A Few Good Men (1992)
James Marshall: Pfc. Louden Downey
Photos
Quotes
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Downey : [after the verdict was read] I don't understand... Colonel Jessup said he ordered the Code Red.
Galloway : I know but...
Downey : [nervously] Colonel Jessup said he ordered the Code Red! What did we do wrong?
Galloway : It's not that simple...
Downey : [anxiously] What did we do wrong? We did nothing wrong!
Dawson : Yeah we did. We were supposed to fight for people who couldn't fight for themselves. We were supposed to fight for Willy.
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Capt. Ross : Why did you go into Santiago's room?
Galloway : The witness has rights!
Capt. Ross : The witness has been read his rights, Commander.
Judge Randolph : The question will be repeated.
Galloway : Your Honor!
Capt. Ross : Why did you go into Santiago's room?
Downey : Hal?
Capt. Ross : Did Lance Corporal Dawson tell you to give Santiago a Code Red?
Downey : Hal?
Capt. Ross : Don't look at him!
Downey : Hal?
Dawson : Private, answer the captain's question!
[Private Downey turn back and answer Captain Ross's question. Captain is mean and grudge]
Downey : Yes, Captain, I was given an order by my squad leader, Lance Corporal Harold W. Dawson, United States Marine Corps, and I followed it.
[Captain Ross hears a good answer. What's wrong with Commander Galloway while she's objecting. And Lieutenant Kaffee is silent and listen to Downey's testimony]
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Kaffee : Private, I want you to tell us one last time. Why did you go to Private Santiago's room on the night of September 6th?
Downey : A code red was ordered by my platoon commander, Lieutenant Jonathan James Kendrick.
Kaffee : Thank you. Your witness.
Capt. Ross : Private, the week of 2 September... the switch log has you down at Post 39 until 1600. Is that correct?
Downey : I'm sure it is, sir. They keep that log pretty good.
Capt. Ross : How far is it from Post 39 to the Windward Barracks?
Downey : Well, it's a ways, sir. It's a hike.
Capt. Ross : About how far by jeep?
Downey : About ten, fifteen minutes, sir.
Capt. Ross : You ever have to walk it?
Downey : Yes, sir. That day, sir. Friday. The pick up private - Tthat's like what we call the guy who drops us off at our post and picks us up... also 'cause he can get girls in New York City. The pickup private got a flat, sir, right at 39. He pulled up and, bam, blowout with no spare. So we had to double-time it back to the barracks.
Capt. Ross : And if it's about ten or fifteen minutes by Jeep, I'm guessing... it must be a good hour by foot, am I right?
Downey : Pickup and me did it in forty-five flat, sir.
Capt. Ross : Not bad. Now, you've said that your assault on Private Santiago was the result of an order that Lieutenant Kendrick gave you in your barracks room at... 1620, am I right?
Downey : Yes, sir.
Capt. Ross : But you just said that you didn't make it back to the Windward barracks until 1645.
Downey : [confused] Sir?
Capt. Ross : Well, if you didn't make it back to the barracks room until 1645, how could you be in your room at 1620?
Downey : [nervously] Well, you see, sir, there was a blow out.
Capt. Ross : Private, did you ever actually hear Lieutenant Kendrick order a code red?
Downey : [nervously] Well, Hal said that...
Capt. Ross : Private, did you ever actually hear Lieutenant Kendrick order a code red?
Downey : No, sir.
Galloway : [stands up from the defense table] Please the court, I'd like to request a recess in order to confer with my client.
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Judge Randolph : [Judge Randolph reading the verdict] Lance Corporal Dawson, Private First Class Downey.
[Two defendants rises]
Judge Randolph : On the charge of murder, the members find the accused not guilty. On the charge of conspiracy to commit murder, the members find the accused not guilty. On the charge of conduct unbecoming a United States Marine, the members find the accused guilty as charged. The accused are hereby sentenced to time already served, and you are ordered to be dishonorably discharged from the Marine Corps. This court martial is adjourned.
[Bangs the gavel]
Bailiff : All rise.
[the courtroom clears; Downey is baffled and afraid, and speaks to Dawson]
Downey : What does that mean?
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Kaffee : [to Dawson after waving his hand in front of Downey's face and not responding in an interrogation with Sam present] does he ever talk?
Dawson : sir PFC Downey will answer direct questions you ask him
Kaffee : swell, private Downey, the rag you stuffed in Santiago's mouth, was there poison on it?
Downey : no sir
Kaffee : silver polish, Turpentine Anti-Freeze?
Downey : no sir, we were just going to shave his head sir
Kaffee : when all of a sudden?
Downey : we saw blood dripping down his mouth, and we pulled the tape off, and there was blood down his face sir. That's when Lance Corporal Dawson called the ambulance
Kaffee : [to Dawson] did anyone see you call the ambulance?
Dawson : no sir
Kaffee : were you there when the ambulance arrived?
Dawson : yes sir, that's when we were taken under arrest.
