Barrio Barrister (F-18) Conclusion
For Barrio Barrister’s beginning, (F-1) click here. For the introduction click here. To go back to (F-17) click here.
EXT. ELDER MIGUEL’S POOL AREA — DAY
We see Mason from the stomach up with Miguel’s house behind him. We hear water sprinkling, then a second stream as the camera moves to Miguel standing next to him, urinating.
MASON
You found that witness by using the Pitchess Motion. It clinched the discrediting of the deputies. Brilliant.
EXT. OUTDOOR POOL AREA — DAY
We see both men from the back, relieving themselves on the lawn next to the pool on the side away from the house.
ELDER MIGUEL
Well, yes… and no.
MASON
Come again?
ELDER MIGUEL
We did win, but not just with the Pitchess Motion. Turns out we had our own star witness all along.
Miguel finishes, walks back, puts on trousers over wet red shorts.
INT. COURTROOM — DAY
Miguel calls his star witness.
MIGUEL
The defense calls Antonio Rodriguez.
Antonio comes in, is sworn in, and takes the stand.
MIGUEL
Please state your name, age and profession.
ANTONIO
My name is Antonio Hernandez Rodriguez. I am an attorney employed by Eiden Rodriguez and Silbega and am associated with CASA (Center for Automatic Social Action). I am 34.
MIGUEL
Could you please tell us in your own words what you saw October 5th, 1975?
ANTONIO
I was working in the office of Sin Fronteras located at 5118 Whittier. Blvd.. Shortly after midnight I heard a shot and went to the door. Someone yelled that the police had shot someone. I observed three young men lying on the street, one was bleeding badly. He struggled up and was limping. Two officers approached him and one knocked him down. One of the other fellows lying there yelled, “He’s dying, get an ambulance.” That man was hit on the head with a gun butt. Other deputies arrived and began hitting, clubbing and kicking the three men even though one appeared to be dead or unconscious. The crowd started throwing things at the officers. I saw one of the objects strike an officer in the head. He had a gun in his hand. He clutched his head, his knees buckled and he reeled backwards almost falling. At that time I saw blood coming from his head. Up until that time I did not see any blood on any of the deputies. I did not see any other officers injured. I met another man named Vincent Arias who told me he had seen the entire event. He said after a second man got out of the car a sheriff deputy started beating him with a club. Another man got out of the car, grabbed the baton and threw it across the street. He was the one who got shot.
INT. COURTROOM — DAY
Celebration. Cesar limps over to DA twirling his finger and taunting him. His parents, others, also celebrate.
ELDER MIGUEL (V.O.)
It was October 5th, 1976, when our clients were acquitted of all charges — one year to the day of the shooting by police — who, by the way, were never reprimanded in any way for lying under oath in court.
EXT. ELDER MIGUEL’S HOME PATHWAY FROM POOL TO BACK LOT — DAY
Miguel, Mason, dressed, walk to inspect the party stage area.
MASON
Where we headed?
ELDER MIGUEL
Civil War maybe.
MASON
Not what I meant.
ELDER MIGUEL
To see how the stage is coming for the fiesta.
(touches his shoulder)
You know, Mason, the fore fathers were very wise to include the idea of checks and balances. The problem is that as the population grew and institutions like law enforcement grew, the checks and balances idea wasn’t included. Whatever government you have, no matter if it’s capitalism, communism or socialism or whatever — it’s going to be run by people who are corruptible by power. Therefore checks and balances are needed at every level and every institution.
He stops in the shade of a tree and looks back at his lot.
ELDER MIGUEL
I played by their rules and won, but they still cheated. In February, 1978, Evelle Younger, the Attorney General for the State of California and John Van de Kamp, LA County DA, issued a joint report that there had been “…no unlawful or criminal conduct” when it came to the destruction of files. Their “investigation” was a cover-up in itself. Van de Kamp made a speech sometime afterwards to the Mexican American Bar Association then opened a mic for questions after his speech.
INT. VERY QUIET CANNON RESTAURANT — 1979 — DAY
JOHN VAN DE KAMP has concluded his speech to the Mexican American Bar Association. A microphone is open for questions. JOHN MARTINEZ, President of MABA stands next to Van de Kamp.
(Subtitle): Speech to Mexican American Bar Association by John Van de Kamp, Very Quiet Cannon Restaurant-1979
MIGUEL
(at microphone)
I’m tired of your politician side-slipping away from the substance of our questions and painting yourself as being so holy.
