Interogatoriu M. Crowe

THE INTERROGATION OF MICHAEL CROWE
Written by
Alan Hines
AS PRODUCED
INT. POLICE STATION/INTERVIEW ROOM - LATE DAY
CLAYTOR
It's Michael, right?
MICHAEL
Yes.
CLAYTOR
Crowe?
MICHAEL
Yes.
CLAYTOR
Okay, Mike. My name is Ralph Claytor.
CLAYTOR (CONT'D)
I'm a detective with the Escondido
Police Department. I work in the
homicide unit.
(a moment)
Okay. So what I'd like to do, Mike,
is go over some of the details of
what's happened and get your side of
the story. Is that okay?
MICHAEL
Yes.
CLAYTOR
Okay. What I'd like to do is just
make sure you understand what your
rights are.
CLAYTOR (CONT'D)
You have the right to remain silent.
Do you understand that?
MICHAEL
Yes.
CLAYTOR
Okay. Anything you say may be used
against you in court. Do you
understand that?
MICHAEL
Yes.
CLAYTOR
You have the right to the presence
of an attorney. Do you understand?
MICHAEL
Yes.
The Interrogation of Michael Crowe As Produced 2.
CLAYTOR
If you can't afford an attorney, one
will be appointed free of charge
before we question you. Do you
understand that?
MICHAEL
Yes.
INT. POLICE STATION/INTERVIEW ROOM - LATER
CLAYTOR
Have you talked to anyone else about
this? Any of your friends?
MICHAEL
Yeah. My friend, Josh. Josh
Treadway.
CLAYTOR
Did you jokingly tell Josh anything?
CLAYTOR (CONT'D)
That you were involved; that you had
something to do with it?
MICHAEL
No.
EXT. CROWE HOUSE - DAY
CLAYTOR (V.O.)
What I'd like you to do is just tell
me what you know about this.
MICHAEL
I'd stayed home from school Monday.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
And again on Tuesday, because I had
bronchitis.
INT. CROWE HOUSE - DAY
CHERYL (CALLING)
Hey, Michael - soup's on!
SHANNON
Mom, what do you mean 'soup'?
CHERYL
It's just an expression, honey.
INT. CROWE HOUSE/MICHAEL'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
SHANNON
Michael - pizza's here!
MICHAEL
(without looking up)
I told you to knock first.
STEPHANIE
We're eating, so come on.
STEPHANIE (CONT'D)
(re: dirty plate)
There's fungus on here.
STEPHANIE (CONT'D)
You're so filthy!
MICHAEL
I saw Mrs. Abbott at the video store -
She says you blab too much in class.
STEPHANIE
She did not. She'd never say that!
MICHAEL
(mimicking)
She'd never say that.
STEPHANIE
At least I don't get D's and F's.
MICHAEL
At least I'm not a blabbermouth.
STEPHEN
OKAY, COME ON, GUYS; WE'RE READY TO EAT -
(BEFORE MICHAEL CAN SPEAK)
And no, Michael, you're not going to eat in here. So let's

go.
INT. CROWE HOUSE/FAMILY ROOM - LATER
STEPHANIE
I got an A+ on my English paper.
CHERYL
Good for you!
STEPHANIE
Only Stacy Sandler and me did --
MICHAEL
And I -- Stacy Sandler and I.
STEPHEN
I went to pick up the photos today
and they said they lost them.
CHERYL
Really?
STEPHEN
Yeah, he said they filed them under
someone else's name.
STEPHEN (CONT'D)
Okay Stephanie, Shannon... Let me
get a picture of you guys. Come on,
you too, Michael. The three of you.
STEPHEN (CONT'D)
Come on, humor me - It'll take two
seconds.
SHANNON
Take it of me - me...!
CHERYL
Okay kids, try and act like you love
each other.
STEPHEN
Yeah, I know it's tough.
STEPHEN (CONT'D)
There you go.
SHANNON
Revenge!
ON STEPHEN AND CHERYL
STEPHEN
Okay, only one for us.
INT. CROWE HOUSE/FAMILY ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

MICHAEL
See? Variables stand for a number.
The name variable is picked because
it can stand for different numbers
at different times.
INT. CROWE HOUSE/CHERYL AND STEPHEN'S ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
CHERYL
I hope you aren't getting Michael's
bug.
STEPHEN
Nah. No, it's just a headache.
(re: Michael)
Is he studying?
CHERYL
He's helping Stephanie.
CHERYL (CONT'D)
He's a smart kid --
STEPHEN
I know that. That's not the issue.
CHERYL
Honey, it's freshman year - You
remember what freshman year was like
for me --
STEPHEN
Come on, Cheryl, you don't have to
make excuses for him.
CHERYL
I'm not making excuses for him. ...I
think that thing the other night
with his teachers was really good.
CHERYL (CONT'D)
He promised he was going to study
harder, and they said they'd challenge
him more.
(then)
They said he could be doing college
work.
STEPHEN
Right, that's why he's pulling D's?
CHERYL
He's bored.
STEPHEN
Bored? Well welcome to the world. I
get bored, too, painting cars all
day long but that's just life, it's
a part of living... growing up.
He's gotta show some responsibility.
CHERYL
Well, we took away that PlayStation
thing.
STEPHEN
Frankly, I don't even think he needs
that. He can play those games in his
head.
CHERYL
Honey, look at you, that's gorgeous!
(MORE)
CHERYL (CONT'D)
(to Stephen)
That's the dress for the volunteer
banquet - the library thing.
STEPHEN
Ah...
(re: pencil halves)
Get those out, you're going ot hurt
yourself.
STEPHEN (CONT'D)
Come here. You're always joking.
You look real pretty, sweetheart.
CHERYL
Now go change so this dress still
looks like new.
STEPHANIE
Night, Mommy, night, Daddy --
STEPHEN
Good night.
STEPHANIE
I love you.
CHERYL
Love you, too.
STEPHEN
Brush your teeth.
STEPHANIE
I will.
INT. CROWE HOUSE/CHERYL AND STEPHEN'S ROOM - LATER

STEPHEN
(finally)
It's just the cat.
MICHAEL (V.O.)
I went to sleep.
INT. POLICE STATION/INTERVIEW ROOM - BACK TO SCENE
MICHAEL
I don't know how long after, but the
next thing - there was a pounding
coming from somewhere. I thought
someone was knocking on the door and
someone had got it ... so I went
back to sleep.
INT. CROWE HOUSE/MICHAEL'S BEDROOM - NIGHT - FLASHBACK
MICHAEL (V.O.)
The next thing I remember - I woke
up with a bad headache. I turned
onthe TV so I could see because it
was dark. The clock said 4:30.
INT. CROWE HOUSE/HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER
MICHAEL (V.O.)
So I got up and opened my door and I
went to the kitchen to get something
for my headache.
INT. CROWE HOUSE/KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
MICHAEL (V.O.)
I got a glass of milk, some Tylenol
and I took that back to my room --
INT. POLICE STATION/INTERVIEW ROOM - BACK TO SCENE
MICHAEL
-- and I took the Tylenol and drank
the milk. I turned off my TV, shut
the door and went to sleep.
CLAYTOR
When you were coming back - do you
remember if Shannon's door was open
or shut?
MICHAEL
I remember when I walked back all
the doors - I pretty much remember
them all being shut.
CLAYTOR
The door of Stephanie's room, too?
MICHAEL
Yes. I think that was shut.
INT. CROWE HOUSE/CHERYL AND STEPHEN'S ROOM - DAY - FLASHBACK
INT. CROWE HOUSE/HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER
STEPHEN (O.S.)
Oh God!
INT. CROWE HOUSE/MICHAEL'S BEDROOM/HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
STEPHEN
Oh God! No! No. Oh my God!
PUSHING CLOSER - FROM MICHAEL'S POV
STEPHEN (CONT'D)
Cheryl...!
CHERYL
No! My baby! Oh my God! No!
STEPHEN
She's not breathing.
CHERYL
Stephen -- She's so cold!
ON MICHAEL - VERY CLOSELY
STEPHEN (ON PHONE)

