Chapter 4

0900 Zulu

Court Room

The next day the trial continued on and more witnesses were being testified. It wasn't until 1400 when sergeant Morris wanted to take the stand and testify. Commander Rabb tried telling him it was a bad idea but the sergeant knew what he had to do. Mac cross-examined him first.

"Sgt. Morris how many beers had you had the day of the incident?" "Five ma'm." "Five? Lt. Jones stated you hat about ten or eleven." "That could've been right. After my fifth drink I couldn't focus." "If you couldn't focus then why did you get in the cockpit?" "Because I was drunk, stupid, and arrogant." "Yet you didn't listen to Lt. Jones when he said you were drunk." "No. I didn't think I was at the time." "You didn't think you were drunk, yet the lieutenant kept saying you were. But then again you didn't know what was going on did you? "Objection. Argumentative." "Sustained. Go easy on him colonel." "Sorry your honor. Sergeant what would you say is the legal drinking limit?" "A 3.0" "You're sure?" "Yes." "Your honor may I present exhibit A. The legal drinking limit is 3.0 but sergeant Morris had a drinking level of 7.0, four points about the legal limit. So what does that tell you sergeant?" "That I was to drunk to know right from wrong." "Exactly and to drunk to know you killed five citizens and put five others in the hospital. Nothing further your honor." "Commander?" "I have no questions for the defendant your honor." "Okay we will continue this at 0900 tomorrow. Court is dismissed."

0900 Zulu

Court Room (next day)

It was now time to review the facts with the jurors before they made their final decision. Mac started it off so Harm could figure out what his defense argument would be. "Sergeant Mike Morris seems like a good person, I'll give him that much but every person reaches a limit sometime or another and unfortunately sergeant Morris reached his the night of the incident. He had an alcohol limit of 7.0, injured lieutenant Jones when trying to be helped at the club. Then Sgt. Morris stole a tomcat aircraft off of the U.S.S. Seahawk, injured his good friend, Lt. Jones, injured five citizens, and killed another five. He was drunk and he was reckless. Which is why I hope that because of his actions you will find him guilty. Thank you." "Commander Rabb," said the judge. Rabb stood before the members and began to speak. "Sergeant Mike Morris is a good man. He's a good friend, he's a good father, and he is an amazing pilot. What more can a person ask for? Sure he's had bad days but who hasn't? He's human just like all of us. He made a mistake; one, which he really and truly regrets, which is why I think you should prove him not guilty. Not because of his actions but because he's just a human who made a mistake. Thank you." "We will reconvene at 1200 hours. Dismissed."

1200 Zulu

Court Room

The verdict was now in and everyone was anxiously waiting to hear the results. "Will the defendant please rise" Rabb and Morris did so and the Juror was about to say the verdict. "Sergeant Michael Morris, on the charge of article 111, drunken while operating an aircraft, the government finds you guilty. On the charge of article 119, involuntary manslaughter, the government finds you guilty. Punishment will be dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and a confinement of five years and nine months." "This court is augured." Mac walked over to Rabb and Morris. "I'm really sorry sergeant Morris." "It wasn't your fault ma'm. You were just doing your job and I was reckless." "So no hard feelings? "No hard feelings." Then Mac and Morris shook hands.

END