All language subtitles for Perry Mason S06E28 The Case of the Witless Witness.DVDRip.NonHI.en.CBS

Now, to the political news.

Attention focused this morning
on the pre-convention caucus

meeting in the Los Angeles Hotel

to select nominees for
the slate of state officers.

Of particular concern is
the nominee for the office

of lieutenant governor.

Most experts agreed the
shoo-in for the job was the man

who has unsuccessfully
sought it for the past 12 years,

Victor Kendall,
publisher of "The Clarion."

But a sudden dark horse
has loomed into contention.

The feeling in informed
circles is that the party needs

to create a new image,

an image of
unshakable integrity.

Will that new
image take the form

of the most highly
respected judge in the state,

Judge Daniel Redmond, of
the District Court of Appeals?

To make men pay for faults
they have not committed

is an extension
of a legal fiction

that was wrong 2
1/2 centuries ago

when the doctrine just
exploded full-flower on the scene

as an axiom of common law.

I think it was wrong then.

I find it no easier
to accept today.

Judgment is affirmed.

Court adjourned.

Mr. Mason,

I'm sorry your first experience
in my court was a losing one.

You argued well.

But unfortunately you
argued the wrong law.

Candidly, Your Honor,

I think as little of the
legal precedent you cited

as you did of the one I cited.

If "Jones vs. Hart" was
wrong 250 years ago,

you think "Priestly vs. Fowler"
was just as wrong 126 years ago?

Don't you think so?

It's still the law, Mr. Mason.

Words on paper. The
oxcart in an atomic age.

As you know, the law
is more than a record

of upheld decisions.

It's a testament to the people
who created those words

I like that argument.

Use it when you
have your rehearing

before the State Supreme Court.

The State Supreme
Court has never overruled

a decision of yours,
not once in 20 years.

I doubt if they will
in this case, either.

But there's always a first time.

Good luck, Mr. Mason.

Chalk it up to the wrong
judge on the wrong day, Perry.

What do you mean?

Well, if he had even
a remote chance

for that nomination
as lieutenant governor,

he should have heard
about it hours ago.

Pleasant or not, I think that's
really what was on his mind.

No, not Daniel Redmond.

Nothing could or would interfere

with his impartial
consideration of a case.

I'd take an oath any day
on his absolute integrity

and devotion to the bench.

These decisions need
your signature right away.

Thank you, Marian. I'll
sign them in a minute.

That law symposium

at the University of
San Fernando Valley...

Write them I'll be free
to attend and participate.

But you were holding
off until you found out

whether you were going
to get the nomination.

They can set their own date.

Marian,

at best that nomination was
only a one-in-a-million long-shot

that didn't come in.

It didn't mean that
much to me, not really.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Torrey, you've come
from the caucus. Have they...

Congratulations!

Mr. Nominee for
lieutenant governor!

Aren't you going
to say anything?

Nothing to say!

It didn't mean that
much to him, not really.

Mr. Weston, let me
commend you on your conduct

as a witness this past week.

The area of military contract
negotiation is a complex one.

Your understanding
and cooperation

have been of inestimable help.

Thank you, Senator Deering.

All right, Mr. Wall,

suppose you continue
the questioning.

Senator Deering, I ask permission
to deviate from our agenda.

Now, I've obtained some
Navy procurement information,

dating back to March of 1943,
that's of utmost importance.

I should like to
question Mr. Weston

about the facts involved.

Well, now, Mr. Wall,
I don't know...

Mr. Wall, does this matter
concern marine engines?

Yes, it does, Senator.

Seems to me I remember
some talk years ago

about marine engines.

They may have explained
it to everyone's satisfaction,

but where that many millions

of the taxpayer's
money was concerned,

it wasn't explained
to my satisfaction!

Senator Deering, I'm
sure you're going to feel

that a scandal of this
nature is rightly the concern

of every dedicated
public servant.

All right, ask the questions.

The 4 years you spent in
Washington during World War Il,

you were, Mr. Weston, employed
by the accounting department

of the United States Navy?

Yes, the Navy.

You were employed there
during the month of March 1943,

were you not?

Oh, that is...

Oh, come on now, Mr. Weston.

Specifically, were
you or were you not

employed by the Navy in
Washington in March of 1943,

when several million dollars'
worth of marine engines

belonging to the Navy were
fraudulently appropriated?

I know the Navy had a lot
of those engines, all right.

I don't know. That is...

If necessary to
obtain all the facts

we may be prepared to
offer you personal immunity.

I refuse to answer.
That's right!

I take the 5th Amendment!

A witness can't select
the questions he will

or will not answer.

