Apparently none, Drake said. At least weve been unable to uncover any. I have an idea theyre probably wise to the fact that we have shadows on them. They havent given us any inkling that they know but they must have some idea and theyre certainly being circumspect. They
A policewoman brought Susan Fisher into the court. As she seated herself behind Masons chair she leaned over towards the lawyer and said, You think Ive let you down, dont you, Mr. Mason?
Frankly, Mason said, I dont know.
Well, I can tell you one thing, Mr. Mason. That testimony is a mass of lies. I never knew Ken Lowry in his lifetime. I never had him in that automobile. I have told you the exact truth at all times I
Judge Elmer entered from his chambers and the bailiff pounded his gavel to bring the court to order.
Hamilton Burger seated himself at the prosecutions table, permitted a swift glance of triumph at Mason, then lowered his eyes to some papers on the desk.
Harrison Flanders said, If the Court please, our next witness is Norma Owens.
Norma Owens identified herself as the manager of the office of the Corning Mining, Smelting & Investment Company.
Flanders said, I show you a stiletto letter opener marked Peoples Exhibit G, and ask you if you can identify that.
That particular letter opener is one that was on the desk of the defendant, Susan Fisher. She used it to open letters.
How do you identify it?
By its general appearance, and a little nick at the edge of the handle. I remember when that nick was put in there. Miss Fisher was using it to pry the lid off a can of paint.
No further questions of this witness, Flanders said. You may cross-examine.
No cross-examination.
I will recall Lieutenant Tragg for another question, Flanders said. You have already been sworn, Lieutenant Tragg. Just take the stand.
Mason, looking out the window, his eyes focused on distance, seemed hardly aware of what was going on.
You have made a search of the apartment of the defendant in this case, Lieutenant?
I have.
Among other things were you looking for a receipt for renting Car Number 19 from the We Rent M Car Company?
I was.
Did you find it?
I did.
Does it bear the signature of the defendant?
It does.
Will you introduce it, please!
Tragg produced the paper.
I ask that it be introduced in evidence as Peoples Exhibit R, Flanders said. He turned to Mason. Cross-examine.
Mason apparently didnt hear what Flanders had said. His eyes narrowed in thought, he was staring out through the window.
You may inquire, Mr. Mason, Judge Elmer said.
Mason gave a little start, said, Yes, Your Honor. Thank you.
He rose to his feet, approached Lieutenant Tragg, who turned to face him expectantly, then said abruptly, No questions, and returned to his chair.
Thats all, Lieutenant, Flanders said. Thats our case, Your Honor.
Hamilton Burger got to his feet. If the Court please, he said, I wish only to comment on matters which have been received in evidence but the Court will notice that we have here a murder a cold-blooded, deliberate murder. In addition to that we have the disappearance of Amelia Corning. This is a very serious matter and there is no question but what the murder and the disappearance are related.
Just a moment, Mason interrupted. Are you preparing to argue the case now?
Certainly, Hamilton Burger said.
I doubt if theres any need for argument, Judge Elmer announced.
Isnt it proper, Mason asked, to give the defense, a chance to put on evidence?
Burger looked at him in surprise. There isnt any evidence you dare to put on, none that you can put on.
Mason said, If the Court please, before being called to put on any evidence on my side of the case I would like to recall Endicott Campbell for further cross-examination.
We object to it, Hamilton Burger said. This is a favorite trick of Counsel, to wait until the testimony is all in so that he is familiar with the case of the prosecution and then recall some key prosecution witness for further cross-examination.
I think I will permit it, however, Judge Elmer said. While this is a preliminary hearing for the purpose of determining whether there is reasonable cause to connect the defendant with a crime, the fact remains that it is a hearing in a court of law. The defense cannot be expected to know all of the prosecutions case. It is the theory of the law that the defense be given every opportunity to explain the facts.
If the Court please, these facts are susceptible of only one explanation, Hamilton Burger said, and I feel that Mr. Masons desire to further cross-examine Mr. Campbell is simply for the purpose of gaining time and laying foundation for some possible conflict in the evidence when the case comes on for trial in the Superior Court. We have certainly established a prima facie case and are entitled to a ruling of the Court at this time. If Mr. Mason wants to call Endicott Campbell as his own witness he can do so.
Judge Elmer shook his head. Im going to permit Counsel to recall Mr. Campbell for cross-examination, he said. Take the stand, Mr. Campbell. You have already been sworn.