Murder One

Season One - Chapter Twenty-One: Season Finale - "The Aftermath"

U.S. air date: April 23, 1996

(Complete transcript) - [Final version]

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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.
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"Previously on MURDER ONE"

THE VERDICT - Narrator's voice-over: "The verdict." Clips from the reading
of the verdict.

Judge: "Will the Defendant please rise?"

Clerk reads the verdict: "`We, the jury, in the charge of murder in the
first degree, find the Defendant, guilty."

Clip from Neil's sentencing.

Judge: "You have shown absolutely no remorse for this heinous crime. You're
a violent young man and a danger to our community. Therefore I sentence you
to life in prison, without the possibility of parole."

ILLNESS REVEALED - Narrator's voice-over: "Illness revealed." Clips of
Richard Cross' collapse.

Cross: "I have this headache, it just won't go away. I'm going to have
to excuse myself for one second." He rises. "You just, um, you know, you 
just... " His eyes roll back in his head, collapses to the floor and begins
having seizures.

Justine: "Richard? Richard?" To his secretary, "Call 911."

THE TRUTH - Narrator's voice-over: "The truth." Clip of Justine telling
Ted Cross' secret.

Justine: "Richard Cross has AIDS."

Ted: "If Richard Cross killed Jessica and really is in the last stages of
AIDS, he would have nothing to lose by telling us."

THE DISCOVERY - Narrator's voice-over: "The discovery." Clip of Ted at the
newsstand, noticing the closed-circuit TV monitor and the camera. Clip of
Ted sharing his theory with Chris in the car.

Ted: "Somewhere in Jessica Costello's apartment is a camera."

Chris: "Which means there's a VCR."

Ted: "Which means that somewhere there may be a tape of the murder."

THE BREAK-IN - Narrator's voice-over: "The break-in." Clips from Ted,
Chris, Ray and Eddie Rosco  as they break into and search Jessica's
apartment to search for the video camera and VCR.

Ray: "Anyway for us to get in short of breaking and entering?"

Ted: "No way that's in time for us to do any good."

While searching a door frame with a small hole in it, Ray finds a mini
video camera on the back.

Ted: "Now we got us a game."

A PLEA FOR HELP - Narrator's voice-over: "A plea for help." Clip of Ted
speaking to Cross, asking him to turn over the video of Jessica's murder.

Ted: "Richard, Neil needs your help. We found the video camera in the
apartment. If there's anything you know about the murder, now's the time
to help him. Tell me where the tape is."

Cross: "It's in my safe, in the floor, under the desk."

Clips of Ted, the associates and Louis at the firm and in Ted's office,
watching the videotape.

Ted: "We've got the videotape. Everybody in my office." Ted inserts the
tape into the VCR and starts the tape. 

Lisa: "It's Neil." 

[Neil is with Jessica just as they begin making love. They kiss and Neil
leaves. Jessica then lies down on the bed.]

Chris: "He didn't do it. Jessica was still alive when Neil left."

Ted: "Right here."

[Jessica can be seen struggling with someone.]

Justine: "Oh my God."

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Opening scene, Ted's office. Julie is waiting to meet with Ted and Chris.

Julie: "Ted."

Ted: "Julie, thank you for coming."

Julie: "What's this about?"

Ted: "The videotape. By itself, it's not enough to free Neil. We need
Richard to testify."

Julie: "To what?"

Ted: "To the authenticity of the tape and to identify the people in it."

Julie: "You saw Richard at the airport. He isn't physically capable of
testifying."

Ted: "They can change his medication, Julie. There are drugs he can take
that'll make him temporarily more lucid and physically stronger than he
is now."

Julie: "Then why isn't he already on them?"

Ted: "Because there's a down side. They'll increase his chance of
infection."

Julie: "So, he could die sooner?"

Chris: "The rest of Neil Avedon's life is hanging in the balance."

Julie: "I can't play God. I led you to him, you got the tape. Don't ask
me for anything else."

Chris: "Maybe you should see the tape."

Julie: "I don't want to see it."

Ted: "The tape shows your sister's murder." Ted nods for Chris to play
the tape for Julie, which he does. Julie turns to look at the TV. "That's
Neil." Clip of Neil kissing Jessica.

Chris: "That's Neil leaving." Jessica lies down on her bed.

Julie: "Jessie." Ted fast forwards the tape to the point where the man
enters and begins struggling with Jessica. Julie sees them fighting on
the video. "Turn it off! Turn it off, please!" In tears. "My God!"

[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, Dylan Baker
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
Bobbie Phillips as Julie Costello
Linda Carlson as Judge Beth Bornstein
Gregory Itzin as DA Roger Garfield
Richard Riehle as Pat Ferguson
John Pleshette as Gary Blondo
Lenny Wolpe as Ezra Nagle
Markus Redmond as Mark Washington
Conor O'Farrell as Dr. Paul Kressel

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 Geoffrey Neigher & Doug Palau
Story by Steven Bochco & William M. Finkelstein & Charles H. Eglee
Directed by Michael Fresco
--------------------------

Next scene, the hospital, where Ted and Julie are trying to convince
Cross' doctor to change his medication.

Kressel: "Physically and mentally, Mr. Cross is in an extremely fragile
state. The one thing he won't be able to do is testify in court."
 
