Law & Order (1990) s04e01 Episode Script
Sweeps
In the criminal justice system the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups: the police who investigate crime and the district attorneys who prosecute the offenders.
These are their stories.
Okay.
We're getting close.
Okay? Okay, folks.
Yeah.
That's good.
Okay, Allan.
Okay, camera coming through.
Here we go.
Let's do this.
How does it look, Bonnie? Looks great, Rick.
Control your hair, control your life.
Rick? Barry, can you hear me out there? Yeah, lock up the street.
I'm coming out.
You got it, Rick.
Chucky, frame me up.
Signal? Signal good to the towers.
All right, standby.
Joey, be a guy.
Plug me in and keep me hot.
Clean and mean, Rick.
Today, live from the streets of New York Okay, it's bingo time.
Coming in 10.
Three camera's ready.
Show me hard.
Light me up.
Okay, we're going to roll coming up to air in five, four, three Rick Mason's Final Confession.
I'm Rick Mason.
Today as always, live on location on Final Confession the first exclusive interview with Dr.
Joseph Vinton child molester and one of his victims, Scott Fisher.
Let's go meet them.
Four years ago, Dr.
Joseph Vinton, a therapist recognized for his treatment of disturbed children took Scott Fisher then 11 years old, to this restaurant.
Now, Dr.
Vinton sat here with Scott he bought him ice cream and he convinced Scott not to say anything about the abuse that he'd committed moments earlier at his Greenwich Village office.
But eventually, Scott did tell his mother and Dr.
Vinton went to prison.
Dr.
Vinton.
It must be strange for you coming back to this place.
I'm not concerned about myself.
I'm here to help others.
I've committed unspeakable crimes, and while I've served my time in jail I know it's not enough.
Eighteen months for the abuse of seven children.
Sounds like a cruise.
Is that justice? I don't know what justice is.
I know what I did was awful.
I hurt people.
I can't ever live it down.
Not in 18 months, or in 18 years.
Now, you wrote a book in prison about your experiences.
Who would you think would want to read it? Certainly not my audience! I didn't face what I'd done until I was in prison.
The book is part of my recovery.
Part of the reason I'm free today to say I'm sorry.
To say he's sorry to two of his victims Scott Fisher, and his mother Sarah.
Now, Scott this man took you into his care and he abused you.
He's willing to acknowledge that.
But if I were you I think I would still be a little angry.
I am, but I'm hoping to make a start at getting it together.
This is terrible! Take us to commercial.
Commercial! I was on air, I didn't see the father come in.
You knew who he was? I wanted him on the show.
The wife says he's there, she's not.
Who dreams he's going to show up and shoot Vinton? Vinton gonna make it? Died in surgery.
Oh, no.
Mr.
Mason? Top of the show.
If this doesn't do it four million witnesses.
Did the father know the psychiatrist was going to be here today? No way.
We're on location every week.
We never announce where we're going to be.
That's what I do.
My guests are in a hotel two days before air.
Even the crew doesn't know who's gonna be on till just the last minute.
I could have been shot myself.
Look, if there's nothing else can I take care of my staff? Let me give you my card.
You remember anything else give me a call.
Why did he do it? Because he's crazy, that's why.
You thought your husband was capable of violence? It's my fault.
He blames me for what happened to Scotty.
He blames me for everything.
I don't talk to my husband.
I haven't seen him in three years.
So, you didn't expect him here today? Well, he attacked Vinton at his trial.
He got thrown out of the Army.
Why do you think I divorced him? Is my dad going to be okay? The wound's not serious.
Officer O'Brien is going to take you home, all right? Where is that security director Talbott? I sent him back to the precinct.
We'll get his statement.
What? He's an ex-cop.
He did his job.
You want to book him for shooting the father? If you don't mind, I've got a question.
How'd the father know to come here today? Come on, Mike, break it up, move along.
Nothing to see here.
Secret location, lots of security.
How did Fisher get here? He shot the guy who molested his kid.
I don't care if an avenging angel sent him.
I might've done the same thing if it was my kid.
Oh, I guess, case closed.
That's what Van Buren will say.
How did the father get there? Who cares? In Narcotics, we didn't care when scum dealers got shot we did want to find out who shot them.
We have the killer in an operating room at Bellevue.
Just tell me how Fisher got there.
We drop it and he does his 25 years.
What did the wife say? He was in the Army in the Rangers in Vietnam? Those guys can track a leopard in the rain so, maybe he stalked the shrink.
A shrink child molester.
I wonder what's next on his show family dog gets a sex change? Or girl gives birth to a baby pig.
My mother likes those shows, along with the rest of America.
What do you want to do? Hey, we already have four open homicides.
Now, wait a minute.
If he stalked him, he could have hit him in an alleyway he could have hit him driving a car.
He picks today when four million people are watching in a place he's not even supposed to know about? I'm just saying let's give it a day.
If nothing happens, the case closes itself.
Talbott, Mason's head of security the one who shot the father, we've got him upstairs.
So? Bring him down.
I don't know how he got there.
At least I zipped him.
God knows who he would have shot next.
You'd think someone would have noticed him at the restaurant.
They were rounding up audience off the street.
I wish I'd seen him sooner, but, hey it was a crowd.
You'd already met the father? Saw his picture in a file.
Hey, hold on Twenty years in the 31, I know the drill.
Now, am I here to give a statement or what? Easy, Barry.
Nobody's blaming you.
But the wife said her husband was a wacko.
You weren't worried? I never talked to the guy myself Yeah, I knew he was a nut, but a gun? You're sure Mrs.
Fisher didn't know where the show was? Unless she reads minds.
She don't find out until we drive her there.
Do me a favor, use the desk.
Finish typing up this statement.
Nice guy.
Oh, sure.
Retired cop.
What? He knows Fisher was in the Army, has a history of violence.
What? He's surprised the guy shows up with a gun? Well, I thought you said we had four open homicides.
The bodies are frozen.
They're not going to thaw out.
Okay, let's call the D.
A.
Maybe we get in to see Pop Fisher.
He sure as hell knows how he got there.
Yeah, he's in post-op, sedated.
They won't put him in his room till the morning.
I followed the son of a bitch.
I shot him.
Where did you follow Vinton from? You're going to prison.
If you help us, maybe the D.
A.
will help you.
Sid.
The D.
A.
says if you cooperate - You're a lawyer, right? Listen up, no jury puts me in jail for what I did.
Sid, you listen.
It's a question of for how long.
Like Vinton.
Country club, 18 months.
He deserved to die.
All right, look, we can do this the easy way, or we can do this the hard way.
I didn't talk to Mason, Talbott, any of his people.
But you know the name of the head of his security.
Hell, yeah, I know his name.
He put a hole in my shoulder.
Sid, this isn't getting anywhere.
I shot an animal.
Call the vet.
If I'd known this would happen, obviously we wouldn't have gone on TV.
Well, after what you'd been through some people would wonder why you went on TV at all.
I thought we could help others.
I thought it would be good for Scotty.
We'd have an ending, a resolution.
Scotty, ahem, let me ask you did you want your father there? He's not in touch with Sid.
The court arranges everything.
But, it must have been painful seeing Vinton again, huh? Well, after three years, it was okay.
You knew your dad was angry? Dad's angry about what happened to me.
He has a right to be.
Scotty.
So, Dr.
Vinton is dead.
Scotty, I want to talk to the detectives alone.
You see how upset he is? We're victims of this, too.
My husband's temper destroyed my son and my marriage.
I didn't tell him.
I didn't know where we were going.
He can't remember how he found Vinton.
Must be trauma from the wound.
Had to be his wife.
She got to him.
Mrs.
Fisher's lying? Come on, she hates her husband.
She doesn't have to like him to wind him up.
Yeah, but she wouldn't want him there.
She'd be afraid he'd shoot her.
"The killing of Dr.
Vinton comes at the start of the television period "known as sweeps.
Ratings of Rick Mason's Final Confession are expected to rise Oh, Mason did it for the ratings.
He's a saint, and his show caters to the highest instincts of human nature.
Look at him, he's scum.
So, change the channel.
Are you listening to yourself? First Pop, then Mom, now Mason.
It's an Oliver Stone movie.
All right, nobody planned it.
It still doesn't answer my question.
How did Fisher know where to go? That security chief, Talbott? He had the mother and son in a hotel for two days.
Fifth floor.
Adjoining suites.
Mrs.
Fisher and the boy.
