Raising the Bar (2008) s02e08 Episode Script
Trust Me
I'm concerned about your trust fund.
I deposited the check last week.
The money should be sitting there.
Did something happen I should know about? Well, it's not what's happened that concerns me, Richard.
It's what isn't happening.
Now, you received a $3 million trust payment, and you parked it in a checking account.
Have you even looked at any of the investment plans that I sent to you? I only got the money last week.
Umhaven't had time.
Well, every day it sits, you're losing income.
I mean, even if we just put it all in bonds, it'll kick off at like 3 1/2%, tax-free.
That's over $100,000 a year, almost $9,000 a month, $2,000 a week! $300 a day, $12.
50 an hour.
It's my money.
That is the point of my father giving it to me, right? No, the point is to ensure your future.
Rex, I will look at the proposals you sent in my own good time, at which point I will consider my options, make a decision, and let you know.
Well.
Aren't you the grown-up? We forget that it happens, but it does.
Dennis Sanzel 29 years old.
Worked undercover narcotics.
Killed in the line of duty two nights ago.
Layla Hughes and Leshawn Denton 11 years old.
Playing kickball outside their school When some dealers in a turf war opened fire.
It's tempting to think the low-level drug stuff isn't important A couple of vials here or there.
Who cares, right? What does it matter? Well, it would have mattered to them.
Now, next time you feel yourself slowing down or letting up, remember these faces.
Andre, the plea deal on the table isn't bad, considering the case.
Three years for three bagsI can live with that.
But they still say I got to testify against slice? That's your co-defendantSylvester Walters? Hey, girl, if he catch you calling him "sylvester," he will cut you up so nice that you won't forget why they call him "slice.
" You know what I'm saying? You were arrested together, so the d.
a.
Won't accept a plea unless you implicate No, no, no.
I'm not gonna flip on him.
Look, if I do that, then he will cut me up into little pieces.
I can ask them to transfer you to a different facility.
Westchester? It doesn't matter where you put methe moon, africa.
It doesn't matter.
The brother will find me.
I am not rattin' on his ass.
Okay? Then we go to trial.
See? That's good.
That's progress.
Trial is not gonna be easy.
I mean, you were arrested with the drugs, the buy money, and an undercover officer says he saw you make the deal.
So, unless all the cops are lying Yes! Yes! That's exactly what I'm saying! All the cops lied! Look, man, they set me up.
They planted drugs.
Yeah.
Yeah, that's right.
That's my story.
Okay.
Good.
Why? Why? What do you mean, "why?" Well, the jury will want to know why the cops set you up.
Of all the people in New York City, why frame you? Who knows why cops do what they do? They're creatures.
Okay, that may be, but this isn't the easiest defense in the world.
Hey, if it was easy, I wouldn't need you,now, would i? All right.
It says here that you got a dismissal on a similar charge in 1998.
How did that go down? Well, you know, they, uh They pulled me in, and I decided to turn snitch, so they dropped the case.
You were a snitch? Are you kidding? Andre Jackman, girl.
I was "the" snitch.
Until, you know, word got around the hood, that I was snitching.
So, you know, they came to my door.
They shot it up, nearly hit my moms.
And I told the cops.
I said, "man, you got to do something, man.
I mean, put me in witness protection or something.
" But they didn't do nothing, 'cause they don't care.
That's why I took off, man, and moved to texas.
Texas? Yeah, texas.
Got back eight months ago.
My moms died.
I figured, who cares about some 10-year-old rumor, anyway? Andre Did the cops you used to work for want you to start snitching for them again? Or say if you didn't, they would set you up? Now you see it.
That's right.
We can tell that to a jury.
It helps explain why you were set up.
Yeah, yeah, it does.
And, I mean, that's good, but, uh Girl, we cannot use that in court.
ohh.
You can't testify in front of your co-defendant that you're innocent because you were a snitch.
Might as well slice my own throat Save us all the trouble.
His story actually checks out.
He's still got his C.
I Papers.
But he won't let you use them? He's afraid of his Co-D.
(Co-Defendant) You got anything else? One of the arresting officers has a webpage with some pretty nasty entries.
It could help undermine the cops.
But the bottom line is, he needs his own trial, away from his co-defendant.
What if you use his snitch papers, try to get a severance that way? We argue that, his defense requires him to testify but if he testifies about being an informant in front of his co-defendant, he could get killed.
So unless the court grants the severance He's choosing between death and a defense.
Yeah.
It could work.
It means giving up your strategy before you even begin.
At least it gives the guy a shot at his own trial.
Which might be the only shot he's got.
Wish me luck.
Okay, okay, calm down, camille.
Calm down?! How can I calm down? You told me this was over.
You said if I take the plea, it's done.
It is done! You pled, you did your community service.
Unless You got arrested again.
I didn't get arrested.
I've been straight.
And now this? First they start calling day and night about some $1,500 they say I owe I never even heard of.
And now this letter comes Registered Says if I don't pay up, they're gonna garnish my wages.
I barely get by as it is.
It looks like the store where you were arrested wants damages.
I took $6 worth of batteries, and they went right back up on the shelf when security grabbed me.
II can't pay $1,500.
They take my paycheck, I can't pay rent.
I'll be out on the street again.
It's not gonna come to that, okay? This letter is just to scare you.
Well, it's working.
Let me take this to our civil-law guy.
I'll make sure it gets taken care of.
"if payment in full is not received within 15 days, "we may pursue all legal avenues of redress, including garnishing your wages.
" Hell, I'd pay.
Okay, how can you shut this down for her? I've got over 100 cases pending.
I got a dozen evictions, 10 immigration appeals.
I could use five more bodies just to handle the load I've already got.
I'll pitch in on this.
No.
You need to focus on your criminal cases.
We're all stretched thin here.
We can't take on what's essentially a small-claims case.
It's not a small claim to my client.
I understand that, Richard, but we can't be all things to all people.
I'm sorry.
Hello, could I speak with Jefferson Cox, please? Thank you.
Is he in? It's Richard Woolsley calling.
He'll recognize the name.
Mr.
Cox.
Hi.
Richard Woolsley calling.
How are you? Oh, that's great.
Listen, there's a case i'd very much like to talk to you about.
I was hoping you might join me as my guest for lunch at the Woolsley Club tomorrow.
Oh, that's terrific.
How's 12:30? Great.
I'll tell the desk i'm expecting you.
See you there.
Your honor, if we split cases for everyone who cooks up a story My client's defense rests on his status as a confidential informant, but he will not let me introduce it so long as his co-defendant is present, as he fears doing so will put his life at risk.
I take it you have something other than your guy's word on this? Here's his original confidential informant agreement.
I've also corroborated the story of the shooting and his time in texas.
And there's really no chance you two can make nice, get a plea here, huh? If he doesn't testify against his co-defendant, there is no plea.
I am not leaving the door open for him to come back after the deal and exonerate his buddy.
I'll take that as a "no" on the plea agreement.
We're moving to sever the cases and ask for separate trials.
Which will double the court's workload and endorse a ludicrous stalling tactic.
Your honorI'll worry about the court's workload, but thank you for your concern.
As for stalling, if I grant the motion, ms.
Gilardi, I presume you're ready for your defendant to go first? We're ready, your honor.
And in light of the circumstance, I'd also like to ask that the court and the record be sealed.
I'm sorry, your honor Sealed courtSounds dramatic.
I'm in.
Okay, the motion is granted.
The cases are severed.
We'll start Ms.
Gilardi's client's trial tomorrow.
I already put a call in to the detective who issued the C.
I agreement.
I mean, it was over 10 years ago.
