Original subtitles

Talk to me.

Two pounds of buckwheat, a pound of the unbleached, and that's all.

And don't dawdle. We won't be here long.

Kenny, how is she? She's still in with Dr. Diamond.

Is she the kind that did it? She hasn't said anything yet. She's pretty shook

up, Jimmy.

Her father and brother brought her in.

They didn't see anything.

Dr. Amish?

Jimmy, I'll be with you in one moment. She's resting.

She's in shock.

I've given her a mild sedative.

Rape? No, it's definite signs of forced penetration.

It'll be an hour or so before we get the results of the pelvic exam.

Battery? He's got a nasty bump in the head, some contusions, abrasions.

Can I talk to her?

Okay, but let's keep it brief.

Anna.

Anna, this is Sheriff Brock. He needs to ask you a few questions, okay?

I'm here to help.

I need to know, did you see the man who did this?

You did?

Okay.

Do you think you could recognize this person if you saw him again?

Give me a description.

I know who it is.

He works at the hardware store.

I didn't do anything.

Save it, pal.

Come on.

He was at home watching Lytton. Can you believe that?

I ran his sheet.

Eugene Stultz, 25, two prior arrests for sexual assault at Green Bay, one

conviction.

Jimmy. Walter, is this your nephew?

Are you sure you're not mistaken?

The victim said it was the young man who worked in your store.

Gave me an accurate description, Walter.

Can you account for his whereabouts?

Between 7 and 7 .30 this evening?

Jimmy, I knew he'd had some trouble with the law, but I never thought it was

this kind of thing.

My sister, that husband of hers, it never was a good situation.

I just thought that he needed a break.

Put him to work with me in the store to try and help straighten him out.

He's been with me for eight months.

And it hasn't been a problem of any kind.

Not until this.

Can I see him?

They got it all wrong.

So what happened?

Is it true?

Did you hurt that girl?

I didn't do anything.

What happened?

Where is Hannah? Is she all right? She's all right, Mother. Come here and sit

down. I want to see her.

Mother, Mother.

Thank you, Doctor.

Doctor,

is it going to be much longer?

Look, I think she's going to be all right, but I want to keep her overnight

observation.

Hannah's exhausted, Doctor. She needs rest.

My wife is anxious to take her home. What is it? Look, I understand, but it's

late. The best thing for Hannah right now is for her to stay right where she

And you can come by first thing in the morning and pick her up. Joseph, what is

it? Is there a problem? It's all right, Mother.

I'm sorry, but I must insist. My wife has brought some clothes for her to

into. I hear your concern, Mr. Byler.

But I would feel much more comfortable if she stayed overnight.

Just to make sure she's all right. There is no reason for you to keep her here.

If there's no medical emergency, we will take her home.

Please, Doctor.

We're all very tired.

All right.

Just bring her back if there's any change in her condition.

I can't believe that Walter Mott would let a rapist live in this town without

telling you about it. I didn't know.

That could have been Kimberly.

Honey, he's just trying to help his nephew out, that's all.

Is the Amish girl going to be all right?

Yeah, I think she'll be fine.

You know what they call the Amish at school?

What? Dumb Dutchman. Zach. Hey.

What?

What do we do?

You don't call them that, do you?

No, but they are kind of weird.

I mean, they don't even use electricity.

Well, Zach, the Amish people believe in simplicity. They think it brings them

closer to God. Hello.

I thought we were close to God.

They're closer.

What?

It's complicated, Zach.

Yeah, be right there.

The Amish.

They're not going to press charges.

We forgive him.

Forgive him?

We pray he can turn his life around.

Obviously, he's a very troubled young man.

Mr. Byron, he brutally assaulted your daughter.

I don't need to be reminded, Sheriff. The guy deserves to be thrown in jail.

Our community does not believe in vengeance, Deputy.

We condemn the sin, not the sinner.

Is that how you feel?

It is not Hannah's decision.

What do you mean it's not her decision?

She's the one that got raped, Kenny. We decide things through the Council of

Elders. We will not pursue this matter through your courts.

I can't believe this is what you want.

The Council has made its decision.

I will abide by it. Maybe you don't understand.

We need Hannah's testimony to convict Stoltz without her. He's going to walk

free tomorrow.

We do understand, Sheriff.

Then how can you take this position?

For the same reason we choose to live apart.

We abide by God's laws, not yours.

Christ teaches us to turn the other cheek.

