All language subtitles for Earth Final Conflict (1997) - S01E18 - Law & Order (480p DVD x265 Celdra)

The announcement in Rho'ha
case is expected momentarily.

This is the alleged murder
that has caused such an uproar

in the Unites States
and around the world.

This scene occurred in a hospital
room of Army Capt. Lucas Johnson.

This is the security camera
footage that apparently shows

Rho'ha, a Taelon scientist,
causing the death of Major MacIntire,

Johnson's commanding officer.

Even the most trident
Companion supporters

are demanding that Rho'ha be
tried in human court of law.

President Thompson has been
working around the clock

to reach an acceptable
compromise with the Taelon Synod.

Ladies and gentlemen,
the American Companion Da'an

and president of the
United States Mr. Thompson.

I speak for the Taelon Synod.

We have had lately discussions
with President Thompson.

Rho'ha will stand trial in human court.

What is the charge against Rho'ha?

Rho'ha has been charged with murder.

Subtitled by Axarion

Three years ago they came,

forever altering the future of humanity.

William Boone's life has been destroyed.

A man caught between two worlds.

Assigned protector to the Companions;

undercover agent for the Liberation.

An alien implanted
cyber-virus expands his mind.

Controlling a bio-engineered
weapon of unprecedented power.

William Boone searches for the truth.

Who will defend Rho'ha?

The Companions have appointed Agent
Ronald Sandoval and Cmdr. William Boone

to act as Rho'ha legal representatives.

But they're not lawyers.

Agent Sandoval is attorney.

And Cmdr. Boone has been granted

special dispensation by
the state bar of New York

to try this case with Agent Sandoval.

Mr. President, how will Rho'ha plead?

Agent Sandoval?

That determination
has not yet been made.

Who will hear Rho'ha's case?

This is obviously an
unprecedented situation.

With the approval of
Congress I have appointed

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

Evelyn Hill, to preside over
the trial court proceedings.

Mr. President, who will prosecute?

New York District Attorney

Joshua Doors.

Mr. Doors, will you be seeking the
death penalty if Rho'ha is convicted?

Absolutely.

And in a surprise for President
Thompson announced today

that the prosecutor for the
Rho'ha case will be Joshua Doors,

son of Liberation leader Jonathan Doors.

Age 31, Joshua Doors became the youngest

District Attorney in the
history of New York City.

All right, let's just go over
your testimony one more time here.

We've discussed this already.

If something's bothering you, why
don't you just lay it on the table?

The judge threw out the
security camera footage,

because we cannot authenticate it.

Now your testimony is the
key to convicting Rho'ha.

Obviously,

the Companions won't be
too favorable upon you for

helping to convict one of their own.

Are you suggesting that I might
alter my testimony to help Rho'ha?

Hey!

You raise the issue, at least, have the
guts to follow through with your accusation.

Actually, I'm not suggesting anything.

I'm just asking.

Well.

If you have any doubts whatsoever,
just don't put me on the stand.

When did you practice law?

Never.

I joined FBI right
out of the law school.

Then Rho'ha will not
receive a legitimate defense.

What's your point?

You've never practiced law,

I only have a Master in
criminal law. We need help.

The Companions would never trust the
defense of this case to non-implants.

There's too much sensitive
information at stake.

That's my point!

Our duty is to our client,

not the Companions.

Our duty is always to the Companions!

Rho'ha will not receive
an adequate defense,

is we are prohibited
from introducing evidence

which could prove his innocence.

I am the lead attorney in this case.

Don't forget it.

You argued that our refusal to allow
Rho'ha to be tried in a human court

would damage our relations
with the people of Earth.

However, once we agree
to let the trial proceed,

we are obligated to abide by the result.

We cannot risk having Rho'ha
incarcerated in a human prison.

No Taelon has ever been so confined.

It is unclear what Rho'ha might
divulge in such a circumstance.

This discussion is premature.

It was the Synod which called for injecting
Rho'ha with the human gene for aggression.

Rho'ha should not bear the
consequences of this ill-conceived act.

