JAG s03e14 Episode Script

Tiger Six, this is Tiger Two.
We are out of formation.
Over.
Tiger Two, say your position.
Over.
Position unclear.
Over.
Come right.
Hotel 86.
Golf 16.
I said right, damn it.
Sorry, gunny.
- Do you have friendlies in sight? Over.
- Negative.
We lost the battalion.
Over.
The field is crawling with armour.
Where are they, downtown D.
C? State nature of difficulty, Tiger Two.
Over.
Driver's disoriented.
Over.
Who's at the controls? Corporal Wetzel, sir.
This is Captain Arliss.
Driver has three years experience.
You tell him to wipe the scum from his eyes.
Over.
Tiger Six, we seem to have a new position on dominant terrain.
- I've had enough of his crap.
- There's something ahead.
Over.
- Sir, I think that - Do you hear me, gunny? Sir.
Get out of here.
Get the gear on the double! Following in his father's footsteps as a Naval aviator, Lieutenant Commander Harmon Rabb Jr.
Suffered a crash while landing his Tomcat on a storm-tossed carrier at sea.
Diagnosed with night blindness, Harm transferred to the Navy's Judge Advocate General Corps, which investigates, defends and prosecutes the law of the sea.
There, with fellow JAG lawyer Major Sarah MacKenzie, he now fights in and out of the courtroom with the same daring and tenacity that made him a top gun in the air.
The Quantico command has seen fit to recommend court-martial proceedings against Marine tank driver Daryl Wetzel for dereliction of duty during war games.
Apparently, he got lost and rammed his unit commander's tent.
Anyway The corporal's admitted negligence, so I want you to defend him.
- Did somebody get hurt, sir? - No, no.
But, admiral, I saw the McCarty murder on the docket.
Commander, do you see yourself above certain cases? No, sir.
Admiral, I'm a senior attorney.
Why me? Well, you don't expect to be treated with favouritism or special dispensation, correct? Yes.
I've been sensing among the staff a certain cavalier attitude toward boilerplate cases.
Since I've never met a defendant with that perspective, it has me concerned.
Corporal Wetzel deserves no less an advocate than anyone else.
- I acknowledge that, sir.
- Good.
Good.
Then this should be a test of your senior-attorney skills.
- Excuse me, sir.
- Good morning, major.
I was just briefing the commander here on a dereliction of duty case - due to culpable - Inefficiency.
Is the commander in the admiral's doghouse, sir? Why would you say that? Well, considering there are bigger fish in the pond, I assumed I tried to warn you, ma'am.
Yeah, next time scream it in my ear.
I haven't defended a case of dereliction of duty since my first year in JAG.
Is he really serious about this budget? Yes, Bud.
Low-level cases equal no funding.
But, sir, we barely have enough money for two of us, let alone the three of us.
Well, the admiral apparently thinks Harm and I are spoiled.
You're expected to make it work.
Me, ma'am? Bud, why don't you call our new client and I'll look into his service record? Yes, sir.
Marie and I have been separated for two months.
I moved into the barracks.
She's still in base housing.
We met when I stopped to change her flat.
She was an exotic dancer, so she wasn't wearing very much.
I liked her looks.
But I married her to straighten her out.
Problem is, she's too twisted to care.
Ma'am, would you like a seat? No, I'm fine, but thanks for asking.
We have a year-old son, Sean.
Marie got sole custody of him.
Because she was breast-feeding.
And she was able to hide her drug use from the court.
I've been trying to get that decision reversed.
The appeal is on Friday.
Now, I know she's worried about it.
So when the neighbours called up said she was packing the car, I beat it over there.
She was trying to abscond with your child? Sir, if I didn't stop her, I'd never see my son again.
That upset me.
All day long, I kept thinking she was gonna try something like that again.
Who's the attorney representing you in the custody hearing? That's why I blew the exercise.
I couldn't concentrate.
I'm pleading myself, ma'am.
I can't afford one.
What's your argument? The safety of my son, sir.
