The Guardian (2001) s02e01 Episode Script
Testimony
Previously on "The Guardian" I do more than just take off my clothes, Mr.
Fallin.
[Gunshot.]
Is there anyone who can confirm your account of the events? Mandy Gressler.
Sure she's alive? Last I saw.
You promised me a chance to work in a profitable law firm.
You never mentioned that you'd be stepping away to a federal bench.
My intention was that Nicholas would have my clients.
Then we need Nick.
I never included my son in this deal.
Here's my cell phone number.
When she contacts you, you call me.
Detective Darger, it's Nick Fallin.
I have Mandy Gressler in my apart MANDY: What are you doing?! [Screams.]
[Groans.]
[Grunts.]
[Cries out.]
NICK: Just wait.
MANDY: Let go of me! - Mandy, just calm down.
Let me go.
- You bastard! - Please stop it.
Calm Let me go! [Nick and Mandy grunting.]
NICK: Oh, my God.
NICK: L l I need an ambulance to 1980 Elsworth in Shadyside.
I have a woman, I think her heart is stopped.
Can you feel a pulse? Yeah, I'm feeling for a pulse.
She doesn't have a pulse.
Somebody's on the way.
Stay on the line.
I'll help you until paramedics arrive.
BURTON: Nick, you home? NICK, WHISPERING: Oh, God.
[Dial tone.]
[Knocks on door.]
Nick.
No.
- Son, listen - You can't be here.
[Sighs.]
When you, uh When you got arrested, things were not looking so good.
It turns out the D.
A.
Was gunning for ya.
He wasn't about to plea-bargain.
In fact, he was looking for 5 years minimum.
So I went to Caldwell to make a deal.
He agreed to talk to the D.
A.
, cut it down to a misdemeanor.
Dad, can we talk about this tomorrow? But listen to me.
Here's the problem.
I just found out that kid Lichtman knew all about it.
If he gives it up to other people, it could be very bad.
Dad, I can't talk about this now, OK? I cannot! Son, listen to me.
I just came over here to tell you first instead of them, OK? As far as they're concerned, they can go to hell, OK? All right, I've heard it.
I've heard it.
Just don't let them push you around.
I won't.
You know, y-y-y-you have to go Don't let them do that to ya.
Dad, you just got to go, all right? Just leave.
[Whispering.]
Just take care of yourself.
Just leave.
[Door opens and closes.]
[Footsteps.]
[Answering machine beeps.]
ANSWERING MACHINE: Friday, 5:31 P.
M.
MAN: Burton, it's Thomas Paul.
Congratulations again on the judgeship.
We should meet, discuss the swearing in.
I'm free tomorrow morning around 10:00.
Call me if that's good for you.
[Answering machine beeps.]
ANSWERING MACHINE: Friday, 8:17 P.
M.
WOMAN: Burton, it's cousin Ruth.
We just heard the amazing news.
We're all so proud of ya in Mount Aire.
[Phone ringing.]
Congratulations.
MAN: Hello? BURTON: Hey, Tom.
ANSWERING MACHINE: Friday, 9:41 P.
M.
I'm sorry you weren't there tonight.
NICK: Hey, Dad.
It's, uh It's Nick, uh I'm leaving you this message 'cause, uh I'm, uh you know, l l I I'm sorry.
I'm sorry for everything, and, uh, I just haven't, um I wanted to work with you 'cause I respect you, and I wanted to spend more time with you, and and I'm afraid that l-l-I 've just done what I usually do.
BURTON: All right, well, OK.
Thank you very much.
NICK: Dad, l l I just want you to know that that l l I love you, and and I just want to apologize.
[Answering machine beeps.]
[Siren wailing.]
Hold it! Hold it! [Siren wailing.]
What happened? What happened here? Overdose.
[Whispering.]
Oh, god.
- Where are they taking him? - Who? My son.
What hospital? It was a woman.
You can't come in here.
My son's This is my son's house.
I've got to see him.
- Who's your son? - Nicholas Fallin.
Your son was arrested, sir.
They took him down to County.
[Singing.]
Well, there is trouble in my mind There is dark There's dark, and there is light There is no order There is chaos And there is crime There is no one home tonight In the empire of my mind When there is trouble You will find You're all alone in your mind MAN: There is no probable cause to charge Nicholas Fallin with any crime.
Amanda Gressler appeared at his house uninvited.
She brought drugs onto the premises.
We don't contest that he struggled with her, but that was in self-defense.
Amanda Gressler's overdose was caused by her own cocaine, not by anything Nicholas Fallin did.
This is what we know.
[Clears throat.]
Miss Gressler and Mr.
Fallin fought.
She sustained injuries serious enough from that fight to be left in a coma on life support.
There was cocaine found in Mr.
Fallin's residence.
This is sufficient evidence to try the defendant for aggravated assault and possession of cocaine.
OK.
Yes.
I find that there is sufficient evidence as to all the counts charged.
We will hold the defendant to answer in courtroom "F" at 11:30 on the ninth of next month.
With regard to bail, your honor, Mr.
Fallin poses no danger of flight.
He owns a home and is well-known in Pittsburgh.
We ask that he be released on his own recognizance.
Counsel Finneran? Commonwealth has no objection.
MAN: Your honor.
JUDGE: Officer Desica, does the probation department have an interest in this case? DESICA: Yes, your honor.
Mr.
Fallin is in our custody due to a prior drug conviction.
Judge Handley has requested that we hold him pending a revocation hearing.
Your honor, there is absolutely no reason to keep Mr.
Fallin in jail.
Judge Handley's decision is reason enough.
[Gavel bangs.]
The court has the authority to hold you in custody.
L-l-l-let me get into it, Nick.
They got him in jail, David.
Well, they have that right.
They believe that he violated the terms of his probation.
And what if he did? Well, the judge can enforce Nick's original sentence from last year.
He'll start serving time before the criminal trial.
What what do we do now? [Sighs.]
Talk to Finneran.
I think we should try to make a deal.
Oh, I'm gonna be at that meeting.
No, Burton.
He won't negotiate with you sitting in the room.
I'm gonna be at that meeting.
BURTON: Hey, Tom.
- Burton, good to see ya.
- How are ya? How's Nick? Well, he's, uh He's got some problems, Tom and some are serious problems.
I'm very sorry to hear that.
Yeah, well Tom, I wanted to talk to you about this, uh, swearing in and the robing and so on.
I, um I would really appreciate it if we could put that on hold until after I deal with Nicholas.
Burton, you want to do this as soon as the senator and the chief judge are available.
I got them to agree to a date at the end of the month.
L I understand that, but I would really like him at the swearing in.
He's my my only family, and I just, uh Well, I want Nick to put the robe on me.
I'm sure you can find someone else to do that.
Well it's the tradition, Thomas.
You know that, and I know that.
