The Brief (2004) s01e03 Episode Script

Children

1
Acorn Media
[Elevator bell dings]
[Telephone ringing]
Oh, good luck, sir.
WOMAN: Royal Park Hotel.
Reception.
Yes, madam.
Certainly. How many nights
would you be looking for?
Dad!
Great.
Let's get this over with.
WOMAN: All right, then.
We can confirm that for you.
Yes.
Yes, no problem at all.
I did not want this.
I'm fine.
How are you?
Please don't argue.
It's my fault.
I told him.
Zak, can you go with Bruce?
BRUCE:
Good to meet you.
Come on.
He's only here for a month.
He's He's got a lot
of things organized
and we're going to my sister's
and then Italy
if we can fit it in.
Right.
I've no objection to you
taking him out for the day.
A week?
Why have you taken an interest
all of a sudden?
It's what he wants, I think.
Well, Mr. Farmer
might be available
if you don't need a silk.
Well, Mercedes service
at Ford prices.
Document for discussion.
MAUREEN:
To everyone in chambers?
No.
Um, there's a distribution list.
SCANLON: Well, he's not
a Christian as far as I know.
Is that a problem?
Here, let's have a look.
It's private and confidential.
The next chambers meeting.
WOMAN:
Ray, are you still there?
Yeah, I'm still here.
I haven't seen your place.
Are there still bailiffs
camping outside?
I don't even know
who you're living with.
Anyone?
I mean, who's gonna look
after him
when you've got to rush off
to court?
I'll take a holiday.
I wouldn't mind one, too.
You've never taken a day off,
let alone a week.
I am living with someone.
Can I meet her?
[Shouting]
Oh, there you go.
It's number six for me, Henry.
He's lighter.
Feeling relaxed.
She has got a gammy leg,
and she's running
the wrong distance.
It's a myth.
Dogs who dump on the track
don't do any better.
200 to win on number one,
please.
200 on one.
- Cheers.
- Thank you.
Five pounds on number six,
please.
MAN:
Hundred pound 82.
Thank you.
Henry.
Get on three dog.
This is Donald Bell.
Crown Prosecution Service.
Nice to meet you, Mr. Ball.
I'm treating you to this.
[Bell ringing]
[Shouting]
First place, trap three,
News Just In.
Second was trap two,
Ealing Comedy.
BELL:
How much did you lose on that?
Ahh, you've got it easy,
you defense barristers.
Juries are so thick these days.
I've never thought
juries were thick.
You try prosecuting.
Keeping a line of attack going
while your side are playing
silly beggars.
It's tough stuff.
Oh, it's not for you.
You like an open goal.
I owe you a lot, Donald, but
you're making me uncomfortable.
I need your special talent.
What are you like with children?
[Children shouting]
WOMAN: I'll be back
for you later, Jaclyn.
Hello.
What's this?
Lessons?
I thought lessons
were what children have.
She's new, that one.
I'm a psychologist.
I'm a police officer.
Hello, Jaclyn.
SCANLON: You can't turn it down,
it'll be the making of you.
I never saw my vocation
prosecuting 12-year-old girls
for murder.
You done a deal
with the Revenue yet, sir?
No.
So what?
You know who's defending her?
Old enemy of yours.
BEN: Morning.
Mr. Farmer's looking
for a junior
on a child murder.
Nice grim one.
What Jaclyn Livermore?
That's a difficult defense.
He's prosecuting.
May I remind you, sir,
that Donald Bell kept you
in business
when you first started.
Yes, thanks for reminding me.
Of course, if you believe
the girl is innocent,
you can't possibly take it.
No.
Looks like a strong case.
£4,000 a year
are on chocolate biscuits.
Who eats them all?
Henry?
Morning.
Yeah.
Is Henry really prosecuting
in Jaclyn Livermore?
Uh, yes.
Yes, I think so.
Why don't they want a silk?
Mystery to me.
Oh, you see, it would
have been more tactful
if you'd said,
"You weren't available, miss."
No.
What's in that?
Words.
Don't worry about it.
Well, what should I worry about?
[Chuckles]
What's she up to?
It'll never happen.
I think you ought to tell
Ray Scanlon
about this
proposed reorganization.
What's to tell?
It's only a debating paper.
MAUREEN:
Is it?
Isn't it something
you'd like to see happen?
Oh, they're all
very conservative here.
It probably won't get
off the ground.
All the same, it is his life.
Mo, look, I know
you've been here a long time,
but I'm not sure it's exactly
the practice manager's business
how chambers politics
are handled.
Well, I suppose
he'll find out sooner or later.
I've walked into the wrong flat.
Well
you really fancy being
a stepmother for a week,
don't you?
If I'm going to be
your live-in partner,
it's got to be convincing.
Women know.
Oh, I found out
where you hide your bills.
I can pay them all now.
POLLY:
Why, what you got?
Prosecuting
in the Carrie-Ann Davis murder.
The defendant's a child,
isn't she?
Not according to the law.
She's 12 years old.
She's the same age as Zak.
Well, what about
Oh, what do you call it?
Um, doli incapax?
Who's she?
A country-and-western singer?
The "O" is long.
Henry
What
Are you doing this
for your career?
Money?
There's two sides to every case.
That's justice.
Yeah, you can still choose
which side.
Come on, this isn't you.
I can't get out of it.
It's for someone who gave me
a lot of work when I needed it.
And Livermore may be
very dangerous.
The dead girl was also a child.
So we'd better agree to differ
because I'm doing it.
Just waiting for Mr. Farmer
and then we'll have a court
- Is that gonna be quite soon?
- Yeah.
MAN: Brownhill's defense
into court number six, please.
Brownhill defense
to court number six.
Mr. Farmer?
