Downloaded from YTS.MX
(dramatic music)
(match striking)
Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX
(dramatic music) (fire crackling)
- Mr. Landings, we've reached the end
of our witness list.
Will you be taking the stand?
- No, no, no, Paul.
Sit down.
(dramatic music)
(chimes twinkling)
(dramatic music)
(dog tags clanking)
(dramatic music)
(fire crackling) (dramatic music)
- K-9 Party, this is Online 15
requesting CAS to engage hostile party on our 12.
- Go on, 0201 and set down.
Let's take a look.
Zero, over.
(dramatic music)
(faint speaking)
- Hi, Dad.
I don't have a lot of time.
Just wanted to get a brief email to you
and share the news.
Listen, I know my decision to join the Corps
weighed heavily upon you, Dad.
(machine gun firing)
Becoming a Marine and a K-9 handler
was the best thing I've ever done.
It gave my life a higher purpose.
I think Mom would be proud.
Say hi to Sally for me.
You're entitled to a companion, Dad.
You didn't give Mom cancer.
She loved us to the moon and back.
She'd want us both to be happy.
The agreement came through, Dad.
The Corps has granted my adoption request for Bart.
There was one requirement, though,
that I tender my separation from the Marine Corps.
That's right.
I'm coming home to stay.
I love you, Dad.
(explosion blasting)
(faint speaking on radio)
(helicopter blades whirring) (dramatic music)
(soft orchestral music)
(dogs barking)
♪ First to fight for right and freedom ♪
♪ And to keep our honor clean ♪
♪ We are proud to claim the title ♪
What is it?
♪ Of United States Marine ♪
Yeah, such a good boy.
Yeah.
Mm.
Yes.
Give me kisses.
Oh yeah!
We're gonna find you your forever home.
- Morning, Paul!
Too bad.
Such a good boy!
Gotta run.
Got a meeting downtown.
Will you tell Glenn?
Forget it.
I'll text him.
Forget it.
(dogs barking)
- You're a good boy.
Yes.
Do you want another one?
Oh, I got something sweet.
See what that is?
Yeah, that was Bart.
He was a good dog, too.
I know what you want.
You want a treat.
♪ Our flag's unfurled to every breeze ♪
♪ From dawn to setting sun ♪
♪ We have fought in every clime and place ♪
♪ Where we could carry a gun ♪
Yeah, you're a good boy.
You are a good boy.
Oh, yes.
Oh, yeah.
Yeah.
(gentle music)
I'll be back.
♪ First to fight for right and freedom ♪
♪ And to keep our honor clean ♪
♪ We are proud to claim the title ♪
♪ Of United States Marines ♪
♪ Our flag's unfurled to every breeze ♪
♪ From dawn to setting sun ♪
(light knocking)
- Good morning, Paul.
- Permission to speak freely.
- Paul, this isn't the Corps
and you're not at war anymore.
And please don't call me sir.
It makes me nervous.
- Oh, okay.
We are waging a war on the homeless
pets of America, sir.
I'm told that's what our brochure says.
- I know.
I wrote it.
- And my I get permission to speak, sir?
My respect for your authority, sir, your rank.
- Paul, I don't have a rank.
I'm just your boss.
I've told you before.
You don't have to salute.
You don't have to call me sir.
Glenn or Mr. Banks is just fine.
- Yes, Mr. Banks, sir.
Glenn.
- Maybe Jen can use a hand in the storage area?
- Right.
- I heard those scout donations came in today.
- Can I (mumbles) sir?
- What's really on your mind, Paul?
- Brown Boy, sir.
Staff report, please.
- Paul, we only have so much room around here.
You know that.
And after a given amount of time,
we have to consider that-- - No, no, no!
- Paul, I understand,
but you just have to accept that we might--
- No, it's not acceptable, sir.
- Not much more we can do.
- Brown Boy.
I think he might have been a service dog before.
He's a lot better than this.
- He's got until tomorrow.
- Unacceptable! - I'm sorry.
- Unacceptable. - Paul, I'm sorry!
(door slamming)
(gentle music)
♪ First to fight for right and freedom ♪
♪ And to keep our honor clean ♪
♪ We are proud to claim this title ♪
♪ Of United States Marine ♪
♪ Our flag's unfurled to every breeze ♪
♪ From dawn to setting sun ♪
You're gonna enjoy this day with us, Brown Boy.
- I got suspended for the first five games.
I'm gonna try to see if I can get Coach Stolz removed.
Hey, there's a site,
a local retard walking another dog.
- He's not a retard, Charlie.
Show some respect.
Dad said he was a Marine.
- Yeah, whatever.
He's a retard now.
- I heard he saved some people in Afghanistan
and got injured doing it.
- Yeah, you hear that? He saved people.
No, he's one of the dumb-asses who enlisted
and got himself blown up.
(laughing)
- Maybe friendly fire got him.
Ah!
(laughing)
- I just hate all those dogs he has.
- Bet you five bucks you can't hit him.
- Charlie, don't. - Come on, Charlie.
You got this. - Charlie, knock this off.
- Shut up, Rachel. - Yeah.
shut up, babe.
Chill out!
- Five bucks is on the line. - Do you think
I want to talk of you right now?
- Hey, Private Pyle,
what's your major malfunction?
Yo, Desert Storm! - He wasn't in desert.
- No!
- Ah! - Ah, come on, man.
You can do better than that.
(laughing)
- Hey, double or nothing.
- All right.
- Charlie, stop, please.
- You're gonna hit the dog!
- Shut up!
- Charlie has that look!
- Hey, jarhead! - Charlie, don't do it.
- Don't you ever try to tell me
what to do, you hear me?
Now look, Wyatt!
The retard's getting away.
(dramatic music)
Throwing long, Charlie Sawyer spots his receiver.
(laughing) The retard is in the end zone.
- Come on, come on! - Ow!
- Woo! - Hey!
- Anybody got a video of that?
That was money!
(teens laughing)
And he's not playing me.
Idiot. - Hey!
Hey.
Ah!
- Classic.
You see, guys?
They're gonna lose all those games
I would have pitched.
- They are. - Score.
Who's hungry?
(birds chirping)
- New recruit coming in.
Come on, get back, get back.
Back, back.
Come on, this way.
Come on!
Yeah.
How is everybody doing?
New recruit, new recruit.
Come on, let's go.
Yeah, who's hungry?
Everybody hungry?
Come on, come on!
Get back.
(shouting) - Fire!
Move it, buddy!
(machine gun firing)
(dramatic music)
(gun firing) - Is that my gun?
(dramatic music)
- Pull it together, Paul.
(dog groaning)
(heavy breathing)
- Evening, Paul.
- Hey, Jim, sir.
- The pack has grown some.
- Two got adopted just last month.
- How many did you take in this month?
- With the addition of Brown Boy, it makes three.
- You all right?
That looks like a nasty gash. - I've had worse.
- What happened? - Just life.
- I'm here because you needed
a few extra days for the rent.
- Yeah.
The cost of food has cut me thin.
I have to get the good food
that's got the meat first
instead of just filler.
- This was supposed to be our catch-up month, Paul.
- I know, and I'm sorry.
But if you could just grant me a short extension.
- You might need to consider--
- No man left behind.
- These aren't men, Paul.
They're dogs.
- Man's best friend, that's what they are.
They deserve better.
They got a lot of love to still give somebody.
- Well, we'll talk about this later.
- Listen, you know I'll pay you everything I owe you.
My word is gold.
And Mr. Glenn said he might be giving me a raise
at the shelter.
- All right, Paul.
(birds chirping)
- Robert.
- How much he owe you?
I got about 100 here for you.
- It's fine for now.
We'll work it out, okay?
- All right. - We'll work it out.
- All right.
Well, thank you, man.
Be good, all right?
Oh, hey, let me give you a heads-up.
Our illustrious mayor has ordered Hal to serve you.
- For what?
- Health code violation.
Too many animals.
- It might be best. - Yeah, I agree.
Paul's not.
- I don't suppose he will.
(knocking)
- Hey, buddy! - Hey!
- What you doing? - Hey, Dad.
- Get over here!
Say hello to your old man.
- You wanna come in and visit for a little bit?
- Oh, I'd love to son, but Miss Sally,
she invited me to come to some church function,
and so I'm gonna have to take a rain check, okay?
- Okay.
- I just stopped by to tell you something.
- Tell me what?
- Hal Rogers, he's gonna pay you a visit.
