Season synopsis
Contains spoilers for this season and earlier seasons.
After D’Angelo Barksdale is acquitted of a murder charge, Detective Jimmy McNulty raises his concerns about Avon Barksdale’s organization with Judge Daniel Phelan. The Baltimore Police Department assembles a detail under Lieutenant Cedric Daniels. Kima Greggs leads the investigation; McNulty contributes despite being assigned from homicide, and his partner Bunk Moreland helps with homicide work rather than joining the detail. Lester Freamon, Prez Pryzbylewski, Herc and Carver build a case from pagers, pay phones and surveillance. The investigation follows Avon’s lieutenant Stringer Bell, who manages the corners, and D’Angelo, who runs the pit crew. Wallace, a young dealer troubled after seeing the mutilated body of Brandon, becomes an important witness. Department leaders press for quick arrests even as the detail tries to build a case against the organization’s higher ranks.
The detail’s wiretap gives it a view of the organization, but raids ordered after Kima is shot scatter the evidence and leave the case vulnerable. A camera placed at Avon’s club helps detectives catch him discussing a drug run; D’Angelo is arrested too, then persuaded by his mother to stand with the family. The detail completes its drug investigation. Avon and several associates go to prison, while Stringer remains free because Wallace is dead and cannot testify. Wee-Bey confesses to multiple murders. On the corner, Bodie and Poot resume business, while Omar’s robbery and rivalry with the Barksdales remain part of the street’s unsettled balance.