JAX: Previously on Reasonable Doubt...
- It's been a long time.
- Sixteen years.
I can't be here anymore.
And the only way to do that is to show remorse.
JAX: I cannot believe my dad stood me up again.
I really wish you would have forgiven Daddy
the same way you forgave Paul.
- Well, I can't see you being a public defender.
- Once a PD, always a PD.
- I know you and Lewis have your issues,
but you should really think about making it work.
JAX: She up here staying with her cheating-ass husband
and wanna give me relationship advice.
- You know what would be dope?
If we could be friends.
I could stay in jail and dream of this life that I could have
or I could actually live it.
Your husband's okay with friends coming over?
JAX: Actually, we're separated.
- He is an idiot to let you go.
♪
- Ladies and gentlemen,
the people just told you
that their case is clear, solid, definitive,
that Mr. Uribe is the only person
who could have committed this crime.
But I will lay out to you all the ways their theory is flawed.
Was there a solid chain of custody
when it came to the physical evidence?
No.
Was Mr. Uribe the only Latino man in the park
at the time of the assault?
No.
Were there other people in the victim's life
who were motivated to harm him
that could not be accounted for the night of the crime?
Yes.
That to me sounds like a case
with a whole lot of reasonable doubt.
But you know what?
I don't have to prove that to you.
That's the people's burden,
not yours.
All I'm asking you to do is to listen.
Listen to the facts, and lack thereof,
in order to prevent an innocent man from going into the prison system
and becoming something he is not.
Thank you.
JUDGE: Members of the jury,
you may now retire to the jury room to begin deliberation.
- Hector?
Um-- Okay. I know I said I wanted to practice my Spanish,
but I don't know how to ask why you would wanna take a plea
to go to jail for a crime you didn't commit?
- My entire life, things don't go my way.
So why would they now?
- Because you got me, Hector.
When I go to trial, I win.
- And I really appreciate all your hard work,
but... I'm done.
- Hector.
♪
- Hi, Mr. Clarke.
- It's Cooke. JAX: I'm--
- Damon Cooke.
♪
- I'm Jax Nicholas.
Nice to meet you.
♪ theme music playing ♪
♪
♪ From La Brea to Slauson ♪
♪ It's all us ♪
♪ The Sun, Central Ave Jazz ♪
♪ It's all us ♪
♪ Where we at? ♪
♪ Hit the Maverick Flats ♪
♪ Leimert and right back to the ark ♪
♪ It's all us ♪
♪
♪ We coastin' on the west ♪
♪ Between sets and wealth ♪
♪ We toast the sunset in the dons ♪
♪ Take flight into the night ♪
♪ Under Cali stars ♪
♪ In a world on wheels ♪
♪ It's all us ♪
♪
♪ It's the world we feel ♪
♪ It's all us ♪
♪ From the Hills to Hollywood ♪
♪ It's all us ♪
♪
♪ No doubt we all we got ♪
♪ Hold it down Black and brown ♪
♪ In a city of dreams ♪
♪ It's all us ♪
♪
- Court has set bail at $500,000.
- Any chance you can get that lowered?
- You're being charged with second-degree murder, Mr. Cooke.
By law that's the number.
- Alright, fine. What about Rafael?
- Your codefendant, Mr. Coleman, is also being charged with murder.
- Fuck, I can't believe this shit is happening.
JAX: Take a breath, Mr. Cooke.
Why don't you tell me about yourself? Where you from?
- Where I'm from--
[sighs]
I grew up on West 67th off Buckler.
- That's Rollin' 60s territory.
- They wouldn't let me in.
- Are you employed, Mr. Cooke?
- I run an auto shop off Leimert.
Took over when my daddy passed away.
JAX: Education?
- Graduated St. Bernard's. Westchester, South LA.
- I'm from Crenshaw and Coliseum, went to Fairfax,
so I know where St. Bernard's is.
Uh, the night of the murder, can you tell me what happened?
- Yeah, so me and my homeboy, we was, uh--
- That's Mr. Coleman? - Yeah. Rafael.
We went out to this spot called Bottoms Up in Hawthorne
and, you know, we ordered some drinks,
and Rafael was hollering at a few
women and whatnot and then, uh,
this dude started beefing with Rafael
and he wouldn't stop running his mouth.
