Murder One

Season One - Chapter Fourteen

U.S. air date: February 12, 1996

(Complete transcript) - [Final version]

[**NOTE: The credits listed have been completed thanks to Mario Silva.]

=======================================================================
Disclaimer: These transcripts were made from personal video copies of
the shows and are presented for Fair Use only to Murder One fans. All
of the characters and the scripts are the properties of Steven Bochco
Productions, Charles H. Eglee, Channing Gibson, ABC television and
their respective authors. No copyright infringement is intended nor
implied by the distribution of this document. It is solely meant for
entertainment purposes only.
=======================================================================

"Previously on MURDER ONE"

THE ALIBI - Clips of Beverly Nichols with Ted in his office.

Nichols: "I have information Richard Cross is innocent."

Narrator's voice-over: "The alibi."

Nichols: "I was with him last Wednesday night when he went to that girl's
apartment."

Ted: "Mr. Cross hasn't said anyone was with him at the crime scene."

Nichols: "My husband's a very violent man, Mr. Hoffman. He said he'd kill
me if I ever saw him again."

Clip of Jake Nichols trying to attack Beverly at the police station.

EXHIBIT "A" - Narrator's voice-over: "The prosecution's Exhibit `A.'" Clips
of Melissa Griotte and her video with Neil Avedon.

Griotte: "You could look at this." Places the tape on his desk. "The last
time we were together. Neil Avedon strangling me."

Clip from the video. 

Griotte: "A hundred thousand puts this in your private collection."

Clip from Griotte's next visit to Ted's office, to see if she can sell the
video.

Griotte: "Do we have a deal, Mr. Hoffman?"

Ted: "No."

Griotte: "So then the tape goes to the tabloids."

THE PSYCHIATRIST - Narrator's voice-over: "Neil Avedon's psychiatrist,
Graham Lester." Clips from the closed hearing regarding Lester's private
files on Neil Avedon and nurse Susan Dominick's testimony.

Ted: "Whatever Neil Avedon may have said to his psychiatrist the night in
question, falls under the doctor-patient privilege.

Judge: "Dr. Lester's notes and records on Mr. Avedon are protected, along
with any testimony the doctor himself may make going to the substance of
his meetings with Mr. Avedon."

Clip of Ted's meeting with Lester at Zephyr House.

Lester: "Neil confessed to killing Jessica. I'll rot in jail before I'll
testify to any of this, Mr. Hoffman. But my lips to God's ears, that's what
happened."

KEY WITNESS - Narrator's voice-over: "Richard Cross takes the witness
stand." Clips of Cross during his testimony.

Ted: "You found a fifteen-year-old dead girl -- naked, tied to a bed, the
sister of a close friend -- and yet it never occurred to you to contact the
authorities?"

Cross: "I exercised poor judgment."

Ted: "Some might call it criminal neglect."

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

At the Hoffman household.

Ted: "Lizzie's all tucked in. It's just you and me."

Annie: "At last." The phone rings.

Ted: "The machine'll get it. A little chilly in here. How about I build a
fire?" 

Annie: "Okay." Meanwhile, the phone machine can be heard in the background.
It's Lizzie's voice asking that the message be left at the sound of the
beep. "Ted?"

[On the phone]: "Ted? It's Ray Velacek. You there, Ted? Pick up." Ted goes
to pick up the phone. "Ted, are you there?"

Ted, on the phone: "Ray. Good. I'll meet you in twenty minutes."

Annie, disappointed: "Oh, Ted."

Ted: "I'm sorry, honey. Ray's been looking for this woman since Davey died.
She may know who killed him." He kisses his wife. "I'll try not to be too
long." He grabs his jacket and leaves.

At the firm, Ted's office. A videotape is played showing while Sabrina Stone
identifies the participants for Ted.

Stone: "Freddie had a stable of like, twelve girls. I was one of them, until
he fell in love with me. The woman is Beverly Nichols. She was Freddie's 
best turner. Guy in bed with her? That's her husband, Jake -- real creep.
Do anything for a buck. And I guess you know Richard Cross."

Ted: "Do you know him?"

Stone: "Not personally. Mr. Cross used to come to Freddie for girls,
obviously." Ray stops the tape and removes it from the VCR.

Ray: "Freddie taped important men in the act. For insurance."

Ted: "Did Freddie try to blackmail Cross with this tape?"

Stone: "Naa. He knew better."

Ray: "Figured he'd live longer if he went to you, through Dave Blalock."

Stone: "Yep, but, things didn't work out."

Ray: "Freddie left Sabrina this copy of the tape for safe keeping. When she
saw Richard Cross testify on TV last week she realized why."

Stone: "All that crap about Cross not telling the police he was out with
Beverly when that Costello girl was killed -- saying Beverly's husband would
get jealous and I was holding this tape -- get real." Sighs.

Ted: "Why didn't you come forward sooner?"

Stone: "I was scared. I saw what they did to Freddie. But then, you know,
I ran out of money, got no place to stay and I think people are following
me."

Ted: "We'll get you a place to stay. You'll have 24-hour security and we'll
keep in constant touch. And this will tide you over on expenses." Hands her
an envelope."

Stone: "Thank you." She takes the envelope. Can I use your ladies' room?"

Ted: "Sure. Down the hall, on your right."

Stone: "Thanks." She leaves.

Ray: "This tape pretty well kills Richard Cross' alibi."

Ted: "Not to mention it pretty well killed Davey Blalock."

