Episode 8 - The Penultimate Episode

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<v Charlie Incarica>In the months between her indictment and the start of her trial, Margaret Mandragara Jones Putnam, under armed escort, saw her husband Teddy Putnam each day at her lawyer's office as she prepared to fight the three first-degree murder charges she faced.

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<v Charlie Incarica>However, Teddy, or to use Margaret's pet name for him, you, was himself under great scrutiny from acting interim chief Taylor Branaghen.

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<v Charlie Incarica>Clearly, both she and DA Teresa Nolo were convinced he had played a role in these fatal murders.

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<v Charlie Incarica>Another item eating at Branaghen was the murder of her former boss, Chief Tommy Ebner.

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<v Charlie Incarica>No charges had been brought against Jones for his death, not only because there wasn't any physical evidence, but no one could ascertain a motive.

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<v Charlie Incarica>Though Estelle Hayes had theories, of course.

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<v Estelle Hayes>I think whoever killed Ebner wanted the crimes actually solved.

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<v Estelle Hayes>They knew that his intense idiocy was a key barrier to that happening.

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<v Estelle Hayes>So you think there are two murderers?

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<v Estelle Hayes>I think it's a distinct possibility.

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<v Estelle Hayes>The other is that the murderer wanted to be caught.

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<v Estelle Hayes>Sometimes they do, whether it's to make a statement or they're just desperate for attention.

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<v Estelle Hayes>Any kind of attention.

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<v Estelle Hayes>I think it's less likely of the two theories, but it can't be dismissed completely.

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<v Charlie Incarica>That's very interesting, Estelle.

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<v Charlie Incarica>Only what?

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<v Charlie Incarica>It's just like, you know, three o'clock in the morning, and you're sitting on my bed.

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<v Estelle Hayes>Don't flatter yourself, kid.

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<v Estelle Hayes>I've grown attached to you, but you look like you graduated in the bottom third of your class at Hogwarts, so I'll think you're safe for me putting the names on you.

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<v Estelle Hayes>No, it's not that.

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<v Charlie Incarica>It's just You're sitting on my leg.

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<v Charlie Incarica>My bad.

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<v Charlie Incarica>Better.

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<v Charlie Incarica>Well, you're still on my bed.

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<v Charlie Incarica>But I'm off your leg.

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<v Charlie Incarica>While I was definitely glad there had been an arrest and would soon be a trial, I also felt there were still too many loose ends to successfully bring healing to this community, and just as importantly, a satisfying conclusion to this podcast.

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<v Charlie Incarica>I decided to spend Christmas in Shady Grove after I found out my parents invited Amy over for Christmas dinner.

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<v Charlie Incarica>A blow that stung twice as much because we're Jewish.

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<v Charlie Incarica>And newly re-elected Mayor Carl Lyons took up the entire time performing his one-man theatrical adaptation of a Christmas carol, which he occasionally confused with the plots of It's a Wonderful Life and The Born Identity.

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<v Charlie Incarica>Meanwhile, the question of who owned Shady Grove Pudding was still unsettled.

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<v Charlie Incarica>The board of directors installed Amanda's estranged and widowed husband, William Hart, as interim CEO until the case could be adjudicated by the courts, as Teddy's proposal that they settle the question out of court via a rap battle was rejected by the Hart camp.

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<v Charlie Incarica>A pointing Hart understandably infuriated Teddy Putnam.

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<v Charlie Incarica>And Margaret Mandragara Jones Putnam launched a no justice, no pudding boycott against SGP.

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<v Charlie Incarica>She was by now a legitimate social media influencer, and the boycott made a dent in sales.

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<v Charlie Incarica>New Year's Day 2021 proved eventful as Governor Alice Hart announced that her son, the estranged and widowed William Hart, had become engaged to Erica Hobbes' only daughter, Erica Hobbes.

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<v Charlie Incarica>They set the date for January 6th, perhaps in the hopes that Erica's wedding hashtag, One Cousin Faces Justice, the other faces the justice of the peace, would trend.

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<v Charlie Incarica>It didn't.

