Lauren Ambrose: Vanessa Mayer

Her Negotiation

Vanessa Mayer

William Lewis: What do you want to hear? How at the beginning she said she would do anything? She begged me for her life and by morning time, she was begging me to take her out of her misery. Which one do you think I enjoyed more?
[knock knock]
Captain Donald Cragen: [Comes in with Vanessa Mayer] Detectives?
William Lewis: Oh, hey. It's my lawyer.
Vanessa Mayer: You guys can't talk to my client.
William Lewis: Yeah, I told them they weren't allowed to do this. It was just hypothetical.
Vanessa Mayer: You know better. He's invoked.
Olivia Benson: Good.
[stands up and leaves]
Olivia Benson: 'Cause I need a shower.

Judge Colin McNamara: Mr. Lewis, how do you plead?
A.D.A. Rafael Barba: We'd like to make an offer, Your Honor. If the defendant pleads guilty, the people will agree to time served and two days' community service.
Judge Colin McNamara: Defense, Ms... Ms...
Vanessa Mayer: Vanessa Mayer, Your Honor.
Judge Colin McNamara: Ms. Mayer, ball is in your court.
Vanessa Mayer: Yes, I think we can live with that. Let me confer with my client.
[talks with Lewis about the deal, but Lewis shakes his head]
Vanessa Mayer: I'm sorry, Your Honor. My client respectfully declines the DA's offer.
A.D.A. Rafael Barba: But that's the best he's gonna get, 24 hours served. We could waive community service.
William Lewis: I'm sorry, I can't plead guilty to something I didn't do.
Judge Colin McNamara: So you're pleading "not guilty"?
William Lewis: Yes. I'm not guilty.
Judge Colin McNamara: Very well. The case is set over for trial, pending motions.
Vanessa Mayer: We waive motions, Your Honor. We're ready to proceed to trial.
Judge Colin McNamara: People on bail?
A.D.A. Rafael Barba: Remand, Your Honor. The defendant has no ties to the community, no job. He's a flight risk.
Vanessa Mayer: Two minutes ago, you were willing to let him walk out of here.
Judge Colin McNamara: I agree. Defendant is released on his own recognizance. Case to be set over for trial. Bailiff, next case.

Vanessa Mayer: My client is severely depressed and he attempted suicide this morning.
A.D.A. Rafael Barba: It's worth noting he sustained no injuries, and this suicide attempt was judiciously timed to avoid a lineup.
Judge Serani: Ms. Mayer, are you raising a question as to whether your client is competent to stand trial or are you pleading "not guilty by reason of insanity"?
Vanessa Mayer: Possibly both, Your Honor.
A.D.A. Rafael Barba: Are you kidding me? He is competent enough to hide his identity, to frame his confession as a hypothetical, he is more than competent enough to stand trial.
Judge Serani: That's for this court to decide, not you, Mr. Barba. We'll proceed with the psych eval and then I'll make my ruling.

Vanessa Mayer: My client is not guilty.
A.D.A. Rafael Barba: Your client raped and tortured a cultured 60-year-old woman.
Olivia Benson: A jury will get one look at this scumbag. You're insane if you think that they will let him go.