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“But on Mr. Randolph, you said the blows were delivered down to up, like this.” He made the corresponding upward motion.
“That’s right.”
“Why the difference?”
“Well, the downward strokes make sense if the killer were taller than the victim.”
“How tall was Mrs. Randolph?”
“Five four.”
“And Mr. Randolph?”
“Six feet exactly.”
Jack looked at the jury. “I had Mr. Washington measured this morning at the jail. He is six feet five and one-half inches. So, if Mr. Washington were the murderer, wouldn’t all of the killing strokes be downward? He’s far taller than both of the victims.”
“I have to confess, Mr. Lee, that I’m confused.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself, Mr. Till. I think everyone in this courtroom is confused. Including the jury. Nothing further, Judge.”
“Witness is excused,” said Ambrose after Battle declined to ask any questions.
DuBose rose and said, “Motion to strike the commonwealth’s case, Your Honor.”
“On what basis?”
“That they have completely failed to carry the burden of proof of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt required to send this case to the jury.”
“Denied.”
“Well, that was a shock,” DuBose remarked under her breath.
Jack said, “The defense rests.”
CHAPTER 86
AFTER COURT WAS ADJOURNED FOR the day, Battle dismissed his associates and walked over to DuBose and Jack.
“Y’all got a minute?” he said.
“Okay,” said DuBose, looking at him like she suspected a trap.
“Let’s find an empty room.”
Dodging the journalists rushing at them, they hustled out of the courtroom and down the hall. At the bottom of a set of stairs Battle instructed a deputy to keep the reporters at bay. They walked up to the second floor, where Battle found an unlocked room. They slipped inside, and he bolted the door after them.
There was one table and two chairs.
“I don’t feel like sitting,” Battle said. “Go on ahead.”
They sat and watched him pace for a bit before he stopped and faced them.
“I don’t mind telling y’all that this damn case is embarrassing as hell.”
DuBose said, “And do you find it suspicious that lying witnesses keep crawling out from under rocks to testify?”
“Or evidence keeps showing up that was clearly planted?” added Jack.
