Un'idea per un delitto

Lorrie Benson: Jim, are you sure about this? The whole thing is getting so involved.

Jim Grayam: No, but that's what makes this so fascinating. It's like walking on a tight rope -- you make one misstep and you've had it. But if you succeed, it's as though you defy the very law of gravity ... and I am going to succeed. I'm going to beat it, because I'm going to plead guilty and imply insanity.

Lorrie Benson: You mean, plead not guilty?

Jim Grayam: No, no, look. It's all right here, all of it. All of the booby traps, all of the wrong turns. It's just like a military campaign. Every step has got to be planned. That's why I'm taking my time. You see, the murder, the trial, the psychiatrist -- each phase has got to be a victory for me.

Lorrie Benson: Well then, why plead guilty?

Jim Grayam: No, don't you see? Pleading not guilty by reason of insanity is the worst thing I could possibly do. Because nine times out of ten, the judge and the jury reason that if a man is sane enough to plead not guilty to the general charge, then he is sane enough to send to the gas chamber. Now the trick is... the trick is to plead guilty, but by my actions, my attitude, make them think that I have no real awareness to the crime or its consequences. Now do you understand?

Lorrie Benson: No, not entirely.

Jim Grayam: You will.