1
00:00:47,981 --> 00:00:49,692
Well, I'll tell you
bluntly, Dick,
2
00:00:49,716 --> 00:00:51,094
you haven't the
ghost of a chance
3
00:00:51,118 --> 00:00:53,530
of getting the estate money
before the three years are up.
4
00:00:53,554 --> 00:00:54,898
I went over the
whole thing again
5
00:00:54,922 --> 00:00:56,299
with the trustees this morning.
6
00:00:56,323 --> 00:00:58,301
Yeah, I kind of thought so.
7
00:00:58,325 --> 00:00:59,669
Just how bad is it?
8
00:00:59,693 --> 00:01:02,638
You know how it must
be bad if I come to you.
9
00:01:02,662 --> 00:01:05,108
My mother needs care, Everett.
10
00:01:05,132 --> 00:01:08,278
She needs that sanitarium
and a series of operations.
11
00:01:08,302 --> 00:01:10,680
It'll cost $15,000.
12
00:01:10,704 --> 00:01:12,748
Well... I wish I'd been able
13
00:01:12,772 --> 00:01:14,851
to get a better settlement
on that accident.
14
00:01:14,875 --> 00:01:17,086
But I did the best I could.
15
00:01:17,110 --> 00:01:18,354
I know you did.
16
00:01:18,378 --> 00:01:20,723
There was never any
question about that.
17
00:01:20,747 --> 00:01:21,791
Thanks, Ev.
18
00:01:21,815 --> 00:01:24,294
Uh, Dick.
19
00:01:24,318 --> 00:01:26,596
Things have been
pretty good with me lately.
20
00:01:26,620 --> 00:01:28,432
Nothing sensational, but...
21
00:01:28,456 --> 00:01:31,368
Well, my practice has
been looking up and...
22
00:01:31,392 --> 00:01:33,570
Well, I'm making an
important step soon, so...
23
00:01:33,594 --> 00:01:35,894
That's wonderful, Ev, I...
24
00:01:37,998 --> 00:01:40,077
Are you suggesting that
you'll lend me the money?
25
00:01:40,101 --> 00:01:42,045
Well, you see, I'd like to think
26
00:01:42,069 --> 00:01:43,380
that if I ever got in a jam
27
00:01:43,404 --> 00:01:45,482
someone would come along
and want to help me out.
28
00:01:45,506 --> 00:01:46,849
Thanks, Everett.
29
00:01:46,873 --> 00:01:49,018
Come to the house tonight.
30
00:01:49,042 --> 00:01:50,420
Fine.
31
00:01:50,444 --> 00:01:51,955
Eight thirty will be all right?
32
00:01:51,979 --> 00:01:53,590
You better make it 9.
33
00:01:53,614 --> 00:01:55,680
Nine o'clock. Right.
34
00:02:03,657 --> 00:02:04,867
Yes, Miss Winslow.
35
00:02:06,393 --> 00:02:09,672
I told you I do not want
to talk to Miss Austin!
36
00:02:21,609 --> 00:02:22,952
Hello.
37
00:02:24,445 --> 00:02:26,490
Helen Austin?
38
00:02:26,514 --> 00:02:28,680
No, she's out of
her mind. No, I...
39
00:02:31,318 --> 00:02:33,729
Kill herself.
40
00:02:33,753 --> 00:02:37,467
All right. All right. I'll be
there in a few minutes.
41
00:03:36,817 --> 00:03:38,061
Everett? What happened?
42
00:03:38,085 --> 00:03:40,230
It's Helen Austin. My
lights aren't working.
43
00:03:40,254 --> 00:03:41,386
It was an accident!
44
00:03:43,424 --> 00:03:45,123
It's her head.
45
00:03:47,761 --> 00:03:49,172
She's dead.
46
00:03:56,536 --> 00:04:00,416
I got this phone call from
the bartender at the Oasis Inn
47
00:04:00,440 --> 00:04:02,385
that she was
threatening to kill herself,
48
00:04:02,409 --> 00:04:04,587
and I'd better get
right over there.
49
00:04:04,611 --> 00:04:05,621
Who is she, Everett?
50
00:04:05,645 --> 00:04:08,491
Her name is
Austin. Helen Austin.
51
00:04:08,515 --> 00:04:11,560
I've been going out with
her until just recently.
52
00:04:11,584 --> 00:04:13,562
Oh, Dick, I'm in trouble.
53
00:04:13,586 --> 00:04:15,498
Why? It was an
accident, you said.
54
00:04:15,522 --> 00:04:18,068
My fiancée, her family...
55
00:04:18,092 --> 00:04:20,270
I promised them I
wouldn't see Helen anymore
56
00:04:20,294 --> 00:04:22,972
they'll never believe she
wasn't here visiting me.
57
00:04:22,996 --> 00:04:25,608
Oh, what a mess! My career,
58
00:04:25,632 --> 00:04:28,733
my whole future ruined
by a crazy thing like this.
59
00:04:29,970 --> 00:04:32,515
Ev. What?
60
00:04:32,539 --> 00:04:34,419
I'll take care of this for you.
61
00:04:36,210 --> 00:04:38,888
What? I'll put her in my car.
62
00:04:38,912 --> 00:04:40,957
I'll take her to a
street away from here.
63
00:04:40,981 --> 00:04:42,525
Then I'll call the police and...
64
00:04:42,549 --> 00:04:45,095
I'll tell them I was driving by
and saw her on the pavement.
65
00:04:45,119 --> 00:04:47,863
A hit and run accident.
66
00:04:47,887 --> 00:04:49,499
You'd do that for me?
67
00:04:49,523 --> 00:04:52,357
You were going to give me
$15,000 just out of friendship.
68
00:04:54,928 --> 00:04:58,374
It won't work,
Dick. Well, the car...
69
00:04:58,398 --> 00:05:00,977
You know how the police can
prove a car was in an accident.
70
00:05:01,001 --> 00:05:03,379
All right. You put it in your
garage until tomorrow morning.
71
00:05:03,403 --> 00:05:05,014
Then you take it to
the outskirts of town
72
00:05:05,038 --> 00:05:06,983
and you run it into
a telephone pole.
73
00:05:07,007 --> 00:05:08,251
When the garage fixes it,
74
00:05:08,275 --> 00:05:09,953
there won't be
any evidence left.
75
00:05:09,977 --> 00:05:11,120
But... Look, I know, legally,
76
00:05:11,144 --> 00:05:12,355
it isn't right.
77
00:05:12,379 --> 00:05:14,190
But nothing and
nobody will be hurt
78
00:05:14,214 --> 00:05:16,014
by doing it this way.
79
00:05:17,317 --> 00:05:20,485
Well, it... It was an accident.
80
00:05:21,188 --> 00:05:22,865
All right.
81
00:05:22,889 --> 00:05:27,203
I've got your money
here too. In cash.
82
00:05:27,227 --> 00:05:28,704
A-And Dick...
83
00:05:28,728 --> 00:05:32,575
And look, I want you to
know if anything goes wrong,
84
00:05:32,599 --> 00:05:35,144
when it comes right down
to it, I'll make a clean breast
85
00:05:35,168 --> 00:05:37,146
of the whole thing. I'll
tell what really happened.
86
00:05:37,170 --> 00:05:40,350
Nothing's going to go wrong.
87
00:05:49,216 --> 00:05:51,160
Coming east.
88
00:05:51,184 --> 00:05:53,863
Time, 9:17.
89
00:05:53,887 --> 00:05:55,498
Saw the body
lying in the street?
90
00:05:55,522 --> 00:05:57,166
Yeah.
91
00:05:57,190 --> 00:05:59,402
No other cars observed on scene.
92
00:05:59,426 --> 00:06:01,204
You immediately
called the precinct.
93
00:06:01,228 --> 00:06:02,938
That's right.
94
00:06:02,962 --> 00:06:06,109
You didn't touch her?
Just to see if she was dead.
95
00:06:06,133 --> 00:06:07,510
Okay, Mr. Hammond.
96
00:06:07,534 --> 00:06:09,345
If we need anything
else, we'll get in touch.
97
00:06:09,369 --> 00:06:11,302
All right, officer.
98
00:07:02,689 --> 00:07:05,601
Richard Hammond? Yes.
99
00:07:05,625 --> 00:07:07,803
It's a good thing you put
in the alarm when you did.
100
00:07:20,240 --> 00:07:22,540
Seems there was
little damage done.
101
00:07:25,111 --> 00:07:27,831
Neither one of the
cars was burned.
102
00:07:44,364 --> 00:07:45,874
Hello, this is Richard Hammond.
103
00:07:45,898 --> 00:07:48,978
I wanna talk to Everett Dorrell.
104
00:07:49,002 --> 00:07:51,414
Oh.
105
00:07:51,438 --> 00:07:54,439
Oh, never mind. Tell him
I'll see him in his office.
106
00:08:06,153 --> 00:08:08,030
Is he in? Good
morning, Mr. Hammond.
107
00:08:08,054 --> 00:08:09,365
Do you mean is Mr. Dorrell in?
108
00:08:09,389 --> 00:08:10,399
No, he isn't.
109
00:08:10,423 --> 00:08:11,700
Uh, may I take a message?
110
00:08:11,724 --> 00:08:14,003
This is personal.
Now where is he?
111
00:08:14,027 --> 00:08:15,404
Well, I believe he's in court.
112
00:08:15,428 --> 00:08:17,006
You may wait here if you'd like.
113
00:08:17,030 --> 00:08:20,677
No, thanks. I'll go
to the Hall of Justice.
114
00:08:20,701 --> 00:08:22,078
What courtroom is he in?
115
00:08:22,102 --> 00:08:23,345
I'm sorry,
116
00:08:23,369 --> 00:08:25,414
I can't tell you
that, Mr. Hammond.
117
00:08:25,438 --> 00:08:26,649
I do suggest...
118
00:08:26,673 --> 00:08:28,351
Is he avoiding me?
119
00:08:37,551 --> 00:08:40,018
Oh, excuse me. Just a second.
120
00:08:41,688 --> 00:08:43,766
Mr. Hammond, Mr. Richard
Hammond, isn't it?
121
00:08:43,790 --> 00:08:45,502
Yes?
122
00:08:45,526 --> 00:08:46,803
I'm Clara Thorpe.
123
00:08:46,827 --> 00:08:49,472
I lived with Helen
Austin, I'm her aunt.
124
00:08:49,496 --> 00:08:51,207
I'm glad I caught you.
125
00:08:51,231 --> 00:08:52,241
Oh, excuse me.
126
00:08:52,265 --> 00:08:55,678
Just a second, Mr. Hammond.
127
00:08:55,702 --> 00:08:57,514
How do you know who I am? Oh.
128
00:08:57,538 --> 00:08:59,616
I know you all right.
129
00:08:59,640 --> 00:09:01,050
What is it? What do you want?
130
00:09:01,074 --> 00:09:04,009
I want that $15,000.
131
00:09:05,812 --> 00:09:07,724
What $15,000?
132
00:09:07,748 --> 00:09:09,492
The money Helen took with her
133
00:09:09,516 --> 00:09:11,561
when she left the
apartment last night.
