Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow - Case Study Example

Presumed Innocent The novel The novel, “Presumed innocent” written by Scott Turow in 1987, speaks of the inefficiency of the judicial system in handling cases. The main character, “Rusty” Sabich, was a chief deputy prosecutor for Kindle County before things went way ward (Turow 4). The novel narrates of the ordeal Sabich had to undergo in the hands of the judicial system, the same one he previously work for. From the novel, it is evident that the judicial system is painted as evil and corrupt in nature. Tommy Molto, a prosecutor in the Sabich’s case, is later discovered to be a very corrupt person who took bribes. In the story, Sabich is convicted for a murder he never committed. Sabich discovers through Sandy Stem, his defense lawyer in the murder case, that he was framed by the same guy who was trying to prosecute him (Turow 72). This brings to us the essence of hunger for power and the ability to do anything to do. Molto in the past used to eye Sabich job, and by an opportunity falling to his hands, wanted to take advantage (Switz 6). The judiciary system is also viewed as inefficient in handling crucial cases as a serious murder case involving their own prosecutor, is lower to grudges. Instead of the prosecutors trying to get the real culprit behind Carolyne’s murder, they instead turn it into a selfless affair and a fight towards key positions (Switz 6). The prosecutor, Molto at the time of the case, had been interested in the chief deputy prosecutor job since it would give him a better place to carry out his evil deeds. Indeed, Molto got the opportunity and framed his fellow prosecutor on charges that he had earlier called the deceased on the night of the murder plus his finger prints were on the deceased glass (Peter 7). Sabich realized his arrest was a set up and tried to find the cause, only to find the true killer of Carolyne. Rusty’s decision in taking the job assigned to him by his boss, Horgan was a good idea, though the situation at that time was really messed up. First, a few months earlier before the murder of Carolyne, he was in an affair with her despite being married. Secondly, her wife, Barbara knew about his extramarital affair and brought hell on earth when such an issue came about. Again, taking a case of his ex-lover was really a clever thing (Bergman & Asimow 30). Rusty’s decision of accepting to take the murder case eventually led him to the culprit and also under covered some evil deed taking place in the court room. Rusty later in the story, he learns that one of his friends killed Carolyne to cover up some corruption deals (Maslin 8). He also discovered that his arrest had much more in it after he was whispered by someone that Molto was after his job. At the end, Sabich is viewed as looking for evidence that link up to the murder and also tries to his innocence. The movie In the movie Presumed Innocent, the director, Alan J. Pakula copies the plot of the novel Presumed Innocent written by Scott Turow. In this film, Harrison Ford plays the role of a prosecutor, Rusty Sabich. In the movie, Rusty is forced to undertake a murder case of, Caroline, a fellow prosecutor that had found murdered as the movie starts in her apartment. In a flashback, Caroline is viewed as a conniving mantrap that uses her wile to prosper in her career (Alan 3). In the movie, Sabich is assigned by his boss, Raymond Horgan (Dennehy), to handle the murder case. On the hand, though Sabich tries to take the case, he is forced by his boss to take in. At that moment, Sabich is faced by a decision whether to take the case or not since he once used to be a lover of the deceased. Twists in the movie unfold after Horgan loses his seat for Nico Della. Sabich is then arrested after evidence was found linked to the murder. Sabich then appoints Sandy Stem to be his lawyer (Alan 97). The climax of the movie reaches when Sabich realizes that the whole thing was a set up by Tommy Molto who wanted his job badly and also hated him. In the movie, the judicial system is viewed as a place where innocent are framed for selfish reasons. Rusty is arrested and prosecuted for a murder he never committed. Prosecutors in the court room are depicted as selfish and only interested in their personal interests (Frank 6). In the movie, Tommy Molto and Nico Della prosecute Rusty for their own reasons. Tommy has earlier on wanted the position for Sabich and hence opportunity was accorded to him when the murder case came to place. Sabich became framed and evidence produce against him, though were not substantial, were still used frame him as a suspect (Fletcher 27). Sabich on being framed by his colleagues to be involved in a murder case of which themselves knew the murderer indicates distrust in court rooms. Sabich seemed to be a guy that hindered other prosecutors from doing their dirty businesses, but when the murder case propped up, saw that as a chance to kick Sabich out. The judicial system is also viewed as a revenge site. Molto on having cumulative grudge on Sabich because of working for Horgan, took the advantage to prosecute and frame him. In this movie, Molto’s aim was to see Sabich suffer in the hands of judicial system (Evans 5). Also in the court room, mistrust is another entity that comes into one’s mind after seeing this movie. Sabich trusted many of his colleagues including his boss Horgan. It later turned out that Horgan started supporting the prosecutors. He also found out that one of his close friends was a killer in the murder case, adding to irony since it were the same prosecutors who were going to prosecute innocent people (Eliud 4). Sabich decision seems to have been a good one, but this is only seen later after events unfold that lead us to the murderer. Sabich is able to team up with a long time opponent lawyer that assists him greatly to get the real story behind his prosecution. Ironically, the long term opponent whom one would expect not to be helpful in such a case, turned to be the savior after leaking some crucial matters to Sabich (Alan 85). Sabich decision to take the murder case also seemed to be an excellent plan. In the start, the idea seemed not an excellent one. It is only after the twist of event that led to his arrest, that he discovered the importance of undertaking that case. Sabich is able to discover a report file indicating the killer of Carolyne and the people in the court were trying to cover it up by prosecuting him. With all the events that occurred around that time of the murder, like his wife discovering that he had been having an affair with Carolyne plus his boss forcing him to take the job, only led him to a correct path (Turow 3). In the end, Sabich unfolds the mystery to his arrest which may turn out to be the key for him to prove his innocence. Works Cited Alan J. Pakula, et al. Presumed Innocent. Carlifonia: Warner Bros, 1990. Eliud, Ray. "Presumed Innocent." ABA Journal (1987): 1-189. Print. Evans, Collin. "Presumed innocent." ABA journal (1990): 1-114. Print. Fletcher, David. "Presumed innocent." Allreaders 7 6 2006: 4-5. Print. Frank R. Pierson, Alan J. Pakula. Presumed innocent. Sukurin Purei Shuppan hatsubai, 2008. Maslin, Janet. "Presumed innocent." New York Times 27 July 1990: 5-6. Print. Paul Bergman, Michael Asimow. Reel justice: the courtroom goes to the movies. Kansas City, Missouri: Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2006. Print. Peter, Fleish. Presumed Innocent. Manchester: Grand Central Pub, 2008. Switz, Edward. "Presumed Innocent." New York Times 5 7 2007: 5-6. Turow, Scott. Presumed innocent. New York: Warner Books, 1988. Print. Read More