Law & Order: SVU Season 23 Episode 9 revolves around Richard Wheatley's trial. Wheatley has been charged with killing Kathy Stabler but has postponed his trial a billion times. He has just one more play: fire his current lawyer, again.

The trial begins but is complicated by Barba having decided to defend Wheatley. Barba tells Benson that he thinks Wheatley is being railroaded and if someone with his money and power can be, then the system can mess with anyone it wants. Benson suspects jealousy of her relationship with Stabler is behind this, but Barba denies that.

During trial, Barba does a good job of discrediting all the witnesses against Wheatley and seems to push all of Stabler's buttons, leading Stabler to be held in contempt. Stabler's testimony spurs Wheatley to demand to be able to testify even though Barba advises against it.

Carisi appears to trap Wheatley, but even Wheatley threatening an ADA in open court doesn't seem to sway the jury and they decide they are hopelessly deadlocked after less than a day of discussion. The judge agrees and declares a mistrial. Meanwhile, Elliot gets bad news about his son.

To find out what happens, watch Law & Order: SVU Season 23 Episode 9 online.