When a Corrupt Judge Frees a Cop Killer, This Detective Takes Over the Courtroom! Full Action Movie

Added: 2026-05-26

[00:00:10]outside the gym. Sector Charlie >> sector car Charlie K >> responded building possible over >> 104. Sector car Charlie responding.

[00:00:24]>> Want to call an ambulance?

[00:00:25]>> Better check it out. Might be a prank call.

[00:00:29]Here it is. 420.

[00:00:36]>> Bring the latex gloves.

[00:00:38]>> Oh, I love my job.

[00:00:40]>> Why don't they just tear these buildings down?

[00:00:42]>> You're kidding. It's urban renewal. I'm thinking of moving in.

[00:00:44]>> Yeah. Hey, let's put up some curtains.

[00:00:46]>> Slap on a coat of paint. Kill man cockroaches. Your own business.

[00:00:59]Sector Charlie, do you copy? Report the shot fire. [music] Sector Charlie is at the scene on an aided call but is not reported.

[00:01:08][screaming] 103 103 procedure 420 stupid. Two officers down. Fire and paramedic units responding. Proceed with caution.

[00:01:23]103 carpel David respond to Harris Avenue on the north side of Jimmy Sergeant's car wants a sector car to pick up Chief Hartman at his residence. Commissioner Crane's on his way to headquarters in his own transport.

[00:01:38]>> Well, the victim's making [music] an arrest.

[00:01:40]>> Somebody called in an OD. It happen every night in that area.

[00:01:43]>> Get me [music] the names and numbers on the cops families. I'll make the calls as soon as we get a positive ID. Make sure [music] you track the mayor down before the press gets to him.

[00:01:57]>> Whoa. Two cops shot.

[00:02:02]>> I'll tell you, my night is just beginning. I've got a testimonial in the Bronx. I've got a I've got big reception for the St. Vincent's football team and I've got an opening. Mayor, Mr. Mayor, >> can you give us a reaction to what happened tonight in Brooklyn?

[00:02:14]>> What happened?

[00:02:15]>> Two cops were murdered. One of them is a police woman.

[00:02:19]This is the first time hearing about it.

[00:02:20]Obviously, my sympathy goes out to the families. I'll make a I'll make an official statement tomorrow once I've heard all the >> facts. I feel like I'm playing catchup with the press [music] right now.

[00:02:39]I want to do it by the right away.

[00:02:54]>> Christ heard they were responding to a call.

[00:02:59]>> It's [music] like the perks were just hanging out, waiting for him.

[00:03:08]>> Supposed to be an O here.

[00:03:10]>> O, it was a [ __ ] execution.

[00:03:13]Hey, you might have a witness. This guy squatting in the building next door says he slept through it.

[00:03:19]>> I'll talk to him.

[00:03:35]>> They're just rookies.

[00:03:37]>> Hey, Bonner, you okay?

[00:03:40]>> Yeah.

[00:03:44]They suckered them in, Bobby.

[00:03:47]>> They were just kids and they didn't have a chance.

[00:03:50]>> Yeah, that's the way it looks.

[00:03:53][sighs] >> Listen, why don't you uh hang out here?

[00:03:55]Cool out. I'll go talk to that guy.

[00:03:57]>> No, I'm okay.

[00:04:00]>> I'll talk to him.

[00:04:02]>> This guy's going to help us out.

[00:04:07]Right.

[00:04:20]>> This Willie Sandival. He was sleeping.

[00:04:24]Didn't hear nothing.

[00:04:24]>> Yo, I didn't see nothing either.

[00:04:28]>> I'm Detective Donahue. Willie, want to empty your pockets here for me?

[00:04:34]Yo, don't try to intimidate me. You understand? since I've been around the block.

[00:04:39]>> You do good business here, Willie?

[00:04:41]>> Yo, this is my crib. All right. You got a warrant, detective?

[00:04:44]>> I just stopped over for a little cup of sugar.

[00:04:46]>> Let me tell you something. All right. I ain't got to respond. I ain't got to affirm and I ain't got to deny.

[00:04:53]>> Two cops are killed. Willie, just asking for a little help.

[00:04:56]>> Yeah, well, I can't help you. All right.

[00:04:58]And you can't hold me. So, get the [ __ ] off my way.

[00:05:03]>> Don't diss me, Willie. [ __ ] She loved this job.

[00:05:21]From the time she was a little kid, she used to complain, "Ma, why can't a girl be a cop?"

[00:05:29]>> Was she ever threatened by anyone she had ever arrested?

[00:05:33]I don't know. She wouldn't tell me. She knew I was scared. Stiff.

[00:05:41]>> Mrs. Cruz, one of her classmates here, Eddie Rios.

[00:05:46]Your says, "Dream of the future to work for the freedom of all oppressed people.

[00:05:52]Significant other my childhood sweetheart Cruz.

[00:05:56]In a crazy world, our love will never change." [snorts] >> Poor lady. He'll go crazy when he hears.

[00:06:04]>> Tell they were sweethearts, huh? From childhood.

[00:06:07]>> Oh, Lord. They were little teenage love birds.

[00:06:13]Right after high school, graduation day, they ran off and got married.

[00:06:18]>> What happened?

[00:06:19]>> Eddie wanted a mamita, you know, stay home, take care of the babies.

[00:06:28]>> He didn't like her working.

[00:06:31]Not as a cop.

[00:06:33]>> He laid down the law. Either me or the cops.

[00:06:38]>> She picked the job.

[00:06:40]>> Eddie went crazy.

[00:06:43]Letters, phone calls. He followed her around.

[00:06:48]>> She ever make a complaint?

[00:06:50]>> No.

[00:06:52]She felt sorry for him.

[00:06:55]He called up last week, wanted to know if we still had the letters he wrote. Nether said, "I I don't want to see him around, mama. If I see him around, I'll really tell him where to get off."

[00:07:13]>> Did you hear that? He wanted those letters back.

[00:07:15]>> Yeah, we might have caught a break on his thing after [music] all.

[00:07:18]>> He only lives a couple blocks away. We ought to go talk to him.

[00:07:21]>> Okay, but let's run it by Captain [music] first. He could be flushing those litters down the toilet right now.

[00:07:25]Bobby, >> every time we freelance, Steve, we get in some kind of trouble. You know, >> every second counts, Bobby.

[00:07:30]>> I know. I know. This is a big case.

[00:07:34]So, we lay in the boss's lap.

[00:07:36]Okay.

[00:07:38][panting] >> I got my best team on it.

[00:07:43]>> Steve Donnu worked out a Brooklyn South homicide a long time.

[00:07:46]>> All right.

[00:07:47]>> And Bobby Zto.

[00:07:49]>> Uh, we'll come back when you finish talking about us. They're right here, Commissioner. I'll just put them on the squawk box.

[00:07:59]>> Just tell them what you know, not what you think you know.

[00:08:03]>> Are we on, Commissioner?

[00:08:04]>> Yeah. Yeah, I hear you.

[00:08:05]>> Okay, Dan, bring us up to speed.

[00:08:08]Detective Donahghue. Commissioner 2209 call came into the desk saying there was an OD at 420 Stuben. Officer Cruz and Randazzo were dispatched. They entered a burned out building frequented by drug dealers.

[00:08:21]They were shot point blank in the stomach under the kevlar. Then each officer was shot in the forehead.

[00:08:29]All four bullets exited the body and none were recovered. Could it be a drug hit?

[00:08:34]>> No way. I had a Cruz grew up in the area. She came on the job out of pure idealism.

[00:08:39]>> Just playing the devil's advocate, Captain. Cuz you know that's what all our fans are going to say.

[00:08:43]>> Well, we're looking at a different motive.

[00:08:45]>> Let's hear it.

[00:08:46]>> Officer Cruz was being stalked by her ex-husband.

[00:08:50]Not another cop, I hope.

[00:08:52]>> Nah, he's a neighborhood kid.

[00:08:55]Halfass activist. Sort of local delegate to the citywide campaign against police brutality.

[00:09:02]>> That's a big group. A lot of heavy hitters on a letterhead.

[00:09:06]>> He's a guy you want to talk to, but go slow. Don't do anything to make this guy go crying to the media. Stay on top of his ring.

[00:09:13]>> Dan, copy me on everything you do. Okay, >> you got it. The >> mayor's going to make a condolence call.

[00:09:18]The Cruz family. Put a couple of sector cards on security then.

[00:09:22]>> You got it. [clears throat] >> Well, you're right. I want you picking my laundry.

[00:09:27]>> We're all over it, boss. Good night.

[00:09:31]>> What are you, a 2-year-old?

[00:09:32]>> What? He didn't hear me.

[00:09:34]>> Hey, I want a ton of paper on this case.

[00:09:37]A blizzard of DD5s, reports, and memos neatly typed. How >> does the chief inspector like his undershirts ironed or tumbled dry?

[00:09:44]>> Yeah, I'm the kiss ass. You're the dashing detective. [ __ ] off.

[00:09:51]From the time I arrived, the bodies weren't moved.

[00:09:54]>> No, no bullets were found. The area was thoroughly searched. Doc, >> we'll go back there in the morning.

[00:10:01]>> Yeah, >> there's no record on any Rios.

[00:10:08]>> So, what? Spousal murder is not a habitual crime.

[00:10:16]>> Let's give him a call. It's 3:00 a.m.

[00:10:18]Steve. Boss has told us not to harass this guy.

[00:10:21]>> This is a cop killing.