It's a family thing, so I, uh I just I just want my son there.
If he's not available? We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Burton the political climate can change swiftly.
Ascending to the bench should be your priority right now.
Well, this has nothing to do with politics, Tom.
I'll let the senator know.
Will you? - Yes.
- Appreciate it.
Thank you very much.
- How's Mary? - Very good.
Thank you.
Will you be sure and say hi for me? - Absolutely.
- OK.
Thank you very much.
- Take care.
I think your experience will make you highly desirable as an immigration attorney, maybe even as a parent advocate.
Thank you.
Unfortunately, at this time, we don't have positions available for someone with your experience.
I'm ready to work in an office like this.
I have more courtroom experience than most of the guys who have been here for 10 years.
Well, I'm sure you're a terrific attorney, Mr.
Mooney.
Let's just keep talking, OK? Believe me, I wouldn't have had you in if I hadn't heard such good things.
I could start at the bottom.
First year associate.
Let me think about it.
[Knock on door.]
Your 3:00 is here, Mr.
Straka.
Thank you.
MOONEY: Thank you for your time.
Good to see ya, Jake.
It's gonna be drug delivery resulting in death.
Third degree murder.
She's not dead.
FINNERAN: She'll die.
Mandatory minimum is 5 years.
Minimum.
What are you offering? He pleads guilty to possession and assault.
He gets 3 years.
He could be out in 2.
BURTON: No.
No felony charges.
He takes the felony charge, he serves the full term of his last conviction.
Possession and assault.
Misdemeanor possession only.
and no amending the charges if the girl dies.
Uh, uh, no.
Look.
There's lots of ways for Mandy Gressler to get her hands on dope without going through my son.
Now, she doesn't exactly make the best victim for you to pin your hopes on, especially in front of a jury.
Two years.
Felony possession.
I drop everything regarding the girl and the drug delivery.
No felony charges.
This is the offer.
Take it or leave it.
No.
BELDON: It's a good deal, Nick.
You could be out in 14 months.
No.
I passed my drug test.
I have done nothing wrong.
If the girl dies before we make a deal, this will go to trial, and you could get 5 years.
You stop this thing before it gets to trial.
When when when is the probation revocation hearing? I'll find out.
Why? Use it.
If they can't get me there, they have very little chance of getting me at trial.
It's a risk.
It's a risk, but I can account for almost every minute of time before Mandy Gressler came to my house.
Except the moments just before her heart stopped.
She was high before she got to my house.
Now, if you can prove that, you will clear me of both charges.
Hey can l can I just have a minute talking with my father alone, please? Sure.
[Buzzer buzzes.]
[Door opens.]
You should stay away from this.
Nicholas.
It doesn't look good for you.
L l I can take care of it myself.
Son, Beldon is about as good as it gets around here.
He was on the team that got you through last No, you got me through this last time.
Well, all the more reason to take the deal, believe me.
I didn't do anything wrong.
[Sighs.]
[Sighs.]
All right.
Ok, I'll, uh [Buzzer buzzes.]
I'll bring you a suit, tie, and, uh shoes.
Yeah.
Amanda Gressler.
Her heart stopped due to an overdose.
The EMT's didn't arrive in time to prevent brain damage.
Well, you think she'll make it? She's on a respirator.
She's not going to wake up.
That's her room.
Rachel, um how long can you keep her alive? Sometimes they go for years.
Sometimes they go immediately.
BURTON: Thank you very much.
Always good to see you.
[Country music playing on radio.]
BURTON: Don't do that.
- What? - Hitchhike.
Why? 'Cause.
Getting in a car with a stranger is not Do you want to give me a ride? This is what I'm talking about.
Now you're in a car with a stranger.
You gonna do something bad to me? No.
What the hell are you listening to? Hey, leave that alone.
That happens to be a classic.
I saw you Iooking in Mandy's room.
Yeah, well You a friend of hers? No.
No, actually, I never met her.
She dates guys like you.
Well, l I didn't know her.
So you're her daughter, huh? Where's your dad? I don't have one.
You have any other family? Can you take me up to Dormont? Dormont.
Is that where you live? [Sighs.]
[Car approaches.]
So this is where you live, huh? Yeah, it's my uncle's house.
How long have you lived here? Couple months, off and on.
You think you could go in and ask him to come out and talk to me for a minute? He won't be home for a few hours.
Who who's looking out for you? My uncle Phil.
He'll be back in, like, an hour.
Oh.
- Can I have 20 bucks? - $20? [Laughs.]
What's your name? Shannon.
Shannon.
Well, I'm, uh l'm Burton.
- Thanks.
- Yeah.
Listen, I'm, um I'm sorry about your mom.
Mandy? We all knew it was gonna happen one of these days.
BURTON: Heya.
So how ya doing? I'm OK.
I slept a little better last night.
BURTON: Well, good, good.
[Sighs.]
Did you tell Finneran I didn't want to take the deal? - Yes.
- Good.
When's the probation hearing? Thursday morning, 10:30.
OK.
So with the probation hearing, we're dealing with the drugs and the associating with a known felon charges, correct? BELDON: Correct.
So the key to this whole thing is demonstrating that the drugs were not mine, and proving to the court that I did not ever have a personal relationship with Mandy Gressler.
BELDON: Right.
And if we can do that, then we have a very good chance of eliminating criminal charges.
How do you see that? No drugs, no drug delivery charge.
What does Darger's statement say? BELDON: Darger? Detective Darger.
I was on the phone with him at the moment that Mandy Gressler attacked me in my house.
DARGER: Yeah, I talked to him.
I can tell what time he called, and I did hear something, but I can't be sure what it was.
BELDON: He says he spoke to you several times.
He did, but I don't have a magic phone.
I can't see through the line.
BURTON: Can we get a statement from you? [Sighs.]
Sure.
I can tell you when I spoke to him, what was said, and how long the call lasted, but I won't speculate.
Thanks a lot.
We'll be in touch.
David, go ahead.
I'll catch up with you.
Detective, let me ask you this.
How long had you been looking for Mandy Gressler? Little over a month.
What do you know about her? Stripper, drug problem, spent a few months in jail.
Good at getting men to do what she wanted.
Do you know who she was close to? I checked around.
Not many people.
How about her family? Family She had a daughter that lived with her and a mother.
- Amother? - Yeah.
You know her telephone number? You can look it up.
Name's Mary Gressler.
She's out in Braddock.
Now you'll have to excuse me.
I got a stabbing in East Liberty.
I understand.
Thanks.
[Rap music playing in house.]
[Knock on door.]
Hey, Shannon.
Hey.
- How are you doing? - OK.
Is your uncle back yet? No.
Shouldn't you be in school? They're not having it today.
Oh.
Well, let me ask you this.
Do you like hamburgers? Yeah.
Are you hungry? Yeah.
One second.