[Music and main titles roll]

Daniel Benzali as Theodore Hoffman
Mary McCormack as Justine Appleton
Michael Hayden as Christopher Dochnovich
Grace Phillips as Lisa Gillespie
J.C. MacKenzie as Arnold Spivak
Stanley Tucci as Richard Cross
Dylan Baker as Detective Arthur Polson
Vanessa Williams as Lila Marquette
John Fleck as Louis Heinsbergen
Barbara Bosson as Miriam Grasso
Patricia Clarkson as Annie Hoffman
Jason Gedrick as Neil Avedon

Created by Steven Bochco & Charles H. Eglee & Channing Gibson
Executive Producer: Steven Bochco

[Episode credits roll]

Guest starring:
Joe Spano as Raymond Velacek
Tamara Clatterbuck as Sabrina Stone
Pamela Segall as Amy Scott
Tia Carrere as Beverly Nichols
Linda Carlson as Judge Beth Bornstein
Bobbie Phillips as Julie Costello
Anna Gunn as Melissa Griotte
Juli Donald as Julia Antonelli
Victor Bevine as the Chef

Music by Mike Post
Casting by Junie Lowry Johnson, C.S.A.
Producers: Geoffrey Neigher, Marc Buckland
Supervising Producers: Ann Donahue, Joe Ann Fogle
Creative Consultant: David Milch
Co-Executive Producer: Michael Fresco
Executive Producers: William M. Finkelstein, Charles H. Eglee
Teleplay by Ann Donahue & Charles D. Holland
Story by William M. Finkelstein & Charles H. Eglee
Directed by Michael Fresco
--------------------------

The associates along with Neil, are in the conference room watching the
Nichols tape.

Lisa: "It's too bad we didn't have this when Richard Cross was on the stand
last week.

Justine: "Would have made for one hell of a cross-examination."

Neil: "That son of a bitch! All this time he's putting up my bail,
pretending to be my friend and he's setting me up to swing for him. I
ought to kill him."

Ted turns to Neil, angrily: "Neil! Don't say anything like that ever again,
do you understand?"

Neil, apologetic: "Come on, Teddy, I didn't mean it literally."

Ted insisting: "Do you understand?"

Neil: "Yes. I'm sorry."

Chris: "Ted, any chance we can work this tape into our cross-examination of
Polson today?"

Ted: "I'll give it my best shot." Ray enters the conference room.

Ray: "Morning. Sabrina's all set, no problems. And I served Beverly Nichols'
subpoena. She was thrilled!"

Ted: "I can imagine. Arnold, have you started prepping Julie Costello to
testify?"

Arnold: "She's coming in today."

Ted: "Mind your `p's and q's.' Assume anything you say goes back to Richard
Cross."

Neil: "Julie Costello is testifying for me?"

Chris: "She'll verify you weren't physically abusive to her sister when
they lived together. After the tape of you and Melissa Griotte runs today,
we need all the help we can get."

Ted: "Show time's 10 a.m. and Neil, stare straight ahead when they run it
-- no guilt, no remorse. The jury will be watching."

In court, the prosecution shows the Griotte tape. Melissa Griotte is on the
witness stand, watching along with everyone else in court.

[Tape] Griotte can be heard moaning and coughing as Neil's choking her.

[Tape] Neil: "It's okay." She continues to choke, coughing.

[Tape] Griotte: "Neil, don't! Don't!"

[Tape] Neil: "Shh. It's okay. It's okay." She's still coughing and gasping
for air. "Trust me.

[Tape] Griotte: "Stop! Stop! Stop!" The tape ends and a bailiff wheels
away the TV.

Grasso: "Ms. Griotte, are you the woman on that tape?"

Griotte: "Yes."

Grasso: "Who's the man?"

Griotte: "Neil Avedon, the Defendant."

Grasso: "What were the circumstances leading up to what we saw on that
tape?"

Griotte: "Neil and I had been dating, on and off, for about a year. Um,
we'd had a date that evening and this was after dinner and a show."

Grasso: "Was this the first time the Defendant choked during sex?"

Griotte: "No, he'd done it about three or four times before this. He
believed that it heightened my sexual satisfaction."

Grasso: "Did it?"

Griotte: "No. But I think it heightened his."

Ted: "Objection. Unresponsive. Move to strike."

Judge: "Sustained. Strike the witness' answer after `no.' The jury will
disregard."

Grasso: "Ms. Griotte, under the circumstances, why did you continue your
relationship with the Defendant?"

Griotte: "Because I loved him. When Neil was himself, he could be the
sweetest guy in the world."

Grasso: "And when he was not himself?"

Ted: "Objection. Leading the witness."

Judge: "I'll allow it."

Griotte: "If Neil drank or did coke, he was different, dangerous."

Grasso: "In what way dangerous?"

Griotte: "He would become violent. It was hard to get him to hear you then
-- like there was a roar in his head. Those times he was going to do what
he was going to do." Neil is nervous and fidgety in his seat.

Ted: "Objection. Move to strike. The witness is speculating. She's not
qualified to testify to Mr. Avedon's mental state."

Grasso: "The witness is legitimately relating her experience."

Judge: "Overruled. Proceed, Ms. Grasso."

Grasso: "Was the night this tape was made one of those instances where the
Defendant was dangerous?"

Griotte: "Yes. He'd done a lot of coke and he insisted on having sex and
videotaping it for his collection. I didn't want to set him off so I went
along. When he said he wanted to choke me, I made him promise to go easy."

Grasso: "Did he keep his promise?"

Griotte: "No, he didn't. I think that's pretty clear from the videotape."

Grasso: "Why does the tape end where it ends?"

Griotte: "It was close to the end. I guess he just didn't realize how close
it was."

Grasso: "And what happened after the tape ended?"

Griotte: "Neil got up and put on his clothes and he left."

Grasso: "Ms. Griotte, did you continue to see the Defendant after the night
that this tape was made?"

Griotte: "No."

Grasso: "Why not?"

Griotte: "Up until then, I thought that Neil cared about me too much to ever
really hurt me. But I knew that if he had choked me for one more minute that
night, he would have killed me."

Ted: "Objection. The witness is speculating."

Grasso sighs: "The witness is relating a present sense impression, your
honor."

Judge: "Overruled. The statement stands."

Grasso: "Thank you, Ms. Griotte. I have nothing further."

Judge: "Mr. Hoffman?"

Ted: "You make your living as an actress, is that right?"

Griotte: "Yes, but I wasn't acting on that tape."

Ted: "I didn't ask you if you were acting on the tape, did I?"

Griotte: "No."

Ted: "You testified on direct examination that Mr. Avedon asked you to make
the tape for him, is that right?"

Griotte: "He did."

Ted: "Then how did the tape end up in your possession, not his?"

Griotte: "I don't know. He must, he must have forgotten it."

Ted: "He spent the time and effort to videotape himself in bed with an
actress having very dramatic sex, allegedly for his own viewing, and then
he forgot to take it with him?"

Grasso: "Objection. Argumentative."

