Law & Order Special Victims Unit s26e18 Episode Script
The Accuser
1
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.
[SAW WHIRRING]
Yo, Eddie!
Gino's guy dropped off
that square stock for us.
- Where do you want it?
- Over by the bending jig.
You gonna be here late?
Should have never said
yes to this brownstone job.
You want me to stay, boss?
I can help you with
all that scrollwork.
No, no, no, no. Go
home to your girlfriend.
- Are you sure?
- Yeah.
Get out of here before
I change my mind.
I'll see you tomorrow.
You want me to lock up?
Nah, leave it open.
I need the air.
[ZZ TOP'S "SHARP DRESSED MAN" PLAYING]
Clean shirt, new shoes ♪
And I don't know where I am going to ♪
Silk suit, black tie ♪
I don't need a reason why-y-y ♪
They come running ♪
Just as fast as they can ♪
'Cause every girl crazy ♪
'Bout a sharp-dressed man ♪
[TENSE MUSIC]
[GRUNTS]
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
Eddie!
You in there?
Dad, can we just go home?
Hey, you wanna get
your last paycheck or what?
He probably left for the night.
Left?
Light's still on.
Oh!
It's open.
He's in there, go on.
- By myself?
- Yeah.
You're gonna own up to your mistakes,
look your boss in the
eye, and apologize.
And who knows?
Maybe get your job back.
I told you, I don't
want my job back.
Get in there.
Go ahead.
Eddie?
[TENSE MUSIC]
♪
Eddie?
Eddie?
Eddie!
♪
Eddie?
Dad!
Help!
[DOOR CLICKS OPEN]
Sam?
What's going on?
Is he dead?
Oh, geez.
Hey, hey, all right.
[STAMMERING] W-W-W-Wait outside.
Wait outside.
[SIRENS WAILING]
What are we looking at?
Vic is Eddie Upshaw, shop owner.
Hit on the head, some
kind of blunt instrument.
On his way to the hospital.
They think he'll pull through.
- Can we talk to him?
- Not yet.
So the 911 caller mentioned
a possible sexual assault?
Upshaw was found
stripped, pants down,
sodomized with an object.
And whoever did this
carved something on his back.
Carved his back?
What did they write?
- A bunch of numbers.
- Who found him?
Kid, over there.
Sam Carson, 17.
Works here.
Came by with his father.
A little late to be
showing up for work, isn't it?
Yeah, let's find out why.
Velasco and I will search the shop.
Okay, find the
weapon he was hit with
and what they used
to carve up his back.
My son Sam works
as an apprentice here.
- At least, I did.
- Did?
I messed something up on a job.
Eddie yelled at me, so I quit.
- Why did you come back?
- To get my last paycheck.
And to man up for what he did.
At night?
Yeah, I told him to,
you know, make it right with Eddie
as soon as he got out of school.
I must've gotten sidetracked.
Kid's got a new girlfriend.
So what time were
you with her until?
Until my dad called me,
mad that I hadn't
gone to see Eddie yet.
I probably shouldn't
have sent him in here alone.
So, Sam, you're the one
that found Mr. Upshaw?
Yeah.
He was hanging from a pole.
His pants were down.
There was blood on his legs, and back.
So did you see anybody else in here,
or anybody leave?
No, I didn't see nothing.
Okay, thank you.
If we have any more
questions, we'll get in touch.
He's gonna live, right?
We don't know yet.
Come on.
Find anything?
Place is full of hammers, pipes.
Nothing with blood on it
except the angle grinder.
Okay, have 'em bag everything.
What do we know about this Upshaw guy?
Divorced, three kids.
We found his cell phone,
and his ex-wife is listed
as his emergency contact.
Okay, send that to TARU.
Check his last calls.
A lot of potential weapons in here.
This Upshaw guy have
any financial trouble?
No record.
He makes a little more
than 100,000 a year.
So kind of an unremarkable guy.
Not anymore.
Yeah, but still,
an older man getting
sexually assaulted like this?
It's gotta be rare.
First time for everything.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
♪
Eddie Upshaw, small business owner
of a welding shop, working late.
All right.
No security cams?
We found one that was
installed decades ago.
Takes VHS tapes not operational.
We did find an angle
grinder with Eddie's blood on it,
but the only prints were Eddie's.
And no sign of forced entry?
Whoever it was,
Eddie either let him in
or they walked in
through the open door.
Okay, could he have been expecting
- the kid and his father?
- Maybe.
Eddie and the kid, Sam,
they had a falling out, the kid quit.
He was coming back
for his last paycheck.
We really think a
teenager clubbed a guy,
sodomized him, and then
carved a date into his back?
Could be a combination.
It meant something to someone.
So where was the kid and his
father before they found him?
Father was at work.
Kid was with his girlfriend.
So follow up, confirm.
You think Sam was involved?
He wasn't even alive in 2001.
From what we know,
the guy was well-liked.
No one is well-liked
by everyone, right?
Somebody was sending a message.
So find out who in Eddie's
life could have done this
A disgruntled employee, an angry ex?
I mean, this is clearly personal.
Eddie gonna be okay?
He's getting treated.
So what do you know?
Not much.
I showed up for work this morning.
Cops told me what happened.
When's the last time you saw him?
Yesterday around 8:00.
We were working.
He told me to go home.
So he was alone?
With the music on.
Told me to leave the door open.
How long have you
been working for him?
Four, almost five years.
Have you ever heard of any
employee complaining about him?
No.
Eddie's a solid dude.
Payroll is always on time.
Checks never bounce.
Okay, what about his personal life?
He never talks about it.
Have you ever noticed anyone sketchy
- coming around here?
- No.
Besides vendors and clients,
the only people who come
around here are apprentices.
Like the kid who found Eddie.
Sam?
Yeah.
We heard that they had some beef.
The kid cut through the
hose on our MIG welder
with a Sawzall by accident.
So why'd Sam quit?
Sam doesn't always
use the common sense
that God gave him.
But he's a good kid
Eager, quick study.
Has he ever talked to
you about his new girlfriend?
No, but I can see why he quit.
Thanks.
Yeah, Sam is my boyfriend.
I mean, more like a friend.
Not like we do anything.
Is my daughter in
some kind of trouble?
No, not at all.
We just wanna know if
you saw Sam yesterday.
- Did you?
- Yes.
Just for a little bit, after school.
Did he happen to
talk about his boss?
Mr. Upshaw?
- Yeah.
- What'd he say?
He'd tell me what he
learned about welding,
when Eddie was nice or
when he'd get pissed at him.
What was he pissed about?
Normal boss stuff.
Sam said he broke a tool or something.
He says Eddie yelled at him.
How long did you and
Sam hang out yesterday?
Only for a little
while after school.
Until what time?
I was home by 4:00.
Why?
So Sam Carson's
alibi doesn't check out.
He wasn't with his girlfriend.
All right, what about the father?
Nate Carson's office confirmed
he was at work until 8:00.
They found Eddie at 9:00.
- So that rules the father out.
- But not Sam.
Hey, heard back from TARU
about Eddie's cell phone records.
- And?
- It's pretty dull stuff.
No questionable
photos, no off-color texts
except Upshaw called
Sam ten times last night.
