- Brenda is asked to help keep a criminal imprisoned when the woman he was convicted of murdering shows up recently dead, and her actions alienate everyone. Meanwhile, Captain Taylor makes a fateful decision about supporting one of his men.
- The LAPD has a major problem on their hands when Lisa Barnes is found dead. Billy Croelick was convicted of killing her some years before and is on death row awaiting execution. He was also found not guilty of another murder and it seems the police misidentified the bodies. With Croelick's likely release in the next 48 hours, Pope asks Brenda and her team to see what they can find - anything that will keep him in jail as there is little doubt he is a vicious and sadistic serial killer. Several people had their hands in the case and are afraid of what the new investigation may turn up, including Captain Taylor, Lt. Flynn and LA's only forensic dentist, Dr. Easton. Brenda is also taking something of a risk since she's just the type of woman that appeals to Croelick. As she goes through the evidence, she begins to think something is amiss.—garykmcd
- The episode opens in the morgue, with camera fixed on the examination table. The medical examiner identifies the body in front of him as Lisa Barnes, the victim of meth-amphetamine induced heart failure, found dead at eleven this morning. Presumed to have been the victim three years ago of a serial killer named Bill Croelick, who is on death row for killing her. Taylor tries convincing Pope into ignoring the body of Lisa Barnes which they are standing over in the morgue as the person presumed dead at the hands of Croelick. Taylor to Pope, we misidentified this victim and Pope says what's the alternative? Taylor suggests in Pope's face, do us a favor, send this girl to the crematorium as a Jane Doe, keep Croelick in prison, don't damage the reputation of our department. Pope returns with here is the favor I am going to do for you, I am going to forget you said that. Chief Johnson enters, Pope begins an explanation of events from three years ago with a murder victim, he then hands the update over to Lt. Flynn, the officer on the case. Flynn tells Brenda, Miss Barnes identified through dental records. The medical examiner recaps that the body on the table is Lisa Barnes, dead as of eleven this morning from meth-amphetamine heart failure. The problem is the wrong body mistaken for Lisa, and Bill Croelick is on death row for killing Lisa Barnes; a trial happening some three years ago. Brenda probes, so, who did Bill Croelick kill? Pope counters that is what we need Priority Homicide to find out, before we have him released.
A forthcoming procedure spread by Pope for Brenda in Pope's office. Croelick's method of killing was making certain there was little evidence available for conviction. As Flynn put it earlier, he barbequed his victims. Pope says he cut off her hands and feet, set her on fire twice, pushed her off a cliff in a car. Brenda gives a, sounds thorough. Chief Johnson summarizes for Pope, to arrest Croelick again, we must connect him to the young lady he murdered, and we may have only forty-eight hours before he walks. Pope finishes providing Brenda with information about Croelick, summing she is his type, namely blond.
Brenda is at the murder board having Deputy D.A. Powell explain her part in the trial of Bill Croelick. Brenda directs her comments to Deputy D.A. Powell, please explain some of the mistakes made, start with the body we found yesterday. Powell chronicles Lisa Barnes' last years with her meth habit and Flynn adds what he discovered since it was his case at the time which brought Croelick to justice and eventually prison. Brenda adds, of what you thought was Lisa Barnes. Did you run the dental records through the missing persons database? Powell answers no. Flynn holds up Lisa's driver's license found at the scene, through dental records we identified the victim as Lisa Barnes. Brenda orders Lt. Tao to collects all the files of missing female victims at the time of the crime. Powell mentions Dr. Nelson Graydon did the work-up on the forensics, he is the only forensic dentist in L.A. County. Brenda orders Det. Gabriel to get Dr. Graydon to come in to HQ. Flynn tells Brenda about Anna Tandy, a similar victim from 2000, also his case, and like Lisa, blond and petite. Anna died in much the same way Lisa was, presumed to be Lisa. Powell says there was a witness to Anna's death, and Croelick confessed to the witness he killed Anna, but the witness died before it went to trial. Four days into the trial, the witness overdosed. Left to Powell was a lot of circumstantial data, and a deposition from Dr. Easton, who did Croelick's psych evaluation. Easton interjects his testimony was on the part of Lisa Barnes, not a part of this inquiry. Croelick's acquittal made us sick, states Powell. With Lisa Barnes, it was a chance to finally get him. Provenza chimes in with Dr. Easton had two chances to interview Croelick. Brenda inquires with Dr. Easton, do you think Croelick killed our Jane Doe? Easton says yes, based on the similarities of each crime. Moved to Brenda's office, Easton tells they found his fingerprints on a stainless-steel lighter found at the scene. Easton describes Croelick as borderline sociopath, knows the difference between right and wrong, smart. Easton concludes by elucidating Croelick's family upbringing, making it cringeworthy in his detail. Every woman Croelick ever dated was like his mother, blond, suffering a horrible death at the hands of his father, according to Easton.
