Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999–…): Season 3, Episode 10 - Ridicule - full transcript

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.

Syd.

Syd.

Oh, this isn't gonna work.

Syd.

Oh, what...



What the hell are you doing?

If you want me to stay,
this is not gonna be...

Syd.

Oh, my God.

Where's Dr. Warner?
Melinda's at an ME conference,

so you're stuck with me
till the end of the week.

So what's on the
menu for today, Justin?

Looks like autoerotic asphyxiation.
Sydney Green, early 30s.

- Husband found her.
- And he is where?

He was flipping out. So the
unis drove him to your precinct.

We cut her down? Husband did.

Said he turned
off the music, too.

Dead how long?

Rigor was just setting,
so three, four hours tops.



Okay. Any fluids?

None apparent, but I
don't expect to find any.

Autoerotics like to fly solo.

Is that why you're leaning
toward accidental death?

Skin pics, plus the sex toys
and the mirror. It's a gimme.

But it's not official
till I cut her open.

Well, until then, let's work
it as a sexual homicide.

Female asphyxial deaths are
on the rise across the country.

If that's what this one was.

I'll let you know.

No sign of a
break-in or a struggle.

The candles, the music, that
strikes me as a seductive scene.

Maybe she wanted
to treat herself.

Most women don't go this far,
but they do like to self-serve.

I guess you want something
done right, you gotta do it yourself.

How long has your
wife been asphyxiating?

No, that's crazy.

Look, Sydney had never
done anything like that before.

She's not that kind of person.

And how long were you married?

Six months.

We were having problems.

We decided to separate.

How long were you together
before you got married?

Just a few months.

That's quick.

That's why we separated.

Look, I...

It's only been a couple of weeks. I
just went over to get a few things,

and that's when I
found her like that.

Where were you before that?

Working. I'm an artist. I have
a loft over in Alphabet City.

And how come you two
weren't getting along?

Irreconcilable differences.

What does that
mean? Cheating? No.

Look, just 'cause two people love each
other doesn't mean they can live together.

Why? Why are you
asking me these questions?

I mean, somebody killed my wife.

Who wanted the divorce?

We hadn't decided to file,
but I wanted the separation.

We got married too fast.

So then it is possible that your wife
hid her sexual practices from you.

Our sex life wasn't the
problem. When... Can I...

Do you know when you'll
release my wife's body?

We'll let you know.

Any alarm bells going
off on the husband?

Several. He's hiding something.

Getting off while choking isn't something
you share with friends and family.

People are always shocked
when they get that kind of news.

I still think the victim
was entertaining.

She had a new man, or hubby
got there earlier than he said.

Well, if she had a
partner, it's manslaughter,

whether the ME rules
it an accident or not.

Did the victim have any
visitors besides the husband?

The visitors' log listed a Pam Adler and
Amelia Chase, arrived around lunchtime.

Pam Adler, the
criminal attorney?

Yeah. Rose, Adler & Klein.

She cross-examined me on a
drug bust where a cop got killed.

Accused me of police brutality.

Don't tell me the perp
went to the hospital.

Drug dealer's still
alive, the cop isn't.

We'll take the lawyer
since Fin's got history.

Go.

It's terrible. Did she suffer?

We really can't answer that.
Were you two close friends?

Yes. We met at Vassar.

We had our whole
lives ahead of us.

And now she's dead.

I just can't stop thinking about
her. First the divorce and now this.

We heard it was
a trial separation.

Six-month-old marriage
and nothing but fights.

Sydney couldn't take it anymore,
so she called an attorney I know.

Have you seen Sydney recently?

She was supposed to meet
Amelia and me for lunch.

When she didn't show, we
went over to her apartment.

Sydney said that she wanted to be
alone, but I think she had company.

What made you think that?

She had on a robe.

Candles were burning, music was
playing, and the bedroom door was closed.

Do you have any idea who
might have been with her?

No. The divorce was hitting her hard.
She was depressed. Andrew was no prize.

You don't like him?

He's an artist with questionable
talent who married a meal ticket.

They met on a
Caribbean vacation.

Although where the little bastard
got the money, I'll never know.

I at least convinced
Syd to sign a prenup.