134
00:09:11,585 --> 00:09:14,764
They say you found her on
the street when that car hit her.
135
00:09:14,788 --> 00:09:17,700
Well, the 15,000 was gone.
136
00:09:17,724 --> 00:09:19,636
So I want it back.
137
00:09:19,660 --> 00:09:21,971
How did you know
about the $15,000?
138
00:09:21,995 --> 00:09:25,141
I told you, I'm her aunt.
139
00:09:25,165 --> 00:09:26,308
Oh, no.
140
00:09:26,332 --> 00:09:28,199
I mean the 15...
141
00:09:29,970 --> 00:09:31,380
Who put you up to this?
142
00:09:31,404 --> 00:09:34,405
What about the money?
Are you going to turn it over?
143
00:09:35,842 --> 00:09:36,819
No.
144
00:09:36,843 --> 00:09:39,656
Okay,
145
00:09:39,680 --> 00:09:42,747
if that's the way you want it.
146
00:10:10,109 --> 00:10:11,554
What am I to think?
147
00:10:11,578 --> 00:10:13,790
I find Dorrell's car, the
one that was in the accident,
148
00:10:13,814 --> 00:10:14,924
in my garage.
149
00:10:14,948 --> 00:10:16,959
Somebody sets fire to the place,
150
00:10:16,983 --> 00:10:19,361
they call the fire
department using my name,
151
00:10:19,385 --> 00:10:20,730
and the fire's put out
152
00:10:20,754 --> 00:10:22,598
just in time to call
attention to both cars.
153
00:10:22,622 --> 00:10:24,934
Then there's this
Clara Thorpe woman.
154
00:10:24,958 --> 00:10:27,804
How'd she know
about the $15,000?
155
00:10:27,828 --> 00:10:30,973
The exact amount that
Everett gave me in cash.
156
00:10:30,997 --> 00:10:33,943
Unless he told
her about it and is...
157
00:10:33,967 --> 00:10:36,311
using her to get the money back?
158
00:10:36,335 --> 00:10:39,370
Then you do believe your lawyer
friend is double-crossing you.
159
00:10:42,409 --> 00:10:45,187
Why can't I reach him?
160
00:10:45,211 --> 00:10:46,491
Why is he avoiding me?
161
00:10:50,416 --> 00:10:52,361
Mr. Hammond,
162
00:10:52,385 --> 00:10:54,263
if the situation
is as you put it,
163
00:10:54,287 --> 00:10:56,632
your position, both
morally and legally,
164
00:10:56,656 --> 00:10:59,068
is indefensible. Yes, I know.
165
00:10:59,092 --> 00:11:01,571
You understand the authorities
166
00:11:01,595 --> 00:11:03,873
will have to be apprised
of what you've told me?
167
00:11:03,897 --> 00:11:05,641
Yes, I understand that.
168
00:11:05,665 --> 00:11:08,010
Maybe there are no
mitigating circumstances in law,
169
00:11:08,034 --> 00:11:09,979
but there are in my life.
170
00:11:10,003 --> 00:11:13,282
When I looked at Everett, with
the dead woman lying there...
171
00:11:13,306 --> 00:11:14,750
There was just
nothing else to do,
172
00:11:14,774 --> 00:11:16,819
except offer to to
do what I did for him.
173
00:11:16,843 --> 00:11:18,287
If you hadn't
offered, do you think
174
00:11:18,311 --> 00:11:19,551
he would've suggested it?
175
00:11:21,247 --> 00:11:22,358
I don't know.
176
00:11:22,382 --> 00:11:24,627
But he did have
the 15,000 in cash
177
00:11:24,651 --> 00:11:27,329
to give you right then? Yes.
178
00:11:27,353 --> 00:11:30,432
Was your need for the
money vital, Mr. Hammond?
179
00:11:30,456 --> 00:11:32,668
About a year and a half
ago my mother and sister
180
00:11:32,692 --> 00:11:34,269
were in an automobile accident.
181
00:11:34,293 --> 00:11:36,005
My sister was killed.
182
00:11:36,029 --> 00:11:37,573
My mother's a hopeless invalid,
183
00:11:37,597 --> 00:11:39,241
in need of constant care.
184
00:11:39,265 --> 00:11:42,077
The accident
involving your mother,
185
00:11:42,101 --> 00:11:44,279
did Dorrell handle
the legal part of it?
186
00:11:44,303 --> 00:11:46,181
Yes.
187
00:11:46,205 --> 00:11:49,218
The other car was
driven by some woman.
188
00:11:49,242 --> 00:11:53,255
Apparently there was
carelessness on both sides.
189
00:11:53,279 --> 00:11:56,626
I always thought that
Everett did the best he could,
190
00:11:56,650 --> 00:11:59,896
but it didn't have much result.
191
00:11:59,920 --> 00:12:02,498
Mr. Mason,
192
00:12:02,522 --> 00:12:04,355
will you represent me?
193
00:12:05,391 --> 00:12:06,636
Yes. I'll look into it.
194
00:12:08,095 --> 00:12:09,471
Yes, Gertie?
195
00:12:12,331 --> 00:12:15,845
Thank you. She still
can't reach Everett Dorrell.
196
00:12:15,869 --> 00:12:18,280
But she did find out
he is not in court today.
197
00:12:18,304 --> 00:12:20,204
Now you see?
198
00:12:22,042 --> 00:12:25,054
Please keep trying
to reach him, Della.
199
00:12:25,078 --> 00:12:27,189
Get hold of Paul Drake.
200
00:12:27,213 --> 00:12:29,725
I want him to check
on Mr. Everett Dorrell.
201
00:12:29,749 --> 00:12:31,761
He is our new neighbor
down the hall, isn't he?
202
00:12:31,785 --> 00:12:33,029
Mm-hm.
203
00:12:33,053 --> 00:12:36,198
I'd like to know about his
romance with Helen Austin,
204
00:12:36,222 --> 00:12:38,467
or any other of his romances.
205
00:12:38,491 --> 00:12:41,971
Tell Paul to look into
that telephone call
206
00:12:41,995 --> 00:12:44,574
from the bartender
at the Oasis Inn.
207
00:12:44,598 --> 00:12:46,064
All right.
208
00:12:47,300 --> 00:12:49,612
What do you want
me to do, Mr. Mason?
209
00:12:49,636 --> 00:12:52,481
You have that, uh,
$15,000 with you?
210
00:12:52,505 --> 00:12:55,150
No sir. It's at home.
211
00:12:55,174 --> 00:12:57,452
Then we'll go to your home.
212
00:12:57,476 --> 00:12:59,889
What for? Because
you left the money there
213
00:12:59,913 --> 00:13:01,790
and because you're vulnerable.
214
00:13:21,835 --> 00:13:23,635
Lieutenant.
215
00:13:27,573 --> 00:13:29,451
Perry.
216
00:13:29,475 --> 00:13:30,820
You Mr. Hammond?
217
00:13:30,844 --> 00:13:33,355
Yes. I'm Richard Hammond.
Lieutenant Tragg. Homicide.
218
00:13:33,379 --> 00:13:36,158
I understand you had
a fire here this morning.
219
00:13:36,182 --> 00:13:37,526
Did you say homicide?
220
00:13:37,550 --> 00:13:39,261
Yes, I did.
221
00:13:39,285 --> 00:13:41,430
Uh, personal friend,
Mr. Hammond?
222
00:13:41,454 --> 00:13:43,231
As a matter of
fact, no, lieutenant,
223
00:13:43,255 --> 00:13:45,534
but we're not here on a
matter involving homicide,
224
00:13:45,558 --> 00:13:46,769
at least not that we know of.
225
00:13:46,793 --> 00:13:48,503
But you suspect.
226
00:13:48,527 --> 00:13:49,705
Can we go in, Mr. Hammond?
227
00:13:49,729 --> 00:13:51,707
A moment, lieutenant,
what brings you here?
228
00:13:51,731 --> 00:13:53,609
Well, the same thing
that brings you here, Perry.
229
00:13:53,633 --> 00:13:55,377
What's that? The
strange coincidence
230
00:13:55,401 --> 00:13:58,780
of Mr. Hammond reporting
a hit-run accident last night,
231
00:13:58,804 --> 00:14:01,517
his own garage set
on fire this morning,
232
00:14:01,541 --> 00:14:04,419
and a missing $15,000
from the accident victim.
233
00:14:04,443 --> 00:14:07,189
Get an anonymous tip
on the money, lieutenant?
234
00:14:07,213 --> 00:14:08,924
Anonymous? No.
235
00:14:08,948 --> 00:14:10,593
It came from a
Miss Clara Thorpe,
236
00:14:10,617 --> 00:14:12,294
the dead girl's aunt.
237
00:14:12,318 --> 00:14:14,429
Do you have an
autopsy report yet?
238
00:14:14,453 --> 00:14:16,765
I expect it by the time
I get back downtown.
239
00:14:16,789 --> 00:14:19,368
Then you just suspect murder?
240
00:14:19,392 --> 00:14:21,403
I guess I'm the gloomy type.
241
00:14:21,427 --> 00:14:24,139
Well, let's have a look
inside, eh, Mr. Hammond?
242
00:14:24,163 --> 00:14:26,174
I hate to be
technical, lieutenant,
243
00:14:26,198 --> 00:14:27,743
but you'll need
a search warrant.
244
00:14:27,767 --> 00:14:30,212
Oh, I'm glad you mentioned that.
245
00:14:30,236 --> 00:14:32,247
Mr. Hammond?
246
00:14:32,271 --> 00:14:35,518
Oh, I understand that the
fire did practically no damage.
247
00:14:35,542 --> 00:14:36,819
Yes. That's right.
248
00:14:36,843 --> 00:14:39,688
You ever see that, uh, dead
woman before, Hammond?
249
00:14:39,712 --> 00:14:41,913
No.
250
00:14:47,921 --> 00:14:49,098
Hello.
251
00:14:50,390 --> 00:14:52,468
Yes, he is.
252
00:14:52,492 --> 00:14:54,436
It's your secretary, Mr. Mason.
253
00:14:54,460 --> 00:14:56,638
Thanks.
254
00:14:56,662 --> 00:14:57,940
Hello.
255
00:14:57,964 --> 00:15:00,042
Uh, Mr. Everett
Dorrell is in his office.
256
00:15:00,066 --> 00:15:03,045
He said it would be a
privilege to talk to you.
257
00:15:03,069 --> 00:15:04,814
No, no we didn't reach him,
258
00:15:04,838 --> 00:15:06,582
he called us. I had left word.
259
00:15:06,606 --> 00:15:10,653
All right, Della. Thanks.
260
00:15:10,677 --> 00:15:12,955
Now, Perry, are we going
to have to do it the hard way,
261
00:15:12,979 --> 00:15:16,358
or is Mr. Hammond going
to produce the $15,000?
262
00:15:16,382 --> 00:15:19,428
Why don't you ask
Mr. Hammond, lieutenant?
