- In the criminal justice system,
the people are represented
by two separate, yet equally important groups:
the police, who investigate crime,
and the district attorneys, who prosecute the offenders.
These are their stories.
Your wedding song was terrific.
Mm.
Who was the singer?
Uh, Pretenders-- Chrissie Hynde.
Ah, right, right, right. Chrissie Hynde.
The singer, the short-haired lady, she--
she had a drug problem, right?
I don't know, Dad. I just like the song is all.
Okay. Big smile.
- Okay! - No wonder people love you.
I detect a hint of sarcasm.
Hmm.
Come on, Nic. Let's not do this, not tonight.
- It's your wedding. - Exactly.
What's that supposed to mean?
You just only seem happy when the cameras are around.
Senator, you must be excited today.
Every father's dream, dancing with his lovely daughter
on her wedding night.
I couldn't be happier for Nicole
or for her wonderful husband, Asher.
Just an amazing, amazing couple.
All right, I get it. I'm not perfect.
But let's--let's just have fun tonight.
[gunshots]
[screaming]
[tense music]
♪ ♪
[sobbing] Daddy! Daddy!
Won't somebody help me?
At the moment, all we know is,
the shooter was wearing a white COVID mask.
Apparently, he was mingling with the crowd,
bum rushed the dance floor,
shot Chandler two times in the chest,
and then just took off running.
What about all the security guards?
I saw at least ten of them when I came up.
Talked to the head of the team already.
They didn't see anything.
They were too focused on securing the perimeter.
All right, what about the guests?
Did anybody get a look?
Not really.
A lot of people saw him run off.
All we have now is that he's white male,
average build, average height.
Murder weapon was a 9 mil.
We know this because we found
two shell casings on the dance floor.
[siren chirps]
Great.
Even the commissioner is getting involved.
That's what happens when a United States Senator
gets gunned down at his own daughter's wedding.
[dramatic music]
♪ ♪
We're pulling as much video as we can
and setting up a containment.
Hopefully, we can keep the suspect inside the park.
Right. Good.
So he shot Chandler and ran off,
but no one saw him, tried to apprehend him?
Yeah.
I'll call in for more backup.
We need more boots on the ground.
Still no luck ID'ing the shooter.
But we talked to several guests who saw him flee,
including the bride, and they all say
he disappeared in the northeast section of the park.
We got a level 3 mobilization in progress.
Okay.
I'll make sure you have all the resources you need.
You two are gonna run point.
[suspenseful music]
[indistinct radio chatter]
♪ ♪
Hey, I think I got something here.
White COVID mask.
Still looks new, like someone just dropped it.
Yeah, it means we're in the right place, huh?
Find it. [dog whines]
Hey! Police!
NYPD!
Stay where you are! K-9!
[dog barking]
[yelps]
[dog growling]
Release! Release. Come on.
Release. Okay, okay. Come on.
Hands. Show us your hands.
- Show us your hands. - Turn over.
Keep your hands where we can see them.
What's your name?
- Jim. - Jim what?
- What's your last name? - Bronson.
Jim Bronson, what the hell are you doing out here?
I sleep here.
Where do you sleep?
Over there.
There's a sleeping bag and a--a blanket.
All right. Get up.
Just keep your hands where we can see them.
Did you see anybody out here running through the woods?
White guy? Maybe your height?
I saw someone or something.
Which way did he go?
That way.
I need the K-9.
You did good.
Have somebody take a look at that arm.
Medic!
I got a witness who saw the suspect running west.
Repeat, running west.
I don't know, Frank.
I think he got too much of a jump on us.
[dog whines, barks]
Maybe not. The dog's got something.
♪ ♪
[train horn blares]
He's in the wind now.
Yeah.
No, I didn't really see anything.
I--I heard the gunshots, but--
I tried to help my father.
I tried to stop the bleeding...
What about the shooter? Did you hear him say anything?
Um, no.
I don't think so.
I was so scattered.
It was--it was my wedding.