So then he tried to accuse Rafael of getting with his girl and--
- Okay. Is that the victim, Kevin Chapman?
- Yeah.
- Okay, what happened next?
- Then all hell broke loose.
I was getting hit from all sides
and just trying to keep motherfuckers off me and shit.
- Well, this complaint says that you fled the scene.
You told the police that you weren't involved in a fight.
Why did you lie?
DAMON: I ain't flee.
Or whatever it is they trying to say.
I ain't kill nobody. I-I-I left.
I got a business. I got responsibilities.
So what happens next, Fairfax?
- Well... well, that depends.
I can go to the DA, see about a plea, or we can fight it in trial.
- Wait, wait. You said a plea.
You mean to say I'm guilty? - Yes.
- But I'm innocent.
- So you wanna go to trial? - I mean--
What do you think?
- Let me dig into your case a bit, see what we're up against.
I'll go to the DA and come back to you with some options.
- Alright. I mean, I can, I can rock with that.
- I'll try to make it quick so you can get back
to your ambitions of a Rollin 60s ridah.
- You got jokes? - Sorry. I--
- That was a good one.
- Thanks. [clears throat]
Anyway,
I have 35 other cases that need my attention, Mr. Cooke.
So unless you have any other--
- Good luck with your other cases.
♪
NEWSCASTER: [on TV] An unusual mishap in a construction zone
near the 10-110 interchange occurred this afternoon,
leaving the 10 freeway backed up to Crenshaw.
[cell phone ringing]
[newscaster continues indistinctly]
[ringing continues]
- Hello? - Hey, girl. What you doing?
- Sitting here watching the news.
I feel like I'm turning into my mother.
What you up to?
AUTUMN: [over phone] Reading these case studies.
Are you bringing anyone to Sally's wedding?
- Nope. You?
- I was gonna bring Kendall, but it's too soon.
- Hmm.
Okay, Autumn, when are you gonna tell the other girls
that Kendall is not just your roommate?
- I don't know. I feel like you're more understanding.
- They'll understand.
- Maybe.
What about you?
- Uh, no. I am too busy for love.
- It doesn't work that way.
- Okay, well, then I'm too busy to have my heart broken.
- Yeah, yeah, but remember, Jax, sharing is caring.
- Hmm.
How about you practice what you preach?
Huh? Bye, Autumn.
AUTUMN: Bye, girl.
- I've gone over Damon Cooke's case and there are quite a few holes.
- Okay, what are they?
- Well, first of all, the surveillance video
doesn't make it clear that Mr. Cooke committed a crime.
- What about the witness? - Come on, Miguel.
We all know eyewitness testimony is never enough,
especially late at night in that dark-ass bar
from a person working the night shift.
- Fine. What else?
- Mr. Cooke is a business owner without a criminal past.
He's also a fairly mild-mannered individual
who barely drinks.
So, what, we're supposed to believe that he suddenly got so drunk
that he decided to pierce flesh?
I mean, come on, that's a reach.
- So then you wanna go to trial?
JAX: I do.
But, you know, I at least wanna hear what you're offering.
- Voluntary manslaughter midterm of six years in state prison.
- Same charge. One year in County.
- Nice try. Strike one,
Cooke lied to the police.
Strike two, we have witnesses who say he was the aggressor.
And strike three, his prints are on the knife.
Oh. You didn't get the report yet?
♪
Still seem like a reach?
♪
- Did you bring a knife to the bar that night?
- I bring my knife everywhere, but, shit, it ain't a gun.
- So then you stabbed that man.
- What? No, look.
Alright. It was my knife, yes.
But it fell out of my pocket during the craziness of the fight.
And somebody must have grabbed it
'cause all of a sudden it was stuck in this dude's neck.
And I was just like, "What the fuck?"
So then I was gonna pull it out, and Rafael told me not to.
So then we just, just fucking broke up out of there.
I'm telling the truth here, I swear.
- You sure you wanna swear on that?
- Isn't it your job to-to-to believe me?
- No. My job is to tell you what your options are.
And given this new information that you failed to share with me,
I'm telling you as your attorney that a trial does not look good for you.
- I didn't do this. JAX: Look, I spoke to the DA,
and he's offering voluntary manslaughter.
Six years.
