01x16 - The Case of the Demure Defendant

[bunniefuu]

( suspenseful theme plays)

( noirish jazz theme playing)

( slow, mellow theme playing)

Captain Hugo!

Captain Hugo, I
have a present for you!

Now, don't tell me
what's in here, Nadine.

It's, uh...

It's a necktie?

Bar of soap?

No.

Tobacco!

(chuckles)

I never would have guessed.

Let me off this fool thing
before I break my neck.

Hm...

What have we got here?

Oh, you mean this old thing?

Now, don't go and tell me
that you and John Locke

have finally gone and
got yourselves engaged.

All right, then,
I won't tell you.

When did it happen?

This afternoon.

Sixteen minutes past 5, Cappy!

When are you...?

When are you gonna
tell your Uncle Martin?

Well, I... I thought I'd wait.

Ain't gonna be good

if he finds out
from someone else.

You're late.

I'm sorry, Uncle Martin.

This room looks like a pigsty.

Where have you been?

I asked you something, Nadine.

John wanted to see me.

Oh, John wanted to see you.

Doesn't matter what I want.

You leave me here alone.

Captain Hugo was downstairs.

Hm. A lot of help he is.

He's been useless
for the last 20 years.

As for you and John
Locke, that's useless too.

Nothing good can come of it.

You're wrong, uncle.

John and I have
already set the date.

Let go of me.

You won't marry John Locke.

You'll do as you're told.

When I was a child,

you filled my life full
of fear and humiliation.

Now all I have left
for you is contempt.

So you're gonna
get married, huh?

Ain't that sweet?

Gonna have a big
family too, I betcha.

Five or six kids.

Is there anything
wrong with that?

(sarcastically): No. I
think that's wonderful.

When's the great day set for?

The 14th of next month.

In that case, I got a
little present for you.

It's in the desk drawer.

Go on, get it.

There's a sealed
envelope in there.

That's it. Open it.

Those are just the photostats.

I'll send the originals
to your husband

for a wedding present.

No.

Oh, yes.

So you plan to have
a big family, huh?

What'll you do if the
kids take after your side?

(laughing)

(sobbing)

Hey, come on in, darling.

I'll be through
in just a minute.

Oh, that's all right.

You just pretend I'm
one of your clients.

(chuckles)

Is that the way you
treat your clients?

Well, I do better
without gloves.

You better take
them off, professor.

Just as soon as I finish
mixing this solution.

In case you haven't
heard, Miss Marshall,

cyanide's pretty deadly.

Hardly the thing
you'd give your fiancée,

unless your name was Borgia.

Oh, did you, uh, break
the news to the ogre?

No...

No, I've been
thinking it over, John,

and, well, don't you think
it's rushing things a bit?

What are you talking about?

Well, you're just starting
in business, and...

And maybe a wife
would be a burden.

Nadine, look at me.

Do you love me?

Then that's all that counts.

(clears throat)

C.O.D. from Crane
Chemical Company.

Right. Sign this.

Alrighty. Both copies.

That'll be $18.20.
That includes the tax.

JOHN: Check all right?

DELIVERY MAN: Yes, sir.

How much was that?

Eighteen dollars
and 20 cents, sir.

Eighteen-twenty.

JOHN: Well, I think
this ought to do it.

DELIVERY MAN: All right, sir.

All right.

Thank you very much. Good.

You know what we're going to do?

We're going to
Rico's for dinner,

and if you're very good,

I might even let you have
zabaglione for dessert.

John, I can't have
dinner with you tonight.

Well, why not?

I have to go home.

Uncle Martin needs me.

Nadine, I can't
let you go like this.

Please tell me
what's the matter...

Darling, would you
please let me go?

( ominous theme playing)

Hello, Cappy.

Somethin' wrong, honey?

No, I'm just a little tired.

Yeah. I know what
you need, young lady:

A nice bowl of my stew.

No, thanks, Cap.

I'm going right to bed

as soon as I fix Uncle
Martin his hot chocolate.

Yeah. He's been yellin' for it.

I started heatin' the milk.

Thanks, Cap.

Is he alone?

No.

The vultures are with him.

Marian and Lester?

When did they get
back from Palm Springs?

Oh, about an hour ago.

The old man's lawyer
was here again today.

Him and Martin had
their heads together

for nigh on to four hours.

