I think it's curious that he was dead-set against his wife ever attending any hearing with or without him and sought to use a letter of hers to close the matter. Did he pressure her to write the letter? Was he afraid of what testimony his wife would be asked to provide?
I think you raise some excellent questions. I also think your recollection is spot on - with at least one version of the story that we know. I would be very interested to know the answer to some of your questions…