All language subtitles for Manhunt.S02E06

The bomber speaks.

Serial bomber Eric Rudolph,

currently under federal
indictment for three bombings,

has released a series
of inflammatory letters

to news organizations.

In the letters, Rudolph
takes full responsibility

for the attacks at an abortion
clinic outside Atlanta,

the Otherside lesbian lounge

and an abortion clinic in Birmingham,

which claimed the life of
Officer Robert Sanderson.

Rudolph claims in his letters

that he never meant to harm anyone,

but wanted to "Stop
the murder of children".

Rudolph calls himself
a "defender of families

and the family values and principles

our nation was founded on".

Another wrinkle in the search
for the elusive serial bomber.

This section of the
letters contains details

about the construction of
the Sandy Springs, Otherside

and Birmingham bombs.

He provides them as proof
that he's the bomber.

Embry, do the forensics match
what's in these letters?

All the details are accurate.

And none have been released
to the press by investigators.

The bomber would be the only
guy who'd know all this stuff.

These letters have been
written by Eric Rudolph,

the signature not withstanding.

"Army of God".

Knox, what have we
got on the Army of God?

I-Is that a terrorist organization?

KNOX: This is typical of communications
from lone-wolf bombers.

Rudolph's trying to make
himself seem powerful,

like he's a warrior in a broader
movement, but he's not.

The Unabomber did the same thing.

Called himself "we", had
an imaginary organization

called the Freedom Club.

There is no Army of God.

Army of God is Rudolph trying
to make himself the good guy.

Here, too, when he says "I
did not mean to hurt anyone".

Right.

"Stop the murder of children".

"Let those who murder
innocent babies be warned".

Same thing, right?

He's not the murderer, he's
trying to prevent murder.

- Exactly.
- Mailing these letters

is a risky move for him.

So, why does he do it? Huh?

My theory is that one morning

he wakes up and there's no oatmeal

left in his backpack for breakfast.

Or there's a patrol
too close for comfort.

Look, I think Rudolph is claiming

that he's doing God's work
because he thinks that will sway

a pro-life jury in Birmingham.

And he's saying he never meant
to hurt anyone to try to wriggle

out of a premeditated murder charge.

So he knows he's on the
verge of being captured.

He's running scared

and already trying to set
the table for his trial.

Well, good.

If Rudolph is thinking about
standing before a jury,

let's get him there.

Knox, let's, uh, double
up on the patrols,

concentrate on the areas
near where he mailed these.

And I want extra men
at all the checkpoints.

If he's going to try
and escape the woods,

he'll make his move now.

All right? Thank you.

Oh, hold up, hold up.

If you don't mind.

If you're right, who's the audience?

Potential jurors in Alabama.

And who knows, maybe some
misguided fool here in Nantahala

who would give a fellow
Christian a few sandwiches

so he can survive another day or two.

This is the first time

he's claimed responsibility
for the bomb.

He's boasting about it, almost.

"Oh, it was me, I know all
these details about the bomb,

I'm God's warrior".

I mean, who is that for, really?

I mean, I'm not saying you're wrong.

But the kind of guy who would
plan two L-shaped ambushes?

He's not some rube
flailing around the woods

trying to survive the week.

He's got a plan.

And I don't know what
it is, but he's got one.

Agents,

will you excuse us a moment?

I'm sure you noticed

Rudolph took responsibility
for three bombings, not four.

Sandy Springs, Otherside
Lounge and Birmingham.

Not Olympic Park.

I've noticed that.

And I hate to sound
like a broken record,

but the facts say otherwise.

So you're claiming that Rudolph
managed to detonate a huge bomb

on the biggest stage in the world.

One of the most famous and
successful terrorist bombings

on American soil ever.

Then he decided to write
letters taking responsibility

for three tiny,
relatively little bombings,

but for some reason,

makes no mention whatsoever
of his masterpiece.

Even for you, that must
sound pretty far-fetched.

By God, you are right.

I don't understand it.

Thank you for your help, Agent.

Earl, Earl.

Think you're the smartest mother...

Goddamn it. [

We'll be home in three hours, man.

Just-just put it behind us.

We're not going home.

If that directional plate isn't
good enough for this bunch,

well, we'll just find something else.

I was gonna preach today
about "turning the other cheek".

But I read these letters this morning.

We've been hearing over
and over from the FBI:

"Eric Rudolph is a terrorist,
an enemy of society".

I bought that.

But then, I read the man's words.

And it didn't fit.