Wonder how the vultures
are gonna take that news.

Lean forward now
just a second, huh?

There, now, isn't that better?

You're a good girl, Marian.

It's a pleasure to do
things for you, Uncle Martin.

Isn't it, Lester?

Yes, indeed.

You know, I really
just don't understand

how Nadine can let
things get this way.

You're much too
patient with her.

That's what I've been thinking.

That's why I had my
lawyer drop by today.

He's drawing up a new will.

I'm cutting Nadine out.

Ain't gonna leave her a penny.

You've done more than
enough for her already.

I thought you'd approve.

If people can't make
their own way in life,

they shouldn't expect
others to keep them.

Absolutely.

Yes, sir, I'm leaving
my entire estate,

property and money,

to the people who have
done the most for me:

the Hartford Medical Foundation.

But, Uncle Martin,
what about me?

You just answered
that question yourself.

People who can't make
their own way in life

shouldn't expect
others to keep them.

He's screaming for
that chocolate, Nadine.

It's nearly ready.

Can I give you a hand?

Did you know what
the old man was up to?

I ain't his nursemaid.

He must be out of his mind.

( suspenseful theme plays)

Here.

Let me help you with that.

I was very worried about
you while I was away.

I would have phoned,
but you know Marian.

She might have misunderstood.

(buzzing)

Patient, ain't he?

(buzzing)

You see young Locke again?

Mighty fine boy.

He's gonna make some
girl a wonderful husband.

First time I saw him, I said,

"Now, there's a
real family man."

Smells like you burnt
it again, as usual.

Leave that alone and
stop messing around.

(hiccups)

You don't even make a good maid.

Young Locke should
be grateful to me.

(door opens, closes)

Oh, Cappy, I was
going to do that.

It's all taken care of, honey.

I remember the
time I was sailin'

from Java to San Francisco
and our cook got sick.

Ha! You never saw

so many dishes... (buzzing)

in all your born life.

Uh-oh. He's acting up again.

I never could understand
why she puts up with him.

(breathing heavily)

(cup hits floor)

(groaning)

(weakly): You...

You poisoned me.

You...

devil.

(screams)

six.

Ninety-five.

Four.

Ninety-three.

Ninety-two. Ninety...

What is your name?

Nadine. Nadine Marshall.

Do you know who I am?

Dr. Denair.

You're going to make me well.

And you're going
to tell me the truth.

And I have to.

You gave me the truth serum.

You remember the
talk we had yesterday.

You told me about your home.

You said there was something
there that disturbed you.

What was it, Nadine?

You know I want to help you.

No one can help me.

Why doesn't he leave me alone?

Why does he always hurt me?

Who?

Uncle Martin.

He won't let me marry John.

He says if I have children...

No.

No, it isn't true.

You mustn't tell John.
I'll k*ll myself first.

Who'd ever think

that those little pills
could take a person's life?

If I put them in his
chocolate, he'd never...

No! No, Uncle
Martin, I didn't mean it.

I was going to use
them on myself.

(sobbing)

Uncle Martin? Uncle Martin!

I k*lled him!

I k*lled him.

(sobbing)

( ominous theme playing)

DENAIR: What...? What were
those pills you put in his chocolate?

NADINE: Cyanide.

Where did you get them?

You must tell me
the truth, Nadine.

Where did you get the poison?

From John's laboratory.

What is this
patient's history, Bob?

Well, I first saw her

three days after the
death of her uncle.

She was on the verge
of a nervous breakdown.

Her fiancé, a boy named
John Locke, called me,

so I gave her medication

to try to get at the
cause of her anxiety.

How did her uncle's
death certificate read?

Death from natural causes.
Coronary thrombosis.

I don't know which way to turn.

I... I just don't
know what to do.

If I were to tell you
the law required

that you go to the police?

Mmm.

I'm a doctor, not a detective.

A psychiatrist's office
is like a confessional.

Since you made up your
mind, why come to a lawyer?

Suppose I do go to the police
and there was no m*rder.

She could sue you.

In other words, I'm hung
no matter which way I turn.

Who else has
heard this recording?

My nurse, Miss Wilson.
She can be trusted, though.

Mmm, I hope so.

Perry, what'll I do?

Well, if it's all
right with you,

I'll meet you at the
hospital in the morning.

We'll have a talk with
this patient of yours.

Good. Thanks very much.

