JAG (1995–2005): Season 10, Episode 19 - Two Towns - full transcript
A smuggled IED in Iraq explodes inside a work tent and kills 17 Marine reservists from a small town in Oklahoma. The sole survivor returns home. Harm and Bud go there as well to provide legal assistance to the families. The local Marine Corps Reserve Center is burnt down; the sheriff suspects the returned hero. The town refuses to release the young man, demanding he be tried there. The town's mayor serves as the suspect's civilian defense lawyer. Harm and Bud prosecute. The truth emerges. Meanwhile, Mac goes to Iraq and investigates the explosion. From the locals there, she learns the real story. She and the senior Marine officer watch a new democracy at work.
Man, I'm hungry.
Chicken-fry me
something, anything.
- I - could do for a slice
of your mama's sweet potato pie.
Or her blackberry cobbler.
Hey, your mom still
make that double-fudge...?
Back to earth, Frank.
It's beans, weenies
and cornbread.
You know, scuttlebutt says
Lieutenant's got a ration
of fast food care packages.
That right? Hmm.
Ma'mun, Lieutenant
Rangle at his desk?
Yes.
Let's investigate.
Hang on, Cliff.
My laces are out.
See you in there.
You can't wait for me
to square myself away?
Hey, there may not be
enough to go around.
We'll save you a corn chip.
Oh, you're both dead.
The small town of
Kresge, Oklahoma
is in deep mourning today
as it tries to come
to terms with the loss
of 17 of its young
men in southern Iraq.
All were members of the
same Marine Reserve Combat
Engineering detachment, and
all, with the exception of one,
were victims of an
explosive device,
which was somehow
smuggled inside their work tent.
The reservists, none older
than 26, knew each other
grew up together,
attended school together,
and in November
were mobilized together.
Now, sadly, they represent
a significant loss in a war
that continues to
exact a heavy price
for American military resolve.
I'm taking this out of the
hands of the area NLSO.
It's too high-profile.
Commander Rabb,
Lieutenant Commander Roberts,
I want you to travel to Kresge
as a legal assistance
emergency response team,
help families negotiate
the legal terrain...
Probate, property
titles, death benefits.
Whatever they need.
Yes, sir.
We'll pick up our orders
and depart immediately, sir.
Dismissed.
Aye, aye, sir.
Colonel, I'm
sending you to Iraq.
The marines have captured
a suspect in the attack.
This has antagonized a resident
of the Iraqi
village of Talasura,
who's been raising
dust everywhere.
Colonel Mazzone is
looking for someone
to resolve the complaint.
Not that I'm opposed
to the assignment, sir,
but what about
the in-country SJA?
He wants someone who can relate.
Commander Rabb, what
will JAG's participation be
with the victims' family?
No comment at this time.
Excuse me. Let me through.
Can I get by, please?
Mayor Hazlett.
Welcome to Kresge.
I'm Commander Rabb.
This is Lieutenant
Commander Roberts.
I also run the real
estate company.
My office is right in here.
Please, this way.
Will there be any comments
after you meet with the mayor?
Sorry.
We're not used to this kind
of attention around here.
We really do appreciate
you visiting us.
The Navy and Marine Corps
share your loss, Mr. Mayor.
We're here to help
in any way we can.
Could you tell us
about the men in
this detachment, sir?
Almost all of them worked
their parents' farms and ranches.
Joining the reserves was
their way of serving their country
and their families
at the same time.
What was their reaction
when they were sent over?
None of them complained.
I think it surprised
the parents some.
How long were they there?
Six months into a
seven-month tour.
It's been difficult.
Our fire chief lost
his only two boys.
There ain't anybody around
here hasn't been touched by this.
Well, I know it's
small comfort, sir,
but in addition to the
$12,000 death gratuity,
the SGLI, the Serviceman's
Group Life Insurance policy,
currently provides up to a
quarter of a million dollars
per deceased marine,
and that may be increasing.
We've spoken with the PSD.
They've agreed to
streamline the process.
Thank you.
Where will folks
be able to find you?
We're setting up
a temporary office
at the Marine Corps
Reserve Center.
I'll spread the word.
Can I ask you a question, sir?
Yeah.
Did you suffer a loss?
Every one of them, Commander.
This will straighten out
the title to your son's
truck, Mr. Medina.
We hope to have the paperwork
for the benefits package
ready in a few days.
Thank you.
You've been very helpful.
We'll be in touch, sir.
Thank you.
Hey, Manuel.
Jan.
Everything all right?
Yes, ma'am.
They're taking good care of us.
And Rosa?
She'll be fine.
Might take a minute.
Sure.
Sure.
I'm sorry. Excuse me.
I'm Jan Van Arsdale.
I own the coffee shop
in the center of town.
Thought you might
need a pick-me-up.
Thank you, ma'am.
There are donuts and
bear claws in the box.
That's greatly appreciated,
Mrs. Van Arsdale.
Is there anything
we can do for you?
Lord's already attended
to my needs, Commander.
My son Scott was
the only survivor.
He's scheduled to
arrive back tomorrow.
Was he injured, ma'am?
Surface wounds.
I can't vouch for the
state of his heart, though.
He lost every
friend he's ever had.
Ma'am, you're not obligated,
but we have a chaplain
and a psychologist available
if you feel you'd like
to talk to someone.
I have to say,
it is difficult knowing
how to react,
'cause of what
happened to the others.
Manuel's son, Frank, was
one of Scott's closest friends.
I can't help thinking that God
must've had a purpose
in saving my boy.
Maybe that's what
I have to believe
in order to stop
feeling guilty about it.
The village sheikh was the
one who planned the attack.
We'd been tracking
him for months.
He was killed
resisting apprehension.
Is that what motivated
the complaint, sir?
No. The villagers are
happy to see him gone.
The man was a tin-pot tyrant,
treated this place like
his own private fiefdom,
kept everyone under his thumb.
The complaint
petitions for the release
of the bombing suspect,
Ma'mun Al-Reza.
It's not going to happen.
What do you have on him?
Ma'mun was working with us.
Just prior to the explosion,
he was seen hurriedly
exiting the GP tent
without his backpack.
The backpack was a bomb?
According to Forensics.
How it was triggered
is currently being investigated.
And the reason for
Ma'mun's clearance, sir?
He was helping us
monitor the local insurgency.
The sheikh.
And others he
supposedly hadn't met yet.
He had us believing
that they'd ruled out an
attack on the compound,
that they were
concentrating on patrols.
We vetted this kid for months.
We were absolutely
convinced he was on our side.
Is he talking, Colonel?
About his innocence.
He'll break.
And how can I help?
Contact the woman
who filed the complaint.
Get her to back off.
She's been raising
hell everywhere she can
and is coming dangerously close
to interfering with
the investigation.
I have a thought on
how to do this in a way
that'll serve our interests.
I'm surprised a female
would even be allowed
to speak for a rural village.
They can't stop her, Colonel.
