Francesca Faridany

A female financial analyst with a fetish for sexual bondage is found hanging dead, but while Detectives Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Stabler (Christopher Meloni) debate if her death was a suicide or homicide, they discover that the victim recently tried to purchase $10 million of diamonds -- all of which leads to a Wall Street financier (guest star Geoffrey Nauffts) with a mean streak. During their hunt, they cross paths with a Tennessee insurance investigator (guest star Craig Heidenreich), a crooked charity organizer (guest star Christopher McCann) and other low-lifes from the sado-bondage scene. Richard Belzer, Dann Florek, Michelle Hurd and Dean Winters also star.

After the son of two popular singers dies by running into oncoming traffic, his mother (guest star Christine Andreas) claims that her son was fleeing from a child molester. But when forensics uncovers signs of emotional trauma in the boy, Detectives Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Stabler (Christopher Meloni) suspect that the hands-off approach to parenting employed by the two touring pop stars may have taken a fatal toll on their son -- and may be responsible for their daughter Ashley's (guest star Hayden Panettiere) escalating self-destructive behavior as well.

Before the trial begins, Judge Stan Weisberg (Anthony Edwards) grants a petition allowing the court proceedings to be broadcast on television, bringing a heightened level of public scrutiny to the case as the prosecution and defense present their arguments. When the prosecution's star witness, Dr. Oziel (Josh Charles), takes the stand, his questionable ethics and motives threaten to destroy his credibility. Meanwhile, the defense faces an uphill battle in getting Judge Weisberg to understand the relevance of Lyle (Miles Gaston Villanueva) and Erik's (Gus Halper) complicated upbringing. With the trial reaching a pivotal juncture, Leslie (Edie Falco) struggles with personal demons while she and her husband also move forward in the adoption process.

The jury hears from Lyle (Miles Gaston Villanueva) and Erik (Gus Halper) for the first time when the brothers testify in court, recounting in detail the years of sexual abuse that led them to fear for their lives. Leslie (Edie Falco) makes a surprising move after Judge Weisberg (Anthony Edwards) approves the prosecution's request to unseal the tape of the brothers' confession to Dr. Oziel (Josh Charles). After closing arguments are made, the jury is left to determine a verdict. Meanwhile, Leslie finds a renewed purpose after she and her husband welcome their adopted son into their home.

With Lyle and Erik's juries both struggling to reach a unanimous decision, the possibility of a mistrial leaves Leslie (Edie Falco) hopeful for the opportunity to work out a deal with the District Attorney's office. Meanwhile, District Attorney Gil Garcetti (Mark Moses) takes action to counteract the declining public perception of the justice system. Judge Weisberg's (Anthony Edwards) performance in the trial comes under intense media scrutiny given his record of hung juries and controversial verdicts. With the trial having garnered national attention, Lyle (Miles Gaston Villanueva) uses Norma as a switchboard to connect him with female supporters.