Nell Grimes

Nell Grimes is the main villainess from "The Case of the Bigamous Spouse," episode 7.07 of Perry Mason.

She was played by Jackie Loughery.

Nell Grimes is the newlywed wife of Felton Grimes, having only been married to him for six months. However, Nell noticed that Felton had been away on long trips on several occasions, causing her to become suspicious that Felton (at least) had another woman. She invited her friend, Gwynn Elston, to stay with her and Felton, but it was really to help her investigate Felton.

As Gwynn found out, Felton was actually a bigamist, as he also went on the name Frank Gillette and had another wife and a daughter. Unbeknownst to Gwynn, Nell had followed her to the Gillette house, and after Gwynn left, the evil Nell shot and killed Felton after an argument. Nell planned to frame Gwynn for the murder, planting Gwynn's compact at the scene, which led to Gwynn's arrest. Nell was revealed as the murderess during Gwynn's testimony, as Perry had asked Gwynn if she had checked Nell's room to see if she was asleep there (as Nell testified to earlier). Gwynn pleaded with Nell to tell them that she didn't kill her husband, only for Nell to break down and sob, confirming her role. Nell was arrested for killing Felton.