The Lincoln Lawyer
Based on: The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly
Season 4 – Episode 8
Episode title: Confirmation Bias
Original release date: February 5, 2026 (Netflix)
Plot: Following the riot, after a hearing, Mickey is released from jail and placed under house arrest for the duration of the trial. Cisco reconciles with Lorna, and Izzy finds the killer in Gates’ case knew where the security camera was. In court, Berg calls witnesses, including Mickey’s former intern Jessica, but Maggie casts doubt on their testimonies. In Gates’ case, a witness claims the victim said Gates’ name right before dying. Izzy asks an environmental scientist to help their case. That night, at dinner with Mickey, Maggie ignores a call from Jack. The next day, Cisco follows Gazarian and his girlfriend to another hotel. In court, Berg questions Drucker about the motive for Sam’s murder being money, and he admits Sam used Mickey’s image in a fake charity scam, giving another motive for the murder. Lorna discredits the witness against Gates, but knows it will not be enough. Cisco subpoenas Gazarian, who barely reacts after realizing who he is. Lorna realizes how to win Gates’ case. Cisco notices the two men who attacked him entering the hotel, and realizes the truth when he notices they weren’t guarding Gazarian. Immediately afterward, Gazarian falls to his death from his hotel room balcony.
* * *
Transcript
Note for Students & Writers: This transcript is archived here for educational purposes, critical analysis, and screenwriting study. All rights belong to the original creators.
[water dripping slowly]
[slow dripping continues]
[quiet, tense music playing]
[dripping continues]
[clattering outside]
Hey. Hey.
[banging on door] Hey! Hey!
How much longer are you gonna keep me here?
Hey! You know I didn’t start that fight!
[grunts] Uh!
[yells]
[panting]
[Maggie] They wouldn’t let anybody in. The jail was on lockdown all weekend.
Some kind of riot.
[Lorna] Mickey didn’t call either. You don’t think he got hurt, do you?
If it was serious, we would’ve heard.
More likely, he’s in the SHU. They don’t let you make calls.
Why would they put him in solitary?
[Maggie] I don’t know, but we should find out.
I’ll be there in ten minutes.
[Izzy] I’ll let them know. Thank you.
Okay, good. I filed an emergency motion to get in front of Judge Stone.
That’s been moved up.
[Maggie] What do you mean?
That was the judge’s clerk. You guys were on for 9:00.
They just said they need you in there ASAP.
Ms. Berg, Ms. Crane, Ms. McPherson.
This is Assistant Sheriff Adams in charge of custody operations for the sheriff’s department.
We have counsel for the sheriff’s department present as well.
We’re already running late, so, Sheriff Adams, if you could explain why you’re here.
Thank you, Judge. Um…
I’m afraid we have a developing situation involving Mr. Haller.
Since Friday evening, he’s been held in the jail’s secure housing unit.
Can I ask why?
He was at the center of a riot that put the facility on lockdown this weekend.
Is he okay? Is he safe?
Mr. Haller is fine, but his safety is what I am here to discuss.
It is our department’s belief that Mr. Haller’s continued presence at the jail creates an ongoing danger to himself and to other inmates.
Meaning what exactly?
Simply put, we no longer feel confident that we can guarantee his safety at the county jail.
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on. What are you talking about?
What he is talking about is exactly why we filed an emergency motion.
We need to get Mr. Haller out.
Over my dead body. Ms. Berg…
Your Honor, it is a statutory requirement that the defendant remain in custody.
Now the jail is saying that they can’t handle him?
Move him to another wing or to one of the other eight jails the sheriff’s department oversees.
Moving him won’t solve anything. Will it, Sheriff?
Because the problem isn’t the jail, it’s the people guarding it.
Mr. Haller busted the deputies for eavesdropping, and now they want revenge.
Is this true, Sheriff?
There are… issues with custodial security, yes.
I recently brought in some new deputies who report directly to me.
You brought spies to point out the troublemakers?
We’re in the process of correcting the issues.
Great. In the meantime, if the defendant is safe in the SHU, why can’t he stay there for the duration of the trial?
Because he hasn’t done anything to warrant solitary confinement, which infringes on his constitutional rights.
And who knows how safe he’ll be in the SHU?
The deputies control that as much as the rest of the jail.
Well, be that as it may, this was already ruled on, Judge.
