April?
Take that outta your... Take that outta your mouth.
Come on.
April!
Get that ... Get that outta your ...
Robert was talking to you.
I was just reminding you that the judge
has tremendous discretion in these sentencing hearings,
so the impression that you make on him will count for a lot...
Wyatt, let go.
The most important thing is to stick to your statement.
Don't try to re-litigate what happened or whose fault it was...
Wyatt, hey. Stop it.
Hey, he can chew his shirt if it keeps him calm.
He shouldn't even be here.
Optics are important.
You need to keep the judge's focus on the fact
that you're a mother with a young child.
Who we're putting on display like a prop.
We've been over this. Jake.
It's crucial that he see you as a mother
whose child needs you.
I just don't wanna traumatize him.
It's a little late for that.
Let's just get through this, okay?
Hey, Wy, come on.
Come on, bud.
I'll need to pull up the file.
- Can you hold, please? - Yeah, no, uh-huh.
I can wait.
Wyatt!
Hey, honey.
Wait for me in the car.
I'll be right there. Okay?
Wyatt!
- Hello? - Yes, hi. I'm here.
- Tell me your name again? - April Harris.
So you need a referral for Dr. Reynolds?
No, no, no. He already saw Dr. Reynolds.
She referred him to Dr. Stevenson,
but his office said that we need a referral code
before we can get an appointment, so...
- And this is for you, right? - No, it's not for me.
It's for my son, Wyatt.
Uh-huh. I see.
That's what I'm trying to explain.
Dr. Stephenson won't give my son an appointment
without a referral code. So...
How about Tuesday at 4?
Thank you. Yes. Tuesday works. 4pm.
Great.
We'll be there. Thank you.
I finally got Wyatt an appointment with that new doctor.
I just hope she's better than the last one.
He, the doctor's a he.
Then I hope he's better.
- Me too. - Hey.
- Have a good day. - You too.
And uh, don't overdo it, okay?
Calling for mild temperatures
through the evening with a low near 58.
Cooling off tomorrow with a high of 63.
Clouds moving in late in the afternoon
with a chance of thunderstorms again.
Changing to light rain overnight...
Coffee's made!
Jake! You're blocking me!
I told you to wait in the car, Wy.
Come on, we're late. - Sorry, sorry, sorry.
Wy, don't make me ask you again.
Wyatt.
In the car. Now.
Wyatt!
Did you see that?
He deliberately kicked the ball at me.
I'm sure it was an accident.
You didn't see it.
Just take a breath, okay?
We need to talk about this commute.
You don't want me to work?
It's an extra 40 minutes each way,
for just a few more bucks an hour.
My job pays his tuition.
Yeah, at a school that doesn't seem to be helping.
Let's not do this now, okay?
I just think he may be picking up on your stress levels...
- Nope. Not now. - April.
Wyatt, honey?
I'm sorry I yelled earlier.
Sometimes I have big feelings too.
Just like you.
And that's okay.
But we gotta use our words, right?
Wy?
Okay, Boo.
Remember, Daddy is gonna pick you up after school
and take you to Ben's for a play date.
But you said we would get ice cream.
I'm sorry, Boo.
I need to take a shift over from one of the other nurses.
We can go tomorrow.
Oh.
Hey, Farrah.
Can, um, can Wyatt walk in with Ben?
Hey Ben, catch up with Wyatt, okay?
Hey, Wyatt.
How cute are they?
Listen, April, I'm really sorry,
I can't take Wyatt after school.
- Oh? - I was about to call you.
Um, when I told Ben that Wyatt was coming over,
he got pretty upset.
Apparently, yesterday they were playing
and Wyatt got mad and hit him in the face with a Beyblade.
- Oh my gosh. - Yeah.
I am so sorry.
I just um... I think it might be best
that the boys take a bit of a break for a little while.
No, I understand.
We can talk about it tomorrow.
I know you have to go.
We'll talk about it tomorrow.
Okay.
Hi, it's Jake. Now you talk!
Jake, call me, okay? It's important.
All rise.
The Honorable Judge Reid presiding.
The Court is now in session.
Good morning. Please be seated.
This is a sentencing hearing for April Elizabeth Harris.
Really?
Excuse me.
You hit my door.
I'm really sorry, sir. I was just trying to get into my car.
Oh yeah. You hit it.
No ...I mean, barely.
I, I, I, I heard it from all the way back there. So...
You didn't leave me any room. You blocked me in.
See? I can barely open my door.
Yeah so maybe just wait.
I was supposed to stand here and just...
wait so I could get into my car?
You know, just use the other door.
I was here first. You blocked me in.
Okay, you know what? I really am sorry, sir.
I didn't mean to bump your car with my door.
But luckily you're here now,
so can you please move your car so I can get in?
