Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999–…): Season 10, Episode 8 - Persona - full transcript

While trying to stop a case of domestic abuse, Benson crosses paths with a woman who has been a fugitive for over 30 years and claims that she was also a domestic abuse victim.

(male announcer)
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.

NEXT.

MORNING-AFTER PILL.

I'M SORRY.
COULD YOU SPEAK UP, PLEASE?

I NEED
THE MORNING-AFTER PILL.



HAVE YOU TALKED
TO YOUR DOCTOR

ABOUT EMERGENCY
CONTRACEPTION?

I THOUGHT I DIDN'T NEED
A PRESCRIPTION.

YOU DON'T, BUT IT'S BEST
IF YOU SEE YOUR PHYSICIAN--

JUST GIVE ME THE PILL.

HAVE YOU
CONSIDERED ADOPTION?

WHAT THE HELL
IS WRONG WITH YOU?

PLEASE, I NEED IT!
LET GO OF ME.

SECURITY!
I CAN'T HAVE HIS BABY.

THEN YOU SHOULDN'T
HAVE LET HIM GET

INTO YOUR PANTS.

PLEASE, NO.
PLEASE, DON'T DO THIS!

DON'T DO THIS!
YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!

[crying]
I WAS RAPED.



MIA, I'M DETECTIVE BENSON.

THIS IS MY PARTNER,
DETECTIVE STABLER.

ARE YOU TAKING ME
TO JAIL?

YOU CUFFED
A RAPE VICTIM?

SHE CREATED A DISTURBANCE.
IT'S STORE POLICY.

UNHOOK HER.

SHE ASSAULTED ME.

UNHOOK HER NOW.

FINE.

QUICKLY.

MIA, WE'RE GONNA GET YOU
TO THE HOSPITAL.

[scoffs]
I'M PRESSING CHARGES.

DON'T PRESS YOUR LUCK.

*

*

IS MIA DOING OKAY?

YEAH, SHE'S RESTING,

BUT SHE'S PRETTY
SHAKEN UP.

(Benson)
THE RAPIST REALLY
WORKED HER OVER.

AND SO DID
THAT PHARMACIST.

TOO MANY OF THEM THINK
THEY HAVE THE RIGHT

TO PUSH THEIR BELIEFS
ON THEIR PATIENTS.

MAYBE IF THEY'D BEEN RAPED
THEY'D BE MORE COMPASSIONATE.

MIA UP TO TALKING?

YEAH.

FIND HIM FAST,
WILL YOU, DETECTIVE?

I DON'T WANT TO SEE
ANY MORE OF HIS HANDIWORK.

IT WAS GETTING LIGHT.

I WENT OUT FOR BAGELS,
AND I WAS ON 97th STREET

WHEN HE GRABBED ME
FROM BEHIND.

IT'S OKAY, MIA.

YOU'RE DOING GREAT.
JUST TAKE A BREATH.

HE, UM--
HE HAD A KNIFE,

AND HE SAID THAT
IF I SCREAMED

HE'D SLIT MY THROAT.

THEN HE DRAGGED ME
INTO THE ALLEY,

AND I TRIED TO RUN,
BUT THEN HE KNOCKED ME DOWN

AND HE STARTED PUNCHING ME

AND KICKING ME
IN THE STOMACH.

AND I MUST HAVE PASSED OUT,

BECAUSE THE NEXT
THING I REMEMBER,

HE WAS ON TOP OF ME.

INSIDE ME.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE HIM?

HE WAS TALL,

WHITE, AND BIG.

BUT HE TOLD ME

NOT TO LOOK AT HIM.

ALL I COULD THINK IS
THAT MY HUSBAND AND I

ARE TRYING
TO GET PREGNANT

AND I'M OVULATING.

I SAW THE PHARMACY
AND I RAN IN.

I DON'T WANT
TO HAVE HIS BABY.

ABOUT TIME
YOU SHOWED UP.

YOU'RE BUSTING OUR BALLS?
WHERE'S YOUR TEAM?

COME AND GONE.

YOU ALREADY PROCESSED
THE CRIME SCENE?

I DIDN'T HAVE TO.
I JUST SET UP THE TAPE

AND SENT EVERYBODY HOME.
WHAT'S GOING ON?

SOMEONE DUMPED MOTOR OIL
IN THAT DUMPSTER.

IT LEAKED OUT,
GAVE THE PAVEMENT A LUBE JOB.

NOTHING'S BETTER
FOR TRAPPING

PRINTS AND FIBERS
THAN A LITTLE GREASE,

BUT THERE'S NOT
EVEN A SHOE PRINT.

SO, IF MIA WAS ON HER BACK,

THERE'D BE SMUDGES,
SIGNS OF A STRUGGLE.

YEAH, AND THERE'D BE OIL
ALL OVER HER CLOTHES.

YOUR VICTIM LIED TO YOU.

WELL, NOT ABOUT BEING RAPED.

SOMEONE BEAT THE CRAP
OUT OF HER.

WE SAW PHOTOS
OF HER INJURIES.

WHICH ALL HAPPENED TO BE
IN PLACES COVERED BY CLOTHES,

SO THE BRUISES
WOULDN'T SHOW.

CLASSIC DV.

OUR PERP'S HER HUSBAND.

[door bell buzzes]

MIA!

IT'S DETECTIVE BENSON
CALLING.

UM, NOW'S NOT REALLY
A GOOD TIME.

IS YOUR HUSBAND HOME?

NO, BRENT'S STILL AT WORK.
WHY?

YOU KNOW WHY.

MIA, YOU WERE ASSAULTED,

BUT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN
THE WAY YOU SAID IT DID.

ARE YOU SAYING
I'M A LIAR?

I'M SAYING THAT
YOU'RE A VICTIM,

AND I CAN'T HELP YOU UNLESS
YOU TELL ME THE TRUTH.

HI, HONEY!

YOU'RE HOME EARLY.

WELL, I COULDN'T
WAIT TO SEE

MY BEST GIRL.

YOU GONNA INTRODUCE ME
TO YOUR FRIENDS?