It's my daughter-- she's lying on
the floor. She's not breathing.
There's blood all over the place. --
Please, someone's gotta help her!
My daughter's dead!
CHERYL
Please, Michael -- Please do
something! Somebody do something!
My baby!
STEPHEN
1475 - 14750 Valley Central Road -
Please they've got to get here fast!
EXT. CROWE HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER
INT. CROWE HOUSE/FAMILY ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
OFFICER GRANT
Nobody talk to each other.
CLAYTOR
Who all was here?
OFFICER VALINSKY
Just the immediate family.
CLAYTOR
They inside?
OFFICER VALINSKY
Yes sir. ..Betesh and Walden walked
off the perimeter of the house - No
sign of forced entry.
INT. CROWE HOUSE/FOYER/HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
OFFICER GRANT
Some of the window screens were bent,
they've got dust and cobwebs on them;
they haven't been moved. One entry
was unlocked -- it's a sliding door
in the master bedroom.
OFFICER VALINSKY
Someone could have come through there.
CLAYTOR
Maybe. ...Maybe not.
INT. CROWE HOUSE - DAY - LATER
TECHNICIAN
It's highly likely that the killer,
or killers, was splattered with blood
during the attack.
EXT. CROWE HOUSE - DAY - LATER
STANTON
Strange looking guy, dirty-blonde
hair. Roaming the neighborhood last
night. When I asked him what he wanted
he said he was looking for someone
named Tracy.
NEIGHBOR
Yeah, he knocked on my door, too.
Looking for this Tracy.
STANTON
12:30 I saw him standing in the
driveway here, looking toward the
house. I told him to go away. Then I
called 911.
EXT. CROWE HOUSE - LATER
SHANNON
I want to go with Mommy!
CHERYL
Let us stay together! Why can't I
see my kids!
OFFICER GRANT
We have to separate you to take you
to the station. It's standard
procedure.
CHERYL
No! No! You can't take my kids.
You can't take my babies. You can't
take my kids.
CHERYL (CONT'D)
I need my kids!
SHANNON
Mom!
CHERYL
Please...
INT. POLICE STATION/DETECTIVE'S OFFICE #1 - LATER
DETECTIVE FARBER
((re: drawing)
Good. So that's your room and
Stephanie's down here?
(when Shannon nods)
Whose bedroom is this?
SHANNON
It's Michael's.
DETECTIVE FARBER
Did your sister have any boyfriends?
SHANNON
She has lots of friends.
DETECTIVE FARBER
Anyone in particular that you can
think of maybe didn't like her?
INT. POLICE STATION/DETECTIVE'S OFFICE #2 - SAME
WRISLEY
Would she confide in you and tell
you things -- ? Personal things?
MICHAEL
Usually.
WRISLEY
And she recently hasn't come to you
and told you any problems that she
was having with somebody?
MICHAEL
No.
WRISLEY
Any problems between her and your
folks?
MICHAEL
No.
WRISLEY
Anything you ever notice between
your dad and her? Anything that was
maybe kind of - "not right"?
MICHAEL
No, not at all.
INT. POLICE STATION/LUNCHROOM - SAME
CHERYL
I need to see my kids.
BAKER
MRS. CROWE -
CHERYL
(frantic)
I don't understand - Where are my
kids? Where is my husband?!
BAKER
We have to talk to each of you
separately first.
(a moment)
Now you were saying: something woke
you...?
CHERYL (FINALLY)
A sound - Like the bedroom door
opening. I figured it was the cat.
DETECTIVE
Was your daughter sexually active?
CHERYL
She's twelve years old. She's a twelve
year old little girl.
INT. POLICE STATION/INTERVIEW ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
STEPHEN
She was very outgoing, very - well-
liked. She just got an award at school -
she won the Citizenship Award.
BAKER
Who'd want to hurt her?
STEPHEN
There's no one. No - I wouldn't
know anyone - she was twelve years
old.
BAKER
What kind of relationship would you
say you had with your daughter? Would
you say you were close?
STEPHEN
She was --
BAKER
Would you say there's been anything
about your behavior that someone
might look at and characterize as
unsuitable - or say - inappropriate?
STEPHEN
No, of course not. Of course not.
STEPHEN (CONT'D)
Officer, my little girl was been
killed. She was killed in my own
home. And I didn't stop it. I
couldn't do anything about it.
INT. POLICE STATION/CONFERENCE ROOM - LATE DAY - LATER
CHERYL
Stephen, how can they even for one
minute think you had anything - that
you could have done this -- !
STEPHEN
Listen, they're saying now that they
want to take pictures of us.
STEPHEN (CONT'D) (CONT'D)

Detective, no. No more today --
WRISLEY
Mister Crowe, this will help us to
eliminate all of the family members.
STEPHEN
No, I'm telling you. That's it.
We're not going through any more
here today.
WRISLEY
Well fine. You can either cooperate
or you can wait in a cell until we
get a court order. Either or. It
could take days.
STEPHEN
(to Michael and Shannon)
Listen guys. They're saying they
want -- Michael. Michael!
STEPHEN (CONT'D)
Listen, they're telling me that they
just want to take some photographs
of us now. Okay, so that's alright.
We'll just do that. Okay, we'll
just do that. Okay, we'll just do
like they say.
CHERYL
Right. It's the police. They're
here to help us.
INT. POLICE STATION/DETECTIVE'S OFFICE #2 - MOMENTS LATER
INT. POLICE STATION/DETECTIVE'S OFFICE #1 - LATER
MICHAEL
Josh..? Stephanie's dead. She's
dead.
(very upset)
Someone broke in and killed her. I
saw her laying there on the floor...
INT. POLICE STATION/CONFERENCE ROOM - LATE DAY
WRISLEY
We've got a few more questions for
you guys. You want to go with
Detective Farber a moment?
STEPHEN
It's okay. You can go ahead.
STEPHEN (CONT'D)
Go ahead, we'll see you in a minute.
It's okay, sweetie.
WRISLEY
We're taking your children into
protective custody.
STEPHEN
What?! Protective custody?! What
the hell! Protective custody from
who?! You people have done nothing
but lie to me all day.
WRISLEY
With an in-house killing it's standard
to take the surviving children to a
shelter.
STEPHEN
They've just lost their sister --
STEPHEN (CONT'D)
I want to see my kids! I want you
to bring me my kids right now!
CHERYL
Stephen -- !
CHERYL (CONT'D)
If they're going to find who did
this to Stephanie - we have to do
what we can to help.
INT. POLICE STATION/ENTRY - MOMENTS LATER
MICHAEL
Mom, Dad, don't -- Don't let them
take us - please.
CHERYL
It's gonna be okay.
SHANNON
I don't want to go, Mommy --
CHERYL
These guys are - they're good guys.
(hugging them)
And we're going to get you just as
soon as we can.
SHANNON
Daddy.
STEPHEN
It's okay, honey - your mom's right -
okay, it's alright.
CHERYL
I know it's hard, I need for you to
be very strong. The police are here -
They're doing everthing they can to
do their job and we have to trust
them - and they're going to do what's
best.
STEPHEN
That's right.
CHERYL
And we love you so much.
STEPHEN
We love you very much.
CHERYL
We love you both so very much. So
much.
CHERYL (CONT'D)
It's alright.
STEPHEN
It's okay, Michael.
CHERYL
We love you, honey.
STEPHEN
We love you. You be strong, Mike.
CHERYL
We love you.
STEPHEN
We love you.
CHERYL
We love you. We'll get you soon.
CHERYL (CONT'D)
No! No!
INT. POLICE STATION - NIGHT - LATER
CHERYL
Stephen.
TUITE
(answering the Officer)
I don't mind. I just want to help
you guys out any way I can.
DETECTIVE FARBER
Mister Crowe..? Your brother --
STEPHEN
Stephanie - Stephanie's dead, David,
My little girl's dead.
DAVID
I know.
JILL
They wouldn't let us see you sooner.
CHERYL
They took Michael and Shannon--
DAVID
What?!
CHERYL
They say they have to keep them --
DAVID
Come on. We're taking you back to
our place...
INT. POLICE STATION/DETECTIVE'S OFFICE #2 - MOMENTS LATER
BAKER
Richard Tuite? I'm Detective Baker
BAKER (CONT'D)
Do you remember we talked to you
down here yesterday?
(no response)
About those girls that you followed
into that apartment complex?
BAKER (CONT'D)
This is something different. Richard,
a lot of folks up Valley Center Road
claim they saw someone with your
description wandering around there
last night. Were you?
(no response)
Who's Tracy, Richard?
TUITE
My girlfriend.
BAKER
She live up that way?
TUITE
Sometimes she does.
BAKER
And were you looking for her last
night?
INT. POLICE STATION - LATER