NADINE: I've got to get
rid of this bottle of cyanide.

I know. I'll throw
it in the lake.

No one will ever find it there.

I've got to weigh it down.

I'll get one of the
shotgun shells,

break it open and pour
the sh*t into the bottle.

That'll make it sink.

Where's the g*n?

Got to hurry. Hurry.

I've got to get out to the lake.

DENAIR: What lake is that?

NADINE: West Side Lake.

Oh, I can run down
the boat landing now.

(recorder shuts off)

Nadine, you'll
have to talk to us.

Mr. Mason's here to help you.

What am I saying?

Why did I say those things?

DELLA: Sooner or
later, it had to come out.

Are you going to the police?

No. Not yet.

Why did you hate your uncle?

I did hate him, I guess.

He was a bully.

And when he tried to stop
me from marrying John...

Nadine, how could he stop you?

He had his ways.

Perry, um...

Well, Della, what do you think?

I feel sorry for her.

She seems like a
frightened little girl.

Could be an act.

Well, then why did she
throw the pills in the lake?

She could have easily
washed them down a sink.

Yet, it could have
made sense to her

if she were on the verge
of a nervous breakdown.

What if she didn't
throw them in the lake?

Oh, Bob.

Tell me, is it possible
for someone to lie

while under the
influence of a truth serum?

Anything's possible.

Perry, will you take
care of this for me?

Yes, I'd better take that.

Wouldn't want
someone to run across it.

Mm-hm. I'll hear from you?

Yes, you will.

Right.

What next?

Well, lunch first, then I'll
drop you off at the office.

They just left.

I thought it was
my duty, lieutenant.

I just had to tell you.

( suspenseful theme playing)

Gertie, has anyone called?

Oh, hello, lieutenant.

Yes. I wanted to
see your boss, Della,

but I think you'll do.

Oh, well, if you'll wait
just a few minutes,

I have some things
to take care of.

Um, I think we're both trying
to take care of the same thing.

What do you mean?

That, uh, tape recorder
you're holding there.

Ah, well, this is...
This is Perry's.

Uh-huh. With
the initials "R.D."?

Uh... not without
a search warrant.

Ooh. Well, it, um,
just so happens...

Yeah.

Ahem. Anything else?

(laughs nervously)

Yeah. Hm.

Mm-hm.

( mysterious theme playing)

(sighs)

Lost something, mister?

Hey, would you
like to earn a dollar?

On the square? Mm-hm.

Me too, mister?

Sure, both of you.

If you find what
I'm looking for,

they'll be another
five dollars apiece.

Is it for real?

Right.

Somebody threw a small
bottle from this landing.

It landed out there in
the middle of the lake,

right about those...

Right about the water lilies.

It was filled with lead sh*t.

You know, BBs, and
it had some pills it in.

Think you can find it?

Yeah.

Sure.

Hey, this is a man's job, Susan.

Stay out of my way.

May I have a hot dog,
please? With everything on it.

Coming right up.

Here you are, sir.

Thank you.

Hey, I seen your
picture in the paper.

You're Perry Mason,
the lawyer, aren't you?

Uh-huh.

(register opens)

(plane flying overhead)

BOY: Hey, mister!

Hey, mister, I've got it!

( dramatic theme playing)

All right, young
man, give it to me.

It's all right, Arthur.

Analysis, Mr. Mason?

As fast as you can, Dr. Korbell.

It's always the rush.

Eh, can you give me an
idea of what to expect?

Try it for cyanide.

Come on, young
fella, I'll take you home.

This time, it is a rush, doctor.

Hello, Perry, I suppose
you've heard the news.

Della just told me.

Your nurse couldn't
wait to call the police.

You think that's bad, wait
till you hear the topper.

Nadine's gone.

What do you mean, she's gone?

Just that. She's
disappeared from the hospital.

How the devil could that happen?

No idea.

(intercom buzzes)

I imagine her boyfriend
had something to do with it.

Excuse me. It's Dr. Korbell.
He says it's urgent.

Yes, Dr. Korbell?

Was it Lieutenant Tragg?

I might have known.
Did he take all the pills?

All right, thanks
for calling me.

More trouble?

I had a boy dive for
that bottle out at the lake.

When he found it, we took
it to Korbell for analysis.

Apparently, the police
weren't far behind.

And now they're looking for you?

For withholding
material evidence.

