An Iraq War veteran named Lindsey Starr is found murdered in an abandoned building. Green meets his new partner, Detective Joe Fontana who has transferred from the Bronx. They discover photos in the victim's safe box proving that she was involved in torture at Abu Ghraib. Muhammad, the prisoner in the photos, was subsequently released from Abu Ghraib but has since died; the detectives interview his sister Nadira Harrington, who's living in New York City with her American husband. Evidence places her at the scene of the murder so she is arrested.
Nadira's lawyer attempts to make the case that she was acting in defence of her country and should be treated as killing an enemy soldier, thus cannot be prosecuted for murder. But a judge rules that since both she and Starr were civilians and US residents, Nadira can be prosecuted under US law. Her trial goes ahead, but opposing views run deep both publicly and within the DA's office. In court Nadira claims that she just wanted to speak to Starr and ask why she would torture Muhammad, but ended up killing Starr in self-defence.
But when McCoy disproves this with evidence of pre-meditated murder, Nadira is forced to admit that she wanted to defend Iraq against the US occupation. She killed Starr out of a desire for revenge at "shame" brought on her family. Despite Nadira and her lawyer attempting to focus the case on the Iraq War, McCoy convinces the jury to convict her of murder. Branch reflects that the case amounted to a small battle in the war, which still continues.
This episode contains examples of:
- As Himself: Michael Bloomberg, then Mayor of New York City, appears briefly as himself.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: The fact that a religious Muslim would buy pig blood is strong evidence linking Nadira to the murder. In case any member of the audience is unaware, the episode provides both a statement by the owner of the store saying that his store isn't for Muslims, and McCoy asking why a Muslim would want pig blood.
- Outliving One's Offspring: Lindsey's parents are still alive after her murder.
- Ripped from the Headlines: Inspired by the Abu Ghraib torture scandal. The victim appears to be based on the real-life Lynndie England and Charles Graner, who were convicted of similar war crimes.
- Self-Defense Ruse: Nadira claims that killing Starr was self defense; however, as McCoy points out, she entered the building with equipment she intended to use after she killed Starr.