Brenda meets Bill Croelick, exchanges artificial pleasantries, while the media room learns he has waived his rights. She excuses the officers standing in with a chained convict, saying she thinks it would be fine one-on-one. Brenda iterates you plead not-guilty three years ago murdering Lisa Barnes, and it turns out you were telling the truth. Brenda requests Bill tell who did die in that accident three years ago, promising to erase the capital conviction, dropping the death penalty. Bill responds with why should he answer any of her inquiries, when he leaves a free man in twenty-eight hours. Brenda departs the room after Croelick makes a point to ascertain she is not too far from assistance.
Brenda greets Roy and Kim Barnes stating she is the bearer of some unique news. Mr. Barnes, your first wife Lisa is dead, again. Brenda says Lisa, found yesterday, dead from a drug-overdose, is news to Roy. We already have a positive identification of the body, we don't need you to see her again. Brenda adds Roy was still married three years ago, the death certificate I hold is more current, and accurate, than the one you signed. Please sign this document for us to swap dead girls. Roy signs the document acknowledging Lisa's recent death. Brenda tells him she wishes she could identify the person he thought was Lisa years ago; she cannot for now.
Dr. Crippen has the body formerly known as Lisa Barnes on the morgue-table with Chief Johnson and Sgt. Gabriel standing by looking at the charred bones. Brenda solicits the M.E. for his help in identifying the body by looking at the remaining teeth. He hands the remaining teeth to Sgt. Gabriel.
Dr. Easton shows Brenda what he had to work with based on dental records and a few remaining teeth from the victim. There is a marked difference between the x-rays of the current victim and those from three years ago. Brenda takes the jar of remaining teeth, thanking Easton she would like a second opinion identifying the teeth in hand. She gives the jar to Agent Howard for analysis and identification rather than rely on the results of unreliable Dr. Grayson. Brenda hands Fritz forty files of missing-women and the jar, hoping he can get a match via FBI forensics. Brenda is asking Agent Fritz Howard to identify the remains of the charred dental work from the person formerly buried as Lisa Barnes. Det. Gabriel informs Chief Johnson she has a visitor, it is Bill Croelick dropping in to say good-bye, he says he cannot talk now, his attorney is waiting for him downstairs. He exits while watched by officers and patrolmen.
Taylor is in Pope's office ranting about Chief Johnson not getting Croelick to give up information. Taylor invites Pope to demote Chief Johnson, allowing the LAPD to get what everybody wants, Croelick back in prison. The proposed demotion will send a message throughout LAPD, per Taylor. Pope mentions Flynn got his promotion off this case, do you think he is creating the evidence? Pope says he is interested in getting this current case solved.
Doctors Easton and Graydon both are demanding police protection from Croelick who has called identifying himself to each and threatening their families. Brenda requests their requested police protection from Bill Croelick. Lt. Flynn declined his protection, saying he could take care of himself, referencing his holstered weapon as plenty of protection.
Croelick surprises Brenda on her front porch, she points her gun at him while calling Det. Gabriel for assistance; I have located Croelick, he is on my porch. Bill says his attorney called him stating the police were looking for him. He claims his accusers framed him. Killed and burned to death was Anna Tandy, using an accelerant of grain alcohol down her throat, according to Bill, but the unidentified girl burned recently, not treated in that manner. Police arrive to haul Croelick away. Brenda looks spellbound after Croelick mentions the lighter found at the scene of the recent murder and the use of the accelerant being absent.
Both Brenda and Crippen stare at the burnt corpse, swapped from the grave of Lisa Barnes. Dr. Crippen, the Medical Examiner, declares the Jane Doe in front of them, is an example of lungs not exploding, however, Anna Tandy, the girl from a few years ago, her lungs exploded. Brenda requests he take-a- peek inside, but Crippen says, tell me Chief Johnson, where do you see an inside? They are looking at a partial charred corpse, hands and feet removed.
Fritz enters Brenda's office with a file, Brenda grabs the file inquiring is this my Jane Doe? Referring to the missing dentist, he may have skipped town, nowhere found. Fritz states, I promise that's your girl, first reported missing June 2002. Brenda declares, she looks almost exactly like Lisa Barnes. Moving into the murder room, Brenda announces, let's hope this girl rings a bell with someone. Dr. Easton blurts out, her name is Samantha Jones, she is chapter eight in my book, I testified at her rape trial. Brenda inquires, and who was the arresting officer in the case? Flynn acknowledges by nodding.
Flynn, Taylor and Brenda are in Pope's office, Pope enters his office demanding to know what is this all about? Explain it to me, Croelick has nothing to do with this Samantha Jones, at all? Some other scumbag raped Samantha, and we had a hell of time getting her to testify against Croelick; the woman was unstable, you ask some of these chicks about it, and they would rather be murdered than sexually assaulted. Samantha said that, it is in Easton's records. Some women cannot deal with rape, when she disappeared, we all thought she had committed suicide. Chief Johnson chimes in with her conclusions. Well, I suppose she could have lifted Bill Croelick's stainless steel cigarette lighter, making sure his prints were still on it, made a copy of Lisa Barnes' license, stolen a car, pushed it off a cliff, chopping off her hands and feet while discarding them in route after setting fire to herself. Maybe she trained for her suicide at the Cirque due Soleil. It seems much more reasonable that she was murdered, and somebody planted the evidence, after the fact, doesn't it?
