Presumed Innocent (1990)

Tom Mardirosian: Nico Della Guardia

Quotes 

• Nico Della Guardia : We would like Mr. Molto to take the stand.

  Judge Larren Lyttle : [angrily]  NO!

  Nico Della Guardia : Judge, you said that we'd be given leeway if the Defense proceeded with this frame-up theory. You said that!

  Judge Larren Lyttle : Yes! But I did not know THEN that the State's chief piece of evidence was going to disappear after last being seen with Mr. Molto. I DID NOT know that Molto and the Chief Pathologist were going to *manufacture* evidence and testimony! That, gentlemen, if I may say, is a FAIR interpretation of today's events! I'm still struggling with what's going to happen to Mr. Molto, but what is NOT going to happen is him getting up on that witness stand and making things WORSE!

  Tommy Molto : Your Honor, my testimony will...

  Judge Larren Lyttle : WITHDRAW, GENTLEMEN!

  [the lawyers step back] 

  Nico Della Guardia : On befalf of the People of Kindle County, the State rests.

• Sandy Stern : We notice that Mr. Molto is listed both as a prosecutor and as a potential witness for the prosecution. We object to that.

  Judge Larren Lyttle : I take it you're speaking of where Mr. Sabich responds to Mr. Molto's accusation of murder by saying, "You're right"?

  Nico Della Guardia : [quoting from notes]  "Yeah. You're right." Your Honor, the man admitted the crime.

  Judge Larren Lyttle : Oh, come on, Mr. Della Guardia, really. You tell a man he's engaged in wrongdoing, and he says, "Yeah, you're right." Now, everybody knows that's facetious, and we're all familiar with that. Shoot, in my neighborhood, had Mr. Sabich come from those parts, he would have said, "Your mama." But in Mr. Sabich's part of town, I would think they would say, "Yeah, you're right." And what they mean is, "You are wrong." Just to be polite.

  Nico Della Guardia : Your Honor, isn't that a question for the jury?

  Judge Larren Lyttle : No, on the contrary, Mr. Della Guardia, it is first a question for the court. Now, if you wish to use Mr. Sabich's statement and risk my ruling it out of order, then I will bar Mr. Molto from prosecuting, but if he is the prosecutor, then Mr. Sabich's statement may not be offered. I'll see you in court in three weeks. Ernestine, show in the next bunch.