Is there anything else that you
can tell us about her husband?

Is there something I should
know? Are you thinking foul play?

Cause of death is still pending so
the law says we treat it as a homicide.

What you know about the law I
could fit in the palm of my hand.

How much was Mrs. Green worth?

I don't have a clue.

But call her divorce attorney, he
should have a complete list of her assets.

Thanks for waiting. This
was sudden, just a tragedy.

What was Sydney
Green's financial status?

She made a killing in junk bonds
but lost her shirt in the tech market.

There's nothing left?

Apartment's mortgaged, life
insurance will cover her debts.

The husband might
clear 50 grand.

That's still a lot of money.

In Manhattan? Don't kid me.

Would he have walked away
empty-handed had your client lived?

Absolutely. There was a prenup and
tax returns show a loss after they married.

Was Andrew Green aware
of his wife's financial situation?

She handled the money,
so I don't see how.

Her secretary said she
should be done by now.

These day traders live pretty
good, short hours, spa days.

What the hell is
she doing in there?

Beauty treatments take time.

Mud bath, cellulite
dissipation, an exfoliating facial.

Time and money, some women
learn early how to waste both.

Your ex-wives made you bitter.

Not bitter, just resigned.

The receptionist said the
police were looking for me.

You the detectives?

Yeah, we'd like to talk to
you about Sydney Green.

I still have some errands to
run. Do you mind if we walk?

How well did you know her?

I met Sydney at Oldman.

She made a fortune in
junk and got out early.

Kept her toe in
trading for herself.

We remained friends, although
she was a little too risqué for my taste.

Can you get more specific?

I'm not interested in
titillating you, Detective.

And we're not here
to carry your bags.

Just speak up and we're gone.

I don't understand.

I mean, when Pam gave me the news, I
just naturally thought it was an accident.

Why would you assume that?

I mean, she lived on the edge.

That's how she worked,
how she lived, a big risk-taker.

Was she an adrenaline junkie?

Nothing that extreme.

But, you know, she got a rush from
gambling, risky stocks, kinky sex.

What kind of kinky sex?

Like looping ropes
around the neck.

Sick stuff like that.

I mean, she even tried to
sell me, but I wasn't buying.

Doesn't sound like you
had much in common.

You know, in some ways
we were kindred spirits.

How so?

There aren't too many
women in our business.

And we both like to
make lots of money

and show up the entitled
men while we were doing it.

Amelia Chase said
our victim was a choker.

Were they close enough for
such an intimate confidence?

Supposed to be kindred sisters
fighting male dominance in the market.

Yeah. They were so close she seemed
real broken up by her friend's death.

You think she or the lawyer
had anything to do with it?

Last people to see her
alive, but what's the motive?

How does the husband look?

Pretty strong.

He's got a negative
bank balance,

and his credit report shows
lots of bad debt write-off.

The wife cut the purse strings?

She may not have had a choice.

She was broke, too.

Why kill her?

Fifty grand's
better than nothing.

Would that cover his debt?

And then some.

Have we heard from
the ME's office yet?

Not yet.

All right, well, let's get down to the
morgue, lean on the Assistant ME.

We gotta know. Check with
Green's neighbors, all right?

Find out how he's living.

If he still looks good, bring
him in for a hard interview.

You were drowning in bills.
Did you kill her for the money?

Money? There was no
money. We were broke.

But you stand to inherit 50
grand from her death. That's plenty.

You said that she never choked.

You said that she
wasn't that kind of person.

But somebody else tells a
completely different story,

that she did it all the time.

Okay, which is it,
murder or accident?

Now, if she choked, then
you either knew about it

or you killed her outright.

In that case, you're gonna
do some time yourself.

Andrew, the system will go a lot
easier on you if it was an accident.

But you need to
tell us the truth.

We told everyone we met on the
islands, but we really met in rehab.

We just didn't want
anybody to know.

Which rehab facility?

NarcAnon.

Addiction to painkillers.

We already knew the
worst about each other.

I would've stood by her
side through anything.

If she would only come
clean, maybe she'd still be alive.

Came clean about what?

Sydney was using drugs
again, losing control.

