* I NEVER CRAWLED BEFORE I WALKED *
* AND I WAS SINGING BEFORE I TALKED *
* NOTHIN' FEELS BETTER THAN STRUMMIN' MY GUITAR *
* SO I ASK MY DADDY, "WILL I BE A STAR?" *
YESTERDAY, 43-YEAR-OLD INDIANA NATIVE BOB MICHAELS
SET OUT ON A HIKE IN THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS
AND NEVER RETURNED.
* I WANT TO DO MORE THAN SETTLE FOR LESS *
Taylor: HIKING IS GENERALLY A SAFE ACTIVITY,
BUT NOT OUT HERE, ALONE,
AT NIGHT, IN THE WORLD'S LARGEST URBAN PARK.
COME ON, BOY.
THE ONLY CLUE TO MR. MICHAELS' DISAPPEARANCE IS THIS MINIVAN,
WHICH BROUGHT HIM, HIS WIFE, AND DAUGHTER --
A BUDDING TALENT --
FROM FORT WAYNE TO HOLLYWOOD, CHASING THE DREAM,
A DREAM THAT RESCUERS HERE
ARE TRYING TO STOP FROM TURNING INTO A NIGHTMARE.
AS THE SUN SETS ON THE SECOND DAY OF RESCUE EFFORTS HERE
IN THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS,
THE MOOD AMONGST THOSE SEARCHING FOR BOB MICHAELS TURNS GRIM.
BACK HOME IN FORT WAYNE, INDIANA,
CITY OF CHURCHES,
BOB MICHAELS IS A SOMETIME COMMUNITY-THEATER ACTOR
WHO, LIKE MANY DOTING FATHERS,
DREAMS HIS DAUGHTER HAS THE STUFF TO BECOME A STAR.
AND "EXTRA" HAS THE MUSIC VIDEO
MISSY MICHAELS RECORDED JUST LAST WEEK.
TRAGICALLY, IT NOW PLAYS LIKE A COUNTRY POP HYMN
TO MISSY'S MISSING DAD.
* PLEASE SAY, "YE-E-E-E-S"
ON DAY FOUR OF THE SEARCH FOR BOB MICHAELS,
CRITICISM CONTINUES TO MOUNT
OVER WHAT SOME SAY SHOULD HAVE BEEN AN EASY RESCUE OPERATION.
AFTER FEDERAL, STATE, AND CITY BUDGET CUTS,
THE PARK SERVICE HERE CAN ONLY OPERATE ON WEEKENDS.
THEY'VE HAD WASHOUTS AND ROCKSLIDES
ALL OVER THE TRAIL SYSTEM,
MAKING THE JOB OF EVERYONE ON THE SEARCH TEAM
THAT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT.
IT'S WAY TOO EARLY TO SPECULATE ON THE IDENTITY OF THE BODY.
THE LAST THING THE L.A.P.D. WANTS TO DO
AFTER THIS FIVE-DAY ORDEAL
IS TO CREATE UNNECESSARY GRIEF FOR THE MICHAELS FAMILY.
CHIEF JOHNSON, IS THIS A MURDER INVESTIGATION?
WELL, THE ARRIVAL OF MAJOR CRIMES FROM THE L.A.P.D.
SIGNALS JUST HOW VIOLENT OF AN END THIS IS
FOR ANOTHER HOLLYWOOD DREAM,
AS THE MAN FROM THE CITY OF CHURCHES
ENDS HIS LIFE IN THE CITY OF ANGELS.
AND WE'RE CLEAR.
I GUESS WE CAN, UH, SEND THE RATTLESNAKE GUY HOME.
OH, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKES. WHAT A CIRCUS!
WHERE'S THE BODY? RIGHT THERE.
WHICH PATROL SAYS IS ABOUT A HUNDRED YARDS UP THIS TRAIL.
AND THEN ANOTHER 200 YARDS DOWN, AND SPLAT.
YOU MEAN HE FELL OFF A CLIFF?
Tao: OR HE GOT PUSHED. HARD TO SAY.
FIRE DEPARTMENT'S WORKING ON GETTING THEM UP AND OUT.
SPECIAL AGENT HOWARD, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?
OH, THAT TRAIL I JUST CAME DOWN
BELONGS TO THE NATIONAL FOREST SERVICE.
YOU'RE STANDING ON FEDERAL PROPERTY.
OKAY, SO, THEN, WHY ARE WE HERE?
WELL, WHEN MR. MICHAELS FELL,
HE, UH, LANDED IN A CITY CANYON.
MIND IF WE HEAD UP THE MOUNTAIN, TAKE A PEEK OVER THAT CLIFF?
Fritz: WELL, WE'RE ABOUT TO START CASTING
MR. MICHAELS' FOOTPRINTS,
AND, YOU KNOW, WE COULD USE SOME VOLUNTEERS
TO HELP CARRY UP THE PLASTER.
YEAH, RIGHT.
CHIEF JOHNSON, THE MICHAELS FAMILY,
THEY'RE HERE.
THANK YOU.
LIEUTENANT, YOU WANT TO CARRY PLASTER UP THE MOUNTAIN
OR TALK TO THE FAMILY WITH ME?
BYE, EVERYONE.
Taylor: CHIEF JOHNSON, LIEUTENANT PROVENZA,
THIS IS BOB MICHAELS' FAMILY --
HIS WIFE, BETH, HIS DAUGHTER, MISSY,
HIS FATHER-IN-LAW -- I'M SORRY, SIR?
WES DURANT --
FORT WAYNE, INDIANA.
THANK YOU.
AND THIS IS BOB'S SON, TIMMY.
OH, I WASN'T AWARE MR. MICHAELS HAD A SON.
HE FORGOT ABOUT IT, TOO.
NOT NOW, DAD, PLEASE.
THIS MAN YOU FOUND -- IT'S NOT BOB, IS IT?
WE'RE NOT SURE.
BUT THIS IS SO FAR FROM WHERE HE LEFT OUR CAR.
15 MILES.
AND HOW COULD HE GET THIS CLOSE TO A ROAD
AND NOT MAKE IT OUT?
Missy: YEAH, IT CAN'T BE DADDY.
HE'S TOO FAR FROM THE CAR.
Provenza: MISS MICHAELS, UH, YOUR HUSBAND --
HE SPEND A LOT OF TIME OUT IN NATURE?
HE TOOK MY SCOUT TROOP CAMPING AT POKAGON STATE PARK BACK HOME.
SO HE'S AN EXPERIENCED OUTDOORSMAN?
WELL, H-HE'S NOT AN EXPERT.
HE WAS -- HE WAS JUST GOING FOR A WALK.
MA'AM, YOU TOLD THE POLICE EARLIER
THAT THE LAST TIME YOU SAW YOUR HUSBAND,
HE WAS WEARING A BLUE SHIRT?
UH...BLUE POLO WITH STRIPES. YEAH.
WELL, ONE OF THE RESCUERS FOUND THIS ON THE BODY.
DOES THIS LOOK FAMILIAR? OH!
WE ONLY CAME OUT HERE BECAUSE OF ME.
IT'S MY FAULT. OH, NO.
NO, BABY, DON'T YOU THINK THAT FOR ONE SECOND, ALL RIGHT?
WE SHOULD NEVER HAVE LET THEM LEAVE INDIANA.
EXCUSE ME.
MISSY, REPORTERS ARE ASKING FOR A STATEMENT.
Wes: NO, MISSY, YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE.
YOU TELL THOSE REPORTERS THEY CAN GO TO HELL.
AND YOU CAN GO WITH THEM.
MA'AM, WE NEED SOME QUIET TIME NOW, AWAY FROM HERE.
