Judge Byrne is having a great day.
Unfortunately, the day doesnt stay great for long.
He reads about the death of a young man named Julian.
Credit: Mitch Haaseth/ABC
He went to prison because he was playing video games, and now hes dead.
It is tragic and horrible and just plain sad.
He doesnt say so, but its pretty clear that Byrne is the one who sentenced Julian.
Judge Byrne is rattled.
So, of course he is presiding over a very similar case today.
He was caught carrying 57 grams of meth.
It is very minimal, but anything 50 grams or over carries a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years.
And in a very un-judge like move, Byrne makes that known to the court.
He basically tells Seth that the U.S.
Attorneys office needs to get itself together and come up with a new plan.
But when Roger hears the judge making such a scene, hes taken aback.
Still, he tells Seth to press on.
They arent dropping this.
Thats not going to work for Byrne.
Byrne takes matters into his own hands.
As the trial proceeds, Byrne begins questioning the witness.
It gets heated and Rogers repeated objections are ignored.
The whole gang ends up in Byrnes chambers.
Yeah, hes allowed to question people in his courtroom, but this is getting out of control.
Informing the jury of sentencing is a big ol no-no and Roger is livid.
Jills all like, yeah this is crazy, but Im just going to hang out quietly over here.
Roger and Seth visit Delap to get his take on the matter.
Roger suggests removing the quantity from the indictment, therefore removing Byrnes conflict with the sentencing.
Thats not how Delap, or the U.S. District Attorneys office, rolls.
Delap wants Roger to file a writ blocking Byrne.
If Byrne doesnt comply, his career will be over.
This doesnt sit well with Roger.
But you know who will follow the bosss orders?
Hes all in on that the law is the law is the law thing and gladly files the writ.
Young and ruthless, Delap calls him.
This really is a new Seth Oliver!
And so, Byrne solemnly heads into court to give Rodrigo Puente his sentence.
Because of these disproportionate mandatory minimums, we are cannibalizing a generation of New Yorkers.
Rodrigo Puente will be serving 10 years in a federal prison.
With that weariness hanging over him, Judge Byrne visits Julians mother to apologize to her, as well.
Itll be interesting to see where Judge Byrne (also Roger Gunn!)
He can help them bring down major players.
Roger attended the Congressmans wedding (The first dance was to Mustang Sally.
I knew it wasnt going to work out.
Delap has no idea who Leonard is, but is ready and waiting to be impressed.
All of the evidence is circumstantial, so Leonard would have a tough time actually charging the guy.
The other tricky aspect of this case: Leonards mother.
It seems she is looking to build a Knox political dynasty.
Apparently there is precedent for this.
It is most definitely not the first impression he wanted to leave on Delap.
Im not really clear on if this is a regular or hot air balloon.
After he decides not to move forward with it, he confronts Kate.
Whats up with her?
Now hes not so sure.
He must have misread the situation.
Alas, they do not make out.
Were due, guys.
