Proven Innocent (2019) s01e12 Episode Script
In Defense of Madeline Scott, Part 1
1 Previously on Proven Innocent You make me a better person.
I think that I might even be able to be a good example for Nathan.
You really think that Rosemary joined a cult? - MADELINE: Who else is there? - LEVI: Sarah Tawney.
We're trying to figure out what the "R" stood for.
I'm guessing your cult leader, Ravi? BELLOWS: If he can give you some evidence that might help reopen Rosemary's murder case you could find yourself sitting second chair in the biggest trial of the year.
Madeline chased after Rosemary.
She was carrying that lantern.
Madeline Scott, you are under arrest for the murder of Rosemary Lynch.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
Good morning.
Yesterday my office executed an arrest warrant for Madeline Scott for the murder of 17-year-old Rosemary Lynch.
Ten years ago, her conviction was regrettably vacated, but this office my office has always been convinced of her guilt.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
Right now, Madeline Scott is in prison, awaiting bail.
As a prosecutor, it's my job to produce credible evidence of guilt beyond any reasonable doubt.
I promise you today, I will do that.
- What the hell's going on in here? - Contraband search.
You can rip my room apart all you want, but you can't take my personal belongings, okay? I'm entitled papers, pens and my case files.
Because unlike our original trial, we are now 100% sure we have the weapon Madeline Scott used to murder Rosemary Lynch.
Please, look you need to give those back.
Hey You're not going nowhere, so bitch and moan to someone who cares.
Justice will finally be served.
The Lynch family will finally have closure, because the monster who murdered their loved one will spend the rest of her life behind bars.
VIOLET: First off, I want to thank all the thousands of Madeline Scott supporters who have phoned and e-mailed with their good wishes and even started a GoFundMe campaign.
Madeline's bond hearing is set, so she will be out and working on her defense against these baseless charges.
With your help, she will finally prove her innocence once and for all.
[KEYBOARD CLICKS.]
[CHUCKLES.]
: And speaking of innocence, the fight against injustice never stops.
Tomorrow we fight for Hector Costa, a 23-year-old Dreamer whose mother brought him here.
They fled El Salvador after his father was hacked to death by MS-13.
After being wrongfully convicted of murdering his favorite high school teacher, Hector has spent the last five years in prison.
Looking good, Hector.
How you feeling? Nervous.
But, you know, okay.
- Ready for this to be over.
- I bet.
I spoke to your family.
They all send their prayers, can't wait to bring you home.
You know, none of this makes sense, Mr.
Boudreau.
Why would I want to hurt Mrs.
Brennan? She helped me get good grades.
I was going to college.
I know.
Why would anybody want to hurt her? Then the police came and arrested me.
Hey, hey, don't worry.
Their case is weak, and we've got everything we need to overturn the conviction, Hector.
I hope so.
Did Mom bring the suit? She was supposed to give it to you.
No, she brought it, but you can't wear it today.
It's a hearing, and you're still convicted in the eyes of Judge Gleason.
It's not fair, but How am I supposed to convince the judge I didn't do this if all she sees is a convict? It's not your job to convince the judge, it's mine.
But what you can do is sit up straight, keep your head up, and look the judge in the eye and let her know there's more to you than just clothes.
Much more, all right? Dr.
Lovatt, according to the state, Hector Costa killed Barbara Brennan in a burglary gone wrong.
The only physical evidence linking Hector to the burglary was Mrs.
Brennan's stolen laptop, which was found in his possession.
Based on the computer's Internet history, he'd been using the device at his family's apartment for several weeks prior to the murder.
And that supports Hector's contention that Mrs.
Brennan had given him her old laptop as a gift to reward his hard work in her tutoring classes.
Objection, Your Honor.
Lack of foundation.
The computer's hard drive had been deleted.
There's no way this witness has any You'll get your chance to cross in a moment, Counsel.
- Continue, Mr.
Boudreau.
- Thank you, Your Honor.
Now, given that police accidentally erased the computer's hard drive, how can you be sure Mrs.
Brennan's laptop was in Hector's possession weeks before the burglary? LOVATT: Hector set the computer to send and receive text messages.
When the computer connected to the apartment's Wi-Fi, it operated like an additional cell phone.
The family's cell phone records supported that.
If anyone cared about that young man, they'd have found it.
Objection, Your Honor.
Dr.
Lovatt is not an expert in police investigation.
GLEASON: Sustained.
- You people are disgraceful.
- [GALLERY MURMURING.]
You should all be ashamed of yourselves.
Steve, let me handle this.
This hearing is making a mockery of my wife's death! Mr.
Brennan, I understand your anguish, but if you want to remain in my courtroom, you'll compose yourself.
You got to get me out of here.
I'm starting to feel really useless.
- I should have seen this coming.
- How? After 16 years, Bellows finds a murder weapon? No one could predict that.
I know, I just feel like I let you down.
Well, you didn't.
I saw his press conference.
It's all just empty bluster.
I actually think the whole thing is just a campaign stunt.
Why do you think he called Levi a person of interest? You sure he's not in lockup? I went by County.
C.
O.
checked, they don't have him.
Maybe he freaked and bolted when he found out I got arrested? [KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
[LOCK CLICKING.]
Levi? You know, you should really invest in a more expensive lock, buddy.
[EXHALES.]
Where the hell are you, Levi? [WALLET THUDS.]
Talk to me about the office.
What's, uh, what's going on with our cases? Where are we? Uh, we're gonna get a continuance on most.
Uh, the judges understand the circumstances.
Most judges? I have to attend the Hector Costa hearing.
- We're ready? - More than ready.
- It's Judge Gleason, right? - Mm-hmm.
You don't know her like I do.
She's fair-minded, but she can have her moods, - so, you know, if you - Hey hey.
I got this.
The only case you need to worry about is yours.
Now, the outcome's gonna be very different this time.
No jury's gonna convict you once they hear that the victim was involved in a sex cult that was led by a serial rapist and a pedophile.
An as-yet-identified serial rapist.
We're gonna need a lot more than the name Ravi if we're gonna name him as an alternative suspect.
We'll ID him and then we'll find him.
Okay, and we're gonna need one of the girls involved to testify, or the Maddie, we're all over it.
Why don't you go back and get some rest? I know you.
You're gonna want to hit the ground running when you get out of here tomorrow.
BODIE: So you were the last one to speak to Levi.
Did he tell you where he was going? No.
I haven't heard from him.
I-I thought he got arrested, too.
No, he's missing.
What did you two talk about? Uh, we were talking about Rosemary.
He was trying to figure out if this group of girls from high school had anything to do with her death.
And by "group of girls," you mean the cult? [PHONE RINGING.]
Levi told Madeline all about what was happening to you girls.
It was Heather and some guy named Ravi.
What did you tell Levi? We've tracked down more than 20 girls that this creep abused, and you're the only one whose life wasn't completely wrecked by the trauma.
I have tomorrow off.
Call me and I will meet you at Sparrow Ridge.
I'll tell you what I know.
Thank you.
Mr.
Granados, the morning Mrs.
Brennan was killed, you were working at a neighbor's house across the street, correct? I was working, yes.
I was there.
Did you see Hector Costa that morning? SÃ Uh, yes.
The prosecution alleges, that Hector killed.
Mrs.
Brennan at 4:00 a.
m.
M and M results determine that as the time of death.
Is that when you saw Hector arrive at the house? No.
At 4:00 a.
m.
I am sleeping.
I arrived at 7:00, and I see the boy arrive then, too.
You saw Hector arrive at the Brennan house at 7:00 a.
m.
? Yes.
Not 4:00 a.
m.
No way.
Thank you.
GLEASON: The facts don't add up here.
There are timeline problems, motive issues.
If the State has overwhelming evidence of Mr.
Costa's guilt, it should be no problem to try him again and win another conviction.
Petitioner's motion for a new trial is granted.
- [GAVEL BANGS.]
- No.
Don't do this.
- He's-he's a murderer! - EASY: Your Honor, we request a reasonable bond while awaiting trial.
Agreed.
Bond is set for $100,000.
Oh This is just the beginning, Mrs.
Costa.
We'll prove Hector's innocence at a new trial.
ICE OFFICER: Immigration.
Hector Costa, you're being detained pending removal.
- ISIDORA: Where? -El Salvador, ma'am.
- EASY: Listen, there's no need - to do that.
- Hey, step aside.
I haven't been there since I was a baby, man.
EASY: What are you doing? You're treating him like a criminal.