Very private.
So, if we called we couldn't get through.
Discretion is our middle name.
No, Mr.
Mason's guests and Mr.
Talbott weren't even on the computer.
Here we go.
The Fishers, no phone calls.
Talbott, local only.
All to the same number.
Mason's office.
Was Mr.
Mason here Tuesday night? He came in about 5:00.
I took him up myself in the service elevator.
Mr.
M.
hates the lobby.
Samsonite tourists.
He left about 7:00.
Are there any pay phones upstairs? On the residential floors? If they use pay phones, we lose our surcharge.
Anywhere other than the lobby? Yeah, there's one on the mezzanine, third floor.
Very private.
Okay, thanks.
Hey.
A phone call from the mezzanine.
To 526 East 91st Street.
Sid Fisher's place.
I guess the bellboy made the call.
Mason left at 7:00.
Talbott was still there.
Somebody has good instincts.
Which one of you said Mr.
Talbott should learn to lie better? Both of us.
He said 20 years on the force? Sixteen.
Never made sergeant, tried three times.
I.
A.
investigation said payoffs from dealers.
They never made the case.
He resigned.
Even a hero needs a pension, Barry.
This is what you wanted to talk about? How much is your pension? You don't have one.
You didn't do 20 years.
Your career was over in 16.
We're having a problem with your statement.
You see, Barry, you said you never talked to Sid Fisher.
You said Mrs.
Fisher and her son were under your full-time surveillance.
Trouble is, somebody called Mr.
Fisher the night before the broadcast.
From a pay phone at the hotel.
Now either you called, or you know who did.
One last shot at the Sergeant's Exam.
Check the box.
Is accessory to murder an A or a B felony? I lost my pencil.
The call was made, Barry.
You were a cop, work your own testimony, see where it leads.
I I got four kids.
I needed the job.
I didn't call Fisher.
I didn't tell Mrs.
Fisher where the show was.
The night before Rick's on the phone at the hotel.
He's on the phone with his lawyer.
I'm worried.
We know Fisher is wired, he slugged the shrink at the trial.
I heard he pistol-whipped some kid in the Army.
I hear Rick say to the lawyer: "We talked about this.
What do you want me to do? "Cancel the show? If it happens, just tell me what kind of trouble I'm in.
" I figured I'd better clean my gun.
Take a breath, Detective.
This is completely absurd.
What am I hearing? That you're investigating my client? On the word of a crooked ex-cop? Who was crooked when you hired him.
And when I fired him.
Did he tell you that? Day after the show.
Barry Talbott was hired to protect my client's guests.
I told Barry, heads-up Fisher could track his wife.
Why do you think I wanted Fisher on the show? We get him there, we could've made sure he didn't have a gun.
The day it happened, you were surprised he owned a gun.
The idea that my client is responsible- Your client? Check your shorts.
Mr.
Talbott tells us that Mr.
Mason called you before the shooting.
Says you knew about the mystery guest.
One, no such conversation.
Two, this imaginary conversation took place? Privileged.
Three, if Talbott overheard it privilege extends to him as an employee of my client.
Close your notebook.
The interview is over.
She denied talking to him? Oh, but you should have seen the look on her face.
This is one scared lady.
The D.
A.
says it's not enough.
Dirty ex-cop? Not a great witness.
Look, we know Mason set this up.
He wanted the guy shot, he somehow got the father there.
Mason, all these guys, they'll do anything for higher ratings.
So, that's what's going down.
Somebody gets killed, these guys break out the champagne.
We can't prove that.
We don't know who called the father from the hotel.
Fisher's wife.
Mason called her.
Or he told the kid.
That makes no sense.
Sarah Fisher protecting Mason? If she knew he set it up, why won't she tell us? Who knows why this lady does anything? Why'd she bring her kid on TV in the first place? "Hello, America, here's my molested son, watch him suffer.
" We have shrinks on the payroll.
Give them a call.
You're asking me to explain the behavior of a woman I've never met.
Look, we need an idea, someplace to start.
I usually try and avoid making diagnoses over lunch.
Okay, this is speculation.
What did Mason do for Sarah Fisher? He gave her an obituary.
She wanted Vinton dead? I don't think so.
He molested her son.
And in a way she was molested, too.
She goes on TV, she gets support.
She even gets applause.
She doesn't want Vinton dead she wants to do Oprah and Donahue with him.
That's her way of getting through it.
Then she wouldn't have helped her husband kill Vinton.
No, but her son might.
That makes more sense.
Mason tells the kid the kid phones his father.
She's not protecting Mason.
She's protecting her son.
You're making it worse by being here.
Your husband didn't do this alone.
Mason picked you and Scott for a reason.
I watched his shows.
I guess I should have realized I really can't tell you anything.
You knew what your husband was planning and you called him.
That makes you a coconspirator and you could be indicted.
Mom, don't- Scotty! I don't know anything.
Mason went to the hotel and he told you to call your husband.
Did he tell you it would make a better show? Did he offer you money? Did he tell you your husband was going to shoot Vinton? Unless, of course, he talked to you, Scott.
Scotty, I don't think you should be here right now.
Mom, you don't have to- It doesn't matter who Mr.
Mason talked to it's too late now.
Neither of us should have been alone with him.
We shouldn't be alone with you.
Olivet's right.
She's not giving up her son.
Mason's gonna get away with this.
Do you think the D.
A.
's gonna touch this? Nah, guys like Mason don't go to jail.
They go to country clubs and they get awards.
Yeah, what did Sarah Fisher say? She watched his shows, so she should have known.
So? So, do you watch his show? I don't.
Maybe we should.
Maybe the guy's got some bad habits we don't know about.
Yeah, that'll get us an arrest.
It might get us something that will convince the D.
A.
that this guy set up a murder.
I never watch the competition.
Hey, this isn't a press conference.
Mason's a major player in this industry.
Mr.
Hudson, we're interested in opinions, not resumes.
And this is a murder investigation.
Well, which opinion would you like? Mason's Nielsens were down? Read it in Variety.
Which comes first? His conviction or his Emmy? Well, what are you, new? Nobody in the business was surprised.
You see that woman in Florida? Husband shoots her at their daughter's grave.
Same day network news.
I'd sell my poodle for that kind of hype.
And shooting a child molester is even better.
Cable operators are asking the State of Nevada to televise executions pay-per-view.
Snuff for you? Smell blood yet? Television No viewers, no sponsors.
No sponsors - No money.
Oh, no, marquee.
The marquee, his name over the title.
Without a show, Mason's nothing but letterhead.
I know a girl, Debby Corrio.
Sweet kid.
She used to work for him.
She'll take you backstage.
Why does everyone think I was fired? I quit.
Better job? Better life.
I couldn't take another minute.
What's on 4:30? Final Confession.
Nobody ever got shot on his show.
It was coming.
You know the Pulisi trial? He had one of the jurors on.
Four days later, the man disappeared.
Hey, a mob-trial juror goes on TV? He's asking for it.
You should have seen Mason trying to convince him he'd be safe.
Eight months ago we were doing this spot.
I found a diva, 19, has an act in The Village.
I say, "Rick Mason wants you to sing on his show.
" So, she's in heaven.
No, he's at Bergdorf's picking out a little black dress.
He's wearing a dress.
So? You want to see why I quit? I'll get you the tape.
I don't care if he's a bully.
It's not admissible.
We're not talking admissibility.
It's motive.
They're trying to give you a reason to make the case.
Watch this.
Sophie, Georgette and Mary.
Boys who sing like girls.
Tonight, live on Final Confession.
Stay with us.
Don't go away, we'll be right back.
We go to commercial.
Mary? Is this what you really want to do? I just wanted to sing, Mr.
Mason.
But it's not you, Mary.
Don't you want to be yourself tonight? I don't know They love you.
Show them who you really are.
They want you to be happy.
They told me.
They're both here? Yeah, atta girl.
All right, head's up.
We're coming back.
In five, four, three Tonight, live on Final Confession.
Mary is really Tommy Turner and tonight she tells the two people that love her the most.
Howard? Elaine? Would you come out, please? Do you recognize this young lady? Dad Tommy? Oh, my God.
Oh, no The father walked out of the show and had a coronary.
The kid felt so guilty, a week later he killed himself.
Mason destroys people.
It doesn't prove anything.
Claire, it proves who he is.
We can't make this work, all we got left is rubber hoses.
You can hit him harder.
You can't be serious.
