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Law & Order - S08E20 - Burden
 

Law & Order season 8 episode 20

Burden

 
After a 12-year-old quadriplegic dies at home in his bed, paramedics claim that he was suffocated and the suspects include the boy's parents and sister.
 
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Law & Order / S08E20 : Burden
Season 8, Episode 20 | Aired on April 24, 1998 | TV-14 | 45 min. | NBC
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EPISODES
Season 8
Season 8
Season 8
Season 23
Season 22
Season 21
Season 20
Season 19
Season 18
Season 17
Season 16
Season 15
Season 14
Season 13
Season 12
Season 11
Season 10
Season 9
Season 8
Season 7
Season 6
Season 5
Season 4
Season 3
Season 2
Season 1
Specials
 
 
  • Law & Order - Episode 1 - Thrill
    Episode 1
    Thrill
  • Law & Order - Episode 2 - Denial
    Episode 2
    Denial
  • Law & Order - Episode 3 - Navy Blues
    Episode 3
    Navy Blues
  • Law & Order - Episode 4 - Harvest
    Episode 4
    Harvest
  • Law & Order - Episode 5 - Nullification
    Episode 5
    Nullification
  • Law & Order - Episode 6 - Baby, It's You (1)
    Episode 6
    Baby, It's You (1)
  • Law & Order - Episode 7 - Blood
    Episode 7
    Blood
  • Law & Order - Episode 8 - Shadow
    Episode 8
    Shadow
  • Law & Order - Episode 9 - Burned
    Episode 9
    Burned
  • Law & Order - Episode 10 - Ritual
    Episode 10
    Ritual
  • Law & Order - Episode 11 - Under the Influence
    Episode 11
    Under the Influence
  • Law & Order - Episode 12 - Expert
    Episode 12
    Expert
  • Law & Order - Episode 13 - Castoff
    Episode 13
    Castoff
  • Law & Order - Episode 14 - Grief
    Episode 14
    Grief
  • Law & Order - Episode 15 - Faccia a Faccia
    Episode 15
    Faccia a Faccia
  • Law & Order - Episode 16 - Divorce
    Episode 16
    Divorce
  • Law & Order - Episode 17 - Carrier
    Episode 17
    Carrier
  • Law & Order - Episode 18 - Stalker
    Episode 18
    Stalker
  • Law & Order - Episode 19 - Disappeared
    Episode 19
    Disappeared
  • Law & Order - Episode 20 - Burden
    Episode 20
    Burden
  • Law & Order - Episode 21 - Bad Girl
    Episode 21
    Bad Girl
  • Law & Order - Episode 22 - Damaged
    Episode 22
    Damaged
  • Law & Order - Episode 23 - Tabloid
    Episode 23
    Tabloid
  • Law & Order - Episode 24 - Monster
    Episode 24
    Monster

Law & Order season 8 episode 20 Recap and FAQ

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Episode Summary

Mikey Sutter, a 12-year-old quadriplegic, is found dead, initially thought to have suffocated. Investigation reveals family tensions and financial struggles, particularly around Mikey's care. Suspicion falls on Mikey's mother, Lois, and sister, Stephanie, but their alibis hold. The case takes a turn when hemlock poisoning is identified as the cause of death. Attention shifts to Dr. Semenko, who had access to the poison. He's arrested and found guilty of manslaughter, with public opinion divided over his actions. The episode highlights moral complexities surrounding Mikey's care and the family's possible complicity.

