State’s Evidence is being adapted into a graphic novel by Alan and Italian comics artist, Giuseppe D’Elia.
SYNOPSIS
Joe Tanner (36) is haunted by his past. An ex Border Patrol officer, he was tangentially involved in a massacre of illegal aliens by vigilantes a decade earlier. Now he’s being released from jail, after giving secret testimony that put the vigilantes’ leader (Duke) in prison for life.
He enters witness protection under the supervision of U.S. Marshal Rodriegez. She has little time for him, believing (incorrectly) that he’s an unrepentant racist.
Joe keeps a low profile, but he’s being watched. When the stalker is unmasked, it turns out to be a cop - Andrews - who wants Joe to infiltrate the vigilante gang (now led by Duke’s brother, Robbie) and find out if his old flame, Belle, would also turn state’s evidence. Joe reluctantly talks to her, but the meeting is disappointingly fruitless. So Andrews – whose tactics are becoming increasingly dubious – reveals Joe has a son, Nick (10), who’ll soon be initiated into the gang. Joe agrees to go undercover.
He joins the group and his initiation rites (to prove his loyalty after being away so long) culminate in a “hit” that – despite efforts by Andrews – lead to the target’s death. However, it also leads to Robbie confiding in Joe about a planned bank heist where Joe’s expert electronics skills will be put to use. Andrews is delighted and plans to catch the gang in the act, but the location is changed at the last minute and Andrews’ men are at the wrong bank. Belle is wounded (callously shot by Andrews) and Joe – keen to look out for Belle and Nick – “escapes” with the gang.
A furious Rodriegez confronts Andrews – accusing him of incompetence – and Andrews unceremoniously murders her. When he subsequently accuses Joe of her murder, Joe is utterly isolated: in danger from both the criminals and the authorities.
Joe wants to escape the gang with Nick and Belle – whose health is deteriorating due to her bullet wound – but Robbie insists Joe help them free Duke from jail. Joe gives them the information they need to over-ride the security system but Robbie reneges on the deal, executing Belle and telling Nick it was Joe who killed her. But Nick can’t bring himself to kill Joe as Robbie instructs and Joe escapes. He hooks up with Nick – who’s also fled, traumatized and alone – and convinces Nick of his innocence.
Aided by his former cellmate (Aung), a wary Joe confronts Andrews. Meanwhile, Nick discovers Andrews shot Belle during the bank heist. Joe’s just realized Andrews is collaborating with Duke when Nick shoots Andrews. Robbie and the gang free Duke from Belle’s funeral (the motivation for her murder). They then embark on their master plan: using Duke’s expertise to launch a poison gas attack on a Mexican border town.
Joe, Nick and Aung try to delay them until the FBI arrives. Aung sacrifices himself and Nick’s loyalty to Joe is put in question – when Duke claims he, rather than Joe, is Nick’s father. But Nick ultimately sides with Joe who does enough to thwart the gang’s plans until the Feds arrive. In a final irony, Robbie’s bullets – meant for Joe – kill his brother, Duke.
Distrustful of authority but determined to be the father that Nick deserves, Joe “disappears” with Nick to a place where they can start their lives over, together.