Once he answers
one material question,

he waives the 5th Amendment.

That's not fair!

You talk about immunity,
and then you say

I can't take the
5th! What is this?!

Mr. Wall, this line of
inquiry is very promising

and must, at any
cost, be continued

despite the fact
that your witness

is obviously startled
and unprepared.

Mr. Weston, I want to
give you every opportunity

to refresh your memory,

and, if you like,
consult an attorney.

This hearing stands adjourned

until tomorrow
morning at 10:00am

Hello, Victor.

Your Honor.

A little formal, aren't
you? It used to be "Dan."

I hope you aren't going
to let politics reduce us

to a status of
painful politeness.

You expected the gracious loser

to graciously close ranks
and beat drums for the winner?

I would have, Victor.

In the past I have, too,

when the man who
beat me out was,

well, if not the better man,

at least a man fit for the job.

Trying to be both judge
and jury, aren't you?

So I'm not fit, am I? I
gather you think you are.

I wouldn't have permitted
myself to be considered

for the nomination
if I thought my past

could come back to haunt me.

Now, Look here,
Mr. Kendall, you can't...

It's all right, Marian.

What are you
talking about, Victor?

The Senate hearings in town.

One of my reporters
dug out the fact

that apparently these
hearings are aimed at you!

That's ridiculous!

It would be even more
ridiculous to have the nominee

for the second highest office
in the state exposed as a crook.

You said something
about my past.

What do you mean?

"The rock of integrity!"

That's what they
call you, isn't it?

Well, it's just possible

that rock has a
great big crack in it,

a crack of dishonor, Your Honor!

Prosecution for fraud
against the government,

for which there's no statute of
limitations, would frighten me.

I'm surprised it obviously
doesn't seem to frighten you.

Notice the look of panic
on your friend's face.

My what?

Friend.

Didn't you know him years ago?

Didn't you know
him when you were in

the U.S. attorney general's
office in Washington?

A Mr. Martin Weston?

Weston?

You know him?

Washington, 20 years ago.

I don't know.

There's something familiar
about the face. Something...

Marian, this Weston,

see if you can get
me his address.

I've done nothing wrong.

But I do want to find
out what this is all about.

Please, get me his address.

It's not fair. No
sir, it's not fair.

You meet a distinguished friend
you haven't seen in 20 years

and what happens, huh?

He comes in, and
he drags a gentleman

out of his favorite
bar, that's what.

I couldn't talk to
you in that bar.

And I'm afraid you've had
more than enough to drink.

I must protest!

That's what you
think, Your Honor!

This is very important to me,

Weston.

Does our knowing each other

casually in Washington
20 years ago

have anything to do with
those Senate hearings

you're involved in?

You mean you don't remember?

Heh, that's a shame.

You see, there was a group of
us at a party, a very nice party,

all very refined types.

And we cheated
little ol' Uncle Sam

out of a considerable
number of Navy engines.

Of course, you wouldn't
know about that, would you?

Now, look, Weston!

If you please!

Look, please, those
Navy engines...

20 years ago we... we were two
bright young men in government.

With... bright futures.

And... then brightness
went out for me.

That's right. I envied you.

Respect!

A good man, Judge Redmond!

A man everybody looks
up to and... and trusts.

An honest man!

The biggest crook.

You don't know
what you're saying!

Don't know what I'm sayin', huh?

That's what you think!

But I know! Heh heh.

Yes, sir, I... I know!

I got my cut, all right.

But so did you!

Weston!

Weston!

Weston!

If you're... if you're
looking for Mr. Weston,

I'm afraid he's not
well at the moment.

I saw the story in the paper.

Thought I'd talk to him.

He's drunk again, I suppose.

Yes.

It's a shame he doesn't
have your strength, Daniel.

But then few people do.

Madge!

It's Madge... Madge Eberly!

It's only 20 years, Dan.

For a moment I didn't think

you wanted to remember
that many years back.

Assistant city attorney

to assistant United
States attorney general,

and now a famous judge.

It's been a long road.

And lonely?

I don't know, Madge.

Perhaps at times.

Did you know that I
almost proposed to you

in Washington 20 years ago?

Knew it, expected it,

was disappointed
when it didn't happen.

Now you know.

Madge, I...

There was even
one night at a party,

you tried so hard to impress
me with your romantic ardor

that you spent over an hour
discussing the finer points of,

what was it?

Oh, yes, statutory fraud.

Wait a minute, Madge.

Weston said
something about a party.

I seem to recall a night
that you took me to a party.

At Gus Sawyer's
apartment, of course.

That was the night you met
Martin Weston and Gus Sawyer.

