Mac is assigned the personally distasteful task of representing a fellow Marine who is appealing his death sentence for the murder of three other Marines. She believes that the defendant, Kenneth Farmer, should receive the death penalty, but she must argue otherwise in court. Brumby, who doesn't believe in capital punishment, must argue in favor of it.

However, in attempting to overturn the original guilty verdict, Mac must argue inadequate counsel by the corporal's previous lawyer: then-Commander A.J. Chegwiggen. The appeals court lets stand the original guilty verdict, but orders a new sentencing hearing.

Mic is recalled by the Royal Australian Navy and must leave within 72 hours. As a result, Harm is assigned to replace Brumby at the new sentencing hearing. Despite Mac's arguments to the defense of Corporal Farmer that was not raised by then-Commander Chegwiggen, Corporal Farmer is again sentenced to death.

Admiral Chegwiggen throws a goodbye party for Mic at the local bar.

Sarah MacKenzie est contrainte de prendre la défense d'un officier, Kenneth Farmer, condamné à mort pour le meurtre de trois marines. Brumby doit requérir la peine de mort, bien qu'il y soit opposé...

Vor zwölf Jahren hatte Marine Farmer während einer Übung kaltblütig drei seiner Kameraden hinterrücks erschossen. Seitdem ihn ein Militärgericht dafür zum Tode verurteilt hat, wartet er in der Todeszelle auf seine Hinrichtung. Als Farmer zum wiederholten Male Berufung einlegt, bekommt Mac den Fall auf den Tisch. Sie stellt tatsächlich einige Ungereimtheiten fest und bereitet einen neuen Prozess vor …

Mac deve difendere un condannato a morte per omicidio plurimo e cercare ottenere il processo di appello.

La teniente Mac recibe el encargo de representar a un compañero de la marina que quiere recurrir su sentencia de muerte por haber matado a tres Marines. Ella cree que su cliente merece la pena de muerte, pero debe defender lo contrario en el juicio. Brumby, que no está de acuerdo con la pena de muerte, debe luchar por ella.