Reverend Ott (surname unknown) is a black-American pastor who advocates for justice for Damon Fox, a black boy who was a victim of vehicular manslaughter in Harlem. When the culpable motorist, Joshua Berger, receives a reduced sentence of community service, Ott becomes the figurehead of the surging outrage from the black community. Being anti-semitic and bigoted in his own right, the moment he heard from the name that Mr. Berger was jewish, he refused to believe any proof; even the forensic evidence, that Berger wasn't guilty of murder or manslaughter, that it was just a tragic accident. He immediately began putting out accusations left and right, and even asked what religion the forensic scientist was, believing anyone who was Jewish or not Baptist, was a liar in this case.
He later attempted to have a member of the neighborhood come forward as a witness, with fabricated testimony saying that Berger was speeding, and Damon Fox didn't run onto the road. He then arrogantly told Van Buren that this was justice, that framing Berger was justified; smugly saying he believes it so since the white Jew definitely must've been speeding or doing something wrong which made him guilty. The grand jury could tell the witness was likely lying and decided not to indite Berger for homicide. Ott then went to the congregation and spread hateful and antisemitic rhetoric, blaming the police and the DA's office for not getting the indictment, saying that the Jewish man got away with killing a black boy on purpose. This led to his followers rioting in the streets.
The unrest culminated into a black man, Isaac Roberts, beating to death a white man, John De Santis, in front of his wife and a jeering crowd believing he was Jewish. Ott harbored Roberts in his church after the murder, and continuously escalated racial tensions throughout both cases, which led to Roberts' prosecution being precarious as well. The jury hanged in Roberts' trial, and he was ultimately released. (L&O: "Sanctuary")