A/N: So the first week of school is over and as promised, here is the next chapter. I don't really know if I will divide the remaining story, or will I keep the chapters long and less chapters. Please forgive me for the delay. Thank you too all my readers and reviewers. Keep R&R.
Additional Disclaimer: I would also like to add that I do not own the original Law and Order story, no more than I do Law and Order SVU or Lizzie McGuire.
Innocence Lost- a Law and Order SVU caseBenson and Stabler have been waiting for this since they first interrogated Kate. Today was a school day, the one after they watched the tape. Benson, actually was the one who was looking more forward to bringing justice. They call for a police cruiser to back them up.
Hillridge P.S. High school101 Lakefield Rd.
Queens4:00 p.m.
Benson and Stabler enter the school gymnasium. It is loud and busy because of the State Championship Basketball match between Hillridge and Columbia High. Kate is among the cheerleaders, she leads them in a cheer for the home team, but specifically for a the school star power forward, Ricky Stanton. The detectives spot her and walk towards the cheerleading team. Kate is in the middle of a cheer and beginning her cheering round before half time.
"Hey Ricky your so fine, your so fine you blow my mind, Hey Ricky, hey Ricky", Kate cheered with her team mates, hoping for the success of the home team. At this Kate and her team cheered along with the crowd and took a two minute breather. They just need to prep their voices for another round. The detectives close in on Kate"Kate Saunders", Stabler declared while his and Benson flashed their badges.
Kate turned and face the detectives.
"What do you want now, I'm in the middle of my cheer."
"Don't worry", replied Benson, "you can finish it in the car". And with that Benson quickly handcuffed her right and left hand.
"What the hell...", Kate said surprised, "Lemme go, what are you doing!"
Kate was shocked and embarrased. At this, everyone couldn't help but notice what was happening to Kate.Then Stabler announced Kate's right's to her, as Benson led her out of the gym.
"Kate Saunders, your under arrest for the murder of Elizabeth McGuire, you have the right to remain silent, anything you say or do will be used against you in the court of Law, you have the right to an attorney, if you cannot afford an attorney..."
Everyone was now paying attention to Kate. The entire squad, the whole Hillridge basketball team, and the first 5 rows of bleachers in front of the squad saw and heard everything. They were all aware, all shocked about Kate being the one responsible for Lizzie's death.
Meanwhile in the same school, but in a different part of the building.
Fin had arrived at the school a little later than Benson and Stabler, but he had arrived in a different part of it. He had also arrived with three regular police officers, just in case. His first stop, the office had told him that Larry was in room 350, study hall.As Fin reaches the third floor he finds himself in luck, he sees Larry walking back to study hall from the washroom. The two come face to face, with the officers right behind Fin.
Fin approaches Larry slowly, and shows him his badge on his belt, but inadvertently shows his holstered gun. He begins to talk to
"Larry Tudgeman..."
Larry looks at Fin, but glances quickly at the officers. Larry slows down immediately and eyes the policemen, and takes a step back in hesitation. He seems to be debating what he should do, in his mind.
"You're going to have to come with us." , Fin finished.
Then there was no more debate. Larry glares at Fin for 3 seconds.
But at an instant, he spins around and bolted in the opposite direction.
This becomes an immediate chase down the hall of Hillridge high. Larry seemed to be running for dear life. Fin leads the chase as he bolts after Larry, with the officers running right behind him. Fin appeared to be catching up to Larry, but Larry turns to duck into a classroom. His own classroom.
Fin feared that it would come to this. Larry was going to make this very difficult, because he was bringing innocent bystanders into play.
Larry raced into his classroom heading towards his backpack, while Fin does the same while fingering his gun.
Fin enters the room forcefully, and confronts Larry, meeting Larry's shocked and confused classmates and teachers for the first time. Luckily, Fin never took his eye off of Larry for a second. Because when Larry reached his bag he attempted to take something out, but the zipper on his bag was stuck in Larry's haste and he had trouble opening his bag. Fin saw the black handle that Larry tried to pull out and knew instantly.