I'M DETECTIVE STABLER.

THIS IS MY PARTNER,
DETECTIVE BENSON.

WE'RE INVESTIGATING A STRING
OF RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES

IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

WELL, WE HAVE A GREAT
SECURITY SYSTEM HERE.

LIKE THEY SAY, PROTECTED
BY SMITH AND WESSON.

YOU HAVE A GUN?

YES, SEVERAL.

ALL LEGALLY REGISTERED,
OF COURSE.

JUST MAKE SURE YOU KEEP
THOSE WEAPONS SECURE.

OKAY?
WHY?

SO I CAN SAY,
"EXCUSE ME, MR. CRIMINAL,

"COULD YOU WAIT A MOMENT
WHILE I TAKE THIS

FREAKIN' SAFETY LOCK OFF?"

THAT'S FOR THE HEADS-UP,
DETECTIVES,

BUT I'M PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF
TAKING CARE OF MY OWN HOME.

DINNER READY?
I'M STARVED.

I WASN'T EXPECTING YOU
UNTIL SIX.

BUT WHY DON'T YOU
RELAX WITH A DRINK

WHILE I FINISH COOKING?

(Brent)
FINE.

IF WE DON'T STOP HIM,
THAT PRICK'S GONNA USE MIA

FOR TARGET PRACTICE.

HE'S GOT HER
ON A TIGHT LEASH,

AND IF SHE WON'T TALK,
WE CAN'T TOUCH HIM.

MAYBE THERE'S
ANOTHER WAY.

THE WALLS HAVE EARS.

WELCOME!

WELCOME.
THIS IS A TREAT.

I'M A HUGE CRIME BUFF.

SEE, OVER HERE
I HAVE EVERYTHING

FROM WILKIE COLLINS
TO GEORGE PELECANOS.

LINNIE!

IF WE HAD A VIEW,
I'D BE WATCHING THE NEIGHBORS

LIKE JIMMY STEWART
IN REAR WINDOW.

AND THIS IS
MY GRACE KELLY, LINNIE.

SWEETIE,
THE POLICE ARE HERE.

OH, THE POLICE.

IS SOMETHING WRONG?

ACTUALLY, WE WANTED
TO ASK A FEW QUESTIONS

ABOUT YOUR UPSTAIRS
NEIGHBOR.

HAS SOMETHING
HAPPENED TO MIA?

(Stabler)
WHY WOULD YOU ASK THAT?

BECAUSE OF HER HUSBAND.

JONAH, PLEASE.
WE CAN'T GET INVOLVED.

WAS THERE A DISTURBANCE IN
THEIR APARTMENT LAST NIGHT?

(Linnie)
NO.

LINNIE, I'VE GOT M.S.

IF YOU'VE GOT ALZHEIMER'S,
WE'RE IN BIG TROUBLE.

THERE WAS
AN UNHOLY RUCKUS.

IT WAS LIKE THEY WERE
MOVING FURNITURE.

MAYBE THEY WERE.

AT THREE
IN THE MORNING?

DO THEIR FIGHTS
EVER GET PHYSICAL?

SHE HAD A BROKEN ARM
LAST SPRING.

SHE SAID SHE TRIPPED.

HOGWASH.

LINNIE, THE GIRL
NEEDS OUR HELP.

AND WHO'S GONNA HELP US
IF HE KICKS US OUT?

WE'LL NEVER FIND ANOTHER
RENT CONTROLLED APARTMENT

THAT HAS WHEELCHAIR ACCESS.

WE'D HAVE
TO LEAVE THE CITY.

SWEETHEART--

NO, JONAH.
I WON'T DO IT.

[sighs]
I'M SORRY.

MY WIFE IS AFRAID
OF EVERYTHING.

SHE HASN'T LEFT MANHATTAN
IN OVER 30 YEARS.

SHE'S AFRAID OF WATER.
SHE WON'T GO ACROSS A BRIDGE.

MIA'S BODY IS
COVERED IN BRUISES.

HUSBAND REALLY DID
A NUMBER ON HER.

SHE TOLD YOU
IT WAS HER HUSBAND?

NO, NO.

WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE
TO SPEAK WITH HER ALONE.

THEN HOW DO YOU KNOW?

THE SAME WAY YOU KNOW.

THE WAY SHE FLINCHES
WHEN HE COMES TOWARD HER

OR THE WAY SHE HAS
FEAR IN HER EYE

WHEN HE SPEAKS.

THE WAY SHE WANTS TO JUMP
OUT OF HER SKIN,

SORT OF THE WAY
YOU ARE RIGHT NOW.

WELL, OF COURSE
I'M SCARED.

THIS PLACE IS A GODSEND
TO ME AND JONAH.

HE MOVED IN HERE
ALMOST 40 YEARS AGO,

WHEN HE STARTED USING
THE WHEELCHAIR.

IF WE WERE TO LOSE IT--

THERE ARE LAWS THAT PROTECT
TENANTS FROM RETALIATION.

BUT IF YOU DON'T HELP US,
WE CAN'T PROTECT MIA.

BRENT'S A MONSTER.

ALL SMILES
AND GOOD LOOKS,

BUT UNDERNEATH THERE'S--
THERE'S ONLY ICE.

HE HAS NO HEART.

SO, YOU'VE HEARD THEM
FIGHT BEFORE?

WHEN HE STARTS YELLING,
I PUT ON MY HEADPHONES.

I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT.

BUT THE NEXT DAY,
I SEE THE BRUISES.

SO, HELP ME HELP HER.

LINNIE?

IN HERE, DEAR.

GOT YOUR MESSAGE.

I THOUGHT YOU NEEDED HELP
GETTING JONAH OUT OF THE TUB.

NO. NO.

PLEASE, MIA,
TALK TO HER.

I HAVE TO GO.
MIA, LISTEN TO ME.

IF YOU GO BACK UPSTAIRS,
I CAN'T PROTECT YOU.

I DON'T NEED PROTECTION.

SWEETHEART, YOU DO.