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<v Charlie Incarica>On January 6th, 2021, observing strict COVID protocols, opening arguments began in the state versus Margaret Mandragara Jones Putnam for the murder of Chip Bing, Amanda Putnam Hart, and Michelle Quincy, with Judge Maxwell Edison presiding.

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<v Charlie Incarica>D.A.

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<v Charlie Incarica>Teresa Nolo gave a clear, methodical outlining of the state's case, citing both forensic evidence and ample motive.

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<v Charlie Incarica>Defense Attorney Ellen Newberry rose to deliver her opening remarks when.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, my name is Ellen Newberry, and I'm representing Margaret Mandragora Jones.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Shit!

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<v Judge>It's a riot at the Capitol.

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<v Judge>Your Honor's dismissed! Wait, what?

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<v Judge>Sorry, sorry.

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<v Judge>I mean, uh, court adjourned.

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<v Judge>You're all invited to watch this shit in my chambers.

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<v Judge>Your Honor Honor, all junior.

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<v Charlie Incarica>The historic January 6th riots delayed the defense's opening arguments for three days, on the 6th itself, and then the following two days, when the judge decided the court's time would be best served by discussing not only what happened, but which men and women covering that history-making day wore it best.

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<v Charlie Incarica>The court ruled in favor of Anderson Cooper.

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<v Charlie Incarica>Newberry filed for a mistrial, although she told reporters she was pleased Anderson Cooper had been declared the winner, as he always struck her as, quote, someone who put real thought into his appearance, but not in a shallow way.

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<v Charlie Incarica>The state appellate court denied the mistrial, but upheld the ruling in favor of Cooper.

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<v Charlie Incarica>After a tumultuous first few days, it was decided the court would reconvene on Monday morning.

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<v Charlie Incarica>The prosecution's first witness had reporters, viewers in the gallery, and even the jurors themselves murmuring rhubarb to each other excitedly.

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<v Charlie Incarica>Margaret's ex-partner, Alec St.

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<v Charlie Incarica>George Gibbon.

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<v Charlie Incarica>When the prosecution asked him if his former partner had displayed behaviors consistent with someone capable of murder, he wasn't given the chance to answer.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Objection, Your Honor.

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<v Ellen Newberry>The witness may have eyes that sparkle like the sundapbled Pacific as it laps gently against the beach at Diamond Head at Dawn, but that does not make him an expert on maladaptive psychology.

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<v DA Theresa Nolo>Your Honor, Mr.

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<v DA Theresa Nolo>St.

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<v DA Theresa Nolo>George Gibbons holds degrees in psychiatry from both the University of Sydney and Cambridge.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Those are both honorary degrees bestowed in the case of the University of Sydney, and I quote, because faculty, students, and alumni alike cannot stop thinking of him nor ever wish to stop.

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<v Ellen Newberry>And in the case of Cambridge University, quote, thank you, just thank you.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Moreover, the prosecution is relying on the fact that Mr.

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<v Ellen Newberry>St.

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<v Ellen Newberry>George Gibbons, whose tawny bronze skin smells of peaches and sandalwood, will influence the jury to supplicate to his every whim, as I find myself wanting to do right now.

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<v Judge>I'm gonna sustain counsel's objection, but I hope, Mr.

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<v Judge>St.

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<v Judge>George Gibbon, you won't be what is a sign that I too am not captive to your effortless sexual charisma.

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<v Judge>No worries, Your Honor.

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<v Judge>That means everything to me.

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<v Ellen Newberry>The defense also requests that the witness not be allowed to speak in his normal, sultry accent, which makes his every utterance a unique, miraculous melody.

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<v DA Theresa Nolo>Your Honor, the fact that the witness's voice is the sonic equivalent of the gentle caress of a skilled lover is immaterial.

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<v Judge>That's his natural voice.

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<v Judge>I'm gonna sustain again.

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<v Judge>The witness's voice is an unfair advantage.

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<v Judge>I don't think there's a person in this courtroom, including myself, who wouldn't gladly kill for him, but it frankly makes it impossible to focus on the testimony, which I've no doubt will be amazing.

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<v Judge>The witness is hereby ordered to adopt the flat, monotone American accent of this region.

