Law & Order Special Victims Unit s17e09 Episode Script
Depravity Standard
_ 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.
Just need to hear you say it.
Ugh, yeah? - I did it, okay? - Okay.
Uh, that kid, I don't know his name.
- Hector Rodriguez.
- I don't know! He had a backpack.
He started talking to me.
- Bugging me.
- How? Followed me back to my building.
- And? - What? What happened? Nothing happened.
Well, something happened.
I'm not doing is.
I'm not what? I'm just asking you.
Nothing happened! Okay.
But he said he was going to tell his mother something did.
- I can't have that.
- So? So I snapped his neck.
- So you did do it? - Nothing happened.
But he said he was going to tell his mother something did.
I can't have that, so I snapped.
And so did his neck.
Okay? And I put him under the concrete slab.
Why'd you ask me that? We had an agreement.
_ Mr.
Guthrie, I understand your client has a plea.
Yes, Your Honor.
To the charges of murder in the second degree and kidnapping in the first degree, he pleads guilty.
Okay, then.
Mr.
Hodda, I need to hear that from you.
Mr.
Hodda? Mr.
Guthrie? No.
I'm not doing time for this.
I'm not doing time for this.
- No.
- Do we have a plea or don't we? We've all agreed to one, Your Honor.
Everyone was yelling at me.
Who was yelling at you, Mr.
Hodda? He was.
My own lawyer was.
Before that, she was.
I didn't harm these boys.
None of them.
I swear to God, Your Honor.
I'm innocent.
We'll wait for your attorney, Mr.
Hodda.
- Is he on his way? - No.
No, I fired that hack.
Well, you need an attorney.
Yeah, well, I'll be my own lawyer.
Guy wanted to put me in a box.
Just like she does.
Uh, Mr.
Barba, is there a reason why Lieutenant Benson joined us? Because I took the defendant's confession.
- There was no confession.
- It's on video.
I'd like to remind Mr.
Hodda how strong our case is, and it's in his best interests to honor the deal that he made.
There was no deal.
She put words in my mouth! She threatened me! She hammered at me for hours! Because you admitted to kidnapping Wyatt Morris, a seven-year-old child, who would be dead in that basement if you didn't tell us where he was.
Oh, so I saved his life.
That's what you're saying.
That's my crime? I saved his life? You admitted to kidnapping him, just like you admitted to killing Hector Rodriguez.
Words in my mouth.
You're putting words in my mouth.
Mr.
Hodda, I strongly recommend you get an experienced lawyer.
Yeah? Ok, new lawyer.
But that means we go to trial, which means, if you want to take me down, you're gonna have to prove it.
You.
All of you.
And I didn't do it.
I didn't do it.
Can he do this? Just change his plea.
- Just did.
- So what do you do now? We'll go to trial with our strongest case first.
- The kidnapping of your son.
- So the evidence is fresh.
And Wyatt can identify Hodda as the man who took him.
He'd have to testify? He would, but we will give him the best support available.
So for killing Hector you don't even accuse this man? The evidence is 16 years old, and it's only circumstantial.
He confessed.
And he just recanted.
We don't need his confession for the kidnapping.
This is a major felony.
He's going to be put away for a long time.
No.
- No what? - Wyatt's still traumatized.
- We won't put him through this.
- Ms.
Colfax.
Let's just talk about this for a second.
My ex-husband and I don't agree on anything, but we agree on this.
And we believe that Lewis Hodda murmured at least two other children besides Hector.
So bring him to trial on those.
We don't have enough evidence.
He covered his tracks with arson.
I have to protect Wyatt.
What about my son? You would let the man who murdered my child get away? I'm really sorry about what happened to your son.
I really am.
But my son is I'm sorry.
Laurie So now you can put him on trial for what he did to Hector? We'll have to.
And you can tell the jury what he did to her son, and and the other murders? So they'll know who that man is.
It's up to the judge.
I'll do my best.
Hey! Counselor.
You on your way to the Hodda motion hearing? - Wish I weren't.
- All right, so, listen, you know I'm going to law school at night, right? I've alerted the Bar Association.
All right.
And you know how I've been talking to you about maybe shadowing? Well, I think that I could really learn a lot on this case.
I don't know.
With, uh, Rollins out, S.
V.
U.
is short-staffed and Ah, I checked with Liv.
She says Thanksgiving is slow.
This is the perfect time.
- Come on.
- Fine.
First lesson.
Shadows do not speak.
They have no opinions.
You won't even know I'm here.
Barba, you brought backup? Lisa Hassler.
What noble cause brings you to court? I'm taking over Hodda's defense.
- Who's the arm candy? - Detective Carisi, SVU.
Hi.
Night school, Fordham Law.
I got to tell you, I know all your father's cases.
The Supreme Court arguments.
Black Panther defense.
You want to save the tax payers' money and plea this down to time served? I know you're the pro bono queen but Hodda? He rapes and kills children.
Allegedly and singular.
It's nice to meet you, Detective.
Lisa Hassler, huh? Wow.
Her old man was a legend.
Yeah, she's still trying to impress him, even though he's been dead for 11 years.
All right, let's get to it.
Ms.
Hassler, you have a motion to preclude any mention of the Wyatt Morris kidnapping in this trial? Yes, Your Honor.
If the prosecution wants to try Mr.
Hodda on that charge, it's their right.
But it's not part of this case, so this jury shouldn't hear about it.
If it can't be introduced, the State's case for the murder of Hector Rodriguez lacks context.
I wouldn't be able to explain why the defendant was in custody when he confessed.
The jury would be confused.
And the State, having ground this broken man down for three years, would rather see the jury prejudiced.
The kidnapping goes to the defendant's motive, his interest in young boys, and it exemplifies his common pattern of criminal behavior.
It's relevant and it's probative.
It's not even proven.
You can't just accuse him of other crimes to shore up a weak case.
Mr.
Barba, you have the option of trying Mr.
Hodda on the kidnapping.
Yes, Your Honor.
We are reserving that right.
Well, I'm sure you have your reasons.
But in the meantime, I'm not going to muddy these waters.
Any mention of the kidnapping is inadmissible.
As should be Mr.
Hodda's coerced confession, Your Honor? Coerced? The confession is on video.
Why don't you let the jury decide if it's valid? Well, as your dad used to say, Ms.
Hassler, "Worth a shot.
" But the confession is admissible.
Well, the hearing was awesome.
Uh, Barba didn't think so.
He took a hit, but the badinage.
I tell you, Hodda lucked out with that new lawyer.
And we're supposed to be happy for him? No, we're not.
Oh, Barba said that it would be really good if we could find anything linking Hod to Hector while Hector was still alive.
We gave him everything we have from '99.
Fin, what about that auxiliary cop, the one that found Hector's lunch box? I saw him at Hodda's plea hearing.
Lomatin? He's nuts.
Munch thought he was good for the crime.
For a minute, but he didn't do it.
He's still nuts.
He's been leaving messages for Rollins at 3:00 AM.
He knew Hector.
He knew the neighborhood.
