( pleasant theme playing )
( pleasant theme playing )
Hello, Kathi.
( closes door )
You didn't even meet me
at the bus stop.
What did you...
come back for?
You.
No, Phil.
I wrote you.
One letter,
right at the beginning,
when I first got to jail.
It-- It was
fresh in your mind.
I don't want to
go over it all.
All right. But
I'll tell you again
for the last time,
that Aggie Norris ne-- Never
meant anything in my life.
Not after you and I
got married.
I love you, Kathi.
I never stopped loving you
through all the horror
of those last months.
Now, I don't care
what the town thinks or says.
They say that--
That you got off easy.
A year in jail
for k*lling Aggie.
I didn't k*ll her.
The car skidded.
I only had one drink.
You know that.
Uh, I was wrong having
an argument with you
in the restaurant.
And I was wrong offering
to drive Aggie back to town,
but that's between you and me.
And I've waited
months to come
and ask you to
please forgive me, Kathi.
( softly ):
No.
( normal voice ):
No.
We only had four months
together, Kathi.
Four months. W--
We hardly had time
to get to know each other.
( phone ringing )
Hello.
( man speaking indistinctly )
Yes. He's here.
Oh, no.
What?
No.
( man hangs up )
Ward Lewis?
He said--
He said somebody saw you
getting off the bus.
He said...to tell you
to get out of town.
He said he hasn't
forgotten
that you k*lled
Aggie,
and neither has
anyone else.
( sobbing ):
You can't stay here,
they all hate you.
I'm not leaving
without you, Kathi.
( dramatic theme playing )
( unsettling theme playing )
It's Room ,
upstairs.
Happen to have
a reservation--?
( door closes )
MAN: Beecher.
We don't want
any drunken murderers
in this town.
Why--
Stop it. Stop it!
You ought to have
more sense, Ward Lewis.
WARD:
I ought to? He should,
comin' back here.
What he did
is past now.
He paid for
what he did.
The law said
he's finished with it,
and I say let's be
finished with it too.
Not me.
I'm not finished.
Get out.
All of you.
Seems kind of funny,
you defending me, Charlotte.
Hating you won't bring
my sister back.
Good luck, Phil.
I really wish you luck.
I know what you must be
going through.
If there's anything
I can do,
I'm working over
at the mill office.
If my father
comes in,
will you tell him I'm
working tonight, Willie?
Sure, Miss Charlotte.
( door opens )
Charlotte?
Charlotte Norris.
( door closes )
Hey, aren't you
Mr. Perry Mason?
Mm, yes.
This is the first time
I've seen Charlotte.
She's been
back East.
Of course.
I knew her sister.
That's right. Uh...
you and the sheriff
go hunting together.
Mm-hm.
Aggie's accident
was about a year ago.
That's what
all the ruckus was about.
That Phil Beecher
took her driving
when he was drunk,
smashed his car up,
k*lled her,
never got a scratch on him.
Sometimes there's
a scar you can't see.
That Charlotte must be
quite a girl.
With Aggie
her sister,
and her understanding
and forgiving like that,
you bet.
But I ain't forgot
Phil Beecher so easy.
Well, let's see,
Mr. Mason.
Your room's upstairs.
Sheriff will sure be
glad to see you.
He's back.
On schedule.
You saw him?
He has a room at the lodge.
It couldn't have
worked out better.
I had to pull him
and Ward Lewis apart.
How I wanted to see
Ward smash his face in.
Beecher doesn't suspect
anything?
Look, I tell you,
I even stuck up for him.
Everything else
is all set.
The payroll money,
the ledgers. Everything.
Forty-thousand dollars,
Charlotte.
We've waited a long time
for this, honey.
I'm ready.
I-I'm laying myself
wide open for you.
Got regrets?
Not so far.
There's nothing but good things
for us in the future.
It's time.
( dialing )
Hello.
Phil Beecher, please.
Phil?
Charlotte.
Oh.
Yes, Charlotte.
I was just going over
the company books,
and I noticed a notation
from the main office.
They used one of
my suggestions?
It did? How much?
Oh, about $.
It's marked unpaid
on the books.
I don't see any reason
why you shouldn't have it.
After all,
that's what the company's
employee suggestion
system is for.
Well, that's mighty nice
of you, Charlotte.
And I sure can use the money.
Look, I'm working on
the payroll this evening
with Mr. Thurston,
the manager.
We should be
finished about .
Why don't you
drop by then?