Ma'mun Al-Reza is her son.
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
What's going on, Commander?
The Marine Corps
Reserve Center is on fire.
Sheriff, I'm Commander
Rabb. This is...
Yeah, I know who you are.
What happened here, sir?
Fire.
Anyone injured?
No.
Any idea how it got started?
Arson.
You've found evidence?
We found the
perpetrator, Commander.
The forensics point to
arson, Lance Corporal.
I didn't light that fire, sir.
You were found less
than a block away.
You smelled of gasoline.
I was the detachment's
generator operator, Commander.
Can't get that
smell off my hands.
You were running
away from the scene.
I was out taking a walk, sir.
When I saw the flames,
I went back to call it in.
I mean, I wasn't carrying a
gas can or anything like that.
They're searching
for that as we speak.
Well, I hope it turns up, sir.
It won't have my prints on it.
Have a seat, Lance Corporal.
You've suffered a great loss.
All your friends, in fact.
Yes, sir.
How you feeling?
It's like when
you get the flu, sir.
It affects everything.
The sun feels cold.
The bed feels hard.
The food gets
stuck in your throat.
Some of them close friends?
Cliff and Frank, sir.
They were goofing on me.
I was joking they were dead.
Next second they were.
You feel guilty?
I guess.
Angry?
Sometimes.
Have you sought counseling?
No, sir.
Are you doing
anything to deal with it?
I take walks, sir.
I want to believe him, sir.
He's been through a lot.
But you could also use that
as an argument for his guilt.
The question is, if not
Van Arsdale, then who?
Well, if anger and
trauma is a motive,
this whole town
could be a suspect.
Good evening.
We just spoke with your
son, Mrs. Van Arsdale.
The Judge Advocate
General's assigned us
to conduct a JAG investigation.
Are you working with
Sheriff Dagg on this?
The sheriff has ceded the
Navy jurisdiction on this,
so there'll be no
question about objectivity.
Are we talking a
federal offense here?
It was a military facility.
What did Scott tell you?
That he didn't do it.
He didn't.
Can you prove that, ma'am?
It's not in his
character, Commander.
Ma'am, respectfully, your
son just spent six months
in a war zone. It
can change a man.
Scott and I are very close.
It's just been the two
of us for most of his life.
I would know if he'd changed.
You don't believe
him, Commander?
I'll let the evidence
determine our position.
Do you have any?
We just began our
investigation, ma'am.
It'd be a bad joke for
the boy to be saved
just so he could be
taken from his mother.
I-I'm sorry. That wasn't fair.
Please, do your jobs.
We'll help in any way we can.
Speaking of which,
we no longer have
an office to work out of.
You have any idea of
a space we might use?
I don't know of any
available space.
What would you need?
Well, not much, sir.
Just a table and some chairs.
You can use the coffee shop.
You wouldn't find that
uncomfortable, ma'am?
We both will.
My son is innocent!
He supports your efforts.
That's why he risked his life
to spy on the insurgents.
This charge is nonsense.
Ma'mun's backpack
was filled with explosives.
I don't believe it.
You are just looking
for someone to blame.
It's in no one's interest
to create a scapegoat,
Mrs. Al-Reza.
That would mean the
actual terrorist still exists
and could strike again.
Then they should free Ma'mun
so he can find this
person for them.
Your son is a prisoner
of war, Ms. Al-Reza,
and he will continue to be
regardless of your attempts
to shout down elected
officials, enlist Al Jazeera
or write threatening
letters to US Congressmen.
It must be working.
They sent you here.
I'm not authorized to
change Ma'mun's status,
but if you agree
to lower the tone,
we can have a
reasonable discussion.
You start.
Well, first, I need to
know more about you.
You don't look like
you're from here.
Neither do you.
Where did you learn to
speak English so well?
I trained to be an
interpreter in Baghdad.
I left the village with my son
after the Shiite
rebellion in '91.
All the men older than
18 and younger than 60
had been slaughtered by Saddam,
including my husband.
Ma'mun convinced me to
return with him last June.
He felt it was safer here
and saw an opportunity
to free the community
of its repressive history.
He was imagining a future
where boys like those
would be educated.
Your son was friendly
with the sheikh?
As a matter of practicality.
He was a spy after all.
And you supported this choice?
Not at the beginning.
I was frightened for him.
But he was so committed,
I felt I had to give
him my blessing.
So, can I see him?
No.
Then what can you do for me?
There might be something
that I can do for him.
I've known Scott Van Arsdale
his whole life.
He was in my bible study.
I taught him to drive.
He's a bright boy with
a strong moral center.
One of the town's
real success stories:
vice president of
his senior class,
statewide Junior 4-H finalist,
a sensitive kid who valued life.
I remember he once
talked one of his friends
out of shooting
at prairie dogs.
You were his old CO?
Yeah, at the Reserve Center.
Was he prepared
for war, Reverend?
We talked about
it before he left.
He was a little scared,
but he thought we were
doing the right thing over there,
he wanted to be a part of it.
Have you had a
chance to talk to him
since his return?
Yeah.
But he hasn't been
open to the idea.
Do you have any
thoughts about that?
There's no doubt he's
been tested, Commander.
But the same could
be said about any of us.
I've seen a lot of
behavior in the last week:
women crying at the market;
men just staring off into space;
kids skipping school.
I'm not sure Scott's resistance
is an indication of guilt.
Well, what then?
Loss.
It's hard for any of us
to believe Scotty Van Arsdale
would torch that building.
Why?
He's a goody-goody,
always doing the right thing.
My brother said he used to
pick up litter on his way to school.
Your brother is Cliff Pardee?
Was.
Cut it out!
I'm trying to talk
to the man here.
I got him today.
My wife is scrapbooking.
You okay?
I wanted to be part
of that reserve unit,
but I got bad knees
from wrestling.
So Cliff joined without me.
I'm sorry.
It's okay. Let's
just get on with it.
I heard you spoke with
Lance Corporal Van Arsdale
on the night of the fire.
It was after the
memorial service.
We went back to my place,
had a smoke on the porch,
talked about Cliff, the war.
Specifically?
It was more stressful
than what he expected.
He said their training
really hadn't prepared them
for what they had to deal with.
The equipment was
old hand-me-downs
from other units.
The locals were
suspicious and on edge.
He said they weren't
in a combat unit,
but the boys felt
like they were.
No place was safe.
He said it was
hard to get a sense
of what they were getting done.
Was he upset?
He wasn't happy.
What happened after you spoke?
He took a walk.
You have a lot of support
here, Lance Corporal.
I know that, sir.
That said, we found nothing
that categorically
clears you in this matter.
We've recommended
an Article 32 hearing
to the convening authority.
The charges will be arson
and wrongful destruction
of government property.
We'll be escorting
you to Washington, DC
tomorrow at 1100.
But, sirs, you haven't
proven I did anything.
Well, if the prosecution
has a similar experience,
you'll be exonerated.
