22x17 - Bias

[bunniefuu]

In the criminal justice system,

the people are represented

by two separate,
yet equally important groups:

the police, who investigate crime,

and the district attorneys,
who prosecute the offenders.

These are their stories.

Hey, Rachel. It's me.

I know we said : ,

but I'm still a couple of minutes out.

I will see you soon.

[LINE TRILLING]

Hey, Rachel. It's me again.

I'm minutes late, but I'm here.

I'm really sorry.

A witness interview ran long,

and I lost track of time.

Just call me back
if you need to reschedule.

[OMINOUS MUSIC]

♪

Rachel.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

[GASPS]

Yeah, I need an ambulance
at Sutton Place Park.

- Talk to us.
- Stabbing.

Single wound. Bled out.

MLI puts time of death
at about : p.m.

DOA is Rachel Bender, Red Hook.

Cash and credit cards are still here.

We can cross off robbery.

Any signs of sexual as*ault?

MLI says no indications.

Found the wallet here

and got the fresh shoe print
in the mud there.

Get an imprint of that to the lab.

I'll let them know.

Judging by the blood trail,

it looks like she tried
to make it out of the park.

Didn't get very far.

Dialed .

Maybe trying to call for help.

Witnesses?

A park maintenance employee

said he saw the victim arguing
with a guy in a long coat.

He was a ways off, so he didn't
get race or age specifics.

Just figured it was a lovers' spat.

Who found the body?

Home team. Prosecutor.

Counselor.

She was a friend.

Want to tell us what happened?

We were supposed to meet up.

I hadn't seen her in months,

but she called me this morning.

Said she wanted my advice
about something.

Did she mention what it was about?

No, she just said it was complicated.

When were you supposed to meet?

: .

I was running late,
so I didn't get here till : .

I'm just gonna assume that someone

can verify your whereabouts before then.

Yeah.

How'd you know her, Nolan?

We worked side by side
at the public defender's office

for three years.

She was still a public defender?

Yeah.

Long list of people would want

someone like that dead.

Somebody like that?

Sorry. That came out wrong.

Boy, did I put my foot
in my mouth there.

More like both feet.

[DRAMATIC MUSIC]

♪

Nothing suspicious
in the vic's apartment.

She lived alone.

No indication of a significant other.

- m*rder w*apon?
- Nope.

No eyewitnesses.
Nothing on canvass either.

What about next of kin?

Her mom is coming up from Baltimore now.

Where was Rachel coming from
before she was k*lled?

Work. Public defender's office

is five blocks from Sutton Place Park.

Vi, can we grab any footage

and track her walk from the office?

Cameras are sparse near the park,

but I did pull something
from the security cams

by her office.

Guy's following Rachel.

- Can you freeze that?
- That's a clean look.

Any chance he's in the system?

Checking now.

Owen Bardo. Yonkers address.

Long sheet of violent priors.

He's on trial for as*ault now.

Guess who his counsel of record is?

Rachel Bender.

- Owen Bardo.
- Yeah.

NYPD. We need a minute.

When's the last time
you saw Rachel Bender?

Yesterday evening.

Why were you with her?

Wait. What's this about?

This is about the fact
that your lawyer turned up dead

after you were seen
following her yesterday.

What?

So why were you following her?

I wasn't.

She asked me to sign
this affidavit for my case,

so I was dropping it off.

We didn't find her with any affidavit.

'Cause she said she was
on her way to meet a friend.

Asked me to bring it back later.

How'd you two get along?

We weren't best friends.
She was my lawyer.

Where'd you go after meeting with her?

Straight to the Papaya King
right around the corner.

I was there till : .

- Look into it.
- We will.

Look, she may have had clients

who didn't appreciate her, but not me.

When I caught up to her,
she was on the phone

talking to someone about
getting a protective order.

She even joked with me about it.

She said I don't have anything
to worry about.

I'm not the guy she's scared of.

When was this?

: , : .

Only two detectives?

If it was an ADA, how many
would be assigned? Ten?

Plus the press conferences,

commissioner, mayor, district attorney.

But a dead public defender,
who cares, right?

Well, I'm so happy you got
that off your chest, Manny.