DC Kate Imrie.
I'm your case officer, sir.
Carrie-Ann
was a lovely little girl.
Never been in any trouble.
Nicest parents
you could hope to meet.
Ryan!
Weren't me.
IMRIE:
She was an only child, too.
They're devastated.
Fun Day.
This judge likes the kids to see
where they're going to
give evidence
and the court
and all the gadgets.
Our witnesses?
IMRIE: Yeah.
Ryan Eltham, his sister Mary,
and their friend Selina Betts.
Shut up.
Okay, this is the courtroom,
and you'll appear
on those screens there.
Patch through, please.
You'll be in a room upstairs.
There it is on screen.
- Ugh!
- Disgusting!
All right.
Learn from that.
You'll be on screen all the time
you're giving evidence,
even when you're not speaking
or being asked a question.
Okay?
Come on.
Excuse me.
Um, are you a police officer?
Prosecuting counsel.
Oh.
I'm their mum.
Ryan and Mary's.
Look, they're good kids.
Don't let her counsel
get at them.
If they tell the truth,
they'll be fine.
Right, this is where you sit
when you give evidence.
Okay?
John there will look after you,
so if there's anything you want,
ask him.
I'll give you a tip
Keep still.
If you fidget, you're
less likely to be believed.
Sir?
You'll only see three people
on the telly.
There'll be me, the defense
counsel, or the judge,
and we won't be wearing wigs.
You'll sometimes get two of us.
Split screen.
So, be brave,
tell the truth,
and don't be intimidated.
All right?
Sir, sorry.
No physical contact
with the children.
You put your hand
on her shoulder.
And you pick your nose.
[Indistinct conversations]
What are you doing?
Oh, just carry on.
Everything all right, Henry?
The drawing Jaclyn did
of Carrie-Ann's body
looks just like
the scene of crime picture.
It almost suggests
she wanted to get caught.
It's certainly our trump card,
but I wish we had a smidgen
of her DNA somewhere.
IMRIE: That's Marcel Crane
and Dierdre Reilly.
They're early.
I think we've got a cock-up,
sir.
You pikey lover!
Shut up!
Just shut up!
[Shouting]
Go on, go back
to your caravan site!
- Pikey!
- Gypsy!
RYAN:
Dirty pikey, do as you likey.
This is ridiculous.
We were told to come at 2:30.
We came at the time
we were told.
You're early.
Surprise, surprise, Henry.
Don't blame me for this, Marcel.
Whole bloody case
has been like this.
Note what you've seen.
Don't worry, sir.
You'll make mincemeat
of Dierdre Reilly.
She's an even worse liar
than Livermore.
Some sort of gypsy connection,
isn't there?
Yeah, Jaclyn's mum.
She ran away from the family
and married a biker.
He's inside
for a double killing.
Marcel hasn't shown
his hand yet.
What's your guess?
Oh.
"Wasn't there, didn't do it."
He'll no doubt try to claim
our kids are lying
through their teeth.
Curious to know why you
wanted me on this one, Donald.
Open goal, Henry.
RYAN: Gypo.
MAN:
Come here, you little bitch.
JACLYN: No.
Daddy, no. Please.
SELINA:
Do as you likey, dirty pikey.
Do as you likey, dirty pikey.
GRAYDON:
Why are you smiling?
SELINA:
Do as you likey, dirty pikey.
GRAYDON:
You did a drawing at school
of Carrie-Ann lying there dead.
What were you trying to say?
That was a mistake.
Wasn't it?
Why can't I go
into the witness box?
Your barrister thinks
you might be caught out
not telling the truth.
JACLYN:
They're lying.
Anyway, what do you know?
You're a shrink.
Let's talk about lies, shall we?
SELINA:
Do as you likey, dirty pikey.
I told you.
I don't tell lies.
Never?
I can help you, Jaclyn.
Yeah?
Get us the key.
Get us out this place.
Well?
Go on.
I can tell them things
that you want them to know.
Important things.
MAN:
Come here, you little bitch.
JACLYN:
No. Daddy.
No. Please.
Please.
Vicar.
Corderey.
Nabbed in Soho
for flashing his todger.
What you might call
an open and shut case.
I read about that.
He's a happy clappy.
Yeah, he might be
a happy clappy,
but he's not a happy chappie.
Don't give it to Henry.
It needs tact.
Good morning.
- Hello.
- Hello, there.
There seem to be three witnesses
who say they saw you
behaving indecently.
Well, we can safely say that
they were all lying, can't we?
It's an option.
But the jury have to believe us.
Why wouldn't they believe me?
It's an ordeal, if you've
never been on trial before.
I could say that I mixed up
my prescription drugs,
if you like.
And you get Viagra
on prescription?
No, but my GP's a good friend.
How would that play?
Not great.
Anyway, having a semi-erect
penis inside your trousers
is one thing.
Standing in a public street
with it on full view
is something else altogether.
Sorry, I have to be
devil's advocate.
If you see what I mean.
On balance, I'd prefer to say
that I didn't do it at all.
To be vaguely clear,
you didn't approach a young man
standing in a doorway
in St. Anne's Court,
unzip your flies, and show him
your partially erect penis?
Confidentially, yes.
So get me off the hook,
minimum fuss, please.
I've a lot of things going on.
You may know I'm a prominent
anti-gay campaigner
in the Church.
Not sure that's a defense
to this charge.
I'm against gays in the Church.
What I do in my private life's
my own business.
So, how do you
want to approach this?
I've made a few notes.
Well, you've given me
a number of alternatives.
I think I'm going to arrange for
you to meet a colleague of mine.
I'm not paying for two of you.
You've just admitted to me
that you did expose yourself,
so if you want to plead not
guilty, I can't represent you.