Ted: "I was hoping you might be able to rectify that, doctor."

Kressel: "Your hope is quite misplaced." Julie walks away from them and
moves closer to Cross' room. She stands by the open door, looking at him
in bed, gravely ill.

Ted: "With all due respect, I understand there are drugs which can enhance
his lucidity."

Kressel: "If you're referring to, uh, Cytoxin, AZT and the others, you're
right. There can be some ephemeral benefits within twenty-four hours."

Ted: "That's all we need." Julie begins listening to them as they argue.

Kressel: "It isn't what he needs. While it will decrease the symptoms of
dementia, it will greatly increase the risk of bone marrow depression and
cardiac necrosis. I didn't take the Hippocratic oath to kill people, Mr.
Hoffman."

Ted: "He's gonna die."

Kressel: "Well, it won't be because I killed him." 

Julie: "This isn't your decision, doctor. I'm taking this to my husband."

Ted: "Richard." Cross opens his eyes to look at Ted.

Cross: "Mm, Teddy."

Ted: "We found the tape."

Cross nods: "Good."

Ted: "We're hoping the judge will grant us a hearing tomorrow morning. We
need you there to authenticate the tape." Cross shakes his head.

Cross: "Mm, no."

Ted: "Listen to me, Richard. If you're not in that courtroom there's a very
good chance Neil will spend the rest of his life in prison. I don't want
that and I know you don't want that either. There are drugs that will allow
you to testify." Cross shakes his head. 

Cross: "I can't do it."

Kressel: "Mr. Hoffman... "

Ted interrupts: "You said you're Neil's friend. You told me you're not my
enemy and one day I would know that. This is the day, Richard. This is
the day all the subterfuge, all the lies end."

Julie: "You owe this to me, Richard. You owe this to Jessie." Cross shakes
his head. "You said you couldn't tell me who killed her because my life
would be in danger, because you were protecting me. But the only one you
were protecting was yourself. My God, she was fifteen! We were supposed
to be taking care of her!" Cross raises a hand to stop her.

Cross: "Okay." To Kressel, "Okay, Paul? Get me in that courtroom."

Kressel: "Richard, I can't let you do this."

Cross tries to raise his head: "Do it."

The next morning, Ted and Chris meet with Judge Bornstein in her chambers
regarding the videotape. Grasso and Washington enter chambers with them. 

Judge: "A videotape of the murder, Mr. Hoffman?"

Ted: "Yes, your honor. We believe its contents will completely exonerate
Neil Avedon."

Grasso: "Judge, if I hadn't parked next to him in the garage, I would have
suspected Mr. Hoffman rode over here with the cavalry." Chris hands copies
to Bornstein and Grasso.

Judge: "Your point, Ms. Grasso."

Grasso: "The spectacular timing of it all. The Defendant gets convicted
and sentenced in an exhaustive trial. Now this tape shows up from out of
the blue. Where was this bombshell during the trial?"

Ted: "In Richard Cross' possession. We didn't acquire it until yesterday."

Grasso: "Awfully convenient, don't you think?"

Ted: "Your honor, if we'd had the tape earlier, we would have introduced it
earlier. No one has suffered more from the late appearance of this evidence
than Neil Avedon himself."

Judge: "As an officer of the court, you're sworn to an oath of honesty in 
your representations to the court, therefore I'll accept your word. I'm
sure, however, the People will want to test the tape's authenticity."

Grasso: "Oh yes."

Ted: "Your honor, may I request that this be done with the greatest possible
speed. My client is under extreme emotional and physical duress."

Judge: "I'm sure the People will do their best to expedite the process, Mr.
Hoffman. In the mean time, I'll take your motion for an evidentiary hearing
under advisement."

From a vista overlooking the city below, Chris meets with Pat Ferguson.

Ferguson: "So, do you play golf?"

Chris: "No."

Ferguson laughs: "You should play golf."

Chris: "Maybe I will one day."

Ferguson: "It's a wonderful pastime."

Chris: "What'd you want to see me about, Mr. Ferguson?"

Ferguson: "Oh, please. I feel old enough the way it is. Call me Pat."

Chris laughs: "Okay. What'd you want to see me about, Pat?"

Ferguson: "Well, the other day I'm playing the Valley Club of Montecito with
Bill Rauch -- Justice Rauch, I should say. Anyway, after eighteen holes
we're sitting out on the patio having a drink and we got to talking about
the Avedon case. He thinks your guy got a raw deal."

Chris: "Does he?"

Ferguson: "Yes, he does. He thinks there's reversible error."

Chris: "Why tell me this?"

Ferguson: "Oh, the judge would like to explore the possibility of being of
service to you and righting this wrong."

Chris: "In what way?"

Ferguson: "By voting to overturn the conviction and convincing two of his
colleagues to vote the same way."

Chris: "Is this something the judge is thinking of doing?"

Ferguson: "Let me put it to you this way. For a hundred thousand dollars,
he won't think about it -- he'll get it done."

Chris: "And I know you're speaking for the judge, how?"

Ferguson: "Well, I started working for Bill Rauch when he was still a
magistrate. You know how many years ago that is? I worked for him when
he was a trial court judge in Fresno. I worked for him after he got the
appointment to the court of appeals. The judge and I are very close. Ask
around."

Chris: "So, you're soliciting a bribe on behalf of the judge?"

