Original subtitles

I swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the

United States, and that I take this obligation freely without mental

or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties

of this office on which I'm about to enter. So help me God. So help me God.

Congratulations, Lieutenant.

Thank you, sir. Stand easy.

Now that you're a full lieutenant, Mr. Roberts, how does it feel?

Pretty darn good, sir.

I trust that your new office is satisfactory?

Yes, sir. Petty Officer Tyner and I removed the file cabinets and boxes

yesterday. Good, good.

Then take at least 15 minutes off, get back to work.

Yes, sir.

Sir, Major, for all your help and support.

Don't thank us, bud. You did all the work.

When's the wet down?

Oh, right.

Attention, everybody.

Harriet and I are going to be throwing a little party at McMurphy's on Friday to

celebrate our promotion.

Another fancy beer and pretzels.

Be there. Be there.

Congratulations,

sir.

My son, a lieutenant.

Damn.

Hello, Harriet. How's my grandson?

Oh, fine.

What are you doing here in uniform?

I'm here on official business.

The Navy wants to court -martial me, buddy.

I need your help.

There's this guy, Glenn Dolby, a loser.

He owns an electronics store over on Hampton Boulevard near the Norfolk Navy

piece. Anyway, one day Dolby's caught selling stolen goods out of his store.

what does he do?

He buys himself immunity from prosecution.

His quid pro quo being? Now we get to the crux. He tells the prosecutor that

he's got a bigger fish than himself the government may be interested in. You?

Me. Well, what's he accusing you of?

He says while I was storekeeper on the base, I involved him in a scheme to sell

Navy -owned TVs and VCRs on the black market. Did you?

Buddy, this guy is a scumbucket. He'd do anything to save his own sorry butt,

including putting an innocent man behind bars.

Well, somebody believed him. Who's the convening authority?

Captain Gary Lutz. He's the supply systems commander at Norfolk.

Hey, I didn't think they could touch me once I retired.

They can if the Secretary of the Navy authorizes it.

This is your office?

I got underwear bigger than this place.

Who are they charging you with?

Wrongful disposition of military property and... ...arseny.

Do they have any evidence?

Yeah.

The word of Glenn Dobie, a known criminal.

What about records?

Well, all the paperwork was sent to the archives four years ago.

And someone must have misfiled them because they're all gone now.

All the records disappeared.

Maintenance reports, purchase orders, receiving vouchers, inventory lists, all

gone.

He wants me to defend him.

What did you tell him?

I told him I'd think about it, ma 'am. Of course, I'm not going to do it even

I could.

That's probably why.

You know the weird thing is, though, sir?

It's the first time my father's come to me for any kind of help.

He's probably guilty.

Yeah, I wouldn't put it past him to run a scam on the U .S. Navy.

I'm sure he'll get competent defense lawyer.

I realize as a lawyer I'm going to have to defend a guilty client, even ones

that I loathe and despise. But the question is, do I want to start off with

a shady case right out of the gate, sir?

Probably not. Yeah, but then on the other hand, I won't always get a chance

choose my cases.

No.

No. Dan, I know what you're going to say, Commander. I'm a lawyer. I'm not a

judge and a jury. My job is to uphold the legal system, not to judge those who

want my services.

You're right.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you, ma 'am.

I think we handle that rather well, don't you?

But if I don't defend him and he's convicted, what do I tell her son when

asks, why is Grandpa in jail?

You'll tell him the truth.

You'll tell him he did a bad thing.

Why didn't you help Grandpa?

You're a lawyer. And if I lose, it's even worse. Well, Grandpa's in the pokey

because your dad blew it.

You're going to defend him, aren't you?

Commander Parker.

Hi.

Darlene, this is Lieutenant Roberts and Lieutenant J .G. Sims.

Hi. Well, it's nice to meet you, Darlene.

Heard a lot of nice things about you.

Uh -huh.

Child Protective Services needed a psychiatrist for Darlene.

And since the investigation was under naval jurisdiction, I volunteered.

I think we should get going.

It's very nice to see you again, Commander. You too.

Good to see you.

I'm going to show you some photos and want you to tell me if you recognize

anybody, okay?

You know who that is?

Charlie.

He's the one who hurt me and my sister.

How come you have his picture?

We found his picture behind a dresser in your grandmother's house.

Darling, you sure you don't remember the rest of his name?

Okay. I need to speak to Jordan, but we won't be far, okay?