You don't think we should go after him? What he does may be sleazy, but it's not criminal.
If he arranged a murder, it is.
You can't believe that Mason knew Fisher was coming with a gun.
Miss Kincaid, he wanted to get the man there.
Expected a fistfight, got a homicide.
If intent to cause injury causes death, it's man one.
At the least, it's facilitation.
How do we prove facilitation? You're not suggesting we offer the father a deal for his son's testimony? Why not? He gets man one anyway.
And no jury convicts on murder two.
Half the country wants to name him Father of the Year.
You know what Mason'll do.
Call himself a journalist and wrap himself in the First Amendment.
Well, let him wrap himself in the American flag.
He's not Tom Brokaw.
By the way, Adam, the father fired his lawyer.
He's going pro se.
Jerk.
So, I figure we offer him a deal, he doesn't want to take it we say we're adding his son to the charge.
It's not the father we're after, it's Mason.
We're not going to indict the kid to get him.
No, but the father doesn't know that.
Let's hope.
My son had nothing to do with it.
Well, we think that your wife will testify otherwise.
Not against my son.
Mr.
Fisher if your son did help you get to Dr.
Vinton he's an accessory.
He will go to Spofford.
I shot a man on principle.
You torment my son in front of me You have no principles.
And you speak for the State.
We'll see you in court.
We'll provide you with help for your defense.
If you leave my son alone, I'll tell you what you want to know.
The offer is manslaughter in the first degree, you do 8-to-25 if you tell the truth and if your testimony is useful.
That is the deal.
The deal is my son never appears in court, for any reason.
Agreed? I can promise that he won't be indicted.
I cannot promise you that he won't appear as witness.
You don't need him as a witness.
Mason called a couple of weeks before the show.
Said Sarah was dragging Scotty on.
Humiliate him.
Vinton sells a million books, laughs till he cries.
What am I going to do? He told me it was at Waverly.
I went and shot the son of a bitch.
That's a lie, sir.
I told you the deal depends on you telling the truth.
I cannot let you commit perjury.
I am not dragging Scotty through anything else, do you hear me? My boy had to testify against Vinton.
He never appears in court again the rest of his life.
I didn't get any calls, I didn't talk to anybody.
We can't use him.
He'll lie.
He probably did talk to Mason.
Well, that's not the whole truth and we both know it.
He laid it all on Mason to keep it away from his son, and Mason's smart.
He used the son to incite the father, makes facilitation that much harder to prove.
Plus, he could figure that the Fishers would never want the kid back in the limelight.
But without him, there's no case.
This family They haven't been in the same room together in three years.
Mrs.
Fisher, we believe that you and your son conspired with your husband.
Scott talked to your husband before the shooting.
We're certain you knew it and if we have to, we'll charge you both as accessories.
So, Scott, help your dad.
Tell the truth and he gets out of prison sooner.
Scotty.
I'm done controlling myself.
Dad said it's okay to feel that way.
Mr.
Mason told me where it was going to be.
I called my dad.
This way, please.
What is this? What are you doing here? I thought we were closing a deal.
Your son just cut a new deal for you.
You had to put it on him.
Is this today's solution? Blame it on our son? Don't dump this on me.
I put him in therapy, you put him in a murder trial.
Sid, there's no justice.
At least we can have recovery.
Keep your recovery.
I got revenge.
This is finished.
Dad, don't do that.
Scotty's telling the truth, he called Sid.
He told me after it happened.
You wanted corroboration.
You said you'd threaten the father, you threatened the son.
Alice Hutton finds out, she'll have a hayride on cross.
Was there any other choice? Now we look like carnival hucksters.
"Want a deal? Take a number.
You too can get a piece of the movie rights.
" Nobody said this was an easy case.
Conspiracy without collusion? But you've got to make a point.
Which is? You treat people like animal acts one of them dies, you go to jail.
Well, I just hope we don't look ridiculous.
Oh, I'd wear clown make-up if I thought it'd get me a conviction.
"Docket number 62397, The People v.
Richard Mason.
Charges are manslaughter, first degree, criminal facilitation, first degree.
" So, Miss Hutton? Your Honor, in view of the absurdity of these charges my client would like to make a statement.
In my defense, Your Honor, I point to my career in journalism the respect of my colleagues.
Sir, I have no idea who you are.
Miss Hutton, I'm not going to dismiss charges before they get to grand jury.
Prompt your client to enter a plea or enter it for him.
Not guilty on both counts.
Ms.
Kincaid? We don't think bail will affect Mr.
Mason's appearance at trial.
The People ask for $100,000.
We find that acceptable, Your Honor.
Such reasonable people.
Who says no happy families? And Mr.
Mason, stay in character if you want, but please, stay in town.
Next.
Who are you? I speak for the people.
I gave the Fishers their real day in court.
You're a public servant.
Your system gave a molester You serve the public better than I do? I didn't arrange to have him killed.
Neither did my client.
He had no motive.
Your client saw an opportunity, Alice.
I'm an opportunist? Thirty-eight people were shot in courtrooms last year.
The show you're staging is no different than mine.
Mr.
Mason, please focus.
This is not a show.
You have a camera, I have Attica.
Take a rest.
I didn't get my nap today either.
Geraldo had Nazis on the show he started a brawl, nobody indicted him.
Nobody got shot on his show.
Now, I'm willing to discuss a plea at the lowest charge.
Go ahead, pick that scab.
I'll see you in court.
Don't be late, it's live.
By the way, that phone conversation the security guard overheard Mr.
Talbott? I was on the phone with my client.
You'll never get it admitted.
The call is privileged.
Mr.
Talbott worked for my client.
In essence he was my client.
Oh, really? On what grounds? He was a necessary agent to my client conducting his business.
The necessary agent theory? Fine for the law journals, Alice.
We don't make law here, we uphold it.
My client didn't expect to be overheard.
McCormick on Evidence, he thought the call was private he didn't waive privilege.
It was a public telephone.
Attorney-client privilege is one of those great zones of privacy, however- Your Honor, I- Sit down, Alice.
I don't see how it applies here.
And the jury has a choice.
They don't have to believe a word Mr.
Talbott says.
The testimony on the call is admitted.
Let's go to trial.
Alice, that phone call, Talbott isn't lying, is he? That conversation was privileged.
This isn't about privilege.
Prove my actions were improper, bring me up for disbarment.
If I could prove it, it would be accessory to manslaughter.
Who appointed you Saint Francis of Assisi? It must be thrilling to occupy such high moral ground.
You're an officer of the court.
It sounds like you were discussing the possibility of murder with your client.
Really? You want to try proving any of that? You're desperate.
Talk shows have been on 20 hours a week for the past 10 years.
First time somebody gets shot, you call it manslaughter? It's what a jury calls it that counts.
This prosecution's a hummer.
I don't know how you look at yourself in the mirror.
I'm a Catholic, I can feel guilty about anything.
But I'll bet my conscience is easier to live with than yours.
Now, what will the defendant tell you? That he covers the news.
But in this case, he didn't cover the news, he made it.
Now, let's be clear about the motive.
Nothing draws people to their television sets nothing is more magnetic than violence.
And each year, the stakes go up.
You had a fistfight on your show last year now who's going to watch if that happens again? The higher the stakes, the higher the ratings.
The higher the ratings, the more money goes into Mr.
Mason's pockets.
And these stakes are human lives.
Not just the life of Dr.
Vinton but the lives of the entire Fisher family.
Now, Mr.
Mason brought them together as you would gasoline and fire.
And he waited for the explosion.
The People will prove that the explosion came because the defendant deliberately lit the match.
Mr.
Stone has a strange notion of human behavior.
The defendant, he believes, is responsible for what other people do.
He says, let's be clear about motive.
I suggest, let's be clear about the facts.
Here's what you'll learn from the witnesses.
The defendant didn't fire a gun.
He didn't put a gun in anyone's hand, he didn't coerce anyone to appear on his program.
And I remind you of one other fact.
Long before the defendant ever met the Fisher family Scott Fisher's father attacked Joseph Vinton.
Did Richard Mason provoke Mr.
Fisher to fire a gun? Or was he provoked in a courtroom long before Richard Mason ever heard of him? That phone call scared the hell out of me.
What specifically worried you? Mr.
Mason always said Fisher might show up.
When he asked his lawyer what kind of trouble he'll be in I figure he knows for sure.
Did you do anything about your concerns? Well, I told him: "Let me hire an extra man.
" He said, "Forget it.