Judge: "Sustained. Move on, Mr. Hoffman."

Ted: "Have you ever been to my office, in Century City?"

Griotte: "Yes. After I saw Neil on the news about the Goldilocks murder, I
brought you this tape."

Ted: "Did you offer to sell me this very tape for one hundred thousand
dollars?"

Griotte: "No. I came to you for advice. I didn't want to hurt Neil but I
didn't want to cover up for him if he'd done anything wrong either."

Ted: "Isn't it true you told me if I didn't buy the tape, you would sell it
to the tabloids?"

Griotte: "The only thing I asked you for was advice. I wasn't sure if I
could get in trouble for having the tape and not giving it to the police.
As I remember, you sent me away."

Ted: "Ms. Griotte, did you subsequently sell this tape?"

Griotte: "Yes."

Ted: "To a tabloid television show?"

Griotte: "Yes."

Ted: "For how much money?"

Griotte: "One hundred thousand dollars."

Ted: "What a coincidence! Thank you very much. Nothing further."

Grasso: "Did you contact the tabloid show or did they contact you?"

Griotte: "They called me."

Grasso: "Did you ask for money for the video?"

Griotte: "No. They offered it. Maybe I shouldn't have taken the money but I
needed it and I didn't see any harm."

View point shifts to Law TV's live coverage of the proceedings.

[TV] Grasso: "Were you acting on that tape?"

[TV] Griotte: "No, I was not."

[TV] Grasso: "Was Neil Avedon strangling you?"

[TV] Griotte: "Yes."

[TV] Grasso: "Were you frightened for your life?"

[TV] Griotte: "Yes. Terrified." Arnold shuts off the TV. He and Julie have
been watching the proceedings from the firm's conference room.

Arnold: "Woo! You see that? Uh, call your trainer, tell her you're going
to be late. This is going to be a lot more than an hour."

Julie: "Why? That woman's obviously selling a story. I'm not."

Arnold: "You're the sister of a murder victim, testifying on behalf of
the defendant. The prosecution's going to go after you. You have to be
prepared."

Julie: "I've been in court before. I know how to keep my cool."

Arnold: "This is a murder case, Julie, with very high stakes. It's hardball.
If you are not thoroughly prepared on your responses, these attorneys,
they'll tear you to shreds."

Julie: "Are you including Ted?"

Arnold: "Ted will have to ask you uncomfortable questions too, yes."

Julie: "Questions about Richard?"

Arnold: "Maybe."

Julie: "That makes me nervous. Richard only let me do this to clear Neil's
name. He is not going to want me answering questions about him."

Arnold: "Ted will do his best to steer clear of Richard and keep Grasso off
your back but as I was saying, this is for all the marbles. Ted's got to do
whatever he can."

Julie: "Okay. Where do we start?"

Arnold: "Ted'll walk you through your direct. What you and I will be
working on this week and the next -- every encounter you've ever had with
your sister and Neil -- your responses to Ted should be clear and simple
but emotional. A few well-placed anecdotes are a nice touch. When the
prosecution takes over you should limit yourself to one-word answers, yes
or no, don't volunteer information. Ted can clean up after you on redirect.
And never lie, okay? It'll always come back to bite you. If you aren't sure
of something say, `I don't recall at this time.' Hands -- fold them on your
lap, keep them on an armchair but, uh, make a choice and stick with it.
Okay? Otherwise you're moving around and you're distracting the jury from
what you're saying." Julie has been staring at him throughout.

Julie: "Arnold?"

Arnold: "Hmm?"

Julie: "Are you married?"

Arnold: "No."

Julie: "Attached?"

Arnold: "No." Awkward moment of silence. "Okay. Why don't we try a dry-run
on your direct, okay?"

Julie: "Okay."

Arnold: "Okay. I'll be Ted."

Julie: "I'll be Julie." Arnold laughs. So does she.

Back in court, Detective Arthur Polson is on the witness stand.

Grasso: "Are you the primary detective assigned to Jessica Costello's case?"

Polson: "Yes."

Grasso: "What is your responsibility in that capacity?"

Polson: "To identify any person who had an opportunity to commit the crime
of murder upon Jessica Costello."

Grasso: "What steps did you take in that regard?"

Polson: "Based upon signs of struggle at the scene and the sexually-battered
condition of the body, I ordered a rape kit and directed the M.E. to examine
the body for signs of sexual assault."

Grasso: "And what did you learn?"

Polson: "That Jessica Costello had been raped before she was murdered."

Grasso: "Anything more specific?"

Polson: "Semen was found inside the victim."

Grasso: "Detective, were you able to ascertain whose semen it was, found
in the body of Jessica Costello?"

Polson: "Yes. We were able to match it based upon a prior blood sample
taken from the Defendant."

Grasso: "Was there any particular reason you sought to obtain a match with
the Defendant?"

Polson: "Yes. I had interviewed Jessica Costello's friends and associates.
The Defendant's name kept coming up."

Grasso: "Was anyone else's semen found in the body?"

Polson: "No."

Grasso: "Was there anything else indicating that the Defendant had the
opportunity to kill Jessica Costello?"

Polson: "Yes. He was in her apartment during the period the Medical Examiner
estimated as the time of death."

Ted: "Objection. Move to strike. The witness is speculating."

Judge: "Overruled."

Grasso: "And how did you determine that the Defendant was in the victim's
apartment?"

Polson: "The estimated time of death was between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m.
According to a sworn statement from Susan Dominick, night nurse at Zephyr
House, she received a call from the Defendant at 1:45 a.m. Telephone company
logs corroborate the call and show that it originated from the victim's
residence."

Ted: "Objection. Move to strike."

Judge: "Mr. Hoffman, overruled."

Grasso: "Based on everything that you've told us, what, if any, action did
you take?"

Polson: "I arrested the Defendant for the murder of Jessica Costello."

Grasso: "Thank you."

Ted: "Neil Avedon wasn't the first person arrested for the murder of Jessica
Costello, was he?"

Polson: "No."

Ted: "Who was?"

Polson: "Richard Cross."

Ted: "Why was Mr. Cross released?"

Polson: "We received information exonerating him."

Ted: "From whom?"

Polson: "A Beverly Nichols."