He's the one who noticed the arson pattern that got us to Hodda.
He'll only talk to Rollins.
Okay, so, have her call him.
It was great to hear from Detective Rollins.
She said you guys wanted to follow up with me? Well, we're kind of up against it here.
We didn't know this case was going to trial.
Rollins reminded us how much you cared.
You know, every year, Hector's mom had a little service here on the anniversary of the day he disappeared.
The last few years, no one from the case came besides me.
No one.
And no one but Officer Lomatin noticed the pattern that got us to Hodda.
Problem is, none of his other crimes are admissible in court.
Justice can be so blind.
Did you ever see Lewis Hodda hanging around Hector or his school? No.
- But I can say I did.
- Come again? This year's my last chance to join the PD.
If it'll help get me my real badge, I'll say whatever you guys want.
- So how's it going with Carisi? - You're sure you can spare him? If I need him back, I'll let you know.
Please.
- Olivia.
- Dr.
Huang.
Hey.
- Hey, you remember ADA Barba? - We've met.
So, the FBI let you come back to New York? I wish.
They liked me too much in Oklahoma I put in for early retirement.
I'm consulting now.
Speaking of which, I've got to run.
Okay, well, we'll catch up later.
Okay.
You'll definitely see him later.
Hassler hired him as her expert forensic psychiatrist.
For what? Hodda's not insane.
He gave that confession voluntarily.
Okay, it's not like we beat him with rubber hoses.
I'm sure you didn't, but please don't sound that defensive on the stand.
Hassler's sharp, and Huang's a hired gun now.
They'll find something.
Anything? I've watched this whole confession three times, and this guy is crazy, but he's not, you know, crazy.
Thank you, Dr.
Carisi.
Thinking of taking up medicine after you pass the bar? Not tonight.
I'm gonna take this care package up to Rollins.
She's still on bed rest and she's going shacky-wacky.
You can drop it off on your way uptown.
Hector's mother takes the stand in the morning.
She could use some handholding.
Also, remind her, Benson's not gonna be in the courtroom for her.
Right, 'cause she hasn't testified herself yet.
- I get it.
- Good.
Go, be supportive.
She's a good woman.
Where's Delores? Her old apartment.
She never moved So Hector would be able to find her if he ever came back.
_ I always walked Hector to school.
It's only two blocks.
One day, he said that he was a big boy, un chico grande.
He wanted to go by himself.
I watched until he got to the corner.
He turned and waved.
I never saw him again.
Did you ever find out what happened? I waited a long time.
I had hope.
And then they dug up that basement.
Detective Benson showed me a picture.
Hector's backpack.
After Hector turned that corner, would his path have taken him by the building that was managed by the defendant? Yes.
I Didn't know the defendant.
- I had no idea.
- Of course you didn't.
- Thank you.
- Mmhmm.
Mrs.
Rodriguez, I am so sorry for your loss.
Thank you.
And I'm sorry to make you go back over all this.
But did you ever see your son with Mr.
Hodda? No.
Did you ever see Mr.
Hodda at all before the police arrested him and told you he had taken your son? I don't remember.
No.
I guess you were surprised that someone who lived so close to you, whom you'd never suspected, was suddenly accused of this crime after so many years.
Uh, I suppose so.
Over the years, had the police told you they wanted to solve your son's murder? Yes.
Detective Benson.
She was very dedicated.
She wanted justice for Hector.
That was important to her? Yes.
She wanted to help me.
And she felt bad for me.
Of course she did.
And the only way to help you was to find somebody to blame for your son's murder.
Objection.
Leading the witness.
Sustained.
I think we understand it.
Hold on, Hassler did what? She made me look too conscientious? She implied you were so desperate to get closure for Delores, you manufactured a suspect.
That's ridiculous.
And you let her get away with it? I couldn't shoot her.
She's just doing her job.
She's good at it.
So you let her hang me out to dry.
Table that.
You're up after lunch.
Let's prep.
You know what? I've actually testified a few hundred times.
So I think I'll be fine.
I need to get back to the squad room.
No, you don't.
Lewis Hodda might walk if Hassler can make the jury think your emotions got in the way of your police work, which is what they're doing right now.
I need you to sit your ass down and work with me.
Fine.
Start working.
He had a backpack.
He started talking to me.
- Bugging me.
- How? Followed me back to my building.
- And? - What? What happened? - Nothing happened.
- Well, something happened.
I'm not doing this.
I'm not what? - I'm just asking you.
- Nothing happened.
Okay.
But he said he was going to tell his mother something did.
- I can't have that.
- So? So I snapped his neck.
- So you did do it.
- Yeah.
And I put him under the concrete slab.
Were you present when the defendant made that statement? Yes.
It was voluntary, and he had been informed of his rights.
What led you to suspect the defendant in the first place? We learned that, uh, fresh concrete had been poured in the basement of a building that he was managing a few days after Hector disappeared.
Our investigation then turned up allegations that he was a child molester.
What did the defendant say when you asked him about the concrete? That the old floor had been damaged by water from a nearby fire.
We then determined that the fire occurred too far away, and it was impossible for the water to get back to his building.
To obtain his statement, did you or your partner apply any coercion, physical violence, threats? Absolutely not.
After Hector Rodriguez disappeared in 1999, what did the police conclude? Well, officially, that he had been taken by his father in a custody dispute.
But I disagreed.
So the New York Police Department was wrong, but you were right? Unfortunately, yes.
How motivated were you to prove you were right? Not motivated enough.
It took me almost a decade.
But then, finally, you had you had Lewis Hodda in your interrogation room.
Yes, where he confessed to murdering a seven-year-old boy.
It's on the video.
I am much more interested in what is not on the video.
So You interrogated Lewis Hodda for over six hours before turning on a camera.
During all that time, you didn't coerced him? You didn't threaten him? No, I followed police procedure.
Did you tell him that witnesses had seen him with other children who had been murdered? - I may have.
- Was it true? Um, the Supreme Court has ruled that police are allowed to make misrepresentations.
By misrepresentations you mean lies? Basically, yes.
So, after lying to him about this nonexistent witnesses didn't you tell him and I quote "Nobody likes a chomo in state prison"? Yes, but it was a matter of urgency.
The defendant had another child.
Your Honor, please instruct the witness to answer the question only.
Lieutenant, you are flirting with causing a mistrial.
The jury will disregard.
What is a chomo, Lieutenant? It's a child molester.
And chomos or child molesters are themselves frequently assaulted in prison, are they not? Objection.
Lieutenant Benson is not a prison warden.
I'll allow it.
Yes, they are.
So, you lied about having the evidence that would send him to prison and you threatened to label him a chomo when he got there.
We had good reason to believe that he was a child molester.
And you promise to advertise that belief to insure he would be assaulted when he got to prison.
Then, and only then, did he confess.
He confessed because he was guilty.
I confessed because she said she was going to get me killed.
Sorry, but that's what happens to chomos in prison.
And what did she say would happen if you cooperated? That she'd put the word out I wasn't a chomo, and so I'd be safe.