Brenda: UM, OF COURSE.
WHY DON'T Y'ALL RELAX
IN ONE OF OUR FAMILY ROOMS AT THE STATION.
WE CAN EVEN ARRANGE A RIDE FOR YOU.
WE HAVE A RENTAL CAR.
UH, ALL RIGHT, THEN.
COMMANDER, WOULD YOU PLEASE ARRANGE AN ESCORT? SURE.
I-I'M SORRY. I KNOW IT'S A VERY DIFFICULT TIME,
BUT AS SOON AS YOU'RE ABLE,
WE'RE GOING TO NEED
YOUR HUSBAND'S MEDICAL AND DENTAL RECORDS.
HERE YOU GO.
RIGHT THIS WAY. RIGHT THIS WAY.
Dr. Morales: I DON'T NORMALLY DO HOUSE CALLS,
BUT MY BOSS DIDN'T WANT THE PRESS
TO GET THE INFORMATION OUT BEFORE WE DID.
AND...YUCK.
UH...MULTIPLE FRACTURES OF THE LEFT LEG AND -- OHH --
THAT BONE'S STICKING OUT A LITTLE BIT.
LET'S STAY AWAY FROM THAT.
SHATTERED PELVIS.
CRUSHED RIBS.
THIS GUY DIDN'T FALL OFF A MOUNTAIN -- HE BOUNCED.
AND WEIRD. HIS FACE IS SUNBURNT...
BUT THE REST OF HIM ISN'T...
EXCEPT FOR THE PALMS OF HIS HANDS.
WAS THE BODY IN THE SHADE?
YEAH -- UNDER A LOT OF SCRUB BRUSH.
THE BODY'S COLD, BUT STILL STIFF,
VERY LITTLE DECOM,
NO BUG LARVAE OR POSTMORTEM ANIMAL BITES.
I SAY HE WAS DOWN THERE OVERNIGHT --
MAYBE 10, 12 HOURS AT MOST.
NOW, HOW DID HE MANAGE TO WALK AROUND FOR FIVE DAYS
IN A POLO SHIRT AND SHORTS
AND ONLY GET SUNBURNED ON HIS FACE?
MAYBE HE HAD SUNSCREEN ON.
WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE?
TRYING TO DETERMINE WHAT HAPPENED TO THE VICTIM.
GUY'S A JUMPER, RIGHT?
HE WAS OUT HERE NEARLY A WEEK
BEFORE TAKING THE LEAP.
WHY THE WAIT?
MAYBE HE, UH, STUMBLED OFF THE CLIFF IN THE DARK,
OR HE GOT SO LOST THAT HE GAVE UP ALL HOPE.
LOOK, IT'S HARD TO THINK OF THIS GUY AS A GENIUS.
COME ON. YOU HAVE AN IMPORTANT SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE
IN LIKE AN HOUR
THAT COULD END THIS WHOLE MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR LAWSUIT
AGAINST THE CITY, THE DEPARTMENT, YOU, ME.
WE, UH, GO RIGHT NOW,
WE CAN HITCH A RIDE ON A RESCUE CHOPPER.
NO. HANG ON.
THIS REDNESS IS NOT FROM A SUNBURN.
OH!
OUT! OUT! EVERYBODY, OUT!
Provenza: WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!
OUT!
DON'T RUB! DON'T RUB!
YOU'LL MAKE IT WORSE.
BRENDA! WHAT?!
WHAT IS IT?!
PEPPER SPRAY ON THE VICTIM'S FACE.
THE WATER I USED REACTIVATED IT.
MEDIC, PEPPER SPRAY WIPES!
PEPPER SPRAY?! WHO WOULD PEPPER
Brenda: THESE ARE THE VICTIM'S FOOTPRINTS,
COURTESY OF THE FBI.
NOTICE ANYTHING?
HE'S DRAGGING HIS HEELS?
NO, IT LOOKS THAT WAY
BECAUSE HE WAS PUSHED TO HERE,
WHERE IT SAYS "EDGE OF CLIFF."
SO HE WENT OFF THE CLIFF BACKWARDS?
WITH A BIG SHOVE AND A LITTLE PEPPER SPRAY -- YES.
WHAT MAKES YOU SO SURE HE WAS PUSHED?
BECAUSE THE FBI TOLD ME
THAT ALL THE OTHER FOOTPRINTS AROUND HIS WERE BRUSHED AWAY.
COME IN.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
GOOD TO SEE EVERYONE IN ONE PLACE.
WE JUST PASSED GOLDMAN SITTING OUTSIDE.
LOOKING VERY SMUG. SOMETHING WRONG?
OH, IT'S JUST PEPPER SPRAY.
LOOK, NO OFFICER-INVOLVED VIOLENCE. NO ONE WAS ATTACKED.
YEAH. SOMEONE ATTACKED BOB MICHAELS.
OR MAYBE HE SPRAYED HIMSELF,
TRYING TO FEND OFF, UH, WHATEVER --
A RACCOON OR A SKUNK.
ON THE SUBJECT OF SKUNKS,
GOLDMAN'S OFFER HAS ALREADY BEEN APPROVED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY,
AND NOW IT'S OUR TURN TO TAKE A LOOK.
Gavin: GOLDMAN IS GONNA TRY TO MAKE THIS SETTLEMENT
SOUND LIKE A MIRACLE CURE,
SO DON'T GET TOO EXCITED WHEN YOU HEAR IT, OKAY?
OKAY. OKAY.
MR. GOLDMAN, COME IN, PLEASE.
I THINK YOU'VE MET EVERYONE.
WAS IT SOMETHING I SAID?
PEPPER SPRAY.
SORRY WE CAN'T OFFER YOU ANY.
WE'RE ANXIOUS TO HEAR ABOUT THE SETTLEMENT.
I HAVE GOOD NEWS, FOLLOWED BY EVEN BETTER NEWS.
THE BAYLOR FAMILY HAS AGREED
TO LOWER THE CLAIM FROM $20 MILLION TO $500,000.
I KNOW.
NOT EVERY DAY YOU GET A 97h% DISCOUNT.
THAT DOES SOUND LIKE GOOD NEWS.
MM-HMM. MM-HMM. SO WHAT'S THE BETTER NEWS?
IF YOU AGREE TO THE SETTLEMENT,
THE BAYLOR FAMILY
WILL DROP THEIR CLAIM OF WRONGFUL DEATH
AGAINST CHIEF JOHNSON.
IN EXCHANGE FOR WHAT?
SORRY?
WELL, YOU'VE MADE THE SUN SHINE. NOW TELL US ABOUT THE RAIN.
THERE IS SOME LANGUAGE
WHICH STIPULATES DEPUTY CHIEF JOHNSON
WAS UNCONCERNED WITH TERRELL BAYLOR'S WELFARE
WHEN SHE DROPPED HIM OFF.
MM...LANGUAGE IS A MAGICAL THING.
YOU WILL ALSO NOTE
THAT I HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY LOWERED MY CONTINGENCY FEES.
THIS HAS NEVER BEEN ABOUT MONEY.
IT'S ABOUT RIGHTING A WRONG
AND GETTING MRS. BAYLOR A NEW HOUSE
SO SHE'S NOT FORCED TO LIVE
WHERE HER SON WAS BRUTALLY MURDERED.
AND THIS OFFER DOES ALL OF THAT
WITHOUT SINGLING ANYONE OUT FOR BLAME.
SO...
READ IT, PLEASE, EVERY WORD,
UNDER A MICROSCOPE.
AND YOU'RE WELCOME.
THANKS. WE'LL CONFER.
