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128 / THE ALGER HISS TRIAL
Friday, December 30, 1949-Thursday, January 5, 1950
Witness: Priscilla Hiss
Direct Examination by the Defense
Though witnesses usually aren't allowed to be in the courtroom before they testify, Priseilla Hiss was there throughout the trial. This was not a special privilege. The prosecution believed that she had typed the documents. No formal charges had been made against her, but as an unindicted co-conspirator she had the right to hear evidence against her.
When Mrs. Hiss took the witness stand, she removed the white gloves that had covered her hands throughout the trial. She denied all of Chambers's accusations, reinforcing her husband's version of events. She said she had given the typewriter away because the keys sometimes stuck and the ribbon puckered. She wanted her son to learn to type on a new typewriter.
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