Rho'ha welcomed the opportunity
to participate in this experiment.

He is ready to make whatever
sacrifices necessary.

Our defense will be that
you acted in self-defense,

because Major MacIntire
threatened to kill you.

Will the human jury believe that a Taelon
was truly in fear for his life from a human?

It is the only defense
open to us, Rho'ha.

Not necessarily.

If Rho'ha was not in complete
control of his action,

because he was implanted with human DNA,

then we should consider a
plea of temporary insanity,

or a similar diminished
capacity defense.

Impossible!

That is the true
account of what happened.

The only way

we can introduce such a defense

is to admit to the Taelon
experiments in human violence.

But I could never have

committed such a violent act
without being under the influence

of Capt. Johnson's unrestrained rage.

I am truly ashamed for having
caused the death of this human being.

I want humanity to understand that.

The Synod will decide the
strategy for this trial.

Rho'ha,

we may have to put you on the
witness stand to show your remorse.

And the prosecution's
gonna try and provoke you.

So, are you in complete
control of your actions?

I have undergone extensive procedures

to remove the human DNA from my system.

I believe I can now control my rage.

From every corner of the world people
are descending onto Washington, D.C.

You'd have to go back to
O.J. Simpson trial of 1995

to find a case that has captivated
the entire world as this one has.

Jonathan, why have you never
told me that you had a son?

Too busy building an empire to
concentrate on being a father?

I'm certainly not proud of it.

How does he feel about the Companions?

He's supportive or, at least, he
was the last time we've spoken.

Then why to take on a case
where he's prosecuting a Taelon?

You should've let me bring you in from
the back. I can't protect you here.

How many years have you
been telling me that?

Does the defense have a
problem with the jury selection?

We'll soon find out.

It is a circus atmosphere here
today on day one of the Rho'ha trial.

The voir dire process has been
completed and a jury has been selected.

We are told that the jury will
consist of seven women and five men.

However, the defense has filed a motion
concerning the makeup of the jury.

I must be on that jury. Do not fail.

You want to control
Rho'ha's fate. I understand.

All rise. The court is in session.
Chief Justice Evelyn Hill presiding.

We have agreed on a jury.

What is the purpose of your motion?

Although we have agreed on the
human component of the jury,

the defense believes that there must be

a representative number
of Taelons on the jury.

I've read your brief.

But I'm not inclined to
agree with your conclusions.

Your Honor,

the Constitution guarantees
a trial by jury of your peers.

Certainly a jury comprised solely
of humans could not be considered

the defendant’s peers.

Your Honor, when this
crime was committed,

the defendant was living
and working here on Earth.

So, when the defendant killed Major
MacIntire his peers were human.

Furthermore, I exercise
my preemptory challenges

to reject potential
Taelon jurors at question.

I am loath to upset the complex
procedures involved in selecting a jury.

However,

the issues in this
trial are unprecedented.

I will not agree to place an equal
number of Taelons on the jury,

but fairness dictates that the
jury shall include one Taelon.

The defense has resubmitted
Zo'or for consideration.

Will you accept this selection
or reopen the voir dire process?

No, Your Honor. We accept Zo'or.

Yeah, but this is different. You've
never let yourself be this exposed before.

You know, you said that on my first
day of high school. And college.

You always say it.

Yeah, and I'm right. I'd say
the same thing to my own son,

but he's not a target for some lunatic
looking to make a name for himself.

Hey, I'm not arguing, but you've
always been there to protect me.

Yeah, that's why your dad hired me.

You know, you have got
to learn how to relax.

Yeah, I'll relax. When
this trial is over.

And you're safe and sound.

All right, all ready.

- Hi!
- Hey.

Listen, thanks for meeting
me here. Needless to say,

I've been working around
the clock at this point.

I hope you don't mind
the Chinese takeout food.

No, not at all.

But if you do win this
case, I expect a real meal.

No problem. As a matter of fact,
dinner is on the go as a result.

So, you're conceding that you have some
doubts as to whether you can win this case.

Well, humility sells well to the jury.

