We still need to prove at trial
that Jesse Frost started swinging a baseball bat
because they were people of color.
Because he's going to try to depict you as racist.
Guess we're just gonna have to hope that this judge
is gonna rule fairly.
I didn't do nothing, I didn't...
- My name is Lola Carmichael... - Stop where you are.
...and I am a judge.
I was just searching through my backpack for my cellphone.
- I can show you. - I know, because...
- Hey, hey! - Wait! No, no, no, no!
What the hell is going on, Lo? What did you do?
Instead of asking the cop why I was being zip-tied,
you asked me what I did wrong.
You haven't talked to Luke.
Em, it's been, like, four months?
I told you that we are taking a break.
Yeah, to, like, work some things out. Did you?
We will.
Now who are you and why are you here?
- Hey, is this your new law clerk? - Ness Johnson.
- Hello, wife. - I'm pregnant.
You obviously didn't tell me everything that happened that night.
You haven't seen the video? You've gone viral.
Defund the police! Defund the police!
Defund the police!
- Hey, wait! - No, no, no, no!
I will not tell you again.
Please. I am a judge at the H.O.J.
I can show you my credentials.
I don't care where you work.
You're obstructing an active investigation. Move.
An active investigation? She has a backpack.
Move.
Defund the police!
Do you see this? This is why they're protesting.
It's why they're chanting, "Defund the police."
They don't feel like their lives are being protected and served.
Put your hands behind your back.
Step to the side.
That video was fire.
I have it saved as a wallpaper on my phone.
That way, every time I get a text,
I see Lola screaming at a cop.
- Judge Carmichael. - Right. I'm sorry.
It is a disaster.
I don't see what the big deal is, anyway.
Judges aren't supposed to attend protests, let alone...
- I wasn't protesting. - ...the same ones
as the defendant in their case.
Judges are supposed to remain neutral referees.
I stood up to a bully who was using his badge
to intimidate a young Black girl.
That video only starts once things got heated.
So it doesn't show the whole picture,
but I think we can all agree on how this looks.
It looks hot.
- It literally gives me life. - Clearly.
If the public perceives Judge Carmichael as biased...
On the Frost case?
The kid went into a crowd of protesters
and started swinging his bat. He's obviously guilty.
Why is she in here right now?
You're a clerk, Ms. Johnson.
Your job is to research my cases,
not to pass judgment on them.
I'm not allowed to have an opinion?
- We'd rather you didn't. - Ness and I are just leaving.
So, who do you think leaked it?
Clearly someone who wants people to think
I can't be impartial on the Frost case.
This video happened months ago,
and now it surfaced
right before I have to rule on the hate crime enhancement?
Someone is setting you up for a lot of scrutiny,
or they want you to recuse...
- Not gonna happen. - Are you sure?
What happened that night represents everything
that I want to change about the system.
Seeing that young girl standing there alone...
Carmichael.
Your heart was in the right place.
But we make a difference in the courtroom,
not on the streets.
We can't just be impartial, fair, and unbiased.
We have to be seen that way, too.
See? It was recorded there.
Oh, yeah.
We gonna talk about the elephant in the room?
Ugh. I can't even walk down the hall
without hearing about that video.
When Lola told me what happened that night...
Yeah. Imagine how she's feeling right now.
I know exactly what it feels like
to be torn between being Black and doing your job.
She should know better than to get into an altercation
with peace officers at a protest.
Since when are armed officers
surrounding one teenage girl considered peaceful?
Okay. No matter how you spin it,
it's... it's not a good look.
- Rachel, stop. - Come on, Mark.
If you were on our side, you'd be baying
- for Lola to recuse herself. - Lola wouldn't even be
in this position if it wasn't for me.
They're calling her the "BLM judge."
Are you kidding me right now?
You know you're not supposed to be part of this counsel.
- Bailiff? - Is he joking?
I can't tell.