- Sheriff Rogers?
Why? - Well, you know Jim
owns the house here.
He's in violation of a health code.
It's the dogs, son.
You have too many dogs here.
- Oh, you know it's just temporary
until they find their forever home, Dad.
- I know, I know, I know.
But for some of 'em, it's been two years
trying to find 'em a home.
- Dad, they would kill them.
- Well, buddy, it happens sometimes.
- Don't say that.
It doesn't have to be that way,
and I'm not gonna allow it.
- Wait, look.
You've done the best you could.
- Just stop it, all right?
Why don't you just go?
- Hey.
You listen to me.
Jim is you friend, all right?
Jim's gonna be in a lot of trouble
because you're breaking the law.
- Whose law am I breaking, God's law?
Why don't you go to church with Sally?
Ask Jesus if what I'm doing is right, huh?
Just go!
- Paul. - Just go!
- Paul! - Just go!
(door slamming)
Who's hungry?
Who wants a treat?
Sorry.
Come here.
I won't let 'em take you.
Yeah.
Such a good boy.
You're good, too.
- Hal, I need the report.
I don't care if you went to school with Jim.
I don't care about any of that.
Yeah.
That's your job, so do it.
Thanks.
- Charlie, if you don't study,
you're not gonna pass your test tomorrow.
- Dude, shut up!
- What's going on with that homework?
- If by homework you mean looking at these beach babes,
I'd say it's going pretty great.
(laughing) - How was your day?
- The same old political headaches every day.
- Who was that on the phone?
- You remember Sheriff Rogers?
We're gonna do something about that run down house
on Woodworth with all those dogs running around and--
- Yeah, we actually saw the retard
that lives there today.
Didn't we, Wyatt?
- He's not retarded, Charlie.
He's a Marine who served in the war,
protecting our freedoms. - Whatever.
He's retarded now.
- Yeah, and he's Marine,
and a highly decorated one at that.
That's the problem, see?
Everybody's all compassionate about all this military stuff.
- Doesn't he deserve some compassion?
- Dude, his house makes the entire block
smell in the summertime.
Josh lives down that way.
Those dogs have got to go.
- Well, it's not that easy.
Sheriff Rogers has served him and the landlord,
but the paperwork, ongoing City Council
battle over renter rights,
you're talking month after month after month.
This thing's gonna go on forever.
- I mean, hey, a .22 would take care
of those dogs real easy.
- Don't even joke about it, Charlie.
- Oh, I forgot.
Wyatt here wants a dog.
Hey, here's an idea.
How about you go adopt one from the retard?
- Can you shut up? - Any day you wanna
try and make me.
You know you've been talking a lot
for someone who can't back it up, shrimp.
- That is enough.
I gotta get some sleep.
I got a long day tomorrow.
- Why did you do that?
- Because your a wuss
and because you told Dad about me
getting suspended for a few games.
- No, I didn't.
School must have called.
- Whatever.
Hey, study that, shrimp.
- Real mature, Charlie.
- Yo, Josh.
Do you remember talking about what to get
for tomorrow night?
Yeah, I have a plan.
We'll be doing some community service.
You heard me.
Yeah, just get the boys around 6:00.
No girls.
Okay, yeah, they can meet up with us
afterwards at the Cavalier.
All right, I'll tell you tomorrow.
(dogs barking)
- Just the man I wanted to see.
- You're here about my dogs.
- So he told you. - What's this?
You know I can't read very well after the event.
- It's a city citation
saying you've got to reduce the amount of animals
you're keeping at your residence.
- Or what? - They'll have
the animals removed.
- Who is they? - The authorities.
- Hey, they're my family
until they find their forever home.
- I think it's a good thing you do, Paul.
- Then why are you here?
- It's my job.
My hand's being forced on this.
You understand me?
- No.
I don't understand any of it all.
Look, I watch out for 'em
because nobody else cares about them.
They didn't ask to be put in this situation.
- I'm really sorry.
- Yeah, not sorry enough.
- What's going on, Hal?
- The mayor and the City Council pushed me
into serving Paul and his landlord on his dogs.
The county's in charge of animal control,
meaning my office.
(dogs barking) (somber music)
(knocking)
- Come on, son.
You can't hide from the world.
- Why?
Yeah.
Hey, I'm not gonna let 'em take you.
Come here, yeah. - Come on.
We'll fight this together. - Why?
- Come on.
I promise you. - I don't know why
he's doing this to me.
- Hey, we'll get you a lawyer. - It's not you.
It's not you. - And everything's
A-okay, all right? - But you're a good boy.
- Come on, buddy. - Oh!
- Come on, open up. - It'll work out.
It'll be okay.
Yeah.
It'll be okay, Brown Boy. - I just don't want you
to do nothing crazy, all right?
- All right, Paul, pull it together.
Pull it together!
- Come on, open up.
- Stay!
Stay.
- Are you okay?
- They can't take them, Dad.
They just can't take 'em.
I'm not gonna let 'em. - All right.
We'll fight this together.
- I'm not gonna let 'em take 'em.
- Let me help you more.
We'll work on this together, all right?
I love you, all right? - I love you, too.
- I love you. (faint speaking)
Trust me, trust me.
We'll work this out.
I'll get you a lawyer.
We'll make it all go away, all right?
- I was trying to get home for a month somewhere,
but I can't. - I know.
I know, I know, son. - I can't get enough
(faint speaking). - I know.
I know, son.
Listen to me, listen to me. Buck up.
You're a Marine.
- I know. - Come on.
You're a Marine. - I know I am.
- We'll make this work out. - That's why
I'm not gonna let 'em take 'em.
I'll fight 'em. - I know, I know.
(faint speaking)
- I love you, too.
(faint speaking)
All right. - Love you.
- You have been served.
Off my car, losers!
I thought I specifically said no girls.
- What's up, Charlie?
You've been secretive all day.
- It's 'cause what we're gonna be doing is top secret.
(laughing)
- Sounds illegal.
Jason Bourne like.
I dig it.
- This will be one for the books.
- What's up?
You wanted to see me?
- What's this shrimp doing here?
- Shut up, Josh!
- He's earning his stripes.
It's time you're one of the big dogs now.
No more of this sissy crap.
- I'm not a sissy.
- Then you'll have a chance to prove it.
- What do you want me to do?
(dramatic music)
(dogs barking)
(knocking)
(dogs barking)
- Stay back.
Get back.
Go on.
Stay.
Can I help you?
- Maybe.
You're the guy who takes in lost dogs, right?
- Yes.
I try to give 'em good homes.
- There's a dog tied up in Sawyer Park.
He might be hurt or sick.
I'm not sure.
- Sick?
Can you take me to him?
- I'm out past my curfew, but you can't miss him.
He's by the play structure. - Okay.
Thank you.
Hey, you're a good kid.
(tense music)
(dog barking)
- Come on, boy.
It's okay.
I won't hurt you.
Are you here?
I'm not gonna hurt you.
- Is it done?
- Ha!
Good job, little man.
- What are you guys gonna do?
- Just send him a little message.
You can't say anything, Wyatt.
- But what? - Just go home.
Not a word to anyone.
You hear me?
Now I'm being serious, Wyatt.
Can we trust you?
Wyatt?
- Yeah, you can trust me. - Go home.
(tense music)
(sirens blaring)
(dramatic music)
- Well, looky here!
Sounds like trouble.
- Yeah, jarhead.
Kind of looks like they're heading to your place.
Hope you didn't leave the stove on
or any candles lit.
(teens laughing)
(sirens blaring)
(fire roaring)
(faint speaking)
- Can you get that hose wrapped?
Get that hose up.
(sirens blaring)
(faint speaking)
(water rushing)
(dogs barking)
Go, go, go!
(water rushing)
(dramatic music)
(dogs barking)
- Was Paul inside? - No, no, no, he wasn't.
The chief said that Paul was not inside.
However, the smoke damage is pretty bad.
Only a few of the dogs
out in the backyard survived.
Most of 'em inside didn't make it.
- Paul, Paul! - Is that the owner?
- No, no, no, I'm the owner of it.
Paul's my renter.
- The fire started out back.
We found some rags, a possible accelerant.
We'll know more after testing.
- Outside?
- Is it possible that he could have done this?
- No, not a chance.
Ain't no way he'd do something like this!
(faint chattering)
- Why don't you go play
at the kid's pool table, man?
(dramatic music)
(faint speaking on radio)
Finally!
