The Trial: Part II

Capote uses Dick's former cellmate, Floyd Wells, and Dick's lawyer, Harrison Smith, effectively to cast a dark image on Hickock. His well-rehearsed story reveals an "established premeditation of great degree," (283). (Premeditation of murder qualifies it as murder in the first degree in American courts). This casts quite a poor light on Dick, as not only a murderer but premeditated murderer and burglar. Capote's quick and effective use of this bit of information makes the reader continue to dislike Dick. Dick's snappy lawyer also makes us dislike Dick a bit more. He snaps questions at Floyd such as, "Don't they call you 'Squealer' now? or do they cal you 'Snitch'?" and, "Some of those times for lying, were they?" (284). His accusatory tone does not bode well in the readers eyes. It makes the reader dislike the layer, and in essence Dick. Floyd's calm and measured responses make us cheer for him. Capote not only uses the characters themselves, but those who have connections to them to change the reader's feelings about the characters.