SHANNON: I'm into music.
A lot into music.
BURTON: Yeah.
But not teenager stuff.
Pink.
I think Pink is my favorite.
- Pink? - She's a singer.
- Mmm.
- Good songs.
Not techno.
I don't like techno.
[Chuckling.]
I don't, either.
Mandy is all into that kind of thing, though.
Yeah.
So, like, I've seen some shows and stuff, and a talk show there was a person who was brain dead and they kept talking about whether they should just let the person die or they should wait, you know? And this one family, the mother of this girl, she kept saying how her daughter could hear her when she spoke to her, and that she's probably having dreams and stuff like that.
So that's why they didn't turn off the machines.
Yeah.
Anyway Is someone gonna ask me what to do with Mandy? I don't think so.
Why not? Well, because, uh Well, in the first place, how old are you? Almost 12.
[Chuckles.]
Because you're 11.
You a cop or something? [Laughs.]
Mm-mmm.
Why are you coming around? Your mother.
On the night of the accident, my son was with your mom, and because of what happened, he's in trouble now.
This is my son.
Did you ever see my son with with your mom or No.
Yeah.
Well, when she went to the hospital that night, earlier that day, were you with her? Yeah.
I mean, all day? Yeah.
My son said she was, um when she came over to his house that, um she had been doing some Partying? Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Is that true? Yeah.
Hmm.
If my mom's just sleeping, you know, and dreaming, and she can hear me I don't think I'd ever want to turn off the machines if she was.
How about you? I'm sorry.
What? If it was your son.
Oh.
Would you want to, like turn off the machines or not? [Exhaling.]
Oh.
Listen, we we better get going, ok? Uh, Ma'am, could we have a check here, please? [Thunder.]
L I brought ya a couple books, um E-Elmore Leonard.
L I know he writes about convicts and stuff, but the bookstore guy said they were pretty good.
Great.
Thank you.
Henry Stone and Lisa Jacoby both went back to Caldwell.
So did most of the clients and Caldwell offered me my job back.
Take it.
You know, Stephen Sophets and Landers Technology are both still on the bubble.
They're my clients.
They're loyal for the short-term.
They'll end up going back to Caldwell, too.
You need a job.
Uh you're not going back to Caldwell if if you get out? No.
And if you get out, you you still want to start this thing? Sure.
[Paper rustling.]
Fallin and Straka.
Already had the cards made up.
Take the job at Caldwell's, Jake.
Well, um, listen, if if you like the books, I'll bring a couple more next week.
Thanks.
Thank you.
[Windshield wipers squeaking.]
[Thunder.]
Where are you taking me? I called your grandmother, honey.
What? L I called your grandmother.
You suck, man.
Well, that's possible, but, uh, your grandmother misses you, and she wants you to come live with her.
I live with my mother.
I've always lived with my mother.
Shannon, you don't want to live with that that Phil guy.
He's not even your uncle.
Now, I want to take you to some people here who really want to help you.
[Burton sighs.]
Honey, this is, um This is the best thing for you.
This is the best thing for you, believe me.
Shannon? [Sighs.]
[Ding.]
Shannon.
Shannon.
Shannon, look at me.
Shannon, look at me, please.
I was concerned about you.
LULU: Mrs.
Gressler, this is Burton Fallin.
He found your granddaughter.
How are you? Thank you very much.
Where's Amanda? Mrs.
Gressler your daughter, she's at Pittsburgh County Hospital.
Her heart failed, due to cocaine use.
Oh.
[Whispering.]
Oh.
ALVIN: I'm sorry to have to tell you that.
I'm sorry for any inconvenience my family's caused you.
You said Pittsburgh County.
That's near Oakland? ALVIN: Yeah.
Do you need a ride? No.
I know where that is.
Thank you, um, thank you.
Come on.
Let's go.
Let's go.
[Thunder.]
That's a terrible thing for parents.
Terrible thing.
[Sighs.]
Oh, this, uh this young girl Shannon Gressler how could I keep tabs on her? Hmm.
I'm sure Social Services will look after her.
It's nice of you to be concerned, but No.
No.
I need her to testify for Nick.
Well, I would go through the grandma, then, Burton.
She's her legal guardian now.
Oh.
OK.
Let me ask you something, Alvin.
Does, uh, Nick ever talk to you, I mean, really talk to you? What do you mean? Well, you don't have kids, do you? No.
Hmm.
Oh, Nick Nick just can't seem to unwind.
Just You know, I don't think I've ever had a really big laugh with him.
I mean ever.
Do you ever unwind, Burton? [Thunder.]
BURTON: Mandy Gressler has a daughter.
I talked to her, is what I mean to say.
I went over to the hospital to check on Mandy, and, uh her daughter was there.
OK.
She told me her mom was on drugs before she went to your place.
Her own words.
How old is she? - 11.
- You think she'll testify? Well, she's very young, Nicholas.
Seems like a good kid.
Been through enough hell already with a mother like that, and I, um and I don't want to put her through the ringer unless Unless you know I'm telling the truth? Did the drugs come from your place or not? No.
No.
I'm telling the truth.
I'll talk to Beldon, get him going on this.
Hey.
Hey.
Thanks for meeting me.
Yeah.
No problem.
I left my job over at the clinic.
Sorry to hear that.
No.
It was the right thing to do.
I'd been there a long time, I've been making the rounds interviewing.
Not many corporate firms want a guy like me.
I'm not so sure about that.
Hmm.
Done work for the indigent for 7 years, right? So I don't exactly come with connections to clients.
I went to night school, Duquesne.
Before that, community college.
But you get me in the door to a place like that, I swear, I'll thrive.
I just need the in.
I'm not at Caldwell anymore.
I quit.
You had a job at Caldwell and you quit? I'm starting my own firm with with Nick.
Corporate firm? Yeah.
OK, uh Look, I'm not asking for a handout or a favor.
I just need a place to get my start.
So are you asking to work for me? With you.
Run a liver panel.
Hey, Shannon.
How are you doing? You come over here with your grandmother? Yeah.
Why? We just, uh We just wanted to talk to her for a minute.
MARY: What are you doing here? BURTON: Oh, hi, Ms.
Gressler.
Who are you? Well, that's David Beldon.
He's my son's attorney.
Why are you talking to Shannon? May we speak privately? Just you.
P.
A: Mrs.
Harold Dorfman, please come to patient relations.
Mrs.
Harold Dorfman, please come to patient relations.
Well? Mrs.
Gressler, my son was with your daughter The police told me what happened.
- Well, then you know - That your son hurt her.
That isn't true.
Look, my daughter's biggest problem has been that men always take advantage of her.
Mrs.
Gressler, my son faces very serious charges.
He could be in jail for a long time He deserves to be.
If the court believes that he gave drugs to your daughter.
What do you want from What? What do you want? Shannon told me that Mandy was doing drugs earlier that day.
