A FEW GOOD MEN
Forward march!
I'm requesting--
Captain, I'd like to request that it be me who's the attorney--
That it be myselfwho's assigned.
No, I'd like to request that it be I who am assigned--
''That it be I who am assigned''?
That's good. That's confidence-inspiring.
Good grammar there.
Captain, I'd like to request...
that I be the attorney assigned.
I'm Lieutenant Commander Galloway here to see Captain West.
Go right in, Commander. They're expecting you.
Thankyou.
-Jo, come on in. - Thankyou, sir.
Captain West, this is Lieutenant Commander Galloway.
-Jo, you know Commander Lawrence. - Yes, sir.
Captain, I appreciate you seeing me on such short notice.
- Would you like to sit down? - I'm fine, sir.
- Have a seat. - Okay.
I understand we had some trouble over the weekend down in Cuba?
Yes, sir. This past Friday, two Marines--
a Lance Corporal Harold Dawson and a Private Louden Downey--
entered the barracks room ofa P.F.C. William Santiago and assaulted him.
Santiago died at the base hospital approximately an hour later.
The N.I.S. Agent who took Dawson and Downey's statements...
maintains theywere trying to prevent Santiago...
from naming Dawson in a fenceline shooting incident.
They're scheduled to have a hearing down in Cuba this afternoon at 1 600.
- What's the problem? - Dawson and Downey...
are both recruiting poster Marines, and Santiago was known to be a screwup.
I was thinking it sounded an awful lot like a Code Red.
Christ.
Sir, I'd like to have them moved up to Washington and assigned counsel--
someone who can really look into this--
someone who possesses not only the legal skill...
but a familiarity with the innerworkings ofthe military.
In short, Captain, I'd like to suggest that...
I be the one who that--
that it be me who is assigned to represent them...
myself.
Commander Galloway, why don'tyou getyourselfa cup ofcoffee?
Thankyou, sir. I'm fine.
I'd likeyou to leave the room so we can talk aboutyou behind your back.
Certainly, sir.
I thought this Code Red shit wasn't going on anymore.
With the Marines at Gitmo, who knows what the hell goes on down there?
We better find out before the rest ofthe world does.
Damn thing could get messy.
All right, what about this Commander Galloway?
She's been working a desk in Internal Affairs...
for a little over a year now.
- Before that? - Disposed ofthree cases in twoyears.
Three cases in twoyears? Who's she handling, the Rosenbergs?
- She's not cut out for litigation. - She's a hell ofan investigator.
In Internal Affairs she can crawl up a lawyer's ass with the best ofthem.
- But when it comes to trial work-- - I know. All passion, no street smarts.
Bring her back in.
Commander, we're gonna have the defendants moved up here in the morning.
- Thankyou, sir. - Division will assign them counsel.
-But not me. -From what I get from your colleagues...
you're much too valuable in your present assignment to be wasted...
in what I'm sure will boil down to a five-minute plea bargain...
and a week's worth ofpaperwork.
Sir, I think there might be more involved than that.
Don't worry about it.
I promiseyou Division will assign the right man for thejob.
All right. Let's go. Let's get two.
- Sorry. - Nothing to be sorry about, Sherby.
Youjust look the ball intoyour glove.
Shooting two.
- Sorry. - You gotta trust me, Sherby.
Keepyour eyes open, your chances of catching it increase by a factor often.
- Kaffee. - Let's try it again.
Dave, you seem distraught.
We were supposed to meet 1 5 minutes ago about the McDermott case.
You're stalling on this thing. Now we either do it now...
or, no kidding, Kaffee, I'm gonna hang your boy from a fucking yardarm!
Yardarm? Sherby, does the Navy still hang people from yardarms?
I don't think so.
Dave, Sherby doesn't think the Navy hangs people from yardarms anymore.
I'm gonna charge him with possession and being under the influence on duty.
You plead guilty, I'll recommend 30 days in the brig with loss ofrank and pay.
It was oregano, Dave. It was $1 0 worth oforegano.
Yeah, well, your client thought it was marijuana.
My client's a moron. That's not against the law.
Kaffee, I got people to answer to just likeyou do. I'm gonna charge him.
With what, possession ofa condiment?
- Kaffee. - I tried to helpyou out ofthis...
but ifyou ask forjail time, I'm gonna file a motion to dismiss.
- You won't get it. - I will get it.
And ifthe M.T.D. is denied, I'll file a motion...
seeking to obtain an evidentiary ruling in advance.
And after that, I'm gonna file against pretrial confinement.
And you're gonna spend the next three months going blind on paperwork...
because a signalman second-class bought and smoked a dime bag oforegano.
Let's go! Let's get two!
B misdemeanor, 20 days in the brig.
C misdemeanor, 1 5 days restricted duty.
I don't know why I'm agreeing to this.
'Causeyou have wisdom beyond youryears.
Morning.
Morning, Captain.
How's the baby, Sam?
I think she's getting ready to say her first word any day now.
How can you tell?
Shejust looks like she has something to say.
Excuse me. I'm sorry I'm late.
It's all right, Danny. I knowyou don't have a good excuse...
so I won't forceyou to come up with a bad one.
- Thankyou, sir. - This first one's foryou.
Seems you're moving up in the world.
Been requested by Division.
Requested to do what?
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
A Marine corporal named Dawson illegally fires a round from his weapon...
over the fenceline and into Cuban territory.
- What's a fenceline? - Sam.
A big wall separating the good guys from the bad guys.