Taylor has his say stating it is possible this girl, Samantha, did commit suicide. It is possible that someone familiar with the Croelick case, wanting to put him away, could have planted the items. I just think Internal Affairs should investigate this whole situation. Pope enquires Brenda, you agree? Brenda answers no, no I don't, not yet. I would like to have a private discussion with Lieutenant Flynn, if you don't mind.
Brenda confronts Flynn in her office, declaring if you want to keep your job and your rank, you better be straight with me, without all the usual crap I have to take from you. Three years ago, Samantha Jones, a rape victim was murdered, in the same way Bill Croelick kills his victims. Flynn adds, looks that way. She was the same weight, height and color as another rape victim, Lisa Barnes, a drug-addict, living on the streets. Flynn agrees the two women looked alike. I don't know if someone wanted to frame Bill Croelick or someone wanted us to think Lisa Barnes was dead or someone wanted us to misidentify Samantha Jones. Brenda asserts someone planted Lisa's driver's license on the scene. Did you do that Lieutenant? Did you tamper with the evidence because you saw a promotion in your future? Flynn stands, looking Chief Johnson in the eyes, saying no. I had an audit of your investigation, eight print packages came back from the crime scene. All but one of those packages went to the courthouse, why the one? It arrived late, the case was over. The prints were partials and palm prints, it didn't matter, states Flynn. Brenda adds, you mean they didn't match Bill Croelick's. There were palm prints on the car? A direct order issued to Lt. Flynn to get the taillight of that car and the other set of prints. You're not going to move to have me investigated? No; get me the print packages off that car, please; thank you. Brenda exits her office though the back door while Lt. Flynn looks bewildered.
Gabriel is with Roy and Kim Barnes, suggesting they have the right to remain silent, why don't you use it? She is in one interview room and Roy follows Gabriel to another room. Brenda explains to Dr. Easton, here is what I think is plausible, but that's not where I would like to be, going into an interview. Doctor you will be wearing an earpiece when you interview these people.
Everyone wanted us to think it was Lisa who died in that car, she had been missing for a long time, she was a drug addict; it is possible she was dead. With Roy's first wife declared legally dead, he can marry the second time. What I want to know if Roy or Kim or the two of them could plan a murder this complex. Most important thing, I need you to have him grab a glass of water and leave it in the room when they go. Can you do that? I need to get their palm prints, but I need to do it legally. When someone leaves their glass behind deliberately, that means they don't consider it theirs legally, and can take the prints off it, even if I don't have probable cause to ask for it. I will be right in your ear trying hard not to bother you.
Gabriel enters the media room saying they each declined counsel, saying they were both innocent and it was too expensive.
Easton greets Roy Barnes. Roy says I remember you, you're a psychiatrist. You testified at Lisa's trial.
Easton tells Roy, there is a thought you might have murdered Samantha because she looked like Lisa, and you thought that Lisa was dead. Easton drinks his glass of water, palming the glass as he lifts it. Roy does the same as he drinks from his water glass. Roy says I gave up looking for her long before she turned up dead. Easton invites Roy if he wants to take his water, he declines, as Easton leads him out of the room; both water glasses left on the table as the two men exit. Lt. Tau enters the empty room wearing latex gloves, taking Easton's glass.
Brenda to Easton through the earpiece, I have a couple of questions before you go into see Kimberly. The murderer had to be someone who knew exactly how Croelick kills his victims and someone who knew how to manipulate Croelick into picking up his stainless-steel cigarette lighter, so it could be dropped later at the crime scene. Kind of like you manipulated Roy into picking up his glass just now. Someone who knew Bill Croelick smoked a lot, someone who knew how he operated, like the way he moved with Anna Tandy.
Easton enters the empty interview room noticing the glass missing was his, not Roy's; Tau is inspecting the print from Easton's glass and Tau tells Brenda the print is good, we got a match. Brenda reminds Easton of the palm print on the back of the car Samantha Jones was in when you pushed her off the cliff. I warned you doctor, don't leave the glass behind, and you abandoned it. You were the only one who said Miss Jones was suicidality depressed; Brenda reads Easton his Miranda rights. Easton runs, but stopped by an angry Lieutenant Flynn. Easton demands an attorney and Provenza says he will get him a phone book.
Taylor meets up with Flynn, saying well, that's one arrest that's really going to cost her. Flynn returns with you want to gloat to someone you're close to? Grab a mirror, Captain. I'm applying for permanent transfer to her squad.
Croelick meets Chief Johnson in the HQ parking lot. Imagine Dr. Easton having an affair with a rape victim then murdering her just to keep it quiet, what a monster, wouldn't you say? Brenda answers him, I don't believe in monsters.
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