Lobbyists are so generous.

Gus gave me a flacon
of perfume that night.

Madge, please!

That night.

It's coming back to me now.

Wasn't I talking about fraud,

talking about how
stupid some people were

in their attempts to
cheat the government?

That's right.

You were explaining it all to
Martin Weston and Gus Sawyer.

Of course! Of course!

That's what Weston
was babbling about.

A tempest in a teapot!

Was it, Dan?

Well, of course. You were there.

You know I was only answering
some questions about a case

I'd handled in court.

Do I?

What are you trying to say?

The "loner," the man
who needed nobody...

Not me, not anybody!

Are you saying how you
want help, Dan. My help?

I'm sorry, Madge.
Perhaps I'd better leave.

Dan, I'm not bitter, really.

As a matter of fact,

now that I'm a California
resident I've even opened up

my own business, a
gift shop, Dan, this week.

Now that I can, I'll
even vote for you.

Gus Sawyer, the lobbyist.

You know, I've always
been dying to ask you, Dear,

how much of a pay-off
did he arrange for you?

Evening, Judge.

I heard something out here
and thought it might be you.

Quinn? Is that you, Quinn?

Yes. I couldn't locate
you at your club,

figured you might be here.
I'm glad we caught you.

- Come on in.
- We?

That's right. Gus
Sawyer's here with me.

Well, well, well.

Daniel come to judgment.

It's good, very good
to see you, Your Honor.

Get out of my chair!

Afraid I'll contaminate it?

Quinn, you know what this
man said about me once?

He said, "Someday, Gus Sawyer's

"going to slide into hell
on the melted grease

of his own bloated evil!"

Thank you, Quinn, you've
made my day complete!

A threatening blackmailer,
an hysterical alcoholic,

a vindictive woman,

and now you bring this... this
cheap panderer to corruption!

Oh, now, Danny
Boy, take it easy.

You know something?

I'll bet they make you
captain of the debating team

up at federal prison.

- Why, you...
- Dan!

Quinn, what's... what's
going on?! What's happening?!

Don't you know yet?

I don't know what
I know any more!

The fact that one
night 20 years ago,

I answered a few
simple questions,

something's become
kind of... Of a nightmare!

Simple questions, Dan?

20 years ago someone
devised a foolproof scheme

to defraud the
government of a fortune.

That scheme was put in
operation and succeeded.

Everybody connected
with that scheme profited.

Everybody.

This is what Weston is
going to testify about?

Yes. How do you
plan to stop him?

Why should I? I
have nothing to do

with whatever
he's involved with!

You and only you are the one he
plans to name publicly tomorrow!

Now, you'd better stop him.

You're out of your mind,
Quinn! Name me? For what?!

Don't play games,
Dan, especially with us!

I'm the one that paid
you off, remember?

Judge Daniel Redmond!

Your appointment to the bench...

It was bought and paid for!

I called Quinn,
told him your price.

He gave me $10,000.

As you might guess, Judge,

I obviously used it where
it did the most good.

Who told you I wanted you
to buy me a judgeship? Who?!

The man that's
going to crucify you

the minute he opens
his mouth and talks...

Martin Weston!

Weston.

Weston, listen to me.
I've got to talk to you!

Immunity. That's what I said.

Immunity...

Weston, please.

Did... did you call Gus
Sawyer 20 years ago...

You'll pay, buddy!
You'll pay, pay, pay...

Weston! Weston!

Man: Won't do much good.

He's that way every night.

He usually sleeps
it off by morning.

Then he's fine, Judge Redmond.

I'm James Wall, Your Honor,

counsel and special investigator

for the United States
Senate Sub-committee

on Business and Procedure.

I wanted to speak with you,
Mr. Wall, find something out.

Well, that makes
us even, Your Honor.

Because I've been
looking for you.

Here's a subpoena,
Judge Redmond.

Suppose we talk it
out in the hearing room.

Just after Martin Weston
finishes what he has to say.

Weston: 100 engines...

Navy engines... heh.

Fraud...

Morning, Della.

Along with your lovely
face and soothing voice,

I could use a cup of
steaming hot coffee.

Mason: Well, that was fast.

What is it, Della?

Marian Lamont, Judge
Redmond's secretary, is outside.

To see me?

She's on the verge
of a collapse, Perry.

She's frightened,
badly frightened.

Something about Judge
Redmond in trouble.

Bring her in.

Mr. Mason, please,
I must see you!

Come in, Miss Lamont.

The judge has no family

and no one that you
could call a close friend.

And I didn't know who
else to turn to, Mr. Mason.