[00:10:23]>> I know what it is.

[00:10:26]>> I'm just putting him on notice.

[00:10:38]>> Hello, >> Mr. Rios. This is Detective Dan Hugh 74 squad home site.

[00:10:43]>> What do you want? I have to notify you as the next kin invited Cruz.

[00:10:49]She was murdered tonight, sir.

[00:10:51]>> What?

[00:10:52]>> We'd like you to come down to the precinct, answer a few questions.

[00:10:56]>> Well, I'm not her next of kin. We're divorced.

[00:10:59]>> Be here in an hour, Mr. Rios.

[00:11:02]Don't let me come get you.

[00:11:09]>> What's the matter, baby?

[00:11:11]>> Uh, nothing. just uh go back to sleep.

[00:11:14]Okay.

[00:11:30]>> What's up, bro? Roberto called Nick Murky, the lawyer. Tell him I have to see him in the morning.

[00:11:44]Where are you going?

[00:11:48]>> I'll call you.

[00:11:58]>> Where are you running?

[00:12:00]>> He's coming to see you. Just like you said.

[00:12:03]What you had in the bag?

[00:12:06]Let me take a look.

[00:12:10]Okay.

[00:12:41]Freeze.

[00:12:45][groaning and screaming] [crying] [ __ ] [ __ ] you kill my wife and my brother.

[00:13:11]Mother, [crying] >> you kill them.

[00:13:17]>> Murderer.

[00:13:20]Murderer.

[00:13:24]You killed my wife and my brother. Shut up.

[00:13:32]>> Steve, what's up? Hey, I got to go to the hospital to see about those two people.

[00:13:37]>> I don't think there's much you can do for them. Anyway, Captain wants you to go home.

[00:13:44]>> I gave reels to the guys from the squad.

[00:13:45]>> Yeah, I know.

[00:13:46]>> He was trying to get out of there with a ton of evidence. Bobby, I better go take it.

[00:13:50]>> Nah, I'll vouch for it for you. All right, go home, Steve. Deal with it in the morning.

[00:13:57][snorts] I should have listened to you, Bobby.

[00:14:07]There's a lot of shooting in there.

[00:14:08]>> No, I should have been there with you.

[00:14:11]He never would have made that kind of move on the two of us.

[00:14:17]Go home.

[00:14:37]Hello.

[00:14:38]>> Yeah, Kate. Uh, it's Bobby Z.

[00:14:40]>> Hey, Bobby.

[00:14:42]>> Sorry to call you so late. Um, listen.

[00:14:45]Uh, Steve was involved in a shooting, uh, collecting evidence. A couple people got killed.

[00:14:50]>> Oh my god. No.

[00:14:53]How's Steve? Is he Is everything all right?

[00:14:55]>> Uh, he's he's okay. He's fine.

[00:14:57]>> Is he in trouble?

[00:14:59]>> Uh, no. No. He did the right thing. Uh, >> but it was in self-defense, right?

[00:15:04]>> You had a lot of guns in there.

[00:15:08]>> Steve's going to have a rough time, Kate. Um, >> he's going to have to deal with a lot of angry people.

[00:15:15]>> All right.

[00:15:18]>> Anyway, he's on his way home. Just thought I'd let you know.

[00:15:23]>> Okay. Thanks, Bobby.

[00:15:25]>> Sure.

[00:15:29]Morning, gentlemen. Morning bushy tail.

[00:15:31]Morning, Elizabeth.

[00:15:32]>> Morning.

[00:15:32]>> Would you get me my calendar, please?

[00:15:35]>> Morning. Good morning.

[00:15:37][snorts] >> Looks like you slept here, Evan.

[00:15:40]>> No, I went home and didn't sleep there.

[00:15:43]>> Why is that?

[00:15:44]>> They made an arrest out in Brooklyn last night.

[00:15:48]>> That was quick. Drug dealer.

[00:15:50]>> Solid citizen, semi-political. The arresting officer killed his wife and his brother. Same cop shot a suspected cop killer four years ago.

[00:16:01]>> Sounds complicated.

[00:16:03]>> It is.

[00:16:04]>> Better cancel my condolence call.

[00:16:06]>> Yeah, we don't want to be in Brooklyn when the rocks start flying.

[00:16:11]>> We're expecting a little action. Nothing we can't handle. We think he's a strong suspect. We've got a pretty good case already. It can only get better.

[00:16:19]>> I thought I was the DA around here.

[00:16:21]>> Yes, sir. I will. So long.

[00:16:25]The mayor cancels a trip to Brooklyn.

[00:16:28]The commissioner will not be making any supportive statements. We're on our own.

[00:16:32]>> Last time I looked, two cops were dead.

[00:16:34]>> Yeah. Well, look again. This time it's two civilians. One of them a new mother.

[00:16:40]>> Hey, don't you think I wish that hadn't happened?

[00:16:44][snorts] >> I feel terrible about her.

[00:16:50]I saw something move the noise. is I I just couldn't see that wasn't another person with a gun in their hands.

[00:17:02]But I'm going to have to live with that.

[00:17:06]It's a separate investigation. Right now, we have the premeditated murder of two cops on our hands and we have our guy. Are we going to let him slide?

[00:17:19]Hey, last I looked, we all agreed I had a strong case. I brought in a cop killer.

[00:17:24]>> Not until a jury says so.

[00:17:25]>> That's your job.

[00:17:26]>> And here's my problem. I put him on the stand. The defense calls him brutal cop, wild animal. Pick your adjective. I need a strong case to counter that.

[00:17:35]>> You've got a strong case.

[00:17:37]>> Motive?

[00:17:38]>> Jealousy.

[00:17:40]Marriage went sour. Guy was insulted. He stalked her for months.

[00:17:44]>> Witnesses. We got a guy who was asleep in an adjoining building. He can place Rios at the scene.

[00:17:49]>> Drug addict.

[00:17:50]>> Who else sleeps in an abandoned building? If cops made perfect cases, we wouldn't need smart lawyers.

[00:17:56]>> Rios will have a smart lawyer, too. And as much as I am prosecuting him, I am also defending Detective Donahghue.

[00:18:04]>> I scooped this guy as I didn't want to give him time to destroy evidence.

[00:18:11]>> I recovered the murder weapon and I found these bullets in his pocket.

[00:18:14]They'll call that an illegal search.

[00:18:17]>> Probable cause.

[00:18:18]>> They'll say you shouldn't have been in that apartment without a warrant.

[00:18:21]>> I was in hot pursuit. This guy had just assaulted me. He was making his way out with this. The letters from his ex-wife, Eda Cruz, veiled threats, obsessive language. If I can't have you, nobody can. That kind of thing.

[00:18:36]It's good evidence.

[00:18:40]This is our guy. I know it. All right.

[00:18:44]Cover up.

[00:18:49]Get ready.

[00:18:55]>> Recognize anybody out there? Willie, >> you going to drop any drug charges?

[00:19:02]>> I'll ask the court to consider a lesser plea in exchange for your cooperation.

[00:19:16]Hi. Could I have a little something for you?

[00:19:19]>> Less than 48 hours after the brutal slaying of two police officers in Brooklyn, there's been a break in the case.

[00:19:25]>> Edward Rios, a local activist, was arrested after a pre-dawn raid on his apartment in which his wife and brother were killed.

[00:19:31]>> Rio, stay up, my man.

[00:19:33]>> The community here, reacted with shock and outrage.

[00:19:37]>> We're going to protest. We're going to hassle the may AND THE COPS. WE'LL BACK DOWN TO JAIL IF WE have to. But we're going to free Eddie Rios.

[00:19:54][cheering] >> Mr. Mki, what about Eddie Rios?

[00:19:59]>> Mr. Rios is being held incomunicado in flagrant violation of his rights. We're very concerned about his safety.

[00:20:10]The community board meeting ended at 8:30 and you left a little bit later, right?

[00:20:16]>> I didn't check the time >> and you were home the rest of the evening.

[00:20:21]>> Is that right, Eddie?

[00:20:23]What if I said no?

[00:20:25]>> What do you mean?

[00:20:26]>> What if I said I didn't have an alibi?

[00:20:28]Then you'd be dying to ask me, Eddie, did you kill Ida?

[00:20:33]>> I don't have to ask. You'd be asking, why did you shoot at Detective Dahu? I think I can understand.

[00:20:38]>> You're well. As smart as you are, Nick, there's some things you'll never know.

[00:20:42]>> I know you're innocent, Eddie.

[00:20:44]>> It doesn't matter what I am, okay? You get off of that mindset. You have a cop who broke into my house, killed my wife AND MY BROTHER. YOU PUT HIM ON TRIAL.

[00:20:51]>> He won't get away with it. But first, I have to clear you.

[00:20:55]>> You're not listening to me. I DON'T CARE WHAT HAPPENS to me.

[00:20:58]>> But I do.

[00:20:59]>> Then get up, okay? I don't need you. I'm not going to play that this nice boy is innocent game. That's the LAW GAME, THE GUILT GAME, AND IT IS ALL [ __ ] YOU KNOW that >> you feel responsible for Denise's death.

[00:21:11]>> I am responsible.

[00:21:14]>> Denise could care less about politics, Nick.

[00:21:19]Same with my brother.

[00:21:22]It was my thing all along and they they loved me, so it was okay with them.

[00:21:29]>> And now they're dead because I thought I could change the world.

[00:21:34]I have to make their death mean something. I'll go crazy if I don't.