If the accused wanted to keep his speedy trial, he needed to forego bail.
We have kept up our end of the bargain, and now the defense is looking to take advantage…
The defense would beg to disagree.
We lost an entire weekend of prep while my client sat in solitary.
If anyone gained an advantage, it’s the People.
Let me guess, it was one of your new deputies who put him in the SHU, which left you a whole bag of wrenches to clean up.
I’m not trying to make excuses.
Your department is trying to avoid a lawsuit, which is exactly what you’ll get if anything happens to him inside.
Your Honor, the defense respectfully, but strongly, requests the court release Mr. Haller from incarceration for his own safety and that of other inmates.
And the People vehemently oppose this outrageous request and insist that the letter of the law be followed.
[Stone sighs]
Well, this is a clusterfu…
[buzzer sounds]
Let’s go.
[quiet, tense music playing]
[buzzer sounds repeatedly]
[quiet, apprehensive music playing]
[Maggie] You okay?
The hell is going on, Maggie? The judge agreed to let you out.
Berg insisted he put you on house arrest.
[Mickey exhales heavily]
[Maggie] That’s Deputy Bennett.
He’s gonna escort you between home and the courthouse every day.
You’re not allowed to go anywhere else.
Get in the car.
[Maggie] See you at home, Mick?
[vehicle starts]
[opening theme music playing]
[curious music playing]
[sighs]
[Izzy] Lorna.
You gotta see this.
[music fades]
What is it?
The security video from Carter’s liquor store. Watch.
This came first thing this morning.
Was hoping you could poke holes in the story Rashad told us, but…
There’s Rashad.
[tense music playing]
He goes back to the storeroom just like he said.
And a few seconds later…
That’s all there is.
The shooter knew exactly where the camera was and took it out.
Carter owns the store.
If anyone knows where the camera is, it would be him.
[sighs] His prelim is in a couple hours.
I think I have a way to knock down Rashad’s testimony, but this makes it look so much worse.
Look, don’t freak out yet. We still have time to find something.
I’m gonna come by court for some moral support.
Mmm. Thank you, Izzy.
You hear from Cisco?
Nope.
Just call him, will ya?
Or text him. Something.
[Lorna] Fine.
[phone buzzing]
[Lorna gasps]
[line ringing]
[Cisco] Babe? Hey.
I love you too. I’ve just been so worried.
You big idiot.
I know, and I am really sorry.
I wasn’t trying to lie about following Gazarian out here.
I know. You were just doing your job.
Have you seen those two goons that beat you up?
[Cisco] No, no, which is kind of weird.
Well, I am not complaining.
[Cisco] Babe, I promise you it’s safe. It’s not dangerous at all.
If anything, it’s kind of boring.
Stuck in the room all day watching Gazarian and Jeanine get in and out of the pool.
Well, come home soon. Winston and I miss you.
Yeah, how much do you miss me?
I miss you so much.
But not as much as I miss my Mini.
Cisco, I hate driving your truck.
I need a booster seat to see over the steering wheel.
[Cisco] Babe, listen.
I need the Mini to remain inconspicuous. Okay?
That’s what you said about your truck.
You’ll have the car and me back better than ever very soon.
I promise. Good.
Oh, I have a prelim.
I have to get ready in two hours, so I gotta go.
Knock ’em dead, huh? I know you will.
I love you. Love you too, babe.
Bye.
[pensive music playing]
[Maggie sighs]
So what do you think?
I think Drucker, guaranteed.
She laid the foundation with Collins. Drucker brings it home.
That’s what I’d do. Yeah.
[door opens]
[bailiff] All rise.
Please be seated.
Well, the good news is we’ve got plenty to work with if Drucker decides…
[Stone] Ms. Berg.
Are the People ready? We are, Your Honor.
The People call Paul Russo to the stand.
[tense music playing]
The ballistics expert. Why would she start with him?
And did the slug that you recovered from the defendant’s garage match the slugs you recovered from the victim?
Yes. The rounds were identical and fired from the same handgun, a Mossberg MC2sc.
And is that a common handgun?
Very common. Yes.
Now, Mr. Russo, one issue that’s been raised is the noise that a handgun makes.
None of the defendant’s neighbors reported hearing any gunshots that night.
Can you explain how that might be?
[Russo] Well, in my opinion, the most likely explanation would be that the gun had a suppressor attached.
