Law & Order Special Victims Unit s16e12 Episode Script
Padre Sandunguero
In the criminal justice system, sexually based offenses are considered especially heinous.
In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the special victims unit.
These are their stories.
Hey.
Can I help you? Yeah.
Where's Nicky? - Who? - Nicky Amaro.
I'm his sergeant.
And you are? You're the sergeant? I'm the father.
You're Nick's dad? Yeah, Nicolas.
How are you? My son never told me his boss was so Encantadora.
Okay.
Why don't you have a seat and I'll let him know that you're here.
Thank you.
Nick.
What's your name? Yeah.
She wanted it.
I'm sure she did.
First of all, she was hot.
Okay.
Okay, hot.
Got it.
Nick.
You got a minute? Some people roll them He unrolled them! Wait, wait, wait, how old was he? Five.
Hand to God.
I come home, he's cutting up my montecristos.
I said, "what are you doing?" He says, "smoking is very bad for you.
" Speak of the devil.
Nicky.
What are you doing here? Aw You see how he talks to his father? I just come by.
Just to say hello.
To talk.
Yeah? Well, I'm working.
Sergeant, would you mind if I took my son to lunch? It would mean a lot to me.
Uh, I don't know if now's the best time.
No.
I got it.
I can mop up with Fin.
You know, that's nice.
You got real friends here.
What do you say, big guy, huh? You still like Chinese? - I'll be 20 minutes.
- Okay.
You want to go? Let's go.
Good people, huh? Hey, you'd think after all these years on the job, you might have your own office by now, though.
I've barely seen you since I was 15.
You can't just show up Nicky, look.
I'm throwing a party and I need you to come.
I want you to come.
Please.
That's not happening.
It is happening.
It's a rehearsal dinner.
I'm getting married, Nick.
I'm in love.
How old is she? 25? Gabriella? Come on! She's 28.
Her whole family moved here from a little village down in the D.
R.
So why are you getting married here anyway? I don't know.
Kind of outgrown Miami, you know? What am I gonna do at my age? Die of an early bird special? Well, Gabriella's folks are here now, so Well, you're not moving back.
I might.
Ooh! You know, I've got a lead.
I've got to show you something.
Mixed martial arts gym.
Look at this.
- Beautiful, right? - Yeah, it's nice.
You should come by.
It feels good to hit something.
Do you hear yourself? Hey, Nicky, you know, whatever happened between me and your mom in your imagination, you know, it's over.
She's over it.
We're all over it.
Oh, you two are talking? Yeah, we talk.
We talk all the time.
We talk about you, we talk about your sister, we talk about everything.
She worries about you.
She knows how hard it's been on you.
When Maria walked out with your daughter like that.
Nick, I don't want you talking about me.
And I don't want you talking about Zara.
Okay.
Let's talk about your son.
All these years, you don't even know about him? It's a shame, Nicky.
It was nice seeing you, Nicolas.
Let's do this again in another 20 years.
Don't walk out on me, Nick.
Don't walk out on me.
How'd that go? So Nicolas Fiorello Amaro is getting married.
Again.
To a child bride, and he wants me to come.
Okay.
And? Well, since going would require pretending that he and I have a relationship I hear you.
Or that what happened in our home didn't actually happen Nick, you have every right to be upset He doesn't get to wipe the slate.
It's not about him.
This is about you holding on to your anger.
Okay? I've learned that in order to heal, we have to let go.
Oh, so, what, you've forgiven your father? Or William Lewis? Huh? Have you forgiven them? Wow.
Look, I'm sorry, I _ You're talking to him? You're really going to this charade? I promised your sister.
She just wants everyone to be happy.
No, she wants Nicolas to be happy.
Hey, how much money has she borrowed from him? Ah.
Sonya had it tough for a long time.
Things never came easily for her the way they did for you.
Yeah, well I worked hard for everything I got.
I didn't go out partying.
I didn't ring up credit card debt.
Just be nice.
She's your sister.
Wait, she's here? She flew in from L.
A.
? Daddy! Hey, Zara.
What are you doing here? Nobody told me.
It was supposed to be a surprise.
I had bonus Miles and convinced Maria it was such a special occasion.
Wow.
Look at you.
You never age.
You son a bitch.
Hey.
Daddy, I have a new dress for the wedding.
I'm a flower girl! Really? Wow.
Look, why don't you let abuelita help you put that dress on? I really want to see it.
Nicolas put you up to this? Oh, gosh, I figured you'd be upset, but I knew once we got here No, I already told him I'm not going.
And quilting mom into this I didn't! Either way, Zara's not going.
It was mom's idea.
You set me up.
See, if I tell that little girl she can't go, she'll be heartbroken.
If you're worried about her coming out tonight, then why don't you come? I got to go back to work.
All right? Just let me Spend a little bit of time with Zara.
It is good to see you.
But if you are going to take her to this party, do me a favor.
Just take it easy for once.
What is that supposed to mean? Get me one of those mojitos and I'll love you forever.
Hold that thought.
I'll be right back.
Look abuelita.
We're sitting together.
Oh! How did that happen? You don't believe she's marrying an old goat like me, right? After you fall out of the bed, I fall into the bed.
I'm the lucky one.
Hey! It's not some kind of a no-fly zone.
Tonight is for Gabriella! And you Let's live it up! Let's drink it up! Let's drink it up! Baila! Baila! Baila! Hey, when you're done racking up that ot, I'm going bowling at the piers.
Some friends from law school.
Law school? They're not lawyers yet.
Some of them are hot.
Well, they're not hot.
They're pretty.
Uh, rain check.
Suit yourself.
Take it easy.
Yes, Maria.
Zara's here.
Yeah, she's at the party with Sonya and my mother.
It's all fine.
Of course I'm glad to see her.
I just don't like being sandbagged.
This is my family, and I'm her father.
Wait, hold on, Maria.
Hey, Zara.
Daddy, come quick! They're fighting.
All right, just tell me what's going on.
Abuelita! Zara! Zara! - Daddy! - Zara.
Daddy, it was scary.
Are you okay? ¿Que pasó? One minute everyone was dancing.
Then all hell broke loose.
Hey, uh Excuse me.
This is my mother and daughter.
Can you get them out of here? Make sure they get home.
Okay.
Animal! Nicolas is a pig! I want to see Gabriella.
- Nick! - ¿Estás bien? Oh, God.
Thank God you're here.
But what the hell happened? Gabriella's over there.
I got to go find papi.
Excuse me, I'm Nick Amaro, Manhattan SVU.
The detectives are inside.
Who called SVU? No, I'm with the family.
Gabriella, I'm Nicolas' son, Nick.
We're gonna get you taken care of, all right? I'm dizzy.
Nicolas, he was so angry.
He said that I wasn't showing him respect, and then he hit me.
What? My father did this to you? Esperate.
¿Nicolas es tu papa? ¿Que pasó? I don't feel well.
Please just take me to a hospital.
Yes, ma'am.
Detective, please.
You believe this? After all I've done for him? Hey, amiga Mia, I don't want to see you - get in any trouble, all right? - Yep.
My son, Nick Very important New York detective.
Right, Nick? We got to take you in, sir.
