Chapter 48 Section IX

The next day, Betty's third daughter Shirley Teigner appeared in court as a witness for the prosecution.She told the witness stand what she knew before and after Jimmy's murder, from when she refused Betty's request for her help on the phone a few days before the murder, to when her ex-husband, Jody Simpson, drove to him on the night of the murder. She went to Betty's house, and every detail was corroborated with the testimony of her brother Robin. Then, Irene Unruth resumed his cross-questioning: "You don't like Jimmy Pitts, do you?" "No, we all got on very well with him, and he was the best stepfather we've ever had."

"Just now you said that you and your mother murdered together, right?" "No. I mean, my mother told me she was going to kill Jimmy, and I told her I didn't want to be a part of it, and asked her to stop talking to me about it." "You're pretty heavy on drugs, sometimes you're out of your mind, sometimes you lose your memory, don't you?" "It used to be. I'm off drugs and alcohol, and now I just drink Budweiser." "You're charged with accomplice to murder, and you're being held on $1 million bail. Is that true?"

"some." "How did you get out of prison?" "Originally I was charged with double murder, but Jimmy's case was dropped and the bail was reduced to $5,000." "It's only $5,000! Did they tell you that if you testify like this, your bond will be reduced?" "No, I decided to testify in court myself." "I've heard that people who use drugs often experience hallucinations." "Like I said, I'm off drugs." The next witness was Giorgie Cheney, a handwriting expert who had worked for the Federal Economic Intelligence Service and now worked for a private detective firm.After careful comparison and identification, Georgie Cheney believed that Betty was the one who signed Jimmy's signature on the JCPenney life insurance application form and the power of attorney that Betty used when selling the motorboat.

It's Erie Unrus' turn to cross-examine: "You said you worked for the CIA?" "No, it's the Federal Economic Intelligence Service." "How much did they pay you to testify here?" "$500. But that's not what's on our price list. We usually charge more than that." "$500. So you're here for the money?" Georgie Cheney frowned. "Among the handwriting you have identified, you have never made a mistake?" "At least I don't know it myself." "You really never make a mistake?" "Even if there was, no one told me."

"Do you often testify in court?" "About 60 times." "You've been in the CIA, you've been brought in from the big city of Dallas, and you've never made a mistake. Very well! But if I tell you, Mrs. Pitts has no intention of denying that she was on these papers Signed her husband's name, so there is no need for you to come here, what do you think of it as a witness here?" Irene Unruth is implying that the prosecution has hired an unnecessary witness, which is also somewhat insulting to the witness. Bill Bandy protested immediately, and Judge Jack Holland demanded an immediate apology.

Before the trial began this morning, a witness from Dallas walked into the courthouse holding a brown cardboard box, which aroused many people's curiosity and speculation.Rumors soon spread that the man was Dr. Joth Paddy, chief medical examiner of the Dallas Police Department, and that the case contained the head of Jimmy Petz. Indeed, Joss Paddy had brought Jimmy's skull just in case the details weren't clear enough. After Dr. Paddy told the jurors how he used X-rays, dental records and other materials to determine the identity of the deceased, prosecutor Bill Bandy asked: "So, you are the medical examiner who performed the autopsy on Jimmy Petts?"

"If you must call that an autopsy. Actually, all they gave me was a pile of bones." Dr. Paddy picked up several enlarged photos of the wreckage, and pointed out four shattered bones: chest, two eyes. top and back of the brain.The first three are all obvious bullet holes, that is, relatively regular circular, but the wound on the back of the head is not. Iree Unrus cross-questions: "Can you deduce from that pile of bones who killed Jimmy?" "Of course not." "Is it possible that the fracture in the back of the head was not a gunshot wound, but a fight with another person?"

"possible." There was a murmur in the courtroom.If so, the whole case would have changed entirely. The prosecution decided to collect evidence again: "Dr. Paddy, is it possible that the fracture in the back of the brain was caused by a metal tool during excavation?" "Impossible. The fractures were caused at the time of the victim's death, not after the body had decomposed." "Is it possible that the bullet enters the forehead, travels through the entire head, and exits the back of the head?" "From the direction the wound was hit, it's impossible."

Bill Bundy's mind was spinning rapidly, and he suddenly remembered the steps at the door of the RV. "Dr. Paddy, could this have been caused when the body was dragged down the steps?" "Very likely." Bill slumped in his seat.What does it all matter, he thought?Jimmy apparently died of a gunshot wound.