A triple murder leads Briscoe and Curtis to a psychotic homeless man (Denis O'Hare). Claire is feeling the heat from Schiff for letting James Smith off with a fine in an earlier case. Jack finds that Smith is a legal wiz when back on his medication. It takes the testimony of his sister (Ann Dowd) to finally break his spirit.

We're talking about one of the most acclaimed episodes of Law & Order, season 6 episode 21 "Pro Se." Our special guest is writer and blogger Charlie Pierce.

This episode takes cues from the real life story of David Riggins.

Click here to read Charlie's article on L&O's 25th anniversary.  

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L&O: A psychotic man defends himself in court...and it's heartbreaking

Kevin Flynn and Rebecca Lavoie invite special guests to talk about ripped-from-the-headlines episodes of Law & Order, SVU, and Criminal Intent. It's the f'ing OG of police procedurals!

TV & Film

Comedy

True crime

Shots ring out during an argument in a restaurant. Was the movie producer an innocent bystander? Or did a hit man pick the perfect moment to act?

L&O: First the singing, then the gunfire

A teen fakes her death to run off with her teacher, only to later learn they're actually father and daughter.

SVU: Ooops. I slept with my daughter!

A doctor, the husband of a conservative congresswoman, is beaten to death in his home. He'd been treating a transgender teen against her father's will. Which will win in court: justice or politics?

L&O: The politician's husband was bludgeoned protecting a trans kid

A high school kid thinks he's leaving for a weekend with his pretty teacher, but it's really the wrestling coach who's been sending him the dirty photos. Later, a past victim gets his revenge.

SVU: It's not the hot teacher! It's the catfishing wrestling coach!

The squad looks for victims of a man with fantasies of torturing children. When he's acquitted, Amaro takes matters into his own hands.

L&O: A psychotic man defends himself in court...and it's heartbreaking

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