I'll be there with bells on.
I'll leave the side door open.
You know which one it is.
Just walk in.
Fine, Phil.
See you then.
( sighs )
( sniffles )
Ah.
( blows nose )
( woman speaking indistinctly )
Hello.
This is Mrs. Thurston.
I didn't know you were working
late tonight too, Charlotte.
Your wife.
Beecher will be
here soon.
Yes, Judith.
What is it?
You didn't tell me
Charlotte Norris
is working with you.
But, honey,
you know
she always works
with me on payrolls.
Yes, dear.
I-I'll pick them up
at Tepper's.
Tissues and, uh...
nose drops, yes.
Yes, dear.
Yes.
Oh, no time.
You've got to go now.
W-- We haven't
overlooked anything?
Everything is all set?
All set.
All ready for him.
Go on, Norman.
All we have to do is do it.
We get
the $, payroll,
and Beecher gets
the blame.
Good luck.
Well, if it's
too early, Perry,
make it :
in the morning.
I'm not worried about
getting up so early.
It's going to bed so early.
It's only minutes
after .
May I have
the key, please?
Come minutes after
tomorrow evening,
after a long day out
in the open with a g*n,
you'll be
more willing.
Thanks for
the dinner, Perry.
Oh, it was
my pleasure, Gene.
Thank you.
You'll call me at , then, huh?
Yeah.
Good night, Gene.
Yeah.
Oh, sheriff.
Hello,
Mr. Thurston.
Closed up already?
Charlotte asked me to tell you
she'll be, uh, a little late.
Isn't she making up
the payroll?
That's right.
Alone?
Oh, she'll be all right.
Beecher's stopping by to--
CLERK:
Beecher?
Beecher walked out of here just
a little while ago, sheriff.
Don't like the idea of her
being alone with Beecher
and all that money.
( line clicks )
Hello.
Hello?
Hello, Charlotte.
( g*nsh*t )
( ominous theme playing )
W-what was that?
Sounded like a shot.
A p*stol shot.
Hello.
Hello!
( siren wailing )
( siren wailing )
Charlotte?
Is she dead?
I've outlived my children.
The safe is open.
Beecher.
Anybody see
Beecher?
Was supposed to be here.
Maybe he was here.
k*lled Charlotte and took off
with our payroll money.
NORRIS:
Ward.
I want you to stay here.
Nobody's to go in or out
of this office.
Nothing's to be touched.
( phone rings )
Okay, Gene,
I'm up.
Seems as though
I just hit the bed.
All right-- Huh?
( woman speaking
indistinctly )
Who is this?
This is Katherine Beecher,
Mr. Mason.
And I'm very sorry to
disturb you like th-- What?
It's-- It's quarter
after .
Mr. Mason, something
dreadful has happened...
and...I heard
that you were in town,
and I don't have
anyone to turn to.
Take it easy, Mrs. Beecher.
What's happened?
What can I do for you?
Well, it's--
I-it's my fault,
Mr. Mason.
I-- I sent him away.
If-- If I'd told him
to stay home,
he wouldn't have
gone out.
M-- My husband
didn't k*ll
Charlotte Norris,
Mr. Mason.
He didn't.
Uh, I'll be right down.
( somber theme playing )
Sure, it was a frame-up.
She had it planned all along.
She just wanted to
get back at me for Aggie.
All this time it's been
festering in her.
Tell me
what happened.
Well, the side door
was open,
just like she said
it would be.
I went in. She was
working on some books.
She gave you
the suggestion money?
The $?
Yes, she did.
Then what?
Well, I--
I thanked her.
We had a few
words. I--
I told her how sorry I was
about Aggie again.
Go on.
Well, I said goodbye
and started to leave.
And the next thing I knew,
there was a roar
of a g*n, and...
felt as if someone had hit
my arm with a sledgehammer.
And what happened then?
The shot staggered me.
I turned.
She was aiming again.
I knew if I tried to run,
that b*llet would hit me
right in the back.
So I just jumped over
the desk right into her, and...
she went over backward,
and everything went flying--
There was only
one shot?
( breathing
raggedly )
Yes.
And the b*llet went
right through your arm?
Yes.
And she was alone
when you left?
Yes, sir.
She was unconscious.
She'd hit her head.
But she was alive,
all right.
What time was this?
I don't know.
A-- Little after ,
I guess.
Do you have
the $?
Yeah, all but $ of it.
I gave Kathi a bill
to get some bandages
and things.
