Episode 29

<--   7 December 2005   -->

Alice meets with 18-year-old Eric Calvo, who was arrested for allegedly assaulting three police officers. Their mother is an absent drunk, which leaves Eric to look after his 8 and 10-year-old sisters. The police had been sent by CAS to take the children and Eric, acting out of fear and desperation, tried to stop them. Eric only wants to get his sisters back, and Alice tells him the best way would be to have his mother bail him out. Eric is cynical about this.
Elliot has signed up to fill in as duty counsel in Mental Health Court for the day, which is a big surprise to everyone in the courtroom. His first client is Larry Solarski, who comes into court naked proclaiming to have been “reborn.” While on a drinking binge, he is mistaken for a man killed in a subway accident. His family and friends held a memorial service in his honour and when Larry learns of his “death” he believes it to be true. He was arrested for running naked through traffic and “baptising himself” in the fountains at Dundas Square.
Horace Cross has been arrested for robbing a store that he’s robbed twice before. Problem is he insists that this time he’s innocent. He says he’s been a changed man since his daughters were born and that the store owner is just being vindictive. Anil has to tell his wife, Cecilia, that Horace is probably going to jail for a long time.
Ronnie goes to Regent Park in search of Eric’s mom, Sonia. Sonia and her boyfriend Frank have both been drinking, and Frank chases after Ronnie and Sonia as they walk to Ronnie’s car, pleading with Sonia to stay.
Cameron Tierney (from episode 212) is at the grocery store bothering James, ranting about insurance companies. After a disagreement with his insurance agency, Cameron harassed and assaulted a man who worked there. Now he’s up on charges and looking to James to represent him, but James tells him he’s not a lawyer any more. James hands Cameron off to Nancy. Nancy is immediately bothered by Cameron’s attitude, but when he mentions “a revolutionary non-linear re-invention of the Criminal Code” and “making legal history” Nancy’s eyes widen in a confused manner.
Back in Mental Health Court, Amelia De Santos is brought before Judge Malone. She was arrested for stealing a few makeup items from a drug store, but she doesn’t remember doing it. She’s very upset, but Dr. Neuman is unable to determine why. Her sister, Lucy, stands and tells Malone that Amelia moved from Colombia two years ago after her husband was kidnapped and murdered when his company refused to pay his ransom. Dr. Neuman concludes that she has post-traumatic stress disorder. Malone agrees to release Amelia to her family.
At Horace’s trial, Mr. Kirkland the store owner takes the stand. He tells the court that Horace has robbed him twice before, the last time shattering three of his molars with the butt of a gun.
In Cameron’s trial, the victim testifies. As he tries to answer Menon’s questions, Cameron can’t stay quiet. Despite repeated warnings from Nancy and Judge Fraser, he continues to have outbursts in the courtroom. Eventually Cameron fires Nancy and decides to represent himself. Fraser insists she stay in case Cameron needs her.
Anil is confronted by a man named Jules, claiming to be Horace’s “alibi”. Anil realizes that Jules is clearly lying, and he goes to discuss it with Horace. Horace tells Anil, “Tell that son of a bitch to get his act together…or I’m gonna be convicted of a crime I did not commit!” Anil doesn’t know what to do.
Alice rushes into Plea Court with Sonia Calvo. They are confused, as Eric had originally agreed to try for bail. Eric says he’s decided not to try for bail: “She’ll open her mouth and they’ll see what a fuckup she is. And then the girls are gone for good.” Alice tries her best to tell Judge Vaughn about Eric’s circumstances before he begs her to stop talking about his family. He is given three months in jail. Afterwards, Alice and Sonia argue outside Old City Hall. Alice admonishes Sonia for her neglect and apparent apathy for her children. Sonia asks her what she expects from an alcoholic. Alice replies, “I expect a lot. You know why? Because you owe a lot.”
Back in Trial Court, Cameron makes an argument about insurance being essentially a loan made at a “criminal rate of interest,” pointing out that, when you boil things down, a $2,000 claim would ultimately have cost him over $8000 when you factor in premium increases and deductibles, etc. Proud of himself, he asks Fraser, “What if one day I wake up too angry and tired to care? Then what?” Fraser answers, “You mean what’ll we do without you? Well, let’s find out.” Nancy beams as Cameron is taken away to jail.
Anil chases Zona down for advice on his case. He’s convinced that Horace’s alibi witness is lying, and he’s having a moral crisis over whether or not to let him testify. Jack walks over to hear Anil’s problem and offers his advice: let him testify. According to Jack, “Paying a witness to lie doesn’t make a man guilty of robbery; it makes him a liar,” and, “Never make this about guilt or innocence. It's not our job to give a shit about those things ... It's up to the Crown to discredit the witness.”
Back at Horace’s trial, Anil does his best to follow Jack's advice as Jack and Zona watch from the gallery, but he is so nervous that he can barely function. Jack stands and offers to take over for Anil, who has now lost his ability to speak. Jack calls Jules to the stand without an ounce of indecision.
Elliot is a wreck after his day in Mental Health Court. Afterward, he stops by Sandy Fisher’s apartment with a box of pizza for her family.