It was a weapon. Larry was trying to get a weapon.
At this, Fin knew everyone was in danger, including himself. He drew his gun out and pointed it at Larry. Instantly, the mass shock and confusion of Larry's class turned into mass fear and panic
"DROP THE WEAPON, GET DOWN ON THE GROUND", Fin ordered in his best and loudest police tone.
Larry, paused for a moment, temporarily stopping his struggle to use his weapon, he looked at Fin with fear, and froze for a second, like a deer freezes when headlights are shone at it. Fin saw this as an opportunity to apprehend Larry, while keeping the others safe and not having to resort to deadly force. So at once, Fin jumped and slid over the desk between himself and Larry, and with one quick and smooth action, he was able to slide-kick Larry's hand, knocking the handle out of Larry's hand and back into a bag.
Larry turned to try to escape the cops, but it was no use. Before Larry knew it, Fin already had a grip on him and had him slammed to his desk, which was closet to the classroom wall.
"Larry Tudgeman...", Fin began, but he was unable to finish. Larry was struggling to break free from Fin's strong hold.
"NO...YOU CAN'T TAKE LIZZIE AWAY FROM ME", Larry screamed with tears in his eyes and rage and resolve in his voice. He did all he could to prevent his arrest. He seemed to have had no regard for police authority. He continues his screams capital letters
Larry becomes stronger with this and Fin begins to lose control over him. It is at this point that a second cop comes to Fin's aid and grabs Larry from the right side and together the two slammed Larry against the classroom wall.
"SHE'S MY LIZZIE"
"Cuff him", ordered Fin as he continues to further clamp down on Larry. It is only with this resolve that the second officer can handcuff Larry.
"LIZZIE IS MINE"
Fin tries to move Larry, but he still refuses to co-operate at all. When Fin tries to drag Larry from the wall, Larry seems to find new strength, and struggles again, this time catching Fin and the second officer by surprise. Larry was able to take a couple of running steps away from the officers while handcuffed, but Fin drags him back.
"I LOVE LIZZIE"
"Sit your ass down!", ordered Fin as the officers slam him to back on the desk.
But his order was futile in taming Larry.
"SHE LOVES ME I KNOW SHE DOES"
At this point the other officers jump in to help as well.
"Cuff his legs!", Fin orders to a free officer. A free officer does exactly that while Fin and the second officer try to control Larry. The last officer keeps the innocent bystanders at bay, protecting both them and Larry from them.
However even this is not enough. You see as Fin tries to drag Larry away safely, Larry lunges back to try to slam Fin between himself and the wall. The officers are losing patience and struggle to control Larry.
Finally, the third officer sees the desperation of this situation and pulls out his electric taser. He shocks Larry with a searing and painful electric shock. Larry screams in desperation but then breaks down.
Larry finally surrenders by breaking down into tears, crying his heart out. His crazed state gives way to a calm, but pathetically pleading demeanour. At this time, the attention of the entire floor of the school, both students and faculty are witness to all these events that occurred and continue to watch this drama.
"No, please don't take Lizzie away, she is my life"
Fin, pulls Larry up and continues saying.
"Larry Tudgeman, your under arrest for the aggravated rape and aggravated murder of Elizabeth McGuire..."
Chatter and rumours immediately permeate the air as all realized how Larry was involved with Lizzie. Larry is led out, and in tears, he screams out to the watching classmates
"I Loved her"
Now both are in custody.
Arraignment
Supreme Court (of New York)
June 6- 9:45 a.m.
The court is filled with chatter as arraignments are now taking place. This is where the lawyer present an opening case at the first hearing and the first of three judges, the hearing judge will listen to arguments on the condition of any possible bail or reprieve. The court is usually filled with noise, but that noise is louder today due to this particular case. Like predicted by everyone, Lizzie's case is very high profile. The added noise made by the press, whether it was made by reporters, photographers, angry citizens whose mourning for Lizzie has turned into a hate for mostly Larry. Only the reporters are allowed in, but even they add to the noise level.
