1991
Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee, a Navy lawyer, defends two Marines accused of murder, with Special Counsel Joanne Galloway suspecting an unauthorized disciplinary "Code Red" was ordered. Despite initial skepticism and a plea bargain attempt, Kaffee's investigation at Guantanamo Bay uncovers inconsistencies and a culture of absolute obedience under Colonel Nathan Jessep, who denies the Code Red's existence. Risking his career, Kaffee puts Jessep on the stand, provoking him into a furious confession that he ordered the Code Red, leading to Jessep's arrest. The Marines are acquitted of murder but found guilty of conduct unbecoming, with Kaffee affirming they upheld their honor.
Save the Cat beat sheet
A military lawyer reluctantly takes on the defense of two Marines accused of murdering a fellow Marine, PFC Santiago, after a hazing gone wrong.
Open full beat sheetDaniel Kaffee is listed as Lead Defense Counsel. A brilliant but initially unmotivated Navy lawyer, 15 months out of Harvard Law School. In the parsed data, Daniel Kaffee is connected to 62 scenes, 188 dialogue lines, 188 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
62 scenes / 188 dialogue linesJoanne Galloway is listed as Special Counsel for Internal Affairs. A bright, impulsive, and quick-speaking Navy lawyer in her early 30s. In the parsed data, Joanne Galloway is connected to 45 scenes, 70 dialogue lines, 71 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
45 scenes / 70 dialogue linesSam Weinberg is listed as Co-Counsel. A serious and studious naval officer working with Kaffee. In the parsed data, Sam Weinberg is connected to 36 scenes, 25 dialogue lines, 26 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
36 scenes / 25 dialogue linesJack Ross is listed as Prosecutor. A Marine lawyer and former colleague of Kaffee. In the parsed data, Jack Ross is connected to 16 scenes, 42 dialogue lines, 43 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
16 scenes / 42 dialogue linesHarold Dawson is listed as Defendant. A handsome, intense, and professional young Marine corporal. In the parsed data, Harold Dawson is connected to 15 scenes, 21 dialogue lines, 22 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
15 scenes / 21 dialogue linesLouden Downey is listed as Defendant. A 19-year-old Marine from an Iowa farm, loyal to Dawson. In the parsed data, Louden Downey is connected to 15 scenes, 17 dialogue lines, 19 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
15 scenes / 17 dialogue linesJulius Alexander Randolph is listed as Presiding Judge. A Marine Colonel presiding over the court-martial. In the parsed data, Julius Alexander Randolph is connected to 12 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 43.
12 scenes / 7 dialogue linesJonathan James Kendrick is listed as Platoon Commander. A 26-year-old Academy graduate and fanatical Marine officer. In the parsed data, Jonathan James Kendrick is connected to 8 scenes, 27 dialogue lines, 29 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
8 scenes / 27 dialogue linesMatthew Markinson is listed as Company Commander. A career Marine in his late 40s, conflicted about the unit's methods. In the parsed data, Matthew Markinson is connected to 7 scenes, 22 dialogue lines, 23 text mentions, first appearing around scene 48.
7 scenes / 22 dialogue linesNathan Jessep is listed as Barracks C.O.. A high-ranking, fanatical, and powerful Marine Colonel. In the parsed data, Nathan Jessep is connected to 5 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
5 scenes / 7 dialogue linesWilliam Santiago is listed as Victim. A young, slight Marine who was a target of disciplinary actions. In the parsed data, William Santiago is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 2.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesA Marine stands guard at a remote sentry tower in Guantanamo Bay while a drum cadence plays.
Dawson and Downey assault Santiago in his sleep, binding and gagging him.
Harold Dawson, Louden Downey, William SantiagoThe Marine Corps Band performs on the parade grounds.
Joanne Galloway requests to represent the Marines accused of killing Santiago, but is denied by Captain West.
Joanne Galloway, Matthew Markinson, Jack RossKaffee hits fungoes while negotiating a plea bargain with Spradling.
Daniel Kaffee, Sam WeinbergKaffee is assigned the Santiago case by Captain Whitaker.
Daniel Kaffee, Sam WeinbergKaffee and Sam meet with Joanne to discuss the case details.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Sam WeinbergColonel Jessep discusses PFC Santiago's letter and the Code Red incident with Captain Markinson and Lt. Kendrick.
Nathan Jessep, Matthew Markinson, Jonathan James KendrickMilitary police escort Dawson and Downey through the gate.
Harold Dawson, Louden DowneyDawson and Downey are brought to the brig.
Harold Dawson, Louden DowneyJoanne Galloway confronts Kaffee about his defense of Dawson and Downey.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne GallowayKaffee and Sam interview Dawson and Downey in their cell.
