Yeah! Go, buddy, go!
That baby's going scared!
Give me one.
Get them.
Hey, boys!
How y'all doing?
What are you looking at? You want to get shot?!
Go, baby!
-You got it! -Pearl Harbor!
Here's another one!
Watch this!
100 points!
It's a beautiful day, isn't it?
Bye, Tonya.
Clean up that mess, boy.
Hungry?
You're having nothing?
I'm having them.
Shit.
Bye, girls.
Let's go!
You're on the house.
Harry Rex!
All those weekends...
...fishing...
...lounging, opportunities lost...
...to renovate yourself.
Tragic, just tragic, Jake.
Makes Carla happy.
Spent 4 marriages trying to figure out what makes women happy.
You spent 4 marriages trying to figure out what makes you happy.
Maybe that's it.
Yeah, maybe.
Swiggy?
Lord, let my car be fixed today.
Oh, dear.
Who's that?
She's young.
Hold this.
What're you doing?
If they're old enough to crawl, they're in the right position.
What're you doing?
What're you going to do?
50 points!
You good, boy!
Shut up!
Daddy!
Go, bud.
Shut up!
I'll kill you.
My turn.
There you are.
Shut up!
Daddy!
Mama!
What is this?
Groceries!
Y'all see her?
How many appointments do we have today?
Not a one.
But it is the first of the month again and guess what.
The checks are pouring in. We have enough money to pay our debts.
That'll be your last drink.
Just keep us no more than one month behind on any vendor.
You have been drinking.
2 months.
These are the most delinquent. The rent's in there.
I appreciate the practice, Captain.
But you could've left me a few clients.
Baby, here's Daddy coming.
I'm here, baby. Daddy's here.
Daddy...
...I'm sorry I dropped the groceries.
That's all right, baby. That's all right, baby.
That's all right.
Look at this.
Billy Ray.
Sorry, sir, but we don't allow no African-Americans here.
Billy Ray Cobb...
...you and Willard must come with me.
I ain't moving.
The girl you took for a ride...
What girl?
I got bad news for you. She didn't die.
So unless there's another redneck asshole with a yellow truck...
...with a Confederate flag--
Blue gums...
...get out of here and grab a branch.
Unless you got an explanation for why this was in your truck...
...you're going to jail.
Get up.
You go to hell, nigger.
Goddamn!
Come here.
Now, you earn the right to remain silent!
Here, just like you like them.
-Sugar, today I'm going to have-- -Go to hell.
I'll just watch baby eat his.
I didn't handle her husband's divorce.
I'm shriveling away here.
I'm shriveling.
What's up?
Didn't you defend Billy Ray Cobb a few years back?
What for?
Caught him selling dope.
Spent time in Parchman. Got out last year.
I think some Memphis lawyer handled that.
Why do you ask?
Picked him up for rape. Him and Willard.
Who'd they rape?
You know Carl Lee Hailey?
I defended his brother Lester.
It was his little girl.
Little Tonya?
How old's she?
She's ten.
Mr. Willard...
...I'm Sheriff Walls.
My mama voted for you.
I seen you play for the Rams.
Way I figure, a nigger sheriff's okay, been on TV.
No offense.
What's your full name?
James Lewis Willard.
4, which is a difference of 110.60.
Who's there?
Carl Lee.
How is she?
She's holding on.
Doctor says she ain't out of the woods yet, though.
They worked her over something good.
You remember them 4 white boys raped that black girl last year?
They got off, didn't they?
I was in a jam, you'd help me out, wouldn't you?
Sure, Carl Lee.
What kind of jam you talking of?
You got a daughter, Jake.
What would you do?
You dream some good dreams.
Good night, Daddy.
Night, baby.
Is she asleep?
She's so sweet.
Yeah, she is...
...next to you.
When I look at her though, I cannot help but think about...
...Tonya.
Don't.
Don't do that to yourself.
Something wrong?
Tonya's father...
...Carl Lee Hailey...
...came to the office today.
Man's heart is torn wide open, baby.
I don't know, but...
...seemed like he was going to do something.
Like what?
Something like killing those boys.
Was he serious?
I don't know. I don't know.
It could be just hurt talking.
But when you think it's possible those two animals could...
...go free...
...and be walking the streets....
I don't know.
After what that man has been through, he's capable of anything.
Somebody should do something.
You should call Sheriff Walls.
...to release the owner from assessment.
I hope I'm having a heart attack...
...'cause then I get to sue you!
Don't stand on ceremony, come on in.
What? No clients?
Just waiting to pick yours up on appeal.
And you, are you on vacation?
Fortunately for me, my lovely...
...divorce doesn't go on vacation.
However...
...not even the richest, most ridiculous settlement I get...
...will be as satisfying as watching those two hyenas...
...get what's coming to them.
Oh, dear.
I'm a fool for those German-type convertibles.
Come on, let's get to court.
Lucien thinks the two hyenas just might get off.
You saw Lucien?
When? Where?
How is he?
Has he been eating better?
Just curious.
Refresh my recollection, how long were you and Lucien together?