I only wish I could
say I trusted the system
as much as you, Commander.
I'm Lieutenant Colonel
Sarah MacKenzie.
We haven't met.
I've met your mother.
Is she all right?
She hasn't been hurt
in any way, has she?
I'm not at liberty to say,
but I have a message
for you from her.
May I see it?
Let's talk.
I'll say it a hundred
times if I have to.
All I had in the backpack
was clean socks,
pen, paper, nasal spray,
Koran and a penknife.
No bomb!
That's no longer in question.
What were you doing
rushing out of the GP tent
prior to the explosion?
I had lost my pass.
I was on my way to
check the bathroom.
Why were you in the
tent in the first place?
Become friends with
the marines there.
I was just saying hello.
May I have the letter,
please?
Not yet.
Nice job.
Thank you, sir.
It's time, Mrs. Van Arsdale.
We're sorry, ma'am,
but we can assure you
that your son will get
the best defense possible.
I know that's true, Commander.
May we enter?
I'm afraid not.
All of us here reached
the same conclusion.
If you want to try
Scott Van Arsdale,
it's gonna be right
here in Kresge.
We've given up
enough of our boys.
You're going to have
to fight for this one.
The convening authority
has agreed to hold
the Article 32 here in
Kresge, Mrs. Van Arsdale.
Lieutenant Commander
Roberts and myself
will be representing
the government.
Thank you. It means a lot to us.
What, may I ask, are you
going to do about the media?
There'll be no cameras
in the courtroom, ma'am.
Good.
Kresge uses the town
hall for its courtroom.
Oh, that's fine.
And, of course, JAG
will supply the bailiff,
the hearing officer
and the defense counsel, ma'am.
Mayor Hazlett has a law degree.
He'll be defending Scott.
Uh, ma'am, you
do realize that this is
a military proceeding?
The mayor checked the UCMJ.
My son is entitled to
hire a civilian attorney
if he so desires.
Mayor Hazlett, by the way,
will not be accepting
a fee for this.
Ma'am, we're not interested
in denying your
son his privileges.
However, there are differences
between military
and civilian law.
We feel your son would
be better represented
by a JAG attorney.
I don't, Commander.
Ma'mun Al-Reza
confessed an hour ago.
Your visit was effective.
Something bothering you?
Mrs. Al-Reza wrote that note,
thinking that I was
trying to help her, sir.
The mother's feelings
are a small sacrifice
for the intelligence
that will come from this.
In any case,
why don't I have our staff JAG
break the news to Mrs. Al-Reza?
Sir, I would appreciate it
if you would wait on that.
I should be the one to tell her.
It's not necessary, Colonel.
I feel it is, sir.
Just the facts.
Aye, sir.
The figure in bold is the
amount of the settlement.
The check should be coming
to you within the month, ma'am.
This is more money than
I've made in my entire life.
Um...
My husband has emphysema.
Can I use this for
his medical bills?
Ma'am, the money is yours
to use however you wish.
You can look at
us, Mrs. Carpenter.
We're not the enemy.
I appreciate everything
you done for us.
Thank you.
Well, I suppose you
can't blame her, sir.
Lance Corporal Van Arsdale's
kind of become
everybody's child.
I guess he's the only
thing they have left.
Come here, please.
This is Nabil.
He's an orphan, a delinquent.
I was yelling at him for
throwing rocks at a cat.
He said I was just mad
because the sheikh
had tried to kill Ma'mun.
When I asked him what he meant,
he told me that he had
overheard the sheikh talking
to another man about
placing explosives
in Ma'mun's backpack.
Don't you see?
My son was supposed
to die in that explosion.
The sheikh had found out
about him and had set him up.
Ma'mun knew what
was in the backpack.
He listed the items for me.
Maybe it was
hidden in something.
Like what?
I don't know.
Did Nabil identify
the other man?
No. He had never
seen him before.
If this is true, and there's
no way of proving that,
why didn't the boy
warn you at that time?
The sheikh was a tyrant.
If he suspected Nabil
had said anything,
he would've killed him.
It's all circumstantial.
So is the case against my son.
Mrs. Al-Reza...
your son confessed.
Under what conditions?
Sheriff, while you
were questioning
Lance Corporal Van Arsdale,
how was he reacting?
He was nervous, defensive.
What was the first
thing that he said to you?
That I had the wrong man.
Had you yet determined
the fire was caused by arson?
No.
So it was a presumptive remark.
Yes.
Your witness.
Sheriff, did Scott Van Arsdale
have any matches on him?
No.
Gas can?
Neither.
Were there footprints
at the scene?
None that weren't
obscured by water and mud.
Well, let's assume, for
the sake of argument,
that he did not light that fire.
Now, couldn't his nervousness
be attributed to the fact
that your questions
presumed that he did?
In your scenario, yes.
And his comment about
you having the wrong man...
Now, you jumped
to that conclusion.
Isn't it possible he was
just following your lead?
Perhaps.
You've... you've watched
this boy grow up, Sheriff.
Did you ever know
him to commit a crime
or misrepresent the truth?
No.
He's always been a good kid.
Thank you kindly.
Nabil said that he
was on that balcony,
cleaning a rug for Mrs. Ahmed,
when he saw them below.
They were standing
in front of a blue door.
It's locked.
We're good.
MacKENZIE: Wires
and electrical leads.
Looks like radio parts.
Semtex.
This is where they
put the bomb together.
Well, how do you know
your son didn't help them
or even build it himself?
Because my son is a good Muslim.
He never would have
done this to the Koran.
At that point, Scotty
wanted to be alone,
said he was going
to take a walk.
That would be about 25 minutes
prior to the discovery
of the fire, correct?
Yes, sir.
Lance Corporal Van Arsdale,
Frank Medina and
your brother, Cliff,
were close friends, correct?
They were inseparable.
They, uh... they had
an understanding.
A pact... you know, all for one.
That kind of thing.
Now, how did this,
uh, pact play out?
Well, when Cliff got
an elbow in the eye
during a high school
basketball game,
Scotty challenged the
kid to a boxing match
and whupped him good.
So they would avenge wrongs
committed against each other.
All the time. It was
a big thing with them.
Thank you, Mr. Pardee.
No further questions.
Miss your brother?
Of course.
I hear you've been
pretty angry about it.
Objection. Irrelevant.
Maybe to your case, Commander.
What's the point of this line
of questioning, Counselor?
Well, I'm examining an
alternate theory, Your Honor.
Mr. Pardee is not on
trial here, Your Honor.
It's my understanding,
Your Honor, that the rules
of evidence are relaxed
in an Article 32 proceeding.
That is correct.
Well, I'm not fishing, sir.
I have something
specific in mind.
Now, might I proceed?
Carefully. Objection overruled.
Ask a direct
question, Counselor.
Mr. Pardee,
have you been angry
about your brother's death?
I've been upset. So
has everybody else.
Yeah, but not everybody
else has punched a hole
in the wall at the Amity Pub,
now, have they?
