The A-Team (1983) s05e02 Episode Script
Trial by Fire
Good evening.
I'm standing inside the entrance to Fort Owen in Southern California, where, in a heavily guarded stockade, the most infamous war criminals in US military history are confined.
Their names are already familiar to us: Colonel John "Hannibal" Smith, Lieutenant Templeton Peck, and Sergeant B.
A.
Baracus, the legendary A-Team of the Vietnam War.
Former war heroes turned popular cult figures, they were finally captured after nearly 15 grueling years as fugitives running from their own government.
They've been through a lot.
But now the most difficult challenge ever faced by the A-Team is about to begin.
A military court-martial.
Reporting live from Fort Owen in southern California, this is Tiiu Leek.
So, this is where they are.
The A-Team? Yes, sir.
They're in an area below in the stockade.
But with all due respect, Major, from what I hear, it'll be no easy trick holdin' onto 'em.
From what I hear, you are absolutely right, Corporal.
As you were.
Major Laskov, sir.
Major Laskov, I've heard some good things about you.
You may stand at ease.
Conviction, conviction, conviction again.
Your prosecution record's real impressive, Major.
Everybody in Washington's talking about you.
I trust we picked the right man to handle this case? I believe you did, General.
Yes.
Convicting the A-Team is awfully important to a lot of people.
I understand, sir.
I'm here to see to it that you really do understand.
Now, Major Laskov, that these men have evaded capture and repeatedly humiliated us on Capitol Hill is readily apparent.
But the Joint Chiefs are far more concerned about something else.
This so-called heroic legend that Smith, Peck, and Baracus have created for themselves is a slap in the face to every man and woman that honorably served in Southeast Asia.
Well, hell, the A-Team is an insult to anybody who ever wore a uniform.
I couldn't agree with you more, sir.
And we are fully prepared to see that justice is served.
Well, would you like me to show you a list of everybody else who thought they were prepared for the A-Team? Hannibal Smith is rather adept at invoking the element of surprise, Major.
With all due respect, sir, I don't think Colonel Smith's unorthodox strategies will be very effective in the face of a court-martial.
The A-Team will discover that the element of surprise is ours this time.
And so, after hitting that crucial home run in the bottom of the ninth, we won the orphanage league softball championship and I I suddenly found myself as somewhat of a celebrity.
Yeah, celebrity, with all 315 young ladies at Saint Teresa's.
Of course, I was only but I like to think of that experience as when I first discovered my real calling in life.
Yeah.
Did anyone ever tell you that you have a very, very special way with people? No.
Apparently not.
You're wasting your time, Face.
These guys all went to the Decker School of Charm.
Yeah.
You might be right.
Still I can't help but feel, we could've had so much in common.
Hey, Faceman, if you don't stop all your jibber jabber, you're gonna have my fist in common! Don't pay any attention to him.
He's always this way during the first few years of a life sentence.
Oh, cheer up, guys.
I think I hear room service.
I hope you brought B.
A.
's milk and cookies.
He gets cranky.
Somebody's here to see you, sir! Gentlemen, I've never been one to mince words, and I have no intention of starting now.
The government has had years to build a case against you.
I don't believe you have much chance of winning.
Well, winning isn't everything, as my daddy used to say.
In a court of law, it's the only thing, Colonel Smith.
Wait a minute, what do you mean, "We don't have much chance of winning"? I thought you were a hot-shot criminal defense lawyer.
Given the overwhelming evidence, I'd much rather be prosecuting than defending you, Lieutenant.
Unfortunately, that job's already been taken.
As I told you, I don't mince words.
No, but your optimism more than makes up for it.
If you feel that way about us, why you take the case in the first place? I received a letter asking me to look into the charges, from a very close friend of yours, a Frank Santana.
So I made a few phone calls.
That was when I discovered that the Army had assigned you a lawyer with very limited trial experience.
Clearly, nobody was going out of his way to provide you with the best defense the military has to offer.
So you volunteered even though you believe we're guilty? What I believe is irrelevant, Colonel.
We didn't commit no crime! Can you prove that? B.
A.
Baracus don't lie! I'm afraid we're going to need something a little more compelling than your word on this.
Take it easy, B.
A.
The prosecution is prepared to deal.
Plead guilty on all counts to charges of robbery, treason, and desertion, or face trial on the somewhat more serious charge of murder, Colonel Morrison being the victim.
Some choice.
Especially seeing that Colonel Morrison died in an artillery barrage.
Captain Josh Curtis claims he can place you at the scene.
Curtis is lyin'! The choice is yours, gentlemen.
I strongly recommend you consider the prosecution's offer.
Prison beats execution any day.
I'm only sorry I won't be there to see the joyful tear in Decker's eye when he hears about all this.
I know what you mean.
Hey, Hannibal, you think somebody really did kill Colonel Morrison? I don't know.
Where we're concerned, the Army's capable of anything, but I don't think they'd manufacture a lie like that.
What bothers me is where it could lead.
Why would the idea of a firing squad bother you? Face, are those guards still out of sight? Yeah.
I'm worried about Murdock.
What about Murdock? I mean, as far as they're concerned, he's just our chopper pilot.
Yeah, but think about somethin' for a minute.
When we left for Hanoi, Morrison was still breathing, right? Sure.
He's the one that gave us the final go-ahead on the mission.
And who was the last one to see Morrison alive? Well, Murdock reported back to HQ after dropping us off.
What you trying to say? Crazy Man Murdock didn't kill nobody.
I know that, B.
A.
And you know that.
But is that what the prosecutor would think? Hey, Murdock, how's it going, huh? As if you didn't know.
Listen, I was thinking, maybe I could watch some of the trial with you.
You know, lend a little support to our boys.
I wanna talk to you, come on.
Hey, hey.
Stop.
I just wanna make a little correction to something you said.
See, it's not "our boys," it's "my boys.
" Not "our boys.
" Okay, okay.
What do you want from me? I already told you Stockwell made me do it, didn't I? Oh, that's right, yeah.
He was holding up your dear father's pension checks, right? Well, that's a touching fiction, Frankie.
That was for real, Murdock.
And besides, who was it that got the best lawyer around to handle the case, huh? Frankie Santana, that's who.
Well, lucky for Frankie Santana that Hannibal believes you.
What's he doin' here? Now you've got somebody you can watch the trial with.
Mr.
Curtis, how did you come to know the accused? I met them in Vietnam while serving with the late Colonel Sam Morrison.
And how long were you with Colonel Morrison? Two years, sir.
Until he was murdered in January of 1971.
Objection.
The issue of murder is the ultimate legal issue before this court to be determined by this honorable body, not by the witness.
All right, check it out.
My man, Bennie.
All his friends call him Bennie.
He's gonna make mincemeat out of these bozos.
Your honor, Colonel Morrison's body was exhumed from Arlington National Cemetery last week.
I make an offer of proof to this court, and let the record reflect that I now submit the official pathology findings of the Army's Medical Corps director.
Colonel Morrison was murdered.
Shot twice at close range, prior to the enemy shelling.