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<v Charlie Incarica>Of course, Your Honor.

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<v Judge>I also want to instruct the jury that until Mr.

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<v Judge>St.

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<v Judge>George Gibbon entered this chamber, I was a staunch atheist.

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<v Judge>But now I have an unshakable faith in the existence of a benevolent, loving God.

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<v Judge>I hearby order the jury to give the witness a round of enthusiastic applause.

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<v Charlie Incarica>The personal testimony that St.

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<v Charlie Incarica>George Gibbon gave against Margaret's character was nothing short of damning.

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<v Charlie Incarica>But it could be argued it actually backfired, as no one seemed able to pay attention to it.

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<v Charlie Incarica>Court TV's feed went dark as it was deemed too provocative for their network.

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<v Charlie Incarica>As for the stenographer's record, it stops transcribing the testimony after he's sworn in and almost immediately became a free-form poem that could fairly be classified as soft core pornography, at least for the first few lines, when it then jettisens the soft core part.

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<v Charlie Incarica>Still, as the testimony of the prosecution's witnesses began to pile up, things didn't look good for the defense, especially as Newberry's cross-examination strategy focused on not doing any.

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<v Charlie Incarica>Newberry would explain this choice after the trial concluded.

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<v Ellen Newberry>There's the old maxim in law that you should never ask a witness a question you don't know the answer to.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Unfortunately for my client, any question I could conceivably ask, I knew would have answers that, if anything, would make her look worse than the original testimony did.

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<v Charlie Incarica>With one notable exception, the prosecution's final witness, lead forensician, Dr.

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<v Charlie Incarica>William Shears, who took the jury through the crime scene in exhaustive detail.

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<v DA Theresa Nolo>So you're saying that the blood does not belong to any of the murder victims?

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<v Dr. Shears>That's correct.

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<v DA Theresa Nolo>And were you able to ascertain whose blood it was?

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<v Dr. Shears>Yes, it belongs to.

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<v DA Theresa Nolo>Please, Dr.

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<v DA Theresa Nolo>Shears.

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<v DA Theresa Nolo>A moment, please.

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<v DA Theresa Nolo>Very well then.

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<v DA Theresa Nolo>Can you tell us whose blood it is?

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<v DA Theresa Nolo>It's No, no, Dr.

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<v DA Theresa Nolo>Shears.

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<v DA Theresa Nolo>I only asked if you could tell us whom the blood belonged to.

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<v DA Theresa Nolo>Please answer the question.

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<v Dr. Shears>Um, I mean, yes, I can do that.

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<v DA Theresa Nolo>Dr.

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<v DA Theresa Nolo>Shears, do you see the person to whom this blood belongs in this very courtroom at this exact moment?

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<v DA Theresa Nolo>Yeah, I keep So Dr.

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<v DA Theresa Nolo>Shears, of all the people in this chamber, whose blood do you say with the full authority of your doctorhood is it?

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<v Dr. Shears>Should I say it now?

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<v DA Theresa Nolo>Please.

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<v Dr. Shears>It's the blood of Margaret Mandragora Jones.

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<v DA Theresa Nolo>No further questions, Your Honor.

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<v Charlie Incarica>But now.

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<v Charlie Incarica>Newberry decided to act.

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<v Ellen Newberry>I'm assuming no cross counsel.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Actually, Your Honor, I have a few questions.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Dr.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Shears, you say that the blood is that of Margaret Mandragora Jones Putnam?

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<v Dr. Shears>Yes.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Doctor, can you explain how your forensics team Um squad?

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<v Ellen Newberry>Excuse me?

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<v Dr. Shears>It's technically a forensics team, but our Instagram handle is at Big F Squad, so we kind of like to be known as that.

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<v Ellen Newberry>I'll allow it.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Very well.

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<v Ellen Newberry>How did your squad miss this blood sample and its initial examination?

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<v Dr. Shears>Well, it wasn't really visible.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Didn't you swab the entire house?

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<v Dr. Shears>No.

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<v Dr. Shears>Budget cuts preclude us from that.