Ten times?
Pretty excessive.
- Did he ever call him back?
- Not once.
But then he just
shows up with his father?
And lies, about being
with his girlfriend?
This sound right to you?
It sounds like Sam's ducking him.
Bring him in.
Why are we here?
We
We told you guys everything last night.
Your son left some things out.
Have a seat.
You never mentioned
that Mr. Upshaw
called you last night
more than a few times.
I must have had my phone on silent.
Sam, it's time to
come clean, all right?
Just tell us what's really going on.
- Nothing.
- You're lying.
- My son is not a liar.
- Yeah?
He lied about being with
his girlfriend last night.
You talked to Ellie?
Yeah, she told us you
came over for a few minutes
after school, then she went home.
You told me you were with her.
Are you lying to us?
Sam.
Where were you between
school and going to Eddie's shop?
Where were you, Sam?
Hey, come on. He
asked you a question.
Okay!
Okay.
- I was in the park.
- Which one?
- Tompkins Square.
- Doing what?
- Thinking!
- About?
Just thinking!
Is my son in some
kind of trouble here?
Mr. Carson, we are not accusing Sam
of anything just yet.
But we do need to
clarify some details.
Do you have any idea
why Mr. Upshaw called you,
ten times last night?
No.
Why was he calling you nonstop?
I don't know.
You don't know, or
you don't wanna tell us?
Now is the time to come clean, Sam.
Why?
What did Mr. Upshaw say?
He didn't say anything.
He's still unconscious.
You know what I think?
I think Upshaw was
surprised you even quit.
Yeah, and that's
why you blew him off.
I messed up.
You're an apprentice.
Making little mistakes
is part of learning.
And you know what isn't?
Clubbing your boss in the head
with some metal or something.
And carving a date in his back
with an angle grinder.
June 15, 2001.
That mean anything to you, Sam?
What?
No.
That's
That's before you were born.
Are you lying to us right now?
No!
- Are you sure?
- Yes!
All right, uh
Do I
Do I need to call a lawyer?
If we have any more
questions, we'll let you know.
Let's go.
Come on.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Did you talk to the kid?
He wasn't saying anything
with his father in the room.
Counselor.
Get anywhere with this Upshaw case?
I just saw your two
witnesses walk out of here.
There's definitely
some kind of connection
between Upshaw and that kid Sam.
- We think he's good for it?
- I hope not.
His timeline is sketchy.
Lied about his alibi.
Upshaw called him
ten times last night.
He didn't call him back.
Is there any actual physical
evidence that ties him to this?
We recovered the weapon
that was used to carve him up,
but
Only Eddie's prints are on it.
Well, until Upshaw wakes
up, this is still an open case.
What about that date?
Didn't mean anything to Sam.
Captain, Upshaw is out of surgery.
- He's conscious.
- Great.
So find out if June 15th
means anything to our victim.
♪
- Dr. Klein?
- Yes?
We're here about Eddie Upshaw.
Sergeant Tutuola. This
is Detective Bruno, SVU.
So what can you tell us?
This is one of the more
brutal assaults I've seen.
Lucky he was
unconscious for most of it.
Any idea about the weapon?
Skull fracture.
Some kind of heavy, blunt instrument.
Basic.
Same with the sodomy.
What about the numbers
carved on his back?
We found an angle grinder
with his blood on it at the scene.
That's likely the implement.
Whoever did this wanted to
make sure it caused a scar.
Can he answer questions?
He's on pain meds, but, he can speak.
How are you feeling, Mr. Upshaw?
We have some
questions about last night.
Me too.
My memory's not so good.
That's normal.
Give it time.
Memories might come back.
Maybe it's better if they don't.
Did you get a look
at your assailant?
No.
They hit me from behind.
Maybe skin color, hands?
I'm gonna show you something.
It might be tough to take.
That date mean anything to you?
No, I
What was that, like,
20 years ago or something?
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Is there anybody in
your life you can think of
who would do this to you?
No.
It feels like you're asking me,
to tell you if I did something
to bring this on myself.
No, no, we're not saying that.
Because I've never
done anything to anyone,
to justify this!
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Scarring me for life?
Okay, okay.
It's just, this is a very
specific message to send.
And statistically, a guy your age
is the least likely to
be sexually assaulted.
We're just trying to find a motive.
Sometimes, there is no reason.
I just need more pain meds.
Okay, Mr. Upshaw, we're
gonna let you get some rest.
Thank you.
If Upshaw knows who
did this, he's not telling us.
Or he's afraid to talk.
Yeah, about who cut
that date in his back.
Well
He's got an ex-wife who's
still his emergency contact.
Someone should pay her a visit.
June 15, 2001?
Sorry, it doesn't mean anything to me.
Okay, well, are you still mad
at your ex-husband about anything?
When the cops called me
about Eddie, I felt horrible.
But you didn't go to the hospital?
There wasn't anything I could do.
Look, Eddie is bad at life.
When did you divorce him?
Over five years ago.
25 years was enough.
And how did he handle it
when you asked him for divorce?
Fine.
Didn't put up a fight or anything.
You have three kids.
They don't have much
of a relationship with him.
Any particular reason why?
They're older.
They got their own lives.
Okay, well, is there anyone else
that you can think of in his life
who might wanna hurt him?
The city is full of wingnuts.
Is it really that crazy to
think this was random?
Random attacks don't usually involve
someone being scarred with
a specific date, Mrs. Upshaw.
I'm sorry.
I wish I could be more help.
Thank you.
So our vic has no idea
who would carve
that date into his back.
Neither did his ex-wife.
They both claim
there's no one in his life
that would hurt Eddie.
Any red flags on social media?
Not that we could find.
Online dating?
He doesn't really seem to have
a social media life at all.
He has a page for the shop,
but he hasn't updated
it in three years.
Other than that,
no digital footprint.
So we have a 50-year-old guy,
who was sexually assaulted,
- then scarred with a date.
- [PHONE BUZZES]
I mean, we all know
that this wasn't random.
So
Keep digging into Upshaw's past.
Sam Carson just texted.
He wants to meet me in the park.
Alone?
I would feel more
comfortable if he had backup.
This kid just needs
someone to talk to.
I go alone, he's more
likely to be forthcoming.
Keep me posted.
Hey, Sam.
Hey.
I'm in trouble.
What kind of trouble?
I'm not sure.
You know, when things get too big,
I get afraid.
Like, if I open my mouth, I'm
I'm gonna fall off some kind of cliff.
If that's where you are,
I promise you, whatever it is,
I got you.
I'm afraid it's my fault.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
I've been working for
Eddie since I was 15.
He's been good to me.
Good how?
Teaching me stuff in the shop.
Making sure I'm on my game.
He started to give me rides home.
Did something happen?
At first, we would
talk about personal stuff.
And he started asking
me questions about girls,
what I do with them.
What I do with myself, when I'm alone.
Then he told me to pull my pants down.
I let him do it.
I just
I just froze.
It's like I wasn't even there.
I just let him do it.
Sam, listen to me.
This happens to a lot of people.
This is not on you.
To girls, maybe.
But, but not to guys.
It doesn't work like that.
I kept going back to the shop.