All right, let's go.
Where?
Well, you are gonna
turn yourself in,
aren't you,
Mr. Beecher?
Look, this town's
got me pegged
for robbery and m*rder.
They're after blood.
Please, Phil.
I'll stand by you.
Don't you know what
they're gonna say, Kathi?
Everything was fine up here
while I was in jail...
but the day I get out--
The day I get out,
the payroll is stolen
and Charlotte is k*lled.
Well, Mr. Beecher?
( tender theme playing )
Please?
All right, Mr. Mason.
My life's in your hands.
( dramatic theme playing )
( ominous theme playing )
Morning, Perry.
Gene.
Beecher k*lled
my girl.
Why'd he k*ll her, Gene?
For money.
For $,.
What the bimonthly payroll
added up to.
Did you find the money?
Enough.
A $ bill.
How do you know it came
from the payroll?
The serial numbers
were recorded.
Beecher said that
Charlotte called him
and told him she had
some bonus money for him.
That's why
he came here last night.
Thurston.
Tell him.
Why did Beecher
come here last night?
Charlotte said
he wanted to talk to her.
NORRIS:
Did she have
any money for him?
No.
W-why should she?
For an employee-
suggestion bonus.
Is that what
Beecher says?
Who listed the serial numbers
on the payroll money?
Well, actually, only
the s are listed.
Our bank in Comstock City
does that.
NORRIS:
Okay. Thanks, Norman.
You're not letting
circumstances
build up something
in your mind, are you, Gene?
Sure, circumstances
that make up evidence.
Facts that add in.
His fingerprints are
all over the place.
The wound in his arm--
How many sh*ts were fired?
Two. He k*lled her while
I listened on the phone.
He wanted that payroll money,
and she resisted.
She took the g*n
out of her desk,
fired at him
and wounded him.
While the phone was ringing--
my phone call
--as she managed to
pick up the receiver,
he grabbed the g*n away
from her and shot her.
Couldn't it have been
someone else who shot her?
Who else has
a b*llet in his arm?
Who else resorted
to flight?
Who else has been found
with the payroll money?
He k*lled both of
my children, Perry.
He's a mad dog.
There are people in town
who are saying
he ought to be
treated like one.
Put out of the way...
right now.
Do you have enough
protection at the jail?
Ward. He's there.
Leave us alone,
Mrs. Beecher.
Why?
Mr. Norris said
I could stay here.
Okay.
Look, Beecher,
you got over $,
stashed away somewhere.
And you want out of here
so it'll do you some good.
Well, you just can't have both.
So make up
your mind which.
I don't get you.
Tell me where the money is,
and I'll fix it
so you can escape.
Get a real good head start.
I don't know
where the money is.
I haven't got it.
Talk it over.
The only way out of here
is through there.
There's no way out
through the courtroom.
Beecher, you're
not gonna
get away with
m*rder twice.
He really believes
that you k*lled Charlotte
and took
the payroll money.
Or that's what
he wants me to think.
What do you
mean, Phil?
He hates me.
Lewis?!
WARD:
Yeah, Beecher?
You left the door
unlocked.
I'm not gonna
try to escape, Lewis.
You're not gonna put
a b*llet in my back.
Of course,
there's one
other thing
you can do.
You can tell Norris
where the money is
and tell him I tried
to buy my way out.
Only that'll cost you
the money, won't it, Lewis?
That is...
if you stole it
and k*lled Charlotte.
( locking door )
Goodbye, Beecher.
( dramatic theme playing )
( somber theme playing )
( bell over door rings )
Yes?
Good morning, Mr. Tepper.
My name is Mason.
I know it is.
Could you tell me something
about that $ bill that
you said Mrs. Beecher gave you?
Oh, I told everything there
was to tell to the sheriff.
Did you tell him
what she bought?
Iodine, gauze, adhesive.
What time was this?
About a quarter to .
It weren't more than
ten minutes later
I learned about
the k*lling.
Do you usually stay open
that late at night?
I got a night bell.
I sleep in the back.
Well, what time do you
usually close?
Eight o'clock.
Except Saturdays
I close at .
Everybody knows I'm in the back
if I ain't out front.
Store's open
practically hours.
( door opens, bell
over door rings )
Morning,
Mrs. Thurston.
I need some tissues,
Mr. Tepper.
Mm.
And some nose drops.
My husband was supposed to
bring them home last night,
but it went right
out of his head
as soon as he
left the mill.