PLEASE...

LET ME HELP YOU.

LISTEN TO ME, MIA.

LISTEN TO ME, PLEASE.

IT'S OKAY, MIA.

MIA, I WANT YOU TO LOOK.
OKAY?

MIA, LOOK WHAT
HE DID TO YOU.

OH, MY POOR CHILD.

LOOK AT YOURSELF.

[soft]
LOOK WHAT HE DID.

HE ALWAYS SAYS
HE'S SORRY.

HE BRINGS ME FLOWERS.

PROMISES HE'LL
NEVER HURT YOU AGAIN.

UNTIL HE DOES.

LISTEN TO ME.

HE'S NOT GONNA CHANGE.

YOU HAVE TO.

OKAY?

I NEED YOU TO TELL ME
WHAT REALLY HAPPENED, OKAY?

HE WANTED TO HAVE SEX.

"LET'S MAKE A BABY,"
HE SAID,

BECAUSE HE KNEW
I WAS OVULATING.

HE TRACKS IT,

TAKES MY TEMPERATURE
EVERY DAY.

BUT, UH...

HOW CAN I HAVE
A CHILD WITH HIM?

I TOLD HIM
I WASN'T FEELING WELL,

AND HE CALLED ME
A SELFISH BITCH,

AND THEN HE STARTED
HITTING ME AND KICKING ME.

AND THEN HE RAPED YOU.

I'M SO SORRY
I LIED TO YOU.

I DIDN'T KNOW
WHAT TO DO.

COME HERE.

I'LL TAKE CARE OF HER.

GO ARREST THE BASTARD.

DETECTIVES?

BRENT LATIMER,
YOU'RE UNDER ARREST FOR RAPE.

RAPE?

[sighs]
WHERE'S MY WIFE?

DID YOU HEAR THAT, EL?

YOU SAID RAPE,
HE SAYS WIFE.

THAT SOUNDS LIKE
A CONFESSION TO ME.

YOU'RE MAKING
A HUGE MISTAKE, DETECTIVE.

MIA WOULD NEVER SAY
A WORD AGAINST ME.

YOU WANT TO BET?

DOCKET ENDING
0-4-2-4,

PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
VERSUS BRENT LATIMER.

RAPE ONE, ASSAULT TWO.

HOW DOES
THE DEFENDANT PLEAD?

NOT GUILTY.

BAIL, MS. GREYLEK?
500,000.

THAT'S PUNITIVE, YOUR HONOR.
THE PEOPLE'S CASE IS WEAK.

(Greylek)
WEAK?

THE VICTIM BARELY HAS
AN INCH OF UNBRUISED SKIN.

THE INJURIES FULLY
CORROBORATE HER STORY.

WHICH STORY?
THE ONE SHE SPUN

OUT OF STRANGER RAPE,
SO SHE WOULDN'T GET ARRESTED

FOR ASSAULTING A PHARMACIST?

OR THE TALE OF
THE BIG BAD HUSBAND

SHE SNOOKERED
DETECTIVE BENSON WITH?

THAT'S WHAT THE GRAND JURY
IS FOR, MR. LANGAN.

TO SORT THESE THINGS OUT.
BAIL IS SET AT 50,000.

THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR.
I'LL POST IT IMMEDIATELY.

THEN THE PEOPLE REQUEST

AN ORDER OF PROTECTION
BARRING THE DEFENDANT

FROM CONTACT WITH THE VICTIM.
KIM?

YOU'RE GONNA THROW MY CLIENT
OUT OF HIS OWN HOME?

WELL, IF HE MADE BAIL,

HE CAN AFFORD A HOTEL ROOM.

WE ALSO REQUEST
THE DEFENDANT SURRENDER

HIS FIREARMS TO THE NYPD.

YOUR HONOR, I HAVE
A SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHT

TO BEAR ARMS.

I'LL SLEEP BETTER KNOWING

THEY'RE IN A GUN SAFE
AT THE PRECINCT.

YOU'LL TURN THEM IN.
CALL THE NEXT CASE.

[gavel bangs]

I CAN'T BELIEVE
THEY'RE LETTING HIM GO.

MIA, HE'S NOT ALLOWED
IN THIS HOUSE.

IF HE COMES WITHIN 50 FEET,
HE'LL BE ARRESTED.

IF HE GETS THAT CLOSE,
I'LL BE DEAD.

HE'LL SHOOT ME.

WE'RE TAKING AWAY
HIS GUNS.

YOU THINK THAT'S
GONNA STOP HIM?

IS THERE ANY FAMILY
THAT YOU COULD STAY WITH?

MY PARENTS ARE DEAD.
I'M AN ONLY CHILD.

THE ONLY PEOPLE WE SEE
ARE BRENT'S FRIENDS.

THEY'LL NEVER BELIEVE ME.

SO, MAYBE YOU SHOULD CHECK
INTO A HOTEL FOR A FEW DAYS.

I WENT TO THE GROCERY
STORE LAST NIGHT.

MY CREDIT CARD
WAS CANCELLED.

SO IS MY ATM CARD.

BRENT CUT ME OFF
FROM ALL OUR MONEY.

I THINK YOU SHOULD
GO TO A SHELTER.

LIKE A HOMELESS PERSON?

FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

THEY'LL FIND YOU
SOMEWHERE SAFE TO LIVE.

OKAY, THEN WHAT AM I
SUPPOSED TO LIVE ON?

WELFARE?

I GREW UP POOR AND I MADE IT
TO THE UPPER EAST SIDE.

NOW, I'M BACK TO EATING
GOVERNMENT CHEESE.

MIA, YOU'LL FILE
FOR DIVORCE

AND YOU'LL HAVE ENOUGH
MONEY TO START OVER.

NO, I WON'T.

I SIGNED A PRE-NUP.

I MET BRENT
WHEN I WAS 18.

HE CONVINCED ME
TO DROP OUT OF COLLEGE.

NO, HE MADE YOU
DEPEND ON HIM,

SO HE COULD
CONTROL YOU.

WELL, IT WORKED.