- Don't you dare. - Callan, get off your soapbox.
The video speaks for itself.
Our client cannot get a fair hearing,
at least not in this courtroom.
Okay, the last thing anyone wants is for Lola
to make a decision in the same mind frame she had that night.
Judge Carmichael would never let her personal convictions...
How is our client supposed to feel
like he got the fair trial he constitutionally deserves
when the judge handling his case is all over the news
yelling "Defund the police"?
Lola wasn't protesting I was there. I saw it.
If you thought she was right,
why didn't you do anything to help her?
- Are you kidding me right now? - Break it up.
Everyone, back to their corners.
Judge Carmichael will be in shortly.
How bad was it?
Ken and Barbie definitely had the gloves off.
Won't be pretty in the Dreamhouse tonight.
Mm. Any luck on finding the young girl
that goes with that backpack?
The Sheriff's Department hasn't found anything yet.
It's not on their list of top priorities.
That night, hundreds of people drove past
and saw exactly what you saw.
Every single one of them looked the other way.
Sometimes all it takes
is for one person to make a difference,
and for that girl somewhere out there,
that person is you.
It was the right thing to do.
But ruling on this hate crime enhancement
is gonna call my judgment into public opinion,
and everyone who has seen that video
has already made up their mind.
And you'll do what you always do...
Rule justly and fair.
You got this, Your Honor.
Thanks, Sherri.
Yes. This is Emily Lopez.
Yes. For Carrie Banks? Yes.
Yes.
I understand that her body has not been claimed yet.
I'm... I'm still trying to track down...
I understand. I just need a little more time.
72 hours?
Thank you. Thank you.
Rough call?
My robbery client who died in custody from COVID.
The coroner's office is at capacity,
and the county is going to cremate
and then bury her in a pauper's grave.
Where's the family?
Her two children are with D.C.F.S.
They didn't get to see their mother before she died, Carole.
She was in quarantine. It just...
never feels like it's enough.
I don't know anyone who does more for their clients than you do.
I wasn't able to get Carrie out of jail in time,
but those kids deserve to bury their mother with dignity.
I am going to make sure they get to.
All rise.
You may be seated.
Back on the record, in the People v. Frost.
Pending before the court is the People's motion to amend...
Adding the hate crime enhancement
to both count one,
attempted, willful, deliberate murder,
and count two, assault with a deadly weapon.
The court has heard the argument and reviewed
the preliminary hearing transcript.
It is clear that all of the named victims
in this matter are people of color,
and that the defendant, Mr. Frost, is not.
The court strongly believes
that hate has no place in civilized society,
and that it should be punished.
But the court also believes in the rule of law.
Therefore the court has determined
that the evidence the People presented
in the preliminary hearing was insufficient
to warrant adding the hate crime amendment.
Therefore, the People's motion is denied.
We'll start opening statements tomorrow.
Synced & corrected by -robtor- www.addic7ed.com
Uh-oh. Hearing didn't go as expected?
Judge Carmichael tossed the hate crime enhancement.
- What? Why? - Apparently, we didn't prove
that the attack was racially motivated.
- Mark isn't taking it well. - And you?
I believe Frost intended to kill someone
when he got out of that car and started swinging that bat.
Well, his victims are lined up to testify, but we're hitting a wall
when it comes to character witnesses.
Sam, I doubt you'll find any volunteers.
The kid was a hometown hero in Diamond Bar.
I might have someone.
Kids have these things called spam profiles
or anonymous accounts where they can post things
that they wouldn't under their own names.
Look at what someone posted
on Jesse's Facebook fan page an hour ago.
"Looks like the real Jesse is finally being exposed."
Sounds like this person
knows a side of Jesse he's trying to hide.
Okay, but this is a spam account.
- How do we find out who posted this? - The IP address.
Meet Jennifer Siegal.
From the photos and the comments,
she's an ex-girlfriend of Jesse's.