TEPPER:
This here is
Mr. Perry Mason
of Los Angeles.
You're going to defend
Philip Beecher, aren't you?
That's right, Mrs. Thurston.
It's always been
a mystery to me
how a reputable attorney
can defend a man
everybody knows is guilty.
A guilty man is still entitled
to representation.
Well, you won't get
Phil Beecher off.
Charge it, Mr. Tepper.
Yeah, okay.
( door opens,
bell rings )
( door closes )
Guess Mr. Thurston
must be quite forgetful.
( mysterious theme playing )
Huh?
I guess he forgot to stop by...
for the things Mrs. Thurston
wanted him to pick up.
I guess so.
Must have been
around :.
Or shortly after .
Just about the time
Charlotte Norris was k*lled.
But maybe
he did stop by,
but you weren't
here.
Must've been one or
the other, mustn't it?
( slow, dramatic theme playing )
Uh, Mr. Mason.
Telephone call,
Los Angeles.
Thank you.
Hello.
Perry, what's going on up there?
The afternoon papers have
a story about a robbery
and m*rder in Fawnskin.
And "town feeling running high."
Afternoon papers
are right, Della.
I'll keep in touch.
Bye.
Oh, um, thinking back
to last night...
can you tell me
whether Charlotte Norris
called Philip Beecher,
or whether
he called her?
( door opens )
I don't remember.
( door closes )
MASON: Hello, Gene.
Hello, Perry.
I understand
Mr. Ransome is here.
He's right
over there, sheriff.
Eugene Norris.
Sheriff Norris?
That's right. Nice to
see you, Mr. Ransome.
Well, I've been talking to
your deputy, Ward Lewis.
And I've been going over some
of the elements of the case.
Now, this is
Perry Mason.
He's representing
the defendant.
How do you do?
Ah, yes.
I recognize Mr. Mason.
Everett Ransome,
Perry.
He's a special
prosecutor
sent up by
the attorney general.
This will be neutral
ground, Mr. Mason.
What do you mean,
Mr. Ransome?
Oh, for you
and for me.
That's true.
I've always considered
a courtroom neutral ground.
Oh.
Yeah , well, I also mean
that Fawnskin isn't exactly
my stamping grounds,
neither is it yours.
And since this is relatively
a small community,
tricks, gags,
courtroom dramatics
which work miracles
in the big city,
simply won't work here.
What are you implying?
Oh.
I'm warning you,
Mr. Mason.
You see, I've studied
this case pretty thoroughly.
The man Beecher is guilty.
And...
what is your warning?
He's going to pay.
He's not going to
get away with it.
Even though he has
a high-powered, high-priced,
big city attorney with
a hundred tricks up his sleeve.
( slow, tense theme playing )
I'm looking forward
to some of that...
courtroom neutrality,
Mr. Ransome.
Gene.
Phil and Aggie went steady
for a year in high school.
MASON:
That as serious
as it got?
Yes.
I see.
How long has Mr. Thurston
worked at the mill?
Oh, a long time,
Mr. Mason.
As long as I can remember.
He's always been a--
Well,
you know, a...
staunch pillar
of society.
And Ward Lewis?
Ward was in love with Aggie.
He used to work at the mill
before he became
your deputy sheriff.
He and Phil always
sort of, um...
clashed.
Hm.
This, um...
Robert Tepper, Kathi,
what about him?
He's a funny one.
He, uh--
He's got a finger in almost
everything in town.
He's got a lot of money,
but he doesn't trust banks.
A lot of people think
that he buries his money
but...if he does,
nobody's ever been able
to find out where
or-- Or how much
he really has.
He dabbles
in real estate.
All right.
You've been a great help.
To me and to your husband.
( tense theme playing )
( people chattering )
WARD:
Let us in, please.
I arrived
at the mill at :.
Fingerprints of the defendant,
Philip Beecher...
were on the...desk,
on the desk chair...
on the paneling
on the front door...
and on the doorknob
of the side door.
Sheriff...
what brought you
to the mill?
I had called Charlotte.
The phone had been
picked up.
I heard what
sounded like a shot.
Why did you make
the call to Charlotte?
I had just found out...
from Mr. Thurston
at the lodge...
she was there alone
in the mill offices
expecting
Philip Beecher.
I suppose you know he already
k*lled one daughter.
Sheriff...
do you recognize
this a*t*matic?
Yes.
I tagged it.
It's the m*rder w*apon.
k*lled Charlotte.
