It began as a routine murder trial. Dour Mrs. Charlotte Black, 63, a big, thin-lipped woman with square-lensed spectacles, stood accused in Santa Rosa, Calif, of pumping three bullets into the head of her husband Martin, 67. But hardly had the jury been sworn in when the case became a cause. Counsel for the defense told the court that Mrs. Black waived her right to a public trial. Judge Donald Geary promptly ordered spectators out. A lone newsman, Don Engdahl of the
Santa Rosa Press-Democrat, kept his place while the bailiff explained who he was. "That makes no difference," snapped the judge....
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