I WAS KIND OF HOPING WE COULD SETTLE THIS TODAY.
OH, SORRY TO DISAPPOINT. BUH-BYE.
FINE.
I'LL EXPECT AN ANSWER BY MIDNIGHT TOMORROW.
CHIEF JOHNSON.
Pope: WELL, I CAN SEE WHY THE CITY LOVES THIS OFFER.
I MEAN, 500 GRAND INSTEAD OF $20 MILLION,
AND NO ONE IS REASSIGNED, RIGHT?
NO ONE'S CULPABLE?
IT STILL SAYS I DIDN'T CARE WHAT HAPPENED TO TERRELL BAYLOR.
THAT'S OKAY. NOBODY CARED ABOUT HIM UNTIL HE DIED.
GAVIN, WHAT DO YOU THINK?
WELL, THE AGREEMENT APPEARS REASONABLE,
BUT I'M NOT GONNA PRESSURE MY CLIENT
INTO SIGNING A POTENTIALLY LIFE-CHANGING DOCUMENT
IN THE NEXT FIVE MINUTES.
Pope: WELL, THEN ALLOW ME.
CHIEF JOHNSON, LET'S GET THIS CIVIL SUIT OVER WITH,
AND I'LL TAKE US ALL OUT FOR A CELEBRATORY DRINK.
THE MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT IS SET TO BE ARGUED NEXT WEEK.
I CAN WIN IT. I WILL WIN IT.
THIS AGREEMENT ACKNOWLEDGES AS MUCH.
GOLDMAN IS DESPERATE.
WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO CELEBRATE PAYING $500,000
FOR SOMETHING YOU COULD GET FOR FREE?
WHAT IF YOU'RE WRONG
AND THE JUDGE DECIDES TO TRY THIS CASE?
HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN TO YOUR CLIENT THEN?
I DON'T THINK ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE
BUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO MY CLIENT.
CAN YOU SAY THE SAME?
NO. DIDN'T THINK SO.
YEAH. COME IN.
EXCUSE ME, UH, CHIEFS,
UH, BUT THE MICHAELS FAMILY IS DOWNSTAIRS
CRASHING COMMANDER TAYLOR'S PRESS CONFERENCE.
WHAT?! OH!
Missy: YEAH, I JUST WANT TO SAY,
MY FIRST VIDEO CAME OUT LAST WEEK,
AND DADDY WAS REALLY PROUD OF IT.
HE WOULDN'T HURT HIMSELF.
IT WAS AN ACCIDENT.
HE DID NOT JUMP OFF THAT CLIFF.
Bruno: AS MISSY'S MANAGER,
I WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT WE WILL NOT STAND BY
AND ALLOW THE POLICE OR ANYONE ELSE
DISHONOR BOB'S MEMORY
BY IMPLYING THAT HE KILLED HIMSELF.
NOW, I WANT TO THANK THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE...
COMMANDER, BRING THOSE PEOPLE UP HERE RIGHT NOW.
PLEASE. ...WHO HAVE SHOWN SUPPORT TO THIS FAMILY
DURING THIS TUMULTUOUS TIME.
UH, MR. DURANT, WHERE'S THE REST OF YOUR FAMILY?
MY GRANDDAUGHTER'S MANAGER, THAT BRUNO,
WOULDN'T LET THEM COME.
WHY?
SAID THEY WERE LATE FOR ANOTHER INTERVIEW.
THAT IDIOT, BOB, SPENT EVERY DIME THEY EVER HAD
TRYING TO BECOME FAMOUS.
WELL, NOW, FINALLY HE'S THE STAR OF HIS OWN TV SHOW.
YOUR SON-IN-LAW WANTED TO BE FAMOUS, TOO?
I THOUGHT IT WAS YOUR GRANDDAUGHTER
WITH THE BIG DREAMS.
BOB HAD HIS EYE ON HOLLYWOOD SINCE THE DAY I MET HIM.
A FEW YEARS AFTER HE MARRIED MY DAUGHTER,
I BOUGHT THEM A HOUSE,
THINKING IT MIGHT HELP THEM PUT DOWN ROOTS, SETTLE DOWN.
INSTEAD, HE QUIT HIS JOB, SHAVED HIS HEAD,
AND DID "THE KING AND ME" IN THE PARK.
"THE KING AND I."
YEAH, AND WHEN HE WASN'T DISCOVERED,
BECAUSE HOLLYWOOD DOESN'T SEND TALENT SCOUTS
OUT TO FORT WAYNE,
HE PUSHED MISSY ON THE STAGE
AND STARTED LIVING THROUGH HER,
TELLING HER SHE WAS GONNA BE A MOVIE STAR.
MR. DURANT, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA
WHY YOUR SON-IN-LAW WAS AT THE TOP OF THAT MOUNTAIN
IN THE FIRST PLACE?
I DON'T KNOW.
MISSY HAD A TRYOUT THAT AFTERNOON.
IT WASN'T LIKE HIM
TO EVER MISS ONE OF THOSE THINGS.
HE NEVER SKIPPED A SINGLE AUDITION.
I DO KNOW HE CALLED AND ASKED
FOR HIS OLD JOB BACK IN FORT WAYNE.
BOSS SAID, "NOTHIN' DOIN'."
I DON'T KNOW -- MAYBE BOB WOKE UP THE OTHER MORNING,
REALIZED HE WAS OUT OF GAS AND...JUMPED SHIP.
YEAH, BUT HE HAD ONLY BEEN DEAD FOR --
UH, COMMANDER, LET'S NOT UPSET MR. DURANT WITH DETAILS LIKE THAT.
I'M SO SORRY.
UM, YOU WERE SAYING THAT...
YOU THOUGHT THAT BOB KILLED HIMSELF?
WELL, HE WASN'T EXACTLY THE RESPONSIBLE TYPE, YOU KNOW.
WHEN THEY CAME OUT HERE,
HE LEFT TIMMY BEHIND WITH US IN FORT WAYNE.
THE BOY'S STILL IN GRADE SCHOOL.
DID YOUR DAUGHTER DISAGREE WITH THAT DECISION?
OH, BETH NEVER SAW SENSE WHEN IT CAME TO BOB,
EVER SINCE THEY DID A PLAY TOGETHER.
YOUR DAUGHTER'S AN ACTOR, TOO?
NO, NO. THEY'RE ALL, UH --
WHAT DO YOU CALL THEM? AMATEURS --
BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY THAT MEXICAN.
ACTUALLY, CHIEF, BRUNO'S AS AMERICAN AS THEY COME.
HE RUNS AN ONLINE MUSIC VIDEO BUSINESS, AIMED AT...
HOLLYWOOD NEWCOMERS.
YEAH, WELL, WHATEVER BRUNO IS,
HE HAD BETH AND BOB THINKING THIS WHOLE VIDEO THING
WAS GONNA TURN MISSY INTO THE NEXT DEBBY BOONE.
HE'S BEHIND ALL OF THIS. YOU WAIT AND SEE.
TALK TO BRUNO.
HE RUNS THE SHOW AROUND HERE.
Bruno: JUST WANT TO SAY HOW MUCH THE FAMILY APPRECIATES
EVERYTHING YOU PEOPLE HAVE DONE IN THIS TERRIBLE TIME.
CAN'T SAY THAT ENOUGH.
WELL, THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
AND I SURE DO LOVE THAT SONG.
IS IT TRUE YOU WROTE IT? WHAT'S IT CALLED?
"DADDY, SAY YES." YEAH. I WROTE IT.
THANK YOU. I'M GLAD YOU LIKED IT.
SUNK A LOT OF MONEY INTO THAT VIDEO, TOO,
BUT MISSY'S WORTH IT.