Well...

might as well save the taxpayers
the cost of picking me up.

Shouldn't like to
be in your shoes.

Now that you mention it,
Bob, they do pinch a little.

( ominous theme playing)

Well, Mason, what have
you got to say for yourself?

I don't know. What crime am
I alleged to have committed?

There's nothing
"alleged" about this.

You tampered with material
evidence in a m*rder case.

How?

You heard the boy.

Arthur, you found
that bottle, didn't you?

Yes.

Did you turn it over when
you got out of the lake?

Well, no. You told
me to hold on to it.

Did I take it away
from you at any time?

No.

And you handed that
bottle to Dr. Korbell yourself,

didn't you?

Yes.

Thank you, Arthur.

That's all, Arthur.
You can go now.

Eh, take him back to his mother.

Now, will you show
me how or when

I tampered with this
so-called material evidence?

Listen, Mason, that
bottle contained cyanide.

When did you get
the analysis report?

MAN: Crime lab, Sergeant Cramer.

Tragg, sergeant.

Did you finish the analysis on
those pills in the Wellman case?

Yes, sir, we first tested...

Never mind the details.

Was it pure cyanide?

No, it was saccharine.

Saccharine?

Yes, you know, the stuff folks
use as a substitute for sugar.

Oh. Oh, thanks, uh, sergeant.

I am sorry, lieutenant.

I know you counted on m*rder.

Well, uh...

how do you explain
her confession?

Oh...

probably an
overactive imagination.

Well, no use to
trouble yourself further.

I'll see that these
get to Dr. Denair.

Ah-ah-ah.

You mean this?

Mm-hm.

(chuckles)

You know, I always
feel sorry for Tragg.

Even that saccharine hasn't
sweetened his disposition.

(knock at door)

That's Paul.

Come in.

No "hello"?

Hello.

This is a fine time to
be having a celebration.

Ha! He hasn't heard
about the saccharine.

Oh, yes, I have.

All right, what have you heard?

Well, after you talked to Tragg,

he send a couple of divers
out to West Side Lake.

They found another bottle.

Another bottle?

The same kind he found earlier,

only this one was
loaded with cyanide.

What else?

The cops think you
planted the first bottle

in order to confuse matters.

The DA's charging you
with covering for Nadine.

Oh, that's ridiculous.

The guy that runs the
hot dog stand out there

swears he saw Perry throw
something into the lake.

Paul, you've got
to locate Nadine.

How do I go about doing it?

Find John Locke. Put
every man you've got on it.

Let me know when
you strike pay dirt.

( dramatic theme plays)

( suspenseful theme playing)

Uh, Mr. Locke...

Yes?

Where can we find
Nadine Marshall?

Who are you?

My name is Mason. This is
my secretary, Della Street.

We've got to see Nadine.

Well, what makes you
think I'd know where she is?

You're engaged to her.

I haven't seen her in days.

If you haven't seen her in days,

why are you stocking
up on groceries?

Don't you usually
have all your meals out?

Look, we don't
have time for games.

The police are after you too.

What for?

For the same reason I am.

They want to find out if
Nadine stole any cyanide

from your laboratory.

She didn't.

If you're lying,

the district attorney will
break you wide open.

It'll make a case of
first-degree m*rder against her.

I'd never testify
against Nadine.

I'd go to jail first.

You think that will help?

(vehicle approaches)

Too bad you and
Nadine aren't married.

You know, uh,

a husband can't
testify against his wife.

(engine revving)

(tires squealing)

Do you think he'll get away?

I don't know.

But that still doesn't get
us any closer to Nadine.

You think I did the
wrong thing in telling him?

I just hope the Bar Association

doesn't get you for
practicing without a license.

How do you do?

Is, uh, Lester Newburn at home?

Who wants him?

My name is Mason.

He'll be back any minute.

There ain't no
charge for waitin'.

And if you don't mind a kitchen,

it's much more
friendly in there.

So you're Mason the lawyer.

You must be Captain Hugo.

Yep.

How's Nadine?

I haven't seen her lately.

She didn't k*ll the old man.

You might as well suspect me.

I do. I suspect everyone.

As a matter of fact,
where were you

when Martin Wellman d*ed?

Mindin' my own business.

Weren't you surprised

when you weren't
mentioned in his will?

Nope.

Even after working
for him all these years?

