My Father and Atticus Finch by Joseph Madison Beck Page A

of Alabama, and then of Mr. Foster Beck of Enterprise, who will represent the accused, Charles White. What the lawyers say in these opening statements, Judge Parks explained, will not be evidence. It will only be what the lawyers expect the evidence will be. And that is all they would say, he warned, or he would put a halt to it. Judge Parks gave each attorney a stern look, as if to reinforce to one and all that this was his courtroom, not theirs, and that he would brook no impertinence, holding their eyes until each noddedhis assent. The lawyers would not be permitted to tell the jury the law. Judge Parks would do that.
    Turning from the lawyers to the packed courtroom, Judge Parks said that the Alabama Highway Patrolmen everyone had seen would deal with any disturbances by the crowd outside. There would be no talking, and no stirring or commotion, inside, or he would have the sheriff clear the courtroom of the offenders.
    Judge Parks paused for emphasis before saying, “Sheriff Reeves?” Sheriff B. R. Reeves considered rising up from his chair beside Mr. McCartha but decided it was not worth the effort. Everyone knew who he was. The sheriff contented himself with pressing down on the arms of his chair and straining to lift his posterior an inch or two before collapsing back on the seat.
    â€œB E IT REMEMBERED that on the 14th day of July, 1938, in the Circuit Court of Pike County, Alabama, Hon. W. L. Parks presiding, the following proceedings were held,” Court Reporter McCartha recorded in shorthand, “ELIZABETH LIGER, a witness for the State, being first duly sworn to speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, testified as follows on Direct Examination.”
    â€œMy name is Elizabeth Liger. They sometimes call me Cain Liger. I am twenty years old. I will be twenty-one this September 17.”
    As most people in Troy knew, Elizabeth “Cain” Liger was the daughter of the family that owned the Liger grocery store in town. Although one of her arms was deformed, Elizabeth Liger was otherwise of a modestly athletic build, with straight-line hips, long, slender legs and undeveloped breasts. She looked a little youngerthan twenty going on twenty-one, but sounded a little older when she spoke. Some in Troy had told Foster she was “slow”; others said no, she was just “dreamy,” a “silly girl” who would be fine when she married and had some children. Everyone agreed she believed in fortune-tellers.
    Solicitor Orme asked her if she knew Mary Etta Bray.
    â€œI do know Etta. I have been knowing her about two years and have been seeing her all along.”
    Solicitor Orme asked how long she had known Charles White.
    â€œThe first time I saw him was in the store last month. That is him sitting over there.”
    â€œIndicating,” Mr. McCartha recorded in shorthand.
    â€œMiss Elizabeth,” Solicitor Orme asked, “did Charles White do something to you?”
    Foster tensed, but he did not object. The story was going to come in sooner or later; an objection to the leading question would look as if the defense was afraid for the jury to hear what had happened.
    â€œYes, Charles White did something to me. It was on a Tuesday down at Etta’s house where he was staying. When I got down there, Etta showed me to Charles White’s room.”
    â€œDid you ask to see Charles White?”
    â€œI did not ask for Charlie. She knew what I wanted and she led me to the room. Mary Etta did not go in the room with me. It was just he and I in there. Then he locked the room.”
    â€œPlease tell the jury what happened next.”
    â€œI told him I came to have my fortune told. He said it would be twelve dollars and he was going to fix me up.”
    â€œMiss Elizabeth, did anything else happen other than the fortune-telling?”
    â€œAfter he got through telling my fortune he told me to come over to his side of the table where he was