| "Spousal Privilege" | ||
|---|---|---|
| ← | SVU, Episode 16.08 | → |
| Production number: 16008 First aired: 19 November 2014 | ||
| Teleplay By Julie Martin & Samantha Corbin-Miller Story By Warren Leight & Julie Martin Directed By Sharat Raju | ||
Sergeant Benson tries to help a domestic violence victim who stands by her man.
Plot
Detective Tutuola comes across leaked security footage of a violent domestic dispute in a parking garage, showing sportscaster A.J. Martin hit his girlfriend Paula. While Fin and Benson investigate the couple's lifestyle and history, Paula pushes back to keep her relationship and family intact. Benson turns to ADA Barba for help to convince Paula that her world doesn't have to revolve around A.J. Meanwhile, the case has an interesting effect on Rollins and Amaro's relationship.
Summary
Fin discovers a video on a gossip website of football player AJ Martin assaulting his girlfriend, Paula Bryant and then dragging her unconscious body to his car. A police officer is seen stopping him as AJ puts her in the car.
Amaro & Rollins talk to the officer and learn that Paula & AJ were interviewed about the incident, but Paula refused medical treatment & charges weren't filed. It is revealed that AJ was offered a deal, but he refused to take it.
When Olivia & Fin talk to Paula and AJ, AJ claims that the two of them had too much to drink & had a few words. When Olivia talks to Paula alone, she claims that she was drunk & tripped and fell down, but AJ interrupts them, saying that if the cops have anything to say, they can say it in front of him.
Later on, it is revealed on TV that a video of AJ assaulting Paula has been leaked to the news and it is clearly shown that AJ punched Paula in the face & knocked her out.
When AJ & Paula are brought in for questioning, AJ claims that Paula was acting out & he had to stop her while Paula says that AJ was only protecting her & they want to put the incident behind them.
Barba tries to come up with a deal for AJ, but his lawyer Calhoun refuses to accept it & says they'll see him in court.
At arraignment, AJ pleads not guilty to assaulting Paula and the judge sets bail since he isn't a flight risk. Olivia speaks to Paula in the bathroom and warns her that what happened to Paula could happen again.
After arraignment, Paula & AJ talk to the press with their reverend by their side. Paula takes responsibility for provoking AJ the night he assaulted her & says that the two of them are working on their issues and ask for their privacy. In a later interview on TV, it is revealed that AJ proposed to Paula & they are getting married.
The next day in court, a doctor testifies that the punch AJ gave to Paula could've been serious & she is lucky that it didn't kill her, but Calhoun points out that Paula is okay now & was able to maintain a conversation with police officers on the night of the incident.
When Olivia takes the stand, she explains that Paula is a domestic violence victim and the reason why she stays with her husband. When Calhoun questions her, she brings up Amaro's issues with his own anger.
After work, Rollins & Amaro are shown going out for drinks & they discuss the case. A drunk Rollins starts egging Amaro on, trying to get him angry, but Nick pushes her away, saying that he's doing what AJ should have done: walk away.
The next day in court, Paula & AJ's reverend takes the stand, saying that the couple are working on more positive ways to communicate better. When AJ takes the stand, he claims that he didn't mean to hurt Paula and the reason he didn't call 911 or take her to the hospital was because Paula woke up & he didn't think it was that bad.
When Paula decides to take the stand to defend AJ, she says that she was jealous & drunk that night and claims that AJ is a good man. During Barba's cross-examination, she breaks down in tears, saying that she doesn't want to lose her family & asks Barba to let them be.
In the end, AJ is found guilty of reckless endangerment & is sentenced to two years in prison. Paula is furious at Olivia and tells her that it was her choice to stay with AJ & that Olivia took that choice away from her.
Cast
Main Cast
- Mariska Hargitay as Sergeant Olivia Benson
- Danny Pino as Detective Nick Amaro
- Kelli Giddish as Detective Amanda Rollins
- Raúl Esparza as A.D.A. Rafael Barba
- Ice-T as Detective Odafin Tutuola
- Peter Scanavino as Detective Dominick "Sonny" Carisi Jr. (credit only)
Recurring Cast
- Elizabeth Marvel as Attorney Rita Calhoun
- Leslie Odom Jr. as Reverend Curtis Scott
Guest Cast
- Meagan Good as Paula Bryant
- Jefferson Mays as M.E. Rudnick
- Jeb Brown as Officer Denard
- Korey Jackson as Attorney Brian
- Lisa Kron as Judge Robin Schaeffer
- David Dinkins as Judge Chet Baker
- Chad L. Coleman as A.J. Martin
- Hoda Kotb as Herself
- Ian O'Malley as League Official
- Nik Walker as Former Teammate
- Brian Richardson as Jury Foreperson
- Sabastien J. Antoine as A.J. Martin, Jr.
References
Episode references
Quotes
Episode quotes
Background information and Notes
Background info.
Episode scene cards
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Home of |
Arraignment Court |
Supreme Court |
Supreme Court |
Supreme Court |
| Previous episode: "Chicago Crossover" |
"Spousal Privilege" Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 16 |
Next episode: "Pattern Seventeen" |