I tried to avoid Eddie, but,
most of the times, it
was just him and me.
Eddie set it up that way.
My dad says people who get hurt
put themselves in that position.
I mean, you've
You've seen him.
- He'll think it's my fault.
- You're not the adult here.
Eddie is.
And what he did is called grooming.
He gained your trust,
and then he manipulated it.
Are you gonna tell my dad?
No, I won't have to.
You will.
I don't think I can.
If I had a kid,
and somebody hurt him,
I'd wanna know.
So give your dad a
chance to be your dad.
And I'm gonna help
you through it, okay?
Okay.
[SNIFFLES]
But I have to ask
you a question, though.
What happened to Eddie,
did you have anything to do with it?
♪
Hey, Bruno.
- I'm sorry it's late.
- No, it's okay.
I was
I was expecting your call.
- You talked to Sam?
- Yeah.
I figured it'd just be
easier to tell you in person.
What?
Sam didn't do this, but
There's a reason he
might have wanted to.
Come in.
Hey, you got a break
in the Upshaw case?
Well, yes, and no.
Oh, good. Well,
let's start with the yes.
- How about that?
- Okay.
Well, Sam Carson admitted to Bruno
that Eddie abused him.
Oh, well, that's a motive for
- the assault on Eddie.
- But
But, Sam denies
that he attacked Eddie.
Do you believe this kid?
I mean, didn't he lie about his alibi?
He did, at first.
But then he said that he
was in Tompkins Square Park,
and the pole cam footage confirms.
So Sam is no longer a suspect?
Let's get to the
"no" in this scenario.
Well, the "no" is, we
have no viable suspects.
But odds are that Sam
is not Eddie's first victim.
Have you found any
other complaining witnesses?
We talked to former
employees, apprentices.
So far, nothing.
Eddie had no record
for the last 20 years.
Going back into the
online booking system,
arrests were logged by hand,
so it's gonna take some time.
Okay, so keep searching.
In the meantime,
Carisi and Bruno, my office.
I realize that Eddie
Upshaw is a victim
in a hospital bed, but
He's also a perp.
So, Carisi, can we
make a case against him?
If this kid Sam is
willing to testify, yeah.
There's one hurdle.
Sam doesn't wanna tell
his father, let alone testify.
Yes, but at the same
time, Sam is a minor.
So at some point, we are going
to have to inform his parents.
I'll let Sam know.
Mr. and Mrs. Carson,
thank you so much for coming in.
Sam said it was something
about Eddie Upshaw.
- Ah, yeah.
- Please have a seat.
So
These conversations are
Are difficult to have.
I know Sam lied to you,
but he's just a scared kid.
Your son isn't in
any kind of trouble.
Your son is a victim.
What?
I don't understand.
Sam, what's going on?
Go ahead.
You can tell them.
Exactly what we talked about.
I don't want you to be mad.
Oh, we
We're not mad.
I lied to you,
about why I quit the shop.
It's okay, Sam.
You're safe. Right?
You can tell them.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
I quit because
Mr. Upshaw was touching me.
He was making me touch him.
What?
Wait
Wait a minute.
How's that
How's that possible?
Look, I know that
this is a lot to process.
But Sam disclosed to Detective Bruno
Your son is the
victim of sexual abuse.
Oh, my God.
Why wouldn't you tell us?
I didn't want you to be mad.
Mad?
I wouldn't be mad at you, son.
It's going to be okay.
We're going to figure this out, okay?
And it might benefit you and
And your family to
To maybe see a counselor.
I have some names that
I'm happy to connect you with.
Is that why Upshaw
was attacked like that?
We believe it's possible
he has other victims.
Well, what happens now?
Well, we still wanna prosecute
for what he did to Sam.
Does that mean
Sam will have to testify?
If our ADA can make a deal, no.
But, uh, if this goes
to trial, then yes.
I don't know if I can do that.
Sam, Upshaw abused you.
He needs to go to prison.
I just wanna go home.
I think that's a good idea.
If you need anything, if
you have any questions,
please, we're here.
I'll walk you out.
Thank you for helping my son.
♪
You all right, Liv?
I've been better.
We're on the right track now.
Why? We got something?
Curry found an old arrest
record on Eddie Upshaw
from 2002.
Sexual abuse in the first.
Did you get a name of the victim?
She was a minor, so it's Jane Doe.
- Okay, did it go to trial?
- If it did,
it was an acquittal.
Case is sealed.
It's probably in some warehouse
somewhere out in Queens.
Well, I will ask Carisi
to have a judge sign off
on access to the file.
In the meantime,
have Curry and Velasco
head out to the warehouse.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
♪
'95 to '05 are in here.
Criminal on this
side, civil on the other.
The boxes should be labeled
clearly enough, so good luck.
♪
You ready?
Let's get this son of a bitch.
♪
Okay, so you found something.
Upshaw's sex abuse
case went to trial in 2004.
- And?
- He was acquitted.
Okay, what about
our Jane Doe victim?
The name is redacted.
She was 11 years old during the trial.
She was eight when the abuse began.
Yeah, in 2001.
Jury didn't believe her.
Call the arresting officer.
Call the ADA.
Get me a name.
There might be a shortcut.
The ex-wife,
she was still married
to him during the trial.
And when we interviewed her,
she said that that date
didn't mean anything to her.
Okay, so she's
either in utter denial
or, she's lying to protect him.
Find out which one.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
Oh, come on.
What is this?
Just a couple more questions
about your ex-husband.
I told you everything already.
- I doubt that.
- So my first question is,
what's making this
nice lady so squirrelly
that she decides to lie to the cops?
- That's a good question.
- Thanks.
I got nothing more
to say about Eddie.
What?
Your ex-husband was a defendant
in a sexual abuse case
early on in your marriage.
You don't think that's
something we needed to know?
That girl was lying.
How do you know?
She was friends with my daughter.
She had mental problems.
She was eight years old.
Her father was a drinker.
Her mother was out of her mind.
She was just looking for attention.
Is that what you tell yourself
so you could stay married to him
for 25 years with
three kids in the house?
Don't you judge me.
I had no help.
So what, you
You stayed with him for a paycheck?
I mean, have you asked yourself
why your kids want
nothing to do with him?
He wouldn't have the
stones to mess where he eats.
He knew my family would kill him.
What do you think
your family would feel
if they know you're covering for him?
[SCOFFS]
Hmm?
[TENSE MUSIC]
I'll step outside.
♪
We need the name of the victim,
and where we can find her.
Angela Jones has been in prison
for the past five years.
Turns out, Upshaw's
daughter stayed in touch with her.
- What were the charges?
- Drug possession.
Recently paroled.
- How recently?
- A week ago.
Three days before
Upshaw was attacked.
That doesn't mean
that she's good for it.
No, but as much
as we may not like it,
it does make her a suspect.
So what was Angela's history
since Upshaw was
acquitted of her abuse?
She went downhill.
At 13, drugs and
alcohol problems, truancy.
She barely graduated high school.
Psych wards, in and out of juvie.
Rikers, multiple arrests in her 20s,
court-mandated rehab.
- So nothing worked?
- No.
Okay, do we have a
last-known for Angela?