[00:21:41]>> Our guest is civil liberties attorney Nick Murki. And the question that has the whole town talking is, is he a cop killer or is he a killer cop?

[00:21:54]>> The police, they're talking about you.

[00:21:57]>> I'm not.

[00:22:00]>> She's petrified.

[00:22:02]Is it a coincidence that the cop who Eddie Rios had accused of brutality is the same cop who invades his [music] home, murders his wife and brother, and plants incriminating evidence.

[00:22:16]>> You know this guy?

[00:22:17]>> Because he was part of some neighborhood group had some complaints. I never met him.

[00:22:23]>> Everybody's a big expert. Everybody watches these cop shows. They all think the cops plant evidence.

[00:22:28]>> Well, I'm not that way.

[00:22:33]I've been doing this for 18 years. I never had a case thrown out on me.

[00:22:39]>> Said that [clears throat] the wrong man was in jail and that he didn't shoot him behind bars.

[00:22:56][music] According [music] to regulations, I'm not required to hand over this gun.

[00:23:21]>> There's always a loophole.

[00:23:23]You're deemed a danger for the community. You're the monster on the front page.

[00:23:30]>> It's okay, >> Sanders.

[00:23:43]When do I get it back?

[00:23:46]>> There'll be a departmental hearing after the trial.

[00:23:51]>> Jesus.

[00:23:55]been naked for 6 months.

[00:23:58]>> Don't go quiet at the dark.

[00:24:00]>> Keep your door locked.

[00:24:12]>> Detective Donnie has been placed an automatic non-prejudicial suspension because he discharged a firearm in the line of duty. We have no doubt that he will be fully exonerated. The murder trial of Eddie Rios began yesterday with a flurry of defense motions. That issue, the credibility [music] of detective Steven Donahghue. Did he lie? Did he plan evidence?

[00:24:37]>> They're going to say you had a history with Eddie Rios before this ever happened.

[00:24:41]>> I never met the man personally, >> but it was his group that filed brutality charges against you.

[00:24:47]>> That's what they always say when there's an arrest where necessary force is used.

[00:24:51]I was completely vindicated in that case.

[00:24:54]>> They'll say you had a confrontation with him.

[00:24:56]>> Bunch of guys followed me down the street cursing at me.

[00:25:00]>> Was he part of that group?

[00:25:02]>> I don't know. [clears throat] >> They'll say you had a personal vendetta against him.

[00:25:07]>> Yeah. And then I arranged to have two cops killed so that I could get even.

[00:25:13]>> Who's going to believe any of that?

[00:25:18]You killed two people.

[00:25:25]You ever hear a gun go off in a narrow hallway?

[00:25:29]It's like a cannon. You go into shock and your instinct takes over.

[00:25:41]I went into that apartment in the performance of my duty. And on this job, you can't know what's going to happen from one minute to the next.

[00:25:50]>> Edward Rios, a local activist, was arrested after a pre-dawn raid on his apartment in which his wife and brother were killed.

[00:26:02]>> Don't turn.

[00:26:03]>> Leave me alone.

[00:26:05]>> Dad, there were some guys in a van.

[00:26:08]They're driving around the house. Martin ran after them.

[00:26:11]>> I was just trying to get their plate number. Yeah. Well, it's not a good idea to go up against a van of bad guys.

[00:26:16]Martin >> without a little backup.

[00:26:24]>> Hey, >> where's your mother?

[00:26:34]>> The prosecution witness takes the stand in the murder trial of [music] community activist Eddie Rios. Tomorrow, the spotlight will be on veteran detective Steven Donahghue, who arrested Rios after a bloody gun battle in which Rios's common law wife and brother were killed.

[00:26:50]>> The judge took their argument. I had no right to enter his apartment. What about my hot pursuit? That's always legal.

[00:27:01]All right, that's a bad break. But yeah, you win some, you lose some. What about my witness?

[00:27:11]Why?

[00:27:15]Entered his house without a warrant.

[00:27:17]That wasn't Sandival's house. He'll tell you that. How could that have been his house? He was dealing drugs out of an abandoned apartment.

[00:27:25]>> What's going on?

[00:27:26]>> Hang on, Lori.

[00:27:30]This pre-trial, a couple things got taken away from us, but we're going to be all right.

[00:27:38]Lori, look. We're still strong. We got a lot. We got his unprovoked attack, right? An innocent man wouldn't do that.

[00:27:47]We have Mrs. Cruz, right? We have me.

[00:27:51]And alls I have to do is tell the truth.

[00:27:56]All right. See you later.

[00:27:59]No, we're okay.

[00:28:02]>> Okay.

[00:28:11]>> [music] >> There he is.

[00:28:12]>> Detective Donahghue, >> we have a few questions for you.

[00:28:16]>> Donghodge against Eddie. Are you the Avenger?

[00:28:22]Answer our question. Do you have a grudge against Eddie?

[00:28:28]>> Do you have a grudge against [music] Eddie Rios?

[00:28:31]>> Some answers.

[00:28:32]>> Give us some answers. Stop talking.

[00:28:49]Hey pal, looks like you could use a police escort.

[00:28:53]>> Yeah, thanks.

[00:29:00][cheering] Ready [cheering] to go to bed, partner?

[00:29:13]>> You bet. It's getting to be a circus out there.

[00:29:16]>> I can put up with hot heads as long as we get our verdict.

[00:29:20]This is the justice system. Cool. Heads prevail.

[00:29:25]>> So, how's the family holding up? How's Kate?

[00:29:28]>> Family's doing fine. Kate's Kate's a tough lady. We'll pull through this.

[00:29:38]>> Your honor, at this time, the people call Detective Steven Donahghue to the stand.

[00:29:46]>> Call Steven Donahghue.

[00:29:52]>> Steven Dahghue, please.

[00:30:02]Turn around.

[00:30:08]Yeah.

[00:30:25]Sit down.

[00:30:36][music] >> You solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth.

[00:30:43]So help you God.

[00:30:45]>> I do.

[00:31:07]Good morning, Metro. NYC is definitely the place to be, even on this grimy winter's day. What's at the top of the calendar this morning, Greg?

[00:31:14]>> Well, John, it's the verdict in Brooklyn. Looks like the jury is going to give its answer to the question we've [music] all been asking. Who's lying?

[00:31:21]Eddie Rios or Steve Donahue.

[00:31:24]>> Okay, folks. Rise and shine.

[00:31:29]>> Police were out at dawn forming a cordon of blue around the courthouse. Officials downplayed the action, saying they were only taking routine precautions. But the mood in Brooklyn is tense. For the cops of the 74th precinct, this day can end soon enough.

[00:31:45]All right, we're looking good.

[00:31:46]Everybody's deployed.

[00:31:49]>> What's the weather?

[00:31:50]>> Snow tapering off.

[00:31:52]>> Just when we need a blizzard. All right, listen up.

[00:31:56]>> We've got reports that demonstrators are planning to converge artillery and march to the courthouse. So stay awake. This is not parade duty.

[00:32:04]>> What's a desired outcome, sir?

[00:32:05]>> Blue shirts, no people. All pedestrian and vehicular access to the courthouse blocked. The commissioner wants this area completely clear. These people are looking to rock and roll, Captain.

[00:32:15]>> Right. And if a disturbance does occur, we're going to have to hold until reinforcements arrive. Burrow wants us to handle us on a precinct level, like another day at the office. No riot gear except for the men at the courthouse door. They don't want the national media to think that we're uh occupying the neighborhood.

[00:32:33]>> Quote my kids, Russ, you're giving me weird attitude.

[00:32:38]>> I can only tell you what I know. The verdict comes in guilty. We're going to have a disturbance in the street. What are we doing about it?

[00:32:45]>> As per your instructions, to minimize political fallout, we've established a light security presence around the courthouse and put reinforcements on standby.

[00:32:54]>> Maybe the men could use an inspirational message from their leader.

[00:32:57]>> I don't give pep talks to professionals.

[00:32:59]>> Okay. Well, I do, Russ. Now, here's my pep talk to you. I've been in office three and a half years without a riot, and I sure don't want one to launch my reelection campaign.

[00:33:07]>> Police don't start riots, your honor.

[00:33:09]>> I know that, Russ. At the end of the day, we're all on the same team.

[00:33:15]>> Yes, sir. And if there is a violent confrontation, can we count on your support?

[00:33:20]>> If I think you're in the right.

[00:33:23]>> Yes, sir. That's what I thought you'd say.

[00:33:26]>> Hey, listen up. I want four on this side of the door, four on the other. Show me the on guard position. Keep arms length.

[00:33:32]You got your helmets, batons, your flashlights.

[00:33:34]>> The [ __ ] do we need flashlights in broad daylight? to locate your brains. Srono, >> we broom this area. Nobody stands here but us. We act as a team. We use minimal force.

[00:33:46]>> Meaning >> meaning some guy shoves you. You don't kick his teeth down his throat.

[00:33:51]>> Well, if a guy kills two cops, you let his friends walk all over you.

[00:33:55]>> Let's go.

[00:33:57]>> Well, Trish, after an allnight vigil outside the Brooklyn Criminal Court's building, the word came at 5:15. The jury in the Eddie Rios case has finally reached a verdict.

[00:34:14]>> It's not in the paper.

[00:34:16]>> The DA called your father this morning.

[00:34:18]>> Mom, I've been up all night thinking about it.

[00:34:20]>> Yeah, I know. Well, it'll be all over today.