Gabriel: I'M SURE.
SO, MR. PEREZ,
WE'RE INVESTIGATING MR. MICHAELS' DEATH, AND -- I KNOW.
AND YOU HAVE TO START ADMITTING IT WAS AN ACCIDENT,
INSTEAD OF ACTING LIKE HE OFFED HIMSELF.
IS THAT WHAT WE'RE DOING?
WELL, YOU'RE BEING VERY TIGHT WITH THE DETAILS.
AND IN THIS NEW MEDIA ENVIRONMENT --
WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN TO SOMEONE YOUR AGE --
MISSY'S ABOUT TO BECOME A STAR.
SO GOING AROUND SAYING HER DAD JUMPED OFF A CLIFF
BECAUSE HE GAMBLED EVERYTHING HE HAD ON HER AND THOUGHT HE LOST,
THAT'S NOT GOOD.
I MEAN, I TOTALLY GET IT LOOKS BETTER
FOR YOU GUYS TO CALL IT A SUICIDE,
BUT WHY SHOULD MISSY BE PUNISHED
BECAUSE IT TOOK YOU FIVE DAYS TO FIND HIM?
IT'S NOT HER FAULT.
WELL, MR. PEREZ, WE'D LOVE TO...CHANGE OUR TUNE,
BUT I CAN'T DO THAT WITHOUT TALKING TO MISSY AND HER MOM.
SO, IF YOU CAN'T ARRANGE -- NOT TODAY.
I BOOKED THEM FOR AN EAST COAST MORNING SHOW,
WHICH MEANS THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT HERE.
AND MISSY'S GONNA HAVE A HARD TIME AS IT IS,
TRYING TO GET SOME SLEEP, SO I HAVE TO PROTECT HER.
PROTECT HER BY PUSHING HER TO DO INTERVIEWS
THE DAY HER FATHER WAS FOUND DEAD?
WELL, AMERICA WATCHED WHAT HAPPENED TO BOB THIS WEEK.
THE WHOLE COUNTRY'S IN MOURNING.
AND YOU KNOW WHO SHOWS UP WHEN PEOPLE ARE IN MOURNING?
THE POLICE.
YOU KNOW WHO ELSE SHOWS UP? LAWYERS.
OKAY. OKAY.
YOU LIKE INTERVIEWS? SO DO I.
AND WHEN I STEP OUTSIDE AND TELL THESE REPORTERS
THAT YOU AND MISSY ARE REFUSING TO COOPERATE WITH THE POLICE
IN THIS INVESTIGATION,
THEY'RE GONNA JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS WORSE THAN SUICIDE.
YOU FEEL ME?
UH...
SO YOU ONLY WANT TO TALK TO THE FAMILY.
LOOK, BRUNO,
GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS REQUIRE
THAT MISSY AND HER MOM SIGN A STATEMENT
SAYING THAT THEY BELIEVE THAT MR. MICHAELS' DEATH
WAS AN ACCIDENT.
OTHERWISE, IT'S SUICIDE.
UNDERSTAND?
OKAY.
FOR MISSY'S NEXT VIDEO,
IF YOU CAN GET ME FOOTAGE OF BOB'S BODY
BEING LIFTED OUT BY HELICOPTER,
I'LL HAVE THEM HERE TOMORROW MORNING.
DONE.
THEN WE'RE ON THE SAME PAGE.
HEY.
REALLY GREAT TO MEET YOU BOTH.
DID I GIVE YOU MY CARD? YOU DID.
AWESOME. GREAT.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.
TAKE CARE. BUH-BYE.
NICE SUIT. THANK YOU.
"GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS"?
I'M SURE THEY EXIST SOMEWHERE.
LOOK, IF BOB MICHAELS COMMITTED SUICIDE,
WHY DID HE WANDER AROUND FOR SO LONG BEFORE TAKING THE LEAP?
LOOK, RIGHT NOW WE'RE THE ONLY ONES
WHO KNOW HOW LONG MR. MICHAELS WAS ACTUALLY DEAD.
SO LET THEM THINK WE'RE INVESTIGATING A SUICIDE
UNTIL WE KNOW BETTER.
CHIEF, I JUST SPOKE TO DR. MORALES
ABOUT THE STOMACH CONTENTS OF OUR VICTIM,
AND, UH --
HUH -- BRUNO DOES BAT MITZVAHS?
LIEUTENANT.
HUH? OH, RIGHT, YEAH.
MR. MICHAELS, MISSING FOR FIVE DAYS,
HAD JUST EATEN SOME KIND OF BLUE CANDY AND A PIZZA.
SO, WHAT, HE GOT LOST ON MOUNT PEPPERONI?
HE WASN'T LOST.
HE WAS NEVER LOST.
UH, LOOK, DETECTIVE,
I WANT A FULL FINANCIAL ON THE FAMILY, PLEASE.
AND FIND OUT EVERYTHING YOU CAN ABOUT BRUNO
AND HIS SLIMY BUSINESS.
THANK YOU.
YOU KNOW, BRUNO WRITES "DADDY, SAY YES,"
DADDY FAKES DISAPPEARING, SONG BECOMES A HIT.
YOU GOT TO ADMIT -- IT'S PRETTY BRILLIANT.
EXCEPT I SERIOUSLY DOUBT THAT DADDY SAID YES TO DYING.
MISSY MICHAELS' SINGLE "DADDY, SAY YES"
HAS BROKEN INTO THE TOP-10 MUSIC DOWNLOADS
FOLLOWING HER FATHER'S TRAGIC ACCIDENT,
A BIT OF COMFORT FOR THE FOLKS GATHERING HERE
IN THE FORT WAYNE THEATER COMMUNITY.
* DADDY... *
Brenda: IT'S ONLY A BIT OF COMFORT
IF YOU BELIEVE THAT BOB MICHAELS FOUND A FRESH PIZZA
ON A MOUNTAIN TRAIL ONE HOUR BEFORE HE WAS PEPPER-SPRAYED
AND SHOVED OFF THE SIDE OF A CLIFF BY THE INVISIBLE MAN.
IT'S SO FRUSTRATING YOU COULDN'T FIND THE FOOTPRINTS.
THERE ARE TOO MANY FEET ON THE TRAIL TO TELL WHO'S WHO.
AND OBVIOUSLY, SOMEBODY NEATENED UP
NEAR THE EDGE OF THE CLIFF.
IT'S NOT MY FAULT.
OH! IF I HEAR THAT SONG AGAIN,
I'M GONNA JUMP OFF A CLIFF.
GOT TO ADMIT, IT'S KIND OF CATCHY.
SO'S THE FLU.
YOU SHOULD SEE THE CONTRACT THAT BRUNO USES
TO FOOL THESE PARENTS.
THEY PAY $4,000 FOR A SONG AND A MUSIC VIDEO,
BUT THEN HE GETS 80% OF THE PROCEEDS.
IT'S A TOTAL SCAM.
SOUNDS KIND OF LIKE THIS BLAMELESS SETTLEMENT OFFER.
YOU REALLY WANT TO SIGN THIS?
I'VE READ IT OVER AND OVER,
AND I CAN'T FIND ANYTHING THAT LOCKS ME
OR THE L.A.P.D. INTO LIABILITY FOR TERRELL'S DEATH.
YEAH, WELL, HOW ABOUT
"BY RELEASING HIM IN HOSTILE SURROUNDINGS,
"DEPUTY CHIEF JOHNSON DEMONSTRATED
"A LACK OF PROFESSIONAL CONCERN...
...FOR THE SAFETY OF THE PLAINTIFF'S SON"?