Ted: "Can you describe the information she related that convinced you Mr.
Cross should be released?"

Polson: "Ms. Nichols echoed Mr. Cross' account of having found Jessica
Costello's body. Ms. Nichols also vouched for Mr. Cross having been with
her at the time the murder would have taken place."

Ted: "So, Richard Cross had originally let himself be arrested for murder
rather than simply reveal that he was with Ms. Nichols while that murder
occurred?"

Polson: "Yes."

Ted: "Why do you believe he would do that?"

Polson: "Because Ms. Nichols described her husband as being a violently
jealous man who would physically abuse her if he knew she were with Mr.
Cross."

Ted: "Would you still accept his alibi if I were to present you with
evidence that in fact Mr. Nichols was not jealous of Richard Cross, that
in fact Mr. Nichols had engaged in sexual activities with his wife for
Richard Cross' viewing pleasure?"

Grasso: "Objection. Counsel knows he's calling for speculation." Polson
seems puzzled and intrigued by Ted's question.

Judge: "Sustained. Move on, counsel."

Ted: "Your honor, may we have a sidebar?"

Judge: "Approach."

Ted: "Your honor, we request an immediate 402 hearing to admit pertinent
evidence before further cross-examination."

Judge: "What is it?"

Ted: "A videotape that bears on the alibi just laid out by Detective
Polson."

Grasso: "Whatever happened to timely discovery? The People have heard
nothing of this tape until now."

Ted: "It just came into our possession."

Grasso: "Like the diary did. How many weeks did you sit on that, counsel?
This is completely unprofessional."

Ted: "I don't think an office that held back Nurse Dominick until well after
the preliminary hearing should be calling anyone else unprofessional."

Judge: "Let's stick with the business at hand. How long is the tape?"

Ted: "Under ten minutes."

Judge: "Lunch hour should be sufficient for you to view the tape, Ms.
Grasso, after which we'll hear from Mr. Hoffman. Step back. We're adjourned
for lunch break until two o'clock."

After lunch, the videotape is shown as Beverly Nichols sits on the witness
stand.

Ted: "Are you the woman on that tape, Ms. Nichols?"

Nichols : "What do you think?"

Ted: "Your honor, Ms. Nichols is here under subpoena and clearly
unresponsive. Request permission to treat her as a hostile witness?"

Judge: "Granted. And the witness is directed to answer questions with a yes
or no."

Ted: "Ms. Nichols, isn't it a fact that when this tape was made you were a
prostitute?"

Nichols: "Yes."

Ted: "For a price, you would perform sexual acts, is that right?"

Nichols: "Yes."

Ted: "And depending on the price, you'd indulge different sexual fantasies,
is that correct?"

Nichols: "Yes."

Ted: "And if part of fulfilling that fantasy was lying, you would lie, is
that right?"

Grasso: "Objection. Argumentative. Counsel's not allowed to batter the
witness no matter how she once made her living."

Ted: "I'm merely trying to establish the circumstances under which the
witness will lie for another party."

Judge: "Overruled. The witness will respond."

Nichols: "Yes, when I was a prostitute I lied to men at their request."

Ted: "Is it a fair statement that when you were a prostitute you would not
only lie to clients, you would lie to the police -- you'd lie to the world
at large -- about what you did for a living?"

Nichols: "Yes."

Ted: "At the time this video was taken, you were in the employ of an escort
service run by a Freddie Carello?"

Nichols: "Yes."

Ted: "And Mr. Carello arranged for you to have sexual relations with his
customers, is that correct?"

Nichols: "Yes."

Ted: "Do you recognize the men in this video, Ms. Nichols?"

Nichols: "I do."

Ted: "The one watching is Richard Cross, isn't it?"

Nichols: "Yes."

Ted: "And the man in bed with you?"

Nichols: "My husband, Jake Nichols."

Ted: "You told the police that Richard Cross was with you on the night
Jessica Costello was killed, is that right?"

Nichols: "He was with me."

Ted: "You also stated Mr. Cross was motivated to keep your being with him
a secret because you have a violently jealous husband, is that right?"

Nichols: "That's right."

Ted: "Is that so-called `jealous husband' the same man we see on the tape
having sex with you for the viewing pleasure of Richard Cross?"

Nichols sighs: "Yes."

Ted: "No further questions."

Grasso: "Ms. Nichols, is your husband violently jealous?"

Nichols: "Yes, unfortunately."

Grasso: "Has he hit you on occasion?"

Nichols: "Yes."

Grasso: "Have you ever had to go to the emergency room as a result of your
injuries?"

Nichols: "Yes."

Grasso: "How many times?"

Nichols: "Three or four times."

Grasso: "If it please the court, we have copies of Ms. Nichols' hospital
records from four visits to Cedars-Sinai Emergency Room from injuries from
domestic abuse."

Judge: "Bailiff?" The bailiff collects the copies for the court.

Grasso: "Was it jealousy that provoked your husband's violent outbursts?"

Nichols: "Every time."

Grasso: "You know, he didn't look jealous to me on that videotape. Can you
explain that?"

Nichols: "Jake was the one who made the deal with Freddie Carello for that
scene. He knew Richard was only going to watch. But just the same, after
we'd pull ourselves up out of that life, Jake would get pathological at the
idea of anyone putting their hands on me again."

Grasso: "Did you communicate to Richard Cross, when you agreed to meet with
him, that if your husband found out about it he would be violently jealous?"

Nichols: "I told Richard that Jake would kill me."

Grasso: "So, Richard Cross had every reason to believe that if he told the
police you were with him when he discovered Jessica Costello's body, he
would be putting you in danger?"

Nichols: "Yes, he knew very well. I was nervous all night."

Grasso: "Then why did you agree to spend the evening with him?"

Nichols: "He gave me a thousand dollars. I didn't have to have sex with him
or anything, I just had to go out with him. We were broke, we needed the
money."

Grasso: "What, if anything, happened after you came forward with Richard
Cross' alibi?"

Nichols: "Jake beat me up. I had to go to the emergency room."

Grasso: "If it please the court, the People wish to submit an emergency
room report for Cedars-Sinai for September 26, 1995."

Judge: "Bailiff?" Again the bailiff retrieves the report for the court.

Grasso: "Thank you very much. Nothing further."