It k*lled my daughter.
Your Honor...
defense realizes
the strain
under which the sheriff
is testifying.
If the court
will allow,
this testimony could be given
by another member
of the sheriff's
office.
I was gonna
suggest deferring
Mr. Norris' testimony...
but if Mr. Ransome
agrees...?
Deputy Sheriff Ward Lewis
can handle it just as well.
Sheriff.
It's the m*rder w*apon.
Ballistics checked it out
with the lethal b*llet.
I show you now...this b*llet,
and I ask you to
identify it.
Yeah, this b*llet was
taken out of the wall.
Your Honor, I'd like this
to be marked
as State's Exhibit D,
please.
No objection.
Now, deputy,
I ask you to describe
other points
of interest found at the...
scene of the m*rder.
Well, some blood
was found on the floor...
and a trail leading
to the front door.
Was it classified
as a type?
Type AB. It was
not Charlotte's blood.
When Beecher was
examined by the doc,
he was found to be
wounded
through the fleshy part
of the upper arm,
the b*llet going right through
and into the wall.
His blood was tested
for type.
Same as the blood
on the floor: AB.
A relatively rare
type of blood.
What else was
found at the...
m*rder scene?
Well, in the wastebasket
uh, next to the desk,
a torn wrapper.
You know, the kind of
wrapper used by the bank
to, uh, put their money into.
Mm-hm.
Go on, deputy.
It had two of
the defendant's
fingerprints on it.
Thank you.
You may cross,
Mr. Mason.
Deputy Lewis...
were any of the defendant's
fingerprints found
anyplace
on the open safe?
Nope.
How many sh*ts were fired
from the m*rder g*n?
Two, apparently.
Why do you say
"apparently"?
We only found
two b*ll*ts.
The one that k*lled Charlotte
and the other one in the wall.
How many b*ll*ts were found
remaining in the magazine?
Five.
A load is eight, then...
three sh*ts
might have been fired?
Well, there's no way
of telling
whether there was exactly
eight b*ll*ts to start with.
We only found
two b*ll*ts.
How diligently
did you search?
We found all
we had to find!
The one that
k*lled Charlotte
and the one went
through his arm into the wall.
Oh.
Then the b*llet that went
through the defendant's arm...
must've entered the wall
at a flat position.
A "tumbling entrance,"
I believe it's called,
caused by a deflection
through the flesh.
The Comstock City lab men, th--
They didn't examine for that.
It was perfectly clear--
Now, just a minute.
Then it is possible
that the b*llet
you found in the wall...
did not go through
the defendant's arm,
and that
a third b*llet did.
I-- I don't get the point
of all this, Your Honor.
If there was a third b*llet,
it wasn't found.
And neither was
the missing cartridge shell.
And if a third b*llet
was fired,
it could have been fired
at the defendant too.
Uh, nevertheless,
Your Honor,
I would like the b*llet,
State's Exhibit D,
made available to
a defense expert
for microscopic
examination.
Very well, Mr. Mason.
Now, Deputy Lewis...
what else beside
the money wrapper
was found
in the wastebasket?
As I recall, nothing but
some crumpled papers--
And, oh, yes, one or two
soiled cleaning tissues.
And that's all?
That's all.
Now, on the day
following the m*rder...
did you engage
the defendant
in a conversation
at the jail?
Object.
Immaterial, incompetent
and irrelevant.
And improper in that
it takes up matters
not part of
the direct examination.
Objection
sustained.
Deputy Lewis,
isn't it true that
on the same day,
you deliberately left
the defendant's cell door open?
Object.
Same reason.
Sustained.
Mr. Mason.
Seems to the court
that you are aware
that your questions
are improper.
If the court please,
I'm trying to show bias
and prejudice.
And I can assure Your Honor
that the conversations
I'm calling for do so
indicate bias
and prejudice.
In that case...
objection overruled.
Now, Deputy Lewis--
Look, I don't know
what they told you and what they
said, but I didn't say anything.
And I didn't leave
that cell door open.
Not knowingly, anyway.
No more questions.
Call Mr. Norman Thurston
to the stand, please.
Mr. Thurston...
what time did you leave
the mill on November th,
the night of the m*rder?
A few minutes
before :.
Was Charlotte Norris there
when you left?
She had called Phil Beecher
to tell him that she knew
there had been
nothing going on
between him and Aggie
before the accident.
Now, Mr. Thurston...
what was the reason that,
uh, you have the listings
of the serial numbers
of the payroll money?