He may not even remember it.
Your case is solid, right? YeahStash, cash, ghost.
So now they want to argue it was all some big police conspiracy.
It's a lame defense.
He was a snitch 10 years ago, and suddenly a bunch of cops are gonna risk their pensions and careers to set him up? Who's gonna buy that? All he needs is one juror to hang the case.
So I was wondering Since he's messing with us, how would you feel about being a littlegenerous with his former co-defendant? I wouldn't say I was gonna be generous, but if he's willing to testify against your guy, then we can make something work for him.
Our last offer was six.
I think he would jump at three, wouldn't he? For sure.
Offer four.
Don't go lower than three.
I'll make the call now.
Easy there, blondie.
Once he says yes, you have to inform the defense.
Wait until the moment's right.
Nothing more fun in trial than a surprise, right? It's a one-time offer Four years if he testifies against his Co-D.
Four? Two.
You want him to testify, give me a good reason.
Look, I'm asking him to implicate his co-defendant, not the guy that runs the shift.
Your guy's a violent predicate with two pending indictments.
Four is a gift.
Three.
Four.
It gets done today.
Four years -- your boss is gonna sign off on that? If he nails the Co-D.
For four years, that's a "yes," and he'll bury him for you.
Why don't you talk to him and call with the official word Say, during lunch? Sure.
Detective O'Farrell, Michelle Ernhardt calling again about the C.
I papers you signed for Andre Jackman.
We're headed to trial today, and I'dreallyappreciate it if you'd call me back.
Thank you.
We got our own trial.
Yes! I knew you could do it! I knew it! Ohh, you're cooking now! We still have the big question Why did they set you up? Girl, that's easy.
They're using me to send a message to all their snitches "once we own you, we can't let you go.
" See, I left them, right? And when I came back to town and I wouldn't dance, they had to show everyone who's boss.
Did one of the cops tell you that? Sure.
Look, when they threatened me, they said, "we can't just let you walk.
Then everyone would just walk.
" That's why they had to take me down Set an example.
Can you tell me which cop said that specifically? The white one.
Aw, come on.
It's a joke, 'cause they'reallwhite.
You got to lighten up, sugar.
I get it.
I- I got it.
We justwe really need to be specific.
And we will.
We'll kick it.
Judge is ready.
Okay.
We'll go over it more before you testify.
Oh, I ain't worried.
You're the man! You gonna tear it up in there! Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
I handed him $30 in pre-recorded buy money Two $10, two $5.
He handed me three glassine envelopes stamped "Boli High.
" And what is that? There's a brand stamp on the envelope.
Heroin dealers use it to distinguish their product.
And when you say "he" who do you mean? The defendant, andre jackman, sitting there next to his lawyer.
Thank you.
You work undercover? yes.
Part of your job is buying drugs from dealers and then arresting them? yes.
¿And in this case, did you wear a wire to record the transaction so we can hear the defendant having the exchange in which you allege he sold you the drugs? We generally use recording devices for more involved, longer-term buy ops.
But the department owns recorders, and you can check them out and use them whenever you want? Well, that's up to the Sergeant in charge of the operation.
Thank you.
I received a radio transmission from the undercover indicating a positive buy from J.
D Black at the corner of 127th and Lenox.
J.
d.
? It's the initial description of the perpetratorJohn Doe.
And was there a description along with the J.
D.
name? Yesblack jeans, black jacket, black cap.
So, you drove to the intersection.
Did you see a man wearing all black? I did.
And was he the only man wearing all black at the corner? Yes, he was.
That's not true.
So, what happened after you approached? He ran.
We grabbed him.
On his person, we recovered an additional 24 glassine envelopes also labeled "boli high.
" Did you find anything else? Yes, we recovered $238, including the two $10s and two $5s in pre-recorded buy money.
Is the man who you arrested and from whom you recovered the drugs and money in the courtroom today? It's the defendant, Andre Jackman.
Thank you, officer.
Officer, this money that you say was recovered.
Did you find the defendant's fingerprints on it? We didn't test for fingerprints.
¿What about the glassine envelopes you say you got from him? Did you lift any fingerprints from those? We didn't test for fingerprints.
I took the stash and cash from his pockets myself.
There's another type of drug operation, called an observation post.
You're familiar with those? Yes.
In those, using a long-lens camera, you document the buy as it happens.
yes.
So in this case, your team could have placed someone on the roof of an adjacent building and captured photographs of the drug buy.
But you didn't do that, did you? No.
Although cameras are available at the precinct.
What assets to deploy is above my pay grade.
All I know is what I saw with my eyes when I was there.
Thank you.
Mr.
Cox.
Can I help you? Richard woolsley.
Welcome to the club.
I'm sorry.
I was expecting My father.
Well, sorry.
We get that all the time.
It's the curse of the family name.
ah.
So, you had a case you wanted to talk to me about.
I have a client, who's been getting letters from your firm.
ooh, You're the woolsley boy who works for the Public Defender's Office.
I have heard about you.
Thank you.
As for my client, um, I'm sure you don't personally intend it, but the letters she's gotten feel threatening.
Well, if your client feels threatened, perhaps it's because she's being threatened by one of the best civil-recovery teams in the nation.
I'm not sure what you thought you could accomplish here.
Oh, I thought we could come to an understanding on a case that's small-potatoes to you but means a lot to my client.
Well, I can't answer to the specifics of this case, but I can tell you that if one of my guys goes after a client of yours, it's because she's a thief who's stolen something from our client.
It was a few dollars' worth of batteries.
The fact that this particular amount is smallmeans nothing.
Retail shrinkage costs more than $40 billion a year.
And, uh, be sure and tell your client that uhh, unless she pays back her debt, we'll go to the court, get a judgment, and garnish her wages.
It's been so nice meeting you.
Give my best to your father.
So you were working as a ghost? Yes And what is that? A ghost is an undercover who keeps an eye on the safety of the primary undercover and confirms the identity of the seller.
So, what happened on the day of the arrest? I observed undercover Detective McGettigan approach the defendant, exchange a sum of U.
S currency for small objects, and leave.
I held my position, watched the defendant.
Several minutes later, the backup team rolled in and arrested him.
Did you ever look away? No.
I held him in my gaze the entire time.
Thank you, detective.
You say you saw the transaction.
We know it happened because you're telling us you saw it happen.
Me and detective McGettigan, yes.
Thank you.
You're a professional, and you take your job seriously? Of course.
And because you're a professional, you respect the process by following the rules, and you respect people by treating them decently.
Yes.
Because you understand the stakes of what you do Real lives are involved.
It's serious business.
Yes.
¿You are Detective Lawrence Stalmer of the 89th precinct? Yes.
And there's another name that you go by, isn't there? No.
Oh.
Hold on.
Scum catcher 89, that's you, right? Yes.
You know what I'm holding, don't you? It's a screen capture from your personal webpage.
Yes.
On which you call yourself scum catcher 89.
" "Scum catcher" refers to you.
"89" refers to your precinct, right? That's right.
And you also have a job description there, don't you? Yes.
Which islet me make sure I get this exactly "my job involves getting all scummy catching scum with my scum-catching posse.
" That "posse" you're referring to, those are your fellow detectives? Yes.
So, to catch scum, you have to get all scummy yourself, as does the rest of your posse.
That's your point? It's a joke.
I'm sure it is To you.
Thank you.
Uh Counsels, approach.
Well, that was a fun surprise.
I assume that concludes the people's case, Ms.
Ernhardt.
Are you prepared to proceed with witnesses for the defense, ms.
Gilardi? Actually, your honor, i'mnot done yet.