Judge: "Redirect, Mr. Hoffman?"

Ted: "You say you've lied for money, is that correct, Ms. Nichols?"

Nichols: "Yes."

Ted: "You say Richard Cross gave you a thousand dollars on the night Jessica
Costello was murdered, is that correct?"

Nichols: "Yes."

Ted: "Thank you. Nothing further."

Judge: "The witness is excused." Beverly Nichols steps down from the stand
and leaves the courtroom. "While this tape may impeach Mr. Cross, it has no
direct relationship to Detective Polson's testimony. Therefore, Mr. Hoffman,
I instruct you not to ask Detective Polson any questions about this tape.
The Defense may introduce it, should you decide to, during your case in
chief."

Back at the firm, late at night, Arnold is eating Chinese food while
watching Connie Dahlgren on Deadline: America.

[TV] Dahlgren: "If you think the video we showed you two months ago, of
Neil Avedon choking a girl in bed was hot, wait till you see the video
Ted Hoffman unleashed in Judge Bornstein's courtroom today. A menage a
trois among the exotic Beverly Nichols, `Fabio-lous' husband Jake, and
philanthropist Richard Cross. Word is it's hot, it's wild, it's kinky.
And Deadline: America is doing everything possible... " Julie Costello
enters Arnold's office.

Arnold: "Julie?"

Julie: "After I saw that on the news, I walked out on Richard. I got in my
car and I drove around and the only person I could think to go to was you."

Arnold: "Are you all right?"

Julie: "No. I'm terrified Richard'll find me and I'll end up in a straight-
jacket somewhere."

Arnold: "You could, uh, stay at my place until you figure out your next
move."

Julie: "You don't want to get involved with me, Arnold."

Arnold: "Well, technically, that's true. Last time I mixed my private life
with my work life, it had disastrous consequences, but, this is strictly
about your shelter and safety, so, I think it's okay."

Julie: "You don't know what you'd be taking on with Richard."

Arnold: "I can handle myself. Stay, stay at my place."

Julie: "You are such a good person, Arnold. Why couldn't I have known you
when I first moved to LA?"

Arnold: "I don't know. But you know me now."

Julie: "Thank you."

Arnold: "Again, just so there's no confusion, I'll sleep on the couch."

Julie: "I'm not confused."

The next morning, at the firm, Richard Cross is pacing in reception, waiting
for Ted to arrive.

Cross: "So, would you like to tell me where she is?"

Ted: "Who? I don't know what you're talking about."

Cross: "Julie. Thanks to your little video show yesterday, we argued and
she walked out. I haven't heard from her since. I'm worried sick."

Ted: "I haven't seen her."

Cross: "Well if you do, you should know that she's a troubled high-strung
young girl. She requires special attention."

Ted: "Which only you can provide."

Cross: "Frankly, yes. And if you think you can take my place, believe me,
you don't want to."

Ted: "Thanks for the warning, but as I said, I don't have her."

Cross: "So you did. But if she stops by, tell her I came looking." Ted walks
away from him and toward his office. As Cross leaves, he runs into Arnold
and Julie near the elevators. "Julie!"

Julie: "Please, Richard, I don't want to talk to you."

Cross: "All right, okay, let's not make a scene."

Julie: "Okay, perfect. I have work to do." She tries to walk past him into
the office. Cross takes her arm and prevents her from doing so.

Cross: "Can I just explain a few things, okay? Come home with me and we'll
sort this out, okay?"

Julie: "No, Richard. Please leave me alone."

Cross: "Honey, listen... "

Arnold interrupts: "Excuse me, I believe Julie stated her... " With the
distraction, Julie breaks free and enters the reception area.

Cross interrupts Arnold: "Young man, whatever you're about to say -- don't!"

Arnold: "Granted you're upset, sir, but you can't... "

Cross interrupts again and this time quite angry: "I'm going to give you the
same advice I gave your boss -- don't come between us!" Cross walks to the
elevators and presses the button. Arnold enters reception.

Lila: "Ted's in his office, Arnold, if you want to stick your head in."

Arnold nods: "Right." And heads for Ted's office. "Ted, I want to go on
record and say that nothing happened." Louis is also present, with some
papers for Ted to sign.

Ted: "Excuse me?"

Arnold: "When Julie stayed with me last night, I slept on the couch. Nothing
happened."

Louis: "Hold your calls?"

Ted: "Thanks, Louis." Louis leaves. "You let Julie stay at your apartment?
There are hotels she could have stayed at. What were you thinking?"

Arnold: "I was worried for her. Richard Cross' possessiveness is not
something to be trifled with."

Ted: "The appearance of it is compromising."

Arnold: "I'm sorry. I can see in the light of day, my heart may have led me
astray."

Ted: "I don't think it's your heart that was leading you, Arnold." Chris
knocks and enters.

Chris: "Sorry to interrupt. Car's waiting downstairs."

Ted: "Two seconds. Tell Justine to wait us down." Chris leaves. "Let's not
tempt your impulses any further. I'll talk to Justine. Perhaps Julie would
like to stay with her in the short-term." They leave the office together.

Arnold: "Good idea."

Ted: "We're going, Louis."

Louis: "Your wife is on line 2."

Ted: "Tell her I'm sorry, I'll try to call her later. Arnold, ask Julie if
she can meet me later today in my office."

Arnold: "Will do." Ted, Chris and Justine head for the elevators.

Back in court, Ted's cross-examination of Detective Polson resumes.

Judge: "I remind you, detective, you're still under oath."

Ted: "You first arrested Richard Cross for this crime, didn't you?"

Polson: "That's correct."

Ted: "And you released Mr. Cross four days later based on a story he and Ms.
Nichols told you, correct?"

Polson: "Yes."

Ted: "Still think that alibi is good?"

Grasso: "Objection. Argumentative."

Ted: "I'll withdraw the question. When you arrested Richard Cross, did you
believe you had the right man?"

Polson: "Yes."

Ted: "But you later decided you'd made a mistake, correct?"

Polson: "I developed other evidence that caused the District Attorney's
office to subsequently bring charges against the Defendant."

Ted: "If you had made a mistake with Richard Cross, could you have made a
mistake with Neil Avedon?"

Polson: "No. The evidence against this defendant is very compelling."