I acknowledge prior receipt of this report, your honor, but object to its entry into evidence on the grounds of hearsay.
Overruled, Mr.
Conway.
You may proceed, Major.
Just exactly when do we get to the "mincemeat" part, Frankie? Are you kidding me? See, he's just letting them get a false sense of security, see.
Mr.
Curtis, please tell this court exactly what happened on 27 January, 1971.
Colonel Morrison told me that he had discovered that Smith, Peck, and Baracus had planned on robbing the Bank of Hanoi.
The Colonel's signature had been forged on orders requesting a helicopter for that mission.
The Colonel had always trusted the A-Team implicitly.
This news was quite a shock to him.
Objection, your honor.
This man's entire testimony is based on nothing but hearsay and speculation.
It lacks foundation.
Okay.
Now, pay attention, amigo.
We're gonna show them how we do it in the big leagues.
I offer into evidence the same offer of proof.
A duplicate of the document in question.
Handwriting experts confirm that Colonel Morrison's signature is, in fact, a forgery in the hand of Lieutenant Templeton Peck.
Best evidence rule, your honor, unless the prosecution can show location and condition of the original documents, how can we rely on mere copies? This document had its origin in the combat zone, Mr.
Conway.
We will allow the duplicates for what they're worth.
Well, I think things are going rather nicely so far, don't you? I don't know where he got that phony paper.
Morrison signed the orders in front of me and handed them to me personally.
Please continue, Mr.
Curtis.
Well, I I left the GHQ for dinner.
Colonel Morrison said he was going to stay there and confront the A-Team.
When I returned, I heard a very loud argument from the Colonel's office.
The Colonel was saying, "Just because you're a member of the A-Team, "doesn't mean you can threaten me.
" Did you recognize the voice of the man with Colonel Morrison? Yes, sir, I did.
It was It was one of the accused, Colonel John Smith.
I left immediately to alert the MPs, but that was the exact same time that the shelling began from the enemy.
Our headquarters took a direct hit.
I didn't think anyone could survive that explosion.
As I looked through the smoke and the flames, I did see someone run from that building.
I swear it was Colonel John Smith.
He's lyin'! Order! We was in North Vietnam that night! This is contempt of court, Sergeant.
I'm not gonna sit down and let that fool lie! Sit down! Restrain the accused! Order! Order! Your honor, Sergeant Baracus was trying to say we didn't do it.
Well, how thoughtful.
They sent somebody to tuck us in, guys.
Come out, come out, whoever you are.
Thank you for coming, Colonel.
I was in the neighborhood.
You? I'm hearing certain things about your impending trial that concern me a great deal.
You're not the only one who's concerned.
When we first met to discuss an association with the A-Team, I had no idea I was employing murderers.
You weren't.
We didn't kill Colonel Morrison.
Well, I understand the Army is reviewing candidates for your firing squad.
Oh, gee.
You didn't have to go to all this trouble just to cheer me up.
Obviously, my initial instincts were mistaken.
I don't like to be wrong.
Who are you, Stockwell? What's this midnight melodrama? Well, just call me an interested third party.
Well, I've got a suggestion for you.
Obviously, somebody made a deal with Josh Curtis.
They agreed to layoff that slime-ball, gun-running back of his, in return for rolling over on the A-Team.
Now, if you're really interested in us, why don't you use your influence in Washington to clear us? Are you suggesting that I interfere with the due process of law? I figured I'd do better with a firing squad.
There's one question that begs to be asked.
Why'd you wait so long to come forward with your testimony? The war has a way of leaving very deep scars.
It's been quite a few years since I've been able to talk about it at all.
Mr.
Curtis, how do you earn your living, sir? I'm self-employed.
I'm in the import-export field.
And what sort of things do you import and export, sir? Office equipment, farm machinery, that sort of thing.
Weapons? Objection.
I fail to see how this line of questioning concerns us.
The integrity of these proceedings very much concern us.
This is an official, notarized Interpol report to the French government, dated May 17th of this year, which describes the prosecution's witness, Josh Curtis, as, and I quote, "A principle figure in international gun smuggling.
" Objection overruled, Major.
Thank you, your honor.
So, Mr.
Curtis.
What about these reports? Have you ever been involved in gun smuggling? Yes.
No further questions, your honor.
We're in the last reel now, Madman.
Benny's on the loose, the opposition's on the run.
I wouldn't bet on it.
I pursued Colonel Smith and the A-Team for three long years.
I lost track of how many laws they broke, and how much military property they destroyed.
I can tell you this.
Rules mean nothing to these men, and they're loyal to no one but themselves.
I have no doubt that they're capable of the crimes for which they are accused.
What a guy.
Colonel Decker, in those three long years that you pursued the A-Team, were you ever aware of any civilians who were in trouble that they might have helped? I was.
In your estimation, how many civilians who were in trouble did they help in those three years? I wouldn't know.
Well, take a guess.
A dozen? Several dozen? Several dozen.
But that doesn't make it right.
Thank you.
No further questions, your honor.
And like I said, before I know what's happening, those A-Team guys is all over my case.
I mean, they're wrecking my auto-repair shop.
Mr.
Bertane, I call your attention to these articles in Chicago newspapers.
They're investigative reports about the proliferation of stolen auto parts.
Would you explain to this court why your name appears so prominently in these articles? Objection! The witness is not on trial here.
He ought to be.
Nobody has ever convicted Marko Bertane of no crime! All I know is that they wrecked my life and the business that my beloved father built with his own hands! You guys are animals! I hope you get what you deserve! I know what you deserve, sucker! Silence! Lying fool! Remove the prisoner and the witness from the courtroom.
Order! Order in the courtroom.
I thought we were beginning to make some progress.
Well, B.
A.
's always been just a bit high-strung.
Look, if you want them to believe you're innocent, the four of you are gonna have to take the stand and convince them.
What do you mean, all four of us? They're planning to call your friend Captain Murdock to testify against you.
Murdock? I was wondering why they hadn't named him in the original indictment.
I think they plan to break him down on the stand and then indict him as a co-conspirator.
Murdock on the stand.
That should be interesting.
Mr.
Murdock, do you remember seeing Colonel Morrison on the night in question? Certainly.
I flew the accused to the aforementioned Hanoi bank, and then I returned, as per my orders, later that evening to Colonel The late Colonel Morrison's office.
What time was this? About 8:00.
This was before the enemy shelling? Oh, yes.
It was just before, as a matter of fact.
You see, that evening, there was a lot of enemy activity as I returned to the base.
And that's why I had to fly in fast and low.
This is Captain Murdock, I'm under attack! Mayday, mayday! I'm under attack! Mayday! No, is it possible? Can someone make a mayday call in January? Quick, someone bring me an Army manual.
Oh, I'm sorry, Captain.
We just ran out of Army manuals, and all we have left are the Navy manuals and a few vegetarian Boy Scout manuals.
Then you'd better kiss me.
I tried to run my ship by the book, but how could I? I didn't know where the manuals were.
I mean, naturally I was upset.