You want to talk to him? No, no.
Do what you got to do.
- What are you doing? - We gotta take you in.
- Come on.
- I said what are you doing? Okay, you heard her outcry, so we need your statement.
Meet us at the hospital.
Yeah.
Yeah, okay.
Hey, Nick! Are you gonna tell them? You're my son! Just Just do what they say.
Take it easy.
Liv.
Hey, what are you doing here? I heard about the fight.
- Is Zara okay? - Yeah, she's fine.
Nicolas was arrested.
His fiancée has a head injury.
Sergeant Benson.
Thank you for coming.
Can we talk In private? Absolutely.
Look, I'll go call my mother, check on Zara.
Nick, it's probably best if you go home.
Go home.
What's going on? Okay, so this isn't on us, but the EMT at the scene, a real stickler, overheard the vic telling your detective that his father hit her.
Okay, nobody's looking for special favors here, believe me.
Just hear us out.
So, we do our interview, and the girl, who has a fractured skull, tells us a completely different story.
Changing stories, cover stories We all know what happens in DV cases.
The problem is the EMT thinks it happens after detective Amaro says something to her in Spanish.
He thinks Amaro told her to change her story? That's not possible.
When I was talking to the first detective, I was confused.
When you say first detective, you mean Nicolas' son, detective Amaro? Yes.
But I was wrong to say that it was Nicolas' fault.
It wasn't.
Mm-hmm.
So can you tell us how you got hurt? I was dancing with one of the guests I think his name was Javier And He got fresh.
I pushed him away and I went into the bathroom.
- Downstairs? - Sí.
Pero He followed me.
He pushed me into the corner and he touched my breast.
Okay.
And what happened then? Nicolas came down, he tried to pull Javier away, and that's when I hit my head against a wall.
By accident.
Did anyone hit you? No.
So your head just hit the wall? Yes.
Was anybody else there? No.
It was just the two of us.
I mean three.
You told detective Amaro that Nicolas was angry at you.
He was worried.
If he wouldn't have come down, I don't know what would have happened.
Gabriella, listen to me.
If you're afraid of Nicolas or afraid that his son is a cop, we can keep you safe.
Just let Nicolas go.
He didn't hurt me.
If my father did something, I don't want anyone here risking anything on his behalf.
Yeah, but now she's claiming some other guy sexually assaulted her? I don't know anything about that.
In the meantime, Nick, you're back at the desk.
Oh You two get me a timeline, witness statements, cell phone pics, any video footage from that party.
And this guy she's accusing? Javier Arenas.
Ah, look at this.
Up until a year ago, he was on the registry.
Statutory rape.
Start there.
_ Statutory rape? I was 19, she was 16.
Her father was a cop.
Took me ten years to clear my name.
And one night to mess it up.
Gabriella Nuñez claims you assaulted her.
Come on.
We did some dirty dancing.
I had my hands on her, but she was backing up that bus on me pretty good first.
That's it? I whispered to her that I could do things without needing a blue pill.
She caught Nicolas looking at her.
She freaked out, took off.
Downstairs, where you followed her.
No.
I'm a lover, not a fighter.
I stayed on the dance floor ask anyone.
- And Nicolas' daughter - Sonya? Yeah, whatever.
I danced with her next.
She didn't just back up the bus.
She parked it.
Better yet, ask Gabriella's father, Luis.
He saw the whole thing.
Spartacus is the only one who keeps me calm now.
After what happened to Gabriella Mr.
Nuñez, did you actually see what happened to your daughter? No, but I know that it was Nicolas Amaro that hit her.
Piece of garbage.
But if you didn't see it, how do you know it was him? She was dancing, having fun.
And then he stares at her.
So she stops dancing, goes down, and he followed her.
See anybody else go downstairs? Just him.
A few minutes later, he comes up, grabs some ice from a water glass, and rubs it on his knuckles, and I run downstairs, and I see my daughter all bloody.
That's when you went after Nicolas? I want him in jail.
Even if I have to go too.
_ Detective Amaro.
If I am talking to you, it must be time to pay my water bill.
What are we up to? Three, four investigations a year, huh? I did not pressure the victim.
Well, the EMT claims you ided yourself to the victim as both NYPD and her fiancée's son, and you spoke to her in Spanish.
I told her everything was okay and asked if I could help.
And just like that, she decided it wasn't your father who hit her? I did not tell her to back off that story.
Not in Spanish, not in English.
I believe you.
Just do us all a favor, will you? Steer clear.
It can't look like a cop is pulling strings to protect family.
Well, like Ms.
Nuñez told your sergeant, and everyone else, this fellow, Javier, was harassing her.
I heard her scream, I went downstairs, I pulled him off her.
And that is what she said.
Problem is, we can't find one witness - that saw Javier go downstairs.
- Yeah.
The only person anyone saw go after Gabriella was you.
Drunk people in a dark, chaotic room What do they know? We also have a witness that saw your client come upstairs and put ice on his knuckles.
Yeah, I hit a wall defending my fiancée.
I mean, he had it coming to him.
Well, according to Javier, who He didn't have a mark on him Gabriella was twerking, you got jealous, you beat her.
All due respect, no witnesses, she's not pressing charges We're done.
Domestic violence is a must-arrest.
Yeah, but it's not a must-charge.
Domestic violence? This is an accident that happened the night before our wedding.
Come on.
I'd never hit a woman.
You know, Cubans come to this country, and within one generation, we're doctors, lawyers, CEOs of major corporations, but the only headline you ever read in the paper is "crazy Cubans in wedding brawl.
" - I hate this.
- Look, none of us want to be here, but this guy is guilty.
You seem awfully sure.
Is there anything else I need to know? Yeah.
There is.
_ Assault charges, huh? And $100,000 bail.
You better get me out of here, kid.
No, I'm not bailing you out.
You're that behind on your alimony, huh? What you need to do is take a plea right? Don't put everybody through a trial.
- All right? - What are you talking about? I'm not gonna plead guilty to something I didn't do.
Come on.
Stop.
You hit her.
- What are you - We both know it.
Gabriella told me herself.
She's mixed up.
She's mixed up? Hey, you talk to 50 people at a party, you're gonna get 50 different answers.
Right.
You know, I thought I could talk some sense into you.
You walking out on me? Well, you're the expert on walking out.
I didn't use a belt enough with you.
Come here! You want to walk out? - Yeah.
- Go ahead, walk out! I brought you into this world, kid.
You don't walk out on me.
I'm your father.
Yeah.
You don't dare walk out on me.
Where are you going? You want to know why you hate me? 'Cause I'm your flesh and blood, Nicky.
Yeah.
You're no different than me.
In fact, you're Nicky Amaro, Jr.
You hear me? Junior! Sergeant, we gotta stop meeting like this.
Amaro has no interest in protecting his father.
He is not trying to fix this.
All right, so much for the small talk.
But since you're asking, I would hate to be him right now.
He either testifies against his father, which is barbaric, or he looks like he's conspiring to cover up a crime.
Almost feel sorry for him.
Wow.
Getting soft in your old age.
Maybe.
So you gonna just stand here talking about Amaro or can I buy you a drink? How's the wine here? I think you should try the Bourbon.