Prosecution has another witness.
Excuse meOffer of proof? The former co-defendantHe's now ready to testify.
With no notice? I only got word over the lunch break, your honor.
Well, surprises all around, it seems.
Call the witness.
We were selling drugs, me and Dre.
And by "Dre," you mean the defendant, Andre Jackman? Yeah Him, over there.
Right.
I was steering.
He was pitching.
When you say you were "steering" and he was "pitching," you mean I mean, I would send customers to him, then he did the deals and made the sales.
And what was he making deals for and selling? Heroin.
Thank you very much.
Look, the man is a confessed drug dealer.
I mean, who's gonna believe him? You're a confessed drug dealer, Andre.
Who's gonna believe you? I ever tell you I got a daughter? No.
How old? She's the whole reason I started snitching way back when.
So, what's the max? 15 years.
You know, we still have some moves left, okay? The cop with the webpage, if he's the one that threatened you Plea deal was three.
If I take that, i'llI'll be out by her high school years, right? I mean, that's when a girl really needs her daddy around to look out for her.
You turned down the plea deal.
Yes, that's because I couldn't testify against slice.
But he copped, so they don't need me for that anymore.
So come on Let's do the plea.
I'mI'm just not sure the D.
A would be interested since they made a deal with your co-defendant.
You're my lawyer, right? Make it happen.
You got to make it happen.
hmm? if you could call me back, i'll be at the office later on today.
Thank you very much.
Michelle.
Wait up.
Hey.
You going to the bar later tonight? That sort of depends onyou.
How do you feel about revisiting the plea deal for andre jackman? How do I feel? I feel like not doing it.
Why would I? The only reason he didn't take the offer in the first place is he was afraid to testify against his co-defendant.
You dispensed with that this afternoon.
Thank you very much.
So he's ready to take the plea now.
The deal was he testify against his co-d.
That's not happening now.
that guy has a sheet a mile long packed with violent felonies.
Andre's never committed a violent act in his life.
He feared for his life.
He couldn't testify.
Look, I'm sorry you had a bad day in court, but I'm not the one that wanted to go ahead with the trial.
The way I see it, your entire case rests on a cop we've just totally discredited.
Come on.
You said you didn't want him exonerating his co-d.
That's not happening now.
He'll take three years for three bags.
I can get him to take it.
I'm sure you can.
Look, there was one deal to be had.
It went to the other guy.
Is he more violent? Yes.
But that's why I offered it toyourguy first.
But he turned it down.
Because he was afraid.
I don't care why.
He made his bed.
Now tuck him in and say good night.
He goes on the stand tomorrow, and Michelle's gonna tear him apart.
Even before his co-defendant testified against him, his story only barely made sense.
What's the hole? Oh, please.
Where to start? Every time I talk to him, it's a new story.
He.
.
He says the cops set him up because he used to be a snitch and he ran out on them when things got too hot.
So they had to take him down, 10 years later, as an example to keep all the other snitches in line.
Can he I.
D the cop who threatened to set him up? The one with the nasty webpage.
That helps.
I mean, his story's thin.
Anything I can do? No.
Thank you.
I'm just gonna work all night, work on every last bit of prep, and hope michelle doesn't slaughter us in the morning.
Ms.
Ernhardt? That's her there.
I'm Dean O'farrell.
You called about the case.
I was testifying in part 6 all day Thought I'd just stop by.
Thank you.
I really, really appreciate it.
Um, so, this C.
I of yours, Andre Jackman Andre jackman? Never heard of him.
Never heard No.
No, no.
He'she's your guy.
You signed his papers.
The defense is hanging their whole case on his history as a snitch.
Oh, no you're looking for my dad, Dean Senior.
Retired five years ago.
Okay, can I get his phone number? Surein Florida.
Guy's actually hanging a defense on being a snitch? Makes me wish the old man was still in town.
He'd have some choice words about that.
You got any kids? Two.
Why? How about your dad like a trip to town to see his grandkidsCourtesy of the D.
A's office? of course they're doing it within the law They wrote the law.
Oh, please.
No.
You want to understand a law? Take a look at the power dynamic that created it, okay? On one side, you have billion-dollar retail corporations pooling their power to hire well-connected lobbyists and pass laws that stack the deck in their favor.
And on the other, you have people who can barely afford batteries for their kids' toys, let alone lobbyists.
Okay, are you gonna start singing "we shall not be moved"? 'cause if you are, i'm leaving.
I'm staying.
I'd really like to hear you sing, richard.
You know, the only way to fight power is with power.
I mean, you think if this woman a client a client of your father's firm, they'd try to lean on her like this? No Bobbi tonight? She's on trial.
I'm on the same trial, and I'm here drinking.
Trust meThe way the trial's going, she should be drinking.
Oh, that's cold.
Of course you're drinkingYou have a huge office, and 36,000 of new york's finest to help do your job.
Trust me, Jerry All I have to do is sit back and sip my wine.
The guy is guilty, and as of tomorrow, he's toast.
Who are you, again? Jerry Kellerman.
I'm with the Public Defender's Office.
I mean, where'smylawyer? I mean, she's not off this case, is she? No, no, no.
She'll be with you in court.
But we all represent you.
You have our whole office working on your case.
Okay.
All right? Yeah.
Okay.
I was just here, man, and I, you know I got some concerns about your testimony.
Concerns? Well, I just was wondering if there was maybe something you might be holding back.
I mean, you're gonna get up there and tell your story, and the jury is gonna make a judgment Probably in the first few minutes.
That's all it takes.
Yeah, but I know that.
Your whole case is that the cops set you up.
They did set me up, man.
But why? Sending a message to other snitches, 10 years later? It's not a great reason.
That may be what they told you, but it'sIt's not a It's not a story that's gonna turn a jury.
So, I just got to wonder Is there something else? Something maybe you don't remember or you haven't considered yet? You know, some Some specific reason that the cops would go to any lengths to get to you.
Something that they needed from you or someone that only you could give them? Omar.
Omar? Yeah.
That's good.
Okay, let's talk about omar.
Thanks, andrew.
Mr.
Cox.
Excuse me? I owe you an apology.
I ambushed you the other day, and it's not my style.
I like to be more up-front.
Really.
Uh, all right.
And I wanted to give you these -- A heads-up on a lawsuit i'm about to file against your firm on behalf of my client Unfair trade practices, fair debt collections act.
So you're apologizing for ambushing me by ambushing me.
Your father would be proud.
Well, of course, my father would never take such a penny any case, but, you know, i'm rebelling, like you said.
R.
I.
C.
O bold.
oh, You'll probably beat it, but by the time I drag everyone through depositions and trial prep and trial, it'll cost your firm a couple hundred grand to collect an alleged debt of $500.
Are you trying to threaten me with the costs of a trial? We can afford to drag this case on for years.
You're a public defender.
You really think you can stay the course against us? I am the richest public defender you will ever meet.
I can not only stay the course, I can also hire the best publicist in town to make sure the world knows about it.
Or You can drop one little case against one little client.
Very well.
Consider it dropped.
We have plenty more files where hers came from.
Enough to run a whole firm, I imagine.
And don't come asking again.
If you push too hard, we'll push back.
Hey, bobbi.
There you are.
Jerry, I'm late.
No, I know.
I've been waiting.
I have information about your case.
They're waiting for you, gilardi.
My case? Let's go.
Ask him about omar.
What? On the stand, ask your guy about omar.
door's closing, counselor.
What the hell are you talking about? It fills the hole in his story.
Okay, don't have me tell him why he's waiting, okay? Let's go.
Just ask himOmar.
Trust me.