Won't you please help?

Well, did the judge ask
you to come to see me?

No. And he'd be furious if he
knew that I came to see you.

But I had to!

I've been his secretary,
Mr. Mason, for 20 years.

20 years with the finest,
most unselfish man

that I have ever known.

He should've let me go when I
had my heart attack 3 years ago.

But he didn't.

Even though it meant
more work for him,

he insisted upon helping me.
And I have got to help him now.

Miss Lamont, there are certain
standards of legal behavior...

He's in trouble, Mr. Mason,
desperate trouble!

- He needs help!
- What kind of trouble?

I don't know for sure.

It has something to do
with that Senate hearing

that they moved
here from Washington.

Whatever it is that
they're trying to uncover,

I'm afraid that the
judge may be involved.

I find that difficult to
believe, Miss Lamont,

Judge Redmond and scandal.

He cancelled his calendar

and dictated 2
letters this morning.

The first was his withdrawal

as a nominee for
lieutenant governor.

And the second letter,
Mr. Mason, was his resignation

as a judge of the
District Court of Appeals.

Della, get Paul.

Come on, Miss Lamont.

Hi, Perry.

Good morning, Paul.

Miss Lamont, this is Paul Drake,

a private investigator
who works with me.

It will save time
if he's with us.

He should be in his chambers.
That's where I left him.

Marian, what are these
gentlemen doing here?

I asked them to come.

Why?

I... Dan, please.

Miss Lamont was concerned.

She thought you might need
some assistance, Judge Redmond.

I appreciate her concern
and your response to it.

But I'm afraid the
effort was wasted.

I thank you anyway.
Good day, gentlemen.

I understand you didn't plan
an active political campaign,

that you intended to
remain on the bench.

I'm sure Marian unburdened
herself to you completely.

I'm tired. I'm upset.

I'm in no mood to undergo one of
your famous cross-examinations.

Even the devil has his advocate.

I assume your case
is better than his.

That assumption
is the first step

in the unlawful
solicitation of a client!

I suggest you leave,
Mr. Mason, now.

So that you can roll
over and play dead?

Is that what you want?

You have no right to meddle!

On the contrary!

Not only a right but a duty!

A duty to maintain the
respect due the courts of justice

and judicial officers.

"Words on paper." Isn't that
the expression that you used?

Let me read you something.

Part of a decision handed
down by a very famous judge...

"Truth is found only
where dedicated men

"are free to enquire after it.

"If we refuse to fight
for the dignity of truth,

we have substituted
expediency for justice."

"Kleeman vs. Craig."

Presiding... Judge
Daniel Redmond.

3 witnesses are
prepared to corroborate

Martin Weston's
testimony, at this moment

in a Senate hearing

that... that I planned the
fraudulent appropriation

of government property.

And that my...

my "payoff"...

was appointment to
the bench as a judge.

Is it true?

No.

All right, Paul, start digging...
Here and in Washington.

Use an army if you have to.

All right, Perry.

The two letters Judge
Redmond dictated this morning...

- Have you mailed them yet?
- No.

- Tear them up.
- Yes, sir, Mr. Mason.

I don't understand.

"If we refuse to fight
for the dignity of truth,

we have substituted
expediency for justice."

Did you mean that?

Of course.

If I'm going to represent
you, I'll need all your trust.

Redmond, you won't get
away with this, believe me!

Get away with what?

Weston... he didn't
show up this morning!

As a disinterested publisher
of the news, Mr. Kendall,

aren't you jumping to a
conclusion that Judge Redmond

is responsible?

You may get away
with hiding Weston

but you won't hide the truth!

Not even the great Perry
Mason can help you with that.

Ladies and gentlemen,

these hearings are
temporarily postponed.

Mr. Martin Weston,

the sub-committee's
principal witness,

has just been found in
his apartment... dead!

Weston's death is
very convenient for you.

How did you arrange it?

That's a serious
accusation, Mr. Kendall.

Save it for the
courtroom, Mason.

Redmond, I'm going
to ride the police on this

until they're saddle-sore!

And if you had anything
to do with Weston's death,

I guarantee, if it's
the last thing I do,

I'll see every last dirty
fact brought to light!

You can take him.

Well, Doc?

Death by poison.

Possible suicide?

Always possible. My guess is no.

It, uh, wasn't the kind of
poison most people would likely

have around the house
or have easy access to.

Well, what was it?

Can't tell for sure until
I do a post mortem.

But I'd guess morphine sulfate.

Sounds familiar.

Specific for chest pains
related to heart trouble.

Be very interesting to
find out if Martin Weston

was that severe a cardiac case.