You want me to testify? But last I heard, you wanted me to stay away.
I did, pero, tu padre, who's even more stubborn than you are, wouldn't take a plea.
He says his honor's too important.
Well, that's not my problem.
Well, look, there were and I wasn't one of them.
And none of them saw the fight.
You're the one who Gabriella made her outcry to, Nick.
You're also the only one who can testify that it was part of a pattern.
You told him about that? Those were private conversations.
It was pertinent, Nick.
I had to inform.
Inform is right.
Are you enjoying this? Huh? No.
But if your fathers sees your name on a list, maybe he'll plea it out.
And what if he doesn't? I mean, how do explain that to the rest of my family? Aunt Sonya says you want grandpa in jail.
Mi amo, go play on your iPad.
I don't want to play on my iPad.
- I want to talk.
- Zara.
Okay, okay.
Don't yell.
Please tell me it's not true.
I can't talk about this.
You know, you could be called too.
I hope I am.
I'm still in his corner.
He wouldn't hurt Gabriella.
Are you serious? We all know what happened.
She must have done something.
So it was her fault? She deserved it just like you did? Your father's not who he was.
All right.
You want to help him? Tell Nicolas to plead guilty.
He'll get the community service and anger management.
Lot of good that's done you.
- Sonya.
- Mom! Don't let him do this.
He will destroy the family.
Hey, it's too late.
Hey, papi already did that.
Talk fast, Mr.
D'Angelo.
We're five minutes from opening statements.
Well, I can't talk as fast as you, Mr.
Barba, but here goes.
In the interest of sparing his family any more embarrassment, my client is willing to plea to a crime that he did not commit.
You know my office can't accept a plea without a genuine admission of guilt.
Well, you have no cooperating complainant.
You have no eyewitnesses.
I say we drop this down to a disorderly conduct, be done with it.
Dis-con? He cracked her skull.
Hey, I was defending my fiancée.
Please.
You think some jury's gonna believe that? Well, I'll tell you what.
My daughter will testify.
So will my fiancée.
Am I making this up hmm? No one saw this.
Are you counting on my son? 'Cause there's something you should know.
He's never had the nerve to go up against his father.
All right? He still doesn't.
Assault three.
Nicolas, you're looking at serious time here.
Please, for the sake of your family.
I don't take crumbs.
Especially from this This gentleman who wears suspenders.
_ Mr.
Arenas, you were initially questioned by those SVU detectives as a suspect in this case.
Is that correct? They said Gabriella had accused me of assaulting her.
- Why would she say that? - Objection.
Calls for speculation, your honor.
Agreed.
Mr.
Barba, you're off to a flying stop.
You were dancing with Ms.
Nuñez at the party? We were enjoying ourselves.
Till Nicolas started staring at us.
Giving me the malocchio.
The evil eye.
Then what happened? Nicolas went after Gabriella down the stairs.
Did you follow them? I may have been tempting fate by dancing with her, but even I know you don't get between a man and his woman.
When was the next time that you saw either Ms.
Nuñez or Mr.
Amaro? Nicolas came upstairs a few minutes later.
Put ice on his hand.
Did you see Ms.
Nuñez? Later, when her mother was helping her up the stairs.
She was out of it.
By then, the fight had broken out.
Gabriella's father, Luis, was protect his daughter.
Objection.
Speculation again.
Agreed.
Jury will disregard.
Nothing further.
Mr.
Arenas, uh You said you did not go down the stairs, so you have absolutely no idea what transpired? I know she got hurt down there.
She? You mean Gabriella Nuñez? The woman who accused you of hurting her? She blamed me 'cause she's afraid of Nicolas.
Speculation again, your honor.
I mean, this is a really bad habit.
I will ask the witness to testify to what he knows and what he saw.
Good idea.
Now, prior to this party, had you ever met Ms.
Nuñez or Mr.
Amaro? No.
A friend brought me.
So you don't know anything about the couple, you didn't see what happened between them, and she's accused you of assaulting her.
Yeah, but I told you, I didn't do Thank you.
No further questions.
How was Mr.
Amaro treating your daughter on the night in question? He was yelling at her for the way that she was dancing.
She tried to walk away, and I saw him follow her downstairs.
He came back up a couple minutes later And he grabbed some ice and he put it on his knuckles.
- Where was your daughter? - On the floor downstairs.
He'd hit her on the night before her wedding.
Objection.
It's a speculation party, your honor.
Mr.
Barba, rephrase.
When you found your daughter on the floor, bloodied with a head injury, did you see anyone else downstairs? No.
And did you see anyone else come up the stairs other than Mr.
Amaro? No.
Just Nicolas.
Only him.
Thank you.
Nothing further.
You never liked Nicolas Amaro, did you? A man his age marrying a girl my daughter's age? That's not right.
It's fair to say that you didn't want the wedding and you would do anything you could to derail it? Anything in my power.
How about lying on the witness stand? - Objection.
- Withdrawn.
Thank you.
I'm done.
Mr.
Barba, your next witness.
Your honor, it's late in the day.
If the defense has no objection, can we reconvene tomorrow? Let Mr.
Barba take all the time he needs.
We're ready when he is.
_ - Make it a double.
- Tough day? It's a he-said, she-won't-say.
No one else saw what happened, and the jury senses all my witnesses have a grudge against your father.
Thank you.
Do they see why? I doubt it.
He's sitting at the table, smiling at the judge, flirting with the stenographer, egging his attorney on.
He's got the whole room on his side.
Ahh, it's the story of my life.
He beat my mother, and she'd testify for him if he asked.
I'm gonna see if they'll take a plea for harassment.
What, a misdemeanor? He fractured her skull.
You and I know that.
But even if you testify, he could still walk.
But What are you telling me? You don't have to do this.
I should never have asked you to testify in open court against your father.
- Are you playing me now? - No.
I know what it's like to have to face down your old man.
Mine's dead 15 years, and my hand still curls into a fist whenever I think of him.
So, what He just gets to walk away again? It's your family, your call.
Okay, Nick, so just tell the facts.
Don't say more than you have to.
Don't burn the house down.
Yeah, Barba said the same thing.
That's a beautiful color on you.
Will you stop it? There he goes.
Saint Nick.
Could you imagine if he was just a fun cop? Don't touch her.
Could you tell him what going up against his father publicly is gonna do to his family? - Is this worth it? - Excuse us.
- Let's go.
- Nick.
You know, you could just tell the truth.
End this right now.
Okay.
You do what you do, I'll do what I do.
Okay, papi.
You're always right.
Yeah.
Took you 40 years to learn that? Not everyone throws me under the bus.
_ My eight-year-old daughter called me from the party, said there was a fight going on and she was scared.
What did you find at the scene? Mayhem.
Guests were bloody, under arrest.
My father's fiancée was being treated by EMTs for a head injury.
And when you approached her? She made a spontaneous outcry that Nicolas had lost his temper and hit her.
Did you believe Ms.
Nuñez's statement? Yes, I did.
Can you tell us why? - Well, because - Your honor, may I approach? I know this is an outcry witness, but I believe Mr.
Barba is about to try and delve into family history.
