The clown took the stand, and both the prosecution and the defense were immediately called forward for a sidebar by Judge Fescoe. A heated discussion ensued that none of the rest of us could hear. The clown issue was apparently resolved in favor of the defense. After being sworn in, the clown was asked his name for the record.

With his white-gloved right hand raised, he said, “Billy.”

The bailiff asked, “Last name, please?”

The clown said, “First name, Silly. Last name, Billy. Silly Billy. I had it legally changed,” he turned and confided to the judge.

Jules Halpern then took over, and he treated the clown with respect and seriousness. First, he asked him to state his credentials, which the clown did, politely. Then Halpern asked, “And what brings you here today?”

“I did a party for Mr. Shafer out in Kalorama on the fateful and terrible night of the murder. It was his twins’ fifth birthday. I did a party when they were four as well. I brought a video along. Want to see?” he said, speaking as if he were addressing a crowd of three-year-olds.

“Of course,” said Jules Halpern.

“Objection!” Catherine Fitzgibbon called out loudly.

The video was admitted over the prosecution’s objections and after yet another lengthy sidebar. The newspapers had claimed that Judge Fescoe was intimidated by Jules Halpern, which seemed the case.

The tape began with an arresting close-up of a painting of a clown’s face. As the camera pulled back, everyone in the courtroom could see it was the sign on Silly Billy’s van, which was parked in front of a handsome redbrick town house with a glass conservatory linked to the main building. The Shafer house.

The next scene showed Silly Billy ringing the front bell and apparently surprising the Shafer children at the door.

Once again, the prosecution objected to the videotape. There was another sidebar. The lawyers returned to their seats, and the tape resumed.

The other children at the birthday party then ran to the door. The clown handed out toys from a sack slung over his shoulder — teddy bears, dolls, shiny red fire trucks.

Silly Billy then performed magic tricks and gags on the sun porch, which looked out onto the backyard. The yard was very pretty, with potted orange trees, white climbing roses, a jasmine vine, lush green grass.

“Wait! I hear something outside!” he turned and said into the camera. He ran and disappeared from sight.

The kids all followed. The tension of surprise and imminent fun showed in the children’s eyes.

A cream-colored pony appeared, cantering slowly around the corner of the house. Silly Billy was riding the pony.

But when the clown dismounted, the kids discovered that the clown was actually Geoffrey Shafer! All the kids went wild, but especially the Shafer twins. They ran and hugged their daddy, who seemed the perfect father.