I MEAN, I'VE NEVER
EVEN HAD A JOB.

HOW AM I
SUPPOSED TO LIVE?

MIA, LISTEN TO ME.

IT'S NOT GONNA BE EASY,

BUT YOU'RE GONNA
MAKE A NEW LIFE.

I HAD A FRIEND

WHOSE HUSBAND BEAT HER.

SAID IT WAS HER FAULT.

IF SHE WASN'T SO STUPID
AND WORTHLESS,

HE WOULDN'T HAVE
TO HIT HER.

AND SHE BELIEVED HIM.

BUT SHE ESCAPED

AND SHE FOUND
A MAN WHO WOULD--

WHO WOULD RATHER DIE
THAN HURT HER.

THAT'S WHAT
YOU DESERVE, MIA.

SO, WHAT NOW?

OKAY, YOU PACK.

LET'S GET YOUR I.D.,

ANY IMPORTANT PAPERS,

ANYTHING THAT
CAN'T BE REPLACED.

(Benson)
YOU CAN'T DISCLOSE

THE LOCATION
OF THE SAFE HOUSE.

YOU'RE GONNA NEED
TO SIGN IN AND OUT

EACH TIME YOU LEAVE,

BE BACK FOR CURFEW
AT 9:00 P.M.

YOU'LL HAVE DAILY CHORES,

PLUS GROUP AND
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY.

YOU CAN'T HAVE ANY CONTACT
WITH BRENT.

IF YOU DO, YOU'LL BE ASKED
TO LEAVE THE SHELTER.

BRENT'S FREE,
AND I'M IN PRISON.

I KNOW THAT
IT'S STRICT HERE,

BUT THE RULES ARE MEANT
FOR YOUR SAFETY.

I KNOW ALL ABOUT RULES.

BRENT HAS LOTS OF THEM.

KNOWING WHERE I AM
EVERY MINUTE.

LOOKING PRETTY
ALL THE TIME.

ALWAYS WEAR MAKEUP.
NO SLOPPY SWEATS.

HOUSE HAS TO BE
SO CLEAN IT SPARKLES.

MY DAD WAS THE SAME WAY.

ALWAYS ORDERING ME AROUND.

THERE'S NEVER
BEEN A TIME

WHEN SOMEONE HASN'T
TOLD ME WHAT TO DO.

HEY, HOW'D IT GO
WITH MIA?

LOUSY.

SHE'S IN A SHELTER,
BUT I PUSHED HER INTO IT.

THAT'S BETTER
THAN STAYING HOME

BEING A SITTING DUCK
FOR MR. GUNS AND AMMO.

IT SHOULD HAVE
BEEN HER CHOICE.

NOT ME TELLING HER WHAT
TO DO LIKE HER BATTERER.

SHE'S IN NO SHAPE
TO MAKE ANY DECISION.

SHE NEEDED YOUR HELP.

SO, NOW SHE'S SAFE AND
BRENT'S GOING TO PRISON.

I DON'T THINK SO.

MIA CAME TO ME AND
RECANTED THE CHARGES

AGAINST MY CLIENT.
ON VIDEO.

BRENT MUST HAVE
GOTTEN TO HER.

NO, HER GUILTY
CONSCIOUS DID.

LET'S GO PLAY THIS FOR GREYLEK
AND DROP THE CHARGES.

I'M TALKING
TO MIA FIRST.

GO AHEAD.

SHE'S AT HOME
WITH HER HUSBAND.

GOOD MORNING, DETECTIVE.

BEAUTIFUL DAY, ISN'T IT?

WHERE'S MIA?

SHE'S MAKING ME BRUNCH.

WE'RE HAVING
A LAZY DAY IN BED.

SO LONG.

I NEED TO TALK TO HER.

I HAVE A LEGAL RIGHT
TO CHECK ON HER WELL-BEING,

SO INTERFERE AND
I WILL ARREST YOU

FOR OBSTRUCTION.

YOU'RE A PIECE OF WORK.

WHY? BECAUSE YOU CAN'T
ORDER ME AROUND?

MIA, COME HERE!

PLEASE.

HEY.

MIA, ARE YOU
ALL RIGHT?

YEAH, EVERYTHING'S FINE.

YOU DON'T LOOK FINE.
COME HERE.

LOOK, MIA, MAYBE THE SHELTER
WASN'T THE BEST WAY TO GO,

BUT I KNOW THERE ARE OTHER WAYS
THAT WE CAN KEEP YOU SAFE.

I WANT TO BE HOME
WITH MY HUSBAND.

SATISFIED?

THINK ABOUT THIS.
ARE YOU SURE?

I MADE A MISTAKE,

BUT BRENT FORGAVE ME
AND NOW WE'RE GONNA GET ON

WITH OUR LIVES.

AND OUR BREAKFAST.

GOOD-BYE, DETECTIVE.

OH, AND TELL YOUR PARTNER

I'D LIKE MY GUNS BACK.

HE CAN DROP THEM
OFF ANY TIME.

LINNIE?

LINNIE.

I'M SORRY.
JONAH LET ME IN.

SO MUCH FOR HELPING MIA.

LOOK, SHE WASN'T READY
TO LEAVE HER HUSBAND.

I PUSHED HER.
IT WAS MY FAULT.

OH, SPARE ME
THE SELF-PITY.

LINNIE, I KNOW THAT YOU CARE
ABOUT MIA'S SAFETY.

WELL, WHAT'S THE USE?
SHE DOESN'T CARE.

WHERE DOES THAT
STAIRCASE LEAD?

TO MIA'S KITCHEN.

IT'S THE OLD
SERVANTS' STEPS.

WHEN THEY CONVERTED
THE HOUSE INTO APARTMENTS,

THEY LEFT IT IN.

WE SHARE THE LAUNDRY.

YOU'RE NOT STAYING HERE.

IT'S THE ONLY WAY THAT
I CAN PROTECT HER.

SHE MADE HER BED.
SHE'LL HAVE TO LIE IN IT.

GO HOME, DETECTIVE.