[00:34:23]>> Yeah, but Mom, what did they say?

[00:34:24]>> He's your father.

[00:34:31]>> What are you doing up so early? You want some eggs?

[00:34:34]>> Nah, I'm going to have a cup of coffee down at the house.

[00:34:37]>> You ought to eat something, Steve. It'll be a long day.

[00:34:40]>> I'm going to eat tonight.

[00:34:41]>> I'm going to have a big steak, mashed potatoes, and bottle of wine.

[00:34:54]>> We're going to be celebrating.

[00:34:56]>> You promise?

[00:34:58]>> Tonight's our night.

[00:35:01]Word of honor.

[00:35:15]>> Come on.

[00:35:28]There'll be a hundred reporters shouting stupid questions. 10,000 demonstrators howling for your blood.

[00:35:38]I'm used to it. I had changed my phone number three times.

[00:35:43]We had some death threats. We sent our daughter down to stay with her aunt in Maryland for a couple weeks.

[00:35:51]It's funny.

[00:35:54]This guy executes two cops and my family's punished for it. He showed a lot of guts. Every cop in the city's rooting for you.

[00:36:04]Well, all during the trial, while they're lying about me in court and slamming me on the streets and in the papers, I kept telling myself, "Payback's coming. We nailed this mut."

[00:36:15]And when they pull him out of that courtroom, he's going to look at me.

[00:36:18]He's going to know I helped put him in that black hole for the rest of his miserable life.

[00:36:30]I >> guess I can get pretty emotional about it.

[00:36:38]>> The DA's office is very grateful to you, Steve. We wouldn't have had a case without you.

[00:36:45]>> Thanks for the eulogy, Lori. Now, when am I going to die?

[00:36:50]This case has caused problems for us in the community.

[00:36:53]>> The community tried to save Rios's ass and it didn't work.

[00:36:57]>> They don't care about the facts, Steve.

[00:36:59]They want your head on a platter.

[00:37:02]You're going to give it to him. We get a guilty verdict. We're going to have to make a gesture of reconciliation.

[00:37:08]Now, the most painless for all concerned is to offer you a transfer.

[00:37:16]That's like admitting I did wrong.

[00:37:18]>> No, it's not admitting anything. It's a move we're making for your own protection.

[00:37:21]>> Which makes me a coward as well as a bum.

[00:37:23]>> The chief went to bed for you, Steve.

[00:37:25]They wanted departmental charges.

[00:37:28]Reduction in rank.

[00:37:29]>> What if I don't accept this transfer?

[00:37:32][snorts] We'll ask you to put in your retirement papers.

[00:37:35]>> You only have 18 years. We'll jack it up to 20 so you can get your pension.

[00:37:39]>> Huh?

[00:37:42]18 years on this job and you're going to throw me to the dogs. We have to begin the healing process somewhere, Steve.

[00:37:56]Steve Judge, for real, do [music] you think justice can be served in this atmosphere? You people, you created this circus. You tell me.

[00:38:20]>> From the beginning, this trial posed a problem with credibility with a popular neighborhood figure telling one story and a veteran detective telling another.

[00:38:29]Bert Newborn, who's the jury going to believe?

[00:38:32]>> I don't know. I mean, here you have a guy with a real political future in this town telling the jury, "I did not kill those police officers." Eddie Rios doesn't deny pulling a gun on Detective Steve Donahghue, but he says it was because Donna was coming to kill him.

[00:38:47]And now Rios wants the jury to understand that life in that part of Brooklyn made his actions justifiable.

[00:38:54]>> Judge Sylvia Freel has disallowed a lot of the prosecution's case. search warrants, technical evidence, eyewitness testimony, all on procedural grounds.

[00:39:03]>> Well, she's put the burden of the prosecution's case squarely on the shoulders of Detective Donahghue. His credibility has to carry the day.

[00:39:16]>> Thought you weren't going to make it, Detective Donahghue.

[00:39:19]>> I wouldn't miss it for the world.

[00:39:20]>> You think the verdict will go your way?

[00:39:22]>> Maybe you should take your seat, miss.

[00:39:32]Good morning, Miss Meisinger. Counselor.

[00:39:52]In response to a threat of a riot, police are sealing off the courthouse square, denying access to hundreds of Rio supporters. Reporting live from Brooklyn Supreme Court, this is Dan Durant.

[00:40:12]>> Ladies and gentlemen, have you reached a verdict?

[00:40:15]We have, you know, read the charges >> in the matter of the people versus Edward Rios on the charge of murder in the first degree in the death of police officer Ida Cruz.

[00:40:29]>> Not guilty.

[00:40:34][applause] >> Unbelievable.

[00:40:42]on the charge of murder in the first degree in the death of police officer Peter Randazzo. Not guilty. [cheering] >> ORDER.

[00:40:58]>> PROCEED.

[00:41:01]>> Assault with a deadly weapon.

[00:41:03]>> Not guilty.

[00:41:05]>> Yes.

[00:41:17]talk.

[00:41:17]>> How does it feel to be?

[00:41:18]>> You got something to say? Something to say, >> Steve. We can get out the back.

[00:41:21]>> Yes, I have something to say.

[00:41:22]>> No.

[00:41:24]>> Let's hear what he has to say. This is a very important day in the history of this city. It is a victory for every man who has ever been falsely accused and every [music] woman who has ever been brutalized.

[00:41:33]>> Right. Now, this dude is running for mayor.

[00:41:35]>> See, this case was not about me. The jury was expressing the general will of the people of this city because they have had enough of cops like that man who used their badges as a license to kill.

[00:41:44]>> Jury gave [music] you a play, Rios. If you had any class, you'd shut up and walk away.

[00:41:47]>> Forget it. You're walking right into their trap.

[00:41:49]>> Hey, you know what happened to a cop killer?

[00:41:51]>> No, they're trying to provoke you. Come on.

[00:41:53]>> Wait a minute. Let the man talk. Let's hear about the old days.

[00:41:56]>> Your behavior is unethical in the extreme. His strategy from day one has been to embarrass the police department.

[00:42:03]He defamed a good, honest, hardworking cop.

[00:42:06]If you mean Steve [music] Donahghue, we're not finished yet.

[00:42:09]>> What do you mean by that?

[00:42:10]>> What do you mean by that, Nick?

[00:42:11]>> This is not the time of the place. Go ahead. Go ahead. Go ahead. Tell us. All right. Go ahead.

[00:42:15]>> We've [music] conducted an independent investigation into the deaths of Denise Vieiraa and Gilberto Rios. Our findings have been turned over to the district attorney.

[00:42:25]>> Is this true, Lori?

[00:42:26]>> I am so sorry, Steve. I didn't want you to find out like this. Lori, is this true? Is it true?

[00:42:37]At the request of the mayor's office and many concerned citizens groups, the district attorney has convened a grand [music] jury >> to consider an indictment against Steve Donahue.

[00:42:57]>> We've got a shot fired in the courtroom.

[00:42:59]I confirmed so far.

[00:43:02]Donna, you took a shot at somebody. Just move away from the door. GET EVERYBODY OFF THIS FLOOR. Move this [ __ ] table.

[00:43:08]Move. Move.

[00:43:11]>> Everybody stay calm. Follow instructions.

[00:43:18]Judge in the witness stand where I can see you.

[00:43:24]Eddie, you're standing with me.

[00:43:26]>> What if I go with them, Steve? I got enough in here for you and me.

[00:43:32]In spectators, cops form a line in the aisle.

[00:43:40]You in there?

[00:43:44]>> For God's sake, Steve. Think about your family.

[00:43:47]>> Shut up about my family.

[00:43:49]>> Come on, Laura. You better do like he says.

[00:43:51]>> You're the only one who's going to suffer, Steve.

[00:43:53]>> You, too, Bobby.

[00:43:55]>> Hey, partner. I'm on your side. Hey, you going to be on my side when I start killing people?

[00:44:03]>> Okay, partner.

[00:44:05]>> I don't want any cops in here trying to talk me down. I don't want to come down.

[00:44:09]>> Okay, be outside if you need me.

[00:44:13]>> Counselor in. But this isn't going to change anything.

[00:44:16]>> It's got your heart bleeding for me.

[00:44:18]That's a big change already.

[00:44:29]Is there a cop at the door?

[00:44:31]>> Yeah, right here. Detective, >> you're going to open that door just a crack. There's going to be cops out there. You tell them to back off.

[00:44:37]>> Okay, I'm going to open the door now.

[00:44:41]>> You tell them if I see blue, I'm going to start shooting.

[00:44:44]>> Sure. Sure.

[00:44:50]>> You guys better step off. I'm the home.

[00:44:52]>> He's talking about killing a lot of people.

[00:44:55]>> Okay, back off. Go. Go.

[00:45:01]>> As soon as they find out Donnie was shooting up the courtroom, there's going to be a riot.

[00:45:05]>> I promptly had a metal detector outside that goddamn courtroom.

[00:45:08]>> There was no order to disarm police officers.

[00:45:10]>> We ordered Donnu to surrender his weapon.

[00:45:13]>> So, we got another one.

[00:45:16]>> What do you need, Dan? Looking ahead, I'd say a hostage negotiator and an ambulance.

[00:45:22]>> Sit tight.

[00:45:24]>> I'll go down there myself.

[00:45:27]>> He's releasing people.

[00:45:29]>> It was Captain He's coming in, sir.

[00:45:30]Coming in this place.

