L.A. Law1986

Melina Paros:
[Melina prepares the closing argument] Gordon Reeve says that taking pictures with the distraught man burning himself to death is all in a day's work. I'm a journalist, he says no blood on my hands. But Mr. Reeve crossed the line. Not only a responsible journalism, but if human decency and the law. Why? Violence sells. Now Bill Collins may have thought that he was dying for a purpose, but the only purpose that Mr. Reeve and his station had in mind was winning higher ratings. If you think that their actions were substantial cause of Mr. Collins' self-immolation, then you must find Mr. Reeve and KINX responsible for contributing to a suicide. Thank you. [Melina heads back to her seat. And Ms. Wodjack's turn to prepare for closing]

Ms. Wodjack:
That video is excruciating to watch. What happened? And it was news and every station in this town, every network ran that tape is estimated 20 million people saw the footage. No. Maybe you think that Gordon Reeve is an awful person because he didn't stop somebody from killing himself, but under the law, he had no duty to rescue Bill Collins from himself, his duty as journalist was to photograph the event. And to say Bill Collins wouldn't have killed himself if my client had capped his lens is ranked speculation, and believe me. If Gordon Reeve had refuse to run his camera, Bill Collins would have found another reporter who would have gladly cover the story. [Ms. Wodjack turned to plaintiff Belinda Collins] This is tragic news. Yes. I grant you that. But don't make the mistake of blaming the messenger. [Ms. Wodjack is finished with the closing and head back to her seat]