SINCE 1970, THE FEDERAL WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM
HAS RELOCATED THOUSANDS OF WITNESSES
TO NEIGHBORHOODS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
EVERY ONE OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS SHARES A UNIQUE ATTRIBUTE
DISTINGUISHING THEM FROM THE REST OF THE GENERAL POPULATION,
AND THAT IS, SOMEBODY WANTS THEM DEAD.
OH, NO, CAPTAIN!
WE'RE STUCK IN AN ICE FLOE. WHAT DO WE DO?
GET AHOLD OF YOURSELF, JENKINS!
THERE'S WOMEN AND CHILDREN ON BOARD.
BUT SIR, WE'RE CHILDREN!
SO WE ARE, JENKINS,
SO WE ARE.
AW, CRAP.
VERNON, YOU PROMISED.
YOU PROMISED NOT IN THIS HOUSE.
HONEY, COME ON.
NO, THIS IS OUR HOME.
OUR SON IS RIGHT OUTSIDE.
VERNON, NO!
CONTROL YOUR BITCH, MARICON, OR I WILL.
I'M CALLING THE COPS.
NO, YOU'RE NOT CALLING THE COPS!
LEAVE MY MOM ALONE!
HONEY, NO!
MOM!
THIS SWEETHEART IS VERNON "VICE" MCROY,
ONE OF THE LARGEST DRUG TRAFFICKERS
IN THE MIDWEST.
HE, ALONG WITH
JAIME AND LUIS CRUZ, MURDERED MCROY'S WIFE,
ELIZABETH MCROY, WHILE THEIR 8-YEAR-OLD SON
LONNY MCROY, LOOKED ON.
WOW, TALK ABOUT YOUR TEXTBOOK BAD PARENTING.
ACCORDING TO THE LITTLE BOY, MOMMY OBJECTED TO DAD
AND COMPANY CONDUCTING THE DRUG BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE.
THINGS WERE SAID,
UMBRAGE WAS TAKEN, AND BOOM-SHAKA-LAKA-LAKA,
HERE WE ARE.
WAIT. SO WHO'S COMING INTO THE PROGRAM?
THE BOY.
BY HIMSELF? CAN WE DO THAT?
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL THINKS SO.
AND THIS KID'S WILLING TO TESTIFY AGAINST HIS FATHER?
DOESN'T HAVE TO.
DAD COPPED TO INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER.
HE'S DOING TWO TO FIVE AT INDIANA STATE.
BUT APPARENTLY, LITTLE LONNY
HAS A DISTURBING KNOWLEDGE OF HIS DAD'S DRUG BUSINESS,
AND THAT'S WHAT THE FEDS WANT HIM TO TESTIFY ABOUT.
SO WHAT DO YOU THINK, MARY?
AGAIN, SPECTACULARLY BAD PARENTING.
I MEANT ABOUT TAKING ON AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD WITNESS.
AND YOU'RE ASKING ME BECAUSE?
NO.
NO, NO.
WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO, ADOPT HIM?
MAYBE I SHOULD JUST TREAT HIM LIKE ANY OTHER WITNESS,
GET HIM AN APARTMENT, SET HIM UP WITH A BUS PASS,
CHECK IN ON HIM EVERY COUPLE MONTHS.
OBVIOUSLY, NO ONE'S GONNA RENT TO AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD.
COME ON, DOESN'T HE HAVE SOME FAMILY THAT CAN TAKE HIM IN?
A DISTANT RELATIVE SOMEWHERE?
TOO DANGEROUS.
THESE CRUZ PEOPLE HAVE A LONG HISTORY
OF TAKING OUT WITNESSES.
STAN, I SUCK WITH KIDS.
SO? YOU SUCK WITH GROWNUPS TOO.
OW! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'D HIT A GIRL!
YOU'RE NO GIRL.
OH!
STAN, I'M SO SORRY.
I HAVE TO GO CHANGE NOW.
THIS KID NEEDS AN ADVOCATE,
AND YOU ARE IT.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE ONLY OPTION FOR HIM
IS ANOTHER WITSEC FAMILY,
PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND THE RISKS AND RESTRICTIONS.
POOR LITTLE GUY.
WHAT'S HE LIKE?
HE'S SWEET.
I MEAN, HE'S BEEN THROUGH A LOT.
HE GREW UP IN THIS WORLD, AND HE'S--
AND WHAT?
LOOK, OUR KIDS HAVE BEEN THROUGH A LOT TOO.
I KNOW. YOU ALL HAVE.
IT ISN'T FAIR, DUMPING THIS ON US.
NO. NOTHING ABOUT THIS IS FAIR.
CAN WE HAVE A MOMENT, PLEASE?
SURE, OF COURSE, PLEASE, TAKE ALL THE TIME YOU NEED.
I THINK--I THINK WE NEED TO GIVE IT A SHOT.
YOU TOLD THEM I WAS SWEET?
YOU COULD BE SWEET,
IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDED ON IT.
IF THE FUTURE OF THE FREE WORLD DEPENDED ON IT
AND THERE WAS SORT OF A CASH PAYOUT INVOLVED,
YOU COULD BE SWEET.
OH, CRAP.
ARE THEY PRAYING?
MAYBE NOT.
GOOD GOD, WHAT KIND OF POTATO-HEAD YOKELS
HAVE YOU HOOKED ME UP WITH?
OKAY, LOOK, FOR YOUR INFORMATION,
MR. POTATO-HEAD YOKEL
IN THERE HELPED BILK THE U.S. GOVERNMENT
OUT OF NEARLY $3 BILLION.
$3 BILLION? FOR REAL?
YOU'RE DARN RIGHT.
THIS IS WHY I COULD NEVER HAVE A DOG.
YEAH.
SO?
EVER SINCE CARTER'S FALL FROM GRACE,
WE'VE PRAYED FOR GUIDANCE,
ASKED GOD TO GIVE US DIRECTION,
SHOW US OUR PURPOSE.
