Primal Fear (1996)

John Mahoney: Shaughnessy

Photos 

Quotes 

• Martin Vail : [in a private room inside the district attorney's office]  Mr. Pinero has never been convicted of anything. Cops jumped him, he was left bleeding in the snow. It's a miracle he survived. Having said that, I am not opposed to a settlement.

  John Shaughnessy : A million-five and Pinero leaves the state.

  Martin Vail : You can't limit a citizen's right to live wherever he wants to. Legally, that's unenforceable.

  John Shaughnessy : Whether or not it's enforceable or just a gentleman's agreement, Mr. Pinero will know what we want.

• Martin Vail : [to Shaughnessy in court]  It's confusing to me because I have document here from your office that says last year Michael O'Donnell spoke to the supervisor of that unit over a period of two weeks explaining to him - in graphic detail - of the sexual abuse he suffered at the hands of Archbishop Rushman. Isn't it also true, Mr. State's attorney, that your "friend" Archbishop Rushman was not going to stand trial for any of it? He owed you big time. You must've been very pissed off when he pulled out of the South River construction deal. What happened? He finally said "I can't take it anymore" and you said "no". You and your investors had sixty millions reasons to kill him!

  Janet Venable : Objection!

  Judge Miriam Shoat : Sustained! You're out of order, Mr. Vail!

  Martin Vail : [whispering under his breath]  Just like what you and your "associates" did in killing Joey Pinero just yesterday!

  John Shaughnessy : [whispering to Vail]  You son of a bitch!

• Joey Pinero : The Archbishop was a close personal friend of Mr. Shaughnessy. He came to me earlier this morning and asked me who was my best man, I said you.

  Janet Venable : Thank you. I trust, Mr. Shaughnessy, if I am to prosecute this case, I'll be given the authority which comes with the assignment.

  John Shaughnessy : You're the one trying the case, but let's establish one thing at the outset. I want the death penalty.

• John Shaughnessy : Vail?

  Janet Venable : Who else?

  John Shaughnessy : Clever prick. What do you think he's up to?

  Janet Venable : I honestly don't know.

  John Shaughnessy : Cut the crap, Janet. You know him pretty goddamn well. You were balling him, for Christ's sake.

• John Shaughnessy : I have some advice for you. My advice for you, if you really have aspirations beyond this particular office, is to pick up that little handbag of yours, go home right now and destroy this tape you should've destroyed, like I did, the minute you received it.

• John Shaughnessy : You little cocksucker!