We were never together. I was his secretary for 20 years.
Come on, old girl.
You can tell us.
He was your boyfriend.
I am an upstanding, God-fearing, respectable woman...
...with unimpeachable morals who has been happily married 27 years.
And I have never had or ever will have any boyfriend!
And if I did...
...it would not be that old pickled scoundrel Lucien Wilbanks!
-She did him, a lot. -Definitely.
Step back.
Come on out.
Boys, today's your big day.
We'll go to the courthouse, the judge will set your bail...
...then we'll come back, nice and peaceful.
If I get any trouble out of you, I'm going to integrate this jail.
Mama, Daddy's home!
Hannah, let's go inside for a minute.
Let's find a book.
Jake, are you hurt? Jake, what happened to you?!
Honey, are you okay? What happened to you?
What is this? What is going on with you?!
Jake, baby, are you okay?
What happened?
I'll see you.
Will the sheriff comment?
He might make a statement, or not.
-Is it first-degree murder? -I don't know.
Here comes the sheriff.
I got no comment. No comment.
Hey, Jake. Carl Lee said you'd be coming.
Are you an attorney?
I'll make a statement. Get these vans out of here.
Give us something for our newscasts.
Didn't think I'd do it, did you?
How you holding up?
I ain't had nothing against them till they messed with my baby.
And I feel sorry for their mamas and their daddys, but...
...I ain't sorry for what I done.
How's Looney?
You blew his knee off his leg.
Doctors are still with him.
What'll happen to me?
There's going to be a preliminary hearing. Probably tomorrow.
Then Buckley'll push for a fast trial.
Who's Buckley?
Rufus Buckley...
...district attorney.
He's mean, he's ambitious and he'll eat this up because of the publicity.
But you've beat him?
Yeah.
Not in a murder case.
Think I can win?
All depends on the jury, Carl Lee.
Pick the right jury, and you'll walk.
DA picks the jury and...
...you get the gas.
How much a case like this cost?
Probably 50 grand.
I can pay maybe ten.
There're not a...
...lot of white lawyers would've took my brother's case.
You did and got him off.
I figure there's people out there...
...tired of all the raping and killing and...
...they'd be sympathetic to a man who took the law into his own hands...
...even if he is black.
You said you'd help me out if I was in a jam.
Well, I'm in one now.
What do you say?
What can you tell us, sheriff?
Comment?
Are you with the police?
I'm a lawyer.
Are you Hailey's attorney?
Are you Mr. Hailey's attorney?
Yes, I am.
Your name?
Brigance. Jake Brigance. That's with one 'G.'
Hailey's hired an attorney.
Jake Brigance.
And today ain't even my birthday.
Brigance couldn't tie his own tie without Wilbanks.
He's never lost a murder case.
Well, he's never tried one against me. What time's the preliminary?
Tomorrow at 3. Judge Omar Noose presiding.
I was wrong. It is my birthday.
All right.
First, Brigance will file for a change of venue.
He'd be a fool not to.
Why's that?
Why?
Should we tell our young, uninformed law clerk...
...the reality of jurisprudence?
Evelyn, get me the state file on race statistics!
See, it's quite simple.
This county's 26-30% black, give or take.
Almost every other county is 40-45, in some cases 70% black.
Blacks are more sympathetic to blacks.
If he gets it moved, he has a greater chance of color in the jury box.
But if the trial stays here, it's an all white jury for sure.
This is for you...
...to integrate your brain with before tomorrow.
He means without blacks on the jury, Hailey hasn't got a chance.
Noose is up for re-elect?
Yeah, November.
Reach out to our legislature friends.
Have them call Noose. We'll help him decide to keep the trial here.
Also, send a case of whatever he drinks to Lucien Wilbanks.
Dewars.
Keep that old drunk on the sidelines.
Get me Sam.
And, gentlemen...
...no mistakes.
This is what we've waited for.
Justifiable homicide'll never hold up.
My only chance is to find a shrink...
...to say Carl Lee was insane at the time.
Now I might know a man who owes me a favor.
You file for a change of venue?
Of course.
If Judge Noose denies it...
...then you'll get an all white jury and you'll lose.
Thanks.
Bear in mind that Mr. Hailey is guilty as sin under our legal system.
It does not permit vigilante violence...
...and he took the law into his own hands.
He murdered two people.
Two people who raped his 10-year-old daughter.
You know...
...you can win this case...
...and justice will prevail.
But lose...
...and justice will also prevail. Now that's a strange case.
I could use your help.
The sons-of-bitches decertified me, Jake.
I swore I will never enter another courtroom. Ever!
You're the best lawyer I've ever seen.
I know how much it hurt when they took your license away.
But they can't take your mind unless you let them.
Good speech.
I had a good teacher.
Remember when I came to you?
In that ridiculous blue suit.
You sat me down and said to me...
..."I cannot promise you riches.
What I can offer you...
...is a chance to save the world...
...one case at a time."
I'm saying the same words back to you right now.
How about it, Lucien?
"The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.
He leadeth me beside still waters.
Yea, though I walk...
...through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil...
...for Thou art with me.
Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me. "
Sure am sorry about your brother.
Old Willard, too.
Good boys both.
10 years ago...
...that nigger'd be hanging by the end of a rope.
Tell me what's wrong with this country.
Klan would know what to do.
My granddaddy, he was Klan.
Ain't no Klan here.
There's still some boys around.
Skinheads who want to blow up the government?
No, sir. Good God-fearing Klan.
I got a friend, used to be active. I could call him.
You do that.
You tell them boys we need some Klan here in Canton.
I mean, right quick.
Hurry up.
Coming, coming.
Look, there's Ozzie.
To our family's TV debut.
To the big time.
I can't believe he didn't take you seriously about Carl Lee.
Baby, some folks think those boys got what they deserved.
Here.
Carl Lee Hailey may spend life in jail. His family doesn't deserve that.
-You did call Ozzie? -Look here.
Daddy's on TV.
I'll show the men and women of the South will look past color and see the truth.
That in the South, justice is and will be colorblind.
Impressive. Honey, that was really good.
Isn't Daddy smart?
Brigance.
That was great.
No, we just saw it.
All right, Harry Rex.
I'm proud of you.
Good stuff, huh?
Hear this? Think it's a press agent?
Don't be gross.
F. Lee Bailey's office.
You nigger-loving son-of-a-bitch, you won't live if the nigger walks.
Do you have sympathy for the defense?
Of course I do. You're a mother, I'm a father.
We all have families. Who wouldn't?
Don't presume the DA is insensitive.
But the people of this state entrusted this office to uphold the law.
Our society cannot condone men who take the law into their own hands.
If you get a conviction, will you ask for the gas chamber?
Yes, I will seek the death penalty for Mr. Hailey.
What do you think of Brigance?
Isn't he still in law school?
Say hey to your husband for me. That's all.
Hey, Cora Mae, don't you worry. Wayne, how are you?
You plead him guilty, I'll ask for life. Otherwise, he dies.
You drop your case now, I won't bury you before the county.
All rise!
Court is in session.
The Honorable Omar Noose presiding.
Good afternoon, citizens.
Be seated.
Counsel.
And you, sir...
...are you Carl Lee Hailey?
I am holding a copy of an indictment...
...returned by the grand jury...
...presenting that "Carl Lee Hailey...
...did murder Billy Ray Cobb, a human being...
...and James Willard, a human being...
...and did attempt to kill Dwayne Looney...
...a peace officer...
...against the peace and dignity of Mississippi."
Do you understand the charges against you?
How do you wish to plead?
Not guilty.
The defense enters a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.
Your trial is set for July 22.
All pre-trial motions and matters should be filed by July 8. Anything further?
Yes.
The State requests the defendant be examined by its own doctors.
Granted.
Additionally, the State opposes any request for bail.
We have not yet asked for bail. Now Governor Buckley...
...cannot oppose a request until one is made.
Your Honor...
...even Mr. Brigance's meager legal experience should have taught him...
...I haven't been elected governor, yet...
...and he is required to request bail.
The State opposes any request.
In the future, why don't we wait till he makes the request.
Thank you.
We would like to request bail.
Denied.
I never allow bail...
...in a murder case and don't feel an exception is called for today.
Good enough. We will be filing for a change of venue.
I anticipated this.
Let me save you some time. Your motion is denied.
We have not yet filed.
We are simply indicating our intent to file in writing--
I said, "Request denied. "
Your Honor...
...how can you summarily deny this request?
It is quite clear that Carl Lee Hailey cannot receive a fair trial in Canton.
Sidebar.
We have a right--
I will not tolerate grandstanding in my courtroom.
Get to work.
Excellent technique, counselor.
Your Honor.
It would be remiss not to tell you that in State vs. Johnson...
...and State vs. Fisher...
...both in 1985...
..."Failure to consider a change of venue...
...has been a reversible decision on appeal."
No trial judge...
...likes his rulings overturned.
I guess you get to submit that brief after all.
Have it on my desk Tuesday.
Mr. Hailey...
...you are hereby ordered...
...to remain in custody of the Madison County Sheriff until trial.
Dismissed.
Find me that state doctor, Rodeheaver. Get him down here to interview Hailey.
I want to find who Brigance is using for a shrink. I want him discredited.
Professional or personal dirt?
Just get me enough to shatter him in court.
We can do that.
This is $900, Carl Lee. We said a thousand down.
My kids got to eat.
Mine too.
When do I get the rest?
Them folks at the bank, they won't lend me money on my house.
Why? The house is almost paid for. You borrowed on it before Lester's trial.
Say I wasn't in jail then. Say to Gwen, how will I pay if I'm on death row?
And I lost my job at the mill.
They called Gwen.
Worked 20 years, I'm out 5 days and they fired me.
Carl Lee...
...I can't try a capital murder case for $900.
I need to live.
Me too, Jake.
I need to live too.
Nice night.
Finder of precedents, mystery woman of the courthouse....
Care for a beer?
I assume that's the infamous change of venue motion.
Ellen Roark. R-O-A-R-K.
