A Crucial Moment in the Movie The Verdict

Frank Galvin had his newest case in the palm of his hand. He was representing a couple in a malpractice case that left the wife's sister brain dead while killing her newborn baby during delivery. Galvin understands that the defense will offer a large plea bargain but is introduced to a key witness, Dr. Gruber, who is a fellow, if not rival doctor and is willing to testify against the two doctors. His attitude toward the case is obvious when he states that, "They killed her, they killed the baby, and you caught them. Want a cigar?" Obviously Gruber was not as upset about the case as Frank soon would be.

Later on when Frank goes to meet with Dr. Gruber, his worst fear is realized when he discovers that his opponent Ed Concannon had bought him off. On the lowest of literary levels, one would assume that Frank Galvin was scared because he invested his whole case in the assumption that Dr. Gruber, his best and only witness, would testify for him. However, on levels reaching beyond the superficial and obvious, his fear strikes him even worse.

Interestingly, before Frank knows that Dr. Gruber was bought off, he meets with Concannon to discuss a plea bargain. Usually, Frank Galvin would have taken the money, such explained by his former law professor, Mick Morrissey, who states, "Once they give you the money, you've won." Frank grows in the movie from a selfish alcoholic in the beginning to the strong willed, dedicated attorney that fights for not only his two clients, but also the woman who lost her baby and life.

In the conversation with Concannon and Bishop Brophy, Frank makes a statement that defined his character. You could almost see Frank growing with his remarks on why he wanted to bring this specific case to trial instead of accepting the plea bargain. In short the Bishop says that nothing they can do can make that woman well after he offered Frank the $210,000 plea. Frank responds saying "And no one will know the truth." This exemplifies the ethical and caring Frank Galvin. He continues on in his talk saying he came to take the plea bargain, but didn't and said, "Because if I take the money, I'm lost." He wanted to take the case to trial to give the respect that the woman deserved and for the truth to be heard.

Ultimately when Dr. Gruber was bought off Frank is not scared for himself or the money he had turned down, but he is scared for the girl. He was trying so desperately to have the girl's story told and the truth to be heard, he was fighting for a person who couldn't fight for herself. Dr. Gruber represented that unethical and lack of sincerity that took place in everyone throughout the case. Seemingly he was the way that Frank Galvin was previously, not caring about the people involved only caring on how much he could make out of the situation. Galvin feared that with the disappearance of Gruber that they would lose the case and that the truth of what actually happened would never be revealed and everyone would think that the church did all that they could do, which was wrong, both literally and morally.