A silencer?
[Russo] Yes.
But contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t completely silence the shot.
It reduces the noise level to 100, 110 decibels.
For the jury’s sake, can you give a comparison in terms of noise level?
Roughly the same as the sound of a kitchen blender on high or the sound of a car motor starting, but only for a fraction of a second.
So, in your opinion, would it be possible that the defendant’s neighbors might not have noticed such a noise?
I’d say likely, especially if they were asleep or watching TV.
I mean, that is the purpose of a suppressor, after all.
[Dana] Of course. Nothing further.
[Maggie] Good afternoon, Mr. Russo.
I won’t keep you long. I have just a couple of questions.
You testified that a suppressed round would have a noise level of about 100 to 110 decibels.
Correct? That’s right.
And that, especially just for a second, it’s likely the neighbors would not have noticed the noise?
In my opinion, yes.
[mysterious music playing]
Defense Exhibit B, Your Honor.
Mr. Russo, this is a diagram of Mr. Haller’s home.
As you can see, his garage is right here, and his bedroom is all the way back here.
It’s a diagonal distance of approximately 78 feet.
Now, you testified that the neighbors at a similar distance would not have noticed this noise.
If Mr. Haller were asleep in this bedroom here, then… I assume he also would not have heard the noise? Correct?
[Russo] Uh, well, I…
I suppose it’s plausible that he may not have heard it…
Oh, but you said “likely.”
Not “plausible.”
I mean, it’s the purpose of a suppressor, right?
[hesitates] It’s not an exact science.
Well, just answer the question, Mr. Russo.
If someone was in Mr. Haller’s garage and killed the victim using a suppressor, then, according to you, Mr. Haller could have slept through the entire thing. Correct?
He could have. Yes.
Thank you.
Nothing further.
[man] Mr. Johnson, can you tell the court what you do for a living?
[Johnson] Private security.
I currently patrol the businesses on West Adams Boulevard, from Vermont to Western.
Have you always worked in security?
Sort of. I’m a retired New York City police officer.
My wife and I, we moved to LA.
We have family here, plus the weather.
I see.
Now, let’s go back to December 20th of last year.
Can you tell us what alerted you to a crime in progress?
Sure. I was in my patrol car.
I heard what I believed to be two gunshots, one right after another.
What did you do? I got out of my vehicle.
I was on Kenwood, south of Adams.
I heard a third pop. I ran to the corner.
I didn’t know where the shots were coming from, but I saw the door to the liquor store ajar.
So I went in, and there was Gary laying on the floor.
That’s Gary Cartwright, the victim?
Yes.
[man] And what was Mr. Cartwright’s condition?
Not good.
He was, uh…
He was, uh… [clears throat]
Excuse me. I’m sorry.
[hesitates]
He was shot through the abdomen.
There was blood everywhere.
I tried to stop the bleeding.
It was bad.
The stock boy, Rashad, said that 911 was on its way.
So I tried my best to administer CPR, but…
Was Mr. Cartwright still conscious?
Barely. I just kept telling him to keep holding on, you know.
That the paramedics would be there soon. Was he able to say anything to you?
Mr. Johnson?
It’s… It’s like I said. Shock. I don’t know if he knew what was going on.
I’ll ask you again, Mr. Johnson. What did Mr. Cartwright say?
He said…
“Carter.” At least that’s what it sounded like to me.
Objection. Hearsay. It’s a dying declaration.
Except, according to the medical report, he wasn’t declared dead until 40 minutes later.
Then it’s an excited utterance, which is also a hearsay exception.
I think getting shot meets the bar for a startling event.
Then it’s irrelevant and more prejudicial than probative.
Your Honor, it is not in dispute that my client had an argument with the victim shortly before the shooting, but the mere fact that he uttered my client’s name should have no bearing…
You gave it a good shot, Ms. Crane, but the testimony comes in.
It just keeps getting worse. I got duped, Izzy.
I felt sorry for Carter, but now I’m starting to think he did it.
Well, you still have to represent him, right?
[Lorna scoffs]
If we wanna get paid, I do.
[phone buzzing]
Hey, I, this is something for Mickey’s case I need to follow up on, but keep your chin up, okay?
[soft suspenseful music playing]
[Mickey] Drucker’s here.
He’ll be next.
Is the witness ready?