- Sir - Hey, listen, stay calm, Hector.
We'll straighten this out.
- Don't worry.
- I need you to stay back.
- [INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
- I need you to settle down.
You did this.
Me? What are you talking about? You lost the hearing and then you contacted ICE.
I didn't call anyone.
This is the first I'm hearing about this.
ISIDORA: Mr.
Boudreau, please.
MS-13 will kill him in El Salvador.
I won't let them deport him, and that's a promise.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
BAILIFF: Deportation order number 3217, make your appearance.
JUDGE: Everybody settle down.
MAN: We'll call you when we need you.
[VOICES QUIET DOWN.]
Leonardo Gonzalez, do you understand this proceeding? Leonardo Gonzalez was separated from his parents.
They're in process to go back to Guatemala.
Leonardo, have you talked to an immigration attorney? Settle down, guys.
Ezekiel Boudreau, substituting in for petitioner's counsel.
Aren't you here on another matter, Mr.
Boudreau? I am, Your Honor, but I'm stepping in, to add a dose of common sense.
What are we asking a four-year-old if he has an attorney, or if he understands what's going on in this place? We move to reunite the petitioner with his parents.
That's inconsistent with policy.
That policy is nonsense, Your Honor.
Where are his parents right now, Ms.
Riley? We're not sure at this time.
Well, find out.
To the next attorney general.
[CHUCKLING.]
: Well just a second, let's not get carried away, we still got a lot of work to do.
Although And we have a murder trial to win, which I'm feeling pretty good about.
- Hear, hear.
- OTHERS: Hear, hear.
Thank you.
Thank you all.
Can I talk to you for a moment? Yes, of course.
Um, everybody, I'm afraid, um we need the room.
Thanks for this, and, um, get back to work.
[CHUCKLES.]
- [DOOR CLOSES.]
- I'm a little concerned about my staged intimacy with Levi Scott.
Well, your investigation.
was tangential at best to this case.
But what you did is a clear ethics violation.
And if you put Levi on the stand, the defense will discover everything.
- They won't.
- How could they not? I'm sitting second chair.
He's gonna recognize me in the courtroom.
About that I can't make you second chair.
In fact, I have to let you go.
What? I'm trying to protect you, Isabel, and the case.
What you did was helpful to our efforts, but it would certainly cause a problem now.
With you gone, all hands are clean.
You wanted me to do this.
I don't recall every detail of our conversation, but I think it's best for both of us if we terminate our professional relationship.
I will call you soon.
Security will help you clean out your office.
What makes you think I'm not just gonna tell the defense about everything and destroy your case? Because if you do that, you'll be disbarred.
I will claim no knowledge of your actions and leave you to the pathetic prospects of waitressing and watching reality TV.
How could you? Isabel, I pulled you from obscurity when you were a child.
I can put you right back in.
Or you can go away quietly now, for a year, and find yourself in a job at the attorney general's office after things have cooled down.
Be smart, Isabel.
It's how you got here.
EASY: I have co-counsel at this hearing, Your Honor.
I'm Gerald Warren, assistant state's attorney for Cook County, lead prosecutor in The State of Illinois v.
Hector Costa.
You sure you're standing at the right table, Mr.
Prosecutor? Yes, Your Honor.
For the purposes of today's proceedings, I will be appearing on behalf of petitioner.
We both want the petitioner to stay here and stand trial.
Petitioner's on his way back to El Salvador, Mr.
Warren.
Why not take the easy win? Well, many in my shoes have, Your Honor.
In fact, MS-13 as an entity was created by California prosecutors who chose to deport instead of try and punish violent aliens.
I have no interest in continuing this naive and ignoble tradition.
Mr.
Boudreau, your client would rather face a murder trial than hop a free plane ride home? America is Mr.
Costa's home, Your Honor.
It has been since he was three years old.
He was living here lawfully as a Dreamer until he was wrongfully accused of this crime.
Mr.
Costa views this trial as an opportunity to prove his innocence.
At which time we will return to your courtroom and ask you to reinstate his docket status.
Ms.
Riley, any objections? It is always in the interest of public safety to remove violent criminals as quickly as possible.
JUDGE: And where is petitioner now? Cook County Correctional Facility.
And we are no longer seeking release on bond, Your Honor.
That pretty much undercuts your public safety argument, Ms.
Riley.
Petitioner's stay of removal is hereby granted.
- Game on.
- See you in court.
Mm-hmm.
[LOCK BUZZES, LATCH CLICKS.]
[CHUCKLES.]
How's my girl? [SIGHS.]
Little freaked out, actually.
How's everyone at the office? The same.
No one's sleeping or eating.
We're all on edge.
But we are using that fear to work that much harder.
We've gone over the entire case, and we're waiting for police investigation reports.
A lot of people love you, Maddie.
Tell them not to worry.
Tell them I'm making bail, and - then we're gonna win this.
- Mm-hmm.
- Wren, what if - No.
We're not going there.
You know as well as I do, negative thoughts cripple people in here.
You are not calling this place home again.
I won't let you.
Even if I have to Shawshank you out of here.
[BOTH LAUGH.]
Any sign of Levi? Not yet, but we'll keep looking until we find him.
Promise.
- Don't let him get to you.
- Hmm.
BELLOWS: The People request there be no bond in this case.
Defendant is an officer of the court and a member of the Illinois Bar with an extensive professional and personal connection to the community.
JUDGE: Mr.
Bellows, I take it you wouldn't be asking for a no-bond ruling without significant cause? As a lawyer, Ms.
Scott is uniquely aware that she faces the overwhelming probability that she will be convicted and spend the rest of her natural life in prison.
JUDGE: Mr.
Boudreau, that likelihood of conviction is a key factor in determining flight risk.
Is there anything you can add to convince this court that Ms.
Scott may not face conviction? At trial, we will not only prove Ms.
Scott's innocence but also, for the first time, identify the true killer or Rosemary Lynch.
In fact, we have identified alternative suspects, including the state's star witness, Heather Dupinski, now Heather Husband, and the deranged leader of a sex cult that preyed on underage teenage girls.
Defense counsel's firm has earned its name by propagating ungrounded salacious allegations that do not belong in a courtroom.
Oh, well, that's funny, considering the entire re-arrest of my client is nothing more than a campaign-motivated publicity stunt.
Enough.
Counsel approach.
Since you both have displayed such a fair-minded and unprejudiced spirit, I've decided to split the difference and give you one each.
Counselor, you'll get your bond.
- Yes, Your Honor, thank you.
- On the other hand, I share Mr.
Bellows' concerns about these rather sensational alternative suspects you plan to present.
At trial we will back our allegations with concrete evidence and firsthand witness testimony.
No.
You'll present your evidence and your witnesses, to me in a pre-trial hearing away from the prying eyes of the press.
If you have the goods, you can proceed with your stated trial strategy.
I'll need time to prepare a presentation.
- Three weeks would be ideal - You'll have three days, Counselor.
Now both of you, go.
What? Nothing.
We just have three days to prove our case.
JUDGE: Bond is set for $500,000.
We're done for the day.
- Good evening.
- [GAVEL BANGS.]
When I asked you to testify, why didn't you tell me about this cult? "Cult" is a derogatory word used by narrow-minded people who are not open to the enlightenment that shines within others.
Okay.
If this cult and that's what it was, a cult if this cult existed, then they have a viable narrative for an alternative suspect.
A few girls hanging out and taking drugs isn't a cult.
It's just high school.
There was an older man hanging around, too.
Correct? Was he having sex with the girls? Listen to me, Heather.
The defense is gonna paint you as the number two of this cult, a sex recruiter for this deranged leader.
If they implicate the leader, they will implicate you.
Ravi left town before the night Rosemary was murdered.
Now you're getting it.
I hadn't seen him in weeks.
He was just some random loser trying to scam high school girls.
He had nothing to do with her death.
None of us did.
If you blame this on a group of girls hanging out, that means that literally any girl in America could have killed Rosemary Lynch.
But not any girl did, did they? No.
It was Madeline Scott.
The defense rests.
MADELINE: Sarah, thanks again for meeting us here.
No worries.
This place used to be filled with stuff.
Pillows and beds.
I only got involved with Ravi and this place pretty late senior year, unlike the other girls.
BODIE: When you say other girls were involved what did that entail? We had sex with him, if that's what you're asking.
Both alone and sometimes together.
I'm sure it's really hard to talk about.
I've come to terms with it.
We were young, dumb and high.