Did you do that on
the day you heard
about your brother's death?
Yes, I did.
And on the day of the fire,
didn't you siphon gasoline
out your wife's car?
Objection. Facts
not in evidence.
I would like to hear his
answer, Commander.
You're under oath, Mr. Pardee.
I needed to clear some brush,
and my chainsaw was empty.
Where were you during
the time the fire was set?
In my garage.
Doing what?
Thinking.
Could you provide a
witness to support this?
It was after the
memorial service.
I needed time alone.
I didn't want anybody
to know where I was.
Is that a no?
You've never liked me.
Just answer the question, sir.
That's a no.
So you're saying,
someone hollowed out
Ma'mun Al-Reza's Koran,
inserted explosives
and detonated it
by remote control?
Yes, sir.
And you want me to
stake out this location.
I do.
We have a confession, Colonel.
Extracted while the suspect
was under duress, sir.
That was the plan.
Sir, may I ask
if Ma'mun has provided
further information
about the plot, other names?
Not yet.
Well, couldn't that be because
he was telling the truth, sir?
That he was kept in the dark
so that if he
discovered the plot,
he wouldn't be able to
finger the rest of them?
Or that he's loyal
to his comrades.
Colonel, have you asked yourself
why this wasn't an
act of martyrdom?
Not all acts of terror are.
No, sir, but Ma'mun
would have known
that he wouldn't be authorized
to leave the base until
he was questioned.
Now, why would he
draw attention to himself
by running away from the scene?
To avoid injury.
Then why wouldn't he
leave himself more time?
Colonel, you brought me here
because you thought
I could relate to Mrs. Al-Reza
in ways that your male
staff JAG could not.
Well... you were correct.
And, like it or not...
this is the result.
What now?
We need to ask you a few
more questions, Mr. Pardee.
I've already done
enough talking.
Get off my property.
Let me be clear about this, sir.
You're in no position
to be making demands.
You're not buying
this crap, are you?
You haven't been
forthcoming with us.
The reason you didn't join up
wasn't because of your knees.
It's because you have
a record for assault.
That never went to trial.
That's because you
settled out of court.
The man almost ran over my boy!
You don't think. You react!
Like the case with your brother?
I am not an arsonist.
You have an anger
problem, Mr. Pardee.
It's common knowledge.
Can you prove I did it?
Is that a challenge?
I guess we can take that as yes.
Donovan?
Hey, buddy.
How you doing?
Where you going?
I don't want to get in trouble.
Well, we're not here about you.
It's okay.
Hey, is that your cat?
Please don't say nothing.
Why, did you do something bad?
My dad's allergic.
I'm not supposed to have him.
Well, we won't tell your
dad, but you should.
No. He'll make me give him up.
I only had him
for a little while.
He's better off here than
in the Reserve Center.
All they let him do
in there is catch mice.
And I play with him every day.
Did you rescue him
from the Reserve Center?
Scotty gave him to me.
Scott Van Arsdale?
Yeah.
I was in my yard, and he came by
and asked me if I
would take care of him.
I don't know what
he's talking about, sir.
I didn't give him that cat.
So he's lying then?
Maybe confused, Commander.
You are familiar
with this animal.
We all are, sir.
He was our mascot.
We checked with
Forensics, Lance Corporal.
They found cat
hair on your uniform.
We're just waiting to
find out if it's a match.
You knew the cat was in there.
You took him out
before you lit the fire,
and you gave him
to Donovan Pardee.
Is that true, son?
Yes, sir.
Did you light that fire?
I did, sir.
I did it for Cliff and Frank
and the rest of them.
What did you do with the
gas can and the matches?
I hid them in a
rotten tree stump.
Why would you lie to us?
Why would you do that?!
Because that's what
Washington has been doing, sir.
They lied to us about why
we were fighting the war,
about how many troops
it was going to take,
about the amount of
support we were going to get.
And after everything my
mother's been through,
I thought it'd just be best
if she didn't know.
I'm disappointed in you, son.
I never thought you to be
one to take the low road.
The war is the low road, sir.
Well, you're not
in Iraq anymore, son,
so you better start thinking
about making the peace,
especially with the
people of this town,
the ones who believed
in your innocence.
Your suspicions were
warranted, Colonel.
His name is Mohammed Sadar.
He's on the hot list of
active insurgent leaders.
He's already confessed
to setting up Ma'mun Al-Reza.
So, it was Sadar's workshop.
Mm, he was about
to break it down
and move on to his next target.
Do you know what that is, sir?
We will.
You did good.
I appreciate that.
Sir, about Ma'mun Al-Reza...
Oh, he'll be released.
I'm glad to hear that.
Can I ask you a favor?
Go ahead.
Well, it actually
concerns Talasura, sir.
I've been speaking
with Mrs. Al-Reza,
and, um...
she has this idea.
Will the defense please rise?
As discussed in chambers,
the accused and the government
have fashioned a
pretrial agreement.
The accused will
waive the balance
of this Article 32 hearing,
enter pleas of guilty
to all charges
and specifications,
and accept a period
of confinement
established in
these discussions.
Is that correct?
Yes, sir, Your Honor.
Corporal Van
Arsdale, are you clear
that you're giving
up your statutory right
to a full hearing, and
that if you plead guilty,
you will be waiving your
right to trial on the merits,
including your rights to
confront your accusers,
the privilege against
self-incrimination
and the obligation
of the government
to prove each and every element
beyond a reasonable doubt?
Yes, sir.
Before I terminate
these proceedings,
I need to be assured that
you intend to plead guilty
because you
believe you are guilty.
I am, sir.
In order to establish
a factual basis,
I would like you to explain why.
May I, Your Honor?
Go ahead.
I'm sorry I set fire to
the Reserve Center.
I was just so angry at the time,
I couldn't see another
way of handling it.
But I'm even more
sorry I lied to you about it.
After everything
that's happened,
you deserved better from me.
I've dirtied the memory
of my detachment,
and I regret it.
But even more so,
I regret not being able
to bring them back.
It's all right, son.
It's all right.
We forgive you.
You come back to us now.
These proceedings
are terminated.
MacKENZIE: It's
right over here, sir.
What is the media doing here?
They smell a story.
What have you gotten
me into, Colonel?
Hello. Ma'mun.
Please.
We appreciate you coming.
Hello.
Ma'am.
Uh, besides dedicating
this building as a school,
we also thought it would
be a good opportunity
for us to learn
about each other.
Mm-hmm.
I, uh, told the colonel
that he would be
answering some questions.
Yes, I will moderate
and interpret.
Is that all right?
Fine.
Come.
Please, this way.
Shh, shh, shh, shh.
Shh.
What is this, Colonel?
Democracy, sir?
Please.
Please, one at a time.
All right, all right.
I think we've discussed enough.
All right, let's vote, shall we?
The motion has been
made to contribute
25% of all SGLI monetary awards
to a special fund.