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<v Dr. Shears>We're allowed to thoroughly swab the actual room the murders took place in and do a quick lookover in a room of our choosing.

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<v Ellen Newberry>I see.

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<v Ellen Newberry>So there are many other places in the house where you haven't looked for blood or DNA.

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<v Dr. Shears>That's true, from a technical standpoint and also other standpoints.

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<v Ellen Newberry>So there might be blood samples of others, many others in the victim's home.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Objection, Your Honor.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Calls for speculation.

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<v Judge>Ooh, good point.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Your Honor, the witness is an acknowledged expert.

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<v Ellen Newberry>I'm merely asking him to bring that expertise to bear on a question with direct bearing on this case.

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<v Judge>Ooh, even better point, maybe.

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<v Judge>I'm gonna overrule your objection.

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<v Ellen Newberry>So there might be blood samples of others, many others in the victim's home.

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<v Dr. Shears>Hypothetically, yes.

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<v Ellen Newberry>And also in reality, right?

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<v Dr. Shears>In reality?

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<v Dr. Shears>Yes.

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<v Dr. Shears>Hypothetically.

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<v Ellen Newberry>You mentioned that the blood sample wasn't visible, correct?

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<v Dr. Shears>That's correct.

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<v Dr. Shears>It was very small.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Would you go so far as to call it teeny?

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<v Dr. Shears>I would.

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<v Ellen Newberry>What about Any?

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<v Ellen Newberry>Would you go that far?

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<v Dr. Shears>Yes.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Even perhaps Dr.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Shears.

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<v Ellen Newberry>And remember, you're under oath.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Could you, as a forensician, classify it as Weenie?

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<v Ellen Newberry>Your Honor.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Apologies.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Please continue.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Dr.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Shears.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Was it Weenie?

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<v Dr. Shears>Well, I don't that's rather approach.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Of course.

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<v Ellen Newberry>I don't mind.

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<v Ellen Newberry>I meant the witness, Your Honor.

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<v Judge>Of course.

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<v Judge>That's what I was saying.

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<v Ellen Newberry>For the record, I am handing the witness a copy of a standard dictionary of American English.

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<v Ellen Newberry>I have the dictionary open to the word weenie.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Your Honor, please.

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<v Judge>The court rules in favor of weenie being an inherently funny word.

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<v Judge>Proceed.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Would you, Doctor, be so kind as to read the definition?

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<v Dr. Shears>Absolutely.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Sorry, aloud.

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<v Dr. Shears>Oh, that makes more sense.

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<v Dr. Shears>Verb.

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<v Dr. Shears>To detach from a source of dependence.

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<v Ellen Newberry>I believe you may be reading the definition of wean.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Please read the definition.

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<v DA Theresa Nolo>What rounds?

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<v DA Theresa Nolo>Would counsel if Dr.

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<v DA Theresa Nolo>Shears read the entire dictionary aloud for the court?

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<v DA Theresa Nolo>When would that madness end?

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<v Judge>This is Dane.

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<v Judge>This is a courtroom, Ms.

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<v Judge>Newberry, not some fancy big city dictionary reading society.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Fine.

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<v Ellen Newberry>I'll read it.

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<v Ellen Newberry>It means very small, barely detectable.

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<v Ellen Newberry>So, Dr.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Shears, does this not describe with laser-like precision the size of the blood sample in question?

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<v Judge>You're on agreement.

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<v Judge>Counter pickable in 20 minutes.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Understood, just a little more.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Where was this blood found?

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<v Dr. Shears>On the counter of the victim's bar.

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<v Ellen Newberry>And as we've heard from earlier witnesses, Margaret spent most of her time at the victim's house at the bar.

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<v Ellen Newberry>Is it not possible, Doctor, that a teensy, eatsy, weeny speck of blood could have been spilled by chewing on ice?

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<v Ellen Newberry>Or one of those tiny red straws they put in fancy drinks, or even a cocktail umbrella.

00:13:28.720 --> 00:13:34.720
<v Ellen Newberry>I think the courtroom's arguably over-the-top gasp says all that needs to be said on the matter.

00:13:34.720 --> 00:13:36.080
<v Ellen Newberry>Thank you, Doctor.

