Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series)

Murdered at a Bad Address (2019)

Peter Scanavino: ADA Dominick 'Sonny' Carisi, Jr.

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Quotes 

• A.D.A. Isaiah Holmes : So you did it?

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : Hi.

  A.D.A. Isaiah Holmes : From detective to ADA. How's it going?

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : Well, I miss my gun and the, uh, pay cut's no fun, but I still remember what you said my first year at Fordham Law.

  A.D.A. Isaiah Holmes : Yeah, what was that?

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : Better 100 guilty men go free than one innocent man be condemned.

  A.D.A. Isaiah Holmes : You know I was quoting Voltaire.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : Of course, but it was the way... the way you said it. It was like you believed in it.

• Dominick Carisi Jr. : Teenage girl assaulted in the projects? Any witnesses?

  Olivia Benson : Fin's still canvassing, but there's nothing on the rape kit, no semen or hairs.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : So we're looking at a pro. You're letting Kat take the lead?

  Olivia Benson : We're giving her a shot. She was first on scene, she rode with her, and she took the disclosure, and I'm right here if she needs me.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : Kat doesn't miss a trick. Somebody must've stolen her lunch money once.

  Olivia Benson : Or tried to.

• Detective Monte : Carisi, huh?

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : Yeah.

  Detective Monte : You related to Tony "No Toes" Carisi up on Todt Hill?

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : My mother says all Carisis are related.

• D.A. Patrick Keane : Do you know that Shea Stadium was named because of a lawyer? Yes, William Shea. And it's still Shea Stadium.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : I did know that one, sir. Um, now, I know you're very busy, Mr. Keane, but... the reason I'm here is about getting justice for Carlos Hernandez.

  D.A. Patrick Keane : Hernandez, what a good first baseman. You know the Mets couldn't have won anything in '86 without him.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : I believe that was Keith, sir.

  D.A. Patrick Keane : Hmm.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : But, I... I have some paperwork here I'd like you to consider signing, agreeing to vacate the conviction of Carlos Hernandez...

  D.A. Patrick Keane : Uh, put it over there on the table. I'm very, very busy. I'll do my best.

  [turning, Carisi sees three large stacks of folders and paperwork] 

  D.A. Patrick Keane : I want to impress upon you both not to leave law school. It can be a rewarding career.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : Okay, sir.

• A.D.A. Isaiah Holmes : So, Carlos and Ricky were gay lovers, and he can't give that alibi because he'll be raped inside.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : That's right.

  A.D.A. Isaiah Holmes : And you brought this happy news to me because... I'm gay.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : No, but it doesn't hurt. I also knew that you have a justice gene buried under that jaded Queens Boulevard veneer.

  A.D.A. Isaiah Holmes : Look, maybe we can get him protective custody while he's awaiting trial.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : Protective custody with his history? PTSD, depression... he could suicide. Look, I'm... I'm asking you to help me spring an innocent man.

  A.D.A. Isaiah Holmes : Give me a night's sleep to figure out what Voltaire would do.

• Amanda Rollins : You leaving us again?

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : I got a pre-trial motion. Feel free to stay as long as you want.

  Olivia Benson : All right, so coordinate with, uh, Fin and Kat and make sure that you talk to all eight guys.

  Amanda Rollins : Copy that.

  Olivia Benson : I'll meet you back at the squad room. I have a lunch... with my brother Simon.

  Amanda Rollins : Wow, it's been a while. What does he want?

  Olivia Benson : He says that he wants to get to know Noah.

  Amanda Rollins : You believe him?

  Olivia Benson : I do.

• Carlos Hernandez : [at the graves of his mother and sister]  That stone looks new.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : Some people read about your case. There was a GoFundMe.

  Carlos Hernandez : A what?

  Odafin Tutuola : Folks chipped in.

  Carlos Hernandez : How can I ever thank you?

• Judge Mary Connor : Counselor, you're representing the defendant, Carlos Hernandez?

  Legal Aid : Yes, Your Honor.

  Judge Mary Connor : I understand you have a motion?

  Legal Aid : I do. Based on new exculpatory evidence, defense moves to vacate the sentence of Carlos Hernandez.

