Close to Home (2005) s02e16 Episode Script
216 - Internet Bride
Cops arrested Sonia Rooney's husband Will for her murder.
Dragged him out of class yesterday.
So what's his story? Says he went to Chicago that afternoon to give a seminar on the foreign exchange program.
Some kind of Russian studies expert.
Yeah, his wife's a Russian immigrant, right? Married her three years ago.
She was supposed to go with him to Chicago, but he showed up solo.
Rooney gets back from Chicago, discovers the body in the garage with the motor still running, calls 911.
The next day, searching for clues, he finds a suicide e-mail on her computer to her brother in Russia.
Homicide puts the suicide story on layaway until the autopsy results come in.
Immediate cause of death: carbon monoxide poisoning, but the victim also had a skull fracture.
Nothing in the victim's handwriting? No.
Nice you could join us.
Is that the timeline? a speeding ticket doing 96 on the interstate going to Chicago.
Now, even making like Dale Earnhardt Junior, shows up at the seminar at 3:45, Physical evidence in the home? Luminol turned up traces of the victim's blood and drag marks on the kitchen floor, which had been recently cleaned.
Assaulted her in the house, dragged her into the garage.
Defense will claim she fell and hit her head and crawled into the garage.
And then killed herself? We have tissue under the victim's nails that matches the husband's DNA.
His face was scratched; claimed it was from a tree branch.
Forensics can cut both ways.
Absent a motive and a murder weapon, we're not going to have much of a story to tell a jury.
Rooney's fluent in Russian.
He could have faked the suicide e-mail.
We should compare it with his own correspondence.
I'll get a search warrant for Rooney's computer.
Talk to the coworkers as well.
What was Sonia's state of mind her last day at work? And, uh, Moe, have the coroner give you chapter and verse of the actual assault.
I see signs for Rooney Construction all over town.
Granddad built half of downtown.
He'll have the media camped outside the courthouse for the duration.
And Rooney will have the best counsel Grandpa's money can buy.
Do we know who yet? A Paul Ramont.
Ugh.
What, you know him? We've tangled in the past.
Good? Not as good as he thinks he is.
WOMAN: Sonia had a tendency to brood about things.
I told her that when you're married, you have to let go of some of your fantasies, expectations.
It's not all honeymoon.
It's hard work.
So what was troubling her? Well, they'd had this wonderful love at first sight kind of romance.
Will flew her to St.
Tropez to propose.
Must be nice to have that kind of dough to spend on a date.
So they'd been married for three years and already the bloom was off the rose? Well, she thought he wasn't paying enough attention to her.
The dean's my boss.
I didn't even want to know about their personal lives.
I just told her maybe she-- that they should see a marriage counselor.
Why'd she confide in you? Were you close? Uh, no, I wouldn't call her a friendxactly.
We were work buddies.
You know, we took a yoga class together at lunchtime.
I guess she didn't have anyone else to talk to.
No friends? Mm-mm, not that I know of.
Sounds lonely.
You think Mrs.
Rooney was capable of taking her own life? When Sonia got blue, she got midnight blue.
You know what I mean? I should really get going.
Sonia Rooney did have a prescription for antidepressants, which increase the risk for suicidal ideation.
On the other hand Her skull was fractured.
Most likely by a blow from a blunt object.
Caused a subdural hematoma.
Fatal? Within 24 hours, absent emergency medical attention.
What kind of object are we talking about? Based on the subgaleal bruise, something heavy with a flat surface and a sharp edge.
You don't commit suicide by hitting yourself in the head with a heavy, blunt object.
And she had bruises on both knees.
She was hit from behind and fell forward.
That would be my guess.
Any way she could have sustained these injuries from an accident? In my 14 years on the job, I've never seen it.
The police found her contact lenses at the scene.
On the kitchen floor.
He hit her so hard he knocked her contacts out? Victim wasn't wearing any glasses and she was practically blind.
She would have struggled to find her way to the garage.
Something else that's hinky.
We got the translations of the Russian language e-mails from Rooney's laptop.
Yeah? Turns out he wasn't exactly honest about how he met the missus.
Welcome back to Indianapolis, Mr.
Ramont.
pe to make this visit as short and painless as possible.
You'll agree to drop the charges against my client.
My office doesn't believe Sonia Rooney took her own life, and neither does the coroner.
Well, before you go into full- blown avenging angel mode, why don't we let Mr.
Rooney tell us in his own words about his wife's emotional problems? S Sonia was taking antidepressants for her mood swings.
I tried everything I could think of to help her.
Nothing worked, and I feel terrible about that.
You know, she was the love of my life.
Sonia was an Internet bride, right? You paid an international marriage lawyer to find your wife and lied about it to everyone you knew.
And-and what difference does it make on how we found each other? What's my client guilty of? Embellishing the details of their romance? He'll plead to that, but he's not guilty of murder.
His wife killed herself.
And why would she do that, Mr.
Rooney? This is really hard for me to admit.
Try.
Um Sonia was having an affair with one of her students.
Which student? His name was Spencer Gordon.
She denied it, of-of course, but she knew we were through.
So Sonia killed herself because your marriage was over? Extrapolate, Ms.
Chase.
Connect the dots.
Her little green card scam was over.
Mr.
Rooney told Sonia that he'd divorce her, and she would've been sent back to the wintry steppes of Russia and a life of impoverishment and cheap vodka.
She couldn't face that.
Is that why she married you, for her green card? She never loved me.
Obviously, when Mrs.
Rooney realized that she'd blown her chance to attain the American dream, she became despondent and took her own life.
Tragically.
And I expect your office to drop the charges against my client.
If Mr.
Rooney says his wife was having an affair, he just provided us with something we didn't have before.
His motive for murder.
I don't get it.
Rooney's a good-looking guy, swanky job-- why would he be trolling on the Internet for a woman in the first place? Yeah, Ed wouldn't drive to Bloomington to meet Tyra Banks.
Well, Alicia Keys, maybe.
I will drive out to Greenville and talk to Spencer Gordon, though.
He's a freshman at Central State.
Annabeth's going through his erotic e-mails to Mrs.
Rooney.
Maybe Rooney was looking for an Old-World wife.
Someone who would be grateful, submissive, and always at his beck and call.
Sounds like my ex.
Not.
How about the victim, was she just in it for the green card like Rooney claims? Brother Nicolai's visa finally came through.
He's flying in from Russia.
He might actually tell us the truth.
Rooney has an ex-wife-- she's due back from a ski trip in a day or two.
I'll talk to her after the bail hearing.
And I got a date with his marriage broker.
Where are we with the murder weapon? Nowhere.
The cops even went through Rooney's trash.
Neighbors, too.
Nothing.
He could've dumped it in Chicago.
My guess is, if he had the murder weapon with him in the car, he wouldn't have let himself get a speeding ticket, so stay on it, all right? You know how many Internet marriages there are in this country every year? them are successful.
Define "successful.
" Both still breathing? Hey, come on.
Tell me about Rooney as a client.
Picky.
He spent months looking online before he found Sonia.
What's her story? Sonia was from a small town, about a thousand miles from Moscow.
Jobs there are scarce.
Her brother was educated as a physicist.
Repairs stereos.
Sonia was very motivated to make a fresh start in the USA.
I'll bet.
Land of milk and honey.
So why was Rooney such a motivated buyer? He fell head over heels for her.
He said to me on the day he met her, he said, "I could go a lot further with Sonia on my arm than I ever could on my own.
" Yeah.
He wanted a trophy wife, and he got one.
(chuckles) And what about her? Did she love him or was she just on the hustle for a green card? Look at this.
Come here.
Now, you tell me if she's a hustler.
a (laughs) Oh, this is terrible, talking about myself.
Um I'm-I'm looking for a man, kind and, um, smart, who will share a life with me, whatever comes.
My soul mate.
He is somewhere.
