Plenty of movies, tv shows get on a soapbox and use emotion to make you feel, think a certain way. I'm not about to say L&O wasn't immune to this baloney, but 'Self-Defense' in my humble opinion is not one of those times. Of course the case here is largely at the mercy of your own preconceived opinions. I however think it presents a fair and balanced look into things going overboard and the image of the store owner isn't unfair.
A dead man is discovered in a car and meters away another also shot dead. Store owners including Greek immigrant Costas (Alan Arkin) are mum on seeing anything, but he's quickly discovered to be lying. Soon a picture is amassed thru further evidence of a robbery that went past the point of self defense. Det. Cerreta (Sorvino) sympathies with Costas while Logan (Noth) sees things differently. In court it comes down to the line in the sand about where standing your ground crossed over into murder, unjust vigilantism.
Notable actors in Arkin (copping an accent) and Ron Rifkin as the type of defense lawyer you love to hate punch this episode up a notch. Not to say the topic isn't already interesting on it's own and emotionally charged. However remaining level headed you'll see the slippery slope. A parting word about public opinion, mob mentality on justice rings true and leaves a lasting impression as well.
A dead man is discovered in a car and meters away another also shot dead. Store owners including Greek immigrant Costas (Alan Arkin) are mum on seeing anything, but he's quickly discovered to be lying. Soon a picture is amassed thru further evidence of a robbery that went past the point of self defense. Det. Cerreta (Sorvino) sympathies with Costas while Logan (Noth) sees things differently. In court it comes down to the line in the sand about where standing your ground crossed over into murder, unjust vigilantism.
Notable actors in Arkin (copping an accent) and Ron Rifkin as the type of defense lawyer you love to hate punch this episode up a notch. Not to say the topic isn't already interesting on it's own and emotionally charged. However remaining level headed you'll see the slippery slope. A parting word about public opinion, mob mentality on justice rings true and leaves a lasting impression as well.