The set up of an overworked Assistant District Attorney not taking or returning calls and a murder ensues as a result already happened in (S06E21) Pro Se (1996) with ADA Claire Kincaid. Jack McCoy was the Executive ADA working with her at the time and he could have, and should have, mentioned it to ADA Samantha Maroun.
The Early Case Assessment Bureau (ECAB) screens all arrests, determining whether a prosecution will be declined or will go forward and if the latter, what charges will be brought. ECAB staff members interview police officers and, in some instances, victims and witnesses. The bureau drafts the charging document (i.e., the complaint) upon which the defendant will initially be arraigned, and prepares supporting documents and notices to be submitted in court. Assistant district attorneys in the bureau also staff and supervise prosecutors in the arraignment court parts in Criminal Court.
This episode appears to be based on two separate cases/incidents:
- The 2022 Bui Van Phu (a.k.a. "The Gloved Beast") case.
- The 2022 escalation of smash-and-grab heists at retail stores in major American cities.