Leonard Vole (Witness for the Prosecution)

In the stage play Witness for the Prosecution, Leonard Vole is put on trial for the murder of Emily French. Vole is pretending to be innocent when Sir Wilfred Robarts questions him, he is very naive, saying that Emily was old when she was in her 50’s, he only hoped for something to help his inventions, which included things for cars and an egg beater/separator. He had seen Miss French as like his aunts that raised him, however after the papers say about the will change which results in his arrest at the office.

At the trial he claims the blood on his shirt was his own not French, as he cut his arm the same night while slicing ham, as seen with the knife and scar, but the prosecuting lawyers suggest that it could have been done on purpose, when Romaine testify that he was guilty, Vole yells questioning why she lies, however when Romaine’s letters appears he questions who this Max is. However he is present when Romaine reveals the truth to Mr Mayhew and Robards, he reminds the shocked men that he is now protected by double jeopardy and that he will help Romaine’s release, but as she professes her love, his girlfriend The Other Woman appears, Romaine in betrayal stabs him with the knife killing him.

1957 film
In the 1957 film Leonard Vole is portrayed by Tyrone Powers. There are some changes:
 * Robards tested Vole’s honestly by shining his monocle at his face and he passes.
 * There are Flashbacks scenes of Vole and French out on the town and them at French’s home.
 * A scene of Vole and Christine meeting in World War 2 in a beer hall.
 * When he is freed and Christine tells Robards the truth he offers to pay everyone off now he can afford him.
 * When Christine discovers Diana (The Other Woman) his attitude is that he never said he loved her and that it was all false and she did her part of the deal, so his dead was well deserved.

1982 film
In the 1982 film Leonard Vole is portrayed by Beau Bridges.

While based on the 1957 film there are no flashbacks and Vole is shown as an innocent but when he is acquitted his true nature as a cruel person is revealed.