She doesn't know how to raise an infant.
Corporal, you admit that you weren't paying attention and that your actions endangered the unit command, correct? I don't lie, sir.
Your offence carries with it a three-month incarceration.
Well, I'm afraid that wouldn't work for me, sir.
Any brig time, that would jeopardise my chance of regaining custody of my son.
He's lying about the drugs.
All right, that's just Daryl's way of trying to take Sean from me.
The judge threw it out because there wasn't no evidence.
Why did you and Daryl break up? We don't get along.
Sean, you stop that right now.
I mean it.
Sorry.
He's usually not like this.
And it had nothing to do with the drug issue? No.
I told you, that's him lying.
I wouldn't do stuff like that.
I've got a baby to care for.
Excuse me, when was the last time the baby was changed? Well, I was just about to when you rang my bell.
What are you asking me these questions for? I'm not the one who's in trouble here.
Ma'am, we're just trying to get a handle on Daryl's situation.
Yeah, well, talk to Daryl, okay? I've got a situation of my own.
Were you trying to leave town with the child? No.
You see, he's crazy.
I was just taking him over to my mama's.
You were seen packing the car.
Yeah, well, we were going to stay the night.
Look, Daryl is just flipping out because his life is falling apart, okay? I love this baby more than anything.
And no one can care for Sean better than I can.
And no one ever will.
Anything else? General, Corporal Wetzel's problems stem from his wife's custody of their 1 -year-old child.
The corporal's problem has been addressed at two prior Article 15 proceedings.
The chronic tardiness he claimed was due to his wife's neglect of their child.
The drunk and disorderly was because the forfeiture of pay made it hard for him to provide for his family.
He's overdrawn on his excuse account.
The corporal is trying to secure custody rights of his son, sir.
After he serves his time.
Incarceration would seriously hamper his chances, general.
I won't do it.
Do you have children, sir? I'm going to assume that question was not an attempt to manipulate my feelings, commander.
Because if it was, you're either desperate or stupid.
And neither will play in this room.
The military takes a beating every time it gets involved in the private lives of its personnel.
Wetzel's case is already news.
I've had to give access to all media interest to avoid a backlash.
All the more reason to avoid a trial, sir.
I actually like the corporal.
He's the most polite young man I've ever met.
That's why we were there for him from the beginning.
The base chaplain is counselling.
CAAC got involved after the last incident.
But I will not reward a man for having a messy life.
Every Joe with a sad story would be in here looking for a ticket out.
Aren't you gonna ask for a change of venue? You would consider that, sir? I'll agree to send the corporal TAD to Parris Island.
You get an objective hearing.
I avoid headlines in the Navy Times.
Thank you, sir.
Oh, and commander, just so you know, my wife had three miscarriages.
Sorry, sir.
We have a go.
Trial begins at Parris Island Monday of next week.
Hey, Bud, book us a flight.
I'm sorry, sir.
Budgetary restrictions won't allow that.
Then we'll hop a transport.
I already checked, ma'am.
There's not another one scheduled for three weeks.
This is ludicrous.
How can we be expected to perform a competent job without the means? - Gonna have word with Chegwidden.
- Proceed, commander.
Admiral, sir A fire-damaged carrier, unauthorized trip to Haiti.
A bullet-riddled freighter and a lawsuit from the Bradenhurst Corporation.
All of these have literally exploded our budget.
All of these occurred on your watch.
Your point, sir? Humour me, commander.
Just one case.
Bring in one case as budgeted.
Yes, sir.
Excuse me.
It's a two-day drive, sir.
- We leave Friday.
- Talk to me in my office.
Corporal needs help with his custody hearing.
Don't go there, Mac.
Don't go there.
You can't separate the issue from the man.
Mac, I agree with you.
Corporal Wetzel is getting a raw deal, but his personal life is an economy-sized can of worms.
All right.
But whatever we do has gotta be detached.
He needs a civilian attorney.
You thinking of quitting again? I know someone who'll do it pro bono.