We found seven different sets of fingerprints throughout her

house. We're running through the NCIS computer to see if they come up with a

match. How long will that take?

Take two or three days.

Is she going to be okay?

It's too soon to tell, Harm.

Right now, she lacks the social skills you'd expect in a child her age.

She wets the bed.

She hoards food.

Hell, she's a mess.

I want to continue her therapy.

I'll do everything I can for her. I know you will.

I'd like to see her put up for adoption as soon as possible.

I have some ideas on that.

Okay.

Finding someone close to you is never a good idea, Lieutenant.

I agree, sir, but I feel... You don't even get along.

How the hell are you supposed to defend him properly?

Well, if you gave me this case, sir, I would defend him properly and zealously

as I would any client.

Why do you want this so badly?

I figure if I can handle this, sir, I can handle anything.

He's my father, sir.

Tyer, send in Master Chief Roberts.

Master Chief Roberts reporting as ordered, sir. At ease, Master Chief.

You requested Lieutenant Roberts as your defense counsel. Why?

It's a personal issue between my son and me, sir.

It's also a JAG issue. I'd like to hear your reasons.

Sir, as you know, I don't have the best of relationships with my sons.

And I take full responsibility for that.

I come from the old school.

Yeah, you turn a boy into a man by kicking him around a little.

Toughening him up.

Well, maybe I was too tough.

But I'm proud of Bud.

Of what he's become.

And I want him to defend me because, well, I believe in

him.

All right, Lieutenant, you have the case.

God help you both.

Dismissed.

Aye, aye, sir.

Aye, aye, sir. Thank you, sir.

Master. Chief, a moment.

Don't you hurt that boy.

No, sir.

Because if you do, you will answer to me. And, Master Chief, you don't want

that.

Understood, sir.

Will there be anything else, sir?

Dismissed.

Aye, aye, sir.

April 13th, 1999.

United States versus Master Chief Bud Roberts. Present at this meeting are

Lieutenant Bud Roberts, Glenn Doby, and Margaret Birnbaum. Counsel for Mr. Doby.

So you're Big Bud's kid?

That's ironic, huh? You defending him like this?

Mr. Dovey, you claim Master Chief Roberts and yourself illegally obtained

sold electronic equipment belonging to the U .S. Navy, correct?

That's right. He set it up and I went along with him. Can you describe in

exactly what the scheme entailed?

Okay. Here's how it went down.

Big Bud was storekeeper on the base. He bought all the TVs and VCRs and kept

track of them. So what he did was this.

He went around the offices inspecting the VCRs and said they were bad, which

they weren't. Then he confiscated them, gave them to me, and ordered new ones.

When the new ones came in, I peeled off the serial numbers and traded them with

the numbers on the old equipment.

Bud then took the old VCRs with the new numbers and put them back in service as

new. Meanwhile, I took the new VCRs with the old numbers and sold them as new

under the table at a discount. Me and him split the profits.

Do you have any proof of Master Chief Roberts' participation in this activity?

Hey, proven's not my problem. That's up to the Navy. I just give you name, rank,

and serial number.

Serial number. That's a good one, huh?

Is there anything else you need from my client, Lieutenant?

Yes. I'd like to know why anyone should believe your client.

At worst, he's a lying thief.

At best, he's a rat who betrayed his partner.

We're done here.

You should believe me because I'm telling the truth.

I'm sorry I had to roll on your old man, but a guy's got to do what a guy's got

to do, you know?

Don't you believe me because I'm telling the truth.

Never mind.

Well, look who's here.

How you doing, Glenn?

Take it easy, big bud. Come on, nothing personal. Oh, no, nothing personal. You

do the crime, you do the time. Come on, take it like a man. Yeah, like a man.

Take this!

Stop it!

Help! Somebody help!

Get away from me! Somebody help!

That is so bad! You're a dead man! Get the client out of here, Lieutenant!

You can file assault charges later. You're dangerous! They can lock you up!

so dangerous!

You're a dead man, Toby! You hear me?

Lieutenant,

I suggest you get your client under control.

Yes, ma 'am.

What is wrong with you? I'm sorry. Do you think you can settle everything by

hitting? I'm sorry.

Just forget about it. Find yourself another lawyer.

Hey, I said I'm sorry. It won't happen again. He told me about the scam.

And I'm not sure that I don't believe him. He's lying, buddy. You're lying.

