All language subtitles for Law and order S17E09 - Deadlock

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.

Forget about stats, man.

I'm talking about heart.

And Peyton still
comes out on top.

Do you even have
the sports package, huh?

Eli pulls off miracles
in the fourth quarter.

Peyton kicks ass
the whole game.

Peyton's the past, man.

Eli's the future.
No one's talking to
you.

I got nothing to do inside
except read the sports page.

Yo, I said shut
your damn mouth.

(Van Buren)
Where's the other officer?

(Van Buren)
Where's the other officer?

On a bus to city hospital.
He's likely.

And the con?

In the wind.

Leon Vorgitch.
A lifer from Green Haven

here on appeal.

Vorgitch.

How did he get a weapon?

Plastic shiv.

Slipped right past
the metal detectors.

And we found this.

Handcuff key.

It's also plastic.

Where are we
so far, Detective?

Got teams
searching the area.

DCPI's getting his picture
out to the media

with a tip line to call

if they spot him.

A lot of folks gonna
remember this face.

It doesn't place.

He slaughtered five people
in a burger joint in '97.

The Midtown Massacre?

That I remember.

I was working Narcotics
around the corner
at the time.

I was one of the first
to respond.

I testified at his trial.

They put him on death row.
(Green)
Three times over,

but they changed the law before
they got the needle in him.

This is the bastard
that's supposed to be dead.

ng to me.

He knows I won't help.

When's the last time you spoke
with your son, Mrs. Vorgitch?

Eight years ago.

At the trial.

You two had a falling out?

He murdered five people.

Can you imagine knowing

you brought a monster
into the
world?

Has he been
in contact with you?

I had my number blocked
so he can't call.

If he sends letters,
I send them back.

The last one was about
a month ago.

I want him caught

as much as you do.

I never want
to see him again.

Still, we're gonna assign
a security detail

to keep an eye on you,
all right?

As long as I can still get
to my church and my doctor.

Yes, ma'am.

Thank you.

You should talk
to his brother.

I won't let Carl

mention his name around me.

But I know
they're still in touch.

Look, I visit him
on birthdays and holidays.

That's it.

You mind if we check
your cell phone?

It broke.

I'm checking it anyway.

And if I find out
you're lying,

people are gonna be visiting you
in prison.

So just do
the right thing

and help us find
your brother.

For what?

So you can gun him down
in the street?

If Leon cooperates,
he won't be harmed.

That's crap.

You guys tried
to execute him.

I'm not gonna give you
a second chance.

Look--You're gonna give us
the names

of people that might
be helping him,

or I swear to God,
I will take you down.

Names!
Come on!

All right.
All right!

Jerry Malcolm.

He's our cousin.

He lives on 89th.

Dennis Vorgitch
is our uncle.

He's in Brooklyn.

Uh...

Nick Lombardi.

A guy we used to run with.
I think he's in Queens
now.

You can try them.

Your list has Nikki Hale
and Rex Mays

listed as Leon's ex-girlfriend
and best friend.

He didn't mention
either of 'em.

Yeah, we're gonna go
see them next.

Fugitive Team's looking for
a current on Mays,

but I'm pretty sure Nikki still
lives at the same address.

Sorry, haven't seen Leon since
he left me pregnant

and blew those people's
heads off.

Well, we need to find him

before he does it again.

Is there some reason
you're not letting us in?

The visitor's log
from Green Haven

said that you saw Leon
three months ago.

So?

So you just said you hadn't
seen him since the massacre.

Guess I forgot.

I could see how a two-hour drive
to a state prison

could slip your mind.

If there's anything else
you forgot,

now would be a real good time
to suddenly remember.

I haven't seen him.

Looks like
you had a guest.

So I had a few beers.
Is that a crime?

I didn't smell beer
on your breath.

(Green)
You think we playin'
with you?

We can test those bottles
for Leon's DNA.

If we find any, you go down
for hindering prosecution.

And the murderer's son;
he goes to child services.

[breaking glass]

(Cassady)
Probably be better off
in foster care anyway.

From the looks of things.

(Nikki)
Please don't.
Where's Leon?

I don't know.