BAKER
Richard, we have to keep your clothes
for testing. So you can just keep
these brand new ones. Is that okay?
TUITE
Okay.
BAKER
Okay. We're letting you go.
BAKER (CONT'D)
And I don't want to see you in here
again.
INT. CHILDREN'S CENTER/BEDROOM - NIGHT
MICHAEL
Will our parents be coming, too?
SOCIAL WORKER
We'll see what happens in the morning.
SHANNON
I want my mommy - I want Mommy.
MICHAEL
It's okay. It's okay.
SOCIAL WORKER
Now. There are a couple blankets
there. If you need anything, someone
will be down the hall at the desk.
MICHAEL
It's okay.
INT. DAVID AND JILL'S HOUSE/GUEST ROOM - NIGHT - LATER
DAVID
Some clothes for in the morning.
(then)
If you need anything - anything at
all...
CHERYL
I don't think I can bear this.
(silence)
I don't think I can bear this.
CHERYL (CONT'D)
(her emotions welling)
I don't think I can bear this...
INT. POLICE STATION - DAY
CHERYL
I don't understand. What do you
mean we can't see them or talk to
them -- ?
STEPHEN
Why would you separate children from
their parents?!
CLAYTOR
It's pretty much routine in cases
like these.
CHERYL
But - at a time like this?
STEPHEN
With what they've been through?
CHERYL
Detective, how are my children
supposed to understand - They're so
young - They need us.
CLAYTOR
Mister Crowe, we're going to want to
talk to you again later today.
EXT. TREADWAY HOUSE/PORCH - DAY - LATER
BAKER
Josh Treadway?
ZACHERY
Josh, who is it?
INT. TREADWAY HOUSE/JOSH'S BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER
BAKER
What's this?
ZACHERY
A wood-carving project I'm doing for
school.
JOSH (O.S.)
... He says he just wants to ask me
some questions.
BAKER
Whose is this?
ZACHERY
The knife? My brother's.
JOSH
My mom's on her way home.
BAKER
That's fine - this is just routine.
We're just going around and talking
to some of Michael's friends.
EXT. CROWE HOUSE - DAY - LATER
OFFICER GRANT
We've pretty much finished searching
the area. Found an Igloo cooler and
an old pair of old blue socks. But
no knife.
CLAYTOR
Keep looking.
INT. CROWE HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER
OFFICER VALINSKY
Anything we should know about?
CLAYTOR
Autopsy showed eight stab wounds.
OFFICER VALINSKY
Was she molested?
CLAYTOR
No. No evidence of it.
OFFICER GRANT
Detective, there's something I think
you should see in here...
INT. CROWE HOUSE/MICHAEL'S ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
CLAYTOR
"FINAL FANTASY SEVEN" - "GAUNTLET" -
OFFICER GRANT
(re: a particular one)
Here's another one he did himself -
it's all about Dungeons and Dragons...
Here - look at that.
(reading the page)
"Many have entered, none have left
alive."
ON CLAYTOR - CLOSELY
INT. POLICE STATION/INTERVIEW ROOM - DAY
CLAYTOR
You know, we're really trying to
believe what you say. ...Would you
have any problem taking a truth
verification exam?
CLAYTOR (CONT'D)
(brisk)
What's the problem, Mike?
MICHAEL
(defeated)
I feel like - I just feel like--
CLAYTOR
Tell me what you feel like.
MICHAEL
I've spent all day away from my
family. I feel like I'm being treated
like I killed my sister, but I didn't --
CLAYTOR
Mike, you need to trust me on this -
This is going to work out. Like I
told you, I'm not blaming anyone.
We're just trying to get to the truth.
CLAYTOR (CONT'D)
Mike, this is Chris McDonough. Chris
is with the Oceanside Police
Department.
MCDONOUGH
Hey, Michael.
MCDONOUGH
How you doing, pal?
MICHAEL
I don't know.
MCDONOUGH
Pretty hard? Okay. ...I have a son
who's fourteen. If my son ever did
something, which he has - He took
some candy out of the store and got
caught. And the hardest thing for
him to do was - what do you think?
MICHAEL
Admit it.
MCDONOUGH
Yeah. Have you ever heard the saying
"no man got to the top of the mountain
by falling there?" How does a man
get to the top of a mountain?
MICHAEL
He's got to climb.
MCDONOUGH
Yeah, you've got to climb. But
sometimes that's difficult. Sometimes
things get out of control, and
sometimes -- Just like anything else,
nobody likes to say yeah I made a
mistake. I mean, do you? Of course
not. But it doesn't make you a bad
person, does it? Of course not.
MCDONOUGH
This instrument is what they call a
computer voice stress analyzer.
It's so accurate - it was controlled by the government for a

long time because it's so accurate.
(a moment)
If you had done this, would you tell
us?
MICHAEL
Yes.
MCDONOUGH
And why?
MICHAEL
Because if I did this, I mean, I'd
have to be out of my mind - I would
feel like I would need to be punished.
MCDONOUGH
Punished or helped? Punishment's a
harsh word.
MICHAEL
If I did that I should be punished
because - I mean, once you've done
that, you can't forget it. I don't
believe that it's possible to ever
forget it.
MCDONOUGH
Kind of grinds on you, doesn't it.
MICHAEL
Yeah.
MCDONOUGH
Almost like a cancer. Eventually -
the only freedom an individual gets
is - You have to let it go.
MICHAEL
Yeah.
MCDONOUGH
MCDONOUGH
I sense that there's something there
that we need to talk about. I'm being
honest with you. Okay. Now, I don't
know because I'm not in your mind.
(MORE)
MCDONOUGH (CONT'D)
Okay. But I mean if there is something
that we should be aware of, you know,
I'm a pretty good guy. You obviously
can sense that.
MICHAEL
Yeah.
MCDONOUGH
(re: machine)
This will help. It's a tool. And
it won't lie.
MCDONOUGH
Is the wall gray?
MICHAEL
Yes.
MCDONOUGH
Are you sitting down?
MICHAEL
Yes.
MCDONOUGH
A little louder. Are you sitting
down?
MICHAEL
Yes.
MCDONOUGH
Do you know who took Stephanie's
life?
MICHAEL
No.
MCDONOUGH
Is today Thursday?
MICHAEL
Yes.
MCDONOUGH
Did you take Stephanie's life?
MICHAEL
No.
MICHAEL
I don't know why it says I was lying
right there. I was being truthful.
MCDONOUGH
Michael, these investigators out at
your house, they're top notch.
They're going to find all sorts of
stuff and you know that.
MICHAEL
I know.
(upset)
DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE -
I'm being told that I'm lying and I'm not lying.
MCDONOUGH
Michael, I'm not saying that.
MICHAEL
I don't know who did this - I swear!
MCDONOUGH
One of the investigators told they
found some hair - Whoever did this,
she pulled some hair. What if it's
your hair?
MICHAEL
It couldn't be.
MCDONOUGH
I'm just saying what if it is?
MCDONOUGH (CONT'D)
Do you want some wahter or something?
MICHAEL
No, I'm fine. I just want --
MCDONOUGH
You want this over with?
MICHAEL
I want this over with.
MCDONOUGH
I want this over with for you, too.
Look. What if they come back and say
to you, "Michael, we found your hair
in her hand." Hypothetically, could
that have happened?
MICHAEL
No, not that I know of.
MCDONOUGH
Not that you know of?
MICHAEL
Like I said, I would have to be
completely unaware of it.
MCDONOUGH
(kindly)
Have you ever blacked out before?
MICHAEL
No, never!
MCDONOUGH
What are you pushing back?
MICHAEL
Nothing.
MCDONOUGH
I can see you're tightening up,
like you're fighting yourself.
MICHAEL
I'm just trying to get through this.
I loved her. I loved her deeply.
MCDONOUGH
I know you did. I mean, this is your
sister. We understand that.
INT. DAVID AND JILL'S HOUSE/KITCHEN - NIGHT
CHERYL
I called the police station tonight
to see if I could --
(needing a moment)
Stephanie and I found the cutest
little dress for that banquet. It
was so cute... and I called them to
see if I could get it - so she could
be buried in it.
(distant)
They have her things - her clothes...
All her things.
JILL
What did they say?
JILL (CONT'D)
Oh, Cheryl...
CHERYL
I can't help it but think about her
there --
(her voice breaking)
Where they have her. ...All alone.
CHERYL (CONT'D)
And I can't help it, I keep thinking
that she's never going to go to New
York, like she always talked about --
Did you know she wanted to do that?
JILL
Yes. She told me.
CHERYL
And she's never going to graduate;
and she's never going to go to college
herself; and she's never going to
get married - have kids.
CHERYL (CONT'D)
I've lived here my whole life - I
always thought it was safe. Oh my
baby, I'm so sorry!
INT. POLICE STATION/INTERVIEW ROOM - NIGHT
CLAYTOR
Mike, let me explain a few things.
We have a lot of things going for us
in the way of technology. We do
things like - we don't just get the
type of hair and the color of hair.
We go all the way to the roots and
we get things like the DNA.
(then)
With the DNA we can tell the exact
person with a 99.9 percent accuracy.
CLAYTOR
YOU REMEMBER THERE WAS A LOT OF BLOOD. IT'S VERY DIFFICULT -
CLAYTOR
Mike. Hey Mike. Mike. Ou need to
stay with me- it's very difficult
for the person who did it not to get
blood on them and not to transfer
that blood to other parts of the
house.
(going in for the
kill)
We found blood in your room already.
MICHAEL
God! Where did you find it?
CLAYTOR
I'm sure you know. It's easy to make
mistakes in the dark.
MICHAEL
God! Oh God!
CLAYTOR
Rather than put our team through any
more, can you tell me what you did
with the knife?
MICHAEL
No. I don't know. I didn't do this.
CLAYTOR
Does that mean you can't tell me
about the knife?
MICHAEL
I don't know what you're talking
about!
CLAYTOR
You're fourteen?
MICHAEL
Yes.
CLAYTOR
You've got your whole life ahead of
you, don't you?
MICHAEL
I don't know if I have it anymore.
CLAYTOR
(pressing)
Mike, why did this happen?
MICHAEL
I'm going to throw up.
CLAYTOR
Are you getting sick?
MICHAEL
I didn't do it.
CLAYTOR
You need to help me here, Mike.
(beat; sharper)
You need to help me here, Mike!
MICHAEL
I know. I would but I didn't do this.
I didn't. This is horrible.
CLAYTOR
You know what, it is terrible. But
you know what else, we can live
through it. You can live through it.
MICHAEL
I didn't do this. I didn't. God!
CLAYTOR
And you know what else? We can help
you with that. But you need to help
us understand how to help you. Now
just because a person makes a mistake
and does something bad --
MICHAEL
Oh God!
CLAYTOR
-- A, it doesn't mean that the world
comes to an end, and B, it doesn't
mean that you're a bad person.
MICHAEL
Oh God. God.
CLAYTOR
Good people do bad things.
MICHAEL
Why are you doing this to me? I didn't
do this! If I did - I don't remember
it.
CLAYTOR
(chilling)
You know what? That's possible. Have
you ever blacked out before?
MICHAEL
Not that I know of.
(beat)
What's going to happen to me now?
Even though I don't even know that I
did it. What's going to happen?
CLAYTOR
I'm going to try everything the system
can muster to help you through this.
And you know what? It can be done.
MICHAEL
God! God! God! My whole life is
just down the drain now and I don't
even remember.
INT. CHILDREN'S CENTER/CORRIDOR - NIGHT - LATER
ON MICHAEL - CLOSELY
INT. CHILDREN'S CENTER/BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
SHANNON
Michael, you were gone so long - I
didn't know where you were.
SHANNON (CONT'D)
What's wrong?
SHANNON (CONT'D)
Michael, where were you?
MICHAEL
They think I did it.
INT. POLICE STATION/INTERVIEW ROOM -
WRISLEY
(friendly)
The reason you're back today is
because we feel there's evidence
that warrants us talking to you in
greater detail.
MICHAEL
Okay.
WRISLEY
It really doesn't matter to me whether
we even get that far - We can just
talk about you. Quite frankly, that's
more interesting than that other
stuff, for me. ...How do you feel
about that?
MICHAEL
I don't know. Just that last night
was the worst night of my life.
WRISLEY
Okay, why?
MICHAEL
Have you ever had any of your siblings
killed?
INT. FUNERAL HOME/VIEWING ROOM - LATE DAY
FUNERAL DIRECTOR
So we're all set for day after
tomorrow. After the service we'll
proceed from the church to the
cemetery...
FUNERAL DIRECTOR (CONT'D)