Ferguson laughs: "Well, that would be one interpretation. Another equally
valid interpretation would be that an appellate judge gets to call in favors
with other appellate judges, a finite number of times. And those favors,
like oil or giant sequoia trees, are a limited resource. All we're trying
to do is maximize the use of that resource."

Chris: "My firm is not in the habit of buying judges."

Ferguson: "The last I want to do is drag you kicking and screaming into the
commission of an act you find morally repugnant. If you're not so inclined,
so be it. File your appeal and let the good judges call it on the merits.
Nothing whatsoever wrong with that. It's an imperfect system, but sometimes
the right results still comes out. Oh, one more thing I might mention and 
then we can forget about ever having had this conversation. I understand
that your guy is having a hard time dealing with incarceration. Should
Justice Rauch get involved, he'll see to it that Bornstein's ruling on
bail is overturned. Your client will get out the very next day."

Chris: "I'll talk to Ted Hoffman. I doubt very much he'll be interested."
A group of schoolchildren pass before them with their teacher.

Ferguson: "The age of innocence. Nothing like it, is there?"

Back at the firm, Ted's office.

Ted: "Chris, where are we on the videotape?"

Chris: "Western Video says their preliminary tests indicate the tape's for
real. No edits, no alterations. I set a meeting at Bornstein for eleven."

Ted: "Good."

Chris: "Ted, there's something I need to talk to you about. Guy named Pat
Ferguson got in touch with me. He's, uh, Justice Rauch's former legal
secretary."

Ted: "I know who he is."

Chris: "He said that for a hundred thousand dollars he would get Neil's
conviction overturned. Pending that, he said he'd get him out on bail."

Ted: "What did you tell him?"

Chris: "I told him that we weren't in the habit of bribing judges."

Ted: "Good answer."

Chris: "That's not something we'd ever consider, is it?"

Ted: "It's a felony. There's no assurance that you're not being set
up. There's no assurance that it would work. And it's wrong. I'm not
particularly surprised that Bill Rauch is proposing it. Do I want to 
be a party to it? No."

Conference room, staff meeting. Ted enters.

Ted: "Where are we, people?"

Justine: "I sent a copy of the tape to Detective Polson at Parker Center."

Chris: "I talked to the hospital. There's been no change in Cross' condition
so far."

Lisa: "I still don't understand. If the tape's been authenticated, why isn't
this res ipse allocatur? I mean, the tape speaks for itself."

Arnold: "Tell that to Rodney King."

Chris: "There's also no time code to establish date and hour."

Lisa: "Come on, Jessica was only murdered once."

Chris: "Even so, we still need Cross to place the tape in context and
there's nothing to prove that Neil didn't come back and commit the murder
at some later time."

Arnold: "Not to be a pessimist here, but what happens if Richard Cross dies
on us?" Justine shakes her head. "Sorry."

At the courthouse, Ted is speaking with DA Roger Garfield about the tape on
their way to Bornstein's courtroom.

Garfield: "Well, Ted, I saw the tape. Very provocative. The bottom line, I'm
not convinced."

Ted: "What part of seeing the actual murder doesn't convince you?"

Garfield: "Come on, your client's about to be shipped off to Folsom and you
suddenly produce your own little Zapruder film. That isn't coincidence --
that's the Miracle of Lourdes."

Ted: "The tape is authentic, Roger."

Garfield: "And you can prove that?"

Ted: "I can and I will."

Garfield: "Fine. When you're done, we'll run that part in Forrest Gump where
Tom Hanks shakes JFK's hand." They enter the courtroom.

Ted: "Are you suggesting I'd manufacture evidence?"

Garfield: "Desperate men do desperate things, Ted. You wouldn't be the
first."

Ted: "I was hoping to appeal to your sense of fairness, Roger. But since
I obviously can't, I'll try your sense of political. This tape is going
to free Neil. You can join in our motion and take the credit or you can
stand in the way and take the blame."

Bailiff: "All rise. The Honorable Beth Bornstein presiding."

Garfield whispers: "As much as I appreciate your concern over my political
future, Ted, where I'm standing suits me just fine." He walks over to the
prosecution's table to sit with Grasso and Washington.

Judge: "You may be seated. Mr. Hoffman, I viewed your tape and while it
raises serious questions as to the People's theory of the crime, it does
not, in and of itself, exonerate your client."

Ted: "Understood, your honor, which is why we move for a hearing to place
this evidence in its full context."

Grasso: "Your honor, when I first took the Avedon case, Mr. Hoffman summed
up the value of evidence like this. He said, `Miriam, they can do wonderful
things with film. They can make frisbees look like flying saucers.' The
People stand by counsel's word."

Ted: "As I recall, at the time Ms. Grasso strongly disagreed with those
words."

Grasso: "I've come to see their wisdom."

Judge: "Ms. Grasso, have you satisfied yourself as to the authenticity of
this tape?"

Grasso: "Not yet, we're still waiting for the lab report from Sacramento."

Ted: "Your honor, we are prepared to offer expert testimony to establish
authenticity, as soon as you authorize the hearing."

Garfield: "Uh, your honor, if I may? This is pure speculation, your honor."

Judge: "Mr. Hoffman, will Mr. Cross be available to verify the authenticity
of this tape?"

