Public Defender S2:E7 "When Credit Is Due"
30min | Crime, Drama | TV Series (1954– )
Bart Matthews defends the poor and others who cannot afford an attorney. All episodes are based on actual cases from across the country.
Creators: Mort R. Lewis, Sam Shayon
Stars: Reed Hadley, Herschel Graham, John Close
30min | Crime, Drama | TV Series (1954– )
Bart Matthews defends the poor and others who cannot afford an attorney. All episodes are based on actual cases from across the country.
Creators: Mort R. Lewis, Sam Shayon
Stars: Reed Hadley, Herschel Graham, John Close
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00A public defender is an attorney employed by the community and responsible for giving
00:19legal aid without cost to any person who seeks it and is financially unable to employ private
00:25counsel.
00:27It is his duty to defend those accused of crime until the issue is decided in the court
00:32of law.
00:33The first public defender's office in the United States was opened in January 1913.
00:40Over the years, other offices were opened, and today that handful has grown to a network,
00:46a network of lawyers cooperating to protect the rights of our clients.
00:51There's another side to the public defender's work, petty claims, hundreds every day, and
00:57often so bewildering to the people involved it can lead to serious crime.
01:02Just as his name implies, Big Eddie McGowan was a big man who worked on the high steel,
01:08who took a thousand chances and never thought anything of it.
01:12There seemed nothing Eddie couldn't do.
01:14He bulged with muscle and with health for 32 years, never a sick day in his life.
01:21Hi, Eddie. How'd it go?
01:22Goes good, Johnno. I'm sure glad this day's over.
01:25Yeah, me too. Hey, stop off with me and I'll buy you a beer.
01:28Thanks, but that's one you owe me. I've only got another 25 minutes to get some shopping done.
01:32More presents for Gretta and the girl?
01:34Not this time. Getting some stuff for Eddie Jr.
01:36Yeah? What kind?
01:37Ah, you know, the kind of stuff that any American boy should have, especially mine.
01:43Mommy? Daddy's home.
01:46Well, you go out and meet him, Kathy, will you? I'll be right out.
01:53Hi, Daddy.
01:56Hiya, young lady.
02:01What have you got there?
02:03Got a few things for your brother.
02:05Where's your mother?
02:07She's in the hospital.
02:09Hello, there. Where's your mother?
02:12Hello, darling.
02:17Eddie, what did you buy out now?
02:20You know that sporting goods store across the new building?
02:23Yeah, they got a big sale on it. 50% off.
02:26What is it?
02:27It's a catcher's mitt. Baseball glove.
02:30And you think Eddie Jr. knows how to use it?
02:33Oh!
02:37Rice fighters train on these things.
02:39Oh, Ed.
02:41Where is the young man? Doesn't he want his presents?
02:43He's in his room. Just had a bath.
02:45But I'll get him for you.
02:47Go on, slugger.
02:49Hey, hey, hey. Remember what your old man told you?
02:51Thumb on the outside.
02:53Ah, that's good.
02:58Well, hiya, big guy.
03:02Whoa!
03:03There's my baby.
03:05Hiya, honey. Hiya, honey.
03:07Oh, Eddie.
03:09You are the biggest, most wonderful pool a boy ever could have for a father.
03:15And we love you.
03:26Oh, I'll get it.
03:28Please let me go.
03:29You stay here, young lady, and drink your milk.
03:32Eddie, they're here.
03:35Special delivery.
03:37Oh, boy, oh, boy. I've been waiting for these.
03:39Eddie Jr.'s first shoes.
03:41Oh, Eddie.
03:43They look like gold.
03:44Well, they're bronze, honey, but this way they'll last forever.
03:48What are you going to do with them?
03:50Well, what do you think, kiddo? I'm going to hang them up in my car for luck.
03:53Your old man's not so old he can't be like them hot rodders.
03:59Wow.
04:30Doctor.