The bailiff announces the next case, the reporters listen intently.
"Docket number 9377, the people (of the state of New York) vs. Katherine Saunders. One count Murder in the first degree"
The judge looks up at the prosecuting and defending side. Kate is present in a sombre yet professional outfit.
"Alright, so this is whose responsible for Lizzie huh?" the judge commented rhetorically.
She can't help but notice the buzz caused by the press attention, she raises her eyebrow, but continues.
"How does you client plea, councillor?", the judge asks the defence.
"Not guilty, your honour", Kate responded.
"Ms. Novak, what are you asking"
"Due to the nature of this crime, the people request remand (that Kate be kept in jail until her trial, instead of being offered bail)", responded Ms. Novak.
"Your honour, I assure you, Kate is a law abiding citizen with no prior criminal record. She is financially dependant on her parents, so she is not a flight risk, and she awaits her day where she can prove herself innocent in court", answered Mr. Donaldson, "we ask for bail".
"That's a strong assertion councillor", replied the judge to Mr. Donaldson, "Ms. Novak?".
"Your honour, Ms. Sanders (Kate) had plenty of prior altercations with the victim which suggests a very dangerous pattern of behaviour."
"Your honour, I assure you that my client will not be any risk to anyone else, she is in complete custody of her parents"
Then the judge makes the decision.
"Even though I agree with the people's concerns, I don't think there is enough to justify complete remand. Therefore, bail is set at $250,000 cash or bond."
The judge bangs her gavel and Kate is sent away. She walks past but not before glaring at Detective Benson, who is there at the proceedings.
The next case is up.
"Docket number 9379, the people vs. Lawrence Tudgeman. The charges are aggravated rape in the first degree, and aggravated murder in the First Degree, assaulting an officer, and resisting arrest. "
"How does you client plea", asks the judge.
"Not guilty due to mental defect/disease", responded Larry's court appointed lawyer.
"Ms. Novak?"
"Again, due to the particularly heinous nature of the crime, as well as his deep involvement in this crime, the people request remand."
"Your honour the prosecutor is being overly critical of my client. The people request bail with condition"
"And what condition would that be", asked the judge.
"House arrest, until and throughout the duration of the trial"
"That's not good enough", stated Ms. Novak.
"Your honour, my client will be under safe supervision by a next of kin"
"His parents?", asked the judge.
"No, your honour, his grandmother", responded the lawyer."Your honour, it was under the supervision of his grandmother that this was allowed to happen in the first place", protested Ms. Novak
The judge nods her head and agrees.
"I agree, I have just read the police reports about the not so subtle way Larry surrendered himself, I am ordering Mr. Tudgeman remanded at Bellevue psychiatric hospital and ordering a full evaluation before official trial begins",
And with that, the judge bangs her gavel to make it official. The bailiffs take Larry away.
Back at the precinct
Ms. Novak briefs the detectives about the case so far and the specifics.
"Kate's out on bail. $250,000 is not a lot of money considering her family's wealth. I tried to get her remanded, but I think the judge is having a hard time considering Kate as a suspect."
"Well, don't worry, you did the best you could", assured Cragen.
"What about Larry?", asks Benson.
"Well, that is a different story. We had to get him a court appointed lawyer. When his parents found out, they practically disowned him, and left him hanging, I mean they weren't even at the arraignment. His grandmother is the only one on his side now"
"One question", asked Cragen, "why first degree murder?"
Ms. Novak sighed and said, "I was ordered to by my boss. The public wants revenge and the elections are coming up. The D.A. doesn't want to lose this opportunity and risk not being re-elected."
Ms Novak then realises the concerns of the detectives. Especially Cragen.
"We both know that in New York, first degree murder is a charge which carries the death penalty, but I have to admit, I wanna see this kind of justice, besides Kate and Larry are both almost 18, I won't have a problem convincing a jury."
Then Stabler walks in and tells them the news about the search warrant and the resulting findings of the search.
"CSU just finished probing the Tudgeman's residence, Grandmother Tudgeman's residence and Larry's locker."