00:13:36.080 --> 00:13:38.080
<v Ellen Newberry>No further questions, Your Honor.

00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:49.039
<v Charlie Incarica>The prosecution rested its case on Friday, January 29th, on what would have been my and Amy's fifth anniversary, if you don't count the times we were on what she called a break, which I don't.

00:13:49.039 --> 00:13:56.000
<v Charlie Incarica>Court resumed on Tuesday, the 2nd of February, and the fireworks started even before the trial reconvened.

00:13:56.000 --> 00:14:03.759
<v Charlie Incarica>Against the pleading of both her attorney and husband, Margaret Mandragara Jones Putnam addressed reporters and her fans on the courtroom steps.

00:14:05.039 --> 00:14:08.559
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>First of all, I wish to offer a retraction of a previous statement.

00:14:08.559 --> 00:14:11.840
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>I had earlier described Shady Grove as Godforsaken.

00:14:11.840 --> 00:14:17.519
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>This biblical retribution you people call your weather is convincing proof that God hasn't abandoned you.

00:14:17.519 --> 00:14:19.360
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>He is zeroing in on you.

00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:24.799
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>I believe he hears your prayers and finds them sordid, selfish, and worthy of his ceaseless wrath.

00:14:24.799 --> 00:14:31.279
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>I don't know what you have done to deserve to be the locus of his divine fury, but I've little doubt you did deserve it.

00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:35.759
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>Well, you can rest assured the sentiment is very much not to return.

00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:43.440
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>To me, you are all not only unworthy of love, but should be stripped of the basic dignities our civilization aspires to afford the least of humanity.

00:14:43.440 --> 00:14:46.000
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>You claimed a few months ago to love Shady Grove.

00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:47.279
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>It's called tough love.

00:14:47.279 --> 00:14:56.159
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>I heard on the cultural snuff film you lot call the news that you're all excited because of fucking hedgehog or groundhog or whatever, so it's shadow or whatever the fuck.

00:14:56.159 --> 00:14:58.159
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>I was appalled beyond words.

00:14:58.159 --> 00:15:05.200
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>Then I was assured this is all done in the spirit of what you believe is fun, and that, to my mind, is the saddest fucking thing I've ever heard.

00:15:05.200 --> 00:15:12.159
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>Now, toddle off to whatever dead-end job you've been consigned to in this feculent soul prison you call home.

00:15:12.159 --> 00:15:14.000
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>I've got a court case to win.

00:15:17.679 --> 00:15:22.720
<v Charlie Incarica>She's amazing! The defense strategy rested on two pillars.

00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:28.799
<v Charlie Incarica>The first was the sloppiness of the forensic examination, and the second was Margaret herself.

00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:42.399
<v Estelle Hayes>And that as Margaret has destroyed many people's lives via her personality, she'd have had no need of acquiring that skill.

00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:51.519
<v Charlie Incarica>Vanessa Holmes had come back to cover the trial for her follow-up book on the Putnams, Blood Pudding, and she was able to secure a coveted interview with Margaret's attorney.

00:15:51.919 --> 00:15:56.639
<v Vanessa Holmes>Newberry called in a litany of people whom Margaret had deeply traumatized.

00:15:56.639 --> 00:16:08.639
<v Vanessa Holmes>From her former parish priest, who left the clergy after teaching her catechism class, to her former headmistress, who asked to be blindfolded so as not to inadvertently see Margaret.

00:16:09.039 --> 00:16:16.960
<v Ellen Newberry>With most cases, you want the jury to sympathize with the defendant, but of course, with Margaret, that's an intellectual and moral impossibility.

00:16:16.960 --> 00:16:22.320
<v Ellen Newberry>After her impromptu press statement on the courthouse steps, we were left with no choice but to lean into that.

00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:28.559
<v Ellen Newberry>Basically, if Margaret were the one who committed these crimes, she'd be more inclined to gloat about it than to hide it.

00:16:28.559 --> 00:16:33.120
<v Ellen Newberry>Like I say, it was unorthodox, but I felt it was worth the risk.

