Girl in the News Page #7

Stand down, please!

Call Dr Threadgrove!

I came to the conclusion that the

symptoms were

those of Somenol poisoning.

For the benefit of the layman, I might

explain...

Yes, we shall have that from the analyst

If you can contrive to be less verbose,

do so, doctor. Do so.

Now doctor, will you tell the court

where you found that key?

- It was lying on the table about half..

- Speak up, speak up!

It was lying on the table about half an

inch from the deceased's hand.

- It appeared to be a case of suicide.

- Are you still of that opinion?

No, I was present when the Chief

Constable discovered that the patient's

wheelchair would not pass through the

door into the other room.

If it assists, m'lord, we're prepared to

accept that the deceased

couldn't have committed suicide

May I ask, Mr Farringdon, if the defence

will be one of accident?

No, m'lord, I shall not suggest that Mr

Bentley met his death

by any form of accident

I see. Thank you, Mr Farringdon.

Thank you, doctor.

No questions.

That will do. Stand down, doctor.

I call Judith Bentley.

Call Judith Bentley!

Judith Bentley!

And then, Mrs Bentley?

When I came back I already told you my

husband... was dead.

I needn't say, Mrs Bentley, that you

have the sympathy of the court.

We're anxious to spare you all we can.

Now, and reverting to those tablets,

did anyone besides yourself know where

they were kept?

Must I answer that?

I'm afraid so, Mrs Bentley.

Only the prisoner.

This alteration to your husband's will,

- He added a codicil leaving a bequest

to the prisoner? - Yes.

Can you tell us if the prisoner knew?

Yes, my husband told her at lunch the

next day.

That's not true!

- The prisoner must remain silent.

- But he didn't tell me, he didn't!

Continue.

When did your husband tell her?

The week before he died.

Thank you.

Mrs Bentley, when you first engaged

the prisoner,

did you know that she had previously been

tried for murder at the Alminster Assizes?

Mr Farringdon, you must consider what

you're saying!

We're not concerned with what may have

happened prior to this case!

With respect, m'lord, we're very much

concerned with it!

But surely you must be aware that such

reference may gravely

prejudice your client's case?

I submit that her case is already

prejudiced!

That is a most improper remark.

But justified, m'lord! This was issued

the day after the arrest

by the Daily Gazette. 'Nurse Graham

Charged'.

The addition of one word, the word

'again' and the Daily Gazette would have

committed contempt of court.

But m'lord, that word wasn't necessary.

It was common gossip

who Nurse Graham was,

that she had stood her trial at Alminster

on a charge of wilful murder!

This is altogether incredible!

M'Lord, there can hardly be one person in

this court who is not aware of the facts!

The accused was acquitted on the

previous charge, and comes here as

an innocent person.

The jury will remember that.

May I speak, your Lordship?

I'd sooner face the truth, I have every

confidence in my counsel.

Your Lordship, may I proceed?

Hmm. Very well.

I asked you, Mrs Bentley, if you were

aware

that the prisoner had figured in a

murder trial before?

If I had been, I obviously shouldn't

have engaged her.

- You'd not even heard of the case?

- No, I hadn't.

But you do know now that the prisoner

was accused on that occasion

of poisoning a helpless invalid?

Yes.

Shortly after she had been informed that

she was to benefit under her patient's

will?

Yes.

And the same circumstances now repeat

themselves!

So that whether the prisoner was innocent

or not, she was certain to be suspected?

Answer, please!

I don't know, I...

Why am I being asked all these questions?

I, I've told you everything I know.

We must hope that the object of

counsel's questions will emerge...?

M'lord, I intend to establish that there

was full knowledge

of the prisoner's identity before she

went to Camthorpe!

Mr Farringdon, do I understand that you

are suggesting some kind of

conspiracy against the accused?

I shall, m'lord.

The defence, m'lord, will be a total

denial of guilt.

I shall suggest that another person: I

am not allowed to be more precise,

administered the tablets.

You will be calling evidence in support

of that allegation?

- That is my intention.

- Proceed.

You sent an advertisement to the Daily

Gazette advertising for a nurse?

Yes, my husband asked me to

And the prisoner answered it?

There were a number of replies.

But you selected the prisoner's reply?

- Yes.

- Why?

- Well, she seemed the most suitable

- For your purpose?

M'lord, I object to that question!

The witness is not bound to answer if it

tends to incriminate her in any way.

'Apply etc to Mrs Bentley sending

photograph'. Why the photograph?

There was no particular reason.

It wasn't so that you could tell which

was the prisoner's letter of

application should she

adopt another name?

No!

Did you send a paper with this

advertisement marked to the prisoner?

Then can you tell us who did?

I told you I didn't know her, I.. I'd

never even seen her.

But someone in your house had!

Not true! No-one had!

How can you say that? How do you know?

I...

I suggest that you, or another person

with your knowledge,

sent it to the prisoner with the object

of getting her into your employment,

knowing that if your husband were to

meet his death in the same manner,

she would be suspected!

M'lord, I object!

Counsel has accepted full responsibility

for his cross-examination, Sir John.

Is that so, Mrs Bentley?

Answer me!

It's not true. None of it is true.

I've said again and again that... I'd

neither seen, nor, nor heard of

the accused before she came to us.

If I'd known who she was, I should

hardly have employed her!

Whatever you try to make me say, I can

only tell the truth.

I loved my husband.

M'lord, I really must protest, the

witness has suffered great distress since

quite right Sir John... the limits of

a cross-examination...

And I fear that Mr Farringdon is not

helping his client's case.

I beg Your Lordship's pardon.

Have you any more questions to ask this

witness?

No thank you, m'lord.

I feel Sir John that this would be a

convenient moment to adjourn.

Members of the jury, the hearing will be

resumed at 10:
30 tomorrow morning.

All persons having anything further to

do before m'lord the King's Justice

may now depart and give their attendance

here tomorrow morning at 10:30.

God save the King, and m'lord the

King's Justice!

- Mr Tracy?

- Yeah?

You'll probably be our first witness

tomorrow.

Oh, thank you.

I could do with a cup of tea. There's a

nice little cafe around the corner.

- What do you say, Don June?

- No thanks.

Your lawyer to see you.

Where's Mr Farringdon?

- Didn't he send a message?

- No.

Curious. He left the court in a hurry,

I assumed...

But he promised to see me!

Well then, he's certain to come back!

Meanwhile, there are one or two matters

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