Lawyer Defies the Judge! | Law & Order

[@SirStanleytheStumbler]

"You opened the door for this" yep and you allowed him to do it despite a valid arguement from the prosecutor.

[@mitsukai7192]

You can see the realization on her face as soon as McCoy, during his closing, references the defense being allowed to submit facts not in evidence. Great acting.

[@jimstanga6390]

Well, she has to think about appeal and judicial review. If she is going to screw the prosecution by letting the defense bring up ‘facts not in evidence’ in his summation, then she will have to declare a mistrial if the prosecution does the same - which neither Defense or Prosecution wanted. Justice is both parties equally screwed apparently….

[@Marsproject11]

@@jimstanga6390 Well no, now they get to retry him, likely under a different judge that probably won't let the defense get away with it.

[@jimstanga6390]

@@Marsproject11 Yes, but in this case, the clock is ticking. By the time the case is appealed and a new trial date rolls around, the lady in the coma might be dead.

[@JoybuzzerX]

​@@Marsproject11after this they learn he might be innocent and the woman was setting him up.

[@Nickkkk838]

It's nice to see that the judge had enough time to hear this case in between tracking down Carmen SanDiego across the world.

[@Ualari]

Kids on the 90s know although she chased Carmen she mostly was at her desk asking questions of the lower ranking investigators: aka Gum Shoe Detective 😂😂😂

[@Vyselink]

Also nice to know that Luna took time out from singing with Bear to lay down the hammer!

[@MrGabeanator]

@@Vyselink yep

[@Byrnzi360]

That defence lawyer isn’t even a real lawyer. He’s an actor working for Consumer Recreational Services. Proof: he’s been in half a dozen episodes of Law & Order, playing different roles every time.

[@MrGabeanator]

@@Byrnzi360 i know a couple actors like that

[@blackout2189]

Jack McCoy's "wanna see scorched Earth?" approach when he feels justice is being manipulated is worth everything.

[@PotentiallyCriminal]

"scorced Earth"....you mean violate the Constitutional Rights of the Defendant

[@bwarhol]

Given how often McCoy 'manipulates Justice,' I don't find it quite so adorable. The character is written with an all-too-realistic portrayal of 'I think I'm right, so nothing I do in the pursuit of a conviction can be wrong.'

[@obliviouz]

Hypocritical. McCoy has done similar things numerous times.

[@JaAoM-x3r]

always preferred him as a prosecuter than the DA.

[@theiran]

@@bwarhol But everything that McCoy has done was legal. Maybe not ethical. But still legal. Every time he has skirted the line, it has been found that he was still within the legal bounds.

[@joannakagy4095]

i love this scene because 1. jack looked almost apologetic to the judge before he gave his closing argument, and I think it's hilarious that he ignored the judge completely. 2. Abbie is watching him like: 👁👄👁 and nodding like it's the most inspirational thing she's ever heard.

[@rcslyman8929]

That's because he wasn't apologetic. He stood there, in his closing, and practically said she was a disgrace to the bench.

[@joes6527]

LOL, don't forget that Abbie and Jack were also sleeping together. Still, I do believe that her look of admiration was sincere.

[@jules3048]

I thought that look was one of pure disappointment. Oof!

[@PADRII]

@@joes6527 McCoy stop sleeping with assistants after Claire's death.

[@22espec]

The guy was innocent by the way

[@Otaku155]

McCoy had no choice here; it is the duty of the Judge to see that the rules are followed, and part of that duty is upholding rulings she herself makes.

[@coltsfan755]

mccoy was wrong he had tunnel vision this case he wanted to convicted this man because he didn't like him

[@Eros4tw]

If this happened in reality, McCoy would be at much more at risk for a censure and possible disbarment, than the judge. But litigating an appeal of a judges ruling after a trial is already over doesnt make for good TV...so instead they just had him purposefully ignore the Judges orders and cause a mistrial. Lets not talk about the tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars wasted now due to this. Lets not talk about the jury that had to sit for probably a week+ listening to all the evidence for this to happen at the very end during closing arguments. Closing arguments are NOT evidence. Thats literally all McCoy had to say. Reasonable Doubt is ALL about alluding to something else that could have happened - and its the GOVERNMENTS job to introduce evidence proving other alternatives, didnt happen. The Defense is never under any obligation to produce any evidence ever. McCoy had no choice here? Naw - he had lots of real ethically viable choices. But those dont make good TV drama.