- I hope you feel better.
- Just so you know,

none of that is true.

We investigate all cases the same way.

So how can I help you?

We know Rachel called you last night

about a protective order.

We just want to know
who she's afraid of.

She didn't say.

She just wanted to know if it would

cast the office in a bad light
if one of its lawyers

was getting a protective order
for herself.

I told her if she needed one,
she should get one.

You know of any clients
she was having problems with?

Don't know the details,
but I heard her talking

about a recent m*rder sentencing.

She said she was scared.

Thought someone was gonna k*ll her.

Don't know if she was joking or not.

Well, she wasn't.

Do you have her calendar?

I subbed in for the sentencing.

Rafael Cortez.

Triple homicide.

A dispute over drug proceeds.

Guidelines left me no flexibility.

She have a problem with her client?

Problem was with her client's son.

He tried attacking Rachel.

Called her a stupid bitch.

Said it was all her fault.

Court officers had to hold him back.

- Is he in the system now?
- No.

I would have held him in contempt,

but Rachel said the family
had been through enough.

I shouldn't have listened to her.

Yo, that's out! That's out, bro!

Let's go, baby! You got it, fellas!

Yo, who's got next?

Luis Cortez, we need a word.

- ! - !

[SHOUTING]

Uh-uh.

Almost.

[BOTH GRUNT]

- I didn't do nothing.
- Yep.

Why'd you run then?

Give me your hand.

Other hand.

I got a g*n.

And a Kn*fe.

I didn't do nothing!

Now what's at Van
Brunt Street, Red Hook, huh?

That's Rachel Bender's address.

Well, well, well,

looks like we need
to have a conversation.

Stand up.

What's with the arsenal?

Man's got a right to protect himself.

I got enemies.

Was Rachel Bender one of them?

It's that thing in court, right?

She should have
made my pops take a plea.

He was gonna die in prison.

You have any contact with
Rachel after that incident?

No, but I saw my pops.

He was pissed at me.

Said I should apologize.

Told me how much she had done for him.

I had her address 'cause
I sent roses to her apartment.

Look it up.

Where were you last night?

Why? What's she saying?

Nothing.

Somebody k*lled her.

No. No way.

I was at my baby mama's house
in Bensonhurst, OK?

Not OK.

First, we're gonna check out your story.

And then you're gonna have to answer
for this g*n in your bag.

Luis Cortez's phone puts him in Brooklyn

at the time of Rachel's m*rder,

but his Kn*fe is not a match
for the wound.

His credit card confirms
that he sent Rachel flowers

to her apartment
the day before she was k*lled.

So back to the drawing board.

Well, we've been working
our way through Rachel's cases,

and it seems like all of her
clients with an a* to grind

are either in prison or alibi out.

Anything back from the crime lab?

No DNA found on Rachel,

but they were able
to ID that shoe imprint

we found in the mud next to her wallet.

Size . Very distinctive sole pattern.

Pegs it as a Giovanni Presario.
High-end Italian loafer.

Narrows it a little bit.

[PHONE CHIMES, BUZZES]

Rachel's mom is here.

Maybe she can help us
narrow it down even more.

Rachel was so brilliant.

I told her for years

she should get paid for her smarts

by being in private practice, but...

We're very sorry
for your loss, Ms. Bender.

And we really appreciate you coming in

on this difficult day.

Do you know if Rachel was dating anyone?

No, not seriously.

Did she ever mention anybody
she was having a problem with?

Like whom?

Her clients, for instance.

Well, they were all problems.
They were criminals.

We mean something irregular,

like a thr*at or a confrontation.

Yeah, she did tell me

about an altercation she had last Friday

with a restaurant in The Village

named Luchardi's.

- Did she say with whom?
- No.

But she was really shaken up.

Said she was never going back.

Rachel was a regular.

She always ordered a caprese salad.

I understand there was an
incident with her last time she was in.

Yeah, it was nutty.

Rachel was over by the bathroom.

A guy is sitting, drinking at the bar.

He sees her. Starts screaming.

About what?

I didn't hear the nitty gritty.

I got between them quick, though.

I showed 'em the door.

