JAG (1995–2005): Season 3, Episode 3 - The Good of the Service - full transcript

(men speaking indistinctly)

(sniffles, groans)

(men speaking foreign language)

You... wake up.

(laughing)

G'day. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Huh?

Mate, it's all right.

I just want to
take a few photos.

Journaliste.

There, there, that's it, yeah.

Happy snaps for
the wife and kiddies.



(shouts in French) What? Whoa!

Sortez! All right, General.

Don't get your
knickers in a knot.

(speaking in French)

Tout de suite!

Tout de suite!

(grunts)

(thud)

(quietly): Come on,
Marines, on your feet.

What about the gunny? He's dead.

I ain't leaving him.

Get out of here. Move, move.

Let's go. Come on.

Come on, let's go, let's go.



Hey...

this is for the gunny.

No! Sergeant! No!

(gunshot, men shouting)

Damn it, Marine.

(men shouting)

Extraction team, pull back!

Move, move, move, move!

(people shouting)

Marine!

Let's get the hell out of here!

(woman screaming)

(people clamoring, man shouting)

Cover me!

He's mine!

(man shouts)

Peter! Peter!

(crying): Mon bébé, mon bébé.

Back to the L.Z.! Move out!

Move out!

Go, go, go, go, go!

Hey! (camera shutter clicking)

(weeping)

(weeping): Mon bébé, mon bébé.

Following in his
father's footsteps

as a naval aviator,

Lieutenant Commander
Harmon Rabb, Jr.

Suffered a crash while
landing his Tomcat

on a storm-tossed
carrier at sea.

Diagnosed with night blindness,

Harm transferred to the Navy's
Judge Advocate General Corps

which investigates, defends
and prosecutes the law of the sea.

There, with fellow JAG
lawyer, Major Sarah MacKenzie,

he now fights in and
out of the courtroom

with the same
daring and tenacity

that made him a
top gun in the air.

Yesterday, a marine
expeditionary unit

sent a recon team into Haiti...

Well, it's about time.

It's been a week
since those rebels

overran the food depot,
took our marines prisoner.

Six days.

I understand the mission
was successful, sir.

Define successful.

We got our troops out...

The ones who were still alive,

but there's some casualties.

"More than 20 villagers
killed in bloody fire fight."

Even allowing
for media inflation,

that's a lot of
noncombatants dead.

White House agrees.

They want to know who
authorized our troops

to invade a foreign country
and kill innocent civilians.

The Joint Chiefs, I imagine.

COMCARIB says they
issued orders not to invade.

Who was the unit commander?

Lieutenant Colonel John Farrow.

So you want to tell me
about Colonel Farrow?

He was C.O. of headquarters

and service
battalion on Okinawa.

I was his admin officer.

How'd you know?

Your mouth does a
funny, little, upturn thing

when you're hiding something.

So what's he like?

Excellent leader, honorable man

overall, an outstanding officer.

What else?

What "what else"?

Your mouth's doing
that funny thing again.

(sighing)

Colonel Farrow is the
reason I'm a lawyer.

The corps put me
through law school

based on his recommendation.

That's it?

What are you looking for?

Nothing.

Just want to make sure

we're entering this
inquiry with open minds.

My mind's open.

But if the politicians want

a scapegoat, I'll be damned

if I'll give them
Colonel Farrow.

Well, just so long as
you have an open mind.

MacKENZIE: Captain
Banes, you led the operation

code-named Manta Ray, correct?

Yes, ma'am.

And the objective was to...?

To extract marines being held
by rebel forces in Haiti, ma'am.

Who ordered execution
of that operation?

Operation Manta Ray,
order number: Alpha-57329,

to be executed at 0430
Zulu, 17 September, 19...

We read the op order, Captain.

What we're asking is,
who told you to go in?

Lieutenant Colonel Farrow
gave the final order, sir.

What was in the message
Colonel Farrow received?

I was not privy to that, ma'am.

Were they orders to hold
execution of Manta Ray?

