You see it all the time - family members leaping to the defense of a criminal - on the nighty news. It's an oddly amusing, irritating mix of human psychology that gives 'Causa Mortis' it's best moments. What does it say - how damaged in the head - must one be to view cold blooded murder as acceptable? A murder I might add for the sole benefit of a car. Calling these people human trash is an understatement.
Maureen Rankin (Rebecca Nelson) a teacher and mother of four tries to talk a carjacker down in vain. Det. Briscoe (Orbach) & Curtis (Bratt) make id and a tape of her last moments yields clues to the identity of the suspect. When they find the car it's been sold to Anna (Cyndi Cartagena). Then it becomes clear the guy who "sold" it is her fiance Fernando Salva (Víctor Sierra) and she knew of the entire plan. Now McCoy (Waterston) and his new ADA Jamie Ross (Lowell) try to punish the guilty as evidence gets tossed out and justice looks like it might go unserved.
Another of L&O's episodes "ripped from the headlines" the glue to 'Causa Mortis' is the lack of remorse. As Ross's debut, it's clearly a showcase for her but it's the lying, silence & complicity that is the strongest element. Save up money to buy a car? Nah preplan a murder, steal it, bash a random person's head in. It'd be crazy if only you didn't see these people and their families on the news semi-regularly.