"And?"
"We found Lizzie's wristband"
"What! Where?", asked Benson.
"Apparently, there was a hidden pocket stored behind the panel of his locket. He kept it safe in a ziploc bag."
"What else?"
"Well, CSU found literally hundreds of picture of Lizzie. Baby pics, yearbook, friends, but mostly odd pictures."
Stabler showed the different types of picture found in Larry's possesion. It was indeed a creepy sight for all. This was definitely an obsessed man. Most pics are of Lizzie alone. And whenever it wasn't it, the other faces were blocked out.
Then Cragen noticed, "Most of these odd pics are from odd angles, that must mean..."
"That it was from a spy camera or shot from a hidden location", finished Stabler.
"Careful, I sent the others to the lab, those ones were soaked, the initial test the lab workers ran thinks it semen."
"Lovely", Ms. Novak commented sarcastically.
"We also already sent all we could to the Crime lab to check it out, but we also recovered Larry's box of condoms, KY jelly, and Vaseline cans as well"
"And?", inquired Benson
"Well, we sent the condoms to the FBI Crime lab for a match, and we already gave the rest in for evidence"
"Good", said Ms. Novak, "I finally have something to work with"
Just then Fin and Munch walk in. They had come back after trying to interrogate Larry, but to no avail. They had also just answered an important call.
"Listen up everybody, we got some startling news", Fin announced.Everyone involved looks up at Fin.
"Seems that John here was right", said Fin.
"What do you mean"
"The FBI lab just called us. It was able to quickly match Larry's condoms to the one used to rape Lizzie."
"We know that already...", Cragen responded.
"But", Munch interrupted, "The lab was able to make something out of the DNA evidence. While we won't be able to use it for a comparison, because it was so badly damaged by the storm, they were able to isolate the DNA types. Apparently, Lizzie was not only raped by Larry, but with someone else using the same condom. We found a completely different type of semen. The completely different type was the one that did the raping. Larry's semen problably didn't even do anything, because it wasn't a substantial amount to prove it did something, if anything at all."
This got the detectives interested.
"Do we know that the condom that was used was one of Larry's", asked Cragen.
"The lab guaranteed a positive match, beside the brand and the type of condom is very specific."
"That means there was a third person", said Cragen finally.
"Listen, unless you can give me more, I'm afraid this third person doesn't exist to us or to this case", said Ms. Novak.
"And that's not all", commented Munch, hinting on the interrogation.
"Alright, Fin, John, you guys interrogated Larry. What did he have to say?"
This was crucial.
"Well, Larry won't talk. You see", Munch began, "he was all calm and cool when we approached him, but as we tried to get him to talk, he kept insisting that 'he loved Lizzie' and 'he wanted to protect her'. As we tried to push forward, he spiralled downward into his craziness for Lizzie."
"But was there anything about a third person", asked Ms. Novak.
"That's the strange part about this. You see, after a while, he did imply that there was someone else. He kept saying that he was his friend."
"Like how?"
"He kept talking about how he himself didn't kill Lizzie, but how he did (the third person did)"
"He? He as in this mysterious third person"
"Yep, he also started describing how he came with Kate, met up with this friend and what his friend and Kate did to Lizzie, after striking Lizzie. But one thing is certain, he kept insisting that he didn't kill Lizzie"
"But the worst part was that he refused to give who the third person was. He was adamant, even after we grilled him for hours on end."
Then a secretary walking toward the detectives hands Cragen a file. Cragen reads it.
"Here is the psych evaluation. And according to this, Larry shows Level 2 type symptoms of Euromania"
"Euromania, of course", Dr. Huang, the criminal psychaitrist said, "It's the real psychaitric condition where one believes that they are in love with something or someone else and believe that the feeling is equally mutual. It all fits now".
"Not so fast doc. It says here that for someone to have a case deep enough to declare him both not responsible for his actions, and for him to be declared mentally unfit to stand trial, it must be a level 3. Sorry, but Larry didn't make the cut"
"He didn't? How was that possble"
"Well, for certain people with weaker psyche, a level one or level two type Euromania, can act as level three."