This is Dalton Lowne.
Dalton, Lieutenant Commander Harmon Rabb.
Pleasure.
- Dalton is - I know who Dalton is, Mac.
I haven't been living under a rock.
Well, it's just that you two have never really met.
- Nice suit.
- Thanks.
Dalton feels he can help.
He got his start in family law.
Really? A misspent youth? That's funny.
No judge will grant custody to a man who might be serving time.
So I'll wanna ask for a continuance till after the court martial.
Really? Well, that's certainly a way to go.
It doesn't do much for our case, but Sounds like you've already given up.
What Harm meant Thank you, Mac, but I generally work without an interpreter.
- Military law, Mr.
Loan - Lowne.
- Is somewhat less pliable than the civilian variety.
Cases like Corporal Wetzel's leave little room for creative defence.
Now, that said, no one in this room, anyway, is backing off of a challenge.
So you go for your continuance, and, well, we'll do whatever it is we do.
Look, I didn't mean to suggest that you weren't approaching this case And I wasn't taking offence, Mr.
Lowne.
Listen, why don't we discuss this over dinner? Good idea.
Let me make a call.
I know the maître d' at Le Jardin.
I was thinking more along the lines of Ho's Organic Noodle House.
Okay.
Hey, we could do that too.
So I won't be testifying, sir? Today's hearing is about procedure.
Lawyers and judges talking to one another.
How do you know judge will postpone? Trust me, Daryl.
This is simple stuff.
- There he is.
Corporal Wetzel.
- Yes, ma'am? Just how do you plan on raising a child in the brig, sir? - Excuse me.
You are? - The trial hasn't Jill Waddington from Here and Now, the national news magazine show.
Ms.
Waddington, where's the news? We're doing a story on custody cases in the military.
Each branch is being examined to get its take on the issue.
Well, the corporal's issue is not for the taking.
- No, no.
I'd like to respond to this.
- Yes.
I'm being court-martialed because my wife - Have you abused your wife, corporal? - No.
No, ma'am.
Even when you were drunk? Ma'am, you see, that happened off base.
- The abuse happened off base? - Excuse me? The corporal is confused.
- I think I understood his answer.
- See if you understand this.
Back off.
- And who are you two? - Batman and Robin.
- What happened? - You were ambushed.
- That is a no-no, Daryl.
- Yes, sir.
From now on, you let me do the talking.
And I am perfectly equipped to handle the press.
- I noticed.
- A little aggressive, don't you think? Hey, I'm Batman.
Therefore, as we believe matters of Marine Corps discipline should not intrude upon the issues involved here, we would like to request postponement of the custody question until after the corporal's military trial.
I'm inclined to agree.
Does opposing counsel have an objection? Mr.
Tobey? Your Honour, I Sorry, Your Honour, I - I seem to have misplaced something.
- Do you object to a postponement? No, Your Honour.
- In that case, I'll grant - As long as my client's safety is assured during that period.
Your Honour, Corporal Wetzel poses no danger I have an affidavit from a Mr.
John Bagdasarian, a UPS driver.
Well, I'm sorry, Your Honour.
I don't know what that is.
Sorry.
There.
Mr.
Bagdasarian witnessed Corporal Wetzel pushing and shoving his estranged wife, Marie, outside her home.
He also notes he was screaming, and that her son, Sean, was in the car at the time, hysterical and traumatised.
Now, that happened on a date not authorised for child visitation.
So if the hearing is gonna be delayed, I ask the court to grant a restraining order against Corporal Wetzel during that period of time.
Your Honour, Corporal Wetzel was simply trying to prevent his wife from absconding with their son, as is evidenced by this affidavit from a neighbour, Mrs.
Jean Kisco.
Mrs.
Kisco, aware of Marie Wetzel's intentions, warned the corporal, who arrived understandably upset.
I accept the argument, counsellor.
Nonetheless, given the antipathy that exists between the two parents, any visitation is likely to set off similar fireworks.