Here. Take a look
at this. It's all right.

We've already lifted the
few prints that were on it.

Hard to tell.

We'll have to run a
chemical analysis on it.

However, it could very
easily be morphine sulfate.

We found it under the bed.

Who is Marian Lamont?

I don't know.

But I'll find out.

I keep thinking about
what Kendall said.

Is it possible there
was something...

something unusual
about Weston's death?

We'll find out soon
enough if there was.

Now, did Weston say anything
to you when you went back

to see him?

Yes, he kept muttering
something about, uh,

immunity. Yes, immunity.

Then when the sub-committee
counsel showed up... Mr. Wall...

Weston said something
about "You'll pay.

You'll pay."

Your earlier visit, after
you'd seen Kendall,

Weston intimated that
you'd been paid off.

Did Madge Eberly make
that same accusation?

- Yes.
- Gus Sawyer? Quinn Torrey?

They all made reference to
the same allegation of fraud.

That's all it was...
an allegation?

Now, look here, Mason!

Save the fight!

Just remember, I'm
with you, not against you.

Heh heh. I'd like to watch
you working in court sometime,

if I ever...

When I get out of this mess.

Let's go over the facts again.
20 years ago. Washington, D.C.

You were an assistant
attorney general.

Madge Eberly took you to a
party at Gus Sawyer's house.

Start there.

I'd just successfully prosecuted
a fraud case in procurement.

Now, as I recall, Weston was
very curious about the facts,

some of the accounting
procedures involved.

Weston was at the party.
You explained to him

the mistakes that
led to the discovery

and conviction on that fraud?

That's right. And that's all!

I merely pointed out, in
detail, the stupid mistakes

made by this man
that I'd just prosecuted!

By getting a recital from you
about what shouldn't be done,

they work out a concept
of what could be done.

Now, you had no idea that
there was a plan for fraud

or that it was about
to be put into practice?

I never dreamed of it!
Quinn Torrey says there was.

You never personally
profited from it?

How could I? I
knew nothing about it!

- You didn't call Weston?
- No.

You didn't ask him
to call Gus Sawyer

about making you a judge?

No, no, no, no!

Yes, Della.

Bring him in.

The moment of reckoning.

Judge Redmond.

This is Lt. Anderson,
homicide, Los Angeles Police.

I'm, um, I'm sorry to interrupt.

That's all right, Lieutenant.

Your Honor, I'm afraid I'll have
to ask you to come with me.

I assume you have a warrant?

Yes, Your Honor.

The charge?

Murder.

But...

Wait a minute.
What's this about?

The first degree murder
of... Martin Weston.

Mr. Kendall, you
are the publisher of

"The Daily Clarion?"

That's right.

Now, on the day before
Martin Weston was discovered

in his hotel room murdered,

did you have occasion
to visit the chambers

of the defendant,
Judge Daniel Redmond?

I did.

And would you, please,
tell this court, Mr. Kendall,

what you said to the
defendant on that occasion?

I told him that I was aware
of what was to be brought out

in the course of the Senate
Sub-committee Hearings

on Business and
Procedure in Los Angeles.

And that was what?

Your Honor, I object to
the question on the ground

it assumes facts
not in evidence.

The witness is just about to
put the facts into evidence,

Mr. Mason.

Just hearsay.

The witness has no
first-hand knowledge

of the Senate committee's work.

Your Honor, this is nonsense.

The testimony of the witness
on this point... hearsay or not...

Is a necessary
prelude to his testimony

on how the defendant reacted.

I object to the
question, further,

on the ground that the
information to be revealed

was obtained illegally.

Illegally?! Come on, Mr. Mason.

We're concerned with
the reaction and the intent

of the defendant after
the witness spoke to him.

I take it then, Mr. Burger,

you are asking the court...
In lieu of proper foundation...

To take judicial notice of the
Senate hearings and witness'

knowledge of those hearings?

Exactly, Your Honor!

Judicial notice cannot be taken

of facts not common
knowledge or easily verified.

However, defense will stipulate

as to the admissibility of the
evidence on one condition.

What's that
condition, Mr. Mason?

That the witness swear he
was not politically motivated

in illegally obtaining
the information and,

furthermore, that it was
not obtained in collusion

with the Senate committee.

Mason knows full well
that's a loaded question!

I refuse to answer it!

Exercising your
privilege as a journalist?

That's right, Your Honor.

Mr. Mason, I'm going to
permit the witness to answer

Mr. Burger's question
without regard to his source

of information.

We are concerned not with what
the committee was going to do,

but only with what
defendant may have believed

the committee would do.

