Could Saul Goodman get a not guilty verdict for Patrick Bateman?

[Dr Will Hatch]

Patrick Bateman from American Psycho is charged for the murders of Paul Allen and "twenty, maybe forty!" other murders that he confessed to.

Since Patrick's regular lawyer has no idea who the **** Patrick Bateman even is, confusing him at various points for Patrick's colleagues Marcus Halberstram and Davis, Patrick's family hires an out of town lawyer to defend him.

Cue Saul Goodman, who jumps at the chance at defending a client as wealthy as Bateman.


Round 1: Saul aims for a not guilty by reason of insanity verdict. Can he do it?

Round 2: Saul tries to get Patrick acquitted for all of the murders. Can he do it?

Saul is in character in both rounds, and is willing to try whatever dirty tricks he can think of.

[MichaelC]

In who's universe does it take place? If it takes place in Patrick's universe, he could probably get the case dismissed before it even goes to trial, simply because the judge doesn't want to miss a social call he's been looking forward to for quite some time, and the extra workload of a major trial would prevent that. Everyone in Patrick's universe is incredibly shallow.

He might also be able to get the DA to simply drop the case before it goes to trial, by pointing out his own high success rate, and convincing the DA that even a small chance of losing such a major public case isn't worth the risk to his reputation. No one will invite him to expensive restaurants if he blows such a major case. Best to decide that there isn't enough evidence to bring it to trial in the first place. Much better for his career, his pocketbook, and his social standing with the sort of rich people who eat at expensive restaurants.

[Dr Will Hatch]

In who's universe does it take place? If it takes place in Patrick's universe, he could probably get the case dismissed before it even goes to trial, simply because the judge doesn't want to miss a social call he's been looking forward to for quite some time, and the extra workload of a major trial would prevent that. Everyone in Patrick's universe is incredibly shallow.

He might also be able to get the DA to simply drop the case before it goes to trial, by pointing out his own high success rate, and convincing the DA that even a small chance of losing such a major public case isn't worth the risk to his reputation. No one will invite him to expensive restaurants if he blows such a major case. Best to decide that there isn't enough evidence to bring it to trial in the first place. Much better for his career, his pocketbook, and his social standing with the sort of rich people who eat at expensive restaurants.

Haha, I was thinking that it was a composite universe.

Let's say that the version of New York City is the one from the universe of American Psycho, or least Patrick's social circle is, while the rest of the universe is the Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul one.

[Captain Morgan]

Wasn't it kind of unclear how much of Patrick's murders actually happened? Or were people just not noticing because of how interchangeable all the business boys were?

[Dr Will Hatch]

Wasn't it kind of unclear how much of Patrick's murders actually happened? Or were people just not noticing because of how interchangeable all the business boys were?

In the book/movie, it's left ambiguous what really happened. But in this scenario, there's enough evidence that at least some of the murders were real.

[Shai-Hulud]

It's been many years since I read the book, but in the film, IIRC, Bateman has a refrigerator full of body parts.

No, I don't think Bateman is getting off.

[Postmania]

It's been many years since I read the book, but in the film, IIRC, Bateman has a refrigerator full of body parts.

No, I don't think Bateman is getting off.

That fridge disappears in the movie bc it's unclear whether it was real (like all of his murders).

Tough to say, if there's evidence like Hatch says only on incidental victims like the homeless man and the prostitutes Bateman might get off in the way that the justice system just usually underserves people in the lower rungs of society.

[grampagen]

Mike's going to be real confused when he brings his guys to Paul Allan's apartment.