Fisher comes, I'll let the guy talk.
" I said, "The guy's nuts anything can happen.
" And what did Mr.
Mason say to that? He said, "We're doing a show.
Things are supposed to happen.
" Thank you.
Your witness.
So, Mr.
Talbott, you thought there'd be trouble? Did you call the police? I followed Mr.
Mason's orders.
Did you follow orders as a cop? Why did you leave the Police Department? Objection.
Is it true you resigned because- Miss Hutton.
Counsel will approach.
When he objects, you wait for my ruling.
Now, Mr.
Talbott wasn't convicted of a crime, get near that again, you'll regret it.
Objection sustained.
Mr.
Talbott, this call you say you overheard.
Did you mention it in your statement to the police? No, I didn't.
Well, you lied then, or you're lying now.
Is it true you no longer work for Richard Mason that you were fired the day after the shooting of Joseph Vinton? Yeah, I was fired.
Well, you lied to the police.
I wonder, are you angry enough at Richard Mason to lie now? I didn't want my son on TV.
What did you tell Mr.
Mason? I said, "You put Scotty on, I'm gonna be there.
It'll be trouble.
" Mason says, "It's news to America.
You don't like the news, make your own.
" And what did that mean to you? Objection.
Asks for conclusion.
No, I'll allow it.
Mr.
Fisher? It meant lump it.
He wanted me to come and attack Vinton.
Thank you.
Your witness.
So, you testified your son told you where to go that day.
Can you tell the court why wasn't Scott charged as an accessory in this crime? I don't know.
Is that so? You said you made a deal with Mr.
Stone.
You'd implicate Mr.
Mason in exchange for a reduced sentence.
Was your son a part of that deal? They threatened to indict Scotty.
"They," Mr.
Fisher? Mr.
Stone, the District Attorney.
He said he'd indict my son.
Compelling incentive.
If my son were threatened, I'd say anything.
No further questions.
Mason did it! He made Scotty call me.
He's a parasite! He's filth! Mr.
Fisher! The jury will ignore the witness's remark.
Strike it from the record.
Redirect, Your Honor? If the witness can control himself.
Mr.
Fisher, did you ever offer to lie in your testimony? I wanted to say Mason told me where to go.
I wanted to say Scotty had nothing to do with it.
And how did I respond? You said that was perjury.
You said you couldn't let me do that.
Thank you.
No further questions.
It was at the hotel.
I was in my room.
And what did Mr.
Mason tell you? He said where the show was gonna be might be painful.
And what did you say to that? I told him I was scared about seeing Dr.
Vinton.
I didn't want to know where it was.
He said he had to tell me.
The Waverly, where Dr.
Vinton took me after the sessions.
Did Mr.
Mason explain to you why he had to tell you where it was? He said my dad ought to be there.
He couldn't tell Dad where the show was going to be, but I could.
He took me to a pay phone downstairs and I called my dad.
Thanks, Scott.
Your witness.
I know this is difficult for you, Scott.
All we want you to do is tell the truth.
Now, you met with Dr.
Vinton for how long? About three years.
And did your mother ever ask you about your sessions with the doctor? Objection.
Relevance? Goes to credibility.
I'll allow it, but make the connection quickly.
Go on, Scott.
Sure, my mom asked me.
And in three years you never told her what Dr.
Vinton did to you? No, she wanted me to go.
You wanted to please your mother so you didn't tell the truth.
You want to make it sound like I'm lying.
I'm not.
Mr.
Mason told me to call my dad.
I didn't know what he was gonna do.
Scott, didn't Mr.
Stone prepare you for today? Didn't he tell you exactly what to say? He told me just like you, to tell the truth.
No further questions.
She couldn't break him, Adam.
Ben, who said all cases are made by prepping the witnesses? You did, I think.
About Ben, Mr.
Mason just held a press conference.
He fully expects to be acquitted.
He's suing for false arrest and malicious prosecution.
$5 million in damages.
Well, the last guy that tried that with me is still doing three-to-nine.
I wouldn't eat that canary just yet.
It's a long trip from your witnesses to motive and conviction.
I'm pretty sure Mr.
Mason will get us there.
Well, but he might be a better performer than you.
Certainly had as much practice.
Well, then I can learn something.
Why did you visit Scott at the hotel that night? I spend time with all my subjects.
Especially a vulnerable 15-year-old.
What did you tell Scott? I reminded him how hard it would be.
Frankly, I wanted to assure myself that he wouldn't be damaged and if I wasn't convinced, I would have canceled the show.
Did you tell him where the show would be and ask him to call his father? Absolutely not.
I spoke to Mr.
Fisher.
Anyone could see the man was dangerous.
Did you instruct Barry Talbott to curtail his vigilance in any way? The opposite.
I was concerned that Mr.
Fisher might find out the location of the show.
I told Mr.
Talbott to stop him at all costs.
Mr.
Mason, do you consider yourself to have high professional standards? Yes, I do.
There are some things I will not do in pursuit of a story.
I've never used a hidden camera.
I don't surprise subjects in parking lots.
And I don't pay convicted felons.
I might add that some of my colleagues at the networks are not so particular.
Thank you.
Your witness.
So, you have high professional standards, sir, yet you put the Fisher family on your show, you knew that Mr.
Fisher was dangerous.
Is that a high standard? I took every precaution.
Didn't you provoke Mr.
Fisher? Didn't you refuse to hire additional security? Didn't you manipulate Scott Fisher? None of that is true.
What about guests on your previous shows? Didn't you arrange to have- Objection.
May we approach? Mr.
Mason's past programs are irrelevant.
It goes to motive, Your Honor.
And they're inadmissible.
Put it in your pocket, Ben.
I didn't let her do it to your witness, you don't do it to hers.
Objection sustained.
Mr.
Stone? Are you telling this court, sir, that you feel no responsibility for the death of Dr.
Vinton? It was a tragedy, but I would never knowingly put anyone's life in danger.
Judge, you can't allow this.
You want to go in the back door? Your client opened the door.
Hello there, send the arguments toward my door.
Mr.
Stone tried to sneak in character testimony before.
He wanted to tarnish my client but you said no.
Mr.
Mason's past programs haven't suddenly become relevant.
But they have, Alice.
Mason lied.
He said he never put anyone in danger.
He did.
He said "knowingly.
" He would never knowingly put anyone in danger.
Ben, you have rebuttal on this? I do, Your Honor.
A witness who was there and she'll testify.
It's grossly prejudicial.
People v.
Zackowitz, Benjamin Cardozo on the New York Court of Appeals.
What about Wigmore? Character is never an issue unless the defendant chooses to make it one which is what your client did.
It's too bad, he should have kept his mouth shut.
I'm going to allow this but you better hope your witness knows what she's talking about.
We wanted the juror from the Pulisi trial to talk about organized crime.
We picked juror number six, James Davis.
And why did you want that particular juror on your show? He was the one who pushed the jury to convict.
He said he would talk about it, but he was afraid.
Mr.
Mason assured him that we'd alter his voice, silhouette his face.
And did Mr.
Mason do that? Sure, he did.
Then he invited Nick Pulisi's son on the show.
Mr.
Davis didn't know until halfway through.
He disappeared from a parking lot.
They never found him.
Were you involved in the show that featured prostitutes in Times Square? I helped find those girls.
The day of the show one of them, her name was Cheryl, she was a little tired.
Mr.
Mason was upset.
The first time we talked to her, she was all lit up, she was funny.
Lit up, you mean that she was on drugs? She was on cocaine.
And what did Mr.
Mason do to help her be funny? He gave her $300, told her to take a little walk.
Did she come back? Yeah.
She was her old self.
She was buzzed.
We were just off the air when she keeled over.
Later, we found out she bought some bad stuff.
She barely made it to the hospital.
Miss Corrio, one last question.
How did Mr.
Mason react to that news? He said, "What a waste too bad she didn't OD on the show.
" He said, "What we really needed was for somebody to die on the air.
" On the first count of the indictment manslaughter in the first degree how does the jury find? We find the defendant not guilty.
On the second count of the indictment, the charge of criminal facilitation in the first degree, how does the jury find? We find the defendant guilty.
Move to continue bail until sentencing.
Motion granted.
I'm disappointed, but not only for myself.
It's a sad day for the First Amendment.
He'll do 18 months, better than nothing.
Eighteen months is what Vinton got, right? Mason could write his own book in that time.
Oh, he's off the air.
