thinking, aren't you?
I, I got a bad idea
but it'll be fun.
- you're looking at the road?
- Yeah.
Dude, awesome,
check the mirrors.
you're a natural, buddy...
I feel like I can Just
take my hands off the
wheel and let you drive.
Aah...Don't you do it
when I'm doing it!
See?
And that's how you keep abreast
with what's going on the road.
When are you and mommy
getting a divorce?
What? Put your hand
where it's intended to.
- Where did you hear that?
- It is pretty obvious...
Well, the way these things work,
you know, it takes a long time,
happens in stages and...
- Your stuff are in
boxes, - that's a stage.
you're not wearing
your wedding rings,
and you probably going to ask
me who I want to live with.
- So which stage are we in?
- That one.
You know too much.
- Mommy will be lonely.
- Yeah? What about me?
- So would I.
- Daddies don't get lonely.
They only marry younger mommies.
Well, we will figure
it all out, baby.
It happened to Megan and
then it happened to Kaitlin.
I Just didn't think
it'll happen to me.
Me neither.
Let's turn left up here.
oh my god, the way you're driving,
you're doing great! you're
making the turns all by yourself.
Go, big girl, big girl!
Okay, when you see mom, what
are you supposed to say?
Best vacation ever!
Yeah, that's pretty good. Just don't
oversell it! You know what I mean?
Hey, thanks.
You'll be alright?
You'll be fine,
you're so hustle.
Hey, daddy.
Best vacation ever!
It's coincidence.
How's that possible?
Here we go.
Sir, I appreciate the primary
DNA evidence analysis
but bottom-line of support... what all
those numbers and percentages mean
when determining mark Blackwell's
blood on judge Palmer's car?
It's the victim's blood on the car. 946.101:18:43,199-
01:18:45,898- didn't take a swing at Mr. Blackwell? -
No...
None of that.
Dr. Brannamon, you found something else in the
system at the time of his death, correct?
Yes, we did. Mark Blackwell had
oxycodone paracetamol in his blood,
Percocet. Didn't your lab in Chicago
register a blood alcohol level of.23?
Yes.
In that condition, could he've
been riding in straight line?
If he could ride a bike at all,
he would've been swerving.
Ms. Blackwell, after all those
years and all the heartbreak,
- how did you feel when he was released?
- I finally had my mark back.
I waited so long for
him to come home.
No mother should have to bear
losing a child like that.
Thank you, ma'am.
How often did you
visit mark in prison?
Er, I...Don't remember,
too many times.
Perhaps these visitation records
would refresh your memory.
How many times?
- Twice...
- Pardon me? / twice!
oh, so, not too many times,
two times in 20 years?
Twice! One for each hand!
- It's at a 20 degrees bend at best.
- So, deputy Hanson, looking at this road,
there's no indication that judge
Palmer tried to slow his vehicle?
- No.
- As a matter of fact,
there're no brake marks
at all up there?
- No sir.
- No further questions, your honor.
Palmer?
Deputy Hanson, you were previously
an officer in Detroit...
Objection, the deputy's
credential is not in question.
"Welcome
to caritonville" - uh huh.
As stated by Mr.
Dickham, these pictures
were taken in the morning
of the incident...
Uh, what is that?
Can you help me?
- Right there.
- Not really, no.
Does that help?
Road kill? Raccoon, maybe?
- Sir, offer of proof here?
- What is your point, Mr. Palmer?
That there, is a
snapping turtle.
- And? - And, Detroit can
be forgiven for not knowing
what running over a
snapping turtle is like.
Nobody will hit it if they can see it and possibly avoid
it. If you hit a rabbit, possum or skunk, your car goes
'oop-oop'. now if you hit a snapper, similar to smacking
into a cylinder block...Kluck-kluck, 'ka-bam!', 'ka-boom!'
Mr. Palmer, where exactly
are you going with this?
Oop...Your honor, the prosecution
maintains that the lack of brake marks
is evidence that Mr. Blackwell
was deliberately struck.