Hey, the only time I had dealings with this guy is when I was buying equipment

from him. I thought there were new VCRs. He scammed me. Now he's trying to use

me as a scapegoat. Buddy, you gotta believe me, please.

All right.

You believe me, I'll defend you. But do you believe me? I'm your attorney. I'll

defend you. That's not good enough.

I don't care what you think is my attorney.

You're my son.

You bullied me and Mikey. You walked out on my wedding. You don't even call

about your grandchild.

And now you call me your son?

I'm your lawyer.

Settle for that.

And another thing.

While you're wearing this uniform, you will address me as sir.

Not buddy, bud, or son.

Do I make myself clear, Master Chief?

Very clear, sir.

Lieutenant.

I'm looking everywhere for you.

Hello, Commander.

Master Chief, just spoke to the Admiral. Seems we'll be working this case

together. With all due respect, sir, I don't need any help.

Well, I'm not here to help, Lieutenant.

I'm here to prosecute.

I knew it had to happen at some point.

You know, this is going up against each other. I just didn't think that it would

be this case.

I think you should know, bud, when I prosecute, it's no holds barred.

You're trying to psych me, sir.

I know how you operate.

Just trying to get you ready, bud. You're playing in the big leagues now.

Well, thank you, sir. I appreciate the admonition.

As you were, Master Chief, this shouldn't take long. I only have two

questions. Yes, sir.

Excuse me, sir. I've instructed my client to remain silent.

Any questions you have, kindly address to me.

Hang on to the reins a little tightly there, aren't you, Lieutenant?

Well, it is my case, sir.

Very well.

Your client is accused of violating Article 108 and 121.

To which we intend to plead not guilty.

Take it easy, Lieutenant. You're not in court yet.

I appreciate that, sir. I just want to make sure that there are no

misunderstandings. Well, I'm sure we all want to dispose of this case as quickly

as possible.

If you'd like to discuss a plea bargain, I think something can be worked out.

Sir, your entire case is based on the claim of a confessed criminal.

Without corroboration, his testimony is worthless.

Well, there'll be corroboration, Lieutenant.

Schemes as complex as this always leave a trail.

Somebody always talks.

I understand you want to make an impression your first time out.

I think you should consider your client's freedom, though. He is looking

years' confinement.

I'll take your offer under advisement, sir.

Well, it's on the table until 2359 this evening.

After that, it goes to an Article 32.

Gentlemen.

He's sharp.

He's the best.

You're afraid of him.

No, I'm not.

Okay, maybe just a little.

It's just that I've seen him in action.

He's like Michael Jordan in the courtroom. Just when you least expect

sails on by and takes it to the hoop. He's like a force in nature. I mean,

Lieutenant.

If there's one thing I've learned in 30 years in the Navy, if there's always

someone around who's bigger or smarter or stronger or better connected, what

you've got to do is use their strength against them.

How?

You've already said this yourself.

Rab is the best around.

He knows that.

That's his weakness.

He'll try to intimidate you, to psych you.

Let him believe he's succeeding because then he'll underestimate you and then...

Pow!

You nail him.

Pow. It's like I told the Admiral.

Sir, Seaman Apprentice Mike Roberts reporting, sir.

Hey, you just getting in?

Sir, yes, sir. About ten minutes to go, sir.

Stand easy.

Thank you, sir.

It was boot camp.

Sir, not bad, sir.

I was trying to call Dad.

Do you know where he is?

Sir?

Yeah, as a matter of fact, I do.

Come on.

Oh, I see you found him.

Yes, ma 'am. Thank you, ma 'am.

Good luck on that case.

Thanks. Yeah, if you need any help, you know, bounce ideas off or anything, you

just holler.

Thank you, ma 'am. I think I got it.

Okay, sir.

I'll tell you all about it in my office.

Sir, good afternoon, sir.

Mikey.

Lieutenant.

Sir.

As you were.

How's he doing?

Well, I think he's gonna...

Put up a good fight.

I don't doubt that.

Excuse me, sir.

I have information from NCIS.

They found a match for those prints.

His name's Charlie Lynch.

He was a petty officer, first class.

And he received an other than honorable discharge six months ago.

Can you give me a service record on the last known duty station?

Right here, sir.

Commander, is that little girl going to be okay?

I think so.

She'll stay in a safe house until we can place her with her family.

I couldn't even look at her knowing what happened to her sister.