You'll have to ask Colonel
Farrow about that, Commander.

(knocking on door)

Enter.

Sir, Lieutenant Commander Rabb

and...

Mac.

Or should I say Major MacKenzie?

It's good to see you.

It's good to see you, too, sir.

Uh, Corporal, thank you.

That will be all.

Yes, sir.

Commander Rabb.

Colonel.

Sit, please.

(over P.A.): Engineering officer,
report to the boiler room. Mac.

Engineering officer,
report to the boiler room.

So how much
trouble am I in, Mac?

Well, that depends
on what you tell us, sir.

Colonel, we're
here to investigate

into circumstances surrounding
operation Manta Ray.

Commander, let me make it easy.

I gave the order.

I'll take the heat.

Nobody's faulting anyone, sir.

Well, I doubt they
sent two JAG officers

1,200 miles to mete out credit.

By "take the heat"

are you saying you
disobeyed a direct order, sir?

Commander...

Sir, I'd like to advise you,

you do not have to
make any statement

regarding the suspected offense.

Any statement you do make

may be used against
you in a court-martial.

I don't think...

You also have
the right to counsel

which I strongly advise
you to exercise, sir.

HARM: Well, you shut
that down right quick.

You encouraged the
suspect to incriminate himself

without giving him
his Article 31 rights.

This is an inquiry.

There are no charges pending.

There could be,
based on his admission.

Hey, Mac, I didn't do anything

we haven't done
dozens of times before.

What is this guy to you anyway?

That is none of your business.

You want to play
it this way? Fine.

SECNAV: Admiral Colter sent an
order telling Colonel Farrow to wait.

Was that order received?

We can't say for sure at
this; time, Mr. Secretary.

I thought you had a report.

Preliminary only.

Rabb and MacKenzie
are two of my best.

If there is a case to be made,

they will make it.

American troops shooting
women and children.

You know what
the world is saying?

My Lai.

With all due respect,
Mr. Secretary,

this is not Vietnam.

Nevertheless, the president
is concerned, and so am I.

Understood.

Yet I can't help but
feel that the marines

that were captured and tortured
would not share your concern.

Our men's welfare
weighed heavily

on our decision not to go in.

Apparently, not heavily enough.

The government was resolving
the matter diplomatically

to avoid more bloodshed.

By negotiating with thugs?

It was being handled.

(sighing)

I'm directing Admiral Colter

to file charges
against Colonel Farrow.

I think that's premature, sir.

The president wants
the guilty punished

and steps taken to assure
that this type of contravention

is not repeated.

I concur.

I understand, Mr. Secretary.

Do you, Admiral?

(knocking on door)

Enter.

If you're busy, I can come back.

No, uh... come on
in, Sarah, please.

(sighing)

You look tired, John.

Well, it's, uh...

it's been an interesting week.

How you been?

Good.

I've thought of you often.

And I, you.

Followed your career
with great interest.

Thanks to you, I have a career.

Oh, I think you
would have managed

just fine without me.

You have the killer instinct

which I've never really
appreciated until now.

Excuse me?

Admiral's Mast?

For disobeying
a superior officer.

You seem surprised.

I am.

Why?

You made the recommendation.

No. You could have
come to me first.

You owe me that much.

John, I have never lied to you.

I won't start now.

I didn't know about this.

Either way, I intend to
forego the Admiral's Mast.

Well, you don't have a choice.

Oh, yes, I do.

I'm requesting a court-martial.

(knocking on door)

You have pulled some
sneaky, deceitful moves

on me, but this is
too slimy even for you.

Hey, you want to power down
and tell me what this is about?

Reporting to Chegwidden
behind my back?

Recommending an Admiral's Mast?

Article 90? Ring a bell?

Hey, I sent in a report, yes.

Behind my back.

As primary investigator,
that's my prerogative,

but I didn't make
a recommendation.

Why didn't you
discuss it with me first?

Because, frankly, I don't
believe you're objective.

Maybe I'm not, but you
could have given me

the benefit of the doubt.