Did you believe her? I believe they were framing me, that they could do whatever they wanted to, that I had to say what they wanted me to say if I was ever going to get out of there alive.
I believed Did you murder Hector Rodriguez? I never saw that little I never saw that little boy before in my life.
Do you have any idea why his body was found in a building you managed? Well, that building was full of of ex-cons, _ - welfare cheats drug addicts.
The whole neighborhood was like a war zone.
I don't even know where to begin.
It was terrible.
Thank you, Mr.
Hodda.
You were the manager of the building, though.
Did you order the concrete or did the drug addicts? I did.
Because a fire 200 yards away resulted in water flowing uphill toward your building.
I don't remember.
Building needed new concrete, I got it new concrete.
Okay, you don't remember that, but you do remember this.
He had a backpack.
He started talking to me.
Bugging me.
Followed me back to my building.
You remembered that he had a backpack.
Kids have backpacks, okay? Did you put the backpack into the ground with Hector when you buried him? No.
You remember laying your hands on Hector Rodriguez? There's nothing to remember.
I never did that.
You were sexually attracted to him, aren't you? No.
Why were you repeatedly found hanging around children's playgrounds in the years after Hector was murdered? I wasn't.
That's one of her lies.
No, it wasn't.
People's exhibit 6A and B.
- Police reports.
- Uh, so what? Playgrounds are parks.
I like I go to parks.
I like parks too.
I don't hang around staring at little boys.
Now you're doing what she did.
- Putting out that lie.
- What lie? You hang out at playgrounds.
A little boy was found dead in the basement of your building.
You said you killed him.
I told you why I said that.
You told me what? Because you were afraid? Because you were afraid of being hurt in prison? Or because you were afraid of hearing the truth about yourself, which is you like little boys? I'm not afraid of anything.
Then tell me, where exactly did you put your hands on Hector Rodriguez? I never touched him down there, never, I You never touched him down there? Where did you touch him then? - Hey, nice cross, Counselor.
- Little boys.
- Thank you.
It was a tell.
- Yeah, but what you did with it.
If that had been a boxing match, they would have thrown in the towel right there.
Are you gloating? Guilty.
Nothing makes me happier than to see a member of the patriarchy strut before he falls.
Hmm, I seem to be on my feet.
I'd say your client just made quite an impression on the jury.
I'd say you did.
And thank you.
I would describe Lewis Hodda as scarred.
He was physically abused by an alcoholic father and never resolved his fear of him, and he compensated by taking pride in impulsive physical behavior and macho posturing.
Dr.
Huang, why would such a person admit to a crime he didn't commit? Well, the only way that he could avoid beatings was to do what his father demanded.
And so, if another authority figure were to threaten him, he might respond by doing what that person wanted.
Do you mean an authority figure like a police detective? That would qualify.
Who threatened to harm him by tossing him in prison with the label of child molester? That threat would be particularly potent to someone clinging onto the idea of himself as hyper-masculine.
What if someone like an Assistant District Attorney insisted that he was attracted to little boys? Your Honor.
We all saw it.
It happened.
Rephrase the question.
What if an authority figure publicly insisted that Mr.
Hodda was attracted to little boys? That assertion would be the psychological equivalent of the strap that his father beat him with.
So he might say whatever he thought that official wanted him to say? Well, if his emotional defenses were breached, it could trigger that kind of compliance.
So to avoid being beaten by an accusation he feared and hated, might he admit to touching a child he'd never even met? Objection.
We are now beyond hypothetical.
Dr.
Huang is an expert witness.
I'm asking for his expert opinion.
Overruled.
Dr.
Huang? Yes.
Mr.
Hodda might say anything.
Huang.
Olivia.
What the hell were you doing up there? Testifying.
For that man? You and I used to put people like that away.
You know what he did to Hector.
What he did to Wyatt.
To Wyatt, yes.
But to Hector, I don't know.
So you think I coerced him? Is that what you think? How long have we known each other? Olivia, he's suggestible.
It may not have been your intent, but if you planted an idea, he might have believed it.
He believed it because he did it! I'm sorry, but I don't know that, and neither do you.
_ It was Stephen Lomatin, a young auxiliary officer, who first discovered the missing boy's lunch box.
Stephen, how emotional was it for you when you made that discovery? Uh, it was very emotional.
This job can be very emotional.
You feel like you're looking for a member of your own family.
So, when Hector Rodriguez disappeared in 1999, you were the one who found his lunch box? Yes, I was.
Hundreds of people looking, and you were the one who found it.
I was trained by the NYPD.
And I have good eyes.
Good eyes.
You didn't you didn't find it because you knew where to look? No.
How would I? That's what I've been wondering.
Objection.
Sustained.
Ms.
Hassler.
You'd you'd often spoken with Hector, isn't that right? I was friendly with all the kids up there.
How friendly? I resent these implications.
Oh, I'm I'm sure you do.
Did you resent it when SVU Sergeant John Munch interrogated you about this case? It wasn't an interrogation.
I was discussing aspects of the case with him.
You didn't take offense when he considered you a suspect? Objection.
No foundation.
Uh, sustained.
Jury will disregard.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Because that guy Munch, he was a conspiracy nut.
His own captain apologized to me.
So did the other detectives.
You mean the ones who found pictures of Hector Rodriguez all over your attic? Defense exhibit 13C.
Photos of Mr.
Lomatin's attic.
So this looks like the work of a man obsessed.
I was doing research.
For 13 years? You visited Hector's mother.
- You went to his memorial.
- Objection.
Is there a question? Yes.
How long have you been taking anti-psychotic drugs? - Objection.
Relevance.
- Sustained.
Thank you, Your Honor.
I just care about children, even when no one else does.
So you have a special relationship with children? Not like that.
Did you murder Hector Rodriguez? Judge, this is ridiculous.
There's the guy who did it! Right there! Mr.
Lomatin, just answer the question.
I will not dignify that question with an answer, Your Honor.
I'm not hearing a no.
And so, there can only be only one logical conclusion.
From the physical evidence of this horrible crime, as well as from his own words, you must find the defendant Lewis Hodda guilty.
Thank you.
Members of the jury, that concludes the closing arguments, which means it's time for you to begin your deliberations.
As you do, remember that the defendant is presumed to be innocent.
You must find the defendant not guilty, unless you conclude the People have proven him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
With that in mind, this case is now in your hands.
Godspeed.
_ The fact that the jurors are taking their time means the jury's taking their duty very seriously.
It's been two days already.
What issues are they grappling with? Mainly, the weakness of the People's case, which relies almost solely on a confession extorted by police threats.
She's still making her case.
The jurors aren't supposed to watch the news.
More and more cases of police officers who are out of control They abuse power.
We just need some more policies in places like this that do it.
Why don't you help people who deserve it? That man killed my boy.
Okay, Mrs.
Rodriguez, it's all right.
- He killed my boy.
- It's all right.
- Delores.
- Not now, not now.
- Delores.
- Not now.
Mr.
Barba, any comment? Uh, the People have complete confidence in the common sense of the jurors.