We spoke with her parole officer.
Okay, well, go talk to her.
Copy.
And what is Upshaw's condition?
- He's stabilized.
- Still in the hospital.
All right, so go to the hospital,
show them a six pack, and
see if he can make an ID.
He was pretty cagey
the first time we talked to him, Liv,
He says he never
saw the perp's face.
If his attacker is a
former abuse victim,
that might explain why.
[SIGHS]
Hey, I know this is a
tough one for you, Liv.
Did you read the
transcript of the court case?
I did.
She was eight years old when
Upshaw started abusing her,
and that jury just let him go free.
She waited over a year to report.
And the defense played
up her inconsistencies,
mental lapses.
And this
This was over 20 years ago.
Just makes me crazy.
And I know that they didn't
have the understanding
of trauma that we do now,
about how it affects memory
and how, you know, it
can make time just collapse.
And if she did assault Eddie Upshaw,
it's a horrific crime.
But if her sexual assault case
against Eddie was on trial now,
he'd be in prison.
Well, you've gotta be kidding me.
This wasn't a woman.
We've got a possible suspect.
Why don't you take a closer look?
Unless there's a reason
you don't want us to close this case.
What's that supposed to mean?
You said you didn't
do anything to anyone
to deserve to be assaulted like this.
I haven't.
And you didn't think we'd
find out about Angela Jones?
[TENSE MUSIC]
That girl was lying.
I knew it, the jury knew it,
and I walked out of there.
And what about Sam Carson?
Whatever Sam's
saying, he's lying too.
Maybe you got away with
what you did 20 years ago,
but not today.
I'm not talking to you guys anymore.
♪
You okay, man?
If I ever had a kid
and somebody did that,
my face would be the
last thing they ever see.
I feel you.
I'm a cop. I shouldn't say that.
Yeah, Bruno, but you're human first.
You really think Angela did this?
Well, the police report
listed June 15, 2001,
as the first time Angela
was abused by Upshaw.
I can't believe she's been carrying
this day with her ever since.
Well, I guess she
wants him to carry it now.
[DOG BARKING]
- Fourth floor.
- Copy.
- This one?
- Yeah.
NYPD!
Angela?
[WINDOW CREAKS, METAL CLANGS]
- Fire escape.
- Yeah.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
♪
- I'll take the back.
- Okay.
[GASPS]
♪
[DOG BARKING]
Hey!
Hey!
Whoa!
NYPD, stop!
♪
- [HORN HONKING]
- [BRAKES SCREECH]
Stop moving!
Screw you!
Come on!
- Get up.
- Get off me!
Get your goddamn hands off me!
SVU Portable,
send a unit to transport a prisoner.
White Plains and Barnes, by the L.
- [GROWLS]
- Come on, let's go. Walk.
You had probable cause to arrest?
She ran, violating parole.
She almost got away,
except for the captain here.
And did she say anything?
"Get your goddamn hands off me"?
- You Mirandized her?
- Yeah.
She refused a lawyer.
She won't talk to anybody.
And you had to cuff her?
Believe me, I didn't want
to, but she tried to bite the uni.
Well, we all know that look, right?
She obviously feels
she has nothing to lose.
But I can't help her
if she won't talk to us.
Yeah.
Why don't we start by
taking off those cuffs?
Angela, I'm Captain Benson,
and this is ADA Carisi.
Now, I know that it
may not seem like it,
but we actually are
trying to help you.
Now, my officers told me
that they tried to talk to you,
but it didn't seem like
you were so cooperative.
So I'd like
I'd like to take those cuffs off.
I need you to promise me that we
can just have a calm conversation.
Would that be okay?
Bolson.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I think we've got it from here.
Why am I here?
You're here because
we know about your trial,
about the abuse case,
with Eddie Upshaw.
We read the transcript and
all your police interviews,
and we understand that you were
eight years old when you met Eddie?
Is that when the abuse started?
I was best friends with
his daughter, Christa.
She believed me, but nobody else did
Not the cops at first,
and not Eddie's wife,
not that jury.
But
There's nothing anyone
can do about that now.
I believe you, Angela.
We're not here to
talk about my trial.
No, we're here to talk
about Eddie Upshaw.
[PENSIVE MUSIC]
So can you tell me where
you were three nights ago?
I don't remember.
Well, Eddie was injured.
He was hit over the head,
and his back was carved.
How is he?
He's permanently
scarred, but he's alive.
I'll tell you this, he'll
He'll never forget that date.
Makes two of us.
Did you do that?
I only did what someone
should have done 20 years ago.
Angela, are you admitting guilt?
Oh, I don't feel guilt at all.
[LAUGHS]
I just looked him up.
Just after all these years?
Yeah.
My PO warned me about doing that.
He said if you go looking for pain,
you're always gonna find it.
And what did you find?
Just some half-assed page
of his shop on social media.
He was just living life.
An ordinary, normal guy.
Unremarkable.
Yeah, for exactly that reason.
After all these years, it's
I saw that, and I
I'd had enough.
You threw your life away.
You do things like this,
and it lets guys like that win.
He already won, Captain.
I remember him every
day, even on my best ones.
He didn't scar me once.
He's scarred me every day since.
So
What happens now?
I go back to prison?
Because trust me,
it was worth it.
♪
We're gonna get you a lawyer,
and we're gonna figure this out.
I'll talk to the DA.
♪
There she is.
We heard some things
about you, Captain.
Like what?
Like you should quit your
day job and join the NFL.
Fast on your feet.
Okay. What happened with Angela?
She confessed.
Benson and Carisi are with
her at the DA's office right now.
Okay.
Sam.
Everything all right?
Can we talk?
Of course.
How have you been, Sam?
Okay.
Having a little trouble sleeping.
You know.
That's understandable.
But I talked to my mom and dad.
We made an appointment
with the therapist
Captain Benson recommended.
Good.
I wanna face things, you know?
Deal with this for real.
Makes sense.
My dad always talks about
how a real man faces life.
How he doesn't run
away or hide or
Or lie
And I do that a lot.
My dad told me you arrested
the woman who did that to Eddie.
We did.
Am I gonna end up like that?
Like what?
Wanting to hurt other people
because of what happened to me.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
That therapist you're going to,
you're gonna work together,
and make sure that doesn't happen.
♪
Hi.
Come on in.
How are you doing, Angela?
I'm okay.
We're here to discuss the plea deal.
Yeah.
Take a seat, please.
So given Angela's
history with Eddie Upshaw,
the DA has agreed
to reduce the charges
- Felony assault two.
- What does that mean?
You would stay on parole,
but you'd have to
complete a psych program.
And if you agree and
you complete the program,
then the court will
allow you to withdraw
your plea for the felony assault.
And we can discuss other charges.
Or a dismissal.
Your client committed
a serious crime
sodomy, disfigurement.
This is the best you're gonna get.
You might not have to go to prison.
You just have to be on
parole for a long time.
It's a good deal.
♪
We'll take the plea.
You know, Angela,
I hate what you did.
But I hate what was
done to you even more.
♪
We've seen this before.
Yeah, cycle of abuse.
So the question is, will
we ever be able to stop it?
You want the real answer? No.
