Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series)

Conscience (2004)

Diane Neal: ADA Casey Novak

Quotes 

• Casey Novak : [during her closing statement]  None of us can imagine enduring Brett Morton's grief, but grief is not what drove him to murder. He acted not out of emotion, but out of his professional knowledge and experience. His act wasn't irrational. In fact, it was perfectly consistent with his long-held belief that sociopathic children cannot be cured. Jake O'Hara pretended remorse for the murder of Henry Morton. And when the defendant learned that Jake was a devious and manipulative child, he also began to pretend. He pretended he lost control. He didn't. Not for a single second. He waited for the perfect opportunity, grabbed the court officer's gun and then shot a child. That is not extreme emotional disturbance. It's murder and you must hold him responsible.

• Bureau Chief Elizabeth Donnelly : Jake O'Hara burned himself?

  Dr. George Huang : The camp's director tried to explain to Jake's mother that he should be institutionalized. She didn't believe him, she threatened a lawsuit and then she took Jake home.

  Casey Novak : He was thrown out of two private schools in Brooklyn for violent behavior and arson. His mom had to move him to Riverdale.

  Dr. George Huang : The kid's a sociopath.

  Bureau Chief Elizabeth Donnelly : He's only 13.

  Dr. George Huang : Well, he has all the classic symptoms. He's glib, he lies, he has no remorse, no empathy, he's narcissistic and he's extremely manipulative. He fooled both of us.

  Casey Novak : Even Brett Morton and he's also a psychiatrist. He lives right next door. He never saw how devious Jake really is.

• Casey Novak : [to the Family Court judge]  The District Attorney's office has reconsidered our decision to try Jake O'Hara in Family Court. We request that the case be moved to Supreme Court for trial as an adult.

  Family Court Judge : Hearings have begun. Jeopardy is attached. If I dismiss now, the case is over.

  Casey Novak : These are highly unusual circumstances. Jake O'Hara lied about his abuse. All his injuries are self-inflicted.

  Dr. Brett Morton : What are you saying?

  Family Court Judge : Dr. Morton...

  Casey Novak : We interviewed witnesses at the camp. They all told us Jake burned himself. This case must be moved, Your Honor.

  Dr. Brett Morton : [to Jake]  I believed you. I fought for you.

  [stands up] 

  Family Court Judge : Dr. Morton, sit down.

  Dr. Brett Morton : You lying little bastard.

  Family Court Judge : The court officer will remove Dr. Morton from this courtroom.

  Dr. Brett Morton : You little prick! You should rot in hell!

  [Jake smirks as Dr. Morton is being escorted out of the courtroom] 

  Elliot Stabler : Let's go before she locks you up.

  Family Court Judge : You bet I will. Get him out of here.

  Dr. Brett Morton : [to Jake as he's being led out of the courtroom]  You monster! You murdered my son!

• Elliot Stabler : [to Novak after court]  You really went after Morton in there.

  Casey Novak : He killed a kid. He knew what he was doing.

  Elliot Stabler : You're so sure about that because of something he wrote 15 years ago?

  Casey Novak : Elliot, he's screwing with us. This grief-crazed-father crap. It's all an act.

  Elliot Stabler : I spend my life locking up skells for murdering children. The system says they go away to prison. Fine. But if it were my son lying on that slab, I don't know what my rage would make me do.

• Dr. Brett Morton : [to Novak about Jake O'Hara]  What's going to happen to him?

  Casey Novak : Without a plea bargain, he'll stand trial and go to prison.

  Dr. Brett Morton : He's a juvenile, he'll be out at 18.

  Casey Novak : Dr. Morton, we're trying Jake as an adult.

  Dr. Brett Morton : No. I lost a child and I know one thing. It's wrong to lose another child to a life in prison.

  Elliot Stabler : As a parent, I can't imagine what you're going through.

  Dr. Brett Morton : Well, putting Jake in jail isn't justice.

  Casey Novak : And sending him to that camp doesn't make you responsible for what he did.

  Dr. Brett Morton : Jake's had a hard life. What he did isn't entirely his fault.

  Casey Novak : And that evidence will be introduced at trial.

  Dr. Brett Morton : I'm sure you have the best intentions, but you're wrong.

• Bureau Chief Elizabeth Donnelly : [to Stabler]  How could you let this happen?

  Elliot Stabler : You've got some nerve, lady. That kid was killed because you sent him to Family Court.

  Bureau Chief Elizabeth Donnelly : I didn't stand there and watch Brett Morton grab a gun.

  Elliot Stabler : You sure as hell put it in his hand. What, you didn't want to say no to a grieving father? You afraid the press would call you a cold-hearted bitch?

  Casey Novak : You two want to blame each other, go ahead, but I have a job to do. What's our decision on Dr. Morton?

  Bureau Chief Elizabeth Donnelly : Charge him. Murder two.

  Elliot Stabler : His son was killed by a psychopath who was gonna walk.

  Bureau Chief Elizabeth Donnelly : And that gives him the right to kill a kid? I want him arraigned by tomorrow morning.

• Casey Novak : [to Mr. Zierko about a deal for Dr. Morton]  What do you want?

  Chauncey Zeirko : Man two, minimum time.

  Casey Novak : I have a better idea. Why don't we just throw him a parade?

  Chauncey Zeirko : I don't like your tone.

  Casey Novak : Yeah, well, I don't like 13-year-olds being shot to death in the courthouse.