Reasonable Doubt (2022) s01e05 Episode Script

Previously on Reasonable Doubt
It's been a long time.
Sixteen years.
I can't be here anymore.
And the only way to do that
is to show remorse.
I cannot believe
my dad stood me up again.
I really wish
you would have forgiven Daddy
the same way you forgave Paul.
Well, I can't see you
being a public defender.
Once a PD, always a PD.
I know you and Lewis have your issues,
but you should really
think about making it work.
She up here staying
with her cheating-ass husband
and wanna give me relationship advice.
You know what would be dope?
If we could be friends.
I could stay in jail
and dream of this life that I could have
or I could actually live it.
Your husband's okay
with friends coming over?
Actually, we're separated.
He is an idiot to let you go.
Ladies and gentlemen,
the people just told you
that their case is
clear, solid, definitive,
that Mr. Uribe is the only person
who could have committed this crime.
But I will lay out to you
all the ways their theory is flawed.
Was there a solid chain of custody
when it came to the physical evidence?
No.
Was Mr. Uribe the only Latino man
in the park
at the time of the assault?
No.
Were there other people
in the victim's life
who were motivated to harm him
that could not be accounted for
the night of the crime?
Yes.
That to me sounds like a case
with a whole lot of reasonable doubt.
But you know what?
I don't have to prove that to you.
That's the people's burden,
not yours.
All I'm asking you to do is to listen.
Listen to the facts, and lack thereof,
in order to prevent an innocent man
from going into the prison system
and becoming something he is not.
Thank you.
Members of the jury,
you may now retire to the jury room
to begin deliberation.
Hector?
Um Okay. I know I said I wanted
to practice my Spanish,
but I don't know how to ask
why you would wanna take a plea
to go to jail for
a crime you didn't commit?
My entire life, things don't go my way.
So why would they now?
Because you got me, Hector.
When I go to trial, I win.
And I really appreciate
all your hard work,
but I'm done.
Hector.
Hi, Mr. Clarke.
- It's Cooke.
- I'm
Damon Cooke.
I'm Jax Nicholas.
Nice to meet you.
Court has set bail at $500,000.
Any chance you can get that lowered?
You're being charged
with second-degree murder, Mr. Cooke.
By law that's the number.
Alright, fine. What about Rafael?
Your codefendant, Mr. Coleman,
is also being charged with murder.
Fuck, I can't believe
this shit is happening.
Take a breath, Mr. Cooke.
Why don't you tell me about yourself?
Where you from?
Where I'm from
I grew up on West 67th off Buckler.
That's Rollin' 60s territory.
They wouldn't let me in.
Are you employed, Mr. Cooke?
I run an auto shop off Leimert.
Took over when my daddy passed away.
Education?
Graduated St. Bernard's.
Westchester, South LA.
I'm from Crenshaw and Coliseum,
went to Fairfax,
so I know where St. Bernard's is.
Uh, the night of the murder,
can you tell me what happened?
Yeah, so me and my
homeboy, we was, uh
- That's Mr. Coleman?
- Yeah. Rafael.
We went out to this spot
called Bottoms Up in Hawthorne
and, you know, we ordered some drinks,
and Rafael was hollering at a few
women and whatnot and then, uh,
this dude started beefing with Rafael
and he wouldn't stop running his mouth.
So then he tried to accuse Rafael
of getting with his girl and
Okay. Is that the victim, Kevin Chapman?
Yeah.
Okay, what happened next?
Then all hell broke loose.
I was getting hit from all sides
and just trying to keep
motherfuckers off me and shit.
Well, this complaint says
that you fled the scene.
You told the police
that you weren't involved in a fight.
Why did you lie?
I ain't flee.
Or whatever it is they trying to say.
I ain't kill nobody. I-I-I left.
I got a business. I
got responsibilities.
So what happens next, Fairfax?
Well well, that depends.
I can go to the DA, see about a plea,
or we can fight it in trial.
Wait, wait. You said a plea.
- You mean to say I'm guilty?
- Yes.
But I'm innocent.
- So you wanna go to trial?
- I mean
What do you think?
Let me dig into your case a bit,
see what we're up against.
I'll go to the DA
and come back to you with some options.