He came by about
two hours ago, okay?

But I told him
to get
out.

After you fed him and gave him
a change of clothes?

What's he wearing now?

Gray hoodie,
white shirt, jeans.

(Green)
Where was he headed?

(Nikki)
He didn't say.

Give me one reason
to believe you.

Because I don't want
to lose my kid.

Please.

The tip lines
had 92 reports.

Only one of them has him in
a gray hooded sweatshirt.

Where?
Port Authority.

Anybody gets killed
because you helped him,

kiss your kid good-bye.

We've checked every outgoing bus
in the last two hours.

We're talking
to personnel inside.

So far, no one remembers
seeing him.

It's a sure bet he's
trying to leave town.

Hey.

Detectives Green and Hannigan,
this is Kelly.

She called in the tip.

How you doin'?

I work in the ER
across the street.

I was on a smoke break
when I saw him.

You sure this is
the guy you saw?

Yeah.

His face
is all over the TV.

How long ago?
Took my break at 10:00.

So, like, an hour.

And what did he do?
Did he go in the station?

I don't know.

He noticed me
looking at him

and he walked away.

I'm sorry.

I wish I could
tell you more.

No, it's okay.
Thank you.

You got it?

So he doesn't hop
a bus.

Where does he go
from here?

We've got guys
watching the subway.

And we've put word
through TLC

for cabbies
to keep an eye out.

Let's hope he's on foot.

That's an hour head start.

That's at least
a five-mile radius.

We're on it.

All right, cool.

Detectives Green and Cassady,
Homicide.

Nguyen, Fugitive.

Says he saw our guy.

How long ago?

[foreign language]

Barely speaks English.

But when I showed him
the picture, he nodded.

You saw this guy?

[foreign language]
Yes, yes.

When?

An hour--half.

All units, suspect spotted
within the
vicinity

of 46th and 8th

within the last
30 minutes.

Uptown.
Headed uptown.

Thank you.

Leon's updated contact list

has a former cellmate living at
50th and 10th.

Get your ass over here!

Why you running, Pedro?

Why you chasing me, man?

Where's Vorgitch?

I got no idea, man.

Haven't seen him
since I got out.

And I hope I never do.
That dude's a psycho.

You're on parole, right?

Sheet says you're
a
meth-head.

Recovered meth-head.

I guess recovery's
not going so hot.

Look yo,
I can't go back, man.

Okay, I can help.

Just don't tell my PO.

So help.

Leon comes knocking on my door
about an hour ago.

Looking to score a piece.

You gave him a weapon?

Hell no, man.
I don't do guns, man.

But I had to
give him something, right?

So I sent him to this guy Skinny
to hook him up.

Where?

(man)
Police! Search warrant!

Clear!
Clear.

Body's still warm.
Clear the building.

Get the Fugitive Team to lock
down the whole area, okay?

We got a half a box
of
ammo.

45s.

All I got here
is shotguns,

a 9-mil,
and two 38s.

All units,
suspect is now armed.

Repeat, Vorgitch has a gun.

With at least
25 Teflon roun

The dogs were unable
to pick up Leon's scent?

The Fugitive Team's
still
searching,

but we've got witnesses
in six different directions

that all said
they saw him.

Where are we on the list
of Leon's contacts?

We've questioned everyone

but an old best friend
who moved to California.

We sent Leon's photo
to their local P.D.

in case he shows.

So our escaped convict's
back in the wind.

We got another D.O.A.

That makes
the body count three.

What?

Officer Williams
died in surgery.

(Green)
I'm gonna ask you
one more time,

where was Leon going?

Told you.
He didn't say.

And I told you that
wasn't good enough.

Now think!

Did he give you
a clue as to where
he might've been going?

What did he want
with the gun?

Protect hisself
against you guys.

Did he say that?

No, I'm guessing man.
I don't know.

Nina, watch the door.

You already admitted that you
helped him get that
gun.

So when I'm done
with you here,

I'm calling
the D.A. in here.

He's gonna charge you
with co-conspiracy

unless you tell me
what I want to know.

I told you.

He didn't say
where he was going

or what he wanted
the gun for, man.

We hardly talked, man.

