Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series)

Baby Killer (2000)

Stephanie March: ADA Alexandra 'Alex' Cabot

Quotes 

• Olivia Benson : [about Elias' picture that he drew]  When he drew this, he wasn't plotting out Carly Jackson's murder. This was a cry for help. He wanted somebody to know what he saw.

  Alexandra Cabot : He's been through an interrogation, a court hearing, taken from his family and placed in detention. Why wouldn't he have said something by now?

  Donald Cragen : Look at the players involved: drug dealers and killers. If Elias was drawn into this world at all, he knows what happens to people who talk.

• Alexandra Cabot : [to Phillips]  I'm not here to pick up a case, I'm here to drop one.

  Charlie Phillips : Oh, no, we can't give that kid a free ride.

  Alexandra Cabot : We only got Machete because of Elias' drawing.

  Charlie Phillips : That doesn't bring Carly Jackson back.

  Alexandra Cabot : Her death is a tragedy, yes, but it was self-defense. The vice principal at the school corroborates his story. Machete and his gang were there.

  Charlie Phillips : Did she see them attack him? Draw a weapon?

  Alexandra Cabot : [shows Phillips the picture Elias drew for Dr. Olivet]  This is what he thinks is going to happen to him.

  Charlie Phillips : Well, I think that makes your case and proves that he knows the difference between right and wrong.

  Alexandra Cabot : No, we are the ones who don't know the difference.

• Charlie Phillips : [to Cabot]  Fine, amend the charges to manslaughter.

  Alexandra Cabot : I don't want to prosecute a child at all for a series of society's mistakes. The Barreras' HMO wouldn't cover their baby's condition forcing them to work two jobs. They had to find affordable daycare for Elias which we both know is nonexistent, so they put him in Mrs. Strada's illegal daycare. An 82-year-old woman looking after 15 children whose great-grandson was using Elias as a drug runner and giving him access to a loaded...

  [in a hushed voice] 

  Alexandra Cabot : to a loaded semi-automatic handgun and don't get me started on the accessibility of handguns to minors. This boy should not be put away.

  Charlie Phillips : Nobody in Sing Sing had a great childhood, Ms. Cabot. You start killing at 7, it's not a bad predictor.

• Alexandra Cabot : [to Dr. Olivet]  Liz, my career's on the line here.

  Dr. Elizabeth Olivet : And a little boy's future.

  Alexandra Cabot : Believe me, I haven't forgotten about him. I can't believe my boss did this to me.

  Dr. Elizabeth Olivet : That's what they do. Boys' club. Why do you think I left?

• Alexandra Cabot : [to Phillips]  You know as well as I do that the youngest they've ever convicted was 11.

  Charlie Phillips : Yes, but that was pre-Columbine. Since then, there's been an epidemic of ever-younger kids killing kids with no consequence. People are fed up with it.

  Alexandra Cabot : And you're bored of being the Chief Assistant D.A. I know you're looking to replace Lewin next fall, but let me tell you, if you think you can put a little boy in jail just so you can prove you're tough on crime, you've got to be kidding.

  Charlie Phillips : He's old enough to know the difference between right and wrong.

  Alexandra Cabot : But not to understand the consequences of his actions.

  Charlie Phillips : He brought a gun to school. He knew what he was doing. And this... that gives us intent.

  Alexandra Cabot : Why don't you just apply for a change of venue to Texas so we can have him executed?

  Charlie Phillips : No, Manhattan Family Court will be sufficient.