Alright. I mean,
I can, I can rock with that.
I'll try to make it quick
so you can get back
to your ambitions of a Rollin 60s ridah.
- You got jokes?
- Sorry. I
That was a good one.
Thanks.
Anyway,
I have 35 other cases
that need my attention, Mr. Cooke.
So unless you have any other
Good luck with your other cases.
An unusual mishap in a construction zone
near the 10-110 interchange
occurred this afternoon,
leaving the 10 freeway backed up
to Crenshaw.
- Hello?
- Hey, girl. What you doing?
Sitting here watching the news.
I feel like I'm turning into my mother.
What you up to?
Reading these case studies.
Are you bringing anyone
to Sally's wedding?
Nope. You?
I was gonna bring Kendall,
but it's too soon.
Hmm.
Okay, Autumn, when are you
gonna tell the other girls
that Kendall is not just your roommate?
I don't know. I feel like
you're more understanding.
They'll understand.
Maybe.
What about you?
Uh, no. I am too busy for love.
It doesn't work that way.
Okay, well, then I'm too busy
to have my heart broken.
Yeah, yeah, but remember,
Jax, sharing is caring.
Hmm.
How about you practice what you preach?
Huh? Bye, Autumn.
Bye, girl.
I've gone over Damon Cooke's case
and there are quite a few holes.
Okay, what are they?
Well, first of all,
the surveillance video
doesn't make it clear
that Mr. Cooke committed a crime.
- What about the witness?
- Come on, Miguel.
We all know eyewitness testimony
is never enough,
especially late at night
in that dark-ass bar
from a person working the night shift.
Fine. What else?
Mr. Cooke is a business owner
without a criminal past.
He's also a fairly
mild-mannered individual
who barely drinks.
So, what, we're supposed to believe
that he suddenly got so drunk
that he decided to pierce flesh?
I mean, come on, that's a reach.
So then you wanna go to trial?
I do.
But, you know, I at least wanna hear
what you're offering.
Voluntary manslaughter
midterm of six years in state prison.
Same charge. One year in County.
Nice try. Strike one,
Cooke lied to the police.
Strike two, we have witnesses
who say he was the aggressor.
And strike three,
his prints are on the knife.
Oh. You didn't get the report yet?
Still seem like a reach?
Did you bring a knife
to the bar that night?
I bring my knife everywhere,
but, shit, it ain't a gun.
So then you stabbed that man.
What? No, look.
Alright. It was my knife, yes.
But it fell out of my pocket
during the craziness of the fight.
And somebody must have grabbed it
'cause all of a sudden
it was stuck in this dude's neck.
And I was just like, "What the fuck?"
So then I was gonna pull it out,
and Rafael told me not to.
So then we just, just fucking
broke up out of there.
I'm telling the truth here, I swear.
You sure you wanna swear on that?
Isn't it your job to-to-to believe me?
No. My job is to tell you
what your options are.
And given this new information
that you failed to share with me,
I'm telling you as your attorney
that a trial does not look good for you.
- I didn't do this.
- Look, I spoke to the DA,
and he's offering
voluntary manslaughter.
Six years.
With good behavior,
you can be out on parole in two.
If you go to trial,
you'll be fighting a murder charge,
which is 15 to life.
Fuck!
Alright, what would,
what would you do if you were me?
I'm not you.
Oh, I see. Okay.
So you-you don't think
this could happen to you?
I didn't say that.
No, no, no.
Just keep it real with me, Fairfax.
Shit, I ain't gonna tell.
Although the fingerprint evidence
is inconclusive,
it was your knife.
You lied to the cops.
Just take the deal, okay?
You'll be better off.
Damn.
I thought you was gonna fight for me.
But you just gonna give up on me
like everybody else in my life.
- Mr. Cooke
- Nah, don't Mr. Cooke me.
You gonna tell me my shit is fucked up,
just tell me my inmate ID number
since that's all
I am to you anyway, alright?
Yeah, I'll take the fucking deal.
It's so wonderful Sally found a man
to spend her life with.
Even though she was
a fast little old thing
when y'all were in high school.
Ooh. Ma!
I'm just speaking the truth.
You know, you're
just as pretty as Sally.
No reason you should be
sitting home alone.