Sir, I never apologized to you for overreacting to those photos.

I know how much this means to you to find this little girl's killer, and I

should never have said the things I said to you. It was entirely my fault,

Lieutenant. I gave you the wrong fool. You should never have seen those

pictures. Nevertheless...

I'm very sorry I hit you.

I understand you tried to resign over the matter.

The Admiral tore up my resignation.

That's a good thing.

If everybody resigned who wanted to hit me, we'd lose half the Navy.

Hey, look who I found.

Dad, why are you in uniform?

Never mind me. What are you doing here?

Don't tell me you washed out.

No, Master Chief. Boot camp's over.

I got a week before I report to OS Apprenticeship School, sir.

What happened to the combat art program, Mikey?

Turns out I really like operations, sir.

Especially radar.

Pretty good at it. I went to a lot of trouble to get you into that program.

Yes, I know, sir, and I appreciate it very much, but I want to work on a ship

now. I can always do my art. Now you sound like a Roberts.

Who would be defending you now if I was on a ship?

Defending you?

For what?

It's a long story.

Hey.

How about we tell him over a steak dinner?

My treat.

Harry may have Lamaze.

I'll go.

All right, then.

See you tomorrow, buddy.

Lieutenant,

it's going to be all right.

Like I told the Admiral.

My problem.

I'm not 110 % satisfied you bring it back, okay? Please, sir.

Mr. Dobie, Lieutenant Commander Rapp, check. Should I call my lawyer?

Well, if you'd like. We're on the same side, though.

Yeah, that'll be the day.

I'm prosecuting Master Chief Bud Roberts. I've read your statement. I'd

hear your side of the story firsthand.

Well, like I said to them, Big Bud ran it, and I went along.

You have no evidence to corroborate this, though, correct?

Well, I didn't exactly keep books, no.

Did anybody ever see you two doing business together?

Nope. No.

Where'd you buy these new VCRs from, Mr. Dope? Some guy. It was a cash

transaction.

How did you get the U .S. Attorney to grant you immunity anyway, Mr. Dope?

Well, it didn't take a lot of convincing once we offered him a Navy Master

Chief. My lawyer argued that the government wouldn't have any problem

case, not with all the physical evidence that was around on the Navy side.

Are you saying that you don't have anything on him yet?

You're my first stop. Well, you better get cracking, Commander.

Otherwise, he's going to go slip -sliding away.

Hey, Mikey, what are you doing up so late?

Uh, sir, studying, sir.

Then we don't have to stay under detention.

Call me sir in my own living room. Respect for the uniform, sir.

Yeah, well, either call me bud or I'll have to kick you out. Yes.

Relax.

How's the case coming?

I keep wondering when this real lawyer is going to show up.

Well, sir, I...

But... Is Dad guilty?

You know, at first I thought so, but now, I don't know.

Well, why'd you take the case?

I mean, you hate him. Not that I blame you. No, no, no. I don't hate him.

It's just that I thought that if I walk away from him now, I'd lose my father

forever. And I don't think I'm ready to do that.

Only now... Only what?

I'm not sure I can keep him out of the brig.

Are you thinking of quitting?

I don't know.

Dad's depending on you.

He needs you, bud.

Major? Morning, bud. What's up?

I'm thinking about dropping the case.

Why? I should have never represented my father. The Admiral was right. It's a

bad idea.

Did you discuss this with your father?

Yeah, well... Big Bud's looking out for himself, as usual.

Mikey's worried about him, so he can't be objective.

Harriet says that she'll support me with whatever decision I make. I can't talk

to Commander Rabb, and the Admiral's the one who warned me about it.

You're the only person that I can talk to, Major.

If I drop this case, will you take it?

I don't think that's a solution, Lieutenant.

Well, I do.

Want my candid opinion?

Yes, ma 'am. You fight.

Using whatever legal means necessary, you fight and you win.

Rab is not invincible.

I can't beat him alone, ma 'am.

Well, maybe you won't have to.

The accredited utterance argument was used to good advantage in United States

Haskell. But in United States v. Sullivan, the defense successfully

the key witness testimony was totem pole hearsay. Yeah, but look, all I'm saying

is that Parham finds a scintilla of evidence to support his witness. Your

father's going to trial.

So my best... Morning, sir. Morning. Hey.

So my best bet would be a motion to suppress.

Based on?

Evidence not disclosed prior to the arraignment.