[00:45:39]>> You can go, ma'am.

[00:45:40]>> Cameraman, too.

[00:45:41]>> No, he stays.

[00:45:46]Keep it running.

[00:45:47]>> Cool.

[00:45:52][snorts] >> Hey.

[00:46:00]>> Hey. Set up over here.

[00:46:03]>> In an absolutely incredible turn of events, homicide detective Steven Donahghue has seized [music] control of the courtroom in which community activist Eddie Rios was just acquitted of the murder of two police officers.

[00:46:14]Justice Channel cameraman Stanley Shapiro is giving us live coverage of this [music] very desperate situation.

[00:46:22]>> What the hell is going on?

[00:46:23]>> He's holding a judge and jury in there and Rios >> Court officers make a move.

[00:46:26]>> Nbody jammed in the aisle. Would have been a blood bath.

[00:46:29]>> Sir, we got him on TV.

[00:46:34]>> Anybody make contact with him?

[00:46:36]>> He backed us [music] off.

[00:46:38]>> He just smacked Marski down.

[00:46:44]All right, let me test the waters here.

[00:46:59]STAY OUT.

[00:47:00]>> WE DON'T WANT ANYONE CRASHING THIS PARTY.

[00:47:05]>> I don't believe this.

[00:47:09]>> DIA, THIS IS CAPTAIN HUNGER. I JUST WANT TO TALK.

[00:47:12]>> I CAN HEAR YOU FROM THERE.

[00:47:14]>> YOU GOT A MAN WHO NEEDS MEDICAL ATTENTION. SEND HIM OUT.

[00:47:18]>> ONLY IF YOU SEND SOMETHING IN.

[00:47:21]>> WHAT DO YOU WANT, STEVE?

[00:47:22]>> A LITTLE PHYSICAL EVIDENCE. THE GUN.

[00:47:26]BULLETS, FORENSICS, THE LETTERS, AND LILY SANDIVAL'S STATEMENT.

[00:47:30]>> GOT TO WAIT FOR THE BOSSES TO MAKE THAT CALL.

[00:47:33]>> YOU GO THROUGH THE CHAIN OF COMMAND. I GO THROUGH THE JURY.

[00:47:36]>> ALL RIGHT, [screaming] I'LL GET YOU WHAT YOU WANT.

[00:47:39]>> Call Central. Tell them to evacuate the building. I want to cover the front, the back, and the roof. I want ESU squads at the back entrance to the courtroom now.

[00:47:51]>> Yes, sir.

[00:47:57]>> [screaming] >> Go go go go go.

[00:48:14]>> Right now I'll move that barricade back about 20 yards hostage negotiation.

[00:48:18]>> Captain Nung has been waiting for you.

[00:48:19]We put everything on hold.

[00:48:20]>> Very good. You know this guy down here?

[00:48:22]Yeah, he's good people.

[00:48:26]>> Okay, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, it occurred to me after you had rendered your verdict, which you had considered so seriously, that you had not only allowed a murderer to go free, but you destroyed a life. Because of you, ladies and gentlemen, I'd probably lose my job.

[00:48:47]My family would be disgraced, and I'd probably end up in jail.

[00:48:52]So, I have no regrets asking you to stick around this courtroom just a little bit longer. We're going to retry Mr. Edward Rios for the murders of police officers Eda Cruz and Peter Randazo.

[00:49:04]We're going to bat again, judge. Only this time, the juryy's going to hear testimony and see evidence that was withheld the first time around. This is a kangaroo court, honor, you >> No. No, it's not, Nick.

[00:49:18]See, Steve's going to let me have my say, aren't you?

[00:49:23]We can speak up anytime you wanted. Eh, >> you see, Nick, me and Steve understand each other.

[00:49:31]We know exactly what's going to happen here, don't we?

[00:49:35]>> That's right.

[00:49:41]>> Tell me about this guy. What kind of cop is he, Captain?

[00:49:44]>> He's a smart cop. He's got good instincts. He knows how to make a case.

[00:49:48]>> Tough. He's got fast hands. Maybe he uses them too much.

[00:49:52]>> Is he your get even guy?

[00:49:54]>> We don't play those games in my precinct.

[00:49:57]>> How's his marriage?

[00:49:59]>> How the hell do I know? I don't live under his bed.

[00:50:01]>> Does he trust you, Captain? Will he listen to you?

[00:50:03]>> Half hour ago, I would have said yes.

[00:50:04]>> That's good enough. All right. We can't yell at each other through the door. I need a video link up. Uh, excuse me, Captain. Is the Justice Channel still here? Mike?

[00:50:12]>> Yeah, this way.

[00:50:16]Can we get a live feed into the courtroom from here?

[00:50:19]>> Yeah, we'll have to patch it in from the studio.

[00:50:21]>> All right, let's get it done.

[00:50:23]>> Donghu's fellow officers say he's a good cop who got a bad deal, but the word on the street is he was a time bomb waiting to explode.

[00:50:33]>> You're going to shoot me now?

[00:50:34]>> What am I going to do about this?

[00:50:35]>> Today, >> stay on top of it from city hall. Get hourly updates from the commissioner whom you've dispatched to the scene. But essentially, let the police do their job.

[00:50:45]>> I can't my ankle.

[00:50:46]>> And if I go to the courthouse, keep a vigil. Don't leave till this is settled.

[00:50:50]>> Oh, very risky.

[00:50:51]>> People will say you're using a life or death situation for political purposes.

[00:50:55]>> I'm a politician. People expect that.

[00:50:57]>> Much better to minimize your exposure.

[00:51:00]>> Maybe I can actually save some lives here.

[00:51:03]>> That ever occur to you.

[00:51:04]>> Keep it running.

[00:51:08]>> All right, Eddie.

[00:51:10]Take a seat.

[00:51:12]So, what's next, dude? Stick around.

[00:51:14]You'll find out. Steve, >> the TV's not around the table.

[00:51:20]>> Pull that out here right [clears throat] away.

[00:51:27]>> Can you see me?

[00:51:28]>> Yeah, I can see you.

[00:51:29]>> All right, we set this up so that we could communicate better.

[00:51:34]>> I thought I communicated my need for that evidence.

[00:51:37]>> Meet me halfway, Steve. Send the injured man out. No way. He's doing fine.

[00:51:43]>> I'm sure he is.

[00:51:44]>> I know you don't want to risk your life.

[00:51:45]I know you're not trying to make points, >> but everybody needs a friend. And there will be a life after this incident. Oh, yeah. A life for who? I got to load a gun here. I'm in a room with two people who have dedicated themselves to humiliating me for 6 months. You're talking about friends. Hey, you got to forget I'm a cop. I'm a bonafide psycho.

[00:52:05]You got to kiss my ass. You got to give me what I want. All right, Steve, take it easy. Huh? Just give me a little time.

[00:52:13]>> I'm not going to give you any time. I'm going to tell you when your time is up.

[00:52:18]>> Is the whole world seeing this?

[00:52:19]>> Commissioner. Sir, I'm Lieutenant Hodgees, hostage negotiations. I suggested putting us on TV so as to give both parties better access.

[00:52:26]>> You spoken to him, Lieutenant?

[00:52:27]>> No. No, sir. I think it's better if Captain carries the ball. He and Donnie, you have a long-standing relationship.

[00:52:32]>> How bad is he?

[00:52:33]>> Try to go through the door. He took a shot at me.

[00:52:35]>> What does he want? Well, sir, he's already asked for evidence boxes. So, I'm going to send in two cops dressed as paramedics.

[00:52:40]>> Don't jump him. Give him what he wants.

[00:52:43]>> What I'm going to prove to you is that you were deceived by lies and legal jargon.

[00:52:51]And it'll be clear why I had to take this action. It'll be clear to my friends and fellow officers. It'll be clear to my family and everybody who's watching.

[00:52:59]>> See, I want my day in court without the media telling everybody what to think.

[00:53:06]I know you feel violated.

[00:53:09]Hey, I feel violated, too. I feel like I've got everybody spit on my face.

[00:53:16]>> All right, what do we got here? Give me the evidence. The evidence might be under Gurnie. All right, stop.

[00:53:22]>> Let's see.

[00:53:24]It's not that I'm blaming you. You don't see a lot of trials. You don't know.

[00:53:30]It's a favorite lawyer's trick.

[00:53:33]If you can't try the case, you try the cop.

[00:53:36]>> Steve, your package just arrived.

[00:53:43]>> Send it in with the paramedics.

[00:53:45]>> Coming right in, Steve.

[00:53:46]>> When the door opens, we could go in.

[00:53:49]>> No schemes.

[00:53:52]You send a hero in here, we're going to be pulling bodies out.

[00:53:55]>> No tricks. Save lives.

[00:53:57]>> We're not playing tricks, Steve. We're just trying to save lives.

[00:54:01]>> Send them in.

[00:54:06]You're going to put the cardboard boxes on the table.

[00:54:12]>> That man there is your patient. I >> I got to stay with Eddie. Save yourself.

[00:54:17]We don't need a lawyer, do we?

[00:54:20]>> We're way beyond lawyers now. Eddie, >> take a seat. Eddie, >> you're going to be all right.

[00:54:27]>> Take a seat.

[00:54:28]>> We're coming out.

[00:54:30]For God's sake, don't go in there. He'll start shooting.

[00:54:33]>> Why does Rios keep leading him?

[00:54:34]>> He blames himself. He wants to be punished. Suicide by cops.

