This episode shows us some of the personal life of SVU's newest member Peter Scannavino. His sister Marin Ireland is pregnant by her fiancé Michael Chernus who has been a screw up all his life. He just got busted for violating his parole by being in a bar brawl. But when Scannavino goes to bail him out he tells him a wild tale about being raped by his female parole officer Molly Price, Scannavino thinks he's lying through his teeth.
Nevertheless he brings the case to his squad and they do their due diligence. Scannavino himself becomes a believer after he witnesses a raid at Chernus's and Ireland's apartment by the same parole officer Price. Way too coincidental.
ADA Rafael Barba knows what a tough case this is to make. His witnesses and his complainant are officially labeled criminals going against a law enforcement officer with an impeccable record. And as he learns when one of his convict witnesses deserts him and appears for the defense as said witness tells the court, "they own you". They do because as a parolee you have no rights as regular citizens do, you gave them up when you were convicted. Another case of absolute power corrupting absolutely.
This episode besides Peter Scannavino is also owned by Rafael Barba. This man thinks very fast on his feet. When his witness is forced to defect to the other side, Barba is at his best when he cross examines Biniam Tekola the witness. The scene is priceless.
One of the very best SVU stories ever.
Nevertheless he brings the case to his squad and they do their due diligence. Scannavino himself becomes a believer after he witnesses a raid at Chernus's and Ireland's apartment by the same parole officer Price. Way too coincidental.
ADA Rafael Barba knows what a tough case this is to make. His witnesses and his complainant are officially labeled criminals going against a law enforcement officer with an impeccable record. And as he learns when one of his convict witnesses deserts him and appears for the defense as said witness tells the court, "they own you". They do because as a parolee you have no rights as regular citizens do, you gave them up when you were convicted. Another case of absolute power corrupting absolutely.
This episode besides Peter Scannavino is also owned by Rafael Barba. This man thinks very fast on his feet. When his witness is forced to defect to the other side, Barba is at his best when he cross examines Biniam Tekola the witness. The scene is priceless.
One of the very best SVU stories ever.