UH, I'M SORRY. ARE WE STILL TALKING ABOUT LEO?
WE'D LIKE TO GIVE THIS A TRY.
GREAT. THAT IS GREAT.
WHEN CAN WE MEET LEO?
HEY, HOW'S IT GOING?
I WAS PRETTY SURE YOU'D SAY YES.
LOOK, I AIN'T GOING TO CHURCH, AND I DON'T HAVE A BEDTIME.
OKAY, GUYS, NEW RULES.
MOM, NO MORE SLEEPOVERS.
YOU WANT TO SPEND THE NIGHT WITH YOUR GENTLEMEN FRIENDS,
YOU DO IT AT THEIR HOUSE, OR APARTMENT, OR DOUBLE-WIDE.
SWEETIE, WHY?
BECAUSE I HAVE A JOB, BECAUSE I NEED MY SLEEP,
BECAUSE A DAUGHTER SHOULD NEVER HAVE TO HEAR HER MOTHER
DOING THE THINGS I HEARD LAST NIGHT.
YEAH, MAMA.
BRANDI, WHAT'S THE DEAL?
I THOUGHT YOU HAD A HOME AND A BOYFRIEND IN NEW JERSEY.
OKAY, I LOVE YOU, BUT THREE WEEKS
CONTRIBUTING NOTHING, ENOUGH ALREADY.
SERIOUSLY, START PAYING RENT,
OR I NEED TO KNOW WHEN YOU'RE GOING BACK TO JERSEY.
A HARD DATE, ON THE CALENDAR, CIRCLED IN RED.
END OF DISCUSSION.
OH, AND MOM,
YOU NEED TO GET OFF YOUR ASS AND FIND GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT.
OH, DEAR GOD.
MORNIN', LADIES.
SAY, WHO'S A FELLA GOTTA SLEEP WITH
TO GET A CUP OF COFFEE AROUND HERE?
THAT'S DAN.
PLEASE DON'T SHOOT HIM.
ONE REALLY?
COULD I MAKE THAT UP?
SINCE WHEN DO YOU BUY GIFTS FOR WITNESSES?
OR ANYONE, FOR THAT MATTER?
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
I'M A GREAT GIFT-GIVER.
NOT RE-GIFTS.
ACTUAL GO OUT AND PURCHASE BRAND NEW PRESENTS.
HUH.
THAT'S MY GIRL.
MARY!
HEY!
CONGRATULATIONS, KIDDO, YOU'RE OFFICIALLY A YOKEL.
YEAH, HOW ABOUT THAT?
LISTEN, I REALLY WANTED TO BRING YOU A PRESENT,
BUT UNFORTUNATELY, WITSEC RULES DON'T ALLOW IT.
HERE YOU GO, SPORT.
OH, THANKS.
YEAH, WHATEVER THAT IS, THAT'S FROM BOTH OF US.
TALK TO YOU LATER.
HEY.
HEY, MARY. MARY.
YOU MADE IT!
I'M SO GLAD YOU MADE IT.
OF COURSE I MADE IT.
I ALWAYS SHOW UP FOR THE HAPPY OCCASIONS.
HEY, CARTER, CONGRATULATIONS. HEY.
THANKS. THIS IS ONE OF THE HAPPIEST.
SO IT'S OFFICIAL, HUH?
EVERYTHING SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED?
HE'S OFFICIALLY PART OF THE CLAN.
IT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE HE WAS EVER NOT A PART OF OUR FAMILY.
YOU GUYS HAVE DONE A PHENOMENAL JOB.
HE SEEMS GREAT.
OH, MARY, HE'S DOING SO WELL.
I MEAN, THERE ARE STILL THE NIGHTMARES,
AND YOU KNOW WHAT HE'S BEEN THROUGH, AND STILL--
HE'S SO PROTECTIVE OF HER.
WHEN SHE WAKES UP IN THE NIGHT,
LEO'S THE ONE THAT GETS HER BOTTLE
AND CHANGES HER.
SHE WON'T GO BACK TO SLEEP WITHOUT HER LEO.
ARE YOU OKAY?
WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH BABIES?
I DON'T GET 'EM.
WOW!
LOOK AT THIS.
WHAT'S THAT I SMELL?
DID YOU MAKE TUNA CASSEROLE?
NOT ME.
GUILTY.
WITH VELVEETA AND POTATO CHIP CRUST?
LIKE THERE'S SOME OTHER WAY?
THANKS.
GOSH.
THANKS FOR CLEANING UP.
NOW, YOU SIT.
WE'RE GONNA TAKE CARE OF YOU FOR A CHANGE.
DID SOMETHING BAD HAPPEN?
YEP, THE WORST
POSSIBLE THING.
WHAT?
I GOT A JOB.
SHUT UP.
SERIOUSLY?
I DID.
LOOK.
DANA DEAN COSMETICS.
WOW.
CAN YOU IMAGINE MOM GOING DOOR TO DOOR
IN A LITTLE PINK SUIT,
MARKETING, UM,
HIGH-LINE HEALTH AND BEAUTY AIDS
TO AMERICA'S WOMEN ON THE GO.
YOU KNOW WHAT, MOM?
HEY, BE SERIOUS.
I THINK THIS IS GREAT.
I DO. I'M GONNA HELP YOU ANY WAY I CAN.
OH, THANK YOU, SWEET PEA.
I'M SO GLAD YOU FEEL THAT WAY,
BECAUSE I NEED $2,500 TO GET STARTED.
HUH.
I'M JUST SAYING YOU SHOULD TREAD LIGHTLY.
THERE'S A RIGHT WAY AND A WRONG WAY TO WORK WITH MARY,
ESPECIALLY WITH THIS WITNESS.
YOU KNOW, IN FACT,
WHY DON'T YOU JUST LET ME DO THE TALKING.