263
00:15:19,452 --> 00:15:21,931
There's $15,000
in the strong box
264
00:15:21,955 --> 00:15:23,187
in the top desk drawer.
265
00:15:32,832 --> 00:15:34,944
Take a look in the
garage, sergeant.
266
00:15:34,968 --> 00:15:38,202
Mr. Hammond, you'll have
to come downtown with me.
267
00:15:40,373 --> 00:15:42,118
A tremendous
amount of bad publicity
268
00:15:42,142 --> 00:15:43,585
can come out of this, Everett.
269
00:15:43,609 --> 00:15:45,387
I think it's safe to say that
270
00:15:45,411 --> 00:15:47,422
if you are associated
with it in any way,
271
00:15:47,446 --> 00:15:49,759
your career, at
least in our circle,
272
00:15:49,783 --> 00:15:52,762
would be finished
before it really got started.
273
00:15:52,786 --> 00:15:55,030
But Mr. Claridge,
they've arrested Richard.
274
00:15:55,054 --> 00:15:57,532
They haven't arrested him.
They're questioning him.
275
00:15:57,556 --> 00:16:00,236
But I promised to make a
clean breast of the whole thing
276
00:16:00,260 --> 00:16:01,503
if he got into trouble.
277
00:16:01,527 --> 00:16:04,073
What do you mean a
clean breast of it, Ev?
278
00:16:04,097 --> 00:16:06,374
Would you tell all
about Helen Austin?
279
00:16:06,398 --> 00:16:08,777
Well, yes. Of course.
280
00:16:08,801 --> 00:16:10,079
All?
281
00:16:10,103 --> 00:16:12,214
Everett, I don't want to
be oppressive about this.
282
00:16:12,238 --> 00:16:13,548
I believe it's
something you have
283
00:16:13,572 --> 00:16:15,117
to make up your own mind about.
284
00:16:15,141 --> 00:16:17,119
But you're inviting
Barbara and me along
285
00:16:17,143 --> 00:16:19,521
on your confession
with it's attendant horrors.
286
00:16:19,545 --> 00:16:22,446
Frankly, I don't
know if we'll go along.
287
00:16:24,284 --> 00:16:27,084
An ultimatum, Mr. Claridge?
288
00:16:31,090 --> 00:16:34,203
I've already called
Perry Mason's office.
289
00:16:34,227 --> 00:16:37,094
Mason will crucify you.
290
00:16:38,431 --> 00:16:41,844
Barbara, how can I
renege on my word?
291
00:16:41,868 --> 00:16:44,413
Do you think you will solve this
Richard Hammond's problems
292
00:16:44,437 --> 00:16:46,448
by confessing your part?
293
00:16:46,472 --> 00:16:49,685
But I can help him.
294
00:16:49,709 --> 00:16:52,354
Well, anyway, Dick
will talk. He'll involve me.
295
00:16:52,378 --> 00:16:53,755
You can deny whatever he says.
296
00:16:53,779 --> 00:16:56,591
It's your word against his or...
297
00:16:56,615 --> 00:16:59,428
Can he prove anything?
298
00:16:59,452 --> 00:17:01,964
I don't know.
299
00:17:01,988 --> 00:17:04,066
No, I guess not.
300
00:17:04,090 --> 00:17:06,202
I can understand your
sense of honor, Everett,
301
00:17:06,226 --> 00:17:08,103
why you want to
tell the truth now.
302
00:17:08,127 --> 00:17:10,105
It was embarrassing
in the first place.
303
00:17:10,129 --> 00:17:11,974
Now the whole mess
is being compounded.
304
00:17:11,998 --> 00:17:13,575
That's right.
305
00:17:13,599 --> 00:17:15,777
And I can understand
Dad's position.
306
00:17:15,801 --> 00:17:18,380
He has certain
standards to maintain.
307
00:17:18,404 --> 00:17:21,350
Oh, I know it isn't
fashionable to be so concerned
308
00:17:21,374 --> 00:17:24,353
with how things look,
what people think...
309
00:17:24,377 --> 00:17:28,524
Yet scandal to him
isn't fashionable either.
310
00:17:28,548 --> 00:17:31,293
What about you, Barbara?
311
00:17:31,317 --> 00:17:32,783
What do you think?
312
00:17:38,491 --> 00:17:40,302
Everett, I don't think
you and I ought to put
313
00:17:40,326 --> 00:17:41,871
the burden of
decision on Barbara.
314
00:17:41,895 --> 00:17:44,306
I certainly won't.
315
00:17:44,330 --> 00:17:47,309
Barbara will do as I say,
316
00:17:47,333 --> 00:17:49,711
and I think you know how I feel.
317
00:17:56,342 --> 00:17:57,819
Yes?
318
00:17:57,843 --> 00:18:01,411
Mr. Perry Mason
to see Mr. Dorrell.
319
00:18:05,818 --> 00:18:07,496
Miss Winslow,
320
00:18:07,520 --> 00:18:11,066
I have nothing to
say to Mr. Mason.
321
00:18:11,090 --> 00:18:12,734
Miss Winslow,
322
00:18:12,758 --> 00:18:14,270
would you please
tell Mr. Dorrell
323
00:18:14,294 --> 00:18:16,839
that he has a choice.
He can talk with me now,
324
00:18:16,863 --> 00:18:18,974
or later from the witness stand.
325
00:18:20,767 --> 00:18:22,711
He heard you, Mr. Mason.
326
00:18:27,473 --> 00:18:28,617
Mr. Mason?
327
00:18:28,641 --> 00:18:31,353
Forgive Everett's
apparent rudeness,
328
00:18:31,377 --> 00:18:33,822
but since he is not involved
in Hammond's difficulties,
329
00:18:33,846 --> 00:18:35,491
there is little to discuss.
330
00:18:35,515 --> 00:18:36,992
Who are you, sir?
331
00:18:37,016 --> 00:18:38,327
I'm Marvin Claridge.
332
00:18:38,351 --> 00:18:40,763
Everett's prospective
father-in-law.
333
00:18:40,787 --> 00:18:42,886
Are you also his advisor?
334
00:18:44,157 --> 00:18:46,101
When necessary, Mr. Mason.
335
00:18:46,125 --> 00:18:47,791
When necessary.
336
00:18:48,894 --> 00:18:50,805
Good day, sir.
337
00:18:53,299 --> 00:18:54,731
Hm.
338
00:19:05,611 --> 00:19:08,623
So Helen Austin wasn't
at the Oasis Inn last night,
339
00:19:08,647 --> 00:19:10,993
and there was no telephone
call from the bartender.
340
00:19:11,017 --> 00:19:12,828
Nope. Oh, I checked the romance
341
00:19:12,852 --> 00:19:15,230
between Everett
Dorrell and Helen Austin.
342
00:19:15,254 --> 00:19:16,966
According to Richard Hammond,
343
00:19:16,990 --> 00:19:18,500
Dorrell had broken off with her.
344
00:19:18,524 --> 00:19:19,568
He had.
345
00:19:19,592 --> 00:19:21,503
Helen Austin worked
as a receptionist
346
00:19:21,527 --> 00:19:24,539
at the Claridge Land Company's
main office on Wilshire.
347
00:19:24,563 --> 00:19:26,808
Now, apparently Dorrell
met Barbara Claridge
348
00:19:26,832 --> 00:19:28,210
through calling
for Helen at work.
349
00:19:28,234 --> 00:19:30,212
Barbara is the daughter
of Marvin Claridge,
350
00:19:30,236 --> 00:19:33,849
chairman of the board. Very
dignified Brentwood society.
351
00:19:33,873 --> 00:19:35,851
Better check on this
Barbara Claridge, Paul.
352
00:19:35,875 --> 00:19:37,752
All right. Oh, one other thing.
353
00:19:37,776 --> 00:19:38,920
My man at headquarters
354
00:19:38,944 --> 00:19:40,856
called not ten minutes
ago with the news
355
00:19:40,880 --> 00:19:42,724
that Dorrell
categorically denies
356
00:19:42,748 --> 00:19:45,527
giving Hammond
$15,000. And the car?
357
00:19:45,551 --> 00:19:46,995
The lab boys are
going over it now.
358
00:19:47,019 --> 00:19:48,797
It's Dorrell's car,
he said he loaned it
359
00:19:48,821 --> 00:19:50,733
to Hammond earlier yesterday.
360
00:19:50,757 --> 00:19:53,936
Find out what happened to
the lights on that car, Paul.
361
00:19:53,960 --> 00:19:56,705
Dig into the dead girl's
past, and dig deep.
362
00:19:56,729 --> 00:19:59,141
Get me all the information
you can on the accident
363
00:19:59,165 --> 00:20:02,077
involving Hammond's
mother and sister
364
00:20:02,101 --> 00:20:03,946
18 months ago.
365
00:20:03,970 --> 00:20:05,981
As though it were a
murder case, Perry?
366
00:20:06,005 --> 00:20:07,415
Just as though.
367
00:20:07,439 --> 00:20:09,706
I'll talk to you later. Okay.
368
00:20:13,880 --> 00:20:15,290
Clara Thorpe to see you.
369
00:20:15,314 --> 00:20:17,226
Remember? Helen Austin's aunt.
370
00:20:17,250 --> 00:20:19,016
Bring her in, Della.
371
00:20:20,586 --> 00:20:22,186
Miss Thorpe.
372
00:20:25,391 --> 00:20:26,823
How do you do, Miss Thorpe?
373
00:20:32,765 --> 00:20:35,966
Won't you sit down? Oh, well.
374
00:20:38,137 --> 00:20:39,836
Thank you.
375
00:20:43,910 --> 00:20:46,088
Now, how can I help you?
376
00:20:46,112 --> 00:20:50,626
Well, just so's you
understand that I understand,
377
00:20:50,650 --> 00:20:54,362
I know you represent
this Richard Hammond.
378
00:20:54,386 --> 00:20:56,432
It's in the afternoon papers.
379
00:20:56,456 --> 00:20:59,467
Actually I was on my way here
380
00:20:59,491 --> 00:21:02,271
when I ran into him
in the hall a while ago.
381
00:21:02,295 --> 00:21:04,473
And I know he's
probably told you
382
00:21:04,497 --> 00:21:06,575
about Helen's $15,000,
383
00:21:06,599 --> 00:21:09,278
and how I wanted
him to hand it back.
384
00:21:09,302 --> 00:21:12,881
Yes, he's told me.
385
00:21:12,905 --> 00:21:15,184
All I want is my rights.
386
00:21:15,208 --> 00:21:18,320
I'm the last and only heir
387
00:21:18,344 --> 00:21:22,257
of my late sister's only child.
388
00:21:22,281 --> 00:21:25,627
I'm referring to Helen.
389
00:21:25,651 --> 00:21:29,531
Her marriage is
all dissolved and all
390
00:21:29,555 --> 00:21:32,034
so I want that money.
391
00:21:32,058 --> 00:21:34,369
So how much will you charge me
392
00:21:34,393 --> 00:21:37,039
to handle it? And how
soon can I get the money?
393
00:21:37,063 --> 00:21:39,608
I'm very ignorant
about these things.
