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Crush (SVU)

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"Crush"
← SVU, Episode 10.20 →
Production number: 10020
First aired: 5 May 2009
  th of 502 produced in SVU  
← th of 502 released in SVU →
  th of 1271 released in all  
Cragen Huang and Judge Marsden
Written By
Jonathan Greene

Directed By
Peter Leto

Summary[]

15-year-old Kim Garnet trips and falls down a flight of stairs at her school, and it turns out that she has older injuries that suggest that someone has been beating her on a regular basis. It is revealed she sent nude photos of herself to her boyfriend, Steve Walker, who is on the school's swim team, intending them for him only, and it turns out that, in the process, she accidentally sent the photos to her friend, Ethan Morse, as well. Steve spread them around the school. Attorney Samantha Copeland from Corp Counsel gets involved in the case and has Kim arrested for distributing child pornography because she refuses to give up the name of her abuser -- Copeland hates domestic violence. Even after telling the truth, the consequences of Kim's trial reveal a far more concerning plot involving corrupt judge Hilda Marsden.

Plot[]

15-year-old Kim Garnet trips and falls down a flight of stairs at her school, not long after she sends out nude photos of herself via text message, also known as sexting. While examining Kim, doctors find older injuries beyond what anyone would sustain from a fall down even those kind of stairs, even the harder stairways that are used in schools. There's medical evidence that someone has frequently been beating Kim over the past several months.

Benson and Stabler pay a visit to Kim's boyfriend, Steve Walker, who is on the school's swim team, and they learn that Steve is not the only recipient of the photos. The only other recipient was Ethan Morse, a friend of Kim's who has a crush on her. But it turns out that he didn't do anything. And it turns out that sending the pictures to Ethan was unintentional. They were meant for Steve.

When Kim wakes up at the hospital, she refuses to say who's been beating her. After Kim is released from the hospital, she gets beat up again, and has to spend another night in the hospital. Attorney Samantha Copeland from Corp Counsel gets involved in the case. Copeland seems to have a strong hatred for domestic violence. She wants to identify who's been beating Kim, even if it means using extreme or morally wrong methods to do it. Kim refuses to name her abuser, so Copeland demands that Benson arrest Kim for producing and distributing child pornography, for the sexting, as a way to get Kim to name her abuser in exchange for the charge getting dropped. The SVU is angered by Copeland's extreme tactic, which doesn't work.

Copeland's actions cause Kim to lose all the trust that the SVU had managed to gain from her. When Kim continues to remain silent in court, Judge Hilda Marsden has her arrested for contempt, and places her in jail overnight. Fed up with Copeland's extreme methods causing more harm than good, Benson and Kim's attorney, Miranda Pond, bring Stabler's daughter Kathleen to Kim's cell to talk to Kim, one teenager to another. The three gently convince Kim that as long as she hides the truth, she'll never be safe. Thanks to their kindness, Kim finally opens up, and admits that Steve is her abuser. Out of jealousy, Steve also stole her cell phone from her, and sent the pictures around the whole school in order to make her pay for being friends with Ethan, who is always kind to her. Steve is arrested.

At a hearing, when Copeland says that she wants to drop the charge against Kim, Marsden surprisingly won't allow that. For a reason that is not yet known, Marsden finds Kim guilty of producing and distributing child pornography, and hands down an unusually harsh sentence, ruling that Kim will be sent to a facility for juvenile sex offenders in Wellsburg, Ohio for a year, completely stunning Copeland, whose tactic has backfired horribly. A shocked Copeland, who had just wanted Kim to name her abuser, didn't know that Marsden was going to go overboard. Pond is also appalled.

Copeland is later approached by Benson and Pond. Due to Marsden's quick sentencing without closing arguments from either party, Benson and Pond suspect that there's some sort of corruption going on, and they try to enlist Copeland's help. A furious Benson says that it was Copeland's actions and trumped-up charges that got Kim convicted in the first place. Benson sternly says to Copeland, "If something happens to that girl, it's on you."