That's Roark in Boston, but it seems to be Row-ark in Mississippi.
Boston.
I was born there. My father's the notorious Sheldon Roark.
Attorney to the stars, yes.
Duly impressed.
What brings you to Mississippi? Slumming?
No, law school at Old Miss.
It's a family tradition.
Mom was a sweet little sorority girl there till Dad married her.
I married a sweet little sorority girl from Ol' Miss myself.
They have an excellent selection.
They do.
No, really, what brings you to Canton? They have cars to sit on on campus.
Carl Lee Hailey.
I'd like to help you.
What makes you think I need help?
You're trying one of the largest murder cases these parts have seen...
...and you work alone.
You have no paralegals, clerks, researchers...
...nor can you afford any...
...so if Noose doesn't accept that motion...
...you go to trial in less than a month. Trust me, you need help.
How do you know this?
I'm an excellent researcher.
I've played gofer for 7 capital murder cases...
...I've witnessed 2 executions. I have written briefs for the A.C.L.U.
I'm top 5% of my class, editor of the law review, I'm published, I'm young.
And when I graduate...
...I intend to spend a glorious career stomping out the death penalty.
Let's see, what else?
Genius runs in my family.
You'll get me on the way up...
...and I really think now is a good time to grab me.
Anything else I should know?
Let's see, anything else?
My father's rich so I'll work for free.
What do you think?
I think I'll drop this brief off in Noose's night slot.
Go home, see my family.
Thanks, but I can handle the case.
You might look at these precedents.
State vs. Cooper...
...and State vs. Roundtree. Revenge killers, both acquitted.
You'll change your mind.
See you.
Get out.
Come on.
Come here. Come on.
Mr. Cobb...
...this is Stump Sisson, Grand Dragon of Mississippi.
You were looking for us?
You were right to call us, Mr. Cobb.
They say the Klan is dead.
Klan don't show up for a few years and...
...people say the Klan is dead.
Fact is, it just looks dead.
The Klan has always been right there...
...under the surface...
...just waiting for the opportunity to deliver God's justice.
I want help.
I want to kill that nigger.
Niggers got...
...plenty of protection nowadays.
They got the NAACP...
...and the A.C.L. U.
Even the federal government.
Hell...
...white folks ain't got a chance.
Except the Klan.
I'm going to tell you what.
You get 5 or 6 of your friends of similar thinking...
...and we'll initiate...
...the Madison County Klavern.
Even make you leader.
Now, you tell me...
...who's that nigger's lawyer?
Local boy.
His name's Brigance. He's got a pretty good reputation.
He got family?
Yes, sir. He has a wife and a daughter.
Good.
Why's he here?
Calm down, son.
Calm down. Come on, now.
He has no right after what he did.
Don't get your mom upset now.
Looney?
Dwayne?
I made Ozzie bring me.
Shit, Dwayne, we...
We knowed each other since childhood.
It's my fault.
No matter what's said in court...
...I knew what I was doing, and I sure didn't intend to hurt you, but...
...just them two boys.
I know it don't mean much now, but...
...I'm sorry.
Some folks think a black man can't receive a fair trial in the South.
I'll show the men and women of the South will look past color and see the truth.
It sure is a nigger's world.
Not for long.
Boys...
...I'm very proud to invite you to become soldiers...
...in the war to protect our Christian homes and families.
To resurrect our country...
...from the fires of racial degradation.
And to make whites...
...the sole masters of our nation's destiny.
What I'm saying, fellas...
...it's time for the nigger to pay.
Is your telephone broken?
We just had the number changed.
That's what the operator said.
To an unlisted number.
Sorry you had to come up here.
I should've called you, but this case--
This case has us all worried sick about you all.
This thing could get ugly.
And dangerous.
Jake, he shot them in cold blood.
They raped, almost killed his daughter.
What if that happened to Hannah?
May we ask a few questions?
Can we get a quote?
Excuse me, I'm going to go take a few questions.
This isn't the time.
It's really good for Carl Lee.
Thank you for coming.
Guess we'll have to read about it in the papers.
Praise Jesus!
Reverend?
I'm Isaiah Street.
It's an honor to meet you, Reverend.
I saw you march with Dr. King.
The struggle continues today...
...here in Canton.
Carl Lee Hailey's on trial because he's black. No other reason.
These people are with the NAACP.
How do you do?
How are you?
The black community's concerned that Mr. Hailey's attorney...
...isn't sensitive to the needs of the movement.
The NAACP...
...wishes to provide him with a new lawyer.
We need to raise funds to support Carl Lee Hailey.
I don't know, Reverend. Time's awfully tight here.
Obviously...
...we would expect you to take...
...a modest administration fee for your troubles.
Your loyalty...
...has been forged...
...in a baptism of fire.
Rise, knights...
...of the Ku Klux Klan...
...and let your brethren...
...never regret...
...they believed you worthy...
...of fellowship.
Welcome to the Klan.
I need to talk to Jake.
He's not in. Who's calling?
Mickey Mouse.
-Who? -Mickey Mouse.
Get out right now.
Who's this?