This rapist presents a risk to everyone who lives around here. Don't you feel

some obligation to them? Our obligation is to God.

Come.

Mr. Byler, I can subpoena her.

Force her to comply if necessary or have her thrown in jail for contempt.

You do what you have to do, Sheriff, and we will do the same.

You're letting him go?

Without charging him, I can only hold him 48 hours.

I'm already getting phone calls.

How can the city release a known sex offender?

No testimony, no case.

She's the only eyewitness.

What about physical evidence?

DNA?

There's no DNA. The rapist evidently ejaculated outside the woman's body on

father.

Must have cleaned it up. That's Carter's report.

I can't believe she won't testify.

The Amish don't believe in our court system.

They're forbidden to file legal suit or even take the oath.

Yes, but this was one of their own who was attacked.

If you put Hannah Byler on the stand and she refuses to testify, there'll be no

choice for the judge other than to throw her in jail. Now, you wouldn't want

that. Victimizing the victim could have political fallout. Look, I don't care

about the fallout. We have a responsibility to the community here.

could try a John Doe hearing.

John Doe? Yes, it's a close session with the Hannah, the judge, and the DA.

Under these circumstances, she might be comfortable testifying.

And whatever Hannah says could be admissible in trial, even if she doesn't

cooperate later in open court.

But we've got to be willing to go all the way. If she doesn't talk, she goes

jail.

I'll talk to the DA.

I respectfully decline to answer.

Do you understand the question?

Yes, Your Honor.

But you refuse to answer it.

Yes, Your Honor.

Young lady, we've called you here today because you are the victim of a crime.

Without your testimony, it will be very difficult for us to prosecute the man

who did this to you.

I urge you to cooperate with this court.

Repeat the question, please.

Miss Byler,

Was Eugene Stoltz the man who raped you on the night of March 24th?

Miss Spoiler, you are being asked about a crime of which you have direct

knowledge.

I'm ordering you to answer the question.

Let me remind you that I can put you in jail if you refuse to answer.

Do you understand?

Yes, sir.

But you still refuse to cooperate.

My religious convictions prevent me from testifying.

Counselor.

Clearly, she's not going to testify.

No, Your Honor.

Your Honor, the circumstances, I see no other alternative other than

incarceration for contempt.

Oh.

You don't, do you?

Well, she has defied a court order.

Yeah. Pretty gutsy, wouldn't you say?

Your Honor. I'm going to try a different approach.

Step back.

But, Your Honor. Step back.

Young lady.

You have direct knowledge, and you were the direct victim.

But you must understand that the state also has its own interests to serve.

In six hours, the sheriff will be forced to release Eugene Stoltz

from custody.

I want you to think about that.

A known criminal will be back on the streets.

because of your refusal to testify.

Now, while I respect your religious convictions, I must ask you to respect

welfare of this community of which you are a part.

I could have you incarcerated until such time as which you choose to cooperate,

but I'm not going to do that.

Instead, out of regard for both your suffering

and your courage, I'm asking you to go home and

reconsider your position.

You're not coming back, are you, Hannah?

Are you just going to forget what Stoltz did to you?

Not forget.

Forgive. He's not going to change, Hannah.

Guys like that just keep doing what they're doing until they get caught.

If you're not going to testify for yourself, what about the other girls out

there that might be next?

Nobody. Look, you're 18.

You're old enough to make your own decisions. Why do you let them control

like that?

I mean, you're the one that was raped.

Yes.

Me. I was raped. Why do you care? You don't even know me. I was at the

when they brought you in.

I held your hand for the first 20 minutes.

I do care.

All you care about is putting that man in jail.

You look at me right in the eye and you tell me that you don't want that guy

nailed as bad as I do.

Anna.

Please, leave us alone.

Hey, you're just lucky the guy didn't punch you out.

They're nonviolent, remember?

Not a social worker, Kenny.

She's 18.

Forget about it. I just don't buy that Hannah's okay with it.

Kenny, you honestly expected her to go against the wishes of her people?

What about her wishes?

Community's everything to the Amish. To defy a decision by the Council of Elders

is unthinkable.

I don't get these people.

Well, it's simple. They believe they're living the word of God.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Have virtually no crime. Families stick together. They live lives of beautiful

simplicity. Yeah. And in the meantime, the rapist goes free.

Let me ask you something. Why are you so interested?

It's personal.

She wants to testify, Carter. I know it.

Well, then she must be feeling deeply conflicted, Kenny. I don't think you're

helping her any.