While clearly upset and guilt-ridden over Kim's situation, Copeland refuses, saying that she has other cases in Judge Marsden's court, and that Marsden will make her life a living hell if she challenges Kim's conviction. Pond informs Copeland that Marsden wouldn't be the only one who would make Copeland's life a living hell. Pond says that she's not only immediately filing for an appeal to vacate Kim's conviction and sentence, but she'll be reporting Copeland to the bar, strongly implying that Copeland will be lucky if she has a career left to jeopardize. Benson and Pond leave an even more distraught Copeland behind.

Benson and Pond, while attempting to access Marsden's judicial records, are arrested on Marsden's orders, on equally made-up charges, with Marsden having been alerted to their efforts by her clerk, Ed Mangini, who invoked fictitious protocols to keep the records secure long enough for Marsden to deal with the situation.

Copeland hears about it, and, concluding that Marsden likely has something to hide, Copeland looks up the records herself, which reveal that Marsden has sent close to 50 teenagers to the facility in Wellsburg, Ohio on sex offender charges for petty crimes like loitering, or urinating in public. Copeland realizes that had she been with Benson and Pond in the attempt to look up Marsden's records, Copeland would've likely ended up in the same cell with Benson and Pond, and that whatever Marsden is trying to hide would've been kept hidden.

After Copeland alerts Cragen to the situation, and sees to the release of Benson and Pond, an interrogation of Mangini reveals that Marsden's cousin runs the facility in Wellsburg. Marsden gets paid a commission for every bed she fills there. Mangini admits getting paid to pad Marsden's calendar with cases involving teenagers that she can send to Wellsburg.

The truth now known, Copeland eagerly helps the SVU squad stage a sting operation on Marsden so they free all of the teenagers that she has wrongfully put away. The operation involves "prosecuting" Ethan, for "stealing" and "destroying" his girlfriend's father's car, with Huang working undercover as Ethan's defense attorney, Cragen undercover as Ethan's exasperated father, and Stabler undercover as the "victim" who had previously bribed Marsden in order get her to increase the charges against him.

The sting is successful. Marsden is exposed, with Copeland informing the incredulous Marsden that the nightmare of her being a judge is over. Stabler arrests an irate Marsden for bribery, official misconduct, false imprisonment, wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and other crimes she committed. As she's being led away, Marsden glowers menacingly at an unintimidated Copeland, who stares right back, her face a mixture of disgust at Marsden's crimes, and satisfaction in the knowledge that no one will ever go through what Kim and so many other teenagers went through -- and that Marsden will be made to answer for her actions.

Along with Pond and the detectives, Copeland helps to vacate Marsden's conviction of Kim, and get her record completely cleared of the bogus charges. Copeland apologizes to Kim and the detectives for what happened, promising to be more respectful towards victims, and getting their help for investigations the correct way, not the easy way, stating that the easy way almost cost Kim her future. Copeland also plans to help the SVU clear the records of Marsden's other victims as well.

Cast[]

Main cast[]

Recurring cast[]

Guest cast[]

References[]

Quotes[]