She had a bachelor party,
and she and her friends

attacked the male stripper.

Was it reported to the police?

Yeah.

They were waiting for us on our doorstep
when we returned from our honeymoon.

How badly was this guy hurt?

They raped him.

That's why we were fighting.

If somebody killed my wife,

it was probably him.

Excuse me. Looking
for Peter Smith.

Is this about... Yeah.

I'm gonna take a
break. I won't be long.

So, did you find out the names of
the other women who raped me?

Do you know a woman
named Sydney Green?

You know I do. Have you
been in contact with her?

Have you seen her
since the alleged rape?

Alleged?

No, I haven't seen her or talked to her
since she and her friends attacked me.

You sure about that? I mean,
I show your photo around

and somebody from her building
IDs you, I'm not gonna be so pleasant.

Listen, you're not here to
help me, so what's this about?

Sydney Green is dead.

And you think I killed her?

You had a reason.

Cops treated me like
dirt. They made fun of me,

brought me to the hospital,
told the nurse it was a scam.

I've got reason to be
angry, but I didn't kill anyone.

We need an account of your
movements two days ago.

I was at the animal
shelter until late evening.

Check with my supervisor.

Sydney Green's building has
security. If he did it, how did he get in?

So, what's the verdict?

Autoerotic asphyxiation.

She tightened the rope
around her neck, like so,

and using an arm to support her weight
on the bed, she leaned at a slight angle.

But she miscalculated,
lost control and passed out.

Her body goes slack and
acts as a counterweight.

We call it gentle strangulation.

That's comforting.

We sure this is an
accidental death?

The Assistant ME's convinced. He
played it out and it looked good to me.

We don't have a suspect.
Peter's alibi panned out.

No sign of a struggle.
No sign of a break-in.

Do you want this
to be a homicide?

I don't know, but
something's off.

You can always take it up with Warner
when she gets back from her conference,

since you got so much free time.

Fine. Officially it's closed.

Not quite. We still
have an open rape case.

No.

I already talked to Cragen
who already spoke with Cabot,

and she'd like to see
us in her office, so, yeah.

Was he drugged?

He doesn't need to be.

Was there even a weapon?

None listed.

Happened at the bachelorette
party. Mob attack isn't unheard of.

Did the uniforms follow up
on the suspect's complaint?

They asked a few questions,
and then they dropped it.

Because they didn't
buy it and neither do I.

And more importantly,
neither will a jury.

Well, if the attack took place,
I'll make sure that they do.

First male rape victim with female
perps, that adds up to a lot of attention,

doesn't it, Counselor?

I am not interested in that.

He is the first man
to come forward.

The statute for rape one was
changed in January, Detective.

What about his inability to
complete the act against his will?

An erection is a
physical response, Elliot.

If he was aroused, he consented.

Well, the law
disagrees with you.

So interview the victim
and get his statement.

Well, it was your predecessor
who declined to prosecute.

So maybe you should find out
why before we chase our tails.

The alleged victim, Peter
Smith, works as a male stripper.

His shtick is dressing as a motorcycle cop
with a badge covering the family jewels.

One of the party guests
took photos. Check the file.

So you decided not to prosecute

because you disapprove
of the victim's profession?

Get off the soapbox, Alex.

The guy claimed three women
cuffed him to the bed and had a party.

The bride claimed he
was a pro looking to score.

Did Peter Smith have a
solicitation history? No.

Well, then why
didn't you pursue it?

I'm not wasting taxpayer
money on a no-win.

He just wasn't believable. Even
his live-in girlfriend wasn't buying.

The defense calls her as a
witness, there goes the case.

So the victim reports the crime,
and you just leave him twisting.

If you want to jeopardize your
standing on a flimsy trial, be my guest.

Okay. I need your notes.

Done.

You clear this with Villani?

I don't have to. Sex crimes
is my purview. See you.

Peter and I broke
up a long time ago,

and I wasn't at the party.
So what can I tell you?

We're just looking for
some background. That's all.

You don't believe Peter
was raped, do you?

Join the club.

What makes you
think that he wasn't?

He's a guy. Men don't
get raped by women.

Men can be victimized.

Sure. When I first met Peter,

he was being kept by some
woman 12 years older than him.