Since the robbery
in Comstock,
we asked the bank
to list the serial numbers
on all $ bills
in each payroll.
Now, I'm going to
show you these listings...
and I'd like you
to identify them for us.
These are the listings.
We get them, uh, with the money
every second Friday.
This time,
November th.
Who makes up this list?
Uh, the cashier
at the bank.
Here on the front page is
his signature and the date.
This time,
November th.
And here on
the last page
is his signature
and the date.
The, uh, pages in between
are only initialed.
RANSOME:
Hm. Thank you.
I offer these lists to be
marked as evidence, please.
No objection.
Uh, you may
have this witness.
Mr. Thurston...
how long does it take
to walk from the mill
to the lodge?
Well, that depends.
It's less than a half mile.
It can take five minutes
or minutes.
How long did it take you
on the night of November th?
About average.
Average. That would be
about ten minutes.
Didn't you arrive
at
Well, then it took me
a little longer.
Perhaps during
your walk you...
stopped somewhere.
Yes, I may have.
Where?
Object, Your Honor.
The question is irrelevant,
incompetent
and immaterial.
And improper,
since it was not part of
the direct examination.
Your Honor, we're
dealing with events
close to the time
of the m*rder.
Well, he's seeking to
cross-examine this man
on the possibility
of his own guilt.
Well, now, on this...
objection overruled.
The court is inclined
to permit the defense
a measure of latitude
in its cross-examination,
especially
in this delicate area.
However, Mr. Mason,
I will not rule out objections
if you wander
too far afield.
Your Honor.
Now, let me state this
in another way, Mr. Thurston.
During that walk...
did you stop at
Tepper's market
to pick up some things
for your wife?
Yes.
Did you pick them up?
No.
Why not?
I couldn't wake Bob Tepper up.
How did you know
he was asleep?
THURSTON:
Well, heh-heh,
if he's not
in the store,
he's either out on
his property somewhere
burying his money,
or he's sleeping.
Since it was
after : at night,
I guess he was sleeping.
No further questions.
RANSOME:
Call Robert Tepper
to the stand.
Kathi, I want you
to do me a favor.
BAILIFF:
Do you swear to
tell the truth,
the whole truth
and nothing but the truth?
TEPPER:
I do.
BAILIFF:
State your name.
TEPPER: Robert Tepper.
JUDGE: Be seated.
Here's a signed check.
I want you to
make it out for $,,
cash it at
the Comstock City bank.
A thousand dollars?
( men chattering )
Get a $, bill,
if they have one.
Otherwise,
the largest they have.
I'm trying a little
experiment in human nature.
Now, hurry.
RANSOME:
--Katherine Beecher come
into your store?
Oh, about
a quarter to .
What did she want?
Bandages, gauze
and iodine.
Did she pay cash
for her purchases?
Oh, yes. She give me
a $ bill.
And I gave her
her change.
I show you this bill,
Mr. Tepper,
and ask you to
identify it for us.
Yes. That's the bill
she give me.
I put my initials on it.
Hm.
I offer this bill
in evidence, Your Honor.
And you will note that
the serial number here
corresponds...to
the sixth entry here
on the first page of
the list of $ bills
made up by
the bank cashier...
Mm-hm.
...and marked State's
Exhibit H.
Mr. Mason?
Defense has no objection.
Your witness.
Now, Mr. Tepper...
you were in your store
at :
when you served
Mrs. Beecher...
but you were not in
your store at : or :
when Mr. Thurston rang
the bell in your rear quarters.
Now, where were you
at that time?
Object, Your Honor.
Irrelevant, incompetent,
immaterial...
and improper cross-examination.
Let Mr. Mason put the witness on
as his own witness
if he wishes to inquire
to this point.
Sustained.
Your Honor...
at this time I would
like to ask for a recess
to check on a point.
JUDGE: Very well.
This court is adjourned
until : this afternoon.
( slow, dramatic theme playing )
Now...
I don't want any
misunderstanding, Mr. Mason.
I own this parcel of land,
-and-a-half acres,
situated north
of the highway,
adjacent to
Willow Creek,
exactly according to
this title deed.
Now, you agree
to pay me
the sum of $,
for it.
If I pick up the option.
I have four weeks
to do that.
Oh, we haven't decided how much
that option gonna cost you.
You name it, Mr. Tepper.
Uh...$?
Why don't we
make it a thousand?
Thousand.