[@slackerman9758]

Thigpen was so good as the judge here. She always played a “let’s get this done” judge and often chose expedient rulings.

[@PotentiallyCriminal]

lol, nope. Only one side is entitled to a fair trial, and it's not the state.

[@jeromemaida4933]

​@PotentiallyCriminal Loser

[@KitKatNisa]

I love his face when he walks up to the judge. He almost looks like he wants to apologize for what he's about to do, since he knows the best chance they have to get justice is to have a mistrial declared, even if HE has to do it.

[@FeedingFrenzy91]

Spoiler alert. Was it justice though? I mean let's face it this more seemed to be Mr. McCoy not wanting to believe her sister killed her. Even when the stronger evidence comes in at the end he still seems reluctant. God bless you.

[@stupidminotaur9735]

watching this episode i think the husband was innocent.

[@nickelgaming786]

@@FeedingFrenzy91 Thank you for putting the Spoiler Alert at the beginning (I just watched this episode the other day so thankfully I already knew most but I haven't gotten to watch much of the other episodes.)

[@FeedingFrenzy91]

@@nickelgaming786 Your welcome. God bless you.

[@billyboycinci]

Except they didn't get justice. They almost convicted an innocent man. At the very end of the episode, new evidence was discovered that heavily implied that she DID kill her sister and frame him.

[@thomastarwater2989]

In memory of James Rebhorn (1948-2014), a top-notch character actor who had been diagnosed with melanoma in 1992 yet kept on trucking in movies and in television until he passed away, surrounded by his wife and family. Great thespians like him come along just once in a while.

[@Sheikah_Mage25]

Rip James !! He was a great actor

[@poncho4777]

Bill Arnott! (Head of state was a great movie in my childhood and that’s how I’ll always remember him) lol

[@clay3205]

The best weasel of a Defense Secretary

[@hotlavatube]

Also, Lynne Thigpen, the judge, died in 2003 of cerebral hemorrhage. She might be best remembered as the Chief in the Carmen Sandiego TV gameshow.

[@ellencarter2668]

​@hotlavatube oh no! Always wondered why she stopped acting. She was the judge on many law and order episodes and she always made every scene, no matter how brief, count.

[@beng4151]

Sam Waterston IS Jack McCoy. He gives off that frustrated, crusty old lawyer vibe where he shakes his fist at the clouds. He is brilliant, and one of my favorite characters of all time.

[@xplayfan21]

RIP to the actors who played the judge and the defense attorney both great legends

[@gipsydanger5020]

Is the judge the host from that Children's geography show Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego? Voice sounds so familiar

[@xplayfan21]

@@gipsydanger5020 yes

[@ADJackD]

@@gipsydanger5020 and the radio host from The Warriors

[@mikeg8375]

The actor who played the defense attorney is James Rebhorn. He was in a lot of different roles in his career. He played several different characters in the law and order franchise in guest roles. When he passed away a few years back, he wrote his own obituary ahead of time.

[@MrGabeanator]

@@gipsydanger5020i know her best as Luna the moon 🌝 from bear and the big blue house

[@MarionGKeller]

"You opened the door for this."

[@n3r0wolfe]

judges fault for allowing it

[@DrewSavo]

He opened the door, she removed it from its frame so nobody could close it.

[@NonSenseMcGee]

Brilliant. McCoy just drove through the door that the defense opened. Typical L&O...dont even need to see the previous 40 minutes to immediately understand the stakes and the drama. Brilliant!

[@BigSlimyBlob]

Well... the defense knocked on a locked door, the judge unlocked the door for the defense, and then the defense opened it. McCoy had no choice left but to crash a monster truck through it.

[@FrankWolenczak]

@@BigSlimyBlob A Monster truck? Please! He lead the Navy's 5th fleet through that door and when he got done wiht it, that "Door" was more stretched than mozzarella or string cheese could ever be!

[@DeathofSnoopy]

This comment thread has me ROTFL! 😂 You all are amazing.

[@HoldenNY22]

I remember this episode. It ends up looking like the Defense Lawyer and the Defendent was Right that the Sister did kil her Sister to frame the Defendent, but it is not completely resolved.

