" 

 == Trotsky assination == 

 Is it known why Mercader had an ice axe as opposed to a pick?  I do wonder if the confusion about the tool is one of Spanish-English translation.  The Trotsky article quotes Mercader's trial testimony as: ""I laid my raincoat on the table in such a way as to be able to remove the ice axe which was in the pocket.""  I don't know any any mountaineering axe that would fit in a pocket."