Do you think anyone in this bar believes you've got a full head of hair? We all know that's a comb-over. But till you get so obnoxious you forfeit your right to civil treatment, no one here points it out. Think of the trial system like that. We know accused people aren't always innocent. Maybe not even usually innocent.
And even though we know that, we treat people like they're innocent till they've had their shot in court. It makes us better people, it civilizes us to treat them that way. Civility is important. That's why no one in here called you a self-deceiving fool till you opened your drunken mouth.
I'm not naive, Teddy. But a case like this one, with all the theatrics and media hoopla, it's not about getting the truth. It's show business. Crime as entertainment. Everybody's a celebrity: lawyer, witness, jurors.
[looking around Dr. Lester's office] My God, the continent tilts. Every quack with a diploma rolls out here and gets an ocean view.
GLDr. Graham Lester
On the off chance that you are myopic, Mr. Hoffman, let me acquaint you with my wall hangings. I'm board certified by both the American Colleges of Internal Medicine and Psychiatry. I am a teaching clinical professor at the University of ...
[to Teddy] When you look back, do you think you're going to be proud of what you did in that court? Making yourself a little richer by helping this kind of man get away with what he did and calling it justice? There was a time when you were judged by the way you lived and not by the words you could string together.
I'll make this real simple, Neil. I am your only friend. Anything you say to anyone else can be used against you in court. For your own sake you trust me, and me alone. Until we're past this, you consider everyone else an enemy.
Listen to me, Neil. There's a perception in your business that any ink is good ink. That's not the case in a murder trial. We're at war for the hearts and minds of the jury.
