:53:03
... or proofs of guilt against,
the by now silent corpse.
:53:07
But no one can dare defend the lynching
of an innocent man.
:53:12
American democracy and its system
of fair play for the rights of individuals...
:53:17
...under the law is on trial here,
ladies and gentlemen of the jury.
:53:21
To this end, you must be guided
not only by your common sense...
:53:27
...but by your patriotism.
:53:38
As counsel for these defendants,
Your Honor...
:53:41
...ladies and gentlemen of the jury...
:53:44
...I must point out that my clients
are not on trial for treason...
:53:48
...against any philosophy
of government...
:53:51
...as our esteemed district attorney
seems to think.
:53:54
They're on trial for murder.
:53:56
A charge you will see vanish
into thin air here...
:53:59
...as the state, to cover up its own
criminal negligence...
:54:03
...in not protecting this innocent man,
proceeds in this savage attempt...
:54:07
...to kill as scapegoats...
:54:10
...these 22 bewildered souls.
:54:15
These defendants have pleaded
not guilty to the charge of murder.
:54:21
We're ready, Your Honor.
:54:25
Are you ready, Mr. Adams?
:54:29
With the permission of the court
and of my friends for the defense...
:54:33
...and their experienced associate
brought from the city of New York...
:54:38
...l'll reverse the usual order
of procedure...
:54:41
...and instead of establishing
the crime itself...
:54:44
...first establish the whereabouts
of the accused...
:54:47
...during the commission thereof.
:54:49
As its first witness,
the state calls Edna Hooper.
:54:55
Raise your right hand
and place your left on the Bible.
:54:58
Do you swear you'll tell the whole truth
and nothing but the truth?