Rules of Engagement

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Look closely
at this picture.

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Why did a well-trained
fighting unit...

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have to slaughter unarmed
men, women and children...

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when their orders
were simply to protect...

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and if necessary,
evacuate the embassy?

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The answer is,
they didn't.

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They were ordered to open fire,
and that order came from one man...

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Colonel Terry Childers,

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who stands trial
here today,

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a day of sadness,

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a day when America has
to accept responsibility...

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for its failures and its
mistakes as well as its glories.

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We will show you that the accused,
through his mind-set and actions,

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ignored the rules
of engagement...

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and went far beyond
the scope of his authority...

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to intentionally order
the murder...

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of 83 innocent people.

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I was the last one to enter the
courtroom this morning. I was late.

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I was late because
I was in the head.

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And I was in the head
because... I was throwing up.

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And I was throwing up
because I don't know if I'm...

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able to handle this job.

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I believe that Colonel Childers
is innocent of these charges.

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I just don't know if I have what
it takes to make his case for him.

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I'm simply not on the same page
as Major Briggs, uh...

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Major Biggs here,
as a lawyer.

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We all know that.

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So why did I take
this job?

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I took this case because
Terry Childers told me...

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I would have done the same thing
he did if I'd been in his shoes.