CHEGWIDDEN:
It's a done deal, Mac.

With all due respect, sir,

we haven't submitted
our final report.

Not that I have
to explain myself

to you, Major,

but SECNAV is very
interested in this case.

He wants a quick resolution.

Well, then I assume our
involvement is over, sir.

This is a politically
sensitive, high-profile case

and I want my best people on it.

Besides, the Defense Council
is a formidable opponent.

Who would that be, sir?

(sighing): Me.

CHEGWIDDEN: SECNAV wants
me to defend Colonel Farrow.

Admiral, you can't!

Why not?

Well, for one thing,
we'd be adversaries.

So?

Just treat me like
any opposing counsel.

I'm sure you'll rise to the
occasion, Commander.

But you're the JAG, sir...
The reviewing authority.

Not on this case.

SECNAV's designated the
General Counsel of the Navy

as your reviewing authority.

But you're our
commanding officer, Admiral.

Major, do you think I'd be

so small and petty
I'd treat you unfairly

just because we were
adversaries in the courtroom?

Yes, sir...

No, sir...

Admiral, uh, you haven't
litigated in years, sir.

Do you...

Do I still have the chops?

I guess we'll find
out, won't we?

Look, Administration
needs to show

that they still have
control of the military,

but, at the same time,
they don't want to appear

to be railroading
a respected officer.

(sighing): It's called politics.

Admiral, I'd like to
request that the major

be removed from this case,
because of a personal attachment

to the accused.

Major?

Sir, my personal relationship
with Colonel Farrow

will not affect the
performance of my duties.

Good.

See you in court, counselors.

What was that?

What...? I was trying
to get you out of it.

By accusing me of bias?

Next time, don't help me, okay?

I'm sure you meant well, sir.

RABB: Spying on us
already, Ensign Sims?

ROBERTS: Sir, I gave the ensign

permission to borrow some files

that the I.G. requested.

You really are spying.

Sir, just because I'm working
for the Inspector General

doesn't mean I'm
always inspecting.

The Commander's teasing...

aren't you, sir?

(chuckling): Welcome
aboard, Harriet.

Congratulations on
your new position.

Thank you, sir.

I'll get these back to
you ASAP, Lieutenant.

Bud, I need you to research
willful disobedience cases

particularly in
combat situations.

Commander, excuse me,

but if this is pertaining to
the Farrow court-martial,

I'm assisting the admiral.

Oh. Uh, all right.

I'm really sorry...

It-it's okay.

I'd rather work with you, sir...

I mean, no disrespect
to the admiral.

It's all right, Bud.

CHEGWIDDEN: Some lawyers
don't want their clients to reveal

all the facts.

They feel it hampers
their defense.

I'm not that kind of lawyer.

Good.

I'm not that kind of client.

Colonel, why don't
you describe the events

leading up to the strike?

I received orders
from COMCARIB...

Ready a strike
force at 0430 Zulu

to extract the captured marines.

My men were ready at 0230,

and then ten minutes
before zero hour,

I got a message
from Admiral Colter:

"State Department
making efforts to resolve.

"Hold execution of
Operation Manta Ray

pending further notice."

(knock at door)

Sir, we just got the word
they killed another marine.

I know.

We're ready to go in, Colonel.

Sir, they are killing
our men one by one

and dragging their
bodies through the streets.

If we don't go now,

there won't be
anyone left to rescue.

I'm aware of the
situation, Captain.

Then do I have the word to
commence the extraction, sir?

(sighing)

Commence the extraction.

Aye-aye, sir.

Did you consider sending a
message back to Admiral Colter?

By the time COMCARIB
ran it by the politicians,

it would have been too late.

So you disobeyed the order?

Yes, sir, I did.

So what am I facing?

Worst-case scenario?

Plead not guilty
and convicted...

Dishonorable
discharge, loss of pay...

Five years federal prison.

And what if I plead guilty?

We can negotiate.

Your career will be over, but
I think we can avoid prison.