How do you feel?

Slightly ill.

That's a good sign.

All I'm saying is... Agent Holland, I realize that it's not my case.

But you've identified Annie's killer.

Yes, ma 'am, I know how it works.

What are you doing to get him off the streets before he kills another little

girl?

Well, that's not good enough.

Keep me informed, please.

Commander Rabb, good of you to join us.

Apologize for being late, sir. I was unavoidably detained.

By something more important than this hearing.

Murder investigation, Commander.

Are you ready to begin?

I'm ready.

Defense?

Ready, sir.

Please, the court.

This isn't a court, Lieutenant.

It's an Article 32 investigation.

Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.

I'd like to move that these charges be dismissed.

On what grounds?

The government's case is based solely on the testimony of a confessed felon.

There's no corroborating documentation, nor eyewitness.

In the interest of saving the Navy time and money, I move that these charges be

dismissed forthwith.

While I applaud the lieutenant's concern for the Navy's fiscal situation, the

move is premature.

We're here to decide if there's sufficient evidence for a general court

-martial. I submit that the very lack of documentation, where documentation

should exist, is circumstantial evidence in itself.

I'm sorry, did I hear counsel right?

Is the commander implying that the lack of evidence is evidence?

If the henhouse is empty, I'd say it's hook for a fox.

Motion denied. This hearing will continue.

Commander Rabb, two suggestions.

Be on time and lose the chicken analogies.

Understood, Commander.

That's it. Get him overconfident.

No problem.

I opened up the VCRs and checked them out, sir.

What did you find, Petty Officer Milani? Well, the components inside, the

circuit boards and the IC chips, they have numbers stamped on them. And what

these numbers tell you?

Among other things, when the components were manufactured.

The circuit board, for example, is early 1991.

When you compare those numbers to the serial number on the outside... The

number's dated 1995.

There's no way that could be right, sir.

Indicating?

Someone's tampered with the serial numbers.

So how many units did you find in this condition?

27 VCRs to be exact, sir.

Thank you, Petty Officer.

Yes, sir.

Petty Officer Malati, can you tell us who tampered with the serial numbers?

No, sir, I cannot.

Thank you. No more questions.

Petty officer, as base doorkeeper, did Master Chief Roberts have access to all

equipment on the base?

Yes, sir, he did.

Petty officer Malati, did other individuals have access to the VCRs as

Yes, sir.

No further questions.

The government would like to call Mr.

Glendoby as its next witness, sir.

Bud's doing well.

Well, I want to thank you very much for helping him, Major. Well, I just pointed

him in the right direction. He's doing all the work.

You know, I can get you into the hearing room.

No. No.

Not until he asks me. It'll just make him nervous, and he doesn't need any

handicaps.

Harriet, Bud's a good lawyer.

I know.

It's just that he's such a nice guy.

Mr. Dobie, in 1991, you pleaded guilty to cashing stolen Social Security

Did you not? I did. I spent 13 months in Petersburg.

So you're a convicted felon.

And three months ago, the police caught you trying to cheat sailors out of their

hard -earned pay by passing off used and stolen merchandise as new. Did they

not?

They did.

And they offered you a deal.

My butt doesn't have an aggressive bone in its whole body.

It's not like you and Commander Rab. It's tough.

Can I tell you a secret?

Mm -hmm.

My palms still sweat when I step into a courtroom.

It's true. You don't have to be mean to be a good lawyer, Harriet.

Sometimes... Empathy and sensitivity sway juries far more than brute force.

You're a parasite, Mr. Doby. A blood -sucking, bottom -feeding scavenger.

Why should anyone believe you?

Objection, Commander.

It was kind of a badgering witness.

Besides, I have a feeling that blood's a lot tougher than you think.

I hope you're right, Major.

Are you going to finish that salad, ma 'am?

Very nice job in there, Lieutenant. You were certainly zealous.

Well, thank you, sir. I was trying to discredit the witness.

Yeah, I got that.

Listen, I would like to put an end to this today.

I'll drop the larceny charge in exchange for one year confinement.

Commander, if you had a case, I don't think you'd be making this offer.

No deal, sir.

All right.

We'll see you at the party.

Is this when he pulls a rabbit out of his hat?

Is there something you're not telling me? Is he going to be able to pull up a

piece of evidence or witness anything?

Nothing I can think of.

I swear.

What party?

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to propose a toast to an excellent human

and a fine lawyer.