Maybe half across the world, but somewhere.
And I'm sure he will find me.
Hey, Randal.
So Ramont says we have a raft of e-mails proving the affair between Sonia and Spencer Gordon.
All these e-mails are from the Gordon kid.
"Spending time with you has been amazing.
" "I can't deny how I feel anymore.
" What's that in French? A love poem by a guy named Verlaine.
Huh, I've heard of Verlaine.
I've also heard of a schoolboy crush on a pretty teacher.
Any evidence it was reciprocated? Not yet.
But you can see, Will Rooney had copies of all these e-mails on his computer, too.
How did he get them? Must have hacked into her account.
That's how he knew about the alleged affair.
Something else.
Whole bunch of files were deleted from Rooney's laptop same day his wife died.
Can't we retrieve them? Don't know yet.
He used some kind of high-end forensic software to erase them.
Wanted to be real sure nobody saw them.
I see bail was no problem.
No.
Family put up one of their summer cottages on Lake Michigan as collateral.
MAUREEN: You orchestrated all this, right? The family meeting, the press.
Moi? REPORTER: Dean Rooney? Mr.
Rooney? RAMONT: Oh, excuse me.
My expertise is required.
I'm sure he's paying dearly for it.
Oh, I don't know.
Is the mid six figures considered dearly? Dean Rooney, how does it feel to be Excuse me.
Excuse me, please.
arrested like a common criminal? Dean Rooney is still in mourning for his wife.
We have no comment.
No comment at this time.
Excuse me.
Six figures.
Must be nice.
MAN: I still can't believe it.
I mean, Sonia, Mrs.
Rooney, was so Your relationship? She was my French tutor last year.
She helped me prep for the AP exam.
Did the two of you have an affair? (laughs) I-I wish.
I kissed her once, but it was all me.
She didn't do anything.
One kiss doesn't explain this e-mail.
"Dear Sonia, I can't think "of anything else but being with you.
"As you have taught me in these last few months, love is so simple.
" Okay, I-I didn't write that.
I mean, it's a-a quote from Jacques Prevert.
After I sent that to her, Sonia set me straight.
Told me that I was only 17 my-my whole life ahead of me.
There were so many girls.
She wasn't for me.
But I didn't want them, I wanted her.
These tutoring sessions-- where'd they take place? I went over to her house a couple nights a week.
Dean Rooney didn't mind? Wasn't there.
He He was always gone.
She was always home alone.
Thanks.
So much for the so-called affair.
But did Rooney believe it was real? If not, what's our motive? Ramont's bringing in some hotshot injury biomechanics expert from New York.
CONLON: Not Sanders Falcone? That's the one.
In the Manhattan D.
A.
's office, we referred to Falcone as Dr.
Shred, as in "shred the case," or "shred of reasonable doubt.
" If Ramont is concerned enough about our forensics that he's bringing in a heavyweight like Falcone, maybe we're doing okay.
No, don't be too sure.
Look, evidence doesn't win a case, stories do.
Our story of Rooney's marriage needs to be more compelling than theirs.
Brother Nicolai has landed.
Never liked Rooney.
Never trusted him.
When did you meet him? At home in Sayersk when he came, uh, to take my sister.
I told Sonia, "Please, don't go with this man.
He-He buys you like a plasma TV.
" Why did she marry him? She said she loved him.
I told her, "You-You have no idea what he's really like.
"Maybe a-a fantasy picture of what he wants you to believe.
" And what is the fantasy you would like us to believe? Excuse me? That your sister married Will Rooney for love? She did.
When we know her life in Russia was nothing but a dead end? Will Rooney was her ticket to money, comfort, a brand-new life in America.
No, she-she-she had the choice of many men.
Many sweethearts.
She She chose Rooney.
The defense is gonna be a lot harder on you than I just was.
The only way he can tell his story is by attacking Sonia, calling her a scam artist and a gold digger.
I I tell you the truth.
She loved him.
Okay.
You need to keep your cool.
Yeah, yeah.
No, I-I will.
The defense is gonna bring up the e-mail Sonia sent you the day she died.
Sonia was always smiling.
Always smiling.
Always big heart, always big plans.
This e-mail telling me she can't go on-- it doesn't make sense.
I talked to her two hours before she-she died.
She was fine.
She was angry, but she was fine.
Did she tell you why she was angry? She discovered Rooney was seeing another woman.
Did she tell you the woman's name? No, no.
All I know is Sonia was furious.
She tells me she-she leaves him 100%.
We believe the e-mail suicide note was faked by Rooney.
Written and sent to you after he killed Sonia.
Nicolai, your testimony will help us prove he had a motive for murder.
Sonia always tell me, "Come, come, visit, come," and I would say, "No, it's too much money, maybe next year.
" (voice breaking): I'm here.
Now I'm here.
When it's too late, I'm here.
???trying to restore these files.
Turns out they're encrypted, too.
I-I got to install anti-encryption software to break the code, then disassemble the entire hard drive into its component disks, and scan each one.
How long? You want me to make something up? The linguistics expert can't confirm that Rooney forged the suicide note, and Nicolai's testimony won't be enough to prove our case.
Randal, we need those files.
All right.
We've been through every swap meet in town.
I say somebody picked up the murder weapon whether they know it or not.
Excuse me.
Morning, ma'am.
We're trying to locate something that was left in one of the trash bins a while back.
How's the competition? You got to get out early to get the good stuff? Get up before Rooster.
Ma'am, have you had breakfast today? Rooster brings me breakfast on Friday in his car.
In his car? What kind of car would Rooster have? BLACKWELL: The bag lady said orange.
What time is the game tonight? believe the public defenders are begging for a rematch.
Oh, they heard Conlon's got a bad knee, figured this is their best chance.
See any Roosters? Rooster? Who are you guys? Oh, man.
These are all castoffs.
Nothing's stolen.
WILLIAMS: How's the collecting down on Cloverfield Lane? Can't believe what rich people throw away.
Oh.
Like the stains, but it's not heavy enough.
Flat surface-- we need a flat surface with a sharp edge.
When was the last time you were down on Cloverfield? I go on trash day, every Friday.
Oh, look at this.
Flat surface, a sharp edge.
Plenty heavy.
It could be blood.
Let's go kick some public defender rump.
Thanks.
Oh! 18-six.
You couldn't guard my house.
WILLIAMS: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Looks like you guys are buying tonight.
You got to call out the switch, man.
Ray, you all right? I'm great.
You sure? Let's go.
Time out, time out.
(whistle blowing) Hey, they're killing us inside without me in there.
Tell me something I don't know.
I'd hate to lose to these mutts.
Well, fortunately, I've recruited somebody almost as good as me.
Reggie.
WILLIAMS (laughing): No way.
Reggie and I know each other from New York-- stalker-fan case.
Jamaican girl.
Fine, but crazy.
Jimmy here had to deport her back to Kingston just to get rid of her.
He's practically an honorary prosecutor.
Let's do this, guys.
One, two, three, guilty! Whoo-hoo! Ray, take a break.
(whistle blows) Pass the rock, brother.
Got you! Yeah! The issues you had in your marriage could have also caused problems for the second Mrs.
Rooney.
We're looking for any insight you can give us.
Will and I didn't have a real marriage.
Only on the surface.
Was there somebody else? I was competing with the Internet.
Thanksgiving dinner, we were all at the table, he's checking his e-mails.
Clearly more fascinating to him than I was.
He wouldn't even consider counseling.
Will had the sin of pride.
What do you mean? Nothing was allowed to blemish this perfect image he had going.
He had just started teaching at Carolwood, but he already had his sights set on becoming dean.
Well, when you told him you wanted a divorce, how did he react? Like a spoiled rock star.
He destroyed our hotel room.
His family had to write a hefty check.
Did he get violent with you? No.
Vonnie I'm I'm uncomfortable with all these questions.
