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Defense Witnesses / 131
Monday, January 9-Wednesday, January 11, 1950
Witness: Dr. Carl Binger
Direct Examination by the Defense
Binger, a psychiatrist, had sat through the first trial, expecting to testify about Chambers's mental condition, but his testimony had not been allowed. When Binger's name was called this time, the prosecutor objected again, but this time the judge let him testify. Binger's opinion was based on Chambers's testimony and behavior on the witness stand at both trials and on his writings.
The defense asked Binger a forty-five-minute-long question that covered many damaging facts about Chambers. Part of the question was:
Q. Now Doctor, assume that the following facts are true: that Chambers got into trouble in high school over a speech; that he had trouble with college authorities over a play; that in 1925 he joined the Communist party; that he used many false names; that he changed his testimony many times; that he did not believe in God; that when he visited Hiss he was poorly dressed; that he had a brother who committed suicide; that he hid microfilm in a pumpkin; that he accused Hiss of espionage and testified that Hiss was
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