Woe be unto him
if he has not sense enough to waive her off the stand! He
might as well try to harness a Valkyrie as to restrain a
pugnacious old Irishwoman who is intent on getting the whole
business before the jury in her own way.
In the recent case of Gustav Dinser, convicted of murder, a
vigorous old lady took the stand and testified forcibly
against the accused. She was as "smart as paint," as the
saying goes, and resolutely refused to answer any questions
put to her by counsel for the defence. Instead, she would
raise her voice and make a savage onslaught upon the prisoner,
rehearsing his brutal treatment of the deceased on previous
occasions, and getting in the most damaging testimony.
"Do you say, Mrs.--" the lawyer would inquire deferentially,
"that you heard the sound of three blows?"
"Oh, thim blows!" the old lady would cry--"thim turrible
blows! I could hear the villain as he laid thim on! I could
hear the poor, pitiful groans av her, and she so sufferin'!
'Twas awful! Howly Saints,'twould make yer blood run cowld!"
"Stop! stop!" exclaimed the lawyer.
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