Is it not reasonable to assume judge Palmer
could have hit something substantial,
in the dark, raining, not
realize that a person is hit,
Just kept going.
Thus, it has been firmly established. Are
we within a mile of a question here?
The question is deputy, any brake
marks in front of that turtle?
Yes or no?
No...There're not.
Thank you, that's all I have.
You re-arranged everything!
Alright, Mary, wait! What?
What? What? What?
What? God damn it!
don't be a you know what, Mary!
don't be a...
My memory plays me. Search on!
Go on, search on!
You left too soon, Mary.
You left too soon!
Thought I heard you having a bad dream.
god, what happened Yo your hands?
Here, let's make the skin soft.
Who is the best lawyer
you've ever seen? Come on.
Mine is Robert Graham. I work for him.
He Just...Doesn't lose.
now you.
Mr. Shaw
my first job after law school.
A drifter killed a farmer,
violated his wife. Five points road,
with a coroner knife, vile human being,
So...We took dinner to the jail
every night, Mr. Shaw sat with him.
Prepared him, defended
him, no tricks.
He won?
Electrocuted.
He was dead. Mr. Shaw
had to live with it.
He was threatened, spit on,
people won't sit
near him in church.
He could've refused the case
easily but he believed in the law.
now, I can't say, er...Best
but Henry Shaw...
Most decent man I've ever met.
1015.101:24:47,856
- 01:24:51,053- Henry?
- Decent man.
- Hi, Palmer.
- Hank? Sheriff white.
Wonder you can come by the station,
there's something you should see.
We already seen the security footage
on the night of the accident.
Here is what happened. The judge leaves
the store, his car goes one way,
- Blackwell, the other.
- Patience...
- What time?
- 4 minutes 45.
- He didn't get to the mill.
- And?
The point being?
In his statement, judge Palmer says
he reached the road near the mill,
it was washed out and he
turned around, he's lying.
It takes 9 minutes to get
to the mill and back.
Your dad did it in 5. He didn't turn
around because it was washed out.
He turned around to
follow Blackwell.
He lived here his whole life.
don't you think he
can Gauge whether the
road is going to flood?
- That's not the point.
- Sherriff, may we use your office, please?
- Thanks.
- What's the honor of a spare room?
- 10 years, he will do 7.
- Insufficient evidence.
Offer expires when
you walk out..
- Do you want me to fry you?
- I'm glad to see you're on your game.
I like you too but I'm so bored.
I've intent now!
Premeditation, I'll
paint your father
as a 'holier than thou' prick determined
to see what he considers justice served.
My father is a 'holier
than thou' prick
determined to see what he considers justice
served. So, it's going to be a light day.
That's funny, I guess I can't
fault you for not remembering me.
I was the second chair
for the prosecution.
You defended that Milwaukee beer baron's
kid, the one that went slimy and dreary.
40 million in the bank,
one dead prostitute.
My god, you're good, best
verdict money can buy.
Everybody went at him because he flinched,
until there's a dead hooker in a hot tub.
There is your bumper sticker.
So, now I'm not sure, you followed
me down here to settle a score?
oh, good lord, no.
I followed you down here because
I knew that if I didn't,
it was likely somebody was
getting away with murder.
My father is a lot of many unpleasant
things but murder is not one of Them.
But he is a liar. We
established that.
A liar who thinks he can operate under
the color of the law Just like his son.
Your shine isn't worth
a nickel, Mr Palmer.
A bully with a big bag of tricks
but unlike you, I have
one simple belief,
that the law is the only thing
capable of making people equal.
You may think mark Blackwell was white
trash and he may very well had been
but in the eyes of the
state, his life matters.
I'm going to impale your client
on a first degree murder charge
and you get front row seat.
Why are we even down here? Like there's
never a tornado, this is stupid.
Be happy that your
grandpa has a basement.
don't worry everyone, I got it.
Hey, turn that on, uncle Dale.
Yeah, why don't you show us
what you are working on.
You said you're going
to show me, man.
Come on.
Let's go.
Okay.
