Who is Amos Otis?

You don't have to shake hands if you don't want to.

My name is Jason Johnson.

I'm your court appointed attorney.

Have a problem with that?

Damn, I was hoping you did.

You're in a world of shit,

and it's gonna get all over me, so you sure?

Okay.

First, how'd you get the black eye and cut?

In here?

When they arrested you?

You know, at some point you're going to need to open

your mouth and speak, or this thing is going to drag

on forever, and you'll be staring at me way longer

than you want to be, okay?

- Got it. - Good.

Thank you.

So, this is how it's going to go.

I'm your attorney, you have attorney-client privilege.

That means whatever you say,

whatever we discuss stays between us.

- So, you understand that? - Of course.

Good.

Now, here's where we are.

You've been arrested for killing

the President of the United States.

I have to say some folks feel obliged

you took the asshole out.

There's never been celebrations in the streets

for an assassination before, but that's politics,

and this is law, and from the law's perspective,

you will most likely get the death penalty.

You'll be able to play the system for years,

but unless we present an alternative the jury will buy,

you'll be killed.

Do you understand?

Okay.

Now, they have witnesses and video footage that show

you with your rifle pulling the trigger two times.

Did you do that?

Yes.

So we can try and convince

the jury that the evidence is wrong,

that the witnesses are either lying or confused,

that the footage has been faked, or tampered with,

or that it's not really you,

to create reasonable doubt that you did it.

If we create reasonable doubt, you get off.

And I'm not saying it's impossible,

but given the circumstances so far,

it's a long, long shot.

You're obviously good at those, but this is different.

Or we can take another approach

to try and keep you breathing.

I think an insanity defense is your best option.

It worked for John Hinckley, when he shot Reagan.

Do I look insane?

Well, you're here, aren't you?

Yes, I'm here. Why are you?

I told you, the court appointed me.

How do I know that?

Like I said, if you don't want me here.

How do I know you're not a government agent of some kind?

I am, I'm your court's appointed attorney.

Do you think I might be a plant?

Oh, okay. Uh, well, they don't really need a plant.

I mean, they have you dead to rights

blowing the president's head off, plus on top of that,

you wounded a secret service agent

on video in front of the world.

I don't think they will feel the need

to stick a plant in here with you.

You're probably lucky that black eye

and cut are all that's happened to you.

Where did you go to law school?

Columbia.

Why would you go to an Ivy League school,

and then become a public defender?

Yeah, the, ah, short answer is, I care.

The long answer is,

it's none of your business what my motivations are.

You either want me to represent you or you don't.

What do you think my odds are?

To keep you alive?

Yes.

Zero, if I walk out of here.

I like you.

Yeah, that doesn't matter either.

It does to me, you'll be fine.

You sure?

Yes.

Okay. Do you mind answering some questions?

As long as you're not a plant.

Okay. Uh, you know what?

I'm trying to understand something.

Don't take this the wrong way, please.

I know what stereotypes are like, but,

uh, you don't talk like you're from Tennessee.

You mean I don't sound like I come from the holler?

Yes, that.

Haven't been there in a long, long time.

My turn. What do you know about me?

Your... your truck is registered in Tennessee to Amos Otis.

You bought your gun at a gun show in Tennessee.

You had no ID on you when they caught you,

you're a hell of a marksman.

What do you think they know about me?

That's all they knew about an hour ago,

but as they get more information,

I'll have access to it.

Good.

What are they gonna find?

Let's wait and see.

Where'd you learn to shoot a rifle, military?

Yes.

When were you in?

Let's wait and see.

I don't get it.

I think I'm better off as an enigma.

Not with me.

I understand, but let's assume

they don't find any information on me.

Okay. It's pretty impossible.

Can they try someone who doesn't exist?

You exist, you're sitting here.

They'll figure it out.

How about I have amnesia and I don't remember

where I came from or how I got here,

or why I wanted him dead?

I don't think amnesia is a strong defense.

One would have to be crazy to believe that.

You know what?

Uh, let me think about it,

might be part of a larger defense.

Next question.

How did you know he was going to be landing

at Lincoln Airport for a rally?

It was predictable.

He landed there for his last two rallies in Cincinnati.

But you rented an apartment across from the airport

two months earlier?

I didn't know when he was coming here,

but I knew he would eventually, and that I'd be ready.

Like I said, he was predictable.

Have you ever been to a psychiatrist,

or any kind of therapy?

Nope, I have no medical records.

Everyone has medical records.

I guess we'll see, won't we?

Family?

Nope.

Do you have a terminal illness?

Not that I know of.

Do you think you're sane?

I'm a lot more sane today than I was yesterday,

and so is the world.

So, that's your motivation?

Yes. Did you like him?

Maybe you haven't noticed I'm an African-American male.

He gave me zero reasons to like him.

Didn't wanna see him dead though.

Really? Never thought about it?

This isn't about me.

Actually it is, but I understand it's not a sentiment

you want bouncing around in your brain.

No, and just so you know,

like, like no one deserves to be killed.

If anyone did though...

And he was just getting warmed up,

Did you ever stop to wonder how much damage

he can inflict on the world?

I have to disagree with something