JК
The Case of the Caretakers Cat :: Гарднер Эрл Стенли
Страница: 134 из 146"In all casesof burning there is usually present carbon monoxide residue in the tissues."
"So it would be virtually impossible to tell whether a person had met death from carbon monoxide poisoning, which was administered through fumes liberated from the exhaust of a motor vehicle, or by being asphyxiated and burnt in a burning house. Is that right?"
"That is approximately correct; yes sir."
"Therefore, acting on the assumption that the body would show evidences of carbon monoxide poisoning in either event, you failed to make any test for it in this post mortem examination?"
"That's right."
"Did you make any xrays of the bones?"
"No. Why?"
"I was wondering if the body showed that the right leg had recently been broken."
Dr. Jason frowned.
"What would that have to do with it?" Truslow inquired.
"I would just like to have such a test made," Mason remarked, "and, if we are going to have this evidence introduced at all, I feel that I am entitled to know whether there was evidence of carbon monoxide poisoning."
"But," Judge Pennymaker pointed out, "the witness has just stated that such evidence would be present, regardless of how the man met his death."
"Oh, no, he didn't," Mason said. "He simply testified that such evidence would be present whether death had been from burning or from carbon monoxide. I would like to have this witness instructed to ascertain immediately those two things and return to court."
"I can telephone to my office and have one of my assistants make the test immediately," the witness said.
"That will be quite agreeable," Perry Mason observed.
"That would be irregular," Judge Pennymaker pointed out.
"I know, your Honor, but the hour is getting late and I would like to have the matter completed today. After all, this isn't a case in a superior court before a jury. The function of this hearing is only to determine whether a crime has been committed and whether there is reasonable ground to suppose the defendant is guilty."
"Very well," Judge Pennymaker said; "you may do that, Dr. Jason."
Dr. Jason left the witness stand.
Della Street came pushing forward toward the rail which separated the place reserved for court officials from the balance of the courtroom. She caught Perry Mason's eye.
"Just a moment, if the Court will indulge me," Perry Mason said, and went to the rail.
Della Street whispered to him, "I've been calling the insurance company and asking for information.
"So it would be virtually impossible to tell whether a person had met death from carbon monoxide poisoning, which was administered through fumes liberated from the exhaust of a motor vehicle, or by being asphyxiated and burnt in a burning house. Is that right?"
"That is approximately correct; yes sir."
"Therefore, acting on the assumption that the body would show evidences of carbon monoxide poisoning in either event, you failed to make any test for it in this post mortem examination?"
"That's right."
"Did you make any xrays of the bones?"
"No. Why?"
"I was wondering if the body showed that the right leg had recently been broken."
Dr. Jason frowned.
"What would that have to do with it?" Truslow inquired.
"I would just like to have such a test made," Mason remarked, "and, if we are going to have this evidence introduced at all, I feel that I am entitled to know whether there was evidence of carbon monoxide poisoning."
"But," Judge Pennymaker pointed out, "the witness has just stated that such evidence would be present, regardless of how the man met his death."
"Oh, no, he didn't," Mason said. "He simply testified that such evidence would be present whether death had been from burning or from carbon monoxide. I would like to have this witness instructed to ascertain immediately those two things and return to court."
"I can telephone to my office and have one of my assistants make the test immediately," the witness said.
"That will be quite agreeable," Perry Mason observed.
"That would be irregular," Judge Pennymaker pointed out.
"I know, your Honor, but the hour is getting late and I would like to have the matter completed today. After all, this isn't a case in a superior court before a jury. The function of this hearing is only to determine whether a crime has been committed and whether there is reasonable ground to suppose the defendant is guilty."
"Very well," Judge Pennymaker said; "you may do that, Dr. Jason."
Dr. Jason left the witness stand.
Della Street came pushing forward toward the rail which separated the place reserved for court officials from the balance of the courtroom. She caught Perry Mason's eye.
"Just a moment, if the Court will indulge me," Perry Mason said, and went to the rail.
Della Street whispered to him, "I've been calling the insurance company and asking for information.