[The closed arguments at the trial]
DEDonna Emmett
The crime of rape used to be hard to prove, even harder to convict. The victim was on trial, not a rapist. Then the laws changed. Woman's identity was protected, her sexual history excluded, and rapists were rightly brought to justice. And now, perhaps the pendulum has swung too far. Women who have sex and later regret it are not entitled to call their partners rapists! Now, Miss Denning went to my client's apartment late at night, wore sexy clothes, drank several glasses of wine and then kissed him, but now she says she was there to discuss her art portfolio. Now, every piece of evidence is open to interpretation, but two facts are undeniable. First, there is nothing in Ron Polikoff's past to suggest he is capable of such a violent act. Second, his life has already been ruined by this woman's unfounded, unsubstantiated and unjust accusations. Don't punish him anymore for a crime he did not commit.
Believe me, rape is still hard to prosecute and it is still a nightmare for the victims. Miss Denning has had to endure three separate sexual humiliations. Her teacher, a man she admired, raped her. In the hospital, she had to strip naked. She was photographed, poked, prodded, and then scraped, so the police could gather evidence, and finally, she sat here and relived every sordid, painful detail. Her sex life dissected, her psychological traumas exposed, her entire motivation called into question. So ask yourselves this: why would she put herself through such hell if she wasn't telling the truth?
JKJudge Karen Taten
Has the jury reached a verdict?
JFJury Foreman
We have, Your Honor.
JKJudge Karen Taten
[reads the verdict to herself, then passes it back] In the case of The People V. Ronald J. Polikoff, Docket Ending 445, on the top count of the indictment, the charge of Rape in the First Degree, what is your verdict?
JFJury Foreman
We find the defendant...
[Fade to black, leaving the verdict unrevealed to the viewer]
[to Gina] You think you got a good enough look at him to work with a sketch artist?
GGina
He was behind me most of the time. White guy, hood of his sweatshirt pulled over his head, big sunglasses, smelled like an ashtray. Guess it's not going to help you with your sketch unless it's a scratch and sniff, right?
[Benson and Stabler attempt to interrogate Raymond Ettinger]
RRaymond
Well, uh, there's a key. I mean, actually, it's not really a key, it's made of hair. Follicles, you know? But I mean, I can look at a point on the wall and crawl right inside. That's only sometimes. Sometimes it's too sticky, but, y'know, he is not my friend. Not at all, no sir, I mean. Actually, there's something over us, inside the air. It's very funny actually, I was talking at inappropriate times, but my mom says, "You'd better use the pencil, not the crayon," but I actually think red isn't the color of blood anymore. I mean, everything is different. You guys have really changed. You should think about that.
[to Thomas Mathers] Have you ever had a girlfriend?
Lots of guys don't find a right girl.
That's true. I mean, being single's not easy.
You would not look at me twice if I asked you out, you would not give me a time of day, so don't pretend you understand what I'm going through. I don't need your pity.
You're just looking for the right girl. And one day you'll rape her and live happily ever after.
What's your problem? She's a cop. That's all I need to know.
No, Elliot. She didn't think that being a cop was good enough, so she quit.
Is that what this is about, some inferiority complex?
You know, I get that you are on the rebound and everything, but if you could keep it out of work that'd be great.
HHolly
[about to get an IV] I wish my dad was here.
You'll see him in a while. What's your most favorite thing you like to do with your dad? I got twins your age, and we like to go to the beach together.
HHolly
My dad takes me to the beach, too. We build sand castles. I don't like needles.
Okay. Hold onto my hand. Now close your eyes and pretend that you're at the beach building sand castles with your dad. And if it hurts, you squeeze my hand really hard, okay?
HHolly
What do you do when something hurts?
I never touched Holly Purcell!
She's at your house all the time. She's in your class at school. You couldn't stop thinking about her.
Holly's like one of my own daughters!
You give private lessons to your daughters, too?
You're disgusting! How dare--?!
I'm disgusting?! [pins Mark to the wall] Holly told us what you did to her!
You tore her up, and she's got the scars to prove it! [releases Mark]
I don't know what in Hell is going on around here! But I'm not saying another word! I want a lawyer!