So he cut me off at the pockets.

He didn't owe me nothin',

I didn't owe him nothin'.

Captain Hugo, have you seen...?

Ah, here's the fella
you've been waitin' for.

Mr. Newburn...

I'm Perry Mason.

Could you spare
me a few minutes?

Why, yes, of course.

Let's go into the library, huh?

Captain.

(door closes)

Mr. Newburn...

do you, uh...?

Do you think Nadine
m*rder*d her uncle?

Nadine is a sweet child.

That doesn't answer my question.

I don't jump to conclusions
quite as rapidly as the police.

You know, Nadine was getting
a raw deal from her uncle.

And that bothered you?

It did.

I'm very fond of her.

What are your
feelings about, uh...

About John Locke?

He's a nice boy.

How far do you think
he'd go to protect her?

Oh, pretty far.

I wouldn't be surprised
if he was the one

who threw that bottle
of saccharine in the lake.

How did you know
about that other bottle?

The police have been
keeping it under wraps.

(scoffs)

I must be psychic.

It's an over-simplification.

Meaning?

Meaning I think
you're responsible

for the second bottle.

You know, I'm very
grateful to you, Mr. Mason.

I don't think I'll ever
make that slip again.

The next time, I'll
keep my mouth shut.

Why did you plant that bottle?

All right, I'll tell you.

I wanted to protect Nadine.

The night that
Martin Wellman d*ed,

Nadine was hysterical.

Dr. Granby gave her a sedative.

Go on.

Well, the next morning,
I saw her fill a bottle

with lead sh*t and
throw it into the lake.

So you took the
same kind of bottle...

Oh, but this one was
filled with saccharine.

And I duplicated her actions.

Why?

Well, I figured if
the police found out

and searched the lake...

Nadine had a 50-50 chance

that they might
come up with a bottle

that didn't make
her look guilty.

That was very noble of you.

I thought so.

Do you realize
the district attorney

thinks I'm responsible
for that maneuver?

Oh, that's too bad.

What do you plan to do about it?

(laughing): Not a
single, solitary thing.

Suppose I put
you on the stand...

It would be a waste of time.

I told you, Mr. Mason,

I'll never make
that mistake again.

In other words, you'd lie.

In other words, I'd lie.

Perhaps you'll change your mind.

Uh-uh.

Well, just in case you do,

here is my unlisted number.

You may call me at any time.

Oh, excuse me.

Ah, Marian. Come in, come in.

Darling, this is
Mr. Perry Mason.

My wife. How do you do?

How do you do?

I, uh... I was just leaving.

Are, uh...? Are you
representing Nadine?

I haven't decided yet.

Well, if there's anything
we can do to help,

please let us know.

Then, you don't believe
she k*lled Mr. Wellman?

Well, of course not.

Uncle Martin d*ed
of a heart att*ck.

The police disagree with you.

The police are wrong.

You tell Nadine that we
all know she's innocent.

I'm sure she'll be very grateful
for your vote of confidence.

Good night.

Good night.

(door closes)

Well, now. Wasn't
that sweet of me?

Do you know any other wife

who would be that
charitable to a little cheat?

What are you talking about?

That demure little child.

Just remember, darling, when
you're dreaming about Nadine,

that Uncle Martin left
all his money to me.

Marian...

listen to me.

As far as I'm concerned,
Nadine is just a sweet kid.

(laughing): Oh,
that's very funny.

You're the only woman
I've ever cared for.

Please, Lester, I just
can't take any more.

I know I've acted
like a heel at times,

but in my own way, I've
tried to make up for it.

How?

I hope you never find out.

( ominous theme playing)

(knocking on door)

Hi, beautiful. Where's Perry?

And I thought you
came to see me.

I'd like nothing better,
but I gotta talk to him.

Well, he's downstairs in
the grill. What's wrong, Paul?

Oh, everything.

The cops picked up Nadine
and John Locke at the state line.

Then they didn't have
a chance to get married.

Uh-uh. That Burger
must be licking his chops.

Where's Nadine now?

In Logan City jail.

Come on. Let's go see Perry.

( suspenseful theme playing)

You've got to tell
me the truth, Nadine.

I have.

No, you haven't!

Now, how did your uncle

prevent your marriage
to John Locke?

Nadine, I can't fight both
you and the district attorney.

When I told Uncle Martin
I was gonna marry John,

he showed me some papers.

