Anthony Heald: Judge Wallace Cooper

Quotes 

• D.A. Justin Fox : Your Honor, this is just another delay. The people are prepared...

  Mark Jacobs : Forgive me for not wanting to rush through a capital case. Let me remind the court the people are seeking a death penalty here. They might want to execute my client on schedule, but before that, let's at least pause to be thorough. I doubt it would insult the process, Your Honor.

  Judge Wallace Cooper : Mr. Jacobs, step up here.

  [Attorney Mark Jacobs approach the sidebar of Judge Wallace Cooper] 

  Judge Wallace Cooper : You have come into my courtroom 6 times for the exclusive purpose of seeking the continuance, every motion bought for the same reason - you not being ready. Not that there new developments, not that the witnesses are unavailable, not that you're an ailing health, only that you're not ready. The last time, what did I tell you, Mr. Jacobs?

  [Mr. Jacobs doesn't remember] 

  Judge Wallace Cooper : If you don't remember, check the notice from the court which memorialized the proceeding. I ordered no further continuances. Was I too subtle, Mr. Jacobs?

  Mark Jacobs : No, Your Honor, but given the severity of the charges, I beg the court's indulgence.

  Judge Wallace Cooper : Giving the severity of the charges, you should have walked in here prepared, like you should have done the time before last and the time before that.

  Mark Jacobs : You Honor...

  Judge Wallace Cooper : The court is through with indulging you, Counsel. Motion for continuance denied. This trial begins on Thursday. If you so much as look at me with an expression that says, "Gee, I wish I had more time", I will hold you in contempt. Got it?

  Mark Jacobs : Yes, Your Honor.

• Judge Wallace Cooper : Who do you think you're kidding? On what basis do you seek to withdraw?

  Bobby Donnell : Your Honor, before a trial, I'm not sure we need grounds.

  Judge Wallace Cooper : 4 days before you do. I'm waiting.

  Bobby Donnell : We have fundamental differences with the defendant.

  Judge Wallace Cooper : What differences?

  Bobby Donnell : That remains within work product.

  Judge Wallace Cooper : You will stay on as, Counsel.

  Bobby Donnell : You can't force us to remain here.

  Judge Wallace Cooper : I can absolutely force you, Mr. Donnell, and that's what I'm doing. This is another dilatory attempt, and my patience is wearing thin.

  Bobby Donnell : I'm not seeking a continuance. Mr. Mills can get another attorney.

  Judge Wallace Cooper : The effective which would compelled me to postpone trial. You have an offer of second degree on the table, Mr. Donnell. The court suggests you give serious regard to it.

  Bobby Donnell : Is the court trying to coerce a plea?

  Judge Wallace Cooper : The court is trying to convey to counsel it will not be manipulated by tactics.

  Bobby Donnell : I'm not doing that.

  Judge Wallace Cooper : I've familiarized myself with you. Do you know what your brethren think about you in Massachusetts? They say if you were to go out to feed the pigs, you'd have to get somebody else to call them. I don't believe you're withdrawing for any other reason and to buy time, which you may believe is in your client's interest. Motion to withdraw as Counsel denied. Now go about your work.

• Bobby Donnell : And pursuant to my client's right to a fair trial, the interest of justice certainly demand that his new lawyers be afforded time to properly get up to speed and prepare for trial. We wouldn't be looking for a big delay, Your Honor. I think we could be ready in 3 weeks even.

  Judge Wallace Cooper : 3 weeks?

  Bobby Donnell : Yes.

  Judge Wallace Cooper : Mr. Donnell, I don't know how you do things in Massachusetts. In Massachusetts, the courts may not have a problem continuing a case in perpetuity, but we're a little different in California, Counsel, and when a case is ready...

  Bobby Donnell : Your Honor, I...

  [Mr. Donnell has paused] 

  Judge Wallace Cooper : In Massachusetts, maybe a defendant, if he wants to keep delaying trial, he can just fire counsel and have his new new lawyers beg the judge for time to get up to speed. But it was a long flight, wasn't it, Mr. Donnell? I just asked you a question, Mr. Donnell. Was it not a very long flight?

  Bobby Donnell : Yes, Your Honor, it was.

  Judge Wallace Cooper : Yes, and when you got off that plane, you might perhaps have looked around, saw a palm tree or two, the Pacific Ocean, freeway gridlock. You should have known right then you were no longer in Massachusetts. This case is set for trial on Thursday. I will be here, Mr. Fox will be here, Your client, Mr. Mills, will be here, and we will begin. Either you can joins us, or you can go back to Massachusetts. Adjourned.

  [Judge Cooper bangs the gavel. Mr. Donnell was desperate. But wait] 

  Judge Wallace Cooper : Hold on. Hold on just a second.

  Lindsay Dole : Uh, oh.

  [Lindsay needs to talk to Bobby] 

  Lindsay Dole : Come on, Bobby.

  Judge Wallace Cooper : Are we not done, Counsel?

  [Mr. Fox was waiting. Mr. Donnell answered] 

  Bobby Donnell : Yes, Your Honor... done.

  [Judge Wallace Cooper glares at Mr. Donnell. And he heads back to his chambers. The Bailiff take the defendant Dennis Mills back into custody] 

  Bobby Donnell : What the hell was that?

  Lindsay Dole : We're in L.A.