How about the Adderall? We used it to stay skinny for Ravi.
Were there other drugs? What else were you guys on? Ravi said he had a degree in Chinese medicine.
Gave us herbal tea and supplements all the time.
The tea ceremonies made being in this place, being with Ravi feel rapturous.
We worshipped Ravi.
That includes Rosemary.
I remember she was so intense.
She quickly became Ravi's favorite.
Ravi was obviously a serial rapist.
And possibly a murderer.
But to prove that, we need to know more about his background.
Starting with his full name.
Ravi or Prophet Ravi is the only name I ever heard.
That didn't seem strange to you? No.
It was kind of part of his allure.
He was a mystic.
Um, one of a kind.
At least to some drugged-up 17-year-olds, he was.
Anything that you can tell us might help us track him down.
Wh-Where he was from, where he lived.
If anybody would know this kind of stuff, it's Heather.
She was like his first lieutenant.
MADELINE: Yeah, Heather's the star witness for the prosecution, so I don't think she's gonna be volunteering to enlighten us.
How did that happen? How did Heather end up being the one in charge? She knew him first.
Heather brought Ravi to La Grange.
Helped him find this place.
Wait, so, if Heather brought Ravi here, then do you know where Heather met Ravi? I think at some church in Downers Grove.
[STAMMERS.]
Do you remember the name? Yeah, um Tomorrow or New Day or um, uh, wait.
It was called New Dawn Ministries.
Sarah, I know this is a lot to ask, but we're hoping you'll testify to all of this.
Um yeah.
Glad I can finally help.
EASY: Your Honor, Alberto Granados, the eyewitness who provided my client's alibi, has just been deported.
I'd like to admit his prior testimony.
You saw Hector arrive at 7:00 a.
m.
? Yes.
Let me get this straight.
First your client gets deported, now your star witness? Your Honor, under People v.
Hellenbrand, if a witness is rendered unavailable by an opposing party, his prior testimony can come in.
My witness was intentionally removed from this jurisdiction.
The prosecution alerted ICE about his citizenship status Okay, there has been no adjudication of the truth of Granados' claims, and Mr.
Boudreau's accusations are just outrageous.
The State had nothing to do with the deportation of Mr.
Granados by agents of ICE.
This court denies Defendant's motion.
I-If you can find Mr.
Granados, he can testify.
But his statement sworn or not, it's out.
Sorry, Boudreau, but it wasn't me.
Maybe if you weren't so hung up on your law partner You're lying.
But I'll win anyway.
Hector Costa's case went from slam dunk to disaster.
Granados was deported.
So, if the prosecutor didn't turn your witness in to ICE, who did? Good question.
Maybe it was the real killer.
EASY: Any idea on where to find him? Maybe.
[PHONE RINGING, BUZZING.]
Let me do some digging.
Hello.
What's up, girl? [NIKKI SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY OVER PHONE.]
I'm working, why? Yes, Nikki, I'm committed to you.
Right, right.
No, no, no, no.
I'm gonna pick him up from school.
I didn't forget.
Yeah, I'm on my way right now.
I'm almost there.
- Do you like him? Yeah? - Yeah.
- What are you gonna name him? - Hmm, Hawk.
Hawk? [LAUGHS.]
What's his superpower? - NATHAN: Lasers.
- Lasers? How you doing? I've missed you, buddy.
- How's Nikki doing? - Good.
- Hey, Nathan.
- Oh, hi, Uncle Bodie.
- This is my mom.
- Nathan was just telling me about you.
I'm Daniella, Nikki's sister.
I'm, uh I'm not supposed to be here.
No, no, you're not.
Let's go do something fun today, yeah? NATHAN: Okay.
Watch your step, it's slippery here.
- You got it? - Yep.
All right, cool.
I'm sure that Nikki hasn't said the nicest things about me.
Well, I mean, you know.
She's a cop and you're a junkie, so, no.
I've been clean for ten months now.
I think I deserve to see my son.
Well, that's not up to me.
At all.
So, good luck.
- Bye, Nathan.
- NATHAN: Bye, Mom.
I'll see you soon, okay? Okay, bye.
Hey, would you just talk to Nikki for me? Please? I'm getting worried, Gore.
This whole cult thing is a great story, people are eating it up.
I spent a fortune on you winning and I'm eating it up.
This is a serious problem.
I've got it covered.
Is it salacious? Yes.
But it's just an absurd and desperate attempt to find an alternative suspect.
You sure about that? The original trial that was all about sex.
The word "cult" fits right into that narrative.
So does the word "guilty.
" Oh, I hope so.
The arrest did wonders for your numbers, but if she's found not guilty it's gonna sink more than just your campaign.
Excuse me? You're gonna look like a lunatic.
Or a monster.
You know, to to retry her after all these years and then get it wrong.
Again.
I told you, don't worry.
I've got it under control.
WOMAN: Welcome to Sunshine Church.
I am Reverend Malloy.
Ezekiel Boudreau.
This is my partner Madeline Scott.
Are you two looking for a new church? We have an excellent pre-marriage counseling program.
- Oh.
- [CHUCKLES.]
No, he actually means we're law partners.
I see.
So how can I help you? We wanted to ask you about Heather Dupinski.
She was a congregant at New Dawn Ministries.
That's your former church, right? Yes.
You must've looked me up.
I remember Heather.
Do your questions have anything to do with Robert Carter? Um possibly.
We're looking for a guy who knew her.
He went by the name Ravi.
The fact that he began using that name, is one of the reasons that we dissolved our partnership and closed the doors on New Dawn Ministries many years ago.
We think he may have murdered a teenage girl.
Anything that you can tell us would help.
At the dissolution of our partnership, I signed a non-disparagement clause.
An NDA is rendered unenforceable when the protected party dies.
The Devil never dies.
You're saying he's still alive? Look, if you help us, we can ensure you will face no legal ramifications.
Sunshine Church is a place of joy and harmony.
Has nothing to do with New Dawn Ministries.
My association with Robert Carter [SCOFFS.]
almost destroyed everything I built once.
I won't chance that again.
Now, if you'll excuse me.
EASY: Where are we on the Hector Costa case? I know this guy in Joliet, he's stacking time for burglaries.
Oh, so I show him all the pictures from the crime scene, and right away he pegs it - as a rank amateur.
- Why? No one would ransack a house in the middle of the night.
It's gonna wake up all the neighbors.
- Right? - Mm-hmm.
Wrong.
I combed the file.
Not one noise complaint - from that night.
- Which means? Which means it wasn't a burglary.
It was set up to look like a burglary.
Like this.
You see this bedside table? Looks like it was knocked over when the burglar came through the window, right? But check out the crystal lamp on the ground.
- Why isn't it broken? - Because it wasn't knocked over, it was placed there carefully and quietly.
All right, so if this wasn't a random burglary gone wrong, it wasn't a random killing.
This was personal.
I like the husband for this.
VIOLET: But the cops vetted him.
His alibi checked out.
He was on a business trip.
BODIE: Oh, come on.
You see how hinky he was acting at the trial? That's the world's biggest dick.
No, this hearing is making a mockery of my wife's death.
Yeah, a dick that was 300 miles away at a trade convention.
280.
Last time he was seen was around midnight at the hotel.
Let's say he drives 85 miles per hour.
That gives him three hours to get home, two hours to kill the missus and stage the crime scene.
Then three hours to drive back just in time to be seen at the breakfast buffet.
- It's a stretch.
- Yeah, it's a stretch, but it's possible, and that's what matters.
No, what matters is if it's provable.
- Ah.
- Oh, it's provable.
I'm on it.
Actually, this is gonna take a while.
I mean, with your sitch and everything, maybe I should should just stay here.
No, my Seriously, go.
Hey, my sitch is totally fine.
[EXHALES.]
Okay, I guess we're gonna talk about it.
I could go back to jail.
- No, that's not gonna happen.
- Not a chance.
We don't know what Bellows has up his sleeve and we still haven't found Levi.
I'm gonna say this once, 'cause I know that if I'm convicted, you guys are gonna fight for me until the end of time.
I love you for it, but I don't want that.
What are you talking about? I'm talking about this place.
The dozens of wrongfully convicted that we've exonerated, the hundreds more that we could help.
I want you to focus on them.
We can do both.
VIOLET: Not that we're going to have to, because you're not going to jail, Maddie.
Bodie, you have somewhere to be, right? Go be there.
Okay.
It's gonna be okay.
What do we got? Do we have anything more concrete on Robert Carter? VIOLET: Didn't turn up much.