[@robertmittoniii5427]

No. The defense followed the law and the prosecutor committed a serious crime.

[@mikeg8375]

The defense attorney Charles Garnett is played by actor James Rebhorn. He portrayed several characters in the Law & Order franchise in guest roles. He was a terrific actor. RIP.

[@hotohori69]

But he played the same character in everything he did... He was the smarmy a-hole that either participated in something shady or was withholding something shady. He was the guy in independence day that didn't tell the president aliens existed, he was jackass head of the school who got his car vandalized in Scent of a Woman but wanted to throw out charlie... You needed someone for the audience to hate call this guy.... That's pretty awesome actually and provided pretty decent job security.

[@mikeg8375]

@hotohori69 He was a character actor. Even the roles he played outside of law and order were often similar. He made a nice living for himself though. He fought cancer for years and wrote his own obituary before he died.

[@jeffreysnydr]

Don't forget he was the dad in Blank Check and the secretary of defense in Independence Day

[@bigbraz]

I'm not a lawyer, but that's a hell of a tactical move. McCoy is right, the defense insinuated and wanted to 'provide' that information to the jury. The judge is correct, the defense opened the door and she had to declare it a mistrial. Great scene.

[@IoEstasCedonta]

But with prosecutorial misconduct, wouldn't it be a mistrial with prejudice?

[@bigbraz]

@@IoEstasCedonta sorry, I missed that season of law and order. That's where my curriculum comes from. 👍🏾

[@Captain-Cosmo]

Yes, the defense acted inappropriately. But the judge controls which doors are opened and which are not. McCoy objected and she allowed it. McCoy objected again and she allowed it again. All McCoy did was put the judge's own standard "on trial". The mistrial was merely collateral.

[@IoEstasCedonta]

@@bigbraz I am SO not a lawyer... but honestly, I don't think any real judge would have let it get this far.

[@Captain-Cosmo]

@@IoEstasCedonta You might be surprised!

[@Dan-nt2yb]

These brief courtroom scenes are better than most movies out there. Sam is amazing.⭐️

[@omartorrio1512]

Jack McCoy is a prosecutorial badass and barrister extraordinaire. Sam Waterston played the part of Jack McCoy brilliantly. He gave me (and continues to give me) many hours of intense television viewing.

[@shalashaska9946]

He is very entertaining to watch but McCoy is honestly a horrible person. The more I watch I feel like he's the bad guy a lot of the time. He shoves the law in people's faces but never hesitates to break a rule when it suits him. He treats the law like a kid with a gun.

[@sws212]

@@shalashaska9946 Uhh he's a prosecutor on Law and Order... Shoving the law in people's face is kinda the whole point. Show's not called Tea & Discussion.

[@shalashaska9946]

@@sws212 The better way to say it is he only strictly observes the law when it's in his favor. But he always ignores it when he wants to.

[@im_flat]

@@shalashaska9946 if you think that's not an accurate portrayal of the average prosecutor you're kidding yourself lol

[@kod5660]

@@shalashaska9946 How do you think the law is applied in the real world especially the USA.

[@tompinkerton8099]

I do not recall the full episode, but I am assuming McCoy did this on purpose to get the mistrial since he couldn't get the judge to do the right thing any other way.

[@rhaspodel]

It was a season ten episode called "Patsy"; I believed it was about the death of woman, the defendant had a relationship with her and her sister; the sister probably grew jealous either purposely hurt herself to frame the defendant and push the detectives to suspect the defendant killed the woman and tried to kill her sister.

[@noblelies]

Yup, and he knew that was the last card he had, because anyone knows that prosecutors enjoy extensive protection through qualified immunity. As such, McCoy knew that even if the judge held him in contempt, he would face no jail time. The worst the judge could do would be to declare a mistrial and request that the DA's office reassign the case.

[@The-Rose-and-the-Cross]

The irony here is... (spoilers) ... That the police ends up finding evidence suggesting that, maybe, the comatose lady did kill her sister (they analyse her car and find traces of the murdered sister having been in the trunk). After being told this, McCoy replies in the lines of 'Well, we'll have to ask her about it when she wakes up'.

[@biruss]

A deliberate mistrial causing on the state's part triggers double Jeopardy

[@DeathofSnoopy]

@@biruss Except that no one other than the viewers, the DA, and Jack himself knew it was deliberate.

