L.A. Law (TV Series)

Parent Trap (1993)

Raphael Sbarge: Anthony Marciante

Quotes 

• Jonathan Rollins : Anthony, if you would, tell the court about the events leading up to your... your accident.

  Anthony Marciante : Karen and I had been up in the mountains above San Bernadino. We've been fighting a lot, so we... decided to spend the weekend together, alone, to see if we could work things out. Driving home. I had a few drinks. More than a few. I fell asleep at the wheel. I came away with a cuts and bruises. Karen was badly hurt. She went into a coma.

  Jonathan Rollins : When did you first learn that Karen was pregnant?

  Anthony Marciante : Just after the accident, in the emergency room. When I heard...

  [sighs] 

  Anthony Marciante : It was a shock. I'm still trying to take it in. But, uh, Karen's gone. And now there is a new life. When the doctors told me that they might be able to save the baby, I told them to try.

  Jonathan Rollins : Do you want to be a father?

  Anthony Marciante : More than anything. I owe this to Karen... and my daughter. The OB did in ultrasound. I wanna name the baby Michelle.

  Jonathan Rollins : Are you ready to be a father, Anthony?

  Anthony Marciante : I think so. I stopped drinking. And, uh... I've been working very hard. I just received a promotion. I have a lot of support from friends and... the staff at the hospital.

  Jonathan Rollins : No further questions, Your Honor.

  [Mr. Rollins ready to return to his seat. The opposing counsel James Pavlik will give some question to Anthony Marciante] 

  Judge Richard Fiorello : Mr. Pavlik.

  Lawyer James Pavlik : Mr. Marciante, at the time of the accident, you blood alcohol level was .15, is that correct? Nearly twice the legal limit.

  Anthony Marciante : I already pled guilty. I have no excuse. As I've said, I've stopped drinking.

  Lawyer James Pavlik : Your abstinence is admirable, right in time for sentencing, but too late for Karen.

  Anthony Marciante : I have to live with this forever.

  Lawyer James Pavlik : According to obstetricians at Bernheimer, the fetus is only 18 weeks old. Just midway through its second trimester. To your knowledge, can that fetus be brought to term before the mother's body begins deteriorating?

  Anthony Marciante : I was told there was no way of knowing.

  Lawyer James Pavlik : Were you also told that even if the fetus survives, there is a 50% chance it will be grossly premature with a real possibility of brain damage?

  Anthony Marciante : There's an equal chance that she will be born perfectly healthy.

  Lawyer James Pavlik : You were charged with DUI and vehicular manslaughter. Should you be set jail, who will care for your child?

  Anthony Marciante : I will face that when the time comes. Right now, what's important is rescuing my baby. Look, I've... The woman I love is dead. That doesn't mean that our baby should die, too.

  [Mrs. Coleman felt terrible about her daughter Karen]