He's definitely a con man.
A few arrests but only one felony, for possession with intent.
And no connection to Rosemary or the crime scene? Not yet.
And after Rosemary's death all evidence, records of him just basically vanishes.
Only supporting the theory that he's dead.
Great.
What about Sarah? She'll give us an affidavit, probably even testify, but her testimony only gets us so far.
MADELINE: Right.
She left early, the night of the campout, which means she wasn't there at the time of Rosemary's death and she never saw Heather or Ravi Carter be violent.
- We need more.
- Hmm.
What about the other cult girl? Linda Barrett? Let's find her.
Okay.
["FREE RIDE" BY EDGAR WINTER GROUP PLAYING.]
The mountain is high, the valley is low And you're confused on which way to go So come on and take a free ride Free ride Come on and sit here by my side You own this joint? You recognize this guy? He might've stopped for gas here about, I don't know, five years ago? You ever see this guy? You recognize this guy? Have you ever seen this dude before? All over the country, I've seen it the same Have you ever seen this guy before? Nobody's winning Can you look again? We gotta do better, it's time to begin You know all the answers Hey, dude.
Let me get, uh, $20 on pump three, yeah? And I also got this bladder-buster-sized cherry Slurpee.
Oh, by the way, have you seen this guy? I don't know.
Have I? Yep.
I don't blame you.
[SIGHS.]
MADELINE: Hey, Linda.
Funny bumping into you here.
Hysterical.
I need to ask you a few questions.
We're in the middle of something.
A nervous tic I can ask you here if you want.
Got no time to waste Know what? I'll be right back, you guys.
Another shifty tail That's my partner Easy.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
I ain't no whipping boy A cheap punch line to your dirty joke I already told you guys everything I know about Rosemary.
Not everything, Linda.
We got it all.
Ravi, the cult, the drugs.
- We just need a witness.
- EASY: And if you don't step up, Madeline goes back to prison for the rest of her life for something we all know she didn't do.
Did you meet up with the other girls the night Rosemary was killed? Yeah.
At the quarry? And the guy Ravi was there? He was supposed to be, but I never saw him.
Heather told us that he canceled.
But then, when you and Levi found Rosemary's body the next morning, it didn't feel like a coincidence, you know? Do you think Ravi killed Rosemary? To the end of my rope [QUIETLY.]
: I'm so sorry.
Linda, I need you to testify.
- If you don't, I - I know.
Okay? I'll testify.
Oh, oh It was around 5:00 a.
m.
The guy bought a full tank of gas, paid cash inside.
And do you see the person you sold gas to that morning sitting in court today? I do.
Right there.
[GALLERY GASPING.]
EASY: Your Honor, let the record reflect the witness has indicated the victim's husband, Stephen Brennan.
GLEASON: So reflected.
WARREN: How many customers do you serve at the counter every day? - Maybe a hundred? - Hundred.
Wow.
Okay, so, five shifts a week, that's 500 people a week.
Over the course of five years, that's 130,000 people.
If you say so.
Well, they all must blur together, right? Sure.
But I remember that guy specifically.
Uh, why is that, Mr.
Harkins? Because he drove off with the gas pump still in his car.
Dislodged the hose from the tank.
We had a whole argument about what an idiot he was.
Turns out he was in a rush - 'cause he just murdered his wife.
- Objection.
Sustained.
Mr.
Harkins, please don't draw any conclusions.
Yep.
Definitely him.
Uh, Your Honor, defense moves for a directed verdict.
Your Honor, Stephen Brennan has just confessed to murdering his wife.
The State moves to dismiss all charges against Mr.
Costa.
GLEASON: In that case, Mr.
Costa, you are free to go.
[WHISPERS.]
: Enjoy your freedom.
I'll make sure his DACA status is reinstated.
Thanks.
Hey, Easy nice job.
And I hope everything works out for Madeline.
[LAUGHTER.]
Mr.
Boudreau, you've had your three days.
Please enlighten us about Robert Carter, aka the Prophet Ravi, and this cult of his.
Your Honor, the alleged facts in this case do not support use of the word "cult," a word chosen by counsel solely for its incendiary value.
Uh, Robert Carter cofounded New Dawn Ministries, a for-profit religious organization identified as a cult by leading experts in the field.
JUDGE: Tell me, Ms.
Scott, are you present today in the role of defendant or pro se counsel? And if the latter, what role will the dapper gentleman at your side be playing? Apologies, Your Honor.
Old habits.
EASY: After being forced out of New Dawn, Carter founded the Emergent Light Temple.
Despite the grandiose name, the temple amounted to little more than a farmhouse basement where he exploited dozens of underage girls.
- What's your evidence? - We have sworn affidavits of two of Carter's victims Sarah Tawney and Linda Barrett, both classmates of Rosemary Lynch and Ms.
Scott.
Ms.
Barrett was present the night of the murder and testified at my client's first trial.
Your Honor, I'm at a bit of a loss.
We have two witnesses who are not here and a nefarious cult leader who is conveniently deceased, thus, likewise, unavailable for a cross-examination.
JUDGE: Mr.
Boudreau, can you provide any independent evidence that corroborates your witnesses' written statements? We can.
Reverend Malloy, the cofounder of New Dawn Ministries with Robert Carter, will testify in open court that Robert Carter was forced out of New Dawn due to allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct with underage girls.
Statutory rape is a serious crime but not necessarily a violent one.
Drug-facilitated aggravated rape is, however, categorized as a violent felony.
He drugged these girls? With a notorious date rape drug, gamma hydroxybutyrate, aka GHB.
This is nonsense.
How on earth do you propose to support that claim? We didn't even screen for GHB 18 years ago.
Well, you may not have, but La Grange High School did.
Sorry, Your Honor, it's last time.
JUDGE: We're still one degree of separation from your victim.
Can you connect Robert Carter with Rosemary Lynch? Through the crime scene, Your Honor.
Ms.
Barrett's statement places him in the quarry the night Ms.
Lynch was killed.
Okay, Mr.
Boudreau, I'm satisfied, vis-Ã -vis Robert Carter.
You may present him as an alternative suspect to the jury.
How does your second proffered suspect, Ms.
Heather Dupinski, fit into this? Ms.
Dupinski perjured herself at my client's first trial, offering devastating and false testimony against Madeline and Levi Scott.
That testimony was found by a jury to be highly credible, as well as Ms.
Dupinski's confirmed alibi.
Her alibi was confirmed by Linda Barrett, who now admits it to be a complete fabrication.
Did you have anything else, Mr.
Bellows, or are you ready to quit while you're behind? You shouldn't have let my sister get anywhere near him.
What am I supposed to do, Nikki drag him away kicking and screaming? Yes.
Yes, that's exactly what you're supposed to do.
Look, parenting isn't about letting the kid just do whatever he wants.
If he could make his own decisions, he wouldn't need us.
- Okay, I get it, but - But what? She's his mother, Nikki.
Yeah, yeah, she gave birth to him.
And she screwed up every single chance she's had to be his actual mom, which is why I got to fight like hell to retain custody.
She filed, Bodie.
- Whoa - She wants to take Nathan from me.
I don't know, maybe you guys can work out some kind of an arrangement.
No, no, no, there's nothing we can work out.
No, the second she's the second she's got him alone, she'll kidnap him and he'll end up in some crack house somewhere, okay? I-I'm not kidding.
I'm never gonna see him again.
She's a lost cause, Bodie, and you falling for her charms is the worst thing for Nathan.
I didn't fall for her charms.
I get it now.
Do you? 'Cause I'm, uh I don't know, I'm starting to wonder whether bringing you into his life was the right call.
It was the right call, okay? It was.
I'm gonna prove it to you.
All right? I'm gonna do everything I can to make sure that Nathan stays in your life.
I promise.
I'm trusting you, Bodie.
Good.
Good.
We got this.
I imagine you know why I've asked you here.
Uh, you've decided to drop all the charges and resign from your office in disgrace? [LAUGHS.]
That's your offer? 20 years? After yesterday's hearing? With time served, it's effectively ten.
It's a gift.
It's a joke.
- You're welcome to counter.
- Not guilty.
And a guarantee against future prosecution of Madeline and her brother, and we agree not to sue you for malicious prosecution.
Let's go.
He's got nothing.
I've got everything.
I've got Levi.
You arrested him? [STAMMERS.]
We filed a habeas writ.
He wasn't arrested.
He's in protective custody.