Did he want to buy
anything else?

A car?
A fake I.D.?

No, no, I swear, man.

Look, when I gave him
Skinny's address he was--

Asked me if I had
a phone book.

A phone book.
Why?

He just asked.
I said I didn't.

I gave him the address
and he left.

And that's it.

What does Leon want with
a Manhattan phone book?

Looking for a way out.

Car service or something.

That's assuming he's trying
to skip town.

You think he's not?

If he's not looking
for a ride,

he's looking for people.

Sticking around
for revenge.

Explains the gun.

You don't go buy a .45
unless you mean business.

You know,
I want a security detail

assigned to everyone
who testified against him.

And that includes
your family.

I'm way ahead of you there.
They're upstate.

(Van Buren)
All right.

So if this is the deal,

who's he going after?

My first guess
would be Mia.

Mia Alvarez.
I mean, if you ask me,

it was her testimony that
got him the death sentence.

Go talk to her.

It went in here...
and came out here.

The doctor said
it was a miracle

it missed my carotid
and jugular vein.

So you would've been...

Body number six.

It's good to see you again,
Detective
Green.

Thank you for sending people
to look after
me.

Don't worry,
we're not gonna let him

get anywhere
near you, okay?

(Cassady)
Has Leon tried
to contact you recently?

Not for a long time.

I know he used
to mail threats.

Yeah, those pretty
much stopped

once they decided
not to execute him.

But you should talk
to John Garvey.

Of all the victims' families,
John fought hardest

to get Leon executed.

Yeah, I remember his speech
at the sentencing.

Yeah, from what I hear,

he writes a letter
every month.

"My son would've been
24 this month.

"You cut his life short.

"But Chris did more
with his young life

"than you've done in your whole
worthless existence.

"You're nothing.
Vile.

A piece of crap not even
a mother could love."

He ever write you back?

Lots of times.
I burned the letters.

How about phone calls
since he got out?
I wish.

I pray that bastard
comes looking for me.

And you can send the cops
outside home.

I got this.

You got a permit for that?
Of
course.

Alls I'm saying is--

[phone ringing]
Don't worry about me.

That son of a bitch
comes looking for me,

he'll finally get
that death sentence.

Nina--
We gotta go.

Fugitive team
found Rex Mays.

The best friend?

Yeah, he wasn't in L.A.

He's squatting in his dead
aunt's apartment in Harlem.

Sir--
Hey.

You get a shot
at Vorgitch...

please take it.

(man)
Police!
Search warrant!

Clear.

(officer)
All clear!

Nina, look.

(Cassady)
Looks like Leon found
his phone book.

Hospital listings.

There was an ER
across the street

from the bus station
where he was spotted.

Do you think he's hurt?

It's possible.

I'll star 6-9.

No dial tone.

I guess Rex doesn't pay
to have a land line.

Look at this.

It's the box from
a disposable cell.

The serial number should give us
everything we need

to track his location.
Good.

Leather jacket.

He's about to pass
the blue car.

Pull up.

Here we go.

Hey, Rex.
How's it goin'?

Don't move.

[sirens wail]

Hands on top of the car!

Legs spread!
Come on!

How you been, Rex?

I know you?

We have a mutual friend.

He deleted
his call history.

Where's Leon?

Who?

Not a good time
to play dumb, Rex.

We've already been
to your place.

You helped
an escaped murderer.

That's a C felony--15 years.

Now, where the hell
is he!?

We know he's out
for revenge, Rex.

Who is he after?

I saw your rap sheet, man.

You ain't never done
no hard time.

Now how long you think
you're gonna last

in maximum security?

You had your chance.

Lock his ass up.

Wait, wait, wait!

Ain't about revenge.

His mom's got cancer.

She's dying?

Diagnosed last month.

She wouldn't come see him,

wouldn't talk to him
on the phone.

So he busted out
to say good-bye.

So he knows we're watching
her place,

so he's trying to catch her
at the doctor's?

Hospital.

She just started chemo.

Read him his rights.

You're still
gonna charge me?

Oh, hell yeah.

Thanks.

Detail watching
Delores Vorgitch

has her at Holy Cross Medical
in
Chelsea.