- You think she'd be willing to talk? - Only one way to find out.
Subpoenaing her as a last-minute witness
can knock Rachel and Amy off their game.
This could be the break that we're looking for.
Mm-hmm.
Uh-oh, I know that look.
Carole cheap out on the coffee creamer again?
- You know she did. - Oh.
But this time, it's something else.
The estimate for the funeral expenses for Carrie...
They are so much more than I anticipated.
- How much is way more? - At least $1OK.
Look, I have been calling around different funeral homes
and none of them are willing to work pro bono.
Where are you gonna get that kind of cash?
I wish I knew.
Have you thought about crowdfunding?
I bet Luke wouldn't mind helping out.
Yeah. How are your grandparents?
- Mm, they're still rebuilding. - Did you guys finally get
the estimate for damage to the store?
Yeah. Looks like they're gonna be starting from the ground up.
I am so sorry.
I can't imagine how they're feeling.
What about how you're feeling?
I mean, Luke, everything that's happened?
Haven't really talked to him much since the protest.
He did everything he could to help's Carrie's case.
Aside from that, it's just... complicated.
I still don't understand what happened between you two that night.
Hello, and the award for new H.O.J. hottie goes to...
Oh, my God, he is starting right at you, Em.
- Lawyer Bae? - Excuse me?
You don't know you were Lawyer Bae?
You must not be on social media much.
Do I know you?
I didn't get a chance to thank you for the milk.
Thank you.
Actually, my eyes thank you.
Mm-kay. Who is that,
and what were you all doing with milk?
Um, the night of the protests...
I-I don't see him anywhere.
Well, I'm not leaving until I find him.
He's been dodging my calls for over a week.
I don't know what's going on.
He could get hurt.
All right, look. I'll text you if I find him.
Let's meet back here in an hour, okay?
- Mm-hmm. Yeah. - Hey, Em?
- Be safe, okay? - You, too.
Defund the police!
- Get back! - Back it up!
Defund the police!
Clear the area!
They didn't do anything. You can't arrest them.
Um...
Hi. Uh, my name is Emily Lopez. I'm a lawyer.
We live here.
I have a friend at the ACLU. They can help you
make sure that your rights are being upheld.
Do not talk to anyone until you get your phone call, okay?
They're using pepper spray!
Aah!
Hey!
Aah! They got me!
Hey, take it.
Okay, open.
I know. Here. Let me help you.
Okay. I know. Just...
You okay?
We didn't do anything!
Oh, my gosh.
Whoa. He wasn't kidding about #LawyerBae.
Wait, what? Let me see.
It's been shared, like, 50,000 times on social media.
The protests were months ago.
Looks like someone reposted this video of you
helping that guy who got pepper-sprayed.
A local news station picked this up...
Wait. What if you use this
to help raise money for Carrie's funeral?
Lawyer Bae.
Might be worth a shot.
Maybe.
Oh... my God.
I don't think I've never ever seen Mark that pissed.
Based on the evidence, there's no way Lola
could've let that enhancement fly.
Something still doesn't feel right.
I mean not about the ruling, but Jesse.
I've been watching him. It's like he's not there.
Can you blame him? He's got a lot going on.
How does someone go from top of their class,
star football player,
to beating up strangers with a baseball bat?
Something had to have set him off.
Amy, this is a big case for us.
New firm, new partnership. We need a win.
We're his attorneys, not therapists.
- If we can try... - Self-defense.
...to figure out why he snapped
or if he was mentally impaired,
we might have a stronger defense.
His parents are not gonna like me asking questions
about whether their son was mentally impaired
during the incident.
Every other word out of their mouth
is "football" and "scholarship."
Give me some time with him.
Maybe Jesse will act differently.
- Fine. - First things first,
let's see what Callan's filing now.
I know that ding.
Somebody bought a ticket to the "Isle of Ladies."
Oh, kudos to you.
I have no idea what you're talking about.
