Rene Balcer Upcoming Appearances

A murder investigation involves two nannies (Tammy Blanchard, Merritt Wever). Bill Davenport: Frank Converse. Tina Davenport: Noelle Beck. Marjorie Whilden: Maddie Corman. Jinny Canto: Martha Millan. Deakins: Jamey Sheridan. Eames: Kathryn Erbe.

A writer s death appears to be a suicide, but Lupo and Bernard suspect a cult is involved, which causes trouble for Cutter at the trial when jurors fear for their safety.

Season 18 ends with the murder of a jeweler. The investigation leads detectives to a prostitution ring run by the victim s brother-in-law. The resulting trial proves to be a challenge for McCoy, whose career is threatened because of the probe.

A murder victim is found at a park, and the resulting investigation has detectives enlisting the help of a mentally-challenged man to crack the case.

A young man s murder is linked to a woman who escaped from a polygamist cult. Jena Malone, Colm Meaney.

A mortician s murder has Goren matching wits with a clever killer (Jay O. Sanders). Russel Matthews: Jim Gaffigan. Susan Rowan: Tina Benko. Scott Calderon: Armando Riesco. Damon Tyler: David Lenthall. Carver: Courtney B. Vance. Eames: Kathryn Erbe.

A murder investigation uncovers a lawyer who s able to fix cases for high fees; and the DA wants to find the attorney s partner within the system. Harmon: David Marshall Grant Baker: Bruce MacVittie. Baez: Roger Pretto. Liriano: Jacinto Taras Riddick.

The brutal beating of a man leads to an investigation that involves two rape incidents, in one of which the victim was comatose. Harding: Erik Jensen. Greta: Cecilia Hart. Leslie: Marin Hinkle. Singer: George Bamford. Frank: Jonathan LaPaglia.

Goren and Eames track a young boy who disappeared during a hotel robbery. Piper Perabo and Lynn Redgrave guest star.

An out-of-towner stranded by a snowstorm is found beaten to death in a dumpy Brooklyn hotel, where she spent the night after having a few drinks with two strange men and a female acquaintance (Emily Bergl).

A cunning nurse (Sherri Saum) who practices voodoo is questioned by Dets. Logan and Barek after the bizarre asphyxiation deaths of two sisters.

After the body of a gambling addict is fished out of the Hudson River, Dets. Goren and Eames focus on two suspects: a 20-year-old poker hotshot owed $500,000 by the victim and the victim s dubious brother-in-law. Joey Frost: Lou Taylor Pucci.

Whoopi Goldberg plays a foster mother with questionable scruples who gets on the wrong side of Logan as he and Barek seek some of her former charges for their involvement in a series of vicious machete murders. Olivet: Carolyn McCormick.

An out-of-towner stranded by a snowstorm is found beaten to death in a dumpy Brooklyn hotel, where she spent the night after having a few drinks with two strange men and a female acquaintance (Emily Bergl).

A cunning nurse (Sherri Saum) who practices voodoo is questioned by Dets. Logan and Barek after the bizarre asphyxiation deaths of two sisters.

Whoopi Goldberg plays a foster mother with questionable scruples who gets on the wrong side of Logan as he and Barek seek some of her former charges for their involvement in a series of vicious machete murders. Olivet: Carolyn McCormick.

Goren and Eames uncover a deadly web of secrets when they investigate the murder of a prominent socialite s granddaughter. Doris Roberts.

While Goren awaits a decision on his reinstatement, he tries to prove his worth by going undercover to pursue a big-time drug dealer.

A jilted wife becomes a suspect in the disappearance of her husband and his younger lover. Brenda Strong and Eric Roberts guest star.

An apparent assassination attempt on a politician from Sri Lanka is followed by separate shootings of members of her entourage, including her brother. The subsequent probe leads detectives to believe she was behind the attack.

An exclusive preschool with a long waiting list is at the center of an investigation into the murders of three parents.

A former groupie who has her own television show is murdered, and the suspects include her assistant, her son, and a well-known musician and his wife. Joan Jett guest stars.

Goren and Eames enter into the sleight-of-hand world of prestidigitation when a celebrity illusionist vanishes during his own magic stunt. Shaun Robinson and Paul Shaffer appear as themselves.

A gossip columnist s murder case has a large list of suspects, including a real-estate developer and a newsanchor. Jeff Garlin, Illeana Douglas, Mo Rocca and Federico Castelluccio guest star.

The investigation into a shooting at a nightclub involving an acquaintance of Logan s involves the shadowy world of amateur boxing.

Goren and Eames search for a retired policeman s missing daughter uncovers a terrorist plot. Ethan Edwards: Rider Strong. Jorge: Manny Perez. Nancy Dorman: Kathleen Doyle. Neal Dorman: Sam Coppola. Carver: Courtney B. Vance. Eames: Kathryn Erbe.

A jewel heist becomes deadly with the killings of one of the thieves and a couple who stumble onto the robbery scene. Atwood: Jake Weber. Gia: Michele Hicks. Nathan: Lenny Venito. Det. Cardenas: Gene Canfield. Carson: Jayce Bartok.

Connie is ordered to defend a man accused of killing a worker participating in a legal-aid strike. Because of the number of attorneys on the picket line, Connie is pitted against Cutter at the trial.

The murder of a charity executive exposes allegations of stalking and blackmail as Lupo and Bernard seek leads from the victim s secretary, her ex-boyfriend and a politician s wife in the 19th-season finale.

Goren and Eames investigate the killing of a mother of two in Chinatown. Stuart Gaston: Peter Frechette. Lucille Mobray: Elizabeth Wilson. Pang Ghiangji: Stephen Sable. Liam Montgomery: Sean Cullen. Isabella Gradowcyzk: Erin Dilly.