394
00:21:39,632 --> 00:21:43,579
Suppose you tell me about
that money, Miss Thorpe?
395
00:21:43,603 --> 00:21:45,714
Where did Helen get it?
396
00:21:45,738 --> 00:21:47,650
Why, I don't know.
397
00:21:47,674 --> 00:21:49,418
Well, you said
she had it with her
398
00:21:49,442 --> 00:21:51,720
when she left your
apartment last night.
399
00:21:51,744 --> 00:21:53,555
I did?
400
00:21:53,579 --> 00:21:56,191
Did you actually see the money?
401
00:21:56,215 --> 00:21:58,961
What's that got to do
with what I asked you?
402
00:21:58,985 --> 00:22:01,596
What are after, Miss Thorpe?
403
00:22:01,620 --> 00:22:03,531
I told you.
404
00:22:03,555 --> 00:22:06,890
You didn't come here to
engage me as your attorney.
405
00:22:07,994 --> 00:22:10,306
I didn't?
406
00:22:10,330 --> 00:22:12,541
Why did I come here, then?
407
00:22:12,565 --> 00:22:16,679
I suspect to find out how much
I know about you, Helen Austin,
408
00:22:16,703 --> 00:22:18,580
and the accident?
409
00:22:18,604 --> 00:22:20,749
Wrong, Mason.
410
00:22:20,773 --> 00:22:22,784
Then it's the
money you're after,
411
00:22:22,808 --> 00:22:24,848
and you wanted to
tell me something.
412
00:22:25,944 --> 00:22:28,345
That's right, Mason.
413
00:22:29,548 --> 00:22:32,494
I already told you half.
414
00:22:32,518 --> 00:22:36,031
I understood the reference
to Helen Austin's divorce.
415
00:22:36,055 --> 00:22:37,499
How long ago was it?
416
00:22:37,523 --> 00:22:39,801
More than a year ago.
417
00:22:39,825 --> 00:22:43,672
After she met Everett Dorrell.
418
00:22:43,696 --> 00:22:45,840
Where is her former
husband living?
419
00:22:45,864 --> 00:22:48,877
South Vermont 2243, apartment H.
420
00:22:48,901 --> 00:22:51,079
What's his name?
Hill. Alex Hill.
421
00:22:51,103 --> 00:22:52,648
Now suppose you tell me
422
00:22:52,672 --> 00:22:54,938
where that $15,000 came from.
423
00:22:56,842 --> 00:22:58,654
Mason, if I knew that
424
00:22:58,678 --> 00:23:01,356
perhaps I could
find another 15,000
425
00:23:01,380 --> 00:23:03,425
in the same place.
426
00:23:03,449 --> 00:23:06,561
I don't know.
427
00:23:06,585 --> 00:23:09,297
That's why I'm here.
428
00:23:09,321 --> 00:23:13,524
I'm trying to get
you to lead me to it.
429
00:23:24,236 --> 00:23:27,415
Well, Perry?
430
00:23:27,439 --> 00:23:28,583
Well?
431
00:23:28,607 --> 00:23:30,118
What are you going to do?
432
00:23:30,142 --> 00:23:31,653
I'm going to help her.
433
00:23:47,593 --> 00:23:49,393
Hello, Mr. Hill.
434
00:23:56,068 --> 00:23:59,181
Mason, isn't it? Perry Mason?
435
00:23:59,205 --> 00:24:01,572
Uh, I've been reading.
436
00:24:02,808 --> 00:24:04,486
Uh, times are a
little tough lately.
437
00:24:04,510 --> 00:24:06,020
I haven't worked
for four months.
438
00:24:06,044 --> 00:24:08,390
You got a cigarette?
439
00:24:08,414 --> 00:24:11,226
I'm sorry to hear that.
440
00:24:11,250 --> 00:24:12,716
Thanks.
441
00:24:15,254 --> 00:24:18,233
Thank you. That's
an attractive lighter.
442
00:24:18,257 --> 00:24:21,024
I don't know if I've
seen one like it. May I?
443
00:24:22,728 --> 00:24:25,407
Solid gold. Custom made.
444
00:24:25,431 --> 00:24:27,030
Beautiful.
445
00:24:28,267 --> 00:24:31,213
Perhaps you know
why I'm here, Mr. Hill.
446
00:24:31,237 --> 00:24:32,948
Sure, about Helen.
447
00:24:32,972 --> 00:24:34,817
Tell me about her.
448
00:24:34,841 --> 00:24:35,984
Uh, what do you wanna know?
449
00:24:36,008 --> 00:24:37,586
I know almost
everything about her.
450
00:24:37,610 --> 00:24:40,255
I was married to her
for almost four years.
451
00:24:40,279 --> 00:24:42,390
But the only thing
I didn't know was
452
00:24:42,414 --> 00:24:44,793
who the guys were she
was cheating on me with.
453
00:24:44,817 --> 00:24:46,728
Was one of them Everett Dorrell?
454
00:24:46,752 --> 00:24:48,229
Who?
455
00:24:48,253 --> 00:24:51,199
Oh, the lawyer who
handled her divorce.
456
00:24:51,223 --> 00:24:53,735
I don't know, probably.
457
00:24:53,759 --> 00:24:55,303
How could Helen have come by
458
00:24:55,327 --> 00:24:57,472
$15,000, Mr. Hill?
459
00:24:57,496 --> 00:25:00,375
I can't imagine how, Mason,
460
00:25:00,399 --> 00:25:02,577
unless one of her
men gave it to her.
461
00:25:02,601 --> 00:25:03,711
Why?
462
00:25:03,735 --> 00:25:05,614
She was said to have had
that much money in cash
463
00:25:05,638 --> 00:25:08,082
on her last night at
the time of the accident.
464
00:25:08,106 --> 00:25:10,285
And she didn't? No.
465
00:25:10,309 --> 00:25:13,087
How long has it been since
you've seen her, Mr. Hill?
466
00:25:13,111 --> 00:25:15,624
Not since the divorce, Mason.
467
00:25:15,648 --> 00:25:18,226
I have absolutely
no interest in her
468
00:25:18,250 --> 00:25:20,283
alive or dead.
469
00:25:24,223 --> 00:25:26,434
That's a beautiful shirt.
470
00:25:26,458 --> 00:25:28,103
Oh, you like it?
471
00:25:28,127 --> 00:25:32,140
Silk, isn't it? And,
uh, that neck tie...
472
00:25:32,164 --> 00:25:34,510
The tie cost 17.50.
473
00:25:34,534 --> 00:25:37,078
I like nice things, Mason.
474
00:25:37,102 --> 00:25:38,547
I'll go without lunches
475
00:25:38,571 --> 00:25:40,682
to buy a good pair of shoes.
476
00:25:40,706 --> 00:25:43,607
And without cigarettes
to buy a gold lighter?
477
00:26:01,360 --> 00:26:02,937
All right, lieutenant,
478
00:26:02,961 --> 00:26:05,307
do it as a favor for yourself.
479
00:26:05,331 --> 00:26:07,742
If he finds out you're going
to go over that driveway
480
00:26:07,766 --> 00:26:08,876
with a vacuum cleaner,
481
00:26:08,900 --> 00:26:11,060
he may wanna do
something about it.
482
00:26:30,422 --> 00:26:33,335
Mr. Dorrell, didn't Sergeant
Holcomb call you and tell you
483
00:26:33,359 --> 00:26:35,737
that we were going to vacuum
this driveway in the morning
484
00:26:35,761 --> 00:26:38,294
for traces of glass and blood?
485
00:26:39,764 --> 00:26:42,043
You're Perry Mason.
486
00:26:42,067 --> 00:26:43,478
It was a trap.
487
00:26:43,502 --> 00:26:45,313
It seems to have worked.
488
00:26:45,337 --> 00:26:47,437
Well, I think...
489
00:26:48,741 --> 00:26:51,022
I think we'd be more
comfortable inside.
490
00:26:52,144 --> 00:26:54,489
So it might've
happened right here.
491
00:26:54,513 --> 00:26:57,091
You see Dick came
by to ask me for a favor.
492
00:26:57,115 --> 00:26:58,526
He needed money.
493
00:26:58,550 --> 00:27:00,762
Also, he wanted
to borrow my car.
494
00:27:00,786 --> 00:27:02,864
What time was this?
495
00:27:02,888 --> 00:27:05,000
About 9:00.
496
00:27:05,024 --> 00:27:07,803
What I figured, after
your sergeant called,
497
00:27:07,827 --> 00:27:10,205
was that Helen was calling here,
498
00:27:10,229 --> 00:27:13,174
and he might've had the
accident here in my car.
499
00:27:13,198 --> 00:27:15,710
Well, that would've
involved me, so...
500
00:27:15,734 --> 00:27:18,780
Well, I thought it best to
hose down the driveway.
501
00:27:18,804 --> 00:27:19,948
Tampering with evidence.
502
00:27:19,972 --> 00:27:21,749
As an attorney, you
know better than that.
503
00:27:21,773 --> 00:27:24,686
As an attorney, he knows
better than to continue lying too.
504
00:27:24,710 --> 00:27:26,588
I resent that.
You're deliberately
505
00:27:26,612 --> 00:27:29,257
involving a man, a friend, in a
hit and run manslaughter case
506
00:27:29,281 --> 00:27:31,526
of which you're
guilty. That's not true.
507
00:27:31,550 --> 00:27:33,495
Hammond said that...
508
00:27:33,519 --> 00:27:34,896
What did he say, lieutenant?
509
00:27:34,920 --> 00:27:36,397
Didn't he give you his story?
510
00:27:36,421 --> 00:27:39,067
He said he came
here to get the $15,000
511
00:27:39,091 --> 00:27:41,102
that Dorrell
promised to lend him.
512
00:27:41,126 --> 00:27:42,704
That he drove up and found you
513
00:27:42,728 --> 00:27:45,273
right after you hit the woman.
514
00:27:45,297 --> 00:27:46,441
No!
515
00:27:46,465 --> 00:27:48,342
Not true, Dorrell?
516
00:27:48,366 --> 00:27:50,812
No.
517
00:27:50,836 --> 00:27:53,982
Not true that you told Hammond
you'd got a telephone call,
518
00:27:54,006 --> 00:27:56,718
that the headlights on your
car were suddenly not working,
519
00:27:56,742 --> 00:27:58,252
that you struck Helen Austin
520
00:27:58,276 --> 00:28:00,522
because you couldn't see as
you drove down the driveway?
521
00:28:00,546 --> 00:28:01,723
No. Not true.
522
00:28:01,747 --> 00:28:03,257
Why would Hammond
borrow your car
523
00:28:03,281 --> 00:28:04,660
when he had his own, Dorrell?
524
00:28:04,684 --> 00:28:06,128
Well, he didn't have his own.
525
00:28:06,152 --> 00:28:07,663
He said it wasn't working.
526
00:28:07,687 --> 00:28:10,932
Didn't you help him put
Helen Austin's body in his car?
527
00:28:10,956 --> 00:28:13,267
No.