All I'm saying is if you need some tips, I've got 'em.
Might wanna change the alert.
It's a dead giveaway.
Oh, sorry. I was just, um...
getting some creamer.
Anyway, I'm just gonna take some of these,
and, uh, I didn't see or hear anything.
But, uh, can I just say, with due respect,
filter your matches.
The last thing you need is your inbox flooded with dead ends.
Thank you.
Yeah.
Well, do you need some help?
Uh, I'm not a pro, but since Ben and I fizzled,
I've done my fair share of dating apps.
You and I could go through them. Over lunch?
That would be great.
Okay.
Hey.
Just checking in with you.
Let me guess. You wanna chat about gardening?
The "Times" reached out to me this morning for a comment.
Of course they did.
You know, Winston Churchill once said,
"A lie gets halfway around the world
before the truth has a chance to get its pants on."
Years ago I had a case involving a young man
involved in an accident. I was on a pin.
I listened to the noise, then I made the wrong choice.
Were you dragged in the press
or have a video implying you couldn't be impartial?
No. I can't say I did.
Hey, look, the only mistake you made
was being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Is that what you think this is?
Albert, you made a bad ruling, and the next day,
you got to walk through the H.O.J. with your head held high.
Six months after this protest,
and I am still paying for what went down that night.
So tell me, how is that fair?
I just came by to say don't listen to the noise.
What is the purpose of this urgent meeting?
On the day we are supposed to start trial,
the prosecution turns over the name of a new witness
and no witness statement.
I got it last night, Your Honor.
This is another ambush, Callan.
Any new witnesses should've been called...
Ms. Audubon, I will give you the morning to look at the file.
We will have a 402 hearing after lunch
so the court can determine if this late witness is relevant.
And, Mr. Callan, she will be here today,
or she will not testify at all, understood?
Thank you, Your Honor.
The parties are ordered back at 1:30.
Jesse, who is this girl?
Jenny and I, we were only together for a couple months.
Told you, you never should've dated that girl.
- Mrs. Frost. - We met at a party
in the summer between freshman and sophomore year.
And what is Jenny gonna say about you on the stand?
Well, she's my ex. What do you expect?
Wait, now the judge is allowing last minute witnesses?
She's off the rails.
Mr. Frost, you are taking this too personally.
Prosecution went through all the proper channels...
No, I'm not gonna let this judge ruin my boy's life.
- Mr. Frost, calm down. - Wait, wait, wait,
why does she get to take the stand
and completely tear me down?
Is it 'cause I'm a bad boyfriend?
The People couldn't make this a hate crime.
- So they're going to try... - To discredit you.
To blind the court with evidence that you're a racist.
Is that what this girl is going to say?
I cannot believe this is happening.
- Jesse? - My parents are digging
into their retirement fund to help me.
She better not ruin this for me!
Hey, Jesse.
Listen, he... He really is a good kid.
You know, everyone makes mistakes.
Right now we just need to focus on
getting him through the hearing.
Excuse me.
But I think we need to start looking at
other possibilities for Jesse's reaction that night.
Hey. You got a second? I brought treats.
No.
I can, uh, come back later.
You got two minutes.
Look, I know it was weird, the last time we talked, but...
- What do you need? - Choi sent me over
with a bunch of plea deals.
We've got a huge backlog because of how long
we couldn't go to trial for.
Is that what these cases are to you?
Just files that need to be stamped closed?
I'll pass.
Aren't you even gonna look at what we're offering?
I'm not interested unless
it's an outright dismissal of charges.
You know what? I will take every single one
of these cases to trial if I have to.
You can't do that.
You... You have an ethical obligation
- to show these to your clients. - I can.
If it's in the best interest of my client,
and they say that I can.
You can't take these to trial.
The backlog won't help any of us.
You clearly don't know me well enough
than to issue me a challenge like that.
Emily, I know it's awkward,
but I just want you to know that Luke and I are not...