With good behavior, you can be out on parole in two.
If you go to trial, you'll be fighting a murder charge,
which is 15 to life.
- Fuck!
Alright, what would, what would you do if you were me?
- I'm not you.
- Oh, I see. Okay.
So you-you don't think this could happen to you?
- I didn't say that.
- No, no, no. Just keep it real with me, Fairfax.
Shit, I ain't gonna tell.
- Although the fingerprint evidence is inconclusive,
it was your knife.
You lied to the cops.
Just take the deal, okay? You'll be better off.
- Damn.
♪
I thought you was gonna fight for me.
But you just gonna give up on me like everybody else in my life.
- Mr. Cooke-- - Nah, don't Mr. Cooke me.
♪
You gonna tell me my shit is fucked up,
just tell me my inmate ID number
since that's all I am to you anyway, alright?
Yeah, I'll take the fucking deal.
♪
[sighs]
MAMA LU: It's so wonderful Sally found a man
to spend her life with.
Even though she was a fast little old thing
when y'all were in high school.
- Ooh. Ma!
- I'm just speaking the truth. [chuckles]
You know, you're just as pretty as Sally.
No reason you should be sitting home alone.
- I'm not sitting home alone, Mom.
I mean, I'm not even 30, so I have time.
- Yeah, that's what my friend Debbie said years ago.
Now she can't even remember her name, let alone find a man.
- Oh, so I should find a boyfriend before I get Alzheimer's?
- Oh. Oh, it's something to think about.
- [chuckles] Mom. - Ooh-ooh.
Why don't you wear this one?
- I know, I was thinking about it, but that's revealing, don't you think?
- Well, if you don't want it, I might take it.
I could use a fish of my own.
- No.
- I haven't found anybody to keep me company since Paul.
Actually, he called the other day.
- Paul did? - Yeah.
- And? - And nothing.
I don't think it's a good idea that we talk
after what happened between us.
No, you're right.
This is too revealing.
Well, why don't you buy something new?
Buy something that'll make Jonathan jealous.
- Ugh! I don't care about making Jonathan jealous.
Besides, I can't even afford a new dress.
God, this wedding is costing me a fortune.
- Well, you could always move home to save some money.
- I know, Mom. I know.
Oh, hell. It's getting late. I have court in the morning.
Ugh. [sighs] Look, I'll just--
I'll go to Fox Hills and find something tomorrow.
- I thought you said you didn't have enough money
to buy a new dress.
- I'll put it on layaway, skip lunch this week.
Mwah!
- Oh, Jesus. Help my child.
♪
- So I was rereading your file last night and I had a realization.
Your codefendant Rafael Coleman has a criminal past.
And because you guys look like you can be brothers,
there's an argument to be made
that the DA's eyewitness misidentified you for Rafael.
- You saying Rafael did this?
- Possibly.
If your prints are conclusive on the knife, maybe his are.
Do you think he did it?
- Hmm. Honestly, it all happened so fast.
And I hate to say he did something he didn't do.
- Yeah, that's fair.
But the point is that there's a whole lot of doubt in this case.
- So you believe me then.
- I believe we should go to trial.
- Because you believe me.
- Why is that so important to you?
- It's not important to you?
- I don't know anymore.
Honestly, this job... it's a lot.
- I appreciate you finally keeping it real with me, Fairfax.
- Okay, look, I'm sorry I told you to take the plea.
I'm not used to having people who want to fight the system.
I'm used to people wanting to give up out of frustration.
- Like you did with me?
- Yes.
- I'm sorry I went off on you.
It's not who I am. It's just, um--
You know, this fucking place.
- I get it. Um, I don't, but--
- I got what you meant, Fairfax.
- Okay, look, um, why don't we do this?
Let's just, um,
you take some time to think about it,
and either way, I'll support you.
- Okay JAX: Okay?
- I will. Thank you.
And, uh, thanks for not giving up on me.
- Same.
♪ When I met you last night, baby ♪
MAN: Ah!
♪ Before you opened up your gap ♪
♪ Hey ♪
♪ I had respect for ya, lady ♪
- [clears throat] I's getting married, bitches!
[cheering]
♪
[overlapping chatter] [whooping]
[laughter]
- Okay, guys.
Get it! - She already is.
