Dennis refuses to testify against his mother, choosing his toxic bond with her over his wife’s freedom. As a result, Liann avoids punishment for her crimes, while Dennis is found guilty of manslaughter . Cast and Guest Stars
The case takes a sharp turn when the police discover that Dennis is married to an older, wealthy woman named . While detectives initially believe Crosby and Dennis are lovers, they eventually uncover a darker truth: they are actually a mother and son team of career con artists. Their typical scheme involves marrying wealthy individuals and then killing them to inherit their fortunes. The Legal Case "Law & Order" Venom(1998)
The investigation begins when , a professional male escort or "walker," is shot and killed in an alley after a concert. A wealthy woman he was accompanying, Liann Crosby , is also wounded but survives. Detectives Lennie Briscoe and Rey Curtis initially suspect a romantic motive involving Dennis Pollock , a young man seen frequently with Crosby. Dennis refuses to testify against his mother, choosing
The prosecution, led by and Abbie Carmichael , faces a "justice system" challenge when Dennis is revealed to have been sexually abused by his mother since he was a teenager. While detectives initially believe Crosby and Dennis are
The episode features the Season 9 main cast alongside notable guest performers: as Det. Lennie Briscoe Benjamin Bratt as Det. Rey Curtis Sam Waterston as Jack McCoy Angie Harmon as ADA Abbie Carmichael Laila Robins as Liann Crosby (The Mother) Matt Keeslar as Dennis Pollock (The Son) Penny Fuller as Joyce Pollock (The Wife) J.K. Simmons as Dr. Emil Skoda "Law & Order" Venom (TV Episode 1998) - Full cast & crew
Dennis pleads extreme emotional disturbance , arguing that his mother's long-term abuse and manipulation forced him into a criminal life.
is the seventh episode of the ninth season of the original Law & Order series, first airing on November 18, 1998. It is widely remembered as one of the show's most disturbing entries due to its themes of professional con artistry and parental incest. Plot Summary