- Teacher's pet. - P.F.C. William Santiago...
threatens to rat on Dawson to Naval Investigative Service.
Dawson and another member ofhis squad...
P.F.C. Louden Downey, go into Santiago's room...
tie him up, stuffa rag down his throat...
and an hour later, Santiago's dead.
Attending physician says the rag was treated with some kind oftoxin.
They poisoned it?
- Not according to them. - What did they say?
Not much. They're being flown up here tomorrow...
and on Wednesday at 0600, you'll catch a transport down to Cuba for the day...
to find out whatyou can.
Meantime, go and see Lieutenant CommanderJoanne Galloway...
with Internal Affairs.
Any questions?
Uh, the flight to Cuba-- Was that 0600 in the morning, sir?
Seems important to Division that this one be handled by the book.
So I'm assigning co-counsel. Anyvolunteers?
I got a stack ofpapers on my desk about a mile high.
- Workwith Kaffee on this. - Doing what?
Kaffee will have this done in about four days.
Doing various administrative things.
Backup, whatever.
In otherwords, I have no responsibilities here whatsoever.
Right.
My kind ofcase.
Right.
Okay, but I've got to have that report byWednesday.
- Hi. - Hold on. Hi.
Daniel Kaffee. I was told to me with, uh--
Lieutenant Commander Galloway.
About a briefing?
I'll call you back.
You're the attorney Division assigned?
I'm lead counsel. This is Sam Weinberg.
I have no responsibilities here whatsoever.
Come in, please. Have a seat.
Lieutenant, how long haveyou been in the Navy?
Going on nine months now.
And how long haveyou been out oflaw school?
A little over a year.
I see.
Have I done something wrong?
It'sjust that when I petition Division to have counsel assigned...
I was hoping I'd be taken seriously.
No offense taken, in caseyou were wondering.
Commander, Lieutenant Kaffee is generally...
considered the best litigator in our office.
He's successfully plea-bargained 44 cases in nine months.
One more, I get a set ofsteak knives.
Haveyou ever been in a courtroom?
I once had my driver's license suspended.
Commander, from what I understand, ifthis thing goes to court...
theywon't need a lawyer, they'll need a priest.
No, they'll need a lawyer.
Dawson's family's been contacted.
Downey's closest living relative is Ginny Miller, his aunt.
She hasn't been contacted yet. Would you like me to take care ofthat?
Ifyou feel like it.
One ofthe people you'll be seeing down there...
is the barracks C.O., Colonel NathanJessup.
I assumeyou've heard ofhim.
Who hasn't?
He's been in the papers lately. He's expected to be appointed...
director ofoperations of National Security Council.
- Really? - These are the letters...
that Santiago wrote in his eight months at Gitmo.
- That's Guantanamo Bay. - I knew that one.
He wrote to the fleet commander to the commandant ofthe Marine Corps.
Even his senator. He wanted to be transferred offthe base.
No one was listening. Areyou with me?
Yeah.
Finally, he wrote to the Naval Investigative Service...
where he offered information about Corporal Dawson's fenceline shooting...
in exchange for a transfer.
Right. Is that all?
Lieutenant, this letter makes it look like...
your client had a motive to kill Santiago.
Gotyou. And Santiago is who?
The victim.
Write that down. Am I correct to assume these letters...
don't paint a flattering picture of Marine Corps life at Guantanamo Bay?
- Yes, among-- - Am I further right in assuming...
investigation ofthis incident might embarrass the Security Council guy?
- ColonelJessup. - Twelveyears.
Sorry?
I'll get them to drop the conspiracy and conduct unbecoming.
Twelveyears.
You haven't talked to a witness or looked at a piece ofpaper.
Pretty impressive, huh?
You're gonna have to go deeper than that.
Doyou have some sort ofjurisdiction here that I should know about?
Myjob is to make sure thatyou doyourjob.
I'm special counsel for Internal Affairs...
so myjurisdiction's pretty much in your face.
Read the letters. I'll expect your report when you return from Cuba.
- Sure. - You're dismissed.
I always forget that part.
He's a little preoccupied.
Team's playing Bethesda Medical next week.
Tell your friend not to get cute down there.
The Marines in Guantanamo are fanatical.
About what?
About being Marines.
Dearsir...
mynameis P.F. C. William T. Santiago.
I'm a Marinestationed atMarinebarracks...
RifleSecurity Company Windward, SecondPlatoon Bravo.
I'm writing toinformyouofmyproblems with my unithere in Cuba...
andtoask foryourhelp.
I've fallen outonrunsbefore forseveralreasons...
such as feeling dizzyornauseated.
Buton May 18, I'dfallenback about20 or30yards...
going downarocky unstablehill.
Mysergeantgrabbedme andpushedme down thehill.
Then Isawallblack, andthelast thing Irememberedwashitting the deck.
I wasbrought to thehospital where I was toldIjusthadheatexhaustion.
Iaskyou tohelpme.
Please, sir. Ijustneed tobe transferredoutofR.S. C.
Sincerely, P.F. C. William T. Santiago...
U.S. Marine Corps.
P.S. In exchange formy transfer offthebase...
I'm willing toprovideyou with informationabout--
''The illegal fenceline shooting that occurred the night ofAugust 2.''
Who the fuck is P.F.C. William T. Santiago?
Private Santiago is a member ofSecond Platoon Bravo, sir.
Yeah. Well, apparently he's not very happy down here in Shangri-la...
because he's written letters to everybody but Santa Claus...
asking for a transfer.