I wanted everything to be perfect, and then--
My father and I, we started arguing
right before the gunshots.
We had a complicated relationship.
- [sobs] - Hey, hey, hey.
Excu--I'm sorry, if you don't mind,
can we have a minute?
Are you aware of anyone who wanted to harm your husband?
My husband was a senator.
Half the country loved him.
Half hated him.
But are you aware of any specific threats or problems?
Money issues?
No.
I hate to ask this, but how about romantic issues?
Not that I was aware of, no.
I got here as soon as I could.
Oh.
I'm so sorry.
I can't believe this really happened.
This is Carla, my husband's chief of staff.
If there's anything I can do--
Detective Jalen Shaw. I appreciate that.
Doesn't feel real. Alan was a great man.
He was going to be president someday.
Were you aware of any specific threats
he was receiving?
No.
There were lots of haters,
a lot of hollow Twitter threats,
but that's just part of the job.
I saw Alan arguing with one of the waiters
about an hour before he was shot.
It didn't seem serious, but--
[stammers] I just thought I should mention it.
Did the wife know what the argument was about?
Nope.
We know the waiter he was arguing with?
Not yet; we're still looking for the manager
of the catering company.
Hey, the wedding planner just sent over
some footage from the videographer.
It's helpful and brutal.
Unfortunately, the shooter's face
is obscured by a COVID mask.
[gunshots, screaming]
Freeze it there. Zoom in on the shooter.
Yeah, black pants, white shirt, red jacket.
- He's a waiter. - Yeah. The wife was right.
Unfortunately, it was a lot more serious than she thought.
Find this guy ASAP.
[suspenseful music]
I didn't actually see the shooting.
I heard the gunshots, though.
I ran over to see what was going on.
I saw the senator on the floor bleeding, so I called 911.
You see anybody running away?
More specifically, did you see one
of your waiters running away?
No. But why do you say that?
One of the witnesses said that they saw a waiter
arguing with the senator an hour before the shooting.
Yeah. I know.
Yeah, I was horrified, so I fired the guy on the spot.
And then what? He just left?
I had security escort him from the property.
One last thing.
We're gonna need the name of this smart guy.
Yeah. We argued.
I don't regret it, either.
What you two argue about?
Someone say I did something?
Did you?
Yeah.
I yelled at him.
Got in his face.
And I pushed him.
Anything else?
- Like what? - Like shoot him?
Someone shot and killed Senator Chandler
last night at the wedding,
someone that looked like a waiter.
No.
We got into an argument.
That's all.
How come?
I used to live in Columbus.
That's where Chandler lives.
I waited on him one time about five years ago.
He was a prick.
Complained about everything
and then stiffed me on a $2,500 tab.
So when I saw him at the wedding,
I couldn't help myself.
Okay, so you and Chandler have it out finally.
Then what? What do you do?
I went to a bar on Sherman Ave, Dooley's Pub.
Figured I might as well celebrate
my newfound unemployment.
Yeah, I got it. Thanks.
Lou, waiter's alibi checks out.
He was having a Jack and Coke at Dooley's
- when Chandler was shot. - All right.
Did you talk to the crime lab about the COVID mask
you found in the woods?
They pulled the DNA sample,
but they haven't found a match yet.
Damn.
So we're just back to where we started,
looking for an average-sized white guy who was a waiter.
I think I have a lead.
I pulled all the video near the staging area
where the catering operations were based.
Every single car parked in that lot
is registered to someone working at the event,
except for one, that blue Prius.
Did you run it?
It comes back to a Derek Quinn.
But here's what's interesting.
It's the only car that stays parked in that lot overnight.
Every other car leaves when the event ends.
So the shooter kills Chandler,
disappears into the woods,
hides out in the city for a little while,
then comes back the next day to the parking lot
to pick up his Prius.
[tense music]
Go check him out.
Good job.
♪ ♪
- Hey. Put your hands up. - Ma'am.
Stay right there. Stay right there. Don't move.
Stay right there.
Copy. House is all clear and secure.