Rick Edwards: [after Stabler hits him] Cheap shot.
Stabler: Oh, I thought it was a street fight.
Stabler: [to Rick Edwards] Because you're a lover, not a fighter, huh, champ?
Rick Edwards: Exactly.
O'Halloran: Yeah. In other words, Stuckey's wasting our time again.
Samantha Copeland: [to Kim] You think these pictures made him angry? One day, he's going to go too far and kill you.
[to Kim's parents] You'll be saying goodbye to your daughter on a slab in the city morgue.
Benson: [to Kim's parents] Excuse us. Excuse us for one second, please. [Benson and Copeland leave the room]
[to Copeland] What are you doing? That girl is a victim. Browbeating her is not the answer.
Copeland: Then we'll arrest her.
Benson: Arrest her? For what?
Copeland: Possession and distribution of kiddie porn. A couple of days in jail, she'll turn around.
Benson: Are you out of your mind?
Copeland: That girl broke the law when she sent naked pictures of herself.
Benson: I'm not collaring a victim to make her talk.
Copeland: Arrest her or I'll find someone who will and I'll report you to Internal Affairs for failure to take police action.
Miranda Pond: [to Copeland] How low can you get, Samantha? What you're doing to this girl is repugnant.
Samantha Copeland: I'm trying to save Kim's life.
Kim Garnet: By putting me in jail?
Copeland: If that's what it takes.
Miranda Pond: Kimberly hasn't committed a crime. This charge is a transparent ploy to intimidate her into naming her abuser.
Copeland: Dating violence in this city is up nearly 50% in the last decade. I am not about to let another girl get victimized or murdered. If your client cooperates, I'll drop the charges.
Miranda Pond: Blackmailing her isn't going to get her to cooperate.
Miranda Pond: Kids dating is supposed to be about what color prom dress to wear, not a trip to the E.R.
Miranda Pond: [to Kim] Kimberly, you can't let him do this to you anymore.
Kim Garnet: [referring to Olivia] Now she's on her side.
Benson: Kim, we're all on your side.
Kim Garnet: Then leave me alone.
Benson: I can't do that.
Kim Garnet: Get out.
Mrs. Garnet: Kim...
Kim Garnet: I want her out of here now!
Cragen: It is not private when these kids begin sexting. College admissions officers, future employers, even their own children might see these pictures one day. They don't realize the consequences of their actions.
Kim Garnet: Who are you?
Kathleen Stabler: Kathleen. I'm a friend of Olivia's. I was sitting in here a couple of months ago.
Kim Garnet: She put you in jail too?
Kathleen: Yeah. And my dad's Detective Stabler.
Kim Garnet: How could you do that to your partner's kid?
Kathleen: I'm glad she did. Helped me stop hating myself.
Kim Garnet: What makes you think I hate myself?
Kathleen: Because I was a lot like you. I let boys use me, have sex with me, even hit me. Kim, I was too scared and too ashamed to say anything. Things got so bad, I went to jail. But I finally let someone help me. Same person's trying to help you.
Kim Garnet: I don't know what to do. I love him. How can I betray him?
Kathleen: He's betraying you every time he hits you. Afterwards, he says he's sorry, he'll never do it again, so you forgive him but he hits you again, he makes you feel like you're nothing, like he's the only one who will ever love you and then he hits you some more and says that you deserve it, doesn't he?
Kim Garnet: The first time, we were at a party, I spilled punch on him and he slapped me in the face for messing up his new shirt and then it was after school for talking to another boy and it was just for no reason at all.
Kathleen: Kim, If someone really loves you, they'd never hurt you, they'd treat you with respect. Please let them help you.
Miranda Pond: [to Copeland] You just gambled with my client's life.
Copeland: Kim was a first-time, non-violent juvenile offender. The worst I thought she'd get was probation.
Benson: Yeah? Well, she's going to prison. Five hundred miles away. If something happens to that girl, it's on you.
Miranda Pond: How are you going to fix it?
Copeland: I don't know what I can do.
Benson: Talk to the judge. Have her reconsider.
Copeland: I have other cases in Judge Marsden's court. If I challenge this decision, she's going to make my life a living hell.
Miranda Pond: She's not the only one. I'm filing a 440 motion to vacate the conviction & sentencing and I'm reporting you to the Bar.
Miranda Pond: Your Honor, the defense rests and moves for dismissal.
Samantha Copeland: Corporation Counsel has no objections.
Judge Marsden: The Defense's motion is denied.
Copeland: Your Honor? The respondent's testimony clearly showed that she had no intent to make or distribute child pornography.
Judge Marsden: Respondent will rise for my decision.
Pond: Your decision? We haven't even delivered closing arguments yet.
Judge Hilda Marsden: I'm not required to hear closing arguments. [to Kim] Stand up, young lady. [Kim stands up] Kimberly Garnet, I find you guilty of producing, possessing, and distributing a sexual performance by a child. I sentence you to incarceration in a secure facility for juvenile sex offenders in Wellsburg, Ohio, for a period of one year. Court is adjourned. [bangs her gavel]