My question to you is are you willing to bring Shannon into court and let her testify to that fact? No.
[Door opens and closes.]
[Keys jangle.]
[Door closes.]
[Door closes.]
I hope I didn't I mean, I hope you're not embarrassed.
It's very nice of you to come.
How are you? Well, work's been busy with you here and James gone.
He's looking for work in the city.
He's interviewing at some firms.
And I've actually taken on all of your cases.
Alvin asked me to, so, um and, you know, I did have a question about the Rafferty kid.
You know, the one with the disability whose mother doesn't have insurance? Lulu, why did you marry Brian? What do you mean, "Why"? Uh anyway, the case hearing is going to be on Monday, and the mother can't make it.
Don't you need to be on your honeymoon now? Nick, um Lulu, I I wanted to be with you.
And, uh you know, I should've said something before.
I thought I made it pretty clear.
You did.
Does he know that you're here visiting me? I don't know.
Is that any of your business? He doesn't know, does he? You know, I just came down here to check on you, That's all You don't need to get upset.
I'm just asking I think you might be reading a little bit I'm not reading anything into it.
I want to know if he knows that you're here.
You know, I just came here to be nice.
They searched me, you know.
They make you take your clothes off? Ohh, you can be such an ass.
They made me take my clothes off.
That's a different story.
It's not a very nice story.
OK.
That's it.
That's good.
Lulu.
The Rafferty kid he wants to stay with his mom.
Judge Damsen knows the family.
Talk to her.
Make sure you take the medical bills and records and present them to the court before the shelter hearing.
OK.
BURTON: David.
How are you? - Hey, Burt.
- What's up? Mandy Gressler died about an hour ago.
They're performing an autopsy tonight, and no matter what the results, the D.
A.
Is going to be filing new charges.
Oh, boy.
So the deal's off, huh? Right.
The new charges are going to be drug delivery resulting in death.
What about, uh what about the young girl? Will she testify? No.
I'm going to have to subpoena her.
Should I go ahead with that? Oh, boy.
[Doorbell rings.]
What do you want? Mrs.
Gressler, I know they sent you a subpoena, and I just thought you should know that if you don't bring Shannon to the courtroom, a judge will send a sheriff over here to pick her up.
Don't you threaten me.
My daughter is dead.
I'm trying to protect my granddaughter from all this.
Don't you threaten me! Mrs.
Gressler, I'm just trying to apologize, tell you how sorry I am for everything you're going through.
I know with my boy, l I've imagined Well, this is unimaginable.
And I just want to say how sorry I am for any part for everything that happened.
Good night.
The autopsy results came back.
She died of heart failure caused by long-term cocaine use.
The coroner is minimizing the effect of the head injury.
That's good news.
That eliminates the assault charge.
You ready? BELDON: Shannon, can you tell me what your mother was doing the last time you saw her? I don't know.
Can you describe the things you did on that day? Shopping.
Did you say shopping? You have to say yes or no.
Shopping.
Shannon, when you spoke with Mr.
Fallin, did you tell him that your mother had been doing drugs on the day of her accident? - L I don't know.
- You don't remember? Leave her alone.
JUDGE: Mrs.
Gressler.
She answered the question! "I don't know" is not an answer.
No.
Leave her alone! Mrs.
Gressler.
Proceed.
Shannon, when you spoke with Mr.
Fallin, did you say your mother was partying? L No.
You didn't say that? I don't know! Shannon, please answer the question.
What question? Did you say that your mother had been taking drugs before she went to Mr.
Fallin's home? No.
I didn't say anything.
BURTON: I took Shannon for a hamburger at the Home Diner up in Mount Lebanon, and I asked her about what her mother was doing the day of the accident, and she said that her mother was partying.
BELDON: Judge Fallin, she recounted this without any prompting from you? That's correct.
No more questions.
Mr.
Fallin, Shannon here told you point blank that her mother was taking drugs? Yes.
And she already knew that her mother was very sick on life-support.
Yes.
Well, tell me if I've got this picture right, Mr.
Fallin.
Shannon, over a plate of french fries, calmly tells you the one thing that can exonerate your son.
Yes.
That's not what she says today.
That's why I'm testifying.
Was there anyone else at the diner with you? A lot of people.
Can anyone else confirm your story? Not that I know of.
FINNERAN: No more questions.
JUDGE: You may step down.
BELDON: No more witnesses, your honor.
Clearly there are violations here that merit revisiting your original sentence.
A relationship with the victim and the fact that drugs were found in your home is enough for the court.
- In regard to your sent - Your honor.
[Gavel bangs.]
Mrs.
Gressler No! Shannon's not telling you everything.
A couple of weeks ago, a detective came to see me.
It was about Mandy.
He told me I had to call him if I saw her, and if I didn't, I could get into trouble.
And then on, um Friday, Mandy and Shannon came to see me, and, um I didn't call the detective.
I should I should've done that.
I gave Mandy $100.
It was Friday, and I'd just gotten paid, and she wanted to get Shannon some things, so I gave her the money.
When she got back, I could tell she'd bought drugs.
I knew it.
So I went, um into her room, and I searched it, and I found the drugs in her purse in a sandwich bag.
So I took them, and Mandy started yelling, and she pushed me and grabbed the drugs and ran out.
And Shannon left with her.
JUDGE: Mrs.
Gressler, are you stating that you witnessed your daughter in possession of drugs on the day of the incident? Yes.
Yeah.
[Lndistinct conversation.]
BURTON: Really, David, I, uh Oh.
Thanks a lot.
Excuse me.
Sure.
Take care.
Thank you.
BURTON: Mrs.
Gressler.
I, um I, uh I just wanted to thank you so much.
I wouldn't have said anything, you know, 'cause I was hoping I thought she was going to get better.
I understand.
She was a beautiful girl.
Just looking at her, you would've thought she would've had an easier time of it.
Oh, Mrs.
Gressler, I want you to meet my son Nicholas.
- Hi.
- Hi.
And this is Mandy's daughter, Shannon.
- Hi.
- Hi, Shannon.
Thank you.
We better go.
Good luck.
BURTON: Thanks again.
Oh, I, uh I have your mail in my car.
Nothing much.
Lot of magazines and old bills, but, uh, you did get a parking ticket.
You forgot to move your car for street cleaning, so Dad, I, um Oh, listen, I want to show you something.
So have you thought about what you're going to do now? Well, go back to work.
Caldwell? No.
No.
With Jake.
I'm going to start something new.
Well, that'll be Good luck.
So this is my, uh my courtroom.
Well it's good.
Nicholas, my swearing in will be coming up in a couple of weeks.
OK.
The thing is Well, you know what a robing is, right? Sure.
Yeah.
A new judge has a member of his family, uh Yeah.
You know l'd, uh I'd like that to be you.