Oh my God.
I have a really long commute. I have to go.
That sounds like a "you" problem.
Excuse me?
I'm not going anywhere until we exchange information.
So you can pay for that damage.
Damage? There...
There's nothing here. This is probably just dirt.
Don't touch my car.
What?
You don't think you did anything? Really?
All right, then I'm gonna have to call the cops
and they'll come out here and decide.
You know what?
I'm not doing this. - What? You're not doing this?
I am late for work. I have to go.
Wait, wait, wait. You'll stay as long as it takes.
Are you seriously leaving? Are you... are you for real?
Miss, stop!
I got... I got pictures.
Hey! Hey! I got pictures of your plates. Hey!
What? You really think you're gonna get away with this?
Where are you going?
Subsequent to the defendant's guilty plea,
it is my understanding that the prosecution has filed
victim impact statements from the victim's family.
Is that correct? - Yes, Your Honor.
I also have the State's sentencing memorandum.
Are you still holding to these recommendations?
Yes, Your Honor.
The State is seeking the statutory maximum...
- Stop it. - Of ten years incarceration
along with any restitution ordered by the Court.
We believe that the sentence is just
in light of the facts of the case
and the harm caused by Ms. Harris to the community.
"You'll stay as long as it takes"?
Unbelievable!
Hi, it's Jake. Now you talk!
Hello?
Hi, April. It's Principal Frank from Meadows Academy.
Is everything okay?
Oh, Wyatt's fine. But we had another incident today.
What happened?
Uh, this one was a little more serious.
One of the girls spilled some paint on Wyatt's desk,
so Wyatt turned over her desk
and destroyed the artwork she just finished.
So, I think it's best if you come pick him up.
Oh...
I'm late for work but I can call my husband.
Okay. And then I'd like to set a time we can all meet.
Talk about his options going forward.
Of course.
All right. Thanks, April.
See you soon. - Yeah, okay.
Hey, what's up?
I tried you twice, why didn't you call me back?
Sorry, I was in the shower, and then I got a work call.
You need to pick up Wyatt from school.
Uh, yeah. Yeah, I was planning on it.
No, not after school, now.
Why? What do you mean? Is he okay?
There was another incident.
I think they're gonna kick him out of school.
- What happened? - He had another outburst
with an entirely different kid.
They want us to come get him right away.
Uh well, I have a team meeting at nine
- and the CFO is joining. - Jake, I'm already on the road!
Well, they can't expect us to just drop everything.
They're on the verge of expelling him.
Can you please figure something out this one time?
It is always me.
Okay. Okay, fine.
Uh... let me call Colin.
Seriously? I...
What? I just said I'd do it.
No, my phone is dying and the charger is not here.
Ah shoot, I'm sorry.
I may have borrowed it and forgotten to put it back.
- Jake. - I know, I know.
I just said I'm sorry, okay?
But look, you know what?
Maybe this is actually for the best.
Maybe Meadows isn't the right fit,
it could be a blessing in disguise.
- Are you serious? - Yeah.
We'll put him back in public school, get him a shadow.
You can cut down on your hours or maybe even quit altogether.
Spend more time with him at home.
Maybe that'll be better for him, you know?
- April? Hello? - Unbelievable.
Why is that so crazy?
He could do better if we're both not spread so thin.
No, honey.
There is some guy following me, some ***...
What? What are you talking about?
April, can you hear me?
You still there?
What's going on?
April, tell me what happened.
Nothing. It was over nothing. I barely touched his car
with my door in the parking lot and he went off on me.
Oh my God.
And now he's all bent out of shape
because I wouldn't kowtow to him!
Okay um... Okay just take a deep breath.
- Jerk! - April.
Don't provoke him, he might have a gun.
He's in a BMW.
- Honey please... - I'm trying to let him pass!
Go around me!
- April, please. Let it go. - I am!
I am trying to let him pass.
Go around me!
He's not going!
- Can you just pull over? - There's no one else out here.
If I stop now, I don't know what's he's gonna do.
What?
What is he doing?
April. Call 911 then call me right back.
Yeah. Okay.
What are you doing, you lunatic?
You're gonna kill someone!
911, what's your emergency?
Hello. Hi. Um, I'm on Route 92
and there's a car in front of me. He's crazy.
He was tailgating me and then he tried to cut me off.
Okay. Where on 92 are you? Can you see a road sign?
No, I uh... I don't know.
- Somewhere past Bennett. - Any landmarks?
Not really. No just...
Jesus.
It's like he wants me to crash into him!
Ma'am, we're going to locate you through your phone.
What's the make, model and color of your car?
I'm in a 2010 Toyota Corolla.
And what about the other driver?
Uh, it's a dark blue BMW. Maybe I can make out the plate.