Kim Garnet: [to Olivia as she's being taken into custody] This is all your fault. I listened to you and you lied to me. You said that if I told the truth, I would be safe.
Benson: You wanted to see me, Your Honor?
Judge Marsden: Yes. Are you representing Detective Benson, Ms. Pond?
Miranda Pond: Does she need representation?
Judge Marsden: Of course not. We're off the record. Join the party, Counselor... Why the sudden interest in me?
Miranda Pond: [to Olivia] You don't have to answer that.
Judge Marsden: Nobody's under oath. It's just a friendly chat.
Benson: [shrugged] That's funny, because it doesn't feel so friendly.
Judge Marsden: No reason to be cute, Detective. Now, tell me. Why are you so hot for my sentencing stats just hours after I sent your child pornographer away?
Miranda Pond: With all due respect, Your Honor, we're just trying to understand your reasoning behind sending Kimberly Garnet to Wellsburg.
Judge Marsden: Oh, well, it's the best alternative. There's no facility with available beds in New York for sex offenders and she's a sex offender.
Benson: She's not a sex offender, and you're ruining her life.
Judge Marsden: You know, I am so tired of these kids waltzing in here thinking they can do whatever the hell they want and get away with it. Someone has to take a stand.
Benson: Is that it? Or do you just get off on the power?
Pond: Olivia...
Judge Marsden: Mock me again, Olivia, and I'll hold you in contempt.
Benson: How? I thought this was just a friendly chat.
Judge Marsden: That's it.
Pond: Your Honor, you don't have the authority to sanction Detective Benson...
Judge Marsden: Watch this. Officer? Take Detective Benson - and Ms. Pond - down to the lockup; they're in contempt. [as Olivia and Ms. Pond are taken out of the courtroom] Have a nice day, ladies.
[while Olivia and Ms. Pond are sitting in a jail cell]
Benson: [to Cragen] What are you waiting for? Spring us.
Cragen: After I'm done savouring the moment.
Pond: This is your boss?
Benson: Yeah, he's very supportive.
Benson: We didn't get our phone call - how did you know we were here?
Cragen: Sam called...
Benson: Wow, word travels fast...
Copeland: Especially when you're asking questions about Judge Marsden.
Pond: I thought you didn't want to cross her, 'cause this'll put you in the line of fire...
Copeland: At least I'll be in good company...I pulled up her stats off our database: I think I found what she doesn't want you to see!
Pond: She's taking minor offenses and turning them into felonies!
Cragen: So, Marsden's a hanging judge - she's harsh, but it's all within her discretion...
Benson: Then why did she lock us up for asking about her records?
Pond: And why did Ed Mangini tip her off?
Ed Mangini: What do you think you're doing? Get off the car!
Stabler: Nice wheels!... Rental?
Ed Mangini: Please... I own it.
Stabler: Yeah? Pretty pricey for a government hack...
Ed Mangini: I don't have to explain myself to you!
Stabler: You know, [flashes badge] actually, you do... You ratted out my partner to Judge Marsden.
Judge Marsden: Officer, take the respondent into custody... We're adjourned. [slams gavel]
Stabler: The only one going into custody is you.
Judge Marsden: [incredulous] What the hell is this?!
Copeland: The end of a nightmare for hundreds of kids...
Stabler: [to Marsden] Hilda Marsden; you are under arrest for bribery, official misconduct, and false imprisonment.
Dr. Huang: Plus, federal charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States...
Stabler: [as he slaps on the handcuffs] You have the right to remain silent...
Judge Marsden: I know my rights. I'm a judge! I have done nothing wrong. These kids need to be put away. It's people like me who keep this country safe. I have the balls to stand up for what's right, not like you lousy bleeding hearts.
Ethan Morse: How'd I do?
Stabler: Well, you got a shot at Broadway.

Background information and notes[]

  • Kathleen Stabler talks about her experiences being locked up, which happened in the episode "Swing".
  • There is no town in Ohio named Wellsburg. However, there is a Wellsburg, West Virginia, located in the state's northern panhandle, just across the state line from Ohio. The closest juvenile facility to Wellsburg is in Wheeling, West Virginia, 16 miles away from Wellsburg. Like Wellsburg, Wheeling is on the east bank of the Ohio River, across the state line from Ohio.
  • Based on the Kids for cash scandal.

Episode scene cards[]

1 2 3 4

Mick's Gym
21 West 24th Street
Tuesday, April 21

Grandview
Preparatory School
58 West 67th Street
Wednesday, April 22

Mercy General Hospital
365 West 32nd Street
Wednesday, April 22

Chambers of
Judge Hilda Marsden
Friday, April 24

5 6 7

Family Court
Monday, April 27

Family Court
Office of the Clerk
Tuesday, April 28

Family Court
Thursday, April 30

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