Presumed Innocent
Season 1 – Episode 2
Episode title: People vs. Rozat Sabich
Original realease date: June 12, 2024
Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Ruth Negga, Bill Camp, Elizabeth Marvel, Peter Sarsgaard, O-T Fagbenle, Tate Birchmore, Renate Reinsve, Chase Infiniti, Lily Rabe, Nana Mensah, Kingston Rumi Southwick, Matthew Alan
Plot: Tommy Molto continues to build his case as Raymond comes to Rusty’s defense.
* * *
You want me to repeat the question?
You have any idea who the father might be?
No.
No.
Are you aware of any other intimate relationships
that Carolyn may have been in?
Would you be willing to submit to a paternity test?
Are you enjoying this, Tommy?
I am… No. I’m not. She was a friend and a colleague.
Your response?
[sighs]
Am I a suspect?
I just got the case.
[stammers, chuckles] God.
How long had you been fucking Carolyn?
[inhales deeply]
[breathing heavily]
Are you kidding me?
We had a personal relationship, okay?
And this was something you didn’t think you needed to tell me?
No, it was… No, it was a personal matter.
I just lost an election… my career…
in part due to your personal matter.
Okay. No. No.
[shushes] That is not true.
Bullshit!
No.
[breathing shakily] This investigation was the nail in my coffin
and I put you in charge of it.
No. No.
Look, you asked me to do it. You imposed it on me. I did not want to.
It… It didn’t occasion you to think to yourself,
“Hold on. Maybe I have a conflict of interest here.
Yes, of course it did.
I am having sex with the victim”?
[stammers] Raymond… [shushes] …of course it did.
[breathes shakily]
She was pregnant with your child?
Okay, I can’t.
I just, pl… Come on.
[sighs, breathes heavily]
[phone ringing]
[Tommy] Rusty.
[clears throat] Hey, Rusty.
Rusty.
Listen, it would be good if you could do that paternity test.
Remove your hand. Remove your hand.
All right.
Get a warrant.
All right.
Yeah.
[car horns honk]
[breathing heavily]
[breathing heavily]
[car locks]
[door opens]
[Barbara] Hi.
Hey, B.
[Barbara] Hey.
Where are the kids?
They’re upstairs. They’re, uh, doing their homework.
They eaten?
Not yet.
Can you sit down?
Yeah, sure.
I was just informed that…
Carolyn was pregnant and they think that it was mine,
and I’m a suspect in her murder.
But it ended a year ago.
It did.
Um… [sighs]
but it started back up again
just… [stammers] …briefly,
for not even… less than a week.
[inhales shakily] I’m sorry.
[breathes shakily]
You didn’t even suspect anything?
[groans] Of course not.
You think I w… I would have allowed for that?
You might have pretended not to see.
Well, I didn’t.
I need to call Barbara.
What? Why?
Because she’s my friend.
She’s gonna wonder… maybe assume… that you knew about the affair,
which m-means she’ll wonder if I knew and I need to assure her that I did not.
[groans] You know, I think you should wait a minute
until Rusty has a conversation with her first.
How long had this been going on?
[groans] I just found out about it myself, Lo.
[Lorraine] That doesn’t answer the question.
Well, I don’t have an answer.
Why are you attacking me?
Because people sense things about their friends, their colleagues.
You have a very good nose and this happened right under it,
which means that is a reflection on you,
which makes it a reflection on me, which gives me the right to be pissed off.
[Raymond groans]
[breathing heavily]
Poor Barbara. My God.
[Jaden] It’s easy and quick.
Five minutes.
Five minutes?
That’s plenty of time. [laughs]
What are we doing?
So you’re gonna come up and out.
Up and out.
Yeah.
Then up…
Up.
Then out.
Okay.
Other way.
Why is it… Okay. Okay. Okay.
[laughs] You’re not…
[Jaden] We’re going the same way, so then it’s…
[Kyle] But if we’re going…
[Jaden and Kyle chattering]
What?
[sighs]
Motherfucker.
[mutters]
[Rusty] Bunny Davis murder.
What about it?
There was a second spermatozoa sample in the victim besides Liam Reynolds?
Yeah, inconclusive.
Yeah, but that wasn’t in the evidence doc that we…
that we handed over to the defense.
Not my problem.
No, but it is your problem, because it’s potentially
prosecutorial misconduct if we didn’t…
Hold on. Hold on.
It was an older sample on a different day.
No, but that doesn’t matter. It was potentially exculpatory.
[Kumagai] Carolyn had all this information, Sabich.
[Rusty] But I didn’t!
[Kumagai] Well, then maybe you should read the freaking report.
