Plot Hole (Possible Spoiler)

Weren't you paying attention? Early in the movie we're told all the lawyers were out of town attending a convention.

Seriously, you make a good point but I think in those days the only people who really knew or thought about 'lawyering' up were criminals or people involved in law enforcement. Innocent people usually think if they go in and tell the truth they'll be okay. The one person who was guilty was told exactly what to do and say to get out.

The plot hole I noticed came at the end of the movie. The detective's excuse for going after one person more than another didn't seem to hold water. I thought it was a clumsy conclusion used solely to throw us off from what we were all thinking would happen.


Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]

mdonln's reply is correct. To add more information, the landmark case of Miranda vs. Arizona did not come out until 13 years later in 1966. While the rights against self-incrimination and to counsel originated in 1791 with the 5th and 6th Amendments, they were not made a requirement to be announced prior to custodial interrogations until the Miranda decision.

Ignoring politics doesn't mean politics will ignore you.
-Pericles paraphrased in <100 characters