Get your daughter out of the house right now!
Hannah, what is it?
Oh, my God!
Max, come on!
Fire!
It's a good thing Hastings was nearby and got here fast.
The whole place could've burned.
I appreciate it.
Take care.
She asleep, baby?
The Ku Klux Klan is burning crosses on our lawn.
There's been no Klan around here for years.
This is just some dorks with too much time on their hands and too many beers.
I'm sorry.
About what?
That you weren't home when they almost burned our house down?
That you missed supper and didn't call?
That you've become more interested in getting on the news...
...than in your own family?
That Hannah comes home bawling because kids call her a nigger-lover?
What exactly are you sorry about, Jake?
Remember the other night?
I told you Carl Lee came by the office?
Remember what we talked about?
Calling Ozzie.
You never called him, did you?
You never called Sheriff Walls?
I didn't call him.
Lord have mercy, Jake, you had a responsibility.
Carl Lee chose you.
He told you what he was thinking.
He told me what he was thinking, but I didn't know--
Jake Tyler Brigance, we agreed you'd call the sheriff.
Now look at everything that's happened.
I am sorry to tell you this, but...
...those 2 boys are dead and you were in a position to prevent it!
Are you and Daddy fighting?
Come here.
Come here, come here.
Mommy's just upset because some silly man played a bad joke.
It's nothing.
Nothing at all, okay?
What did the Memphis doctor say?
She's doing good.
Her jaw is healing.
She can't run and jump yet, but...
...it won't be long.
How about the other?
There was too much damage.
She ain't gonna never have kids.
You know, I think about them two boys.
Dead, buried...
...probably starting to rot...
...and I remember them walking in court...
...one proud, the other scared.
I remember how they fell.
One on top of the other, screaming and squirming and not going nowhere.
God help me, Gwen, but...
...that's the only thought gives me comfort.
They took up a collection for us at church.
Some kind of defense fund.
Reverend Agee gave a good service.
We need some money 'round the house, Carl Lee...
...for groceries and bills.
How much you got?
Less than 50.
I'll think of something.
How you think you going to get money when you stuck in jail?
Trust me, Gwen.
I just get scared.
Look here...
...tell me exactly what Reverend Agee said...
...when he passed around the collection plate.
I don't care. We're dealing with life and death here.
-I must talk to my supervisor. -Go talk to him.
Get out!
How are things at the electric company?
That is the second time this week I've had to hold him off.
How much we owe?
$2,000.
-How much do we have? -$100.
Look, this week nothing has come in at all.
What about Buck Britt's retainer? There's 2 grand.
That check bounced.
What do you mean?
It bounced, Jake.
It sat on your desk all week.
Not that you'd notice.
Since you took this case, you stopped talking to your clients...
...you don't take your calls...
...you're obsessed! You are!
You're obsessed!
Your obsession is going to break us!
What's wrong? We've been through hard times.
No, not like this, Jake.
Not like this.
We've been getting calls.
At home.
Threats.
You know Bud has survived two strokes. I don't think he'd survive a third.
Why didn't you tell me?
Why, Jake?
Would you drop the case?
Jake Brigance's office.
Until they cut the phones off.
Oh, right.
That was Sheriff Walls. You better get down to the jail.
What's going on here?
I'm Isaiah Street.
Jake Brigance.
I believe you know Reverend Agee.
And this is...
Norman Reinfeld, I've seen your picture in the paper.
I assume these boys carry your things.
Just a small part of my legal defense team.
Pleasure, Mr. Brigance.
If it's a party, where's the beer?
Otherwise...
...your being here seems a bit like illegal client solicitation...
...with Carl Lee already having a lawyer.
Just a minute.
Carl Lee invited us here.
Mr. Brigance...
...let me be frank.
Mr. Hailey's case has far-reaching ramifications.
Carl Lee's acquittal for killing 2 white men...
...would do more for black people than...
...any event since we integrated the schools.
His conviction, on the other hand, will be a slap at us.
A symbol of deep-seated racism.
Perhaps enough to ignite a nation.
See how important this case is?
Enter Mr. Reinfeld's death squad, right?
It's an unfortunate nickname, but apropo.
My lawyers and I handle only capital murder cases.
Of all your cases...
...how many are supposed to be lost so you can martyr the victim?
How much a defense like that cost?
What, about $100,000?
We are prepared to accept $7,000 in litigation expenses.
Carl Lee doesn't have $7,000.
Do you?
The NAACP...
...has raised $5,000 for Carl Lee's legal defense fund.
And we raised an additional $2,000 from local churches.
Let me ask you something.
How much of that cash you offer my wife and kids?
That money...
...is to go to pay for lawyers' fees.
That ain't what you told the church.
You almost cried when you told them...
...how my family might starve if they didn't donate.
The money is for you and your family, but...
...we thought it'd be better spent on the legal defense.
Speaking of that defense fund...
...can I use that for any lawyer I want?
It's not that simple, Carl Lee.
Actually, it is that simple, Carl Lee.
Unless the NAACP...
...wants to go on record as soliciting funds under false pretenses.
Listen...