Sorry.
Since when have lawyers taken
the moral high ground?
When the Church began
confusing morals with ethics.
Excuse me.
This ain't just about
chocolate biscuits.
She wants to change
the whole way chambers is run.
Everything.
She'll put me on a salary
instead of commission.
I tell you, sir,
if I don't get my commission,
I'm out of here
and I'll take
all my junior clerks with me.
Three generations
we've been here.
There's chambers that'd kill for
my contacts and my expertise.
4,000 a year.
How much is that a week?
4,000 a year.
That's a thousand a quarter.
That's 330-odd a month.
That's 80-odd pounds a week
on chocolate biscuits.
That is quite a lot, isn't it?
It's you.
Get Ray to lighten up.
Cleo won't get it through.
Won't she?
Got an ego the size of
the London Eye, that one.
So what's this, Marcel?
Trying to hold up the trial?
My main child witness is
saying she's had death threats.
She's just about your
only witness, isn't she?
Ha, ha.
You saw Reilly yourself.
She's terrified.
It was fairly unedifying
all round.
I want to get my witnesses
into court,
so the judge can see
the difference
between witnesses
who've been coached
and ones who haven't.
My witnesses been coached?
Who by?
Not me.
Oh, you've a lot to learn
about this, Henry.
You can always put
the defendant up.
I wouldn't mind asking her
a few questions.
Much too vulnerable.
Could we not have heard about
this before, Mr. Crane?
Who is she saying
is intimidating her?
The family of one
of the prosecution witnesses.
The Elthams.
As a nice little spoiler,
milady,
this takes the biscuit.
These are very violent
and disadvantaged children.
I'm surprised counsel
is so innocent.
Mr. Farmer, innocent?
There is an expression
amongst my colleagues
which my learned friend
has given his name to.
I do object.
It's called being "Craned."
As in turning a trial
into a circus
to make up for a weak case.
Do I hear the sweet sound
of poacher turning gamekeeper?
Oh, we all like to hear that.
MAN: Court number four,
reconvene now, please.
Court number four,
reconvene now, please.
Is there any corroboration
from the police
that this intimidation
has actually happened?
This is one of the most
prejudiced police operations
I have ever come across.
They decided from day one
that my client was guilty.
None of my witnesses
have any faith in the police.
I'm sorry, if there is
no evidence of intimidation
or statements,
then we must begin.
I can provide them
almost immediately.
Justice waits for no man,
Mr. Crane.
Maybe the day will come ♪
When I'll have to feel
no pain ♪
Wicked.
Old Father Thames.
He can't fall, can he?
So, where is your new
Not new, I'm afraid.
Oh, Henry's been
his usual communicative self.
I thought you were still
with your husband, Polly.
Here I am.
GLEN: Well, better the devil
you know, I suppose.
ZAK: Mum, look,
it's really wide here.
Pleased to meet you, Polly.
Aye.
What will you have?
Oh, anything.
Oh, we've got some juices.
Do you want to come and choose?
ZAK: Oh, yes, please.
Zak's mobile phone bills.
I sent him
POLLY:
Apple, orange, or blackcurrant?
- Okay?
- That's fine.
You told me she went back
to her husband.
Yeah, she's always doing it.
Zak mustn't have any wheat
or dairy, by the way.
That is,
if I decide he can stay.
HENRY:
He'll be fine.
He's got asthma.
POLLY:
There you go.
He didn't have it two years ago.
Thanks.
I don't want him destabilized.
A week following Shane Warne
round the Coliseum
will give him eczema as well.
Okay.
This isn't gonna work.
Zak, what happened to the money
your father gave you
for the phone bills?
Did I forget?
Don't worry.
I'll settle these.
Then we'll do it
by direct debit, eh?
Would you like to come and see
the room we've got for Zak?
It's something
that you can do ♪
You let me think
that I hate you ♪
Stop your complaining ♪
Bit cold out there for a swim,
eh?
How's it going?
It'll be all right,
when I can get her to relax
for 10 minutes.
Sorry.
Hope you spent it
on something good.
[Indistinct conversations]
HENRY: Carrie-Ann Davis' body
was found on some wasteland
after an extensive search.
She was 9 years old.
Carrie-Ann died from
a single blow to the head
from a brick.
When the possibility
of sexual assault was ruled out,
the police turned their
attention to her friends.
At least three young witnesses
say they saw Carrie-Ann
with the accused
near the wasteland
on the afternoon of the day
the body was found.
The police interviewed
a number of children,
but Jaclyn Livermore
was the only one
who changed her story
about her movements.
A few days later,
a distinctive orange bag,
which had belonged
to Carrie-Ann,
was found hidden a few feet
from the caravan
where Jaclyn's aunt lived.
The defendant now changed
her story again,
saying others had taken the bag
and hidden it to frame her.
But most damning of all,
one of Jaclyn's teachers
brought to police attention
a picture that Jaclyn had drawn
at school.
It showed a little girl with
fair hair, like the deceased,
lying sprawled on the ground
with a red stain on the
right-hand side of her head,
in exactly the same position as
Carrie-Ann's when she was found.
Jaclyn now changed her story
for the final time.
She told police
she'd seen the body
but had become frightened she
might be accused of the killing.
- Milady.
- Here we go again.
I'd like to discuss an urgent
matter, ex parte, in chambers.
Doesn't give up, does he?
What's Crane up to?
We know him, sir.
So do we.
This is Carrie-Ann's
mum and dad
Jeff and Ellie.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I don't understand
what's going on.
Why have we stopped?
HENRY:
It's just a short recess.
- Gypo.
- You what?
Do you know, Annie?
She's been a rock to us.
And Kate, too.