Dad I don't think I reflect very well on you.
I want it to be you, son.
Fallin.
[Gunshot.]
Is there anyone who can confirm your account of the events? Mandy Gressler.
Sure she's alive? Last I saw.
You promised me a chance to work in a profitable law firm.
You never mentioned that you'd be stepping away to a federal bench.
My intention was that Nicholas would have my clients.
Then we need Nick.
I never included my son in this deal.
Here's my cell phone number.
When she contacts you, you call me.
Detective Darger, it's Nick Fallin.
I have Mandy Gressler in my apart MANDY: What are you doing?! [Screams.]
[Groans.]
[Grunts.]
[Cries out.]
NICK: Just wait.
MANDY: Let go of me! - Mandy, just calm down.
Let me go.
- You bastard! - Please stop it.
Calm Let me go! [Nick and Mandy grunting.]
NICK: Oh, my God.
NICK: L l I need an ambulance to 1980 Elsworth in Shadyside.
I have a woman, I think her heart is stopped.
Can you feel a pulse? Yeah, I'm feeling for a pulse.
She doesn't have a pulse.
Somebody's on the way.
Stay on the line.
I'll help you until paramedics arrive.
BURTON: Nick, you home? NICK, WHISPERING: Oh, God.
[Dial tone.]
[Knocks on door.]
Nick.
No.
- Son, listen - You can't be here.
[Sighs.]
When you, uh When you got arrested, things were not looking so good.
It turns out the D.
A.
Was gunning for ya.
He wasn't about to plea-bargain.
In fact, he was looking for 5 years minimum.
So I went to Caldwell to make a deal.
He agreed to talk to the D.
A.
, cut it down to a misdemeanor.
Dad, can we talk about this tomorrow? But listen to me.
Here's the problem.
I just found out that kid Lichtman knew all about it.
If he gives it up to other people, it could be very bad.
Dad, I can't talk about this now, OK? I cannot! Son, listen to me.
I just came over here to tell you first instead of them, OK? As far as they're concerned, they can go to hell, OK? All right, I've heard it.
I've heard it.
Just don't let them push you around.
I won't.
You know, y-y-y-you have to go Don't let them do that to ya.
Dad, you just got to go, all right? Just leave.
[Whispering.]
Just take care of yourself.
Just leave.
[Door opens and closes.]
[Footsteps.]
[Answering machine beeps.]
ANSWERING MACHINE: Friday, 5:31 P.
M.
MAN: Burton, it's Thomas Paul.
Congratulations again on the judgeship.
We should meet, discuss the swearing in.
I'm free tomorrow morning around 10:00.
Call me if that's good for you.
[Answering machine beeps.]
ANSWERING MACHINE: Friday, 8:17 P.
M.
WOMAN: Burton, it's cousin Ruth.
We just heard the amazing news.
We're all so proud of ya in Mount Aire.
[Phone ringing.]
Congratulations.
MAN: Hello? BURTON: Hey, Tom.
ANSWERING MACHINE: Friday, 9:41 P.
M.
I'm sorry you weren't there tonight.
NICK: Hey, Dad.
It's, uh It's Nick, uh I'm leaving you this message 'cause, uh I'm, uh you know, l l I I'm sorry.
I'm sorry for everything, and, uh, I just haven't, um I wanted to work with you 'cause I respect you, and I wanted to spend more time with you, and and I'm afraid that l-l-I 've just done what I usually do.
BURTON: All right, well, OK.
Thank you very much.
NICK: Dad, l l I just want you to know that that l l I love you, and and I just want to apologize.
[Answering machine beeps.]
[Siren wailing.]
Hold it! Hold it! [Siren wailing.]
What happened? What happened here? Overdose.
[Whispering.]
Oh, god.
- Where are they taking him? - Who? My son.
What hospital? It was a woman.
You can't come in here.
My son's This is my son's house.
I've got to see him.
- Who's your son? - Nicholas Fallin.
Your son was arrested, sir.
They took him down to County.
[Singing.]
Well, there is trouble in my mind There is dark There's dark, and there is light There is no order There is chaos And there is crime There is no one home tonight In the empire of my mind When there is trouble You will find You're all alone in your mind MAN: There is no probable cause to charge Nicholas Fallin with any crime.
Amanda Gressler appeared at his house uninvited.
She brought drugs onto the premises.
We don't contest that he struggled with her, but that was in self-defense.
Amanda Gressler's overdose was caused by her own cocaine, not by anything Nicholas Fallin did.
This is what we know.
[Clears throat.]
Miss Gressler and Mr.
Fallin fought.
She sustained injuries serious enough from that fight to be left in a coma on life support.
There was cocaine found in Mr.
Fallin's residence.
This is sufficient evidence to try the defendant for aggravated assault and possession of cocaine.
OK.
Yes.
I find that there is sufficient evidence as to all the counts charged.
We will hold the defendant to answer in courtroom "F" at 11:30 on the ninth of next month.
With regard to bail, your honor, Mr.
Fallin poses no danger of flight.
He owns a home and is well-known in Pittsburgh.
We ask that he be released on his own recognizance.
Counsel Finneran? Commonwealth has no objection.
MAN: Your honor.
JUDGE: Officer Desica, does the probation department have an interest in this case? DESICA: Yes, your honor.
Mr.
Fallin is in our custody due to a prior drug conviction.
Judge Handley has requested that we hold him pending a revocation hearing.
Your honor, there is absolutely no reason to keep Mr.
Fallin in jail.
Judge Handley's decision is reason enough.
[Gavel bangs.]
The court has the authority to hold you in custody.
L-l-l-let me get into it, Nick.
They got him in jail, David.
Well, they have that right.
They believe that he violated the terms of his probation.
And what if he did? Well, the judge can enforce Nick's original sentence from last year.
He'll start serving time before the criminal trial.
What what do we do now? [Sighs.]
Talk to Finneran.
I think we should try to make a deal.
Oh, I'm gonna be at that meeting.
No, Burton.
He won't negotiate with you sitting in the room.
I'm gonna be at that meeting.
BURTON: Hey, Tom.
- Burton, good to see ya.
- How are ya? How's Nick? Well, he's, uh He's got some problems, Tom and some are serious problems.
I'm very sorry to hear that.
Yeah, well Tom, I wanted to talk to you about this, uh, swearing in and the robing and so on.
I, um I would really appreciate it if we could put that on hold until after I deal with Nicholas.
Burton, you want to do this as soon as the senator and the chief judge are available.
I got them to agree to a date at the end of the month.
L I understand that, but I would really like him at the swearing in.
He's my my only family, and I just, uh Well, I want Nick to put the robe on me.
I'm sure you can find someone else to do that.
Well it's the tradition, Thomas.
You know that, and I know that.
It's a family thing, so I, uh I just I just want my son there.