He doesn't need any guarantees against future prosecution because he has already been granted immunity for testifying against you.
I think that I might even be able to be a good example for Nathan.
You really think that Rosemary joined a cult? - MADELINE: Who else is there? - LEVI: Sarah Tawney.
We're trying to figure out what the "R" stood for.
I'm guessing your cult leader, Ravi? BELLOWS: If he can give you some evidence that might help reopen Rosemary's murder case you could find yourself sitting second chair in the biggest trial of the year.
Madeline chased after Rosemary.
She was carrying that lantern.
Madeline Scott, you are under arrest for the murder of Rosemary Lynch.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
Good morning.
Yesterday my office executed an arrest warrant for Madeline Scott for the murder of 17-year-old Rosemary Lynch.
Ten years ago, her conviction was regrettably vacated, but this office my office has always been convinced of her guilt.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
Right now, Madeline Scott is in prison, awaiting bail.
As a prosecutor, it's my job to produce credible evidence of guilt beyond any reasonable doubt.
I promise you today, I will do that.
- What the hell's going on in here? - Contraband search.
You can rip my room apart all you want, but you can't take my personal belongings, okay? I'm entitled papers, pens and my case files.
Because unlike our original trial, we are now 100% sure we have the weapon Madeline Scott used to murder Rosemary Lynch.
Please, look you need to give those back.
Hey You're not going nowhere, so bitch and moan to someone who cares.
Justice will finally be served.
The Lynch family will finally have closure, because the monster who murdered their loved one will spend the rest of her life behind bars.
VIOLET: First off, I want to thank all the thousands of Madeline Scott supporters who have phoned and e-mailed with their good wishes and even started a GoFundMe campaign.
Madeline's bond hearing is set, so she will be out and working on her defense against these baseless charges.
With your help, she will finally prove her innocence once and for all.
[KEYBOARD CLICKS.]
[CHUCKLES.]
: And speaking of innocence, the fight against injustice never stops.
Tomorrow we fight for Hector Costa, a 23-year-old Dreamer whose mother brought him here.
They fled El Salvador after his father was hacked to death by MS-13.
After being wrongfully convicted of murdering his favorite high school teacher, Hector has spent the last five years in prison.
Looking good, Hector.
How you feeling? Nervous.
But, you know, okay.
- Ready for this to be over.
- I bet.
I spoke to your family.
They all send their prayers, can't wait to bring you home.
You know, none of this makes sense, Mr.
Boudreau.
Why would I want to hurt Mrs.
Brennan? She helped me get good grades.
I was going to college.
I know.
Why would anybody want to hurt her? Then the police came and arrested me.
Hey, hey, don't worry.
Their case is weak, and we've got everything we need to overturn the conviction, Hector.
I hope so.
Did Mom bring the suit? She was supposed to give it to you.
No, she brought it, but you can't wear it today.
It's a hearing, and you're still convicted in the eyes of Judge Gleason.
It's not fair, but How am I supposed to convince the judge I didn't do this if all she sees is a convict? It's not your job to convince the judge, it's mine.
But what you can do is sit up straight, keep your head up, and look the judge in the eye and let her know there's more to you than just clothes.
Much more, all right? Dr.
Lovatt, according to the state, Hector Costa killed Barbara Brennan in a burglary gone wrong.
The only physical evidence linking Hector to the burglary was Mrs.
Brennan's stolen laptop, which was found in his possession.
Based on the computer's Internet history, he'd been using the device at his family's apartment for several weeks prior to the murder.
And that supports Hector's contention that Mrs.
Brennan had given him her old laptop as a gift to reward his hard work in her tutoring classes.
Objection, Your Honor.
Lack of foundation.
The computer's hard drive had been deleted.
There's no way this witness has any You'll get your chance to cross in a moment, Counsel.
- Continue, Mr.
Boudreau.
- Thank you, Your Honor.
Now, given that police accidentally erased the computer's hard drive, how can you be sure Mrs.
Brennan's laptop was in Hector's possession weeks before the burglary? LOVATT: Hector set the computer to send and receive text messages.
When the computer connected to the apartment's Wi-Fi, it operated like an additional cell phone.
The family's cell phone records supported that.
If anyone cared about that young man, they'd have found it.
Objection, Your Honor.
Dr.
Lovatt is not an expert in police investigation.
GLEASON: Sustained.
- You people are disgraceful.
- [GALLERY MURMURING.]
You should all be ashamed of yourselves.
Steve, let me handle this.
This hearing is making a mockery of my wife's death! Mr.
Brennan, I understand your anguish, but if you want to remain in my courtroom, you'll compose yourself.
You got to get me out of here.
I'm starting to feel really useless.
- I should have seen this coming.
- How? After 16 years, Bellows finds a murder weapon? No one could predict that.
I know, I just feel like I let you down.
Well, you didn't.
I saw his press conference.
It's all just empty bluster.
I actually think the whole thing is just a campaign stunt.
Why do you think he called Levi a person of interest? You sure he's not in lockup? I went by County.
C.
O.
checked, they don't have him.
Maybe he freaked and bolted when he found out I got arrested? [KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
[LOCK CLICKING.]
Levi? You know, you should really invest in a more expensive lock, buddy.
[EXHALES.]
Where the hell are you, Levi? [WALLET THUDS.]
Talk to me about the office.
What's, uh, what's going on with our cases? Where are we? Uh, we're gonna get a continuance on most.
Uh, the judges understand the circumstances.
Most judges? I have to attend the Hector Costa hearing.
- We're ready? - More than ready.
- It's Judge Gleason, right? - Mm-hmm.
You don't know her like I do.
She's fair-minded, but she can have her moods, - so, you know, if you - Hey hey.
I got this.
The only case you need to worry about is yours.
Now, the outcome's gonna be very different this time.
No jury's gonna convict you once they hear that the victim was involved in a sex cult that was led by a serial rapist and a pedophile.
An as-yet-identified serial rapist.
We're gonna need a lot more than the name Ravi if we're gonna name him as an alternative suspect.
We'll ID him and then we'll find him.
Okay, and we're gonna need one of the girls involved to testify, or the Maddie, we're all over it.
Why don't you go back and get some rest? I know you.
You're gonna want to hit the ground running when you get out of here tomorrow.
BODIE: So you were the last one to speak to Levi.
Did he tell you where he was going? No.
I haven't heard from him.
I-I thought he got arrested, too.
No, he's missing.
What did you two talk about? Uh, we were talking about Rosemary.
He was trying to figure out if this group of girls from high school had anything to do with her death.
And by "group of girls," you mean the cult? [PHONE RINGING.]
Levi told Madeline all about what was happening to you girls.
It was Heather and some guy named Ravi.
What did you tell Levi? We've tracked down more than 20 girls that this creep abused, and you're the only one whose life wasn't completely wrecked by the trauma.
I have tomorrow off.
Call me and I will meet you at Sparrow Ridge.
I'll tell you what I know.
Thank you.
Mr.
Granados, the morning Mrs.
Brennan was killed, you were working at a neighbor's house across the street, correct? I was working, yes.
I was there.
Did you see Hector Costa that morning? SÃ Uh, yes.
The prosecution alleges, that Hector killed.
Mrs.
Brennan at 4:00 a.
m.
M and M results determine that as the time of death.
Is that when you saw Hector arrive at the house? No.
At 4:00 a.
m.
I am sleeping.
I arrived at 7:00, and I see the boy arrive then, too.
You saw Hector arrive at the Brennan house at 7:00 a.
m.
? Yes.
Not 4:00 a.
m.
No way.
Thank you.
GLEASON: The facts don't add up here.
There are timeline problems, motive issues.
If the State has overwhelming evidence of Mr.
Costa's guilt, it should be no problem to try him again and win another conviction.
Petitioner's motion for a new trial is granted.
- [GAVEL BANGS.]
- No.
Don't do this.
- He's-he's a murderer! - EASY: Your Honor, we request a reasonable bond while awaiting trial.
Agreed.
Bond is set for $100,000.
Oh This is just the beginning, Mrs.
Costa.
We'll prove Hector's innocence at a new trial.
ICE OFFICER: Immigration.
Hector Costa, you're being detained pending removal.
- ISIDORA: Where? -El Salvador, ma'am.
- EASY: Listen, there's no need - to do that.
- Hey, step aside.
I haven't been there since I was a baby, man.
EASY: What are you doing? You're treating him like a criminal.
- Sir - Hey, listen, stay calm, Hector.
We'll straighten this out.