History of a pattern that is relevant to this case.
We've been over this.
I'm sorry, Mr.
D'Angelo, but he is right, and I'll have to allow.
But up to a point.
Detective Amaro Why did you find her credible? Because I recognized what set him off.
Whenever he was jealous or felt like he'd been disrespected, that's when he would beat my mother.
And me.
And I still I still have nightmares where he uses that same language.
Thank you.
Nothing further.
Detective Amaro, I imagine this is difficult for you, testifying against your own father.
Yes, it is.
Now, you two haven't spoken much over the past 20 years, have you? We've seen each other a few times.
You know, at events, graduations, funerals, you know.
That's all? So your relationship isn't exactly close.
Hmm.
Would you say there's tension? Yes.
And with good reason.
Probably many.
But isn't it true that your father came to you in the spirit of reconciliation and invited you to his wedding? Spirit You know, he wanted to create the illusion that we have a relationship.
you refused? yes.
Because you're still angry with him? Yes, but that's not why Detective, would you say that you have your own issues with anger? I'd say everyone has a temper, counselor.
Yes, but we haven't all beaten up a civilian - Objection.
- In plain view of a yard full of schoolchildren, have we? Objection.
Prejudicial.
Sustained.
Jury will disregard.
Detective, is it fair to say that you have anger at your father that may prejudice you against him? Look, I know what I heard Gabriella say.
Even though she immediately denied it? Is it possible that you heard what you wanted to hear? - No.
- That you're using this case - against your father? - No, I'm not.
You think I want to be here? I don't want to be here.
I but he hit her.
He smashed her head against the wall.
Oh.
So you saw it? - You were there? - No.
I wasn't there.
But I know what happened.
- Do you? - Yes.
Maybe this is just another nightmare from your childhood.
Objection.
Withdrawn.
Nothing further.
Mommy says aunt Sonya's really mad at you.
And grandma, too.
Well, sometimes, you have to do things that are right but still make people mad.
Okay, daddy.
Don't look sad.
I made this today.
Do you want me to make you one? Yeah.
Yeah, I'd like that.
You better go do your homework, okay? I love you, Zara.
I love you too, daddy.
_ Were you upset with her? I wasn't upset.
Not with Gabriella, no.
I was upset with this lowlife, you know? Kept putting his hands all over her, okay? And did you confront him? Yes.
He followed her down to the bathroom.
He started groping her, you know? I mean everywhere.
Gabriella got between us, but, you know, she hit her head against the side of the wall.
So you did not hit her? No, as God is my witness.
Come on.
I'm supposed to marry her the next day.
But that's okay.
We're good.
Gonna be married soon enough.
And we heard from Mr.
Nuñez, the father of the bride, testify that he saw you come upstairs rubbing ice on your knuckles.
Why was that? It's true.
I was defending my fiancée.
That's his daughter.
Of course Luis saw me, but, you know, Luis has this idea about me.
I don't know.
He's never liked me to begin with.
I don't know why.
And is your fiancée in the courtroom today? Yeah.
She's right here.
Looking so beautiful.
I'm blessed.
She refused to testify for this D.
A.
, you know.
- Your honor.
- Move it along, Mr.
D'Angelo.
And we heard your son testify about your past violence.
- Is there any basis? - No.
But that's painful between us, because Nicky's He's never forgiven me for leaving his mother.
And I live in hope Hope one day we'll make peace with that.
Thank you.
Nothing further.
Okay.
Señor Amaro, it is your testimony that you were not jealous when your fiancée was dancing with Mr.
Arenas? I didn't like it.
You claimed to be defending her from this man.
Why? Why would that be necessary if he never even went downstairs? You know how quickly this occurred, sir? We've heard six witness testify to the fact, so maybe it didn't happen as quickly as you thought.
You suffered an injured hand, but Mr.
Arenas had absolutely no marks on him of any kind.
Well, he's a coward.
He ducked.
- He ducked? - He ducked.
He ducked, so your fiancée incurred a bruised face, a fractured skull.
- You said it yourself, sir.
- What? I was defending my fiancée.
Your own son testified to Ms.
Nuñez's initial outcry that you, in fact, had hit her.
Are you calling him a liar? No.
I'm not gonna call him a liar.
He's my son.
He has his issues.
I'm sure that he appreciates your concern.
But is he telling the truth? Is he telling the truth about what Ms.
Nuñez said that night, is he telling the truth about what happened in your own home What do you know about my home? I wasn't there.
You're not answering the question.
- I should have been.
- Your honor.
I could have shown him how to conduct himself.
You know? Maybe as a man.
I'm gonna ask you again.
Mr.
Amaro, did you hit Gabriella Nuñez that night? No, I did not.
So even though absolutely nobody nobody Saw Mr.
Arenas go downstairs or come back up, you're still denying that you alone hurt Ms.
Nuñez? I would never hurt her.
Nothing further.
Mr.
Amaro, you may step down.
The defense rests, your honor.
We will proceed with summations.
You okay? I shouldn't have come.
He used me to play the jury.
You and me both.
He flat-out lied on the stand.
I knew he would.
I've known guys like this my whole life.
I went straight at him, he slipped every punch.
I don't know what happened up there.
Oh, I do.
What's up? Jury's back.
In 20 minutes? On the charge of assault in the second degree, we find the defendant not guilty.
On the charge of reckless endangerment in the second degree, we find the defendant not guilty.
Members of the jury, the state of New York thanks you for your service.
You are dismissed.
Mr.
Amaro, if there are no holds, you're free to go.
Thank you.
That was a lousy case.
Justice was swift and wrong.
It's over.
Good night, Nick.
Night.
You want a few days off? Nah.
Mr.
Amaro.
Let me have a word with my son.
I don't think that's a great idea.
No, Liv, it's okay.
Nick.
It's fine.
May I sit? You here to gloat? No.
I meant what I said on that stand.
You were just trying to get off.
Well, I'm free now.
And I'm here.
That was something.
Finally You stood up to your old man.
And you protected Gabriella, your mother, and your sister, all in one shot, too.
That was good.
Yeah, and they hate me for it.
Ah, they'll get over it.
You know? Hell, I'm the big, bad wolf, right? I had to say what I said on that stand, Nicky, 'cause I don't know.
I'm too old Too old for jail.
I put you in a horrible position.
Can we start fresh? I mean, even Gabriella, God bless her, I mean, she's forgiven me.
I mean, that's not gonna happen again.
You're still lying.
I mean, to me, to yourself.
Nicky, I get it.
I get it.
Come on.
You're angry.
You stay angry.
As long as you want.
Nicky, I'm just I'm here 'cause I'm your father, all right? You want to yell, just don't take it out on Maria or Sonya, or, God forbid, little Zara.
I would never.
I would never lay a hand on her.
I am not you.
Can we stop? Can we stop? - Stop.
- Can we talk? Just talk.
Just talk to me.
You know? Just call me at tell me I ruined your life.
Say whatever you got to say, Nicky.
'Cause this hatred that you have for me, Nicky Come on, it sits in your chest, it's in your gut It's not going away, you know? I lived this.
I lived it! Do you get it? I'm not the one to fix it.
You got to fix it.