I'm not sitting home alone, Mom.
I mean, I'm not even 30, so I have time.
Yeah, that's what my friend Debbie
said years ago.
Now she can't even remember her name,
let alone find a man.
Oh, so I should find a boyfriend
before I get Alzheimer's?
Oh. Oh, it's something to think about.
- Mom.
- Ooh-ooh.
Why don't you wear this one?
I know, I was thinking about it,
but that's revealing, don't you think?
Well, if you don't want it,
I might take it.
I could use a fish of my own.
No.
I haven't found anybody
to keep me company since Paul.
Actually, he called the other day.
- Paul did?
- Yeah.
- And?
- And nothing.
I don't think it's a good idea
that we talk
after what happened between us.
No, you're right.
This is too revealing.
Well, why don't you buy something new?
Buy something that'll make
Jonathan jealous.
Ugh! I don't care
about making Jonathan jealous.
Besides, I can't even
afford a new dress.
God, this wedding is
costing me a fortune.
Well, you could always move home
to save some money.
I know, Mom. I know.
Oh, hell. It's getting late.
I have court in the morning.
Ugh. Look, I'll just
I'll go to Fox Hills
and find something tomorrow.
I thought you said you didn't have
enough money to buy a new dress.
I'll put it on layaway,
skip lunch this week.
Mwah!
Oh, Jesus. Help my child.
So I was rereading your file last night
and I had a realization.
Your codefendant Rafael Coleman
has a criminal past.
And because you guys
look like you can be brothers,
there's an argument to be made
that the DA's eyewitness
misidentified you for Rafael.
You saying Rafael did this?
Possibly.
If your prints are conclusive
on the knife, maybe his are.
Do you think he did it?
Hmm. Honestly, it all happened so fast.
And I hate to say
he did something he didn't do.
Yeah, that's fair.
But the point is that there's
a whole lot of doubt in this case.
So you believe me then.
I believe we should go to trial.
Because you believe me.
Why is that so important to you?
It's not important to you?
I don't know anymore.
Honestly, this job it's a lot.
I appreciate you finally
keeping it real with me, Fairfax.
Okay, look,
I'm sorry I told you to take the plea.
I'm not used to having people
who want to fight the system.
I'm used to people wanting
to give up out of frustration.
Like you did with me?
Yes.
I'm sorry I went off on you.
It's not who I am. It's just, um
You know, this fucking place.
I get it. Um, I don't, but
I got what you meant, Fairfax.
Okay, look, um, why don't we do this?
Let's just, um,
you take some time to think about it,
and either way, I'll support you.
- Okay.
- Okay?
I will. Thank you.
And, uh, thanks for not giving up on me.
Same.
Ah!
I's getting married, bitches!
Okay, guys.
- Get it!
- She already is.
- A-ha!
- Clearly.
Bitch, who the hell you texting?
This football player I met
a couple of weeks ago, girl.
He wants to take me to Miami
in his private jet.
That sounds like
the end of a Lifetime movie.
No, he's legit.
- It's Jamarion Tucker.
- Bitch! What?
- Are you serious?
- Yes.
And he said he wants to come
to the wedding. He's my plus one.
- What?
- Wow, moving fast I see.
They say when you know, you know.
And I know you bitches
better stop yappin'
and get a piece of this.
'Cause, god damn!
Wow!
What are we really doing here?
- Oh, hey, no!
- No!
We don't kiss the stripper.
No, don't do that.
Oh, hell, no.
Here, baby, drink this.
Okay?
No.
Oh, Sally.
Honey, what's wrong?
I love Chris.
I do. But one dick, Jax?
- Forever?
- Okay, yes. Yes.
But it's not like you haven't
enjoyed being single.
Yeah, because I'm a ho.
No, no, that's not what I said.
That's why I was out there
trying to make out
with that oily-ass stripper.
It's because my ho ass couldn't help it.
And now, I'm trying to go be a housewife
when I'm really just a ho wife.
Sally, Sally, stop. Stop.
- I'm just a ho.
- Just stop talking.
It does not matter
what happened in your past, okay?
You you are a different woman
since you fell in love with Chris.
I've never seen you happier.
Well, yeah.
You think you could settle down
with just one dick?
Chris is always on your side.