What kind of war was this, where you run out of Army manuals.
And all the officers, they were all unreliable.
They were all disloyal.
That's where I had them, I knew where the manuals were.
They laughed at me and they made jokes.
But I proved beyond the shadow of a doubt and with geometric logic that a duplicate key to the wardroom bookcase did exist.
And I would have produced that key, but Naturally, I'm trying to cover these things by memory, and if I've left anything out, you just ask me specific questions and I'll try to answer them one by one.
No further questions, your honor.
As you know, Mr.
Murdock resides in the VA psychiatric facility in Los Angeles.
Thank you, Major Laskov.
That's it.
That's all they have.
They still haven't established motive.
Why would you have wanted to kill Colonel Morrison.
Now it's up to us to sell ourselves.
You may call your next witness, please.
Colonel Smith, could you tell us about your mission on the National Bank of Hanoi.
Well, the war had dragged on and on.
And then Colonel Morrison told me that he had a secret mission for me and my team that could possibly help end the war.
And you were in favor of that? Who wouldn't be? Seems like an impossibly dangerous thing to do to rob the Bank of Hanoi.
How did you ever hope to pull it off? It was January 27, the Tet New Year.
It's the biggest holiday in Asia.
We knew the streets in Hanoi would be jammed.
The plan was to come in early Sunday morning.
The Tet celebration was really cooking in the streets.
And everything went according to schedule.
Sergeant Baracus was to take out the burglar alarm, while I handled the guards.
While Sergeant Baracus set the explosives on the safe, Lieutenant Peck was outside obtaining a getaway vehicle.
They didn't notice us in the bank.
We had the Army money and then we hit a snag.
Two NVA soldiers decided to stop by and hang out right by the getaway truck.
This forced Lieutenant Peck to commandeer another vehicle.
When Sergeant Baracus appeared at the window to investigate, all hell broke loose.
That's quite a heroic saga, Colonel.
How much did you steal from the bank? Ten million piasters.
That's about one million US dollars.
A Bank of Hanoi audit shows a loss of 50 million piasters.
Then some North Vietnamese got very rich.
All we got was 10 million.
You insult this court, Colonel.
Objection! Counsel is arguing with the accused.
Sustained.
The fact is that Colonel Morrison discovered your plan and you weren't about to let him stand in the way of 50 million piasters.
Isn't that right? We wouldn't kill Colonel Morrison.
Have you ever killed anybody? In war, of course I did.
Then you are capable of taking a human life.
That's what you do in a war to an enemy.
Colonel Morrison was not an enemy.
So the distinction is that killing the Viet Cong was okay? Now who's insulting the court? Just answer the question, Colonel.
The Viet Cong was the enemy.
They killed us, we killed them.
Your honor, it may be true that money alone was not enough of a motive for killing Colonel Morrison.
Colonel Smith would have us believe there was no motive whatsoever for murdering a respected senior officer.
Therefore, I would like to submit as rebuttal evidence at this time, a significant new document which has only just now been declassified and come into my possession.
It is secret congressional testimony on the US conduct of the Vietnam conflict, by one Colonel Chun Van Quyet of the North Vietnamese Army.
Objection! This eleventh-hour maneuver must be disallowed on the grounds that Colonel Quyet is not here for cross examination.
Your honor, in exchange for his valuable cooperation with postwar intelligence, the Army provided Colonel Quyet with a confidential, new identity in this country.
While I know no precedents, I'll take the evidence under advisement.
You will note that on page 1174, Colonel Quyet has documented a list of 20 American soldiers who provided information to the North Vietnamese Army in exchange for money.
At the top of that list you will find the name of one Samuel Morrison, Colonel, United States Army.
Colonel Smith, I submit that you, Lieutenant Peck, and Sergeant Baracus discovered that Morrison was working with the enemy.
You acted as judge and jury, you took the law into your own hands, and killed him in cold blood.
Gentlemen, if you have a rabbit under those hats, I suggest you let him out now.
Hey, slow down a minute, will you? Where you going? I don't have time to chat.
I know where you're going.
You're going after that Colonel Quyet, huh? You figured he would've known Morrison sent you on that mission, right? Right.
Well, did it ever occur to you that maybe you're gonna need some help, huh? Old Frankie Santana can improve the odds.
Now I gotta tell you, I'm getting sick and tired of Frankie Santana.
Here we go again.
Murdock! Besides me, who's the one guy who seems to know everything, huh? Stockwell.
Twenty bucks says he's got Quyet on ice someplace.
Yeah? Hey, you forgot.
I have his home number.
That's okay, I forgive you.
Empress 12, urgent.
Frankie Santana's trying to reach you, sir.
They want information on Quyet.
Ignore him.
Pizza parlor? How could it be a pizza parlor? Never mind.
Never mind, son.
This isn't a job for ordinary men, anyway.
This takes a special breed.
Special breed? What are you talking about, Murdock? Now, repeat after me.
Fly by night.
Repeat after me.
Fly by night, Fly by night, laugh and say, laugh and say, beating up bad guys makes my day.
What'd you eat for lunch, man? That's the credo of the Flying Nighthawk Commando.
Words to live by.
You'll get the hang of it.
Colonel Morrison, an NVA agent.
I just can't believe it.
Seems to be true.
Even so, surely the court would need more than that to convict us of murder.
Ever watch Perry Mason, Face? Motive, method, opportunity.
That's what he always looked for, and that's what that prosecutor says he's got on us.
Well, what are we gonna do? I think we're gonna get nailed.
Just checking.
Crazy Man said he was at headquarters when Colonel Morrison was killed.
So? So he never told us that.
Maybe he forgot.
How could you just forget something like that? The human mind's a funny thing, Face.
Sometimes it tries to protects us by blocking out unpleasant experience.
You think Murdock could have killed Colonel Morrison? That's impossible.
If you found out Morrison was working for the Viet Cong, what would you have done? We've been here all night, Murdock.
Never say die, son.
That's the first commandment.
All clear on the perimeter.
Wow, you know, I've always wanted to wear a hat like this.
You know, it's like a dream come true.
The second commandment, soldier, is never say "wow.
" I have to work on it.
Man, I'm not gonna make any promises on this mission.
You already know the score.
Three of our flyboys are down behind enemy lines, and they need our help.
It's not gonna be a cakewalk and some of us ain't coming back for Thanksgiving dinner and pumpkin pie.
But are you with me? It's a damn fine bunch of boys, Frankie.
Okay.
Well, this puppy's set to pop.
You and your friends might wanna step back for this.
The third commandment is never leave your cap in plain sight.
That's a good one.
Now! Whoa, man, did you see that? Put three cameras on this, with a little backlight and bee smoke, and we're talking masterpiece theater.
Men.
Men, the A-Team brief.
Find Colonel Quyet's address.
Get a copy of the A-Team brief.
With all this help, how could we miss it, huh? Bingo! Chun Van Quyet.
It's a wrap.
Men, I think our mission is accomplished.
What a harrowing physical display you gave us.
