During a street riot, Private Wil Thomas shoots a youth in self-defense. Utilizing Wil as a scapegoat, he is charged with murder. Wil dismisses the army's advice to plead guilty which would avoid a long trial. During his time in jail, Wil reflects on his relationship with a local girl who was brutally assaulted for socializing with a soldier. Following the intervention of a lieutenant his charge is reduced to manslaughter, however Wil still refuses to pleads guilty and is incarcerated into a mental institution.