We don't know what we'd
have done without Kate.
That cow's got a cheek
showing her face here.
She's worse
than her murdering kid.
I have seen this social worker's
statement, Mr. Crane.
The police have also interviewed
the children
accused of intimidating
Dierdre Reilly,
and I'm afraid they've come
to the conclusion
that there isn't
enough evidence.
With respect, they would,
wouldn't they?
Send in the clowns.
With respect.
JUDGE: I shall resume
with the jury in the morning.
Thank you, gentlemen.
Seen Cleo's paper?
I like it, don't you?
Makes sense.
Good night.
I don't know how she does it,
but I know I don't like it.
Well, I could get a lot
more money somewhere else.
So how do I get to know Cleo
better?
Flirt a bit.
You're a man of the world.
Sex.
CLEO: Ray?
I'm starting work
on that malicious wounding.
You know, the, um,
Jamaican businessman?
There should be some papers
coming over
from Gobbitt and Lamb.
I've forgotten his name.
Do you know who I mean?
Hello?
Smyth with a "Y."
Yeah, yep.
There should be something here.
Yes, Smyth with a "Y,"
that's it.
Oh, anybody know
what "bling" means?
As in flashy,
as in lots of gold.
Aye, well, of course you'd know.
I'll need to get
a new dictionary.
Go on.
I'm in conference
with the accountant.
Henry, get it
into people's heads
that it's not just
about biscuits.
POLLY: Why did you tell her
we'd split up?
Saved me a fortune
in the settlement.
Ooh, hoo, hoo.
My halo still looking
a bit rusty?
The jury's out on that one.
I'm sorry what I said
about the money.
So, where is hubby exactly?
Mongolia.
On an MP's fact-finding freebie.
So he really is in remission?
Mm.
And when are you moving in
forever?
Well, I'm thinking about it
very seriously.
[Buzzer]
Didn't you get my messages?
No.
Hello.
Hi.
Well, I've written a list
of dos and don'ts.
Oh.
We haven't got away on our own
for ages,
so I had to say yes to the hotel
or lose the chance.
You haven't changed your minds?
- No.
- No, no.
Well, we've got his things
in the car.
POLLY: Okay.
You're doing a murder trial,
aren't you?
I heard your name on the news.
Don't tell your mum.
- Can I come and watch?
- No.
What am I gonna do?
Don't worry.
We'll have a great time.
This murder trial,
it's kids, isn't it?
I heard it on the radio.
Did she do it?
Are you gonna get her off?
Probably.
I'm prosecuting.
RYAN: Pikey!
You old slapper!
DIERDRE: Shut up!
Shut up!
MARY:
What are you shouting for?
[Footsteps]
ZAK: [Gasping]
Inhaler.
Listen to me, Zak, listen to me.
She hasn't packed it.
Try it again.
Deep breath.
Hadn't we better get him
to hospital?
POLLY:
No. Let a bit out.
Now hold it.
There's a way of breathing.
I used to have panic attacks.
It works for asthma, too.
And try and breathe normally
now.
Anything else we should know?
Nuts and sometimes
Doesn't matter.
Selina Betts' witness statement.
IMRIE: Selina, if you could
just tell us what happened
in your own words.
Okay?
SELINA: Carrie-Ann had
a little orange bag.
It looked like a rucksack.
It was nice.
I said somebody
was gonna take it off her.
I saw Jaclyn with it
in the morning.
Like, when they found Carrie.
MAN:
Switch on, please.
JUDGE: Mr. Crane?
You saw Jaclyn
with some sort of bag.
What was she doing with it?
She just had it.
Can you tell the court
what you saw?
She was just walking along
with an orange bag.
CRANE:
That doesn't sound very real.
Paint a picture for me.
Not literally.
Was she playing with it?
Did she have it
over her shoulders?
Was she swinging it about?
She just had it in her hand.
CRANE: Was it full?
Was it empty?
I don't know.
You didn't see
Jaclyn Livermore with that bag
at all, did you?
Yes, I did.
CRANE: Or did Ryan Eltham tell
you to say that or his sister.
No.
You do what they tell you,
don't you?
Remember you're talking
to a child, Mr. Crane.
CRANE:
Or you get hurt, don't you?
No.
You're lying, aren't you,
Selina?
No.
You can't talk to her like that.
It's a disgrace.
[Murmuring]
Shh, shh.
Right, so, who's threatening
your kids, Annie?
Dierdre Reilly told my Mary
if Jaclyn gets off,
she's gonna slit her throat.
Well?
Aren't you gonna report it?
My kids are scared now.
Dierdre Reilly was saying
your kids were threatening her.
Are you saying
you don't believe my kids?
But they're your witnesses.
You're too soft for this.
This seems a bit tit for tat
to me.
Want statements, sir?
I'll take them,
but the judge will say the same.
I'm starting to worry about
the Eltham family, Kate.
[Telephone ringing]
Reverend Corderey decided you
weren't good enough for him,
though I know the truth.
Then he wants a QC.
Who did he get?
Well, Ray told him
Mrs. Steyn's fees,
so he changed his mind again
and opted for Mr. Bracewell.
Then Mr. Bracewell
fell out with him.
I think he's a bit
[Cellphone rings]
And don't tease Ray.
It's a very sensitive time
for him.
GLEN:
What's he doing?
He's fine.
I don't want him sitting
in a corner somewhere
playing video games.
We're just coming out of
the National Gallery.
He's really enjoyed it.
GLEN: Henry, you're not in
the National Gallery.
What are you doing?
HENRY:
It's your mum.
GLEN:
Zak? Where are you?
In chambers playing video games.
GLEN:
Oh, Henry.
[Beep]
Ooh.
You're looking
very delightful today, miss.
