Chapter 19 Summary

The trial resumes on December 7, 1954, with Dr. Whitman as the next witness for the prosecution. A hematologist (a blood specialist), he testifies that the blood on the handle of Kabuo's fishing gaff is B-positive, a rare blood type that matches Carl Heine's. This shows that the blood on the fishing gaff is almost assuredly Carl's.

In cross-examination, Nels asks Dr. Whitman if he found any bits of bone, scalp, or hair on the fishing gaff, but Whitman says that he didn't find anything like that on the gaff. Since these fragments of skull and scalp should be on object that was used to smash in someone's head, Nels asks him whether that would make it more likely that the blood came from Carl's head or from his hand. Reluctantly, Whitman admits that the lack of these additional tissues makes it more probable that...