L.A. Law (TV Series)

Bound for Glory (1990)

Dick Anthony Williams: Charles Jackson

Quotes 

• Ann Kelsey : When did you move into the house, Mr. Jackson?

  Charles Jackson : April '87. I was made the Branch Manager at the bank. For the first time, our lives were actually able to own our own home.

  Ann Kelsey : How did you like the neighborhood?

  Charles Jackson : I liked it a lot. We were near a park. My son could walk to school. We loved it.

  Ann Kelsey : Would you describe for us what happened to you there, sir?

  Charles Jackson : One morning, I went out on my "white power" was painted on the sidewalk. I reported it to the police, painted it out, and got myself ready.

  Ann Kelsey : Ready for what?

  Charles Jackson : I grew up in the south. When people start talking about white power, it isn't just words.

  Ann Kelsey : It wasn't just words here in California either, wasn't it, sir?

  Charles Jackson : No... it wasn't.

  Ann Kelsey : What happened, Mr. Jackson?

  Charles Jackson : One afternoon, I got a call... at work from my son's school. They said Nathan had been involved in an incident. They said my son was dead.

  Ann Kelsey : Your Honor, I offer this time, the stipulation of the parties that the death of Nathan Jackson, age 14, was caused by the physical violence intentionally inflicted upon him by Keith Haas, the 15-year-old son of the defendants Jim and Pauline Haas.

  Judge Grace Van Owen : So stipulated.

  Ann Kelsey : It is further stipulated that Keith Haas was tried and convicted of Nathan Jackson's murder, for which crime he's presently incarcerated.

  Judge Grace Van Owen : Again, so stipulated.

  Ann Kelsey : Mr. Jackson, would describe for the court the anguish caused to you and your wife by the loss of your son?

  Lawyer William Willis : Your Honor, the defense will also stipulate that the pain and suffering caused by this tragedy is extraordinary and immeasurable.

  Ann Kelsey : I'd like the witness to give his answer.

  Judge Grace Van Owen : The stipulation is noted. The witness can still give his response.

  Ann Kelsey : Mr. Jackson.

  Charles Jackson : I'm sorry. I - I - I know you said I had to talk about this, but I'm - I'm sorry.

  Ann Kelsey : That's OK, sir. I have nothing further, Your Honor.

• Lawyer William Willis : Have you ever met these people, Mr. Jackson?

  Charles Jackson : Yes, sir.

  Lawyer William Willis : When did you meet them?

  Charles Jackson : After that happened and then again at the trial.

  Lawyer William Willis : Did any reason to think they wrote "White Power" on the side walk?

  Charles Jackson : No, sir.

  Lawyer William Willis : Did they ever use a racial epithets in your presence?

  Charles Jackson : No, sir.

  Lawyer William Willis : Have any knowledge they knew that their son would commit violence against Nathan?

  Charles Jackson : His son grew up in their house. They knew he was a racist.

  Lawyer William Willis : But he didn't know he was about to commit violence, did they?

  Charles Jackson : That boy picked fights with six other Black people in the last 18 months. They knew.

  Lawyer William Willis : Move to strike.

  Judge Grace Van Owen : Overruled.

  Charles Jackson : Where do you learn that kinda hatred to stomp a boy to death in a school playground?

  Lawyer William Willis : Their son did that, sir. How do you blame them?

  Charles Jackson : Because their son did that! The boy they raised grew up hating Blacks!

  Lawyer William Willis : Move to strike.

  Charles Jackson : The boy they raised murdered my son because he was Black.

  Lawyer William Willis : Your Honor!

  Judge Grace Van Owen : Mr. Jackson.

  Charles Jackson : How can I not blame you? How can I not blame you?

  [Mr. Haas look shocked. And Mrs. Haas look scared] 

• [the two lawyers Ann Kelsey and William Willis brings Charles Jackson, Mrs. Jackson, Jim Haas and Pauline Haas to the chambers of Judge Grace Van Owen] 

  Judge Grace Van Owen : Okay, exactly where are we?

  Lawyer William Willis : We've offered 35,000, Your Honor, and they've rejected it.

  Judge Grace Van Owen : 35 may seem low, but according to the financial statements submitted the defendants are pretty judgment-proof. You could be chasing an empty bag.

  Ann Kelsey : They have a house, Your Honor.

  Judge Grace Van Owen : Yes, they do. Valued at $92,000, carrying a mortgage of 41,000, leaving them with an equity of 51,000. It could take a long time to execute the attachment and the sale. You really want to go through all that for the extra 16?

  Charles Jackson : My son's life was worth more than $35,000, judge.

  Judge Grace Van Owen : Of course it was, Mr. Jackson. But I'm sure your lawyer has told you this lawsuit is going to be very difficult for you to win. Suing parents for the crimes of their children is a pretty novel approach, Mr. Jackson.

  Charles Jackson : I know that. And Ms. Kelsey tells me that because of that, a lot people will be watching what happens here. That's what I'm after, Your Honor. I want people noticing this.

  Judge Grace Van Owen : Can you tell me what that accomplishes?

  Charles Jackson : If I win, it says he should've done something. And they says that parents cannot raise their children to be racists, murderers, and then just unleash them on the world.

  Jim Haas : I'm just a working stiff, Mr. Jackson.

  Charles Jackson : I'm a working stiff, too.

  Jim Haas : That's right. Uh, the truth is... we're probably more alike than we are different.

  Charles Jackson : No, see, your son is not dead. Mine is. And I don't want him dying for nothing. Something's gonna come out of this.

  Judge Grace Van Owen : Gentlemen, that's enough. You want to go forward?

  Ann Kelsey : Yes, we do.

  Judge Grace Van Owen : Summations at 2:00, then.

• Judge Grace Van Owen : Has the jury reached a verdict?

  Foreperson : We have, Your Honor.

  Judge Grace Van Owen : What say you?

  Foreperson : In the matter of Jackson vs. Haas, we find for the plaintiffs and award the sum of $150,000.

  Judge Grace Van Owen : The jury is discharged with the thanks of the court. This matter is concluded. Court is now adjourned.

  [Congratulations to the plaintiffs Charles Jackson and his wife Mrs. Jackson. They hug each other. But the two defendants Jim Haas and his wife Pauline Haas has something they want to say to Mr. Jackson and Mrs. Jackson] 

  Jim Haas : You can take my house, but that's all I got.

  Charles Jackson : I don't want your house, Mr. Haas. I got what I wanted.

  Jim Haas : Is there anything I can give you?

  Charles Jackson : No.

  Jim Haas : I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

  Charles Jackson : I know you are.

  [Mr. Jackson and his wife Mrs. Jackson leaves and exit the courtroom. Ann Kelsey has glared at the skinhead's parents and she leaves. Jim Haas comfort his wife Pauline]