NARRATOR: In the criminal justice system, sexually based offenses are considered especially heinous. In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT. These are their stories.

FADE IN:

INT. SVU SQUAD ROOM - DAY

Detective ROLLINS is at her desk, looking through a case file when Detective CARISI enters the room.

CARISI: (excitedly) Rollins, you won't believe it! We just got a hit on the DNA sample from that hatchet case.

ROLLINS: (surprised) Really? I thought we hit a dead end on that one.

CARISI: (nodding) We did, until the techs ran it through a new database. They found a match.

Rollins stands up, ready to go.

ROLLINS: Let's go bring this guy in.

As they exit the squad room, the camera lingers on Rollins' determined expression.

OPENING CREDITS

FADE IN:

INT. SVU INTERROGATION ROOM - DAY

Detective ROLLINS sits at the table, flipping through a folder, as VIOLENT J, a tattooed and heavily built man with a menacing vibe, is led into the room by two uniformed officers. He sits nervously across from Rollins.

ROLLINS: Mr. J, we're here to talk about the assault that took place at the concert in Central Park last night.

VIOLENT J: (nervously) I don't know anything about that.

ROLLINS: Witnesses say they saw you in a heated exchange with the victim, and that you were the last one to be seen with her before she was found unconscious.

VIOLENT J: (defensive) Look, we may have had words, but I didn't touch her. I swear.

ROLLINS: We have surveillance footage of you leaving the scene with blood on your clothes.

VIOLENT J: (angry) I was pushing my way through the crowd, someone probably spilled beer on me.

Rollins shakes her head and leans forward, studying him.

ROLLINS: Mr. J, we know what you're associated with. Your lyrics, your image, your fans...they all portray a violent and aggressive persona.

VIOLENT J: (shifting uncomfortably) That's just entertainment, it's not real life.

ROLLINS: (firmly) Entertainment or not, someone is in critical condition because of what happened last night. We need to find out the truth.

VIOLENT J: (growing frustrated) I'm telling you the truth! I didn't do it!

ROLLINS: (leaning back in her chair) Then who did?

VIOLENT J: (pausing, then sighing heavily) I don't know. It was chaos, people were fighting, there were too many variables. But I swear...I didn't touch her.

Rollins studies him for a moment longer before standing up.

ROLLINS: (firmly) We'll have to continue this interview at another time. Take him to holding.

The officers lead Violent J out of the room as Rollins makes her way to Captain Benson's office.

ROLLINS: (walking in) Captain, we need to search Violent J's property and bring him in again for further questioning.

BENSON: (nodding) Agreed. Let's make sure we do this by the book, though. No slip-ups.

Rollins nods sternly and exits.

FADE OUT

INT. SVU INTERROGATION ROOM - LATER

Violent J is brought back into the room by the same officers, looking more agitated than before. Detective Carisi is now present and takes a seat across from him.

CARISI: You know, Mr. J, you don't seem too concerned about what happened to the victim.

VIOLENT J: (defensive) Of course, I'm concerned! Why do you think I'm here?

CARISI: Because we have reason to believe that you're more involved than you're letting on.

VIOLENT J: (frustrated) I already told you I didn't do it!

CARISI: Then why did we find a hatchet that matches the victim's injuries in your vehicle?

Violent J's eyes widen in surprise.

VIOLENT J: (stuttering) That's not mine! I don't know how it got there!

CARISI: (leaning in) Maybe you had a change of heart and you were planning on turning yourself in, is that it?

VIOLENT J: (defeated) I don't know...I panicked, okay? I didn't want the blame to fall on me.

CARISI: (skeptical) So you just happened to pick up a weapon that matches the injuries of the victim?

VIOLENT J: (avoiding eye contact) It was self-defense. She came at me first.

CARISI: (leaning back) We can't just take your word for it. We'll need a full confession and cooperation if you want any chance of reducing your charges.

Violent J hesitates, looking defeated.

VIOLENT J: (sighing) I'll tell you what happened.

Rollins and Benson enter the room quietly, taking their spots behind Carisi.

VIOLENT J (CONT'D): (shakily) We got into an argument, and things got heated. I didn't like what she was saying about me, about my music. I lost my temper. We got into a scuffle and I hit her with the hatchet. I didn't realize how bad it was until I saw her on the ground, bleeding.

The room falls silent as Violent J finishes his confession.

ROLLINS: (softly) Thank you for being honest with us, Mr. J.

Violent J looks up at her, looking more vulnerable than before.

BENSON: (firmly) You're under arrest and will be charged with assault in the first degree.