Charles Francis Jenkins first
invented the projector
on June 6, 1894
in Wayne county, Indiana.
Dale...Can you show the
movie that you made?
- Thank you.
- Here we go!
oh, nice.
oh family Christmas, look
at you guys in your PJ's.
That's us.
- That is our family.
- Yes, it's...
- There is me.
- Sweet.
Dad, you were cute once.
That's Hank and dad.
- Judge, you had hair?
- How are you...
- There you are!.
- Watch and learn,
boys.
Watch and learn!
- That was the best day!
- That's it.
- Proud mama.
- And dad.
- oh, shit...
- Shut it, George...
Turn it off!
- Alright, speed it up, man.
- I can't...
- It's film-making, I can't...
- Next! Next!
- Break the fucking thing
with your hand if you
have to, let's go, let's go!
- Give him a chance.
Turn it off!
- Okay, alright!
- Enough! / what?
- We're Gonna fix it. It's okay.
- Not in this house!
oh dad, shit!
- oh...
- I'm so sick...Of you. I'm tired of the
way you decide...How the
world is Gonna run!
What? you're Gonna parcel out who gets
to say and do what, when you say it?
I decide in this house. You
can go decide in your house!
No, I can't! / why? Because I'm
still in purgatory with a client
who's doing everything in his
power to be found guilty!
You didn't make it anywhere
near the mill, did you?
Ok, ok, ok...
Did you? You hung me out fucking dry with
Dwight Dickam 'Cause you rat out on me!
I told you everything I knew!
You told me everything is...
- Guys, come on! Easy! Easy!
- Get outta my way! Get outta my way!
Get your hands off me!
God damn it, Hank!
Where's he going?
Why did you pull me
out of boy scouts?
As punishment for blowing up the
Mccross' mail box with m-80s!
- I was 13, that, you remember.
- Old...Old enough to know better!
You didn't come to my high
school graduation or college.
- oh, boo, fucking who!
- Why?
Why? Jail time, truancy, I
was never rewarded anything,
- none of your shit! - I graduated
from law school, for Christ sake!
As oppose to what, dropping out?
- Fuck you!
- Let me tell you something, okay?
Here...
I put a roof over your head,
money in your pocket,
clothes on your back,
food in your mouth!
Who paid for that
college education?
I never showed up to kiss your asshole!
Your mother?
She's a housewife.
Why don't you swallow your goddamn
pride and Just come home to her?
You tell me why!
'Cause you didn't invite kid
parolees back to court.
You recognized those
who did their time,
turned their lives around,
made something of themselves.
Everybody in the court applaud,
you made sure that they did.
You told Them how
proud you were...
Proud of fucking strangers.
Is that all you wanted, Henry, is
some kind words and 'thattaboy'?
Then the usual way is to
come...The fuck home!
We all waited,
quietly
but you never came.
Ok? And I was the one you blame
because you won't come home.
Me, now was I tough on you? Yes.
How you turned out, Henry?
Waiting tables, a bum?
You put me into a
juvenile detention.
You sent me to the fucking
Vanderburgh!
- No, no, no. You put yourself there!
- Did I?
Yes.
The prosecution recommended community
service, that was your call.
No, it won't have helped you.
I didn't need help,
I needed you!
You were high, you rolled the
car with your brother in it!
He had a major league
career ahead of him,
a 90 mile an hour fast ball and
now he work at a tire shop!
You crippled him, you stole his
future, you call me an asshole?
I was 17, that's what happened.
I was 17.
oh! I was 13, I was 17...
You were heading down the wrong path,
I did what I thought was right.
You know I didn't Just graduate from law
school, I graduated first in my class.
- Good...
- I was first in my class.
Yeah...
- I did really well, dad.
- you're wellcome. / fuck it!
I'm tearing this house down.
Burn this fucking house.
Mary Palmer 1940- 2014
- about that storm, huh?
- Hmm...
I am glad you and mommy
became friends and I...Why?
- Why Sam?
- Why?
Who the fuck is Carla's dad?
Go, go to courthouse,
pull the certificate.
