The Bounty crew members' court martial opens on September 12, 1792 on HMS Duke in Portsmouth harbor, with Vice-Admiral Lord Hood, Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth, presiding.

Heywood's family secures him competent legal advisers; of the other defendants, only Muspratt employs legal counsel.

The survivors of Bligh's open-boat journey give evidence against their former comrades—the testimonies from Thomas Hayward and John Hallett are particularly damaging to Heywood and Morrison, who each maintain their innocence of any mutinous intention and had surrendered voluntarily to Pandora.

The court does not challenge the statements of Coleman, McIntosh, Norman and Byrne, all of whom are acquitted.

On September 18, the six remaining defendants are found guilty of mutiny and are sentenced to death by hanging, with recommendations of mercy for Heywood and Morrison "in consideration of various circumstances".