S01E23 - The Trial
"The Trial" is the twenty-third episode of Season 1 of We Can Fix Pawbert.
Synopsis
The Lynxley RICO trial concludes. After Grazella is recused and replaced by Rosetta Jardine, Pawbert takes the stand and testifies about the Lynxley family's crimes and his own. The jury convicts Milton, Cattrick, and Kitty on all counts. Pawbert receives twelve years determinate with the violent predator designation struck.
Plot
The episode opens in Judge Abigail Stone's chambers at an emergency ex parte hearing. Grazella stands beside Nikki Bramble, confronted with the sealed motion exposing his corruption. Judge Stone presents the evidence—e-filing logs showing Grazella accessed defense documents before they were served, and financial records tracing payments through shell companies to his brother-in-law. When Stone reminds him that lying to a judge in chambers is a poor career choice, Grazella admits to improper communications with defense counsel. He is recused immediately and ordered to surrender all case materials. Stone informs Nikki that a replacement prosecutor will be assigned within the hour.
Rosetta Jardine, a jaguar from the Special Prosecution Unit, arrives forty-five minutes before court resumes. She reviews the case files and takes her seat at the prosecution table with an expression of focused readiness. When Ryshard Vale objects to the last-minute substitution, Stone overrules him curtly, noting that the court does not tolerate prosecutorial misconduct and certainly does not punish the prosecution for addressing it.
Pawbert takes the stand. Jardine leads him through the basics—family structure, his role in Lynxley Holdings, his knowledge of operations—then guides him to the heart of the testimony. Pawbert explains the century-old theft of the weather wall technology from Agnes De'Snake, the burial of Reptile Ravine, and the systems of intimidation his family built to maintain their secrets. He admits to his own crimes in brutal, unflinching detail: injecting Officer Hopps with venom, stabbing Nibbles Maplestick, leaving Gary De'Snake to freeze in the snow, fighting Officer Wilde on the ice, and attempting arson. He acknowledges that no one gave him direct orders—these were his own desperate choices made within a system his family created.
Vale's cross-examination is aggressive. He frames Pawbert as a violent criminal trading false testimony for a lighter sentence. He presses on the absence of direct orders, trying to isolate Pawbert's crimes from the family enterprise. He suggests Pawbert is motivated by revenge, that he has manipulated his protective detail into becoming his advocates. Pawbert holds steady, redirecting each attack back to the independent evidence—the bank records, the Lynxley Journal, the witness statements—using the technique Harvey Specter taught him during moot court preparation. When Vale asks how anyone could trust a witness who once charmed Officer Hopps before poisoning her, Pawbert acknowledges the parallel and distinguishes it: this time he is not asking anyone to protect a lie but to witness the truth.
The prosecution presents additional witnesses. Gary De'Snake testifies about the weather wall connection, Agnes's legacy, and Pawbert's betrayal. Nick is asked about the attack on the ice ledge—about Pawbert telling him Judy was dead. His answer is complicated: what Pawbert did was unforgivable, but what he is doing now, telling the truth and taking responsibility, means the past is not the only thing that defines him. Vale's cross-examinations grow less focused; the corruption exposure has rattled him.
The prosecution rests. The defense calls no witnesses. In closing arguments, Vale urges the jury to remember that the prosecution's case rests on a single convicted criminal with every motive to lie. Jardine responds that Pawbert is not a perfect witness, but the evidence is what makes the case—and the evidence is overwhelming.
The jury deliberates for three hours. The foreperson delivers the verdict: guilty on all counts. Milton Lynxley, Cattrick, and Kitty are sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. As Milton is led away, he pauses to look at Pawbert—a long, cold stare with no words. Pawbert meets his father's eyes and does not flinch.
Pawbert's sentencing hearing follows immediately. Gary De'Snake delivers his victim impact statement first, nervous but unwavering. He describes the terror of being left to freeze, acknowledges the betrayal, and then declares that he has already forgiven Pawbert—not because what happened was acceptable, but because holding onto the anger hurts him more than letting go. He expresses pride in Pawbert's testimony and hopes prison helps him find the mammal he was pretending to be when he rescued them, because Gary believes that mammal was real. Judy testifies next, describing the venom, the near-death, the months of recovery. She cannot forgive what Pawbert did, but she can choose to see who he is becoming. Nick recalls being told his partner was dead during the fight on the ice—calculated cruelty—but acknowledges that since then he has watched Pawbert carry the weight of what he did without excuses. Nibbles appears via tablet, chaotic and blunt, noting that she has a cool scar and subscribing to therapy in prison.