The money from this
fund would be applied
to the construction
of a war memorial
in honor of the young
men from this community
who lost their lives in the
service to their country.
Now this memorial
would be erected
in front of the Marine
Corps Reserve Center
here in Kresge.
- Do I have a second?
- I'll second.
Second that. I'll second it.
All in favor, raise your hand.
All right.
It looks unanimous, then.
Good work, folks.
Chicken-fry me
something, anything.
- I - could do for a slice
of your mama's sweet potato pie.
Or her blackberry cobbler.
Hey, your mom still
make that double-fudge...?
Back to earth, Frank.
It's beans, weenies
and cornbread.
You know, scuttlebutt says
Lieutenant's got a ration
of fast food care packages.
That right? Hmm.
Ma'mun, Lieutenant
Rangle at his desk?
Yes.
Let's investigate.
Hang on, Cliff.
My laces are out.
See you in there.
You can't wait for me
to square myself away?
Hey, there may not be
enough to go around.
We'll save you a corn chip.
Oh, you're both dead.
The small town of
Kresge, Oklahoma
is in deep mourning today
as it tries to come
to terms with the loss
of 17 of its young
men in southern Iraq.
All were members of the
same Marine Reserve Combat
Engineering detachment, and
all, with the exception of one,
were victims of an
explosive device,
which was somehow
smuggled inside their work tent.
The reservists, none older
than 26, knew each other
grew up together,
attended school together,
and in November
were mobilized together.
Now, sadly, they represent
a significant loss in a war
that continues to
exact a heavy price
for American military resolve.
I'm taking this out of the
hands of the area NLSO.
It's too high-profile.
Commander Rabb,
Lieutenant Commander Roberts,
I want you to travel to Kresge
as a legal assistance
emergency response team,
help families negotiate
the legal terrain...
Probate, property
titles, death benefits.
Whatever they need.
Yes, sir.
We'll pick up our orders
and depart immediately, sir.
Dismissed.
Aye, aye, sir.
Colonel, I'm
sending you to Iraq.
The marines have captured
a suspect in the attack.
This has antagonized a resident
of the Iraqi
village of Talasura,
who's been raising
dust everywhere.
Colonel Mazzone is
looking for someone
to resolve the complaint.
Not that I'm opposed
to the assignment, sir,
but what about
the in-country SJA?
He wants someone who can relate.
Commander Rabb, what
will JAG's participation be
with the victims' family?
No comment at this time.
Excuse me. Let me through.
Can I get by, please?
Mayor Hazlett.
Welcome to Kresge.
I'm Commander Rabb.
This is Lieutenant
Commander Roberts.
I also run the real
estate company.
My office is right in here.
Please, this way.
Will there be any comments
after you meet with the mayor?
Sorry.
We're not used to this kind
of attention around here.
We really do appreciate
you visiting us.
The Navy and Marine Corps
share your loss, Mr. Mayor.
We're here to help
in any way we can.
Could you tell us
about the men in
this detachment, sir?
Almost all of them worked
their parents' farms and ranches.
Joining the reserves was
their way of serving their country
and their families
at the same time.
What was their reaction
when they were sent over?
None of them complained.
I think it surprised
the parents some.
How long were they there?
Six months into a
seven-month tour.
It's been difficult.
Our fire chief lost
his only two boys.
There ain't anybody around
here hasn't been touched by this.
Well, I know it's
small comfort, sir,
but in addition to the
$12,000 death gratuity,
the SGLI, the Serviceman's
Group Life Insurance policy,
currently provides up to a
quarter of a million dollars
per deceased marine,
and that may be increasing.
We've spoken with the PSD.
They've agreed to
streamline the process.
Thank you.
Where will folks
be able to find you?
We're setting up
a temporary office
at the Marine Corps
Reserve Center.
I'll spread the word.
Can I ask you a question, sir?
Yeah.
Did you suffer a loss?
Every one of them, Commander.
This will straighten out
the title to your son's
truck, Mr. Medina.
We hope to have the paperwork
for the benefits package
ready in a few days.
Thank you.
You've been very helpful.
We'll be in touch, sir.
Thank you.
Hey, Manuel.
Jan.
Everything all right?
Yes, ma'am.
They're taking good care of us.
And Rosa?
She'll be fine.
Might take a minute.
Sure.
Sure.
I'm sorry. Excuse me.
I'm Jan Van Arsdale.
I own the coffee shop
in the center of town.
Thought you might
need a pick-me-up.
Thank you, ma'am.
There are donuts and
bear claws in the box.
That's greatly appreciated,
Mrs. Van Arsdale.
Is there anything
we can do for you?
Lord's already attended
to my needs, Commander.
My son Scott was
the only survivor.
He's scheduled to
arrive back tomorrow.
Was he injured, ma'am?
Surface wounds.
I can't vouch for the
state of his heart, though.
He lost every
friend he's ever had.
Ma'am, you're not obligated,
but we have a chaplain
and a psychologist available
if you feel you'd like
to talk to someone.
I have to say,
it is difficult knowing
how to react,
'cause of what
happened to the others.
Manuel's son, Frank, was
one of Scott's closest friends.
I can't help thinking that God
must've had a purpose
in saving my boy.
Maybe that's what
I have to believe
in order to stop
feeling guilty about it.
The village sheikh was the
one who planned the attack.
We'd been tracking
him for months.
He was killed
resisting apprehension.
Is that what motivated
the complaint, sir?
No. The villagers are
happy to see him gone.
The man was a tin-pot tyrant,
treated this place like
his own private fiefdom,
kept everyone under his thumb.
The complaint
petitions for the release
of the bombing suspect,
Ma'mun Al-Reza.
It's not going to happen.
What do you have on him?
Ma'mun was working with us.
Just prior to the explosion,
he was seen hurriedly
exiting the GP tent
without his backpack.
The backpack was a bomb?
According to Forensics.
How it was triggered
is currently being investigated.
And the reason for
Ma'mun's clearance, sir?
He was helping us
monitor the local insurgency.
The sheikh.
And others he
supposedly hadn't met yet.
He had us believing
that they'd ruled out an
attack on the compound,
that they were
concentrating on patrols.
We vetted this kid for months.
We were absolutely
convinced he was on our side.
Is he talking, Colonel?
About his innocence.
He'll break.
And how can I help?
Contact the woman
who filed the complaint.
Get her to back off.
She's been raising
hell everywhere she can
and is coming dangerously close
to interfering with
the investigation.
I have a thought on
how to do this in a way
that'll serve our interests.
I'm surprised a female
would even be allowed
to speak for a rural village.
They can't stop her, Colonel.
Ma'mun Al-Reza is her son.
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
What's going on, Commander?
The Marine Corps
Reserve Center is on fire.
Sheriff, I'm Commander
Rabb. This is...
Yeah, I know who you are.
What happened here, sir?
Fire.
Anyone injured?
No.
Any idea how it got started?
Arson.
You've found evidence?
We found the
perpetrator, Commander.