Nah, you pretend you're in it for the glory,
but that's not what it's all about, is it?

What do you think it's about?

I think you really care about the law.

And you wanted a case that would
prove to the whole world that

nobody's above the
law, not even a Taelon.

Yeah. That is, exactly
why I took this case.

And why I can't lose it.

I know you had an opportunity to, uh...

spend some time with my father,

while you were shuttling him
around for the Companions.

Yeah, I did.

Did you get to know him at all?

We, uh, we had a few conversations.

Well, I'd be interested to know
your observations about him.

We didn't get a chance to
know each other very well.

He's very intelligent,

extremely focused.

And uh, not the warmest man
I've ever met in my life.

Did he ever mention me?

No.

I'm sorry to say he didn't.

Well, I'm not surprised.

Zo'or will be sequestered with the rest
of the jury until a verdict is reached.

You will not be able
to communicate with him.

If Zo'or is included on the jury,
it could hurt Taelon credibility.

Please explain.

If all the human members of the
jury are in favor of a conviction

and only Zo'or wants to
hold out for an acquittal,

the public will not be satisfied.

I can assure you that the
Synod has instructed Zo'or

to exercise his judgment

in accordance with human principles.

Then why was it so important
to have a Taelon on the jury?

Why do you continue to question
my strategy in this case?

Because I don't agree with it.

My direction is clear.

Is the Synod satisfied
with my performance?

We are.

Then I would ask Cmdr. Boone be
removed from the defense table.

His ruminations are
unproductive and distracting.

Cmdr. Boone's opposing point of
view will only strengthen you.

He will remain.

Please recount for the court
the events of August 20th.

I was at Veteran's Memorial
Hospital, searching for Rho'ha.

As I was running down the corridor,

I could see through a glass wall
into the room of Capt. Lucas Johnson.

And what exactly did you see?

Rho'ha was clutching the head
of Major Raymond MacIntire.

After a moment, the Major
slumped to the floor.

And what did you do next?

I ran to the room to
help Major MacIntire.

But by that time Rho'ha
had already disappeared.

And did you attend to the Major?

Yes, I did. But he was already dead.

Thank you, Captain.

This is my solemn promise...

no one...

shall sit in judgment...

over you.

Captain,

did you see what motivated
Rho'ha to attack Major MacIntire?

When I first saw Rho'ha,

he was already clutching
the head of Major MacIntire.

So it is possible then, that

Major MacIntire threatened
Rho'ha prior to the attack?

I wouldn't know.

That'll be all. Thank you.

You may step down.

What kind of
cross-examination was that?

Precisely the kind I
believed was appropriate.

Your Honor, I have some additional
questions for this witness.

Proceed.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Captain,

were you aware that Major
MacIntire and Capt. Johnson

were involved in the
kidnapping of Da'an?

Objection! Relevance...

Your Honor, I'm trying to establish

that the relationship between
Major MacIntire and Capt. Johnson

led Major MacIntire to
attack the defendant, Rho'ha.

As an officer who has
commanded troops in combat,

Capt. Marquette is qualified to
testify to this kind of relationship.

I'll allow it.

You may answer the question.

Yes, Major MacIntire was Capt.
Johnson's commanding officer.

Did Major MacIntire feel responsible
for Capt. Johnson's medical condition?

Objection! The witness cannot
testify to the victim's state of mind!

I'll rephrase.

If you were to put yourself
in Major MacIntire's shoes,

would you feel responsible
for Capt. Johnson?

It is my understanding that

Major MacIntire volunteered some of his
best soldiers, including Capt. Johnson,

for this assignment which resulted
in Capt. Johnson's illness.

So, if I had done the same,
then yes, I would be responsible.

Captain,

how would you react to the
endangerment of one of your soldiers?

I would do anything in
my power to protect them.

Would that include killing anyone
who you considered a threat?

Yes, it would.

So, in your expert opinion,

did Major MacIntire consider the Taelons

a threat to the safety
of Capt. Lucas Johnson?

Yes, he did.