She was paying for his
tuition at NYU Drama.

His parents are well off. Why
wouldn't they support him?

Because his father said

he wasn't gonna shell out 25
grand a year for a drama degree.

Can't say I blame him.

What do you think your ex's
motive is for coming forward?

Attention. Peter cheated on me with a
casting director to get a part in a play.

He'll do whatever it
takes to get ahead.

Making an accusation of rape
is pretty drastic, don't you think?

It's not gonna be easy for him.

The tabloids will pay
big money for the story.

Interviews on talk shows, pundit
commentary on the evening news.

He probably
thinks it's worth it.

Doesn't prove anything, Elliot.

Except maybe we
should keep digging.

Why? Because she told
you what you wanted to hear?

It's not our job to judge the
victims. That's up to the jury.

I can give you an
assessment of your rape victim,

but bear in mind, I
haven't examined him yet.

How did Peter Smith let three
women get the better of him?

The guy works out. He
takes care of himself.

And yet you tell
women not to fight back.

That's different.

Why?

Because he's a man.

Because he's stronger.
He can overpower them.

Men are taught differently.

You know, "Oh, it hurts, but don't
cry. Be a man. Internalize the pain."

Does the victim
have any siblings?

Three sisters. There you go.

A lifetime of instruction
on how to treat women.

Never hit a female. No manhandling.
If you're angry, walk away.

Yeah, but if he felt trapped, if
they attacked him, it's self-defense.

Why not just fight back?

Because he had no
control over the situation.

His self-esteem and
his pride were violated.

I wouldn't be surprised if there
were more male victims out there.

Female rage is
a growth industry.

The price of equality.

Are you still a stripper?

No.

Not since the rape. I used to
book birthdays and private parties.

It left me free to
audition during the day.

So you're an actor.

I gave it up.

Okay, so you show
up in your cop outfit.

Why don't you just run us
through what happened?

I got there late. There
were about 30 women or so,

pretty sauced and hungry for
entertainment. I danced for them.

Did you have
anything to eat or drink?

Soda.

I asked the bride-to-be
for my payment.

She said to follow her, the
checkbook was in her office.

Did you feel different after that drink,
you know, like you'd been drugged?

Should I have been?

Do you need a reason
why this happened to me?

Why I wasn't man enough to protect
myself? Would that make you feel better?

Peter.

What happened then?

We get to the
room, but it was dark.

She made her way to the
desk and turned the lamp on.

It was a spare bedroom, and
two other women were waiting.

Did they call each
other by name?

No. One of them had a letter
opener. She tried to stab me.

The other two were pulling me
back. They cuffed me to the bedpost.

I started yelling, but Sydney
turned the stereo on loud.

Then what?

They yanked my pants
off and tossed them.

Underwear, too.

I didn't want to,

but my body...

I can't explain it.

Arousal does not mean consent.

And rapists use the body's response against
the victims to mess with their head,

to make them believe
that they were asking for it.

Does this type of thing
happen to women, too?

Yeah. It happens a lot.

What about the other
guests? Where were they?

Still partying, until Sydney left the
room. I guess she cleared the place.

Did you ever say no?

I yelled it. I screamed it.

I even threatened
to go to the police.

One cold bitch said that
what I knew about the law

wouldn't fit in the
palm of her hand.

Pam Adler was in that bedroom.

Which means Amelia Chase is probably
the third member of this rape troika.

I'm not so sure he's
being entirely candid.

He was raped, Elliot.

He's an actor. He's
trained to make us believe.

Three women at the same time,
most guys would call that lucky.

So we're saying that men are sex
hounds and only women can feel violated?

That's gender bias.

Most women don't report
rapes. What's his angle?

We can't ask that question.
Wouldn't ask a female victim.

We question female
victims all the time.

This pans out, the press is
gonna feed on this guy like carrion.

And maybe that's the point.

Front page splash,
this guy's an instant star.

You think that he's
doing this for the fame?

Some people will
do anything for it.

Doesn't matter. He's
a complaining witness.

So bring in Adler and
Chase and do a lineup.

You can't come in here.

Consider the market closed.

