Ep 1. Confession

In Law & Order season 2 episode 1 titled "Confession", the detectives of the 27th precinct of the New York City Police Department investigate the murder of a woman found in a local park. The victim, Jane Doe, has been strangled and left in the park.

Detectives Lennie Briscoe and Phil Cerreta, the two central characters for this episode, are assigned to the case. They quickly learn that Jane Doe was not only strangled but also raped. Their investigation takes them to a biker bar where the victim was last seen. They find themselves in a sea of suspects, including the biker gang members, the bar owner, and various other witnesses.

As they dig deeper, they find a suspect in the form of Fernando Morales. Fernando is a local handyman who regularly did odd jobs for the victim. He was known to have violent tendencies and was previously arrested for domestic violence. The detectives question Morales about his whereabouts the night of the murder, but he claims to know nothing about it. However, he becomes increasingly nervous as the questioning continues, which makes Cerreta suspicious.

Meanwhile, Executive Assistant District Attorney Ben Stone and Assistant District Attorney Paul Robinette are preparing the case for prosecution. They must convince a grand jury to indict Morales for the murder of Jane Doe. They know that they need a confession to secure a conviction.

When they interview Morales, he admits to raping Jane Doe but denies killing her. However, the detectives believe that he is lying to protect himself, and they continue to interrogate him. The tension builds as Morales becomes increasingly agitated and finally confesses to the murder.

As the case goes to trial, the defense attempts to paint Morales as a victim of an overzealous prosecution. However, Stone uses the evidence and Morales' previous criminal record to paint an accurate picture of a violent offender who is willing to take innocent lives.

The episode reaches its climax as the jury deliberates over Morales' fate. Will he be found guilty, or will he walk free? This episode is an intense, gripping exploration of the American legal system, providing insight into what it takes to win a high-stakes case. It showcases the challenges and struggles of law enforcement, and the importance of rigorous investigation in securing justice for victims.