I don’t know what to tell you.
[breathes deeply]
There were two different spermatozoa samples at the scene of the crime.
And again, Carolyn knew all this.
[Rusty] What did you tell her?
[Kumagai] That the only sample we could identify was Reynolds.
[sighs] The other semen was inconclusive. It was contaminated.
Was it yours?
[grunting]
We concealed evidence! We…
I didn’t conceal anything.
It’s all in my goddamn report, and you need some serious fucking help.
[breathing heavily]
[line ringing]
Goddamn it. Fucking pick up. [breathing heavily]
[Rigo] You’ve reached Detective Rodriguez. Please leave a message.
[beeps]
Rigo, it’s me.
Can you call me back? It’s very important, okay?
Just call me back.
[breathing heavily]
Fuck.
[Nico] You’re saying he physically assaulted him?
He grabbed the guy by his fucking throat. He was, like, fucking doing this.
He’s sick. You know what I’m talking about.
He’s fucking sick.
Yeah. Tommy, take a seat.
I… [stammers] I don’t need to sit down. [sighs]
Listen, this guy… [chuckles, inhales shakily]
Just-Just take a moment.
I’m fine. [chuckles]
As delicious as the prospect is
that Rusty may be culpable…
Yeah.
I just want you just to follow the facts.
I got you. I know what you’re saying.
[chuckling] Right?
‘Cause our job is not to get Rusty Sabich.
Our job is to get it right.
I’m a professional. I understand what you’re saying.
So, just let the evidence be your guide,
not your fucking feelings.
[knocks on door]
[TV plays indistinctly]
[line ringing]
[line ringing]
[Rigo] You’ve reached Detective Rodriguez. Please leave a message.
[beeps]
[sighs]
[sighs]
Hey.
[Kyle] Hey, Dad.
[sighs]
[exhales deeply]
[Rusty] Hi. What you eating?
[Jaden] Hey.
[Kyle] Hmm? Chinese.
Chinese.
Hey.
[Jaden] How was work today, Dad?
Uh… [breathes deeply] …it sucked.
You guys want a napkin?
[Kyle] Mm-mmm.
[Jaden] What happened?
Um… [sighs]
a lot. [sighs, chuckles]
[phone buzzes]
[Rusty scoffs]
Guys, phones down please.
Phones down.
So something has happened. [sighs] Um…
and-and before you hear it from others,
I would like you to hear it from…
us.
So your father has some-something he would like to…
[inhales shakily] …tell you.
I don’t think that now is the time or the place.
Is there a better fucking time or place?
You want them to hear it on the news? School?
What’s going on?
Carolyn Polhemus and I were having an affair.
It wasn’t going on for very long,
but the detectives in the investigation,
you know, have a lot of questions about it… about-about that.
And I think that your mother is right.
I think it’s better that… [stammers] you hear it from me
than see it on the news
or hear about it from one of your friends at school, so…
I want you to know that I’m sorry
and that I love you.
[door slams]
[Barbara] Kyle.
[muffled rock music playing]
[door slams]
I will not be alone with this this time.
[muffled music continues]
[Barbara] I’m sorry, honey. I… I’m sorry. I’m sorry.
[Jaden sobbing, sniffles]
It’s all right. It’s a shock.
I know.
[Jaden sighs]
[Barbara] Now, listen, real life has come early
and we are in for some difficult days, okay?
[sobbing]
But we will get through this.
[Jaden] Are you gonna leave him?
[Barbara] I don’t know yet.
Your father is a good man…
and I think he loved her.
And that is very difficult for me.
[Carolyn] I, um…
I just don’t want anyone to get hurt.
Me or you, or…
I just think…
we’re at that point.
I can’t do this anymore.
Don’t you agree?
[sniffling, breathes heavily]
[Jefferson on TV] “Just a simple guy,” you said.
“Still wet behind the ears.” A lot of junk about American ideals.
Yeah, this is certainly a lot of junk, all right.
[Clarissa] Now, look, Senator…
[sniffles]
[Jefferson] I don’t know. This is a whole new world to me.
Hey.
Hey.
You okay?
Do you love Mom?
So much.
Then why?
[scoffs]
[sobs]
[sighs]
[Rusty grunting]
[Carolyn screaming]
[banging]
[sighs]
[banging]
[breathes deeply]
[banging continues]
[sighs]
[Kyle grunts]
[banging]
[grunts]
[banging]
Kyle?
[Kyle grunts]
[banging]
[sighs] Hey, it’s not even 06:00 in the morning.
Come on.
Come on. You’re making a lot of noise.