IN OTHER WORDS, YOU'RE AFRAID OF YOUR OWN INSPECTOR.
ON SECOND THOUGHT,
HANDLE IT HOWEVER YOU THINK BEST.
MORNING. OH, GOOD MORNING, MARY.
YOU REMEMBER ARLO MEYERS FROM THE D.O.J.
SURE, HOW'S IT GOING?
FINE, I WANTED TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT-- SO HERE'S THE DEAL.
LEO'S GOT ALL THIS TESTIMONY PENDING.
THE DRUG CHARGES AGAINST HIS FATHER,
PLUS THE CHARGES AGAINST THE CRUZ BROTHERS,
ALL OUT OF STATE, AND I JUST THINK IT'S TOO MUCH
TO MAKE HIM RELIVE THE WHOLE TRAUMATIC MESS
WHEN HE'S FINALLY PUT IT ALL BEHIND HIM.
IT'S TOO MUCH.
ISN'T THERE SOME WAY
YOU CAN JUST PUT HIS TESTIMONY ON TAPE?
ACTUALLY, THERE'S A NEW WRINKLE TO LEO'S SITUATION, MARY.
DEFINE WRINKLE.
VERNON MCROY GOT EARLY RELEASE FROM PRISON.
HE'S SUING FOR CUSTODY OF LEO.
SO JUST TELL HIM NO.
SORRY, YOU MURDERED YOUR SON'S MOTHER,
AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH A DEAL-BREAKER
ON THE CUSTODY ISSUE.
I MEAN, GOD.
WHAT THE HELL'S WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?
CAN'T YOU JUST STRAP ON A SET
AND DO THE RIGHT THING FOR ONCE?
YOU'RE DOING GREAT.
MCROY FILED A HABEAS PETITION
IN INDIANA STATE COURT,
CHALLENGING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S AUTHORITY
TO TAKE HIS SON, AND STATE JUDGES TEND TO TAKE
A DIM VIEW OF THE FEDS INTERFERING IN MATTERS
HISTORICALLY UNDER THEIR PURVIEW.
SO TOUGH, IT'S A FEDERAL COURT ORDER.
THAT TRUMPS STATE, RIGHT? NOT NECESSARILY.
U.S. CODE TITLE 18 GIVES STATES SPECIFIC REMEDY
IN CASES OF CHILD CUSTODY, AND JUST BETWEEN US,
IT'S QUITE LIKELY THE FEDERAL JUDGE
OVERSTEPPED HIS AUTHORITY.
UNBELIEVABLE. COME ON.
YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MOPE'S DOING.
THIS PIECE OF SEWAGE ONLY WANTS CUSTODY OF LEO
TO KEEP HIM FROM TESTIFYING
AGAINST HIMSELF AND THE CRUZ BROTHERS.
AND IF THAT HAPPENS, WE LOSE A CRITICAL COMPONENT
IN OUR CASE AGAINST THE CRUZ ORGANIZATION.
HEY, PEA BRAIN,
IF MCROY GETS CUSTODY, LEO'S AS GOOD AS DEAD.
THERE'S NO WAY THOSE GUYS WILL LET HIM LIVE,
AND BY THE WAY, HE'S NOT SOME DAMN COMPONENT.
HE'S A TEN-YEAR-OLD KID.
HE'S ALSO A PROTECTED WITNESS
OBLIGATED TO TESTIFY
UNDER THE TERMS OF HIS AGREEMENT.
HOW MANY TIMES A WEEK PEOPLE TELL YOU YOU SUCK?
ARE YOU GONNA LET HER SPEAK TO ME LIKE THIS?
IT SEEMS LIKE A VALID QUESTION.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
NOW YOU GO EXPLAIN TO AN INDIANA JUDGE
WHY RETURNING LEO TO HIS FATHER IS A VERY BAD IDEA.
HERE'S YOUR TRAVELING PAPERS.
THANKS A LOT.
"SARAH WHITE, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
FAMILY RELATIONS."
I'M NOT SURE I CAN PULL OFF A SARAH.
SARAH WHITE?
WELL, FOR SECURITY REASONS,
SHE TESTIFIES UNDER AN ALIAS.
IT'S ALL KOSHER,
THERE'S NO PERJURY ISSUE.
THIS SHOULD BE FUN.
HOW THE HELL DOES THIS HAPPEN?
MARY. CARTER.
MARY, WHY ARE YOU LETTING THEM DO THIS?
NO, I KNOW, I KNOW, I KNOW.
LISTEN, NO ONE THINKS THIS STINKS MORE THAN ME, OKAY?
BUT THE TRUTH IS, IT'S HIGHLY UNLIKELY
THAT ANY JUDGE IS GONNA AWARD CUSTODY
TO SOME DRUG-DEALING MURDERER LIKE VERNON MCROY.
UNLIKELY, BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE.
AND WHAT HAPPENS IF WE ASSERT OUR PARENTAL RIGHTS
AND DON'T LET YOU TAKE LEO?
AND MAYBE WE DON'T EVEN LET HIM TESTIFY IN THE FUTURE?
WELL, IN THAT CASE, LEO WOULD BE IN BREACH
OF HIS WITSEC CONTRACT.
THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, HAVING NO FURTHER
LEGAL STANDING IN THE MATTER, WOULD THEN NOTIFY
THE INDIANA COURT
OF LEO'S--EXCUSE ME, LONNY MCROY'S WHEREABOUTS.
YOU SOULLESS SON OF A BITCH.
CARTER.
ARLO, GOOD GOD,
QUIT HIDING BEHIND THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, OKAY?
IT'S YOU. IT'S JUST YOU.
AT LEAST OWN UP TO IT.
I'M NOT THE BAD GUY HERE.
I'M TRYING TO PUT MURDERERS BEHIND BARS.
OKAY, GOOD
JUST GET HIM ON THE DAMN PLANE!