- A-ha! - Clearly.
[laughter]
- Bitch, who the hell you texting?
- This football player I met a couple of weeks ago, girl.
He wants to take me to Miami in his private jet.
- That sounds like the end of a Lifetime movie.
[laughter]
SHANELLE: No, he's legit.
It's Jamarion Tucker. - Bitch! What?
- Are you serious? - Yes.
And he said he wants to come to the wedding. He's my plus one.
- What? - Wow, moving fast I see.
- They say when you know, you know.
- And I know you bitches better stop yappin'
and get a piece of this.
'Cause, god damn!
♪
- Wow!
- What are we really doing here?
♪
- Oh, hey, no! - No!
[overlapping chatter] - We don't kiss the stripper.
- No, don't do that. [retches, vomits]
- Oh, hell, no.
JAX: Here, baby, drink this. [Sally groans]
Okay?
[groans]
- [voice breaking] No.
JAX: Oh, Sally.
Honey, what's wrong?
- I love Chris.
I do. But one dick, Jax?
Forever? - Okay, yes. Yes.
But it's not like you haven't enjoyed being single.
- Yeah, because I'm a ho.
- No, no, that's not what I said.
- That's why I was out there trying to make out
with that oily-ass stripper.
It's because my ho ass couldn't help it.
And now, I'm trying to go be a housewife
when I'm really just a ho wife.
- Sally, Sally, stop. Stop.
SALLY: I'm just a ho. - Just stop talking.
It does not matter what happened in your past, okay?
You... you are a different woman
since you fell in love with Chris.
I've never seen you happier.
- Well, yeah.
You think you could settle down with just one dick?
- Chris is always on your side. I've never had that.
So, yeah, I can settle down for one dick in a heartbeat.
- You can find it, Jax. You just gotta make space for it.
You gotta be vulnerable and open.
'Cause that is the only way that love can come in
and then stay, you know.
- You're so profound when you're drunk.
- I gotta throw up again.
- Okay, okay, okay, come on.
Come on, come on, come on, come on. SALLY: Oh, God.
[door buzzes]
- Mr. Cooke?
- Uh, yeah. Call me Damon.
- Damon.
So what did you decide to do?
- Honestly, I don't know, Fairfax.
You know, I mean, it's like the more I stay in here,
the more I don't wanna stay here.
Then I get all in my head about this shit.
You know, should I take the risk or take the deal, you know?
- I do, but Miguel, the DA,
he's put a clock on the plea deal.
So unfortunately, you don't have a lot of time to decide.
Tell me what you're thinking. DAMON: Um...
I'm not, uh,
I'm-I'm not good at this.
- At what? Jail?
I don't think you're supposed to be.
- No, I mean--
My mom died of an overdose when I was just a little kid,
and then my dad worked himself to death
to try and recover what she took from us.
So it's just me and my brother CJ.
And if I go in, I--
I don't, I don't know why I'm telling you all this.
I guess I... just feel like I can talk to you.
- I get that a lot.
DAMON: So who do you talk to?
I mean, you're always listening and shit, so--
Who's listening to you?
Go ahead. I got, I ain't got nothing but time.
- Um--
No one, really.
DAMON: Damn.
Does that make you sad?
- Um--
- Too personal?
- No, no, it's fine. Um--
No, I guess that that's what made me wanna be a lawyer.
I know what it's like to not be heard,
to not be believed.
- I'm sorry, Fairfax.
- Okay, you gotta stop calling me Fairfax.
If you want me to call you Damon, you have to call me Jax.
- Fair enough.
- My dad was an addict too.
He still is.
Racked up charges in and out of jail, rehab.
But he is a good man.
The system failed him.
It fails a lot of us.
- Who failed you?
Was it him or someone else?
- You asked me earlier
what I would do if I were you.
And I think that you should go to trial.
It's risky, but you didn't do this.
You do not deserve to go to prison.
So I say, fuck that deal.
Let's win this case together.
♪
- Aight... Jax.
♪
Yeah.
♪
- Yeah.
- Hey. Jacqueline.
- [chuckles] You can call me Jax.
Hey, thanks for sending me your opening statement.
I hope you're okay with my edits.
- Really good stuff. It's just--
- What's up?
- I haven't done many murder trials,
so I think you should take lead on this.
