The Case of the Horrified Heirs Read Online Free PDF Page B

court, although I know there are judges who object. However, I am not entirely unaware of the fact that when this defendant was arrested, the story was given a great deal of publicity and it seems to me only fair to see that her exoneration should also be accompanied by a reasonable amount of publicity."
    Judge Albert took his position in front of the scales and beckoned to Virginia to come and stand at his side.
    Mason escorted the nervous defendant up to a position beside the judge.
    "Come on and get in this picture, Mason," Judge Albert invited.
    "I think I'd better not," Mason said. "That will make the picture look posed and artificial and it may not be in the best taste from the standpoint of legal ethics; but the picture of you 'weighing the evidence' will attract a lot of attention."
    Judge Albert nodded, said to Virginia, "Now, Miss Baxter, if you'll just look at the beam on the scales here, I'll bend over and be adjusting it-No, no, don't look at the camera, look at the scales. Turn a little if you want to so you can get your best angle for the camera."
    Judge Albert put a hand on her shoulder, bent over and moved the balancing weight back and forth on the beam, and gleeful photographers exploded flash bulbs in rapid succession.
    Judge Albert straightened, looked at Mason, then beckoned to the district attorney and led the two attorneys out of earshot of the reporters.
    "There's something very fishy about this case," Judge Albert said. "I would suggest, Mr. Caswell, that you check very carefully on the person who gave you this information, or rather misinformation which resulted in a search of that suitcase."
    The prosecutor said hotly, "That person has always been on the up-and-up with us; his information has been reliable."
    "Well, it wasn't reliable in this case," Judge Albert said.
    "I'm not so certain about that," Caswell retorted. "After all, it's not entirely impossible that the bags could have been tampered with."
    "I think they were," Judge Albert said bitingly, "but I think the tampering occurred after the bag was checked by Miss Baxter and before it was taken off the revolving rack.
    "After all, this Court wasn't born yesterday and after you see defendants coming and going, day in and day out, you have an opportunity to learn something about human nature. This young woman isn't a dope pusher."
    "And after you've seen Perry Mason pull grandstand after grandstand," Caswell rejoined, "you learn something about dramatics. This scene the Court has just participated in is going to give aid and comfort to a lot of persons who don't wish law enforcement any good."
    "Law enforcement had better become more efficient then," Judge Albert snapped. "There was no objection to calling photographers to photograph this young woman when her suitcase was opened, and heaven knows how much harm was done her at that time. I only hope there will be enough publicity in connection with the events of the last hour to more than offset the unfavorable publicity which was given her at the time of her arrest."
    "Well, don't worry," Caswell said bitterly, "this picture will go out over the wire services and make about a third of the papers in the United States."
    "Let's hope it does," Judge Albert said, and turning on his heel, headed for chambers.
    Caswell walked away without a word to Mason.
    Mason rejoined Virginia Baxter. "Want to go in the witness room where we can sit down and talk for a minute?" Mason asked.
    "Anything," she said. "Anything, Mr. Mason."
    "I just want a word with you," Mason said.
    He led her into the witness room, held a chair for her, sat down opposite her and said, "Now look, who would have it in for you?"
    "You mean to try and frame me on a narcotics charge?"
    "Yes."
    "Heavens, I don't know."
    "Your husband?"
    "He was very bitter."
    "Why?"
    "I wouldn't give him a divorce."
    "Why not?"
    "He was a sneak, a liar and a cheat. He was carrying on with another woman all the time I was working my head off trying to help