[Kyle] I couldn’t sleep.
[Rusty] Kyle. Kyle.
[Kyle grunts]
Just come inside. Come on.
I’ll make you some pancakes.
I don’t want any fucking pancakes, Dad.
[breathes heavily]
[police siren wails]
[indistinct radio chatter]
Um…
Claude, what are you doing?
[Claude] Sorry, Rusty. Search warrant.
[Claude sighs]
My wife and daughter are inside.
Well, they’re gonna get woken.
I’ll give you the honors, but we gotta go in.
Come on. Let’s go.
[indistinct radio chatter]
Why are they taking my computer?
Honey, they have to take everything.
Dad, it’s mine.
Rusty.
What’s going on?
This one’s for…
It’s the other.
We could bring you to the lab, but it’d be easier here.
[camera shutter clicks]
[breathing heavily]
[elevator bell dings]
Uh, Tommy, j-just a minute.
You come to my house at dawn?
Hey, don’t do this.
In front of my family.
My children.
We typically serve warrants at dawn, as was your preference.
In fact, you had files from this office which didn’t…
They were cases I was working on.
You’re not working on anything anymore.
As of this moment, you’re on administrative leave.
You think I don’t understand what you’re doing?
Get your face out of mine.
How’s it going, buddy? You all right?
Come on. Why don’t we do this…
Don’t even try and do shit like that.
You’re out of control.
I am not.
Medical examiners. You’re threatening district attorneys.
You’re threatening me. I’m not threatening you.
You are, with words and tone, and body language.
You are.
[elevator bell dings]
You really think that I killed Carolyn? Really?
Look, that is not for me to say.
Really? [scoffs]
What I can say is that you willfully misdirected
and you impeded this investigation.
Oh, my God.
That is not a good look for this office.
Okay.
All right. Yeah.
It’s not a good look for you.
Fuck.
[scoffs]
[Dr. Rush] You lied to your therapist.
[Rusty] I thought you said this wasn’t gonna be about blame.
We had a session alone and you… You deceived me point blank.
I am not a liar.
Well, you are. Of course you are.
It is the lie of omission.
You told me…
No, I lied about that.
You told me that the affair had ended.
I lied about that and I lied about Carolyn.
I lied about the affair,
but… [stammers] …like, only that.
[Dr. Rush] Well, the good news is…
I’m not a liar.
The good news is that Barbara is… she’s here.
A lot of people wouldn’t be.
So what are we doing?
What’s the goal?
[breathes deeply] Barbara?
Um, I don’t… I don’t know.
I-I guess I feel trapped.
By?
We have kids.
Rusty, you want to salvage this marriage?
Yes. Yes, I want to salvage it.
And not just because we have kids.
I love you.
I know that that sounds hollow right now.
If you’re arrested…
[Rusty] No, the-the… [stammers]
There’s not… There’s not an “if.” There’s not an “if.”
[breathes shakily] I will be arrested.
I mean, they’re going through my-my phone and my computer right now
and they’re gonna see that I was obsessed with her.
I mean, I was… I was basically stalking her, you know?
I mean…
the breakup wasn’t good.
If I was a prosecutor, I wouldn’t fucking hesitate.
And-And it’s being Tommy Molto, there’s no “if.”
[press reporters clamoring]
[Nico] Uh… [clears throat]
[reporter] When will the DA name a suspect?
No, we’re not prepared to name a suspect at this time,
but we’re confident that one will be forthcoming.
I ran for this office on a promise of vigilance.
It’s a vow that I intend to keep.
Gone are the days when the district attorney
sees crimes against women and simply shrugs.
[exclaims]
[Nico] Carolyn Polhemus’s killer will be found.
And that killer will be held accountable.
[news reporters clamoring]
Enough of that.
[Raymond sighs]
[doorbell rings]
[sighs]
Um…
Uh, is-is Raymond here?
[inhales sharply]
[breathes heavily] Yeah.
[Rusty] They raided the house.
They took my phone and my-my computer, Barbara’s, the kids’.
Yeah. Well, what do you expect, Rusty?
I mean, you did it a thousand times yourself
to a thousand different people, right?
It’s the drill. Now you know how it feels.
They’re gonna charge me. [sighs]
You know this for sure?
Yes. They’re going to go through the computer
and see that there were a lot of emails to her in that last week.
They’re going to go through the cell phone.
See there were a lot of calls and texts.
They’re going to say that I was stalking her.
And you add that to the prints at the scene.
They don’t have evidence leading to anyone else.
And Tommy Molto is certainly not going to go looking.
You better get yourself an attorney.
That’s why I’m here.