No, ma'am. Do not engage the other driver.
Keep your distance.
I'm trying but every time I slow down, he slows down.
Can you just stay on the line with me while...
No.
No!
Damnit, Jake!
***.
Excuse me. Hello... Uh, can I use your phone?
Oh, uh, sorry, it's not for customers.
- It's a liability sorta thing... - Please, I'm being followed.
My phone is dead. I need to call 911.
Thank you. I swear I'm not crazy.
- 911, what's your emergency? - Hi. Hello!
Um, I'm being followed.
Somebody's trying to run me off the road.
- I'm on Route 92 in... where? - Harding.
I'm at a gas station in Harding. I called earlier.
I'm in a 2010 Toyota Corolla,
I don't know if you have the information from the other call...
What kind of car is the other driver in?
Uh... oh God. Uh... Okay, it's a dark blue BMW.
Is he still following you?
I don't know. I'm in a gas station so...
Can you confirm the address where you're calling from?
What's the address here?
It's 127 West Pike.
All right, we've got that.
- We have a unit on the way now, ma'am. - Okay.
If you see the other vehicle, do not engage.
Just stay where you are.
Try to remain where there are other people, do you understan?
Okay. Yes. I will. Thank you.
- Stay safe, Ma'am. - Bye.
- Thank you. - No problem.
Do you have a phone charger I could use?
Um...
Ah, okay.
Thank you.
I will not get fired for being late.
I will not get fired.
Nope.
Not today.
Come on, come on, come on.
Oh, no.
No, no.
- Roll down your window. - Are you kidding?
You just tried to kill me!
Open your window or I'm gonna open...
The police will be here any minute!
- Get away from me! - Open it!
- Help! - He's cool but I don't wanna
share a a crappy motel with him for three days.
- Help! Help! - Open it!
Somebody help!
Oh! Here we go!
Ha! You got a kid?
He must be a real piece of work.
With a mother like you.
Great mom! Really great mom.
Hello.
Yeah. Yeah, I can talk. Hit me.
No, I'm headed over there right now.
Yeah, no, I got uh...
I got tied up with some lunatic on the highway.
No. Some crazy ***.
Yeah, crazy ***.
No, an idiot.
Yeah.
Women!
Hey!
Is this funny to you?
You dented my car!
You...
damaged my car!
Who do you think you are?
Kicking my car?
Laughing... at me?
Come on.
Where are you, huh?
Yeah, that's right. It's me.
That crazy ***. Your new best friend.
I know you see me.
That's what I thought.
How does it feel, huh?
You like that?
Ah! Ha!
Fine.
I can do this all day!
Okay. That's your move?
Oh my God. Oh my God.
What are you doing?
Do you think I'm gonna talk to you?
Are you nuts?
Oh my god.
You maniac!
Ms. Harris. Counsel informs me
that you would like to make a statement before I impose sentence.
Yes, Your Honor.
Very well. You may proceed.
Wyatt, please.
Wyatt, stop it.
Stop it.
Obvi...
Stop it.
Obviously, words are not enough
to express just how sorry I am.
Enough.
How sorry I am for...
- All right. Come on. - What, what...
- Yep. No no. Let's go. - No, I gotta go back...
- Come on Wyatt. - No. I want to stay!
- Come on. - No! No!
- Sorry, Your Honor. - No, I wanna stay!
- Wyatt! - Let go of me. - Your Honor, I ...
Stop it...
Your Honor, may I request a brief recess
so my client can address the situation?
Five-minute recess.
Wy, come on. Look, you gotta calm down.
Let's do your breathing, yeah?
Count with me, in for four,
nice and slow. Come on, Wy. In for four...
- Hey! - Like we worked on. Look, come on.
- I wanna go home! - Damnit, Wyatt!
Hey, honey.
It's okay.
Jake.
- Mom, can you take him outside? - Sure. Wyatt. Yep.
Wyatt, honey, come with Grandma. That's it.
Jake...
what's going on?
Can you...
can you talk to me?
Please?
Jake?
You've been cold to me ever since the accident.
Whatever you're thinking or feeling,
it's worse if you don't say it.
Hm.
If you can't be honest with each other now
we might not get another chance.
What do you want me to say? I'm trying.
I'm here. I've been here at your side supporting you.
Because... I know how hard it is,
how horrible you feel, but...
But this didn't just happen to you, April.
So... yeah.
I'm angry. And I'm...
I'm really angry.
Because...
Look, if you go to prison today, not only do I lose you,
which is unthinkable enough, but...
but somehow, I'm supposed to raise him on my own.
And what if I can't?
What if I don't know how?
The outbursts, the therapists, the schools.
You carried it.
All of it.
And I let you.
I'm sorry,
and I'm terrified.