"And what does that mean for the case?" asked Ms. Novak.
"It means that the case favours both sides...
"Damn!", muttered Ms. Novak.
Then Cragen had come to a decision.
"Well, obviously what we have here someone else who committed the crime. No matter what we need to find this third person, but we need to do it fast. Remember, Larry is the one who will face the wrath of the jury the hardest. So no matter what we need to search high and low for who the third person might be"
All agree but then they are interrupted.
"Detectives", called out a familiar lawyer.
The detectives turn around and see Mr. Donaldson. They are stunned that they would approach them.
"Hello, I'm here to discuss a deal with you"
This took everyone by surprise. I mean, obviously Mr. Donaldson would never do this unless he had to, and obviously Kate had made him to this. But why. The person that was most interested was obviously Ms. Novak, the ADA.
A few minutes later, Mr. Donaldson, Ms. Novak and Det. Capt. Cragen, were sitting down.
"I would like to ask for a plea bargain, on behalf of my client, Ms. Saunders", began Mr. Donaldson.
"I don't get it, Mr. Donaldson, why the change of heart", asked Ms. Novak
"Because I have something that you really want"
"And that is?...", asked Cragen.
"Kate has told me what she knows as the real perp behind this"
At this Ms. Novak and Capt. Cragen, looked up at each other with high interest. This does not go unnoticed by Mr. Donaldson.
"So I was thinking, since Kate was not really involved in this...I was thinking maybe we could cut a deal"
"Like...?", began Ms. Novak.
"Since Kate says was only partially involved, but she did not tell the police right away, I was thinking an accomplice (to murder) charge, 5 years."
At this Ms. Novak and Capt. Cragen looked amazed.
"WHAT, I don't think you comprehend the seriousness of this situation"
"And I also don't think that it's fair your charging my client with a capital offence, especially when she wasn't involved"
"Hey, I can't do that until I have Kate's statements, and have her testify. In fact I would like to know, since she's not here herself, where is she right now and what else do you know".
"I can't do that", Donaldson responded teasingly, "That would mean I would have to break attorney client privilege. But I assure you she sent me here and gave me full authority to argue in her best interests."
"So what do you think of a possible deal", asked Donaldson again.
"I think we just take the death penalty of the table, but Kate serves the maximum 40 years (Life in prison)".
That was the type of deal that would have been given if Kate would have just plead guilty (admitted to the charges) and allowed her punishment, on the condition it was reduced.
"WHAT!", Donaldson exclaimed with a hint of anger, "What kind of deal is that!"
"One that keeps her breathing", responded Ms. Novak, equally angry.
"You seem to be forgetting that Kate knows who really committed this crime. She knows who did this, and Mr. Tudgeman had nothing to do with this."
At this the two balked. Donaldson was right. Without this information, we will never know how involved was Larry in this, if he was really involved at all. This lawyer had no heart (like most lawyers). He was risking the life of another man to save his client. Ms. Novak and Capt. Cragen had to relent.
"Alright Mr. Donaldson, I'll offer Man one (First degree Manslaughter), 15 years, but Kate must tell the truth and tell us the whole story, including how she and Larry fit into this, or the deal is off and you face the grand jury"
Mr Donaldson paused for a moment to consider this and then spoke up, "I will have to talk to my client about this. We will both be coming tomorrow morning at 9:30, since the trial begins at 1:00 p.m."
"Fine by us", Ms. Novak relented.
And with that Mr. Donalson left the Capt.'s office. Ms. Novak would have to go back to her boss, the D.A. himself, Arthur Branch.
Mr. Branch totally agreed with Ms. Novak on this and agreed it was the only way that justice could be served. No matter what, Larry refused to talk, while Kate refused to talk without a deal. Now everything, but especially the fate of Larry Tudgeman would be in the hands of Kate and her testimony.
Ms. Novak was contemplating this as she worked in her office, getting papers ready for tommorow. It was late at night and she was ready to turn in. She had a long ride home back to her apartment from the D.A. office building. She was about to turn off the lights when suddenly the phone rang. She answered it and started talking.
