Storyville Page #5

---

If he has a tape, why hasn't he used it?

I think he just did.

You said there's one name on that list | that hasn't been buried in that cemetery.

What time did you arrive | for work that night?

I came on at 10:
00.

You have a good view of the entrance to | the Happy Dragon from your window, right?

Yeah, real good. Primo.

Did you see the defendant | enter or leave the building?

I didn't see her go in...

but I seen her come out about 11:45.

- And what was your impression of her? | - My impression of her?

My impression of her was she was in a hurry | because she was running.

Do you mind if I call you by your first name?

Demita Jo.

Did you see anyone enter | or leave the building after Lee had exited...

but before the police officers arrived?

I saw some guy leaving.

Can you describe him for me?

He was wearing a long coat, like a raincoat.

Was he short or tall?

I guess he was kind of short.

Did you see or hear anything from upstairs? | Any music?

Yes, some kind of loud music | from the porno joint.

That was just before Lee | came running out of there.

Mr. Choate, what did you hear | at approximately 11:30 that night?

I was doing my books. It was hot. | When it's hot I keep my door open.

I hear somebody coming up the stairs.

- Just one person? | - Yeah.

Then I hear argument, yelling and such.

Could you identify the voices?

It was Lee and her old man talking gook.

Is that when you decided to call the police?

I've got a right to some peace and quiet.

What happened then?

I hear a crash. Then it's quiet, | so I go upstairs to check it out.

I see this girl, Lee, | coming out of the other room.

Did she see you?

She saw me. | She took off like a bat out of hell.

Then I started thinking | something hinky was going around here.

Just an instinct?

I go downstairs and wait for the police. | They come, we go upstairs to check it out...

and that's when we find the old man.

Thank you, Mr. Choate.

How are you doing today?

- Okay. | - Good.

On the night of the murder, | when you first went upstairs...

did you notice anything about the door | to the studio?

It was open.

Did you notice the glass panel was broken, | and there was blood on it?

I noticed that.

You testified you were in your office | from 9:00 and heard voices from upstairs.

Why didn't you hear | the sound of the door panel being broken?

I don't know.

I had the music on.

That's right. Miss Johnson | said she heard it downstairs.

- You had it up pretty loud? | - Loud, yeah. I like it loud.

But not so loud | you couldn't hear an argument.

I cut it off by then.

- What time was that? | - 11:30.

Miss Johnson said she didn't hear | the music go off till about 11:45.

I don't recall exactly when I cut it off.

You play loud music often?

- While I work. | - You're a photographer?

What do you specialize in, | what kind of photos?

Graduation pictures, baby portraits?

I do art studies.

- Nude art studies. | - Art studies with models?

Well, they sure as hell ain't self-portraits.

Let me get this straight. | You were alone, doing your books...

and to help you concentrate, | listening to loud rock 'n' roll...

which you play during a photo session...

but not so loud that you can't hear | someone creeping up the stairs.

Not so loud that you can't hear an argument, | and determine it's in Vietnamese.

Then you call the police | to complain about it...

because you wanted some peace and quiet? | Have I got that right?

Is there a law against playing music?

There isn't. There is a law | against giving false testimony under oath.

- Objection. Harassing the witness. | - Just another question.

Were you alone that night?

Yeah.

Who did Miss Johnson see | leaving the building that night?

Short, wearing a raincoat.

Doesn't sound like you, does it?

Thank you, you've been very helpful.

No further questions.

Court will recess for the day.

You better come with me. | That's my cousin, Thaddeus.

Thought you might feel a little safer | if he drives.

In exchange for their property deeds, | the people on that list...

signed away their rights to the oil revenue.

They didn't know what they were signing.

They got some money for it. | Just enough to keep them quiet.

That's how it worked.

How are you doing?

He's back this way.

- How are you doing this evening? | - How are you doing?

Charlie's waiting for you inside.

- Mr. Sumpter? | - Come on in.

Brought someone to talk to you.

This is Cray Fowler.

- How do you do, Mr. Sumpter. | - Pleased to meet you.

Excuse my eyes, they ain't no good.

Do you know you're a very wealthy man?

Yes.

I get money every month.

What money is that?

Comes in an envelope.

$300 cash.

Started out in September.

1939.

- What did you do before you retired? | - I was a hunting guide.

Had to stop when my eyes went bad.

Do you know who sends you the money?

I don't know.

If somebody took $300 | and put it in your mailbox every month...

what would you question them for?

Can you remember back when | you first started to get the money?

Someone came to see you. He asked you | to sign something, a piece of paper.

A young fellow, he was white.

Said he was from the bank.

- Took him hunting once or twice. | - You remember his name?

He never did say.

Did he tell you what you were signing?

He said it was the deed to my property.

He also said I owned it now, free and clear.

Do you think you'd recognize him | if you saw him today?

Mister...

I can barely see my TV.

Thank you.

It's funny...

a man came and asked | those same questions three years ago.

What was his name?

Let's see.

I think it was Raymond.

That's it. Raymond.

Thank you.

Prosecution calls Lt. Michael Trevallian.

I hate you.

Would you describe for us the events | leading to the defendant's arrest?

Yes, ma'am.

When I arrived on the scene, | Mr. Choate showed me upstairs...

at which time I looked through the door | and saw the victim's body.

I ascertained the facts, | and issued an all points bulletin for...

the defendant.

Did you request that the defendant | be brought to the scene for questioning?

She was apprehended at the train station | and was brought there within the hour.

What did the defendant say | when you took her into the room...

where her father's body was lying?

She said, "I'm responsible." | She said this three times.

Not in response to any question. | This was something she volunteered?

She said it three times.

Your witness.

According to your precinct's ledger, | you were off duty...

at the time Mr. Choate's complaint | was registered.

I was driving on my way home.

I had the radio on. | It just so happened I picked up the call.

As a homicide detective, | do you make a habit...

of answering routine | disturbing the peace calls?

No, but I happened to be in the vicinity.

And I am a police officer, on or off duty.

Your dispatcher didn't tell you | another unit was handling it?

I did not talk to the dispatcher. | I just took the call.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes