Part 26 (1/2)
”Take the witness”
”I have no questions to ask him,” Potter's lawyer replied
A third witness swore he had often seen the knife in Potter's possession
”Take the witness”
Counsel for Potter declined to question hian to betray annoyance Did this attorney mean to throay his client's life without an effort?
Several witnesses deposed concerning Potter's guilty behavior when brought to the scene of thecross-questioned
Every detail of the daraveyard upon that ht out by credible witnesses, but none of them were cross-examined by Potter's lawyer The perplexity and dissatisfaction of the house expressed itself in murmurs and provoked a reproof from the bench
Counsel for the prosecution now said:
”By the oaths of citizens whose simple word is above suspicion, we have fastened this awful crime, beyond all possibility of question, upon the unhappy prisoner at the bar We rest our case here”
A groan escaped from poor Potter, and he put his face in his hands and rocked his body softly to and fro, while a painful silence reigned in the courtroom Many men were moved, and many women's compassion testified itself in tears Counsel for the defence rose and said:
”Your honor, in our re of this trial, we foreshadowed our purpose to prove that our client did this fearful deed while under the influence of a blind and irresponsible deliriued our mind We shall not offer that plea” [Then to the clerk:] ”Call Thomas Sawyer!”
A puzzled a Potter's Every eye fastened itself ondering interest upon Tom as he rose and took his place upon the stand The boy looked wild enough, for he was badly scared The oath was administered
”Thomas Sawyer, where were you on the seventeenth of June, about the hour of lanced at Injun Joe's iron face and his tongue failed him The audience listened breathless, but the words refused to coot a little of his strength back, and h of it into his voice to raveyard!”
”A little bit louder, please Don't be afraid You were--”
”In the graveyard”
A contemptuous smile flitted across Injun Joe's face
”Were you anywhere near Horse Williarave?”
”Yes, sir”
”Speak up--just a trifle louder How near were you?”
”Near as I am to you”
”Were you hidden, or not?”
”I was hid”