My Cousin Vinny (1992)
Lane Smith: Jim Trotter III
Photos
Quotes
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Jim Trotter III : Now, uh, Ms. Vito, being an expert on general automotive knowledge, can you tell me... what would the correct ignition timing be on a 1955 Bel Air Chevrolet, with a 327 cubic-inch engine and a four-barrel carburetor?
Mona Lisa Vito : It's a bullshit question.
Jim Trotter III : Does that mean that you can't answer it?
Mona Lisa Vito : It's a bullshit question, it's impossible to answer.
Jim Trotter III : Impossible because you don't know the answer!
Mona Lisa Vito : Nobody could answer that question!
Jim Trotter III : Your Honor, I move to disqualify Ms. Vito as a "expert witness"!
Judge Chamberlain Haller : Can you answer the question?
Mona Lisa Vito : No, it is a trick question!
Judge Chamberlain Haller : Why is it a trick question?
Vinny Gambini : [to Bill] Watch this.
Mona Lisa Vito : 'Cause Chevy didn't make a 327 in '55, the 327 didn't come out till '62. And it wasn't offered in the Bel Air with a four-barrel carb till '64. However, in 1964, the correct ignition timing would be four degrees before top-dead-center.
Jim Trotter III : Well... um... she's acceptable, Your Honor.
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Vinny Gambini : [opening statements] Uh... everything that guy just said is bullshit... Thank you.
Jim Trotter III : Objection. Counsel's entire opening statement is argumentative.
Judge Chamberlain Haller : Sustained. Counselor's entire opening statement... with the exception of "thank you"... will be stricken from the record.
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Vinny Gambini : Ms. Vito, it has been argued by me, the defence, that two sets of guys met up at the Sac-O-Suds, at the same time, driving identical metallic mint green 1964 Buick Skylark convertibles. Now, can you tell us by what you see in this picture, if the defence's case holds water?
[Lisa examines the picture]
Vinny Gambini : Ms. Vito, please answer the question: does the defence's case hold water?
Mona Lisa Vito : No! The defence is wrong!
Vinny Gambini : Are you sure?
Mona Lisa Vito : I'm positive.
Vinny Gambini : How could you be so sure?
Mona Lisa Vito : Because there is no way that these tire marks were made by a 1964 Buick Skylark convertible. These marks were made by a 1963 Pontiac Tempest.
Jim Trotter III : Objection, Your Honor! Can we clarify to the court whether the witness is stating opinion or fact?
Judge Chamberlain Haller : [to Lisa] This is your opinion?
Mona Lisa Vito : It's a fact!
Vinny Gambini : I find it hard to believe that this kind of information could be ascertained simply by looking at a picture!
Mona Lisa Vito : Would you like me to explain?
Vinny Gambini : I would *love* to hear this!
Judge Chamberlain Haller : So would I!
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Vinny Gambini : [answering the phone] Hello?
Jim Trotter III : [into the phone] You did good out there today, Yankee. I like the competition. You like competition, too? Makes things kinds fun, doesn't it?
Vinny Gambini : I'm enjoying myself so far.
Jim Trotter III : Well, I got a little surprise for you tomorrow.
Vinny Gambini : What is it? You know you have to disclose all of your evidence to me before presenting it at trial.
Jim Trotter III : I just got it myself tonight. I'll disclose it first thing in the morning. The Judge is gonna have to admit it.
Vinny Gambini : Should I be worried?
Jim Trotter III : I sure would be if I were you.
Vinny Gambini : [hanging up the phone then addressing Lisa] Hey, Honey. Where'd you read about all that disclosure shit?
Mona Lisa Vito : Here, let me show ya. Why?
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Jim Trotter III : Ms. Vito, what is your current profession?
Mona Lisa Vito : I'm an out-of-work hairdresser.
Jim Trotter III : An out-of-work hairdresser. In what way does that qualify you as an expert in automobiles?
Mona Lisa Vito : It doesn't.
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[Trotter is making his preliminary remarks to the jury]
Jim Trotter III : You're the jury. It's your job to decide who's telling the truth. Truth. That's what 'verdict' means. It's a word comes down from Old England and all our little old ancestors.
[an African-American woman on the jury looks at him in disbelief]