Defending a murder suspect is never easy particularly when the victim is a highly regarded New York City Councilman, and the suspect is caught on video tape attacking him. That’s bad enough but when Jake’s client Rose Kwong refuses to cooperate a conviction seems guaranteed.
Despite the seemingly damning evidence and the bizarre story Rose Kwong would eventually tell him, Jake believes Rose didn’t kill the Councilman. But can he prove it? Can he prove that the Councilman was not the man everyone thought he was?
As Jake tries to build Rose’s defense, he realizes that his efforts are being undermined. Obviously, someone or some group wants Rose Kwong convicted and is willing to go to any lengths to make it happen.
When Jake learns the identity of the actual killer it seems the case has taken a turn. But then ethical constraints prevent Jake from disclosing the killer’s identity and he is forced to find other defenses.
Working against a backdrop of Chinatown’s drug trade it all comes to a head at the trial with an unexpected turn of events.
With a murder case on the agenda Jake needs all the help he can get so in addition to enlisting Tommy Shoo, Linda Chow, Old man Shoo and Gracie, Jake turns to his old friend and mentor Abe Fishman for help.