Amen. No,

thank you.

You're not eating?

I'm not hungry.

Anna.

You must trust the ruling of the council.

I know.

You may not feel it yet in your heart, but in time you will learn the wisdom of

the decision.

This man Stoltz is not of our world.

He is of their world, and they will deal with him as they see fit.

It is easy to hate, Anna.

We are asked to take a higher road.

I say unto you, love your enemies, lest them that curse you.

Do good to them that hate you.

And pray for them which spitefully use you and persecute you.

Be ye therefore perfect, as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

I am not perfect, Father.

Hannah!

Hannah, come back! Let her go, Mother.

We must be understanding.

I wouldn't be taking any long trips.

He can still be charged, Walter. All this means is we can't hold him any

I'll get him counseling, Jimmy.

Okay.

Keep a close eye on him.

Check the closet.

What did he do?

Would you please tell me, what did he do?

Another restore.

Peggy Patterson, 16. This time there were witnesses.

Oh, God.

Have any idea where he would have gone?

No.

None.

Since this first happened, I haven't had him work in the store with me. I mean,

he just sits in front of the TV.

I've been trying to figure out what to do with him. Do you have any access to a

car, sir?

Nothing I know of. He tries to call you. You get any ideas, you call us. You got

it?

Absolutely.

Hey. Hey.

How's she doing?

Well, I treated her for contusions and lacerations. I put five sutures in her

head. She's had a really rough time. Oh, damn.

Broad daylight like he wants to get caught.

Maybe he does.

Where's Patterson? Is he okay? He's over there.

I know, thanks.

We'll get through this.

Dan, how you doing?

How you think I'm doing?

We're doing everything we can to catch him, Dan, I assure you.

It's a little late, isn't it, Jimmy?

You had him in your custody.

You had him behind bars and you let him go.

Okay, listen up.

Walter Mott says he's missing a .38 revolver, so we assume Stoltz is armed

dangerous. Now, if you spot him, you call for backup. No heroes here.

He's on foot, so that should make our job easier.

Kenny? We've got a 24 -hour stakeout on Mott's place.

Assignments are posted. Pete, you work on public transportation.

Check with cabbies, bus drivers. The rest of you, canvas your patrol areas.

We're talking about motels, taverns, coffee shops, gas stations.

Any place Stoltz might have gone for cover. I want him found, you understand?

out there and get him.

Hurry.

Yeah.

Uh, Laurie.

I told you whenever I had some information, I would give it to you.

I have information for you.

Dan Patterson?

He's suing the Amish.

Although the Sheriff's Department released Stoltz just last week, our

investigation shows that he had no choice in the matter.

Rather, we trace direct responsibility to Hannah Beiler's refusal to testify.

Now, if the Amish had chosen to cooperate with the Sheriff, Eugene

be behind bars right now, not out stalking the women of Rome at this very

moment. The Amish have failed in their civic duty.

Peggy Patterson paid the price.

Therefore, we're seeking monetary damages in the amount of $300 ,000.

Come in.

Mr. Wombo?

Yes?

You gave me quite a start there.

For a minute I thought the Hasidim were in town.

It's a joke.

No, no, no. Sit down.

Sit down.

What can I do for you?

We need a lawyer.

Your Honor, I move for immediate dismissal of all claims. To allege that

young woman is somehow legally responsible for the rape of Peggy

preposterous. Your Honor, the police allege that Hannah Byler identified

Stoltz as her assailant.

The court told Miss Byler that her testimony was essential. Otherwise,

the convicted rapist, would have to be put back on the street where he was

likely to rape again. And still, she refused to testify.

The tragic results of her actions were entirely foreseeable, and the Pattersons

should be able to hold her legally liable.

Baloney! The plaintiffs have no standing whatsoever to sue my client.

I don't know what planet Mr. Dell got his law degree from, but in this

an innocent person has no duty to report a crime. This court ordered Miss Byler

to testify, Judge.

By refusing to comply, she violated her legal duty to the people of the state of

Wisconsin. The plaintiffs are...

citizens of this state. They are the people of Wisconsin.

Hannah Byler's open refusal to testify, knowing the foreseeable consequences

constitutes negligence for which the plaintiffs are entitled to money damage.

Because they're Amish, isn't it?

Excuse me? They make easy targets because they dress funny. Wombo. My

know a little bit about religious persecution, Judge, and I can recognize

when I see it. You're right. Ah, the plaintiffs are angry and they're looking

for a scapegoat. Hey!