528
00:28:13,291 --> 00:28:15,269
Did you know the
police found bloodstains
529
00:28:15,293 --> 00:28:16,905
on the cushions
of Hammond's car,
530
00:28:16,929 --> 00:28:18,040
bloodstains that match
531
00:28:18,064 --> 00:28:21,176
the dead woman's? No, I didn't.
532
00:28:21,200 --> 00:28:24,668
Or that they did not find
any bloodstains in your car?
533
00:28:26,238 --> 00:28:28,950
When Hammond drove
the body to a deserted street
534
00:28:28,974 --> 00:28:32,020
and called the police,
according to their report,
535
00:28:32,044 --> 00:28:33,688
his car was described
536
00:28:33,712 --> 00:28:35,891
by make and license
on the officer's report.
537
00:28:35,915 --> 00:28:37,959
Now, why would
Hammond borrow your car
538
00:28:37,983 --> 00:28:39,683
and then drive his own car?
539
00:28:41,152 --> 00:28:42,719
All right.
540
00:28:44,022 --> 00:28:46,268
I killed her.
541
00:28:46,292 --> 00:28:48,826
But I couldn't see,
the car lights were out.
542
00:28:51,097 --> 00:28:53,975
I did make the
deal with Hammond.
543
00:28:53,999 --> 00:28:57,212
And you gave him
the 15,000 in cash?
544
00:28:57,236 --> 00:28:59,948
No. I don't know
why he said that.
545
00:28:59,972 --> 00:29:02,806
I didn't give him any
money. I promised to.
546
00:29:05,711 --> 00:29:07,588
All right, lieutenant.
547
00:29:07,612 --> 00:29:09,524
I expect you'll drop the charges
548
00:29:09,548 --> 00:29:10,759
against Hammond now.
549
00:29:10,783 --> 00:29:12,560
You mean the charges
now against him?
550
00:29:12,584 --> 00:29:14,696
Oh, probably will, yes.
551
00:29:14,720 --> 00:29:17,231
Since we're going
to prefer others.
552
00:29:17,255 --> 00:29:18,733
What others? Murder.
553
00:29:18,757 --> 00:29:21,169
Against Hammond?
That's right. First degree.
554
00:29:21,193 --> 00:29:24,039
You see, the girl wasn't killed
on Dorrell's driveway at all.
555
00:29:24,063 --> 00:29:26,041
She had been dead
for at least a half an hour
556
00:29:26,065 --> 00:29:28,009
when Dorrell's car hit her.
557
00:29:28,033 --> 00:29:29,778
How do you connect
Hammond with that?
558
00:29:29,802 --> 00:29:31,979
Well, take that telephone
call that Dorrell got
559
00:29:32,003 --> 00:29:33,615
from a supposed bartender.
560
00:29:33,639 --> 00:29:35,016
Now that was a phony, wasn't it?
561
00:29:35,040 --> 00:29:36,051
Yes.
562
00:29:36,075 --> 00:29:37,853
Well, I figure Richard
Hammond made it.
563
00:29:37,877 --> 00:29:39,520
At five minutes to nine, Mason.
564
00:29:39,544 --> 00:29:41,857
When he had an appointment
with Dorrell here for 9:00,
565
00:29:41,881 --> 00:29:44,426
and he knew Dorrell
would be here.
566
00:29:44,450 --> 00:29:46,728
You mean you think
Hammond killed the girl,
567
00:29:46,752 --> 00:29:49,330
and then deliberately
set out to make it look like
568
00:29:49,354 --> 00:29:51,499
Dorrell had killed
her by accident?
569
00:29:51,523 --> 00:29:52,901
Why sure.
570
00:29:52,925 --> 00:29:55,336
He tampered with the
lights. Hid behind the bushes,
571
00:29:55,360 --> 00:29:57,072
waited for Dorrell's
car to come along,
572
00:29:57,096 --> 00:29:58,607
threw the body in front of it,
573
00:29:58,631 --> 00:30:00,609
ran to the street,
got into his own car,
574
00:30:00,633 --> 00:30:02,376
drove up the driveway,
575
00:30:02,400 --> 00:30:05,614
and made out to be shocked
to discover his friend Dorrell
576
00:30:05,638 --> 00:30:08,516
standing over the dead woman.
577
00:30:08,540 --> 00:30:10,184
But why, lieutenant?
578
00:30:10,208 --> 00:30:12,921
Where is the motive for murder?
579
00:30:12,945 --> 00:30:15,590
How do you connect him
up with the dead woman?
580
00:30:15,614 --> 00:30:17,659
That woman was the
driver of the car which,
581
00:30:17,683 --> 00:30:19,894
a year and a half
ago, killed his sister
582
00:30:19,918 --> 00:30:23,130
and put his mother
in a sanitarium.
583
00:30:23,154 --> 00:30:25,199
I think Hamilton Burger
584
00:30:25,223 --> 00:30:27,301
is going to ask
for a quick hearing.
585
00:30:28,994 --> 00:30:30,760
Counselor.
586
00:30:38,003 --> 00:30:40,248
Death as a result of a
severe blow on the head
587
00:30:40,272 --> 00:30:41,983
by some heavy object.
588
00:30:42,007 --> 00:30:44,820
Some 30 minutes before
the injuries sustained
589
00:30:44,844 --> 00:30:46,654
by the impact of the car.
590
00:30:46,678 --> 00:30:48,178
I see.
591
00:30:50,015 --> 00:30:52,060
Now, doctor, I ask
you if this stone
592
00:30:52,084 --> 00:30:54,562
used as a weapon could
have been the cause of death.
593
00:30:54,586 --> 00:30:55,831
Yes sir, it could.
594
00:30:55,855 --> 00:30:58,566
Thank you, doctor.
595
00:30:58,590 --> 00:30:59,600
Your witness.
596
00:30:59,624 --> 00:31:01,558
No questions.
597
00:31:03,295 --> 00:31:05,173
Seventy-five feet
from the corner
598
00:31:05,197 --> 00:31:07,342
of Sutton and
Windsor on Windsor.
599
00:31:07,366 --> 00:31:09,244
I took the name and
address of the citizen,
600
00:31:09,268 --> 00:31:10,879
and checked the
ownership and license
601
00:31:10,903 --> 00:31:12,647
of the car he was driving.
602
00:31:12,671 --> 00:31:14,249
And what was the
name of the person
603
00:31:14,273 --> 00:31:16,218
who reported what he called
604
00:31:16,242 --> 00:31:19,520
quote, "apparently a
hit-run case," unquote?
605
00:31:19,544 --> 00:31:20,822
Richard Hammond.
606
00:31:20,846 --> 00:31:23,458
Do you see Richard Hammond
in this courtroom today?
607
00:31:23,482 --> 00:31:25,560
Yes, sir. That's
him, the defendant.
608
00:31:25,584 --> 00:31:27,162
Thank you, officer.
609
00:31:27,186 --> 00:31:28,986
Your witness.
610
00:31:30,322 --> 00:31:31,955
No questions.
611
00:31:33,225 --> 00:31:35,570
Eighteen months ago, I
don't know the exact date,
612
00:31:35,594 --> 00:31:37,873
but it was just a few
days after the accident.
613
00:31:37,897 --> 00:31:39,975
I was visiting with Helen
614
00:31:39,999 --> 00:31:43,078
when this Mr. Richard Hammond
came into the hospital room.
615
00:31:43,102 --> 00:31:45,347
I guess he didn't notice me,
616
00:31:45,371 --> 00:31:47,883
but I noticed him all right.
617
00:31:47,907 --> 00:31:51,286
And did Richard Hammond
see Helen Austin, the deceased?
618
00:31:51,310 --> 00:31:52,820
Yes, he did.
619
00:31:52,844 --> 00:31:54,489
And his attorney.
620
00:31:54,513 --> 00:31:55,723
And they talked with her.
621
00:31:55,747 --> 00:31:57,058
They were trying to find out
622
00:31:57,082 --> 00:31:59,560
whose fault the accident was.
623
00:31:59,584 --> 00:32:01,462
What accident are you
referring to, Miss Thorpe?
624
00:32:01,486 --> 00:32:05,400
The one which killed
Mr. Hammond's sister,
625
00:32:05,424 --> 00:32:07,468
seriously injured his mother,
626
00:32:07,492 --> 00:32:09,905
and sent my niece, Helen Austin,
627
00:32:09,929 --> 00:32:12,607
the driver of the other
car, to the hospital.
628
00:32:12,631 --> 00:32:15,210
So Helen Austin
saw and talked to
629
00:32:15,234 --> 00:32:16,511
the defendant, Richard Hammond?
630
00:32:16,535 --> 00:32:18,947
Yes, sir.
631
00:32:18,971 --> 00:32:20,615
I see.
632
00:32:20,639 --> 00:32:23,018
Now, Miss Thorpe, would
you please tell this court
633
00:32:23,042 --> 00:32:25,954
what took place on the evening
of November 18th of this year?
634
00:32:25,978 --> 00:32:28,623
That's the night of the murder.
635
00:32:28,647 --> 00:32:31,258
Well, I got home from
work a little late that night.
636
00:32:31,282 --> 00:32:32,660
I had dinner out.
637
00:32:32,684 --> 00:32:35,897
Helen was on the phone.
She hung up when I came in,
638
00:32:35,921 --> 00:32:37,298
took her coat to go out.
639
00:32:37,322 --> 00:32:39,300
I said "Where you
going?" She said,
640
00:32:39,324 --> 00:32:41,803
"Got a date." I said, "Who?"
641
00:32:41,827 --> 00:32:43,337
And she answered,
642
00:32:43,361 --> 00:32:48,009
"Somebody with $15,000 for me."
643
00:32:48,033 --> 00:32:50,478
Really? What time of the
evening was this, Miss Thorpe?
644
00:32:50,502 --> 00:32:52,614
About 7:30.
645
00:32:52,638 --> 00:32:54,015
I see.
646
00:32:54,039 --> 00:32:55,416
I think that'll be
all, Miss Thorpe.
647
00:32:55,440 --> 00:32:57,707
Thank you very
much. Your witness.
648
00:33:00,445 --> 00:33:03,190
Miss Thorpe, did you see $15,000
649
00:33:03,214 --> 00:33:05,226
in the possession
of the decedent?
650
00:33:05,250 --> 00:33:07,629
No, sir. But she said she
was going to pick it up.
651
00:33:07,653 --> 00:33:09,363
She left the apartment at 7:30.
652
00:33:09,387 --> 00:33:10,932
She wasn't killed until 9,
653
00:33:10,956 --> 00:33:13,668
so she must have had it.
654
00:33:13,692 --> 00:33:16,871
Did she usually pick up
amounts like that from her "dates"?
655
00:33:16,895 --> 00:33:18,740
I don't know.
656
00:33:18,764 --> 00:33:21,009
Do you have an inkling
of who the person was
657
00:33:21,033 --> 00:33:23,111
she expected to
get the money from?
658
00:33:23,135 --> 00:33:25,146
No sir. And don't you
misunderstand me.
659
00:33:25,170 --> 00:33:28,783
I didn't say anybody
did give her money.