- He follow her?
- I couldn't tell you.

I was short-staffed that day.

I had a delivery to attend to.

I didn't even know Rachel
was there until I saw her.

- Do you remember the guy?
- Yeah.

Scraggly hairs. Big, white guy.

You think you could find
his credit card receipt?

- Maybe give us a name?
- Sure.

- Adam Grassley?
- Yeah?

Mr. Grassley, we're police detectives.

May we come in
and ask you a few questions?

No.

OK, would you like to step outside,

and we can have a conversation?

Why don't you take your toy
badges and get off my porch?

Sir, have you been drinking?

- It's a free country.
- Yes, it is.

And that's why
we're gonna cut you some slack

for getting so mouthy with us.

We're just gonna ask you
a few questions.

You're gonna cut me slack?

- You guys are on my property...
- Easy.

And you're gonna tell me what to do?

- Easy, Grassley.
- Hey.

[GRUNTS]

I didn't do any...

- Get off of me!
- Hey.

You wanted us off your property?

It's your lucky day, buddy.

You're coming with us.

What's your beef with Rachel Bender?

So that's what this is about,
that piece of garbage?

Hey. You've had plenty
of time to sober up, buddy,

so do yourself a favor
and answer our questions.

My -year-old daughter
was r*ped and m*rder*d

by one of her clients in July.

And Bender got him acquitted last week

'cause of a warrant less search
by meathead cops.

That's terrible.

I have a teenage daughter myself.

I can't imagine the pain
you're going through.

I'm sorry for your loss.

I just wanted to ask her, like, how...

How do you represent
such a vile human being?

She wouldn't answer my calls.

Then I ran into her.

You have any further interactions?

Why?

Someone k*lled her.

Is this where I'm supposed
to say karma's a bitch?

No, I didn't do it.

It's like I told her boyfriend.
I said my piece.

Boyfriend?

When did you talk to her boyfriend?

Luchardi's.

Guy follows me into the street

screaming at me to leave her alone.

Almost knocked his ass out too.

But I didn't.

Instead, I just went
to the bar across the street

and kept drinking.

Went through Rachel's emails
again, texts, phone calls.

There's no sign she was dating anyone.

Maybe the relationship
was on the down-low.

Maybe the guy is married.

As for her dating pool, there
are males at her office.

Factor in full-timers at the courthouse,

guys who come in and out.

Jeez, we're gonna need an abacus.

They had to be out and about
a little bit, right?

Vi, dig back into Rachel's credit cards.

Look for hotels, restaurants,
bed and breakfasts.

There's not too much.

But there were three charges last month

from a café in The Village
called Java Bliss.

They were all before : a.m.

- And the last one was Saturday.
- For an espresso?

That's a long way to go
for a girl from Red Hook.

You know, I don't know about you guys,

but if I end up in a different borough

stumbling into a coffee shop
at that time of the morning...

It's 'cause you've just spent the night
at someone's apartment.

Reach out to Java Bliss.

See if they've got security cameras.

We need to speak to Judge Raymer.

He's busy.

You can't go in there.

Francis versus Grace...

What the hell are you doing here?

Judge, we're executing a search warrant.

I am in the middle of a conference.

Well, your conference is now continued.

Gentlemen, if you please.

Rachel Bender? Is this a joke?

It most certainly is not.

What's the probable cause?

We have an eyewitness
who works at a coffee shop

near your home who places you
in the coffee shop Saturday

having a heated argument with Rachel

because she wouldn't take you back.

You need to get
the hell out of there now.

Judge?

Is that a cut in your right hand?

[PHONE CHIMES, BUZZES]

You have no idea

the dimensions
of the mistake you're making.

We are making no mistakes.

We just got a text from a detective

executing warrant at your house.

They found a pair of size
Giovanni Presario loafers

in your closet, mud still on the sole.

Matches the footprint
at the crime scene.

[WHISTLES]

- Turn around.
- I'm not gonna turn around.

You're seriously handcuffing me
in my chamber?

Hey!

You are under arrest for
the m*rder of Rachel Bender.

[DOOR OPENS]

I've been waiting minutes
for a cup of coffee.

Judge, you know how this works.