All clear, sir.
What is going on?
- Where's your husband? - I don't know.
That's why I filed a police report last night.
Yes, and that's why we're here,
because of that police report.
So if you could tell us in your own words what's happened.
My husband, Derek, he's missing.
He hasn't come home.
When's the last time you saw him?
Yesterday at breakfast.
And what was his demeanor like?
Was he acting normal?
He was really distracted, like he was in his own world.
I asked him what was wrong, but he didn't respond.
He just said he had to take a drive to New Hampshire.
Then he left.
What's in New Hampshire?
I have no idea.
We don't even know anyone in New Hampshire.
Okay.
We're gonna need to ping Derek's cell phone.
It'll help us find out where he is.
♪ ♪
Phone hit off a tower two blocks from here.
I'm sitting on the suspect's car right now.
I'm approaching Nathan's on the boardwalk.
We've got a credit card hit that he bought something there
ten minutes ago, so he's gotta be around here somewhere.
♪ ♪
I got somebody approaching the suspect's vehicle
on West 10th.
Medium build, gray hoodie.
I'm in pursuit.
NYPD!
Show me your hands! Don't move!
[sirens wailing]
Suspect headed to the boardwalk.
He's running to the amusement park, Frank.
Move! Move!
NYPD! Move!
- NYPD! - Let's go! Out of the way!
Move! NYPD!
Stop! Police! NYPD! [people screaming]
Freeze! Get down on the ground!
- Hey! Freeze! - Let me see your hands!
- Freeze! - Down on the ground.
Stop where you are. NYPD.
Derek, it's over.
Show us your hands.
Take your hands out of your pocket.
Both of them.
The other hand-- out of your pocket.
Put the gun down! Drop the gun!
- Drop it! - Drop it!
- Put the gun down! - Drop the weapon!
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. Hey.
Derek, we're here because of your wife, Elena.
We spoke to her.
She's worried about you. She loves you very much.
Look at me.
- You talked to Elena? - Yes.
She's very concerned about you, Derek.
I know why you're here.
But that bastard Chandler got what he deserved.
He should have never changed his vote!
We need to stop all this gun craziness.
How many more people have to die?
I agree with you.
And nobody needs to die right here tonight.
Right?
Don't make her a widow.
Just put it down.
Think of your wife.
Just put it down. Just get--there, yeah.
Come on.
Now, back up. Put your hands up.
Turn around.
♪ ♪
You're under arrest for the murder
of Senator Alan Chandler.
At approximately 8:45 p.m. yesterday evening,
the New York Police Department arrested a suspect
in connection with the recent assassination
of United States Senator Alan Chandler.
The suspect, Derek Quinn, has been taken into custody
and is currently awaiting arraignment
on first-degree murder charges.
After considerable consultation
with the U.S. Attorney's office,
we decided to prosecute this matter in state court.
Gun violence is a national plague.
The only way to effect real change
is to move past all the political acrimony
and pass strong and effective
common-sense gun-control legislation.
The question for all of us is--
[pensive music]
Had enough?
We can't become a place where people settle
their political differences at the point of a gun
or where talented and passionate
men and women avoid public service
out of fear for their lives.
[reporters shouting]
♪ ♪
Rebecca?
Hi.
It's good to see you, Dad.
Yeah.
Good to see you too.
So much for keeping your politics a secret.
I couldn't help it.
I get it. Trust me.
So what are you doing here?
I'm representing Derek Quinn.
Oh.
I didn't know you were doing murder cases.
I represent people I think need representing.
Sometimes that includes people charged with murder.
I didn't mean--
He's not the monster you described.
That may be.
[sighs]
But the evidence tells a different story.
A much different story.
We'll see what the jury has to say.
Anyway, um, I just wanted to say hi
and let you know what's going on.
I appreciate the heads-up.
Of course.
If you're free, maybe we could grab a quick coffee, catch up?
I'd love it.
It's so good to see you again.
How's it going? How's Eric?
He's okay.
But we're not so good.