- You know I could get in trouble
for serving you, Charlie.
- Oh, come on, come on.
You know I'd never allow that to happen.
(dramatic music)
(faint speaking on radio) (machine gun firing)
(man shouting) (explosion blasting)
- Well, looky here.
Hey, Charlie!
Hey, shouldn't you be at home with all your dogs?
(woman screaming) (men grunting)
(coughing)
- You want some of this, retard?
(groaning)
- I'm gonna call the cops!
(siren wailing)
- What's going on?
- Some guy came in and he went crazy,
and he started smashing everything up
and everyone in there.
- He didn't even say anything.
- There is other people still in there.
- Okay.
Central?
I need an ambulance and some backup.
I got a situation here.
Send 'em down to the Cavalier Bar.
Was he armed?
- I didn't see anything, but he was dangerous.
He was trying to kill those kids.
There's a shotgun behind the bar,
but I was too scared.
- Okay.
Everybody stay here.
Help is on the way.
(siren wailing)
Don't move.
Keep your hands where I can see 'em, Paul.
Any weapons on you, son?
- No, sir.
- What happened here? - Those boys,
they killed my dogs. - Paul!
A fire killed your dogs.
- No, no.
They tricked me!
They tricked me.
- These boys are hurt bad.
I got to get some help in here.
Is that okay?
- Who was there to help my dogs?
- We'll sort that out later.
Now I gotta get some help in here.
Will you stand?
Put your arms behind your back for me.
- Sorry, I can't do that, sir.
- Okay.
I'm gonna go get that help, all right?
You sit tight.
We will sort this out.
I promise.
(siren wailing)
(faint speaking)
We've got injuries inside.
Could be head and neck,
so let's be careful, all right?
- Is the attacker still inside?
- It's Paul Landings.
- The guy whose house
caught fire tonight? - Yeah.
- Somebody burned down his little house.
- Oh, no.
Let's not jump to any conclusions here.
- Well, do you want me to call SWAT from Flint?
- No, I can handle this.
- Hal?
- Just keep this perimeter.
Don't let anybody in that I don't authorize,
and get Robert Landings here immediately.
Follow me.
- Yes, sir.
(siren wailing)
- Yeah, Palmer to Dais.
We're gonna need a perimeter outside
the Cavalier Bar.
- Paul?
Paul?
It's just me, Sheriff Rogers.
These people are here to take care of them boys.
- Don't take those bodies
off the battlefield.
- Paul, we have to move them.
If those boys die in here,
things are gonna get a lot worse for you.
- It can't get any more worse.
- Paul, please!
Let them move them boys out.
We'll just sit here and talk.
- Stop me?
Is my son in there, Charlie?
- I don't know, but that's a crime scene.
It's under investigation. - You need to find out.
- You can talk to Hal about that,
but you can't go back there.
- You know who
you're talking to now? - Stay here.
I understand that, sir.
I understand your position.
Listen to me. - I'm going in.
- You cannot go back there.
You understand? - If it weren't for me,
do you understand? - I cannot let
you go back there. - Charlie!
It's Charlie.
Charlie?
- Okay, let's go. - I was talking to him.
- Now listen. - Don't!
Don't touch me!
That's my son laying right there.
- I'm sorry. - You better
find out what happened.
- Sorry. - And you better
find out now.
Do your damn job or I'm gonna fire you.
I swear to God!
- Paul!
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
- What's going on there? - Everything's okay.
Stay calm, stay calm.
- Dad, they killed all my dogs.
- Not all of 'em, son. - They murdered 'em
for no reason. - Yeah, okay.
Son, listen to me.
Put the shotgun on the bar.
Put it down.
That's it.
There's been a fire.
Just put it down.
Just put it on the bar.
That's it.
He's gonna be all right.
- Hal, I'm sorry.
I tried to get-- - Get on the ground!
(banging)
(dramatic music)
- What are you doing?
Are you gonna shoot me? - Get on down!
(men shouting)
- Get down on the ground! - Stand down!
- Go ahead! - Robert, be calm.
Robert, be calm.
Dwayne, everything is good here.
Paul, let go.
Everything is good.
We are okay.
It is okay.
Stand down.
- Ah.
- It's all right.
(bystanders cheering and applauding)
Stand back, please.
- It's gonna be all right, son.
On line three.
(faint speaking)
Paging line three.
- We're still trying to assess
the total damage to the spinal cord and vertebrae.
- Okay. - We know it's fairly low,
thoracic six down into the lumbar.
- Okay.
Will he heal?
- Well, his vitals are stabilizing, so he's out of shock
and he's no longer in any immediate danger of dying.
- Dying?
- But the chance of him making a full recovery,
walking again, we just don't know.
- It's my son.
I need you to do everything possible.
Cost is not an issue.
- Cost is not the problem.
It will just depend.
- Depend on what?
- Time.
You need to know the best case scenario
is paralysis from the waist down.
Worst case, from the chest down
and hope that the arms aren't involved.
Initial tests show crushing injuries
to the spinal cord and vertebrae.
- No!
Oh, God!
He's young.
He's healthy, he's vibrant.
- And all of those things
are gonna play in his favor, Mr. Sawyer.
They are.
(sobbing)
Maybe you should pray if you're a spiritual man.
(sobbing)
(machine beeping)
- All right.
Has he said anything, Hal?
What are we looking at here?
- Depending if anything changes at the hospital,
we're looking at six counts of attempted murder.
- Murder?
What are you talking about, murder?
My boy didn't even have a weapon on him, Hal.
- He's a battle-tested Marine.
For God sakes, he is a weapon!
You're gonna want a lawyer here.
Now I could have pushed him for a confession, but I didn't.
- He said those boys killed his dogs.
And if they did, they deserved a good ass whupping.
Did they?
- It was a fire.
- I know it's a fire, Hal.
I saw it!
I talked to the fire chief.
Now he said the fire started from the back of the house,
and that just might well have been arson.
- You know the war got to your boy,
and you don't think maybe hearing the news
that his dogs
were gonna be taken away
would have pushed him over? - Oh, and what?
What?
You think my boy caught his own house on fire
and killed his own dogs that he loved?
You know my boy!
He would never have done that.
You know that, Hal.
- We're gonna detain him here.
He'll be taken in front of a judge tomorrow.
Prosecutor's office is going over everything.
But with Mayor Quinn's boy being the most injured,
it's gonna get ugly.
- All right, I want-- - You need a good attorney.
- I wanna talk to my boy now. - I'm sorry.
I cannot allow that.
- Why are you being a hard ass?
- I will tell you what time the arraignment is tomorrow
once I get word.
- You are unbelievable.
What are you going to do, tase me?
Excuse me.
Son, you take care.
Hang tough.
I love you.
Now these--
Sheriff Rogers, could you please unlock the door
so I can leave your facility?
- Buzz him out. - Thank you, Sheriff.
(door buzzing) Hang tight, son.
(tense music)
- Well, he's not talking.
- I want statements from all them boys
and anyone else who was at that bar.
- Yes, sir.
(tense music)
(insect chirping)
- Here he comes!
- Mr. Landings! - Was it your son
that started the fire that burned
down his house? - Get out of my face.
Get out of my face. - Was he afraid?
Was he angry about the eviction?
- My boy did not touch.
Just leave me alone! - Mr. Landings!
(tense music)
- What about all those dogs?
Is he responsible
for the death of those dogs?
What happened to the mayor's son?
(reporters shouting over each other)
(engine starting)
- Mr. Landings! - Oh, come on.
Just give us one comment.
(tires squealing) - Is he guilty?
(tense music)
- Dad! - Not now, Wyatt.
- Where's Charlie?
Did he get arrested?
- What did you say? - Charlie, he--
- Don't you hold out on me right now.
I wanna know everything.
What is it?
What?
- He sent me to that guy's house
to knock on his door. - The vet?
- I sent him to the park for a dog,
but there wasn't a dog.
- What are you trying to say?
- I thought they were gonna egg
or teepee that guy's house.
I saw the fire trucks.
What did they do?
(knocking)
- Listen to me.
You don't say anything about this.
Go upstairs.
Keep your mouth shut.
- Why? - Go and do what I said.
Now go!
(doorbell ringing)
Hey, thanks for coming, Ed.
- I heard about your son, Quinn.
I'm really sorry.
- Want a drink. - No, thanks.
It's reflux.
- Ed, my son my never walk again.
- That’s tough.