00:16:33.360 --> 00:16:36.159
<v Charlie Incarica>Except This is from Margaret's testimony.

00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:38.960
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>Look, let me be totally clear on this.

00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:45.039
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>If I thought that killing Amanda Putnam would benefit me personally, I'd have been more than happy to do it.

00:16:45.039 --> 00:16:47.440
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>Though I should think I'd have preferred strangling her.

00:16:47.440 --> 00:16:48.639
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>Why would you prefer strangling?

00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:51.200
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>The point is, what's my motive?

00:16:51.200 --> 00:16:56.080
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>If I'd wanted to wrest control of SGP from her, I'd have planned it out better, wouldn't I?

00:16:56.080 --> 00:17:06.240
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>And while I've obviously married Teddy in the hopes of taking over SGP, Amanda's death is what more or less forced me to make that grim choice of marrying this cartoonish parody of a human male.

00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:08.960
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>Sit up, just look at him.

00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:12.559
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>I think we can all agree that was not the route I'd preferred to go.

00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:14.000
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>Okay, you can sit down.

00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:20.960
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>Would anyone in their right mind willingly marry this quarter-witted mosquito bite of a man if there were any other way of getting what they wanted?

00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:22.720
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>I think not.

00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:26.640
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>Other than maybe Jura number four, who'd be lucky for whatever she'd get.

00:17:26.640 --> 00:17:30.799
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>But then again, I think we can all agree Jura number four is the definition of unfuckable.

00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:32.720
<v Margaret Mandragora-Jones>So, there we are.

00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:34.400
<v Charlie Incarica>D.A.

00:17:34.400 --> 00:17:40.079
<v Charlie Incarica>Teresa Nolo, either out of strategy or fear, passed on cross-examining Margaret.

00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:41.279
<v Charlie Incarica>And that was that.

00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:53.759
<v Charlie Incarica>The lawyers gave their respective closing arguments, and in the middle of Judge Edison's instructions to the jury, the four-person asked if they needed to bother going away to deliberate, as they felt that would just be going through the motions.

00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:55.759
<v Charlie Incarica>They all agreed she was guilty.

00:17:55.759 --> 00:18:04.880
<v Charlie Incarica>Judge Edison acquiesced, citing a state law that made jury deliberations optional if, according to the statute, the jurors weren't, quote, that into it.

00:18:04.880 --> 00:18:18.400
<v Charlie Incarica>Margaret Mandragara Jones Putnam was sentenced to death by lethal injection on March 9, 2021, the one-year anniversary of the murders, for those of you who enjoy both poetic justice and regular justice.

00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:33.759
<v Charlie Incarica>Newberry immediately filed an appeal to both the verdict and the sentencing, especially as the state had no death penalty, but a special session of the joint legislature allowed for an exception to be, quote, made just this once, so long as it doesn't become a regular thing.

00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:38.960
<v Charlie Incarica>Because the bill was passed after the original sentencing, the sentencing had to be done again.

00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:43.680
<v Charlie Incarica>A new date was set, and the respective parties gathered in the courtroom once more.

00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:47.359
<v Charlie Incarica>Judge Edison was about to pass sentence again when.

00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:49.279
<v Dr. Shears>Your Honor, may I speak?

00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:50.720
<v Dr. Shears>Is it going to be interesting?

00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:54.960
<v Dr. Shears>I believe the relatives of the victims have a right to make an impact statement.

00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:56.480
<v Judge>Oh, crap, that's right.

00:18:56.480 --> 00:19:00.319
<v Judge>Did we even let the other two families of uh what's their names know about today?

00:19:00.319 --> 00:19:01.119
<v Judge>You know what?

00:19:01.119 --> 00:19:01.839
<v Judge>It's fine.

00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:03.759
<v Judge>Uh, anyway, who are you?

00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:11.920
<v Dr. Shears>Your Honor, I am none other than Amanda's widowed and estranged husband, William Geofredo Hart.

00:19:12.640 --> 00:19:14.319
<v Judge>How is that such a loud gasp?

00:19:14.319 --> 00:19:15.680
<v Judge>There's not that many people here.

