A Time to Kill

Jake visits the Smithfield courthouse, an hour away from Clanton, where Noose is presiding. During a recess, Jake apprises Noose of the burning crosses on the jurors’ lawns. Noose agrees to dismiss those 20 prospective jurors, but he still will not change the venue. Jake thinks, “Lucien was right—someone had gotten to him” (329).

At Jake’s request, Ellen has been researching 150 years of insanity law in Mississippi, including the M’Naghten brief, which explains how current insanity law might apply to Carl Lee’s case. Ellen has also met with Bass twice and crafted a courtroom dialog for him that Jake thinks is skillful. Next, Jake asks Ellen to research Dr. Wilbert Rodeheaver, head of staff at Whitfield hospital. Jake believes that Rodeheaver is reluctant to declare a defendant insane, and he wants to know if he has ever done so.

Jake takes Ellen on a road trip to a restaurant an hour and a half away. They flirt with one another in the car even though Jake explains that they must keep their relationship professional. At the restaurant, they drink a bottle of wine, eat, and discuss Bass. Ellen thinks he is the best they can do, as long as he is sober for the trial.