[00:54:37]>> Rios is a [ __ ] hotthehead who killed two cops. What? Are you taking a collection for him now, counselor?

[00:54:42]>> All right, let's roll. Bobby, come here.

[00:54:45]>> [ __ ] We finally resolve this. I >> I know. Just Just tell me what you need me.

[00:54:48]>> All right. All right. How well do you know, Donnie? You >> like a brother? What's What's the key to this guy?

[00:54:51]>> He's got a plan. You got to let him play it out.

[00:54:54]>> You ever cheat on his wife?

[00:54:55]>> Not that I know.

[00:54:56]>> You sure?

[00:54:56]>> No way. He's got more class than that.

[00:54:58]>> All right. All right. Get it down here.

[00:54:59]right away. You call it yourself. Done.

[00:55:01]>> All right.

[00:55:02]>> Mr. Mayor, did you approve the police plan to seal off the area?

[00:55:06]>> No, I was not consulted. What do you think about the situation out there now?

[00:55:09]Folks, please. I have full confidence in Commissioner Crane. I'm depending on him to resolve a very serious crisis.

[00:55:17]>> A couple of hours after Officer Cruz and were killed, I was sent to the scene to look for evidence.

[00:55:24]came off the ground, came off the gun, came out of people's mouths, and came out of victim's bodies. I didn't create it. I collected it.

[00:55:38]Overwhelming evidence. And it all led to one man, man without a prior conviction, Mr. Edward Rios.

[00:55:47]So, we tried to put this evidence before the jury because that's the only way that justice could be done in this case.

[00:55:54]In this imperfect world, unless you have, as the Bible says, two people who saw him do it, you got to use the evidence.

[00:56:04]And you got to trust the people who bring it to you.

[00:56:12]>> Isn't there some contingency plan for something like this?

[00:56:14]>> There's no way to prepare for an act of insanity. I thought we responded very well.

[00:56:17]>> Oh, yeah.

[00:56:18]>> You have any idea what a PR disaster you created by closing off those streets?

[00:56:21]>> Followed your instructions to the letter. You didn't want a large police presence and you also didn't want a riot.

[00:56:26]>> It was a political decision and I should have been consulted.

[00:56:29]>> You would have vetoed it and there'd be people laying in the streets right now.

[00:56:32]>> I want to talk to Detective Donahghue.

[00:56:34]Sir, that's not a good idea.

[00:56:37]>> Who's he? Lieutenant Hos hostage negotiations.

[00:56:40]>> Sir, Detective Donahghue feels betrayed by the system and you are its most visible symbol. Listen, Lieutenant, don't play that pop psychology game with me. You just want to make sure a cop resolves a crisis caused by a cop.

[00:56:54]This is what my partner and I found when we arrived at 420 Stuben.

[00:57:06]>> What do you do for a living, sir?

[00:57:08]>> I'm a Latin teacher.

[00:57:10]>> How'd you feel if you saw two of the teachers you work with laying dead like that? Make your blood boil, wouldn't it?

[00:57:17]>> How would you feel if you found those two teachers dead? Would you work day and night to catch their killer?

[00:57:24]Yes, sir.

[00:57:24]>> Would you raid a suspect's house in the middle of the night?

[00:57:27]>> Yes, sir.

[00:57:28]>> Would you go alone without any backup?

[00:57:30]>> If I thought I was just going to question somebody, yes, I would.

[00:57:32]>> Admit it, Steve. You came to my house to kill me, and you came alone so there would be no witnesses.

[00:57:37]>> We're going to get to what happened at your house. Right now, we're talking about the fact that two cops were killed.

[00:57:45]This is the gun that was used in those murders.

[00:57:55]I found these in the pocket of Eddie Re's jacket.

[00:57:58]>> You planted those bullets, Steve?

[00:58:00]>> Every day all over the world, some mud is saying that a cop planted evidence on him.

[00:58:05]>> Did you ever plant evidence?

[00:58:06]>> Never.

[00:58:07]>> No, you never sweeten a case for yourself.

[00:58:09]>> Always let the evidence lead you to the perpetrator.

[00:58:12]>> Right. But sometimes you get a feeling about someone. She sort of helped the truth along.

[00:58:15]>> I never did it, Eddie.

[00:58:17]>> Jury says you did.

[00:58:18]>> I know they did. Makes me crazy to think about it.

[00:58:23]You heard about my record. You heard about my years of experience. I testified for three days on every aspect of this case that they would let me. And you didn't believe a word I said. No.

[00:58:32]What? Why? Why? Why? Why is that?

[00:58:33]>> I'm the one you're mad at.

[00:58:34]>> I'm not mad. I am curious.

[00:58:38]What is it about me that made you think that I was a liar? H >> I voted to convict. I defended you.

[00:58:45][snorts] >> The only thing I heard you say was, "Let's get this over with." cuz you were losing days at work.

[00:58:49]>> Yeah.

[00:58:50]>> And you said he was lying, didn't you?

[00:58:52]He said all cops lie. And he said the cops probably killed those two people over a drug deal and framed Eddie Rios.

[00:59:01]>> Do you believe I planted evidence?

[00:59:04]>> Judge said I didn't have to believe. She said I just had to doubt.

[00:59:07]>> And you doubted me. Why?

[00:59:08]>> Maybe it's because you already killed the man.

[00:59:10]>> 103 homicide arrests and only one was shot resisting.

[00:59:14]>> Right. Yeah. Everyone shot by a cop was resisting arrest. Look, this jury has seen too many people beaten up and deprived of their rights. You guys cannot get away with murder like you used to.

[00:59:23]>> Your concern is very impressive, Eddie.

[00:59:25]You worried I'm going to blow one of these people away?

[00:59:27]>> You crossed my mind.

[00:59:28]>> He's worried about the well-being of 12 total strangers. But you stopped caring about your ex-wife, didn't you, Eddie?

[00:59:36]>> What happened between me and Ida, my friend? You could never understand.

[00:59:40]>> Your mother said you're the kind of man who can't take rejection.

[00:59:43]>> She never rejected me.

[00:59:44]>> Her mother said you forced the issue.

[00:59:46]She loved me.

[00:59:55]>> The old lady knew. She just could never admit it to herself.

[01:00:00]Hey, I remember we we'd make love when she was away at work. It was in the summer.

[01:00:08]We'd open up a window and close the curtain so no one could see us.

[01:00:17]I mean, to this day, every time I feel a summer breeze on my face, I think of Ida.

[01:00:23]>> Yeah. Here's a sample of those thoughts, Eddie.

[01:00:27]First time around, we weren't given a chance to hear these. Ladies and gentlemen, >> these letters were saved by Officer Cruz to be used as evidence in case anything happened to her.

[01:00:38]>> It's a weird lie, even for you, Steve.

[01:00:42]How can you call my love a teenage crush?

[01:00:46]Do you know how you hurt me when you say that? What makes you think you can just walk away from what we had?

[01:00:53]>> Those were private letters.

[01:00:55]>> You betray the ideals we grew up with.

[01:00:57]You betray the faith that I had in you.

[01:00:59]You betray me. Do you think that I can accept treachery like that?

[01:01:04]>> You don't understand.

[01:01:06]>> I saw you laughing and guzzling beer with one of your cop friends. You make me sick. That's enough.

[01:01:19]>> Judge Freel wouldn't let you hear these letters, would you, Judge?

[01:01:22]>> That evidence was obtained as a result of an illegal search.

[01:01:25]>> Illegal means I was breaking the law.

[01:01:27]Did I break the law, your honor?

[01:01:29]>> You made a procedural error. You didn't apply for a search warrant.

[01:01:33]>> The guy assaulted me. He shot at me. He tried to kill me. And I'm not allowed to search his pockets.

[01:01:40]>> The Constitution, detective, it's nothing personal, >> your honor.

[01:01:46]That's [ __ ] It was a judgment call.

[01:01:50]You could have given it to me. You could have said that my hot pursuit of the suspect allowed me to enter his apartment and once in there, the ensuing circumstances allowed me to institute a search of the premises. You could have said that, couldn't you?

[01:02:09]Your honor, she's got a gun to her head, Steve.

[01:02:19]We can fix that.

[01:02:27]>> Let's rush him.

[01:02:28]>> We'll work. It's too premature.

[01:02:29]Lieutenant, Peter, let's take it over here. The man's unarmed. If he goes for the gun, we got to take him down. If he gets the gun and fires at us, we're going to have even more casualties.

[01:02:37]>> Donghue is capable of opening fire in that whole room at any time.

[01:02:40]>> It won't happen yet.

[01:02:40]>> You guarantee that?

[01:02:41]>> Emotionally, he's right between point A and B. He hasn't got to the end of his road yet. More psycho babble. He knows what he's talking about, Peter. Why are you so anxious to kill a cop? I want to end this. You wouldn't be so gung-ho if that was a civilian in there. There are civilians in there.

[01:02:56]>> So, what do you say, judge? You think I set Mr. Rios up?

[01:02:59]>> I try not to form an opinion.

[01:03:01]>> Come on. You've been sitting here for years watching a lot of cops play games.

[01:03:05]They call it testion. You think I was testion?

[01:03:08]>> I never said that.

[01:03:10]>> You took one look at me and you said, "Here's another cop trying to get over."

[01:03:13]>> No, sir. I had no preconceived notion about this case or you.

[01:03:20]>> You'd rather set a killer free than let a cop interpret the rules, wouldn't you?