Yep, good to go.
[Dana clears throat]
[Stone] Ms. Berg?
Yes, Your Honor.
The People call Jessica Westfeldt to the stand.
Remind me who Jessica Westfeldt is.
She was one of our interns.
It was only for a few months. Lorna hired her.
Anything to worry about?
[sighs] I don’t think I ever talked to her.
[Maggie sighs]
[Dana] Ms. Westfeldt, can you explain to the jury your relationship to the defendant?
I was an intern at Mr. Haller’s law firm for about three months.
[Dana] During your time, did Mr. Haller’s firm represent the victim in this case, Mr. Scales?
Uh, yes, on a fraud case.
Objection. May we approach?
[Dana sighs]
Judge, this line of questioning violates attorney-client privilege.
Mr. Scales may be deceased, but the details of his representation are still privileged and confidential.
[Dana] Privilege doesn’t apply here.
Ms. Westfeldt will not be revealing any confidential details of Mr. Scales’ representation.
Her testimony concerns a statement against interest by the defendant.
I’ll allow it, but I will cut you off immediately if you stray into anything privileged, Ms. Berg.
Absolutely, Your Honor.
[music fades]
Thank you for meeting with me, Dr. Schultz.
Not at all. I was intrigued when Keith reached out from the LA Times about your master’s thesis.
Not many people care about bio fuel.
Wind and solar are the media stars of renewable energy.
Biofuel is the… weird cousin that doesn’t smell so good.
I once drove behind a converted bio diesel fuel car.
It smelled like egg rolls. It wasn’t so bad.
Well, then you’re one of the lucky ones.
So what can I do for ya?
I’m happy to help advance the cause of science or sane public policy.
Dr. Schultz, I have to come clean.
[pensive music playing] I’m not actually a grad student.
I don’t even go to UCLA.
What?
I lied to that reporter trying to get some information.
I actually work for a lawyer.
Lawyer?
I wouldn’t blame you if you don’t wanna talk to me, but…
[sighs]
I really need your help.
How did you come to be at the courthouse that day?
[music fades] Lorna called and asked me to come.
One of her heels snapped off, and it turns out she kept an extra pair of shoes at the office.
When I arrived, she was with Mr. Haller and Mr. Scales.
Why was Mr. Scales there?
He had just come out of a hearing.
That was the fraud case that I mentioned earlier.
He had been accused of embezzling money from a charity.
Do you remember the outcome of that case?
[soft pensive music playing]
Well…
The judge agreed to supervised probation. All he has to do is pay the money back.
Which is not happening anytime soon. What are you talking about?
I have to pay more to my last investor. If I don’t pay them, I’m dead.
No, Sam. If you don’t pay us, you’re dead.
He threatened Sam Scales?
Yes. And those were his exact words.
“If you don’t pay us, you’re dead?”
Yes. I remember because Mr. Haller was very angry, and it scared me.
[Dana] So you took his threat seriously?
Yes. In fact, I stopped working there not long after that.
I’m sure you did.
Thank you, Ms. Westfeldt. No more questions, Your Honor.
I’ll take this.
And don’t look so mad. It’s not playing.
Maggie.
Good afternoon, Ms. Westfeldt.
If you don’t mind, I would like to ask you about what you heard, that phrase, “you’re dead.”
Have you ever heard that used as a figure of speech before?
A big sister says it to her little sister when she’s wearing her clothes.
“Touch my stuff again, you’re dead.”
I mean, sure, I’ve heard it before.
But this just felt more, I don’t know, real, I guess.
Right, because you said Mr. Haller was, um, how’d you put it, angry?
Yes.
At least that’s how he seemed to me, anyway.
And how would you describe your time working at Mr. Haller’s firm?
It was fine.
Just fine?
Were you treated well?
I got along well with Lorna and the rest of the staff.
[Maggie] But not Mr. Haller?
I can’t say I knew him very well.
Did he ever take an interest in you? Try to mentor you?
No. Uh, he was always very busy.
Sometimes he even forgot my name. Actually, most of the time.
[Maggie] Oh.
Well, that must have upset you. Right?
I mean, you intern at a law firm to learn from a great lawyer, not to be ignored.
Objection. Relevance?
Overruled, but get to the point, Ms. McPherson.
Almost there. Tell me, Ms. Westfeldt, what is your current job status?