I can't change the past.
If you want to talk, I want to listen.
When you're ready.
In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the special victims unit.
These are their stories.
Hey.
Can I help you? Yeah.
Where's Nicky? - Who? - Nicky Amaro.
I'm his sergeant.
And you are? You're the sergeant? I'm the father.
You're Nick's dad? Yeah, Nicolas.
How are you? My son never told me his boss was so Encantadora.
Okay.
Why don't you have a seat and I'll let him know that you're here.
Thank you.
Nick.
What's your name? Yeah.
She wanted it.
I'm sure she did.
First of all, she was hot.
Okay.
Okay, hot.
Got it.
Nick.
You got a minute? Some people roll them He unrolled them! Wait, wait, wait, how old was he? Five.
Hand to God.
I come home, he's cutting up my montecristos.
I said, "what are you doing?" He says, "smoking is very bad for you.
" Speak of the devil.
Nicky.
What are you doing here? Aw You see how he talks to his father? I just come by.
Just to say hello.
To talk.
Yeah? Well, I'm working.
Sergeant, would you mind if I took my son to lunch? It would mean a lot to me.
Uh, I don't know if now's the best time.
No.
I got it.
I can mop up with Fin.
You know, that's nice.
You got real friends here.
What do you say, big guy, huh? You still like Chinese? - I'll be 20 minutes.
- Okay.
You want to go? Let's go.
Good people, huh? Hey, you'd think after all these years on the job, you might have your own office by now, though.
I've barely seen you since I was 15.
You can't just show up Nicky, look.
I'm throwing a party and I need you to come.
I want you to come.
Please.
That's not happening.
It is happening.
It's a rehearsal dinner.
I'm getting married, Nick.
I'm in love.
How old is she? 25? Gabriella? Come on! She's 28.
Her whole family moved here from a little village down in the D.
R.
So why are you getting married here anyway? I don't know.
Kind of outgrown Miami, you know? What am I gonna do at my age? Die of an early bird special? Well, Gabriella's folks are here now, so Well, you're not moving back.
I might.
Ooh! You know, I've got a lead.
I've got to show you something.
Mixed martial arts gym.
Look at this.
- Beautiful, right? - Yeah, it's nice.
You should come by.
It feels good to hit something.
Do you hear yourself? Hey, Nicky, you know, whatever happened between me and your mom in your imagination, you know, it's over.
She's over it.
We're all over it.
Oh, you two are talking? Yeah, we talk.
We talk all the time.
We talk about you, we talk about your sister, we talk about everything.
She worries about you.
She knows how hard it's been on you.
When Maria walked out with your daughter like that.
Nick, I don't want you talking about me.
And I don't want you talking about Zara.
Okay.
Let's talk about your son.
All these years, you don't even know about him? It's a shame, Nicky.
It was nice seeing you, Nicolas.
Let's do this again in another 20 years.
Don't walk out on me, Nick.
Don't walk out on me.
How'd that go? So Nicolas Fiorello Amaro is getting married.
Again.
To a child bride, and he wants me to come.
Okay.
And? Well, since going would require pretending that he and I have a relationship I hear you.
Or that what happened in our home didn't actually happen Nick, you have every right to be upset He doesn't get to wipe the slate.
It's not about him.
This is about you holding on to your anger.
Okay? I've learned that in order to heal, we have to let go.
Oh, so, what, you've forgiven your father? Or William Lewis? Huh? Have you forgiven them? Wow.
Look, I'm sorry, I _ You're talking to him? You're really going to this charade? I promised your sister.
She just wants everyone to be happy.
No, she wants Nicolas to be happy.
Hey, how much money has she borrowed from him? Ah.
Sonya had it tough for a long time.
Things never came easily for her the way they did for you.
Yeah, well I worked hard for everything I got.
I didn't go out partying.
I didn't ring up credit card debt.
Just be nice.
She's your sister.
Wait, she's here? She flew in from L.
A.
? Daddy! Hey, Zara.
What are you doing here? Nobody told me.
It was supposed to be a surprise.
I had bonus Miles and convinced Maria it was such a special occasion.
Wow.
Look at you.
You never age.
You son a bitch.
Hey.
Daddy, I have a new dress for the wedding.
I'm a flower girl! Really? Wow.
Look, why don't you let abuelita help you put that dress on? I really want to see it.
Nicolas put you up to this? Oh, gosh, I figured you'd be upset, but I knew once we got here No, I already told him I'm not going.
And quilting mom into this I didn't! Either way, Zara's not going.
It was mom's idea.
You set me up.
See, if I tell that little girl she can't go, she'll be heartbroken.
If you're worried about her coming out tonight, then why don't you come? I got to go back to work.
All right? Just let me Spend a little bit of time with Zara.
It is good to see you.
But if you are going to take her to this party, do me a favor.
Just take it easy for once.
What is that supposed to mean? Get me one of those mojitos and I'll love you forever.
Hold that thought.
I'll be right back.
Look abuelita.
We're sitting together.
Oh! How did that happen? You don't believe she's marrying an old goat like me, right? After you fall out of the bed, I fall into the bed.
I'm the lucky one.
Hey! It's not some kind of a no-fly zone.
Tonight is for Gabriella! And you Let's live it up! Let's drink it up! Let's drink it up! Baila! Baila! Baila! Hey, when you're done racking up that ot, I'm going bowling at the piers.
Some friends from law school.
Law school? They're not lawyers yet.
Some of them are hot.
Well, they're not hot.
They're pretty.
Uh, rain check.
Suit yourself.
Take it easy.
Yes, Maria.
Zara's here.
Yeah, she's at the party with Sonya and my mother.
It's all fine.
Of course I'm glad to see her.
I just don't like being sandbagged.
This is my family, and I'm her father.
Wait, hold on, Maria.
Hey, Zara.
Daddy, come quick! They're fighting.
All right, just tell me what's going on.
Abuelita! Zara! Zara! - Daddy! - Zara.
Daddy, it was scary.
Are you okay? ¿Que pasó? One minute everyone was dancing.
Then all hell broke loose.
Hey, uh Excuse me.
This is my mother and daughter.
Can you get them out of here? Make sure they get home.
Okay.
Animal! Nicolas is a pig! I want to see Gabriella.
- Nick! - ¿Estás bien? Oh, God.
Thank God you're here.
But what the hell happened? Gabriella's over there.
I got to go find papi.
Excuse me, I'm Nick Amaro, Manhattan SVU.
The detectives are inside.
Who called SVU? No, I'm with the family.
Gabriella, I'm Nicolas' son, Nick.
We're gonna get you taken care of, all right? I'm dizzy.
Nicolas, he was so angry.
He said that I wasn't showing him respect, and then he hit me.
What? My father did this to you? Esperate.
¿Nicolas es tu papa? ¿Que pasó? I don't feel well.
Please just take me to a hospital.
Yes, ma'am.
Detective, please.
You believe this? After all I've done for him? Hey, amiga Mia, I don't want to see you - get in any trouble, all right? - Yep.
My son, Nick Very important New York detective.
Right, Nick? We got to take you in, sir.
You want to talk to him? No, no.
Do what you got to do.