I couldn't stand by and
let my men be murdered...

even if it meant
disobeying an order.

I want that on the record, sir.

Then that's going
to be our theme:

welfare of your men
over your career.

MacKENZIE: In the case of United
States v. Lieutenant Colonel John Farrow

the defendant is accused
of violation of Article 90:

Disobeying a superior officer.

JUDGE: The court accepts
the defendant's plea of not guilty.

Proceed.

Your Honor, the government
will show that Colonel Farrow,

in willful and flagrant
violation of a direct order,

commanded his men to
attack the village in Haiti.

Colonel Farrow demonstrated
initiative and moral courage

in a life-or-death situation.

He did what good
marines are trained to do:

React quickly and effectively

with the welfare of his
troops uppermost in his mind.

RABB: Admiral Colter...

did you order Colonel Farrow

to hold execution of
Operation Manta Ray?

Yes, I did.

May I ask why you did so, sir?

Apparently, the diplomats
wanted another crack

at resolving the crisis.

RABB: Any other reasons, sir?

COLTER: There were
also some concerns

our intel reports regarding
civilians in the area

were incomplete.

Incomplete in what way, sir?

Numbers... proximity
to the target zone...

So you were concerned

about endangering
innocent lives, correct?

Correct.

Well, I understand
why you chose to wait.

Objection. Counsel's
editorializing.

Sustained.

Members will disregard
counsel's last comment.

No further questions,
Your Honor.

Admiral, did your intel reports
confirm the fact that rebels

were killing and
mutilating U.S. Marines?

Affirmative.

Five marines were taken
prisoner, three were killed.

Based on your
knowledge and experience,

what would've been the fate
of those remaining two marines

had they not been rescued?

RABB: Objection.

Speculation.

Overruled.

I have no doubt they would
have been butchered as well.

BANES: Colonel Farrow told
me to proceed with the operation.

Were you aware of Admiral
Colter's message to wait?

No, sir, I was not.

But if I were, I'd have
gone ahead anyway.

RABB: Then you'd be accountable

for the slaughter of
women and children

along with Colonel Farrow,
wouldn't you, Captain?

Objection. Counsel's
badgering the witness.

Sustained.

That'll be enough
of that, Commander.

Captain, why would you
have gone ahead anyway?

Objection, Your Honor.

The witness's hypothetical
conduct is irrelevant.

CHEGWIDDEN: It
was mentioned in direct.

Since counsel failed to
have the comment stricken...

You may pursue it in cross.

The witness will
answer the question.

BANES: Our guys were
on a humanitarian mission

to feed starving people, sir.

They did not deserve
to be murdered.

I'm sorry civilians died...
Sometimes that happens in a war.

RABB: Captain Banes,
what would you do

if a marine under your
command disobeyed an order?

Depending on the severity...

Well, let's say it
was very severe.

I'd charge him with D.D.O.

"Direct disobedience
of an order."

Thank you, Captain.

The D.D.O. reference

was exactly what
Commander Rabb wanted.

Oh, Harm was good,

but you should have
seen the admiral.

Yeah?

Where do you want these?

Over there on the shelf.

I'll sort them out later.

The admiral took the
prosecution's witnesses

and turned them right around.

He was brilliant.

Well...

here's...

here's to brilliance.

(sighing)

Mmm...

Wow.

(stammering)

What's the matter?

Uh, nothing, but...

Are we moving too fast?

No, no, no. The
speed's just right...

Only...

I think we need to talk
about a few things before...

Bud, I'm not asking for
more than "right now"

if that's what's worrying you.

No... uh, no.

It-it's just... that...

I went and got tested last week

and I'm waiting for the results.

Tested?

Oh!

Oh...

Not that I had any reason to...

I mean... I really haven't
been with that many...

No!

No, it-it's a good idea.

I should do the
exact same thing.

Y-you?

Bud, I did have
a life before this.

Oh.

But I have a feeling

the best is yet to come.

REPORTER: Colonel Farrow,

they're calling you "The
Butcher of Palma Christi."