Thank you, Captain.

And the most solid defense
arguments today were made

not by lead counsel Ronald Sandoval,

but surprisingly by Second
Sheriff William Boone.

Mr. Boone elicited testimony
suggesting that the defendant

may well have acted in self-defense,
in the killing on Major MacIntire.

We have tangible evidence of
Taelon experimentation on humans.

We just can't waste this opportunity
to let the world know about it.

Boone's walking a fine line here.

- I hope he's up to it.
- Yeah.

If he tries to get the really
sensitive information out in court,

the Taelons will know
he's being compromised.

Joshua likes to win. Like me.

Trust me, he'll jump at the chance to
discredit the Taelons if it helps him win.

This is our chance to show the
world what the Taelons are doing.

It's all right here.

Well, then

we'll just have to make sure that
Joshua gets this disc, won't we?

My boy! Hey...

Are you ready to make
the ultimate sacrifice?

Are you?

You're my hero.

Please sit down.

Did you cause the death
of Major Raymond MacIntire?

Yes.

Apparently I did.

Why?

The Major burst into
Capt. Johnson's room,

with his weapon aimed
at me, ready to fire.

Was Major MacIntire yelling?

Yes.

Get away from him!

He was telling me to get
away from Capt. Johnson.

Did you believe that Major MacIntire
was about to discharge his weapon?

Yes.

What happened next?

I knocked the weapon from
Major MacIntire and...

instinctively applied
pressure to his head

as a defensive measure.

Did you intend to kill Major MacIntire?

No.

Thank you.

Your witness.

So,

it's your testimony that your

"defensive measure" of applying pressure
to Major MacIntire's head was purely

a reaction of self-defense?

Yes.

Yet, you did not intend to kill him?

No. In the heat of the
moment, I reacted violently.

Well, were there any other factors

which would've caused
you to react so violently?

I'm sorry, I don't
understand the question.

Come on, isn't it true that you were
injected with the DNA of Capt. Johnson in

a secret Taelon experiment?

Objection! There is absolutely no
foundation for this baseless accusation!

Sustained.

And you didn't receive all
of Captain Johnson's DNA.

You only received the genes
linked to aggression and violence.

Objection! Supposition!

...weren't even in control
of your own actions anymore!

Counselor, you're out of line!
I've sustained the objection!

...part of an experiment that failed.

Objection! Supposition!

One more word and I
will have you arrested!

...rage of Captain
Johnson's overtaken you!

I'll kill you!

Well, all I'm thinking
about right now is this case,

and that after the trial we can go
ahead and put everything in perspective.

Was it your goal from the outset
to discredit the Companions?

No, no. I have one goal,

and that is to prove to the world
that we are a nation of laws.

And that true freedom can
only exist where everyone,

including the Taelons,
are bound by those laws.

Do you think the judge is
going to declare a mistrial?

Well, I can't really comment
on that right now, can I?

Will you be introducing more evidence
in regards to the experiments?

We'll just have to wait and see.

And the stunning revelations
in the Rho'ha trial today

have reverberated throughout the world.

Concerned citizens are demanding to know

if there's truth to the allegations
of secret Taelon experiments.

Chief Justice Hill has ruled
that no additional evidence

on the alleged Taelon
experimentation can be admitted.

The judge agreed with
the defense contention

that all of Mr. Doors's
evidence was uncorroborated.

And that Rho'ha's face blush was
insufficient to justify further

questioning on the issue
of Taelon experiments.

Good call. Joshua reacted
exactly as I expected.

Let's remind ourselves what
is not a dispute in this case.

That the defendant caused the death of
Major Raymond MacIntire with his bare hands.

Now the defendant claims
that he acted in self-defense.

Yet Major MacIntire,
a decorated SI veteran,

did not have time to
fire even a single shot,

even though according to the
defendant’s own testimony,

the Major entered the room with
his weapon drawn, ready to fire!

Now the defendant stated
that he knocked the gun away,

and then

applied a Taelon grip to the sides

of Major MacIntire's head
with sufficient pressure

to kill him!