- What are you doing? - We gotta take you in.
- Come on.
- I said what are you doing? Okay, you heard her outcry, so we need your statement.
Meet us at the hospital.
Yeah.
Yeah, okay.
Hey, Nick! Are you gonna tell them? You're my son! Just Just do what they say.
Take it easy.
Liv.
Hey, what are you doing here? I heard about the fight.
- Is Zara okay? - Yeah, she's fine.
Nicolas was arrested.
His fiancée has a head injury.
Sergeant Benson.
Thank you for coming.
Can we talk In private? Absolutely.
Look, I'll go call my mother, check on Zara.
Nick, it's probably best if you go home.
Go home.
What's going on? Okay, so this isn't on us, but the EMT at the scene, a real stickler, overheard the vic telling your detective that his father hit her.
Okay, nobody's looking for special favors here, believe me.
Just hear us out.
So, we do our interview, and the girl, who has a fractured skull, tells us a completely different story.
Changing stories, cover stories We all know what happens in DV cases.
The problem is the EMT thinks it happens after detective Amaro says something to her in Spanish.
He thinks Amaro told her to change her story? That's not possible.
When I was talking to the first detective, I was confused.
When you say first detective, you mean Nicolas' son, detective Amaro? Yes.
But I was wrong to say that it was Nicolas' fault.
It wasn't.
Mm-hmm.
So can you tell us how you got hurt? I was dancing with one of the guests I think his name was Javier And He got fresh.
I pushed him away and I went into the bathroom.
- Downstairs? - Sí.
Pero He followed me.
He pushed me into the corner and he touched my breast.
Okay.
And what happened then? Nicolas came down, he tried to pull Javier away, and that's when I hit my head against a wall.
By accident.
Did anyone hit you? No.
So your head just hit the wall? Yes.
Was anybody else there? No.
It was just the two of us.
I mean three.
You told detective Amaro that Nicolas was angry at you.
He was worried.
If he wouldn't have come down, I don't know what would have happened.
Gabriella, listen to me.
If you're afraid of Nicolas or afraid that his son is a cop, we can keep you safe.
Just let Nicolas go.
He didn't hurt me.
If my father did something, I don't want anyone here risking anything on his behalf.
Yeah, but now she's claiming some other guy sexually assaulted her? I don't know anything about that.
In the meantime, Nick, you're back at the desk.
Oh You two get me a timeline, witness statements, cell phone pics, any video footage from that party.
And this guy she's accusing? Javier Arenas.
Ah, look at this.
Up until a year ago, he was on the registry.
Statutory rape.
Start there.
_ Statutory rape? I was 19, she was 16.
Her father was a cop.
Took me ten years to clear my name.
And one night to mess it up.
Gabriella Nuñez claims you assaulted her.
Come on.
We did some dirty dancing.
I had my hands on her, but she was backing up that bus on me pretty good first.
That's it? I whispered to her that I could do things without needing a blue pill.
She caught Nicolas looking at her.
She freaked out, took off.
Downstairs, where you followed her.
No.
I'm a lover, not a fighter.
I stayed on the dance floor ask anyone.
- And Nicolas' daughter - Sonya? Yeah, whatever.
I danced with her next.
She didn't just back up the bus.
She parked it.
Better yet, ask Gabriella's father, Luis.
He saw the whole thing.
Spartacus is the only one who keeps me calm now.
After what happened to Gabriella Mr.
Nuñez, did you actually see what happened to your daughter? No, but I know that it was Nicolas Amaro that hit her.
Piece of garbage.
But if you didn't see it, how do you know it was him? She was dancing, having fun.
And then he stares at her.
So she stops dancing, goes down, and he followed her.
See anybody else go downstairs? Just him.
A few minutes later, he comes up, grabs some ice from a water glass, and rubs it on his knuckles, and I run downstairs, and I see my daughter all bloody.
That's when you went after Nicolas? I want him in jail.
Even if I have to go too.
_ Detective Amaro.
If I am talking to you, it must be time to pay my water bill.
What are we up to? Three, four investigations a year, huh? I did not pressure the victim.
Well, the EMT claims you ided yourself to the victim as both NYPD and her fiancée's son, and you spoke to her in Spanish.
I told her everything was okay and asked if I could help.
And just like that, she decided it wasn't your father who hit her? I did not tell her to back off that story.
Not in Spanish, not in English.
I believe you.
Just do us all a favor, will you? Steer clear.
It can't look like a cop is pulling strings to protect family.
Well, like Ms.
Nuñez told your sergeant, and everyone else, this fellow, Javier, was harassing her.
I heard her scream, I went downstairs, I pulled him off her.
And that is what she said.
Problem is, we can't find one witness - that saw Javier go downstairs.
- Yeah.
The only person anyone saw go after Gabriella was you.
Drunk people in a dark, chaotic room What do they know? We also have a witness that saw your client come upstairs and put ice on his knuckles.
Yeah, I hit a wall defending my fiancée.
I mean, he had it coming to him.
Well, according to Javier, who He didn't have a mark on him Gabriella was twerking, you got jealous, you beat her.
All due respect, no witnesses, she's not pressing charges We're done.
Domestic violence is a must-arrest.
Yeah, but it's not a must-charge.
Domestic violence? This is an accident that happened the night before our wedding.
Come on.
I'd never hit a woman.
You know, Cubans come to this country, and within one generation, we're doctors, lawyers, CEOs of major corporations, but the only headline you ever read in the paper is "crazy Cubans in wedding brawl.
" - I hate this.
- Look, none of us want to be here, but this guy is guilty.
You seem awfully sure.
Is there anything else I need to know? Yeah.
There is.
_ Assault charges, huh? And $100,000 bail.
You better get me out of here, kid.
No, I'm not bailing you out.
You're that behind on your alimony, huh? What you need to do is take a plea right? Don't put everybody through a trial.
- All right? - What are you talking about? I'm not gonna plead guilty to something I didn't do.
Come on.
Stop.
You hit her.
- What are you - We both know it.
Gabriella told me herself.
She's mixed up.
She's mixed up? Hey, you talk to 50 people at a party, you're gonna get 50 different answers.
Right.
You know, I thought I could talk some sense into you.
You walking out on me? Well, you're the expert on walking out.
I didn't use a belt enough with you.
Come here! You want to walk out? - Yeah.
- Go ahead, walk out! I brought you into this world, kid.
You don't walk out on me.
I'm your father.
Yeah.
You don't dare walk out on me.
Where are you going? You want to know why you hate me? 'Cause I'm your flesh and blood, Nicky.
Yeah.
You're no different than me.
In fact, you're Nicky Amaro, Jr.
You hear me? Junior! Sergeant, we gotta stop meeting like this.
Amaro has no interest in protecting his father.
He is not trying to fix this.
All right, so much for the small talk.
But since you're asking, I would hate to be him right now.
He either testifies against his father, which is barbaric, or he looks like he's conspiring to cover up a crime.
Almost feel sorry for him.
Wow.
Getting soft in your old age.
Maybe.
So you gonna just stand here talking about Amaro or can I buy you a drink? How's the wine here? I think you should try the Bourbon.
You want me to testify? But last I heard, you wanted me to stay away.