That's all we ask for, and that's all we need.
Anything? Nope.
Five days.
Hector's mother is barely holding it together.
Liv's with her.
- You still studying? - No.
Check this out.
The jurors' social media.
Juror Number One, the forewoman.
Name's Sharon Daley.
She's been posting for months about this big family reunion she's having at Thanksgiving.
Holiday's coming and the jury's stuck in a hotel on Staten Island.
Yeah, they all got to be dying to get out of there.
Hold on.
Hey, what's up, Amanda? Yeah? Oh, hold on.
I'll come get you.
What, the baby coming? Something's happening.
Doctor wants to check on her.
You cool holding down the fort? Yeah, yeah, go.
I'm good, I'm good.
I want to be close in case the jury comes back anyway Which they just did.
Happy Thanksgiving.
_ Verdict? Madam Forewoman, I received your note.
You have a question? Not me, Your Honor.
One of the other jurors.
Actually, a few of us want to hear the rules again for deciding if a confession is voluntary.
Very well.
Under our law, a statement is not voluntary if it is obtained by use or the threatened use of physical force or by any other improper conduct or undue pressure.
For example, what the police promised or said to the defendant, the defendant's treatment during the period of detention and questioning, and the amount of time or the length of time of the defendant's questioning.
Undue pressure? That chomo business.
I can't believe they're using that against you.
They don't know the whole story.
Hodda had kidnapped another boy.
I had to get him to tell me where he was.
I get it.
Totally.
Give us a sec.
I keep going over it in my head.
Liv? Liv? He'd kidnapped another child.
You had to get him to tell you where Wyatt was.
I know.
I know.
Hey, Fin, what's going on? Is she all right? Doc says the heart rate slowed up, so they put Amanda on a monitor.
Right now, it's just watch and wait.
Hold on.
You want to talk to Liv? Maybe later.
Maybe a little later.
Is it cool if I stay for a while? Okay, I'll keep you posted.
You okay? You need anything? Yeah, I'll just feel better when this is over.
Mr.
Barba! I've been trying to reach you.
I left seven messages.
Oh, well, there's nothing to talk about.
The case has already gone to the jury.
Oh no, that's the thing, one of the jurors, Juror Number Four, Thomas Johnson, he lied.
Wait, how do you how did you know his name? I gave a court clerk 50 bucks.
You commit you bribed a court clerk? I checked Johnson out.
He was arrested in Maryland for assault last year.
The charges were dropped, but he lost his job.
Okay, well, there must be No, no, no.
It's him, it's him.
I went to his house in my uniform and I talked to his sister.
It's him.
He's on the jury, and he doesn't like cops.
You committed bribery, impersonated a real police officer, and you tampered with a juror? He could be in that room right now, poisoning the entire jury.
Okay, you have to tell the judge.
And ask for what? A mistrial? It's too late to bring in an alternate.
I didn't know that.
I should have acted faster, but I did find it out.
You'll tell the NYPD what I did, won't you? Oh, yeah.
You can count on it.
_ How much do you want reread? Again, not me, Your Honor.
One of us wants to hear Lieutenant Benson's testimony, as well as the defendant's and the psychiatrist's.
All of it? I'm not really sure what good it will do.
Excuse me.
I'm not the only one who would benefit from this.
Every juror has the right.
The court reporter will begin.
We need to talk.
We've both had our fun.
It's time to end this.
It's almost Thanksgiving.
They're going to come in with a verdict.
Yeah, but which one? - Does he need to be here? - To chaperone, yes.
What do you want to talk about? My client will take a plea.
He agreed to a plea once before and changed his mind.
Yeah, but it wasn't a good plea.
And a good plea would be? Criminally negligent homicide.
- Are you kidding? - Shush.
How much time? - Eight years? - She started with three.
Eight years for killing my baby? - You've got to say no.
- I'm going to say yes.
Juries that stay out this long don't convict.
Then why did Hassler offer anything? Because juries are unpredictable, you never know.
- You just said - I know.
I don't know.
Nobody knows.
Then why did you invite us here if you'd already made up your mind? To try to make you understand.
Mainly you, Señora Rodriguez.
Por favor.
Entiende.
I've done the best I could.
No, I know you have.
It's just that man.
I If you think that this is best, I Okay.
Okay.
So, I understand you've reached a deal.
We have, Your Honor.
Can't say I'm surprised.
You want to tell me what it is? Well.
Ah.
- From the jury again.
- Another question? No.
They're deadlocked.
They claim it's hopeless.
Hopeless? Huh.
We still have a deal.
Do we? You should have said yes earlier.
Deal's off.
If this is about the upcoming holiday, you have a duty.
It's not that.
People are getting angry.
It's getting very tense.
Physical intimidation is not allowed.
If there's a problem, you should speak to a court officer.
I'm sorry.
We've really tried.
There isn't any point.
Very well.
If that's where we are, I'm declaring a mistrial.
Defendant's remand continues while the State decides how it wants to proceed.
The jury is dismissed and the court is adjourned.
What does that mean, "while the State decides"? - We can retry Hodda.
- A and do this all over again? Will it turn out any different? - Mrs.
Rodriguez.
- Excuse us.
I just want to say I'm so sorry.
We all are.
At least most of us.
That man is evil.
It was plain as day.
And you were very brave.
What the hell happened in that jury room? Well, one of the jurors thought Lomatin was guilty.
And two were worried the confession was coerced.
I'm sorry, Liv.
You are going to try him again? This cannot end here.
It shouldn't.
And we'll see.
Some of the jurors would like to, uh, light a candle for Hector tonight.
- Is that okay? - Of course.
Okay.
And thank you, Mr.
Barba.
I I I know how hard you tried.
You guys going up to the memorial? No.
I'm going to spell Fin at the hospital, keep Rollins company.
Liv, how about we go up together? Yeah, I I'll, uh I'll meet you there.
_ Hi.
I'm so sorry.
He's getting away with it.
No, he won't.
I spoke with my ex-husband and Wyatt.
And we all want to help.
We'll cooperate.
We'll go to trial.
All right? Carisi, go home.
Fin will be back here soon.
Yeah, well, I'll wait till he gets here, okay? You want some more ice chips? Uhuh.
- Hey, how's it going? - We're getting pretty close.
Contractions are five minutes apart, so Yeah? Hey Amanda, how you holding up? I'm tired and it hurts like hell.
And they say it's too late for an epidural.
Oh.
Oh.
Okay, here we go.
Just breathe, you got this.
Yeah, I know, I know.
You're doing great, Amanda.
No, no, no.
That is not a contraction.
That's not a contraction.
It's in my back.
It was my back.
It was the drug.
- Okay, hang on.
- This is the drug.
- We need a doctor in here.
- Help! Just hang on, we're gonna get a doctor in here right now.
Hey.
What? What is it? No, is that blood? We're going to take care of you.
Dr.
Sloan! Dr.
Sloan! They're going to get a doctor right now, okay? She's hemorrhaging.
The fetal heart rate is decelerating.