I can't talk now, Detectives. But
if you'd like to wait in reception...

No. No. No. No. Not you, Klaus.

Deutsch marks are up
three points. Will it hold?

We need you down at
the precinct, Miss Chase.

I'll call you back, Klaus.

When? Now.

For what reason? FIN: A lineup.

Am I under arrest?

Depends on what happens.

Then I'm not coming with you.

That's fine, but when
we come back to get you,

it's gonna be midday
on the trading-room floor.

Remember, let me
do all the talking.

Don't react to anything
that's being said about you.

Put your poker
face on. You got it?

Counselor, good afternoon.

I'm due in court, so whatever
it is it's just gonna have to wait.

I don't think so.

What's this about?

Rape in the First Degree.

You're not serious.

Ask for a continuance. If not,
get Bob down here to sit first chair.

Shall we?

Carolyn Maddox.

Alexandra Cabot for the People.

So I've read.
People v. Hightower.

You lost due to shaky evidence
and the inexperience of a rookie.

Defense counsel of
record was Pamela Adler.

I hope this isn't
petulance, Counselor.

Your main concern should
be the lineup, Miss Maddox.

Good. You didn't
jump for the bait.

I think you'll make a
formidable opponent. Let's do it.

Number three.

Are you sure?

Take your time.

"What I know about
the law," remember?

I'm positive, number three.

That's two for two.

Read Miss Adler her rights.

Looks like we're gonna be
famous. See you in court.

"File numbers 434, 546 and 47.

"Rape in the First Degree.
Sodomy in the First Degree.

"Unlawful Imprisonment
and Assault in the Third."

Is this accurate, Counselor?

I wouldn't waste the
court's time, Your Honor.

I'm not entirely
sure about that,

since you're trying to set
a very unusual precedent.

My sentiments exactly. Perhaps
someone's looking for ink.

Objection.

Save your strength,
Miss Cabot. You'll need it.

How do you plead? Not guilty.

Not guilty. Are we severing?

Not at this time.

Any objection to recognizance?

None, Your Honor.

Next case.

I admit to having intimate sexual
relations with the alleged victim,

a venal young man
who wants to be famous.

My only crime is being a
confident, assertive professional

with a healthy sexual appetite.

If Peter Smith succeeds,

it will only numb the public to the
real plight of rape victims everywhere.

By the time she's through,

she'll have victims' advocates,

feminists and enlightened
men burning you in effigy.

Thanks for the heads up.

This indictment's ludicrous.

Your client can spin all she wants.
We both know what happened that night.

The grand jury believed the
victim, another jury will, too.

You're making a mockery of
women who are preyed on by men.

They're the enemy,
not my client.

I guess I just heard
your closing argument.

There won't be a trial.
See you in chambers.

You wanted to see me?

Alex, it's a pretty
high-profile case.

You sure you haven't bitten
off more than you can chew?

I don't think so.

But I guess since I've been
summoned here you don't agree.

Well, I have some doubts.

May I ask why?

Using a male stripper in the
first real test of the rape statute

is not a very judicious choice.

His profession is irrelevant.

Are you asking me to
dismiss the charges?

No.

But I hope you won't
mind if Stan sits first chair.

You say that as
if I had a choice.

Oh, come on. We'll tag team.

I just want you handling cross on the
female defendants if they elect to testify.

I don't want to look like
Rick Lazio bullying Hillary.

You want me to
run for coffee, too,

or am I just the female attorney
by your side for the cameras?

You're a highly
skilled attorney.

I have every faith
in your abilities.

But I'm still sitting
second chair.

You also have a personal
history with Pam Adler.

People will question
your motives.

I lost an important
case to her once.

That does not mean
I have an agenda.

I don't like to play politics,
but we can't be naive.

If they find a way
to use it, they will.

Preemptive strike?

That, and just making sure that
our complaining witness is protected

and represented to
the best of our ability.

We speak for him, so let's
keep our eye on the ball.

They want us to think
it's a motion to dismiss.

They're trying to
challenge the law.

This is a deceptive
attempt by the defense

to argue constitutional
law in front of you.

This should only be
heard in an appellate court.

I intend to prove
merit for dismissal.