I did, pero, tu padre, who's even more stubborn than you are, wouldn't take a plea.
He says his honor's too important.
Well, that's not my problem.
Well, look, there were and I wasn't one of them.
And none of them saw the fight.
You're the one who Gabriella made her outcry to, Nick.
You're also the only one who can testify that it was part of a pattern.
You told him about that? Those were private conversations.
It was pertinent, Nick.
I had to inform.
Inform is right.
Are you enjoying this? Huh? No.
But if your fathers sees your name on a list, maybe he'll plea it out.
And what if he doesn't? I mean, how do explain that to the rest of my family? Aunt Sonya says you want grandpa in jail.
Mi amo, go play on your iPad.
I don't want to play on my iPad.
- I want to talk.
- Zara.
Okay, okay.
Don't yell.
Please tell me it's not true.
I can't talk about this.
You know, you could be called too.
I hope I am.
I'm still in his corner.
He wouldn't hurt Gabriella.
Are you serious? We all know what happened.
She must have done something.
So it was her fault? She deserved it just like you did? Your father's not who he was.
All right.
You want to help him? Tell Nicolas to plead guilty.
He'll get the community service and anger management.
Lot of good that's done you.
- Sonya.
- Mom! Don't let him do this.
He will destroy the family.
Hey, it's too late.
Hey, papi already did that.
Talk fast, Mr.
D'Angelo.
We're five minutes from opening statements.
Well, I can't talk as fast as you, Mr.
Barba, but here goes.
In the interest of sparing his family any more embarrassment, my client is willing to plea to a crime that he did not commit.
You know my office can't accept a plea without a genuine admission of guilt.
Well, you have no cooperating complainant.
You have no eyewitnesses.
I say we drop this down to a disorderly conduct, be done with it.
Dis-con? He cracked her skull.
Hey, I was defending my fiancée.
Please.
You think some jury's gonna believe that? Well, I'll tell you what.
My daughter will testify.
So will my fiancée.
Am I making this up hmm? No one saw this.
Are you counting on my son? 'Cause there's something you should know.
He's never had the nerve to go up against his father.
All right? He still doesn't.
Assault three.
Nicolas, you're looking at serious time here.
Please, for the sake of your family.
I don't take crumbs.
Especially from this This gentleman who wears suspenders.
_ Mr.
Arenas, you were initially questioned by those SVU detectives as a suspect in this case.
Is that correct? They said Gabriella had accused me of assaulting her.
- Why would she say that? - Objection.
Calls for speculation, your honor.
Agreed.
Mr.
Barba, you're off to a flying stop.
You were dancing with Ms.
Nuñez at the party? We were enjoying ourselves.
Till Nicolas started staring at us.
Giving me the malocchio.
The evil eye.
Then what happened? Nicolas went after Gabriella down the stairs.
Did you follow them? I may have been tempting fate by dancing with her, but even I know you don't get between a man and his woman.
When was the next time that you saw either Ms.
Nuñez or Mr.
Amaro? Nicolas came upstairs a few minutes later.
Put ice on his hand.
Did you see Ms.
Nuñez? Later, when her mother was helping her up the stairs.
She was out of it.
By then, the fight had broken out.
Gabriella's father, Luis, was protect his daughter.
Objection.
Speculation again.
Agreed.
Jury will disregard.
Nothing further.
Mr.
Arenas, uh You said you did not go down the stairs, so you have absolutely no idea what transpired? I know she got hurt down there.
She? You mean Gabriella Nuñez? The woman who accused you of hurting her? She blamed me 'cause she's afraid of Nicolas.
Speculation again, your honor.
I mean, this is a really bad habit.
I will ask the witness to testify to what he knows and what he saw.
Good idea.
Now, prior to this party, had you ever met Ms.
Nuñez or Mr.
Amaro? No.
A friend brought me.
So you don't know anything about the couple, you didn't see what happened between them, and she's accused you of assaulting her.
Yeah, but I told you, I didn't do Thank you.
No further questions.
How was Mr.
Amaro treating your daughter on the night in question? He was yelling at her for the way that she was dancing.
She tried to walk away, and I saw him follow her downstairs.
He came back up a couple minutes later And he grabbed some ice and he put it on his knuckles.
- Where was your daughter? - On the floor downstairs.
He'd hit her on the night before her wedding.
Objection.
It's a speculation party, your honor.
Mr.
Barba, rephrase.
When you found your daughter on the floor, bloodied with a head injury, did you see anyone else downstairs? No.
And did you see anyone else come up the stairs other than Mr.
Amaro? No.
Just Nicolas.
Only him.
Thank you.
Nothing further.
You never liked Nicolas Amaro, did you? A man his age marrying a girl my daughter's age? That's not right.
It's fair to say that you didn't want the wedding and you would do anything you could to derail it? Anything in my power.
How about lying on the witness stand? - Objection.
- Withdrawn.
Thank you.
I'm done.
Mr.
Barba, your next witness.
Your honor, it's late in the day.
If the defense has no objection, can we reconvene tomorrow? Let Mr.
Barba take all the time he needs.
We're ready when he is.
_ - Make it a double.
- Tough day? It's a he-said, she-won't-say.
No one else saw what happened, and the jury senses all my witnesses have a grudge against your father.
Thank you.
Do they see why? I doubt it.
He's sitting at the table, smiling at the judge, flirting with the stenographer, egging his attorney on.
He's got the whole room on his side.
Ahh, it's the story of my life.
He beat my mother, and she'd testify for him if he asked.
I'm gonna see if they'll take a plea for harassment.
What, a misdemeanor? He fractured her skull.
You and I know that.
But even if you testify, he could still walk.
But What are you telling me? You don't have to do this.
I should never have asked you to testify in open court against your father.
- Are you playing me now? - No.
I know what it's like to have to face down your old man.
Mine's dead 15 years, and my hand still curls into a fist whenever I think of him.
So, what He just gets to walk away again? It's your family, your call.
Okay, Nick, so just tell the facts.
Don't say more than you have to.
Don't burn the house down.
Yeah, Barba said the same thing.
That's a beautiful color on you.
Will you stop it? There he goes.
Saint Nick.
Could you imagine if he was just a fun cop? Don't touch her.
Could you tell him what going up against his father publicly is gonna do to his family? - Is this worth it? - Excuse us.
- Let's go.
- Nick.
You know, you could just tell the truth.
End this right now.
Okay.
You do what you do, I'll do what I do.
Okay, papi.
You're always right.
Yeah.
Took you 40 years to learn that? Not everyone throws me under the bus.
_ My eight-year-old daughter called me from the party, said there was a fight going on and she was scared.
What did you find at the scene? Mayhem.
Guests were bloody, under arrest.
My father's fiancée was being treated by EMTs for a head injury.
And when you approached her? She made a spontaneous outcry that Nicolas had lost his temper and hit her.
Did you believe Ms.
Nuñez's statement? Yes, I did.
Can you tell us why? - Well, because - Your honor, may I approach? I know this is an outcry witness, but I believe Mr.
Barba is about to try and delve into family history.
History of a pattern that is relevant to this case.
We've been over this.
I'm sorry, Mr.
