Post by nickiemcnichols on Mar 20, 2012 5:47:53 GMT -5
In a criminal justice system based on 12 individuals not smart
enough to get out of jury duty, here is a jury to be proud of:
A defendant was on trial for murder. There was strong evidence
indicating guilt, but there was no corpse.
In the defence's closing statement, the lawyer, knowing that his
client would probably be convicted, resorted to a trick.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I have a surprise for you all,"
the lawyer said as he looked at his watch. "Within one minute, the
person presumed dead in this case will walk into this courtroom." He looked
toward the courtroom door. The jurors, somewhat stunned, all looked on
eagerly.
A minute passed. Nothing happened.
Finally the lawyer said, "Actually, I made up the previous
statement. But you all looked on with anticipation. I, therefore, put it to you
that you have a reasonable doubt in this case as to whether anyone was
killed, and I insist that you return a verdict of not guilty."
The jury retired to deliberate. A few minutes later, the jury
returned and pronounced a verdict of guilty.
"But how?" inquired the lawyer. "You must have had some doubt; I
saw all of you stare at the door."
The jury foreman replied:
"Yes, we did look.
But your client didn't."
enough to get out of jury duty, here is a jury to be proud of:
A defendant was on trial for murder. There was strong evidence
indicating guilt, but there was no corpse.
In the defence's closing statement, the lawyer, knowing that his
client would probably be convicted, resorted to a trick.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I have a surprise for you all,"
the lawyer said as he looked at his watch. "Within one minute, the
person presumed dead in this case will walk into this courtroom." He looked
toward the courtroom door. The jurors, somewhat stunned, all looked on
eagerly.
A minute passed. Nothing happened.
Finally the lawyer said, "Actually, I made up the previous
statement. But you all looked on with anticipation. I, therefore, put it to you
that you have a reasonable doubt in this case as to whether anyone was
killed, and I insist that you return a verdict of not guilty."
The jury retired to deliberate. A few minutes later, the jury
returned and pronounced a verdict of guilty.
"But how?" inquired the lawyer. "You must have had some doubt; I
saw all of you stare at the door."
The jury foreman replied:
"Yes, we did look.
But your client didn't."