660
00:33:28,807 --> 00:33:31,418
Was she very secretive
about her "dates"?
661
00:33:31,442 --> 00:33:34,221
Sometimes. Most
of the time, actually.
662
00:33:34,245 --> 00:33:35,823
The only date I ever knew
663
00:33:35,847 --> 00:33:39,027
was this, uh, Everett Dorrell.
664
00:33:39,051 --> 00:33:40,828
That was real
steady for a while.
665
00:33:40,852 --> 00:33:42,886
Then it stopped.
666
00:33:44,389 --> 00:33:47,168
Did she ever, uh,
mention anyone else?
667
00:33:47,192 --> 00:33:49,603
Any other men's names? Like who?
668
00:33:49,627 --> 00:33:51,605
Oh, Alexander Hill, perhaps?
669
00:33:51,629 --> 00:33:53,975
Oh yeah. Well, yes.
670
00:33:55,701 --> 00:33:58,345
Did she see him
after their divorce?
671
00:33:58,369 --> 00:34:00,181
Not that I know about.
672
00:34:00,205 --> 00:34:03,250
She was married at
the time of the accident,
673
00:34:03,274 --> 00:34:04,786
eighteen months
ago, was she not?
674
00:34:04,810 --> 00:34:06,654
At the time of the ac...?
675
00:34:06,678 --> 00:34:08,422
Yes, she was.
676
00:34:08,446 --> 00:34:10,892
Under what name was she
registered at the hospital?
677
00:34:10,916 --> 00:34:14,562
Mrs. Alexander Hill.
678
00:34:14,586 --> 00:34:15,963
What was the physical appearance
679
00:34:15,987 --> 00:34:17,431
of the decedent at that time?
680
00:34:17,455 --> 00:34:20,702
Oh, she was all
covered with bandages.
681
00:34:20,726 --> 00:34:22,970
Her face too? Oh, yes.
682
00:34:22,994 --> 00:34:26,407
So the defendant then
came to the hospital
683
00:34:26,431 --> 00:34:28,776
and talked with
Mrs. Alexander Hill,
684
00:34:28,800 --> 00:34:31,835
a woman whose
face he could not see?
685
00:34:34,072 --> 00:34:35,504
That's all, Miss Thorpe.
686
00:34:41,579 --> 00:34:44,592
I call Lieutenant
Arthur Tragg, please.
687
00:34:44,616 --> 00:34:46,327
And what were the
results of the tests
688
00:34:46,351 --> 00:34:47,829
on the bloodstains, lieutenant?
689
00:34:47,853 --> 00:34:50,264
The traces on the seat
cushion and the rug
690
00:34:50,288 --> 00:34:51,966
in Mr. Hammond's car
691
00:34:51,990 --> 00:34:54,435
were the same blood
type as the decedent's.
692
00:34:54,459 --> 00:34:56,059
I see.
693
00:34:57,229 --> 00:34:59,006
I show you now this stone,
694
00:34:59,030 --> 00:35:01,475
which has been identified
as a possible lethal weapon,
695
00:35:01,499 --> 00:35:02,777
and I ask if you recognize it.
696
00:35:02,801 --> 00:35:04,345
Yes, sir. That
has my mark on it.
697
00:35:04,369 --> 00:35:05,980
It is the murder weapon.
698
00:35:06,004 --> 00:35:08,149
Traces of, uh, blood
and hair from decedent
699
00:35:08,173 --> 00:35:09,316
were found on it.
700
00:35:09,340 --> 00:35:11,018
And would you tell
this court, please,
701
00:35:11,042 --> 00:35:12,486
where the murder
weapon was found.
702
00:35:12,510 --> 00:35:16,323
In a vacant lot behind
Mr. Hammond's home.
703
00:35:16,347 --> 00:35:19,326
Now lieutenant, on the
morning after the murder,
704
00:35:19,350 --> 00:35:21,695
what did you find in
Mr. Hammond's home?
705
00:35:21,719 --> 00:35:25,767
In a strong box, cash in
the amount of $15,000.
706
00:35:25,791 --> 00:35:27,334
That's interesting.
707
00:35:27,358 --> 00:35:29,703
I think that'll be all,
lieutenant. Thank you.
708
00:35:29,727 --> 00:35:31,494
Cross-examine.
709
00:35:32,831 --> 00:35:34,508
Lieutenant,
710
00:35:34,532 --> 00:35:37,044
has it been established, uh,
711
00:35:37,068 --> 00:35:40,214
or determined where the murder
of Helen Austin took place?
712
00:35:40,238 --> 00:35:43,217
No, no sir.
713
00:35:43,241 --> 00:35:46,287
Was the driveway at
Mr. Everett Dorrell's home
714
00:35:46,311 --> 00:35:48,289
examined for
evidence of the murder?
715
00:35:48,313 --> 00:35:49,791
I object to that, Your Honor.
716
00:35:49,815 --> 00:35:51,893
That's incompetent,
irrelevant and immaterial.
717
00:35:51,917 --> 00:35:53,560
It's also improper
cross-examination
718
00:35:53,584 --> 00:35:57,065
in that it deals with matters
not touched on in direct.
719
00:35:57,089 --> 00:35:58,232
Mr. Mason?
720
00:35:58,256 --> 00:35:59,867
Your Honor,
721
00:35:59,891 --> 00:36:03,304
in view of the statement
that the place of the murder
722
00:36:03,328 --> 00:36:04,472
has not yet been established,
723
00:36:04,496 --> 00:36:05,773
and knowing that the police
724
00:36:05,797 --> 00:36:08,176
made a thorough
examination of this driveway,
725
00:36:08,200 --> 00:36:10,445
we want to know whether
any pertinent evidence
726
00:36:10,469 --> 00:36:12,046
has been found and suppressed,
727
00:36:12,070 --> 00:36:13,681
because that would
enable us to show bias
728
00:36:13,705 --> 00:36:15,883
in the part of this witness.
729
00:36:15,907 --> 00:36:18,019
Objection overruled.
Proceed, Mr. Mason.
730
00:36:18,043 --> 00:36:21,189
I am not going to
pursue this matter
731
00:36:21,213 --> 00:36:23,358
at the present time, Your Honor.
732
00:36:23,382 --> 00:36:25,493
It seems clear to me
that the district attorney
733
00:36:25,517 --> 00:36:28,296
has deliberately ignored
certain aspects of the case.
734
00:36:28,320 --> 00:36:30,498
Defense is going to wait
to see what transpires.
735
00:36:30,522 --> 00:36:33,201
Well, counsel won't have
very long to wait, Your Honor.
736
00:36:33,225 --> 00:36:35,403
The prosecution
believes that for purposes
737
00:36:35,427 --> 00:36:36,937
of this preliminary hearing,
738
00:36:36,961 --> 00:36:38,706
it has proved a murder,
739
00:36:38,730 --> 00:36:40,908
and overwhelmingly
illustrated the probable
740
00:36:40,932 --> 00:36:42,577
guilt of the defendant.
741
00:36:42,601 --> 00:36:45,379
Therefore Your
Honor, the State rests.
742
00:36:45,403 --> 00:36:46,714
Mr. Mason,
743
00:36:46,738 --> 00:36:48,849
it seems to the court
that the prosecution
744
00:36:48,873 --> 00:36:50,685
is entitled to an order
binding the defendant
745
00:36:50,709 --> 00:36:52,953
over to trial. If
the court please,
746
00:36:52,977 --> 00:36:54,789
counsel realizes the defense
747
00:36:54,813 --> 00:36:57,458
doesn't usually put
on its case at this time,
748
00:36:57,482 --> 00:37:00,195
but the unusual
aspects of this case
749
00:37:00,219 --> 00:37:02,129
would seem to
make it an advantage
750
00:37:02,153 --> 00:37:03,764
rather than a disadvantage.
751
00:37:03,788 --> 00:37:06,701
Then you want to put
on a defense, Mr. Mason?
752
00:37:06,725 --> 00:37:08,203
Yes, Your Honor.
753
00:37:08,227 --> 00:37:11,772
But since we did not anticipate
the State resting so early,
754
00:37:11,796 --> 00:37:14,764
defense asks for an adjournment
until tomorrow morning.
755
00:37:16,501 --> 00:37:18,012
So ordered.
756
00:37:18,036 --> 00:37:21,670
This court will recess until
9:30 tomorrow morning.
757
00:37:36,455 --> 00:37:40,235
I can't understand why
Dorrell wasn't in court.
758
00:37:40,259 --> 00:37:43,738
He should've been a principal
witness for the prosecution.
759
00:37:43,762 --> 00:37:47,508
Della, see that subpoenas
are issued for Dorrell,
760
00:37:47,532 --> 00:37:49,711
Barbara Claridge,
761
00:37:49,735 --> 00:37:52,313
Marvin Claridge,
762
00:37:52,337 --> 00:37:55,283
and Mr. Alexander Hill.
763
00:38:02,080 --> 00:38:03,846
You may be seated.
764
00:38:06,884 --> 00:38:09,797
People v. Hammond.
765
00:38:09,821 --> 00:38:11,365
Are you ready to
present the case
766
00:38:11,389 --> 00:38:12,699
for the defense, Mr. Mason?
767
00:38:12,723 --> 00:38:14,168
Yes, Your Honor.
768
00:38:14,192 --> 00:38:17,226
I call Everett
Dorrell to the stand.
769
00:38:25,003 --> 00:38:27,348
Mr. Dorrell, do you know
the defendant in this case,
770
00:38:27,372 --> 00:38:29,651
Richard Hammond? Yes.
771
00:38:29,675 --> 00:38:31,586
Did you make an
arrangement with Mr. Hammond
772
00:38:31,610 --> 00:38:33,220
on the night of
Wednesday, November 18th,
773
00:38:33,244 --> 00:38:34,689
the night of the murder?
774
00:38:34,713 --> 00:38:35,823
Yes.
775
00:38:35,847 --> 00:38:38,793
What was Mr. Hammond
obligated to do?
776
00:38:38,817 --> 00:38:41,162
He was to remove the
body of Helen Austin
777
00:38:41,186 --> 00:38:42,997
to a side street,
778
00:38:43,021 --> 00:38:46,033
call the police and report
her death as a hit-run accident.
779
00:38:46,057 --> 00:38:47,968
Where was the body?
780
00:38:47,992 --> 00:38:49,137
On the driveway.
781
00:38:49,161 --> 00:38:50,671
Please be more explicit.
782
00:38:50,695 --> 00:38:52,573
Under the bumper,
783
00:38:52,597 --> 00:38:54,275
on the pavement near the wheel.
784
00:38:54,299 --> 00:38:55,576
The car had struck her.
785
00:38:55,600 --> 00:38:56,810
Is that what you want me to say?
786
00:38:56,834 --> 00:38:59,680
I want you to
answer the questions.
787
00:38:59,704 --> 00:39:02,516
Now in return for Mr. Hammond
doing this service for you,
788
00:39:02,540 --> 00:39:04,785
what were you
going to do for him?
789
00:39:04,809 --> 00:39:06,820
Lend him $15,000.
