Law & Order · Season 10, Episode 1
“Gunshow” · Season 10, Episode 1
In this episode: Jack McCoy (4), Abbie Carmichael (3), D.A. Adam Schiff (1), Judge Wright (1), Defense attorney (1)
We weren't ignoring your requests. As a matter of fact, we had a meeting with our lawyers about it.
What did ya'll decide?
Much as we'd like to cooperate, it would force us to reveal trade secrets which would damage our ability to remain competitive.
Trade secrets? Mr. Weber, you make guns, not soda pop.
You're taking the death penalty off the table with the city screaming for blood?
The victims families need closure, not blood.
My client's a healthy young man. Life without parole, that could be 50 or 60 years.
He could always take up smoking.
Rolff makes a product that any clever 12-year-old can turn into a weapon of mass destruction.
I'm appalled. Write them a letter.
Jack wants the jury to make a finding of emotion, not of fact. This isn't a trial. It's gun control by other means.
They can sell guns on the internet. Talking about control is a joke.
So this is your answer? Putting gun makers in jail?
I'd like to start by putting Rolff Firearms out of business!
Responsible adults can own firearms without the entire country sinking into criminal anarchy.
What's the point? Maybe when the redcoats were coming over Bunker Hill.
How about somebody 6'5" coming through my door? The people have a right to defend themselves!
Madam Foreperson, as to each of the 15 counts of the indictment: Murder in the second degree, has the jury reached a unanimous verdict?
Yes, we have, your honor. We find the defendant guilty.
[applause is heard in the courtroom; the judge bangs his gavel, silencing them]
Order! Order! Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I thank you for your service. You are excused. [to the stenographer] Don't pack it up just yet, Linda. I'm finding, as a matter of law, the People failed to meet the standard of proof I set at the beginning of trial. The People did not establish that the weapon was hazardous per se, nor that the main actor in the homicide used the weapon as it was intended to be used by Mr. Weber. Therefore, I'm setting aside the jury verdict and issuing a directed verdict of not guilty. The defendant is free to go. [bangs gavel]
Objection!
[bangs gavel again] Order! Order!
[approaches the bench] I'm filing notice of the People's intent to appeal! This is outside the scope of your authority!
Mr. McCoy, I'm not gonna sanction a verdict that can't possibly be sustained on appeal. This conviction isn't based on any proven facts. It's based on the jury's outrage at Mr. Weber's irresponsible and inexcusable conduct. You wanna end the violence, the bloodletting. So do I, Mr. McCoy. In my 30 years on the bench, I've seen every permutation of it, and it sickens me when somebody profits from it! But tempted, though I may be, putting Mr. Weber in jail won't end the carnage. Until we cure what ails the human heart, it won't make a dent in the body count. In the meantime, no matter how profound our grief, our indignation, I can't let you use this court to raise a lynch mob. I won't allow you to exploit the same base actions Mr. Weber counts on to beef up his bottom line! It's not about being right, Mr. McCoy. It's about doing right. Now, we're adjourned.
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