Original subtitles

[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.

[Narrator] 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.

[opening theme music playing]

[Chegwidden] 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.

sWhite 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?

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?

[sighs]

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.

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 this?

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.

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.

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.

[speaking in foreign language]

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]

-[speaking in French] -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.