[01:03:24]Those rules, the rules of evidence and procedure, the rule of law, they are more important than one isolated case.

[01:03:35]>> Hear that?

[01:03:37]>> You hear what she did? She had to make lawyers out of all you to prove a point.

[01:03:42]And then you got so buried in legal [ __ ] you forgot what this was about.

[01:03:47]You start looking at me like I'm the bad guy.

[01:03:51]You forget two people were killed, which is exactly what they want.

[01:03:54]>> Steve, >> going too fast for you, Captain.

[01:03:58]>> No, just want to know if there's anything else we can do for you.

[01:04:01]>> Yeah. You can get me my star witness, Willie Sandaval. You remember him, Judge?

[01:04:07]>> Steve, that uh might take some time to locate him.

[01:04:10]>> Really? I can tell you where he is. He's in the Raymond Street jail, right around the corner.

[01:04:27]Get it, idiot. You're not going to outthink me.

[01:04:30]>> Yeah. What makes you think you're so smart?

[01:04:32]>> Just being a cop.

[01:04:34]18 years, watching people like you do with their numbers.

[01:04:39]You get away with it. People lose respect for the law and then they lose respect for each other.

[01:04:46]like these 12 people here and everybody out there. This judge who had no respect for me.

[01:04:54]>> You don't deserve any respect.

[01:04:56]>> Yeah.

[01:04:59]Who keeps a lid on this garbage can? I do.

[01:05:04]Things are getting worse every day.

[01:05:07]Do you see that?

[01:05:09]>> Things are worse and worse.

[01:05:10]>> Right on, man. It's about time somebody said this.

[01:05:13]>> On the street, they got murderers.

[01:05:16]But the jails are filling up. It's standing room only in the morgs and everybody's just praying to God they don't end up in the wrong place in the wrong time. Well, I'll tell you. I work in places where people are dying with disease and they're dying with drugs and they'll kill you over a dirty look. In this city, you only got 30,000 like me.

[01:05:38]We're your last line of defense.

[01:05:41]But you make us [music] fight our dirty LITTLE WAR AND QUIET BECAUSE YOU NICE people don't care what the muts do to each other. You don't care about the cops. ALL YOU CARE IS THAT NOTHING HAPPENS TO YOU.

[01:05:58]Two bullets from a datonics killed Cruz.

[01:06:01]The first one got her in her stomach and then when she was dying, her asalant stood over her so she could get a good look at him.

[01:06:13]Let me put a bullet in her forehead.

[01:06:16]>> Steve, is Willie Santa about?

[01:06:18]>> He wants to talk to you.

[01:06:20]>> I ain't saying [ __ ] to you. You get these [ __ ] cuffs off me, man.

[01:06:23]>> Willie, how you doing?

[01:06:25]>> Yeah, not so good. Detective Donahghue should have stuck with you.

[01:06:29]I call to your attention Willie Sandival, an eyewitness whose testimony you never heard. Willie, tell the jury why you never testified.

[01:06:40]>> Cuz I didn't have to make a deal. The judge said that uh you did a illegal search of my residence and dismissed the case.

[01:06:48]>> They called that burnt out tenement your home. They said I had searched your home without a warrant. That's fourth amendment, right, your honor? The man had no known address. Huh?

[01:07:01]>> Man's pulling down 3,000 a day drug deals, but he could live on Park Avenue if he wanted to.

[01:07:10]>> What would you have testified, Willie?

[01:07:12]>> Uh, that I saw Mr. Rios going to the building when them two cops was killed.

[01:07:18][snorts] >> You guys are so far into that cop mentality. You think anybody's going to believe a low life like this, Steve?

[01:07:23]This man pulled you out of a lineup, Eddie, >> with a little help from his friends.

[01:07:28]>> He described the clothes you were wearing >> on a dark night. So [ __ ] up he couldn't see his nose in front of his face.

[01:07:34]>> Come on, man. I saw you, man. I saw you.

[01:07:37]>> No, no, no. You saw a way to keep your scraggly ass out of jail.

[01:07:40]>> Yo, Rios, >> no bad blood. All right, I saw you, man.

[01:07:45]>> It's okay, Willie. This isn't about you.

[01:07:47]It's about me.

[01:07:53]I am stipulating to you that this man, though a convicted felon, made a positive identification of Edward Rios.

[01:08:01]Do you believe me?

[01:08:03]>> Yes, I do. But sometimes these guys lie.

[01:08:07]>> I am stipulating that no one prompted him in any way.

[01:08:12]>> Do you believe me?

[01:08:14]>> Yes, I guess. You guess.

[01:08:21]What about you?

[01:08:25]And you?

[01:08:30]Truth is, none of this would have changed your mind. I was the one on trial and you had me guilty right from the start.

[01:08:46]We're taking a recess here.

[01:08:49]>> Damn, Donnie. He's going to kick some ass.

[01:08:51]>> Get him out of here.

[01:08:54]>> Bring our two guys forward.

[01:08:56]>> What do we do now?

[01:08:58]>> We go in.

[01:09:01]>> First chance we get.

[01:09:06]>> Big mama didn't come off. He's at a crossroads. Scab made his case. Got his point across.

[01:09:15]I always think words have magic that'll change things.

[01:09:18]Nothing changes.

[01:09:20]>> Now, either Donnu gives up now or we carry him [music] out in a body bag.

[01:09:28]>> If we go in from all these points, he'll be vulnerable to one of these lines of fire.

[01:09:34]>> As long as we maintain the element of surprise, >> you better lower your man into the jury room now.

[01:09:40]We don't have a volunteer for that yet, sir.

[01:09:49]>> Nobody wants to shoot a cop. Can't blame me for that.

[01:09:54]>> My men pretty much don't want to go in, sir, unless shots have been fired.

[01:09:59]>> This action is preemptive.

[01:10:01]The object here is to save lives. If you want to continue to be police officers, you'll execute the plan you're given.

[01:10:10]Come here.

[01:10:12]I'm going to tell the mayor that we're sending someone in. You get a volunteer right now.

[01:10:24]>> Don't lose it, Eddie.

[01:10:26]>> Oh, I'm okay, Steve. I was just thinking.

[01:10:30]>> Yeah.

[01:10:31]What are you thinking about?

[01:10:33]>> About what a poor slob you are. Look what you did to your family.

[01:10:38]>> They're going to be okay.

[01:10:41]They got a job related disability.

[01:10:46]>> What are you laughing at now?

[01:10:48]>> You really think they're going to turn over your pension?

[01:10:52]>> I got 18 years in it. I'm vested.

[01:10:55]>> Yeah. So, you'll be dive vested, bro.

[01:10:59]Your wife, she'll be thrown out of that house you barely paying for anyway. And your son, he ain't going to college unless he can slam dunk backwards. And what about your sweet little daughter?

[01:11:11]She'll be flipping burgers looking to nail some guy with a steady job.

[01:11:15]Cameraman, turn that thing on.

[01:11:19]Are you there, Captain?

[01:11:22]I want to see him on the monitor.

[01:11:26]When the noise dies down, some cop somewhere is going to push a piece of paper and my family is going to be taken care of. Isn't that right, Captain?

[01:11:33]>> We'll look after your family, Steve.

[01:11:35]>> I got a job related disability, right?

[01:11:38]And my family gets full benefits in case of my death. Isn't that right, Captain?

[01:11:43]Full pension and benefits.

[01:11:45]>> That's right, Steve. You retire on three quarters of your present salary.

[01:11:51]>> Hear that? The NYPD just made a promise in front of millions of people >> who don't have the attention span of one flee. You see, a second after you're dead, this camera's going to be pointing out some other poor slob at the jam.

[01:12:04]>> Hey, you're going to be yesterday's news.

[01:12:07]>> You're taking a big chance here, Eddie.

[01:12:11]>> No, not with you.

[01:12:14]>> You take your seat, Eddie. I'm going to make my summation. Playing it by the book. You think the system really gives a [ __ ] about a nobody like you?

[01:12:23]>> You can take your seat. You did all this for nothing. You blew your job. Threw your family into the poor house. All for nothing.

[01:12:34]>> We're going in.

[01:12:35]>> No. No. He's behind the judge's bench.

[01:12:37]You'll never get to him in time.

[01:12:48]You want me to do it? You want me to punish you for what you did to a cruise?

[01:12:55]Just as long as you don't have to confess.

[01:12:57]>> I have nothing to confess.

[01:13:00]Hang in there, Eddie.

[01:13:03]It's almost over.

[01:13:06]Ladies and gentlemen, you've been patient, so I'll be brief.

[01:13:12]Look, I can't change who I am or where I was raised. Being a cop is considered a good job where I come from. That's why a lot of cops look like me.

[01:13:23]A few years after I came on this job, they put me in Brooklyn. They told me to solve homicides and they told me how to do it. They said, "Look for a motive."

[01:13:35]That jealous ex-husband who wrote threatening letters.

[01:13:39]They said, "Look for a weapon. A datonic semi-automatic pistol street name, pocket nine, found in the defendant's apartment. Discharge cartridges found on the defendant's person. A witness who could place him at the scene." He said, "Look at the defendant's behavior.

[01:13:57]Tried to flee.

[01:13:59]He attempted to murder a police officer."

[01:14:04]>> Okay.

[01:14:06]You people were denied access to some of this evidence. You pretty much had to rely on me. And you had decided that I had planted the evidence, committed perjury.

[01:14:17]But now you have a few more pieces of the puzzle.