The legislature saw fit to change
the law for political correctness.

The old rape statute said

that only a man can be
charged with Rape in the First.

That's gender bias.

People v. Liberta.

A bias pointed out by a wife-raping
convict trying to get out on appeal.

Mr. Liberta did not win that appeal
and the only thing the brief accomplished

was to force the legislature
to change the law.

And they were so outraged
by the bias in the law

that it took them 23
years to do it. Please.

Counselors?

It's still a
constitutional argument,

and it should only be heard
if Miss Maddox loses the trial.

If it's all right with you, I'll
hear the argument anyway.

And trust me when I say, be
prepared, be diligent and be very brief.

Rape is a violation of body and mind, a
violation that comes through penetration.

Women can't rape men.

A woman can be prosecuted for sodomy
one by fellating a man against his will.

She's not the penetrant,
but she's still guilty.

I contend that arousal
implies consent.

A physiological response
does not override a vocal, "No."

Most men do not maintain an
erection through fear, Counselor.

But some men do. What do you
propose, a tumescence exam?

Save the wit for your
friends, Miss Cabot.

Medical studies document

that some female victims
experience arousal during their attacks.

Rape is not about sex.
Rape is about violence,

and rape is about control.

No woman has ever been
brought to trial under this charge

because we're the
victims, not the perpetrators.

It was not that long ago that
the court reacted with disbelief

that a mother could
murder her own child.

Now she's the first
person we suspect.

Your Honor, women do not
have the anatomical equipment

to be equal to
men under this law.

The law makes no room

for selective equality
under the First Amendment.

Either women are equal
to men, or they aren't.

Motion to dismiss is denied.

So, this means we go to trial?

It's a minor victory.

Now comes the hard part.

It's already started.

I'm getting harassed.
Nasty phone calls.

Women following me, shouting at
me. Chased by reporters and cameras.

Well, it's only
going to get worse,

because now the defense has a
chance to dig around in your background,

poke holes in your story.

So anything you want to
change, you'd better do now.

My father told me my
private life was inadmissible.

Putting the victim
on trial isn't allowed.

It isn't.

But I have to be honest with you,
there are ways to get around it.

You seem very concerned. Is
there something you haven't told me?

No.

Okay. Go home, get some rest.

Is there any way
I can get a ride?

I know the vultures
are waiting out there.

Yeah, I'll take care of it.

What time did Peter Smith show
up at the party, Miss Guevere?

I can't be sure after all this
time. But around 10:00, maybe.

What happened then?

He did his dance.

He was shaking
his stuff in our faces,

and we'd slide dollars into his
thong. It had a big badge in the front.

Were the defendants
present at that time?

To be honest, my
attention was elsewhere.

So, when did you
notice their absence?

When poor Sydney came
out and told us all to leave.

To leave? Why do
you think she did that?

Objection. Speculation.

Sustained.

I'll rephrase.

Was this something that
Miss Green usually did?

I mean, did she usually invite
people over and then put them out?

No, she'd had parties before
and never acted like that.

I thought it was
rude at the time,

but I needed to get home
and relieve the babysitter.

Nothing further.

I have no questions
for this witness.

So, how did Pam Adler, Sydney
Green and Amelia Chase subdue you?

One of them had a letter
opener. She tried to stab me.

I kept backing up. I just thought
she'd had too much to drink.

So, did you try to subdue her?
Did you try to get the weapon?

I couldn't. By this time, the
other two were pulling me back.

I still thought I was okay.
Women get a little drunk,

blow off some steam away
from their husbands for a night.

I usually handle
it and shrug it off.

But this was different?

Objection, leading.

What happened to make this
time different than all the other times

when you had left
a job unscathed?

When they cuffed
me to the bedpost.

It was so quick.

Who cuffed you to the bedpost?

For the record, the witness is
pointing to the defendant, Amelia Chase.

And nothing further.

Objection. Objection.

Approach.

I find an accused rapist
cross-examining the victim repulsive.

Explain yourself.

Your Honor, Miss Adler is a
member of the bar in good standing.

She's the co-counsel of record,

and she's protected by the
constitution to run her own defense.

This is an intimidation tactic
used to undermine the witness.

