2005
Thomas Crawford meticulously plans and executes the shooting of his wife, Jennifer, after discovering her affair with Detective Rob Nunally, then confesses to the crime, believing he has created a perfect, untraceable murder. Ambitious District Attorney Willy Slocum takes on the seemingly open-and-shut case, but Crawford, representing himself, reveals a critical flaw: the gun used to shoot Jennifer was not the one found at the scene, and Nunally's affair with Jennifer invalidates his testimony and the confession. As Jennifer remains in a coma, Crawford is acquitted due to lack of evidence, and he attempts to have Jennifer's life support removed, but Willy, realizing Jennifer is the only witness, obtains a court order to prevent it. Willy discovers Crawford's elaborate plan to swap the murder weapon with Nunally's service weapon, which Nunally had given to Crawford as a gift, and confronts Crawford, who is then arrested for attempted murder. Jennifer awakens from her coma and provides testimony, leading to Crawford's conviction for attempted murder, and with Jennifer's eventual death, Crawford is subsequently charged with murder, ensuring justice is served.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Fracture opens on Tom Crawford’s hidden affair and quickly establishes his duplicity.
Open full beat sheetWilly Slocum is listed as Protagonist. District Attorney, ambitious, sharp, street-fighter. In the parsed data, Willy Slocum is connected to 69 scenes, 128 dialogue lines, 130 text mentions, first appearing around scene 24.
69 scenes / 128 dialogue linesThomas Crawford is listed as Antagonist. Aircraft engineer, intelligent, meticulous, cold, calculating. In the parsed data, Thomas Crawford is connected to 35 scenes, 52 dialogue lines, 52 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
35 scenes / 52 dialogue linesRob Nunally is listed as Detective. L.A.P.D. Detective, having an affair with Jennifer Crawford. In the parsed data, Rob Nunally is connected to 18 scenes, 36 dialogue lines, 36 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
18 scenes / 36 dialogue linesNikki Gardner is listed as Senior Associate. Wooton Sims lawyer, Willy's mentor/love interest. In the parsed data, Nikki Gardner is connected to 12 scenes, 14 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 32.
12 scenes / 14 dialogue linesJennifer Crawford is listed as Victim. Thomas Crawford's wife, having an affair. In the parsed data, Jennifer Crawford is connected to 9 scenes, 14 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
9 scenes / 14 dialogue linesJoe Lobruto is listed as District Attorney. Willy's boss. In the parsed data, Joe Lobruto is connected to 6 scenes, 17 dialogue lines, 17 text mentions, first appearing around scene 26.
6 scenes / 17 dialogue linesMarchand is listed as S.I.D. Tech. Forensics expert. In the parsed data, Marchand is connected to 6 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 33.
6 scenes / 11 dialogue linesMr. Gifford is listed as Neighbor. Crawford's neighbor. In the parsed data, Mr. Gifford is connected to 5 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 14.
5 scenes / 1 dialogue linesIrene Feldman is listed as Judge. Presiding judge. In the parsed data, Irene Feldman is connected to 4 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 29.
4 scenes / 2 dialogue linesLewis Gardner is listed as Judge. Nikki's father. In the parsed data, Lewis Gardner is connected to 3 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 51.
3 scenes / 8 dialogue linesNorman Chang is listed as Assistant District Attorney. Willy's colleague. In the parsed data, Norman Chang is connected to 3 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 24.
3 scenes / 5 dialogue linesTina is listed as Assistant. Thomas Crawford's assistant. In the parsed data, Tina is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 2.
2 scenes / 1 dialogue linesJennifer Crawford and Rob Nunally are in bed together, having an affair.
Jennifer Crawford, Rob NunallyCrawford prepares to leave his office, interacting briefly with his assistant Tina.
Thomas Crawford, TinaCrawford meets with N.T.S.B. investigators regarding a plane crash.
Thomas CrawfordRob and Jennifer discuss their relationship and the future.
Jennifer Crawford, Rob NunallyCrawford attempts to call Rob Nunally from a pay phone.
Thomas CrawfordCrawford enters the hotel to find Jennifer and Rob.
Thomas CrawfordCrawford observes Jennifer and Rob at the pool.