I need you to step out.
Now.
What is it?
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.
Just need to hear you say it.
Ugh, yeah? - I did it, okay? - Okay.
Uh, that kid, I don't know his name.
- Hector Rodriguez.
- I don't know! He had a backpack.
He started talking to me.
- Bugging me.
- How? Followed me back to my building.
- And? - What? What happened? Nothing happened.
Well, something happened.
I'm not doing is.
I'm not what? I'm just asking you.
Nothing happened! Okay.
But he said he was going to tell his mother something did.
- I can't have that.
- So? So I snapped his neck.
- So you did do it? - Nothing happened.
But he said he was going to tell his mother something did.
I can't have that, so I snapped.
And so did his neck.
Okay? And I put him under the concrete slab.
Why'd you ask me that? We had an agreement.
_ Mr.
Guthrie, I understand your client has a plea.
Yes, Your Honor.
To the charges of murder in the second degree and kidnapping in the first degree, he pleads guilty.
Okay, then.
Mr.
Hodda, I need to hear that from you.
Mr.
Hodda? Mr.
Guthrie? No.
I'm not doing time for this.
I'm not doing time for this.
- No.
- Do we have a plea or don't we? We've all agreed to one, Your Honor.
Everyone was yelling at me.
Who was yelling at you, Mr.
Hodda? He was.
My own lawyer was.
Before that, she was.
I didn't harm these boys.
None of them.
I swear to God, Your Honor.
I'm innocent.
We'll wait for your attorney, Mr.
Hodda.
- Is he on his way? - No.
No, I fired that hack.
Well, you need an attorney.
Yeah, well, I'll be my own lawyer.
Guy wanted to put me in a box.
Just like she does.
Uh, Mr.
Barba, is there a reason why Lieutenant Benson joined us? Because I took the defendant's confession.
- There was no confession.
- It's on video.
I'd like to remind Mr.
Hodda how strong our case is, and it's in his best interests to honor the deal that he made.
There was no deal.
She put words in my mouth! She threatened me! She hammered at me for hours! Because you admitted to kidnapping Wyatt Morris, a seven-year-old child, who would be dead in that basement if you didn't tell us where he was.
Oh, so I saved his life.
That's what you're saying.
That's my crime? I saved his life? You admitted to kidnapping him, just like you admitted to killing Hector Rodriguez.
Words in my mouth.
You're putting words in my mouth.
Mr.
Hodda, I strongly recommend you get an experienced lawyer.
Yeah? Ok, new lawyer.
But that means we go to trial, which means, if you want to take me down, you're gonna have to prove it.
You.
All of you.
And I didn't do it.
I didn't do it.
Can he do this? Just change his plea.
- Just did.
- So what do you do now? We'll go to trial with our strongest case first.
- The kidnapping of your son.
- So the evidence is fresh.
And Wyatt can identify Hodda as the man who took him.
He'd have to testify? He would, but we will give him the best support available.
So for killing Hector you don't even accuse this man? The evidence is 16 years old, and it's only circumstantial.
He confessed.
And he just recanted.
We don't need his confession for the kidnapping.
This is a major felony.
He's going to be put away for a long time.
No.
- No what? - Wyatt's still traumatized.
- We won't put him through this.
- Ms.
Colfax.
Let's just talk about this for a second.
My ex-husband and I don't agree on anything, but we agree on this.
And we believe that Lewis Hodda murmured at least two other children besides Hector.
So bring him to trial on those.
We don't have enough evidence.
He covered his tracks with arson.
I have to protect Wyatt.
What about my son? You would let the man who murdered my child get away? I'm really sorry about what happened to your son.
I really am.
But my son is I'm sorry.
Laurie So now you can put him on trial for what he did to Hector? We'll have to.
And you can tell the jury what he did to her son, and and the other murders? So they'll know who that man is.
It's up to the judge.
I'll do my best.
Hey! Counselor.
You on your way to the Hodda motion hearing? - Wish I weren't.
- All right, so, listen, you know I'm going to law school at night, right? I've alerted the Bar Association.
All right.
And you know how I've been talking to you about maybe shadowing? Well, I think that I could really learn a lot on this case.
I don't know.
With, uh, Rollins out, S.
V.
U.
is short-staffed and Ah, I checked with Liv.
She says Thanksgiving is slow.
This is the perfect time.
- Come on.
- Fine.
First lesson.
Shadows do not speak.
They have no opinions.
You won't even know I'm here.
Barba, you brought backup? Lisa Hassler.
What noble cause brings you to court? I'm taking over Hodda's defense.
- Who's the arm candy? - Detective Carisi, SVU.
Hi.
Night school, Fordham Law.
I got to tell you, I know all your father's cases.
The Supreme Court arguments.
Black Panther defense.
You want to save the tax payers' money and plea this down to time served? I know you're the pro bono queen but Hodda? He rapes and kills children.
Allegedly and singular.
It's nice to meet you, Detective.
Lisa Hassler, huh? Wow.
Her old man was a legend.
Yeah, she's still trying to impress him, even though he's been dead for 11 years.
All right, let's get to it.
Ms.
Hassler, you have a motion to preclude any mention of the Wyatt Morris kidnapping in this trial? Yes, Your Honor.
If the prosecution wants to try Mr.
Hodda on that charge, it's their right.
But it's not part of this case, so this jury shouldn't hear about it.
If it can't be introduced, the State's case for the murder of Hector Rodriguez lacks context.
I wouldn't be able to explain why the defendant was in custody when he confessed.
The jury would be confused.
And the State, having ground this broken man down for three years, would rather see the jury prejudiced.
The kidnapping goes to the defendant's motive, his interest in young boys, and it exemplifies his common pattern of criminal behavior.
It's relevant and it's probative.
It's not even proven.
You can't just accuse him of other crimes to shore up a weak case.
Mr.
Barba, you have the option of trying Mr.
Hodda on the kidnapping.
Yes, Your Honor.
We are reserving that right.
Well, I'm sure you have your reasons.
But in the meantime, I'm not going to muddy these waters.
Any mention of the kidnapping is inadmissible.
As should be Mr.
Hodda's coerced confession, Your Honor? Coerced? The confession is on video.
Why don't you let the jury decide if it's valid? Well, as your dad used to say, Ms.
Hassler, "Worth a shot.
" But the confession is admissible.
Well, the hearing was awesome.
Uh, Barba didn't think so.
He took a hit, but the badinage.
I tell you, Hodda lucked out with that new lawyer.
And we're supposed to be happy for him? No, we're not.
Oh, Barba said that it would be really good if we could find anything linking Hod to Hector while Hector was still alive.
We gave him everything we have from '99.
Fin, what about that auxiliary cop, the one that found Hector's lunch box? I saw him at Hodda's plea hearing.
Lomatin? He's nuts.
Munch thought he was good for the crime.
For a minute, but he didn't do it.
He's still nuts.
He's been leaving messages for Rollins at 3:00 AM.
He knew Hector.
He knew the neighborhood.
He's the one who noticed the arson pattern that got us to Hodda.