MARY, PROMISE ME YOU'LL BRING LEO HOME.
I'LL DO MY BEST.
NO, PROMISE.
I PROMISE I'LL DO MY BEST.
YOU'LL BE ALL RIGHT, BUD, ALL RIGHT?
STAY STRONG. ALL RIGHT.
GENTLEMEN, WE HAVE COMPANY.
SORRY, GUYS.
I'M MARY. THIS IS MARSHALL AND LEO.
DEAL ME IN.
HOW ABOUT YOU?
SURE, I LIKE THE OCCASIONAL GAME OF CHANCE.
FARO, WHIST.
DON'T BOTHER. IT'S BUSTED.
WHAT DO WE HAVE
FOR ENTERTAINMENT AROUND HERE, GUYS?
BOOKS, VIDEO GAMES, ANYTHING?
PRETTY MUCH WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET.
GUYS, I'VE GOT A TEN-YEAR-OLD WITNESS.
WHAT'S HE SUPPOSED TO DO
TO KEEP FROM GOING NUTS?
HEY, WE'RE MARSHALS, NOT BABYSITTERS.
NO, IT'S OKAY, MARY.
MAYBE THE GENTLEMEN CAN TEACH ME HOW TO PLAY
ONE OF THEIR CARD GAMES.
ALL RIGHT,
BUT JUST FOR A LITTLE WHILE.
THANKS, GUYS.
SO WHAT'S THAT GAME CALLED AGAIN
HOLD'EM.
OH, YEAH.
THAT SOUNDS LIKE IT.
HAVE FUN, BOYS.
WOW, THERE'S A LOT TO LEARN HERE, MOM.
DO YOU REALLY THINK YOU CAN DO THIS?
SWEETIE, IT'S LIKE YOUR DADDY,
WHO WAS A PRETTY FAIR SALESMAN,
USED TO SAY.
ALL SALES ARE THE SAME.
YOU SELL YOURSELF,
AND THE PRODUCTS WILL TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.
UH, WAS THAT, UH,
BEFORE OR AFTER HE BECAME A CRIMINAL
AND RAN OUT ON THE FAMILY?
SORRY.
HELP ME PRACTICE MY PITCH.
OKAY.
DING-DONG.
AVON CALLING.
OH.
THAT'S NOT FUNNY.
IT'S NOT FUNNY. CUT IT OUT.
THIS IS SERIOUS TO ME.
OKAY, I KNOW.
COME ON, COME ON.
SORRY. OKAY, GO.
DING-DONG.
AVON CALLING.
YOU KNOW, I HAVE GOT TO LEARN THIS.
THIS IS--COME ON, STOP. NOW COME ON.
I KNOW. OKAY.
DING-DONG.
NOT BAD FOR A NIGHT'S WORK.
YOU KNOW, YOU MAY WANT TO KEEP IN MIND
THOSE MEN YOU FLEECED ARE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT YOU.
WHY DO YOU THINK I LET THEM WIN BACK HALF THEIR MONEY?
YEP.
WE'RE LOCKED DOWN.
THE OUTER PERIMETER IS SECURE.
I'LL BE IN THE OTHER BEDROOM IF YOU NEED ME.
THANKS.
GOOD NIGHT.
NICE JAMMIES.
UH-HUH.
THAT GUY IS SUPPOSED TO PROTECT ME?
YEAH, WELL, DON'T LET THE PJs FOOL YOU.
THAT'S ONE BAD-ASS LAWMAN.
LEO?
LEO, HEY.
OH, HEY.
WHAT IS IT?
TELL ME, COME ON.
HEY, SWEETIE, COME ON, COME HERE.
SHH...
SHH. WHAT IS IT?
COME ON, TELL ME WHAT IT IS.
TELL ME WHY YOU'RE CRYING.
AM I GONNA SEE MY DAD?
I DON'T KNOW.
I THINK IT'LL DEPEND ON, UM,
YOU KNOW, ON HOW THE JUDGE WANTS TO DO THINGS.
DO YOU WANT TO SEE HIM?
WHAT IF...
WHAT IF HE THINKS...
WHAT IF HE THINKS I DON'T LOVE HIM ANYMORE?
OH, LEO.
I KNOW HE DID A LOT OF BAD STUFF, BUT...
BUT HE'S STILL MY DAD.
HE'S STILL MY DAD.
OH, SWEETIE, COME ON.
SHH...
I'M SURE HE DOESN'T THINK THAT.
HOW DO YOU KNOW?
BECAUSE HE'S YOUR DAD.
HE KNOWS YOU LOVE HIM.
NO MATTER WHAT THEY DID OR WHERE THEY ARE,
DADS ALWAYS KNOW.
THEY HAVE TO. THEY JUST HAVE TO.
COME ON.
LONNY.
DAD? WHOA!
ALL OVER IT. LET'S GO.
HEY, VERN,
HOW'S IT GOING?
GET OUT OF MY WAY. NOT TODAY.
LET GO OF MY CLIENT.
WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?
I'M THE PERSON TELLING YOU TO STAY AWAY FROM THAT BOY.
STEP BACK.
OH, I'M AN OFFICER OF THE COURT.
AND I'M A UNITED STATES MARSHAL.
NOW STEP BACK.
NOW LISTEN CAREFULLY.
ANY FURTHER ATTEMPT AT CONTACTING
THAT BOY YOU CALLED LONNY
WILL BE CONSIDERED A THREAT TO HIS WELL-BEING,
AND I WILL PERSONALLY TAKE MEASURES TO NEUTRALIZE
ANY SUCH THREAT.
IS THERE ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT I JUST SAID
YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND?
YOU THINK YOU CAN INTIMIDATE ME?
YEAH.
GOOD AFTERNOON, I'M JINX SHANNON,
YOUR LOCAL DANA DEAN COSMETICS REPRESENTATIVE.