- But you are Mr. Coleman's lawyer.
I expect you'll still represent his best interests.
- Yes, of course. Trust me.
I only have Mr. Coleman's best interests in mind.
♪ Goin' Down by Smokey Smoke playing ♪
♪
[scream]
♪ rapping indistinctly ♪
♪
[inaudible]
♪
EARL: They were beefing with Mr. Chapman all night.
- Can you identify the two men who were arguing with the victim?
- They're sitting right over there.
- Mr. Wilson, can you identify the man who gets up first?
- It's Rafael Coleman. - Mr. Wilson, did you see
who threw the first punch in this big melee?
- No, ma'am, I didn't.
- Can you identify the last person to get to his feet?
EARL: It's Damon Cooke.
- Did you see who stabbed Mr. Chapman?
- No, ma'am.
JAX: Sounds like you didn't see much
save for this surveillance footage
the prosecution coached you up on.
- Nothing further.
- No further questions.
MIKE: Mr. Ivanov, you're the owner
of Altek Hardware on Leimert.
- For 22 years, yes.
- Do you sell this brand of knife in your store?
- Yes.
- Now, Mr. Cooke is a long-time customer, correct?
- He is, yes.
- Can you describe this slip of paper?
- It's a receipt from my store.
- Would you please read the signature on the receipt?
- Damon Cooke.
- Do you think he's a murderer?
MIKE: Objection, Your Honor.
Calls for speculation, lack of foundation,
and it's irrelevant what this witness--
- Miss Nicholas, you're on thin ice.
- Nothing further.
♪
- Gentlemen.
- Oh. Hey, Jax.
- Let me guess.
Miguel is telling you all about the award he's getting from our law school, right?
Or not. What's going on?
Yes, but Rafael's cutting a deal with the DA.
They're reducing the charge against him to assault if he testifies.
- Against me? Is that what you mean?
- Yes.
DAMON: [over phone] So then he's going to jail?
- Most likely only probation.
- Then am I going to jail?
- No, you're not.
I'm gonna win this case.
What?
- I love hearing you boss up.
[scoffs]
- What, I hadn't before?
- No, not really.
- I'm humble, I guess.
- Hmm.
You're brilliant.
You're attentive.
You're strong and fearless.
- Wow.
You get all that just from me being your lawyer?
- Whether you can see yourself or not,
I, uh... I see you, Jax.
- And I see you.
So I know that after this Rafael situation,
you're gonna wanna take the stand.
- And you're right.
Rafael's telling his story, you know, I'm finna tell mine,
so you cool with that?
- I like hearing you boss up.
- Alright, later, Fairfax.
- Ooh! Who you talking to?
- Oh. Um, no one.
- No, that's someone. You got that look in your eye.
- Yeah, like that pussy is pulsing.
- No, it is not! - Sally's right. Who is it?
- Okay, fine, but no judgments.
It's a client. - Oh! What?
- I just said no judgment, Autumn.
- I'm not--
Trust me, I'm just a bit confused.
- Yeah. I mean, is this person a criminal?
- He's being falsely accused.
- Of a crime. Like a criminal.
- He is not a criminal.
You think I'd just be around here liking criminals?
- Well... just be careful.
You know these bitches be out here marrying these niggas in prison.
- Oh, my God.
- Don't be like them.
- Mr. Coleman, the jury has seen the end of the surveillance video
which shows you getting up from the floor after the fight.
Who are the two men still fighting?
- Mr. Chapman and Damon.
- And did you see the knife?
- Yes, I did.
- Rafael, do you see the person
who stabbed Mr. Chapman to death here today?
- Yes.
- Let the record show that the witnesses pointed to the defendant, Damon Cooke.
No further questions.
- Your witness, Miss Nicholas.
JAX: The last time we were in this courtroom,
you were seated at the defense table
with my client and your friend Damon Cooke.
What happened?
- What do you mean?
- Why are you testifying for the prosecution?
- I wanna tell the truth. - The truth?
You're not a truth teller, Rafael.
You're nothing but a common snitch.
- Objection. Argumentative.
JUDGE COOMBS: Sustained.
- Did the district attorney's office initially charge you with murder?
- Yes.
- And the murder charges, along with any jail time,
have been waived in exchange for your testimony.