[@TheWingsoffury]

I love how that judge let this nonsense happen than blame the defendant's lawyer by saying you opened the door, even though the judge let the door be opened.

[@jacobbrabo63]

I guess stopping Carmen Sandiego’s crimes wasn’t good enough for the chief. Convicting her and others of them is what brought her joy. RIP Lynne Thigpen. You’re so dearly missed.

[@stephendavis6267]

If only we could've seen McCoy prosecute Carmen Sandiego for her heinous crimes.

[@Crossingman18]

I thought she sounded familiar. I used to LOVE watching that show. So she went from being a chief to a judge.

[@chrismartucci3005]

@@Crossingman18 Then became the moon.

[@amitkenan3878]

She always enjoyed catching criminals, even in her youth when she helped criminals catch other criminals

[@lisbetterthanlight2112]

I love Carmichael's reactions to Jack's antics.... Intrigued and maybe a bit proud

[@Tulane_Gargoyle]

I was thinking the exact same thing. She should have brought popcorn.

[@curragh4635]

She's awesome!

[@joes6527]

Don't forget that they were sleeping together. I later episodes, Jack confesses that he's slept with several of his co-workers, including Abby Carmichael, Clair Kincaid (Jill Hennessy) and Jamie Ross (Carey Lowell). Say's it almost inevitable since they work so closely together and for so many hours. No wife, no real home life, etc.

[@SiriusMined]

One of the best scenes in the entire series run. McCoy had to challenge the judge, who was sandbagging his case, and not following their own rulings. He took a hit, but he prevented a miscarriage of justice.

[@patrickdostie28]

Actually it was proven when new evidence was found that she did murder her own sister

[@BlackBinderGames]

"Prevented" The dude was innocent.

[@jessodum3103]

I've watched a lot of L&O, but the time McCoy forced a mistrial always stands out in my memory.

[@SiriusMined]

@jessodum3103 yes! That was a great moment. What episode was that?

[@robertmittoniii5427]

Bullsh*t. He was committing prosecutorial harassment. He should have been disbarred

[@Citadel97501]

Frankly, the judge should have been heavily punished and removed from the bench. At no time during a trial may you allude to facts not in evidence, especially after rulings preventing their entrance have been made.

[@craithteemeghan5311]

There is a big difference between what how trials are supposed to operate and what they do in practice!

[@Eros4tw]

Closing and Opening arguments are just that...argument. They are not real evidence. Attorneys "allude" to things all the time - and the judges will instruct the juries that closing and opening arguments are NOT evidence, and nothing said in them should be considered as much. Opening arguments are all about alluding to things that MIGHT come up in the trial. But, just because the attorney alludes to something that might come into evidence, but is never introduced - does not mean it was improper to do so. Suggesting that this judge should be removed because she didnt strike from the record a statement made in closing arguments tells me you know very little about how the law, and how our legal system, really work.

[@jaimeduncan6167]

you have no idea how reality works. And judges do far worse than this all the time. And she instructed the defense attorney to stop doing it, but decided not to strike it down from the record. From my perspective, she did show a lack of authority by not ordering the prosecutor to be escorted out of the hall and placed under arrest.

[@Grahamster00]

This is a fictional television show. The judge is not a real judge. They will face no punishment because they are not a real person. These are not real people.

[@chrissanto]

For fucks sake, it's a TV show. That is not how it works in the real world.

[@ponygon777]

McCoy has guts going against the Chief's orders.

[@Zaiaku666]

I'm so use to seeing Lynn in that afro that her hair cut short threw me off. Until she talked. Man, did Lynn Thigpin have an iconic voice.

[@generatorx]

@@Zaiaku666 That's right; Thigpen was the DJ on the movie......The Warriors.

[@bluehealer81]

@@generatorx Nowhere to run to baby.... got nowhere to hide...

[@excrono]

It’s like the judge was at Carmen Sandiego’ trial, and she wanted to get her off to keep her side gig against all common sense and legal precedent.

[@amitkenan3878]

Because he knows she was also a radio broadcaster for New York gangs in her youth

[@americansmark]

In a real court, McCoy would be facing the bar for that outburst.

[@richardruff8712]

Yes, agreed.... A hell of a journey for Sam Waterston... From Capricorn 1 astronaut to 400 odd episodes of Law & Order... But, yes, I think he should have been held in ' contempt of Court ' for his outburst against the Judge....