I did...No father is listed.
No, there's not
because Carla's father was
never going to be her father.
Him knowing, would Just
complicate things.
There was no wildlife river boat trip,
there's no ever clear and kool-aid,
it's Just one of those
lies we tell ourselves...
In order to move on and we did.
Great, I get to move on too.
What lies are you
going to tell me?
That it was fine with me when you
left and go to that goddamn concert,
you never called again.
That...Umm...
I'm entirely comfortable with Carla
never knowing who his father is.
That you're the only one
who is Gonna get hurt...
When you run away, again,
like you always do.
oh, I know that look.
you're a bullshitter.
Well, yeah, it's my bullshit,
kinda removed your shoes from it.
See you in 20 years...
Looking forward...
Finally opened her up, huh?
Yeah.
Eva Williams, she was 23 years old when
I drove down to Bart stone, Kentucky,
1979, to buy her.
I almost cracked this baby
open a thousand times...
And I'm glad you didn't.
Yep.
you're not going to tell
me I shouldn't drink?
you're big boy
as long as you're
ready for tomorrow.
Dickam is Gonna
turn up the heat.
I'm.
I went saw mom today.
Yeah?
Nice...
Where is she now?
Where's who?
Where is Mary? you're
thinking something else...
After we died?
you're asking me if
I believe in god?
Do you?
I'm 72, stage 4 cancer.
What choice do I have?
You know...
I was going to say that, uh... I was going
to apologize for belittling your marriage.
It's not easy to have
a good marriage.
I don't know what to do,
what would you do...?
With Lisa and all?
I, I don't know.
Henry, I truly don't.
You think you can make
each other happy again?
Go on...
Have a little toast here,
to what, I don't know
but let's have a toast.
- To good luck in court.
- Good luck.
The judge's Cadillac reappears in
the frame approximately 5 minutes
after it left the lot.
Exact time, sheriff?
4 minutes, 45 seconds.
Ok, again. When he leaves,
oops, sorry, too far...
There we go.
Judge Palmer?
Dad!
Bailor...
You mind calling an ambulance?
Dad, talk to us.
Dad?
St. Thomas more,
I don't know which paragraph
the judge would like to...
Maybe St. Joseph because
he's the patient's...
Okay, okay, Dale...
- And St. Joseph... - Dial down the
crazy now, dial it down! / and...
Hey, you want to go to
the vending machine?
Ok. / here...
Whoa / get whatever you want.
- You've a naked lady in here.
- Yeah,
- it's a fun wallet.
- Film the vending machines, Dale.
- Look, don't look at me like that.
- don't get off on him.
Not now, don't look at
me like that, not now.
You don't know what
my life is like, ok?
Mom is gone, alright?
And dad is...
And then what are we
going to do about Dale,
huh? What, you Gonna help?
You? Really?
I'm not like you, I've been
stuck here all the time...
I understand why
you're going mental...
Hank, I've never asked for a
goddamn thing in your life!
- I'd never asked you for anything!
- Hey, I'm fucking here...
- Yeah, but he is your father, you
should be here! - oh my god...
- I'm going crazy...
- I'd never asked for a goddamn thing, ok?
I'm asking you now! You
cannot lose this case!
Dad cannot go to prison.
don't pat me, don't pat me, I'm the
big brother here, you don't pat me.
Dad wants to see you,
Hank, not you, Glen.
- I killed the bastard.
- you're funny.
Please, don't ever say that again.
don't say that...
- I know me, I ran that man down.
- you're speculating, I know you too.
you're not capable of overriding a
life time of ethical superiority.
- I don't have the energy to fight
with you, Henry. - Then muster some.
- Do you remember hitting him?
- It's Just a matter of time.
Clocks run out! I don't
have fucking time!
you're not taking the stand!
- Then, uh...I'll fire you and C.P.
Will do it. - you're the most...
Brutally, bullheaded
client I've ever had.
This is easy, there is no witness.
The prosecution
can't prove you hit him
any more than you can.