I'm absolutely terrified.
Who's afraid now, huh?
Maniac.
911, what's your emergency?
I'm on Route 92 at the scene of a car accident.
There's a male victim, we need an ambulance.
Okay I'm gonna ask you to check for any signs...
- Oh, thank God. - Of breathing or movement.
- Is he conscious? - Sir.
- Does he appear to be breathing? - Sir?
He's breathing but his heart rate's low. I think he's in shock.
Do you know where on Route 92 you are?
No... way, way past Harding.
- Try to stay calm... - Ah!
I need to get him out of this car.
Sir, you've been in an accident
and I need to get you out of your car now.
I gotta get you away from it.
Huh?
- Stop. Get off of me! - You crazy ***!
Get away!
I'm trying to help you.
Stop! Enough.
Excuse me?
Uh, I'm here to see my wife, April Harris.
I was told she was here or uh headed here
- after a car accident. - Yeah, she's here.
Well, they said she was okay but...
I'll let Detective Brimm know you're here. Have a seat.
Detective?
Please, take a seat.
Brimm? - Yeah.
Yeah. Uh, I have April Harris' husband here.
- Fine. All right. - Okay.
I dunno, she was pretty wound up,
she said she was getting chased by a guy in a BMW.
And I happened to look outside,
and I saw her yelling at this guy in a Beemer
who looked like he was trying to get away from her.
Uh, and then she just took off after him.
Like it looked like she was the one dogging him.
Mr. Harris?
I'm Detective Brimm. Oh no, have a seat.
Where's my wife?
I need to ask you some questions first.
Questions? Is she okay?
Yeah. She's fine.
When was the last time you spoke with your wife?
Uh, this morning.
Right before her phone died.
She said some man was following her in his car.
She say why?
Only that they'd gotten into some kinda an argument over a...
...a parking spot.
I told her to call 911.
And what can you tell me
about your wife the last time you saw her?
What was her state of mind?
Is she being charged with something?
We're just trying to get the full picture.
I don't... I don't know if I feel comfortable
answering questions without a lawyer present.
Of course.
We're just trying to understand what happened.
Come with me.
This way.
It's okay.
I'm sorry. The uh... the other family is back in the courtroom,
so the judge really needs us in there now.
Come on, boy.
- Is he ready? - Well, what do you think?
Do you think you can show everybody what a good listener you are?
- Mom. - Yeah?
I need you to keep him outside.
- What do you mean? - Take him for ice cream maybe?
Whatever he wants.
April, I really think it's important
that the whole family be present...
- I know, but... - The judge needs to be...
I'm sorry, Robert.
Wy, hey.
It's her call.
Wy, come here.
Whatever happens,
- it's gonna be okay. Yeah? - Yeah.
I love you.
You know that, right?
I love you...
so... much.
Okay.
Come on, let's get some ice cream.
Come on.
All right.
Are we ready to proceed?
Yes, Your Honor.
Ms. Harris, pursuant to Criminal Code, Section 2903,
you stand convicted of Felony Vehicular Assault
and Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle,
both punishable by incarceration and fines.
You have pleaded guilty to these charges.
Before I impose sentence,
you may continue making the statement you started earlier.
If that's still what you want to do.
Yes, Your Honor.
Obviously, words are not enough to adequately express
just how sorry I am for what happened.
My lawyer wanted my son to be here for this.
He wanted you to see me as a sympathetic
and a loving wife and mother. Rather than a...
person whose reckless actions took a life.
My son has needs that are challenging.
Things my husband and I weren't fully prepared for.
And for years...
I've been telling myself I was fine.
I could handle it.
But the truth is...
I have been
so tired
for so long.
Just...
running on empty. And I couldn't stop, you know?
Every day.
I just kept going.
I didn't realize I was...
drowning until...
This isn't the person I ever thought I was,
but my actions are mine.
And they are the reason that you're here without a husband.
And you are here without a father.
Nothing I can say will change that.
So I won't try to make excuses.
But I will ask for leniency.
So that I can be there for my husband
and my son...
my unique, beautiful boy,
who I love so much it hurts.
I am not a perfect mother
but I am a loving mother.
And I will spend the rest of my life
trying to do right by him.
I am so sorry.
Thank you.
Ms. Harris, is that your full statement to the court?
I will say I am moved by your candor, Ms. Harris.
But you are correct,
we are here because our legal system demands accountability.
In consideration of the gravity of the charges,
and the sentencing recommendation by the District Attorney,
I hereby impose a fine of $10,000
and remand you to the custody
of the State Department of Corrections
to serve a term of incarceration beginning today
of a period not to exceed three years.
We are adjourned.
With good behavior, you could be paroled in a year.
Let's go, Ma'am.
You can do this.
I promise.
We'll be okay.