What kind of papers?

A committal order.

For whom?

My father,

committing him to an institution
for the criminally insane.

He d*ed there.

Do you still want to
defend me, Mr. Mason?

Now, listen to me, young lady.

The best medical advice tells us

criminal characteristics
cannot be inherited.

John said that too.

He knows the story?

Oh, I had to tell him

when he insisted we
run off and get married.

But you still believe you
could have inherited that...

bad seed.

You still believe you
could have k*lled your uncle.

I don't know what to believe.

( mysterious theme plays)

Ladies and
gentlemen of the jury,

the state will prove
beyond a reasonable doubt

that the defendant,

Nadine Marshall,

willfully and feloniously
m*rder*d her uncle,

Martin Wellman.

BURGER: Mr. Locke,
as sole proprietor

of the Locke Laboratories,

how many people do you employ?

Just myself.

It's a one-man outfit.

I show you here a bill

from the Crane Chemical
Company dated June 9th.

That's two days before the
m*rder of Martin Wellman.

You'll notice there's
an item circled there.

It says, "One hundred
five-grain tablets,

pK3."

Just exactly what is pK3?

Potassium cyanide.

The deadly poison?

Yes.

On the day Martin Wellman
d*ed, did the defendant

visit you at your laboratory?

She did.

And at any time after she
left, did you notice a shortage

in your supply of
potassium cyanide?

I don't remember.

That's surprising.

When you brought your
records down to my office,

we found 16 tablets
you couldn't account for.

I said they could have
been used in various tests.

Yes, but you also
said that your company

was a one-man outfit.

If anyone made tests
with potassium cyanide,

you must have done it.

I must have.

And although they involved
the use of a lethal poison,

you can't remember
making these tests?

I can't remember.

Isn't that strange?

You can't remember making
them, you have no records of them,

and yet, you habitually keep
the most accurate account

of every experiment you run.

Your witness, Mr. Mason.

MASON: No questions.

JUDGE: You may step down.

Dr. Granby, were you summoned
to the Wellman residence

on the evening of June 11th?

I was.

Would you tell this court
what you saw there, please?

I saw the body of Martin Wellman

lying on his bed,

and fragments of a broken
cup scattered on the floor

and what appeared
to be a chocolate drink

spilled on his nightshirt
and on the floor.

And I also observed a
cherry redness of skin.

And were you also present later,
when an autopsy was performed

on the late Martin Wellman
after his body had been exhumed?

I was.

As a result of that autopsy,
as well as for other reasons,

did you arrive at a conclusion
as to the cause of death?

Yes.

In my opinion, Martin
Wellman had been poisoned

by cyanide potassium.

Thank you, doctor.

Your witness.

When you first saw
Martin Wellman's body,

Dr. Granby, on the
night of his death,

did you at that time
note all the symptoms

you've just described
for this court?

Yes.

Would you state what you
certified as the cause of death?

Coronary thrombosis.

And after the autopsy,
did you change your mind?

Yes.

Isn't it true that
embalming fluid

destroys all traces of
cyanide in the body?

Yes.

Consequently, after the autopsy,

you found no traces of
potassium cyanide whatsoever.

No, but there was also no sign

of a coronary thrombosis,

and there was no
other apparent reason

for Mr. Wellman's death.

Dr. Granby, would you say
that all unexplained deaths

were due to cyanide poisoning?

Of course not.

Then why the exception in
the death of Martin Wellman?

Well, uh...

there was other evidence
to support my opinion.

Such as?

The apparent
cherry redness of skin

at the time of his death.

Were there any other factors?

Well... there was
Nadine's confession.

Then you arrived at your
recent expert medical conclusions

on the basis of the
defendant's alleged confession?

In a way, yes.

In other words, just
hearsay evidence.

That's all, doctor.

You may step down, doctor.

BURGER: Just a moment, doctor.

Can you explain
to this court, sir,

why your first diagnosis
gave coronary thrombosis

as the cause for
Martin Wellman's death?

I made an honest
mistake, Mr. Burger.

The patient did have a
history of coronary disease.

Unfortunately, at
the time of his death,

I made an unwarranted
assumption.

I regret to say
that is not unusual.

I think you deserve
a great deal of credit

for admitting your
mistake in public.

There are very few men
big enough to do that.

Thank you again, doctor.