I've never had that.
So, yeah, I can settle down
for one dick in a heartbeat.
You can find it, Jax.
You just gotta make space for it.
You gotta be vulnerable and open.
'Cause that is the only way
that love can come in
and then stay, you know.
You're so profound when you're drunk.
I gotta throw up again.
Okay, okay, okay, come on.
- Come on, come on, come on, come on.
- Oh, God.
Mr. Cooke?
Uh, yeah. Call me Damon.
Damon.
So what did you decide to do?
Honestly, I don't know, Fairfax.
You know, I mean,
it's like the more I stay in here,
the more I don't wanna stay here.
Then I get all in my
head about this shit.
You know, should I take the risk
or take the deal, you know?
I do, but Miguel, the DA,
he's put a clock on the plea deal.
So unfortunately, you don't have
a lot of time to decide.
- Tell me what you're thinking.
- Um
I'm not, uh,
I'm-I'm not good at this.
At what? Jail?
I don't think you're supposed to be.
No, I mean
My mom died of an overdose
when I was just a little kid,
and then my dad worked himself to death
to try and recover
what she took from us.
So it's just me and my brother CJ.
And if I go in, I
I don't, I don't know
why I'm telling you all this.
I guess I just feel like
I can talk to you.
I get that a lot.
So who do you talk to?
I mean, you're always
listening and shit, so
Who's listening to you?
Go ahead.
I got, I ain't got nothing but time.
Um
No one, really.
Damn.
Does that make you sad?
Um
Too personal?
No, no, it's fine. Um
No, I guess that that's what
made me wanna be a lawyer.
I know what it's like to not be heard,
to not be believed.
I'm sorry, Fairfax.
Okay, you gotta stop calling me Fairfax.
If you want me to call you Damon,
you have to call me Jax.
Fair enough.
My dad was an addict too.
He still is.
Racked up charges
in and out of jail, rehab.
But he is a good man.
The system failed him.
It fails a lot of us.
Who failed you?
Was it him or someone else?
You asked me earlier
what I would do if I were you.
And I think that you should go to trial.
It's risky, but you didn't do this.
You do not deserve to go to prison.
So I say, fuck that deal.
Let's win this case together.
Aight Jax.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Hey. Jacqueline.
You can call me Jax.
Hey, thanks for sending me
your opening statement.
I hope you're okay with my edits.
Really good stuff. It's just
What's up?
I haven't done many murder trials,
so I think you should take lead on this.
But you are Mr. Coleman's lawyer.
I expect you'll still represent
his best interests.
Yes, of course. Trust me.
I only have Mr. Coleman's
best interests in mind.
They were beefing
with Mr. Chapman all night.
Can you identify the two men
who were arguing with the victim?
They're sitting right over there.
Mr. Wilson, can you identify
the man who gets up first?
- It's Rafael Coleman.
- Mr. Wilson, did you see
who threw the first punch
in this big melee?
No, ma'am, I didn't.
Can you identify the last person
to get to his feet?
It's Damon Cooke.
Did you see who stabbed Mr. Chapman?
No, ma'am.
Sounds like you didn't see much
save for this surveillance footage
the prosecution coached you up on.
Nothing further.
No further questions.
Mr. Ivanov, you're the owner
of Altek Hardware on Leimert.
For 22 years, yes.
Do you sell this brand of knife
in your store?
Yes.
Now, Mr. Cooke
is a long-time customer, correct?
He is, yes.
Can you describe this slip of paper?
It's a receipt from my store.
Would you please read
the signature on the receipt?
Damon Cooke.
Do you think he's a murderer?
Objection, Your Honor.
Calls for speculation,
lack of foundation,
and it's irrelevant what this witness
Miss Nicholas, you're on thin ice.
Nothing further.
Gentlemen.
Oh. Hey, Jax.
Let me guess.
Miguel is telling you
all about the award
he's getting from our law school, right?
Or not. What's going on?
Yes, but Rafael's cutting a deal
with the DA.
They're reducing the charge
against him to assault if he testifies.
Against me? Is that what you mean?
Yes.
So then he's going to jail?
Most likely only probation.
Then am I going to jail?
No, you're not.
I'm gonna win this case.
What?
I love hearing you boss up.