00:19:15.920 --> 00:19:21.440
<v Dr. Shears>Perhaps the larger than plausible gasp you alluded to, sir, was one of all humanity.

00:19:21.440 --> 00:19:32.319
<v Dr. Shears>Perhaps it was a cry lamenting the lack of true justice, a sacred idea that has been stretched upon the great rack of the world beyond usefulness.

00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:35.839
<v Dr. Shears>Nay, indeed beyond recognition.

00:19:35.839 --> 00:19:40.480
<v Dr. Shears>I say unto you, Judge Edison, be cherry of your choice.

00:19:40.799 --> 00:19:42.559
<v Judge>Sorry, what does cherry mean?

00:19:42.880 --> 00:19:44.960
<v Dr. Shears>Essentially the same thing as wary.

00:19:45.359 --> 00:19:46.319
<v Judge>Pointless word.

00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:51.119
<v Dr. Shears>I stand here a man, mortal and fallible like a soul.

00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:59.279
<v Dr. Shears>But there are times when a person must stand against a clear miscarriage of justice and fight for the hope of a carriage of justice.

00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:02.240
<v Judge>Wait, you want me to go easier on your wife's killer?

00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:06.400
<v Dr. Shears>I'm a man who has dedicated his life to weighing small things.

00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:08.240
<v Judge>Yeah, I'd heard about that.

00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:13.839
<v Dr. Shears>Whereas you, Your Honor, have dedicated yours to weighing things of great importance.

00:20:14.079 --> 00:20:15.680
<v Judge>Ooh, nice pivot.

00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:16.799
<v Dr. Shears>I don't think Ms.

00:20:16.799 --> 00:20:19.519
<v Dr. Shears>Mandragora Jones murdered my wife.

00:20:20.079 --> 00:20:22.319
<v Judge>Now that gasp felt more plausible, right?

00:20:22.319 --> 00:20:25.039
<v Judge>Do you have new evidence for the court that would exonerate us?

00:20:25.200 --> 00:20:26.799
<v Dr. Shears>Alas, I cannot say I do.

00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:27.680
<v Dr. Shears>Too bad.

00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:30.000
<v Dr. Shears>That would have been like dun dun dun.

00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:32.880
<v Dr. Shears>But even if she did, is it right?

00:20:32.880 --> 00:20:36.559
<v Dr. Shears>Is it wise to repay murder with murder?

00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:40.079
<v Dr. Shears>An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.

00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:41.839
<v Dr. Shears>That would suck.

00:20:41.839 --> 00:20:43.200
<v Dr. Shears>Indeed it would.

00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:46.400
<v Dr. Shears>But I ask you, at least spare her life.

00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:50.960
<v Dr. Shears>And doing so, spare all of us our humanity.

00:20:51.200 --> 00:20:51.759
<v Judge>Well, Mr.

00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:53.839
<v Judge>Hart, you're really stuck on landing there.

00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:54.880
<v Judge>Um, you may be seated.

00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:57.920
<v Dr. Shears>Oh, oh thank you, Your Honor.

00:20:58.160 --> 00:21:07.519
<v Judge>Margaret Mandragora Jones, by the power vested in me by the state, I hereby sentence you to death by lethal injection.

00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:09.599
<v Judge>Now, if it's any consolation, Mr.

00:21:09.599 --> 00:21:13.440
<v Judge>Hart's speech has really given me some proof of thought about this whole thing for next time.

00:21:13.440 --> 00:21:15.359
<v Judge>Court adjourned.

00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:29.119
<v Charlie Incarica>William Hart's sudden appearance stunned the whole community, not least of which, because everyone assumed he'd be a total dweeb, but was, to quote Ellen Newberry, both credible and bangable.

00:21:29.119 --> 00:21:41.279
<v Charlie Incarica>In the meantime, Newberry filed another appeal, which meant that the earliest Margaret could be executed would be at the end of our last episode, which we'll aptly title the finale destination.

00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:50.720
<v Charlie Incarica>Join us then for the outcome, as well as one last surprise from my visit with Estelle.

00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:56.480
<v Charlie Incarica>If I'm Charles and Karika, then this must be the Murderer Killings.