Well, it's not gonna
stop us from trying.
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.
[SAW WHIRRING]
Yo, Eddie!
Gino's guy dropped off
that square stock for us.
- Where do you want it?
- Over by the bending jig.
You gonna be here late?
Should have never said
yes to this brownstone job.
You want me to stay, boss?
I can help you with
all that scrollwork.
No, no, no, no. Go
home to your girlfriend.
- Are you sure?
- Yeah.
Get out of here before
I change my mind.
I'll see you tomorrow.
You want me to lock up?
Nah, leave it open.
I need the air.
[ZZ TOP'S "SHARP DRESSED MAN" PLAYING]
Clean shirt, new shoes ♪
And I don't know where I am going to ♪
Silk suit, black tie ♪
I don't need a reason why-y-y ♪
They come running ♪
Just as fast as they can ♪
'Cause every girl crazy ♪
'Bout a sharp-dressed man ♪
[TENSE MUSIC]
[GRUNTS]
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
Eddie!
You in there?
Dad, can we just go home?
Hey, you wanna get
your last paycheck or what?
He probably left for the night.
Left?
Light's still on.
Oh!
It's open.
He's in there, go on.
- By myself?
- Yeah.
You're gonna own up to your mistakes,
look your boss in the
eye, and apologize.
And who knows?
Maybe get your job back.
I told you, I don't
want my job back.
Get in there.
Go ahead.
Eddie?
[TENSE MUSIC]
♪
Eddie?
Eddie?
Eddie!
♪
Eddie?
Dad!
Help!
[DOOR CLICKS OPEN]
Sam?
What's going on?
Is he dead?
Oh, geez.
Hey, hey, all right.
[STAMMERING] W-W-W-Wait outside.
Wait outside.
[SIRENS WAILING]
What are we looking at?
Vic is Eddie Upshaw, shop owner.
Hit on the head, some
kind of blunt instrument.
On his way to the hospital.
They think he'll pull through.
- Can we talk to him?
- Not yet.
So the 911 caller mentioned
a possible sexual assault?
Upshaw was found
stripped, pants down,
sodomized with an object.
And whoever did this
carved something on his back.
Carved his back?
What did they write?
- A bunch of numbers.
- Who found him?
Kid, over there.
Sam Carson, 17.
Works here.
Came by with his father.
A little late to be
showing up for work, isn't it?
Yeah, let's find out why.
Velasco and I will search the shop.
Okay, find the
weapon he was hit with
and what they used
to carve up his back.
My son Sam works
as an apprentice here.
- At least, I did.
- Did?
I messed something up on a job.
Eddie yelled at me, so I quit.
- Why did you come back?
- To get my last paycheck.
And to man up for what he did.
At night?
Yeah, I told him to,
you know, make it right with Eddie
as soon as he got out of school.
I must've gotten sidetracked.
Kid's got a new girlfriend.
So what time were
you with her until?
Until my dad called me,
mad that I hadn't
gone to see Eddie yet.
I probably shouldn't
have sent him in here alone.
So, Sam, you're the one
that found Mr. Upshaw?
Yeah.
He was hanging from a pole.
His pants were down.
There was blood on his legs, and back.
So did you see anybody else in here,
or anybody leave?
No, I didn't see nothing.
Okay, thank you.
If we have any more
questions, we'll get in touch.
He's gonna live, right?
We don't know yet.
Come on.
Find anything?
Place is full of hammers, pipes.
Nothing with blood on it
except the angle grinder.
Okay, have 'em bag everything.
What do we know about this Upshaw guy?
Divorced, three kids.
We found his cell phone,
and his ex-wife is listed
as his emergency contact.
Okay, send that to TARU.
Check his last calls.
A lot of potential weapons in here.
This Upshaw guy have
any financial trouble?
No record.
He makes a little more
than 100,000 a year.
So kind of an unremarkable guy.
Not anymore.
Yeah, but still,
an older man getting
sexually assaulted like this?
It's gotta be rare.
First time for everything.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
♪
Eddie Upshaw, small business owner
of a welding shop, working late.
All right.
No security cams?
We found one that was
installed decades ago.
Takes VHS tapes not operational.
We did find an angle
grinder with Eddie's blood on it,
but the only prints were Eddie's.
And no sign of forced entry?
Whoever it was,
Eddie either let him in
or they walked in
through the open door.
Okay, could he have been expecting
- the kid and his father?
- Maybe.
Eddie and the kid, Sam,
they had a falling out, the kid quit.
He was coming back
for his last paycheck.
We really think a
teenager clubbed a guy,
sodomized him, and then
carved a date into his back?
Could be a combination.
It meant something to someone.
So where was the kid and his
father before they found him?
Father was at work.
Kid was with his girlfriend.
So follow up, confirm.
You think Sam was involved?
He wasn't even alive in 2001.
From what we know,
the guy was well-liked.
No one is well-liked
by everyone, right?
Somebody was sending a message.
So find out who in Eddie's
life could have done this
A disgruntled employee, an angry ex?
I mean, this is clearly personal.
Eddie gonna be okay?
He's getting treated.
So what do you know?
Not much.
I showed up for work this morning.
Cops told me what happened.
When's the last time you saw him?
Yesterday around 8:00.
We were working.
He told me to go home.
So he was alone?
With the music on.
Told me to leave the door open.
How long have you
been working for him?
Four, almost five years.
Have you ever heard of any
employee complaining about him?
No.
Eddie's a solid dude.
Payroll is always on time.
Checks never bounce.
Okay, what about his personal life?
He never talks about it.
Have you ever noticed anyone sketchy
- coming around here?
- No.
Besides vendors and clients,
the only people who come
around here are apprentices.
Like the kid who found Eddie.
Sam?
Yeah.
We heard that they had some beef.
The kid cut through the
hose on our MIG welder
with a Sawzall by accident.
So why'd Sam quit?
Sam doesn't always
use the common sense
that God gave him.
But he's a good kid
Eager, quick study.
Has he ever talked to
you about his new girlfriend?
No, but I can see why he quit.
Thanks.
Yeah, Sam is my boyfriend.
I mean, more like a friend.
Not like we do anything.
Is my daughter in
some kind of trouble?
No, not at all.
We just wanna know if
you saw Sam yesterday.
- Did you?
- Yes.
Just for a little bit, after school.
Did he happen to
talk about his boss?
Mr. Upshaw?
- Yeah.
- What'd he say?
He'd tell me what he
learned about welding,
when Eddie was nice or
when he'd get pissed at him.
What was he pissed about?
Normal boss stuff.
Sam said he broke a tool or something.
He says Eddie yelled at him.
How long did you and
Sam hang out yesterday?
Only for a little
while after school.
Until what time?
I was home by 4:00.
Why?
So Sam Carson's
alibi doesn't check out.
He wasn't with his girlfriend.
All right, what about the father?
Nate Carson's office confirmed
he was at work until 8:00.
They found Eddie at 9:00.
- So that rules the father out.
- But not Sam.
Hey, heard back from TARU
about Eddie's cell phone records.
- And?
- It's pretty dull stuff.
No questionable
photos, no off-color texts
except Upshaw called
Sam ten times last night.
Ten times?