D'Angelo, but he is right, and I'll have to allow.
But up to a point.
Detective Amaro Why did you find her credible? Because I recognized what set him off.
Whenever he was jealous or felt like he'd been disrespected, that's when he would beat my mother.
And me.
And I still I still have nightmares where he uses that same language.
Thank you.
Nothing further.
Detective Amaro, I imagine this is difficult for you, testifying against your own father.
Yes, it is.
Now, you two haven't spoken much over the past 20 years, have you? We've seen each other a few times.
You know, at events, graduations, funerals, you know.
That's all? So your relationship isn't exactly close.
Hmm.
Would you say there's tension? Yes.
And with good reason.
Probably many.
But isn't it true that your father came to you in the spirit of reconciliation and invited you to his wedding? Spirit You know, he wanted to create the illusion that we have a relationship.
you refused? yes.
Because you're still angry with him? Yes, but that's not why Detective, would you say that you have your own issues with anger? I'd say everyone has a temper, counselor.
Yes, but we haven't all beaten up a civilian - Objection.
- In plain view of a yard full of schoolchildren, have we? Objection.
Prejudicial.
Sustained.
Jury will disregard.
Detective, is it fair to say that you have anger at your father that may prejudice you against him? Look, I know what I heard Gabriella say.
Even though she immediately denied it? Is it possible that you heard what you wanted to hear? - No.
- That you're using this case - against your father? - No, I'm not.
You think I want to be here? I don't want to be here.
I but he hit her.
He smashed her head against the wall.
Oh.
So you saw it? - You were there? - No.
I wasn't there.
But I know what happened.
- Do you? - Yes.
Maybe this is just another nightmare from your childhood.
Objection.
Withdrawn.
Nothing further.
Mommy says aunt Sonya's really mad at you.
And grandma, too.
Well, sometimes, you have to do things that are right but still make people mad.
Okay, daddy.
Don't look sad.
I made this today.
Do you want me to make you one? Yeah.
Yeah, I'd like that.
You better go do your homework, okay? I love you, Zara.
I love you too, daddy.
_ Were you upset with her? I wasn't upset.
Not with Gabriella, no.
I was upset with this lowlife, you know? Kept putting his hands all over her, okay? And did you confront him? Yes.
He followed her down to the bathroom.
He started groping her, you know? I mean everywhere.
Gabriella got between us, but, you know, she hit her head against the side of the wall.
So you did not hit her? No, as God is my witness.
Come on.
I'm supposed to marry her the next day.
But that's okay.
We're good.
Gonna be married soon enough.
And we heard from Mr.
Nuñez, the father of the bride, testify that he saw you come upstairs rubbing ice on your knuckles.
Why was that? It's true.
I was defending my fiancée.
That's his daughter.
Of course Luis saw me, but, you know, Luis has this idea about me.
I don't know.
He's never liked me to begin with.
I don't know why.
And is your fiancée in the courtroom today? Yeah.
She's right here.
Looking so beautiful.
I'm blessed.
She refused to testify for this D.
A.
, you know.
- Your honor.
- Move it along, Mr.
D'Angelo.
And we heard your son testify about your past violence.
- Is there any basis? - No.
But that's painful between us, because Nicky's He's never forgiven me for leaving his mother.
And I live in hope Hope one day we'll make peace with that.
Thank you.
Nothing further.
Okay.
Señor Amaro, it is your testimony that you were not jealous when your fiancée was dancing with Mr.
Arenas? I didn't like it.
You claimed to be defending her from this man.
Why? Why would that be necessary if he never even went downstairs? You know how quickly this occurred, sir? We've heard six witness testify to the fact, so maybe it didn't happen as quickly as you thought.
You suffered an injured hand, but Mr.
Arenas had absolutely no marks on him of any kind.
Well, he's a coward.
He ducked.
- He ducked? - He ducked.
He ducked, so your fiancée incurred a bruised face, a fractured skull.
- You said it yourself, sir.
- What? I was defending my fiancée.
Your own son testified to Ms.
Nuñez's initial outcry that you, in fact, had hit her.
Are you calling him a liar? No.
I'm not gonna call him a liar.
He's my son.
He has his issues.
I'm sure that he appreciates your concern.
But is he telling the truth? Is he telling the truth about what Ms.
Nuñez said that night, is he telling the truth about what happened in your own home What do you know about my home? I wasn't there.
You're not answering the question.
- I should have been.
- Your honor.
I could have shown him how to conduct himself.
You know? Maybe as a man.
I'm gonna ask you again.
Mr.
Amaro, did you hit Gabriella Nuñez that night? No, I did not.
So even though absolutely nobody nobody Saw Mr.
Arenas go downstairs or come back up, you're still denying that you alone hurt Ms.
Nuñez? I would never hurt her.
Nothing further.
Mr.
Amaro, you may step down.
The defense rests, your honor.
We will proceed with summations.
You okay? I shouldn't have come.
He used me to play the jury.
You and me both.
He flat-out lied on the stand.
I knew he would.
I've known guys like this my whole life.
I went straight at him, he slipped every punch.
I don't know what happened up there.
Oh, I do.
What's up? Jury's back.
In 20 minutes? On the charge of assault in the second degree, we find the defendant not guilty.
On the charge of reckless endangerment in the second degree, we find the defendant not guilty.
Members of the jury, the state of New York thanks you for your service.
You are dismissed.
Mr.
Amaro, if there are no holds, you're free to go.
Thank you.
That was a lousy case.
Justice was swift and wrong.
It's over.
Good night, Nick.
Night.
You want a few days off? Nah.
Mr.
Amaro.
Let me have a word with my son.
I don't think that's a great idea.
No, Liv, it's okay.
Nick.
It's fine.
May I sit? You here to gloat? No.
I meant what I said on that stand.
You were just trying to get off.
Well, I'm free now.
And I'm here.
That was something.
Finally You stood up to your old man.
And you protected Gabriella, your mother, and your sister, all in one shot, too.
That was good.
Yeah, and they hate me for it.
Ah, they'll get over it.
You know? Hell, I'm the big, bad wolf, right? I had to say what I said on that stand, Nicky, 'cause I don't know.
I'm too old Too old for jail.
I put you in a horrible position.
Can we start fresh? I mean, even Gabriella, God bless her, I mean, she's forgiven me.
I mean, that's not gonna happen again.
You're still lying.
I mean, to me, to yourself.
Nicky, I get it.
I get it.
Come on.
You're angry.
You stay angry.
As long as you want.
Nicky, I'm just I'm here 'cause I'm your father, all right? You want to yell, just don't take it out on Maria or Sonya, or, God forbid, little Zara.
I would never.
I would never lay a hand on her.
I am not you.
Can we stop? Can we stop? - Stop.
- Can we talk? Just talk.
Just talk to me.
You know? Just call me at tell me I ruined your life.
Say whatever you got to say, Nicky.
'Cause this hatred that you have for me, Nicky Come on, it sits in your chest, it's in your gut It's not going away, you know? I lived this.
I lived it! Do you get it? I'm not the one to fix it.
You got to fix it.
I can't change the past.
If you want to talk, I want to listen.
When you're ready.