Do you always solve problems with your fists, Sergeant? I can take care of myself.
As you have so vividly demonstrated.
I apologize if any of my questions offend you.
I wonder if Colonel Morrison made the same mistake in 1971.
I already told you, I didn't kill him.
Then perhaps you know who did.
If I knew, I would tell you.
Who pulled the trigger, Sergeant? Was it Colonel Smith? Hannibal was in Hanoi with me.
Or Lieutenant Peck? Him, too.
Oh, I see.
I see.
You were all in Hanoi.
All right, then let's talk about Captain Murdock, your pilot.
Now, he testified under oath that he had returned to headquarters.
Oh, no.
Everybody in the world know the man is a fool.
He's crazy.
He sees people who ain't really there.
He talk in circles all the time.
He seems like a disturbed individual.
Do you think he's dangerous? Murdock won't hurt nobody.
I wonder.
If there are no further questions, Major Laskov, we will take a one-hour recess for lunch.
All right, soldier, this is where he works.
Let's synchronize our watches.
I'm not wearin' a watch.
A Fighting Nighthawk Commando always wears a watch.
Let me guess, fifth commandment, right? Oh, fourth.
Fourth.
A table for two, gentlemen? No, we're here to see the man.
And what man are you referring to? Colonel Chun Van Quyet.
I believe the United States Government set him up in this restaurant.
I don't believe I'm familiar with him.
Perhaps my co-workers are.
That's Quyet.
Come on.
Gentlemen, I trust you had a pleasant lunch? I trust you have more on your mind than our happy tummies? I'll be brief.
We all know that what the Army wants out of this trial, is an A-Team conviction.
But what I'm interested in here is justice.
I think the panel can be convinced that Captain Murdock was operating on his own and in a questionable mental condition when he killed Colonel Morrison.
Help me do that.
It could save your lives.
Major, you can take your proposal Nice try, Major.
But we've got this beaten, and you know it.
I just learned that Captain Murdock has located Quyet.
Now, if his testimony confirms your story, you guys are off the hook.
Now all we have to do is recall Josh Curtis to the stand and find out why he lied.
All rise.
This court-martial is back in session.
His honor Colonel Thomas Milo presiding.
I'm sorry to begin the afternoon with this sad news, but I want the counsel to be informed that a principal witness in this case has had a tragic accident.
Captain Josh Curtis was killed early this morning by a hit-and-run driver.
Well.
So much for recalling Curtis.
If Quyet clears our names, they'll nail Murdock.
What we gonna do? Mr.
Conway, would you call your witness? Your honor, I'd like to request a short recess, given this recent development Your honor, I think I can save us a lot of time.
Do you wish to address the court, Colonel? I'm changing my plea.
What? I plead guilty as charged.
I killed Colonel Morrison.
Your honor, clearly my client is upset with the And I helped him do it.
It was all three of us.
This court will take a 30-minute recess.
Are you out of your minds? Well, it wouldn't be the first time we were accused of it.
Nobody tries to plead guilty in a capital case.
A man can only live with his guilt so long.
Yeah, we hate guilt.
But we are winning! Their case is shot full of holes and once Colonel Quyet testifies, it'll be shot down entirely! Would you mind not using words like "full of holes," "shot down"? It conjures up such a negative image.
All right, you wanna sabotage your own trial, I'll just withdraw and you can do whatever you want.
I should warn you, though, that requires a mistrial and you'll have to go through this whole thing all over again.
Suppose we really did kill Morrison? You could never kill anybody in cold blood.
I'm sure of it.
All right, Mr.
Conway, we'll try it your way.
Murdock, this is crazy, man.
I don't get it.
I mean, we blocked the guy's door.
We don't even know if he's home yet.
What if he left town already? No, no, no, he hasn't left.
I just saw him pop his head right out through the curtains.
Are you ready? Yeah, but I still don't think it's gonna work.
Don't be discouraged, son.
Let the lyrics of the Fighting Nighthawk Commandos' theme song gird your loins.
Fighting nighthawks in the sky Brave and loyal are these guys Brothers turning wrong to right Murdock, it's Quyet Murdock? fight, fight, fight Fighting nightingales, fighting nightingales Murdock? Fighting nightingales Hey! Frankie, Frankie, don't you wanna pick up all the garbage in the alley? I told you this was dumb.
I can't get this thing to work.
I'm a genius.
Welcome to Fantasy Island, Colonel.
What do you want with me? Information.
I have nothing to say.
Too bad.
Let her rip! Every litter bit hurts, Colonel.
Stop it! Stop it! Okay, okay, I'll tell you what you wanna know? Was Colonel Morrison a North Vietnamese operative? Yes.
Then why did he send the A-Team to rob the Bank of Hanoi? It was supposed to be a trap.
But the message couldn't get to our unit in time to stop them.
It was to be an embarrassment to your country.
United States Army! Murdock, company! Throw down your weapons, you're surrounded.
You are a fool.
I called them.
You must now release me, or you will die.
A Fighting Nighthawk Commando doesn't know the meaning of the word "die"! What's the first commandment, Franklin? Never leave your cap out in plain view, right? That's close enough! Hit it! Fighting Nighthawk express and we're coming through, so watch out! Fighting nighthawks in the sky Brave and loyal are these guys Brothers turning wrong to right Never running from a fight, fight, fight Well, that's certainly a cheerful-looking little group.
Yeah.
They could at least smile.
The accused rise.
Stop these proceedings! Stop the proceedings! Your honor.
We have located a very important witness, and I believe he can finally shed some light on this case.
Is that you, Captain Murdock? Yes, it is, your honor.
And if you'll bear with me, I believe we can finally establish some testimony here that will once and for all and beyond a shadow of a doubt prove that A-Team is innocent of all charges.
You may continue.
Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God? I do.
What is your name, sir? Chun Van Quyet.
Are you not the same gentleman who gave a statement before the United States Congress in regard to Colonel Morrison's work for the Viet Cong? I am.
I see.
Would you give us your version of the famed mission on the National Bank of Hanoi, sir? I was shocked when it happened.
Well, wait a minute.
That's not what you told me.
We should have anticipated the A-Team was capable of such a mission.
I wish Colonel Morrison and I could have recruited them.
What do you mean by this? I had many times told Morrison, we should make them an offer.
But he always said no.
He said they were loyal American patriots.
Loyal American patriots? Colonel Morrison, the man that these men were supposed to have killed in fact held the A-Team in high regard? No.
He feared them.
Colonel Morrison told me that if Smith and the A-Team discovered he was an agent, they would not hesitate to kill him.
What do you think, General? I think the A-Team looks as guilty as hell.
However, the guilty must pay for their crimes.
They must have known the risks.
Tell the pilot I'm ready.
Right away, sir.
Would the accused rise? What does the panel find? Colonel Smith, Lieutenant Peck, Sergeant Baracus, it is my duty as president of this court to inform you that in closed session, upon secret ballot, all of the members present concurred in finding you guilty as charged, and sentencing you to be put to death.
The accused are remanded to military police custody, and sentence will be carried out as soon as possible.