I, uh, recently passed the bar, and I’m considering my options.
So you’re unemployed.
Has your internship with Mr. Haller helped in any way with the job search?
Uh, no.
He’s on trial for murder, so not the greatest reference.
You mentioned that you left Mr. Haller’s firm not long ago.
You implied that you chose to leave, but tell us, Ms. Westfeldt, was your departure voluntary?
Well, they were… [hesitates]
They were having financial difficulties, so…
In other words, you were fired. Isn’t that right?
Yes.
[Maggie] Given he terminated your employment and hasn’t helped with your future job prospects, isn’t it true that you hold a grudge against Mr. Haller?
No. It’s not like that.
You even misconstrued a common figure of speech because it’s you who was mad at him.
Absolutely not. No, I would never…
Are you testifying today in retaliation?
Objection.
I’ll withdraw the question.
Good luck with the job hunt, Ms. Westfeldt.
Nothing further.
[pensive music continues]
[music fades]
[Maggie breathes deeply]
I hope I did enough today.
Are you kidding? You sure you don’t wanna be a defense lawyer?
[Maggie scoffs]
I still can’t believe Berg didn’t put Drucker on first.
I think starting late really threw her off.
There’s no way Dana made a mistake on that. That had to be calculated.
You think she saved Drucker for a reason?
Why, you worried she’s got an October surprise?
It’s the only thing that makes sense.
If it’s about the financial gain motive, we can destroy that on cross.
It’s… It’s weak.
And Dana knows it. That’s why I’m worried.
Any more skeletons in your closet I should know about?
Disgruntled former employees, clients you’ve threatened?
Mags, I had a bad day in court, and I took it out on Sam.
I don’t go around threatening my clients.
You have to admit, you fly off the handle sometimes.
Yeah. It’s not my best quality, but it doesn’t make me a murderer.
We just have to get the jury to see that. That’s all.
If only people would judge you for your taste in food.
Where do you find these places?
When you work out of your car, you eat all over the city.
This jerk chicken is unbelievable.
Yeah, can I have a bite before you eat it all?
[Maggie] Mm…
[Maggie chuckles]
You can have one, and that’s it.
Just this tiny little piece. [laughing] You’re cheap.
That’s it.
Thank you.
Never been a foodie like you and Hayley, but I really do miss those places we used to go to.
You miss the food or my charming company?
[tender music playing]
I assume Hayley’s been sending you food pics from Mexico.
Oh, my mother is spoiling her. She might not wanna come back.
She does. She wants to see you get through this nightmare.
I don’t know how I could do this without you, Maggie.
I’m running out of ways to say thank you.
[phone buzzing]
You should, uh, probably take that.
[phone continues buzzing]
Yeah.
[somber music playing]
[Maggie sighs]
Hey, even if Dana has a trick up her sleeve, I still think she’s gonna rest her case tomorrow.
It’s time to serve Alex Gazarian.
Yeah, I’ll text Cisco.
Okay.
[door opens]
[door closes]
[Mickey sighs]
[phone buzzing]
[Maggie sighs]
[sighs softly]
[somber music continues]
[music fades]
Room service.
I think they’re gone, sir.
[lock beeps]
[suspenseful music playing]
[beeps]
Okay. It’s safe.
[engine starts]
[tires screech]
Son of a…
And how long have you been in robbery homicide, Detective?
Fourteen years.
[music fades]
Fourteen years. That’s a long time.
And how many murders have you investigated in that time?
Too many.
Close to 100.
And in your extensive experience, have you had a case where a murderer tried to use their vehicle to dispose of the body?
Objection. Relevance.
It goes to support the police focus on the defendant, Your Honor.
Overruled.
[Dana] Detective?
Yes, I have. Several times.
It’s not uncommon, especially when the murder is premeditated.
Hmm. Why would that matter?
Well, in a crime of passion, the killer hasn’t thought it through.
But if somebody plans to kill someone, like for money, say, well, they usually try to figure out a way to cover their tracks.
[Dana] Huh.
Let’s talk about that, then.
You mentioned money as a motive.
[tense music playing]
Did there come a time when you began to suspect that money might’ve been the motive behind this murder?
Yes, that was one theory that we explored.
We had witness statements to the effect that there was tension with the defendant over unpaid bills.
[Dana] Did you investigate this?