Did his family have to write you a hefty check as well? You can answer now or in front of a judge and jury in open court.
They'll see a witness with a very unreliable memory.
That chapter of my life is closed.
Hey.
Hi.
How'd Maureen do with Rooney's ex? Well, you can call her as a hostile witness, though I don't know how much good it'll do.
Any payoff was hidden in the divorce settlement.
Check out Ramont's latest stunt.
RAMONT: Hello, hello.
As you're no doubt keenly aware, the tragic events surrounding Sonia Rooney have affected us all.
And that is why the Rooney family is endowing a scholarship at Indiana University for postgraduate work in the study of depression.
Right on the eve of trial.
I've got a photogenic defendant from a well-liked family and a city full of potential jurors who think he's a hero in mourning.
Perfect.
You could always petition the court for a gag order.
Sure.
???????? ???e of your duties as a DNA analyst from the Indiana State Crime Lab, you examined a steam iron.
People's Exhibit 19.
Did you identify any trace evidence on this iron? We recovered a human hair from the scalp area, and several traces of Type O blood.
And did you subject this evidence to DNA testing? I did.
And what, if any, conclusions did you come to? As you can see on the monitor, the samples from the iron conclusively matched a sample taken from Sonia Rooney.
And what are the odds this DNA could be matched by another individual? Less than one chance in 100 million.
Oh.
Thank you, Doctor.
No further questions.
One in 100 million? That's correct.
So, what would happen if a genetic sample were left outside, say in a trash bin or a junk yard or an automobile and exposed to the elements? Excessive heat or sunlight would tend to degrade the sample.
Well, isn't that in fact, what we're looking at here? This is a degraded DNA sample.
The DNA match was conclusive.
One in 100 million.
Now are you aware, Dr.
Abrams, of the standard the FBI lab uses to make an identification to a scientific certainty? The FBI, the FBI, requires that a match be one in 260 billion.
Isn't that correct? Yes, I believe it is.
So 100 million falls far short of that match, doesn't it? When you're talking about these kind of infinitesimal numbers Are you telling me that 100 million and 260 billion are the same? No, but No further questions.
Phew! CONLON: Moe.
I can put somebody else on this if you need more time for the Bishop appeal.
Not necessary.
You need any help prepping for oral arguments? I'm ready.
I haven't forgotten what happened to Annabeth's husband, believe me.
Look, I called in a personal favor with the Attorney General to put you on this.
I know.
I know.
Scott Gemmil, Appellate Attorney, good to meet you.
Maureen Scofield.
Well, you must be a superstar.
AG normally won't let a local line prosecutor within miles of an appeal.
Somebody must have called in a favor.
Nice to meet you, Mr.
Gemel.
First time in this court? Yes.
Yeah.
I've appeared here 11 times.
I haven't lost yet.
BAILIFF: All rise and face the flag.
The Indiana Court of Appeals is now in session.
How'd it go today? Well, scientific evidence is cold.
Like Conlon says, it cuts both ways.
Our story is not coming into focus yet.
You have brother Nicolai tomorrow, right? He'll put some heart into this case.
Pass the red pepper, please.
Yeah, his feelings are right on the surface.
Unlike some people.
Who are we talking about? You were at the appeals court today, and I'm not even getting a hint of how it went.
You're just all about the Cayenne flakes.
I figured you'd ask me when you're ready.
I'm ready.
We did okay.
It went okay? That's it? That's your full report? She kicked ass.
She was prepared, methodical, fast on her feet.
MAUREEN: Thanks.
You know Bishop's appeal hangs entirely on a technicality.
The breathalyzer certification, I know.
I just want you to be prepared.
There's a good chance the appeals court could grant him a new trial no matter how well we did.
I think everyone at this table understood the odds going in.
I don't think this thing is going away anytime soon.
Right.
Anything on Rooney's mystery woman? Annabeth you need to focus on Nicolai's testimony.
Let me have Falcone.
I want to go mano a mano with the evil genius.
I know what you're doing.
I don't need handling.
I'm not handling you.
I want this guy.
I want in on this.
ANNABETH: Nicolai, when you spoke to your sister on the phone that Friday, how would you describe her mood? She was angry.
She was having a big fight with her husband.
Objection.
This is hearsay.
Goes to establishing state of mind, Your Honor.
Overruled.
You may continue.
What was she angry about? She told me he was cheating on her with another woman.
She was planning to ask him to, uh get a divorce.
Thank you.
Mr.
Shevchenko we have only your word for what your sister told you on that phone call.
I told the truth.
Sonia told you that she was leaving her husband, even though it might cost her that precious green card? Objection.
Ask don't orate, Counselor.
Do you know why your sister married Will Rooney? She told me she loved him.
But you know she only married him to come to America.
No, it's not true.
You were close to your sister, weren't you? Yes.
Yeah.
And you've harbored a resentment against Mr.
Rooney ever since he took her away from you, isn't that right? I never believed he loved her.
And you would say or do anything, including lie to this jury in order to hurt him, wouldn't you? I traveled thousands of miles to tell the truth, not to lie.
RAMONT: Will Rooney sent money to Russia to support your mother, isn't that true? Sonia was sending money home.
On the salary of a part-time tutor? You expect us to believe that? Objection.
Sustained.
Mr.
Ramont? A substantial portion of the money that she sent home was contributed by her husband, wasn't it? I don't know.
You don't seem very grateful, Mr.
Shevchenko.
Would you be grateful if I killed your sister? Would the court clerk repeat that threat? Your Honor, the People request a recess.
JUDGE: Denied.
The Court intends to finish this witness before our lunch break.
You are here to answer questions, Mr.
Shevchenko, not to ask them.
Proceed.
Sorry.
The loss of Mr.
Rooney's financial support will be catastrophic to your family in Russia.
We manage fine.
And that is why you've turned against Mr.
Rooney, and that is why you're lying to this jury right now.
I don't want money from him.
I want his last breath.
RAMONT: Well, finally, now we are hearing the truth.
No further questions.
(sighs) I let him make fool of me.
Try not to worry about it.
He gets paid a lot of money to make you look bad.
Nicolai? Nicolai.
Now, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Can we have a minute? Look, no lawyers, just you and me.
Please.
Okay, let's step aside.
This isn't appropriate, Mr.
Rooney.
I didn't kill Sonia.
(speaking Russian) You're not my brother.
Please Get away from me.
Your showboating for the media couldn't be more transparent or more pathetic.
What you've seen here is the tragedy of a family being torn apart.
Torn apart by an overzealous prosecution You were issued a gag order, Counselor.
I'm going to get the judge to hold you in contempt.
Learn how the game is played, or get used to losing.
RANDAL: Most of the deleted files were photos.
Wow.
That's not an affair with one woman, he's a serial philanderer.
In public, in cars.
Notice how the interior lights are always on.
Like he wants people to see.
When I was working vice in New York, this was just starting to catch on.
They call it dogging.
Dogging? Never heard of it.
People hook up online, say to go meet someplace, like a public park, and have sex in the car while other people are watching.
Are you serious? Sometimes they even invite the voyeurs to join in.
I fail to see the attraction.
Well, you got your wheelbarrow position, the reverse buckaroo.
Sometimes they even get out of the car and do it on the hood.
The windshield could be a problem.
I've seen it get smashed.
Sex in public, lewd conduct, indecent exposure, how could Rooney possibly take this kind of risk? BLACKWELL: It's part of the thrill.
I mean, maybe he figured it was a calculated risk.
The Web site is secure, and no one uses their real names.
They all make up dogging personas.
Yeah, but it's still illegal, and every school has some kind of morals clause.
Reason enough for Rooney to wipe out the files.
And motive enough to kill his wife if she threatened to expose him.
ANNABETH: Your Honor, this is evidence recovered by the People after weeks of painstaking effort.
RAMONT: On the contrary.
