This episode appears to be based on two separate cases/incidents:
- The 2000 H. Rap Brown case.
- The 1972 Harlem mosque incident, which resulted in the murder of officer Phillip Cardillo.
Joe Morton, who plays Leon Chiles in this episode and three others, previously played the role of Roland Books in Episode 3.2, Conspiracy (1992).
Chuck Cooper has played five different characters over the course of the series:
- Episode 1.21 Sonata for Solo Organ (1991) - Drew MacDaniel.
- Episode 5.3 Blue Bamboo (1994) - Art Samuels.
- Episode 6.14 Custody (1996) - Walters' Attorney.
- Episode 11.6 Burn Baby Burn (2000) - Rolando August.
- Episode 19.11 Lucky Stiff (2009) - Judge Lester Poole.