Ted: "It is my hope that he will, your honor, however Mr. Cross is seriously
ill."

Judge: "Then perhaps we should wait until he recovers."

Ted: "He won't. He's in the final stages of AIDS."

Garfield: "Your honor, I'm, I'm confused. Can he or can't he testify?"

Ted: "Mr. Cross has agreed to alter his medications so that he can."

Judge: "Mr. Hoffman, I'm granting your motion. A hearing is set for three
o'clock this afternoon. If Mr. Cross is available, I will consider what he
has to say. If he is not, I will be compelled to make my ruling based on 
the evidence presented."

Later that day in court, the hearing. Videotape expert, Ezra Nagle is on
the stand.

Ted: "What is you occupation, Mr. Nagle?"

Nagle: "I'm a senior engineer at Western Video."

Ted: "What do you do as senior engineer?"

Nagle: "I supervise the creation of video special effects. I've also
developed new technology in the field of video special effects."

Ted: "How long have you worked in this field?"

Nagle: "Fourteen years."

Ted: "Is it fair to say that you are at least current with the state of the
art in video technology?"

Nagle: "Well, I don't like to blow my own horn but the fact is that we... "

Ted interrupts: "It's a yes or no question, Mr. Nagle."

Nagle: "Yes."

Ted: "Have you had an opportunity to review the videotape made in Jessica
Costello's bedroom on the night of September 20th, 1995?"

Nagle: "Yes, I have."

Ted: "According to your best expert opinion, was this videotape edited in
any way?"

Nagle: "No, it was not."

Ted: "On what do you base that opinion?"

Nagle: "Edits can be detected by a spike in the radio frequencies. I
examined the RF envelope -- no spike."

Ted: "Is it possible through the use of special effects to have removed or
replaced someone who was in the room at the time the videotape was made?"

Nagle: "What you are describing is a technique called compositing. Again,
there are telltale signs -- pixel irregularities, visible matte lines. I
looked -- I did not find."

Ted: "In your best expert opinion, has this videotape been altered in any
way?"

Nagle: "In my opinion? No."

Ted: "Thank you, Mr. Nagle. I have no further questions."

Grasso: "Is the alteration of a videotape always detectable, Mr. Nagle?"

Nagle: "Editing and compositing are always detectable, yes."

Grasso: "And are editing and compositing the only methods available for
altering a videotape?"

Nagle: "Are they the only methods? Strictly speaking, they're not but they
are the only methods that could change the face of an individual present in
that room."

Grasso: "Can you tell us when this tape was made, Mr. Nagle?"

Nagle: "No."

Grasso: "So, for all you know this tape could have been made two months
before the murder, is that correct?"

Nagle: "As I said, I don't know when it was made."

Grasso: "Can you tell us if the woman on that tape is Jessica Costello?"

Nagle: "No."

Grasso: "Can you tell us who the man is on that videotape?"

Nagle: "No."

Grasso: "So, for all you know, sir, this entire tape could have been staged
for the camera?"

Ted: "Objection."

Grasso: "Withdrawn."

Judge: "You may step down. Mr. Hoffman, do you have any further witnesses?"

Ted: "At this time, your honor, we call Richard Cross to the stand." Cross
is brought in on a wheelchair and accompanied by a nurse, Dr. Kressel and
Julie. He looks pale and weak. The nurse and doctor help him to the stand.

Kressel to Cross: "There you go. Richard, you okay? Can I get you anything?
Do you need anything?" Cross waves him off.

Judge: "Mr. Cross, do you understand where you are and why you're here?"

Cross laughs: "Yes, I do." Clears his throat.

Judge: "Then will you please raise your right hand." He does.

Clerk: "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but
the truth, so help you God?"

Cross nods: "I do."

Clerk: "State your name for the record."

Cross leans forward, clears his throat and speaks into the microphone: 
"Richard Cross. I am Richard Cross."

Ted: "Mr. Cross, I realize the tremendous sacrifice you've made in appearing
here today, so I'll try to move this along. You've previously testified that
you own the apartment building in Hollywood where Jessica Costello lived
prior to her death, is that correct?" Cross is drinking some water.

Cross nods: "Yes." Barely audible. "Yes." Clears his throat.

Ted: "Did you ever make any unusual modifications to the apartment in which
Ms. Costello resided?"

Cross: "Two years ago I installed a video surveillance system."

Ted: "For what reason?"

Cross: "So I could watch Ms. Costello having sex."

Ted: "Would you describe for us how the system worked?"

Cross: "There was a camera hidden behind the bedroom wall. It was wired to
a VCR in the garage."

Ted: "Was this system operational on the night of September 20th of last
year?" An officer has moved a TV monitor into the courtroom.

Cross: "Yes."

Ted: "Sir, I'm going to show you a tape now and I'd for you to identify
the individuals who appear on it." Chris uses a remote control to begin
the tape. Cross watches a small monitor at his side. "Do you recognize
the location, Mr. Cross."

Cross: "Yes, it's Jessica's bedroom at 1501 North Havenhurst Avenue."

Ted: "Do you recognize the young woman?"

Cross: "The young woman is Jessica Costello."

Ted: "Do you recognize the young man?"

Cross: "Yes. The young man is Neil Avedon."

Ted: "Mr. Cross, this is a portion of the tape made later that same evening.
Can you identify the individual present with Jessica now?" 

