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March 23, 2006
Murder was the case that they gave me
Day 1 of Bon's murder trial got off to a rocky start when Judge Bain called a sidebar and reprimanded lead counsel Larry Holmes for wearing a v-neck undershirt to court.
After Wayne explained to Judge Bain that Larry is not familiar with the court's normal protocal, Larry found himself a suit and the trial was underway.
The prosecution's opening arguments claimed that Bon murdered Mr. Knotts based on previous problems in their relationship as evidenced by Don Knotts' frantic 911 call to police, and the fact that the night before Don fell ill and was hospitalized, Bon had found Knotts eating at a Boston Market after Knotts had promised Bon to appear at a "Kenny & Bon's Roasters" grand opening. It was after Knotts' hospitalization that Knotts was found dead shortly after Bon had paid a visit.
Below is a brief summary from the court reports of the trial:
Judge Conrad Bain: Does the prosecution have a witness?
Ben Matlock: We do, your Honor. The prosecution would like to call Tim Conway to the stand.
(audible murmur rises from the gallery)
Matlock: Would you kindly state your name for the record?
Tim Conway: Tim Conway.
Matlock: What is your relationship to the deceased?
Conway: Don and I were friends. We starred together in several films, including The Apple Dumpling Gang, and The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again.
Matlock: And did you see the defendant in Mr. Knotts' hospital room?
Conway: I did.
Matlock: And what did you see?
Conway: I saw the defendant over Mr. Knotts' bed. I hesitated entering the room to see what he was doing. I accidentally bumped into a cart and made noise, and that's when the defendant quickly left the room. When I went in to see what was going on, Don was dead.
After several hours of questioning along these lines, Larry Holmes began his cross:
Larry Holmes: You're nothing but a racist, arent' you?
Conway: What?
Larry Holmes: A racist!
Conway: I am no such thing!
Holmes: You hate black people! You hate them so much that you would do anything to see one of us behind bars, wouldn't you Mr. Conway!
Conway: No! Of course not!
Holmes: You are a racist, Tim Conway, and THAT'S why you are here to testify against my client! Isn't THAT true?!
Conway: No! I mean...he's not even black! He's white!
Holmes: I rest my case!
Wayne: Your Honor, we do not rest our case. Thank you.
Judge Bain: Would like to re-direct, Mr. Matlock?
Matlock: Thank you, Judge Bain. Mr. Conway, what did you find in the hospital room after you discovered Mr. Knotts' was dead?
Conway: A glove.
Matlock: Was there anything suspicious about this glove?
Conway: Yes. I noticed comet dust on the glove.
Matlock: Nothing further, your Honor.
...to be continued.
Posted by Phil at March 23, 2006 9:10 PM
Comments
Uh oh...the deadly comet dust
Posted by: Washington Cube at March 23, 2006 10:42 PM
Tim knows something. The look on his face says it all.
Posted by: Wayne Ordinary American at March 24, 2006 2:33 AM
Bon was trying to cure him with the dust. It is so obvious.
This trial is a sham!
By the way... I would give anything to see Larry Holmes pull an Al Pacino and suddenly start shouting "No, you're out of order! This whole courtroom is out of order!"
Posted by: Steve Skalish at March 24, 2006 10:40 AM
I want to see Larry Holmes punch Matlock for being such a disgrace to Georgia.
Posted by: Saidah at March 25, 2006 9:08 AM