Ted: "What evidence are you referring to?"

Polson: "The only semen we found in Ms. Costello was from the Defendant,
Neil Avedon."

Ted: "Is it possible for a man to rape a woman without ejaculating inside
her?"

Polson: "I'm not a rape expert. I couldn't say."

Ted: "Expertise aside, a man, other than Neil, could have raped Jessica
Costello wearing a condom that same night and you wouldn't know it, would
you?"

Polson: "I didn't see evidence of that."

Ted: "My question was, whether or not you would know if the rapist wore a
condom?"

Polson: "There's no way to tell."

Ted: "So, you're just guessing that it was Neil Avedon who raped Jessica
Costello?"

Polson: "An informed, educated guess."

Ted: "But it's still a guess, correct?"

Polson: "Yes."

Ted: "Isn't it a fact that it has become common for serial rapists to use
condoms to avoid leaving evidence behind?"

Polson: "Yes, but there was no indication of forced entry to the residence.
We believe the victim knew her killer."

Ted: "Did the victim know Richard Cross at the time of her death?"

Polson: "Yes."

Ted: "In fact, your investigation showed that Jessica knew and was sexually
linked to at least a dozen adult men, isn't that right?"

Polson: "Yes."

Ted: "So, couldn't any one of those men have raped and killer her?"

Polson: "Theoretically, yes."

Ted: "You testified here that Neil Avedon had sex with Jessica the day she
was killed, correct?"

Polson: "That's correct." One of the jurors, Albert Wysong, the retiree, is
fast asleep.

Ted: "You also testified that when you spoke to Jessica's friends, Neil's
name kept coming up, correct?"

Polson: "It did." Wysong, the juror, then is shown snoring as Iverson nudges
him awake.

Ted: "It kept coming up because he was dating her, isn't that right?"

Polson: "More or less."

Ted: "More or less? Did Jessica's friends say they were dating or not?"

Polson: "Some friends said they were dating."

Ted: "So, it's very possible their sex was consensual, isn't it?"

Polson: "I didn't see evidence of that."

Ted: "Is it possible, yes or no?"

Polson: "Yes, it's possible."

Ted: "When Mr. Cross was still the suspect in this case, did you receive
phone calls from prominent third-parties urging you to release him?"

Polson: "I did not."

Ted: "You weren't reminded, directly or indirectly, by elected officials,
that Mr. Cross was a very important man in this city?"

Polson: "No, I was not."

Ted: "Did you release Mr. Cross at anyone's instruction?"

Polson: "Yes."

Ted: "Whose instruction was that?"

Polson: "The District Attorney's office told me the charges against Mr.
Cross were being dropped."

Ted: "Who, in the District Attorney's office?"

Polson: "Roger Garfield."

Ted: "Did Mr. Garfield tell you this over the phone or speak to you in
person?"

Polson: "In person."

Ted: "Is it common for the District Attorney himself to inform you in person
on his office's disposition of a defendant?"

Polson: "No."

Ted: "Do you have any idea why District Attorney Garfield involved himself
personally, to the degree he did, in the release of Richard Cross?"

Polson: "No."

Ted: "One last question, detective. Did you want to release Richard Cross
for the murder of Jessica Costello when District Attorney Garfield dropped
the charges?"

Polson: "Not at the time, no."

Ted: "Thank you. Nothing further."

Judge: "Ms. Grasso, call your next witness." Grasso confers with Washington.

Grasso: "Sidebar, your honor?" The judge indicates they should approach.
"The People have new information bearing on Dr. Graham Lester as a witness.
We move for discovery of his records and to compel him to testify." Her
deputy, Mark Washington, hands the judge a number of papers, including their
motion. "And since this impacts on the order of our witnesses, we'd like to
deal with this today, if at all possible."

Ted: "We can't be expected to respond effectively to a motion sprung at the
last minute. That's exactly why you're pulling this."

Grasso: "Short notice only works one way?"

Judge: "We'll break for lunch, give the Defense an opportunity to study the
People's motion papers and reconvene at two o'clock." They return to their
seats. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we won't need you this afternoon.
Enjoy your weekend."

Neil: "Ted?"

Ted: "A surprise witness."

Chris: "The witness' name is Amy Scott. Anyone recognize the name?" Neil
shakes his head.

Ted: "We're about to get a rude introduction."

At the firm, Richard Cross drops by to visit Justine.

Justine: "Thanks, Lila. Richard, nice surprise. To what do I owe this
pleasure?"

Cross: "I was hoping you had a few moments for me."

Justine: "Of course, come on back." They head toward her office. "How are
you?"

Cross: "I'm not as well as I'd like to be."

Justine: "Sorry to hear that."

Cross: "So, I hear Julie's moved in with you. How's she doing?"

Justine: "We haven't talked much but she seems fine."

Cross: "Justine, I know it may seem like I'm asking you to compromise your
client-attorney privilege but I'd like you to intercede with Julie on my
behalf."

Justine: "I don't think she wants to see you, Richard."

Cross: "She doesn't know what she wants. She's angry and she's frightened 
and candidly, Ted Hoffman has poisoned the atmosphere to a point where I
believe she thinks I had something to do with her sister's death -- which
is completely and utterly absurd."

Justine: "Well, I can certainly tell her that you want to talk to her, 
Richard, but beyond that... "

Cross: "Justine, this is not a legal matter. This is personal. I love Julie
and I loved her sister. And it is inconceivable that I would have ever done
anything to harm her. I need her to know that."

Justine: "I'm not comfortable being a messenger in this situation."

Cross: "I'm not asking you to. All I'm asking you to do is broker a
meeting."

Justine: "And what if she doesn't want to meet with you?"

Cross: "Well then you use your considerable powers of persuasion. Woman to
woman. Tell her you'll be there while we talk. Anything, just get me in a
room with her!"

Justine: "I'll talk to her. That's all I can promise."

Cross: "Okay, thank you. You know my loyalty to those I trust. Anything you
do for me will be greatly appreciated." He leaves.

That afternoon, back in court, the surprise witness is on the stand.

Grasso: "Ms. Scott, are you acquainted with Dr. Graham Lester?"

Scott: "Yes."

Grasso: "Are you also acquainted with the Defendant?"