Omar Hatch.
We grew up together back in the projects.
I mean, this is the guy who got me started selling dope when I was just a kid.
But he worked his way up and got big-time.
Uh, "big-time"? Oh, I mean, he was "the" dealer.
I mean, the man ran the entire block.
Well, that's until the cops busted him and put his ass away for about nine years.
Where is omar now? He got out a couple of months ago.
And once he got out, the cops thought that he was starting up his operation again, and was, you know, getting back into the game.
And that's when they came to me.
What did the cops want from you? To snitch on Omar.
See, they knew I used to be close to him, so they figure he trusts me You know, start letting me in on whatever he's working on.
The cops wanted you to start selling drugs for omar so that you could snitch on him.
Yes.
But then I told them no You know, that I was out of the life.
But then they threatened me and said if I don't give them omar, they're gonna get me.
You've been referring to "the cops," but is there one detective in particular who made these threats to you? Oh, yes.
Which police detective specifically made this threat to you, Andre? It was Detective Stalmer.
The same detective who told us yesterday his internet name was "scum catcher.
" yes.
And when he said he'd "get you," was he more specific about his threat? He said if I didn't help them take down omar that he was gonna set me up and put me away.
10 years ago, you were a drug dealer.
Yes.
And you were arrested for being a drug dealer.
Yes.
And you were looking at going to prison, but you didn't want to do that, so you offered to become a confidential informant.
Right? yes.
Which means you began lying to your drug-dealing friends, right? Yes.
So you could turn them in to the police, right? Yes.
And you only became a professional liar to make your life easier, when it became clear that you had no other options To avoid going to prison, right? Yes.
And when you became a confidential informant, the police handed you a piece of paper and made a deal with you in writing, right? Right.
And they honored that deal.
You didn't go to prison, right? Yes.
Now, this time, you were arrested after an undercover says he bought drugs from you.
Yes.
And the arresting officers say they found you with the buy money and a stash of drugs that match what was being sold.
Well, that's what they say.
It's all lies.
So, you're a professional liar asking this jury to believe the cops are suddenly lying and you're suddenly telling the truth.
If the defense is finished, I have a rebuttal witness.
You're detective Dean O'Farrell Sr.
, retired officer of the new york police department? Yes.
Do you know andre jackman? Sure.
He used to be one of my confidential informants.
I want to show you something that's been marked defense exhibit "a.
" Do you recognize it? It's a confidential informant agreement.
Do you see a signature at the bottom? Actually, there's two Andre jackman'sandmine.
How long have you been retired? Five years now.
Clearwater, FloridaGolf.
When's the last time you thought about Andre Jackman? I don't know10 years ago? And how did he work out for you as a confidential informant? Wasn't the best I ever ranMade a few cases.
A lot of times, he was a no-show.
Always had an excuse, always had a story.
Thank you, officer.
Your witness.
Judge, I need five minutes so I can confer with my client.
One of the cases andre jackman helped you make was against a dealer named shawn wilson.
Do you rember that case? I do.
You sent andre jackman in to buy drugs from Mr.
Wilson.
Yes.
And during that undercover operation, you had Mr.
Jackman wear a wire to record the buy he made, correct? Yes.
And you stationed an officer to take long-lens photos of the drug buy going down.
Right.
Because you wanted to gather concrete, objective evidence to make sure you got a conviction.
Of course.
And because you handled that case in a thorough and professional manner, you got a conviction.
Yes.
Thank you.
Mr.
Woolsley? Oh, camille.
Did you get my message? They dropped it.
It's over.
Yes.
I had to come myself to thank you in person.
Oh, you didn't have to do that.
It's really not a big deal.
And I'm glad it all worked out.
No, it's It may not be a big deal toyou, but for me For my family I really thought we were gonna be out in the streets.
I really did.
And if -- if they had been able to take that money You saved us.
You saved my family.
It all comes down to two simple words "trust me.
" One after the other, a special brotherhood of police officers took the stand and lied to you.
We don't have to wonder why they'd lie to you.
Detective Stalmer told Andre they were going to do it.
He said if Andre didn't return to his role as an informant, they would set him up and take him down.
And that's what they did.
Then they took the stand and bolstered each other's testimony to try and persuade you of a drug deal that simply never happened.
They could have wired up their undercover so we'd have an audio record of what happened.
Instead"trust me.
" They could have used a long-lens camera to capture what happened.
Instead"trust me.
" They could have given you his fingerprints on the money or on a single baggie of that heroin, but they didn't.
Instead "trust me.
" Ms.
Gilardi is right that this is a case about trust.
So, who do we trust? The four professional police officers who are sworn to uphold the law? Or a single crooked drug dealer who admits he lies when it helps save his butt? The defendant wants you to believe that all of the officers got together, stole drugs to plant, and then risked their careers and their pensions to frame an innocent man.
And why? Because he wouldn't become their informant.
Well I hate to break it to you But there are enough drugs in this city and enough dealers in this county to keep the NYPD busy for the next century.
They don't need andre jackman.
They don't need Andre Jackman.
Got a minute? Everything okay? Yeah, fine.
This is quick.
I, uh This office needs a viable civil-actions unit You know, not just one overworked guy.
Tell me something idon't know.
I'm gonna fund it.
This is a personal check? It's the first installment of my trust.
$3 million? That's too much, Richard.
Actually, I think it's just right.
Will the defendant please rise? In the matter of the people of the State of New York vs.
Andre Jackman on charge of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, how does the jury find? Guilty, your honor.
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, thank you for your service.
Court is adjourned.
You are free to go.
The defendant is remanded.
We'll set sentencing for the 24th.
I am so sorry.
You did a good job.
They had it in for me.
We both knew that.
Did you get a verdict? Guilty.
We need to talk.
Sure.
In here.
What's up? You think I like being blindsided with new testimony from my key witness? Whoa.
I was trying to help you.
This was my case, my client.
He's a client of the office.
It's everyone's case.
You would go ballistic if I went behind your back to a client of yours.
All right, you know what I think? Is that you're not angry at me.
You're angry about losing, and you're taking it out on me.
Thank you so much for looking inside my head there, jerry, but I think I have a pretty good idea why I'm angry at you.
I was trying to help.
Without telling me! His story wasn't working.
You said it yourself.
Oh, my gosh.
You are so arrogant.
You really think you're the only one who can come up with all the answers? That is not fair.
I mean, youYou bounce the case off me, you ask for my insight.
Now you're pissed that I went in there? You have excuses foreverything,okay? I cannot work with you if I can't trust you, jerry.
You can trust me.
You went behind my back, and you're not even acknowledging it.
How can I trust that? You're right.
I did go behind your back, and I shouldn't have.
I should have talked to you.
I should have I'm sorry.
I was wrong.
Ernhardt.
Working late.
I like it.
Three trials set for the next few days.
Got to be ready.
When was the last time you called your mother? Um, my mother? Umthis weekend.
why? Give her a call.
Tell her your boss said she should be proud of you.
Nice win today.
hey.
hey.
Um, fell behind on my case load with the whole civil thing for my client.
I'm sorry.
I'll catch up.
I know.
I'm not going to deposit the check.
Take a few days and think about it.
Even if you were to give half of that amount, it would still be incredibly generous.
I get another trust payout in five years.
For now, my apartment's paid for, my life is covered.
I don't need more, okay? The need is here.
Itis,yes, but you don't have to If our civil division is funded, our clients can fight against all those people who try to take advantage of them because they're poor.
Okay.
Okay.
Hey, listen.
There's -- There's one more thing.
Umthe gift is from an anonymous donor.
I still want to be one of the guys.