[@Brooklyngangsta999]

Contempt of court fa sure.

[@thewkovacs316]

immediately after this trial, the judge quit the law and went searching for carmen sandiego

[@MrGabeanator]

that or sang a song with a friendly bear

[@thewkovacs316]

@@MrGabeanator i am so sure that had she not passed away so young, that she wouldve gotten the role in both animated jl and live action as amanda waller

[@kingleech16]

@@thewkovacs316 She would've been great in the animated ones, not sure ANY actor/actress could save the live action films.

[@thewkovacs316]

@@kingleech16 you are right....but she still wouldve been great as amanda waller

[@kingleech16]

@@thewkovacs316 Fair.

[@JamesSmith-rh4is]

Can you imagine a prosecutor who has been held in contempt more than 80 times and still keeping his job in real life?

[@Potterholic1]

And can you imagine that prosecutor getting elected District Attorney?

[@BillinHungary]

The lack of repercussions after an episode, is called the "Magic Reset Button'

[@shahidulkhan9566]

Defence attorneys and DA constantly get held for contempt. Sometimes its tactics to show judge is biased or just to delay proceedings.

[@Iamkcs2c]

"Fighting Joe" Morrissey here in Richmond VA has gotten in fist fights with opposing counsel, both as a prosecutor and later as a defense attorney, put his contractor into the hospital (literally drove him to the ER while saying "keep your mouth shut about this") tried to hide a few million days before he had to pay in the civil suit, had three kids with a 17 yo who worked in his office, may have tried to fabricate text messages to hide the affair ... now he's a state senator xd.

[@williamzame3708]

@@Potterholic1 McCoy is not the elected District Attorney.

[@ratedwrong]

What's kind of hilarious about this whole scene, is all the righteous indignation of McCoy and the admiration in the eyes of his latest ADA as she gazes at him. All for naught, because the defense was right. The lady in the coma was a crazy stalker and she framed the guy. Whoopsie!

[@Dave_Langer]

doesnt matter, you still need to follow the rules

[@ratedwrong]

If you're a big rule follower you probably wouldn't love the tactics of Jack McCoy, lol. (not that he isn't the best part of the show)@@Dave_Langer

[@brettzforeman]

This is not proven. There emerges a single piece of evidence that suggests it's possible. It's helpful for a defense trying to establish reasonable doubt, but it hardly proves they were right.

[@ratedwrong]

This isn't an actual court case. It isn't "evidence" it's a plot twist. It was introduced into the story the way it was when it was because it is what actually happened.@@brettzforeman

[@stephenhenley7452]

Doing the wrong thing for the right reasons. Judge: "You opened the door for this." Like hell he did. The Judge was incompetent and should have stopped the defense attorney's shenanigans LONG before it got this far and she didn't...so McCoy gave her no choice.

[@kathyduby8150]

WHOA. That's a show-stopper. What guts. Brilliant writing.

[@Jager1967]

Lynn Thighpen was such a wonderful yet underrated actress who was taken from this world far too soon.

[@Aaron-io8vw]

The chief

[@shivadance1979]

She was also in The Warriors as the radio DJ. Such a small part but so memorable.

[@thomasbrown3356]

@@shivadance1979 "Looks like we had a case of mistaken identity. Sorry bout that. Guess all we can do is play you a song."

[@andra2377]

She is always going to be Nell's sister on Gimme a Break!

[@fromthehaven94]

Also to James Rebhorn, who played the prosecutor in the Seinfeld finale, among many other roles.

[@AndyChilton234]

Jack was good. Got results when he's at his best that's why i like watching them again and again when there on. As he does amazing job

[@ernestinejones5308]

Good

[@baconstreetfilms6216]

The wonderfully talented Lynne Thigpen! RIP.

[@bigpoppa1234]

me in the jury: thank god I can go home

[@MacChand14]

🤣🤣🤣

[@soupafi]

2:32 that is a look of "don't you dare do what I think you're going to do"

[@Jennifer_Elliott]

Jack McCoy is legend.

[@YTEdy]

I can't imagine any other actor playing Jack McCoy. He made Law and Order the entertaining show it was.

[@madunwagbo4769]

R.I.P. Lynne Thigpen and James Rebhorn

[@adrianchannelle8651]

Lynn Thigpen was such a great actress. RIP.