You want to blame somebody, blame Eugene Stoltz.

Don't take it out on this young woman because she chooses to follow a religion

much different from yours.

No one here is indicting the Amish way of life.

Quiet.

I've heard enough from both sides.

And after weighing the argument, I believe Mr. Dale has an intriguing

Your Honor. Shut up.

As a matter of law, one could argue there was duty involved, Mr. Wombau.

Accordingly... I'm ruling plaintiffs have established a cause of action and

this case can go before a jury.

Trial will begin at 9 .30 tomorrow morning.

What does this mean?

It just means we come back to fight another day.

That's all.

Don't worry.

We'll wait for you outside, Hannah.

Hannah.

It's all because of me, isn't it?

No.

It's all because of one very sick individual named Eugene Stoltz.

But I could have stopped him.

If this is God's plan, I have trouble saying it.

Who says this is God's plan?

Some things just happen.

Jesus says to forgive.

And I have tried to forgive.

no forgiveness in my heart for that man.

He has made me afraid of the dark, of being alone, of going to sleep.

I have dreams.

Horrible dreams.

But worst of all, I feel ashamed.

I've dishonored my family.

Anna.

Anna.

This wasn't your fault.

The feelings you're having, they're normal.

My sister was raped a few years ago.

They never found the guy.

She went through everything you're going through.

And she's doing okay.

Next week, I'm to take my baptismal vows.

You weren't baptized?

In our faith, we have believers' baptism.

One must be an adult to make a declaration of belief.

But now, I'm not sure what I believe.

How can I go through with it when I feel the way I do?

I don't know much about your faith.

But where I come from, there's no sin in questioning.

I could lose everything.

We must ask you to refrain from employing further vindictiveness in

Vindictiveness? You asked the Pattersons to blame Eugene Stoltz for their

troubles. It is not our desire to pass judgment.

Gentlemen, you hired me to represent you.

I'll do everything in my power to win.

No. What no?

There are limits.

We must be true to our beliefs.

You're the outsiders here, Eli.

The jury will identify with the Pattersons. No.

You must maintain an even temper.

I haven't maintained an even temper throughout my entire life.

Start.

I asked him to stop.

I begged him to stop.

I told him that I was a virgin.

But...

Take your time.

It hurt.

I closed my eyes.

I don't know how long.

When I opened them he was gone.

After a while I could stand up.

I started walking to the street.

The next thing I knew, I was at the hospital.

Your witness?

No questions, Your Honor.

And what did the DNA analysis reveal, Dr. Pike?

The semen recovered from Miss Patterson matched that of the suspect.

And you were able to obtain a fingerprint?

Objection! The witness is not competent.

Withdrawn.

Dr. Pike?

Yes, we obtained a print off Miss Patterson's purse that matched the

Did you tell Hannah Beiler and the representatives of the Amish community

Eugene Stoltz presented a risk to the community at large? In so many words,

What else did you tell them?

That I thought they had an obligation to cooperate.

What did they say to that?

I said the obligation was to God. I pointed out that Hannah had a legal

responsibility to testify.

And what was their response?

They said to do what I had to do, they would do what they had to do.

Thank you, Sheriff Brock.

Go with us.

No questions, Your Honor.

Mr. Byler, in addition to being Hannah Byler's father, you're an Amish elder

with a special knowledge of the church. Am I right?

Yes, that is correct.

You pay taxes to the city of Rome, do you not?

Yes.

So you acknowledge some obligation to the community at large.

Yes, we believe in paying for what we use.

And you pay federal taxes as well?

Except for Social Security.

Why is that?

We choose to live as we believe God intends.

And America gives you the freedom to live the way you choose.

Isn't that correct?

Yes. Our ancestors came here because of that.

So you're grateful to the United States and the state of Wisconsin in particular

for providing the freedoms you enjoy?

Very much so, yes.

And yet, when presented the opportunity to participate in a criminal

investigation, you advise Hanna Beiler not to testify. Now, why is that?

Our faith forbids us to participate in most legal matters, except when it

involves infringement of our religious freedoms.

But what about retribution?

We do not seek retribution.

Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord.

All right, then.

How about justice?

Justice means different things to different people.

We believe the ways of God are just.

Our faith tells us to pray for the soul of Eugene Stoltz, that he might find

redemption. Okay.

But what about the rest of us?

You were told that Stoltz might strike again.

Now, couldn't you have bent your rules this one time so Hannah could have

testified to keep him incarcerated?