- I'll be getting reports first thing in the morning.
- Yeah, well, that vet's gotta pay.
- Yeah.
We're still trying to piece this thing together.
- That maniac walked into that bar--
- Where your underage son and his friends
were boozing it up.
- Ed, you and I did that when we were younger.
You met your wife, right?
Well, my son's back got broke.
Now don't get all self-righteous on me now, not now.
- Well, we will get justice. - I don't want
that maniac getting off on some sympathy PTSD crap.
You hear me?
Do you hear me? - Calm down, Quinn.
- He knew my office was forcing him
to reduce the number of animals he kept in that house,
so he loses it.
He burns his damn house down.
He tries to kill my son.
He tries to kill three of the boys from the community.
Now what more do you need, Ed?
- We will put him away.
- I wish Michigan had the death penalty.
- The death?
Quinn, nobody got killed, nobody died, just some dogs.
We've got this, all right?
You need to just try and get some rest.
Arraignment will be at 9:00 a.m.
There won't be any bail.
I'll convince the judges of light risk,
and a danger, and all that.
Now I've got to be up early,
so I'm gonna be on my way.
I'll be praying for your son's recovery.
- Yeah.
- I'll just let myself out. - Just do what I said.
(keys jingling)
(door slamming)
(keys jingling)
- Landings, right?
I served on the 24th MEU out of Camp Lejeune.
Did two tours in Afghanistan before I got out.
Moved to Michigan with my wife for her teaching career.
Name's Armando Reyes.
- Glad that you made it out.
- I have a few scars.
I left a few close friends back there.
- I'm sorry to hear that.
- Sometimes I wake up and I think
I'm still back there.
Does it get better?
- You adjust. - But does it get better?
- You can't forget what you saw, what you felt,
what you did.
- No.
I guess not.
You didn't set your house on fire, did you?
- No.
- That's what my brother-in-law said.
He volunteers a couple times a month
over at the animal shelter.
He said you'd never hurt those animals.
- Pray for them.
- For the boys.
- For the dogs who died in that fire,
alone, and trapped, and scared.
The boys will face their own judgment.
(solemn piano music)
(cricket chirping)
- Does she always have to crowd
my side of the bed?
- She'll move eventually.
- What a day.
- Those boys gonna be all right?
- Quinn's boy may not walk again.
- Wow.
I'm sure Quinn's not taking that too well.
- No, no, no, he's not.
He, well, this Paul, the alleged attacker,
he waived his right to a preliminary,
but Quinn does not want to stand
for any kind of a plea deal.
He wants to go for assault
with intent to commit murder.
- Does that fit the crime?
- Yeah, it's complicated.
Very, very complicated.
- All of this happened
in the little bar where we met.
- Mm, The Cavalier.
- So what did those boys do to provoke this?
- Good question.
There was a fire at the attacker's home,
and the fire inspector said
it was set from the outside.
- Arson.
Revenge for arson?
- Hard to say at this point,
but this Paul, who worked as a janitor
at the animal shelter, kept several of the dogs
at his home, the hard to place kind.
You know what I mean?
- Yeah. - Yeah.
The house was full of dogs.
- So what happened to them?
- Most of them died.
Smoke inhalation.
Some of them burned to death.
After this was when Paul went after the boys.
- That's horrible. - Yeah.
At least those boys are still alive.
- I was actually talking about the poor dogs,
but yeah, the boys, too.
- Good girl.
- I'm so sorry, babe.
I done the best I could.
But I let you and Paul down.
(dramatic music)
I just pray to God
He forgives Paul for what he done to them boys.
I'd pray to God if you can forgive me
for not being a better father to our son.
(dramatic music)
My God, I miss you so much.
(dramatic music)
- I want the fire report today.
Ed, what else is there?
The kook went crazy.
He burns his house down.
He goes seeking revenge and finds my son.
I don't care what it takes.
I want you to keep that courtroom empty.
I don't want some nut job
swaying the sympathies of the jury.
Oh, I am in control of this.
Yeah, thanks.
- Dad?
- I don't wanna talk about it, Wyatt.
I want you to go upstairs.
Pack your bags.
I want you to be ready by noon.
I got a driver coming.
They're gonna take you to Aunt Mimi's lake house
for a couple of days.
- She's in Traverse City.
That's like, three hours away.
- And the driver will be here at noon, so be ready.
- But school's not done for another month,
and I wanna be here for you and Charlie.
- You're gonna do as you're told.
Do you understand?
- Charlie and his friends
did burn that house down, didn't they?
Watch your mouth!
Don't ever say that again in public
or here or anywhere.
Go upstairs and do what you're told.
Go on.
Now!
Go!
Noon.
Be ready.
(birds chirping)
- All rise.
- Good morning, everyone.
Please take your seats.
We have a busy docket today.
- Hang in there, Paul.
- We're here with you.
Semper Fi.
Always faithful, brother.
- Your Honor, Ian Tapper and Quincy Rowan
on behalf of the defendant.
We're working in conjunction
with the National Legal Services For Wounded Veterans.
Our office is in Detroit.
- Your Honor, in view of the number of charges,
the victims involved, and the egregious nature
of the offense, the prosecution has decided
not to offer Mr. Landings a plea deal.
We are going directly to jury trial.
- Please stand, Mr. Landings.
You stand before this court today
facing six counts of assault with intent
to commit murder.
Do you understand?
- Yeah.
- I will enter a not guilty plea for you.
Do you accept Mr. Tapper and Mr. Rowan
as your legal counsel?
- I do.
- Very well.
We're going to get a trial date set.
We're adjourned.
(gavel banging) - All rise.
(machine beeping) (heavy breathing)
- Lord, you know me.
I don't come to you for much.
I come to you for my wife when he was ill,
my son when he was deployed over in Afghanistan,
and then when he got blown up.
I ant bear to think about losing him a second time.
(dramatic music)
So Lord, whatever you can do,
I would be much obliged and eternally grateful.
All right, sweetie.
I hope that was all right.
I love you.
(dramatic music)
(sniffing)
(dramatic music)
- It's late.
- Yeah.
- I'm going to sleep.
- Okay.
That's a good girl.
- Hmm, looks like she's staying with you.
- Maybe.
- Not too late, okay?
- Yeah, we'll see.
(dog panting)
You can go with her if you like.
Oh.
- I thought you were off of sugar?
- It helps me think.
- What are the doughnuts telling you?
- He's clean, except for this situation.
- Sounds like the Sawyer boy is gonna make it.
He's paralyzed, but he'll live.
- Well, that's good news.
I think we need to get as much publicity
on this case as possible.
We have major small town politics working against us.
- Yeah, but we've got a hero here.
He's wounded, returns home, trying to just mind
his own business and live life.
- Yeah.
On the other hand, we have the all-American boy,
star quarterback, pro baseball pitching prospect.
But why did he get suspended by the team?
- Suspended by the coach,
five games for cussing at the principal,
a female principal.
- Not quite all-American. - Uh-uh.
- Add the coach to our character witness list.
- Already have.
His boss, Glenn, from the shelter
might be a strong one as well.
- Tomorrow I'm working phones.
Red, White and Blue Project, the DAV,
Marine Semper Fi Fund, and two dozen others.
- Mm-hmm.
Maybe ASPCA, Farm Sanctuary, animals' rights groups.
- You see?
You're not the only smart one here.
Already started a list.
- Good!
We'll put this in the national spotlight.
We still have a few media friends left
with a little integrity. - Quincy, come on.
You gotta have one of these.
- Thanks. - Yeah.
Hey, you ever had a dog?
- Yeah, we had a few growing up.
Zane was a beagle and Homer was a mutt.
Some sort of retriever.
I loved those dogs.
- The biggest thing a man can take into battle
is a good reason why.
(dramatic music)
What would you have done
if somebody tried to or did kill one of your dogs?
Exactly, and that is just the reaction
I plan to get from our jury.
(dogs barking)
(somber music)
- Come on.
- Hey.
Looks like I'm gonna be spending
a little time with you in your bungalow,
at least until I get myself cleared.
Mold issues.
Give me a minute.
I'll pop my teeth in.
I look a little more friendly that way.
Smiling Joe (laughing).
- Smiling Joe.
Is that your name?
- No, it's Buddy.
Smiling Joe is this character I saw one time
in a Western film.
Are you the guy went all Rambo on those punks?
(laughing)
I saw that standoff on the news.