What I see is a man
who dared to stand up

for what we all believe in:
protecting defenseless babies.

- Eric's so-called "crime"?

The one that is bringing the full might

of the U.S. government and
the FBI down on this town,

down upon this congregation?

He attacked a few empty buildings.

- Yeah.
- He blew up some bricks.

And accidentally killed one guard

and hurt one nurse,

who, let's be honest, has made a career

out of aiding and abetting mass murder.

- That's right.

Now, I don't know what all this means.

And I absolutely would
never condone violence.

By Eric Rudolph or anyone here
in this church. Hear me on that.

"Thou shalt not kill" is a
commandment, not a suggestion.

But I got to say,

if there is an Army of God,

- shouldn't we all be enlisting?

Today?

Right now? There is an Army of God.

It's not a terrorist group.

It is right here in this church.

And in 10,000 churches
all over this country.

And if you are not in it,

then the hour of your
downfall is at hand.

Because if God is with us,
who can be against us?!

That's right.

Well, well, well.

All right, gentlemen.

Make yourself at home.

Appreciate it, Sheriff. Really do.

Well, there you are.

Keys to Eric's kingdom.

- Y'all have a good day.
- Thank you.

Phineas?

Phineas?

You found it?

Phineas.

Oh, he's a beautiful dog.

Think he f... think he smelled my food.

I know who you are.

Oh, you don't have to be scared.

Me? Don't worry, I'm not.

Phineas, go home.

I think I know who you are, too.

You're the woman the FBI assaulted.

Your kids, too, right?

I heard about that.

I'm-I'm so sorry.

You should keep farther from town.

Feds are up and down this
hollow couple times a day.

You know, I did all this to help people.

To protect the innocent.

Uh, just the idea that good
people like you are suffering

'cause I'm on the run...

No, little kids shouldn't
have to see that.

I'm sorry. It ain't right.

You want to head up that way.

Northeast.

Ah.

Well, thank you...

Hannah.

Thank you, Hannah.

Okay, sit. Sit, boy.

Good job.

What do you think, can
you stay put for me?

Stay.

It's me. I'm sorry.

Oh, you just startled me is all.

These FBI patrols have got me all jumpy.

Why are you here...

exactly?

Why are you in Nantahala?

Well, it's God's country.
Filled with God's people.

Plus, it's home. I grew up here.

Did you? Nobody in
town seems to know you.

You go ask Mrs. Patterson down
at Cherokee Valley Elementary,

I'm sure she remembers me.

I used to give her a
whole mess of trouble.

Well, she got me expelled
for the "great crime"

of having a Christian view
of history and science.

We used to live right
next door to Paul Ashland.

You knew old Paul?

Oh.

He was like a dad to me.

He's the one who brought
us Rudolphs to Christ.

Paul was a friend of my husband's.

A man you could rely on
when it all hit the fan.

I'd like to think he'd
say the same about me,

if he was still with us.

I read your letters.

Is it true?

- Is all that stuff true?
- Uh, yes, ma'am.

I'm shivering in the woods,
starving half the time,

running from FBI patrols day and night,

but it's all worth it.

And I would do it all over
again if I had the choice.

You know, in my lowest moments...

I imagine a little baby...

that would've been torn limb from limb

in its mama's womb.

I imagine that baby growing up,

peaceful...

running around laughing...

and I think:

if I have to suffer like this,

so that just one baby can live,

then by God, let me suffer.

It ain't right the way
they're treating you.

The FBI would be happy to
put a bullet in your back

and call it justice.

Hey, this is the path I chose,
for the glory of God.

I want to help you, sir.

You don't know me...

but me and my husband...

we've got a lot of "reliable friends".

You tell me what you need,

how we can help keep you safe...

and I'll see it through.

Ma'am, will you pray with me?

Dear Father,

give us your light...

We can keep beating
our heads against the wall,

but it's not here.

He's supposed to be all religious.

Pro-life,

anti-government,

bombing for his beliefs...

Well, there's not one pamphlet,

prayer card,

no picture of a dead baby,

no anti-government books
or neocon manifestos.

Look, Earl, when...

when the most relevant evidence

you've got is You
Might Be a Redneck If...

and a couple of Cheech & Chong tapes?

It's time to go home.

You ever
hear the old Greek fable

of the farmer and the snake?

Oh, boy. Story hour.

I like story hour.

I like it.

Well, this farmer's coming along home

late one cold winter night, and he...

sees this viper lying in the road,

frozen near to death.

