Defense Attorney - Client Grady Daniels

Martha Ellis Bryant, a defense attorney, and Jud Barnes, a reporter for the Dispatch, are driving to the jail to meet with a possible client, Grady Daniels, who is charged with murder. Jud says "Marty, I wouldn't touch that case if I were you". Martha asks "Why not, Jud?" He says "Well, for one thing, the police already have the ink on the solved stamp. The victim practically identified the killer before he died". Martha says "Practically isn't enough. What else?" Jud says "The murder weapon belonged to Daniels". Martha asks "Has that been proven?" Jud says "Yes, he admits it". Martha asks "Is there any doubt about it being the murder weapon?" Jud says "None whatsoever. It fits the wounds and it was found nearby covered with blood". Martha asks "What does Daniels say?" Jud says "He was picked up three miles from the scene of the crime and claimed he lost the knife while he was hunting" Martha says "Well, that could happen. Grady Daniels wife, Hester, had just left my office when I telephoned you. She said that Daniels could never kill another man". Jud says "Another? Martha says "Yes. She said he was overseas with the Marines for two years. He said he'd had enough killing to last him a lifetime. I want to talk to him, Jud". He says "All right, Marty, but the Dispatch covered the investigation and the whole story can be told in a half dozen lines. How? Something like this. Vet goes hunting. Farms are all posted no hunting. Vet figures he fought for the country and should be allowed to hunt in it. Argues with farmer. Stabs him". Martha asks "Is that what the police claim?" Jud says "Yes, and they've got the evidence to go with it". Martha says "But it's all circumstantial, and I don't like circumstantial evidence, Jud. Circumstance isn't above dealing a card from the bottom". Jud says "This case could hurt you, Marty". Martha asks "Oh, how can it hurt me?" Jud says "Well, you're going to be on the losing side of an open and shut, smalltime, unimportant case". Martha says "It's a very important case to at least two people, the accused man and his wife".