The Runaway Jury

Bronsky’s cross-examination finishes on Thursday, and on Friday morning, Marlee makes a series of calls to Fitch from Hattiesburg, a town at least 90 minutes from Biloxi. In her first call, she correctly describes what Nicholas will be wearing and the magazine he will carry. In the second call, she predicts that instead of sitting down when they enter the courtroom, the jurors will say the Pledge of Allegiance. Marlee’s third call goes to Rohr’s office, and she demands that his secretary give him a message describing what Nicholas will be wearing and stating that he will behave patriotically.

Before they enter the courtroom, Nicholas convinces his fellow jurors to say the Pledge of Allegiance once per week going forward, starting now. Though some jurors seem dubious of his intentions, particularly Frank, Nicholas claims that his father died in the Vietnam War, so he takes patriotism seriously. The rest of the group agrees. When they enter the courtroom, they recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Harkin, though confused at first, joins in, leading the lawyers and other spectators to participate. Rohr is shocked that the intel from Marlee was right, while Fitch is exhilarated that Marlee is playing games.

Rohr calls Dr. Hilo Kilvan from Montreal, Canada, to the stand to be examined by Scotty Mangrum, another plaintiff lawyer on the defense team who put up his own money to help fund the case.