Just take all the time you want.
CHERYL
THOUGHT THIS DRESS -
STEPHEN
(barely audible)
It's pretty. She looks pretty.
INT. POLICE STATION/INTERVIEW ROOM - LATE DAY
WRISLEY
Once everybody understands I know
that people will be able to forgive.
MICHAEL
But I didn't do it.
WRISLEY
The good part of Michael didn't do
it. The Michael who helps her with
her math.
MICHAEL
I didn't do this.
CLAYTOR
You know what I think?
CLAYTOR (CONT'D)
(matter-of-factly)
I kind of think there's two parts to
Michael. The part who loved your
sister and did good for your sister,
and then the other part that's not
so good and that unconsciously comes
out.
MICHAEL
If that's true - That's the most
horrible thought in the world!
CLAYTOR (CALMLY)
What's your greatest fear right now?
MICHAEL
That I'm crazy. There's someone else
inside of me, and I don't know who
they are - or what they do, and they
could lock me up for something I
can't even remember, for a very long
time.
CLAYTOR
I'm not really sure that locking you
up is the answer. You know what else?
MICHAEL
What?
CLAYTOR
We don't do that to fourteen-year-
olds.
MICHAEL
What do you do to them?
CLAYTOR
We look for understanding, and we
try to help. But it's a two-way
street. You cooperate with me. I
cooperate with you.
MICHAEL
I wish I could help you, but I don't
know what happened. I swear to you.
WRISLEY
Mike. Did Shannon kill Stephanie?
MICHAEL
No.
WRISLEY
Why not?
MICHAEL
She's much too sweet for that.
WRISLEY
What about your mom?
WRISLEY (CONT'D)
How are you so sure?
MICHAEL
Because I just don't want to think
that.
WRISLEY
Well, you've got to help us out here,
Michael, because we have a
responsibility to Stephanie. We have
to think who in that house was capable
of doing this. What about your dad?
MICHAEL
No! He couldn't have!
WRISLEY
(bearing down)
We can prove that nobody came in the
house. All the doors were locked -
the windows showed no signs of being
entered. We know that the person who
did it was inside that house.
(then)
Now it's either Shannon - Or it's
your mom - Or it's your dad... Or
it's you.
MICHAEL
I don't want it to be anyone else in
my family. I don't want it to be me,
but you say the evidence points toward
me --
(then)
I can't remember. You're asking me
questions I can't remember.
INT. POLICE STATION/INTERVIEW ROOM - NIGHT - LATER
CLAYTOR
Mike, look at me. It's not that you
don't remember - It's that you
selectively remember.
(hard)
Mike, this has been going on now for
a couple of days.
CLAYTOR (CONT'D) (CONT'D)

You're sharp enough to have planned
that out very well, and you know
what, son? I'm reaching the point to
where I'm not buying it anymore.
(then)
Think very seriously because there's
two paths - the path of punishment
which is jail, or the path that says,
hey, I'm sorry for what I did.
CLAYTOR (CONT'D)
I've seen genuine tears, and you
know what, son? I don't see them,
okay. I see the eyes of a child who
is willing to sit here in front of
two adults and say "I can pull this
selective memory and get away with
it."
MICHAEL
If you say I'm guilty, I must be. I
want to go down that one path, but I
can't.
CLAYTOR
Cut it out, Mike. Quite frankly,
this is not a video game. This is
reality based. Okay. This interactive
game is reality-based, and there's
only two paths, only two.
WRISLEY
Maybe it would help if you just
started talking.
CLAYTOR
Mike. The reason I'm beginning to
sound impatient, Mike, is the eleventh
hour is rapidly approaching. We put
a rush on some things that, quite
frankly, are going to bury you, my
friend. And you need to head that
off at the pass. Let's hear it, Mike.
MICHAEL
I wish I could. I can't. What's the
worst thing that could happen to me?
WRISLEY
The worst thing is not saying what
happened and you live with this for
the rest of your life.
CLAYTOR
That's the worst conceivable thing.
MICHAEL
What will they do with me?
WRISLEY
The one path you could be locked
away for a considerable amount of
time. The other path we can see what
we can do to help you live with you.
(then)
Right now, Mike, you're sitting here
all by yourself. Whatever happens,
What got you here is loneliness. Let
us come into your room and let us
help you out.
WRISLEY (CONT'D)
Michael, that's not the kind of life
you want. That's not the kind of
life you saw your sister leading.
CLAYTOR
Have you ever seen a prison yard?
MICHAEL
No.
CLAYTOR
I've been there, okay. You shower,
you take a crap, you take a leak in
the presence of hundreds of other
people who you don't from Adam, okay.
You do some things that - some of
Your most private and intimate things
are going to be done in front of
prison guards. You have no privacy,
okay.
(then)
We don't want that to happen. What
we want is we want you over here
where you can get some help.
(then)
Time's up. These people are rushing
me here.
MICHAEL
I want to go back now.
WRISLEY
Are we out of here, Mike?
MICHAEL
I guess. Eventually some day I will
be able to tell you.
WRISLEY
You ought to do it now, man.
CLAYTOR
Mike --
WRISLEY
Tomorrow's not going to work.
CLAYTOR
No, it won't work.
WRISLEY
Because the reality is if it didn't
come up tonight, it ain't never going
to come up.
MICHAEL
What I tell you tonight won't be
true.
CLAYTOR
You're at the crossroads. What do
you have to tell me?
WRISLEY
Tell us the story, Michael.
MICHAEL
Okay. I'm telling you right now,
I'll have to make it up.
WRISLEY
Tell us the story.
MICHAEL
Okay. This is true. I am extremely
jealous of my sister.
WRISLEY
Okay.
MICHAEL
She's always had a lot of friends.
Good friends. People my age. I mean,
all the popular girls and stuff like
that. That's true, okay?
CLAYTOR
Let me know when you get to the lie
part.
MICHAEL
Okay. Here's where I'll start lying.
That night I got pissed off; I
couldn't take it anymore. So I got a
knife, went in and I stabbed her.
Then I pulled her off the bed -
CLAYTOR
How many times did you stab her?
MICHAEL
This is going to be a lie: three
times. I hate telling you that.
CLAYTOR
Well, tell me what the truth is.
MICHAEL
(in anguish)
The only reason I'm trying to lie -
You presented me with two paths --!
CLAYTOR
How about beginning at the beginning.
Where did you get the knife?
MICHAEL
I don't know.
CLAYTOR
What did you do with the knife
afterwards?
MICHAEL
Do you want me to lie?
CLAYTOR
I want details. Details. Not your
hollow lying.
INT. POLICE STATION/CONFERENCE ROOM - LATER
INT. DAVID AND JILL'S HOUSE/KITCHEN - NIGHT - LATER
STEPHEN
(on phone)
Hello? Yes... Yes, this is he...
CHERYL
Stephen, what's he saying - ?
STEPHEN
What is it? What's he saying?
STEPHEN (CONT'D)
Yes.
(long beat)
You have?
(another long beat)
A confession?
STEPHEN (CONT'D)
Who is it - Who did it?
ON STEPHEN - VERY CLOSELY
CHERYL
Stephen..? What? Tell me. Tell
me.
STEPHEN
The policesay Michael killed
Stephanie.
CHERYL
What are you talking about?
STEPHEN
He confessed.
INT. JUVENILE HALL/VISITOR'S ROOM - DAY - LATER
STEPHEN
Michael, I want to hear you say it,
I want you to say it with your own
mouth.
STEPHEN (CONT'D)
Did you have anything to do with
this? Did you murder Stephanie?
MICHAEL
I don't know. ...I guess you know I
did.
STEPHEN
Michael --
MICHAEL
They told me I did.
CHERYL
What do you mean: they told you?
MICHAEL
They kept telling me.
STEPHEN
What? What do you mean?
MICHAEL
They kept telling me that I killed
Stephanie - For two days. I don't
think I did - but they say I just
don't remember. I don't know what to
believe anymore.
STEPHEN
Nobody even told us that they were
questioning you.
MICHAEL
They said you knew. They said you'd
seen the evidence and you knew I did
it!
CHERYL
Michael, that's not true.
MICHAEL
They said you weren't coming back
for me - they said that you never
wanted to see me again!
CHERYL
Michael, listen, I don't know what
they've told you, but we haven't
seen anything, okay. Nobody's told
us anything. Not a thing.
CHERYL (CONT'D)
We would never ever say we didn't
want to see you, that we weren't
going to come back for you.
CHERYL (CONT'D)
All we've just been waiting for you.
Waiting to get you and your sister.
STEPHEN
Cheryl... Cheryl...
(to guard)
It's okay.
MICHAEL
Dad. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry.
They said I can't remember, that I'm
doing this on purpose - that I don't
want to remember --
(then)
When I was there in that room all
those hours - everything made sense
but now it doesn't.
STEPHEN
Michael, why would you tell anyone--
MICHAEL
You don't know what it was like -
They told me they found blood in my
room. That I could have blacked
out, but - wouldn't I remember?
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
No. Don't leave. Don't leave me here.
Please.
CHERYL
Honey, we can't. Honey, listen, you
have to stay here. Just for now.
STEPHEN
Please. One minute.
(to Michael)
The D.A.'s office told us that there
will be a court appearance in a couple
of days. And they're going to appoint
an attorney for you. So listen, it
may take a little while but we'll
get you out of here. Okay?
STEPHEN (CONT'D)
So you got to trust us on that,
Michael. Okay. So you have to
believe that.
EXT. JUVENILE HALL/PARKING LOT - MOMENTS LATER
CHERYL
All the time we thought they were
being taken care of. He didn't do
it.
STEPHEN
Why would the police -- They obviously
have something to go on.
CHERYL
Stephen, how can you for one minute
think -- ?
STEPHEN
Cheryl, They said that they found
evidence - blood, in his room --
CHERYL
(on his confused look)
Stephen, you saw him in there!
STEPHEN
I know, but why would they - I know
he didn't do it. He would never --
CHERYL
I don't know what they did to make
hi say it - whether they pressured
him till he had a breakdown --
STEPHEN
I know... I know...
CHERYL
But he didn't do it.
INT. CHILDREN'S CENTER - DAY
SHANNON
Will Michael be coming home with us
to Uncle David and Aunt Jill's?
STEPHEN
(with difficulty)
Listen honey, Michael's in Juvenile
Hall - and he's going to have to
stay there for a while.
SHANNON
How long?
CHERYL
We're not sure.
CHERYL (CONT'D)
Don't worry. No, don't worry. We're
going to get him out. We're going
to get him out - just as soon as we
can...
INT. ATTORNEY SORENSON'S OFFICE/CORRIDOR - DAY
DOROTHY
Experience has taught me - assume
the worst about a client because
(a receptionist hands
her mail)
GOOD MORNING, THANK YOU -
(TO CHERYL AND STEPHEN)
There's a ninety percent chance that he's guilty. But in

