Sam Randall is the brother of Teresa Randall and the former brother-in-law of Odafin Tutuola.
Background[]
Sam has had a history of causing trouble in the past and was sent to prison. He recently got parole and was released, resolving to get his act together for his son Dante.
Presumed Guilty[]
Nine months into his parole and two days before Christmas, Sam witnessed a young girl Sofia Santiago running from a car before he saw Chris Shea, a priest being attacked by two assailants. Sam caught the assailant's attention before intervening on behalf of the priest by pulling the men off him. Although he was beaten, Sam's action led to the men running away and Shea surviving but was left in a coma.
When the police arrive, a crowd of witnesses say Sam attacked the priest but was stopped by the two men he fought, despite Sam's pleas. Sam is arrested by the police, though tells the officers that his brother-in-law is a cop as well.
Fin and Rollins met with Sam, who claims that he was rescuing the priest from attackers before the bystanders found them. He also brings up a young girl running from the scene, something the arresting officers or crowd did not know. Sam begged them to get him out, because he had to see his son Dante for Christmas.
SVU investigated and found the CCTV camera nearby that provided some clues. The camera didn't catch the assault, but the detectives see Father Shea, Sofia and two unidentified men approaching the car.
Eventually, Father Shea regained consciousness and identified Sam as his savior, giving his true role in the attack. SVU also found Sofia who confirmed Sam saved Father Shea. This surprised Fin with Sam telling the truth. However, Sam still violated parole by fighting, despite his good intention.
At his arraignment, Sam was remanded, and the judge decides to keep him in jail over Christmas. As he was taken away, Sam sadly apologized to his son.
However, Fin rushes to the judge's house to ask for a conditional release for Sam, so that he can spend Christmas with his son. The judge agrees to sign the papers and Fin is able to take Sam home. Sam was able to spend Christmas with his son like he wanted.
Due to SVU finding the real assailants, and their recorded confession in attacking Father Shea, as well as Shea clearing Sam of wrongdoing and Sofia confirming Sam saving Shea. Sam was presumably exonerated from assault, while facing a lesser charge for parole violation.