How do you respond to that?

CHEGWIDDEN: No comment.

What made you decide to fight?

Did you consider resigning?

What are your feelings
about this photo?

MAN: I've been in combat before,

but this was as bad as
anything I've ever seen.

"Bad"? In what way?

Bullets flying...

people running
every which way...

but the worst was the kids.

What about the kids?

Screams... terror...

little ones holding their
hands up in front of them

like they could
stop the bullets.

Why did the rebels allow
you to photograph them?

They want the world to
know they're freedom fighters

opposing a tyrannical government

which you blokes support.

So you say a rebel guerrilla
used this... child as a shield?

Right.

The same rebels...

Excuse me "freedom fighters"...

That held our marines captive?

Yeah.

This is the mentality of the men

that our government was
trying to negotiate with.

Objection.

Defense counsel
is stating an opinion.

Withdrawn.

Can you say for certain that
child was killed by a marine?

No.

Or the rebel could
have shot him.

Well, possibly.

Possibly.

MacKENZIE: If the extraction
force had not gone in...

If Colonel Farrow had
not disobeyed orders...

Would this boy be alive today?

Objection. Speculation.

Withdrawn.

I think we all know
the answer, anyway.

FARROW: My compliments
to you and the commander.

Photo blowup was an
especially nice touch.

I'm just doing my job, Colonel.

I take no pleasure in it.

What, do you think I took
pleasure in what I did, Mac?

What am I, a heartless
slaughterer of women and children?

It's not appropriate for
me to discuss this with you.

Excuse me, sir.

JUDGE: Defense will
call their first witness.

Your Honor, may
it please the court?

I have something to say.

JUDGE: Go ahead, Colonel.

I would like to
change my plea...

to guilty.

(door opens and closes)

I don't like surprises, Admiral.

Did you advise your
client to change his plea?

Of course not, Your Honor.

I'm as surprised as you are.

With the court's indulgence,

I'd like a continuance.

RABB: Your Honor, excuse me.

Why draw this out?

The defendant admits his guilt.

Let's move on.

I'd like to speak to my client,

if that's all right with
you, Commander.

The prosecution
has no problem...

RABB: Your Honor, the
government is prepared to move on.

This is nothing more than a delaying tactic I
don't care what the government's prepared to do.

To postpone the inevitable.
Counsel's case is so weak

It's obvious that counsel
can't control... he can't stand...

Gentlemen... gentlemen, please.

Commander Rabb, do you
want your objection on the record?

No, Your Honor.

It's merely an observation.

Then I will grant
the continuance.

Admiral, you have one
day to confer with your client.

Yes, ma'am.

Do you have a death wish?

Why do you say that?

Why were you being
such a jerk in there?

Hey, just doing the job.

Needling the opposition's
part of trying a case.

Yeah, but the admiral?

Hey, Rabb...

Nice try.

Thank you, sir.

SECNAV:
Congratulations, Admiral.

For what? My client crapped
out without warning, sir.

Now you can argue for leniency.

Better for everyone.

Oh, I see.

Farrow retires.

The matter's closed.

Exactly.

You expected me
to lose, didn't you?

That's a pointless question
now, isn't it, Admiral?

Not to me, it isn't.

We expected you to
assure that Colonel Farrow

would get a fair hearing,
which you've done.

No, I haven't.

But I will.

Excuse me, Mr. Secretary.

I have a client to defend.

(door closes)

I rang the doorbell.
Nobody answered.

Thought you were a reporter.

Pull up a chair, sir.

Drink, Admiral?

Thanks.

Well, if I'm going to
sit in your backyard

and drink that
excellent single malt,

you better call me A.J.

All right. John.

That's for a rat that's been
squatting under my house.

Isn't that how we deal
with problems, A.J.?

We kill them?

So why'd you quit?

You chose this fight,

and now you're running from it.

Why?

I never ran from
a fight in my life.

This isn't a fight.

It's a damn circus.

I'm a sideshow freak.