Thomas Crawford, Jennifer Crawford, Rob NunallyCrawford uses a device to enter the hotel room.
Thomas CrawfordCrawford inspects the room where Jennifer and Rob were.
Thomas CrawfordJennifer returns home.
Jennifer Crawford, Mr. GiffordCrawford confronts Jennifer and shoots her.
Thomas Crawford, Jennifer CrawfordMr. Gifford hears the gunshot.
Mr. GiffordCrawford prepares for the police arrival.
Thomas CrawfordMr. Gifford checks on the house.
Mr. GiffordCrawford fires at the door to scare Gifford away.
Thomas CrawfordPolice and SWAT arrive; Rob Nunally arrives as the negotiator.
Rob NunallyCrawford and Nunally speak on the phone.
Thomas Crawford, Rob NunallyNunally prepares to enter the house.
Rob NunallyNunally enters the house and confronts Crawford.
Thomas Crawford, Rob NunallyJennifer is taken to the hospital and Crawford is arrested.
Thomas CrawfordPolice process the crime scene.
Rob NunallyWilly Slocum prepares for his day.
Willy SlocumWilly leaves his apartment.
Willy SlocumWilly receives a job offer from Wooton Sims.
Willy Slocum, Norman ChangWilly discusses his new job and needs a tuxedo.
Willy Slocum, Norman ChangWilly meets with District Attorney Lobruto to discuss his career move to Wooton Sims and his conviction rate.
Willy Slocum, Joe LobrutoWilly accidentally spills coffee on his suit while preparing for court.
Willy SlocumNorman asks Willy to take an arraignment case.
Willy Slocum, Norman ChangWilly arrives in a tuxedo for the arraignment of Thomas Crawford.
Thomas Crawford, Rob Nunally, Willy Slocum, Irene FeldmanNunally confronts Willy about the Crawford case.
Rob Nunally, Willy SlocumWilly meets Nikki Gardner at the opera.
Willy Slocum, Nikki GardnerWilly and Nikki discuss his future at Wooton Sims.
Willy Slocum, Nikki GardnerWilly talks to Marchand about the gun evidence.
Willy Slocum, MarchandWilly receives documents from Crawford marked with 'NO'.
Willy SlocumS.I.D. Techs search the Crawford house for the murder weapon while Willy calls Marchand to check on progress.
Willy Slocum, MarchandWilly visits Crawford in jail to discuss the case and the discovery documents.
Willy Slocum, Thomas CrawfordWilly discusses his upcoming trial and career move with Nikki.
Willy Slocum, Nikki GardnerThe trial begins with testimony from a Uniform Cop and Dr. Kang, while Crawford doodles.
Willy Slocum, Thomas Crawford, Irene Feldman, Rob NunallyThe Judge rules the confession inadmissible due to the affair.
Willy Slocum, Thomas Crawford, Irene FeldmanWilly receives another package from Crawford and talks to Nikki on the phone.
Willy Slocum, Nikki GardnerCrawford stares at the camera while Nikki and Willy discuss the case via voiceover.
Thomas Crawford, Willy Slocum, Nikki GardnerNikki advises Willy to let Lobruto take him off the case; Willy finds a broken eggshell in a box.
Willy Slocum, Nikki GardnerCrawford smiles as Nikki discusses damage control.
Thomas Crawford, Nikki GardnerWilly and Lobruto argue about the case; Willy convinces Lobruto to let him stay on.
Willy Slocum, Joe LobrutoWilly visits Nunally, who is distraught and hiding out.
Willy Slocum, Rob NunallyA massive search of Crawford's house is conducted.
Willy Slocum, MarchandWilly directs the search in the kitchen.
Willy SlocumWilly sees Nunally watching from his car.
Willy Slocum, Rob NunallyWilly and Marchand discuss the lack of evidence.
Willy Slocum, MarchandWilly reads to Jennifer in the hospital.
Willy Slocum, Jennifer CrawfordWilly has Thanksgiving dinner with Nikki's family.
Willy Slocum, Nikki Gardner, Lewis GardnerWilly has dinner with the Gardners and Burton, discussing his removal from the Crawford case.