For the sake of the child, I'll grant a temporary restraining order against Corporal Wetzel until his military charges have been resolved.
Who is that guy? His name is Mark Tobey, sir.
He advertises on TV.
He used to be one of the top civil rights advocates.
We just studied one of his cases in my tort seminar.
Oh, yeah? He's pretty sharp.
- I don't know what you mean.
- Let's start with this group.
I don't know what to say, Daryl.
I'm terribly disappointed.
- I'll make it up to you somehow.
- If I get convicted, I go straight to the brig without having seen my son.
Let us worry about that, corporal.
All you need to do is to trust us, pack your bags and be ready to go at 1300.
Yes, sir.
We're not gonna let you down.
Thank you, ma'am.
I just don't trust Daryl after what he did, screaming like a madman - and pushing me like that.
- Consider your husband dangerous? Corporal.
Now, don't worry.
We'll take good care of you.
Once you're in the courtroom, make sure you speak only when spoken to.
Cool.
Quantum Leap convention.
What in the name of God is a Quantum Leap convention? Well, the guy who created Magnum, P.
I.
It was a rhetorical question, Bud.
I don't wanna push my luck.
I'm just happy they had one room available.
No, that episode was No, Sam and Al, I remember this one.
You do this to me every year.
You didn't even know.
It was the first edition of the Quantum Quarterly.
So you understand that in "Mirror lmage," the bartender was leaping Sam.
I'm not sure I agree with you.
I need support.
I'm sharing a bed with Bud.
There's a Bible in the nightstand.
Listen About Dalton Lowne Harm, don't.
There's tension between us.
I might be feeling a little resentful.
- Why? - Well, that's a good question, and You know, it's probably because if Well, if I were a civilian, I would be him.
And I might be feeling a little competitive.
There, I said it.
An apology.
I'm impressed.
I've been working on myself.
- Don't tell anybody.
- Okay.
Can I have that olive? Yeah, sure.
You know, that's your food budget for the day.
It might be funny if it wasn't true.
Any ideas on a defence angle? Extenuation and mitigation.
Yeah, it's not much, is it? Even with this new venue, our only shot is to play to the jury's emotions and argue against brig time.
Mac, you're getting too personally involved.
The tougher it goes, the more he's gonna turn to you.
You're his attorney, not his rescuer.
Is that why you hardly ever talk to him? Call it tactical reserve.
Harm, there are times when military protocol gives us an excuse to avoid human interaction.
Hey, when you boil it down, every branch of the service is concerned with the same three principles: Discipline, discipline and discipline.
You know it.
And I for one don't think it's a bad thing.
Nobody wants to go in battle with someone who doesn't have his mind completely on accomplishing the mission.
I thought I recognised those voices.
We must have got here before y'all did.
What is that there, the Cobb salad, ma'am? - I had that.
It was good.
- Yeah.
Everything all right, corporal? Yes, sir.
I'm staying positive.
I know Sean and I are gonna be together soon, so That's the attitude.
You keep your chin up.
Well, I can't be any other way, ma'am.
It's my nature.
I was raised by my Grandma Bea, the finest woman I've ever known.
She taught me many great things, the best of which is: "Well, if you can't find a path through the wilderness, you go on and make your own.
" I want to teach that to my son one day.
Well, that would be good advice, corporal.
I'm gonna call it a day.
Ma'am, are you staying? Major and I have to get our beauty sleep, corporal.
You may wanna take that advice yourself.
It's another four hours to Parris Island.
- Good night, sir.
- Good night.
Sleep well, corporal.
Thank you.
- Yes, he was.
- Very well, sir.
Ma'am.
- And this is what concerns you? - I can't trust Daryl after what he did, - Let's go, corporal.
- screaming like a madman Where are you going, corporal? and pushing me like that.
Do you consider your husband dangerous? Especially to Sean.
What is your position on visitation rights? I don't think he should ever see him again.
Far as I'm concerned, Daryl's not Sean's father no more.