An eyewitness has
corroborated this testimony.

Now the defendant’s use of deadly force

can only be justified if
he was in fear for his life.

Now this was clearly not the case here!

Because, at the time that the
defendant killed Major MacIntire,

the Major was unarmed,

and at the mercy of the defendant.

Therefore, as a matter of law,

the defendant’s actions cannot

be self-defense.

And you have no choice

but to find the defendant
guilty of murder.

Thank you.

Mr. Doors presents a rather eloquent

and compelling appeal.

There is only one problem.

The reasoning is incorrect.

Let's examine

additional facts that
are not in dispute.

Although Mr. Doors continues
to refer to Major MacIntire

as a decorated war veteran,

some of his recent activities
are far less impressive.

Assault. Kidnapping.

Crime, in any galaxy.

A heavily armed MacIntire broke
into a high security facility,

and threatened to kill the defendant,

in retaliation for what he considered unfair
treatment of his friend, Capt. Johnson.

Some of you might respect
the Major for his loyalty.

Maybe you wish you had the
courage to do the same thing.

But

there is one incontrovertible fact.

His actions

violated the law.

When Mr. MacIntire pointed the gun at
the defendant and threatened to kill him,

the law allowed the defendant to
protect himself by whatever means.

If an experienced soldier

threatened to kill you

with a loaded gun pointed
directly at your chest.

What would you do?

This major obviously had a
vendetta against the Companions.

He kidnapped Da'an, for goodness's sake!

All I know is that if anyone
pointed a loaded gun at me,

I'd do anything to defend myself.

I vote "not guilty."

Guilty.

Please explain yourself.

Let me make sure I
understand your system.

For us to acquit Rho'ha,

we must believe he was
acting in self-defense.

Is that correct?

Yes.

To act in self-defense, one must
believe one's life is in danger.

A Taelon would never have to
kill a human in self-defense,

because humans do not have
the ability to kill Taelons.

And every Taelon knows that.

A nine-millimeter handgun
can't kill a Taelon?

Our physical form consists
primarily of energy.

It is impervious to bullets.

Examine for yourself.

This is not a proud moment
for me or any Taelon.

We honor and respect Earth's customs.

Rho'ha must pay for the violent
act of murder that he has committed.

Order! Order!

Has the jury reached the verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

How do you find?

We find the defendant, Rho'ha...

guilty of murder.

Order! Order! I said order!

And we sentence the defendant
to the maximum penalty: death.

Order! Order!

And the world was rocked
not once but twice,

as the most watched trial in
history ended in a guilty verdict.

Chief Justice Hill has scheduled the
formal sentencing of Rho'ha for tomorrow.

Not right now, not now.

Mr. Doors, are you
satisfied with the verdict?

Well, the people have spoken,
and they said clearly that

everyone is accountable under the law.

Did the jury need to return a
death sentence to prove that point?

Well, I think what's important is
the sanctity of the jury system.

I respect their decision.

You shoot me, I'll let go
of this, and we all blow!

Get away... Willie!

There's nothing you can do!

You put the Companions on trial,

and this man is the arm of the devil!

How could you let this happen?!

Boone! You skrill the psycho
and he takes Doors with him!

The psycho isn't my target.

It's horrifying... just horrifying!

A suicide bomber has just
succeeded in killing himself,

and quite possibly his target,
Rho'ha prosecutor Joshua Doors!

Stand back!

The death of Willie Collier, bodyguard
to Joshua Doors, has been confirmed.

That is Cmdr. William
Boone with Joshua Doors.

I'm sorry.

- Do you believe the verdict is incorrect?
- I do.

But Rho'ha has killed a human.
Should he not pay for that crime?

Yes, but Rho'ha
shouldn't be put to death

if he wasn't in control of his actions.

I believe that your legal
system allows for recourse

to a higher authority.

Only if there is sufficient
grounds for an appeal.

Right now I can't see that any
reversible error was committed.

If it is only the punishment
that you believe was unjust,

then, perhaps, you should focus
your attention in that area.