I mean, I've got myself in some trouble
stealing a few things, but damn, son.
Sorry to be so chatty,
but I've been solo a long time.
And even then, people don't wanna talk to me much,
and you don't look like you feel like talking either.
So I'm just gonna stretch out up here.
Is that okay?
Hey, look.
I'll try not to snore, but if it gets too loud,
kick the bunk.
(laughing)
(sighing)
- At least he's former military
and they don't like the law being broken.
- Yeah.
He's got a lot of pro-military support around these parts.
- That's true.
- That makes seven men and five women.
- Women tend to favor animals.
- Mostly, but if they paint these young men as children,
women tend to favor children, too.
- I believe that rounds out our 12 juror slots.
We'll start tomorrow, 9:00 a.m. with opening statements.
We're adjourned.
(gavel banging) - All rise.
(somber music)
- Hey there, hotshot.
Here's a hint.
Women favor a lot of things,
but being generalized and having men think
they know what women favor, yeah, is way off.
Oh, and your tie is crooked,
and I'm pretty sure your fly is undone.
- Keep your head in the game.
- What? - I've seen you
with that look, usually just before you do something stupid.
- What?
- You know what.
- Okay.
- Mr. Rowan, good luck tomorrow.
- Mr. Hammins, thank you, but we don't require luck.
We've got case law.
- Sure, son.
Good luck anyway.
(somber music)
- His condition has improved greatly.
He's off the respirator, breathing on his own.
It's a great start.
- Yeah. - Mm-hmm.
- Well, we got a question for you, Doc.
When can we start rehabilitation?
We're ready.
- We are going to have to take that
one step at a time.
- Yeah, but you don't understand.
My boy Charlie here, he's a fighter.
- It's going to be a major difference
in his day-to-day activities.
He's going to need to relearn everything
in his new condition.
- Condition?
Why don't you just say it?
I'm crippled!
Leave me alone.
- It's all right. - Charlie?
You're gonna have to come to terms with your condition.
Can I speak to you for a moment outside?
- Yeah.
Be right back.
(machines beeping)
I want him out of here as soon as possible.
- Were gonna have to see
what kind of progress he makes.
- Okay. - In the meantime,
he's gonna need some help.
- What kind of help? - A therapist.
A church leader, perhaps.
- He hasn't been to church since his mother passed.
A therapist?
Really? - He's gonna have
a lot of frustration.
You saw some of that in there.
Charlie has a long road ahead of him,
but he's lucky he has a road.
- Really? - Yeah.
You could have easily lost him.
We'll talk later.
(dramatic music)
(sighing)
(machines beeping)
(faint shouting) (intense percussive music)
(banging)
(machines beeping)
(water rushing)
(birds chirping)
- River's high.
We've tossed a few lines in this river, ain’t we?
- We sure have.
- I've been to every place in this town
that's brought me solace in the past.
- Any luck?
- Not so far.
I'm scared, scared for my boy, Jim.
You make a oath with God
when they're brought into this world
to raise 'em, watch over 'em, guide 'em.
I failed Paul.
I should have never allowed him
to join the Marines.
- Yeah, but you served.
- I had to.
I was trapped.
It's a big difference.
Paul didn't have to serve.
I encouraged him to join the Marines.
I told him it would make him a man.
Now look where he is.
- Well, the authorities won't allow me
to let anyone inside the house yet,
but once they do, you're welcome to go in
and take whatever you want.
- Did you hear what happened
to all the dogs that survive the fire?
- Yeah, Glenn took 'em into the shelter.
Once news of the fire hit the papers,
several were adopted immediately.
- Good. - Matter of fact,
a couple were taken in by an agency
that trains service dogs in Flint.
- I was thinking about taking one in myself,
give it a, as Paul says, a forever home
as some way to remember.
- Don't you lose hope, not yet.
Don't ever lose hope. - No, I'm just happy that,
so happy that they all found homes.
I just don't think I could muster the courage
to have to have told Paul
that any of 'em had to be put down.
He loved 'em so much.
- Well, the local VFW took up a collection
to pay for the proper handling of the dead animals.
- Good.
Speaking of which, I got some money.
I'd like to pay you back some of what he owes you
for that back rent.
- With everything going on, it can wait.
- You sure? - Oh yeah, yeah.
It can wait.
- Well, I appreciate that, brother.
I appreciate that.
What's on your mind?
- I was contacted by the prosecution to testify,
and I'm guessing it's about all the dogs he had there.
- You gotta do what you gotta do, Jim.
You've always been a good friend to Paul,
always given him a fair shake.
I always appreciated that.
That's all a man can ask for in this life.
- I always wish I could do more.
All he's done for this country.
The way people have treated him.
Don't you worry.
You hang in there, buddy.
It's gonna be all right.
(birds chirping)
- Stupid reception.
(knocking)
- A lot of excitement over that house fire
and the attack on those boys.
- Yeah, I read a few things being posted on it.
We don't have anything official yet though, do we?
- Fire inspector, they're not speaking yet.
I've heard they suspect arson.
I also heard Mayor Quinn's boy likely paralyzed.
But of course, you probably already know that from Ed.
- Ed's careful about what he shares from work.
I wish that were true for everyone.
- Well, I'd like you to run a story.
Dig whatever you can on this Paul Landings.
- Yeah, way ahead of you.
I have pulled all the past stories we ran on him
when he returned from service.
He was honored at a Memorial Day parade.
- Any arson in his background?
- What?
- Violence, arrests?
He wasn't always a Boy Scout.
- You want me to uncover dirt on him?
- Quinn's boy ain't never gonna be the same,
and I don't want that broken down,
poor excuse of a soldier--
- A Marine.
- Whatever.
I don't want any bleeding hearts on his side.
I'd like you to cover the entire trial
if Ed's okay with it.
- Ed doesn't give me permission.
- Filled with a blind rage,
the defendant, Mr. Paul Landings,
viciously attacked Charles Aaron Sawyer
and brutally slammed him into the corner
of this pool table,
thereby shattering the lower vertebrae in his back.
Young Charlie's life, promised as an athlete,
student, a young man with so much
ahead of him forever altered,
forever altered by this man,
whom, I will tell you, is a war veteran,
United States Marine Corps, honorably discharged.
And we appreciate his service,
but this vet returned home thinking that he did not play
by the same rules that you and I all obey.
The prosecution is going to show
that he was in gross violation of city ordinance,
and that when he was confronted with this fact,
he did not choose to comply with the law.
He chose, rather, to retaliate violently
against those he thought responsible
for turning him in.
Now the defense is going to try to paint for you
a fabricated picture of a poor,
wounded war vet under stress.
And they're going to bring you studies
and statistics that try to show
how he is not accountable and responsible for his actions.
But rather, it's because of a war fought
in a distant country a long time ago.
The truth is, he chose to break the law, our law.
And then he chose this combat-hardened Marine,
chose to target, stalk,
and attack a group of boys half his age.
And it would not surprise me to find out
that in a fit of spite,
that he set his own residence on fire.
- Lie!
- Paul! - I did not
kill my dogs.
- Order in my court! - I did not
kill my dogs. - Order!
I want order in my court! - Sorry, Your Honor.
- Stand down, Marine.
- Sit down!
- Paul, please.
Sit down.
- We are done with our opening remarks, Your Honor.
- Exciting morning.
The coffee is kicking in better for some than others.
I wanna thank our fine jury for your service.
Much like our client has risked and been awarded
for his service to all of you,
you, ladies and gentlemen, now serve him and us.
I promise you will hear quite a different story.
You'll discover that while arson might have been involved,
our client surely did not participate in any way.
He is in pain.
He lost family.
He actually lost family in that fire,
family that he'd loved as near and dear
as you all love your family.
I plan to give you a vastly different story
than the prosecution might wish you to believe.
And what is that, you might ask?
That Charlie Sawyer is not the Clark Kent,
small town America poster boy
painted by the prosecution and his team.
As some of you already know,
he is a troubled young man,
and who has a pattern of truancy, bullying,
and in this case, took things too far!
We plan to give you the truth.
And following that, we're gonna ask you,
after you hear all the testimony,
that you find Paul Landing not guilty of these charges.
- He's lived there for about two years now.
He's always been a good renter.
He's a good man.
- The final fire department report
states that arson was the cause of the fire at his,
I'm sorry, excuse me.
At your house.
Did you ever have any issues with Mr. Landings?
- Objection.
Mr. Landings isn't on trial for arson.