Scott: "Yes. We were in group therapy together 18 months ago in Zephyr
House."

Grasso: "Would you describe what was entailed in your group therapy?"

Scott: "There were five of us, Dr. Lester monitored us, where we
addressed our problems with substance abuse -- how it affected our lives.
We confronted each other on our stuff, our baggage."

Grasso: "Your relationship with the Defendant in group therapy, was it
cordial?"

Scott: "It was, at first."

Grasso: "Did something happen to change that?"

Scott: "Totally."

Grasso: "Would you tell us what happened?"

Scott: "Supposedly because he's famous, Neil said people were always
throwing drugs and sex his way, which is total B.S. and I called him on
it. I told him he wasn't being honest with himself and nobody threw him
drugs, he bought them. And sex didn't just come his way, he was always
hustling women."

Grasso: "How did the Defendant react?"

Scott: "He got really, really mad and told me I was full of it. He then
told us that we just couldn't understand the pressure of living life in
the spotlight. I suggested he couldn't stand to not be in the spotlight."

Grasso: "And how did the Defendant respond to this?"

Scott: "When he realized I wasn't buying it, he did what he always does --
he started coming on to me, flirting. I told him that he was just falling
back on an old crutch, that his playboy act was probably covering up for
some real sexual insecurity. How about we deal with that?"

Grasso: "And what did the Defendant say?"

Scott: "He said, `How about I slam your head through the wall and we could
deal with that?'" Neil leans over to whisper to Ted. "Then he kicked a
trash can clear across the room, it bounced off the wall and almost broke
a lamp."

Grasso: "And what did you do then?"

Scott: "I left, fast."

Grasso: "How did you feel after that?"

Scott: "I was scared to death."

Grasso: "Did you speak to Dr. Lester about this?"

Scott: "Yes. Dr. Lester told me not to worry. He knew how to handle Neil
when he was like that. He promised to straighten everything out before
the next session."

Grasso: "Did you go to the next session?"

Scott: "Yes. As soon as Neil saw me he said the fact that I showed up for
another session meant that I deserved whatever I got."

Grasso: "Did you ask him what he meant by that?"

Scott: "Yes. He got real close to me and said nobody embarrasses him and
gets away with it, that I should watch out, that he was going to pay me
back."

Grasso: "What did you do then?"

Scott: "I left."

Grasso: "Did you return to therapy the next day?"

Scott shakes her head: "Not to Zephyr House, no. I found another group with
a therapist I could trust."

Grasso: "Thank you, Ms. Scott. Nothing further."

Judge: "Mr. Hoffman?"

Ted: "Hello, Ms. Scott."

Scott: "Hello."

Ted: "How long have you been a member of a therapy group?"

Scott: "Five years, once a week. But the Z House thing was a 21-day
intensive."

Ted: "And the nature of these groups is confrontational, is that your
testimony?"

Scott: "Yes."

Ted: "So, after you confronted Mr. Avedon, he yelled, he confronted you
back, didn't he?"

Scott: "No. It was more than that. One of the main rules is you never get
physical."

Ted: "Did he ever get physical, in the sense that he put his hands on you?"

Scott: "No. But he got in my space though."

Ted: "But he didn't put his hands on you, did he?"

Scott: "No. But he kicked the trash can across the room and looked at me,
you know, like he was kicking me."

Ted: "In your five years of group therapy, has any other person shown
frustration by kicking a chair or stomping the floor, things of that
nature?"

Scott: "Yes."

Ted: "Did you fear for your life after any one of those instances?"

Scott: "No."

Ted: "Isn't it true you were at Zephyr House to deal with your addiction to
cocaine?"

Scott: "Yes."

Ted: "Are you aware that chronic use of cocaine will heighten paranoia?"

Scott: "I haven't used cocaine or any other drugs in over a year. And I'm
not being paranoid. Neil Avedon threatened me."

Ted: "Did you go to the police and get a restraining order against Mr.
Avedon after he threatened you?"

Scott shakes her head: "No."

Ted: "Why not? I thought you were scared for your life."

Scott: "I was."

Ted: "But you didn't get a restraining order?"

Scott: "No. Things felt different once I got home."

Ted: "Because you totally overreacted to Neil's comment, didn't you?"

Scott: "Not at all. I just felt safer once I was in my own place."

Ted: "Do you enjoy group therapy?"

Scott: "I like what it does for me."

Ted: "Isn't it a fact that the dramatic nature of group therapy is what
you really like about it?"

Scott: "No."

Ted: "Aren't you in fact guilty of what you accuse Neil of -- seeking to
be the center of attention?"

Scott: "No."

Ted: "Not even a little?"

Scott: "Neil is the one with the ego problem, not me!"

Ted: "I'm glad you cleared that up for us. Thank you. Nothing further."

Judge: "Redirect, Ms. Grasso?"

Grasso: "No, thank you, your honor."

Judge: "The witness is excused." Amy Scott steps down from the stand and
leaves the courtroom. "Argument, counsel."

Grasso: "Dr. Lester knew that the Defendant was dangerous to Amy Scott and
he didn't tell her or the authorities, as required by law. The People think
that the same thing happened with Jessica Costello and as such we believe
the doctor's files on the Defendant should be opened."

Ted: "The People's belief is not enough to abrogate my client's right to
privacy. There's no evidence that Neil Avedon threatened Jessica Costello."

Grasso: "A distinction without a difference -- two young women, the same
violent patient. Let's see what the doctor knew and when he knew it."

Judge: "I'll review Dr. Lester's records in camera. We are adjourned until
9 a.m. Monday morning at which point I'll make my ruling." Chris, Neil and
Ted leave the courtroom together.

Neil: "What are the chances the judge will keep Dr. Lester's records
sealed?"

Ted: "Zero. But I think she's wrong. And if I'm right about him, Lester's
records are filled with references to your violent nature."

Chris: "Including a back-dated memo describing how you confessed to 
murdering Jessica."

Neil: "This is my shrink we're talking about?"

Ted: "We're talking about a thoroughly corrupt bastard who's selling you
down the river."

Later that night at the firm, Ted and Chris are talking with Julie in the
conference room.

Ted: "I'm going to be blunt here, Julie. I think Richard Cross and Graham
Lester were involved in your sister's murder. And I need you to help me
connect the dots."