- Don't worry.
- I need you to stay back.
- [INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
- I need you to settle down.
You did this.
Me? What are you talking about? You lost the hearing and then you contacted ICE.
I didn't call anyone.
This is the first I'm hearing about this.
ISIDORA: Mr.
Boudreau, please.
MS-13 will kill him in El Salvador.
I won't let them deport him, and that's a promise.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
BAILIFF: Deportation order number 3217, make your appearance.
JUDGE: Everybody settle down.
MAN: We'll call you when we need you.
[VOICES QUIET DOWN.]
Leonardo Gonzalez, do you understand this proceeding? Leonardo Gonzalez was separated from his parents.
They're in process to go back to Guatemala.
Leonardo, have you talked to an immigration attorney? Settle down, guys.
Ezekiel Boudreau, substituting in for petitioner's counsel.
Aren't you here on another matter, Mr.
Boudreau? I am, Your Honor, but I'm stepping in, to add a dose of common sense.
What are we asking a four-year-old if he has an attorney, or if he understands what's going on in this place? We move to reunite the petitioner with his parents.
That's inconsistent with policy.
That policy is nonsense, Your Honor.
Where are his parents right now, Ms.
Riley? We're not sure at this time.
Well, find out.
To the next attorney general.
[CHUCKLING.]
: Well just a second, let's not get carried away, we still got a lot of work to do.
Although And we have a murder trial to win, which I'm feeling pretty good about.
- Hear, hear.
- OTHERS: Hear, hear.
Thank you.
Thank you all.
Can I talk to you for a moment? Yes, of course.
Um, everybody, I'm afraid, um we need the room.
Thanks for this, and, um, get back to work.
[CHUCKLES.]
- [DOOR CLOSES.]
- I'm a little concerned about my staged intimacy with Levi Scott.
Well, your investigation.
was tangential at best to this case.
But what you did is a clear ethics violation.
And if you put Levi on the stand, the defense will discover everything.
- They won't.
- How could they not? I'm sitting second chair.
He's gonna recognize me in the courtroom.
About that I can't make you second chair.
In fact, I have to let you go.
What? I'm trying to protect you, Isabel, and the case.
What you did was helpful to our efforts, but it would certainly cause a problem now.
With you gone, all hands are clean.
You wanted me to do this.
I don't recall every detail of our conversation, but I think it's best for both of us if we terminate our professional relationship.
I will call you soon.
Security will help you clean out your office.
What makes you think I'm not just gonna tell the defense about everything and destroy your case? Because if you do that, you'll be disbarred.
I will claim no knowledge of your actions and leave you to the pathetic prospects of waitressing and watching reality TV.
How could you? Isabel, I pulled you from obscurity when you were a child.
I can put you right back in.
Or you can go away quietly now, for a year, and find yourself in a job at the attorney general's office after things have cooled down.
Be smart, Isabel.
It's how you got here.
EASY: I have co-counsel at this hearing, Your Honor.
I'm Gerald Warren, assistant state's attorney for Cook County, lead prosecutor in The State of Illinois v.
Hector Costa.
You sure you're standing at the right table, Mr.
Prosecutor? Yes, Your Honor.
For the purposes of today's proceedings, I will be appearing on behalf of petitioner.
We both want the petitioner to stay here and stand trial.
Petitioner's on his way back to El Salvador, Mr.
Warren.
Why not take the easy win? Well, many in my shoes have, Your Honor.
In fact, MS-13 as an entity was created by California prosecutors who chose to deport instead of try and punish violent aliens.
I have no interest in continuing this naive and ignoble tradition.
Mr.
Boudreau, your client would rather face a murder trial than hop a free plane ride home? America is Mr.
Costa's home, Your Honor.
It has been since he was three years old.
He was living here lawfully as a Dreamer until he was wrongfully accused of this crime.
Mr.
Costa views this trial as an opportunity to prove his innocence.
At which time we will return to your courtroom and ask you to reinstate his docket status.
Ms.
Riley, any objections? It is always in the interest of public safety to remove violent criminals as quickly as possible.
JUDGE: And where is petitioner now? Cook County Correctional Facility.
And we are no longer seeking release on bond, Your Honor.
That pretty much undercuts your public safety argument, Ms.
Riley.
Petitioner's stay of removal is hereby granted.
- Game on.
- See you in court.
Mm-hmm.
[LOCK BUZZES, LATCH CLICKS.]
[CHUCKLES.]
How's my girl? [SIGHS.]
Little freaked out, actually.
How's everyone at the office? The same.
No one's sleeping or eating.
We're all on edge.
But we are using that fear to work that much harder.
We've gone over the entire case, and we're waiting for police investigation reports.
A lot of people love you, Maddie.
Tell them not to worry.
Tell them I'm making bail, and - then we're gonna win this.
- Mm-hmm.
- Wren, what if - No.
We're not going there.
You know as well as I do, negative thoughts cripple people in here.
You are not calling this place home again.
I won't let you.
Even if I have to Shawshank you out of here.
[BOTH LAUGH.]
Any sign of Levi? Not yet, but we'll keep looking until we find him.
Promise.
- Don't let him get to you.
- Hmm.
BELLOWS: The People request there be no bond in this case.
Defendant is an officer of the court and a member of the Illinois Bar with an extensive professional and personal connection to the community.
JUDGE: Mr.
Bellows, I take it you wouldn't be asking for a no-bond ruling without significant cause? As a lawyer, Ms.
Scott is uniquely aware that she faces the overwhelming probability that she will be convicted and spend the rest of her natural life in prison.
JUDGE: Mr.
Boudreau, that likelihood of conviction is a key factor in determining flight risk.
Is there anything you can add to convince this court that Ms.
Scott may not face conviction? At trial, we will not only prove Ms.
Scott's innocence but also, for the first time, identify the true killer or Rosemary Lynch.
In fact, we have identified alternative suspects, including the state's star witness, Heather Dupinski, now Heather Husband, and the deranged leader of a sex cult that preyed on underage teenage girls.
Defense counsel's firm has earned its name by propagating ungrounded salacious allegations that do not belong in a courtroom.
Oh, well, that's funny, considering the entire re-arrest of my client is nothing more than a campaign-motivated publicity stunt.
Enough.
Counsel approach.
Since you both have displayed such a fair-minded and unprejudiced spirit, I've decided to split the difference and give you one each.
Counselor, you'll get your bond.
- Yes, Your Honor, thank you.
- On the other hand, I share Mr.
Bellows' concerns about these rather sensational alternative suspects you plan to present.
At trial we will back our allegations with concrete evidence and firsthand witness testimony.
No.
You'll present your evidence and your witnesses, to me in a pre-trial hearing away from the prying eyes of the press.
If you have the goods, you can proceed with your stated trial strategy.
I'll need time to prepare a presentation.
- Three weeks would be ideal - You'll have three days, Counselor.
Now both of you, go.
What? Nothing.
We just have three days to prove our case.
JUDGE: Bond is set for $500,000.
We're done for the day.
- Good evening.
- [GAVEL BANGS.]
When I asked you to testify, why didn't you tell me about this cult? "Cult" is a derogatory word used by narrow-minded people who are not open to the enlightenment that shines within others.
Okay.
If this cult and that's what it was, a cult if this cult existed, then they have a viable narrative for an alternative suspect.
A few girls hanging out and taking drugs isn't a cult.
It's just high school.
There was an older man hanging around, too.
Correct? Was he having sex with the girls? Listen to me, Heather.
The defense is gonna paint you as the number two of this cult, a sex recruiter for this deranged leader.
If they implicate the leader, they will implicate you.
Ravi left town before the night Rosemary was murdered.
Now you're getting it.
I hadn't seen him in weeks.
He was just some random loser trying to scam high school girls.
He had nothing to do with her death.
None of us did.
If you blame this on a group of girls hanging out, that means that literally any girl in America could have killed Rosemary Lynch.
But not any girl did, did they? No.
It was Madeline Scott.
The defense rests.
MADELINE: Sarah, thanks again for meeting us here.
No worries.
This place used to be filled with stuff.
Pillows and beds.
I only got involved with Ravi and this place pretty late senior year, unlike the other girls.
BODIE: When you say other girls were involved what did that entail? We had sex with him, if that's what you're asking.
Both alone and sometimes together.
I'm sure it's really hard to talk about.
I've come to terms with it.
We were young, dumb and high.
How about the Adderall? We used it to stay skinny for Ravi.