WELL...
IT DOESN'T SAY I ARRANGED HIS MURDER,
WHICH IS WHAT IT USED TO SAY.
BESIDES, GAVIN SAID IT WAS A REASONABLE OFFER.
YOU TOLD ME GAVIN SAID IT APPEARS
TO BE A REASONABLE OFFER -- APPEARS.
SOMETIMES THINGS ARE AS THEY APPEAR TO BE.
LIFE DOESN'T ALWAYS HAVE TO BE SO COMPLICATED.
I'M SORRY. MY NAME'S FRITZ HOWARD.
WHO ARE YOU?
THE PERSON WHO CAN END THIS CIVIL SUIT FOR EVERYBODY.
WHY DON'T WE WAIT TO SEE WHAT GAVIN HAS TO SAY?
I KNOW WHAT GAVIN HAS TO SAY.
HE'S CERTAIN HE CAN WIN THE MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT,
BUT IT'S NOT HIS LIFE ON THE LINE, IT'S MINE.
A-A-AND I WANT THINGS TO GO BACK TO NORMAL.
RIGHT NOW.
ARE YOU SURE YOU CAN LIVE WITH THIS?
I THINK I HAVE TO.
I'M GETTING READY FOR BED.
Brenda: STRAIGHT TO CHIEF POPE, PLEASE?
THANK YOU.
HEY, CHIEF. I'M ALMOST FINISHED.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
"CERTIFICATE OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH."
YOU'RE RIGHT! THAT FONT IS REALLY NICE.
I ALSO ADDED A LINE
SO BRUNO COULD SIGN ON AS A THIRD-PARTY WITNESS.
OH, GOOD. THAT'LL MAKE HIM FEEL LIKE HE'S STILL IN CHARGE.
I HAVE EVERYONE'S FINANCIAL RECORDS.
STILL DON'T KNOW WHERE MR. MICHAELS WAS HIDING
FOR FIVE DAYS IF HE WASN'T IN THE PARK,
BUT...I FOUND THE PEPPER SPRAY.
YOU DID?
BRUNO ORDERED IT OFF THE INTERNET
TWO DAYS AFTER THE MICHAELS CAME TO HOLLYWOOD.
YEAH, PROBABLY BOUGHT IT FOR HIMSELF.
WHAT MAKES YOU SAY THAT?
BRUNO'S HAD FIVE COMPLAINTS FILED AGAINST HIM.
UH, MAD DADS.
THEY DON'T SEEM TO LIKE THE WAY
THAT BRUNO BEHAVED WITH THEIR DAUGHTERS.
ANY ARRESTS?
NO. GIRLS WOULDN'T SAY ANYTHING AGAINST HIM.
OF COURSE NOT.
HE WAS GONNA MAKE THEM ALL FAMOUS.
WHEN'S THE FAMILY GETTING HERE?
TAYLOR'S ON HIS WAY UP WITH THEM RIGHT NOW...AND BRUNO.
OKAY. THANK YOU. UH, BUZZ,
WOULD YOU PLEASE LOWER THE SCREEN OVER THE MURDER BOARD?
AND WHERE'S THAT ACCIDENTAL
Taylor: AND IF I CAN GET YOUR AUTOGRAPH RIGHT...HERE.
YOU BETTER WATCH OUT, YOUNG LADY.
YOU'RE GETTING SO FAMOUS,
I MIGHT BE TEMPTED TO SELL THAT ON eBAY.
Shh!
VERY GOOD.
NOW, ONE LAST PAGE. Bruno: HOLD ON.
THIS IS, UH -- WHAT DO YOU CALL IT? --
THE THING THEY SAY ON TELEVISION?
IT'S THE MIRANDA REQUIREMENT.
IT STATES THAT YOU HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF YOUR RIGHTS.
YEAH. I CAN READ. WHAT'S IT FOR?
OH, THE STATE WON'T VERIFY THE ACCIDENTAL-DEATH REPORT
WITHOUT A WAIVER OF RIGHTS, MR. PEREZ,
WHICH MEANS WE WON'T BE ABLE TO RELEASE MR. MICHAELS' BODY.
IT'S FINE. WE'RE SIGNING IT.
HE'S RIGHT. I WANT TO GET BOB HOME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
OH. HERE Y'ALL ARE.
OH, COMMANDER TAYLOR,
WHY DIDN'T YOU TAKE THEM TO MY CONFERENCE ROOM?
IT'S SO MUCH BIGGER.
Taylor: OH, I DIDN'T WANT TO BOTHER YOU
WITH ALL THE PAPERWORK AND...
ALL RIGHT, THEN.
I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH
FOR COMING IN AND TAKING CARE OF THIS.
AND, AGAIN, I WANT TO APOLOGIZE FOR HOW THINGS TURNED OUT.
IT'S NOBODY'S FAULT.
AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE KEEP TELLING ME.
THE ONLY THING LEFT IS THE PATHOLOGY TIMELINE.
THE WHAT?
IS THAT SOMETHING ABOUT ALL THE THINGS
THAT HAPPENED LEADING UP TO WHEN DADDY DIED?
OH. SOMEBODY'S BEEN WATCHING "C.S.I."
EXACTLY RIGHT, MISSY.
WE NEED TO CHECK WHAT WE FOUND SCIENTIFICALLY
AGAINST WHAT YOU REMEMBER OF THE DAYS
LEADING UP TO YOUR FATHER'S DISAPPEARANCE.
YOU KNOW WHAT, MISSY?
WHY DON'T YOU, YOUR MOTHER, AND YOUR GRANDFATHER
FOLLOW COMMANDER TAYLOR HERE.
WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT. WHAT ABOUT ME?
OH, MR. PEREZ, I'M SO SORRY,
BUT THE PATHOLOGY TIMELINE IS STRICTLY FOR IMMEDIATE FAMILY.
I KNOW THAT THE MICHAELS THINK OF YOU THAT WAY,
BUT THE LAW DOES NOT.
Hey. You're handling this like a pro.
Poppy and Mom want to go back to Fort Wayne tonight.
It's a short trip.
We'll work around it. Okay?
OH.
MISSY IS SO LUCKY TO HAVE YOU LOOKING OUT FOR HER.
OH, STOP. I JUST...
I JUST PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY.
THE STAR TURN IS UP TO THE GIRL.
YOU CAN'T TEACH CHARISMA,
BUT, YOU KNOW, MOMS AND DADS CAN BE PUSHY.
LIKE BOB?
YEAH.
THE BIG SINGING EXPERT FROM INDIANA.
ON TOP OF TAKING MISSY TO EVERY AUDITION I GOT FOR HER,
MAKING HER SO NERVOUS,
GUY WAS AN ABSOLUTE ZERO ON CAMERA.
AND THAT DIDN'T STOP HIM FROM WANTING TO BE IN MISSY'S VIDEO.
WHATEVER.
I MADE IT WORK WITH HIM.
LIKE YOU DID WITH ALL THE OTHER FATHERS, YOU MEAN?
WHAT OTHER FATHERS?
WELL, THE ONES WHO CALLED THE L.A.P.D.
TO COMPLAIN ABOUT HOW YOU HANDLED THEIR TEENAGE GIRLS.
HOW I HANDLED THEM?
THE PARENTS ARE THE ONES WHO WANT THEIR LITTLE GIRLS
TO LOOK LIKE HOOCHIE MAMAS.
I'M THE ONE TELLING THEM TO KEEP THEIR CLOTHES ON.
I'M PROTECTING THOSE GIRLS.
IS THAT WHY YOU BOUGHT THE PEPPER SPRAY?
THAT... THAT'S SO HILARIOUS.