The farmer picks up
this cute little viper,

he puts it in his coat,
right up against his skin.

Get him all warm. He saves his life.

Well, that viper,

as soon as he feels a little
warmth come in his body?

Oh... [ He bites that farmer.

Now the farmer's dying...

and he looks down at that snake.

He said,

"Why the hell did you do that?"

Says the snake,

"It is puzzling. I reckon
it's just my nature".

I've been in hundreds
of rooms like this.

Going through people's things,

piecing together their reasons why.

99% of these bombers, it's simple.

It's personal.

Boss fired you, woman left you,
judge dropped the hammer.

Hell, your neighbor's playing

Guns N' Roses at 3:00 in the morning.

The other one percent

is extreme ideology.

The kind that takes over your thoughts,

your relationships, your home.

Consumes your life.

It's like a fever.

But...

I've seen a few, a very rare few...

maybe one or two

in the 40 years I've been doing this...

who do it just because they like it.

They don't believe anything.

They don't want anything,
except blood, chaos, horror.

There's no "what".

There's no "why".

They just like it.

It's their nature.

So...

young Joe Holliwell,

you're right.

There's nothing here.

And that's what scares me.

Babe.

I've seen him.

I've met him. And he is the real deal.

He is walking the walk.

And he is a Godly man.

And he's one of us.

Paul Ashland brought him to Christ.

Oh...

You asked him questions?

Made sure?

I made sure.

He didn't ask for help,
but he sure needs it.

The FBI's gonna shoot
that boy in the back.

And there's only one
man who can help him.

Okay, back it up.

What makes us Regulators
and not civilians, huh?

I thought it was that
we're trained and armed

and swore an oath to stand
up to government tyranny.

Yeah, it's easy for you to
say. You ain't got a job,

much less a wife and
kids to take care of.

That's right.
- You ain't got nothing to lose

by going off half-cocked.

Did you even read those letters?

How can you say we shouldn't act?

If we don't pull the trigger right now,

we might as well admit
this whole militia is a joke

- and close up shop.

We don't even know this guy!

You ready to start a war for him?

- Risk jail time for him?
- Yeah.

I ain't getting sodomized
in a federal pen for 30 years

'cause some little goddamn
boy thinks it's a good idea.

- Yeah!

- All right.
- Hey!

We have to be smart.

We got kids and families, and none of us

wants to go to jail for 30 years.

And that's the reality.

But there's a reason

- that flag hangs above that door.

Now,

I have read them letters,

and reread 'em.

And the only way I can see this is,

it's like someone bombed the
gas chambers at Auschwitz,

and accidentally hurt Dr. Mengele

and killed an SS guard.

And now the Waffen-SS is right here,

in our town, trying to hunt down

- and kill this hero.

Now, we all know how
history judged the SS.

Oh, yeah.

We also know how history
judged those who resisted...

and those who didn't.

- That's right.

- You're right.
- BIG JOHN: So...

we are going to be very careful.

And very prudent.

But you make no mistake,

this is what we've been training for.

Yeah!

Eric Rudolph took a stand

to save unborn children
from mass murder.

Yeah!

- He needs our help.
- Yeah!

And we are going to help him.

- Yeah!
- So that our children know

that we were on the
right side of history.

Yeah!

Let's go! Let's go!

Be advised, we need to search...

What's going on?

We don't know what to
do, sir. He won't let us

- search the truck or show ID.
- Wha... This one?

All of them. They won't
even roll down their windows.

They just keep saying the
same thing over and over.

My squad mate says it's happening

- over at his checkpoint, too.

- Sir.
- MAN: Am I being detained

- or am I free to go?
- Could you please pull aside

- so we can safely search your vehicle?
- Am I being detained

or am I free to go?

Who told you to say that?

All right,

just go ahead and
divert, take a right at...

Are you militia?

You one of the Regulators?

Am I being detained or am I free to go?

Am I being detained

or am I free to go?

Am I being detained

or am I free to go?

Am I being detained

or am I free to go?

Am I being detained or am I free to go?

What's he doing here?

I don't know.

Want us to run him off?

Eric Rudolph could be in
any one of these trunks.

We can't let any of
these vehicles through.

- Is that clear?
- Roger that, sir.

So what do we do?

Sir, get in. We got a tip.
We know where Eric Rudolph is.

Come on, let's go, let's go!

Take over.

- Backpack!
- Take cover!

Bomb tech. Clear that bag.

Clear.

Shit.