Oh, no.
No.
I need somebody who is versed in Delay and Molto.
You need someone who is versed in defense.
No, I need someone who can get into their heads, Raymond.
You are the best lawyer that I know.
And I need you.
[breathes shakily]
Do you have an ounce of fucking humility?
The gall it takes for you to come into my house…
I should’ve told you. Listen to me.
look Lorraine in the face…
[breathes shakily] Listen to me.
It-It… [breathes shakily]
It was wrong of me.
But you know what? It’s a fucking surprise.
I did it because I wanted you to win.
It wasn’t the right thing to do.
But do you really think that I killed her? Do you? You know me.
I thought I did.
Fuck! [sighs]
Come on.
[breathes heavily] Where the fuck have you been?
[line ringing]
[breathing heavily] Pick up.
[sighs]
[sighs]
[sighs] Hey.
Where have you been? I’ve been trying to call all day.
Fuck you, Rusty.
[breathes heavily]
Listen, I need your help. [stammers]
[breathes heavily] Please.
Listen, I need you to get me in to see Reynolds again.
Look, they’ve taken me off the case. There’s nothing I can do.
No, no. Listen. Just-Just please, please listen.
Rigo, I need you, okay?
There was a second sperm sample and I know that Reynolds knows something.
I need to get back in to see him and you can get me in. Just please.
[buzzer sounds]
Why are we meeting here?
Um…
I have, um… [stammers]
I don’t have, uh, security clearance today.
Oh, so you’re just a regular visitor? No more “officer of the court.”
Oh.
Oh, this is perverse.
I know you know something.
Are you a suspect?
[sighs]
I’m here, Liam, because if you have any information
that leads us to the real killer,
you might shave some time off your sentence.
You like perversity? [sighs]
Even if you had Carolyn killed, it could work in your favor.
You’d have to have an accomplice which means you’d have something to trade.
Right now, you’re serving a life sentence for killing Bunny Davis.
By pointing us to Carolyn,
you could possibly see the street again, you know?
Even if you had a hand in the murder too.
Now that… that is perversity.
Okay, so… so, just to be clear, you’re telling me incriminating myself…
If you had an accomplice.
in a prosecutor’s murder,
could lead me to my freedom?
[Rusty] Yes.
What’s certain is that you are currently serving a life sentence without parole.
And I am offering you an opportunity to change that.
Oh, God. [chuckles]
This is beautiful.
You’re desperate.
So, nothing then?
Not yet.
Not yet.
Well, he’s a sick guy, you know?
[buzzer sounds]
I mean… [sighs] he had it out for her, he threatened her.
[breathes heavily] She was killed the same way Bunny Davis was.
Bunny was stabbed.
And tied up like Carolyn.
I don’t know how many times I have to say this.
[prison guard speaks indistinctly]
[sighs] I just need to get to the truth.
I’m just… I…
[sighs] I mean… And… And… And…
I mean, short of that, I just… Just some fucking reasonable doubt.
You could have told me, you know?
That I was sleeping with her.
If for no other reason than to save me some fucking time.
I didn’t kill her.
I mean, I…
I can’t even… Like…
[sighs] You know, the police certainly aren’t going to be looking for who did.
I mean, at least not many of them.
So I need you.
No more fucking lying to me.
Yeah?
[Raymond] I didn’t say yes.
[Lorraine] You didn’t say yes.
[Raymond] I did not say yes.
[Lorraine] You didn’t say no.
You cherished Carolyn.
It’s not about Carolyn.
Yes, it is.
She’s the one who was murdered.
Look… [sighs]
if I thought for a second that Rusty was responsible…
You did think it for a second. You told me.
Rusty couldn’t have done this.
[Lorraine] Oh, bullshit.
[sighs]
Whether he did it or not…
He’s my close friend.
Maybe my best friend.
I mean, it’s not inconceivable that I would want to help him.
[Lorraine] This is how you retire?
Why can’t we just travel like we talked about?
You know, get a little place in Florida…
Does it have to be Florida? Florida’s for dead people. I’m…
I’m not dead.
I mean, sometimes I feel like it but…
[chuckles] That’s what this is about.
Your not wanting to be dead.
Right now, my legacy…
I went out in defeat.
I was beaten by a conniving shithead who’s holding press conferences every day,
dancing on my political grave.
If I could avenge those two tiny little suck fucks…
[scoffs] That would be meaningful. [sighs]
[breathes heavily]
And it’s not a crime for me to want to wake up every morning
to a life that has meaning.
[Lorraine] I’m sorry you feel it doesn’t right now.
[Raymond] This isn’t about you.