If he's not available? We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Burton the political climate can change swiftly.
Ascending to the bench should be your priority right now.
Well, this has nothing to do with politics, Tom.
I'll let the senator know.
Will you? - Yes.
- Appreciate it.
Thank you very much.
- How's Mary? - Very good.
Thank you.
Will you be sure and say hi for me? - Absolutely.
- OK.
Thank you very much.
- Take care.
I think your experience will make you highly desirable as an immigration attorney, maybe even as a parent advocate.
Thank you.
Unfortunately, at this time, we don't have positions available for someone with your experience.
I'm ready to work in an office like this.
I have more courtroom experience than most of the guys who have been here for 10 years.
Well, I'm sure you're a terrific attorney, Mr.
Mooney.
Let's just keep talking, OK? Believe me, I wouldn't have had you in if I hadn't heard such good things.
I could start at the bottom.
First year associate.
Let me think about it.
[Knock on door.]
Your 3:00 is here, Mr.
Straka.
Thank you.
MOONEY: Thank you for your time.
Good to see ya, Jake.
It's gonna be drug delivery resulting in death.
Third degree murder.
She's not dead.
FINNERAN: She'll die.
Mandatory minimum is 5 years.
Minimum.
What are you offering? He pleads guilty to possession and assault.
He gets 3 years.
He could be out in 2.
BURTON: No.
No felony charges.
He takes the felony charge, he serves the full term of his last conviction.
Possession and assault.
Misdemeanor possession only.
and no amending the charges if the girl dies.
Uh, uh, no.
Look.
There's lots of ways for Mandy Gressler to get her hands on dope without going through my son.
Now, she doesn't exactly make the best victim for you to pin your hopes on, especially in front of a jury.
Two years.
Felony possession.
I drop everything regarding the girl and the drug delivery.
No felony charges.
This is the offer.
Take it or leave it.
No.
BELDON: It's a good deal, Nick.
You could be out in 14 months.
No.
I passed my drug test.
I have done nothing wrong.
If the girl dies before we make a deal, this will go to trial, and you could get 5 years.
You stop this thing before it gets to trial.
When when when is the probation revocation hearing? I'll find out.
Why? Use it.
If they can't get me there, they have very little chance of getting me at trial.
It's a risk.
It's a risk, but I can account for almost every minute of time before Mandy Gressler came to my house.
Except the moments just before her heart stopped.
She was high before she got to my house.
Now, if you can prove that, you will clear me of both charges.
Hey can l can I just have a minute talking with my father alone, please? Sure.
[Buzzer buzzes.]
[Door opens.]
You should stay away from this.
Nicholas.
It doesn't look good for you.
L l I can take care of it myself.
Son, Beldon is about as good as it gets around here.
He was on the team that got you through last No, you got me through this last time.
Well, all the more reason to take the deal, believe me.
I didn't do anything wrong.
[Sighs.]
[Sighs.]
All right.
Ok, I'll, uh [Buzzer buzzes.]
I'll bring you a suit, tie, and, uh shoes.
Yeah.
Amanda Gressler.
Her heart stopped due to an overdose.
The EMT's didn't arrive in time to prevent brain damage.
Well, you think she'll make it? She's on a respirator.
She's not going to wake up.
That's her room.
Rachel, um how long can you keep her alive? Sometimes they go for years.
Sometimes they go immediately.
BURTON: Thank you very much.
Always good to see you.
[Country music playing on radio.]
BURTON: Don't do that.
- What? - Hitchhike.
Why? 'Cause.
Getting in a car with a stranger is not Do you want to give me a ride? This is what I'm talking about.
Now you're in a car with a stranger.
You gonna do something bad to me? No.
What the hell are you listening to? Hey, leave that alone.
That happens to be a classic.
I saw you Iooking in Mandy's room.
Yeah, well You a friend of hers? No.
No, actually, I never met her.
She dates guys like you.
Well, l I didn't know her.
So you're her daughter, huh? Where's your dad? I don't have one.
You have any other family? Can you take me up to Dormont? Dormont.
Is that where you live? [Sighs.]
[Car approaches.]
So this is where you live, huh? Yeah, it's my uncle's house.
How long have you lived here? Couple months, off and on.
You think you could go in and ask him to come out and talk to me for a minute? He won't be home for a few hours.
Who who's looking out for you? My uncle Phil.
He'll be back in, like, an hour.
Oh.
- Can I have 20 bucks? - $20? [Laughs.]
What's your name? Shannon.
Shannon.
Well, I'm, uh l'm Burton.
- Thanks.
- Yeah.
Listen, I'm, um I'm sorry about your mom.
Mandy? We all knew it was gonna happen one of these days.
BURTON: Heya.
So how ya doing? I'm OK.
I slept a little better last night.
BURTON: Well, good, good.
[Sighs.]
Did you tell Finneran I didn't want to take the deal? - Yes.
- Good.
When's the probation hearing? Thursday morning, 10:30.
OK.
So with the probation hearing, we're dealing with the drugs and the associating with a known felon charges, correct? BELDON: Correct.
So the key to this whole thing is demonstrating that the drugs were not mine, and proving to the court that I did not ever have a personal relationship with Mandy Gressler.
BELDON: Right.
And if we can do that, then we have a very good chance of eliminating criminal charges.
How do you see that? No drugs, no drug delivery charge.
What does Darger's statement say? BELDON: Darger? Detective Darger.
I was on the phone with him at the moment that Mandy Gressler attacked me in my house.
DARGER: Yeah, I talked to him.
I can tell what time he called, and I did hear something, but I can't be sure what it was.
BELDON: He says he spoke to you several times.
He did, but I don't have a magic phone.
I can't see through the line.
BURTON: Can we get a statement from you? [Sighs.]
Sure.
I can tell you when I spoke to him, what was said, and how long the call lasted, but I won't speculate.
Thanks a lot.
We'll be in touch.
David, go ahead.
I'll catch up with you.
Detective, let me ask you this.
How long had you been looking for Mandy Gressler? Little over a month.
What do you know about her? Stripper, drug problem, spent a few months in jail.
Good at getting men to do what she wanted.
Do you know who she was close to? I checked around.
Not many people.
How about her family? Family She had a daughter that lived with her and a mother.
- Amother? - Yeah.
You know her telephone number? You can look it up.
Name's Mary Gressler.
She's out in Braddock.
Now you'll have to excuse me.
I got a stabbing in East Liberty.
I understand.
Thanks.
[Rap music playing in house.]
[Knock on door.]
Hey, Shannon.
Hey.
- How are you doing? - OK.
Is your uncle back yet? No.
Shouldn't you be in school? They're not having it today.
Oh.
Well, let me ask you this.
Do you like hamburgers? Yeah.
Are you hungry? Yeah.
One second.
SHANNON: I'm into music.
A lot into music.
BURTON: Yeah.
