L.A. Law (TV Series)

Ex-Wives and Videotape (1990)

Harry Hamlin: Michael Kuzak

Photos 

Quotes 

• Douglas Brackman, Jr. : Michael, isn't it possible that your client, Earl Williams, really is guilty?

  Michael Kuzak : [suddenly angry]  Now that's a stupid question, Douglas!

  Douglas Brackman, Jr. : What? I don't think it's a stupid question. Earl Williams admitted to cheating on his wife with the murder victim. He had sex with the victim in her apartment on the afternoon she was murdered. You put him on the witness stand were he revealed to have an angry and violent temper. He was convicted by a jury in a California Superior Court. Isn't it possible that he really did kill Nina Cory, and that he's manipulating you to make you still think that he's innocent?

  Michael Kuzak : I'm not even going to answer that! Now, if you don't mind, I'm late for court!

  [Kuzak storms out while Sifuentes and Markowitz both look oddly at Brackman] 

  Douglas Brackman, Jr. : What? I don't think that it's a stupid question at all. Did Earl Williams really do it?

  [both Sifuentes and Markowitz both exit without saying a word leaving Brackman alone] 

  Douglas Brackman, Jr. : [bewildered]  What?

• [Michael Kuzak here at the Los Angeles Supreme Court in Los Angeles, CA. Michael has more, clearing his throat] 

  Supreme Court Judge Donald Tytell : Mr. Kuzak, the court has decided not to entertain your rebuttal.

  Michael Kuzak : If it pleases the court, I would respectfully ask...

  Supreme Court Judge Donald Tytell : Counsel, it would please the court if you take your seat.

  [Mr. Kuzak has done enough already, so he'll take a seat and sit down. Los Angeles Supreme Court Judge Donald Tytell has something to say and address it in the Los Angeles Supreme Court] 

  Supreme Court Judge Donald Tytell : All of us have reviewed the transcripts on this case with a great deal of scrutiny and we unanimously agree that this was an extremely balanced and close trial. In fact, it could be argued that on the record. The defendant appeared to have established to reasonable doubt. The jury obviously found otherwise, which was certainly within their province. But it cannot be disputed, that the prosecutor's ability to establish the defendant as a liar played an integral part in her ability to secure a conviction, and it is likely that the district attorney never would have been able to do this and she properly advised defense counsel of the cards she was holding. Now it is our custom to go into session and issue written opinions. But since our respective positions are so clearly unanimous in this instance, and since justice delayed in some cases amounts to justice denied, we are ruling now. The surprise DNA evidence prejudiced the defendant's right to a fair trial under the United States Constitution. Accordingly, we hereby set aside the verdict and the death penalty, and order a new trial to be scheduled immediately.

  [A.D.A. Margaret Flanagan looked forward to it] 

  Jackie Williams : Oh, God. Thank you, God.

  [Jackie has praised to God, that it will help saved her husband Earl Williams' life. Victor give thanks to Michael Kuzak] 

  Supreme Court Judge Donald Tytell : This matter is remanded to Supreme Court for retrial.

  [Mr. Kuzak and Ms. Flanagan has thanked the Supreme Court Judge Donald Tytell for everything] 

  Supreme Court Judge Donald Tytell : Thank you, Mr. Kuzak and Ms. Flanagan. We're adjourned.

  [Michael Kuzak will be working on it. But Jackie Williams gives hug to Mr. Kuzak and thanked him] 

  Jackie Williams : Oh, thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

  Michael Kuzak : I know someone we have to call.

  [A.D.A. Margaret Flanagan is working on it. She need all the help she can get. She'll look forward to it later in a new trial to be renewed of the case of Earl Williams] 

• Michael Kuzak : Did you read the brief?

  Earl Williams : I read it. It's good.

  Michael Kuzak : We argue on Wednesday, I'll call you as soon it's over.

  Earl Williams : I... Shouldn't be trying to get my hopes up here, should I?

  Michael Kuzak : Death penalty appeals are usually losers, I'm not going to lie to you about that, but we do have a chance, Earl, we have a legitimate chance.

  Earl Williams : How long... does it take them to make up their minds?

  Michael Kuzak : They usually take it under advisement. But you never know. What this kind of a case they could decide pretty quickly.

  Earl Williams : This is it, isn't it, Michael?

  Michael Kuzak : Not necessarily, we'll have plenty of appeals left. We haven't even gotten to Federal Court yet. So...

  Earl Williams : Yes, but this is the one. I don't win here, and I'm going to the gas chamber.

• Michael Kuzak : [Here at the Supreme Court hearing]  May I pleased the court, I'm Michael Kuzak appearing for the appellant Earl Williams. To entertain in my papers is an overview of the case. As well as specific grounds which mandate reversal in my client's conviction. Today, I would like to focus on the most compelling of those grounds the prosecutorial misconduct of Margaret Flanagan.

  Supreme Court Judge Donald Tytell : I don't mean to cut you off with the jump, Counsel. But this court is generally suspect in that particular claim. Are you sure that's where you're want to steer us?

  Michael Kuzak : I'm exactly sure. Margaret Flanagan's conduct in this trial was reprehensible. It was unethical. It was a breach of her duty to act as an officer of the court and it is the reason why an innocent man sitting on death row.

  Supreme Court Judge Washington : I assume you're referring to the DNA evidence which place your client semen on the victim's bed.