And now he's telling tales about a fenceline shooting.
Matthew?
I'm appalled, sir.
You're appalled.
This kid broke the chain ofcommand and ratted on a member ofhis unit...
to say nothing ofthe fact that he is a U.S. Marine...
and it would appear he can't run from here to there...
without collapsing from heat exhaustion.
What the fuck is going on in Bravo Company, Matthew?
Colonel, I think it would be better to hold this discussion in private.
That won't be necessary, Colonel. I can handle the situation, sir.
The same wayyou handled Curtis Bell? Don't interrupt me, Lieutenant!
- I'm still your superior officer. - And I'm yours, Matthew.
I wanna know what we're going to do about this.
I think Santiago should be transferred offthe base immediately.
He's that bad, huh?
Not only that. But word ofthis letter is bound to get out.
He's gonna get his ass whipped.
Hmm. Transfer Santiago.
Yes. I'm sureyou're right.
I'm sure that's the thing to do.
Wait. I've got a better idea.
Let's transfer the whole squad offthe base.
Let's-- On second thought, Windward--
Let's transfer the whole Windward Division offthe base.
John, go on out there and get those boys down offthe fence.
They're packing their bags. Tom.
- Sir. - Get me the president on the phone.
We're surrendering our position in Cuba.
- Yes, sir. - Wait a minute, Tom.
Don't get the presidentjustyet.
Maybe we should consider this for a second.
- Dismissed, Tom. - Yes, sir.
Maybe-- and I'm just spit-balling here--
Maybe we have a responsibility as officers to train Santiago.
Maybe we as officers have a responsibility to this country...
to see that the men and women charged with its security...
are trained professionals.
Yes, I'm certain that I read that somewhere once.
And now I'm thinking, Colonel Markinson...
thatyour suggestion oftransferring Santiago...
while expeditious and certainly painless...
might not be, in a manner ofspeaking...
the American way.
Santiago stays where he is.
We're gonna train the lad.
John, you're in charge.
Santiago doesn't make 4-6-4-6...
on his next proficiency and conduct report...
I'm going to blameyou.
- Then I'm going to kill you. - Yes, sir.
I think that's a mistake, Colonel.
Matthew, I think I will have that word in private with you now.
John, that's all. Why don't we meet at the ''O'' club and have lunch...
and we'll talk about the training ofyoung William?
I'd be delighted to hear any suggestions thatyou might have, sir.
- Dismissed. - Yes, sir.
Matthew, sit down. Please.
What doyou think of Kendrick?
My opinion ofhim has nothing to do--
I think he's pretty much ofa weasel myself...
but he's an awfully good officer.
And in the end, we see eye-to-eye on the best way to run a Marine Corps unit.
We're in the business ofsaving lives, Matthew.
That is a responsibility that we have to take pretty seriously.
And I believe that taking a Marine who is not quite up to thejob...
and shipping him off to another assignment...
puts lives in danger.
Sit down, Matthew.
We go back a while.
We went to the Academy together. We were commissioned together.
We did our tours in Vietnam together.
But I've been promoted up through the chain...
with greater speed and success than you have.
Now, ifthat's a source oftension...
or embarrassment foryou...
I don't give a shit.
We're in the business ofsaving lives, Lieutenant Colonel Markinson.
Don't ever question my orders in front ofanother officer.
All the paperwork's in order.
- Step over there. - Yes, sir.
Hal, is this Washington, D.C.?
All right. Let's move.
Yes, sir.
- Got all ofthat one. - Excuse me.
I wanted to talk toyou about Corporal Dawson and Private Downey.
- Say again? - Dawson and Downey.
Those names sound like they should mean something to me--
Dawson, Downey--your clients.
The Cuba thing. Yes! Dawson and Downey. Right.
I've done something wrong again, haven't I?
I wasjust wondering why two guys have been locked up...
since this morning while their lawyer's outside hitting a ball.
We need the practice.
That wasn't funny.
It was a little funny.
Would you be very insulted ifI recommended toyour supervisor...
that he assign different counsel?
- Why? - I don't thinkyou're fit to handle it.
You don't even know me. Ordinarily, it takes someone hours...
to discover I'm not fit to handle a defense.
Oh, come on. That was damn funny.
You're wrong.
I do knowyou.
Daniel Alistair Kaffee, bornJune 8, 1 964...
at Boston Mercy Hospital.
Your father's Lionel Kaffee...
former Navyjudge advocate and attorney general ofthe United States.
Died 1 985.
You went to Harvard law. Then youjoined the Navy...
probably because that's whatyour fatherwanted you to do.
And nowyou'rejust treading water for threeyears in theJAG Corps.
Just laying low till you can get out and get a real job.
Ifthat's the situation, that's fine. I won't tell anyone.
But it's my feeling that ifthis case is handled in the same...
fast-food, slick-ass, Persian bazaar manner...
with which you seem to handle everything else...
then something's gonna get missed.
And I wouldn't be doing myjob ifI allowed Dawson and Downey...
to spend any more time in prison than absolutely necessary...
because their attorney had predetermined the path ofleast resistance.
Wow.
I'm sexually aroused, Commander.
I don't think your clients murdered anyone.
What areyou basing this on?
There was no intent.
The doctor's report says Santiago died ofasphyxiation...
brought on by acute lactic acidosis...
and that the nature ofthe acidosis strongly suggests poison.
I don't know what any ofthat means, but it sounds pretty bad.
Santiago died at 1 :00 a.m.