You've been in this business
a very long time,

so we're gonna sh**t you straight.

The evidence against you is very strong.

We got your fancy size
loafers at the crime scene.

You got a cut on the palm
of your right hand,

the stabbing hand.

And a man matching your description

was seen arguing with our vic

shortly before she was m*rder*d.

Plus we have motive.

The victim dumps your ass a few
days before she was m*rder*d.

Get out ahead of this, Judge.

Tell us your side of the story.

[SCOFFS]

You want me to confess.

Please.

I had nothing to do with Rachel's death.

So uncuff me right now,

and I'll pretend
that this was nothing more

than an ill-informed error
of judgment...

A simple but stupid mistake.

That's not the way to play this.

Your Honor.

I want a lawyer now.

Judge Raymer?

Hard to believe, I know.

The facts say what they say.

No, I agree he's our man.

But I reviewed the file.

Evidence is solid,
except it's all circumstantial.

Is there anyone else
who can help nail this down?

Add some context
to Raymer's personality,

or better yet,
provide some more evidence?

There may be.

Raymer called his law clerk at :

the night that Rachel was k*lled.

That's less than two hours
before the m*rder.

Which is why we're on our way
to talk to him now.

I'm coming with you.

Are you sure about that?

I am.

No, that's impossible.

Judge Raymer would never hurt anybody.

We appreciate your loyalty, Tyler.

We just have a few questions,
and we'll be on our way.

Did you know about his relationship

with Rachel Bender?

No.

Why did Raymer call you at :

the night Rachel was k*lled?

I was grabbing a slice

across the street from the courthouse.

I drive the judge to and from work.

He wanted me to take him home.

- Is that what you did?
- Yes.

I drove him to his place in The Village,

then came up and worked on an opinion.

I was with him till about : .

Wait, hold on.

You're telling us that
you were at your boss' house

for three hours that night with him?

Yes.

Wow, your judge, what a lucky guy.

You just handed him the perfect alibi.

Hey, guys, could you give us a minute?

Yeah, I was a clerk back in the day.

I know what your boss means to you.

Judge Raymer is a brilliant man.

- Is a good man.
- No.

I felt the same way about Judge Munson.

And I wouldn't change
that experience for anything,

even though the hours were really long

and I felt like an indentured servant.

[CHUCKLES]

Nothing's changed in that regard.

- Trust me.
- No, I know.

Some things will never change,
no matter what.

But here's the thing, Tyler.

Indentured servants don't
socialize with their bosses.

Excuse me? [CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY]

You lied about being with Judge Raymer

at his place
on the night Rachel was k*lled.

Did you know they were dating?

I suspected.

She came by the chambers a lot.

And then last week,
I heard raised voices.

She dumped him.

And where did you drop him that night?

Public defender's office.

Why?

Because he said he had business.

I know he had
a contentious divorce, right?

But he would never hurt Rachel, OK?

That's not who he is.

I already spoke to the detectives.

My ex-husband is a powerful man.

I'm not comfortable saying
anything else about him.

Respectfully, Ms. Raymer,
he's on trial for m*rder.

Your comfort is not our chief concern.

You filed a restraining order
against him.

Why don't you tell us
what your ex-husband did?

What he did was stalk me
after I moved out.

Hit me.

Said if I left him, he would k*ll me.

Well, then why did you decide
not to pursue charges?

He's a judge.

It would have been my word against his.

Plus, there's no alimony
if your ex is behind bars.

If I testify against him...

Ms. Raymer, a woman is dead.

And he has to be held responsible.

So we are gonna subpoena you.

And if you won't testify,

I will seek to hold you in contempt.

Do you understand?

Mr. Price is attempting

to introduce Ms. Raymer's
testimony as a prior bad act.

Goes to pattern, Your Honor.

There is no pattern.

- Ms. Raymer is not dead.
- Judge, please.

Can we call this for what it is:

a shameless ploy to poison
the jury against my client

to cover for the prosecution's
lack of evidence?

The defendant's penchant
for stalking women

and committing acts of v*olence
is highly relevant

- to this trial.
- Enough.

The probative value
of the testimony sought here

is clearly outweighed
by its prejudicial impact.

