1:34:00
The reason for the change was Ruth.
1:34:04
Russ, they love each other,
and want to get rid of me.
1:34:06
When Richard suggested a divorce...
1:34:09
...I went to Ruth and begged her
to give him up.
1:34:11
She said she intended to have him
and would stop at nothing.
1:34:15
I told Ruth I would never
give Richard a divorce.
1:34:17
Then she threatened to kill me."
1:34:23
Go on, Mr. Harland.
1:34:26
"Russ, I know she means it,
and is capable of it.
1:34:29
She will kill me first chance she gets."
1:34:31
If you don't mind, Mr. Harland, would
you read that last paragraph louder?
1:34:37
"She will kill me
the first chance she gets."
1:34:42
Go on, Mr. Harland.
1:34:44
"I'm afraid to stay in the house,
but I can't leave without Richard.
1:34:47
I'd rather die than give him up.
1:34:49
I don't know what to do
or where to turn, except to you.
1:34:51
- Please help me. Ellen."
- Mr. Harland...
1:34:53
...identify the handwriting in this letter.
- Ellen's.
1:34:56
I call your attention
to the first sentence:
1:34:59
"I am writing this letter to you because
we once meant a great deal...
1:35:02
...to each other."
Do you know the significance of this?
1:35:05
I suppose it refers to the fact
you once were engaged to her.
1:35:08
Yes, we were once engaged.
1:35:10
Did you know that
when you first met her?
1:35:12
- She was wearing an engagement...
- When you met...
1:35:14
...you knew she was engaged?
- Yes.
1:35:16
- In spite of that, made love to her?
- I suppose.
1:35:19
Will you tell the jury
about this courtship?
1:35:21
I didn't exactly court her.
1:35:23
- She courted you?
- No, not that either.
1:35:25
Well, then what do you mean?
1:35:27
- I knew she'd marry me if I asked her.
- So you decided to ask her?
1:35:30
- No, I decided not to.
- Did she ask you?
1:35:33
- Not exactly.
- Then how'd you happen to get married?
1:35:37
Why, I found one day that she had
removed her engagement ring.
1:35:41
She gave me to understand...
1:35:43
I realized then
that I was in love with her.
1:35:46
- Did you tell her so?
- Yes.
1:35:48
What did she say?
1:35:50
She said she would never let me go.
1:35:52
How soon after this
were you married?
1:35:54
A couple of days later.
She wanted it that way.
1:35:57
- Were you reluctant?
- I was doubtful.