What, I hadn't before?
No, not really.
I'm humble, I guess.
Hmm.
You're brilliant.
You're attentive.
You're strong and fearless.
Wow.
You get all that just
from me being your lawyer?
Whether you can see yourself or not,
I, uh I see you, Jax.
And I see you.
So I know that after
this Rafael situation,
you're gonna wanna take the stand.
And you're right.
Rafael's telling his story, you know,
I'm finna tell mine,
so you cool with that?
I like hearing you boss up.
Alright, later, Fairfax.
Ooh! Who you talking to?
Oh. Um, no one.
No, that's someone.
You got that look in your eye.
Yeah, like that pussy is pulsing.
- No, it is not!
- Sally's right. Who is it?
Okay, fine, but no judgments.
- It's a client.
- Oh! What?
I just said no judgment, Autumn.
I'm not
Trust me, I'm just a bit confused.
Yeah. I mean, is this person a criminal?
He's being falsely accused.
Of a crime. Like a criminal.
He is not a criminal.
You think I'd just be around here
liking criminals?
Well just be careful.
You know these bitches be out here
marrying these niggas in prison.
Oh, my God.
Don't be like them.
Mr. Coleman, the jury has seen
the end of the surveillance video
which shows you getting up
from the floor after the fight.
Who are the two men still fighting?
Mr. Chapman and Damon.
And did you see the knife?
Yes, I did.
Rafael, do you see the person
who stabbed Mr. Chapman
to death here today?
Yes.
Let the record show that the witnesses
pointed to the defendant, Damon Cooke.
No further questions.
Your witness, Miss Nicholas.
The last time we were in this courtroom,
you were seated at the defense table
with my client and your friend
Damon Cooke.
What happened?
What do you mean?
Why are you testifying
for the prosecution?
- I wanna tell the truth.
- The truth?
You're not a truth teller, Rafael.
You're nothing but a common snitch.
Objection. Argumentative.
Sustained.
Did the district attorney's office
initially charge you with murder?
Yes.
And the murder charges,
along with any jail time,
have been waived
in exchange for your testimony.
- Is that right?
- Yes.
Mr. Coleman, were you ever
expelled from middle school?
I don't think so.
You don't think so
or you don't remember?
I don't recall.
This is from
the Inglewood Unified School District.
Does this report jog your memory?
Yeah, but I was a kid.
Who doesn't get into trouble?
By trouble, did you mean
to say that you pulled a knife
on another student
and threatened to kill him?
Yes.
Did you throw the first punch
that night?
Uh I don't remember.
Would it surprise you to learn
that many of the witnesses
have testified that you did
throw the first punch?
It was a huge fight
in the club at night.
Like I said, I cannot recall.
So you don't remember
anything about a fight
that you allegedly started
but you remember getting up
and seeing my client stab Mr. Chapman?
Right.
Nothing further.
Ooh!
Sorry, I didn't realize how big it was.
You ladies wanna feel it?
Never say those words to us again.
Also, who did you pay to get this award?
They usually give it to corporate types
like Emily or PD's like me.
They finally realized that
the real stars are at the DA's office.
Oh, a real epiphany.
You guys can learn a lot
doing prosecutorial work.
Oh, you mean like using scared young men
like Rafael Coleman
to build cases against
innocent Black men?
Damon Cooke is not innocent. Sorry.
Or you could move to a corporate firm.
I just did.
And frankly,
I sleep a lot easier at night.
What do you mean?
The stakes are significantly lower.
Think about it. If I win, great.
And if I don't,
those rich, entitled assholes
probably deserved it.
I don't wanna represent
rich, entitled assholes.
I represent people
who have nowhere else to turn.
If the system wants to take away
someone's liberty,
their-their freedom,
they're gonna need a
high burden of proof.
And they're gonna
have to go through me, period.
- Inspiring.
- Eat a dick.
And how's it feel when you lose, Jax?
Either way, you've paid your dues, Jax.
- It's time to move on.
- Mm-hmm.
Oh, and it's time for me to go home.
Get that good sleep.
Later, peeps.
See ya.
You know, I don't intend
to stay at the DA's office forever.
- Hmm.
- I got much bigger plans.
You're looking at
the first Latino governor of California.