If the court please,

the defense moves
for a dismissal

on the grounds that the
prosecution cannot prove

that the deceased d*ed
by a criminal agency,

namely, cyanide poisoning.

BURGER: Your Honor,

we have other expert witnesses

to support the people's case.

In addition to which, we
have a recorded confession

of the defendant to
be entered in evidence.

I hold that this confession

is a confidential communication
between doctor and patient,

and cannot be introduced.

Your motion for a dismissal
is premature, Mr. Mason.

As to the tape recording,

we are now coming to
the crux of a legal situation

which the court
understood would arise.

I think that argument
should take place

outside the presence of a jury.

That is correct, Your Honor.

Very well.

The jury will be excused

while the court
considers this objection.

You will not discuss this case

or permit it to be
discussed in your presence.

Nor will you form or
express any opinion

as to the guilt or
innocence of the defendant

until the matter is
finally submitted to you.

The jury will please rise.

( dramatic theme playing)

Your Honor, we've established
at least the presumption

that death was caused
by potassium cyanide.

This tape recording

contains a statement
by the defendant

to the effect that she
poisoned Martin Wellman.

The defense again
submits that that recording

is a confidential communication,

and going further,

that it was made under
the influence of dr*gs.

If it please the court,
it's generally conceded

that a confession is admissible
no matter how it's obtained,

as long as enough physical
evidence is introduced

to establish the authenticity
of that confession.

The court will permit
the district attorney

to present his corroboration.

Thank you, Your Honor.

As previously introduced,
people's exhibit A

is an empty shotgun shell

which formerly contained
number five lead sh*t.

People's exhibit B

is a bottle containing
potassium cyanide

and lead sh*t from
that shotgun shell.

And people's exhibit
C is an identical bottle

containing saccharine

and lead sh*t from a
similar shotgun shell.

In what way is exhibit
C pertinent to this case?

I think the defense counsel
can answer that question.

If the court please,

I can account for exhibit C.

And since the question
has been raised

that I planted that exhibit

for purposes of confusion,

I should like to call a witness

to refute the... insinuation.

The court shall grant
Mr. Mason's request.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I call Lester Newburn.

Mr. Newburn, your
wife was related

to the late Martin Wellman?

That is correct.

You were friendly
with Nadine Marshall?

I sympathized with her.

And after you learned

that she had thrown a bottle

containing cyanide tablets

into West Side Lake,

did you try to help her?

How could I?

By taking a similar bottle,

only this one filled
with saccharine,

and tossing it
into the same lake.

It would have popped
right back up to the surface.

No. Not if you first
filled it with lead sh*t

in the same way Miss
Marshall is alleged to have done.

That's ridiculous.

MASON: Perhaps.

But right in your own home,
you made a statement to me

that you duplicated
Miss Marshall's actions

with a second
bottle, did you not?

I did not.

MASON: And I say you did.

If Your Honor please,
may I take the stand?

JUDGE: Counselor, do you wish

to impeach your own witness?

Yes, I do.

JUDGE: On your own testimony?

BURGER: Your Honor...

while it's distasteful
to me to mention this,

it does seem that if Mr. Mason
intended to clear himself

of the prosecution's
charge that he is responsible

for people's exhibit C,

he has so far failed to do so.

Well, Mr. Mason?

Mr. Mason?

My apologies to the court.

If the district attorney
still wishes to introduce

the tape recorded
confession into evidence,

I shall withdraw my objection.

JUDGE: Mr. Mason,

you can't waive the
rights of the defendant.

Earlier, you were quite
definite in your objection

to Mr. Burger presenting
the recorded confession.

If I had upheld your objection,

the case against your client
would have been dismissed.

A dismissal, Your Honor,

which would have stamped
my client as a murderess

escaping justice
on a technicality.

Realizing this, I now
withdraw my objection.

The prosecution accepts.

Uh, one moment.

Will the defendant rise?

JUDGE: Miss Marshall,

you have heard what
was said by your counsel.

Yes, Your Honor.

Do you understand what
this means to your case?

I do, Your Honor.

JUDGE: Do you wish the court

to appoint other
counsel to represent you?

No.

Whatever Mr. Mason
does is all right.

So be it.

Recall the jury.

And so if the court will permit,

I can prove here and now
that the defendant did not

and could not
have thrown a bottle

containing cyanide
into West Side Lake.

