| "Tragedy on Rye" | ||
|---|---|---|
| ← | L&O, Episode 13.04 | → |
| Production number: E3303 First aired: 30 October 2002 | ||
| Written By William N. Fordes Directed By David Platt | ||
Plot[]
Lucy Dolan, a struggling actress, is murdered in an apparent robbery-homicide where a video tape filmed by tourists confirms the ID of three suspects. The suspects are ultimately convicted, but McCoy decides to take another look at the evidence in the case even after winning despite his prior eagerness to put the three men behind bars. While looking over the report of the defense's forensic accountant, McCoy discovers that amongst the enormous volume of phone activity is one person who called every couple of days for months and then never once after Lucy was murdered rather than continuing to call until word got out about Lucy's murder. McCoy realizes that the man, Ernest Borges, knew Lucy was dead and contacts Lieutenant Van Buren.
Borges is arrested by Briscoe and Green who find drugs in his apartment during the arrest. A gun is also found that ballistics confirms is the murder weapon. Borges has no connection to the three men who were convicted, proving that they really are innocent. McCoy begins the process to release the three men from prison while Borges' attorney is eager to discuss a deal. McCoy realizes that the defense was so busy slandering the victim, they forgot to check into the evidence and missed the clue that could've proved their clients' innocence. Serena is left concerned with finding a way to ensure such a thing never happens again.
Cast[]
Main cast[]
- Jerry Orbach as Detective Lennie Briscoe
- Jesse L. Martin as Detective Ed Green
- S. Epatha Merkerson as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren
- Sam Waterston as Executive A.D.A. Jack McCoy
- Elisabeth Röhm as A.D.A. Serena Southerlyn
- Fred Dalton Thompson as D.A. Arthur Branch
Recurring cast[]
- Tim Ransom as Defense Attorney Andrew Maynard
- John Cariani as C.S.U. Technician Julian Beck
- Charlotte Colavin as Judge Lisa Pongracic
- David Lipman as Arraignment Judge Morris Torledsky
- Brian Davies as Judge Warren Busey
Guest cast[]
- Beth Dixon as Mrs. Dolan
- Omar Sharif Scroggins as Matthew Carton
- Jerry Grayson as Mr. Halprin
- Malcolm Barrett as Harold "Harry" Johnson
- Tony Campisi as Defense Attorney Steve Hanft
- Reathel Bean as Walter Dolan
- Darcy Pulliam as Mrs. Platt
- Gil Rogers as Mr. Platt
- Wally Dunn as Saul Mishner
- Mary Elaine Monti as Claudia Paswell
- Lia Yang as Defense Attorney Yoriko Fujitsa
- Peter Ratray as Attorney Max Willet
- Bruce Winant as Dale Franks
- Gary Lowery as Forensic Accountant Ted Vavoulis
- Tia Dionne Hodge as Marta Severin
- Michael LiDondici as Steiner
- Stewart Steinberg as Deli Owner
- Billy Griffith as Ernest Borges
- Kola Ogundiran as FTD Man
- Dakota Anderson as Daniel "Danny" Otum
- Nan-Lyn Nelson as Carton's Mother
- Danny Dennis as Counterman
- Chuck Ardezzone as Court Clerk
- John Louis Fischer as Assistant M.E. Neil Brock
- Jill Gureasko as Jury Foreperson
References[]
- Fremont Downs Raceway
- Judge Finkle
Quotes[]
Branch: Ya know, this whole affair makes you think twice.
McCoy: About the death penalty.
Branch: About where to buy you a steak.
McCoy: C'mon, we'll split a cab.
Southerlyn: No. I'll walk.
Background information and notes[]
- Goofs:
- In the opening act, the guitar in Lucy Dolan's apartment is a bass, but the amplifier beside it was not for a bass, it was a regular six string guitar amp.
- Detective Ed Green tells Lenny that the Rickenbacker bass was good enough for Elvis Costello. Elvis Costello's main instrument was a regular six-string (electric) guitar.
- This episode aired October 30, 2002, but the episode scene cards correspond to a 2001 calendar.
Episode scene cards[]
| 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|
|
Home of |
Laff Riot Comedy Club |
Supreme Court |
| 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|
|
Office of Dale Franks |
Supreme Court |
Supreme Court |
| Previous episode: "True Crime" |
"Tragedy on Rye" Law & Order Season 13 |
Next episode: "The Ring" |