This is a cheap effort to salvage a sinking prosecution with salacious and irrelevant evidence that's more appropriate to a pornographic Web site than a court of law.
Of course, Defense Counsel realizes this evidence corroborates the testimony of Sonia's brother, and goes directly to motive.
Mr.
Rooney's contract at Carolwood contains a morals clause.
These photos would certainly have cost him his job.
There is nothing to suggest that Mrs.
Rooney ever laid eyes on those pictures.
And you must exclude this evidence.
The State's search of Mr.
Rooney's computer far exceeds their warrant.
Judge Crenshaw, these files are what Mr.
Rooney deleted from his computer, immediately after killing his wife.
They couldn't be more probative.
They couldn't be more prejudicial.
Thank you, Counsel, for that spirited colloquy.
I am prepared to rule.
The State's warrant was indeed sufficient.
But these photos, inflammatory in the extreme, are more prejudicial than probative.
They could easily overshadow the facts of the case.
In light of that, testimony about Mr.
Rooney's alleged behavior is admissible.
The photos are not.
Dr.
Falcone, would you tell the court what an injury biomechanics expert does? I study the effect of force in motion on the human body, to determine the cause of an injury.
In Mrs.
Rooney's case Mm-hmm.
I've analyzed a skull fracture which caused subdural and subgaleal bruising.
So what type of force would cause that type of injury? Not as much as you would think.
Drop a head on a cement floor from the height of about one foot, the skull will fracture.
So in other words, a delicate human skull hits a hard surface.
Yes, if the victim didn't try to break her fall in any way-- say she passed out and fell backwards-- she could easily have gotten a fracture of this kind.
Especially on a hard surface like the Rooneys' granite countertop.
Now I'd like to direct the court to Defense Exhibit Six.
Could you tell us what we're seeing? We mapped the arc of the fall Mm-hmm.
considered its velocity, taking into account the height and weight of the victim, and we concluded that Mrs.
Rooney could have hit her head on the countertop or on the table, and fractured her skull, suffering the injuries that were discovered postmortem.
No further questions.
Dr.
Falcone Nice to see you again, sir.
How's New York? Fine.
Doctor, are you aware that Mrs.
Rooney's contact lenses were found at the scene on the kitchen floor? Yes.
Assuming Sonia Rooney slipped and fell backwards, Doctor, how is it possible that both her contact lenses were dislodged? It is an unlikely scenario.
However, it would be more likely to occur if she were facing the floor when the injury occurred.
She had bruising on both knees.
Now wouldn't that indicate that she fell forward? It would suggest it, yes.
Wouldn't it also suggest that she was struck from behind? She could have hit the back of her head on a drawer and fallen forward.
A wooden drawer.
Wood is a much softer material than tile.
There are other factors involved, including the contents the drawer, which would add to its weight.
A silverware drawer, for instance.
What about a clothes iron? I show you People's Exhibit 19.
Isn't it more likely that a heavy, blunt object caused the fracture and bruising? A deliberate blow from an iron would cause a fracture, but probably a significantly greater one than the one that Mrs.
Rooney sustained.
Probably? Yes.
Doctor, did you map the arc of an iron wielded so viciously that it shattered her skull and caused massive internal bleeding and knocked both contact lenses from her eyes? I did not map that possibility.
I have no further questions, Your Honor.
RANDAL: Maybe if I knew who we're looking for.
WILLIAMS: We need witnesses we can put on the stand.
The judge wouldn't admit the photos, but Annabeth's betting he'll allow testimony from participants.
Would that be doggers or just dogs? Can you blow this up anymore? Maybe one more field, then we're out of pixels.
Top left quadrant, that woman there.
Interior light's right on her.
Better than cable.
I know that woman.
She works with the defendant.
I don't know if you remember where this was taken, but I can tell you where it ended up.
On Will Rooney's computer.
I wasn't having an affair with the dean.
I believe you.
That's not his car.
Did he take this picture of you and your lover? He's not my lover.
Who is he? I don't know his real name.
We just met that night.
And what was Will Rooney doing there? How did he happen to take this picture? He liked to watch.
You lied to our investigator when he interviewed you.
I'm married.
Do you understand? You've impeded a murder investigation.
Please, I can I just can't testify.
Let me remind you.
Sonia Rooney is dead.
If you remain silent, Will Rooney will get away with her murder.
You already rested your case, Counselor.
Not to mention the Prosecuting Attorney's Office interviewed this witness pretrial.
She could have brought her in to testify at any time.
Is this true? Colleen Ames was evasive in her initial interview, but since then she's agreed to come forward and tell the truth.
She can speak to Will Rooney's illegal sexual activities, the motive for the murder.
Your Honor, properly excluded the sordid photographs, this is nothing but a last-ditch Hail Mary attempt to bolster a sloppy and ill-conceived prosecution.
Sworn testimony that can be challenged by opposing counsel is a different order of evidence than highly compromising and pornographic pictures.
I'll allow the testimony.
ANNABETH: What was Sonia Rooney's state of mind the day before she died? Angry.
She had found some photos on Will's computer the night before, and she was talking about divorce.
What type of photos? Photos of him having sex in a car with another woman.
She said she was going to follow him the next time he went out at night.
Follow him where? To Driscol Park.
She recognized it from the photos.
And when she told you she was going to follow Will, what did you say? I tried to discourage her.
I was afraid she might find out about me.
That I was into the same kind of extramarital sex as Will was.
Objection, irrelevant.
I'm establishing motive, Your Honor.
I'll allow it.
The witness may continue.
And I didn't want somebody to find out and tell my husband.
Also, I was worried about my job.
Why would having an affair cause you to lose your job? I wasn't having an affair.
I was dogging.
And what is "dogging"? It's having sex in public with men I met online and other people watching.
Tell me, Mrs.
Ames, is there a morals clause in your employment agreement at Carolwood? Everyone who worked at the school had one.
And what would happen to anyone who was arrested on this type of charge? They would be fired immediately.
How often did you and Will Rooney see each other while dogging? Only that one time.
I kind of flipped out.
So did he.
What do you mean? He said that if I ever told anyone about him he would kill me.
Your witness, Counselor.
Consider, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, Sonia Shevchenko, a miserable, desperate woman, a woman with no future in Sayersk, Russia, willing to do anything to get out.
Willing to manipulate Will Rooney, pretend to love him, and then use him for all he's worth.
And just as her green card was on the horizon, that's when her marriage started to fall apart.
And when her husband told her that he was planning to divorce her, that's when she realized she'd lost this golden opportunity.
And knowing that she'd soon be deported, she took her own life.
She took her own life.
And nobody mourned her death more openly, more honestly, more passionately than Will Rooney.
Was Will Rooney really a knight in shining armor who rode in to rescue poor, pitiful Sonia? Or was he a very troubled young man who had difficulty with intimacy and relationships his entire life? Will preferred anonymous hookups through the Internet and sex with strangers in public places.
And when Sonia discovered the truth about her husband, she was hurt, she was angry, she was repulsed.
She ld Will she wanted a divorce.
Now, Will could have let her go, but his pride wouldn't allow it.
And when he refused, Sonia threatened to expose him.
His reaction was to knock her unconscious, drag her through their garage, and kill her with carbon monoxide.
We ask you to return the only just verdict-- the only verdict your common sense will allow you to return-- guilty.
Hey, you wanted to see me.
Pack your bags.
Where am I going? New York.
You have an appointment with Dr.
Graham, the best cardiologist in the city.
I'm fine.
No, you're not, Ray.
And I will not have you on my conscience.
A little heartburn, never killed anyone.
Hey, this is me.
I was there, touch and go in the Lennox Hill E.
R.
, remember? If this gets around You're visiting your sister.
Good-bye.
Madam Foreperson, will you please hand over your verdict? On the count of murder the jury finds the defendant guilty.
(murmuring) (gavel bangs) Annabeth.
Um, you've given Sonia back her honor, and she'll rest easier now.