SO HILARIOUS THAT YOU GUYS KNOW I BOUGHT PEPPER SPRAY,
'CAUSE YOU'RE THE POLICE, RIGHT?
BUT YOU DON'T KNOW THE FIRST DAY MISSY WAS IN L.A.,
SHE GOT MUGGED.
REALLY?
BETH AND BOB DRIVE
STRAIGHT TO VENICE BEACH, AND WHEN THEY GET THERE,
WHILE MISSY IS WALKING ON THE BOARDWALK,
SOME SKATER YANKS HER PURSE.
SO I BUY HER A NEW BAG, PUT PEPPER SPRAY IN IT
TO KEEP HER PARENTS FROM RUNNING BACK TO INDIANA.
IT'S CALLED PRODUCING,
WHICH IS MY JOB.
NOW I'LL LEAVE YOU TO DO YOURS.
OH. THAT IS THE BEST IDEA YOU'VE HAD ALL DAY.
LIEUTENANT, DETECTIVE SANCHEZ.
WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING
YOU'RE UNDER ARREST FOR THE MURDER OF BOB MICHAELS.
MURDER
HE WASN'T MURDERED. HE FELL.
LOOK IT UP IN THE DICTIONARY, LADY.
HE FELL!
IT WAS HARD SOMETIMES,
DADDY TELLING ME ONE THING AND THEN BRUNO SAYING ANOTHER
AND MY MOM SAYING SOMETHING ELSE.
I'M SO SORRY, DETECTIVE,
BUT I NEED TO LOOK INSIDE MISSY'S PURSE.
OKAY.
LET'S SEE HERE.
WAIT A MINUTE! WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I'M LOOKING FOR THE PEPPER SPRAY THAT BRUNO BOUGHT FOR YOU.
I'M NOT FINDING IT.
MAYBE I LOST IT.
WELL, UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, MISSY...
THAT IS NOT A GOOD ANSWER.
Lopez: THE ARREST OF BRUNO PEREZ,
MANAGER OF INTERNET SENSATION MISSY MICHAELS,
MAKES HER FATHER'S DEATH SEEM EVEN STRANGER.
WAS HIS FALL OFF A CLIFF
A PUBLICITY STUNT GONE TERRIBLY WRONG?
YES? YEAH.
HOW COME THIS, UH, BRUNO CHARACTER
ANNOUNCED HIS ARREST TO THE PRESS?
WE GIVE PEOPLE THEIR PHONE CALLS.
WHO THEY CALL IS UP TO THEM.
MAYBE HE THOUGHT THAT IF HE ACTED RASHLY,
HIS PROBLEMS WOULD MAGICALLY DISAPPEAR.
LIKE SOMEONE WHO SIGNS A SETTLEMENT TO A LAWSUIT
WITHOUT TALKING TO HER ATTORNEY.
HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THAT?
WELL, I HAVE TO FORWARD ALL SIGNED SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS
TO PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS.
SORRY.
CHIEF, IT IS MY JOB
TO REVIEW ALL LEGAL AGREEMENTS
CONCERNING OFFICER CONDUCT,
AND I REFUSE TO CERTIFY THIS DOCUMENT.
WHY?
BECAUSE WE NEED TO DETERMINE
IF THE TERM "PROFESSIONALLY INDIFFERENT"
HAS BROADER LEGAL IMPLICATIONS.
HONESTLY.
YOU THINK I'D BE CONGRATULATED
FOR AGREEING TO FALL ON MY SWORD.
Pope: RIGHT?
AND WITH NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE OFF THE TABLE,
IT'S REALLY MORE LIKE A PENKNIFE, ANYWAY.
UH...
I WANT TO SIGN IT.
MAYBE TONIGHT. WE'LL SEE.
FINE.
I tried.
YOU AND I BOTH KNOW THIS DEAL ISN'T GETTING ANY BETTER.
THERE'S SOMETHING HERE WE'RE MISSING.
I DON'T TRUST GOLDMAN.
AND WHEN IT COMES TO THIS AGREEMENT,
I DON'T TRUST YOU, EITHER.
NOW, DID BRUNO EVER INSTRUCT YOU
ON HOW TO USE THE PEPPER SPRAY?
NO. HE JUST TOLD ME TO KEEP IT IN MY PURSE.
OKAY. I WANT YOU TO TRY TO THINK
OF ALL THE TIMES YOU DIDN'T HAVE YOUR PURSE WITH YOU
SINCE YOU'VE BEEN HERE IN LOS ANGELES.
WHY?
BECAUSE, MISSY,
THAT PEPPER SPRAY BRUNO BOUGHT YOU
ENDED UP ALL OVER YOUR FATHER'S FACE.
OH, MY GOSH.
BRUNO HAD...
HAD MY PURSE LOCKED IN HIS OFFICE
THE WHOLE TIME THAT WE WORKED ON THE VIDEO.
OKAY. NOW, WHEN YOU GOT IT BACK,
DID YOU NOTICE IF ANYTHING WAS MISSING?
NO, I MEAN...
I WAS HAVING TOO MUCH FUN SINGING.
WHAT ABOUT YOUR DADDY? WAS HE HAVING FUN?
YEAH. HE LOVED IT.
BUT AFTERWARDS...
I DON'T KNOW -- SOMETHING CHANGED.
CHANGED? IN WHAT WAY?
LIKE, OUT OF THE BLUE,
HE JUST SKIPPED MY LAST AUDITION TO GO ON THAT HIKE.
AND HE NEVER SKIPPED MY AUDITIONS.
NEVER.
WAIT. WAIT.
IF YOUR FATHER TOOK THE MINIVAN TO GO ON HIS HIKE,
HOW DID YOU GET TO YOUR AUDITION?
WELL, MY MOM TOOK ME IN THE RENTAL CAR,
AND THEN BRUNO PICKED ME UP AND BROUGHT ME HOME.
YOU HAD TWO VEHICLES THAT DAY?
THE MICHAELS RESERVED THEIR RENTAL CAR
ONE WEEK BEFORE BOB WENT ON HIS HIKE.
AND WE ASKED THE FAMILY'S CREDIT-CARD COMPANIES
TO ALERT US OF ANY UNUSUAL ACTIVITIES.
GUESS WHAT WE FOUND ON ONE OF THE DAYS
HE'S SUPPOSED TO BE LOST IN THE MOUNTAINS.
HOW ABOUT A HOTEL CHARGE OF $8.83
FOR A BOX OF BLUE GUMMY BEARS?
Provenza: GOOD LORD.
$8 FOR GUMMY BEARS?
Gabriel: SEE, THEY MUST HAVE PAID FOR THE ROOM IN CASH,
WHICH IS WHY WE DIDN'T CATCH IT EARLIER,
BUT THEY HAD TO LEAVE A CREDIT CARD FOR INCIDENTALS.
MINIBARS -- GET YOU EVERY TIME.
WIFE FOLLOWS HUSBAND UP THE MOUNTAIN IN A RENTAL,
THEY ABANDON THEIR MINIVAN,
SHE DRIVES HIM BACK TO THE HOTEL IN THE RENTAL CAR
FOR A FIVE-DAY MEDIA BLOWOUT.
STARRING BOB, BETH, AND MISSY.
OKAY. WHERE'S THAT RENTAL CAR? IS IT HERE?
WE SHOULD CHECK IT FOR PEPPER SPRAY.
I'LL CHECK IT, CHIEF. THANK YOU.
I HEAR SOMEONE HAS DECIDED
THEY CAN ACT AS THEIR OWN LAWYER.
OH, NO.