At 3:00, the doctorwasn't able to determine the cause ofdeath.
Two hours later, he said it was poison.
Oh, now I see whatyou're saying.
It had to be Professor Plum in the librarywith a candlestick.
- I'm gonna talk toyour supervisor. - Okay.
Go straight up Pennsylvania Avenue.
It's the big white house with the pillars in front.
- Thankyou. - I don't thinkyou'll have much luck.
I was assigned by Division.
Somebody over there thinks I'm a pretty good lawyer.
So while I appreciateyour interest and admireyour enthusiasm...
I think I can handle things myself.
You know what a Code Red is?
What a pity.
- Morning, sir. - Morning.
Officer on deck!
Sir, Lance Corporal Harold W. Dawson, sir!
Rifle Security CompanyWindward, Second Platoon Bravo.
Someone hasn't been working and playing well with others, Harold.
Sir, yes, sir!
Sir, P.F.C. Louden Downey, sir!
I'm Daniel Kaffee. This is Sam Weinberg.
Sit down.
- This your signature? - Yes, sir.
You don't have to call me ''sir.'' Is this your signature?
Sir, yes, sir.
You certainly don't need to do it twice in one sentence.
- What's a Code Red? - It is a disciplinary engagement.
What's that mean?
A Marine falls out ofline, it's up to the men in his unit to get him on track.
- What's a garden variety Code Red? - Sir?
Harold, you say, ''sir,'' and I turn around and look for my father.
Danny, Daniel, Kaffee.
Garden variety. Typical. What's basic Code Red?
Sir, a Marine refuses to bathe on a regular basis...
the men in his squad will give him a G.I. shower.
What's that?
Scrub brushes, Brillo pads, steel wool.
Beautiful.
Was the attack on Santiago a Code Red?
Yes, sir.
Does he ever talk?
Sir, P.F.C. Downeywill answer any direct questions you ask him.
Swell.
Private Downey, the rag you stuffed in Santiago's mouth--
- Was there poison on it? - No, sir.
Silver polish, turpentine, antifreeze?
No, sir. We werejust gonna shave his head, sir.
When all ofthe sudden--
We saw blood dripping down his mouth...
and we pulled the tape offand there was blood all down his face, sir.
That's when Lance Corporal Dawson called the ambulance.
Did anyone seeyou call the ambulance?
No, sir.
Wereyou there when the ambulance got there?
Yes, sir. That's when we were taken under arrest.
The night ofAugust 2, did you fire a shot across the fenceline into Cuba?
- Yes, sir. - Why?
- My mirror engaged, sir. - His mirror?
EveryAmerican sentry post has a Cuban counterpart, called ''mirrors.''
Lance Corporal's claiming that his mirrorwas about to fire at him.
Santiago's letter to the N.I.S....
said you fired illegally.
He's saying that the guy, the mirror--
He never made a move.
You see what I'm getting at?
IfSantiago didn't have anything on you, then why did you give him a Code Red?
'Cause he broke the chain ofcommand, sir.
- He what? - He went outside ofhis unit, sir.
Ifhe had a problem, he should have spoken to me, sir.
- Then his sergeant, then commander-- - Yeah. All right.
Did you assault Santiago with the intent ofkilling him?
- No, sir. - What was your intent?
- To train him, sir. - Train him to do what?
Train him to think ofhis unit before himself-- to respect the code.
What's the code?
Unit, Corps, God, Country.
I beg your pardon?
Unit, Corps, God, Country, sir.
The government ofthe United States...
wants to chargeyou two with murder...
and you want me to go to the prosecutor...
with '' Unit, Corps, God, Country''?
That's our code, sir.
It's your code.
We'll be back.
You guys need anything-- books, papers, cigarettes, ham sandwich?
Sir, no, thankyou, sir.
Harold, I think there's a concept you better start warming up to.
Sir?
I'm the only friend you've got.
SmilingJack Ross.
- Welcome to the big time. - You think so?
Let's hope, for Dawson and Downey, you practice law better than play softball.
Unfortunately for those two, I don't do anything better than play softball.
- I'm out ofhere,Janelle. - Bye.
- Seeyou when I get back from Cuba. - Say hi to Castro for me.
Will do. What are we looking at?
They plead guilty, we drop the conspiracy and conduct unbecoming.
- Twentyyears. They're home in half. - I want 1 2.
- Can't do it. - They called the ambulance.
I don't care ifthey called the Avon lady. They killed a Marine.
The rag was tested for poison. The autopsy, lab reports.
They say the same thing: maybe, maybe not.
ChiefofInternal Medicine at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Hospital...
says he's sure.
What doyou know about Code Reds?
Oh, man.
- We offthe record? - Tell me.
I'm gonna giveyou the 1 2 years.
Beforeyou go getting yourselfinto trouble tomorrow, you should know...
the platoon commander, LieutenantJonathan Kendrick...
held a meeting with the men and specifically...
told them not to touch Santiago.
- We still playing hoops tomorrow night? - Do we have a deal?
I'll talk toyou when I get back.
- Hi there. - Any luck getting me replaced?
Is there anyone in this command you don't either drink or play ball with?
- Commander-- - Listen. I came to make peace.
Got offon the wrong foot. What doyou say? Friends?
I brought Downey some comic books he was asking for.
The kid, Kaffee, I swear he doesn't know where he is.
- Doesn't even know why he's arrested. - Commander.
- You can call meJoanne. -Joanne.
- OrJo. - Yes.