Another bullshit tip.

Anybody hurt?

I have eyes. Go! Go!

Go, go, go!

Get down! Take cover!

This is Red Team One.

Repeat, Red Team One.

Need cover, now.

I need cover, now!

Cease fire! Cease fire!

- Cease fire!
- Cease fire!

- Hold up!
- Hold your fire!

Sound off! Anybody hit?

We're good here.

- Red two, good.
- Red three, all good.

We're good, sir.

They were shooting over our heads.

They were shooting
over our goddamn heads!

Thought the Army of God
didn't actually exist.

It didn't.

Sure as hell does now.

Yeah, this is Jack Brennan.

Tell the director I have
some developments to report.

I'd like to dedicate this next song

to a local hero.

- Y'all know who I'm talking about.
- C Oh, yeah...

It's called "Run Rudolph Run".

Not this time.

What are you doing here?

I'm waiting on my order,

drinking a beer.

It's the only bar in town, right?

FBI, I assume?

No.

- ATF.
- Sounds great!

What's the difference?

Well...

they pledge fraternities
and wear wingtips.

I wear work boots and bowl.

Fair enough, Mr. ATF.

I'll tell you something.

This right here?

This is my family.

Do you understand that?

Now, suppose someone come in your home

and threaten your family.

- What would you do about it?

I reckon I'd introduce that fella

to my 12-gauge.

Exactly right.

Oh, and so you know...

when the shit hits the fan...

we won't be looking at
your footwear.

I see that picture. I hear that song.

I wonder what you think about all that.

I'm sure you do.

Fed's gonna take his order to go.

Aw, you wouldn't
begrudge a fella his beer,

now, would you?

To go.

- How you doing tonight?
- Pretty good.

I got to admit, it is catchy.

Oh, yeah.

On the radio already. Day and night.

- Mm?
- Nah.

I just don't get it.

They're treating this guy like

he's some kind of sainted crusader.

Well, I'll tell you what.

I don't know if Eric Rudolph
is who he says he is or not,

but he's got these folks hooked.

And if they ever decide

to actually activate, it...

it's gonna get real bad real fast.

What are you talking about?

- Those militia men in there?
- Yeah. The Regulators.

They ain't playing around. I mean...

they shot over the FBI's heads today,

but, uh, next time they're
gonna shoot to kill.

And where's it gonna go from there?

Put it this way.

Big John Gray has got
militia connections

all over the region.

And...

my God, if you ever
wanted to start a war,

right here in America,

Big John is exactly
who you need to meet.

I'm disgusted by the passivity

of this whole operation.

You've allowed your quarry
to determine the arena,

the tempo, every
parameter of the search.

But more than that,

I'm disgusted

by your weakness!

This firefight didn't just happen.

It's the result of a string of failures.

Failures you all helped nurture.

When you let cars run through roadblocks

and you're not arresting the drivers

and impounding the vehicles.

When you let signs go
up supporting a fugitive.

And you're not out
there pounding on doors.

When you allow a known militia group

to operate with impunity

inside of a fugitive search zone,

and you do nothing.

When you get shot at by
that same militia group...

... and your first instinct

is to call Daddy for help,

instead of immediately

striking back.

Each one of those actions

is a test.

Each one of those tests

you have systematically failed.

Each one of those
failures has been broadcast

around the world,

and each one of those failures

reflects not only upon yourselves,

but upon the entire FBI.

I want you to think about that.

I hate barking at my own people.

What I hate even worse...

... is that you put me in a
position where I had no choice.

You once said the fish
rots from the head down.

That's true.

This is my op, my command.

I take full responsibility.

The failures here were
failures of my leadership.

But I can turn this around, sir.

I know who's behind the shooting,

and I know exactly what
our next move should be.

Big John Gray.

Leader of a local militia
known as The Regulators.

If we arrest him, the
resistance to the FBI

will be leaderless and fall apart.

We cut off the head of the snake.

And why haven't you done so already?

I need real striking power.

You don't just go and
knock on Big John's door.

You kick it in, hard and fast.

I need breacher teams
trained in night ops

and the support that goes with them.

You get me the teams I need,

Big John'll be perp-walked
on the evening news

by the end of the week.

There's the Brennan
I've been waiting for.

You got the loyalty and the brains.

Just need to get back
that killer instinct

if you're gonna stay at the top.

The shark inside the suit.

Yes, sir.

I'm not giving you strike teams.

I'm gonna give you an army.

Armored Humvees,

helicopters, all the manpower
and gear you need.