Is that right? - Yes.
- Mr. Coleman, were you ever expelled from middle school?
- I don't think so.
- You don't think so or you don't remember?
- I don't recall.
- This is from the Inglewood Unified School District.
Does this report jog your memory?
- Yeah, but I was a kid.
Who doesn't get into trouble?
- By trouble, did you mean to say that you pulled a knife
on another student and threatened to kill him?
- Yes.
- Did you throw the first punch that night?
- Uh... I don't remember.
- Would it surprise you to learn that many of the witnesses
have testified that you did throw the first punch?
- It was a huge fight in the club at night.
Like I said, I cannot recall.
- So you don't remember anything about a fight
that you allegedly started
but you remember getting up and seeing my client stab Mr. Chapman?
♪
Right.
Nothing further.
♪
MIKE: [grunts] Ooh!
Sorry, I didn't realize how big it was.
You ladies wanna feel it?
- Never say those words to us again.
Also, who did you pay to get this award?
They usually give it to corporate types like Emily or PD's like me.
- They finally realized that the real stars are at the DA's office.
- Oh, a real epiphany.
- You guys can learn a lot doing prosecutorial work.
- Oh, you mean like using scared young men like Rafael Coleman
to build cases against innocent Black men?
- Damon Cooke is not innocent. Sorry.
EMILY: Or you could move to a corporate firm.
I just did.
And frankly, I sleep a lot easier at night.
- What do you mean?
EMILY: The stakes are significantly lower.
Think about it. If I win, great.
And if I don't, those rich, entitled assholes
probably deserved it.
- I don't wanna represent rich, entitled assholes.
I represent people who have nowhere else to turn.
If the system wants to take away someone's liberty,
their-their freedom,
they're gonna need a high burden of proof.
And they're gonna have to go through me, period.
- Inspiring. - Eat a dick.
- And how's it feel when you lose, Jax?
- Either way, you've paid your dues, Jax.
It's time to move on. EMILY: Mm-hmm.
Oh, and it's time for me to go home.
Get that good sleep.
Later, peeps.
JAX: See ya.
- You know, I don't intend to stay at the DA's office forever.
- Hmm. MIKE: I got much bigger plans.
You're looking at the first Latino governor of California.
You ever thought about getting into politics?
- Uh-- [scoffs] - You and me could make a play for it.
You know what they say.
Behind every great man--
- Is a woman rolling her eyes?
- No, but, come on, for real. Seriously.
You never thought about it?
You, me, bringing two of LA's biggest constituencies together,
showing off our cute Afro-Latino babies.
- Oh, my God. Please.
Are you serious?
[Jax laughing]
Hmm.
You know what?
I think you and your little award need some alone time.
I'll see you in court... Mike.
♪
- [sighs] Okay.
[sighs]
[cell phone buzzing]
- This is Jax.
DAMON: [over phone] Hey, did I wake you?
- Damon?
Uh, they let you make a phone call this time of night?
- My brother put some money on my commissary.
I traded for a burner.
Why you up so late?
- Uh, I was actually just about to go to sleep.
Why are you awake? DAMON: Uh--
Rafael lying on me and shit.
I thought that nigga was a friend.
- I'm sorry.
- You okay?
JAX: [over phone] Me? Uh... yeah, I mean--
Well--
Actually, my best friend is getting married tomorrow.
And, I mean, I'm happy for her. I guess I just--
I don't know, I feel like everyone around me is
coupling up and finding someone, and I'm just hella single.
I'm so sorry. I should not be sharing any of this with you.
DAMON: No, no, no, it's nice. It's nice.
I like it.
I mean, you know, I'm sure you got dudes trying to get with you all the time.
- [scoffs] Not the right ones.
- Would you know if you found him? JAX: I hope so.
Isn't that what they say, when you know, you know?
- I don't know. [Jax chuckles]
JAX: I thought I was in love once,
but, nah, maybe it's me.
My friends say I'm guarded.
I don't know how to... open up.
- And yet you opened up with me.
- Um-- [clears throat]
- You seem uncomfortable, Jax.
- I am.
DAMON: Sometimes being uncomfortable
is a good thing.
It gets you out of your head when you're thinking too much.
- I think a lot.
- What you thinking about now?
- What are you thinking about?
