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“Once again, as my colleague already pointed out, he’s the commonwealth’s witness, thus I am entitled to treat him as a hostile one.”
“Answer the question,” Ambrose ordered reluctantly.
“My only purpose was what was in the best interests of my parents.”
“Is it true that your father told your doctor to get out and that no one was going to make him leave his home?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“And that this stunt made your parents change their will so that you’re almost guaranteed not to get a penny from the estate?”
“Go to hell,” barked Randolph.
“I hope neither one of us gets to see that place.”
“Objection, Your Honor,” said Battle. “Argumentative, even for a hostile witness.”
“Sustained,” said Ambrose brusquely.
Jack held Randolph’s gaze. “You must have hated your parents very much.”
“Objection,” roared Battle.
“Withdraw the statement. Did you ever ask your parents for the money for your treatment?”
“Objection, relevancy?” said Battle.
“Goes to motive and state of mind, Judge,” retorted Jack firmly.
“Answer the question,” said Ambrose, with a quick glance at the journalists in the courtroom.
“Yes, I asked my father.”
“And what was his answer?”
Randolph didn’t reply right away. When he did, Jack couldn’t help feeling sorry for the man.
“My father said that even if he had the money he wouldn’t give it to me. He... he said I wasn’t worth it.” Randolph bent his face into his hands.
Jack stared sympathetically at the stricken man for a few moments. “Well, I’m very sorry about that. I really am. Nothing further.” He walked back to the counsel table.
Randolph got off the witness stand, walked down the aisle, ignored his sister’s outstretched hand, shoved open the double doors, and kept right on going.
CHAPTER 73
BATTLE NEXT CALLED CHRISTINE HANOVER and questioned the woman about her and her husband’s trip to Washington, DC, and Hanover’s relationship with her parents. And also about her shock at learning of their deaths. She continually looked at her husband as she testified.
DuBose rose when Battle turned the witness over to the defense. She approached Christine. “I’m very sorry for your loss, Mrs. Hanover.”
“Thank you.”
“Were you aware that the defendants and their children attended a pool party and luncheon at your parents’ house a couple of weeks before their deaths?”
“Yes, my husband and I were arriving with our family as the Washingtons were getting ready to leave.”
“Can you describe that event, please?”
“They were all happy and having a wonderful time. The kids were still wet from the pool, and they had little brown lunch bags my mother had filled up with leftovers for them to take home.”