Were there other drugs? What else were you guys on? Ravi said he had a degree in Chinese medicine.
Gave us herbal tea and supplements all the time.
The tea ceremonies made being in this place, being with Ravi feel rapturous.
We worshipped Ravi.
That includes Rosemary.
I remember she was so intense.
She quickly became Ravi's favorite.
Ravi was obviously a serial rapist.
And possibly a murderer.
But to prove that, we need to know more about his background.
Starting with his full name.
Ravi or Prophet Ravi is the only name I ever heard.
That didn't seem strange to you? No.
It was kind of part of his allure.
He was a mystic.
Um, one of a kind.
At least to some drugged-up 17-year-olds, he was.
Anything that you can tell us might help us track him down.
Wh-Where he was from, where he lived.
If anybody would know this kind of stuff, it's Heather.
She was like his first lieutenant.
MADELINE: Yeah, Heather's the star witness for the prosecution, so I don't think she's gonna be volunteering to enlighten us.
How did that happen? How did Heather end up being the one in charge? She knew him first.
Heather brought Ravi to La Grange.
Helped him find this place.
Wait, so, if Heather brought Ravi here, then do you know where Heather met Ravi? I think at some church in Downers Grove.
[STAMMERS.]
Do you remember the name? Yeah, um Tomorrow or New Day or um, uh, wait.
It was called New Dawn Ministries.
Sarah, I know this is a lot to ask, but we're hoping you'll testify to all of this.
Um yeah.
Glad I can finally help.
EASY: Your Honor, Alberto Granados, the eyewitness who provided my client's alibi, has just been deported.
I'd like to admit his prior testimony.
You saw Hector arrive at 7:00 a.
m.
? Yes.
Let me get this straight.
First your client gets deported, now your star witness? Your Honor, under People v.
Hellenbrand, if a witness is rendered unavailable by an opposing party, his prior testimony can come in.
My witness was intentionally removed from this jurisdiction.
The prosecution alerted ICE about his citizenship status Okay, there has been no adjudication of the truth of Granados' claims, and Mr.
Boudreau's accusations are just outrageous.
The State had nothing to do with the deportation of Mr.
Granados by agents of ICE.
This court denies Defendant's motion.
I-If you can find Mr.
Granados, he can testify.
But his statement sworn or not, it's out.
Sorry, Boudreau, but it wasn't me.
Maybe if you weren't so hung up on your law partner You're lying.
But I'll win anyway.
Hector Costa's case went from slam dunk to disaster.
Granados was deported.
So, if the prosecutor didn't turn your witness in to ICE, who did? Good question.
Maybe it was the real killer.
EASY: Any idea on where to find him? Maybe.
[PHONE RINGING, BUZZING.]
Let me do some digging.
Hello.
What's up, girl? [NIKKI SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY OVER PHONE.]
I'm working, why? Yes, Nikki, I'm committed to you.
Right, right.
No, no, no, no.
I'm gonna pick him up from school.
I didn't forget.
Yeah, I'm on my way right now.
I'm almost there.
- Do you like him? Yeah? - Yeah.
- What are you gonna name him? - Hmm, Hawk.
Hawk? [LAUGHS.]
What's his superpower? - NATHAN: Lasers.
- Lasers? How you doing? I've missed you, buddy.
- How's Nikki doing? - Good.
- Hey, Nathan.
- Oh, hi, Uncle Bodie.
- This is my mom.
- Nathan was just telling me about you.
I'm Daniella, Nikki's sister.
I'm, uh I'm not supposed to be here.
No, no, you're not.
Let's go do something fun today, yeah? NATHAN: Okay.
Watch your step, it's slippery here.
- You got it? - Yep.
All right, cool.
I'm sure that Nikki hasn't said the nicest things about me.
Well, I mean, you know.
She's a cop and you're a junkie, so, no.
I've been clean for ten months now.
I think I deserve to see my son.
Well, that's not up to me.
At all.
So, good luck.
- Bye, Nathan.
- NATHAN: Bye, Mom.
I'll see you soon, okay? Okay, bye.
Hey, would you just talk to Nikki for me? Please? I'm getting worried, Gore.
This whole cult thing is a great story, people are eating it up.
I spent a fortune on you winning and I'm eating it up.
This is a serious problem.
I've got it covered.
Is it salacious? Yes.
But it's just an absurd and desperate attempt to find an alternative suspect.
You sure about that? The original trial that was all about sex.
The word "cult" fits right into that narrative.
So does the word "guilty.
" Oh, I hope so.
The arrest did wonders for your numbers, but if she's found not guilty it's gonna sink more than just your campaign.
Excuse me? You're gonna look like a lunatic.
Or a monster.
You know, to to retry her after all these years and then get it wrong.
Again.
I told you, don't worry.
I've got it under control.
WOMAN: Welcome to Sunshine Church.
I am Reverend Malloy.
Ezekiel Boudreau.
This is my partner Madeline Scott.
Are you two looking for a new church? We have an excellent pre-marriage counseling program.
- Oh.
- [CHUCKLES.]
No, he actually means we're law partners.
I see.
So how can I help you? We wanted to ask you about Heather Dupinski.
She was a congregant at New Dawn Ministries.
That's your former church, right? Yes.
You must've looked me up.
I remember Heather.
Do your questions have anything to do with Robert Carter? Um possibly.
We're looking for a guy who knew her.
He went by the name Ravi.
The fact that he began using that name, is one of the reasons that we dissolved our partnership and closed the doors on New Dawn Ministries many years ago.
We think he may have murdered a teenage girl.
Anything that you can tell us would help.
At the dissolution of our partnership, I signed a non-disparagement clause.
An NDA is rendered unenforceable when the protected party dies.
The Devil never dies.
You're saying he's still alive? Look, if you help us, we can ensure you will face no legal ramifications.
Sunshine Church is a place of joy and harmony.
Has nothing to do with New Dawn Ministries.
My association with Robert Carter [SCOFFS.]
almost destroyed everything I built once.
I won't chance that again.
Now, if you'll excuse me.
EASY: Where are we on the Hector Costa case? I know this guy in Joliet, he's stacking time for burglaries.
Oh, so I show him all the pictures from the crime scene, and right away he pegs it - as a rank amateur.
- Why? No one would ransack a house in the middle of the night.
It's gonna wake up all the neighbors.
- Right? - Mm-hmm.
Wrong.
I combed the file.
Not one noise complaint - from that night.
- Which means? Which means it wasn't a burglary.
It was set up to look like a burglary.
Like this.
You see this bedside table? Looks like it was knocked over when the burglar came through the window, right? But check out the crystal lamp on the ground.
- Why isn't it broken? - Because it wasn't knocked over, it was placed there carefully and quietly.
All right, so if this wasn't a random burglary gone wrong, it wasn't a random killing.
This was personal.
I like the husband for this.
VIOLET: But the cops vetted him.
His alibi checked out.
He was on a business trip.
BODIE: Oh, come on.
You see how hinky he was acting at the trial? That's the world's biggest dick.
No, this hearing is making a mockery of my wife's death.
Yeah, a dick that was 300 miles away at a trade convention.
280.
Last time he was seen was around midnight at the hotel.
Let's say he drives 85 miles per hour.
That gives him three hours to get home, two hours to kill the missus and stage the crime scene.
Then three hours to drive back just in time to be seen at the breakfast buffet.
- It's a stretch.
- Yeah, it's a stretch, but it's possible, and that's what matters.
No, what matters is if it's provable.
- Ah.
- Oh, it's provable.
I'm on it.
Actually, this is gonna take a while.
I mean, with your sitch and everything, maybe I should should just stay here.
No, my Seriously, go.
Hey, my sitch is totally fine.
[EXHALES.]
Okay, I guess we're gonna talk about it.
I could go back to jail.
- No, that's not gonna happen.
- Not a chance.
We don't know what Bellows has up his sleeve and we still haven't found Levi.
I'm gonna say this once, 'cause I know that if I'm convicted, you guys are gonna fight for me until the end of time.
I love you for it, but I don't want that.
What are you talking about? I'm talking about this place.
The dozens of wrongfully convicted that we've exonerated, the hundreds more that we could help.
I want you to focus on them.
We can do both.
VIOLET: Not that we're going to have to, because you're not going to jail, Maddie.
Bodie, you have somewhere to be, right? Go be there.
Okay.
It's gonna be okay.
What do we got? Do we have anything more concrete on Robert Carter? VIOLET: Didn't turn up much.
He's definitely a con man.