Excuse me.

Delores Vorgitch--
Which
room?

245.

Dow the hall on the right.

He was here?
Yeah.

I swear to God...

I just went to the bathroom for,
like, two minutes.

Find any exit and keep
your eyes open, okay?

Yeah.

What happened?
[crying]

He just wanted me
to forgive him.

And I wouldn't.

He called me a bitch
and left through the window.

Take the back stairs.

We got the roof.

[bottles rattle]

Leon!
Stop!

Damn it.

Leon!

Suspect has entered the school
next to the hospital!

Repeat--Suspect has entered
the school next to the hospital!

Proceed with extreme caution!

(man over radio)
10-4, all units.

Attention, all units.

Suspect has entered the school
next to Holy Cross Medical.

Armed and considered
extremely dangerous.

Proceed with caution.

[floorboard creaks]

Back the hell off!

Anybody makes a move on me,

they all die!

All units, pull back.
Pull back.

Get everybody out
of the building.

We have a hostage situation.
Get away from me now!

Get over here.

(woman)
Please, let them go!

(Vorgitch)
Shut up, bitch!

(woman)
You can keep me!

(Vorgitch)
Shut your damn mouth!
You wanna die?

(Vorgitch)
Okay, everybody up against
the wall now!

Do what he says.

(Vorgitch)
Get down!
You get down!

You. Get over here.

Get down in the corner.

You, get your ass up
against the
wall.

The next one of you little
bitches makes a
sound--

(Van Buren)
Major Case says
the hostage negotiator's

on her way.

Does she know that there's
15 kids in the room?

Yes, she knows.

Lieutenant!

Says his kid's
in the room with the perp.

She texted him.
She's getting sick.

Diabetic shock.

She said she's getting dizzy
and confused.

She's going into shock.
What's your name?

Rob Purcell.
Her name is Megan.

If she can just
get her medicine--

Mr. Purcell, we're doing
everything possible

to make sure that happens.

(Vorgitch)
I want all these
cars out of here

or they die!

Pull all the units
into the intersection

until the hostage team
gets here.

I want all
those guns away!

Get the hell off
the street!

For now,
we do like he says

until the team's in place.

[backfire]

What the hell was that?

[gunfire]
[screaming]

Ah, God!

We're going in.

(Sergeant)
Move! Move!

Let me see your hands!

We've got one apprehended.

Send an EMS.
We've got four shot.

You can't shoot me.

I'm unarmed.

Why'd you have
to shoot them?

Why not?

Get him out of here.

(clerk)
Docket number 4-8-2-1-5.

People v. Leon Wayne Vorgitch.

Charges are eight counts
of murder in the first degree;

escape in
the first degree;

and criminal possession
of a weapon in the
second degree.

How does the defendant plead,
Mister...

Kiss my ass.
That's how I plead.

Control your client,
counselor.

I'll do my best,
Your Honor.

He pleads not guilty.

And since he's already serving
three life sentences

for mass murder,
bail's not an issue.

But which cell he's returned to
is, Your Honor.

The defendant obtained the tools
for his escape

while incarcerated
at Green
Haven.

People ask that corrections
place him

in a federal supermax facility
pending trial.

Mr. Edlund?

No objection, Your Honor.
So ordered.

[gavel pounds]

You can lock me up
wherever you want, bitch!

We're done.
Get him out of here.

Lock me up wherever
you want,

'cause that's all
you can
do!

And next time I get out,

I'm coming straight
for you, bitch!

Get your hands off me.

Murder two
on all eight charges.

(Vorgitch)
Go to hell, McCoy.

Murder one, two, three.

What the hell's
that even mean?

I want something real.

TV time.

Conjugal visits.

(McCoy)
We're not here to
offer perks, Mr. Vorgitch.

Want one of them
flat screens.

That's my price.

Take it or leave it.

We'll leave it.
Fine.

But every day I get
on that bus and go to court

is another day
I don't have to spend in here.

Another chance to escape.

Megan died before
we reached the hospital.

It's been, uh,
very hard on all of us.

Especially since Vorgitch

should've been executed
years ago.