YOU TOLD MIA
ABOUT YOUR FRIEND

WHO WAS BATTERED.

DID YOU HELP HER LEAVE?

NO.

SHE DIDN'T TELL ANYONE
WHAT HE DID TO HER.

SHE WENT THROUGH HELL
TO GET OUT.

SO IF YOU HAD KNOWN,

WOULDN'T YOU HAVE DONE ANYTHING
YOU COULD TO PROTECT HER?

[sighs]

(Brent)
DON'T YOU RUN FROM ME!

YOU MADE A MISTAKE, AND NOW
YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.

NOW GET ON YOUR KNEES!

(Mia)
BRENT, PLEASE,
I SAID I'M SORRY!

SORRY?
YOU'RE SORRY?!

SORRY'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH!
LET GO OF ME!

DON'T TELL ME
WHAT TO DO!

YOU STUPID--

AAH!

OH, MY GOD.

PUT YOUR HANDS
ON YOUR HEAD!

I DIDN'T--

SHE--
SHE ATTACKED ME!

SHE ATTACKED ME, OKAY?

GET ON THE FLOOR!
FACE DOWN!

LINNIE, CALL 911!

CALL 911!

MIA!

MIA, HANG ON!
YOU HANG ON!

OH, GOD.
OH, GOD.

(Cragen)
HOW ARE YOU HOLDING UP?

HOW DO YOU THINK?

YOU DID EVERYTHING
YOU COULD.

I COULD HAVE COLLARED HER
FOR FILING A FALSE RAPE REPORT.

I HAVE NEVER SEEN YOU
LOCK UP A VICTIM.

AT LEAST SHE'D
STILL BE ALIVE.

FOR HOW LONG?

SOONER OR LATER,
SHE WOULD HAVE

GONE BACK TO HIM.

MIA MADE HER CHOICE, LIV.

ARE YOU SAYING
IT'S HER FAULT?

NO.

BUT IT'S NOT
YOURS EITHER.

COME ON,
LET'S GET OUT OF HERE.

(Linnie)
WAS IT WORTH IT, OLIVIA?

(Jonah)
LINNIE, STOP IT.

LIV, DON'T.

YOU COULDN'T
LEAVE HER ALONE.

LINNIE--

YOU JUST PUSHED
AND PUSHED.

AND FOR WHAT?

THAT?

DETECTIVE,

DON'T LET HIM
GET AWAY WITH IT.

SO HOW'S IT LOOK?
MY EVIDENCE SOLID?

LIKE A ROCK.

AND WARNER DID
A SUSPECT KIT ON LATIMER,

HE DIDN'T HAVE
A SCRATCH ON HIM.

HE CAN'T CLAIM
SELF-DEFENSE.

BRENT LATIMER IS
GOING AWAY FOR LIFE,

AND YOU MIGHT EVEN CLOSE
ANOTHER MURDER.

HE'S KILLED BEFORE?

NOT UNLESS HE STARTED YOUNG
AND HAD A SEX CHANGE.

WE FOUND FINGERPRINTS
ON THE KITCHEN PHONE

THAT MATCH
AN OLD HOMICIDE.

IN 1974, A GUY NAMED
VINCENT CRESSWELL

WAS SHOT SIX TIMES
IN HIS SLEEP

IN HIS APARTMENT
IN GREENWICH VILLAGE.

HIS WIFE CAROLINE WAS
ARRESTED AT THE SCENE.

SHE ESCAPED
JUST BEFORE TRIAL.

SHE'S BEEN A FUGITIVE
SINCE THE EARLY SEVENTIES.

I'VE BEEN DREADING THIS
FOR 34 YEARS.

(Jonah)
WHAT'S GOING ON?

LINNIE?
WHAT'S THAT?

YOU NEVER TOLD HIM?

TOLD ME WHAT?

I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

WHEN WERE YOU ARRESTED?

1974.

WE WERE LIVING
TOGETHER IN '74.

I MET YOU THREE WEEKS
AFTER I ESCAPED FROM JAIL.

ESCAPED?

I HAD NOWHERE TO GO.

I SLEPT IN CHURCHES,
ON THE SUBWAY.

I STOLE FOOD,
EVEN A WALLET.

AND ONE NIGHT
IT WAS POURING,

AND I WENT INTO A DINER

AND SPENT MY LAST DOLLAR
ON A BOWL OF SOUP

TO GET OUT OF THE RAIN.

I REMEMBER HER
SITTING THERE.

WET, COLD, SHIVERING.

SHE TOLD ME SHE'D JUST
ARRIVED ON VACATION.

SHE SAID A CON MAN HAD
HUSTLED HER AT THE AIRPORT.

LOST HER SUITCASE,
HER MONEY,

AND ALL HER I.D.

JONAH TOOK ME HOME.
HE SAVED MY LIFE.

I HAD NO MONEY
NO FRIENDS.

I WAS THINKING
ABOUT SUICIDE.

AND THEN THERE HE WAS,
KIND AND GENEROUS,

LIKE THE ANSWER
TO A PRAYER.

AND YOU NEVER TOLD HIM
ABOUT YOUR PAST.

SHE WAS LIKE A CHARACTER
OUT OF DICKENS.

SHE HAD NO FAMILY,
GREW UP IN AN ORPHANAGE.

MY PARENTS DISOWNED ME
WHEN I WAS ARRESTED.

I COULDN'T GO HOME.

JONAH IS ALL I HAVE.

DID YOU EVER
WANT CHILDREN?

WE TRIED FOR YEARS,
LINNIE COULDN'T GET PREGNANT.

SHE SAW A DOCTOR
WHO TOLD HER SHE WAS INFERTILE.

I WAS ON THE PILL.

OH, I WANTED A BABY,
BUT IF I WAS CAUGHT

I'D BE SENT BACK TO JAIL
AND LOSE MY CHILD.

EVERY CHOICE I MADE
WAS OUT OF FEAR.

WOULD SOMEBODY
RECOGNIZE ME?

WOULD TODAY
BE THE DAY?