The officers stand up to take him into custody again.

VIOLENT J: (resigned) I understand.

The officers lead him out of the room as Rollins, Carisi, and Benson huddle together to discuss their next steps.

FADE OUT

INT. SVU INTERROGATION ROOM - LATER

Rollins, Carisi, and Benson are sitting in the room when a distraught woman enters, looking for answers.

WOMAN: (frantic) I heard my daughter was involved in an assault last night. Is she okay?

BENSON: (nodding) Ma'am, your daughter was the victim. She's in critical condition at the hospital.

The woman breaks down in tears as the detectives try to comfort her.

ROLLINS: (kindly) We understand this is difficult for you, but we need to ask you a few questions about what happened.

The woman nods and begins to compose herself.

WOMAN: (tearfully) My daughter... she's a huge fan of ICP. She wanted to meet him so badly at the concert. They talked for a bit, but then something happened and they started arguing. I was trying to separate them, but everything just got out of hand.

CARISI: (nodding) Do you remember anything specific that they were arguing about?

WOMAN: (pausing) I don't know...it was something about his lyrics being too violent.I didn't really understand it.

BENSON: (nodding) We'll look into it further. Thank you for your cooperation.

The woman nods and exits the room as the detectives continue to discuss the case.

ROLLINS: (thoughtfully) This could be a breakthrough. Maybe we can find previous instances of Violent J's violent behavior related to his music.

CARISI: (nodding) Good idea. Let's get started.

BENSON: (firmly) And meanwhile, make sure we have a tight case against him. I don't want this slipping through our fingers.

The detectives nod in agreement and exit the room, ready to tackle the case.

FADE OUT

The New York County Courthouse
60 Centre Street
Monday, May 4th

INT. COURTHOUSE - DAY

Violent J is led into the courtroom in handcuffs, looking nervous and defeated. The judge enters and takes his seat.

JUDGE: Mr. J, you have been charged with assault in the first degree. How do you plead?

VIOLENT J: (low voice) Guilty, your honor.

The judge nods and looks down at his notes.

JUDGE: I want to emphasize the severity of this crime and the impact it has had on the victim and their family.

The victim's family is present in the courtroom, looking somber and emotional.

JUDGE (CONT'D): I hope that this sentence will serve as a reminder that violence is not the answer, no matter what your personal beliefs or artistic expression.

The judge bangs his gavel and the court adjourns as Violent J is taken back into custody. The victim's family approaches Rollins, Carisi, and Benson, thanking them for their work on the case.

FAMILY MEMBER: (tearfully) We just want justice for our daughter, and to prevent anything like this from happening again.

ROLLINS: (kindly) We understand. We'll be working closely with the court to ensure that justice is served.

The family members nod, looking grateful, as the detectives exit the courtroom.

St. Catherine's Hospital
414 Third Avenue
Tuesday, May 5th

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY

The victim of Violent J's assault is lying in a hospital bed, looking pale and weak. Benson enters the room, carrying a bouquet of flowers.

BENSON: (kindly) How are you feeling?

VICTIM: (weakly) Better, thank you.

BENSON: (nodding) I wanted to let you know that we got a confession from Violent J. He's going to be behind bars for a while.

The victim nods, looking relieved.

VICTIM: (whispering) I'm just glad it's over.

BENSON: (kindly) Me too. We're going to make sure he's held accountable for his actions.

Suddenly, there's a commotion outside the door, and Benson goes to investigate. Carisi and Rollins enter the room, looking alarmed.

ROLLINS: (urgent) Benson, we just got a call. Violent J has been found dead in his cell.

Benson looks shocked, and the victim starts to whimper in fear.

VICTIM: (terrified) What does this mean? Is it over?

CARISI: (uneasily) We don't know yet.

FADE OUT

Manhattan Detention Complex
125 White Street

INT. JAIL CELL - LATER

Carisi and Rollins are investigating Violent J's cell, looking for any signs of foul play. As they search the room, they notice a strange, eerie feeling in the air. Suddenly, they hear a faint whispering coming from the corner, and they cautiously approach.

ROLLINS: (nervously) Carisi, do you hear that?

CARISI: (alert) Yeah...what the hell is that?

As they get closer, they see a faint apparition of Violent J's face, contorted in agony. The whispering grows louder, and the detectives reel in horror.

CARISI: (terrified) We need to get out of here.

ROLLINS: (nodding) Agreed.

As they start to leave the cell, they hear a loud scream coming from behind them. They turn around, but there's nothing there.

FADE TO BLACK

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER DICK WOLF

CLOSING CREDITS