All right.
Now...a check will be
perfectly all right.
( slow, tense theme playing )
Thousand-dollar bill?
I just got it
from the bank.
Mr. Mason, what
makes you
so anxious to buy
this land?
Why, I have faith in this part
of the country, Mr. Tepper.
Don't you?
( bell dings )
( door closes )
( slow, ominous theme playing )
( dog barking )
( blows )
( blows )
( clicks )
( slow, dramatic theme playing )
All right, let's
have it, Mr. Tepper.
It's mine.
It's my money!
If it is, you'll
get it back.
L, seven, seven, oh,
three, three,
four, nine, six.
That makes the...
fifth $ bill
that checks out
on that list, right?
Yes, sir.
Thank you.
Mr. Tepper...
where did
you get these bills?
Well, I haven't been
to that safe for a week.
I wouldn't even
have gone today
if I hadn't got
that $, bill,
to put it away
for safekeeping.
Now, please answer
the question.
Where did you get
these bills?
TEPPER:
Well, you know
I run a store.
From
my customers.
But these bills were part of
the November th payroll.
The payroll that was
stolen, not distributed.
I don't
understand that.
You know, I think I do.
Your Honor,
I would like to recall
Norman Thurston
to the stand.
I object, Your Honor.
This is just the type
of shenanigans
Perry Mason
is noted for.
Well, now, just what
is your definition
of the word "shenanigan,"
Mr. Prosecutor?
Uh, I think
Mr. Mason's request
is both reasonable
and logical.
Objection overruled.
Mr. Thurston, you will
take the stand, please.
Step down, please.
You are still under oath,
Mr. Thurston.
Mr. Thurston...
what about these bills
being in circulation?
Yes, I-- I guess
I'd better explain that.
Yes, I should
guess so.
I planned to steal
the November th payroll money.
I took one of
the old lists
and substituted
the inside pages
for the
November th pages.
The initialed pages only?
Yes, I--
The front and back pages
were dated.
I-- I couldn't use them,
so I used the front
and back pages
of the real
November th payroll list
and inserted inside pages
from the...previous
payroll list.
Mr. Thurston, in this plan,
didn't you and
Charlotte Norris conspire
to put blame
on the defendant?
And...
in this plan, didn't
she call the defendant
and tell him she had
some bonus money for him?
Yes.
And in this plan,
didn't she tell the defendant
to come to the mill
at : that night?
Yes.
What was the complete plan,
Mr. Thurston?
I left the mill
a few minutes before .
I was to go to the hotel
and tell Charlotte's father
sh-- She'd be
a little late.
Then, uh,
she was to call
and accuse Beecher
of overpowering her,
and stealing
the payroll money.
But i-it didn't
work out that way.
You and Charlotte
were to share the money?
Yes.
MASON:
Isn't it true
that you stayed
at the mill
until Beecher left?
And that you then
k*lled Charlotte Norris?
No, I didn't!
There was the shot
Sheriff Norris heard
over the telephone.
And you were
in the hotel at the time.
Uh, no more questions.
Your Honor, I hadn't
anticipated...
this turn in the case.
I thought that the defendant
could be bound over
with a minimum of trouble.
But it appears
I'll have to present evidence
that I'd...
hoped to save
for the jury trial.
I call Mrs. Judith Thurston
to the stand, please.
JUDGE:
You may step down.
( sighs )
Uh, well...I thought
I would drive to the mill
and give Norman a lift home.
I figured he'd worked
hard all day,
and he hadn't taken the car.
And I wanted to save him
the long uphill walk
at that time of the night.
RANSOME:
What time did you
arrive
at the mill,
Mrs. Thurston?
Well, I'm not positive
of the exact time,
but it must have been
close to
or minutes after .
I pulled up
in front of the offices.
There were lights on.
But you can't see
all the way in, you know.
The front door was locked.
I was just getting
ready to knock...
when I heard
the shot inside.
The shot?
Yes.
One shot.
Then I heard somebody
running toward the door.
I stepped back
into the shadows...
and he dashed out.
Then what did you do?
Well, after he had gone,
I went inside.
I was worried
about Norman.
I called, but
there wasn't any answer.
Then I saw Charlotte...
and I ran out.
Did you recognize this man
who ran out of the offices
after you heard the shot?
Yes.
Phil Beecher...
the defendant.
Thank you,
Mrs. Thurston.
Cross-examine.
Now, you say you heard
the single shot
while you were
outside the mill offices?