  Judge Mary Connor : People?

  A.D.A. Isaiah Holmes : The People believe there's been a miscarriage of justice in this case, Your Honor. Due to newly discovered DNA evidence implicating a serial predator in these crimes, the People ask that this verdict be vacated.

  Judge Mary Connor : Mr. Hernandez, please stand.

  [Carlos does so] 

  Judge Mary Connor : Carlos Hernandez, I apologize on behalf of the state of New York for your wrongful imprisonment that has cost you 16 years of your life. It is my duty today to vacate this unjust conviction. You are free to go. Bailiffs, take off those chains.

  Odafin Tutuola : You can walk like a man now, Carlos.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : A free man.

• Olivia Benson : It's gonna be pretty hard to pin a double murder on him when there's somebody still sitting in prison for it.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : Lupe made a voice ID?

  Olivia Benson : She did.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : All right, arrest Stanton, keep him in holding. I'm gonna go up and see Carlos Hernandez. See if he can ID this scumbag.

• Dominick Carisi Jr. : Carlos, whatever you say here does not leave this room if you don't want it to, I swear. Where were you that night?

  Carlos Hernandez : I was at the beach.

  Odafin Tutuola : What beach?

  Carlos Hernandez : Plumb Beach in Brooklyn.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : That's the boy-meets-boy beach off the Belt Parkway? That Plumb Beach, right?

  Odafin Tutuola : Okay, so you and Ricky hooked up?

  Carlos Hernandez : That was the first time. Beautiful night... until I got home and I found my mommy and Jacinta dead on the floor.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : Carlos, a lot of people have... have come out of the closet since then. Times have changed.

  Carlos Hernandez : Not in here. In here? Out of the closet means into a casket. The other inmates find out I'm gay? Gangs will turn me into a Maytag. Washing socks and spit-shining.

  Odafin Tutuola : Yeah, we get it.

  Carlos Hernandez : I'd get bitched out until I got the bug. Like Ricky. I know I'll never walk again as a free man, but can I ask you a favor?

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : What's that, Carlos?

  Carlos Hernandez : At night... I still get the horrors, wondering where my mommy and my little sister are buried. Thinking that they're in an even worse place than me. I don't know... Potter's field or unmarked graves... just lost souls. Find out where my family's buried.

• Counselor Freddo : My client will agree to forcible touching on the girl from Jacob Lawrence Houses.

  Olivia Benson : He raped her.

  Tim Stanton : Says who?

  Counselor Freddo : She didn't see her attacker and DNA on headphones? Probative of nothing.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : Well, we have a voice ID.

  Counselor Freddo : Mm-hmm. No eyewitnesses, only an ear witness. I'll convince the jury that little Lupe is deaf and blind.

  Olivia Benson : Little Lupe is tougher than you think.

  Counselor Freddo : Juries love me and they don't like cops. And that goes double for cops who turn into prosecutors. They're gonna hate you.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : Well, maybe not, after they find out your client's DNA was at three different rape scenes.

  Olivia Benson : And we have three projects-strong girls, just like Lupe, who will follow her to the stand.

• Dominick Carisi Jr. : Hey, the transport van just dropped Carlos off outside of the courthouse. You wanna tell me what's going on, counselor?

  A.D.A. Isaiah Holmes : Keane signed the vacate order.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : He did? That's great. H-How'd you get him to... to do that?

  A.D.A. Isaiah Holmes : He may have thought he was graciously signing a letter of recommendation for my law school application.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : All right, I didn't hear that, and... and you did not say that, but thank you.

  A.D.A. Isaiah Holmes : Welcome to Queens. Let's go do this before the ink dries or any of his deputies find out.

• Carlos Hernandez : Man, I don't know who killed them. All I know is that Ricky and me didn't do it, I swear. I could never hurt my mommy or little Jacinta. That night, Ricky and me, we was just hanging.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : Really? That's not what he said. This is his hand-written confession. Says that the whole thing was your idea and he just went along.

  Carlos Hernandez : Ricky was just a kid. Detective Monte convinced him if turned state's on me, he'd get man two and out in 15.