This court is adjourned.
I'm standing inside the entrance to Fort Owen in Southern California, where, in a heavily guarded stockade, the most infamous war criminals in US military history are confined.
Their names are already familiar to us: Colonel John "Hannibal" Smith, Lieutenant Templeton Peck, and Sergeant B.
A.
Baracus, the legendary A-Team of the Vietnam War.
Former war heroes turned popular cult figures, they were finally captured after nearly 15 grueling years as fugitives running from their own government.
They've been through a lot.
But now the most difficult challenge ever faced by the A-Team is about to begin.
A military court-martial.
Reporting live from Fort Owen in southern California, this is Tiiu Leek.
So, this is where they are.
The A-Team? Yes, sir.
They're in an area below in the stockade.
But with all due respect, Major, from what I hear, it'll be no easy trick holdin' onto 'em.
From what I hear, you are absolutely right, Corporal.
As you were.
Major Laskov, sir.
Major Laskov, I've heard some good things about you.
You may stand at ease.
Conviction, conviction, conviction again.
Your prosecution record's real impressive, Major.
Everybody in Washington's talking about you.
I trust we picked the right man to handle this case? I believe you did, General.
Yes.
Convicting the A-Team is awfully important to a lot of people.
I understand, sir.
I'm here to see to it that you really do understand.
Now, Major Laskov, that these men have evaded capture and repeatedly humiliated us on Capitol Hill is readily apparent.
But the Joint Chiefs are far more concerned about something else.
This so-called heroic legend that Smith, Peck, and Baracus have created for themselves is a slap in the face to every man and woman that honorably served in Southeast Asia.
Well, hell, the A-Team is an insult to anybody who ever wore a uniform.
I couldn't agree with you more, sir.
And we are fully prepared to see that justice is served.
Well, would you like me to show you a list of everybody else who thought they were prepared for the A-Team? Hannibal Smith is rather adept at invoking the element of surprise, Major.
With all due respect, sir, I don't think Colonel Smith's unorthodox strategies will be very effective in the face of a court-martial.
The A-Team will discover that the element of surprise is ours this time.
And so, after hitting that crucial home run in the bottom of the ninth, we won the orphanage league softball championship and I I suddenly found myself as somewhat of a celebrity.
Yeah, celebrity, with all 315 young ladies at Saint Teresa's.
Of course, I was only but I like to think of that experience as when I first discovered my real calling in life.
Yeah.
Did anyone ever tell you that you have a very, very special way with people? No.
Apparently not.
You're wasting your time, Face.
These guys all went to the Decker School of Charm.
Yeah.
You might be right.
Still I can't help but feel, we could've had so much in common.
Hey, Faceman, if you don't stop all your jibber jabber, you're gonna have my fist in common! Don't pay any attention to him.
He's always this way during the first few years of a life sentence.
Oh, cheer up, guys.
I think I hear room service.
I hope you brought B.
A.
's milk and cookies.
He gets cranky.
Somebody's here to see you, sir! Gentlemen, I've never been one to mince words, and I have no intention of starting now.
The government has had years to build a case against you.
I don't believe you have much chance of winning.
Well, winning isn't everything, as my daddy used to say.
In a court of law, it's the only thing, Colonel Smith.
Wait a minute, what do you mean, "We don't have much chance of winning"? I thought you were a hot-shot criminal defense lawyer.
Given the overwhelming evidence, I'd much rather be prosecuting than defending you, Lieutenant.
Unfortunately, that job's already been taken.
As I told you, I don't mince words.
No, but your optimism more than makes up for it.
If you feel that way about us, why you take the case in the first place? I received a letter asking me to look into the charges, from a very close friend of yours, a Frank Santana.
So I made a few phone calls.
That was when I discovered that the Army had assigned you a lawyer with very limited trial experience.
Clearly, nobody was going out of his way to provide you with the best defense the military has to offer.
So you volunteered even though you believe we're guilty? What I believe is irrelevant, Colonel.
We didn't commit no crime! Can you prove that? B.
A.
Baracus don't lie! I'm afraid we're going to need something a little more compelling than your word on this.
Take it easy, B.
A.
The prosecution is prepared to deal.
Plead guilty on all counts to charges of robbery, treason, and desertion, or face trial on the somewhat more serious charge of murder, Colonel Morrison being the victim.
Some choice.
Especially seeing that Colonel Morrison died in an artillery barrage.
Captain Josh Curtis claims he can place you at the scene.
Curtis is lyin'! The choice is yours, gentlemen.
I strongly recommend you consider the prosecution's offer.
Prison beats execution any day.
I'm only sorry I won't be there to see the joyful tear in Decker's eye when he hears about all this.
I know what you mean.
Hey, Hannibal, you think somebody really did kill Colonel Morrison? I don't know.
Where we're concerned, the Army's capable of anything, but I don't think they'd manufacture a lie like that.
What bothers me is where it could lead.
Why would the idea of a firing squad bother you? Face, are those guards still out of sight? Yeah.
I'm worried about Murdock.
What about Murdock? I mean, as far as they're concerned, he's just our chopper pilot.
Yeah, but think about somethin' for a minute.
When we left for Hanoi, Morrison was still breathing, right? Sure.
He's the one that gave us the final go-ahead on the mission.
And who was the last one to see Morrison alive? Well, Murdock reported back to HQ after dropping us off.
What you trying to say? Crazy Man Murdock didn't kill nobody.
I know that, B.
A.
And you know that.
But is that what the prosecutor would think? Hey, Murdock, how's it going, huh? As if you didn't know.
Listen, I was thinking, maybe I could watch some of the trial with you.
You know, lend a little support to our boys.
I wanna talk to you, come on.
Hey, hey.
Stop.
I just wanna make a little correction to something you said.
See, it's not "our boys," it's "my boys.
" Not "our boys.
" Okay, okay.
What do you want from me? I already told you Stockwell made me do it, didn't I? Oh, that's right, yeah.
He was holding up your dear father's pension checks, right? Well, that's a touching fiction, Frankie.
That was for real, Murdock.
And besides, who was it that got the best lawyer around to handle the case, huh? Frankie Santana, that's who.
Well, lucky for Frankie Santana that Hannibal believes you.
What's he doin' here? Now you've got somebody you can watch the trial with.
Mr.
Curtis, how did you come to know the accused? I met them in Vietnam while serving with the late Colonel Sam Morrison.
And how long were you with Colonel Morrison? Two years, sir.
Until he was murdered in January of 1971.
Objection.
The issue of murder is the ultimate legal issue before this court to be determined by this honorable body, not by the witness.
All right, check it out.
My man, Bennie.
All his friends call him Bennie.
He's gonna make mincemeat out of these bozos.
Your honor, Colonel Morrison's body was exhumed from Arlington National Cemetery last week.
I make an offer of proof to this court, and let the record reflect that I now submit the official pathology findings of the Army's Medical Corps director.
Colonel Morrison was murdered.
Shot twice at close range, prior to the enemy shelling.