SHE COULDN'T TRAVEL
BECAUSE SHE'D NEED I.D.

SHE COULDN'T WORK WITHOUT
A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.

MY GOD.
IS OUR MARRIAGE EVEN LEGAL?

I DON'T KNOW
HER REAL NAME.

MY NAME IS LINNIE MALCOLM.

CAROLINE CRESSWELL DIED
A LONG TIME AGO.

RIGHT AFTER
VINCENT CRESSWELL DIED.

SO, TELL ME
WHAT HAPPENED.

WE MET WHEN I WAS 17

AT AN ANTI-WAR PROTEST.

VINCENT WAS STANDING
ON THE STAGE,

RECITING HIS POETRY.

IT WASN'T VERY GOOD,
BUT OH,

HE WAS SO--

SO PASSIONATE.

I FELL IN LOVE.

WITH HIM,
AND THE MOVEMENT.

AND AFTER
THE VIETNAM WAR ENDED?

THE WORLD MOVED ON.

BUT VINCENT, HE COULDN'T.

HE WAS STILL ANGRY,

AND NO ONE WANTED
BITTER POEMS.

NO ONE LISTENED, SO...

HE TOOK IT OUT ON ME.

SO, YOU FOUGHT?

CONSTANTLY.

THE REJECTION LETTERS
KEPT COMING AND...

WELL, HE BLAMED ME.
HE SAID I WAS--

HE SAID I WAS
STIFLING HIS MUSE.

I WAS DULL,
UGLY, BORING.

IT WASN'T ME.
IT WAS--

IT WAS THE DRUGS
AND THE BOOZE.

I MEAN, HE COULD BARELY WALK,
LET ALONE WRITE.

DID HE BEAT YOU?

ALL THE TIME.

MOSTLY IT WAS
JUST BRUISES.

AN OCCASIONAL BLACK EYE.

ONE TIME HE CHOKED ME
UNTIL I PASSED OUT,

AND THEN HE BOUGHT THE GUN.

DID HE THREATEN
YOU WITH IT?

WHEN HE WAS DRUNK,

HE WOULD TALK
ABOUT SUICIDE.

AND THEN ONE DAY

HE SAID HE WAS GONNA SHOOT ME
AND THEN KILL HIMSELF,

AND I KNOW HE MEANT IT.

HE WAS IN THIS
DOWNWARD SPIRAL AND--

AND HE WAS GONNA
TAKE ME WITH HIM.

WHY DIDN'T YOU LEAVE?

I WAS PLANNING TO.

I'D BEEN STASHING AWAY CHANGE
FROM THE GROCERIES.

I KEPT IT HIDDEN
IN A SHOE.

I HAD ALMOST $50.

WHEN HE FOUND IT,

HE SAID I MUST BE
SELLING MYSELF

TO HAVE SO MUCH MONEY,

AND IF WANTED
TO BE A WHORE,

HE WAS GONNA
TREAT ME LIKE ONE.

HE RAPED YOU.

[sniffling]
OVER...AND OVER.

[crying]
HE DID EVERY VILE THING

THAT HE COULD THINK OF.

AND THEN HE WENT TO SLEEP.

SO, I TOOK THAT GUN
FROM UNDER HIS PILLOW,

AND I SHOT HIM.

[sniffles]
I DON'T KNOW

HOW LONG I STOOD THERE
LOOKING AT HIS BODY.

I HEARD THE SIREN.

I KNEW THE NEIGHBORS
HAD CALLED THE POLICE.

I STILL HAD THE GUN
IN MY HAND

WHEN THEY BROKE--
BROKE DOWN THE DOOR.

DID YOU TELL THEM
THAT HE RAPED YOU?

[sniffles]
UNTIL NOW...

I'VE NEVER TOLD ANYONE.

[sobbing]

MARITAL RAPE WASN'T
A CRIME UNTIL 1984.

TODAY, IT WOULD BE
RULED SELF-DEFENSE.

WE WOULDN'T
EVEN CHARGE HER.

SHE'LL HAVE TO FACE
THE ORIGINAL INDICTMENT,

BUT IF WE CAN
CORROBORATE HER STORY,

SHE'S PROBABLY LOOKING
AT PROBATION.

(Donnelly)
OVER MY DEAD BODY.

JUDGE DONNELLY.

NOT ANYMORE.

I'VE TAKEN
A LEAVE OF ABSENCE

TO RETURN
TO THE D.A.'S OFFICE.

WHY?

UNFINISHED BUSINESS.

HELLO, CAROLINE.

REMEMBER ME?

YOU WERE THE PROSECUTOR
ON MY CASE.

I STILL AM.

ARREST HER.

THE CHARGE IS ESCAPE
IN THE FIRST DEGREE.

YOUR HONOR--

IF YOU WON'T DO IT,

I'LL BRING IN ANOTHER DETECTIVE
WHO ISN'T PERSONALLY INVOLVED.

YOUR CHOICE.

STAND UP.

(Benson)
LINNIE MALCOLM--

HER NAME IS
CAROLINE CRESSWELL.

CAROLINE CRESSWELL,
YOU'RE UNDER ARREST.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT
TO REMAIN SILENT.

ANYTHING YOU SAY

CAN AND WILL BE
USED AGAINST YOU

IN A COURT OF LAW.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT
TO AN ATTORNEY.

IF YOU CANNOT
AFFORD ONE,

ONE WILL BE
APPOINTED TO YOU.

DOCKET ENDING
1-1-1-6,

PEOPLE OF THE STATE
OF NEW YORK

VERSUS CAROLINE CRESSWELL
AKA LINNIE MALCOLM.

ONE COUNT MURDER
IN THE SECOND DEGREE,

ONE COUNT ESCAPE.

HOW DOES
THE DEFENDANT PLEAD?

NOT GUILTY, YOUR HONOR.

I ASSUME THE PEOPLE
REQUEST REMAND?

UNLESS YOU WANT TO GIVE HER
ANOTHER 34 YEARS

ON THE LAM.

YOUR HONOR, WE REQUEST
HOME CONFINEMENT.