He's just the guy who made me pregnant.
Williams is doing just that as he drives down the court hard and stuffs it right in the face of the Golden Eagle defence.
The Cougars are back within one, with Williams being a one-man transition team on that one.
Trouble sleeping, corporal? Recently, sarge.
You want me to get the light? No, I got it.
Golden Eagles inbound pass deflected out of bounds.
Their best combination is now going to come on the floor.
They're going to start every opportunity.
Here's Powell as Kent takes up the defensive side on the inbound.
Hits Powell, who scores immediately as he comes into the game.
- He made that look easy.
- Williams to Dunne - Good night, sarge.
- Good night.
- Williams missing his assignment in that instance.
Something you wanna share, lieutenant? I'm sorry, sir.
I thought you were sleeping.
You're kidding, right? I was just thinking about Harriet.
She's so warm.
She's like a little radiator.
Sometimes I'll lay right next to her.
I wanna curl up and just live there forever.
You know what I mean, sir? Is there a point to this, Bud? I don't really think there is, sir.
I'm sorry.
It's just you don't have to worry about me or anything.
You know, I'm not like a creeper.
You know, I'll stay on my side of the bed.
I mean, even if I was asleep, I'm pretty sure I could tell the difference between you and Harriet.
I mean, you're big and hard and she's Do you love her, Bud? Oh, yes, sir.
Very much so.
That's nice.
Do you have issues? No.
It's perfect.
No relationship is perfect, Bud.
Yeah, well, this one is.
Yeah, okay, if you say so.
- Good night.
- Good night.
Is that your foot, Bud? Sorry, sir.
It's Don Bellisario.
Great to see you.
- That's him.
- Hello, there.
- Hi.
- It's good to be here.
- Real nice to meet you.
- I'm honoured.
Thank you.
Call me later.
Come on, Sean.
Come on.
We're home.
Thanks.
See you later.
Hey, buddy.
Almost home.
Mrs.
Wetzel? Hi, I'm Art Scherer, Channel Nine News.
We're here to do a local follow-up on Here and Now's military custody story.
What? Oh, my God.
What am I wearing? Oh, no, no, no.
You look great.
Oh, my God.
All right, well, can l? You know, can I at least touch up my face or something? Oh, no, no, you don't need it.
You really don't need it.
It's really fine.
It's fine.
Okay.
Well, come on, baby.
Let's get you inside.
There you go.
Okay, well, what do you wanna know? Just get you out here.
We'll have a nice simple background, okay? It's a rental.
There's no sticker.
Now that the story is in the public eye, can you say what it's been like for you? Well, some guy named Louis wants to take pictures of me or something.
- Do you know anything about that? - No, I don't.
Because I won't do anything that's not in good taste.
How's your son holding up? Has he been affected by it at all? He seems pretty cool.
He doesn't sense the tension? Oh, why don't you judge for yourself? - Hey.
- Daryl.
Oh, my God.
- Who's that? - He's got my baby.
Is that your husband, Mrs.
Wetzel? Daryl, come back here.
Sean! Oh, my God.
He's got my baby.
We found the car before he could get to it, so we know that he's still on the base.
Sir, I would ask when you find the corporal that you use restraint.
- His intentions are not bad.
- His wife would disagree.
I know his actions appear irrational.
Lose the understatement, commander.
Major and I both believe the corporal is of sound mind.
Corporal's been through a very frustrating period.
- That's why the poor judgement.
- He's gone over the edge, major.
You two are making him sound like he needs two aspirin and a good sleep.
The corporal is not the only one on this planet with problems.
- And I, for one, am damn tired of him - Excuse me, general.
- Shoving his in my face.
- Sir.
- What? - Sir, if I were you, I'd get your face out of the way of this one.
- Everyone clear.
- Clear the area, guys.
- Clear the area, let's go.
- Where's the baby? Get this.
- He's headed for the gate, sir.
- That can't happen.
- Get some bodies down here.
- Sir.