Oh! Thank you.
You're welcome.
< >
Dragged him out of class yesterday.
So what's his story? Says he went to Chicago that afternoon to give a seminar on the foreign exchange program.
Some kind of Russian studies expert.
Yeah, his wife's a Russian immigrant, right? Married her three years ago.
She was supposed to go with him to Chicago, but he showed up solo.
Rooney gets back from Chicago, discovers the body in the garage with the motor still running, calls 911.
The next day, searching for clues, he finds a suicide e-mail on her computer to her brother in Russia.
Homicide puts the suicide story on layaway until the autopsy results come in.
Immediate cause of death: carbon monoxide poisoning, but the victim also had a skull fracture.
Nothing in the victim's handwriting? No.
Nice you could join us.
Is that the timeline? a speeding ticket doing 96 on the interstate going to Chicago.
Now, even making like Dale Earnhardt Junior, shows up at the seminar at 3:45, Physical evidence in the home? Luminol turned up traces of the victim's blood and drag marks on the kitchen floor, which had been recently cleaned.
Assaulted her in the house, dragged her into the garage.
Defense will claim she fell and hit her head and crawled into the garage.
And then killed herself? We have tissue under the victim's nails that matches the husband's DNA.
His face was scratched; claimed it was from a tree branch.
Forensics can cut both ways.
Absent a motive and a murder weapon, we're not going to have much of a story to tell a jury.
Rooney's fluent in Russian.
He could have faked the suicide e-mail.
We should compare it with his own correspondence.
I'll get a search warrant for Rooney's computer.
Talk to the coworkers as well.
What was Sonia's state of mind her last day at work? And, uh, Moe, have the coroner give you chapter and verse of the actual assault.
I see signs for Rooney Construction all over town.
Granddad built half of downtown.
He'll have the media camped outside the courthouse for the duration.
And Rooney will have the best counsel Grandpa's money can buy.
Do we know who yet? A Paul Ramont.
Ugh.
What, you know him? We've tangled in the past.
Good? Not as good as he thinks he is.
WOMAN: Sonia had a tendency to brood about things.
I told her that when you're married, you have to let go of some of your fantasies, expectations.
It's not all honeymoon.
It's hard work.
So what was troubling her? Well, they'd had this wonderful love at first sight kind of romance.
Will flew her to St.
Tropez to propose.
Must be nice to have that kind of dough to spend on a date.
So they'd been married for three years and already the bloom was off the rose? Well, she thought he wasn't paying enough attention to her.
The dean's my boss.
I didn't even want to know about their personal lives.
I just told her maybe she-- that they should see a marriage counselor.
Why'd she confide in you? Were you close? Uh, no, I wouldn't call her a friendxactly.
We were work buddies.
You know, we took a yoga class together at lunchtime.
I guess she didn't have anyone else to talk to.
No friends? Mm-mm, not that I know of.
Sounds lonely.
You think Mrs.
Rooney was capable of taking her own life? When Sonia got blue, she got midnight blue.
You know what I mean? I should really get going.
Sonia Rooney did have a prescription for antidepressants, which increase the risk for suicidal ideation.
On the other hand Her skull was fractured.
Most likely by a blow from a blunt object.
Caused a subdural hematoma.
Fatal? Within 24 hours, absent emergency medical attention.
What kind of object are we talking about? Based on the subgaleal bruise, something heavy with a flat surface and a sharp edge.
You don't commit suicide by hitting yourself in the head with a heavy, blunt object.
And she had bruises on both knees.
She was hit from behind and fell forward.
That would be my guess.
Any way she could have sustained these injuries from an accident? In my 14 years on the job, I've never seen it.
The police found her contact lenses at the scene.
On the kitchen floor.
He hit her so hard he knocked her contacts out? Victim wasn't wearing any glasses and she was practically blind.
She would have struggled to find her way to the garage.
Something else that's hinky.
We got the translations of the Russian language e-mails from Rooney's laptop.
Yeah? Turns out he wasn't exactly honest about how he met the missus.
Welcome back to Indianapolis, Mr.
Ramont.
pe to make this visit as short and painless as possible.
You'll agree to drop the charges against my client.
My office doesn't believe Sonia Rooney took her own life, and neither does the coroner.
Well, before you go into full- blown avenging angel mode, why don't we let Mr.
Rooney tell us in his own words about his wife's emotional problems? S Sonia was taking antidepressants for her mood swings.
I tried everything I could think of to help her.
Nothing worked, and I feel terrible about that.
You know, she was the love of my life.
Sonia was an Internet bride, right? You paid an international marriage lawyer to find your wife and lied about it to everyone you knew.
And-and what difference does it make on how we found each other? What's my client guilty of? Embellishing the details of their romance? He'll plead to that, but he's not guilty of murder.
His wife killed herself.
And why would she do that, Mr.
Rooney? This is really hard for me to admit.
Try.
Um Sonia was having an affair with one of her students.
Which student? His name was Spencer Gordon.
She denied it, of-of course, but she knew we were through.
So Sonia killed herself because your marriage was over? Extrapolate, Ms.
Chase.
Connect the dots.
Her little green card scam was over.
Mr.
Rooney told Sonia that he'd divorce her, and she would've been sent back to the wintry steppes of Russia and a life of impoverishment and cheap vodka.
She couldn't face that.
Is that why she married you, for her green card? She never loved me.
Obviously, when Mrs.
Rooney realized that she'd blown her chance to attain the American dream, she became despondent and took her own life.
Tragically.
And I expect your office to drop the charges against my client.
If Mr.
Rooney says his wife was having an affair, he just provided us with something we didn't have before.
His motive for murder.
I don't get it.
Rooney's a good-looking guy, swanky job-- why would he be trolling on the Internet for a woman in the first place? Yeah, Ed wouldn't drive to Bloomington to meet Tyra Banks.
Well, Alicia Keys, maybe.
I will drive out to Greenville and talk to Spencer Gordon, though.
He's a freshman at Central State.
Annabeth's going through his erotic e-mails to Mrs.
Rooney.
Maybe Rooney was looking for an Old-World wife.
Someone who would be grateful, submissive, and always at his beck and call.
Sounds like my ex.
Not.
How about the victim, was she just in it for the green card like Rooney claims? Brother Nicolai's visa finally came through.
He's flying in from Russia.
He might actually tell us the truth.
Rooney has an ex-wife-- she's due back from a ski trip in a day or two.
I'll talk to her after the bail hearing.
And I got a date with his marriage broker.
Where are we with the murder weapon? Nowhere.
The cops even went through Rooney's trash.
Neighbors, too.
Nothing.
He could've dumped it in Chicago.
My guess is, if he had the murder weapon with him in the car, he wouldn't have let himself get a speeding ticket, so stay on it, all right? You know how many Internet marriages there are in this country every year? them are successful.
Define "successful.
" Both still breathing? Hey, come on.
Tell me about Rooney as a client.
Picky.
He spent months looking online before he found Sonia.
What's her story? Sonia was from a small town, about a thousand miles from Moscow.
Jobs there are scarce.
Her brother was educated as a physicist.
Repairs stereos.
Sonia was very motivated to make a fresh start in the USA.
I'll bet.
Land of milk and honey.
So why was Rooney such a motivated buyer? He fell head over heels for her.
He said to me on the day he met her, he said, "I could go a lot further with Sonia on my arm than I ever could on my own.
" Yeah.
He wanted a trophy wife, and he got one.
(chuckles) And what about her? Did she love him or was she just on the hustle for a green card? Look at this.
Come here.
Now, you tell me if she's a hustler.
a (laughs) Oh, this is terrible, talking about myself.
Um I'm-I'm looking for a man, kind and, um, smart, who will share a life with me, whatever comes.
My soul mate.
He is somewhere.
Maybe half across the world, but somewhere.
And I'm sure he will find me.
Hey, Randal.