She is asking him
to relive the rape.

Objection, alleged rape.

It's an aggressive
psychological ploy.

That may very well
be the case, Mr. Villani,

but I don't have the
power to bar her from cross.

You take one step over the line

and I will hold you in
contempt for the duration.

Step back.

Mr. Smith, do you go to a gym,
work out on a regular basis?

Objection, relevance.

My line of questioning
is within the scope.

I can clearly prove

that this man is more than capable of
protecting himself from three women.

Sustained.

Move on, Counselor.

Mr. Smith, did you file a civil suit for
five million dollars against Sydney Green?

Sir, don't look at
them. Look at me.

Did you file a civil suit?

Objection. Badgering.

I needed information.

Yes or no?

That's not how it was.

Your Honor, please order
the witness to answer.

Sir, you have to answer
the question for the record.

Yes.

Defense exhibit, Your Honor.

A copy of the civil suit filed by the
alleged rape victim, four months ago.

I didn't want money.
I wanted names.

Your Honor, I move
for immediate dismissal.

What went wrong?

Your suspicions were
confirmed, Detective.

We were blind-sided by a
civil suit filed by our rape victim.

I'm sorry, Miss Cabot. I
didn't think it mattered.

Everything matters.

You jeopardized this trial.
What else did you lie about?

Nothing.

Now why would
anybody believe that?

Why didn't you tell us
about the lawsuit, Peter?

Detective Stabler's been on
my ass from the very beginning,

looking for any
reason to drop it.

If I'd have told you about the suit,
he would've said I just wanted money.

Well, isn't that what this
has been about all along,

a payday for you, a
little media attention?

No. I wanted my rapists' names.
The cops didn't treat me seriously.

How else was I supposed
to get the information?

If you'd won, you would've
received a monetary award.

If I won, the money would
have gone to the animal shelter,

and my rapists' names would've
gone on the public record.

That's very noble.

But I still don't see
how we're gonna prove

that your motives
are anything but venal.

What if we talk to the civil
attorney, get some corroboration?

Can we put him on the stand?

This is just a spin.

What have you got
against me? I was raped.

Sydney Green was coming forward.

What? Sydney Green called you?

My lawyer. After you accused
me of killing her, I called him.

He said Sydney had
agreed to give me the names,

but the death nullified the
suit. So what did I do wrong?

Turns out Peter
was telling the truth.

The lawyer said he didn't
want the money, just the names.

Did he confirm Sydney
Green's compliance?

The day before her death,

she contacted the
lawyer to set up a meeting.

That's convenient.

Sounds like motive for murder.

Saves the trouble of a high-profile
trial, maybe even a prison sentence.

I re-interviewed Andrew Green.
He didn't know about the civil suit.

But Pam Adler had a copy of it.
How did she even know it existed?

The record gets expunged
when abated by death,

so Adler had to
have a prior copy.

Sydney Green calls up her friends,
tells them she's giving in, they kill her.

I thought the medical examiner
ruled the death accidental.

No harm in taking a second look.

Justin's a good pathologist
but not very imaginative.

You find something?

Female autoerotics are rare, so
it's hard to rule on cause of death.

Which is why the first
suspicion was homicide.

But in this case, that's
what it should've been.

What did he miss?

Most women don't use
porn. They fantasize.

Also, autoeroticism is habit-forming.
If your victim frequently choked herself,

where's her towel or silk scarf,
something to keep the rope from chafing?

It's vanity. No way to explain
the ring around the collar.

Some women don't use a buffer,

so they'll wear a turtleneck or a
scarf, something to hide the evidence.

Well, if she were strangled,

wouldn't there be some
evidence of a struggle,

damage to the body?

It didn't take long for the
victim to succumbed to hypoxia.

And the ropes were tied
properly, so whoever staged this

is a practicing autoerotic.

Okay. Well, Doc, you wanna
take a look at the crime scene?

Sure.

So the phone dump
shows two calls,

one to each woman
the morning of the attack.

She gives them the news that she's caving
in to Peter's demands to save her marriage.

They decide to kill her.
They come prepared.

Quickest way to do that is a blitz
attack right here, not in the bedroom.

You be the victim.

