A defendant was on trial for
murder. There was strong evidence indicating guilt, but there was no body. In
the defense’s closing statement, his high priced lawyer, knowing there is a good
chance his client will be convicted, resorted to one of his best
tricks.
“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.” And he turned and pointed at 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 to you that you have a reasonable doubt in this case as to whether
anyone was killed and insist that you return a verdict of not
guilty.”
The jury, clearly confused, 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: “Oh, we
did."
"But
your client didn’t.”
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