I'll even build you
a base to hold it all.

We are gonna dominate here.

We are gonna show
these people who's boss.

I appreciate that, sir.

Um, it's just...

we're walking a fine line here.

Despite recent events, we
believe only a small minority

of people would even
consider helping Rudolph

or opposing the FBI.

I'm concerned that
building a big base here

will alienate pretty much
everyone in Nantahala.

Sit down.

This is what it means
to be an FBI agent.

You're completely alone in this.

The locals... they're not your
allies and they never will be.

If Eric Rudolph escapes, bombs again,

runs to Tennessee or Kentucky,
kills another ten cops?

Local sheriff here, you know
what he says to himself?

"Not my town, not my problem".

Yeah.

We never get to say that.

You let your guard down for one minute,

Eric escapes in the trunk of a car,

goes on to kill more people,

that blood is on your
hands, on our hands,

and it never washes off.

We don't answer to a few locals.

We answer to the entire nation.

The American people.

That's why I can forgive a few mistakes.

You know? Nobody's gonna get
it right 100% of the time.

What I cannot forgive is weakness.

Not in this organization,

with this responsibility
on our shoulders.

The end of the day, it is far better

to be strong and wrong

than to be weak and right.

You just got the keys
to the Lamborghini.

Hope you know how to drive it.

EMBRY: I know why Rudolph
didn't claim Centbom.

And I know how to find him.

Will you listen to me?

We are T-minus ten minutes
away from ending this war

- in one operation.
- Excuse me.

Can you and me just talk for a second?

- T-minus nine.
- Just a minute.

You asked me before

why Eric Rudolph didn't claim
credit for the Olympic bombing.

This is why.

Because Olympic Park shows Eric Rudolph

for who he truly is.

There were babies there, man.

The guy who bombed Olympic Park

wasn't pro-life, he was evil

- and everybody knows that.
- Okay. All right.

Let's imagine Eric
Rudolph did Centbom...

he didn't, but let's just imagine...

it doesn't matter.

It doesn't help me catch the guy.

But it does.

You go to Big John with the facts

and he will listen.

He will not protect the man
who bombed the Olympic Games.

Do you think the men who
shot at me and my people

with assault rifles
give a shit about facts?

I just talked to the guy. Come on, man,

what would you do?

Law or no law, if somebody
rolled up heavy on you

and your folks and did
what you did to him.

He just wants to do the
right thing, same as you.

And if you go to Big John with the truth

and a little humility,

him and that bunch... they'll
come around and they'll

bring Eric Rudolph with them.

Two problems. One,

Richard Jewell bombed the Olympics.

And two, Big John isn't
gonna last the night.

I have the resources,
I'm making the move.

No, look, listen.

Listen. L... Look.

I know you're a good investigator,

you're a good agent.

I know you're in a shitty,

no-win situation. I know you're
under unbelievable pressure.

I know that.

But I also know that truth is truth

whether we accept it or not,

and you know that everything you have

on Richard Jewell is veneer.

It looks good on paper
but it's not solid wood,

and sooner or later it's gonna
start to crack and peel off on you

and then where you gonna be?

You talk to him. You
talk to Big John, man.

That is the move.

I'm telling you,

that is the move.

It's weak.

And we can't afford to be weak.

Besides,

- it's too late.
- We're wheels up.

It's go time.

Good luck.

Stay safe.

You wanted to see me?

Just the man. Sheriffs
in Cherokee County

have the same rights as fish
and game inspectors, correct?

- All rights and privileges.
- And Fish and Game doesn't need

a warrant to conduct a
search of a property, correct?

- Right.
- Good.

You'll stay in the vehicle.

We'll all be acting as your deputies.

I'll explain on the way.

On the way where?

Damn it.

Sir.

Shit.

You got to see this.

Pretty solid "F you", if you ask me.

You agents might want to see this.

Looks like they took all
their bug-out supplies

when they ghosted.

Shit.

You hear that?

That's "The Misty Glen".

It's an old rebel song.

Civil War rebels?

Nah. Earlier than that.

Folks out here got long memories.

They've been screwed over by outsiders

for 300 years.

Those pipes are saying,

"Ignore our history

at your peril".

They're saying,

"We own these hills".

Timothy, you go brush your teeth
and say your prayers, okay?

- Okay.
- I love you, buddy.

Okay.

You settled in? Got everything you need?

Got everything I need right here.

Be safe.

I will.

You take first watch.

I got business.