1:30:05
The State will prove that
on the afternoon of September 5th...
1:30:08
...at a picnic attended by Ellen Harland,
her mother and her adopted sister...
1:30:13
...that Ellen met death
as a result of poisoning.
1:30:17
The State will prove that the sugar
with which Ellen sweetened her coffee...
1:30:22
...was mixed with poison...
1:30:24
...and that she met death
by reason of that poison.
1:30:29
The State will prove that the defendant
had both motive and opportunity...
1:30:33
...to commit this dreadful crime.
1:30:35
And the State will prove
that the defendant, Ruth Berent...
1:30:39
...deliberately and maliciously plotted
and carried through the murder.
1:30:48
It'll be all right.
1:30:53
I refer now to the envelope found
in the defendant's leather jacket.
1:30:58
When you analyzed the contents
of this envelope, what did you find?
1:31:01
The apparent sugar
tested 60 percent arsenic.
1:31:04
Shortly after you made this test,
I came to you with a sealed parcel.
1:31:07
The contents was a bottle
half full of white powder.
1:31:10
I show you the bottle.
1:31:14
- That's it.
- You analyzed the contents?
1:31:16
- I did.
- What was it?
1:31:17
Pure arsenic.
1:31:19
- Your witness, Mr. Robie.
- No questions.
1:31:23
Mr. Medcraft, you are the manager
of the Bay State Mortuary?
1:31:26
I am.
1:31:28
Were the remains of the late Mrs. Ellen
Harland cremated at your establishment?
1:31:31
- Yes, sir.
- Who made the arrangements?
1:31:35
Miss Ruth Berent.
1:31:37
Your witness.
- No questions, Mr. Quinton.
1:31:42
Mr. Carlson, what is your occupation?
1:31:44
Vice president
of the Seaboard Trust Company.
1:31:46
Your bank is trustee for the estate
of the late Ellen Berent Harland.
1:31:50
Yes, sir.
1:31:51
When was the last time
you saw Mrs. Harland?
1:31:54
After she got out of the hospital.
1:31:56
Did she make any provision in her will
about being cremated after her death?