Yes. To begin with, we conducted searches at Mr. Haller’s home and office, and then also of his remote storage facility, where he keeps old files.
What did you find there?
As we expected, we found bills indicating $200,000 in overdue legal fees from the victim, along with copies of bounced checks indicating that the victim had attempted to avoid payment.
We also found a letter threatening action if those bills were not paid promptly.
People’s 5, Your Honor.
[clicks remote]
Detective, can you read the highlighted portion there?
Sure.
“From my prior representation of you, I know that you keep a legal fund to pay your attorney’s fees, and I expect to be paid out of that fund immediately.”
“Otherwise, I will have no choice but to take serious further action using any means at my disposal.”
“This is your final warning.”
There’s no signature, but the defendant’s name is at the bottom.
And what did you take from this?
Well, that Mr. Haller believed that Mr. Scales had a stash of money set aside, and he wanted it.
We also searched the court records and found that Mr. Haller had filed for both civil judgments and an attorney’s lien against Mr. Scales.
So he also tried to file a judgment forcing Mr. Scales to pay?
[Drucker] More than that.
The lien applied as well to Mr. Scales’ estate.
His estate?
[Drucker] Yes.
Meaning that if Mr. Scales were to die, then whatever money that he wouldn’t pay before, the defendant could collect once he was dead.
[tense music playing]
[spectators murmuring]
[suspenseful music playing]
[phone buzzing]
[phone buzzing]
Not the best time, babe.
Please tell me you served Gazarian. I kind of hit a little snag.
But, uh, it’s nothing I can’t fix.
The whole point of you being there is to keep tabs on them.
Well, they must’ve caught my scent because they ditched the Mercedes and took off in a rental.
To go where?
[Cisco] Uh, I think they’re trying to go to Mexico.
What? Cisco, he cannot cross the border.
It’s not gonna happen, I promise. I’ll run ’em off the road before they do.
Okay. I have to go to my hearing, but Iceberg is making this financial game bullshit look better and better.
We need this guy, Cisco. Okay, I gotta go, baby.
[Lorna groans]
[Dana] Thank you, Detective. Nothing further, Your Honor.
[Stone] Cross-examination?
[music fades]
No. I can nail him on the search of my files. I was there.
Fine. Stick to the facts. Don’t let him drag you into anything.
Yeah. [clears throat]
Thank you, Your Honor.
Detective, this letter from my office to Mr. Scales demanding payment, you said I never signed it. Correct?
That’s right. Apparently, it was drawn up by your office manager.
And did she also draw up the court filings you refer to for judgments and liens?
I’m not really sure.
But you have no evidence I knew any of this.
Other than the fact that we found the letter in your files, no.
And you have no evidence that the letter was ever sent to Mr. Scales.
Isn’t that correct? Yes, that is correct.
[Mickey] It was a standard letter asking for payment.
Objection. Beyond the scope of the witness’s knowledge.
The letter speaks for itself, Mr. Haller. Sustained.
Okay, let’s talk about how you found this letter.
How did you access my storage facility?
As I said, we had a search warrant.
Yes, but how did you physically get there?
Sorry, I don’t understand.
Isn’t it true that I led you there?
I volunteered to escort you, even though I had no obligation to help you. Isn’t that right?
We followed you there, yes.
It was more than that, Detective. Don’t you remember?
I even pulled over in my car and waited for you when you got stuck at a light so you wouldn’t get lost.
You accompanied us on the search of your storage facility, yes.
And how did you access my facility? Because it was locked.
Your associate met us there with the keys and unlocked it.
And then she led you to the file cabinets and unlocked those as well, didn’t she?
Yes.
Sounds like my staff and I were pretty cooperative with your search, wouldn’t you agree?
You didn’t obstruct us.
Because we had nothing to hide.
Objection. Counsel is testifying.
[Mickey] My apologies.
First time being forced to represent myself.
Withdrawing the statement. Now tell me something, Detective.
In your extensive experience, is it unusual for an attorney to file a judgment or obtain a lien to collect unpaid legal fees?
I wouldn’t know.
[Mickey] No?
Just like any other business owner might do, like a mechanic’s lien.
You didn’t research that?
I did not.
Would you think it was unusual? Objection. Calls for speculation.
[Mickey] Sorry again, Your Honor.
I’m just trying to understand this supposed motive.