04:31Your husband's going to be all right, Mrs. McGowan. There's no question now.
04:34Oh, are you sure? Are you?
04:37Well, of course, these compound pelvic fractures respond slowly.
04:41They take time. Time and plenty of care.
04:44Oh, I will take care of him, Doctor.
04:46I'm sure of that.
04:48You must understand it'll be some time before you'll be able to walk again.
04:51He'll be in a wheelchair.
04:54A wheelchair?
05:00Oh, no.
05:03Not my Eddie.
05:20Eddie.
05:22You should be happy today.
05:24After five weeks, you're back with your family again.
05:27Well, you can wait on me hand and foot.
05:30Well, we can wait on you hand and foot because we love you.
05:34And we want to help you get well.
05:36Help? The man you married didn't need help.
05:39He could take care of you, himself, and 30 kids to boot.
05:42Well, and you will again. Soon.
05:46Soon enough, I suppose.
05:49But you said yourself the money was all gone.
05:52We'll have money because...
05:56Well, tomorrow, I start looking for work.
05:58You go to work?
06:00Oh, we'll just be exchanging jobs.
06:02While you stay home watching the children, I'll take over your job.
06:06And your little wife becomes a, how do you say, the breadwinner.
06:10No.
06:11Oh, Eddie, but it won't be for good.
06:15You work, what can you do?
06:17Oh, when we first met in the old country, you were a GI, remember?
06:22Well, what was I doing then?
06:24I know, but that was different. That was war work.
06:26All right, so that was war work.
06:28But before that, like millions of others in Europe,
06:31I started working in factories when I was 12.
06:34Uh-uh.
06:36Aren't you happy with your GI bride?
06:44Now, Eddie, remember what the doctor said about the lamp.
06:46It helps, so you be sure to use it.
06:4864 bucks, it should help.
06:50Whatever it costs, it helps.
06:53And we didn't pay it all at once.
06:55That money should have gone for clothes for the kids.
06:58Oh, they're doing fine, Eddie. We all are.
07:02Here's a quarter of it. You'll miss your bus.
07:04That's all we need.
07:06Come later, Mr. Jason wrote it up for my check.
07:09A couple more weeks, we can both tell Jason to go jump.
07:12All right.
07:14Bye.
07:24Bye.
07:41Just a minute, Mrs. MacAllan.
07:45This came for you yesterday afternoon,
07:47just after you left.
07:49Garnishment, Mr. Jason.
07:51been attached that's what it means and I don't like we don't pay our bills oh no sir I telephoned
07:58everybody after Eddie was hurt and I told her I haven't time for excuses get this thing fixed up
08:10no telling what might have happened if a fellow worker hadn't told Greta of her rights and about
08:14the public defender in spite of her deep-seated mistrust of anything to do with the law
08:20despite her own panic and confusion Greta joined the dozens of others sitting
08:26waiting to tell problems equally as alarming to an understanding deputy
08:31three times as many each year come to the public defender because of civil suits
08:35as come because of some crime it was my good fortune to get the McGowan case
08:42and it was in my office that I first met Greta and heard her story
08:46what do you want me to do now Mr. Matthews go back to work and once we've checked the
08:53obligations you've given me and the other information I don't think we'll have any
08:57trouble getting a court order releasing your check because of hardship please Mr. Matthews
09:03you'll find out I tell you the truth the day after Eddie has his accident I call everyone
09:08I tell them we pay pay slow maybe but we pay and then then this
09:22whatever you do don't worry I will go to work at once and you'll be hearing from us
09:26well tomorrow morning if everything goes all right
09:29I haven't seen a woman that frightened since my first year on the bench park
09:33that was a long time ago wasn't it you know I'm sure glad that you came with us when you
09:38retired judge thanks never mind me what about that poor soul a couple of kids husband had a bad
09:45auto accident can't work she took a job to help him get a job in the city and now she's
09:51what about that poor soul a couple of kids husband had a bad auto accident can't work
09:57she took a job to help pay the bills and boom someone slaps an attachment on her paycheck
10:02can I help you sure can go over these bills will you they're the usual things and if what
