- In the conclusion of a two-part story, murder suspect Joey Tassili leaves intensive psychiatric evaluation and is placed on trial for the murder of a waitress. The Prestons seek to save Tassili from the electric chair by testing the McNaughton Rule of legal insanity and delivering an impassioned argument against capital punishment.—Skip Eastport
- When Joey Tassili enters the courtroom to be tried for first degree murder, all he is interested in is if his mother is there. When she shows up, the elder Preston has to restrain him. After the court psychiatrist testifies that Tassili is legally sane, Preston asks him if Tassili is nonetheless mentally ill. The Judge stops the proceedings and asks the District Attorney if he is going to object to the testimony. The District Attorney says no. The Judge says that he will let Preston introduce his evidence but he can't agree not to instruct the jury in accordance with the McNaughton Rule. Another psychiatrist testifies that Tassili knows killing women is wrong but can't help himself - he is in the control of an irresistable impulse. Tassili's mother admits that after he was born she gave him to a couple to take care of for four years and visited him only twice. She also admits she abandoned him when he was 7 years old. She denies that the terrible scar across her son's chest is the result of her slashing him with one of her high heeled shoes. When Tassili takes the stand, Preston insists that he tell the jury about his treatment of the girl's shoes. Tassili rambles on and on making no sense at all and then acts like he answered Preston's question in a perfectly logical manner. Through all of this, the District Attorney asks no questions of Preston's witnesses. After both sides close, the Judge tells Preston that he will instruct the jury that they cannot find Tassili not guilty by reason of insanity - it's either guilty or not guilty. Preston pleads with him to set precedent by ignoring the McNaughton Rule but the Judge refuses. Tassili is found guilty and an overwrought Preston states he will pursue every avenue of appeal to prevent Tassili's execution. He is unsuccessful. Although he is angry at Preston for delaying his execution, Tassili gives a tearful Preston a letter. Tassili enters the execution chamber with a smile on his face but when he sees that his mother is not there - only reporters are allowed - he collapses in tears and has be dragged to the electric chair. Preston reads Tassili's letter and claims that when society kills a person, it also kills God.
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