[@jarekbradshaw8543]

Jack Mccoy was definitely standing on business by defying the judge

[@yinwolf5976]

you opend the door for this, "yeah and you held it open your honor"

[@Luc_95]

One of the smartest moves McCoy ever made lol

[@coltsfan755]

jack was totally wrong in the case he didn't care about the truth

[@vincentfichtler7758]

​@coltsfan755 clearly you haven't seen the whole episode.

[@Brandon-qr2or]

Lynne Thigpen had a voice of gold.

[@TractorBoy521]

Forreal! Hard to hate her here when you hear the smooth tone

[@Evan_Almighty2049]

There’s a reason why they call him “Hang ‘Em High McCoy”. I wouldn’t want to face him in a courtroom showdown. And I CERTAINLY wouldn’t try to play games with him. He has the Law, Justice and Conviction on his side. He'll go the distance to bring Justice. Not a smart move by opposing counsel to try to sneak in what has already been disallowed. I knew Jack would force the mistrial as soon as facts not in evidence were snuck in.

[@greenmonsterprod]

On the other hand, McCoy frequently twisted the law to suit his purposes. And when he blackmailed a defense witness into leaving the country, then conspired with the judge to ensure a guilty verdict, he outright broke the law. How did he keep his job, let alone get voted in as D.A,?

[@FishFreddy]

I absolutely love the actress who is the judge. She is brilliant in The District.

[@beng4151]

I remember when the cast of Law and Order was on Jeopardy. Yes, the questions are easier, but they crushed it. They were all very sharp. I would assume they learned a lot from the show!

[@poodypooroo]

McCoy is utterly correct, you can’t summarize arguments that haven’t been allowed during the trial. That judge has only herself to blame and McCoy’s response was the only remedy to her alloying such an absurd summation in the first place.

[@KevinN-df8eo]

Same here . If a judge makes a ruling on record then they too are bound by it, until such time as they rescind it, they have great power but with......

[@rileysfreeman]

Jack McCoy has always been my favourite tv lawyer. Svu should have had him too not just the main law and order.

[@glenbateman5960]

Mr. Garnett didn't open the door. The judge did.

[@jeffreysnydr]

And let me guess what was behind that door...rockapella?

[@fayeslover]

RIP James Rebhorn and Lynne Thigpen

[@GR8Eight1]

One of the best Jack McCoy moments ever….even though he was probably wrong.

[@Eazy-ERyder]

That's why Jack is STILL the DA in the world of Law & Order! Almost 30 years later

[@MacChand14]

McCoy’s retiring this week😢

[@amitkenan3878]

This is what is called a "living legend"

[@poncho4777]

James Rebhorn (Bill Arnott) and Lynne Thigpen: absolute legends in the game.

[@compscilaw]

It should've been a mistrial when the defense argued about things that weren't in evidence. McCoy saw to it that it was a mistrial.

[@bluehealer81]

3:23 I would go to law school and become a prosecutor for no other reason than the off chance Angie Harmon might look at me the same way she looks at Jack.

[@Mj-uz1ng]

Same fr

[@michaelashtonjr.ashohara1414]

She's 🔥....a total smoke show.

[@Xs2...]

The last line does it, "sit down, you opened the door for this"

[@hokie7373]

The judge is in contempt

[@jimschardinger7342]

Jack is the reason why I watch these episodes.

[@ChadDutton]

Sam Waterston is the GOAT

[@tcgrhetoric]

But your honor, where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?

[@Tony-pk6ql]

This is why lawyers are the most disreputable professionals alive.

[@FumetsuGolf]

RIP Lynne Thigpen. We miss you, Chief.

[@tacoma50]

Here’s a tidbit for fans, the judge in this episode was the woman in the movie “Warriors “ and all you saw of her was her lips speaking into a microphone!

[@kimberlyhelm8556]

❤this is one of my favorite shows. The lawyer for the defense is played by my cousin James Reborn. May he RIP. He was in Independence Day my Cousin Vinny. I never had the pleasure of meeting him sadly.

[@stevescabin5441]

The last line in this episode from Abby was great - They found the victim's hair in her sister's car! .. Jack says - she was her sister - I am sure she was in that car a bunch of times .... Abby: "In her trunk????"