Cross looks at the monitor, pulls the microphone closer and clearly states:
"Roberto Portalegre."

[The tape shows Portalegre sitting on the bed with Jessica, urging her to
take cocaine. She pushes the drugs and his hand away from her and tries to
run out of the room. He catches her and beats her. Tears off her robe, ties
her hands to the bedpost and rapes her. He then strangles her to death. He
stands, zips up his pants and walks to the other side of the room. Before
he leaves he arranges her head so that she is facing him, her eyes open and
looking at him.]

Ted: "Mr. Cross, do you have any doubt that the man on the montiors is
Roberto Portalegre?"

Cross shakes his head: "None."

Ted: "When was this tape made, Mr. Cross?"

Cross: "September 20th, 1995."

Ted: "How do you know that?"

Cross: "Because I arranged for Jessica to meet Mr. Portalegre that night."
He coughs. "Excuse me."

Ted: "What is your relationship with Mr. Portalegre?"

Cross: "Several years ago I made the mistake of going into business with
him."

Ted: "What business was that, Mr. Cross?"

Cross: "Mr. Portalegre is a cocaine dealer. I agreed to set up a string of
businesses that would funnel the proceeds from the drug sales."

Ted: "Why would a man of your wealth expose himself to that kind of risk?"

Cross laughs: "Ah, yeah. The excitement, I guess. I don't know."

Ted: "So, on the night of September 20th, you arranged for Jessica to be
with Mr. Portalegre."

Cross: "Yes, he, uh, was in town to consummate, uh, a deal and he asked me
to set him up. I knew that Jessica, um, liked rich, older men and I knew
that he liked young girls."

Ted: "Had Jessica agreed to be with Mr. Portalegre that night?"

Cross: "Initially, yes but at some point during the evening, she changed
her mind."

Ted: "How do you know this?"

Cross: "She called me on my cell phone at approximately one a.m. She told
me that Portalegre was roughing her up and insisting that she take ever-
increasing amounts of cocaine. She'd locked herself in the bathroom and
was clearly frightened out of her mind."

Ted: "What did you tell her?"

Cross: "I told her not to worry, to, um, calm down and that I would be right
there."

Ted: "What did you find when you got there?"

Cross: "I found, uh, Portalegre gone and Jessica dead."

Ted: "What did you do?"

Cross: "I phoned Graham Lester."

Ted: "This was the call made to Zephyr House at one-forty-five, previously
attributed to Neil Avedon." 

Cross: "Yes."

Ted: "What, if anything, did Dr. Lester suggest as a course of action?"

Cross: "He suggested that we frame Neil Avedon for Jessica's murder." 

Ted: "Did you take his advice?"

Cross nods: "Yes."

Ted: "How did you go about carrying out this course of action, Mr. Cross?"

Cross: "I induced Susan Dominick to lie about the phone call that came in
at one-forty-five and say that it came from Neil. Dr. Lester agreed to
supply a false confession."

Ted: "And you had no compunction about setting up a man you considered to
be a friend?"

Cross: "I felt as if I had no choice."

Ted: "Why did you feel that way?"

Cross: "Because Mr. Portalegre made it clear that I was responsible for what
had happened and that I was to clean up the mess."

Ted: "Were you afraid of Mr. Portalegre?"

Cross: "Oh yes."

Ted: "Why?"

Cross: "Roberto Portalegre is a killer. I know that he sent Rusty Arnold
to kill Dave Blalock and Freddie Carello when the tape exposing my alibi
surfaced. I believe that he had Holly Gerges killed when she was in police
custody. And I know, Ted, that he was behind your daughter's kidnapping.
He told me that he was doing these things to help me but I knew, they were
warnings."

Ted: "Why are you coming forward now, Mr. Cross?"

Cross: "Because I'm dying, Mr. Hoffman and I have no reason to fear Mr.
Portalegre's retributions any longer." He shrugs.

Ted: "And for no other reason?"

Cross: "That, and the hope that this will earn me some small measure of
forgiveness from my wife." Cross is emotional, and so is Julie.

Ted: "Thank you. Your honor, the Defense requests that under section 1385
of the penal code, the court of its own motion, vacate the conviction and
dismiss the case against Neil Avedon."

Judge: "Ms. Grasso." Grasso is whispering something to Garfield. He is
definitely in disagreement with what she has told him.

Garfield whispers: "No. Don't."

Grasso: "Your honor, the People join in Mr. Hoffman's request to dismiss."

Garfield: "Your honor, the People request an immediate conference in
chambers." They go to Bornstein's chambers.

Judge: "This is highly unusual, Mr. Garfield."

Garfield: "Your honor, Ms. Grasso contravened my specific instruction to
conduct a cross-examination of this witness. As of this moment, she's no
longer in charge of the case."

Grasso: "You're not serious."

Garfield: "I'm completely serious, Miriam. I didn't fight all these months
for a conviction to have you roll over on me."

Ted: "Your honor, I've made a motion and Ms. Grasso has joined me in that
motion. Mr. Garfield's actions are totally inappropriate."

Garfield: "I'm the District Attorney of the County of Los Angeles, Ted.
In so far as the discharge of my duties is concerned, I'll decide what's
appropriate."

