Self Defense

"Self Defense"
←	L&O, Episode 3.07	→
Production number: 68008 First aired: 11 November 1992
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←	{{{nNthReleasedInSeries}}}th of 456 released in L&O	→
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Written By René Balcer & Hall Powell Directed By Ed Sherin

A Greek jeweler store owner kills two robbers and claims self-defense, but his true motives are quickly revealed.

Summary

21-year-old Garland Booker is found dead in a car. His brother, 27-year-old Cecil, is found several feet away.

A Greek jewelry store owner, George Costas, admits to shooting them in self defense during a robbery. A surveillance tape presented to the DA shows that Costas shot the men while they were still locked in the doorway, "like fish in a barrel." He then followed the men outside and continued shooting Garland while he was in the car.

The investigation digs up another incident in New Jersey where Costas killed another man attempting to rob his store. Stone determines that Costas is a vigilante, and charges him with murder.

Costas is found guilty of killing Garland Booker although he is found not guilty of Cecil's murder. Costas subsequently files an appeal with the public rallying around him and four of the jurors going on the morning news to say that they felt pressured to convict him.

Cast

Main cast

• Paul Sorvino as Sergeant Phil Cerreta
• Chris Noth as Detective Mike Logan
• Dann Florek as Captain Donald Cragen
• Michael Moriarty as Executive A.D.A. Benjamin Stone
• Richard Brooks as A.D.A. Paul Robinette
• Steven Hill as D.A. Adam Schiff

Recurring cast

• Christine Farrell as Forensics Technician Arlene Shrier
• David Lipman as Judge Morris Torledsky
• Robert Coffin as Court Clerk

Guest cast

• Adam Arkin as George Costas
• Paul Butler as Judge Edmond Francis
• Marissa Chibas as Christina Costas
• Ron Rifkin as Alex Drakos
• Frank Savino as Nick Fortas
• Robert Hirschfeld as Abrams
• Jon Manfrellotti as Detective Morelli
• Johnnie Mae as Laticia Ramis
• Ron Brice as Marvin Welles
• Peter Yoshida as Joon Rhee
• Florence Anglin as Mrs. Pinsker
• Mick O'Rourke as Matt Donegan
• Wai Ching Ho as Mrs. Rhee
• Paul Schulze as Garfield
• Philip LeStrange as McDowell
• Lou Martini, Jr. as CSU Officer

References

• Bernhard Goetz
• Los Angeles, California
• Greece
• Lyndon Johnson
• Baltimore, Maryland
• New Jersey
• Zapruder film
• Castle doctrine

Quotes

“	Well, so much for the thousand words. Better hope the picture speaks for itself.	”
–Paul Robinette

Donald Cragen: Well what about his story, does it walk and talk?

Phil Cerreta: Limp and an accent, but after what he’s been through, you can expect this guy to be a little fuzzy on the details.

Donald Cragen: Okay, work the store, maybe the 'i's will dot themselves.

Nick Fortas: In Greece, they got weapons laws up the ying-yang.

Mike Logan: Nice to know we live in a civilized country.

“	Costas is getting more play than Zapruder.	”
–Adam Schiff

Benjamin Stone: If we let him walk, we’re endorsing an armed populace that metes out justice as they see fit.

Adam Schiff: We try him and lose, the same message with our credibility as an appetizer.

Background information and notes

Sergeant Cerreta on the stand.

• The episode title "Self Defense" is a reference to the claim made by George Costas that he was merely defending himself and his property when he shot two black robbers.

Episode scene cards

1	2	3
Joon Rhee's Dry Cleaning 170 28th Street Friday, July 24	Fortas Electronics 1500 Main Street Fort Lee, New Jersey Wednesday, July 29	Executive Assistant District Attorney Benjamin Stone Monday, August 3

4	5	6
Judge Edmond Francis Motion Calendar Thursday, September 24	Supreme Court Trial Part 49 Monday, September 28	Supreme Court Trial Part 49 Thursday, October 1

Previous episode: "Helpless"

"Self Defense" Law & Order Season 3

Next episode: "Prince of Darkness"