Oh, I don't know about that.
Five hundred cable channels coming? He could start the Prison Channel.
These are their stories.
Okay.
We're getting close.
Okay? Okay, folks.
Yeah.
That's good.
Okay, Allan.
Okay, camera coming through.
Here we go.
Let's do this.
How does it look, Bonnie? Looks great, Rick.
Control your hair, control your life.
Rick? Barry, can you hear me out there? Yeah, lock up the street.
I'm coming out.
You got it, Rick.
Chucky, frame me up.
Signal? Signal good to the towers.
All right, standby.
Joey, be a guy.
Plug me in and keep me hot.
Clean and mean, Rick.
Today, live from the streets of New York Okay, it's bingo time.
Coming in 10.
Three camera's ready.
Show me hard.
Light me up.
Okay, we're going to roll coming up to air in five, four, three Rick Mason's Final Confession.
I'm Rick Mason.
Today as always, live on location on Final Confession the first exclusive interview with Dr.
Joseph Vinton child molester and one of his victims, Scott Fisher.
Let's go meet them.
Four years ago, Dr.
Joseph Vinton, a therapist recognized for his treatment of disturbed children took Scott Fisher then 11 years old, to this restaurant.
Now, Dr.
Vinton sat here with Scott he bought him ice cream and he convinced Scott not to say anything about the abuse that he'd committed moments earlier at his Greenwich Village office.
But eventually, Scott did tell his mother and Dr.
Vinton went to prison.
Dr.
Vinton.
It must be strange for you coming back to this place.
I'm not concerned about myself.
I'm here to help others.
I've committed unspeakable crimes, and while I've served my time in jail I know it's not enough.
Eighteen months for the abuse of seven children.
Sounds like a cruise.
Is that justice? I don't know what justice is.
I know what I did was awful.
I hurt people.
I can't ever live it down.
Not in 18 months, or in 18 years.
Now, you wrote a book in prison about your experiences.
Who would you think would want to read it? Certainly not my audience! I didn't face what I'd done until I was in prison.
The book is part of my recovery.
Part of the reason I'm free today to say I'm sorry.
To say he's sorry to two of his victims Scott Fisher, and his mother Sarah.
Now, Scott this man took you into his care and he abused you.
He's willing to acknowledge that.
But if I were you I think I would still be a little angry.
I am, but I'm hoping to make a start at getting it together.
This is terrible! Take us to commercial.
Commercial! I was on air, I didn't see the father come in.
You knew who he was? I wanted him on the show.
The wife says he's there, she's not.
Who dreams he's going to show up and shoot Vinton? Vinton gonna make it? Died in surgery.
Oh, no.
Mr.
Mason? Top of the show.
If this doesn't do it four million witnesses.
Did the father know the psychiatrist was going to be here today? No way.
We're on location every week.
We never announce where we're going to be.
That's what I do.
My guests are in a hotel two days before air.
Even the crew doesn't know who's gonna be on till just the last minute.
I could have been shot myself.
Look, if there's nothing else can I take care of my staff? Let me give you my card.
You remember anything else give me a call.
Why did he do it? Because he's crazy, that's why.
You thought your husband was capable of violence? It's my fault.
He blames me for what happened to Scotty.
He blames me for everything.
I don't talk to my husband.
I haven't seen him in three years.
So, you didn't expect him here today? Well, he attacked Vinton at his trial.
He got thrown out of the Army.
Why do you think I divorced him? Is my dad going to be okay? The wound's not serious.
Officer O'Brien is going to take you home, all right? Where is that security director Talbott? I sent him back to the precinct.
We'll get his statement.
What? He's an ex-cop.
He did his job.
You want to book him for shooting the father? If you don't mind, I've got a question.
How'd the father know to come here today? Come on, Mike, break it up, move along.
Nothing to see here.
Secret location, lots of security.
How did Fisher get here? He shot the guy who molested his kid.
I don't care if an avenging angel sent him.
I might've done the same thing if it was my kid.
Oh, I guess, case closed.
That's what Van Buren will say.
How did the father get there? Who cares? In Narcotics, we didn't care when scum dealers got shot we did want to find out who shot them.
We have the killer in an operating room at Bellevue.
Just tell me how Fisher got there.
We drop it and he does his 25 years.
What did the wife say? He was in the Army in the Rangers in Vietnam? Those guys can track a leopard in the rain so, maybe he stalked the shrink.
A shrink child molester.
I wonder what's next on his show family dog gets a sex change? Or girl gives birth to a baby pig.
My mother likes those shows, along with the rest of America.
What do you want to do? Hey, we already have four open homicides.
Now, wait a minute.
If he stalked him, he could have hit him in an alleyway he could have hit him driving a car.
He picks today when four million people are watching in a place he's not even supposed to know about? I'm just saying let's give it a day.
If nothing happens, the case closes itself.
Talbott, Mason's head of security the one who shot the father, we've got him upstairs.
So? Bring him down.
I don't know how he got there.
At least I zipped him.
God knows who he would have shot next.
You'd think someone would have noticed him at the restaurant.
They were rounding up audience off the street.
I wish I'd seen him sooner, but, hey it was a crowd.
You'd already met the father? Saw his picture in a file.
Hey, hold on Twenty years in the 31, I know the drill.
Now, am I here to give a statement or what? Easy, Barry.
Nobody's blaming you.
But the wife said her husband was a wacko.
You weren't worried? I never talked to the guy myself Yeah, I knew he was a nut, but a gun? You're sure Mrs.
Fisher didn't know where the show was? Unless she reads minds.
She don't find out until we drive her there.
Do me a favor, use the desk.
Finish typing up this statement.
Nice guy.
Oh, sure.
Retired cop.
What? He knows Fisher was in the Army, has a history of violence.
What? He's surprised the guy shows up with a gun? Well, I thought you said we had four open homicides.
The bodies are frozen.
They're not going to thaw out.
Okay, let's call the D.
A.
Maybe we get in to see Pop Fisher.
He sure as hell knows how he got there.
Yeah, he's in post-op, sedated.
They won't put him in his room till the morning.
I followed the son of a bitch.
I shot him.
Where did you follow Vinton from? You're going to prison.
If you help us, maybe the D.
A.
will help you.
Sid.
The D.
A.
says if you cooperate - You're a lawyer, right? Listen up, no jury puts me in jail for what I did.
Sid, you listen.
It's a question of for how long.
Like Vinton.
Country club, 18 months.
He deserved to die.
All right, look, we can do this the easy way, or we can do this the hard way.
I didn't talk to Mason, Talbott, any of his people.
But you know the name of the head of his security.
Hell, yeah, I know his name.
He put a hole in my shoulder.
Sid, this isn't getting anywhere.
I shot an animal.
Call the vet.
If I'd known this would happen, obviously we wouldn't have gone on TV.
Well, after what you'd been through some people would wonder why you went on TV at all.
I thought we could help others.
I thought it would be good for Scotty.
We'd have an ending, a resolution.
Scotty, ahem, let me ask you did you want your father there? He's not in touch with Sid.
The court arranges everything.
But, it must have been painful seeing Vinton again, huh? Well, after three years, it was okay.
You knew your dad was angry? Dad's angry about what happened to me.
He has a right to be.
Scotty.
So, Dr.
Vinton is dead.
Scotty, I want to talk to the detectives alone.
You see how upset he is? We're victims of this, too.
My husband's temper destroyed my son and my marriage.
I didn't tell him.
I didn't know where we were going.
He can't remember how he found Vinton.
Must be trauma from the wound.
Had to be his wife.
She got to him.
Mrs.
Fisher's lying? Come on, she hates her husband.
She doesn't have to like him to wind him up.
Yeah, but she wouldn't want him there.
She'd be afraid he'd shoot her.
"The killing of Dr.
Vinton comes at the start of the television period "known as sweeps.
Ratings of Rick Mason's Final Confession are expected to rise Oh, Mason did it for the ratings.
He's a saint, and his show caters to the highest instincts of human nature.
Look at him, he's scum.
So, change the channel.
Are you listening to yourself? First Pop, then Mom, now Mason.
It's an Oliver Stone movie.
All right, nobody planned it.
It still doesn't answer my question.
How did Fisher know where to go? That security chief, Talbott? He had the mother and son in a hotel for two days.
Fifth floor.
Adjoining suites.
Mrs.
Fisher and the boy.
Very private.
So, if we called we couldn't get through.
Discretion is our middle name.
No, Mr.
