autopsy
the whole scene with the autopsy, i just didnt understand. what was the importance of having her tubes tied and using a diaphram. what did that prove? how did that prove her rusty's innocence?
shareThe forensic evidence said that the blood-type of the semen matched Rusty's. The doctor's notes said that her tubes were tied, but she also had traces of spermicidal jelly (something that should have raised a flag, but didn't). A woman who has had her tubes tied would not use a diaphragm, as there would be no need. Therefore, it looked like the sperm sample could not be from Carolyn, so it didn't matter if the blood-type of the sperm matched Rusty's or not. The only two pieces of evidence that directly tied Rusty to the crime scene were the sperm and the bar glass. It also added to the defense's theory that Rusty was being framed by the new District Attorney.
The only second chance you get is to make the same mistake twice. - David Mamet
hey slowrain THANK YOU soooo much, now i get it. i just watched it on hbo and i sat there for a while trying to figure out the importance of that whole thing. thank you so much, now i understand. but why would the da try and frame rusty (i know he didnt, but what was the defense's motive for the frame) and did rusty's wife realize that by framing her husband it looked like the da did it?
shareYou're welcome, I was glad to help.
The only reason I could think of for the defense to try to blame the D.A. would be that there may have been some animosity between Nico and Rusty: Rusty supported Raymond and not Nico in the election; possibly some other reason. No, I don't think Rusty's wife knew anything about Rusty's possible defense at the time she committed the murder, it was just a coincidence.
The only second chance you get is to make the same mistake twice. - David Mamet
In the book it wasn't Nico but Molto who was seen as trying to bring Rusty down, because they have always had a mutual dislike for each other. Molto was made to look like a complete sleazeball. And also in the novel, Lipranzer brings up the point that perhaps Barbara meant to frame Rusty, a sort of vengeance for her husband's infidelity. It is these uncertainties which make it such a great book, and movie.
"Good lord, are you having a bowel movement or a baby?" - House
It is these uncertainties which make it such a great book...
Agreed. The movie tried to have more closure. Good movie, excellent novel.
The only second chance you get is to make the same mistake twice. - David Mamet share
A major portion of the prosecution's case depended on the theory that the rape was "staged." Meaning, Carolyn had sex with someone who knew her, then was killed by that person. The killer than removed her contraception device (diaphram) in order to make it look like a rape - meaning the case would be open to hundreds and hundreds of potential suspects (not just men that the deceased knew).
When it was revealed her tubes were tied the whole theory was thrown out the window because no women with their tubes tied would used a diaphram. Therefore, it would be easy to suggest that the sample taken from Carolyn's body was a plant.
Rusty believed (which turned out to be untrue) that he stumbled upon something during his investigation of the murder that could potentially implicate Molto (the lead prosecutor on the case). As a result Molto took action to have Rusty implicated in Carolyn's death.
In the book it explains the complex relationships between the characters. Essentially Rusty, Molto and Nico all worked in the prosecutor's office under Raymond Horgon. Nico was an ambitious type and when Horgon overstayed his welcome Nico took advantage and sought the nomination (in the book the county in which they live in is portrayed as a one party area - meaning the Republican candidate always wins the election and as a result any election is truly decided during the nomination process) and runs against Horgon. Nico promised Molto a prime spot in his new administration. As as a result of this "betrayal" Rusty is forced to fire Nico and Molto later leaves the office in a huff, leaving Rusty to hold the bag while Horgon is trying to secure the nomination.
Prior to Nico winning the election him and Molto were conducting their own parallel investigation into Carolyn's death. That is why Rusty is so angry when he finds out the chief patheologist (the Asian doctor Sandy Stern tears apart on the witness stand) is secretly communicating to Tommy Molto.
From the judge's stand point this looked like Molto and Painless (the nickname of the patheologist) were conspiring to manufacture evidence against Rusty. The judge eventually dismisses the case and cites a lack of direct evidence that Rusty actually committed the crime or had motive to do so. By the end of the case the semen evidence is tainted, and there is no proof that Rusty ever had an affair with Carolyn. The only shred of evidence left is the bar glass, which the prosecutors lost.