790
00:39:06,844 --> 00:39:09,457
But I... Thank you.
791
00:39:09,481 --> 00:39:10,824
Cross-examine.
792
00:39:10,848 --> 00:39:14,928
Mr. Dorrell, did you give or
lend the defendant $15, 000?
793
00:39:14,952 --> 00:39:16,019
No, sir.
794
00:39:18,356 --> 00:39:20,534
And about five minutes to
9 on the night of the murder,
795
00:39:20,558 --> 00:39:22,569
did you receive a phone
call which caused you...
796
00:39:22,593 --> 00:39:23,704
Objection, Your Honor.
797
00:39:23,728 --> 00:39:25,606
Incompetent, irrelevant
and immaterial,
798
00:39:25,630 --> 00:39:27,308
and improper questioning
799
00:39:27,332 --> 00:39:29,276
in that it takes up
matters not part
800
00:39:29,300 --> 00:39:31,867
of the direct
examination. Sustained.
801
00:39:35,440 --> 00:39:37,151
Mr. Dorrell,
802
00:39:37,175 --> 00:39:38,919
did you have an
appointment at 9:00
803
00:39:38,943 --> 00:39:41,422
on the night of the murder with
the defendant at your house...
804
00:39:41,446 --> 00:39:44,791
Objection Your Honor,
on the same grounds.
805
00:39:44,815 --> 00:39:47,194
Your Honor, these
questions are certainly
806
00:39:47,218 --> 00:39:49,096
germane to the
issues in this case.
807
00:39:49,120 --> 00:39:52,566
Your Honor, the prosecution
had the opportunity
808
00:39:52,590 --> 00:39:55,302
of bringing out all
these germane issues
809
00:39:55,326 --> 00:39:57,472
when it presented its case.
810
00:39:57,496 --> 00:39:59,874
The prosecution
chose not to do so.
811
00:39:59,898 --> 00:40:02,076
Sustained. Mr. Burger,
812
00:40:02,100 --> 00:40:04,545
you will confine yourself to
proper cross-examination.
813
00:40:04,569 --> 00:40:06,780
Very well, I have
no further questions
814
00:40:06,804 --> 00:40:08,049
of the witness at this time.
815
00:40:08,073 --> 00:40:10,518
I will bring out what I want
to bring out on rebuttal.
816
00:40:10,542 --> 00:40:12,920
That would be when the
defense is finished with its case.
817
00:40:12,944 --> 00:40:14,888
Naturally, Mr. Mason.
818
00:40:14,912 --> 00:40:17,458
I, uh, call Mr. Alexander Hill.
819
00:40:17,482 --> 00:40:20,161
Alexander Hill take
the stand, please.
820
00:40:20,185 --> 00:40:21,945
You may step down.
821
00:40:23,154 --> 00:40:24,932
Well, it's been more
than a few months
822
00:40:24,956 --> 00:40:26,434
I've been out of work.
823
00:40:26,458 --> 00:40:28,536
More than a few months.
824
00:40:28,560 --> 00:40:31,705
How long has it been, Mr. Hill?
825
00:40:31,729 --> 00:40:33,474
A few years.
826
00:40:33,498 --> 00:40:35,576
Do you recall my visit
to your apartment?
827
00:40:35,600 --> 00:40:37,010
Yes, sir.
828
00:40:37,034 --> 00:40:38,412
Will you tell this court
829
00:40:38,436 --> 00:40:41,215
how much your
cigarette lighter cost?
830
00:40:41,239 --> 00:40:43,005
Oh. It was a gift.
831
00:40:44,375 --> 00:40:46,620
Would you tell this court
what you were wearing?
832
00:40:46,644 --> 00:40:49,022
You mean the silk shirt and tie?
833
00:40:49,046 --> 00:40:51,258
Were they also a gift?
834
00:40:51,282 --> 00:40:53,082
No. I bought them.
835
00:40:54,719 --> 00:40:56,897
I have here a record
of Miss Austin's
836
00:40:56,921 --> 00:40:59,533
bank deposits and withdrawals.
837
00:40:59,557 --> 00:41:01,135
The items I am referring to
838
00:41:01,159 --> 00:41:03,604
go back almost
a year and a half.
839
00:41:03,628 --> 00:41:05,573
On or about the
first of each month
840
00:41:05,597 --> 00:41:07,941
there is a bank
deposit of $2000.
841
00:41:07,965 --> 00:41:09,577
Can you put any light
on this for the court?
842
00:41:09,601 --> 00:41:10,777
No.
843
00:41:10,801 --> 00:41:12,613
On or about the
third of each month,
844
00:41:12,637 --> 00:41:14,482
there is a record
of a bank withdrawal
845
00:41:14,506 --> 00:41:17,184
of $1000. Can you tell the
court anything about this?
846
00:41:17,208 --> 00:41:18,552
No, no.
847
00:41:18,576 --> 00:41:20,654
I think we better
examine your position,
848
00:41:20,678 --> 00:41:21,989
Mr. Hill.
849
00:41:22,013 --> 00:41:24,459
You have not been gainfully
employed for several years,
850
00:41:24,483 --> 00:41:26,060
you wear very expensive clothes,
851
00:41:26,084 --> 00:41:29,196
your former wife had a
secret source of income,
852
00:41:29,220 --> 00:41:32,232
yet you cannot tell this court
anything about any of this?
853
00:41:32,256 --> 00:41:33,634
Your Honor, I object.
854
00:41:33,658 --> 00:41:36,370
Mr. Mason is cross-examining
his own witness.
855
00:41:36,394 --> 00:41:38,405
I've refrained from
objecting up to now,
856
00:41:38,429 --> 00:41:40,574
but I think this has
gone far enough.
857
00:41:40,598 --> 00:41:42,175
Mr. Burger,
858
00:41:42,199 --> 00:41:45,178
the court is interested in
this man's method of support.
859
00:41:45,202 --> 00:41:47,782
He seems to have
found a magic way of life.
860
00:41:47,806 --> 00:41:49,183
If he can tell me the secret,
861
00:41:49,207 --> 00:41:50,551
and it isn't illegal
in some form,
862
00:41:50,575 --> 00:41:52,353
I might like to try it myself.
863
00:41:52,377 --> 00:41:55,055
You can answer
that question, Mr. Hill
864
00:41:55,079 --> 00:41:57,725
where do you get your money?
865
00:41:57,749 --> 00:41:59,193
Helen gave it to me.
866
00:41:59,217 --> 00:42:01,562
I think you'd better
explain that, sir.
867
00:42:01,586 --> 00:42:03,964
I knew that Helen
was seeing other men,
868
00:42:03,988 --> 00:42:05,433
but I never knew who.
869
00:42:05,457 --> 00:42:08,268
She was very tricky about that.
870
00:42:08,292 --> 00:42:10,204
Now, that accident she had
871
00:42:10,228 --> 00:42:12,206
when her car cracked
up and she killed that girl
872
00:42:12,230 --> 00:42:14,141
and hurt the mother?
873
00:42:14,165 --> 00:42:16,043
She wasn't alone in that car.
874
00:42:16,067 --> 00:42:18,245
I could tell the way
she tried to cover up.
875
00:42:18,269 --> 00:42:20,481
She was covering up for
someone who was with her
876
00:42:20,505 --> 00:42:21,749
in the car at that time?
877
00:42:21,773 --> 00:42:24,485
Sure. That's how she
got the 2000 every month.
878
00:42:24,509 --> 00:42:26,187
And your one thousand?
879
00:42:26,211 --> 00:42:29,223
She gave it to me because...
880
00:42:29,247 --> 00:42:31,292
Well, to keep me quiet.
881
00:42:31,316 --> 00:42:33,060
Who was the man?
882
00:42:33,084 --> 00:42:34,562
I don't know,
883
00:42:34,586 --> 00:42:37,831
but the only man I ever
found out she was seeing was
884
00:42:37,855 --> 00:42:40,434
Mr. Everett Dorrell.
885
00:42:40,458 --> 00:42:42,792
Thank you, Mr. Hill.
886
00:42:45,096 --> 00:42:47,474
Cross-examine.
887
00:42:47,498 --> 00:42:50,143
I have no questions of
this witness, Your Honor.
888
00:42:50,167 --> 00:42:51,712
But in view of his testimony,
889
00:42:51,736 --> 00:42:52,979
if the defense has no objection,
890
00:42:53,003 --> 00:42:55,015
I would like to interrupt
his case at this time
891
00:42:55,039 --> 00:42:57,251
for the purpose of
calling Mr. Everett Dorrell
892
00:42:57,275 --> 00:42:58,641
as a rebuttal witness.
893
00:43:00,411 --> 00:43:02,056
No objection.
894
00:43:02,080 --> 00:43:05,860
Very well, Your Honor.
I call Everett Dorrell.
895
00:43:05,884 --> 00:43:07,427
Mr. Dorrell,
896
00:43:07,451 --> 00:43:08,996
were you involved in an accident
897
00:43:09,020 --> 00:43:10,230
in Helen Austin's car
898
00:43:10,254 --> 00:43:12,900
and were you paying
her to cover up that fact?
899
00:43:12,924 --> 00:43:15,903
No, sir. I was not in the
car, nor in any accident
900
00:43:15,927 --> 00:43:18,673
with the decedent, and I
did not give her any money.
901
00:43:18,697 --> 00:43:21,275
And you did not give the
defendant any money either?
902
00:43:21,299 --> 00:43:24,211
No, sir. I've already told you
the extent of our agreement.
903
00:43:24,235 --> 00:43:27,003
Thank you, Mr. Dorrell.
Your witness.
904
00:43:30,975 --> 00:43:33,009
Mr. Dorrell,
905
00:43:34,713 --> 00:43:37,158
when you made that agreement
with Richard Hammond,
906
00:43:37,182 --> 00:43:38,492
you knew Helen Austin
907
00:43:38,516 --> 00:43:40,661
was the driver of the
car which killed his sister,
908
00:43:40,685 --> 00:43:42,163
didn't you? Yes.
909
00:43:42,187 --> 00:43:44,264
And you knew that
Richard didn't know her
910
00:43:44,288 --> 00:43:46,667
as Helen Austin,
but as Mrs. Alex Hill?
911
00:43:46,691 --> 00:43:48,836
Yes.
912
00:43:48,860 --> 00:43:50,871
And he didn't
recognize her, either.
913
00:43:50,895 --> 00:43:53,640
Well, I can only apologize
for that. I was desperate.
914
00:43:53,664 --> 00:43:55,342
Why were you desperate?
915
00:43:55,366 --> 00:43:57,812
Well, I didn't want
Barbara to know.
916
00:43:57,836 --> 00:43:59,513
I didn't want her
father to find out.
917
00:43:59,537 --> 00:44:02,182
They'd never have believed
I wasn't still seeing Helen.
918
00:44:02,206 --> 00:44:04,251
Yet you told them
both the next morning.
919
00:44:04,275 --> 00:44:06,453
Well, Dick had gotten
into trouble by that time.
920
00:44:06,477 --> 00:44:08,221
I... I wanted to tell the truth.