He'll only talk to Rollins.
Okay, so, have her call him.
It was great to hear from Detective Rollins.
She said you guys wanted to follow up with me? Well, we're kind of up against it here.
We didn't know this case was going to trial.
Rollins reminded us how much you cared.
You know, every year, Hector's mom had a little service here on the anniversary of the day he disappeared.
The last few years, no one from the case came besides me.
No one.
And no one but Officer Lomatin noticed the pattern that got us to Hodda.
Problem is, none of his other crimes are admissible in court.
Justice can be so blind.
Did you ever see Lewis Hodda hanging around Hector or his school? No.
- But I can say I did.
- Come again? This year's my last chance to join the PD.
If it'll help get me my real badge, I'll say whatever you guys want.
- So how's it going with Carisi? - You're sure you can spare him? If I need him back, I'll let you know.
Please.
- Olivia.
- Dr.
Huang.
Hey.
- Hey, you remember ADA Barba? - We've met.
So, the FBI let you come back to New York? I wish.
They liked me too much in Oklahoma I put in for early retirement.
I'm consulting now.
Speaking of which, I've got to run.
Okay, well, we'll catch up later.
Okay.
You'll definitely see him later.
Hassler hired him as her expert forensic psychiatrist.
For what? Hodda's not insane.
He gave that confession voluntarily.
Okay, it's not like we beat him with rubber hoses.
I'm sure you didn't, but please don't sound that defensive on the stand.
Hassler's sharp, and Huang's a hired gun now.
They'll find something.
Anything? I've watched this whole confession three times, and this guy is crazy, but he's not, you know, crazy.
Thank you, Dr.
Carisi.
Thinking of taking up medicine after you pass the bar? Not tonight.
I'm gonna take this care package up to Rollins.
She's still on bed rest and she's going shacky-wacky.
You can drop it off on your way uptown.
Hector's mother takes the stand in the morning.
She could use some handholding.
Also, remind her, Benson's not gonna be in the courtroom for her.
Right, 'cause she hasn't testified herself yet.
- I get it.
- Good.
Go, be supportive.
She's a good woman.
Where's Delores? Her old apartment.
She never moved So Hector would be able to find her if he ever came back.
_ I always walked Hector to school.
It's only two blocks.
One day, he said that he was a big boy, un chico grande.
He wanted to go by himself.
I watched until he got to the corner.
He turned and waved.
I never saw him again.
Did you ever find out what happened? I waited a long time.
I had hope.
And then they dug up that basement.
Detective Benson showed me a picture.
Hector's backpack.
After Hector turned that corner, would his path have taken him by the building that was managed by the defendant? Yes.
I Didn't know the defendant.
- I had no idea.
- Of course you didn't.
- Thank you.
- Mmhmm.
Mrs.
Rodriguez, I am so sorry for your loss.
Thank you.
And I'm sorry to make you go back over all this.
But did you ever see your son with Mr.
Hodda? No.
Did you ever see Mr.
Hodda at all before the police arrested him and told you he had taken your son? I don't remember.
No.
I guess you were surprised that someone who lived so close to you, whom you'd never suspected, was suddenly accused of this crime after so many years.
Uh, I suppose so.
Over the years, had the police told you they wanted to solve your son's murder? Yes.
Detective Benson.
She was very dedicated.
She wanted justice for Hector.
That was important to her? Yes.
She wanted to help me.
And she felt bad for me.
Of course she did.
And the only way to help you was to find somebody to blame for your son's murder.
Objection.
Leading the witness.
Sustained.
I think we understand it.
Hold on, Hassler did what? She made me look too conscientious? She implied you were so desperate to get closure for Delores, you manufactured a suspect.
That's ridiculous.
And you let her get away with it? I couldn't shoot her.
She's just doing her job.
She's good at it.
So you let her hang me out to dry.
Table that.
You're up after lunch.
Let's prep.
You know what? I've actually testified a few hundred times.
So I think I'll be fine.
I need to get back to the squad room.
No, you don't.
Lewis Hodda might walk if Hassler can make the jury think your emotions got in the way of your police work, which is what they're doing right now.
I need you to sit your ass down and work with me.
Fine.
Start working.
He had a backpack.
He started talking to me.
- Bugging me.
- How? Followed me back to my building.
- And? - What? What happened? - Nothing happened.
- Well, something happened.
I'm not doing this.
I'm not what? - I'm just asking you.
- Nothing happened.
Okay.
But he said he was going to tell his mother something did.
- I can't have that.
- So? So I snapped his neck.
- So you did do it.
- Yeah.
And I put him under the concrete slab.
Were you present when the defendant made that statement? Yes.
It was voluntary, and he had been informed of his rights.
What led you to suspect the defendant in the first place? We learned that, uh, fresh concrete had been poured in the basement of a building that he was managing a few days after Hector disappeared.
Our investigation then turned up allegations that he was a child molester.
What did the defendant say when you asked him about the concrete? That the old floor had been damaged by water from a nearby fire.
We then determined that the fire occurred too far away, and it was impossible for the water to get back to his building.
To obtain his statement, did you or your partner apply any coercion, physical violence, threats? Absolutely not.
After Hector Rodriguez disappeared in 1999, what did the police conclude? Well, officially, that he had been taken by his father in a custody dispute.
But I disagreed.
So the New York Police Department was wrong, but you were right? Unfortunately, yes.
How motivated were you to prove you were right? Not motivated enough.
It took me almost a decade.
But then, finally, you had you had Lewis Hodda in your interrogation room.
Yes, where he confessed to murdering a seven-year-old boy.
It's on the video.
I am much more interested in what is not on the video.
So You interrogated Lewis Hodda for over six hours before turning on a camera.
During all that time, you didn't coerced him? You didn't threaten him? No, I followed police procedure.
Did you tell him that witnesses had seen him with other children who had been murdered? - I may have.
- Was it true? Um, the Supreme Court has ruled that police are allowed to make misrepresentations.
By misrepresentations you mean lies? Basically, yes.
So, after lying to him about this nonexistent witnesses didn't you tell him and I quote "Nobody likes a chomo in state prison"? Yes, but it was a matter of urgency.
The defendant had another child.
Your Honor, please instruct the witness to answer the question only.
Lieutenant, you are flirting with causing a mistrial.
The jury will disregard.
What is a chomo, Lieutenant? It's a child molester.
And chomos or child molesters are themselves frequently assaulted in prison, are they not? Objection.
Lieutenant Benson is not a prison warden.
I'll allow it.
Yes, they are.
So, you lied about having the evidence that would send him to prison and you threatened to label him a chomo when he got there.
We had good reason to believe that he was a child molester.
And you promise to advertise that belief to insure he would be assaulted when he got to prison.
Then, and only then, did he confess.
He confessed because he was guilty.
I confessed because she said she was going to get me killed.
Sorry, but that's what happens to chomos in prison.
And what did she say would happen if you cooperated? That she'd put the word out I wasn't a chomo, and so I'd be safe.