Mr. Kendall.

I told Dan Redmond that the
Senate subcommittee was about

to question him in
regard to his participation

in criminal fraud against the
United States government.

Were you questioned
by anyone else

concerning what happened
that night in Washington

20 years ago?

Yes, sir. Counsel for
the Senate committee,

Mr. James Wall,
also questioned me.

What did you tell
Mr. James Wall?

The truth...

That I was present
with Daniel Redmond

while a plan was
worked out to defraud

the United States government.

Burger: Thank you, Miss Eberly.

Your witness, Mr. Mason.

Miss Eberly, you were
present, and you heard this plan.

Tell me... Did you
also profit from it?

Burger: Your Honor, I request
that this witness be advised

of her privilege against
self-incrimination!

Your Honor, may I ask
the court to clarify for me

whether or not the privilege
against self-incrimination

can be invoked only for those
offenses subject to prosecution

in the same forum?

This is a state court.

Can a witness here rely on a
rule that would make possible

subsequent prosecution
in a federal court?

Your Honor, the question
the defense counsel

asked the witness goes
far beyond the area of fraud.

It lays the groundwork
for malice aforethought

and premeditation
in a murder charge.

Your Honor, since
the district attorney

has virtually stipulated
that the witness had a motive

for the murder of Martin
Weston, I withdraw the question.

And I'm finished
with the witness.

Call your next
witness, Mr. Burger.

I found this glass on the
night table beside the bed.

There was what appeared
to be the remnants of a drink

still in the glass.

What was done with
the glass, Lieutenant?

Well, the contents
were poured and sealed

for toxicological examination

and the glass itself was dusted
with contrast dusting powder

so that possible fingerprints
could be photographed.

Burger: Now, what did
the toxicological tests reveal

about the contents
of that glass?

Well, it contained...
Besides water...

Whiskey and traces of a
drug called morphine sulfate.

And what about fingerprints?

2 identifiable sets...

The prints of the
decedent, Martin Weston,

and prints of the
defendant, Daniel Redmond.

I show you now this
medicine container,

marked for identification
People's exhibit 2.

I ask if you recognize it.

Yes, sir. It was found under the
bed on which decedent was lying.

I notice the container
has some pills left in it.

Were they checked?

Yes, sir. Both in our
lab and with the druggist

who issued the prescription.

And with what results?

The medicine contained
morphine sulfate.

And to whom was it sold?

To a Miss Marian Lamont.

But it was picked up
for her at the druggist's

by her employer, the
defendant Daniel Redmond.

Doctor, did you perform a
toxicological examination

on the remains of Martin Weston?

Yes. Prior to his
death, Martin Weston

absorbed at least 2/10 of
a gram of morphine sulfate.

What is morphine sulfate?

An alkaloid, frequently
prescribed for pain relief

in heart conditions.

Would morphine sulfate
dissolve in a drink of, say,

whiskey and water?

Doctor: Yes.

Burger: Was there anything
else in your examination

worthy of note?

Doctor: Yes, I found a
blood alcohol level of 0.34.

Burger: Is that
regarded as high?

Yes. Normally the person have

great difficulty in
walking and talking.

He would probably be nearing
the state of unconsciousness.

Well, Doctor, is 2/10 of a
gram of morphine sulfate

ordinarily considered
a fatal dose?

Ordinarily not.

But if a non-fatal dose is
absorbed with a substantial

amount of alcohol, the alcohol
would accentuate the effects

of the morphine sulfate,
converting a non-fatal dose

into a fatal dose.

Martin Weston
was obviously drunk

drunk almost to the
point of unconsciousness.

I stood there in the open
doorway, watching for a moment.

It didn't begin to dawn on me
then what he was doing or why.

But I watched Judge
Redmond lift Weston up

and force the liquid in
his glass down his throat!

Well, here we go. I'll
start with Sacramento first.

Memo to the State Bar, for
comment by the governor,

February 1943, Daniel Redmond
proposed to fill a vacancy

on the bench.

Here's some capsulized
reports on Mr. Gus Sawyer,

one of the busiest men
Sacramento has ever seen!

Item... lobbyist.

Item... fixer.

Item... heh, you
name it, you got it.

Brother Gus not only had
the weight to throw around,

he threw it.

Did you check out any of his
specific lobbies or job fixing?

I did thoroughly
and got nowhere.

Everybody was
uncomfortably evasive

about what Gus Sawyer
did or did not do for them.

Despite the fact that he
registered as their lobbyist,

one outfit denied ever
knowing dear old Gus,

much less hiring him.

All of which adds up
to one great big zero.