The forensics point to
arson, Lance Corporal.
I didn't light that fire, sir.
You were found less
than a block away.
You smelled of gasoline.
I was the detachment's
generator operator, Commander.
Can't get that
smell off my hands.
You were running
away from the scene.
I was out taking a walk, sir.
When I saw the flames,
I went back to call it in.
I mean, I wasn't carrying a
gas can or anything like that.
They're searching
for that as we speak.
Well, I hope it turns up, sir.
It won't have my prints on it.
Have a seat, Lance Corporal.
You've suffered a great loss.
All your friends, in fact.
Yes, sir.
How you feeling?
It's like when
you get the flu, sir.
It affects everything.
The sun feels cold.
The bed feels hard.
The food gets
stuck in your throat.
Some of them close friends?
Cliff and Frank, sir.
They were goofing on me.
I was joking they were dead.
Next second they were.
You feel guilty?
I guess.
Angry?
Sometimes.
Have you sought counseling?
No, sir.
Are you doing
anything to deal with it?
I take walks, sir.
I want to believe him, sir.
He's been through a lot.
But you could also use that
as an argument for his guilt.
The question is, if not
Van Arsdale, then who?
Well, if anger and
trauma is a motive,
this whole town
could be a suspect.
Good evening.
We just spoke with your
son, Mrs. Van Arsdale.
The Judge Advocate
General's assigned us
to conduct a JAG investigation.
Are you working with
Sheriff Dagg on this?
The sheriff has ceded the
Navy jurisdiction on this,
so there'll be no
question about objectivity.
Are we talking a
federal offense here?
It was a military facility.
What did Scott tell you?
That he didn't do it.
He didn't.
Can you prove that, ma'am?
It's not in his
character, Commander.
Ma'am, respectfully, your
son just spent six months
in a war zone. It
can change a man.
Scott and I are very close.
It's just been the two
of us for most of his life.
I would know if he'd changed.
You don't believe
him, Commander?
I'll let the evidence
determine our position.
Do you have any?
We just began our
investigation, ma'am.
It'd be a bad joke for
the boy to be saved
just so he could be
taken from his mother.
I-I'm sorry. That wasn't fair.
Please, do your jobs.
We'll help in any way we can.
Speaking of which,
we no longer have
an office to work out of.
You have any idea of
a space we might use?
I don't know of any
available space.
What would you need?
Well, not much, sir.
Just a table and some chairs.
You can use the coffee shop.
You wouldn't find that
uncomfortable, ma'am?
We both will.
My son is innocent!
He supports your efforts.
That's why he risked his life
to spy on the insurgents.
This charge is nonsense.
Ma'mun's backpack
was filled with explosives.
I don't believe it.
You are just looking
for someone to blame.
It's in no one's interest
to create a scapegoat,
Mrs. Al-Reza.
That would mean the
actual terrorist still exists
and could strike again.
Then they should free Ma'mun
so he can find this
person for them.
Your son is a prisoner
of war, Ms. Al-Reza,
and he will continue to be
regardless of your attempts
to shout down elected
officials, enlist Al Jazeera
or write threatening
letters to US Congressmen.
It must be working.
They sent you here.
I'm not authorized to
change Ma'mun's status,
but if you agree
to lower the tone,
we can have a
reasonable discussion.
You start.
Well, first, I need to
know more about you.
You don't look like
you're from here.
Neither do you.
Where did you learn to
speak English so well?
I trained to be an
interpreter in Baghdad.
I left the village with my son
after the Shiite
rebellion in '91.
All the men older than
18 and younger than 60
had been slaughtered by Saddam,
including my husband.
Ma'mun convinced me to
return with him last June.
He felt it was safer here
and saw an opportunity
to free the community
of its repressive history.
He was imagining a future
where boys like those
would be educated.
Your son was friendly
with the sheikh?
As a matter of practicality.
He was a spy after all.
And you supported this choice?
Not at the beginning.
I was frightened for him.
But he was so committed,
I felt I had to give
him my blessing.
So, can I see him?
No.
Then what can you do for me?
There might be something
that I can do for him.
I've known Scott Van Arsdale
his whole life.
He was in my bible study.
I taught him to drive.
He's a bright boy with
a strong moral center.
One of the town's
real success stories:
vice president of
his senior class,
statewide Junior 4-H finalist,
a sensitive kid who valued life.
I remember he once
talked one of his friends
out of shooting
at prairie dogs.
You were his old CO?
Yeah, at the Reserve Center.
Was he prepared
for war, Reverend?
We talked about
it before he left.
He was a little scared,
but he thought we were
doing the right thing over there,
he wanted to be a part of it.
Have you had a
chance to talk to him
since his return?
Yeah.
But he hasn't been
open to the idea.
Do you have any
thoughts about that?
There's no doubt he's
been tested, Commander.
But the same could
be said about any of us.
I've seen a lot of
behavior in the last week:
women crying at the market;
men just staring off into space;
kids skipping school.
I'm not sure Scott's resistance
is an indication of guilt.
Well, what then?
Loss.
It's hard for any of us
to believe Scotty Van Arsdale
would torch that building.
Why?
He's a goody-goody,
always doing the right thing.
My brother said he used to
pick up litter on his way to school.
Your brother is Cliff Pardee?
Was.
Cut it out!
I'm trying to talk
to the man here.
I got him today.
My wife is scrapbooking.
You okay?
I wanted to be part
of that reserve unit,
but I got bad knees
from wrestling.
So Cliff joined without me.
I'm sorry.
It's okay. Let's
just get on with it.
I heard you spoke with
Lance Corporal Van Arsdale
on the night of the fire.
It was after the
memorial service.
We went back to my place,
had a smoke on the porch,
talked about Cliff, the war.
Specifically?
It was more stressful
than what he expected.
He said their training
really hadn't prepared them
for what they had to deal with.
The equipment was
old hand-me-downs
from other units.
The locals were
suspicious and on edge.
He said they weren't
in a combat unit,
but the boys felt
like they were.
No place was safe.
He said it was
hard to get a sense
of what they were getting done.
Was he upset?
He wasn't happy.
What happened after you spoke?
He took a walk.
You have a lot of support
here, Lance Corporal.
I know that, sir.
That said, we found nothing
that categorically
clears you in this matter.
We've recommended
an Article 32 hearing
to the convening authority.
The charges will be arson
and wrongful destruction
of government property.
We'll be escorting
you to Washington, DC
tomorrow at 1100.
But, sirs, you haven't
proven I did anything.
Well, if the prosecution
has a similar experience,
you'll be exonerated.
I only wish I could
say I trusted the system
as much as you, Commander.
I'm Lieutenant Colonel
Sarah MacKenzie.
We haven't met.
I've met your mother.
Is she all right?
She hasn't been hurt
in any way, has she?
I'm not at liberty to say,
but I have a message
for you from her.
May I see it?
Let's talk.
I'll say it a hundred
times if I have to.