Have you any
objection, Mr. Burger?

If Mr. Mason can
prove any such thing,

I'd be the last one
to make an objection.

I shall grant your
request, Mr. Mason.

Thank you.

Now, this is exhibit A:

the empty shotgun shell.

At one time, it
contained lead sh*t,

size number five lead sh*t.

This is exhibit C:

the bottle which
contains the saccharine.

It also contains size
number five lead sh*t.

Exhibit B, the bottle
which contains the cyanide,

also contains lead sh*t.

Not number five, but
considerably larger.

May I, Your Honor?

Surely.

Anyone comparing the
sh*t from these two bottles

can easily notice the
difference in the size of the sh*t.

Well, now, um, let me see if
I understand you, Mr. Mason.

It is your contention
that the lead sh*t

in this bottle of
saccharine, exhibit C,

came from that
empty shotgun shell.

That's right, Your Honor.

While the other sh*t, the
sh*t from the bottle of cyanide,

did not come from
that shotgun shell.

I object, Your Honor.

Since when is the
defense counsel

considered a ballistics expert?

I'll accept that, Mr. Burger.

Let's call a ballistics expert.

Your Honor, may I
request a short recess?

The court will
take a brief recess.

(whispers inaudibly)

Now, Sergeant Davis,
as ballistics expert,

you've made a
complete examination

of the lead sh*t in question?

I have. What are your findings?

Well, the lead sh*t in exhibit C

containing saccharine
is number five lead sh*t

from the empty shell
case of exhibit A.

And the lead sh*t in exhibit B,

the one with the cyanide?

The lead sh*t in
the cyanide bottle

apparently did not come
from any shotgun shell.

There's a coating on this
sh*t which seems to be ink.

Thank you, sergeant. That's all.

That's all, Sergeant
Davis. You can step down.

And the court has
undoubtedly seen

an old-fashioned
penholder like this before.

It holds lead sh*t,

sh*t used to clean
the excess ink

from the steel-point
pens when not in use.

Now, the lead sh*t found
in that bottle of cyanide

was obtained
from this penholder,

a penholder taken
this very afternoon

from the home of Lester Newburn.

The defense submits
that Lester Newburn

filled that bottle of cyanide

with lead sh*t
from this penholder,

and we ask to have a
ink comparison made

of the lead sh*t
found in that bottle.

The court will so order.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I should like to
call Lester Newburn

back to the stand.

Recall Lester Newburn.

MASON: So you
did get the lead sh*t

from the library inkstand?

Yes.

And you placed it in a
bottle containing cyanide?

Yes, I did.

What did you then
do with that bottle?

I threw it in West Side Lake.

Yet you told me you'd thrown
a bottle containing saccharine

into the lake.

Why?

What was your real reason
for making that statement?

I wanted to protect my wife.

That's a lie!

(spectators murmuring)

(gavel bangs)

JUDGE: Silence in the court.

MASON: What was your reason

for protecting your wife?

I knew she k*lled Uncle Martin.

LESTER: Captain
Hugo told me he saw her

put the cyanide
pills in the chocolate.

He's lying! I didn't
k*ll Uncle Martin!

He's just saying that
to protect that woman!

(gavel bangs)

JUDGE: Silence in the court.

Bailiff, I order this man into
custody for deliberate perjury.

I also suggest that the police

immediately arrest Mrs.
Newburn on suspicion of m*rder.

But I didn't do
it! I didn't do it!

You sure raised a ruckus
in that courtroom today.

I'd like to have
seen Marian's face

when they arrested her
for k*lling the old man.

She didn't do it.

You know who did?

You.

I like a fella who don't
b*at around the bush.

But how did you find out
I knew about the poison?

John Locke. I've just seen him.

He said he phoned you
when he found it was missing

from his laboratory.

That's right.

I took it out of her purse.

DELLA: Captain Hugo,

I don't understand.

You love Nadine more
than anything in the world.

You even k*lled to protect her.

Why didn't you come forward
when...? When she was arrested?

I reckon I had more faith
in her lawyer than you did.

MASON: You know,

I'm going to have
to call the police.

I can't stop you.

I'm sorry, Captain Hugo.

You don't owe me nothin',

and I don't owe you nothin'.

The way I look at it,
I'll still come out ahead.

( climactic theme plays)

( noirish jazz theme playing)