I'd spread reasonable
doubt all over this case.
Please, please will you Just...
let me do my job,
let me do the talking, keep
your mouth shut and win.
Yes...
But I'd to live here.
you're impossible to defend!
What happened to Reagan?
You know, the jellybeans,
and your horseshit legacy?
Ok, so, you're Gonna swear in hand
to god and lie under oath that
you remember hitting him?
I won't confess to something I
don't remember doing, okay?
- You promise?
- Yes. / thank you. / yes.
- I'll see you in court, Henry.
- I'm sorry, I Just
I'll see you in court.
I do...
Judge Palmer, you have been
on the bench how long?
- 42 years. - So how many violent
crimes have you ruled on in that time?
Objection, the defendant's history
as a judge is not relevant.
Your honor, the state has
introduced evidence, suggested
motive for the alleged crime
related to the judge's duties.
- I'm entitled to rebut that
laughable presumption. - Overruled.
It's, uh, not something
I keep track of.
But would it surprise you to learn that
you've presided over 17 murder trials,
- 434 assaults, 12,942 civil cases.
- It would not.
Did you run over any
of those folks?
- Objection!
- Rein it in, Mr. Palmer.
- Just lost your wife?
- Yes.
- How long were you married?
- 50 years.
How did she pass?
She spent the morning kneading,
she fussed over hydrangeas,
a blood clog formed at
her left leg and...
Went to her heart.
The day of the accident, what
did you do that morning?
- I buried your mother, oh, my wife.
- Tough day, how did you feel?
- Tired.
- Tired, dark, raining,
- do you remember hitting the victim?
- I do not.
Thank you.
Nothing further.
Would it be fair to say that
you dislike mark Blackwell?
Yes.
Wished him ill?
I did.
Dead?
Yes.
Deputy Hanson testified
that you told him
that only you were allowed
to drive that car,
- not even you late wife.
- It's my car.
But now a man's blood,
a man that you hate
was found on a car
that only you drive
- but you don't know how it got there?
- I do not, no.
A six foot one, 220 pounds man,
that's a pretty big old
boy, on a steel bicycle
but you're in the
dark about it all?
- Objection, asked and answered.
- Overruled.
Correct.
So, on one of the worst
days of your life,
you entered the mini mart,
- you see a man you hate...
- Objection! Argumentative!
Let him finish.
You see a man you hate and minutes
later, you altered your route,
and both of you and the
man are on the same road,
at the same time, only you and
your car, with his blood on it,
and he is in a ravine, with his
kidneys ruptured and his back broken
and you don't
remember hitting him?
I do not.
So...you're telling
this court, under oath,
which I know you understand
better than most,
that a man who killed
somebody on your watch,
a man you released, who
drowned a 16 years old girl,
a man that you absolutely hate,
on the worst day of your
life and you have the
perfect opportunity to
balance the scale of justice
and your testimony is that you didn't
seize that chance and kill him?
No.
No further questions.
That is not my testimony.
Sir, how have I mischaracterized
your testimony?
Objection, he said
no more questions.
- Your honor?
- My testimony is...
That I don't remember
hitting him.
Your honor, may I
request a brief recess?
Denied.
Mr. Palmer,
judge Palmer.
Do you think you killed
him intentionally?
Objection, call for
speculation, move to strike.
Yes.
Order!
Order!
Settle down.
Thank you, your honor,
no further questions.
Redirect, judge?
Ok.
- So...You think you did it?
- Correct.
Ok, you think
but not because you
remembered hitting him?
That's right.
oh, your opinion is that you
hit him on purpose, correct?
I, I, I, uh, I Just said yes.
Why do you think you can't
remember the accident?
- My wife Just died.
- Undergoing any medical treatment?
Objection! Relevance?
- Goes to state of mind, your honor.
- Overruled.
- You and I are finally done.
- oh, we're not done.
- Yes, we're done.
- C.P., you're up. / sit down, Mr. Kennedy.
- you're done when you answer my question!
- No, no, no, no! / answer it!