WITH ELECTRONIC MONITORING.

MY CLIENT IS HER HUSBAND'S
SOLE CARETAKER.

HIS DISABILITY REQUIRES
ROUND-THE-CLOCK ASSISTANCE.

HIRE A NURSE.

SHE WON'T SHOOT HIM
IN HIS SLEEP.

ELIZABETH,

I EXPECT BETTER OF YOU.

UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES,
REMAND IS APPROPRIATE.

ANY MOTION PRACTICE?

NOTICE THAT WE WILL BE PURSUING
AN AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE.

MY CLIENT WAS
A BATTERED WOMAN

WHO USED REASONABLE FORCE
TO PROTECT HERSELF

AGAINST IMMINENT DANGER.

A SLEEPING MAN POSES
IMMINENT DANGER?

HE BEAT MY CLIENT
ON A DAILY BASIS.

CAN YOU PROVIDE
DOCUMENTATION,

PHOTOGRAPHS, MEDICAL RECORDS,
EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY?

SHE NEVER DISCLOSED
THE ABUSE.

(Donnelly)
BECAUSE IT NEVER HAPPENED.

THE VICTIM HAD
NO HISTORY OF VIOLENCE

TOWARD HIS WIFE
OR ANYONE ELSE.

TO HAVE
HIS REPUTATION SMEARED

BY HIS MURDERER
IS REPUGNANT.

SAVE YOUR MORAL OUTRAGE

FOR THE JURY.

I'LL ALLOW THE DEFENSE.
ANYTHING ELSE?

NEXT CASE.

[gavel bangs]

COME TO SHOW ME
THE ERROR OF MY WAYS?

YOU'VE SPENT YOUR ENTIRE CAREER
PROTECTING ABUSED WOMEN

AND NOW YOU'RE
GOING AFTER ONE.

YOU DON'T KNOW,
DO YOU?

KNOW WHAT?

DID YOU ASK LINNIE
HOW SHE ESCAPED?

NO.
DOES IT MATTER?

SHE ASKED FOR A MEETING
TO DISCUSS A PLEA BARGAIN.

I LET HER USE THE BATHROOM,
SHE CRAWLED OUT THE WINDOW.

SO, YOU TOOK THE FALL.

FOR YEARS,

WHENEVER A ROOKIE A.D.A.
PULLED A STUPID MOVE

IT WAS KNOWN AS
DOING A DONNELLY.

YOU HAVE NO IDEA
WHAT IT WAS LIKE

IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
BACK IN THOSE DAYS.

I FOUGHT TO GET ASSIGNED
TO THE HOMICIDE BUREAU,

BUT THE D.A. DIDN'T THINK

IT WAS A SUITABLE JOB
FOR A WOMAN.

SO, WHAT MADE HIM
CHANGE HIS MIND?

WELL, HE KNEW
A MALE PROSECUTOR

BEATING UP ON POOR
LITTLE CAROLINE CRESSWELL

WOULD GET SYMPATHY POINTS
WITH THE JURY,

SO HE GAVE ME THE CASE.

AFTER HE CALLED
MY HUSBAND

AND ASKED
FOR HIS PERMISSION.

SO ALL OF THIS BECAUSE
SHE MADE YOU LOOK BAD?

SHE MADE ME LOOK
LIKE A FOOL,

AND SHE SET BACK THE IMAGE
OF WOMEN PROSECUTORS.

I NEVER MADE IT BACK
TO THE HOMICIDE BUREAU.

YOU WANT REVENGE.

PLEASE.
[scoffs]

I GOT OVER BEING BITTER
A LONG TIME AGO.

I'M SPEAKING FOR THE VICTIM,
VINCENT CRESSWELL.

THAT MAN BEAT
THE CRAP OUT OF HER

EVERY SINGLE DAY.

SHE HAD NOWHERE TO TURN.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE A SINGLE
BATTERED WOMAN SHELTER

IN THE CITY, NOT TO MENTION
THAT RAPING YOUR WIFE

WASN'T A CRIME.

YOU DON'T NEED
TO REMIND ME

HOW HARD IT WAS
FOR WOMEN.

LINNIE SNOWED YOU, OLIVIA,
BUT DON'T FEEL BAD.

SHE SNOWED ME, TOO.

"DEAR MS. DONNELLY,

"PLEASE HELP ME.

"I WANT TO PLEAD GUILTY,
BUT I HAVE A TERRIBLE PROBLEM

"AND ONLY YOU
CAN SAVE ME.

I HAVE TO SPEAK WITH YOU
IN PRIVATE."

SO WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM?

IT WAS A RUSE
TO GET ME

TO BRING HER DOWN
TO MY OFFICE.

I WANTED TO HELP HER,
JUST LIKE YOU DO.

LINNIE PLAYS THE VICTIM
QUITE WELL.

BUT SHE'S REALLY
A VERY SMART,

MANIPULATIVE WOMAN.

WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT
FROM ME, OLIVIA?

THE TRUTH.

I'VE TOLD YOU EVERYTHING.

NO, YOU HAVEN'T.

WHY DID YOU ESCAPE?

I DIDN'T PLAN TO.

THERE I WAS IN THE BATHROOM,
AND THE WINDOW WAS OPEN.

SO IT JUST HAPPENED.

YES.

WELL, THEN, WHY DID YOU
WRITE THIS LETTER TO DONNELLY?

WHAT WAS SO IMPORTANT

THAT YOU HAD TO MEET
WITH HER ALONE?

DON'T REMEMBER.

THEN YOU'RE GONNA GO TO JAIL
FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

THAT'S WHAT I DESERVE.

I SHOT A MAN SIX TIMES
IN COLD BLOOD.

IN SELF-DEFENSE,
LINNIE.

LINNIE, I KNOW HOW MUCH
YOU CARED ABOUT MIA.

AND I KNOW HOW MUCH
YOU LOVE YOUR HUSBAND.

AND A COLD-BLOODED KILLER
ISN'T CAPABLE OF THAT.