[01:14:24]You were confused and you were misled.

[01:14:31]You made an honest mistake.

[01:14:37]But now you have a chance to correct it.

[01:14:44]I look forward to your verdict.

[01:14:49]Eddie, do you wish to make a closing statement?

[01:14:54]>> Yes, I do. This man is a liar. He is a murderer. He was part of a police conspiracy to frame me and when that didn't work, to kill me.

[01:15:06]Your honor, at this time, would you like to charge the jury?

[01:15:12]My decisions were based on my belief that justice can only be served through strict adherence to the law.

[01:15:22]>> Have two of you men hold the door open.

[01:15:23]Send three guys right down the middle aisle. The rest make an end run to the jury box and the judge's bench.

[01:15:30]>> I don't think the men are up for this, Captain.

[01:15:32]>> Captain, [clears throat] uh, we think, Detective Donnie, you got [ __ ] over during a trial.

[01:15:38]>> Is that right? You refusing this assignment?

[01:15:41]>> That could be me in there, Captain. I've been in some situations.

[01:15:45]>> I've been Donnie who's captain for nine years. I know his wife. I've been to his son's confirmation. I am ordering you to subdue him in any way possible.

[01:15:54]>> I'm afraid we might hesitate. I don't want to put people at risk.

[01:15:58]>> Sergeant, you're relieved.

[01:15:59]>> I'm sorry, sir.

[01:16:00]>> Send Adam's patrol up here to replace you. Report back to Central now.

[01:16:05]>> Yes, sir.

[01:16:08]Anybody have any questions? You want to see any transcripts, review any of the evidence?

[01:16:21]>> No, sir.

[01:16:26]>> What do you say, Mr. Foreman?

[01:16:29]>> I think we're ready, detective.

[01:16:32]>> Judge Fel, you're a stickler for procedure.

[01:16:36]Let's proceed.

[01:16:45]If you don't proceed, I can make a summary judgment.

[01:16:52]>> Members of the jury, have you reached a verdict?

[01:16:56]>> We have, your honor.

[01:16:59]>> In the interest of a speedy trial, we can dispense with the reading of the charges.

[01:17:04]Judge, go ahead.

[01:17:09]How do you find?

[01:17:12]>> Guilty, your honor.

[01:17:16]>> Guilty of all charges.

[01:17:21]>> Guilty of all charges.

[01:17:29]You want to pull the jury, Eddie?

[01:17:38]Now we have the sentencing phase.

[01:17:42]Judge, the people have decided that these two police officers were lured to the scene and murdered with cold premeditation.

[01:17:53]There's no need for sentencing reports or character references.

[01:17:58]We all know how hard Mr. Rio's work to improve the conditions in the community.

[01:18:03]But the laws of God in New York State are very clear on the only possible penalty for the premeditated murder of a police officer.

[01:18:11]What is that penalty, your honor?

[01:18:17]>> No one has ever been executed.

[01:18:19]>> What is that penalty?

[01:18:24]>> Death.

[01:18:26]>> This is a joke. What do you want me to cry, Steve? Go on my hands and knees, plead for my life. Or maybe you'd like it if I confessed. Threw myself at your mercy.

[01:18:37]You are guilty, Annie.

[01:18:40]Are you my executioner?

[01:18:42]You killed two cops.

[01:18:44]At some point, you got to pay.

[01:18:47]>> He's not the only one, >> Captain.

[01:18:54]>> I need a minute.

[01:19:06]You buy in time so the emergency service guys can get into position.

[01:19:10]>> They've been deployed for hours.

[01:19:13]>> Got a patrol on a back landing.

[01:19:15]>> Yeah.

[01:19:16]>> Just slide a guy off the roof and into the jury room >> with a concussion grenade the size of a cantaloupe.

[01:19:24]Got a team going to rush in from the front.

[01:19:26]>> As of now, that's not going to happen.

[01:19:29]Did >> you send him in there? I didn't stop him. Is he going to try to get him out in the open? He's going to try to get him out. It better work.

[01:19:36]>> We figured we'd need at least one group that knew you in case you wanted to use the hostage as shields.

[01:19:43]>> That makes sense.

[01:19:47]>> Only we couldn't get anybody to accept the assignment.

[01:19:51]A lot of promising careers have been nipped in the bud today because of you.

[01:19:56]>> What do you mean?

[01:19:57]>> One sergeant said he was on patrol with you.

[01:20:01]He's going to find a little note in his jacket. He's never going to make lieutenant.

[01:20:06]The other sergeant, he said he couldn't bring himself to shoot a fellow officer. Him, I'm going to bust personally. Then we got the ESU guys. You know how they love that cowboy [ __ ] walking through doors, guns blazing. Well, they got picky. Went up in the commissioner's face. You believe that?

[01:20:26]>> So now their lieutenant is going to be washing radio cars for the rest of his career.

[01:20:32]>> Didn't want that to happen.

[01:20:38]>> What's the plan, Steve?

[01:20:41]Going to kill Rios.

[01:20:44]Put the gun in your mouth.

[01:20:47]I don't have a plan.

[01:20:51]I thought I had a guilty verdict.

[01:20:53]>> So, you are wrong.

[01:20:57]Rios isn't the first guy to beat the case.

[01:21:00]>> I know it. But this time, it's like they said, "Go [ __ ] yourself, Donnie. And on top of that, we're going to throw your ass in jail."

[01:21:10]Soon as I heard grand jury, I could see the future.

[01:21:14]I get suspended. I'm driving a cab, go through all our money on legal bills, and then if I win, they get a federal indictment against me for violating civil rights.

[01:21:31]Only this time, I lose because that's what everybody wants.

[01:21:35]Nobody wants any problems on the street.

[01:21:38]And now I'm in jail with a bunch of muts in protection in a 6 by8 with lights on all the time.

[01:21:52]I didn't want to walk out of this courtroom with my head down and people yelling insults at me. I didn't want to drop my gun, cross my hands, say, "Hey, put the cuffs on.

[01:22:09]And that thing following everywhere you go, always in your face.

[01:22:21]Cuz you got to keep calm. Just carrying the case on your back.

[01:22:27]The case. The case. The [ __ ] case.

[01:22:31]>> It was all on you, Steve.

[01:22:34]And >> I blew it.

[01:22:44]This job means a lot to me. I know it does.

[01:22:50]You're not supposed to say that. I know you're not supposed to talk about how only another cop can understand you.

[01:22:58][snorts] how much love you can have for people who work on a case with you, go through doors with you.

[01:23:09]A lot of people stepped up for you today, Steve.

[01:23:17]You know why they hate us, Kevin?

[01:23:21]Because we have code.

[01:23:25]We believe in something.

[01:23:29]We believe in each other.

[01:23:36]>> You care too much, Steve.

[01:23:39]I broke you down.

[01:23:44]Now we got to move on. [clears throat] >> Yeah.

[01:23:50]What are we going to do about Rios?

[01:23:53]We just going to let him off the hook?

[01:24:02]We can't worry about Ryos now.

[01:24:04]>> He killed two cops. And what's worse, he made me kill.

[01:24:10]>> Forget Ryos.

[01:24:14]You got to live with what you did.

[01:24:18]You hear me? Steve live.

[01:24:22]Your family [clears throat] needs you.

[01:24:27]in a cell in the hospital. Doesn't matter.

[01:24:33]You got to be there for the people who love you.

[01:24:42]See, I know it was yours.

[01:24:47]I knew it was him.

[01:24:52]I pulled that sandbag move. It's the oldest trick in the book, but it worked.

[01:24:55]And when he swung on me, I felt this rush. I got him. [clears throat] I got him.

[01:25:09]I went through that door without even thinking.

[01:25:13]That's your pain, Steve.

[01:25:17]That's what you got to live with.

[01:25:24]Please don't take the easy way out.

[01:25:32]Do I ever I think we should keep the streets blocked until we get him out the building. N >> the crisis is over. We'll pull the squads and let the press through.

[01:26:30]>> [music] >> Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor, >> one question.

[01:26:37]>> Honey, [music] >> Mr. Mayor, we didn't know that you took command of the negotiations.

[01:26:41]>> At no time did I take command, nor did I want it. The burden of life and death fell on the shoulders of the [music] police, as it always does and always will.

[01:27:00]We were so young, Eddie.

[01:27:04]We didn't know what we wanted.

[01:27:08]We were kids.

[01:27:13]We had something beautiful. And now it's gone, Eddie.

[01:27:20]And you got to let it go.

[01:27:24]Let it go, Eddie.

[01:27:27]Let it go.

[01:27:31]Eddie, let it go. [music] Eddie.

[01:27:36]Eddie.

[01:27:38]Eddie, let it go.

[01:27:40]>> No, I WON'T LET IT GO.

[01:27:46]>> [music] >> Hold on a second.

[01:28:02]>> Want to get him to psychiatric as soon as possible and run him through central booking like everyone else.

[01:28:07]>> Eddie Rios is guilty.

[01:28:08]>> Detective on here. Did you really want to kill Eddie Rios?

[01:28:11]>> Steve, don't respond. Don't even look out.

[01:28:14]>> Steve. Steven.

[01:28:17]>> Steve.

[01:28:19]>> Commissioner, just tell her I'm going to be okay. He'll have plenty of time to talk.

[01:28:24]>> Get in, >> Steve. [music] >> [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat.

[01:31:08]Heat. Heat.

[01:31:11][music] [music] Heat. Heat.