DID YOU KNOW THAT TODAY'S DANA DEAN COSMETICS
ARE PERFECTLY DESIGNED FOR THE CONTEMPORARY
AMERICAN WOMAN ON THE GO?
AAH!
WISH ME LUCK.
REMEMBER, WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T SAY "AVON."
FAMILY COURT IS NOW IN SESSION.
THE HONORABLE JUDGE
ARLENE HOLIDAY PRESIDING.
ALL RISE.
THANK YOU, EVERYONE. GOOD MORNING.
YOU MAY BE SEATED.
ALL RIGHT.
WE ARE HEARING THE MATTER
OF MCROY VERSUS THE U.S. GOVERNMENT.
IS THAT RIGHT?
STATE YOUR APPEARANCES.
VINCENT SERRATO FOR VERNON MCROY.
ARLO MEYERS FOR THE UNITED STATES.
THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN.
AS I UNDERSTAND YOUR PETITIONS,
MR. MCROY HAS FILED A HABEAS PETITION
DECLARING THAT THE U.S. GOVERNMENT
HAS TAKEN AND IS HOLDING HIS SON WITHOUT AUTHORITY.
IS THAT CORRECT?
IT IS, YOUR HONOR.
AND THE UNITED STATES CONTENDS THAT IT INTERCEDED
ON BEHALF OF A MINOR CITIZEN, PROTECTING HIM
FROM SOME FOREIGN DRUG DEALERS
WHOSE INTENT IT WAS TO KILL THE BOY.
DOES THAT ABOUT SUM IT UP?
YES, YOUR HONOR.
ALL RIGHT, MR. SERRATO,
LET'S HEAR IT.
THANK YOU.
YOUR HONOR, THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
DISSEMBLES WHEN THEY CLAIM CONCERN
FOR MY CLIENT'S SON'S WELL-BEING.
CLEARLY, THEIR ONLY INTERESTED IN LONNY'S TESTIMONY
TO BUILD A CASE AGAINST MR. MCROY
AND THESE SO-CALLED DRUG DEALERS.
MR. MEYERS, DO YOU CARE TO RESPOND?
YES, YOUR HONOR.
VERNON MCROY IS A NOTORIOUS DRUG DEALER
WHO ASSOCIATES WITH KNOWN KILLERS.
NOW THE FBI, DEA,
AND EVEN YOUR OWN INDIANA STATE POLICE
HAVE COLLECTED OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE AGAINST--
HAS HE BEEN CONVICTED
OF ANY OF THESE CHARGES?
NO.
INDICTED?
NOT YET, YOUR HONOR, BUT LONNY MCROY
SUFFERED SEVERE EMOTIONAL HARM
WITNESSING HIS MOTHER'S MURDER
AT THE HANDS OF HIS FATHER,
AND BY ANY MEASURE, HE WAS REMOVED
FROM A DANGEROUS, HARMFUL ENVIRONMENT,
AND PLACED WITH A LOVING,
DECENT FAMILY.
HOW AM I TO DISCERN THE CURRENT STATE
OF THE BOY'S HOME LIFE?
IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING
THAT THE FAMILY'S NOT AVAILABLE FOR TESTIFYING.
IF I MAY, YOUR HONOR?
AND YOU ARE?
SARAH WHITE.
I'VE BEEN ASSIGNED
BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF LONNY'S FAMILY.
THE REASON THEY'RE NOT HERE TODAY
IS THE U.S. MARSHAL SERVICE HAS DETERMINED
THAT EXPOSING THEM TO VIOLENT CRIMINALS,
LIKE VERNON MCROY AND HIS ASSOCIATES,
PLACES THEM IN MORTAL JEOPARDY.
WHICH IS FED SPEAK FOR THEY'RE IN WITNESS PROTECTION,
AND NEITHER YOU, NOR I,
OR THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
KNOWS WHERE THEY ARE, WHO THEY ARE,
OR WHAT KIND OF CRIMINALS THEY ARE.
IS THAT TRUE?
IS THE BOY'S NEW FAMILY
IN THE FEDERAL WITNESS
PROTECTION PROGRAM?
YOUR HONOR, GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES ARE PROHIBITED
FROM DIVULGING INFORMATION
REGARDING PROTECTED WITNESSES.
NO, NO, NO, MISS WHITE.
YOUR HONOR-- MISS WHITE.
YOU CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.
YOU EITHER TELL US EVERYTHING
OR I'LL DISALLOW ANY TESTIMONY
REGARDING THE FAMILY.
I'M SORRY, BUT YOU DON'T GET
TO DECIDE WHAT WE CAN AND CANNOT HEAR.
THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR.
BUT I DON'T WANT TO WAIT ANYMORE, CHUCK.
I'M LONELY. I WANT TO COME HOME.
I KNOW, AND I WANT YOU TO.
IT'S JUST TAKING ME A LITTLE LONGER THAN I THOUGHT
TO PUT THIS THING TOGETHER.
WELL, WHY CAN'T YOU COME HERE AND DO IT?
SWEETIE, MY PAROLE.
I CAN'T LEAVE THE STATE.
LOOK, AS SOON AS WE GET THIS DONE,
THEN YOU CAN COME HOME.
I CAN FINISH THE STUDIO,
AND WE CAN HAVE OUR LIFE TOGETHER.
I MADE A SALE!
THAT'S GREAT.
I GOTTA GO, SWEETIE. I LOVE YOU.
LOOK!
TEN BUCKS?
WHAT DID YOU SELL?
EYEBROW PENCIL.
IT WAS ACTUALLY 7.95,
BUT I MADE A SALE!
YAY!
NOW GO SELL SOME MORE.
WELL, YOU KNOW, I COULD DO THAT.
BUT, UM, MAYBE THAT'S ENOUGH FOR TODAY.
YOU KNOW I CAN DO THIS.
DON'T YOU THINK I SHOULD CELEBRATE?