We're back in counseling, trying to better
understand each other.
How's Linc?
How's he doing at Northwestern?
He's waiting to hear from law schools.
For better or worse, it's in the genes.
So I have a favor to ask.
I'd like to delay Derek Quinn's arraignment
so I can have him evaluated for competency.
Rebecca, you know I can't.
He's in rough shape.
You'll have to take that up with the prosecutor
trying the case, Nolan Price.
Just hear me out.
No. I can't get involved.
Talk to Price.
You're my father, for God's sake.
Just one of a hundred reasons why I can't be involved.
I know the rules.
Then you know we can't discuss the case at all.
♪ ♪
Calling docket ending in 22870, People v. Derek Quinn,
charging murder in the first degree.
How do you plead, Mr. Quinn?
My client is entering a plea of not guilty
by reason of mental disease or defect.
He's pleading insanity at the arraignment?
Mr. Quinn is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder,
a result of his having survived
one of the most deadly school shootings of all time.
16 students were killed.
12 others were wounded, including my client.
Yet Mr. Quinn was still able to tackle and disarm the gunman.
He's a hero and a victim.
He needs our help.
Mr. Price.
The people request remand.
This was an act of domestic terrorism.
The defendant was literally holding the murder weapon
when police arrested him.
Given that penalty for murder one is life in prison,
he's obviously a flight risk.
He's a well-respected member of the community
with no prior arrests.
The defendant's wife and several
of his former students are here in the courtroom.
They support him and all that he's been through.
I would ask the court to impose a reasonable cash bail
so that my client can go home and get treatment.
He's alleged to have killed a United States Senator.
He's remanded.
Next case. [gavel bangs]
[suspenseful music]
I looked into Rebecca's assertions.
They're true.
Quinn survived a mass shooting?
He was a history teacher at Thatcher Academy.
He saved several students, disarmed the shooter,
and got shot in the process.
The defense is clearly gonna present him as a hero.
He may have done something heroic,
but that doesn't mean that he gets a free pass.
Killing Senator Chandler at his daughter's wedding,
that was an act of revenge,
not the result of mental illness.
There's no question he knew right from wrong.
He found out where the senator was going to be that night,
drove to New Hampshire to purchase the gun,
blended in with the crowd, and escaped.
I agree--legally.
But morally, some may see it differently.
It could result in jury nullification.
This was a political assassination--
a well-planned, well-orchestrated,
and premeditated attack on a United States Senator.
That's murder one.
And we're not budging.
Since your daughter is representing the defendant,
I was wondering if, uh...
[apprehensive music]
How do you wanna handle this in terms of process?
I love my daughter dearly.
But this is just another case, and she's just another lawyer.
♪ ♪
The party was in full swing.
People were dancing, drinking.
And my father, he was so happy.
And all of a sudden, this man walks...
Right up to us and shoots him.
Did the shooter appear to be calm, collected?
Very much so.
Did it appear that he had a plan
and that he executed that plan?
Objection. Calls for a conclusion.
Sustained.
Did the defendant aim the gun at your father?
Yes.
Put his finger on the trigger and shoot?
Twice.
Did both bullets hit the intended target, your father?
[sighs] Yes.
I'm showing you people's 21.
[tense music]
♪ ♪
Is this your wedding dress?
Yes.
Is this your father's blood?
Yes.
♪ ♪
Nothing further.
I'm very sorry for your loss.
I can't imagine what you went through,
what you experienced.
Thank you.
To witness that kind of violence must be devastating.
It is.
Must take an incredible toll on your life,
on your ability to experience joy,
to see things clearly, right?
That's correct.
And it takes a physical toll as well.
Is that right?
Yes. I've hardly slept.
And when I do finally fall asleep,
I often experience night terrors.
That must impact your thinking,
cause confusion, irrational thoughts, behavior.
Objection. Relevance?
Sustained.
No further questions.
And again, I'm very sorry for what you've been through.
Any redirect, Mr. Price?
Is it fair to say that
despite the unthinkable tragedy
and violence you experienced,
you remain in command of your faculties?
