Law and Order NBC Wednesday 10 pm/9 central

 

Reviewed by Frank Barrepski
February 21, 2001

It didn't take long at all for Law and Order to rip the Rae Carruth trial from the headlines. The episode begins with Briscoe and Green investigating the shooting of a pregnant woman, Dena Meridth.

Dena's credit card shows a charge at a nightclub shortly before the shooting, and the detectives learn from the nightclub's bouncer that she had left with two men who traveled in separate cars. The bouncer identifies one of the men as Henry Williams, and also states that he drove a champagne Lexus SUV. The only local Lexus dealer in the area gives Briscoe and Green a printout indicating that Cris Cody, a star basketball player, had recently purchased such a model. When asked, Cody denies knowing Dena.

However, investigation of Cody's finances shows that Dena was the bank loan officer who approved his loan for the Lexus as well as numerous other loans. The money from other loans is traced to Henry, under the ostensible claim of putting money back into the community.

Other Reviews

 West Wing

 The Practice

 Ally McBeal

 Ed

In addition, Jack and Abbie learn that Cody went through drug rehab while recovering from a foot injury. A team official states there was concern over the rehab, as well as the fact that Cody began associating with a character named Marcus Cole, who has convictions for murder and dealing drugs. When questioned, Henry finally admits that he and Marcus had been hired to kill Dena, because Cody didn't want to pay child support for a second child. Apparently, she was much more than just his loan officer, because DNA testing proves Cody to be the father of Dena's child. Cody claims that Henry has drug debts and that he (Colby) never knew about a plot to kill Dena.

At trial, both Marcus and Henry testify that Cris Cody paid them $18,000 for the killing, and that "Cris seemed cool with it" when they told him that Dena had been shot. However, Marcus can provide only hearsay from Henry; he never spoke to Cody directly. The prosecution's case looks iffy, until Cris testifies in his own defense. He denies involvement in the killing and claims he didn't even know he was the father of the child. Jack effectively cross-examines Cody about using his athletic talent to escape responsibility. In the process, Cody lets slip that he tried to "warn" Dena, after he had denied knowledge of or involvement in the events leading to Dena's death. It's not too likely that this would happen in real life; witnesses are usually more careful in what they say on the stand.

The jury returns with a verdict of guilty on the charge of murder in the first degree, and Cody is sentenced to life without parole. In hindsight, Chris Cody and Rae Carruth would both probably decide that paying the child support is preferable to serving a life sentence.

Past Law & Order Reviews | Message Boards
Frank Barrepski is an attorney licensed in Massachusetts. Along with other practice areas, he handles criminal defense matters and appeals in his practice.

Disclaimer

Ads by FindLaw

Legal News