  Odafin Tutuola : Then why'd you fess up?

  Carlos Hernandez : Because Monte and the D.A. told me if I didn't confess that I'd get the sayonara syringe. Man, I was 18. I didn't have no mommy no more to help me.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : Look, Carlos, I don't know what went down then, but if you work with us now, you give up your accomplice, when you come up for parole, I will go to the board.

  Carlos Hernandez : Why do you keep saying accomplice, man? I told you I wasn't even there.

  Odafin Tutuola : Come on, man. Everybody in here says they're innocent. It's been 16 years. That's almost half your life. Why are you covering for this guy?

  Carlos Hernandez : I swear to God, I came home and I saw them lying there like that. It's all I've ever thought about since.

  Odafin Tutuola : Carisi, this is a waste of time.

• Dominick Carisi Jr. : Carlos, you said that... that you and Ricky were, uh, you were... you were hanging. Where?

  Carlos Hernandez : That, I can't say.

  Odafin Tutuola : I told you this was a waste of time.

  Carlos Hernandez : Look, I'm not lying, okay?

  [taking a note out of his jumpsuit pocket] 

  Carlos Hernandez : After he was released, Ricky sent me this. He apologized for putting me away. He said he was just saving himself, and back then... in Far Rock, we weren't angels. All right? But my mommy? She was all I had.

  Odafin Tutuola : Okay. You got an alibi for that night? Or this goes nowhere.

  Carlos Hernandez : Thank you for your visit, gentlemen.

• Katriona Tamin : You were saying that he...

  Lupe Perez : He said if I didn't... you know... he would go upstairs to my little sister Gizelle.

  Olivia Benson : The rapist knew Lupe; they knew her family.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : It's why he didn't let her get a look at him.

• Amanda Rollins : You're retiring to Florida? Pension'll go a lot further down there, that's for sure.

  Detective Monte : Yeah, disability. I'm out on three quarters. You know, after collaring skells like Hernandez and Torres, I don't wanna die shoveling snow here in the stepchild borough.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : I hear that.

• Odafin Tutuola : I'mma ask you again, Carlos, 'cause we know there was a third person who helped kill your mama and your kid sis.

  Carlos Hernandez : What you mean you know?

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : We found DNA of a third man.

  Carlos Hernandez : You did? So you know... you know who did it. You arrest him?

  Odafin Tutuola : If we knew who did it, we wouldn't be asking.

• Dominick Carisi Jr. : We're going after your client for all six rapes, including the Far Rockaway rape and the double murder.

  Counselor Freddo : You're chasing a 16-year-old murder case with two confessions, huh? And a district attorney who's playing poker with tarot cards.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : You wanna cut a deal? Your client allocutes to the Hernandez murders and maybe I can swing criminally negligent homicide and rape two on the other six.

  Tim Stanton : I ain't 'fessing to no crack ho murders, and I ain't copping to no pedo rapes. No short-eye pleas like those 'mos Torres and Hernandez did.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : What do you know about that?

  Tim Stanton : I got no idea how Carlos has lasted 16 years in Green Haven. Everyone knows he's a fag.

  Counselor Freddo : All right, that's okay, Tim. Look, we're done here. I'll be taking my client back to processing.

  Olivia Benson : [opening the door for a patrol officer]  Get him out of here.

  Counselor Freddo : [to Carisi]  You insist to murders and child rapes, we'll go to the mat in my ring.

  Olivia Benson : [Stanton and Freddo leave]  Don't let him get to you.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : Well, he... he didn't. There's something Stanton said. Now, Carlos told me that he had an alibi for the night of the murders, but he wouldn't talk about it. Now I know why.

• Dominick Carisi Jr. : Did you get a chance to go over the case file?

  A.D.A. Isaiah Holmes : Carlos Hernandez had a terrible lawyer. He and Ricky, they were kids. They had their whole lives taken from them.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : So you can help Carlos get out?

  A.D.A. Isaiah Holmes : Look, it's tough to get any D.A. to overturn a case, let alone over here in Queens. But a rape and double murder my boss built his career on?