I believe so, yes.
You're able to distinguish right from wrong.
Absolutely.
Nothing further.
♪ ♪
Mr. Quinn, please describe
what happened to you on April 11, 2019.
I was talking to my class about the Cold War, Vietnam.
And then the door to the classroom flew open,
and a man walked in.
He was dressed in combat gear.
And he took an assault rifle out of his gym bag.
The kids started screaming
as I rushed towards the man.
But he started shooting.
If you could, please tell us what happened next.
It's hard to remember exactly.
I can...
Remember the sound of bullets
and seeing lots of blood.
It was chaos.
Were you shot?
In the chest.
Were others shot as well?
[sighs] 11.
11 other students and teachers were wounded.
[voice breaking] 16 kids were killed
in my classroom
right in front of me.
All I could think about was just getting them to safety.
It's my deepest regret.
It haunts me every minute of every day.
As a result, did you become a gun-control activist?
Yes.
Some people say if I had a gun I could have saved my class.
It might be true. I don't know.
What were your feelings towards Senator Chandler?
I thought he was a good man, good senator.
I believed him when he said he would vote
in favor of an important gun-control bill.
And when he voted against that bill, did that upset you?
Yes.
He was the swing vote.
I--I felt betrayed...
and scared.
So I--I drove to New Hampshire, and I bought a gun.
And I--I went to find Senator Chandler.
I don't know what I was thinking.
♪ ♪
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
Nothing further.
♪ ♪
You were angry when you bought the weapon.
I was desperate.
Yeah, desperate for revenge.
It's hard to explain.
[sighs] Let's try.
Uh...
Senator Chandler voted in a way that you disapproved of,
and you decided to take matters into your own hands.
I wasn't thinking clearly.
Right.
I am showing you people's 23.
[voice catches] Is this the gun?
Your Honor, could we request a recess?
Will ten minutes do?
Tomorrow morning would be better.
See you tomorrow at 9:00.
[gavel bangs]
♪ ♪
Hey.
What's going on?
I just--I needed some time
to prepare some of the exhibits.
Well, I organized the exhibits last night.
They're all in order.
Yeah.
Are you okay?
I'm fine.
I just--I wanted to take some time--
um--
[sighs]
The defendant's testimony was compelling, and I--
I have tremendous empathy for him.
I bet.
You've been through something similar.
What you saw on the subway last year was horrific.
It's different.
Like, this poor bastard, he was right
in the middle of it, Sam. The bullets were live.
- The screams, the blood-- - Trauma is trauma.
There is no need to minimize your experience.
I appreciate your concern, but I'm fine.
[apprehensive music]
♪ ♪
Yeah.
Yeah, I don't think... [continuing indistinctly]
[sighs]
You sure about that?
♪ ♪
Dr. Gold, could you please tell us
about your medical and academic credentials?
I'm a psychiatrist at Mount Sinai Medical Center
focusing on post-traumatic stress disorder.
I've written two books on this matter
and teach a class at Columbia University.
We stipulate the witnesses is an expert in her field.
Yes, let's move on.
Could you describe what your research has revealed
about survivors of mass shootings?
The symptoms vary, but often the initial relief
of surviving such an event is followed by distress, fear,
survivor guilt, and anger.
I conducted a forensic evaluation of Mr. Quinn,
and he reported symptoms consistent
with what I would characterize
as severe post-traumatic stress disorder.
Is it your opinion that this trauma
affected my client's cognitive functions?
Yes.
I believe he was unable to appreciate the wrongfulness
of his acts and unable to comport himself
within the confines of the law.
Thank you.
You're basing this opinion on the word of the accused.
Isn't that correct?
I found no reason to believe he was malingering.
So you just took him at his word.
I'm a psychiatrist, not a detective.
Is he still suffering from this mental disease or defect?
- Not at the present time, no. - Convenient.
Are you aware that the defendant drove from New York
to New Hampshire to find a gun store
and then drove from that gun store
to a wedding venue in Manhattan,
stole a waiter uniform, and then snuck past a team
of trained security guards?