Mason's guests and Mr.
Talbott weren't even on the computer.
Here we go.
The Fishers, no phone calls.
Talbott, local only.
All to the same number.
Mason's office.
Was Mr.
Mason here Tuesday night? He came in about 5:00.
I took him up myself in the service elevator.
Mr.
M.
hates the lobby.
Samsonite tourists.
He left about 7:00.
Are there any pay phones upstairs? On the residential floors? If they use pay phones, we lose our surcharge.
Anywhere other than the lobby? Yeah, there's one on the mezzanine, third floor.
Very private.
Okay, thanks.
Hey.
A phone call from the mezzanine.
To 526 East 91st Street.
Sid Fisher's place.
I guess the bellboy made the call.
Mason left at 7:00.
Talbott was still there.
Somebody has good instincts.
Which one of you said Mr.
Talbott should learn to lie better? Both of us.
He said 20 years on the force? Sixteen.
Never made sergeant, tried three times.
I.
A.
investigation said payoffs from dealers.
They never made the case.
He resigned.
Even a hero needs a pension, Barry.
This is what you wanted to talk about? How much is your pension? You don't have one.
You didn't do 20 years.
Your career was over in 16.
We're having a problem with your statement.
You see, Barry, you said you never talked to Sid Fisher.
You said Mrs.
Fisher and her son were under your full-time surveillance.
Trouble is, somebody called Mr.
Fisher the night before the broadcast.
From a pay phone at the hotel.
Now either you called, or you know who did.
One last shot at the Sergeant's Exam.
Check the box.
Is accessory to murder an A or a B felony? I lost my pencil.
The call was made, Barry.
You were a cop, work your own testimony, see where it leads.
I I got four kids.
I needed the job.
I didn't call Fisher.
I didn't tell Mrs.
Fisher where the show was.
The night before Rick's on the phone at the hotel.
He's on the phone with his lawyer.
I'm worried.
We know Fisher is wired, he slugged the shrink at the trial.
I heard he pistol-whipped some kid in the Army.
I hear Rick say to the lawyer: "We talked about this.
What do you want me to do? "Cancel the show? If it happens, just tell me what kind of trouble I'm in.
" I figured I'd better clean my gun.
Take a breath, Detective.
This is completely absurd.
What am I hearing? That you're investigating my client? On the word of a crooked ex-cop? Who was crooked when you hired him.
And when I fired him.
Did he tell you that? Day after the show.
Barry Talbott was hired to protect my client's guests.
I told Barry, heads-up Fisher could track his wife.
Why do you think I wanted Fisher on the show? We get him there, we could've made sure he didn't have a gun.
The day it happened, you were surprised he owned a gun.
The idea that my client is responsible- Your client? Check your shorts.
Mr.
Talbott tells us that Mr.
Mason called you before the shooting.
Says you knew about the mystery guest.
One, no such conversation.
Two, this imaginary conversation took place? Privileged.
Three, if Talbott overheard it privilege extends to him as an employee of my client.
Close your notebook.
The interview is over.
She denied talking to him? Oh, but you should have seen the look on her face.
This is one scared lady.
The D.
A.
says it's not enough.
Dirty ex-cop? Not a great witness.
Look, we know Mason set this up.
He wanted the guy shot, he somehow got the father there.
Mason, all these guys, they'll do anything for higher ratings.
So, that's what's going down.
Somebody gets killed, these guys break out the champagne.
We can't prove that.
We don't know who called the father from the hotel.
Fisher's wife.
Mason called her.
Or he told the kid.
That makes no sense.
Sarah Fisher protecting Mason? If she knew he set it up, why won't she tell us? Who knows why this lady does anything? Why'd she bring her kid on TV in the first place? "Hello, America, here's my molested son, watch him suffer.
" We have shrinks on the payroll.
Give them a call.
You're asking me to explain the behavior of a woman I've never met.
Look, we need an idea, someplace to start.
I usually try and avoid making diagnoses over lunch.
Okay, this is speculation.
What did Mason do for Sarah Fisher? He gave her an obituary.
She wanted Vinton dead? I don't think so.
He molested her son.
And in a way she was molested, too.
She goes on TV, she gets support.
She even gets applause.
She doesn't want Vinton dead she wants to do Oprah and Donahue with him.
That's her way of getting through it.
Then she wouldn't have helped her husband kill Vinton.
No, but her son might.
That makes more sense.
Mason tells the kid the kid phones his father.
She's not protecting Mason.
She's protecting her son.
You're making it worse by being here.
Your husband didn't do this alone.
Mason picked you and Scott for a reason.
I watched his shows.
I guess I should have realized I really can't tell you anything.
You knew what your husband was planning and you called him.
That makes you a coconspirator and you could be indicted.
Mom, don't- Scotty! I don't know anything.
Mason went to the hotel and he told you to call your husband.
Did he tell you it would make a better show? Did he offer you money? Did he tell you your husband was going to shoot Vinton? Unless, of course, he talked to you, Scott.
Scotty, I don't think you should be here right now.
Mom, you don't have to- It doesn't matter who Mr.
Mason talked to it's too late now.
Neither of us should have been alone with him.
We shouldn't be alone with you.
Olivet's right.
She's not giving up her son.
Mason's gonna get away with this.
Do you think the D.
A.
's gonna touch this? Nah, guys like Mason don't go to jail.
They go to country clubs and they get awards.
Yeah, what did Sarah Fisher say? She watched his shows, so she should have known.
So? So, do you watch his show? I don't.
Maybe we should.
Maybe the guy's got some bad habits we don't know about.
Yeah, that'll get us an arrest.
It might get us something that will convince the D.
A.
that this guy set up a murder.
I never watch the competition.
Hey, this isn't a press conference.
Mason's a major player in this industry.
Mr.
Hudson, we're interested in opinions, not resumes.
And this is a murder investigation.
Well, which opinion would you like? Mason's Nielsens were down? Read it in Variety.
Which comes first? His conviction or his Emmy? Well, what are you, new? Nobody in the business was surprised.
You see that woman in Florida? Husband shoots her at their daughter's grave.
Same day network news.
I'd sell my poodle for that kind of hype.
And shooting a child molester is even better.
Cable operators are asking the State of Nevada to televise executions pay-per-view.
Snuff for you? Smell blood yet? Television No viewers, no sponsors.
No sponsors - No money.
Oh, no, marquee.
The marquee, his name over the title.
Without a show, Mason's nothing but letterhead.
I know a girl, Debby Corrio.
Sweet kid.
She used to work for him.
She'll take you backstage.
Why does everyone think I was fired? I quit.
Better job? Better life.
I couldn't take another minute.
What's on 4:30? Final Confession.
Nobody ever got shot on his show.
It was coming.
You know the Pulisi trial? He had one of the jurors on.
Four days later, the man disappeared.
Hey, a mob-trial juror goes on TV? He's asking for it.
You should have seen Mason trying to convince him he'd be safe.
Eight months ago we were doing this spot.
I found a diva, 19, has an act in The Village.
I say, "Rick Mason wants you to sing on his show.
" So, she's in heaven.
No, he's at Bergdorf's picking out a little black dress.
He's wearing a dress.
So? You want to see why I quit? I'll get you the tape.
I don't care if he's a bully.
It's not admissible.
We're not talking admissibility.
It's motive.
They're trying to give you a reason to make the case.
Watch this.
Sophie, Georgette and Mary.
Boys who sing like girls.
Tonight, live on Final Confession.
Stay with us.
Don't go away, we'll be right back.
We go to commercial.
Mary? Is this what you really want to do? I just wanted to sing, Mr.
Mason.
But it's not you, Mary.
Don't you want to be yourself tonight? I don't know They love you.
Show them who you really are.
They want you to be happy.
They told me.
They're both here? Yeah, atta girl.
All right, head's up.
We're coming back.
In five, four, three Tonight, live on Final Confession.
Mary is really Tommy Turner and tonight she tells the two people that love her the most.
Howard? Elaine? Would you come out, please? Do you recognize this young lady? Dad Tommy? Oh, my God.
Oh, no The father walked out of the show and had a coronary.
The kid felt so guilty, a week later he killed himself.
Mason destroys people.
It doesn't prove anything.
Claire, it proves who he is.
We can't make this work, all we got left is rubber hoses.
You can hit him harder.
You can't be serious.
You don't think we should go after him? What he does may be sleazy, but it's not criminal.
If he arranged a murder, it is.