No, Della, 2 zeros. But with
a one in front of them... 100%

You spotted something!

Yes, I have. Washington,
Paul. Am I right?

On the nose.
There's no question.

There was absolutely
nothing in the Navy records

pointing to fraud in 1943.

What?

It's not hard to find fraud

if you know what
you're looking for.

And they're really
tearing those records apart

back in Washington.

An hour ago, their
job was made easier.

What happened an hour ago?

I got a tip that Quinn
Torrey and counsel

paid a visit to the local office
of the federal attorney general.

Torrey's attorney
must have advised him

that the truth would come
out anyway and he'd be smart

to cop some sort of a plea.

Now, I'm not sure.
But I've been told

that Quinn Torrey made a
full confession to that fraud.

Naming?

Naming Judge Daniel Redmond.

On advice of counsel, I
make the following statement.

"The night of March 26, 1943,

"I was present at the residence

"of Gus Sawyer in
Washington, D.C.,

"when Daniel Redmond
was involved in a discussion

"of a unique method of handling
marine engine procurement.

I was not..."

"I was not aware that the
method, which I put into effect,

"involved statutory fraud.

"Subsequently, purely as a
token of personal friendship,

"and in no way involved with
the procurement in question,

"I employed Gus Sawyer to
represent my company for a year.

"I paid for a mortgage due
on the home of Martin Weston.

"And... I contributed
to a campaign

"to have Daniel
Redmond appointed

to the California bench."

May the record show, please,
that on advice of counsel,

the witness has
nothing further to say.

He has said quite enough.

Your witness, Mr. Mason.

Mr. Torrey, did you
give Madge Eberly

the money to open the
gift shop she now operates

in Los Angeles?

Answer "no."

No.

Mason: In 1943,
did Daniel Redmond

ever personally ask for
your help in any way?

No.

Then how did you know he wanted,

as a token of
friendship, of course,

your help in becoming a judge?

Gus Sawyer told me.

20 years ago, a couple of days

after that party in Washington,

Marty Weston called
me... He was all upset...

To say that Redmond hadn't
told him the complete truth,

that the procurement deal
could conceivably involve

fraud against the government.

Not that it did,
but that it could.

And I asked him what
Redmond planned to do about it.

And Marty told me very bluntly

that Redmond had stated
he'd do absolutely nothing

if he was appointed
a judge in California.

Did you tell this to
Mr. Quinn Torrey?

Yes. We talked
about it at the time.

I told him that I thought
that Redmond was bluffing.

But, well since he
was such a good friend,

why not give him what he wanted?

And did you?

Well through me Quinn
made some contributions

to certain political campaigns.

Everything strictly above-board,

with the suggestion
that Daniel Redmond

would make an excellent judge.

Obviously, these people agreed.

Very well, Mr. Sawyer. Now,
just who were these people?

Well, I never did keep
records, Mr. Burger.

It's so many years ago, I...

I just don't remember now.

How very convenient.

Cross-examine, Mr. Mason.

As a paid lobbyist, did you
report on your income tax

all the monies that
were put into your hands?

Of course not.

Only that part of it that
was mine, personal income.

How much did Quinn
Torrey contribute

toward making Daniel
Redmond a judge?

Well, that wasn't exactly...

How much?

$10,000.

How much of that $10,000 did
you report on your income taxes?

None of it. I was under
salary to Mr. Torrey.

And all the money
was to be disbursed.

Was your contract with
Quinn Torrey an exclusive one?

No. I worked for lot
of other companies.

Including, in 1943, the
Arlington Industries?

I'm looking at a lobbyist
registration report

you filed that year.

Yes, I believe I
did represent them.

At a retainer of $10,000.

That's right.

Is it?

I have here a deposition
from Mr. Arlington,

president of the company.

He swears he never met
you, doesn't know you,

never employed you.

Are you sure that
was his $10,000?

Well, there must
be some mistake.

When was Daniel
Redmond made a judge?

In... April of 1943.

A month after that
famous Washington party?

Yes.

According to this notarized
and authenticated statement

from Sacramento, Daniel
Redmond's appointment

to the bench was considered
and forwarded for comment

to the State Bar
in February 1943,

a month before that party!

What?

The decision to appoint
him had already been made

a month before the party.
The formal appointment

and the public
announcement wasn't made

until a month after the party!

Well, I... I don't understand.

Can it be the $10,000
you reported getting

from Arlington Industries
was actually the $10,000

Quinn Torrey gave you to buy
Daniel Redmond a judgeship

he'd already been given?

Is it possible Daniel Redmond
never asked Martin Weston

to be made a judge?