I am.
And you don't think that required rational thought?
It's possible some people suffering extreme PTSD
can be rational one minute and irrational the next.
Simple, everyday situations can trigger
intense fear and anxiety,
can cause people to perceive a threat where there is none.
A car backfires, a man looks at you the wrong way--
PTSD is a complicated, insidious disease.
You never know when or why it might be triggered
or how the afflicted person might act.
Can't even look me in the eye, huh?
Excuse me?
You're embarrassed.
I--I have no idea what you're talking about.
No way in hell you should be trying
to send Derek Quinn to prison.
He needs help.
I know that your client has suffered in unimaginable ways.
But I am a prosecutor,
and my job is to follow the law.
I can see it in your eyes, Nolan.
You know what he's been through.
You know what it feels like to see young kids
bleeding, dying.
I read about that subway shooting a year ago.
I know you were there.
I know what you endured.
So how the hell can you stand here and pretend that
Derek Quinn is just another angry liberal seeking revenge?
What I believe is irrelevant.
The district attorney, my boss, your father,
is firmly opposed to any kind of leniency in this case.
[tense music]
♪ ♪
I thought we talked about this, Becca.
I can't talk about the case.
It's not appropriate.
Derek Quinn lived in abject fear of another mass shooting,
of seeing more innocent children slaughtered,
so he took action.
It was wrong, of course.
But it doesn't mean he deserves to die in prison,
and you know it.
But empathy isn't really part
of your personal constitution, is it?
Principles before feelings?
Your client shot a United States Senator
in cold blood at his daughter's wedding.
Exactly.
It practically proves my point.
He's suffering.
I'm sorry, but I'm done.
We can't discuss this anymore.
[tense music]
You've been hiding behind that damn line
your whole life.
♪ ♪
Jack.
I hope you understand I'm not trying
to usurp your authority here.
But, uh... [sighs]
I agree with defense counsel.
I think we should offer a plea.
The defendant is a victim
of one of the worst mass shootings
in the history of America.
You ask me, every damn person on that jury
thinks he deserves some level of compassion.
Hell, they might even vote to acquit,
regardless of the law.
We failed him, Jack.
The system failed him.
Isn't it fair that we take that into consideration?
I know your daughter represents the defendant,
and you are trying hard to protect the optics.
But...
I think you're trying too hard.
Excuse me. Sorry. Sorry.
- Do you have a minute? - Yeah.
I would like to offer a plea.
Man one, 15 years.
No.
That's--that is the best I can do, trust me.
I had a hard time getting approval for this offer.
I'm sure you did.
But your boss's lack of empathy is not my concern.
My client's trauma is.
[stammers]
It is a coin toss, Rebecca, and even if you win,
he'll spend years in a psych ward.
Derek Quinn is different.
What if you're wrong?
He is--he's 42 years old.
He'll be a free man at 57.
That is still plenty of life to live.
Unless you have something more reasonable to offer,
there is nothing else to discuss.
Wait, wait, okay.
Talk to your client.
See what he has to say. Maybe he feels--
I know how my client feels.
And I know how his wife feels and how his parents feel.
And I can assure you, none of them
is interested in 15 years.
♪ ♪
Please rise.
Has the jury reached a verdict?
We have, Your Honor.
On the charge of murder in the first degree,
we find the defendant, Derek Quinn, guilty.
♪ ♪
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,
thank you for your service.
Court is adjourned. [gavel bangs]
♪ ♪
I have a car.
Can I drop you somewhere?
No. I'm fine.
Maybe we could go somewhere and talk.
You tried a good case.
You did everything you could.
God damn you.
Why couldn't you just--
[somber music]
♪ ♪
Come on.
Let's have dinner.
Sorry. Not tonight.
Linc got accepted to Columbia Law School.
Starts in the fall.
I'll tell him you say hi.
♪ ♪
[dramatic music]
♪ ♪
[wolf howls]