Did you believe her? I believe they were framing me, that they could do whatever they wanted to, that I had to say what they wanted me to say if I was ever going to get out of there alive.
I believed Did you murder Hector Rodriguez? I never saw that little I never saw that little boy before in my life.
Do you have any idea why his body was found in a building you managed? Well, that building was full of of ex-cons, _ - welfare cheats drug addicts.
The whole neighborhood was like a war zone.
I don't even know where to begin.
It was terrible.
Thank you, Mr.
Hodda.
You were the manager of the building, though.
Did you order the concrete or did the drug addicts? I did.
Because a fire 200 yards away resulted in water flowing uphill toward your building.
I don't remember.
Building needed new concrete, I got it new concrete.
Okay, you don't remember that, but you do remember this.
He had a backpack.
He started talking to me.
Bugging me.
Followed me back to my building.
You remembered that he had a backpack.
Kids have backpacks, okay? Did you put the backpack into the ground with Hector when you buried him? No.
You remember laying your hands on Hector Rodriguez? There's nothing to remember.
I never did that.
You were sexually attracted to him, aren't you? No.
Why were you repeatedly found hanging around children's playgrounds in the years after Hector was murdered? I wasn't.
That's one of her lies.
No, it wasn't.
People's exhibit 6A and B.
- Police reports.
- Uh, so what? Playgrounds are parks.
I like I go to parks.
I like parks too.
I don't hang around staring at little boys.
Now you're doing what she did.
- Putting out that lie.
- What lie? You hang out at playgrounds.
A little boy was found dead in the basement of your building.
You said you killed him.
I told you why I said that.
You told me what? Because you were afraid? Because you were afraid of being hurt in prison? Or because you were afraid of hearing the truth about yourself, which is you like little boys? I'm not afraid of anything.
Then tell me, where exactly did you put your hands on Hector Rodriguez? I never touched him down there, never, I You never touched him down there? Where did you touch him then? - Hey, nice cross, Counselor.
- Little boys.
- Thank you.
It was a tell.
- Yeah, but what you did with it.
If that had been a boxing match, they would have thrown in the towel right there.
Are you gloating? Guilty.
Nothing makes me happier than to see a member of the patriarchy strut before he falls.
Hmm, I seem to be on my feet.
I'd say your client just made quite an impression on the jury.
I'd say you did.
And thank you.
I would describe Lewis Hodda as scarred.
He was physically abused by an alcoholic father and never resolved his fear of him, and he compensated by taking pride in impulsive physical behavior and macho posturing.
Dr.
Huang, why would such a person admit to a crime he didn't commit? Well, the only way that he could avoid beatings was to do what his father demanded.
And so, if another authority figure were to threaten him, he might respond by doing what that person wanted.
Do you mean an authority figure like a police detective? That would qualify.
Who threatened to harm him by tossing him in prison with the label of child molester? That threat would be particularly potent to someone clinging onto the idea of himself as hyper-masculine.
What if someone like an Assistant District Attorney insisted that he was attracted to little boys? Your Honor.
We all saw it.
It happened.
Rephrase the question.
What if an authority figure publicly insisted that Mr.
Hodda was attracted to little boys? That assertion would be the psychological equivalent of the strap that his father beat him with.
So he might say whatever he thought that official wanted him to say? Well, if his emotional defenses were breached, it could trigger that kind of compliance.
So to avoid being beaten by an accusation he feared and hated, might he admit to touching a child he'd never even met? Objection.
We are now beyond hypothetical.
Dr.
Huang is an expert witness.
I'm asking for his expert opinion.
Overruled.
Dr.
Huang? Yes.
Mr.
Hodda might say anything.
Huang.
Olivia.
What the hell were you doing up there? Testifying.
For that man? You and I used to put people like that away.
You know what he did to Hector.
What he did to Wyatt.
To Wyatt, yes.
But to Hector, I don't know.
So you think I coerced him? Is that what you think? How long have we known each other? Olivia, he's suggestible.
It may not have been your intent, but if you planted an idea, he might have believed it.
He believed it because he did it! I'm sorry, but I don't know that, and neither do you.
_ It was Stephen Lomatin, a young auxiliary officer, who first discovered the missing boy's lunch box.
Stephen, how emotional was it for you when you made that discovery? Uh, it was very emotional.
This job can be very emotional.
You feel like you're looking for a member of your own family.
So, when Hector Rodriguez disappeared in 1999, you were the one who found his lunch box? Yes, I was.
Hundreds of people looking, and you were the one who found it.
I was trained by the NYPD.
And I have good eyes.
Good eyes.
You didn't you didn't find it because you knew where to look? No.
How would I? That's what I've been wondering.
Objection.
Sustained.
Ms.
Hassler.
You'd you'd often spoken with Hector, isn't that right? I was friendly with all the kids up there.
How friendly? I resent these implications.
Oh, I'm I'm sure you do.
Did you resent it when SVU Sergeant John Munch interrogated you about this case? It wasn't an interrogation.
I was discussing aspects of the case with him.
You didn't take offense when he considered you a suspect? Objection.
No foundation.
Uh, sustained.
Jury will disregard.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Because that guy Munch, he was a conspiracy nut.
His own captain apologized to me.
So did the other detectives.
You mean the ones who found pictures of Hector Rodriguez all over your attic? Defense exhibit 13C.
Photos of Mr.
Lomatin's attic.
So this looks like the work of a man obsessed.
I was doing research.
For 13 years? You visited Hector's mother.
- You went to his memorial.
- Objection.
Is there a question? Yes.
How long have you been taking anti-psychotic drugs? - Objection.
Relevance.
- Sustained.
Thank you, Your Honor.
I just care about children, even when no one else does.
So you have a special relationship with children? Not like that.
Did you murder Hector Rodriguez? Judge, this is ridiculous.
There's the guy who did it! Right there! Mr.
Lomatin, just answer the question.
I will not dignify that question with an answer, Your Honor.
I'm not hearing a no.
And so, there can only be only one logical conclusion.
From the physical evidence of this horrible crime, as well as from his own words, you must find the defendant Lewis Hodda guilty.
Thank you.
Members of the jury, that concludes the closing arguments, which means it's time for you to begin your deliberations.
As you do, remember that the defendant is presumed to be innocent.
You must find the defendant not guilty, unless you conclude the People have proven him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
With that in mind, this case is now in your hands.
Godspeed.
_ The fact that the jurors are taking their time means the jury's taking their duty very seriously.
It's been two days already.
What issues are they grappling with? Mainly, the weakness of the People's case, which relies almost solely on a confession extorted by police threats.
She's still making her case.
The jurors aren't supposed to watch the news.
More and more cases of police officers who are out of control They abuse power.
We just need some more policies in places like this that do it.
Why don't you help people who deserve it? That man killed my boy.
Okay, Mrs.
Rodriguez, it's all right.
- He killed my boy.
- It's all right.
- Delores.
- Not now, not now.
- Delores.
- Not now.
Mr.
Barba, any comment? Uh, the People have complete confidence in the common sense of the jurors.
