Mister Dingledine by Robert F. Clifton (short novels in english .TXT) 📖

the man was sworn and seated. He then said, “Good day Doctor Lentel.”

“Good day sir,”Lentel replied.

“For the record please inform the court of your profession and current employment.”

“I am am professor of pharmacology at the University Of Pennsylvania.”

“I see and would you define, pharmacology please.”

“Pharmacology is a branch of medicine and biology that is concerned with drug action. More specifically, it is the study of interactions that occur between a living organism and chemicals that affect normal or abnormal biochemical function.”

“I see, and what are the uses today of arsenic, Doctor?” asked Henderson.

“Primarily, it is used in what is called Fowlers solution which is used for the treatment of psoriasis. Other uses in the past have been the treatment for syphilis.”

“Any other uses, Doctor?”

“It is used as a pesticide.”

“A pesticide, you say. Now then, can arsenic dust such as that contained in the product, Paris green by absorbed by humans?”

“Certainly, either by ingesting or inhaling it.”

“In your profession career are you familiar of this happening to victims of arsenic poisoning?”

“Yes. Originally Paris green was manufactured as a green pigment in paint and dyes. Flossed, green wallpaper and women’s apparel were dyed with the product. It was later found that fumes or vapors cast off of both caused the inhalation of arsenic thus creating, poisoning. This is caused by the degradation caused by moisture and mold which then produces arsine. Arsine is a lethal, toxic gas.”

“I see. Then, is it possible that Paris green dust collected on the hem of a woman’s skirt and stored indoors, say in a closet result in the same manner as the dyed wallpaper?”. Asked Henderson.

Doctor Lentel took his time in answering, then said, “I find it conceivable, under certain conditions.”

“What conditions?”

“Moisture and mold.”

“Thank you Doctor. No further questions,” said Henderson.

“Mr. Sawyer you may cross,” said Judge Flowers.

“Doctor Lentel, isn’t it also true that Paris green can be ingested, say by placing it in a jar of string beans?,” asked Sawyer.

“Certainly,”said Lentel.

“No further questions,” Sawyer replied.

“You are excused Doctor,” said Flowers.

“The court will be in recess for thirty minutes,” said the judge as he banged his gavel.

“All rise,” called the bailiff .

Henderson turned to Herbert and said. “Right now things are looking good. The chemist and Doctor Lentel made an impression with the jury. that’s the good news. The bad news is Alberta. She came across as the victim of unwanted advances from a married man. Sawyer will use that as your motive to kill Ethel. We’re not out of the woods yet. Now, don’t worry. Let me do the worrying. Go with the guards and relax.”

When court reconveined Henderson stood and said, "Call Sergent Frank Bernhardt."

Frank Bernhardt walked slowly to the witness stand, in his hand he carried his derby. He stood raised his hand and was sworn in as a witness.

"Sergeant please tell the court just how long you have been a member of the Philadelphia Police Department," said Henderson.

"Fifteen years."

"Were you assigned during that time to investigate the death of one, ethel Thompson Dingledine?"

"Yes sir."

"And during that time during your investigation did you request labortory test and analysis of products taken from mister Dingledine's home?"

"I did."

"I show you now a copy of the police report submitted by you to be added to the case file pertaining to the case of Ethel Thompson Dingledine. Is this in fact your report?"

"Yes sir."

"Good. Please read the report to the court."

Bernhardt held the paper in two hands, lowered his head and read aloud, "analysis of blood, hair and blood samples taken from the deceaased, Ethel Thompson Dingledine, submitted examined and tested produced the following: All samples tested revealed large amount of arsenic containing copper. It is possible that the subject, Ethel Thmpson Dingledine ingested low amounts of arsenic over a period of time, resulting in her eventual death."

"Thank you Sergeant. no further questions."

"Mister Sawyer?, asked Flowers.

"No questions your honor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Nine

Closing Arguments

 

On Monday, January 28, 1901 at ten o’clock AM court convened. Judge Flowers looked down from the bench and said, “Mister Sawyer, you may proceed.”

“Thank you your honor, the State rests.” said Sawyer.

“Very well. Mister Henderson?”, asked Flowers.

“The Defense also rests your honor,” said Henderson.

“Very well. I assume that both council are prepared to close?”

“Yes sir,” said Sawyer.

“Yes’, said Henderson.

“Very well, Mister Sawyer, you may proceed.

“Thank you, your honor,” said Sawyer as he then turned and approached the jury. “Gentlemen of the jury. For the past few weeks and sometimes long days in this courtroom you have sat and listen to the testimony of witnesses. The State of Pennsylvania has produced witnesses, witnesses that have told you that the deceased, Ethel Thompson Dingedine died from arsenic poison. You have heard testimony from one Mildred Kramer that the deceased before her death in a conversation stated that her husband, Herbert Dingledine was and I repeat, was trying to kill her.

Then you heard testimony from one John Kramer who stated under oath that in a conversation with the defendant on a Sunday said, that Herbert Dingledine was visibly upset because he had to dig beets for his wife’s supper because she wouldn’t eat the green beans he wanted to serve her. Also, when it came to putting down the pesticide, later identified as Paris green, an arsenic poison, when asked about it the defendant replied, and I quote, “There’s never enough for Ethel.”