Nikki Bramble presents the defense's sentencing argument, requesting twelve years determinate with conditional release eligibility at approximately ten years and three months, five years post-release supervision, protective custody, and the striking of the violent predator designation. Jardine does not oppose the recommendation. Pawbert delivers his allocution, facing the judge directly. He takes full responsibility for his crimes, acknowledges that the reasons do not excuse what he did, and declares that he chooses to stay and carry what he did. He promises to accept whatever sentence is given and to make it count.
Judge Stone sentences Pawbert to twelve years determinate with conditional release eligibility at six-sevenths of the sentence, five years post-release supervision, protective custody, and—significantly—strikes the violent predator designation. Pawbert will never be muzzled again. Transfer to Zootopia Correctional Facility is scheduled for the following morning.
The pack visits Pawbert in the courthouse holding area. Nick tells him the allocution was real—and that is what made it good. Judy promises they will be there when he gets out, however long it takes. Luther comes last. He promises to be at every visit they allow. When Pawbert suggests things could change, that Luther might meet someone who is not incarcerated, Luther stops him—he knows what he is choosing, and the mammal Pawbert is now is worth waiting for. They exchange declarations of love.
The final night at the safehouse is quiet. Nick pretends to read; Judy makes tea no one will drink. Pawbert stands at the window, memorizing the city lights. Brief farewells follow—Judy hugs him firmly, Nick hugs him awkwardly but genuinely. Luther stays. When Pawbert asks if Luther will stay with him tonight, Luther answers with the word that will define their relationship across the remaining seasons.
Key Moments
- Emergency hearing results in Grazella being confronted and recused
- Rosetta Jardine replaces Grazella as prosecutor
- Pawbert takes the stand and testifies about Lynxley crimes and his own actions
- Pawbert redirects Vale's cross-examination to evidence using moot court training
- Gary delivers devastating testimony and publicly forgives Pawbert
- Judy and Nick deliver victim impact statements
- Nibbles testifies via tablet
- Jury deliberates three hours—guilty on all counts
- Milton, Cattrick, and Kitty sentenced to life without parole
- Pawbert delivers his allocution
- Pawbert sentenced to twelve years determinate; violent predator designation struck
- Pack visits Pawbert in the holding area after sentencing
- Final night at the safehouse before prison transport
Key Lines
| Line | Speaker | Context |
|---|---|---|
| "I acted without direct orders but within a system my family built." | Pawbert | Testimony—owning his role |
| "I don't want my life to only be the worst thing I did." | Pawbert | Redirect examination—core redemption statement (callback to E03) |
| "I choose to stay. I choose to carry what I did." | Pawbert | Allocution |
| "Whatever sentence you give me, I will accept it. And I will make it count." | Pawbert | Allocution close |
| "I'm proud of you, Pawbert. I really am." | Gary | Impact statement—forgiveness and pride |
| "I can choose to see who you're becoming." | Judy | Victim impact statement (callback to E16) |
| "Guilty on all counts." | Jury Foreman | Verdict |
| "That mammal is worth waiting for." | Luther | About Pawbert after sentencing |
| "Always." | Luther | Promise at the safehouse |
Characters Introduced
| Character | Species | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Rosetta Jardine | Jaguar | Replacement prosecutor after Grazella's recusal |
Locations
| Location | Description |
|---|---|
| Judge's chambers | Emergency hearing on Grazella's recusal |
| Courthouse - Hallway | Transitions between proceedings |
| Courthouse - Courtroom 4A | Trial proceedings, testimony, verdict, and sentencing |
| Courthouse - Holding area | Pack visits Pawbert after sentencing |
| Site Two | Final night at safehouse |
Items
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Sealed motion | Filed to expose Grazella's corruption |
| Dr. Fuzzby's psych evaluation | Submitted as part of sentencing materials |
| Tablet for Nibbles | Used for remote testimony |
Notes
- The striking of the violent predator designation means Pawbert will never be muzzled again -- a significant milestone given the muzzle's role as a symbol of dehumanization throughout the series.
- Pawbert's testimony uses the redirect technique Harvey Specter taught him in the previous episode.
- The allocution line "I choose to stay. I choose to carry what I did" combines the series' anchor phrase with acceptance of responsibility.