Chapter 3 Summary

Cassie and Stacey watch the trial from the window. The first witness is called: Mrs. Jim Lee Barnett, wife of the deceased. She tells her story of retiring to their apartment around 6:00 and going to bed around 8:00. An hour later, she and her husband are awakened by a noise in the store. They go downstairs to find three black men inside, opening their safe. When the intruders see the Barnetts, they attack Mr. Barnett, hitting him in the head with the blunt end of an axe. They knock Mrs. Barnett out as well.

When she comes to, Mrs. Barnett calls for help. Courtney Jones and the Simms brothers come to her aid, but Mr. Barnett dies. Everyone in the courtroom shows obvious sympathy for Mrs. Barnett, as the prosecutor finishes his questioning.

Mr. Jamison begins his questioning in his gentle, sympathetic tone. He...