I-I-I'M JUST ABOUT TO INTERVIEW A SUSPECT,
AND WE DON'T HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY.
UH, DETECTIVE GABRIEL, WOULD YOU COME WITH ME, PLEASE,
AND BRING THAT CREDIT
BUZZ, I WANT YOU, YOUR CAMERA, AND YOUR BEST TRIPOD.
OH, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT.
YOU'RE STILL WORKING ON THAT CASE?
MM-HMM.
* DADDY, SAY YES
YES?
OH, MY GOD.
IS THAT NOT THE WORST VIDEO EVER?
I'VE WATCHED IT 50 TIMES.
CHIEF, DO YOUR WORK.
WE'LL WAIT FOR YOU IN YOUR CONFERENCE ROOM.
OH, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO.
IF I'M OFF THE CLOCK,
I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE THESE PEOPLE.
CAN I WATCH YOUR INTERVIEW?
AS LONG AS YOU'RE NOT CHARGING ME.
OKAY.
Buzz: CHIEF?
WHERE SHOULD I SET THIS UP?
I DON'T RECOGNIZE THESE CHARGES.
WE NEVER PAID FOR A HOTEL ANYWHERE.
SOMEBODY MUST HAVE STOLEN OUR CREDIT-CARD NUMBER.
WELL, I'M SURE THE DNA TESTS FROM THE HOTEL ROOM
WILL TELL US IF EITHER OF YOU WERE EVER THERE.
I MEAN, BOB COULD HAVE BEEN THERE.
I DON'T KNOW.
GOOD GOD IN HEAVEN, BETH.
OKAY, MISS MICHAELS.
LET'S TALK ABOUT SOMETHING YOU DO KNOW,
LIKE WHY YOU RENTED A CAR
A WEEK BEFORE YOUR DAUGHTER'S AUDITION
WHEN YOU WERE RUNNING OUT OF MONEY.
OKAY. OKAY. I CAN EXPLAIN THAT.
I MEAN, UM...
BOB DECIDED THAT HE HAD TO GO BACK
TO HIS OLD JOB IN FORT WAYNE.
NO, BETH.
THAT IS WHY HE WENT ON THAT HIKE,
TO THINK ABOUT HOW HE COULD BREAK THE NEWS TO MISSY.
THE RENTAL CAR WAS FOR US AFTER HE LEFT.
MR. DURANT,
YOU TOLD ME THAT YOUR DAUGHTER
WAS AN AMATEUR PERFORMER,
BUT SHE SEEMS LIKE A PROFESSIONAL TO ME.
WHEN SHE JUST SAID THAT BOB WAS GOING BACK TO HIS OLD JOB,
THAT WAS SO BELIEVABLE.
WHAT?
BECAUSE BOB HAD NO JOB TO GO BACK TO.
ISN'T THAT RIGHT, MR. DURANT?
DADDY.
AND MISSY TOLD US THAT YOU DROPPED HER AT HER AUDITION
BUT THAT BRUNO TOOK HER HOME.
WHATEVER THIS MESS IS,
KEEP MISSY OUT OF IT.
WELL, I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY YOU'D WANT TO DO THAT, SIR,
BECAUSE YOUR SON-IN-LAW'S DISAPPEARANCE
WAS A GIANT PUBLICITY STUNT.
OH, NO, NO, NO. THERE WAS NO HOAX.
ACTUALLY, THERE WAS.
AND IT LOOKS TO ME LIKE MISSY WAS INVOLVED.
IF SHE WASN'T,
YOU NEED TO CLEAR THAT UP ONCE AND FOR ALL.
HOW?
HOW WOULD I DO THAT?
MRS. MICHAELS,
THIS IS THE L.A.P.D.'s RESIDENT MEDIA DIRECTOR, BUZZ WATSON.
HOW DO YOU DO?
HAVE A SEAT.
BUZZ IS OUR LIAISON TO ALL THE MAJOR STUDIOS
AND TELEVISION STATIONS HERE IN HOLLYWOOD.
HE'S GONNA FILM YOUR STATEMENT
AND MAKE SURE THAT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE
GET TO SEE YOU TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY
FOR THE PUBLICITY STUNT,
AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, GET MISSY OFF THE HOOK.
IF YOU GIVE US PERMISSION,
I COULD EVEN POST YOUR STATEMENT
ON THE L.A.P.D.'s WEBSITE
AND ADD A LINK THAT LETS PEOPLE CLICK STRAIGHT THROUGH
TO YOUR DAUGHTER'S VIDEO.
ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS SIGN THIS RELEASE FORM,
SOMETHING THAT BUZZ REQUIRES.
AND IF YOU'RE OKAY WITH ALL THAT,
THE NEWS WILL RUN YOUR STORY FOR WEEKS.
YOU CAN GENERATE THAT KIND OF PRESS?
WHY DO YOU THINK THEY CALL ME "BUZZ"?
ARE WE LIT?
WE'RE READY -- BROADCAST-QUALITY.
Great.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY.
JUST TELL YOUR STORY TRUTHFULLY.
WE'LL BE ASKING YOU QUESTIONS OFF CAMERA.
I JUST WANT THIS TO BE AS MUCH
ABOUT YOU AS POSSIBLE.
OKAY, EVERYBODY, WE'RE ROLLING.
AND...ACTION.
UM
FIRST, I WANT TO APOLOGIZE
TO EVERYONE WHO WORKED SO HARD TO FIND BOB.
WE WERE JUST PARENTS
TRYING TO CREATE A BREAK FOR OUR DAUGHTER.
WE KNEW IF PEOPLE COULD HEAR HER SING JUST ONCE,
SHE'D BE ON HER WAY.
AND SO WE CAME UP WITH A PLAN TO GET EVERYONE'S ATTENTION.
WITHOUT MISSY'S KNOWLEDGE,
BOB WOULD PRETEND TO BE LOST IN THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS
WHILE HE WAS ACTUALLY HIDING OUT IN A HOTEL.
WHEN IT WAS TIME FOR HIM TO BE RESCUED,
I'D PICK HIM UP AND DROP HIM OFF AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE PARK.
THIS WAS A TERRIBLE TRICK TO PLAY ON ALL OF YOU.
SO, LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW YOU INTENDED BOB TO BE FOUND.
OH. OH. UH...
OKAY, WAIT. WAIT. ONE SECOND.
UH, Y-YOU CAN CUT AROUND THIS, RIGHT?
WE CAN.
Okay.
UM, WHEN THE MOMENT CAME, I FOLLOWED OUR PLAN.
I WENT TO PICK HIM UP IN BURBANK,
WHERE HE'D BEEN ALL WEEK,
BUT BOB PANICKED.
HE...SHOWERED TO LOOK "BETTER ON CAMERA,"
WHICH WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF CHARACTER
FOR SOMEONE WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN
WANDERING AROUND LOST FOR SO LONG.
AND THEN, WHEN I FINALLY GOT HIM UP THE MOUNTAIN,
THE REAL PROBLEM CAME OUT.
BOB WAS TERRIFIED PEOPLE WOULDN'T BELIEVE OUR STORY.
Gabriel: OKAY, UM, WAIT A MINUTE, MRS. MICHAELS,
'CAUSE WE NEED YOU TO BE COMPLETELY TRUTHFUL,
AND WE DIDN'T FIND ANY EVIDENCE
OF BOB BEING UP ON THAT MOUNTAIN WITH ANYONE.
WELL, I, UH...
I SORT OF COVERED UP MY FOOTPRINTS
ON THE WAY BACK DOWN THE HILL BECAUSE...
IT NEEDED TO LOOK LIKE
BOB HAD BEEN UP THERE ALONE.