I'm precluding it.

Anything else, Mr. Price?

Mr. Price, do you mind telling
me what you're staring at?

A photo of you and the defendant.

Yes. We went to Harvard together.

I knew that.

I just didn't realize
how close you were.

Is there something
you'd like to say, Counselor?

Yes, respectfully,

the victim's family and the press

could misconstrue

your relationship with the defendant.

And the people have no choice

but to move for your immediate
recusal in this matter.

We oppose.

This is a bald-faced attempt
at judge-shopping.

No, it's worse than that.

It's an unfounded att*ck on
the integrity of my courtroom.

And I won't stand for it.

Motion denied.

- Judge Benning...
- Denied.

Openings tomorrow, : a.m.

Goodbye, Mr. Price.

- Thank you, Judge.
- Thank you, Judge.

Judges have an immense amount
of power in the courtroom.

Outside of the courtroom,
that power is circumscribed,

like it is for every one of us.

This is a story

of a judge who would not
accept those limits.

The evidence will show that the victim

ended her relationship
with the defendant,

rejected his desperate attempt
to reconcile,

and so, he hunted her down
and stabbed her to death

in a brutal and deranged
exercise of power

and one he has to answer for.

This case is about power...

The prosecution's abuse of it.

Because Mr. Price is twisting
a simple breakup

into a fantasy of m*rder.

Why do this on what will become clear

is a flimsy evidentiary foundation

to eliminate an enemy...

Mr. Price's enemy?

Because Mr. Price
has been on the wrong end

of Judge Raymer's rulings over and over.

Objection. Foundation. Move to strike.

Overruled. Sit down, Mr. Price.

And don't interrupt again.

At the end of the
prosecution's so-called case,

I will ask you to send a message:

that the judiciary is independent

and can't be intimidated.

I will ask you to acquit Judge Raymer

of this baseless charge.

I manufactured the case
to eliminate an enemy?

It's offensive on its face
and sanctionable.

So then there's no truth
to Strawn's contention

that you've been on the losing side

of a majority of Raymer's rulings?

Well, of course there is,

like every other prosecutor
in the building.

Raymer is notoriously pro-defense.

Then the defendant is entitled

to make the argument that
Raymer's bias stoked yours.

Speaking of Benning's bias,
if you'd asked me,

I would have argued
against that motion to recuse.

He's compromised, Jack,
and his prejudice

will manifest itself
in ways big and small

throughout the trial,
even if it's unconscious.

Maybe, but you're seasoned enough

to know that any judge
who admits to being partial

is acknowledging his failings.

Your motion didn't stand a chance.

All it did was infuriate him.

Defense counsel suggested
I'm framing his client.

The trial judge is pals
with the defendant.

I think I was expecting you to
share in a bit of my outrage.

Our outrage isn't gonna
convince the jury of anything.

Feeding them evidence is.

I suggest you focus
your energies on that.

At some point, Mr. Minter,
did you become aware

that the defendant and Ms. Bender

- were engaged in a relationship?
- Yes.

When did you become aware of that?

When I overheard them
talking in chambers.

And what was the substance
of their conversation?

It was about...

the relationship.

Mm-hmm.

Do you recall overhearing
that Miss Bender wanted

to end that relationship?

I don't remember overhearing that.

What do you remember overhearing?

Not much.

The walls are thick.

Well, which is it, Mr. Minter?

You don't remember the victim
telling the defendant

she wanted to break up,
or you couldn't hear the victim

telling the defendant
she wanted to break up?

Both, I guess.

Did you or did you not inform me

that you heard the victim
break up with the defendant?

I said no such thing.

All right. Let's move on.

Did you drop the defendant off
outside Ms. Bender's office

shortly before she was stabbed to death?

No, I dropped him off at his apartment

and worked on a case with him
for three hours.

You told me
you dropped the defendant off

outside Ms. Bender's place of work

shortly before she was k*lled, correct?

I don't recall.

Mr. Minter, did you
discuss your testimony

with the defendant in advance
of your appearance here today?

- No.
- Yet suddenly,

you are contradicting
everything you told me?

- That's not true.
- All right.