- Sustained.
Careful, Ms. Bixby.
Please continue.
- Would you like me to repeat the question?
- No.
I had the typical issues that any landlord might have
dealing with anyone these days
trying to make ends meet.
- Was he failing to pay rent?
- No!
Well, he got behind from time to time.
- And was he currently behind with rent?
- Some.
- I'm sorry, sir.
Excuse me? - Yes, some.
He was behind some.
- How did it make you feel
to be served in violation of a town ordinance?
- Objection!
How does it make him feel?
- Redirect your line of questioning, please.
- Have you ever been served in violation
of a town ordinance?
(faint speaking) (machine guns firing)
In your opinion, did you consider the living conditions
to be healthy?
- Well, no. - Sir, you're gonna have to
speak up so the court can hear you, please.
- No.
So then do you think the conditions of your property
were increasing or decreasing in value
with Mr. Landings as your tenant?
- I suppose they were decreasing.
- Decreasing, yes.
Thank you.
I have no more questions for this witness, Your Honor.
- Recess for lunch, one hour.
(gavel banging) - All rise.
(door closing)
- Okay, guys.
I ain't a lawyer, I'm not,
but you're telling me that they made Jim
sound like some heartless slumlord, hmm?
Jim is Paul's friend.
Jim has known Paul since he was a baby.
Jim and I go way back!
We're hunting buddies, fishing pals!
You're telling me that's what the case is?
- We'll get our chance to cross examine Mr. Landings.
- But his testimony.
His testimony is so (groaning).
It just ain't right.
It's my son's life we're talking about here!
There I was, sitting in my house,
and I get a call from your boss and your boss in Detroit,
says, hey, our organization wants to defend your son
free of charge!
You know guys?
Right now I am regretting that decision,
but I guess you get what you pay for, don't you?
- Mr. Landings, my young charge here
was first in his class at the Naval Academy.
He was an outstanding JAG officer.
Trust me, you want him on our side.
Me?
Well, yeah, I'm the old dog in the mix.
I know what you are thinking,
but I actually, I had it all once,
money, notoriety, people who loved me.
Maybe they still do.
I climbed into a bottle
and threw away the things that matter most, family, friends.
You can't put a price on being able to live with yourself.
Believe me, I'm still trying.
Robert, we know Paul didn't kill his dogs, his family.
But we also know that he attacked
and paralyzed the Sawyer boy.
You already lost a part of your son
to his service in Afghanistan.
If we don't bust this down
to lower included charge,
you're gonna lose what's left of Paul.
- Have faith, Mr. Landings.
Everything will be all right.
- May I ask, do you have any pets of your own?
- Objection.
Relevance?
- Sustained.
Please continue.
Have you ever had a pet?
- I had a dog, Jack, for many years.
He passed away maybe four years ago.
- You never got a new one?
- Too painful to get another one, I guess.
- But you are a dog lover?
- Objection!
Your Honor.
- Overruled.
The witness may answer.
- I like the way they bring out the best in us.
- You were aware that Mr. Landings
was taking in dogs from the local shelter
that had reached the end of their stay, yes?
- Yes. - Were you aware
of complications that Paul had from his military service?
- Well, everyone around here was aware of that.
- So you wanted to assist whenever possible.
- Yes.
Like I said, he's a good man.
We should all try and do that for one another.
- Go on. - So you noticed
when the defendant came into the bar that night?
- Yeah, everyone did.
He looked crazed when he came in.
His eyes weren't right, and he was strangely calm.
But then he just snapped and went berserk.
- Yes, I think we can all imagine that
based on what went on in this courtroom earlier today.
- Objection!
Immaterial.
- Sustained.
Stop with the commentary, Ms. Bixby.
- Do you think the defendant
was trying to kill the people in the bar?
- Yes.
I think he was.
- Your witness.
(dramatic music)
- So you knew the boys you were serving
were all underage, yes?
You're under oath, Ms. Howard.
- Yeah, I knew, but--
- But?
But what?
- But they come in all the time
to play the jukebox and pool.
His, Charlie's father was, is--
- Charlie Sawyer's father.
- Yes.
His father is the mayor, so--
- So Charlie didn't fear any consequences
because state law doesn't apply to him.
- Objection!
Badgering the witness.
- Rephrase the question, Mr. Rowan.
- Did Charlie Sawyer feel entitled to do
whatever he pleased because of his father's position?
- Yes.
- Even drinking at a bar
across the street from the sheriff's department.
Thank you.
No further questions.
- So Charlie Sawyer was suspended for five games?
- Yes. - Was that your call?
- Yes, it was approved. - And that was for?
- Disrespecting the principal.
- Do you believe that was a unique situation
or more of a pattern? - I think Charlie Sawyer
had Division I potential in both football and baseball.
He could have written his own ticket,
maybe into the pros, but he lacked discipline and respect,
and that starts at home.
- Are you still active in the army, Coach?
- National Guard, Military Police Unit.
- You sit on the board of the local chapter
of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Do you not?
- I do.
Listen, I fully support getting help
for our deserving vets, but if you think I wanted
something like this to happen to those boys--
- Did you? - I think too many
of the young men around here aren't getting
the firm hand they need.
Did I wanna see anyone get seriously hurt?
No.
Do I think Charlie and those boys could have benefited
from a swift kick in the butt?
You're damn right.
- How bad a paralyzing,
hear fatal kick to the spinal cord, Coach?
- Your Honor! - Withdrawn.
No further questions.
- Do you like dogs? - Not really.
Got bit by one when I was young.
- Once you were young.
But how do you feel about dogs?
- I can tell you how I feel about them dogs.
I feel they should have humanely been put down
before being abused by that hoarder of animals.
They were just loud and annoying.
They stunk.
And hey, they were just dogs.
- So you don't think dogs are anything more
than just property? - Nope.
- Did you have knowledge or participate in any way
to the fire set at Mr. Landings's rental house?
- Nope.
That crazy dude right there did.
I think he should be put away forever.
(dramatic music)
- How long have you known Charlie Sawyer?
- About five years or so,
since summer baseball in seventh grade.
- Scouts, in football camp.
You two have shared a lot together.
And did you know Paul Landings
before you encountered him
at the Cavalier Bar?
- Everyone knew of him, but no.
Never met him, never wanted to.
- About how long were all of you
at the bar that night?
- Five or six hours.
Charlie was suspended, so we wanted to shoot pool
and listen to some tunes.
- And like many young boys, you were drinking underage.
- Yes, but Gail can tell you.
That's what we were doing, drinking,
not setting nobody's house on fire.
- I'm finished with this witness, Your Honor.
- We'll reconvene tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
(gavel banging) - All rise.
- If we keep the pressure on 'em,
they're gonna crack.
- I think you're right,
and don't forget Coach Stolz.
- No, definitely.
There he is. - Oh, hey Paul.
- Hey, can you give us a minute?
- Not bad today. - Those boys are lying.
- I thought their testimony
came across sketchy and inconsistent.
It helps us.
- I wanna try to get the younger son on the stand
to support your story.
- That could be hard.
I heard they're debating putting your dad on the stand.
- Well, they're doing a pretty good job
of twisting truth, but we've got a few other surprises.
- Mm-hmm. - I want to speak
to my own defense.
- I'm not sure if that's the kind of surprise we need.
- Dr. Keller might also be called to the stand.
- I'm not sure if that's good or bad.
- All right.
- Okay.
Rest up.
We'll see you tomorrow. - Yeah.
See ya, Paul.
- Right through there.
It's the next down. - All right.
Thanks, thanks. - Yeah.
(faint chattering)
(keys jingling)
- Welcome home.
So you still got a roommate for a few days.
Hey.
From your father.
- Palmer.
I hear we got tacos tonight.
- Mm.
I thought you were a vegan.
(laughing) Night-night, boys.
(door slamming)
(keys jingling)
(Palmer whistling)
- Anything?
- No.
- Now? - Nope.
Isn't there anything we can do
with stem cells or whatnot?
- Major medical advances are happening every day,
but nothing that can immediately help.
(sighing)
- When do I get to go home?
- So, but your life is gonna be very different.
- Oh, you mean like, I can't do anything for myself?
- You can learn to do things.
You're just gonna need a lot of help at first.
I have a peer mentor that's gonna come in
and visit you.
- What's that?
- He's a young man who's paralyzed like you are.
He's gonna help you to see
that your life is gonna look very different,
but it's gonna be very good.
