Law & Order (TV Series)
Blood (1997)
Franchelle Stewart Dorn: Defense Attorney Ms. Joyner
Quotes
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ADA Jamie Ross : Ms. Houston, we uncovered some documents relating to your divorce. I've highlighted the relevant portions. When I got a divorce, I fought for custody of my child, but you actually fought not to have custody.
Frances Houston : I don't know what you're talking about.
ADA Jamie Ross : It's all there in the draft agreements. Neither of you wanted custody. Your husband for practical reasons. And you... he actually had to triple the alimony payments before you'd agree.
Frances Houston : They're wrong.
Defense Attorney Ms. Joyner : What I see in these papers is a negotiation. Whatever meaning you're reading into it...
Executive ADA Jack McCoy : Was confirmed by Mr. Burdett himself. And he'll testify to it at her next trial. She didn't want the boy because he's black.
Frances Houston : Josh would never get up in court.
Executive ADA Jack McCoy : He already agreed to do it.
ADA Jamie Ross : The next jury won't buy your Mary-Mother-of-God routine!
Executive ADA Jack McCoy : They'll see you for who you are. A bigot whose racism runs so deep, you even hate your own son.
Defense Attorney Ms. Joyner : I assume there's an offer coming?
Executive ADA Jack McCoy : Man one, eight-and-a-third-to-25.
Frances Houston : Well, I want to see the other attorneys at the firm!
Executive ADA Jack McCoy : The white attorneys? You walk out that door, Ms. Houston, the offer is off the table. You'll be retried for murder two. You have an attorney present. Give me your answer now.
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Defense Attorney Ms. Joyner : I discussed your offer with Ms. Houston. I explained that prosecutors don't just like to beat the other guy. They want him to limp off the field.
Executive ADA Jack McCoy : No wiggle room, Ms. Joyner. Manslaughter one, eight-and-a-third-to-25, or she goes on trial for murder two.
Defense Attorney Ms. Joyner : Then you won't like my counter. Second degree manslaughter, minimum time.
ADA Jamie Ross : That's unrealistic. We've got her prints, her pay-offs to the O'Brien's.
Defense Attorney Ms. Joyner : I said man two, minimum time.
Executive ADA Jack McCoy : Do you really want to put your son through a trial, Ms. Houston?
Defense Attorney Ms. Joyner : Let her worry about her son.
Executive ADA Jack McCoy : Frankly, Ms. Joyner, I'm surprised you'd represent a bigot.
Frances Houston : [Looking back]
Defense Attorney Ms. Joyner : I don't see a bigot here. I see a woman deceived and pushed to the brink by a self-hating coward. Everyone at my firm agrees, Mr. McCoy. No jury will ever convict her.