Thursday Special ~ Clever jury

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 looked. But your client didn’t!”

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Thanks to Peter for sending this little number to me.

19 thoughts on “Thursday Special ~ Clever jury

  1. Nancy L.

    GM,

    This actually happened in a courtroom here. They were trying a police officer for shooting an unarmed kid. The officer swore he saw a weapon in the teenager’s hand.
    When they picked up the body the victim was holding a cell phone in his hand.

    The case seemed to be going badly for the cop so his attorney asked for a short recess. When court resumed the District attorney said something that the cop’s attorney found objectionable and he started to throw a fit over it. He ranted and raved and finally ran toward the jury box and pointed something at them.

    They all ducked for cover and shielded themselves from his gunfire. Then the attorney showed them what he had in his hand was a cell phone. No gun. But they all THOUGHT it was a gun. CASE CLOSED ON THE POLICEMAN…

    Reply

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