...we raised that money...
...for these men to get you out of here, not for this cracker to--
Now, hold on. Hold on right there, now.
Let me just get this straight here, Reverend.
If you don't give my wife...
...that cash...
...I'll see to it everybody in this town knows you're a lying crook.
Your congregation will be interested to know...
...Gwen and the kids can't eat because you want in with the NAACP.
That's right.
When I'm through with you...
...you won't be able to collect 2 cents in the collection plate.
We'll expect the check for the Hailey family today.
I sure do appreciate your fine work...
...but I'll take my chances with Jake.
Thanks for coming down.
We'll expect that check...
...for Jake's legal services around the same time today.
Good day, men.
You set that whole thing up.
Couldn't have done it alone.
Make one hell of a team.
You out there.
I'm in here.
We ain't no team.
There's trouble.
Look there.
No, here's trouble.
You are?
Meet Harry Rex Vonner...
...the most effective, morally- compromised lawyer in the country.
Ellen Roark, brilliant law student.
Do what you will.
Looking forward to it.
This might interest you.
In assessing murder trials, the insanity plea only makes up 1% overall.
And of the 1% that resulted in acquittal success rested almost wholly on the--
Defending psychiatrist regardless of the quality of the psychological testimony.
Shazam. She is brilliant.
"She." That would be me?
Who else?
She would be me.
She is saying that if l take this plea to trial...
...the verdict will hinge on the shrink the jury finds more credible.
She will be correct.
She would.
Sure you don't need help?
I do.
I'm hiring. Right now. Me.
Roark, I am sure that I don't need any help. Thank you, though.
I guess that would just have to be your loss, then.
Nice to meet you, Morally-Compromised.
Pleasure's all mine...
..."She."
You've got to love the Lord for making things like that.
Sure you don't want to look at her resume? You could use help.
No, I don't want to look at her resume, because I have you.
You do?
Yeah, buddy.
This is your chance to put aside your shady sources and greedy divorcees...
...and do some real law for once.
Mr. Vonner, in short...
...you have the opportunity to work on a case that matters.
Let me get this straight.
You want me to put aside my empty, soulless, shady...
...astonishingly lucrative, divorcee practice...
...come work with you on an unwinnable, lose-all-my-friends case...
...because it matters?
It's a novel idea, I know.
No way. Never. Presumptuous little shit.
Goodnight, y'all.
I need the sheriff.
He's asleep.
Well, get him up.
Who is this?
Someone's going to die tonight.
I got him!
Get his ass!
What's in the case?
It's ticking.
What is it?
I ain't saying.
Family out?
It's locked.
Open it.
My God!
Oh, man....
Defuse it.
I'm going to take you and this...
...nigger-lover to hell with--
Ain't nothing more dangerous than a fool with a cause.
Lay that thing back down there real easy-like. Let's go.
Carla loves this house.
Come here.
Are you coming to Grandpa's too?
Daddy must stay here and work.
You and your mom have a good time.
You be good.
Go get your stuff.
You said you'd quit if it got dangerous.
I know.
I can't quit now, you know that.
Carl Lee is facing the gas chamber. The man is counting on me.
I understand that, Jake.
Remember that we're counting on you too.
What if something happens to you?
Nothing's going to happen. Come here.
Hug?
Everything will be okay. I'll be fine, you'll be fine.
Okay, babe?
I promise.
Don't make promises you can't keep.
You ready?
Good afternoon. Come in.
Good afternoon.
You may come this way. The judge is upstairs.
Thank you, sir.
Judge Noose.
Thanks for coming.
Heard you had trouble last night.
Makes you wonder about the sensibleness of taking this case.
This is a beautiful place you have here.
I'll get to the point.
I've thoroughly reviewed your brief request and...
...a change of venue.
And I agree with you. It's impossible to find an impartial jury in Canton.
I think it's impossible to find an impartial jury anywhere in Mississippi.
As such...
...a jury here would be...
...as fair as a jury anywhere else.
So I decided to deny your request for a change of venue.
I guess that...
...gives me something to appeal.
Actually, no.
I spoke to Judge Dent...
...and he believes that the Supreme Court would uphold my ruling.
You certainly covered your bases.
You're a good lawyer.
You're bright and ambitious.Talented.
You could be someone.
You sure you want to be known as the man that defended that murderer?
Could be very unpopular.
Talk to your client.
He pleads guilty...
...Buckley'll accept manslaughter.He'll be out in 20.
And how's his wife supposed to raise his family alone?
Better than being a widow.
Think about it.
Why toss away a promising career?
Good day.
Thanks for coming.
Where the hell is this guy?
Born alcoholic.
But the man cannot hold his liquor.
Allow me to present Dr. Willard Tyrrel Bass.
Expert witness for the defense.
This is Jake Brigance...
...my protege.
Are you kidding me?
Relax.
When he's sober, he's terrific.
He has his license.
His credentials are impeccable.
Well, I need a drink.
3 in the afternoon?
My, oh, my, what would your wife say?
I am my own man. I drink when I want.
-When did she leave town? -This morning.
God!
That's enough!