So Ramont says we have a raft of e-mails proving the affair between Sonia and Spencer Gordon.
All these e-mails are from the Gordon kid.
"Spending time with you has been amazing.
" "I can't deny how I feel anymore.
" What's that in French? A love poem by a guy named Verlaine.
Huh, I've heard of Verlaine.
I've also heard of a schoolboy crush on a pretty teacher.
Any evidence it was reciprocated? Not yet.
But you can see, Will Rooney had copies of all these e-mails on his computer, too.
How did he get them? Must have hacked into her account.
That's how he knew about the alleged affair.
Something else.
Whole bunch of files were deleted from Rooney's laptop same day his wife died.
Can't we retrieve them? Don't know yet.
He used some kind of high-end forensic software to erase them.
Wanted to be real sure nobody saw them.
I see bail was no problem.
No.
Family put up one of their summer cottages on Lake Michigan as collateral.
MAUREEN: You orchestrated all this, right? The family meeting, the press.
Moi? REPORTER: Dean Rooney? Mr.
Rooney? RAMONT: Oh, excuse me.
My expertise is required.
I'm sure he's paying dearly for it.
Oh, I don't know.
Is the mid six figures considered dearly? Dean Rooney, how does it feel to be Excuse me.
Excuse me, please.
arrested like a common criminal? Dean Rooney is still in mourning for his wife.
We have no comment.
No comment at this time.
Excuse me.
Six figures.
Must be nice.
MAN: I still can't believe it.
I mean, Sonia, Mrs.
Rooney, was so Your relationship? She was my French tutor last year.
She helped me prep for the AP exam.
Did the two of you have an affair? (laughs) I-I wish.
I kissed her once, but it was all me.
She didn't do anything.
One kiss doesn't explain this e-mail.
"Dear Sonia, I can't think "of anything else but being with you.
"As you have taught me in these last few months, love is so simple.
" Okay, I-I didn't write that.
I mean, it's a-a quote from Jacques Prevert.
After I sent that to her, Sonia set me straight.
Told me that I was only 17 my-my whole life ahead of me.
There were so many girls.
She wasn't for me.
But I didn't want them, I wanted her.
These tutoring sessions-- where'd they take place? I went over to her house a couple nights a week.
Dean Rooney didn't mind? Wasn't there.
He He was always gone.
She was always home alone.
Thanks.
So much for the so-called affair.
But did Rooney believe it was real? If not, what's our motive? Ramont's bringing in some hotshot injury biomechanics expert from New York.
CONLON: Not Sanders Falcone? That's the one.
In the Manhattan D.
A.
's office, we referred to Falcone as Dr.
Shred, as in "shred the case," or "shred of reasonable doubt.
" If Ramont is concerned enough about our forensics that he's bringing in a heavyweight like Falcone, maybe we're doing okay.
No, don't be too sure.
Look, evidence doesn't win a case, stories do.
Our story of Rooney's marriage needs to be more compelling than theirs.
Brother Nicolai has landed.
Never liked Rooney.
Never trusted him.
When did you meet him? At home in Sayersk when he came, uh, to take my sister.
I told Sonia, "Please, don't go with this man.
He-He buys you like a plasma TV.
" Why did she marry him? She said she loved him.
I told her, "You-You have no idea what he's really like.
"Maybe a-a fantasy picture of what he wants you to believe.
" And what is the fantasy you would like us to believe? Excuse me? That your sister married Will Rooney for love? She did.
When we know her life in Russia was nothing but a dead end? Will Rooney was her ticket to money, comfort, a brand-new life in America.
No, she-she-she had the choice of many men.
Many sweethearts.
She She chose Rooney.
The defense is gonna be a lot harder on you than I just was.
The only way he can tell his story is by attacking Sonia, calling her a scam artist and a gold digger.
I I tell you the truth.
She loved him.
Okay.
You need to keep your cool.
Yeah, yeah.
No, I-I will.
The defense is gonna bring up the e-mail Sonia sent you the day she died.
Sonia was always smiling.
Always smiling.
Always big heart, always big plans.
This e-mail telling me she can't go on-- it doesn't make sense.
I talked to her two hours before she-she died.
She was fine.
She was angry, but she was fine.
Did she tell you why she was angry? She discovered Rooney was seeing another woman.
Did she tell you the woman's name? No, no.
All I know is Sonia was furious.
She tells me she-she leaves him 100%.
We believe the e-mail suicide note was faked by Rooney.
Written and sent to you after he killed Sonia.
Nicolai, your testimony will help us prove he had a motive for murder.
Sonia always tell me, "Come, come, visit, come," and I would say, "No, it's too much money, maybe next year.
" (voice breaking): I'm here.
Now I'm here.
When it's too late, I'm here.
???trying to restore these files.
Turns out they're encrypted, too.
I-I got to install anti-encryption software to break the code, then disassemble the entire hard drive into its component disks, and scan each one.
How long? You want me to make something up? The linguistics expert can't confirm that Rooney forged the suicide note, and Nicolai's testimony won't be enough to prove our case.
Randal, we need those files.
All right.
We've been through every swap meet in town.
I say somebody picked up the murder weapon whether they know it or not.
Excuse me.
Morning, ma'am.
We're trying to locate something that was left in one of the trash bins a while back.
How's the competition? You got to get out early to get the good stuff? Get up before Rooster.
Ma'am, have you had breakfast today? Rooster brings me breakfast on Friday in his car.
In his car? What kind of car would Rooster have? BLACKWELL: The bag lady said orange.
What time is the game tonight? believe the public defenders are begging for a rematch.
Oh, they heard Conlon's got a bad knee, figured this is their best chance.
See any Roosters? Rooster? Who are you guys? Oh, man.
These are all castoffs.
Nothing's stolen.
WILLIAMS: How's the collecting down on Cloverfield Lane? Can't believe what rich people throw away.
Oh.
Like the stains, but it's not heavy enough.
Flat surface-- we need a flat surface with a sharp edge.
When was the last time you were down on Cloverfield? I go on trash day, every Friday.
Oh, look at this.
Flat surface, a sharp edge.
Plenty heavy.
It could be blood.
Let's go kick some public defender rump.
Thanks.
Oh! 18-six.
You couldn't guard my house.
WILLIAMS: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Looks like you guys are buying tonight.
You got to call out the switch, man.
Ray, you all right? I'm great.
You sure? Let's go.
Time out, time out.
(whistle blowing) Hey, they're killing us inside without me in there.
Tell me something I don't know.
I'd hate to lose to these mutts.
Well, fortunately, I've recruited somebody almost as good as me.
Reggie.
WILLIAMS (laughing): No way.
Reggie and I know each other from New York-- stalker-fan case.
Jamaican girl.
Fine, but crazy.
Jimmy here had to deport her back to Kingston just to get rid of her.
He's practically an honorary prosecutor.
Let's do this, guys.
One, two, three, guilty! Whoo-hoo! Ray, take a break.
(whistle blows) Pass the rock, brother.
Got you! Yeah! The issues you had in your marriage could have also caused problems for the second Mrs.
Rooney.
We're looking for any insight you can give us.
Will and I didn't have a real marriage.
Only on the surface.
Was there somebody else? I was competing with the Internet.
Thanksgiving dinner, we were all at the table, he's checking his e-mails.
Clearly more fascinating to him than I was.
He wouldn't even consider counseling.
Will had the sin of pride.
What do you mean? Nothing was allowed to blemish this perfect image he had going.
He had just started teaching at Carolwood, but he already had his sights set on becoming dean.
Well, when you told him you wanted a divorce, how did he react? Like a spoiled rock star.
He destroyed our hotel room.
His family had to write a hefty check.
Did he get violent with you? No.
Vonnie I'm I'm uncomfortable with all these questions.
Did his family have to write you a hefty check as well? You can answer now or in front of a judge and jury in open court.