It's movie rights,
for God's sakes.

Oh, I see.

You expected the Marquis
of Queensbury rules.

"Tell the world my side
and they all applaud."

Forget that, John.

This is jungle warfare.

Rat-maze tunnels with
booby traps and scorpions.

It's worse than that.

It's politicians and
reporters. There you go.

They've taken military bashing
to an art form in this country.

You got that right.

They're all a bunch of sexist,

lecherous, adulterous,
blood-thirsty megalomaniacs.

That's us.

Army's worse.

So what's the point?

Point is, you claim to have
something to say, so say it.

To who?

Those that know, know.

Those that don't,
they don't care.

(sighs)

No, I need to go gently.

For the sake of the service.

John, this country can't afford

to throw away men like you.

For the sake of the service,
you've got to stay and fight.

(gunshot)

Damn, those rats are quick.

You want to come up?

Court tomorrow, and
I've still got to read

two chapters on legal ethics.

Rain check?

You got it.

Uh, wait, I want to
show you something.

Bud... here?

It's my test results.

Test results?

Okay...

Negative.

Congratulations.

If that's the word you use.

(laughs)

I get mine back tomorrow.

Are you worried?

Not that you'd have
any reason to be.

I-I'm...

I'm sorry.

I'm feeling very
awkward right now.

I'll be glad when we
can put this behind us

and just move forward.

Good night.

Good night.

JUDGE: Does the defendant
maintain his plea of guilty?

CHEGWIDDEN: No, Your
Honor. The defense wishes

to withdraw its guilty
plea and proceed.

Is this true, Colonel Farrow?

Yes, ma'am.

I lost the bubble for a minute.

My attorney has squared me away.

Very well.

Proceed.

The defense calls Lieutenant
Colonel John Farrow

to the stand.

Did you disregard
Admiral Colter's order?

No, sir.

I regarded his
order very closely.

Then I chose to disobey it.

Why?

Because compliance would've been

failing in my duty to my
country and my corps.

Well, doesn't your duty
include obeying orders?

Yes, sir, it does.

Did you consider your action
would jeopardize your career?

Yes, I did.

So why'd you do it?

Diplomats 1,200
miles away were talking

while marines were
being butchered.

That's fine.

That's what diplomats do.

But I'm a marine,
and if I did nothing,

how would I ever lead again?

Capable officers are
leaving the military every day

because their leaders put
their political self-interest

above what's right.

We used to love our
heroes in this country.

People of integrity

who acted without
waiting for permission

from a dozen committees.

But now it's all...

protect your ass

or the bureaucrats
will bring you down

and the media'll pick you clean.

I'm not saying I'm a hero.

I'm just a man who was
forced to make a decision.

Thank you, Colonel.

I have just one
question, Colonel.

Did you disobey
a direct order, sir?

I've obeyed orders all my life.

But if I had obeyed that one,

then I would be guilty.

The answer's yes.

Your Honor, the defense rests.

We'll reconvene Monday morning,
0900, for closing arguments.

Sir, the admiral wants
to see you ASAP.

All right.

(knock on door)

Close the hatch.

Let me ask you
something, Commander.

What do you think of my putting
Colonel Farrow on the stand today?

Frankly, sir, I thought
it was a poor tactic.

Why's that?

He was vulnerable.

I could've twisted his
words, painted him arrogant...

But you didn't, you
let him off the hook.

I made my case, Admiral.

No point in kicking a
man when he's down.

You really do think
he's a hero, don't you?

I don't give a damn

whether you think
he's a hero or a Hitler.

I want you to go at him

with everything you've got,

and then I want you
to go out and get more.

Admiral, the court
members know he's guilty.

You don't get it, do you?

It's the public that
is judging this case.

The press is
circling like vultures

waiting for a chance
to scream "whitewash."

I do not want to give
them that chance!

And I do not want an acquittal
due to inadequate prosecution.

Either do your job or step down!

Do we have an
understanding, Commander?

We do, sir.