CLEO:
Thank you, Ray.
Not a flicker.
That wasn't flirting.
That was a statement of fact.
Yeah, well
I'm not like you lot.
I can't get away with it.
She likes a bit of rough.
It's the rough
with the schmooze, Ray.
Zak, let's go.
Have a look through
all that case material
and see if we can get any more
on that orange bag.
Come on.
IMRIE: So you went to the shop
to buy cigarettes.
What happened then?
We were playing
at the back of our flats,
three of us.
This little girl,
Carrie-Ann, came up to us,
but I didn't know her that well.
She said Jaclyn Livermore
had hurt her.
She didn't say why she done it.
She just showed us the marks.
IMRIE:
And then what happened?
Then Carrie-Ann played with us
for a while,
and then we had to go back
for tea,
but she wanted to come with us.
Said she was frightened.
Then Jaclyn comes up.
The last thing I saw
was Jaclyn and Carrie-Ann
going to the wasteland
behind the sports center.
But I didn't see
what happened after that.
Why would Carrie-Ann
want to come with you, Ryan?
I don't know.
And why choose you
if she's frightened?
You have to answer the question.
She just wanted to.
But you're known
as a bully, aren't you?
RYAN:
I never bully no one.
You've been suspended
from school
for hitting another child.
RYAN:
Well, he hit me first.
According to your teacher,
you nearly knocked him out.
Well, it was just a fight.
You're lying about seeing
Jaclyn with Carrie-Ann,
aren't you?
JUDGE:
Mr. Crane.
No.
I saw them.
[Murmuring]
We'll break for lunch now.
Resume at 2:05.
Thank you.
HENRY: Are you still calling
Livermore's aunt?
CRANE:
Why do you ask?
HENRY: She says Jaclyn
was at her caravan
at the time of death,
didn't she?
Well, of course
we're calling her.
Apart from Dierdre Reilly,
she's our only alibi.
In that case, I won't object
if you just enter
Dierdre Reilly's evidence
as a statement.
I'm kosher, Marcel.
I mean it.
Why did she kill her?
Jaclyn probably nicked her bag.
Carrie-Ann threatened to go
to the police.
Jaclyn bashes her with a brick.
So, why isn't there
any forensic evidence?
The brick didn't have much of
a story to tell, unfortunately.
So it's just witnesses?
That and the picture she drew
probably damns her.
How else do you explain it?
Unless she really did find
the body and ran away.
Believable?
If you were the jury?
CRANE:
What did you think of Jaclyn?
Did you like her?
Well, she was all right.
CRANE:
She was all right?
Didn't you call her
"slag, bitch, dirty gypsy"?
Cut the video.
Where is this going, Mr. Crane?
I'm trying to establish
that Jaclyn Livermore
and her friend
were relentlessly bullied,
milady.
We have a statement
from Dierdre Reilly
that Eltham called her a retard,
too.
I suppose you can be
allowed to continue,
but I doubt the relevance
of this.
Switch it on again, please.
You bullied Jaclyn Livermore
far more
than she bullied you
or anyone else.
- No, I didn't.
- CRANE: You're a liar.
You have lied to
the police throughout,
and that's why the defendant
is in court today.
JUDGE: Mr. Crane,
the witness is not on trial.
I put it to you that you are
incapable of telling the truth.
No, I always tell the truth,
sir.
Mr. Farmer?
Ryan.
You know why we asked you
to come to court today?
Yeah.
HENRY:
Tell us why.
RYAN: 'Cause I saw Jaclyn go off
with Carrie-Ann.
HENRY: You stand by what you saw
and what you told the police?
Why do you think Carrie-Ann
asked you to take her home?
'Cause I could look after her.
Ever called Jaclyn names?
No, never.
She just thought
everyone was against her.
Thank you, Ryan.
Our kids seem to be
holding up well, sir.
I'll see you in a minute.
Find anything about the bag?
Yeah, something.
Not quite what I expected.
In DC Imrie's notebooks.
Interviews a woman
on the estate,
woman says she saw a girl
with an orange rucksack
on the afternoon of the murder.
Imrie writes "Not JL or CA."
Not Jaclyn Livermore
or Carrie-Ann?
Woman says she saw
"girl with long, straight,
light-brown hair."
Then "statement, question mark."
Not followed up or disclosed?
No.
That sounds like Mary Eltham.
Given that she's
one of our witnesses,
we'd better keep shtum,
hadn't we?
We can't.
It's crucial to the defense
if someone other than Jaclyn
had that bag.
Um, Polly rang.
What's Crane's junior called?
Asif Masood.
I was at college with him.
She says you've got to join
her at this chemist.
What are you talking about?
I can't make head nor tail
of it.
If I was running the defense,
I could blow us out the water
with this.
We have to disclose.
It does seem a bit serious.
I'm in court, Mo.
Well, anyway, I wrote down
what she said.
Masood.
How are you doing?
Beating our heads against
a brick wall with this judge.
Ah.
Well, I've got something
might put a smile on your face.
I've got something for you.
We're calling an expert witness.
Sorry about the short notice.
Uh, you're calling a shrink?
This doesn't give us any time.
That's unfair.
We'll object.
Don't waste your breath.
The judge won't shut out
defense evidence.
And whoever accused Marcel
of being fair?
Look after that for me.
What's happened?
Well, they haven't called
the police yet.
Listen, I don't know
what he's done,
but he's never been
in any trouble before.
He's put a lot of
expensive stuff in his bag.
I don't know if I can
just let him go like that.
What were you thinking of?
I don't know.
I just
You've got everything back?
I'm really sorry.
I've never done this before.
Most little hounds go for
sunglasses or batteries.
Go on.
And I don't want to see you
in here again.
