A promising young writer confesses to the murder and robbery of a cabbie and demands that he receive the death penalty.A promising young writer confesses to the murder and robbery of a cabbie and demands that he receive the death penalty.A promising young writer confesses to the murder and robbery of a cabbie and demands that he receive the death penalty.
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Fred Thompson
- DA Arthur Branch
- (as Fred Dalton Thompson)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis episode appears to be based on two separate cases:
- The 1981 Jack Abbott case. Abbott wrote the acclaimed book In the "Belly of the Beast" while in prison. He was granted parole in 1981 then moved to New York City and became a star of the literary scene until he killed a waiter at a restaurant 6 weeks later. He returned to prison and committed suicide in 2002.
- The 1976 Gary Gilmore case.
- GoofsIn several scenes, Detective Ed Green is seen conversing with author Nelson Lambert and they allude to the fact that they are both drinking Lambert's Scotch. In fact, Lambert is seen pouring their drinks from a Maker's Mark bottle which is Kentucky Bourbon, not Scotch.
- Quotes
[after Ed had an informal discussion with a suspect that led to a partial confession]
Lt. Anita Van Buren: Five hours? I hope the hell he called you in the morning.
Det. Ed Green: Hey, the best way to get a drunk to open his mouth is to let him drink, isn't that right, Lennie?
Det. Lennie Briscoe: [looking up from his desk] Hear, hear!
Featured review
The defendant DEMANDS the death penalty???...
... Excuse me, is that how it works? He should DEMAND roast duck while at Riker's. Who knew it was that easy.
This episode is about a brilliant writer, Clay Warner, who is also a "bad seed" to the point that his mother hasn't seen him in years and doesn't want to. When a cabby grabs a cigar out of Clay's mouth one night to keep him from smoking, Warner stabs him in anger, steals his money, and takes off. When Warner realizes the jig is up concerning the evidence against him, he makes an offer to McCoy - He'll plead to anything as long as he gets the death penalty. Oh, and by the way, Warner has zero remorse.
This seems to put Jack in a dilemma. He seems to NOT want to give this guy the death penalty, but instead wants life without parole. So Jack brings in a psychiatrist hoping he will say he is insane, has probing discussions with ADA Serena and DA Arthur Branch over the situation. But the solution really is simple. In the words of Mick Jagger - "You don't always get what you want.". Give the guy life in prison - apparently that prospect is what he is really dreading anyways - and go home and sleep at night. As for what actually happens - watch and find out.
There were better episodes of L&O discussing the death penalty and even its aftermath. This is not a bad episode, just an extremely mediocre one, which is surprising.
This episode is about a brilliant writer, Clay Warner, who is also a "bad seed" to the point that his mother hasn't seen him in years and doesn't want to. When a cabby grabs a cigar out of Clay's mouth one night to keep him from smoking, Warner stabs him in anger, steals his money, and takes off. When Warner realizes the jig is up concerning the evidence against him, he makes an offer to McCoy - He'll plead to anything as long as he gets the death penalty. Oh, and by the way, Warner has zero remorse.
This seems to put Jack in a dilemma. He seems to NOT want to give this guy the death penalty, but instead wants life without parole. So Jack brings in a psychiatrist hoping he will say he is insane, has probing discussions with ADA Serena and DA Arthur Branch over the situation. But the solution really is simple. In the words of Mick Jagger - "You don't always get what you want.". Give the guy life in prison - apparently that prospect is what he is really dreading anyways - and go home and sleep at night. As for what actually happens - watch and find out.
There were better episodes of L&O discussing the death penalty and even its aftermath. This is not a bad episode, just an extremely mediocre one, which is surprising.
helpful•163
- AlsExGal
- Mar 4, 2021
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