10:11she says is true get judge Bowen to sign a court order releasing a check
10:15and do it fast will you judge before it's too late
10:20I'd like to see Mr. Jason please I'm Leo Jason is there anything I can do for you well I'd like
10:41to see Mrs. McGowan for just a minute if it's all right with you sir Mrs. McGowan doesn't work here
10:46anymore oh something wrong plenty wrong I can't give jobs to people who can't pay their bills
10:53I don't hire dead beats I see I suppose you took the time to find out why she owes the few dollars
11:01she does I'm not running a kindergarten here I pay my bills without making any excuses hard cash
11:08on the barrel head but being in business if you happen to run a little bit short there's a bank
11:11to tide you over a bank I have three banks I've got credit because I pay my bills Mr. Jason
11:20fortunately there are very few narrow-minded bigots like you in business men who create the
11:26little situations situations which can turn into the big situations situations which keep me and
11:31my staff working day and night keep you working say who are you anyway talking so big the public
11:39defender of this county Mr. Jason Mrs. McGowan's attorney now here's an order from the court
11:46releasing her check and if I were in your place Mr. Jason I'd turn it over fast because I might
11:52lose my temper
11:59so
12:13hello oh hello um I'm looking for a Mrs. McGowan do you know where she lives
12:20oh that's my mommy I'm Kathy McGowan well I'm pleased to meet you Kathy
12:26is your mama at home oh no she won't be home for hours and hours
12:30she works you know oh I didn't know uh do you know where she's working
12:36same place she's worked since daddy came home from the hospital the same place
12:43do you know the name of the company where she works uh-huh the the Jason Electric Company
12:51well thank you Kathy
12:59I was disturbed by what little Kathy had told me
13:02I wondered why Mrs. McGowan had not told her family the truth
13:06so I decided to come back and see Greta alone
13:09so
13:18it's almost bus time baby
13:22oh man Jason will dock if you're late you know I'd like to see him try
13:28is there anything wrong with you the last few days or something oh I know nothing Eddie I left
13:35the baby in the playpen and there's some soup I made I put it in the icebox well I'll see you tonight
13:46what's wrong with mommy she never left without kissing us before
13:50so
14:01please Mr. Matthews I can't tell my husband he must know I was let go
14:07what do you do with your time all day where do you go where out looking for another job
14:13where else would I go have you found any found yes three places I could have worked
14:20then when they asked for references and call Mr. Jason
14:30is that your husband watching us
14:33he's seen us no what am I going to tell him that's what you should have told him before the truth
14:40now here's the court order and the check now you go on inside and tell him exactly what happened
14:50no I can't Mr. Matthews I just can't if you can't with your permission I can
14:56now come on Mrs. McGowan the sooner the better
15:01I ought to go down and clean all of them out Eddie please I'll find something else just once
15:08that's all I want just one crack at him I know how you feel right now but as your wife said it's
15:15all over besides she will find something else something better fat chance with Jason lying
15:20about us oh I don't know it could be that I might find someone who won't care what Jason says or
15:26does don't bother Matthews we are taking charity yet believe me I didn't suggest it as charity
15:33no thanks just the same you've done enough for us already
15:39well if there's anything I can do
15:41anything at all you know where to reach me
15:45Mr. Matthews even if I knew the proper words well never could I thank you enough never
15:54remember anything at all
15:56remember anything at all
16:09where do you think you're going well out the same place I went before out to look for another job
16:26how early you've known me long enough to know that I don't go around asking favors
16:31just name it Barton if it isn't impossible you're in well it's a job Earl a real hardship case
16:37a woman with a couple of youngsters a husband who can't work
16:41and a line of creditors halfway around the block oh any experience in our line yeah some
16:48she was just fired by Jason because someone wouldn't wait and slapped an attachment on her
