In 1960, Germany, Army lawyer Major Steve Garrett is assigned to defend four American soldiers accused of raping a young girl named Karin Steinhof. The girl was swimming in a nearby river when the four of them approached her and arrested her. Major Garrett is not impressed with his clients but is determined to give them the best defense possible. He tries to obtain a plea bargain, but Karin's father refuses and the prosecutor, Colonel Jerome Pakenham, seeks the death penalty.
To apply the death penalty, the defense attorney must have the opportunity to examine the victim under oath. Garrett sympathizes with Karin and does his best to convince her father to keep her from testifying. However, when he refuses, Garrett is left with no choice but to attack her on the stand.
The trial goes on for months, and despite Garrett's efforts, the prosecution wins. Karin is sentenced to death, and she is executed by hanging. Garrett is relieved that the case is over, but he realizes too late that his actions may have caused Karin's death.