I acknowledge prior receipt of this report, your honor, but object to its entry into evidence on the grounds of hearsay.
Overruled, Mr.
Conway.
You may proceed, Major.
Just exactly when do we get to the "mincemeat" part, Frankie? Are you kidding me? See, he's just letting them get a false sense of security, see.
Mr.
Curtis, please tell this court exactly what happened on 27 January, 1971.
Colonel Morrison told me that he had discovered that Smith, Peck, and Baracus had planned on robbing the Bank of Hanoi.
The Colonel's signature had been forged on orders requesting a helicopter for that mission.
The Colonel had always trusted the A-Team implicitly.
This news was quite a shock to him.
Objection, your honor.
This man's entire testimony is based on nothing but hearsay and speculation.
It lacks foundation.
Okay.
Now, pay attention, amigo.
We're gonna show them how we do it in the big leagues.
I offer into evidence the same offer of proof.
A duplicate of the document in question.
Handwriting experts confirm that Colonel Morrison's signature is, in fact, a forgery in the hand of Lieutenant Templeton Peck.
Best evidence rule, your honor, unless the prosecution can show location and condition of the original documents, how can we rely on mere copies? This document had its origin in the combat zone, Mr.
Conway.
We will allow the duplicates for what they're worth.
Well, I think things are going rather nicely so far, don't you? I don't know where he got that phony paper.
Morrison signed the orders in front of me and handed them to me personally.
Please continue, Mr.
Curtis.
Well, I I left the GHQ for dinner.
Colonel Morrison said he was going to stay there and confront the A-Team.
When I returned, I heard a very loud argument from the Colonel's office.
The Colonel was saying, "Just because you're a member of the A-Team, "doesn't mean you can threaten me.
" Did you recognize the voice of the man with Colonel Morrison? Yes, sir, I did.
It was It was one of the accused, Colonel John Smith.
I left immediately to alert the MPs, but that was the exact same time that the shelling began from the enemy.
Our headquarters took a direct hit.
I didn't think anyone could survive that explosion.
As I looked through the smoke and the flames, I did see someone run from that building.
I swear it was Colonel John Smith.
He's lyin'! Order! We was in North Vietnam that night! This is contempt of court, Sergeant.
I'm not gonna sit down and let that fool lie! Sit down! Restrain the accused! Order! Order! Your honor, Sergeant Baracus was trying to say we didn't do it.
Well, how thoughtful.
They sent somebody to tuck us in, guys.
Come out, come out, whoever you are.
Thank you for coming, Colonel.
I was in the neighborhood.
You? I'm hearing certain things about your impending trial that concern me a great deal.
You're not the only one who's concerned.
When we first met to discuss an association with the A-Team, I had no idea I was employing murderers.
You weren't.
We didn't kill Colonel Morrison.
Well, I understand the Army is reviewing candidates for your firing squad.
Oh, gee.
You didn't have to go to all this trouble just to cheer me up.
Obviously, my initial instincts were mistaken.
I don't like to be wrong.
Who are you, Stockwell? What's this midnight melodrama? Well, just call me an interested third party.
Well, I've got a suggestion for you.
Obviously, somebody made a deal with Josh Curtis.
They agreed to layoff that slime-ball, gun-running back of his, in return for rolling over on the A-Team.
Now, if you're really interested in us, why don't you use your influence in Washington to clear us? Are you suggesting that I interfere with the due process of law? I figured I'd do better with a firing squad.
There's one question that begs to be asked.
Why'd you wait so long to come forward with your testimony? The war has a way of leaving very deep scars.
It's been quite a few years since I've been able to talk about it at all.
Mr.
Curtis, how do you earn your living, sir? I'm self-employed.
I'm in the import-export field.
And what sort of things do you import and export, sir? Office equipment, farm machinery, that sort of thing.
Weapons? Objection.
I fail to see how this line of questioning concerns us.
The integrity of these proceedings very much concern us.
This is an official, notarized Interpol report to the French government, dated May 17th of this year, which describes the prosecution's witness, Josh Curtis, as, and I quote, "A principle figure in international gun smuggling.
" Objection overruled, Major.
Thank you, your honor.
So, Mr.
Curtis.
What about these reports? Have you ever been involved in gun smuggling? Yes.
No further questions, your honor.
We're in the last reel now, Madman.
Benny's on the loose, the opposition's on the run.
I wouldn't bet on it.
I pursued Colonel Smith and the A-Team for three long years.
I lost track of how many laws they broke, and how much military property they destroyed.
I can tell you this.
Rules mean nothing to these men, and they're loyal to no one but themselves.
I have no doubt that they're capable of the crimes for which they are accused.
What a guy.
Colonel Decker, in those three long years that you pursued the A-Team, were you ever aware of any civilians who were in trouble that they might have helped? I was.
In your estimation, how many civilians who were in trouble did they help in those three years? I wouldn't know.
Well, take a guess.
A dozen? Several dozen? Several dozen.
But that doesn't make it right.
Thank you.
No further questions, your honor.
And like I said, before I know what's happening, those A-Team guys is all over my case.
I mean, they're wrecking my auto-repair shop.
Mr.
Bertane, I call your attention to these articles in Chicago newspapers.
They're investigative reports about the proliferation of stolen auto parts.
Would you explain to this court why your name appears so prominently in these articles? Objection! The witness is not on trial here.
He ought to be.
Nobody has ever convicted Marko Bertane of no crime! All I know is that they wrecked my life and the business that my beloved father built with his own hands! You guys are animals! I hope you get what you deserve! I know what you deserve, sucker! Silence! Lying fool! Remove the prisoner and the witness from the courtroom.
Order! Order in the courtroom.
I thought we were beginning to make some progress.
Well, B.
A.
's always been just a bit high-strung.
Look, if you want them to believe you're innocent, the four of you are gonna have to take the stand and convince them.
What do you mean, all four of us? They're planning to call your friend Captain Murdock to testify against you.
Murdock? I was wondering why they hadn't named him in the original indictment.
I think they plan to break him down on the stand and then indict him as a co-conspirator.
Murdock on the stand.
That should be interesting.
Mr.
Murdock, do you remember seeing Colonel Morrison on the night in question? Certainly.
I flew the accused to the aforementioned Hanoi bank, and then I returned, as per my orders, later that evening to Colonel The late Colonel Morrison's office.
What time was this? About 8:00.
This was before the enemy shelling? Oh, yes.
It was just before, as a matter of fact.
You see, that evening, there was a lot of enemy activity as I returned to the base.
And that's why I had to fly in fast and low.
This is Captain Murdock, I'm under attack! Mayday, mayday! I'm under attack! Mayday! No, is it possible? Can someone make a mayday call in January? Quick, someone bring me an Army manual.
Oh, I'm sorry, Captain.
We just ran out of Army manuals, and all we have left are the Navy manuals and a few vegetarian Boy Scout manuals.
Then you'd better kiss me.
I tried to run my ship by the book, but how could I? I didn't know where the manuals were.
I mean, naturally I was upset.
What kind of war was this, where you run out of Army manuals.