Lieutenant... Roberts.

Bud Roberts.

You're here.

I hear you damn near got gutted in that hearing today.

Admiral, I would rather make a night trap than 30 -foot swells and face this

in a courtroom again.

That's very kind, sir.

Patronizing, but kind.

I wasn't being patronizing. I was telling the truth.

I'm sorry, sir. I misunderstood.

Can I borrow you for one second?

Excuse me.

Looks like I've got another lawyer in my staff.

Yes, sir. He's a little green, but he'd come along real well.

I wouldn't underestimate him. Remember whose teachers were.

So, Jordan, what's he like?

He's a nice guy.

Intelligent, he's funny, and a good cook.

No, I mean, what's he like?

You know.

Oh.

Hmm. Well.

What would you say?

Me? Don't ask me. We never... Oh, come on. Don't give us that.

No, it's the truth.

All that time you've been together, Japan, Russia, the desert, nothing

Jordan, believe me, don't you? No, of course.

Dear.

You're bad.

What is it?

I'll get you one.

I'm sorry.

Don't worry about it.

Soda water, please.

Nice party.

Thank you, sir.

You don't have to call me Sir Harry.

me harm all right this is so silly i feel like i'm fraternizing with the

enemy here in a way you are no you could never be bud's

enemy

bud's

a lucky man thank you

We've got this hot new romance.

Yeah, sometimes I think it'll last forever.

Sometimes I think it'll last until... Until what?

Until you decide you want him.

Jordan, um, there isn't... I mean, first of all, I've had enough of men

for a while. I mean, for the foreseeable future, I'm a nun, okay?

And second, like...

It's not like that between me and Harm. We're like... I'm not going to say

brother and sister. Thank you.

I'm not a threat to you, Jordan.

Believe me.

Hey,

look at this place.

Impressive.

We call this a party?

Excuse me. Who wants a drink?

We're not going to do this, Dan. Do what? Hey, get him in.

Celebrate his sons and his daughter -in -law's promotions? Let me have a round

place on me. Hi.

Can I buy you a drink? Dad, stop it. Hey, Dad, let's go get some coffee,

It's okay, bud. He didn't mean any harm.

Speaking of harm, how you doing, Perry Mason?

You looking for that conviction, huh?

Another knock on your gun. Damn it. Even if it means sending an innocent man

away. What innocent man would that be, Master Chief? With me, Master Chief.

And roll. Where are we going?

Home. Say goodnight.

I'm not finished talking to the guy.

Hey, can I stay here tonight? I don't feel like leaving.

Yeah, sure.

Can I buy you a soda, Phelan? Oh, that'd be great.

What a show, bud.

It's not a show, sir. I wish it were.

You're a good man, bud.

And you're an honest man.

Sorry, but I think your father's guilty.

Well, that remains to be proven, doesn't it, sir?

As you can see, this isn't a good time for a visit, Commander.

We're right in the middle of a training exercise.

Well, I'll try to make my stay as brief as possible and stay out of your hair,

Excel. Chief, this is Lieutenant Commander Rapp. He wants to ask you a

questions. About what, sir? Check with me when you're back, Commander. Will do,

Excel. Hey, is this one of those thousand -dollar pairs of pliers?

I don't buy them, sir. I just stack them and track them.

What can I do for you, sir?

You were stationed at Norfolk Naval Base four years ago?

93 to 96.

Yes, sir. I was there.

Leading chief of the time was Master Chief Bud Roberts.

I worked for Master Chief Roberts, yes, sir.

Chief is facing a court -martial for misappropriation of government property,

specifically VCRs and other electronic equipment, happened around the time you

were serving with him. Master Chief Roberts was a good boss, sir. I

your reluctance to inform on your own boss. I never saw him do anything wrong,

exactly. Well, what did you see that might have been suspicious?

One day a civilian came by.

He said he was there for a pickup.

I called the master chief, and when he saw this guy, he got real agitated.

He hustled him out of there real fast.

You overhear their conversation?

No, sir.

What did the civilian look like?

It was four years ago, sir.

He was white, around 30.

I looked out the window, and I saw him get into a van. It was marked Dopey

Electronics or something like that.

My deal was I give a big butt, I get immunity.

The deal was you assist the government in its prosecution. Execution, Mr. Domi?

I never said I'd give up anybody else.

Well, clearly, sir, you are an honorable man.

