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Show Page 65 Ann, however, was the only defendant. Tom Yarberry, Ann's companion of recent months and her co-defendant in the rustling charge, had skipped bail and disappeared. That Ann was the only defendant made the second trial even more dramatic than the first. There was little new evidence presented at this trial. In fact, three of the witnesses who had defended Ann at her first trial were missing: one had been murdered; one had left town after being accused of sheep stealing; one had disappeared after finishing a term in jail. As it turned out, Ann didn't need them. Ann's life on the range, her cultured background and her excellent education had created a character of contradictions. She was spirited and high-strung and could play a hell-cat with salty words to match. But Ann could also-as she had shown at her second meeting with Hi Bernard-play the role of cultured gentlewoman overflowing with gentility and charm. During her trial she chose this latter role to play, and she played it well The courtroom in Craig, Colorado, was bursting with curious onlookers. Everyone in town wanted to attend the trial of the famous Ann Bassett. Perhaps the fact these people liked and admired Ann, but resented Ora Haley and most other cattle barons, did as much to sway the jury in her favor as anything said in her defense. But Ann herself was probably her own best defense. When she appeared before the jury she was a tiny, feminine, fashionably-dressed vision of loveliness |