"My specialized training in psychiatry consisted of two years as a resident in psychiatry at the Texas State Mental Hospital, an approved training center. I engaged in clinical work with psychoneurotic and psychotic patients. I studied psychology, psychopathology, psychotherapy, and the physiological therapies. This training, supervised by competent psychiatric teachers, included instruction in the psychiatric aspects of general medicine, the behavior aspects of children, adolescents, and adults."
It was doubtful if a single person in the courtroom comprehended any of what Bass had just said, but it came from the mouth of a man who suddenly appeared to be a genius, an expert, for he had to be a man of great wisdom and intelligence to pronounce those words. With the bow tie and vocabulary, and in spite of the boots, Bass was gaining credibility with each answer.
"Are you a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry?"
"Of course," he answered confidently.
"In which branch are you certified?"
"I am certified in psychiatry."
"And when were you certified?"
"April of 1967."
"What does it take to become certified by the American Board of Psychiatry?"
"A candidate must pass oral and practical exams, as well as a written test at the direction of the Board."
Jake glanced at his notes and noticed Musgrove winking at Buckley.
"Doctor, do you belong to any professional groups?"
"Yes."
"Name them please."
"I am a member of the American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, and the Mississippi Medical Association."
"How long have you been engaged in the practice of psychiatry?"
"Twenty-two years."
Jake walked three steps in the direction ot me oencn and eyed Noose, who was watching intently.
"Your Honor, the defense offers Dr. Bass as an expert in the field of psychiatry."
"Very well," replied Noose. "Do you wish to examine this witness, Mr. Buckley?"
The D.A. stood with his legal pad. "Yes, Your Honor, just a few questions."
Surprised but not worried, Jake took his seat next to Carl Lee. Ellen was still not in the courtroom.
"Dr. Bass, in your opinion, are you an expert in the field of psychiatry?" asked Buckley.
"Yes."
"Have you ever taught psychiatry?"
"No."
"Have you ever published any articles on psychiatry?"
"No."
"Have you ever published any books on psychiatry?"
"No."
"Now, I believe you testified that you are a member of the A.M.A., M.M.A., and the American Psychiatric Association?"
"Yes."
"Have you ever served as an officer in any of these organizations?"
"No."
"What hospital positions do you currently hold, as of today?"
"None."
"Has your experience in psychiatry included any work under the auspices of the federal government or any state government?"
"No."
The arrogance was beginning to fade from his face, and the confidence from his voice. He shot a glance at Jake, who was digging through a file.
"Dr. Bass, are you now engaged in the practice of psychiatry full-time?"
The expert hesitated, and looked briefly at Lucien on the second row. "I see patients on a regular basis."
"How many patients and how regular?" Buckley retorted with an enormous air of confidence.
"I see from five to ten patients per week."
"One or two a day?"
"Something like that."
"And you consider that a full-time practice?"
"I'm as busy as I want to be."
Buckley threw his legal pad on the table and looked at Noose. "Your Honor, the State objects to this man testifying as an expert in the field of psychiatry. It's obvious he's not qualified."
Jake was on his feet with his mouth open.
"Overruled, Mr. Buckley. You may proceed, Mr. Bri-gance."
Jake gathered his legal pads and returned to the podium, well aware of the suspicion the D.A. had just artfully thrown over his star witness. Bass shifted boots.
"Now, Dr. Bass, have you examined the defendant, Carl Lee-Hailey?"
"Yes."
"How many times?"
"Three."
"When was your first examination?"
"June 10."
"What was the purpose of this examination?"
"I examined him to determine his current mental condition as well as his condition on May 20, when he allegedly shot Mr. Cobb and Mr. Willard."
"Where did this examination take place?"
"Ford County Jail."
"Did you conduct this examination alone?"
"Yes. Just Mr. Hailey and myself."
"How long did the examination last?"
"Three hours."
"Did you review his medical history?"
"In a roundabout way, you could say. We talked at great length about his past."
"What did you learn?"
"Nothing remarkable, except for Vietnam."
"What about Vietnam?"
Bass folded his hands over his slightly overweight stom-
ach and frowned intelligently at the defense attorney. Well, Mr. Brigance, like many Vietnam vets I've worked with, Mr. Hailey had some rather horrible experiences over there."