And that's what makes it not
just a personal tragedy

for the Purcell family,
but a moral outrage

for all of New York.

We have to fight for
the families of the victims.

We need the death penalty.

And when I'm elected,

I will fight
to bring it back.

Thank you ladies
and gentlemen. Come on.

(reporter)
Wait--

Didn't take Dena Carter long
to make political hay.

While she's out campaigning
for the death penalty,

what are we supposed
to do without it?

Either we decline
to prosecute Vorgitch

or we waste three months
on a murder trial

with nothing at stake.

No trial for eight dead?

Two cops
and four children.

We owe the families.

What we owe them is Vorgitch
getting an arm full of poison.

Not an option right now.

Are we sure about that?

People v. La Valle, Arthur.

That case didn't strike down
the entire law;

just the jury instruction.

There's still a guy
on death row

whose judge gave
a Constitutional instruction.

That case will be tied up
in appeals

until the defendant dies
of old age.

But if we can get our judge
to give that same instruction,

then we've got a shot at

getting Vorgitch
on death row.

At least then we've done
everything we can do.

The Legislature's
not gonna do anything.

I appreciate your ambition,
Mr. McCoy,

but in light of
the higher court's ruling,

I don't see how I can authorize
a death penalty case.

Given the public outrage

surrounding this case,
Your Honor,

I don't see how
you can refuse.

The People get no justice

from a trial that delivers
no real punishment.

So how do you plan
to get around La Valle?

What if you issue

a different jury instruction?

One that addresses the court's
bias concerns?

You want me to rewrite

New York's
death penalty statute?

Just the jury instruction,

Your Honor, and a template
already exists.

Judge Stephen Fisher's
instruction

in the John Taylor case.

Judge Fisher's rewrite
happened before

the death penalty
was struck down.

The court in La Valle

declined to craft
new instruction.

He's right, Mr. McCoy.

And fixing all this is the job
of the Legislature.

They haven't been terribly
responsive, have they?

The statute's been in limbo
for two years.

No judge has the power
to ignore the law, Your Honor.

You wouldn't be ignoring it.
You'd actually be obeying it.

How's that?

La Valle states
that you can't issue

the old deadlock instruction
because it's biased.

And although the court
declined to rewrite it,

there's nothing
to stop you trying.

This is an issue that needs
to be resolved, Your Honor.

If the Legislature
won't do it,

it's on us.

You seek
the death sentence,

I'll issue the new instruction,
and we'll see what happens.

Your Honor--

I don't expect you to be happy,
Mr. Edlund.

I expect you to appeal.

[gavel pounds]

Filed the papers
this morning.

Get ready for round two.

A trial judge clearly
does not have the authority

to issue her own
private jury instruction

in a death penalty case.

She's not imposing it,
counselor.

She's merely allowing
the prosecution to seek it.

But Judge Desmond
is
ignoring

the deadlock instruction
required by statute

and crafting her own.

She can't break the law
in order to fix it.

But the law was
already broken.

Precisely, Your Honor.

The status of the law
is uncertain.

The People
are simply asking

if New York has
the death penalty or
not.

And the answer is no.

Not under
the current statute.

Now opposing counsel
has exceeded his authority.

The power to answer
that question

lies with the courts.

It's called judicial review.

This is judicial activism.

Watch yourself, counselor.

The Manhattan D.A.
and Judge Desmond

are trying to circumvent
the Legislature.

Despite La Valle,
capital punishment

is still valid
in this state.

And what's the point
of having the death penalty

if we're afraid to use it
on a man like Leon Vorgitch?

It is the opinion of this court
that whenever possible,

the autonomy and authority
of trial judges

must be upheld.

However, death is different.

A statute this important
must be repaired

by a majority vote
of the Legislature,

not some clever band-aid
from a judge.

The defense's Article 78 Motion
is granted.

Judge Desmond did exceed
her authority.

You may not seek
the death penalty, Mr. McCoy.

[pounds gavel]

(McCoy)
I'll try to finish you out
in a day,

but you've got a lot
of heavy lifting.

The chase, the siege,
the crime scene
all on you.

Well, I'm here
for whatever you need.

Wish I had an option.