Will the court please remind Mr. Minter

that he is testifying
under penalty of perjury?

Objection.

Asked and answered. Badgering.

If the prosecution doesn't like
Mr. Minter's testimony,

- they shouldn't have called him.
- Sustained.

The witness' testimony is clear.

You're done here, Mr. Price.

Your witness, Mr. Strawn.

We have nothing, Judge Benning.

You were right.

Raymer clearly had a chat with Minter.

Called him early this morning.

Conversation lasted an hour and a half.

Kid's always been shaky.

Well, we can open
a perjury investigation.

No, there's no point.
We couldn't prove it.

And even if we could,
he's been completely b*rned

as a witness. [KNOCKS AT DOOR]

- Nolan Price?
- Yes.

Thank you.

What's that?

It's a subpoena for my testimony.

I discovered the victim's body.

The defense is entitled
to inquire about that

and nothing else.

Says Mr. Price.

We're entitled to inquire

about his private conversation
with Mr. Minter.

It's called interviewing a witness.

Yes, with no one else present

and referencing
that conversation repeatedly

during Mr. Minter's questioning.

You could have objected
to those references.

You did not.

But it's part of the record now,

making you a party to a conversation

that is central
to the outcome of this case,

- whether you like it or not.
- Your Honor...

As someone who is so concerned

with the appearance of impropriety,

Mr. Price, you, of all people,

should know that it would
be highly improper of me

to deprive the defense the opportunity

to impeach your testimony.

Mr. Price will take the stand.

Mr. Price, how often have you
appeared before Judge Raymer?

Perhaps a half dozen times.

Eight, actually.

And you've lost three
of those cases, right?

Yes, but they were jury verdicts.

Each of which involved

numerous motions crucial
to the case's outcome...

Motions you lost.

Objection. Relevance.

Make your point, Mr. Strawn.

You dislike appearing
before Judge Raymer.

No, I have no animus towards
Judge Raymer as a judge.

I do, however, despise him
for the heinous act

the evidence establishes he committed.

You and the victim, Rachel Bender,

were colleagues
at the public defender's office

- for three years.
- Yes.

At the time of her death,

were you two romantically involved?

- No.
- Objection. Relevance.

A little latitude, Judge.

I'll allow it.

I'd like to offer the following photo

as defense exhibit .

Judge, may we approach?

Mr. Price's past relationship
with the victim

has absolutely nothing
to do with this case.

But it has everything to do

with his decision to bring this case.

Mr. Price's relationship with Ms. Bender

establishes prosecutorial
overreach and bias.

I'll allow it. Step back.

- Judge...
- Ms. Maroun, step back.

Mark it as defense exhibit .

You can put it up.

Mr. Price, can you tell us
what this photo depicts?

It's an office holiday party.

I think it was .

It's a photo of you
kissing Rachel Bender, right?

That's correct.

So let me rephrase my question.

Did you ever have a romantic
relationship with Ms. Bender?

A brief one. Decade ago.

But you still loved her, correct?

No, I was never in love with her.

And you hated the fact
Judge Raymer was dating her.

Objection. This is preposterous.

Overruled.

There were no witnesses to
Ms. Bender's k*lling, correct?

None that we've located.

But you're the one that found the body.

Your fingerprints were
on her driver's license.

How do we know you didn't k*ll her?

- Objection.
- How do we know

this entire trial isn't a frame job

by a jealous man who k*lled the lover

- he was still obsessed with?
- Judge, please.

And the man you're framing
was also ruling against you

in case after case...
A two-for-one deal, right?

Objection.

Sustained. Enough, Mr. Strawn.

Nothing further.

[TENSE MUSIC]

♪

You think it might have dawned on you

to inform co-counsel the victim
was an ex-girlfriend?

It was a casual thing, Sam.
It was more than a decade ago.

You went after Benning
because he's Raymer's friend.

You are just as compromised as he is.

Look, I am sorry I didn't
bring you into the loop,

but it was irrelevant.

Well, that may be true,
but we're on life support.

I mean, the jury may not believe

you framed Raymer for the m*rder,

but they could believe you overreached,

that you are not seeing things clearly.