Judge: "Mr. Garfield, you've just heard expert testimony that the tape has
not been altered. Mr. Cross has corroborated its authenticity. What more do
you require?"

Garfield: "The constitutional right of the DA's office to conduct its case,
your honor."

Judge: "Fine, Mr. Garfield. Let's go." They re-enter the courtroom to resume
the hearing. Cross' doctor has been checking on his condition. Cross waves
him off again.

Garfield: "Good afternoon, Mr. Cross."

Cross: "Roger."

Garfield: "Some weeks ago you testified in this courtroom as a witness for
the prosecution, correct?"

Cross: "Yes."

Garfield: "Was this your testimony, on cross-examination, conducted by Mr.
Hoffman, and I'm reading from the transcript now, `Question: You found the
girl dead but you didn't call the police. Did you call anyone else? Answer:
No. Question: Are you sure you didn't place a call to Zephyr House at one-
forty-five a.m.? Answer: I'm quite certain.'"

Cross: "That was my testimony at the time, yes. However, I was not telling
the truth."

Garfield: "Then you acknowledge you're someone who lies, depending on the
circumstances."

Cross: "Well, I think we all do from time to time. Being a politician, you
should understand that better than anyone."

Garfield: "How do we know this latest version of events which you've
testified to here today isn't a lie?"

Cross: "Because I no longer have any reason to lie, Mr. Garfield. I've
recently found out I don't have much longer to live."

Garfield: "For the record, can you tell us the name of the disease with
which you are afflicted?"

Cross: "AIDS, I have AIDS."

Garfield: "Is it a fact that you've been experiencing symptoms of dementia 
as a result of the disease?" Cross isn't feeling well. He looks feverish.

Cross sighs: "Yes."

Garfield: "In fact, the last time you testified in this courtroom, you made
some rather bizarre, even delusional remarks. Was that behavior caused by
the dementia?"

Cross: "I imagine so, yes."

Garfield: "Isn't it possible that you're delusional right now? That the
testimony you've given here today has no basis in reality but is a product
of your worsening dementia?"

Cross: "Um, Roger, I'm as clear-headed today as I was three weeks ago
when you asked me to contribute an extra fifty thousand dollars to your
re-election campaign. And if I am delusional may I suggest we are all
sharing the same delusion inasmuch as we all saw the exact same thing on
that videotape."

Garfield: "Let's talk about that tape, Mr. Cross. You've repeatedly
testified that you consider Neil Avedon a friend, correct?"

Cross: "Yep."

Garfield: "Then how do we know you haven't used your considerable resources
and connections in the film world to manufacture this tape in order to
exonerate your dear friend?"

Cross: "Well, you heard what the expert's said. He said the tape's genuine."

Garfield: "He said it hadn't been tampered with. What he wasn't able to
determine was if the tape is a Richard Cross production."

Ted: "Objection. Counsel is supplying testimony."

Judge: "Sustained."

Garfield: "You are a client of Ted Hoffman's, aren't you?"

Cross: "Was a client."

Garfield: "You also bankrolled Neil Avedon's defense, didn't you?"

Cross: "Yes, yes, yes."

Garfield: "As someone who's suffering from a terminal disease, you don't
have much to lose by sitting there and saying just about anything that
would exonerate your friend, do you?"

Cross laughs: "Roger, are you so afraid of looking bad in the eyes of the
people that you're willing to put an innocent man in prison? Come on."

Garfield: "Ask that the witness' last remark be stricken as non-responsive
and that he be instructed to answer the question."

Judge: "Mr. Cross."

Cross exhales: "I'm sorry, your honor. Mr. Garfield, if you're asking if
I'm dying for Neil's sins, the answer is no. I can assure you, I'm dying
for my own."

Garfield: "Ted Hoffman didn't spoon-feed you this scenario as a last-ditch
effort to help his client?"

Cross: "No."

Garfield: "Ted Hoffman didn't beg you to get off your deathbed and fly one
last kamikaze mission to help Mr. Avedon?"

Ted: "Objection. Asked and answered, your honor."

Judge: "Sustained. Mr. Garfield."

Garfield: "I have no further questions for this witness, your honor."

Judge: "Mr. Cross, you may step down."

Cross: "Yeah, right. Thank you very much." Dr. Kressel and the nurse help
Cross down from the stand and back onto the wheelchair."

Judge: "If you have nothing further, Mr. Hoffman, I'm going to review this
new evidence. We'll reconvene tomorrow morning at nine at which point I'll 
make my ruling." As they wheel him near Neil, Cross gestures for the nurse
to stop so he can speak with him.

Cross: "I'm sorry, Neil." Neil nods but doesn't answer him and turns away.
"Do I at least have your forgiveness, Teddy?"

Ted: "Of course you do, Richard."

Cross: "My heart is lighter for the knowledge. I'll see you around, Teddy."
Cross is wheeled out of the courtroom. Julie leaves with them.

The next morning, Judge Bornstein's ruling on defense's motion to dismiss
the charges against Neil Avedon. The courtroom is packed. All of Ted's
associates are present.

Bailiff: "All rise. The Honorable Beth Bornstein, presiding."

