L.A. Law1986

Gordon Reeve:
About 7 O'clock that night, Bill Collins call the newsroom.

Ms. Wodjack:
Did you know who he was?

Gordon Reeve:
Sure. After the trademark closing, Collins all over the airwaves giving speeches. A lot of people knew who he was.

Ms. Wodjack:
What did Mr. Collins say on the phone?

Gordon Reeve:
He said he was going to set himself on fire in front of the trademark building, to protest American jobs going overseas. He said send a camera.

Ms. Wodjack:
What did you do?

Gordon Reeve:
First I called the police, then I told my Station Manager Eric Simms and he said cover it.

Ms. Wodjack:
What happened when you got to the trademark building?

Ms. Wodjack:
I didn't see anything at first. But, uh, soon as I sat down my equipment, Collins walk down the alley carrying can of gasoline stood on the sidewalk, he said he's going to kill himself. I ask him why. He said, "Turn on the camera. And I'll tell you."

Ms. Wodjack:
What happened next?

Gordon Reeve:
I did what he said. I was, um, expecting the cops to show.

Ms. Wodjack:
What happened after you began rolling the camera?

Gordon Reeve:
Collins made a speech, pour gasoline on himself, and then he lit a match.

Ms. Wodjack:
You have no regrets about your actions that day?

Gordon Reeve:
Do I to second guess myself? Sure. I feel for Bill Collins and his family, but who's to say that he died in vain, after what he did, trademark scratch plans to close that Anaheim plant.

Melina Paros:
Objection, speculation.

Judge Richard Lobel:
Sustained.

Ms. Wodjack:
Mr. Reeve, do you feel responsible for Bill Collins' death?

Gordon Reeve:
Over 19 years as cameraman, I've seen a lot of tragedy, I've seen, uh, soldiers blown up by grenades, I've seen, uh, children starving. [sighs] I - I just photographed these things, I don't cause them.

Ms. Wodjack:
Thank you. Nothing further, Your Honor.