this case -- I watched these tapes last night - all eleven
plus hours of them and got this horrible feeling - Michael's
innocent and he's looking at a life sentence.
CHERYL
But - he didn't do it. I mean -
wouldn't there have been blood on
his clothes? Or his shoes?
DOROTHY
Or fingernails. I know. It's absurd.
The facts don't support any of it.
(then)
But a confession is powerful - just
about the most powerful evidence the
prosecution can have. A jury almost
always accept it.
STEPHEN
Ms. Sorenson, why did they zero in
on our son?
DOROTHY
They were suspicious for two reasons.
He seemed to them oddly unaffected
by his sister's stabbing --
CHERYL
They don't know him.
DOROTHY
-- And he told a story about walking
by her room two hours before she was
found, without noticing anything.
They thought he should have seen her
body in the doorway.
STEPHEN
We weren't even told that they were
talking to our kids.
CHERYL
We would have been there.
STEPHEN
Can they do that? Without our
permission?
DOROTHY
Oh, yes. By law, they certainly can.
They're allowed to question a juvenile
without a parent present - as long
as the child is aware of his Miranda
Rights and agrees to waive them.
STEPHEN
Why would anybody waive their rights?
DOROTHY
Many people do - Over eighty percent
of criminal suspects. And it's always
against their best interest.
CHERYL
He's a child. How's he supposed to
know his best interest?
DOROTHY
It really doesn't make a difference
whether he's a child or an adult -
Most people don't know their rights
when they're arrested - what they
can or cannot do.
DOROTHY (CONT'D)
A lot of times, I think the police
suggest to a suspect that it's going
to be a friendly situation and that
calling a lawyer will only make things
more difficult, in fact, if you are
being interrogated as a suspect in a
crime and have not yet been charged -
you have the right to walk out of
the police station.
DOROTHY (CONT'D)
This is from the first session, which
was the day after the murder...
CLAYTOR
You need to let it go. This is going
to get very intolerable, and it's
going to eat you like a cancer.
Listen to me for a second. Maybe
there's something that we need to
understand about Michael, about your
sister, that we didn't understand...
CLAYTOR (CONT'D)
Are you getting sick?
MICHAEL
I didn't do it.
CLAYTOR
You need to help me here, Mike.
MICHAEL
I would, but I didn't do this.
ON THE MONITOR
CLAYTOR
There's two paths - the path of
punishment, which is jail, and the
path which says "Hey, I'm sorry for
what I did. I see the eyes of a
child who is willing to sit here in
front of two adults and say "I can
pull this selective memory and get
away with it."
ON CHERYL
CLAYTOR (CONT'D)
How often do you think you got
punished for something that maybe
Stephanie should have got punished
for, do you think?
MICHAEL
Maybe daily. She'd scream "Mom."
Bingo, I'm in trouble. Sent to my
room. That's why I hid in there. I
tried coming out - Doesn't work.
They don't want me around. I tried
explaining that to them and they
looked at me like I was psycho.
(sarcastic)
They're geniuses and gods and
goddesses, but me, I'm just slime. I
don't deserve to be in the room.
STEPHEN
I think they made the assumption he
was guilty before they even started
talking to him.
DOROTHY
Oh, They had a theory and they didn't
let go ... once they decide to do
an interrogation, there's only one
goal. It's not to get the truth,
it's to get a confession
STEPHEN
They told him they found blood in
his room.
CHERYL
Can they do that? Lie like that?
DOROTHY
Absolutely. It is not illegal for
police to lie about evidence during
an interrogation.
STEPHEN
Unbelievable.
DOROTHY
They can do just about anything they
want. ...They also told him that
they could prove nobody came into
the house when in fact not all the
doors were secured. They can tell
him they found his fingerprints -
that a witness saw him - that
evidence was found - blood, whatever,
that points to him - or that he failed
a lie-detector test - none of it has
to be true.
STEPHEN
Right. And what was that Voice Stress
machine thing?
DOROTHY
A crock, is what it is! It's
seemingly so high-tech, but there
are studies that say it's reliability
in determining deception is less
than a coin flip. It just gives them
a way to intimidate.
(then)
And interrogation is deliberately
designed to be intimidating.
DOROTHY (CONT'D)
It is plain as day that this boy was
psychologically coerced. And that
will be the basis of Michael's
defense.
(beat)
Thank God we have it on tape.
EXT. CEMETERY - DAY
AARON'S MOM
Detective Claytor? I'm Suzie Houser;
my son is Aaron Houser. He's friends
with Michael and Josh Treadway.
CLAYTOR
Yes?
AARON'S MOM
(apologetic)
I'm sorry, I know it's probably
nothing but when this happened, I
insisted Aaron check his knife
collection. ...So he did and it looks
like one's missing. It just seemed
like something you might want to
know about.
CLAYTOR
Yes, Mrs. Houser. It is. ...I'll
probably be in touch.
INT. TREADWAY HOUSE/JOSH'S ROOM - NIGHT - LATER
CLAYTOR
This your knife, Josh?
CLAYTOR (CONT'D)
You have the right to remain silent.
Anything you say can and will be
used against you in a court of law.
INT. CROWE HOUSE - DAY
STEPHEN
Oh, no. God - God --
BLUE PAGE
8/6/02
STEPHEN
Oh no. Oh my God.
INT. CROWE HOUSE/STEPHANIE'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
ON CHERYL - VERY CLOSELY