  Michael Kuzak : That's correct, Your Honor. The District Attorney had an obligation to disclose that information to me and to the court prior to the trial. She did not.

  Supreme Court Judge Connolly : But according to the record, Ms. Flanagan herself got this evidence at the last second. There's no evidence that she willfully concealed anything. And the judge offered you a continuance to give you time and you declined.

  Michael Kuzak : First of all, the record will show that she got the evidence from the lab on the eve of the trial. She sprung it in court 3 days into the trial, that give her 2 days to inform me which she didn't. That makes her conduct willful. As for my refusing the continuance, the damage has already been done.

  Supreme Court Judge Richardskull : How so?

  Michael Kuzak : Had I known which she had. As I was entitled, too, under Walker vs. Superior Court. I would never have deny that my client was having a sexual relationship with Nina Corry. I also would never have denied that he was in her apartment on the night she was murdered.

  Supreme Court Judge Richardskull : In other words, you never would have lied to the court, if you knew you'll be caught.

  Michael Kuzak : I didn't know my client was having an affair with the victim, it was a surprise to me as well. Earl Williams did lie. I'm not making excuses for that. But had I known he was lying, and I would have, had she followed the law, I would have stopped him from using it.

  Supreme Court Judge Parker : I'm sorry. I'm not sure I understand the harm. Everything she introduce that the trial, your client admitted himself once he took the stand.

  Michael Kuzak : The harm is that he was portrayed as a liar.

  Supreme Court Judge Parker : Because he was a liar.

  Michael Kuzak : He told one lie. Yes. And what I'm saying, Your Honor, is that had I known about her DNA evidence, I would have known he was lying. As the good attorney, I would have counseled him not to lie. The jury would never have perceived him is dishonest, and without that perception, Earl Williams would have been acquitted.

  Supreme Court Judge Washington : Sounds a little meandering to me, Mr. Kuzak.

  Michael Kuzak : Then let me make it more clear. She had two lynch pins in her case. The circumstantial evidence that placed Earl Williams at the scene of the crime at the time of the murder. And the evidence of his dishonesty. Have a District Attorney complied with the law, I would have kept the second part of her case out. That means that she would have been left trying to prove murder beyond a reasonable doubt, but nothing more than circumstantial evidence. And that's why she withheld it. To give herself something that she otherwise would not have had. She fights hard. She fights to win. I understand that. But if you are going to put someone at death row. If you are going to send a human being to the gas chamber, you should at least follow the rules and obey the law. Margaret Flanagan didn't.

  [That wasn't good enough for A.D.A. Margaret Flanagan] 

• Douglas Brackman, Jr. : Moving on. Michael, where are we on the Earl Williams' appeal?

  Michael Kuzak : Earl on arguments before the Supreme Court of California tomorrow 11 o'clock. Victor will be second chair.

  Douglas Brackman, Jr. : Are we still doing the mood for it in preparation?

  Michael Kuzak : This morning. You, Victor and Stuart is the judges, I hope you just look over the briefs.

  Douglas Brackman, Jr. : I studied them.

  Michael Kuzak : Good. I want you be as tough as you can. I'll be giving you a list as the issues that I believe the judges will be coming at me with, so whatever questions, you can call up with very helpful.

  Arnie Becker : I think you really got a shot?

  Michael Kuzak : Yeah.

  Douglas Brackman, Jr. : Moving on. Major Kudos to Rosalind Shays. She's officially landed Anderson Industries as a client. This is the second largest steel distribution company in the country and potentially, the biggest client we've ever had.

  Stuart Markowitz : That's terrific.

  Arnie Becker : Way the go, Ros.

  Rosalind Shays : [laughing]  Thank you. I have a meeting with the CEO on Wednesday and I suspect that he'll put us right to work.

  Leland McKenzie : That's fantastic.

  Douglas Brackman, Jr. : It certainly is. And moving from the fantastic to the incredible, Arnold, you have a case involving Rochelle Peters?

  Arnie Becker : Yeah, I'm representing her ex-husband.

  Leland McKenzie : Is that the Rochelle Peters of the Evening News 7 o'clock?

  Arnie Becker : Very one. And this is good. Evidently, Miss Peters did some anchoring before different kinda camera.

  Abby Perkins : Don't tell me.

  Arnie Becker : Home videos. Between she and her husband when they were just newlyweds in the act. The other act in a simultaneous acting we cut to 5 years later, husband becomes ex-husband, he has something all the adult film entertainment companies would like to have you, he wants to sell, she slapped him with a restraining order.

  Ann Kelsey : That's despicable.

• [Kimberly Duggan was fast asleep with Michael Kuzak in bed] 

  Kimberly Dugan : Hi.

  Michael Kuzak : Hi. I wish he was guilty.

  Kimberly Dugan : What?

  Michael Kuzak : If he had done it, then this would all be his fault. But he didn't do it, and this makes it all my fault.

  Kimberly Dugan : It's not your fault, Michael.

  Michael Kuzak : I don't remember ever being this scared before. Maybe... before by first trial 15 years ago but...

  [Michael sighs] 

  Michael Kuzak : I can only guess how Earl feels right now. Well... When I was in law school I used to day dream about this. You know, having a big murder case where everything was on the line. I thought it would make me fell strong.

  [Kimberly trying to make Michael feel comfortable]