YOU HAVE TO TELL THE JURY
WHAT REALLY HAPPENED.

NO.

WHY DID YOU RUN AWAY,
LINNIE?

I CAN'T TELL YOU.

WELL, IF YOU WON'T
HELP YOURSELF,

THEN DO IT FOR JONAH.

HE WON'T FORGIVE ME.

HE LOVES YOU, LINNIE.

BUT YOU'VE BEEN LYING
TO HIM FOR 34 YEARS.

DOESN'T HE DESERVE TO KNOW
THE WHOLE STORY?

AFTER VINCENT RAPED ME...

I WAS CRYING...

AND HE TOLD ME TO SHUT UP
SO HE COULD GET SOME SLEEP.

HE PUT THE GUN
UNDER HIS PILLOW,

AND HE SAID HE KNEW
I LIKED IT.

AND IF I WAS A GOOD GIRL,

HE WAS GONNA GIVE ME
SOME MORE

IN THE MORNING.

AND I COULD HEAR HIM
BREATHING SOFTLY,

LIKE A BABY.

WHAT HE DID TO ME
DIDN'T BOTHER HIM A BIT.

HE WAS RELAXED.

HURTING ME WAS
THE ONLY THING

THAT MADE HIM FEEL GOOD.

AND I PULLED THE TRIGGER.

I KEPT SEEING HIM SLAP ME
AND KICK ME...

AND RAPE ME.

AND I KEPT SHOOTING...

UNTIL THOSE IMAGES
WENT AWAY.

THE NEXT THING
I REMEMBER

WAS THE BLOOD EVERYWHERE.

THANK YOU, LINNIE.
NOTHING FURTHER.

SO YOU WERE SCARED
AND YOU SHOT HIM.

YES.

DID YOU TELL THE POLICE
THAT HE BEAT YOU?

THEY COULD SEE
THE BRUISES.

THEY DIDN'T DOCUMENT THEM
IN THE ARREST REPORT.

DID--DID YOU TELL THEM
THAT YOU'D BEEN RAPED?

NO.

MAYBE IF THERE'D BEEN
A WOMAN THERE--

BUT OF COURSE,

THERE WERE NO FEMALE
POLICE OFFICERS IN THOSE DAYS.

HMM, YOUR STORY IS
VERY CONVENIENT.

IT TUGS AT THE HEARTSTRINGS.

BUT...THERE'S NO PROOF.

IT'S THE TRUTH.

WELL, WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL THAT
TO A JURY 34 YEARS AGO?

WE'RE ALL WAITING.

(judge)
PLEASE ANSWER THE QUESTION.

I CAN'T.

(Donnelly)
YOU MEAN YOU WON'T.

YOU RAN BECAUSE YOU KNEW
YOU'D BE CONVICTED.

THERE WAS NO BEATING.

NO RAPE.

NO SELF-DEFENSE.

YOU'RE GUILTY,
AND YOU KNEW IT.

I WAS PREGNANT.

(Donnelly)
OH, SO NOW HORMONES
MADE YOU DO IT.

DID THEY MAKE YOU RUN TOO?

I RAN SO I COULD GET
AN ABORTION.

I COULDN'T GET AN ABORTION
IN PRISON.

AND I--
I COULDN'T HAVE THAT BABY.

I DIDN'T CARE IF I SPENT
THE REST OF MY LIFE IN JAIL!

BUT THE THOUGHT OF HIS CHILD

GROWING INSIDE ME...

THAT'S WHY I CAME
TO SEE YOU.

TO SAY I'D PLEAD GUILTY

IF I COULD JUST
END THE PREGNANCY FIRST.

BUT YOU...

ARE SO STRONG.

SO SELF-CONFIDENT.

I WAS ASHAMED...

OF MY WEAKNESS.

I COULDN'T TELL YOU.

HOW COULD A WOMAN LIKE YOU
EVER UNDERSTAND...

A WOMAN LIKE ME?

(judge)
HAS THE JURY REACHED
A VERDICT?

(man)
WE HAVE, YOUR HONOR.

(judge)
WILL THE DEFENDANT PLEASE RISE.

AS TO THE FIRST COUNT
OF THE INDICTMENT,

MURDER IN THE SECOND DEGREE,

HOW DO YOU FIND THE DEFENDANT?

NOT GUILTY.

AS TO THE SECOND COUNT
OF THE INDICTMENT,

ESCAPE IN THE FIRST DEGREE,

WHAT IS YOUR VERDICT?

(man)
GUILTY.

(judge)
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
OF THE JURY,

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

YOU ARE EXCUSED.

I'LL SEE YOU IN TWO WEEKS
FOR SENTENCING.

AT WHICH TIME, YOUR HONOR,

THE PEOPLE WILL BE
RECOMMENDING PROBATION.

(judge)
I'LL LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING
YOUR REASONING, ELIZABETH,

BUT I TEND TO AGREE WITH YOU.
[gavel bangs]

WHY?

BECAUSE BACK THEN,

I WAS TRYING SO HARD
TO BE ONE OF THE BOYS,

I FORGOT WHY
I BECAME A LAWYER.

THANK YOU.

AND THANK YOU.

YOU'LL BE HOME
IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

JONAH,

IT'S OVER.

IT'S OVER.

I'M HAPPY FOR YOU, LINNIE,
BUT, UH...

OH, NO.

PLEASE DON'T SAY IT.

WHEN DID YOU HAVE...
THE ABORTION?

THE WEEK YOU WENT
TO THE CONFERENCE

IN SEATTLE.

YOU LEFT ME MONEY.

EVERY DECISION
YOU AND I MADE

WAS BASED ON A LIE.

I WANTED CHILDREN,
REMEMBER?

AND GRANDCHILDREN.

AND I'LL NEVER HAVE THEM.

YOU STOLE THEM
FROM ME, LINNIE.

I'M SORRY.

I DON'T KNOW YOU.

I'M STILL THE WOMAN
YOU MARRIED.

CAN'T YOU FORGIVE ME?

I--I DON'T THINK I CAN.