Devere quotes from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Devere

There are people in this country who want to take us back to the 50's, and look what we've got - a 50's crime.

Devere

Some of you might think that Nathan Phelps acted out of simple vengeance. Ted Carthage murdered his mother, so he murdered Ted Carthage. That is what the assistant district attorney will argue. She will tell you that anyone who kills out of retaliation should go to jail. I agree with her. But that is not what my client did. Did he hate Ted Carthage? Absolutely. Did he kill him? Yes. So, if not out of retaliation, what made Nathan do it? This is a new study published in Science magazine. It found that people who have witnessed gun violence are twice as likely, sometimes 3 times as likely, to commit an act of violence themselves. Nathan witnessed Ted Carthage shoot his mother. And just as this study predicts, he reacted with violence. This study equates gun violence with an infectious disease. Anyone exposed to it is infected. Now, you may not agree or like this study. Gun manufacturers don't like it, either. It goes against their mantra: "Guns don't kill people. People kill people." But this study points to something that is almost unspeakable in today's gun culture, and that is that the blame for violence can be directly placed on the gun. Once you see someone squeeze the trigger, it's easier to do it yourself. Nathan saw his mother shot to death in front him, and at that moment he contracted the disease. It wasn't his choice, any more than it is your choice to catch a cold after someone has sneezed on you. Violence is the disease. Guns are the virus. And we have an epidemic on our hands.

Novak

The baby was more than 24 weeks old, it could have lived outside the womb.

Devere

But tragically it did not, so it is not a person, not a baby, not an unborn child; it is a fetus. My client is already handicapped by the law, let's not add insult to injury.

Novak

The only insult is to the English language.

Devere

He's not testifying, period!

Let him.

Devere

And let him incriminate himself?

Exactly

Devere

Are you crazy?

[to Novak] What do you think?

Novak

A jury's been sworn in on a criminal case, a witness has testified. Do you see where this is heading?

Devere

If you screw us over on this-

Novak

Trust me.

Devere

Your honor, at this time, the defense would move for a mistrial.

Miss Devere, you can't do that. This is a hearing. Not a trial.

Devere

My apologies, Judge Malloy. That motion wasn't made to you. I'm speaking to Judge Donnelly. Nathan Phelps was compelled to incriminate himself in these proceedings. The testimony is admissible in his criminal trial and violates his right against self-incrimination. It's grounds for a mistrial.

Motion granted. The criminal case against Nathan Phelps is dismissed with prejudice.

What?!

Novak

In that event, Judge Malloy, I move to dismiss this proceeding. Now that there is no case against Nathan Phelps, there is no reason to investigate this research.

Your honor, this is a setup, perpetrated by the DA's office.

Mr. Geddes, I'd agree with you, except you're the one who called Mr. Phelps to the stand. This action is dismissed. Court is adjourned.

Stabler

Who called you in?

Devere

Ralph Walker. Apparently, he saw me on television.

Stabler

And what, dialed 1-800-Weasel?

How does the defendant plead?

Devere

Not guilty, your honor.

I'll hear the People on bail.

Miss Cabot, are we keeping you from some important business?

[stops texting] Uh, I'm sorry, your honor. The People request remand.

Devere

What?

The defendant has established a pattern of theft and obfuscation. We consider her an extreme flight risk.

Devere

Miss Walker has no criminal record. To keep her locked up over these 2 charges is ridiculous.

That sounds a little extreme, even for you, Miss Cabot. And if you don't put that phone down, I'm gonna hold you in contempt!