Memory Man

Decker arrives at the courthouse for Leopold’s arraignment. Lancaster and Miller take seats beside Decker. They discuss the few facts that they know about the accused: His prints don’t show up in any criminal database. Decker suggests that Miller should check foreign sources.

When the hearing begins, Leopold says he doesn’t want a lawyer because there’s no need for a trial. He confesses again in open court to murdering Decker’s family.

The failure of the prosecuting attorney and the police to assign a lawyer to Leopold incenses the judge. The judge postpones the hearing until the following day after a psych evaluation is done on Leopold and counsel has been appointed.

On the way out of the courthouse, Jamison follows Decker. He finally has the chance to assess her in person. She’s young, tall, and attractive: “Her face held the wonderful enthusiasm of youth as yet unblemished by life” (112).

Jamison wants to get Decker’s reaction to Leopold’s confession, but he refuses to give one. When she insists that he must have strong feelings now that the hearing has brought everything back to him, Decker says that the experience never left him in the first place. The murders remain always uppermost in his mind.