All I had in the backpack
was clean socks,
pen, paper, nasal spray,
Koran and a penknife.
No bomb!
That's no longer in question.
What were you doing
rushing out of the GP tent
prior to the explosion?
I had lost my pass.
I was on my way to
check the bathroom.
Why were you in the
tent in the first place?
Become friends with
the marines there.
I was just saying hello.
May I have the letter,
please?
Not yet.
Nice job.
Thank you, sir.
It's time, Mrs. Van Arsdale.
We're sorry, ma'am,
but we can assure you
that your son will get
the best defense possible.
I know that's true, Commander.
May we enter?
I'm afraid not.
All of us here reached
the same conclusion.
If you want to try
Scott Van Arsdale,
it's gonna be right
here in Kresge.
We've given up
enough of our boys.
You're going to have
to fight for this one.
The convening authority
has agreed to hold
the Article 32 here in
Kresge, Mrs. Van Arsdale.
Lieutenant Commander
Roberts and myself
will be representing
the government.
Thank you. It means a lot to us.
What, may I ask, are you
going to do about the media?
There'll be no cameras
in the courtroom, ma'am.
Good.
Kresge uses the town
hall for its courtroom.
Oh, that's fine.
And, of course, JAG
will supply the bailiff,
the hearing officer
and the defense counsel, ma'am.
Mayor Hazlett has a law degree.
He'll be defending Scott.
Uh, ma'am, you
do realize that this is
a military proceeding?
The mayor checked the UCMJ.
My son is entitled to
hire a civilian attorney
if he so desires.
Mayor Hazlett, by the way,
will not be accepting
a fee for this.
Ma'am, we're not interested
in denying your
son his privileges.
However, there are differences
between military
and civilian law.
We feel your son would
be better represented
by a JAG attorney.
I don't, Commander.
Ma'mun Al-Reza
confessed an hour ago.
Your visit was effective.
Something bothering you?
Mrs. Al-Reza wrote that note,
thinking that I was
trying to help her, sir.
The mother's feelings
are a small sacrifice
for the intelligence
that will come from this.
In any case,
why don't I have our staff JAG
break the news to Mrs. Al-Reza?
Sir, I would appreciate it
if you would wait on that.
I should be the one to tell her.
It's not necessary, Colonel.
I feel it is, sir.
Just the facts.
Aye, sir.
The figure in bold is the
amount of the settlement.
The check should be coming
to you within the month, ma'am.
This is more money than
I've made in my entire life.
Um...
My husband has emphysema.
Can I use this for
his medical bills?
Ma'am, the money is yours
to use however you wish.
You can look at
us, Mrs. Carpenter.
We're not the enemy.
I appreciate everything
you done for us.
Thank you.
Well, I suppose you
can't blame her, sir.
Lance Corporal Van Arsdale's
kind of become
everybody's child.
I guess he's the only
thing they have left.
Come here, please.
This is Nabil.
He's an orphan, a delinquent.
I was yelling at him for
throwing rocks at a cat.
He said I was just mad
because the sheikh
had tried to kill Ma'mun.
When I asked him what he meant,
he told me that he had
overheard the sheikh talking
to another man about
placing explosives
in Ma'mun's backpack.
Don't you see?
My son was supposed
to die in that explosion.
The sheikh had found out
about him and had set him up.
Ma'mun knew what
was in the backpack.
He listed the items for me.
Maybe it was
hidden in something.
Like what?
I don't know.
Did Nabil identify
the other man?
No. He had never
seen him before.
If this is true, and there's
no way of proving that,
why didn't the boy
warn you at that time?
The sheikh was a tyrant.
If he suspected Nabil
had said anything,
he would've killed him.
It's all circumstantial.
So is the case against my son.
Mrs. Al-Reza...
your son confessed.
Under what conditions?
Sheriff, while you
were questioning
Lance Corporal Van Arsdale,
how was he reacting?
He was nervous, defensive.
What was the first
thing that he said to you?
That I had the wrong man.
Had you yet determined
the fire was caused by arson?
No.
So it was a presumptive remark.
Yes.
Your witness.
Sheriff, did Scott Van Arsdale
have any matches on him?
No.
Gas can?
Neither.
Were there footprints
at the scene?
None that weren't
obscured by water and mud.
Well, let's assume, for
the sake of argument,
that he did not light that fire.
Now, couldn't his nervousness
be attributed to the fact
that your questions
presumed that he did?
In your scenario, yes.
And his comment about
you having the wrong man...
Now, you jumped
to that conclusion.
Isn't it possible he was
just following your lead?
Perhaps.
You've... you've watched
this boy grow up, Sheriff.
Did you ever know
him to commit a crime
or misrepresent the truth?
No.
He's always been a good kid.
Thank you kindly.
Nabil said that he
was on that balcony,
cleaning a rug for Mrs. Ahmed,
when he saw them below.
They were standing
in front of a blue door.
It's locked.
We're good.
MacKENZIE: Wires
and electrical leads.
Looks like radio parts.
Semtex.
This is where they
put the bomb together.
Well, how do you know
your son didn't help them
or even build it himself?
Because my son is a good Muslim.
He never would have
done this to the Koran.
At that point, Scotty
wanted to be alone,
said he was going
to take a walk.
That would be about 25 minutes
prior to the discovery
of the fire, correct?
Yes, sir.
Lance Corporal Van Arsdale,
Frank Medina and
your brother, Cliff,
were close friends, correct?
They were inseparable.
They, uh... they had
an understanding.
A pact... you know, all for one.
That kind of thing.
Now, how did this,
uh, pact play out?
Well, when Cliff got
an elbow in the eye
during a high school
basketball game,
Scotty challenged the
kid to a boxing match
and whupped him good.
So they would avenge wrongs
committed against each other.
All the time. It was
a big thing with them.
Thank you, Mr. Pardee.
No further questions.
Miss your brother?
Of course.
I hear you've been
pretty angry about it.
Objection. Irrelevant.
Maybe to your case, Commander.
What's the point of this line
of questioning, Counselor?
Well, I'm examining an
alternate theory, Your Honor.
Mr. Pardee is not on
trial here, Your Honor.
It's my understanding,
Your Honor, that the rules
of evidence are relaxed
in an Article 32 proceeding.
That is correct.
Well, I'm not fishing, sir.
I have something
specific in mind.
Now, might I proceed?
Carefully. Objection overruled.
Ask a direct
question, Counselor.
Mr. Pardee,
have you been angry
about your brother's death?
I've been upset. So
has everybody else.
Yeah, but not everybody
else has punched a hole
in the wall at the Amity Pub,
now, have they?
Did you do that on
the day you heard
about your brother's death?
Yes, I did.
And on the day of the fire,
didn't you siphon gasoline
out your wife's car?
Objection. Facts
not in evidence.
I would like to hear his
answer, Commander.
You're under oath, Mr. Pardee.
I needed to clear some brush,
and my chainsaw was empty.
