Silent Witness 1985

Anna Dunne, Valerie Bertinelli, and Kevin Dunne, John Savage, are a newlywed couple who have recently moved to Pittsburgh. Anna works in a discount department store, while Kevin is a garbage man. They lead a very happy life until one night they witness the kidnapping and rape of Patti Mullen from a bar. To Anna’s shock, she recognizes Michael Dunne, Chris Nash, as one of the three kidnapper-rapists.

That moment plants a heavy dilemma in Anna: on one hand, she sympathizes with Patti Mullen, a mentally unstable alcoholic who depends on witnesses, and she wants the rapists punished. On the other hand, she knows that testifying against her brother-in-law could ruin the close Dunne family. Patti Mullen, Melissa Leo, becomes a focal point of the moral conflict, forcing Anna to weigh justice against family loyalty.

Kevin advises Anna to stay quiet, and she initially does. She visits Patti, who does not fully remember the kidnapping. Anna confesses to Patti about the assault, after which Patti presses charges. As the case grows louder in public, Anna wrestles with the fear of tearing the family apart while trying to do what she believes is right.

During the highly publicized trial, Michael’s lawyer, Pat Corley Brad Huffman, does not have trouble proving Patti unreliable. Not much later, it is revealed that Patti has committed suicide, leaving Anna to carry an even heavier burden of guilt and responsibility.

Now feeling extremely guilty, Anna is finally ready to testify. When Kevin tries to prevent her from doing so, she decides to leave him, telling him the case is driving them apart. She goes back on stand, but once again, the defense manages to twist her words. In a devastating turn, the Dunne family, with the exception of Kevin, starts perjury—their testimonies claim Anna holds a grudge against them for teasing her about pregnancy and that Kevin had an affair with a co-worker.

One night, Joey Caputo, Alex McArthur, an old friend who left the bar shortly before the kidnapping and rape occurred, visits Anna. They have sex, and the next day Joey provides false testimony, claiming that Anna only cares about publicity. Kevin notices how his relatives are destroying Anna and finally decides to denounce his family. He tries to convince Anna to run away with him, but she is determined to stay and seek justice. She goes back on the stand, but the defense still twists her words. In the end, Kevin comes to the rescue, finally giving a testimony. Afterwards, Anna and Kevin are reunited, choosing to face the consequences together as they pursue truth and accountability. Jean Dunne, Katie McCombs, and the rest of the family become part of the complicated fallout that surrounds their attempt to protect their own.