Endings you didn't get?

So, in Primal Fear (1996):
Richard Gere is recapping what has happened, walking out of the courthouse or jail.
He realizes the mistake he's made, feeling like a fool (which is appropriate), but suddenly stops right before crossing the street.

Call me a dunce, but I never saw a point to the ending (at all).
Unless I remember it wrong, and he stops because of the revelation/confession.
But this doesn't make any sense, since it had already happened inside.