Full Episode S08E20 Recap

### Introduction - **Narrator's Introduction**: The show introduces the premise of police and district attorneys working together in the criminal justice system. - **Distress Call**: A mother discovers her baby, Mikey, is not breathing. ### Paramedics Arrive - **Paramedics' Assessment**: They arrive to find Mikey, a quadriplegic child, not breathing and eventually pronounce him dead. - **Initial Confusion**: Mikey's condition as a quadriplegic is revealed, adding complexity to the situation. ### Police Investigation Begins - **Detectives Informed**: Detectives arrive and learn about Mikey's paralysis and recent death. - **Suspicion Arises**: Early suspicion of suffocation as a cause of death emerges. - **Family Dynamics**: Tensions and challenges within the family, including financial strains and Michael's condition, are exposed. ### Investigation at Hospital - **Hospital Visit**: The detectives visit the hospital where Mikey received treatment. - **Background on Mikey's Condition**: It's revealed Mikey was injured in a car accident, causing his paralysis. - **Family's Struggle**: The financial and emotional toll on the family is discussed. ### Further Family Interviews - **Mother's Alibi Questioned**: Lois Sutter's whereabouts and actions are scrutinized. - **Daughter's Perspective**: Stephanie, Mikey's sister, offers insight into family dynamics and struggles. ### Medical Examiner's Findings - **M.E.'s Report**: The Medical Examiner determines that Mikey was suffocated. - **Suspicions Towards Family**: Focus turns towards the family, especially the mother, as potential suspects. ### Investigation Deepens - **More Interviews**: The detectives continue to gather information from neighbors and other sources. - **Dance Instructor's Alibi**: Lois Sutter's alibi involving her dance instructor is investigated. ### Confrontation and Confession - **Confrontation with Lois**: Detectives confront Lois Sutter with allegations of her involvement in Mikey's death. - **Stephanie's Involvement Suspected**: Suspicion shifts towards Stephanie as a possible perpetrator. ### Stephanie's Alibi and Further Investigations - **Stephanie's Alibi Checked**: Stephanie claims she was with a friend during the time of Mikey's death. - **Arcade Alibi**: Stephanie's alibi is corroborated by her presence at an arcade. ### Poisoning Revealed - **New Evidence of Poisoning**: Hemlock poisoning is identified as the cause of death, shifting the focus of the investigation. ### Father's Role Examined - **Joe Sutter Interviewed**: The father's potential involvement and emotional state are examined. - **Investigation of Hemlock Source**: The source of the hemlock and Joe Sutter's access to it are investigated. ### Arrest and Legal Proceedings - **Joe Sutter Arrested**: Joe Sutter is arrested for the murder of his son. - **Bail Hearing and Legal Complications**: Legal complexities arise as different people vouch for Joe Sutter. ### Dr. Semenko's Involvement - **Focus on Dr. Semenko**: Dr. Semenko becomes a suspect due to his access to hemlock and suspicious behavior. - **Dr. Semenko Arrested**: Dr. Semenko is arrested for Michael's murder. ### Trial and Verdict - **Trial Proceedings**: The trial focuses on Dr. Semenko's actions and motivations. - **Verdict and Reaction**: Dr. Semenko is found guilty of manslaughter, sparking a public debate and revealing the Sutters' possible complicity. ### Conclusion - **Reflection on Case**: The case concludes with mixed feelings among the detectives and prosecutors, reflecting on the moral complexities involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

What condition did Mikey Sutter have?

Mikey Sutter was a quadriplegic.

How did Mikey die?

Mikey was suffocated, later revealed to have been poisoned with hemlock.

Who were the initial suspects in Mikey's death?

The initial suspects were Mikey's family members, particularly his mother, Lois Sutter.

What is Lois Sutter's alibi during Mikey's death?

Lois claimed to be with her dance instructor, which was partially corroborated.

What was the financial situation of the Sutter family?

The Sutter family faced financial strains due to Mikey's medical expenses and care needs.

Was anyone else in the family suspected?

Mikey's sister, Stephanie, was suspected, but her alibi was confirmed.

What crucial evidence changed the direction of the investigation?

The discovery of hemlock poisoning as the cause of Mikey's death was crucial.

Who had access to the hemlock that killed Mikey?

Dr. Semenko had access to hemlock and became a key suspect.

What was Dr. Semenko's role in Mikey's death?

Dr. Semenko was responsible for poisoning Mikey with hemlock.

What was the outcome of Dr. Semenko's trial?

Dr. Semenko was found guilty of manslaughter.

Did the Sutter family know about Dr. Semenko's intentions?

It was implied that the Sutter family might have been aware of or complicit in Dr. Semenko's actions.

What was the public's reaction to Dr. Semenko's trial?

The public had mixed reactions, with some viewing Dr. Semenko as a hero for his actions.

Was Joe Sutter involved in his son's death?

Joe Sutter was initially suspected and arrested, but it was later revealed that he was not directly involved in the murder.

What motivated Dr. Semenko to kill Mikey?

Dr. Semenko claimed he acted out of mercy due to Mikey's suffering and lack of quality of life.

Did the Sutter family face legal consequences?

The show does not explicitly state if the Sutter family faced legal consequences, but it suggests their possible complicity.

 
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