最后判决 (1998) 6.0

Merle Hammond: [questioning Gwen on the witness stand, during Damon Benning's trial for the murder of her brother George]

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... So your brother had this open and honest friendship with the defendant, except for the part about him enjoying sex with men.

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Art DeSoto: Objection, Your Honor! The Defense's job is not to make snide comments. Judge Czarneki: [dangerously] Sustained. Mr. Hammond - Merle Hammond: I apologize, Your Honor. I'm merely trying to clarify Miss Saticoy's definition of "open and honest." Judge Czarneki: [sternly] So noted. Move on. Merle Hammond: [his summation at Damon Benning's trial for George Saticoy's murder] ... Two men, friends since high school. Same intelligence, same sense of humor. But there were differences: Damon Benning chose a family man's life... wife, children, church... He wrote children's books for a living; George Saticoy went with an alternative lifestyle... one that eventually left him with a disease that would ravage his mind and body, and finally kill him. 20 years after these two similar-but-different men became friends, one had averything to live for; the other had nothing to lose. The prosecution would have you believe that my client killed in cold blood, that his story of self-defense was a bald-faced lie. I pose this question: If Mr. Benning were to lie, why would he tell THAT one? Couldn't he just say he shot at someone he thought was an intruder? Mr. Benning told a story that was quite specific, and quite horrifying: that his long-time friend, who was gay, had threatened him with an HIV infection. Now, the prosecution claims that there would be no reason for Mr. Benning to react as he said he did; that, given George Saticoy's size and fading strength, the defendant was in no danger. Well, let me ask you this: If you were threatened with the scourge of this century, with a disease of PANDEMIC proportions, a disease which is a DEATH SENTENCE, how clearly would you think? How reasonably would you react? How afraid would you become? And what would you do to save your life from a man who had already lost most of his? Faher Halligan: [after Damon is acquitted for George's murder, Gwen is asked to resign from teaching at her Catholic grammar-school] ... Gwen, you know all of us have been moved by your courage during this trying time in your life. Last night, the Board of Directors decided to reward you with a sabatical, so that you could have time to heal properly. Gwen Saticoy: I thought the summer vacation would do that. Faher Halligan: In my experience, a trial such as the one you've been through can take a long while to heal. Gwen Saticoy: So this "healing period" would overlap next year's school calendar? Faher Halligan: Well, much as that would be a disappointment to us all, we're willing to sacrifice your tremendous services for the sake of your well-being. Gwen Saticoy: [realizes that, in effect, she's being fired] Not to mention the sake of St. Augustine's coffers. What happened, Father Halligan? Did the contributors threaten to cancel those big checks if I'm still teaching their kids? Faher Halligan: What the contributors did or didn't do is entirely beside the point. Gwen Saticoy: On the contrary, I believe it entirely IS the point. Faher Halligan: I TOLD them what a fine teacher you are, and how lucky the school is to have you. In the end, there was nothing else I could do. Gwen Saticoy: Wasn't there?

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Merle Hammond