Oh, please. This is not about Luke.
This is about the D.A.'s office dragging their feet,
and now because of the backlog, you wanna play ball?
Me taking these cases to trial
will send a message loud and clear
that my clients matter.
Okay.
You can leave the coffee.
And the doughnuts.
Whoa.
I'm used to doing this when I'm 3,000 miles away.
I'm glad we only have a few more of these appointments left
before the big day.
Look at you, all cheesin'.
I can't help it. I'm feeling lucky today, babe.
- Oh, really? - Come on, Mama.
Roll that dice with me.
Let's ask this doctor about the sex of our baby.
No, I already told you,
I would prefer to keep it a surprise.
What? Baby, you're killing me.
I've been in suspense about Bean long enough.
- Bean? - Bean.
At eight weeks you said
our baby was the size of a bean.
Now I know that they've grown a lot since then,
but the name stuck.
- It is gender-neutral. - Mm-hmm.
Mark demand to be godfather yet?
Mark and I haven't talked much lately.
Hmm. I know those videos.
It brought up a lot of emotion for you, for Mark.
He was the one person I thought would understand.
If I would've been there...
...it would've been a different story, Lu.
Thank God you weren't.
FBI agent, Black man posing a threat...
I've had to contemplate that perception my entire career.
And you shouldn't have to,
but that's the justice system
that we uphold every day.
I was zip-tied on a curb,
and people are asking me if I can be unbiased.
And now I have someone else to worry about.
You got to where you are because of your compassion
and your impartiality.
Don't let anybody take that away from you.
And you and I both know that Mark's always had your back.
This time's no different.
Hello? Hi. Who is this?
It's Joaquin, the... the milk guy,
from the protest.
H-Hi. Um, wait, how... How did you get my number?
I ran into your friend Sara on my way out and, uh...
Of course she gave you my number.
I just sent you some pictures I took of you
at the protest that night.
You should have 'em.
Yeah, I got it.
Luke?
Emily?
Emily? What are you doing here?
Hey. Come here.
What are you still doing here?
What the hell is going on, Luke? What is...
I had a lot running through my head, okay?
I'm trying to process the last few months.
Why are you shutting me out?
'Cause it's not about you... or me.
There are things that I need to work through by myself, okay?
I don't wanna drag you into this mess.
I'm sorry.
Whenever you're ready, you know where to find me.
Okay?
Look, I saw the funding site you set up,
so I thought I would post
some of these pictures with a #LawyerBae hashtag,
you know, use the exposure for good.
If it helps get the word out, then okay.
Well, this is a very powerful picture.
It was this beautiful moment in the chaos that shows us
what we're all fighting for.
- Thank you. - Of course, anytime.
- Bye-bye. - Bye. Yep.
- Bye. - Bye.
Ms. Siegal, what can you tell us
about the defendant's temperament
during the time you were dating?
He was nice to be around
when everything was going his way,
but when things weren't, yelling, punching walls.
Can you be more specific?
Whenever his coach would bench him from a game,
he'd be in a rage for days.
Said he deserved to be on the field.
Do you think Jesse Frost is
explosive enough to attack people with a baseball bat?
Objection. Leading the witness, Your Honor.
She also wasn't at the scene of the alleged incident.
- Sustained. - Let me rephrase the question.
In the course of your relationship,
did you ever see Jesse act violently?
Not at first but, um, over time
he became more easily triggered, angrier.
Last season he got benched for a concussion.
- He hated it. - Were you ever scared of him?
- Yes. - How so?
Well, the reason we broke up wasn't because he cheated.
It's because I was afraid for my life.
No further questions, Your Honor.
Ms. Audubon?
You mentioned my client was benched for a concussion,
but he's had more than one concussion, right?
Jesse's played football since he was 6.
- He had a lot. - So it was those concussions
and not "rage issues" that kept him off the field.
Objection. Speculation and foundation.