They'll see a witness with a very unreliable memory.
That chapter of my life is closed.
Hey.
Hi.
How'd Maureen do with Rooney's ex? Well, you can call her as a hostile witness, though I don't know how much good it'll do.
Any payoff was hidden in the divorce settlement.
Check out Ramont's latest stunt.
RAMONT: Hello, hello.
As you're no doubt keenly aware, the tragic events surrounding Sonia Rooney have affected us all.
And that is why the Rooney family is endowing a scholarship at Indiana University for postgraduate work in the study of depression.
Right on the eve of trial.
I've got a photogenic defendant from a well-liked family and a city full of potential jurors who think he's a hero in mourning.
Perfect.
You could always petition the court for a gag order.
Sure.
???????? ???e of your duties as a DNA analyst from the Indiana State Crime Lab, you examined a steam iron.
People's Exhibit 19.
Did you identify any trace evidence on this iron? We recovered a human hair from the scalp area, and several traces of Type O blood.
And did you subject this evidence to DNA testing? I did.
And what, if any, conclusions did you come to? As you can see on the monitor, the samples from the iron conclusively matched a sample taken from Sonia Rooney.
And what are the odds this DNA could be matched by another individual? Less than one chance in 100 million.
Oh.
Thank you, Doctor.
No further questions.
One in 100 million? That's correct.
So, what would happen if a genetic sample were left outside, say in a trash bin or a junk yard or an automobile and exposed to the elements? Excessive heat or sunlight would tend to degrade the sample.
Well, isn't that in fact, what we're looking at here? This is a degraded DNA sample.
The DNA match was conclusive.
One in 100 million.
Now are you aware, Dr.
Abrams, of the standard the FBI lab uses to make an identification to a scientific certainty? The FBI, the FBI, requires that a match be one in 260 billion.
Isn't that correct? Yes, I believe it is.
So 100 million falls far short of that match, doesn't it? When you're talking about these kind of infinitesimal numbers Are you telling me that 100 million and 260 billion are the same? No, but No further questions.
Phew! CONLON: Moe.
I can put somebody else on this if you need more time for the Bishop appeal.
Not necessary.
You need any help prepping for oral arguments? I'm ready.
I haven't forgotten what happened to Annabeth's husband, believe me.
Look, I called in a personal favor with the Attorney General to put you on this.
I know.
I know.
Scott Gemmil, Appellate Attorney, good to meet you.
Maureen Scofield.
Well, you must be a superstar.
AG normally won't let a local line prosecutor within miles of an appeal.
Somebody must have called in a favor.
Nice to meet you, Mr.
Gemel.
First time in this court? Yes.
Yeah.
I've appeared here 11 times.
I haven't lost yet.
BAILIFF: All rise and face the flag.
The Indiana Court of Appeals is now in session.
How'd it go today? Well, scientific evidence is cold.
Like Conlon says, it cuts both ways.
Our story is not coming into focus yet.
You have brother Nicolai tomorrow, right? He'll put some heart into this case.
Pass the red pepper, please.
Yeah, his feelings are right on the surface.
Unlike some people.
Who are we talking about? You were at the appeals court today, and I'm not even getting a hint of how it went.
You're just all about the Cayenne flakes.
I figured you'd ask me when you're ready.
I'm ready.
We did okay.
It went okay? That's it? That's your full report? She kicked ass.
She was prepared, methodical, fast on her feet.
MAUREEN: Thanks.
You know Bishop's appeal hangs entirely on a technicality.
The breathalyzer certification, I know.
I just want you to be prepared.
There's a good chance the appeals court could grant him a new trial no matter how well we did.
I think everyone at this table understood the odds going in.
I don't think this thing is going away anytime soon.
Right.
Anything on Rooney's mystery woman? Annabeth you need to focus on Nicolai's testimony.
Let me have Falcone.
I want to go mano a mano with the evil genius.
I know what you're doing.
I don't need handling.
I'm not handling you.
I want this guy.
I want in on this.
ANNABETH: Nicolai, when you spoke to your sister on the phone that Friday, how would you describe her mood? She was angry.
She was having a big fight with her husband.
Objection.
This is hearsay.
Goes to establishing state of mind, Your Honor.
Overruled.
You may continue.
What was she angry about? She told me he was cheating on her with another woman.
She was planning to ask him to, uh get a divorce.
Thank you.
Mr.
Shevchenko we have only your word for what your sister told you on that phone call.
I told the truth.
Sonia told you that she was leaving her husband, even though it might cost her that precious green card? Objection.
Ask don't orate, Counselor.
Do you know why your sister married Will Rooney? She told me she loved him.
But you know she only married him to come to America.
No, it's not true.
You were close to your sister, weren't you? Yes.
Yeah.
And you've harbored a resentment against Mr.
Rooney ever since he took her away from you, isn't that right? I never believed he loved her.
And you would say or do anything, including lie to this jury in order to hurt him, wouldn't you? I traveled thousands of miles to tell the truth, not to lie.
RAMONT: Will Rooney sent money to Russia to support your mother, isn't that true? Sonia was sending money home.
On the salary of a part-time tutor? You expect us to believe that? Objection.
Sustained.
Mr.
Ramont? A substantial portion of the money that she sent home was contributed by her husband, wasn't it? I don't know.
You don't seem very grateful, Mr.
Shevchenko.
Would you be grateful if I killed your sister? Would the court clerk repeat that threat? Your Honor, the People request a recess.
JUDGE: Denied.
The Court intends to finish this witness before our lunch break.
You are here to answer questions, Mr.
Shevchenko, not to ask them.
Proceed.
Sorry.
The loss of Mr.
Rooney's financial support will be catastrophic to your family in Russia.
We manage fine.
And that is why you've turned against Mr.
Rooney, and that is why you're lying to this jury right now.
I don't want money from him.
I want his last breath.
RAMONT: Well, finally, now we are hearing the truth.
No further questions.
(sighs) I let him make fool of me.
Try not to worry about it.
He gets paid a lot of money to make you look bad.
Nicolai? Nicolai.
Now, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Can we have a minute? Look, no lawyers, just you and me.
Please.
Okay, let's step aside.
This isn't appropriate, Mr.
Rooney.
I didn't kill Sonia.
(speaking Russian) You're not my brother.
Please Get away from me.
Your showboating for the media couldn't be more transparent or more pathetic.
What you've seen here is the tragedy of a family being torn apart.
Torn apart by an overzealous prosecution You were issued a gag order, Counselor.
I'm going to get the judge to hold you in contempt.
Learn how the game is played, or get used to losing.
RANDAL: Most of the deleted files were photos.
Wow.
That's not an affair with one woman, he's a serial philanderer.
In public, in cars.
Notice how the interior lights are always on.
Like he wants people to see.
When I was working vice in New York, this was just starting to catch on.
They call it dogging.
Dogging? Never heard of it.
People hook up online, say to go meet someplace, like a public park, and have sex in the car while other people are watching.
Are you serious? Sometimes they even invite the voyeurs to join in.
I fail to see the attraction.
Well, you got your wheelbarrow position, the reverse buckaroo.
Sometimes they even get out of the car and do it on the hood.
The windshield could be a problem.
I've seen it get smashed.
Sex in public, lewd conduct, indecent exposure, how could Rooney possibly take this kind of risk? BLACKWELL: It's part of the thrill.
I mean, maybe he figured it was a calculated risk.
The Web site is secure, and no one uses their real names.
They all make up dogging personas.
Yeah, but it's still illegal, and every school has some kind of morals clause.
Reason enough for Rooney to wipe out the files.
And motive enough to kill his wife if she threatened to expose him.
ANNABETH: Your Honor, this is evidence recovered by the People after weeks of painstaking effort.
RAMONT: On the contrary.
This is a cheap effort to salvage a sinking prosecution with salacious and irrelevant evidence that's more appropriate to a pornographic Web site than a court of law.