Thank you, richard.
This is amazing.
I deposited the check last week.
The money should be sitting there.
Did something happen I should know about? Well, it's not what's happened that concerns me, Richard.
It's what isn't happening.
Now, you received a $3 million trust payment, and you parked it in a checking account.
Have you even looked at any of the investment plans that I sent to you? I only got the money last week.
Umhaven't had time.
Well, every day it sits, you're losing income.
I mean, even if we just put it all in bonds, it'll kick off at like 3 1/2%, tax-free.
That's over $100,000 a year, almost $9,000 a month, $2,000 a week! $300 a day, $12.
50 an hour.
It's my money.
That is the point of my father giving it to me, right? No, the point is to ensure your future.
Rex, I will look at the proposals you sent in my own good time, at which point I will consider my options, make a decision, and let you know.
Well.
Aren't you the grown-up? We forget that it happens, but it does.
Dennis Sanzel 29 years old.
Worked undercover narcotics.
Killed in the line of duty two nights ago.
Layla Hughes and Leshawn Denton 11 years old.
Playing kickball outside their school When some dealers in a turf war opened fire.
It's tempting to think the low-level drug stuff isn't important A couple of vials here or there.
Who cares, right? What does it matter? Well, it would have mattered to them.
Now, next time you feel yourself slowing down or letting up, remember these faces.
Andre, the plea deal on the table isn't bad, considering the case.
Three years for three bagsI can live with that.
But they still say I got to testify against slice? That's your co-defendantSylvester Walters? Hey, girl, if he catch you calling him "sylvester," he will cut you up so nice that you won't forget why they call him "slice.
" You know what I'm saying? You were arrested together, so the d.
a.
Won't accept a plea unless you implicate No, no, no.
I'm not gonna flip on him.
Look, if I do that, then he will cut me up into little pieces.
I can ask them to transfer you to a different facility.
Westchester? It doesn't matter where you put methe moon, africa.
It doesn't matter.
The brother will find me.
I am not rattin' on his ass.
Okay? Then we go to trial.
See? That's good.
That's progress.
Trial is not gonna be easy.
I mean, you were arrested with the drugs, the buy money, and an undercover officer says he saw you make the deal.
So, unless all the cops are lying Yes! Yes! That's exactly what I'm saying! All the cops lied! Look, man, they set me up.
They planted drugs.
Yeah.
Yeah, that's right.
That's my story.
Okay.
Good.
Why? Why? What do you mean, "why?" Well, the jury will want to know why the cops set you up.
Of all the people in New York City, why frame you? Who knows why cops do what they do? They're creatures.
Okay, that may be, but this isn't the easiest defense in the world.
Hey, if it was easy, I wouldn't need you,now, would i? All right.
It says here that you got a dismissal on a similar charge in 1998.
How did that go down? Well, you know, they, uh They pulled me in, and I decided to turn snitch, so they dropped the case.
You were a snitch? Are you kidding? Andre Jackman, girl.
I was "the" snitch.
Until, you know, word got around the hood, that I was snitching.
So, you know, they came to my door.
They shot it up, nearly hit my moms.
And I told the cops.
I said, "man, you got to do something, man.
I mean, put me in witness protection or something.
" But they didn't do nothing, 'cause they don't care.
That's why I took off, man, and moved to texas.
Texas? Yeah, texas.
Got back eight months ago.
My moms died.
I figured, who cares about some 10-year-old rumor, anyway? Andre Did the cops you used to work for want you to start snitching for them again? Or say if you didn't, they would set you up? Now you see it.
That's right.
We can tell that to a jury.
It helps explain why you were set up.
Yeah, yeah, it does.
And, I mean, that's good, but, uh Girl, we cannot use that in court.
ohh.
You can't testify in front of your co-defendant that you're innocent because you were a snitch.
Might as well slice my own throat Save us all the trouble.
His story actually checks out.
He's still got his C.
I Papers.
But he won't let you use them? He's afraid of his Co-D.
(Co-Defendant) You got anything else? One of the arresting officers has a webpage with some pretty nasty entries.
It could help undermine the cops.
But the bottom line is, he needs his own trial, away from his co-defendant.
What if you use his snitch papers, try to get a severance that way? We argue that, his defense requires him to testify but if he testifies about being an informant in front of his co-defendant, he could get killed.
So unless the court grants the severance He's choosing between death and a defense.
Yeah.
It could work.
It means giving up your strategy before you even begin.
At least it gives the guy a shot at his own trial.
Which might be the only shot he's got.
Wish me luck.
Okay, okay, calm down, camille.
Calm down?! How can I calm down? You told me this was over.
You said if I take the plea, it's done.
It is done! You pled, you did your community service.
Unless You got arrested again.
I didn't get arrested.
I've been straight.
And now this? First they start calling day and night about some $1,500 they say I owe I never even heard of.
And now this letter comes Registered Says if I don't pay up, they're gonna garnish my wages.
I barely get by as it is.
It looks like the store where you were arrested wants damages.
I took $6 worth of batteries, and they went right back up on the shelf when security grabbed me.
II can't pay $1,500.
They take my paycheck, I can't pay rent.
I'll be out on the street again.
It's not gonna come to that, okay? This letter is just to scare you.
Well, it's working.
Let me take this to our civil-law guy.
I'll make sure it gets taken care of.
"if payment in full is not received within 15 days, "we may pursue all legal avenues of redress, including garnishing your wages.
" Hell, I'd pay.
Okay, how can you shut this down for her? I've got over 100 cases pending.
I got a dozen evictions, 10 immigration appeals.
I could use five more bodies just to handle the load I've already got.
I'll pitch in on this.
No.
You need to focus on your criminal cases.
We're all stretched thin here.
We can't take on what's essentially a small-claims case.
It's not a small claim to my client.
I understand that, Richard, but we can't be all things to all people.
I'm sorry.
Hello, could I speak with Jefferson Cox, please? Thank you.
Is he in? It's Richard Woolsley calling.
He'll recognize the name.
Mr.
Cox.
Hi.
Richard Woolsley calling.
How are you? Oh, that's great.
Listen, there's a case i'd very much like to talk to you about.
I was hoping you might join me as my guest for lunch at the Woolsley Club tomorrow.
Oh, that's terrific.
How's 12:30? Great.
I'll tell the desk i'm expecting you.
See you there.
Your honor, if we split cases for everyone who cooks up a story My client's defense rests on his status as a confidential informant, but he will not let me introduce it so long as his co-defendant is present, as he fears doing so will put his life at risk.
I take it you have something other than your guy's word on this? Here's his original confidential informant agreement.
I've also corroborated the story of the shooting and his time in texas.
And there's really no chance you two can make nice, get a plea here, huh? If he doesn't testify against his co-defendant, there is no plea.
I am not leaving the door open for him to come back after the deal and exonerate his buddy.
I'll take that as a "no" on the plea agreement.
We're moving to sever the cases and ask for separate trials.
Which will double the court's workload and endorse a ludicrous stalling tactic.
Your honorI'll worry about the court's workload, but thank you for your concern.
As for stalling, if I grant the motion, ms.
Gilardi, I presume you're ready for your defendant to go first? We're ready, your honor.
And in light of the circumstance, I'd also like to ask that the court and the record be sealed.
I'm sorry, your honor Sealed courtSounds dramatic.
I'm in.
Okay, the motion is granted.
The cases are severed.
We'll start Ms.
Gilardi's client's trial tomorrow.
I already put a call in to the detective who issued the C.
I agreement.
I mean, it was over 10 years ago.
He may not even remember it.