No, you're not my lawyer!
you're not my lawyer!
you're on the stand as a
witness, answer my question!
I'm sound mind and body, it's
none of your goddamn business!
Sit down!
- Keep quiet!
- No, no, no! / I'm not done! Sit down!
Judge Palmer,
it's your right to seek other
counsel if you so choose
but you'll have to do so after
you completed your testimony.
Yes, sir.
I'll ask you again, undergoing
any medical treatment?
- Yes or no?
- Chemotherapy.
- For how long?
- 6 months.
Chemo? That's cancer?
- Yes...
- Prognosis?
It is advance.
- Did your doctor caution
you against the potential
side effects of chemotherapy?
- Yes. He did.
What are they?
- Nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite,
- delusions, fits of anger/ yes,
- depression...Memory loss?
- No,
- none of that applies to me.
- Really?
What happen to all the cases
you presided over the last 6
months if it would determine
that your mental actuality
- was diminished.
- Objection!
- Counselor is trying to
prejudice the jury. - Overruled.
All those trials, they will be
declared mis-trials, would they not?
- Potentially, yes, - a
stain on your reputation...
You'd do everything to
avoid that, would you not?
No, no, no!
Then, why don't you remember...
Seeing Blackwell that night?
I remember him, I Just
don't recall, uh...
Hitting that son of a bitch.
What do you remember?
I remember he, er... opened
his disgusting mouth.
What could he had possibly said?
Hey, judge,
sorry to hear about your wife.
You know,
seeing her buried no more
than 15 feet from hope,
I'm not Gonna have to walk too
far to piss on both graves.
He got him.
No,
doesn't add up.
I don't buy it. Can't be the first
time someone has insulted you.
It's your job.
Why did you go easy on
him the first time?
Of all the judges in Indiana,
you're one of the tightest.
You gave him 30 days. He threatened her,
discharged a firearm at her residence,
that's 6 months, a year, easy.
What was your reasoning?
180 days, that's solid,
maybe to cool off.
Maybe he doesn't kill hope
and maybe we'd not be here.
All the years you sat on that
bench, all the people that stood
before you, the leniency...
The understanding, the free
ride, goes to mark Blackwell?
How do you explain that
lapse in judgement?
I looked at him...And saw you.
The same...Wilful disobedience,
the same recklessness,
I looked at him and
saw my middle son,
my little boy.
My good boy.
I watched him cried right there, I wanted
to put my arms around him and tell him that
it didn't have to be like this.
I wanted someone to help him,
like I want someone
to help my boy.
If he lost his way,
it was my chance to be...
That someone, is
that so much to ask?
don't think so...
I have memories...
Of us.
You and me,
and then nothing.
How come?
- Why?
- Why?
Why?
I looked at you and saw him.
Your honor, may the
deputy please approach.
Last question. This man has been your
Bailor for 22 years. What is his name?
You don't know?
I'd like to go home now.
Nothing further, your honor.
Hey.
- Are you okay?
- I don't know.
Depends on the verdict.
I'm Carla's dad, right?
This again? Why, why can't
you Just let it go?
- She's fine.
- Of course she is,
it means it's obvious, she's
born 9 months after I split.
Either that or you
cheated on me.
Either way, it's not fine, just one version
slightly less not fine than the other.
And the thing is...Listen...
I gotta say something. Here it's. I
met Carla at the tavern, blind, ok?
- I went with Dale and Glen and...
- He is her father.
- He who is her father?
- Yea, Glen doesn't know.
- What my...My brother?
- It Just was one time.../ Glen?
Glenn? That fucker, what?
What do you mean what? /
what do you mean Glen
you left!
Fuck up! I went to a Metallica concert!
/ and you never came back!
He was broken, he was sweet, he was almost
normal and I needed a little normal!
You know what? That
makes me, what?
A. A...More superior prick
never slipped into his shoes.
Damn it, Hank, I loved you
then and I love you now.
I do. I love how...
you're simultaneously,
the most selfish and the
most generous person I know.
I love how...You hate a bully
while you're being one,
that your constant second-guessing
of others that...