Of course, Defense Counsel realizes this evidence corroborates the testimony of Sonia's brother, and goes directly to motive.
Mr.
Rooney's contract at Carolwood contains a morals clause.
These photos would certainly have cost him his job.
There is nothing to suggest that Mrs.
Rooney ever laid eyes on those pictures.
And you must exclude this evidence.
The State's search of Mr.
Rooney's computer far exceeds their warrant.
Judge Crenshaw, these files are what Mr.
Rooney deleted from his computer, immediately after killing his wife.
They couldn't be more probative.
They couldn't be more prejudicial.
Thank you, Counsel, for that spirited colloquy.
I am prepared to rule.
The State's warrant was indeed sufficient.
But these photos, inflammatory in the extreme, are more prejudicial than probative.
They could easily overshadow the facts of the case.
In light of that, testimony about Mr.
Rooney's alleged behavior is admissible.
The photos are not.
Dr.
Falcone, would you tell the court what an injury biomechanics expert does? I study the effect of force in motion on the human body, to determine the cause of an injury.
In Mrs.
Rooney's case Mm-hmm.
I've analyzed a skull fracture which caused subdural and subgaleal bruising.
So what type of force would cause that type of injury? Not as much as you would think.
Drop a head on a cement floor from the height of about one foot, the skull will fracture.
So in other words, a delicate human skull hits a hard surface.
Yes, if the victim didn't try to break her fall in any way-- say she passed out and fell backwards-- she could easily have gotten a fracture of this kind.
Especially on a hard surface like the Rooneys' granite countertop.
Now I'd like to direct the court to Defense Exhibit Six.
Could you tell us what we're seeing? We mapped the arc of the fall Mm-hmm.
considered its velocity, taking into account the height and weight of the victim, and we concluded that Mrs.
Rooney could have hit her head on the countertop or on the table, and fractured her skull, suffering the injuries that were discovered postmortem.
No further questions.
Dr.
Falcone Nice to see you again, sir.
How's New York? Fine.
Doctor, are you aware that Mrs.
Rooney's contact lenses were found at the scene on the kitchen floor? Yes.
Assuming Sonia Rooney slipped and fell backwards, Doctor, how is it possible that both her contact lenses were dislodged? It is an unlikely scenario.
However, it would be more likely to occur if she were facing the floor when the injury occurred.
She had bruising on both knees.
Now wouldn't that indicate that she fell forward? It would suggest it, yes.
Wouldn't it also suggest that she was struck from behind? She could have hit the back of her head on a drawer and fallen forward.
A wooden drawer.
Wood is a much softer material than tile.
There are other factors involved, including the contents the drawer, which would add to its weight.
A silverware drawer, for instance.
What about a clothes iron? I show you People's Exhibit 19.
Isn't it more likely that a heavy, blunt object caused the fracture and bruising? A deliberate blow from an iron would cause a fracture, but probably a significantly greater one than the one that Mrs.
Rooney sustained.
Probably? Yes.
Doctor, did you map the arc of an iron wielded so viciously that it shattered her skull and caused massive internal bleeding and knocked both contact lenses from her eyes? I did not map that possibility.
I have no further questions, Your Honor.
RANDAL: Maybe if I knew who we're looking for.
WILLIAMS: We need witnesses we can put on the stand.
The judge wouldn't admit the photos, but Annabeth's betting he'll allow testimony from participants.
Would that be doggers or just dogs? Can you blow this up anymore? Maybe one more field, then we're out of pixels.
Top left quadrant, that woman there.
Interior light's right on her.
Better than cable.
I know that woman.
She works with the defendant.
I don't know if you remember where this was taken, but I can tell you where it ended up.
On Will Rooney's computer.
I wasn't having an affair with the dean.
I believe you.
That's not his car.
Did he take this picture of you and your lover? He's not my lover.
Who is he? I don't know his real name.
We just met that night.
And what was Will Rooney doing there? How did he happen to take this picture? He liked to watch.
You lied to our investigator when he interviewed you.
I'm married.
Do you understand? You've impeded a murder investigation.
Please, I can I just can't testify.
Let me remind you.
Sonia Rooney is dead.
If you remain silent, Will Rooney will get away with her murder.
You already rested your case, Counselor.
Not to mention the Prosecuting Attorney's Office interviewed this witness pretrial.
She could have brought her in to testify at any time.
Is this true? Colleen Ames was evasive in her initial interview, but since then she's agreed to come forward and tell the truth.
She can speak to Will Rooney's illegal sexual activities, the motive for the murder.
Your Honor, properly excluded the sordid photographs, this is nothing but a last-ditch Hail Mary attempt to bolster a sloppy and ill-conceived prosecution.
Sworn testimony that can be challenged by opposing counsel is a different order of evidence than highly compromising and pornographic pictures.
I'll allow the testimony.
ANNABETH: What was Sonia Rooney's state of mind the day before she died? Angry.
She had found some photos on Will's computer the night before, and she was talking about divorce.
What type of photos? Photos of him having sex in a car with another woman.
She said she was going to follow him the next time he went out at night.
Follow him where? To Driscol Park.
She recognized it from the photos.
And when she told you she was going to follow Will, what did you say? I tried to discourage her.
I was afraid she might find out about me.
That I was into the same kind of extramarital sex as Will was.
Objection, irrelevant.
I'm establishing motive, Your Honor.
I'll allow it.
The witness may continue.
And I didn't want somebody to find out and tell my husband.
Also, I was worried about my job.
Why would having an affair cause you to lose your job? I wasn't having an affair.
I was dogging.
And what is "dogging"? It's having sex in public with men I met online and other people watching.
Tell me, Mrs.
Ames, is there a morals clause in your employment agreement at Carolwood? Everyone who worked at the school had one.
And what would happen to anyone who was arrested on this type of charge? They would be fired immediately.
How often did you and Will Rooney see each other while dogging? Only that one time.
I kind of flipped out.
So did he.
What do you mean? He said that if I ever told anyone about him he would kill me.
Your witness, Counselor.
Consider, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, Sonia Shevchenko, a miserable, desperate woman, a woman with no future in Sayersk, Russia, willing to do anything to get out.
Willing to manipulate Will Rooney, pretend to love him, and then use him for all he's worth.
And just as her green card was on the horizon, that's when her marriage started to fall apart.
And when her husband told her that he was planning to divorce her, that's when she realized she'd lost this golden opportunity.
And knowing that she'd soon be deported, she took her own life.
She took her own life.
And nobody mourned her death more openly, more honestly, more passionately than Will Rooney.
Was Will Rooney really a knight in shining armor who rode in to rescue poor, pitiful Sonia? Or was he a very troubled young man who had difficulty with intimacy and relationships his entire life? Will preferred anonymous hookups through the Internet and sex with strangers in public places.
And when Sonia discovered the truth about her husband, she was hurt, she was angry, she was repulsed.
She ld Will she wanted a divorce.
Now, Will could have let her go, but his pride wouldn't allow it.
And when he refused, Sonia threatened to expose him.
His reaction was to knock her unconscious, drag her through their garage, and kill her with carbon monoxide.
We ask you to return the only just verdict-- the only verdict your common sense will allow you to return-- guilty.
Hey, you wanted to see me.
Pack your bags.
Where am I going? New York.
You have an appointment with Dr.
Graham, the best cardiologist in the city.
I'm fine.
No, you're not, Ray.
And I will not have you on my conscience.
A little heartburn, never killed anyone.
Hey, this is me.
I was there, touch and go in the Lennox Hill E.
R.
, remember? If this gets around You're visiting your sister.
Good-bye.
Madam Foreperson, will you please hand over your verdict? On the count of murder the jury finds the defendant guilty.
(murmuring) (gavel bangs) Annabeth.
Um, you've given Sonia back her honor, and she'll rest easier now.
Oh! Thank you.
You're welcome.
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