♪
- You.
♪
- Oh, yeah?
- Always.
♪
[moans softly]
♪
- What are you doing to me?
- Same thing you're doing to me.
♪
[Jax moans]
♪
[Jax moans]
♪
Good night, Jax.
♪
[sighs]
♪
♪ I Can't Help Myself by Loleatta Holloway playing ♪
[cheering]
♪
EMCEE: And now, everyone, please gather around
for the father-daughter dance.
♪
♪ I never thought ♪
♪ I could fall in love ♪
♪ With a guy like you ♪
♪
- What's up?
- Girl, I can't believe Jamarion didn't show.
I mean, he said he was gonna be late,
but now it's looking like he ain't coming at all.
JAX: Oh. I'm sorry, girl.
Hmm? - Yes, thank you.
[Jax chuckles]
[applause]
♪
JAX: You know what?
Your cousin only gets married once.
I really think that you should get up out this seat
and get back out there.
Jamarion'll make it up to you
with that fat-ass "I just made All-Pro" bonus money.
- You're right. - I know.
- Thanks, girl.
♪
Oh--
Sis, don't listen to what Autumn and Sally have to say.
If you like this nigga, then like this nigga.
Hell, maybe you win the case and we all end up boo'd up.
[chuckles]
It's a possibility.
♪
- Hey.
How'd you sleep?
- Good.
Really good.
- Yeah.
Me too.
- We should discuss our case.
- I don't want to talk about the case.
- Damon, we need to go over
your testimony one more time. - Jax, please.
Not now.
- Okay.
♪
- I think about
what it would be like to just,
to just sit somewhere,
you know, just the two of us.
Just to talk.
Beyond these walls
and without time limits.
♪
- I think about that too.
♪
- You do?
♪
- I do.
Everything hinges on Damon's testimony.
I can't fuck this up. - Language.
- A man's life is at stake.
- Focus on Miguel and the case he's built.
I don't care what that damn school says.
You a better lawyer than him.
Jacqueline, you are the smartest person in any room you're in.
Remember that and your client will walk out of there a free man.
- Thank you, Ma.
- We can talk more later if you need.
- Oh. - I gotta head out.
- Uh, well, don't you need to get dressed first?
- I've learned a lot about myself
in the past few years.
I'm an alcoholic.
And I've done some things
when I was drinking that I'm not proud of.
And I'm sorry.
I'm ten years sober now.
I'm not the same guy.
- I think it was good for us to have this time apart
so that Paul could get himself together.
I'm proud of how far he's come.
- Oh, so, so this is happening.
You're getting back together.
Unbelievable. MAMA LU: Jacqueline.
Jacqueline! Jacqueline, wait. Please!
JAX: Are you really gonna pretend like nothing happened?
MAMA LU: He made a mistake.
- Yes, but why does he deserve another chance from me or from you?
- Every day you fight for people's second chances.
What's the difference?
- The difference is that you are my mother
and I expect more from you.
But you always choose yourself first.
You failed me then and you are failing me now.
- You weren't the only one hurt, Jacqueline.
I was hurt too. I loved him.
One day you will love someone really, truly love someone
and you will see that it's not that easy to let 'em go.
- If this is what love looks like, then I feel sorry for both of us.
♪
CJ: Oh. Hey. Uh--
You're Damon's lawyer, right?
- Yes. - I'm his brother CJ.
- CJ! It's nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you.
- And you, too. Thanks for fighting for him.
Means a lot to him and to me.
- Of course.
- He can't go away for this.
I can't be out here by myself.
- You won't be.
Thanks.
JUDGE COOMBS: Do you promise to tell the truth,
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
- I do.
- Mr. Cooke,
why were you the last person fighting with Mr. Chapman?
- I didn't know I was.
I just felt myself getting hit.
- You didn't flee the scene, did you, Mr. Cooke?
- I left.
I, um--
I knew I had been in a fight. I just didn't want any trouble.
Uh--
I wish I had stuck around.
That was, that was a mistake.
- Did you know Mr. Chapman before that night?
- Never seen him before in my life.
- Did you stab Kevin Chapman?
- No.
I didn't do it.
- Nothing further.
JUDGE COOMBS: Mr. Ortiz, your witness.
- You said you jumped into the fight
because your friend Rafael Coleman needed help, correct?
