Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series)

Hell's Kitchen (2018)

Amanda Warren: Regina Carter

Quotes 

• Judge Edward Kofax : How do you plead, Mr. Liebowitz?

  Andrew Liebowitz : Not guilty.

  Judge Edward Kofax : People want bail?

  Peter Stone : Absolutely. The charge is forcible rape. We're asking for $2 million.

  Regina Carter : That's punitive. This is a classic he said/she said.

  Peter Stone : The People intend to introduce evidence that the defendant is a serial predator. There are three prior rape allegations in Brooklyn.

  Regina Carter : Those charges were never filed.

  Peter Stone : The People intend to introduce them to establish his modus operandi.

  Judge Edward Kofax : Ah, Bill Cosby all over again. We'll hold a Molineux hearing in my chambers to determine the admissibility of this testimony. Bail is set at $1 million, cash or bond.

• Peter Stone : Three employees in the defendant's Brooklyn wine bar came forward with sexual assault complaints against him. Their accounts are nearly identical.

  Judge Edward Kofax : How so?

  Peter Stone : These women were plied with alcohol or marijuana after closing time as a prelude to these assaults.

  Regina Carter : A little wine or weed before sex is hardly a one-of-a-kind criminal signature.

  Peter Stone : After the attacks, the defendant took an undergarment from each of the victims. You know, as a memento.

  Regina Carter : You're getting warmer, Mr. Stone, but you're still missing the big picture. Modus operandi evidence is admissible to prove the identity of a suspect. This isn't a whodunnit. It's a what happened.

  Peter Stone : The fact that he did the same thing on three - now four - separate occasions demonstrates a common scheme or plan on the part of the defendant.

  Regina Carter : No, it's an attempt to demonstrate my client's propensity to behave badly.

• Regina Carter : The ulterior motive behind Mr. Stone's ploy is to have the jury convict Mr. Liebowitz, not for the allegations in this complaint, but for his prior acts.

  Judge Edward Kofax : Why weren't these three cases prosecuted in Brooklyn?

  Peter Stone : You'll have to ask the Brooklyn D.A.

  Judge Edward Kofax : Mr. Stone.

  Peter Stone : [reluctantly]  There were apparently questions about the complainants' credibility.

  Judge Edward Kofax : And why would I allow them to testify here?

  Peter Stone : It's up to a jury to decide whether to believe them.

  Judge Edward Kofax : Yes, but first it is up to me to decide if the prejudicial effect of this testimony outweighs its probative value. I rule it does.

  Peter Stone : At least let me call one of the Brooklyn women.

  Judge Edward Kofax : All three witnesses are excluded.