There are a lot of choices you're gonna be able to make,
what kind of car you wanna drive,
and you can put hand controls in it.
You'll be able to choose the kind of house
you wanna live in and adjust it
so that you can live a full life.
It's gonna be a long road.
You're gonna have to be a warrior,
an advocate for yourself,
but it's gonna be a good life, Charlie.
I have to leave you now,
but I'm gonna check back with you tomorrow.
You can do this.
(dramatic music)
- Hey. - I saw you on the news.
- You don't look so bad.
- How's the head?
- A few stitches.
- Come closer.
Is everyone sticking to our story?
- Yes. - Even Gail?
- Yeah.
I'm afraid of the fire report, though.
- I was just gonna say it's arson.
It's our word against the Rain Man Rambo,
so just stay cool.
- What if they try to get your brother up on the stand?
- Don't sweat it.
Just tell everyone to stick to the story, okay?
(birds chirping)
- I can't tell you what it means to me
that you found homes for all of Paul's dogs.
You're a true blessing, brother.
A true blessing to Paul.
Thank you.
- We've been friends for a long time, Bob.
I just want you to know
that no matter what the verdict is,
I still believe in Paul.
He's a good man, Bob.
You did a good job.
I've been writing a few grants,
and we're gonna make the shelter a no-kill facility
in honor of Paul.
Hell, we got a plaque and everything.
The board's already approved it.
- That's outstanding.
- It's not much, but--
- Hey.
Paul will love that.
Thank you.
(birds chirping) (gentle music)
- You're quiet tonight.
You're slowly making your case.
If a dog truly is property,
then you can't go and try to kill someone
for wrecking their property.
You're on the right side of case law.
- Then how come I don't feel
like I'm arguing for what's right,
case law or not?
I feel like I'm working hardest
to make the case for my own peace of mind.
(dog panting)
- This helps calm the mind.
It gets the Zen to flowing.
You still in that desert fighting, ain't you?
Who's Bart?
I heard you talking in your sleep.
- He's my four-legged Marine Corps buddy.
- You lost him, didn't you? - Affirmative.
- Heck, man.
He wouldn't have had it any other way.
I mean, that's what they do.
In the normal way of things,
it's not right for a parent to bury his child,
but with our dog babies,
that's just the righteous way of things.
And Paul, I'm truly sorry for your loss, man.
- After all that maiming and killing,
all I wanted was a little bit of peace.
Those dogs, they gave me that feeling of peace.
- Damn.
Those boys took that from you.
- And for that, I feel anger
and I feel rage.
I've hurt those boys.
I feel remorse,
but if that situation were to happen again,
it would go down the same way
because actions have consequences.
War taught me that.
I fight for what's right, what's honorable,
and to help those who can't help themself.
The Marines taught me that.
(somber music)
- Dad, can you please just listen to me?
Stop shouting.
Dad, I have to do the right thing.
Hello?
(thunder rumbling)
(Wyatt sighing)
Hi.
Can I please speak to a Mr. Quincy Rowan
or a Mr. Ian Tapper?
Tell them it's Wyatt Sawyer.
Thank you.
(crowd shouting) - This is like word circus.
- Social media grabbed it first.
It spread across the state, country, actually.
(crowd chanting)
Leave it to the dogs and military
to grab the headlines, I guess.
Joanne even got a call from NPR.
- You're kidding. - No.
They were asking questions.
(crowd shouting) - Let's go.
- You're a dog killer!
You're a dog killer!
- Your exact area of expertise again, sir.
- I'm a certified fire arson investigator,
and I assist with six county fire departments.
- And you were assigned to the Fire Response Team.
- Yes, sir, I was.
- What did you find when you responded?
- The entire rear of the house was engulfed in flames.
We saw several animals in the yard,
and we immediately began putting water on the flames.
I was one of the first responders
to break down the front door.
- What did you discover upon entering?
- Most of the dogs were dead, smoke inhalation.
Their paws were bloodied from trying to claw through
the front door.
The door was pretty hard to open
because they were all piled together.
I'm sorry.
- Take a moment.
I know this can't be easy.
- The first started in the rear of the house,
where most of the crates were being kept.
And all of the caged animals died in the fire
because the flames melted the plastic crates.
(shouting) (explosion blasting)
(artillery banging)
- What was the final conclusion of your inspection?
- Beyond a reasonable doubt, arson.
We discovered some burned rags
and a charred gas can.
- Thank you.
(clearing throat)
- Do you believe the living situation
contributed to this incident?
- I can't say that the living situation
had any direct cause in the fire starting.
However, once the fire did start,
the cramped amount of dog crates,
and newspapers, and empty dog food bags
certainly fueled the flames.
- Was there any evidence that Mr. Landings
did not set the fire?
- We only know that the fire started outside.
The sheriff's department report stated
that no prints could be pulled from the can.
- So the answer is no.
Thank you.
- A full recovery is very unlikely.
The spinal damage from the attack is irreversible.
- Yes, ma'am.
My son was changed by his experience in Afghanistan.
He came home 100% disabled.
You see, my son is a Marine Corps dog handler.
And on his last deployment, him and his dog
were blown up by an IED.
Killed his dog and left my son 100% disabled
and a bit slower than he used to be.
Well, the VA, the doctors, the psychiatrists,
they determined that he has TBI.
Do you know what that is?
Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD,
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from that blast.
And all of the prescriptions that the VA gives him
don't do jack.
The only thing that helps my son is his dogs,
the only thing that gives him a mission
and purpose in life, the only thing that makes him happy.
Correction, was his dogs.
- I see, and I can certainly sympathize,
but the fact is, he's not disabled enough
to keep from injuring those boys, one permanently.
And the forensic psychiatrist determined
that he knew exactly what he was doing.
- Your Honor, the defense now calls
Gunnery Sergeant Harold Reeves,
United States Marine Corps.
- They're waiting for you, Gunnery.
- I love you, brother.
Semper Fi.
- Thank you for joining us today.
- I wouldn't miss it.
- You served with Mr. Paul Landings?
- Proudly.
That man saved my life.
- Can you expound on that please, Sergeant?
- We were both doing another tour in Afghanistan, my fourth.
Our unit was tasked to take medical supplies
that were needed.
We were going down a road that day.
We knew it was sketchy.
Hell, they're all sketchy.
Sergeant Landings is a specialist K-9 handler.
Bart was his partner.
(dramatic ringing)
I was walking flank, as I always did
when we dismount from the Humvee.
Bart hit on something
and Sergeant Landings yelled at me
to stop and fall back.
- Come on, Cub!
Pull back, buddy!
- Almost before we could react, the IED detonated.
(explosion blasting)
(fire crackling)
One of those cowards, hiding with a trigger remote.
Later I was told Bart was killed instantly.
Sergeant Landings took several pieces of shrapnel,
including a chunk to the back of his head, I was told.
He spent several weeks in a coma, just like me.
I took some considerable amount of damage myself,
in case you couldn't tell.
The Marines in the Humvee put out the fire
that engulfed me.
They swooped teeth out of my mouth so I could breathe.
Others were hurt that day,
some internally, some externally.
But all of us, for the rest of our lives--
- Your Honor!
With all due respect, this is a filibuster.
- Sit down, Mr. Hammins!
You may continue, Sergeant.
- I've had 48 surgeries, but I'm alive.
The good Lord above has blessed me.
Our entire human team out there was blessed that day
because of Sergeant Landings and Bart.
- I speak for all of us
when I say how grateful we are for your service
and personal sacrifice.
- Sergeant Paul Landings is the hero.
He and Bart walked front and center into danger
on several occasions, saving many lives,
and on that particular day.
- Can you describe the bond
between Mr. Landings and his former dog, Bart?
- Bart was a Marine.
He was family, all of us.
- Was he family or was he like family?
- Excuse me. - I'm sorry.
I was just asking if Bart, a dog, was family
or was he like family.
- Bart was family.
- Yes, that is how all of you saw them,
but the military sees them as equipment.
In fact, not too long ago,
they were seen as surplus military equipment,
and often put down after retirement.
- Robby's Law changed all that, thank God.
- Yeah, the post-war adoption process.
That is a beautiful program.
Do you think Paul Landings thought of Bart
as his family?
Furthermore, do you think he thought
of all of his dogs as part of his family?
- Yes.
Like I said, we all did.
- Then do you think the defendant, Paul Landings,
would have killed to protect Bart,
would have killed to protect his family?
