Murder in the First Quotes

James Stamphill How do you think the Yankees will do against the Redskins this year?

Henri Young The Yankees are a baseball team. The Redskins are a football team. Personally, I think the Redskins would kick the shit out of them.

Judge Clawson I do not need you to tell me what is, or is not okay. In this courtroom, I am the one who decides what is, or is not okay. Okay?

Blanche, Hooker Honey, you're gonna have to get it up first. It's like trying to stick an oyster into a slot machine.

Taglines They locked him up. They crushed his spirit. But they couldn't hide the truth.

Henri Young I got nothin'. I got nobody. I don't need a lawyer, I need a friend.

Milton Glenn Some men are broken by the laws that they break, unable to resist the forces that are pulling them down. Other men live by the rules that society sets down. You're not one of them.

Taglines One was condemned. The other was determined. Two men whose friendship gave them the will to take on the system.

James Stamphill I will ask you what I want to ask you.

Henri Young And I answer what I want to answer.

James Stamphill Fine.

Henri Young Fine.

James Stamphill Unlike many men who lived long after, Henri Young did not die in vain. In the end he was not afraid. He lived and he died in triumph. If only we could all do that.

James Stamphill Did you kill Rufus McCain?

Henri Young I was the weapon, but I ain't no killer.

Taglines The trial that brought down Alcatraz.

Milton Glenn ln life for every action there is a definite and distinct reaction. Action... reaction.

Henri Young Yes, Mr. Glenn.

Milton Glenn Now, if you escape, action: I lose my job... Reaction: I have a family that I will not be able to provide for! Now, knowing this information, can you tell me why you would possibly want to escape and jeopardize my family? I've done nothing to you but my job. And instead of letting you learn by breaking the rules, I feel I need to show you how to obey them. Tolerance. Tolerance for pain. My tolerance of you. But tolerance can be mistaken for kindness. And kindness can be mistaken for weakness. And we can't have weakness, can we, Henri?

Taglines One broke his silence. The other broke the system.

James Stamphill The definition of rehabilitate: To restore to a state of physical, mental, and moral health through treatment and training.

Henri Young Action: I won. Reaction: you can't never take that away from me.

James Stamphill ] once said that solitary confinement was inhumane. Seven months later, the Supreme Court agreed. As a a result of the facts brought out in the trail of The People vs. Young, the dungeons of Alcatraz were closed forever. Associate warden Glenn was brought up on charges of mistreatment. He was found guilty. He would never work in the penal system again. I remained in private practice. I also became a baseball fan. You did it, Henri!

James Stamphill I was wondering if I could talk to you, sir, about a continuance.

D.A. William McNeil No.

James Stamphill You don't understand, sir, he just sits there. I can't even get him to speak.

D.A. William McNeil Well maybe he's practicing for the gas chamber. Tell him to take deep breaths.

James Stamphill When you try to win, sometimes you lose sight of the goal.

Taglines I accuse Alcatraz of crimes against humanity." – The lawyer"I was a weapon, but I ain't no killer." – The accused"I am not on trial here." – The warden