"Hello?...yes this is her...yes...yes...why...WHAT...how did it happen...oh my God...I'll be right there."
And with that she grabbed her coat and after locking up, she raced out the door. This was serious. This was bad. Real bad.
Central Park
June 6
11:33 p.m.
Ms. Novak parked her car at the first open space that wasn't taken up by police and ambulance vehicles. She hurried over to and crossed the familiar yellow line. She immediately went to the two detectives who had already arrived and had just finished talking to the CSU analyst on hand.
"What the hell happened", Ms Novak demanded as she showed them her ADA ID.
"CSU said the girl was approached from behind and shot twice in the back of the head, then the shooter ran off", said the first detective
"Any witnesses!"
"Nope, this an isolated part of the park, plus there were absolutely no sounds, so the shooter must have used a silencer", added the second detective.
"Oh great"
"You mind us telling us who you are Ms..."
"Novak, Casey Novak, ADA, who needs her to witness for a case."
"Ouch, man that's horrible. Oh, by the way I'm Det. Ed Green, 37th precinct", the second detective offered.
"I'm Lenny Briscoe, also from the 37th", said the first detective.
The compliments were cut short when Ms. Novak spotted Benson and Stabler, as well as Fin and Munch hurrying to the scene. They were just called in as well.
All see the body.
"Oh, crap, there goes our only witness to the whole thing"
"I guess now where going to have to rely on forensics", relented Benson.
"How did this happen", demanded Stabler.
"Well, by what we know, the victim had probably met someone here and as she was about to leave, he pops one into her head, with a silencer and leaves in the other direction", replied Briscoe.
"By the way, she looks kind of familiar, so why is SVU here again?", asked Green.
"She was a prime suspect and key witness in the investigation of a possible third suspect in the Lizzie McGuire case", replied Benson.
"Oh, lord...that's horrible", commented Green. Both Green and Briscoe had read up about Lizzie McGuire in the news, mainly the New York Post.
"She must have known something", Briscoe continued, "The same perp probably did this or he hired a hitman to do this, either way, someone didn't want her talking".
"Other than that, all we could find was a chain necklace that was ripped from her neck and thrown down, it had an emblem of a Cat with the name Kate on it. Must have been a personal symbol, she probably represented herself like a cat", hypothesised Green.
A/N: Briscoe's famous wisecrack
"Yeah, too bad this cat didn't have nine lives.", wisecracked Briscoe.
And with that Det. Green took one last look at the lifeless and innocent looking body of Kate Saunders. Then he recovered her head with the sheet before it was replaced in a body bag.
This was a whole new case. Without Kate, any hope for Larry was gone. They needed a witness to this. And their only one was gone. It was clear that the third person was the one who was responsible for this. He was involved and didn't want Kate pointing him out. Now he had a real chance of escaping. Both the 37th precinct and SVU weren't about to let this happen.
The next morning, ADA Casey Novak went straight to her boss and explained everything. The D.A. agreed and told Ms. Novak that due to the increasing complexities of this case, she would be getting additional help from Asst. D.A. Jack McCoy and ADA Serena Southerlyn. Now they were looking for the third person. A rapist and a killer.
A/N: Thank you so very much for you patience. Bet you didn't see that one coming huh? Anyway, please review and see what you think. I thought it was creative to add on elements of the original series into this, it is very reasonable since they are all NYPD and all work the same city. Also, about the more action oriented scene, I hope it was to your satisfaction. I made it better because you had to wait much longer than you did in the summer.
It's getting more stressful for me too write so please forgive the mistakes in my writing. Also, I'm getting tired, and want to finish soon. I would do so much more, especially if this was June and not September. Anyway, I told you there was a twist. This is only one of many. Please R&R. I tried to make this extra long and good to make up for my lack of progress in posting. I also omitted the actual interrogation of Larry. VERY SORRY, if you thought I short changed you in any way. Please keep on reading. Thanx.
GFMarshall