- Sustained. - And all that time
with my client, he never hit you, right?
- No, he didn't. - And the rage you saw,
it was because he was eager to play, right?
- Objection. - She's lying!
- Jesse... - She's trying to ruin my son's life!
Mr. Frost, please sit down.
Um, um, Your Honor,
my client needs medical attention.
- Jesse. - Bailiff, please.
Can you stand up?
- Mom? - Baby, I'm right here.
- Let's go outside. - Jesse?
- Mom! - Oh, my God. What do we do?
Jesse, I'm right here, baby.
If you can meet him at the elevator, that would be great.
Thank you very much.
- Ms. Audubon. - Huh?
Get your client evaluated now.
We will resume as soon as he is medically able
to return to court, but there will be no more continuances.
How is Jesse holding up?
How did his doctor's visit go?
When the CT scans and the MRI came back,
his doctor said there were physical signs of head trauma.
They're attributing it to football.
- C.T.E.? - That's only one of the possibilities.
The only problem is the condition can't be proven
unless the person is deceased.
You know, I have noticed changes
in Jesse's behavior in the last few months,
but never enough to raise any alarms.
Okay. So, where do we go from here?
We go to the judge
and tell her that all signs show
that Jesse could be suffering from C.T.E.
And ask for more time to get an expert opinion from a specialist.
From there, we can argue that Jesse's concussions
rendered him unable to control himself.
You should've seen Jesse smile
the first time he threw a football.
It was as if he found something he loved
and wanted to do it for the rest of his life.
I think that love may have caused us
to look the other way.
We pushed him, but we never knew he was sick.
Look, as a parent, you'd do anything to protect your child,
but sometimes you can't always protect them from themselves.
Maybe this time we went too far.
So what are you thinking?
We can keep trying for continuance, file an appeal.
No, I think Lola is set on the time. We have 24 hours.
We have to go for the plea.
Mark will never go for that.
He has doubled down on thinking
Jesse's condition is all an act.
We have to try.
Maybe the medical eval will buy us enough grounds
for him to consider new terms.
You told Choi to take a hike?
And these cases will keep getting sent straight
back to his desk unless he wants to talk
about sweetening these deals.
And in the meantime, the backlog keeps piling up.
- Are you sure that that this... - Carole, these are people.
What are we saying if we are not doing
everything in our power to fight these cases for them?
You know that it is not in anyone's best interest
to take all of these cases to trial.
You weren't there when she died.
Carrie Banks was waiting on the justice system
to give her a fair hearing.
But the more cases you choose not to plead out,
the longer it takes everyone to go to trial.
Then she needs to give us better offers.
Where's Sam? I thought she was helping with the subpoena.
She's wrapping up a couple cases
and then headed out for a date.
Okay. What am I missing?
I thought you two were, uh...
Sam and I have an understanding.
Oh, an understanding.
Well... I have engaged in a few understandings
over the years, and let me tell you,
it hasn't ended well for me or my car.
What if this kid really does have a medical condition?
He's got multiple documented concussions,
I played ball in high school.
I have front row seats to the length
that these players will go to get a scholarship.
- It's not a stretch. - Don't tell me you're buying this.
Just play ball with me for a second, okay?
C.T.E. is a legitimate medical condition.
What if there's some validity to the argument?
Then it's up to the defense to prove that.
Okay. You're starting to sound
like you have a savior's complex.
How is that? Because I'm not willing to give
a "get out of jail free" card to this kid?
No, because you're not willing to consider a plea deal.
It's the responsibility of the defense to prove this
by getting an actual diagnosis from a doctor...
In order to confirm it, they need an autopsy.
He would literally have to drop dead
before the defense can prove their case.
What about the victim's rights?
It is our job to protect those who can't protect themselves,
just like Lola did when she stood
between that little girl and that cop.
I know this is not about the case.
It's about that video.
And that night changed all of us,
but you're making this about you.
