Magnificat (Law & Order: Criminal Intent episode)

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Law & Order: Criminal Intent episode
“Magnificat”
Episode no.	Season 4 Episode 73
Writer(s)	Dick Wolf Diana Son
Director	Frank Prinzi
Production no.	04007
Original airdate	November 7, 2004
Episode chronology
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"In the Dark"	"Silver Lining"

Magnificat was a Law & Order: Criminal Intent episode that aired on November 7, 2004.

[edit] Summary

Detectives Alexandra Eames (Kathryn Erbe) and Robert Goren (Vincent D'Onofrio) are called to the scene of a deadly car explosion. While there, the detectives find that three young children were killed and their mother (Doreen Whitlock) and older brother were rushed to the hospital. During investigation, Forensics discovered the car blew up because of a pipe bomb put under the car. As investigation grows, the detectives look at the husband (Paul Whitlock) who is an engineer dealing with foreign objects. Later on during the investigation of both parents and the younger child, it becomes clear that the mother planned the bombing as an apparent suicide. As the plans fall through, the mother breaks down and confesses to Detectives Eames and Goren that she attempted to kill herself and all of the children. In the end, she is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, and one count of attempted murder. During the investigation of Paul, Goren pushed him to a place where he's never been before. However, since Paul had no actual part in the crimes themselves, he could not be charged with anything.

During court, Doreen makes a tearful plea and the judge grants her no less than 25 years in a correctional facility. Only two days before the motion was filed, Paul filed for divorce to quickly re-start his family. Little did he know, Goren called his lawyer/friend dealing with Family Court/Foster Care families.

This episode was connected with the Andrea Yates murders - see that article for more information.