Van de Kamp, Martinez still next to him, is startled by the next remark.
MIGUEL (O.C.)
Fuck you and everyone involved in covering up the illegal destruction of crucial evidence of abusive cops.
JOHN MARTINEZ
(taking a microphone)
Mr. Van de Kamp, I’d like to point out here that MABA includes members across the political spectrum from conservative to quite liberal. However, within that spectrum, as far as the destruction of police files is concerned, most of our members would say they’re in the middle with Mr. Garcia here…
CUT TO:
We see Miguel giving Van de Kamp the finger.
JOHN MARTINEZ (O.C.)
…right where his finger is.
MIGUEL
Fuck you. Fuck you very much.
EXT. ELDER MIGUEL’S HOME NEAR NEWLY CONSTRUCTED STAGE — DAY
Elder Miguel stands looking at Mason.
MASON
Was there ever an investigation?
ELDER MIGUEL
No independent commission, even though hundreds of legal professionals petitioned for it. Top law enforcement officials colluded to obstruct justice — a felony.
MASON
Why a party now?
ELDER MIGUEL
I think of it as a party to congratulate everyone who managed to make a difference in other lives while they were here —especially in facing abuse of power — and for all those who will in the future. You’re invited.
MASON
Have you changed since you started?
ELDER MIGUEL
I had thought I won, but Ben Margolis was right. I did win an important battle, but the war against the abuse of power never ends. Every generation will have to face it. Hopefully some young person will strengthen the Pitchess Motion and find ways to institutionalize effective checks and balances on all law enforcement agencies. You joining the party?
MASON
A ver, a ver, a ver, Mr. Garcia. Just might take you up on that.
Elder Miguel walks away towards the stage. As he does, he extends his arms to either side.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. ELDER MIGUEL’S HOME NEAR STAGE — EVENING
Elder Miguel continues to walk towards stage, day dissolves into evening as he does. Young Miguel materializes holding Elder Miguel’s left hand, Miguel holding Elder Miguel’s right hand. The three Miguels stroll together, greeting the cast members and their real person counterparts who are identified by subtitles. Finally, they greet the real Miguel. Musicians play on the stage. CAM pulls up.
FADE TO BLACK.
CREDITS
Slide 1:
“I believe the shredding is a more terrible scandal than Watergate…the shredding scandal goes to the very heart of our system of justice.”
Los Angeles Municipal Court Judge George W. Trammell
Slide 2:
The actions of racist, bullying cops and their defenders has cost California tax payers hundreds of millions of dollars.
Slide 3:
The Pitchess Motion is one of the most cited motions in California courts today.
Slide 4: (points appear one at a time)
On January 24, 1977 Judge George Trammell found:
1)Police personnel deliberately destroyed records with the specific intent of depriving defense attorneys of potential evidence to which they were legally entitled.
2)The Internal Affairs Division deliberately deceived the City Council to get them to authorize the destruction.
3)Four more years were destroyed than had been authorized.
4)The City Attorney of Los Angeles aided and abetted the destruction of evidence — constituting gross professional conduct.
Slide 5:
To this day, no one has been held accountable for the destruction of more than five and a half million pages of records.
Note: Photos accompany following slides
Slide 6:
Ricardo Ortiz (actor) Ricardo 30’s, and today in Mexico.
Ricardo Ortiz’ sentence was reduced from life to 20 years. He got out for good behavior in seven years. He was deported to Mexico, attended college, and got his pilot’s license. He died in Zamora, Michoacan, Mexico in the summer of 2022.
Slide 7:
Richard Cruz (actor) and real person’s photo held by his son. Richard passed away from lung cancer on July 21st, 1993, age 50.
Chief Ed Davis Born Nov. 15, 1916 Died April 22, 2006. LA Chief of Police 1969–1978 California State Senator 1980–1992 Davis gave technical advice to “Dragnet” 1967–1970 and “Adam-12” 1968–1975 while serving as police chief.
Slide 9:
Cesar Noriega got straight A’s his senior year at Pomona College. He attended UCLA law school, passed the California Bar Exam, and practiced law helping poor people. He never represented Miguel Garcia. He was awarded $3000 in damages. He now resides in San Diego with his terrier, Fuck Trump.
Slide 10:
Miguel Garcia Show different ages — including video in car and crashing through door. Honors. Clarence Darrow award. Lifetime Achievement Awards MAPA. Now lives in Whittier, CA.
One animal was harmed in the making of this film. It was eaten.
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