Mr. Purcell,
it's Connie Rubirosa again.

Please call me back
regarding your testimony.

[gunfire]

Stay here.

(man)
Gunfire! Shot fired!

(cop)
Drop the weapon.

Put the gun down, man.

(man)
10-13.
(Green)
Down.

I don't wanna
have to hurt you.

Put the gun down now.

(cop)
Hands behind your head.
Up against the wall.

Homicide.
I got
him.

He killed my little girl.

e, seven years.

Not a snowball's chance
in
hell.

It's a good offer,
Ms. Carter.

If this goes to trial,
your client will lose.

Come on. You forget that
before I was a politician,

I was a damn good
prosecutor.

You wouldn't be
floating a deal here

if you thought
you could win.

It's called mercy.

All of the evidence
is on our side.

Your client

shot a man in full view

of two corrections officers
and a security camera.

(Carter)
Yes, and considering
who he shot,

you're gonna have a hard time

convincing 12 jurors
that he did something wrong.

I did exactly what
you were trying to do.

Everyone agreed
he should die.

I was seeking to have
Vorgitch legally executed.

And I executed him.

How can you come after me
for that?

Because New York doesn't
have a do-it-yourself

death penalty,
Mr. Purcell.

I don't care
what the law says.

That's hardly a defense.

The stress of my client
losing his daughter

and watching Vorgitch
go unpunished

has clearly
rendered him unable

to tell the difference
between right and wrong.

This is our notice
of intent to plead

not guilty by reason
of mental defect.

Moral ambiguity
does not equal

an insanity defense,
Ms. Carter.

My client believes that
shooting Leon Vorgitch

was the right thing to do.

And if you agree,
why are you charging him?

And if not, that's
a valid defense.

[chuckling]

It's just a platform
to nullify.

They'll hear Vorgitch murdered
Purcell's diabetic little girl,

and the law goes out
the window.

Jurors aren't the only ones
who find his story sympathetic.

Can't we just concede
the
insanity

and get him time
in an institution?

Carter won't hear it.

She pounced on us
like a bobcat.

Yeah, you can't walk
in front of the courthouse

without seeing her
in front of the cameras.

And meanwhile, Dr. Olivet
examined Purcell.

She says he knew
right from wrong

at the time
of the shooting.

You get a second opinion?

And a third.
They all say the same thing.

Well, Purcell doesn't
deserve 20 to
life.

But he doesn't deserve
a walk either.

If we can't make a deal
with Carter,

maybe we can make a deal
with the jury.

(McCoy)
The People ask that the jury

be allowed to consider

man two as a lesser
included defense.

They can't make
a case for murder,

and now they want
a safety net.

It's unacceptable,
Your Honor.

The safety net is for
your client, Ms. Carter.

He doesn't need one.

There is more than enough
evidence to prove murder two.

But in light of
the mitigating
circumstances,

the jury should have
the option

to give the defendant
three to six

instead of 20 to life.

They should have to make
a choice.

Convict a grieving father
of ridding the world

of a dangerous
mass murderer,

or send Robert Purcell home
a free man.

It is all or nothing,

Your Honor.

And you've discussed this
with your client, Ms. Carter?

Absolutely.

(Judge Gordon)
Well, then I don't see
much choice here.

There's ample precedent
supporting the defendant's right

to take his chances.

The jury may not consider
man two.

It's murder two
or an acquittal.

I'd like another meeting
with your client.

To discuss what?

The fact that he's not getting
the best advice from his lawyer.

I'm used to mudslinging
on the campaign trail,

but, Jack, I expected
better of you.

You're playing politics with
your client's defense.

You are way off base.

How many scandals are
chasing your campaign?

All part of the game.

You're down in the polls.

Defending Purcell is a publicity
stunt and you know it.

Then drop the charges
and deny me the bully pulpit.

Otherwise, I'll see you
in court.

(Rubirosa)
Maybe we should dismiss
the murder charge

and go after Purcell
for manslaughter instead.

It's a dangerous
precedent, Connie.

He shot a man in cold blood
on the courthouse steps.

We have no choice but
to charge him with murder.

Even though we're
practically begging him

to let us plead him out
to manslaughter?