You are my wife.
You mean everything to me. You know that.
Just not enough.
[car approaches]
[brakes squeaks]
[engine rumbles]
[engine powers down]
[car door opens, closes]
[television playing indistinctly]
[sighs]
Hey.
Jay…
will you look at me?
Where’s your mom?
Out back, smoking by the tree house.
Not that I know that though.
[cell phone buzzes]
Hello?
[Rigo] Hey… [sighs] we got the lab results back.
Paternity confirmed.
Sorry, Rusty. I know it’s not what you wanted to hear.
[panting, moaning]
[helicopter whirring]
[sirens wailing]
What’s that?
[sirens continuing]
[police officers chattering]
Um, Jay, go get your mom.
Go get your mother.
Okay. [breathes heavily]
[Rusty] Jay?
Jaden,
I love you.
[breathes shakily]
[Jaden] Mom!
[breathing heavily]
[officer] Mr. Sabich, we have a warrant for your arrest.
You have the right to remain silent.
Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
Please turn around and put your hands behind your back.
You have the right to an attorney.
If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed…
Look, it’s a sad day.
It’s a very sad day when a member of our law enforcement community,
who’s entrusted to safeguard the public, is accused of such a heinous crime.
When a public servant so betrays his duty,
so violates his commitment to justice,
to humanity,
by taking another individual’s life.
If there is any consolation, we can all take heart
in one of our most cherished jurisprudence ideals.
[Nico] Nobody is above the law.
Nobody.
[breathing heavily]
[Jones] The arrest of a former prosecutor has sent shock waves,
not just here in Chicago.
This case is sure to attract national attention.
Mr. Sabich was taken into custody at his residence last night.
The arrest was evidently made without incident.
Mr. Sabich spent the night in detention, in the building behind me
where he now awaits arraignment.
[clerk] Criminal case 861246.
The People of Illinois v. Rozat K. Sabich.
The defendant is charged herein
that he did commit murder in the first degree
and that he did knowingly, intentionally, and with malice aforethought
trespass with force and arms upon the person of Carolyn Polhemus,
thereby taking the life of the aforementioned…
Your Honor, Thomas Molto,
Chief Deputy District Attorney for the People of Illinois,
registering my appearance
as well as the appearance of District Attorney, Nico Della Guardia.
Raymond Horgan for the defense, Judge.
Your Honor, the defendant is present in court.
We would acknowledge receipt of the indictment
and waive the remainder of formal reading.
On behalf of Mr. Sabich,
we would like the court to enter a plea of not guilty to the charge.
Plea of not guilty to the indictment.
Bail is set at 1.5 million signature bond.
Is there a request from either party for a pretrial conference?
Your Honor, given the depravity visited upon a beloved member
of our law enforcement community,
the People would ask that a pretrial conference
be set at your earliest convenience.
That would be an unnecessary waste of the court’s time.
The charge in this case is entirely false.
The reputation of one of the city’s finest public servants
and attorneys has been impugned, perhaps destroyed
without any basis in fact.
Justice in this case must be swift
and we therefore ask the court to find an immediate trial date.
[crowd murmuring]
[chuckles]
Be careful what you ask for, Counsel.
I have made my request.
The defendant has waived pretrial conference.
The matter will be set immediately for trial.
Defendant’s motions to be filed in 14 days,
and the prosecuting attorney to respond seven days hence.
Now, Mr. Molto, Mr. Della Guardia,
this case is likely to inspire many speeches
which you seem predisposed to give.
Mr. Horgan is correct when he observes that these are very serious charges.
Against a lawyer who has served this court with distinction for many years.
Let us aim for justice to be done.
And it need not be served with any extra pomp.
And that goes for you too, Mr. Horgan.
I don’t do pomp, Judge.
[inhales sharply] The defendant is remanded.
His bail will be processed. This proceeding is adjourned.
[gavel raps]
Thank you for…
Yeah, goes without saying.
Don’t talk to anybody in there. And get something to eat, will you?
You gotta be kidding me.
I am definitely not kidding.
This is as serious as I get, Nico.
Maybe we should start with wiping the smiles off our respective faces.
Fuck-Thing One. Fuck-Thing Two.
[TV plays indistinctly]
It seems you got a good draw with this judge.
Yeah, she’s an ex-defense lawyer and she…
she’s fair, you know?
I just wanted to say I know that…
today must have been really hard for you all.
I wanna say thank you for being there.
Is it good that it’s happening fast?
Yeah.
Time favors the prosecution. So the faster, the better.
For all of us.
[sighs]
[sighs]
Mmm.
[cell phone buzzes]