Thanks.
Let's leave the "why"
for a minute.
What did you take?
Come on, Zak.
Make-up.
MARY:
I had my dinner
and I went to play
at the front of the flats.
Jaclyn Livermore was there.
She had a new bag.
IMRE:
What sort of bag?
Like a backpack.
IMRIE:
And what color was it?
Orange.
JUDGE:
Mr. Halliwell?
Afternoon, sir.
You interviewed
a woman called Janet Rogerson.
Yes, an old lady.
- Senile?
- No.
She saw a girl, who wasn't
Livermore or Carrie-Ann,
with an orange rucksack
on the same day.
Her description of this girl
fits Mary Eltham.
Why didn't you get her
to the station
to give her statement?
I didn't think
it was significant.
Jaclyn said Mary and Ryan
stole the bag.
It corroborates her statement.
Her statement's all lies.
Are you saying I
deliberately suppressed this?
I would never do that.
I can take a position on
what's important and what's not.
It doesn't matter now,
but it has to be disclosed.
There's no way we want to give
them that notebook.
I already have.
I don't believe
I'm hearing this.
It doesn't matter.
If it's vital to the defense,
they have to have it.
They'll use it.
If they have any sense,
they'll want to find
this woman right now.
And when they ask
permission to call her,
I'll have to say yes.
I promised Carrie-Ann's mum
we'd found out who did it.
Jaclyn Livermore killed
that little girl.
We know she did.
Kate, you've kind of reminded me
why we have
a criminal justice system.
If she gets off,
you'll have more deaths
on your conscience, Mr. Farmer.
BEN: When you asked Jaclyn
who the bag belonged to,
what did she say?
She said it was hers.
Did you believe her, Mary?
No.
Why don't you believe her?
She ain't got no money.
BEN: Has she ever taken things
from you?
Yes.
BEN: What things?
Pencil case.
Trainers,
but they didn't fit her
so she threw them back at us.
Cap with "Hollywood" on it.
Sweets.
She's always taking sweets
from us.
And why don't you stop her?
She's bigger than me.
Didn't you report the thefts?
- You're joking.
- Why not?
They don't do nothing.
[Laughter]
Thank you.
JUDGE: Mr. Crane?
No questions.
Why the hell didn't he ask
for an adjournment
or go after Mary Eltham?
Apart from the fact
he can't cross-examine kids
to save his life,
I haven't a clue.
What's the exit poll say?
Cleo's got a working majority,
I'd say.
People vote with their wallets,
and she's got the accountants
on her side.
Sorry.
Spin, perhaps?
Oh, who knows?
CLEO:
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
When I became
your Head of Chambers,
I made a pledge to modernize.
With our fees falling
in so many areas,
the last thing we want
are old inefficient practices.
Mm-hmm.
Glad you could join us, Henry.
Henry.
In a conventional chambers
like ours,
the senior clerk runs a business
within a business.
No fixed hours of work,
no obligation to obey orders.
In short, we have limited
control over both him
and the junior clerks
he employs.
Which, for a control freak,
must be very distressing.
CLEO: Now, I feel confident,
as your new Head of Chambers,
you'll back me,
but we must debate this properly
and democratically.
And then do what I say.
So, I propose to change
the basis on which we operate.
Namely, to no longer pay
the senior clerk
a percentage of our fees,
but to offer him
a salary instead.
And also pay the junior clerks
on a scale.
Now, this, together with
a few more routine issues,
makes up the package
on which we need to agree.
Henry?
I'm sorry, I can't really go
for this as it stands.
It goes against the grain,
really.
Oh, come on, Henry.
Chambers spirit, the collective.
Collective?
I must just add that neither I,
nor indeed many of us here,
want to see Ray Scanlon leave.
MAN: No.
And I'm sure
with a little arm-twisting,
he can be persuaded
to accept a new deal
and a substantial salary.
I just want to know
why we can't have
chocolate biscuits with our tea
without someone
looking over our shoulder
to see who's taking four
rather than one.
I'm sure we can come to an
agreement about that small part.
This catering
and domestic budget's
all part of the master plan,
isn't it?
Stand or fall together?
Yes, but we're only talking
about biscuits.
Judging by the applause I got
on the biscuit issue,
I'd say there's a fair bit of
latent opposition in the air,
Cleo.
Yes.
Isn't this all being
rather rushed through?
I don't have a great head
for figures.
I need the implications
explained.
How much will it affect us
if the senior clerk loses
his incentive?
For example, you may not
like football agents,
but they do rather well
for their clients.
And for those of us
who are not silks,
and therefore don't
automatically get top whack,
and I believe that constitutes
a majority of us,
a motivated senior clerk
is vital.
So, I propose we just
take a bit more time
to consider this.
Seconded.
Those in favor?
Mm-hmm.
And against?
- Motion carried.
- CLEO: Well
I'm extremely disappointed,
obviously.
And, um, well, I hope
I can persuade you all
to reconsider before too long.
However, I defer to chambers.
MAN:
Pass the biscuits, please.
Yeah, just one.
Just one more.
Oh, don't take
the last custard cream.
Jaclyn Livermore has been
unnervingly calm throughout,
and the low-key atmosphere
of the trial
is in stark contrast
to the grave crime
she is accused of committing.
Polly says you're gonna
give them some evidence
that means you'll lose the case.
But you can't do that.
You'll look like a prat.
Why are you nicking things
from shops?
Angry with me?
You can be.
Both of you.
But why try to bankrupt
a chemist?
And why
Oh, forget it.
I'm looking at kids who'll kill
over a designer bag
'cause they've got nothing.
ZAK:
She didn't do it.
She's crazy.
Anyone can see that.
The way she is in court.
You've been in court?
Sorry.