You ever thought about
getting into politics?
- Uh
- You and me could make a play for it.
You know what they say.
Behind every great man
Is a woman rolling her eyes?
No, but, come on, for real. Seriously.
You never thought about it?
You, me, bringing two of LA's
biggest constituencies together,
showing off our cute Afro-Latino babies.
Oh, my God. Please.
Are you serious?
Hmm.
You know what?
I think you and your little award
need some alone time.
I'll see you in court Mike.
Okay.
This is Jax.
Hey, did I wake you?
Damon?
Uh, they let you
make a phone call this time of night?
My brother put some money
on my commissary.
I traded for a burner.
Why you up so late?
Uh, I was actually
just about to go to sleep.
- Why are you awake?
- Uh
Rafael lying on me and shit.
I thought that nigga was a friend.
I'm sorry.
You okay?
Me? Uh yeah, I mean
Well
Actually, my best friend
is getting married tomorrow.
And, I mean, I'm happy for her.
I guess I just
I don't know, I feel like
everyone around me is
coupling up and finding someone,
and I'm just hella single.
I'm so sorry. I should not be
sharing any of this with you.
No, no, no, it's nice. It's nice.
I like it.
I mean, you know, I'm sure you got dudes
trying to get with you all the time.
Not the right ones.
- Would you know if you found him?
- I hope so.
Isn't that what they say,
when you know, you know?
I don't know.
I thought I was in love once,
but, nah, maybe it's me.
My friends say I'm guarded.
I don't know how to open up.
And yet you opened up with me.
Um
You seem uncomfortable, Jax.
I am.
Sometimes being uncomfortable
is a good thing.
It gets you out of your head
when you're thinking too much.
I think a lot.
What you thinking about now?
What are you thinking about?
You.
Oh, yeah?
Always.
What are you doing to me?
Same thing you're doing to me.
Good night, Jax.
And now, everyone, please gather around
for the father-daughter dance.
What's up?
Girl, I can't believe
Jamarion didn't show.
I mean, he said he was gonna be late,
but now it's looking like
he ain't coming at all.
Oh. I'm sorry, girl.
- Hmm?
- Yes, thank you.
You know what?
Your cousin only gets married once.
I really think that you should
get up out this seat
and get back out there.
Jamarion'll make it up to you
with that fat-ass
"I just made All-Pro" bonus money.
- You're right.
- I know.
Thanks, girl.
Oh
Sis, don't listen
to what Autumn and Sally have to say.
If you like this nigga,
then like this nigga.
Hell, maybe you win the case
and we all end up boo'd up.
It's a possibility.
Hey.
Hey.
How'd you sleep?
Good.
Really good.
Yeah.
Me too.
We should discuss our case.
I don't want to talk about the case.
Damon, we need to go over
- your testimony one more time.
- Jax, please.
Not now.
Okay.
I think about
what it would be like to just,
to just sit somewhere,
you know, just the two of us.
Just to talk.
Beyond these walls
and without time limits.
I think about that too.
You do?
I do.
Everything hinges on Damon's testimony.
- I can't fuck this up.
- Language.
A man's life is at stake.
Focus on Miguel and the case he's built.
I don't care what that damn school says.
You a better lawyer than him.
Jacqueline, you are the smartest person
in any room you're in.
Remember that and your client
will walk out of there a free man.
Thank you, Ma.
We can talk more later if you need.
- Oh.
- I gotta head out.
Uh, well, don't you need
to get dressed first?
I've learned a lot about myself
in the past few years.
I'm an alcoholic.
And I've done some things
when I was drinking
that I'm not proud of.
And I'm sorry.
I'm ten years sober now.
I'm not the same guy.
I think it was good for us
to have this time apart
so that Paul could get himself together.
I'm proud of how far he's come.
Oh, so, so this is happening.
You're getting back together.
- Unbelievable.
- Jacqueline.
Jacqueline! Jacqueline, wait. Please!
Are you really gonna
pretend like nothing happened?
He made a mistake.
Yes, but why does he deserve
another chance from me or from you?
Every day you fight
for people's second chances.
What's the difference?
The difference is that you are my mother
and I expect more from you.
But you always choose yourself first.
You failed me then
and you are failing me now.
