Capitalists and financiers -- Fiction; Psychological fiction
goods were delivered in trust that is, the agent or bailee.
Embezzlement on a check, which constitutes the fourth charge, is simply
a more definite form of fixing charge number two in an exact way and
signifies appropriating the money on a check given for a certain
definite purpose. All of these charges, as you can see, gentlemen, are
in a way synonymous. They overlap and overlay each other. The people,
through their representative, the district attorney, contend that Mr.
Cowperwood, the defendant here, is guilty of all four charges. So now,
gentlemen, we will proceed to the history of this crime, which proves
to me as an individual that this defendant has one of the most subtle
and dangerous minds of the criminal financier type, and we hope by
witnesses to prove that to you, also.”
Shannon, because the rules of evidence and court procedure here
admitted of no interruption of the prosecution in presenting a case,
then went on to describe from his own point of view how Cowperwood had
first met Stener; how he had wormed himself into his confidence; how
little financial knowledge Stener had, and so forth; coming down
finally to the day the check for sixty thousand dollars was given
Cowperwood; how Stener, as treasurer, claimed that he knew nothing of
its delivery, which constituted the base of the charge of larceny; how
Cowperwood, having it, misappropriated the certificates supposed to
have been purchased for the sinking-fund, if they were purchased at
all—all of which Shannon said constituted the crimes with which the
defendant was charged, and of which he was unquestionably guilty.
“We have direct and positive evidence of all that we have thus far
contended, gentlemen,” Mr. Shannon concluded violently. “This is not a
matter of hearsay or theory, but of fact. You will be shown by direct
testimony which cannot be shaken just how it was done. If, after you
have heard all this, you still think this man is innocent—that he did
not commit the crimes with which he is charged—it is your business to
acquit him. On the other hand, if you think the witnesses whom we shall
put on the stand are telling the truth, then it is your business to
convict him, to find a verdict for the people as against the defendant.
I thank you for your attention.”
The jurors stirred comfortably and took positions of ease, in which
they thought they were to rest for the time; but their idle comfort was
of short duration for Shannon now called out the name of George W.
Stener, who came hurrying forward very pale, very flaccid, very
tired-looking. His eyes, as he took his seat in the witness-chair,
laying his hand on the Bible and swearing to tell the truth, roved in a
restless, nervous manner.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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