Your case is solid, right? YeahStash, cash, ghost.
So now they want to argue it was all some big police conspiracy.
It's a lame defense.
He was a snitch 10 years ago, and suddenly a bunch of cops are gonna risk their pensions and careers to set him up? Who's gonna buy that? All he needs is one juror to hang the case.
So I was wondering Since he's messing with us, how would you feel about being a littlegenerous with his former co-defendant? I wouldn't say I was gonna be generous, but if he's willing to testify against your guy, then we can make something work for him.
Our last offer was six.
I think he would jump at three, wouldn't he? For sure.
Offer four.
Don't go lower than three.
I'll make the call now.
Easy there, blondie.
Once he says yes, you have to inform the defense.
Wait until the moment's right.
Nothing more fun in trial than a surprise, right? It's a one-time offer Four years if he testifies against his Co-D.
Four? Two.
You want him to testify, give me a good reason.
Look, I'm asking him to implicate his co-defendant, not the guy that runs the shift.
Your guy's a violent predicate with two pending indictments.
Four is a gift.
Three.
Four.
It gets done today.
Four years -- your boss is gonna sign off on that? If he nails the Co-D.
For four years, that's a "yes," and he'll bury him for you.
Why don't you talk to him and call with the official word Say, during lunch? Sure.
Detective O'Farrell, Michelle Ernhardt calling again about the C.
I papers you signed for Andre Jackman.
We're headed to trial today, and I'dreallyappreciate it if you'd call me back.
Thank you.
We got our own trial.
Yes! I knew you could do it! I knew it! Ohh, you're cooking now! We still have the big question Why did they set you up? Girl, that's easy.
They're using me to send a message to all their snitches "once we own you, we can't let you go.
" See, I left them, right? And when I came back to town and I wouldn't dance, they had to show everyone who's boss.
Did one of the cops tell you that? Sure.
Look, when they threatened me, they said, "we can't just let you walk.
Then everyone would just walk.
" That's why they had to take me down Set an example.
Can you tell me which cop said that specifically? The white one.
Aw, come on.
It's a joke, 'cause they'reallwhite.
You got to lighten up, sugar.
I get it.
I- I got it.
We justwe really need to be specific.
And we will.
We'll kick it.
Judge is ready.
Okay.
We'll go over it more before you testify.
Oh, I ain't worried.
You're the man! You gonna tear it up in there! Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
I handed him $30 in pre-recorded buy money Two $10, two $5.
He handed me three glassine envelopes stamped "Boli High.
" And what is that? There's a brand stamp on the envelope.
Heroin dealers use it to distinguish their product.
And when you say "he" who do you mean? The defendant, andre jackman, sitting there next to his lawyer.
Thank you.
You work undercover? yes.
Part of your job is buying drugs from dealers and then arresting them? yes.
¿And in this case, did you wear a wire to record the transaction so we can hear the defendant having the exchange in which you allege he sold you the drugs? We generally use recording devices for more involved, longer-term buy ops.
But the department owns recorders, and you can check them out and use them whenever you want? Well, that's up to the Sergeant in charge of the operation.
Thank you.
I received a radio transmission from the undercover indicating a positive buy from J.
D Black at the corner of 127th and Lenox.
J.
d.
? It's the initial description of the perpetratorJohn Doe.
And was there a description along with the J.
D.
name? Yesblack jeans, black jacket, black cap.
So, you drove to the intersection.
Did you see a man wearing all black? I did.
And was he the only man wearing all black at the corner? Yes, he was.
That's not true.
So, what happened after you approached? He ran.
We grabbed him.
On his person, we recovered an additional 24 glassine envelopes also labeled "boli high.
" Did you find anything else? Yes, we recovered $238, including the two $10s and two $5s in pre-recorded buy money.
Is the man who you arrested and from whom you recovered the drugs and money in the courtroom today? It's the defendant, Andre Jackman.
Thank you, officer.
Officer, this money that you say was recovered.
Did you find the defendant's fingerprints on it? We didn't test for fingerprints.
¿What about the glassine envelopes you say you got from him? Did you lift any fingerprints from those? We didn't test for fingerprints.
I took the stash and cash from his pockets myself.
There's another type of drug operation, called an observation post.
You're familiar with those? Yes.
In those, using a long-lens camera, you document the buy as it happens.
yes.
So in this case, your team could have placed someone on the roof of an adjacent building and captured photographs of the drug buy.
But you didn't do that, did you? No.
Although cameras are available at the precinct.
What assets to deploy is above my pay grade.
All I know is what I saw with my eyes when I was there.
Thank you.
Mr.
Cox.
Can I help you? Richard woolsley.
Welcome to the club.
I'm sorry.
I was expecting My father.
Well, sorry.
We get that all the time.
It's the curse of the family name.
ah.
So, you had a case you wanted to talk to me about.
I have a client, who's been getting letters from your firm.
ooh, You're the woolsley boy who works for the Public Defender's Office.
I have heard about you.
Thank you.
As for my client, um, I'm sure you don't personally intend it, but the letters she's gotten feel threatening.
Well, if your client feels threatened, perhaps it's because she's being threatened by one of the best civil-recovery teams in the nation.
I'm not sure what you thought you could accomplish here.
Oh, I thought we could come to an understanding on a case that's small-potatoes to you but means a lot to my client.
Well, I can't answer to the specifics of this case, but I can tell you that if one of my guys goes after a client of yours, it's because she's a thief who's stolen something from our client.
It was a few dollars' worth of batteries.
The fact that this particular amount is smallmeans nothing.
Retail shrinkage costs more than $40 billion a year.
And, uh, be sure and tell your client that uhh, unless she pays back her debt, we'll go to the court, get a judgment, and garnish her wages.
It's been so nice meeting you.
Give my best to your father.
So you were working as a ghost? Yes And what is that? A ghost is an undercover who keeps an eye on the safety of the primary undercover and confirms the identity of the seller.
So, what happened on the day of the arrest? I observed undercover Detective McGettigan approach the defendant, exchange a sum of U.
S currency for small objects, and leave.
I held my position, watched the defendant.
Several minutes later, the backup team rolled in and arrested him.
Did you ever look away? No.
I held him in my gaze the entire time.
Thank you, detective.
You say you saw the transaction.
We know it happened because you're telling us you saw it happen.
Me and detective McGettigan, yes.
Thank you.
You're a professional, and you take your job seriously? Of course.
And because you're a professional, you respect the process by following the rules, and you respect people by treating them decently.
Yes.
Because you understand the stakes of what you do Real lives are involved.
It's serious business.
Yes.
¿You are Detective Lawrence Stalmer of the 89th precinct? Yes.
And there's another name that you go by, isn't there? No.
Oh.
Hold on.
Scum catcher 89, that's you, right? Yes.
You know what I'm holding, don't you? It's a screen capture from your personal webpage.
Yes.
On which you call yourself scum catcher 89.
" "Scum catcher" refers to you.
"89" refers to your precinct, right? That's right.
And you also have a job description there, don't you? Yes.
Which islet me make sure I get this exactly "my job involves getting all scummy catching scum with my scum-catching posse.
" That "posse" you're referring to, those are your fellow detectives? Yes.
So, to catch scum, you have to get all scummy yourself, as does the rest of your posse.
That's your point? It's a joke.
I'm sure it is To you.
Thank you.
Uh Counsels, approach.
Well, that was a fun surprise.
I assume that concludes the people's case, Ms.
Ernhardt.
Are you prepared to proceed with witnesses for the defense, ms.
Gilardi? Actually, your honor, i'mnot done yet.
Prosecution has another witness.