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : There's no DNA. Manhattan SVU has matched it to a guy who's good for a series of housing project rapes.

  A.D.A. Isaiah Holmes : Did he confess to this? Why would he? He knows it's a closed case, two confessions.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : Well, they both recanted. Ricky in a dying declaration.

  A.D.A. Isaiah Holmes : Yeah, I read that, too.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : I know this was Keane's case, but once he hears the preponderance of exculpatory evidence...

  A.D.A. Isaiah Holmes : Well, you haven't heard... about Keane.

• Olivia Benson : D.A. Keane won't let this go?

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : No, it was worse. He had no idea what I was asking him to do.

  Olivia Benson : What does that mean?

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : For years, Keane's deputies have covered up the fact that he's suffering from dementia.

  Olivia Benson : Well, how bad is it? I mean, good days, bad days?

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : Well, he thought Carlos Hernandez played first base for the '86 Mets, so...

  Olivia Benson : Okay, well, what about his deputies? Can't they step up? 'Cause we have three more rape kit hits from Stanton's DNA. Plus an eyewitness.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : Keane can't even undo his tie, never mind a 16-year-old double homicide. One of my former law professors, he works in the Queens D.A.'s office, he said he could try to get Carlos a retrial.

• Olivia Benson : So, we found twelve housing project rapes, but these two most closely fit the pattern.

  Amanda Rollins : Maria Negron, 13. Uh, Angela Lopez, 12. Both lived at the Jersey Street projects. One happened in 2010, the other in 2011.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : No DNA on either?

  Amanda Rollins : No, they were both assaulted from behind, strangled with a cord, and neither one of them saw his face.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : That's his M.O. Any suspects?

  Amanda Rollins : So, there was 18 maintenance workers, um, that worked at all three of these projects that fit the timeline. And seven are black, two are deceased, one is disabled.

  Olivia Benson : So we're gonna need DNA warrants on these eight guys.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : Eight? Why not make it nine? Make it a ball team. Come on, no judge is gonna sign off on this. You gotta narrow it down for me.

  Olivia Benson : All right, so we can ask them to volunteer for exclusion. If they're innocent, then they shouldn't have a problem with that.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : Okay, anybody balks, I'll get you a warrant.

• Dominick Carisi Jr. : About Hernandez and Torres... you... you wrapped that case up pretty quick.

  Detective Monte : First 48. Listen, counselor, you're not on the job. Any cop who saw that scene knew right away it had to be banjos or bongos. The vics were PRs, the mother was a crack putan, and the daughter was 13, built like she was 23. Her son, Carlos, yeah, he was a big dopey stroonz, horny as a bag of cats.

  Amanda Rollins : For his own sister, really?

  Detective Monte : An hour under the lamp and the other one, Torres, flipped like an acrobat. A double homicide cleared off the radio. Why do you two care?

  Amanda Rollins : We're working a rape case, a young girl, and we got a DNA hit that matches DNA from your crime scene.

  Detective Monte : It's gotta be Hernandez. He was the doer.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : No, neither. Must've been a third man there. Do you... do you remember any other suspects?

  Detective Monte : Not a chance. And let me tell you something. Those two, it's not their first time. They were hittin' other projects. Three or four rapes, teenage girls. Cases we couldn't make. I just thank God that they were stupid enough to hit their own home.

• A.D.A. Isaiah Holmes : Mr. Keane, this is Manhattan ADA Carisi.

  D.A. Patrick Keane : Nice to meet you, sir.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : You, too, Mr. Keane. Sir, I don't know if you've had the chance to-to look over the...

  D.A. Patrick Keane : What case are you here about?

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : The double homicide of Nydia and Jacinta Hernandez in Far Rockaway.

  D.A. Patrick Keane : You know why it's called Far Rockaway?

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : Uh... no, sir, actually, I don't.

  D.A. Patrick Keane : Because it's way far out.

  A.D.A. Isaiah Holmes : It was also the scene of a brutal double murder. It was your case, Mr. Keane.

  Dominick Carisi Jr. : The victim's son confessed, but his lawyer knew that there was DNA at the scene. He didn't ask for it to be tested.