Where were you during
the time the fire was set?
In my garage.
Doing what?
Thinking.
Could you provide a
witness to support this?
It was after the
memorial service.
I needed time alone.
I didn't want anybody
to know where I was.
Is that a no?
You've never liked me.
Just answer the question, sir.
That's a no.
So you're saying,
someone hollowed out
Ma'mun Al-Reza's Koran,
inserted explosives
and detonated it
by remote control?
Yes, sir.
And you want me to
stake out this location.
I do.
We have a confession, Colonel.
Extracted while the suspect
was under duress, sir.
That was the plan.
Sir, may I ask
if Ma'mun has provided
further information
about the plot, other names?
Not yet.
Well, couldn't that be because
he was telling the truth, sir?
That he was kept in the dark
so that if he
discovered the plot,
he wouldn't be able to
finger the rest of them?
Or that he's loyal
to his comrades.
Colonel, have you asked yourself
why this wasn't an
act of martyrdom?
Not all acts of terror are.
No, sir, but Ma'mun
would have known
that he wouldn't be authorized
to leave the base until
he was questioned.
Now, why would he
draw attention to himself
by running away from the scene?
To avoid injury.
Then why wouldn't he
leave himself more time?
Colonel, you brought me here
because you thought
I could relate to Mrs. Al-Reza
in ways that your male
staff JAG could not.
Well... you were correct.
And, like it or not...
this is the result.
What now?
We need to ask you a few
more questions, Mr. Pardee.
I've already done
enough talking.
Get off my property.
Let me be clear about this, sir.
You're in no position
to be making demands.
You're not buying
this crap, are you?
You haven't been
forthcoming with us.
The reason you didn't join up
wasn't because of your knees.
It's because you have
a record for assault.
That never went to trial.
That's because you
settled out of court.
The man almost ran over my boy!
You don't think. You react!
Like the case with your brother?
I am not an arsonist.
You have an anger
problem, Mr. Pardee.
It's common knowledge.
Can you prove I did it?
Is that a challenge?
I guess we can take that as yes.
Donovan?
Hey, buddy.
How you doing?
Where you going?
I don't want to get in trouble.
Well, we're not here about you.
It's okay.
Hey, is that your cat?
Please don't say nothing.
Why, did you do something bad?
My dad's allergic.
I'm not supposed to have him.
Well, we won't tell your
dad, but you should.
No. He'll make me give him up.
I only had him
for a little while.
He's better off here than
in the Reserve Center.
All they let him do
in there is catch mice.
And I play with him every day.
Did you rescue him
from the Reserve Center?
Scotty gave him to me.
Scott Van Arsdale?
Yeah.
I was in my yard, and he came by
and asked me if I
would take care of him.
I don't know what
he's talking about, sir.
I didn't give him that cat.
So he's lying then?
Maybe confused, Commander.
You are familiar
with this animal.
We all are, sir.
He was our mascot.
We checked with
Forensics, Lance Corporal.
They found cat
hair on your uniform.
We're just waiting to
find out if it's a match.
You knew the cat was in there.
You took him out
before you lit the fire,
and you gave him
to Donovan Pardee.
Is that true, son?
Yes, sir.
Did you light that fire?
I did, sir.
I did it for Cliff and Frank
and the rest of them.
What did you do with the
gas can and the matches?
I hid them in a
rotten tree stump.
Why would you lie to us?
Why would you do that?!
Because that's what
Washington has been doing, sir.
They lied to us about why
we were fighting the war,
about how many troops
it was going to take,
about the amount of
support we were going to get.
And after everything my
mother's been through,
I thought it'd just be best
if she didn't know.
I'm disappointed in you, son.
I never thought you to be
one to take the low road.
The war is the low road, sir.
Well, you're not
in Iraq anymore, son,
so you better start thinking
about making the peace,
especially with the
people of this town,
the ones who believed
in your innocence.
Your suspicions were
warranted, Colonel.
His name is Mohammed Sadar.
He's on the hot list of
active insurgent leaders.
He's already confessed
to setting up Ma'mun Al-Reza.
So, it was Sadar's workshop.
Mm, he was about
to break it down
and move on to his next target.
Do you know what that is, sir?
We will.
You did good.
I appreciate that.
Sir, about Ma'mun Al-Reza...
Oh, he'll be released.
I'm glad to hear that.
Can I ask you a favor?
Go ahead.
Well, it actually
concerns Talasura, sir.
I've been speaking
with Mrs. Al-Reza,
and, um...
she has this idea.
Will the defense please rise?
As discussed in chambers,
the accused and the government
have fashioned a
pretrial agreement.
The accused will
waive the balance
of this Article 32 hearing,
enter pleas of guilty
to all charges
and specifications,
and accept a period
of confinement
established in
these discussions.
Is that correct?
Yes, sir, Your Honor.
Corporal Van
Arsdale, are you clear
that you're giving
up your statutory right
to a full hearing, and
that if you plead guilty,
you will be waiving your
right to trial on the merits,
including your rights to
confront your accusers,
the privilege against
self-incrimination
and the obligation
of the government
to prove each and every element
beyond a reasonable doubt?
Yes, sir.
Before I terminate
these proceedings,
I need to be assured that
you intend to plead guilty
because you
believe you are guilty.
I am, sir.
In order to establish
a factual basis,
I would like you to explain why.
May I, Your Honor?
Go ahead.
I'm sorry I set fire to
the Reserve Center.
I was just so angry at the time,
I couldn't see another
way of handling it.
But I'm even more
sorry I lied to you about it.
After everything
that's happened,
you deserved better from me.
I've dirtied the memory
of my detachment,
and I regret it.
But even more so,
I regret not being able
to bring them back.
It's all right, son.
It's all right.
We forgive you.
You come back to us now.
These proceedings
are terminated.
MacKENZIE: It's
right over here, sir.
What is the media doing here?
They smell a story.
What have you gotten
me into, Colonel?
Hello. Ma'mun.
Please.
We appreciate you coming.
Hello.
Ma'am.
Uh, besides dedicating
this building as a school,
we also thought it would
be a good opportunity
for us to learn
about each other.
Mm-hmm.
I, uh, told the colonel
that he would be
answering some questions.
Yes, I will moderate
and interpret.
Is that all right?
Fine.
Come.
Please, this way.
Shh, shh, shh, shh.
Shh.
What is this, Colonel?
Democracy, sir?
Please.
Please, one at a time.
All right, all right.
I think we've discussed enough.
All right, let's vote, shall we?
The motion has been
made to contribute
25% of all SGLI monetary awards
to a special fund.
The money from this
fund would be applied
to the construction
of a war memorial
in honor of the young
men from this community
who lost their lives in the
service to their country.
Now this memorial
would be erected
in front of the Marine
Corps Reserve Center
here in Kresge.
- Do I have a second?
- I'll second.
Second that. I'll second it.
All in favor, raise your hand.
All right.
It looks unanimous, then.
Good work, folks.