CHERYL
(losing it)
This is all they left of her.
(outraged)
It's like they're trying to erase
every trace of her.
CHERYL (CONT'D)
My little girl - Oh, Stephen...
CHERYL (CONT'D)
We can't even stop to grieve for her --
If we do, we'll lose our son, too!
STEPHEN
I know. I know.
STANTON
If I can do anything...
STEPHEN
Thanks, Bill.
STANTON
That homeless guy, I thought that
was going to turn into something --
(on Stephen's quizzical
look)
He was pounding on everybody's door
that night, saying he was looking
for some ex-girlfriend. I wasn't the
only one who reported him. ...Are
the police sure that he had nothing
to do with it?
STEPHEN
What homeless guy?
INT. POLICE STATION - DAY - LATER
CHERYL
Detective, this man, this transient
CLAYTOR
Mrs. Crowe, we've brought him in and
we've questioned him - a couple of
times. He didn't murder your daughter.
CHERYL
You're certain of that?
CLAYTOR
He's too mentally incapable to have
carried out a random murder in a
house filled with people.
(then)
Look. Your son's responsible --
STEPHEN
How can you say that?!
CHERYL
Detective, how did you come to that
conclusion?
CLAYTOR
Sibling rivalry that just got out of
hand.
STEPHEN
Sibling rivary, it just doesn't make
sense. We know Michael, and every
kid says that about his sister. You
show me a fourteen year old kid who
isn't moody and belligerent at times.
CHERYL
Detective. My son's never been in
trouble a day in his life. He's never
even been to the principal's office!
CLAYTOR
We've made two more arrests. Joshua
Treadway and Aaron Houser.
INT. ATTORNEY SORENSON'S OFFICE - DAY
CHERYL
What did Josh and Aaron tell them?!
DOROTHY
What the police wanted to hear. I've
seen the tapes. ...The police told
each of them that the other two had
ratted on them.
(then)
They kept telling Josh Treadway that
he was the lookout - till he told
them he was.
CHERYL
How could they do that?
DOROTHY
They kept him in there all nhe
couldn't even go to the b... He told
them he got up anover to Aaron's --
CHERYL
That's over ten miles away! Josh
lost five blocks from home!
DOROTHY
Then Josh said he and Aaron to your
house, and Aaron and went in and
killed Stephanie he was the lookout.
STEPHEN
Did Aaron confess, too?
DOROTHY
No. He said he was home, studying
for finals.
(MORE)
DOROTHY (CONT'D)
(then)
They asked him how he would kill
someone - if he wanted to -
hypothetically. And he told them.
Rather convincingly, I'd say. Now
they have all in Juvenile Hall.
CHERYL
Stephen, they didn't do this.
STEPHEN
So what are we supposed to do?
CHERYL
For starters - we can't afford to
believe a thing the police tell us.
...Not anymore.
INT. JUVENILE HALL/CORRIDOR - DAY
STEPHEN
I think you're really going to like
the new place - it's actually a lot
closer to town now - we're two blocks
from the video store.
CHERYL
Much closer to school - maybe that
part's not so hot. ...your room's
great - All your stuff looks great
in it.
STEPHEN
Here, we got you something.
CHERYL
(re: book)
Shannon thought you'd like that. She
bought it with her own money.
MICHAEL
Tell her I said thanks. Is she - She
gonna do anything this summer?
CHERYL
She may volunteer at the library.
She's looking into that.
MICHAEL
Tell her I think that's cool.
STEPHEN
Listen, There's going to be something
called a 707 Hearing coming up in a
couple of weeks.
MICHAEL
Where they decide whether they'll
try us as juveniles or adults. Ms.
Sorenson told me.
STEPHEN
She says these hearings are usually
pretty in and out, you know.
MICHAEL
If they try me as an adult, then
they can ask for life.
(on their looks)
Somebody in here told me that.
STEPHEN
Michael, Ms. Sorenson knows your
confession was coerced - yours and
Josh's. She's trying to get them
thrown out.
MICHAEL
If they show those confessions,
everybody will hear those awful things
I said about Stephanie and you guys.
CHERYL
Honey - We know what happened...
MICHAEL
(erupting)
You keep saying that but you can't
ever know - how they break you down
what it's like..!
CHERYL
We'll be back on Sunday.
MICHAEL
And then Thursday again and then the
next Sunday...
(then)
I wish they'd let Shannon come.
CHERYL
You'll see each other soon.
MICHAEL
(very vulnerable)
Mom, I can't stand this - Sometimes
I feel like I can't breathe - My
heart starts racing like mad, like
it's going to burst out of me.
STEPHEN
Michael...
GUARD
Let's go.
STEPHEN
Michael, then you know what? You
you call us, okay. You call us when
you're feeling that way.
MICHAEL
I can't do that. I can't do that.
They listen in - They'll just twist
what I say.
CHERYL
Michael... Michael - We know you
didn't do this and we're doing
everything we can to get you out of
here.
STEPHEN
Listen, you got to believe that,
okay. You be strong. Okay.
CHERYL
We love you, don't you forget that.
More than anything.
INT. ATTORNEY SORENSON'S OFFICE/BOARDROOM - DAY
NEWMAN
Alright, the upshot is: they lack
forensic evidence. So they're going
to be relying heavily on the
confessions to make their case.
STEPHEN
Right, which is what worries us.
NEWMAN
Thank God the confessions were taped -
They show all the tricks the police
used.
DOROTHY
I've consulted with Richard Ofshe,
he's a professor at Berkley - an
expert on coercion. He's investigated
dozens of false confessions in murder
cases - You wouldn't believe how
often this happens in this country.
He reviewed these tapes and concluded
that they're classic examples of
coerced confessions...
DOROTHY (CONT'D)
Michael caved in to threats and all
sorts of promises. And Joshua was
fed details of the crime and used
them to make up a story. Ofshe's
going to say as much in court.
CHERYL
Will that prove them innocent?
MCINNIS
There's no deciding innocence or
guilt here - This will be a hearing
about whether to try them as adults
or as juveniles. But the judge will
look at all the evidence, including
their confessions.
DOROTHY
If the judge decides to try them as
adults, there's good news and bad
news.
STEPHEN
We know the bad news.
MCINNIS
If they're tried as adults, we'll
finally be able to post bond and
bring them home.
DOROTHY
The prosecutors don't have to prove
beyond a reasonable doubt that the
boys committed the crime in order
for them to be tried. The issue
that's going to be before the judge
is whether there's a "strong
suspicion" that the three killed
Stephanie.
DOROTHY (CONT'D)
So we're going to prepare for this
707 as if it were an all-out trial
rather than a hearing.
(to Newman and McInnis)
I'm getting them to agree to let us
preview all the evidence.
EXT. POLICE STATION PARKING LOT - DAY
DOROTHY
(re: locker)
What are you doing in there, storing
the evidence or cooking it?
IN A SERIES OF SHOTS:
TECHNICIANS PULL OUT PIECES OF EVIDENCE AND SET THEM ON A

TABLE COVERED WITH BUTCHER'S PAPER.
DOROTHY EXAMINES THE EVIDENCE. (TECHNICIANS WON'T ALLOW HER

TO TOUCH ANYTHING. THEY TURN ITEMS OVER AS REQUESTED.) ONE
OFFICER TAKE NOTES OF EXACTLY WHAT DOROTHY EXAMINES. THE
OTHER OFFICER VIDEOTAPES THE SESSION.
TECHNICIANS CHANGE THEIR GLOVES AND THE PAPER AT EACH HANDLING

TO GUARD AGAINST CONTAMINATION. DOROTHY AND NEWMAN EXCHANGE
AN AMUSED LOOK.
DOROTHY (CONT'D)
Can I see the other side, please?
DOROTHY (CONT'D)
(reading the tag)
Richard Tuite's clothes.
NEWMAN
Yeah, the transient.
DOROTHY
This could be blood set in a spatter
pattern.
(to Durgin)
I want this tested for DNA.
DURGIN
It was tested - I told you before
and no sign of blood was found.
DOROTHY
I don't care. I'm entitled to have
it tested again.
EXT. POLICE STATION PARKING LOT - DAY

DOROTHY
I've been tracking this Richard Tuite.
NEWMAN
Yeah, me too.
DOROTHY
This has got to be our guy. He's got
a string of convictions and an arrest
in 1993 for stabbing another man
with a steak knife at a transient
camp.
NEWMAN
I know.
DOROTHY
And another arrest a short time after
Stephanie's murder -- For leering at
two 12-year-old girls on a bus and
then following them home.
NEWMAN
They brought him in on that Dorothy.
They questioned him --
DOROTHY
And then he was arrested again for
attempted burglary. He's in jail,
pending trial.
(irritated)
And the police have never seriously
considered him as a suspect in this
case -- !
NEWMAN
I know; I talked to Claytor about
it. He says because of the mental
illness Tuite's incapable of being a
killer, even if he wanted to.
DOROTHY
Bull. They're just saving face.
(a sarcastic edge)
The guy's survived on the streets
all this time, kept himself fed and
clothed. He obviously has his lucid
moments.
EXT. COURTHOUSE - DAY
INT. COURTROOM - DAY - LATER
ON SHANNON - CLOSELY ON MICHAEL - CLOSELY