Jo, ifyou ever speak to a client ofmine again without my permission...
I'll haveyou disbarred.
- Friends? - I had authorization.
- From where? - Downey's closest living relative.
Ginny Miller. His aunt on his mother's side.
You got authorization from Aunt Ginny?
I gave her a call likeyou asked.
Very nice woman. We spoke for about an hour.
You got authorization from Aunt Ginny.
Perfectlywithin my province.
Does Aunt Ginny have a barn? We could hold the trial there.
I can sew the costumes. Maybe his Uncle Goober can be thejudge.
I'm going to Cuba with you tomorrow.
And the hitsjust keep on coming.
- How's it going, Luther? - Another day, another dollar, captain.
- You gotta play them as they lay. - What goes around comes around.
- Can't beat 'em,join 'em. - At least I got my health.
Well, then you got everything. Seeyou tomorrow, Luther.
Not ifI seeyou first.
Now don't forget. When Sally gets back, you're mywitness.
The baby spoke. My daughter said a word.
Your daughter made a sound, Sam. I'm not sure it was a word.
Come on, now. It was definitely a word.
You heard her. The girl sat here, pointed and said, '' Pa.''
She did. She said, '' Pa.''
She was pointing at a mailbox, Sam.
That's right, pointing as ifto say, '' Pa, look. A mailbox.''
Jack Ross came to see me today. He offered me the 1 2 years.
- Oh, that's whatyou wanted, right? - I know, I know.
I mean, I guess I'll take it. I'll take it.
- So-- - It took about 45 seconds.
He barely put up a fight.
Danny, take the 1 2 years. It's a gift.
You don't believe their story, doyou?
You think they ought to go tojail for the rest oftheir lives.
I believe everyword oftheir story...
and I think they ought to go tojail for the rest oftheir lives.
- Seeyou tomorrow. - Okay.
Don't forget to wear the whites. Very hot down there.
I don't like the whites.
Nobody likes the whites, but we're going to Cuba.
- You got Dramamine? - Dramamine keeps you cool?
No, Dramamine keeps you from throwing up. You get sickwhen you fly.
I get sickwhen I fly because I'm afraid ofcrashing into a large mountain.
I don't think Dramamine will help.
I got some oregano. I hear that works pretty good.
You know, Ross said the strangest thing to me right before I left.
He said the platoon commander LieutenantJonathan Kendrick...
had a meeting with the men and told them not to touch Santiago.
So?
I never mentioned Kendrick. I don't even know who he is.
Ah, what the hell. I'll seeyou tomorrow.
Lieutenants Kaffee and Weinberg, Commander Galloway.
I'm Corporal Barnes. I'm to escortyou to the windward side ofthe base.
- Thankyou. - I got some camouflagejackets here.
- I suggestyou both put them on. - Camouflagejackets?
Yes, sir. We'll be riding pretty close to the fenceline.
The Cubans see an officerwearing white...
they think it might be someone theywant to take a shot at.
Good call, Sam.
We'll just hop on the ferry. We'll be there in no time.
- Wait. We gotta take a boat? - Yes, sir.
- To get to the other side ofthe bay. - Nobody said anything about a boat.
- Is there a problem, sir? - No, no problem.
Just not crazy about boats.
Jesus Christ, Kaffee, you're in the Navy, for crying out loud.
- Nobody likes hervery much. - Yes, sir!
NathanJessup. Come on in.
Thankyou, sir. Daniel Kaffee. I'm the attorney for Dawson and Downey.
This is Lieutenant CommanderJoanne Galloway.
- Pleasure meeting you, Commander. - Observing and evaluating, sir.
Lieutenant Sam Weinberg. He'll be assisting.
- Sir. - This is myX.O., Colonel Markinson...
and platoon leader Lieutenant Kendrick.
I've asked them tojoin us. Sit down, please.
- Lieutenant Kaffee. - Colonel Markinson.
I had the pleasure ofmeeting your father once.
I was a teenager. He spoke at my high school.
Lionel Kaffee?
- Yes, sir. - Well, what doyou know?
John, this man's dad once made a lot of enemies down in your neck ofthe woods.
Jefferson v. Madison County SchoolDistrict.
Folks down there said a black girl couldn't go to an all-white school.
Lionel Kaffee said, ''Well, we'll just see about that.''
How the hell is your dad, Danny?
He passed away seven years ago, sir.
Don't I feel like the fuckin' asshole.
Not at all.
Well, what can we do foryou, Danny?
Uh, not much, sir.
This is really a formality more than anything else.
JAG Corps insists that we interview all the relevant witnesses.
TheJAG Corps can be demanding that way.
John will takeyou out and showyou whatyou want to see.
After that we can all hook up for lunch.
- How does that sound? Good. - Fine, sir.
I understand you had a meeting with your men that afternoon.
- Yes, I did. - What did you guys talk about?
I told the men that we had an informer among us...
and that despite any desire they might have to seek retribution...
Private Santiago was not to be harmed in anyway.
- What time was that meeting? - 1 600.
That's 4:00.
Sam, we should make sure somebody gets this to his parents.
- We don't need it anymore. - Right.
Lieutenant Kendrick, may I call youJohn?
No, you may not.
Have I done something to offend you?
No, I like all you Navy boys.
Every time we gotta go someplace to fight, you fellas always give us a ride.
Lieutenant Kendrick, doyou think Santiago was murdered?
Commander, I believe in God and His SonJesus Christ.
