The death penalty has just been passed in New York and prosecutors must decide whether or not it is appropriate after an unlikely suspect murders an undercover police officer.The death penalty has just been passed in New York and prosecutors must decide whether or not it is appropriate after an unlikely suspect murders an undercover police officer.The death penalty has just been passed in New York and prosecutors must decide whether or not it is appropriate after an unlikely suspect murders an undercover police officer.
Photos
- Sarah Tabor
- (as Angelica Torn)
Storyline
Did you know
- GoofsThe date of the sentencing hearing is February 11. The date the sentence is handed down is February 17. However, everyone from Jack, Claire, the defense, and even the jury forewoman is wearing the exact same clothes, right down to the jewelry, from six days previously. It's clear both scenes were shot the same day, then just had different dates added in. In addition, it states that February 17 is a Monday. That would make it President's Day, a Federal holiday, and court would not be in session.
- Quotes
Claire Kincaid: They strap you down. They stick a needle in your arm and run poison through your veins. It's barbaric.
Jack McCoy: I wouldn't weep for Paul Sandig.
Claire Kincaid: Revenge is sweet, huh?
Jack McCoy: Yes, it is. It's a natural human instinct and there's no need to apologize for it.
Claire Kincaid: No, except for the fact that it's illegal.
Jack McCoy: That's exactly my point. There is no private right of action under the criminal justice system and so the state has obligation to mete out fitting punishment.
Claire Kincaid: And that's why we have prisons. Because life without parole is fitting enough.
Jack McCoy: Let me ask you, Claire: Why do you suppose 38 states, and the federal government, and the military have all of a sudden adopted or readopted the death penalty?
Claire Kincaid: Like you said, people are sick of crime.
Jack McCoy: And the death penalty gives the feeling of control demanded by society. People are frustrated by the uncertainty of the system. They want to know for sure that Charles Manson won't ever be walking the streets again.
Claire Kincaid: You don't think there are less Draconian ways to gain the public's confidence?
Jack McCoy: No. I don't. And, believe me, if the state doesn't seek retribution then, the people will. There'll be more Ellie Nessler's walking into courtrooms with loaded pistols. You kill a cop; how long do you think it will be before the cops kill you? Legal execution is a means to prevent street justice.
- ConnectionsReferences First Blood (1982)
another feature of this particular episode is the highly realistic dialog on the politics of the death penalty in New York, with McCoy saying -- accurately -- in a show filmed in 1995 -- that Pataki rode the issue to Albany. Mario Cuomo lost to Pataki in 1994 because he consistently vetoed death penalty bills. Rarely do you hear such politically astute dialog on a TV show.
I also loved the scene in the "Magistrate's Club" (could be a stand-in for the University Club, Harvard Club, Yale Club etc.) where Adam Schiff seeks guidance from his friend, a judge, on what to do -- he has to make the call whether or not to seek the death penalty. Such conversations do happen.
and as a lawyer myself I always appreciate the scenes of lawyers working late at their desks, eating take out Chinese (although unlike McCoy I don't sip scotch at my desk).
and even the appellate court argument over "substantive due process" was well done for an hour-long show -- and I say this as someone who's briefed that issue (albeit not in a death penalty case).
One of the great Law & Orders.
- shorel-102-606449
- Sep 9, 2014