- We take care of our own.
That's what we're trained to do.
We're Marines.
- No more questions, Your Honor.
(dramatic music)
- I'm not sure how that went.
- What are you talking about?
That went great.
(sighing)
- Your Honor, I'm adding a witness
who just came forward on his own.
- Very well.
- I call Wyatt Sawyer to the stand.
- They can't do this!
He is my son!
- Objection, Your Honor.
This witness is not on the defense's witness list.
- Be seated, gentlemen.
- They have no right! - Your Honor!
- I will not ask again.
- Raise your right hand, please.
Do you solemnly swear and affirm
that the testimony you're about to give
is the truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth?
- Yeah. - Very good.
- Why don't you tell all of us
what made you come forward today?
- Because of what happened to my brother
and the other boys.
- You're how old, young man?
- Almost 14, sir.
- Did you go to the house of Paul Landings
that Friday night of the fire?
I need to remind you that you're under oath,
and you understand what that means?
- Yes.
I did.
- Objection.
Your Honor, we've had no time to file a motion
even against this witness testifying.
- Overruled.
Please continue.
- Why did you go to Mr. Landings's house that night?
- I told Mr. Landings there was a dog
tied up in the park.
- Knowing how he'd respond.
Was there a dog?
- No, sir.
- Who sent you to the house that night?
- My brother, Charlie.
- And you did what you were asked to do.
Any regrets now?
- Yes, sir.
I regret what happened to my brother.
- And?
- I regret what happened to those dogs.
- You saw Mr. Landings run from his house
towards the park, correct?
- Yes, sir.
- Was the house on fire?
- No, sir.
- So to be clear, the house was not on fire
and Mr. Landings ran from his house
toward Sawyer Park?
- No.
- Do you know who set the fire?
Wyatt?
- I didn't see it happen,
but I know my brother, Charlie, and his friends
were gonna do something, maybe egg his house
or teepee the trees.
- But when you saw the fire engines,
you knew, didn't you?
(gavel banging)
- Silence, please!
Continue, young man.
- I didn't know they were gonna burn it.
I never wanted those dogs to die.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, Mr. Landings.
- No more questions, Your Honor.
(dramatic music)
- Mr. Hammins.
- We're going to defer cross examination
at this time and ask for a brief recess.
Since this witness was not on the list,
we're going to entertain a motion for a mistrial.
- You can entertain anything
or anyone you like you like, Mr. Hammins,
on your own time.
Recess, 30 minutes!
(gavel banging)
- Good morning, everyone! - Hey, hey, hey, nurse?
Nurse?
Can you help me with changing the channel?
I can't.
Oh, God.
What have I done?
(sighing)
I'm so stupid.
How could I have been so stupid?
Please forgive me.
Those dogs.
Please!
(dramatic music)
- Mr. Landings, we have reached the end
of our witness list.
Will you be taking the stand?
- Our client has elected not to take the--
- No, no, no, Paul.
Sit down.
Paul.
- Raise your right hand.
Do you solemnly swear that the testimony
you're about to give shall be the truth,
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
- I do. - You may be seated.
- As I look around this courtroom,
I'm disappointed at few people there are here.
I never wanted attention, just to be left alone.
But I guess not many people care very much
about what happened to my dogs,
so all I can do is be a voice for them.
But I do see faces that I know, my neighbor,
Mrs. Johnson, who got a dog, Bubba, at our shelter.
Deputy Michael O'Leary, I was there
when you picked out Maxi
after your Gussie Mae had to be put down.
I recall you being filled with so much joy,
as if you'd been made whole again.
See, animals have that ability.
Clara Girl.
Sloopy Joe.
Riley.
I know all your pets, and I've seen the people
that you become with them in your life.
I've seen a lot of horrible things at war,
things that keep me up at night,
but my pet family they taught me how
to forget about the harshness of yesterday,
and to live for today.
- Your Honor, is this witness going to be seated
to testify or stand and preach us a sermon?
- I want you both to take a seat, Mr. Hammins.
Mr. Landings.
- Your Honor, if it pleases the court,
we're going to yield to Mr. Landings.
- Very well.
I'm duty bound to caution you, Mr. Landings.
You're under oath.
Anything you say can be held against you.
Do you understand?
- Dogs are mentioned in the Bible 44 times,
35 times in the Old Testament, nine times in the New.
The wolf was domesticated to help mankind survive.
And dogs, they teach us to love unconditionally.
- Your Honor, I object.
- Yes, I object.
I object to the way we treat one another as living things
to be used and discarded without the slightest concern
for the soul within.
- Okay, objection overruled.
Mr. Landings, please get to your point.
- Mr. Hammins?
Mr. Hammins, sir?
I have seen you and your dog, your family.
How would you feel if your dog in a fire,
a fire that was intentionally set by someone?
- Objection, Your Honor.
I am not on trial here.
- Mr. Landings, what is your point, sir?
- Let's just get this over.
First, you, Wyatt Sawyer.
Young man, thank you for your courage and your honesty.
The question we all have to ask ourself
is whether the soul of a dog can be weighed the same
as a man or a woman.
It's as simple as right and wrong.
I know my answer,
and I know my faults.
So I'll leave each and every one of you
to ponder that question inside yourself.
I'm a Marine, and maybe what I did was not right
in the eyes of the law, but it was right in my heart.
I did not set my house on fire,
but I surely did pursue those who did,
and I brought them the war that they started.
For that, I'm guilty.
I'm prepared to stand and face
whatever punishment this judge and this jury sees fit.
And as for Charlie Sawyer,
I'll let God judge him.
Perhaps he already has.
I have nothing more to say.
- Mr. Hammins?
- Your Honor, in view of the defendant's confession
on the stand, the prosecution's case of assault
with intent to commit murder has been confirmed.
We will accept a changed plea.
(dramatic music)
- Very well, Mr. Hammins.
We will enter a guilty plea.
Mr. Tapper and Mr. Rowan,
your client has been remanded to the county jail
to await sentencing.
We'd like to thank the jury for your time.
The court is now adjourned.
(gavel banging)
- Trust in me, my friend, for I am your comrade.
I will protect you with my last breath.
When all others have left you
and the loneliness of night closes in,
I will be by your side.
Together, we will conquer all obstacles
and search out those
who might wish harm to others.
All I ask of you is compassion,
the caring touch of your hands.
It is for you that I will unselfishly give my life
and spend my nights un-rested.
Although our days together may be marked
by the passing of the seasons,
know that each day at your side is my reward.
My days are measured by the coming
and going of your footsteps.
- Love you, Paul! - I anticipate them
at every opening of the door.
You are the voice of caring when I am ill,
the voice of authority when I have done wrong.
Do not chastise me unduly, for I am your right arm,
the sword at your side.
I attempt to do only what you bid of me.
I seek only to please you and remain in your favor.
Together, you and I shall experience a bond
only others like us will understand.
When outsiders see us together,
their envy will be measured by their disdain.
I will quietly listen to you
and pass no judgment, ever vigilant.
- We know you didn't hurt your dogs, sir!
- Nor will your spoken words be repeated.
And when our time together is done
and you move on in the world,
remember me with kind thoughts and tales.
For a time, we were unbeatable.
Nothing passed among us undetected.
And if we should meet again on another street,
I will gladly take up your fight.
I am a working dog, and together,
we were guardians of the night.
(chains jingling)
(door slamming)
(gentle piano music)
(singing in foreign language)
- Fair winds and following seas, amigo.
I'll be praying for you.
Semper Fi. - Semper Fi.
(singing in foreign language)
(door slamming)
(singing in foreign language)
- I see you got him the Cadillac of electric chairs, Mayor?
- Mm-hmm, yeah.
- Well, Charlie's told me he's also excited
to transition to his manual chair
so he can keep his upper body strong and conditioned.
The sky's the limit, huh, Charlie?
This is Tom Stone
from the service dog organization in Flint.
- Charlie.
- Where do these service dogs come from?
- They come from many places.
This one was a service dog for an elderly lady
before she passed.
He somehow accidentally found himself
in a local shelter until he was recently rescued.
He was one of the dogs that survived
from that tragic house fire
they had around here a few months ago.
Charlie, this is Brown Boy.
- Bet you five buck you can't hit him.
- Charlie has that look. - Hey, jarhead!
- Oh, come on!
- Hey!
(singing in foreign language)
(somber orchestral music)
(dramatic orchestral music)