BAILIFF (O.S.)
All rise.
JUDGE HAMMES
I have looked at almost 40 hours of
tapes, read all the transcripts.
It's important to recognize at the
outset, we're here because a 12-year-
old girl was brutally murdered in
her bedroom at night and three young
boys have been charged with that
murder.
(a moment)
We all know what's in our hearts,
all the confusion, the emotions...
the incredible issues that impact
these kids, the families, the
(MORE)
JUDGE HAMMES (CONT'D)

community. But what will rule are
the carerful legal thoughts; the
careful arguments, the carefully
thought out issues, and facts and
law that will ultimately determine
the issues that I have to decide.
INT. COURTHOUSE/CORRIDOR - DAY
DOROTHY
The Serological Research Institute
lab issued its report. T's all in
our favor.
STEPHEN
What does it say?
DOROTHY
No blood or DNA was found on Aaron's
knife. The hair in Stephanie's hand
could not be positively identified.
...The only prints in the house are
yours - your family's.
(then)
...And no prints were on the knife
either, but Josh's.
STEPHEN
Not Michael's or Aaron's?
DOROTHY
Yet the police are going to contend
that it was the murder weapon - even
though they can't prove it.
CHERYL
Why?!
DOROTHY
Because they believe the boys really
did it - They just don't have any
hard evidence to back it up.
DOROTHY (CONT'D)
All they really have are the damned
confessions.
(answering her phone)
Yeah?
MATHER'S VOICE ON PHONE
Ed Mathers here.
DOROTHY (CONT'D)
Ed, hey. What's the deal?
MATHERS'S VOICE ON PHONE
Nothing yet.
DOROTHY (CONT'D)
I need the DNA results.
Richard Tuite's clothes are still at the lab, Dorothy. When

I know, you'll know.
INT. COURTROOM - LATER
ANN
Now these are not three everyday
ordinary teenagers who happened to
enjoy interactive video games with
fantasy themes - There were much
darker forces at play here.
ON STEPHEN AND CHERYL
ANN (CONT'D)
All along they were plotting evil
Look at the evidence in Michael
Crowe's bedroom - the games, the
books - The medieval-themed items
like "Dungeons and Dragons"...
ON CHERYL - CLOSELY
ANN (CONT'D)
The darker reality is that these
three boys became so wrapped up in
the fantasy of these games that they
crossed a line and became the
perpetrators of cold-blooded murder.
INT. COURTROOM - DAY
JUDGE HAMMES
I'm going to cut to the chase. I
find that the People have established
a prima facie case.

But these confessions - slash -
admissions are troublesome. I have
read and reread the transcripts,
looked at the video tapes until I'm
blue in the face. ...I believe that
when Michael broke down, he gave the
scenario that had been handed to
him. And the same techniques were
used on Joshua.
(MORE)

(then)
There are problems in here. There
are things that have to be answered.
...And that's something a jury will
have to decide.

That said - They will be tried as
adults.
(a moment)
I will release all three minors on
their own recognizance pending trial
in the superior court.
INT. COURTHOUSE/CORRIDOR - LATER
REPORTER #1
Ms Sorenson, how do you think this
decision will affect your case?
REPORTER #2
Is this the judgement you expected?
DOROTHY
What it means is that a neutral party
has finally raised some pretty serious
questions about the nature of these
alleged confessions.
REPORTER #1
Do you think the District Attorney's
office will drop the case?
DOROTHY
Now I don't want to speculate on
that.
INT. CROWE HOUSE #2/FAMILY ROOM - DAY - LATER

SHANNON
Come on, Michael, wait till you see
how big my room is.
CHERYL
Come on, slow down, alright, take it
easy on him.
SHANNON
I want to show him - I want to show
him how I fixed it up.
STEPHEN
We've got lots of time.
STEPHEN (CONT'D)
How about lunch, guys? What about
pizza?
MICHAEL
Pizza would be great.
SHANNON
Come on, Michael, I want you to see
my room.
CHERYL
Honey, maybe he wants to see his own
room, did you ever think of that?
MICHAEL
Okay.
EXT. CROWE HOUSE #2 - DAY
INT. CROWE HOUSE #2/MICHAEL'S BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER
CHERYL
So. How did the first day go?
MICHAEL
Nobody asked how I spent my summer
vacation.
CHERYL
Want to run down with me to get a
movie? I sorta feel like something
"up".
CHERYL (CONT'D)
You know I don't know what any of
those movies are - I need your help.
MICHAEL
I've been stared at enough for one
day, thank you.
CHERYL
You have to ignore it.
CHERYL (CONT'D)
You just have to be yourself and in
time -- It'll be okay.
MICHAEL
(lashing out)
No! It'll never be okay again! You
have no idea what my life is like!
CHERYL
Right.
MICHAEL
Everybody thinks I murdered my sister!
(then)
I wished I'd been killed, too!
CHERYL
Oh God, Mike. No.
(upset)
You're right. I can't know what
you're going through. Nobody can.
And it isn't fair - and that there's
nothing I can say or do ... But you
have to find a way to get on - just
get on.
CHERYL (CONT'D)
When I lost Stephanie and then had
to stand by while they did those
awful things to you
(emotionally)
I had to find a way to get on and I
didn't think I could - I didn't think
I had it in me. ...And most days I'm
still not that sure. But you just
do... just do.
CHERYL (CONT'D)
And I'm here.
EXT. CROWE HOUSE #2 - DAY
TV NEWS ANCHOR
Today began the second week of
pretrial hearings in the Stephanie
Crowe murder case.
CHERYL
Thanks for looking after Shannon.
TV NEWS ANCHOR
Judge Thompson will determine whether
the statements obtained by the police
will be excluded from their trial,
which is expected to begin early
next month. Public defenders in
this case are hopeful that the
statements will not be allowed.
SHANNON
The District Attorney was on there.
He kept calling her "the little dead
girl."
STEPHEN
I'M SO TIRED OF THIS -- IF THIS IS HOW THIS SYSTEM WORKS,

THEN -
(frustrated)
If something happens now, some
emergency, what are we supposed to
do - call these caps? We can't call
these cops.
EXT. CROWE HOUSE #2/BACK PORCH - SAME
SHANNON
She was a very important person.
MICHAEL
I know.
SHANNON
She had a name. Nobody even remembers
that.
MICHAEL
ALL OF US DO. THE PEOPLE WHO KNEW HER AND LOVED HER -
MICHAEL
(reading)
So bright a light shall never truly
fade away.
SHANNON
I'm afraid I'm going to forget her,
stuff about her. Her voice. What
she sounds like.
MICHAEL
You won't.
SHANNON
SO BRIGHT A LIGHT -
(a moment)
Did you write that, Michael?
INT. COURTHOUSE/CORRIDOR - DAY
DOROTHY
This is it. Whatever happens here If
Judge Thompson decides that the
confessions can be used in trial,
well... Let's just hope he doesn't.
(to Michael)
How you feeling, Michael?
MICHAEL
I feel good.
DOROTHY
Good. You just keep thinking that
way.
INT. COURTROOM - LATER
JUDGE THOMPSON
Whether intentional or unintentional
police engaged in a coercive scheme
that resulted in promises of leniency
for Michael Crowe if he admitted
involvement in the homicide. As a
result, the statement by him cannot
be used at trial.
JUDGE THOMPSON (CONT'D)

Though Aaron Houser provided a
hypothetical description of killing
someone, detectives did not advise
him of his Miranda rights. I am
barring Aaron's statement, too.
JUDGE THOMPSON (CONT'D)

Joshua Treadway's statement - I am
excluding all but the last two hours
because while it was voluntary, not
coerced, there were no Miranda rights
until the final two hours. At that
point, Joshua repeated how the killing
was planned and executed. I will
allow that part - but it can be only
be used against Joshua Treadway -
and not the two other boys.
INT. COURTHOUSE/CORRIDOR - MOMENTS LATER

REPORTER #3`
Josh Treadway is going to be tried
first?
NEWMAN
That's right.
REPORTER #3
Did the judge indicate when Michael
and Aaron would be tried?
DOROTHY
At some later date. Though now -
they cannot use his "alleged"
confession at the trial.
REPORTER #4
The detectives testified that their
primary motivation was to get at the
truth.
DOROTHY
Hah! What these police officers wanted
was the police officers' version of
the truth, not the truth itself.
(then)
Michael's so-called confession has
been seen for what it is. What will
be on trial now will have to be the
facts themselves.
EXT. COURTHOUSE/PARK - DAY
NEWMAN
Hey.
DOROTHY
Hey.
NEWMAN
Not one of these potential jurors
believes that somebody could confess
to something they didn't do.
DOROTHY
(on phone)
Dorothy Sorenson.
It's Ed Mathers. I need to get you and the prosecutor and

the other attorneys on the line at the same time.
DOROTHY (CONT'D)
You have the DNA results, don't you?
INT. CROWE HOUSE #2/FAMILY ROOM - DAY - LATER
DOROTHY
THE DNA RESULTS - RICHARD TUITE'S RED TURTLENECK - THE