And because I do, I can say this:
Private Santiago is dead, and that is a tragedy.
But he is dead because he had no code.
He is dead because he had no honor, and God was watching.
How doyou feel about that theory?
Sounds good. Let's move on.
Areyou planning on doing any investigating...
or areyoujust gonna take the guided tour?
I'm pacing myself.
Theywere running around for three hours...
looking for anything white they could wave in the air.
Some ofthese people surrendered to a crew from CNN.
Well, walk softly and carry an armored tank division, I always say.
- That was delicious. Thankyou. - My pleasure, sir.
Colonel, I do have to askyou a couple ofquestions about September 6.
Shoot.
On the morning ofthe sixth, you were contacted by an N.I.S. agent...
who said that Santiago tipped him off to an illegal fenceline shooting.
- Yes. - Santiago would reveal the person...
- in exchange for a transfer. - Yes.
Ifyou feel there are any details that I'm missing...
you should feel free to speak up.
Thankyou.
Now, at this pointyou called Lieutenant Colonel Markinson...
and Lieutenant Kendrick intoyour office.
- Is that right? - Yes.
What happened?
We agreed that, for his own safety, Santiago should be transferred offbase.
Santiago was set to be transferred.
On the first available flight to the States...
0600 the next morning.
Five hours too late, as it turned out.
Yeah.
All right. That's all I have. Thanks very much foryour time.
Corporal's waiting with theJeep. He'll takeyou back to the flight line.
- Thankyou, sir. - Wait. I've got some questions.
- No, you don't. - Yes, I do.
- No, you don't. - On the morning that Santiago died...
did you meet with Dr. Stone between 3:00 and 5:00?
Ofcourse I met with the doctor. One ofmy men was dead.
See? The man was dead. Let's go.
I'm just wondering ifyou've ever heard the term ''Code Red.''
I've heard the term, yes.
This past February, you received a cautionary memo...
from the commander-in-chief ofthe Atlantic fleet...
warning that the practice ofenlisted men...
disciplining their own wasn't to be condoned by officers.
Well, I submit toyou that whoeverwrote that memo...
has never faced the working end...
ofa Soviet-made Cuban AK-47 assault rifle.
However, the directive having come from the commander...
I gave it its due attention.
- What is your point,Jo? - She has no point.
She often has no point. It's part ofher charm.
- We're out ofhere. Thankyou. - I think Code Reds still go on here.
- Do Code Reds still happen here? -Jo, he doesn't need to answer that.
- Yes, he does. - No, he really doesn't.
Yeah, he really does.
You know, itjust hit me.
She outranks you, Danny.
- Yes, sir. - I wanna tell you something.
And listen up, 'cause I really mean this.
You're the luckiest man in the world.
There is nothing on this earth sexier-- believe me, gentlemen--
than a woman that you have to salute in the morning.
Promote 'em all, I say, 'cause this is true:
Ifyou haven't gotten a blowjob from a superior officer...
well, you'rejust letting the best in life pass you by.
Colonel, the practice ofCode Reds is still condoned by officers--
My problem is that I'm a colonel, so I'll go on taking cold showers...
until they elect some gal president.
I need an answer to my question, sir.
Take caution in your tone, Commander.
I'm a fair guy, but this fucking heat is making me absolutely crazy.
You wanna ask me about Code Reds? On the record...
I tell you I discourage the practice...
in accordance with the commander's directive.
Offthe record, I tell you it is an invaluable part...
ofclose-infantry training.
And ifit happens to go on without my knowledge, so be it.
I run my unit how I run my unit.
You wanna investigate me, roll the dice and takeyour chances.
I eat breakfast 300 yards from 4,000 Cubans who are trained to kill me.
So don't think for one second that you can come down here...
flash a badge...
and make me nervous.
Let's go.
Colonel, I'll just need a copy ofSantiago's transfer order.
What's that?
Santiago's transfer order. You guys have paperwork on that kind ofthing.
I just need it for the file.
- For the file. - Yeah.
Ofcourseyou can have a copy ofthe transfer order for the file.
- I'm here to help in anyway I can. - Thankyou.
You believe that, don'tyou, Danny, that I'm here to helpyou in anyway I can?
Ofcourse.
Corporal will takeyou by personnel on yourway out to the flight line...
and you can have all the transfer orders thatyou want.
- Let's go. - Butyou have to ask me nicely.
I beg your pardon?
You have to ask me nicely.
You see, Danny, I can deal with the bullets and the bombs and the blood.
I don't want money, and I don't want medals.
What I do want is foryou to stand there in that faggotywhite uniform...
and with your Harvard mouth extend me some fucking courtesy.
You gotta ask me nicely.
ColonelJessup, ifit's not too much trouble...
I'd like a copy ofthe transfer order, sir.
No problem.
In theseventh. San Diegoleads. Braves tryto comeback.
Runners don'tgo.
Harddrive, rightfield. We'regonnahavea tiedballgame.
It's onits way, anditisnow 10 to 10.
AndIdon'tbelieveit.
- Who is it? - It's me.
I really missed you. I wasjust saying to myselfit's been almost three hours.
- Markinson's disappeared. - What?
Colonel Markinson's gone U.A.-- unauthorized absence.
I know what it means. When?
This afternoon. Sometime afterwe left.
- I'll try to find him in the morning. - I've already tried.
You tried?
Joanne, you're coming dangerously close to the textbook definition...
ofinterfering with a government investigation.
I'm Louden Downey's attorney.
Aunt Ginny. She says she feels like she's known me foryears.