Yes.

Isn't that hypocritical?

I prefer
to call it ironic.

The whole thing's a little
convenient, don't you think?

What?

Purcell killing Vorgitch
a month before the election.

Dena Carter
catching the case.

What about it?

She's either
very lucky or--

You think Dena's involved?

All I'm saying is
I wouldn't be shocked

if there was more
puppet-mastering
going on

behind the scenes
than we know about.

You have any proof?

No.

Then leave it alone.

And put all of my energy
into burying Purcell

for doing exactly what
every man in this city

wished he had
the balls to do?

Yes.

(Carter)
So when did you begin treating
the defendant, Dr. Burnett?

(Burnett)
Robert first came
to see me shortly after

his daughter's death.

And what were his symptoms
at that time?

Depression,
post-traumatic stress.

He was just outside the school
when his daughter was murdered.

He was contending with

profound feelings
of powerlessness
and loss.

So at that time,
did you believe Robert

to be in danger
to himself

or to others?
No.

We were able to manage
his condition

with medication
and talk therapy.

He was making good progress.

So what happened?

He was informed
that Leon Vorgitch

would be escaping the death
penalty for a second time.

I believe that information
caused him

to suffer
a psychotic break.

Meaning?

He lost the ability
to distinguish

between right and wrong.

So in your
professional opinion,

Robert's mental breakdown

was caused not by the death
of his daughter,

but by the state's failure
to act?

Withdrawn.

When I heard they were
gonna let him live,

I snapped.

I had a gun,
which I bought years ago.

I dug it up, loaded it.

I got to the courthouse

just as Vorgitch's van
pulled up.

He got out.

We locked eyes.

I shot him.

Rob, did you believe that
you were committing a crime?

This wasn't murder.

It was justice.

I didn't do it because
he stole from me

or because he cut me off
in traffic.

I didn't even do it because
he killed my daughter.

(Carter)
Then why'd you do it, Rob?

Because he was just
too dangerous.

If he had lived,
I have no doubt

he would've killed again.

So you took action to
prevent that from
happening.

If the police couldn't,
or the courts,

somebody had
to do something.

Do you believe what
you did was wrong?

12 jurors voted for
the death penalty
three times.

Even the district attorney

tried to make it happen.

All I did was carry out
the will of the people.

The will of the people.

Mr. Purcell,
do you understand

why you are in court
here today?

Objection, Your Honor.

This is a trial,
not a competency hearing.

Mr. Purcell has asserted
an insanity defense.

The people have the right
to probe his understanding

of his situation.

The witness will answer.

I'm here because I shot
Leon Vorgitch.

Do you believe yourself to be
an agent of the state?

Someone legally allowed

to carry out executions?

No.

So you understand that shooting
Vorgitch was a crime.

I--I kw it was illegal,

but I don't think
it was a crime.

Murder is not a crime?

So there was nothing
criminal about

what Vorgitch did
to your daughter?

That was different.

He fired a gun.

You fired a gun.

What was the difference?

My daughter was innocent.

And that's why
you shot him.

Because he murdered
your innocent daughter.

No.

You shot him because it was
the will of the people.

That's right.

You fired

three hollow-point bullets

into the chest of the man
who murdered your daughter,

and you weren't even
thinking about her?

Tell the truth,
Mr. Purcell.

Was this justice
or was it revenge?

You think I wanted
to kill a man?

I have nightmares
about this.

You have nightmares
about it?

Yes.

So you do know that
what you did was wrong.

Just because it was the most
difficult thing I've had to do

doesn't make it wrong.

Leon Vorgitch
deserved to die.

But you people
wouldn't do it.

So I did.

He is dead.

That is all that matters.

Who cares
what I was thinking?

illing
to consider a deal.

Not when his lawyer
tells him he'll walk.

He may have a chance.

I understand you beat him up
pretty good on the stand.

I'd call it a draw.

Or is it wishful thinking?

He shouldn't be
in that courtroom.

He should be waiting out
three years somewhere.

You're plumbing the depths

of political cynicism,
Jack, my boy.

Sadly, it's a deep well.

