McBride: The Chameleon Murder

Mr. Walden did you visit your Aunt often?

Whenever I could.

We earlier heard,

Mr. Fairbanks give his account

of the events of that particular night.

Does it seem correct to you?

Yes.

- Could you tell the court what happened next?

- I noticed that the sliding door in the living room was open.

So I ran out on to the balcony.

And I jumped down into the alley.

And?

That man.

My client.

I saw him trying to get away.

So I tackled him.

- You are certain he was the man,

who robbed and killed your Aunt.

When I tackled him,

some of my Aunt's jewelry

fell out of his pocket,

What do you want?

- Well, it is fortunate that you got there

just in time to capture Mr. Lassiter.

- If only I had gotten there sooner.

She'd still be alive.

- The police went through the crime scene.

Throughly.

You know I just kept staring at this photograph and,

couldn't help but wishing that

there had been a witness,

to what had happened.

And then I realized, there was.

Defense calls Shirley Walden.

Order!

Order.

Your honor.

Shirley was Edna's friend and constant companion.

And as we can all see,

from the police photograph.

She witnessed everything.

Shirley is an African Grey Parrot.

Research has shown that these birds,

definitely have intelligence potential.

They can perform the same cognitive tasks as,

chimpanzees, dolphins, four year old children.

They can identify,

50 or more objects, count to six

differentiate between colors, objects,

people.

- Mr. Lassiter, would you offer Shirley a peanut?

Shirley wants peanut.

Thank you.

- Darren, you must know Shirley really well huh?

Would you mind giving her a peanut?

Peanut!

Sure...

Peanut!

Don't hurt me!

Don't hurt me.

Don't hurt me.

Order!

Order!

- Your Aunt, caught you didn't she,

trying to steal her money and her jewels.

You lost your temper and you hit her.

She kept crying out, 'Don't hurt me, don't hurt me.'

You panicked. You hut her harder.

Just to get her to be quiet.

When you realized what you had done,

you opened the door to the alley,

to make it look like an intruder had escaped that way.

That's when you saw my client,

poor, defenseless, old man.

Homeless. Going through the trash cans.

You though. ah. Perfect scapegoat.

So you ran out. You told Mr. Fairbanks

to call for help. You jumped in the alley.

You tackled Mr. Lassiter.

And conveniently dropped a couple of pieces,

of your Aunt's jewelry nearby.

I didn't mean to kill her.

I didn't!

No more questions Your Honor.

I'll just take a coffee.

Coming right up.

Driving all night?

Just to Los Angeles.

Huh. You've got ah,

Another three hours.

Should be home by 3 AM.

You must make the trip often.

As often as possible.

There you go.

I take it your a Warriors fan.

Oh. Big-time. Yeah.

I rode up with a friend from LA but,

I ah forgot to consider the whole getting home part.

Heh.

Dudley Banks.

Whitney Collier.

So tell me,

Dudley,

how would you like to ride with me?

I could use the company. And,

it would certainly help keep me awake.

- Thanks. That would be wonderful.

Check. Please.

- At least let me pay for your coffee.

- No, no. Dudley. Thank you but ah,

I have a much better idea.

Let's let my husband pay for both our coffees.

So you work with the elderly?

- I feed and wash the patients who can't do it themselves.

I talk to them mostly. Keep them company.

You'd be amazed at,

how many of the elderly have pretty much been,

abandoned by their own families.

- That is an admirable thing that you do.

Especially considering how youthful you are.

- Thank you. I really enjoy my work.

How about you? What do you do?

I am a little like you.

My husband is in real estate development.

He wheels and deals. And I take care of him.

Ah... sorry.

Are you all right?

I'm fine.

Wow!

A little spending money.

Well this is me. Right here.

Right here?

Yep.

- Okay. Well, here you go.

Thanks again for the ride.

- I must say I really enjoyed myself.

Thanks for accompanying me.

Have a good night.

Listen, ah, don't forget your backpack.

Thanks again.

Ah.

Yep.

It's termites.

Termites.

- They're subterranean. The worse kind.

Oh...

-It's a pretty big infestation too.

Yes. Of course...

Good morning Doc!

- Good morning Dudley. How was your day off?

Did you make it to the game?

- Yeah! It was great. What a game.

You look tired.

It was a long ride home.

So as you jogged by,

you saw the victim slumped over the steering wheel.

Yeah, I saw...

So this is the same route that you take everyday?

I take this route everyday.

I tried to get into the car.

To see if I could help her.

I couldn't get in. It was locked.

Why don't you just relax a minute.

So what'd you got?

Ah, looks like a murder...

How long ago?

Some time this morning.

You are going to be all right

I'm here.

Your body is shaking.

Let me call the doctor.

- John. Check these windows out for forced entry.

Andy. Lead the way. Come on.

Let's move guys. Come on.

Photo this.

How about that?

Whitney Colliers wallet.

was found in the suspect's home.

a large amount of cash.

- She thought you were Marvin, her son.

Why wouldn't he come?

You did a lovely thing Dudley.

Can I help?

- No. I can take care of everything here.

- Dr. Hightower asked to see you.

Enter.

Good morning, Dr. Hightower.

- Dr. Weill said that you wanted to see me.

- Mr. Banks I am Detective Fitzsimmons with the Los Angeles Police Department.

- Clarence, I wanted to talk with you.

This is not a good time Megan.

What's going on?

- Dudley Banks. I am placing you under arrest

for the murder of one Whitney Collier.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Okay, I just moved two bills

from the past due file

to the WAY past due file.

Fine. When they get to the,