Pretty excessive.
- Did he ever call him back?
- Not once.
But then he just
shows up with his father?
And lies, about being
with his girlfriend?
This sound right to you?
It sounds like Sam's ducking him.
Bring him in.
Why are we here?
We
We told you guys everything last night.
Your son left some things out.
Have a seat.
You never mentioned
that Mr. Upshaw
called you last night
more than a few times.
I must have had my phone on silent.
Sam, it's time to
come clean, all right?
Just tell us what's really going on.
- Nothing.
- You're lying.
- My son is not a liar.
- Yeah?
He lied about being with
his girlfriend last night.
You talked to Ellie?
Yeah, she told us you
came over for a few minutes
after school, then she went home.
You told me you were with her.
Are you lying to us?
Sam.
Where were you between
school and going to Eddie's shop?
Where were you, Sam?
Hey, come on. He
asked you a question.
Okay!
Okay.
- I was in the park.
- Which one?
- Tompkins Square.
- Doing what?
- Thinking!
- About?
Just thinking!
Is my son in some
kind of trouble here?
Mr. Carson, we are not accusing Sam
of anything just yet.
But we do need to
clarify some details.
Do you have any idea
why Mr. Upshaw called you,
ten times last night?
No.
Why was he calling you nonstop?
I don't know.
You don't know, or
you don't wanna tell us?
Now is the time to come clean, Sam.
Why?
What did Mr. Upshaw say?
He didn't say anything.
He's still unconscious.
You know what I think?
I think Upshaw was
surprised you even quit.
Yeah, and that's
why you blew him off.
I messed up.
You're an apprentice.
Making little mistakes
is part of learning.
And you know what isn't?
Clubbing your boss in the head
with some metal or something.
And carving a date in his back
with an angle grinder.
June 15, 2001.
That mean anything to you, Sam?
What?
No.
That's
That's before you were born.
Are you lying to us right now?
No!
- Are you sure?
- Yes!
All right, uh
Do I
Do I need to call a lawyer?
If we have any more
questions, we'll let you know.
Let's go.
Come on.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Did you talk to the kid?
He wasn't saying anything
with his father in the room.
Counselor.
Get anywhere with this Upshaw case?
I just saw your two
witnesses walk out of here.
There's definitely
some kind of connection
between Upshaw and that kid Sam.
- We think he's good for it?
- I hope not.
His timeline is sketchy.
Lied about his alibi.
Upshaw called him
ten times last night.
He didn't call him back.
Is there any actual physical
evidence that ties him to this?
We recovered the weapon
that was used to carve him up,
but
Only Eddie's prints are on it.
Well, until Upshaw wakes
up, this is still an open case.
What about that date?
Didn't mean anything to Sam.
Captain, Upshaw is out of surgery.
- He's conscious.
- Great.
So find out if June 15th
means anything to our victim.
♪
- Dr. Klein?
- Yes?
We're here about Eddie Upshaw.
Sergeant Tutuola. This
is Detective Bruno, SVU.
So what can you tell us?
This is one of the more
brutal assaults I've seen.
Lucky he was
unconscious for most of it.
Any idea about the weapon?
Skull fracture.
Some kind of heavy, blunt instrument.
Basic.
Same with the sodomy.
What about the numbers
carved on his back?
We found an angle grinder
with his blood on it at the scene.
That's likely the implement.
Whoever did this wanted to
make sure it caused a scar.
Can he answer questions?
He's on pain meds, but, he can speak.
How are you feeling, Mr. Upshaw?
We have some
questions about last night.
Me too.
My memory's not so good.
That's normal.
Give it time.
Memories might come back.
Maybe it's better if they don't.
Did you get a look
at your assailant?
No.
They hit me from behind.
Maybe skin color, hands?
I'm gonna show you something.
It might be tough to take.
That date mean anything to you?
No, I
What was that, like,
20 years ago or something?
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Is there anybody in
your life you can think of
who would do this to you?
No.
It feels like you're asking me,
to tell you if I did something
to bring this on myself.
No, no, we're not saying that.
Because I've never
done anything to anyone,
to justify this!
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Scarring me for life?
Okay, okay.
It's just, this is a very
specific message to send.
And statistically, a guy your age
is the least likely to
be sexually assaulted.
We're just trying to find a motive.
Sometimes, there is no reason.
I just need more pain meds.
Okay, Mr. Upshaw, we're
gonna let you get some rest.
Thank you.
If Upshaw knows who
did this, he's not telling us.
Or he's afraid to talk.
Yeah, about who cut
that date in his back.
Well
He's got an ex-wife who's
still his emergency contact.
Someone should pay her a visit.
June 15, 2001?
Sorry, it doesn't mean anything to me.
Okay, well, are you still mad
at your ex-husband about anything?
When the cops called me
about Eddie, I felt horrible.
But you didn't go to the hospital?
There wasn't anything I could do.
Look, Eddie is bad at life.
When did you divorce him?
Over five years ago.
25 years was enough.
And how did he handle it
when you asked him for divorce?
Fine.
Didn't put up a fight or anything.
You have three kids.
They don't have much
of a relationship with him.
Any particular reason why?
They're older.
They got their own lives.
Okay, well, is there anyone else
that you can think of in his life
who might wanna hurt him?
The city is full of wingnuts.
Is it really that crazy to
think this was random?
Random attacks don't usually involve
someone being scarred with
a specific date, Mrs. Upshaw.
I'm sorry.
I wish I could be more help.
Thank you.
So our vic has no idea
who would carve
that date into his back.
Neither did his ex-wife.
They both claim
there's no one in his life
that would hurt Eddie.
Any red flags on social media?
Not that we could find.
Online dating?
He doesn't really seem to have
a social media life at all.
He has a page for the shop,
but he hasn't updated
it in three years.
Other than that,
no digital footprint.
So we have a 50-year-old guy,
who was sexually assaulted,
- then scarred with a date.
- [PHONE BUZZES]
I mean, we all know
that this wasn't random.
So
Keep digging into Upshaw's past.
Sam Carson just texted.
He wants to meet me in the park.
Alone?
I would feel more
comfortable if he had backup.
This kid just needs
someone to talk to.
I go alone, he's more
likely to be forthcoming.
Keep me posted.
Hey, Sam.
Hey.
I'm in trouble.
What kind of trouble?
I'm not sure.
You know, when things get too big,
I get afraid.
Like, if I open my mouth, I'm
I'm gonna fall off some kind of cliff.
If that's where you are,
I promise you, whatever it is,
I got you.
I'm afraid it's my fault.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
I've been working for
Eddie since I was 15.
He's been good to me.
Good how?
Teaching me stuff in the shop.
Making sure I'm on my game.
He started to give me rides home.
Did something happen?
At first, we would
talk about personal stuff.
And he started asking
me questions about girls,
what I do with them.
What I do with myself, when I'm alone.
Then he told me to pull my pants down.
I let him do it.
I just
I just froze.
It's like I wasn't even there.
I just let him do it.
Sam, listen to me.
This happens to a lot of people.
This is not on you.
To girls, maybe.
But, but not to guys.
It doesn't work like that.
I kept going back to the shop.
