LINE OF FIRE Part 2
Episode 551 24th October 2007, ITV1, 8PM
Manson takes the lead trying to track down Michael Simms after he shot Shelly Cooper. Simms is suspected of going to see Julia, his psychiatrist at the hospital. Whilst Manson is doling out the orders Stone and Smithy question his actions. Heaton was doubting his DI’s ability only yesterday. Is Mason too personally involved with Simms to be objective?
After Simms takes his shrink hostage at gun point, Manson is there at the hospital with armed police. A negotiator has been called but Manson orders a “more direct approach” if the psychiatrist’s life is in danger. Hearing high pitched screaming from behind the doors Manson makes up his mind.
Psyched up, he gives the order: “Go in and take him down if you have to”. CO19 steam in and shoot Simms dead. Julia is horrified with what’s just happened to her patient. CO19 are furious: Manson clearly said Simms was armed – laying dead, all he was armed with was a camcorder.
Manson is in big trouble. He has to answer to the DPS - now he’s told, in no uncertain terms, he could be facing disciplinary action or even criminal charges. Question is: did Manson actually see Simms with a gun that was dumped or was he mistaken?
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