Dismissed.

Aye, aye, sir.

(sighs)

(music playing)

Thanks for coming
on such short notice.

No problem, Commander.

Yeah, give me
something cold and dark

on tap, please, love.

Bloody beauts, aren't they?

Mother and child is
my favorite, of course.

Might even win you a Pulitzer.

Never occurred to me.

(both chuckle)

What's this?

What?

The mother can see
who shot her child.

No, it's too dark to tell
the shooter's American.

I mean, the photo's
useless as evidence, isn't it?

Unless I can get her to testify.

Well, she's not
here, is she, mate?

Oh, hold on, mate.

I can get us there.

You know the geography.

You're the perfect cover.

Even if you found her, why
would she come back with you?

Her child's been killed.
She'll want to testify.

She'll want retribution.

You'll have an exclusive...
That would be worth a Pulitzer.

No. No way.

Not me, mate. No.

MASON: Now, remember, you
let me do all the talking, right?

RABB: Huh. Any
chance I could stop you?

Whew. For a second there,
I thought we were in for it.

We're not?

No. These aren't guerrillas.

It's regular army.

Whoa, whoa.

Well, that's a relief.

Sortie-la. Levez
mains! Sortie-la!

All right. All right, mate.

We're photographers. Get it?

From the Melbourne Chronicle.

Open the bags.

Yeah, right.

There.

Why are you here?

(Australian accent): We're on a
photographic tour of your country.

Yeah, kind of a National
Geographic thing.

Rebel outlaws are in the area.

We can't guarantee your safety.

We understand.
Thank you, Lieutenant.

(Mason clears throat)

Likely we'll find her in there.

How do you know?

'Cause she's the teacher

and that's their little
red schoolhouse.

G'day, mates.

Can I take a picture? Yeah?

All right, come on,
come on, move over here.

Let's have a nice one of you.

You could sit down
on there. That's right.

You, you next to him,
maybe one foot up.

Oh, yeah. Great, great.

Lovely.

All right. Hold it like that.

That's good. All right.

My name is Antoinette.

Robert?

My name is Robert.

(Mason continues talking)

Oui? Qu'est-ce que

Vous voulez?

Mrs. Malidor?

May I have a word
with you, please?

I already talked to reporters.

I have nothing to say to you.

Ma'am, I'm not a reporter.

I'm an American naval officer.

My name is Harmon Rabb.

I need your help.

JUDGE: Is the
government prepared

to deliver closing arguments?

No, Your Honor, we are not.

JUDGE: You're not?

May it please the court,

the government would like
to reopen its case, ma'am.

Your Honor, I
strongly object to this.

On what basis do you wish
to reopen, Commander?

The government has recently
come into new information, ma'am,

which bears a direct and
cogent impact on this case.

And what is the nature
of this information?

A new witness has
come forth, ma'am.

This is absurd.

This witness was not
available during the trial?

No, Your Honor, she was not.

(sighs): Sidebar.

All right, Commander,
what is this about?

There's a side to this story

which hasn't been
told yet, Your Honor.

What side? The victim's.

The witness is
Antoinette Malidor,

the mother in the photo.

CHEGWIDDEN: Your
Honor, there's no relevance.

The issue is, was
the defendant justified

in disobeying an order.

I mean, what-what
new information

could this unfortunate
woman possibly offer?

Excuse me, Your Honor.

The mother's testimony

goes to consequences of
Colonel Farrow's actions

which has a direct impact

on the justification issue.

Why didn't you bring this
woman forward sooner?

Mrs. Malidor lives in a
remote village in Haiti.

She was somewhat unavailable.

I'm not sure it's legal
that she's in the country.

That's between Commander
Rabb and Immigration.

Your Honor, this woman has
suffered immeasurable loss

due to a United
States military action.

It seems to me the least
we can do is hear her story.

Your Honor, this is a
court-martial, not Geraldo.

I know what this is, Admiral.

I would like to hear what
Mrs. Malidor has to say.

