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Murphy's Law
Character List |
ATTORNEY PAUL MURPHY
Paul was the popular, longtime prosecutor at Wakefield Heights District
Court and has left his job to start a law practice with his best pal,
Attorney Dom DeLorenzo. A skilled attorney with a sharp, sarcastic wit (that
he never holds back), Paul is a Irish-Italian man in his 40’s. He’s a
confirmed bachelor who refuses to grow-up… mischievous, personable, quick on
his feet, confident, a world-class schmoozer, good at what he does and now
struggling to generate business and make ends meet while acting as
distraught Dominic’s social director.
ATTORNEY DOMINIC DeLORENZO
Paul’s best friend since childhood who had slaved as an attorney for a big,
impersonal law-firm and is now going through a bitter divorce and sleeping
on Paul’s couch. Dom’s also down in the dumps because he’s under serious
financial pressure and, like Paul, is willing to try almost anything to
solicit clients so they can get their new partnership off the ground. Paul
is the godfather to Dom’s young son, Freddie… and, at times, they both act
the same age.
JUDGE HENRY ‘HANG-‘EM’ HAYES
The Presiding Justice of Wakefield Heights District Court, Judge Hayes is an
older black man with a reputation as a conservative, tough, no-nonsense
judge with a sharp tongue (think Louis DePalma from Taxi in a black robe).
The judge has his hands full maintaining decorum, acting as a referee and
keeping all the “loose-cannons” in line to manage this “zoo” and it can be
an exasperating experience… which explains his honor’s frequent need for a
cocktail.
MARGARET ‘PEG’ POWERS
The Clerk of Courts at Wakefield Heights D.C., Peg runs the session while
sitting in front of Judge Hayes. Peg is in her 30’s… attractive, feisty,
wise-cracking and always on top of things, Peg is a favorite object of
Paul’s flirtatious manner… and steadfastly unattainable.
ASSISTANT D.A. PATTY BURNS
The former public defender who has taken Paul’s place in the DA’s office,
Patty’s position necessitates that she butts heads with Paul, even though
they remain friends. In the courtroom Patty is inflexible and stubborn… a
“tough broad” who won’t back-down but, ironically, it’s a different story at
home because she can’t manage to keep her three badly-behaved,
out-of-control sons from getting into trouble on a regular basis.
‘DUGIE’ RUSSELL
The Court Officer who provides security and handles the prisoners & jurors,
Dugie is an older man (60’s/70’s), near retirement, who is a proud veteran
and was a real tough-guy in his day. Dugie is a grouchy, negative, cynical,
constantly-complaining Archie Bunker-type who, when asked how he’s doing,
always answers “Rotten.”
ATTORNEY THURSTON SLOAN
An arrogant, sleazy, gold-digging, ambulance-chasing, shyster lawyer with
absolutely no scruples whatsoever who uses his devious imagination to
constantly dream-up new ways to abuse the legal system. Thurston is very
eloquent and theatrical in his manner and will sue anyone or take any case…
no matter how preposterous or unpopular it is.
ATTORNEY SYD DUFFY
The court’s new incompetent, disheveled, sad-sack, bumbling, absentminded
public defender, Syd doesn’t have a clue… professionally OR socially.
Despite the characters’ repeated efforts to help-out this loner and misfit,
it’s a hopelessly frustrating experience.
OFFICER ERNIE BONZARELLI & OFFICER
MARVIN SMITH
Veteran, middle-aged street-cops with the Wakefield Heights Police Dept.,
“Bonzo” and “Smitty” have been partners forever, so they know everything
that’s going-on in town. Tough, street-smart, experienced and shrewd, Smitty,
a surly black man, and Bonzo, a jovial, overweight Italian, are very good at
their jobs… and they endeavor to do so with as little effort as possible.
OFFICER RANDALL TUCKER
Randall is a young, very over-the-top, overzealous, irritating / annoying,
militant cop with a little-man complex, fresh out of the police academy. He
takes everything way too seriously and would not hesitate to arrest his own
mother for the most trivial reason… but few of his accusations stick because
Randall has a habit of being his own worst enemy.
BRENDA HAYES
Paul & Dom’s totally-useless, lazy, unfocused, not very bright, legal
secretary with a terrible attitude. The only reason they keep Brenda on is
because she is Judge Hayes’ niece and Paul made a promise the hire her… and
Brenda takes full advantage of that leverage, making a difficult situation
even worse for the stressed-out lawyers. |