That...Crystal ball bullshit?
That, that, that...That hyper-verbal
vocabulary vomiting that you do...
And Just disappeared
right beside me, Hank.
Say it again.
All of it?
- Yep...?
- Jury entering, all rise.
Be seated.
Mr. foreman, have you
reached a verdict?
We have, your honor.
What say you in the matter of the state
of Indiana versus Mr. Joseph Palmer
on the charge of
first degree murder?
We find the defendant
not guilty.
And on lesser included charge
of voluntary manslaughter?
We find the defendant...Guilty.
Order.
Move for sentencing, your honor?
This case has been the
most tragic occurrence
as I'm required to impose
an appropriate sentence
but as you know, all too
well, sir, that's the job.
I therefore sentencing you to
serve four years in state prison.
Sentencing to be
begin forthwith.
Deputy, please take judge
Palmer into custody.
Order!
Dad, dad.
- Dad.
- Yeah.
I've always been proud
of you, always.
Listen to me, you're a
strong man, not a boy, okay?
I need you to look after
your brother for me,
can you do that?
Ok, dad.
This camera, it was
a buffer for you.
Use it
- but you don't need it.
- Ok, dad.
Okay...
Ladies and gentlemen
of the jury,
I thank you for your service, you're
excused, this court is adjourned.
- Do you expect an appeal?
- Nah!
You know, 90% of the
country believe in ghosts?
Less than a third
believes in evolution?
35% can correctly identify homer Simpson
and the fictional town he resides.
Less than 1% knows the
man forgot Marshall.
But, when you put 12 Americans together
in a jury and ask for justice.
Something hard to
believe happens.
More often than not,
they get it right.
You know, uh,
6 weeks we prep Burke's mistress
for the infamous Hank Palmer cross
and you...You went easy on her.
I did?
- Might cost you your job.
- Well, you know, win or lose,
even it's...
And when you're on a streak.
....Stick with it.
Indiana prison seven
months later.
Petition for
compassionate release.
Sign here and here
to take possessions.
You look good, you warm enough?
- Yeah.
- Too warm?
Mackerel.
Glen and Dale have gone
for some more bait.
Remember you used to
bring these home?
Yeah.
- Give me some,
- here...
Give me some to take home too.
There you go.
You little gremlins,
you inhaled these,
- remember?
- Sure!.
Inhaled Them, Haha.
Until Dale failed to fill it out
and ruined it for everybody.
Yeah...
Your mother nailed him for it.
/ um...Hmm... fucking Dale!
He is the greatest!
- You want some water?
- No.
Remember what you said to me if
you thought I had one on me?
'Where's my beetle
honey, old man?"
- Worked every time.
- Yeah.
- You are...
- I am? / yeah / what?
The question you asked me about
the best lawyer and all...
You picked a fellow
you work with,
I'll choose you.
You know...
Glen could have really
been something.
- No doubt about it.
- Yeah...
Yep...
5 bucks I'll catch a
sunfish before you.
Feeling lucky...
Come on, come on.
Nothing.
Dad?
Dad?
- Close your eyes.
- All right.
Green and orange,
close Them, come on.
One, two and three. Close,
closing, closing...
You didn't make it...
Again, one, two...
Thanks for doing this,
it's nice.
I'm Gonna close the place
early tonight, if...
You want to come by...
Around nine...Ish, let's say?
I'll save a piece
of pie for you.
Where are you going?
To get some air.
Hey.
I Just wanna uh...You know, have a
moment before you run out, you know?
- I'm Just Gonna take some air.
- No! You, you, you...Disappear!
I Just wanna...
Alright.
Palmer, you motherfucker!
I'm right here.
I'm from here!
Someway, baby, it's part
of me, apart from me.
you're laying waste
to Halloween
you fucked it friend,
it's on it's head,
it struck the street
you're in Milwaukee,
off your feet
... and at once I knew
I was not magnificent
strayed above the
highway aisle.
Jagged vacance,
thick with ice
I could see for
miles, miles, miles