What are you doing, corporal? You don't wanna be around here, sir.
- Where's the baby? - Safe from the abuse of the world.
Talk to me.
I'm not a story.
Do you understand? What do you want from us? I'm not a story, sir.
I'm a person.
Corporal.
Well, we are live now with Art Scherer at the Quantico military facility, where a Marine corporal has kidnapped his 1-year-old son and commandeered a tank.
Who are we seeing out there, Art? That would be Lieutenant Commander Harmon Rabb, one of the corporal's military attorneys.
He's been trying to reason with his client for the past 10 minutes.
What about a motive? The corporal apparently has had episodes of alcoholism and spousal abuse.
There must be quite a bit of concern for that child's safety.
There is, John.
There is profound concern.
You see that? Yeah.
You see that, son? That's the look-up scope.
Yeah.
Wanna see? Yeah, that's the look-up scope.
Now Wanna see? Look.
Look.
Yeah.
Sean.
You're gonna hear about this one day.
People are gonna be saying: Your dad, he's a good guy.
So mannerly.
What was going on in his head? He must have snapped.
What I want you to tell them if you can remember is: Is that I loved you enough to make sure everyone knew, Sean.
I loved you.
That, and they really ticked your daddy off.
Slick move, sir.
You're a tough nut, commander.
You can leave out the tough part, sir.
Is Sean okay? I don't know, Mrs.
Wetzel.
Tactical radio, sir.
Switching to his frequency.
We can speak to him directly over the vehicle's communications system.
I don't think he's interested in communicating, sir.
Son.
This is General Albanese speaking.
You are to surrender yourself and the child.
John, the commanding general is now attempting to make contact with the corporal.
Corporal, you're endangering yourself, your son and the personnel on this base.
Corporal Wetzel, secure that vehicle.
John, something is definitely happening.
Damn it, corporal.
I've got a bad feeling about this.
Corporal Wetzel, acknowledge your presence.
I hate to say it, sir, but this looks like a budget-breaker to me.
- Move.
- Got the head, got the head.
Stand by.
What is it with those helicopters? It passes for entertainment these days, Bud.
Be thankful civilian helicopters aren't allowed over the base.
You got a beat on what's next? No, sir.
With 120,000 pounds of steel beneath him, I'd say the corporal's in the position to pick and choose.
I'm sending in a team with C-4.
We'll pop that hatch.
General, there's a baby in that tank.
General, I have an idea, - if you're willing to wait a few hours.
- I am not.
Sir, unless your plan is foolproof, you may be in the unfortunate position of explaining to the American people why that baby was injured.
Mrs.
Green, I'm Lieutenant Commander Rabb.
You're very tall.
Well, I didn't mean to be, ma'am.
You're from the South.
I'm Charleston-born and Charleston-bred.
And when I die, I'll be Charleston-dead.
General.
General Albanese, Beatrice Green, the corporal's grandmother.
- You can call me Bea.
- We appreciate you coming, Bea.
Is there anything we can get for you? Blessings from above.
We very much wanna help your grandson.
Daryl experiences things very deeply.
Too much sometimes.
Ma'am, push this button so that you can speak to him and release it so we can hear him.
- Daryl, this is Grandma Bea.
- Hello, Grandma.
How are you? Well, I'm a little busy at the moment.
- Is Sean okay? - Yeah, Granny.
He's doing fine.
He's seen better days.
- You sound tired.
- I am.
I am a bit.
Anything you wanna say about what's going on? Yes, ma'am, there is.
You see, I'm not just a Marine.
And I'm not just a father.
I'm a Marine who happens to be a father.
And l I don't love my country any less than I do my son.
I don't understand why I gotta choose between the two, ma'am.
That's it, Gram.
Will you give the child up? You know I will.
For Sean's sake, yeah.
He just needed someone to listen to him.
Gram? I wanna give him to you.
I want you to take care of Sean.
Ma'am, tell him to open the hatch, climb down and walk towards us.
No, sir.
No, no, general.
You send my grandma up to me.