And all the officers, they were all unreliable.
They were all disloyal.
That's where I had them, I knew where the manuals were.
They laughed at me and they made jokes.
But I proved beyond the shadow of a doubt and with geometric logic that a duplicate key to the wardroom bookcase did exist.
And I would have produced that key, but Naturally, I'm trying to cover these things by memory, and if I've left anything out, you just ask me specific questions and I'll try to answer them one by one.
No further questions, your honor.
As you know, Mr.
Murdock resides in the VA psychiatric facility in Los Angeles.
Thank you, Major Laskov.
That's it.
That's all they have.
They still haven't established motive.
Why would you have wanted to kill Colonel Morrison.
Now it's up to us to sell ourselves.
You may call your next witness, please.
Colonel Smith, could you tell us about your mission on the National Bank of Hanoi.
Well, the war had dragged on and on.
And then Colonel Morrison told me that he had a secret mission for me and my team that could possibly help end the war.
And you were in favor of that? Who wouldn't be? Seems like an impossibly dangerous thing to do to rob the Bank of Hanoi.
How did you ever hope to pull it off? It was January 27, the Tet New Year.
It's the biggest holiday in Asia.
We knew the streets in Hanoi would be jammed.
The plan was to come in early Sunday morning.
The Tet celebration was really cooking in the streets.
And everything went according to schedule.
Sergeant Baracus was to take out the burglar alarm, while I handled the guards.
While Sergeant Baracus set the explosives on the safe, Lieutenant Peck was outside obtaining a getaway vehicle.
They didn't notice us in the bank.
We had the Army money and then we hit a snag.
Two NVA soldiers decided to stop by and hang out right by the getaway truck.
This forced Lieutenant Peck to commandeer another vehicle.
When Sergeant Baracus appeared at the window to investigate, all hell broke loose.
That's quite a heroic saga, Colonel.
How much did you steal from the bank? Ten million piasters.
That's about one million US dollars.
A Bank of Hanoi audit shows a loss of 50 million piasters.
Then some North Vietnamese got very rich.
All we got was 10 million.
You insult this court, Colonel.
Objection! Counsel is arguing with the accused.
Sustained.
The fact is that Colonel Morrison discovered your plan and you weren't about to let him stand in the way of 50 million piasters.
Isn't that right? We wouldn't kill Colonel Morrison.
Have you ever killed anybody? In war, of course I did.
Then you are capable of taking a human life.
That's what you do in a war to an enemy.
Colonel Morrison was not an enemy.
So the distinction is that killing the Viet Cong was okay? Now who's insulting the court? Just answer the question, Colonel.
The Viet Cong was the enemy.
They killed us, we killed them.
Your honor, it may be true that money alone was not enough of a motive for killing Colonel Morrison.
Colonel Smith would have us believe there was no motive whatsoever for murdering a respected senior officer.
Therefore, I would like to submit as rebuttal evidence at this time, a significant new document which has only just now been declassified and come into my possession.
It is secret congressional testimony on the US conduct of the Vietnam conflict, by one Colonel Chun Van Quyet of the North Vietnamese Army.
Objection! This eleventh-hour maneuver must be disallowed on the grounds that Colonel Quyet is not here for cross examination.
Your honor, in exchange for his valuable cooperation with postwar intelligence, the Army provided Colonel Quyet with a confidential, new identity in this country.
While I know no precedents, I'll take the evidence under advisement.
You will note that on page 1174, Colonel Quyet has documented a list of 20 American soldiers who provided information to the North Vietnamese Army in exchange for money.
At the top of that list you will find the name of one Samuel Morrison, Colonel, United States Army.
Colonel Smith, I submit that you, Lieutenant Peck, and Sergeant Baracus discovered that Morrison was working with the enemy.
You acted as judge and jury, you took the law into your own hands, and killed him in cold blood.
Gentlemen, if you have a rabbit under those hats, I suggest you let him out now.
Hey, slow down a minute, will you? Where you going? I don't have time to chat.
I know where you're going.
You're going after that Colonel Quyet, huh? You figured he would've known Morrison sent you on that mission, right? Right.
Well, did it ever occur to you that maybe you're gonna need some help, huh? Old Frankie Santana can improve the odds.
Now I gotta tell you, I'm getting sick and tired of Frankie Santana.
Here we go again.
Murdock! Besides me, who's the one guy who seems to know everything, huh? Stockwell.
Twenty bucks says he's got Quyet on ice someplace.
Yeah? Hey, you forgot.
I have his home number.
That's okay, I forgive you.
Empress 12, urgent.
Frankie Santana's trying to reach you, sir.
They want information on Quyet.
Ignore him.
Pizza parlor? How could it be a pizza parlor? Never mind.
Never mind, son.
This isn't a job for ordinary men, anyway.
This takes a special breed.
Special breed? What are you talking about, Murdock? Now, repeat after me.
Fly by night.
Repeat after me.
Fly by night, Fly by night, laugh and say, laugh and say, beating up bad guys makes my day.
What'd you eat for lunch, man? That's the credo of the Flying Nighthawk Commando.
Words to live by.
You'll get the hang of it.
Colonel Morrison, an NVA agent.
I just can't believe it.
Seems to be true.
Even so, surely the court would need more than that to convict us of murder.
Ever watch Perry Mason, Face? Motive, method, opportunity.
That's what he always looked for, and that's what that prosecutor says he's got on us.
Well, what are we gonna do? I think we're gonna get nailed.
Just checking.
Crazy Man said he was at headquarters when Colonel Morrison was killed.
So? So he never told us that.
Maybe he forgot.
How could you just forget something like that? The human mind's a funny thing, Face.
Sometimes it tries to protects us by blocking out unpleasant experience.
You think Murdock could have killed Colonel Morrison? That's impossible.
If you found out Morrison was working for the Viet Cong, what would you have done? We've been here all night, Murdock.
Never say die, son.
That's the first commandment.
All clear on the perimeter.
Wow, you know, I've always wanted to wear a hat like this.
You know, it's like a dream come true.
The second commandment, soldier, is never say "wow.
" I have to work on it.
Man, I'm not gonna make any promises on this mission.
You already know the score.
Three of our flyboys are down behind enemy lines, and they need our help.
It's not gonna be a cakewalk and some of us ain't coming back for Thanksgiving dinner and pumpkin pie.
But are you with me? It's a damn fine bunch of boys, Frankie.
Okay.
Well, this puppy's set to pop.
You and your friends might wanna step back for this.
The third commandment is never leave your cap in plain sight.
That's a good one.
Now! Whoa, man, did you see that? Put three cameras on this, with a little backlight and bee smoke, and we're talking masterpiece theater.
Men.
Men, the A-Team brief.
Find Colonel Quyet's address.
Get a copy of the A-Team brief.
With all this help, how could we miss it, huh? Bingo! Chun Van Quyet.
It's a wrap.
Men, I think our mission is accomplished.
What a harrowing physical display you gave us.
Do you always solve problems with your fists, Sergeant? I can take care of myself.