[knocking]

Purcell testified that he got
to the courthouse

just as Leon pulled up.

But remanded defendants always
arrive at 6:00 AM.

Vorgitch got there at 9:00.

His schedule was changed
last minute

to ensure security.

Someone tipped him off.

I assume you're not here to make
a campaign contribution.

Did you tell Robert Purcell
what time Leon Vorgitch

would be arriving
at the courthouse

the morning
of the shooting?

I beg your pardon?

Did you know Purcell was
planning to shoot
Leon Vorgitch?

Of course not.

Convince me.
Go to hell.

I know who you talked to
at Corrections.

You were informed of Vorgitch's
changed transportation.

Any conversations
between my client

and myself
are privileged.

And if Purcell
had told me

that he had planned
on killing Vorgitch,

I'm not obligated
to report it.

Is the seat in Albany
really worth 20 years

of a grieving father's life?

Come on, Jack.

I didn't do anything wrong.

If I had
and you could prove it,

we'd both be in front of a judge
right now, wouldn't we?

The only thing on my mind
right now

is protecting the people
of New York

from monsters like Vorgitch.

And protecting heroes
like Robert Purcell

from heartless prosecutors
like yourself.

Nine years ago, Leon Vorgitch
heartlessly
murdered

five innocent people
at a restaurant.

Back then,
the Legislature had a
chance

to make sure that it
never happened again,

but they failed.

They failed
and he escaped.

And he went on to kill
eight more innocent people.

And once again,
the state has failed to act.

13 innocent people
slaughtered

and our leaders are powerless
to do anything

but lock him up and hope
he never escapes again?

Ladies and gentlemen,
the law did not protect

our society
from Leon Vorgitch.

It couldn't even
grant justice

to the families
of his victims.

And when Robert Purcell
heard that,

after hearing the shot

that killed his daughter...

he went insane.

Regardless of the law,
regardless of the risks,

regardless of
the countless witnesses,

Robert Purcell
felt compelled

to make sure that Leon Vorgitch
never killed again.

Ladies and gentlemen,
the state wouldn't take action,

so Robert did.

Now does that make him
a murderer?

That makes him a man
mentally undone.

First by
a heartless psychopath,

and second,
by an uncaring system.

Ladies and gentlemen, that
deserves your sympathy.

And also your vote
of not guilty.

Vorgitch was a monster.

No one disputes that the world
is a better place without him.

But this is not about
who Robert Purcell murdered.

It's about the simple fact
that he is a murderer.

Mr. Purcell is not insane.

He does not believe himself
to be a judge,

a jury,

or an executioner.

And yet, by killing
Leon Vorgitch,

he chose to act
as all three.

He may have felt
morally justified.

But still, he knew that
what he did was wrong.

So the question before you
is not,

"Did Vorgitch deserve
to die?"

It's, "Did Robert Purcell
have the right to kill him?"

And the answer is no.

Leon Vorgitch was a danger
to our society.

But so is what the defense
is asking of you today.

They want you to look
the other way.

Even though Robert Purcell

ignored our system
of justice,

took the law into
his own hands,

and committed murder
in cold blood,

they want you
to give him a pass.

If you let Robert Purcell
get away with murder,

just because you hate
the man he shot,

you're telling everyone
out there

that it's okay to kill

as long as the victim
was a bad person.

Judges, juries--
Who needs them?

If you want
to see insanity...

let this murderer go.

Has the jury reached
a verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

(Judge Gordon)
What say you?

On the sole count
of the indictment

Murder in
the Second Degree,

we find the defendant,
Robert Henry Purcell,

guilty.

(Judge Gordon)
Thank you for your service.

The jury's excused.

The defendant will be held
in custody

pending sentencing.

[gavel pounds]

I'm not supposed to see you
without my lawyer present.

Trial's over,
Mr. Purcell.

You weren't a client.

You were
a campaign slogan.

There's not much I can
do about it in
here.

Did Dena Carter tell you

when to intercept
Vorgitch?

Judge Logan approved
a sentence reduction

in exchange for Robert
Purcell's
testimony.

Down from 20 years to 10.

Eligible for parole
in three.

What about Dena Carter?

Now that's justice.