Order!

I'm prepared to formally
sentence the defendant.

First, however, the defense
has requested to be heard.

Your Honor, the defense moves that
the court set aside the death sentence.

On what basis?

In this case, Your Honor, I would argue

that the death penalty
violates public policy.

That would render the sentence moot.

With all due respect, Your
Honor, it would be unconscionable

to frustrate the will of the
jury that has so clearly spoken!

I'm not inclined to quash a good-faith
request by the defense to present arguments.

Especially in a death penalty case.

I'll hear counsel
tomorrow on this issue.

How dare you embarrass
me in open court?!

Embarrass you? We're
talking about a life here!

That isn't the point.

Why would you attempt to
overturn the jury verdict?

I was under the impression that the
Synod wanted me to defend Rho'ha.

It was the Synod's desire

that we operate within the bounds
of human custom in this instance.

How did your actions serve the
interests of the Companions?

I am following the desires of the Synod.

That's how I'm serving the Companions.

Mr. Doors.

For purposes of this current motion,

my burden is to demonstrate
the fact that capital punishment

does not violate public policy.

As a matter of fact, capital punishment

is exercised in cultures
throughout the world,

including the United States,
where this crime was committed!

Why? Well, for several reasons.

Deterrent.

Society's need

for a sense of fairness.

Revenge.

Protection.

The fact that capital punishment exists in

jurisdictions throughout the world

for reasons that are
not illegal, nor immoral,

more than meet this burden.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Mr. Boone.

Your Honor,

classic death penalty arguments
are irrelevant in this case.

Because I can see that much of the world

agrees that capital punishment
is an appropriate punishment.

So I'm not here to argue for
or against capital punishment.

However, it is the defense's position

that in this case only,

the death sentence is
against public policy.

Why here?

Because in this case only,

we're talking about putting
an alien being to death!

Not a human being.

If we choose to put a member
of our own species to death.

So be it! The majority has ruled.

But an alien being?

One we've only known for three years?

Are we so arrogant, as a
species, as human beings,

to presume that we know the impact of
killing a member of an alien species?

Even if that species has
given us the right to do it?

I hope not.

I really hope not.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Order!

I will not use this forum
to comment on public policy.

Whether capital
punishment is appropriate

is the domain of the
lawmakers, not the courts.

However,

defense counsel's
arguments are compelling.

I will not be responsible

for approving the death sentence
of a being I do not yet understand.

At some future point,
we may determine that

the death sentence is
appropriate for a Taelon.

Then the defendant’s
sentence can be revisited.

Until that time, I order Rho'ha

to be incarcerated in a
joint human-Taelon facility.

Your Honor,

the defense requests that Rho'ha be
remanded to the custody of the Taelons

for a reasonable period,
sufficient to arrange his affairs.

Your Honor,

the defendant has been
convicted of a capital offense...

Is counsel agreeable to negotiating
a mutually acceptable procedure,

that would allow the defendant
the time he has requested?

I am, Your Honor.

So ordered!

Will.

Excuse me, just for a minute.

That's damn good lawyering.

Thanks.

And I'm satisfied. We made our point.

And if the Taelons are bound by our
laws, then I can rest comfortably.

We better make sure that the Taelons
continue to be bound by our laws.

Listen, thanks.

Thanks for everything.

You're welcome.

- Mr. Doors! Can we speak with you?
- Go. You've earned it.

I'll continue to search
for grounds for an appeal.

We'll make new law if we have to.

You have my great
admiration and respect.

Your death at the hands of the humans
would have served the Taelons well,

by further convincing humanity
that we honor its ways.

Is that why you persuaded the
other jurors to convict me?

Of course.

But William Boone took
that away from you.

He fought for me.

We cannot cleanse your
system of the human DNA.

Such an impurity in
the Taelon Commonality

poses an unacceptable
danger to the Taelons.

Your choice is clear.

Tell William Boone,

that despite my ultimate fate,

his defense of my life

has made me proud to carry a
piece of humanity within my being.

Subtitled by Axarion