Now, when you were searching my files, Detective, did you even bother to look for my tax returns so you could see whether or not I wrote off the unpaid bills as a loss?
No, I didn’t take any tax returns.
You didn’t?
So you mean to tell us you spent hours searching my home, my office, my facilities?
You went through court records and anything else you can think of, and in the end, all you found was a letter I didn’t even sign and a judgment that any business owner would get?
No.
[tense music playing]
That’s not all we found, actually.
[hesitates] Well, that’s all you presented, Detective.
Nothing further, Your Honor, but we reserve the right to recall this witness at a later time.
Redirect, Your Honor.
So, Detective, you just mentioned that you found something more in your search.
Can you talk about that?
Yes. We didn’t confine our search just to paper files.
On the defendant’s email server, we found an email from a fraudulent charity set up by Mr. Scales.
An email?
[Drucker] Yes.
It seems that Mr. Scales set up a phony fundraising drive to help migrants from Latin America.
It was the kind of scam that was in his wheelhouse, but…
Objection, Your Honor.
We have received no copy of any such email.
That’s because the analysis of the defendant’s computer was just completed.
That’s why we didn’t present the evidence in our direct examination, but the defendant’s question clearly opened the door, and I have a copy of the email here for defense counsel.
[Stone] I’ll allow it.
But I’m going to construe this narrowly, Ms. Berg.
[Dana] Understood, Your Honor.
I’ve never seen this before in my life.
[Dana] So, Detective, this email you found, why did it seem important?
Well, the email was sent to a mailing list of a legitimate charity called Fuertes Unidos.
They help provide legal aid for migrant workers.
In fact, Mr. Haller had donated his time to the organization in the past.
And Mr. Scales was using the name of this organization to try and scam people into sending him money?
Even worse.
He was using the defendant’s name and likeness as well.
[Dana] You mean he made it seem like Mr. Haller was endorsing this phony fundraising appeal?
[Drucker] That’s right.
Obviously, this could cause harm to the defendant’s reputation or even potential liability.
It seemed clear to me that if the defendant were aware of this, he would be furious about it, and then…
Objection! Speculation!
[Stone] Sustained.
The witness will only testify to facts in evidence. Is that understood?
Yes, Your Honor.
[Dana] Allow me to rephrase.
Detective, did you find any evidence that the defendant was aware of this email?
Well, as I said, we found the email itself on the defendant’s server.
He was a part of the mailing list.
It was in his junk folder, but we had no way to know if it was sent there directly or if he had read it and then moved it there himself.
Now, Detective, you testified as to a possible financial motive for this murder.
Does this email support that motive?
It’s impossible to say, but in my experience, murders can have multiple motives.
Imagine a man hates his wife, and he stands to collect life insurance if she dies.
People often kill for more than one reason.
[Mickey sighs heavily]
[suspenseful music playing]
[tires screech]
[truck horn blares]
[tires screech]
[car horn beeps]
[man] You saw the shooter?
[Rashad] Uh, yes, just for a second before I ran to the stockroom.
And what happened then? I heard a gunshot.
I think he was taking out the security camera.
I heard him yell, “Give me all the fucking money.”
And then I think Gary shot back. And then it sounded like a gun jammed.
Then there was one more shot. That was it.
Did the shooter flee after that?
[Rashad] Yeah.
I ran out. I saw Gary lying there.
[breathes deeply]
There was so much blood. I called 911 right away.
Just to be clear, Mr. Harrison, you were sure that the man with the gun that day was Carter Gates?
[ominous music playing]
It was him. Yes.
Thank you. No further questions.
Ms. Crane.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Okay. Let me just make sure I have this straight, Mr. Harrison.
Carter and Gary had a huge fight.
Correct? Yes.
[Lorna] And then Carter took off, and a few minutes later, he came back into his own store with a mask on and a gun and demanded his own money.
Doesn’t that seem a little weird?
I guess he wanted it to look like a robbery. You know?
That’s why he shot the security camera. And you are sure that it was Carter?
I mean, yeah. I’m pretty sure. Pretty sure?
I’m sure. I know what I saw.
Even though he had a black stocking over his head, and you admitted that you only saw him for a second?
I know what I heard too. It was his voice.
Mr. Harrison, do you know what confirmation bias is?
[pensive music playing] Uh, no.
It means that sometimes what you expected to happen affects your impression of what actually happened.