REALLY, MOM? YEAH.
IT'S 10:30.
OH, DON'T BE SUCH A KILLJOY.
COME ON, DRIVE.
PICK MY BAG UP.
OKAY.
I MUST SAY, COUNSELOR, THAT I FIND
THE GOVERNMENT'S CLAIM OF PROTECTING
ONE OF ITS CITIZENS IS JUSTIFICATION
FOR DENYING THIS MAN CUSTODY OF HIS SON
A LITTLE CONVENIENT.
BUT YOUR HONOR, THE MAN WENT TO JAIL
FOR MURDERING
THE BOY'S MOTHER.
NO, HE CONFESSED AND SERVED TIME
FOR THE LESSER CHARGE OF CRIMINAL MANSLAUGHTER.
BIG DIFFERENCE.
BUT I WONDER, COUNSELOR,
HOW MANY OF THE OTHER THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN
IN THIS COUNTRY WHO ARE LIVING IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS
HAS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STEPPED IN
AND USURPED PARENTAL CUSTODY?
THAT'S AN INTERESTING QUESTION.
MISS WHITE,
MAYBE YOU'D LIKE TO ANSWER THAT.
I'D, UM, HAVE TO LOOK THOSE NUMBERS UP.
THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT.
JESUS, WHAT WAS THAT?
STAY CALM.
EVERYBODY TO THE SOUTHWEST STAIRS.
LONNY.
MARSHALL, WAIT!
MOVE, MOVE, MOVE, MOVE, MOVE.
LONNY!
SOUTHWEST EXIT.
CONTINUE IN APPROXIMATELY 20 SECONDS.
MOVE, MOVE!
WE'VE GOT ONE FLOOR TO GO.
MARSHALL, WAIT!
MOVE!
MARSHALL, STOP!
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
ARE YOU FOLLOWING THE EVACUATION PROTOCOL
FOR THIS BUILDING?
YEAH, WHY?
THEY'RE PUBLISHED
AS PART OF THE HOMELAND SECURITY ACT.
EVERY ROOM, EVERY FLOOR HAS A DESIGNATED EXIT.
PUBLIC INFORMATION. SO WHAT?
ANYBODY INTERESTED KNOWS WHAT DOOR WE'RE COMING OUT.
COME ON, STAY CLOSE.
WHAT'S HAPPENING? KEEP MOVING!
CHANGE OF PLANS.
WATCH OUT. ANYONE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED?
HANG ON, WE'RE GETTING THAT!
OKAY, HOLD ON!
YOU, GET IN THE CAR. GET IN THE CAR!
ON THE FLOOR!
CLEAR!
WHERE'S THE DAMN INTEL?
WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?
HANG ON, THERE ARE, LIKE, A THOUSAND VOICES ON HERE.
NEVER MIND.
ATF SAYS THE BOMB
WAS A RELATIVELY SMALL, HOMEMADE DEVICE,
THE SAME TYPE USED IN THE MURDER
OF A CRUZ FAMILY INFORMANT LAST YEAR.
THAT'S IT.
MARSHALL, WE'RE PUTTING LEO ON A PLANE
AND GETTING HIM THE HELL OUT OF HERE.
HANG ON. YOU CAN'T LEAVE.
I CAN DO WHATEVER I DEEM NECESSARY
TO PROTECT MY WITNESS.
COME ON. WELL, WAIT A MINUTE.
IF IT WAS THEM, THEN WHY TRY TO KILL SOME RANDOM CLERK?
THEY WEREN'T TRYING TO KILL THE RANDOM CLERK.
THEY WERE TRYING TO FLUSH LEO OUT INTO THE OPEN,
AND SERRATO KNEW IT, I SAW IT IN HIS FACE.
COME ON, MARSHALL, LET'S GO.
THE COURT HOUSE IS SECURED.
SHE WANTS TO SEE LEO FIRST THING TOMORROW.
UNBELIEVABLE.
HEY, LEO.
ALL THIS, UM, ALL THIS COMMOTION,
IT'S JUST A PRECAUTION, OKAY?
JUST PREVENTATIVE MEASURES, THAT'S ALL.
LISTEN TO ME,
YOU GOTTA TRUST ME.
WE'RE NOT GONNA LET ANYTHING HAPPEN TO YOU.
OH, YEAH?
MY DAD USED TO SAY,
IF SOMEONE REALLY WANTS TO KILL YOU,
THERE'S NOTHING ANYONE CAN DO ABOUT IT.
YEAH, WELL...
YOUR DAD NEVER MET ME.
COME ON.
MM-HMM.
WISH ME LUCK AGAIN.
WHATEVER. OKAY.
OKAY. UHH!
UHH!
HOW DO I LOOK?
FLAWLESS.
I'M SERIOUS, THIS IS SERIOUS.
GOOD AFTERNOON, SIR.
I'M YOUR LOCAL DANA DEAN REPRESENTATIVE.
YOU SEE?
YOU LIVE A CLEAN, RIGHTEOUS LIFE,
AND GOOD THINGS WILL FIND THEIR WAY TO YOUR DOOR.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE SOME OF MY SAMPLES?
GOOD BOY, HOWDY.
DON'T WAIT UP.
IT'S BEEN A CRAZY COUPLE DAYS, HUH?
I'VE SEEN CRAZIER.
OH, YEAH
HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN WHO MY FATHER IS?
OH, YEAH.
SO WHAT KIND OF GUN IS THAT?
THAT IS A GLOCK 23.
IT'S A STANDARD MARSHAL'S ISSUE.
HMM.
THIS IS A GLOCK 27.
IT'S A LITTLE SMALLER, SO I CAN GET MY PANTS OVER IT,
BUT IT'LL DO THE JOB.
YOU EVER SHOOT A GUN?
NO, BUT MY DAD HAD ONE LIKE THAT.
YEAH, WELL, HE BETTER NOT HAVE IT ANYMORE.
