A Fever in the Blood

First credited feature film role for Carroll O'Connor, who portrays Matt Keenan.

During the trial, lawyers call witnesses who have been sitting in the audience of the courtroom. The gardener is allowed to sit in the courtroom and after the prosecutor finishes questioning him the judge dismisses him without allowing the defense lawyer to cross examine him. And the prosecution reopens his case and changes the alleged motive without letting the defense know about the new evidence and witness in advance, not giving them time to prepare, and immediately calling the new witness to the stand. This is all done for dramatic effect, and would never be allowed in a real court trial.