- Yeah.
- Mr. Chapman was winning the fight, wasn't he?
- I-I don't know.
MIKE: Well, at some point,
Mr. Chapman started getting the better of you.
- Um, I don't think so, no.
MIKE: Come on, Mr. Cooke.
He was kicking your ass.
- What?
Nah, it wasn't like that.
- Oh, so you were kicking his ass?
- See, I didn't say that.
- Oh, okay, then, Mr. Cooke, which one is it?
Did you beat up Mr. Chapman or did he beat you up like a rag doll?
And when embarrassed, you pulled out a knife?
- Objection! Badgering the witness.
- I just told you I ain't kill that man!
Why the fuck you make it seem like that?
- Sustained.
♪
- Nothing further, Your Honor.
♪
Finally, there's Rafael Coleman,
who offers us the most damning evidence of all.
Mr. Coleman with his own eyes
witnessed the defendant stab Kevin Chapman in the midst of a brawl.
He didn't say maybe it was Mr. Cooke.
Or it might have been.
No, he never wavered.
And neither should any of you in doing what is right and just
by finding Damon Cooke guilty.
Thank you.
- Miss Nicholas.
[clears throat]
- Thank you, Your Honor.
The people want you to believe that
because Mr. Cooke was at the bar that night,
because he was in a fight,
because he bought a knife,
and because a witness
who cut a deal to save his own skin says he did it,
that this is all enough to convict.
Well, it's not enough.
Damon Cooke has no violent past.
He was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Almost every generation of Black families starts at zero.
Damon Cooke, through his hard work in his family business,
broke that cycle.
Today is your chance to break the cycle
of convicting young Black men of crimes they did not commit.
Mr. Ortiz talked about doing the right thing.
The right thing is to acquit Damon Cooke and send him home.
♪
Thank you.
♪
[cell phone buzzes]
JUDGE COOMBS: The jury has come to a decision in this case.
The clerk will now read the verdict.
- We, the jury, find the defendant Damon Cooke
guilty of second-degree murder.
JUDGE COOMBS: Mr. Cooke, you are hereby remanded
into the custody of the sheriff who shall transfer you--
[audio fades]
- Damon, I... I'm-- - I know.
♪
♪ Once I wanted to be the greatest ♪
♪ Greatest, greatest, greatest ♪
♪ No wind or waterfall could stop me ♪
♪
♪ And then came the rush of blood ♪
♪ Stars at night turned deep to dust ♪
♪ Melt me down ♪
♪ Into big black armor ♪
♪
♪ Leave no trace of grace ♪
♪ Just in your honor ♪
♪
♪ Lower me down ♪
♪ To culprit south ♪
♪ Make 'em wash a space in town ♪
♪ For the lead ♪
♪ In the dregs of my bed ♪
♪ I've been sleeping ♪
♪
♪ Once I wanted to be the greatest ♪
♪ Greatest, greatest, greatest ♪
♪ No wind or waterfall could stop me ♪
♪
♪ And then came the rush of the flood ♪
♪ Stars at night turned deep to dust ♪
♪ vocalizing ♪
- Damon, we can appeal your conviction.
And this time, we don't have to play by the rules.
We'll do whatever's necessary to win.
- You did your best, Jax.
But it's over.
Aight? We ain't in this together no more.
I'm inside and you're out there.
You can't be in this with me.
This is my time to serve now.
- But--
- One day we gonna see each other again,
and you're gonna barely remember who I am, but--
I ain't never gonna forget you. JAX: I'm--
I'm not ready to let you go.
- Yeah, but you're about to become some badass lawyer chick.
[Jax chuckles softly]
And I'm just gonna be some dude you once defended.
- Well, you'll always mean more than that to me.
- What if I'm not?
What if at the end of the day, I'm just
a criminal?
♪
- Damon.
♪
I-- - It's okay. I, uh--
I already know.
At least now I do.
♪
Later, Fairfax.
♪
I'm sorry...
♪
...Jax.
♪
[door buzzes]
♪
[tires screech] [thuds]
♪
- Hey. You okay? Can you open the door?
♪
Don't worry.
I got you.
I'm Lewis.
♪
[line ringing]
- Hey.
You busy?
♪ theme music playing ♪
♪