Now you tell your boss...
...next time people are going to die.
Morning.
Nice parking job. Late night?
So, here.
Thank you.
Your wife lets you sleep here?
My wife left town.
That's too bad.
Listen, I heard that...
...Noose turned down your motion.
It's time I take you to breakfast.
Lunch.
Quit playing with that food.
Y'all come back. You need to finish that before Christmas.
Thank you.
Now....
You are opposed to the death penalty.
Why?
You're not?
I'm in favor of it.
I'd like to go back to hangings if we could.
You're kidding.
No. The only problem with the death penalty is that we do not use it enough.
Have you told Carl Lee this?
The men who raped his daughter deserved the death penalty, not Carl Lee.
How do you decide who dies and who doesn't?
Simple. You take the crime and you take the criminal.
Now, say...
...a crack dealer guns down an undercover cop.
You strap him to a chair and turn it on.
For some reason, I thought you were a liberal.
I am a liberal.
What I am not is a card-carrying A.C.L.U. radical.
I don't believe in rehabilitation.
I believe in safety.
I believe in justice.
I see. Well, let me ask you something.
Ever seen an execution?
Not that I recall.
I suggest you go watch a man be executed.
You watch him die, watch him beg, watch him kick and spit the life out of him...
...until he shits and is gone.
Then come back and sing this crap about justice....
Spare me your Northern liberal cry-me-a-river...
...we-are-the-only-enlightened-ones bullshit.
I'm sorry, yes, you are the enlightened.
That's why you brought me to this diner in this black neighborhood.
So you can convince me you're this JFK-meets-Christ white boy.
Is that it?
Or is it because you're a repressed, hypocritical provincial...
...who didn't want to be seen around town with a woman like me.
Yes, siree, you sure are enlightened.
I'm terribly sorry, I've made a mistake. I thought you were one of the good guys.
Thank you for your time.
I'm a little worked up.
That's not the best way to apply for a job.
I don't want the jury to see pictures of the dead rapists. Can we keep them out?
It's vital the jury know the details of the rape.
I'll need briefs on both.
I don't like your politics, but you do have passion...
...and that's something Carl Lee needs, and maybe so do l.
You getting this?
I'm writing it down.
Here's what we got. It's official.
Hailey's trial will be held in Canton.
Today, presiding Judge Noose issued 150 summons for potential jurors...
...in a sealed envelope.
To prevent tampering...
...that list will be kept confidential until selection begins.
No one, not even Mr. Brigance or myself...
...will know the identities of the potential jurors.
Free Carl Lee!
Beautiful day, isn't it?
There he is.
Any word on Bud?
Ethel's still with him. Thank you for coming.
Well, well, well.
The Pillsbury Dough Boy.
Still practicing exploitative law?
Thought you were dead.
I'm trying. What do we have here?
I'd like to introduce--
Lucien Wilbanks, third white man in Mississippi to join the NAACP...
...permanently disbarred by Superior Court...
...for attacking police who busted a picket line in an oil strike.
It is a pleasure, Ms. Ark.
Everyone, jury selection begins today.
To win this case we need a sympathetic jury willing to acquit...
...and a jury that can use the insanity plea as an excuse to do so.
I need a drink.
No drinking.
What do you mean?
It's my building, leased to you for a reasonable rent...
...and I want a drink.
Ms. Ark, I have all the respect in the world for you.
I believe in your right to equal pay, your right to bear a child...
...or to abort one. You should be treated like a man.
Since you are a law clerk...
...genderless in my eyes...
...I think you should be the one to go buy the beer.
ERA, "she" woman. That would be an excellent activity for you.
No drinking. Not today.
Noose selects this panel randomly.
Too many bad candidates and we're sunk.
Luck of the draw.
What you need...
...is young fathers who want to do what Carl Lee did.
Agreed. We need young men with families here.
I'd prefer no one over 50. Less bigotry with youth.
So we stay away from women, rednecks and old men.
Citizens, thank you.
Counsel, you each have 12 challenges. Let's begin.
The state challenges jurors #6...
...10...
...and 32.
Your Honor, the defense strikes jurors 1, 4...
...8 and 2.
26.
27, 28.
And 31.
Your Honor, the defense also strikes jurors 22 and 29.
That's it, then. You're out of challenges.
Jurors, you will be sequestered starting tonight.
Opening statements begin tomorrow.
That's a jury of my peers?
God bless America.
My name is Stump Sisson...
...and I'm proud to be a Grand Dragon...
...for the Invisible Empire...
...of the Ku Klux Klan!
What the hell?
I'm here to say...
...that the law-abiding whites of this state...
...are sick and tired of niggers stealing...
...raping, killing, and getting away with it!
We demand justice!
We demand this nigger...
...be convicted...
...and his black ass sent to the gas chamber!
Who's a nigger?!
You pointy-headed...
...white-faced, no-good son-of-a-whore!
Shut up, you wild animal.
I'll drag your ass out of here!
You're the animal!
Open the gate!
Turn around.
Know what?
Just take off your pants.
Come on, do I look that easy?
