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Dobbs said, “I... see, the thing is...”
“A simple yes or no will do,” said Jack.
“Well, yeah,” admitted Dobbs.
“Yes, your gambling debts were paid off?”
“Yeah.”
“How were they paid off?” asked Jack.
“I... see... I won me some money in a craps game.”
“You won over three thousand dollars in street craps in Freeman County?”
Dobbs glanced at the jury to find them staring at him in complete disbelief. “Yes... I mean, no. I mean...”
“Who gave you the money to pay off the debts?”
Dobbs slumped back, a resigned expression on his face. “Nobody give it to me.”
“Mr. Dobbs,” began Jack.
“I’m tellin’ the truth. Nobody give it to me. But they paid off my debts.”
“Who did and why?”
“I don’t know who. I found out when some folks come by. I thought they... I thought they were there to collect and might hurt me. But they said the money had come in and I was free and clear.”
“And someone did that out of the goodness of their heart?”
Dobbs leaned forward. “Yeah, I guess so.”
“No, Mr. Dobbs, someone paid those debts off so you would provide false testimony about Mr. Washington, isn’t that true?”
“No, sir, that ain’t true at all.”
Jack was handed another piece of paper by DuBose. He said, “I will give you one more chance to tell the truth, Mr. Dobbs, and then I will refer you for prosecution to the commonwealth for the charge of perjury, which carries a stiff prison sentence.”
“Shit.” Dobbs stood. “I’m gettin’ the hell outta here.”
But the burly bailiff came forward to intercept him.
“Sit down, sir,” ordered Ambrose. “And no profane language in my courtroom!”
Dobbs slumped down in the witness chair and started to chew on a fingernail.
Jack said, “Answer the question. Who told you to lie?”
“Okay, you’re right. I got a note. It told me what to say and that if I did, my debts would be taken care of.”
“And you seriously expect us to believe that you don’t know who it is?” said Jack.
“I swear to God.”
“Where’s the note?”
“I burned it.”