Daniel Kaffee, Sam Weinberg, Harold Dawson, Louden DowneyJack Ross offers Kaffee a plea deal.
Daniel Kaffee, Jack RossJo confronts Kaffee about contacting Downey's aunt.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne GallowayKaffee stops at a newsstand to buy a paper and engages in a ritualistic conversation with Luther.
Daniel KaffeeKaffee visits Sam; they discuss the plea deal offered by Jack Ross and the Santiago case.
Daniel Kaffee, Sam WeinbergKaffee, Sam, and Jo arrive at Guantanamo Bay and are met by Corporal Howard.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Sam WeinbergThe lawyers are driven to the base and learn they must take a boat.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Sam WeinbergThe lawyers meet Colonel Jessep, Captain Markinson, and Lt. Kendrick.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Sam Weinberg, Nathan Jessep, Jonathan James Kendrick, Matthew MarkinsonKendrick gives the lawyers a tour of the fenceline.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Sam Weinberg, Jonathan James KendrickThe lawyers inspect Santiago's room.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Sam Weinberg, Jonathan James KendrickThe lawyers have lunch with Jessep and his officers; Jo aggressively questions Jessep about Code Reds.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Sam Weinberg, Nathan Jessep, Jonathan James Kendrick, Matthew MarkinsonJo visits Kaffee to inform him that Markinson resigned and that she is now Downey's attorney.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne GallowayKaffee and Jo confront Dawson and Downey.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Harold Dawson, Louden DowneyKaffee and Jo interview Dawson and Downey about the order to give Santiago a Code Red.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Harold Dawson, Louden DowneyKaffee and Jo confront Ross about the order.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Jack RossKaffee and Jo argue with Ross about the case and a potential plea deal.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Jack RossKaffee presents the plea deal to Dawson and Downey; they refuse.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Harold Dawson, Louden DowneyKaffee, Jo, and Sam discuss the case and the defendants' refusal to plead.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Sam WeinbergKaffee drinks alone at a bar.
Daniel KaffeeKaffee sits on a bench drinking.
Daniel KaffeeA sunny morning at the parade grounds.
Arraignment hearing; Kaffee enters a not guilty plea.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Sam Weinberg, Harold Dawson, Louden Downey, Jack RossKaffee, Sam, and Jo begin trial preparation.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Sam WeinbergJo brings more law books to Kaffee and Sam.
Joanne Galloway, Sam Weinberg, Daniel KaffeeThe legal team prepares for trial, discussing the relevance of Kendrick's training methods.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Sam WeinbergKaffee and Sam work late with pizza.
Daniel Kaffee, Sam WeinbergKaffee and Jo interview Dawson and Downey.
Joanne Galloway, Harold Dawson, Louden Downey, Sam Weinberg, Daniel KaffeeKaffee coaches Sam and Jo on courtroom behavior.
Daniel Kaffee, Sam Weinberg, Joanne GallowayThe trial begins; opening statements are made.
Daniel Kaffee, Jack Ross, Julius Alexander Randolph, Joanne Galloway, Sam Weinberg, Harold DawsonWitnesses McGuire and Hammaker testify.
Daniel Kaffee, Jack Ross, Julius Alexander Randolph, Harold Dawson, Louden DowneyCommander Stone testifies about the cause of death.
Daniel Kaffee, Jack Ross, Julius Alexander Randolph, Joanne Galloway, Sam WeinbergJudge Randolph recesses the court until Monday. Kaffee, Jo, and Sam discuss their legal strategy and the trial's progress.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Sam Weinberg, Julius Alexander RandolphKaffee is studying his case when Jo arrives to invite him to dinner.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne GallowayKaffee and Jo discuss their careers and the likelihood of losing the case.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne GallowayCorporal Howard testifies about Code Reds and the culture at Gitmo.
Daniel Kaffee, Harold Dawson, Louden Downey, William Santiago, Jack Ross, Julius Alexander RandolphKaffee plans the next day's strategy.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Sam WeinbergKaffee is confronted by Markinson in his car.
Daniel Kaffee, Matthew MarkinsonKaffee informs Sam and Jo about Markinson's revelations.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Sam WeinbergKaffee and Ross meet to discuss the case.
Daniel Kaffee, Jack RossKaffee prepares to cross-examine Kendrick.
Daniel Kaffee, Jonathan James KendrickKaffee cross-examines Kendrick.
Daniel Kaffee, Sam Weinberg, Jonathan James Kendrick, Jack Ross, Julius Alexander RandolphKaffee cross-examines Lt. Kendrick regarding the Code Red order and the disciplinary actions taken against Private Barnes.