HE'S A FELON NOW.
DO YOU THINK MY DAD WANTS TO KILL ME?
NO.
BUT I THINK
THE PEOPLE HE WORKS FOR DO.
I DON'T THINK HE KNOWS.
YOU NEED TO TELL HIM.
OKAY.
HEY, MARE?
YEAH?
I LIED.
I DID SHOOT A GUN ONCE.
OH, YEAH
THE DAY MY MOM DIED.
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
THAT DAY I HEARD MY DAD, JAIME, AND LUIS
THREATENING HER,
SO I RAN INSIDE TO GET MY DAD'S GUN
TO PROTECT HER, AND WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR,
I SAW THEM POINTING GUNS AT MY MOM,
SO I SHOT AT THEM.
GUESS I MISSED, 'CAUSE MY MOM GOT SHOT ANYWAY.
YEAH. WELL...
I THINK IT'S PROBABLY BEST
IF WE DON'T TELL ANYONE ELSE ABOUT THIS.
OKAY?
OKAY.
OKAY, THEN.
WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT?
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE DAY LONNY'S MOTHER WAS KILLED.
CHROME AND GLASS.
KIND OF CLICHE FOR A DRUG DEALER, NO?
LOOK, IF YOU JUST CAME BY TO MAKE FUN OF MY HOUSE--
SO VERNON, IMAGINE MY SURPRISE, LEARNING LONNY SHOT HIS MOM
AND YOU COVERED UP FOR HIM.
DID LONNY SAY THAT?
NO, HE'S TOTALLY BLOCKED IT OUT.
THAT'S WHY YOU TOOK YOUR PLEA, ISN'T IT?
SO HE WOULDN'T HAVE TO TESTIFY,
POSSIBLY LEARN THE TRUTH?
EVEN IF THAT WAS TRUE, I'D NEVER ADMIT IT.
YOU KNOW, HE DOESN'T NEED TO GO THROUGH LIFE
THINKING HE KILLED HIS MOTHER.
SO ASIDE FROM POISONING AMERICA'S YOUTH WITH DRUGS,
YOU'RE NOT QUITE THE MONSTER I THOUGHT YOU WERE.
IT DOESN'T CHANGE ANYTHING.
NO, IT DOESN'T.
I'M STILL HIS FATHER.
OBVIOUSLY YOU CARE ABOUT HIM.
HE'S GOT A GOOD LIFE NOW,
A REALLY GOOD LIFE.
DON'T YOU WANT THAT FOR HIM?
OH, I CAN GIVE HIM A GOOD LIFE.
YEAH, RIGHT UP UNTIL THE PEOPLE YOU WORK FOR KILL HIM.
ALL RIGHT, LOOK,
I HAVE NO ILLUSIONS ABOUT THE CRUZ FAMILY,
OR, YOU KNOW, EVEN MY LAWYER.
BUT ONCE I HAVE LONNY,
HE'S NO LONGER A THREAT TO THEM.
SO FOR ARGUMENT'S SAKE, LET'S SAY YOU'RE RIGHT.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
YOU DO THE SINGLE DAD THING,
LITTLE LEAGUE, PTA, PLAY DATES BY DAY,
MOVING LARGE QUANTITIES OF HEROIN BY NIGHT?
HE'S SUCH A GOOD KID.
LONNY'S MY SON.
I'M HIS FATHER.
HE'S NAMED AFTER MY FATHER.
HE'S THE ONLY THING IN THIS LIFE
I EVER CARED ABOUT MORE THAN MYSELF.
HE'S BLOOD.
MY BLOOD, NOW THAT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING TO YOU?
TALK ABOUT A LOADED QUESTION.
LOOK, I COULD GIVE A RAT'S ASS
ABOUT ALL THAT LAWYER CRAP IN COURT, REALLY.
THE ONLY THING I CARE ABOUT GETTING
IS WHAT'S BEST FOR LONNY.
THE ONLY THING I CARE ABOUT
IS THAT LONNY KNOWS HIS FATHER DID EVERYTHING TO KEEP HIM.
ALL RIGHT? WE BELONG TOGETHER.
AND NOBODY, NOT YOU, NOT THE CRUZ FAMILY,
OR ANYBODY ELSE IS GONNA TAKE HIM AWAY FROM ME.
I AIN'T GONNA LET THAT HAPPEN. I WON'T.
I'M GONNA TAKE HIM FROM YOU.
YOU SHOULD MAKE YOUR PEACE WITH THAT.
OH, HERE.
WHAT'S THAT?
FAN MAIL FROM SOME FLOUNDER.
OH, AND BY THE WAY, THAT CAR BOMB TODAY,
THAT WAS YOUR FRIENDS TRYING TO FLUSH LONNY OUT.
AND SERRATO KNEW ABOUT IT.
I DON'T BELIEVE YOU.
ACTUALLY, I THINK YOU DO.
DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT TIME IT IS, YOUNG LADY?
I MIGHT HAVE A PROBLEM.
YOU THINK THIS IS NEW INFORMATION?
I DON'T THINK I CAN TURN HIM OVER.
OKAY, BUT YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO FEED HIM
AND TAKE HIM FOR WALKS.
I'M SERIOUS, MARSHALL.
THEY'LL KILL HIM.
I KNOW.
JUST TELL ME WHAT YOU NEED.
OKAY.
THANKS.
UH-HUH.
OKAY, LISTEN TO ME.
FORGET ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE
AND JUST TELL THE TRUTH.
IT'S ALL GONNA WORK OUT
THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO, OKAY?
YEAH.
AND WHAT IF THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO WORK OUT SUCKS?
LISTEN TO ME.
EVERYTHING'S GONNA BE OKAY.
YOU TRUST ME?
LIKE I HAVE A CHOICE.
FINALLY I MEET A GUY THAT GETS ME,
AND HE'S TEN.
