I understand he's got an impeccable service record, but that shouldn't have meant he ought to have been given free reign
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — A Few Good Men
StarWarsIsMyLife — 9 years ago(October 03, 2016 04:00 PM)
I understand he's got an impeccable service record, but that shouldn't have meant he ought to have been given free reign to run roughshod over the court. He should've been reprimanded for his rather obvious unwillingness to answer the questions and take the proceeding seriously.
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captain-bryce — 9 years ago(October 04, 2016 09:43 PM)
The judge was fairly liberal in his approach to the proceedings. He seemed content not to interfere in the process unless there was an objection made by the defense counsel or the government. The only time I recall him directly addressing a witness was when Col Jessup criticized the way he was performing as a judge, to which the judge put him in his place. Instead of arguing with Kendrick, Kaffee should have objected, and requested to the judge that Kendrick be ordered to answer. But he decided to be snobby with Kendrick instead, resulting in a government objection and Kaffee being admonished.
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StarWarsIsMyLife — 9 years ago(October 06, 2016 02:47 PM)
Interesting analysis. Being snobby was always a part of Kaffee's strategy. He's trying to get under these guys' skins because he knows they're bullies and nothing gets under a bully's skin more than being "disrespected."
But I agree, in that particular instance, that strategy failed on a tactical level. -
captain-bryce — 9 years ago(October 06, 2016 03:47 PM)
But I agree, in that particular instance, that strategy failed on a tactical level
Or did it? Kendrick did seem to become more and more unhinged the longer he was up there. Kaffee was able to get the jury to see Kendrick for what kind of an officer he really was. 1) Kendrick got caught lying once (Santiago's proficiency rating), 2) he tried to avoid the question of whether he put Pvt Bell on report (likely to avoid the upcoming code red question), and 3) he was exposed as having previously ordered a code red (or something very similar) in the Pvt. Bell incident.
Kaffee knew that Kendrick didn't like him, or the Navy in general, and he knew that questioning/criticizing Marine practices would get under Kendrick's skin. By the end of the cross examination, Kendrick looks unhinged and exasperated, and not like a highly capable, highly decorated, "guilt free" marine. And that is exactly what Kaffee wanted the jury to see.
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StarWarsIsMyLife — 9 years ago(October 08, 2016 07:04 AM)
I was referring specifically in that situation where the government objected and it resulted in an admonishment of Kaffee as opposed to Kendrick. That was the tactical failure, but overall, Kaffee's approach was a strategic success for the reasons you pointed out.
I was just making the point that one can lose a battle, but still win the war. Kaffee won his war with Kendrick. -
captain-bryce — 9 years ago(October 08, 2016 08:09 AM)
I was referring specifically in that situation where the government objected and it resulted in an admonishment of Kaffee as opposed to Kendrick. That was the tactical failure,
Sometimes a lawyer is willing to take an objection for the greater win. Being admonished has much less impact than the impact a witness has on the jury.
I was just making the point that one can lose a battle, but still win the war. Kaffee won his war with Kendrick.
Exactly.
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NutMustardx — 9 years ago(December 30, 2016 02:19 PM)
well they did arrest him at the end, so maybe they will through another charge on him, but he didn't seem that out of line in the court room. plus its a military court not civilian, maybe its run diffenrtly
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HawkeyeDJ — 9 years ago(January 01, 2017 10:01 PM)
Kendricks was an arrogant prick, no doubt. He was because he was convinced that Jessup had his back.
When Jessup made his outburst he sank Kendrick, big time. Kendrick said under oath that there was no code red. Perjury in a military court martial is pretty damn serious, especially considering how these two enlisted marines' lives were on the line.
For you to insult me, I would first have to value your opinion.