Then there is the night that Ethel Dingledine was rushed to the hospital. There, she was diagnosed originally as suffering from botulism or if you prefer, food poisoning. You heard Doctor Pittman testify that he told the defendant that he intended to conduct further tests to determine the exact cause of death and that Herbert Dingledine could contact him for the results of those tests. The defendant never. I repeat, never lifted a finger to inquire on the results of Doctor Pittmans further examinations. I ask you now. Why? Wouldn’t an innocent man worried about his wife, a wife who died in the hospital follow through with questions, questions of what did she actually die from? Certainly, but the defendant didn’t need to know the results of those test. Why? Because he knew the cause of Ethel Dingldine’s death. The cause was arsenic, arsenic contained in the Paris green pesticide he used in his garden and yard and placed in her green beans.

Now then, you may ask yourself, why? Why would a man in his mid-thirties, a man with a reputation as an excellent teacher of biology at the local high school commit such an act? The answer gentlemen is simple. The excellent teacher, the man who went to church each and every Sunday, the man who worked in his garden was , no make that is, a lecherous, married man pursuing a young, attractive woman. In spite of Alberta Collins

rejecting his advances, he continued to vie for her attention. He proposed marriage. She refused. Still he deliberately placed himself in her company. May I add the fact that this conduct continued until it ended on the day of his arrest.

You have heard statements made about Miss Collins and Mister Dingledine having surreptitious meeting at the City Library and various museums within the city. You have also heard the explanation given by Miss Collins. She, according to her testimony considered her association with the defendant as, I believed she used the word, platonic. Be that as it may, ask yourself this. Would a married man meet with a young, attractive, single woman on Saturdays, continually attending museums, seeing the same things over and over and not get tired or bored? Not if seduction was on his mind gentlemen. Not if seduction is on his mind.

The infatuation the defendant had with Alberta Collins is the motive he needed to want to kill his wife, Ethel Thompson Dingledine. As a result, I submit to you, that after hearing all of the evidence that you must now find the defendant, Herbert Dingledine guilty of pre-meditated murder. Thank you.”

“Mister Henderson?’, Asked Judge Flowers.

Theodore Henderson rose slowly from his chair and then walked to where the jury sat. He looked at them for a time then began to speak. Gentlemen, I want you to look long and hard at the defendant, one Herbert Dingledine. Why? Because anyone of you could become what he is, a defendant accused wrongly of murder. We are not talking about a man facing a violation of a city ordinance, or in fact a misdemeanor. We are talking about a man charged with a capitol crime. One that warrants the death penalty. Herbert Dingledine is and has been a victim of circumstances. I ask you to dwell on the word circumstances, because of all the evidence produced by the State of Pennsylvania has been and is, what is referred to as, Circumstantial Evidence. Circumstantial, not concrete or exact mind you, but evidence that can by anyone with a reasonable mind can be explained away. I will now offer to you those explanations. Let me begin first with the prosecutions claim that Herbert Dingledine deliberately poisoned his wife Ethel with arsenic. All of you heard the testimony of Mister Wilbur Shilling who stated under oath that the rug taken from the floor at the back door of the Dingledine’s home and the dresses of Ethel Dingledine had and still does contain the poison, arsenic. At the same time, Mister Shilling also testified that a sample of Mister Dingledine’s hair examined and tested likewise contained the poison, arsenic. Now, I ask you gentlemen. Would a reasonable man intent on murdering his wife with arsenic deliberately ingest the poison himself? Of course not. The question then presents itself. How did Herbert Dingledine receive and obtain arsenic in his body and what Wilbur Shilling stated, system?”

The answer is quite simple. Herbert Dingledine and may I say at the urging of his wife put down large amounts of the pesticide, Paris green at and near the backdoor of his home. Why?” Because his wife complained of seeing rodents in the backyard.

Now then, we know that the defendant went in and out of the rear door of his home particularly when working in his garden. When he did he did exactly what anyone of us would do. He wiped his feet on the rug inside the back door. On the soles of his shoes was the residue or if you will, dust, Paris green dust, arsenic dust.

We know that Ethel Dingledine at least on one occasion went out the backdoor into her yard to converse with Mildred Kramer. The question then arises, how many other times did she enter And exit the backdoor and/or enter the backyard? No one knows. What we do know is that Wilbur Shilling stated under oath that he discovered the poison, arsenic on the hems of Ethel Dingeldines skirts and dresses. Now, in addition Doctor Frederick Lentel testified that an accumulation of arsenic under the right conditions can break down and form the toxic gas, Arsine. I want you to think gentlemen. Think of the same bedroom you share with your wife. As you lay in bed her dresses, her skirts hanging in the closet near you contain arsenic, arsenic that under he right conditions can be absorbed into your body, your system. That, gentlemen is exactly what happened to Herbert and Ethel Dingledine.

Now, I know what’s on you minds. The beans, the green string beans. How did arsenic get into the mason jar of preserved green beans? With your indulgence I will explain. Mister Dingldine is a confirmed, gardener. He is a man who takes pride in not only growing his vegetables but as with another hobby enjoys cooking and preserving. Near the end of the growing season he went to his garden and picked green beans. It was an ample harvest. He gathered the beans placing them in a basket. He then carried the basket to the rear door of his home, opened the door entered and tripped. When he tripped he dropped the basket of beans which spilled upon the rug on the floor