Judge: "You may be seated. Before I rule on the motion I want to warn
everyone this is a court of law. I will tolerate no outbursts. Based on
the new evidence presented, it is this court's order that Mr. Avedon's
conviction of murder in the first degree be vacated, pursuant to section
1385 of the penal code, this case is dismissed." There's a sigh of relief
from the courtroom. Neil is overcome with emotion as Ted and Chris try
to comfort him. "This court, on its own motion, is issuing a factual
declaration of innocence. Mr. Avedon, while I can't make up for the hardship
you've endured, I hope you'll accept my apology for any remarks I have made
which may have contributed to your ordeal. Bailiff will release Mr. Avedon
from custody. Sir, you are free to go." Ted and Neil hug and he turns to
do the same with Chris.

Neil: "Chris." Ted also hugs Justine.

Outside the courtroom, Garfield speaks to the press.

Garfield: "From the beginning, my only objective in this case has been
justice. After conducting a far-reaching investigation of Mr. Cross, I'm
convinced justice has been done."

Reporter #1: "Will you be proceeding with prosecution against Mr.
Portalegre?"

Garfield: "Officers of the Los Angeles police department are moving to
arrest him as we speak."

Reporter #2: "How will this loss affect your plans for the governorship?"

Garfield: "I think that loss is the wrong word. If justice is served, that's
all that anyone can ask, with the possible exception of Mr. Portalegre."
The reporters spot Ted and the associates coming out and begin shouting
at him.

Reporters: "Mr Hoffman! Ted!"

Garfield: "Teddy, congratulations. Job well done."

Inside Parker Center, Neil is released and collects his personal items.

Property Officer: "Sign here, please." Neil signs.

Neil: "This feels awfully good, Teddy."

Ted: "It'll feel even better to walk out of here." Neil takes the bag and
starts walking out as a female police employee stops him.

Employee: "Uh, if it's not too much trouble, Mr. Avedon, could you sign an
autograph for my boy?"

Neil: "Sure, what's his name?"

Employee: "Billy." Neil signs just as Polson and an officer bring in Roberto
Portalegre in cuffs to be booked and processed. Portalegre stares at Ted and
then at Neil. Portalegre whispers something to Polson who then comes over to
speak with Ted.

Polson: "He wants to talk to you."

Ted to Neil: "I'll be back in a minute, Neil." Neil nods and continues to
stare at Portalegre. Then Ted and Portalegre speak in an interrogation room.

Portalegre: "I must applaud your skills, Mr. Hoffman. To get a murder
conviction overturned is truly remarkable. Unfortunately it has resulted
in my arrest."

Ted: "You'll forgive me, Mr. Portalegre, if I remain dry-eyed."

Portalegre: "Oh, I understand. You think I am a terrible man."

Ted: "I think you killed my investigator and abducted my daughter."

Portalegre: "Ah, yes, the ravings of Richard Cross. I allowed the man the
privilege of moving in my company and he betrays me with these outrageous
lies."

Ted: "Convince someone else of that."

Portalegre: "Let me convince you. Now that you're responsibilities to Mr.
Avedon are concluded, I am prepared to offer you twenty million dollars to
represent me."

Ted: "And what makes you think I would take it?"

Portalegre: "Besides the money? You are a man who is drawn to the battle,
Mr. Hoffman. And once the joy of your victory has passed, you will require
a new challenge -- one that will test you to the utmost. I am that
challenge."
 
Ted: "You brutally strangled a fifteen-year-old girl and you were perfectly
prepared to see an innocent man go to prison for it. There's no amount
of money on earth that will convince me to represent you. Good day, Mr.
Portalegre."

Portalegre: "You should know, Mr. Hoffman, that, uh, killing that girl was
not difficult for me. On the contrary, I took pleasure in it."

Ted: "Some free advice: don't make that the cornerstone of your defense."
Ted leaves.

Final scenes, the firm and the celebration for Neil's release. Lisa and
Chris are kissing in full view of Ted who's smiling.

Lisa to Chris: "How about something to drink?"

Chris: "Okay." She goes to get the drinks. Lila's pouring champagne.

Lila: "Arnold?"

Arnold: "You bet."

Lila: "Neil?"

Neil: "Oh, no. I'll stick to my diet Coke. I couldn't get any higher if I
wanted to."

Lila: "I'm sure. Congratulations." They touch glasses.

Neil: "Oh, thanks."

Justine: "To a hard-fought victory."

Ted: "One that would not have been possible without you, Justine."

Justine: "Well, I just appreciate you giving me a second chance, Ted."

Ted: "As someone hoping to get a second chance himself, I was happy to give
you one." Gary Blondo enters with a basket of champagne, some fruit and is 
accompanied by a couple of girls.

Blondo: "Where is he? Where is the prodigal son returned from the fires of
hell? There he is. Come on, girls, give me a hand here. I'm losing my grip."

Neil: "Hi, Gary."

Blondo: "Hello, my friend." They shake hands. Arnold picks up a piece of
fruit from the basket.

Arnold: "You cleaned out an orchard."

Blondo: "Small measure of my happiness at Neil's good fortune. I see big
things happening, Neil. Huge things."

Neil tries to interrupt: "Gary... "

Blondo: "I know bottom-feeders in this town will be all over you with movie
offers. All I ask is you do nothing, until we, meaning you and me, have an
opportunity to sit and talk."

Neil: "You know, Gary, right now offers of any kind are the last thing on
my mind."