And you will have
ample opportunity

to cross-examine, Counselor.

All right, Commander,

Major, you may reopen your
case and call your witness.

Prosecution calls
Antoinette Malidor.

(shocked murmuring)

WOMAN: Is that the
lady in the picture?

Do you affirm

the evidence you give shall
be the truth, the whole truth

and nothing but the truth?

I do.

Please state your
name and occupation.

Antoinette Malidor.

I am a teacher in
Palma Christi, Haiti.

RABB: Thank you.
Please be seated.

Mrs. Malidor, I
think it's safe to say

the entire world grieves
with you over your loss.

Can you tell us what happened

the night your son died?

My son didn't die,
Lieutenant Commander Rabb.

My son was killed
by a soldier's bullet.

Yes, ma'am.

We were sleeping,

then there was
shouting and gunfire.

Bullets came through the walls.

We covered our
children with our bodies.

Then my husband shouted:
"Run, or we'll all die."

So we ran out the back.

Peter, he... h-he ran out first.

What happened next?

A rebel soldier
grabbed Peter and...

and held him... a-as a shield.

Like a piece of wood.

When the soldier
dropped Peter...?

He-he... he was dead.

Who killed your
son, Mrs. Malidor?

Soldiers.

American soldiers?

Objection. Even if Mrs.
Malidor knows who shot her son,

that fact is irrelevant
to this case.

Your Honor, I
intend to establish

a causal relationship between
Colonel Farrow's action

and the death of
this woman's son.

The identity of the shooter

is a crucial link in that chain.

Your Honor, the issue here is,

was Colonel Farrow
justified in sending in his men

based on the information
he had at that time.

I'm afraid your chain's going to
have a missing link, Commander.

I'm sustaining the objection.

(Rabb sighs)

Mr. Malidor,

do your blame Colonel
Farrow for your son's death?

Yes.

Thank you, Mrs. Malidor.

No further questions,
Your Honor.

And I blame you.

And you...

and you.

Mrs. Malidor...

I-I blame all of you

because you stand
by and do nothing.

Your Honor...

No, she's your witness.

You asked the
question... Let her speak.

I agree.

Go on, Mrs. Malidor.

The rebel soldiers come.

They rape, murder,

take our children
and train them to kill,

and you do nothing!

So rich... You send
us food and shovels,

but you don't protect us.

Even when your own people
are killed, you do nothing.

Finally, finally,
this one, this one

sent in soldiers to fight!

(sobbing): And now...

you want to punish him.

I don't understand your country.

Do you?

You could've told me.

There was no time.

Bull. You've been
running this case

without me from the get-go.

I knew you were
emotionally involved.

When have emotions

ever stopped me
from doing my job?

Well, they certainly
didn't stop you today.

Nice save on that sidebar.

Thank you.

Maybe I, uh, didn't give you

the benefit of the doubt.

No, you didn't.

Well, I know one thing...

I'd rather have you on
my team than opposing me.

Is that an apology?

Consider it more...
an acknowledgment.

Acknowledgment accepted.

(pagers beeping)

Verdict's in.

JUDGE: General
Parham, have the members

reached a finding?

Yes, we have, ma'am.

Please return it
to the president.

Colonel Farrow, will you
and your counsel please rise?

General Parham,
would you announce

the finding, please?

Lieutenant Colonel John Farrow,

this court-martial
finds you guilty

of all charges
and specifications.

(murmuring)

JUDGE: Is defense ready
to proceed with sentencing?

Yes, Your Honor.

General Parham, would you
announce the sentence, please?

PARHAM: Lieutenant
Colonel John Farrow,

this court-martial
sentences you to...

no punishment awarded.

This court-martial is adjourned.

What's it all mean?

It means they
heard you, Colonel.

Public opinion
changed. You're a hero.

Congratulations, sir.

Job well done.

Uh, sorry, Admiral.

Congratulations, Admiral.

Commander.

First-year law
student mistake...

Never ask a witness a question
you don't know the answer to.

He knew, sir. He knew.