Okay.

They say, "Come on,
Sydney, let's talk about this.

"There's gotta be another
way that we can handle this,

"so we can deal with it, okay?"

All right. You did say
there was no struggle.

Exert a little pressure, and anoxia
would occur almost immediately.

As soon as she's out cold,
they carry her into the bedroom.

Truss her, string her to the fan,
and the hypoxia takes care of the rest.

We're thinking they staged the
scene, candles, music, sexy teddy?

Maybe they didn't have to.
She was waiting for her husband.

A little make-up sex.

Looping the ropes would
have taken some time.

Not if you know
what you're doing.

CSU didn't dust for prints.

Not the whole beam. Just
the area around the fan.

This better be good, Miss Cabot.

It is.

Your client is under arrest for
the murder of Sydney Green.

So let's horse trade.

Depends on what you have.

Plead out to murder two
and all current charges.

In exchange for her
testimony against Pam Adler,

I'll give 12 and a half for the
homicide, 7-to-15 for the rape.

Your generosity overwhelms me.

It's a good deal, Mr. Harper. Your
client would be advised to take it.

What are you basing this on?

Miss Chase's prints were
found at the crime scene.

My client was a friend.

She's been to the apartment
several times. Prints will never hold up.

The victim was
strangled, Mr. Harper.

Your client's prints were found on
the bedroom ceiling above the bed.

We also searched her apartment
and found autoerotic paraphernalia.

It's all circumstantial.
We're done here.

Ask your client to remove
the scarf from around her neck.

Oh, now, please... Stop.

Crunch your numbers again.

By the time I get out of prison, I'll be
eligible for senior citizens' discounts.

If I take this to
trial, you'll get life.

Tell me about the rape.

Sydney was getting married.
Neither one of us liked the guy.

He seemed beneath her.

So Sydney planned her own shower,
booked a male stripper as entertainment.

So Peter Smith entertained
the ladies and then what?

Pam pulled me aside,

said she'd worked out an arrangement
with the guy for a private performance.

I thought, "What the
hell?" He was hot.

What happened then?

Pam and I went into
Sydney's office to wait.

After Peter followed Mrs.
Green into the bedroom,

what happened next?

We cuffed him to the
bed and raped him.

I got his keys out of his pants pocket
and released him when we were done.

Pam threw some
cash at him and he left.

Thank you. Nothing further.

Do you know how the law
defines Rape in the First Degree?

Sexual intercourse
through forcible compulsion.

And is it your testimony
that that's what happened?

That's correct?

Yes.

Three women raped a
6-foot, 170-pound man.

Is that what you did?

Yes.

Well, did any of you have a gun, a
knife, a weapon of any kind at all?

Pam had been
waving a letter opener.

Well, was it sharp?

No.

Did my client say
anything to the stripper?

Did she give him orders?

No. She lunged at him a couple
of times, and he kept jumping back.

Who handcuffed him to the bed?

I did.

So you raped the stripper, not my
client. My client paid for his services.

Objection. Is there a question?

Sorry.

Did paying Mr. Smith
seem like the act of a rapist

or that of a satisfied customer?

Objection.

Was it your testimony that Miss
Adler made arrangements for Mr. Smith

to have a private performance?

That's what she said but...

And did you see
her give him money?

A simple yes or no will do.

Yes.

On the charge of Rape in the First
Degree, how do you find the defendant?

Not guilty.

On the charge of Sodomy
in the First Degree?

Not guilty.

Unlawful imprisonment?

Not guilty.

And Assault in the Third Degree?

Guilty.

The defendant is free
to go until sentencing.

Court is adjourned.

Peter, I'm sorry we
didn't get them both.

One's better than none.

Congratulations, Counselor.

You put up a good fight, Alex.

Well, I didn't get the ruling I
wanted, but maybe next time.

You're under arrest for the
murder of Sydney Green.

I'll beat this charge, too,
Counselor. Just watch me.

All of your courtroom knowledge
won't get you out of this one.

How did this happen?

Looks like next time's now.
Feel like bargaining over a drink?

My best offer is 25.

Sixteen, you can
pick up the bar tab.

That's crazy.
She'd be out in 12.