Pro Se (L&O)

"Pro Se"
←	L&O, Episode 6.21	→
Production number: K0119 First aired: 8 May 1996
	{{{nNthProducedInSeries}}}th of 456 produced in L&O
←	{{{nNthReleasedInSeries}}}th of 456 released in L&O	→
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Written By René Balcer & I.C. Rapoport Directed By Lewis Gould

Plot

An investigation of multiple slayings lead to the arrest of a schizophrenic, who insists on acting as his own defense.

Cast

Main cast

• Jerry Orbach as Detective Lennie Briscoe
• Benjamin Bratt as Detective Rey Curtis
• S. Epatha Merkerson as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren
• Sam Waterston as Executive A.D.A. Jack McCoy
• Jill Hennessy as A.D.A. Claire Kincaid
• Steven Hill as D.A. Adam Schiff

Recurring cast

• Shawn Elliott as Judge Joseph Rivera
• Carolyn McCormick as Dr. Elizabeth Olivet
• Merwin Goldsmith as Judge Ian Feist
• Gia Galeano as Detective Gia

Guest cast

• Denis O'Hare as James Smith
• Maryann Plunkett as Joanne Ellis
• Ann Dowd as Patricia Smith
• Sean Ellis as Jerome Early
• David Aaron Baker as Defense Attorney Lowe
• Tara Hauptman as Paula Dean
• Jack Davidson as Blumberg
• Richard Russell Ramos as Father DiTirro
• Herbert Rubens as Ricardo
• Arthur Acuña as Pharmacy Clerk
• Robert Emmet Lunney as Frank Ellis
• Judith Granite as Marcella
• Nicole Leach as Liana Rogers
• Bill Hoag as Officer Hack
• Keith Kirk as Officer Beaudouin
• Count Stovall as Mr. Laramie
• Gordon MacDonald as Trauma Surgeon
• Brian Delate as Mickey Leahy
• Vince Pacimeo as Vendor
• Kevin Rock as First Uniform Policeman
• Timothi-Jane Graham as Ria
• Robin MartIn as Librarian
• Kiya Ann Joyce as First Reporter
• Robert Poletick as Second Reporter
• Tamara Daniels as Schiff's Secretary
• Susan Willerman as Court Clerk

References

• Canada
• CIA
• Kishon River, Israel
• Korean War
• Douglas MacArthur
• Madonna
• Maginot Line
• Miami, Florida
• Brad Pitt
• Gomer Pyle
• Dennis Rodman
• University of Michigan
• People v. Kaltenbach
• People v. Conney
• People v. Harris
• People v. Sawyer

Quotes

“	I followed Linda Bowers to a clothing...store on Prince Street. I believed...I believed she was plotting to hurt me. I waited for...for her to come out. She was taking too long so I went inside. A man came toward me and I became afraid. And I stabbed...him with the bayonet I had with me. Then I...This paper is full of needles. They cut me and I bleed. Do you hear those chariots? They stole them from me. They...they want me to sleep. They like that. That's why I killed her. I heard what Deborah said unto Barak--"The Lord shall discomfort me". But that's...	”
–James Smith relapses at allocution.

• McCoy: Why doesn't he plead insanity?
• Schiff: Because he's insane?

Background information and notes

• The episode was later adapted into the Law & Order: UK episode "Defence".

Episode scene cards

1	2	3
Wagner Trades School 246 E. Houston Street Tuesday, February 28	St. Justin's Hospital 191 Second Avenue Wednesday, March 1	St. Ive's Shelter 348 Canal Street Friday, March 3

4	5	6
NY Public Library Soho Branch Monday, March 6	Supreme Court Motion Hearing Wednesday, March 22	Apartment of Joanne Ellis 350 West 19th Street Friday, March 24

7	8	9
Supreme Court Trial Part 95 Wednesday, April 26	Supreme Court Trial Part 95 Friday, April 28	Supreme Court Trial Part 95 Wednesday, May 3

Previous episode: "Girlfriends"

"Pro Se" Law & Order Season 6

Next episode: "Homesick"