Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series)

Decaying Morality (2015)

Raúl Esparza: ADA Rafael Barba

Quotes 

• A.D.A. Rafael Barba : [to Jerome Jones' mother]  If I take this to trial for felony murder, a jury may let Luke go. If he pleads to manslaughter, he will do time.

  Mrs. Jones : How much? He gets a deal and my innocent son is dead? Whose life matters to you?

  A.D.A. Rafael Barba : I'm so sorry for your loss. What happened to Jerome was horrible. I wish I could bring him back, but this is where we are.

• A.D.A. Rafael Barba : That went well.

  Olivia Benson : For who?

• A.D.A. Rafael Barba : Do not leak this to the press.

  Olivia Benson : We all know that there are more victims out there. Each one of them thinks that they're the only one, nobody will believe them. As soon as that they find out that it happens to others, they'll come forward.

  Dominick 'Sonny' Carisi, Jr. : Throw a rock, watch the ripples.

  A.D.A. Rafael Barba : I am not hearing any of this.

• Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola : [after watching Jerome's "confession" to Luke]  Okay, he goes on from there. He did give CPR.

  Nick Amaro : Yeah, the M.E. thinks Jerome died of a heart attack triggered by his asthma.

  Olivia Benson : Luke Davis called 911, so he did not intend to kill Jerome.

  A.D.A. Rafael Barba : Legally, it doesn't make any difference.

  Nick Amaro : Well, that confession might complicate things.

  Amanda Rollins : The nail gun makes that confession completely coerced.

  A.D.A. Rafael Barba : Either way, Luke Davis looks good for felony murder.

  Dominick 'Sonny' Carisi, Jr. : You think? You do know the defendant gets a free pass on that if he can show he acted under extreme emotional duress.

  A.D.A. Rafael Barba : Boo-yah, Fordham Law! The facts are clear. Luke Davis kidnaps Jerome Jones. Tortures him, within an hour, Jerome's dead.

  Olivia Benson : [to the detectives]  He may be dead, our job is to figure out whether or not he is guilty. So, keep pushing for the DNA and get the security footage from TARU.

  Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola : Yes. And if Jerome is good for the rape...

  Nick Amaro : No way a jury convicts Luke.

  A.D.A. Rafael Barba : Thank you for your support. If you come to arraignment, keep your mouths shut.

• A.D.A. Rafael Barba : Jerome Jones, he still here?

  Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola : We're still waiting on the vic's statement.

  A.D.A. Rafael Barba : What's taking so long?

  Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola : The girl was intoxicated. Her memory's off.

  Nick Amaro : Well, they did find what might be semen on her sweater. We can put a rush on it.

  A.D.A. Rafael Barba : On the sweater? If it is his, that's probable cause. If it's not, then he's extraordinarily lucky at DNA tests. He has got ammunition for another false arrest and harassment lawsuit.

  Dominick 'Sonny' Carisi, Jr. : One more lawsuit from this guy, we're all working in Staten Island.

  Nick Amaro : Look, the Prospect Park Three were guilty. The lab just screwed it up. He's guilty of this, too.

  A.D.A. Rafael Barba : Make the case airtight and I'll charge. Until then, let him go.

  Nick Amaro : Wait, let him go?

  A.D.A. Rafael Barba : He's waiting on a 36-million-dollar judgment he'll likely win. He's not a flight risk. Get him out of here. Politely.

• Olivia Benson : [to Mrs. Davis]  So Jerome Jones dies, your husband does hard time, and your brother the rapist goes free.

  Marcy Davis : Hard time? Luke didn't know. Jenna's his little girl. He just went crazy.

  A.D.A. Rafael Barba : I understand. I will talk to his lawyer about a plea, but you need to talk to Jenna.

  Marcy Davis : If she testifies, he'll break her. Neil's too smart. You can't catch him.

  Olivia Benson : But your daughter can.