Clarence Darrow's cigar

[snopes]

Comment: I have heard the rumor for years that Clarence Darrow would often
light up a cigar in the courtroom during his opposition's closing
arguments; and that he put a straightened paper clip through the center of
it to create an excessively long cigar ash... thereby distracting the jury
from his opposition's words.

Is it true?

[RealityChuck]

I can't imagine any judge would allow smoking in court. If you look at Miracle on 34th Street, you'll note that smoking a cigar is specifically addressed*, which would indicate smoking was not allowed.

I have heard of the trick -- usually with a ladies hatpin, though.

*A bailiff tells William Frawley to put his cigar away, but Frawley touches the end to indicate it's not lit. One would think the filmmakers wouldn't have bothered with this if smoking were allowed.

[diddy]

From what I can find, this was used during the famous monkey trial. Darrow lost that one though. Every case I read involved a piano wire.

Wikipedia notes that in that trial, there was no closing speech for either side