But not teenager stuff.
Pink.
I think Pink is my favorite.
- Pink? - She's a singer.
- Mmm.
- Good songs.
Not techno.
I don't like techno.
[Chuckling.]
I don't, either.
Mandy is all into that kind of thing, though.
Yeah.
So, like, I've seen some shows and stuff, and a talk show there was a person who was brain dead and they kept talking about whether they should just let the person die or they should wait, you know? And this one family, the mother of this girl, she kept saying how her daughter could hear her when she spoke to her, and that she's probably having dreams and stuff like that.
So that's why they didn't turn off the machines.
Yeah.
Anyway Is someone gonna ask me what to do with Mandy? I don't think so.
Why not? Well, because, uh Well, in the first place, how old are you? Almost 12.
[Chuckles.]
Because you're 11.
You a cop or something? [Laughs.]
Mm-mmm.
Why are you coming around? Your mother.
On the night of the accident, my son was with your mom, and because of what happened, he's in trouble now.
This is my son.
Did you ever see my son with with your mom or No.
Yeah.
Well, when she went to the hospital that night, earlier that day, were you with her? Yeah.
I mean, all day? Yeah.
My son said she was, um when she came over to his house that, um she had been doing some Partying? Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Is that true? Yeah.
Hmm.
If my mom's just sleeping, you know, and dreaming, and she can hear me I don't think I'd ever want to turn off the machines if she was.
How about you? I'm sorry.
What? If it was your son.
Oh.
Would you want to, like turn off the machines or not? [Exhaling.]
Oh.
Listen, we we better get going, ok? Uh, Ma'am, could we have a check here, please? [Thunder.]
L I brought ya a couple books, um E-Elmore Leonard.
L I know he writes about convicts and stuff, but the bookstore guy said they were pretty good.
Great.
Thank you.
Henry Stone and Lisa Jacoby both went back to Caldwell.
So did most of the clients and Caldwell offered me my job back.
Take it.
You know, Stephen Sophets and Landers Technology are both still on the bubble.
They're my clients.
They're loyal for the short-term.
They'll end up going back to Caldwell, too.
You need a job.
Uh you're not going back to Caldwell if if you get out? No.
And if you get out, you you still want to start this thing? Sure.
[Paper rustling.]
Fallin and Straka.
Already had the cards made up.
Take the job at Caldwell's, Jake.
Well, um, listen, if if you like the books, I'll bring a couple more next week.
Thanks.
Thank you.
[Windshield wipers squeaking.]
[Thunder.]
Where are you taking me? I called your grandmother, honey.
What? L I called your grandmother.
You suck, man.
Well, that's possible, but, uh, your grandmother misses you, and she wants you to come live with her.
I live with my mother.
I've always lived with my mother.
Shannon, you don't want to live with that that Phil guy.
He's not even your uncle.
Now, I want to take you to some people here who really want to help you.
[Burton sighs.]
Honey, this is, um This is the best thing for you.
This is the best thing for you, believe me.
Shannon? [Sighs.]
[Ding.]
Shannon.
Shannon.
Shannon, look at me.
Shannon, look at me, please.
I was concerned about you.
LULU: Mrs.
Gressler, this is Burton Fallin.
He found your granddaughter.
How are you? Thank you very much.
Where's Amanda? Mrs.
Gressler your daughter, she's at Pittsburgh County Hospital.
Her heart failed, due to cocaine use.
Oh.
[Whispering.]
Oh.
ALVIN: I'm sorry to have to tell you that.
I'm sorry for any inconvenience my family's caused you.
You said Pittsburgh County.
That's near Oakland? ALVIN: Yeah.
Do you need a ride? No.
I know where that is.
Thank you, um, thank you.
Come on.
Let's go.
Let's go.
[Thunder.]
That's a terrible thing for parents.
Terrible thing.
[Sighs.]
Oh, this, uh this young girl Shannon Gressler how could I keep tabs on her? Hmm.
I'm sure Social Services will look after her.
It's nice of you to be concerned, but No.
No.
I need her to testify for Nick.
Well, I would go through the grandma, then, Burton.
She's her legal guardian now.
Oh.
OK.
Let me ask you something, Alvin.
Does, uh, Nick ever talk to you, I mean, really talk to you? What do you mean? Well, you don't have kids, do you? No.
Hmm.
Oh, Nick Nick just can't seem to unwind.
Just You know, I don't think I've ever had a really big laugh with him.
I mean ever.
Do you ever unwind, Burton? [Thunder.]
BURTON: Mandy Gressler has a daughter.
I talked to her, is what I mean to say.
I went over to the hospital to check on Mandy, and, uh her daughter was there.
OK.
She told me her mom was on drugs before she went to your place.
Her own words.
How old is she? - 11.
- You think she'll testify? Well, she's very young, Nicholas.
Seems like a good kid.
Been through enough hell already with a mother like that, and I, um and I don't want to put her through the ringer unless Unless you know I'm telling the truth? Did the drugs come from your place or not? No.
No.
I'm telling the truth.
I'll talk to Beldon, get him going on this.
Hey.
Hey.
Thanks for meeting me.
Yeah.
No problem.
I left my job over at the clinic.
Sorry to hear that.
No.
It was the right thing to do.
I'd been there a long time, I've been making the rounds interviewing.
Not many corporate firms want a guy like me.
I'm not so sure about that.
Hmm.
Done work for the indigent for 7 years, right? So I don't exactly come with connections to clients.
I went to night school, Duquesne.
Before that, community college.
But you get me in the door to a place like that, I swear, I'll thrive.
I just need the in.
I'm not at Caldwell anymore.
I quit.
You had a job at Caldwell and you quit? I'm starting my own firm with with Nick.
Corporate firm? Yeah.
OK, uh Look, I'm not asking for a handout or a favor.
I just need a place to get my start.
So are you asking to work for me? With you.
Run a liver panel.
Hey, Shannon.
How are you doing? You come over here with your grandmother? Yeah.
Why? We just, uh We just wanted to talk to her for a minute.
MARY: What are you doing here? BURTON: Oh, hi, Ms.
Gressler.
Who are you? Well, that's David Beldon.
He's my son's attorney.
Why are you talking to Shannon? May we speak privately? Just you.
P.
A: Mrs.
Harold Dorfman, please come to patient relations.
Mrs.
Harold Dorfman, please come to patient relations.
Well? Mrs.
Gressler, my son was with your daughter The police told me what happened.
- Well, then you know - That your son hurt her.
That isn't true.
Look, my daughter's biggest problem has been that men always take advantage of her.
Mrs.
Gressler, my son faces very serious charges.
He could be in jail for a long time He deserves to be.
If the court believes that he gave drugs to your daughter.
What do you want from What? What do you want? Shannon told me that Mandy was doing drugs earlier that day.