Daryl, I can't get up on that thing.
I'm sorry, Grammy.
It's not gonna be any other way.
I love you.
Okay.
You sit tight, now, Sean.
Grandma will come see you.
Wanna see Grandma, huh? Corporal.
Talk to him, Daryl.
I don't blame you for your distrust, corporal.
I haven't been there for you.
And for that, I apologise.
I wanna talk to my grandma.
I'm your only shot.
Can you promise me Marie will not get my son, Sean? I'll do my best.
- You have to promise me, sir.
- It's out of my hands.
- Well, I got nothing left to say to you.
- Daryl.
Come on.
Give him up.
What do you have for all your efforts, Daryl? More trouble and less hope.
Thanks for the reassuring words, sir.
You're in deep, Daryl.
But together, we can work something out.
I'm staying here.
They're just gonna come for you.
He's got his sidearm with him.
A- 2, ready for command.
I'm not worried about that.
What are you gonna do, Daryl? Kill yourself? Well, sir, I don't see much of a future for myself.
Listen to me, man.
How can you say that you love your son and then deny him your presence? My son My son's not gonna know me.
- I'm gonna be behind bars.
- Hey.
He'll know what you did for him.
That much I can promise you.
If he goes for his sidearm, take your shot.
All right, sir.
All right.
It's okay, it's okay.
- Mac fill you in? - Yeah.
You want me to represent Wetzel's grandmother in a new hearing.
- Nice tie.
- Thanks.
Yeah, Wetzel will be out of town for a while.
- Fort Leavenworth? - Not much we can do about that.
What kind of sentence are you expecting? Looking for a pretrial that limits confinement to five years.
That's some goal, considering the number of offences.
You're not giving up, are you, counsellor? Touché.
You in? After what happened, the judge will be inclined to side with the mother.
Our only shot is to prove that she's unfit, so we'll need some hard evidence for that.
- Let's do it.
- Where's the evidence? Your Honour, Mrs.
Green, a widow for some 30 years, has dedicated her life to raising children.
She was a licensed foster parent for nine years prior to the untimely passing of her daughter and her son-in-law, whereupon she raised Daryl.
There is simply no one better suited to providing young Sean Wetzel with the support that he needs.
Mr.
Tobey? Your Honour, Corporal Wetzel is not exactly a poster boy for good upbringing.
Now, besides, in two trials, no one has provided a shred of evidence that Marie Wetzel here is incapable of raising her own child.
In the first trial, Corporal Wetzel made allegations, unsubstantiated at the time, that Marie Wetzel was an unrepentant drug user.
And that this behaviour inhibited her ability to care for their son.
I'd like Your Honour to consider this video shot by the Channel Nine News team.
Bye, baby.
Call me later.
Come on, Sean.
See you later.
The man in the Camaro is Gary William Stadler.
Now, Commander Rabb and Major MacKenzie were given permission to scan the raw footage for possible evidence.
When they did a background check on Mr.
Stadler, they discovered that he was in the county lockup, awaiting trial on charges of possession with intent to distribute crystallised methamphetamine.
This affidavit, signed by Mr.
Stadler, will show that he was providing Marie Wetzel with the drug for the past three years.
Mr.
Tobey, your response? We're gonna get through this.
Yes, we will, son.
Mr.
Scherer.
I was under the opinion that television news had forgotten how to serve us.
I thank you for proving me wrong.
Well, Commander Rabb deserves the credit for that, ma'am.
It was his idea to check the footage.
I'm grateful for that.
And I'm grateful to you for not making snap judgements against my grandson.
It's not his nature to be irrational or violent.
Mrs.
Green.
Your great-grandson, ma'am.
Ma'am, the Marine Corps supports the corporal's rehabilitation.
General Albanese himself has offered to monitor his counselling while he serves out his time.
You put yourself at risk for Daryl and Sean.
I guess you must know what it means to be a parent.
Well, ma'am, I know what it means to be a son.
Yes, I think you do.