16:52paycheck Leo Jason let a woman go for that that's right how do you know Jason know him
16:59practically started him in business still furnishes us around 50 or 60,000 in small
17:04parts a year oh well in that case maybe you won't want to give mrs. McGowan a job
17:09might be a little embarrassing don't worry about that you tell your mrs. McGowan to be here
17:13tomorrow morning at nine ask for me personally she's got a job as long as she wants it I can't
17:19even begin to thank you Earl forget it Bart I'm delighted I can help bye Lucy get me Leo Jason
17:27on the phone I've got some news for him one of her creditors uh well not that they owed $14 to
17:35flatly refused to wait so after going back two or three times well I paid it myself
17:44well I paid it myself you know sort of advanced it for better how soft-hearted can you get
18:05is there anybody home what do you think I stole this when nobody was watching
18:09oh yeah what is it
18:19yeah what can I do for you is uh mrs. McGowan home no is there something I can do
18:30I'm the better half oh
18:33well maybe there's something I can do for you mr. McGowan oh and what is it you think you can do
18:38for us mr. uh Jason Leo Jason you're Jason and you have the gall to come here look McGowan I don't
18:49know how she did it but that double-crossing wife of yours just cost me fifty five thousand dollars
18:54worth of business a year Jason I don't like your language I don't like you I don't like you
19:01I don't like you and I couldn't care less if you lost a million bucks worth of business a day
19:06look I'm trying to be nice but if you're going to act like this
19:12I may forget I'm a gentleman Jason if I were you I'd get out of here
19:18and uh you going to make me
19:30what do you want McGowan you have till five o'clock this afternoon to have your wife go
19:38down and tell Earl Tyler that I didn't fire her she quit and get me back his business
19:45oh and that's all you want but you did fire you did didn't you let's just say I laid her
19:53off for a couple of days she can have her job back again tomorrow morning oh no you fired her
19:59you called her a deadbeat and mister if you think because you lost a few bucks
20:04Greta's gonna come crawling live for you you've got a lot to learn a lot to learn
20:11look you better take my advice and do as I tell you and what'll happen if I don't
20:17I'll tell you what'll happen I've got a lot of friends in this town in the building business
20:25and I was just talking to some of them before I came out here
20:28and unless I get Earl Tyler's business back you'll never work in this county again
20:37well do I have to draw you a blueprint no you don't have to do anything
20:46you've done everything already
20:48all right then don't have your wife go down and square things with Tyler
20:52and you'll find out I'm not bluffing
21:07a little out of your territory aren't you Jason no I was just inside seeing this
21:19hi Eddie it's good to see you out of that wheelchair go on get out of here
21:29get out of the way Matthews
21:36you're not being very hospitable to a guy who's bringing you good news
21:40step aside Matthews give us a break
21:49he's gone Eddie
21:53all right come on let you and I go inside Eddie
22:18well doc I wouldn't believe it if I didn't see it it means Eddie can go back to work now
22:25I should say in a couple of weeks at the outside pretty good for a physical wreck huh
22:29well I'll be on my way
22:35hello doctor well I didn't know I was breaking in on a family celebration
22:39congratulations Matthews between you and Eddie you've done a great job
22:43keep it up Eddie
22:44now this is something for you Eddie that is if you'll make a trade with me trade
22:50sure but what have I got that you'd want well wonderful wife great family
22:57but I know you wouldn't give them up
23:04you can have these for
23:06Eddie jr if I could have something that I've always wanted what's that a colt 45 service automatic
23:37now big Eddie McGowan is back working on the job he loves for the family he loves
23:48the case you have just seen was brought to a fair and just conclusion through the efforts
23:52of a public defender tonight Philip Morris salutes public defender Edward B. Dittmeyer
23:58Adams County Quincy Illinois and his staff for outstanding achievement in the cause of justice
24:06you