In this case, maybe what you think you heard is really just what you expected to hear.
Objection. Beyond the scope.
I’m just asking the witness for his own impressions, Your Honor.
Overruled. The witness may answer.
Tread carefully, Ms. Crane.
I… I don’t follow you.
Gary and Carter had a huge fight. You were worried it might get violent.
So when someone came back in with a gun, you just assumed it was Carter.
No. That’s not what I saw.
[Lorna] You never saw the gunman’s face.
Do you know if he was wearing the same clothes as Carter?
I don’t know what Carter was wearing, but I…
Because you were in the stockroom when they were fighting.
But it was his voice.
Were you aware that Carter had a criminal record?
He mentioned it once. It wasn’t like he was trying to hide it.
Did that scare you?
I don’t know. I just figured he came from a rough background, I guess.
The kind where maybe you thought he was capable of violence?
I mean…
You knew he had a record. You knew he was really mad.
And you were afraid of violence.
Isn’t it possible that you put all that together in your head, and your brain told you, “It’s Carter with a gun.”
I don’t know. You don’t know?
I don’t know. I mean, yeah, sure. I mean, anything’s possible, right?
Right.
Thank you, Mr. Harrison.
[suspenseful music playing]
[keypad beeps]
[Jeanine] See you down there?
[Gazarian] Yeah, in a minute.
[phone bleeps]
Alex Gazarian… [yelps]
[Gazarian exhales]
No need to get violent.
You scared the shit out of me.
[exhales heavily]
Who the hell…
Wait, I know you.
We have met, yes.
This is for you. You’ve been served.
[Gazarian sighs]
Couldn’t run from me forever.
You think I care about a fucking subpoena?
[suspenseful music playing]
You almost gave me a heart attack.
[Izzy] Thanks again.
Hey, I was just about to call you. I think we may have caught a break.
What kind of break? In Mickey’s case.
Remember that scientist I was trying to track down?
The EPA specialist from the LA Times article?
Mm-hmm. I talked to him yesterday.
He just called back and said he’d be willing to testify about the Biogreen scam.
That is good news.
What’s wrong?
Were you able to knock out the Rashad testimony?
I think so, but it’s not gonna be enough. You saw what happened.
The security guard said the victim named my client right before he died.
I’m sorry, I.
[Lorna sighs]
I mean, Carter’s pretty unlucky.
The dead guy lives just long enough to ID him?
What are the chances?
[Lorna sighs]
[intriguing music playing]
Exactly.
What are the chances?
Of…
I think we may have just caught a break.
[Izzy] Uh-huh. That’s what I said.
Hey. It’s Lorna.
Yes. It’s so good to hear your voice too.
Listen, I was wondering if you could just look through something for me.
I promise it’ll be quick.
Well, at least we know what the October surprise was.
What a load of bullshit, and the jury bought it too.
It wasn’t your fault.
No, it is my fault, Maggie.
She laid a trap, and I stepped right into it.
Exactly what you told me not to do.
There’s nothing we can do about it now.
You did a great job knocking down the financial gain motive.
Never even knew you could deduct unpaid legal fees on your taxes.
Well, that’s because you can’t.
What?
You work for the government, so you wouldn’t know.
But if a client doesn’t pay you, you just have to eat the loss.
I never said you could. I just asked if he checked my returns.
You bluffed.
Right. Welcome to defense work.
[Maggie chuckles]
[phone buzzing]
Well, some good news, at least.
Okay.
[Mickey sighs heavily]
[tense music playing]
Okay, great.
So just let me know what you find.
Bye!
You think it’ll work? It’s worth a shot, right?
Yep. [phone buzzing]
Hey, hon. You get it done? Yeah, but I don’t know.
[Lorna] What?
Something doesn’t add up.
I’ve been chasing this guy everywhere.
When I finally serve him, he barely raises an eyebrow.
So? Maybe he’s just mellowed out since the last time you served him.
No. He’s not worried about us. Feels like there’s something else.
How’d you get past the two bodyguards? That’s the thing.
Haven’t seen those two goons this whole time.
Until just now, they…
Holy shit.
He wasn’t worried about us.
He was worried about them.
[car alarm blaring]
[people screaming]
[Lorna] Cisco, what happened?
We’ve got a problem.
[tense music playing]
[music fades]
