Summary

In Chapter 15, Belknap discusses the case with his colleague, Reuben Jephson, and they come to the conclusion Clyde’s story, if told as is, would likely lead to his conviction. After considering Clyde’s life and circumstances, the pair concur that an insanity defense is the best way to go. When asked if his family has a history of insanity, Clyde answers in the negative. They ask Clyde many questions regarding his relationship with Roberta, hoping to find something there that will earn him sympathy. They discuss finding Clyde’s discarded suit and having it cleaned to conform to his story and also arguing the marks on Roberta’s face were the result of mishandling the body during the retrieval effort.

In Chapter 16 the legal team adopts the position that Roberta’s death resulted from the fact Clyde was simply a “moral coward...