Afraid I'll see your underwear?
With Carla gone, the laundry's piling up. I'm not wearing any.
I haven't worn any in years.
I'm not going to watch, I promise. Now, strip, please.
Fine.
What I need from you...
Do tell.
Is a way to discredit the State's shrink, Dr. Rodeheaver.
Unless you discredit the shrink...
Carl Lee does not have a chance.
Sorry.
Sissy.
He's got a good chance.
There. You'll live.
Thanks.
Good butt.
What do you do to blow off steam...
...besides trying to kill each other?
You got a disco...
...strip bars...
...or malls...
...to go to?
Stump's dead.
He's dead.
Come on. Let's go home.
It's all over.
It ain't near over.
I'll be right back.
Here are your mud bugs.
Anything else?
A couple of...
...specials and some fried dill pickles.
-You got it. -Thanks, sugar.
That wasn't sexist. Really, I never order my own food.
I can't do another shot.
Fine, I'll do another shot.
Just a splash.
To...
Carl Lee.
May a jury find that man loony as a fruitcake.
Hear, hear.
No more.
So...
...was he crazy when he did it?
No, he wasn't crazy.
He told me he'd do it.
I tried to tell myself he wasn't serious.
I think I really wanted him to do it.
I came home that night and looked at Hannah. She looked so tender.
All I could think about was all the monsters out there...
...and any one of them can come steal her innocence.
Take her life, if they want.
Yeah, I wanted those boys dead. You're goddamn right I did.
I guess I helped kill them.
So tomorrow, when we get in court...
...it's not just Carl Lee I'm trying to get off.
Burn in hell, Brigance!
Good job.
How is it that you'll drive 1-1/2 hours to take me to dinner but...
...you have no problem walking into my motel room?
With everything that's going on...
...we can't be too careful.
Just want to make sure it's safe.
I'm not scared.
Yes, I am.
Of what?
Of what's going to happen tomorrow.
All the other cases I've worked on were only paper defendants.
I never knew the towns...
...and I never touched the lives or anything.
Tomorrow morning...
...Buckley will try to kill Carl Lee Hailey.
Now it's on us to stop him.
Go over the battle in your mind.
Argument, rebuttal, examination and cross. All of it.
Remember something:
You are one of the good guys.
And good guy has...
...the spicy on her lip. But still one of the good guys.
I'm going home.
Lock the door behind you. I'll see you tomorrow.
It's going to blow!
My dog's in there!
It's too late.
Hey, buddy.
Seen my dog?
Looking for my dog.
Max, come here!
Come on, Max!
I booked you on the 9:15 to Gulf Port. Economy, of course.
Go see your wife and daughter.
What'd you do that for?
The trial's in less than 3 hours.
Come on.
Noose'd give you a continuance.
The NAACP boys be down here before lunch...
...drooling.
Max, let's go, boy! Come on!
Listen to me.
Your marriage is troubled, you're about to have an affair.
Your career's in ruins, if you're lucky. If not, you're dead.
Don't get me wrong.
What you've put into this case, you've even inspired me...
...and I'm uninspirable.
Do everyone a favor, though. Drop the case.
No, I can't.
I won't. I'm not going to quit.
I quit now, all this is for nothing. No.
Max, come on now. Max, where are you? Come on!
Max is dead, and you're next.
Walk away.
Max, come here.
Who's got the goods?
Pre-trial strategy at my office in less than 2 hours...
...and I expect to see your ass there!
Free Carl Lee!
Fry Carl Lee!
Mr. Buckley...
...you may begin.
Good morning.
You are Cora Mae Cobb, the mother of Billy Ray Cobb, are you not?
Yes, sir.
Where were you when he was murdered?
Outside that door right there.
Me and Freddie was waiting for his hearing.
He was walking up the stairs...
...in handcuffs.
Can you tell us how old your son was at the time of his death?
23.
Your son was 23 when he died?
In those 23 years, Mrs. Cobb...
...how many children did he kidnap?
Objection, Your Honor!
Sustained.
You are out of order.
Withdraw the question.
The jury will disregard the last question from Mr. Brigance.
In your son's 23 years...
...how many other children did he rape?
In my chambers.
Court will recess for lunch.
Why antagonize the judge? He should've known Noose'd pull him into chambers.
He knew.
But he got to draw first blood, and that's more important.
Come play on a winning team.
How's that impotence thing?
You're not being paid for your work, are you?
No, sir.
Well, I guess Jake's paying you in other ways.
Impotence.
Yes. Girls talk.
If you would, can you please identify this weapon?
The weapon found at the scene.
You were able to identify the fingerprints found on this gun?
Yes, the prints on the gun matched those of Carl Lee Hailey.
You're sure?
Yes.
I'd like to enter this into evidence as Exhibit S-18.
We have no further use of this witness.
Sheriff Walls...
...did you arrest Cobb and Willard?
Yes, I did.
I arrested them for the rape...
...and attempted murder of 10-year-old Tonya Hailey.
Is it true that Pete Willard...
...signed a confession...
...saying that he and Billy Ray Cobb did rape Tonya Hailey?