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Clay Bonner is the main antagonist of the “Westbrook” arc of Law & Order: Organized Crime. He is the father of police chief Meredith Bonner, church restorer and serial killer Eric Bonner, as well as a corrupt judge and serial killer in his own right.
He was portrayed by Keith Carradine, who also voiced Blake Dexter in Hitman: Absolution and Frank Breitkopf in Criminal Minds.
Biography[]
History[]
Clay was a former police officer turned well respected judge in Westbrook. One day while he was angry at his wife for not wanting to grow a family together, he tortured her by breaking her bones and then neck, hiding the corpse on a beach.
Eric supposedly witnessed the crime, while Meredith left, with the belief her mother abandoned them.Eric grew to be insanely religious and broken by what happened to his mother, he turned into a serial killer. Eric killed prostitutes in a manner of religious ways before hiding them in a bunker close where Karen’s body also was at.
In actuality, Clay was a corrupt judge who had a 44 percent higher conviction rate and 22 percent more severe sentencing compared to New York. Clay sentenced criminals who committed petty crimes to private prisons (that his friends owned), for many more years than they actually deserved. If they had an alibi, Clay would break the person who corroborated the story by having his associates force the person into changing their story.
Over a dozen people fell victim to Clay, including Michael Lim who threw a book at a teacher when he was 16 And he was sentenced to 15 years, Juwan Lester who had marijuana in his possession and was sentenced to 25 years, and Roy Clark, who was convicted on circumstantial evidence. It’s even implied that Clay ordered or manipulated Eric into killing Roy Clark’s sister to cover up for any involvement.
Organized Crime[]
Beyond The Sea[]
As Bonner investigates Rita Lasku’s murder, Clay advises her to do what’s necessary, hinting that some truths are better left hidden. When Bonner asks for his support, Clay insists that her duty is to protect the community, given the magnitude of the case. Later, during a dinner with Clay, Bonner refuses to eat, and Clay tries to show understanding. Bonner challenges him, pointing out that she doesn’t recall him dealing with serial killers and doubts that true justice will come for the murdered women. Clay responds by saying the victims made poor choices, but Bonner shifts the conversation to the religious symbol tied to the case and questions him about the rumored beach house parties. Clay claims he only heard rumors and knows nothing more. When Bonner presses him about Eric’s involvement, Clay turns the focus onto Cahill, but Bonner denies knowing anything.
Later, Clay visits Eric at his cabin and confronts him about attending the parties. Eric admits he went to one hosted by Cahill but quickly left, saying it wasn’t his scene. Meanwhile, when Cahill is being interrogated, Clay barges in and orders Stabler to return to the city, reminding him that IAB needs him elsewhere.
Afterward, Clay meets with Eric again, persistently questioning him about Cahill’s death and if there’s anything he wants to confess. When Eric gives up trying to guess, Clay tells him that he could have simply said thank you
Original Sin[]
During a press conference, after Bonner publicly states that Cahill’s death was a suicide, Clay approaches her and says she did well but notes that she went off the prepared remarks. Bonner replies that she did the best she could. Clay, becoming frustrated, points out that she failed to declare the case closed, but Bonner firmly states that it isn’t over yet. In response, Clay informs her that she has been removed from her position as chief and that he will be stepping in as the interim chief.
Later, as Stabler and Bonner interview Nadine, Clay meets privately with Eric, assuring him that he’s working to straighten everything out. However, Clay warns that Bonner is complicating matters, and urges Eric to stay focused on other things.
Sins Of Our Fathers[]
While Meredith is being questioned about the shooting, she experiences a flashback that leads her to suspect Clay’s involvement. She and Stabler then agree to work together to gather evidence against him. Later, Clay addresses the press regarding the Westbrook murders, but Carter confronts him though Clay simply walks away. Meanwhile, Vargas uncovers records showing that many of Clay’s past convictions likely would not have stood up in court. Jet also discovers that Roy Clark was one of those cases.
Clay later approaches Meredith, claiming he would have supported her if she had confided in him and insisting that he truly loved Karen. Bonner confronts him, saying she knows the truth, but Clay accuses her of abandoning their family. She tells Clay that his time is over before he leaves. Clay soon realizes his loyal men are starting to question him, but he assures them that the situation will blow over. When told that Stabler is speaking with Roy, Clay says he’ll handle it personally.
While Stabler interviews Roy, Roy claims that Clay framed him for murder despite having an alibi. Shortly after, Meredith is attacked by one of Clay’s henchmen, prompting Jet to urgently inform Stabler that they’ve digitized all the files from Roy’s case, proving Bonner’s involvement was fabricated. Bonner and Stabler chase down the suspects, eventually arriving at a condo where they find 3 dead bodies and Logan, who collapses after dropping his weapon.
Clay then appears and tells Bonner that he loved Karen and tried to protect her, blaming her for rejecting the family he wanted. He threatens to take his own life, but Bonner talks him down and persuades him to surrender. She then places Clay under arrest for the murders.