My question to you is are you willing to bring Shannon into court and let her testify to that fact? No.
[Door opens and closes.]
[Keys jangle.]
[Door closes.]
[Door closes.]
I hope I didn't I mean, I hope you're not embarrassed.
It's very nice of you to come.
How are you? Well, work's been busy with you here and James gone.
He's looking for work in the city.
He's interviewing at some firms.
And I've actually taken on all of your cases.
Alvin asked me to, so, um and, you know, I did have a question about the Rafferty kid.
You know, the one with the disability whose mother doesn't have insurance? Lulu, why did you marry Brian? What do you mean, "Why"? Uh anyway, the case hearing is going to be on Monday, and the mother can't make it.
Don't you need to be on your honeymoon now? Nick, um Lulu, I I wanted to be with you.
And, uh you know, I should've said something before.
I thought I made it pretty clear.
You did.
Does he know that you're here visiting me? I don't know.
Is that any of your business? He doesn't know, does he? You know, I just came down here to check on you, That's all You don't need to get upset.
I'm just asking I think you might be reading a little bit I'm not reading anything into it.
I want to know if he knows that you're here.
You know, I just came here to be nice.
They searched me, you know.
They make you take your clothes off? Ohh, you can be such an ass.
They made me take my clothes off.
That's a different story.
It's not a very nice story.
OK.
That's it.
That's good.
Lulu.
The Rafferty kid he wants to stay with his mom.
Judge Damsen knows the family.
Talk to her.
Make sure you take the medical bills and records and present them to the court before the shelter hearing.
OK.
BURTON: David.
How are you? - Hey, Burt.
- What's up? Mandy Gressler died about an hour ago.
They're performing an autopsy tonight, and no matter what the results, the D.
A.
Is going to be filing new charges.
Oh, boy.
So the deal's off, huh? Right.
The new charges are going to be drug delivery resulting in death.
What about, uh what about the young girl? Will she testify? No.
I'm going to have to subpoena her.
Should I go ahead with that? Oh, boy.
[Doorbell rings.]
What do you want? Mrs.
Gressler, I know they sent you a subpoena, and I just thought you should know that if you don't bring Shannon to the courtroom, a judge will send a sheriff over here to pick her up.
Don't you threaten me.
My daughter is dead.
I'm trying to protect my granddaughter from all this.
Don't you threaten me! Mrs.
Gressler, I'm just trying to apologize, tell you how sorry I am for everything you're going through.
I know with my boy, l I've imagined Well, this is unimaginable.
And I just want to say how sorry I am for any part for everything that happened.
Good night.
The autopsy results came back.
She died of heart failure caused by long-term cocaine use.
The coroner is minimizing the effect of the head injury.
That's good news.
That eliminates the assault charge.
You ready? BELDON: Shannon, can you tell me what your mother was doing the last time you saw her? I don't know.
Can you describe the things you did on that day? Shopping.
Did you say shopping? You have to say yes or no.
Shopping.
Shannon, when you spoke with Mr.
Fallin, did you tell him that your mother had been doing drugs on the day of her accident? - L I don't know.
- You don't remember? Leave her alone.
JUDGE: Mrs.
Gressler.
She answered the question! "I don't know" is not an answer.
No.
Leave her alone! Mrs.
Gressler.
Proceed.
Shannon, when you spoke with Mr.
Fallin, did you say your mother was partying? L No.
You didn't say that? I don't know! Shannon, please answer the question.
What question? Did you say that your mother had been taking drugs before she went to Mr.
Fallin's home? No.
I didn't say anything.
BURTON: I took Shannon for a hamburger at the Home Diner up in Mount Lebanon, and I asked her about what her mother was doing the day of the accident, and she said that her mother was partying.
BELDON: Judge Fallin, she recounted this without any prompting from you? That's correct.
No more questions.
Mr.
Fallin, Shannon here told you point blank that her mother was taking drugs? Yes.
And she already knew that her mother was very sick on life-support.
Yes.
Well, tell me if I've got this picture right, Mr.
Fallin.
Shannon, over a plate of french fries, calmly tells you the one thing that can exonerate your son.
Yes.
That's not what she says today.
That's why I'm testifying.
Was there anyone else at the diner with you? A lot of people.
Can anyone else confirm your story? Not that I know of.
FINNERAN: No more questions.
JUDGE: You may step down.
BELDON: No more witnesses, your honor.
Clearly there are violations here that merit revisiting your original sentence.
A relationship with the victim and the fact that drugs were found in your home is enough for the court.
- In regard to your sent - Your honor.
[Gavel bangs.]
Mrs.
Gressler No! Shannon's not telling you everything.
A couple of weeks ago, a detective came to see me.
It was about Mandy.
He told me I had to call him if I saw her, and if I didn't, I could get into trouble.
And then on, um Friday, Mandy and Shannon came to see me, and, um I didn't call the detective.
I should I should've done that.
I gave Mandy $100.
It was Friday, and I'd just gotten paid, and she wanted to get Shannon some things, so I gave her the money.
When she got back, I could tell she'd bought drugs.
I knew it.
So I went, um into her room, and I searched it, and I found the drugs in her purse in a sandwich bag.
So I took them, and Mandy started yelling, and she pushed me and grabbed the drugs and ran out.
And Shannon left with her.
JUDGE: Mrs.
Gressler, are you stating that you witnessed your daughter in possession of drugs on the day of the incident? Yes.
Yeah.
[Lndistinct conversation.]
BURTON: Really, David, I, uh Oh.
Thanks a lot.
Excuse me.
Sure.
Take care.
Thank you.
BURTON: Mrs.
Gressler.
I, um I, uh I just wanted to thank you so much.
I wouldn't have said anything, you know, 'cause I was hoping I thought she was going to get better.
I understand.
She was a beautiful girl.
Just looking at her, you would've thought she would've had an easier time of it.
Oh, Mrs.
Gressler, I want you to meet my son Nicholas.
- Hi.
- Hi.
And this is Mandy's daughter, Shannon.
- Hi.
- Hi, Shannon.
Thank you.
We better go.
Good luck.
BURTON: Thanks again.
Oh, I, uh I have your mail in my car.
Nothing much.
Lot of magazines and old bills, but, uh, you did get a parking ticket.
You forgot to move your car for street cleaning, so Dad, I, um Oh, listen, I want to show you something.
So have you thought about what you're going to do now? Well, go back to work.
Caldwell? No.
No.
With Jake.
I'm going to start something new.
Well, that'll be Good luck.
So this is my, uh my courtroom.
Well it's good.
Nicholas, my swearing in will be coming up in a couple of weeks.
OK.
The thing is Well, you know what a robing is, right? Sure.
Yeah.
A new judge has a member of his family, uh Yeah.
You know l'd, uh I'd like that to be you.
Dad I don't think I reflect very well on you.
I want it to be you, son.