I tried to avoid Eddie, but,
most of the times, it
was just him and me.
Eddie set it up that way.
My dad says people who get hurt
put themselves in that position.
I mean, you've
You've seen him.
- He'll think it's my fault.
- You're not the adult here.
Eddie is.
And what he did is called grooming.
He gained your trust,
and then he manipulated it.
Are you gonna tell my dad?
No, I won't have to.
You will.
I don't think I can.
If I had a kid,
and somebody hurt him,
I'd wanna know.
So give your dad a
chance to be your dad.
And I'm gonna help
you through it, okay?
Okay.
[SNIFFLES]
But I have to ask
you a question, though.
What happened to Eddie,
did you have anything to do with it?
♪
Hey, Bruno.
- I'm sorry it's late.
- No, it's okay.
I was
I was expecting your call.
- You talked to Sam?
- Yeah.
I figured it'd just be
easier to tell you in person.
What?
Sam didn't do this, but
There's a reason he
might have wanted to.
Come in.
Hey, you got a break
in the Upshaw case?
Well, yes, and no.
Oh, good. Well,
let's start with the yes.
- How about that?
- Okay.
Well, Sam Carson admitted to Bruno
that Eddie abused him.
Oh, well, that's a motive for
- the assault on Eddie.
- But
But, Sam denies
that he attacked Eddie.
Do you believe this kid?
I mean, didn't he lie about his alibi?
He did, at first.
But then he said that he
was in Tompkins Square Park,
and the pole cam footage confirms.
So Sam is no longer a suspect?
Let's get to the
"no" in this scenario.
Well, the "no" is, we
have no viable suspects.
But odds are that Sam
is not Eddie's first victim.
Have you found any
other complaining witnesses?
We talked to former
employees, apprentices.
So far, nothing.
Eddie had no record
for the last 20 years.
Going back into the
online booking system,
arrests were logged by hand,
so it's gonna take some time.
Okay, so keep searching.
In the meantime,
Carisi and Bruno, my office.
I realize that Eddie
Upshaw is a victim
in a hospital bed, but
He's also a perp.
So, Carisi, can we
make a case against him?
If this kid Sam is
willing to testify, yeah.
There's one hurdle.
Sam doesn't wanna tell
his father, let alone testify.
Yes, but at the same
time, Sam is a minor.
So at some point, we are going
to have to inform his parents.
I'll let Sam know.
Mr. and Mrs. Carson,
thank you so much for coming in.
Sam said it was something
about Eddie Upshaw.
- Ah, yeah.
- Please have a seat.
So
These conversations are
Are difficult to have.
I know Sam lied to you,
but he's just a scared kid.
Your son isn't in
any kind of trouble.
Your son is a victim.
What?
I don't understand.
Sam, what's going on?
Go ahead.
You can tell them.
Exactly what we talked about.
I don't want you to be mad.
Oh, we
We're not mad.
I lied to you,
about why I quit the shop.
It's okay, Sam.
You're safe. Right?
You can tell them.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
I quit because
Mr. Upshaw was touching me.
He was making me touch him.
What?
Wait
Wait a minute.
How's that
How's that possible?
Look, I know that
this is a lot to process.
But Sam disclosed to Detective Bruno
Your son is the
victim of sexual abuse.
Oh, my God.
Why wouldn't you tell us?
I didn't want you to be mad.
Mad?
I wouldn't be mad at you, son.
It's going to be okay.
We're going to figure this out, okay?
And it might benefit you and
And your family to
To maybe see a counselor.
I have some names that
I'm happy to connect you with.
Is that why Upshaw
was attacked like that?
We believe it's possible
he has other victims.
Well, what happens now?
Well, we still wanna prosecute
for what he did to Sam.
Does that mean
Sam will have to testify?
If our ADA can make a deal, no.
But, uh, if this goes
to trial, then yes.
I don't know if I can do that.
Sam, Upshaw abused you.
He needs to go to prison.
I just wanna go home.
I think that's a good idea.
If you need anything, if
you have any questions,
please, we're here.
I'll walk you out.
Thank you for helping my son.
♪
You all right, Liv?
I've been better.
We're on the right track now.
Why? We got something?
Curry found an old arrest
record on Eddie Upshaw
from 2002.
Sexual abuse in the first.
Did you get a name of the victim?
She was a minor, so it's Jane Doe.
- Okay, did it go to trial?
- If it did,
it was an acquittal.
Case is sealed.
It's probably in some warehouse
somewhere out in Queens.
Well, I will ask Carisi
to have a judge sign off
on access to the file.
In the meantime,
have Curry and Velasco
head out to the warehouse.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
♪
'95 to '05 are in here.
Criminal on this
side, civil on the other.
The boxes should be labeled
clearly enough, so good luck.
♪
You ready?
Let's get this son of a bitch.
♪
Okay, so you found something.
Upshaw's sex abuse
case went to trial in 2004.
- And?
- He was acquitted.
Okay, what about
our Jane Doe victim?
The name is redacted.
She was 11 years old during the trial.
She was eight when the abuse began.
Yeah, in 2001.
Jury didn't believe her.
Call the arresting officer.
Call the ADA.
Get me a name.
There might be a shortcut.
The ex-wife,
she was still married
to him during the trial.
And when we interviewed her,
she said that that date
didn't mean anything to her.
Okay, so she's
either in utter denial
or, she's lying to protect him.
Find out which one.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
Oh, come on.
What is this?
Just a couple more questions
about your ex-husband.
I told you everything already.
- I doubt that.
- So my first question is,
what's making this
nice lady so squirrelly
that she decides to lie to the cops?
- That's a good question.
- Thanks.
I got nothing more
to say about Eddie.
What?
Your ex-husband was a defendant
in a sexual abuse case
early on in your marriage.
You don't think that's
something we needed to know?
That girl was lying.
How do you know?
She was friends with my daughter.
She had mental problems.
She was eight years old.
Her father was a drinker.
Her mother was out of her mind.
She was just looking for attention.
Is that what you tell yourself
so you could stay married to him
for 25 years with
three kids in the house?
Don't you judge me.
I had no help.
So what, you
You stayed with him for a paycheck?
I mean, have you asked yourself
why your kids want
nothing to do with him?
He wouldn't have the
stones to mess where he eats.
He knew my family would kill him.
What do you think
your family would feel
if they know you're covering for him?
[SCOFFS]
Hmm?
[TENSE MUSIC]
I'll step outside.
♪
We need the name of the victim,
and where we can find her.
Angela Jones has been in prison
for the past five years.
Turns out, Upshaw's
daughter stayed in touch with her.
- What were the charges?
- Drug possession.
Recently paroled.
- How recently?
- A week ago.
Three days before
Upshaw was attacked.
That doesn't mean
that she's good for it.
No, but as much
as we may not like it,
it does make her a suspect.
So what was Angela's history
since Upshaw was
acquitted of her abuse?
She went downhill.
At 13, drugs and
alcohol problems, truancy.
She barely graduated high school.
Psych wards, in and out of juvie.
Rikers, multiple arrests in her 20s,
court-mandated rehab.
- So nothing worked?
- No.
Okay, do we have a
last-known for Angela?
We spoke with her parole officer.