As you have so vividly demonstrated.
I apologize if any of my questions offend you.
I wonder if Colonel Morrison made the same mistake in 1971.
I already told you, I didn't kill him.
Then perhaps you know who did.
If I knew, I would tell you.
Who pulled the trigger, Sergeant? Was it Colonel Smith? Hannibal was in Hanoi with me.
Or Lieutenant Peck? Him, too.
Oh, I see.
I see.
You were all in Hanoi.
All right, then let's talk about Captain Murdock, your pilot.
Now, he testified under oath that he had returned to headquarters.
Oh, no.
Everybody in the world know the man is a fool.
He's crazy.
He sees people who ain't really there.
He talk in circles all the time.
He seems like a disturbed individual.
Do you think he's dangerous? Murdock won't hurt nobody.
I wonder.
If there are no further questions, Major Laskov, we will take a one-hour recess for lunch.
All right, soldier, this is where he works.
Let's synchronize our watches.
I'm not wearin' a watch.
A Fighting Nighthawk Commando always wears a watch.
Let me guess, fifth commandment, right? Oh, fourth.
Fourth.
A table for two, gentlemen? No, we're here to see the man.
And what man are you referring to? Colonel Chun Van Quyet.
I believe the United States Government set him up in this restaurant.
I don't believe I'm familiar with him.
Perhaps my co-workers are.
That's Quyet.
Come on.
Gentlemen, I trust you had a pleasant lunch? I trust you have more on your mind than our happy tummies? I'll be brief.
We all know that what the Army wants out of this trial, is an A-Team conviction.
But what I'm interested in here is justice.
I think the panel can be convinced that Captain Murdock was operating on his own and in a questionable mental condition when he killed Colonel Morrison.
Help me do that.
It could save your lives.
Major, you can take your proposal Nice try, Major.
But we've got this beaten, and you know it.
I just learned that Captain Murdock has located Quyet.
Now, if his testimony confirms your story, you guys are off the hook.
Now all we have to do is recall Josh Curtis to the stand and find out why he lied.
All rise.
This court-martial is back in session.
His honor Colonel Thomas Milo presiding.
I'm sorry to begin the afternoon with this sad news, but I want the counsel to be informed that a principal witness in this case has had a tragic accident.
Captain Josh Curtis was killed early this morning by a hit-and-run driver.
Well.
So much for recalling Curtis.
If Quyet clears our names, they'll nail Murdock.
What we gonna do? Mr.
Conway, would you call your witness? Your honor, I'd like to request a short recess, given this recent development Your honor, I think I can save us a lot of time.
Do you wish to address the court, Colonel? I'm changing my plea.
What? I plead guilty as charged.
I killed Colonel Morrison.
Your honor, clearly my client is upset with the And I helped him do it.
It was all three of us.
This court will take a 30-minute recess.
Are you out of your minds? Well, it wouldn't be the first time we were accused of it.
Nobody tries to plead guilty in a capital case.
A man can only live with his guilt so long.
Yeah, we hate guilt.
But we are winning! Their case is shot full of holes and once Colonel Quyet testifies, it'll be shot down entirely! Would you mind not using words like "full of holes," "shot down"? It conjures up such a negative image.
All right, you wanna sabotage your own trial, I'll just withdraw and you can do whatever you want.
I should warn you, though, that requires a mistrial and you'll have to go through this whole thing all over again.
Suppose we really did kill Morrison? You could never kill anybody in cold blood.
I'm sure of it.
All right, Mr.
Conway, we'll try it your way.
Murdock, this is crazy, man.
I don't get it.
I mean, we blocked the guy's door.
We don't even know if he's home yet.
What if he left town already? No, no, no, he hasn't left.
I just saw him pop his head right out through the curtains.
Are you ready? Yeah, but I still don't think it's gonna work.
Don't be discouraged, son.
Let the lyrics of the Fighting Nighthawk Commandos' theme song gird your loins.
Fighting nighthawks in the sky Brave and loyal are these guys Brothers turning wrong to right Murdock, it's Quyet Murdock? fight, fight, fight Fighting nightingales, fighting nightingales Murdock? Fighting nightingales Hey! Frankie, Frankie, don't you wanna pick up all the garbage in the alley? I told you this was dumb.
I can't get this thing to work.
I'm a genius.
Welcome to Fantasy Island, Colonel.
What do you want with me? Information.
I have nothing to say.
Too bad.
Let her rip! Every litter bit hurts, Colonel.
Stop it! Stop it! Okay, okay, I'll tell you what you wanna know? Was Colonel Morrison a North Vietnamese operative? Yes.
Then why did he send the A-Team to rob the Bank of Hanoi? It was supposed to be a trap.
But the message couldn't get to our unit in time to stop them.
It was to be an embarrassment to your country.
United States Army! Murdock, company! Throw down your weapons, you're surrounded.
You are a fool.
I called them.
You must now release me, or you will die.
A Fighting Nighthawk Commando doesn't know the meaning of the word "die"! What's the first commandment, Franklin? Never leave your cap out in plain view, right? That's close enough! Hit it! Fighting Nighthawk express and we're coming through, so watch out! Fighting nighthawks in the sky Brave and loyal are these guys Brothers turning wrong to right Never running from a fight, fight, fight Well, that's certainly a cheerful-looking little group.
Yeah.
They could at least smile.
The accused rise.
Stop these proceedings! Stop the proceedings! Your honor.
We have located a very important witness, and I believe he can finally shed some light on this case.
Is that you, Captain Murdock? Yes, it is, your honor.
And if you'll bear with me, I believe we can finally establish some testimony here that will once and for all and beyond a shadow of a doubt prove that A-Team is innocent of all charges.
You may continue.
Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God? I do.
What is your name, sir? Chun Van Quyet.
Are you not the same gentleman who gave a statement before the United States Congress in regard to Colonel Morrison's work for the Viet Cong? I am.
I see.
Would you give us your version of the famed mission on the National Bank of Hanoi, sir? I was shocked when it happened.
Well, wait a minute.
That's not what you told me.
We should have anticipated the A-Team was capable of such a mission.
I wish Colonel Morrison and I could have recruited them.
What do you mean by this? I had many times told Morrison, we should make them an offer.
But he always said no.
He said they were loyal American patriots.
Loyal American patriots? Colonel Morrison, the man that these men were supposed to have killed in fact held the A-Team in high regard? No.
He feared them.
Colonel Morrison told me that if Smith and the A-Team discovered he was an agent, they would not hesitate to kill him.
What do you think, General? I think the A-Team looks as guilty as hell.
However, the guilty must pay for their crimes.
They must have known the risks.
Tell the pilot I'm ready.
Right away, sir.
Would the accused rise? What does the panel find? Colonel Smith, Lieutenant Peck, Sergeant Baracus, it is my duty as president of this court to inform you that in closed session, upon secret ballot, all of the members present concurred in finding you guilty as charged, and sentencing you to be put to death.
The accused are remanded to military police custody, and sentence will be carried out as soon as possible.
This court is adjourned.