So I suggested that she might feel more comfortable...
ifI were directly involved with the case.
She had Louden sign the papers about an hour ago.
I suppose it's way too much to hope...
thatyou're making this up just to bother me.
Don't worry. I'm not gonna make a motion for separation.
- You're still lead counsel. - Splendid.
I think Kendrick ordered the Code Red, and so doyou.
Let's go.
Officer on deck!
- Did Kendrick order the Code Red? - Sir?
Don't say ''Sir'' like I just asked you ifyou cleaned the latrine.
You heard what I said. Did Lieutenant Kendrick orderyou guys...
to give Santiago a Code Red?
Yes, sir.
- Did he? - Yes, sir.
You mind telling me whyyou never mentioned this before?
-You didn't ask. -That won't win you a place in my heart.
I get paid no matter how much timeyou spend injail.
Yes, sir. I knowyou do, sir.
- Fuckyou, Harold! - All right.
At ease.
- Let's sort this thing out. - Shit!
There was a platoon meeting on September 6 at 4:00 in the afternoon.
Lieutenant Kendrick says that he gave strict instructions...
that nothing was to happen to Santiago.
Now, is this true?
I wantyou to speak freely.
Ma'am, that's correct...
but then he dismissed the platoon and we all went to our rooms.
And what happened then?
Lieutenant Kendrick came to our room, ma'am.
When?
About five minutes after the meeting broke, sir. About 1 620.
And what happened then?
Lieutenant Kendrick ordered us to give Santiago a Code Red.
Jack!
Hang on.
Theywere given an order.
-Jack, come on. - Be right back.
- What areyou doin',Jack? - Be right back.
- How long did you know about the order? - I didn't. Who's this?
That'sJo Galloway, Downey's lawyer. She's very pleased to meetyou.
- What exactly areyou accusing me of? - How long did you know about the order?
He didn't, 'cause ifhe did and hadn't told us...
he'd be violating about 1 4 articles ofthe Code of Ethics.
He has enough to worry about...
God forbid our clients decide to plead not guilty...
and testify for the record that theywere given an order.
Kendrick specifically told those men not to touch Santiago.
That's right. And then he went into Dawson and Downey's room...
and specifically told them to give him a Code Red.
- Kendrick said different. Have proof? - He's lying. I have the defendants.
And I have 23 Marines who aren't accused ofmurder...
and a lieutenant with four letters ofcommendation.
- Why did Markinson go U.A.? - We'll never know.
- You don't think I could subpoena him? - You can try, butyou won't find him.
You know what he did for the first 1 7 ofhis 26 years in the Corps?
Counterintelligence. Markinson's gone. There is no Markinson.
Look, Danny.
Jessup's star is on the rise.
Division will give me a lot ofroom on this one...
to spareJessup and the Corps any embarrassment.
How much?
Involuntary manslaughter, twoyears, they're home in six months.
No deal. We're going to court.
- No, you're not. - Why not?
'Causeyou'll lose, and Danny knows it.
Ifwe do go to court, I'm gonna have to go all the way.
They're gonna be charged with a whole truckload--
murder, conspiracy, conduct unbecoming.
Even though he's got me by the balls out here, Danny knows...
that in a courtroom, he loses this case.
Danny is an awfully talented lawyer.
He's not about to see his clients go tojail for life...
when he knows they can be home in six months.
That's the end ofthis negotiation.
I'll seeyou tomorrow morning at the arraignment.
Allright. Here's thestory.
The government's offering involuntary manslaughter, twoyears.
Be home in six months.
Wow, Kaffee! You're the greatest lawyer in the world!
Ooh, how can we ever thankyou?
Fellas, you hearwhat I just said?
You're going home in six months.
I'm afraid we can't do that, sir.
- Do what? - Make a deal, sir.
What areyou talking about?
We did nothing wrong, sir. We did ourjob...
and ifthat has consequences, then I'll accept them.
But I won't say that I'm guilty, sir.
Did you-- Did she putyou up to this?
- We have a code, sir. - Oh, well, zip-a-dee-doo-dah!
You and your code plead not guilty. You'll be injail the rest ofyour life.
Do what I'm telling you, you'll be home in six months.
Do it, Harold. Six months.
It's nothing. It's a hockey season.
- Permission to-- - Speak!
Jesus!
- What do we do then, sir? - When?
After six months, we'll be dishonorably discharged, right, sir?
Probably.
Well, what do we do then, sir?
Wejoined the Marines because we wanted to live our lives by a certain code.
And we found it in the Corps.
Nowyou're asking us to sign a piece ofpaper that says we have no honor.
You're asking us to saywe're not Marines.
Ifa court decides that what we did was wrong...
then I'll accept whatever punishment they give.
But I believe I was right, sir. I believe I did myjob...
and I will not dishonor myself, my unit or the Corps...
so that I can go home in six months...
sir.
Commander, I'd like to talk to Lance Corporal Dawson alone for a minute.
Sergeant.
We're gonna go to another room.
- We'd like another holding room. - All right, ma'am.
- It's gonna be okay. - Sit down.
You don't like me very much, doyou?
Forget it. Don't answer that. It doesn't matter.
You know...
Downeyworships you.
He's gonna do whateveryou do.
Areyou really gonna let this happen to him because ofa code, Harold?
- Doyou thinkwe were right? - It doesn't matter--
- Doyou thinkwe were right? - I thinkyou'd lose.
You're such a coward.
I can't believe they letyou wear a uniform.