Okay, well, go talk to her.
Copy.
And what is Upshaw's condition?
- He's stabilized.
- Still in the hospital.
All right, so go to the hospital,
show them a six pack, and
see if he can make an ID.
He was pretty cagey
the first time we talked to him, Liv,
He says he never
saw the perp's face.
If his attacker is a
former abuse victim,
that might explain why.
[SIGHS]
Hey, I know this is a
tough one for you, Liv.
Did you read the
transcript of the court case?
I did.
She was eight years old when
Upshaw started abusing her,
and that jury just let him go free.
She waited over a year to report.
And the defense played
up her inconsistencies,
mental lapses.
And this
This was over 20 years ago.
Just makes me crazy.
And I know that they didn't
have the understanding
of trauma that we do now,
about how it affects memory
and how, you know, it
can make time just collapse.
And if she did assault Eddie Upshaw,
it's a horrific crime.
But if her sexual assault case
against Eddie was on trial now,
he'd be in prison.
Well, you've gotta be kidding me.
This wasn't a woman.
We've got a possible suspect.
Why don't you take a closer look?
Unless there's a reason
you don't want us to close this case.
What's that supposed to mean?
You said you didn't
do anything to anyone
to deserve to be assaulted like this.
I haven't.
And you didn't think we'd
find out about Angela Jones?
[TENSE MUSIC]
That girl was lying.
I knew it, the jury knew it,
and I walked out of there.
And what about Sam Carson?
Whatever Sam's
saying, he's lying too.
Maybe you got away with
what you did 20 years ago,
but not today.
I'm not talking to you guys anymore.
♪
You okay, man?
If I ever had a kid
and somebody did that,
my face would be the
last thing they ever see.
I feel you.
I'm a cop. I shouldn't say that.
Yeah, Bruno, but you're human first.
You really think Angela did this?
Well, the police report
listed June 15, 2001,
as the first time Angela
was abused by Upshaw.
I can't believe she's been carrying
this day with her ever since.
Well, I guess she
wants him to carry it now.
[DOG BARKING]
- Fourth floor.
- Copy.
- This one?
- Yeah.
NYPD!
Angela?
[WINDOW CREAKS, METAL CLANGS]
- Fire escape.
- Yeah.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
♪
- I'll take the back.
- Okay.
[GASPS]
♪
[DOG BARKING]
Hey!
Hey!
Whoa!
NYPD, stop!
♪
- [HORN HONKING]
- [BRAKES SCREECH]
Stop moving!
Screw you!
Come on!
- Get up.
- Get off me!
Get your goddamn hands off me!
SVU Portable,
send a unit to transport a prisoner.
White Plains and Barnes, by the L.
- [GROWLS]
- Come on, let's go. Walk.
You had probable cause to arrest?
She ran, violating parole.
She almost got away,
except for the captain here.
And did she say anything?
"Get your goddamn hands off me"?
- You Mirandized her?
- Yeah.
She refused a lawyer.
She won't talk to anybody.
And you had to cuff her?
Believe me, I didn't want
to, but she tried to bite the uni.
Well, we all know that look, right?
She obviously feels
she has nothing to lose.
But I can't help her
if she won't talk to us.
Yeah.
Why don't we start by
taking off those cuffs?
Angela, I'm Captain Benson,
and this is ADA Carisi.
Now, I know that it
may not seem like it,
but we actually are
trying to help you.
Now, my officers told me
that they tried to talk to you,
but it didn't seem like
you were so cooperative.
So I'd like
I'd like to take those cuffs off.
I need you to promise me that we
can just have a calm conversation.
Would that be okay?
Bolson.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I think we've got it from here.
Why am I here?
You're here because
we know about your trial,
about the abuse case,
with Eddie Upshaw.
We read the transcript and
all your police interviews,
and we understand that you were
eight years old when you met Eddie?
Is that when the abuse started?
I was best friends with
his daughter, Christa.
She believed me, but nobody else did
Not the cops at first,
and not Eddie's wife,
not that jury.
But
There's nothing anyone
can do about that now.
I believe you, Angela.
We're not here to
talk about my trial.
No, we're here to talk
about Eddie Upshaw.
[PENSIVE MUSIC]
So can you tell me where
you were three nights ago?
I don't remember.
Well, Eddie was injured.
He was hit over the head,
and his back was carved.
How is he?
He's permanently
scarred, but he's alive.
I'll tell you this, he'll
He'll never forget that date.
Makes two of us.
Did you do that?
I only did what someone
should have done 20 years ago.
Angela, are you admitting guilt?
Oh, I don't feel guilt at all.
[LAUGHS]
I just looked him up.
Just after all these years?
Yeah.
My PO warned me about doing that.
He said if you go looking for pain,
you're always gonna find it.
And what did you find?
Just some half-assed page
of his shop on social media.
He was just living life.
An ordinary, normal guy.
Unremarkable.
Yeah, for exactly that reason.
After all these years, it's
I saw that, and I
I'd had enough.
You threw your life away.
You do things like this,
and it lets guys like that win.
He already won, Captain.
I remember him every
day, even on my best ones.
He didn't scar me once.
He's scarred me every day since.
So
What happens now?
I go back to prison?
Because trust me,
it was worth it.
♪
We're gonna get you a lawyer,
and we're gonna figure this out.
I'll talk to the DA.
♪
There she is.
We heard some things
about you, Captain.
Like what?
Like you should quit your
day job and join the NFL.
Fast on your feet.
Okay. What happened with Angela?
She confessed.
Benson and Carisi are with
her at the DA's office right now.
Okay.
Sam.
Everything all right?
Can we talk?
Of course.
How have you been, Sam?
Okay.
Having a little trouble sleeping.
You know.
That's understandable.
But I talked to my mom and dad.
We made an appointment
with the therapist
Captain Benson recommended.
Good.
I wanna face things, you know?
Deal with this for real.
Makes sense.
My dad always talks about
how a real man faces life.
How he doesn't run
away or hide or
Or lie
And I do that a lot.
My dad told me you arrested
the woman who did that to Eddie.
We did.
Am I gonna end up like that?
Like what?
Wanting to hurt other people
because of what happened to me.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
That therapist you're going to,
you're gonna work together,
and make sure that doesn't happen.
♪
Hi.
Come on in.
How are you doing, Angela?
I'm okay.
We're here to discuss the plea deal.
Yeah.
Take a seat, please.
So given Angela's
history with Eddie Upshaw,
the DA has agreed
to reduce the charges
- Felony assault two.
- What does that mean?
You would stay on parole,
but you'd have to
complete a psych program.
And if you agree and
you complete the program,
then the court will
allow you to withdraw
your plea for the felony assault.
And we can discuss other charges.
Or a dismissal.
Your client committed
a serious crime
sodomy, disfigurement.
This is the best you're gonna get.
You might not have to go to prison.
You just have to be on
parole for a long time.
It's a good deal.
♪
We'll take the plea.
You know, Angela,
I hate what you did.
But I hate what was
done to you even more.
♪
We've seen this before.
Yeah, cycle of abuse.
So the question is, will
we ever be able to stop it?
You want the real answer? No.
Well, it's not gonna
stop us from trying.