A few arrests but only one felony, for possession with intent.
And no connection to Rosemary or the crime scene? Not yet.
And after Rosemary's death all evidence, records of him just basically vanishes.
Only supporting the theory that he's dead.
Great.
What about Sarah? She'll give us an affidavit, probably even testify, but her testimony only gets us so far.
MADELINE: Right.
She left early, the night of the campout, which means she wasn't there at the time of Rosemary's death and she never saw Heather or Ravi Carter be violent.
- We need more.
- Hmm.
What about the other cult girl? Linda Barrett? Let's find her.
Okay.
["FREE RIDE" BY EDGAR WINTER GROUP PLAYING.]
The mountain is high, the valley is low And you're confused on which way to go So come on and take a free ride Free ride Come on and sit here by my side You own this joint? You recognize this guy? He might've stopped for gas here about, I don't know, five years ago? You ever see this guy? You recognize this guy? Have you ever seen this dude before? All over the country, I've seen it the same Have you ever seen this guy before? Nobody's winning Can you look again? We gotta do better, it's time to begin You know all the answers Hey, dude.
Let me get, uh, $20 on pump three, yeah? And I also got this bladder-buster-sized cherry Slurpee.
Oh, by the way, have you seen this guy? I don't know.
Have I? Yep.
I don't blame you.
[SIGHS.]
MADELINE: Hey, Linda.
Funny bumping into you here.
Hysterical.
I need to ask you a few questions.
We're in the middle of something.
A nervous tic I can ask you here if you want.
Got no time to waste Know what? I'll be right back, you guys.
Another shifty tail That's my partner Easy.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
I ain't no whipping boy A cheap punch line to your dirty joke I already told you guys everything I know about Rosemary.
Not everything, Linda.
We got it all.
Ravi, the cult, the drugs.
- We just need a witness.
- EASY: And if you don't step up, Madeline goes back to prison for the rest of her life for something we all know she didn't do.
Did you meet up with the other girls the night Rosemary was killed? Yeah.
At the quarry? And the guy Ravi was there? He was supposed to be, but I never saw him.
Heather told us that he canceled.
But then, when you and Levi found Rosemary's body the next morning, it didn't feel like a coincidence, you know? Do you think Ravi killed Rosemary? To the end of my rope [QUIETLY.]
: I'm so sorry.
Linda, I need you to testify.
- If you don't, I - I know.
Okay? I'll testify.
Oh, oh It was around 5:00 a.
m.
The guy bought a full tank of gas, paid cash inside.
And do you see the person you sold gas to that morning sitting in court today? I do.
Right there.
[GALLERY GASPING.]
EASY: Your Honor, let the record reflect the witness has indicated the victim's husband, Stephen Brennan.
GLEASON: So reflected.
WARREN: How many customers do you serve at the counter every day? - Maybe a hundred? - Hundred.
Wow.
Okay, so, five shifts a week, that's 500 people a week.
Over the course of five years, that's 130,000 people.
If you say so.
Well, they all must blur together, right? Sure.
But I remember that guy specifically.
Uh, why is that, Mr.
Harkins? Because he drove off with the gas pump still in his car.
Dislodged the hose from the tank.
We had a whole argument about what an idiot he was.
Turns out he was in a rush - 'cause he just murdered his wife.
- Objection.
Sustained.
Mr.
Harkins, please don't draw any conclusions.
Yep.
Definitely him.
Uh, Your Honor, defense moves for a directed verdict.
Your Honor, Stephen Brennan has just confessed to murdering his wife.
The State moves to dismiss all charges against Mr.
Costa.
GLEASON: In that case, Mr.
Costa, you are free to go.
[WHISPERS.]
: Enjoy your freedom.
I'll make sure his DACA status is reinstated.
Thanks.
Hey, Easy nice job.
And I hope everything works out for Madeline.
[LAUGHTER.]
Mr.
Boudreau, you've had your three days.
Please enlighten us about Robert Carter, aka the Prophet Ravi, and this cult of his.
Your Honor, the alleged facts in this case do not support use of the word "cult," a word chosen by counsel solely for its incendiary value.
Uh, Robert Carter cofounded New Dawn Ministries, a for-profit religious organization identified as a cult by leading experts in the field.
JUDGE: Tell me, Ms.
Scott, are you present today in the role of defendant or pro se counsel? And if the latter, what role will the dapper gentleman at your side be playing? Apologies, Your Honor.
Old habits.
EASY: After being forced out of New Dawn, Carter founded the Emergent Light Temple.
Despite the grandiose name, the temple amounted to little more than a farmhouse basement where he exploited dozens of underage girls.
- What's your evidence? - We have sworn affidavits of two of Carter's victims Sarah Tawney and Linda Barrett, both classmates of Rosemary Lynch and Ms.
Scott.
Ms.
Barrett was present the night of the murder and testified at my client's first trial.
Your Honor, I'm at a bit of a loss.
We have two witnesses who are not here and a nefarious cult leader who is conveniently deceased, thus, likewise, unavailable for a cross-examination.
JUDGE: Mr.
Boudreau, can you provide any independent evidence that corroborates your witnesses' written statements? We can.
Reverend Malloy, the cofounder of New Dawn Ministries with Robert Carter, will testify in open court that Robert Carter was forced out of New Dawn due to allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct with underage girls.
Statutory rape is a serious crime but not necessarily a violent one.
Drug-facilitated aggravated rape is, however, categorized as a violent felony.
He drugged these girls? With a notorious date rape drug, gamma hydroxybutyrate, aka GHB.
This is nonsense.
How on earth do you propose to support that claim? We didn't even screen for GHB 18 years ago.
Well, you may not have, but La Grange High School did.
Sorry, Your Honor, it's last time.
JUDGE: We're still one degree of separation from your victim.
Can you connect Robert Carter with Rosemary Lynch? Through the crime scene, Your Honor.
Ms.
Barrett's statement places him in the quarry the night Ms.
Lynch was killed.
Okay, Mr.
Boudreau, I'm satisfied, vis-Ã -vis Robert Carter.
You may present him as an alternative suspect to the jury.
How does your second proffered suspect, Ms.
Heather Dupinski, fit into this? Ms.
Dupinski perjured herself at my client's first trial, offering devastating and false testimony against Madeline and Levi Scott.
That testimony was found by a jury to be highly credible, as well as Ms.
Dupinski's confirmed alibi.
Her alibi was confirmed by Linda Barrett, who now admits it to be a complete fabrication.
Did you have anything else, Mr.
Bellows, or are you ready to quit while you're behind? You shouldn't have let my sister get anywhere near him.
What am I supposed to do, Nikki drag him away kicking and screaming? Yes.
Yes, that's exactly what you're supposed to do.
Look, parenting isn't about letting the kid just do whatever he wants.
If he could make his own decisions, he wouldn't need us.
- Okay, I get it, but - But what? She's his mother, Nikki.
Yeah, yeah, she gave birth to him.
And she screwed up every single chance she's had to be his actual mom, which is why I got to fight like hell to retain custody.
She filed, Bodie.
- Whoa - She wants to take Nathan from me.
I don't know, maybe you guys can work out some kind of an arrangement.
No, no, no, there's nothing we can work out.
No, the second she's the second she's got him alone, she'll kidnap him and he'll end up in some crack house somewhere, okay? I-I'm not kidding.
I'm never gonna see him again.
She's a lost cause, Bodie, and you falling for her charms is the worst thing for Nathan.
I didn't fall for her charms.
I get it now.
Do you? 'Cause I'm, uh I don't know, I'm starting to wonder whether bringing you into his life was the right call.
It was the right call, okay? It was.
I'm gonna prove it to you.
All right? I'm gonna do everything I can to make sure that Nathan stays in your life.
I promise.
I'm trusting you, Bodie.
Good.
Good.
We got this.
I imagine you know why I've asked you here.
Uh, you've decided to drop all the charges and resign from your office in disgrace? [LAUGHS.]
That's your offer? 20 years? After yesterday's hearing? With time served, it's effectively ten.
It's a gift.
It's a joke.
- You're welcome to counter.
- Not guilty.
And a guarantee against future prosecution of Madeline and her brother, and we agree not to sue you for malicious prosecution.
Let's go.
He's got nothing.
I've got everything.
I've got Levi.
You arrested him? [STAMMERS.]
We filed a habeas writ.
He wasn't arrested.
He's in protective custody.
He doesn't need any guarantees against future prosecution because he has already been granted immunity for testifying against you.