War is hell, thought Carl Lee. He listened intently. Now, Vietnam was bad. He'd been shot. He'd lost friends. He'd killed people, many people. He'd killed children, Vietnamese children carrying guns and grenades. It was bad. He wished he'd never seen the place. He dreamed about it, had flashbacks and nightmares occasionally. But he didn't feel warped or insane because of it. He didn't feel warped or insane because of Cobb and Willard. In fact, he felt quite satisfied because they were dead. Just like those in Vietnam.
He had explained all this to Bass once at the jail, and Bass had seemed unimpressed by it. And they had talked only twice, and never more than an hour.
Carl Lee eyed the jury and listened suspiciously to the expert, who talked at length of Carl Lee's dreadful experiences in the war. Bass's vocabulary jumped several octaves as he explained to the laymen in nonlaymen terms the ef: fects of Vietnam on Carl Lee. It sounded good. There had been nightmares over the years, dreams Carl Lee had never worried much about, but to hear Bass explain it, were extremely significant events.
"Did he talk freely of Vietnam?"
"Not really," replied Bass, then explaining in great detail the tremendous task he confronted in dragging out the war from this complex, burdened, probably unstable mind. Carl Lee didn't remember it that way. But he dutifully listened with a pained expression, wondering for the first time in his life if perhaps he could be a little off.
After an hour, the war had been refought and its effects flogged thoroughly. Jake decided to move on.
"Now, Dr. Bass," Jake said, scratching his head. "Other than Vietnam, what other significant events did you note regarding his mental history?"
"None, except the rape of his daughter."
"Did you discuss the rape with Carl Lee?"
"At great length, during each of the three examinations."
"Explain to the jury what the rape did to Carl Lee Hailey."
Bass stroked his chin and looked perplexed. "Quite frankly, Mr. Brigance, it would take a great deal of time to explain what the rape did to Mr, Hailey."
Jake thought a moment, and seemed to thoroughly analyze this last statement. "Well, could you summarize it for the jury?"
Bass nodded gravely. "I'll try."
Lucien grew weary of listening to Bass, and began watching the jury in hopes of eyeing Clyde Sisco, who had also lost interest but appeared to be admiring the boots. Lucien watched intently from the corner of his eye, waiting for Sisco to gaze around the courtroom.
Finally, as Bass rambled on, Sisco left the testimony and looked at Carl Lee, then Buckley, then one of the reporters on the front row. Then his line of vision locked solidly into a wild-eyed, bearded old man who had once handed him eighty thousand cash for performing his civic duty and returning a just verdict. They focused unmistakably on each other, and both managed a slight grin. How much? was the look in Lucien's eyes. Sisco returned to the testimony, but seconds later he was staring at Lucien. How much? Lucien said, his lips actually moving but with no sound.
Sisco looked away and watched Bass, thinking of a fair price. He looked in Lucien's direction, scratched his beard, then suddenly, while staring at Bass, flashed five fingers across his face and coughed. He coughed again and studied the expert.
Five hundred or five thousand? Lucien asked himself. Knowing Sisco, it was five thousand, maybe fifty thousand. It made no difference; Lucien would pay it. He was worth a ton.
By ten-thirty, Noose had cleaned his glasses a hundred times and consumed a dozen cups of coffee. His bladder pressed forward toward the spillway. "Time for the morning recess. We'll adjourn until eleven." He rapped the gavel and disappeared.
"How'm I doing?" Bass asked nervously. He followed Jake and Lucien to the law library on the third floor.
"You're doing fine," Jake said. "Just keep those boots outta sight."
"The boots are critical," Lucien protested."
"I need a drink," Bass said desperately.
"Forget it," Jake said.
"So do I," Lucien added. "Let's run over to your office for a quick one."
"Great idea!" Bass said.
"Forget it," Jake repeated. "You're sober and you're doing great."
"We got thirty minutes," Bass said as he and Lucien were leaving the library and heading for the stairs.
"No! Don't do it, Lucien!" Jake demanded.
"Just one," Lucien replied, pointing a finger at Jake. "Just one."
"You've never had just one."
"Come with us, Jake. It'll settle your nerves."
"Just one," Bass yelled as he disappeared down the steps.
At eleven, Bass sat himself in the witness chair and looked through glazed eyes at the jury. He smiled, and almost giggled. He was aware of the artists on the front row, so he looked as expert as possible. His nerves were indeed settled. "Dr. Bass, are you familiar with the criminal responsibility test relative to the M'Naghten Rule?" Jake asked.