Blondo: "Please do not respond in present. This is a moment of pure
happiness, not to be sullied in any way."

Ray: "Congratulations, Ted."

Ted: "You did a terrific job, Ray, and I know it wasn't easy setting into
Dave Blalock's shoes."

Ray offers a toast: "To Davey."

Ted: "To Davey." They touch glasses.

After the party, nearly everyone's left. Lila and Louis are cleaning up.
Chris and Ted are in Ted's office.

Chris: "It's hard to believe. We're going to come in here tomorrow and the
first order of business won't be the Avedon case."

Ted: "Don't come in tomorrow. Take a week in Hawaii, Acapulco, wherever."

Chris: "Think I should?"

Ted: "It's on the firm. And you might want to take a friend."

Chris: "Thanks. You know, if this thing had gone the other way, I was
prepared to come banging on your door with an impassioned argument for
taking Pat Ferguson up on his offer. Bribe or no bribe, I wanted to win
this case. It's a good thing that you're the moral center of this firm
and not me."

Ted considers this for a moment, then rises, goes over to his desk and
reaches underneath to bring up a briefcase which he places on top of the
desk and opens. Chris walks over to take a look inside. It is filled
with cash. Louis walks into the office and looks at the cash.

Louis: "Are we catching a flight to Las Vegas?"

Ted: "Not tonight, Louis." He closes the briefcase. "Heading home?"

Louis: "Right after I stop off at an all-night drugstore to pick up a 
thirty-gallon drum of aspirin." Ted places the case back under the desk.
"Oh, and Chris, Lisa said she's ready to go home when you are."

Chris: "Right. Guess I'd better be going. Thanks, Ted."

Ted: "Night, Chris. And thank you." Chris leaves. "Am I the only one who
didn't know about Chris and Lisa?"

Louis: "I think there's a temp in bookkeeping."

Ted: "Go home, Louis. And take a cab." Louis leaves.

Neil knocks at the door: "Ted."

Ted: "Neil. I thought you'd left."

Neil: "I didn't want to go without saying thank you. You saved my life, Ted.
You know, all those times I wanted to give up and you told me to hang on. I
don't know where I'd be without you."

Ted: "I had a client I believed in."

Neil: "Well I should have believed in you more than I did. And that other
day when I went off on you... "

Ted interrupts: "Don't apologize, Neil. Just remember that's it's easier
to ruin a life twice than to save it once."

Neil: "Teddy, I promise you, I won't need saving again." Ted smiles and
nods. Then rises to hug Neil. Annie arrives.

Annie: "Congratulations, Neil."

Neil: "Thanks, Mrs. Hoffman." Neil leaves.

Annie: "Looks like a hell of a party. Sorry I missed it."

Ted: "I'm glad you came anyway."

Annie: "You did it."

Ted: "I prefer to think of it as a group effort."

Annie: "It was you, Ted. Your passion, your single-mindedness -- that's
the only reason Neil won't be spending the rest of his life in prison." 

Ted: "And all it cost me was you. Annie, I won't tell you that I'm 
prepared to walk away from what I do. I'm not sure I can. But at this
moment I've never felt more in need of you. If there's a chance you'd
consider a reconciliation... "

Annie: "I'm not sure this is the best time for us to be deciding that.
Well, I should go. After all you've been through you're probably exhausted.
Congratulations, Ted. I'm proud of you." She leaves him alone in his office.


[EPILOG]


ROBERTO PORTALEGRE was tried and convicted of premeditated and deliberate
first degree murder. After the penalty phase of the trial, the jurors
delivered a unanimous verdict for death.

Pending execution, he is housed in the death row wing at San Quentin.


DR. GRAHAM LESTER was tried and convicted of obstruction of justice, 
conspiracy to obstruct justice, and perjury.

He is currently serving a ten year sentence at the men's prison at San
Luis Obispo.


RICHARD CROSS died nine days after taking the witness stand.


[End titles]

Special Guest Appearance by Miguel Sandoval
Steven Bochco Productions
20th Century Fox Television, a News Corporation Company
Story Editors: Doug Palau, 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:
Jennifer Barker as Bonnie Schrage
Donisha Walker as Clerk
Tony Sirkin as Propery Officer
Annie O'Donnell as Police Employee
Lynn Tufeld as Reporter #1
Bruce Wright as Reporter #2
Ralph Monaco as Robert Strick
Collette White as Jessica Costello

Director of Photography: Anthony R. Palmieri
Production Designer: Paul Eads
Edited by Andrew Doerfer
Unit Production Manager: Patrick McKee
First Assistant Director: Brian Faul
Second Assistant Director: Andy Spilkoman
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: Kathina Szeto
Gaffer: Mark Vuille
Key Grip: Harry L. Rez
2nd 2nd Assistant Director: Simone Farber
Technical Consultant: Debra Carrillo
Production Sound Mixer: Susan Moore-Chong, C.A.S.
Supervising 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
Art Director: Mindy Roffman
Lead Person: Randy Bostic
Property Master: Tommy Day
Location Manager: John Armstrong
Script Coordinator: Michael Norell
Casting Associate: Libby Goldstein
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 Dave Weathers, Miles of Fun Sound
Presented in Dolby Surround
Lenses & Panaflex (R) camera by Panavision (R)
Copyright (c) 1996 Steven Bochco Productions #7123 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.