YOU'RE A MUSICIAN.
I FEEL LIKE A MILLION BUCKS.
MAKE THAT TEN MILLION.
WE AIM TO PLEASE.
OH, NO.
NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!
NO, NO, NO!
WHAT'S THE MATTER?
YOUR STUPID MUTT DESTROYED MY SAMPLES.
OH, NO, POOR BABY.
LOOK AT YOU, ALL MADE UP.
AND NOT IN A VERY TASTEFUL WAY.
POOR BABY?!
I BORROWED $2,500
FROM MY DAUGHTER FOR THESE SUPPLIES!
YOU ARE GONNA HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM!
BABY, I LOVE YOU, REALLY, I DO,
BUT NOT 2 1/2 Gs WORTH.
COME ON, LOLA, LET'S GET YOU CLEANED UP.
I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE GOING THROUGH WITH THIS.
GOING THROUGH WITH WHAT?
WHAT IS SHE TALKING ABOUT?
COURT IS IN SESSION.
ALL RISE FOR JUDGE HOLIDAY.
ALL RIGHT, FOLKS, LET'S SETTLE.
MR. MCROY, I HAVE NO DOUBT
THAT YOU ARE EXACTLY WHAT THE GOVERNMENT SAYS YOU ARE,
AND I'M APPALLED THAT YOU ARE WALKING AROUND
A FREE MAN AMONGST CIVILIZED PEOPLE.
AND WHILE I PERSONALLY BELIEVE
THAT THE BOY WOULD BE BETTER OFF
WHERE HE IS,
MR. MEYERS,
YOU HAVE PRESENTED NO COMPELLING ARGUMENT,
NOT ONE SHRED OF LEGAL CAUSE
TO SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT'S CASE.
THIS MAN SERVED 18 MONTHS FOR CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE
IN THE ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING OF HIS WIFE.
IF HE IS GUILTY OF OTHER CRIMES,
PLEASE CONVICT HIM, THEN COME SEE ME.
BUT YOUR HONOR, WE CAN'T CONVICT HIM
WITHOUT HIS SON'S TESTIMONY.
EXACTLY, WHICH IS WHY I HAVE NO CHOICE
BUT TO FIND FOR MR. MCROY.
I HEREBY ORDER THAT LONNY MCROY
BE RETURNED TO HIS BIOLOGICAL FATHER IMMEDIATELY.
YOUR HONOR, THE GOVERNMENT REQUESTS A 60-DAY STAY.
DENIED.
UH, YOUR HONOR.
I'VE CHANGED MY MIND.
I'D LIKE TO RENOUNCE
ANY CLAIM TO MY SON.
MR. MCROY, YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
I HAVE.
A MOMENT, PLEASE, YOUR HONOR.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING,
BUT DON'T.
SCREW YOU, VINCENT.
YOUR HONOR,
MY DECISION'S FINAL.
I WANT LONNY RETURNED TO HIS ADOPTIVE FAMILY.
SO BE IT.
I'LL HAVE THE PAPERS DRAWN UP.
GEE, THAT'S A TOUGH BREAK. OH, WELL.
I'M SURE YOUR CLIENTS SOUTH OF THE BORDER WILL UNDERSTAND.
I'D SAY YOU'D LIVE TO REGRET THIS,
BUT THAT'S NOT LIKELY.
HEY, HEY, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT.
I DON'T SUPPOSE I COULD SEE HIM BEFORE HE GOES,
JUST FOR A MINUTE?
SORRY.
HE'S ALREADY GONE.
SO YOU WOULD HAVE GONE TO JAIL FOR HIM?
YOU DID.
MOM!
OH, YOU!
OH, MY! IT IS SO GOOD TO SEE YOU!
GOOD JOB, MARY.
GREAT JOB.
WE'LL SEE.
HEY, BUDDY.
FAMILY CAN PRESENT ITSELF
IN ALL MANNER OF BIZARRE AND EXOTIC PERMUTATIONS.
A FEW MONTHS EARLIER,
THE BILLUPS FAMILY DIDN'T EVEN KNOW LEO EXISTED.
AND NOW HERE THEY ARE,
BONDED LIKE SOME ESSENTIAL MOLECULE.
COME ON.
I'LL MAKE INTRODUCTIONS.
* BABY
* BRING IT TO ME
* BRING YOUR SWEET LOVIN'
* BRING IT ON HOME...
HOW IN THE WORLD DID YOU CONVINCE MCROY
TO GIVE UP CUSTODY AFTER HE WON?
IT'S POSSIBLE
SHE LED HIM TO BELIEVE IT WAS THE ONLY WAY
HE'D EVER SEE LEO AGAIN.
IS THIS SOMETHING I WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT?
NO?
SO IT'S ALL GOOD.
LEO GETS TO KEEP HIS NEW FAMILY.
AS LONG AS VERNON KEEPS HIS WITSEC AGREEMENT
AND TESTIFIES AGAINST THE CRUZES,
HE GETS TO WATCH HIS LITTLE SON GROW UP.
SO IT SEEMS.
HEY, DID YOU KNOW THE GATLING GUN
WAS INVENTED IN INDIANAPOLIS?
NO, I DID NOT.
* YEAH
THE PARTICULARS OF VERNON MCROY'S FUTURE
INVOLVEMENT IN LEO'S LIFE, VISITATION RIGHTS, ETCETERA,
REMAIN TO BE WORKED OUT.
BUT THE BILLUPS ARE FORGIVING PEOPLE,
AND LIKE VERNON, THEY UNDERSTAND
THE IRRESISTIBLE PULL OF FAMILY.
* OH, HONEY, BRING IT TO ME *
* BRING YOUR SWEET LOVIN'
* BRING IT ON HOME TO ME
* YEAH
* I TRIED
* TO TREAT YOU RIGHT
* BUT YOU STAYED OUT
* STAYED OUT DAY AND NIGHT *