We need more evidence.

I agree.

Maybe we take another run
at Tyler Minter.

His testimony is useless.

- You said it yourself.
- I know.

But he seems to know more
about Raymer than anybody else.

I'm not talking.

I believe in Judge Raymer's innocence.

He's gonna be acquitted,
and he'll be back on the bench

- in a week.
- I understand the sentiment.

But you will have to pay a price for it.

Excuse me?

You're still relatively new
to the legal profession,

so let me educate you.

This is a m*rder trial,

and you lied on the stand.

I can't allow that to go unchecked.

Y-you're gonna indict me?

You'll never prove it.

Maybe.

But are you really willing
to take that risk?

Tyler, if you don't talk to us,

you're gonna force our hand.

[SIGHS]

You told me you didn't know

why Judge Raymer wanted
to be dropped off

at the public defender's office

on the day that Rachel was k*lled.

That's not true, is it?

The judge... [DISTANT CHATTER]

He bought a diamond ring.

He was gonna propose to her
in Dewey Park.

It's a block from
the public defender's office.

It's where they had their first date.

Can I go?

So we got the proposal.

Problem is what comes next.

The street vendor stops his
cart right in front of them.

Obstructs the view.

By the time the cart moves again,

Raymer is storming off.

So Raymer thinks he can get
her back by proposing to her.

She turns him down flat.

He stews over it.

An hour later,
she's dead two blocks away.

But there is a guy
standing right behind him.

He had to have seen the whole thing.

Yeah, maybe he can provide some context

and fill in some of the gaps
for the jury.

Can you zoom in on his jacket?

Yeah, I was on my break having a smoke.

Saw the guy flame out.

Can you run through what you saw, Drew?

It was pretty quick.
He got down on one knee.

She said, sorry, but it was over.

He gets up. Starts screaming at her.

Anything else?

Yeah, the last thing
he said stuck with me.

He said she would be sorry.

Told her he was gonna get her.

I appreciate you, brother.

- We'll be in touch.
- Sure thing.

- Yo, the guy was a real prick.
- Mm.

How's the doorman's trial prep going?

Afraid we've hit a snag.

What do you mean?

He's got a prior conviction

for harassing an ex-girlfriend.

Pled guilty in .

The defense could spin this
to its advantage

and turn him into an obsessive predator

who met the victim
right before she was m*rder*d.

Make it look like he's the k*ller.

[SIGHS]

Not if we don't use him.

Look, the Java Bliss barista.

Plus, we have the cut
on Raymer's right palm

and his shoes at the crime scene.

And the jury will put it together.

But we still have
to turn over information

about Drew to the defense.

It's not our job
to present alternative theories

to the defense.

No, but it is our job

to turn over exculpatory evidence.

You really think that there
is a reasonable probability

that this information would
result in a different verdict?

Is that opinion based
on your legal interpretation

or your desire
to get justice for your friend?

Both.

Well, what would you say

if you were still a defense attorney?

It doesn't matter.

I'm a prosecutor.

It's my call, Sam.

[TENSE MUSIC]

♪

Thank you, Hannah.

Any word on the jury?

No. It's been two days, so...

I just hope your passion for the victim

doesn't cloud
their assessment of the facts.

I did what I thought
was right for the case

and for Rachel's family.

Winning the case is what's right.

And we have other
homicide prosecutors here

who could have handled...

But I'm the best.

And you know it.

What you are is compromised.

If I had known
you found the victim's body

and you slept with her,

I wouldn't have let you
within a time zone of this!

I took this on because

I thought I could maximize
the chance of a conviction.

Because you cared so deeply
for the victim.

Correct.

I rest my case.

[PHONE CHIMES, BUZZES]

Jury's back.

♪

Counsel, please rise.

Madam foreperson,

in the matter of the people
versus Ephraim Raymer,

has the jury reached a verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

On the sole count of m*rder
in the second degree,

how do you find?

We find the defendant guilty.

[CROWD MURMURING]

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,

thank you for your service.

Court is adjourned. [GAVEL SLAMS]

Nice work, Sam.

We did what we had to do.

Just hope your friend, Rachel,
wasn't looking down.