That's all we ask for, and that's all we need.
Anything? Nope.
Five days.
Hector's mother is barely holding it together.
Liv's with her.
- You still studying? - No.
Check this out.
The jurors' social media.
Juror Number One, the forewoman.
Name's Sharon Daley.
She's been posting for months about this big family reunion she's having at Thanksgiving.
Holiday's coming and the jury's stuck in a hotel on Staten Island.
Yeah, they all got to be dying to get out of there.
Hold on.
Hey, what's up, Amanda? Yeah? Oh, hold on.
I'll come get you.
What, the baby coming? Something's happening.
Doctor wants to check on her.
You cool holding down the fort? Yeah, yeah, go.
I'm good, I'm good.
I want to be close in case the jury comes back anyway Which they just did.
Happy Thanksgiving.
_ Verdict? Madam Forewoman, I received your note.
You have a question? Not me, Your Honor.
One of the other jurors.
Actually, a few of us want to hear the rules again for deciding if a confession is voluntary.
Very well.
Under our law, a statement is not voluntary if it is obtained by use or the threatened use of physical force or by any other improper conduct or undue pressure.
For example, what the police promised or said to the defendant, the defendant's treatment during the period of detention and questioning, and the amount of time or the length of time of the defendant's questioning.
Undue pressure? That chomo business.
I can't believe they're using that against you.
They don't know the whole story.
Hodda had kidnapped another boy.
I had to get him to tell me where he was.
I get it.
Totally.
Give us a sec.
I keep going over it in my head.
Liv? Liv? He'd kidnapped another child.
You had to get him to tell you where Wyatt was.
I know.
I know.
Hey, Fin, what's going on? Is she all right? Doc says the heart rate slowed up, so they put Amanda on a monitor.
Right now, it's just watch and wait.
Hold on.
You want to talk to Liv? Maybe later.
Maybe a little later.
Is it cool if I stay for a while? Okay, I'll keep you posted.
You okay? You need anything? Yeah, I'll just feel better when this is over.
Mr.
Barba! I've been trying to reach you.
I left seven messages.
Oh, well, there's nothing to talk about.
The case has already gone to the jury.
Oh no, that's the thing, one of the jurors, Juror Number Four, Thomas Johnson, he lied.
Wait, how do you how did you know his name? I gave a court clerk 50 bucks.
You commit you bribed a court clerk? I checked Johnson out.
He was arrested in Maryland for assault last year.
The charges were dropped, but he lost his job.
Okay, well, there must be No, no, no.
It's him, it's him.
I went to his house in my uniform and I talked to his sister.
It's him.
He's on the jury, and he doesn't like cops.
You committed bribery, impersonated a real police officer, and you tampered with a juror? He could be in that room right now, poisoning the entire jury.
Okay, you have to tell the judge.
And ask for what? A mistrial? It's too late to bring in an alternate.
I didn't know that.
I should have acted faster, but I did find it out.
You'll tell the NYPD what I did, won't you? Oh, yeah.
You can count on it.
_ How much do you want reread? Again, not me, Your Honor.
One of us wants to hear Lieutenant Benson's testimony, as well as the defendant's and the psychiatrist's.
All of it? I'm not really sure what good it will do.
Excuse me.
I'm not the only one who would benefit from this.
Every juror has the right.
The court reporter will begin.
We need to talk.
We've both had our fun.
It's time to end this.
It's almost Thanksgiving.
They're going to come in with a verdict.
Yeah, but which one? - Does he need to be here? - To chaperone, yes.
What do you want to talk about? My client will take a plea.
He agreed to a plea once before and changed his mind.
Yeah, but it wasn't a good plea.
And a good plea would be? Criminally negligent homicide.
- Are you kidding? - Shush.
How much time? - Eight years? - She started with three.
Eight years for killing my baby? - You've got to say no.
- I'm going to say yes.
Juries that stay out this long don't convict.
Then why did Hassler offer anything? Because juries are unpredictable, you never know.
- You just said - I know.
I don't know.
Nobody knows.
Then why did you invite us here if you'd already made up your mind? To try to make you understand.
Mainly you, Señora Rodriguez.
Por favor.
Entiende.
I've done the best I could.
No, I know you have.
It's just that man.
I If you think that this is best, I Okay.
Okay.
So, I understand you've reached a deal.
We have, Your Honor.
Can't say I'm surprised.
You want to tell me what it is? Well.
Ah.
- From the jury again.
- Another question? No.
They're deadlocked.
They claim it's hopeless.
Hopeless? Huh.
We still have a deal.
Do we? You should have said yes earlier.
Deal's off.
If this is about the upcoming holiday, you have a duty.
It's not that.
People are getting angry.
It's getting very tense.
Physical intimidation is not allowed.
If there's a problem, you should speak to a court officer.
I'm sorry.
We've really tried.
There isn't any point.
Very well.
If that's where we are, I'm declaring a mistrial.
Defendant's remand continues while the State decides how it wants to proceed.
The jury is dismissed and the court is adjourned.
What does that mean, "while the State decides"? - We can retry Hodda.
- A and do this all over again? Will it turn out any different? - Mrs.
Rodriguez.
- Excuse us.
I just want to say I'm so sorry.
We all are.
At least most of us.
That man is evil.
It was plain as day.
And you were very brave.
What the hell happened in that jury room? Well, one of the jurors thought Lomatin was guilty.
And two were worried the confession was coerced.
I'm sorry, Liv.
You are going to try him again? This cannot end here.
It shouldn't.
And we'll see.
Some of the jurors would like to, uh, light a candle for Hector tonight.
- Is that okay? - Of course.
Okay.
And thank you, Mr.
Barba.
I I I know how hard you tried.
You guys going up to the memorial? No.
I'm going to spell Fin at the hospital, keep Rollins company.
Liv, how about we go up together? Yeah, I I'll, uh I'll meet you there.
_ Hi.
I'm so sorry.
He's getting away with it.
No, he won't.
I spoke with my ex-husband and Wyatt.
And we all want to help.
We'll cooperate.
We'll go to trial.
All right? Carisi, go home.
Fin will be back here soon.
Yeah, well, I'll wait till he gets here, okay? You want some more ice chips? Uhuh.
- Hey, how's it going? - We're getting pretty close.
Contractions are five minutes apart, so Yeah? Hey Amanda, how you holding up? I'm tired and it hurts like hell.
And they say it's too late for an epidural.
Oh.
Oh.
Okay, here we go.
Just breathe, you got this.
Yeah, I know, I know.
You're doing great, Amanda.
No, no, no.
That is not a contraction.
That's not a contraction.
It's in my back.
It was my back.
It was the drug.
- Okay, hang on.
- This is the drug.
- We need a doctor in here.
- Help! Just hang on, we're gonna get a doctor in here right now.
Hey.
What? What is it? No, is that blood? We're going to take care of you.
Dr.
Sloan! Dr.
Sloan! They're going to get a doctor right now, okay? She's hemorrhaging.
The fetal heart rate is decelerating.
I need you to step out.
Now.
What is it?