[@WillCamx]

Her hair could have gotten into the trunk when she was getting something out of it. Or it could have been on something that was put in the trunk. It's hardly damning evidence.

[@darkarima]

@@WillCamx I've found hair on my clothing that was obviously from someone else who I hadn't embraced, touched, or anything - by indirect transfer. Unless there's more to it (blood, torn out in a clump, etc)... in this situation it's barely even circumstantial, let alone a smoking gun.

[@palaceofwisdom9448]

My sister once baked a cake, and some of her hair got in it. I can say based on its size that she was never in that cake. 😂

[@julesmasseffectmusic]

I visited a mate, he got us both a beer immediately 30 minutes later he opened the fridge and found one of my 70cm hairs in this freshly made jelly. 30 minutes, I hadn't entered the kitchen.

[@FeedingFrenzy91]

@@WillCamx If I recall though the sister got rid of the car (correct me if I'm wrong). Why would she do that? God bless you.

[@DarrenMoore-le6pg]

RIP Lynne Thigpen (December 22, 1948-March 12,2003) You were a phenomenal actress.

[@kaypoots9709]

Sam Waterston as Jack McCoy is undoubtedly a top five performance in the history of television.

[@omartorrio1512]

I agree. Sam Waterston is a brilliant actor and portrayed Jack McCoy with excellence.

[@lilguiedo]

The judge is still bitter about not getting Joe Clark removed from east side high

[@tatkkyo9911]

Fun thing is irl she would have a hard time getting sanctions on him because of the way things happened

[@TheNinjadelivery]

The judge was alittle distracted, she busy with her gumshoes on another case.

[@ianking2409]

This was the first Law & Order episode I ever watched.

[@kod5660]

Actually the judge opened the door by allowing it so MCcoy went straight fn through and well he should.

[@ldj7039]

Lynne Thigpen, who played the judge, also was the voice of Luna from "Bear in the Big Blue House."

[@ldj7039]

"Yo, Your Honor?? Wtf?" Lmao

[@cprophetu]

My man was like a child about to lose at a board game… Flip the whole table over, nobody wins! Lol! I love it. Got tired of the unfair treatment and said forget it.

[@blackdandelion5549]

"He's breaking the rules!!!" Judge : "I'm not going to do anything about it" McCoy: "Frick it, I'll break the game!!!"

[@yellolab09]

I think this Judge was the spokeswoman on Carmen San Diego.

[@jadefire2817]

Angie Harmon's facial expression as Jack goes balls-to-the-wall is almost as good as Sam Waterston's acting! How I miss the original L & O!

[@jasonkoch3182]

This isn’t the original. Angie Harmon was the fourth ADA to sit at that table, and Jack was the second EDA.

[@jadefire2817]

@@jasonkoch3182 Original as in the first series, not SVU , Organized Crime, or Criminal Intent. I realize that Michael Moriarty , Richard Brooks and Steven Hill were the OGs.

[@anthonyjones7848]

This clip right here shows why the reboot is such a disappointment. Not one courtroom scene in the reboot was as riveting as this one was.

[@thomaschitham3487]

"You opened the door for this." Yeah, and you didn't close it.

[@leonsmith853]

The Great Jack mocoy at his very best

[@biruss]

Sadly double Jeopardy applies

[@DeathofSnoopy]

@@biruss Please see my responses to your other two replies. Again you are correct but only if they can prove it was deliberate as stated/implied at the very end of this episode.

[@biruss]

@@DeathofSnoopy sorry i didn't see them. Great point!

[@pamelawalker3085]

RIP ❤❤❤🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 ❤Lynne Thigpen!❤

[@jessragan6714]

Hey! Don't talk to the Chief like that! She'll send her gumshoes after you! If they can catch Carmen Sandiego, you don't have a prayer!

[@RhaegarTargaryen1st]

80s/90s kids in the house!

[@mikenichols3965]

James Rebhorn and Lynne Thigpen. Awesome.

[@wokndedfan413]

I remember the judge in The Warriors movie as The DJ. “ this go to all the big boppers out there.” 😂

[@derricklafrance9440]

This is why the original is the best.