Excuse meOffer of proof? The former co-defendantHe's now ready to testify.
With no notice? I only got word over the lunch break, your honor.
Well, surprises all around, it seems.
Call the witness.
We were selling drugs, me and Dre.
And by "Dre," you mean the defendant, Andre Jackman? Yeah Him, over there.
Right.
I was steering.
He was pitching.
When you say you were "steering" and he was "pitching," you mean I mean, I would send customers to him, then he did the deals and made the sales.
And what was he making deals for and selling? Heroin.
Thank you very much.
Look, the man is a confessed drug dealer.
I mean, who's gonna believe him? You're a confessed drug dealer, Andre.
Who's gonna believe you? I ever tell you I got a daughter? No.
How old? She's the whole reason I started snitching way back when.
So, what's the max? 15 years.
You know, we still have some moves left, okay? The cop with the webpage, if he's the one that threatened you Plea deal was three.
If I take that, i'llI'll be out by her high school years, right? I mean, that's when a girl really needs her daddy around to look out for her.
You turned down the plea deal.
Yes, that's because I couldn't testify against slice.
But he copped, so they don't need me for that anymore.
So come on Let's do the plea.
I'mI'm just not sure the D.
A would be interested since they made a deal with your co-defendant.
You're my lawyer, right? Make it happen.
You got to make it happen.
hmm? if you could call me back, i'll be at the office later on today.
Thank you very much.
Michelle.
Wait up.
Hey.
You going to the bar later tonight? That sort of depends onyou.
How do you feel about revisiting the plea deal for andre jackman? How do I feel? I feel like not doing it.
Why would I? The only reason he didn't take the offer in the first place is he was afraid to testify against his co-defendant.
You dispensed with that this afternoon.
Thank you very much.
So he's ready to take the plea now.
The deal was he testify against his co-d.
That's not happening now.
that guy has a sheet a mile long packed with violent felonies.
Andre's never committed a violent act in his life.
He feared for his life.
He couldn't testify.
Look, I'm sorry you had a bad day in court, but I'm not the one that wanted to go ahead with the trial.
The way I see it, your entire case rests on a cop we've just totally discredited.
Come on.
You said you didn't want him exonerating his co-d.
That's not happening now.
He'll take three years for three bags.
I can get him to take it.
I'm sure you can.
Look, there was one deal to be had.
It went to the other guy.
Is he more violent? Yes.
But that's why I offered it toyourguy first.
But he turned it down.
Because he was afraid.
I don't care why.
He made his bed.
Now tuck him in and say good night.
He goes on the stand tomorrow, and Michelle's gonna tear him apart.
Even before his co-defendant testified against him, his story only barely made sense.
What's the hole? Oh, please.
Where to start? Every time I talk to him, it's a new story.
He.
.
He says the cops set him up because he used to be a snitch and he ran out on them when things got too hot.
So they had to take him down, 10 years later, as an example to keep all the other snitches in line.
Can he I.
D the cop who threatened to set him up? The one with the nasty webpage.
That helps.
I mean, his story's thin.
Anything I can do? No.
Thank you.
I'm just gonna work all night, work on every last bit of prep, and hope michelle doesn't slaughter us in the morning.
Ms.
Ernhardt? That's her there.
I'm Dean O'farrell.
You called about the case.
I was testifying in part 6 all day Thought I'd just stop by.
Thank you.
I really, really appreciate it.
Um, so, this C.
I of yours, Andre Jackman Andre jackman? Never heard of him.
Never heard No.
No, no.
He'she's your guy.
You signed his papers.
The defense is hanging their whole case on his history as a snitch.
Oh, no you're looking for my dad, Dean Senior.
Retired five years ago.
Okay, can I get his phone number? Surein Florida.
Guy's actually hanging a defense on being a snitch? Makes me wish the old man was still in town.
He'd have some choice words about that.
You got any kids? Two.
Why? How about your dad like a trip to town to see his grandkidsCourtesy of the D.
A's office? of course they're doing it within the law They wrote the law.
Oh, please.
No.
You want to understand a law? Take a look at the power dynamic that created it, okay? On one side, you have billion-dollar retail corporations pooling their power to hire well-connected lobbyists and pass laws that stack the deck in their favor.
And on the other, you have people who can barely afford batteries for their kids' toys, let alone lobbyists.
Okay, are you gonna start singing "we shall not be moved"? 'cause if you are, i'm leaving.
I'm staying.
I'd really like to hear you sing, richard.
You know, the only way to fight power is with power.
I mean, you think if this woman a client a client of your father's firm, they'd try to lean on her like this? No Bobbi tonight? She's on trial.
I'm on the same trial, and I'm here drinking.
Trust meThe way the trial's going, she should be drinking.
Oh, that's cold.
Of course you're drinkingYou have a huge office, and 36,000 of new york's finest to help do your job.
Trust me, Jerry All I have to do is sit back and sip my wine.
The guy is guilty, and as of tomorrow, he's toast.
Who are you, again? Jerry Kellerman.
I'm with the Public Defender's Office.
I mean, where'smylawyer? I mean, she's not off this case, is she? No, no, no.
She'll be with you in court.
But we all represent you.
You have our whole office working on your case.
Okay.
All right? Yeah.
Okay.
I was just here, man, and I, you know I got some concerns about your testimony.
Concerns? Well, I just was wondering if there was maybe something you might be holding back.
I mean, you're gonna get up there and tell your story, and the jury is gonna make a judgment Probably in the first few minutes.
That's all it takes.
Yeah, but I know that.
Your whole case is that the cops set you up.
They did set me up, man.
But why? Sending a message to other snitches, 10 years later? It's not a great reason.
That may be what they told you, but it'sIt's not a It's not a story that's gonna turn a jury.
So, I just got to wonder Is there something else? Something maybe you don't remember or you haven't considered yet? You know, some Some specific reason that the cops would go to any lengths to get to you.
Something that they needed from you or someone that only you could give them? Omar.
Omar? Yeah.
That's good.
Okay, let's talk about omar.
Thanks, andrew.
Mr.
Cox.
Excuse me? I owe you an apology.
I ambushed you the other day, and it's not my style.
I like to be more up-front.
Really.
Uh, all right.
And I wanted to give you these -- A heads-up on a lawsuit i'm about to file against your firm on behalf of my client Unfair trade practices, fair debt collections act.
So you're apologizing for ambushing me by ambushing me.
Your father would be proud.
Well, of course, my father would never take such a penny any case, but, you know, i'm rebelling, like you said.
R.
I.
C.
O bold.
oh, You'll probably beat it, but by the time I drag everyone through depositions and trial prep and trial, it'll cost your firm a couple hundred grand to collect an alleged debt of $500.
Are you trying to threaten me with the costs of a trial? We can afford to drag this case on for years.
You're a public defender.
You really think you can stay the course against us? I am the richest public defender you will ever meet.
I can not only stay the course, I can also hire the best publicist in town to make sure the world knows about it.
Or You can drop one little case against one little client.
Very well.
Consider it dropped.
We have plenty more files where hers came from.
Enough to run a whole firm, I imagine.
And don't come asking again.
If you push too hard, we'll push back.
Hey, bobbi.
There you are.
Jerry, I'm late.
No, I know.
I've been waiting.
I have information about your case.
They're waiting for you, gilardi.
My case? Let's go.
Ask him about omar.
What? On the stand, ask your guy about omar.
door's closing, counselor.
What the hell are you talking about? It fills the hole in his story.
Okay, don't have me tell him why he's waiting, okay? Let's go.
Just ask himOmar.
Trust me.
Omar Hatch.
We grew up together back in the projects.