No.

We must trust to God's plan, even when it is hard to accept.

Especially when it is hard to accept.

Thank you.

Right, okay. Mr. Byler, speaking hypothetically now, let's say...

that there was a band of armed men headed toward your community. Now, you'd

expect the sheriff's department to protect you, wouldn't you?

No. Oh, come on, Mr. Byler. You wouldn't want the sheriff to ride on out there

and help you out?

Objection. He already answered the question.

Sustained. All right, let me put it another way. You wouldn't refuse the

sheriff's help, would you?

In the case which you describe, probably not. Probably not.

All right, let's take another situation. Let's say that there's a... A medical

emergency. Let's say that a member of your community stabs a pitchfork right

through his leg. You wouldn't refuse an ambulance, would you?

No. No.

In fact, the city of Rome, the state of Wisconsin, provide many services which

your community enjoys.

Isn't that true?

Yes. And yet, you feel no reciprocal obligation, do you?

I don't understand the question.

Well, what I mean is, you people are willing to take, but you don't give

Objection! Mr. Dell!

Withdrawn.

Okay, thank you, man.

Another hot tip from the senior citizen's neighborhood watch. Lady said

saw Stoltz three minutes ago at 3rd and Maple.

Yeah, right, like that shut -in who said Stoltz was hiding in her clothes dryer.

Let's check it out.

Oh, lock those. Sitting around here is driving me nuts.

Why don't you go visit Mac? I already did that this morning. Come on, let's

off some of that winter fat.

Fat? What fat?

Ladies and gentlemen, at the heart of this shoot...

is a profound question. That question is, can we allow a person or a group,

group, to ignore its legal responsibility to the larger society of

are a part?

Truth is, the Amish do not care about your world.

In fact, their religion is based on a complete rejection of your world.

Hannah Byler was compelled by her elders to defy the orders of this court.

And her defiance has sent out a powerful message.

And that message is that it is somehow justifiable for one community to turn a

blind eye against the needs of another, even when those needs concern the

physical safety of the citizens of both communities.

Well, the time has come to say that there is no justification for such an

isolationism, religious or otherwise.

It's time to say that no belief system can take precedence over the laws of

state.

Hannah Byler defied the law when she wouldn't testify and negligently put

Stoltz back on the street where he brutally raped Peggy Patterson.

The Amish elders could have prevented this.

They had a choice.

And they chose to do nothing because they don't want to get involved in your

world.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, you too have a choice.

Thank you.

At first, you may not have understood the Amish position in this case.

Even I had trouble understanding how an innocent young woman could refuse to

testify against her own assailant.

But the explanation is simple.

As simple as the Amish way of life itself.

You heard Joseph Biles say it.

These people live their faith.

They live it.

And everything in the Amish community is consistent with that faith.

From not accepting social security to not testifying in court.

Is such a life easy?

Hardly. Do you think that it was easy for Joseph Byler

to forgive the man who raped his daughter?

Do you think that he loves his children any less than you love yours?

This is faith, ladies and gentlemen.

Faith such as I have rarely encountered.

Rather than condemn it or be afraid of it, we should seek to learn from it.

I'm telling you, Locos, this is a dead end. That Noreen Wilson, she calls the

station every couple of days when she gets lonely.

Yeah, yeah. I remember last year, she had us come out. There he is. What?

Right there.

Look out, look out.

338, we're pursuing the suspect heading north on Maple towards Crest.

Request backup.

There he is. Stop the car. Stop the car.

I'm on foot. Yes. I'll go around back to the alley.

Madam foreperson, has the jury reached a verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

What say you? In the matter of Patterson v. Hannah Byler and the Council of

Elders, we, the jury, rule for the defendants and direct that the plaintiff

nothing.

Members of the jury, this completes your service.

Thank you.

This matter is adjourned.

God bless.

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you for coming. Thank you.

See you at church.

Freeze!

Forgive me.

Let's move along, Steve.

Hannah, Hannah, come on.

Brothers and sisters, we are here to celebrate the baptism of Hannah Mary

Byler. Let us remember that the vow she is about to make is not

to the ministers or to the church, but to God.

Hannah Mary Byler, please kneel if it is still your desire.

To become a member of the body of Christ.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In the name of the Lord and the Church, we extend to you the hand

of fellowship.

Right up.

to sing thy grace.

Strings of mercy never ceasing call for songs

of loudest praise.

Teach me, God,