Oh, come on.
Do you know how many times I've seen this?
White star athlete gets judge on his potential,
and a Black kid would get tossed in jail
for looking at a cop the wrong way.
This case is not your therapy session.
And I get that Judge Carmichael is your friend,
and you feel helpless,
but there is nothing that you can do or say
to change what she is going through...
what we are all going through.
Just be there for her when she's ready.
All right.
Let's talk the terms of a plea deal.
Thank you.
Your Honor, the parties have reached
a negotiated disposition.
The People have offered a plea to count two,
assault with a deadly weapon as a felony,
and my client has chosen to accept it.
Your Honor, although the People have failed
to provide sufficient evidence to support
the hate crime enhancement,
it doesn't mean that the defendant's heinous actions
were not racially motivated.
What is tangible evidence, however,
is that the defendant seems to have a medical condition.
Based on that, we have offered Mr. Frost
a plea deal on count two, assault with a deadly weapon.
He'll be placed on five years formal probation.
He'll be forced to do six months
of anger management classes, racial sensitivity training,
and 50 days of community service.
And you are sure about this, Mr. Callan?
The conduct from the transcript concerns me.
I will need to review this matter myself
before I accept this deal.
Whatever the court needs.
The court will be in recess until tomorrow.
All rise.
- Do you see this? - Defund the police!
This is why they're protesting.
It's why they're chanting, "Defund the police."
They don't feel like their lives
are being protected and served.
- What? - Defund the police!
LA Times still blowing up your phone?
Do reporters ever stop?
Oh, I'm sick and tired
of being uncomfortable for the sake of others.
Why should I have to play ball with the system
when what I should be doing is upholding it?
As a woman, I know exactly what you need.
No, I don't think you do.
For Black women, there are a whole other set of rules
that do not apply to you.
You're right.
It's good to be angry, Carmichael.
Anger is an energy.
Maybe it's time you let it out.
Why? So I could be the angry Black woman
walking through the H.O.J.?
So you can have some catharsis.
I am sick of sitting down and being quiet.
And the one moment I speak up, this is what happens.
But that's the burden that I bear as a Black woman.
The mental acrobatics
and the mask that we have to put on every day
to make other people feel comfortable.
We get tired of having to go high
when everyone goes low.
It is emotionally exhausting, and I am done.
Maybe it's not about making the accepted choice.
Maybe it's about knowing in your heart
that you made the right choice
even if you have to defend it.
But why should I have to defend it, Lisa?
When is the life of that little girl
staring down the barrel of a gun going to matter?
Why is equality so hard for people to swallow?
Oh! Change isn't easy.
It's uncomfortable.
It's like growing pains,
and sometimes that scares people.
Sometimes being raw and transparent,
being a little scary,
gets us to the answers we need.
Between this plea deal and that video,
I am only letting myself down by not saying anything.
What do you have in mind?
Transparency.
All rise.
You may be seated.
Let me begin by saying I have always been transparent.
Bailiff, you may bring in the press.
Come on in.
Since we keep playing phone tag,
I figured I would invite you to my courtroom.
Back on the record in People v. Frost. All present.
Yesterday, the People proposed disposition
to give this young man a break,
based on a medical condition that was previously undiagnosed,
a condition that perhaps
explains why Mr. Frost lashed out
in the way that he did,
because he feared for his life.
As everyone knows by now, I was at the protest that night.
I, too, stumbled upon someone who feared for their life.
A gun was trained on this person,
and I chose to step in and do what I felt was right
and protect that life.
There is a very...
strong part of me
that says that I need to reject this deal
because the lives of these protesters matter.
Mr. Frost, you made a choice that night
to get out of your car and swing your bat
because you feared for your life.
Was your fear rational or irrational?
Was your life threatened, or were you the threat?
Every crime requires both a wrongful action
and a wrongful intent.
And while we cannot prove your thoughts on race,
the impact of your actions on these victims
is detrimental.