We snuck
into the public gallery.
But we got thrown out
in the end.
She said I was 14.
After what
you've been giving me?
POLLY:
I wanted him to be proud of you.
If a 12-year-old can
go down for murder,
they're old enough
to watch a trial.
So, what's this make-up
all about?
We were in the shop next door,
and he slipped out.
I only took my eyes off him
for two minutes.
He wanted to give me a present,
and his mum hasn't given him
any spending money.
Oh.
Oh, that's all right, then.
Hi, and welcome to
the Costa del Sol.
Also known
as the Costa del crime
and the gangsters' playground,
even though it's still a place
where the unwary tourist
needs to be very, very careful.
Shall I wake him up?
No, let him sleep.
Don't look so relieved.
It's still theft.
Well, if I don't know
what theft is, nobody does.
Morning.
Good old Henry.
Mr. Farmer knows
what he's talking about.
What do you think?
Uh, your client's just come in.
Uh, what's the solicitor's name?
Blond.
Bond?
Shand.
Shand.
There.
Ah.
Ben Halliwell.
I don't think we've worked
together before, have we?
No.
Vicars exposing themselves.
Where will it all end?
The question seems to be
was he half stiff or half limp?
Uh, you're the solicitor,
and you're the, uh
Not wearing your dog collar.
Anyway, look,
I've read the statements.
All we have to do is to go
for the witnesses.
Pimps, couriers.
The businessman from Leicester,
what was he doing there,
for example?
Probably drunk.
Good, good.
Well
I'm at the dawn of a career.
I can take advice.
POLLY:
Zak?
What?
POLLY:
He's not here.
He wasn't in bed.
He must have gone out
before we woke up.
MAN:
Witness statement
from defense witness
Dierdre Reilly, milady.
DIERDRE:
I was with Jaclyn all afternoon.
Ryan Eltham was there.
He called us names.
Mary Eltham says we was scum.
She said they was bosses
and we had to do what she said.
IMRIE:
And then what happened?
DIERDRE: He kicked me,
but he never kicked Jaclyn
'cause Jaclyn's bigger than him
and she'd kick him back.
IMRIE:
And did you see Carrie-Ann?
No.
No, we never saw Carrie-Ann.
We never nicked nothing of hers
'cause she's not in
the Elthams' posse.
IMRIE:
And what did you do after that?
We had tea at Jaclyn's aunt's.
IMRIE:
And what time was that?
About 4:30.
We had baked beans.
And then Jaclyn was still
there when I left at 6:00.
[Beeping]
You look stressed out, Henry.
I can't believe that girl
couldn't have come here
under protection
and faced cross-examination.
I've got the fate
of an innocent 12-year-old
in my hands
and an opponent with his tongue
so far up the judge's backside
they wouldn't believe it
in a porn film.
I should be
your new best friend.
Didn't my junior give yours some
interesting stuff yesterday?
Oh, yes, that.
You didn't fall over?
Didn't it suggest to you
Livermore might be telling
the truth?
She's incapable
of telling the truth.
That's why she's got
into this mess.
And why we're not calling
her aunt.
That is seriously
out of order, Marcel.
I'm not putting her up
for you to make mincemeat of.
She doesn't know the truth
from a bottle of beer, either.
And you pull an expert witness
on me at two seconds' notice
and I've just landed the ball
on your head
in the six yard box.
MAN: Crown vs. Livermore,
court three, please.
Well, I can't run your defense.
But you'd like to try,
wouldn't you?
I know you, Henry,
anything you're likely
to disclose.
I said enter
Dierdre Reilly's statement
as long as you called the aunt.
Well, you can go and boo-hoo
to the judge if you like.
Nah, that's your game.
CRANE: What were your first
impressions of the defendant?
GRAYDON: I believe she has
a personality disorder
which makes it impossible for
her to live in the real world.
She is always free because
she exists in another world.
What kind of a world?
GRAYDON:
A happier world.
One that she's created
in her own mind.
Why has she created it?
To escape unhappiness.
She has been
on the at-risk register
more or less all her life
because of frequent beatings
by her father.
MAN: Over there!
Is he breathing?
Don't know.
I can't tell yet.
CRANE:
And the persistent lying.
Could you tell me about this
inability to tell the truth?
It's very easy to see
how someone like Jaclyn
can get into trouble.
She has a lie ready
for the most innocent
contradictions.
What would be the consequences
of that?
She might appear to the police
to be the archetypal
guilty person
because she would walk
into every trap
they set for her.
So her guilty behavior,
her changing of the story,
her drawing of the picture,
what do they mean?
They're all symptoms
of a personality disorder.
If she saw the body,
she would certainly behave
as if she was the killer.
CRANE:
Can you explain her behavior?
She appears detached,
and her evasions can seem
very calculating.
Even now I can see her smiling,
but that doesn't mean
that she's happy.
It certainly doesn't mean
that she's callous.
Her aggression
tends to be reactive.
Her apparent unconcern
isn't callousness.
It's other-worldliness.
She has escaped
into a private world,
and in the face
of these accusations
and the full force of the law,
she has retreated further.
She's a child.
A vulnerable child.
They're saying
he must have jumped.
Can you get an adjournment?
[Indistinct conversations]
I just heard about your kid.
Sorry.
Look, I have no objection
to an adjournment.
You say Jaclyn's personality
stems from her unhappiness.
Can you explain
why she's unhappy?
Well, there are
a number of things
that she's talked to me about.
Her mother has been
rejected by her own family
because she didn't marry
another gypsy.
She and her mother
have also been subjected
to violence on the estate
and arson attacks
because they are
considered gypsies.
Her mother has promised her
many times
that she would leave the estate
and her father,
but she never has.
