JAG1995

SecNav Edward Sheffield:
I don't see how I can help you, gentlemen.

Cmdr. Harmon 'Harm' Rabb, Jr.:
Sir, there has been a serious miscarriage of justice.

SecNav Edward Sheffield:
Allegedly.

Cmdr. Harmon 'Harm' Rabb, Jr.:
Almost certainly, Mr. Secretary.

SecNav Edward Sheffield:
At this point in time, only the president has the authority to order a retrial.

Cmdr. Harmon 'Harm' Rabb, Jr.:
Sir, you could suspend the remainder of Mr. Wainwright's sentence.

SecNav Edward Sheffield:
But there's another recourse. File a writ of habeas corpus on the grounds that Wainwright's constitutional rights were denied due to a Brady violation.

Cmdr. Sturgis Turner:
We considered that, sir. But it could take months for the federal district court to hear the arguments and issue a decision.

SecNav Edward Sheffield:
I suggest keeping the president out of this.

Cmdr. Harmon 'Harm' Rabb, Jr.:
I'm aware that Congressman Bolton represents your home state, sir.

SecNav Edward Sheffield:
And if he's guilty of misconduct, he's going to answer for it. But we can't afford to go after him, not now.

Cmdr. Harmon 'Harm' Rabb, Jr.:
Don't you mean not ever, sir?

SecNav Edward Sheffield:
Watch your tone, Commander. Congressman Bolton is a ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee. And he's spearheading the opposition to the Navy's low-frequency active sonar project. If we go after him now, it smacks of retaliation.

Cmdr. Sturgis Turner:
Politics.

SecNav Edward Sheffield:
Damn right, politics. The president's under a magnifying glass. He can't give his enemies anything to use against him. Maybe next year.

Cmdr. Harmon 'Harm' Rabb, Jr.:
Mr. Secretary, former Seaman Wainwright has spent the last twenty-two years of his life in prison for a crime he didn't commit, sir. Every day he remains there is an affront. He can't afford to wait until next year, sir.