I mean, this is the guy who got me started selling dope when I was just a kid.
But he worked his way up and got big-time.
Uh, "big-time"? Oh, I mean, he was "the" dealer.
I mean, the man ran the entire block.
Well, that's until the cops busted him and put his ass away for about nine years.
Where is omar now? He got out a couple of months ago.
And once he got out, the cops thought that he was starting up his operation again, and was, you know, getting back into the game.
And that's when they came to me.
What did the cops want from you? To snitch on Omar.
See, they knew I used to be close to him, so they figure he trusts me You know, start letting me in on whatever he's working on.
The cops wanted you to start selling drugs for omar so that you could snitch on him.
Yes.
But then I told them no You know, that I was out of the life.
But then they threatened me and said if I don't give them omar, they're gonna get me.
You've been referring to "the cops," but is there one detective in particular who made these threats to you? Oh, yes.
Which police detective specifically made this threat to you, Andre? It was Detective Stalmer.
The same detective who told us yesterday his internet name was "scum catcher.
" yes.
And when he said he'd "get you," was he more specific about his threat? He said if I didn't help them take down omar that he was gonna set me up and put me away.
10 years ago, you were a drug dealer.
Yes.
And you were arrested for being a drug dealer.
Yes.
And you were looking at going to prison, but you didn't want to do that, so you offered to become a confidential informant.
Right? yes.
Which means you began lying to your drug-dealing friends, right? Yes.
So you could turn them in to the police, right? Yes.
And you only became a professional liar to make your life easier, when it became clear that you had no other options To avoid going to prison, right? Yes.
And when you became a confidential informant, the police handed you a piece of paper and made a deal with you in writing, right? Right.
And they honored that deal.
You didn't go to prison, right? Yes.
Now, this time, you were arrested after an undercover says he bought drugs from you.
Yes.
And the arresting officers say they found you with the buy money and a stash of drugs that match what was being sold.
Well, that's what they say.
It's all lies.
So, you're a professional liar asking this jury to believe the cops are suddenly lying and you're suddenly telling the truth.
If the defense is finished, I have a rebuttal witness.
You're detective Dean O'Farrell Sr.
, retired officer of the new york police department? Yes.
Do you know andre jackman? Sure.
He used to be one of my confidential informants.
I want to show you something that's been marked defense exhibit "a.
" Do you recognize it? It's a confidential informant agreement.
Do you see a signature at the bottom? Actually, there's two Andre jackman'sandmine.
How long have you been retired? Five years now.
Clearwater, FloridaGolf.
When's the last time you thought about Andre Jackman? I don't know10 years ago? And how did he work out for you as a confidential informant? Wasn't the best I ever ranMade a few cases.
A lot of times, he was a no-show.
Always had an excuse, always had a story.
Thank you, officer.
Your witness.
Judge, I need five minutes so I can confer with my client.
One of the cases andre jackman helped you make was against a dealer named shawn wilson.
Do you rember that case? I do.
You sent andre jackman in to buy drugs from Mr.
Wilson.
Yes.
And during that undercover operation, you had Mr.
Jackman wear a wire to record the buy he made, correct? Yes.
And you stationed an officer to take long-lens photos of the drug buy going down.
Right.
Because you wanted to gather concrete, objective evidence to make sure you got a conviction.
Of course.
And because you handled that case in a thorough and professional manner, you got a conviction.
Yes.
Thank you.
Mr.
Woolsley? Oh, camille.
Did you get my message? They dropped it.
It's over.
Yes.
I had to come myself to thank you in person.
Oh, you didn't have to do that.
It's really not a big deal.
And I'm glad it all worked out.
No, it's It may not be a big deal toyou, but for me For my family I really thought we were gonna be out in the streets.
I really did.
And if -- if they had been able to take that money You saved us.
You saved my family.
It all comes down to two simple words "trust me.
" One after the other, a special brotherhood of police officers took the stand and lied to you.
We don't have to wonder why they'd lie to you.
Detective Stalmer told Andre they were going to do it.
He said if Andre didn't return to his role as an informant, they would set him up and take him down.
And that's what they did.
Then they took the stand and bolstered each other's testimony to try and persuade you of a drug deal that simply never happened.
They could have wired up their undercover so we'd have an audio record of what happened.
Instead"trust me.
" They could have used a long-lens camera to capture what happened.
Instead"trust me.
" They could have given you his fingerprints on the money or on a single baggie of that heroin, but they didn't.
Instead "trust me.
" Ms.
Gilardi is right that this is a case about trust.
So, who do we trust? The four professional police officers who are sworn to uphold the law? Or a single crooked drug dealer who admits he lies when it helps save his butt? The defendant wants you to believe that all of the officers got together, stole drugs to plant, and then risked their careers and their pensions to frame an innocent man.
And why? Because he wouldn't become their informant.
Well I hate to break it to you But there are enough drugs in this city and enough dealers in this county to keep the NYPD busy for the next century.
They don't need andre jackman.
They don't need Andre Jackman.
Got a minute? Everything okay? Yeah, fine.
This is quick.
I, uh This office needs a viable civil-actions unit You know, not just one overworked guy.
Tell me something idon't know.
I'm gonna fund it.
This is a personal check? It's the first installment of my trust.
$3 million? That's too much, Richard.
Actually, I think it's just right.
Will the defendant please rise? In the matter of the people of the State of New York vs.
Andre Jackman on charge of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, how does the jury find? Guilty, your honor.
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, thank you for your service.
Court is adjourned.
You are free to go.
The defendant is remanded.
We'll set sentencing for the 24th.
I am so sorry.
You did a good job.
They had it in for me.
We both knew that.
Did you get a verdict? Guilty.
We need to talk.
Sure.
In here.
What's up? You think I like being blindsided with new testimony from my key witness? Whoa.
I was trying to help you.
This was my case, my client.
He's a client of the office.
It's everyone's case.
You would go ballistic if I went behind your back to a client of yours.
All right, you know what I think? Is that you're not angry at me.
You're angry about losing, and you're taking it out on me.
Thank you so much for looking inside my head there, jerry, but I think I have a pretty good idea why I'm angry at you.
I was trying to help.
Without telling me! His story wasn't working.
You said it yourself.
Oh, my gosh.
You are so arrogant.
You really think you're the only one who can come up with all the answers? That is not fair.
I mean, youYou bounce the case off me, you ask for my insight.
Now you're pissed that I went in there? You have excuses foreverything,okay? I cannot work with you if I can't trust you, jerry.
You can trust me.
You went behind my back, and you're not even acknowledging it.
How can I trust that? You're right.
I did go behind your back, and I shouldn't have.
I should have talked to you.
I should have I'm sorry.
I was wrong.
Ernhardt.
Working late.
I like it.
Three trials set for the next few days.
Got to be ready.
When was the last time you called your mother? Um, my mother? Umthis weekend.
why? Give her a call.
Tell her your boss said she should be proud of you.
Nice win today.
hey.
hey.
Um, fell behind on my case load with the whole civil thing for my client.
I'm sorry.
I'll catch up.
I know.
I'm not going to deposit the check.
Take a few days and think about it.
Even if you were to give half of that amount, it would still be incredibly generous.
I get another trust payout in five years.
For now, my apartment's paid for, my life is covered.
I don't need more, okay? The need is here.
Itis,yes, but you don't have to If our civil division is funded, our clients can fight against all those people who try to take advantage of them because they're poor.
Okay.
Okay.
Hey, listen.
There's -- There's one more thing.
Umthe gift is from an anonymous donor.
I still want to be one of the guys.
Thank you, richard.
This is amazing.