I'm not gonna feel responsible for this. I did everything I could.
You're going to Leavenworth for the better part ofyour life.
And you know what? I don't give a shit.
What happened to saluting an officer when he leaves the room?
Open it up.
I don't believe it.
Dawson's gonna go tojail just to spite me.
Fine. Ifhe wants tojump offa cliff, that's his business.
I'm not gonna hold his hand on the way. I wanna get him a new lawyer. How?
Just make a motion tomorrow morning at the arraignment.
Thejudge will askyou ifyou want to enter a plea...
and you tell him thatyou want to have new counsel assigned.
That's that.
One thing, though. When you ask thejudge for new counsel...
Danny, be sure and ask nicely.
- What doyou want from me? - I wantyou to let them bejudged.
I wantyou to stand up and make an argument.
An argument that didn't work for Calley at My Lai.
An argument that didn't work for the Nazis at Nuremburg.
Oh, for Christ's sake, Sam.
Doyou really think that's the same as two teenage Marines...
executing a routine order they never believed would result in harm?
These guys aren't the Nazis.
Don't look now, Danny, butyou're making an argument.
Yeah, yeah. Tomorrow morning I get them a new attorney.
Why areyou so afraid to be a lawyer?
Were Daddy's expectations really that high?
Oh, please. Spare me the psycho-babble father bullshit!
Dawson and Downeywill have their day in court, but with another lawyer.
Another lawyerwon't be good enough. They need you.
You know how to win. You know they have a case, and you know how to win.
Ifyou walk away from this now, you've sealed their fate.
Their fate was sealed the moment Santiago died.
- Doyou believe they have a case? - You and Dawson.
You both live in the same dream world.
It doesn't matterwhat I believe.
It only matters what I can prove.
So, please, don't tell me what I know and don't know!
I know the law!
You know nothing about the law.
You're a used car salesman, Daniel.
You're an ambulance chaser with a rank.
You're nothing. Live with that.
So I toldDuncan...
''Ifyou wanna take this to court I'm gonna file nine discovery motions...
and you're gonna spend a year going blind on paperwork...
because a 90-year-old man misread the Delaware insurance code.''
- So what happened? - He calls back 1 5 minutes later.
He says, '' Let's make a deal.''
All rise.
Where are we?
Docket number 41 1 275VR-5.
The UnitedStates v. Lance CorporalHarold W. Dawson...
andPrivate First Class Louden Downey.
The accused are charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder...
and conduct unbecoming a United States Marine.
Does the defense wish to enter a plea?
Yeah.
They're not guilty.
Enter a plea ofnot guilty for the accused.
We'll adjourn until 1 000, three weeks from today...
at which time this general court-martial will reconvene.
Why does a lieutenantjunior grade with ninth months' experience...
and a track record for plea bargaining get assigned a murder case?
Would it be so that it never sees the inside ofa courtroom?
We'll work out ofmy apartment every night, 7:00.
Jo, pick up a carton oflegal pads, half a dozen boxes ofred and black pens.
Sam, get a couple ofdesk lamps. I need a preliminary medical profile.
Jo, we need all proficiency and conduct reports on Dawson, Downey and Santiago.
The only thing I have to eat is Yoo-hoo and Cocoa Puffs...
so ifyou want anything else, bring it with you.
- Okay? - Yeah.
So this is what a courtroom looks like.
Wereyou able to speak toyour friend at the N.I.S.?
Yeah. She said if Markinson doesn't want to be found...
we're not gonna find him.
She said I could be Markinson, and you wouldn't know it.
Areyou Markinson?
I'm not Markinson.
That's two down.
What?
I'm just wondering, now thatJoanne's on this--
I'm just wondering ifyou still need me.
- Theywere following orders. - An illegal order.
Doyou think they knew it was an illegal order?
It doesn't matterwhat they knew. Any decent person would have refused--
They're not permitted to question orders.
Then what's the secret? Huh? What are the magic words?
I give orders every day--
We have softball games and marching bands.
Theywork at a place whereyou have to wear camouflage oryou might get shot!
I need you.
You're better at research than I am, and you know how to prepare a witness.
I've got medical reports and Chinese food. I saywe eat first.
What?
You got any kung pao chicken?
This is our defense-- intent. No one can prove there was poison on the rag.
Code Red-- they're common and accepted in Guantanamo Bay.
The order-- A: Kendrick gave it, B: They had to follow it.
- That's it. - What about motive?
We're a little weak on motive. They had one.
- That doesn't mean they're guilty. - Relax.
We'll deal with the fenceline shooting when it comes up.
Let's start with intent. I don't want to know what made Santiago die.
I just want to show it could've been something other than poison.
Jo, talk to doctors. Find out everything there is to know about lactic acidosis.
This is Lieutenant Commander Galloway with theJAG Corps in Washington.
I've been trying to track down a Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Markinson.
Doctor, was there any sign ofexternal damage?
No scrapes? No cuts? Bruises? Broken bones?
- Was there any sign ofviolence? - You mean, other than the dead body?
Shit, I walk into that every goddamn time.
He ordered me and Lance Corporal Dawson to give Willie a Code Red.
Answers still have to come much faster.
This Iowa farm boy thing will play for a while...
but in the end, it sounds like he's searching for the truth.
He's right. From now on, Willie is Private Santiago.
You start calling him Willie, and all ofa sudden he's a person...
who's got a mother who's gonna miss him, okay?
They drewthe courtmembers thisafternoon. Will do.