L.A. Law (TV Series)

The Last Gasp (1990)

Jimmy Smits: Victor Sifuentes

Quotes 

• Victor Sifuentes : And during the trial, evidence was introduced that my client had been a heavy user of methedrine for a period of more than 10 years.

  Federal Judge Jackson : I hope you're not going to ask us to consider that a mitigating factor.

  Victor Sifuentes : A recent doctoral thesis completed only last month on the long-term effects amphetamines makes it a mitigating factor, Your Honor.

  Federal Judge Emmanuel : Five different psychiatrists were called to the stand. Every one of them testified about the effects of long-term addiction to amphetamines.

  Victor Sifuentes : Yes, but none of them knew about the results of this research.

  Federal Judge Constance Gregg : With all due respect, counselor, this attempt seems a little desperate.

  Victor Sifuentes : Your Honor, my client is scheduled to die tomorrow. I think an evaluation of this new evidence is warranted before you comment on its legitimacy.

  Federal Judge Emmanuel : Let's do this without the attitude, counsel.

  Victor Sifuentes : I mean no disrespect to the court, but I grew up with Hector Rodriguez, I know him personally, which causes me to take this case personally.

  Federal Judge Emmanuel : Well, don't. Your relationship with him has no relevance here.

  Victor Sifuentes : My relationship with him puts me in a position to recognize his capacity for change and rehabilitation, which is directly relevant to death penalty cases, Your Honor.

  Federal Judge Constance Gregg : This is not an evidentiary hearing.

  Victor Sifuentes : I knew Hector Rodriguez on drug, I know him off drugs. He's off of them now, Your Honor.

  Federal Judge Jackson : You're not a character witness, Mr. Sifuentes.

  Victor Sifuentes : That's right, Your Honor, I am a lawyer. The three of you are judges. And we are all here to administer justice. Killing Hector Rodriguez doesn't accomplish that.

  Federal Judge Constance Gregg : In your objective opinion.

  Victor Sifuentes : I know him. None of you do. And I respectfully request that until you can be as sure as I am about all of this, please don't let this man be killed. Please. Thank you, Your Honors.

• Federal Judge Jackson : Mr. Keene.

  State Attorney Allard Keene : Your Honors--

  [Indistinct dialog] 

  State Attorney Allard Keene : There is absolutely no indication that this new evidence would have made any difference. The jury heard, ad nauseam, that Mr. Rodriguez was a user of methedrine.

  Federal Judge Constance Gregg : Uh, Mr. Keene, excuse me.

  [Judge Gregg takes off her glasses and speaks with Mr. Sifuentes] 

  Federal Judge Constance Gregg : Mr. Sifuentes, as compelling as your argument may have been, this study does not constitute substantial new evidence, and as we previously stated, your personal relationship with Hector Rodriguez is simply not relevant. Your application for an emergency stay is denied. You can try your luck with the Supreme Court, but we're not interfering with the execution.

  Victor Sifuentes : You haven't even seen the evidence yet, Your Honor, you don't know...

  Federal Judge Constance Gregg : Mr. Sifuentes, that's enough.

  Victor Sifuentes : No, it's not enough. Look, I don't care how damn busy your schedules are...

  Federal Judge Jackson : One more word, Counselor, and you're in contempt.

  Victor Sifuentes : He is off the drugs!

  [Victor turned behind Norman] 

  Victor Sifuentes : 8 years now he has been a model prisoner.

  Federal Judge Jackson : This court is adjourned.

  Reporter #1 : [Norman Patton help Victor to chill out. Crowds murmuring. Victor Sifuentes sits down. The people are leaving and the four reporters questioning Mr. Sifuentes]  Mr. Sifuentes, do you go to the Supreme Court now?

  Reporter #2 : Do you expect any intervention by the governor?

  Reporter #1 : Are you disappointed?

  [Reporters overlapping dialog] 

• Norman Patton : I've got the whole issue briefed. New studies on long-term methedrine use, I've got it all documented. All you'd have to do is argue...

  Victor Sifuentes : Norman. Why suddenly switch to me? You've been his lawyer the whole way. You...

  Norman Patton : I didn't grow up with him. You did.

  Victor Sifuentes : What difference does that make?

  Norman Patton : It's an angle, Victor, that's all it is. But with Hector, 3 days away from the gas chamber, we got to use whatever we got.

  Victor Sifuentes : Norman, the fact that I grew up with the guy has no relevance here whatsoever.

  Norman Patton : If the methedrine argument doesn't work, it might. Our only shot maybe an emotional appeal from an old friend.

  Victor Sifuentes : Yeah, but see, that's just the point. I'm not his friend. I mean, I haven't seen him 15 years.

  Irene Rodriguez : How many times did you eat supper at my kitchen table, Victor? How many times did you sleep in one of my beds?

  Victor Sifuentes : Mrs. Rodriguez, there was a long time ago.

  Irene Rodriguez : So you forget?

  Victor Sifuentes : No, I don't forget. But... I just don't have a relationship with your son anymore.

  Irene Rodriguez : It's been 8 years since the killings. He was on the drugs then, but now he's more like the Hector that you used to know.

  [Victor gets up from the chair] 

  Victor Sifuentes : I... I don't think I could be of help here. And I don't understand why you're asking me to do this. Norman is...

  Irene Rodriguez : I'm not asking. Hector is. If you want to say no, then say no. But do one thing for me, Victor, please. You tell him yourself.

  [Victor can do that] 

• [the prison guard brings and escort Hector Rodriguez to the telephone wall Number 45, and meet the old acquaintance a lawyer Victor Sifuentes] 

  Hector Rodriguez : Hey, Victor.

  Victor Sifuentes : Hector.

  Hector Rodriguez : I always knew we'd be getting back together.

  Victor Sifuentes : Look, Hector, Norm Patton's a good lawyer. He's the one that should be doing this.

  Hector Rodriguez : He's good, I know, but, um... he doesn't know me. He knows the law, but he doesn't know me.

  Victor Sifuentes : Well, I'm not sure I know you, either. I mean, it's been 15 years, man.

  Hector Rodriguez : Yeah. I killed 2 people. And I'm the same guy you used to hang with.

  Victor Sifuentes : The same guy I stopped hanging with.

  Hector Rodriguez : Well, I don't blame you for that, homes. I was a dangerous person to be around for a while.

  Victor Sifuentes : Yeah. I guess it was the speed that did it, huh?

  Hector Rodriguez : No, no, it was me, I did it. The speed messed up my head, but... I took the speed. The thing is I'm not the same person I was when I was sent here. I'm clean now. I'm straight. I understand that what I did was wrong. I understand that I deserve to spend the rest of my life in prison.

  Victor Sifuentes : But...

  Hector Rodriguez : But nothin'. There are people in here who look up to me, man. They listen when I talk. And I know I could straighten some of them out. That would do more to pay back for what I did than dying, right? I mean it, man. I never lied to you, Victor. I'm not lying now.

  Victor Sifuentes : What is it you think I can do for you, man?

  Hector Rodriguez : Tell those judges, man. Tell them exactly what I used to be like. And how you wrote me off. Then tell 'em you sat with me now, you talked to me, and I'm different. They kill me now, they won't be killing the man they sentenced. Victor, I'm begging you. My only chance to stay alive is you.

  [Victor understands that]