You can't believe that Mason knew Fisher was coming with a gun.
Miss Kincaid, he wanted to get the man there.
Expected a fistfight, got a homicide.
If intent to cause injury causes death, it's man one.
At the least, it's facilitation.
How do we prove facilitation? You're not suggesting we offer the father a deal for his son's testimony? Why not? He gets man one anyway.
And no jury convicts on murder two.
Half the country wants to name him Father of the Year.
You know what Mason'll do.
Call himself a journalist and wrap himself in the First Amendment.
Well, let him wrap himself in the American flag.
He's not Tom Brokaw.
By the way, Adam, the father fired his lawyer.
He's going pro se.
Jerk.
So, I figure we offer him a deal, he doesn't want to take it we say we're adding his son to the charge.
It's not the father we're after, it's Mason.
We're not going to indict the kid to get him.
No, but the father doesn't know that.
Let's hope.
My son had nothing to do with it.
Well, we think that your wife will testify otherwise.
Not against my son.
Mr.
Fisher if your son did help you get to Dr.
Vinton he's an accessory.
He will go to Spofford.
I shot a man on principle.
You torment my son in front of me You have no principles.
And you speak for the State.
We'll see you in court.
We'll provide you with help for your defense.
If you leave my son alone, I'll tell you what you want to know.
The offer is manslaughter in the first degree, you do 8-to-25 if you tell the truth and if your testimony is useful.
That is the deal.
The deal is my son never appears in court, for any reason.
Agreed? I can promise that he won't be indicted.
I cannot promise you that he won't appear as witness.
You don't need him as a witness.
Mason called a couple of weeks before the show.
Said Sarah was dragging Scotty on.
Humiliate him.
Vinton sells a million books, laughs till he cries.
What am I going to do? He told me it was at Waverly.
I went and shot the son of a bitch.
That's a lie, sir.
I told you the deal depends on you telling the truth.
I cannot let you commit perjury.
I am not dragging Scotty through anything else, do you hear me? My boy had to testify against Vinton.
He never appears in court again the rest of his life.
I didn't get any calls, I didn't talk to anybody.
We can't use him.
He'll lie.
He probably did talk to Mason.
Well, that's not the whole truth and we both know it.
He laid it all on Mason to keep it away from his son, and Mason's smart.
He used the son to incite the father, makes facilitation that much harder to prove.
Plus, he could figure that the Fishers would never want the kid back in the limelight.
But without him, there's no case.
This family They haven't been in the same room together in three years.
Mrs.
Fisher, we believe that you and your son conspired with your husband.
Scott talked to your husband before the shooting.
We're certain you knew it and if we have to, we'll charge you both as accessories.
So, Scott, help your dad.
Tell the truth and he gets out of prison sooner.
Scotty.
I'm done controlling myself.
Dad said it's okay to feel that way.
Mr.
Mason told me where it was going to be.
I called my dad.
This way, please.
What is this? What are you doing here? I thought we were closing a deal.
Your son just cut a new deal for you.
You had to put it on him.
Is this today's solution? Blame it on our son? Don't dump this on me.
I put him in therapy, you put him in a murder trial.
Sid, there's no justice.
At least we can have recovery.
Keep your recovery.
I got revenge.
This is finished.
Dad, don't do that.
Scotty's telling the truth, he called Sid.
He told me after it happened.
You wanted corroboration.
You said you'd threaten the father, you threatened the son.
Alice Hutton finds out, she'll have a hayride on cross.
Was there any other choice? Now we look like carnival hucksters.
"Want a deal? Take a number.
You too can get a piece of the movie rights.
" Nobody said this was an easy case.
Conspiracy without collusion? But you've got to make a point.
Which is? You treat people like animal acts one of them dies, you go to jail.
Well, I just hope we don't look ridiculous.
Oh, I'd wear clown make-up if I thought it'd get me a conviction.
"Docket number 62397, The People v.
Richard Mason.
Charges are manslaughter, first degree, criminal facilitation, first degree.
" So, Miss Hutton? Your Honor, in view of the absurdity of these charges my client would like to make a statement.
In my defense, Your Honor, I point to my career in journalism the respect of my colleagues.
Sir, I have no idea who you are.
Miss Hutton, I'm not going to dismiss charges before they get to grand jury.
Prompt your client to enter a plea or enter it for him.
Not guilty on both counts.
Ms.
Kincaid? We don't think bail will affect Mr.
Mason's appearance at trial.
The People ask for $100,000.
We find that acceptable, Your Honor.
Such reasonable people.
Who says no happy families? And Mr.
Mason, stay in character if you want, but please, stay in town.
Next.
Who are you? I speak for the people.
I gave the Fishers their real day in court.
You're a public servant.
Your system gave a molester You serve the public better than I do? I didn't arrange to have him killed.
Neither did my client.
He had no motive.
Your client saw an opportunity, Alice.
I'm an opportunist? Thirty-eight people were shot in courtrooms last year.
The show you're staging is no different than mine.
Mr.
Mason, please focus.
This is not a show.
You have a camera, I have Attica.
Take a rest.
I didn't get my nap today either.
Geraldo had Nazis on the show he started a brawl, nobody indicted him.
Nobody got shot on his show.
Now, I'm willing to discuss a plea at the lowest charge.
Go ahead, pick that scab.
I'll see you in court.
Don't be late, it's live.
By the way, that phone conversation the security guard overheard Mr.
Talbott? I was on the phone with my client.
You'll never get it admitted.
The call is privileged.
Mr.
Talbott worked for my client.
In essence he was my client.
Oh, really? On what grounds? He was a necessary agent to my client conducting his business.
The necessary agent theory? Fine for the law journals, Alice.
We don't make law here, we uphold it.
My client didn't expect to be overheard.
McCormick on Evidence, he thought the call was private he didn't waive privilege.
It was a public telephone.
Attorney-client privilege is one of those great zones of privacy, however- Your Honor, I- Sit down, Alice.
I don't see how it applies here.
And the jury has a choice.
They don't have to believe a word Mr.
Talbott says.
The testimony on the call is admitted.
Let's go to trial.
Alice, that phone call, Talbott isn't lying, is he? That conversation was privileged.
This isn't about privilege.
Prove my actions were improper, bring me up for disbarment.
If I could prove it, it would be accessory to manslaughter.
Who appointed you Saint Francis of Assisi? It must be thrilling to occupy such high moral ground.
You're an officer of the court.
It sounds like you were discussing the possibility of murder with your client.
Really? You want to try proving any of that? You're desperate.
Talk shows have been on 20 hours a week for the past 10 years.
First time somebody gets shot, you call it manslaughter? It's what a jury calls it that counts.
This prosecution's a hummer.
I don't know how you look at yourself in the mirror.
I'm a Catholic, I can feel guilty about anything.
But I'll bet my conscience is easier to live with than yours.
Now, what will the defendant tell you? That he covers the news.
But in this case, he didn't cover the news, he made it.
Now, let's be clear about the motive.
Nothing draws people to their television sets nothing is more magnetic than violence.
And each year, the stakes go up.
You had a fistfight on your show last year now who's going to watch if that happens again? The higher the stakes, the higher the ratings.
The higher the ratings, the more money goes into Mr.
Mason's pockets.
And these stakes are human lives.
Not just the life of Dr.
Vinton but the lives of the entire Fisher family.
Now, Mr.
Mason brought them together as you would gasoline and fire.
And he waited for the explosion.
The People will prove that the explosion came because the defendant deliberately lit the match.
Mr.
Stone has a strange notion of human behavior.
The defendant, he believes, is responsible for what other people do.
He says, let's be clear about motive.
I suggest, let's be clear about the facts.
Here's what you'll learn from the witnesses.
The defendant didn't fire a gun.
He didn't put a gun in anyone's hand, he didn't coerce anyone to appear on his program.
And I remind you of one other fact.
Long before the defendant ever met the Fisher family Scott Fisher's father attacked Joseph Vinton.
Did Richard Mason provoke Mr.
Fisher to fire a gun? Or was he provoked in a courtroom long before Richard Mason ever heard of him? That phone call scared the hell out of me.
What specifically worried you? Mr.
Mason always said Fisher might show up.
When he asked his lawyer what kind of trouble he'll be in I figure he knows for sure.
Did you do anything about your concerns? Well, I told him: "Let me hire an extra man.
" He said, "Forget it.
Fisher comes, I'll let the guy talk.
" I said, "The guy's nuts anything can happen.