Daniel Kaffee, Jonathan James Kendrick, Jack Ross, Julius Alexander Randolph, Harold DawsonKaffee and Jo discuss the tower chief's log which proves Jessep lied about the flight.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Sam WeinbergKaffee confronts Markinson about the missing flight in the log book.
Daniel Kaffee, Matthew MarkinsonKaffee reports back to Jo and Sam about Markinson.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Sam WeinbergJo prepares Downey for his testimony.
Joanne Galloway, Louden DowneyJo and Kaffee discuss the upcoming testimony.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne GallowayMarkinson writes a letter and commits suicide.
Matthew MarkinsonDowney's testimony falls apart under Ross's cross-examination.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Harold Dawson, Louden Downey, Jack Ross, Julius Alexander RandolphKaffee, Jo, and Sam deal with the fallout of the trial and Markinson's death.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Sam WeinbergKaffee and Sam find Jo walking home.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Sam WeinbergKaffee and Sam catch up to Jo on the street to apologize and convince her to put Jessep on the stand.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Sam WeinbergKaffee, Jo, and Sam strategize about the case and Jessep's testimony.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Sam WeinbergKaffee retrieves a printout from the printer.
Daniel KaffeeKaffee reviews the printout and calls Sam.
Daniel Kaffee, Sam WeinbergSam prepares to leave for Andrews Air Force Base.
Joanne Galloway, Sam WeinbergKaffee and Jo discuss the upcoming testimony.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne GallowayJo warns Kaffee about the risks of his plan.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne GallowayJessep testifies and is cross-examined by Kaffee.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Sam Weinberg, Nathan Jessep, Jack Ross, Julius Alexander RandolphKaffee cross-examines Jessep, leading to a confession about the Code Red order.
Daniel Kaffee, Nathan Jessep, Jack Ross, Julius Alexander RandolphThe jury returns a verdict; Dawson and Downey are found guilty of conduct unbecoming.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Sam Weinberg, Harold Dawson, Louden Downey, Jack RossKaffee and Galloway share a moment after the trial concludes.
Daniel Kaffee, Joanne Galloway, Sam WeinbergI'm sorry, your time's run out. What do we have for the losers, Judge? Well, for our defendants it's a lifetime at exotic Fort Levenworth. And for defense counsel Kaffee? That's right -- it's -- a court -- martial. Yes, Johnny, after falsely accusing a marine officer of conspiracy, Lt. Kaffee will have a long and prosperous career teaching typewriter maintenance at the Rocco Columbo School for Women. Thank you for playing "Should We or Should-We-Not Follow the Advice of the Galacticly Stupid".
I have an obligation to tell you that if you accuse Kendrick or Jessep of any crime without proper evidence, you'll be subject to Court-Martial for professional misconduct. And that's something that'll be stapled to every job application you ever fill out. Markinson's not gonna hold up, he's a crazy man. I'm not saying this to intimidate you. I'm being your lawyer.
Bullshit! You could've gotten it by picking up the phone and calling any one of a dozen departments at the Pentagon. You didn't want the transfer order. You wanted to see Jessep's reaction when you asked for the transfer order. You had an instinct. And it was confirmed by Markinson. Now damnit, let's put Jessep on the stand and end this thing!
Yes sir. That day, sir. Friday. The Pick-up Private -- sir, that's what we call the fella who drops us at our posts and picks us up... also, 'cause he can get girls in New York City -- the Pick-up Private got a flat... Right at 39. He pulled up and blam! ...A blowout-with no spare. The two of us had to double-time it back to the barracks.
With the evidence we've got? Not in a million years. But here's the thing -- and there's really no way of getting around this -- neither Lionel Kaffee nor Sam Weinberg are lead counsel for the defense in the matter of U.S. versus Dawson and Downey. So there's only one question. What would you do?
You also got it in the jury's head that we're afraid of the doctor. You object once so they can hear you say he's not a criminologist. You keep after it and it looks like this great cross we did was just a bunch of fancy lawyer tricks. It's the difference between paper law and trial --
I'm gonna get you a deal. Some kind of immunity with the prosecutor. In about four days, you're gonna appear as a witness for the defense, and you're gonna tell the court exactly what you told me. Right now I'm gonna check you into a motel, and we're gonna start from the beginning.
The transfer order that Parkinson signed is phoney. And Jessep's statement that the six a.m. flight was the first available is a lie, we're checking the tower chief's log. But in the meantime I'm gonna put the Apostle Jon Kendrick on the stand and see if we can't have a little fun.
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