BUT THE TRUTH IS, HE REFUSED,
OUTRIGHT REFUSED TO WALK UP THAT TRAIL BY HIMSELF.
AND WATCHING ALL THE NEWS COVERAGE
ABOUT WHAT COULD GO WRONG IN THE MOUNTAINS AT NIGHT
SCARED THE HELL OUT OF HIM.
AND THEN HE WENT WILD...
BLAMING ME.
AND THEN HE PUSHED ME.
IN SELF-DEFENSE, I PUSHED HIM BACK,
AND HE FELL OFF THE TRAIL,
PLUMMETING TO HIS DEATH.
BEAUTIFUL. AND CUT.
MRS. MICHAELS, THAT WAS GREAT.
THANK YOU.
ARE YOU SURE YOU DON'T WANT TO DO ONE MORE TAKE,
JUST FOR SAFETY?
CAN'T GET BETTER THAN THAT.
SORRY -- IT'S JUST THAT I-I LEFT OUT SO MUCH,
LIKE ABOUT BOB BREAKING DOWN AND EATING PIZZA
JUST BEFORE I PICKED HIM UP.
Brenda: OH, THAT'S OKAY.
YOU ALSO LEFT OUT THE PART ABOUT THE PEPPER SPRAY.
EXCUSE ME?
YOU STOLE PEPPER SPRAY FROM YOUR DAUGHTER'S PURSE
AND BROUGHT IT ALONG WITH YOU
WHEN YOU TOOK BOB BACK UP TO THAT MOUNTAIN.
WHAT -- WHAT MAKES YOU SAY THAT?
WELL, PEPPER SPRAY
IS AN ENORMOUSLY VOLATILE AIRBORNE WEAPON.
WHEN YOU TOOK BOB UP TO THE EDGE OF THAT CLIFF,
WIND WAS GUSTING UP TO 30 MILES AN HOUR.
WAS IT REALLY THAT WINDY?
WHAT AM I, THE WEATHER CHANNEL?
WE'RE GONNA GET A WARRANT,
SEARCH YOUR CLOTHES AND YOUR SHOES --
WE'LL FIND IT THERE, TOO.
IS THAT TRUE?
D
OF COURSE IT'S NOT TRUE.
Beth: SO I...
I BROUGHT PEPPER SPRAY WITH ME.
I DON'T SEE HOW THAT MATTERS.
WELL, IT INDICATES THAT YOU THOUGHT YOUR HUSBAND
WOULD BE A HANDFUL
EVEN BEFORE YOU WENT TO PICK HIM UP THAT NIGHT.
Gabriel: KIND OF UNDERCUTS THE WHOLE IDEA
THAT YOU WENT UP ON THE MOUNTAIN WITH BOB
AND HAD A SPONTANEOUS ARGUMENT.
ALL RIGHT, WELL,
SO I HAD A FEELING HE MIGHT CHICKEN OUT, AND HE DID.
LOOK -- I ACTUALLY MADE HIM SOUND
A LOT BETTER THAN HE WAS,
AND I MEAN, YOU HAVE NO IDEA -- NONE --
HOW JEALOUS HE WAS THAT MISSY AND ME WERE ON TELEVISION
AND HE WASN'T.
SPEAKING OF WHICH,
HOW SOON WILL THIS VIDEO GET OUT TO THE NATIONAL MEDIA?
UH...
I'D SAY... A YEAR AND A HALF-ISH.
A YEAR AND A HALF?
BUT YOU SAID PEOPLE WOULD SEE ME.
OH, PEOPLE WILL.
12 JURORS, 2 ALTERNATES, AND A JUDGE
WILL HEAR YOU SAY ON CAMERA
THAT YOU BROUGHT PEPPER SPRAY
BECAUSE YOU THOUGHT YOUR HUSBAND WAS GONNA CHICKEN OUT.
NO, BUT HE SAID "CUT."
IT'S STILL ROLLING.
Gabriel: BETH MICHAELS,
YOU ARE UNDER ARREST FOR THE MURDER OF BOB MICHAELS.
OH.
W-WAIT A MINUTE. I-I SIGNED AN AGREEMENT.
OH! OH.
THIS IS WHAT I THINK YOU THEATER PEOPLE CALL A PROP.
YOU LIED TO ME.
WELCOME TO HOLLYWOOD.
LET'S GO.
THE WAY YOU LED HER DOWN THE GARDEN PATH,
JUST TELLING HER WHAT SHE WANTED TO HEAR -- SO SIMPLE.
WELL, WHEN SOMEONE IS GUILTY, THEY'RE PRETTY EASY TO LEAD.
HOW RIGHT YOU ARE.
THAT'S WHY...
NO -- HEY. COME ON. WE NEED TO DISCUSS THIS.
NO, WE DON'T.
THAT SETTLEMENT HAS ONE OBJECTIVE,
AND THAT IS TO GET MY CLIENT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY,
IN WRITING, FOR THE MURDER OF TERRELL BAYLOR.
BUT THEY DROPPED THE WRONGFUL-DEATH CHARGES.
NOWHERE DOES GOLDMAN PROMISE NOT TO RE-FILE
THE MOMENT AFTER YOU ADMIT PROFESSIONAL INDIFFERENCE
TO THE SUSPECT'S PREDICAMENT.
I KNEW IT. OH, MY GOD.
DO YOU REALLY THINK HE'D STILL TRY TO TAKE ME TO COURT?
WELL, THIS IS WHY HE WANTED US
TO CHECK OUT THE OFFER WITH A MICROSCOPE.
HE WANTED US TO CONCENTRATE ON WHAT WAS IN THE SETTLEMENT,
NOT ON WHAT WASN'T.
SO, LET'S SAY YOU HAND THE DOCUMENT OVER TO GOLDMAN
AFTER YOU PUT AWAY THE MOTHER
OF INTERNET SENSATION MISSY MICHAELS.
HE COULD WAVE THIS AGREEMENT AROUND ON TELEVISION
AND SAY, "DEPUTY CHIEF BRENDA LEE JOHNSON
"HAS, IN EFFECT, TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY
FOR A MURDER OF HER OWN."
HOW DO YOU THINK THE PRESS WOULD PLAY THAT?
ESPECIALLY AFTER YOU RUINED "DADDY, SAY YES."
THE MICHAELS ARE WALKING THE PRESS PLANK,
IF ANYONE'S INTERESTED.
OH, MY GOD. YOU HAVE TO ASK?
[ CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICKING, REPORTERS SHOUTING ]
AN ABSOLUTELY WILD RIDE COMING TO AN END TODAY,
WITH BETH MICHAELS BEING ESCORTED AWAY
ON CHARGES SHE MURDERED HER HUSBAND.
BUT HANG ON -- LET'S SWING OVER AND SEE IF WE CAN --
WILL YOU BE STAYING IN L.A. TO BE WITH YOUR MOM?
WHEN'S YOUR NEXT SINGLE COMING OUT?
MISSY, WHO'S GOING TO PAY FOR THIS WHOLE HOAX?
WHAT DID YOU KNOW ABOUT IT?
ARE YOUR 15 MINUTES OF FAME FINISHED?
MISSY, WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY TO ALL YOUR FANS?
MISSY, WHAT DID YOU KNOW ABOUT IT?
[ REPORTERS SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY ]
DAUGHTER OF A KILLER.
I LOVED MY DADDY.
OH, MY GOD.
* DADDY, SAY YES
* YOU ARE SO SPECIAL, YOU ARE SO BLESSED *
* YOU TAUGHT ME TO NEVER SETTLE FOR LESS *
* OH, DADDY
* YOU'RE THE BEST