The Defenders - Episode 1.06 Nevada v. Rodgers Recap

The father Joe is just realizing how much trouble his son Jim is in.

"He goes out to collect a football debt and maybe won't come home again. Never heard of anything like it."

Things look grim for Jim. It's because a policeman was shot, the case is going to trial. If the murder charge gets kicked. Jim can be released on bail.

Joe shares a memory of his son.

"It's funny what you can remember at times like these. Must have been twenty years ago. Before his mom ran off, the three of us would go to Arizona to see his cousins, my sister's kids. I can barely see Jim in the rear view; he was so little then. Janet and me are fighting about god knows what. I run out of gas. There was no moon that night. We were less than a mile out. The kid was 7-years-old then. To him, it was the middle of nowhere. Even though I see he's afraid, I gotta scream at Janet like it's her damn fault. And he says, "Dad, it's okay. I'll take care of mom, while you go."
"It was then when I thought. he's gonna be a better man than me. I thought he would be fine."

Later, Pete learns from the news that Elvis memorabilia had been stolen.

"Is anything sacred in this town?"

In court, Nick proves that Jim should not be charged with murder.

While Jim was driving the getaway car, his friends Darryl and Jack were the ones who went inside Downers Tavern to collect on a gambling debt from the bartender. Three off-duty policemen confront them and gunfire is exchanged resulting in the death of one of the robbers and a wounded officer.

The judge disallows the murder charge and grants bail. This angers the policemen watching the proceedings in the courtroom.

Nick's defense is to argue that Jim was not involved in the robbery at all.

Pete agrees to represent Luke Purcell in the Elvis robbery.

Nick realizes that Jim isn't as innocent in the robbery as he admits. When he mouths off at his father, Nick pulls him aside for a serious talk. If it wasn't for his father, he would be in jail for 50 years without parole. He expects Jim to show a little respect when the trial is over.

Pete and Lisa learn that Luke Purcell turned out to be a decent guy whose dream of being an Elvis impersonator ended when he became a thief to make ends meet. Now he just desperately wants to go home.

Nick isn't so sure that Jim was not involved in the robbery anymore.

Pete is surprised that Luke Purcell would have to face 4 years in jail. He appeals to his opposition for more leniency.

In his closing statement, Nick uses reasonable doubt as a defense. He argues that the state failed to prove Jim's guilt in the robbery.

The verdict is still out until morning because of one juror.

Nick discovers that the DA conspired to intimidate that juror to change his mind. They were able to negotiate for 3 years jail time.

They managed to amend the charges to just one, conspiracy to commit extortion.

Pete had Luke's friends at the Crystal Room to speak of his good character. This convinces the ADA to suspend his sentence if he promises never to break the law again.

Jim pleas guilty. Just before sentencing, he says he is sorry for what he did and openly apologizes to his father.

"Thanks for not giving up on me."

Luke goes home a free man.

The week has been good. To unwind, Nick and Pete returned to the Crystal Room to be serenaded by a Marlyn Munroe impersonator.