Willy Slocum, Nikki Gardner, Lewis Gardner, Mr. GiffordNikki and Willy have a tense confrontation about his career and future.
Willy Slocum, Nikki Gardner, Lewis GardnerWilly investigates the crime scene and is confronted by Nunally.
Willy Slocum, Rob NunallyWilly and Marchand review evidence.
Willy Slocum, MarchandWilly has a breakdown and is visited by Nunally.
Willy Slocum, Rob NunallyWilly prepares for court and receives a note from Nikki.
Willy Slocum, TinaWilly arrives at the courthouse.
Willy Slocum, Rob NunallyThe trial concludes with a dismissal.
Willy Slocum, Thomas Crawford, Mr. Gifford, Irene Feldman, Rob Nunally, Joe LobrutoNikki calls Willy.
Nikki Gardner, Willy SlocumNunally is found shot.
Willy Slocum, Thomas Crawford, Rob NunallyWilly visits Jennifer.
Willy Slocum, Jennifer CrawfordWilly visits Jennifer in the hospital, confesses his feelings, and is shocked when she opens her eyes.
Willy Slocum, Jennifer CrawfordWilly informs the Resident that Jennifer was looking at him.
Willy SlocumThe Resident performs neurological tests on Jennifer, dismissing Willy's hope.
Willy SlocumWilly confronts Crawford in the hospital lobby.
Thomas Crawford, Willy SlocumWilly tries to get help from his firm but is rebuffed by Nikki.
Willy Slocum, Nikki GardnerWilly suffers a panic attack in the stairwell.
Willy SlocumCrawford signs forms to authorize medical procedures.
Thomas CrawfordWilly unsuccessfully asks Judge Robinson for a court order.
Willy SlocumCrawford discards Jennifer's belongings.
Thomas CrawfordLobruto informs Willy that a restraining order has been issued against him.
Willy Slocum, Joe LobrutoWilly walks away into the night.
Willy SlocumA nurse cares for Jennifer.
Crawford prepares for the day.
Thomas CrawfordWilly intercepts Judge Gardner.
Willy SlocumDr. Lunt prepares for Jennifer's transfer.
Crawford drives to the hospital.
Thomas CrawfordWilly gets documents signed by Gardner.
Willy SlocumWilly struggles to exit the parking structure.
Willy SlocumNo. I don't know. Maybe. No. It was all just this...crazy thing. For both of us. It was...real. You know? We didn't expect that, when we started. We didn't know where it was going. I had cheated so many times, I was numb - but she was ...new. And she made me feel like there was - some chance. To change. We were scared. It was like we were afraid to go forward, but we couldn't go back. You always think you have time. To work it out. Or make things right. What was I supposed to do?!
No. You won't. That's what I need to make sure you understand. I remove you now: I'm covered, I took some action. If you go on with this, when you lose - blame has to come down. And it'll come down on you. I'll have to investigate you for improprieties, incompetence - anything I can. In public. I'll hang you out to dry. For the good of this office.
Not an ounce of sympathy, Willy? Imagine it - imagine she was yours. And you knew you were losing her. Imagine days. Weeks. Going through her desk. Her purse. Her closet. Alone. Staring at her clothes. Her shoes. Knowing this is what it will be like. After. Do you have any idea how hard it was to go on living - with her - every day, knowing?
It doesn't have to stick: we just need to get a court order for now - to keep Crawford from pulling the plug! With all the brain-power here, I'm sure somebody can come up with a pretext or call in a favor. Then we can tie this up in court while we arrange a state-appointed conservatorship - so we can protect her while we fight him on -
Jesus, Willy, wake up! It's over! What is wrong with you - it's first year law: that woman could fully recover and swear he shot her and it wouldn't matter. Double jeopardy! You can't take him back into court!
This man is a mechanical engineer with expertise in air crashes! He has access to airfields and he knows exactly how to make it look like an accident! You know what he did! You know why she's like this!
You know, I think I read somewhere that a good place to find a pulse is the femoral artery. It's on the inner surface of the upper thigh. If you put your fingers - you know, right up inside her dress -
No: he shot her and she died. The fact that it took time - the fact that he went to trial in between, just for shooting her - doesn't matter. He fired a gun and caused her death, and that's murder.
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