Julie: "Richard may have just been in the wrong place at the wrong time.
He really considered Jessie like a daughter and... "

Ted interrupts: "Don't delude yourself. If it walks like a duck and it
quacks like a duck -- it is a duck."

Chris: "Julie, we know Cross was at the apartment the night Jessica died.
We believe he placed a panic call from the apartment to Lester's facility,
which Lester's night nurse now says came from Neil. That's probably when
Cross and Lester hatched the cover-up."

Ted: "Richard Cross hung up that telephone and sneaked out, leaving your
sister's body on the floor without so much as a mercy call to 911."

Julie: "I was working for an escort service when Richard found me. He took
me in and gave me a life I never knew existed. I owe him everything."

Ted: "I know this isn't easy for you, Julie. Part of you feels like a
traitor and maybe we'll turn out to be wrong. But for now, let's just do
the work and see how it plays."

Julie: "All right." Louis knocks and enters.

Louis: "Sorry to interrupt, Ted. Your wife is in your office."

Ted: "Thanks, Louis." Louis leaves. Ted goes to meet Annie. "Hi."

Annie: "Hi."

Ted: "Where's Lizzie?"

Annie: "Uh, with a sitter. I wanted to talk to you away from her."

Ted: "Is she okay?"

Annie: "She's fine. Ted... "

Ted: "Annie?"

Annie: "This is awful timing, I know."

Ted: "What do you mean?"

Annie: "I keep putting this conversation off and putting it off and I can't
any more."

Ted: "What conversation? Talk to me."

Annie: "I can't keep living the way we've been living. I have to normalize."

Ted: "The trial's been exhausting, I know, but it'll be over soon -- three
months, tops."

Annie: "And then there'll be another trial and you'll be more famous,
pursued for even bigger cases. It doesn't go the other way, Ted, it expands.
I think we need to separate for a while."

Ted: "Separate?"

Annie: "I'm losing myself, Ted. If I don't get some distance to sort things
out... "

Ted: "Annie, Annie, don't do this. I've seen people separate. They don't
work it out. They get further apart."

Annie: "I don't know any other way. Don't make this harder than it is. It's
taken all that I have to do this." Both are near tears.

Ted: "Annie, I love you."

Annie: "And I love you. That's not what this is about."

Ted: "Then what's it about?"

Annie: "It's about not having a life. We live in a fishbowl and maybe you
can live with it but I can't and neither can Lizzie." She's crying and Ted
turns away to make his decision.

Ted sighs: "I'll, um, I'll have Louis drop by tomorrow after Lizzie's at
school to pick up my things."

Annie: "I didn't come here to push you out the door. I'm not talking to a
lawyer. I just need to find my center while I still have one."

Ted: "Okay, then you do."

Annie: "I do. Yes. I'm sorry." She leaves in tears. Ted tries to bear up
but he's nearly there himself.

[End titles] 

Steven Bochco Productions
20th Century Fox Television, a News Corporation Company
Story Editor: Doug Palau
Story Editor: Charles D.Holland
Supervising Associate Producer: Gigi Coello-Bannon
Associate Producer: Chad Savage
Casting in New York: Alexa L. Fogel, C.S.A.

Co-Starring:
Alexia Robinson as Akeesha Wesley
June Saruwatari as Karen Ting
Rosanna Huffman as Eleanor Iverson
David Fresco as Retiree
Paul Goodman as Actor
Markus Redmond as Mark Washington

Director of Photography: Anthony R. Palmieri
Production Designer: Paul Eads
Edited by: Andrew Doerfer
Unit Production Manager: Patrick McKee
First Assistant Director: Michael J.Schilz
Second Assistant Director: Brian Faul
Costume Designer: Brad R. Loman
Legal Consultant: Howard Weitzman
Technical Advisor: David J. Gascon
Production Coordinator: Nancy Wilkerson
Costume Supervisor: Debra Beebe
Make-Up Artists: Norman Page, Jim Scribner
Hairstylists: Paulette Pennington, Anthony Wilson
Continuity Supervisor: Margaret Varian           
Camera Operator: David Boyd
First Assistant Camera: Brian LeGrady
Gaffer: Mark Vuille
Key Grip: Harry L. Rez
2nd 2nd Assistant Director: Andy Spilkoman
Technical Consultant: Debra Carrillo
Production Sound Mixer: Susan Moore-Chong, C.A.S.
Supv. Sound Editor: Dave Weathers
Music Editor: Patty McGettigan
Background A.D.R.: Superloopers
Re-recording Mixers: Robert L. Appere, Ken Burton
Set Decorator: Mary Ann Biddle
Set Designer: Mindy Roffman
Lead Person: Randy Bostic
Property Master: Tommy Day
Location Manager: John Armstrong
Script Coordinator: Michael Norell
Casting Associates: Libby Goldstein, John A.Aiello
Construction Coordinator: Pete Lawrence
Transportation Coordinator: Norm Benson
Assistant Production Coordinator: Ann M. Kaiser
Post Production Coordinators: Laina Mumbrue, Jamal A. Swinton
Production Accountant: Candace Montgomery-Lira
Asst. to Steven Bochco: Barbara Kroells
Asst. to Charles H. Eglee: Marian Devney
Asst. to Fogle/Buckland: Karin Londgren
Asst. to Donahue/Neigher: Holly Baker
Asst. to Michael Fresco: Maureen Milligan
EPR (R) Telecine and Electronic Assembly by Encore Video Inc
Telecine Colorist: Steve Porter
Re-recorded at Sony Pictures Studios
Post Production Sound Editorial by Miles of Fun Sound
Presented in Dolby Surround
Lenses & Panaflex (R) camera by Panavision (R)
Copyright (c) 1996 Steven Bochco Productions #7114 All Rights Reserved
Steven Bochco Productions is the author of this motion picture for purposes
of copyright and other laws.
(AMPTP) Color by Foto-Kem Laboratory (R)

The events and characters depicted in this photoplay are fictitious. Any
similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events is purely
coincidental.

Ownership of this motion picture is protected by copyright and other
applicable laws, and any unauthorized duplication, distribution or
exhibition of this motion picture could result in criminal prosecution
as well as civil liability.