Loosely based on the case of French maids Christine and Léa Papin.
As is common in the Law & Order universe, Sig Libowitz plays the character Stan Shatenstein across multiple L&O series. He plays Shatenstein on this episode. And he plays Shatenstein on two episodes of "Law & Order": Law & Order: Thrill (1997), and Law & Order: Obsession (2005).
This is the second time that the character, defense attorney Stan Shatenstein, is faced with a motion to sever the trials against the defendants. The first time was in Law & Order "Thrill" 1997. Accordingly, he should have known that his only opportunity to oppose the severing of the defendants for separate trials was at the time of the motion requesting to do so.