" And what did Mr.
Mason say to that? He said, "We're doing a show.
Things are supposed to happen.
" Thank you.
Your witness.
So, Mr.
Talbott, you thought there'd be trouble? Did you call the police? I followed Mr.
Mason's orders.
Did you follow orders as a cop? Why did you leave the Police Department? Objection.
Is it true you resigned because- Miss Hutton.
Counsel will approach.
When he objects, you wait for my ruling.
Now, Mr.
Talbott wasn't convicted of a crime, get near that again, you'll regret it.
Objection sustained.
Mr.
Talbott, this call you say you overheard.
Did you mention it in your statement to the police? No, I didn't.
Well, you lied then, or you're lying now.
Is it true you no longer work for Richard Mason that you were fired the day after the shooting of Joseph Vinton? Yeah, I was fired.
Well, you lied to the police.
I wonder, are you angry enough at Richard Mason to lie now? I didn't want my son on TV.
What did you tell Mr.
Mason? I said, "You put Scotty on, I'm gonna be there.
It'll be trouble.
" Mason says, "It's news to America.
You don't like the news, make your own.
" And what did that mean to you? Objection.
Asks for conclusion.
No, I'll allow it.
Mr.
Fisher? It meant lump it.
He wanted me to come and attack Vinton.
Thank you.
Your witness.
So, you testified your son told you where to go that day.
Can you tell the court why wasn't Scott charged as an accessory in this crime? I don't know.
Is that so? You said you made a deal with Mr.
Stone.
You'd implicate Mr.
Mason in exchange for a reduced sentence.
Was your son a part of that deal? They threatened to indict Scotty.
"They," Mr.
Fisher? Mr.
Stone, the District Attorney.
He said he'd indict my son.
Compelling incentive.
If my son were threatened, I'd say anything.
No further questions.
Mason did it! He made Scotty call me.
He's a parasite! He's filth! Mr.
Fisher! The jury will ignore the witness's remark.
Strike it from the record.
Redirect, Your Honor? If the witness can control himself.
Mr.
Fisher, did you ever offer to lie in your testimony? I wanted to say Mason told me where to go.
I wanted to say Scotty had nothing to do with it.
And how did I respond? You said that was perjury.
You said you couldn't let me do that.
Thank you.
No further questions.
It was at the hotel.
I was in my room.
And what did Mr.
Mason tell you? He said where the show was gonna be might be painful.
And what did you say to that? I told him I was scared about seeing Dr.
Vinton.
I didn't want to know where it was.
He said he had to tell me.
The Waverly, where Dr.
Vinton took me after the sessions.
Did Mr.
Mason explain to you why he had to tell you where it was? He said my dad ought to be there.
He couldn't tell Dad where the show was going to be, but I could.
He took me to a pay phone downstairs and I called my dad.
Thanks, Scott.
Your witness.
I know this is difficult for you, Scott.
All we want you to do is tell the truth.
Now, you met with Dr.
Vinton for how long? About three years.
And did your mother ever ask you about your sessions with the doctor? Objection.
Relevance? Goes to credibility.
I'll allow it, but make the connection quickly.
Go on, Scott.
Sure, my mom asked me.
And in three years you never told her what Dr.
Vinton did to you? No, she wanted me to go.
You wanted to please your mother so you didn't tell the truth.
You want to make it sound like I'm lying.
I'm not.
Mr.
Mason told me to call my dad.
I didn't know what he was gonna do.
Scott, didn't Mr.
Stone prepare you for today? Didn't he tell you exactly what to say? He told me just like you, to tell the truth.
No further questions.
She couldn't break him, Adam.
Ben, who said all cases are made by prepping the witnesses? You did, I think.
About Ben, Mr.
Mason just held a press conference.
He fully expects to be acquitted.
He's suing for false arrest and malicious prosecution.
$5 million in damages.
Well, the last guy that tried that with me is still doing three-to-nine.
I wouldn't eat that canary just yet.
It's a long trip from your witnesses to motive and conviction.
I'm pretty sure Mr.
Mason will get us there.
Well, but he might be a better performer than you.
Certainly had as much practice.
Well, then I can learn something.
Why did you visit Scott at the hotel that night? I spend time with all my subjects.
Especially a vulnerable 15-year-old.
What did you tell Scott? I reminded him how hard it would be.
Frankly, I wanted to assure myself that he wouldn't be damaged and if I wasn't convinced, I would have canceled the show.
Did you tell him where the show would be and ask him to call his father? Absolutely not.
I spoke to Mr.
Fisher.
Anyone could see the man was dangerous.
Did you instruct Barry Talbott to curtail his vigilance in any way? The opposite.
I was concerned that Mr.
Fisher might find out the location of the show.
I told Mr.
Talbott to stop him at all costs.
Mr.
Mason, do you consider yourself to have high professional standards? Yes, I do.
There are some things I will not do in pursuit of a story.
I've never used a hidden camera.
I don't surprise subjects in parking lots.
And I don't pay convicted felons.
I might add that some of my colleagues at the networks are not so particular.
Thank you.
Your witness.
So, you have high professional standards, sir, yet you put the Fisher family on your show, you knew that Mr.
Fisher was dangerous.
Is that a high standard? I took every precaution.
Didn't you provoke Mr.
Fisher? Didn't you refuse to hire additional security? Didn't you manipulate Scott Fisher? None of that is true.
What about guests on your previous shows? Didn't you arrange to have- Objection.
May we approach? Mr.
Mason's past programs are irrelevant.
It goes to motive, Your Honor.
And they're inadmissible.
Put it in your pocket, Ben.
I didn't let her do it to your witness, you don't do it to hers.
Objection sustained.
Mr.
Stone? Are you telling this court, sir, that you feel no responsibility for the death of Dr.
Vinton? It was a tragedy, but I would never knowingly put anyone's life in danger.
Judge, you can't allow this.
You want to go in the back door? Your client opened the door.
Hello there, send the arguments toward my door.
Mr.
Stone tried to sneak in character testimony before.
He wanted to tarnish my client but you said no.
Mr.
Mason's past programs haven't suddenly become relevant.
But they have, Alice.
Mason lied.
He said he never put anyone in danger.
He did.
He said "knowingly.
" He would never knowingly put anyone in danger.
Ben, you have rebuttal on this? I do, Your Honor.
A witness who was there and she'll testify.
It's grossly prejudicial.
People v.
Zackowitz, Benjamin Cardozo on the New York Court of Appeals.
What about Wigmore? Character is never an issue unless the defendant chooses to make it one which is what your client did.
It's too bad, he should have kept his mouth shut.
I'm going to allow this but you better hope your witness knows what she's talking about.
We wanted the juror from the Pulisi trial to talk about organized crime.
We picked juror number six, James Davis.
And why did you want that particular juror on your show? He was the one who pushed the jury to convict.
He said he would talk about it, but he was afraid.
Mr.
Mason assured him that we'd alter his voice, silhouette his face.
And did Mr.
Mason do that? Sure, he did.
Then he invited Nick Pulisi's son on the show.
Mr.
Davis didn't know until halfway through.
He disappeared from a parking lot.
They never found him.
Were you involved in the show that featured prostitutes in Times Square? I helped find those girls.
The day of the show one of them, her name was Cheryl, she was a little tired.
Mr.
Mason was upset.
The first time we talked to her, she was all lit up, she was funny.
Lit up, you mean that she was on drugs? She was on cocaine.
And what did Mr.
Mason do to help her be funny? He gave her $300, told her to take a little walk.
Did she come back? Yeah.
She was her old self.
She was buzzed.
We were just off the air when she keeled over.
Later, we found out she bought some bad stuff.
She barely made it to the hospital.
Miss Corrio, one last question.
How did Mr.
Mason react to that news? He said, "What a waste too bad she didn't OD on the show.
" He said, "What we really needed was for somebody to die on the air.
" On the first count of the indictment manslaughter in the first degree how does the jury find? We find the defendant not guilty.
On the second count of the indictment, the charge of criminal facilitation in the first degree, how does the jury find? We find the defendant guilty.
Move to continue bail until sentencing.
Motion granted.
I'm disappointed, but not only for myself.
It's a sad day for the First Amendment.
He'll do 18 months, better than nothing.
Eighteen months is what Vinton got, right? Mason could write his own book in that time.
Oh, he's off the air.
Oh, I don't know about that.
Five hundred cable channels coming? He could start the Prison Channel.