Your actions, intended or not, have consequences.
Therefore... I will accept the plea as outlined.
In this matter, the imposition of one year
county jail is suspended,
pending the defendant completes formal probation,
community service, anger management classes,
race sensitivity training, and make restitution
to the victims in an amount to be determined.
During your probation, you will not play football,
college or professionally, while you continue
to undergo extensive medical evaluation.
And if you do not comply to all of the terms
of your probation, you will go to jail.
Do you understand and accept
the terms of your probation, Mr. Frost?
Yes, Your Honor.
In addition, Mr. and Mrs. Frost, please stand.
It is one thing to push your child
because you love them.
It is another to ignore the signs
that they are suffering from a medical condition
that not only endangers the public but themselves.
I recommend family therapy.
All rise.
I'm so relieved, sweetheart.
Look, my family and I, we... We can't thank you enough.
I know you were the one who leaked the video.
I don't know how you got your hands on it,
and I don't really care.
But I know you were behind it.
What I don't get is that you wanted Judge Carmichael
to recuse herself to save your son's career,
but you didn't give a damn about ruining hers.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Judge Carmichael...
is the most impartial judge I know.
You could've ruined your son's entire case.
Have a good day, Mr. Frost.
Okay.
Nice to meet you, Lisa.
All righty.
How do you think it went?
The camera makes it harder to read
what the other person is thinking,
And... it's just different.
But I think I want a second date with her.
Sounds like a win to me.
Oh.
It's still a good screenshot of you.
What, you didn't think I would change it, did you?
- Hey. - Hey.
Didn't expect to see you here.
Wanted to show my support.
At least I got to give her kids
a proper goodbye, you know?
At least I managed to do this one last thing for her.
You care about people.
That's why you're so good at your job.
Thank you.
But I'm actually kind of losing it at work right now.
I told the head D.D.A. that I would be taking
all of my cases to trial, which...
I respect that you're fiery, passionate,
threatening to do the impossible
and then somehow achieving it.
Well, I wouldn't have been able to do this without your help.
No. This is all you.
What do you think about grabbing a coffee?
In honor of Carrie.
I think I would like that.
Well done, Judge Carmichael.
Bringing the media into the courtroom today was epic.
Definitely shut 'em up.
Wasn't sure you'd come.
I'm glad the case is over.
Guess this is gonna be the new normal.
Well, at least until the pandemic lightens up.
That's not what I meant.
Us facing each other in court... That's unavoidable.
Disagreeing is inevitable.
Losing my best friend is unthinkable.
I'm sorry, Lo.
A lot of people made bad decisions that night,
myself included.
You were the only one who made the right choice.
What I said, uh, the impact of words,
they're powerful. But, uh, I had no idea.
That's the thing. I don't expect you to know
or even understand everything.
But I need for you to listen.
I'm here.
My biggest fear...
isn't even being a good mom.
It's bringing a little Black child into this world.
And part of me
feels robbed of the excitement
because I don't know
if I will be able to protect him or her.
Lola, I know it's scary.
But I am here for you.
I'm here for Rob and...
I'm here for... baby Makai.
Makai?
What, you've been researching baby names now?
Well, I'm looking forward, all right?
And we still got a couple months and, you know,
if I'm gonna be the godfather...
Ooh, who said godfather?
Lo, you are gonna be...
a legendary mom.
And I'm gonna be right there at your side
every step of the way.
I know I got some learning to do,
you know, do better, be better.
So do I.
Well...
? We keep marching into the...
I'm gonna start with this.
Sanitized and everythang at my little baby shower.
What is this?
2-way monitor.
So when you bring the baby to H.O.J.,
he won't be alone.
- Or she. - Or she.
Mark, this is...
I was serious when I said I was gonna start listening.
Makai?
Uncle Mark here. Talk to me.
I will have this on silent... at all times.
Oh, thank you.
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