RESULTS ARE DEFINITIVE -
CHERYL
What do you mean definitive?
DOROTHY
ON THREE AREAS OF THE SWEATSHIRT -
CHERYL
Are you sure?
DOROTHY
Yes.
DOROTHY (CONT'D)
It means that you could rule out
anybody who ever walked on the planet
Earth as a donor of that blood stain
on Richard Tuite's sweatshirt - except
Stephanie Crowe.
ON CHERYL - VERY CLOSELY
INT. ATTORNEY SORENSON'S OFFICE - DAY
CHERYL
I can't believe that finally this
nightmare is over.
DOROTHY
You know what? It's not.
CHERYL
Why not?
NEWMAN
Judge Thompson is going to allow
them time to explain why Stephanie's
blood was on Richard Tuite's
sweatshirt.
STEPHEN
Why? What is there to explain?
DOROTHY
Oh, there's all sorts of speculation
out there - Did Tuite somehow come
into contact with the boys? Did he
maybe find bloody clothes the boys
had thrown away?
CHERYL
Give me a break.
DOROTHY
Was the shirt somehow contaminated
by equipment at the crime scene? Or
by me?
CHERYL
How could you do that?
DOROTHY
They're suggesting that I put the
blood there - somehow.
CHERYL
That's ridiculous.
DOROTHY
Ed Mathers, the DNA guy, says the
drops on the shirt are "spatter type"
stains, indicating that they were
projected forcefully onto the shirt,
not through accidental contact.
(then)
But despite that, they're not going
to throw in the towel on this one
yet. You can count on it.
INT. STATE PRISON CORRIDOR - DAY
INT. STATE PRISON VISITOR'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS
CLAYTOR
Richard, can you tell me why you're
in here right now?
TUITE
I'm in here right now because they
thought I burglarized something. I
did not burglarize anything.
CLAYTOR
We don't want totalk to you about
that. Okay? Do you remember the
little girl that was killed up in
Escondido?
TUITE
No. No.
BAKER
We're here to find out if you had
something to do with that. A lot of
people are trying to say that maybe
you did - They're bringing up a lot
of questions and what we're just
trying to maybe get some answers.
(then)
Richard, you're not in any trouble.
We're here to help you.
TUITE
You're here to help me. How can you
help me?
CLAYTOR
Richard, there are some people that
think that you killed that little
girl. Did you?
CLAYTOR (CONT'D)
You know what?
(MORE)
CLAYTOR (CONT'D)
We believe you. We do. We're not the
ones that say you did it. But there
are some people that say you did.
All we want to know is what you can
tell us about when you were up there
and when Detective Baker took your
clothes.
TUITE
Well, obviously I'm not responsible
for killing anybody.
BAKER
Do you remember giving a shirt to
somebody or giving somebody a shirt
that had some blood on it?
TUITE
No.
CLAYTOR
Do you remember giving your clothes
to anybody else besides Detective
Baker up in Escondido? Did you give
your shirt to somebody?
EXT. COURTHOUSE - DAY
INT. COURTHOUSE/CORRIDOR - MOMENTS LATER
CHERYL
This is the thing we've been hoping
for, isn't it?
DOROTHY
No. They are dismissing the case
without prejudice. When you hear
the word "dismissal" that's not what
it means.
CHERYL
You've lost me.
DOROTHY
What it means is that they still
think the boys are guilty.
STEPHEN
Why? What do you mean?
DOROTHY
THEY'VE PUT TOGETHER THIS FORTY-PAGE MOTION TO DISMISS THAT

LAYS OUT THEIR CASE AGAINST THE BOYS. SAYING THEY THINK
THEY'RE GUILTY BUT THEY JUST CAN'T PROVE IT RIGHT NOW -
CHERYL
Or ever!
DOROTHY
-- and that they need more time to
investigate.
STEPHEN
Right, so where does that leave us?!
DOROTHY
It leaves us -- nowhere. It leaves
us knowing that the prosecution can
come back any time they want and
charge Michael again.
STEPHEN
Come on, that's ridiculous.
DOROTHY
That's right. Basically, they're
saying that despite the DNA evidence
on Tuite's shirt they still think
all the boys are guilty.
CHERYL
Wait a minute. Don't they care about
finding the truth?!
STEPHEN
(frustrated)
No, if they cared about the truth,
they'd go after Richard Tuite.
DOROTHY
This is about something else - This
is about them not wanting this to be
another JonBenet Ramsey investigation
So they made a hasty and unwise
judgment and by God they're sticking
with it.
ON CHERYL - CLOSELY
CHERYL
We can't let them get away with this.
INT. ATTORNEY SORENSON'S OFFICE/LAW LIBRARY - DAY
DOROTHY
Stephen and Cheryl Crowe have filed
a civil suit against the city of
(MORE)
DOROTHY (CONT'D)
Escondido, the Escondido Police
Department, and the San Diego County
prosecutors.
REPORTER
Stephen, Cheryl - Why file suit now?*
Didn't the judge dismiss the case?
DOROTHY
Without prejudice -- meaning they
can be refile against the boys at
any time.
REPORTER
Why do you think the prosecution
chose that route?
CHERYL
Why?! Because they don't want to
admit the obvious! -- which is -
They were prosecuting innocent people,
and they let a murderer walk free!
STEPHEN*
This is hanging over our son's head.
(then)
How are we supposed to explain to
him that he gave up a year of his
life so that the police department
in this town could "save face"?
Y'know, it's not right.
DOROTHY
Thank God these interrogations were
taped. F Michael and the other boys
had just written out their confessions
and signed them, can you imagine
where we would be? The Judge might
very well have not thrown them out.
(then)
Every interrogation and confession
in this country ought to be
videotaped. That is all there is to
it. In this day and age - there is
no reason not to.
CHERYL
They're "saving face" - at Stephanie's
expense - and Michael's - and our
family's...
(maintaining her
composure)
We don't intend to let them do that.
...Whatever we have to do to see
(MORE)
CHERYL (CONT'D)
that the truth comes out - that
there's justice...
(resolute)
We have to see that the truth comes
out.
SUPER:
END OF ACT EIGHT

Interogatoriu M. Crowe

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Interogatoriu M. Crowe

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THE INTERROGATION OF MICHAEL CROWE

INT. POLICE STATION/INTERVIEW ROOM - LATER

EXT. CROWE HOUSE - DAY

INT. CROWE HOUSE - DAY

INT. CROWE HOUSE/MICHAEL'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

OKAY, COME ON, GUYS; WE'RE READY TO EAT -

(BEFORE MICHAEL CAN SPEAK)

And no, Michael, you're not going to eat in here. So let's

ON STEPHEN AND CHERYL

INT. CROWE HOUSE/FAMILY ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

INT. CROWE HOUSE/CHERYL AND STEPHEN'S ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

You look real pretty, sweetheart.

INT. CROWE HOUSE/CHERYL AND STEPHEN'S ROOM - LATER

INT. POLICE STATION/INTERVIEW ROOM - BACK TO SCENE

INT. CROWE HOUSE/MICHAEL'S BEDROOM - NIGHT - FLASHBACK

INT. CROWE HOUSE/HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER

INT. CROWE HOUSE/KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER

INT. POLICE STATION/INTERVIEW ROOM - BACK TO SCENE

INT. CROWE HOUSE/CHERYL AND STEPHEN'S ROOM - DAY - FLASHBACK

INT. CROWE HOUSE/HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER

INT. CROWE HOUSE/MICHAEL'S BEDROOM/HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

PUSHING CLOSER - FROM MICHAEL'S POV

ON MICHAEL - VERY CLOSELY

STEPHEN (ON PHONE)

EXT. CROWE HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER

INT. CROWE HOUSE/FAMILY ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

INT. CROWE HOUSE/FOYER/HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

INT. CROWE HOUSE - DAY - LATER

EXT. CROWE HOUSE - DAY - LATER

EXT. CROWE HOUSE - LATER

INT. POLICE STATION/DETECTIVE'S OFFICE #1 - LATER

INT. POLICE STATION/DETECTIVE'S OFFICE #2 - SAME

INT. POLICE STATION/LUNCHROOM - SAME

INT. POLICE STATION/INTERVIEW ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

INT. POLICE STATION/CONFERENCE ROOM - LATE DAY - LATER

STEPHEN (CONT'D) (CONT'D)

INT. POLICE STATION/DETECTIVE'S OFFICE #2 - MOMENTS LATER

INT. POLICE STATION/DETECTIVE'S OFFICE #1 - LATER

INT. POLICE STATION/CONFERENCE ROOM - LATE DAY

INT. POLICE STATION/ENTRY - MOMENTS LATER

INT. POLICE STATION - NIGHT - LATER

INT. POLICE STATION/DETECTIVE'S OFFICE #2 - MOMENTS LATER

INT. POLICE STATION - LATER

INT. CHILDREN'S CENTER/BEDROOM - NIGHT

INT. DAVID AND JILL'S HOUSE/GUEST ROOM - NIGHT - LATER

EXT. TREADWAY HOUSE/PORCH - DAY - LATER

INT. TREADWAY HOUSE/JOSH'S BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER

EXT. CROWE HOUSE - DAY - LATER

INT. CROWE HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER

INT. CROWE HOUSE/MICHAEL'S ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

"FINAL FANTASY SEVEN" - "GAUNTLET" -

INT. POLICE STATION/INTERVIEW ROOM - DAY

INT. POLICE STATION/INTERVIEW ROOM - DAY

INT. POLICE STATION/INTERVIEW ROOM - DAY

It's so accurate - it was controlled by the government for a

INT. POLICE STATION/INTERVIEW ROOM - LATER

INT. POLICE STATION/INTERVIEW ROOM - LATER

DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE -

INT. DAVID AND JILL'S HOUSE/KITCHEN - NIGHT

INT. POLICE STATION/INTERVIEW ROOM - NIGHT

YOU REMEMBER THERE WAS A LOT OF BLOOD. IT'S VERY DIFFICULT -

INT. CHILDREN'S CENTER/CORRIDOR - NIGHT - LATER

INT. CHILDREN'S CENTER/BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

INT. POLICE STATION/INTERVIEW ROOM -