Yes.
How much later was it
before the defendant
ran to the front door?
Well, practically
immediately.
Uh, how fast was
he running?
Very fast.
Did he have to fumble
when he opened
the front door?
No.
Not that I recall.
Isn't there a safety lock
on that door?
Oh, yes. Yes,
I guess there is.
And if it's locked,
then you have to...
hold the lock open
with one hand,
while you turn the knob
and open the door
with the other.
Uh, well, that
isn't hard to do.
Oh, not if
your hands are free.
And I suppose the defendant's
hands were free?
Well, yes. Weren't they?
Yes, I would say so.
If he wasn't
carrying something.
And if he...
had absconded
with that payroll money,
he must have, uh,
stuffed it
into his pockets.
I-I-I suppose so.
I-I didn't notice.
You would have,
Mrs. Thurston.
Do you have any idea
of the bulk of $,...
when it's comprised
of silver change
and dollar bills,
-dollar bills,
s and s?
I don't remember any of these
things you're talking about.
Now, you testified
that you went in
and you saw Charlotte's body.
Now, how close to
the body did you get?
Close enough to tell
she was dead. Shot dead.
How long did
you stay there?
I told you,
I didn't stay.
I ran out.
You had a cold at
that time, did you not?
Well, y-yes.
And how long did you remain
in the mill offices?
I didn't.
I told you.
Won't do,
Mrs. Thurston.
You were there
long enough to use
at least two cleaning tissues.
They were found
in the wastebasket
at the side
of Charlotte's desk.
Now, your testimony
has been
a mass
of contradiction.
I suggest that
you have fabricated
a bundle of lies...
and that you did not
see the defendant
on the night
of November th.
I suggest that you were
not concerned at all
about the long
uphill walk
your husband
had to take.
What motivated you
was his working late at night
with Charlotte Norris.
Why should I think
anything about that?
I suggest
that you...
did arrive at
the mill office.
Perhaps at about...
minutes after .
But you found
the front door open.
It was locked.
MASON:
When you went in,
you found
Charlotte Norris,
unconscious,
but very much alive.
No, she was dead.
All right then...
she was dead.
And what went through
your mind?
Wasn't it that your husband
had committed the m*rder?
And when that
phone rang...
you picked up the g*n,
you lifted the receiver,
you heard the sheriff's voice...
and you fired the g*n.
And that was
the third b*llet.
No. Oh, no.
Oh, don't
say no.
Those cleaning tissues
can be traced directly to you.
Oh.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Yes. It's true.
All right then, let's get
this time element straight.
You arrived at
a quarter past ...
and Charlotte
was dead?
Yes.
The defendant said he left
at about five minutes after .
That Charlotte was unconscious
but still alive.
Uh, that leaves
a ten-minute period
during which
someone k*lled Charlotte
and made off with that money.
Could've been
Deputy Lewis...
could've Mr. Tepper.
Or it could have been the one
you really thought it was:
your husband,
wasn't it, Mrs. Thurston?
Were you in love
with her, Norman?
Yes.
( slow, tense theme playing )
She hated Beecher so much,
she just used me.
She was so angry about it,
missing him with the g*n.
She-- She was all--
All-- All twisted and--
And full of--
Of bitterness and hate.
She never cared
about me or the money.
She just wanted revenge
for Aggie.
I picked up the p*stol...
I shot her.
( Mrs. Thurston sobbing )
( dramatic theme playing )
( sedate theme playing )
When did you know
who really
k*lled Charlotte,
Mr. Mason?
Oh, when I learned
about the scheme
with the serial numbers.
Someone had to
be in on it,
to take advantage
of the payroll money.
And since only Thurston
and Charlotte knew about it...
Then it was only a question
of engineering a confession.
I don't think you made
a bad deal, Perry.
Someday this land is
gonna be very valuable.
I think I'll
put up a cabin.
Won't have to stop
at the lodge. Hm.
Well, Gene, you've had
a pretty rough time.
I think of Charlotte
like Thurston said.
It was her hate,
got her all twisted up.
Nothing's all
black or white.
Even hate.
Oh, I have a message
for you from Ransome,
the special
prosecutor.
( chuckles )
All he needs is
to view his career
with a little patience.
I think
he's getting it,
along with a sense
of humor.
Says he has one more
objection to make.
To the attorney
general,
next time he's appointed
to run up against you.
Hm.
( dramatic theme playing )
( noirish jazz theme playing )