call my next witness.
Mr. Collins, what is this?
This...is a reindeer, your honor.
I know, but what's it doing
in my courtroom?
I'd like the court to see Mr. Kringle
make the reindeer fly.
He's baiting you.
He wants you to lose your temper.
He wants you to act crazy.
Remember that.
Mr. Kringle...we're waiting.
Well...Isn't it.
Well, I would greatly like to oblige Mr. Collins,
but I cannot make this reindeer fly.
I didn't think so.
He only flies on christmas eve.
Yes. Of course.
No further questions, your honor.
Then would somebody please remove
the witnes--
the animal from the courtroom?
Your honor, the state of new york
has no desire in laying waste
to a popular myth,
but this case is not about mythology.
It's about the mental competency of a man--
that man Kriss kringle.
Everyone in this courtroom,
if they were entirely honest
with themselves,
Would have to conclude based on
the evidence that Mr. Kringle,
regrettably, is insane.
As a sworn guardian of the laws
of the state of new york,
As a citizen and a father,
it is my wish that Mr. Kringle,
Who masquerades as Santa Claus,
a figure of benevolence
And generosity,
but who does so solely for profit--
That's not true!
Your honor.
Mr. Kringle will refrain from comment,
or he will be removed from the courtroom.
Sit down. Sit down, Kriss.
Your honor,
I was not aware that cole's department
store was a charitable Institution.
If it is, I'm more than willing to apologize
to the court and to Mr. Kringle.
I didn'tthink so, your honor.
As I was saying before I was
so rudely interrupted,
it is my wish that Mr. Kringle be placed
under the care of the state
so that the children of new york
will no longer be put at risk.
Hey, you big jerk!
Mr. Kringle's the nicest man in the world!
He'd never hurt anybody!
Order!
Order!
- Sit down!
- Order! Order!
I have nothing further to say, your honor.
Kriss, sit down. We're almost through.
Honey, it's o.k.
Mr. Bedford...do you wish
to make a closing statement?
Your honor,
a lot of people believe in Mr. Kringle,
including millions of children.
If you rule against him, you won't destroy
anyone's belief, just the man they believe in.
Mr. Kringle is not concerned for himself.
If he was, he wouldn't be here.
He is in this regrettable position
because he is willing to sacrifice himself
for children to create in their minds
a world far better than the one we've made for them.
If this is, as Mr. Collins suggests,
a masquerade,
then Mr. Kringle is eager to forfeit his
freedom to preserve that masquerade,
To subject himself to prosecution,
to protect the children's Right to believe.
If this court finds that Mr. Kringle
is not who he says he is,
that there is no Santa Clause, then I
would ask the court to judge which is worse--
A lie that draws a smile,
or a truth...
that draws a tear?
I rest my case.
I shall render my opinion on this matter
at 12:00 noon tomorrow.
Until that time, this court stands in recess.
Hello, judge.
I appreciate your waiting for me.
Sit down.
How did I get on this case?
I don't want to rule against your client,
but I can't see how, given the facts,
I can do otherwise.
A man who believes himself to be someone
he isn't is by definition disturbed.
He isn't dangerous.
He isn't a threat.
I can't sit up on that bench
as a representative of the state of new york
And declare that there is a Santa Claus.
I can't make that argument,
much as I'd like to.
Believe me, Mr. Bedford,
if I had a way out of this,
I'd take it.
I'm sorry.
It's all about money, isn't it?
You know what destroyed Kriss kringle?
Power, greed, and this.
Anger and recrimination may
soothe your soul,
but it won't help Mr. Kringle.
He doesn't need a bitter epilogue
from his attorney.
He needs a miracle.
You may sit.
Ahem. Having heard the evidence
in the matter of Kriss kringle,
I, judge henry harper, a representative
of the state of new york,
Must