From: Miss Marple
Date: 10/19/01
Time: 5:17:42 PM
Jasper,
I agree that the plastic bag and showel, presented to the jury late on a Friday, were theatrics and image planting. (And strong images they are).
I disagree though on the part Fuhrman played. I find it hard to believe that Fuhrman hadn't examined the bag before presenting his wild theory to Clark on those long hours he spent in her office. And if he hadn't, why did Clark use Fuhrman to introduce the bag and showel? Why not the investigating officer, Vanatter?
What made Clark go with him on this wild theory, I don't know. He must have hypontized.
Fuhrman describes his "acting" in court: "As I described to the court my actions of unwrapping and unfolding the plastic, you had to hear the surprise in my voice. I wondered why nobody had told me it was only a plastic bag".
I think Fuhrman WAS setting himself up to look "a little foolish" (and human too, I agree). At that time all kinds of police conspiracy theories were floating around and I think that maybe having the police look a little foolish would undermine those theories. And it worked.
Miss Marple