921
00:44:08,245 --> 00:44:11,358
Yes, I remember.
922
00:44:11,382 --> 00:44:15,562
Then Marvin Claridge
put pressure on you.
923
00:44:15,586 --> 00:44:17,130
Marvin Claridge is still
924
00:44:17,154 --> 00:44:18,699
putting pressure
on you, isn't he?
925
00:44:18,723 --> 00:44:20,301
No. No.
926
00:44:20,325 --> 00:44:23,003
How did your car get
to Richard's garage?
927
00:44:23,027 --> 00:44:24,305
I don't know.
928
00:44:24,329 --> 00:44:26,607
Isn't it true that you did
give Richard Hammond
929
00:44:26,631 --> 00:44:29,576
that $15,000? No.
930
00:44:29,600 --> 00:44:32,013
Then did you give the
money to Helen Austin?
931
00:44:32,037 --> 00:44:34,081
To Helen? No.
932
00:44:34,105 --> 00:44:36,016
She was to pick up $15,000.
933
00:44:36,040 --> 00:44:38,486
Wasn't it from you? No!
934
00:44:38,510 --> 00:44:41,188
Weren't you the one
in her car at the time
935
00:44:41,212 --> 00:44:42,990
of that accident 18 months ago?
936
00:44:43,014 --> 00:44:44,558
And haven't you been paying her
937
00:44:44,582 --> 00:44:46,360
a monthly tribute
for her silence?
938
00:44:46,384 --> 00:44:48,283
No! No?
939
00:44:49,920 --> 00:44:53,266
And who could
it be, Mr. Dorrell?
940
00:44:53,290 --> 00:44:56,737
Who could the mysterious
passenger have been,
941
00:44:56,761 --> 00:44:59,406
the one she's
protected all this time?
942
00:44:59,430 --> 00:45:01,876
Well, I don't
know. It wasn't me.
943
00:45:01,900 --> 00:45:03,711
Then who was paying Helen Austin
944
00:45:03,735 --> 00:45:06,535
$2000 a month for
her silence, Mr. Dorrell?
945
00:45:08,106 --> 00:45:11,507
Now from whom was Helen
going to get that $15,000?
946
00:45:14,645 --> 00:45:16,478
All right.
947
00:45:17,682 --> 00:45:20,795
From the only one
it could have been...
948
00:45:20,819 --> 00:45:22,518
Marvin Claridge.
949
00:45:26,324 --> 00:45:30,637
I'm sorry, sir. I lied for you.
950
00:45:30,661 --> 00:45:33,640
I lied about giving Richard
Hammond the money.
951
00:45:33,664 --> 00:45:35,798
I did give it to him.
952
00:45:37,468 --> 00:45:39,708
I love Barbara, but...
953
00:45:40,071 --> 00:45:42,571
If this means I
can't have her...
954
00:45:44,142 --> 00:45:45,808
I'm sorry.
955
00:45:47,879 --> 00:45:49,946
Helen worked for him.
956
00:45:51,315 --> 00:45:55,396
Even when she was
going out with me
957
00:45:55,420 --> 00:45:58,298
she was seeing him.
958
00:45:58,322 --> 00:46:01,167
Thank you, Mr. Dorrell.
959
00:46:01,191 --> 00:46:03,692
Will Mr. Claridge
please take the stand.
960
00:46:12,303 --> 00:46:15,482
Yes, I gave her $2000
the first of every month.
961
00:46:15,506 --> 00:46:17,885
Since the accident? Yes.
962
00:46:17,909 --> 00:46:20,153
Then the money
was blackmail money,
963
00:46:20,177 --> 00:46:24,525
and you were the
mysterious passenger.
964
00:46:24,549 --> 00:46:26,092
Yes.
965
00:46:26,116 --> 00:46:27,895
I don't like to
think of it like that.
966
00:46:27,919 --> 00:46:31,998
She never threatened me
with exposing our... affair.
967
00:46:32,022 --> 00:46:34,301
But perhaps that was
one of the things I found
968
00:46:34,325 --> 00:46:35,803
so fascinating about Helen.
969
00:46:35,827 --> 00:46:38,538
That we understood
each other so well.
970
00:46:38,562 --> 00:46:39,807
I just increased the regular
971
00:46:39,831 --> 00:46:41,175
amount of money
I was giving her.
972
00:46:41,199 --> 00:46:45,012
So that it became a
rather large regular amount.
973
00:46:45,036 --> 00:46:46,814
Yes. And then she asked you
974
00:46:46,838 --> 00:46:50,184
for a rather large
lump sum, $15,000.
975
00:46:50,208 --> 00:46:52,920
She said she needed
it desperately, she...
976
00:46:52,944 --> 00:46:54,388
Well, she demanded it.
977
00:46:54,412 --> 00:46:56,157
And you gave it to her?
978
00:46:56,181 --> 00:46:58,392
No.
979
00:46:58,416 --> 00:47:00,027
Why not?
980
00:47:00,051 --> 00:47:03,964
Peculiarly enough,
Everett, uh, Mr. Dorrell,
981
00:47:03,988 --> 00:47:06,466
asked to borrow
that exact amount.
982
00:47:06,490 --> 00:47:09,236
In giving it to Everett,
983
00:47:09,260 --> 00:47:11,906
I thought Helen could
wait until the next day.
984
00:47:11,930 --> 00:47:13,941
But she didn't care to wait?
985
00:47:13,965 --> 00:47:15,342
Well, she was angry.
986
00:47:15,366 --> 00:47:18,467
So you killed her then?
987
00:47:20,571 --> 00:47:22,516
No, Mr. Mason.
988
00:47:22,540 --> 00:47:26,609
I didn't kill her
then or any time.
989
00:47:28,445 --> 00:47:30,290
When she told
you that she needed
990
00:47:30,314 --> 00:47:33,293
the $15,000 desperately,
did she tell you why?
991
00:47:33,317 --> 00:47:34,628
Yes. I asked her
992
00:47:34,652 --> 00:47:36,463
what she did with
$2000 every month,
993
00:47:36,487 --> 00:47:38,431
and she said she was
giving half of it away.
994
00:47:38,455 --> 00:47:42,536
And that now, to keep the man
who was preying on her quiet,
995
00:47:42,560 --> 00:47:44,437
she had to give him a lump sum.
996
00:47:44,461 --> 00:47:46,773
Did she tell you that the
man who was blackmailing her
997
00:47:46,797 --> 00:47:49,042
was her former husband,
Mr. Alexander Hill?
998
00:47:49,066 --> 00:47:51,845
No. MASON: Then, Mr. Claridge,
999
00:47:51,869 --> 00:47:53,213
it could have been someone else
1000
00:47:53,237 --> 00:47:55,482
who was blackmailing her?
1001
00:47:55,506 --> 00:47:59,620
It's not likely. Why not?
1002
00:47:59,644 --> 00:48:02,789
Because Mr. Alexander
Hill approached me himself
1003
00:48:02,813 --> 00:48:04,725
the day after Helen
was murdered.
1004
00:48:04,749 --> 00:48:06,960
Thank you.
1005
00:48:06,984 --> 00:48:08,795
That'll be all, Mr. Claridge.
1006
00:48:10,254 --> 00:48:12,555
Your Honor, may I continue?
1007
00:48:14,993 --> 00:48:16,158
Well, Mr. Hill?
1008
00:48:20,431 --> 00:48:22,531
Mr. Hill, you will
please take the stand.
1009
00:48:25,737 --> 00:48:27,715
She was a cheat all her life.
1010
00:48:27,739 --> 00:48:29,349
Even when it didn't
make any difference
1011
00:48:29,373 --> 00:48:31,384
cheating or not
cheating, she'd cheat.
1012
00:48:31,408 --> 00:48:32,986
Right at the very end
there I even thought
1013
00:48:33,010 --> 00:48:35,089
that maybe she'd got that
15 grand and was lying.
1014
00:48:35,113 --> 00:48:37,958
You'd followed
her to Claridge's?
1015
00:48:37,982 --> 00:48:39,660
Yeah.
1016
00:48:39,684 --> 00:48:41,662
You finally found out
who she was blackmailing,
1017
00:48:41,686 --> 00:48:42,930
and you didn't need her anymore.
1018
00:48:42,954 --> 00:48:46,354
The cheat. The cheat!
1019
00:48:47,758 --> 00:48:49,369
You made a pretty good pair.
1020
00:48:54,632 --> 00:48:56,509
Why did Helen give
Alex Hill half of the money
1021
00:48:56,533 --> 00:48:58,411
that Claridge gave her?
1022
00:48:58,435 --> 00:49:00,814
He threatened to
go to Claridge's wife
1023
00:49:00,838 --> 00:49:02,682
and blow the whole
affair wide open.
1024
00:49:02,706 --> 00:49:04,985
I still can't figure out
why he picked on me.
1025
00:49:05,009 --> 00:49:06,987
Unfortunately,
you arrived on time.
1026
00:49:07,011 --> 00:49:08,421
On time?
1027
00:49:08,445 --> 00:49:11,291
Hill couldn't leave Dorrell's
because your headlights
1028
00:49:11,315 --> 00:49:12,826
caught him as you
drove up the driveway.
1029
00:49:12,850 --> 00:49:14,394
He had to stay. He was trapped.
1030
00:49:14,418 --> 00:49:15,796
Then, of course,
he was glad he did,
1031
00:49:15,820 --> 00:49:17,598
because he heard
everything that took place.
1032
00:49:17,622 --> 00:49:19,165
And took advantage of it.
1033
00:49:19,189 --> 00:49:21,401
Well, I can't tell you how
glad I am to be out of trouble.
1034
00:49:21,425 --> 00:49:23,670
Oh, you're not out yet.
1035
00:49:23,694 --> 00:49:26,006
Both you and Dorrell
will have to face charges
1036
00:49:26,030 --> 00:49:27,540
of tampering with evidence
1037
00:49:27,564 --> 00:49:29,576
and obstructing
police procedure.
1038
00:49:29,600 --> 00:49:31,511
I'm quite willing to
pay for what I've done.
1039
00:49:31,535 --> 00:49:33,680
Can I drop you any
place, Mr. Hammond?
1040
00:49:33,704 --> 00:49:35,181
Oh, thank you.
1041
00:49:35,205 --> 00:49:36,282
Good night, Mr. Mason.
1042
00:49:36,306 --> 00:49:37,517
Night, Dick. Miss Street.
1043
00:49:37,541 --> 00:49:39,074
Good night.
1044
00:49:44,348 --> 00:49:47,427
And now are you quite willing
to pay for what you've done?
1045
00:49:47,451 --> 00:49:48,662
What have I done?
1046
00:49:48,686 --> 00:49:50,363
You've tampered
with my digestion
1047
00:49:50,387 --> 00:49:53,466
and obstructed my feeding
procedure for quite some time.
1048
00:49:53,490 --> 00:49:56,136
I plead guilty. What's the fine?
1049
00:49:56,160 --> 00:49:59,639
One dinner. Mm.
1050
00:49:59,663 --> 00:50:02,031
Payable now.