You weren't
the only one hurt, Jacqueline.
I was hurt too. I loved him.
One day you will love someone
really, truly love someone
and you will see that
it's not that easy to let 'em go.
If this is what love looks like,
then I feel sorry for both of us.
Oh. Hey. Uh
You're Damon's lawyer, right?
- Yes.
- I'm his brother CJ.
CJ! It's nice to meet you.
I've heard a lot about you.
And you, too.
Thanks for fighting for him.
Means a lot to him and to me.
Of course.
He can't go away for this.
I can't be out here by myself.
You won't be.
Thanks.
Do you promise to tell the truth,
the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth?
I do.
Mr. Cooke,
why were you the last person
fighting with Mr. Chapman?
I didn't know I was.
I just felt myself getting hit.
You didn't flee the scene,
did you, Mr. Cooke?
I left.
I, um
I knew I had been in a fight.
I just didn't want any trouble.
Uh
I wish I had stuck around.
That was, that was a mistake.
Did you know Mr. Chapman
before that night?
Never seen him before in my life.
Did you stab Kevin Chapman?
No.
I didn't do it.
Nothing further.
Mr. Ortiz, your witness.
You said you jumped into the fight
because your friend
Rafael Coleman needed help, correct?
Yeah.
Mr. Chapman
was winning the fight, wasn't he?
I-I don't know.
Well, at some point,
Mr. Chapman started
getting the better of you.
Um, I don't think so, no.
Come on, Mr. Cooke.
He was kicking your ass.
What?
Nah, it wasn't like that.
Oh, so you were kicking his ass?
See, I didn't say that.
Oh, okay, then, Mr. Cooke,
which one is it?
Did you beat up Mr. Chapman
or did he beat you up like a rag doll?
And when embarrassed,
you pulled out a knife?
Objection! Badgering the witness.
I just told you I ain't kill that man!
Why the fuck you make it seem like that?
Sustained.
Nothing further, Your Honor.
Finally, there's Rafael Coleman,
who offers us
the most damning evidence of all.
Mr. Coleman with his own eyes
witnessed the defendant stab
Kevin Chapman in the midst of a brawl.
He didn't say maybe it was Mr. Cooke.
Or it might have been.
No, he never wavered.
And neither should any of you
in doing what is right and just
by finding Damon Cooke guilty.
Thank you.
Miss Nicholas.
Thank you, Your Honor.
The people want you to believe that
because Mr. Cooke
was at the bar that night,
because he was in a fight,
because he bought a knife,
and because a witness
who cut a deal
to save his own skin says he did it,
that this is all enough to convict.
Well, it's not enough.
Damon Cooke has no violent past.
He was simply in the wrong place
at the wrong time.
Almost every generation
of Black families starts at zero.
Damon Cooke, through his hard work
in his family business,
broke that cycle.
Today is your chance to break the cycle
of convicting young Black men
of crimes they did not commit.
Mr. Ortiz talked about
doing the right thing.
The right thing is to acquit Damon Cooke
and send him home.
Thank you.
The jury has
come to a decision in this case.
The clerk will now read the verdict.
We, the jury,
find the defendant Damon Cooke
guilty of second-degree murder.
Mr. Cooke, you are hereby remanded
into the custody of the sheriff
who shall transfer you
- Damon, I I'm
- I know.
Damon, we can appeal your conviction.
And this time, we don't have
to play by the rules.
We'll do whatever's necessary to win.
You did your best, Jax.
But it's over.
Aight? We ain't in
this together no more.
I'm inside and you're out there.
You can't be in this with me.
This is my time to serve now.
But
One day we gonna see each other again,
and you're gonna barely remember
who I am, but
- I ain't never gonna forget you.
- I'm
I'm not ready to let you go.
Yeah, but you're about to become
some badass lawyer chick.
And I'm just gonna be some dude
you once defended.
Well, you'll always mean
more than that to me.
What if I'm not?
What if at the end of the day, I'm just
a criminal?
Damon.
I
- It's okay. I, uh
I already know.
At least now I do.
Later, Fairfax.
I'm sorry
Jax.
Hey. You okay? Can you open the door?
Don't worry.
I got you.
I'm Lewis.
Hey.
You busy?