Law & Order1990

Judge Evelyn Greico:
Counsel, the jury's asking permission to consider a lesser charge.

Mr. Clayborn:
How much less?

Judge Evelyn Greico:
Man two.

[Jack gives Abbie a look of skepticism, while Mr. Clayborn talks to his client]

Mr. Clayborn:
[returning to the bench] The defense has no objection, Your Honor.

Judge Evelyn Greico:
Mr. McCoy?

Jack McCoy:
The standard for man two is recklessness. How does that apply to deliberate strangulation?

Judge Evelyn Greico:
I'm inclined to agree with you, Mr. McCoy. How do you feel about man one?

Jack McCoy:
I don't think any manslaughter option is appropriate. The victim didn't die by mistake. This murder was clearly intentional.

Mr. Clayborn:
The jury clearly disagrees with the severity of the charge.

Jack McCoy:
Because the defense bent over backwards to stir up sympathy for a cold-blooded killer!

Mr. Clayborn:
They should have sympathy for a greedy hooker?

Judge Evelyn Greico:
That's enough.

[to the bailiff]

Judge Evelyn Greico:
Tell the jury they can consider man one.

Jack McCoy:
[the bailiff leaves] Your Honor, you're allowing a compromised verdict. That's not...

Judge Evelyn Greico:
Sit down, Mr. McCoy.

Jack McCoy:
You might as well let them nullify.

Judge Evelyn Greico:
[firmly] Sit down.

A.D.A. Abbie Carmichael:
[returning to their seats] It's now a guaranteed man one conviction, and Malone knows that.

Jack McCoy:
[scoffs] Six to twelve on an intentional murder.

A.D.A. Abbie Carmichael:
Well, it happens sometimes when your victim is sleazier than your defendant. You know that.