And then, of course,
her father was sent to prison.
HENRY: And is this significant
to her state of mind?
GRAYDON: Yes, I think
she's been badly let down
and has escaped
into her own world.
All her answers reflect this.
And, in your opinion,
this partly exonerates her?
Yes.
So, with this grim
and violent upbringing,
she might have resentments
that go very deep?
I meant her lying.
I'm only talking about
exonerating her from that.
Lots of children lie
and some steal.
But children
who've been beaten at home
often become violent,
don't they?
It isn't causal.
What do you mean,
"It isn't causal"?
Can you answer in words
the jury understand?
I mean it doesn't follow
that if someone gets beaten
and repressed,
they'll beat someone else.
But I'm saying people
who are violent
have very often
been physically abused.
Isn't that right?
I meant if she hit anyone,
it was reactive.
Reactive.
What does that mean?
In response to somebody else's
aggression.
I don't believe
she has instigated violence.
I was asked
for my expert opinion.
That's what I'm giving.
HENRY: Did you give
your expert opinion
in the case of a young man
called Justin Robbins
who was acquitted
of sexual assault?
Yes.
HENRY: And did it subsequently
come to light
that you'd failed
to tell the police
that Robbins
had confessed to you
that he had previously raped
two girls?
Yes, it was a mistake,
and I bitterly regret it.
Because Robbins went on
to rape another girl, didn't he?
There were
unusual circumstances,
which I don't want to go into.
Don't let's go into them.
I wouldn't make
the same mistake again.
Did you ask Livermore
if she'd killed Carrie-Ann?
No.
That isn't my job at all.
But you seem very certain
of her innocence.
I'd say you were
passionately on her side.
Isn't that right?
She was very clear
that she hadn't done this.
She told you that, did she?
Yes.
I didn't solicit it.
She told me.
With respect, she would
say that, wouldn't she?
No.
In this case, you
I mean, one can still tell.
One can still believe.
Isn't that right?
I don't mean that.
That's all.
Thank you.
[Spectators murmuring]
JUDGE:
Thank you, Mrs. Graydon.
[Footsteps]
He's not gonna die, is he?
He sleepwalks.
I should have told you.
Hello.
The scan looks okay.
Just concussion
and a broken ankle.
Thanks.
How are you feeling?
ZAK: Okay.
Right.
Poor thing.
Listen, as soon as you
feel up to it,
we'll go home.
Okay?
I don't want to go home.
HENRY: Livermore stole
Carrie-Ann's bag.
And when Carrie-Ann
threatened to go to the police,
she killed her
with a single blow from a brick.
And from then on,
told nothing but lies,
real calculated lies
to get herself off the hook.
That completes the case
for the prosecution.
Closing speech in a lost cause
if there's any justice.
I don't mind if he wants to
stay another week.
Another week?
While you've been
looking after him,
he's been caught shoplifting,
got into the public gallery
at a murder trial,
and nearly broken his neck.
Yeah.
He has been a bit of a handful.
Well, I suppose
we've still got the weekend.
The defense does not dispute
that Jaclyn Livermore
painted this picture
or that she had seen
Carrie-Ann's body.
Where's Marcel?
He's in hospital.
He's had a coronary.
MASOOD:
literally pathological.
And upon the count of murder,
do you find the defendant
guilty or not guilty?
WOMAN:
Guilty.
[Spectators murmuring]
CLERK: And is that the verdict
of you all?
It is.
[Reporters shouting]
Mr. Davis.
Mrs. Davis.
Ellie.
Do you feel justice
has been done today?
Congratulations, Henry.
You were perfect,
as I thought you would be.
Calm and reasonable
while old Crane blew a gasket.
Not funny.
He did.
Good for us.
Rate of conviction
in child offenses
is very low, you know.
I'm not exactly crying.
I thought that psychologist
was a load of balls.
She made a lot of sense to me.
The jury trusted you.
Advocacy won it.
Oh, Livermore will be wrapped
in cottonwool till she's 18,
given a decent education,
and then let loose
with a new name.
Yeah, and spend
the rest of her life
running away from the tabloids.
Oh, by the way, I've got
something else on the horizon.
Are you interested?
No, thanks, Donald.
Paid my dues.
SCANLON: Nice performance
in the wounding, miss.
Thank you, Ray.
Smyth with a "Y" was
rather charming in the end.
Did it, of course.
SCANLON:
Oh, oh, you're right.
Modernize.
I'm all for it.
A gym in the basement maybe.
Maybe a juice bar?
I keep myself very fit.
Circuits, weights, Nordic.
I wouldn't mind doing
a spot of personal training.
Oh, not you, personally.
You're in great shape.
But some I could mention here.
Yes, um, well, I'll give it
very serious thought.
Ah.
Ray Scanlon has dyed his hair,
he's wearing an earring,
and he's coming on to me.
He's gone completely mad.
You think it's a good idea,
don't you?
[Chuckles]
You do.
It's Mr. Farmer's
sense of humor.
Mmm.
Oh nearly forgot.
Thanks, Henry.
It's a nice one.
Very good for the heart,
red wine.
I've sent a couple of crates
to your home.
ALFIE:
Aye aye, here's the boy.
Whoa.
Here he comes.
Let's be having you.
Let's have a look
at that Claire Rayner.
There you go.
What, your dad get you that?
What did he pay, half-price?
Henry, two things you should
not do bet and prosecute.
'Cause you've got to enjoy
putting people away.
Here, don't let your dad see ya.
Go on, get it down ya.
There's a boy.
'Ere, now you listen to me,
from one who knows.
Cut out the thieving.
Otherwise, you'll lead
a miserable life
and you'll go straight to hell.
Whatever he says,
don't believe a word of it.
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