Law & Order (TV Series)

Tragedy on Rye (2002)

S. Epatha Merkerson: Lieutenant Anita Van Buren

Quotes 

• Anita Van Buren : Mr. Branch, I was just coming to see you.

  D.A. Arthur Branch : What can I do for you, Lieutenant?

  Anita Van Buren : I saw your news conference.

  D.A. Arthur Branch : Yes. I thought it went well.

  Anita Van Buren : Well, I understand all about PR, sir, but I think you may have gone just a bit overboard on this one.

  D.A. Arthur Branch : To quote a great legal scholar, "So what?" The two nice ones carry the TV while the surly one does the shooting. Any way you deal the cards, Lieutenant, it's your garden-variety felony murder, punishable by death in this state. Besides, I'd think you'd favor this course of action.

  Anita Van Buren : You know what my problem is? If we fry Carton and Johnson, the next time my officers find themselves in a similar situation, the bad guys may just shoot to kill. What the hell? They'd be facing the death penalty anyway.

  D.A. Arthur Branch : You want to talk next time? What about the next time three punks hit a 7-Eleven? Do you want the two without the gun to get a pass, when their buddy blows the cashier's face off? That's not the message I wanna send for all the next times. And in case you missed the obvious, I'm trying to save the career of one of your officers.

  Anita Van Buren : Maybe his isn't the only career being saved. The Federal case could sway the jury in your murder trial, and we both know a D.A. Can't get re-elected in this city if he can't convict three men caught on tape leaving the scene with the victim's property in their arms.

  D.A. Arthur Branch : You know, Lieutenant, in the end, a man's motives are secondary to his accomplishments.

  Anita Van Buren : That same great legal scholar?

  D.A. Arthur Branch : That's right. Me.