[@MultiMagnis]

that was some two fold arguing there. not only did he push the mistrial forward. he also put the judge in a bind because its on record that the judge allowed the def to bring in non evidence info with no instructions to the jury to disregard that info but also he put the judge on the hook for allowing such info and bypassing her own rules of the court. he might go to contept holding but she will have to explain why he is in holding. lets just say they wont see each other in court again anytime soon

[@UltimaKeyMaster]

I feel like her letting McCoy ramble on and on was deliberately invoking her own atonement for her actions. She knew she fucked up and let him have his moment before putting on a stern facade to "hold him in contempt" which does nothing bad for him cause he looks like a hero regardless. She let him finish his rant to an acceptable degree before going "alright before people think I'm losing control of this, you can actually stop now."

[@xxPARAMOREFANMANxx]

McCoy has to be the spiciest lawyer on tv 😂😂😂

[@davidhutchinson5233]

This episode had so many twists and turns.

[@OutBack-pt4zm]

A judge after trying to find carmon Santiago after playing records at a new york radio station the night the warriors ran for their lives

[@poolhall9632]

Where in the world?!

[@briantaulbee5744]

Abby at 3:24, admiring Jack's brazen move here. I love it.

[@The-Rose-and-the-Cross]

Oh yeah. For me, the most memorable scene from the original L&O.

[@The-Rose-and-the-Cross]

Along with the twist in the end.

[@finris1]

Problem is, in a lot of jurisdictions, a prosecutor instigating a mistrial intentionally, like it is clear it was done here, means the case isn't just declared a mistrial. It means that the defense walks, as a new trial not of the defendant's fault triggers double jeopardy.

[@jasoncummings7052]

Sometimes I wonder if Judges think they are above the law.

[@tatkkyo9911]

Some do some don't. Some make honest mistakes occasionally, and others make contemptuous moves.

[@johnwest194]

imagine a lawyer with balls who cares about justice - am i dreaming?

[@yvonnetomenga5726]

@john west • No you're not dreaming. But the media (and before that, word-of-mouth gossip) couldn't possibly cover 10,000 attorneys, judges, police, etc. doing the right thing. The media does have time to cover the one or two or three of the most salacious and egregious wrong doers. Since you're only hearing about the wrong doers and never about the right doers*, your perception (aka "gut" feeling) will be skewed against the facts. *Well, maybe if you watch once yearly local awards dinners, you'll get a different view but it's unlikely to overcome your daily diet of "injustice" reporting.

[@DeathofSnoopy]

Nah, that's just good old Jack McCoy.

[@yucol5661]

It’s law an order. Good cops and good lawyers dealing with the most dramatic crimes (even if they break the law in the process) is their whole show.

[@DrProfScience1]

Yes, this a fantasy and a lawyer would never put their career in jeopardy to defend any client against a corrupt judge's wishes. The entire system is mired with sociopathic cunts.

[@soupafi]

@@DeathofSnoopy He doesn't care about justice in the new L&O. he wants wins

[@Zamiroh]

This type of action would absolutely lead to a mistrial on both sides. Mr Mccoy would face likely sanction from the bar, and could have done some time behind bars. The judge would also face review from the state Supreme Court as her actions would have caused no other course but a mistrial. Also the defenses summation could was extremely inappropriate, as you cannot specifically call out an individual attorney. The defense could claim the state has failed to prove xyz, but continually stating Mr mccoy etc would be improper.

[@duddude321]

More than that he was alluding to suppressed evidence, and for some profoundly stupid reason the judge allowed him to do it despite it being her order that suppressed it. McCoy might not face sanctions for clowning on the rules because an investigation would reveal that the judge conducted the trial like a circus. Or everybody involved, prosecution, defense, and judge, gets hit with daddy's belt for making a clown show out of the court.

[@detmstr341]

Wow, that Jack McCoy doesn't roll over for anyone.

[@TheFoolishNutter]

I actually burst out laughing like I was watching a comedy when she said "You opened the door for this" and I'm not sure if that was the show's intention.

[@AlphaCentCom]

I love watching McCoy go off the rails.

[@YolandaAnneBrown95726]

Yet another episode of Law and Order that Peacock doesn't air. Thanks.

[@dylansmith1738]

Love Jack Mccoy.

[@cindycole4326]

Lynn Thigpen was a super judge! She passed too young. She would have gone on to do so much! Yes including Carmen Sandeago

[@kaiserwilhelmshatner3156]

Angie Harmon always looking good.

[@mga2899]

Waterston always owned the scene.