A System of Justice

by DoctorH

A Murdoch Mysteries teleplay. A man who is universally hated is murdered. It seems unlikely that the Constabulary will ever capture the killer; but then a man confesses to the crime, and the case against him seems air-tight. Even so, witnesses come forward to say that the confessed killer is innocent! Has the notoriety of the case spoiled the evidence? Solution included.

1. Act 1

ACT I

(FADE IN. Establishing shot of Toronto, mid-day. CUT TO: Ext. of Station House Number Four. CUT TO: Int. of Station House Number Four, Brackenreid's office. BRACKENREID is at his desk, intensely reading a letter. BRACKENREID scowls, then looks up and sees MURDOCH arriving a the Station House and entering Murdoch's office. BRACKENREID stands, goes to the door of his own office, and beckons MURDOCH.)

BRACKENREID
Murdoch!

(MURDOCH, who had been removing his hat and coat, turns and sees BRACKENREID make a 'Come here' gesture. MURDOCH abruptly places coat and hat on a coat rack and strides to Brackenreid's office. BRACKENREID returns to his chair behind his desk. MURDOCH enters the office.)

BRACKENREID
Close the door!

(MURDOCH does so.)

BRACKENREID
We have a problem. Do you remember Gerald Edward Stroman?

MURDOCH
Yes. His case was notorious. He was sent to prison for murder two years ago, for killing his child. He claimed that the child's death was an accident, but the jury disagreed.

BRACKENREID
That's the man. (with disgust) He should have gone to the noose, but instead he appealed his conviction in court. And I've just received a letter saying that the appellate court agreed with him. The appellate court didn't say Stroman was innocent; how could they? The case against him was clear! But the appellate court DID say that Stroman did not get a fair shake during his trial, and because his trial wasn't fair, his conviction cannot stand. Apparently the appellate judges were upset with how counsel for the crown handled the case, and how the judge let the crown counsel get away with some outrageous antics; but the appellate judges weren't critical of the Constabulary's work, if that is any comfort.

MURDOCH
Mister Stroman is to escape the noose, then, at least until he can be given another trial; this time, a fair trial.

BRACKENREID
No, he can't. There won't be any second trial. Two of the key witnesses against Stroman died from influenza last winter. Without them, there's really no case. Stroman is going to have to be set free.

(MURDOCH is speechless for a moment.)

MURDOCH
(discouraged) That is disappointing. But it is a foreseeable consequence of the justice system that we have, as civilized people.

BRACKENREID
There's no story about Stroman in this morning's newspaper, but you can bet there will be a story in the afternoon edition. And in tomorrow morning's newspaper as well.

(MURDOCH understands what is meant.)

MURDOCH
And people are going to be angry.

BRACKENREID
Angry. And afraid. A murderer will be living in their midst. Or I should say, in OUR midst. As I recall, Stroman's home is less than half a mile from here. So OUR constables may encounter, at the risk of understating it, some 'rather upset people' in our part of the city.

MURDOCH
And we must be mindful of the public mood; it would not be good if the anger at the idea of Gerald Edward Stroman being a free man may spur a citizen to take the law into his or her own hands.

(BRACKENREID looks grave. CUT TO: Ext. of a burned-down house, mid-day [Thursday]. The house is no longer smouldering. Superimposed over the scene are the words "TWO WEEKS LATER". In the background, FIRE INVESTIGATORS, including Lester LENSKY, are moving about the scene, examining it, taking notes. LENSKY is clearly in charge, and he reviews things found by others and directs photographs be taken of things. In the foreground stands CRABTREE, who is joined by MURDOCH. )

MURDOCH
Have the investigators found any more victims, George?

CRABTREE
No, sir. The only known victim was the man whose body was recovered and taken away about two hours ago.

MURDOCH
A man who was probably Gerald Edward Stroman.

CRABTREE
Very likely, sir. This WAS his house.

(CRABTREE finds the next words difficult to speak.)

CRABTREE
I saw the body myself, sir, and I am not in any position to verify that it was the body of Gerald Edward Stroman. The remains were, uh, too, uh, affected by the fire for me to make any sort of identification.

MURDOCH
(sympathetically) Of course, George. Let Doctor Ogden make the identification, if she is able.

CRABTREE
Yes, sir.

MURDOCH
Where was the body found?

CRABTREE
On the floor of the kitchen area, face up. The investigators suspect the fire started in the kitchen.

(MURDOCH makes a face.)

MURDOCH
Perhaps this fire was an accident. But if the fire were accidentally caused by the stove in the kitchen, for example, the victim would have likely seen the fire and escaped from it. Yet he did not escape. Have the investigators indicated to you whether the fire was accidental or intentionally set?

CRABTREE
All they have said is that it is a suspicious fire, sir; they have not reached any conclusions yet.

(MURDOCH ponders a moment.)

MURDOCH
It may be that what we feared might happen did happen: someone was angry that Gerald Edward Stroman had been set free, and took matters into his or her own hands.

(MURDOCH and CRABTREE look at one another in understanding. FADE OUT.)