Now, your driver could be a corroborating witness. I need to speak

That's not my problem.

Well, if I could make it, it's your problem.

I'll make this store off -limits, all base personnel. How about that?

Jerry Kemp, that's all I know. I paid him under the table.

Where is he now? I have no idea, and that's the God's honest truth.

You know who might know?

His big bud.

I mean, he brought Jerry to me. They met in a bar someplace.

You want me to locate a witness who might incriminate my client?

We'll only incriminate him if he's guilty. If he's innocent, we'll

him.

Besides being stupid, that would be unethical, sir.

What is unethical about the truth?

You want your father to walk because of insufficient evidence, or do you want to

clear his name?

You're manipulating me, sir.

But I'm trying to give you some perspective.

You know, at the beginning you said it would be no holds barred, and I guess

this is what you meant.

I'll think about it, sir.

If he doesn't produce the witness, which he shouldn't, then he admits his

father's guilty. And if he does produce the witness and his father's convicted,

Bud's responsible.

He's a big boy. He can handle it.

But can he handle getting hurt by a friend?

Dobie told Rab about Jerry Kemp?

That's right.

I asked you if there would be any surprise witnesses, and you said no.

This is exactly what I was worried about. And you say Rab doesn't know

Kemp is?

No. Do you?

Well, yeah, maybe, but I... Where is he?

Rab's playing you, you know.

Where is Kemp?

You swear that the evidence you give will be the truth, the whole truth, and

nothing but the truth, so help you God?

I do.

State your name and occupation.

Jerry Kemp.

Currently between positions.

Where were you employed in the spring of 1995, Mr. Kemp?

1995... I'm not sure.

Didn't you work for Glenn Doby at Doby Electronics?

Yeah, yeah, that sounds about right.

Have you ever seen the defendant before?

I don't know.

Commander... Mr. Kemp is non -responsive. I would like him declared a

witness. Any objections?

No, sir.

Go ahead, Commander.

I will remind you, Mr. Kemp, you are under oath.

Did you ever see the defendant, Master Chief Roberts, come into Doby

Electronics?

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, I guess so. What did he and Mr. Doby talk about?

Objection. Hearsay.

Overruled. Witness will answer the question.

What was the question?

What did they talk about?

Oh, uh, right. I... I don't remember.

You will answer the question, Mr. Kemp.

I'll rephrase.

Didn't they talk about stealing electronic equipment from the U .S.

Kemp?

Yes. Now, you picked up the VCRs from Norfolk Naval Base, correct?

Yes. You took the VCRs, Adobe Electronics, where Mr. Doby changed the

numbers. Yes.

You then returned the VCR to Master Chief Roberts back on the bay. Yes. He

about the change of serial numbers? Yes.

Thank you, Mr. Kemp. No further questions.

Your witness.

Mr. Kemp, what do you do for a living?

Um, something to do with the military.

Actually, you're the chief of naval operations.

Yeah? Cool.

And I'm your father.

Seriously? Mr. Roberts.

Sir, I can tell this man anything and he won't remember it. He suffers from a

disorder known as Korsakoff's Syndrome.

He remembers his name and the distant past, but recent events fade from his

memory in minutes.

Why did you answer yes to all of Commander Rapp's questions?

He looks honest.

Yeah, I figured he must know.

Conditions started about two years ago. Defense would request that Mr. Kemp's

medical records be entered into evidence.

If you knew this, why didn't you say something earlier, Lieutenant?

He wasn't my witness, sir.

You may step down, Mr. Kemp.

Sir.

Any other witnesses or evidence, Commander Rapp?

Not at this time, Commander.

Very well.

Will the defendant please rise?

I find insufficient evidence to support conviction.

I will recommend that the convening authority dismiss these charges.

Really good job, bud.

Good job.

My compliments, Lieutenant.

What a brilliant diversionary tactic.

Thank you, sir.

I know. He had a good teacher.

Commander!

Have you seen my son?

It's him and the admiral.

Hey, some upset, huh?

David and Goliath all over again.

You put up a good fight.

Didn't expect a win, did you?

Sir? Well, that's why I picked your son as your defense counsel to hedge your

bets.

What are you talking about?

You figured if you win, you win. If you lose, you appeal.

What were you going to claim, inadequate counsel?

He was too close, too emotionally involved?

You were willing to damage your son's career to get yourself off the hook,

weren't you?

You going to tell him?

No, neither are you