Is it possible Martin
Weston never called you

and told you he had?

Is it possible you
invented the whole story

just to steal $10,000
from Quinn Torrey?

I don't remember.

Of course you don't remember!

Of course I offered
Weston immunity.

That's a normal procedure.

Besides, his part in
the fraud was minuscule

more that of a spectator,
profiting after the fact,

rather than that of
an actual participant.

I certainly didn't feel
any breach of public trust

was involved.

If his involvement
was so minuscule,

so small, so remote
from the felony,

how did you plan to induce
him to become a willing witness?

Ah, there! There were the
Navy records, of course.

Of course. But exactly
what Navy records, Mr. Wall?

Oh, now that, Mr. Mason,

I'm afraid is
privileged information.

You can't turn around in this
case without stubbing your toe

on somebody's privilege.

But I think this is one
privilege too many, Mr. Wall.

That's not for you to decide.

No, but Senator
Deering can decide.

I've spoken to him.

He's ready to appear
and testify, if we need him.

Mm-hmm. I see.

Were there any Navy records?

Records mentioning
Martin Weston,

Daniel Redmond, or anybody?

Were there records
even indicating that there

had been a fraud?

Not exactly.

Mason: What do you
mean by "not exactly?"

I did have... well, a
document, a confidential report

based on an investigation
made in Washington.

Do you still have it?

No, I had to give it back.

That document gave you all
the information you needed

to question Martin Weston?

No, not all. More or
less just a statement

that a fraud had been committed.

And that it involved Martin
Weston, Daniel Redmond,

and some marine engines.

The bulky folder you
referred to during the hearings,

the one the newspaper
photos pictured you holding...

That was just window
dressing, wasn't it?

Yes. But there was enough
of truth there to warrant

the questioning.
You can't deny that!

And neither could Weston!

Weston didn't deny
it at the hearing.

Did he deny it later
when you paid him a visit?

Not really. He just...

Mason: Just "what?"

He said the document
was a complete forgery

and that he could prove it.

He laughed.

He admitted he had participated
in a fraud back in 1943,

And then challenged me,

dared me to produce one
single bona fide record to prove it!

Could you?

No.

So you returned
the forged document

to the person who
had given it to you.

Yes. I told him that we
would handle the investigation

ourselves from then
on, fully and completely!

And what did Mr. Kendall say?

Nothing. He just...

Mason: That's right.

The man who gave you
that forged document,

that man was Victor Kendall.

You found out about the fraud

when Madge Eberly
told you about it?

Yes.

Told you for a price!

A gift shop for her and for you,

ammunition that would
destroy a political opponent.

I knew Redmond was not
really involved in that fraud,

that his appointment was
beyond any shadow of wrongdoing.

I only wanted to force
him out of the race.

12 years

I worked for that nomination!

Quinn Torrey came to
see me about a month ago,

with a deal for the nomination.

He warned me then that the
party was considering Redmond,

that he'd throw his
support behind Dan.

I turned him down.

Then that woman, Madge Eberly,

gave me a chance
to destroy them both.

But only with that forged report

could you've fooled Wall
into questioning Weston.

When Wall showed him the
report, Weston knew he was safe.

And when Madge Eberly
later admitted to him

what she'd told you about it,

Weston knew enough
to turn the tables.

Then he started
blackmailing you.

Yes. He...

He threatened to do to me what
I was trying to do to Redmond.

He wanted to destroy
my reputation, destroy me!

And so you stole from
Daniel Redmond's chambers

a container of pills he'd
picked up for his secretary?

I knew that... Dan knew
about Marian's heart trouble,

the medicine she took.

Yes.

Yes, I knew what those
pills would do to a man

who drank as much as Weston.

And to destroy Daniel Redmond
and to save your own neck,

you killed Weston.

Yes.

The Defense rests, Your Honor.

Hi, Miss Lamont!

Oh! Hello, Della, Mr. Drake.

Marian, we have a luncheon
date with our esteemed boss.

Have you, by any chance,
seen the gentleman?

Mr. Mason?

The same.

Of all the antiquated,
horse-and-buggy concepts of law,

that one takes the cake!

I tell you, Dan, the
fellow-servant doctrine,

in the age of workmen's
compensation law

is like Christopher Columbus
piloting a space ship to Mars!

Respondeat superior, huh?

I suppose that makes
sense. Of course.

Perry, your syllogistic
space ship just blew a tire!

Mixed metaphors!
You're fumbling, Dan,

just fumbling!

Oh, fumbling, am I?

Here. Read Holmes,
Cardozo, Meecham,

then tell me that I'm fumbling.

Well, we're back in business!